Salted Caramel anyone?

Ok here we go!

Just 3 days into November……. so how about some Salted Caramel to go with this cooler weather!

I first tried a salted caramel mocha at Starbucks by accident and

fell. in. love!

I loved the sweet & salty combination.

I hated the calories it packed on.

What I don’t hate though is a Salted Caramel Shakeology!

Yeah!

You will need:

• 1 scoop chocolate Shakeology
• 1 cup non-fat milk,almond milk, soy milk or rice milk
• 1 tsp. caramel extract
• 1 dash sea salt
• Ice to taste

Directions:

1. Put all ingredients into a blender (any blender will do)
2. Push the blend button
3. Pour into a drinkable cup
4. Insert straw
5. Sip!

Ha! Happy Monday y’all!

Gingerbread cookies–but better!

Photo source

I always feel guilty eating ginger bread cookies because I eat the heads off first or maybe the arms. Then they are headless or armless little men. I feel bad for them, but then they are a cookie that is their duty in life – to get bitten. Ha!

But what if I could make a gingerbread cookie smoothie that didn’t involve eating a head or an arm? I would love that! No guilt on either part!

Well I will do just that. Tada! Gingerbread Man Shakeology!

Go forth and MAKE!

You will need:

• 1 Scoop Chocolate Shakeology
• 1/2 tsp Ground Cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp Ground ginger
• 1 tsp Vanilla Extract
• 1/2 cup Almond Milk
• 3/4 cup water
• Ice

Directions:

1. Add all ingredients to a blender.
2. Blend
3. Drink!

Happy Tuesday!

How about some apple pie with that….

Fall shake line up.

UP NEXT…..

Apple Pie.

This is so good y’all! I wasn’t sure I’d like it because it has applesauce in it but I was so wrong! Not a big applesauce fan. It’s a texture thing.

I bet even better next time if I use applesauce with cinnamon in it that it would be killa illa illa!!

Ok. Simple. Simple

You need the following:

• 1 scoop or packet of vanilla shakeology
• 1/2 cup of almond milk ( I do use vanilla almond milk)
• 1/2 cup of unsweet applesauce
• 1/2 tsp of cinnamon

Ice

Directions:

1. Put all ingredients into the blender.
2. Blend well.
3. Pour.
4. Sip slowly thru a straw. Preferably your favorite straw!

Happy Monday y’all!

Shakeology for Fall Y’all

In honor of the first official day of Fall how about we get things kicked off right!

You better believe it when I say -

Fall is my favorite time of year! The smells, the crisp air, the colors, the foods, the pies, the football ~ everything!

Since introducing shakeology to my nutrition, I’ve fallen more and more fond of it and I cannot wait to try some of these recipes for my favorite time of year! They have all the right ingredients to keep me away from the pie table but fill that craving! Plus I get the added bonus of doing something so nutritious for my body it’s got to be illegal! Shakeology alone is truly the superest superfood on the Planet by far! Is superest even a word?? Oh well…. it is today

Yep, everything from pumpkin pie to candy canes! Each week I will share my favorite finds. So to my current and future shakeology fans, I hope you fall in love with them just as much as I already have!

You can create you own too. If you have a knack for making recipes, share one of your ideas here! Sharing is caring yo!

For all you (and me) everything Pumpkin lovers, lets start off with a Pumpkin Pie Shakeology. Now this one you can do with either Chocolate or Vanilla. Either flavor will work.

See – looks good right!

You will need the following:

• 1/2 cup of Almond Milk (I looove Vanilla)
• 1 Scoop or packet of Chocolate or Vanilla Shakeology
• 1/2 cup canned pumpkin
• 1 TSP cinnamon
• 1 TSP pupmkin pie spice
• 8 oz ice

Directions:

1. Put all ingredients in the blender. (I have an old school blender so ANY blender will work, I promise)
2. BLEND!
3. DRINK!

Find your happy place and enjoy the day!

Progress–is it a dirty word?

I know progress is an odd topic since this is a food blog but I do have a new adventure in my life that isn’t going anywhere either.

I’ve loved my newly found discovery of taking regular recipes and making them healthy. I get to eat good but better :-) and y’all know how I love to eat. I also love a good workout. Maybe workout is the dirty word and not progress…….

No one wants to do workouts. I get it. They are hard. They take up time and effort that could be used enjoying that bag of oreos sitting over there that keep calling my name (Put a pipe in it brownie!). I’ve fought the struggle. I live the life. I give up more often than not.

I also regret every single time I give up. I always go back to the thought of what if I’d never quit – my abs would be so killer right now! My thighs wouldn’t jiggle right now! Those oreos wouldn’t stand a chance right now!

I’ve realized that as many times as I’ve given up, I’ve also started again. You see, I don’t think the problem is giving up, I think its in never getting back up again. Let’s be real. Life happens – sometimes more days than others but if I’m participating in my own life more times than not, it will begin to show off. It will begin to show up.

