Progression

I've been thinking a lot lately about progress and what it actually means.

prog·ress

  [n. prog-res, -ruhs or, esp. British, proh-gres; v. pruh-gres] 

noun

a movement toward a goal or to a further or higher stage

This was probably my favorite definition of the word. It is a positive thing to progress in life. Mind, body and soul. And as the quote above states, we truly cannot move forward in life without change. Changing our minds, changing our environment, changing whatever it is you need to change to progress in life. Generally it is a difficult thing change, but it is inevitable for progress to happen, we need change. 

Another thing to think about. Whether your progress is getting your dog to behave or whether it is a life journey such as mine in the fitness and health world. We need to remember that sllooowww progress IS progress. I like to look back at pictures of myself and I am like wow I was a lot smaller back then. Not that I am big per say now, but a lot more muscular. Fit is sexy y'all. 

Are any of you all on some kind of personal journey? I would love to hear your stories! I love using the blog platform to unite women ( and men! ) of all ages, sizes, life paths, etc. in a positive way. We need to support each other more and motivate each other, not tear one another down. No negativity here!!!!

So tell me your journey I would love to know more!

xx

E

What the F is CHIA???

Ok so one of my favorite super ingredients to add to pretty much everything is CHIA!!
Now what is chia exactly..?

It is an ancient Aztec seed that is high in ALA { Alpha-Linolenic Acid } which is an Omega-3 essential fatty acid. Our diets are so saturated with Omega-6 that sometimes we forget about the 3! I like to make a chia 'water' before and after I work out because of the protein chia delivers and they can hold their weight like 1,000 times in water so they are also super hydrating for people who train like me.

Other good chia benefits include:
- Feeling fuller faster (aiding in weight loss)
- Known to lower cholesterol
- Lowering blood pressure
- Easily digested
- Good natural protein content
- Amazing fiber source

I meaaaaaan I add chia to literally everything, from my morning smoothie to soups to drinks, protein cookies, breakfast you name it! I also just started using ground chia which is the same as chia seeds but instead of having to soak the seeds in something liquid, it's finely ground so its easier to add to my staple items! I also use ground flax everyday too but thats a whole other post!

^^ my ground chia

Do any of you use Chia?! And if so, don't you just f'in love it????
:)

xx
E

I'm BACK!!

Wow, it has been a cray few months to say the least. I have been busy with work, travel, gym, and most of all life in general. I got a new Insta----> @emmamason3

I wasn't sure if I was going to tell y'all, its a bit more personal but to hell with it!!!

I have always loved the beach & bikinis and have literally become obsessed with the girls from A Bikini A Day and their instagrams are amaze balls so check them out. I have bought so many kinis they wear on there its not even funny.

{ New MIKOH bottoms I scored on major sale }

XX Converse XX

{ new tattoo in memory of someone very close to me }

{ One of the most beautiful sunsets I've ever seen after getting my tattoo in Atlanta }

I've missed y'all!!! Any blog requests please let me know

xx
e

Homemade Almond Butter Recipe

Homemade snickers!!! SOOO much better than the nasties you buy at the store! I got the recipe here! Just added more peanuts :)

My Homemade Cinnamon Vanilla Almond Butter

Recipe:

- 2 cups of organic raw almonds ( I roasted them on 350 for 10 mins to get a better flavor)

- 1 tbsp. of cinnamon

- 1/2 tbsp. of vanilla extract

- optional a sweetener of your choice ( I did not add one)

Let me just say that making your own almond butter is SO SO easy peasy. Organic almond butter is like $7 a jar at the store! As you can see it made a regular canning Mason jar size full of it { and then some } It is sooooooo good I can't even tell you! I used the Vitamix to make it but of course if you don't have this magical machine then you can use a food processor!! Would you guys want to see more recipes? Let me know, I have been bitten by the domesticated bug this week haha.

xx

e

Relaxing and Rest Days

Hi my lovies! Boy have I missed you. Today I want to talk about one of my favorite things that I don't get to do very often anymore; and that is relaxing. And I mean, no phone, no computer---> pure bliss.

I love me some me time! And to do that I love taking nice relaxing bubble baths with a glass of champs. As you can see below

I meaaan other than swapping the tub for a beach, what could be better???

Now there are many ways to relax as well, even working out helps me relax which brings me to my next point: rest days!!

So recently I started doing a lot of cardio and overdid it pulling my hip flexor { ouchie! }

I was doing 10k's like errrrrday and I wasn't taking rest days! Which are super duper important when doing any kind of exercise, tsk, tsk Em.

So how do you take your rest days and what helps you relax?

xx

e

InstyEm

Insty: naturallyem

homemade baby chicken pot pie mom and I shared and it was bomb

Would ya'll wanna see my healthy guac recipe?? Let me know! I put this on salads, eat it with fresh veggies, put it on fish...I mean the list is endless!! SO good!

the most amazing Grey Goose lemon martini...like...ever

Any time I go out I always try to have the bartender make me something with some kind of fresh juice and a clear alcohol like vodka etc. If I drink, I don't skimp on the alc. Its gotta be the best of the best! Which in my opinion is Grey Goose haha.

xx
e

New Shades + More

So.totally.obsessed. with my new Ray Bans!! I've been eyeing this particular combo since it came out in December and have yet to see someone in person wearing them. So I decided with my coupon and gift card in hand I would purchase them for spring/summer. What do you think? If you know me, you know all I wear are Rays haha I just love them all.

On to other news, I recently got a full time Esthetician job which I LOVE, but it leaves me little time for blogging which I also love. These have been how my days have gone as of late: wake up, get ready for work, work, gym sesh, then home to eat dinner and sleep! So I am trying to figure out how to be better at multi-tasking { tsk, tsk em }. I am the WORST at it haha but I hope you all can understand and stick it out just a little bit longer till I figure my sh!t stuff out.

Rays here!

Paula Bianco scarf here!

Much love to you all!

xx

e