Mean Green Juice Recipe!

Aloha! Some of you have asked for this recipe, so I thought it would be best to dedicate a blog post for the almighty "Mean Green Juice"  that our family loves.

This is where I originally got my recipe, and changed it up to what works for us!

handful spinach
2-3 stalks of kale
2-3 granny smith apples (any apples, really)
small handful parsley
1/2 lemon*
1-2 cucumbers
*A few quick/personal notes:

1. Start by using half a lemon and do a taste test once you juice it all and stir.  The first time Rob and I did this with a whole lemon, it made our mouths water. It was very tart.  (and I typically like sour)

2. Peel(I use a potato peeler) or slice off lemon rind leaving some of the white pith

3. To juice small leaves such as parsley/spinach, roll them up into a ball to compact the leaves. I like to follow it up with some apple or cucumber(more water content) so it doesn't get stuck and pushes through easier. Brilliant right? ;)

4. I like to add green grapes or kiwi (if I have them) to make it sweeter OR if I am low on apples

Since I juice for all 3 of us, I actually have doubled this recipe and it makes about 24-30 oz (depending on how big the cucumbers and apples are)

Currently we are using pears instead of apples, and it definitely isn't as sweet.  I recommend adding 1-2 kiwis to balance out the flavor.

Why I love juicing?

So many reasons! 

1. Of course, it's super healthy for you.  This is a guaranteed way for us to make sure we are meeting our fruit/veggie count.

2. Energy boost, with no crash. No "Red Bull", "Rock Star", or "5 Hour Energy" in our house. Don't even need that afternoon coffee break. All we need is some nourishment and hydration from our vitamin-enriched Mean Green Juice!

3. Great "snack".  We eat 5-6 smaller meals throughout the day and are all about portion control.  This is a great "snack time" replacement.  After Breakfast/Before Lunch (Rob's fave)  or After lunch/Before Dinner (aka when Lex starts to get restless and is dreaming about Reese's Peanut Butter Cups or Cookies'n'Cream ice cream)  It's filling and quite refreshing!

Just to be clear, this is not a "meal replacement" of any sort.  If you want to drink this alongside one of your main meals, that's great too! Trade in that sugary-loaded Diet Coke for a glass of this amazing-ness.

The juicer that we use is the Jack LaLanne Juicer that we bought from Costco a few years back. They still sell it there for $90!  Such a great invesment, and Costco has the best warranty/return policy.  If you plan to juice for a few days, try to use a glass container to keep the juice longer.  It's true that it's best to drink it right after making it, but let's be real. Ain't nobody got time for dat!  I juice enough for 2 days, and juice every other day.  I hit the jackpot and found this awesome glass jug on Amazon and bought 2!  Amazon Prime is my weakness, haha.

Please let me know if you think of any other juicing questions, and let me know what you think if you decide to try it.  Our little Sofie is obsessed and always asks for it after nap time, " Joo Joo Joo" and chugs it. No joke. She is our mini health nut.

Until next time,

Lex

18 months aka 1 Year & a half ;) and some Baby mama Lex stats

Oh nap time, how I love thee! Time to give a MAJORLY overdue Sofia update.  Little love had her 18 month well check yesterday and she had 1 last shot. Boy, was she pissed.  She got over it 5 minutes later and said "Oh wow!"  This is her new thing.  We bought her a Step2 Sand & Water Table from Costco, and she has been obsessed with it and started to say "Oh, wow!"  I wonder what she will say when we actually put sand & water in it and let her play in the backyard, hehe.

 

 

Thanks for setting it up, Daddy!

Here are some stats/new Sofie-isms

Age: 18 months/1 year and a half :)

Stats: 24 lbs 2 oz & 32.68 in tall. Blue eyes & Golden brown hair with some natural highlights

Teeth:12 goin on 14, 2 very stubborn bottom teeth

Favorite Foods: Mean Green Juice, all day! String cheese, mostly all fruit, not big on veggies, but loves the "Baby food pouches" with Kale, Pear, Apple, & Mango

Favorite Word:Uh oh! Also says mama, dada, hello, "oh wow", signs "more" and makes sounds/signs for Elephant, Doggy, Tiger, & Monkey. Says "cheese!" to indicate smiling, haha. Lotsa gibberish too.

