3 Moves that Completely Changed my Body (AND Booty!)

Getting back into shape after baby = intense. I had to completely reevaluate the way I approached fitness in order to see results. The days of “oh, I will just run a mile-ish and then put on my skinny jeans” are long gone. I have had to work so so so hard. SO HARD. But the good news is that I am definitely stronger than I have ever been in my life and my endurance is through the roof. There is no way that 22 year old Kate could run my current routes/distances, or lift the amount of weight I lift on the daily (mostly because you would have found her at Polvos drinking margaritas and smoking Parliament Lights). I will probably dedicate a lot of upcoming posts to my fitness routine, because it really has been an ongoing process for the past 2+ years.

Today I wanted to share 3 moves that have completely changed my body. I also feel like these moves have helped me get over plateaus, which is especially important when working out on the regular.  And all of these moves are buildable, meaning I can continue to add more weight/variations and gain more muscle.

(*Let me preface this by saying like everything in life, do your own research. Know what works best for your body. Know the right form before you start any exercise.)

Split Squat:

 

 

This is a great booty builder and shaper. I really feel it in my glutes and hamstrings. Adding this variation, in addition to regular squats and lunges, has definitely made an impact. I usually use one of our kitchen table benches, but this can totally be modified.  Customize these lunges to your liking by adding weights. Just make sure that the knee in front never crosses over the toes.

Plank Slides:

 

 

 

 

I love core work that requires zero crunches, so I incorporate a lot of planks into my workout. I first learned these moves from Christine Salus, one of my favorite fitness gurus on YouTube (I will link some of her videos below). She uses Tupperware lids to slide, but I have found that diapers and pull-ups work great if you are on a hard surface. My favorite moves include sliding both knees to my chest, alternating knees to elbows, and sliding into jack feet. You can also slide into a pike and back out to plank. The combinations are endless, making it a great way to build your core without burnout. Sometimes I up the ante by adding ankle weights:

 

 

Kettlebell (or Dumbbell) Swings:

Swings have been a recent discovery and I am obsessed. Again, this is a move that I can continue to adapt by adding more weight for intensity.  Kettlebell (I use dumbbells) swings are also a MAJOR calorie burner. Some studies say that you can easily burn 250 calories in less than 20 minutes. Like most moves, the key to this one is mastering the correct form. This was actually a little tough for me, because I am so use to squats. My body immediately wanted to squat on the down swing, so I had to really focus in order to do it right. This video helped a lot: https://youtu.be/bMQHAmCXJAI

These are just some of the exercises I incorporate into my daily workouts. I try to mix it up as much as possible, so that I continue to see progress. Here are a few of my favorite at home workouts, if you're interested:

This is one of Christine Salus' "Silent Workouts." It is low impact with zero jumping. These are great if you don't want to make noise, or if you need to take it easy on your joints.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qo65FXHQRBg

This one is a super intense 1000 calorie burn HIIT workout. Occasionally I try to complete the whole thing, but mostly I just do a few segments:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rg-HR9whQmU&index=2&list=PLDZyLIuGoSHzbkd_h0jh-_LZHtZ8YaD0F

Super quick full body HIIT:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wmbEz55vnh4&index=2&list=PLDZyLIuGoSHx2tTwQ9F8-cA6t8W0lSTQx

And here are some kettlebell workouts that I like:
https://youtu.be/aDF5vcIWbCQ

 

https://youtu.be/6pDMOIlPLFE

Like I said, I will continue to write about my post-baby fitness journey. Let me know if you have any specific questions; I am happy to share tips and tricks I have learned along the way!

Toddler Activities: A Few Favorites

Andrew and I made a decision pretty early on that we were going to stay away from battery operated toys for little A. Instead, we incorporate toys and activities that promote open-ended play. Now that she is a little older, I really like to think of myself as a facilitator. It's my job to set up an environment that promotes independent play and then I sit back and let her do her thing. So, I thought I would share a few of our go-to activities.

Stringing beads on pipe cleaners:

Scooping beans:

These two are especially easy and super budget friendly. I usually put down a plastic drop cloth to help catch spills and keep the beads and beans contained. Now that she is older, she is pretty good about keeping everything on the mat, but when she was younger this was our set up:

A little plastic pool was perfect for keeping beads and beans from ending up all over the room.

Treasure Box:

This is a fancy way of saying "Here, I put some random crap in this box. Have fun!" No, but really, what toddler doesn't love an empty box? Today I threw in some string, clips, crayons, and an empty art paper roll. This is what she came up with:
Land Ho!