Looking and feeling great is not like instant coffee. We don’t get to pour, stir, sip, satisfy in this game of life. We have to invest our own time into what we really want. We have to let it brew. We have to let it simmer sometimes. Meaning – Let the work take its course. Let the progress reveal itself to you. Don’t give up when you get board or impatient.

Since April, I’ve had to start and stop a dozen times. But then I go to look in the mirror this past week and I see definition. I see muscle. I see progress!

We are all capable of the same progression. We are all capable of achieving the same goal. We all have that same love for ourselves within us. It just takes a little more digging for some rather than others.

I know it is a bit cliché but when you take time to work on you, others feed off of your new found energy or ora. You begin to put things in perspective, even if some of this time is spent in meditation or just a quiet place to let yourself evolve in that moment. Be present in the situation you are in. Don’t check out. Don’t give up on you. You are the most important person in the world to a lot of people. Show up, be there and be the best that you can be.

Work on living the best life you can. Learn to be complete in mind, body and soul.

If you are needing someone to help hold you accountable, count on me. Follow me on instagram. Heck follow me on facebook or find someone in your circle that will help push you to that next level of greatness, someone that gives you that source of power and commitment.

~ Live a beautiful life everyday ~

Chicken Bacon (turkey) and Ranch Pasta

Yep. All three of those things in one post title!

And guess what – It’s good y’all! Oh and healthy!

So here is what I did.

The recipe calls for bacon and I triple dog love me some bacon but being on the 21 Day Fix has me all up in my bacon feelings so I use Turkey bacon. I also used a smart pasta. I didn’t really know there was dumb pasta but according to the box, there is a smart pasta.

I could’ve used whole grain but I only wanted to challenge one thing at a time here.

I found this recipe on one of my favorite blogs (that by the way has the best recipe for homemade rolls eva!) Life in the Lofthouse (if you are feeling festive for the original one).

One of the easiest recipes I’ve thrown together in a long long time.

I know I’ve been in a vault lately. Y’all are like – where’s that skinny on a dime chick? Or maybe not…..

We are working some things out for sure. I love that some of you still read my blog and share my recipes Thanks for sticking around!!

 

Ok. To make this meal for your bunch

{Printable Recipe}

You need the following:

• 8 ounces dried pasta – I used bowtie – you can use whatever
• 1 Tablespoon olive oil
• ½ tablespoon butter
• 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into small pieces
• 2 cups 1% lowfat milk
• 1 Package of Ranch seasoning – I used Hidden Valley
• 1 cup low fat shredded cheddar cheese
• 1/3 cup chopped, cooked turkey bacon

Directions: 

1. Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add dried pasta and cook according to package directions. Drain water.
2. Meanwhile, heat olive oil over medium-high heat, in a large skillet. Add the chicken pieces, season with salt, pepper and season salt and cook until no longer pink. About 10 minutes.
3. Once chicken is thoroughly cooked, add the butter. Once the butter melts, sprinkle the flour and packet of ranch seasoning over the chicken. Stir.
4. Pour milk into the skillet, and continue to stir and cook until mixture starts to thicken.
5. Stir in cheddar cheese and bacon pieces. Stir until cheese melts.

Add the cooked pasta to mixture and stir to combine. Serve immediately

I served this delish meal with a side salad and it was perfect.

Happy Monday! Happy Day!

It is all about balance with 21 Day Fix

So every once in a while my husband says something that just makes me say…….

You know what, you are so right!

So we were talking about his personal weight loss journey and he said, “I can do all this in the gym and ruin it by how I eat”.

He is so dead on with this that I coulda kissed him if he were here!

That is what 21 Day Fix did for me. It set me back on track with eating right and eating enough. I thought I was eating plenty until I saw what I did need to eat. My biggest problem was proteins. I wasn’t eating near enough of them. Oh, and water I wasn’t drinking enough of that either. (slurrp…) It helped me find a balance between all food groups. I also decided to add shakeology to the program and I have to say that I still drink this every morning without fail. I absolutely love it. I have the multi pack so that I can change it up from day to day. Vanilla is hands down my favorite oh and I recently discovered white chocolate peanut butter ~~ Shut the front door!

I can go on and on about how wonderful the 21 Day Fix is but really it is the easiest thing I’ve ever done! I’ve done them all too I think, weight watchers, Atkins, SlimFast (gasp) I know I know. With the exception of Weight Watchers, they all failed me. Why? Because it comes down to one simple, simple solution that is the hardest concept to get people to understand – eat right and exercise. That is ALL it takes. I know the bad stuff tastes sooo good. You are preaching to the Southern Baptist choir here honey. I am southern tried and true. Give me fried taters or give me death!

