22 Minute Hard Corps! Get Some and Get Done!

Beachbody is at it again. They launched a brand new home fitness program that is going to blow your mind!! They started out with programs like P90X that were over an hour long each day. Then, they created 21 Day Fix that is only 30 minutes daily, T25 that is 25 minutes daily and now we are taking it to a whole new level. 22 minutes a day... yes you heard me right! In just 22 minutes you can get some seriously rocking results with Tony Horton and ME as your coach!

CAN YOU REALLY GET RESULTS in 22 minutes a day????

YES MA'AM or SIR you can! It is all about focusing on the workout, pushing yourself to your max, dialing in your nutrition and following the plan and of course the most important part~ having SUPPORT and ACCOUNTABILITY from your Team Beachbody Coach {ME} and the rest of the challengers in the group. There is something comforting from knowing that you are not the only one out there struggling, having a bad day, or a slip up with your nutrition. It's know to know that we are all in this together! We are getting "bootcamp fit" with 22 Minute Hard Corps.

Basically every excuse you have for not getting in shape is invalid because I had 2 kids, I lost 40 lbs and I was going through some serious struggles including my own health issues and the grief of loss. I am a full time, corporate working mom that works long hours.  Oh did I mention the 3 horses, chickens and 1/2 a farm?! But I MADE it a priority and FOUND a way because I WANTED to change more than I wanted to stay the same!!

When I started my journey it was January and I wanted to improve my health, relieve stress and grief.  But lets be honest too, I wanted to get in shape for summer!!  You don't just lose all the weight in 30 days when you decide you are ready! So if you are reading this then you should START now because this is a sign!

If you want to get lean and stronger then this is for you! No matter what your ability level is you can modify to make the program a success for you. You can do anything that you put your mind too.

So what is 22 Minute Hard Corps anyways??

So it was created by Tony Horton who also is the creator of P90X, P90X2, P90X3, Power 90 and more. It is a mixture of eight routines that alternate between total body cardio & resistance 1 workout a day for 6 days a week. The workout is fast paced and there is little rest. The workouts are easy to pick up and learn. You are moving from exercise to exercise quickly to maximize time and results.

What Equipment Do You Need?

Dumbbells or pull up bar (or resistance bands with a door attachment). The harder you work the faster that you grow!!!

I know you might be thinking that you can't do this workout, but you CAN. It is for everyone and even in the sneak peek workout I did today there were modifications for every ability level which I totally love!

The program is 8 weeks in length, 6 days a week, 1 workout a day for 22 minutes! YOU CAN DO THIS!

What will you get with this program?

• 8 challenging workouts on 2 DVDs
• Quick Start Mission Guide
• 8-week Basic Training Action Plan
• Rations for Results Nutrition Field Guide
• Cold Start pre-workout drill
• Hell Week Challenge Card
• HARD CORPS: Battle Buddy Workout DVD (Network Exclusive)

So who is this workout for?? People who don't have a lot of time to spend working out in a gym.

People who want fast effective results with little or no FUSS.
There is also an optional 2 a day hell week challenge if you are up for it!

So now is your time, do you accept the challenge?

I AM KICKING OFF MY NEXT ACCOUNTABILITY GROUP FEATURING 22 MINUTE HARD CORPS FOR MY NEW AND CURRENT CUSTOMERS ON THE 21ST OF MARCH.

On the 21st of March we will start our pre season which consists of 1 week of goal setting, pictures, measurements, meal planning and education on the nutritional plan and then the following week is our official day 1.

******For 8 weeks I will guide you daily through the program with support, accountability, access to an online/app based closed group for support and guidance. Each participant is required to purchase the 22 Minute Hard Corps Challenge Pack/Program and commit to replacing 1 meal a day with Shakeology for the duration of the group.

If you are interested in getting more information about the program please complete the form below and I will contact you within 24 hours with details.

I am going to be here cheering you on and making sure you are SET UP for SUCCESS!! No Excuses!!

If you do not currently work with a Coach please make me your FREE coach here.  

February Fit Club! Easter Challenge!

Easter and SPRING is literally AROUND the corner! My challengers simply have gotten AMAZING results with these 21 day programs.  

I had amazing results with  the  21 Day Fix. I never thought I'd see my abs and there they were!! I was simply floored!  

21 Day Fix completely cleaned up my nutrition while not making me miserable.  The recipes were delicious and kept me feeling full! That was NEW for me!  I had a complete road map for what workout to do on what day and guess what?!  It was only 30 minutes a day.  No joke, start to finish.  How could I argue with that. I waste 30 minutes a day zoned out on some TV show.  I'm sure I could motivate myself to complete a 30 minute workout!  

