Meal Plan

I never had the intention of sharing what our weekly eats look like, but after having a number of clients ask questions about what I eat, I figured I would go ahead and share with all of you! I take a few minutes every Sunday to plan out our dinner meals for the week and keep our other meals/ snacks pretty standard. This week is completely random and definitely not a week of perfect eats, but this will at least show how to try to maintain a balance in a hectic world!

Back home from a short weekend away and not done with clients until 7pm, means a quick and easy dinner on Sunday: California BLT w/ Sweet Potato & Beet Chips (whole wheat bread, turkey/ tempeh bacon, avocado, tomato)

With the husband pulling a 15-18 hour day in the lab, dinner is on my own, which means cooking for one results in a no fuss dinner on Monday: Gourmet Grilled Cheese w/ fresh fruit (whole wheat bread, aged sharp cheddar, baby spinach, tomato)

Tuesday: Grilled Blackened Salmon w/ a curried honey mustard glaze & roasted broccoli

Wednesday: Grilled Chicken over mixed greens with pineapple, blueberries, goat cheese and a mango vinaigrette

Thursday: Island Fish Tacos (Grilled Hawaiian Tilapia, fresh mango, pineapple, avocado, tomato on whole wheat tortilla)

Breakfasts will be the norm: either green smoothies or overnight oats

Lunch will be the norm: mixed greens with boiled egg or hummus, fruit, & vinaigrette or watermelon, goat cheese, & basil salads

Snacks will also be the norm: greek yogurt w/ organic granola, grapes & cheese, date energy balls, apple & nut butter, clif mojo bar, hummus & raw veggies

Month of Thanks Day 12

Day 12: In-Law Family

I truly feel as though I have the best in-laws, any girl could ask for! They have accepted me in as part of their family from the beginning. From the fun times during ski trips to the shopping madness on Black Fridays and the numerous holidays I have spent with Braden’s family, I have never felt like an outsider. I am so thankful for them welcoming me into being part of their family and hope to be daughter they never had!

Month of Thanks Day 11

Day 11: Family

 I am thankful for my family, both personal, immediate and extended. While I do not have any children yet, my husband and furbabies make up a perfect little family! Our little family has gone through many transitions together and I am so thankful to have our sweet little family.

When I was 17 I moved 4 hours away from home for college, at age 23 I moved 1,949 miles away from home, and now at age 28 I am 556 miles and a mere 10 hours away from where my family is. While the miles between may be far, I am thankful to get to see my immediate family at least once or twice a year. I am thankful that the miles between us only make each visit a little more special! I am also so happy to have developed such a close bond with my little sister, who was only 5 years old when I left home for college. Having her spend the last 3 summers with us has allowed us to share new adventures with her and created memories I will cherish forever.

 

While I don’t get to see my extended family (aunts, uncles, cousins) very often, I have some of the fondest and most precious memories of summers and Christmas time at my grandparents in Virginia. My extended family is truly spread throughout the country, but the times when the 50+ people get together at my grandparent’s farm in rural Virginia could not be described in words. And finally, though I rarely see her and only call maybe 4 times a year, I think about my precious grandma nearly everyday…love that woman to pieces and really need to be a better granddaughter and call more often!

Month of Thanks Day 10

Day 10: College Experience & Education (Undergrad)

I am thankful for not only the education I received during my undergrad days at the University of Florida, but also the life experiences and life-long lessons I learned during my time there. Gainesville and the University of Florida will always hold a special place in my heart because not only did I meet my husband and best friend there, but I feel I truly learned who I was as a person, grew into the woman I am, and truly found myself. When I left Gainesville, I was not the same person as when I walked on campus in 2001 and am so thankful for the experiences I had there. 

Not only did I learn about myself during my time at UF, but it also was the educational foundation for my career in Exercise and Sport Sciences. If it was not for my education, I never would have sat for the NASM-Certified Personal Trainer certification or the NSCA – Strength & Conditioning Specialist certification. Without those achievements, I never would have been able to serve as a Graduate Assistant Strength & Conditioning Coach at University of Colorado-Colorado Springs or an AssistantTrack & Field Coach at Northwestern State University.  I also never would have had the experience of coaching an amazing group of high school Cross-Country and Track athletes or gained valuable insight during my time volunteering with the Strength & Conditioning Coaches at the Olympic Training Center. And I can also thank the University of Florida for helping me learn to believe in myself and never give up on my goals. 

