Healthy Lifestyles with Heather

10/08/2016

Ivys first day of first grade, this is what she helped pack in her lunch. 😋🍴 (Vegetable and sausage fritatta, mini bueberry bread (made w honey and whole wheat flour), oranges, apple slices, cheese, and pistchios.

26/07/2016

Ivy told me that she is sick of eggs, and that I ALWAYS make eggs...it's true 😱🍳. So we made some mini blueberry muffins, using honey instead of sugar, and soft whole wheat flour instead of white. I also snuck in a scoop of protein powder 😉. It was trading a high protein meal for a high carb one, but I understand needing to switch things up sometimes. The girls devoured several each, and I had one with some plain Greek yogurt 😋.

21/07/2016

Look who made eggs for the family! All on her own start to finish! She may have had a heavy hand with the feta cheese, but I love that she is trying!

20/07/2016

This looks like a great resource, have you tried it? Ivy will be packing lunch for school this year as a first grader! I have already been wondering what to do so she doesn't get tired of the same thing every day. I think we will give this a shot. 😃

http://www.100daysofrealfood.com/2016/07/18/school_lunch_plans_are_back/

I'm super excited to announce that we're going to once again offer you our Real Lunches, Real Easy School Lunch Meal Plans! We are only able to offer these eBooks

15/07/2016

Disclaimer: I am not a photographer, definitely not a food photographer! I have no idea how to make food look good in pictures! 😱
I love fritattas, but rarely make them due to my husband's egg allergy. Today, I was looking at my bare cupboards and fridge (we live in th middle of nowhere, and I am not in the mood for a trip to town just to buy groceries) trying to figure out what to make for lunch for the girls and I. This was a home run! ⚾
Chopped up potato, zucchini from the garden, onion, crushed garlic, lots of basil from the garden, and sausage cooked in a large skillet. In a large bowl whisk eggs (I used 6) and a splash of milk. Add in veggie/sausage mixture and some feta cheee. Pour into pan, cook at 400 degees for about 20min.
So good! Ivy had thirds and Lilly had seconds. Yum.😋

14/07/2016

Congratulations to winners from last week's drawing!
You can both choose your prize: a wobble disc (great for balance and strength training, and for kids (and adults) to sit on to get the wiggles out), 7 reusable meal prep containers (freezer, microwave, and dishwasher safe), or a 10, 15, OR 20 LB kettlebell.

13/07/2016

Fun day hiking with these cuties and my best friend! I hadn't gotten to go hiking this summer, and Lilly was begging to ride in the backpak every time she noticd it in our entryway. I'll admit it makes me a little nostalgic thinking that by next summer she probably will be done with it. They grow up so fast! I'm going to make a point of getting the most out of it these next few months!

11/07/2016

I sarted training today for my next race-a 1/2 marathon at the end of August. This meme says it all :

slow-motion-triathlete: “ ”

09/07/2016

I apologize for being MIA from the page for awhile! Summer is in full swing and I've been busy busy, as I'm sure you have! Comment below with your favorite summertime active activity, and be entered into a fun drawing with a surprise prize! And check out this pic of my adorble girls and nephews on their bikes!

14/03/2016

Haven't changed my car clock to spring forward yet-it was reminding me how very early I was on my way to the gym this morning! I almost didn't get out of bed, but reminded myself I'm in training ;) Happy Monday!

03/03/2016

I have to say, I love these bowflex adjustable dumbbells, each goes in 2.5lb increments from 5lbs to 52.5lbs. Saves so much space, without needing a huge set of weights. If you do your workouts at home, I highly recommend them! They can be pricey, but if you keep an eye out you can find them on sale :D

01/03/2016

Day 2 triathlon training started w me failing to get up at 4am for my swim. Regrouped and did my strength training later in the morning (w the help of my almost 2 yr old), and will do my swim after I get off work tonight at 9, extra motivation and accountability to hit the pool after work provided by my best friend ever Cindy, who is meeting me there

29/02/2016

Kicking off day 1 of my triathlon (sprint-I really, really struggle w swimming :/ ) training with 5am spin clas, and yoga later. Let's do this! :D

01/02/2016

School is canceled because of SNOW! Fun day w my girls: sledding on our little hill (she's content with that, for now ;) ), sled rides from mom (must be nice :P ), shaving cream/paint crafts...and chaos, and not pictured (because they insist on running around without clothes on lol) Funsical Fitness (a fantastic set of cds with 10-20min "adventures" where you use your imagination and get active! I highly recommend it! (Geared towards ages 2-7, and their parents ;) )!

http://funsical.com/

31/01/2016

Sunday run-day!

30/01/2016

Swim time!

29/01/2016

Ingredient prepping for dinner tonight-Black Bean Chili. Sometimes at the end of the day, it just doesn't happen. Getting it done while I have time. :) I'll post the recipe in the comments later, it is sooo yummy!

28/01/2016

Im finishing up my swim class this evening, and I haven't improved much. It can be so discouraging when I have to stop at ech end of the pool (I'm a really terrible and very inexperienced swimmer). It would be so easy to quit, say forget this, I'll stick to what I am good (or at least ok) at. Then I keep reminding mself that when I first started running it was almost impossible to run for a minute straight, but I never gave up, and now I can run for hours. I'm commiting to putting in the time to become...ok at swimming-I doubt I'll ever be good at it LOL. What have you been struggling with? Let's encourage each other to stick to it, don't give up!

28/01/2016

I just aced my re-certification exam from Precision Nutrition! Woohoo!

