Easy Breakfast

Easy BreakfastSteel cut oats (or an instant oatmeal if you can find a decent one) with 1/2 scoop chocolate Shakeology mixed in for added protein & super foods! If you’re using Instant, add lots of extra water before you heat it for 45 seconds so that the Shakeokogy can be mixed in (AFTER HEATING) otherwise it will be too thick!
Please let me know if you try it!

When you’re in a bind, you can order Starbucks Steel Cut Oats & mix in a full packet of Shakeology.. carry packets in your purse. So good, filling, high protein & tons of nutrition!

Vanilla and Chocolate, LAYERED!

layersAll I did here was make the recipe twice, once with Vanilla Shakeology and once with Chocolate Shakeology and combined the end product. I made the mixtures per the recipe below, rolled out the mixtures to be flat on parchment paper. Then put one on top of the other (like 2 huge pancakes, one on top of the other), then froze them for an hour so they weren’t as messy to cut into hearts!

Then you of course put them BACK in the freezer, as these are best to eat straight from the freezer. Otherwise, they’re too mushy in my opinion 😉

Here’s the recipe for the chocolate mixture. If you’re layering, just do another batch but using Vanilla Shakeology instead. Yes, regular protein powder might work but then you’re missing all the nutrients of Shakeology & if you’re going to do that, you might as well just grab an already-made, processed protein bar (not that I don’t do that sometimes! wink emoticon )

CHOCOLATE MIXTURE:

  • 1 cup Quick Oats (or 2.5pckgs instant oatmeal. Lower Sugar Maple Brown Sugar is awesome)
  • 1 cup “Just Great Stuff” (organic cleaner version of PB2)
  • 1/2 cup Natural Peanut Butter
  • 1/2 cup Unsweetened Apple Sauce
  • 1 Scoop or package of Chocolate Shakeology (Vanilla for the other)
  • 2 full drops Stevia Sweat Leaf (or use agave or honey to sweeten)

If too crumbly, add more apple sauce.

The following are estimates because nutrition depends on the size & the exact ingredients you use:
~80 calories per bar/ball
~7-8g protein
Each mixture is enough for 12-18 bars/balls depending on size.

TIP: Wash hands & remove jewelry. Mix all ingredients into large bowl. Roll out mixture flat or into golf-ball sized bites; whatever shape you like. Put into freezer (best when they’ve been in freezer for about 2hrs). Ready to eat straight from the freezer (may take 1-2 minutes to thaw enough to eat).

Superfood Bites – Chocolate Peanut Butter

Superfood Bites - Chocolate Peanut ButterWould your family eat these?!?

They’re amazing!! Perfect for a snack/dessert or pre-workout snack!

Superfood Bites – Chocolate Peanut Butter

1 cup Quick Oats (or 2.5 pckgs instant oatmeal works)
1 cup “Just Great Stuff” crushed peanut powder (Amazon)
1/2 cup Natural Peanut Butter
1/2 cup Unsweetened Apple Sauce
1 Scoop or package of Chocolate Shakeology
2 full droppers of Sweet Leaf Stevia (or use 6 packets or your favorite way to sweeten)

Wash hands & remove jewelry . Mix all ingredients into large bowl. Spoon out a golf-ball size amount and shape into balls or whatever shape you like. Put into FREEZER (best when they’ve been in freezer for about 2hrs). Ready to eat straight from the freezer (may take 1-2 minutes to thaw enough to eat).

Appox 80 calories and 7-8grams of protein each.

Tip from Chalene – What to Post on Facebook!

At the recent Platinum Edge Conference, Chalene jokingly talked about Coaches posting too many post-workout sweaty selfies, their calories burned on their FitBits, and pictures of them kissing a Shakeology bag!

But that’s because it’s TOUGH to know what to post!

Here’s a list of what works. Copy & paste this list.

