Proud to be a Tone It Up Girl

Coffee in my cup, time to Tone It Up!

I shared in my bio that since 2015 I’ve lost 40lbs, and maintained the weight loss. This is 100% because of what I've learned from Tone It Up, and it’s founders, Karena and Katrina. Tone It Up is so many things, but above all else, it’s a community full of women with one common goal: creating the best version of themselves.

I was at a very low point when I started my Tone It Up journey. I was at my highest weight ever (like rivaling 39 weeks pregnant), my marriage was running on empty, I was traveling all the time, and I was always exhausted. I felt like even though I was giving work/marriage/motherhood ALL of my efforts, somehow none of it was the best effort.

One night I was watching Bravo, and these 2 cute best friends who lived on the beach popped up on the screen. They were trainers with their own company, so naturally, I looked them up right away. I was dazzled by all of the before and after photos, the beautiful images of food, and by the overwhelmingly positive vibe of the website. 

The 6 week ‘Love Your Body’ challenge was featured on the Tone It Up homepage, and I signed up immediately. The challenges are F-R-E-E, by the way!!! At the time, my eating habits (or lack thereof) and attempts at exercise were yielding no results- I constantly felt discouraged. I couldn’t wait to find out how these darling TIU girls would fix my body so that I would love it. Turns out, I had it all wrong.

#tiumeetup with my Accountibility Partner Alexis! She visited me all the way from WI!  

For the next 6 weeks, I followed the free Tone It Up YouTube workouts, and I was hooked. I wasn't hooked because they were 'fixing' my body; I was  hooked by the positive message that came with every workout. Every time I turned on a video, I was flooded positive affirmations; how I was worth investing in; how my body was already strong, already beautiful; how proud they were of me for taking time for self-care; how I could achieve anything; how I could make it through any day if I could make it through a minute of planking!

I only lost a few pounds during that challenge, but I gained something that had literally been gone for I don’t know how long- the belief that I was worthy of taking care of. Tone It Up was helping me gain physical strength, but more than anything, it was helping me heal my soul.

The challenge ended in February, but I kept up with the workouts. I felt so happy when I exercised with Karena and Katrina. In April, the next challenge launched, and I was stoked. It was the Bikini Series- their biggest challenge of the year. The Bikini series is 8 weeks of workouts and meal plans to get you summer ready. Much like the Love Your Body challenge, the Bikini Series was about learning to embrace what you love about yourself vs 'fixing' what you don't. At this point, my husband saw how committed I was to the program, and for Mother’s Day, he and my son bought me the Nutrition Plan and premium workout videos. Hands down, it’s still the best gift I’ve ever received or requested. 

May 2015 and July 2017. My face in the before picture never ceases to amaze me. I really felt shocked and sad when I took this photo. I also felt really excited because I was ready to change.

The Nutrition Plan was the true unlock to my success. I couldn’t believe that by eating the right foods at the right times, I would end up eating MORE, and losing weight! It turns out that I wasn’t eating the wrong foods before, I was simply eating them at times when my body couldn’t optimize them. I also learned how to tweak family favorites into healthier options without sacrificing flavor. My passion for food was reignited because of Tone It Up.

During the Bikini Series, I lost 15 lbs. I was so much stronger physically. Mentally and emotionally, I felt more resilient than I had in years. I became more patient with my family, more energetic at work. I found that I was becoming a better human to be around, and I just felt happier than I had in a long time. I smiled more. I laughed more.

In the 2 years that followed that Bikini Series, I’ve completed 6 more challenges, including the 2017 ‘Look For Love’ challenge, for which I was a #tiutransformation Grand Prize Winner. I submitted my transformation story, which included a timeline of my TIU journey, stories about how I’ve incorporated Tone It Up into my life, and what would I love to share with other women about my journey.  I finally felt brave enough to be vulnerable and for the first time, I shared my before photos.

I felt like somewhere out there was a mom who probably felt the way I did in the beginning. I wanted her to know that she wasn’t alone- I wanted to cheer for her, and encourage her to take time for herself the way Tone It Up did for me. I also wanted to thank the Tone It Up team for changing my life!!

My fellow #lookforlove Grand Prize winners and myself on our way to California for our winner’s trip

What I love most about Tone It Up is that while the challenges come and go, this community keeps me going every day. Through TIU, I’ve met some of my very best friends. There is an incredible group of women who virtually connect every single day to check in with workouts and meals, share their goals, and cheer each other on! It’s not a competition. We’re all on our own paths and can share how we want to grow as individuals while being on this incredible #tiuteam. When one of us succeeds, we all succeed!! When one of us falls, we pick each other up. 

