Poached balsamic tomato chicken medallions over heirloom spaghetti squash

1 1/2 pound boneless skinless chicken breast, Cut into the medallions and lightly tenderized. I use Cage free and hormone free 

One medium to medium large organic spaghetti squash

2 full cups of sliced of tomatoes either Campari, Pomodoro, grape, or heirloom.

One medium to large organic sweet potato. I used Garnet.

1/4 cup balsamic vinegar. 

3 smashed garlic cloves

1/4 cup of minced onion

Fresh or dried Italian herbs.

1 teaspoon Garam Masala

One large Haas avocado

One heaping teaspoon of organic coconut oil

3–4 tablespoons of extra-virgin olive oil. The greener the better.

Optional: fresh shredded Parmesan cheese

*************

Stick a knife or fork into a medium to large organic sweet potato. What I used was called a organic Garnet potato.   Until knife runs cleanly through the potato bread 

While your potato is cooking we can attempt to kill the squash.   

First, get the biggest thickest knife you have and prepared to do some expert cutting.

Stand spaghetti squash in a north to south way on your counter. Place large butcher knife next to the stem of the spaghetti squash stick it in and start banging, stabbing, sawing, pounding, praying, cracking the spaghetti squash in half.  Use alternate methods or all of those and one combination. 

My daughter suggested throwing it up against the wall, but we want one intact wall and we want our spaghetti squash in  only two pieces. 

And if your spaghetti squash goes through your drywall, I am not held responsible.

It is a gourd and acts like a gourd.

Remove seeds and string membrane out of the center of the squash. Place in your microwave and covered with a sheet of waxed paper.

One medium size spaghetti's sqash takes approximately 12 to 15 minutes in your microwave. Depending on the size and wattage of your microwave and the thickness of your squash.

What a fork goes all the way through the flesh, she is done.

Meanwhile, take thinly sliced medallions of boneless skinless chicken breast. I also lightly tenderize them.  Melt your coconut oil with your Garam masala, minced onion, smashed garlic salt-and-pepper.

When chicken is browned on both sides add approximately 3-4 cups of filtered water, balsamic vinegar, fresh or dried Italian herbs. IE basil oregano and finally minced rosemary. 2 cups of sliced tomatoes.   I used the Campari tomatoes but you can use Pomodoro's, or a sliced heirloom tomato.  

Let simmer for 15 to 20 minutes covered.

While the chicken is simmering, peel and  cube your Sweet potato and place into a bowl. Drizzle about 1 to 2 tablespoons of olive oil to coat each individual piece.

Place cut squash on the counter and run a fork starting from the north end  and down into the south. You should now have long strands of spaghetti like squash.  Repeat until you have reached the underside of the flesh membrane and continue all throughout each of the 2 pieces of squash.

Place the spaghetti squash into the same large bowl with the sweet potato, add 2 tablespoons of olive oil and gently combine both ingredients.

Cube your large Haas avocado to add to your plate. 

Take your simmering tomato/chicken mixture and pour over the spaghetti squash and potato.

You could add Parmesan cheese at this point if you prefer, or just dress with some fresh herbs.

It is healthy for you, full of vitamins, protein and lower in carbs.

Your life is what you decide it is.

One year and a half ago on this day, I was sitting here enjoying this. 

Yes it's about the drink but it's more about the view. 

To be unplugged. 

To find something that speaks to your soul and just be in that moment.

One thing that Beachbody has afforded me is rhe ability to squirrel away some money that is not in my household budget. 

Grab a passport schedule a trip with friends/family and go. 

I am my own CEO. I choose whether I go or stay. I choose where my office view is for the day.

18 months ago, my view was Sorrento Italy.

Not only did I enjoy some fabulous food, desserts, pasta and wine. I also had my best meal of the day. Had skakeology, did travel!

Want a change to live your life by your design?  Join my team now and get ahead of the crowd for 2016

 #Italy #Sorrento #MyItalianDream #TripOfTheLifetime #LiveAbroadForAMonth #MyFreedomAsMyOwnCEO #LifeOfAnEmptyNester #LateFortiesAndFabulous #latefortiesneverlookedsogood

The Day After

This was your table yesterday. 

This is your face today and tomorrow and____ when you try to button up those jeans that fit two days earlier. 

And Christmas eating is still coming.

There will be parties, hors d'oeuvres, cookies and cocktails.  

I have a program called 21 Day Fix that works. It has worked wonders for me. It has worked wonders for thousands of people. 

It simply works while you eat plenty of food and tone up.

It is not about the scale. 

I have a private accountability group that will help you. From the comfort of your home. 

Nowhere to meet, or have to be during the craziness of the holidays.

Just time with you and yourself. 

One on one coaching, reverse your regrets.

