Why you should have a Beachbody Coach!

There are so many programs and "gimmicks" out there that tell you you can lose weight, get healthy and be all smiles and cheer while you do it.  But how many people do you know, yourself included, who have bought one of these items and gotten so overwhelmed and frustrated after hitting a roadblock or needing help that you just give up?  What if you had someone to help you succeed, someone who knew your product inside and out and would always be there to make sure you were doing what you intended to do when you bought your program?

In case you didn't figure it out, I am a Beachbody Coach!! It might not be everything that I am but it sure is a huuuuuuge part of my life for alot of reasons.  I help people with health and fitness, i might not know everything but I certainly am not afraid to admit it before i find out the answer.

Want help? Got a question? Just ask! Nothing to be scared of!!

Healthy food isn't as healthy if you over eat it, did you know that?

So, anybody that has talked to me before about what you are eating and how your food is making you feel than you know i love talking nutrition. And after scrutinizing what the girls have been eating ever since they started on solids its a huuuuuuge unknown area for alot of people!! Even things we think are healthy aren't always going to help us!

Here are some foods that you should limit! (note that i said limit, not avoid)

Fruits- bananas, grapes and mangos are the highest sugar fruits so I would recommend that you LIMIT them. I would suggest pears, apples, and any berries. A serving is 1 cupped handful.

Veggies- raw or steamed. 2 cupped handfuls eaten 4 times per day. Examples, cucumbers, tomatoes, leafy greens, broccoli, spinach, asparagus, green beans, sprouts, celery.

Carbs- 1 handful per day of quinoa, brown rice oatmeal or cream of wheat and or a hand sized sweet potato.

Lean protein- stick to chicken, tuna, egg whites, turkey, or non oily fish like salmon and tilapia.

Beverages- water!!! Unsweetened herbal teas!

So if you are really trying to shed weight stay away from dairy products, juice, bread, salad dressings (make your own with balsamic vinegar and evoo), spreads and high sodium foods! NO TURKEY BACON for my bacon lovers and no sliced cheese!

I promise if you even start making small tweaks with this plan you will see a drastic change!!! What food do you try and CONVINCE yourself is healthy to eat UNLIMITED amounts of that you KNOW you need to CUT BACK ON??? (Mine is definitely grapes! And peanut butter, i love peanut butter. lol)

Zipzicles - Make your own Popsicles!

   I absolutely love finding ways to make things healthier.  Tweaking recipes for things as well as showing my challengers that making small changes means they can still have some of their favorite foods and beverages!!  Who doesn't remember Freezies or those no-name popsicle things from when you were a kid? Especially if you came from a household that was closer to food stamps than private chefs.  Cheap, simple, but completely devoid of any nutrition.  Pretty much all sugar water.

   So imagine my delight when I stumbled upon Zipzicles!  Ice-pop pouches so that I can make my very own freezie creations.  Cannot wait to try these, the recipe ideas wouldn't soley be limited to cherry, blue-raspberry, grape, orange, and lemon-lime.  The recipe ideas are pretty much endless if you make your own as well.

   My kids birthday parties, summer BBQ's, picnics, camping, block parties, pool parties, even just a treat on a hot day!  And considering the amount of times my girls are already asking for ice cream and such this idea may also save us some pretty dental bills too! haha.  Or even take Jello shooters to a whole new dimension for the adults to enjoy.  Just don't confuse yours with the kids... that wouldn't be very good!

   Already tried these before? Tell me what your opinions on them are!!

Smore's Shakeology

   It's May Long weekend, so alot of people are out camping and enjoy campfires and of course SMORES!!  With my girls being so young still, plus not having a tent, my husband and I haven't been able to go camping this year for May Long Weekend.  But honestly, i cannot live without smores!! Doesn't even have to be at a campfire!  I mean lets think about this, we got the gooey roasted marshmallow stickyness than the melty chocolate goodness and finally the sweet crispyness of the graham cracker and you have probably my favorite childhood treat. 

Now if only i could make a healthy version...

Oh wait,

I DID!!

This Smores Shakeology recipe tastes like dessert without having any of the guilt or worry that your waistline might expand too!  Plus its got more nutrition than even a fully packed leafy green salad could ever hope to have, and all in one glass!

My kids absolutely LOVE chocolate, so when i make this they usually steal it and I am lucky if i get any at all!! Typically i have to make a 2nd one and hide it from them.  I don't mind though, because they love it, and I love that it is healthy for them.

There is alot of room to play around with the recipe, you can even make it in ice cream and fudgesicles as well!!  Same rule applies to ALL of my shakeology recipes! 

Have you tried a Smores Shakeology recipe?  If you have than i would LOVE your feedback!! Or, if you have another childhood favorite you want me to try to recreate than just let me know!

