Refreshed at 16 Weeks

I think it is crazy how fast this pregnancy is flying by compared to the last!

16 WEEKS.

Some of the best parts right now:

• more energy
• less nausea
• Showing - instead of just looking like I gained weight out of nowhere!
• BABY WIGGLES
• Name planning

Some of the not so great parts:

• nausea (even though it has lessened)
• back aches
• headaches
• ligament stretching - UGH.

On top of that - I have been having issues with my tailbone - which has been painful at times.

However, all of this brings me to today and 

PiYo.

I only just got this program today and I am going to tell you why I already LOVE it.

The last few weeks my body has been aching. Even though I have been working out, I felt like my body needed something different. I started pondering over a few ideas and programs - and ultimately landed on PiYo. I knew I wanted to get it eventually, but I wasn't thinking in the middle of my pregnancy. However, I knew I needed yoga or something to get my body feeling refreshed AND worked out all at the same time. BOY am I glad I chose PiYo over everything else I considered. 

And like I said - I have only done the first day. Since I was pretty familiar with yoga and pilates, I skipped the foundations video and started with lower body - and here is why I fell in love immediately.

• MY tailbone and lower back have IMMEDIATELY improved. 
• My mind AND body feel so refreshed.
• It was exactly what my body was telling me it NEEDED.

And just a little bonus to throw in there:

• One move made me have to stop a second because I could feel our little baby flippy-flopping all over the place. MAGICAL :)

So get PiYo. End of story. 

Zucchini-Cucumber-Cashew Soup

When I started The Ultimate Reset this past week I was a little skeptical about this recipe on the meal plan. It sounded good but I also couldn't really imagine how it would taste, but I thought I would give it a shot! However I did make a few changes to it to give it my own take - and I thought I would share the recipe with you. *(Recipe at bottom of post)

Zucchini-Cucumber-Cashew Soup (4 servings)!

1. First, you soak the cashews in 2 cups of water for 1 hour.

   2. While your cashews are soaking, peel and chop all veggies and cut into chunks.

   3. Chop your fresh herb mixture. I used basil, cilantro, and parsley. Feel free to use your favorite herb        mixture to taste, then fill a pot up with water and boil it on medium heat.

   4. After the water is boiling, pour veggies in boiling water and cook for 5 minutes. Then drain.

   5. Pour all components into a large bowl or blender. (Our large blender was broken so I had to blend      separately in a Bullet! It took a while longer but it worked! That is why I mixed mine in the bowl          first). Pour in cashews (+the soaking water), then herb mixture and pink Himalayan salt to taste. Then    cooked veggies. Blend!

   6. ENJOY! :)

Zucchini-Cucumber-Cashew Soup (4 servings)

• 4 oz. of whole raw Cashews
• 2 cups of water (plus more for boiling), separated
• 3 zucchinis
• 1 1/2 cucumbers
• 3 small carrots
• I added 1/2 onion (but that is optional)
• Herb seasoning Mixture
• I used basil, cilantro, and parsley
• Pink Himalayan salt, to taste

Feel free to play around with the veggies, but keep the amounts relatively the same :)

Enjoy!

Excellence rather than Perfection.

It is so important to remember that in any area of life we are never going to achieve perfection.

I am NEVER going to be a perfect mom.
I am NEVER going to be perfect at working out.
I am NEVER going to eat perfectly all the time.
I am NEVER going to be a perfect wife.
I am NEVER going to be perfect at my job.

I see so many people striving for perfection and then beat themselves up because they have failed. Well, you will always fail when your goal is perfection.

It is okay to not be perfect or not do something perfectly.

What is the purpose in an unattainable goal? Why wear yourself out in a never-ending search striving for something that is impossible? You are only setting yourself up for failure, heartbreak, and self defeat.

Our goal should be progress, excellence, achievement. Our goal should be self love and personal development. Our goal should be anything but perfect.

I am also not saying that we should not strive for excellence, be lazy, or throw out goals all together. FAR FROM THAT.

We need goal. We need something to strive for. These things can fuel us, keep us on track, and make us the best versions of ourselves we can be.

We NEED more of these things and less of worrying about having the perfect body, being the stepford wife, and the A+ mom everyone dreams of.

How will you be committed to excellence instead of perfection today?

