Lifestyle. Health. Fitness.
Today marks 3 years of marriage for the hubs and I. 3 whole years as a Montana. Crazy balls.
Happy anniversary Zacky. Thanks for being the best best friend. Doing life with you is my favorite. I can’t wait to see what our future holds.
Like many moms, I have struggled to have a consistent work out schedule since having a baby. Life before babies was much easier for getting to the gym, Monday was leg day, Wednesday was back day, and Friday was shoulders, arms and plyometrics. I never wavered, I never made excuses,and I held strong to that schedule. When Max came along, my expectations to get back to that schedule were high. Unfortunately, teething, no naps, no sleep at night, and many other things that I let pile up, made my M/W/F routine impossible. I have been able to get two workouts in a week no matter what. Sometimes that means I workout on Saturday and Sunday. If that is the case, I make sure I stay active during the week. Max and I walk almost every day. I randomly do push-ups, tricep dips on the bathtub, and sometimes I will feel like lunging throughout the house. Ha. While that little stuff is all fine and dandy, for my sanity (and my butt), I have to make it into the weight room at least two times per week. I feel like I’m rambling, so let’s cut to the chase.
Everyone has excuses. Period. Everyone has the opportunity to work out and stay healthy. Whether that means searching for home workout videos on youtube, going to the gym, a bootcamp, or just hitting the pavement for a run. It is up to you to seize your opportunity and make it happen! It’s not easy, it’s not always fun, but it will always make you feel better. I promise.
Tips for Finding Your Groove
Do you guys have anything that works to keep you on track? I want to hear!
Y’all. I have been swamped the last few weeks. With an overwhelming amount of orders (which I’m so extremely thankful for), a crazy toddler, selling our house, and buying a new one, blogging has once again been thrown to the side. Not only that…my workouts have taken a toll. When my workouts are lacking their usual intensity, my eating isn’t as great as it should be. This, my friends, is one slippery slope. It is so easy to get out of a routine. One missed workout can lead to another, and that donut you had for breakfast, can lead to that burger at lunch. I have always preached that staying consistent is key to any type of result, I feel like such a hypocrite when I tell people this..and it’s been a week since my butt has been in the gym. Thanksgiving was my wake up call. I had absolutely no desire to get my usual Thanksgiving day workout in. When a nap sounds better than a workout, I know its time to reevaluate and get cracking! This week has brought new life into my workouts and meals! I’m feeling SO much better. When my health and fitness routine is on track, so is everything else. When I feel good on the inside, I am a better mom, a better shop owner, and a better wife!
Here are some tips to keep you from falling down the slippery slope or to help get you off of it!
I hope y’all had a great Thanksgiving!!
XOXO
Tavia
It’s finally Friday y’all! Not that our weekend routine varies too much from the week, there is still an excitement in the air that it’s the weekend! We have lots of fun fall activities planned this weekend that should lead to some epic afternoon naps for the little guy, which will mean some bad A workouts for this mama. Woohoo!
In the meantime, I wanted to share one of me and Max’s staples. The fruit/veggie/protein smoothie. I am a sucker for anything that can knock out a serving veggies while only tasting like a serving of fruits. I wish I liked vegetables, but I don’t…so I have to get creative with ways to get them in my bod!
Here is what you’ll need:
Makes 2 Servings:
2 cups almond milk
1 cup strawberries
1 cup blueberries
1 banana
3 cups spinach
2 scoops Orgain Organic Protein Powder
Combine all ingredients into blender, blend until smooth.
ENJOY!
Max Approves!
Which means I do too. 😉 
Happy Weekend Friends!
XOXO
Tavia
We had the best Halloween this year. My brothers, both of them, made the trek to see us! We all had so much fun watching Max trick or treat for the first time and collect candy for us to eat.
These pictures speak louder than words.
I wish it was acceptable to dress babies up in costumes all the time. This dragon was so on point! I’m already thinking about what he will be next year. Ha!
How was your Halloween?!
Happy Sunday Friends!
XOXO
Tavia
Oh good ol’ nap time. It’s one of the best parts of the day. Don’t get me wrong, I love being a mom, and being able to stay home with little Max is such a blessing, but he is non-stop. When he is awake, there is no such thing as a little me time. Sometimes I just want to go to the bathroom without a little person trying to climb on my lap or eat the toilet paper. Ya feel me? The question during every nap time is, what should I do? Laundry? Clean? Complete orders? Sometimes just thinking of these tasks make me want to take a nap too, so instead, I try to do something active right when he goes down. Whether it’s something small, like a few 1 minute plank holds, or lunging around the house, I know that getting my blood pumping will give me just the amount of energy I need to get my daily tasks completed!
Here’s a quick heart pumping workout:
25 squats
15 push-ups
1 minute plank
1 minute bicycle crunches
50 jumping jacks
Repeat 2x!
You’ll be feeling energized, excited, and ready to tackle those nap time chores!