Month of Thanks Day 9

Day 9: The Internet

I am beyond thankful for all of technology, but today focuses on the internet alone.  After just pre-ordering the new Amazon KindleFire yesterday, that will bring the total of computer-like devices with constant internet access in our houses to SEVEN (3 laptops, 1 netbook, 2 Droids, and 1 tablet/e-reader)! From being able to keep up with extended family across the country on Facebook, chat with clients on Skype, upload training videos to YouTube, browse Pinterest to find the latest and cheapest DIYs, connect to people with similar interests on Twitter, read healthy living blogs on my Google Reader and SO much more, I cannot imagine not having continual access to the internet. The internet has shaped our generation from not only a personal stand, but from a business point of view as well. It is constantly evolving and I love it!

Your Turn:

What are your favorite sites on the internet?

Month of Thanks Day 8

Day 8: 4 Seasons

After growing up in Florida and spending the first 23-and three quarter years of my life living where the seasons were commonly referred to as hot, hotter, and hottest, moving to Colorado allowed me to experience all four seasons for the first time and brought on a new love and appreciation for not only the seasons, but the activities which abound with each as well! Despite no longer living in Colorado, I am so thankful we get to experience all four seasons in Colorado. Below are just a few of our favorite things about each season here in Alabama.

• Changing of the leaves, pumpkin patches, and sitting on the porch enjoying happy hour in crisp cool air in the Fall
• Snow and glistening ice on the barren branches, and snuggling under cozy blankets while drinking hot cocoa or the perfect cup of coffee in the Winter
• Magnolia trees, Japanese cherry blossoms, and hundreds of azaleas in full bloom while being able to kayak down the rivers and enjoy a picnic lunch under the refreshing sun in the Spring
• Farmers Markets, days spent at the lake, evenings spent grilling and watching the lightning bugs flitter in the yard, and weekends spent camping and building bonfires in the Summer

   

Month of Thanks Day 7

Day 7: Life

I am truly thankful to be alive and experience this adventure known as life. Each day is a gift and never promised. After losing our oldest furbaby abruptly this weekend, it truly made me realize to live each day to the fullest, say I love you more than you think you should, challenge yourself by facing your fear and taking risks, hug your loved ones a little tighter, and show kindness to both friends and strangers alike because you never know when you may take your last breath. 

Month of Thanks Day 6

Day 6: J-O-B

I am thankful to have a job. Though my current full-time job is not in the field I love and have a passion for, it is a job which provides a decent salary and a steady income, and I am still able to do personal training, program design, and teach group fitness classes part-time. Though there are days when I am dis-heartened and feel defeated, I am thankful to have an office to go to each day and a pay check deposited into my account every 2-weeks. Though there are times when I feel under-appreciated and under-paid, I know I am good at my job and have made a positive impact in our community and helped save lives. So while my job may not be what I love, I still give my all each and every day and close my office door knowing I am making a difference every day! 

Month of Thanks - Day 5

Day 5: Furbabies

I write today’s thankful post with a very heavy and saddened heart. When I decided to write about my furbabies as my thankful post today, I was planning to write about how I never planned to have 4 furbabies but am thankful for each and all the love and laughter they each bring into my life. However, this afternoon we had to abruptly say goodnight and forever sweet dreams to our oldest baby girl, Star. Star was our nearly 12 year old black lab, who loved a tennis ball nearly as much as she loved her daddy. Today’s post is dedicated to Star and the bed time story written to her by her daddy…

RIP Star!!!! You were with me for high school graduation, crazy times of learning (and times of no learning) at UF, the meeting of the future Mrs. Romer, graduation from my bachelors and masters, the end of my teen years and the beginning of my adult years, life in four states, two cross-country moves, wacky fourth floor walk-ups and huge yards with all the space you could want...you never complained when I brought home extra siblings, stopped playing catch too soon, made you go outside in the snow, or help me with all-nighter of work. You were amazing and I'll always love you!!!

Star, you will be Forever Loved, Never Forgotten, and Always Missed. Momma loves you JaMima and misses you so much!

Month of Thanks Day 4

Day 4: My Legs

Despite having just had meniscus surgery today, I am thankful for my legs. My legs have allowed me to enjoy the beautiful scenes while trail running and mountain biking. My legs have allowed me to climb multiple 14ers during my time in Colorado, including the famous Pikes Peak. My legs have walked the streets of Europe and experienced the amazing waters while snorkeling at the Baths in Virgin Gorda in the British Virgin Islands. My legs have crossed a number of finish lines, from 5Ks to half-marathons and run more laps on a track than I can count. My legs have taught me to push beyond what my mind thinks is capable and by allowing my heart to take over, my legs can soar. Whether its hopping on my road bike, pounding a few miles on the asphalt or playing a little game of tennis, my legs have provided me a healthy outlet to relieve stress and clear my mind. So while I may be laid up today and the next several days from surgery, I am thankful for my legs and am looking forward to where else they will take me!!