Finding Balance Through the Holiday Season

Ok so WHERE did October go?? I can't believe that Halloween is in less than a week!! We've been busy working, doing some projects, a little traveling on the weekends, and a few trips to the pumpkin patch!! All I can say is thank goodness we've been on the Ultimate Reset for most of this month too! Typically I would have over indulged in pumpkin spice everything, festival food, Starbucks for our road trips and more. I also would have been sitting in tight jeans, muffin top and feeling sluggish! Instead I'm feeling healthy, leaner and full of energy. So in order to keep that up AND enjoy a little bit of the holiday season I've decided to really sit down and game plan the next two months of Project Get Your Body Back!!

Thanksgiving and Christmas are on the horizon as well as holiday parties, gatherings and priceless memories like baking, tree trimming and more. I don't want to sit out of the fun for the next 2 months nor do I want my children to remember growing up, doing fun things, but mommy was always eating her veggies lol. YES I absolutely want to set a good and healthy example for my family, and YES I will absolutely get my morning workouts in and follow the 80/20 clean eating lifestyle, but I also want to snuggle and watch Christmas movies while we have popcorn and hot cocoa. Life is about BALANCE and now that I've jump started this journey with the Reset I feel very confident staying on track!

This week I am wrapping up the Ultimate Reset and next week it is advised to ease back into your normal routine so my game plan is to start with the 21 Day Fix and transition into the 21 Day Fix Extreme before starting the brand new Master's Hammer and Chisel in December!! Woowee that's a lot right?!?! WRONG!! I've done the 21 Day Fix before and let me tell you why I've decided on this plan again....

Following the Ultimate Reset with the 21 Day Fix will allow me to control my portions and ease back into foods that I had been eliminating during the UR. Following this program will also let me ease back into my fitness by following the modifier until I can get back up to my normal pace. I'm also doing the 21 Day Fix because it is FAMILY FRIENDLY (tacos, meatloaf, spaghetti, chicken parmesan) and it will allow for cheats and treats when I'm ready or attending a holiday function.

So now you know my game plan I want to teach you how to do the same!! Teach you how to find BALANCE and live a healthy and fulfilling life while enjoying your blessings along the way. Its easy to get wrapped up in the glitter and glam of the holiday season and forget to put our own health and fitness first. We typically put our kids, family and others first but what we really need is just a small window of time each day to work on US!! Moms have a FULL PLATE but if our cup is empty we can't pour into others who need us!

Over the next thirty days I am going to take you on this journey with me!! You can start with an optional 3 Day Cleanse then 30 days with the 21 Day Fix (or Fix Extreme if you'd prefer). I'm going to teach you clean eating, meal planing, give you healthy recipes and tips to stay on track this November holiday season! I'm going to walk you through an entire month of tips and tricks. 

Like I mentioned we travel a lot on the weekends so I'm gong to share with you my tips on how to stay on track while traveling, attending holiday parties, what to do with the dreaded left over Halloween candy, how to successfully tackle dinners out! I've got you covered! It's my goal to show you how you can truly find a life of balance for you and your family through the holiday season!

So how do you get into my Finding Balance Through the Holiday Season  accountability group?

1. Everyone in the group is committed to a fitness program 
2. You have the option to start on the 2nd with the 3 Day Refresh especially if you think the Halloween candy is going to be a struggle!
3. Everyone in the group is replacing 1 meal a day with Shakeology because... it is the HEALTHIEST meal of the day and lets face it.... we need fast food that is healthy right now!!! 
4. You are committed to checking into the group 1x daily and reporting your day and staying accountable.
5. I will teach you tips for traveling, eating at restaurants, healthy swaps, clean eating holiday recipes, appetizers, healthy drinks and more!
6. I am going to help you with meal planning and weekly preparation
7. Daily positive mindset and tips to enjoy the holidays with your family. 

Lets do this! We start November 2nd with our plan and prep week and then November 9th it's GO TIME!!! Please fill out the application below!