Happy Nap Time Hustling Mamas! 😉
XOXO
-Tavia
Holidays are so much fun with little babes around. Halloween is on of my favorites! Our neighborhood hosts a “Monster Mile” every year. It is a mile long walk with popular characters dressed up to say hi to the littles. All of the kiddos dress up in their costumes (a perk for us parents because it makes us feel a little less guilty about spending money on a one time outfit).
We were joined by great friends and enjoyed the Monster Mile with an overload of baby cuteness.
Happy Sunday friends!
XOXO
Tavia
Every once in a while Max gets this grand idea that taking a nap would ruin his day. So selfish of him, right? When he does this, it puts a major damper on my workout plans. I decided that just because Max doesn’t take a nap, it does not mean I will skimp on my workout. I just have to get creative. I took my butt to the backyard and got my workout on. Everything I did can be modified! Remember to listen to your body!
Warm Up: 25 jumping jacks for three sets.
Set 1: 1 minute plank (if this is too much, go for thirty seconds!) I did this with my feet up on Max’s swing. This adds an extra core challenge. If this is too challenging or you don’t have a swing, just keep your feet on the ground. Remember to stay up on your toes. Don’t fall into your heel!
Repeat 3x through. I try to move through everything pretty quickly. Only rest for about 20 seconds between sets. This adds an extra challenge, and will also help get through the workout fast, so you can avoid too many messes that your littles may make while you are getting your sweat on.
Set 2: Mountain Climbers. 1 minute. You can modify by going for 30 seconds. It’s important to listen to your body. Remember to move quickly and stay light in your toes! Repeat 3x through.
Set 3: Alternating side plank. Hold a side plank for 30 seconds – 1 minute on each side. Think about keeping your belly button drawn to your spine. Don’t forget to breathe.
^^ but seriously, don’t forget to have your coffee first. 😉
Set 4: Modified Pull-Ups. I used the side of our swing set. Get as many reps as you can with good form, rest for 20 seconds and do it again! 6 sets of these babies!
Last but not least, don’t forget your calves! Find any ledge (stairs work great for these!) and knock out 30 reps of calf raises on each leg. Repeat 4x through.
Done! You should feel so good! Remember that even a quick, small workout will make you feel better than nothing at all. It is so important to be active everyday. Every little thing counts!
When mama’s happy, baby is happy. 😉
Happy workouts friends!!
XOXO
Tavia
The weekend is here, finally!! Although that no longer means sleeping in late (babies don’t understand that), it does mean we get to work out as a family! It’s a little difficult to take Max into the gym with us. He doesn’t just sit happily in his stroller like he used to. We’re getting creative and hitting the pavement!
Here’s What We did:
Warm up: We walked about 1/2 a mile to our community nature trail. There are park benches along the trail that are perfect for different exercises!
Push-ups off the bench: Get as low as you can and get as many reps as you can for 4 sets.
Step-ups: These are my favorite. Get anywhere between 12-25 reps per leg for 3-4 sets. Burn baby burn!
Squat Jumps: These are a doozy. Make sure you are squatting low, keeping your weight back in your heels and fire up from your booty. Try to land as softly as you can on top of the bench. To modify: Don’t jump onto the bench. Squat down and jump as high as you can! Get 12-15 reps for 3 sets.
Finish, by jogging 3 minutes, walking 3 minutes. Until you are back home or it has been 30 minutes!
oh, and don’t forget to FLEX!
I hope you guys enjoy this as much as we did!
Happy Weekend Friends!!
XOXO
-Tavia
I don’t think I am alone on this one (or at least I tell myself I’m not), my toddler pretty much hates anything I cook unless its pizza or mac and cheese. I can only sneak in so many vegetables on his pizza and trying to stuff chicken into his shells and cheese is getting old. Although this recipe might not be loaded with vegetables, it’s loaded with protein..and Max scarfed it right up. There may or may not have been happy tears shed.
We’re calling it Mexican Chicken Pot Pie.
Here’s what you’ll need. 
3 Chicken Breasts
1 can cream of chicken (I use the organic kind)
1 can black beans
1 can corn or 1 bag frozen corn
1 jar salsa
2 cups sharp cheddar cheese
2 pie crusts
What to do:
Preheat oven to 375.
Boil (or bake) your chicken breasts until cooked thoroughly. Shred. I shred my chicken in my kitchen aid mixer on setting 4 for about 40 seconds.
Combine chicken, black beans, corn, cream of chicken, salsa, and cheese into bowl. 
Mix Thoroughly.
Pour mixture into casserole dish. Mine is 13×9.
Roll out pie crusts and place on top of mixture. Puncture with fork. I might have gotten carried away with the poking.
Bake for 35 minutes (or until pie crust is a golden brown).
Waa lah! You have yourself a super simple, delicious, family approved meal! I served mine with a side salad.
Let me know what you think!!
Happy Thursday Friends!
XOXO,
Tavia
These Crazy Montanas 