My Tuesday!

My Tuesday has been pretty productive, how about yours? 

I started off with lower body workout -->

 Squat with calf raise - 3 sets, 10 reps

Goblet Squat - 3 sets, 10 reps

Split Leg Squat - 3 sets, 10 reps each side

Hamstring curl w/medicine ball - 3 sets, 10 reps

Leg raises w/ medicine ball - 3 sets, 10 reps

Hip thrusts w/kettle bell in lap - 3 sets, 10 reps

2 other exercises from 21 day fix DVD that I don't know the names of (I can make a quick video if any of you want them)

walk at incline 9.0, speed 3.0 until exhausted

Then I went grocery shopping to make dinner and get a few snacks for the week

Dinner is chicken tacos tonight -->

4 skinless, boneless chicken breasts (cleaned and washed)

1 can of corn (not drained)

1 can black beans (drained and washed)

1 can rotel tomatoes (not drained)

1 cream cheese block (I used organic)

1 packet of taco seasoning OR dry ranch packet

then shred chicken and enjoy on lettuce, tortilla, or even rice! 

:)

Always Love A Good Leg Workout

So I want to share with you all the leg workout that Dillon and I did the other day.... I'm still sore (in a good way)

Kettle bell squat with calf raise - 3 sets, 10 reps

Hip Thrusts with dumbbell in lap - 3 sets, 10 reps

Split leg squat - 3 sets, 10 reps each side

Curtsey lunge - 2 sets, 10 reps

Step up jumps with dumbbells (on bench) - 3 sets, 30 seconds

Plank - 1 minute

Right side plank - 45 seconds

Left side plank - 45 seconds

It was a quick but VERY effective workout! 

They will be burning :) 

Please give it a try and let me know how it goes!!

13.1

This past weekend marked the day of the gopher to badger half marathon. There were so many different emotions throughout the weekend. I was beyond nervous the entire time, I knew I had trained A LOT more than my first half but I was still so nervous about running 13.1 miles. 

The first 3-4 miles I felt really good, I was able to keep up with a friend at a good pace. I did have to drop behind her and slow down just a bit in order to feel comfortable. Around mile 6, I was having thoughts of self doubt. I kept thinking "I can't do this" ,"I won't be able to finish" , "Why did I even sign up for this?" but I soon kicked those thoughts to the curb. I realized I CAN do this, I TRAINED for this, BELIEVE in yourself. From there on out, I just kept hitting the next mile markers and it seemed to go by and then all of a sudden I was at mile 10.

The last three miles was full of excitement. I was anxious to be done and cross that finish line. I knew my boyfriend Dillon, my sister Brenna, and my cousin Sam (he also ran the race but is blessed with being a very great runner) would all be there at the finish line. I had reminded my dad about the race the night before and he told me that he would try and be there to see me finish. Well when I was coming into the park (that winded around to the finish line) I came up a hill and saw Dillon, Brenna, Sam and my dad. I immediately teared up and got emotional. I was just so happy to see all of them there cheering me on and being proud of me. It showed me that all the training runs I didn't want to get up and do - paid off, because I finished 13.1 miles feeling SO great inside and beyond proud of myself. 

This is my cousin Sam and I after the race!

This half marathon experience was so much better than my first one. Like I've said before, I owe a lot to my friend Bailey. I had connected with her back in January 2015 for help. I needed someone to kickstart my health. She encouraged me to sign up for another half marathon with a training schedule in hand so that it would go A LOT better than my first one. She helped me with my nutrition and introduced me to IIFYM, which is amazing! She has also been there for support and answering all my silly questions. 

Thank you, Bailey!!

This is Bailey and I after the race too!

And I'll end it with a selfie with my cutie pie :)

Busy Busy Busy

I don't know about you guys but this summer has been so busy and going by so fast! I can't believe this weekend will be August! I thought today I would update y'all on my life. 

I recently accepted a new position at a pediatric office and I am excited to see what that'll bring for me. I am still working out but I have fallen in love with lifting weights and so on days that I need to get my runs in.. it's so boring and I don't much enjoy it as much. My half marathon is next weekend, I am excited and I'm not really running it for time but more as just finishing it. I am looking forward to have that behind me so that I can really focus on weights and becoming stronger. 

I have also been busy with my Advocare business, I can't believe how much it took off! I am really proud of everyone reaching out to me and wanting to learn more about it. It is such an amazing company to be a part of and I can't thank my sponsor Amanda enough for all the help she has given me! I got my order of Slam and Lemon Cake Shake... they're both SO good. I can't believe they're only here for a limited time! I also did just purchase my 24 Day Challenge this morning. My sister Bren got hers last week and is SO excited and determined, I am SO proud of her! 

This is Dillon and I on the lake a couple weekends ago, it was so beautiful out and our first time on the lake this year!!