Ultimate Reset Week 2 Review & Results

Yay!! We have officially finished week 2 of the Ultimate Reset and I just can't say enough good things about this program!! I'm currently visiting my parents so I'm not able to do my week 2 weigh in (I like to stick to the same scale) but I would like to focus my review this week on how I FEEL vs the weight lost.

        

                 Sweet Potato & Red Pepper Bisque                              Red Beans & Rice

  

                                                                Edamame & Roasted Corn Succotash
 
This week proved to be another hit with the recipes!! My hubby asked if we could have Red Beans and Rice every night lol. Although it was amazing there were also several other recipes that I was excited to try too! Every meal was pretty easy to make....all less than 30 minutes and were packed with flavor!! I've said it before but I think some of these will make a regular rotation for us! I love incorporating new healthy recipes, especially the soups during the winter months!

Look Ma!! No Muffin Top!!!

This week I didn't necessarily feel like I lost a lot of weight, but I can tell that I've definitely lost inches!! I pretty much live in yoga pants so its not always easy to know if my clothes are getting looser as they are very forgiving but I slipped on some jeans this week and not only was I able to button them right up but I was happy to see that I didn't have a muffin top!! I still have a long journey ahead of me but to know that I didn't have to lay down, jump around the room or do some crazy squats to get myself into them was an amazing feeling!!

I have noticed feeling a little tired in the afternoon but I'm not sure if thats a side effect of the Reset or if thats a side effect of being a mom of 2 under 5 lol. Either way its nothing I can barrel through and I am enjoying the early nights to bed. I have been waking up full of energy at 5 am and ready to hit the ground running. 

Today starts week 3 and from looking ahead I feel that this is going to be the most challenging week. The menu options are more rigid (not impossible) and there are no grains. There are optional grain snacks you can add in so I'll have those on hand just in case I need them but I'm going to give it a go without and stick to the plan as is. But if I do need them then they're there. I won't feel guilty about it. I am keeping this week very simple, you'll see I plan to repeat several meals and this is for ease. We are on the road a lot this week and it will be easier to just cook big batches of the same thing for several days. I'm looking forward to finishing this week strong and reporting back with our final review and results next Monday!!

If you have any questions, need help with recipes, tips etc. find me over on Facebook and shoot me a friend request, I'd love to chat!!

Sweet Potato and Roasted Pepper Bisque - Ultimate Reset

So I don't think I've ever made any type of soup before that wasn't just dump and go in the crockpot (my FAVORITE kitchen accessory so I'm totally not knockin it!!) but this Sweet Potato & Roasted Pepper Bisque was AMAZING!!! It was thick and packed with flavor. Plus the generous portion size left me feeling very satisfied.

Another first for me was fire roasting the pepper!! I had a general idea of what to do but in order to not burn the house down my son and I decided to watch a quick YouTube video tutorial first!! Then we went right to work. Under his close supervision we perfectly charred the pepper on all sides, threw it in a glass bowl and he covered it with plastic wrap for about 15 minutes. This was totally a hit and something I look forward to having again in the cold months ahead!! Enjoy :)

Sweet Potato and Roasted Pepper Bisque
(Makes 1 serving)

1 Cup water
1 Medium sweet potato, peeled, cubed
1/4 Medium red bell pepper
1 tsp. finely grated ginger root
1 1/2 tsp. extra-virgin olive oil
2 tsp miso paste, missed with 2 Tbsp hot water
1 cup vegetable broth (or water)
Bragg Liquid Aminos (or Himalayan Salt, to taste; optional)
Herbal seasoning blend (to taste. optional)

Bring water to a boil in a small saucepan over medium heat; add sweet potato, cook for 5-7 minutes. Drain. Set aside. Roast bell pepper on grill or gas stovetop. Turn frequently until skin is evenly charred. Place in medium bowl. Cover with a kitchen towel for 10 minutes. Peel skin under running water. Remove seeds. Chop into 1/2 inch cubes.

Place sweet potato, bell pepper, ginger, oil, miso, and broth in a blender or food processor, in 2 or more batches if necessary; cover with lid ad kitchen towel. Blend until smooth. If consistency is too thick, add water. Heat soup in a medium saucepan over medium heat; cook, stirring frequently, for 4 to 5 minutes, or until hot. Add Bragg Liquid Aminos and seasoning blend if desired.

