21 day fix extreme beef stew

21 day fix extreme beef stew

Well let’s just say my day did not go as planned….I ended up getting suck in someone else’s driveway with a crying baby that needed fed and had to call for help.  AKA thank goodness someone could come and rescue me and 3 kid’s middle of the day.  I might have had a small melt down tomorrow is April 1^st go away snow!!  However I decided to pull myself together and make the best of this crazy amount of snow that came down today and turn what did not go right into something better.  A NEW RECIPE!!  I’m currently doing Insanity Max 30 however the talk about this 21 day fix extreme meal had my interest so TODAY was the day!!  Family approved!! 

Ingredients-
1 tsp. olive oil
1 1/2 lbs raw lean beef stew meat, boneless, cut into 2 inch cubes
1 medium onion, chopped
1/2 green bell pepper, chopped
1/2 red bell pepper, chopped
4 cloves of garlic, crushed
2 medium tomatoes, chopped
1 cup low sodium organic beef broth
1 bay leaf
1 tsp. sea salt
1 tsp. ground black pepper
2 cups cubed butternut squash
1/4 cup chopped fresh flat leaf parsley

Directions-

Heat oil in large saucepan over medium high heat.

Add beef, cook, stirring frequently, for 4 to 5 minutes, or until beef is brown.
Add onion and bell peppers; cook stirring frequently for 4 to 5 minutes, or until onion is translucent.  Add garlic, cook stirring frequently for 1 minute.  Add tomatoes, broth, bay leaf, salt, and pepper. Bring to a boil.  Reduce heat to medium - low, cook, covered for 40 minutes. Add squash, cook stirring for 8 to 12 minutes occasionally or until the sauce thickens and beef is fork tender.
Remove the bay leaf, top with parsley and serve.

My progress with clean eating

My progress with clean eating

Ahhhh when I woke up this morning it hit me it’s been 6 weeks since I took my first set of before pictures with a newborn baby beside me.  A little bit about myself this will actually be my second transformation with clean eating, working out, accountability from online challenge groups, and drinking shakeology every day.  After I had our second child about two years ago I could not lose the baby weight, I was working out like crazy and the weight was not going anywhere.  So let’s just say taking these before pictures this time around was not as nerve racking to think about failing at this.  I knew going into this 6 weeks ago I would not be perfect with eating, I would not be able to work out till this past week, I would be tired, but staying the same was not an option.  I told myself I would not be hard on myself I tend to want to give everything I do my best and like most when it comes to weight loss I want it to happen yesterday.  Day one last Monday of working out!! 

 

I made a choice to take measurements, before pictures, and only weight myself once a week.  Two weeks ago I stepped on the scale like most feeling good about the choices I made in the last seven days only to find I lost ONE lbs.!!  However in the same day my pants kept falling down!!  I measure progress in many forms.  So what other ways do I measure progress and teach my clients to do the same.  This is a great visual to keep in mind as your on your own journey, if you know your eating healthy and putting the time into exercising muscle takes up way less space than fat.  So ladies PLEASE use the scale as only one form of measuring your own journey.

 

 

 

 1. Sleeping so much better

2. Able to stick to 5:00am workouts the last week

3. My skin overall looks more clear just with eating better

4. I feel happier over all because as a mom I’m carving out time every day for myself

5. I have soooo much more energy even with a newborn
 

 

So inches lost total in 5 weeks of clean eating one week of doing a workout called the 21 day fix.

10 inches lost total!! 

5 inches from the waist

2 inches from the chest

3 inches from the hips

My legs and arms have stayed the same in the last 6 weeks

Oh the scale says I’ve lost 9 lbs. in 6 weeks (but like I said that’s at the bottom of my list on how I measure progress)

Here are by progress pictures as well

 

 I always say a picture says everything!!  I might have complained to my husband this week about being sore, waking up first thing in the morning might have been hard, focusing on what I was eating and planning ahead was not convenient, however today seeing these pictures makes it all worth it.  Being able to have confidence as a mom, energy to keep up with the kids, knowing I’m investing in my own health, makes it all worth it. I wanted to real quick share my pictures 15 weeks post having baby #2 keep in mind I was breastfeeding as well (like I am now), I was dead tired, working out for about 6 weeks burning 500 calories a day, and nothing was happening this is way I'm so passionate about helping others that feel stuck on their weight loss journey. 

