We Can Do Hard Things

I have been coming across a lot of great quotes lately and wanted to share some with you. Life is too short to feel down, depressed, like a failure, and struggling more often then feeling happiness and joy. The only way you will get through these hard times will be on your knees, pleading for strength, asking for encouragement to endure, and help to overcome life's trials. Whatever your trial is today, if it is losing a loved one, divorce, being lonely, having a struggling child, illness, cancer, depression, ADD, Autism, or etc... I want you to know that your Heavenly Father and Savior Jesus Christ knows you and loves you and want to help you, as long as you are willing to open the door. Peace, comfort, and hope be with you. Put on your armor and endure... We can do hard things!!!

~Alisha

Why the long break from posting?

Well, let's face it, not everyone blogs as much anymore now that we have instagram, facebook and all the other apps out there. However, my focus in life changed this past year and made me realize I need to enjoy the time I have with my kids because they won't be this small forever. I got pregnant last July after two years of trying (which seemed like forever), I had my third child Marie Julie in March. I have become humble knowing there is a reason for all things and my Father in Heaven knows me better than myself and knows what is best for me.
I am truly grateful for the Gospel of Jesus Christ in my life! It gives me reassurance, hope, and guidance in everything I do. I don't know where I would be without it.

Here are some pictures of my family...

 My kids: Anya, Parker, and Baby Marie

 My sweet baby girl

Marie being silly

My Family

What makes you happy? What are you passionate about?

What do you "Find The Time" for?

~Alisha

The Plan of Salvation

Do you know that answers to these questions?

Who am I?

Where did I come from?

Why am I here?

If not here are some links to help you know the answers to these questions.

http://mormon.org/beliefs/plan-of-salvation

Don't be afraid to find the answers. Read the scriptures, Pray to know the truth, and seek the answers in the right places. Our Savior and Heavenly Father love you and want the best for you.

I belong to the church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. The knowledge I have about the Gospel of our Savior Jesus Christ brings me peace, comfort, and guidance through this chaotic world where so much evil and darkness prevails. You can find that peace, your life will be better, you will be better I know this to be true.

~Alisha

Get Spiritual

This is a new section here on Find The Time Mama blog. Sometimes we get so focused on daily living we forget why we are really here and the reason behind it all. So I am starting this section on let's "Get Spiritual" to help you and me to develop our spiritual side. Feel free to ask questions and let me know what you think. I hope you can be motivated and uplifted to being a better person, especially one our Father in Heaven would be proud of. You are special! Did you know that? Well you are.....

~Alisha

Pre and Post Workout Snacks

Need some ideas for Pre and Post workout snacks.


Here are 50 healthy Pre and Post workout snacks from greatist.com.


Click HERE to go to the originial article or view it below

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day for some, but for those who manage to squeeze some gym time into their routine, pre- and post-workout foods can be just as huge. While everyone’s nutritional requirements are different depending on their goals and activities, these snacks can offer the right balance of carbohydrates, fats, and protein to satisfy hunger, fuel workouts, and aid in recovery. Read on for Greatist’s 50 favorite pre- and post-workout snacks, including some go-to recipes from our trusted health and fitness pros.

(Also Check Out: 88 Unexpected Snacks Under 100 Calories)

Pre-Workout Snacks

The body works to build muscle and recover 24 hours a day, not just during that one-hour session at the gym. Luckily, smartly timed snacks can give the body the fuel it needs to gain muscle, burn fat, and recover as best it can. Pre-workout, that usually means grabbing a snack about 30-60 minutes in advance, depending on its size and contents, and how much that stomach’s actually grumbling. All ready to go? Check out these 25 options to start things right:

1. Protein Creamcicle: Put a twist on the classic kids’ treat by blending 1 scoop vanilla whey protein powder, 1 cup orange juice, and 1 cup ice. Trainer and fitness expert @JCDFitness does it!

2. Fruitsation shake: Blend 1 scoop of your favorite whey protein flavor with ½ cup ice, and 1 cup frozen berries for a sweet energy boost, suggests strength coach @Roglaw.

3. Cha-Cha coconut shake: Infuse 1 scoop chocolate whey protein with 2 teaspoons of extra virgin coconut oil. Girls Gone Strong co-founder @JenComasKeck loves this!

