Try it Tuesday | Protein Treats

Hey everybody,

Today I thought I'd cover protein treats and if your like me and can't go without chocolates or anything sweet for the matter then you will like this.

I am a protein Junkie. My eyes are shaped in a Capitol 'P' for protein! I can't go without, only because it really does work for me and results are visible. I have monitored my body on weeks with higher protein intake and weeks with a lower intake and with lower protein intake my body most definitely does pick up in body fat%. Most importantly just try to keep it all balanced. Now obviously you can obtain your protein from your chicken, egg whites, tuna and so forth. But that's food not a treat and that's why I rely on the following being my favorite Protein Sweet Treats.

1. USN Ultra Whey "Salted Caramel"

I prefer my protein in my oats on my oats all over my oats in the morning after my workouts. It's what I look forward to the most in the mornings because its super yummy. Not everyone can do oats but gosh it's the best when you add some protein to it. Although this meal being breakfast for me I do consider this as a treat only because it tastes like a desert.

2. GNC Breakfast Squares "Iced Cinnamon"

160 calories | 12g protein | 5g Sugar

A newbie to me and- Where have you been all my life you breakfast square? Now this baby might look small to the eye but it's so satisfying to the tummy and not to forget the flavor that goes on inside your mouth- so tasty.

3. Woolworths Protein Bar "Apple & Vanilla"

249 calories | 18.4g protein | 11.6g sugar

These would always catch my eye on my way to the tills only because the word PROTEIN is very visible to the eye. Now I was not quite familiar with woolies protein but thought I'd give it a try anyway. Result- Really tasty and what I like about this is that it's not too sweet and is super low in calories.

4. GNC Oatmeal Protein Bar Deluxe "Glazed Cinnamon Roll"

30g Protein | 400 calories | 6g Sugar

Probably noticing the trend with the cinnamon hey? but I can't help it as it's the closest healthier option I can get to the actual famous Cinnabon doughnut. GNC really mastered this one as it is most definitely the closest tasting to the actual Cinnabon doughnut and they even state on the pack "microwavable" it really is the best way to enjoy this treat. Guilt free, low calorie, high protein. I could eat this all day everyday. 

5. USN Pro Protein "Strawberries & Cream"

287 calories | 29.6g protein | 20g Sugar 

Also one of my favorites and is different to the rest as it's not cinnamon. Really satisfies the sweet craving, is low in calories, high in protein and best of all it's pink hehe.

Now guys and girls kindly note that too much of a good thing can also be bad I suppose. With regards to some protein bars it is recommended to only have them every 3rd day as some products content could be higher in carbs and sugars. I have to just mention this because as tempting as it is you cannot eat this for breakfast, lunch and supper. These are simply snack options for when your craving something sweet or when you need to snack on something on the go. You need to consume your whole foods and vegetables too.

That about covers today's theme "Try it Tuesday" Happy treating everyone.

Xx

Wisdom Wednesday | Building an Empire

Hey everybody,

So Tonight I thought I would share a bit of my business journey and how Miyoko was created.

I often get emails and messages from my former work colleagues asking me for advice in the line of "Do I regret leaving my permanent job, working for a boss or is it worth it to work for myself?

Now for those of you who don't know me and what I do I own Miyoko Beauty Mobile spa. If your not familiar with Miyoko Beauty either thats fine because I can guarantee you that we are going to become a house hold name in the years to come because I really believe and have so much faith in what God has planned for me.

Basically we are a mobile spa offering professional beauty treatments from head to toe in the comfort of your home or location of choice making it way more convenient for those who simply do not have the time to get to a salon/spa.

So here's the thing, I always knew that I was going to be a boss but to be one you have to first work for one in order gain experience, well that was something that I have learnt along the way and I am truly grateful for all the experiences and leaders 'ie Bianca NSI WP' that I have come across along the way. You really have to take in as much as you can and learn from others.

