04/17

Yep, big slacker over here…

I’ve been slacking just a teensy bit on blog posts.  If you’ve been around for awhile, you’re probably not surprised.  However, I always come back eventually.  😉

I have a few things to post about, but I’ll start with my March 365 round up.  YES, I have actually stuck with my 365 pics and haven’t missed a single one so far.  I don’t expect to make it to the end without missing a day or two (or three or four), but I’m ecstatic I haven’t missed one so far.

march365

I did end up dropping the 365 1-sec video.  It was super cool, but who am I kidding trying to do TWO 365’s?!  I can barely keep up with one!!

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03/04

February Recap :: Project Life 365

February was a bit of a whirlwind.  I settled for just taking a picture each day instead of trying to keep up with the Project Life 365 photo prompts.  My video version, had less success (missed about 10 days out of 28), but I mashed the video seconds together with pics for the days I missed.  🙂

february

February video (& pics) 365…
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lAbUPtLafv8&w=560&h=315]

How’s your 365 coming?  Have you tried the video version via the One Second app?

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02/27

I {heart} shopping

I’ll be the first to tell you that I’m not the most fashionable person I know.  But with the help of the fashion savvy people in my life, Pinterest and the interwebs, I’m getting better (I think).

I’ve been having a lot of fun shopping lately.  I don’t always love shopping, but I’ve found a ton of fun stuff recently.  Shopping comes in waves for me.  Sometimes I try to shop and there’s nothing good out.  Other times, I find all kinds of great stuff.  We got an H&M in our city this past year and I have been horribly overwhelmed whenever I tried to shop there.  However, I must have been in a good shopping mood the other day because I was finally able to find a few things to try on…yay!  That was just the start of my shopping fun.

H&M finds…awesome blazer for $20, the shirt underneath and a cute summer sweater with a zipper at the back neckline (not pictured :().

H&Mblazer

Dillards…Michael Kors top (on sale for $27!) and Jessica Simpson Jeans. (already owned the Gianni Bini nude wedges)

outfit

Now to figure out the jewelry.  Accessories are my biggest obstacle, my kryptonite…whatever you want to call it.  I just can’t seem to visualize it very well when I’m out buying jewelry and I seriously…over think it!  I really love the layering look that’s popular right now so I think a couple of layered necklaces would look great with this outfit.  Just gotta find some!  Maybe I’ll cheat and buy the layered necklaces that are all in one.

In addition to looking for a necklaces to layer, I’ve been looking for bracelets to add to my collection so I can sport an arm party like these girls.

TBDarmparty1Source: The Beauty Department

maya_brenner_glitter_guide111-e1320353216610Source: The Glitter Guide

Target shoe finds…Red wedges. Don’t these just scream SUMMER?!  I love them!  They’re pretty comfy too.

red wedges

Yellow Merona ballet flats

yellow flat

Those who know me, know that I’m usually in jeans & tees or workout wear (see exhibit A & B below).  I’m just trying to get more fashionable so that when I do actually have somewhere to go other than the grocery, school or the gym…I’ll have something cute to wear.  😉

Exhibit A & B…my daily attire along with jeans & t-shirts

PhotoPhoto2

Sorry about my cut off head.  I’m usually not made up or I feel like a dork smiling for the camera when I’m trying to show my outfit.  It’s a bit ridiculous how much I cut my head off though.  I’ll have to get better about that!

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02/25

Successful People :: Monday Motivation

12 things successful people do differently.

Hmmm….Maybe this is why I haven’t been particularly successful.  I think I do the opposite of all of these things.  I’m particularly bad at numbers 2, 3 & 5.  :o/

My husband, on the other hand, can pretty much put a check mark next to each one.  Thank goodness I was successful in picking a life partner!

successful_peopleOriginal article here
Image Source: Val & Words

And because Happy & Successful aren’t always one in the same…

12 Things Happy People Do Differently

happy_peopleOriginal article here

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02/22

Foodie Friday :: Frozen Spinach Cups

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Green smoothies are all the rage lately.  I first tried one a couple of years ago and was pleasantly surprised that everyone was telling the truth…you can’t taste the spinach at all!

The problem for me was that I wasn’t drinking them often enough and my spinach would go bad before I could eat it all.

Seeing as I can’t be the only one with this problem, I present to you the solution to that!  This isn’t anything new and it certainly wasn’t my grand idea.  I first saw it on Pinterest, but their spinach cups had a bunch of other veggie juices in them and for now I just wanted spinach.  I looked up a few other recipes, but none were what I was looking for and for whatever reason, I just decided to drop it.  Fast forward to a month ago when I ran across this BodyBuilding.com recipe by Natalie Hodson.  Score!!!  Just spinach and water!  Duh.  So simple I should have thought of it on my own, but…..I didn’t.  The only thing I did different was add flaxseed meal b/c that stuff goes rancid quick once it’s ground and it’s usually a step I would skip since it was a pain.