Current Challenges - Tanned & Toned

      For the month of May/June I am running an online fitness accountability group for people with the desire to try again with their Beachbody Programs.  Its so common these days to impulse shop in s many ways.  Those potato chips you just HAD to have at the grocery store that never got opened in your cupboard? or how about that shirt you saw at the mall that you just HAD to have but hasn't made it out of your closet since you brought it home? And of course don't forget that Beachbody program you bought because you promised yourself you would get in shape before some big event?  Yeah, thats what I thought.

   You might be thinking that you can easily just google some healthy recipes and workout exercises and on your own willpower will succeed. And in very VERY few cases you would be right.  But the amount of people who unfortunately fail at this approach is incredibly disheartening.  Thats what I am for!  I, as a free coach, provide the added support and knowledge which can and is usually lacking in the do-it-on-your-own path.

   So, if you, or someone you know needs that extra help that my group and my coaching can provide than please send me a message, find me on facebook, and let me help you succeed!

Teryaki Chicken Stuffed Mushroom Caps

  Its funny, growing up I never would of said MUSHROOMS YUMMY!! But now I love them!!  My oldest daughter really doesn't like mushrooms but my youngest eats everything we put on her plate.  Hubby just likes it when he doesn't have to cook... or do the dishes, haha.  So for lunch I made my husband these amazing Teryaki Chicken stuffed Portebello Mushroom Caps.  He didn't really breather or even look up while inhaling it so I assumed he loved it, or he was starving.  But since he ate a big breakfast I vote for the first option. ;)

Here is what you need to recreate these perfectly portioned caps;

Recipe:

Teryaki Chicken Stuffed Mushroom Caps

Prep Time:

15 minutes

Cook Time:

20 minutes

Ingredients:

2x large portebello mushrooms

1x xtra lean chicken breast, chopped

1/3 cup broccoli, chopped

1/3 cup asparagus, chopped

1/3 cup celery, chopped

1/3 cup bell pepper, chopped

1 tbls low sodium soy sauce

2 tbls teryaki sauce

Avocado Oil

1/4 cup grated cheese

Salt & Pepper

1.  Preheat oven to 375C

2. Scoop out the core of the mushrooms, put a few drops of oil into the caps and cook in oven for 5 minutes

3. Over medium-high heat saute the chicken in soy sauce until half cooked and still pink in the centre.

4. Reduce to low-medium heat, add vegetables and teryaki sauce, cook until chicken is nearly done (max 5 minutes).

5. Scoop mixture into mushroom caps, bake for another 10 minutes.

6. Sprinkle cheese on top and broil until cheese is lightly browned.

Wait 5 minutes before consuming!! The inside is going to be insanely hot.
Enjoy!!

  There are sooooo many things you can stuff inside a mushroom cap, and mushrooms are an excellent source of nutrients!  If you try my recipe or any modification of it than please share with me what you thought below in the comments!

Slow Cooker Pulled Pork

  Just need to start off by saying this, if you don't already have a slow-cooker, GET ONE!!  It is by far the best investment into family meals you could ever make.  If you are single or cooking for one than you can easily portion out any meals made into easy freezeable portions to save for whenever you want to reheat and eat!  Or for a family meal you will certainly have enough to fill everyones plate as well!  Only negative I have about a slowcooker is that it likes to tormernt you with its delicious aromas throughout the entire day until whatever you have chosen to create is ready.

Speaking of a fantastic aroma, I made some amazing Pulled Pork for dinner the other day and knew when i was shredding it that I just had to share it! Alright, so here is what you need:

Recipe:

Slow Cooker Pulled Pork

Prep Time:

10 minutes

Cook Time:3.5-4.5 on High
7.5-8.5 on Low

Ingredients:
1x Pork Tenderloin
1x Can of Rootbeer
1x regular bottle of BBQ sauce (I prefer hickory)
1x Medium yellow or red onion, coarsely chopped
1 cup crimini mushrooms, coarsely chopped

1. Put tenderloin in the slow cooker and pour the rootbeer onto it, either cook on high for 3-4 hours or low for 6-8 hours,
2. Drain the liquid after 4 hours on High or 8 hours on low when the tenderloin shreds easily with a fork.
3. After shredding the tenderloin, add the sauce, onion & mushroom and cook on low for 20-30 minutes.

4. Serve on lightly toasted bun or in a wrap with some green sprouts or a crunchy bean mix for some consistency change!
Enjoy!!

I have also heard a few people use apple juice or chicken broth instead of RootBeer but have not had a chance to try them out yet.   If you try out my recipe or any modification I would love to hear how it turns out!!  Just leave me a comment below!