Pumpkin Spice Mochachino

I LOVE finding new and yummy recipes for my meal replacement because sometimes I want a little pizazz... and this recipe has that in spades!

Not to mention this recipe mixes 3 of my most favorite things, pumpkin spice, coffee and Shakeology!  

Oh sweet-my-oh-my!

Pumpkin Spice Mochachino

1 scoop vegan chocolate Shakeology
1/4 canned pumpkin
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1/2 cup cold coffee
1/2 cup almond milk
Ice to taste

I don't know about you, but I think Starbucks should offer this!

Do You Struggle With Late Night Snacking?

The most common problem I hear from people trying to lose weight and get their nutrition under control has to do with late night, unnecessary snacking!  And trust me, I can totally relate! But I learned to overcome it! 

Try these tips:

1)  PITCH those items that get you every time.  They are not worth sabotaging your results in fact, don't even buy them!  At first your kids might wonder why you don't have pizza rolls in the freezer or Cheetos in the pantry, but if you just "forget" to buy them at the store it can't be helped!  Eventually they won't miss them.

2)  Have a smaller dinner so that you CAN have a small, healthy snack or 'treat' a couple hours later!  Make sure you plan for the small treat and save enough calories in your daily alottment so it doesn't slow your progress!

3)  When you have cravings and you're not actually hungry, DISTRACT yourself w/an inspiring book, magazine, etc.  What motivates you?   Think about how good it feels to wake up the next morning feeling FIT and closer to your goal versus bloated and guilty!!

4)  In place of dinner on most nights, try having a huge Chocolate Peanut Butter Banana Shakeology smoothie with phytonutrients, high protein, antioxidants, digestive enzymes, probiotics, and 70+ fruits and vegetable ingredients.  It's like a dessert and since it's low in calories and high in nutrition, you can have something later too!  
 
5)  Get to bed earlier and  take baby steps to improve your nutrition DAILY!  Not getting at least 8 hours of sleep and not getting proper nutrition will make you feel the 3 O'clock slump and crave snacks later at night.  Give your body what it NEEDS!

Ok... what else do you struggle with??

Monday Motivation!

If you want to change your lifestyle... YOU HAVE TO CHANGE YOUR LIFE!!!

~Bob Harper

Spend less time with people that whine, complain, and spend their lives wishing and hoping for success but do nothing to achieve it.  You are a GOAL-GETTER!!

~ Chalene Johnson

Who Do You Inspire?

It's never the person in front of you who you inspire...it's always the person behind you who you never realize is watching. Don't quit! 

- Brett Hoebel

Oatmeal Raisin Cookies

• 1-1/4 cup whole grain flour
• 1 cup oats (preferably rolled oats, but instant oatmeal is okay)
• 1/2 tsp. baking soda
• 1/3 cup (1/3 scoop) vanilla protein powder
• 3/4 cup thawed apple juice concentrate
• 1/2 cup applesauce
• 1/2 cup raisins, dried cranberries, cherries, and/or blueberries

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.


Combine flour, oats, baking soda, and protein powder. In a separate bowl, mix apple juice concentrate and applesauce. Stir the wet mix into the dry mix. Fold in raisins. Drop batter by the spoonful onto a lightly sprayed baking sheet. Bake for 10 to 15 minutes, or until lightly browned.

Paula Dean's White Bean Chicken Chili -- Modified

This is by far my most favorite White Bean Chili.  I hope you enjoy it as much as I do!

Ingredients

* 1 jar white beans
* 5 cups chicken stock
* Olive Oil pam
* 1 tablespoon minced garlic
* 3/4 cup diced onion
* 1 1/2 cups chopped green chiles (fresh or canned)
* 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, finely chopped
* 1 tablespoon ground cumin
* 1 tablespoon dried oregano
* 1 to 2 teaspoons ground black pepper
* 1/2 teaspoon white pepper
* Pinch red pepper flakes
* 1/2 bunch cilantro leaves, chopped

Directions

Put the beans in large pot with the chicken stock and bring to a boil over high heat.
Spray a saucepan with Olive Oil Pam. Add the garlic, onion, and chiles and saute for 5 minutes. Add chile mixture to pot with beans. Add the chicken, cumin, oregano, pepper, white pepper, red pepper flakes, and cilantro. Lower the heat to medium and cook, stirring occasionally, for approximately 1 1/2 hours.

