Long overdue UPDATE

2017 was an awesome year!
Unfortunately I have been busy and successful with my new career in real estate but was unsuccessful in continuing my Whole30 lifestyle. I re-started a few times but it just didn’t seem to “work” again for me.

So, what should I do? I decided to go back to my go-to of Trim Healthy Mama!
I started a no-cheat goal and have been on plan 100% for about 5 days now and I’m feeling great. Despite having two under the weather kids I’ve been on plan without fail!
My other goal is to be more consistent with exercise. I’m pretty disappointed in myself because in June I ran the farthest distance I’ve ever ran before in my first race - I completed the Newport 10 Miler in just over 2 hours! I had wanted to continue running regularly but didn’t. So I’m trying to get in walks and runs as much as possible but with winter here now it’s going to be mostly treadmill workouts.

Here’s a few items I’ve enjoyed this past week:

Egg Roll in a Bowl
Chili
Quick and easy Peanut Butter Cookies
Skinny Chocolate
Good Girl Moon Shine
Oolong Tea
The Shrinker
Cream Soda Good Girl Moonshine

And that’s just what I can remember!

Hope all is well with you all and will check in again soon with an update!
~Carly

Summer, summer, summer time! Updates and recipe!

Happy Monday! The weather is lovely here in Connecticut and it's officially Summer!

When it's warmer, I naturally tend to lighten up my diet - I started with some spring cleaning of all the things, including my diet and body.  I had been running about 3 times a week pretty consistently and re-started Kayla Istines BBG program.  For the life of me I just couldn't stick to it.  I'm continuing to eat THM style but have strayed and crossed over but am still consistent with my weight.

A few months ago now, I went to lunch with my cousin at a restaurant called Brio Tuscan Grille. I had a quinoa chicken dish that was delicious (Note: it was not entirely on my Trim Healthy Mama diet since I don't know the exact nutritional content).  Of course, in true Carly fashion I decided I needed to somehow re-create this deliciousness at home! 

So I opened the pantry and the fridge and used what I had and pretty much came up with something new. And today, made it again because it's SO delicious, simple and healthy!!

Recipe: Bowl of Goodness - THM E

Ingredients:

Spinach, arugula, or greens of choice (I highly recommend the arugula! I was out but plan to use next time)

Chopped veggies: cucumber, tomato, red onion, peppers - your choice! You could add a small amount of carrots since this is for an E setting 

1/2 cup cooked quinoa

1/4 garbanzo beans (chick peas)
Grilled chicken breast

Juice of one lemon

1 TBSP feta cheese (more if lower fat)

1 small drizzle of olive oil 

Salt & pepper to taste - may also add other spices if desired like garlic or onion powder

Directions:
1. Grill chicken and cook quinoa per the package directions and let cool.
2. Drain garbanzo beans and measure out portion for one salad (or use full can for two servings)
3. Wash and prepare greens and veggies.  Chop and set aside.
4. Mix greens, chopped veggies, beans, feta and chicken in large bowl.
5. Juice the lemon, add the olive oil and spices and whisk in separate bowl.
6. Pour liquid mixture over salad, combine and enjoy!

Add greens to a large mixing bowl

Chop and measure all the ingredietns

All mixed and ready to eat

YUM

I could eat this pretty much all day, any day! It's light, refreshing and filling.
It's also super easy to make and quick for me to take along with us to the pool we go to every day.
Salads are my main lunch most days.

Let me know if you decide to make this!
~Carly

Happy Leap Day & Update

Good afternoon on this "extra" Leap Year Day!

To take advantage of it, I decided today I  am all about getting back on track with my healthy living goals, life and work. I just want to get back to what's important and that includes being more mindful & becoming more of a minimalist. I'm finding when you have less clutter in your mind, home and body it's amazing what that "space" can do for you. I have de-cluttered quite a bit around our home but still need to do more. 

After a longer walk/run this morning I went grocery shopping so I can menu plan. I'm still following the Trim Healthy Mama lifestyle and eating my Juice Plus everyday. My focus is on whole and minimally processed foods. I did gain a few pounds back the last few weeks and I want to lose them again ASAP. I want to continue to avoid gluten and dairy and have been trying to do so since I did The D14 back in December.  I plan to do another round very soon - stay tuned :)

Something else I added into our daily life last fall was essential oils. I still use them essential every day and am loving them with every use! I just ordered more of my favorite from Plant Therapy called Germ Destroyer from their KidSafe line. Between our Juice Plus and the essential oils I really feel that's why we've been staying as healthy as possible over the winter. 

Speaking of winter, I'm ready for it to come to a close and am very much looking forward to spring cleaning!

Enjoy the day!

~Carly

The D14 Day One

Good morning!

Despite having a sinus/headache thing going on for the last week or so I am feeling pretty awesome this morning.