Types of Facebook Posts:

1. Share a tool or resource that’s helped you – an app, a new finding, a new book, etc

2. Entertain – upload a video from your phone (not a link …posts with links don’t make it to the newsfeed as well) or share a funny story

3. Pedestal – highlight, welcome or honor someone

4. Question/Poll your audience (I almost ALWAYS ask a Q).

5. Must have an Upswing (when opening up about your struggles, include a positive, i.e. what are you going to do about it and how are you overcoming it)

6. Posts that save people time or money – I’m personally trying to figure this one out & you may see me test it 🙂

7. Answer FAQ’s – listen to what people always ask and do a post to answer

8. Motivational

9. How-to or a system (this works on Facebook & Pinterest)

10. Gratitude Posts (I’m grateful for…. )

11. “This is who I am” post

12. One of every 10 posts should be an invitation to your challenge group or to Coaching (or an invite to your blog, call or webinar).

13. A progress picture! ..ok, I added this one myself 🙂

Side tip #1: Make sure your posts trigger an immediate desire to like or comment. And posts should often direct people to a place you can collect email addresses so that you’re growing your contact list. The trick is to not include a link in the post.. that prevents it from getting to as many newsfeeds. If you put it in comments or ON THE PICTURE, the post should get good traction.

Side tip #2: Break up posts into 2-3 sentences at a time. People are MUCH more likely to read it that way!

Picky Eater Approved

picky eater approvedIs it tough to get the whole family on your healthy journey with you??

{{Recipe below. Message me if you have questions}}

You have to transition (& trick) their taste buds a little

If you have a pre-teen, a teen or a picky eater spouse, try this one on him/her!

My pre-teen wants one every day after school.

It beats the sweet cravings, the overload of carbs, & urge to snack on empty calories.

Since it’s made from whole-food based, minimally processed, all-natural Shakeology, you know it has 3-4 servings of fruits & veggies, antioxidants, low on the glycemic index, high protein, loaded w/vitamins & minerals, 70 superfood ingredients condensed, pre & probiotics, etc!
Mission accomplished.

“Vanilla Peanut Butter Banana & Honey”

RECIPE:
1.5 cups Ice*
1.5 cups Vanilla Unsweetened Almond Milk
1 scoop Vanilla Shakeology
2 T Natural Peanut Butter
2 T organic raw honey
1/2 Banana
BLEND IN A BLENDER

*add more ice to make it thicker & less to make it thinner.

Superfood Protein Peanut Butter Bites

Superfood Protein Peanut Butter BitesThese are THE BOMB! Have you tried them yet??

It’s time to make a couple of batches.Use as pre-workout, a snack, or to satisfy your PB craving and/or chocolate craving in a SUPERfood, healthy way. And kids love them too!

RECIPE:
Mix all ingredients in large bowl:
1. 1 cup “Just Great Stuff” powdered PB (or PB2. Both avail at Amazon.com. Just Great Stuff is similar to PB2 but seems to have cleaner ingredients AND is Organic)
2. 1/2 cup all-natural Peanut Butter
3. 1/2 cup unsweetened apple sauce
4. 6 packets all-natural Stevia
5. 1 scoop superfood Vanilla Shakeology or Chocolate #Shakeology
6. 1 cup dry oatmeal

Mix well. Form into golf-ball sized bites. FREEZE for 1-2 hrs & keep frozen. When you want one, let it stand for 30 seconds to thaw a little Makes ~15’ish..depending on size. They’re ~80 calories each & ~8g protein.

How many servings of vegetables do you eat a day?

veggiesOn average, how many servings of vegetables do you eat a day? Be honest!

First, let me answer the most commonly asked question I get…

Yes, I did & it was a light balsamic vinaigrette dressing. Sometimes I do oil & red wine vinegar.

Secondly, I try to have a salad & a Shakeology (sometimes 2) every single day because it means I’m getting *at the very least* 6 servings of veggies in for the day. In case that helps you get your veg’s in

This was low-sodium, nitrate-free turkey, avocado, tomatoes, sweet peppers, & Feta on a spring mix.

A Salad + Shake = Happy!

Salad + ShakeWe were all on our own eating schedules tonight so this was my little dinner.. A salad w/reduced fat feta, kalamata olives, sweet peppers, chick peas & light balsamic vin dressing on spring mix & baby spinach. With a half Shakeology – “Peanut Butter Banana” made with 1c ice, 1c Vanilla Unsweetened Almond Milk, half scoop Vanilla shakeO, 1 T Natural PB, & 1/4 banana.

