Raisin' Cain: An Update!

We are crazy excited! We are also so loved and blessed to have amazing friends like you all! So much love and support makes me cry. No really. I cry all the time. We really appreciate the prayers! Please pray for us! I worry a TON and learning to FULLY TRUST GOD! His plans are sooooo amazing!


Here are some answers to the questions:


I feel great! If I ever feel bad it is for a few short minutes throughout the day, or at 6pm. So when it is 6pm, Coach eats cereal and I go to bed. He is really THE BEST!

We are 10 weeks! I tried so hard to keep if for 2 more weeks... but I have a bump/ carb stomach.

I was eating PERFECT..... then could only stomach donuts. And ice cream. Lots of donuts. And ice cream.

I have "bump dates" that I will share starting Friday. I am excited about those! I have only read about a million! Now I get to write mine!

Yes, we are fully aware that September is football season. And cross country season. Again: God's plan is perfect!

I am LOVING watermelon this week. I make meals out of it. Which is expensive when it is March and not July!

I took a small, short break from running, but with the doctor's blessing, I am back at it and I FEEL amazing! (I promised 3 miles or less!) It really makes me feel so much better!

I would LOVE a nap from 11-1 each day. I only get those on Sunday. :) (Thankful for early services!)

I drink 1/2 a Spark in the morning with the option of 1/2 in the afternoon but never really drink it.


I read Babywise each night and up next for Coach is The Husband Coached Birthing Plan. (Currently praying for allllll natural!) I mean.... it makes total sense right? I AM married to a Coach!

We aren't finding out the gender. AHHHHHH......

My bff is going to be the only one to know the gender. She is handling the bedding. And I love her. And she wants to know. We don't. We just want healthy. With this being said I just feel like it is a boy. I feel that way so much I know it'll be a girl! Ha. Coach officially for the first time ever said.. "She will...." last night. He caught himself because we always refer to Baby Cain as Maximus. (That's the name he LOVES.... but good ole' trusty Mama Bette vetoed that!)

Speaking of healthy.... I may or may not sneak up a few prayers for a Book-Worm Cross Country Star. I am sure God is putting that in line with Coach's prayer for a 6'7 Baseball-Playin Lineman. I'm convinced we are having a flute playing ballerina. Which will be TOTALLY fine... I just don't have a clue about either!

Again, thanks for all of the love and support! We are blessed to have such amazing people in our lives!

Love love,

C^2 & Baby Cain

The Years Keep Getting Better!

In 2004 we became friends. 

In 2007 we became boyfriend/ girlfriend. 

In 2011 we became husband and wife. 

In 2012 we became some dream chasing Trojans. 

In 2014 we became homeowners. 

In 2015 we will become PARENTS! 

Baby Cain will be here September 2015. 

Yes. I am aware that is football season. 

Chicken in the Cain House

We get a lot of laughs when we tell people how we buy chicken. We actually buy 80lbs at once. When we moved to where we live now we suddenly became 1.5 hours away from my favorite two grocery stores; Aldi and Publix. We would find ourselves packing a cooler and making a trip to these stores once a month. We mostly went for meat and veggies.
As everyone knows I am obsessed with local blogs. A friend of mine posted on a blog that they found an amazing company that gives a HUGE discount by cutting out the middle man. Zaycon Foods can be researched here. 

I will admit, I was supppppperrrrr nervous about ordering meat from a meat truck. I was also suppppppppeerrrr nervous about picking up the chicken.

I can honestly say that the entire experience has been awesome at every pick up I have participated in. In fact, the guys are ALWAYS super helpful, and it is ALWAYS packed with other moms picking up some cheap, healthy chicken. YES! CHEAP AND HEALTHY!

For the husbands out there that are all like, "We are NOT wasting money on that much chicken!" Well, I was worried Coach would feel that way too. Then he went shopping to pick up one pack of chicken and then he instantly fell in love with the cheap Zaycon prices. He also LOVED having a ton of chicken ready in the freezer when we need it for whatever meal calls for it. It has been perfect to thaw out for his football meetings, tailgates, neighbors needing supper..... I LOVE having around 40 packs ready to go!

It comes in a HUGE box. The chicken isn't frozen when you pick it up. When I get home Coach and I bust the chicken into 2 breasts per freezer bag. Then we pull one bag out at a time. (We usually just need two breasts per meal.) One unit order would probably give you twenty bags of chicken.

Zaycon Foods does offer other foods depending on the region you live in. I have only tried the chicken but we are ordering beef the next sale because the man at the last stop highly recommended that. He did not like the waffles or the bacon. I feel like he was being totally honest because he actually did say don't get those two products. This made me trust the chicken even more.

If you are local to me then you do have to drive the 1 hour to pick up the chicken, However, you can look up your area to check for a spot near you. It is SO WORTH the drive to us! I also learned that if 60 orders from one area are placed then Zaycon will start delivering to that area! So, if you are interested, join the list and we can possibly get a delivery here! Please use the reference link that I am providing. I think you will LOVE the awesome chicken that is cheap and HEALTHY!

