Morning routine, new cookbook, and self care!

Good evening, everybody! I hope you all had a great Monday and are at home relaxing. 🙂 I’m sorry this recap is coming at you a little late, but that’s better than never, right? 😉

Monday

I was up at 4AM to make it to the gym by 5 for an arm workout and cardio session. I used to struggle hardcore running on the treadmill, but I think all the strength training and OTF work outs have really helped me because I was able to push much farther than I thought I would today. I was at work by 7AM to get my assignment and prepare for the day.

Alaninu energy drink and Start Today journal

After I was done preparing for work, I had a few extra minutes so I sipped on my Alaninu and completed my Start Today journal. Most energy drinks make me feel jittery and honestly like my heart is going to pound out of my chest, but I don’t feel like that with these! Arctic White is my favorite flavor.

I had a verb bar on my way to the gym, oats over night after the gym, and an awesome lunch! Safe to say I was fueled super well today 🙂 Salads, fresh sandwiches and fruit, and pickles make for my kind of lunch.

We had a meal from our new cookbook for dinner, and I totally forgot to take a picture. It was a chicken and veggie stir fry and super delicious. It took such little effort and turned out great. Highly recommend Cook Once, Eat All Week!

Tuesday

Selfie before orange theory fitness class

5AM Orange Theory class day! I’ve seriously been loving these early work outs, and it helps me a lot to switch it up between the gym and OTF. I don’t get bored and have been looking forward to it most mornings. (I said most because I’m human and like to sleep)

Breakfast smoothie

As soon as I got home, I made my smoothie and headed to the shower. When I go to a 5AM OTF class before work, I have about 50 minutes to get ready for work. I drink my smoothie while I get ready which helps me not feel rushed and refuel after my work out. If you want something bad enough, you’ll make it happen 🙂

BBQ pineapple burger, chips, pickles for lunch

Omg lunch today was AWESOME. Red Robin catered a build your own burger bar. I put pineapple and bbq sauce on mine which is my absolute favorite way to make a burger.

Steak, roasted carrots and potatoes for dinner

Kyle made steaks on the stove, and I baked potatoes and carrots for dinner. SO GOOD. I put sliced carrots and potatoes on a sheet pan and drizzled them with avocado oil and nothing but the bagel seasoning.

Chance cuddled up at night

Chance was super cuddly when we went to bed, and we soaked up every minute! I think he gets claustrophobic because he usually can’t lay like this for too long, but he did tonight for some reason! We love our little guy so much.

Wednesday

Oats over night before work

I woke up this morning with a killer headache so I took my medicine and headed back to bed for a few hours. Kyle thought it was a good idea for me to have a rest day in the middle of the week anyways so I guess it wasn’t a total loss! Anyways, since I already made my oats last night for after my work out today, I went ahead and had them for breakfast so they wouldn’t be a waste! These are so easy to shake up and put in the fridge at night and have in the morning. I really encourage you to organize your things that you will need for your day the night before. Plan what you’re going to have for breakfast so you have something to look forward to. Set your workout clothes out so you can just put them right on when you wake up. Have your shoes out by the door and ready to put on. Pack your lunch and have it ready in the fridge to grab and go. Take a water bottle with you everywhere. Take the time to make your bed. Don’t hit snooze. Make your morning all about you. Invest in yourself.

Salad, vegetable soup, and bread

Panera was for lunch, and it was delicious! I love soup in the winter and their veggie soup hits the spot.

Broccoli rice and chicken casserole

But dinner was this awesomeness! It honestly doesn’t look very good, but it was delicious. It was a broccoli rice and chicken casserole from our new cookbook. I could not get enough of it!

Selfie in comfy clothes before spa

Then I got into my comfy clothes and headed to Heather Brown studio for my facial and wax. I get a facial that includes a dermaplane, and I am obsessed. My skin does so much better and my products work better when I get a dermaplane. It also feels super soft and actually glows afterwards.

Waiting room at spa

Isn’t her studio super cute?? If you’re in the Indy area, I highly recommend checking it out! She has multiple locations!

Thursday

Orange theory fitness class

I was up at 4AM for my 5AM OTF class. This class KILLED my arms.