Cutting and pasting:

This is probably her favorite daily activity. Andrew bought her safety scissors and after some practice we upgraded her to a regular little pair. Learning how to use scissors is really important for her development and motor skills. It helps build her tiny hand muscles, increases hand/eye coordination, and encourages bi-lateral coordination (using both sides of her body at the same time). There are a ton of helpful resources like this one, if you want more information:
http://www.gandetherapies.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=114&Itemid=175
I also now give her a glue stick, instead of a bottle, so she feels even more independent and doesn't have to ask me to help squeeze the glue.
 
Painting:

This art easel was seriously the best investment, ever. It has a little tray that keeps all of her supplies organized and the other side is a chalkboard! The paper is also on a roller, making it really easy to switch to a new piece. I usually give her a mix of brushes and sponges to work with, but it never takes long before she switches to fingers and hands.

 

These have been some of little A's favorite activities throughout the past year, or so. They keep her entertained and allow for her to continuously brainstorm new ways to play.

 

If you want some more information on the benefits of open-ended play, check out these articles:

 

http://www.playgroundprofessionals.com/encyclopedia/o/open-ended-play

 

http://www.scholastic.com/parents/resources/article/creativity-play/endless-possibilities

 

 

 

 

 

Aaand we're back! (4 years later)

I am sad that I stopped writing this blog. I don’t really have a good excuse, either. Life got in the way? That sounds so cliché, but it’s true. Once I started teaching with Citizen Schools, it was hard to emotionally attach myself to anything else. But, alas! I am not currently teaching and my brain is constantly yelling at me to get some words onto the paper. So, here I am. We are no longer newlyweds and we are no longer in North Carolina, but I love this so much that I am debating even changing the name. North Carolina Newlyweds (in Leakey). That’ll do for now.

I will probably continue to write about similar things…vintage finds, fun DIY ideas, delicious recipes, etc.  But I will also incorporate new topics that are important to me now, like motherhood, fitness, and anti-aging face creams.

Speaking of face creams, why don’t we just jump right in? I feel like in the past couple of years I have tried 86984593845 face products, from high end to drug store.  And you know what remains my ride or die? 100% all natural rosehip oil. I have tried a few different brands, but I always seem to come back to these two:

This has been my favorite so far. The consistency is so nice and it doesn’t take long at all to absorb.

  

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00W2VVZ8Q?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o05_s00

This is my second favorite. The only thing I don’t love about this one is that it has an amber tint, so I have to make sure it’s soaked in completely before doing anything  (like putting my head down on the pillow at night).

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00LNOV8JO?keywords=rose%20hip%20oil&qid=1455063210&ref_=sr_ph&sr=1

 

As far as routine goes, I usually apply rosehip oil after I wash my face in the morning, after I get out of the shower, and before I go to bed at night. I have combination skin, normal to dry, but I feel like I lean more towards the dry side. Using this oil completely repairs my dry skin and gives me an amazing glow. It is also great for combating fine lines and sun damage. I am personally not prone to break outs, so I have never had a problem in that regard. I really just love the way it makes my skin look and feel. Plus it is all natural, which is hard to beat. 

Sticking with the all natural theme, I have also recently fallen back in love with Juice Cosmetics. I first discovered this brand when I found out I was pregnant and started becoming more aware of the types of products that were soaking into my skin. Back then I tried their tinted moisturizer and was pretty pleased with the results.
Pros: SPF 30, all natural, gives a nice glow.
Cons: Super thick and hard to blend, strong clay smell.

http://www.amazon.com/Juice-Beauty-Tinted-Mineral-Moisturizer/dp/B000Z61VVQ/ref=sr_1_1?s=hpc&ie=UTF8&qid=1455151173&sr=1-1&keywords=juice+tinted+moisturizer

 

I found that this works best when I mix in a few drops of my rosehip oil, or mix it on the back of my hand with another one of my moisturizers. Also, a little goes a long way, which makes the price tag of $29 a little easier to deal with.

The other Juice product that I just recently tried for the first time is their CC Cream and I am really loving it.
Pros: SPF 30, easier to blend, a little goes a long way (I'm talking pea size amount), saw results just after a few uses, I AM GLOWING.
Cons: Clay smell.

http://www.amazon.com/Juice-Beauty-Cellular-Repair-Natural/dp/B00GTES1E8/ref=sr_1_2?s=hpc&ie=UTF8&qid=1455151328&sr=1-2&keywords=juice+cc+cream

I am really feeling this stuff. I swear it instantly made my skin brighter and more even. It is so good that I literally threw on some bronzer/blush over it and was ready to roll. I will definitely be purchasing this again in the future.

