Happy New Year!

I miss you guys so much!  I haven't decided what to do moving forward with this blog-- I find myself constantly wanting to share with you guys awesome recipes, work-outs, facts ETC.  But-- here's the kicker-- I got a professional blogging job for SEOwhat.com and, I will be maintaining two blogs for them and I'm not sure if I'll have the time to dedicate myself to this part of the Internet.  Bummer- I know!

I feel very passionate about clean eating and living a healthy lifestyle.  I'm actually in progress of overhauling my entire families diet-- my 5 year old is definitely the most work. Telling a 5 year old no more candy, cupcakes, Ravioli-- as you can imagine, not the easiest thing.  But, it's what is best for her and I'm not going to give in!

For those of you who have emailed me about Fit Friends-- I am not sure I will continue the program.  We had over 150 participants (yay!) and it sounds like you all loved your packages!  Unfortunately, the person assigned to me didn't ever send a package to me!  So all of that work, and I didn't even get to enjoy the program.  It was a big let down!  I hope none of you experienced that disappointment!  I am very sorry if you did!

I did also deactivate my personal Facebook page, therefore the Mama's Facebook page also came down.  A majority of my followers (300 or so) kept up with the blog that way, so I'm not sure how many of you will even see this post!  I do think I'm going to try and come back here periodically-- so I hope you will stop by!

I also wanted to let you guys know that I've gotten into a size 7 jeans!  I haven't been a size 7 since Eva was born!  It's a pretty big deal!

And, to leave you with some motivation on this first Wednesday of 2013--

                                                               Source: thetimeisnow-30lbs.tumblr.com via Azia on Pinterest

NuNaturals Giveaway WINNERS!!!

Hey guys!  How was your weekend?  Life has been B-U-S-Y lately!  I've been working on my novel a *ton* and when that happens, blogging happens to take a back burner.  But, NaNoWriMo is almost over!

Did you check out my ABC's of Getting (and staying) in Shape!?

Blogging will be pretty minimal this week-- My Mom is flying in from Denver today, Eva turns 5 tomorrow-- we have parties and overall frivolity planned for the next couple of days-- but, I promise to be back in full force around Thanksgiving!  I also have a Blog Hop planned for every third Thursday of the month (which happens to fall on the USA's Thanksgiving)-- check back this Thursday for all of the details!

Fit Friend boxes were to  be sent out yesterday!  We are now open to December sign-ups!  I'm so excited to see what people sent each other and to continue this awesome FitFamily!  Be sure to sign up!  Ashley @Ain't Got Nowhere to Go posted about some *awesome* bars she made for her Fit Friend!  Head over and check out the recipe (and follow her on Google!)

And- now for the 4 winners of the NuNaturals Giveaway!

Taylor LeMay

Katie Cloninger

Annie Staricha

Lauren Sweers

Congratulations!  All I need the 4 of you to do is email me at mamasbellyblog(at)gmail(dot)com with your mailing address and NuNaturals will get your package sent out!

FF- Week 2

Hello all!  It's Foodie Friday!  Yay!  I didn't take nearly as many photos as I would have liked... I had kind of a boring food week.  Not to mention, I totally grubbed out on pizza from Papa Murphy's on Halloween-- which solidified the fact that we absolutely *cannot* have pizza in the house!  I typically have amazing self control, but you get my around pizza and suddenly I'm SHOVELING it down my throat.

Do you have a food you can't resist?  (Please tell me you do!)

1.  Protein Power Bowl- Eggs, plain Chobani, oats, pumpkin- sweet and warm!

2. Metabolism Boosting Smoothie (recipe below

3. A delicious lunch that Garrett made for me!  Peppered Fish, mixed veggies and beans.

4. Okra- completely disgusting, beans, puled chicken on a homemade wheat bun.

5. Homemade Chicken Wild Rice Soup

6. Egg with spinach and chicken breast, melted Daiya on a homemade whole wheat bun

7.  Pumpkin Protein Coffee

8. My favorite- Grapenuts!  With almonds, raisins, chia seed and almond milk.

9. Chobani pancakes with apple rings- topped with peanut butter and cinnamon with a side of scrambled eggs with sweet potatoes.

Kind of a boring food week-- and super high in carbs!  Sheesh!  I wasn't aware of it until I started writing this post... definitely going to need to cut that carb count down next week!

I wanted to share this smoothie recipe with you because it does an amazing job and speeding up your metabolism-- plus it tastes *amazing*

:Ingredients:

1 banana (preferably frozen) sliced

Handful of Blueberries

1/4 of a Green Apple- diced

1  Tablespoon ginger (I zest it on a micro plane)

1 cup Pineapple Juice (can substitute this for Coconut Water)*

Half of a lemon- squeeze out juice

1 Tablespoon Chia Seed

4 Ice Cubes 

1 1/2 cups Spinach

Blend everything together and enjoy!  

*You may need to add additional juice if it's too thick and not blending properly.

It has an incredibly tart taste that will surely satisfy your sweet tooth!

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I also wanted to do another plug for Fit Friends!  There are only 2 more days to sign up to be linked up with a partner for November!  

Fit Friends

Since launching this blog, a lot of people have reached out to me and seem genuinely interested in learning new cooking methods, integrating exercise into their daily routine and trying new products.  An overwhelming majority of people are wanting to lead a healthy lifestyle but just don't know where to start, nor do they have a support group to keep them motivated.  

I've been a member of a few different gift swaps in the past but none could satisfy my inner health nut--  I kept receiving tons of candy and other "junk" foods. 

One day it hit me- What about creating a swap for fitness focused individuals?!

I bounced the idea of starting "Fit Friends" off of a few different people and they all said, "Yes!  Do it!  That sounds like fun!"

I've listened to their advice and I will now be launching the first month of FIT FRIENDS!  

The goal of Fit Friends is to create a healthy living network.  Every month participants will be matched up with a Friend to whom they will be creating a care package for.  There will be a $20 spending limit: all boxes must also include an inspirational piece and an edible item.  

To learn more about this program and to sign up- head over here.  You have until November 4, 2012 to get signed up and be a part of the first Fit Friends swap!

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