Results- Beachbody Ultimate Reset

I realized today that in the 6+ months I've been a Beachbody coach, I've never posted on "transformation Tuesday." Well, there's no time like the present! 
Yesterday I completed a 21 day challenge- I completed the Beachbody ultimate reset. It can be called a cleanse or a detox but it's unlike any other "program" or "system" I've ever come across. There were no juices, never any time of starving. I ate real, healthy, filling food the entire time. I did take a lot out of my diet- such as processed sugars, gluten, and even animal products. I did this to break my dependence on sugar, to clear my body of chemicals, and to relearn how to eat according to what my body needs.

Did I follow the program perfectly? Nope. But I stuck to it a lot closer than I honestly thought I'd be able to- it's amazing how much stronger we are than we realize.

*I've learned to enjoy the eating process- something as simple as chewing my food, instead of just shoveling it in as quickly as I can.

*I've learned that I like a lot more vegetables than I thought.

*I've learned that I don't *need* bread and cheese to live. For that matter, I don't *need* meat either, although that's probably the one thing I've enjoyed putting back in my daily diet the most!

*I've learned that drinking water is enjoyable and I can drink the amount that my body requires.

*I've slept better and felt cleaner than I can ever remember

*I've lost 20 lbs and can't wait to take what I've learned about food, portions, and balancing what I need vs. what I want into my next workout program (Insanity Max: 30 with Shaun T!) and see how much more I can lose.

Best of all, I feel like I've conquered a monster. Do I still splurge? Yep- I posted about that over the weekend. But I'm stronger now, I can fight those urges for longer and splurge less than I did before. When I eat clean, it feels so much better- I want that clean, healthy feeling to continue. I want to be able to pull more shirts from my closet- like this one- that I bought years ago, hoping it would eventually fit, and it FINALLY does, with a little extra room!

This has been an incredible experience and I was nervous to share this with all of you but I'm excited and couldn't hold back any longer. If you've ever felt stuck, if you've ever wanted to improve your health- clean up your eating, break your dependence on processed food or caffeine- I know how you feel! And I know that you can improve, you can feel better, you can change! If you want help, let me know. I'm always here for you!

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Life Lately

Life has changed a lot since I was posting regularly!

I've become a Beachbody coach- but I think you can tell that from my blog changes!

I moved into my own place- a place that is all mine!  And proved that I not only could live alone but I actually loved living alone.

I have since moved in with my boyfriend and we seem to have made a nice little place for all our furbabies.  (Here is Bella laying in the hall, waiting for him to come home, and Loki and Lil snuggled together on the couches.)

I'm finally in a place where I can enjoy my life, have little indulgences, and be confident that I'm building a productive and strong future!

Now that the torment of a horrible marriage is behind me, I have learned to not only love myself but also love a new and much better man (hence the moving in together.)  I can also enjoy being with my family and friends, without having to be terrorized that I'm spending someone else's money (funny since I was the only one working for most of the relationship) or wasting time with people who are awful (again, funny, since they're the same people who took him in when he was too lazy and immature to pay bills.)  But I will do my best to not dwell on the past and only enjoy the present and look to the future!

Speaking of enjoying the present (or recent past haha.)  My mom and I went back to Painting with a Twist because we loved it so much at her birthday party and painted our furbabies.  I think we did a great job, what do you think?

So that's my update for now.  I hope to be getting back to this a bit more regularly but I've already said that before- we'll see how well I do!

How many times have you moved in your life?  I'm pretty sure I'm over 20 at this point!

Have you ever been to Painting with a Twist or a paint shop like it? I can't get enough of it!

Healthy Stir Fry and Sweet Potato "Fries"

While on doing the Beachbody Ultimate Reset I learned some recipes that I LOVED.  These are 2 that I adapted from the recipe book that came with the program, and make enough for 2 people to eat or just for a dinner and leftovers for lunch.

Healthy Stir Fry 

- all veggies, no meat but feel free to add some farm raised chicken or beef.

