15 Things on Memorial Day

Happy Memorial Day! 

1. Today is about remembering those who have scarified everything! This day is always a hard day in our house as we know lots of great people who's lives ended abruptly for the freedom of others.  To two of our close friends who we miss every day. RIP

Thomas Echols

Justus Bartelt

And to those who are left behind to carry on without their heroes

We will always remember!

 I know that was a heavy way to start but today deserves it!.....

2. This week I was working on my computer and took a screen shot....

Blogging, Body Jam and Music.... I love everything on this picture! Well except G's shorts...is anyone else with me on those things??!

3. This week I got the opportunity to judge Dance Team tryouts with two other lovely ladies....We had more laughs then anyone should have in a day and apparently if you want to be a good dance judge you need to show up with coffee.... 

4. Malia lost another tooth this week as a result of a (gluten free ) chocolate chip cookie. The tooth fairy will be going broke at this house!

5. Can I just say my girls are trying to bring the jean jacket back.....

They Make it look good!

6. So it swim suit time....and I made muffins I can't stop eating...This is not good for my pool look!

7. Our good friend Tyler came over to hang out....I think he got more then he bargained for....

Although from his smile I am pretty sure he had a good time.

8. Perhaps the best moment of the week.....

Getting drunk at lunch on a Wednesday always makes the week better! Thank goodness for such great friend!

9. I would like to wish the Happiest of Birthdays to one of the sweetest and most sincere ladies I have ever had the pleasure of knowing! And I am doubly blessed as I get to work closely with her! Thank you so much Melissa for being such a great friend! I count myself blessed to know you! Even if you kicked my butt in class today! 

Happy Birthday +Melissa O'Toole  !!!!

10. While on the discussion of work .... I LOVE my job! I walked into spin the other day and found this sign one of the members had made just to mess with the instructor.... 

Don't worry she retaliated with her own sign for the class objectives... #3 being to make Dave throw up and then proceeded to leave a trash can in front of his bike! 

Really I have the best job!!!!

11. So our building is getting painted and the painters covered our windows with paper. By the 4th day of no sunlight I was going crazy so Steve gave me a little peak outside....

I REALLY wish I could have seen the painters face the next day they climbed the ladder .... hahahaha

12. If anyone has a young child who they need a brilliant Halloween Costume for ( yes I know it is way early ) Can you PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE do this!!!! 

13. 

Took a nap with Ava this weekend....Although doesn't really look like she napped much!

14. 

Training teams start next Monday! DON'T miss this opportunity! All the attention of personal training in a team environment so you can all cuss your coaches together! You will see results in your fitness! Email me with any questions! amcneil@macrichmond.com  Let's make this happen for you! 

15. Since I have already invested two hours into kicking my butt today I am off to lay by the pool with great friends and perhaps partake in some sips.... 

Cheers 

~A

Food Friday

I've been very busy with recipes this week...

So let's get to all the yumminess 

This week included Cranberry Brussel Sprouts, Omelets, Beef soup, Pasta with meat sauce, and Chocolate Pudding! Yes the pudding is delicious AND healthy! 

Coconut Pancakes

Coconut Pancakes

3 eggs
1 mashed banana
Vanilla
cinnamon
1 tbs coconut flour

So who doesn't like some pancakes on a weekend morning! Who wants the overly full feeling and to have that nagging voice in your head - should you REALLY have had ALL those pancakes and with ALL that syrup?!?! AND BUTTER!?!? Well sometimes the answer needs to be a really loud YES!!! This recipe saves me every time! Let's think about it- I'm eating 3 eggs a banana and little coconut-I'm ok with all of that! I'm even ok with spreading a little coconut butter on top and topping with fresh fruit or 100% maple syrup! The pancakes are a little denser then traditional pancakes but you are FULL and oh so satisfied!

Beef Soup

Beef Soup

Beef ( I prefer grass feed no shit added to my cows organic beef -there is a world of difference! )

Celery 

Carrots

tomatoes

onion

seasonings

SUPER EASY! 

Chop all the above up

I added 8 cups of water ( adjust accordingly to amount you are making ) 

Let simmer for a few hours

DONE!