Once you realize that those things are not completely gone from your life and you don’t have to deny yourself of anything really, you learn to enjoy what you know is better for you. I think this is one of the reasons I like doing my smoothie in the morning because it sets my tone for the rest of the day.

I wish I could tell you that it is all easy all the time but you do have to put in the effort to see results. You have to put the chocolate cake down and make a decision to change something. I know that if I can do it, you can too and I truly mean that! The workouts are 30 minutes a day and they all come with a modifier that makes each move possible for anyone to participate. The biggest thing on the workouts is to remember to just do YOUR personal best each and every time. You will get stronger. I had to take several breaks the first week but by the third week I was doing stuff and saying “no way I just did that”!

Anyway – that is my 411 for the day. I really would love for you to join me and my next challenge group on facebook. Working out with a big support system has given me the biggest results ever =} Click here to sign up for free and get to 21 Day Fixin!

My 5 Best Tips to stay on target

 

No matter your journey, Stay positive! You will get there!

I am still on mine to get fitter, healthier, and happier!

Take each day as it comes. Somedays, it is a ~ take each hour as it comes. My life is translating into this as we speak.

Here are my 5 BEST TIPS to staying on top of the battle

1. MEAL PLAN – meal planning is two fold. It takes the guessing out of the day AND helps you save time and money in the grocery store.
2. Put your workout clothes on as SOON as you get home or get up. Depends on when you personally work out. This helps me SO much! If I put them on as soon as I get home, I ALWAYS work out. If I miss this step, it’s a struggle to get into workout mode.
3. EAT EVERY 2-3 HOURS. When you skip meals, your body goes into starvation mode. It doesn’t know when you will feed it again so it hangs on to what you just ate. Even if that meal is on the healthy side. If you aren’t feeding your body good clean food every 2-3 hours, you will have a difficult time reaching your weight loss goals permanently. Sure you can loose them temporarily but you WILL gain all that weight back and then some! Trust me. Been there! Done that!
4. BE CONSISTANT.  Life happens. We all know this. We get a curve ball and BAM, you are off track that quick. Remember that eating healthy and working out is something you should MAKE a permanent thing in your life so that the curve balls don’t disrupt anything. Sure you have a meal that doesn’t fit into your new way of eating BUT because you’ve incorporated all these new changes into your life, that ONE meal does NOT undo what you’ve worked hard for. Your metabolism is in a whole new zone. It will get burned off. You will not gain back ALL the weight you’ve fought off to loose. (Unless you continue to eat this way for weeks and weeks, well then its back to the starting line folks.)
5. MOST IMPORTANTLY ~ REMOVE THE WORD “DIET” FROM YOUR VOCABULARY! I cannot stress this enough! Once I stopped dieting – I started eating and enjoying my food!!!! I don’t diet I live! I enjoy everything I eat. I love food. I love to cook food and I’ve learned how to eat healthy, nutritious food that tastes SO GOOD! My food life before was fat, fried, processed, junk, frozen, fast, food. Now my food life is fresh, whole, natural, green, flavorful, robust, energy filled, carb loved, healthy fats filling, protein full, food! STOP DIETING AND STARTING OVER! START ENJOYING LIFE AND EATING AGAIN.   Eat what you love but with a healthy kick! Don’t deny yourself your favorite food either! If it is mac & cheese (mine is) eat it and enjoy it! Just don’t eat it everyday or find a way to make it healthier.

Here’s to hoping this helps someone! I know these things help me. As long as I stay consistent, I stay on top of the battle. Whenever, I loose sight of my goals, I tend to get a little off track. Work out with a friend or in a group helps keep me motivated and accountable for what I need to do and what I should do. Join a challenge group. Make it fun!

I am using the 21 Day fix to keep me on track with portion controls. Click here to learn more about it. I have a new group starting June 30th!

Happy Tuesday! Happy Week!

My weight loss journey – Back to the beginning but with a vision and a plan

  

Part IV - My Future looks so so Bright

My journey as a client will be ever evolving. I also purchased my first crush – Turbofire and plan on starting that soon. It is my “goal” workout so to speak. I am by no means in shape or fit but I do think I am well on my way to getting there. I really didn’t expect to love a workout plan so much. Yes, the workouts work you out but you just push through. Stopping when you need to, water breaks when you need to and eventually you get to a point when you can do the whole thing. It kinda happens without you noticing really. I will always be forever grateful to that first program I purchased and the movement of what beachbody is working on accomplishing. One pound at a time, one person at a time with the help and strength of others on the same journey. If I could just reach one person today, then my story was worth it. My journey has a purpose. You can accomplish so much more when you have a group of people on that same journey and have dealt with the same obstacles. Mine will never be the same as yours, yours might be more or less weight. Yours might be more or less motivation. Yours might be more or less determination. But whatever it is, you DO NOT have to do it alone! I thought I could. I thought I was good. Look what happened to me. I was on the path of being the victim of the bad health trend again. A team of many is stronger than a team of one.

