Thanksgiving: Staying On Track

Happy Holidays!!!! Thanksgiving is here...Thursday ahhh! Can you believe it, the year has just really flown by. And now it is time for all those goodies and family stops throughout the day. Which means you are having dinner maybe more than once and picking at the treats left on the table.

You know all the good stuff is just sitting there waiting to be eaten. And your stuck debating on whether or not you should eat a sweet treat or stick 100% to your diet. I know for me, I will not deprive myself of something I want. Nor should you!! It's the holidays and it's okay to enjoy your favorites but it's all about moderation!!

There are a few things that I like to do. These tricks help me stay in track and allow me to enjoy my treat GUILT FREE!!! 

1. Sleep in: yes, I said it. If your used to getting up super early every other day for work and your thanksgiving plans aren't until later in the afternoon give yourself an extra hour. This will allow your body to unwind from the crazy running around you have been doing while prepping for this holiday. 

2. Get a workout in: as soon as you wake up, put those workout clothes on and get to moving! Sleep in your workout clothes the night before if you have too. This way if you get up and do it first thing, you are giving yourself no excuse to get it done. Chances are if you get up and start doing other things; the time will slip from you and you won't have time to do it. 

3. Drink your water: drink your daily alotted water. Keep your body hydrated. You don't want your metabolism to slow , when you are running around busy on this holiday. It can be hard because you are not in your typical everyday routine. BUT, you'll feel a little energized and be hydrated if you drink your daily amount. 

4. Cooking/not cooking: if you are cooking try and swap out the original buttered down recieps for healthy alternatives (chances are no one will never notice) ; not cooking and going to a family members?? Offer to bring a side dish and spice it up a bit with clean eating. That way you know there is one healthy dish. 

5. Kick back and relax:  if you want to plan this day as your cheat meal, then my goodness go for it!!! If this isn't your cheat meal feel free to enjoy a piece of apple pie, pumpkin roll, or whatever else baked goodies are there. You are not tied down to eating clean 100% of the time. You are here to enjoy yourself. 

**Remember you started this journey to learn how to balance healthy eating & temptations without making yourself miserable

Enjoy yourself this holiday season. Kick back and enjoy this time with your loved ones!!! It's the best thing you can do.

 And if you feel totally off track and want to be a step above everyone else & on track to ring in the New Year, stay accountable in joining my 21 day holiday slim down challenge. No quick fixes here, we are learning a healthy lifestyle! Stayed focused & having support through the month of December is our goal!!!!

If you are interested please reach out to me: here and let's work together to find you the perfect program!! With every challenge pack purchased YOU receive a $20 coupon back just for investing in yourself!

Crock Pot Mexican Dinner

Busy days at work right? Who wants to come home and prep dinner. I threw all these ingredients in the crock pot this morning before I left for work and just like that it was done when I came home!!

                                          Crock Pot Dinners

Ingredients:
1. 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
2. 1 cup black beans
3. 1 cup corn kernels (fresh or frozen)
4. 1 small jar salsa
5. 1 Tbsp cumin
6. 1 Tbsp chili powder
7. 2 cups cooked brown rice

Directions:
**Throw all your ingredients: chicken breast, beans, corn, salsa, cumin and chili powder. Mix and cook on low 8 to 10 hours. Serve with cooked brown rice.

Smile through the Holiday Season!!

 

 

The holiday season is fast approaching. Thanksgiving is a week away. Christmas is five. And New Years Eve is six. This is the time where we get to cooking and baking for family get togethers and holiday parties. Even though you try to be good, the temptations are all around.

So let me ask you...where do you see yourself at the end of six weeks??

The average person will gain two - five pounds during the holiday season. How would you feel if you were struggling to fit into your favorite pair of jeans and you don't like what you see in the mirror? I certainly do not want to feel blahh this time around. I am saying NO to being just an average person. And the game plan is, we start to come up with a plan and tackle New Years!!

You are not going to be miserable and deprive yourself of all the goodies staring at you, but we will take it in moderation. Learning how to enjoy the right way.