Ingredients:
EVOO
Ginger (I used dried and shredded that I found in the produce section of my local Acme)
3 Medium Carrots- peeled, cleaned, and cut into chunks
Broccoli/Snap Peas- I found a steamer bag in my produce section that was a mix of FRESH broccoli florets, snap peas, and sprouts- perfect!
Peppers- again in my produce section I found a container of already thinly sliced and cleaned peppers- I used half of the container for this recipe
Himilayan Salt
Braggs Liquid Aminos

Directions:
1. In a large frying pain heat 2 tablespoons of EVOO over high heat, include a few pinches of ginger and 2-4 cloves of chopped garlic (depending on how much you like garlic.)
2. Add in carrots and stir constantly for a minute
3. Lower to medium heat and add in the Broccoli/Snap Peas and stir occasionally for 4-5 minutes.
4. Add in the peppers, cook for another few minutes.  I found that my stove is unreliable, sometimes this takes a few minutes, sometimes it heats really fast.
5. Add salt to taste.
6. Serve with a side of the Liquid Amino- it tastes like a cross between teriyaki and soy sauce so don't be intimidated by it!

Sweet Potato "Fries"

-The Reset calls for having a baked sweet potato and you can put the EVOO and seasonings on instead of butter or sour cream.  So I decided to have fun with the recipe and cut them up into "fries."

Ingredients:

EVOO

2 sweet potatoes

Himalayan Salt

Italian seasonings

Directions:

1. Clean (and peel if you like) the sweet potatoes.  Cut into strips. I kept mine fairly thick.

2. In a bowl mix with 2 teaspoons of EVOO, salt and seasonings to taste.

3. Bake at 450 degrees for 30-40 minutes, flipped half way.  Again my oven was temperamental, sometimes cooking faster than others, so watch them every 10 minutes or so to see what you need for your oven.

I love serving these together, especially because the "fries" feel like a cheat or indulgence but they're actually healthy for you!  

Announcement- latest challenge group!

This month is Shaun T's birthday month and to help celebrate Beachbody has put 2 of his programs on special. Let's take advantage of that special but using Cize of Insanity: Max 30 to not only get ready for the summer but also start a path to a healthier lifestyle!

Do you want to lose weight?
Do you want to be healthier?
Are you tired of feeling sluggish or self conscious?
Are you ready to make a change?
Are you willing to step out of your comfort zone and participate in a group of like minded people, facing the same struggles as you to get the results you want?

Then stop waiting and join me! 

We start May 31st! It's never too late to get what you want out of life. This is your first step! Let me, and the group, help you!

What you will have to do:
*choose which program you want to follow: Cize or Insanity Max: 30

*do your best to follow a healthy meal plan

*drink your super foods! (included in your challenge pack, links above)

*Participate in the group! Share how you're doing, let others help pick you up when you fall and build you up when you succeed. The group is only successful and fun when there is participation.

*be willing to win prizes (who wouldn't be willing to do that?)

Are you ready? LET'S DO THIS!  Message me below and let me know you want in and I'll add you to the private, friendly facebook group after you've picked and purchased your challenge pack.

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Murder- Something I Never Thought I'd Have to Deal With

Does anyone ever go through life thinking at some point they'll deal with murder?  I didn't!

On March 10, 2016 that changed when 3 murders happened...

One took place here in PA, in Norristown to be exact, when my employee stabbed her step father to death during an argument in their home.  I knew she had a temper, I knew she had a short fuzz, I never thought she'd kill someone.  From what it sounds like, it was self defense and honestly I feel bad for her.  She was always late and I always gave her trouble for it.  They were fighting over the shower- makes me wonder what she had to go through every morning to be able to get to work.

The other two were Eric's cousins- 28 year old Ally and 21 month old Ana.  I never met them but he spoke, and still speaks, of them with pride and admiration.  Ally was the baby of his family and he loved her as well as Ana dearly.  They were beautiful girls and I'm sad I never got a chance to meet and love them the way others do.  Last night their murderer was arrested and it gives me chills to think of this man being brought to justice.  How do you kill a sweet, young woman, let alone a helpless, perfect baby?  Ana's videos bring a smile to anyone who watches them and Ally's singing could bring you to tears with joy.

I'm not really sure what the point of this post is but it's been an emotional day and it's only 9:40 am, so I felt I needed to get this out.  Murder is a traumatizing thing, even for someone so far on the outside like me.  I weep for the families of the lost- people who had futures and who loved with all their hearts.  And I weep for my employee who was wrong to have acted the way she did, but I can't imagine what it's like to be brought to that much anger and feel like you have no other way out.

If you're interested in supporting a good cause, I'd like to suggest Justice For Children Without Voices they've been a huge part of helping support the family during the investigation of Ana and Ally's murders, and they're continuing to be a huge help for many families in similar situations.

Have you ever experienced anything like this?  How did you handle it?

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Update- Ultimate Reset day 8

I had planned to post every day or nearly every day on how the reset is going but I am still not used to blogging on a regular basis so please forgive me!