My journey as a Coach is a visionary process. If it would not have been for my friend sharing her story all those years and then reaching out to me because she saw something I didn’t, I wouldn’t have taken that first step. I would’ve just sat on the sidelines admiring her from afar. I see myself reaching out to help so many people. I would try in the past but at a certain point, there just wasn’t enough of me. As a beachbody Coach, my team will be filled with me’s. People that have their own journey as a client and their own story to share that will inspire and motivate people I could never reach! I hope I am reaching out to you, yes you sitting there reading my story, thinking you want to do something but don’t know where to start. Start here, right now, today by emailing me and asking for help. I will do my best to point you in the right direction, set you up with your “goal” workout and start your journey. It is so important to put yourself first.

You have to live in your body all of your life ~ make sure you take care of it because it carries you around ALL day.

Beachbody has so many workout programs. There is something for everyone no matter what level of fitness you are on.

Let’s talk. I’m not going anywhere, I have time. =)

My weight loss journey - Part III (after the middle but before the beginning)

When I was originally asked about becoming a coach……. if I’d only listened then.

Part III ~ Here we go.

In comes January 2014, I signed up as a Beachbody coach remembering that she asked me to and let it just kinda hang out in the wind and catch the breeze for about 3 months. She also sent me some samples of Shakeology and told me to drink it for a week. I had six packets, one of each flavor. Around February I noticed a workout dvd called T25 and I began to wonder if I could do this one. It was only 30 minutes long and my semester of school was coming to an end and more free time was becoming available. However, during that time I also noticed TONS of people posting about the 21 Day fix. After 2 days of seeing AMAZING photo results and stories, I purchased my very first fitness program from Beachbody. Thus began my journey as a client. My longtime friend and coworker also purchased the 21 Day fix challenge pack under me and this began my journey as a COACH. A few more people purchased the program as well and we were off and running. In the first round of the fix, I lost only 4.5lbs but I was totally okay with that because I lost 12inches over my entire body. I saw my waist again. My mini muffin top was disappearing again! I fell in love with this workout plan and the nutrition plan was the easiest I’d ever seen! It’s all color coded and pretty containers to measure food in. I get to eat potatoes y’all!

  (this is what I was seeing EVERYWHERE!)

So the first week in April I decided that this was it, I’m going to do this and put me first. No matter who it bothered. I am getting older, I am gaining the weight and I am the one that has to live in this body. My first big step was trying the shakes. Let’s just make this clear if you didn’t already know. I despised those shake girls. I was almost snicker at them and think, honey why are you drinking a smoothie, Eat something for goodness sake. All the while, I’m gaining weight and doing NOTHING to improve my own health. Such the hypocrite I was. So, back to the shake experience. One day prior to April I’d tried the chocolate and HATED IT. I don’t like chocolatey chocolate so I’m not quite sure why I tried that one first but I did. I didn’t try them again for weeks. I tried to make my own to test the waters and made them with yogurt and choked them down. Not a good experience. But on that Sunday of that first week, I purchased Vanilla almond milk, bananas, frozen fruits and fresh fruits and made my very first shakeology smoothie. I felt the heavens open up and voices of angels singing in my head. I literally tapped the cup to get the rest out! I was HOOKED. Everyday I had to have one. EVERYDAY. You can read my post about that here. In that first week prior to starting the fix, I didn’t watch what I ate but I didn’t over eat and drank my smoothie everyday for breakfast, I lost 2lbs! I was over the top stoked. The next Monday along with friends we started our first round of the 21 Day fix. I followed my meal plan and grocery list, ate my food all day and worked out every night. If I missed a workout, I doubled up the next day, making sure I did everything. I had to go shopping for a wedding the last week of the first round and found a dress that I loved but it was a size 2 and I said what the heck try it on. I did! And it FIT!!! A size 2 y’all!! Now I don’t wear a size 2 in anything else but that dress ~ but I bought it for the shear principle that it was a size 2.

  (round one – firstish day)

I am now in week 2 of round 2 on the 21 day fix. I am still in love with this program. I love the variety of the different workouts everyday. I love that I get to really eat every kind of food. No food is left off of the map. Well, except for those foods we know we don’t need. I do notice that the workouts are much easier this round than round one and eating enough food for the day seems to be easier now also.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I have a new journey beginning and I am so excited to share that part with you tomorrow!

See you then….

Weight loss journey – Part II (the middle of the after)

(both of these photos were taken in the spring of 2013)

My weight loss journey has taken me on a roller coaster ride the past two years.

I call this the middle of the after because my story is not finished.

I am a work in progress. We all are. We all are working towards that final chapter of satisfaction.

