Food Favorites and Fall Fitness!

And it feels soooooo good :) 

I'm sorry for the lack of posts this week everyone. I've been moving from school work to working out to volunteering, back to back! 

I'm excited to share some of my favorite things and how I've been moving this past week. 

Since Fall is in full swing now, I am eating pumpkin everything. 

Get in my tummy<3

One of my favorite ways of enjoying this Fall gem in is my beloved yogurt messes!

 Naughtiest way of eating pumpkin? 

Can I get a loud YUUUUUUUM?

I'm telling you, it's ridic. 

Weirdest thing I've been craving lately? 

Salads, salads, salads!

For some peculiar reason, I've been loving my salads and veggies so much. I actually look forward to them and let the hummus do the talking ;) 

I'm super proud of myself for eating only home cooked meals this week! Sometimes it's difficult to prepare food at home, but honestly, it's much healthier and its nice on your wallet. 

I used some of my foodie skills and whipped up this delicious and nutritious dinner! My parents raved about it. 

I took a Cooking Light recipe (my favorite website for healthy eats!) and swapped out some things to make it my own. I used shrimp instead of sausage and used a crap load ton of different veggies to bulk it up! I sprinkled some feta cheese to finish and it went from amazing to hello Chef Alina :) 

I did I tell you? I'm digging my greens! 

On the exercise front, I've been trying to up my running a bit since I haven't been able to concentrate on my speed for a while. You would think that the weather would be getting nicer but it seems like every time I step outside, this happens...

Grrrr. 

Thankfully, my girl Zuzana got me covered! 

I had an awesome rest day yesterday and busted out a sweaty workout today. 

• 30 minute abs 
• ZWOW #37 (Side hops kill me) 
• ZWOW #31 (Basic moves but definitely efficient!) 

I enjoy her workouts so much because it's fast, intense and I don't have to think about the time. Since the moves change constantly, my body is being challenged everyday. 

Usually, at the end of my workouts, I top it off with the #plankchallenge! 

I went from this.

 To this.

To finally this!

Seriously, I can't believe I got this far! It isn't hard anymore to hold myself up for this long and I owe it to my core exercises. 

Whew, that was a mouthful of a post. 

I hope you stayed awake through it ;) 

I just want to say that always remember that we all have struggles and hardships. Everyday!

Not everything in the Smile house is picture perfect but I strive to become a better daughter, sister and friend through these experiences. Live to love and love to live, my friends<3

"We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed;" 2 Corinthians 4:8-9

Because I Love You

Before I get into this post, let's talk about today's workout! 

Yesterday was rest day due to the homework I had piled up for me. 

Thank you homework for ruining my life taking so much of my time. 

I jumped back into the swing of things by focusing on my arms and legs today. 

Workout

• 20 minutes of abs (Hurts so good.) 
• HIIT It Hard Workout
• Awesomesauce arms
• Sexy Legs Workout

Lastly, I beat my PR of the plank challenge!

Remember to push yourself to your best ability during your workouts :) 

The more you push yourself, the faster the results. 

I remember only being about to 2 minutes of planks. Practice makes progress! 

I scurried to the bathroom and took a 5 second shower because this girl was HANGRY. 

The awesome spread! Mama Smile delivers, my friends. 

Oxtail soup!

Spicy Kimchi!

Drool worthy, no? 

After dinner, my parents went for a drive and stopped by Publix for much needed food! 

T'was a great night<3

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Have you ever tried to implement healthy habits into your own family? Being a huge foodie and health lover, I learned that this can be a hard process. One of my biggest accomplishments is to include more whole grains into our diet since we consume a lot of white carbs such as rice. 

