Summer Body Transformer 30 Day Challenge Update

Kudos to all you out there who are taking the challenge and working on creating a healthy fit body. Unfortunately for me the challenge has come to a halt about a week ago. The muscles I had damaged before are reactivated again with pain. A soccer injury to my knee in high school is also bothering me. I know what is best for me at this point is to listen to by body and it's not so gentle ways of letting me know this is not the right way to achieve what I was working for. Continuing to care for  my body and health is of high importance.  I hope to get back in touch with yogic practices, and this time I aspire to fully immerse myself into the yogic path for I'm waiting for my nirvana enlightenment. To each his own and a blessing to you to achieve what is most nourishing to your temple.

My daughter snapped this shot of my unknowingly. I'm sitting on a cove overlooking the Pacific Ocean at Baker Beach, San Francisco. My thoughts were casting all that no longer serves me into the ocean, and absorbing the natural energies around me to help find  my truth, peace, and purpose. Working with new moon energy & seeking.

~ Namaste ~

Santa Cruzin ~ A trip for Two

A week ago me and my husband embarked on a kid free adventure to one of my favorite cities along the coast Santa Cruz, C.A. Every time we visit I have a strong pull in my heart that we should be living here. The locals are so laid back and friendly and the atmosphere frees my gypsy spirit in ways I cannot describe. If  ever we could make this move I would not give it a second thought, until then a small travel we must endure.

Our adventure started off with us finding a place to stay overnight. Summer is Santa Cruz's hot season so finding a hotel near the boardwalk was not possible unless you have $295.00 per night for a little shanty hotel or motel. We ended up having a lovely overnight stay at Double Tree Hotel In Pruneyard Plaza about a 35 minute drive away from the boardwalk for a decent $99.00 on a Friday night.

 The entrance to the hotel.

Fresh cookies upon arrival, I couldn't  enjoy them because I have a slight walnut allergy, good thing they were labeled. A quick pic of our hotel room.

After we settled in we decided to drive down to the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, and enjoy the night life. We went on a few rides and enjoyed the Free Friday Night Bands on the Beach, an 80's group named FIXX was playing. They sing "one thing leads to another", and "saved by zero". We strolled the boardwalk and ended our night with dinner at  El Hermoso Mar  a Mexican restaurant located across the street from the arcade.

The next day the sun was shining birds were singing and we headed back down to the boardwalk. There is truly a different atmosphere during day and night.

 The lines were pretty long on Sunday quite a few events were going on. We did hop on a few rides and played pool in Neptune's Kingdom.

Instead of waiting in lines for our favorite thrill rides we took to the sand with a lovely breezy beach stroll from the end of the boardwalk to the Wharf.

View from the Wharf.

Seagull posing for the photo.

The sea lions basking in the sun.

No sailing  this time around but this is on my list of things to do.

Cowell Beach parking on the Wharf, vintage beach ride.

We watched a little bit of the Volleyball tournament and enjoyed Reggae music in the distance before we headed out to take the long drive home. There is so much more about this place we enjoyed and don't have photo's because in those moments they were thoroughly enjoyed without the phone out to snap memories.

{ This Moment }

{this moment} ~ A Friday ritual . A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. If you're inspired to do the same, visit SouleMama and leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments for all to find and see. 

Recycled Banner

 Last month  my youngest daughter turned 9 and had a camp out sleepover with a slight "One Direction" theme to it. Party supply stores are brimming with decor for any theme and occasion but they come at a hefty price at check out.  I started my wheels turning and went about the house collecting my recycled supplies. Here's what I made with what I found already on hand.

I had a few granola bar and caprisun boxes crushed and ready for the recycling bin so I decided the reverse non printed side would be good for my project.

I used a ruler to measure out triangles for the banner. This method made  two different sized triangles, the longer ones were used as labels wrapped around mason jars filled with make your own trail mix ingredients. (sorry I don't have a photo of that one)

After all the triangles are cut , I added letter stickers from the dollar store to spell out "Camp 1D". I used two different lengths of twine to hot glue the triangles onto. The middle triangle on the bottom has a picture of "One Direction"  I tore out from one of my daughters  magazines and glued on.

