I’m going strong on Day 4 of the 21 Day Fix.  Thus far, this program has seemed very sustainable.  I’m not hungry and I am exploring new options to fit into my allotted containers each day.

One thing that I really enjoy is being able to dip veggies and being able to cover my salad with dressing — but of course, this isn’t the healthiest option.  I used both of my orange containers for my Cheeseburger Salad, but I knew I needed for find another alternative so I can use those orange containers for other goodies!  So, I created my own, protein-packed, creamy Ranch.  It’s perfect for dipping or for topping a salad.  And, since it’s a protein, it’s a red container food — meaning I can have half of a red container with veggies for a snack and then use the other half later on a salad for one red container!  It’s perfect.

I love this Ranch and I think I’ll continue to use it even with I’m not on the fix!  I stored mine in the fridge in glass mason jars, but you could always just reuse the cottage cheese container as well.  This makes a LOT of dip/dressing — and the best part is, it’s okay to eat a lot of it too! 🙂

You probably thought this blog was defunct.  It’s not.  We’ve just been busy.  But I’m recommitting to the blog this Fall — along with recommitting to healthy eating.  On Saturday, I started the 21 Day Fix and while I’m only on Day 3, I think this is a diet that will actually be sustainable — more of a lifestyle change than a diet long-term.

I signed up to be a Team BeachBody Coach as well (mostly to receive the discount) but if you’re interested in any of their products or workout plans — or even becoming a coach yourself — please let me know.  I’d love to be a part of your journey.  I also setup a new Instagram account @Stickyfeetfitness where I’ll be taking photos and sharing recipes each day if you’d like to follow me there.

My friend Jamie is doing the fix with me — so it’s nice to have someone to chat with about recipes, questions, etc.  I’m also in a competition with my husband’s best friend, Owen.  We are going to Las Vegas with him and his wife in November and whomever loses the most weight (based on percentage) is buying the other couple a couple’s massage.  Now there is some motivation!

Since I’ve had kids, I’ve done a pretty good job of exercising consistently — my main issue is food.  It’s just too easy to eat their leftovers, take them out for donuts and ice cream, and to make cookies on a rainy, dreary afternoon.  And the truth is, I still plan to do all of those things… (okay, maybe not eat their leftovers…)…  It’s just going to be a little bit more planned and less of a whim.

I had this salad on Saturday evening when the rest of the family was having hamburgers off the grill with coleslaw and baked beans.  This salad was just as satisfying and I didn’t feel deprived.  Total breakdown is 1.5 red, 2.5 green, 1 blue, 2 orange for the whole salad.  Delicious and satisfying!

I made the Dijon Vinaigrette the day before and stored it in the fridge.  You could use just one orange container, but I wanted my salad with lots of mustardy dressing to add to the cheeseburgerish flavor.

It’s been a bit of a draught around here lately.  I have lots of ideas for posts but it just hasn’t made my to-do list!  Look for some new restaurant reviews and recipes after Christmas.

From our family to yours, Merry Christmas!

Anna and Clara recently celebrated their 4th birthday!  It’s impossible to me that I have 4 year olds!  It feels like they were just born yesterday (and like I’ve known them forever)!  They chose a pink and purple butterfly theme so I tried to carry that through all of their parties (you can see more about their birthday celebrations on my family blog).

Since we were going with a pink and purple theme, I thought pink strawberry cupcakes would be perfect.  These cupcakes have a great strawberry flavor and are very easy to pull together — which is a good thing!  I made 4 batches of these cupcakes two days before their birthday.  We took cupcakes to school, cupcakes for their pizza party, and then more cupcakes for their family party.  I was the cupcake queen for a few days! 🙂

I made the butterfly picks for the cupcakes.  I used this butterfly punch with pink cardstock and then glued two of the butterflies on to a toothpick using glitter glue.  I originally found the idea on Pinterest.

I promise this will be the last sweet treat for awhile.  For those of you battling New Year’s goals and resolutions like me – even looking at a cake like this can quickly cause us to gain 5 pounds! 

I made this bundt cake several months ago when I took dinner to my friend, Tenille, after she had her fourth baby (4 year-old twins, a just turned 2 year old, and a baby — she’s got her hands full!). 

I love this cake because it’s easy to prepare and quickly dresses up a boxed cake mix to make it more appealing.  It can be iced, but I prefer it plain with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.  And like all sweet treats, this cake has my trio’s seal of approval.