Let Them Eat Cake!!! Hey Shawty, It's Your Birthday!!!

Howdy folks! So yesterday was my birthday, and typically I've celebrated it the same for YEARS, or at least the last 10-12 years. Without cake, without ice cream, or.....LOTS of cake and LOTS of ice cream! I loved knowing it was my birthday, loved being alive for another year, and another year older means another year wiser, but I was afraid of the food. I didn't want to eat what people were making me, bringing me, or even want to be around food for the sake of calories. This is hard to say, more or less write, but I had to stick to my diet, stick to no sugar EVER, no sweets EVER, and that was that. It didn't matter that my birthday fell on March 10th every year, it didn't matter that it was just "one day" and that one bite of something wouldn't hurt. In my eyes, it all would ruin my day....all that mattered was that I DID NOT want to fail my diet! I knew the cake, the cookies, it was all my enemy, my arch nemesis. If I had one bite, a portion of cake, I knew I would explode in my size 0 jeans. Heaven forbid, I may even die. If I allowed it, I'd binge on it, then start a diet tomorrow. Always tomorrow, or the next day.

This is EXACTLY how it was until this year.

This year March 10, 2016, I enjoyed cake. I enjoyed the birthday dinner I didn't fix, I enoyed real food, not "diet food". I ate what felt good at the time, what felt right. You may be asking...how the heck can she do this? How the heck did she manage to allow cake and still fit in her jeans? Still eat "normally?" Let's just say, as I said so many times, it's all because of intuitive eating.

This year, I was actually in the moment, actually allowed myself cake, allowed myself to sit ALL day yesterday! I hated it at first, but it was rainy, nasty, and that's exactly what my body wanted to do. REST! I didn't go to the gym, I didn't get off the laptop at work, I just didn't.

That being said, I wanted to share some pictures of my birthday meals yesterday. It's not to brag, it's to show you what intuitive eating can do for YOU. It can make you feel free, it can make you feel real, normal, whatever you wanna call it =)

The pics below came from my dinner my momma fixed me, and a cake from my wonderful work gang. All yummy, rich, and delicious.

I had 2 desserts, just 'because'....

Cheers to another year....26 looked great now on to 27. Who know's what it will bring?

For more inspiration, recipes, etc. Please follow me on Faceboook & Twitter @coachedbykayla

You're worth ALL things, enjoy your weekend <3

Cherry Delight Made by Momma <3

Work gang got me this cake (and the piece cut....EVIDENCE ;)

Turkey breast, veggies, sweet 'tater casserole

Mood Food: Ice Scream, You Scream, I wanted Ice Cream!

Howdy there beautiful people! It's Kayla comin' at ya...How was your weekend? They go by so fast don't they? Just the minute you feel like you were off on Friday, here comes Monday in the blink of any eye. Drives me crazzzzy. I'm not a big sleeper, usually no later than 8:00 or 8:30, but I could've slept the world away this morning. Could've been because of the snow, the cold, but I was out like a lamp!

I apologize because I haven't wrote in a while, I've had a horrible sinus infection for the past week, but I finally "manned up" went to the doc, and got some meds. I'm on the mend :) 

Anywho, did you try anything new this weekend? Food related or not? If so, comment below, please share. I'd love to hear about it! I tried some new eats that I wanted to pass along to ya'll today, as well as some old standbys that I haven't had in awhile. 

First and foremost, I made some interesting choices. Like PB and J yogurt and these weird kale chips that I'm obsessed with.

Here's some pics below. 

Surprisingly good, cheesy, and will kill Dracula haha!

Not bad, creamy, and slightly sweet and salty.

                                            
I just love trying new things!!! If I like them, good, if I don't, I don't. I call this mood food because I eat what I'm in the mood to try most of the time.


Now, we all know yesterday was ALL LOVERS DAY aka: Valentine's Day, right?
Full of yummy chocolates, surprises, long lines in restaurants, and all the good stuff that makes this day special, right? :)

Me and the man had fun going out the Saturday before Valentine's Day. He had to work on Valentine's evening, so we shared our time together the day before. It was the most interesting and fun time together!

Nick got a yummy fajita taco salad steak, and I got the same except for chicken. No cheese, no sour cream. Just wasn't feelin' too cheesy I guess (haha).

Sabroso (yummy!) 

BUT my favorite part of the night had to be stopping at Baskin Robbins to grab some ice cream. It's been YEARS since I actually enjoyed a scoop of ice cream out without binging on it, or thinking I couldn't have it again. I've allowed myself ice cream at home, but not out for a LONG time.

