Tasty Tuesday - Cashew Chicken Stirfry

I made two batches from this recipe.

Ingredients:
5 to 6lbs of chicken thighs (go on sale a lot and much tastier than white meat chicken in my opinion)
3/4 cup of soy
1/3 cup of red wine or cooking sherry
1 T fish sauce
2 teaspoons of minced garlic (one for each bag of chicken that you make)
2 teaspoons of minced ginger
1 teaspoon of crushed red pepper
2 cups of cashews
2 teaspoons of sesame oil (one for each meal)
1/2 pound of assorted veggies (I used snap peas, carrots, broccoli and zucchini)

1 gallon bag and 1 sandwhich bag.  Make one meal to eat and one to freeze :)

Cut chicken into bite sized pieces and divided in half. Put half in gallon bag.  Don't forget to label the bag

Combine the soy sauce, wine, and fish sauce in a bowl.  Divide among 2 things of chicken.  Divide spices between the 2.  Put 1 cup of cashews in sandwich bag and freeze with the chicken. Seal and freeze one.

For the one you are cooking:  Heat sesame oil in skillet. Cook the chicken and sauce over medium heat for 15 minutes.

Remove chicken.  Saute veggies for 5 minutes in the skillet.  And the chicken back for 5 minutes.  Add cashews. YUM!

Transformation Tuesday - Meet Heather

Meet Heather V. She lost 24 lbs with a variety of Beachbody Programs. She entered her results into The Beachbody Challenge®, and won the $500 Daily Prize for March 27th!

Monday Meal idea - Vanilla Energy Balls

Ingredients:

1½ scoops Vanilla Shakeology
½ cup almond flour
½ cup old-fashioned rolled oats
¼ cup all-natural almond butter
1/3 cup unsweetened almond milk
¼ cup sliced raw almonds

Preparation (Click here for step-by-step photos!):

1. Combine Shakeology, almond flour, and oats in a medium bowl; mix well.
2. Add almond butter and almond milk; mix well with a spatula or clean hands until it forms a thick batter.
3. Roll mixture into fifteen balls, each about 1-inch in size.
4. Roll balls in almonds.

April 13th! Next Challenge Group

30 minutes!! Do you have 30 minutes a day to sweat in any room you choose so you can finally reach your goals? I don't care how busy you are, everyone has 30 minutes. I have a mom of 12 in my current group and she's getting it done. In one week she's lost 5lbs and an inch off her waist!! If she can do it so can you!! Nutrition, motivation, and support are all important pieces of the puzzle. I have all the pieces to your puzzle. I just need YOU to commit to my next group starting April 13th! Message me or comment I'm in and I'll get you more details.

Fit Tip Friday - Form

Form is one of the most important things to consider when exercising. Don't be afraid to watch yourself in a mirror.  Not using proper form can lead to injury and muscular imbalances. So stick to good form and get ready for the results.

Thirsty Thursday - Strawberry Watermelon Shakeology

Shakeology Spotlight - Acerola Cherry Powder

Transformation Tuesday - Meet Daniel

 Read his story here

Monday Meals! Pasta Fagioli Soup

Try this classic Italian pasta fagioli soup made with white beans and whole wheat pasta.

Total Time: 25 min.
Prep Time: 10 min.
Cooking Time: 15 min.
Yield: 8 servings, about 1 cup each




 Ingredients:
1½ cups dry whole grain small pasta (like macaroni or orzo) (4 oz)
2 tsp. olive oil
2 medium carrots, sliced
2 medium celery stalks, sliced
3 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
4 cups low-sodium organic chicken broth
1 (14.5-oz.) can green beans, no salt added
1 (15-oz) can cannellini (white) beans, drained, rinsed
1 (14.5 oz) can stewed tomatoes
2 Tbsp. tomato paste (no sugar added)
9 fresh rosemary sprigs, leaves removes and chopped, stems discarded
Sea salt and ground black pepper (to taste; optional)

