What's In My Gym Bag ?

I won't lie ladies- my gym bag is jam packed. I usually need to make sure that it's full of everything I need to get me from point A to point B. Although showering at the gym isn't my favorite thing to do, I sometimes have to do what's best for the time constraints I am given. I try to ask myself a few things when packing my bag in advance- so that way I have everything I need. Here are the thoughts that go through my head...


A. What could go wrong?
B. What do you use to feel fresh and new?
C. How can I make this the best workout ever?

PIC OF ME IN GYM PANTS & SHOES

The truth is, sometimes we need to be extra prepared. I can't tell you how many times I've been at the gym and my headphones have broken, or my hair tie has ripped, or even worse (Aunt Flo paid a visit) I try to be as prepared as possible for these instances that could occur at any time. Tampax pocket pearl makes it easy to hide my lady goods discreetly. It's so tiny and colorful, you can throw it right in your bag, and fit it comfortably without worrying about it being seen.

Most of my gym bag necessities, come from the mecca of all stores- TARGET. I pretty much do most of my shopping there because I can pick anything up- all under one roof. Here's what is in MY gym bag.

Aveeno Face Wash (to clean off impurities after a sweaty workout)
Tampax Pocket Pearl (it's so teeeny and cute, perfect for any on the go lady)
Cosmetic Bag with the essentials! (hair ties, chapstick, makeup)
Heart Rate Monitor Watch 
Comfortable Sneakers (I usually wear sandals to the gym, and switch in the locker room)
Water Jug (perfect size)
Coffee (my pre-workout)
Headphones *don't ever leave the house without them!*

I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.

Little Tree's Favorite Healthy Snacks

I usually get a lot of questions on what my favorite snacks are, so I figured I would do a little round up on the blog to share with you guys. I kinda fell off the wagon with posting healthy recipes (been so busy!) but I plan on starting to share more recipes starting next week, so stay tuned for that! When sticking to a healthy snack I try to choose something that is healthy, but also satisfies a craving. Before starting my working regiment I used to be crazy about carbs. I still do love carbs, but now I moderate carbs into my diet as opposed to overloading on them. Hope this gives you guys a little more info on my daily eating habits, what are some healthy things you guys like to snack on?

Quest Protein Chips & Quest Bars- As you guys know I have always loved Quest bars, and just recently tried their protein chips. Being an avid chip lover I am excited to have a healthier chip option, and happy that they have so many flavors to choose from. The chips have 21g of protein in each bag with only 5g of carbs which is awesome. My favorite bags are sea salt, sour cream and onion and of course salt and vinegar. The only downside to these chips is that they leave your mouth a little dry- but just make sure you keep water on hand and you'll be good to go. As far as the quest bars go, you guys can read my previous post about my favorites. I've tried almost every flavor they have and I love them for an on-the-go snack or quick meal.

Bare Chips- {Apple & Coconut}- These yummy chips are a new find for me and I am hooked! They come in all different flavors but my favorites are their apple and coconut chips. They're baked, gluten free and 100% natural. They're a really good source of fiber too, which makes them even better for a healthier diet. These come in handy for me when I am having a specific chocolate craving. I love the chocolate bliss chips and even tried adding some of the chips to my yogurt and fruit parfaits. I really love anything that promotes a healthy lifestyle while still maintaining flavor, and these chips do just that. They're good for you, and taste delicious too!

Cucumber & Goat Cheese Crumbles- This combo is perfect for those days when all I want to do is snack! My mom started cutting up whole cucumbers for Ryan and I to snack on and we just got hooked. We drizzle a little bit of olive oil on top and crumble feta and it's the perfect healthy combo that keeps our hungry tummies at bay while we wait to eat our main meal. We also use this as our version of a salad since we're both not crazy about tomatoes. Two of a kind, right? ;)

Pasta Chips- I've talked about pasta chips in the past, and they are still one of my favorite go-to snacks. I made a spinach and cilantro dip that paired perfectly with them last year. (read that here) These are delicious chips that are made with italian herbs and are inspired by italian dishes. They have everything from alfredo to garlic olive oil, and my personal favorite sea salt. It really tastes like you're eating a delicious plate of pasta with homemade sauce! They have 60% less fat than regular chips and are really good to add to a cheese platter or to any homemade dip.