So yes I am in the beauty industry, my talents lie in everything creative. I thrive on end results, the before and afters. So nails, skin care, mani, pedis, makeup, eyelash extensions the works all pretty much sums up my passion and most of all my clients Aaah my clients they are reason I am where I am today.

I left my permanent job at the age of 23 and from there I started building up Miyoko Beauty Mobile Spa from scratch financially- My last pay cheque basically went into some starting up costs. Yes it is a risk as most of you might think, even my dad tried talking me out of it, but when I want something I will do everything in my might to achieve it. It was definitely a risk well worth taking.

I was fortunate that some of my previous clients decided to follow me which got me going and believe me in the beginning I was quite quiet and was continuously thinking of various ways to grow my business. Being a mobile spa I was working strictly on referral basis and word of mouth and that's pretty much how Miyoko grew. 

Now almost 3 years later I have girls working for me, I have added on Pamper party packages as well as offering our services to corporate companies for corporate events. I pride myself in using the best quality products as well as attending various courses to keep the knowledge and creativity juices flowing. My mind is continuously working over time thinking of ways to better Miyoko and in ways that I cannot wait to share what I have planned in the pipe line.

Unfortunately you will not find Miyoko Beauty on the web as of yet because that's something I only recently had the guts to actually do. It has taken me a while to consider a website for Miyoko Beauty but I am please to let you know that our website will be launched at the end of this month. 

Back to the purpose of this post. To everyone who is thinking of being their own boss, starting up and asking me if it's worth it? It's so worth it if you make it worth it. I'm not saying it's easy all the way but how would we grow and succeed if everything were to come to us easily? Patience is key, it's not going to be all cupcakes and butterflies from the start believe me and yes your going to experience bumps along the way but I'll tell you it's the most rewarding feeling seeing your "baby" grow Infront of your eyes and recieving positive feedback from people on a daily basis.

I will always encourage people to start up something for themselves if they have the ways and means to, I mean who wants to work for a boss when you can be the boss? Now please don't get me wrong everyone is unique and has their own personality when it comes to work ethics and some people just prefer to play it safe which I totally respect. 

This message is simply for all the natural born entrepreneurs who are stuck and unhappy in their work place- Who have that voice in their heads that keeps on popping up, telling you that YOU CAN DO IT for yourself-OWN IT on your own! Let me tell you, that's the moment "You gotta step out in order to step up"

Seize the moment, but only if you have what it takes to pull it through and make it work.

Lotsa love

Recipe | Sweet Potato Nachos

                 By: Micarla Justine

Over  the weekend I tried Sweet Potato Nachos. My honest opinion is that I did not enjoy making this one. Mainly because I hate peeling sweet potatoes as well as it was quite a long process- waiting 40min or so for the sweet potatoes to get all nice and crispy is not so much fun. I like to be busy throughout preparing a meal and well with this one I had to just sit and wait.

The outcome result however was really tasty and super filling. My boyfriend loved it and found this serving satisfying, I on the other hand could only eat half of this serving.

So here we go:

Sweet Potato Nachos

Prep time: 15min - Cook time: 45min Servings:1-2 depending on how much you can stomach I suppose. Difficulty: Easy

Ingredients:

- 2 Sweet Potatoes; thinly sliced.

- 1 tbsp Olive oil

- 1 tsp Paprika

- 1 tsp garlic powder 

- 1 Skinless Chicken breast; cooked

- Shredded reduced fat cheddar cheese

- 1 Avocado; diced, cubed or smashed.

- 1/4 cup spring Onions

- Greek Yogurt

Method:

- Preheat oven to 240•c and lightly spray and cook your baking tray.

- Wash and dry your sweet potatoes and then using a vegetable peeler to peel them.

- Slice your potatoes into thin rounds also not too thin or else they could burn and stick to your pan. 

- Place sliced Sweet potatoes into a large bowl and drizzle with Olive oil, using your hands to ensure that each round is evenly coated.

- Season with paprika, garlic powder, salt and pepper.

