Tiny Toast and a new Recipe

A month and two days... holy cripes.  I knew it had been awhile since I wrote, but I did not know it had been that long. Oops.  I could bore you with how I've alternating between panic mode and Give it to God mode about all the changes that are about to happen but let's get to the important stuff.

My addiction to Tiny Toast.  Everyone else is raving about Pokemon Go and I'm just over here like hey, let's all eat some Tiny Toast.

It's a new cereal that I saw on a few other blogs and so I picked up a box at Target....and then another box at Hy-Vee.  And I'm probably going to need another box by the end of the weekend because I've already eaten a box and a half in 3 days.  Have I mentioned that I can't control myself around cereal? I should probably choose not to buy another box to maintain my pant size.

On the plus side, I've been making some healthy choices too.  Including this meal:

Not sure what to call it but it is pretty delicious.

I browned a pound of hamburger, drained it, and then mixed in half a bag of Green Giant Cauliflower Crumbles and a whole bag of frozen stir fry vegetables.  I threw in some soy sauce, garlic, and red pepper flakes and heated it until the frozen vegetables were hot.  Yummy and delicious.  For my 21 Day Fixers, it's about 1 red and 1.5 green.  Makes 4 servings and will be great for my lunch this weekend.

I am pretty proud of myself for making something tasty without a recipe.  First time...probably last.

Hope everyone is gearing up for a great weekend!

Full shutdown mode

I've composed posts a hundred times in my head for the past couple weeks. But as those who know me and love me anyways know, when shit hits the fan in life, I shut down. Mentally, emotionally, physically. I do the bare minimum in all things life related with the exception of caring for Lucas. I give him everything I have and if anything is left over, I toss it towards other areas of life. Example: his laundry is done, folded and our away. Me? I'm wearing Christmas pajamas. Yup.

Usually this only lasts a couple days to a week but apparently changing my entire life in a few short months was too much for my brain to handle. I went off the grid. I watched crappy TV. I ate too much and everyone who was at the wedding last weekend knows I drank too much.

I tried to turn it around and failed a few times.

There were milestones:

Celebrating 5 years with my job- and also celebrating friends who grab my cellphone and act like proud mamas and take countless pictures.

Our 5 year anniversary..... We have spent more than half my life together now. Wow.

But today.... Today was the day I turned it around. Because I remembered life is too damn short. 9 years ago we lost my stepdad. One minute he was driving my mom to work and the next minute I was calling 911 and administering CPR. 

Life can change in an INSTANT. 

And there's no use sweating over every small decision. We will make good decisions. We will make terrible ones. Life will move forward whether we are ready for it to or not. 

All we can do is trust God. Let go and let

God. That's my mantra for the next few months! 

Ultimate Reset- Final Results and Thoughts

I know I promised this post about a week and a half ago but life has been a little bit hectic and I'm finally ready to talk about it.

We are MOVING.  And not to just a new house.  To a new town.  To new jobs.  To a completely different life.  Insert multiple panic attacks, sleepless nights, and thoughts of "What the hell are we doing?" here.

My husband applied for a job in his hometown (10 minutes away from MY hometown) and was offered and accepted it.  Thankfully, I was able to change districts within my company so that I will be able to be in the same town 4 days a week and have about a 30 minute drive 1 day a week.  In the long run, this change will be good (I hope!).  But short-term?  It SUCKS.  Trying to find a house and daycare, thinking about moving and everything that goes with that... starting over in a new town and new districts.  UGH.  I need to stop before I have another panic attack and don't finish this post.

Anyways.  That's my excuse.  More to come when I actually know what the hell we are doing with our lives.

So my final results for the reset.....

BOOM.  Down 5 pounds in 21 days, losing another 2 pounds in the week after the Ultimate Reset. CRAZY!!!! These pictures do not do my results justice, I promise you.  My clothes are looser, the rolls are disappearing.   The baby abs may be exposed some time this summer.  5 pounds doesn't sound like a lot, but for my size, it was huge.  Other people in my group that did it lost anywhere from 10-25 pounds!

