What's Cookin' Wednesday plus an awesome GIVEAWAY!!

Hello my loves! Time for another #WIAW.... Idk if I am just weird or nosey, but I like seeing what people eat. haha. (ijustrealizedthecreepinessofthatstatement) BUT for me, when I was trying to lose weight it was SO helpful to see what kinds of healthy meals and snacks people would come up with. Especially if you are just starting out on your weightloss journey and don't really know how to cook healthy, or just aren't very inventive when it comes to food.
  I think a big part of eating healthy is to keep it interesting and fun. You'd be suprised at how much simply chopping a vegetable or fruit differently for your salads can make a big difference. I have this little kitchen gadget that makes my apples into apple slice rings and I love it! It's like I'm eating apple chips and it makes me crave apples!

My Breakfast was a Shakeology mug cake with pb on top (ask me if you'd like the recipe!) and slice apples sprinkled with sugar free raspberry jello.... random I know but don't knock it till you try it! hah

For Lunch I had some of my leftovers of this dinner I got when we went out to a Mexican restaurant on Monday night, it's hard to choose healthy options when going to a  Mexican restaurant for me, because I LOVE MEXICAN FOOD. And Cheese<3 haha But I went with this chicken filet with grilled onions, avocado, rice, and black beans with some cheese on them. I think it was a pretty good choice. 

I ended up not eating a snack today because I got busy cleaning. I did however drink one of my IdealShape Boost packets, which are awesome for keeping my energy up and my cravings down. I seriously LOOOOVE these things so much. And they taste delicious. 

For dinner I kept it light because I  had some errands to run and was still full from lunch. I had a naked juice smoothie, love those things!

When I got home I was a bit hungry so I made some of my #strangebutgood egg white chips. I also had one of my ideal shape bars, the cinnamon bun flavor, which is my fave! It tastes like a treat. And I also had some baby carrots haha.That sums up what I ate today, not super exciting, let me know if you try out the egg white chips or the apple slices with jello! 

Now onto the exciting part, since I love Idealshape's boost packets SO MUCH I wanted to give y'all a chance to win a pack of each flavor. This is a $70 value you guys! And they really do help give you a boost of energy and curb hunger in my opinion. They are by far my favorite product that ideal shape has to offer. I also want to offer you a Special 20% discount code for my followers. Just simply put the code BPOWELL20 in the space provided at checkout for 20% off your order. 
You can go here to order: www.idealshape.com













                         And you can go here to learn all about the boost packets: http://www.idealshape.com/weight-loss-drink/



I am going to let this giveaway go on until January 1st, so you have plenty of time to enter! Make sure to follow all of the steps, and I will be giving bonus entries for those of you that pin my Youtube videos on Pinterest, like my Youtube videos, like my facebook page, and subscribe to my Youtube channel. 


Here are the links to do so:

Youtube.com/theianuzified

Facebook.com/brittanymariepowell


a Rafflecopter giveaway

What are some things you eat that are a little bit weird? What do you consider a treat when you are trying to eat healthier? What would you do if you won my giveaway?! 
Let me know in the comments below!
Xoxo,
Brittany Marie Powell

www.idealshape.com

Call 1-800-51-0896 and ask how you can save 10% and FREE Shipping on every order. 

Follow us on Social Media:

YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/IdealShape

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/idealshape

Twitter: https://twitter.com/IdealShape

#MIMM and a GIVEAWAY!!!

    Happy Marvelous Monday Darlings! 

   So for today's Marvelous Monday post I decided it would be fun to do a GIVEAWAY!! A few weekends ago I had the opportunity to attend the Pinners Conference which was so much fun! I attended two classes, both on photography which helped me learn a lot. But one of my favorite parts of the Pinners Conf. is all the fabulous shops and booths you can explore. While I was visiting the booths I came across a booth called IdealShape, right away I was intrigued by their products because of a key ingredient in them called Slendesta. Slendesta is a potato starch which helps curb hunger.

    Just a few tips I have for you my loves:

• I suggest drinking a full glass of water after each bar you consume. This helps to activate the hunger blocker.  
• Any time you cut back your calorie intake it will take a couple of days for your body to adjust.  (complaints of still feeling hungry) so don't give up!
• Be sure to be eating 5 times a day. I suggest 2 healthy snacks. The Idealbar works great for this. 
  
