Autumn Calabrese and Country Heat Be The First To Know

CLICK HERE TO BE NOTIFIED BY EMAIL 

WHEN COUNTRY HEAT IS AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE.

Hey Fit Friends, 
Just want to give you all a little heads up, there is a new workout coming to town and it is going to BLOW YOU AWAY!!! If you're not into the extreme workouts or heck you just find working out boring then you're going to LOVE Country Heat from Autumn Calabrese (ya know the chick that created the ultra result getting program 21 Day Fix and 21 Day Fix Extreme)! This program is full of easy to learn dance moves along with country music that you hear on the radio everyday. 

Checkout the video to get a SNEAK PEEK of the program then CLICK HERE to be the first to get notified when COUNTRY HEAT is available to be purchased.

Keep your eyes open for my Country Heat Support Group that will be coming up as soon as Country Heat hits the streets, somewhere around the 1st of August ;) 

**Can't wait until then to get started on your weight loss & fitness journey then fill out the Challenge Group Application and I'll get back with you ASAP, so we can talk about all the ways that I can help you get the healthy results that you want. DON'T WAIT LET'S GET STARTED TODAY!!**

QUICK & EASY 21 DAY FIX BREAKFAST RECIPE-SHAKSHUKA

                 SHAKSHUKA

Are you a breakfast person or would you prefer just to skip it and eat a big lunch? Comment below or hit like for YES to breakfast! 

Me, I usually don't like to eat breakfast I prefer to eat later in the day, but every now and then I wake up hungry wanting a hardy breakfast. This D-lish recipe is filling and has "stick-to-your-ribs" power, so it is an awesome breakfast choice. You can eat it as is or if you need some carbs to fuel your fire in the morning you can serve it over brown rice, whole-grain pasta, a slice of Ezekiel bread, or with slices of whole wheat pita wedges for a low-calorie meal packed with protein and lycopene.

SHAKSHUKA 
INGREDIENTS
1-Tbsp coconut oil

Purchase 21 Day Fix

1-diced onion
1-minced garlic clove
1-diced green pepper
2-cans diced tomatoes 
2-Tbsp tomato paste
6-large eggs
1-tsp each paprika, chili powder, cumin
Pinch cayenne
Salt and pepper to taste.

GET COOKING
Sauté onions and garlic in coconut oil for 2 minutes. Then add a diced green pepper and sauté for an additional 5 minutes. Next, add two cans of diced tomatoes and 2 tablespoons tomato paste. Season with 1 teaspoon each chili powder, cumin, and paprika. Add a pinch of cayenne, if desired. Season with salt and pepper, stir well to combine and bring the sauce to a simmer (keeping it over medium heat). Crack six eggs directly into the skillet, then cover and cook for 10 minutes.
Makes 6 servings 1-Red 1-Green (just the tomato mixture and 2 eggs, if you add rice, bread, etc. you'll need to add those containers) 


SHARE THIS RECIPE IF YOU FOUND IT TO BE HELPFUL, PLEASE!
Join me for my next Challenge Group starting May 24th, DEADLINE to join is May 21st and space is limited so fill out the application TODAY and I'll get back with you ASAP with the deets.  LET'S DO THIS!
CHALLENGE GROUP APPLICATION

Infuse Your Water with Fruity Flavor and Kick the Sodas to the Curb

    It's time to rethink what you're drinking and kick those sugar filled drinks to the curb!

 Water all the way baby, it is your life force, the fountain of youth and health. Did you know that over 60% of the human body is water? Water serves as lubricant for just about every bodily function, all the way down to your cells. Water helps to flush the toxins out of your body, it helps deliver nutrients, and it helps you feel full longer and when you're trying to lose weight that is uber important, right? Staying hydrated is especially important when you are working out hard. Check out my blog post on How to Tell if You Are Dehydrated.

Want to learn about clean eating then try out the 21 Day Fix. I lost 45 lbs with this program, so I am living proof that it works.

                

Most of us when we decide to lose weight we change from our sugar filled soft drinks and juices to diet soda, but more and more research is showing that diet soft drinks are just as bad for you as regular soft drinks just for different reasons and that the diet sodas actually cause weight gain, instead of helping you to lose weight(Diet sodas and Weight Gain).

 With all this in mind it is time to start drinking up the water and kick those sugar filled drinks to the curb. But water can be rather boring, especially to those of us who don't particularly love the taste of water. So, here are some yummy recipes to help you liven up the flavor of your water by adding flavor without adding a bunch of calories or sugar. BOTTOMS UP!

                   FRUIT AND HERB INFUSED WATER

         Servings: 6-8 servings

Ingredients

• fruit -- 2 cups berries, citrus, melons, pineapple...most fruits will work (see recommended amounts in directions)
• herbs -- a sprig of mint, basil, sage, rosemary, tarragon, thyme, or lavender
• water (tap or filtered)
• ice

Directions

Supplies needed: 2 quart pitcher or jar with lid; muddler or wooden spoon

General formula for whatever fruit/herb combo you desire.
1. If using herbs, add a sprig of fresh herbs to jar/pitcher; press and twist with muddler or handle of wooden spoon to bruise leaves and release flavor; don't pulverize the herbs into bits.
2. Add approx. 2 cups of fruit to jar/pitcher; press and twist with muddler or handle of wooden spoon, just enough to release some of the juices
3. Fill jar/pitcher with ice cubes.
4. Add water to top of jar/pitcher.
5. Cover and refrigerate for up to 3 days.