How to Create Balance in Your Life

I am a mom, a wife, a substitute school teacher, a part-time office assistant, recently finished my elementary teaching certification, and I have a growing online fitness business.  I have had to learn a few things about balancing it all.  Fortunately for me there are experts on the subject of balancing my family life with my work life and my fitness life, and my personal life.   Just saying it like that makes me think I should be tired, but the truth is I have lots of energy and I am not tired, most of the time.  I think that is in large part because I have found a way to make it all work for me and I enjoy everything I do.  No, that does not mean that I enjoy cleaning the toilets or grocery shopping, but I do enjoy having a home that is clean and neat and a pantry and refrigerator stocked with healthy foods.  So while I may not enjoy each and every task, I do enjoy the rewards of those tasks.  My goal today is to share the things I have learned about balancing all these facets of my life with you so that you can better balance yours, regardless of your pursuits.

1.  Define what your priorities are.  This step is critical and without it you are setting yourself up to feel like you are spinning your wheels without making progress.  Take the time to list what your top 5 priorities are.  And when you do this, don't make the mistake of being vague.  If your family is priority number 1 then be specific.  Is it spending time with your family?  Is it providing financially for your family?  Is it making sure you sit down every night at the dinner table with your family?  Make sure you define it specifically, that will help you later on.

2.  Set some goals.  What is it that you want to achieve?  Whatever they are, list your goals.  Keep your list of priorities handy so you can make sure the goals you are setting are in line with your priorities.  If the goals you have written on your list don't match, you will always feel out of balance.  You will feel like your life is pulling you in one direction and your passions another and balance will seem like a distant dream.  This is not to say that your goals and dreams need to change completely.  There may be a way to tweak them to be more in line with your priorities.

3.  Create a Daily To-Do List.  Chalene Johnson calls this a CCDMTDL, otherwise known as a Carefully Crafted, Diligently Maintained To-Do List.  And to be honest her way of explaining this is what propelled me into a life filled with glee.  Once you have brainstormed your ideas on paper and broken down your goals into action items you can begin your To-Do List.  I have items on my To-Do List that are there each and every week, items that are there daily and items that come and go as soon as they are completed.  The point is you need to have your list so you know each and every day what must be done.  That also allows you to know when you can stop and enjoy some down time.  I use Task App on my DROID called "Check It Off" but there are others that may work better for you.  You will need to find one that suits your needs.  I like having it on my phone because my phone is always with me.  I definitely recommend Chalene's Car Smart CD on Creating a To-Do List as well as her FREE 30 Day Challenge that walks you through the process.

4.  Schedule, Schedule, SCHEDULE. Now that you have your To-Do List you have to the tasks into your daily schedule.  I like using Google Calendar because I can update it either from my phone or my computer and have it at all times.  I do not have the sort of schedule that says I am at work from 8-5 every day.  My schedule fluctuates, sometimes I don't know what I am doing or where I am going until 6am.  But, I have my To-Do List handy all the time and I can schedule my day first thing in the morning. That way I know when I have to pack lunches, clean toilets, call customers, write blog posts, socialize on Facebook, etc.  Yes... I even schedule my Facebook time, otherwise I would get lost there for hours!  Whether you create your daily schedule every morning or every Sunday night for the week to come, make sure you do it.  This is critical to your success.  Also, don't forget to give yourself a little extra time.  You never know when your sister will call with a crisis, you will get stuck behind a slow driver, or the 3 page email you just typed will get itself lost in cyberspace because your computer freezes.

5.  Recharge your batteries.  With a task list a mile long and only 24 hours in a day you may be thinking that you will have to work from sun up to sun down with no time to relax.  That is not true.  The point of your list and schedule is to allow you to get your work done, make forward progress each and every day, and STOP when you have checked off the items on your list for that day.

If you find that no matter that you have a To-Do List and a schedule you find yourself procrastinating, check out Eat That Frog! By Brian Tracy.  It has made a huge impact on me and it is one of those books I have committed to re-reading every January!

I hope that these steps that have helped me find balance also help you.  Let me know if you have any questions.  I appreciate each and every comment left here on my blog.

Roasted Sweet Potato Fries

2 large sweet potatoes, peeled
1 Tbsp EVOO
1 tsp chili powder

Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Line a rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil.  Cut sweet potatoes in half lengthwise.  Cut each half into three or four wedges.  In a mixing bowl, combine sweet potatoes wedges with oil.  Sprinkle chili powder over sweet potatoes and stir again.  Place sweet potato wedges on prepared baking sheet.  Bake for 30 minutes, turning wedges several times during roasting so that they cook evenly.

Nutritional Information:  Calories: 66, Total Fat: 1g, Carbs: 13g, Fiber: 2g, Protein: 1g, Sugars 3g, Sodium 36mg, Cholesterol: 0mg

Salted Caramel Chocolate Shakeology Recipe

I love that my healthy breakfast tastes like a sinfully delicious dessert....

Salted Caramel Chocolate Shakeology

1 scoop chocolate Shakeology
1 cup unsweetened Cashew Milk
1 tsp. caramel extract
1 dash sea salt
Ice to taste

What did you have for breakfast today?