What do you do now? 

You send me a message and get started before you overthink it.

Life Hack: Did you know?

Did you know that on the Plexiglas, a whiteboard, glass, linoleum or vinyl, laminated table. It is possible to remove permanent marker from that surface. 

Just find the same color in a dry erase marker, rub over the permanent marker, wait a second or two and buff off with a paper towel.

Repeat as necessary.  

Save an avocado.

It was a minor  issue when I wanted a little bit of avocado for a recipe, and not the whole thing. 

What on earth did you do with the other half you didn't need? 

If you didn't make an impromptu guacamole? 

No matter how much you tried to save the flesh from turning a brownish throwback 1970's avocado green… You lost your avocado.

I haven't found a new gadget that will supposedly keep an avocado great and wonderful, or seen one that really works. 

Yet I suppose.

I had an idea the other day.   If air was culprit, than take away the air factor.  Water will not allow air to penetrate the flesh.  Sort of how you do potatoes and apples when you cut them up.

So I took the half that still had the pit in it, put into small container, just covered enough water to touch all surfaces of the flesh, put a lid on it, forced out the extra air, and let it sit in refrigerator to see how long I could keep it in there. 

This avocado was it in the fridge for four days!!

Pretty nifty. 

If I didn't need to use that particular half, I wonder how long it would've gone?

There was a little bit extra water just on the surface flesh of the avocado. It didn't deter the flavor at all, nor did it change the consistency. 

As I scooped it out of the skin, it was perfectly good and green!

Did anyone else know this?

So there you go! 

Simple life hack that you have at your fingertips.

Try it out.  

How would you describe your beautiful self?

Because I believe the true acceptance starts with inside of yourself. Based on no one else's image of how you should look, be or feel.

When you can believe in your heart that you can do anything you put your mind to, that you have the strength and the capability to do so - you never need anyone else's approval… Magical things happen.

Our personal standard of beauty cannot be based on anyone else's opinion, but on our own. What is eye-opening to us, is when you finally believe you are worthy, you see the world in different eyes.

You can only grow with the knowledge that you were created perfect as you are. Everyone can tweak some things here or there, but you do not need a major overhaul to measure up. 

You already did.

This is how you change your life, change your body, change you.

Confidence is beautiful.  

http://youtu.be/XpaOjMXyJGk

Scary but clean drinks

Halloween doesn't have to be a scary time of year when it opens the season to the opportunities of treat filled eating. 

It is possible to have fun while not laying down nutrition.  

Here's some spooky throwback themed drinks that look scarier than they actually are.  Healthy, clean and good for you is the key.   

http://www.shakeology.com/blogs/2015/10/22/spooky-halloween-shakes-step-trick-treating/?TRACKING=SOCIAL_SHK_FB&sf14422271=1

Great Northern White Bean Soup

I am a complete nut when it comes to cold-weather, glorious fall color, leaves falling from the trees, real wood fireplaces, fluffy cozy blankies, the smell of burning wood that hangs in the air, apple cider, all of the crisp apples that are in season, The skeletal form of a grand tree and snowy days…

When it starts getting cold outside I always plan ahead to make soup and stew. 

I am kind of known for them. 

I love them and there is something cathartic to me that you have your whole meal in one bowl.

You can control the amount of sodium, the ingredients, the flavor, added spice or heat…

Yesterday I got a craving for a split peas. I cannot tell you why because in the past I've never really been a fan of split peas.

I figure this is my body's way of telling me what it needs it during my health transformation and I have begun to listen to what it wants.

So off to Earth Fare I went to procure organic great White Northern beans, split peas, Japanese sweet potatoes and colored carrots.

This recipe turned out better than I thought. Although, I do not recommend mixing a smaller bean, they cook differently and will macerate into the soup while the Northern beans are still cooking. 

However in saying that, my soup turned out more like a stew because the small organic navy beans became part of the thickening agent.

Just kind of plan ahead if you're going to make this from scratch because the dried beans need to soak overnight.

I suppose you could to do canned beans in a pinch, but I do not recommend eating a lot of canned vegetables. 

Here is the recipe as follows:

2 cups of great Northern beans, dried, I prefer organic
1/2 cup of small white navy beans
Four medium carrots, I used purple yellow and orange carrot.

1/2 or 3/4 cup of split peas dried

Two small Japanese sweet potatoes

Four cloves of garlic, smashed

1 tablespoon of chili powder
Salt and pepper to taste.

Filtered water

*Additional add-ons: Sriracha sauce, Braggs apple cider vinegar with mother, sour cream, chopped chives. 

2 cups of great Northern beans, rinsed, to set in the crockpot the night before with plenty of water. Do not add salt.

Midmorning rinse off your beans really well, checking for any odd beans or stones.  

