2 week healthy meal planning

So being a mom of two it can be really difficult to exercise/take the time to meal plan. It's become way too easy to drive through McDonalds and get a happy meal for Gab and dollar menu for momma when we are on the go or Chic Fil A #2 with American cheese and a sweet tea ;) And staying home all day with the girls is wonderful, but those days when nothing gets done because I literally have a 2 year old tornado running through my house destroying everything I attempt to do--they typically end up with homemade chocolate chip cookies to keep my sanity :)

Buuttt....here we are after two pregnancies and momma has gained a few extra pounds...ok a lot of extra pounds :) I have no more excuses when my mirror and camera is showing me someone I never thought I would be! Yes I just had a baby- 3 months ago. Yes, I am nursing so I'm supposed to eat more calories. BUT that doesn't mean I can eat whatever I want and expect to look like I did when Dave and I were first married. SO when Dave lost 20 pounds from doing advocare, I decided it's time for me to get my health back. So I'm starting with 2 weeks of eating purely healthy and taking the time to write out my meal plans and snacks. I say two weeks because lets face it after eating like crap for so long its really hard to go from cakes, cookies, and ice cream to carrots, bananas, and celery. I want to completely change my diet, but if I set this 2 week goal it will be a lot easier to obtain because there is a light at the end of the tunnel, or in my case 2 weeks ;) So if anyone would like to join me it should be pretty simple and enjoyable :) Here is this weeks meal plan (tentative who knows if I will actually stick to the days, but the idea is there LOL!)

Tuesday:
Breakfast- The green monster protein smoothie. 1 frozen banana, a spoon full of natural peanut butter, strawberry greek yogurt, and fill to the top with spinach leaves. It tastes amazing!! And full of protein :) So all you protein shake drinkers, try this! It will not disappoint ;)

Lunch- Tuna Salad. one can of light chunk tuna-drain the water. squeeze in some mustard and relish and throw in 1 hard boiled egg. It looks awful, but honestly doesn't taste any different than with mayo. The mustard actually gives it more of a kick ;) spread on some whole grain bread with sliced tomato on top.

Dinner- Chicken tortilla soup. My sis actually gave me this recipe and it is so good it's one of our favorites. I'm actually putting it in my crock pot but you can cook it on the stove as well. 1 box of low sodium chicken broth, 1 can of black beans, 1 can of dark red kidney beans, 1 can of tomatoes, frozen corn, I'm using 5 frozen chicken tenderloins, 1 chopped green pepper, 1 chopped small onion, and a pack of low sodium taco seasoning. We usually put crushed tortilla chips and shredded cheese on top, but we are cutting those out tonight ;)

Wednesday:
Breakfast- The green monster
Lunch- Left over chicken tortilla soup.
Dinner- Southwest chicken wraps. These are another favorite recipe. 1 3/4 cup of brown rice, 1 chopped red pepper, 1 chopped red onion, 1 can of drained black beans, 4 grilled chicken tenderloins- cooked with olive oil and seasoning salt and spinach tortilla shells and salsa. We usually use sour cream and cheese, but are cutting that out this week :)

Thursday:
Breakfast- The green monster
Lunch- Left over southwest chicken wraps
Dinner- Chopped Salad: Romaine lettuce, chopped avocado, chopped tomato, chopped red onion, 2 chopped boiled eggs, chopped grilled chicken, 1 can of drained black beans, topped with raw sunflower seeds, with lime juice, balsamic vinegar and seasoning salt.

Friday:
Breakfast- The green monster
Lunch- sliced avocado, sliced tomato, sliced red onion, with lime and cilantro.
Dinner- Chicken and vegetable stir fry: Grilled chicken, zucchini, squash, carrots, peppers, onion, and broccoli. Use olive oil and seasoning salt.

Saturday:
Breakfast- The green monster
Lunch- Tuna salad
Dinner-Cayenne rubbed chicken with avocado salsa. I haven't actually tried this one, but it sounds delicious!! 4 boneless chicken breast halves, sea salt, ground pepper, 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper, 2 tbs olive oil, 1 red onion diced, fresh lime juice, 1 chopped avocado. I will probably serve this with green beans

Sunday:
Breakfast- The green monster
Lunch- Natural Peanut butter and banana sandwich on whole grain bread.
Dinner- Taco Salad: Romaine lettuce, 1 pound of 93% lean ground beef, chopped tomato, chopped onion, pack of taco seasoning, and salsa on top (Maybe a few sprinkles of cheese ;) Who eats taco salad without cheese!)

Monday:
Breakfast- The green monster
Lunch- Left over taco salad
Dinner- Grilled salmon with wild rice, and grilled zucchini and squash.

Last but not least snack ideas throughout the week: Raw carrots, peanut butter and celery, bananas, oranges, grapes, strawberries with a spoonful of nutella ;), raw almonds, peaches, plums, greek yogurt, and whatever else I come up with.

As far as exercise goes, anyone with more than one young child not in school knows exercise is extremely hard to fit in. So I'm going to keep it pretty simple. I just got a double stroller for the girls so I would like to go for a brisk walk at least 5 times a week if not every day. And do postpartum exercises like elbow planks and a few others I found on pinterest. Wish me luck! :)

Writing is therapeutic

David decided to take Gabby with him on his coffee date with Justin today, and I was able to sit down and write a song. It has been SO long since I've been able to take the time, think, and just play and write. With everything that has been going on it didn't take me very long to have "inspiration" to write, and honestly I could probably write 100 verses of how I felt these past 3 weeks. With that I hope my words encourage someone. I don't know what I'm going to title it yet but here is what I have so far- if you have suggestions let me know.

I see you lying there

Your color shades of grey 

And everything in me just wants to turn away

To give up life, to give up hope...

but I just breathe

Give me faith, give me what I need

Meet me here, I'm face to face with reality

Lord, I believe, help my unbelief 

I want You

I need You

Sleepless nights and endless days

my heart is wrecked, my body aches

to see you suffer, I can't bear it anymore...

but I just breathe

Give me faith, give me what I need

Meet me here, I'm face to face with reality

Lord, I believe, help my unbelief 

I want You

I need You

I need You, I need You

No one else can give me strength like You do

I need You, I need You

with everything that is within me I trust You