So which one is right for you?  If you are getting back into fitness OR maybe already workout during the week but maybe it's more inconsistent?  21 Day Fix will challenge beginner to advanced fitness levels.  The key is in the fact there is always a MODIFICATION!  You can still have your "treats and cheats" foods and even wine! (Hooray! WINE!)

Have you already been working out, maybe done 1-2 rounds of the 21 Day Fix?  Crossfiter, serious runner or biker.  Looking to mix it up and really dial in results?  Then EXTREME is for you!!  BUT.... this is a no holds barred, 21 Day, strict program.  There are NO CHEAT DAYS here.  Awww come on! Its just 3 weeks and listen, if you want to dial it in for that big event and kick it up a notch?  THIS IS YOUR JAM! 

My next group begins on February 29th!  Do you have what it takes?  Apply below and I can get you all the details!  My groups provide EVERYTHING you need to be successful! They are PRIVATE and as interactive as you want them to be.  I never leave anyone without the tools they need to get started right!  It's like getting a cheat sheet for success!  (Lord knows I love a good short cut!)

My Amazing Challenger!!

So what do you need to do?  Fill out the form below, I'd love to talk with you more and get you in the group!  
Four months till summer!  Whats it gonna be?  More cover ups OR YOU meeting your goals!! Lets do this!! Apply and lets talk about what makes sense for YOU!

I am passionate about these programs because they simply WORK- no fuss, no muss.  You agree to learn this program and I'll be here to support you.  You will get results! Can't wait to see the progress in my next group!! That includes YOU!!

There are tons of Wufoo features to help make your forms awesome.

Zucchini Chicken Parmesan - Crock Pot

Ingredients

1.5 lbs (about 4) chicken breasts cut into cubes

1 Small Onion, Diced

1 Large Zucchini, Diced

1 Green Pepper, Diced

1 Tsp Garlic, Minced (or 1/2 tsp garlic

powder)

1/2 Tsp Onion Powder

1/4 Tsp salt (or to taste)

1 Tbs Italian seasoning

1.5 C Pasta or Pizza Sauce (or tomato sauce)

1 C Low Fat Shredded Cheese

Instructions

~ Spray your slow cooker with non-stick spray. Combine all ingredients but shredded cheese and stir to combine.

~ Cover and cook on high for about 3-4 hours or low for about 6-8, or until chicken is cooked through. In the last 30 minutes of cooking, add cheese and cook until it's melted.

~ Serve over pasta, quinoa or brown rice sprinkled with Parmesan cheese, if desired.

**For the 21 Day Fix

~ Measure out the chicken for your Red. 

~ Zucchini for your Green

~ Any added rice or quinoa for your Yellow.

~ If you use cheese, measure for your Blue!

If you are interested in learning more about clean eating- or even about an upcoming Challenge Group, apply below and I'll reach out with more information!

Hope you enjoy this recipe, comment below with questions!

Cauliflower Bread Sticks

To-die-for mock breadsticks made with cauliflower that are low in calories, carbs and fat. I found this AMAZING recipe on-line, tried it for Super Bowl an Boom- its a favorite!Phenomenal low carb alternative to traditional cheesy breadsticks. These cauliflower breadsticks are full of flavor, cheesy and easy. And you can pick them up by hand!  My kids loved them and its hard to believe they come out so well.  Might take you a round to get the hang of it- one tip is to be sure you don't press the mix too thin.  You wan them on the thicker side when you bake!

Ingredients
1 head cauliflower, large (7" - 8" wide)
1/4 cup egg whites
1/2 cup + 3/4 cup (for topping) Mozzarella/Tex Mex cheese, shredded
1 tsp Italian herb seasoning or any dried herbs like rosemary, basil, parsley
1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper
Pinch of salt
Marinara sauce for dipping

Start with a large head of cauliflower, 7″ – 8″ wide. If you are serving 2 or more people, I recommend do double the recipe. These breadsticks are so good and guilt free, they disappear fast. Chop the cauliflower and process in a food processor until “rice” texture. Do not make a cauliflower mash. Alternatively, if you do not own a food processor, you could chop it really fine or even grate using simple boxed grater.

Place cauliflower in any oven proof baking dish and bake for 20 minutes at 375 degrees F. Alternatively, you could microwave or steam it. The idea is to cook the cauliflower, so it releases the moisture and we squeeze it out.

