Foodie Friday: Fruit Leather

General recipe for fruit leather:

1. Peel, core, and chop fruit. Taste the fruit and note its sweetness. If it's a little tart, you may add some sugar in the next step.
2. Place fruit in a large saucepan. For every 4 cups of chopped fruit, add a half a cup of water. Bring to a simmer and cover. Let cook on low heat for 10-15 minutes, until fruit is cooked through. Uncover and stir.
3. Mash up the fruit in the pan. Taste and deter what and how much sugar, lemon juice, or spices to add.
4. Continue to simmer and stir until any added sugar is completely dissolved and the fruit purée has thickened. This should take 5 to 10 minutes.
5. Put the purée through a food processor or a food mill (this may have to be altered) and taste again to adjust sugar/lemon/spices as needed. The purée should be very smooth.
6. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper, and pour in the mixture about 1/8 to 1/4 inch thick.
7. Place baking sheet in oven heated 140 degrees overnight, or about 8-12 hours. You will know the fruit leather is ready when it isn't sticky, but has a smooth surface.

Strong Is the New Skinny

plus-size

adjective

1. 1.

   (of clothing or people) of a size larger than the normal range.

   
   
2. When I first saw this, I had to do a double take. 
3. I am sure you have heard of a plus size model before and we all have our own idea of what plus size is. Never did I imagine that plus size would be the word to describe the model above.
4. 
   

I personally see a healthy woman; filled out in all the right places. A woman who takes care of herself. Maybe even an athletic build.

 

How on earth is this plus sized?

Our world is so screwed up because of the media. It constantly tells us how to wear our hair, what clothes to wear, and what our bodies should look like. It took me a long time to realize that skinny was did not mean beautiful. My focus was always on how skinny I could get or those size 0 jeans. Nowadays, strong is the sexiest thing in the world to me and that is exactly how I want to be-regardless of what size I wear, as long as I am healthy, working out, and eating a clean diet-I am happy.

I am ashamed of Cosmo for their poor choice of words.

Sure, this may be a plus sized model to them. In their world, anyways. 

All this talk of thigh gaps, collar bones, or bikini bridges makes me sick.

This is what our young girls read and look at and aspire to be.

The whole #thinspo movement has got to stop.

These are all the wrong messages and sadly the internet is floating with these memes and quotes.

Sometimes, I look back and cannot believe I used to think that this was sexy.

Wanna know what's really sexy? 

A woman who eats and eats right.

A woman who exercises to strengthen her body.

A woman who takes care of herself.

A secure woman.

A strong woman.

If plus size is now defined as anyone sized 0 or less, then by God, I am plus sized and PROUD. I have been a size 0 and never do I strive to be a zero again. I cant wait to get back into shape after baby and I am so excited that you have chosen to follow my journey and watch me do it. 

Hope this lifts all of you up and helps get rid of all of the unrealistic expectations that the media puts on us women. 

We are all beautiful.

We are all REAL women.

Remember this.

1. 
   

12 Days Left to Go!

UPDATE: My husband and I went for a little check up yesterday and learned that I am 1cm (barely lol) dilated. Our son is doing well and tried kicking the monitors off of my belly quite a few times! I cannot believe this pregnancy is almost over; I feel like I just announced it yesterday! He is still pretty high and has not dropped very much at all. We think he likes it in there and does not want to vacate! Haha. I thought my water had broken yesterday while I was running on the treadmill, but it turns out, our son is a prime soccer player because he likes to kick mom's bladder around! Ah! The joys of pregnancy.

Though, we are 12 days away from our due date, I would like for him to come on his own. I do not want to be induced. I am hoping for a 100% natural drug free labor and birth. Yes, no epidural or IV meds. No c-section. I realize things sometimes do not always go according to plan, but I am so happy to have my great husband by my side.

Upper Body Kettlebell Workout

If you know me personally, you KNOW I love my Kettlebells.

Here is a nice little Kettlebell workout from Pumps & Iron that I wanted to share with you guys.

This is similar to what I like doing, however, I use a much larger weight ;)

Source: http://pumpsandiron.com/2013/10/10/upper-body-kettlebell-workout/

Thirsty Thursday: Healthy Mocha Coffee Smoothie

1 frozen banana, 1 cup milk, 1 scoop chocolate protein powder, 1 packet instant coffee, 1 spoonful peanut butter, 1 large spoonful cocoa powder, Large handful fresh spinach, Large handful ice cubes