simple blog


A simple blog about seeking the Lord, savoring life and joyfully serving.


Friday, September 27, 2019

5 Friday Favorites

 5 Friday Favorites will consist of 5 things I'm taking to Hawaii...
1. White coverups...



2. White Beach Shoes (even though I'll likely go barefoot once we are there).

3. This Hawaii Nature set. It comes with three sets of laminated pamphlets with information on Hawaiian plants, birds and fish. We always enjoy indetifying nature when we are out and about so I am excited to be bringing these along with us as we hike and snorkel.


4. Beach pics dresses. For whatever reason the lace one is under $14 right now. Its beautiful and thick material and will be perfect for beach pics.





5. A steamer is a must. I purchased this little travel steamer for on the go. It;s a nice size hat doesn't take up too much space in our luggage.



And this song is on my heart right now...




So that's it! I'm off to the fair with my dad and then to finish packing for the trip!
Many blessings to you!

Grace & peace,
Adoring Family

Thursday, September 26, 2019

Ban Belly Bloat

I am excited to share with you a list of things I have been doing to ban belly bloat. I noticed results within three days of incorporating these things into my daily routine.  1. Minerals to balance thyroid complications- the fix: iodine, zinc,  selenium. As I mentioned in this post, 7 Ways to Burn Upper Body Fat, it is important that we pay close attention to our thyroid function as this is one of the biggest contributors to our fat loss or gain. Selenium (found in 2-3 brazil nuts per day, and ask anyone, I'm religious about taking mine), iodine, found in seaweed or liquid chlorophyll, and zinc which is found in pumpkin seeds (zinc also blocks estrogen) will balance your thyroid levels.
2. Increase your calorie intake - When women develop a tummy pooch, they naturally attempt to lower their calories. Unfortunately, this serves to exasperate the problem. This will cause your body to be imbalanced and actually slow your metabolism and hold on to the fat you have. Insyead, fill you plate with plenty of healthy food. Sometimes I feel like I cannot possibly eat the entire amount of macros I am required because it just seems like SO much food. I do it anyway and I have been so pleased with the muscle growth and fat loss. This brings me to my next point...
3. UP YPOUR PROTEIN. Most women are not consuming enough protein- don’t fear the muscle! Load up on s;ow digesting protein at every snack and meal. Ban the cortisol inducing simple carbs and replace them with a modest amount of nutritious "slow" carbs such as sweet potatoes, brown rice, low-sugar fruit. I like to do a "slow' carb, a protein and a veggie. An example of this for lunch would be "Kale Hash". SO delicious and simple: ground beef, kale and sweet potato sautéed in coconut oil and seasoned w turmeric and Himalayan pink salt.
4. Vitamin D : I try to get plenty of sunshine but I still take a tiny Vit D supplement. This is my favorite as Vit D is a fat binding vitamin. It is a tiny vitamin which I like as well. One is all you need. 5. Combat stress/lack of sleep: cortisol will mess you up with lack of slack; go to sleep and no snacking. To combat this, I will drink a lavender, chamomile tea and I take Ashwagandha. This supplement is a natural mood booster, anti-anxiety promoter and support your immune system along with thyroid levels.  


6. BCAA Supplements. I am a firm believer in these Branch Chain Amino Acids. I have proven to myself over and over again that these do work for my body to feel and look toned. When I am taking these I have increased energy and recovery from my workouts. When I forget for a period of time, my muscles are noticeably more sore, I have less energy and drive to work out and the recovery period is much longer. These erase my sluggish feelings and help me stay motivated and energized enough to work out. 

7. Last but not least, do HIIT Upper Body Cardio in a Fasted State. Trust me, it works...read this post for more information,  7 Ways to Burn Upper Body Fat

I hope you try these easy ways to ban belly bloat and experience the same quick results I have!

Grace & peace,
Adoring Family

Friday, September 20, 2019

5 Friday Faves & Easy Fitness tips.

Hello everyone! Happy Friday to you. 
I hope you have had a wonderful week. We are trying to catch up around here on so many things. Does anyone else ever feel like you are just a few steps behind? I don't know, maybe it's just me but I feel like just when it seems I caught up, there is a sink full of dishes and a mound of laundry. Such is mom life.


I have a few Friday Favorites and some fitness tips for you today!





1.My first fave is Garage Sale Day. I was FINALLY able to unpack all of our boxes from the big move four years ago. I found many treasures but most of it was stuff that was no longer relevant to our lives. I was happy to part with it. 