  
  
     I've been trying out these bars for a while now, and I honestly have noticed a change. I have to be careful when I choose to eat a bar because I find it curbs my hunger for 2-3 hours. Once I ate one close to dinner, and wasn't super hungry for dinner. So you do have to plan it out so you can get all your meals in. 
  
  
  So for today's GIVEAWAY I am giving away: 
  
  
  IdealBars Giveaway Retail Value $67
  1 of each flavor which is 4 boxes. 
  
  
  
  

  ****And I want to offer you a Special 20% discount code for my followers.

  Just simply put the code BPOWELL20 in the space provided at checkout for 20% off your order.****

  
  
  If interested about IdealShapes Products and Program you can go to: 

  www.idealshape.com

  Call 1-800-51-0896 and ask how you can save 10% and FREE Shipping on every order. 

  Follow us on Social Media:

  YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/IdealShape

  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/idealshape

  Twitter: https://twitter.com/IdealShape

Hope you all have had a Marvelous Monday, and Good Luck to all those that enter, this giveaway will end on November 22nd! :) 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

#MIMM

Happy Marvelous Monday Everyone!
   Today was a cooking day for me, every year I like to continue my Grandmommy's tradition of Dinner In A Pumpkin :) It's not a very complicated recipe, I'll post the recipe on here soon, but it's pretty time consuming when you are serving a large group of people. I bought 3 pumpkins for cooking, two pie pumpkins and one normal Jack-O-latern pumpkin, the pie pumpkins are slightly sweeter tasting and perfect if you have a small family or if it's just you and your significant other. I also made some Protein Cheesecakes for dessert, which I have a post with that recipe on here.

   I also was able to get some much needed cleaning done today, the clean mama's cleaning charts are so motivating. I am looking for a shoe organizer to take care of the shoe explosion in my closet. I am thinking of purchasing this cute locker style cabinet from Ikea, I would need to figure out a way to set up shelving inside of it though for shoes.

I am also in search for a toddler bed for Grayson, I was going to start him out in a twin bed, but I'm thinking it might be an easier transition for him if we start out with something lower to the ground. Any mommies reading this I am happy to hear your input with this! :) 
  I was able to fit in a run today. 3.5 miles. I am really wanting to start running more regularly again, and have a goal of doing 3 miles every day till christmas. I think that's reasonable, but we shall see, if I start getting knee issues again, I know when to hold back. I just feel like I need to give myself a little challenge again, since hubby and I are looking for a house I have cut back on how many races I've done this year, and in some ways that sort of kills my motivation so I need to find new ways to give me that push. I do think I'll be signing up for some sort of race soon though, even though it's getting chilly!

 I also was able to purchase some of the Suja Juices today, they're $$$ but my body is in need of juicing again I think.... and this just might get me to get in the mood to start juicing again :) 
Anyways, that's all for My #MIMM not much to post today, but just wanted to fill you guys in! :) 

XOXO,
        Brittany Marie Powell

Protein Cheesecake Recipe

   I've wanted to try this recipe for months! But my husband isn't such a fan of "healthy" desserts, since it's my birthday week I went ahead and made it. It was sooo good you guys! Here is the recipe:

1 pckg fat free cream cheese. 

Yoplait Greek 100 calorie vanilla yogurt.

1 Egg.

3 Eggwhites.

Some sugar free cheesecake pudding mix, like 2 tbsp.

Sugar free graham cracker crust.

1 cup artificial sweetner of choice.

1 scoop vanilla whey.

   I blended all of the ingredients, poured the filling in the crust and baked for 40 mins at 300 degrees. It's about 185 calories and 18g of protein per slice! Enjoy! 

Xoxo,

   Brittany Marie Powell

I'm SO excited, and I just can't hide it....

B r i g h t  N i g h t  E v e n t TOMORROW !!!! Yippee! I've been so busy today. I had to get my little business cards ready so people will remember me. Haha. I made sure all of my sites were perfect, I did a lot of work on here, although it still has more to be done. I am a little nervous, I hope to make friends at this shin dig and not be a loner. And I still don't know what I'm gonna wear. A fashion blogger I am NOT! Hah. Anyways, I'm going to try and sleep, I can't wait to have a Me Party Day, with no mommy duties to tend to. :)

Xoxo,

Brittany 

Happy 4th of July!!! :)

Happy 4th y'all! 

