Author: twomeatballsgetfit

Two Meatballs: Home Alone

September 22, 2015health, fitness, beauty, motivation, plus size, make up, hair, hairstylist, oribe, bumble and bumble, MAC Cosmetics, comedy, Paleo, besties, best friends, meatballs, exercise, life change, lifestyles,twomeatballsgetfit Leave a comment

hello! It’s Jenny. My best meatball friend is on vacation! So excited for Sara!! A restful vacation is

just what the doctor ordered!! And I’m here. At home.

(Halloween shopping)

With that said, it is really easy to get distracted during this time. Our journeys our a little different right now. Ultimately, I Am sure we want similar things. Right now I am a little distracted with life. I am giving into the ease of convince. I’m starting to see how everything circles around again. The challenges haven’t changed. I’m really trying to remember, I’ve changed!!! I always want to make food the easy thing. but when I do eat poorly it is so easy that it’s kind of exciting. And at the same time it just feels like a shitty, guilty one night stand!!!! Instant regret. Last week was a week from hell for most of my family members. Too many things to go into detail about. We had to skip my moms birthday celebration last week. And pushed it to this Monday. We all got together at Hibernian. And celebrated with beer and hearty bar food. It was so dilicious. My body instantly tried to reject this food. My stomach hurt so bad. I was convinced I was going to puke. These burgers were loaded with so much meat. The meat sweats came on so quickly!!! Why?????? I know better, why aren’t I doing better???? It felt good for literally 3 minutes to share the same meal with everyone at the table. Those good feelings faded so fast. It was great seeing my family. I hope our next encounter, I can remember how hard this journey is. And how easy it is to slide down a slippery slope. it is fascinating to watch London eat. Yes, because she is my own, but from what I observe, she could care less about the food . She is more interested in her company. The people around her and its conversation. She eats. She stops. She eats. She has a question. She eats a little more. And she’s done. She barley eats her burger.

She is grossed out by all the cheese on it. And for two seconds my gut reaction is. Eat your dinner!!!!!! Wtf? You…..the food addict, are going to force your daughter to eat something she thinks is gross. Fatty, slimy, no nutritional value, cheeseburger. She dosent want it, and that is ok. This blog is going to be short and sweet. I want to be better for my family. I want to be better for myself. I am still learning how to rewrite my story. Thinking…..Finish everything on your plate, is pounded so deeply into my subconscious. I don’t have to believe that statement. I am free to do whatever I want. And teach London whatever I want!! Lesson of the day…..I am not betraying my family, by not following childhood rules. No one cares if you finish everything on your plate or not!!! And I’m out!!!! Thanks for letting me get that out of my brain, and letting go…for the universe to have!!! See you tomorrow.

resturant selfies!

Two Meatballs: My Tumultuous Relationship…With Exercise

September 17, 2015health, fitness, beauty, motivation, plus size, make up, hair, hairstylist, oribe, bumble and bumble, MAC Cosmetics, comedy, Paleo, besties, best friends, meatballs, exercise, life change, lifestyles,bliss body yoga, finding what you love, fitness connection, healthy relationships, hi kelly, innovative fitness training, learning to love working out, no shoes no shirt sara's happy, Pure Barre North Raleigh, Sandra Axman, working out, workout hangoutstwomeatballsgetfit View all 2 comments

Besides food and men and everything else, exercise is a total roller coaster/glass case of emotion of a relationship for me. Until I saw the light, this is how I felt about people who were itty bitty with no effort!

After years of hoping and wishing and thinking and praying (#didyouseewhatIdidthere?!) that I would also somehow become one of those girls, I finally succumbed to the fact that effortless weight loss wasn’t going to happen for me, however even with this new found acceptance, for years this is how I felt about exercise and people who looooooved it!

This baby looks EXACTLY like my grandpa Apple by the by! I just didn’t understand the appeal. I certainly didn’t trust the people who talked about getting up at 5 every morning to go to bootcamp, or had to miss going out for drinks because they had a Body Pump class after work!? And don’t EVEN get me started about your friends wanting to tell every detail of their killer workout…

I was already sweating from simply existing in my 356 pound 5’4 body…why on earth would I want to do anything more strenuous than just sitting…or partying, isn’t that a workout?!

I mean, that is a squat and a curl as far as I’m concerned!

As social media and Pinterest really started taking off and I saw everyones training schedules and motivational workouts, Couch to 5k challenges and how to workout just using your own body…I felt like this would be a better plan for me.

