I went to Pure Barre for 30 days and this is what happened...

As I mentioned in my first post this year, I wanted to mix up my fitness plan. I'm the kind of person who gets bored if I do the same work out every day, which is why I already did a mix of weights, indoor cardio machines, HIIT workouts, and "fun" stuff like running with my dog. 

I've always wanted to try out Pure Barre, but in the past I have made lots of excuses like "it's too expensive," "I'm doing fine without it," or "it probably doesn't even work." However, we are in crunch time! Come the middle of January, I was only 4 months away from my wedding, and more urgently, 5 weeks away from my first dress fitting. After talking to a few co-workers (and convincing them to sign up with me), I enrolled in a 30 day trial period at Pure Barre. 

On my first day I wasn't sure what to expect. I arrived at the studio early with some cool new sticky socks I had ordered on Amazon. I was greeted by my friends and realized I quickly missed the memo that Lulu Lemon was required to take Barre class. I met Risa who would be my instructor, and she explained to me that I would have no idea what was going on, but to do my best to stick with it. (Side note: to this day Risa remains one of my favorite teachers. Her combination of a killer workout and amazing tunes cannot be beat.)  A little arrogantly, I must admit, I thought, "How bad can this be? I mean...I work out 6 times a week.." Little did I know that Risa was about to kick my ass...

55 minutes of lifting, tucking, toning, and burning later I was HOOKED. I had no idea that such small movements could make such an impact. If you were a bystander watching a barre class, 90% of the time you would think we are doing nothing.  This is because the majority movements are so small, they are barely noticeable.  An outsider wouldn't realize each of these moves are isometrically focused on one area- your arms, abs, thighs or butt.  Each squeeze and contraction is designed to work the focus-area in a way no other exercise can, and by repeating it dozens of times over, you are getting one hell of a workout. The only equipment used is a rubber ball, tube, small weights, and of course, your body weight.

I decided that I would incorporate Barre into my weekly routine, going 5x a week. Typically, I went Tuesday night, Thursday and Friday before work, and Saturday and Sunday mornings. On other mornings, I continued to run with Kronk (our dog), and other nights, I did weights/cardio at the gym with Alan.

I committed myself to 30 days of barre, hoping to see some results.  While I only lost a nominal amount of weight, the change in my body composition was incredible. (I am at a point where the pounds aren't as impacting as muscle building and body shaping). 

I was hesitant to share photos at first, because I am pretty self-conscious, and I realize how annoying it is when people do this. But I want everyone to know how amazing Pure Barre is! I thought I would sign up for the 30 day trial leading up to my dress fitting and then another month preceding my wedding. Instead, I ended up signing up for the "bride to be" package, which is giving me 3 more months of unlimited classes.  Coincidentally, this takes me right up to my wedding! It has become such an integral part of my workouts and week, that I find myself actively looking forward to class- even the 5:30am ones. I am so excited to see what happens in the next two and a half months - I feel myself getting stronger at every class. And that's really what any workout is about, right?  Getting stronger, healthier, and just doing something great for your body!

A big shout-out and thank you to the Pure Barre team at River Oaks- every teacher I have had is amazing. I have never felt self-conscious or out of place, and only encouraged to work harder. If you're in the Houston area, I strongly recommend visiting my friends at this location.  Every instructor is great- but Risa and Tyann will really kick your butt. If you're not in Texas, click here, and find the studio closest to you! All you've got to lose is inches, right?

Stay happy & healthy,

Molly

...Crustless Mini Quiches

Happy 2016!

Can you believe it's already January?! I am VERY excited for what this year has to bring-- Clemson is playing in the National Championship tomorrow night, for one. And, oh yeah, I get MARRIED this year!! That is the most exciting (and terrifying) thing ever! Just to be clear- terrifying because I have my dress fitting in 7 weeks, not because of Alan. :) And because it's a new year, and I have some very important milestones ahead of me, it's time to get back on track!