A post shared by 🌱AdoringCreations (@adoringcreations) on

2. This GORGEOUS dress from Amazon. We are taking family pictures in Hawaii and I have been on the hunt for beautiful, beachy, white dress. This one is my favorite. I do have a few others I like but, so far, this is the winner.






3.Quick, Healthy Snacks.


Seaweed snacks have been a favorite of mine for years. They are packed with nutrients and provide quite a bit of iodine which helps balance thyroid levels. Very low in calories but extremely nutrient dense. They give a salty, satisfying crunch!



They are on my Subscribe and Save here for much less than the grocery store! Happy Dance!
Hemp Bars





Are they even legal  ;D They are so delicious and perfect when I am having a chocolate craving! They provide 12 grams of plant based protein but it tastes like you are eating a sweet treat. I get mine from the health food section of HEB.





    These Vegan Protein Drinks are the perfect pick-me-up if you are out and about and need an energy boost. They are easy on my tummy and the best tasting protein drink I have found. Also purchased from HEB in the refrigerated heath food section.





4.These two eyebrow pencils. I needed something waterproof and these prices CANNT be beat. I've compared drugstore prices to Amazon and they are significantly lower on Amazon.


5. My favorite Scripture of the week is 2 Corinthians 12:9. 





I am thankful for the reminders that God's grace is sufficient for me and for my family. There are a few things we are needing to work on this week. With the garage sale, the new school routine, and getting ready for Hawaii, I feel like I'm spinning wheels and barely able to keep up. I've had some moments where I feel inadequate, that I am just not doing enough and cannot keep up. I'm praying for wisdom and help from the Lord. I know He has equipped me for this. I just need to figure out what I can cut away from our days in order to focus on doing the right things and doing them well. I just wanted to be transparent with you and share that life may look perfect in pictures but there are struggles for all of us. I do belive that God will help all of us through these things and He will make a way which reminds me of this song... 5.These Fitness Tips that I have been implementing and wanting to share with you are my last favorite and ways I have been banning belly bloat... Do cardio in a fasted state. That means first thing in the morning, before breakfast!
Studies have shown that you will burn 20% more fat when exercising in a fasted state.

Your body will pull fat from another area of your body into the muscles being used in order to fuel the muscle during a workout. When you are in a fasted state, your body has not choice but to use the fat stored in your body for fuel. YOU CAN SPOT TRAIN! This is so exciting to me. If you are in a fasted state, the muscle group you are moving during HIIT will create a thermic effect. This will pull fat from that area that you are working and put it into the muscles.

Upper body HIIT.
You will burn more fat when doing upper body high intensity interval training because your heart has to pump harder in order to get blood to those extremities. If you are doing an exercise that requires you raising your arms over your head, even better! I do over head shoulder presses, skull crushers or jumping jacks. I have a lot of exercises that require my arms to be raised in my rebounder routines found here.
Combat Estrogen dominance.
Combat estrogen by consuming carrots as I mentioned in this post. Cruciferous veggies such as broccoli and cauliflower will block excess estrogen production. Excess estrogen causes women to store fat in their upper bodies so it is important that we keep these levels balanced. I like to have a few carrots as a mid-morning snack.
More on burning upper body fat in this post from earlier this week.

We are getting ready for a tropical vacation but I am still inlove with all things fall...
In my cart:
I love this color block sweater but it is nowhere near sweater weather so I just cannot bring myself to purchase it. Maybe when we return from Hawaii...There is a green one as well!

Thank you for stopping by today. I hope everyone is doing well. I'm saying a special prayer for all of my readers today. I would appreciate your prayers as well! I better hop to it, I have lots to prepare for next week.

 Blessings to all of you!
Grace and peace,
Adoring Family
Linked here


Monday, September 16, 2019

California Roll in a Bowl

3 reasons why this meal is my new fav...
1. My entire family loves it and gobbles it up!
2. It's so super easy & quick.
3. It's actually healthy!


Here is how to make a California Roll in a Bowl in three easy steps:


1. Dump frozen (wild caught), peeled shrimp in a pot on the stove.

2. Pour your microwaveable brown rice on top of the shrimp. I buy the microwaveable packs even though I do not microwave because it is precooked and super quick. Bring both to a boil and let cook until shrimp is done.



3. Cut up a peeled cucumber and an avocado & serve!



That is IT!
I like to serve it up in a bowl with some soy sauce and wasabi. So delicious. So easy. So healthy!!!


 
 

Try it, I think you will love it. 



Grace & peace,
Adoring Family