And for years it was. When I was 24 my bestie Katie and I joined a gym, got a trainer and got serious about getting skinny. We would workout so hard during the week and eat so good, whatever fad diet or calorie restrictor, low fat craze was happening we were all about it and for us it was Smash the Fat and it was really working. Then we would go get hammered every single weekend and eat whatever we wanted. The idea of a lifestyle change wasn’t really in our plan and ultimately, after losing 70 pounds I said later girlllll to the gym….annnnd Smash the Fat. Before that I had dabble with Curves, I even saw another trainer for awhile. I joined my dads gym that was close to his work, but it was crazy inconvenient. Nothing ever really stuck and I would always just get very stuck in a routine that would end up totally boring me. It is fair to say that moving my body was NOT a priority and I gained back all the weight plus so much more. This was my idea of fitness and nutrition after I said fuck it.

But you guyyyyyyyys!!!! (this is Sara btwwwwwww’s) Everything has changed. I really understand that lifestyle change concept now and I wouldn’t say that I love working out, but that’s ok! Like any relationship, there are ups and downs, but me and working out see eye to eye a lot more now. I don’t have to love it every time, simply have to go!!! And honestly, I do really love the way it makes me feel. Even when I struggle with food, working out and moving my body has become the constant, the stable relationship if you. Also, I’ve learned what makes me happy and motivated to workout. 1. I love group fitness, I want the community experience, you know I love a team. 2. I love being told what to do (this is the only time I like being told what to do!!!) I show up, listen, do and it’s over! 3. I love not having to wear shoes…Pure Barre I get wear these adorable socks…

And in yoga I get to free ball!!!

I literally feel so free!!! And between Sandra, Pure Barre and Bliss Body, I’m getting all my happy/healthy needs met #healthyrelationship! With Sandy it’s my one guaranteed workout with my best friend and I get at least one really high intensity workout a week which is always different! This week was nutty! Slam balls planks and rowing! Oh my!!! #sarathatbuttistoohigh

With Pure Barre, I get a lower impact workout that really focuses on core and small, controlled movments, the music is loud and its just so different…plus no shoes and a great community!

And with Yoga, I have found a new level of connectedness with myself and those around me…

And this week I got all three in. Since I don’t drink anymore and I can eat exactly nothing right now, which knocks out going out to eat (although I did make it out to Kristi’s bachelorette party this weekend!!! So fun, congrats Kessie!!!

So great to see everyone outside of work)

…workouts have become my new hang out! I mean somebody look at all the fun we’re having!

Kelly came to yoga with me, I met the whole damn fam at the gym and me and Laur went to PB!!! And you’re not even going to believe what else…I have joined a challenge!!! Who am I!? Pure Barre is challenging everyone to do 10, 20 or 30 classes in September

and as of right now, I have crossed off 4 out of 10 classes…wahoo!!!

I have become the person I used to mistrust. I am blogging about fitness, taking part in physical challenges, getting up at 5am for classes and boring people (my dad) with every gory detail of my workouts. And you know what, it feels famazing and so do I. If you ever question whether you can do something or not, just know that you absolutely can, you just have to get started and find what you love. If this girl whose old motto was this…

and who still feels like this…

Can do this…

You can do anything!

Find your fitness home and make yourself a priority. This has become a great healthy relationship for me and I know it can for you. Xo

Two Meatballs: Good Grief!!!

September 16, 2015health, fitness, beauty, motivation, plus size, make up, hair, hairstylist, oribe, bumble and bumble, MAC Cosmetics, comedy, Paleo, besties, best friends, meatballs, exercise, life change, lifestyles,apple of my eye, dealing with the loss of a loved one, gigi, grief, honoring your feelings, letting go of anger, losstwomeatballsgetfit View all 4 comments

As I go further down this path of really understanding myself and my place in the world, I’m uncovering a lot of emotions, emotions that I haven’t dealt with up until this point. Emotions about surviving a tornado when I was little, needing security in my life, my fear of commitment, my addictive personality and detrimental coping mechanisms and my former inability to self care. I am learning so much. With all this feeling going on, lately I have been a little blue. My sweet pal Terri and my therapist Christine have both brought up Grandma Apples passing this week…its been almost 7 months.

The other night in my bed, I started bawling from just sheer missing her. I didn’t suppress one single tear and it felt really nice. I felt like I was really feeling my feelings. But Terri asked me this week, are you angry? And my gut check response was nooooooo, I love my Grandma. But I’m trying to be different and by not just immediately shutting things that others say down, so I want to give it some thought. I have learned about the duality of emotions. I can love someone and also be angry at either them or the situation. She also asked me if I felt lonely since Gigi passed. With so many amazing people in my life, I had never considered the feeling of loneliness, but she was my best friend. So what other feelings am I ignoring. I want to honor all of my feelings so that my body, heart and mind aren’t trapped in the grief process for the rest of my life and so that I can really start healing on every level. Working with Hedy and learning lots about ancient Chinese medicine and acupuncture, I’ve learned how everything is connected. When my heart hurts, my body responds and curves inward, like a hug. Your lungs are the body part connected to grief so I really want to get in a good place with Grandmas passing so I can keep moving forward.