Suggested flavor combinations:
ALL CITRUS (no herbs) --  Slice 1 orange, 1 lime, 1 lemon into rounds, then cut the rounds in half. Add to jar and proceed with muddling, add ice & water.
RASPBERRY LIME (no herbs)  -- Quarter 2 limes; with your hands, squeeze the juice into the jar, then throw in the squeezed lime quarters. Add 2 cups raspberries. Muddle, add ice & water.
PINEAPPLE MINT -- Add a sprig of mint to the jar (you can throw in the whole sprig; or, remove the leaves from the sprig, if you prefer to have the mint swimming around and distributing in the jar). Muddle the mint. Add 2 cups pineapple pieces, muddle, add ice & water.
BLACKBERRY SAGE -- Add sage sprig to jar and muddle. Add 2 cups blackberries; muddle, add ice & water.
WATERMELON ROSEMARY --  Add rosemary sprig to jar & muddle. Add 2 cups watermelon cubes; muddle, add ice and water.

**Are you're sick and tired of being sick and tired? Does it seem like no matter what you do you can't lose the weight and keep it off? Maybe you need healthy eating support, fitness support or just need help getting on track to a healthy lifestyle. Then let me tell you all the ways that I can help you to get on a path to success, so you can reach your goals. Fill out this support group application and I'll get back with you ASAP, so we can talk. There are no obligations required. Let's do this!**

The Number One Dieting Mistake That is Ruining Your Weight Loss Efforts

                        SACK THE SCALE

How many times have you gotten up in the morning feeling good, you're upbeat and happy, ready to take on the day then you go to the bathroom to do your morning routine, which includes stepping on the scale, and when you see the number on the scale isn't the number you were wanting all that happy goodness is knocked right out of you? Does this ever happen to you?

LET'S TALK

You know that you were good all week long when it comes to your dieting efforts. You made healthy choices with your foods, you stayed with in your calories, containers, points, whatever limits and didn't over indulge. You worked out everyday and you gave it your all during workouts there was nothing left in the tank when you were done-BAM YOU KILLED THOSE WORKOUTS!

So, WTH?! Now that you see that number on the scale and you know the work that you did last week, now you want to give up. Why, sacrifice eating all that delicious food while everyone else is enjoying it, if this is the results you're going to get, right? WRONG!

Many, many times it will take a while before all our hard work shows up on the scale and even when it does it might not be the number we are looking for, because losing weight and getting healthy is more than a number on a scale.  You can't let the number on the scale mess with your mind, your confidence. Don't let a number on a scale defeat you and take away your hope of having a healthy, active life of abundance.

You have to have NON-SCALE VICTORIES. Non-scale victories are other ways of judging how effective your dieting and weight loss efforts are and really we aren't dieting we are making lifestyle changes, because these eating habits are going to be permanent changes not just quick fixes to get immediate results. We want permanent results, right?

So, many factors effect the number on the scale that make it a poor way to judge how well your weight loss and fitness program is working. 

For example:

• Did you drink a large amount of water before bedtime?
• Are you constipated?
• Did you eat a large amount of salt/sodium yesterday?
• Are you weighing at the same time everyday?
• Are you wearing the same clothes?
• Are you doing a fitness program that is geared towards building muscle? (Muscle weighs more than fat, so you may be losing fat but gaining muscle, which keeps the number on the scale from changing).

All these things make using the scale a bad way of judging your weight loss success. Instead, try using some of the things listed above to measure your success. The whole point of losing weight and getting fit is so you feel better and can live a healthy, active and independent life until the day you die. Yes, you want to look good too and you will when these non-scale victories are accomplished. With these victories your confidence will grow and the way you present yourself and treat your appearance will change too and that my friend is beautiful. 

If you're struggling to lose weight and get fit or you just want to get healthy then let me tell you all the ways that I can help. Fill out this application and I'll get back with you ASAP. Losing weight can be a struggle, but you don't have to do it alone. I'm here to help. What are you waiting for?

HAPPY HOUR GREENBERRY SHAKEOLOGY

Try Shakeology

If you hate vegetables the way that I do then replacing one meal a day with the most nutritionally dense shake around will make you very HAPPY, HAPPY! Especially, with this HAPPY HOUR Recipe check it out:

                            HAPPY HOUR SHAKEOLOGY                       

                        GREENBERRY TROPICAL TEQUILA

1.  1              Packet of Shakeology or (a scoop)
2.  1              Cup of OJ
3.  1              Cup of frozen pineapple
4.  2 Tbsp     Frozen shredded coconut
5.  1              Shot Tequila

                          BLEND. ENJOY!

IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT SHAKEOLOGY SEND ME A MESSAGE TO More deets

21 Day Fix Savory Sriracha Oatmeal & Egg Recipe

 Breakfast can get a little boring and repetitive after a while, especially, when you're trying to lose weight and eat healthy. I've been doing the meal portion of the  21 Day Fix for months now (btw I've lost 45 lbs with the 21 Day Fix, just sayin.) and my staple first meal of the day is oatmeal with  eggs on the side. I like to start my morning off with this meal, because it is high in protein, which keeps me full longer, and the heart-healthy, cholesterol-lowering powers of the oatmeal give me fuel to kickoff my day.  But dang there are only so many ways to crack an egg or whip up oatmeal, right? WRONG!

I just discovered that if you mix the oatmeal and eggs together you get a whole new world of DELICIOUSNESS! You can whisk the eggs up and add them to the oatmeal as it is cooking to give it a creamy taste without messing up the oatmeal flavor and when it's done add whatever goodies you usually add. Or you can fry up the egg and top off your oatmeal with this yummy source of protein. Either way it is a healthy and tasty way to change up your morning eating routine.

             Savory Sriracha Oatmeal & Egg recipe

To join my next weight loss support group CLICK HERE

1 cup rolled oats (NOT instant)
2 cups water
1 tablespoon Bragg Liquid Aminos (an be purchased online at Amazon.com) or low-sodium soy sauce
1 tablespoon Sriracha, plus more for happy squirting
2 teaspoons minced fresh rosemary
1 clove garlic, minced

 Olive oil or Coconut oil Spray
2 large eggs 
Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

In a small saucepan set over a medium heat, combine the oats, water, , Liquid Aminos (or soy sauce), Sriracha, rosemary, and garlic. Bring it to a boil, cover, and lower the heat to maintain a gentle simmer. Cook, stirring occasionally, until most of the liquid is absorbed and the oats are cooked through, about 5 minutes. 

While the oats are cooking, spray a medium saucepan and heat it over a medium heat. Once the pan is hot, crack in the eggs. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Cook the eggs to your desired consistency, though sunny side up is my preference so the yolk can ooze all over your oatmeal. For sunny side up, cook the egg (without flipping) until the whites are set and the yolk is still jiggly, about 2 to 3 minutes.

Spoon out the oatmeal, and top each serving with a fried egg. Squirt additional Sriracha over all of it should you want a little extra heat. (Helluar, who doesn’t?) 

Makes 2  servings
FIXERS 1-Yellow 1/2-Red 

For more awesome oatmeal and egg recipes go to Huffingtonpost

If your struggling to lose weight or get fit send me a message and I'll tell you all the ways that I can help you reach your  health and fitness goals. At any age you can be in the best shape of your life. What are you waiting for? Let's do this! 

21 Day Fix Extreme Chicken and Brussels Sprouts

     21 Day Fix Extreme Chicken and Brussels Sprouts

Purchase 21 Day Fix or 21 Day Fix Extreme

I TOLD YOU I WAS GETTING SERIOUS!

Yep, that's a vegetable on MY plate and I'm sure Grandma Cravens is about to faint on a cloud to see me eating one, but I'm determined to get to my goal weight by Summit this year (July 28th). In order to do that I need to really focus on my nutrition. So, I'm taking my own advice and I developed a weekly meal plan with no wiggle room.

It's game time, no more playing around!!! My new WEIGHT LOSS CHALLENGE GROUP STARTS TUESDAY July 5th, DEADLINE TO JOIN IS JUNE 27th (MONDAY). 

BENEFITS:

**I will share with you the 4 S's that have lead to my successful weight loss and I will help you implement them too.

**Inspiration & motivation during your whole weight loss journey.

**Nutrition tips, recipes, and more.

**FOR MORE DEETS ON HOW TO JOIN CLICK HERE **

21 Day Fix Extreme Chicken and Brussels Sprouts

INGREDIENTS:

2 Tbsp                    olive oil or coconut oil

2 tsp                      lemon zest

1/2 tsp                   salt

1/4 tsp                   pepper

2 pounds                  skinless, boneless chicken thighs washed and dried                            

4 cups                    Brussels sprouts trimmed and washed

COOKING:

• Combine olive oil, lemon zest, salt, and pepper.
• Place 2 pounds of boneless, skinless chicken onto a sheet pan along with 4 cups of trimmed Brussels sprouts.
• Drizzle the oil mixture over everything and toss to coat. 
• Roast at 400 degree for 35-40 minutes, or until chicken is cooked through (safe internal temperature of 165 degree) and Brussels sprouts are tender. Side note: I ususally flip the chicken after about 15-20 minutes, so it brown all over.

Makes 4 servings 1-RED 1-GREEN

TIPS:

You can easily swap drumsticks or breast for the thighs, and broccoli or parsnips would be just as good as Brussels sprouts. Go by what is in season, what is available, and what you like ;)

                    

22 Minute Hard Corp and Shakeology Weight Loss Challenge Group Invite

        SKIN DEEP WEIGHT LOSS CHALLENGE GROUP

OMG! Can you believe it's almost May?