I'm starting a detox/jumpstart program called The D14 which is a 14 day program that helps get the body detoxified, proper digestion going and a general "tune up" of how your body was designed to metabolize food and generally function. 

Before you get skeptical of the word detox - stop! This program is designed not to be harsh or unpleasant and you eat FOOD. Yes, real nourishment for your body to flush the toxins out - which means a less bloated you! 

Since it is a detox, you do need to refrain from eating a few things. But, before I lose you again it's only 14 days.  the program was created by Courtney O'Donnell - she's a mother of five, a personal trainer and a director at the Juice Plus company.  All the details are provided to you when you commit to the program

I'm still following my Trim Healthy Mama principles alongside the D14 - I'm coming up on two years on that lifestyle, too!

So, here I go...if you're interested in the program feel free to email me directly at carlykirsch@gmail.com.

~Carly

Recipe: A Summer Quiche

Hello! Yes, yes - been some time again since my last post. But I promise this post will surely make up for my lack of posting. Last weekend I was blessed and fortunate enough to go away with my friend to her family's home on Shelter Island in New York. It was the second year in a row I've been invited and it's just a rejuvenating and wonderful experience. The home is beautiful and just amazing to be there. Truly.

A view I captured from Sunset Beach on Shelter Island, NY

While we were there, my friend Tracy made us breakfast each morning and she came up with this amazing quiche that I replicated last week (minus a few ingredients). It's got a fresh take and an ingredient you just may not ever think to include in a quiche but I assure you it's deeeeelish!

And fortunately two ingredients now are in full swing this summer season and you can likely grab them at your local farm stand or farmers market: zucchini and tomatoes.

Yep. That's right zucchini and squash.

What?!?! you say?  Yes.  So did I. Until I tried it and it was the best tasting quiche I think I've ever had. So run to the market and grab some squash, zucchini and tomatoes and whip this up.  I promise you it does not disappoint.

Oh, and for my fellow THM-ers this recipe would be an S.

Ingredients

1-2 medium sized zucchini or summer squash chopped (last week I used both yellow and green squashes but this week I only had green)

1 medium tomato chopped 

1 or 1/2 large yellow onion chopped 

Fresh basil (if possible) chopped

Dried oregano to taste 

Salt and pepper to taste

1 tablespoon of butter or coconut oil

Non stick spray or butter for pan

5-6 large eggs 

1/2 cup of heavy cream or 1/2 and 1/2

1 cup of shredded cheese - I used a Mexican blend but mozzarella or any of your choosing will do

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a skillet place butter or coconut oil and heat onion and zucchini until softened. Add tomatoes half way through just to soften.

2. Add herbs, salt and pepper to veggies.

3. In a large mixing bowl scramble eggs and combine cream. Then, add shredded cheese.

4. Spray or coat round baking pan or dish with nonstick coat.

5. With a slotted spoon, transfer veggies to the large mixing bowl - the tomatoes and veggies can leave liquid which you do not want in quiche! Mix well.

6. Pour all ingredients into baking pan/dish and bake for about 30-40 minutes depending on your oven and baking dish.

Softening the veggies 

Add the tomatoes last to soften - drain with slotted spoon

All mixed up and ready to bake

Ready to cook!  I can't hardly wait to eat this

Ta-dahhh! Done.  Oh and I made my husband a ham and cheese quiche too :)

So, what do you think?  So easy and fresh and a fantastic way to get in some additional veggies.  You could add anything else to this also - bacon or any other veggies you have laying around. 

I hope you have a great Sunday!  Now, onto laundry and cleaning.  

~Carly

What's Up Wednesday 6/10/15

Hey there!

Just wanted to post a quick update as to what I've been up to.  As I mentioned I started doing PIYO about a month ago and while I really love it and will continue to use it, I just don't think I'm getting the results I want from it.  I'm definitely more flexible and stronger from the program but I'm lacking the cardio aspect and toning I was hoping to get.

Soooo, again I'm switching it up my workout and trying a program I found via Instagram by an Australian woman named Kayla Itsines.  She's got 3 million followers and is constantly posting these AMAZING transformations of women across the world with her Bikini Body Guide.

So, I figured while I'm on my exercise kick, why not give this a whirl?  Kayla's 12 week program includes circuit training, high and low steady state cardio and stretching so I will plan to do PIYO for stretching benefits and possibly even on my rest days.

I've also made my Refreshing Quinoa salad a few more times now - yeah, I'm addicted!  And just keeping clean eating and making sure I'm drinking enough water.

That's what's up for this Wednesday.

Catch me on Instagram, too!

Have a great one!
~Carly

Fuel Cycle Details - Week One

Hello! 

After a long winter and some holiday and vacation weight gain, I started another Fuel Cycle this past week. 

