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I’m SUPAAA excited about what it could become.

Life has been BUSAYYY. Crazy BUSAYYY. I have not had ANY spare time. It’s been school, work, homework, food, workout=my life.

But now it’s Christmas break. HOLLLLAAA!

So the winner of my last giveaway never email me, so..

The new winner of the gift certificate for CSN stores is…

KTBWOOD!!

I am going to do some SERIOUS revamping of this blog over my break. I’m THINKING about starting a new one. I need a clean start really badly.

<3 jess

xoxo

I had a great night with the family+boy tonight. I don’t do trick or treating, not that I think it’s wrong, but my family takes it as a night to relax with each other! BUT, if you DID dress up, WHAT WERE YOU? I cannot wait to hear all the awesome ideas

This is fall…

Have a great week…

DON’T FORGET to enter my giveawayyyy!

ENDS NOVEMBER 6th.

LOVE Y’ALL

jess

brought to you by CSN stores!!

You have the opportunity to win a $45 GIFT-CERTIFICATE! You can use it on any of their 200+ websites!

How to enter:

comment back for EACH entry!!

• Comment on this post (mandatory entry)
• Follow me on Twitter
• Link back to this post on your blog

*Only available to USA/Canadian readers, sorry!

*I’ll use random.org to generate the winner!

GOOD LUCK!!

<3 jess

xoxo

Speaking of CSN stores, I won a Black and Decker Waffle Maker a WHILE back! I recently made Whole Wheat Waffles for my brothers & I…

It is one of my new favorite toys!! It cooked the waffles to perfection. And making them was so simple, so was clean-up!

And my brothers loved them, so that should definitely count for something!

I topped mine with nutella, banana, and a drizzle of maple syrup.

GET EXCITED FOR THE GIVEAWAY!

Must catch up on google READAAA!

<3 jess

xoxo

I have missed y’all of course and I’ve missed blogging, BUT the “break” has been nice. School is absolutely KICKING my B-U-T-T. Uganda really taught me SO much…I’ll be honest. I miss it a lot, and I am SO emotional lately. I miss my babies, my kids, the LOVE, the people…everything. America is so..different. I think of them ALL THE TIME. My locker is filled with ADORABLE photos and my room has a “uganda flair.” This summer was the most life-changing summer I’ve ever had. My perspective has been COMPLETELY altered. To witness 6 year olds waking up at 4 AM to go carry a 25 lb. can of water down to a well EVERY. SINGLE. DAY. just so they can wash clothes is MIND-ALTERING. I could go on and on, but I will stop!

Between LIFE, working out, eating, my boy, school, soccer games..etc, blogging just HAD to take a back-seat. I think posting 1-2 times a week is gonna be my max. 5 honors classes, taking the AP Euro test in May, the PSAT AND PLAN in October, research paper, starting to have to think about college, life is just BUSY!

My workouts have been SLAMMIN’! Here’s pretty much what I’ve been up to…

• Cardio: one long sesh (45 minutes)+ 1-2 short sessions (20-30 minutes)
• Strength: 4-5 times a week (including ABS, ARMS, AND LEGS)
• Yoga: 1-2 times a week

I have noticed a huge change in my arms, getting much stronger. YAY!

Food photos anyone?!

Banana bread!! Sugar free (AGAVE!!) and “normal!” (Both almost 100% whole wheat & ridiculously GOOD!)

And now, my favorite photo of all…

LOVE ALL OF YOU!

Oh man, it’s been a LONG time. I am not going to apologize for not blogging. You know why? Because why should I apologize for LIVING my life? That’s NO reason to say I’m sorry. OF  COURSE I’ve missed blogging, how could I not?! But it has been REALLY nice to step back and not have the STRESS of blogging on my mind. “I have to post tonight.” I MUST catch up on google reader.”

So where does this leave my blog? I’m not sure. I really miss blogging, but school HAS to come first, and so does my family, friends, & boyfriend. I got a job twice a week after, so that just ADDS to the busyness.

About the BIG NEWS, I will be able to tell you shortly. I want to let y’all know so bad, because I KNOW you will be supportive.

LOVE TO YOU ALL!

<3 jess

xoxo

P.S. WELCOME TO FALL!! I had my first PUMPKIN SPICE LATTE of the season so it’s officially FALL.

But where’s LIBBY’S CANNED PUMPKIN?! Darn you pumpkin shortage.

Sadly I have come down with a very sore throat. I haven’t been able to REALLY talk in like two days. The boy was supposed to come over tonight, but I decided that my body needed some TLC. I ate a hearty dinner and I am currently drinking peppermint tea

School starts on WEDNESDAY. Eeek, I have SO much to do. It will all get done though.

I have not been in the “blogging” mindset, and I cannot apologize for that. I have been LIVING life, going to soccer games, hanging with friends, sleepover, movies, boy time <3. How/Why should I say I am sorry for that?

When I compile some foodie photos, I will POST them ASAP.

LOVE YOU ALL.