There is a sale in March! I've already ordered my units! Can't wait!

https://www.zayconfoods.com/refer/zf272205 


Love love, 
C^2 

Mascara Review

I LOVE big lashes. LOVE. I thought I was working with some GREAT mascara in the past. Well, then my friend Laura introduced me to something that was a game changer. Seriously. I am sure you've heard all the shouts and praises.... but if not, I am here to share!

Younique mascara is my new love.

It comes in 2 tubes. First you put your old regular mascara on those lashes of yours. Then you let that dry. Then apply the first tube (the long one) then the short tube that is the fiber blend.

Here is some proof. (How awkward are these eye pictures?)

The left is with Younique. The right is with my old mascara that I thought was great. 

The left lash is ahhhhhmazing. 

Like I said.... awkward.

If you are interested in this amazingness you can check it out here. Laura is an awesome lady. (I love supporting awesome folks!)
ww.astonishinglashes.com

Le me know if you have any questions! 

Friday. Not FRYday.

I am linking up with some of my favorite blogs for the 5 most random thoughts that are in my mind at this time. Simple enough for me!

One. Whole30
Here is the main idea. (Yes, Friday and not FRYday!) I am on Day 13 right now. I feel super wonderful. I will have to post on this all on its own. Yesterday I was ready to bash some heads. Luckily I kept that under control with an amazing dinner of bison burgers and this super amazing coffee recipe that I found in the book, It Starts With Food.

Two. Morning runs.

I am officially a morning person. This is HUGE for me! If you are thinking about joining a group run, I 100% recommend that! I was superrrrr nervous about running with people but it has for sure been a game changer. Some amazing ladies are part of this group and we keep each other accountable. Plus, this makes my day so much better! I am loving it. Even in the freezing cold temps!

Three. Wallpaper confession.
I think I am in love with wallpaper. Whattttttt? I remember saying, "Who uses wallpaper?ugh... such a pain! SO tacky!" NOOOOO! I think I am loving the crazy prints thanks to HGTV. I think this summer we may finally wallpaper our kitchen.... I think I have lost my mind.

Four. I think I'm a hippie.
Not like 100%... but y'all... I am seriously falling in love with the simple/ natural way of life. Seriously. I am now obsessed with the research and literature out there about our generations diet/ medicine consumption/ and other crazy not so positive things our generation is known for. (I've been reading a ton of literature behind vaccinations.) Yes, I am officially THAT PERSON. Did I just lose friends?

Five. Excuses.
Excuses are about to drive me crazy. Literally. I think in my old age I am starting to notice things that REALLY REALLY bother me. This is currently number 1.

Love love,
C^2

Clean Greek Chicken

So many folks are  cleaning up their diets! This excites me when I get texts saying, "Where is the flax seed!?" Love. (And then I say a prayer because remember that ONE time....) 

 I also get the text and call on day 4 when you are sick of chicken. (Many folks don't like pork and don't like fat that also comes with most pork. The literature that I have found isn't against pork in moderation, and love when it is farm raised and fed naturally.)

Here is my new favorite baked chicken recipe. I found the original recipe here. I had to modify it because with the 24 Day Challenge and Whole30 way of eating, cheese is out. However, one day... this baby will be covered with some feta. You should also know that I never measure anything. Really. I live by the pinch/ dash/ sprinkle method of life. I am a rebel.

Greek Chicken 

You'll Need: 

2 large boneless/ skinless organic chicken breast. ( I use Zaycon and LOVE IT!) Coach cuts the huge chicken into small cutlets. I think they cook better. I am funny about meat.

Red Wine Vinegar

Rosemary

Sage

Parsley

Garlic Powder

Salt/ Pepper

Cherry Tomatoes

Purple Onion (I had a ton of vidalia onions. However, I got a purple onion and I am glad I did. It MADE the flavor!)

Sun dried tomatoes

What You'll Do: 

Mix all of the dry ingredients in a small bowl. 

Lay chicken in a casserole dish flat. 

Cover the chicken with some sprinkles of red wine vinegar. 

Cover the chicken with the spices. 

Slice the purple onion into rings. Lay all the rings on the chicken and around the chicken. 

Lay the cherry tomatoes and sun dried tomatoes around the chicken. 

Bake covered (with foil) on 350* for 45 minutes. 

Uncover and enjoy! It was great the next day for lunch as well! 

I served it with roasted carrots, and an arrangement of colors. It was amazing. It is my favorite (baked) chicken recipe. Coach approved but still prefers chicken and mushroom rice.  

Let me know if you are interested in tonight's Jalapeno/ Cilantro Baked Chicken. It was also delish.

Love love,
C^2

A Week of Food. Clean Food. Good. Clean. Food.

This post is for the emails, texts, and calls I get asking about food. I am NOT a professional. Not a doctor. Not pointing fingers. Just Carley. :)



 ** You should always do what works for you. I like to listen to others, then read, read, read, research, and read some more... then do what works for this house. By "this house" I mean I have to buy food that we will eat. Both of us. Coach included. On a budget.
So, this is NOT going to be perfect. I slip daily. It is impossible to be perfect.I don't want to be perfect. (I know I have a friend and husband out there that doesn't believe that.)  So, when you see something on here that may not be BY THE BOOKS... keep it to yourself. Your emails won't get answered. I think I have shown that with some Negative Nancy emails being ignored. The rule here: Be positive.