Refill the crockpot with filtered water, to make sure that they have at least 6 to 8 inches of water on top of them.

I was using the taller crockpot(which I do recommend) instead of the flatter oval one. They will expanded greatly and soak up a tremendous amount of water. 

Let cook for 4 to 6 hours on high in the crockpot.  

Add a few cloves of smashed garlic salt and pepper, I also use chili powder- about one heaping tablespoon.

When you have reached about 4 1/2 hours into the cooking time, add your sweet potato if desired or a thick starchy potato, your peeled and sliced carrots and about 3/4 cup of split peas.  

Taste to see if you need to add a little more salt or pepper to the beans.  

Let cook on high for about another hour and a half keeping lid on the crockpot tightly closed. After this amount of time I turn off the crockpot and let it sit for about 30 minutes before serving.

After I placed it into a bowl, I add about a half of a teaspoon of apple cider vinegar with mother in it. I prefer the Bragg's brand. 

My sons add Sriracha to it as well. Another member of my family adds a little bit of sour cream and I suppose you could also dress it with chives.  

It is very hearty, good for you and it took you really no time at all.

Enjoy!

Let me know if you tried this and tweaked the recipe a bit.

Follow for more recipe ideas

Easy food prep to wow your guests.

I was asked to help prepare meals for a friend of mine who is wanting to do more at home eating and less it going out to restaurants.

I was trying to explain the concept of food prep. The concept of planning many meals, to know what you're  going to eat every day of the next week,  pretty much blew her mind.

I decided to get together with her, go to the grocery store, come up with the menu, shop for fresh ingredients, come home and prep everything.

I came up with two scenarios in my mind ahead of time so it would seem less scary to her when we hit the grocery store.

I promised her that prepping her meat a certain way, planning accompaniments  for lunch and dinner for the next 7 to 10 days, wasn't as hard as one thinks it is.

I actually find it kind of freeing. 

 We hit the market, purchased chicken breasts and pork tenderloin.

Starting her out slow...

We prepped the chicken breasts three different way. IE Mexican Italian and some with a bit of Indian flare, cut them into portions and then I set them into the plan for each meal. She remained skeptical. 

We also decided to buy a package of two pork tenderloins to butterfly and stuff.

One was a red pepper, spinach, feta, oregano, sea salt, fresh cracked pepper, A drizzle of olive oil and a chiffonade of fresh basil.

The second was feta cheese, lots of spinach, chopped cherry tomatoes, sea salt a drizzle of extra-virgin olive oil and pine nuts. 

To not scare her with butchers twine, I decided to show her how to close the meat with toothpicks. 

I wish I had taken a picture of her face when I said the next time we will be rolling it up and tying closed. LOL

We lined a jellyroll pan with foil,  placed the two tenderloin side-by-side, covered and baked in a 350° oven for about an hour.  

They were stuffed quite fully and I waited until the internal temperature got to a safe degree.  

We let them rest for about 20 minutes and then she sliced them on the bias. There were approximately 8/9 nice sliced servings per tenderloin. 

They looked quite perfect and I was told that her husband loved them.  He picked the one with pinenuts as his favorite. 

The next blog post I'll add of the pictures and recipes of all the accompaniments we had boiling and roasting while the meat was cooking.

It was almost like a Thanksgiving day.

Part one of food prep was successful.

Organic White Bean Soup

Looking for an easy soup that you can put on, forget about it and serve later?

Especially on cooler days.   And it is good for you!!

1 c. Organic Great Northern Beans. 

Kale leaves

Baby spinach

Chili powder, garlic cloves, salt/pepper 

Carrots, cherry tomatoes and avocado. 

I soaked white beans overnight but if you are crunches for time, you can use a can.   Because of additives in some canned goods I prefer dry. 

Drain the soaked beans, rinse thoroughly and refill crock pot with at least 4" of water at the top.    

I add several cloves of garlic that I just smashed with a cup.  Don't worry about chopping them up because it will macerate during the cook time. Add S&P, chili powder and optional sliced onions.  

Turn on high and leave for 6 hours.  

During last hour of cooking I added thinly sliced assorted colored carrots.  

Add baby spinach to your bowl and some thinly sliced kale in ribbons.  Then add very hot broth to the bowl, it will wilt the greens.   

Top with chopped cherry tomatoes  and sliced avocado. 

Salt and pepper to taste.   

Healthy, clean, easy and tasty.  

Do your jeans fit?

 True story from a friend! 

I got her "emergency text" this morning.

She was planning a weekend getaway to the mountains to see the fall leaves next week, and pulled all of her jeans out of her closet.

All of them were uncomfortably tight.

Good thing I have a challenge group starting Monday. 

This is exactly what this is for. 