A new feature that seems to be causing a lot of controversies is the Studio Tone It Up app. For $12.99/mo, you get access to tons of amazing content, and a new and convenient platform to work out on. I work out at home 99% of the time, and for me, the Studio membership is a no-brainer. It's half the cost of a drop-in class at any studio, twice the cost of a good chocolate bar, sometimes I swear it's equal to the price of a large organic avocado. The bottom line is that I think it's an incredible value, and it's upped the ante on my AM workouts. My top 3 reasons for being obsessed:

1. The community. I literally get to work out with a group of women every morning! It's like we're our own little Jazzercise class from the comfort of our living rooms. I love the camaraderie, and hearing everyone's feedback on the classes, and sharing daily intentions.
2. The variety! Because I don't belong to a gym, I don't often get a chance to explore varied workout types. Could I explore onYouTube and find some options? Sure. But... TBH... I'm really good at getting sucked into the YouTube rabbit hole... specifically any videos of dance routines. 
3. The Trainers! OMG. These babes are #goals. I love that there's a trainer and a workout for any mood I'm in. I feel like my muscles are constantly learning and guessing with their varied styles. Plus, I could look at their pretty smiles and buff arms all day every day.

#studiotoneitup babes

I could go on and on about why I will forever be a #tiugirl, but I’ll leave you with this- I will be 80, and hopefully hosting #tiumeetups in a nursing home. We’ll do water aerobics, and drink wine on Wednesday’s, and do sunrise yoga with our beautiful wrinkly, strong bodies. I want women with this energy around me every day of my life. 

Memories to last a lifetime! This group of women is incredible.  

Leave a comment if you have any questions about TIU! I’d love to help in any way:)  

xo, #tiugirl Terra

Things I Love: Essential Oils

Essential Oils have played a part in my daily life for the better part of the last decade. Here are 5 EO's I can't live without, a few ways I use them, and my recipe for homemade cleaning wipes! xo, Terra

My top 5 essential oils (in no particular order)

my go-to @vitruvi diffuser, and a few of my favorite oils

1. Peppermint
   Peppermint has tons of uses. I first used it the way most of us probably did- making peppermint frosted treats for Christmas. Now, this is the #1 oil I turn to when I need relief from a headache; when anyone in the house is feeling nauseous; added to tea when I want a little pick me up; it's also a natural bug repellent, so I like to add a few drops to a spray bottle, and spray it around my windows and doors to keep spiders away.

2. Eucalyptus
   My son was diagnosed with asthma at 18 months. I quickly realized that while I couldn't control the illness, I did have a hand in reducing triggers. I keep a humidifier in Peyton's room, and I diffuse eucalyptus to promote his breathing. I also add eucalyptus oil as a natural disinfectant to my homemade cleaning spray and wipes. When we're feeling under the weather, I put 5-6 drops of eucalyptus on a damp washcloth, and use it in the sauna: the infrared heat plus the essential oil does wonders for relieving  congestion. 
3. Grapefruit
   One of my favorite scents to add in the kitchen and bathroom is grapefruit. I diffuse grapefruit oil in my entryway and kitchen for most of the year, add grapefruit oil to my hand soap in the bathroom, and add a few drops to my homemade cleaning wipes when Peyton helps with chores. Grapefruit is an uplifting fragrance, and I love to mix it with Bergamot in a bath, or in my mop water when I'm cleaning the floors. 
4. Bergamot
   Bergamot is an oil I wear, diffuse, and clean with. I also add it to my tea (it's what gives earl gray tea its delicious scent). I diffuse bergamot on its own and also mix it with neroli oil (orange blossom) to naturally add fragrance to our laundry. 
5. Cinnamon
   During the holidays, I diffuse cinnamon, orange, and clove to mimic the scent of mulling spices on the stove! I love the smell of the holidays, and this combo immediately puts everyone in the Christmas spirit. The rest of the year, I alternate cinnamon and peppermint as bug repellants and also add it to my smoothies as a natural way to regulate blood sugar levels. 

**full disclosure** I am not an essential oil expert, just an enthusiast. For all things EO, check out 2 of my favorite people, and their Instagram pages! If you're looking to broaden your knowledge in this area, let these Boss Babes guide you! I'm just here to sing their praises. 

Sydney of OutbackSherriffs is my health and wellness guru when it comes to EO's -though I don't know if she knows I call her that. ☺️ She knows oils inside and out, and will help you discover the best oils for your life  

Griselda is the master of curated scents. Her page Spruce and Thyme has tons of helpful tips and tricks for incorporating essential oils into your daily life. I am also obsessed with her serious photography skills!! 