 

 Yes it cost money to get started and feel this way but in my eyes it’s an investment we tent to invest in our homes, cars, kids, family, etc. but will find every excuse why we can’t invest in our own health.   What I know to be true as a coach for the past 18 months is it’s not about the money it’s the reason behind putting up a wall and not trying something new.  Are you afraid of failing? Are you afraid of drinking shakeology?   Are you afraid of the changes that will have to take place?  Are you afraid of what the heck clean eating is?  Guess what I know how you feel I felt the same way.  Fear has a way in our lives of holding us back from our full potential.  I ask you today to put fear aside and take a chance on yourself.  I’m personally going to be starting with a workout program called Insanity Max 30 and I would love to chat with you on what would be the right fit for you.  My goal as a coach is to listen to where you’re at and help you reach your personal goals.  I look forward to getting fit with you.  My next online accountability group start April 6^th the Monday after Easter and I have a spot saved for you.  Fill out this application and let’s chat.

 

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Max 30 Salad Dressing

Dijon Vinaigrette (Max 30 or 21 day fix)

Welcome to my blog I'm a mother of 3 and enjoy paying it forward and sharing tips I've used to lose the baby weight.  Both programs Insanity Max 30 and the 21 day fix are amazing at home fitness programs that help normal everyday people get in the best shape of their lives. 

Ingredients:

• 3 tbsp. red wine vinegar
• 3 tbsp. lemon juice
• 3 tbsp. dijon mustard
• 2 cloves of garlic, chopped
• 1/4 tsp. sea salt
• 6 tsp. extra virgin olive oil
• 2 packets of stevia
• 1 tsp. honey

Blend together and enjoy! If you are following the Insanity Max: 30 meal plan or the 21 Day Fix, this is counted as one orange!  Have a great day

Max 30 Cobb Salad

Max 30 Cobb Salad


Wanted to share one of my favorite Max 30 and 21 Day Fix approved meals! It's hard to believe I'm able to finally be able to work out after giving birth to our 3rd baby a little over 6 weeks ago.  I've done Insanity in 2013 and had the best ab definition EVER.  However the 60 minute workouts were LONG to commit to.  Introducing Max 30 this past December into beachbody library of DVD's I could not wait to start!!  I might max out very quickly on day one however I'm diving into nutrition as well.  I made this salad twice already and looking forward to using it for the next 60 days and beyond.

Ingredients: 
1 green of romaine or leaf lettuce

1 green of tomatoes, bell peppers, cucumbers
 
1 red of two turkey bacon slices & 1 hard boiled egg

1 orange of the Dijon Vinaigrette

1 blue of part avocado

I keep chopped lettuce, tomatoes and cucumbers in my fridge at all times along with hard boiled eggs. I make a double batch of the dressing too! This is SO quick to whip up and it tastes really good!!!  If your someone that works full time and finds it hard to eat healthy for lunch this is a MUST to add in to your weekly meal plan.  I hope you enjoy it as much as our family has.

April 6th Accountability group

Accountability group

Just this week my mom ask what our family was planning for Easter Sunday and where we would be eating lunch.  In my mind I thought Easter was at least a month away!!  To my surprise the Easter candy is EVERYWHERE!!  Even I caved yesterday and enjoyed those yellow little guys…….

Has the Easter candy started to take over the home?  In your mind have you already checked out and plan on starting up again after Easter in preparation for warmer summer weather?  Its crazy how you feel the first time you put on shorts for the season.  My goal as a coach is to help others feel their personal best slipping into spring and summer clothes.  Trust me before you know it the swimsuits will be out and the kids will want to be heading to the pool.  Summer vacations will follow as well, I personally just gave birth to our 3^rd child and will not only be the coach in the group but a challenger as well.  I will be doing the program Insanity Max 30 for the next 60 days.  Seeing pictures like this reminds me I don't want to be wearing extra layers 60 days from now, I want to be shopping for a cute new outfit.   

 

What do I do as a beachbody coach and what is a challenge group?

So the challenge group is 30 day group.  It's all done through a closed online Facebook support group.  So only the members of the group can see what is being posted.  I’m super excited to be putting a twist on what we do with in the challenge groups.  All new contented!!

You'll be added to our VIP Facebook group where only the members of the group can see what is being posted. You'll be expected to check in daily with your workout and nutrition so we can make sure you're staying on track. There will be an awesome nutrition plan included with your fitness program. We start together and we end together. No one quits. First we’ll work on flushing all those negative thoughts swirling in the back of your mind that are keeping you stuck. If you believe you will succeed, you will.

