Making May My Month

Hello all,

I apologize that my blogging has been so sporadic lately, I really need to work on staying more consistant but working a full time job that doesn't allow time for blogging can make things difficult so thanks to all of you who hang in there and bare with me!

If you have read through my last few posts you may have noticed that I am really trying to "Make May My Month", meaning I am sticking to a strict workout sched, eating healthy (at least cut back on wine and cheese lol) and lose the 5lbs I gained over the winter. With the exception of the past few days I have been sticking to all of my goals and have shed 2lbs.

When I started to try and make May my month I was more focused on the health and fitness end of things, it turns out there was MUCH more in store for me! Those of you who follow me on facebook and instagram have probably already heard that Dan and I bought a house last week! Yes, thats right we bought a house! I like to refer to it as my "grown up house" since I have been living in my condo for over four years now. It was a very unexpected purchase, we had been looking here and there but not really planning on buying anything until closer to the fall.... however, we knew this was our home as soon as we walked in! It had only been on the market for 24 hours and we snagged it! We couldn't be more excited.

Our New House!

This past week we also sold my condo! It only took 3 days to sell it which was AMAZING! I have to admit, leaving my bachelorette pad will be bitter sweet..... I have had so many good times there, lots of laughs, lots of spilled wine, some tears and countless NKOTB dance parties with my girlfriends which often resulted in the people below me calling in a noise complaint lol.  That being said I am beyond thrilled to be moving on to the next phase of my life and into the home where Dan and I will one day start our family!

In the midst of all of the house excitement we had a busy week. We had Dan's brother and sister in law visiting from Australia, Mother's Day and .......drum roll please............. the Motley Crue concert last Saturday!  This was my second time seeing the Crue and Dan's first. We went with three other friends and had a blast! Even though I am 90% sure they were lip syncing, I enjoyed every minute... especially Tommy Lee (my guilty pleasure) kicking ass on the drums. Seriously, how did Pamela Anderson ever leave him for Kid Rock!!!??? If you ever want to read a totally scandelous, smutty, filthy book about a rock band than I highly suggest you read Motley Crue: The Dirt.  It's ridic! Oh and Big Wreck opened for the Crue, I absolutely ADORE Big Wreck, such a talent Canadian Band.



Rockin' Out to Girls Girls Girls!



Some of Oshawa's Finest Turned Out for the Concert



That's all for now! Just wanted to check in with all of my bloggy peeps and let you know I am still alive.  I hope you are all kicking butt at the gym and getting bikini ready!! xox

Have you ever ready a smutty book about a rock star or rock band???

What celebrity is your guilty pleasure???

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All Natural Energy Smoothy Recipe & a Family Filled Weekend

Good Evening All!

Happy Hump Day! I hope your week is off to a good start. My week has been super busy/fun/exciting etc.... Did I tell you that Dan's brother and sister in law are visiting from Australia for 2 weeks! They have been staying at our place for a few nights, I love having guests. I am excited to have them home because up until Friday I had never met them! Cray cray right? They have been in Australia for 3 years (so the entire time Dan and I have been dating) so we had never met before. They are awesome! Sunday, myself and my soon to be brothers and sisters in law went to the Jays game. It was the perfect day for a game, the sun was shining, the beer was flowing and the Jays actually won a game!

After the Jays game we went to my favourite Toronto roof top patio, Oasis. Oasis is located on top of Gretzky's Restaurant. I love this patio because on weekends there is a live DJ, delish sangria's and I always run into old friends there and I always run into professional athletes (bonus!!!). Next time you are in Toronto definitely check out this patio, you wont be disappointed.

my future brother and sister in laws!

I was able to get in 5 solid workouts this past week, which was pretty good considering we have family in town. I hit up the gym 3 times, each time tackling the stairmaster, elliptical and some weights, and the other two days I did 5 km runs. I love being back into a routine as I am still trying to make May My Month!

Over the past few days I have been experimenting with some new types of smoothies since I have been smoothie obsessed lately.  I am always trying to eat foods that will give me more natural energy in an attempt to avoid drinking coffee. I did a little research, combined it with the knowledge I already had about certain fruits and veggies and came up with this little gem of an all natural energy smoothy!

All Natural Energy Smoothy

Ingredients:

1 diced apple: apples contain fructose, which is quickly processed by our bodies for energy. They also contain vitamin C and anti-oxidants.

1/2 frozen banana: the glucose in bananas is rapidly digested and turned into energy, so that you’ll start feeling more alert right away.

1/4 - 1/2 blueberries: these are a super food so enough said, they are also said to help make us more alert!

1 handful of leafy greens (I used spinach):  Not only do they contain vitamins C and A, which are important for energy levels, they also contain depression-fighting foliate.