Preparation:
1. Cook pasta according to package directions. Set aside.
2. Heat oil in large saucepan over medium-high heat.
3. Add carrot and celery; cook, stirring frequently, for 4 to 5 minutes, or until soft.
4. Add garlic; cook, stirring frequently, for 1 to 2 minutes, or until soft.
5. Add broth. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium.
6. Add green beans, white beans, tomatoes, tomato paste, and rosemary. Season with salt and pepper if desired; gently boil, stirring occasionally, for 8 to 10 minutes.
7. Add pasta; cook for 3 minutes. Serve immediately

http://www.teambeachbody.com/teambeachbodyblog/nutrition/pasta-fagioli-soup

Fit Tip Friday - Eat the rainbow!

Thirsty Thursday - Purple Haze Shakeology

Shakeology Spotlight - Moringa

Transformation Tuesday - Meet Victoria: She lost 162 lbs on turbo fire!

Victoria S.
LOST 162 LBS and 19.5" off WAIST

I feel as if I'm a better mom and a better person! . . . Losing the weight and feeling good about the way I look has boosted my confidence and my personality and I feel like I'm alive again.

Victoria S. won:  $1,000

Monday Meals! Avocado Toast With Hummus and Cucumber

This might become your favorite way to eat avocado toast.  Really good with tomatoes too!

Total Time: 10 min.

Prep Time: 10 min.

Cooking Time: None

Yield: 4 servings

Ingredients:

1 ripe medium avocado, mashed

1 dash sea salt

1 dash fresh ground black pepper

2 tsp. fresh lemon juice

4 Tbsp. prepared hummus

4 slices low-sodium sprouted whole-grain bread, toasted

½ medium cucumber, thinly sliced

Preparation:

1. Combine avocado, salt, pepper, and lemon juice in a medium bowl; mash until well mixed and slightly chunky.

2. Evenly spread hummus and avocado onto each slice of toast.

3. Top evenly with cucumber.

http://www.teambeachbody.com/teambeachbodyblog/nutrition/avocado-toast-hummus-cucumber

MEAL Plan 5

Looking forward to another week of not starving! Plus my kitchen is clean and I can spend time outside with my kids. Time well spent on a Saturday! On the menu this week: 

Meal 1: shakeology with fruit
Meal 2: fruit, oatmeal, 
Meal 3: T/Th Beef and Butternut Squash Stew; MWF Turkey chili, 
Meal 4: Cobb salad
Meal 5: Chicken/veggies/rice/quinoa 

Stayed tuned for some recipes this week!

Breakthough

Breakthrough always comes after the breakdown. You never know how long it will take or when the breakthrough will strive. If you give up...If you quit...then how do you didn't do so just before you finally broke through to success? You will always get there if you are willing and strong enough to do what it takes. 

Eggs in coconut oil

Today is a two cups of coffee and eggs kind of a morning. I think the time change is messing with me!! I cook my eggs in coconut oil and they are soooo good...especially paired with Ezekiel toast!!!

Stop Dieting!

For the LOVE…Stop dieting! The diet industry rakes in $55 billion a year on weight loss products!!! They watch you swallow, count points, and sell you a “magic pill”. Diets are bull…they don’t work. The industry makes money when you fail and have to start again. When you diet, you are skipping the most important parts: figuring out the reasons why you overeat and turn to food in the first place and finding out how to eat and exercise correctly….decide to change. It’s not about a diet…it’s about you. Sometimes all that is missing is your support. Let me support you…from me you will get dialed in nutrition, support, and simple work outs and see life lasting results. I don’t support diet plans…I support a LIFE-long commitment to what is real, whole, and simple. It’s really that simple. Message me for more info! 

Fit Tip Friday - Snacks

Success tip: Create a basket of healthy snacks portioned out into little snack bags, around 100 calories each. It will help you stay on track! What do you snack on?   

