Lunch- Making a healthy change

Starting off the week on a healthy food with a fabulous Vegetarian Fitspirational Lunch!!

Think you can’t eat a grilled cheese sandwich and fries without eating unhealthy fried foods? WRONG!

This meal contains protein, fiber, calcium, iron and WONDERFUL nutritious ingredients! I made this AT HOME in less than 10 mins. he healthiest “fast food” you can imagine.

What you see:

1. Toasted Cheddar and Avocado grilled cheese sandwich on oatnut bread, with a bit of butternut squash aioli sauce 
2. Side Ceazar salad
3. Sweet Potato fries (BAKED not fried) *Note- Did you know Sweet potatoes are ranked one of the highest nutritional vegetable on the planet? This is because of their high protein and vitamin content!
4. Glass of water

Eating healthy does NOT have to be boring! Get creative, have FUN in the kitchen finding new wonderful ways to incorporate health into your meals! 

I made this meal healthy by:

• Using Oatnut bread instead of starchy white bread
• Having baked sweet potato fries instead of normal greasy fried french fries
• Adding a salad
• Having water instead of soda

APPLY what you just read to YOUR life. Today when you make your next meal, stop and think what you can do to make it healthier!

Xox Brittany,

The Fitspirational Blonde

Healthy foods that KEEP YOU FULL:

When you're working out (I'm doing the 30 Day Shred & Zumba), it is important that you increase the foods that you eat to fulfill your new energy requirements! The more you workout, the more food you need to intake to support yourself.

I'm not talking about chips and hot pockets. Increasing UNhealthy foods will not only NOT help you, it will hurt you and cause you to have LESS energy!

Make sure you are packing in the amount of protein you intake. The foods that you eat should be foods that won't just go right through you, but will keep your tummy satisfied.

Healthy foods that KEEP YOU FULL:

Eggs- For just 70 calories, an egg delivers more than 6 grams of protein. That keeps you full, not to mention energized as well!

Avocados- *yay!!* They’re loaded with folate, potassium and vitamin E, and early research suggests that foods containing these nutrients may be more satiating than others.

Greek yogurt- Seventeen grams of protein in a 6-ounce container (that’s more than you get in four slices of turkey!) means major hunger control.

Oatmeal- All that filling fiber (4 grams per half-cup serving) helps breakfast stick to your ribs. It also provides a surprising 4 to 7 grams of protein! For extra staying power, toss in blueberries, which have 4 grams of fiber per cup.

Apples- Only 80 calories, but one can be as filling as a meal because of the 4 grams of fiber and high water content

Nuts- They have the perfect combination of fiber, protein and fat

I LOVE TO EAT!

Click to see my health vegetarian Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner ideas that I eat everyday!

Xox Brittany,

The Fitspirational Blonde

Stop buying unhealthy snacks! "Go-To" quick fruit-

Cutie tangerines are seriously my “go-to” quick fruit.

I used to be so used to opening the cabinet and grabbing a bag of Cheetos or a bowl of ice cream from the freezer, but since I stopped buying ice cream and started buying cutie tangerines, now I go for cuties!

They’re a great purse snack too… (as long as you don’t forget to take them out of your purse and eat them… which I learned the hard way.)

*RIP my stinky old orange smelling purse, I miss you.*

Purse snacks are great to take with you to snack on while you’re out. They will stop you from driving through a fast food restaurant.

SO: If you fill your cabinets and fridge/freezer with foods that are good for your body, you won’t even have the option to eat unhealthy foods!

Your body will grow used to eating healthy foods and soon, you will no longer crave the sugar and salt.

Xox Brittany,

The Fitspirational Blonde

Starbucks Low-Cal Snack Pack!

Sitting by the window at Starbucks wrapped in my new white scarf from H&M watching the rain drizzle while spending some quality time with my Love- My Health Blog.

I hadn't eaten in a few hours and started to get hungry and was REALLY pleasantly surprised to find that Starbucks had a great and HEALTHY snack option! Although ridiculously over priced (as everything is there) I decided to fork out the $4.95 for this nutritional snack.

These are FABULOUS ideas for snacks to take with you when you go to work, college or to run errands and if you purchase them yourself separately you can save a LOT of money!