When will YOU start throwing away the idea that perfection is attainable?

Summer Slim Down. Are you up for the challenge?

We are starting a new group in just a few short weeks and if you feel like now is the time for you, let me know!  I could not have done it by myself. I am SO thankful every day that I have people on this journey with me to support, encourage, and PUSH me daily to do the best that I can do.

Summer is only a few months away and it is also the perfect time to get a jump start on creating a healthier life for yourself! And what better time than with TWO amazing programs on sale!

Join me!  I will be starting the Ultimate reset soon and I would love a few people who are extra motivated to hop on board with me. 

Message me or email me so we can talk!

Is it time?

What kinds of changes do you need to make in your life today?

Do you have something that you are working toward?

For me, we have a vacation coming up - and a lot of my energy lately is going into THAT. And I know that I would not be able to meet my goals if it wasn't for my challengers in my support groups. We keep each other accountable AND encouraged. We post when we are struggling AND when we have victories. I AM going to accomplish my goals - and I will do so because of my groups.

I have FIVE SPOTS LEFT for my upcoming online fitness support group officially starting on MAY 5TH. If you have any goals before Summer arrives that you need help with - let me know! You do not have to work at it alone! Some of the best people I know now, have been from people I have met in these groups! We build lasting friendships because we are working toward the same things!

Let me know if you are interested in filling one of the last few spots!

Bring on Round 2!

So instead of starting a Second round of 21 Day Fix - I am going to do Round 2 of Focus T25!

I had such great results with it when I first started and I am ready for that again.

I loved everything about that program. It is funny, because at first, my husband and I did the first video "Alpha Cardio" when we first got it - and WOW. We were so sweaty and exhausted at the end of it!!

I took a moment after that first time and so many thoughts came into my mind:

You can't do this.
That was just the first one, imagine how hard the other 11 are.
You should give up.
It is going to take you forever to reach your goals.

Why do we do that to ourselves? Negative self-talk can bring you down FAST and HARD.
But I am SO glad I had the support of my challenge group, because I stuck with it and I completed Alpha and Beta. AND I lost 25 pounds doing so. I loved the energy in the videos, I loved how Shaun T makes you feel like he's in the room pushing you harder if you stop or want to give up. But most of all - I loved that it WORKED.

So because of that I am facing on ROUND 2. I am so excited! I know that I will have a great outcome and I will start to feel stronger every day again.

So who's with me?!

My husband, son, and I are going to California in THIRTY-TWO days and I will be READY! The program is 90 days - and I will finish them again - but I know that even the first 30 are going to be life changing.

I have a support group coming up at the end of this month and I would LOVE for you to be a part of it. We motivate, encourage and help one another through the excited and difficult times of creating healthier lifestyles for ourselves. PLUS the T25 challenge pack is on SALE right now. Contact me if you are interested in joining this group and want to start T25 with me. Let's do this.

Are you ready?

Ten Foods to Boost Your Immune System (with recipes!)

As sickness circles and circles around my house over and over again - I think to myself that I need to do something about this today!

Even though I am regularly washing hands and wiping down doorknobs, we can't seem to fight every sickness that comes our way. SO I thought to myself

"What better way to get better - than putting the BEST kinds of foods in our bodies?!"

So, lucky you.

I found a great list that I wanted to share with you that I know I will put into effect in my house when the "sickness season" flows through again. On top of drinking shakeology, I believe these ten things will be great for helping you (and your little ones) boost your immune systems and fight off those bugs!

PLUS - since I love cooking - I figured I would throw in an added bonus of actually giving you RECIPES for EACH food! Because what good is the list when I know I am not going to walk around eating raw garlic... unless you're into that sort of thing.

BUT for those of you who aren't - here is my list of TEN IMMUNE BOOSTING FOODS (+recipes):

1. OATMEAL: is always a perfect, healthy, easy breakfast but it’s also full of beta-glucan, which has antimicrobial and antioxidant capabilities that are as strong as those found in Echinacea. Eat your oatmeal (or whip up some of my favorite overnight oats) and you will notice wounds healing faster and antibiotics working better.