We now mix brown rice with white! Tiny steps people, tiny steps ;) 

Two years ago or so, my mom was taken to the hospital suddenly because she felt pain in her chest. We discovered that she had high blood pressure and her pulse was abnormal. This was one of the most scary events that ever happened to our family. Our mother was our rock, our support and I looked up to her more than anything. She ended up staying in the hospital for a month, transferring into different hospitals to find treatment to help her case. After a long period of tests, it was discovered that her potassium levels were extremely low and it was affecting her energy. To make a long story short, she was able to come home after a month and a half. 

This experience helped me understand how health not only affects one person, but the whole family as well. When I was in the darkest part of my eating disorder, I never noticed that my actions brought so much worry and pain to my family and friends. It wasn't until I met my dietitian that I realized what I was doing to the people I love. It's my turn to give back what I know I have a passion for.

Because I love my parents, I will continue to convince them to make smarter choices, whether it be to include more veggies into our dinners or taking long walks with them. 

Because I love my sister, I'll keep telling her about the new workout moves I learned and encourage her to run with me outside, no matter how annoying I can get.

Because I love my friends, I'll tell them to join me in my workouts and give them tips on how to pack healthier lunches to school. 

Because I love myself, I'll continue to nourish myself and work hard to fight my ED thoughts to become the best version of me. 

I encourage all of you to try to imply healthy life changes in your parents, your friends, your siblings and your own life. It's worth it, I promise! 

Beyond Late

It's Friday! But there's a question that must be answered. 

Where have I been?

 I know I missed a post that I was supposed to do on Sunday about family and health but I'll get to that later tonight. I'm super behind my posts and I apologize! I've been doing (and eating) quite a number of things :)

Homecoming was amazing and I'm so glad I went. 

Who needs a date when you got these girls? 

Dinner was fabulous as well! We decided to go to Carrabba's and it was my first time. 

I decided on the Tuscan Strawberry Salad with chicken and asked if they could substitute bleu cheese with goat cheese. 

Request accepted! 

I had a piece of bread as I was waiting for my entree. Mmm, I love carbs. 

Guys, just look at this beaut! 

  

It came with a strawberry vinaigrette which was to die for. 

This salad was a beast but nothing this girl couldn't handle :)

We then headed out to the dance and 4 hours later, came out as tired, sweaty blobs. I'll save your eyes on this one haha. 

For some reason, always after some sort of dance, I feel like time goes on hyper mode. I do not know where the week went! 

All I know is that I ate good food. 

With a sprinkle of good company :)

I've been trying to push myself in my workouts and my favorite way as of late? 

Plank challenges.

Yup, I'm talking to you Heather ;)

So far, I'm at 5 minutes! So cray cray. I can guarantee that there is always a puddle of sweat dripping from my face at the end of these. 

Try it people! If you have Instagram, hashtag #plankpower and tag me at haebinsmile. I'd love to see how far you can go! 

Whoa, it's 5 o'clock already?!

I'm getting older, I swear. 

Never Regret a Workout

Kickbutt workout this evening! To be honest, I was not feeling so hot after school today but I knew if I got my heart pumpin', it would fix just that.

****************

Workout 

• 20 minutes of abs
• ZWOW #34 - Absolutely killer! 
• ZWOW # 12 - Oldie but a great cardio video! 

I finished this all off with a 2:30 minute plank! Heather, challenge accepted ;)

Lately, it's been crazy hot here in South Florida and I haven't been able to run. I feel like I can't run 2 miles without having a heat stroke! ZWOW's are amazing and usually last from 10 to 20 minutes. Trust me when I say that the intensity makes up for the time! She incorporates all body parts so its a full body blast. Whenever you don't feel great, try to fit a workout or a mini session to lift your mood! You'll be glad you did! 

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Dinner was not that attractive but it was dang good! 

Grilled pork belly with veggies for wrapping! 

A wee little piece of dark chocolate to round out the meal. 

Dark Chocolate = LOVE. 

I'm want to have weight training session early tomorrow before heading to the hospital so that means it's time for bed! 

Look out for a post on Sunday about health and your loved ones :) 

Have a fabulous night<3