What IS Shakeology??

   Alright so you might be thinking, what IS Shakeology? I mean, come on, i have an entire page heading dedicated to it, so you KNOW its special to me at least. Obviously I am about to tell you all the awesomeness that I have found in Shakeology over the past year, both from being a dedicated consumer of it as well as the research I have done on it. I of course researched it before i started drinking it everyday but throughout the year I still like to look up the new recipes and ingredients it has in it so i know what it can and is doing for me constantly.

Lets start with what Shakeology is NOT;

-A protein shake - although it does contain protein in it traditional protein shakes provide a single or double source of protein and little to no nutritional value after that
-full of chemical mixtures and concoctions that you cannot pronounce
-containing added sweeteners, preservatives or artificial flavours
-a generic over the counter magic solution

Ok, now, here is what Shakeology IS;

-a superfood nutrient dense shake made up of over 70 different nutrient rich foods that provide your entire days bodily requirement of nutrition in one simple glass a day.
-a meal replacement - although it can easily be drank as a snack it works out great as a daily meal replacement as well without having the after effects of being hungry after drinking one serving!
-fantastic for crushing your cravings into the ground, seriously, i havent wanted to get "chocolate wasted" in over a year. And thats a big deal for me, i have 2 toddlers, they love their junk food!
-perfect for weight loss, and no its not from any special chemical compound gimmick. Simple answer, when you have cravings its your body telling you its either addicted to something or your body needs something that item might have in it. Most cravings are not for the healthier option either, so if you give in you end up eating unhealthy food, thus most likely causing weight gain. Proper nutrition cuts off the cravings which cuts off the binge eating thus decreasing weight gain possibilities.

 

    And if you are anything like me and hate taking pills for anything ranging from medications to vitamins than Shakeology is an answer to a prayer.  Even my kids love drinking it! And all parents know its easier to get your kids to drink a smoothie or milkshake over swallowing pills!

Healthy Eating On A Budget!!

     Ready for some helpful tips on how you can eat like a rockstar without hemorrhaging money like one trying to support a bad drug habit?  I promise its possible, all you need is a budget and a plan!  Try these tips out and you may surprise yourself, its easier than you might think.

1. Grocery Lists: meet your new best friend. I know it can be so tempting when you walk into the store and there are some fun new snacks or fresh backed cookies. Although these fun new items sound healthy, they can ring up your shopping bill. So, make a list and if you have budged for a fun healthy treat then choose one (but plan and put it on your list in advance).  Winging it won't cut it. 

2. Buy Whole Foods: Unprocessed foods are cheaper and more nutritious than processed foods. They also give you total control over the ingredients. Avoid anything that comes from a box 90% of the time. 

• Proteins: Ground beef, frozen chicken breast, tuna cans, calves’ liver, cottage cheese, plain yogurt, eggs, milk, whey, … 
• Carbs: Pasta, rice, oats, potatoes, beans, apples, bananas, raisins, broccoli, spinach, cabbage, … 
• Fats: Olive oil, fish oil, flax seeds, real butter, mixed nuts, … 

3. Proteins = happy budget balancers:  Foods such as eggs, yogurt, cottage cheese and chicken are going to be your more budget friendly AND healthy proteins. Buy the Cheap Proteins. You need 1g protein per pound of body-weight per day to build and maintain muscle. Eating whole protein with each meal also helps fat loss as protein has a higher thermic effect than other foods.

4. Choose your fruits and veggies that are in season. If they are not, go with the frozen ones. I love buying frozen fruit!!

5. Buy Generic Food. And store brands. Raw foods like rice, pasta, eggs, milk, cottage cheese, frozen fruits/veggies, … taste like brand name foods once you get used to them. But they’ll save you money on packaging & advertising.

6. Avoid buying those little extras while you're out and about. You know the ones i am talking about!! That scone or “whole grain” looking muffin you are tempted to buy while you are at Starbucks getting your coffee. All these miscellaneous items add up!

7. Pack your snacks and meals! This will almost always be much cheaper and healthier. You wont be tempted and you will save $$$ in the long run.

8. Buy in Bulk. Especially when you have promos running. Foods like pasta, rice and oats are easy to stockpile. If they’re on sale, buy as much as you can afford & store to last you until the next sale.  There's also nothing wrong with buying that family sized package of chicken breasts regardless of if they expire two days or two weeks from when you buy them either.  (Check out my entry about portioning and meal prep for more into those as well.)

9. Get The Customer Card. Many grocery stores hold sales for customer card holders only. Some cards save AND give you money, like gift certificates once you’ve spent a fixed amount. Signing up takes 5 mins and is free.

10. Grow Your Own Food. Cheaper than frozen, tastes better and you control what you put on them to keep bugs off. Plant your own trees that grow berries, walnuts & apples. Buy chickens for free eggs & meat. More ideas: 

• Square-Foot Gardening. Build a raised bed and divide it into sections of 1 square foot. Check Mel Bartholomew’s site & book for how to’s. 
• Container Gardening. Grow vegetables in containers on your balcony or doorstep. Check this & this guides. 
• Rent Garden Plots. If you don’t have a yard, some cities rent garden plots. Just google rent garden plots in your state/province

Trust the new beginnings

Alrighty so Mondays for everyone usually tend to symbolize the beginning of the work or school week, right? Well I certainly see it as a beginning, and so that is what has inspired this weeks Motivational Monday quote!

I never want to feel a sense of dread when a Monday approaches, so i always have something nearby to keep my spirits up and my mind focused on the possibilities of the upcoming week instead of dwelling on everything i didn't complete last week.  

I had an insanely busy weekend, i neglected doing some much needed work because my daughters wanted to cuddle.  Probably because we tried our best not to go outside if we didn't have to because it feels like -36 Celcius.  I have zero regrets though, because i am my own boss than i can make those decisions and only have myself to answer to!! Small kids tend to get pretty antsy when trapped inside, especially mine.  

But today is a new day, with new beginnings!  

Fresh week, what will you do with your fresh start?

Be happy because you Choose to be!!

Some people get the weekend to unwind or get away from life's obligations for a a little while.  Not in our household, weekends are just a continuation of every day for us!  And personally i am fine with that, because than the routine we set up Monday through Friday doesn't get unwound over the weekend.

I am a firm believer that your attitude is contagious.  If you start the weekend, or any day really, with a poor attitude or expecting the worst than somehow that is exactly how things will work out.  So today i challenge everybody to go out and spread a little positivity to someone who you think might appreciate and benefit from it!

Have a great Saturday everybody!