I used…

  • one bag of spinach (about 6 cups)
  • 6tbsp of flaxseed meal
  • approximately 1 cup of water

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I filled the blender to the top with spinach and added some of the water

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I kept adding spinach and water as needed until I finished the bag.  Once I was on my last bit of spinach, I added the flaxseed meal.

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All mixed!

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A lot of recipes I saw, put them into a regular muffin tin to freeze, but I liked the idea of putting them into a mini muffin pan.  It takes less time to freeze and it’s easier on your blender!  It made 25 cups exactly (I used a small container to hold the 25th cup :)).

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Annnnd, here they are frozen.  Aren’t they cute?

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(Please ignore the frostbite.  I didn’t take the after pics for a few days.)

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Nutrition info:  each frozen spinach cup has approximately 10 calories

It’s so easy to pop them into a smoothie!  I haven’t had a protein shake without spinach since I made these.  I usually add about 3-4 ice cubes to my shakes, but since these are pretty much like spinach ice cubes, I just throw in 3 of them instead of the ice cubes.

My go-to protein shake recipe…

  • 1/2-2/3 frozen banana (I weigh it and add about 65g)
  • 1 cup almond milk
  • 1 scoop vanilla protein powder (Jay Robb is my fave!)
  • 1 tbsp of peanut butter
  • 3 frozen spinach cups
  • dash of vanilla extract
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02/19

More than a Handful is just a waste

It was kismet…

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I was perusing the internet as usual…reading blogs, FB posts, twitter, etc and I ran across a post on FB by a personal trainer that I follow and it was directed to his female fans.

Sweet…off I went to see what was so awesome for us gals only.  It was an article about an awesome sports bra called the Handful Bra.  Coolage.  I’m always looking for a good sports bra.  Noted it for future reference and kept perusing.

As I’m reading another blog, I see a post about Handful again!  Okay, now my interest was peaked.  Twice in one day?  Obviously this was a sign that I was meant to have one!

Picked out the style and color and it was done.  I couldn’t wait to try it out and see if it was all it was cracked up to be.

I chose the adjustable strap bra in purple (btw, it looks plum in these pics, but it’s actually more of a deep jewel purple IRL.  Very pretty!).  Seen here in these terribly lit, hideously grainy iPhone pics taken in my messy bathroom.

HandfulI was in love!  The fabric feels amazing and the bra itself is super cute, comfortable and flattering.

A couple of things you might want to know…

  • All the bras come with their own little matching washer bag.  So cute and convenient!  If you stick them in the bag before you put them in the hamper, then you’re good to go when it’s time to wash them.
  • The pads that come with the bra are uh-mazing!  They are little push up pads and you can order extra sets in case you want to enhance what your momma gave ya.
  • Shipping was fast and free if you sign up for an account.  A company who isn’t going to charge me an arm and a leg to ship?!  Sign me up!  However, I would have gladly paid a shipping fee for this beauty.  😉
  • Handful bras were created by a woman for women.  They’re also an approved mastectomy bra.
  • My only complaint is….more color options!

As I mentioned before, Handful and I were meant to be together.  It just so happens that a couple weeks after I found Handful, I saw a blog contest for a Handful bra…entered…and WON!  How awesome is that?!

I won

I decided my Handful and I needed a little photo shoot…

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Adjustable straps…
(side note: it is REALLY hard to take a self portrait of your back!)

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#flatternotflatten

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02/04

Project: Life

So, like I mentioned at the beginning of the year, I’m trying this whole 365 thing again.  Maybe 3rd times a charm and I’ll make it all the way to the end or maybe I’ll make it a few months longer than last time.  I have no expectations.  I am trying really hard to keep it up though, even if most of my pics are boring, repetitive and non-creative.  The point is to document daily life, right?!  Some days are more exciting than others.  😉

I’m posting all of my 365 photos on my Instagram stream, so hit me up there if you want to keep up daily!  You can find me here, katiehigg.

route

And because I’m crazy like that and apparently needed something else to keep up with, I’m trying my hand at 365 via video.  There’s this cool app called One Second Everyday.  It takes a second from every day and then mashes them together into a movie.  I didn’t start until January 11th and I missed a few days already but, it’s super cool anyway.  Check out month 1.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GGfJQvMk6p8]

Music is Meghan Arias, “Have A Good Life”

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01/31

On my iPod…

It’s one of those times where I want to blog, but don’t have much to say.  Or rather, think what I have to say is stupid or boring.  But, I’m really trying to blog more so I was wracking my brain to come up with a quick, somewhat interesting post that isn’t about fitness.  I swear that’s not all I think about.