Ultimate Reset Week 1 Review & Results

I chose to start the Ultimate Reset because I was just in an over all funk. I had stopped nursing my daughter, my weight was at an all time high, I was craving (and eating) BAD foods, its like I didn't even know myself anymore. I was hurting when I got out of bed from head to toe, literally and I was depressed and just wanted to sleep it all away. So I asked my hubby to take this journey with me for support and accountability. So he did.....

And we did it! We finished the first week of the Ultimate Reset and I feel GREAT!! Honestly I had no idea what to expect. I had heard stories about people having killer headaches, back aches, the food was either delicious or disgusting...depending on who you talked to. So today I want to recap OUR experience and share with you our results and our week 2 meal plan!!

So I LOVE coffee but I knew going into this that coffee was not part of the plan so I started cutting it out a couple weeks ago so I didn't experience headaches but Ruben did for the first couple days. Nothing crazy though. I did have some back aches but I am over due for a chiropractic adjustment and back pain is nothing new to me so I'm not sure that this was because of the program. 

                          

The food was AMAZING!! There was nothing that I REALLY didn't like at all. There were some things that were not my favorites like the Lentil Lime salad but it was doable! I tried some new recipes that I will definitely continue to have in my regular routine long after the Reset if over including the Southwestern Veggie Tacos, Stir Fry and Roasted Root Medley!!

And by following this plan......drum roll please........we are officially down a combined SEVENTEEN POUNDS in one week!!! Ruben has lost 9 and I lost 8!!!

I am so excited to be starting week 2!! It looks like several new recipes again that I'm really looking forward to! Check out the meal plan...

I'm VERY happy with this week. Not only for the 8 pounds lost but for the way I FEEL!! I have a ton of energy, I'm not bloated, I enjoy the flavors of fresh foods and I'm not missing caffeine or dairy at all!

If you'd like to follow my journey or get more recipes and tips please follow me over on Facebook!!

Ultimate Reset Recipes Week 1

Here are some of my favorite recipes from the Beachbody Ultimate Reset week 1 Menu. I hope you enjoy them as much as I did!! And check out my results and recap from week one over here!!

SOUTHWESTERN VEGGIE TACOS

(1 serving)

1/4 Meduim Avocado mashed
2 Tbsp fresh Pico de fall
1 1/4 cup black beans and rice
1/4 cup cooked corn kernels
1 (6 inch) corn tortilla

Combine mashed avocado and fresh salsa in small bowl, mix well and set aside. Place black beans and rice and corn on one half of tortilla and fold. Serve with avocado and salsa mixture

STIR FRIED VEGGIES

(1 serving)

1 1/2 tsp coconut oil
1 tsp sesame oil
1/2 medium carrot cut diagonal lengthwise
1/4 cup broccoli florrets
1/4 medium bell pepper sliced
1/4 medium zucchini cut lengthwise, sliced
1 1/2 tsp Braggs Liquid Aminos

Heat coconut and sesame oils in large skillet or wok over medium high. Ad carrot, cook, stirring constantly for 1-2 minutes. Add broccoli, cook, stirring frequently for 4-5 minutes, add bell pepper and zucchini. Cook 2-3 minutes or until tender-crisp. Turn off heat add Bragg Liquid Aminos mix well!

Roasted Root Medley & Zucchini Cashew Soup

ROASTED ROOT MEDLEY
(1 serving)

1/4 medium yam cut into 1 inch chunks
1/2 medium carrot cut into 1 inch chunks
1/2 medium beet cut into 1 inch chunks
1/4 medium onion cut into large wedges
2 tsp extra virgin olive oil
himalayan salt (to taste, optional)

Preheat oven to 400. Combine yam, carrot, beet, onion, oil and salt (if desired), mix well. Arrange vegetables in a single layer on a baking sheet. Bake for  40 - 50 minutes , or until tender turning once or twice