We love when we go see my family- Starbucks and sitting out by the lake :)

And heres my love bug, life wouldn't be as great without him in it. He is so supportive of everything I do and I couldn't be more lucky!

Why Advocare?

So a lot of you have reached out to me about Advocare, which is AMAZING and I am so happy you did! I have a passion for helping people become happier, healthier, and more confident in their skin so I decided to become a distributor for Advocare. I have seen great results with their products and would recommend it to anyone. Advocare is really a great company that has many great products, they're an elite nutrition company with over 90 products. 

Some of the products that I have tried are Spark- which is amazing (pink lemonade is my fave) It gives me a clear mind and enough energy to make it through the day. I also use Catalyst, I take 3 before I workout because it helps eliminate fat and tone lean muscle. I have tried the chocolate mocha meal replacement shake, it was super yummy and creamy and filled with SO much protein. 

Some of the products I really want to try are the Lemon Cake Shake, the Slam, Sleep Works, Recovery. I cannot wait to start ordering some of these! 

If you have ANY questions about Advocare or are interested and want more information please please please feel FREE to contact me anyway

instagram: meganmichellejourney

:)

Avocado Mousse- YUM

It has been so busy lately so I apologize for the lack of posts BUT I do need to share an awesome, delicious, healthy recipe that my sister made me. 

Brenna came up for a couple nights to visit me and our other sister Amanda, it's been so great having her here!! We all got in our upper body workout this morning- we will be sore tomorrow, for sure. 

Anyway on to this recipe...

Avocado Mousse

4 ripe avocados

1/2 C. semi sweet chocolate chips

1/2 C. agave nectar

1/2 C. unsweetened cocoa powder

1/3 C. almond milk (we used Fairlife brand of regular milk)

1 Tbsp. pure vanilla extract

1/4 tsp. fine salt

fresh raspberries for garnish

Brenna also made some homemade whip cream, which consisted of heavy whipping cream, a spoon full of powdered sugar and a few drops of pure vanilla extract all whipped up! 

Please give this a try when you have a sweet tooth! It is a nice, creamy, rich, delicious dessert :) 

The Fourth and a nummy recipe

I hope everyone had a fun and safe Fourth of July! 

It was such a nice, long weekend for us. Dillon and I went on cruise on Gull Lake to see fireworks at Breezy Point, it was so much fun and definitely something different to do for date night! Saturday, we went to the parade, had BBQ at grandmas, and then finished the night with fireworks in Brainerd... I swear they have the best show- the fireworks are huge and right above where you sit, it's amazing! 

Today I made mason jar salads, I can't wait to try them and see how long they stay fresh. They're supposed to be good up to 7 days! You start by layering your dressing (any dressing you want), then your hearty vegetables (carrots, cucumbers, peppers, tomatoes, radishes etc), then softer vegetables (sprouts, mushrooms, onions, avocado), then anything like quinoa, rice, pasta etc, then your protein (meat, eggs etc), then on top is your lettuce mixture, nuts, and cheese if you want it! 

My sister Brenna also tried overnight oats this weekend and told me that they were SO good and she would definitely recommend them, so sometime this week I want to get the ingredients and give them a try and let y'all know how they are!

I also said I would let you know how my Zucchini bread was... well, it was DELICIOUS and a huge hit in this household! Here is the recipe

1/2 C. vanilla greek yogurt

1 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract

1 large egg

1/3 C. coconut oil

2 tbsp. honey

3 tbsp. very ripe banana (mine was about one banana)

1/2 C. lightly packed brown sugar (mine is a stevia brand)

1/2 C. oat flour (blended oats)

1 C. flour (mine is a GF flour)

1 tsp. baking soda

1/4 tsp. salt

1 tsp. cinnamon

1 C. lightly packed grated zucchini

1/2 C. dark chocolate chips (mine was enjoy life brand)

Preheat to 325 degrees and bake for 40-50 minutes

A friend was also asking about a Fig Balsamic Vinaigrette recipe that I have, so I would like to share that as well. It is good for salads, grilled veggies etc. 

2 tbsp. fresh squeezed orange juice

2 tbsp. Fig balsamic vinegar (Autumn Harvest brand is good)

1/4 tsp. dijon mustard

1/2 tsp. chopped thyme

1/4 C.  blood orange infused olive oil (Autumn Harvest brand is good)

salt and pepper to taste

It makes about a half cup

I believe those brands you can find in some grocery stores or Amazon. 

Another one for regular homemade Balsamic Vinaigrette is

1/3 C. olive oil

2 tbsp. balsamic vinager

1/2 tbsp. red wine vinegar

1 clove garlic (minced or pressed)

1/4 tsp. ground mustard

1 tbsp. lemon juice

I will keep finding dressings too, it's always nice to have some in your recipe book :)