Here's the finished product.

An Impromptu Trip

I love  Fridays! Today holds extra excitement for me. I'm embarking on an impromptu trip to the coast. In all of our 15 1/2 years together my husband and I have never had a weekend getaway alone. Yes this is a kid free vacay, way over due. Our bag is  packed and all that's left to do is the daily house cleaning, drop  the kids off at Abuela's, wait for the hubby to get off  work and then we can ride into the sunset.

Summer Body Transformer 30 Day Challenge Intro

Summer has been in full swing with all it's blazing glory, and you know what that means right? Welcome to the season of less clothes and more exposed skin. I like to stay fit and healthy in general but it's been awhile since I've really worked out hard. In May I strained some muscles in my left shoulder and back that left me un-able to use weights for almost two months. I'm ready to get back in action and build some sexy muscles that I can flaunt at the beach and water park, seriously I have muscle tone envy of some body's I've seen.

A new 30 day challenge started yesterday called Summer Body Transformer 30 Day Challenge. The workout videos are available each day on YouTube. I've have day  2 under my belt already . I hope that by blogging my progress and some of my meal recipes I will stick with this.  Accountability is key for me to stay strong and motivated. So who is down to get fit with me? 30 days will come and go pretty fast but believe me you will definitely have something to show for it!

So here it is that "here in the now" before pic, complete with mommy stretchmarks and tubal ligation scar that looks like a second belly button. If your doing the challenge I suggest you take a before pic so you can see all your hard work and progress. Here's to gaining muscle tone and getting in healthy sexy shape.

Here's what I ate yesterday. I'm an Octo-Lavo Pescatarian Vegetarian, if that makes any sense.

. Morning coffee - 8 oz

. Water - 16 oz

. Breakfast        

                

STRAWBERRY BANANA KALE SMOOTHIE

Recipe : blend together 1 cup almond milk, 1 cup strawberries, 1 leaf kale, and 1 frozen banana

CALORIES= 259  CARBS= 58  FAT= 4  PROTEIN=4

. Slimming Ginger mango Water - 16 oz
. Snack - 1 tbsp MaraNatha Almond Butter

. Lunch - Pasta Salad 1 1/2 cups
. Water - 16 oz

. Snack - Lemonade Monster Rehab

. Dinner - Green salad with veggies , chopped "Gadein" beefless tips, and Honey Mustard dressing
. Water- 16 oz

 Some days I eat more than others . It has been 100 degree days lately so I eat light.

 If your looking for a new workout challenge are wanting to get fit I hope you give it a try. Let me know so we can do this together! Have a happy healthy rest of the week.

W.I.C Meal Planner & Food Guide

Summer break has hurled me into chaotic unorganized days on end. I seriously do forget what day it is. Did I mention I'm a mother of four children age ranged from 13 yrs- 3 yrs old? Oh yes I would love to be one of those mother's with pearls and a pretty apron with an immaculate house and meals ready at a set time, calling June Cleaver. My truth is I make do with what I got and I'm pretty crafty about it if I do say so myself.

We are a one income family getting back on our feet, and all praises to  the universe that our situations have changed for the better. I participate in a county & community based program called W.I.C. WIC is a federally-funded health and nutrition program for women, infants, and children.  WIC helps families by providing checks for buying healthy supplemental foods from WIC-authorized vendors, nutrition education, and help finding health care and other community services. 

How grateful was I that at my last appointment these meal planner and food guides were available to take and use. These have really helped me to get organized and stay more on track with providing healthy whole meals for the kiddo's. 

If you participate in W.I.C. ask if they have these available. You get a whole thick pad full and they are two sided one with your menu and other side with guide. You may also right click and save to your computer for printing. If you feel that W.I.C. services may benefit you and your family follow this link Woman,Infants,Children

~ Salud & Namaste ~

Wise Words To Live By