Not to sound like a whiney ass, but the past several months have really sucked! Don't get me wrong I know I'm very blessed and there are others who have problems far, far worse than mine, but indulge my pity party for a minute please. Back to the past several months sucking,  Muddpie has been out of work for almost 2 years now, 1 kid moved back home (and him & Muddpie fight constantly), another son is graduating high school, my step-father passed away, work is ridiculously crazy with heavier and heavier patients and less support from management, not to mention turning the BIG 5-0, blah, blah, blah-LIFE, right?

Needless to say my eating has been out of control. Is anyone else feeling my pain? Give the girl a LIKE for "yes".

GOOD NEWS! GOOD NEWS! GOOD NEWS!
Well for the past 7 weeks I've been doing 22 MHC, but it wasn't until these last 3 weeks that I got serious & began focusing on my nutrition too (plus replacing one meal a day with a nutrition shake). By fine tuning my focus for just that little bit of time I lost 15.3 lbs & 12 inches overall! HOLY CRAP!

I'm so stoked by these results that I'm ready to do another round starting May 9th and I want to share my 4 Steps to Success with you in my complimentary exclusive Facebook Group to help you lose up to 15 lbs in 21 days too!!!

(Neither myself nor Beachbody guarantees a given amount of weight loss or success that all depends on your efforts and your dedication to the program. But all Beachbody programs and Shakeology come with a money back guarantee if you're not 100 percent satisfied with your results!)

**You must sign up for me to be your Free Coach and you must purchase  a Beachbody fitness program & Shakeology in order to participate. (I find when people have "skin in" they work harder to WIN!)**

DEADLINE TO JOIN 4/30/16      I WANT MORE INFO

21 Day Fix Approved Chocolate Energy Bars

Love energy bars? Make your own! What healthy ingredients would YOU add?

1 cup whole pitted dates or prunes
1 cup dried fruit
1 cup chopped nuts or seeds
2 scoops Chocolate Shakeology(or your favorite flavor!) You can use whatever protein powder you like and there may be cheaper brands that are easier to use since they are premixed, but you are what you eat-SO, don't be CHEAP & EASY!

Preparation:
1. Place dates, fruit, and nuts in a food processor. Pulse for 1 to 2 minutes; scrape sides of bowl.
2. Add Shakeology; process for 2 to 3 minutes, or until mixture becomes tiny crumbs that can come together to form a loose ball.
3. Line an 8 x 8-inch pan with cellophane. Press mixture into pan until flat. Cover tightly and refrigerate for 1 hour.
4. Cut into 12 bars. Store in refrigerator.

Total Time: 1 hr. 10 min.
Prep Time: 10 min.
Fridge Time: 1 hr.
Yield: 12 servings, 1 bar each

For more info on my FREE Support Group

21 DAY FIX CARROT CAKE SHAKEOLOGY PROTEIN ENERGY BALLS

Checkout Shakeology

              21 Day Fix Carrot Cake Energy Balls

Carrot cake counts as a vegetable since it has carrots in it, right? Oh if only that were true, boo!!!
Alas, it is not so, but I have found a health way to get to enjoy the yummy taste of carrot cake while boosting my energy and not undoing my diet efforts. These awesomely D-lish and easy to make Carrot Cake Energy Balls will rock your sweet tooth world. Here ya go...


Total Time: 15 min.
Prep Time: 15 min.
Cooking Time: None
Yield: 15 servings, 1 ball each




INGREDIENTS:

• 1½ scoops Vanilla Shakeology (You can use whatever vanilla protein powder you prefer and there may be cheaper brands that are easier to use since they are pre-mixed, but you are what you eat, so DON'T  be CHEAP OR EASY!) <3
• ½ cup old-fashioned rolled oats
• ⅓ cup all-natural smooth almond butter
• 4 Medium dates, coarsely chopped
• ¼ cup raw walnut pieces
• ¾ cup shredded carrots
• ½ tsp. ground cinnamon
• ¼ tsp ground cloves
• ¼ tsp ground ginger
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• unsweetened, shredded coconut for garnish

PREP:
1. Combine Shakeology, oats, almond butter, and dates in food processor; pulse until dates are incorporated.
2. Add walnuts, carrots, cinnamon, cloves, and ginger; pulse until just blended.
3. Roll into fifteen balls, about 1-inch in diameter each.


BREAKDOWN
Fix 1 yellow   Body Beast, P90X, P90X3  1/2 carb (starch) 1 Fat
90 calories 4 g Protein  2 g Fiber  6 g Sugar  5 g Fats




Want to Know How To Make Your Fitness Your Business?