If you're like me, you seriously enjoyed the month of December. For me, the month included my birthday, my company holiday party, and a week in Iowa with my family for Christmas. And while all of these events were a darn good time, they came paired with lots of wine, cookies, and holiday feasts. Now, I always say if you're going to indulge- make sure it's really worth it and it's real food. I would much rather "cheat" on a hunk of my Grandpa's prime rib, with a side of my Grandma's potato casserole, and my Aunt's from-scratch rolls, followed by a few homemade cookies, than I would on fast food or processed junk. (Spoiler alert: that was (part of) my Christmas meal.) Granted, I didn't lose any weight over the holidays (is that even possible?!), but I cherished every bite of my Christmas and birthday meals (and to be fair, I literally ate a salad for my birthday dinner.) But now it's a new year, and I've got new goals to achieve! Below are a few of the ways I am getting back on track for the new year, and more importantly- the wedding dress!

1. Said goodbye to beer: Notice I said beer, not alcohol. Alcohol has a lot of empty calories, and can lead to unhealthy eating decisions (late night Taco Bell anyone?). However, I am not foolish enough to say I won't drink until my wedding- I have to be honest with myself here! For me, I LOVE BEER. But it's full of carbs, high in calories, and I can drink quite a few without thinking. But by sticking to red wine (which actually has health benefits), or vodka (which is low in sugar and carbs), I will be able to enjoy a few well-deserved cocktails over the next few weeks, without the guilt and heavy feeling of beer.

2. Keeping up with the gym: I'll admit, for the first few days after the holidays, I was not my best in the gym. I had little motivation to go, and even though I did, I was driving the struggle bus. Then, on about my fourth workout, I crushed it. It felt so good to push myself, get a really good burn, and destroy quite a few calories. It reminded me of my passion for strength training, and how good it feels to kill it in the gym. My goal is to continue working it at the gym, running with my dog- and even trying a few new workouts, like Barre (more to come on that!) No matter how tired I am, I vow to get in some kind of exercise every day, with long workouts at least 6 days a week!

3. Prep and plan my meals: You know the old adage "failing to plan is planning to fail?" Well I certainly believe that. I am usually pretty good about bringing my food to work for breakfast/lunch/snacks, but I can always think of ways to save time and prepare in advance! The hardest meal for me to get ready for is breakfast, and I usually find myself scrambling to get something packed in the mornings. I am going to try and get myself ready on Sundays/the night before, so I am less rushed on my way out the door! And it just so happens that this new recipe is for just this purpose! Now, let's dig in.

Crustless Mini Quiches

I love eggs and bacon, but they can be time consuming to prepare in the mornings before work. So tonight, Sunday, I made a batch of crustless mini quiches to bring for the week! I am going to bring one each morning, along with a side of some berries! One great thing about these quiches, is that they are completely customizable based on your favorites. I used turkey bacon, pico, mushrooms, and spinach, but you could easily swap out the protein and veggies for what you like or have on hand. But the best thing about these, is that they are a super easy way to cram in lots of protein and veggies in your first meal of the day! 

For a while, eggs got a bad wrap because of they were said to be high in cholesterol. But more research shows, that eggs are actually a great part of a balanced diet. They are full of protein,  as well as several vitamins and minerals, such as B2, vitamin D, zinc, iron, and copper. But enough chitchat, let's get cooking!

Ingredients:

• 3 eggs
• 3 egg whites (3/4 cup liquid egg whites)
• 1/3 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
• 1/3 cup Pico de gallo
• 1/4 cup mushrooms
• 1/3 cup spinach
• 3 slices turkey bacon
• salt
• pepper
• garlic powder

The ingredients! Minus the spinach, which I decided to add after I took this photo :)

Pre-heat the oven to 350*. Grease 6 spots on a muffin tray, or fill with paper liners. Prepare the bacon per the instructions on the package (I usually go for the microwave option.)

Add the eggs and egg whites to a bowl, and whisk until blended together. Season with salt, garlic powder, and pepper. 

Chop the mushrooms, spinach, and now-cooked bacon. 

Add them to the egg mixture, along with the pico de gallo, and stir. Finally, add the shredded cheese, and mix together completely.

Using a ladle, spoon out the mixture into the pre-greased muffin tray spots. Pop the tray in the oven, and set the oven timer for 20-25 minutes. 

You will know when the quiches are done when they are solid and the tops are browned. Let them cool, then pop them out of the tray.