The Starbucks snack pack came with:

• Brie Cheese
• Gouda Cheese
• Two-Year Aged Cheddar Cheese (which I need to Google because I don't understand why old cheese should be sparking my interest.)
• 9 Grain Crackers (WAY better for you that Ritz)
• Apple Slices
• Dried Cranberries
• and ROASTED Almonds!

Usually Starbucks is not the place I'd go to get a healthy snack, but I take my hat off to you this time! 

I'm a blonde with a happy tummy today :)

Xox Brittany,

The Fitspirational Blonde

Cut your beverage calories-- drinks on the go!

Great way to avoid drinking sodas while you’re out running errands  at college or working- Bring healthy drinks with you!
Home made lemonade is a fabulously refreshing alternative to soda. If you make it yourself, then you know exactly what’s in it and can also avoid a LOT of unnecessary ingredients that would go into store bought drinks!

Health benefits of Lemons: A large lemon contains about 45 mg of Vitamin C, about 75% of the daily requirement! We need Vitamin C to fend off colds and heal cuts and wounds. They are a natural aid for digestion and weight loss, and are a natural internal body cleanser. They have powerful antioxidant and anti-cancer healing properties.

This is how I make my lemonade :)

*Note- NO SUGAR ADDED!*
1 cup fresh-squeezed lemon juice (about 6 lemons)
1 cup hot water
7 cups cold water
1 cup raw honey

Stir honey into the hot water over low heat until fully blended.

Let cool and add lemon juice and cold water into a 2-quart pitcher. Stir or shake vigorously.

Slice two of the remaining lemon rind halves into fourths for a total of eight pieces, then add the rinds to the pitcher. Add ice to the top of the pitcher and chill.

Try it out!

And why not put them in cute little to-go packages like this to make them THAT much more fun to drink! I bet you ANYTHING this will be 10X’s funner to drink than a coke, and everyone around you will want a taste :)

Xox Brittany

The Fitspirational Blonde

This describes EVERY 4th of July Party I've ever been to!

But in my wonderful 23 years of life, I've discovered that there are plenty of fabulous things vegetarians can make on a grill too! (Asparagus, grilled cheese sandwiches with avocado or tomatoes, and PLENTY of other delicious grilled veggies!!)

Don’t be ashamed to be the herbivore out of a gang of Meaties, show them your ways I bet they’ll want some hummus too :)

Xox Brittany

The Fitspirational Blonde

Surround Yourself With Things That Motivate You.

I don’t know what it is about PINK fitness gear and clothes that just makes me want to JUMP up and start running around the block with a smile on my face.

This may explain the fact that:

• I own 6 PINK sports bras 
• My running shoes are PINK 
• My weights are PINK
• My water bottle is PINK
• ...and I’m not even going to talk about my underwear collection on here (but it’s Pink too.)

What can I say, I like to surround myself with things that motivate me to do what I love!!

Xox Brittany

The Fitspirational Blonde

Fruit IS Fast Food

Since when did the words "Fast Food" get categorized as meaning McDonalds?

I don't think it get's faster than picking up an apple, and putting it in your mouth.

Opening a bag of mini carrots and dipping them in some hummus takes just as long as opening a bag of chips and dip.

Eating healthy IS fast, you just have to make the choice.

Xox Brittany

The Fitspirational Blonde

25 ways to get yourself motivated to be healthy

1. Try a workout video.
2. Take a fitness class.
3. Get outdoors.
4. Do something different.
5. Do something with a friend.
6. Reward yourself.
7. Create some accountability (blog, facebook, or call a friend).
8. Get a new workout outfit.
9. Play the “get dressed” trick – tell yourself you just have to get dressed in your workout clothe and shoes. You’ll be more likely to work out once your ready.
10. Tell yourself you just have to work for ten minutes. By that point you’ll likely keep going.
11. Picture how you’ll feel when you’re done.
12. Read motivational blogs (in moderation, not so much that you don’t have time to apply it.)
13. Search for motivation on Pinterest or any other websites
14. Set a specific goal.
15. Sign up for an event.
16. Create a physical board of quotes that inspire you and put it in a prominent place where you can see it.
17. Put on some upbeat music .
18. Play an active game.
19. Let yourself dial back the exercise intensity for your next session.
20. Log your exercise so you can visually see progress.
21. Just do it!
22. Hire a trainer.
23. Create a list of the benefits of working out (or losing weight) and review that. There are so many benefits. List the ones that are most pertinent to you.
24. Use new fitness gadgets. I love fitness gadgets and think they are so motivating! 
25. Use fitness apps for for your phone. There’s also lots of free fitness apps for your smartphone or ipod touch. 