I put fresh Kale in my bowl and then spoon the soup over top. Let it sit for about 5 mins and  the broth flash cooks the Kale and makes the perfect soup. You of course can add other things peas, potatoes, okra, squash .zucchini. ect. I love to take all the veggies I can find and just throw them in. Always turns out delicious!

Cranberry Brussel Sprouts

Cranberry Brussel Sprouts 

Put Cranberries, Burssel Sprouts, & Coconut oil in a large bag and toss

Put in Pan 

Bake at 350 for about 20-30 min.

Top with walnuts and cook 5 more minutes.

TaDa some of the most delicious brussel sprouts EVER! In fact +Seo Kelleher  couldn't stop eating them! 

So my last recipe to share this week is 

Chocolate Avocado Pudding

I know it sounds nasty and you want to make this face 

But really its delicious! And without a side of guilt how can you go wrong?

You need:

1-2 Avocados 

1-2 mashed bananas ( not overly ripe, i.e . don't save your rotting bananas for this ) 

Coco powder

a dash of vanilla

dash of coconut milk

Honey ( the amount is up to your taste buds ) 

Combine all ingredients together in a food processor, and enjoy! 

I wasn't sure what to expect but 1 bite and I was all

This stuff is even kid approved

Chocolate Avocado pudding and strawberries!

So this week while I was cooking I had 3 major thoughts...

1. One of my favorite and least favorite parts of prepping food for people is cutting the peppers. Always takes the longest! But it is by far one of my favorites when it is done

Call me weird but I love all the colors! Perhaps one of my favorite things about cooking is all the brilliant colors and watching them come together to make something AMAZING!

2. Cooking can be quite the workout. Just from cutting up this steak

My forearms were THROBBING! ( I use scissors to cut most meats, I've been doing it since I was a nanny easiest way to get things bite size for kids and it is just habit now. ) 

3. Am I brave enough to post a picture of my fridge?!?! 

This is right after my morning of cooking....

Anyone else brave enough?!?! I dare you! :)

Have a great weekend! And If you have any wonderful recipe ideas send them my way, I'm feeling creative!

~A

My girls are Crazy-Awesome!

I don't even know where to begin with these silly little ladies, this week! There have been moments I am convinced my children have lost ALL common sense or really any sense at all . I believe it is in the air as I have heard from plenty of other mothers that their children have simply lost it in one form or another this week.... 

Malia got to go on a field trip to Monticello

Excited doesn't even begin to explain her emotions! When she got off the bus the day before the field trip she prepared EVERYTHING as soon as she got home, clothes, lunch, snack, travel items, relaxing station for when she got home ( since she would be exhausted from her full day). Then she asked if she could go to bed early?!?! It was over the top ridiculous and oh so precious to watch. 

So the Next morning I wake her up and she literally JUMPS out of bed looks at me and said, " Mom I'll get dressed while you go put my cereal and milk in a bowl I'll be right in" 

Wait WHAT?!?!

I shake my head as I walk in the kitchen. Ava is sitting on the counter, looks at me and says, " Mom when I have a boyfriend I need to make sure I have a back up!" It is 8am in the morning why am I having this conversation with a 6 year old?!?!

We finally get Malia to school, she jumps out of the car and starts speed walking to the buses. Finds her teacher and then her field trip buddy and I don't even get a bye :( 

I squeezed Ava's hand a little tighter and started walking away, when did my baby get so big? Then I feel this HUGE hug from behind and Malia is there with a kiss and I love you mom! And my heart melted!

Ava requested, since we had a little time before she had to be at the bus stop, that we have a mom and Ava coffee date. Well who am I to turn such a request down, so off to Starbucks we went. As we pull out of the school parking lot Ava said, "mom, let's go to the one from the good ol' days when I was in preschool" ( Last year when Ava was in preschool 1 morning a week we would stop on the way to preschool and have a "coffee" together ) So we of course headed to the Starbucks from the good ol' days.

Afterwards it was off to school and I proceeded on with my day.

Jump to the end of the day and I am sitting at the bus stop waiting for Ava to get off the bus. 