Part II

Now fast forward to 2013, I was now knocking on the door of 140lbs again. I’d been here before and swore I’d never be back. Well here I was and someone was about to open it. I am refusing to walk thru though because I AM NOT BUYING NEW CLOTHS- AGAIN! Unless they are the same or smaller size. I should also mention that I am a college student and I work full time and have kids and a husband and a dog and I live in Florida with no family support (as in pick up a kid here or there when I need it or help with errands). Depression was coming back. What did I revert too? Eating less to make up for it. I started my tracking points so many times I lost track and would give up on day 2 when I realized that I’d already eaten half of my points in two days.

Hopefully by now there are some of you that can relate.

Fast forward even more to November 2013 – My old college roommate (first time around) asked me to join a private food challenge group to help advise people on what to eat and how. It was a week long and I enjoyed the heck out of that. I noticed that during this week I watched what I ate too. I also found myself working out or trying to but it was the holiday season so not really. She had asked me to join team beachbody as a coach but I declined because I really didn’t understand what being a coach meant and because I really thought I had too much going on at the time. She left it alone and never asked again but it was always in the back of my mind, wondering and watching. Now let me insert here that I’d been watching her for about 2 years in her own fitness journey, all the while feeling a bit jealous because I didn’t have that here where I lived. She had a fun group she worked out with, her love for Turbofire had me all crushing on getting my own, and she looked amazing! Still I never asked what she was doing or how I could do it. I just watched, admired and wished her much success! I thought they were just amazing workouts with a great group of friends – I honestly had no clue!

Tomorrow is another day and another part III….

See you then.

My weight loss journey from beginning to…… well, now

 

Being brutally honest makes me nervous – because it makes me vulnerable.

It makes me feel weak and exposed.

But I’m learning that sharing my journey is important. People relate to people. People relate to emotion and a story. My story is always on my blog but I’ve never continued it or shared it on any other social media platform.

Over the next few days, I plan to share my story. It is long but I hope that there is one person (or two) that can relate to it. I am where I am today because someone believed in me. Someone said “You can do this, let me show you”.

Today this is my story – this is me.

Part I

My journey began in 2008. I was at my heaviest ever in my life. I was pushing 180lbs and squeezing into a size 18 (yep that was me). I was depressed, emotionless, unmotivated to shop ~ even for shoes! I thought that skipping meals and eating less would solve my problem over the years but really, it only got worse. I also had two things against me: 1)I’m from the south so we fry everything. 2)I was also stuck in a food rut. You know that rut – you cook the SAME THING week in and week out. You always go to the same restaurants and order the same meals. I was bored with eating, honestly. I pretended I wasn’t as large as I was. I truly believed that I still had a size 8ish body with a big ole booty. It’s funny how we view ourselves in the mirror but the pictures tell the true story. It is true that a picture is worth 1000 words. For me, when I saw myself in pictures – I thought holy crap Sara! I immediately started analyzing what wasn’t THAT BAD so that I could rationalize the photo. I wanted to do something but didn’t have a clue of what to do! I tried Atkins, Slimfast, starvation, fruit only, detoxing and NOTHING – I mean NOTHING worked. Really how could it if I was taking my butt to eat rice, beans, fries, burgers, grease, grease and more grease.

In comes a study with Weight Watchers and UCF invitation. I took on the challenge because I am a sucker for a challenge (a good one) and went full force into it. I knew with my personality that I would be very careful to follow it to a T. I learned how to eat healthier and make better choices. The biggest part of this experience though was that I learned to eat every 2 hours. I was religious with it too. 7:30am – waffle in the car on the way to work, 10:00am snack (fruit or yogurt), 12:00pm – lunch (either leftovers or sandwich and occasional lunch out but rare), 3:00pm – snack (fruit or yogurt), 6:00pm dinner. This was EVA-RE-DAY like clockwork, even on the weekends. I had to learn a point value system and tracked my weekly points associated with the food I ate. I also had to go in a few times to be measured and weighed. My very first week I lost 8lbs! I seriously had to look on the scale 3 times to make sure. Back then I still had the dial scale so it was harder to read than digital. At the end of that study in December of 2008, I’d lost 40lbs! I did this by changing what I ate and how often I ate. My metabolism was through the roof! I was almost starving at my 2 hour intervals. I never stopped eating that way for the next 4 years. By April of the following year, I hit my goal weight of 124lbs and was so stoked. I was wearing a size 4 and feeling very confident. I must share here though that I did not work out as much as I should have. I walked about 4-5 times a week for 15 minute intervals and twice a day. I was skinny but not fit. I now know there is a difference. With 40 knocking on my door now, I wish I’d thought of that then.

