Heal Yourself

Okey dokey artichokeys, you hear all these things about being healthy...but what is being healthy? Being healthy is different to everyone, to some being thin is healthy to others being plump is healthy and to some being incredibly muscular is healthy...it's all how you view it and everyone is entitled to their own opinion. I'm here to share what I view as healthy. I choose to exercise 3-5 times a week, I weight train and do dome cardio. I've set crazy intense goals in the past not to become healthier but to test my body and to push it to its limits. In the end yes exercise is so important, how ever you don't have to be a marathon runner in order to be considered fit. Do what works for you. In the end it all comes back to nutrition. These are facts....lean cuisines and diet cokes are not healthy, they are low calorie and loaded with fake artificial ingredients that in the end brings your body down in health--you may lose weight but in the end just because you lost weight doesn't mean you're getting healthier. Health included your metabolic rate, your blood pressure, how quickly your body can heal itself, and how good you physically feel. Eating foods that are natural and pure will get you to this point. Yes it's okay to indulge but in the end your average meals should consist of things that have come naturally from to earth. Growing up I had one too many health issues and diagnoses. Once I did my research to learn about foods and what exactly will fuel my body I became healthier- I healed myself by in taking numerous foods that are loaded in antioxidants, my body craves these foods now. I listen to my body- when I'm hungry I eat, if I feel bloated I drink extra water to eliminate whatever toxins are making me feel uncomfortable. There is so much information out there! Do your research, or shoot me a message! I have received countless messages with questions and suggestions that I'm open to answer all of you!  I can help figure out what to intake to lift your mood, energy, weightloss, weight gain...etc. I can help. I want to help. I underwent a surgery, a tonsillectomy  a few weeks ago...they say it's worse to have done when you are an adult. My tonsils would nearly close my throat shut every few weeks, when they weren't considered swollen they were the size of those giant marbles. I had a lot cut out of my throat. I wasn't able to eat and hardly able to drink, I averaged a weight loss of 2-3lbs a day, and for someone who usually eats 4-5 times a day this was extremely hard! I couldn't even muster the energy and strength to open a Tylenol bottle! It takes an average of 2-3 weeks before all the pain is gone and almost a month until you can eat regularly. I was healed in half the time. I owe it all to my life style. I naturally consume the foods that will keep me healthy. I vow that this is the reason to being so blessed to overcoming a surgery that was supposed to keep me out of the game for way longer then it was. I'm more motivated now then I ever was to share my insight with anyone and everyone I can. Its not a diet- it's a lifestyle. I feel better than I ever have and it's Just SO simple and wonderful. Yes I still eat crap from time to time- with my awfully love for beer and pizza there's no way I couldn't! Indulging is healthy and actually GOOD for your metabolism!!! Anyways this post is simply me speaking my mind and update of what's been occurring the past few weeks!! 

Ignore what others are doing or saying- be you! Do what YOU want. "People throw rocks at things that shine." -Taylor Swift

People will say things to bring you down- to hurt you- to do everything they can to see you fail. Stand up for yourself-don't let anyone's words or actions effect you from accomplishing your dreams and goals. You need to love yourself before ever expecting someone else to accept and love you for you. Self love and acceptance is the most beautiful and important quality you can have. 

"So be sure when you step, step with great tact, and remember that life's a great balancing act. And will you succeed? Yes! You will, indeed! 98 and 3/4% guaranteed! Kid, you'll move mountains."

-Dr. Seuss

From my lifestyle to yours

-Jill

Leg Day

You want to be fit? Earn it, you're worth it! You get out what you put in!

A picture before I dominated leg day. I've been out of the gym for 2+ weeks because of surgery. I was itching every day to get back- I had to wait until I was completely healed. Anyways I'm here to share an amazing Glute, quad and ham work out- this is what my leg day consisted of. There are three major muscles in your butt, if you want to lift and shape then you need to work each of these three muscles. There's your gluteus minimus, gluteus Maximus and gluteus medius. The workout I'm about to share will work out all three of these muscles. These workouts also will help tone up your quadriceps and hamstrings. 

Jumping Jacks- will work the medius

Lunges- will work the Maximus 

Squats- will work the Minimus. 