I made my smoothie to have while I got ready and made a lemon ginger tea with extra lemon for the drive to work. This tea helps me with belly bloat and digestion and also clears up my skin! I used to drink it everyday but got out of the routine for some reason. Time to bring it back!

I am just now realizing that I essentially had the same thing for lunch and dinner. I had fajitas for lunch, and then Kyle and I went to Chili’s for dinner and split fajitas. I’m not complaining!

Friday

Selfie in mirror at planet fitness with water bottle

Today was another arm day plus cardio. My arms have always been the weakest part of my body so I am working hard to strengthen them!

Protein shake, applesauce, verb bar, and vitamins for breakfast

Protein shake, applesauce, verb bar, and vitamins. What more do you need? 🙂 I had my oats on the drive to the gym and this once I got to work.

Sunflower crunch salad and turkey sticks

Lunch was a salad (sunflower crunch) and turkey sticks. Aldi has multiple different salad kits which make it super easy to pack and have for lunch or dinner side.

Puppies playing with toys

When I got home, we packed up the car and headed to Klep’s house for the night! Klep and Kyle lived together in college and was in our wedding. He moved back to northern Indiana after school, and we still hadn’t seen his new house and wanted to make a trip before we moved. He has a sweet puppy named Anna, and her and Chance were best friends.

The dogs played for hours, and we watched Megan Leavy while we caught up. I can’t believe I’ve never seen this movie! It’s a true story about a marine who was a bomb dog handler. Their bond was amazing, and I cried the whole time (as you can see in the picture)! We went to bed around midnight which was wayyyy too late for me.

Saturday

We slept in, were lazy for a few hours, and then headed to lunch.

Fajita taco salad

I had an amazing fajita taco salad at this cute, little Mexican restaurant.

We drove to a park by Klep’s house to walk the dogs. It was so cold, but it was good to get some steps in. For us and the dogs! They were able to run around for about an hour because nobody else was there. Anytime Kyle and I yelled for Chance to come, he ran to us right away. It’s a good feeling knowing his training is paying off!

Ugg I can’t deal with their cuteness! Chance looks huge, and Anna was done with his ridiculousness so she curled up in the corner of the backseat. 😂

Steak and tater tots for dinner

We didn’t feel like going out for dinner so Klep grilled up some steaks and Kyle found tater tots in his freezer. We ate dinner, listened to music, and just talked for a while. It was really nice to all be together again.

It was around 7:30pm when we decided to head home. It was a quiet, rainy/snowy drive home. We listened to The Woman in the Window on audible and stopped for gas/drinks. Peep the knife on my knee that Kyle made me hold because I didn’t want to go into the gas station with him. 😂 We love listening to audiobooks on long drives! Once we got home, we went straight to bed.

Sunday

Donuts in the morning

Kyle woke up early and went to get donuts for our lazy morning! When we travel, I like being home for at least the whole day before we go back to work. It gives me more time to get organized and makes me feel less stressed! That’s why we decided to drive home late last night so we could wake up in our own bed. I’m so glad we did!

I ordered our groceries and went to my massage at noon. I don’t know why I hold so much tension in my shoulders, but I know it adds to my migraines. Massages every month help me so much plus it’s a great way to care for myself. I scheduled out an hour and money every month for it.

Iced coffee with almondmilk in the car

I picked up coffees for us on my way home since I was going to be meal prepping and Kyle is studying all day. I had an iced coffee with almondmilk, and Kyle had a white mocha.

Salmon and roasted potatoes and carrots

I made us a late lunch of salmon, potatoes, and carrots while I was meal prepping. It was super yummy and such an easy meal to make. I baked all of the food at 400 degrees for about 25 minutes. It all had nothing but the bagel seasoning and avocado oil on it.

We took Chance for a spin around the neighborhood before settling down with popcorn and House of Cards. I went upstairs to get ready for bed around 7:30. I know that sounds early, but if I want to get up at 4AM to work out and still prioritize my sleep, that’s what I have to do. And I love it.

Questions for you!

  1. What is your favorite part about your morning?
  2. What’s one thing you’re excited for this week?
  3. What is the biggest thing you do to get ready for the week/day?

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