<3 jess

xoxo

I do not have an abundance of food photos to show you, so I thought I’d share some of my favorite ab moves! I know Kristi did a similar post, so I’m channeling her

Have Faith’s Top Ten Abdominal Moves

1. Planks: These are my FAVORITE move. They work your abdominals like crazy. I love side planks, half planks, and full planks. You can do them on upside down bosu balls & even on medicine balls. 2. Medicine Ball Twists: These will have your abs screaming! I used to only be able to do 25, but now I’m up to two sets of 45. 3. Reverse Crunches: These are the best for working your hard-to-reach lower abs. 4. Slow Pilates Scissors: I know many pilates classes do these scissors really fast, almost like a flutter. But try them SLOWLY. Hold each for at least 3 seconds, and you WILL be sore the next day. 5. Captain’s Chair: This is a great “machine” to build up ab strength on. You can start off slow, and work your way to more reps. Try straight legs, it’s much more challenging. 6. Bicycles: I love this exercise because it does a great job at really targeting your obliques! 7. Leg Drops: Start with your arms under you butt, but as you get stronger, move your hands to your side. It will engage your core more. (I haven’t tried them with an exercise ball in between your legs, but I’m sure that’s great!!)8. Side Bridge with Hip Drops: I ADORE this exercise. As your core strengthens, put a dumbbell to your hip for added challenge. 9. Oblique V-Ups: These are TOUGH. Try to make contact between your elbow and leg. 10. Leg Climbers: I cannot find a photo for this one, so I will explain it to you! I found this exercise in the Ab Ripper X (P90X) DVD. I LOVE it.

Start in a crunch position. Extend one leg straight so it is about 45 degrees. Crunch up and try and “grab” your toe.

I really hope you have enjoyed this post! (All the image URL’s can be found when you click on the photo. I didn’t want to list them all at the end. It was much easier this way!)

<3 jess

xoxo

P.S I found Teddie PB! I got the unsalted kind. It’s SO GOOD!

I wanted to do a post showcasing 100% of what I ate today! (okay, probs more like 90%!)

Breakfast today was DELICIOUS! I had a Greek Yogurt mess, the perfect summer breakfast!   In the MIX…

• Strawberry Chobani Greek Yogurt
• Quaker Oatmeal Squares
• Chocolate Cheerios
• Shredded Wheat Cereal
• ~1/2 peach
• ~4-5 strawberries
• ~1/2 banana
• raspberry preserves
• dark chocolate almond spread (Maranatha)
• Skippy Natural Peanut Butter

I worked out between breakfast and lunch!

It was a 100% strength routine! No cardio necessary! LOVED it. I was literally shaking by the end…

• Abs
• 1 minute side plank/side, 1 minute plank
• REPEAT w/ no breaks
• 60, 45, 30, 15 Russian twists (4 sets)
• 4 sets of 15 twisting reverse crunches
• 4 sets of 20 toe touches
• 4 sets of 30 bicycles
• 4 sets of 20 captain’s chair (straight legs)
• Abdominal Crunch Machine (free motion) 4 sets of 15 (30 lb, 30 lb, 35 lb, 35 lb)
• Torso Rotation: 1 set of 15 per side (30 lbs)
• 2 minute plank
• Legs
• Hamstring: 3 sets of 10 (85, 85, 90 lbs.)
• Leg Curl: 3 sets of 10 (50, 55, 60 lbs.)
• Hip Adduction: 5 sets of 10 (190, 180, 170, 160, 150 lbs)
• Hip Abduction: 5 sets of 10 (190, 180, 170, 160, 150 lbs)
• Seated Calves: 3 sets of 15 (215 lbs)
• Standing Calf: 2 sets of 10 (70 lbs.)
• Leg Press: 2 sets of 10 (per side) (70 lbs)
• 2 minute wall squat
• pilates moves
• Arms
• Row: 3 sets of 10 (45, 45, 55 lbs)
• Seated Row: 2 sets of 10 (50 lbs)
• Assisted Pulldown: 2 sets of 7,8 (50, 55 lbs)
• Assisted Chin-up: 2 sets of 7,8 (50, 55 lbs)
• Assisted Tricep Dip: 2 sets of 7, 8 (50, 55 lbs)
• Assisted Lateral Pulldown: 2 sets of 10 (55 lbs)
• Lat Machine (free motion): 2 sets of 10 (40, 50 lbs)
• Tricep Pushdown: 2 sets of 8 (30 lbs)
• Fly: 2 sets of 10 (30 lbs)
• Tricep Extension: 2 sets of 10 (35, 40 lbs)
• Bicep Curl: 2 sets of 10 (30, 35 lbs)
• Chest Pullback (not the name, I know!): 2 sets of 10 (40, 45 lbs)

Talk about a full body workout!

While shopping, I took some photos!!   Lunch was QUICK & deliciously light. I needed some protein, but was REALLY short on time.

Chicken (+BBQ sauce) & fresh cantaloupe. Plus un-pictured nibbles!!      With such a LIGHT lunch, I was STARVING by the time I got home from shopping.

Enter: Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Larabar.

Oh. my. goshhhhhh. New favorite! SERIOUSLY tasted like a cookie.  

Plus an apple, MORE cantaloupe, and trail mix.

I have eaten TWO cantaloupes in around…4 days. Oh yes I haveee!

Dinner was INCREDIBLE!

Chicken burgers topped with mozzarella, ketchup, tomato, lettuce…on a whole wheat bun. Served with a side of grilled veggies (red potatoes, carrots, onions, & asparagus!) Heaven. on. a. plate.

Tonight I went swimming with the fam & the boy! It was a blast, but I worked up an appetite. (I also had some of the boy’s brownie & ice cream!)

***PLEASE know that some days I eat WAY more than this, and some I don’t. I try my best to listen to my hunger cues. Basically, I am constantly eating My mom says I’m almost like a teenage guy because I’m always snacking!***

I am all about eating after dinner, too. I am not one of those people who is all about “No Eating After 7 pm or whatever.” NO WAY. I snack a lot at night. a lot. Read: the spoon always finds its way into the PB jar

Hope you all enjoyed this! I’ll do this every once in a while! My daily eats are rarely the same! I did get creative in the kitchen yesterday and I’ll share that with you in my next post!

<3 jess

xoxo