I have to start off by saying that I absolutely love being a nurse and the day I graduated nursing school was one of the happiest days of my life. I had wanted to be a nurse for as long as I could remember, so it was a dream come true for me. What I love about nursing is helping others and a nurse does that in many ways; we give them medication, monitor their condition and alert the md when there are problems, we take care of their emotional needs, and we support their families as well. Being there for the patient and their family emotionally and helping them to find resources to lighten their burden is my heart and soul, but management makes that harder and harder to do everyday.

My nursing pay check has supported my family for 19 years now. When my youngest son was born he had asthma and couldn't go to daycare and I made more money than my husband, so the decision was made for him to stay home with the kids ( 4 boys) and me to work. He did go back to work when Seth was older, but he does heating and cooling for a living and it is not a reliable income. I worked 12 hour nightshifts on the weekends, so I could take the kids to school during the week.

 Now the children are grown and I find myself at a new chapter in my life. I have FREE TIME! No running the kids to 4 different schools. No after school activities-practices, ball games,etc... No "Can you take me to my friends house." All these things use to drive me crazy and now I kinda miss them. Anyone else have that problem? Anyway no more running, so now what? I'm frustrated with work, I love being a Beachbody Coach and helping others find their path to a healthy life, and I've been trying to find a way to get more involve with my faith, so...

I've done a lot of praying and I've known for a while now that my path now lies with coaching, but I haven't been brave enough to take that leap and build my team into a full-time career. What would people think? Would I lose my identity if I didn't work as a nurse? I realize now that my ministry is through coaching. God brought me through my addiction to food and blessed me with a 175 lb weight loss. I know now that all those years I suffered with obesity I was being forged into a weapon for His glory, so I could fight to bring his people back to the fold. Have you ever felt confused as to why God would make you go through so much crap?

If you're at a crossroads in your life-empty nest syndrome, fed up with a job that holds you down, just looking for something more, something to help you get closer to your faith, then let me suggest that you check out Beachbody Coaching.
When you join my team:

• You will receive training from the Top Coaches in the company.
• You will be mentored by me and given step by step instructions on how to get your business started, but it is YOUR business & YOUR choice to run it the way you see fit.
• You will be a part of a team that has Faith, Family, and Fitness as their core values and you will be supported, not just as a team member, but as part of our family.
• You will be shown how you can run a successful business by investing just 1 hour a day.
• You are not required to sale anything.
• You do not have to be a fitness instructor or trainer.
• You do not have to be at your goal weight.
• Beachbody doesn't guarantee any level of income or success that is all based on each coaches hard work and effort. 

Free Beachbody Club Membership

**Are you ready to take that first step down the path to a new life of abundance that God has promised you?

I'm asking you to be Fearless! Fearless doesn't mean you're not afraid. It means you're terrified, but you do what is right anyway. So, make the right choice for you and your life! Send me a message For more deets!

High-Energy Trail Mix from the Body Beast Build Muscle while Burning Fat

BodyBeast Challenge Pack

This High-Energy Trail Mix recipe is from the Body Beast Nutrition Guide. It is geared towards giving you the calories you need to CRUSH your workouts & the lean protein you need to build the muscle that you want and muscle helps to burn fat, so there ya go.

                     High-Energy Trail Mix

INGREDIENTS

2 cups pumpkin seeds, without shells
1 cup slivered almonds
1 cup dried cranberries
3/4 cup raw sunflower seeds, without shells
3/4 cup unsweetened coconut flakes

1) Combine all ingredients in a large bowl.
2) Place 1/2 cup mixture in 12 small baggies.

Nutritional Information (per serving):335 calories/ fat 27 g/ carbs 18 g/ fiber 5 g/ sugar 8 g/ protein 11 g

Balsamic Chicken and Mushrooms

21 Day Fix Challenge pack

Balsamic Chicken and Mushrooms

4 boneless skinless chicken breasts 
1/2 tsp sea salt 
1/2 tsp pepper 
1 package button mushrooms washed patted dry and sliced 
3 tsp, minced bottled garlic 
1/4 cup balsamic vinager 
3/4 cup low sodium chicken broth 

1 bay leaf 
1/4 tsp dried thyme 

cooking spray 

Preparation 
Season chicken with salt and pepper. Spray non stick skillet with cooking spray and heat to medium high. 

Add the chicken and saute until brown on one side. Add garlic and flip over chicken breasts and 

add mushrooms.

 Continue cooking while stirring mushrooms. Cook for about 3 minutes then add vinegar, broth, bay leaf, and thyme. 
Cover and simmer over medium low heat for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove chicken, 

set aside and keep warm. Continue simmering sauce, uncovered for about 7 minutes.

 Discard bay leaf and pour mixture over chicken and serve. 

*Make extra and use for your salad or lunch the next day, tastes yummy after it has been sitting

 in that juice all night!*

2 Quick and Easy Tips on How to Steam Vegetables

              How to Steam Vegetables

As I've told you guys time and time again having a plan is the secret to successful weight loss and part of that planning is educating yourself on the healthiest ways to prepare foods. Now let's get real here we're not dieting on Oprah's budget, so a personal chef is out of the question, as is a food policeman to keep us from eating things we shouldn't, so that leaves it all up to us. We get to do the shopping, prepping, and cooking of the food-YEAH!!! 