You can either store in the refrigerator, or if you make a bigger batch, they freeze great as well. When you are ready to enjoy, just grab one and reheat in the microwave. And just like that, you've got a quick, healthy, hearty breakfast! 

Nutritional information (per serving):

Yields: 6 servings

Calories: 91 calories

Total Fat: 5.3g

Saturated Fat: 2.1g

Total Carbs: 1.3g

Sugar: .6g

Protein: 8.7g

Stay happy & healthy,

Molly

...Sweet Potato Nachos

Happy sunday friends! 

I hope you had a nice weekend! Ours was pretty calm, as last weekend we were in Cleveland at a dear friend's wedding. Like most Americans (or at least Southerners), we spent yesterday watching football with a couple of brewskis. Luckily both the Tigers and the Tide won, or it would have been an uncomfortable evening. Shout out to Clemson for beating Miami 58-0-- the biggest loss in the Canes history! 

With football, comes tailgating, and with tailgating comes fried, fatty foods. As soon as we turned on ESPN, I immediately had a craving for wings, nachos, and sliders. Not wanting to throw away my hard work at the gym that morning, I decided to make a twist on my personal favorite tailgate food: nachos. I swapped sweet potatos for chips, used lean ground beef, lots of veggies, and BOY- were the results delicious.  I promise, if you make these at your next tailgate or game-watching party, they will be a huge hit!

You may be wondering why I decided to use sweet potatoes. Well, they have an incredible amount of vitamin A, as well as calcium, potassium, and fiber. As I have mentioned before, fiber is a necessary to regulate digestion, and keeps you fuller longer. Studies have also shown that eating sweet potatoes, can help decrease your risk of obesity, heart disease, certain cancers, and diabetes. They are also my personal favorite superfood- and I believe, the tastiest. 

This recipe also includes one of my favorite grocery store finds- refried black beans. They are high in fiber and protein, and make for a tasty addition to any Mexican dish. I will do another post that goes more in depth into beans, but for now..

Let's get cooking!

Ingredients:

• 1 sweet potato, sliced into rounds
• 5 tablespoons refried black beans
• 1.5 oz shredded sharp cheddar cheese
• 4 oz lean ground beef (I use 96% lean)
• 1/2 white onion, diced
• 2-3 tablespoons of your favorite salsa (I used Trader Joe's Fall Harvest Salsa, because there is pumpkin in it and I am #basic.)
• 1/2 cup of your favorite Pico de gallo (homemade or store bought. I used a store-bought one with black beans and corn. Just make sure if you are buying it from a store it's just tomatoes, onions, peppers, etc. and no added sugar or salt!)
• 1 tablespoon sour cream
• 2 tablespoons guacamole
• cilantro
• garlic powder
• salt
• pepper
• cumin
• ground cayenne 

Pre-heat the oven to 375*. Spray a cooking sheet with non-stick olive oil spray and place the circular sweet potatoes on it. Cook them for about 25 minutes, and then flip to the other side. Keep an eye on them as they should be roasted and toasted but not burnt.

While the sweet potatoes are cooking, spray a pan and add the ground beef to it. Season with salt, pepper, cilantro, garlic powder, cumin, and cilantro. I go pretty easy on the salt, but pretty heavy with the cilantro, cumin, and garlic powder. Once the meat is broken up in the pan, add the diced onion. Continue to stir, until the onions are translucent, and the meat shows no signs of red or pink. 
(P.S.- this is a great recipe to do some improvising! If you have some green bell peppers or jalapeños laying around the house, dice those up and toss them in with the beef!)

Remove the sweet potatoes. If they are not yet crispy, put them back in the oven on broil for about 2 minutes. Make sure to watch them- broil can make them go from tasty to toasted really quick!

You can see a few of mine got too toasty on the edges!

Once the sweet potatoes chips are done, remove them from the oven, and squish them together "nacho style". Spread the refried black beans on the "chips," then top with the ground beef and onion mixture, followed by the shredded cheese. Pop the pan back in the oven, or transfer to a microwaveable safe plate, and put them in the microwave.  The goal here is to heat up the beans, and let the cheese melt. 

Once the cheese is melted and bubbly, remove from real or microwave oven.  Top with pico de gallo, sour cream, guacamole, and salsa. Head back to watch the game, with delicious nachos in hand. Hopefully even if your team loses, at least you'll have enjoyed some tasty nom noms.

