Ever have one of those days where everything bugs or annoys you? Well that was me today. The Bears loss didn’t really help my cause either… 
… I’ve been feeling today that I need to really start making sure that I am doing what makes me happiest with my body and stop listening to other people’s opinions of me. I feel like the best and most confident I feel is when I have curves but am still “fit”… I’ve been feeling lately that all the cardio makes me feel good but I’m not happy completely losing my figure (curves) which I feel like running is doing. Also with running I’m not gaining muscle where I would like to… I really need to start to refocus my energy toward strengthening my body rather then constant cardio. I’m just not sure where to start….
On a better note, My late night snack was my favorite meal last night
Peaches and Pumpkin Butter Soft Serve AKA FUNFETTI!
- 1/2 cup Almond Milk
- 1 container Greek Yogurt
- 2 tablespoons Pumpkin Butter
- 1/2 cup frozen Peaches
- handful of Blueberries (seems random but tasted really good!)
I love all the colors!
Pumpkin butter swirled in
Another Blogger I know loves making soft serve is Kate from A Healthy Passion, Her blog is awesome check it out if you haven’t yet!
After reading an article online, I decided to make a donation on Lunapads.com I URGE everyone to make a donation here to help bring washable pads to girls and women in developing nations! Pads4Girls seeks to address the problem of girls missing school due to a lack of adequate menstrual supplies. Click here to learn more.I also urge you all to Donate to Ahepa Marrow This organization has very personal meaning to me after helping out a girl that previously had cancer find a match through this organization. If you are interested in making a donation Contact me please at Avenetos@luc.edu
We all talk about how amazing cardio workouts and Strength Training are, but let’s be honest, sometimes we just don’t feel like getting up off the couch and getting all sweaty and gross. Even when we do get those heart-racing workouts into our daily routines do you ever say to yourself: “I wish relaxation become a form of exercise”….Well, who says it can’t? Lately, I’ve been trying to refocusing my energy toward a new type of exercise… After reading an article in Self Magazine, I found that meditation is the KEY to BOTH a healthy body and mind. Actually, the article claims it’s the, “Number one healthy habit you’re not doing….yet”. Only 13% of people that read Self meditate and I found that number to be way too low…After all, the magazine is called Self….Shouldn’t more women be meditating in order to shift their lives onto a path of inner peace and ultimately reach their true “self”? I think so… That’s why tomorrow my working out is going to include a 30 minute session of meditation, LESS CARDIO and more strengthening….. I think it’s about time to broaden my horizons for February!
Have you ever tried meditation? Most people state the reason they don’t is because they simple “don’t know how”… Well, here’s your start to meditation:Quiet the mind
Me today after my Jillian Michaels yoga session! 
Hope all of your Monday’s are awesome. …
I leave you with this:Keep in mind that you should all try to find out what makes you truly happy when it comes to working out because it’s the only way your going to stick to your workouts! Also, tomorrow try and remind yourself not to equate being skinny with being happy because CURVES are gorgeous (when toned of course! lol)
Girl this is a great post! My bf told me that guys LOVE curves, that’s what makes women so beautiful. When girls want to be skinny, its usually for other girls. It’s too bad that the media isn’t better at teaching girls to embrace their curves…I love that you tied meditation into this, I have only meditated at the end of yoga sessions, which hasn’t been in a while. I should though because only good things come from it!
I dont know if you read April’s blog, but she has a lot of great tips on lifting that have really helped me out! http://foodsofapril.com/
Thanks for telling about April’s blog checked it out today and yes she does have some amazing tips!
Maryann, my boyfriend COMPLETELY agrees with your boyfriend. Whenever I start getting fixated on toning up, he’s like..but girls are supposed to be curvy and softer! No guy wants to rest his head on a sixpack!
The only “curves” I’ve ever had have been around the belly, unfortunately. Haha. But I think it’s great that you embrace yours and want to keep them! If I had some, I’d be sad to see them go as well. Instead I do lunges to try and create some.
I think I may try and start meditating. I’m kind of intimidated by it, so let me know how it goes for you, and maybe I’ll work up the guts to try it! You are so freaking inspirational!
the meditation today went ok, I still have a lot to work on like being totally blank in my mind not thinking about to-do lists LOL. I’ll try again tomorrow!
i so wish i could get into meditation.. i thin its GREAT for the mind and body and keep them at peace.. something i need!
Yes everyone needs body and MIND strengthening
great post!!! If you want to keep your curves google some workouts or weight training in addition to what you do to keep those curves. Call up Kim and ask what the heck she does!
That girl has some curves!!!
I can shut my mind down to mediate
I know that kim uses her body a LOT for her workouts and doesn’t use weights and things like that… using your own body for resistance is KEY
Great post-thanks for the heads up on the donation too!