Ok so pros-

I totally changed the way I ate.  The times, the amount, the type of food.

I learned to cook things that I would never have made before and found lots of food that I like.

I got leaner and lost weight that I have been struggling to lose.  

I broke the plateau and mindset that I have been struggling with for the last 3 months.

Cons-

Not working out for 3 weeks was really hard since I am in the process of training for a marathon- bad timing.

I spent a LOT of time in the kitchen.

I spent a LOT of money on groceries, on top of the cost of the product.

I definitely felt some side effects the first few days of headaches and being exhausted.

Would I do it again?  ABSOLUTELY!  What this did to my body and my mindset was life changing and I highly encourage anyone who is looking for a big change to try it.

If you are interested in trying it and have questions, contact me on my Facebook page or email me at kaylamariedejong@gmail.com 

If you want to buy it NOW go to:

Ultimate Reset® Challenge Pack (US):

http://www.teambeachbody.com/shop/-/shopping/BCPCLN305?referringRepId=917703

Day 17-21

Here is a recap of what my FINAL Week looked like:

Phase 3-RESTORE-Day 17- Thursday

6:30 AM 12-24 ounces mineralized water, 2 optimize, 2 revitalize

7:00 Fresh fruit plate- 3 cups

10:30 12-24 ounces mineralized water, 2 optimize, 2 revitalize

11:00 Morrocan Carrot Salad over 3 cups greens with 1 serving dressing

2:30 12-24 ounces mineralized water, Power Greens

When you forget a shaker cup and have to drink Power Greens from a coffee mug...

3:00 1 cup berries and 1 green apple

5:00 12-24 ounces mineralized water, 2 optimize, 2 revitalize, 2 soothe

5:30 Roasted delicata squash and green beans with lemon

Phase 3-RESTORE-Day 18- Friday

6:30 AM 12-24 ounces mineralized water, 2 optimize, 2 revitalize

7:00 Fresh fruit plate- 3 cups

10:30 12-24 ounces mineralized water, 2 optimize, 2 revitalize

11:00 Spinach salad with 1 serving dressing a baked sweet potato

2:30 12-24 ounces mineralized water, Power Greens

3:00 1 cup berries and 1 green apple

5:00 12-24 ounces mineralized water, 2 optimize, 2 revitalize, 2 soothe

5:30 Roasted delicata squash and green beans with lemon

I was so hungry I ate my green beans before I took a picture lol yum yum 

Phase 3-RESTORE-Day 19- Saturday

6:30 AM 12-24 ounces mineralized water, 2 optimize, 2 revitalize

7:00 Fresh fruit plate- 3 cups

10:30 12-24 ounces mineralized water, 2 optimize, 2 revitalize

11:00 Spinach salad with 1 serving dressing a baked sweet potato

2:30 12-24 ounces mineralized water, Power Greens

3:00 1 cup berries and 1 green apple

5:00 12-24 ounces mineralized water, 2 optimize, 2 revitalize, 2 soothe

5:30 Asian stir fry and ½ serving braised greens

Phase 3-RESTORE-Day 20- Sunday

6:30 AM 12-24 ounces mineralized water, 2 optimize, 2 revitalize

7:00 Fresh fruit plate- 3 cups

10:30 12-24 ounces mineralized water, 2 optimize, 2 revitalize

11:00 Spinach salad with 1 serving dressing a baked sweet potato

2:30 12-24 ounces mineralized water, Power Greens

3:00 1 cup berries and 1 green apple

5:00 12-24 ounces mineralized water, 2 optimize, 2 revitalize, 2 soothe

5:30 Asian stir fry and ½ serving braised greens

Delicious! I had no problems eating this multiple nights in a row. 