I really have stepped up my skin care routine now that I am in my 30's, so I will continue to post about my successes (and fails) when it comes to trying new products. Also, feel free to share some of your favs!

Until, next time! (I am so happy to be writing again, seriously.)

Hello, Tuesday.

I have lots to share with you today! Andrew and I enjoyed a very fun and exciting weekend. There was music, dancing, drinks, friendship, love, treasures, more drinks, and of course great food.

On Friday we headed to Charlotte to see Delbert McClinton as soon as Andrew got home from work. We checked into our hotel and then took a cab over to the Neighborhood Theatre to meet a few of our good friends. We had been looking forward to this night for a long time!



We bought VIP tickets, which was the best decision ever. VIP meant that we got to sit in this cozy little area above everyone else. There was room to dance and we even had a really awesome waiter to bring us drinks. It was fabulous. As you can see above, I busted out my special mermaid hair for the event :)

The next morning Andrew and I woke up and decided to check out a part of Charlotte that we had not yet explored. We drove over to Uptown to visit a restaurant called Harvest Moon Grille. It had caught Andrew's eye awhile back, so I was excited to see what it was all about. Basically, Harvest Moon Grille is a "farm to table" restaurant, meaning they only use locally grown ingredients from specific farmers. The food is always in season and very fresh.




The menu had tons of brunch and lunch options. I chose the Nelon Knoll's Buffalo Burger, because I spotted the Goat Cheese Pepper Jam under the explanation. Yum! I now realize that I should have taken a photo of my actual plate, but I was too busy being in heaven. This will definitely be a place that I crave often.

After we ate we walked around a bit and enjoyed the warm weather.




Uptown is a lot different from our go-to Noda neighborhood, but I am glad that we stepped out of our usual hang out spot. Uptown is also where the giant Epicenter is located, which houses lots of bars, restaurants, and shopping all in one place. We wondered into a little boutique that caught my eye and I found this bizarre ring:


Craaazy, right? I saw it in the display case and just had to check it out. I call it my "Finger Fro." It may look weird, but I'll tell you what...that day I was stopped by tons and tons of people. Such a fun conversation piece.

After spending some time Uptown we headed back over to the Noda neighborhood (home sweet home). We needed more supplies from our fav incense shop and I wanted to visit a jewelry boutique that I love. I had previously seen this dainty pair of silver, hoop earrings that are designed to let you change out the drops.



So cool! I can either find my own unique drops to hang on the hoops, or I can go back and collect more from the artist. There were lots of options, including stones of all colors. For a dramatic look I could even hang things from just one side. I am excited to play around and find a signature look.

What a successful weekend!!! I will check back in with you later this week with a little surprise. Believe me, you won't want to miss it!
Cheers. xoxo.

Happy Friday!

Today is a great day, because later Andrew and I will be heading to Charlotte to see Delbert McClinton at the Neighborhood Theatre! We are going to dance the night away with some really great friends. Can't wait! I promise to come back with full details.

On a side note, along with getting back into yoga, I have started reading "The Beauty Detox Solution" by Kimberly Snyder.


I don't agree with everything she has to say, BUT I do appreciate learning about what certain foods do for my energy, body, and skin. Furthermore, she also talks about food pairings and how to choose certain foods together to optimize nutrients and benefits. Above all, I am totally in love with Snyder's "Glowing Green Smoothie" recipe. It takes a bit to adjust to the taste, but the more I practiced, the better it got. Basically, the recipe calls for water, romaine lettuce, spinach, celery, apple, pear, banana, lemon juice, and I personally add fresh ginger. I chop up all the stuff and put as much as I can into my Magic Bullet container. Snyder uses a heavy duty juicer, which no doubt makes everything super smooth. However, my Magic Bullet processor does a good enough job.




I start my day with this smoothie and it makes me feel great. It's definitely a power-packed drink and makes it easy to get all of those nutrients in one sitting. I will keep you posted on my progress as I continue to make daily changes to my diet.

Sorry today is short, I have lots to do before date night in the big city!

All You Need Is Love

We had a very eventful Valentine's Day at the Tullman house. Tuesday is the day Andrew has to stay a little later at work, so I had a lot of time to plan the perfect evening for my hubby. First, I woke up and went to hot yoga in Albemarle. I hadn't practiced yoga in months and I have been eager to find a studio nearby. Thankfully, I didn't have to resort to driving all the way to Charlotte, because I found a hidden gem about 20 minutes away. Sitting in downtown Albemarle is an old house that has been renovated into a really special yoga studio.