I’ve always been a “curvy” girl-i’ll never be a stick (i’ve come to accept this, haha). But when I started running I lost my butt pretty quickly and was pretty peeved-i started strength training and that has def helped. If you’re debating at where to start start off slow-upper one day lower another-don’t get too technical (yet!)
I hope you decided to donate to either of the organizations!
Yes I need to get those booty curves back lol…
What a great post! Meditation is something I need to look into especially with all the stress going on right now. And for keeping those curves weight training is the way to go. Cardio and running depletes your body of the calories you need to build muscle. By doing less cardio and more weight training (also eating more calories) you can slowly start building up muscle and tone up all around. I did a little mini bulk over the winter and I feel stronger and better than I did when I was a cardio slave lol
Yes Sometimes I feel like a Cardio slave haha perfect word. I am going to do a workout tonight! for my butt
bootylicious bunz
I love your Peaches and Pumpkin Butter soft serve!!! You hit the nail on the head with this post girl! I totally agree–we shouldn’t focus on just being skinny (because just being skinnydoes not mean you are healthy), but we need to focus on health. Toned curves are so ooh-la-la! Such a great post!
They really are Ohh la la i agree… need to get those back! asap!
I have meditated before. I love it because it’s time for myself, where I don’t have to think about anything else.
Yes I need to meditate but I’m not sure how to clear my mind how do you do this?
Can’t wait for our workout tonight!
Your snack looks amazing – it looks like funfetti in a bowl! I definitely want to try it!
It does look like funfetti I prefer this over dinner!
I wish I could get into meditating. My mind is always going, going, going- it’s so hard to turn off!
I’m Just like you, I think practice makes perfect so If i try harder each day I’m bound to get better!
Love it! I dont meditate, but I do pray, which I view as the same thing. Praying calms me down and lets me focus on ONE thing, and thats talking to God. My hubby always tells me he doesnt care what I do to my body, as long as I dont lose my booty haha
Praying is just wonderful for your mind. It sets everything at ease and takes away worry. If we just work hard and act responsibly to our fullest ability we will be just fine, I truly believe that!
In response to the beginning of this post: Girl, I hope you know just how gorgeous you are. Seriously, you are stunning. And super fit. And smart and fun. And this is coming from someone who’s only known you a couple of weeks and via the internet. Those around you know how amazing you are and anyone who says anything unkind to you or behind your back is either crazy or jealous and either way they are wrong. And you’re right – you need to do what makes your body happy!
Okay, I’m off my soapbox now. I just wanted to be sure that the truth was heard.
Hope you got my e-mail and it didn’t get lost or something. But this post was exactly what I needed today! Even though we have just met I do see that your a truly great person and I’m glad I’ve “met” you online lol… I hope you know that you’re so strong for overcoming any issue you’ve had and it has made you into a person that is really good at making others feel better (like you made me feel today!)… I believe everyone has a purpose and life and each life is touched by someone elses for a reason. Today you’ve made me smile, thanks for that I needed it!
I DID get your email (actually like five minutes before I read and commented on this post yesterday) which is why I felt so strongly that I should share my thoughts here.
I didn’t have time to get you a proper response yesterday, but I will get to it for sure as soon as I get a chance! 
Thanks for the tag
Love your blog- and I love the advice, so many women dont realize what healthy really is! You are an incredible inspiration. Also, love jillian and her yoga video rocks, I have recently started incorporating yoga into my workout routine and it changed my life. I am more mindful, spiritual, and am able to sit back and just enjoy life which is so important in over all health and happiness! Keep up the great blog!
Jillian Rocks.
Yoga Rocks
You Rock
I can’t get over how cute you and Dutch are
I wish you the best week ever!
That soft serve looks amazing – sounds like my kind of snack!
Funfetti In a bowl!
I never could get into meditation. My mind races too much!!!
I love how you are telling us to embrace our curves. It’s taken me SO long to embrace them, but I think I’m finally starting to!
EMBRACE EMBRACE EMBRACE!!
if you don’t know one else will!
I have tried to meditate and for some reason I just can’t relax… Let me know how it works for you… I will check out those tips! I have and always will be curvy. People will say to me you’ve got the Kim Kardashian look going on… At first I was annoyed but then I realized that I’m happy and that’s all that matters
Um btw, soft serve looks AMAZING! Yay for food processors 
Curvy= desirable= sexy= Da BOMB LOL….
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You go girl on the curves front! I’ve kind of lost mine too from a combination of stress and overworking myself… So I cut back on the cardio. Maybe dial back the intensity for a bit, or something?
You certainly have a healthy mindset about it though, and you’re gorgeous, so…
Cutest bowl EVER! Ho DO you do it?