Okay, so in an effort to get away from fitness or health, I give you my latest music obsessions…

Imagine Dragons ::

Their first song, “It’s Time”, took a few listens to grow on me, but I’ve been listening to the whole album lately and it pretty much rocks.  “Every Night”, “Hear Me” and “Bleeding Out” are in a three way tie for my favorite song on the album.

photo 1

Maroon 5 ::

This album took me a few listens before I liked listening to it all the way through, but now I dig it.  “Beautiful Goodbye” is probably my favorite from the album.

photo 3

Macklemore & Ryan Lewis ::

I just downloaded this one a few days ago, but I like what I’ve heard.  He got my attention with “Thrift Shop” and then I downloaded “Same Love” as the Starbucks pick of the week and I was hooked.  I haven’t listened to it all the way through yet, but my favorite (so far) is “Can’t Hold Us”.

photo 2

 

And since I’m always so late to the party when it comes to new music, how about one that you may not have heard of…

Meghan Arias ::

She is the wife to an awesome photographer that I follow.  There are only 4 songs on the album, but they’re all good.  My kids love all of the songs too!  You can check her out here.

photo

 

 

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01/28

Say What?! :: Monday Motivation

What’s more motivating that a 74yo CrossFitting grandma?  Check out this article I read in Fitness Magazine this past weekend.  If this isn’t motivating, I don’t know what is!

photo 4 photo 3

Reading stories like that really impress me, but they also light a little fire under me and make me want to go workout.  So on that note…check out this awesome Booty Blaster Workout from FitnessRx Mag.  I’m printing it out and putting it on my gym to-do list pronto!

4×15 (each leg) diagonal lunges
4×15 (each leg) weighted bench step-ups
4×15 leg curls
4×15 jump squats
4×15 (each leg) cable kickbacks
4×15 deadlifts
4×15 weighted sumo squats
*Rest 30 seconds after each set…also make sure weight is challenging but you can maintain correct form

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01/24

Randoms on a Thursday…

::  I randomly start singing songs from Disney movies while I’m aimlessly perusing the internet…specifically Mulan.

It’s true.  I have no idea why it happens.  I’ve probably only watched it once in the past 8 yrs!

I start humming and before I know it, I’m singing, “please bring honor to us, please bring honor to us, please bring honor to us allllllll”  I’ll admit…I’m weird.  But Mulan is a pretty kick butt movie so I guess there are worst things I could hum.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aWb7Rvvtblc&w=420&h=315]

::  My hubs got me these coolio bluetooth headphones for Christmas and it’s so awesome to be wireless!!  I’ve worn them running and weight lifting. They rock and I love not having to deal with the cord.  Plus, when you’re on a cardio machine, you can prop your phone up to watch a show without worrying about hitting the cord and knocking it down.  😉

photo 1


::  I’ve been wanting to try avocado pudding for a few months now and I finally did it last night.  I was a little leery.   I mean, I love avocado, but as pudding?  With chocolate?  I was skeptical.

Buuut, I’m all about trying a freaky combination if it turns into a sinfully delicious tasting treat that happens to be good for me.

Ta da!!

photo 3

Okay, so it looks kinda gross in this pic and the avocado didn’t puree as much as I wanted it to (hence that little yellow/green chunk sticking out), but it was pretty creamy and definitely tasty.  I ate a little last night and then froze the rest in a popsicle mold.  I have no idea if it will be good as a popsicle, but I figured it was worth a shot.  Here’s the recipe I sorta used, http://foodnouveau.com/2012/10/recipes/desserts/luscious-chocolate-avocado-pudding/.  Except I only had 1/2 of an avocado so I had to adjust the measurements and I wanted it to be vegan so I used almond milk.  I also added a little bit of PB.  Yum!!!


::  In almost exactly 2 months, my daughter and I will be jetting off to Paris!  I am uber excited, but also starting to have panic attacks at the same time.  I’m a bit of a worry wart and an OCD over thinker so the thought of everything that we need to remember to pack and the fast pace of the trip and the super long plane ride that I’m terrified of getting motion sickness during…omg…I’m going to throw up.  Anywho, I heard about a countdown app this morning on the radio and I’m not sure if it will make it more exciting or more anxiety inducing, but it’s called Timenotes and it gives you a countdown to any big events you add to the calendar.  It sounded kinda cool and since I’m super excited about my first trip out of the country, now that I’m typing it out, I’m worried (see, worry wart and over thinker) it isn’t a good idea to have it on my phone.  However, if you AREN’T crazy like me, you might want to check it out.  😉

Timenotes


::  I decided I should probably cut back the coffee intake so I started drinking hot lemon & honey water in the morning thinking that it was just warmth I wanted in the morning, not specifically coffee.

Wrong.

After 2 days, I started craving coffee after I drank my lemon water so after taking the 2nd kiddo to school, I’ve been stopping by Starbucks.  Not good….not good at all.  I think I should switch it up and have coffee some days and lemon water other days b/c I definitely do NOT need to get Sbux every day.  Not only is it bad for my wallet and sugar intake, but it causes me to skip breakfast and that’s not what I should be doing.

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It is super yummy though and I have thoroughly enjoyed my last two morning lattes.  😉


[random #542] :: I’m trying to cut the animal products down where I can, so I finally got around to ordering this all natural, gluten-free, gmo free, vegan protein.  It has a bit of a following on FB and everyone says it’s delicious.  I just hope it lives up to my Jay Robb protein.

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