Clean Chicken Tacos

Pumpkin Pie 2.0

Healthy Apple Crisp

A clean version of an old favorite! Enjoy!

Set yourself up for for Success!

So what do you do every day to set yourself up for success?  

It is a practice that I found didn't come second nature for me.  I'l be honest with you, I love to sleep and the idea of getting up at 5 AM still does not thrill me!  There are definitely tricks I use to make sure I'm ready to go.

Prep day doesn't end on Sunday!

The first is to set my workout clothes up the night before.  That way when I'm bleary eyed in the morning there is one less thing to think about.  






My E&E is on hand to mix up and drink before I Push Play.   

My mornings are jam packed, if I wait too long, the kids are looking for my help before the bus comes.  Not to mention prepping for the work day and making sure my bags are packed. 

My meals are in the fridge prepped and ready so I can literally grab and go.  I like to add my snacks to my lunch bag the night before.  There is definitely nights when no matter how hard I try, I can't get my bag packed.  So the more things I have ready or 1/2 way there, takes time off the morning routine. Some mornings  I need every single free minute!

Another way I help myself focus?  "Airplane Mode" on my phone. When I go to bed at night I don't want to hear the ding of a text or e-mail. I need my sleep!  I also don't want anything to interfere with my workout.   Its so easy to get distracted and next thing you know 15 minutes flies by (half my workout time).  I absolutely LOVE technology, but we really need to re-learn how to be present.

You can't give your 100% best with distractions. For me as a mom, you can't always be 100% distraction -less, but anything you can do to assist- you should try. (Did I mention getting up at 5 AM?)

 This is YOUR time, allow yourself this moment to self improve.  Own it!  

You need to remind yourself of why you started and what goals you set.  Its fine if the path to success takes a bit longer than expected by don't loose site of why you started.  

Food Prep: How to Measure a Portion

One of the challenges I had while learning Meal Preparation was how to determine a serving size. I would measure by cup and try to eyeball the measurements. But that is very difficult to measure with cups as well.   Remember that every new skill takes time. I hope the little lesson gives you a shortcut for something I wish I knew earlier!

So for instance, my steamed vegetable bag would say 4 servings of green beans but damn if I could get 4 out of the bag!

The best investment I made was a chefs scale. You can measure by ounces or grams and once you get the hang of it, it's no big deal. 

The food scale became my friend. This has simplified my meal planning immensely. I want to show you how I use it. 

First of all any container you use, you put on the scale and you can zero out the weight so you don't have to accout for the added ounces. (Example in the above picture- the container weighs an 1/8th of an ounce.)

When measuring a serving of green beans the stream bag says 2/3 C or 85 Grams. This is how I weigh the serving size.  Now before I add my protein I zero out the scale again. 

I add the turkey, 6 oz. and finally I can finish it with grape seed oil and Ms. Dash and there is my prepped meal. 

The goal is not to dirty multiple containers, just one to measure my ingredients in the same container I would prep my meal.  Voila!! Lunch is served!

Protein Packed Oatmeal

Hello LUNCH!  It's a cold rainy day in New England what an AMAZING clean eating recipe!

1/2 C Old Fashioned Oats, 1 Scoop Protein Powder, 1/8 C Slivered Almonds, 1/8 C Dried Cranberries, Dash of Cinnamon. Follow the directions to make the oatmeal, add your mix ins and BAM!! Enjoy!! 

I have not Failed, I've Simply Found a Thousand Ways that Do Not Work!

Albert Einstein said that quote and it's so true. 

P90X Results 2012

I have had my ups and downs in my fitness journey, I'm by no means perfect.  In 2012 I was running a lot.  I used it to deal with work stress and grief.  I felt like the next hurdle for my fitness was to embark on P90X.  I had friends that did the program and I heard about this strange nutrition plan and what is this all about?  I read about the technique and the logic behind the workouts.  How I needed to eat in each Phase.  The preparation it was going to take.  Could I do it?  With kids, work and everything else?

So like most things I do, I was all in.  And it WAS NOT easy, I worked my tail off, literally and as you can see from my results, it was very effective.  

I worked for the results with the support of my husband and managed to push thru my 90 days.  I was feeling great!!  But I didn't quite know what to do once I was done.  It was REALLY hard to get thru the program. I made unbelievable changes to my body. I figured I'd do another round and really dial it in.  

We finished the program right around November and went on vacation with the kids over Thanksgiving break.  And it happened.  Like it happens to many people, my focus changed, work picked up significantly.  Stress level started ramping up and next thing you know it's TWO YEARS later.  At this point I'm not only back to Day Zero- but now I'm having gall bladder problems and my health is in serious decline. 

NYC 1/2 Marathon

 So I set another goal for myself.  I always enjoyed running and ran cross country in high school. I decided I needed a new goal.   I was going to run the New York City 1/2 Marathon.  I half heartedly entered the race and  figured since there was a lottery there was probably NO WAY I'd get in.  WRONG!!