Favorite Toys: Non-toys, of course! Sand & Water table, baby stroller and baby, magnets, any type of ball or music maker.

Favorite Activities: Going to the park (yay slide!), playing outside, Little Gym, bath time, running everywhere, reading books, playing at the gym child care, singing to "Frozen" & "Tangled" and ticklefest with daddy.
Other Favorites: Clapping, doing moves to Itsy Bitsy Spider, Wheels on the Bus, and twirling to Hokey Pokey, Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood, Pixar movies, and Mickey Mouse Clubhouse! Playing peek-a-boo with her blanky. Playing with Riley. Climbing on everything. Being spun around and thrown in the air.  Our child is a daredevil!
What's new? Mostly covered it.  In general, talking more and understanding what we communicate to her.  She is starting to be more affectionate, and Rob and I could literally melt.  Hugging our necks and giving "kisses" at bed time. Having a more solid schedule, until those teeth come around! Started her in Little Gym a few months ago and her balance and climbing skills are getting good! She loves to do a "front roll" somersault. 

My, do our babies grow so fast, here is a quick pic for a comparison:

3 days old versus 18 months old, le sigh

Oh and how could I forget?  No more bottle or binky! I really lucked out with having such an independent child.  Just like with nursing, I slowly weaned her off the bottle first.  The binky was a little harder, especially when she was getting 4 teeth at once!  Well, only 2 that actually broke all the way through.  I stood my ground and just kept her as comfortable as possible,with lotsa mama TLC. Over all, it was easier than I anticipated. 

Other than that, we have been a bunch of busy bees. We have a pretty consistent routine of gym time in the a.m., Little Gym/Library/play dates or errands after and 1 solid nap during mid-day, which is when I catch up on work emails and housewife/mama duties. Sofie has had a few sleepovers at Papa/Gamber's and that has been a real treat.  It was hard the first time, and I'm pretty sure I packed everything she owns...haha. #FTMprobs

Here are some pictures of what we have been up to:

Her fave slide @ Roadrunner Park

Going to the park is her FAVE!

Cousin day with Karlie.  Don't mind us, just singing Frozen... :D

We also managed to go to the Zoo a few times, and now that summer is here, I can't wait to get some splash pad action!

With some of our Little Gym peeps: Ezekiel, Vinny, & Emma

Mean muggers: Sofie, Lily, & Addi

"Look Ma, a giraffe!"

And of course, play dates galore.  This child is like the energizer bunny, I swear it.

BFF time with Lily! Finally got a pic where both are looking and happy.

Kids Club @ San Tan

Play date with our new friend, Emma.  They are a month a part.  Who is who on the top right??

"Baby Brain" class @ Basha Library

Climbing UP the slide, ay yi yi

Being silly together is what we do

"Little Gym" with these adorable "birds"

Some people ask me what I "do" when I stay home.  All of the above and then more.  Being cooped up at home with a very active toddler will make anyone go a little loco.  I absolutely love taking her to new places and meeting new friends. So blessed that I can do that with her at this age.  I wouldn't trade it for the world!

Here are some other randoms:

She likes when mama paints her toes; such a girly girl sometimes!

Matching toes!

"Daddy, can I drive the truck?"

Us every morning, going to our spot: Mountainside Fitness.

Watching *more* Frozen and eating yogurt.

So yeah, I think I've brought us up to speed on the last 4 months.  Rob and I have truly been immersed in our healthy lifestyle with prepping meals, more trips to Sprouts for fresh produce, and making time to exercise.  I'm happy to say that it's paid off for both of us.  This is something I have been passionate about and it has been humbling to "get back to" my pre-baby body.

I gotta be honest, I don't know how accurate that statement is.  Though I "lost" all the weight, it definitely didn't go back the same.  This isn't a bad thing, it just means that it was distributed differently and every person has a unique body/metabolism.  Anyway,  I want to share my progress finally.  Though I was a little unsure about sharing the "before" pic....I remember getting pumped up and motivated by seeing other moms (or anyone who made the decision to get healthy & fit) posting before/after pics.