I refer back to this list whenever I'm feeling unmotivated and need that extra kick to get myself back on track!
It's a BRAND NEW BEAUTIFUL YEAR so now is the absolute perfect time to start.


Xox Brittany

The Fitspirational Blonde

A+ Grocery List

Hi Guys!

This is my very basic grocery list.

This list is infinitely ever-changing, and I add and take away foods depending on the meals that I plan on creating that particular week.

On average, I spend about $100-200/ week on groceries (keep in mind I am feeding a family of 3.) 

The reason that I am sharing my personal list is to HELP YOU CREATE YOUR OWN. 

Get inspired, take action and take the future of your health into your own hands.

Stores I shop at:

• Trader Joes
• Whole Foods
• Sprouts
• Local farmers market
• Walmart (if they’re having a special on fruits/veggies.)

Grocery List

Veggies

• AVOCADO (Yes, I have a passionate affair with a vegetable)
• Asparagus
• Red Bell Peppers
• Artichoke
• Carrots
• Cucumber
• Spinach
• Celery
• Cherry Tomatoes (technically a fruit, but I consider it a vegetable because of the taste)
• Dark Leafy Lettuce
• Onions
• Green Beans
• Potatoes
• Spaghetti Squash (on special occasions)

Fruits

• Mangoes
• Pineapple
• Apples (Green, red)
• Bananas
• Raspberries
• Strawberries
• Blueberries
• Oranges
• Cuties(If they’re in season, they make a great “on the go” snack)
• Pomegranate

Nuts

• Almonds
• Brazilian Nuts (fabulous “purse snack” instead of chips)
• Pecans
• Pine nuts (forfresh pesto)

Beverages

• Milk (2%)
• Soy
• Orange Juice (natural, no preservatives)
• Cranberry Juice (NOT from concentrate)

Condiments

• Olive Oil
• Cayenne Pepper
• Cinnamon
• Garlic Powder
• Peanut Butter

Other

• Greek Yogurt
• Penne Pasta
• Oatnut Bread
• Pita
• Hummus

I find it REALLY helpful to lay out the foods that I get on a weekly/monthly basis. Keep in mind this is MY personal list of groceries. Yours will differ. 

As a long time health blogger, I highly recommend to you to take the time to sit down and make your own one of these. It will really help to get organized and realize the healthy foods that you need to replenish on a weekly or monthly basis.

Don’t be scared to re-evaluate your list frequently!

Get creative, get healthy.

Xox Brittany

The Fitspirational Blonde

The future of your body

Fill your body with foods that you want to support you when you’re 70.

Imagine how you’ll look and feel if you’ve spent a lifetime filling your body with pringles and jolly ranchers.

Xox Brittany

The Fitspirational Blonde

Eight Ingredients You Never Want to See on Your Nutrition Label.

These are REALLY good reasons to eat CLEAN!


This may seem like a lot to read, however it is ridiculously important to understand the dangerous ingredients that are in the foods you're eating so that you can do your best to avoid them.

Read it, memorize it or make it your computer back round for a few days. 

Next time you're shopping around at the grocery store, check out the ingredients on the back of your foods!I bet you'll be surprised. 

1. BHA
This preservative is used to prevent rancidity in foods that contain oils. Unfortunately, BHA (butylated hydroxyanisole) has been shown to cause cancer in rats, mice, and hamsters. The reason the FDA hasn’t banned it is largely technical—the cancers all occurred in the rodents’ forestomachs, an organ that humans don’t have. Nevertheless, the study, published in the Japanese Journal of Cancer Research, concluded that BHA was “reasonably anticipated to be a carcinogen,” and as far as I’m concerned, that’s reason enough to eliminate it from your diet.