Shakeology Frozen Oat Bar Recipe

Splurge this weekend!

1 scoop Chocolate Shakeology
1 scoop chocolate whey protein powder
1/4 cup natural peanut, cashew or almond butter or PB2
1/2 banana
1/2 cup rolled oats, cooked and cooled

Combine all ingredients well, freeze in glass baking pan for about 90 minutes and enjoy!

Why I Became a Beachbody Coach

I would like to share with you why I became a Beachbody Coach, some added benefits I hadn't counted on, as well as what it means to be a Beachbody Coach.

I became a coach while I was in the process of achieving a 50lb. weight loss success story.  I want to be very clear here.  I did not achieve the 50lb weight loss first.

My story begins with a late night, a heavy heart and a spunky blonde.

My heart was heavy because I was heavy.  My weight was something that I constantly thought about.

Every morning when I would get dressed,

every time I went to buy clothes,

every time I had an event to dress up for,

every time I walked out of my house,

and every time I passed a mirror.

Now don't get me wrong, I know that beauty can be only skin deep.  We have all met people who are stunning on the outside but after talking with them for only a few minutes you can see they don't have a light shining through their heart.

It wasn't just my appearance that gave me a heavy heart, it was the insecurity I felt.  It was the frustration I felt when nothing in my closet fit.  It was the sadness I would feel when I looked in the mirror and couldn't believe that I had let myself get to that point. My weight, the discontentment with myself and the constant feeling of failure affected my confidence and self esteem.  I felt horrible about myself and I hid that from everyone.

One night I was watching TV and an infomercial for Turbo Jam came on.  I was instantly captivated by a cute, spunky blonde that was punching, kicking and jabbing and telling me how much fun it all was going to be....

Exercise for me was hard.  I was heavy, who am I kidding... everything was hard.  But what she was doing looked fun and I thought even if its hard, if I am having fun I can try it.  So I sneaked out to where I kept my purse, grabbed my credit card, and ordered when my husband wasn't looking.   

I instantly fell in love with Turbo Jam.

Oh yes, from the very first time I did the Learn & Burn DVD, I was hooked.

It totally helped that that spunky blonde was always telling me what a great job I was doing and encouraging me every step of the way... It was hard for sure but I kept at it and it started to get easier.

About 3 months after I started Turbo Jam I saw someone on Facebook post about a new work out by Chalene Johnson, that spunky little blonde I had grown to adore, called Chalean Extreme.  I did a little research on the program and placed my order.  Again, I did it on the sly... I didn't want to tell anyone what I was up to because I didn't want them to see me fail.

ChaLean Extreme is a muscle building workout program that uses heavy weights (or bands).  It was unlike anything I had ever done before.  Research has proven that the more muscle you have in your body, the higher your metabolism.  Well, I knew that I wanted a higher metabolism.  I already trusted Chalene because of what the Turbo Jam program did for me, but I still didn't believe in me.

I went to Target and bought some adjustable dumbbells and started the program as soon as it arrived in the mail.  Up to this point, my husband didn't know I had been working out.  I was still staying home with my youngest child and would workout during the day when he was napping.  It only took a few weeks before I was able to see noticeable changes when I looked in the mirror.  I had been at it for about 6 weeks when my husband (who isn't the most observant person in the world) asked me what I had been doing to lose weight.  It was then that I very shyly took him to the basement and showed him the weights I had bought and the workout programs I was doing.

I stayed consistent and after my first 90 days with ChaLean Extreme I lost around 30lbs.  I was ecstatic!  Yes, I had lost weight but even more importantly I learned a few things about myself.

1.  I am a fighter.  I am not a fighter in the sense that if I don't get my way I am going to kick, scream and yell myself into what I want, but I am a fighter in the sense that if I don't achieve something that I want I am not going to give up.  I am going to keep trying and failing isn't the end, its a stepping stone.

2.  I have goals.  This might sound a little funny, but after being a stay-at-home mom for 8 years I forgot what I wanted to do with my life.  I was in a perpetual state of laundry, cooking, cleaning, laundry, cooking, cleaning, with a wipe-a-hiney thrown in here and there that I forgot I could do more.  I forgot that I could dream.  I forgot I could set goals.  Even more, I could achieve them.  Please, do not get me wrong.  I love being a mom more than anything.  But, that's not all I am.  I have more to offer.

3.  I am strong.  Its funny that after falling on my face after 3 pushups done on my knees and then progressing to 12 pushups on my toes has taught me that I am strong in heart.  Most of the time when I am struggling with a workout its because my head is telling me I can't... its those times that I have to dig deeper, push harder and prove that nasty voice wrong.  This does not just apply to my workouts.  It applies to every single obstacle I face.  It applies every single day.