Yogurt & Granola- I used to hate yogurt and now it's one of my daily snacks. Although I can't really eat it plain, I love finding good granola to mix in with it. I found my favorite granola and I have been finding it in select grocery stores in my area and literally buying about 7 bags at a time!My favorite yogurt is Chobani (obviously it's greek haha) and my favorite granola is . It has dark chocolate chunks in it and cinammon with oats.

Update To My Workout Story & My Fitness Fanatic Gift Guide

This post is part gift guide part update on my workout story. I started fully working out 4-5 days a week approximately a year and a half ago. In my progress I lost 13 pounds, as well as gained a great deal of muscle in various parts of my body. Besides the obvious body changes, I feel so different. Mentally I am more at ease when I know I can make it to the gym. Physically I feel stronger and more motivated. As a whole I have found myself being extremely motivated to become stronger and work harder towards my goals.

Although I have had great progress so far, I have had my highs and lows. Some weeks I have no energy, and on the busier weeks sometimes I don't get into the gym as often as I would like. Throw in the holidays and I find myself smuggling cookies and sweets here and there. I am not sharing these stories for pity, but more to show that sometimes life happens. Sometimes you eat cheat meals more than twice a week, sometimes you want to eat a french fry, or a whole plate of them. And sometimes, your body needs a break. I gave myself a week break because I could tell my body needed it. I was feeling weak, and tired, and close to exhaustion. I was forcing myself to go, and then I realized maybe my body was trying to tell me something. The break I took, was exactly what I needed. I came back stronger and more motivated than before, and I am so happy I did. We all fall off kilter sometimes, but the important thing is to motivate yourself even when things seem hard or you're having a hard day.

Shop the perfect workout outfit!

Since this post is focusing on working out , I also wanted to incorporate a little gift guide for those who are looking for new workout clothes/accessories. Here are my PERSONAL choices. I have a full workout wardrobe since I spend a lot of time in the gym, and I picked my favorite pieces to share with you guys. I really love all of these brands & clothing options, and they make my gym experience a better one. Plus, the new year is on the way and we all need a pick me up, so what's better than working out with some new gear? The confidence and comfort will go hand in hand.

Some favorites!

Spring Into Shape With Quest Nutrition!

For those of you who have been following my fitness journey, I am more than sure you have heard me mention Quest bars. Let me start off by saying that I normally dislike any kind of protein or health bars that I have tried in the past. I was pretty hesitant when trying out these quest bars, and honestly didn't think that I would like them one bit. To my surprise, they not only taste good, but they're also a really great way to tackle a sweet tooth craving. 

In return for my review I received a few different types of Quest products including their guilt free pasta and peanut butter cups. I also received all of the bars you see below which gave me a chance to try out different flavors and really figure out what I like. I've gotten a lot of questions regarding these bars and how they taste, and if they're beneficial and I did some research on them, in order to really share the best knowledge possible.

First and foremost, I really love the flavor. I know the consistency for some people is hard to get over, but once I had them a few times throughout my week I was used to the flavor. They contain 21 grams of protein (which is amazing) and around 17 grams of fiber in each bar. They are also gluten and sugar free only containing about 3 grams of carbs in each bar. 

My favorite flavors so far are the chocolate chip cookie dough and the cookies and cream. I don't really like a lot of the fancier flavors because they're a little too sweet for me, so I have been sticking to those two and they are by far my favorite so far. The only downside I could see from these bars is that your mouth gets a little dry after eating one. That's not a problem if you're drinking lots of water like you should be though! :)

I have not tried the pasta or the peanut butter cups yet, so I will save those for another post, but I am pretty excited to try out some of the recipes that came with my bars and get creative with dessert! Have you guys tried quest bars? And if so, what did you think? My favorite time to eat them is when I am having a sugar craving or after the gym! It's the perfect boost of protein and fiber, all while tasting good and cutting the sugar. 

Stay tuned for some more quest recipes, and happy weekend! xo

I was sent samples of Quest Nutrition products prior to writing this post.  

The thoughts and opinions are my own. Thank you for supporting companies that support Little Tree.

Three Pepper Veggie Salad

After seeing this kind of pepper salad I knew I wanted to try my own spin on it, and this is what I came up with. It's really fun being able to make bowls out of the peppers, so you should definitely give it a shot. It's a really simple, and fun idea, that can also be good for kids! It looks fun and being able to eat the bowl, is the best part. Here's my version of the three pepper veggie salad.

