Pure Barre: Intimidating or Inspiring?

So, I bought a 1-month unlimited class package to the pure barre studio near my house back in August. I was super intimidated to go, because I'm overweight and out of shape. I'm super weird like that...I didn't like going to gyms either. Which is dumb. Luckily I got over myself and went. It was so hard. No, I don't want to say hard. It was challenging. And I was so sore the next day! But, after attending a few classes, the month was up and school started and I was starting graduate school and it was expensive and *insert any excuse you can think of here.*

Since I've started blogging publicly, I've loved the accountability that comes with it. I may not have a huge following, but knowing that I do have people that read what I say and try my recipes helps me stay motivated. 

Because of this, I stopped making excuses and started making time. On my birthday, I bought myself a 1-month pass of pure barre classes and I'm so happy I did. I was still intimidated going to class, but I realized that was my problem. When I went to the studio, I was going to work on myself, and that's what everyone else is there to do as well. Today, I decided to be inspired by the women in class. Through all the shaking and last 10 and last change in the set, I chose to be inspired by the women next to me. They, too are working on improving. Does it really matter that they are at a different place than I am? 

I chose to not be embarrassed by the fact that I need to take breaks. I took less breaks today than I did last class (and only took 1 during seat) and I'll take less breaks on Saturday than I did today. 

That's the thing about fitness. It's a choice. I'm choosing to change the way I've done things in the past because they didn't make me happy. Sweating during a workout makes me happy. Making a meal with whole, fresh ingredients makes me happy. Seeing tiny changes in my body makes me happy. Having my clothes fit a little better (and ordering jeans a size down!) makes me happy. And wearing these super cute socks make me happy. 

Adorable right? Pick some up here!

Who would have thought these little things would make such a big difference??

Make Ahead Lunches Volume 2

I am so excited for so many reasons this week:
1. I was stalking one of my favorite fitness instas (which happens to be run by one of my favorite people) and saw her weekly meal planner. I went straight out to the container store last night and bought one and I'm obsessed with it! Get one here...it will seriously make your life so much easier! Here's a peek at mine for this week:

This is amazing, right?!

2. I'm starting a new fitness program that involves some 2-a-days...hopefully this will be good! I'm feeling determined to become my best self, and the support that you all have given is insane! Like crazy insane! Thank YOU!

3. I am obsessed with Fitbit. I had an issue and their customer service is amazing. Something that could have been a setback just really turned around and I was so impressed with them! Yayyyyy Fitbit!

4. I discovered that Silk makes Dark Chocolate Almond Milk. Yes, it really is as good as it sounds. Go get some right now (well after you finish reading, because maybe you need some other ingredients, too. Don't be so hasty)!

5. The Bachelor is on tomorrow. Those girls...

Okay, but lets be serious. We are all here for the food. And this week does not disappoint! Look how cute it is:

Just stop!

You'll need: 2 avocados, 1 lb of pasta, 4 cans tuna in water, 1 bag of frozen green peas (thawed), celery.

I didn't end up using the tomatoes...sorry for misleading you!

Okay, prepare your pasta. I added about 1/4 cup of chopped onion when I threw my pasta in. It was a great spur of the moment decision. So, I guess add some chopped onion to the above list. I guess I could have just gone up and added it. But it's not in the picture. Whaaaaaaatever

While your pasta (and onions) are cooking, mash your avocados. After you've drained your pasta, mix in the avocado.

Then add in your tuna, chopped celery, and peas. That's it! It's ready! Soooo yummy :) Let me know if you make any changes!! Enjoy!

Ready for another week!

Want more? Check out @kathryncleansup on Instagram for more frequent updates :)

Snowflakes for the Snow Day!

This morning school was canceled due to SNOW! I love a good snow day. It definitely went in the pro column when I was deciding about careers. I love making pancakes on snow days and I had recently discovered Immaculate Baking! If you've never tried it, you should. Target carries most of their stuff and I've seen some products at Wegmans.

Making them on my snowflake pan was a bonus. I got the pan for Christmas from a friend who clearly knows me well! They turned out super cute! I sprinkled some raw cane sugar and berries on them and voila:

Berry delicious!

So when my December box from The Honest Company came in, there was a surprise! Organic sugar cookie mix and a really cute snowflake cookie cutter. I meant to bake them over the holidays, but I just never got around to it. Today seemed like the perfect day! So I dragged out the old Kitchen Aid and got to work!

They taste as good as they look

2 posts in 2 days...maybe I'm a blogger after all? 

Getting informed

The beach is the BEST place for reading (in my humble opinion). It's a big deal to my sister, my mom, and myself to go to the library and check out books. This year I checked out 14 and brought about 6 from home. I mean, I am obviously going to read 20 books in 14 days, of course I didn't overpack!

Anyway, my reading list this year has been extremely different than in years past. I've read 1 book for pleasure, but these 3 beauties have been my main companions on the beach:

I started with The Honest Life because Katie had it with her (I have clearly since ordered my own copy and written/highlighted/post-it(ed?) everywhere in it). That book is great for getting toxic chemicals out of your life taking baby steps. Letting you know the big ones to avoid and simple swaps that will make the biggest impact. 

Next up came the Complete Idiot's Guide to Eating Clean. I love this book. It explains the benefits of the lifestyle change. It gives you great tips for making little changes or helping you go cold turkey. The last 12ish chapters are dedicated to awesome clean recipes. My book is seriously dog-eared, because lets face it...I love food!

I finished reading The Everything Eating Clean Cookbook yesterday. And if I thought the idiot's guide was dog-eared, I'm not sure how to describe this one. There are amazing sounding recipes in this book! 

I cannot wait to get home and make my first trips to Whole Foods, Trader Joe's, and Costco (just to see what they have in bulk that I can use). I think I'm getting my mom excited about eating clean, too. 

I love cooking and I love eating, and this lifestyle lets me do that 5 times a day! Winner winner :) Please don't worry, I'll post pictures of my cooking on insta @kathryncleansup