It was after that initial weight loss success that I wanted more.  I was feeling better, I was more confident and I knew that I could achieve whatever goal I set for myself and I wanted to lose another 20lbs.  I knew without a doubt that what was holding me back was my diet.  I had made many changes to my once over processed, mostly fast food way of eating, but I was still a long way from eating the way I knew I had to in order to reach my goal.  Beachbody, being the cutting edge company that they are, was just introducing a new product that was and still is absolutely revolutionary in the health supplement industry.  The product they had just launched was Shakeology and I knew it would help get me on track with my nutrition.

It is not a miracle product and it will not cure cancer or any other disease, but if you are like me and need something that you can count on every day to give you great nutrition, increase your energy, and aid in your weight loss then I recommend it to you.  This is why I signed up as a coach.  As wonderful as Shakeology is, it is also expensive.  And, it is worth every. single. penny.  But, as a coach I was able to save money and that is always a good thing.

After talking to my coach Jenelle Summers, who also happens to be Chalene's much taller sister, I signed up to be a coach in August of 2009 and had absolutely no idea how that one little decision would impact my life.  But I will save that story for another day.

Being a Beachbody Coach means I have the opportunity to share my passion for fitness with others.  It means that when someone is struggling with motivation to workout I can encourage them.  It means when they are struggling with changes to their diet or even where to start I can share what I have learned.  I am not a fitness professional, I am not a nutritionist.  I am a coach and I love what I do.  And I am fortunate to earn an income from sharing my passion.

Pecan Cinnamon Roll

You didn't think I was really going to post a recipe for Cinnamon Rolls did you?

You should know be better than that by now.... 

Enjoy this healthy and tasty Shakeology treat instead!


Pecan Cinnamon Roll Shakeology

1 scoop Chocolate Shakeology
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
8 pecan halves
1 cup almond milk
Ice to taste

And doesn't it just sound like something that would make a cool, crisp fall morning even better?

Avocado Spread with a Kick!

I found this recipe on another blog that I read, I decided to steal it and share it with all of you! YAY!!
I hope you enjoy it as much as I plan to.  And, if you want more yummy recipes from Ashley, go here. She is a nutritionist and full of all kinds of good information to help you reach your goals and live a healthier lifestyle.

Avocado Spread with a Kick from Ashley Grimwade:

If you’re like me, you see avocados in the store, and know they have many health benefits, but you aren’t sure how you will use it in your meals:

Here is a great recipe for a yummy, healthy Avocado Spread

1 medium, ripe avocado

2/3 cup white cannellini beans- rinsed and drained

2 sprigs of cilantro

1 ½ Tbs lime juice

1 green jalapeno- sliced and chopped with seeds removed. Add less if you don’t want as much of a kick!

½ tsp green Tabasco sauce

¼ tsp salt

In a blender- combine all ingredients until smooth and creamy!

Spread on sandwiches, chips, crackers or veggies!

The best part: Only 80 calories per 3-4 tablespoon!!!

P90X2 Pre-Order Update!

Yesterday at Noon was the kick-off for the P90X2 Pre-Order and WHOA! We BLEW up the Internet!  Within minutes the site had crashed and although Beachbody had prepared for the surge, they still had to feverishly add servers to handle all the volume!  That just goes to show how much P90X "the original" truly impacted the lives of others.

I wanted to take this time to give you a little heads up on the status of pre-orders and also some reasons why you might want to consider getting your pre-order in before September 5th!  There are a limited number of P90X2 Pre-Order Packages available and they are only available to TeamBeachbody members or through a coach until September 5th, after that they will be made available to the general public.  However, you get a few BIG perks by ordering through a coach.

What do customers get if they pre-order P90X2 from a coach? 

• Two FREE bonus workout DVDs. That's two more extreme workouts with Tony they can use to get in tip-top shape for the holidays.
• FREE shipping and handling (up to a $40.00 value).
• Pre-Orders are NOT charged to your credit card until they are shipped.
• An automatic sweepstakes entry to win exclusive P90X prizes. 
• And the earlier they place their order, the more chances they'll have to win.
• A shot to be featured in a future P90X2 infomercial!    

How is P90X2 different from P90X?

• Like P90X, P90X2 is a complete 90-day program, but with all-new, cutting edge workouts.
• It takes the principles and foundation of the P90X concept and cranks up the intensity with exercises that demand balance, agility, and athleticism.
• P90X2 is the next wave in applied science for body transformation.  

What's included in P90X2? 

