Cilantro Lime Rice

Rice can be the basis of almost any meal, so making rice that you will enjoy is pretty important. Plain old rice is good and all but it's much more fun to spice things up a bit! (No pun intended) My cilantro and lime rice is super quick and easy, with only 3 ingredients, so that you can have something that gives more flavor and kick to your meal.

I got the inspiration from Chipotle of course, but I was in a hurry to finish cooking and thought to myself, whats the simplest was to make this rice without adding a bunch of ingredients or having to chop up everything.

Serving Size: 2      Prep Time: 5 minutes      Cook Time: 10 minutes      Total Time: 15 minutes

Ingredients:
1 cup brown rice
1 cup water
1/2 cup chopped cilantro
2 limes

Preparation:
1. Pour rice and water into a pot and let sit and cook on its own.
2. While rice is cooking chop up your cilantro and cut up your limes, once the rice is finished let it cool then remove from pot and place into medium sized bowl.
3. Finally mix in the cilantro and squeeze your limes and mix as well.

*Sometimes I add pepper for a little extra kick but usually I am adding to a meal filled with spices and flavors that I don't want my rice over powering my main dish. Also I do not normally use the minute rice but to be honest is taste the same and is just as good for you without having to sit and wait 30 minutes for your rice to cook.

I hope you enjoy this rice just as much as I do! It's quick and easy and super delicious!

Dentist of My Nightmare

I know I have not posted in a while but I promise I have a good excuse. 

So about two weeks ago I had to get my wisdom teeth removed, no big deal, people do it all the time. My usual dentist was on vacation but a customer had referred me to their dentist so I figured they would be good since this person recommended them. Well boy was I wrong. 

I wanted to be put under because even though I knew it wouldn't hurt I still did not want to hear what was going on, but they told me they only did local anesthesia so whatever fine I'll just power through it and take it like a champ. So first off I sit in the waiting room for 30 minutes, ok fine not a big surprise you usually have to wait, mind you I was with my boyfriend who was going to go work out after so I was thinking I'd be done in an hour after they called me in so he could go do that.

Well they call me in and I sit in a room for 30 more minutes without anyone even coming to check in on me or let me know whats going on. The dentist finally comes in and doesn't say anything and just starts to lean me back and say open and stick me with the novocain. In my mind I'm like what the hell is going on and I'm starting to get anxious which is the last thing  want before having dental surgery. Well fast forward ANOTHER 30 MINUTES he's like ok are you numb? I say yes and he says lets get started then. 

He starts with my bottom right molar and seem to be having a bit of a problem and it is taking a while for him to get it out, then he goes wow I have never seen this before, your root is very curved and I'm having trouble removing it. Now I'm very stressed out and a few more minutes goes by before I feel the worst pain I have eve felt in my whole life and I start crying trying to say Im in pain and he just goes ok ok let's give you another shot but I can't give you anymore after that, and I'm just nodding because what can I even do?? So he finished that one and he goes to the the top and I freak out like no way you're not touching me. He says to let him do the top because they are easy and I can come back for the other bottom one. I say fine and it takes two seconds to do those. Now my mouth is killing me, I'm crying and I just want to leave. He gives me my pain meds and sends me on my way saying I have to come back in a week for a check up.

Fast forward a week to my follow up, I also made my boyfriend come because I was scared. I get into a room and I can't really open my mouth and he's like oh well you can leave since you can't open your mouth and call us when you can. I'm in disbelief that he wouldn't have mentioned that before so I would not have to waste my time but fine. I tell him I have no more pills and I'm still in white a lit of pain and I also still cannot feel the bottom right half of my lip and chin and he just tells me thats normal and might be that way for a bit longer.

Now its been over 2 weeks since the whole thing and I still can't feel my face or open my mouth fully. My chin is numb but then at times with have thing incredibly painful throbbing that won't go away for minutes at a time. I have not been eating much and have no energy to work out which fuels my depression over not working out and it's just been an endless cycle. But I have been feeling better and a few things have lined up nicely for me and I plan on working out again today and restarting my routines. My diet will still be weird just because I can't eat a lot of stuff still but hopefully that will change soon!

Thank you guys for  being patient and I hope you haven't had or will not have as and of a time as I have.