 

What I do is help you customize your health and fitness goals to meet your needs. Then I help you choose the best Beachbody workout to get there based on your ability level. Then you replace 1 meal a day with shakeology for the challenge group to give your body 1 meal that is supercharged with ingredients that will give you natural energy, cravings will be curbed, you will stay full for at least 3 hours.  This is NOT a protein shake, most of us are not protein deficient rather we lack great nutrition no matter how clean we eat our food has changed.  This meal replacement is so easy.  It is a whole food and you can think of it as "dry juicing".  I get all of my vitamins and it is the equivalent of 5 plates of a very healthy salad.  But all for just 160 calories! Then, I am going to teach you how to plan the other meals of the day. I will help you create a customized meal plan, give you recipes, snack ideas, tips, motivation and keep you accountable. Every day I post in the challenge group your daily mind set tip or post. You check in and rate your date and read what is posted. We all keep each other accountable!

 I am going to address the emotional eating, eating out at restaurants, how to handle the temptations, cheat meals, body image and more!

A quote that sticks out to me as I pulled myself out of bed this morning at 5:00am is- it takes change to see change

If every spring time you tell yourself this is the summer I’m going to look and feel great in my suit instead of wearing a cover up there will be steps needed in order to reach those goals.  Think of it like this you already know the results and outcome of doing what you’re doing.  Trying something new can be downright scary!!  But I invite you to take a chance on yourself

I love to chat and learn more about your personal goals- with the first two that commit to the April 6^th challenge group you will be sent one of these SUPER cute water bottles as a FREE gift ( love giving gifts)

Apply-

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Healthy snack for kids

Healthy snack for kids

 

Baked apple chips

 

Ingredients

• 3 small gala apples, cored and thinly sliced
• 1 teaspoon of cinnamon
• 1 tablespoon of coconut sugar

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 200º.
2. Core small gala apples using an apple corer and thinly slice.
3. Place apples on baking sheet with silicone mat or wax paper underneath for easy cleanup.
4. Mix sugar (I use coconut sugar) with cinnamon. Sprinkle the top of the apples with the cinnamon sugar mixture. (keep in mind you do not have to use all of it)
5. Bake fore 1 hour. Flip apples over.
6. Bake for an additional hour. Remove from oven and let rest. Serve when ready.

 

 

Take plan Greek yogurt and cover strawberries and freeze, easy to pull a few out at a time and kids enjoy this refreshing snack on a summer day.

Mom's how many of you love a good deal however when it comes to fresh produce its hard to take advantage other then what will keep in the fridge?  Grapes go on sale?  Purchase and freeze, making a great afternoon snack for the kiddo's

 

They say an apple a day keeps the dr. away well how about if we add a little flare to those apples?  Take a whole wheat wrap, spread tablespoon on wrap, add diced apples and you have a snack to share with your mini me.

 

 

I know as a mom flipping over any juice box for kids is always eye opening on the amount of sugar in the drink.  Here is a fun way to add flavor to the plan old H2O.  I know for our kids if I'm drinking something fun like this they want to follow.

 

 

Fun afternoon snack a hole banana, tablespoon of almond butter, and a whole wheat wrap.

 

 

 

Yes it's ok to play with your food, the more we make those wonderful vegetables look appealing the kids will want to join you in your health adventure. 

 

 

I would use almond butter to create your animal. 

 

 

 

Carrot snacks

 

Ingredients

2 large carrots (or 3 medium)
1/2 teaspoon olive oil (or melted coconut oil)
1/8 teaspoon sea salt

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
2. Wash and peel the carrots. Using a mandoline slicer or a knife, tilt the carrot, and thinly slice diagonally to make oval-shaped pieces — if they're too thick, they'll be soft instead of crunchy.
3. Place the carrot slices in a bowl, and toss with olive oil and salt.
4. Lay the carrots in a single layer on a cookie sheet lined with a Silpat or parchment paper.
5. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes, or until the carrots are dry and crisp. Watch them carefully toward the end, as they can burn quickly.

Cheesy Cauliflower Dippers

Cheesy Cauliflower Dippers

A fun Tuesday afternoon spent with the kids!!  We love being in the kitchen and I love creating these memories together.  Our kids LOVE pizza!!  I’m guessing they are not alone on this however finding a kid friendly version that is easy to eat, healthy, and they enjoy is a win in our house.  I hope your family enjoys this recipe as much as our kids do. 

Ingredients
1 medium head cauliflower
1 egg, slightly beaten
1 cup Mozzarella cheese, shredded, divided in half
1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon dried basil
1/2 teaspoon Garlic salt

Directions:

 

To "rice" the Cauliflower: Take 1 large head of fresh cauliflower, remove stems and leaves, and chop the florets into chunks. Add to food processor and pulse until it looks like grain. Do not over-do pulse or you will puree it. (If you don't have a food processor, you can grate the whole head with a cheese grater). Place the riced cauliflower into a microwave safe bowl and microwave for 8 minutes. There is no need to add water, as the natural moisture in the cauliflower is enough to cook itself. One large head should produce approximately 3 cups of riced cauliflower.