2. Parabens
These synthetic preservatives are used to inhibit mold and yeast in food. The problem is parabens may also disrupt your body’s hormonal balance. A study in Food Chemical Toxicology found that daily ingestion decreased sperm and testosterone production in rats, and parabens have been found present in breast cancer tissues.

3. Partially Hydrogenated Oil
I’ve harped on this before, but it bears repeating: Don’t confuse “0 g trans fat” with being trans fat-free. The FDA allows products to claim zero grams of trans fat as long as they have less than half a gram per serving. That means they can have 0.49 grams per serving and still be labeled a no-trans-fat food. Considering that two grams is the absolute most you ought to consume in a day, those fractions can quickly add up. The telltale sign that your snack is soiled with the stuff? Look for partially hydrogenated oil on the ingredient statement. If it’s anywhere on there, then you’re ingesting artery-clogging trans fat.

4. Sodium Nitrite
Nitrites and nitrates are used to inhibit botulism-causing bacteria and to maintain processed meats’ pink hues, which is why the FDA allows their use. Unfortunately, once ingested, nitrite can fuse with amino acids (of which meat is a prime source) to form nitrosamines, powerful carcinogenic compounds. Ascorbic and erythorbic acids—essentially vitamin C—have been shown to decrease the risk, and most manufacturers now add one or both to their products, which has helped. Still, the best way to reduce risk is to limit your intake.

5. Caramel Coloring
This additive wouldn’t be dangerous if you made it the old-fashioned way—with water and sugar, on top of a stove. But the food industry follows a different recipe: They treat sugar with ammonia, which can produce some nasty carcinogens. How carcinogenic are these compounds? A Center for Science in the Public Interest report asserted that the high levels of caramel color found in soda account for roughly 15,000 cancers in the U.S. annually. Another good reason to scrap soft drinks? They’re among The 20 Worst Drinks in America.

6. Castoreum
Castoreum is one of the many nebulous “natural ingredients” used to flavor food. Though it isn’t harmful, it is unsettling. Castoreum is a substance made from beavers’ castor sacs, or anal scent glands. These glands produce potent secretions that help the animals mark their territory in the wild. In the food industry, however, 1,000 pounds of the unsavory ingredient are used annually to imbue foods—usually vanilla or raspberry flavored—with a distinctive, musky flavor.

7. Food Dyes
Plenty of fruit-flavored candies and sugary cereals don’t contain a single gram of produce, but instead rely on artificial dyes and flavorings to suggest a relationship with nature. Not only do these dyes allow manufacturers to mask the drab colors of heavily processed foods, but certain hues have been linked to more serious ailments. A Journal of Pediatrics study linked Yellow 5 to hyperactivity in children, Canadian researchers found Yellow 6 and Red 40 to be contaminated with known carcinogens, and Red 3 is known to cause tumors. The bottom line? Avoid artificial dyes as much as possible.

8. Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein
Hydrolyzed vegetable protein, used as a flavor enhancer, is plant protein that has been chemically broken down into amino acids. One of these acids, glutamic acid, can release free glutamate. When this glutamate joins with free sodium in your body, they form monosodium glutamate (MSG), an additive known to cause adverse reactions—headaches, nausea, and weakness, among others—in sensitive individuals. When MSG is added to products directly, the FDA requires manufacturers to disclose its inclusion on the ingredient statement. But when it occurs as a byproduct of hydrolyzed protein, the FDA allows it to go unrecognized.

Xox Brittany

The Fitspirational Blonde

Motivation

I think EVERYONE needs to have a day like THIS

Blonde, Fit and Fabulous- Brittany's Fitspirational Surprise!

Hi! My name is Brittany, and I'm 24 from Cali.

My life story is unique, I'm excited to share it with you.

I sit here typing this post to you still in my hot pink running shoes, with my pink 3 lb. hand weights on my right, Women's Health Magazine on my desk to my left, sipping on a fresh pineapple mango protein smoothie (that I just made) as I marvel over the unbelievable success of my health blogs!

In less than 6 months, my health blog completely turned around faster than I could have ever expected!

On March 18th, 2011 this blonde Cali girl decided she was going to turn her life around and change her unhealthy ways of living for good.

Strawberry by strawberry, run by run, smoothie by smoothie I was determined that I was going to take healthy to another level.