To catch it before it gets too far gone.

If you want a fun, uplifting, motivating, accountable private group to help keep you on track. Including your eating, learning that eating is actually eating and not depriving yourself, quick effective exercise(30 min or less), recipe help, menu planning, tips and tricks. 

Then you need to get off of the fence and join this group that is pre-starting on Monday. 

I cannot recommend it more.

This is what helped me get on my journey. It was to have people who look out for you and you have some accountability with. 

It makes you feel like you're not alone in this ride.

Eating better does not mean you go without, nor you cannot have occasional treats or adult beverages(you wouldn't be human if you didn't want it). 

I would not have survived this long being completely 100% regimented. 

Have you tried on your winter clothes after enjoying your summer self thoroughly?

Are you a bit fearful and what you'll find out?

Curious? Message below or send a private message.

 #FallIsHere #DoNotHideUnderYourSweaters #DoYourJeansFit #ClothesToSmall #EatingExercise #YouAreWorthIt

Seven Day Sugar Detox

Kicking sugar to the curb one granule at a time

If I were to offer you a free 7 day interactive sugar detox would you be interested?

Have you wondered what sugar is really doing to your body and you wish you could just get off of it for a few days, to clear your head literally. 

Did you know that too much sugar in your diet affects your taste buds, can effect fat cells, your hormones and it definitely affects your brain.  It is also known as the Brain Fog. 

It is not hard, it truly isn't it just takes a little bit of shopping before hand, prepping some food items so you're not tempted and will not get into the sugar crave. 

 The willpower that you are not going to give up because you're kind of curious how it feels on the other side.

This is one of the things that I had to do back in the early spring. 

Except, and you can feel sorry for me here, I had to stay on this sort of the eating plan for almost 6 weeks.

I was given a list of foods that could not have, a few items I could and I was cast out intol the wind to keep up with actually eating and plan my own meals. 

And I think I'm that sort of a creative person that I actually did.

Was it the funnest thing I've ever done, no. 

Was I legitimately surprised at the end of my journey of around seven days how different I felt. Absolutely!

I have questions about these three day sugar detox cleanses that are out there. 

I had detox effects from sugar for 72 or more hours. It wasn't until the end of the seventh day that I felt like I was not going to die and that's when I noticed a mental and physical clarity. 

So if you're interested in taking the plunge with a few of my closest friends, please sign up by commenting below. I will share a post each day, please feel free to ask any questions in the comment section below.   

Or you can shoot me a friend request/message on Facebook. My link is over on the right-hand side.

The Grape Obsession

Seeing as though it feels like I am allergic to 65% of all food groups on the face of the earth, I kind of activate the "on switch" when it comes to things I can eat, vying  to the side of obsessive.

This summer season it has been a few foods.  Heirloom tomatoes, cucumbers, black beans, avocados, zucchini (I even just bought that spiralizer for my zucchini so I can make edible "noodles") and last but not least, grapes.

Grapes of all sizes, shapes, colors, textures and sweetness levels.

Earlier in the season it was your basic red seedless grape, champagne grapes followed and then obsessive to the point of I need an AA group, the cotton candy grapes.

I was flummoxed at the price of the cotton candy grapes because they soared back up to $4.99 a pound.  I didn't know if I wanted to pay that. 

Even though I know that these little beauties are only around a short time and you'll  go 10 months without ever seeing them again.

Today I was sashaying my little cart in the local market, sipping on pumpkin pecan house roast blend, while pushing my little cute kart buggy around when I spied with my little eye these gems. 

I had never seen of them, heard of them, and had no idea grapes even came in that shape. Even the name Moon Drops. How 70s of them!

Of course the produce clerk saw a sucker in his midst or a chance to sell the last couple bags, gave me a sample of these foreign delights.  I was hooked, bag was applied to the cart/buggy and they were going home with me.

So here I am with the little guys,  craving something sweet and knowing that it should be something healthy and not chocolate. 

Because I really like chocolate and chocolate is very good for the woman brain.

They are sweet like a Concorde grape, little more tart than a cotton candy grape and are very crisp in crunchy.

I'm really glad I found them, the clerk said they're less available than a cotton candy and a little pricey.

And I held my head up high in total indifference as I pushed past the bakery with the little Keylime tartlet's, red velvet cheesecake, passionfruit créme pots, apple pastries and Napoleons. Unfortunately having to declare all of them unavailable to my discerning pallet. Or enough of a hindrance to the digestive tract. 

So I highly recommend that you try them. Go a couple of them just to bring them home and have a conversation piece. 

At the end of each of these little tubular cylinders, is a small dimple on the end like you just tucked it in on purpose

So if you're bored one night while watching whatever is on TV these days, grab a little bowl of these beauties and avoid the chocolate. 

