What a week...

As you know I went to Jamaica and got home 2 Sundays ago. Life has been crazy ever since... I got up Monday morning determined not to fall off of my workout schedule. Delaney was signed up for Apple camp at the town center so we had that from 9-1030. That meant no sleeping in for me! The camp was fun and the girls enjoyed it. Next up, GYM... I got to the gym and did my regular chest day routine which consists of:

• Chest press with 25 lb dumbbells/ 4 sets of 8
• Incline Chest press with 25 lb dumbbells/4 sets of 8
• Chest Press machine 30 lbs/ 4 sets of 12
• Incline Chest Press Machine 30 lbs/ 4 sets of 10
• Chest Flys-Top/Middle/Bottom
• Stairmaster on level 10 fat burner for 15 minutes

I felt like I had ran a marathon.... Flying is so taxing on the body. I mean this is a regular gym day for me, NO BIGGIE!

I went home after and was exhausted. I still at this point hadn't even unpacked my suitcase because I just didn't want to. So after a day of lounging and trying to relax I get the phone call... My friends husband died that morning. WHAT? My hands are shaking, my heart is pounding out of my chest, I can barely breathe. I call her over and over trying to see if she is okay. She doesn't answer. And then she finally calls back, yes its true... I cant believe this is happening. You never think that this kind of tragedy will hit so close to home. I spent the whole next day with her. We talked and cried and Skyped with her sister for hours.  I had no idea what to say to her and I am still having a hard time. I prayed for her for strength and faith, a lot. She has a million questions and thoughts that make so much sense to her. All I can do I guess is be there for her, listen to her, cry with her, lay with her, and let her know I am here. I am typically a very emotional person so this is especially hard... His memorial service was Friday and it was difficult. It seemed to make it all real that day. He was gone and her life was gonna be different forever... How do I help her?? This is a strong, extremely active person that always says the right thing. How can I help?

We worked out together yesterday. She needed it. She needed to get out of her house and get some endorphins pumping. Our workout was:

• 15 lb dumbbell curls while holding a 10 lb dumbbell in the other hand at a 90 degree angle. Ouch! 
• One leg dead lifts with a slider and 15 lb dumbbell. Hard!
• One leg lunges on a slider pressing a 15 lb dumbbell from the floor to shoulders. Harder!
• 100 burpees.UGH!
• Squats with a 15 lb dumbbell toss. Squat, toss dumbbell up, catch in other hand, repeat ten times. Fun!
• 15 lb dumbbell curls in squat position. EEK! 
• Step ups on a wall that was hip height... You know I'm not even 5'2 right?!! 10 steps each leg

Repeat this circuit 3 times. Except for the burpees. Ya right!! I really dislike burpees...

Do you have any advice for me? What others way can I help her deal with her grief? 

Thanks for reading,

Lundi

Black Bean Soup

Today I tried a new recipe thanks to my friend Rachael!! You're a genius Rach! She told me she was making Black Bean soup for dinner so I decided to be a copycat and make my own recipe. It sounded healthy and easy so I was all in. My family and guest loved this soup. We all had more!!

Lundi's Black Bean Soup

Ingredients:

• 32 ounces organic black beans ( i used canned reduced sodium since this was spur of the moment)
• 16 ounces organic corn 
• 8 ounces sliced organic carrots
• 8 ounces chopped celery ( i didn't have any)
• 1/4 of a large yellow onion 
• 1 tbsp minced garlic
• 1 tbsp cayenne pepper 
• 1/2 to 1 tbsp cumin powder
• 1/4 tsp Mrs. Dash Extra Spicy (love this) *pic below
• 1/4 tsp McCormick Perfect Pinch Garlic Pepper (love this) *pic below
• 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
• 48 oz. container low sodium/reduced fat chicken broth
• 1 lb. ground turkey (as lean as you can find)
• 1 avocado sliced for toppings
• Salt to taste

Other topping Ideas:

• Fat free/Low Fat shredded cheese
• Fat free plain Greek yogurt
• Fat free sour cream
• Green Onion
• Siracha sauce or other hot sauce
• Jalapenos

Brown turkey meat with the onion. When it is completely browned add in the broth. Make sure you rinse the black beans if you are using canned. Now add all the beans, carrots, and corn. Next you will add in your seasonings and give it a taste to see if it is how you want it. Season to taste and let it low boil for 20 min then turn to low for an additional 15-20 minutes. When finished add a little bit of avocado to the top before serving. I also had a french loaf for dipping. It was so delicious!!! 

Side notes: I wish I would have had celery because that would've been a tasty addition :) 

If you are using dry beans, you have to follow the package instructions for those beans before you can follow my recipe :)

I was thinking that you could use a taco seasoning packet instead of the other seasoning I have listed. 

Let me know what you think!!! 

Thanks for stopping by!

Lundi

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