Okay, not always "yeah" because we have busy lives, right? That's where steaming your veggies comes in. First you should be taking one day a week to plan out your meals for the week then to shop and next prep your foods for the week (it's even better if you can take the time to cook up a few meals for the week and freeze them for quick access and easy dinner/lunch ideas when you need to implement your plan B and we all know that with our crazy lives there always needs to be a plan B;).

Steaming is one of the easiest ways to prepare vegetables and maintain their nutritional content and it can be done in minutes.

Stovetop Steaming vs Microwaving

Of course, you can buy a Food steamer, but then we wouldn't be having this talk so I'll just by-pass that method. If you purchase a Steamer it will have instructions on how to steam veggies.

There are 2 main ways of steaming vegetables: on the stovetop and in the microwave. Both are quick and easy and the results are generally the same. But for each different veggies cooked, there are some variations, such as the time spent cooking. You do not need any special equipment: a saucepan, lid, and colander for the stovetop method and a microwave safe bowl and plastic wrap for the microwave method.

How to Steam Vegetables in the Microwave

When steaming in the microwave-place vegetables in a microwave-safe bowl, add no more water than what it takes to rinse your veggies before washing. No additional water is needed! Cover the bowl with microwave-safe plastic wrap, leaving one corner open to vent. 

How to Traditionally Steam Vegetables

Steaming on the stovetop-you will need a large pot and a steamer basket or colander that will fit inside. Fill the pot with enough water so that is just barely reaches the bottom of the colander or steamer basket. Once the water comes to a boil, add veggies and place a loose fitting lid on top to cover. If your lid is more fitted over the colander, position it so that one side hangs over the colander just enough to let the steam escape.

How Long to Steam Vegetables

All vegetables will have different cooking times depending on their size and thickness. Check out this article from Today.com for more details on steaming vegetables and their cooking times.

If you need help finding your path to a healthy and fit lifestyle then fill out the form below and I'll get back with you ASAP and we can talk about all the ways that I can help you reach your goals.

LET'S TALK

Shakeology Strawberry Protein Squares

How do I know that this recipe is truly awesome and I'm not just being biased because I love Shakeology®? I went to get a bar from the fridge, where I put them to cool and set up, when I spy my 10 year old grandson with a Strawberry Shakeology Bar in each hand and a mouth full of another!!! ‪#‎fitfam‬

STRAWBERRY PROTEIN SQUARES

Ingredients:

2 cups.             Old fashioned rolled oats
4 scoops.          Strawberry Shakeology
1/2 cup.            All-natural smooth almond butter
3/4 cup.           Unsweetened almond milk

1. Place oats and Shakeology in a blender or food processor;cover.
2. Add Almond butter and almond milk; cover. Blend for one minute or until it forms a wet dough.
3. Placed in an 8 x 8" inch baking dish; press evenly to cover bottom of the dish. Set aside.
4. Refrigerate for 2 hours or until firm. Cut into 8 1-inch squares.

makes 8 servings. 1 square each
1/2 red 1/2 yellow 1/2 blue 21 Day Fix Challenge Pack

Free Beachbody Club Membership

Love Yourself Skinny (Well Thinner...)

Own the Road! Just what the shirt says it is time to do, if you haven't already done it. Take control of your life and own every wrinkle, every scar, every stretch mark that you've got. Wear them as badges of honor, because you've earned them baby! You've been determined, fearless, strong, relentless, faithful and you've persevered! 

We're taught at a young age to look at ourselves with critical, judgmental eyes and to frown upon every little imperfection. There are creams, make-up, clothing, to cover up things that we see as unsightly and if they are bad enough there are even surgeries to get rid of them once and for all. It has taken me fifty years to realize that I need to love who I am, if I am to ever help anyone else. That is not to say that I won't or shouldn't continue to work on improving my self, my health, my fitness, but my imperfections no longer define me and they will no longer keep me from living the life that I want to live.

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Part of the reason I started working out at home was because I was embarrassed to workout at the gym. When I weighed 352 lbs I felt like everyone was looking at me and judging me, then when I lost 175 lbs I still didn't feel comfortable because I would look around and think, "damn it I lost 175 lbs and I'm still the fattest person in here!" So, then I would get depressed and we all know what we do when we're depressed-EAT!

 It was becoming a vicious cycle that I had to stop and working out at home helped me to break that trend. Working out at home also allowed me to get into a solid routine and once working out becomes a habit it is something you can't do without, you actually crave it just like you use to crave the junk food. A good workout gives you energy, clears your mind, helps you focus, keeps your muscles, joints flexible and mobile. Not to mention the cardiovascular and physical strength you get from working out. Plus, working out has many mental health benefits too, check out my post on 10 Reasons Working Out is Good for Your Mental Health .

And last but certainly not least with the purchase of a "Challenge pack" I got a free coach. Have you ever worked with a coach before? I had coaches when I played sports as a kid, but never one who focused totally on me. Having someone to cheer you on, inspire you, support you, and encourage you makes all the difference in the world when it comes to getting the results that you're wanting.