Oatmeal Recipes

2. TEA: I could go on and on and on about tea. It is the BEST. Especially because it fights viruses and soothes sore throats - but also according to Prevention.com, a Harvard study shows that people who drank 5 cups of black tea for 2 weeks had more of the immune boosting protein interferon in their blood than those who didn’t.

Tea Recipes

3. BRUSSELS SPROUTS: YUM!! These help nourish the thymus gland, which controls much of your immune system function. Eat two servings a day of these beta-carotene rich sprouts for optimal health.

Brussels Sprouts Recipes

4. STRAWBERRIES: are the perfect sweet treat and come packed with vitamin C—a common cold remedy most people turn to when they start feeling sick. Vitamin C battles viruses before you even get sick, it also breaks down stress hormones. 

Strawberry Recipes

5.MUSHROOMS: are my go-to veggies for SO many meals. What is ALSO great is they promote white blood cell production, which helps your body fight off an infection. According to the director of the Institute of Herbal Medicine, people have been using mushrooms as immune boosters for centuries.

Mushroom Recipes

6.CHOCOLATE: Just when you think chocolate couldn't get any better (yeah right). It does. DARK chocolate is one of the best sources of zinc, which will decrease your risk of infection and promote the growth of white blood cells. 

Dark Chocolate Recipes

7. CARROTS: and other yummy orange veggies are members of the beta carotene-rich family. Beta carotene increases the number of infection-fighting cells and it’s a powerful antioxidant that helps eliminates free radicals, according to Ask Dr. Sears. Studies have shown that beta-carotene can also lower the risk of heart disease.

Carrot Recipes

8. CHICKEN SOUP: comes to mind for practically everyone who gets sick. AND there is a reason for it. It helps to reduce inflammation and thin mucus the same way cough medicines do, according to a study from the University of Nebraska. The amino acid cysteine, which is found in chicken broth, is similar to a chemical in an antibiotic that fights bronchitis.

Chicken Soup Recipes

9. YOGURT: is another go-to breakfast meal or snack and it is a natural probiotic, which means it replaces all the good bacteria in your system. According to a recent study, those who fueled their body with probiotics had 33 percent less sick days than those who didn’t

Yogurt Recipes

10. GARLIC: is so good when added to many meals. Plus it contains an ingredient called allicin, which fights infection and bacteria according to Baseline of Health. AND as gross as it sounds (to me) eating these cloves raw has shown to decrease the chances of catching a cold. But if that doesn't appeal:

Garlic Recipes

Which of these TEN are your favorite?? Or what others would you add to the list? What do you SWEAR by when you and your family gets sick?

Garlic It Up. (Immune Booster #10)

GARLIC!
Garlic is so good when added to many meals BUT have you ever had it be the MAIN ingredient? Plus it contains an ingredient called allicin, which fights infection and bacteria according to Baseline of Health. AND as gross as it sounds (to me) eating these cloves raw has shown to decrease the chances of catching a cold.

I am a sucker for soup when I am sick - so here is yet another SOUP recipe! Enjoy!

Ingredients
1 tablespoon coconut oil or EVOO
30 garlic cloves, peeled
6-8 cups chicken stock
Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
nutmeg, as needed
4-5 egg yolks
3-4 tablespoons olive oil
6-8 slices country bread, toasted

Directions:
Melt the oil in a large, heavy saucepan over low heat. Add the garlic and shake over gentle heat so the garlic cooks without browning. It should just melt in the oil; letting it brown is fatal as the flavor turns bitter.
Add the chicken stock and season to taste with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Grate a tiny bit of nutmeg in, if desired. Simmer for 15 to 20 minutes, and then force through a sieve or food mill to purée the garlic.
Reheat the soup. Beat the egg yolks and stir in the olive oil. Stir some of the hot soup into the egg yolk mixture to temper them, and then stir it very gently into the soup and heat until warmed through. Do not under any circumstances let the soup come to a boil, or the yolks will curdle. Serve in large soup plates, ladling the soup over pieces of crisp toast, one to a plate.

Simple Yogurts (Immune Booster #9)

Yogurt is another go-to breakfast meal or snack and it is a natural probiotic, which means it replaces all the good bacteria in your system. According to a recent study, those who fueled their body with probiotics had 33 percent less sick days than those who didn’t!