I really feel like I’m doing a good job of honoring her. I still talk about her all the time. When I wear her ring, I feel like we are still together. I think of her fondly and laugh and sometimes I break down when missing her becomes unbearable. So if you’ll indulge me, I thought an open letter would help me process and uncover any hidden emotions.

Dear Gigi,

I still can’t believe you are gone. The reality of it is so crushing sometimes that I feel like I can’t breathe. I’m not sure that I really knew you were my best friend and soulmate until you were actually gone. I didn’t realize it until now, but I am angry that I never got to say goodbye. I resent that you were perfectly healthy and then you were gone in the next breathe. I’m confused that it was so sudden and I don’t feel like I really have closure yet. I’m still bewildered that I can’t call you every time that I think of something I want to tell you. I am devastated. I want one more hug and kiss and I want to hold your hand and for you to make me feel better because you always did. But most of all I’m so sad that you left me…us, our family. And when I stop for a minute I realize that I’m just so lonely since you’ve been gone. There is a you sized hole in my heart. There is an empty space on the couch left next to me. But how could I ever be mad at you? I am relieved that you got to pass quickly. I am so happy for you that you get to be with all of your people that you love…that you and Grandpa are together again with your brothers and sisters and parents and Jane and Brian. I’m hopeful that you didn’t suffer. I’m mostly grateful that I had as much time with you as I did. I am thankful that my memories with you are always on my mind, your things are everywhere in my house and that I have so many pictures to take me back to the times we spent together, laughing and solving the worlds problems. Everyday I wish that you were still here. But that is just selfishness talking. I know you are where you want to be and exactly where you belong and that is comforting. I will miss you everyday until we are together again. Thank you for being my everything and for teaching our family what family first and what love mean. I’m grateful that we didn’t miss a moment together while you were here. I’m going to let go of this anger, denial, resentment and devastation today along with anything else that is holding me back from just honoring you and I’m going to hold fast and tight to your laughter and your love. Remember when we lived together!?! That was the best year of my life. Starting today, I’m going to hug my family and friends a little tighter because you just never know. Thinking of you often. I love you so much suga. Ps, It’s 75 degrees and 9’clock here. No you hang up.

Love,

Your Roomie

Two Meatballs: Girl..Do you!!!!

September 15, 2015health, fitness, beauty, motivation, plus size, make up, hair, hairstylist, oribe, bumble and bumble, MAC Cosmetics, comedy, Paleo, besties, best friends, meatballs, exercise, life change, lifestyles,twomeatballsgetfit One comment

Hey guys!! It’s Jenny. Things are going well! Thanks for asking. So I have to get this off my chest……I ate total shit this weekend. And I have been obsessing over it. But t that ends right now! Moderate lifestyle tomorrow. It feels great being able to make choices. I don’t feel so overwhelmed about what I did yesterday. Or hopeless. Tomorrow will be better. This is the dialoge I hear in my head. So when I’m fucking up this healthy lifestyle thing, the last thing I want to do is take a picture of it. But now I wish I had!!! But I kinda felt like this.

Everything I ate was huuuuge!!

We all woke up Sunday morning. Washed, dressed……make-up on.

#mac #ladydanger #bozo #adorbs #weareinforit

clean faced…now ready to go

This is London with a gigantic pancake.

I’m sitting right next to her with the same thing!!!! And I ate a lot of it. but I’m letting these feelings of guilt go away right now!!!!!

So like Sara, I am working on taking care of myself better. I would not define myself as a workaholic. But I starting to noticing I don’t take enough time off for fun, travel, and quality time in general. This is a total lack of planning anything. I use to think It was outside of our means and irresponsible to take of work to just plan trips and play. And at the same time, it’s that mentality of just walking through…..cruise control on. I have nothing to look forward to, and And feel like shit with coffee all over me!!!!!

Hahaa. This happened right before I went into work last week!!! Yuck so hot….then so cold. Anyway………. I think I’m going to start taking care of my mental health and book a trip. Well with that said..opportunity arises!!!! An exciting work trip is happening in January.

A lot of us are going to Miami for an “event of epic proportions “. What this means I don’t know but Sara kinda said it best….think Coachella, of the hair world! So that’s happening! So exciting!!!!! Love going out of town with my Sammie Cole family!!