The Basic Package

• 12 workouts on 13 DVDs or 4 Blu-ray discs
• Fitness Guide
• Nutrition Guide
• 90-Day Workout Calendar    

The Deluxe Package

• everything in the Base Kit 
• 2 additional DVDs; VSculpt and X2 Chest & Shoulders & Tris  
• foam roller
• stability ball
• 2 - 8 lb. medicine balls 

The Ultimate Package

• everything in the Deluxe Kit 
• rumble roller 
• Tony Horton Power Stands

When will P90X2 be available?

• December 2011, but there are no guarantees it will be available before 2012 unless they pre-order from a coach!
• A Spanish language version will be available in January 2012.  

If you pre-order from me, you are also eligible to join my exclusive P90X2 Workout Accountability & Support Group on Facebook. We are starting on January 2nd! Get ready to BRING IT in the New Year!!

Shaun T's Insanity: The Asylum Game Day 1 Mile Run

Easy Salsa and Bean Soup

Salsa Bean Soup

• 1 jar Northern Beans 

•  1 container Jack's Fresh Garden Salsa

•  1 lb. cooked ground turkey or chicken

•  1 cup shredded cheese (Mexican blend)

Empty jar of Northern beans (including liquid) into a 5 qt. stock pot.  Add salsa, meat and cheese.  Mix thoroughly and cook on low heat for 20-30 minutes.  Enjoy!!

I don't know exact nutrition information, but if you are following Weight Watchers, its only 1 point!

The National Museum of the Marine Corps

The reason behind our trip to Virginia was to meet and visit with my amazing workout accountability partner Bill and his family.  Bill and I met on Twitter after he posted his P90X transformation pictures.  I am pretty sure that when I saw the pictures he posted on Twitter my mouth dropped off my face!  Anyway, if he's telling the story, I began stalking him on Twitter but I don't necessarily remember it the same way.  We ended up deciding to do Insanity: The Asylum workout together and keep each other accountable to the program by texting each other every evening.  Most of the time we tried to do the workouts at the same time which was fun.

Over the course of those 30 days we got to know each other pretty well and he invited me to bring the family down and spend some time getting to know him in real life.  I thought it would be fun and so did Curt so we started saving our pennies.  I wish I would have taken more pictures of Bill, Robin (his beautiful wife), Riley, Reagan and Lauren (his kids), but to be honest we just had so much fun hanging out with them that I didn't think about taking photos... well, I did think about it during our super fun/crazy/intense workouts but I was busy working my butt off (literally) so it just never happened.

On one of the days Bill's work schedule allowed him a little free time and he invited Curt and I, along with the boys to go to the National Museum of the Marine Corps at Quantico.  We didn't know what to expect from the museum, but I can tell you that we didn't expect it to have the depth that it did.  We all loved it.  Here are a few of the things we saw....

 This is Bill helping Jacob try on the gear pack the Marines get to carry around with their necessities.  If I'm not mistaken, the pack weighs 40lbs.  Jacob, weighing around 60lbs. couldn't even stand up with it on.

The Marine vehichles in the museum are not reproductions, but actual vehicles from each time period.

There were several areas that the boys were able to try on the gear, again, these were from different periods in history.  It was definitely interesting to see how things have changed over time!

 Raising the Flag on Iwo Jima is a historic photograph taken on February 23, 1945, by Joe Rosenthal.  This is the original photograph.

 This is the flag.

 The boys hanging out in one of the Marine vehicles, I want to say its a tank, but I don't know if I am correct.

The museum is filled with a ton interesting exhibits.  The boys favorite exhibit was one where you walk out the back of a helicopter and land right in the middle of the fighting in Vietnam.  What was once an air conditioned and comfortable museum quickly became a hot and uncomfortable place.

If you have a chance to visit the museum, I recommend it.  I had no idea of the history of the Marines... and if you have the chance to walk through with a Marine, even better...

3-Day Shakeology Cleanse

If you don't know what Shakeology is, go here and you will find ALL the information you need! If you are interested in doing the 3-Day Cleanse, go to www.TurboKristy.com  and order your Shakeology today.    If you ONLY want 3 days supply for the Cleanse, let me know and I can help you out.  A 3-day supply including a FREE Shaker Cup is $49.50. 

Read what makes this cleanse effective and different from other cleanses on the market below. At the bottom of this page there is a link so you can read what the 3 days consist of. 

The Cleanse
I like to call the Shakeology 3-Day Cleanse a "performance cleanse." This is because it was designed to be done with a workout program. Let's take a look at how this differs from other cleanses and how to tailor it to your needs.

First of all, it's not a true cleanse. It's a calorie-restricted and nutrient-dense diet plan. Traditional cleanses contain very few calories and nutrients. Compared to the much more popular Master Cleanse, it's like an all-you-can-eat buffet. Traditional cleansing diets are done to rid your system of toxins and bring it into homeostasis. They also contain a spiritual aspect. This process can take a long time, which is why you may have seen coworkers walking around the office in a zombie-like state for weeks on end—swilling a strange concoction of lemons and maple syrup.

