{Motivational Monday} Better Late Than Never

Sweetness & Light,

Yroko M.

{Motivational Monday} Consistency

In life we're often faced with challenges. We're also really accustomed to instant gratification and almost have a sense of entitlement and belief that things should happen right now. Right when we want them to.

The thing is that sometimes it doesn't. Sometimes we have to work for it. We have to be consistent. We have to show up everyday whether or not it seems like we're getting anywhere.

We have to do this because it is consistency that wins every time. Consistency over talent, ambition, intelligence. If we give up every time something doesn't happen right now we'll never get anywhere.

This quote rings especially true for me today. I have goals and am working towards them. Some days I feel like they're within my reach only a few inches from my finger tips and other days I can't even see them. It's like they were a mirage and if I squint my eyes maybe I can see them.

But just because I'm not there now doesn't mean that I'll never be there. On the flip side, the only way I will get there is to remain steadfast and consistent.

This doesn't apply to just one area of my life either. I will have the perfect (for me) body if I'm consistent with my workouts. I will be able to work from home full-time and be completely self-employed if I'm consistent. I will spend a year traveling the world with my children. It may not happen now. But it will happen.

And the same is true for you. Whatever it is in your life that you want to happen, it can happen for you. It may not happen now, but if you're consistent and keep pushing forward it will happen.

Sweetness & Light,

Yroko M.

Motivational Monday

One of my favorite quotes is by Henry Ford. It goes, "Whether you think you can or you can't, you're usually right."

This quote speaks to me because it's true. If we don't believe that we can do the things we want/hope/dream to do then we'll never be able to do them. We have to first believe that we can (and that we're worthy) and then take action to make it happen.

There are always voices telling us that we can't, we shouldn't, or we won't. The key is to not listen to those voices, especially if that voice is coming from somewhere inside you.

I am no holier than thou. I have moments when I subconsciously slip into negative thought patterns. When I do, I try to shake myself up and replace that negative train of thought with a positive affirmation. Even just saying to myself, "I can" helps.

With the start of a new week, let's all remember to put our best foot forward and to believe. Do not listen to negativity or naysayers. That little voice that says you can't is a liar!

Sweetness & Light,

Yroko M.

{Challenge Group} Resolve to be Fit Now!



via

According to the NY Times, people gain 5 lbs. during the Thanksgiving and Christmas holiday season. While this isn't a huge amount of weight, the fact is that that there is a problem in this country related to weight and it's at epidemic proportions.

I don't believe for one second that we should all be a certain body type, however it's a reality that sickness and disease are related to how we treat our bodies. Even people who are thin can be unhealthy.

via

Every year, so many of us resolve to be healthier, to exercise, and all that jazz. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if gyms memberships peak during the beginning of the year when everyone is still feeling fueled by their New Year's Resolution of making the year great and different than the one before.

I also wouldn't be surprised if most people quit and give up before the summer comes.

Maybe the problem is not in the action by the way it's done?

Rather than waiting until the January 1st, I'm inviting my readers to get a jump on the new year by beginning on a journey to a healthier lifestyle starting December 5th!

via

Wouldn't you rather give yourself the gift of health over weight gain this holiday season?

via

So, what's the challenge?

It's simple. You commit to an exercise program and eating clean and I provide you with support, inspiration, encouragement and accountability (for the low cost of FREE!!!). In all honesty, we inspire and keep each other accountable. Just as I push my challenge members, my challenge members also push me!

You get access to my private Facebook group where you can get support from other challenge members and if FB isn't your thing, I can email, call or text you.

I am NOT a personal trainer, nutritionist, or naturopath. What I am is a regular person, like you, who is working to improve her life and "paying it forward" by helping to inspire others through my own journey. It's like this blog, in a way, but set to music and covered in sweat!

There are ONLY five spaces available for this challenge! Yes, only five, so if you're interested please shoot me an email and I'll provide you with more information: mommetrois@gmail.com.



via

 Healthy is nice, not naughty! Give yourself the gift of a fitter healthier you!

Sweetness & Light,

Yroko M.

{WIAW} New Edible Discoveries

Even though I'm not currently veg*n, I'm still being mindful about what I put into my body. I love myself and I want to look and feel my best.

via

Right now, I'm trying a lot of new things. New foods, new exercises, and new adventures. Life is too short to stay in one's comfort zone, so I'm challenging myself to break out of my comfort zone by trying new things. I'm searching for the magic.




via



My mission to get back in shape inspired me to become a BeachBody coach! And, no, I'm not doing it just because I may one day see Ryan Gosling and he might check out my quads!

Although I'm thin, I'm not in the best shape. I want to improve my health and, also, let's be honest...



via

In my case, I exercise to be healthy but also to look sexy as fuck naked and to feel good about me and the skin I'm in. I mean, this is the only body I have so I might as well love it, right?

What is BeachBody exactly? Well, I'm pretty sure that you've heard of some of the workouts like Insanity, P90X, Turbo Jam, etc.