- Place rounds in a single layer on your baking tray and bake for 40min, turning them halfway through ensuring thatthey don't burn.

- Remove from oven and transfer to a oven proof dish, allowing edges to slightly overlap.

- Top with chicken and cheese before returning to oven for an additional 5min or until cheese is melted.

- Remove from oven and top with avocado and Greek yogurt. Eat and enjoy.

Ps.

If your a veggie, I'm sure beans and vegatable toppings would be just as great with this recipe.

Happy, healthy eating everyone.

Xx 

Flash Back Friday | Advanced Knowledge

Hey Everyone,

So everyday I discover something new about my phone, like I can have this amazing blogging app and blog straight from my phone! Oh my gosh it's pretty darn awesome because now I have no excuse not to update my blog. "Please excuse me as my technology skills really suck" 

So my Friday has ended nice and early and I'm sitting in the kitchen waiting for lunch to be ready out the oven. If you don't already know, that if I'm not doing nails and treatments I'm in the kitchen experimenting different Healthy meals because in that way it's more exciting for me to stay on track following a healthy diet. 

Anyway I'm sitting here thinking back at how much I've learnt about health and fitness over the years and What I'm really flashing back to is that: "Someone once told me that you can eat anything that you want just as long as you exercise" and guess what I actually believed it! Only because the person who gave me that advice was a total babe, and gosh if she could eat chocolates and crap everyday and just exercise and look that good! Yeah it definitely did NOT work for me, but who wouldn't take that advice?

So yes I have been doing a lot of research over the years and believe me I have tried everything possible even down to that crazy soup diet!

I'm not going to get into too much detail about it all today. What I really want to point out today is that You are what you eat as most of you obviously already know and NO you can't eat crap and cake and have that glass of wine everyday and then just think that you can gym it off!

I have learnt that it's not about living off salads and vegetables or skipping meals or any crazy stupid weight loss diet...

There really are so many out there it's crazy!

Really people it's All about just eating healthy. I swear I eat like a pig, I eat more than what I use to but choosing healthier food options and breaking them up throughout the day. In that way I have actually changed the way my body metabolizes food. I've really got this crazy new fast metabolism that burns fat like a b**** and it's all because I am eating small meals and snacks every 2/3 hours. Something that I never use to do in the past.

So right now I'm already thinking of tonight's supper while "lunch" is almost ready. Lunch is nothing fancy today but for supper tonight I'm going to try "Sweet Potato Nachos" 

I will share that once I've tried and Approved of it.

Healthy eating everyone and yay it's Friday. Have a great weekend everybody.

Xx

Gym Personalities

The gym is where you will find the most characters. I would know because some days I could possibly fall under "The Zoner" category as I call it, which you will read about further down.

So here we go- The type personalities that you get in the gym:

You know the ones who have make-up on from here to there. I for the life of me do not understand how some women do it- the sweat is definitely not going anywhere because that makeup is plucked on nice and thick locking that sweat in nice and tight. "gag" And don't get me started on the hoop earrings and dangling ones too... Errr in the gym please explain that to me?

Aaah shame I really have so much respect for older people but in the gym when they hog machines and then rush you off yours. They can get pretty rude about it.

You know how on a Monday when the gym is so full and you wonder where all these people are the rest of the week? Which brings me to the next 1-

I am all for encouraging people to start somewhere and good for them if they do start, but not if it's only going to last for a week! You know when it's spring and a little peak of summer is upon us? Oh my word how full is the gym? Where were all these people straight through winter when the rest of us got ourselves out of bed in the freezing cold winter to train our asses off literally and in a nice empty gym may I just add. Please people don't just set summer goals; set right through the year goals and stick to them!

I have to admit I for some days fall under this category- that is why I am able to tell you about all these people in the gym because that's where I zone to, yeah "weirdo" is what your thinking. I see you! Nevermind zoning but just sitting there and taking up space on the bench!