Sweet and delicious

It made me think of being a kid, which is fun! My dad and I used to stop here every time we went Christmas shopping. He always got red raspberry sherbet, I'd get blue raspberry sherbet. This time, I was craving strawberry ice cream. Just plain-jane strawberry ice cream, so that's what I got. It was yummy, sweet, and divine! Nick got mocha java chip. It was good, but I liked mine more ;)


Driving down the road, I even told him, it was the FIRST time, I had ever truly enjoyed a scoop of ice cream at a restaurant with him without being scared of calories, fat, etc. I've been recovered for a year almost, but this made me realize how grateful I am to how learned intuitive eating!

Okie dokie, after our lovey-dovey date, we went to visit my grandparents, talked a while, which is always nice, and ended the night watching 3 hours of Netflix.

The next morning, I gave him his gift, and a bass bro gift card, that I forgot to take a pic of, whoops! I made this little phrase up myself, our relationship is funny like that :)

Too cool 'ey?

Here we are.

I hope you ALL had a wonderful Valentine's Day, filled with no fear of food, love, and most importantly, excitement.

LOVE YOURSELF

LOVE OTHERS

BE KIND 

Have a wonderful day. Please follow me on Facebook & Twitter @coachedbykayla

The Sky's The Limit

Morning ladies and gents! I know we've ALL heard the phrase, "the sky's the limit" I first heard it back in elementary school when someone wrote this in my yearbook, but that little expression keeps coming up in my head, especially after this weekend. Primarily because of my husband telling me so, and partially because I want something new, something fresh, and I don't know what that is yet. I'm trying a new concept with you guys today to see if you like "Real-Life 101" discussions with Kayla. (Don't really know what else to call it, haha) Are you with me on this? If so, comment below.

Alrighty, lately, things seem a little hard trying to fathom between whether to go back to school for my master's, trying to decide where to move, when to be a mom, what is BEST for me, etc etc among many other things. I've just been stuck in a rut for the last little bit for trying to figure out my true passion. I feel like life's happening so fast, and I feel so unaccomplished, so not what I want to be, ya know?

The truth of the matter, when I stop-take a deep breath-and think, I am everything I need to be, but sometimes forget this. I am everything I need to be RIGHT NOW, at this moment in my life. It's a big world out there, with ONE BIG SKY! Hence, the sky's the limit. When you're down on yourself (we all get down from time to time) it's no fun if and we forget to see the beautiful day among us. My goal is to be more in the moment, so I don't get "stuck in the clouds" and not see the full sky. At times, we forget to see the clouds, the sun, the airplanes, the stars, everything that the sky truly holds.

That being said, realizing WHO YOU ARE at this point in your current life, is part of growing up. 

During this fork in the road, trying to decide who I am, what I want to be, I haven't let it get the best of me. I'm a firm believer in everything happens for a reason. It's just a phase that allows me to keep pushing, and if you're going through hell, keep on movin' just like this song .

Side note: You can be ANYTHING you wanna be, ANYONE you wanna be!!!! Often, I worry about everyone else's feelings but my own. I worry that I will make them mad at me for doing what is best FOR ME, and this shouldn't be the case. DON'T DO THIS!

If the sky's is the limit, YOU have a huge amount of potential. Driving back from Louisville with Nick, I captured this shot. I forgot how big this sky-creature really is. We all have to keep pushing during the hard times, and that is when we will see our true successes. Have a blessed day.

Don't forget to find me on Twitter & Facebook.

#CoachedbyKayla Where Healthy Habits Stick Like Glue!

What's Your Circle?

Howdy! Long time, no talk ey? Hope you found my eats exciting! I've been having fun with it. More to come for ya'll :) Did you have any ideas and eats you'd like me to try? I'd love to test 'em and share how they turned out!

Soooo....How many times do you find yourself looking at an empty bag of chips, cookies, or candy bars, and think how/why the heck did I do this? The truth of the matter is, when we tell our self NO NO NO, our body really is screaming and wanting to do the opposite. It's like a kid that way, always wanting to do the thing you told them, not to do. I've been there.

A vicious cycle that keeps going and going, right? A 360 degree circle that keeps happening and driving you crazy.