Instead of gaining the expected holiday weight on, we are going to lose it! We are going to feel healthier and have more confidence as we ring in the New Year! Are you ready look and feel good in that skinny black dress as you celebrate the New Year with all your family and friends??

So, here's the scoop: a holiday survival guide- clean eating & shakeology.

This is a 21 day group where I will help and teach you all you need to know. Starting with the basic principles of what clean eating is. To how to plan out your meals. I will be giving you all the ins and outs, plus recipes, tips, and more! We are not going to be 100% perfect because I am going to teach you how to enjoy a sweet treat here and there. You have an ideal goal weight or goal in mind for yourself correct? Let's do this together!! Because I admit I OVER indulged last holiday season and I threw all my hard work away and felt so tired, plus bloated. NOT the way I want to feel this go around. So I shaped up after the holidays and started to clean eat & let me tell you I have never ever felt better.

These accountability groups have been breakthroughs for many many people (including myself). It will be me, you, and the other members of the group. This is your "safe" place as I like to call it. Every single day you can expect a post from me- YOUR COACH. It will be different each day. It is your job to check in every day and tell us how you are doing. 

WARNING: this is a no "quick" fix. You are now entering a lifestyle change.

There are some requirements...

*be a participant. Be active and check in daily. This group is for all of us but remember you have your reasons for joining. 

*commit to replacing one meal a day with Shakeology. This is my way of knowing you are at least eating one healthy meal a day and getting your daily dose of nutrients. I can't even begin to tell you what shakeology has done for me. Weight loss, energy level increased, nails are growing!! (Ps I use to never have nails) 

Although, working out is not required it is recommended. It will really help boost your results. If you do choose to workout, you may continue with your routine now or we can take time a discuss finding a right program for you! 

What I call "pre-season" starts December 2nd the next week we officially start. You will be wanting to get those Christmas pictures instead of hiding from the camera!! 

So now it's time. Are you committed? Ready to give me three weeks to a happier you? Make me your free coach by clicking here and the join. Then send me a message from your account or to my email. 

I look forward to working with you in my my last online group of the year!! 

Only a few spots left!!

Yogurt Bowl

Snack Ideas

This is too good to be true. Having a late night craving for something sweet? I promise you this will do the trick. All you need is three ingredients. Mix together in a bowl. And Enjoy!

Ingredients:
1. 3/4 cup plain Greek yogurt
2. 1/2 cup of fresh raspberries
3.1 tbsp of sliced raw almonds

I know it calls for raspberries & almonds but I am just not a huge raspberry fan. I opted out and added strawberries with cashews. Delish!! Even Dexter wanted some.

 

Cucumber and Tomato Salad

I love getting a new Beachbody program, with every challenge pack you receive a nutritional food guide with all different meal recipes to try. When i was looking for new recipes to try I stumbled upon the Ultimate Reset book, and i forgot how many good recipes are in there. This little dish is simple and light.

Ingredients: 

-1 cucumber, half peeled in alternating strips, sliced in thick half-moons

-1/4 small container ripe plum or cherry tomatoes, each cut in half

-1 tbsp chopped red onions

-2 tbsp red wine vinegar 

-1 tbsp balsamic vinegar 

-1 tbsp lemon juice 

-2 tsp extra virgin olive oil

-1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley

-1 tbsp chopped fresh basil leaves 

-Himalayan salt (to taste)

-Herbal seasoning (to taste)

Combine all of the ingredients in a bowl and toss well. (serves one)

 

This works perfect as a side dish to a party. If you are making more just double the recipe.

Light and refreshing!!! Enjoy!

Chicken Bake

Oh meeeeeee GOSH!! This meal is amazing and so simple anyone can make it. And I mean anyone!! Trust me, this girl has no skill in the kitchen (just yet) but its literally a couple simple steps and BAM your done! Working all day and have the husband/boyfriend/girlfriend/wife home. Have him get the veggies, chicken, spices out and mix it together. Simple, quick, and teamwork!

Ingredients:
* 2 skinless chicken breasts chopped into 2 inch cubes
* 1 lb red potatoes chopped into 2 inch cubes
* 1/2 bunch asparagus, trimmed and cut into 1 inch pieces
*  Peppers sliced into 1 inch pieces
* 1 onion sliced
* 1/3 cup fresh basil
* 4 garlic cloves sliced thin
* 1.5 tbsp olive oil
* 1 tsp fresh chopped rosemary
* Ground pepper for taste
*1/2 cup of chicken broth if you want

**add any veggies you want, we also added green beans.

Directions:
*preheat oven to 400 degrees and add chicken, potatoes, veggies, basil, garlic, chicken broth, and olive oil. Sprinkle with rosemary add pepper if wanted. Cook for approximately 45 minutes, turning every once in a while, until tender. ENJOY!!!

Mexican Turkey Burgers

This is what you get when you are sitting home alone on a Friday night, and your kiddies (cat&dog) are sleeping

I love anything Mexican so I decided to do something different for dinner tonight. Trying to become a cook since I sort of have too. Mexican & burgers?!?! So how did it all turn out.....
 

Time to prep

Ingredients: 

*lean ground turkey 

*any veggies you want (i used green peppers & onions)

*extra virgin olive oil

* taco seasoning 

Directions: 

*cut the amount of  veggies you want 

*place ground turkey in mixing bowl

*add a little evoo to your turkey

*add veggies

*start by adding 1/2 packet of seasoning (depending on how much seasoning you will want)

*add a little evoo to the pan and cook (you can use a grill, but it was too chilly for me to do that)

Something simple and quick. Different from your everyday burger, all because I was bored one night.

Let me know what you think!!!!

Hope you enjoy!

Clean Eating Chicken Noodle Soup

What's the best type of food to eat when it's a cold, gloomy day here in Western PA? Certainly anything that is going to warm you up right away.  I was craving soup this afternoon, so what better way then making homemade chicken noodle soup. Chicken Noodle Soup can be loaded with flavors and a ton of salt , which yes of course gives you the flavor but is really not good for you.

Everyone of course is going to have their own version of soup, but I found this recipe today and gave it a try!

INGREDIENTS:

- 1 tablespoon olive oil

- 1 large onion : chopped

- 2 large leeks : chopped

- 6 small carrots : peeled & sliced

- 2 parsnips : peeled & sliced

- 4 cups chicken broth (no sugar added)

- 4 cups distiller water

- 4 large chicken breasts : cut into bite size pieces 

- 1 teaspoon garlic powder

- 1 tablespoon marjoram 

- brown rice or noodles : cooked separately according to package directions

DIRECTIONS: (makes approx. 16 cups)

- using a non stick pan, sauté the onions, leeks, carrots, and parsnips in the olive oil until the leeks and onions wilt (5-7 minutes).

- transfer your vegetables to a large soup pot and add your broth, water, and herbs. Cook for half an hour.

- add chicken breast and cook for another half an hour.

You of course can choose to add different herbs and vegetables. I added celery instead of the leeks and parsnips. Also, I only used garlic powder and added a little bit of black pepper. Fit it to your likes, what you like and don't like. 

And enjoy on a cold day!

A Time To Give Thanks And Give Back!!!!

Will you help give back to America??

Every month Beachbody always have a promotion for a challenge pack that they put on sale. But I have to say this month by far takes the cake for BEST PROMO EVER!!!! We as a business really focus on paying it forward to others with helping them reach their health and fitness goals, but now we also are giving back to those in need.

This is straight from the CEO himself:

This month, we’ll be working with the nonprofit organization Feeding America and have created an opportunity to give back through our “Give and Receive” November focus.

Here’s how it works:

“Give”: For every Success Club point you generate in November, Beachbody, LLC will give $10 to Feeding America. That equates to a $10 donation for every Shakeology® HD order and $20 for every Challenge Pack sold!

There is no limit to the amount Beachbody will donate and we’ve promised a minimum of $250,000 with a goal of $500,000. I'd love it to be a million or two.

And you'll love this: Each $1 contributed will pay to distribute 9 meals to the needy - including kids and the elderly. So if we want to make this a Thanksgiving with real meaning, we have work to do now.