  We had a lazy morning together as a family. I made a chocolate shakeology with frozen berries and it was really good!

  Grant and I then proceeded to do our workout. Today was Body Beast Build Shoulders. It was hard, but I am really like the style of these workouts. I love doing the super sets and some of the moves Sagi has us do. We worked out with Nani there and that was a challenge, a lot of pausing happened to help him with a toy or kiss his hand cuz he pinched it, but we got it done. "WHATEVER IT TAKES!" I've been SO sore. It is different than running sore. In fact I really have only ran a few times since my race because I've been putting my all into these Body Beast workouts. I want to get back into my running tho. For a while my knee was hurting but it's been feeling better now. It was especially sore after leg day! I like the structure that comes with this workout. And how each day we are focusing on diff body parts. I also like watching Grant lift ;-) haha.

   Tonight we have a little family get together we are going to. I wonder if Grayson will like fireworks this year, last year he was a little bit chicken, and cried. Well that's all for now you guys! Enjoy your days :-) I know we will. 

Xoxo,

   Brittany Marie Powell.

   

Funnnay

   Just wanted to take a break a post some "funnay" pictures, because that's how Grayson says funny. Today was a crazy #mommyproblems day. So I'm tired. And tomorrow is leg day for body beast.

                      

     

    He's learned how to take selfies with his ninja turtle camera. Haha!

Xoxo,
   Brittany Marie Powell.

Something I tell myself...

   This is a quote I think of often. I think in weightloss and fitness, there's always gonna be an excuse, reason, ailment or whatever else as to why you can't do it. There's gonna be people who question why the heck you're doing what you're doing. But this journey isn't for them. They're not there yet. Rise up and do what you know you can do. #selfmade #nevergiveup 

"It's A Marathon, Not A Sprint."

Xoxo,
   Brittany Marie Powell

Is Shakeology worth it?

   So as some of you may or may not know, I am now indeed a BEACHBODY COACH. Yes, I've joined the masses. Never in a million years did I think that I would be doing something like this. Some of the "coaches" I have come across have been so pushy that I think it turned me off to the idea of it. Also, my lack of ever completing P90x :-P But a close family member of mine convinced me to do it, so here I am. 
   I have chosen to do the program Body Beast. What I like about this is it's mostly lifting and that's what I aim to do/learn is how to lift weights. I am extremely uncoordinated so sometimes something like plyo can really challenge me and not end up being much of a 'workout' because I spend half my time trying to do what they're doing. haha! SO I think being a coach is going to push me to DO THIS. To see what i've made of so to speak. I also would love to get Grant on board, for him to get healthy and maybe gain some bigger biceps in the process ;-)
   I've wanted to try Shakeology for a while. It has loads of stuff in it. And I like feeling confident that I'm getting an adequate serving of veggies via a chocolate shake. I was SO skeptical that it would taste good. I thought for sure since it was "healthy" and had so many good things for you in it, that it wasn't going to be some delicious treat. BUT it actuallly is. Oddly, I get happy in the mornings when I get my shake ready, cuz its that good you guys. It's become something I CRAVE now. I'd have to say that Shakeology in and of itself is worth the investment. Even if you never plan on doing any of the Beachbody workouts I think Shakeology is something everyone should look into, young and old! haha I know that I'm not making this up in my head or trying to get myself to like it (which trust me I have done with certain foods throughout my weightloss journey) it simply isn't something that takes an acquired taste. I knew I wasn't fooling myself when my husband had his first shake and said "its pretty good, for a health shake."In fact, he even just the other day said "yeah, the shakes aren't bad." You guys, this is monumental for my red meat loving husband to like it.  And Grayson likes it. So yeah overall Shakeology is a win-win at our house. 
   To me it is worth it. I wasn't sure if I wanted to shell out the cash for it, but I'm honestly happy I did because of the energy and impact it's had on me, I plan to do a follow up post talking about body beast too. Don't worry just because I'm a Coach now I won't bombard you with Beachbody things. When it comes down to it you have to decide what you want. Not to toot my own horn, but here's my beachbody coach link, just incase you do decide to become a coach, buy a challenge pack or shakeology. Just so you know the challenge pack is the best deal, which is something I wish I would have known at the start! 

beachbodycoach.com/GBPOWELL
beachbodycoach.com/GBPOWELL
shakeology.com/GBPOWELL

my coach ID # is: 422548


P.S.- I've already lost 5 lbs since starting Shakeology!!!
Xoxo,
   Brittany Marie Powell.