Energy Boosters

On mornings when I just don't have the time to make breakfast or I know that I have a long day at work I will make myself a protein smoothie or a Maca powder shake. I'll be honest, I was quite skeptical about the whole Maca thing but from working at Sprouts I was able to sample a lot of different brands and the Essential Living was my favorite. I liked their brand so much I ended up buying their Coco Gogo Energy Elixir, Wild Protein (not in the photo), and Superfood Smoothie Mix. I've mention it before but Garden of Life is my absolute favorite when it comes to protein powders and the Raw Proteins & Greens is so great because it gives you your full serving of vegetables and other greens that you need all in one. Another protein powder by the I like is them Raw Fit for weight loss. (I threw the container away before I remembered I wanted to take a picture). It was actually the first protein power I bought when I started working out and it made me fall in love with the brand.

I'm not going to give you a full recipe for my protein smoothie but you can read my other post about my favorite smoothie and then just throw the powder in with it. But there is two ways I do it, I either use the Raw Protein & Greens for the all in one or I use the Raw Fit and the Superfood Smoothie Mix so that I still am getting some of my vegetables in. Switching it up every now and then is a good way to make your powders last longer and to make sure you don't get bored of the same tasting thing everyday.

For the Maca shake I used to just use the Maca powder and almond milk but sometimes I'l how in a scoop of the Coco Gogo Energy Elixir to make it a little chocolatey and give it some more kick!

Now these are a little pricey, once again I lucked out and got some of these as free samples from the vendors but there are plenty of cheaper and just as good substitutes for these broads that won't kill your wallet. But like I said before you do get what you pay for and these are pretty incredible. If you had to pink one I would go with the Garden of Life Protein & Greens because you can get much more out of it and that's what I'm here to help you do!
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NOCOMPROMISE Magazine Article

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A few months ago I was asked to write a women's specific fitness article for an online magazine and I was so excited to find out that I was chosen to be in the magazine! I write about the quick and easy ways to hit women's target areas and that all women should learn to love themselves.

Body positivity is something all women should have and it's ok if you are not where you want to be yet, because these type of things don't happen over night. I want all women to love themselves for who they are and not try to be something they are not. Please Please go check out my article, the magazine is only 99cents!

Bye Bye Batwings

Ever have the sleeves of your shirt squeeze the life out of your arm because of your sexy arm fat? Well I certainly have! Getting slimmer and stringer arms is really not all that hard but it is not very pleasant.

Push ups? Forget it, not a chance.

My arms have always been the weakest parts of my body. So I decided that I would start out slow and build myself up rather than going hard right away. Letting yourself ease into toning your arms will help you want to stick with it and not get discouraged. I still use the IntervalTimer app but I only have 4 intervals for 1 minute each at 3 sets versus my usual 6.

• Chest presses
• Shoulder presses
• Tricep extensions
• Bent mid row

For all these it is good to have two dumbbells of course. I ended up getting a second when I realized I needed to work out my arms instead of just wishing the fat would disappear. If you only have one and don't want to get a second instead of chest presses just do bicep curls, then just alternate each are after 30 seconds for each exercise. 

Be sure not to push yourself too hard, always remember that if you can't talk while working out you're not helping yourself. 

Legs for Days

Being the tall Amazonian warrior princess that I am, my legs and butt have always been my favorite and least favorite part of my body. I stand at 5'10" so you can imagine that my legs are longer than my upper body, and bless my father's side of the family for gracing me with a pretty nice booty. My only problem is that I haven't always taken care of my legs and glutes and now I am paying for it. Severely. (Seriously why do squats suck?)
Anywho! I've come a long way from what I had originally been doing to work out my lower body and let me tell you this will change your life. Like I do for all my workouts I use my IntervalTimer app with 6 intervals at 1 minute each and doing 3 sets of each.

• Squats
• Calf raises
• Donkey kicks (30 seconds each side)
• Glute bridges
• Leg lifts (30 seconds each side)
• Wall sit

This only takes you 20 minutes but believe me you will sweat your ass off. If you try to do more and more each set you will build up strength and it will become easier in time. Then it will be time to find some new exercises so that your body doesn't become accustomed to the same routine. I have already noticed a difference and I have only been doing this new combination for a few weeks. This is actually one of my favorite routines to do, next to my abs, because afterwards you can really feel what you did and the tightness in your legs and butt. I used to absolutely dread working out and any type of physical activity. I was super out of shape and hated my body, but once I put my mind to it I have never felt better. Slowly but surely I am reaching my goal body and my self confidence has sky rocketed. I just want everyone to feel good about themselves however they look because we are all beautiful in our own way. Just keep at working out and eventually you will begin to look forward to it!