4. Star-buffs shake: Need a pre-workout pick-me-up? Greatist’s fitness editor suggests blending 1 cup iced coffee (keep the ice) with 1 scoop chocolate whey protein.

5. Dressed up oats: Load up on carbohydrates for a longer workout with ½ cup cooked steel-cut oats topped with 1 tablespoon dried fruit and 1 tablespoon shaved almonds.

6. Perfect yogurt parfait: Feeling fancy, huh? Top ¼ cup nonfat yogurt with ½ cup whole grain cereal and ½ cup fresh strawberries.

7. Yoberries a-go-go: For the perfect blend of carbs and protein, try 1 cup non-fat vanilla beanGreek yogurt — which often packs more protein and probiotics than regular plain yogurt — with ½ cup fresh blueberries.

8. Eggs n’ toast: Have a heartier appetite? Try 1 or 2 hard-boiled eggs with 1 slice of whole-wheat toast.

9. Fruit and Cottage: Top ½ cup cottage cheese — a low calorie and higher protein option — with ½ cup fresh pineapple, berries, or melon. And voila!

10. PB Apple: For a quick carb fuel-up, slice 1 medium apple and serve with 2 tablespoons all-natural peanut butter.

11. Classic fruit cup: Prefer to keep it sweet but simple? Combine 1 cup berries, melon, banana, and oranges — oh my!

12. Dried fruit: For a quick pre-workout fix, try ¼ cup serving of dried berries, apricots, and pineapple, says Greatist Expert Jessica Redmond.

13. Fruit leather: Need something light that makes you feel like a kid again? Try 1 single serving of fruit leather. Have a little extra time? Roll some out in the kitchen.

14. Energy in a bar: With so many options in the aisle, try opting for a bar with the most naturalingredients. While protein count is key, also check the sugar content (it shouldn’t rival what’s found in the candy aisle!).

15. Chicken n’ sweets: For a fast bite, grab 2-4 ounces (or a palm-sized amount) of sliced chicken with an equal portion size of sweet potatoes, suggests Greatist Expert Dan Trink.

16. Oats n’ eggs: Not just for breakfast, try ½ cup cooked oatmeal and 2 whole eggs seasoned with salt and pepper.

17. PB & B toast: Fuel up with 1-2 tablespoons of all-natural peanut butter and half a sliced banana on whole-wheat toast, says Greatist Expert Lisa Moskovitz.

18. Turk-cado pasta: Add 2-4 ounces (or a palm-sized amount) of roasted turkey and 3-4 avocadoslices to ½ cup cooked whole-wheat pasta for some enviable eats.

19.  Wafflewich: Spruce up this classic by combining 1 frozen Kashi waffle with 2 teaspoons of almond butter and 1 teaspoon of jam.

20. Better than a PB Cup: A half-cup cooked oats with 1 teaspoon defatted peanut flour, a dash ofstevia, and a sprinkling of cocoa powder on top — a concoction from the kitchen of Greatist contributor David Butler.

21. Veggie omelet: Add a little more color to your diet by combining 2 whole eggs shaken with 1 teaspoon of water cooked with 1 cup sautéed seasonal veggies.

22. Rice con leche: Got a long way to run? Fuel up with ½ cup cooked rice, covered with ½ cup milk, a scatter of raisins, and a dash of cinnamon on top.

23. Sports drink: An 8-ounce low sugar sports drink (keep it under 10 grams of sugar) will do the trick if you’re in a crunch. For a little more fuel, add a scoop of BCAA powder— branch chain amino acids that help maintain muscle and tissue health^[1].

24.  Hearty salad: Need some greens? Try 1 cup of salad greens with assorted veggies, 1 hardboiled egg, and a drizzle of EVOO and vinegar, or your favorite low-fat dressing.

25. Energy gel: Got a long way to go? Slurp down a energy gel (like Gu) prior to an endurance workout.

Post-Workout Snacks

Photo by Ben Draper

After a tough gym session, post-workout snacks are an imporant way to restore energy and rebuild muscle, too. Downed within two hours after exercise, protein-packed shakes and snacks are a great way to rebuild tissue that breaks down during exercise. Here are 25 ways to end that workout on a high note:

26. Protein pancakes: From the kitchen of Greatist contributor Laura Skladzinski, mix 4 egg whites, ½ cup rolled oats, ½ cup low fat cottage cheese, 1/8 teaspoon baking powder, and ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract. Cook on preheated griddle (medium low heat) until it bubbles, then flip and cook another 30-60 seconds. Top with fresh berries or sliced banana.