After a hard workout, you've probably used up most or all of your body's stored carbohydrates. To replenish them quickly, so that your body can recover in time for your next workout, it's important to enjoy a recovery snack within 30 minutes of your workout. Your ideal recovery snack should contain ½ gram of carbohydrates per pound of your body weight, and at least 10 grams of protein.
  
 
Click here to purchase Results & Recovery Formula 

Thirsty Thursday - Apple Pie Shakeology

You Can Commit!

If it seems like being committed to a positive choice is difficult, remind yourself of a negative choice you've committed to. See? You can commit. I feel like I have to remind myself of this. I want to be committed to the 21 day fix...it's only 21 days, right?! I'm good with the workouts but I fail every time because I can't always commit to the food. I'm good for the most part but I "commit" to an afternoon coffee with cream or a glass of wine at 4. I'm just committed to the wrong thing! Sound like you? Reminding myself I'm not perfect.

Time change!

Anyone else ever feel this way?  The time change has done that for me!!

Join my next challenge group! Starts March 16th!

Mom of 12 kids...homeschooler...and she's committed to my next group. What's your excuse? It's that simple! Simple nutrition & short workouts are what's gonna get you the results. And with the option of being able to stream your workouts from anywhere...it can't get any easier. Get on demand workouts in the next two days. Join this group. Get results.  Ask me how.

Morning motivation

I try to send one of these out every single morning on social media.  There is so much bad stuff out there, I figure, if I can send one positive thing that people first thing in the morning, maybe that would help.

No matter what a person appears to have or be on the outside, you never know what kind of battle they might be fighting on the inside. Be kind, peeps.

Meals on Wheels!

I eat at least one meal a day in my car! That's just my life...we are always on the go. At least the food I eat gives me energy and I don't use being on the go as an excuse to make poor choices. This is my ground turkey, rice/quinoa and veggie mix.  Monday on my way to the doctor.

Tuesday, I had oatmeal in the fruit in the car on the way to run errands.  Since I meal planned on Sunday, I had stuff easy to grab out of the fridge.

Shakeology Spotlight: Maca Root

Transformation Tuesday: Meet Nancy

Transformation Tuesday: Nancy Lost 4 Pounds in 3 Days with 3-Day Refresh

See more of her story here;

http://www.teambeachbody.com/teambeachbodyblog/success-stories/transformation-tuesday-nancy-lost-4-pounds-3-days-3-day-refresh

Monday Meal Idea - Ground Turkey, rice/quinoa, sauteed veggies

This is my favorite go-to lunch!  I could eat it every day and I'm gonna this week!

Ingredients:

16 oz seasoned ground turkey
1 red pepper, cut up
1 orange pepper, cut up
1 zucchini, cut up
1/2 of a red onion, cut up
(Of course you can do any combination of veggies but I just like this combo.)
Coconut Oil
Red Inca Quinoa**
Brown long grain rice**
4 lunch containers

Cook the seasoned ground turkey and divide it between the 4 lunch containers (3/4 cup each).
Saute the veggies in a little coconut oil, divide between the 4 lunch containers (1 1/4 cup each).
Cook all the rice and quinoa, mix together and divide 1/2 of a cup between the 4 lunch containers.
Freeze the rest. The best in my opinion is to mix all of the ingredients together...so yummy!

**I cook all my rice and quinoa at once. I freeze it in a container.  It is very easy to portion out, even from a frozen state.  This will last me about a month probably.

 Cook the rice.

Cook the quinoa.

Rice & quinoa mixture, ready to freeze! 

Leave a comment if you've tried this, what veggies did you use?

You have mail Monday!

Want to be a part of my "You have Mail Monday!"? Sign up for my mailing list and you will get mail from me every Monday! My mail will have meal plans, fit and nutrition tips, TIME saving - cooking, household, & organization tips, motivation and MORE! But you have to sign up for it or you won't receive it! I have a fun one set to go out later today. Sign up by filling out the subscribe to mailing list on the right hand tool bar.  

