6 months preggo & so thankful for DADS!

It's was a super lazy week for me last week... Not for the hubby though, so I made it my goal to just be THERE for him, encourage him when he was overwhelmed and make sure he's getting fed! He is such a hard worker and as a RN student/hubby/soon-to-be-dad/worker his life is absolutely crazy- While I'm enjoy a more leisurely life until Moses comes, I may as well help my better half out.

Pregnancy Update: 6 months along- Feeling really sleepy this week, back pain {Physical Therapy is helping with that}, heartburn {Tum, Tu, Tum, Tum, Tums!!!}, lots of baby kicks & flips. Overall, not bad-- Can't eat a thing past 4-5pm without feeling super uncomfortable, so I've been juicing, making a shake or eating some protein pudding to get my nutrients.

I've been doing a lot of learning, soul-searching, internalizing... Whatever you want to call it! I've been really trying to work on my mindset and myself. There are a few things that have come up over the last couple weeks that I'm not to happy about. Just the way I approach certain things in life and the fear that I carry with me. Fear is such a handicap-- It's a crutch too. It holds me back from reaching my potential, stops me from being authentic, gives me reasons to make excuses. It's just ugly and the way I let it into my life is ugly. So, lots of praying, spending time in the scriptures, chatting with a guru, my hubby ;) He is SUCH a go-getter, positive, doesn't let anything get in his way type of person. Fear in the areas I struggle with, don't even phase him! I'm so thankful for him- WOW! It's been a learning week, which isn't always fun-- But it's necessary. I have HUGE goals for myself and I won't reach them without digging deep and getting rid of the fears I hold on to. My motto right now-- "Let your faith {and dreams} be BIGGER than your fears." More bold and beautiful Hannah in the works, lol... Stay tuned!

Another fun thing this week was Father's Day-- Dave's first one! He's been an amazing father to our fur-kids for years & he talks about little Moses with excitement in his voice, so it was fun to celebrate him today with some special lovin'.
To MY dad, who is the best father I could ask for! He's loving, hard working, has a huge heart, kind spirit and chose to take ME as his daughter! He didn't have to adopt me and could have been just been my "step-dad" but he stepped up to the plate when no one else would and raised me. We have argued, butted heads, disagreed- I've given him more than his share of teenage girl attitude, but he's loved me every day since we've met and I'm grateful for that. He's also going to be the greatest grandpa ever!    
{Sad that I couldn't find a pic of us :/ but I'll see him in 17 days, when I visit Oregon & I'm taking pics}
I also want to shout out to my father-in-law. His crazy passion for Christ as my youth pastor and pastor has influenced my life in more ways that I could thank him for. Also, his love for my mother-in-law has benefited my life as their son loves me unconditionally because of their amazing examples of a Christian marriage.
To my gramps as well-- He tops the list as one of my most favorite people on this earth. He is one-of-a-kind, he loves me, he has a huge heart {though he covers it with his toughness} and I have so many fun memories with him.

HAPPY FATHERS DAY TO ALL!

XO Hannah

The Bump Gets Advice! Who knew?!

10 things I didn't know about pregnancy:


Having a baby bump automatically signals people, complete strangers, to:

1- touch you
2- Stare at you
3- tell you their birth story (doesn't matter if you are in a line at the grocery store, in the stall next to them peeing, or anywhere!)
4- show you what breastfeeding did to their breasts
5- comment about what you should or should not be doing
6- Suggest an epidural
7- ask how much you've gained
8- comment on how the baby name should be spelled
9- SET NIPPLE CREAM IN YOUR CART, stating-- You have to have this!
10- give you a handout on why vaccines are bad (who carries those pamphlets in their purse??)

Now, not all of these things are bad, I just smile and nod. I just had no clue how vocal women can be just because they see a baby bump!!  I've received some great advice from some complete strangers... I've also received some horrible advice (:

This is exactly what I think to myself as I walk away from these people...

Anywho, my thoughts for today!

XO Hannah

Getting Back On Track {They call it Clean Eating} ;)

100 lbs LOST!! Yes, between David & I we lost 100 lbs.      Dave = 70, Me = 30
Two years ago June 2011-Sep 2011. We dedicated and devoted ourselves and made NO excuses... Ever!! We were strict and loved every minute of it. It takes extreme diligence and determination to do this and being eachother's partner made all the difference. When he was down-- I was his encourager. When I was down-- He pushed me! Not only do I have the most encouraging and motivating husband in the world, I have never met anyone as hard core or dedicated to something as this man. He puts something in his mind, makes it his goal and NEVER EVER EVER stops until he reaches it. It's amazing to see! {Anywho, enough hubby mush}

We've both put on a little weight since our huge weight loss....

Reason #1 we lost this amount in 3 months... Hard to maintain that kind of loss, usually your body pics up a few lbs to keep a maintained healthy weight. Dave gained 10 lbs back, I gained 3. We then just started using that to build and lift. {Muscle Baby} We got to our fittest around summer 2012 by lift, lift, lifting! Weights WORK ladies & guys you already know this!
Reason #2: I'm pregnant... Self explanatory. <---Insert weight gain!
Reason #3: Dave's a FULL-time nursing student (5 weeks left in current semester), works & tutors as well. He's up at 4am and gets home around 11pm. His schedule is crazy and stressful and overwhelming and more than a human should have to endure at times, therefore, maintaining such a strict regimen isn't as easy. He's constantly on the go, but has no time to devote to even an hour hard-core gym sesh.