From then on, I decided I was going to treat my body like a new pair of Jimmy Choo shoes!  (...and BOY do I love my shoes.)

I've created this blog to help inspire as MANY people as I can to do two things:

1. love themselves for who they are, and the beautiful bodies God gave them
2. promote the fabulous healthy way of living! 

Raised on Sugar:

I was raised eating:

1. sugary cereal for breakfast
2. greasy grilled cheese sandwiches with processed square cheese for lunch 
3. nutrition-less Kraft Macaroni and Cheese for dinner
4. and unimaginable amounts of cookies and ice cream for dessert. 

This is how my family ate, and so this is how I thought everyone else ate too.

The word "vegetable" never crossed my lips, and my definition of a "fresh variety of fruit" was when my mom made 3 different flavors of watermelon, blueberry and raspberry jello.

Chocolate and Starbucks were literally my 2 main food groups... I don't even know how I made it past my teen years eating like this!

I never learned how to cook, the only two things I could make in the kitchen were a MESS and FIRE! My mom and I literally used to store shoes in our oven because we NEVER turned it on and needed the extra storage space for our immense collection.

I would probably still be eating like this if it weren't for my last operation.

My life story is unique, and I hope it inspires YOU to be the best YOU that you can be. 

Brittany's Life Story:

When I was born, I was diagnosed with a life threatening condition that caused the bones in my head to grow WAY quicker than a "normal" baby. They grew so fast that I have had to have over 13 operations throughout my life to halt the growing process. 
In every operation, the doctors have trimmed down the bones in my head in hopes to keep them from crushing my brain. Rapid bone growth directly effected the shape of my face, and from the second I was born, the doctors and my family realized that I would never look like societies definition of a "normal" girl. 

My condition caused one of my eyes to appear bigger and unaligned from the other, and I grew up with a tremendous under bite and was never able to bite into any food (I always had to cut it up before I ate it.) I have huge scars from my operations hidden under my hair and as you can imagine, school was far from a "walk in the park."

I grew up with kids telling me, "Brittany, one of your eyes is bigger than the other... and your mouth looks weird." It may have seemed cruel at the time, but they were right... one of my eyes did appear bigger and my mouth did look different. They were pointing out the truth, and I was stuck with it.

I spent a huge part of my child hood doing everything I could to "fit in". All I wanted to do was be "normal" like the other kids. I remember laying in the hospital bed before one of my operations thinking , "God why did you curse me with this condition? Out of all the people in the world why was I the one who had to be born with it?"

Little did I know that God knew exactly what he was doing.

After years of trying to change myself attempting to fit in with other kids... I finally had an epiphany. Laying with an IV in my arm, and a bloody bandage wrapped around my head for the umpteenth time... I realized that God had a purpose for me... and "fitting in" was NO part of it.

Some people are born to be "normal" and "fit in" with the pople around them... but some people are BORN to stand out and BE DIFFERENT, and I finally realized that I am one of those few people.

So I started embracing it. 

From that moment on, I decided that I was going to be me, and every flaw that I had wasn't going to be a flaw any more, it was going to be one more thing that made me different from everyone else AND THAT IS WHAT MADE ME BEAUTIFUL.

I embraced my bright bubbly personality and started being the person that I always wanted to be. No more hiding, no more normal, from here on out it was going to be as MUCH PINK and glitter and fabulousness as I could possibly fit in my life! 

My wonderful Doctor told his friend at a Public Relations firm about my story, and the second she met me she asked if I would be interested in spreading the story of my life. 

A few months later, my bubbly personality had landed interviews with 6 news stations, and had the opportunity to share my story with thousands of people all over California! 

But wait it gets better! A private non-profit group heard about my condition and offered to pay for 100% of my last 2 operations. Surgeons worked for over 16 hours to CRACK my upper jaw and align it with my lower jaw and significantly improved the alignment of my eyes. 

After weeks of recovering in the hospital, for the first time in my entire life, I was able to bite into an apple. 

The producer from the show "The Doctors" called my cell phone one day, and asked if I would be interested in not only sharing my life story with just local Californians, but also broadcasting it nationwide to to millions of people throughout America on their show. 

I knew this would be a big deal... but never even imagined how much of an actual impact it would have on actual people.