No more tankini tan, please! Haha

For me, it was all about the journey.  It had it's ups & downs.  Sometimes I would think about how "unfair"  it was when I saw moms that looked like they have never given birth and sport a 2 piece bikini without giving it a thought, while playing with their newborn.  But, the truth is that every body is different. That skinny mini can't help that she has a thinner frame and fast metabolism, just like I can't help that I am 5'4 with a "booty". I got it from my mama ;)

  I accept my body for what it is and work with what it. Those last 7-10 lbs took me the longest to shed, man oh man.  For those of you asking what I have been doing, it actually comes down to incorporating weight training with high intensity cardio.  I find that it's what works best for me. I model my weight training after the Jaime Eason 12 week trainer.

I actually started the program last year, and only made through the end of Phase 2. I can probably tell you a few excuses on why I slowly fell off that band wagon, but it doesn't really matter.  I hopped back on the horse and I did what works for me and my schedule.  For cardio, I tend to do interval training on the treadmill (hate the treadmill). Jog at a good pace, 1 min sprints here and there.  Just enough to get my heart rate down and then back up.  The heart is the most important muscle you have, and you can train it just like you can train your triceps!  I love the Tabata class at my gym, but mostly do T25 or Turbo Fire at home to blitz through some cardio. Sometimes I will do some Power Yoga at the gym. And maybe one day I will take a spin class (idk why I am such a weenie with that)

Oh, and of course, healthy eating.  Rob and I loosely follow the "80/20" rule.  Eat clean 80% of the time, and not-so-healthy the other 20%.  This means a "cheat meal" here or there.  Indulging in dessert when the opportunity presents itself (ummm, Billy Miner Pie @ The Keg please!) and drinking a glass of red wine or a vodka press....or 2....  I think there is a misconception that we are super strict and don't enjoy food/drinks.  We have fun with the healthy foods we make and we switch things up when they get boring. Thank you "80/20 rule"!  Can you guess what our cheat meal is?  PIZZA

 

Anyway, I think that's a big enough bread crumb to drop on this journey.  Things we are looking forward to are:

1. Going to Rocky Point May 1-5 for much need R&R poolside/beachside

2. We are getting a pool! Should be done in 3 months with plenty of AZ Summer left

3. Easter, birthdays, Mother's Day, etc (hopefully I update before then?)

4. Livin' this blessed life

Ok that last one was cheesy.  But seriously, you only have one life; make it a happy, healthy one.

Until next time,

Lex

Why, hello 2014...

Dangit, has it really been almost four months since I did a legit blog update? Oops! I have been saving a draft for months....the intention has been there. ;)

It's safe to say that the 3 of us took turns being sick (more than once) for the greater part of December and trickled into the 1st week of January.  Merry Christmas & Happy New Year to us! C'est la vie, and sometimes you just roll with the punches.  We made the best of it and still managed to spend time with family and absolutely loved watching Sofie soak up all the wonderful holiday festivities.  We did an early celebration at Papa & Gamber's house that included lotsa laughs and ornament-making.  My side of the family had fun making tamales on Christmas Eve, all of us were able to be together for a late lunch & our gift exchange.  Then it was off to G-ma Bea's house for more food, gifts, & a fun game of "Battle of The Sexes"  We let the guys win, how sweet of us right? Hahaha

Gingerbread house tradish

Christmas Eve outfit to ensure she stays on the "Good List"

Christmas Morning!

 We also took a weekend trip to visit two of our best friends, Bre & Jason. Sof got to play in the snow for the first time and she loved it!

