Dancing Sober

I decided last night that going to Hip Hop Zumba was the best idea ever. I never took a Zumba class before, but I really like dancing in my living room, making up choreography to Katy Perry songs in my head, and especially getting down in a bar after a few drinks (okay so maybe that was more like 5 years ago, but I am known to get down every now then post baby).

So of course Zumba seemed like THE BEST and THE EASIEST workout ever!

ummmmm no.....

I went with complete confidence. I stood in the back row, because I wasn't THAT confident, but I felt like I could breeze through most of the moves. I was so wrong! Not only did I probably look like an idiot, I am sure a 90 year old woman would have danced circles around me in this class. I did every move wrong, I turned the wrong way, and almost smashed into the girl next to me at least 10 times.

I was sweaty. I was a mess. My cute ponytail I made at home before leaving was not a greasy mess! I soaked the cute new Victoria's Secret tshirt I bought. And I am 100% sure the guys lifting weights in the room next to us got a good laugh.

But you know what.... I had a wonderful time! I may have looked like a train wreck, and messed everyone up by going left when they went right, but I loved singing to all of the songs and just letting go! My teacher was wonderful and really encouraging. She acted goofy and really made me let loose, which I never do!

I really hope I can just let go from now on and see working out as something FUN and not a chore. I used to always see it as a chore and that is probably why I never did it. I bought so many videos and tried to eat right and do that whole thing... but it ALWAYS backfired! I would eat healthy for a day, then stop at taco bell and go crazy. I would join a gym then claim it was boring because I hate running.... come on its boring!!!!!!

I just have to shake things up... and shake my booty at Zumba again... maybe next week??

What's For Dinner - 2/22

I have been trying to make healthy meals that not only I will enjoy, but also Kirsten. She is usually a very good eater, as long as the veggies are cooked, she is willing to try them. Recently she has tried saw veggies, but only if she can dip them in ranch (she gets that from her daddy!!).

Tonight I wanted to do chicken and brocolli but spice it up a bit. I also didn't want to torture my child by giving her my plain chicken and steamed veggies. I also didn't want to cook two different meals for just us two.

So here we go... I did a little research (aka I typed "chicken stir fry healthy" into Google) and found this yumm-o recipe!!!!



KT'S HOMEMADE CHICKEN STIR-FRY
1 lb. chicken breast, cut into one inch cubes
soy sauce
2 tablespoons balsamic vinaigrette dressing
1 tablespoons yellow mustard
1/2 cup brown sugar
6 or 7 large carrots peeled, sliced in half, cut into angled pieces about 1 1/2 inches long
1 large green pepper, cut into lengthwise pieces and into smaller angled pieces
10 or so button mushrooms halved
1 large onion, chopped
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning, or to taste
salt and pepper, to taste
In a small bowl, combine chicken cubes and cover with enough soy sauce to completely cover chicken. Add mustard, brown sugar, and balsamic vinaigrette. Let marinate for 10 minutes.
Heat oil in a large wok on medium-high heat and add onions cooking until golden brown. Add garlic to onions once onions get soft, before they are golden brown. Add carrots, salt and pepper, and Cajun seasoning.

Let carrots cook for about 20 minutes. Add peppers.

Keep cooking at medium or medium-high heat, whichever keeps it simmering.

In a separate heated skillet on medium high heat, pour chicken along with marinade into skillet and let cook until chicken is cooked all the way through. Add mushrooms to the original wok and let cook for 3-4 minutes.

Add cooked chicken to wok and let simmer together for 5-10 minutes.

Serve over rice or alone.

Submitted by: Katie Leahy

Easy. Yummy. I can do leftovers tomorrow at work for lunch. PERFECT!!!!!!
Do you have a favorite stir fry recipe? Share below!!!!!!

New Year - New Start

I have to be truthful, I gave up on my blog because I felt like it had zero purpose. I felt like I was writing for the sake of writing, and to MAKE people read it. It wasn't fun, it became a hassle once I went back to full-time at work, and so it got neglected.

But I have a fresh new perspective and feel really confident about this!

Instead of this being a blog about me and my daughter, I realized it needs to first and foremost be about ME! Of course I will write about Kirsten and all of those wonderful toddler milestones, but I also want it to be able my journey... as a wife, mother, child, and daughter. I am so many things in one day, I forgot what it was like to see the world through my own eyes.

As I said before, I work full-time now. I am finally at a job that I adore, and I love everyone that I work with. It is pleasant. A first for me.

But going into the new year I noticed something. I was getting insanely out of shape. Now okay, I am the SIZE jeans I want to be, but do I fit into the way I want to? The answer is no. I have horrible eating habits and I drink way too much coffee and pop. Honestly its a wonder how I don't have a huge hole in my stomach.

So it is time for a change. It will be a particularly difficult challenge, because working retail makes things 10 times harder. We never have the same schedule, fast food is everywhere, and it is hard to create a SCHEDULE! Unlike other women who can diet or exercise and build it easily into their daily routine, I have the added challenge of never knowing my schedule too far in advance.

I hope to write down my progress here. But I also hope to write down a lot of my daily life as well. And let me tell you, working retail gives you some really interesting stories!

Let's start with a week one photo....

I hope to get some definition in the arms, back and stomach. I also hope to build up my strength, because I am sure my daughter can lift more than I can at this point!


So come on this journey with me?