Nutrition:

Makes: 2 servings

Per serving:

Calories: 299

Fat: 12.8g

Carbs: 24.3g

Protein: 20.4g

Sugar: 7.2g

Fiber: 5.4g

Sodium: 467.1mg

Stay happy & healthy,

Molly

...a grocery list.

Before we get cooking, we have to get shopping! 


I know you've ALWAYS wanted to know what we keep in our pantry and fridge, and I am here to make that dream come true. Of course our list changes from week to week, but these are items we always have handy. That way, no matter if it's dinner or snack time, we are prepared with the right ingredients for a healthy, delicious meal. 

For the most part, our kitchen is stocked with whole, unprocessed foods. There are a few exceptions below, but we make sure to select the least processed choices possible.  This means items with the fewest ingredients, and more importantly, ingredients you can pronounce. Later posts will certainly go into more detail about why, but for now, let's get shopping!

Fruits and veggies are a huge part of our diet- as they should be! They are chock-full of vitamins and minerals, add tons of flavor to any meal, and are super easy to prepare (some are even grab and go!). I'll be highlighting each of these in various posts and recipes, but for now, just stock up!

• Apples
• Artichoke Hearts- usually canned. Just make sure there isn't added salt or sugar!
• Arugula              
• Avocados
• Bananas
• Bell Peppers
• Blueberries
• Corn- also, usually canned. Same rule with the sugar and salt!
• Jalapeños
• Lemons
• Limes
• Mushrooms
• Onions
• Strawberries
• Spaghetti Squash
• Spinach
• Sweet potatoes
• Pico De Gallo - Luckily our grocery store sells individual size containers of Pico- ranging from mango to black bean & corn to medium or hot. Of course, it's cheaper to make your own, but these are so easy and such a quick way to add lots of veggies and flavor to most meals. I'll take that trade-off.
• Romaine Lettuce
• Watermelon
• Yellow Squash
• Zucchini

FROZEN: 

For certain items, we opt for frozen over fresh. As long as there isn't anything added (think sugar or salt), these contain the same amount of amazing nutrients as their fresh counterparts- plus they last much, much longer.

• Broccoli
• Cauliflower
• Fruit- we like to make lots of smoothies and dessert around here, so we always have several bags of frozen fruit in the freezer. I prefer berry mixes, and Alan loves a tropical mix with mango, pineapple, and banana.
• Green Beans
• Leafy Greens: another smoothie component for me. I like the Dole "Power Green" mix of spinach, kale, and chard, but any frozen spinach or kale will do!

Meat & Dairy

Being a vegetarian or vegan isn't the only way to be healthy. If that is the lifestyle you choose, then hats off to you! But for me, I think animals and their products are just too darn tasty to live without. But as they say- everything in moderation. 

• Cheese- if you know me at all, you know cheese is my hands-down favorite food. But make sure it's worth the calories! Get real cheese, where cheese (and maybe cultures) is the only ingredient.
• Chicken- breasts, usually a big bag we can stick in the freezer and pull out pieces as needed.
• Eggs
• Egg Whites
• Greek yogurt- plain, 0% milk-fat. Again, fewest ingredients as possible (perhaps just cultured non-fat milk).
• Ground Beef- the leanest there is! (96% lean)
• Mahi mahi- fillets, again usually a big bag we can freeze.
• Milk- Technically, the kind we prefer isn't dairy. I like vanilla almond milk, or the almond/coconut blend. Get everything unsweetened to watch the sugar.
• Shrimp- frozen, de-veined and no tails. (makes it easy!)
• Turkey- also, the leanest we can find. (99% lean)

*Remember, with any frozen meat, to check the ingredients. Avoid as many additives as possible, and always check the sodium content.

Grains, Legumes, & Nuts

If you're like me, the first thing (after cupcakes) you give up on a diet is bread. But it doesn't have to be this way! The right grains (whole grains) are a great source of protein, fiber, and much more!