Spicy Cajun Chicken and Rice

The first meal I ever learned how to cook all on my own was a simple version of cajun chicken with rice and vegetables. Now a few years later and after countless changes and mess ups I've come up with my favorite dish to make. It's simple and easy to make too! Trying to impress someone? Well here you go! It's perfect for a dinner at home date night, even if your partner doesn't like spicy just add half the measurement of spices to the mix and you're good to go.

Serving Size: 4-6    Prep Time: 30 minutes    Cook Time: 30 minutes    Total Time: 1 hour

1 lbs of chicken breast
1 8oz can of diced tomatoes
1 red bell pepper
1 green bell pepper
1 white onion
2 jalapeños
2 cloves of garlic
2 cups of brown rice
2 cups of water or chicken broth
3 tbs of olive oil

For spiced mix:
1 tsp chili pepper
1 tsp cayenne
1 tsp cajun
1/2 tsp creole
1/2 tsp cumin
1/2 tsp paprika
1/2 tsp thyme
salt and pepper to taste

Preparation:
1. In a small pot add your water or chicken broth and rice and leave on low setting to cook while you complete the rest of your meal.
2. Dice your onion and garlic. Place 1 tbs of olive oil in a medium sized pan and add the onion and garlic, leave on medium/low heat and stir until the onions are translucent.
3. While the onion and garlic cook, in a small bowl mix together all the spices. Then dice your chicken and add into the bowl.
4. Once the onions and garlic are finished, remove them from the pan, add 1 tbs of olive oil and then the chicken. Be sure to continuously stir around and check the chicken so that it is cooked fully.
6. While the chicken cooks now you will chop up your bell peppers and jalapeños, don't forget to check you chicken so it does not stick to the pan or overcook.
6. When the chicken is finished remove from the pan and add the final tbs of olive oil and the rest of your chopped vegetables. Stir them for a few minutes before adding in the already cooked onions and chicken. Let that sit for about 2 minutes and then add in the drained can of tomatoes.
7. Let this sit for about 5 minutes, meanwhile check the rice and remove from its pot. After that, your food should be ready to be removed and you are ready to eat!

Unleash Your Inner Goddess of the Sea

For a while now I have been a huge fan of smoothie bowls, I've turned my sisters and my friends onto them. They are a great way to get in your fruits and vegetable servings without it feeling like a huge chore or having to force yourself. Lately there has been this trend of blue or "mermaid" smoothie bowls, and we'll since I myself am a mermaid I just had to try one. So I scoured through tons of Instagram posts and Pinterest pins looking for the perfect one to try, but it was all to no avail. None of them sounded like they would taste very good or had a bunch or weird stuff in it that would be way to hard to find or purchase and I'm not calling myself a broke girl's guide for nothing. Instead I decided to just try the ingredients that I knew would go well together and would taste just as good as it sounded.
The only ingredient that can be a bit pricy is the Spirulina or the Blue Green Algae, luckily from the good old days at Spouts I had some that I had gotten for pretty cheap. Other than that everything you will need might already be in your refrigerator!

The recipe I used for my Mermaid Smoothie Bowl is:

1 frozen banana
1 frozen green apple
1 frozen pear
4 frozen peach slices
1/2 cup of green grapes
1/4 cup of almond milk
1/4 cup of low-fat yoghurt
2 tablets of Blue Green Algae
                or
1 tsp of Spirulina (mix in slowly to get desired color)
Juice of half of a lemon to help counter the taste of the Spirulina
*top off with blueberries, sliced banana, grapes, chia seeds,and coconut flakes

I was very very skeptical before I tasted it because I had no idea how it would go but I was pleasantly surprised and loved how it tasted and I hope that you do too!

Fruit and Oats

Besides eggs, oatmeal is one of my favorite breakfast foods. It's quick and easy to make and fills you right up. I have so many oatmeal recipe varieties, and honestly you can put anything and everything in your oatmeal. Today though I will show you which is my favorite and healthiest, in my opinion.

For this recipe I used:

1/2 cup of steel cut oats
1 cup of heated almond milk

For garnishing I used:

1/2 of a sliced banana
blueberries
sliced almonds
agave syrup

Now of course instead of almond milk you can use water to whatever kind of milk you prefer, this is just what worked best for me and let me tell you it tastes pretty amazing. I used to put strawberries on top instead of blueberries because I like the taste of them better but I was surprised when I found that I did not like how sweet the strawberries made the oatmeal versus the blueberries. Also blueberries are a great source of antioxidants making this meal pretty well rounded.