Kid Friendly Cleaning Wipes

Because of Peyton's asthma (and allergies), I started making my own cleaning wipes and switched to as many natural cleaning products as I found to be effective. Chores are a family affair at our house, and I wanted to feel good about what Peyton is inhaling, and also what touches his skin. Here's my recipe for kid-friendly cleaning wipes! The best part of this is that there's no waste- Just throw the rags though a sanitizing wash cycle, and you're good to go!

What you'll need:

• 1- 32oz Wide mouth mason jar
• 10-20 assorted sized rags (Old dishtowels and t-shirts cut into 6" or 12" squares do the trick! I use different sizes for different jobs)
• 3/4c filtered water
• 3/4C distilled white vinegar
• 10 drops grapefruit essential oil
• 10 drops eucalyptus essential oil
• 5 drops bergamot essential oil

How you make them:

• Add all liquids to the mason jar, and give them a good swirl. Be sure to use a glass jar as plastic can react to the oils and vinegar
• Add rags one at a time, fully submerging each rag
• Put a lid on the jar, and give it a few tilts back and forth be make sure each rag is wet enough

How to use them:

• Pull rags from the jar one at a time, squeezing any excess liquid back into the jar (this is where the wide-mouth jar request is most important)
• Use to wipe counters, window sills, shutters, baseboards, sinks, etc! 
• Throw dirty rags into a sanitizing cycle in the washing machine once you're finished, and make a new batch as needed! 

You can fit 20-30 small rags in a jar, but 10 is about how many I can get my son to use before he's OVER dusting and cleaning. 

** one note, these may not be suitable for certain stone countertops. Be sure to check the care of your surfaces before using! **

Baked Eggs

I LIKE BAKED EGGS AND I CANNOT LIE

Can we all just agree that cute food tastes better? There’s something about these sweet like baked eggs with their happy yellow yolks that just makes me smile! I love that they can be customized to whatever your mood is, and work with whatever you have on hand. Bonus- they’re a hit with a brunch crowd!

• 1 Dozen Large Eggs
• 6 stalks asparagus, chopped into thin rounds
• 1/2 sweet onion, diced
• 1 garlic clove, diced
• 2Tbsp Salsa or pico de gallo
• pinch of salt and pepper

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees
2. Spray silicone baking mold (try this one or this one) with coconut oil spray, and place on a metal cookie sheet for stability
3. Dice all veggies, mix together in a bowl with salsa, and 1-2TBSP to each muffin tin (ormini loaf pan)
4. Crack 1 egg into each tin. Tamp the pan 2-3 times to ensure there are no air pockets 
5. Cook at 350 for 20-25 minutes, until the yolk is set. 
6. Let cool 5 minutes before serving, or cool completely before storing for meal prep.

**These can be served warm, at room temperature. To reheat microwave for 30 seconds, covered with a damp paper towel.

**Serve with salad, avocado toast, or on their own! 2 eggs per serving 

What's For Dinner: Stuffed Peppers

2 truths: 1- I'm a pretty good cook. 2- up until creating this dish, I had about a 30% success rate making stuffed peppers. Something was always off, and I couldn't put my finger on it. So I did what anyone would do- I started obsessively experimenting with filling combinations to find one that was a hit with my family. 

BEHOLD! 100% APPROVED STUFFED PEPPERS THAT DREAMS ARE MADE OF

Prep Time: 40 Minutes Cook Time: 20 Minutes Makes 4 Servings

All the colors. All the peppers. All the deliciousness.  

• Chipotle Salsa Rice
  • 1C Brown Rice
  • 1C Chipotle Salsa
  • 1C Water
  • 1tsp Chili Powder
  • 1tsp Garlic Powder
  • 1tsp Smoked Paprika
  1. In a medium sauce pan, rinse rice with cool water until water runs clear (this usually takes 2-3 rinses)
  2. Pour out rinsing water, and add all remaining ingredients to the pot. 
  3. Cook over medium heat until liquid comes to a boil. Reduce heat to simmer, cover pot, and cook to directions on rice package)
  4. Once rice is cooked, remove from heat, and fluff rice with a fork.

Stuffed Peppers

• 2C Chipotle Salsa Rice (cooked)
• 1lb Ground Turkey
• 4 Bell Peppers, cored and seeded
• 1 sweet onion, chopped
• 1tsp chili powder
• 1tsp garlic powder
• 2TBPS olive oil

1. Preheat oven to 400F
2. In a skillet, cook onion in olive oil over medium heat
3. Once the onion is softened, add ground turkey, and spices, stirring regularly. 
4. Once mixture is finished cooking, remove from heat, and add 2C of cooked Chipotle Rice
5. Stuff the cored peppers with the turkey/rice mixture, and place into a glass baking dish (I use a pie pan)
6. Tent with foil, and bake for 30 minutes
7. If desired, top stuffed peppers with shredded cheese, and cook uncovered for the last 5 minutes. 