Your waistline will thank you.

Real Pumpkin Spice Latte

So I wanted a pumpkin spice latte this afternoon. But I wasn't willing to go to the big box coffee house and get a pumpkin spice latte that I'm not quite sure what is inside of it. 
Not to mention it costing me five and change.

So I did some research, took some mental notes and just winged it in the kitchen.
The results were pretty spectacular. 

It actually tasted like a pumpkin spice latte, but way better. 

Not to mention I know what's inside of it and it was completely healthy.
Because of my many food allergies now, it is completely vegan and I don't think you would ever know the difference.

Ingredients:

1 1/2 cups of unsweetened vanilla almond milk

1/2 c really strong coffee or espresso shot(Per serving).  

3 T organic solid pack pumpkin.

1/2 t pumpkin pie spice. 

1t of cinnamon. 

Liquid Stevia

*optional* Virgin coldpressed coconut oil. 

In a small sauce pan, add one half of the mixture of almond milk, pumpkin, and spices. 

Bring to a slow boil, over medium heat, whisking continuously.  Simmer for up to five minutes. The consistency and textura

 will start to change.

This is where I thought that it needed some extra fat. If you were doing it for real, it would have whole milk or 2% with added whip cream. But since we are doing this vegan style, it just needed fat for emulsifier.  This is where I added about one heaping teaspoon of cold pressed virgin coconut oil.  

Add the remainder of the almond milk to the pan now.

The other in recipes stated that you should strain the mixture through a sieve. But this organic packed pumpkin, really did not have a lot of chunks/pulp or strings. I kind of like the texture anyway. But, I decided since that I am skilled in the art of doing bulletproof coffee, that I would emulsify this mixture with the virgin coconut oil in it.

I blended it on a medium speed for about one minute.  It achieves a nice froth on top, blends quite nicely, thus removing the need to strain through a sieve.

In the still hot sauce pan I added the coffee/espresso and a half of the pumpkin mixture inside the blender.

You can decide whether you want more coffee or more pumpkin taste at this point. 

I then added a few drops of liquid Stevia to add a little bit of sweetness.

Pour into your favorite fall festive mug and voila,  you have a tasty, healthy treat.

The  extra pumpkin mixture I put in a container in placed in the refrigerator.  

Or you could share with a friend, a loved one or hoard it all for yourself for another day.

Pumpkin mixture will make two grande style lattes.

Let the pumpkin games begin.

Best part, it costs way less then five dollars and change per serving.

What happens when you hide

 A challenger of mine is dealing with body image, what people say behind her back, thoughts the enemy places in her mind that she is not enough, pretty enough, skinny enough, healthy enough, exercises enough or eats right enough.

I have counseled her well. 

because I live it. Because I have lived it, and I almost let those voices have their way with me.

I dared her to do something that I never did myself. 

I must put my money where my mouth is.  

To put herself unashamedly out there. Just as she was, with  nothing to hide.  That she would get support and not condemnation.  

Because I was scared to death of what people who are not normally in my life or invested in me, would think.

Digest that for a moment. Someone who is not invested in your life, happiness, talks behind your back, is mean, hurtful or spiteful things or skews reality. 

You will alter your life for them?

Why do we consider the thoughts of others?

These are photos of a 48-year-old woman who has an auto immune disease and other various things that are complicating her health. 

Eventually it will end my life if it's not under control and is rapidly aging my body. 

It's not aging with grace, I could handle that, it is a disease that is rapidly trying to take away youth. Making me chronologically older than I am. 

That has to change and it IS changing. 

That is not graceful, it is not pretty, it is not fun.

What I will say is, you will not hear me whine, complain, bemoan or lament of "why me". That has never entered my vocabulary. 

I do not blame God, I do not blame my environment, I do not blame genetics. Although I would like to have a talk with my DNA strands.

It just simply is. It just is that it is.

I prayed for a really long time for someone to help me find answers to something I knew was going dramatically wrong. 

I believe all my heart that God sent me to that physician's office that I needed to see. 

And I got the answers. 

But not all of your answers to prayers are the ones that you want to hear.

Your answers however, are your control. You can either be blessed and grateful. Or you can wallow in self-pity. 

I refuse to wallow. 

What one thing saved me from being very bad off? According to a Dr. a diet of clean foods, nutritional shake and a take no prisoners attitude.  

Win one for a healthy lifestyle. 

Have I been sick. Absolutely. Am I hurting, all the time. Do I wish things were different, yes but, I also wish I was a millionaire.

Do I sometimes hate the way I have to eat, yes. 

But the alternative is, I can eat whatever I want to eat, whenever I want to eat it, but I need to take the consequences of that action. 

I want to be healthy more than I want to be sick.