Phase 3-RESTORE-Day 21- Monday

6:30 AM 12-24 ounces mineralized water, 2 optimize, 2 revitalize

7:00 Fresh fruit plate- 3 cups

10:30 12-24 ounces mineralized water, 2 optimize, 2 revitalize

11:00 Spinach salad with 1 serving dressing a baked sweet potato

2:30 12-24 ounces mineralized water, Power Greens

3:00 1 cup berries and 1 green apple

5:00 12-24 ounces mineralized water, 2 optimize, 2 revitalize, 2 soothe

5:30 Asian stir fry and ½ serving braised greens  

To be honest, this last week was the hardest for me because the end was so close.  I did a lot of "Oh man, 2 days from now I can eat this" and "Well what does it matter if I'm just going to eat it tomorrow?"  But I powered through!  

I will have a full review and results in my next post!

Day 14 (Done with Phase 2!), Day 15, and Day 16

UGH.... this last week is hard.  I am feeling weak, I am having serious cravings... Phases 1 and 2 were so much easier than Phase 3.  I lost another 1.5 pounds in Phase 2 so that's 4 pounds total.  Woop woop.  My energy is much better which is really what I wanted from this whole thing.

So my last day of Phase 2... Day 14.  Here was my schedule:

Week 2-Release Day 7

6:30- 12-24 ounces Mineralized water, 2 capsules Optimize, 1 packet Detox

7:00- Fresh fruit plate (3 cups)

10:30- 12-24 ounces Mineralized water, 2 capsules Optimize, 1 packet Detox

11:00- hearty vegetable miso soup, microgreen salad, 1/3 cup toasted pumpkin seeds, 1 serving dressing <--------- Note: I did not eat the pumpkin seeds becuase my husband ate them all.

1:30-2:00 12-24 ounces Mineralized water, Power Greens

2:30 ½ avocado and 1 medium carrot <-------I ended up subbing an apple and cup of berries

5:00 12-24 ounces Mineralized water, 2 capsules Optimize, 1 packet Detox, 2 capsules Soothe

This is my "hurray no more detox face"

5:30 Edamame and roasted corn succotash and lemon kale <---------- I ended up using the "Reset in a Crunch"  and having a baked potato and garlic veggies.  They were delicious and I did not regret the decision one bit!

Week 3- Day 15

6:30- 12-24 ounces Mineralized water, 2 capsules Optimize, 2 capsules Revitalize 

7:00- Fresh fruit plate (3 cups)

10:30- 12-24 ounces Mineralized water, 2 capsules Optimize, 2 capsules Revitalize 

11:00- Miso soup and Asian cabbage salad 

1:30-2:00 12-24 ounces Mineralized water, Power Greens

2:30 1 apple and 1 cup berries 

5:00 12-24 ounces Mineralized water, 2 capsules Optimize, 2 capsules Revitalize, 2 capsules Soothe

5:30 Baked potato and garden veggies 

Week 3- Day 16

6:30- 12-24 ounces Mineralized water, 2 capsules Optimize, 2 capsules Revitalize 

7:00- Fresh fruit plate (3 cups)

10:30- 12-24 ounces Mineralized water, 2 capsules Optimize, 2 capsules Revitalize 

11:00- Miso soup and Asian cabbage salad 

1:30-2:00 12-24 ounces Mineralized water, Power Greens

2:30 1 baked potato and an apple <--- You have option to do a grain snack so I combiend the two because I needed some energy.  Plus any opportunity to 

5:00 12-24 ounces Mineralized water, 2 capsules Optimize, 2 capsules Revitalize, 2 capsules Soothe

5:30 Curried cauliflower and lemon kale <--- the cauliflower had a good flavor even though it's not my favorite vegetable.. the lemon kale was LEMONY.  Uffdah.  I couldn't eat it to be honest.  It was just too much lemon explosion in my mouth!

Today I have joint pain, a headache, and I didn't sleep very well.  I keep repeating to myself 4 days after this, 4 days after this but it seems like a long road to get through.  Fingers crossed!

Ultimate Reset Phase 2

So I've been so busy cooking that I haven't had a lot of free time to blog.  So here is a recap of Days 9-13 of the Ultimate Reset.  I am on my last day today and ready to start Phase 3 tomorrow but a little apprehensive as Phase 3 is eating only fruits and vegetables.... EEK.