1 serving (2 halves) fits perfectly into these Meal Prep Containers

**Serve warm, preferably with good wine, good music, and good conversation**

Triple Berry Protein Muffins

I love baking. I mean, who doesn't love the smell of warm berries wafting from the oven on a Sunday morning? Baking is in my DNA. My grandma makes the best cinnamon rolls in the world, from memory. My mom is the master of peanut butter cookies. My sister owns the cobbler/biscuit space. I am the resident birthday cake baker.

As we've adapted a healthier lifestyle, I've experimented more with wheat-alternative flours. Oat Flour is one of my go-to's for a few reasons.

1. It's so easy- I always have Gluten-Free Oatmeal in my pantry. All you do is take those rolled oats, throw them in the food processor, and pulse pulse pulse! I make 4-6 cups of oat flour at a time so that i don't have to grind it to order every time I bake, which is often.
2. I love the hearty texture it provides in baked goods- especially muffins
3. It's inexpensive! This is my go to flour when I'm baking for a large group, or for a weekend brunch

PSA- We are not wheat-free, we are mostly wheat-free. I feel better when I don't eat a ton of wheat. Also, my son has asthma, and we avoid wheat and dairy to maintain better control over his symptoms. 

This muffin recipe is super-versatile. Feel free to use any berries you like, or swap for dried fruit, or even dark chocolate and nuts for a decadent treat!

Enjoy! xo, Terra

I love all muffins. All sizes. All flavors.  

Triple Berry Protein Muffins

Prep: 10 minutes Bake: 15-20 minutes Makes 12 Muffins or 24 Mini-Muffins

• 1-1/4C Oat Flour
• 3/4C Tone It Up Vanilla Protein Powder
• 1/4tsp salt
• 1-1/2tsp Baking Powder
• 1/2tsp Baking Soda
• 2 Eggs
• 1C Almond Milk
• 2TBSP Agave Syrup (or Honey)
• 1tsp Cinnamon
• 1tsp Vanilla Extract
• 3/4C Mixed Berries (I use equal parts blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries)

1. Preheat oven to 375F. Grease muffin tin with coconut oil, or use paper liners. I also love this mini loaf pan for cute baby loaves. Everything is cuter in little sizes!
2. In a bowl, combine all dry ingredients and whisk together.
3. Add wet ingredients, and stir until combined.
4. Fold in berries. Be careful not to over-mix (I learned this the hard way- purple muffins, party of 1)
5. Spoon batter into prepared tin. Fill muffin cups 2/3 full. 
6. Bake for 15-20 minutes, until golden, or until a toothpick comes out clean.
7. Cool in muffin tin for 5 minutes before transferring to wire cooling rack.

** Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days in the refrigerator. Best served with friends, coffee, and laughter. ** 

Welcome to Bainbridge Kitchen

Hey, that’s us! On our way to eat food, and cheer for the seahawks! #gohawks

Hi! I'm Terra, and I'm so excited to welcome you to my blog. Bainbridge Kitchen was born out of my love for feeding people! I love welcoming people into my home to laugh, eat, drink, play, and enjoy one another's company. I love creating healthy versions of family favorites, experimenting with new ingredients, and finding reasons to celebrate whenever possible!  

I hope you visit often to see what I'm cooking, and also for some inspiration whether you're looking to adopt healthier habits, host a game night with friends, a holiday with family, or simply figure out what's for dinner tonight. One thing that I've learned through developing healthy, sustainable food habits is that healthy food and delicious food are NOT mutually exclusive. Since 2015, I've lost about 40lbs eating the most delicious and flavorful food I've ever cooked. I've even gotten buy-on from 2 of the toughest critics I've ever met: my husband and my 10-year-old son.

Julia Child said it best, 'People who love to eat, are always the best people.' Join me week by week as I share my favorite recipes, time-saving tips, organization hacks, and my general love of cooking. Bainbridge Kitchen is open for business!

Meal Prep- You can totally do this!

Meal prepping saves my sanity, and eliminates the dreaded what’s-for-dinner-midweek-panic. After much trial and error, I’ve found that the schedule below really helps me maximize my time. Let’s have a moment of truth- is every week EXACTLY this precise? No way. But for the most part, my meal prep is some iteration of the schedule below. 