My last test results were not the greatest. It has to come with a grain of salt because the treatments to try to fix me, also make you a little worse before you get better. 

I was expecting it, it wasn't a shock. Did I like it, no. Did it make me sad, absolutely.  Especially when you're trying really really hard.

So what does all this mean?

This means that I am doing it for the one's whom are scared to death to be real. 

I am doing this because I liked to hide and I am scared to death of doing this, publicly. 

But hiding, lying, gossip, innuendo are all things that poisons a soul and shorten your life. 

I refuse to let that option be one any longer..

What the difference is, is that I have some amazing family. Pretty spectacular grown-up kids, friends who are always there. Supporters and cheerleaders. 

I know whom my friends are and I know who is not. 

That was actually kind of a blessing in all this. 

And I understand, sometimes people can't handle 'life in your face'.

This is a girl that hid in photographs, behind people and always placed herself in the back of the crowd. Luckily, her height had something to do with it, but she was hiding.

If you're honest with yourself, you could probably remember a time where you hid behind in an object pets dogs or children when the camera made an appearance.

This is a girl who when she was skinny thought she was fat, horrible and ugly. And when she was overweight, never really wanted to see the reality of what was going on.

This is a chick who has been sick. No, I did not mean to rhyme that LOL. 

She is newly 48, has a complicated medical history at the moment, has had four children, a complicated twin pregnancy that completely altered my stomach, back and thighs with miles of wide stretch marks.  

This is a girl who became ashamed of how her body looked because of those stretch marks. 

Because society didn't want to see that. Because women are told they shouldn't have them, but we do. 

So I became ashamed of a body that created two lives at one time, spent countless hours in the hospital, having tests, preterm labor, complete bed rest for the entire pregnancy, a terrifying delivery but brought them healthy, kicking and screaming into this world. 

What??

Oh the years I have lost because of that lessening thought.

This is a girl who rapidly gained weight because of thyroid/hormone/autoimmune/genome issues/metabolism/malnutrition.  

People look at you with contempt, look around you or over you, people shake their heads, and some told me that I just needed to exercise more and eat right. 

And many doctors told this girl it was all in her head.

This is a girl who understands that altered body images lead to health consequences, depression, suicide, anorexia, bulimia, you name it, it affects those around you

This is a girl who still has weight to lose and is ok with the process.. She is not giving up. It's been an ongoing theme since April 2012.   Some things take time and I must be taking the scenic route. 

This is a girl that looks at her stomach and sees the scars from surgeries that saved her life or put her back together.

She is stronger than she ever knew, and she believed that she could, so she did.

This is a girl who just saw a number on the scale that she has not seen in 18 years.

This is 72.6 pounds later. 

This is a girl who thinks that life in your 40's and 50's is not the end of the world, you can change your life, and healthy is defined by how your body feels-not a number on a scale.

Why my change in thought? 

Because I have a supportive group of Challengers who need me to be active.  

I have an amazing accountability team, coaches, and encouraging friends that would not let me fade away…

Don't ever give up.  

So this is me, all in.

#BE #BeReal #IBelieveInSecondChances #StrongerThanIKnew #TakeThatShame #IamLiving #WhatISayIAm #fitfortyandfabulous

What is Shakeology and why is it something I should try.

I am often asked about Shakeology, what is it,  why I drink it and why even post about it. 

About why should they believe in this product, just because I say so.. 

What makes it so great, and just because I do say so, why should they try it. 

Why...

I drink it daily because it is good for you, I would never say it is if it wasn't.

I have seen what it does for others and their health. I trust it. 
I serve it to my children. My kids have tried it, love it, and it has not hurt them in the least bit. 

It has probably improved their health a little.

Yes, I do this for a business, it can become financially profitable for me and my family,  so that is a win-win.

And as far as I know, everyone works somewhere at some job to provide for their family. I just happen to love what I'm a doing, and extremely enjoy it in the process.

I'm not telling you HAVE to try it, buy it, or taste it. 

Truth is, you don't have to. I cannot make you. I don't have to even tell you about it.

First off, I do not have to sell it, tell you about it, push it, it's required to do so, I'll lose my business if I don't, or I get pats on the back for selling "enough units to keep my business platform".

Beachbody does not require me to sell anything FOR them. 

I could be a discount coach and just get the products at a discount and tell my friends.

I do this because it is good for me, it is good for my family, it tastes great.

And I thought if you found something great in the world, you were supposed to share it. Just like a great pair of shoes or the best sale down at Macy's. 

You tell people when you find something great

And my friends know that if someone told me to "drink the Kool-Aid because they said so", I would run away screaming from it. 
I've researched it, checked on it, tried it for myself, and it passed all of the tests I put before it.