I have to laugh, it's actually quite funny- For example: I see these 2 ladies training well only the one actually, headphones on and all into her running -while the other one stops her all the time to talk "I mean the lady that's running really has to stop running and stand still just to listen to her friend talk" Now that's what you call a true friend. As well as the one who comes to you and all you see is their mouth moving because clearly you have earphones in your ears with music blasting through them! Uhm yeah "This might be me too because my boyfriend tells me so"

Not much explaining needed on this one.

Now don't get me wrong preworkout is the greatest thing ever! I love my preworkout before gym, it's just so funny to see where preworkout can take some people especially if they take more than the recommended amount. I mean some mornings when getting out of your car and you see a big jock coming up the ramp taking a turn in the parking lot blasting "your beautiful" by James blunt" and "Icona Pop" "I got this feeling on a summers day when you were gone" Sorry I had to just sing it out loud now because I can understand this song getting you all hyped up for gym. Yeah it's pretty hilarious.

One category that I can relate to not because I'm a cougar but because I experience them on a daily basis. Now if you know me you would know that I'm the easiest and most polite person to talk to, not in the gym for some reason. Ladies ignore me completely! BUT wait there's a reason...My boyfriend gets all the friendly warm greetings everyday and then on top of it most of them won't approach him if I'm within he's proximity, it's like they wait for me to go downstairs to go do my cardio. "Cougar ladies I got my eyes on you"

So yes that's about all the characters I can think of now and I apologize if your reading this and you fall under one of these categories but just laugh and dust it off because it's kind of funny... Well to me that is.

If you can think of any that I missed out please feel free to add on in the comment section. I would love to know if there could possibly be more characters other than the ones I have mentioned.

ps. "Cougar ladies I still got my eyes on you"

Xx

Let's try this again.

Hey beautiful people,

I'm back!! For the second time around -because clearly I sucked at blogging first time round!
I thought I'd give it another try because I really do feel that I have a lot to share. 

This year alone has been one crazy adventure- one in which I tapped into my true self, the one I always knew I was suppose to be since I was a young.

Since small, I have always been a leader; a dare devil; a go-getter; a dreamer but never a follower.
Gosh I remember the days that I would enter crazy competitions and winning them, performing onstage effortlessly-auditioning to be a child tv presenter- to
wanting to be a actress - a Top Billing presenter- a fashion designer - A boss; even a Hippie if all els failed- ok in short I wanted to be everything. But growing up that somehow started to fade away a little bit each day.  I would compare myself, doubting myself and unsure of the future. I was once at a point where I was feeling lost in this world not knowing what my purpose was.

At the beginning of this year I decided  to make the change! Telling myself that 2014 IS  GOING TO BE MY YEAR!

I started to do so my changing how I feel about myself appearance wise. It's no secret obviously most of you know how I have transformed my body, which really changed the way I stepped out the front door every morning.

This journey so far has taught me that it's not just about losing weight or looking good. To me it really reminded me of what I am capable of really doing once I have put my mind to it. This year has reminded me that I am that person who can do anything and just taking a chance in everything that I do, because hey "In the end we only regret the chances that we didn't take"

I can say that 2014 has been my year thus far. Although not always a smooth road, but goodness how would one learn if you don't bump your head a couple of times along the way and then being able to talk about it. Yes, we rise up and step out stronger than before!

I've heard by many that your 20's are suppose to be the toughest years of your life, trying to find yourself and really just because so many of us are just winging it. Well I'm here to say that:
-Don't wait too long to be the better version of yourself!
-Don't look at what others are doing!
-Don't care what others think, even if they think that your crazy!

In the end this is your life and you have to learn to take ownership of it! 

Be the person that you dreamt of being when you were a child because that's who you are meant to be. Kids don't lie they are thee most honest human beings and kids dreams are way more colorful. Surely you catch my drift?

I sure as hell am not telling myself to get on a plane and jet off to be a Hollywood actress. I'm just saying that make your dreams a reality! Be gutsy! Be Honest! Just be colorful!

Xx