And as of today, I went ahead and booked a Disney cruise for April!! London is going to hopefully love it, and couldn’t be more excited to do this with her!!

Planning this trip is my new obsession! Probably healthier thenKylie Jenner!! Right?!?! Jk love you Kylie! And this will be a girls only trip!!! So fuuuun. Dede, kitty, London and myself.

Feels good to have this booked! I have said it before, but I always have to remind myself, stop walking through life!!!!! Yay!!! Now just need to get my nugget a passport. Goodnight!! Xoxo

Two Meatballs: We Started From the Bottom, Now We Here!?!

September 10, 2015health, fitness, beauty, motivation, plus size, make up, hair, hairstylist, oribe, bumble and bumble, MAC Cosmetics, comedy, Paleo, besties, best friends, meatballs, exercise, life change, lifestyles,Call her!, cheerleader, coach, fitness, fitness guru, get a trainer, having someone believe in you, hey kel hey, High intensive interval training, innovative fitness training, learning to believe in yourself, Sandra Axman, Sandra...you saved us!, Saving yourself, transforming bodies, workouts with your bestie, www.innovativefitnesstraining.comtwomeatballsgetfit View all 4 comments

You guys! Sandra Axman has been with us since the beginning. If you are new to the blog, Sandra is the owner of Innovative Fitness Training http://www.innovativefitnesstraining.com and reached out to us in our Two Meatballs infancy. She offered to train us for a month. We were so nervous, but we thought it was such a great opportunity, so we quickly accepted her generous offer. Jenny and I had started Paleo and joined a gym, but really had NO idea what we were doing! We walked into CORE fitness studio on the Wade Ave exit and were met with hugs and the most motivating person on the planet. That was in April of 2014 and we haven’t looked back since. Look how cute we were!!!

We have seen Sandra once a week for almost a year and a half minus some major illnesses on my part and several vacations between the three of us and it has been so amazing. She is helping us transform our bodies. She is teaching us how to be strong and how to lift the right way. She is coaching us, helping us remember that we can do anything and that it’s all about being in the moment. Just look at all the fun we’ve had, the sweat that was produced and the progress we’ve made. #loveyousandra

We went from binge drinking to taking a sledgehammer to a giant tire!!! And she is so creative, every workout is different!

There were times where we thought, she has to be kidding…

We can’t do box jumps…doesn’t she know that we’re fat!!!

I’m going to puuuuuuke!!!!

But she never stopped believing that we were capable of anything that we set our minds to…and she was right! We learned how to work out on our own!

Even on vacation!!! She also helped us feel confident enough to tackle group fitness!

Here are some of our favorite before and afters…just look how confident!

Look how far we’ve come!!! This is our first workout to now.

Sandra!!!! You mean so much to us. We love you so much. You have taught us everything and we could never thank you enough. You are our favorite part of each week. Xoxo

Which brings us to this week…didn’t you miss these inventive car selfies!?

We were both pumped this morning. I tried to do Jenny’s half bun so we could be twins buuuuut, I got too hot after the first circuit today. Up first, treadmills! We have both been so excited and grateful for this weekly workout since our extended hiatus ended!

Jenny was doing some amazing mid air bust your ass if you’re not careful jumps on the treddie, but I was too close and missed it…here is the best one I could muster!

She told me I ruined it, hahahahaha. Even though we work at the same place we really don’t get to spend any time together bc we are both really busy which is a blessing. So this time with Sandra and our warm up especially we get some great quality time in. We talk about all the dumbest stuff on the planet and we love it. We both are surprised every single week that we aren’t in any of the pictures on the wall in the workout room! Any who, then Sandra came in and told us it was her birthday and that we were her only clients that day. After much yelling and fanfare on our part, we moved on to the only thing keeping Sandra from celebrating…our workout!!! Today was so challenging! First circuit, pushups, high back rows for me and bridge back rows for Jenny and then full sit ups for Jenny and sit up meet leg for me! This was as many rounds as possible in a time frame.

Then we did a kettle bell, farmers walk, squat circuit that was hell. So hellacious in fact there are no pictures. Just imagine the worst thing you can think of and that is what it looked like.

We ended up recreating it in the end:

Thennnnn we did a tricep, bicep burnout. I think we both lost it here!

But like it happens every time, all of the sudden it was over. We did some stretching and some posing!

I know it sounds awful, but you guys, there is something so amazing about showing up and having someone who genuinely cares about you, guide you through a challenging workout. Also, I highly recommend that you do it with your best friend. Sandra can help you find your best, healthiest body. She is an expert in fitness and well versed in nutrition. But more than anything, she really cares about you and wants to help you get where you want to go. She works at your pace but pushes you and that is exactly what these meatballs need. Sandy, you are our rock and our constant. We love you. Seriously, go see her today and feel better today!