This one time, I was so depressed, I drove to a gas station, grabbed a gigantic chocolate chip cookie, ate the whole thing. Then, I drove to the grocery, grabbed some vanilla ice cream, and ate the whole gallon too! Did it make me feel better? Nope, it actually made me feel disgusting and more depressed. I did this for a LONG time, hiding it, gaining weight, then trying to work it all off. Again and again. This "circle" felt like I could never stop until I found intuitive eating. I began "allowing" these forbidden foods back in my life, and eventually the circle ended.

If you allow yourself cookies, candy bars, or ice cream (within reason) your body will trust you and rarely even crave this stuff! I promise.

My question to you is how do you handle emotional eating when things get out of control?

Together let's STOP the circle.


BTW...I just got twitter, follow me @coachedbykayla

Facebook: Coached by Kayla

And always...

YOU CAN DO THIS!!!!

For the Love of Food and ALL that is YUMMY!!!

Hellloooo peeps! Just checking in with ya'll today on this Monday morning. I had one LONG weekend. Lots of snow, sleep, and making goodies. I wanted to share something different food concoctions with you all today I created over the course of 3 days, so it goes.

I decided to get invented in the kitchen again since my passion for cooking is coming back, now that I'm not scared of trying new recipes again. Isn't it fun just to make something up? I feel like a kid and a mad scientist, wahahaha!!! Throwing a little this, a little that, and wam, bam, thank ya ma'am, food is on the table. I'm not Rachael Ray, but I do love cooking nowadays =) 

Alrighty then, For me, I've been on this wrap kick for my lunches lately. I get on this "kicks" of food, then I'm over it. I did that with ice cream, bananas, and probably some more stuff, do you relate? The reason I love wraps, besides being tasty; they're quick, you can add everything and anything in them from: Chicken salad with some arugula, spaghetti sauce, spinach leaves, pepperoni & mozzarella cheese, lunchmeat with roasted red peppers, avocado, OR roasted veggies and hummus, it's endless!!! (YUM, I'm getting hungry again thinking about it) I don't know why, but I love them. Here is one I created yesterday for my lunch. It's tuna, spicy guac, shredded cole slaw, and baby spinach leaves. Don't knock it till you try it people. Side of cheddar rice cakes, which I went back for seconds for. (haha)

YUMMY

For Friday and Saturday's dinner I made a big ol' pot of chili (which I forgot to take a pic of). But it's just the usual, ground sirloin, rotel, tomato juice, hot chili beans, kidney beans, and whole wheat spaghetti broken into thirds. I add my own spice blend of cumin, chili powder, cocoa powder, garlic, and oregano. Then viola!

Sunday, I made these yummy legs (below). Roasted them on 450 for 30-35 minutes. Brushed with olive oil, salt and pepper, then took out the oven glazed with home-made BBQ sauce mixed with a bit of cayenne for some heat. Serve with cole slaw. The hubby had mac and cheese, but I was fine with just 2 legs and some slaw.  

Delish

AND....A girl can't live without her chocolate!!! Here's 2 sweet treats I've made recently. They're kind of the same, but a bit different too. I've been into marshmallows for some weird reason as well, so I just went with it. 

Salted peanuts, dark chocolate chips, raisins, and marshmallows

Since loving to eat ALL things in moderation, I've came up with some weird, good, not so good, and fun combinations lately. I've found that being creative in the kitchen can be a lot of fun, and that is why I wanted to share some of my eats with all of you <3

Mini marshmallows and Dark Chocolate with Seat Salt

Would you like to see more recipes? Workouts? Health Advice? Just let me know if the comments below. Follow me on Facebook at #CoachedbyKayla.


BE GOOD YOURSELF

BE KIND TO YOURSELF

BE ALL YOU CAN BE

All the best,
Kayla

Anxiety Be Gone

 Hello everyone! Hope you're swell on this January 2016 day! Isn't life beautiful? I think so, and for the most part, I just started realizing it ALL OVER AGAIN in the past year.

Crazy? Perhaps...But I think not. I was stuck in my own little la la land for so long, I truly forgot what I was missing. I was scared to try new things, leave the house, had random thoughts of death (harsh, but true), and these weird feelings that just wouldn't leave! I'd panic right in the middle of the grocery for no apparent reason, just break down, right then and there. I'm sure everyone thought I was a weirdo, but oh well.

Truth of the matter, there was something deeper wrong with me. Something I couldn't EXACTLY put my finger on at the time, but it existed. I was so stubborn, selfish, had a "couldn't do this, couldn't do that" attitude. I must have been the worst wife, friend, daughter ever now looking back on it.