Each year though I seemed to gain back about 4lbs in the course of that year. Fast forward to 2012 and I found myself teetering between 130-135 so I started running and training for a 5K. I participated in 4 or so but never really indulged in anything more than 5k’s. Running hurt my knees and in the summer, it’s just to dang hot outside. So I joined a gym and went up there to run. I was able to maintain 135lbs but my eating was going back to bad habits and I created a cycle of trying to keep up with the 135lbs but the food was out racing and winning that battle. I knew how to eat right. I knew what to eat but I began slipping back into a mindset of I still look good and I’m running so I’m good right? WRONG – so wrong.

Tomorrow the story continues with Part II ……..

See you then

Asian Meatballs and a 21 Day Fix update

I think the above photo about sums it up!

I cannot believe how fast these three weeks have gone by!

One main reason I LOVE the 21 Day Fix program is because as quickly as you start, the three weeks are over and you’ve kicked butt in workouts, you learn to eat clean and healthy EVERYDAY and you’ve gained new habits while eliminating the bad ones!

Another reason I love this program is because the workouts are different EVERYDAY. I’m not busting butt in the gym with the same workout or banging my head on a wall trying to figure out what should I do next. I don’t spend hours ~ I spend minutes! 30 to be exact ~ pushing play in my own house EVERYDAY! I spent one fee not a monthly fee to a gym that I have to use gas to drive to!

The other reason I love this program is that I never felt like I had to eliminate anything from my plate! I ate, and ate, and ate……..  You don’t starve, you don’t learn bad habits, you don’t short change yourself in any way!

I wish everyone could reap the benefits of this program right now. I know you will be skeptical. I was. I am still in a state of disbelief with the results!

Click on this link to experience this for yourself! >>>>>> My beachbody Coach

Now on to what we ALL love ~~ FOOD

Asian Meatballs

{Printable Link}

You will need:

2 – 13.3 oz packages of ground chicken

3 Green onions

1″ Fresh ginger (or to taste)

1/4 Cup soy sauce

1/2 tsp ground black pepper

Directions:

1. Chop Green onions finely

2. Combine ingredients in large mixing bowl.  Mix until just combined.

3. Divide mixture into 28 small meatballs.  I used a small cookie dough scoop.

4. Bake on lightly greased cookie sheet for 20-25 minutes at 350-375 (depending on your oven), or until meatballs are golden brown.

5. Serve with brown rice, quinoa, or stir fried veggies!  Yum!

Original Recipe found here -  http://www.alwaystime4fitness.com/21-day-fix-recipes-asian-meatballs/#Oq3LCJZcyw7vagsW.99

 

Enjoy your night!!!

21 Day Fix – An update and an invite

So the group and I are on day 5 of the 21 Day fix from Beachbody.

I’m not sure when an update is appropriate but I figured what the heck – go for it.

1. This is not a diet! That word does not exist in my world. This is a lifestyle change!
2. I eat ALL the time!
3. I work out everyday!
4. I eat ALL the time! ok that’s a repeat – but its true!
5. I am loving the workout routine. Out the gate it’s a ring dinger but if you keep at it and don’t give up because you are sore, by Friday though you are feeling a-ok. Or at least I am and lets just say that Tuesday was T-O-U-G-H! I didn’t even want to look at a workout much less DO one! But you know what, I did it! When I was done I felt amazing because I pushed through!
6. The nutrients in Shakeology is keeping me feeling good!
7. This plan is an option anyone can do. Honestly. 30 minute workouts and there is a modifier person on each one. If you feel like you cannot handle the level of the trainer, just do the modified moves. Food intake levels for different weight groups.
8. As a new beachbody coach, just the response from my participants alone is overwhelming. The smile on their faces is more than enough to push me to push play.

I know I’ve slacked on the food recipes and this has kinda taken over my blog at the moment but I just can’t stop talking about it. I gave a pre-warning!

The recipes I’ve added to my meal plan are many that I’ve already posted before with a few adjustments (not many though). Maybe I will just share the meal plan with y’all next week!

If you are wanting to do something different, tired of trying the next new thing email me at skay77@beachbodycoach.com or at skinnyonadime@yahoo.com either way contact me! I am here to help, to motivate and to help you on your fitness journey. Click on any of the links in this post (except the email links) to go straight to my beach body coach page to sign up! It’s FREE!

You are not alone! There are so many inspiring people on the same journey, with a similar story. I am one of them! Yeah, your girl was slipping but I caught myself when I was introduced to the Beachbody community! They are an amazing group of individuals that are focused on the same goals as me ~ to be healthy, happy, fit and free!

Have an awesome Friday night and make it an even better weekend!

See y’all Monday with an update! (and maybe some photos??)

 

Shakeology–what it does for me

Seriously People – I love this stuff!

In one week and half of another I can feel the difference.

I can see a difference.

I found myself awake this morning before the alarm went off.

Last week there were at least two days I wasn’t exhausted at 10 pm.

Now if you know me – I’m a busy lady. I love my sleep. It is very precious to me. I don’t get much and when I do, I sleep to the last possible second.