Two Meatballs: This fat girl runs!

September 9, 2015health, fitness, beauty, motivation, plus size, make up, hair, hairstylist, oribe, bumble and bumble, MAC Cosmetics, comedy, Paleo, besties, best friends, meatballs, exercise, life change, lifestyles,twomeatballsgetfit View all 2 comments

Hey!!!!! It’s jennnnnnyyyy (yelling). It’s the end of summer. Love hate, for sure! The pressure of baring skin will be gone soon, and we will be welcoming back black tights, and slouchy sweaters. In the past I dreaded summer. I have told you about my Hungarian arms! They use to control my life, especially in the summer. The thought of showing them off to the world wAs just outrageous!!! That now seems ridiculous and kind of dramAtic. This was my most comfortable summer of my adult life!!! I was able to enjoy my family at the pool and beach without the constant pressure of my body being the focus. I wasn’t in perfect shape. I decided to put fun first. And happy is such a good look on me!!! What is Labor Day weekend with out cookouts and a final pool party!!! So before the festivities started I headed to the gym.

And guess what…………….

Its true. I can’t believe it. I really decided a long time ago that I was not a runner. Ever attempt in the past was so painful!!! I couldn’t breath, my legs burned, and I always had cramps in my sides. Working out with Sandra has really helped me control my breathing, and helped me push myself out side of my comfort zone when comes to challenging my body.

At the end of my three miles. I feel amazing!!!! My mind goes crazy when I’m running. I get these ideas about doing a triathlon!!!!!! That would be amazing. And it reminds me how much more Important it is to me to be strong!! Maybe some day!

Pool time for this family! Look how cute these two are.

And don’t forget grandma!

While all this fun and excitement was going on….I got to just lay back and take pics!!!!

Of course I got in the pool and played hard!!!!! I even got in the trampoline and worked up the most unflattering sweat!!!! And then got back in the pool. London and I were playing hard and she slammed her head into mine , and we both had tear filled eyes, and the next morning I woke up to this thing. The closest thing I have had to a black eye!!!!

I was kind of obsessed with it!! We had so much playing, it was kind of this weird reminder every time I looked in the mirror. Not to mention very ufc..ish!!! Haha. Such a fun weekend full of activity and not food obsessed!! My dream. Have a fabulous week!!!!! Xoxoxoxo. Thankful everyday!!

Two Meatballs: NoMo FOMO!!!

September 8, 2015health, fitness, beauty, motivation, plus size, make up, hair, hairstylist, oribe, bumble and bumble, MAC Cosmetics, comedy, Paleo, besties, best friends, meatballs, exercise, life change, lifestyles,arts and crafts, coloring for adults, cooking, Family, fear of missing out, FOMO, He Won't Know It's Paleo, health matters, hi kelly, i am peaceful, intentions, nephews, new cookbooks, Nourish, peace, positivity, putting yourself first, red paint massacre, yogatwomeatballsgetfit View all 4 comments

Sara here! For those of you who don’t know, FOMO is the Fear Of Missing Out!!! And girl, I got it bad!!! My whole life I haven’t wanted to miss a single thing. I wanted to know what the grown ups were talking about, I wanted to play, I wanted to know the gossip, I wanted to be at the sleepover once I got over being shy. It carried on into my adulthood. I never missed a work event. If people were going out, I was there. My social, work and family calendars were so jam packed with the funnest things that my personal needs- including but not limited to-sleep, nutrition, exercise, cleanliness of home, personal appointments and so much more; suffered big time! But who cares, I’m in the know, am I right ladies?! Now, with my current health situation and my need to find peace inside of my own life, FOMO seems so silly for me. I am important. I am a priority. I am worth taking care of. I am peaceful. These are hard things to get on board with when all of life has been about putting others first; either bc you are a giver OR bc you aren’t comfortable dealing with your own needs or both! But this is where I find myself. And as it so often happens, when I need to get onboard with something, it just keeps popping up in my life. In yoga this weekend with the greatest instructor, Nancy…

She introduced the idea of setting intentions. Joelle and I took a class last year that was a ll about setting intentions and I loved it. Now it is back and has crept its way into my peaceful yoga practice. Nancy asked for us to reflect on why we found our way to the mat. Was it bc we were in pain (physical, mental, emotional, all three?) and we wanted to find relief? (yes) Was it bc we feel pretty good but want to feel an expansion, to learn more, to gain more with ourselves? (yes) Was it to find a community to grow and learn and share this amazing experience with? (yes) Or was it to find a deeper connection with the Divine? (yes) As I lay in corpse pose contemplating all of this while practicing my breath and being in the moment, I found that all of those things brought me to yoga! #overachiever Next, Nancy said, now set an intention. If you want to be loved, say in your mind, I am loved. Whatever the want, set the intention as if it were already happening. So for me, I want peace, so my intention became, I am peaceful. We talk a lot on this blog about how your own self talk affects you so greatly and let me tell you…this one sentence truly set my intentions and set me up for a very peaceful, very uneventful, antiFOMO weekend.