The Shakeology cleanse is nothing like that. Depending on how you decide to do it, you'll be eating frequently and consuming between 800 and 1,200 calories per day, and it could be even more should you feel the need. The point of this cleanse is not calorie restriction, per se—it's nutrient efficiency. The aim is to get the most nutrients possible into the fewest number of calories. The goal is to put all of these calories to use as a part of your exercise program, to rid your body of undigested foods and toxins, and to bring your hydration levels into homeostasis. The result you're after is not weight loss—though it will likely occur—but for your body to be running more efficiently. This should make you feel lighter and more energetic, even though you're doing an exercise program.

How It Works
Your eating structure doesn't change. You still eat every few hours while you're awake. Each meal should have a balance of proteins, carbohydrates, fats, and fiber. And while you're not eating as much food as you'd normally eat, your calorie-to-nutrient ratio is extremely high. This means that you shouldn't restrict the actual nutrients you're getting by too much, so activity can continue as normal.

We recommend you try to keep your shakes to just Shakeology. Adding fruits of any kind, or seeds (for fat and fiber), or the Shakeology Fiber supplement, can and should be done as you see fit.

Ditto for your one solid meal—a salad. As we all know from any salad bar, the definition of salad can be varied. The goal of the salad in the plan is to keep your calories coming from natural sources (no artificial ingredients should be added, including artificial salad dressing). Aside from that, you can add ingredients as necessary. Keep your meat intake to four ounces or less, but add veggies, seeds, nuts, fruits, and legumes in quantities to satiate you.

The goal of the Shakeology 3-Day Cleanse is to optimize your performance. You want to eat enough to fuel your day AND your workout. The foods you're eating are so high in fiber and nutrients that it's virtually impossible to overeat. You'll be consuming so much fiber, along with enzymes and digestive aids, that your body's ability to flush excess foods quickly will be at its peak.

What to Drink
Water, of course, is recommended in quantity. This is vital to any cleanse, because one of your goals is to bring your hydration into homeostasis. When your electrolytes are out of balance—the main problem we have is salt—you often retain water outside of your cells. This situation, which we refer to as retaining water, is cured by drinking more water. As the excess salts are diffused, your body begins to hydrate your cells (using sodium as it should be used) and flush the water held outside the cells. So, oddly enough, you drink water to eliminate water retention.

Sodas, alcohols, juices, etc., should be eliminated entirely during a cleanse. Coffee and tea, which are diuretics, should be minimized at the very least and eliminated if possible. Again, performance is the key, so if you need a cup of Joe as a pick-me-up, go ahead. Just use only as needed, and don't use additives. Eliminating sugar and chemicals is vital. However, do not use energy drinks or soda for this purpose, including the ones with artificial sweeteners. Coffee drinkers may find that switching to black tea during a cleanse will give you the energy you're looking for with less upset. Coffee's acidic nature can heighten the effects in a negative way during your cleanse.

Why You Won't Lose Weight
I should say why you might not lose weight, but I wanted to get your attention. Most people will lose some weight during a cleanse, but that is not the goal. Those with a lot of undigested gunk in their systems will lose weight as it's flushed out. Those of you who are properly hydrated and already eat well are less likely to lose. For those of you who need to lose weight, take heart: you are setting up your system to use nutrients more efficiently and improving your ability to lose weight through structured diet and exercise. So while you may not lose much on the cleanse, you'll be more prepared to lose weight later.

Another reason why we don't always lose weight on cleanses is due to a stress hormone called cortisol. Restricting calories is stressful to the body, and it reacts by releasing cortisol. Cortisol is performance-enhancing in the short term, but if you somehow keep your body stressed for long periods, it creates havoc in your system and can cause you to doggedly hang onto weight in a type of survival mode. We don't want this to occur, which is one reason the Shakeology 3-Day Cleanse is short. It's important not to remain in a highly calorie-deficient state for long periods of time, especially when you are trying to exercise hard.