My starting weight was 157.6-158 on March 8th. Here are the details of my week:

Week One

Day 1 Deep S

6:45 am Snack - 1 piece of skinny peanut butter chocolate and cup of coffee with cream before my spin class

9:30 am Breakfast - three eggs in coconut oil with mushrooms, spinach, bacon strip and coconut oil and another cup of coffee

1:00 pm Lunch large salad with spinach and romaine, rotisserie chicken, bacon crumbles and cucumbers with olive oil and fruit punch GGMS and a few bites of deep S cake in a mug

3:30 cup of oolong tea 

6:00 Dinner -Breakfast for dinner - scrambled three eggs in coconut oil and sausage and water. A few more bites of a chocolate cake in a mug. 

Day 2 Deep S

6:15 am coffee and cream and water after waking

8:00 am Two eggs scrambled with butter and sausage and a small sprinkle of cheese and more coffee.

9:15 am 3 mile walk on the trail 

12:45 pm Lunch - roast beef sautéed with mushrooms and a few onions (note: onions are not recommended for deep S days but I didn't have any other veggies) and a large side salad with olive oil dressing and water

3:30 pm snack oolong tea, water and half a chocolate cake in a mug

6:45 pm Dinner - meatloaf and two heaping bowls of a kale and broccoli salad mix from Costco with some olive oil and a little balsamic vinegar dressing with water (note: I only made one meatloaf for my family so I did eat some of the thin tomato sauce layer on top but tomato products are not recommended for deep s days).

Deep S Day 3

Weigh in - 157 (down approx. 0.8 lbs)

6:10 Coffee and water upon waking 

8:30 am Breakfast - two eggs scrambled with sausage and a little cheese just like yesterday and coffee with cream

11:50 am Lunch - leftover piece of meatloaf and kale salad mix with olive oil and balsamic dressing and water 

Snack 3:45 pm half of chocolate cake in mug

Dinner 6:45 pm grilled chicken with sautéed garlic spinach in olive oil

Day 4 Fuel Pull

Breakfast 7:45 am overnight oats

Coffee with almond milk

Snack 10:20 am quest bar banana nut muffin and water 

Lunch 12:30 - was starving! Loaded fotato soup and a side salad with chicken and light dressing and fruit punch ggms

1:00 pm 35 minute walk

2:00 pm a small amount of Greek yogurt and polaner

4:00 coffee with almond milk and FP brownies

6:35 pm Dinner ham steak with large kale salad mix and light dressing and water and a piece of apple

Day 5 Fuel Pull

Weighed and got a little drop of 156.4 but double checked and it jumped back up to 157.2 so we shall see how the rest of the week goes but the scale is going down!

6:15 coffee and water after waking

8:05 am - breakfast egg white muffins a friend made and a big boy smoothie

10:20 am - snack fuel pull brownies with coffee and almond milk

1:40 pm - lunch grilled chicken wrap with buffalo wing sauce, lettuce and blue cheese dressing mixed with Greek yogurt to dip veggies in - carrots cucumbers and celery and water

 

4:30 snack coffee and FP brownies

6:30 dinner - FP pizzas and salad

8:30 FP brownies at my neighbor is ladies night and had a "shot"

Of red wine and a small taste of a few dips with celery and wasa crackers

Day 6 E

Wake with coffee and water at 6:15 am

I was supposed to go to spin class but I woke up with a stiff neck :( 

8:00 Breakfast - egg white scramble with veggies and Ezekiel English muffin and polaner and more coffee with almond milk 

11:00 snack 1/2 quest bar while out and about and some water 

1:15 lunch - chicken, black bean and sweet potato chili with a little sprinkle of cheese and if still hungry will snack on some veggies and a black cherry polar sparkling water

3:19 - really hungry so having a snack and made a snickers shake with pb2 flour and added some sliced frozen bananas to make it an E and had a bite of a FP brownie while waiting for it all to blend!

6:00 dinner - another small serving of the sweet potato chili and a large bowl of my kale salad mix with some lighter dressing and water

Day 7 E

Woohoo! Amazing surprise on the scale 155.6!!!!! My period came yesterday and I'm sure some of the weight was from bloat but it's on its way to being gone!

6:30 am Coffee and water 

8:45 am breakfast THM pancakes with 0% Greek yogurt and polaner 

11:45 am - early lunch of more chili and a small side salad and a half piece of a small FP brownie with water

2:45 pm - snack some apple slices and a little natural peanut butter and coffee

6:00 pm - dinner out for date night!! I ended up deciding to eat s and had a portobello mushroom stuffed with crab appetizer and a filet mignon and mixed veggies and a glass of red wine (note: wine is not recommended during a FC)

It was a choice I made and that's what I love about THM :)

So there's week one! 

Have you done a THM Fuel Cycle? 

~Carly