In very normal conversation leading up to this wonderful holiday weekend of Labor Day, everyone was asking me what I had planned. It is so deeply in my nature to plan. Partly bc I’m disorganized and it helps me stay focused, partly bc I love having things to look forward to, partly bc I overcommit so planning and putting in my calendar prevents that and mostly bc I used to love to be busy all the time…less time alone with my own thoughts I guess. So, in total opposite of usual Sara fashion, my response was NOTHING! For once, I had absolutely nothing planned . No trips out of town, no committed social engagements, I didn’t even have anything planned with my family! I made this weekend about myself. I went to beginners yoga at Bliss Body Yoga as you read above, my new favorite Saturday morning ritual!

I went to Pure Barre….three times this week!

I saw my mom and dad and went shopping for an adult coloring book!

I ordered some new cookbooks and read them cover to cover!

I made these brussel sprouts with crispy shallots from Nourish! They were amazing!

And bc I didn’t over schedule myself and I live with a little more flexibility now, I was able to hang out with the fam (mom, dad, Kelly and Chase) on Sunday for a healthy cookout

and arts and crafts with my twinny!

I thought it would be fun to paint…with our hands and you guys, it was the living funnest!

Which ultimately became paint Chase!!!! #murderers #justbutcheringcowsoverhere He is so much fun, we explored the attic, went for walks, spied on people, made up games, he let me play his legs like a musical instrument, we were zombies,

then we came together for a weird indoor ball game and story time!

There was so much laughing and so much fun! Wyatt was at a movie with a friend which was a bummer, but with two nephews, you hardly ever get alone time with them!!! Chase!!! You are a ball of sunshine, energy and creativity. I was worn out in the best possible way. Time with family is such a gift. I spent the rest of the weekend going to see my chiropractor and acupuncturist which always leaves me feeling rejuvenated and totally relaxed. So unlike any other holiday in my left, I am starting this work week without a hangover, feeling healthy and nourished and well rested. Adios FOMO hello Namaste. Hope your holiday was lovely and full of love and peace. See you all tomorrow! XO Here are a few closing memes that I’m obsessed with!

Two Meatballs: Pickled Pink!!!

September 3, 2015health, fitness, beauty, motivation, plus size, make up, hair, hairstylist, oribe, bumble and bumble, MAC Cosmetics, comedy, Paleo, besties, best friends, meatballs, exercise, life change, lifestyles,twomeatballsgetfit View all 3 comments

Hiiiiiiiiiii!!!! It’s Jenny and Sara!

We finally found some time to spend together and we have spent it in the healthiest ways! First, we made it back to Innovative Fitness Training with our gal Sandra!!!

It felt so nice to feel a sense of nostalgia seeing Jenny in my parking lot bright and early! It felt like such a different ride this time. We were both pumped. Admittedly, a lot of times on our ride to work out in the past, we were openly fantasizing about decadent breakfasts. This time we were pumped to get our sweat on and see our sweet friend…it had been so long!

Did you guys miss these!?! Haha, we had a big group hug when we walked in, then walked right onto that treadmill for our warm up! Then it was on to circuit training. Jenny worked chest and tri’s while I worked back and chest!

Then we swapped and did 4 rounds of each circuit! Then we did real clean and presses…so hard to nail the concept and these cobra snake tube things.

And y’all are not even gonna believe this ….but EVERYTHING CAME WITH A SQUAT! Spoiler alert, my inner thighs were screaming all weekend! Then we did abs!

And plank taps…

Then I died…

Jk, we survived and felt gahhhhhreat!

We love you so much Sandra. Thank you so much for always believing in us…we can’t wait to see you again today!!!! WE couldn’t love you more.

So, now, for Kelly’s favorite segment (game show announcer voice) It’s time for Two Meat-balls Cookin’ Up Some Appppppps!!!! Time for the sexy. WE were both missing apps in our life and you know I can’t eat anything right now.

Lets eat!!!!! Sara and I are up to our shenanigans in the kitchen again!!! And lately we have been missing some apps in our life. So what is on the menu tonight you ask?!?!?!

Chicken zucchini cilantro meatballs
squash flour flatbread
artichoke hummus
Zucchini cheese
Dill pickles

For all of these amazing recipes visit our pinterest Sara and Jenny BeardSmith…..Sara and Jenny App night!!!