View the entire Shakeology 3-Day Cleanse regimen here >> 

Apple Pancakes

I like to make breakfast for dinner a lot because I don't spend time in the morning cooking... there is never enough time...  and, I am lazy.  So I always have my Shakeology for breakfast.  But we do like breakfast foods.  One of our favorite things is pancakes but, as you know, most pancake mixes are not good for you AT ALL and if it is good for you it probably tastes like tree bark.  Last week when I was out shopping I perused the pancake mixes hoping to find something new.  I am willing to give most anything a try in an attempt to find yummy and nutritious foods for my family and I came across this which may NOT be new, but is definitely my new favorite Pancake Mix:

Apple Pancakes:

3/4 cup Hodgson Mill Whole Wheat Buttermilk Pancake Mix
1/3 cup milk
1 cup applesauce
a little bit of cinnamon
1 tsp. vanilla
1 egg
1 Tbsp oil (I used light olive oil)

Preheat griddle to 360 degrees.  Place mix into bowl, add milk, applesauce, vanilla, egg, cinnamon and oil.  Mix just until blended.  Let stand for 5 minutes.  Spray griddle with cooking spray (I use the Pam Organic Olive Oil Spray).  Spoon onto griddle and cook until bubbles form on the edges,m then flip and cook the other side.  Serve Hot.  Top with natural maple syrup, a sugar free variety, or fresh fruit.  If you want the pancakes a little thinner, use less milk.  I like them thick and satisfying!

Its Time to Start!!

September is almost upon us with back to school looming, kids sports schedules starting and the organized chaos of life kicking off full blast!

If you struggle with balancing it all AND finding time to do the things you enjoy then I highly recommend doing Chalene Johnson's 30 day Challenge. It is completely FREE and only takes abou 10-15 minutes per day.

I recommend it to anyone that struggles with finding enough time. If you are interested, go to: http://30daypush.com/ and sign up!! You have nothing to lose!

If you have already completed the program, leave a comment for the others!! Thanks!

What Do You Get When Ordering P90X2?

 Pre-Order Begins Sept 1st!

 P90X2 available in either DVD or Blu-Ray formats!

If you place your Pre-Order through www.TurboKristy.com anytime September 1st - 5th you will get 2 additional workout videos FREE, shipping and handling FREE, and GUARANTEED delivery by Christmas!! Just in time to start the program for the new year!!

Base Kit

With the Deluxe kit, you will get everything in the Base Kit plus 2 additional DVDs; VSculpt and X2 Chest & Shoulders & Tris.  You’ll also get the foam roller, stability ball and 2-8 lb. medicine balls
The price of the DVD package is $239.85 the price of the Blu-Ray is $299.85, for pre-orders S&H is free!

With the Ultimate kit, you will get everything in the Deluxe Kit plus the rumble roller and Tony Horton Power Stands.  The price of the DVD package is $299.85 the price of the Blu-Ray package is $359.85, for pre-orders S&H is free!

Interested in learning how YOU can save 25% by signing up for a coach membership?  Email me at: kford924@gmail.com for more information or click COACH to get started!

Buying Healthy Foods on a Budget

From the Mayo Clinic Embody Health Newsletter March 2011

According to a recent study found that higher food budgets are related to a healthier diet.  Here are a few tips to help you lower that cost without lowering your nutrition.

1.  Plan around plants -- use more in-season fruits and vegetables, whole grains, dried beans and peas.

2.  Cut convenience store spending -- use a well-planned menu and purchase items at the grocery store.

3.  Choose whole foods -- consider buying certain foods, such as brown rice and oatmeal in bulk when possible.

4.  Limit away-from-home expenses -- Pack a lunch for work and make more meals at home.

Be a Coach -- Join Team Addicted!!

What's in the Turbo Fire Deluxe Box?

P90X2 Preview - X2 Core Workout

P90X2 Preview - P.A.P Lower Workout

P90X2 Preview - P.A.P Upper Workout

Virginia and D.C. 2011 - Part 3 -- Ford's Theater

One of the places we were able to visit and "touch" history on our trip to Virginia and D.C. was Ford's Theater, forever known as the theater President Lincoln was shot and killed. If you ever have a chance to visit, I highly recommend it. The museum downstairs is filled with a lot of interesting things from that night and it is very cool to sit in the actual theater, hear a recounting of the night and look into the Presidents theater box knowing how that one night, that one violent act, changed history forever.

The boys standing next to a statue of John Wilkes Booth.  

The gun that Booth used to shoot President Lincoln.

A bronze life-sized statue of President Lincoln.  Did you know he was 6' 4" tall? 

The Presidential theater box.  President Lincoln did not have plans to attend the theater until that day.  Which means that although Booth and the other conspirators had come up with several plans beforehand to kidnap the President and other prominent members of the government, the plans for the assassination were created that day.

Sitting in Ford Theater.

 A view of the Presidents Box and the stage.  Booth jumped out of the box and onto the stage before running backstage and out to his horse.

This is the Peterson House.  It was a boarding house directly across from the theater where Lincoln died.  He lived for 9 hours after being shot in the head.

Pumpkin Pie Shakeology

1 c. almond, soy, rice or low-fat milk
1 scoop Shakeology
1/2 c. canned pumpkin (unsweetened)
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. nutmeg
ice to taste

Add all ingredients to blender and blend until smooth.

