OMFG WE ARE GOING TO JAPAN!!!

I am freaking out!

Japan has held the number one spot on my travel bucket list since I was about 15 years old. Japanese culture and fashion captured my heart at an early age and never let go.

Well, guess who is going to JAPAN??????!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yes, I have the most amazing husband in the entire universe. I'll be turning 35 this year and really wanted to go somewhere special. I never thought Japan would even be a possibility. But, he surprised me with a little card that said "Life is short, let's go to Japan!" You would not believe the amount of tears that rolled down my face. So, this year I am finally going to visit Japan! We are heading to Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka and Nara.

Send me your favorite spots to shop, eat, and see! 

Also, I want all the Hello Kitty stuff!!! EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!

Quick and Clean Blueberry Protein Pancakes

Today I suck less at adding more protein to my diet.

I finally came to the realization that I am not going to achieve the physique I want on diet alone. So, I started an intense training schedule. Because I'm trying to get lean and add muscle, I need to up my protein intake. I didn't want to give up my morning pancakes though! I came up with a great version of these protein pancakes that have been floating around the Internet. Here is the ratio of ingredients that worked best for me! They are really tasty and fluffy!!

Ingredients

• 1 cup of egg whites
• 1/2 banana
• 1 Scoop of Sunwarrior Raw Vegan Protein Blend (Natural)
• Hemp Seeds
• 1/4 cup of blueberries
• Cinammon
• Coconut Oil for the pan

Total Protein: 46g! 

Blend, add coconut oil to the pan, pour, wait, flip, repeat :) I simply use heated up blueberries for my "syrup". I may have gone a little blueberry oveboard.

Pro tip: These stick to the pan more than my Paleo Pancakes so be sure to use a cooking spray, non-stick pan or extra coconut oil.

Enjoy!

THE Perfect Post-Workout Green Smoothie

Today I suck less at making green smoothies that don't taste like sh*t.

We've all been there. Committed to start the year off right by enjoying a green smoothie as part of your newly found healthy lifestyle. You search the Internet for recipes, finally decide on one that looks like it might taste great. Then you throw the ingredients in a blender only to discover that your holy kale of a smoothie tastes like a soggy wet newspaper.

Yeah, I've been there too. I've probably tried over a hundred different smoothies. Some were too sweet, some had no flavor at all, and some ended up in the backyard grass.

Well, after all of these failed attempts I have FINALLY discovered the perfect post-workout smoothie! In fact, I'm drinking one right now :)

It's my fave because it's lower in sugar than most smoothies, packed with protein, and I usually have most of these ingredients on hand.

Ingredients (Add in this order for maximum blending)

• 1/2 cup water
• 1-2 cups spinach
  BLEND
• 1/2 frozen banana
• 1/2 cup frozen pineapple
  BLEND
• 1 scoop Sunwarrior vegan protein or PerfectFit protein
• 1 scoop Glumatic (I use this after hard workouts to help muscle fatigue)
  BLEND
• Hemp Seeds
• 1 cap of vanilla extract (omit if using a vanilla protein)
  BLEND

Drink and enjoy this amazing smoothie! Your body and taste buds will thank you.

Happy 2015! Stay motivated, WE can do this!

Cheers!