Lets make those balls! Jenny Grate that Zucchini!!!!

ground chicken into the bowl with all the spices and mix it up!!

Tablespoon meatballs onto the pan and bake away…and I have never looked scarier!!!!! love you guys!!!

lets try these bad boys out!!!!

These meatballs are really good. put these bad boys on top of some noodles and you got yourself a meal ladies!!!!

Sara make us some cheese!!!

It was………..weird!!! but totally worth making. it was so different then anything we have ever done before.

Artichoke hummus please!!! And let me just say….this was so delicious! favorite thing of the night!

taste test!!……Approved

Squash bread…also famazing !!! we learned so much while we were assembling. We couldn’t stop laughing!!!

Were did we go wrong??? But it taste so good!

I want some pickles!!!! Nothing cuter then homemade pickles in mason jars!

Don’t forget the sprigs of dill!

Wont be done till tomorrow! Cant wait, these girls love a pickles!

It was so fun getting back in the kitchen together!!!! Cant wait to eat all our yummy apps at work tomorrow. love you guys. Gotta head to bed, we are working out with Sandra first thing in the morning!!! xoxo

Two Meatballs: Kitchen Cousins!!!

September 2, 2015health, fitness, beauty, motivation, plus size, make up, hair, hairstylist, oribe, bumble and bumble, MAC Cosmetics, comedy, Paleo, besties, best friends, meatballs, exercise, life change, lifestyles,being in the moment, cooking healthy, family dates, food allergies, hi kelly, hi kristina, keeping it interesting, kitchen cousins, leaky gut, OGB's, real self care, yogatwomeatballsgetfit View all 9 comments

You guyyyyyys, Just call me Julia…Childs over here!!! Ever since I started this allergy/food elimination plan, I have been cooking up a delicious storm in my neck of the woods. What’s that sound you ask…oh that’s just my smoke detector going off like errrrrrrry 5 minutes #sensitivesally but the ear piercing screeching has all been worth it! I basically can’t eat out at all for the next 30 days and there are so few things I can eat, I have to get really creative so I don’t lose my mind with the disgusting breakfast porridge I made! It has also been a really fun way to be with family and have really healthy dates! Friday night my sister came over and I made a butternut squash stew with chicken, brown rice, zoodles, roasted broccoli and cauliflower! Sooooooooooooo good and comforting in a healthy way. We also had sea salt, pepper and turmeric (a natural anti-inflamatory) roasted asparagus and a shredded brussel sprout salad with an avocado basil dressing! All homemade! I have been educating myself on leaky gut syndrome and with the help of my chiropractor/health guru/nutrition enthusiast, I plan on healing mine!

So healthy and so good! If you ever want to feel amazing, cook something for Kelly! She is so appreciative and complimentary. It feels like 1 million dollars! She likes to say yummmmm over and over and it makes your new to cooking experimentation heart soar! We spent the rest of the night talking about everything on earth…all the things we’ve been learning, and working on and wanting to change and achieve. Look at how cute we are! We are both in a good place with wanting to eat healthy and exercise. I feel like our time together is so positive when we are both putting healthy things into our bodies and moving more. Love you did.

I love you Kelly, can’t wait to do it again! Then Saturday, I went and saw my new zen bff, Nancy at Bliss Body Yoga and got my Warrior and Chair pose on!

Yoga has me filled with so much gratitude. I think it is the first thing that I have ever done that isn’t so goal oriented. Yoga asks only that you be in the moment. I think that is something that we are all so disconnected with. We are obsessed with our phones. I remember one time I was hanging out with my nephew bunnies and they were both like NO MORE PICS! They just wanted to play and for me to pay attention to them and listen to them. That is the least I can do. There is literally nothing on Facebook more interesting than their sweet faces and I need to remember that more. It was another wonderful class. This woman I found on instagram is my inspiration with yoga. #oneday

After yoga, I packed up a ton of fresh ingredients and headed to my cousin Kristina’s house to cook her a late birthday dinner!

Kris is a great food experimenter and she loves to cook too so what better way to spend time together and to celebrate than making healthy, delicious food for her family. What’s cooking good looking?!

On the menu tonight was: Rustic garlic chicken with gravy, zucchini with mint, basil and pine nuts and whipped parsnips!!! It was pure chaos in this kitchen! It is so hard to stay organized when you are volleying between three recipes on pinterest! (If any of these dishes sound good to you, they are on Twomeatballsgetfit under the Kristina date board) But we managed and caught up on life together. I just adore her and spending time together is the gift.