1 tea bag of green tea opened and added to blender (I used Choice Organic Korean Green Tea):  green tea contains caffeine, but it also has the amino acid L-theanine, which can aid in alertness and memory.

1/2 fresh squeeze lemon: water and lemon gives you vitamin C and helps to rehydrate you quickly, being
 dehydrated can lower your energy levels. 

1 cup vanilla almond milk: this was for flavour and to help blend all of the ingredients
(source)


Instructions:

blend all of these ingredients thoroughly in a blend and enjoy!









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Epic Canadian GiveawEH!

Good Evening Peeps!!!

I haven't posted in 5 days, did ya miss me??? I hope you all had a fabulous weekend! If you live in Southern Ontario I know you must have been LOVIN' the weather this weekend! I have a ton to blog about this week because a lot of fun stuff went on this weekend, AND I have two new recipes I am going to be posting this week. One for homemade gluten free chicken fingers and one for a re-energizing smoothy! But before I get to all of that I have some amazing news for all of you! Myself and 6 other stellar Canadian Bloggers have teamed up to give you a very Canadian giveaway! There are 7 fab prizes up for grabs and all of them are made by Canadian companies, EH!

The Dirty Deets on this Canadian GiveawEH!


Are you ready for the details???Are you sitting down? Yes? Good. Because this giveaway is about to knock your socks off! We are bringing you not one, not two, not three (you get the idea) but SEVEN amazing Canadian products. Yes, they're Canadian and they're spectacular!

How does it work? Try and stay with us!

We wanted to team up and share some of our favourite, local and just generally awesome products. We will be choosing seven winners (one for each product or prize pack).

Who is "we"?

We are, Davida from The Healthy Maven, Katy from Fit in Heels, Tara from I'm Fit Possible, Sarah from My Mostly Healthy Life, Michelle from Push Pump Progress, Laura from Scribbles and Sass and Suzi from Confessions of a Fitness Instructor and we have teamed up to basically bring you the coolest giveaway ever.

Y'all ready fo' this? You have to imagine Jock Jams Get Ready For This by 2 Unlimited playing in the background as you read the rest of this post!

Eat Clean Diet

Win one of two Eat-Clean Diet and Raw Elements Inc sponsored goody bags! Goody bags include Tosca Reno's favourite Sunwarrior supplements, a special recipe from Tosca and two titles from Tosca Reno's bestselling Eat-Clean Diet series.

Prize:

1 green Eat-Clean Diet grocery bag

1 Raw Elements Water bottle

1 sample of Sun Warrior Raw Vegan Protein Powder

1 sample of Sun Warrior Activated Barley Powder

1 sample of Sun Warrior Ormus Greens Powder

1 copy of Tosca Reno's Just the Rules

1 copy of The Eat-Clean Diet Vegetarian cookbook 

1 back issue of Oxygen Magazine (Tosca Reno cover)

1 back issue of Clean Eating Magazine (June/July 2012)
As well as a recipe from Tosca using the supplements in the goody bag.

Urban Running Girl

Back in November, Michelle stumbled upon a local Toronto based company called Urban Running Girl. Urban Running Girl makes running shrugs...yes, that's right...RUNNING SHRUGS! These shrugs are designed for active women. "The idea of a running shrug came about from the need to keep warm while warming up during and early morning run, particularly in the spring and fall. It's too cool to start with only a tank top or t-shirt, but once you are warmed up and/or outside the temperature rises. Then it becomes too warm for a long sleeve shirt or jacket". These shrugs come in a variety of colours: purple, black, pink, orange and turquoise. The shrugs are made of tech material that wicks away quickly, it also has fold over cuffs that you can use to cover your hands on cooler days!

Prize: One awesome running shrug in your choice of colour!

Allergic Solution

Allergic Solution allergen-free mixes were created from a place of knowledge about nutrition and how a balanced diet and healthy lifestyle can heal the body. The founder of the company is both a nutritionist and consumer who has yearned for healthy, allergen-free, gluten-free food products available in the market place. Their mission is to provide ethically and socially responsible products that support the needs of people with allergies, assist in reducing inflammation in the body and contributes to overall health. The mixes are free of corn, dairy/casein, gluten/wheat, peanuts, tree-nuts and soy and are also 100% vegan, kosher certified and are made in North America.

Prize Includes: Yeast Free Bread Mix, Pancake/Waffle Mix, Vanilla Cake Mix, Carob Cake Mix and a recipe book.