Sunday meal prep!

I have all my meals planned for this week!  And even better, I know what my family is eating for dinner each night.

I eat the same things each day for the most part because it's easy to track, plan and a prepare.

Meal 1 - Shakeology, with fruit and PB2
Meal 2 - Steel cut oats with fruit
Meal 3- Ground turkey, sauteed veggies, and rice/quinoa mix (recipe tomorrow)
Meal 4 - Tilapia with either asparagus, peppers and hummus OR salad with avocado/basalmic dressing
Meal 5 - Baked chicken thighs, steamed broccoli and carrots

You could do a protein for meal 2 such as greek yogurt or eggs, that way you can have a healthy carb like sweet potatoes with dinner.  I am doing that on Monday as you can tell from the picture.

My family will have baked chicken thighs one night and tilapia one night.  They will have left over Italian deer for dinner this week also.  We made that today in the crock pot!! All our fruit and veggies have been washed and cut for easy grabbing for them!

It won't be easy but it will be worth it!

I have been saying lately that the hardest part of our foster care journey is over...27 hours of pride training, pages and pages of paper work, home studies, paper cuts...but really it has just begun.  The hardest part is probably yet to come.  When we get a placement...or if/when the child returns home.  None of it will be easy but it will be worth it.  That's with so many things in life...weight loss, healthy eating, homeschooling, parenting, etc.  None of it's easy...but it's worth it, right?

My Facebook Ad

I have an ad running on facebook!!!  Testing it out to see what kind of action I get.  Maybe you've seen it??!!

 

Game Changer! Think Netflix for workouts! Don't know which program is best for you? Now YOU can try almost all of them for the price of just one. For the month of March ONLY, you can get FREE access to the NEW Beachbody on demand for 90 days with your purchase of Shakeology from me! You get full access to 11 of our programs, $1500 worth! Access them from your laptop, mobile device, anywhere your have an internet connection! This is a great way to try programs and find the right one for you. Or if you are someone like me who wants a variety of programs that you can do anywhere!
As a bonus, you will be part of my private accountability group and have me as a coach the entire way! No more obligation to one program...no more excuses!! Click below to sign up! Or message me for details.
http://www.teambeachbody.com/shop/-/shopping/DigitalCPUS?referringRepId=176149

 

 

Family Friendly meal - perfectly portioned

I took a regular family favorite meal and turned it into perfectly portioned balanced meal for me. These containers look small but when you empty on a full size plate=plenty of food!!! 1 red (protein), 1 green (veggie), 1 yellow (carb), 1/2 blue (healthy fat). Who thinks I'm starving?

Update on the kids

 

The kids are doing great.  We are plugging away on all our school work and we can see the light at the end of the tunnel.  They are growing and changing in the way they look...mainly because of all the teeth they have lost. 

 

Reece is a smarty and asks a lot of questions.  She wants to know about everything and questions EVERYTHING.  Brody is our funny guy.  Always out to make everyone laugh.  He is very sweet to his sister and looks out for her.  Both are VERY social and creative.  We are all ready for warmer weather.  We are outside people and love to play and do things outside.  We have a couple of camping trips booked for the summer already!

 

Tonight we went to the home show.  There were lots of things for the kids to do like...

Get their face painted, balloons, and give aways.

 

It didn't take Brody long to get bored and start entertaining people with his sense of humor.

Oh, and Reece requested curly hair so I braided it while it was wet...just like my mom did when I was a kid! I can't believe she will be eight in a month!

Foster Care update

Thursday March 5th, we spent 2 hours with our agency completing our 3rd and biggest home study!! I knew she'd really be getting into our biz this time but it wasn't as bad as I thought! Turned in another 60 pages of paperwork. We have completed 24 hours of class...just 3 more hours on Saturday and a final walk through and then everything gets turned into the state for approval!!!! Whoa!!!

