Sour Berry & Veggie Smoothie

I started the whole "change one thing in your life, master it, then do another" thing this week. Sometimes I get too excited and think I can conquer the world and bake 10,000 cupcakes in one night. Then I heard, and fell in love with, the quote:

For all my cup cake baking world conquering homies... this one's for you

This doesn't mean slack off or procrastinate tasks. It also doesn't mean to not push yourself. What it does mean, to me, is the focused, balanced, consistent, and steady win the race. One bite at a time!

So, one bite I took earlier this week was having a juiced fruit and veggie smoothie each morning for breakfast along with my It Works Multi Vitamins (It's Vital, Core Nutrition, and Omega - 3) and I feel amazing! My sleep is better, I have more lasting energy throughout the day which is huge for me because I work late nights and rise early with 3 little elephants of my own.

This morning I took a few tips my eyelash extension lady gave me about juicing and smoothies. She was talking to me about how sometimes the smoothies we make can be very high in sugar and calories because of what we put in it. I took her advice on which fruits are best to use and came up with this delicious concoction:
**If you like sour taste, proceed...

Sour Berry & Veggie Smoothie 
To match my hair, of course 

Something about the color purple lately... 
not sure if Barney threw up all over my
life or if I am on some Lavender binge, but I'll take it! 

2 cups of blueberries 

1/2 cup raspberries 

1 green apple

1/2 lemon, peel off skin

1 cup of greens (spinach, kale)

1 TB chia seeds

Ice

add water to the consistency you enjoy 

And it was fabulous!!! I drank the whole thing, one 'bite' at a time!

Take It On!

Oh Christmas Tree, Oh... it's Januaryyy...

"Zipped away like a popped balloon!" ... I'll take "Where did 2014 go?" for 500! 

But seriously?! 5 years ago I couldn't believe I was 18 years old, graduating high school, and seeing off so many friends on their LDS missions. Now, I can hardly believe I'm 23, 3 kids & a husband, and going to my childhood friends' weddings and baby showers! What is going on. I remember being 14 and begging my mom with 'well thought out' highly detailed scenarios of me moving out and getting my own place. 

You know, cause I was grown and all.

Touche, Adkins. Touche. 

Time seems to flow, whether it's a year, month, week, day, moment - passing moments keep passing and it's beautiful and breath taking at the same time. It's here and gone, but nothing is really missing because there is always a new moment. 

You can call me Fortune Cookie. 

Speaking of cookies..... remember when I blogged in December about posting a week of healthy recipes during the week of Christmas? Yeah, me neither. We made these bad boys instead:

I introduce to you...... drumroll, please...... Cookie Crack!

Yes, I invented them in a rage of midnight hunger in college. And yes, I named them Cookie Crack.... so don't call them something else because I am really sensitive to my creations and it's kind of a big deal.

Behold!

 It's a very delicate, super simple, but strangely exact, and conscively formulated recipe...

Preheat your oven to 375 degrees F

2 bags Betty Crocker Chocolate Chip Cookies dry mix
1 bag of Hershey's White Chocolate Chips
1 bag of Nestle's Butterscotch Chips
1 bag of Heath Toffee Chips
2 sticks of room temperature butter
2 eggs

Cut 1/4 of the stick of butter off one of the butter sticks and toss it

 

Dump the 2 bags of dry mix
1/2 bag of all the chips
2 eggs
1 3/4 butter sticks
into the bowl and mix

Use a melon baller to scoop and plop onto a CLEAN cookie sheet. Don't prep the sheet with sprays or non sticks. The butter in the cookies act as the non-stick agent

Bake in the oven for 9 minutes. Not 8. Not 10. But 9.
Remove and place on counter to cool for 2 - 3 minutes
Before they are completely cooled, lay out paper towels, use a spatula to transfer the warm and seemingly doughy cookies to the paper towels where they will finish cooling down and hardening.
If the cookie is falling apart while you're spatualing them, they weren't cooked long enough or they are still too warm.
Give them a couple more minutes and if they are still falling apart, place them back in the oven for 1 or 2 minutes

Now you know my Secret Recipe

Now I have to keel you

The holidays were a blast and these cookies were a hit! We packaged up the dry ingredients into mason jars and handed them out as gifts with homemade fired bowls these munchkins drew on. 