Today is day 8!  I'm down 4 lbs and feeling pretty good.  I still have a headache from time to time, but that could be from work, and I am a little sore, but that's probably from moving.  My biggest struggles are :

1. Watching others eat when I can't!  I'm in a baking group and this weekend we did Cupcake Wars.  I have to admit, I splurged and at the quarter of each cupcake I was offered.  It was delicious, I'm so impressed by these girls, but I regretted it later and I HATE that feeling.  Plus my mom's 60th birthday was this weekend and nearly my entirely family was in from CT.  I had to eat with everyone at the restaurant but at least I made good choices- instead of the cheeseburger I really wanted!

2. Trying new foods.  So far I've forced myself to eat my vegetables which is tolerable but not delightful, and I've tried Braggs Liquid Aminos which looks intimating but tastes nearly exactly like soy sauce.  I have yet to try tempeh, it just sits in my fridge, starring at me, mocking me.  I really should eat it or the beans it offers as a substitute since I'm sure I'm missing out on protein that would be helpful for IDK living... but I can't.

I'm surprisingly not struggling with not having bread or cheese or meat.  I miss it and I'm dreaming of my birthday- where I plan to have steak and a baked potato with cheese and bacon YUM!  But I don't find myself having trouble when I'm home at night and wanting to snack.  In fact I'm generally not hungry and struggle to eat the entire meal that's laid out in the meal plan.  Oh and I LOVE the meal plan!  I mean I'm terrified of some of the things they suggest to eat but I love that they laid out 21 days of meals with recipes and a shopping list, including a "crunch" plan for people on the go or with budget restrictions.

Over all I'm excited and I'm really looking forward to seeing where I'm at when the full 21 days are through.

If you're interested in doing the ultimate reset, check out the details here.

Calling ALL Teachers and Nurses!

Today is the end of Teachers Appreciation week AND the start of Nurse Appreciation week.

I have a tremendous about of respect for people who work in these professions.

Teaching can be a thankless job where parents constantly complain and children don't behave.  Teachers work nights and weekends, and often have to spend a lot of their own money on supplies and keeping their classrooms running.  They don't get the respect they deserve!

Nursing is also a sometimes thankless job.  Nurses give up nights, weekends, holidays- they miss out on a lot with their families in order to take care of ill patients who's families are not always easy to work with... often times the patient isn't easy to work with.  They're under appreciated and under valued by many, but what they do is priceless!

In honor of these special weeks I'm offering a free gift to any teacher or nurse who purchases one of the following challenge packs from me between now and Monday May 9th.

21 Day Fix is an amazing program that targets every part of your body in 30 minute workouts and gives  solid, easy to follow nutrtion plan to maximize your results.

22 Minute Hard Corps is a Boot Camp styled workout that focuses on cardio and resistance.  It's led by P90X creator Tony Horton, who is hilarious and tough!

Insanity: MAX is from my favorite trainer- Shaun T.  It's an intense series of workouts that are highly focused on cardio.  It's on sale this month!!!

If you have any questions, let me know, I'll be happy to help you choose which program is best for you!

Paleo Banana Muffins

These were DELICIOUS. But you have to like coconut...as coconut flour, believe it or not, tastes coconutty!! :)

Paleo Banana Muffins: Recipe from Gluten Free Homemaker

• ½ cup coconut flour (+ to grease pan)
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• 4 large eggs
• ¼ cup melted coconut oil
• ¼ cup honey
• 2 medium sized ripe bananas, mashed (about 1 cup)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ¼ cup + 2 Tablespoons chopped walnuts (optional)

Optional: Crumb Topping 

• 2 tbsp coconut flour
• 1 tbsp cocunut sugar
• 3 tbsp coconut oil, melted

Directions:
Preheat oven 350 degrees. Grease muffin tin with coconut oil. In a big bowl, combine flour, salt, and soda. In a small bowl, combine eggs, coconut oil, honey, bananas, and honey. Add wet ingredients to large bowl of dry ingredients. Pour into muffin tins, filling each about 1/2 way. Add crumb topping on top of each. Bake for 20 min.


original recipe found here

Healthy Breakfast Ideas

Is it just me or is breakfast the best meal of the day?!  I LOVE waffles, pancakes, omelets, sausage, etc... Just thinking about it now is making my mouth water.  BUT those aren't exactly the most nutritious options for breakfast.  Here are some alternatives that will help you stay full and energized until lunch!

Greek Yogurt Breakfast Bark

Breakfast CAKE, I repeat CAKE!

Chocolate Muffins!

Enjoy and be healthy!