Maple Brown Sugar ShakeO

Maple Brown Sugar Shakeology

Maple Brown Sugar ShakeOYou LIKE??
MAPLE BROWN SUGAR SHAKEOLOGY
This is heavenly! It almost tastes like a CARMEL shake! It’s a great postworkout meal packed with 30g protein! And since it’s Shakeology, it also has antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, 3-4 servings of fruits & veggies !

RECIPE
1.5 cups Ice (~12-14 cubes)
1 cup Vanilla Unsweetened Almond Milk
1/2 cup water
1.5 Scoops Vanilla Shakeology
1 packet dry instant Maple Brown Sugar Oatmeal (there are some cleaner versions out there I used all-natural #Kashi).

TIP: Adjust the ice or amt of fluids based on how thick or thin you like your shakes.
ENJOY!!

Feed The Muscles

Are you struggling with Nutrition?

Feed The MusclesAre you struggling with Nutrition?? Which 1 do you think is your issue?

I’m NOT a nutritionist, but from my own trial and errors and working with hundreds & hundreds of people over MANY years, I’ve observed a thing or two.

10 things to consider that have worked for myself or others:

1. If you’ve been eating healthy, within your nutrient & calorie needs and working out -all of these consistently for at least 12 wks and no progress – consider getting tested for food allergies or thyroid problems. There could be an underlying issue making you FEEL like you’re not making progress or it’s causing unnecessary weight fluctuations or bloating which makes you give up very easily;

2. Try the 21-Day Fix. I *believe* it’s off back-order now. It has you eating what you want but takes the guess work out by using color coded containers to measure fat, carbs, proteins, fruit, etc. If you get the Challenge Pack, you save $$ plus you get Shakeology which has vitamins and superfoods to naturally help aid in fat loss.

3. Get an estimate for what your calorie and nutrient intake should be for fat loss for YOUR age, size, activity level, etc. FreeDieting.com has a “daily calorie needs” calculator over to the left-hand side of their site. Once you have that estimate, you can click “nutrient needs” and determine approximately how many fat, protein, and carb grams you should be eating for fat loss. It’s just an estimate . I would NOT recommend the extreme fat loss caloric intake, as that is too low for those of you working out and getting stronger, and would cause muscle loss and your metabolism to slow. If you’ve been eating next to nothing, you’ll need to gradually start adding calories & nutrients back in & add back that muscle you’ve probably lost.

4. Tracking using MyFitnessPal.com works for a LOT of people. The “If It Fits Your Macros” method (IIFYM.com) works for many as well.. check it out if you’re unaware. Again, this is where you’re tracking fat, protein, and carbs.

5. For some, tracking calories and nutrients does NOT work. For some people, just eating healthy when they feel hungry works! If you’re getting the lean, toned body you want this way, by all means.. carry on! You may need to “dial in” to your specific nutrient needs more once you hit a certain point if you want to get MORE muscle and/or more defined muscles.

6. For some, just switching to VEGAN, or GlutenFree, Dairy Free, Raw foods, Paleo, Juicing, etc has worked.

7. Drink more water!! (this is MY downfall ..but improving!)

8. Get enough sleep and stress relief (exercise and downtime for YOU). When you’re lacking sleep or stressed, it’s a FACT you’ll be more likely to crave bad foods or eat when not hungry. It’s not just in your head.

9. ID your trigger foods and what causes you to really slip up and FIX the root of the problem. Maybe you have to stop buying certain foods (or drinks!) FOR GOOD. Maybe you have to go off sugar to stop a sugar addiction. Maybe you have to stop putting yourself in certain environments or stop socializing with certain people. Maybe you need professional help.

10. DON’T OBSESS!!! I personally don’t think you should step on the scale every day, but I know for some, it keeps them going & they know not to take that number as the true measure of progress (because it’s NOT). Either way, you are NOT defined by your physical appearance.. your appearance today is a result of what you have done in the PAST. So that’s OVER; your past is irrelevant except to learn from it. Move forward and get excited about the future. START NOW. Choose to work towards PROGRESS, not perfection & be happy at every stage of the process!