Line a bowl with a linen kitchen/tea towel. I used cheap tea towels from a Dollar store. They are called something like glass tea towels and are kind of linen mesh. Much better than cheesecloth as they do not rip and are widely available. You probably have some on hand. 

Then you grab the towel by the corners, holding with one hand just below the corners, and start squeezing the liquid out with another hand. The process will take about 3 – 5 minutes and you should squeeze about 1 cup of liquid. Use a measuring cup as a point of reference. If the liquid is hot, let the cauliflower mash cool down a bit and proceed again.

Here you can see, from right to left: cauliflower “ball” before squeezing, after squeezing and liquid squeezed out.

Open the towel and voila: you got yourself some pretty dry cauliflower. Add seasonings to it as per the recipe. I used egg whites instead of an egg and it worked! Any cheese works. Full or low fat, Mozzarella or Tex Mex or even Parmesan. Use grated or shredded cheese and when measuring do not pack.

After you make the “dough”, transfer it onto any baking sheet lined with parchment paper. The “dough” won’t be sticky and that’s OK. Egg whites and cheese will act as a binder during the baking process.

No need to spray the parchment paper with cooking spray either. The breadsticks won’t stick. More than that, the parchment paper underneath the breadsticks will be moist after baking. And that’s OK too. It doesn’t mean the breadsticks will fall apart. No. The moisture releases during the baking process therefore no need for cooking spray. I was asked before if pizza stone would work and I don’t know as I don’t own one. No idea how to use it.

Form a rectangle, using your hands, approximately 9″ x 7″ in size and 1/4″ thick. Press the “dough” a bit to make it stay together and use spatula to make the edges straight. Do not worry, the egg whites and cheese will bind everything together during the baking process. It won’t fall apart.

And bake. All ovens vary. I own simple electric oven and it took the breadsticks 18 minutes. Just watch it => when you see the “dough” becoming golden brown on top, it’s time to take it out. Then you top the breadsticks with cheese and bake for another 5 minutes until the cheese melts and broil for nice golden brown crust.

Remove the breadsticks from the oven and transfer to a cutting board, holding by the ends of parchment paper. Let the breadsticks cool down for 5 minutes before cutting, if you can. I waited with the first batch and the breadsticks were easy to cut. With the second one I didn’t and it was a bit of a mess. Use serrated/bread knife to cut into 12 breadsticks.

We served ours with marinara sauce- up to you what sides you choose to serve them with!

Another idea is to make these cauliflower breadsticks even lighter in fat by skipping the cheese topping. And that’s what I did with my second batch. Below I have included 2 nutritional information

These cauliflower breadsticks turned out delicious!!! Full of flavor and cheesy. They hit the spot and satisfy the craving without wrecking your daily macros/nutrition. You can have 5 – 6 of these and still have consumed very little calories, fat and carbs. Enjoy!Nutritional Information (no Cheese)Servings 12; Amount Per Serving - 1 Breadstick; Calories: 33.3; Fat:0.9; Cholesterol: 2.5 mg; Sodium 48.4; Total Carbs: 3.8 g; Protein 3.1 g. Nutritional Information (With Cheese) Servings 12; Amount Per Serving - 1 Breadstick; Calories: 53; Fat:2.2; Cholesterol: 6.2 mg; Sodium 107.6; Total Carbs: 3.8 g; Protein 4.9 g. 
Originally posted on iFoodReal.com

Banana Oat Pancakes!

Clean and plan approved! Can't go wrong with this crowd pleaser!

1C Unsweetened Almond Milk

2 Large Egs

1 Large Ripe Banana

1 tsp. Vanilla Extract

1tsp Baking Powder, gluten-free

1/2 tsp Ground Cinnamon

1 Dash Sea Salt or Himalayan Salt

2C Old-fashoned rolled oats, gluten-free

1/2 tsp Extra virgin Organic coconut oil

3C Fresh Mixed berries

Place Almond milk, eggs, bank, extract, backing powder, cinnamon, salt and oats in a blender; cover. Blend until smooth.

Heat oil in nonstick skillet over medium-low heat.

Pour 1/4 cup batter onto the skillet; cook for 2-3 minutes or until bubbles form around the edges of the panckake.

Continue with remaining batter

Service with Berries!! (recipe from “Fixate”)

Serves: 8- 2 Pancakes each!

Container: 1 Yellow 1/2 Purple

*Leftover pancakes can be reheated in a toaster!

Shakeology Mixology 101

 I was not a pro the first time I mixed my Shakeology! Now I know WHY! I didn't use a blender, I didn't use enough liquid.  I also didn't know I could add ice or even a teaspoon of peanut butter! YUM! I hope this helps you to have a better 1st experience than I did! I haven't missed a day in almost 2 years and my results show for it!