Once Rob & I finally got rid of our sickness, and ever-so-lingering cough, we did what everyone else does in January and started to eat clean & get back into our active lifestyle.  One incentive was to get "beach body" ready for the gorgeous beaches of Maui! We went to Maui in the beginning of February and it was our first trip without our little munchkin.  My wonderfully talented salesman of a hubby earned his spot (for the 4th time, ahem) to go to his company's President's Club trip.  5 days & 4 nights, all-expenses paid to stay at the new and gorgeous The Andaz Maui at Wailea. It was wonderful to celebrate his accomplishments and just relax.  Not to mention it was probablly the nicest resort we have ever stayed at.  It was a much-need getaway, but I was totally missing my sweet girl.  Becoming a mommy sure does change you! In a good way, though. Hehe.  We are so lucky and thankful to all the grandparents & Auntie Shay shay that pitched in to help.  She did amazing, of course. Miss Independent.

Black Sand Beach on our way to Hana was soooo cool

Gorgeous resort: Andaz Maui

The view on our morning run.

Coco wired. Lava Flows are so 2010! Hehe

Beach babes

 We took Sofie to Disneyland for the first time in the beginning of March!  So exhausting, but so much fun.  I seriously don't know how some parents co-sleep.  Don't get me wrong, I love those snuggles and I truly believe that you do what's best for YOU and your child/family. so no judgements here!  But man, we hardly slept and we had a very comfy king size bed! Anyway, we had a great day at Disneyland.  Gorgeous weather and enjoyed goin on rides. Waited in line to meet Minnie Mouse and it was so worth it! Sof was pointing, and when it was our turn; she clapped and giggled.  She is so silly, I seriously could have died from all the cuteness.

Went to San Diego before we hit up Disney

Walking from our hotel to Disneyland!

Minnie's House!

I just love her!

First Disneyland ride, before nap time hehe

My loves

And now it's April! We took a road trip to Carlsbad last week for grandma Bea's beach wedding.  I have never been and it's a super cute spot. Gorgeous weather and who doesn't love the beach?  Sleeping in a hotel was easier this time.  We waited until Little Miss was exhausted (around 10pm) and she slept in her pack'n'play until 6am.  I'll take it! Haha. 

Congrats to Bea & Tom! PS Cutest flower girl EVER!

Love my family!

Carlsbad Beach time

Co-sleep nap time might by a new fave ;)

Our 2014 is off to a great start! Our dedication to get back into our healthy lifestyle is solid.  It gets easier once all the small changes and "sacrifice" simply become a part of your daily routine and normal habits.  I am really impressed by Rob, he completed the T25 60 Day Challenge (only 25 min workouts!) and transitioned to Insanity: The Aslylum 30 Day Challenge.  Last week he finished Insanity: The Asylum Volume 2.  He also gave up beer, which I couldn't believe.  He says he doesn't really miss it. Wine or vodka press please! Haha

No excuses! Doing some exercises in our hotel in Carlsbad

We are a part of the "No Excuse" movement!  I follow and look up to fit mom Maria Kang aka No Excuse Mom.  It doesn't have to be just moms, it's anyone really.  Throughout Rob's long days at work, especially the end of the month (6am-midnight on the last day), vacations, birthdays, and any get togethers involving not-so healthy food and alcohol....he has really stuck to his guns.  I'm a proud wife.  It hasn't been easy, but that's what makes it worth it.  Everything is good in moderation right? Including Samoa cheesecake! Yum.

Enough about that, I wanna update about our sweet Sofia Rose. Today she is exactly 18 months old! Boy, does time fly.  I look at her and just see this spunky and happy little person. Can I just freeze time?

Adorable dress is from Lil Lainey Bug

I know this sounds silly, maybe cliché, but I really feel like my life didn't matter as much as it did until I became a mother.  It's like B.B.( Before Baby) and A.B. (After Baby).  Even though being a mom can be challenging, and exhausting at times; I would not have it any other way.  She is the reason for pushing myself to be the best version of myself.  My true inspiration.  Sofia Rose, I love you unconditionally and hope you always know that.  Thank YOU for being YOU and always putting a smile on my face.  Your daddy and I love you so very much, you're our favorite gift of all!

So, since this post took up most of nap time...I think I will have to do another post once we see her doc for her well check appointment.  Then I will have some good 18 month stats!

Until then, enjoy a few more pics of our precious little love:

Always being silly!

From our silly family to yours!

Until next time!

Lex