• Black beans- canned or bagged. Just make sure there isn't anything added!
• Chia Seeds
• Chickpeas
• Ezekiel Bread- found in the freezer section, it's made out of sprouted grain so there is no processed wheat.
• Peanut Butter- check for added sugar. Choose the jar with just peanuts and oil.
• Pistachios
• Quinoa
• Whole Wheat Pasta- choose your favorite shapes! We go for rotini and angel hair. And follow the same rule as the tortillas below.
• Whole Wheat Tortillas- remember, the fewer ingredients, the better! Also, make sure it's whole wheat flour, not enriched wheat flour.

Herbs, Spices, & Other Essentials

• Balsamic Vinegar
• Basil
• Butter
• Chili Powder
• Cilantro
• Coconut Oil- unrefined.
• Coffee
• Cooking Spray
• Cumin
• Dark Chocolate Chips- the more cacao the better. And of course- less is more with ingredients.
• Extra Virgin Olive Oil
• Garlic Powder
• Honey- natural.
• Onion Powder
• Oregano
• Red Wine- the most essential of them all.
• Red Wine Vinegar
• Salsa
• Salt
• Soy Sauce
• Stock- low sodium chicken and beef
• Pepper
• Popcorn- wasn't quite sure where to put this on the list. But if you're like me, or Olivia Pope, this IS an essential. Aim for air-popped!
• Vanilla Extract

Well, that seems like more than enough to get started. I'll see you back here in a few days- for my debut recipe. Now, get shopping!

Stay Happy & Healthy,

Molly

PS: Pro tip- stay on the outside of the grocery store as much as possible. The freshest, most natural ingredients are along the walls in most supermarkets. The further you go into the store, the more processed the products.

...introductions.

Hi there! 

I'm Molly and that's Alan, and we're the {future} McCormacks. We're just your average mid-20's couple who loves eating, drinking, our dogs, and spending time with friends and family. I'm a proud Clemson Tiger, and Alan is a graduate from the University of Alabama. We met at the Most Magical Place On Earth, Walt Disney World, where we lived and worked for the first 2 years of our relationship. Now we are engaged, and enjoying life in the Lone Star State- Houston, to be specific. 

Now enough about us (you'll get more of that if you keep reading), and onto why I created this blog...

I, like most women in America, have struggled with my weight since I can remember. And, again, like most women in America, have tried every trendy diet and trick out there. Low-carb, no-dairy, high protein, counting calories, counting points, 7 day cleanses, 21 day challenges...you name it, I tried it! And while I'd see results initially, they were never sustainable long term. And even worse- whatever food (or foods) I was depriving myself of, I eventually gave up and over indulged in them (think, an entire pizza in one sitting, washed down with a 6 pack). This would make me feel terrible about myself, and search for the next diet. It was a vicious cycle of binging, and restricting, and tracking, and crying. 

When we got engaged a year ago, I, like most brides, started thinking about the dreaded "wedding diet." I wanted (still do) to look perfect on my big day, and was overcome with panic of how to do it. Luckily, before starting any crazy challenges, I read a few books (my favorite is Michael Pollan's Food Rules), and watched a few documentaries (if you haven't seen "Fed Up" go watch it. Now. Seriously, stop reading this and go watch it. I'll wait). I started doing my own research on how to lose weight, and more importantly, how to be healthy. The answer I came to is pretty simple: eat whole, unprocessed foods, and move your body around once a day. 

But eating healthy doesn't mean you have to give up your favorite foods or recipes! Trust me- I am literally drinking a glass of wine as I type this, and we had pizza for dinner. Sound too good to be true? It isn't. 

Look at me, going off on a tangent. I am not here to be preachy, or act like I know the secret to a perfect lifestyle, or that I am above wings or cheesy fries. (Anyone who says they are above cheesy fries, does not deserve a seat at my dinner table). I've just found a few ways and recipes to make life a little healthier. And, I am just so darn excited about it, that I can't help but share it with anyone who cares enough to read this blog. 

So, hopefully, you're still with me. And, it would sure be neat if you'd follow me on this never-ending journey to revamp old favorite recipes (and create brand new ones) that will leave your taste buds dancing, without making your pants cry. Along the way, I'll be sharing the science behind food. As they say, knowledge is power. Understanding how food works, and how it effects my body, is easily the best tool I've found to keep up with this lifestyle. 

Well, I think that's enough for now. Until next time! 

Stay healthy and happy,

Molly