ZUCCHINI CASHEW SOUP
(1 serving)

1 oz raw cashews (17 cashews)
1 1/2 cups water, divided use
1 1/2 medium zucchini cut into chunks
Himalayan salt (or Bragg Liquid Amino) to taste, optional
Herbal seasoning blend (for fresh herbs, like sail or dill) to taste, optional

Soak cashews in 1/2 cup water for 1 hour. While cashew are soaking, bring 1 cup what er to a boil in a small saucepan over medium heat. Ad zucchini, cook for 4-5 minutes, drain, set aside

Place cashews (with water), zucchini, salt (if desired), and seasoning blend (if desired) in a blender or food processor,  in 2 or more batches if necessary, cover with lid and kitchen towel. Blend until smooth. Heat soup, if desired, in a medium saucepan over medium heat, cook, stirring frequently for 4-5 minutes or until hot. Do not boil. Soup can be served hot or cold.


If you'd like more info on the Ultimate Reset or would like to follow my journey please find me over on Facebook and don't hesitate to send me a message :)

Get Your Body Back

As promised I'm kicking off Project Get Your Body Back today! I just finished up the meal plan and am excited to stick to it 100% as well as my workouts each day. You will see that I have a lot of repeat meals, and while some find this boring or repetitive, I find it a life saver!! I don't have to do a ton of dishes, it cuts the cost WAY down, these are my favorite foods so I'm not torturing myself....plus when you think about it....people who eat unhealthy eat a lot of the same things too...same value meal from the same drive through week after week after week!!

This week I am going to follow the 21 Day Fix because #1 I need to start clearing out some of the foods I can't  eat over the next three weeks while I do the Ultimate Reset that are staring me in the face in the fridge, freezer and pantry. And #2 it is my all time favorite program! The meal plan is SO easy to follow, family friendly, comfort foods (tacos, french toast, Caprese Chicken and Steak!!!) and the workouts are ONLY 30 minutes!! 

My game plan is to do workouts at nap time....I need my morning time to get right to work and I know for sure I will get at least a half hour to work out when they nap. And should they wake up I'll just do it with the littles running around! Not only can they keep busy but they can see mama setting a great example of making health and fitness just part of the every day norm!!

I would absolutely love to have some accountability and partners on my journey!! If you're a new mom, high school mom, empty nester or mom of a fur baby I would LOVE to have you join me!

My October accountability group kicked off this morning and it's not too late to join us!! Our first week we are planning and prepping so that next week we can hit the ground running! If you're interested don't let another day go by!! Join me for Project Get Your Body Back, and fill out the application below!!

Getting Back on the Wagon!

Hi Friends!! It's been WAY too long since I've been blogging but I'm very excited to say I'M BACK!!! And with that I feel like I need to give everyone some updates on whats been going on, things I've been struggling with and how this mama is ready to GET BACK ON THE WAGON!!!

So March 2015 we were blessed with baby Harper! This little angel totally completes our family and I couldn't have been more happy to get her home and smother her with love and kisses! She has been a very easy baby from the start and I was blessed again with another amazing sleeper!! What can I say....they got it from their mama!! Napping is totally my favorite past time ;)

Transitioning back to work was much easier than I thought. Being that I set my own schedule, work form home and can do a lot on my iPhone I almost didn't skip a beat, but I do have to shout out my amazing team for holding things down while I did have some family bonding time....they ROCK!!

Transitioning back to my own health and fitness is another story and where I plan to spend the most of the talking during this blog! Let me start of by sharing a funny little conversation I had with my coach.... I semi-jokingly told her that I thought being a Beachbody Coach gave me super powers to bounce back after baby and they weren't working!! Well let me tell you WE DON'T!!

I am a normal mom just like every other new mom who has to WORK for it! There is no fast fix, easy pill or magic wrap that will give me the long term, healthy results that I want. Some women are blessed, lucky, I don't know what you want to call it but they bounce RIGHT back!! Other women hold on to weight and it takes a little more work. That was me!!  I had the programs, I had the meal plans, I had the containers and Shakeology. But what I didn't have was skin in the game! And I'm ok with that. I wasn't ready and unless I"m all in I don't have success. I know how I work. 