Oh, and this is MY blog. If blogs aren't your thing: Close now. No hard feelings.

Still around? Good: Here is a smile for you:


Over the past few months our nutrition was slipping. I was lazy. Practice, schedules, and games were running my schedule. I was also running weekly 15 mile+ runs and when you do that you tend to develop a "Wait, I ran for 4 hours... I can eat this huge plate of nachos!" way of thinking. So, nutrition went down.... gut grew. No good. I felt horrible. Gassy, sluggish, just not good. I would eat, then feel like I was about to burst. Worst. Feeling. Ever.

I saw on Instagram a few things about Whole30 and the science behind it. I ordered the book in October. It made a TON of great points. Then I sat the book on the shelf and enjoyed the Holidays. Including a trip to Mexico where I again ate my weight in nachos.

I have a FULL HEART for Advocare. They are hosting the All In Challenge at the start of January. I LOVE the 24 Day Challenge. I love the nutrition Advocare offers. So, with all of this going on, and the NEED to reset my gut, I re-read It All Starts With Food and the journey began. I needed the science behind what food can do for you. I am 100% passionate about ENERGY and feeling AMAZING ALL the time. Gah, I LOVE being 99mph all the time. So WHOLE30 to me didn't go against anything I was already passionate about. It confirmed: clean diet, exercise, amazing supplements = 99 mph. All. Day. Every. Day.

Here I am sitting on Day 8 and I have learned SO MUCH. Here goes:

1. When you SIT down to eat and enjoy your food, you won't snack between meals.
THIS was huge. I am famous for eating my Ezekiel bread and pbutter on my way to school. No more. You gotta get up. Get out of bed. Take the time to MAKE a good breakfast. Sit down and enjoy it. (With someone you  adore. Maybe a Weimaraner too.) More on being a morning person later.

2. The first three days of clean eating is HARD.
I wanted a brownie. So. SO. SOOO. Bad.

3. People will roll their eyes and crinkle their noses at your food.
It is unknown to them. It ain't chicken tenders and fries my friend. You are eating some REAL food. People are mean. They will hurt your feelings. Oh well. You'll survive. <---- that is a reminder to me.

4. Parties, dinners, celebrations will happen. You don't HAVE to have that cupcake/ cookie/ cake. Again: You'll survive.

5. Every 5 days doesn't need a "cheat day."
(He knows who I'm talking to....)

6. You can go out to eat. However, cooks and waitresses will hate you. True story.

7. Invest in some good food storage. Leftovers will be your BFF for lunch. If not, you'll be cooking allll the time.

8. Eat some veggies. No one cares to hear an adult say, "But I don't like vegetables!"
Are you five? 

9. Your groceries are going to be $$$. That's fine. Good cakes from good bakeries are $$$ too...... you pick.

10. It is going to take some time to meal plan and grocery shop. However, I PROMISE it can be done.
(Insert my favorite insult ever: But YOU don't have KIDS.)

That's all I have for now. Oh wait, how about some pictures of some food?    

Forget about what you usually have for breakfast. Tomatoes go with any meal. 

When your friends go to lunch on a planning day: You eat leftovers at your desk. 

Berries are great for every meal too. 

Fresh organic salsa: I put that junk on everything. 

This Greek Chicken was SOOOOO good. 

Just throw random things on a plate. It's a meal. Oh, and yes.... those are olives. I LOVE OLIVES! 

fresh picco goes on everyyyyything too! 

Stuffed peppers are ahhhhmazing. I had them for lunch too. I needed a spinach salad, but I was not feeling too hot this night. I went to bed at 8pm. 

The test of alllllllll rules: We didn't get home until 8pm. Thank goodness for a crockpot. And that Coach can't tell a difference between potatoes and cauliflower. 

Wait, cooking on a Friday night can really happen? First time in 5 years I do believe. #NotKidding

Best. Lunch. Ever. Burnt burger. (Turkey/ chicken/ beef) picco, avocado, and my lovely cherry tomatoes. 

That gallon of milk is the battle in this house. Coach won't give up a glass of milk. No matter how many rants I go on. 

Eggs with spinach and mushrooms. Organic Canadian bacon. Strawberries. 

Fave after a run snack: Banana, almond butter, and coconut flakes. The real kind. 

Ground turkey, salsa, baked sweet potatoes, and a spinach, mushroom, onion mix that I cooked in a pan with coconut oil. Oh, and my beloved cherry tomatoes. 

A spinach salad is amazing. Mushrooms, zucchini, onion, mushrooms. Cherry tomatoes. Grass-fed beef tips. (THANK YOU KROGER!)

I highly recommend reading some literature on the subject. Take small steps. Research and expose yourself to some awesome products like Ghee. :)

Until next time:

Love Love,
C^2