But, life's too short to regret the past. You can either learn from it, or run from it. I chose to learn from it =)

So this one time, at band camp (like in American Pie--just kidding)....Seriously, I realized that anxiety and depression DOES NOT control me, I control it.

How many times have you beaten yourself up over your weight, hated large crowds, freaked the flip out on someone you love, etc. We all have some acute nerves (especially us women, if ya know what I mean, but men do too!). It can be controlled through practice and awareness. If you are unaware, it's like the blind leading the blind. You don't know, what you don't know, and you can't help it. Believe I UNDERSTAND COMPLETELY!!! <3

Someone once said, "If you want the rainbow, you gotta put up with the rain," and this holds near and dear to my heart. Makes sense right???

When I started my yellow brick road to recovery, if you will, I didn't think I would EVER overcome food anxiety, over exercising, or under eating, but man I was wrong. And I HATE being wrong, (most of the time) but in this case it was a blessing in disguise.

The rain for me was trying new foods I once thought I hated (like sugar and bread). The truth, I didn't hate them, I was just scared of them. Days would go by, they felt so long but then....

The rainbow eventually came. I began getting my life back, piece by piece, day by day. I started noticing the "small stuff" that I love talking about. {i.e. sunshine, laughter, smiles, love} just to name a few...The anxiety, my anxiety, came from food and food alone. Once I "gave in" and lived a little (for lack of a better phrase) I truly was astonished how my anxiety got smaller and smaller. It wasn't easy, I felt crazy, sad, mad, scared, just about every emotion one could encounter, I encountered it, and then some.

 However, I'm so thankful I didn't let this bump in the road stop me! YOU, YES YOU can overcome anxiety as well.

Let me help you....I'm offering FREE consultations NOW through JANUARY 31st. All you have to do is spread the word, email me with your contact info, and comment below.

I'm here for YOU. Anxiety, whether through food addiction, abuse, malnutrition, whatever it may be, DOES NOT have to control your life.

Let's make it a happy one.

Find me on Facebook under "Coached by Kayla." Have a wonderful day!

Love,
Kayla








 

Making the days count

Good morning! Hope everyone is nice and warm. Here in Kentucky its snowy. How's your weather? Are you warm, cold, mediocre?

Today, I wanted to focus on making the days count. I got this plaque (below) for Christmas that has stuck with me. It states "Don't Count the Days, Make the Days Count."

I've been so guilty on counting the days, but not making the days what they should or could be. Aren't we all a little guilty? The world is so busy it seems. Always in a rush to do this and that. Kids softball games, soccer practice, work late hours, the list goes on and on. 24 hours in a day doesn't seem long enough does it? I'm with ya...Always wanting more and more. Buy ya know the truth? If we had more, we wouldn't be satisfied. If we were offered 25 hours, we would want 26, 27, 28.

Isn't it cute?

Now, sometimes I get so mad at myself for realizing I spent the WHOLE DAY being negative or not feeling accomplished. The whole worried about what tomorrow will bring, food on table, or the whole day freaking out about the small things. I get frustrated and say, "if it was just a little bit longer, I would have cleaned the house, made the bed, etc. etc." The truth of the matter, even if it was longer, I probably would have not done anything different. Not a win-win situation.

I've decided to change my thinking....It's time to make 24 hours feel like 48. Thus, I've been doing things a wee bit different lately after reading seeing this sweet little plaque <3 I'll share them with YOU.

1.) Making time to visit and PAY ATTENTION to family.

Here we are: dad, mom, me, and the hubby Nick.

Being present with your loved ones help you realize the true meaning of the situation. It may be during a birthday party, a Sunday dinner, or just a quick visit. BUT BE IN THE MOMENT with them! You'll be glad you did.

2.) Think POSITIVE (Seeing the Brightside of every situation helps you eliminated subconscious negativity) I've been saying or writing 5-10 things I'm thankful for. Whether it's my cat, or my socks, it all counts =) if this doesn't make you smile nothing will

3.) Find YOUR PASSION and go with it (Mine is most definitely cooking!) I've posted some easy recipes on my Facebook page check it out

4.) Touch, who doesn't love a hug or a pat on the back. Heck, give yourself a pat on the back, you deserve it. YAYYY FOR HUGS!!

5.) Be creative. Dance by yourself, change your living room, bedroom, kitchen around (I did this and it was so refreshing!)

See, 24 hours a day IS ENOUGH. Live your life to the fullest EVERY DAY!

Let me know your thoughts of how you are going to make today great.

Have a superb day!

Love,
Kayla

#coachedbykayla on Facebook