The Bus pulls up and stops,

The Doors open

and off walks STRUTS Ava singing the Star Spangled Banner at the TOP of her lungs.

I mean really what do you even do with that?!?!

After a quick snack Ava and I headed up to the school to get Malia. We find her rather quickly and head home. As we are driving away from the school I asked Malia the normal questions,

Did you have a good time? Yes

What was your favorite part? The Gift Shop! OH YAY!!!! It was AWESOME!!!!

and cue educational fail! HAHAHA

And that was part of a day with them! 

This has been quite a week with them, one of the I love them most when they are sleeping weeks, and it is only Wednesday! But they keep me laughing and they keep life interesting! So in spite of the craziness and the alcohol consumption they encourage with their behavior, I'm so thankful for my crazy little ladies!

~A

This Monday I have 15 things for you!

1. FREE CLASSES!!!! COME VISIT MY FRIEND AND I AT OUT TEMPORARY LOCATION!!! FREE CLASSES!!!! 

 The Shops at 5807

I have Teamed up with CO2 Fit and we have a temporary location to do all sorts of fun stuff! We are offering several classes over the next few weeks. You can reserve your spot here ! Make sure to also look under special events for more classes. (Class must have a minimum of 3 people ) Hope to see you!

2. Happy Birthday to my Girl Tammy! I hope it is amazing my dear! Wish we could celebrate before our breakfast date next week! Love ya!!!

3. I got together this morning with a couple lovely ladies and we worked out together just with something I made up. We had fun ( I think you ladies did right?!?! ) But man I was ready to yell at myself :)! Next time I will take a picture! It really was THE BEST way to start Monday! Thank you Kim and Chrissie for joining me!

4. Thank you to this amazing lady ....I FINALLY made hard boiled eggs that would peel! SUCCESS!!!! THANK YOU +Jennifer!!!!

5. I am currently making a list of recipes

 I will be trying tomorrow (or later this week) anyone heard of any good ones I should try?

6. This is me in my 8 year olds rain coat!!! WHY Does it fit me?!?!  hahahah

7. I have a dog named Jane, I took her running....This was me after our run 

This was Jane

HAHAHA

8. So this weekend Steve took out a sliding glass door that was the wall on one side of our living room and built a wall and put french doors in. I looked for a picture of what it use to look like and I couldn't find one but this is what it looks like now.... 

Sorry this picture is so dark my camera was being stupid.....

I LOVE LOVE LOVE the change and am so appreciative that he spend his whole weekend putting in these doors!

9. 

 I mean the sign says it all! But if you are looking for something to take you to your next fitness level, look no further! Sessions start June 3rd and run for 6 weeks! This program has changed my fitness QUICKLY!!!! I would SO love to train with you! email me at Amcneil@macrichmond.com for more info! ( I know a few people who should be doing this , and you don't have to be a member at the MAC, so don't make me call you out!!! )

10. I am currently making a bucket list of all the cool workout classes I want to try this summer. This is my list so far....

-SUP with +nicole gelineau 

-SUP Yoga

-Crossfit with +Jennifer 

-Aerial Yoga ( anyone know where I can try this?!?! ) 

-Jumpology class

Anyone have any other great ideas?!?!

11. This weekend I helped host the CO2 Challenge in RVA. Even though it was raining in the morning we had SO much fun! 

THANK you to everyone who joined us! We are already looking forward to our next one! 

12. Have you seen this Jimmy Fallon Skit?!? 

Our family is doing this at our next get together! Anyone have any good song suggestions?!?!? This girl needs to practice!!

13. I mad some delicious coconut pancakes for myself this weekend 

14. Happy Birthday to Julia! ( Or as the girls still refer to her Baby JuJu who isn't a baby anymore) We miss her and the rest of her family so much and don't get to see them hardly ever. But LOVE them like family!

 Happy Birthday Julia! Can't believe you are 6 already! We Love you!!! Smooches!!!!

15. Sunday morning walk with my baby

SOMEBODY woke us up too early!!!!

I will see you tomorrow!!!!

~A