Week 2-Release Day 2- Wednesday 

6:30- 12-24 ounces Mineralized water, 2 capsules Optimize, 1 packet Detox

7:00- Fresh fruit plate (3 cups)

10:30- 12-24 ounces Mineralized water, 2 capsules Optimize, 1 packet Detox

11:00- Microgreen salad, 1/3 cup toasted pumpkin seeds, ¼ cup sliced avocado, 1 serving dressing

1:30-2:00 12-24 ounces Mineralized water, Power Greens

2:30 1 cup blueberries and 1 medium green apple

5:00 12-24 ounces Mineralized water, 2 capsules Optimize, 1 packet Detox, 2 capsules Soothe

5:30 1 serving acorn squash with garlic tahini filling and 1 cup steamed broccoli  

Recap:  I am not loving the toasted pumpkin seeds because you aren't supposed to drink water with your meal so I've only been tossing a few in with my salad.  My dressing this week isn't as good as last week (must have missed a seasoning or something) or otherwise I am just getting over the microgreen salad.  Still raving about the acorn squash with garlic tahini filling... SO good!  

This is what the detox drink looks like for those of you wondering. Much better than power greens. 

Week 2-Release Day 3-Thursday 

6:30- 12-24 ounces Mineralized water, 2 capsules Optimize, 1 packet Detox

7:00- Fresh fruit plate (3 cups)

10:30- 12-24 ounces Mineralized water, 2 capsules Optimize, 1 packet Detox

11:00- ½ serving Pinto beans and rice, microgreen salad, 1/3 cup toasted pumpkin seeds, 1 serving dressing

1:30-2:00 12-24 ounces Mineralized water, Power Greens

2:30 1 cup blueberries and 1 medium green apple

5:00 12-24 ounces Mineralized water, 2 capsules Optimize, 1 packet Detox, 2 capsules Soothe

5:30 pinto beans and rice, 1 cup steamed zucchini, 1 cup green beans with lemon juice and 2 tsp. extra virgin olive oil

Recap:  It felt so good to have something warm with my lunch.  You aren't supposed to use a microwave on the Ultimate Reset but I'm not going to lie... I did.  I am not going to go hunt down a stove while I'm at work and it has been so cold, I needed something warm and this was really easy to make!

Week 2-Release Day 4-Friday 

6:30- 12-24 ounces Mineralized water, 2 capsules Optimize, 1 packet Detox

7:00- Fresh fruit plate (3 cups)

10:30- 12-24 ounces Mineralized water, 2 capsules Optimize, 1 packet Detox

11:00- ½ serving Pinto beans and rice, microgreen salad, 1/3 cup toasted pumpkin seeds, 1 serving dressing

1:30-2:00 12-24 ounces Mineralized water, Power Greens

2:30 1 cup blueberries and an apple

5:00 12-24 ounces Mineralized water, 2 capsules Optimize, 1 packet Detox, 2 capsules Soothe

5:30 sweet potato and roasted red pepper bisque and roasted asparagus with slivered almonds

Recap:  I had a personal day today so it was nice to be able to eat at home.  I had to substitute my afternoon snack for an apple and berries since that was easier to take on the go then 3 cups veggies with 3 tbsp ginger sesame miso dressing.

Now supper...oh supper.  I spent 40 minutes making the most beautiful bisque....

I took a few sips.  It was good.  Not great.  A few more.  Nope.  Couldn't do it.  If I had been able to dip bread in it, it would have been delicious but just the bisque and asparagus... I had to toss it.  

That's how my day went.  I went for a pedicure and had to wait 40 minutes with my feet in lukewarm water (someone else complained and the girl snapped at her that it was because all of the chairs were going at the same time and there was nothing she could do about it). 

 I got my hair ripped off my body.  

