Simple Kale Blueberry Smoothie

It is amazing how a morning routine can shape a day. I haven't had work for the last week and I can honestly say that the biggest difference between me today and over the past couple of days was getting back in my routine and starting the day off in a great way. One of the things that I have added to my morning routine is a delicious berry kale smoothie based off of a recipe I found on Pinterest.

Kale is so good for you and this smoothie is a satisfying breakfast, keeping me plenty full until lunch rolls around. As with any recipe, there are a bunch of great variations on this smoothie and you can enjoy it any time of the day!

Kale and Blueberry Smoothie

Ingredients:

2 Cups Kale leaves (rip them off the stem)

3/4 Cup Frozen Blueberries

6oz Greek Yogurt

-possible additions-

1 Banana

splash of Almond or Skim Milk

Put all the ingredients in a blender and blend until you get it to a consistency you like. Enjoy!

so simple!

Also, if you like for your smoothie to be a bit creamier, add some milk and possibly some extra yogurt, it's all about proportions!

3 ingredients (plus banana and a little extra yogurt)

xx,

Erin

40-40-20 (and Camo?)

Today I realized something about my getting in shape program that is so important. I really wish I had looked more closely at this before, but since I am just realizing it now, I want to share it with you. In order to see results of weight loss and muscle development, you need to eat a balanced diet and cut calories. That is probably something you already know though, right? Well, did you know that how you breakdown your diet is just as important as how many calories you eat?

I have been doing a really good job with my caloric intake and exercising and monitoring it all on My Fitness Pal, but what I haven't cared about is how that breaks down. I have been eating proportionally more carbs and fats than proteins and that is a big part of why I don't feel like I am getting results! That being said, going forward, I have a new goal for my daily caloric intake:

40-40-20

What does that mean? Your diet should consist of roughly 40% proteins, 40% carbs, and 20% fats. This nutrition breakdown is a great way to get in shape. You need more proteins for fuel to build and repair muscles, and of course it makes sense that you need less fat if you're trying to burn fat. Breaking down your diet this way will also help you if you tend to eat foods that are more wholesome and healthy if that is your weak spot.

Okay, now that we have that health tip out of the way, can we discuss the Fabletics Camo Comeback? It might be a bit ridiculous, but I just really want a pair of camo leggings to encourage me to kick butt in a 5:15am Spin class or Yoga (yeah, started that as my afternoon workout yesterday...)

xoxo,

Sugar Snap Pearls

Starbucks Lite: What To Drink This Summer

It finally feels like Spring and I am so excited for this weather. Thank God I am going home for a bit this weekend so that I can grab all my sundresses and officially transition my closet to reflect the temperature. In addition to changing my closet, I will also be transitioning my go-to Starbucks drinks. Don't get me wrong, coffee is still going to be an important part of my diet, but now I will readily ask for it to be served on ice!

Starbucks has a great lineup of iced drinks, and I even tried their Sweet Tea the other day! A lot of people worry about the calories of a Starbucks iced drink, immediately associating it with a frappuccino, but the menu has much more to offer than that, and many of these other drinks won't kill your plans for a beach body!

One quick tip before we go into their drinks: Get Light Ice! Usually they put a ton of ice in a drink and quite frankly it's largely unnecessary unless you like it watered down. Personally, I love getting light ice because when I get a drink, I really want to enjoy it...all of it! haha

Iced Coffee is always a safe go-to, plus it only has a couple of calories if you get it unsweetened. They can add milk to the drink, but if you just want a tiny bit for flavor, I would recommend just going over and adding a bit at the station on the side.

I love Iced Chai and when I have a free reward, I get a skim dirty iced chai (add a shot or two of espresso)! Again, I really recommend this drink with light ice because a watery chai is no bueno! Iced Vanilla Lattes are also a good option if you get it with nonfat milk, a tall is only 120 calories!

Their iced teas (sans the Sweet Tea) have no calories. Yeah, zip, zero, nada...oh and they're delicious. I alternate between the iced green tea and passion tea all the time in the summer. The advantage of a green tea is that there is a bit of caffeine you won't find in a passion tea. Plus, this drink is wildly customizable as a base drink. You can get it mixed with lemonade (more calories, but delicious) or blended as a frappacino. Also, if you really like the taste of either of these, getting it sans water is delicious. Usually if I do that, I don't ask for light ice, but I do love the extra kick of the stronger green tea. This is a drink to mess around with until you figure out what you like, but it is always delicious and an iced tea is very cheap (for Starbucks)

None of these sound as appealing as that Frappuccino you're craving? Well, if you still want a frappuccino, just get a tall, skinny, light one...sans whipped cream!

Also, you can get a Trienta size in iced drinks, basically a supersized Starbucks!

What is your go-to Summer Drink?

xoxo,

SSP

Beach Body in One Week

So you are leaving for Florida on Saturday and that whole "beach body" routine you'd been planning on doing sort of fell off to the wayside thanks to Girl Scout cookie season and those winter blues? No worries. There are still ways to improve your body in the last couple of days before your big vacation for you to kick it into gear. No, I am not promising some sort of crazy weight loss pill or diet...that is unrealistic and unhealthy. If you want to lose 5lbs by Saturday, my only recommendation would be a stomach flu, kidding, but you get the idea.

These are some tips on how you can improve your beach body in the last couple of days before the big vacation. And if you still aren't happy? Wear a PFG and let's get in shape after Spring Break as we prepare for Beach Week (this is my plan...those Girl Scout cookies get me every time, whoops)

1) Drink More

Drink more: water, tea, detox water.

Drink Less: caffeine, carbonation, and alcohol.

Essentially keep yourself hydrated. Detox water can be as simple as adding any combination or one of the following things: mint, lemon, cucumber. It makes the water even more refreshing and will help flush out your system. You should always stay hydrated, but it will especially help this week. Oh, and as for the drink less section, if you think I am not going to drink my morning coffee just so that I look good at the beach, you're crazy.

2) Exercise

Well, this should be self-explanatory. Even if you aren't going to magically transform your body in less than a week, exercise will stimulate blood flow and help kickstart your metabolism. Plus, have you ever noticed that you look more fit after working out, like if you do a killer ab routine that you seem to have flat abs for a few hours? Well, that is because the blood is going to your muscle tissue during the workout and it will hang around for a bit. So, if you want to look like you're in better shape than you are, get a workout in before you head to the beach. (disclaimer: you will probably be sore if you do this after not regularly working out...)

3) Eat Right

Stick to those leafy green vegetables and stay away from the fast foods. There are dozens of lists of "detox" foods out there and basically those are the ones that are less likely to make you bloat and easier for your body to break down.

4) Spice Up Your Life

Add some cayenne or jalapeño peppers to your diet! There are so many studies that show how adding spices to your diet will jumpstart your metabolism so just throw them in with your normal food and you'll be good to go.

5) Stress Less

I realize this isn't totally possible. I mean, I am stressed about the exam I have today and the two papers I have due tomorrow. However, I need to plan it out and know that it is all going to get done...and be thankful that yesterday's snow day caused my Friday exam to get moved back. So on Thursday, I am going to do a personal at-home spa day, but I need to keep calm all week. Just use a motivational quote or a to-do list to remind yourself that you can do it!

Obviously, this plan isn't perfect, but there isn't any plan that will get you the perfect beach body in a few days. And anyways, you should love yourself and the way you look regardless...there is always room for improvement, but don't let that stop you from loving yourself and your life right now. 

xoxo,

SSP