My weight loss has changed my world and improved my quality of life beyond what I could have ever imaged and I want others who suffer from obesity to know that there is HOPE. So, now I'm a coach and as a coach I use my personal experience to help you get started, stay motivated, and get RESULTS! If you're struggling to lose weight, get fit, or just plain get healthy then send me a message and let me tell you all the ways that I can help you get connected with a program that will get you the results that you want. At any age you can be in the best shape of your life. What are you waiting for?! MORE INFO .

TBT! Obesity in America- It's Time to Get Fit & End the Trend

In light of recent events today is going to Thankful. Believe. Thursday.

I was hesitant at first to speak to you all about this issue, because I don’t want to sound self serving or uncaring. Then I realized that was exactly what I was if I didn’t talk to you about it. About what? I think you know? Your health. Your weight. Your fitness. Your longevity of life.

Obesity in America is breaking records at the rate of increase, especially in children and where do children learn to eat-yep from US! The “do as I say, not as I do” rule just doesn’t cut it you have to show your kids, your family how to, not only eat right, but how to live a healthy lifestyle. (Check out my post on Why Am I Still Hungry? to see how our poor diets drives us to over eat.)

I’ll be the first to admit I dropped the ball when it comes to this I was a poor example for my children growing up and now some of them are suffering the consequences of poor choices, because I didn’t teach them how to make the right choices when it came to their food/nutrition.

It took me 15 years to get it together and lose the weight that I needed to in order to have the active, healthy, life that I wanted. Because it took me so long to make the decision to get healthy I now have damage to my knees, back, and who knows what else. You see the longer you go around carrying those extra pounds the more damage that is being done to your body and the more medical conditions you are prone to develop as your life progress (Diabetes, Heart disease, high cholesterol, hypertension, certain types of cancer, etc.) TIPS ON HOW TO LOSE WEIGHT & GET HEALTHY

The point is we are not guaranteed tomorrow and there are things that we can NOT control that might shorten or debilitate our lives here on this earth. But there are some factors that we CAN control that can help us live a long, active, healthy, and independent life. Two of those factors are our nutrition and fitness. Decide that IT’S TIME to take back your life and make the changes TODAY for your healthy TOMORROW. Be the healthy example for your kids that you wish you would have had growing up.

Are you in need of help with your fitness and weight loss journey? Are you looking for support, so that you can get the results that you want? If you are looking for clean eating support, fitness support or just need motivation, then ask me about the different ways I can help you! MORE INFO!

IF YOU WANT TO START TODAY I HAVE A COMPLEMENTARY 5 DAY CLEAN EATING MEAL PLAN, COMPLETE WITH RECIPES AND A GROCERY LIST, TO HELP YOU GET STARTED ON YOUR PATH TO A HEALTHY LIFE.

WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?

The Master's Hammer and Chisel final week

This is my final week for The Master's Hammer and Chisel program, although I haven't lost all the weight that I wanted to, I'm proud that I finished all 60 days. I absolutely loved the program and I feel so much stronger, like I have more control of my body. The weight part is my own fault, because my eating has been out of control for sometime now, so needless to say I didn't stick to the meal plan like I should have-AGHH!

But I'm no quitter, so with our new Challenge group my goal is going to be to really focus on adhering to the meal plan and making the positive changes to my nutrition that I need to make in order to get the results that I want.

On March 7th we will start our pre season which consists of 1 week of goal setting, pictures, measurements, meal planning and education on the nutritional plan and then the following week is our official day 1.

**For 30 days I will guide you daily through the program of your choice (you can chose from Hammer & Chisel, 21 DF, 21 DFX or Cize) with support, accountability, access to an online/app based closed group for support and guidance. Each participant is required to purchase one of the above listed programs Challenge pack/Program and commit to replacing one meal a day with Shakeology for the duration of the group. **

If you are interested in getting more deets about the program please complete the form below and I will contact you ASAP.

If you do not have a Coach please make me your FREE coach here.

Challenge Packs

At any age you can be in the best shape of your life. Stop telling yourself, "I'm to old to workout that hard." "I've had a hysterectomy or gone through the "change" so my hormones are messed up and I just can't lose weight." "My thyroid is shot, so I just don't have the energy to workout. I'm just doomed to be fat."

All of that is B.S.!!! To be healthy, fit, and have the active life that you want takes one thing a COMMITMENT from you to make the changes that you need to make in order to get the results that you deserve!

NOW IS YOUR TIME!!! Don't waste another minute being trapped in a body and a life that you're not happy with. I wasted 15 years of my life and now I help others just like you get connected with the program that is right for them and their lives. But it doesn't stop there, once you start your program I'll be there to cheer you on and support you all the way!!!