The one highlight of my day was getting my face mapped at Ulta.  I highly recommend you do it.  I was interested in trying the Dermatologica products but my fabulous aesthitician actually recommended a few cheaper, more organic products for me.  She told me I had good skin (YES!) and pointed out a few areas of blackheads that I didn't even realize that I had.

Of course I had to come home and confess to my husband how much money I had spent... that wasn't easy.  Apparently I am binge shopping now instead of binge eating.  

Week 2-Release Day 5-Saturday

6:30- 12-24 ounces Mineralized water, 2 capsules Optimize, 1 packet Detox

7:00- Fresh fruit plate (3 cups)

10:30- 12-24 ounces Mineralized water, 2 capsules Optimize, 1 packet Detox

11:00- Shakeology 

1:30-2:00 12-24 ounces Mineralized water, Power Greens

2:30 1 cup blueberries and an apple 

5:00 12-24 ounces Mineralized water, 2 capsules Optimize, 1 packet Detox, 2 capsules Soothe

5:30 quinoa-lentil pilaf, 1 ½ cups steamed broccoli with lemon juice and 1 tsp extra virgin olive oil

Ahhhh Saturday.  The day when it all went KAPUT.  So I got my hair done in the morning and I completely failed to plan... I got home at 12:15 and I was hungry and tired.  So I downed a Shakeology and called it good for my lunch.  Now, you can have Shakeology as a SNACK on this plan.  You probably are not supposed to eat it as your lunch.  But it was that or binge eat on something else so I did what I needed to do.

Supper was also delicious although I didn't get to eat until 7:00 because we were in Sioux Falls running errands.  I may have lost my shit on my poor husband when I was trying to cook and Lucas was demanding my attention... In my defense, I sat there and fed Lucas a slice of cheese pizza while he got to eat his pizza in peace.. Oh pizza.  I think I miss you most of all.  But I apologized and all was well.

Week 2-Release Day 6-Sunday 

6:30- 12-24 ounces Mineralized water, 2 capsules Optimize, 1 packet Detox

7:00- Fresh fruit plate (3 cups)

10:30- 12-24 ounces Mineralized water, 2 capsules Optimize, 1 packet Detox

11:00- quinoa-lentil pilaf, cucumber and tomato salad, ¼ sliced medium avocado

1:30-2:00 12-24 ounces Mineralized water, Power Greens

2:30 1 cup berries and 1 green apple 

5:00 12-24 ounces Mineralized water, 2 capsules Optimize, 1 packet Detox, 2 capsules Soothe

5:30 hearty vegetable miso soup, 1 sweet potato, 1 cup steamed Swiss chard with lemon juice and 1 tsp extra virgin olive oil

Today was a better day.  My lunch was delicious leftovers and I was able to stick to my eating times.

Supper was interesting... I was a little hesitant about the swiss chard but I should have been more hesitant about the seaweed in my Miso soup.  The more I thought about where it came from and the fact that it all clumped together... well... let's just say I picked all the seaweed out of my soup.  And then it was delicious.  Thankfully my husband likes seaweed and appreciated it so money was not wasted.

Overall I can definitely tell that I am less tired and more energetic.  My complexion is clearing up (although that may be the new products ha ha).  The things I miss are MEAT.... being able to eat something healthy on the go... and coffee.  And the dishes.... So many dishes.

One more week left.. I can do this!

Ultimate Reset Days 6, 7, and 8-- I'm in to Phase 2!

Sorry guys, life is a little bit crazy over here trying to get all my meal prep done and with the end of the school year (8 days left of work...over the next month.. I can't even explain my schedule ha ha).

Day 6- MOTHER'S DAY
Lucas and I stayed at my mom's since Mike worked overnights so we woke up and had breakfast with her.  Blueberries with yogurt and maple syrup and fresh fruit salad.  SO yummy.  We went to church and came home and played.  Lucas got a little bit testy while I was trying to make my microgreen salad.  

Thankfully I already had my quinoa salad and dressing made so I tossed it together, packed up and we headed home.