You do not have to follow this work out exactly, this is just what works best for me and has prove me time and time again to be the best.

Warm up- on an incline of 5 for about 5minutes

Cardio- run at a jogging pace on an incline (I use an incline of 2 or 3) for about 10-15 minutes

Move on to the elliptical, set the elliptical on a higher level then it's automatic starting level (I use 13) and set the elliptical to hills mode- there are numerous options to choose from on hills mode- I use the around the world setting. Do this for about 10-15 minutes.

Next do these sets back to back if you can (super sets, little to no rest in between to get your heart rate going) NEVER give up rest if it's effecting your form- it's best to take a break and rest for a minute or two and keep good form!

10 squats with added weight, if you can, if not use your own body weight

10 lunges on your right leg then ten lunges on your left leg! Then start right back over

10 of each work out, do this 5 times non stop if possible!

When finished do sets of 40 jumping jacks, with one minute rest in between. I did this 5 times- do it at least 3 if you can.

Finally do a cool down, jog in place and stretch.

It's tough- push through and you'll feel great after- a bit wobbly- but so proud of yourself. 

When pushing your body- push it to it's limits, ignore your mind telling you to stop, listen to your body. When working out your muscles, imagine whatever muscle group your working and focus on their strength and capabilities. 

And finally don't forget your whey!!!!

Yummmmmmm

Haha okay well if you're reading this- know you're worth so much, have and maintain positive thoughts and energy. 

Exude goodness into the world and good things will come your way. You get out what you put in, whether it be within a relationship, work out, your life, your job...anything. 

Be kind and keep the innocence and love of positivity within your heart. That's simply all you need to be happy.

"If you have good thoughts they will shine out of your face like sun beams and you will always look lovely."

-Roald Dahl

From my heart to yours,

-Jill

"Let Your Heart, Sweetheart, Be Your Compass"

This is a long post, not a recipe about a clean and healthy recipe, but a post about a clean and healthy soul and mindset and my own personal journey to keeping happiness in my heart. Sometimes realizing what's best for you is incredibly difficult. Be picky with yourself, don't ever settle. When you realize something isn't bringing joy, just simply walk away. "Let your heart be your compass." Obsessed with the new Lady Antabellum song, it has totally described my emotions and mind set lately. Right now the other song that describes my life and my heart is the song "The Last Time." By Taylor Swift. I realized something in my life was failing, and I kept repeating and repeating...and surprise! Same outcome. Unlike the song this goes beyond relationships and friendships, it goes as far and personal lives as well. Trial and error, good...same trial same trial same trialx100 will ALWAYS equal error. You can't keep trying something the same exact way 1,000 times expecting a different result, sometimes you have to turn your back and try something in a different way. It's okay to fail, it's not okay however, to keep trying and not changing your approach at all, let failure be a lesson. How can you succeed if you keep trying the same thing the same way? Love purely, deeply, unconditionally. Fight for happiness. Face what's going on and challenge it to a duel, fix it. The easy way out will get you no where. I've experienced too many loved ones take the "easy way out" one too many times. Everytime instead of filling my heart with sadness and questioning, I see it as their own personal weaknesses that need to be worked on and examine my own personal strength for finally being able to examin that as something I simply can not change. I've had too many people walk out of my life, too many people that don't feel as though I'm worth the fight, that I'm worth the unconditional love that I deserve. They simply pack up when they hear or realize one thing they dislike about themselves and never speak again. This is not solely romantic relationships, but all types of relationships, so lets not get to assuming. This is not a sob story- forget that kind of crap. This is more of a "I'm a bad ass for being able to still stand tall and believe in the good in people no matter what happens." Type of story-- but I do believe that's too long of a title for my blog post. I believe in the good in everyone, I believe everyone deserves a proper explanation and a proper goodbye no matter how difficult. I believe people in general deserve a proper explanation for anyone's negative actions. Once you lash out though, the second you allow yourself to be overtaken by anger and to speak unkind, unloving words, once you allow yourself to act in a mean cruel way that no person deserves, that is when you are weakend. Standing tall, strong and not allowing one unloving, unkind word slip from your lips...that's when you have made it. That is when you can take on the world. I'm not there yet- but I'm sure as hell close. Finding inner peace, inner love and loving kind thoughts at all times is difficult-- extremely difficult. All negative actions, words, emotions and approaches are all learned, none of these are natural effects, They have all simply been learned. I'm reading a book about this mindset that had helped guide me, it's a slow read for me simply because I'm constantly lesrning and want to re-read. This has come at a perfect time for me in my life. Finding inner love and peace is important, if I let the many people who have walked out on me control how I see myself, I'd be a gonner. Be in control of your own thoughts, words and actions. Love wholely and truely.

I love you, whoever is reading this. I pray for the best for you and for pure happiness to find it's way into your heart, mind and soul.

-Jill

Warm Apple Cider

This cider is so festive I just HAVE to post it! It is so incredibly easy, delicious and pure. The part of this recipe that calls for sugar is very versatile, you can she basic regular sugar, stevia, coconut sugar, whatever you want. For the recipe I'm posting I'm going to use regular sugar, remember if you use a sugar alternative try it with just half of the amount mentioned since it's sweeter. Okay so here's the recipe! 

Apple Cider:

About 6 apples

About 2/3 cup of sugar

4Tbs of cinnamon

4Tbs allspice 

Cut apples into quarters, don't worry about coring or taking the seeds out! Then put into crock pot and cover with water, apples will float so I just pushed them down to see how much until they would technically all be submerged. Pour in the sugar and spices and everything nices....hehehe

Okay anyways then put crockpot on high for 3-4 hours, then put the heat on low for about 2-3 hours. This recipe is very versatile as far as the heat is concerned,if you're thinking "dang I'm at work and won't be able to lower it in 4 hours" don't worry too much about it, adding on an hour or two won't hurt it. Just don't leave it on high heat forever otherwise the apples will become mushy and start falling apart into the cider! Eeek! (It takes a long time for this to happen so no worries) the longer it sits the stronger it gets(rhymes...yes I know.)

I was able to enjoy and drink it after the 2-3hours on low. 

Holy Macaroni

Sorry to have gotten you all excited. This is not a post about macaroni. This is simply a post about saying...hey i'm so sorry it's been so long. I have a new job. I have new friends, and a crazy new schedule to live by that i'm still trying to tweak. I started letting my new schedule run my life! DON'T LET YOUR WORK SCHEDULE KEEP YOU FROM DOING THINGS!!! Do not let it take you from getting enough sleep, staying healthy, and making over all healthy life choices for yourself. Don't let there be any reasoning to not stay happy, content and relaxed. I'm preaching something that I just had an epiphany about today. I've been over exerting myself. I've been sleeping so badly that people just look at me and say, "Make sure you sleep well tonight? Looks like you need it." .... sheesh...thanks.

I've begun meal prepping, making my foods in bulk to ensure i'm eating healthy and not settling for crap food over clean foods. I've made 2-4lbs of ground turkey on the weekends, weigh it and distribute it into containers so I can just grab and go. I keep a few gallons of water in my cabinets to make sure i'm constantly drinking water. There's not one reason you can't stay healthy when your life gets crazy. THIS is what keeps ME happy. I feel proud when I walk by a box of donuts in the lounge and not grab one. It's hard to say no sometimes, that's understandable, it's even harder though to feel guilty though. I've begun incorporating yoga back into my life. I've been so intensely focused on cardio and weights that i've completely left it out. When I started back my body is so insanely tight from not having this in my routine I felt like my body was concrete and so hard to twist and stretch. I could feel  the stress leaving my veins and just getting out of me it was wonderful.

Last but not least. Make time for yourself. Make time for yourself. MAKE TIME FOR YOURSELF! Enjoy the beautiful day outside. Appreciate whats in front of you. I lost track over the past few months of who I am personally. I became blinded by the business of life that I forgot to appreciate my blessings. It's sad and hard to admit. I have allowed the hustle and bustle of life to take over. Don't let this happen. Constantly look at your life. Look at yourself. Constantly examine and figure out what you can do to simply get yourself up and maintain your happiness if not better it. Make changes. I vow to now appreciate the beautiful things in my life. I promise to stay true to myself, my beliefs and my body. I vow to not poison my thoughts or body with things that are not meant for it, or that do not help me to stay pure. I vow to gain strength in my body and mind.