So in just a short time here is what I’ve noticed by drinking Shakeology everyday:

1. I feel rested. (and this is HUGE for me) If I get nothing else this is enough.
2. I feel energized even when I know I’m tired. I don’t feel beat down.
3. I feel light and fresh (if that makes sense).
4. I don’t look for that mini size Twix in my drawer at work. Curbs my sweet tooth – errr teeth.
5. I already liked veggies and fruits but I seem to want more of the stuff than normal.
6. I know I’m doing something healthy for my body so I make sure the rest of my choices are good ones too!

I’m positive this list will continue to grow but if this is how I feel in just 1 1/2 weeks, I can only imagine in a few months!

I was hesitant trust me. I probably had the same thoughts as you. A shake for a meal  - nah I’m good. I eat right (most days). I’m not really a liquid meal kinda girl. I like potatoes for goodness sake! I’m a southern girl. We love our starches.

I mean come on really, can a shake offer me that much more than just a meal replacer – uh ya.

I challenge you to give your body the opportunity to be at the best it can be!

Click on the link below to order your own flavor – They have Chocolate, Chocolate Vegan for you Vegan folks, Strawberry, Tropical Strawberry, Green berry and my personal favorite, Vanilla!

www.beachbodycoach.com/saraslims

I told y’all I have a new obsession. And this is a good one  

Day 1–21 Day fix

Today is the official first day of my 21 day fix challenge! Me and the girls are super surprised at the amount of food we have to eat throughout the day! I personally know the benefits of eating 5-6 times a day! I am walking, talking proof of that.

21 Day fix – I think I’m gonna like you!

Workouts will come this evening. I’m a nighty~not a morning person at all!

There is something else to this though – something more. I don’t generally promote a product unless I personally LOVE it. I have to say Shakeology – you proved me W-R-O-N-G! In just one week, one week ladies and gentlemen, I’ve gone from a non-believer to everyone in my house wanting their own bag!

I know many may make their own shakes or smoothies but honey – you gotta at least give this a try. Love it because its good, but love it even more for the benefits! It is so much more that a meal replacement – Shhhhhh don’t hurt its feelings. No no – lets call it a super meal because that’s what it is!

Please inform yourself of the benefits right here >>>

The 21 day fix is bound to produce results for everyone. If you need help let me know! I’m here!

Get your own fix today! Click here >>>>> 21 Day Fix Challenge Pack

See y’all tomorrow with a workout update!

Happy Monday

I have a new obsession ~ and so will you! Beachbody’s 21 Day Fix ~ Get your fix now!

I don’t usually have obsessions that don’t include shoes (well I guess this one kinda does). I haven’t even tried this yet but I am over the top excited to get this thing crankin!

This is a combination of what I’ve done for years that originally helped me loose weight and what helped me keep it off AND amazing work out DVD’s that are only 30 minutes long! It is all planned out for you – there is no guess work at all.

If you’ve been struggling with trying to find the right combination of working out and eating right and have a hard time figuring out what to eat and how much to eat – I have a feeling that YOU need this program too!

WATCH THIS VIDEO!

Most people I come across don’t have a clue of what is considered healthy. I can personally attest to the food subject. I was amazed to originally discover what I can and cannot eat to maintain a healthy weight.

As far as the workouts go - I am an over extended busy person at the moment and but I will just have to find the time even if I workout sleep walking lol. The results from this have been like nothing I’ve ever seen (and I’ve seen a LOT).

I will be tracking my progress through the whole 21 days when I start. I will see my results just like you will. I don’t know what they will be but I think that if I am truly honest with myself and follow the plans and workouts – I’m gonna be overly impressed. That usually doesn't happen with me and working out.

This is not a diet. This is not a happen over night workout plan either. If you really want to see results you have to do it EVERYDAY.

• Change the way you think of food.
• Change the way you think of yourself
• Change the way you think of working out

You can do this with me too! Click on this link --------> 21 DAY FIX and order your own FIX! I am not kidding when I say this is trending everywhere and trending isn’t even the right word because its not a fad, its not temporary. Instagram ~ 94,246 current hashtags, Twitter and Facebook don’t give a count but look it up for yourself!

The results are permanent as long as you keep working hard and eating right. Who doesn’t want to look and feel great all the time! Anyone can do this! ANYONE! with a desire to be their best! Your results are just that YOURS!!!! You did this and in the end it will feel so amazing when you look back from where you started.

I can attest to these great feelings because I’ve come from a place of depression about weight. I need to move to the next level and I want you do to it with me.

I am passionate about helping and motivating. I am passionate about working at full capacity. I am passionate about challenges and success!

Take the leap with me.

Take the journey with me.

I will see you at the finish line!

Contact me if you have questions about the 21 day fix at skinnyonadime@yahoo.com

Banana (strawberry) Breakfast smoothie

                Source

I don’t know where this photo is from. It’s not mine.