Queen B

Princess Jojo

Mr Hagen

I am so grateful and blessed for these beautiful souls I call family to spend holidays, successes, trials, and joys with. 2014 was a year of growth, healing, and transformation for myself, Cade, and our beautiful family! SO excited for what 2015 holds, and every passing moment!

Time to Take It On into 2015!!!!

xoxox With love, the Taylor Gang

Exercise vs Diet: Pinterest is our friend

My dear friend re-introduced me to Pinterest two nights ago and half my days are already wasted away. But on the bright side, I officially have a Bucketlist, 30+ DIY house decor inspirations I'll probably never do, and a plethora of goodies to bake for Halloween in 10 months. Word.

Oh, and then there's this

Pinterest is virtually the right-brain of humanity. If you want a creative, abstract, and imaginative idea for something... literally everything... search it on Pinterest, and viola!
I went on there yesterday to look for new workouts and tips to aid me with me fitness goals and I came across this article by Skinny Mom which talks about a list of 19 Foods Fit People Love. (...aaaand let's just skip over the OCD compulsion that's twitching within me because it's not a list of 20)

Fun fact: prime numbers make me uncomfortable 

Very basic and straight to the facts: nutrition and physical activity go hand in hand. It reminded me of the saying, "You can't exercise away a crappy diet" to some extent, I feel is true. There is also the Twinkie Diet theory which indicates, in weight loss, pure calorie counting is what matters most - not the nutritional value of food. Either way, when it comes down to toning up and building muscle: nutrition has got to be on point!

This is where I'm shifting the focus of my body transformation. Yes, the products I'm taking are amazing. Yes, I can feel a difference. But what I am learning a few weeks into this is if I want real, lasting results I gotta work for it, too! Working out plus eating smart. In fact, especially eating smart! An article on the Huffington Post "Exercise Vs. Diet: The Truth About Weight Loss" explains a rule of thumb for weight loss is around 75% diet and the rest exercise! Well, time to stop piggy backing off high metabolisms and the illusion that we'll load up on cookie skillets and Taco Bell so we can hike it off in the morning.

One excuse I stick to which keeps me from eating smart is my lack of knowledge for creating healthy tasty dishes. So the good news for all of us is I am finding those suckers and making one each day for the rest of this week!

That moment you realize it's Christmas this week and you committed to eating healthy 

And I might just use Pinterest to find 'em
Pinners, don't fail me now!

Time to Take It On! #healthyeatingdoesntsuckyoujustcantcook #ooooh

Building Beauty

Wow. Has it seriously only been less than 1 week since I began my fitness journey? I feel like it's been an eternity since the days of cookie dough for breakfast and sleeping in til 10. The products I have been taking are amazing and have made a huge difference in how I feel! Greens every single morning have boosted my energy and nutritionally I am getting my full servings of fruits and vegetables for the entire day! I also notice I don't crave my starbucks usual

Venti Iced White Chocolate Mocha 9 pumps white chocolate & 4 pumps vanilla
Yes, I do enjoy a spot of coffee with my creamer #don'tjudgeme 

 ...which is kind of a big deal! My hips and thighs are grateful for this kicked habit (and I'm sure my bank account is, too!) and I am really grateful for this transition as well. I knew how awesome the Greens are, being they are one of our top selling products in my company, but using them every single day I have experienced the effects on my body! It's completely natural and gives me 8+ servings of fruits and vegetables, it has free radical fighting antioxidants, 38 herbs and nutrient rich super foods, detoxifies, energizes, and promotes the pH balance of the body. *whew, deep breath!

So, basically, everyone and their dog deserves to be using Greens every single day! I got up for my very first early morning run at the beginning of my fitness journey, turned off my alarm, stood up and said to myself, "I think this is actually really happening right now." I was slightly in shock that I was actually awake... at 7 am... and going running. Like, who does that.

The beast has awoken from her slumber! It's a MIRACLE!