Replace Excuses with Effort

 

I had many excuses why NOT to do my workout today...yesterday was leg day...too much to do today...kids were up early...but I did it anyway and I'm glad!

 

The Truth will Set you Free

I have been struggling with situations and people who have not been honest. It has been happening so often to me in the last year that I know I'm suppose to be learning something. But man it hurts so bad when people hide the truth or when they lie or when they do things that are not in truth. And what's worse is when others are made to believe things that are simply not true. I've been praying that the truth will reveal itself. Something very painful that I went through almost 7 years ago is still unclear but I'm finding truth now and I am finding freedom and peace over it. I may not see the truth revealed in any of these situations in my life time. But I know that all things will be revealed in heaven. In that I have hope!

Life is like a Camera

Fit Tip Friday - Weight training is key to fat burn!

Weight training is key to fat burn!

Thirsty Thursday - Mocha Chiller Shakeology

Shakeology Spotlight: What IS a Supernutrient? Anyone?

By now you've probably heard of Supernutrients. I hope you have, because I've posted several of them on my Shakeology page.  Well, it turns out most people (even Beachbody employees!) don't really know what they are! 

So you are not alone, Supernutrients are a relatively new concept for most people. 

Here is what the Shakeology blog has to say about them:

What is a Supernutrient?

Supernutrients are powerful nutritional components within superfoods that provide vital health benefits. Basically, they are the parts of superfoods that actually cause the foods to be “super.” For example, a bilberry is a superfood. One of the components of bilberries (which are an ingredient of Shakeology) that make them “super” is anthocyanins, which help support eye health. Therefore, anthocyanins are one of bilberry’s supernutrients. Got it? Great! Shakeology has a smorgasbord of supernutrients in its ingredients, which is why you really do get your daily dose of dense nutrition with each delicious glass.

There you have it, click here to order  or leave me a comment if you're interested in trying Shakeology! 

See the difference...try Shakeology

Feeling like you have done everything you could and you can't lose weight? Can't feel better? Hit a plateau?? Have a condition that makes this all difficult...like PCOS...Thyroid... endometriosis...high blood pressure? There are lots of products on the market that people try to help all of these issues. What people are finding is that most of these will help them instantly and for a little while, and then it's like they become immune to it and they no longer see results with whatever they are trying. And that is where I think Shakeology is different. It gets better with time. Some people find immediate benefits for sure (more energy is one). But the longer you are on it, the better it tastes, the healthier you become...your skin changes...you become more regular (yes, in the bathroom), your nails and hair grow. When I didn't see immediate benefits, I gave up too. Then when I couldn't break through my plateau and I couldn't figure it out, I tried Shakeology again. And I stuck with it...every.single.day. I have been consistent with it and I haven't been sick in over a year. I have seen my friends with PCOS, thyroid, and endo having success. It's not a scam. It's priced appropriately based on what is in it. 70 whole foods. 30 superfoods. You get what you pay for. What would it mean to be off medications? Maybe you tried shakeology before and you didn't like it. Try another flavor...try a different recipe. If you want a change, it's worth it. Hopefully you know me well enough to know I wouldn't stick it out if I didn't KNOW it worked. It works and I am so happy to see my friends feeling well enough to be off meds!

Be Bold

Expressing your opinions and beliefs takes guts. Haters gonna hate...no.matter.what. It's not your job to figure it out or try to convince the world to get on your side. If you believe in it, it's important to you. It lives in your heart. It's a fire that cannot be put out.

Beachbody On Demand - streaming videos!

Have you heard? Unlimited streaming access to hundreds Beachbody Workouts is now available!!!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oUVmNw1jruQ&feature=youtu.be

To sign up for the challenge pack (shakeology and 90 days of on demand) go here

Take this life...Pain and All

"If everyone threw all their problems in a pile for everyone else to see, we'd take our own back"