Enjoy!

Overnight Oats (Kid Approved)

Ahhhh tried this one and WOW! Score!

I was inspired at the grocery store!! My baby girl loves oatmeal and yogurt! She will eat a whole oatmeal raw! So I'm thinking this is going to be a nice combination!! I was inspired at the grocery store tonight!! 

🔷1/2 C Oatmeal

🔷1 TBSP Chia Seeds

🔷1/2 C Yogurt (I used low fat organic)

🔷1 TBSP Honey or Agave Syrup

🔷1 TSP Pure Vanilla Extract

🔷1/2 C - 3/4 C Unsweetened Almond Milk

🔷Stevia to taste.

1. Combine all ingredients in a jar.  Close the jar and shame until well combined.

2. Place in the refrigerator overnight and add more milk in the morning if you would like a thinner consistency.

3. Top with fruit, granola, cinnamon….. use your imagination!

This was a total WINNER recipe! Fast and DELISH in the morning! The kids loved it! You may want to start with 1/2 C Almond Milk and add more in the morning for a thinner consistency.  My kids loved this! Almost as much fun to make as eat!

Mancakes- Clean Pancakes

This recipe is not only amazingly SIMPLE. But it is delish and FILLING! Which gives reason for why they are names "Mancakes". 

Fix Approved: 1 Yellow, 1 Red, 1 Purple

Ingredients:

1/2 Cup Oatmeal

1 Egg + 4 Egg Whites

1 Diced Apple

1 Tsp Vanilla Extract

1 Tsp Cinnamon

Directions:

Preheat pan to medium heat. You can use non-stick spray or a bit of coconut oil to cook your Mancake when you are ready. 

Combine the Egg, egg whites, oats, vanilla and cinnamon in a bowl. (Alternatively you can combine ingredients in a blender if you prefer a smoother pancake- I prefer mine smoother.) 

Add fruit and fold in. 

Pour into your pan cooking each side about 2 minutes each side. Once you see the edges firming, flip. (This could take skill because it's a BIG cake- you can consider doing in smaller batches but you do get to eat it ALL)

Eat and enjoy! 

I was so surprised that I needed NO additional sweetener at all! 

Also you can use any fruit as long as you portion it out according to your plan!  

Piyo - 4 Weeks In!

This program has been a game changer for me!! I have absolutely loved my first full month of Piyo.  

The reason I chose Piyo was the fact that it was zero impact.  I was just coming off an injury and I really wanted to try a program that would challenge me and work on my core without the high impact I have found in other programs.

Choosing to slow down and try a program that focuses on body weight was definitely a different approach for me.  But just because it's zero impact does not mean it is EASY! There are modifications that you can work up to but Chalene brings it!  There is balance and body weight moves of Yoga along with strengthening and lengthening you find in Pilates. 

In the first month the longest workout was 45 minutes and that wasn't until week 4.  So on average its a 35 minute workout.  

The music is also really amazing as well and a great motivator.  Chalene's playlist flows with the movements and before you know it you are cooling down.  There is a timer on the screen so you can see how much time you have in each segment and that can be a good or bad thing depending how you look at it!  I enjoyed it because it motivates me to push harder as the clock runs down.

The meal plan is also very clean.  I carried over my knowledge from the 21 Day Fix and Ultimate Reset into this program and make sure to track my meals in the same way.
 Using a combinations of lean or vegan protein options, vegetables and fats. Hydration is also key since you are really sweating it out during these workouts!

The core work is also something I have missed.  I need to work on my core as well as the flexibility in my feet and legs.

Prior to this program I was in a boot due to a stress fracture for about 6 weeks.  So taking it easy and building strength up carefully is important to me.  Planking and working on core strength was not possible while I was laid up.  Well I have no worries anymore, because I'm a Planking Fool again!!

I'm really excited to see what the next 4 weeks will bring- so far with increased strength and core- I'm beyond thrilled.  Chalene keeps challenging me so I'm excited to see how much further I can push and transform! To be continued....

If you would like more information on Piyo OR any of my Challenge Groups, fill out the form below and I'd love to help you begin your own transformation!

Fill out my online form.

Online contact and registration forms from Wufoo.

Challenge Groups WORK!

So if you told me that I would EVER post my before pictures when I took them, I would have told you NO WAY!  But now I'm so proud of, not only how far I have come, but the hard proof of how these programs work.

What was my secret? I can't lie it is all.....

W O R K!