I am working out, and inspiring others to end the trend of obesity through exercise and living a healthy lifestyle. I'm super psyched about it and will share a little bit about my fitness challenge groups in another post!

Along with doing new things, I'm also eating new things! One new food thing is Shakeology. My day usually starts with this shake which is, which is "the healthiest meal of the day." It has all types of goodies in it from Spirulina to Probiotics and veggies.

You know I love me some green smoothies, so I usually take one scoop of chocolate Shakeology and mix it with a banana, spinach, ice, rice milk and another new discovery:

This stuff is too good. Dangerously good. It doesn't quite taste like chocolate and it's a little sweeter than regular PB. I have to give myself a limit on how much I eat in any given day. It's that good.

After Shakeology, my next meal has been a lot of Greek yogurt mixed with Kashi nuggets, dried cranberries, caco nibs, chia powder, and kiwi. I bought a ton of kiwis at Costco and now I'm trying to use them up. You can't see them in the pic, but they're there!

I'm trying not to reward myself with food but this lunch really was a treat. It was organic greens with beans, sunflower seeds, and light balsamic with tilapia. I also had roasted brussels and a little sushi. So nom nom!

I've basically given up soda, but was happy to stumble upon Hint Fizz. It's water with essence of fruit and zero calories. It tastes better than the typical sparkling water with fruit essence (to me anyway). 

For anyone who wants a healthier option to soda, I highly recommend this. It comes in flavors like Peach, Watermelon, Mint. It could be made even sweeter and more soda-like with a drop of liquid Stevia, I would imagine. I'm fine with it unadulterated and not too sweet.

This is a weird not quite taco bowl. It has taco style chicken, black beans, corn, quinoa, green beans avocado and Sriracha. You know, because pretty much everything needs Sriracha on it.

There is nothing new about this dinner but I'm not sure WIAW would be complete without a shot of something with Sriracha on it!

 

And yet another new discovery is hulled hemp seeds. I've had the hemp seeds with the shells and can honestly say I was not a fan. They got stuck in my teeth and didn't seem kosher.

But my first taste of the hulled hemp seeds made me feel like, "hello lover." They turned, like a geeky high school student, from something I wouldn't think twice about into a hot stud must have. 

Hemp seeds are the perfect topping for a salad made with quinoa, avocado, sprouts, and turkey bacon! I put them on my protein crustless pumpkin pie. I put them on anything, everything!

Along with Jen from Peas & Crayons, I'm still "Falling into Good Habits" when it comes to my food. It's great that I can still try new things without losing the health part of them.

I think too often new foods, and particularly, healthy foods can seem scary. They're not! I think all of us should challenge ourselves to fall into health by trying new things.

I dare you to challenge yourself by picking up a new fruit or vegetable and giving it a whirl. The worst thing that can happen is you won't like it, but if you do it's just another thing to make life that much sweeter. It's the little things.

Have you made any new food discoveries?

Sweetness & Light,

Yroko M.

{WIAW} Food In My Belly & A Confession

It's been a while since I've shared what I've been putting into my belly. Part of me has been reluctant to post food because it's often not veg*n.

Truth be told, I've had a very hard time staying veg*n and am not currently veg*n. There, I said it. I totally believe in everything I've ever written about veg*nism. I totally believe that a primarily or exclusively plant-based diet is better for our bodies. I know that it is better for the environment.

I still think factory farming is unethical and cruel. That will never change.

The reality of that knowledge, however, is that for me personally, it has been difficult to sustain an this lifestyle. I think too often we judge people without full knowledge of their back story and for anyone who wants to judge me because I've fallen off the veg*n wagon go for it. Judge not lest ye be judged, ya know?

I'm not sure how anyone judging my life makes you ethically or morally better than me. There are times when I feel unbelievable guilt or like a failure but sometimes it be's like that.

I was getting really skinny. I am still nursing a baby. I work full-time outside the home and am working from home so essentially I have two jobs. And I'm a mom. We have a ton of kids who go to three different schools, karate, jiu jitus, ballet, etc. I was the only full-time veg*n in our home.

At first it was easy and then it was very hard and I often found myself going hungry or not eating well. I just could not do it all. Two dinners everyday. Two breakfasts. Different breads... that's a lot to juggle.

I was worn out and feeling off-balance. Aside from continuing to loose weight, my skin started to break out, I developed a rash that wouldn't go away, and I began to feel constantly run down and depressed. I had digestive issues. It was all bad.

When I started eating as I was before, all my symptoms went away. My skin is now more clear than it was after I went veg*n - go figure. (And, FWIW, I still try to purchase only veg*n personal items.)



Currently, Jen from Peas & Crayons' What I Ate Wednesday theme is "fall into good habits." While not veg*n, I am practicing good eating habits by  eating a clean well-balanced diet. It is my plan to eventually go back to a mostly plant-based diet as soon as I stop breastfeeding.

So... this is what I've been eating now... as the not veg*n me.