Preheat oven to 425 degrees.

 Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and spray it lightly with cooking spray. Spoon the cauliflower mixture onto the pan and use your hands to form it into a 8 1/2 x 11 inch rectangle. Place in the oven for 30 minutes, or even longer until the crust is golden brown and firm. Remove the crust from the oven and top the crust with remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses.
Return the pan to the oven and bake for another 7-10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted.  Cut into “breadsticks” and serve with warm marinara sauce for dipping.  Makes about 10 breadsticks.  This recipe could easily be doubled

 

 

 

 Finish product I sprinkled a little parmesan cheese on top.

 

Tips on how to create a routine with your fitness

Tips on how to create a routine with your fitness

It feels like forever!!  To even think about my own personal day one of my own fitness journey after giving birth to our new addition Henry.  This morning I woke up to feed Henry at 4:35am and the thought of creating a routine of waking up again at 5:00am every morning kind of gave me hesitations.  I thought oh man I’m going to be tired!!  I will be sore, there will be mornings like today I will feed the baby and then press play.  In that moment I knew at the core of my being how others feel. It’s almost easier to stay the same then to make the changes needed to achieve the goals you want. 

 

So in my own self talk of mentally preparing myself for Day one I wanted to share tips that worked for me in the past and also steps I will be using starting March 23^rd.

 

First I will be starting with a program called the 21 day fix!!  I’ve done the program in the past and did the workouts until 36 weeks pregnant.  For me I know just getting back on a system I will need something that is effective yet not I can control how intense I want to go based on the weights I use.  Also the plan keeps nutrition as simple as it gets!! Hurry as a busy mom of three I need a system with the lines drawn out from dot to dot or in this case from container to container.

Next way to create a habit with fitness is to plan ahead, I will lay out my workout clothes for the entire week in the basement AKA my gym!!  This will ensure I can walk into the basement without talking myself out of hitting play because my clothes and shoes are ready.  My husband was wonderful and hung a rack in the basement with 6 hocks on it which I can just hang my six outfits from.  As a busy mom with a husband gone a large % of the week being able to work out from home just works.  I would never be able to stay consistent if finding a sitter and driving to a class or gym where involved.  I might show up 30% of the time and that would leave me with 30% results.

I'm not going to wait for motivation...I would be waiting a long time.  Motivation is not going to strike you like lightning and motivation is not something that someone else-nurse, doctor, family member can force on you. The whole idea of motivation is a trap. Forget motivation. JUST DO IT! Do it without motivation and then guess what happens? After you start doing the “thing”, that’s when the motivation comes and makes it easy for you to keep doing it.  Motivation is like love and happiness. It’s a by-product. When you’re actively engaged in doing something, it sneaks up and zaps you when you least expect it.  You’re more likely to act yourself into feeling than feel yourself into action.

 

Next my motivation will be to take those before pictures and measurements relying on the scale will only hold me back from progress seeing those before pictures and progress 30 days in will keep this girl motivated to stay on track with those 5:00am workouts.  PLEASE take your before pictures because when week two comes or the first night the kids are up because their sick you will give up on yourself and your goals.  Those pictures will push you to push play!

 

Next to stay on track I will be setting an alarm on my phone to remind me to go to bed a half hour sooner at night!!  Ladies since when did we feel the need to be superwoman without investing time into ourselves?  It’s crazy!!  IF you want more energy than half hour ME time is needed.  It’s like setting an appointment with your boss, if the kids were sick you would find a way to still show up on time.  If setting that time aside each day doesn’t happen like setting a date with a girlfriend excuses will pop up.  You’re worth it!!  Make it happen it’s you against you!  Set your alarm and put your fake smile, press play before your body can talk you out of it.

 

I promise I’m just like you the same fears of failing, the fears of investing in a workout I won’t finished, worried about drinking shakeology and not seeing results, worried about not staying on track with nutrition.  But what I do know is, together we are stronger!!  The thought of losing weight without accountability seems impossible but I know challenge groups work and showing up with goals in mind, action steps to take to meet those goals, putting a date on it, and sharing it with others is key.  We start together and finish together.  I want to help all moms wanting to lose the baby inches and gain more energy and confidence.  My entire goal has been to create a system where others succeed.  We start March 23 with limited space to be considered fill out the application below

 

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Roasted Broccoli

Roasted Broccoli

To those that know me, I'm not someone that normally shares a ton of facts or details....just not my style however the benefits of eating broccoli often are crazy good for you.