After slipping out of my Tinkerbell Cooler Than Yours Onsie and slipping into my I Think I Am A Badass Ankle High Socks and Tennis Shoes, I ran upstairs, shot down some Greens, and went outside for a 10 minute run. No biggie, right? Well after my run, I referred to my planner (where I have planned out my 90 day transformation challenge) and went on to my next task. Then my next task, and my next. And before late morning, I had invested in 2 important relationships, exercise, healthy nutrition, grew my spirit, connected with God, studied Dave Ramsey's Total Money Makeover, made a list of important business tasks to be done that day, made breakfast for myself, my husband, and all three children (like, look at this. seriously. who am I.)

Betty Crocker in the hooooouse!

And..... drumroll please..... I took a shower, got DRESSED FOR REALS, and did my hair & make up for the day! Ever have those "drop the mic and walk away" moments? Yeah, me too. And this morning was definitely one of them!

But guess what - so was Yesterday! And so was Today! I even am dealing with some sort of sinus infection/cold nonsense that creeped in last night but the power I am creating is exponentially increasing my capacity to be an effective woman by starting my day off balanced and being committed to my 90 day transformation journey with exercise, good nutrition, and the It Works Global products!

I never thought I could make it this far! Haven't even hit my 7 day mark... which says a lot about how 'last week chelsea' believed in herself! If I can do this, I can do anything! I am doing this! It's building one day at a time. One morning at a time. One goal at a time. And you can do this, too! You can change your life! Your heath, your body, your worth!

"Comparison is the the of Joy" - Theodore Roosevelt 

So don't you dare compare yourself to anyone else! Your light is unique and specific to who you are. Your journey of weight loss, muscle definition, spiritually, financial success, amazing relationships, connection to God, being yourself... it's your life, friend. We were not made to compare our bruises, our worth, our medals to others. Life isn't about Being the Best than the Rest, just be your best and keep going

Get out there, kick ass & be yourself

You'll knock 'em dead, darling <3

Take it on!  

Pendulums

Do you ever have one of those days that's just one of those days? I seriously feel like I am on a pendulum sometimes. Riding the high of life, ambition, determination, and drive and then...

*vvvumphhh* Crash back down. And by down I mean the kind where I woke up today and asked myself, "Am I depressed or just bummed out?" ...must be bummed out. There's no way I am depressed! Not after all the Life Improvement courses I have done in the past 8 months. Or the One on One mentoring I paid a Life Coach to give me. I know better because if I am not a victor then I am being a victim. If I am unhappy, then it's because I created it.

Right?

...but where is the line? The line that I draw the difference between accountability and being gentle with myself?

Is depression real for me or is it simply an excuse I make up to justify my uncomfortable emotions, my lack of enthusiasm, my laziness? This, among many other questions, led me to research which led me to taking a Depression Quiz in which I scored "Extremely High" to which I shrugged my shoulders and nonchalantly thought, "thank you for sharing"

Naturally, this bred even more questions and a pendulum inner dialogue

Is this quiz legit?
Does the legitimacy matter? You're focusing on what's "wrong", not solutions! Stop it!
Am I really depressed?
No, you're fine Chelsea. Stop it.
How could this happen?
Damn, I'm hungry...
If I claim to be depressed, does that mean I'm being a victim?

I don't know if it's a chemical imbalance in my brain or imagined into existence or a process of spiritual renewal - the symptoms of depression are real. Sleeping at night is a struggle, getting up in the morning is a chore in itself, I have gained 15 pounds in the past year and with the suicidal thoughts and loss of passion for what used to bring me joy, I would occasionally feel like a defect, like something was wrong with my 'wiring' and on November 30, 1991 God kinda went, "whoops!"  here you go, Planet Earth. Have fun with this one

But if I have learned anything here, it is that God made each one of us perfectly

"So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them." - Genesis 1:27

And for me to think I am defect is to say God is defect. But I know God is perfect, so as he is, I am.

There is nothing wrong with me. Nothing wrong with you, her, or him. We are perfect in the spiritual sense. Not this worldly perception of perfection where 'perfect' is defined as arrogance, self righteousness, or having it all together.

Perfection is God
God is gentle, compassionate, kind, pure, patient, abundant, giving, love

so

Perfection is being gentle, compassionate, kind, pure, patient, abundant, giving, and love

I know now to be gentle with the emotions flowing through me and compassionate to my husband and kids who get to experience me in this place I'm in. It's being kind to the people I pass in public even though it seems easier to duck my head and stuff my hands in my coat pockets. It's being pure in my daily life choices to live in integrity knowing how easy it would be to cheat, lie, steal and blame it on my Emotions. It's being patient, trusting and knowing that this too shall pass and Great Good is on its' way right now! It's being abundant by living in gratitude for all that is, and being a giver by living outward focused moment to moment.