I'm making big changes in my life. Why not?

What will bring happiness to your heart? Is there anything you can change to help you feel more pure and happy?

You have a beautiful soul, use it for good. You are an amazing person and deserve the absolute best. "

"If you want something you've never had, you have to do something you've never done."

From my changes and happy heart to yours,
Jill

Mexican Turkey Muffins

Ay Yi Yi! Hello you! My basic turkey muffins with a kick of AWESOME! 

INGREDIENTS:

-1lb ground turkey (the leanest you can find)

-1/2c of your favorite hot sauce

-1/2tsp sea salt

-2tsp fresh ground pepper 

-5crackers

-1egg

Mix with yo haaandz!

Get an ice cream scooper, scoop into muffin tin (makes 12) make sure all are equal! OVEN=350* bake for 30minutes or until any fat from the meat has risen.

Scrape off any extra fat that has risen to the top, drain out any excess liquid from salsa, let cool. Indulge.

Each muffin is loaded with protein and Rings in at around 80cals a piece

Today you are you who is truer then true, there's no one alive who is YOUER THAN YOU! -Dr. Seuss

-REMEMBER- you do not have to be a product of your environment. 

-From my kitchen to yours-

-Jillyfish

About Me

Plain and simple. This post is solely about me. My blog has skyrocketed in followers via email and other readers just within the past few months. I figure why not allow everyone a chance to get to know the girl behind the recipes and rants. There's more to me than just recipes, workouts and discussions of the way I view life.

Me:

 I come from a good, strong, loving, close knit family. I'm not the girl you'll see wasted or at the club on a Friday, Saturday night, id rather be doing something low key and fun. Dont get me wrong, I do enjoy a drink or two and I have nothing against it, I'm just not in college anymore and I feel incredibly driven to stay as productive as possible in my life. I'd rather be on a bass boat fishing, then on a yacht partying. Most find this strange...haha oh well. I have a small obsession as to how I can twist recipes to make them healthy and clean.  I'm a hard worker.  I live a lifestyle that allows me to stay relaxed and for the most part stress free. I'm incredibly optimistic, whether its realistic or not. I'm an artist, I love to paint. I also love to learn, especially about health. I go to bed early and wake up early. I'm a landscaper and create beautiful yards for families to enjoy. I thoroughly enjoy manual labor. Aside from being a landscaper, I'm also a Kindergarten teacher. 

I'm care free and try to find the good in people, and again, whether it's realistic or not. I have insecurities just as anyone and everyone, but I don't dwell on them. I also have the imagination of a 5yr old, meaning it's always switched to on. I talk a lot, I talk fast, and I also talk in circles I am capable of coming up with 1,000,000 questions for people, mostly because I'm insanely curious about things, people, and how things work. I have a strange itch that drives me to want to know anything and everything I can possibly know and learn while I'm on this earth. I also absolutely love to be outside! I also love to go boot scooting, it's one of my favorite things to go do. 

Random Photo Time/Facts:

I'm a little too in love with dogs, I'll pet any dog that crosses my path.

My mom is my best friend in the entire world and always will be.

I lift weights and am not afraid of muscle growth.

FACT: When i'm not sure what to say about myself I'll share incredibly unimportant/non useful information...

FACT:  I love to give compliments, I feel as though by being able to give a genuine compliment to someone, you hold the power to make someone happy, smile and feel joy even if it's for just a small moment. 

My dog looks exactly like an Ewok from Star Wars

 

"Never love anybody who treats you like you're ordinary"
-Oscar Wilde

Embrace, adore and absolutely love who you are. Listen to your heart and soul, who are you? What do you want? Who gives a crap if it doesn't fit the cookie cutter life that's expected. You are you and that's a wonderful thing! If people don't like it, or treat you differently because of that, then they're not worth holding onto anyways. 

I hope everyone's week is going just as amazing as mine is!
-Jillyfish.