28/01/2016

Lilly finally found some weights her size

18/01/2016

Today I am making one of my favorite soups, an added bonus is that the whole family loves it (even the kids ;) ). I'm making a huge double batch so I have lots to freeze.It is vegan, but i you want to add meat for a protein boost it would be great with precooked shredded/cubed chicken, sausage, or even beef! Here is the recipe:
5 BEAN AND KALE SOUP
(if you don't want to use canned beans then cook dry beans ahead of time)
1 medium onion
lots of garlic!
3 carrots
3 celery stalks
1 head of kale
1 can kidney beans
1 can cannellini beans
1 can black eye peas
1 can pinto beans
1 small box frozen green beans
3 or 4 boxes or large cans of chicken stock
salt and pepper

Dice onion and sauté in large soup pot with a touch of oil (I use coconut oil). Cut up carrots and celery and add to the onion. Finely chop about 3 cloves of garlic and add to vegetables. Saute for a short time until veggies start to soften.

Chop kale into bite size pieces and drop into the pot on top of the vegetables. Let the kale steam while you thaw the green beans in microwave, and open canned beans. Open all cans and pour the beans into a strainer and rinse.

This is where I add more garlic! This soup is great if you have a cold. I usually take all the small inner cloves, peel and add whole or chopped in 1/2. Stir all vegetables in the pot. Kale should be wilting.

Now add all the beans on top of the vegetables.

If the beans are not rinsed well, you will find a sandy grit in your soup so don't skip this important step.

Add some salt and pepper, then pour all of the chicken stock over the beans, washing the salt and pepper through.

Once you've covered the vegetables enough so they're freely floating and easy to stir, bring to a boil, then reduce.

Cook until all vegetables are soft.

This soup is great for freezing, too. Enjoy!

18/01/2016

Need some ideas to stay active as a family this winter? This list is a great start! What are some of the ways your family keeps fit when its cold outside? Let's share ideas! :D

http://www.ourfamilyworld.com/2015/01/07/winter-family-fitness-ideas/

Don't let the cold keep you huddled indoors! Check out these fun winter family fitness ideas to keep you all in shape while enjoying time together!

10/01/2016

Here we go, the second full week of the core challenge! It's not too late to jump in and join us! The program is designed for beginners, if you have consistently been working your core, challenge yourself by doubling the reps and/or doing 2-5 sets and progressing from there. If the program is too challenging, take 2 to 3 reps off. :) Everyone who completes the challenge wins a free session!

08/01/2016

Hahaha!

06/01/2016

Just finished a short treadmill run and Runner's World Iron Strength workout in the basement, not gonna lie, it kicked my bum (in a good way :D)! Anyone else tried it?

06/01/2016

So glad I got these stability discs for my kids to play with...I mean for my ankle strength work ;)

05/01/2016

How are those New Years Resolutions going? Let's hear it, comment with yours, and see the comments for mine! If you need some help meeting your healthy lifestyle goals, contact me about health coaching! And for a laugh read the life cycle of the new years resolution...
http://www.runselfierepeat.com/blog/the-10-stages-of-a-new-years-resolution

It's that time of the year again! People all over the United States are getting ready to make incredibly lofty goals that they almost immediately forget about. Now don't get me wrong, I love a New Year's Resolution! But New Year's Resolutions are like a bad car wreck! You don't see it coming and you…

04/01/2016

Ivy showing off her super strength with TRX pull ups. Pretty sure she has me beat!

02/01/2016

Looking for motivation for the New Year? Check out Stephanie's story of how health coaching with Healthy Lifestyles with Heather changed her life! To find out more about health coaching and to take advantage of New Year's specials, contact me today! Please like and share this post! Here's what Stephanie has to say: At the age of 31, I had hit my highest weight to date. I was 260 lbs, and a size 22/24. I couldn't walk up the stairs without gasping for air, and the simple movement to get out of a chair was exhausting. I hated for anyone to take my picture, because it would remind me of how my health was spiraling out of control. I was a stay at home, homeschooling mom of 3 with a special needs child. The demand for my attention was pulled in every direction except for my own. My physical and emotional health was in dire jeopardy, and the thought that my 3 children would repeat my failure was staring me in the face. Everything I knew about nutrition and exercise was wrong, and I knew it. I came to the conclusion that I needed to change, but didn't know how or where to start.
When I started with Heather in the Fall of 2014, she didn't belittle me or make me feel like a failure like some trainers I had in the past. She was genuine about wanting to help get my life on the right path. She didn't throw a million "to-do's" on my list knowing that it would most likely overwhelm me. She took things one step at a time to ensure that I would maintain my success for the long term. She helped me learn proper nutrition, and how to properly exercise based on my individual needs. Her attention to detail and the accountability that she's given me is immeasurable. There's no other person that I would recommend to help get healthier.
I have lost 85 pounds, am now a size 12 in clothing, and I'm currently the healthiest that I've ever been in my entire life. I've lost fat in places I swore I could never lose, and gained muscle in places I thought I'd never see. I no longer worry about my children following my ill-directed footsteps as my whole family is now benefiting from my lifestyle change. I am still a work in progress, but I know that every day my family and I will continue to be stronger and healthier. I hope to continue to inspire those like me that they can make the change as well.

01/01/2016

Had a wonderful run-the first for both Rooney (the dog) and I since we have both been on Dr prescribed running breaks (me since my marathon mid November, Rooney since September!) We took it short and easy, and I'm pretty sure I grinned the whole time! I resisted the urge to roll in the snow at the end...HAPPY NEW YEAR!