>>From the time I filmed the episode in Hollywood, to the time I got home to my computer, I opened up my Facebook/Email and I had not one, not one hundred, but THOUSANDS of messages from strangers all over America telling me how much my story had impacted their lives.


Just a few of my favorites-

_______________________________________________________________________________ 

"Hi Britney,
My name  is Carol and I saw you on KUSI a few days ago. From the moment we saw your blonde hair and unforgettable bright personality, my family and I have completely fallen in love with you. We cancelled our plans to watch you on the doctors that night to hear more about your life story. At 5:00pm my grandmother and I sat in front of the TV balling our eyes out as you walked out from back stage after having watched your surgery and learning about your journey that made you who you are today. You’re the most confident and real person I have ever seen. My grandmother told me that she wishes there were more people in the world like you. My family and I wish you all the best in the rest of your journey, and wanted to tell you that I know you’re doing so much for so many children in America. Keep going, and don’t let anyone get in your way. We all look forward to seeing more of you!
Sincerely,
Carol and the Gonzolas family."

________________________________________________________________________________

"Dear Brittany,

You are such a beautiful young woman. You’re only 21 and you have already accomplished so much. Watching your story on The Doctors completely floored me and my co-workers. I work at a law firm, and you came on in the middle of the day on a Doctors show and every single person in my office stopped what they were doing and gathered around the television to watch you speak. After watching you in surgery, we all expected you to come out onto the stage hunched over in a wheel chair with a frown, but our jaws dropped when you and your bright pink outfit, huge smile, blonde hair and incredible attitude glided across the stage like you were Miss America. After all you've been through I was most shocked to hear that if you had the choice to be born without your condition, you wouldn't  You said it changed your life and it happened to you for a reason and even though we don’t know each other I am SO proud of you for showing the world that you can accomplish anything. My entire office fell in love with you from the moment we saw you walk on that stage and if you ever need anything please feel free to call us, we would love to hear more from you and help in any way we can. Brittany you are truly a walking inspiration.

Yours truly, Sarah Bryant"

_________________________________________________________________________________

Dear Brittaney,My daughter is 4 years old and she was diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy at birth. For 4 years, I worry every day that when it comes time for her to enter public school, that children will tease her and make fun of her too. When she was born, I knew that the rest of her life would be a difficult challenge to take on. I used to cry and cry because I didn't know if I could handle seeing her get hurt (children at that age as you pointed out can be very cruel.) I’m usually not a fan of The Doctors Show, but today when I turned it on I saw your bright eyes and shining smile it was as if God had lead me to the remote. I saw your childhood story and heard you speak about growing up with your condition. I heard you say that you had been teased about your condition as I assume that my daughter will be also. Watching you appear on national television and saying it has made you a stronger person is very unique to hear and it's exactly what I needed to give me the strength to help Sophia (my daughter) grow up. You've grown up to be beautiful and strong having gone through school, and I admire your many accomplishments. When Sophia gets old enough, I will show her your story and pray that someday she will grow up to be a strong and as inspirational as you. God Bless you Brittaney. You have made a big impact on our lives and I hope that perhaps Sophia and I would have the honor of meeting you someday.From, Meing Tzunas 

_____________________________________________________________________________

Hello Britney,

I recently became familiar with your story and I admire you so much for having the strength to not only keep such a positive attitude for yourself throughout your treatments and such, but for inspiring others to stay positive as well.I saw you on "The Doctors" where you said, "some people were born to fit in and be normal but some people were born to stand out and be different, and I think I was one of those people."The truth is, everyone is different, just not everyone shows it. And no matter what differences somebody may have, whether physical or what have you, I think it's so important for them to love who they are, and even embrace whatever it is that sets them apart.If everyone thought in such a way, there would be no judging or teasing or ridiculing another. There would be more acceptance and more understanding.Uniqueness is beauty. And I thank you so much for reminding me of that, and for reminding others of that.
- Mr James Wright

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________

I sat in front of my computer for HOURS with a box of pink tissues crying my eyes out reading all these messages from people who had seen the episode, and gone out of their way to find me on Facebook/Email to tell me how they could personally relate to my story and wanted me to know.