When we got home and I was putting away groceries, I dropped my salad dressing and it went everywhere.  Greek Dressing is delicious to eat but TERRIBLE to clean up with the oils.  Not something a mom should have to do on Mother's Day right?

This is from Thursday when I found my inner zen in the sunshine. Exact opposite of what I felt in that moment.

I had my snack of green apple and almonds. Lucas forced 3 goldfish between my clenched teeth. I would have spit them out except he yelled chew chew at me.  This kid!

Then we went to the park to play because it's what we do when it's not cold or raining. 

Came home and I had my supplements and then black beans and rice with baked potato and quinoa.  SO filling and delicious.  Another meal from this program that I could eat on a regular basis and NEVER would have ate before.

Mike asked if I had a relaxing Mother's Day... Not really.  Seemed like a typical day to me :)

Day 7- LAST DAY OF PHASE ONE!

Breakfast was oatmeal with apples and half cup of yogurt with maple syrup.  I didn't realize until later that I forgot flaxseed in my oatmeal :(

This was the first time I drove to work and didn't want to fall asleep behind the wheel so THAT is some major progress right?

Lunch was a repeat of Quinoa salad, Microgreen Salad, 1/3 cup toasted pumpkin seeds, and 1 serving dressing.  I was not able to finish it all again and definitely did not eat the pumpkin seeds.  Amazing how much healthy food fills me up so much faster than processed crap.

Note to self- remember to take dressing out to unthaw oil 30 minutes prior to eating so you don't have to unthaw it in a teacup. 

Final product was beautiful. 

Snack was raspberries and yogurt... no cinnamon because I forgot.  I feel a lot more awake but apparently I am forgetting a lot lol 

Supper was a repeat of black beans and rice with baked potato and 1/3 cup quinoa... never gets old. And it's so easy to make.

DAY 8- PHASE TWO

Well I felt like I was going to die week one but I didn't.  So I know I can make it through Phase 2 as well.  Detox.  I lost 2.5 pounds in Week 1, which for my size I was VERY excited about.  I am seeing a number on the scale that I haven't seen in 2 years (I lost a ton of weight post-pregnancy, definitely had no issues losing my baby weight thank God).  

Here is a breakdown of what my Phase 2 will look like:

Week 2-Release Day 1

6:30- 12-24 ounces Mineralized water, 2 capsules Optimize, 1 packet Detox

7:00- Fresh fruit plate (3 cups)

10:30- 12-24 ounces Mineralized water, 2 capsules Optimize, 1 packet Detox

11:00- Microgreen salad, 1/3 cup toasted pumpkin seeds, ¼ cup sliced avocado, 1 serving dressing

1:30-2:00 12-24 ounces Mineralized water, Power Greens

2:30 1 cup blueberries and 1 medium green apple

5:00 12-24 ounces Mineralized water, 2 capsules Optimize, 1 packet Detox, 2 capsules Soothe

5:30 1 serving Kabocha squash or acorn squash with garlic-tahini filling and 1 cup steamed broccoli 

I planned on microgreen salad quite a bit because I bought WAY too much salad mix last week but I wish I hadn't so I could have more pinto and beans which I will have in later days.

The Detox looks disgusting but after the power greens, it's really not bad.  It has an orangey flavor.. if I could get past the texture of the drink it would actually probably be relaly good.

I was SO nervous about supper.  I had to order miso paste and tahini sauce off Amazon Prime and I had no idea what they were... I still don't to be honest.

But it was AMAZING.  Like lick your plate amazing. Like give me more more more amazing. Another food that is definitely going to be a staple in my house.  And it took me about a minute to make the sauce which I can think of a dozen foods that I would use it on.

No negative side effects from the Detox 

yet, a.k.a. I'm not crapping my pants.  

I do miss working out but Lucas keeps me busy. He's in a climbing stage and somehow managed to climb on top of my head last night when I tried to brush his teeth.

Gotta love my husband who snaps pics instead of helping me. Ha!

Here is a final warning before I end this: