I am not a huge coffee fan and honestly, I've never had a cup of coffee... but I get a lot of requests for Starbuck's like Shakes... I made this bad boy the other day and it was AAAAMMAAZZZING! Plus my Shakeology recipe is less calories, less money, healthier, more protein and packed with dense super foods! You are welcome :)
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Tuesday, December 30, 2014
Saturday, December 27, 2014
These are a Few of My Favorite Things....
One of my favorite Oprah shows was when she did her annual "Oprah's Favorite Things" Annual Christmas Special... Although I have never purchased or owned a single one of her favorite things it was a fun episode and I loved watching the crowd go wild... Although this will be slightly less exciting (and much less expensive lol) I wanted to share with you some of my favorite things... And in true holiday spirit, I wanted to do a little give away!!!
My Favorite Fit Mom Things:
- Polar FT4 Heart Rate Monitor
- There are a ton of heart rate monitors and fitness bracelets out there... I love this one because it is affordable and easy to use... I don't need anything fancy or for it to link to my phone... I just like beating my calorie burns and it is a way to help me push myself.
- Victoria Secret's Yoga Pants
- Need I say more? I basically live in these! They are comfy, hold up great, and come in 3 lengths which is great for other tall momma's like me!
- ASICS Women's GEL-Craze TR Cross-Training Shoe
- When I first started on my fitness journey, I had an old pair of running shoes that I used to train in. My knees were killing me and I felt like I would get an injury in my ankles, so I started working out in my bare feet - but as the new year approaches I am planning live workouts, the first of which at a first class resort in Pittsburgh and I am pretty sure a bare foot workout would be frowned upon. I love these shoes! They give me the perfect amount of support and cushion. My knees feel so much better and my ankles don't feel like they are slipping - plus they are super cute!
- Knockout by Victoria’s Secret Front-Close Sport Bra
- A front zip reveals structured cups that clip together for a maximum-support sport bra that’s easy to put on and take off. Perfect for running, boxing and high-impact workouts, all in Body-Wick fabric that keeps you cool and dry. And again - super cute!
- Beachbody's E&E
- Being a busy mom and night shift nurse, sometimes I don't have the energy to do an intense workout - and then tah-dah Energy and Endurance! It is formulated to help improve energy, endurance, strength and focus to help you maximize your workout! It has helped me burn more calories during the same workout! And no artificial flavors, sweeteners, preservatives or high risk/untested ingredients.
- High Impact Jumping Mat
- My knees never get a break - between working as a nurse, sitting on the floor playing with the girls and high impact workouts - my poor knees can get pretty sore! I love, love, love this jumping mat! I feel like it saves my knees and my carpet (since I workout in the living room on my shag carpet)
So how do I win one?
- Each qualifying purchase in January 2015 will put your name into a simple drawling.
- If you refer a friend that makes a qualifying purchase your name will go in twice (or more!).
- For every 5 purchases, I will pull a name!
- For example, if 5 purchases are made - one winner
- 10 purchases - 2 winners
- And so on and so on - giving you a 20% chance of winning! (refer one friend and that chance of winning doubles!)
Plus you get the amazing support of my challenge groups! I help you pick your program, I help you meal plan and succeed! To join my next challenge group and for your chance to win, apply here!
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Friday, December 26, 2014
Insanity Max:30 Week 1 Review
After 2 rounds of T25, a little bit of Les Mils Pump, a little bit of TurboFire and 2 rounds of the 21 Day Fix, I needed to do something a little bit different as my weight loss has slowed down. I was losing weight at a very steady rate since April, but with a little lax in my diet and not being overly challenged in my workouts it had slowed and some weeks even stalled... Then like magic Insanity Max:30 was announced and I knew it would be my next challenge!
What my OCD brain loved was the nutrition plan - no guessing! Here is a list of foods, here is how much you can eat in a day, and here is a recipe book - how perfect! Everything from breakfast, to Shakeology recipes, to dressings!
Meal planning and prep is always key for me! My young girls demand a lot of my time and attention, we are on the go a lot of times and I work nights and evenings... so having a plan and having it ready to go at a moments notice helps me keep myself in check!
The fun part about taking on this 60 day challenge is that I am doing the program side by side with my exclusive test group!
Day 1 - Cardio Challenge
Cardio Challenge is the "fit test" of the program... Phew! Not easy and honestly I was a little disappointed with myself! The program has scheduled breaks (30 seconds about every 5 minutes) and I had to take 5 breaks on top of that!!! I got my heart rate up as high as I ever have and my highest calorie burn in 30 minutes which is amazing to me because I took so many breaks! I felt amazing (and thirsty!) when it was completed!! I instantly knew that this program would be what I needed to re-jump start my weight loss!
Sunday, December 21, 2014
Resolutions to Results
Is it because you can get a cheaper rate on a gym membership? Or maybe because you've gained an extra ten holiday pounds on top of the ten pounds you wanted to drop anyways? But a study conducted by the University of Scranton found that in 2014, the number one New Year's resolution amon Americans was to lose weight. It beat out "getting more organized", "spending less money" and "enjoying life to the fullest" - yes, that is right, losing weight came before living life to the fullest...
Yet, the same survey revealed that only 8 percent of people are ever successful in achieving their resolutions, and only 46 percent of people maintain efforts towards their goal past six months after making a vow... How discouraging is it to know that even before you make that resolution, your chances of being successful is less than 10 percent???? And on top of that, your chances of maintaining you goals is less than half??? OUCH!
A recent Consumer Health and Fitness Index poll conducted by interactive fitness company Blue Goji found that while 52 percent of the 2,652 participants polled said that losing weight and exercising was a top concern for 2015, more than two-thirds said that they didn't maintain the health goals they had set in 2014.
So what the heck is holding so many people back from reaching these goals that they set for themselves year after year?
- Honestly I think it is a lack of thought and planning than most of us would probably like to admit. Put simply, whether you're aiming to lose weight, increase your fitness or even if you have a goal that's completely unrelated, you can't just make the decision that you're going to change and expect it to happen overnight.
You need a plan of action.
.I too, have vowed for many New Year's to drop those unwanted baby and holiday pounds, but like so many others my efforts failed and I belonged to the 8 percent... In 2014, I vowed that after the birth of my second daughter I would once and for all drop these unwanted, unhealthy pounds.. But how??? How was I going to make this year different? How was I going to beat the odds? My plans in the past included salad after salad and trips to the gym - but now with two kids I had to turn to in home fitness programs... I started my journey with T25 in a challenge group with my fabulous coach - 25 minutes a day, accountability, support, motivation, clean eating recipes, meal planning help... The challenge group took out all of guess work - if I followed the steps and knew my results would be fabulous - and as you know, they were!
Do something different this year!!! Join my next challenge group starting Jan 5th! Let me and my team of amazing coaches help you get your the results you've been wanting for all these years! Let's face it, if you do the same thing you did last year - chances are, you will get the same results you got in 2014... Let's do this together!
I am looking for 10 people who are ready to get serious about their weight loss! Who is ready???
Fill out my online form.
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Monday, December 15, 2014
Garlic Mushroom Quinoa
This was my first time having quinoa, I had to see what all the hype was about! I am addicted!
What you need:
- 1 c quinoa
- 1 tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
- 1 pound of mushrooms, thinly sliced
- 5 cloves of garlic, minced
- 1/2 tsp dried thyme
- 2 tbsp. grated parmesan
What you need to do:
- In a large saucepan, add 2 cups of water and 1 cup of quinoa and cook according to package directions
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium high heat - add mushrooms, garlic and thyme... cook, stirring occasionally about 5 minutes
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Stir in quinoa until well combined.
- Garnish with Parmesan
- Enjoy!
Friday, December 12, 2014
Streak Free Floor Cleaner
So you might be thinking - "this has nothing to do with health or fitness"... but it most certainly does... when I set out on my health and fitness journey, I was determined to "clean up" all aspects of my life... Clean food, working out, healthier cleaning products, organic foods, clean up my finances and mind...
So one of the issues I had in my house were my beautiful dark hard wood floors... they look spectacular but they are the biggest pain! They show EVERYTHING!!! Traditional floor cleaner left them streaky with a residue and it drove me crazy! I kept saying "I need to make my own cleaner and try that" but I was consistently lazy with it until one day I needed to clean the floors and I was all out of floor cleaner! Then tah-dah - my streak free floor cleaner was invented! 4 simple ingredients and warning it doesn't smell pretty so if you have some essential oils I would recommend adding a drop or two! You can smell the cleaner as you are using the product, but afterwards you do not smell it!!!
What you need:
- 1/2 cup vinegar
- 1/2 cup rubbing alcohol
- 1/2 cup water
- 4 drops of dish soap
What you need to do:
- Add the above ingredients together and stir
- Add to a spray bottle
- Use a swifer like mop and attach a micro-fiber towel head to it
- Spray directly to floors and go over the area with the mop
- Allow to dry and like magic you have beautiful streak free floors without the chemicals and residue of traditional floor cleaners!
- Enjoy!!!!
Monday, December 8, 2014
Mashed Red Potatoes!
I love mashed potatoes, especially in the winter - growing up I ate mashed potatoes like most of you did - yellow potatoes, peeled, boiled, butter, milk, salt (and when my dad made them he always added sour cream and cream cheese)... Potatoes are a great, clean side if made well - another reason I love potatoes - perfect for my frugal budget!!! So as I embraced a healthier lifestyle, I knew I had to clean up one of my favorite side dishes... and tah-dah! One pot, no peeling, 30 minutes - right up my alley!
What you need:
What you need to do:
- Wash potatoes
- Cube potatoes
- Put them in a large pot, fill with water just covering potatoes
- Place over high flame, once boiling - turn on medium and cover - cook until potatoes are soft, usually 20-30 minutes
- Strain potatoes
- Hand mash, add butter (I add 1 tbsp. per 4 potatoes), add in garlic salt and chives to taste
- I topped mine with freshly grated Colby Jack Cheese
- Serve and Enjoy!
Thursday, December 4, 2014
Pumpkin Chai Shakeology
I know it is winter time, and I should be thinking all things Christmas - but I can not get over pumpkin season just quite yet!!! Not going to lie, I may or may not have topped it with cool whip! Enjoy!
Monday, December 1, 2014
Insanity Max 30 - Preview!!!
I am sooo pumped for this new program - as you all know, I love love love Shaun T and I think this program will be a lot of fun! Insanity is just too long for me, and I need something more now that I am just about finished with my second round of T25... It is all about getting better than you were last time and beating you max out time!
Insanity Max 30 - Preview!
So what is Insanity Max???
INSANITY MAX:30 is the challenging new 30-minute, in-home workout program from Shaun T, creator of INSANITY and Focus T25. Shaun T has developed 150 new cardio and strength moves that will make you push harder and dig deeper than ever before to get the best body of your life in just 60 days. INSANITY MAX:30 will be the hardest 30 minutes of the day and you need to be ready to MAX OUT. It's not about "getting through" all 30 minutes, it's about going as hard as possible, for as long as possible, until becoming "MAXED OUT" (until taking a break). No equipment needed… just push to the MAX for INSANE results in just 60 days. It may not be Tonia, but yes - there is a modifier to help you keep it low impact while you are learning the moves! I always try to challenge myself and beat my calorie burn, and this program is going to have me challenging myself in a whole new way - be beating my "Max Out Time" so what is maxing out? Maxing out is when you go hard as long as you can, and when you need a break - you take one. Write down that time, and that is your max out time! Every time you do that workout, your goal is to beat that time... I love this!!! It constantly pushes you to be better than you were last time! Such a fun spin on a challenging workout - eeekkk can you tell I am excited??? The first workout is a cardio workout and a fit test so you can see how far you can go and how long. Here’s the format for that workout:
More details to come!!! So who wants to get insane results and max out with me??? Exclusive group starts Dec 8th and space is limited! 1 on 1 coaching, support, recipes, daily motivation, and accountability all in a closed Facebook group with coaches and other challengers doing Insanity Max 30 just like you!!!
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Saturday, November 29, 2014
Turkey & Wild Rice Soup
What are you going to do with all that leftover turkey???? How about some soup and for these cold evenings? Nothing like warm soup on a cold day and at under 220 calories a serving it is a winner!
What you need:
What you need to do:
- Place the carrots, celery, onion and garlic into a large stock pot along with 1/2 c. of the chicken broth.
- Sauté over medium heat for about 10 minutes or until the onion is translucent and the vegetables are tender.
- Sprinkle in the flour and continue to stir for about 3 minutes.
- Add in the rest of the broth, along with the wild rice, thyme, and bay leaf. Bring the pot to a boil.
- Cover the pot, reduce the heat to medium-low and cook for 25-30 minutes.
- When the rice is tender, add in the and the turkey.
- Cook for 10 min
- Stir in the half & half and allow to cook for another 10 minutes.
- Remove the bay leaf and enjoy!
Tuesday, November 25, 2014
2014 Holiday Sale
Who doesn't love a good sale? Well what about a great sale??? As usual, Beachbody's Holiday Sale does not disappoint! Check out these great sales - but warning, if you see it and want it - best go buy it because this sale sells out fast!!!! I already have my list ready!!! Click here to create a free membership and order! Surround yourself with like minded people in my next upcoming challenge group!
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Saturday, November 22, 2014
Body by Vi vs Shakeology
When I talk to people about "meal replacement" shakes it seems like everyone is drinking them for different reasons - some to get more protein, some to cut calories, curb cravings, or because they want a quick and easy meal. When I was researching shakes before I started my own journey, I did my own homework and considered Body by Vi so here it is.. the costs, the ingredients, pros/cons and why I personally drink one of these two shakes!
Let's start with nutrition - because this is the most important part... face it, you are what you eat!
Tropical Shakeology -Vegan
Chocolate Shakeology
The differences seem pretty obvious to me, but let me break it down!
1. Calories
- At first you might think the winner would be Visalus because it has 90 calories for 2 scoops and with Shakeology having 160calories for one scoop WRONG!!! 90 calories is far too low to be considered a meal replacement. One might ask, “how many visalus shakes do I need to drink for weight loss results?” Visalus distributors suggest you replace 2 meals a day with shakes and eat 1 REAL meal. WHAT??? Your body needs calories for fuel. Calories are not the enemy. If you are not providing your body with the proper calorie intake it will send your body into starvation mode. This causes you to store fat you consume instead of burning it off. This will cause your body to burn muscle which will in turn slow your metabolism instead of speeding it up most people hope. As a result, your body will store MORE fat long term. Also, 90 cals of anything is not going to “keep you full for 3-4 hrs” In reality, the fiber in the shake is what makes you feel full.
2. Sugar
- Shakeology has 6g of sugar which is all natural coming from different plant sources. Body By Vi has less than 1g of sugar which is great, BUT to make the “shake that tastes like cake” they replace the sugar with artificial sweeteners, and if you are like me - you avoid artificial sweeteners like the plague!
Side Effects from Sucralose:
- Gastrointestinal problems
- Seizures, dizziness and migraines
- Blurred vision
- Allergic reactions
- Blood sugar increases and weight gain
3. Protein
- Shakeology’s original whey formula has 17g of protein in 1 scoop. It is made from whey protein isolate and it is a grade 7. It comes from untouched (by chemicals) farms. It also contains sprouted brown rice protein, AND pea protein.
- Shakeology’s VEGAN formula has 15g protein in 1 scoop (with an additional 3g from the brown rice and sacha inchi) and is made from sprouted fermented brown rice protein and pea protein.
- Visalus has only 12g of protein in 2 scoops! That’s super low, AND it contains SOY protein which may seem “healthy” but there is extensive research that states otherwise.
- Body By Vi shakes contains Soy Protein Isolate. Many people don’t see anything wrong with this but here are some facts about soy that you may want to look at.
- What’s the PROBLEM with SOY????(Not just GM soy ALL SOY)
- 91-95% of soy grown in the US is genetically modified (GM).
- Soy has been linked to increased allergies
- Disturbingly, the only published human feeding study on GM foods ever conducted verified that the gene inserted into GM soy transfers into the DNA of our gut bacteria and continues to function. This means that years after you stop eating GM soy, you may still have a potentially allergenic protein continuously being produced in your intestines. Even more frightening is the potential for GM soy to cause infertility in future generations, which has been evidenced by recent Russian research.
- Soy contains hemagglutinin. Hemagglutinin is a clot-promoting substance that causes your red blood cells to clump together. These clumped cells are unable to properly absorb and distribute oxygen to your tissues.
- Soy contains goitrogens.Goitrogens are substances that block the synthesis of thyroid hormones and interfere with iodine metabolism, thereby interfering with your thyroid function.
- Soy has toxic levels of aluminum and manganese-Soybeans are processed (by acid washing) in aluminum tanks, which can leach high levels of aluminum into the final soy product.
- Those 2 ingredients (Sucralose and Soy) are RED FLAGS to anyone considering the Vi shake.
What’s in Shakeology?
- Shakeology contains ALL NATURAL ingredients including super-foods, probiotics, prebiotics, antioxidants, phytonutrients, digestive enzymes, vitamins and minerals that come from the earth and there is evidence to prove it. They also work synergistically to make sure you are getting the proper amounts and absorbing the nutrients.
- Body By Vi contains chemical sweeteners, synthetic(means they are not from real food they are man made in a lab) ingredients such as dicalcium phosphate and fillers such as Maltodextrin, which is most likely made from corn and 85% of corn in the US is genetically modified. It also contains ZINC OXIDE…REALLY?? That is a diaper rash/sun burn cream and is not meant to be ingested...
4. COST
- Visalus kits range from $49 for the maintenance kit(if you are looking to maintain weight) up to $299 for the Fit Kit, which states that you can “build muscle”. REALLY??? Last time I checked you don’t just build muscle by drinking a shake and eating some snacks, nor do you build muscle by drastically cutting your calories. You actually have to workout to build muscle.
- If you want to want to lose weight, Visalus recommends the Shape Kit. The shape kit is $99 for 2 bags of the shake mix and 10 shape up mix-ins(to change the flavor if you get tired of “cake”). The shape up mix-ins contain artificial ingredients as well. Visalus recommends that you drink 2 shakes a day to lose weight. 2 Problems with that: 1) That means you will run out of one bag of mix in 15 days, so the 2 bags will only last you 1 month instead of two, resulting in you having to buy MORE product sooner than expected. 2) 90 cals + 90 cals=180. That, is very low in calories for 2 meals, and you will have to make up at least 1020 calories between your 1 meal and 2-3 snacks. If you don’t get the additional calories in daily, your calorie intake will be much lower than the minimum calorie intake recommended for the day(for women) of 1200 CALORIES which leads to many health problems.
How Much is Shakeology?
- Shakeology is $129.95 customer price for a 30 day supply (suggested 1 serving/day) and $97.46 for a coach. That being said, with the coaching fees paid, you are paying $113/month for Shakeology Home Direct(HD). Around 3.77$/day, which is a great deal for a quick, nutritious superfood meal!
5. TASTE
What are the Visalus flavors?
- Visalus claims it tastes like “cake”. That is the only flavor. I do not have personal experience with the taste because I refuse to put all those harmful ingredients into my body.You can buy Shape up flavor packs at $12.50(if you’re not on auto-ship) a pop and load the shake with more artificial ingredients.
What flavors of Shakeology are there?
I have tried ALL flavors of Shakeology and do have favorites, but my favorite thing is the variety! Strawberry smoothie one day to a thick chocolate salted caramel milkshake the next.
Honestly, my biggest issues besides the artificial ingredients with the Body by Vi shakes is that the
they advertise "The Body by Vi Challenge is the leading platform for weight loss and fitness results" and I have done research and I see nothing that leads me to believe these shakes will help you reach fitness goals... All I see is calorie deprivation and artificial ingredients, and what happens when you stop drinking them? You will gain weight!
Beachbody as a company truly has the customers’ best interest (their health) in mind. They do their research and make sure you are consuming only the highest quality product with NO EXCEPTIONS!! They promote healthy lifestyles, not just a “magic” shake. We have the support, the fitness programs, the Shakes and the lifestyle change so we give you all the tools to completely change your life permanently.
Wednesday, November 19, 2014
Clean Chicken & Dumplings
I love comfort food, and I love crock pot meals... only problem is the calories, fat and sodium... this is a great spin on a comfort food favorite - easy, conveint and economical!
What you need:
- Soup:
- 4-6 C. Reduced Sodium Chicken Broth
- 1 1/2 Lbs. Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast
- 2 C. Peas & Carrots, Frozen
- 1 Onion, Chopped
- 2 Celery Stalks, Chopped
- 2 Garlic Cloves, Minced
- 1 Tsp. Basil
- Dumplings:
What you need to do:
- Toss everything for the soup into the crock pot. (how awesomely easy is that!)
- Cover and set to cook for 6-8 hours on high or 8-10 hours on low.
- Once nearly done, remove the chicken and shred with a fork.
- Add the chicken back to the crock pot and cover.
- Set the crock pot to high now if you've been cooking this on low.
- Combine the flour, baking powder, parsley, garlic powder, onion powder, salt and pepper for the dumplings together in a medium bowl.
- Cut in the butter using two forks or your hands until it begins to form a grainy mixture (resembling corn starch.)
- Add in the cheddar and milk.
- Mix just until a thick dough forms and all lumps are out.
- Drop the dough by rounded spoonfuls into the crock pot.
- Cover and cook on high for 30-60 minutes.
- Enjoy!
Servings: 6 • Size: About 1 1/2 Cups • Calories: 288.1 • Fat: 5.5 g • Carb: 34.7 g • Fiber: 6.8 g • Protein: 26.7 g • Sugar: 0.9 g • Sodium: 701.5 mg