First you want to cut sides off of your peppers enough to make a bowl out of the remaining pepper. I cut up all of the orange pepper, and used the red and green peppers as the salad bowls. I mixed together, cooked corn, cooked brussell sprouts, raw spinach and pepper pieces to fill my peppers up. Before you do anything , you need to roast the brussell sprouts prior to making this dish. I cooked mine with salt, pepper and olive oil for about 20 minutes before hand, and I also boiled the corn beforehand as well.

I put all of my ingredients into the bowl, put them into a small pyrex, and baked at 350 degrees for 25 minutes. Once the pepper bowls become soft, it's about time to take them out. I topped the bowls with chopped cilantro for flavor, and voila! A delicious and quick meal.

Don't forget to eat the pepper bowl, it's the best part! Once it goes in the over the flavors of the filling seep into the pepper to give it a better taste.

Keeping Resolutions : Fitness & Getting Started

As I mentioned earlier last week, I am focusing a lot on my resolutions and making sure I keep them throughout the year. For the past 6 months I have made exercise a big part of my life, and that is something I want to continue. One of my resolutions is to continue on this path of clean eating and health conscious exercise.

Most of the questions that I get regarding my new healthier lifestyle, are how I got started and motivated, and if I have any advice for people wanting to make a change.I wanted to list my top 5 tips on how to get back to feeling healthier, and creating a better you! My tips are just some starting points for newbies in the gym. These are things that have helped me over time. If anyone has any other questions, feel free to email me at littletreevintage (at) gmail.com. 

1. Get some kickass workout gear. I always sit and brag about how awesome Marshalls is for workout gear, and in the new year, they still have not disappointed. For someone who is buying a lot of different workout clothes, they are the best place for me to shop. They always have a great selection, and they always have awesome brands that won't dent my wallet. One of my favorite pieces is this sweatshirt , it's so cozy, and is perfect for those colder gym days. But yeah, look good to feel good. They go hand in hand, you want to get something you feel good and confident in. Also- a good pair of sneakers goes a long way!

2. Don't be intimidated by the "weights" area. I know going into a gym can be crazy intimidating for those of us who don't normally go in there. The weight area is usually filled with beefy guys and they're all benching or pressing hundreds of pounds, and you're probably thinking "WHAT THE HELL AM I DOING?" In times like this I say, forget them, and focus on yourself. What helps me stay on track is by writing down the exercises I want to do before hand, and keeping them on my phone. If I know what I need to do, I can get in and out of there quickly, and I can remember each exercise if I happen to forget. 

3. Food is important! Some people think they can keep all of the same habits, while adding some workouts to their routine.. WRONG. You will just be cancelling out the work you do if you continue to eat poorly, so it's important that the two go hand in hand. Once your body gets used to the new routine and eating habits, you'll start to see results. An important way to keep track of your food intake, is by using apps like My Fitness Pal. There's also tons of apps out there that can help you stay on track. It's also important to plan ahead. I eat about 5-6 meals a day. (3 main meals, and 2-3 snacks) you want to make sure that your food is planned out for the day before going to work, or before being out for a long time. If you don't plan and hunger kicks in, sometimes it's easier to go for the non-healthy quick option, and you don't want that.

4. MUSIC. Working out without music is like cooking without food. YOU CAN'T DO IT. Make yourself a sick playlist, something that energizes you, and put it in your phone or on your ipod. This will make the workout go by faster, and will keep you motivated if you're having a difficult time pushing yourself. Usually, if I hear a song I love, it will keep me going at least until the song is over, and by then I have forgotten the fact that I didn't want to keep going in the first place!

5. Make sure you rest. I started working out and jumped right into 6-7 days a week almost literally killing every muscle in my body. You have to make sure to give yourself a rest day, and make sure you're treating your body right. Start off small, and don't rush into it, your healthy body isn't going to come overnight. It takes time just like everything else, so just make sure you are patient, and the results will come.

Hat // Sneakers // Dachshund Tote

Disclosure: I have received free products or value from Marshalls or The TJX Companies, Inc. in connection with my affiliation with Marshalls Project FAB.

Healthy Living Recipes : Peanut Butter Protein Bars

If you haven't noticed by now, I have a serious sweet tooth sometimes. Being a healthier me means that I have cut sweets mostly out of my diet, but I love experimenting with recipes that allow me to have the sugar that I need, that also isn't bad for me. I found this recipe on IG, and changed it slightly just by my own judgement. Here's what you'll need for the recipe, and enjoy!