Because every Success Club Point this month is helping provide 90 meals to people in need. That. Is. Huge.

What's in it for you besides the feel good of giving? How's this:

“Receive”: New & existing Customers and new Coaches who buy ANY Challenge Pack in the month of November will receive a $20 coupon to apply to a future purchase. PLUS, Coaches who achieve Success Club 5 or 10 will receive a $10 coupon for every Challenge pack sold – up to a max of $100. (Sounds like a good way to pay for your P90X3 doesn't it?)

"Give & Receive". Love it.

To keep you informed of how we are tracking and what YOUR contribution is to this meaningful drive we'll be posting this thermometer which tracks total Success Club Points together with the number of meals provided.

I told you this was by far the best promotion Beachbody is doing for everyone. I am so blessed to work for a company who's main priority is helping others and giving back. This is such a rewarding job, that I wouldn't even consider this "work". Let's give back and PAY IT FORWARD!!! Giving a gift of health for yourself and giving back to those in need! Sounds like an awesome way to pay it forward this holiday season. So blessed! Ask me for more information on getting involved!!!!!

 

Tis the season to be blessed, grateful, and thankful!!

Weekly Update: Beta Week 4

 

 

 

If you have been following my progress and my journey you know I have been working out with Shaun T every morning bright an early. Focus T-25 has been my program of choice. It has been challenging. It has pushed me to my limits and really allowed me to see myself push harder. And teach me that I can do more than I actually think I can.

 

 

People may call me crazy but I just say I am determined. With my work schedule to get my workout, in enough time to get ready for work, etc I get up anywhere between 4-4:30. And I can't lie sometimes it really is hard to get up that early, but it is the only way I will not make excuses. If I don't then when I get home I know it will be harder for me to do it. It is hard to work all day and then come home to working out and getting prepped for the next day. I will not compromise on a workout. That is "my" time. It is my stress reliever, it is a time for me to clear my head and get my mind set straight before starting my day. I love everything about how I feel when I am done.

Week 4 Beta Schedule:
Monday-Rip't Circuit
Tuesday-Dynamic Core
Wednesday-Core Cardio
Thursday-Dynamic Core
Friday-Speed 2.0 & Upper Focus

I did Speed 2.0 Friday and decided to do Upper Focus Saturday morning. I love lifting weights and upper focus is a favorite of mine. I started to lift heavier and push myself one step further Saturday. And let me tell you, my shoulder/chest area...SUPER SORE, which I know it is working, but woah baby my arms are sore. The one thing I will say I noticed a difference is from stretching. This week I skipped the stretching and my muscles were really sore compared to when I actually stopped a gave myself a three minute stretch. Stretching is really important when you are going to workout so intense like that.

 

I'm struggling with eating. I just can not pin point it. I always ALWAYS have my Shakeology for breakfast & lunch is on key as well. When I get home dinner is good too, but then its the after dinner hours that get me. I am not sure why. I know it is wrong and I shouldn't have it, but sometimes it doesn't stop me. It is almost like you have it looking at you right in your face telling you to eat it. Or is it possible to lock your kitchen cabinets right after dinner, because I am highly starting to consider it. Truthfully, I don't feel stressed or like I have a million things going through my head. And I know I'm not, so I am not sure I know what the word is to describe how I am feeling. My work situation has not been the greatest right now, so maybe that is a factor. I am not sure if I am feeling upset, disappointed, angry, hurt, it really is hard to go into work everyday and pretend like things are okay. I mean you spend practically your whole day there, you want some interaction right?! I think right now I am feeling confused, because I want to be accepted, but then again I am being myself and why should I have to change myself. So in the end I am confused.. but everyday I go into work with an open mind and tell myself positive thoughts. Some situations you can just not change.

 

Challenge yourself. Push yourself to your limits. You are your greatest competition. You never know what you are capable until you try!

 

Are you looking for help on your own personal health and fitness journey? I would love to help and personally mentor you. Please feel free to E-mail me for any help or questions.