Ab-Tastic!

Let's face it, abs are one of the hardest parts of the body to attain. No one wants to do sit-ups, crunches, or planks, but sometimes you just gotta suck it up. There are plenty of different exercises to be done to help sculpt a six pack, but I'm only going to talk about the main 6 I do plus a few alternatives.
In a previous post I talked about my favorite weight loss app IntervalTimer and how absolutely amazing it is, I still stand by that claim and finally will tell you about my ab routine like I promised. You don't really need the app to do the workout but it does make things simpler, but if you don't have room for another app you can just use the timer of your phone. Just be sure to pay attention to how long you are doing each interval and set!
Now, it took a lot of trial and error before I came up with the six moves that I felt worked my abs the hardest. These are the first 6 exercises that I did when I began my ab routine:

• hold a crunch
• toe touches
• bicycles
• leg lifts
• Russian twists
• plank

*Keep in mind that these are all at 1 minute each with a minute rest between each new set resulting in a 20 minute workout in total.

After a while I realized that doing the toe touches and bicycles were actually hurting my neck half way through my second set, so I started to look for alternatives to these exercises. That is when I discovered pull overs and side bends. A pullover is when you lay down on the floor and bring your knees up as if you were sitting down, then take a weight and bring your arms down behind your head keeping them straight and almost touching the floor, then bring the back up and repeat. You should feel it in your arms and a pull in your upper abdomen. Side bends are pretty self explanatory, I take my kettle bell and lean down stretching my obliques, instead of one minute each I do 30 seconds each side.
Hopefully this can help you get your stomach ready for bikini season, or any season for that matter!

Eggs for Days

Good morning my lovelies!
This morning I wanted to fit in a quick workout before I had to go to work which meant I also needed to make a quick but protein filled breakfast. Avocado toasts with an over easy egg is the perfect way to go. I use 9 grain wheat toast, depending on the side of the avocado either a half or a quarter which i mix with a pinch of salt and some pepper, and finally the egg which I cook with olive oil instead of butter and top with pepper and cayenne.

Here is an easy layout of how I make this breakfast:

1 piece of 9 grain wheat bread
1/2 or 1/4 of an avocado
             with a pinch of salt and pepper
1 egg
1 tablespoon of olive oil

Start by toasting the bread so that it is going while you do everything else. Then put the olive oil in the pan and turn it on low to heat up the pan, next put the avocado in a small bowl and mash it up mixing in the salt and pepper. By now the pan should be hot enough for your egg, at this point after you've cracked your egg into the pan its just a matter of watching it until you feel its cooked enough to your liking. I tend to like it cooked just a little bit extra to be sure its cooked through but that the yolk is still liquidy. And now you're done! Just put the avocado on your toast and the top it with the egg and add as much pepper and cayenne as you'd like!

Also as you can see I've reduced the amount of vitamins I take now. I had already taken my multi, fish oil, and probiotic, but now I don't only take my D every other day but also my turmeric and Iron. I still take my B12 and Kelp or Iodine daily but I've cut out the vitamin C all together unless I feel a cold coming on.

I hope you all have a wonderful day, it's raining where I am and I still have work and then a test after so I will have a full day but still a good one!

xxBrianna

A Second Beginning

Happy New Year!
Well I know it's been a few months since I've posted anything and I really have no other reason that I just wasn't feeling it. But in the time I've been gone I've lost almost 10 pounds and have been keeping up with my exercises. After the New Year I wanted to wait a little before coming back on here to see if I would really continue to maintain my commitment to a healthy lifestyle and so far I have. I even get a gym membership since I got a raise at work I could afford one again.

So much has happened to me over the last few months and through the holidays I honestly couldn't be happier. Besides the weight loss and raise at work, I have an opportunity to be a production assistant for America's Got Talent and though it's not my dram job, it's a foot in the door and a step in the right direction. Once you're in, you're in and that has a huge amount of other opportunities for me to choose from. I also have a boyfriend who is the absolutely most amazing man I've ever been with. He is so loving and caring and is so good about the little things which is something I've never had before.

Now back to the blog, I think I want to make this not just about fitness but also about my everyday life because let's face it, your everyday life has a lot to do with you being healthy and fit. It will mostly be about my fitness routines and clean eating but I'll also give you little updates about my life just to show you where my mind is at. I really want to keep this up so I'll try to post daily on here but I will post daily on my Instagram and Snapchat! I hope you all had a wonderful New Year and Happy Holidays! See you all tomorrow!

xxBrianna