Nutritional Information (with low-fat milk):

Calories: 284
Protein: 27 g
Fiber: 7 g
Carbs: 40 g
Fat Total: 3.5 g
Saturated Fat: 2 g

What was YOUR Excuse?

Soft Serve Banana Ice Cream

Oh my goodness... I completely stole this off my friends blog!! I hope she doesn't mind, but I give her full credit.  Gabi is amazing and you should stop by her blog and say "Hi"!! Make sure you tell her I sent you!  The following is all from her and I couldn't have said it any better.  I hope you enjoy this yummy treat as much as I will!

I never imagined this would be so good but it is, I promise. The recipe info only includes the nutritional info for the bananas BUT feel free to use no calorie toppings or mix ins like cinnamon (awesome choice!). Make sure if you include anything else, you count the calories.

This might also be a great way to sneak some fruit into your children's day.... where are my sneaky moms out there?! Enjoy!

Soft-Serve Banana Ice Cream


Nutrition Info
Calories: 108.6
Fat: 0.6g
Carbohydrates: 27.6g
Protein: 1.2g

Ingredients
4 frozen bananas

Directions

Place frozen bananas in the bowl of a food processor. Pulse several times to break into smaller pieces, then turn on and run for about five minutes, stopping occasionally to scrape down the sides of the bowl. The bananas will start to resemble soft serve in a few minutes. Transfer to a bowl and place in freezer for about 15 minutes, if you'd like, or serve immediately.

Another recommended topping: A tablespoon of pure maple syrup mixed with 2 tsp dark cocoa powder (calories not included).

Or maybe you should mix in some PB2 for an awesome PB Banana ice cream! Please share your other ideas too!!

(Makes four 1/2 cup servings)

Number of Servings: 4

Virginia and D.C. -- Part 2 -- Arlington

 "Please remember that these are hallowed grounds."

Turbo Tuesday!!

My friend and fellow Beachbody Coach Annette drove an hour to come to have fun with Paula and I and do a little Turbo Kick!! It was such a great time having her there!! She even brought guests! Here are a few POST workout photos that were snapped with her camera!

I don't know about you, but I think we look darn good for having just 

double-bobbed and jab-cross-hook-uppercut like crazy!!

So THIS is what it feels like to be a cheerleader... No?  Hmmm...

You HAVE to have a "jazzy hands" photo!! Love this one!!

Virginia and D.C. 2011 -- Part 1 -- Buildings, Monuments and IRL Friends

My family just got back from a fabulous vacation to Virginia and D.C.  We weren't planning to take a family vacation this year but my workout accountability partner persuaded us to come down and actually meet him and his family in person.  We figured after all the text messages, Facebook status updates and e-mails it was about time.  So we saved our little pennies and made it happen.  And let me tell you, we are so glad we did.

First and most importantly we turned a "virtual" friendship into a "real life" friendship.

 This was us getting ready for our first trip on the Metro to visit the National Zoo.... 

forever referred to from here out as the "Un-Zoo"...

Oh yes folks, it happens!! It was amazing to be able to workout in real life with the man that pushes me to workout when I am not feeling it... to have his family and my family GEL the way they did.  Everyone of us wanted the vacation extended... and we are hoping that we can do it again.

So not only did we have that... which would have made an amazing vacation in itself, but we also had the opportunity to travel around D.C.  I was so overwhelmed when we came up the escalator (which Ethan continues to call the excavator) to see the Washington Monument on one side and our countries Capital Building on the other... Oh yes... I was sappy.  Jacob even asked how long I was going to cry before we could "get on with it"...

These are a few of the pictures I took that day.  There are more and I will post them, but decided it was best to break it up a little.  There is so much that took my breath away and I want to do it all justice.

 

 The Washington Monument

 The Capital Building

 

The White House 

photo taken from the Washington Monument

 

The Boys... 

 

The entrance to the WWII Memorial

Looking out over the Memorial from the Pacific to the Atlantic
(this photo was taken on Curt's cell phone, hence the graininess, but I loved it and had to include it.)

 

The Price of Freedom

"Freedom Wall holds 4,048 gold stars. Each gold star represents one hundred American Service personnel who died or remained missing in the war. The 405,399 Americans dead or missing from World War II are second only to the loss of more than 620,000 Americans during the Civil War."

The Lincoln Memorial

 The Old Post Office

The view from the top is beautiful... 

 

 The National Archives Building

I got chills when looking at the original copies of The Declaration of Independence and The Constitution of the United States.   To see the signatures of the men that shaped our country... to know how strongly they believed in their vision... and to know they were risking their lives for what they believed....