We Bought A Car!!!!!

   Finally, after years of waiting and sharing a car, we bought our second car! It's a 2012 Ford Escape and I couldn't be happier! There's something so great about having your own car. It's flex fuel and gets great gas mileage so that is why we chose the Ford Escape. It's so clean and brand new looking I need to put the seat covers on, since the seats are cloth. I'm very HAPPY and this is by far the most expensive thing Grant and I have purchased in our marriage which was a little bit scary haha! 

   Anyways. Back to my usual health/fitness related ramblings. I was inspired by LivyLovesToRun to do a two week no cheat challenge. I know the scale don't lie, and I know I've gained weight lately #byebyefelicia So instead of wallowing in my misery and eating my feelings, I am going to be proactive and do something about it. I've lost weight before and I can do it again. I'm not going to come this far and throw it all away. I miss feeling confident in my own skin, which lately I just don't. And more than any number on the scale that is whats important to me! 

   I have my half Marathon soon and I am nervous. I don't feel like I've been training 100% I've been tired and exhausted an emotional wreck. So I am going go get personal now. After I had Grayson I got on antidepressants. They really helped me and I do not regret going on them when I did because I really did need them at the time. I very much believe in doing things naturally and it's a constant inner battle with myself being on these medications. I know that with proper nutrition and meditation I can overcome my depression/anxiety woes but I've tried it and it hasn't worked. The only thing that has helped and I've noticed is the medication!!! I want to go off my Meds and this past month and a half I have tried and I've really been a mess. My motivation and passion for running faded a bit because I get to thinking I'm not good enough, which my pills help balance me out. So for now, I am back on them. Which I have mixed feelings about but I can't handle feeling how I've felt. It's not fair to me or my family for me to be this way just because I want to be med-free, so I will keep taking them.  Anyways I just needed to vent about that because it's been a really big challenge for me lately. 

   I'm going to run now actually cuz I just got Nani to take a nap he doesn't feel good today poor little guy! 

Xoxo, 

   Brittany Marie Powell.

What I Ate Wednesday

   Hey guys. So this post is pretty much just going to be some pics of my random eats lately. Not all from today, both Grayson and I are sick so this is just a real quick fun post of food yaaay!

    Green Juice made in my Blendtec: cucumber, kale, and lemon.

    Do you ever buy food for your kiddos and then wind up eating it, even tho you don't really care for it that much?! you.still.eat.it. Yeah, explains my gogurt consumption as of lately. We have a Costco sized box so gogurt for days around here. FYI they're darn good frozen. 

   Sweet Plantain Egg White Cake with Cottage Cheese

I've been making cauliflower purées and mashes lately mostly because they're filling and I can eat a lot of it. A volume food really. I like big salads, kale chips, cucumbers anything low cal that I can eat a lot of for replacement tv watching "cheez it" time which is what I used to do haha 8-) not gonna lie some days I still eat a lot sometimes it's good sometimes it's not but most of the time it's some sort of vegetable healthy concoction I've made up. I am proud of myself for running today even tho i feel like crap! Kudos to me. And with that I will say good night fellow readers. If anyone actually reads this haha 8-)

Xoxo,
Brittany Marie Powell.

#MIMM

I LOVE Healthy Diva's Marvelous in My Monday Posts, so I decided to hop on board. 

Some of my Marvelous recent eats have included:

                           

Sea Salt Carmel Arctic Zero Ice Cream. This is by far one of their best flavors yet! I am obsessed with all of them but I'd have to say that the Strawberry flavor is my favorite. I also love that the whole pint is only 150 calories and that there is protein in it as well.

 

 GREEN SMOOTHIES! I am so into these again. For a while I stopped eating them because 1.) It got too cold. and 2.) I think I overate them when I was prego with grayson so sometimes they just don't sound appealing, but lately they really have been good to me. This one had 1 Cup Almond Milk, Spinach, 1 Frozen Banana and some Frozen Tropical Fruit Mix. I also added a packet of Stevia because let's be honest, I am kind of a sugar addict. This has been my go to breakfast lately.