S.O.S. CHALLENGE GROUP APPLICATION

The Master's Hammer & Chisel Challenge Pack

21 Day Fix Turkey Chili

What's for supper Grandpa?  Remember how they use to go to the window and ask that question on the TV show Hee Haw? Well, I doubt Grandpa ever had anything quite this healthy on the menu. TURKEY CHILI-easy and quick to make and it taste even better the next day, so yeah for leftovers!!!

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 tsp olive oil
• 1 1/2 lbs raw 93% lean ground turkey
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 1 medium green pepper chopped
•  3 cloves garlic, finely chopped
• 1 1/2 tsp ground cumin
• 1 Tbsp chili powder
• 1/2 tsp sea salt 
• 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper (to taste;optional)
• 2 (15 oz) cans black beans (or pinto beans), drained, rinsed
• 1 (15 oz) can all-natural diced tomatoes, no sugar added (I use tomatoes with green chiles in them for a little extra kick)
• 12 fresh cilantro sprigs, finely chopped (for garnish; optional)

COOKING TIME:

1.    Heat oil in large saucepan over medium-high heat.
2.    Add turkey, onion, bell pepper, and garlic; cook, stirring occasionally,
3.    for 5 to 8 minutes, or until turkey is no longer pink.
4.    Add beans and tomatoes (with liquid). Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low; gently    boil, stirring occasionally, for 15 to 20 minutes, or until thickened.
5.    Serve warm, sprinkled with cilantro.

21 DAY FIX CHALLENGE PACK

TIP: Store in individual

containers and freeze

for future meals.

VARIATIONS:

Substitute ground

turkey with diced

chicken or turkey breast.

Add garbanzo beans and 

organic corn for additional

 texture and flavor.

21 DAY FIX 

1/2-green 1-red 1/2-yellow

Easy Low Calorie 21 Day Fix Baked Oatmeal Cups

Most people do their meal prep on Sundays or Mondays, but I work nightshift weekends, so my Meal Prep day is usually Tuesday. Prepping on Tuesday seems to workout pretty good, because the kids are in school and most people are at work, so the store isn't so crowded and I can get in and out in goodtime. And let's face it we all seem to be short on time, right?

What I tell my challengers and what I've found to be true for myself with my weight loss (I've lost 175 lbs My Weight Loss Story) is that success is in the planning. Along with that the best plan is a simple one and that it has to fit with your lifestyle, because if it doesn't you're not going to stick with it for the long term. And in order to have PERMANENT weight loss success you have to make LIFESTYLE changes that are permanent, no crash diets, no pills, no giving up one food group or eating only 1 food group. This is a balanced, simple nutrition plan with proven results! The 21 Day Fix teaches the right way to eat for a healthy life!(Need a plan for your weight loss? Send me a message and let me tell you all the ways I can help you find success.)

Now that you have your Meal Plan it's time to make your menu for the week and that is usually what takes the most time, but after the first few times doing it you'll learn what recipes you like and what works best for you and your's so it will get easier as time goes by. 

The key to the Meal Prep game is to keep it simple:

1. Figure out your menu.
2. Go shopping.
3. Get cooking & prepping foods (washing & cutting up veggies & putting them in serving size containers, etc.)
4. Make large quantities so you can freeze some for future meals for weeks to come.
5. Complement meals that take more time to prepare with wash-and-go fruit, simple salads, & easy snacks like Shakeology, Greek yogurt, or hard-boiled eggs.
6. Save weekly menus that you love, so you can skip the planning and head straight to the store next time!

HERE IS ONE OF MY FAMILIES FAVE RECIPES FOR A QUICK ON THE GO BREAKFAST;)

21 Day Fix

Baked Oatmeal Cups with Raisins and Walnuts

Total Time: 45 min.
Prep Time: 15 min.
Cooking Time: 30 min.
Yield: 12 servings, 1 cup each

Ingredients:
Nonstick cooking spray
2 large eggs, lightly beaten
1 tsp. pure vanilla extract
2 large bananas, mashed
1 Tbsp. raw honey
2½ cups old-fashioned rolled oats
1 Tbsp. ground cinnamon (I don't like cinnamon so I don't use it)
1½ tsp. baking powder
1½ cups unsweetened almond milk (I use unsweetened vanilla almond milk)
¾ cup chopped raw walnuts
¼ cup raisins (I prefer golden raisins or cranraisins)

Preparation:
1. Preheat oven to 350° F.
2. Prepare twelve muffin cups by coating with spray. Set aside.
3. Combine eggs, extract, bananas, and honey in a large bowl; mix well. Set aside.
4. Combine oats, cinnamon, and baking powder in a medium bowl; mix well.
5. Add oat mixture to egg mixture; mix well.
6. Add almond milk; mix well.
7. Divide oat mixture evenly between prepared muffin cups.
8. Top evenly with walnuts and raisins.
9. Bake 26 to 30 minutes, or until golden brown and toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

Tip: Pecans, cashews, sunflower seeds, dried cranberries, or dark chocolate chips can be substituted for walnuts and raisins.

FOR MORE HEALTHY AND/OR 21 DAY FIX RECIPES CLICK ON THE RECIPE SECTION ABOVE! BE BLESSED. LORI