There is one large room (which I am assuming was at one time the sitting room, or living room) with beautiful hard wood floors and a mural above an old fire place that reads "Be the change you want to see in the world" (one of my favorite quotes by Gandhi). A really amazing woman, Cindy, owns the studio and I was lucky enough to have her as my instructor. Overall, it was one of the best yoga experiences I have ever had. There were only two other women in the class with me and they immediately extended warmth and friendship. I cannot wait to go back! I might even branch out and try something other than hot yoga.

Now, back to my Valentine's Day planning for Andrew. I really wanted to make Andrew a very special meal, since I had been receiving gifts all week. The first present I received was my friend Edgar Allan Poe.


The second present I received was a set of silver, antique inspired, art nouveau make-up brushes that I have been swooning over for weeks.


These brushes are amazing. They are fairly heavy and have a lot of detail carved into the handle. It is kind of hard tell from the photo, but the top is a woman with her head leaning back, holding a ring of blooming flowers around her neck. Yesterday I used them for the first time and I loved the way my make-up looked and felt. This will be something really cool to pass down if I have a daughter.

As you can see, I really needed to step up my game after receiving these great gifts! Luckily, I did some research earlier in the week and knew ahead of time what I wanted to cook Andrew for our Valentine's Day dinner. I'll admit that I was a little ambitious and decided to go with heart shaped ravioli made from scratch. I had never made pasta at home before, but I found some easy to follow recipes and went for it. I only encountered one hiccup and that was trying to locate some semolina in and around Oakboro. I drove into Locust, back to Oakboro, over to Albemarle, and back to Locust. NO one had any semolina. So, I had to move to plan B: making the ravioli using basic all purpose flour. I found a recipe that called for a few cups of flour and some egg yolks. After working with the dough and adding more flour, some water, another egg...I finally found the right consistency and started to knead. I kneaded the dough for 10 minutes, then let it sit covered for 20. Thankfully it turned out perfect! I was able to roll out the dough until it was paper thin and used a cookie cutter to make the hearts. Here is a photo of my work in progress:



I was really happy with the turn out! For the filling I mix sauteed spinach, bread crumbs, Parmesan, grainy mustard, nut meg, a sprinkle of salt and pepper. The mixture could be molded into little balls, which made it easy to fill each heart. Then all I had to do was drop 3 at a time in big pot of boiling water for a few minutes. Here is the finished product:



For desert I decided to go with something a bit lighter. I found a delicious recipe for pears poached in honey and ginger and then drizzled with melted dark chocolate. Yum!



And of course no Valentine's Day is complete without a homemade card!



I think it's fair to say that our first Valentine's Day as a married couple was a huge success. I hope everyone was feeling the love yesterday!

*You can find the recipe for the ravioli filling here.
*You can find tips on making the dough without semolina here.
*And For an easy desert of poached pears check here.

The Sun is Shining

It is a beautiful morning! I am sitting by the window enjoying some coffee and watching lots of little birds come and go. Last night I was reminded that there are a few new items in the house that I have not showcased. One of which is a super awesome painting of a Matador that our friend Heather passed down to us. She originally bought it at a flea market for $3. It is easily one of our favorite pieces of art in the house.


I wanted to show off this piece, because it is a great example of adding amazing art on a budget. Some of the best places to search for affordable art are flea markets, thrift stores, and estate sales. You can always revamp "old" art by putting it in a new frame, or mounting it in an interesting way. The most important part is to find something that speaks to you. I also love the idea of giving the art a new life in your house. We are honored to have The Matador hanging in our bedroom.

Here are some other examples of recycled art hanging in our house. I have shown these before, but I wanted to reiterate that all of them were either found at Goodwill, or a flea market:




In total, all of these pieces probably cost $10. I love that each one has a unique story to tell and that we were able to give some eye-catching art a new home.

Last night I also realized that I never shared a very special Christmas gift I received from my mother-in-law. She is one of the best gift-givers and this holiday season was no different. She sent me a box of hand-blown glass dip pens and ink sealed with wax in glass bottles. Beautiful!

Along with the ink and pens, she sent me something called an Heirloom Diary. I had never heard of such a thing, but now I can't believe I went this long without one! Basically it is a diary to keep track of items passed down and their story. I already have an extensive collection of heirlooms, including my engagement ring. I cannot wait to write about all of my very important items and where they came from.




Such a cool gift idea!
For more information about the dip pens and ink check here.