I started training in January of 2014 in the dead of New England winter.  I purchased a running plan and started training.  I had hoped to finish the race in 2.5 hours if possible.  

I actually CRUSHED my goal and crossed the finish at 2:09:09!  I was ECSTATIC!  It was  fantastic run thru Central Park, thru Times Square and right down to the financial district, past ground zero. I was beyond proud of my accomplishment and ready for my next challenge!

But little did I know that this was not to be.  I pushed so hard in my run that I injured myself.  I ended up with post tibial tendonitis.  So after the high of the race, literally the day later I was crippled.

 I was now sentenced to be in a boot for 6 weeks.  This was NOT in the plan! I just busted my but for 12 weeks preparing to run this race and I never expected THIS.  I was beyond bummed but I knew I'd have to make a plan.  

I know now that my big mistake? Not stretching enough pre and post run! But that wasn't going to speed along the next month and a half!!

Time passed and I wasn't 100% but I wanted to start my next program.  Over that 6 weeks I found out about Challenge Groups while I was on FaceBook. There were Beach Body Coaches that ran them and would help guide you as you wen thru the programs.  I thought that was a great idea!  I didn't have that kind of support the first time I did P90X the first time.  If I had questions, my husband and I had to just figure them out.  So I signed up, dusted off my P90X and went for it.

I successfully completed P90X and I'm currently on day 60 of P90X3!  And not only did I complete the P90X successfully in a Challenge Group.  I'm now a coach too!  I help people meet their goals and share how I managed to make my transformation and strategize how they can meet theirs!

I have learned so much from my Challengers and I'm always thrilled to help more people.  

If you learn anything from my story, its that success is rarely a straight line. Just because you have a set back doesn't mean you can't come back from it.  It's simply putting one foot in from of the other and finding a way!  

BRING IT!  And let me know if I can help you find your way too!

Shakeology: My WHY and What is it about?

I was introduced to Shakeology with my first BeachBody program: P90X. And at first glance I figured this was just another protein shake. I was committed to doing the program and I wanted to follow it as it was designed. So I chose to invest in make that initial investment in my health. I also couldn't argue with a 100% money back guarantee!

The more I learned about what Shakeology really was, it became evident pretty quickly that this was more than just a protein shake. It's a complete meal replacement. I would use initially in the afternoon. Almost immediately I realize a change. I had reduce cravings I felt full longer. Overall I felt like I had more energy. As I learned more about what I exactly was in Shakeology, I realized that the ingredients were an amazing blend of Antioxidants and Super Foods that was improving my overall health.

The most affordable Meal of the day!

So you may ask (and I did) what the heck are "Super Foods" anyway? We always here these buzz words and sometimes forget to ask. They are the most incredibly healthy foods on the planet. Low in calories and high in nutrients and go beyond meeting basic nutritional needs. They have high concentration so multiple nutrients that work together to support the immune system. And who couldn't use THAT!

It really was like drinking a salad every day!

I used to take a combination of vitamins, a women's multivitamin, a calcium supplement, vitamin E. I really disposed this ritual. I don't like downing pills and I would wonder if I even absorbed any of it. Not to mention that in order to get the dense nutrition I received from one serving of Shakeology I'd have to add a lot more vitamins to the mix!

This was an easy way that I could get the benefit of all the extra nutrients in an easy, portable, tasty format. I absolutely LOVE my daily shake.

Many of my Challenge Group participants have said:

"I cannot believe how tasty Shakeology is! I used to use another shake that didn't keep me near as satisfied."

"It really keeps me full the entire first part of my morning! I used to be dying before my first snack, not any more!"

"I initially only used Shakeology, cleaned up my diet and a walking program, my pants are literally FALLING OFF me. Me and my husband are believers!"

The next hurdle was the cost. 

I decided to become a BeachBody Coach to get a 25% discount on the products to help offset my cost as well. So my Shakeology is less than $3 a day! I used to go to Starbucks, get a Grande, Sugar Free, Soy Latte and an Egg White Wrap to the tune of $7 most mornings on my way to work!! 

 Uh yes… I admit it. Most EVERY day, thinking I'm doing a good thing for myself! I mean I work, I have to get the kids going in the morning, why can't I have my morning indulgence. For a little over $3 a day they may let me have the foam at the top of the latte!! LOL!














So I chalk it up to another meal that is contributing to my health and well being AND saving me money in the end! Do I want to pay a hospital co-pay? Or INVEST in my health today! I think you know the answer.






Give it a chance yourself and you'll see!! Contact me about my Shakeology and Clean Eating Challenge Group! It's no risk and you can see how Shakeology can make a positive change for you too!


Take the first step in the right direction!