There is no miracle pill, or crazy plastic wrap.  It takes the right calories in and work.  Now at one point in my life I would have believed it would take no less than 3 hours per day to achieve results.  But another wonderful thing that comes with age is the wisdom of working smarter, not harder.  I work out no more than 30 minutes per day.  PERIOD.  I think any of us can find 30 minutes in our day.  

You can achieve balance in your life, at home, work, school, time for family, time for yourself!

One thing I will say is that I LOVE that I have a blueprint for success.  And not only is it realistic but its manageable.  The difference in my fitness journey was joining a private Challenge Group!  That held me accountable and gave me a safe place to ask questions and learn tips and tricks I didn't have before.  We were in it together, through the ups and downs.  If they did get off track we were there to listen and help plan how they could find their way back.  

If you would like to know more about my Challenge Groups and how you can begin your fitness journey, reach out to me 
-----> HERE.

Fill out my online form.

There are tons of Wufoo features to help make your forms awesome.

Ultimate Reset Week 3 Review AND Results

This was my week 3 on the Ultimate Reset. If you want to know what the Ultimate Reset can do for you click and see a video on the clinical study ----> HERE!

In this phase you move into an all vegan menu. It wasn't that big of a transition after week 2. I continued to feel amazing and again relied heavily on the Reset in a Crunch during this week. I truly loved the fruit for breakfast. As well as the Miso Soup and Micro Green salads. It was all amazing.




The supplements change slightly, no more Detox or fiber supplement. Still lots of water. There was the addition of Revitalize.

My Experience/Results Week 3

Food was further simplified by the removal of grains and legumes from the menu. The meals mainly consisted of fruit and vegetables. My energy level was surprisingly really good. I still can't believe I have made it 3 entire weeks without coffee! That in itself is a miracle! Herbal tea was my wheelhouse and for my "treat" it was Starbucks Pineapple Kona Pop. That will be another regular in the rotation for me moving forward.


Remember that you are supposed to do minimal exercise. Stretching, light Yoga or walking. At this point I was getting anxious because I really do want to get back to my sweat. But with my injury I also didn't want to sacrifice my knee or foot further.


We did go out to eat during week three but I found THE most awesome Restaurant EVER G-Zen in Branford, Connecticut! They are amazing and if I had not done the Ultimate Reset I would not have truly appreciated the flavors and work that goes into making a vegan dish. And he flavor?? It was OUTSTANDING! It was in Vegan heaven. For Week 3 I avoided the rice, but the rest... well it was amazing!

I have five words for you... Raw Lemon Lavender Vegan Cheesecake. Do you notice there is no picture? Yeah, I ate every bit of it. Cashew based and beyond fabulous! I have to learn how to craft something as decadent as this. In the meantime I'll be returning to G-Zen many times in the future!





The rest of the week was basic in terms of the delicious salads, Miso and my favorite Wakame seaweed. I felt lighter and my skin looks fantastic. I sleep like a baby and no stomach upset, at all. It has made me aware that I really was eating so many more processed foods that I thought I was and how they made me feel. I think I fully expected to feel starving and lightheaded over this three week period.... Guess what. I did not!! I really felt nourished for the first time ever. I learned so much about cooking and tried so many different vegetables and foods I would never have known existed.

It was a culinary adventure! Now you won't ever get me to eat fennel bulb, cabbage or collard greens again. The taste did not agree with me one bit. My husband however, devoured everything I made. So I kicked those out of the rotation.

As for Vegetables? Fresh kicks frozen's ASS!! Yes I'm swearing.... because I didn't think it made that much of a difference. But YES it DOES!

Result Time

So what were my physical overall results? Here they are! My main goal was to maintain my weight loss and muscle gain from my last round of 21 Day Fix. Well I DESTROYED my goal!! I never imagined I would lose over 10lbs on this plan ever.


Not only did I lose pounds and inches but I also lost FAT! About 9 lbs of my loss was fat alone! That amazed me! I had a fear that I would lose much of the muscle I built. This was NOT the case!! If anything I was finally able to shed that layer of fat that was covering up my progress! The pictures don't lie!


The inches I lost came mainly from my bust (2") and my legs (another 6") and I lost another inch off my waist!!

This has been an incredible experience. At the beginning I would never have thought I'd even consider doing the Reset on a regular basis. However now, I think that I may do it annually.

If you have any questions about my experience ask them in the comments below. You can reach out to me as well if you are interested in learning more about this program or any other Beachbody programs by clicking -----> HERE

I would love to have you be part of a Challenge Group, you can reach out to me by filling out the form below, or checkout my Facebook Page!

Fill out my online form.