My #1 tip is this- stick with it. The first few weeks can be rocky! You’ll work out the kinks, and before you know it, you’ll be prepping like a pro. 👩‍🍳  

I learned to meal prep with the help of Tone It Up, an incredible online fitness community. If you've never checked them out, head on over to their site! I am a member of their Nutrition Plan, and because of this program, I have been re-inspired to create delicious dishes for my family week over week! After much trial and error, these are the things that work best in our house. Feel free to take what's best for you, and leave whatever you don't need! My hope is that your week goes a little smoother because of what you learn here!

a few notes before you start

1. Begin with a clean kitchen, including an empty dishwasher. You'll thank me later.

2. Matching containers make for easier storage, and a prettier presentation. Scroll down for a few of my faves!

   1. Meal Prep Containers for undressed salads, tray bakes, and overnight oats, fajita bowls... basically for anything that doesn't contain a ton of liquid

   2. Wide mouth mason jars for yogurt parfaits, dressed salads, soups, and more liquid-y Overnight Oats

   3. Smoothie bottles for smoothies on the go! I love the lids and straws that come in this set

3. Write out your menu! I can't tell you how many times I've forgotten about a component of meal prep Sunday. Be sure to write it all out before you begin!

Here's how we do Sundays...

Sunday mornings are lazy. We make breakfast in, even with guests. We drink a lot of coffee. There are usually waffles involved. I like to get in a quick workout before everyone’s up, even if it’s just a walk around the neighborhood or an ab workout in my gym. I snuggle with Clint on the couch for a bit and we drink our coffee, and each come up with a few ideas for dinner that week, and I make a grocery list. Then I power shop with the goal of being there and back in 45 minutes.

** full disclosure. We live a ¼ mile from the grocery store, and I don’t shop at Costco.**

the usual suspects

**more disclosures- During football season, I go to the grocery store at 10am as to not miss my Seahawks, so the Hubbs and I brainstorm meals over breakfast. #gohawks **

When I come home, Clint helps me put away the groceries. Then, I IMMEDIATELY meal prep. 

HOW I PRIORITIZE MEAL PREP SUNDAYS

First, I do the things that require no attention:

• Hard Boiled Eggs- in a pot, bring to a boil, turn off heat, cover, and let sit for 15 minutes. Done.

• Brown rice or quinoa- if I had a rice cooker, these would be even easier, but I don’t. so into the pot, and cook 20-45 minutes. Done and done.

• Muffins or Baked Frittatas for the week.

sautéed veggies for frittatas

Next, I do the things that require no cooking.

• Pre-portion lunch snacks for Peyton (crackers, trail mix, etc.)

• Pull apart the string cheeses for grab-and-go-ability

• 3-4 servings of overnight oats, yogurt parfaits, and chia pudding (up for grabs for anyone for breakfast)

• Chop veggies for snacks or for meals

• I pre portion anything that’s a snack

• I pre-portion salad greens

• I prep 3 gallon-sized Ziploc bags with 4-6C of mixed veggies each (carrots, brussel sprouts, broccoli, sweet potatoes, cauliflower with garlic and onions). I will roast these a few nights during the week. When it’s time to cook, I just put them on a foil lined baking sheet, drizzle with olive oil, and roast at 450 for 15-20 minutes.

chopped and seasoned veggies for quick dinner sides

Then, I prep dinners and anything that needs attention while cooking. This includes dinner for Sunday night. Examples:

• Ground turkey with taco seasoning

• Grilled chicken for salads

• Chicken Fajita mix (chicken, onions, peppers, garlic, seasoning)

• Meatballs  or Falafels

• Big batch of soup

Last, I store anything (portioned in bulk for dinners or individually for lunches) that needs to cool before going into the fridge, load any dirty dishes into the dishwasher, prep the coffee maker for the morning, wipe down the counters, and pour a glass of wine.

And that’s it! Done! It sounds like there’s a lot going on, but steps 1 and 2 happen simultaneously, and step 3 takes less than 30 minutes because any veggies are prepped and ready. All in, I spend about 2 hours on meal prep, including the grocery shop.

What this doesn’t account for is the time that I am NOT spending on meals during the week.  Breakfasts are done with muffins, oatmeal, hard-boiled eggs, and frittatas. Lunches are pre-portioned. I spend maybe 10-15 minutes max prepping dinners most nights. That means I have more time during the week to spend with family, work out, or do ANYTHING really, besides prep food. I would say I save about 30-45 minutes a day Monday-Friday with the work I put in on Sunday afternoons.

Let me know- what are your biggest Meal-Prep hurdles or Meal-Prep successes?

Xo, Terra