Wednesday, December 30, 2015

Free 10-Day Core January Challenge


Are you feeling like it's time to get back into the groove? Are you still feeling the leftover bloat from all of those holiday goodies?

I know I am!!!




We are kicking off our FIRST challenge of the new year with this freebie group for you!! It is focused totally on your core muscles - abs and back!!



Our challenges are hosted online and are completed by you in your own home when it fits into your schedule. Each workout should take you 15-20 minutes. 

We provide the workouts, online accountability and FUN!!!

This isn't a get fit quick scheme, but it is a great way to jump back on the workout train, add a little extra oomph to your normal routine, or take the first step to a healthier you!!

To join you must:

1️⃣ Go to: http://bit.ly/KFFFREEmember and complete the registration for your FREE account.

2️⃣ Comment below "Me please!"

3️⃣ Click to SHARE this challenge with your friends and family on Facebook! (The more the merrier, right!?)

*Once you've completed the 3 simple steps above I will add you to our private group!

** This challenge is only available to non-coaches and those that are not already working with another Team Beachbody coach.



Tuesday, December 29, 2015

Mexican Chicken Tortilla Soup






We tried this soup from the Fixate Cookbook last night for our dinner and we LOVED it!!

This is definitely one to share.

If you are following the 21-Day Fix Portion System I will be listing the container equivalents at the bottom with the nutritional information.

I hope you love it as much as we did!











         Serves 4  (1 1/2 cups each)        Prep Time: 15 minutes         Cooking Time: 30 minutes

8 - 6 inch corn tortillas, divided use

2 tsp. olive oil

1/2 cup chopped onion

2 cups sliced celery (approx. 4 medium stalks)

2 cloves garlic, chopped

4 medium tomatoes, chopped

6 cups low-sodium organic chicken broth, divided use

3 cups chopped rotisserie chicken breast, boneless, skinless
(we just cooked plain chicken breast for ours)

1 1/2 cups sliced carrots (approx. 3 medium)

1 tsp. dried Mexican oregano leaves (we used regular oregano leaves)

1 tsp. ground ancho chili powder (or ground chili powder)

1/2 tsp. Himalayan salt (easy to find, it has a pink color)

1/2 tsp. ground black pepper

1/2 medium avocado, chopped

1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro

4 tsp. crumbled feta cheese

Cooking Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

2. Line large baking sheet with parchment paper.

3. Place tortillas on baking sheet. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes, or until toasted and crispy. Remove from oven. When cool, break into pieces. Set aside.

4. Heat oil in large saucepan over medium heat.

5. Add onion and celery; cook, stirring frequently, for 5 minutes, or until onion is translucent.

6. Add garlic; cook, stirring frequently, for 1 minute.

7. Add tomatoes; cook, stirring frequently, for 5 minutes, or until tomatoes are soft. Set aside.

8. Add onion mixture, 2 cups broth, and half of toasted corn tortilla pieces to blender (or food processor); cover with lid. Blend until smooth.

9. Add blended mixture to soup pot. Add remaining 4 cups broth, chicken, carrots, oregano, chili powder, salt, and pepper. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce heat to medium low; cook, stirring occasionally, for 10 minutes, or until carrots are tender.

10. Evenly divide soup into four serving bowls. Top each serving evenly with avocado, cilantro, cheese, and remaining toasted tortilla pieces.

TIP: For a vegetarian version replace chicken broth with low-sodium organic vegetable broth and omit chicken breast. 

Container Equivalents (per serving):
2 Green
1 Yellow
1 1/2 Red
1 Blue

Nutritional Information (per serving): Calories: 480
Total Fat: 15 g
Saturated Fat: 3 g
Cholesterol: 99 mg
Sodium: 625 mg
Carbohydrates: 42 g
Fiber: 9 g
Sugars: 8 g
Protein: 48 g

*This recipe can be found on page 45 of the Fixate Cookbook



Wednesday, December 23, 2015

Grocery Staples

Do You Take Time to Reflect?

2015 is coming to a close and as with every year I look back and see what I've accomplished over the year. 

Then, I look back even further. I look at who I was 5, even 10 years ago and reflect on the changes I've made in myself over that time. I reflect on how those changes impacted where I am in life right now and I look forward to the next, 5, 10 and 20 years. 

Who do I want to be then? 

Where do I want to be? 

How do I want to spend my time? 

And, with whom?

As I was reflecting on the last few years I came across this picture and just had to pinch myself. 



Being on the cover of a magazine, even a local magazine, was never on my bucket list. But, because of the path I had chosen this amazing opportunity came to me.

While this wasn't on my list of things I had set out to accomplish, the experience was awesome and I am grateful for the opportunity and the memories I have because of it.

You can check out the interview that went along with this cover photo here.

Something I learned through this experience is that people you don't even know are watching are.... what you are putting out there matters. What do you want them to learn about you? What do you want your legacy to be?



Tuesday, December 22, 2015

Creamy Candy Cane Shakeology

Are you a peppermint lover? 

Fall is the time for all things pumpkin spice, but once December rolls around peppermint joins the party! 

If you are a big fan of all those peppermint drinks and foods, here's another... only this one will keep your body healthy and won't cause weight gain!  



Creamy Candy Cane Shakeology 

1 cup unsweetened almond or cashew milk
1 scoop Vanilla Shakeology
1/2 tsp. pure peppermint extract
1 cup ice

Blend well and enjoy!! ❄️

I'm sure if you are using a different vanilla flavored meal replacement or protein powder this will create similar flavor. 


You may need to adjust the liquid ratio to get it to your liking. This was thick and spoonable!! 

I prefer Shakeology over other options because it doesn't contain artificial ingredients or sugar substitutes. 



10 Health Benefits of Sleep



We all know that sleeping can make us feel better and more productive, but we also feel like it can be traded away in order to achieve our goals. What we intend to be a short term trade off can turn into long term habits.

Here are 10 reasons why you should make sleep nonnegotiable and create a sanctuary for sleep in your bedroom! 

1. Better Health - lack of sufficient shut eye as been directly linked to heart disease, heart attacks, diabetes and obesity.
2. Better Sex - impaired sleep can be associated to lower levels of testosterone in men.
3. Less Pain - getting enough sleep can make you hurt less.
4. Lower Risk of Injury - when you are over tired you tend to have more accidents such as tripping or falling and 1 out of 5 car accidents are a result of driving drowsy.
5. Better Mood - when you are overtired you are less able to regulate your emotions.
6. Better Weight Control - if you are over tired you are less likely to exercise. The hormone leptin (which controls feeling full) is decreased causing over eating.
7. Clearer Thinking - being well rested increases your ability to pay attention and think logically.
8. Better Memory - during sleep your brain process and consolidates memories from the day. Not getting enough sleep can affect how your memories are processed.
9. Stronger Immunity - people who get 7 hours of sleep per night or less are 3 times more likely to get sick than those who sleep at least 8 hours a night.
10. Decreased Inflammation - people who get less sleep have higher levels of inflammatory proteins.

It's time to make sleep a priority. Getting at least 8 hours of sleep per night is ideal. Who's ready to make a few changes in their bedtime habits?