RECIPE: ENERGY BITES

two weeks ago, aaron and i got gym passes to start working out and to get healthy. most days during the week, we go to the gym at 6 am (yeah, i know, kill me) and so i need major energy early in the morning. i usually have a protein shake after my work out, but needed something to keep me full and give me some energy. enter in, energy bites! these are seriously so yummy and you really only need one or two to keep you full. plus, they're healthy which is a huge plus!


//ingredients
1 cup quick cooking oats
8 tbsp PB2
3 tbsp organic honey
1/2 cup mini chocolate chips
1 tbsp chia seeds
1 tsp vanilla extract

//directions
throw all ingredients into a mixing bowl, mix it all up and let it chill in the fridge for 30 min-1 hour. once chilled, roll into balls and store in an airtight container either on the counter, in the fridge or in the freezer (mine go straight into the fridge)!

makes 18-20 balls // 2 points+ per ball

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY

happy father's day to all the men in my life who have helped to shape who i am, especially this man right here. my dad is down to earth, funny, and loving. i am so grateful that we are in the midst of the best relationship we've ever had. 

READ BEFORE BINGING ON FAST FOOD AND SUGAR

skyler, this post is for you. i want you to remember this feeling. remember how your head throbs and your body feels like lead and your eyes are puffy and you're bloated. remember the chick-fil-a and fries and ben and jerry's peanut butter cup ice cream you ate last night? but gosh it's so so good...WELL THAT IS WHY YOU FEEL LIKE YOU'RE HUNGOVER. i know you just thought it was a cheat meal, but it is wreaking havoc on your body.

remember how good you feel when you eat fruit and wraps and salads and low fat dessert? remember how you feel like superwoman? I DO TOO AND I LIKE THAT. so stop eating crap! don't plan for it. you've come so far in learning what's good for your body and what fuels it. you've been working hard at being healthier. you've been to the gym 5 days this week. that's unheard of for you! but you love it. you love feeling stronger and seeing progress.

obviously, you're not perfect but you're striving. you're progressing. you're growing. i know how mad you would be if YOU were the one who hindered your own progress. so just think twice next time. walk away from the junk food and sugar, and it'll all be okay.

WAITING CAN BE SWEET

as i was texting a sweet friend today, i realized something: God has done a huuuuuuuuuuge work in my life (huuuuuuuuuuge reminds me of a story this same friend told me about our old pastor saying "huuuuuuuuuuge with multiple uuuuuu's!!!). my friend stephanie is getting ready to move to illinois with her husband so that they can attend school. stephanie and her husband sean are very close to aaron and i: they were in our wedding, were our neighbors at one point, and have shared in some of the most intimate times of ministry with us (steph and i went to india together and sean and aaron went to haiti). i've been thinking about them a lot since just three months ago we made the move to grand junction. i know how stressful and expensive and stresssful moving is, having done it so recently. i know how moving changes you, changes the way you respond, how you think, and especially how you feel. but that is only if you allow such a big change to dictate your life. 

our first month in gj, i battled major depression. i constantly cried, yearning and longing to be back in california. i constantly questioned whether we made the right decision and my joy and happiness was fully dependent on my circumstance. today, as i checked in with stephanie and she asked how things were going in colorado, something clicked.

i'm happy full of joy.

God is good.

He satisfies and is our contentment.

we are full and overflowing with the sweet taste of waiting.

while we long for the day we move back to southern california, to the sunny beaches and friends and family, we are treasuring this time in colorado. we are admiring the beauty of the mountains and the rarity of being away from everything. i'm in awe of the way He works and softens our hearts.

IT'S OFFICIAL

we're actual coloradans now. next on the list: driver's licenses!

JUNE GOALS

this picture has nothing to do with goals except that i was extremely happy, my hair was long and i was in san diego with my then boyfriend (now husband) ;)

>> workout 3+ times a week (hey, hey new gym membership!)
>> stick to WW program (even when we're in california)
>> finish my all sons & daughters devotional
>> cook dinner 4+ nights a week
>> try 2 new recipes (+ blog about them)
>> read 2 books (The Goldfinch and Made for More)
>> blog at least once a week
>> do something new!