Other than that, all I can tell you is that I highly recommend it 
This is how much I believe in this product.

Here is a fellow Bombshell Dynasty coach's response to a "fitness expert" about Shakeology:

".....Shakeology is NOT a protein shake. Nor is it a weight loss shake. It is a %100 natural (Macro and micro) nutrient dense meal replacement.

It is not a one-dimensional protein shake. The fact that some people say it tastes like "grass, lawn clippings and cheap chocolate" is actually a selling point. 

Our taste buds have been so "brainwashed" on what real whole foods actually taste like, that we generally don't know natural real whole cocoa from processed chocolate.

Because Shakeology IS %100 natural (created by a vegan with a masters in nutrition and agricultural anthropology) the standard to remain natural does not allow for ANY artificial flavors, colors, stimulants, sweeteners or chemically modified micronutrients.

Nearly every single product found in gyms, GNC, internet, you name it, have a LARGE amount of manmade chemicals dumped in it so that it tastes appealing to the general publics "idea" of what food SHOULD taste like. The fact that it tastes the way it does is my point.

When you add ONLY what nature provides, you get the CLEANEST and PUREST product possible.

On to the superfoods.
I don't expect the average person that follows you to know what Astragalus Root, Ashwagandha Root, Chia Seed, Maca Root, Gogi Berries and Reishi Mushrooms are (just to name a few super foods, I’ll spare listing all 70). 
Nor do I expect them to have general knowledge in all the health benefits and medicinal treatments that these foods have notoriously been used for centuries to treat examples as reducing free radicals from our body, improving our white blood cell count which helps us fight disease, reducing inflammation (the number one marker of EVERY disease), improving the natural flora in our digestive system, etc.

If BB grew these products in a lab and modified them to keep them cheap, that would be one thing, but EACH of the 70 super foods are imported from the countries, climates and pure soil they originate from and then dried to a specific protocol to maintain a whole food- absorption integrity. 
Everyone should value this $4 meal.

I first hand, have hundreds of clients that Shakeology has reduced their needs for diabetic meds, statins and ace inhibitors. It has also relieved countless cases of IBS, colitis, and arthritis.

To my clients, paying $4 and getting off their pricey side-effect laden medication is MUCH cheaper and a price well worth the $$$ for a month supply. 
And none of them complain about the taste "

Green Power Smoothie

Was looking for a quick on the good power drink that was clean and took minimal prep.  

Breakfast foods are a major challenge in my lifestyle so I'm always looking for something good to add to my meals. 

Pulled this one out of the brain and was hoping it was palatable.  It was. 

Yay me. 

Recipe:

1/2 of a large organic banana

1-1 1/2 cup of fresh organic raw spinach. 

1T of Virgin Coconut Oil. I use unfiltered. 

2T  organic almond meal.(Bob's Red Mill)

1.5T whole chia seeds 

1.5 cup of filtered water.  

Dash of organic cinnamon 

Add all ingredients except spinach, blend well, then add spinach. Blend for at least 40 seconds or until you see no visible chunks in the carafe.  

I add a few ice cubes at this point. To cool it off.  

If you add ice before hand, you will have frozen chunks of coconut oil.  

Yes I know this first hand, no it was not good.  

Feed your body whole, clean foods on the go.  It's gluten free and vegan.

Good for you and tastes great.  

Enjoy! 😃   

Let me know if you liked it. 

21 Day Fix conversion.  My guesstimate. 1.5 green/1 purple/2 Spoons/1/2 blue.  

Is Shakeology too expensive?

For those thinking Shakeology is too expensive. 

I did too at one point. 

I bought everything else I could think of, to make my own shakes. 

I bought vitamins, over-the-counter protein shakes, and it turned out to be more expensive than buying Shakeology. 

Plus, I was putting artificial ingredients preservatives and additives into my body. 

Just to justify the cost.

If you're looking at your protein powder right now and there is soy, fillers, additives, artificial colors or preservatives plus words that you cannot pronounce, is it better for you?

What if adding 100% all natural foods, super foods, probiotics, pre-biotics and antioxidants is just what your body needs. 

If your body cannot understand what the food group is that you are eating, it cannot process it well. 

Your body actually become stressed and  inflamed trying to figure out what to do with the thing that you were eating.

My hat is off to this woman. Even with all of the challenges and expenses and being a single mother. She was able to decide what the best thing was for her body and for her children.

http://www.shakeology.com/blogs/2014/10/01/coach-can-afford-shakeology-single-mom/

Who Inspires You?

I am giving a shout out to three special woman tonight! I have some of the best challengers.

These women tooks a chance, got bold, decided enough was enough and reached out to me to help them not only get to their goals but to crush them when they got there.