I just thought I’d borrow it for a bit. It was dark in my house this morning at 4am so a good photo shot was not an option….

I found this recipe on pinterest (win) and thought ~ ya know I kinda want to try this whole smoothies for breakfast thing since I’m about to embark on a different kind of challenge soon. I also wanted to test the time it would take to make this little concoction as opposed to my normal cereal prep. Not bad, not bad at all. It was just under 5 minutes. I do have to admit though, I’m not a liquid meal kinda girl so the last two swallows were a bit rough (sorry for the explicits).

Trying to find options for a smoothie is a mind numbing endless list of options. I don’t have lots of time in the morning (by choice – I’m a snoozer) and I looked for things that a. I always, always have at home and b. would take the same amount of time my normal routine does.

In the end I found a win! One smoothie option gets a gold star for me!

Here is the easy peazy recipe for yourself.

{printable link}

You will need:

• 2 medium bananas
• 1/2 cup of skim or 1% milk
• 8 oz low fat strawberry banana yogurt
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract

Directions:

1. Pour your milk in the blinder.
2. Add your yogurt, bananas and vanilla extract.
3. Blend until smooth.

The only other thing I might add next time is ice just because I would like it to be colder. Other than that, this was so easy and so simple. Not 50 ingredients, not time consuming and was healthy and I didn’t have to add any sugar source at all.

Try it if you are on the same journey I am – You just might like it.

Tootles and Noodles

Strawberry Banana French Toast Casserole

For starters – I had no idea how this would turn out. I was just hungry, had day old bread (the good kind from the bakery that I refused to throw away), strawberries and bananas.

It was early, I had a lot to do and I needed to feed teenagers fast! Along comes Pinterest and my food supply and BAM – this happened!

Strawberry Banana French Toast Casserole. It is a combination of a few with my own ingredients. You could really play this up any way with any fruit or toppings you like.

It was crisp on top and moist in the middle. Perfect combination.

{Printable Link}

Things you will need:

• 2 bananas
• 6 - 8 fresh strawberries (depending on size)
• 1 medium size loaf of day old bakery Italian or French bread
• 8 eggs
• 3 cups of milk (I use either 1% or skim and it works fine)
• 6 TBSP of sugar
• 2TSP of cinnamon
• 1 TSP of Vanilla extract
• 2 TBSP of salted butter
• Syrup (optional)
• Powdered Sugar (optional)

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
2. Spray a 9 x 13 baking dish with non stick cooking spray.
3. Cut up your bread into cubes and put them in the baking dish.
4. Slice up your bananas and strawberries and set to the side.
5. Whisk together the milk, eggs, 1 tsp of the cinnamon, vanilla extract and 2 TBSP of sugar.
6. Pour the mixture on top of the bread cubes in the baking dish, letting this sit and blend together as you finish the rest of the ingredients and the oven continues to warm up.
7. Cut the butter into small pieces and place it on top of the bread.
8. Mix the remaining cinnamon and sugar together and sprinkle it on top of the bread mixture evenly.
9. Top off with your banana and strawberry slices.
10. Bake in the oven for 45 to 50 minutes uncovered or until the top is golden brown.
11. Top with syrup and powdered sugar if you wish!

Hello Breakfast and woohoo its almost Friday!

Have a Great weekend guys!

New loves + a few Old Loves

FOOD 

I love food. I love to eat food. I love to cook food. I love to figure out ways to make good recipes healthier.

Baked Sweet N Sour Chicken with Fried Rice is not only my NEW favorite at home meal – It is my new challenge.

While I love the recipe, I am working on adjusting the amount of sugar but keeping the flavor. When I do though, boy oh boy, I will share!

If you do want to try out the original recipe, I found it on my new favorite go to blog – Life in the Lofthouse. She is awesome and the girl can coook!

 

SHOES 

Oh how I love thee. I also love to get FREE shoes.

These right here are courtesy of being a shoe tester with New Balance.

They have spunk and comfort.

I LOVE them.

What better way to kickstart old habits of exercising than a new pair of shoes.

 

EXERCISE (and an APP)

So this one will count for two things – My love for getting fit and my love for technology!

This is my new favorite app – The 7 Minute Workout App. It did cost $.99 but it was so worth it! Now I must confess, I don’t expect to see buffiness and toned down but what I do expect is to kick my but back into gear with working out daily. Since my schedule is so tight right now I gotta get a workout in anyway I can right! It will challenge you though  - don’t think it is weak. You will have to catch your breath if you’ve been out of the workout routine for a minute. LOVE IT.

I also love that no matter where I go or what I am doing I can access it right on my phone. I can have my 7 minutes anywhere! I just need shoes……

 

That’s it for now.

My life is full.

My days are never quiet but my belly is always full and the kids are always hungry!

 

Take care of yourself and be HAPPY!

Sara