I am proud of myself. This weekend during night-time hours I was craving a quesadilla like mad. But instead I steamed some cauliflower and carrots and sprinkled a generous amount of cheese and some of the Bolthouse Farms Yogurt caesar parmesan dressing, which has been marvelous to me lately. I find I always get the worst/most fattening cravings at night, because I'll watch my Hubby eat all these delicious things and I'm like...... so yeah sometimes I gotta get creative haha.




I went to nordstrom rack a few days ago, and got

Grayson this like dressy t-shirt. It is so adorable on! I love it. It's funny how much I love boy clothes now. I also scored myself these Sperry's, they're totally me. They have pink glitter on the sides and they were only $9.90. I love finding good deals, and hardly ever pay full price for clothing. It actually kind of pains me to do so! Haha 


        I am still trying to come up with a crown for my little man for his BIG 2 BIRTHDAY! I finally got the supplies so now I just need to get crafty. This one looks so perfect. I'm always amazed at how crafty some people are, it inspires me. 


       HAPPY MONDAY EVERYONE! 

           SEE YOU TOMORROW :)

                         

xoxo,

Brittany

Happy Sunday

   Today we woke up and got ready for church, Grayson has been watching way too much 'How To Train Your Dragon' because he used a Tupperware lid as a shield and a toy as a sword to fight off our dogs this morning haha.

  We are going to a friends house after church which I am excited for. I made a quinoa dish so hopefully it turns out okay. We are also bringing a fruit bowl in case the quinoa sucks! Haha I am excited to go, and hope I am not so socially awkward as I am usually because I want friends. It's times like these where I really miss my sister Kendal. She's in the Phillipines on a mission for our church. She always gave me good pep talks when it came to being social, she's a social butterfly and has always had tons of friends. 

  I've been pinning toddler room ideas on Pinterest. I'd like to get Grayson's room decorated before his birthday but we shall see. I love vintage themed rooms. And vintage maps. And gallery walls. I think I just really love decorating in general. I can't wait until we own our own home and aren't renting so I can decorate to my hearts content. I also want to make him a birthday crown like this for his birthday on the 9th: 

   I've been really trying to eat more raw foods/healthier and mostly vegetarian. I got this raw truffle pie which I ate for breakfast, I'm having my monthly and found it totally acceptable since it was all pretty much healthy ingredients. And I NEED chocolate right now. Like honestly it's a physical need. And I got this chia pod creation at Harmon's it was delicious but $$$ so I need to work on creating my own chia pudding goodness.

   I can't wait for Game of Thrones tonight. I'm sucha nerd, Grant has turned me into one but I love that show. Really. 

  I found a 10 minute arm routine I am going to start doing this week, I also have a goal to lose at least 2 lbs this week. If I can do that each week I can lose 15-20 lbs by my birthday. Ideally, I'd like to lose 15 but these last few pounds have been the hardest, and I need to be more dilligent. 

xoxo,

Brittany

SORE&TIRED

   I'm writing this while procrastinating my workout. I've been so sore so much so that I couldn't sleep last night. And I've had a kink in my neck all week hah 

My workouts this week have gone as follows:

Monday: 9 mile run

Tuesday: 3 mile run

Wednesday: 2.5 mile run and 30 minutes stair master

Thursday: TBD

Friday: TBD

Saturday: Do a race of some sort.

   I very much feel that I need to get serious about stretching/yoga. I've been very good about icing my knees after I run which is why I feel my running and training for this upcoming half hasn't felt nearly as hard as last year, although it's still been hard. And then I wonder how I'm going to run a full marathon in November. But I like my little motto of "if you've been there in the mind, you'll go there in the body." I think so much of running and weightloss in General is positive visualization. I am so in love with the article hungryrunnergirl posted a few days back, THIS ARTICLE

  I had the best breakfast ever this morning, which was avocado toast! #healthyfats #delicious plus Grayson even ate it although I put honey on his as well. I've been craving avocados so much lately, I ate half of one this morning and I am probably going to eat half after I post this haha. I'm pretty sure I'm not pregnant and avocados are good for me so I'm just gonna go with it 8-)

   

   

I also was able to have a baby free impromptu Ulta trip last night. 