Bottom Line-- Our life {as well as millions of other people} is CRAZY busy! Fortunately the last month and the next couple months are pretty easy for me. I'm out of school, working part time and basically just enjoying my time before baby arrives in October. When baby does come, life will be even more busy and excuses more available. Though, if you know me... You know I'm already planning my post-baby body regimen and have ample support to help me reach my hefty goals!

SO all that to say this: Since I have time on my hands I'm seeing what we are eating, how often we are eating, our workouts and it isn't up to par, according to my high standards. Going back to a CLEAN EATING {<--- If you don't know what that looks like E-mail me!} routine is essential. I've noticed that Dave's eating here and there, when he can instead of every 2-3 hours regularly & his water consumption isn't super high. He's constantly on his feet at work and during clinical rotations so he is getting exercise in that aspect, it's not great, but it's something...
My eating has been fairly good besides the occasional pregnancy splurge here and there. I drink PLENTY of water, eat my veggies and fruits. My goal during this pregnancy is to eat as clean as I can and work out as much as I feel comfortable. I don't have a set amount I'd like to gain-- I know my body and how it feels. I know how to feed my body a healthy way and so I'm taking my own advice and dancing to the beat of my own drum. If it's "too little" or "too much" weight gain, I'm okay-- I know myself! All I want is a healthy baby boy in October <3

Today is a new day though-- I have a plan I'm putting into motion because TODAY is the best day to start! Not tomorrow, or next Monday or after the holiday.. It's TODAY!
My goal is to feed myself, my baby and my hubby better, more scheduled and CLEAN! As Dave's wife, I want to be his strength when he is weak and right now with his schedule, he needs help making meals and ensuring he has a big water bottle :) So I'm taking it on!
Yeah, Exciting!

XO,
Hannah

P.S.
If you want a great Clean Eating resource, look no further that the clean eating queen Tosca Reno at The Clean Eat Diet.

The "Salad Dressing"

When I first moved to Maui I met an AMAZING woman who I quickly adopted as my "Maui-Mom" she is also named, Hannah {though pronounced differently}. She introduced me to her FAMOUS salad dressing... It's simple, healthy and everyone who knows her knows of her amazing salad dressing. She puts it on everything and everything from her kitchen tastes AMAZING!

It's the simplest recipe, but just so tasty, I fell in love!

Then pregnancy came along and my one aversion has been olive oil... Isn't that weird?? The ONLY thing I can't even think about is EVOO--- So basically the salad dressing that I love so dearly has been out of our fridge for about 5 1/2 months... SAD! :(

Well, tonight I suddenly got a craving for this dressing!! Not exciting for some... Fantastic for ME!

So, I pulled out my Vitamix and started adding ingredients to make it.

No exact measurements, I just add to taste... But here's my best calculation.

1 C   EVOO
1/8 C  of each Balsalmic, Red Wine and Apple Cider Vinegar {Maybe a few more dashes of Balsalmic}
Good Squirt of Honey
Good Squirt of Mustard {Any kind}
1/4 C Italian herbs
Sprinkle of cayenne <--- I like it hot, so I put a lot!
Pinch of S&P {Salt and Pepper, people!}

After you blend/emulsify, dab a spoon into the dressing and see how it tastes, you'll know if it needs a little more oil or vinegar and add what you need.

This dressing is good on EVERYTHING, well, almost everything.
Tonight I made salmon {Marinated in the dressing}, Quinoa in the rice cooker with lots of herbs and garlic, all on top of a bed of healthy spinach and of course, drizzled with more dressing.
Clean, Healthy and Oh SO Delish!

XO,
Hannah

Where do I get Motivation?

The TWO questions...

"Can you be my Motivation?" Or "Where do you get your Motivation?"

These questions have been asked to me many, MANY times since starting my health/fitness journey and becoming a health coach.

I love it! When people reach out to me and ask for help, they are acknowledging that they want a change. There is a trigger that's gone off that causes them to desire this lifestyle. My "switch" was a little over two years ago. I was DONE-- Totally fed up with myself, my eating habits, my endurance, my confidence level {or lack thereof}. I humbled myself and reached out for help! I found fit/healthy, non-toxic people and surrounded myself with their positivity. Most of them lived in Facebook land and I've never even met them in person... and that was okay with me. I was able to push myself with their long distance support because I believed in myself. My life was changed forever and I've never looked back! The friendships I made with those people at that time was essential for my personal growth and health goals.

The motivation question posed above is something that I asked one of my coaches when I started my journey. I asked her to be my motivation. She simply said, she is here for me, she can guide me, she can encourage me, but the ONLY person who can motivate me is myself and the BELIEF that I can accomplish my goals. This was a hard one for me-- I had never pushed myself to  this limit before and I wasn't sure I could do it. {Those of you who have trained, KNOW the limits you have to take you body to}. It's not easy to say no to cake or pizza, doing the last rep is freaking hard and you want to stop, the emotional aspect of changing your habits and body takes a tole. There are so many things, but what you have to keep focusing on if the belief you have in your goals, aspirations and in yourself!

You can do ANYTHING you put your heart to. KNOW you can do it, believe in yourself, if you fail one day or fall off track-- that should not stop your movement. You pick right back up and go. When your alarm goes off and you've barely slept, still get up! Lace up your shoes and go!

When you start seeing changes in yourself, it will become your motivation. You have less doubts, you have more confidence, excuses don't even matter any more because you've conquered your old doubtful self.

I am here for you! I'll coach you and encourage you and give you advice, tips, samples... But BELIEVE in yourself and become your own motivation, you are amazing and perfect and the goals you've set for yourself are real and powerful and you will achieve them!

 XO,
Hannah