Yes, it's 'easier' to tuck away from society, blame my lack of success on symptoms of depression, and to hold on to Hope and Endure to End. It's easy because it is what's comfortable right now.

And it's perfect

If I want to feel and be different, I get to venture outside of my comfort zone and Think differently. Stephen Covey calls this the See Do Get model. 

Our perceptions direct the behaviors we engage in. Our behaviors/choices we make produce what we get. Then we take what we've gotten and feed it through our paradigms to continue the cycle. 

When I see myself as depressed, then I behave depressed, and I get the results of depression (lack of sleep, low energy, decreased sex drive, strained relationships, unmotivated, disconnected) But what if I changed my paradigm? What if I shift the ways I see me?

What if I saw myself how God sees me? In a perfect, gentle light. Then behave in those attributes of Spiritual Perfection... and I'd get all that back ten fold!

Experiencing peace on the path to success requires a balance of self compassion and being committed to doing the work in spite of thoughts, feelings, moods, and emotions

So, look in the mirror and love that amazing, powerful, nerdy person staring back at you! Recommit in those places in life where you've fallen off, pick yourself up, learn, and move forward!

Take it on!

The Day Before Day 1

So... one day... someone... somewhere... is going to invent the All You Can Stuff Your Face With zero calorie completely Non Genetically Modified All Natural cookie dough, ice cream, chocolate pretzels, crinkle chips and onion dip that all taste exactly like the Genetically Modified Packaged Junk. Oh, and did I mention that when we consume this soon to be invented creation of holiness, it will also be formulated in such ways that our bodies transform its' nutrients into Jessica Biel arms and Katy Perry legs.

But, until that day, exercise and good nutrition shall be my forte.

Let me tell you a little about myself. I am a young mom of 3 kids, all under the age of 5. Life has become crazy exciting and honestly seems to be getting better and better at each plot twist! Happily Married and Pleasantly Annoyed Daily to this gentleman...

No, this is not Charlie Hunnam 

And we just woke up one day a few days ago, looked at each other and basically said, "Wow, we've gotten fluffy!" And I'm tired of being 'fluffy'. Am I overweight? no Am I diabetic, anorexic, have a life or death issue that depends on me making a healthy lifestyle change? no

But I am fluffy. I am a mom who has lost herself in the laundry, the doctor appointments, the cooking, dentist appointments, the mom-he-wont-stop-looking-at-me's, lasagna on the kitchen ceiling (like, what the hell), terrible twos, terrible threes, bath time, cuddle time, laughing/crying/mourning/rejoicing all at the same time because it's bedtime.

And I am ready to take it on! To take on having the body I've always wanted, feeling beautiful inside and out, and having the energy to do it all! I feel like sometimes as mothers we get caught up in giving so much of ourselves to our children, partner, extended family, neighbors, community, jobs... just to name a few... and we don't take moments every single day to Resharpen the Saw as Stephen Covey would call it. Just a lil zen time to recharge and rejuvenate. Call me crazy but I actually think this could one of the most Win Win Self LESS thing we could do!

Think about it... when your glass is empty, how can you give water to someone else's glass?

But when your glass is full of water, it's much easier to share what you have with others! Your cup is full and begins to overflow with an abundance of blessings so now there is a whole new level of life to go around! A Win Win for everyone! 

Bottom Line I am excited to see how following through with my health and fitness goals for next 90 days is going to ripple into the other areas of my life! I want to see first hand how 'filling my own cup' can multiply the abundance in my life and the lives around me!

For my First Challenge, I am getting up at 7:30am in the morning and starting out my day on a Powerful note! (Core 4! Stay tuned for future blogs on Core 4 and how it creates Power and transformation in finances, health, relationships, and spirituality! I lalalove it)

Waking up at 7:30am might seem like a small, simple thing. And well... that's because it is!

"Out of small things proceedeth that which is Great" - D&C 64:33

Let the journey begin!!!!