After an hour of sweating and laughing and playing with the kids,

this was the finished product!

I had the leftovers later than night with the salad from my Kelly date! Heaven!

Cheers Kristina…lets make this a monthly thing! I love trying new things with you and I just love you so much!

Even the kids loved it!

Her kids eat so healthy you guys! It blew me away…talk about setting your kids up for success! Buddy, I love you so much. The parsnips won the night! So f-ing good! The next morning I went to Pure Barre and it was a Paige class. She is the cutest and she said, y’all are going to hate this and no you cannot leave! My new pb pals, Camilla and Melissa were there and it’s so nice to be able to chat before class. I even met a new friend, Kristen! We had a blast and I got my Pure Barre ledge kicked!

Then I heard Jennys voice in my mind. She always talks about how you feel like being more active when you stay in your workout clothes and it was so true. I went to Target and Trader Joe’s. I cooked some more and organized my spice cabinet and ended up cleaning the house!!! I was also craving something sweet so I made some shredded coconut, nut, apple and cashew butter cereal with unsweetened coconut milk!

Totally hit the spot. Then I made some crock pot coconut turmeric chicken thighs, shredded them and added brown rice!

I also roasted some asparagus and made my meals for the next two days. This was super comforting. Then I capped off the beginning of the work week with a lovely family dinner OG Beard style.

We cooked together and laughed the night away. I think for most families, food will always be the center of the heart. But this heart will be healthy. #robinS #communisT #sarayourdressistooshort #iloevALLofyou

I have really found that I can still find comfort in food but that it can be healthy and I can feed my body the things that will ultimately heal what ails me. I can feel a real change. I haven’t felt this good all year and it really feels like a blessing. I can finally breath and that means so many things. I feel like my face is less bloated and my skin looks good again.

Jenny has so many amazing non smiling faces and I’m always trying to pull one off, but the truth is I look better when I smile and why not!?

But seriously that skin!?!?! Why do I ever stray???

It is nice to feel so connected to my body and my mind and everything in between. Instead of mindlessly shoveling pad thai into my mouth and trying to fill a void that will never be filled with processed food. I love cooking and thank goodness for that. More yummy recipes to come. And don’t worry, a total mess was made every.single.time.

Love you all. Feed your bellies and your minds. XO

More exercising and cooking together tomorrow!

Two Meatballs: Tut tut…looks like rain!

September 1, 2015health, fitness, beauty, motivation, plus size, make up, hair, hairstylist, oribe, bumble and bumble, MAC Cosmetics, comedy, Paleo, besties, best friends, meatballs, exercise, life change, lifestyles,twomeatballsgetfit View all 4 comments

i woke up at 6 am this morning, and my house was silent. I lay in bed and try to peacefully enjoy every moment alone with my thoughts. I realize it is now 6:30 and I still have a sleeping 3 year old! I get up to this sight……

It is a peaceful rainy morning!!!! Love!!!! It is still so dark, no wonder no one is up yet. I take advantage of the silence and go down stairs and have some coffee all alone!! Amazing. I even get to watch a little cnn. I haven’t watched the news in forever. Shit you know you are old when cnn is a great way to start the morning. Monday’s are usually days London and I spend together, but because it was so rainy we decided she would have more fun with her friends at school. So after I dropped her off, the rain was making me dream of all kinds of comfort foods.

And

so pulled up to a rainy Harris tetter

And I had full intentions of making my food dreams a reality. But while I was walking around in there I came to my sense and made a more practical choice and got trail mix instead. It was much more satisfying then I even expected. So I went home layed in the couch with my trail mix and watched the sopranos. The more I layed there, the worse I wanted to be. So I had to get up, I did the laundry, I did the beds, and then returned to the couch. The couch is a toxic place fore me. As soon as I sit and watch anything, I want to eat!!! So I texted a my friend and co worker Cara and asked for a haircut! I have been wanting to cut my hair for a while. She was up for the task! So I ran to the gym, and did a two mile run. That felt good, considering I almost had a cupcake attack this morning!!! After that I went to the salon and made all my dreams a reality!

And then I took It a step further, just because I love pic stitch

So fun. Now to make a healthy dinner.

basil chicken , mushrooms and asparagus!

Finish product!!!

Simple and delicious.

Brandon seemed to really like this meal too! I have to say, this is the first time in a long time that I have not given into my food cravings. Like the strong kind, that you know are soo bad. Expecially when I have been doing so well. Don’t want to mess up this good streak I on! The growth that is going on inside is stronger then the loss on the outside! Hopefully tomorrow won’t be as challenging!! Love you guys!!

Two Meatballs Get Fit

We had so much fun getting fat together. Now we're going to have even more fun getting fit!