Omega Crunch Shelled Flax

Regular flax contain a hard outer shell that our digestive system is unable to breakdown so it passes through the body without us absorbing any of the nutrients of the kernel found inside.  You can get around this by using ground up flax but the taste leaves a lot to be desired. Omega Crunch however, is produced with shelled flax (flax that has had the hull removed from the inner flax kernel). Your body is able to easily digest the flax seed and reap the benefits offered by the seed. And they taste great! The natural flavour really doesn't taste like anything and you can throw it in granola and raw macaroon recipes, or top of yogurt with a tablespoon of shelled flax.  It adds a crunchy texture without the taste of the ground flax.  You can also buy it in maple, cinnamon and garlic flavours.

The other thing I really love about this product is that is is made right here in Nova Scotia.  In fact, it is produced in New Minas which is only 20 minutes away from where Suzi lives, and is produced in partnership with The Flower Cart which is an organization that provides training and employment for individuals with intellectual disabilities.

Prize Includes: One 225g shaker bottle of Regular Shelled Flax.

Koge Vitamins

These ain’t your momma’s vitamins, but if you’re a nice kid you should get them for mom, anyway...it IS almost Mother’s Day! 

Koge takes the confusion out of buying vitamins, as simplicity is their motto; there are only four options. Koge’s expert team of doctors and nutritionists have put together multi-product vitamin packages designed to ensure you receive the holistic benefits you desire. Each tub has 30 packs of vitamins, so all you have to do is take one a day and enjoy the benefits. The best part about Koge (besides wicked vitamins and spirited, down-to-earth, cute founders)? For every purchase, they donate vitamins to children in Africa under the age of 5 suffering from malnutrition. It’s a win-win; improve your health and permanently improve the lives of others. 

Prize: One month supply of Daily Essentials. They'll provide you with a complete set of healthy nutrients required for optimal day-to-day wellness. Your body will be at its best, no matter what the day throws your way.

Face of Hope

Located in Strathroy Ontario, Face of Hope is a skin care company that absolutely ROCKS! Why? I will totally tell you! Here are some legit reasons:

• 100% All Natural ~ 90% Certified Organic
• Simple yet very effective, containing highly active natural ingredients
• Handcrafted in small batches
• Amber glass packaging that is 100% recyclable
• Pure Organic Floral Waters are the only waters used
• Essential minerals - assists the health & vitality of the skin
• Vitamins A, E, F and C and Omega 3, 6 and 9 oils - offers support and nourishment for the skin

 Never formulated with parabens, toxic preservatives, synthetics or artificial ingredients, petrochemicals or mineral oils. Also the owner Liz, is an absolute gem!

Prize: The Prevent & Repair System (travel size) has been formulated to create a state of well being and balance for the skin. This daily routine of cleansers, toner, treatment and moisturizers provide all the nutrition needed for healthy glowing skin. Ingredients containing pure vitamins, minerals and omega oils are all carefully combined to produce Six powerful products that all play a role in reducing acne, redness, wrinkles and sun damage.

 NoSweat Laundry

NoSweat has been amazing for Katy from Fit in Heels, who has invested so much money in workout clothes. What goes in to the washing machine is rank-ass, stinky laundry (courtesy of her and her husband, two fitness junkies who like to sweat) and what comes out smells so good it makes her want to shove her face in my husband's jock.  Katy's words.

NoSweat can be used on its own (you need the teeeeniest amount), or in addition to your laundry detergent. It takes out yellow stains and works specifically with workout gear materials! In addition, the Mat Spray can be an amazing addition to your yoga practice, to freshen up your mat!

This is a must-have for any fitness instructor, personal trainer, Phys Ed teacher, runner, athlete, or anyone else who lives in their workout gear.

Prize: Two full-sized 500ml NoSweat laundry detergent (one in sweet freesia and one unscented), one travel size citrus rush laundry detergent and one mat spray in sweet freesia.

Need a recap? (I know I do!)

Here are the prizes up for grabs:

1. One of two Eat-Clean Diet and Raw Elements Inc sponsored goody bags.
2. One awesome running shrug in your choice of colours from Urban Running Girl.
3. Yeast Free Bread Mix, Pancake/Waffle Mix, Vanilla Cake Mix, Carob Cake Mix and a recipe book from Allergic Solutions.
4. One 225g shaker bottle of Regular Shelled Flax from Omega Crunch.
5. One month supply of Daily Essentials from Koge Vitamins.
6. The Prevent & Repair System (travel size) formulated to create a state of well being and balance for the skin from Face of Hope.
7. Two full-sized 500ml NoSweat laundry detergent (one in sweet freesia and one unscented), one travel size citrus rush laundry detergent and one mat spray in sweet freesia.

What do all of these products and companies have in common? The are Canadian and we absolutely love each and every one of them. Of course, they love us right back too!

Can we get a round of applause for these ridiculously fabulous companies? Now it's your turn! Simply enter using the Rafflecopter below for your chance to win of of the seven awesome products or prize packs. This giveaway is open to all residents of Canada and the US. Good luck!



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