You first want to mix all of your ingredients, except for the chocolate and start kneading it together like a pizza dough (see below for photo). It's going to be pretty thick because of the peanut butter but if you continue to work it through, you can make it mold into any container. Once you get it into a ball, cover and put it in the freezer for 20 minutes. At this point, it's going to get cold and all of the ingredients will stick together, making it easier to spread.

I used a small tupperware container that was rectangle shaped, and lined the inside with cling wrap(this is important because the peanut butter won't stick!). You then want to put your peanut butter mold into the tupperware or container and push it in so it fills the space. 

Then you want to melt your chocolate. I used a pyrex measuring tool to melt mine. First put it in the microwave for a minute, and stir. Then continue to melt by putting it back in the microwave on 10-15 second intervals. This will guarantee that your chocolate doesn't burn or stick, make sure you stir it well! Once it is fully melted you can pour it on top of your peanut butter mixture, cover it and stick it back into the freezer for two hours. 

You may have to wait a while before cutting it, so let it thaw out and voila! You're ready to enjoy!

Yummy!

Healthy Living Recipes : Morning Boost Wrap

I actually made this wrap this morning, and since I am huge lover of breakfast, I thought I should share it with you guys. I am a big fan of lots of veggies and goodness in my omelets if I have the time to make them. It also gives you a great boost of energy for the day ahead. If you have extra stuff in the fridge, it's great to add it in and change up your breakfast daily.

What you'll need to do first is cook your broccoli. I made mine the night before, so it was easy to heat up in the pan the following day. 

Heat up your broccoli and sundried tomatoes first by spraying the pan with a little bit of pam on low heat. Once your veggies are browning, you want to add your eggs. I like to cook my eggs on low heat because I think they burn pretty fast, so they cook slower, and better at a lower temp. 

Add your beaten eggs with salt and pepper to taste, and once it's pretty cooked on both sides, add a little bit of cheese. 

Finally, wrap it up in a Fiber One wrap, and enjoy! Perfect amount of boost for the day! Start your morning off right.

My Fitness Routine & Clean Eating Update

A few months ago I posted about how I started working out, some progress and some information about what I was eating.  Since I want to keep up with my routine and healthy habits, I feel that documenting them helps me continue to grow, and see progress over time. I also wanted to answer any questions that you guys have about what I have done so far. I've gotten a lot of emails questioning my routines and what I eat, so I thought it would be easier to write it in a post. I really don't know a ton, and I am learning as I go, but for anyone who has any kind of question, I would love to answer it the best that I can.

I lost a total of 11 pounds, which doesn't seem like much, but I went down a total of two pants sizes, and in workout clothes I also went down a size. What's important is not really how much weight I lost in total, but how I feel. I have energy that literally comes from out of nowhere, and for once in my life I am so excited to work out. I enjoy going to the gym, and I have made it a habit, so not going almost seems weird. I think the most important thing to remember is that you need to fall into a routine that works for you. I have a crazy weird schedule , and some days my hours are all over the place, but I find times that fit into my schedule every Sunday, and I make myself stick to those times every week. I also take classes at my gym three times a week. These classes are run by LesMills and they are Body Pump(repetitive strength and endurance weight training), and CX Core(focuses on your core, which includes your abs, hips and back). On the days I take classes, I also do about an hour  of cardio, which usually ends up being a little less than five miles. I incorporate this cardio into my workout before the class, so I get my heart rate going.

What do I eat ? This is definitely a huge part of working out, if not 90% of it. I used to have the worst eating habits, sweets, fried foods and cookies were in my daily food vocabulary...Especially FRENCH FRIES. Oh man. Anyway, I rarely eat fried foods now, and if I do, it's maaaaaybe once a month, if that. My breakfast consists of egg whites, oatmeal and a banana every single day, and my lunch is usually chicken based with veggies. I try to keep things simple, but I also have a lot of snacks in between my day so I stay fueled up with energy. Some of my snacks include an apple with peanut butter, a smoothie, some fruit, celery or carrot sticks, or even edamame (high in protein). Again, it's important to focus on what you like, and make sure you're giving yourself enough food to get through your day. You have to fuel the machine! 

This has changed my life in a lot of ways...One of the biggest changes I have made is eating breakfast every day. I used to skip breakfast and go all the way to lunch on an empty stomach! Now thinking back I can't even imagine skipping a whole meal in the morning, but I was doing this consecutively for months. I also feel a lot better about myself, and I feel healthier overall. I know what I am putting into my body, and it's not harmful or bad for me...This has made most of the difference for me personally.