 

Broccoli is low in calories, with only about 27 calories in a 1/2-cup serving of the cooked vegetable. It also contains respectable amounts of vitamins and minerals. A 1/2-cup serving of cooked broccoli provides 50.6 milligrams of vitamin C, 110 micrograms of vitamin K and about 1,207 international units of vitamin A. Vitamin C is needed for the growth and repair of your body tissues, while vitamin K plays an important role in blood clotting. Vitamin A is essential for good eyesight. Broccoli is rich in beneficial minerals, including potassium, with 229 milligrams in a 1/2-cup serving, and calcium, with 31 milligrams per 1/2 cup. EAT YOUR Broccoli folks!!  This recipe helps as well!

2 heads of fresh broccoli
2 tablespoons olive oil
1/8 teaspoon fine sea salt
Freshly ground black pepper
Fresh lemon wedges
Toasted sesame seeds
Soy sauce, optional


Directions:
Heat oven to 400 degrees F.
Cut broccoli head into florets. Trim ends from broccoli stalks, peel and cut into bite-size pieces. Place broccoli pieces in a bowl & drizzle with olive oil and stir to coat. Spread broccoli in a single layer on a large rimmed baking pan. Sprinkle with salt and some freshly ground black pepper.
Cook for 20 minutes and stir,  roast about 10 to 15 minutes more or until broccoli is tender and browned. Transfer to a serving platter. Serve with fresh lemon wedges. If desired, sprinkle with sesame seeds.
Makes about 3 cups- you can cut this recipe in half

Enjoy!!

Losing the baby weight

Losing the baby weight

 

Hands do this could not come soon enough!!  Any time you’re pregnant first or third the time after starting to feel human again is priceless.  For me personally the last month of each pregnancy is NOT fun at all and I’m pretty much counting the days down until I can return to feeling like a human again.  It’s hard to believe little Henry is already 19 days old today, the day after having a C-section and your able to get up and take a shower, you start to feel human again.  However the dreaded moment you look in the mirror and see what is left of your body after having a baby.  Yikes!!  After Clint and Josie standing in the bathroom after giving birth was not a good time.  Somehow this pregnancy I was excited!!  It sounds crazy but it was a new project and I was the one working on another transformation.  My entire mission is to inspire and show other woman it can be done.

 

 

 

 

A little back history on myself after having Josie almost 2 years ago to the day.  I waited my 6 weeks to work out and start right away, I’ve breastfeed each of the kids for the first year and for those moms that say breastfeeding helps with losing the baby weight, hats off to you!!  I just never found the baby weight easy to come off.  With Josie I was working out like crazy and had an upcoming wedding to be in and just felt so uncomfortable in my own skin.  My poor husband wanted to support me and his advice was I need to burn more calories….I thought I was eating pretty good.  I was DEAD tired!!  Long story short after 3 months of trying to loss the weight on my own I joined an online challenge group and really learned more about clean eating, the importance of accountability, replaced one meal a day with shakeology, and started with Chalean Extreme.  At the end of 90 days I felt like my energy was more than I ever felt even before kids.  I was sleeping so much better, my skin was clear, I started to want to share with my family more about what I had learned.  So it was natural to pay it forward and sign up as a coach.  What once was a dark time in my life and I felt hopeless is now a time I use to inspire others.  I want each mom to feel amazing holding their babies and know they too can feel like a million bucks after having kids.

 

I’m not an expert in nutrition or carry any fancy degree, I’m just a mom on a mission that went off of a gut feeling to help others.  So as my second transformation is starting to unfold I want you to think about your life and a time you truly felt comfortable in your skin, liked what you saw in the mirror, and had energy to keep up with life as the day goes on?  If you could go back there would you invest in yourself and take a leap of faith today?  It can be very scary, if you’re someone like myself I hate to fail at anything and hate to invest in something that doesn’t work. Maybe you had your baby last month or last year, or heck your baby is in high school.  It’s your time!!  My goal for the month is to help woman feel their inner super woman again!!  Turn the winter fluff into fab!!  Mom’s on a budget I got you covered as well!  I’m in the middle of the nitty giddy of a transformation and I invite you to jump in with me.  We start together in an accountability group and we finish together. 

 

March 9^th I will be opening up a small online accountability group to those ready for change and fear the unknown.  I want to get to know more about you and your personal goals whether its to loss 10 lbs. or 50 lbs.  Maybe your goal is just to gain more energy in a healthy way and show your family more or what clean eating looks like.  This is the accountability group for you.  To start a conversation apply below

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