So yes, to this day I'll still NEVER be normal, and I am NEVER going to fit in... but what I thought was God's curse was actually his wonderful blessing.

I am stronger and more confident than ever. I promote self love, and being you at all costs. Through my health blog, and giving speeches all over California- I will do everything I can to spread the idea that your flaws are what makes you YOU, and that is what makes you beaYOUtiful.

Brittany In The Media:

FOX:

The Doctors:

Hair Backstage

Makeup Back Stage

KUSI News:

CBS

How my Health Blog Began:

After my last operation (where they cracked my upper jaw) I was put on a STRICT diet and could only eat certain foods because my mouth was legitimately wired shut. My doctor told me I had to find a way to keep track of everything I ate, and all of the exercises I progressively began to do with the passing weeks. 

This was around the same time one of my best friends came over and introduced me to Tumblr, so I thought what better way to keep track of my food and exercises that posting it on a health blog that I could not only look at myself, but also give a link to my doctor!

I started out knowing NOTHING about blogging. It took me a week to figure out how to post a picture of an avocado. But since I had taken the semester off of college and couldn't drive or leave the house... I spent weeks figuring things out on my own! 

I could only consume liquids at the beginning, so I started out by posting all the recipes to the fruit smoothies I made everyday. This was a HUGE change to my diet, as I was used to eating foods full of carbs and drinks packed with sugar. 

I soon began to recover, and could eat whatever I wanted... however I was so energized and full of life after being filled with healthy and nutritious fruits from my smoothies, that I didn't want to go back to my macaroni diet!!

I started eating better, and began getting my strength back by doing the "30 Day Shred" workout I found online! 

For the first time I wasn't just skinny, I was FIT and TONED and IT FELT FABULOUS!

 I also became in LOVE with Zumba, and am now considering getting a license to teach it this summer!

I blogged about everything I was doing every day, and before I knew it, 6 months had passed and I had over 5,000 followers reading my posts and following along with me on my Fitspirational journey!

Again, messages began to pour in with questions about the food I was making, my smoothie recipes and just about how I was living my new healthy lifestyle.

Since then, my curiosity about the health world has grown exponentially and I now eat vegetables every day and ALWAYS start my day with a fresh fruit smoothie (no jello included!)

30 Little Things, Get to Know Brittany:

1. I like to paint my toenails even in the winter when no one can see them
2. I like my money right where I can see it, hanging in my closet
3. I've been a Vegetarian my whole life, it was my choice and I am the only one in my whole family who is.
4. I can do the splits in 3 different directions 
5. Which is why I play a mean game of Twister
6. I am NOT a morning person
7. The fact that it's 2am when I'm typing this may have something to do with that
8. I have green eyes but they turn BRIGHT blue when I cry
9. I don't curse
10. I have a part time job as a Disney Princess at little kid's birthday parties, and I play Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, and Tinkerbell.
11. Sometimes I wish I was 3 inches taller
12. But I put on my high heels when I'm feeling short
13. I'm a terrible speller, I even confuse Microsoft Word sometimes
14. Is "speller" a word?
15. I have deja vu ALL the time
16. I have deja vu ALL the time
17. I LOVE Zumba
18. I'm fluent in Spanish but am 100% caucasian
19. My car's name is Chad, and he's a fabulous white Mustang convertible
20. I ruined his leather seats because I like to drive around in the rain with the top down and Taylor Swift on FULL BLAST. Yep, I still do it!
21. I have a teacup Yorkie named Locket who thinks she's a huge "Great Dane" and that the world revolves around her.
22. I love Electronic music (dubstep), Country, and almost anything with a bass that you can feel in your soul when you hear it
23. I have the attention span of a 5 year old
24. Which is why it took me like 3 days to write this
25. Brb I think Legally Blonde is on...
26. It was, I watched it! Snaps for Brittany!
27. I am Christian, and God is a glowingly huge part of my life
28. I am really close with my family
29. My two best friends are my soul.
30. My boyfriend is a Marine, his name is Bryan and he's the Prince Charming I never knew I needed

Xox Brittany

The Fitspirational Blonde

Oh, I almost forgot! Here's a link to my Health Blog on Tumblr where I got started :)


The-Fitspirational-Blonde.Tumblr.com