I only bought one item but I think it's so fun! 

It's the Urban Decay heavy metal glitter eyeliner 

in midnight cowboy. I love it! I can't wait to do a look 

on my Youtube channel with it. 

xoxo, Brittany 

What No One Tells You About Losing Lots of Weight

   So as you all know I've lost quite a bit of weight. Initially 85 lbs although I've gained 9 lbs since my initial loss. I wanted to write a post for those trying to lose weight, the things nobody says. Because it's dang hard losing weight, I don't know if it will ever be an easy thing for me honestly. A quote I love is: 

    I feel like is that is so TRUE. Every step and stage of this journey is HARD. The struggle is real. So here are some things about weightloss, that I feel like nobody talks about:

1) You will miss the foods that made you fat/overweight. I know I do. As much as I do like eating healthy, I miss cheez it's and Oreos just as much! ) You will still miss eating all the things and not stressing about it. I feel like now that I've lost weight I am a lot more conscious of what I'm eating. I'm not as care-free as before and sometimes I miss that. But I do not miss being overweight/the depression and self loathing that came along with it.

2) Not everyone is going to care about your weightloss journey/diet. In fact some people might bring you down about it, or tell you to just be "normal" but in the end it isn't about them, it's about you achieving your goals. 

3) Just because you lose the weight your life isn't going to be all glitter, rainbows and butterflies after. You just will have the upside of not having to worry/stress about your weight as much. But you're still going to have stressors. I think I had this delusional idea that once I lost weight everything would be perfect and I'd always be happy, but the truth is that's not the case! So don't fall into that way of thinking.

4) You will have dreams of regaining the weight. 

5) You will feel guilty after indulging at times, I think that this is a good thing though because the minute I stop caring is the minute I start gaining and I do think that's the reason behind these 9 lbs. 

6) It's okay to feel hungry. I think sometimes I just miss eating for the sake of eating. For example I really like eating and watching TV, but unless you're eating carrot sticks or celery it's not something that you can do all the time and still lose weight. 

7) Weigh yourself daily, I feel like this is key when it comes to maintenance. 

8) Some days you'll feel like a million bucks and some days you'll feel like a busted can of biscuits. 

9) There are no short cuts, no easy ways out, no tricks. It all comes down to eating healthy, eating less (because you can still gain weight eating healthy foods) and working out. 

10) Losing weight is an emotional roller coaster, but I know for me it is one of the best things I've ever done for myself. It's given me strength, courage, and more confidence to be the kind of person, woman, wife and mother I strive/want to be. 

   There you have it! I think this post was kind of all over the place but I feel good about getting this off my chest, I think this post was more for myself than anything hah! I'm off to attend to mommy duties and running.

xoxo, Brittany

#tmtt

   This morning I decided to go to the gym for an elliptical workout. I ran twice yesterday (2.6 miles and 3.6 miles) and I wasn't feeling running this morning. Grayson really likes the gym daycare and had a full on terrible two tantrum when it was time to go. Lovely. Lol. 

   

^elliptical session.

   I had a makeup fail today. I wore too faced lip injection gloss and kissed Grayson and well... It plumped up his face as well! I was so scared when I looked back in the car and saw this: 

I washed his face off with a wash cloth and water and it went away shortly after but it was scary! 

   For dinner we went out because I was tired and lazy and didn't feel like cooking. We got my favorite Pho :-P I am so obsessed with this soup! My favorite place to go for it is in Park City, at Shabu Shabu. The broth they have is phenomenal and has a strong ginger flavor which I love! 

  It will be Grayson's 2nd birthday soon! I've been pinning lots of fun ideas on Pinterest. I want to make him a cute little birthday crown. And I already decided on how I want his cake to be which you guys will see! I can't believe how big he is getting, but at the same time I can because of his Terrible Two tantrums! Haha. I'm just going to embrace all of his little stages, the good, the bad and the ugly. Because I know I am so lucky to have a child of my own and to be a mom. I know there are lots of women out there who want that very thing so badly. #alwaysbethankful 

   I've been drinking a lot of chamomile tea lately, I am hoping it will help with my muscle soreness. I also like drinking it at night to unwind. 

xoxo, Brittany.