27. Sweet potato pie shake: This isn’t your grandma’s recipe. Combine 1 scoop of cinnamon bun whey protein, ¼ cup diced cooked sweet potato, 1 cup of ice, and 1 cup vanilla almond milk in the blender — a Kellie Davis original.

28. Chunky Monkey shake: Monkey around with 1 medium banana, 1 tablespoon peanut butter, and 1 cup low-fat chocolate milk blended with ice.

29. Double G shake: Aussie strength coach @Rachel_Guy1 recommends an 8-ounce greens drink (any superfood blend found at most health food stores) with 1 scoop of glutamine.

30. Double Trouble shake: To lengthen the delivery time of nutrients to your muscles, combine ½ scoop of whey protein blended with ½ scoop slower-digesting casein protein, plus a handful of your favorite fresh or frozen fruit.

31. Bananarama: One medium sliced banana with 1 cup low fat milk — it doesn’t get any easier than this!

32. Protein bar: For a quick, store-bought fix, feed those muscles with a protein bar. Just watch the sugar content. Look for bars with 10-30 grams of protein, less than 10 grams of sugar, and the fewest number of ingredients you can’t pronounce!

33. Beef and squash: Need something hearty? Try a handful of lean roast beef with an equal portion of butternut squash.

34. Tuna crackers: Mix up a batch of light tuna salad for a quick bite. Add two heaping spoonfuls to a handful of whole grain crackers, and chomp away.

35. Bagel with egg whites: Half a medium-sized whole grain bagel with 2 eggs whites makes a great post-workout sandwich.

36. Ants on a raft: The ants go marching… Spread a heap of natural peanut butter over a brown rice cake and top with raisins.

37. Milk and cereal: Any time is a good time for cereal. Add 1 cup of low-fat milk to 1 cup of whole-grain cereal. Nosh loudly.

38. Chocolate milk: One to two cups of low-fat chocolate milk seals the deal with extra carbs and protein.

39. Black bean omelet: Four eggs whites, 1 ounce low-fat cheese, and ¼ cup canned black beans — then spice it up with a savory salsa, if you dare.

40. Green Monster smoothie: Blend 4 cups spinach, ½ cup vanilla bean yogurt, 1 cup almond milk, 1 banana, and 1 tablespoon peanut butter with ice — a favorite of Greatist contributorClaudine Morgan via Iowa Girl Eats.

41. Cottage cheese crunch: One cup fat-free cottage cheese, 1 teaspoon honey, ½ cup whole-grain cereal, and a dash of cinnamon does a body good.

42. Eggy muffinwich: Ditch the fast-food and opt for 1 whole egg, fresh spinach, 1 slice low fat cheese, and 1 slice Canadian bacon served on an English muffin, suggests Greatist contributorLisa LaValle Overmyer.

43. BCAA n’ cakes: When in doubt, just add cakes! Pair up two scoops of BCAA powder mixed in ice water with two rice cakes.

44. Recovery in a bottle: When time is of the essence, grab a store-bought recovery drink to sip on after training. Just check the label — sports recovery drinks will provide plenty of carbs refuel, or opt for aminos to really rebuild.

45. Apples and cheese:  Tease your taste buds with 1 medium sliced apple and 1 stick of low-fat string cheese.

46. Pita and hummus: One 7-inch pita with two spoonfuls of  hummus adds a little pep back to your step with quick digesting carbs.

47.  Egg scramble: Veg out after a hard training session with 2-3 whole eggs scrambled with a handful of chopped onion, spinach, and bell peppers.

48. Choco-tropical trail mix: Go bananas for a blend of ½ a handful of each: macadamia nuts, dried coconut, dark chocolate chips, and banana chips.

49. AB & J Rice Cakes: Almond butter takes the cake. For this healthier twist on the classic PB & J, sandwich 1 tablespoon of almond butter and 1 teaspoon of strawberry jam between two rice cakes.

50. Chicken hash: After your workout grab 1 cup cooked diced chicken, ½ cup butternut squash and apples, roasted in olive oil, salt, and pepper. Make a big batch and store it in the fridge!

Enjoy! ~Alisha