"J" said she had tried everything, did not want to go back to Weight Watchers and wanted to feel good when she ate. She has said that she has plenty to eat on the 21 Day Fix plan, said she has felt amazing while on it, her digestion is better than it has been for years, and when there is a "cheat meal" she can feel the difference immediately. 
At the end of 2 full weeks on the 21 Day Fix, she had not only lost weight, but lost 12"!!! 4 was off her stomach alone.

"C" has said she feels better than she has in years. Is loosing inches and the people around her are joining in on her workouts. 
Her eating has actually energized her, she has more stamina to get throughout her day. The best thing? 
She has finally seen what others have, the beautiful woman that lies within. 
She has a renewed sense of confidence and fierce determination.

Pam, this woman is kicking rear and taking names. 
She is mastering food prep, packing her meals and snacks to take to work, documenting her journey, empowering herself, being a good example to her husband and son, has been uplifting in our challenge group has a take no prisoners attitude and is powering through every single work out with a smile on her face! 
She is a joy to have in our group, not only that, everybody loves her, she is a natural leader!
I am blessed to have known her for 21 years!

Sometimes, the scariest leap you take, is the moment where you need to step off in faith.

To know that you are strong enough, you can do this, you were made for better than the negative voices you hear in your head and everyone deserves a second chance!

If you need help, there are people in the challenge group who will be there for you. One on one coaching and accountability. A challenge group is a private online group where you check in daily. It is not local, you do not have to meet anyone and you are uplifted, encouraged, empowered and we will all rally behind an individual at any time and at all times.

What person could you tag and say that they made a difference in your life with their strength and determination?

#21DayFix #ChallengeGroups #accountability#strengthdeterminationandfaith #Beachbody # IamaCoach #lovemyjob

Chili Lime Roasted Corn

So this just happened.  

When you have some yummy bicolor heirloom non GMO corn, it was just begging to be roasted.  It was also begging for to have something yummy put on it. 

What does one do when onr can no longer use butter on your corn due to a dairy allergy?

You improvise and strategize. And the result was pretty tasty.

Roasted corn with chili lime sauce it is.

Gluten free, dairy free and loaded with flavor. 

Recipe

Heirloom corn

2 T Organic virgin coconut oil

1/3 organic lime; zested and juiced. 

1 1/2T of chili powder 

1/2t of garlic powder 

Fresh cracked pepper and sea salt. 

Add ingredients to a small cup and stir well. Set aside until corn is finished.

Check the corn for a little added visitors, do not remove the husks.  

Replace the cornhusks to cover the corn, Tuck loose ends underneath the corn, lay nestled together on a baking sheet. 

Place in oven at 370° for one hour.

If your grill is up and running I would place them on the top rack in your grill and then check them often.

When the corn has cooled slightly, remove all of the husks, spread a thin layer of the chili lime sauce all of the corn. Watch it soak in around every single kernel.. 

Grab a napkin or bib, you'll need it. 

And enjoy

Want to see more vegan inspired gluten free and dairy free recipes?

Comment below, and share with your friends.

Blissful Breasts.

My son gave them this name, it was joke, but it works.  Enjoy. 

3-4 Free range, organic, antibiotic free,  boneless. skinless chicken breasts. About 2 pounds. 

3/4 cup of Bob's Red Mill gluten-free almond meal. 

3 T of a good quality paprika.   I use Szegeo Hungarian Paprika.  

1 teaspoon of organic dried minced garlic

Himalayan pink salt and fresh cracked black pepper.

Butterfly your chicken breasts so they are opened and in uniform thickness. Rinse off and set to the side, but do not pat dry.

In a shallow low sided mixing bowl, add the paprika, almond meal and garlic; mix together with a fork.

Place slightly damp chicken breasts into the almond meal,  press firmly down on both sides to coat. 

Place on a ungreased baking sheet.

Any reserved almond meal, I sprinkled on the top of each chicken breast. press this down as well. 

Add salt and pepper to the tops. 

Place in a 370° oven on the middle rack, for 15 minutes, flip the breasts over and bake for another 15 minutes. Depending on the thickness of your chicken breasts, you may have to extend the time around five minutes. 

When the second timer is done, I flipped the chicken breasts over one more time,  turned off the oven and let sit for five minutes.

As an accompaniment to the chicken, I cut lengthwise small fingerling potatoes, tossed with a little bit of olive oil, garlic, salt and pepper and placed them alongside of the chicken breasts.  

When the chicken is done they are done.

Chicken breasts are full of flavor and nowhere near dried out.

Serve a small side salad of organic spring greens, tiny grape tomatoes and flavorful vinaigrette. 

Dinner is done and it is wonderful.  

Want to see more gluten-free recipes that  taste good and you don't think you're going without? 

Please comment below and share with your friends.