I lost 50 pounds 4 years ago after my son (above). I started my journey after his first birthday and on the morning of his 3 birthday party I found out I was pregnant again. Sweet, I wasn't worried about the weight I was just going to gain 25 pounds after all, right?? WRONG!!! I gained 40...8 pounds more than I had with my first pregnancy.

Ok, I still wasn't freaking out....I had those super powers after all right!! Well at my 7 week check up I got the OK to start working out but had to come back a week later for my IUD which required a week off from exercise to make sure it was properly placed...So now we are 9 weeks post partum and I'm just not feeling like doing this....I was eating healthy and clean 60-70% of the time but there were too many cheats, creamer in my coffee, soda (YUCK i don't know why i was still craving this from the pregnancy), etc. Just over all poor food choices. And when I did work out it HURT!! Well no kidding!!! I had 40 pounds to lose it wasn't going to be a walk in the park. And let me tell you I cried, bitched and moaned about it the whole way through. I even gave up....several times!!

Fast forward to July....I was heading to Nashville with my hubby and our team and I was SUPER excited to be going. I was going to celebrate the success of our team, meeting some of them in person for the first time, I was going to be recognized on stage for some of my accomplishments etc. I should have been OVER the moon excited, but all I could think about was my weight. How I felt SO uncomfortable in everything. I was pulling on this, tugging at that, and again taking a back seat in group pictures. I was having vivid flashbacks of my journey the first time after my son and I started experiencing lots of anxiety. Not just a little "oh what was that"..... but I mean full fledged panic where it felt like an elephant was sitting on my chest.

Now I know life is not all about the size pants you wear, if you have a six pack or can lift a million pounds, and beauty comes in all shapes and sizes. But I also know that THIS is not me. My feet hurt when I get out of bed, my back aches, my clothes don't fit and I have two chins lol YES I'M TOTALLY LAUGHING AT MYSELF!!! But the point of this post today is to share with you that I am REAL. I STRUGGLE, I have bad days, too many cheat meals and too many skipped workouts. But its time to draw a line in the sand!!

My daughter turned 6 months old two weeks ago today and we are making some transitions. What I'm about to share is not really a big deal but can be a touchy subject so please remember if you're going to chime in to keep it positive this is a NO JUDGEMENT ZONE!!! We have decided to start weaning her from nursing. First of all I think this is so much harder for me emotionally than anything else....she takes the bottle like a champ and really could care less about the boob! But its clear that I'm not producing enough for her and she is also transitioning to solids so we feel as a family that this is the right time.

With that being said I am about to embark on a new journey as well. Starting October 12th I will be doing the Ultimate Reset which is a 21 Day Cleanse. This will help my body get rid of the toxins and is a gentle, no-starvation cleanse that will help my body get back  to its optimal "factory settings', If you'd like more information on  it you can check it out HERE. I am choosing to do this program because I want to "reset" my body. I can feel that things are "off" and my body is not functioning properly. I'm always tired (can't even blame the baby she sleeps 12 hours a night), have lots of aches and pains and like I said need to drop the weight.

But I'm not waiting to start until the 12th!! This girl is starting TO-DAY!!!! I will be following the 21 Day Fix program today through the 11th transitioning away from the poor choices, cutting coffee and preparing my body for this process. In fact I just left the grocery store getting myself set up for a successful 11 days!!

So if you're still reading this long post, thank you! I felt strongly about sharing my story, whats been going on and being totally transparent about my struggles after baby number two. I know that many feel that she's only 6 months and I should cut myself some slack. And if you're a new mom not ready to start thats TOTALLY fine do what works for you, I am just at a point where I am SO very ready for a change.....I've got some SERIOUS skin in the game!!

Please stop by to watch my journey...I'll be sharing my weekly meal plans, progress and how I am doing along the way!!

And if you're a new mom looking to lose weight, eat healthy, start working out or just looking to connect with a fellow new mom, find me over at Facebook!!