(From top left going clockwise)

1. Dinner - It was quinoa, chicken breast, sauteed broccoli & spinach and roasted butternut squash

2. Breakfast - Greek yogurt topped with Kashi protein clusters, chia powder, kiwi, apple and cacao nibs

3. Snack - Salad with carrots, dried cranberries, avocado and crispy turkey bacon

4. Lunch - Quinoa, chicken breast, spinach and a spicy butternut squash sauce

4. Dinner - Taco Salad: lettuce, yellow and orange peppers, black beans, avocado, sprinkle of low-fat Mexican blend cheese, salsa and chicken

So, there you have it. Not remotely veg*n food, but healthy clean wholesome food. Food that left my body feeling not only satiated but balanced.

Have you ever fallen off the wagon with something you really wanted to do? How did you cope with your failure?

Sweetness & Light,

Yroko M.

Our Halloween Recap

The weekend before Halloween Pamela and I decided to go out. It was very last minute and despite all my proactive planning I never quite resolved the great costume dilemma, and I didn't really have a costume.

Even though I was totally gungho about the idea of dressing up, I was lazy this year. That means that at 7 p.m. on Saturday, I found myself in Walgreen's busy trying to come up with something to wear. 

Pam and I fell back on an oldie but goodie... cats! It was all they had unless we wanted to be a witch, or wear a hot pink wig.

Cats or Playboy bunnies will never go out of style. Never.

I totally didn't get pics of our tails, but we had them and they were cute!

Harlot bathroom, 3 a.m.

Man, did we have fun! We went to three parties and danced and laughed and gawked. At the end of the night, we ended up at Harlot where it was especially spooky.

The ceiling was dripping and it felt like an urban rainforest of sorts. Or maybe carnival somewhere tropical. Everyone in costume. House music pounding faster than a heartbeat.

There are some nights that are fun and some nights that are extra special. When you have that moment of kairos when time just kind of stand stills and everything is right with the world, and you just feel good.

And maybe a little bit like a sultry naughty kitty. Naughty in a good way, of course.

The weekend left me with high expectations for Halloween itself. I mean, the Giants won the World Series and the parade was the same day as Halloween. How could the day be anything less than awesome?

The night before Halloween I found myself shopping for costumes... again! Despite my proactive planning, I somehow ended up in a ransacked Spirit Store at 9 p.m. Teenagers are so fickle and Obi no longer wanted to be a vampire.

Fortunately, despite an encounter with a zombie kid, Obi and I left the Spirit Store relatively unscathed.

Halloween morning was gloomy and the makings of the perfect scary story. Weather be damned, Macaroni was insistent on wearing her costume to school. "All the kids are wearing their costumes to school, mom," she insisted.

I volunteered to be one of the 2nd grade chaperons for the school dance. The dance took place during school hours and seemed like a good idea.

However, not everything in life that seems like a good idea really is. I don't think the planning committee considered whether kids would actually be dancing for four hours and no other activities were organized.

Lovebug and I put on our costumes and headed to the school. The sky was grey and temperamental. Moody even.

The dance was a storm of kids hyped up on sugar running in circles, jumping up and down, play fighting (only the boys, naturally), and random shrieks all to the beat of a live DJ.

There was little dancing; using the term "dancing" loosely.
The dance seemed to last forever... and ever.

We left the dance drained. Well, I was drained. The kids were ready for more sugar. Ready for trick-or-treating and a night of glee.

I love being a mom. I truly do, however let's keep it real, after spending a day with a bunch of screaming kids moving at the speed of light I was not in the mood to walk around the city in cold weather.

I secretly hoped that it would rain and even joked that maybe the sporadic movements the kids did at the party was a secret ancient rain dance.

I sent a joking message to friends that I was considering doing my own rain dance. None of us moms seemed to be in a trick-or-treating mood.

Mr. MM3 and I gave ourselves 15 minutes to leave when, lo and behold, it started to rain. A part of me giggled inside, but I did my best to look solemn as I gave the news that we wouldn't be able to do much trick-or-treating in the rain.

As much as I wanted to let the weather rain on our parade (literally!) instead I just cut trick-or-treating short.

We did go out, umbrellas and all, and got quite a decent amount of candy. In fact, the amount we got with our few stops was probably close to what we would have gotten from a full night of trick-or-treating.

The candy givers weren't expecting a ton of kids so they gave the girls candy in piles.

We only saw one other group of trick-or-treaters before returning home, so some parents were not as brave as us though I'm sure many were as happy about the weather.

The girls were thrilled. They had Halloween dances, parades, candy and trick-or-treating. Even though it wasn't hours of ringing strangers' doorbells, they were content. They had a good time.

In a way, it was kind of a gentle reminder that sometimes less is more and that the most important thing is enjoying the moment. They apprecited the good time they were having even if it wasn't exactly as they would have hoped. A lot of grown-usp could stand to have that attitude and appreciation for living in the moment.

At home, we put on warm jammies and ate more candy. Although nothing went as planned, it was a perfect Halloween.

Sweetness & Light,

Yroko M.