Since Yogurt is good plain Here are some simple recipes:

YOGURT, FRUIT & ALMOND PARFAITS

Ingredients
4 ALMOND COOKIE OR MACAROONS, COARSELY CHOPPED (1/2 CUP)
2 CUPS OIKOS® GREEK 0% PLAIN OR VANILLA YOGURT
1 CUP DICED FRESH FRUIT (BERRIES, PEACHES, APRICOTS,)
2 TBSP. SLICED ALMONDS, TOASTED
2 TSP. HONEY

Directions
PLACE 2 TABLESPOON OF CRUSHED COOKIE IN THE BASE OF TWO SUNDAE OR PARFAIT STYLE GLASSES.
LAYER WITH: 1/2 CUP YOGURT, 1/2 CUP FRUIT AND 1 TBSP MORE OF THE COOKIES.
TOP WITH 1/2 CUP YOGURT, REMAINING COOKIES, TOASTED ALMONDS AND A DRIZZLE OF HONEY.

OR here is a yummy sauce recipe you can use with yogurt too:

CREAMY AVOCADO YOGURT DRESSING

Ingredients

1 RIPE HAAS AVOCADO, PITTED AND MASHED

1 CUP OIKOS® GREEK % PLAIN

1 TBSP. LIME OR LEMON JUICE

2 TBSP. MINCED CILANTRO

1/2 TSP. GROUND CUMIN

SALT AND HOT PEPPER SAUCE TO TASTE

Directions

IN A BOWL COMBINE ALL INGREDIENTS AND MIX UNTIL BLENDED.

USE AS A DIP, SANDWICH SPREAD OR CONDIMENT FOR GRILLED MEATS OR VEGETABLES.

both from oikos.com

"Sickie" Chicken Soup (Immune Booster #8)

Chicken Soup comes to mind for practically everyone who gets sick. AND there is a reason for it. It helps to reduce inflammation and thin mucus the same way cough medicines do, according to a study from the University of Nebraska. The amino acid cysteine, which is found in chicken broth, is similar to a chemical in an antibiotic that fights bronchitis.

My most recent FAVORITE Chicken Soup Recipe is:

Crockpot Chicken Rice-Lentil Soup

1 small onion
1 cup celery +/-
1 small bag of baby carrots
1 tsp. dried basil
1 tsp. dried sage
1/2 tsp. thyme
4 chicken bouillon cubes
8 cups water
Pink Himalayan salt and white pepper (to taste)
4 cups cooked shredded turkey -or- 2 cooked chicken breasts (i shredded the chicken too)
1.5 cups brown rice
1/2 cup of lentils
Put all ingredients in slowcooker on high and cook for 3 hours. Put brown rice in 1 hour before you serve. Lentils in 45 minutes before. I also use Pink Himalayan Salt versus iodized white table salt which is far healthier for you. Black pepper can be substituted for White Pepper. Use less rice and lentils if you prefer more of a ‘broth’ consistency to your soup. This recipe is great with either chicken or turkey.

SOOO Good.

Carrots, Carrots, Carrots. (Immune Booster #7)

Carrots and other yummy orange veggies are members of the beta carotene-rich family. Beta carotene increases the number of infection-fighting cells and it’s a powerful antioxidant that helps eliminates free radicals, according to Ask Dr. Sears. Studies have shown that beta-carotene can also lower the risk of heart disease.

AND in honor of carrots and other yummy orange veggies - here is an amazing soup recipe!

Curried Carrot, Sweet Potato, and Ginger Soup

Ingredients

2 teaspoons canola oil

1/2 cup chopped shallots

3 cups (1/2-inch) cubed peeled sweet potato

1 1/2 cups (1/4-inch) sliced peeled carrots

1 tablespoon grated ginger

2 teaspoons curry powder

3 cups fat-free, less-sodium chicken broth

1/2 teaspoon salt

Preparation

Heat oil in a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Add shallots; saute 3 minutes or until tender. Add potato, carrots, ginger, and curry; cook 2 minutes. Add broth; bring to a boil. Cover, reduce heat, and simmer 25 minutes or until vegetables are tender; stir in salt.

Pour half of soup in a food processor; pulse until smooth. Repeat procedure with remaining soup.

from health.com

Chocolate makes everything better (Immune Booster #6)

Just when you think chocolate couldn't get any better (yeah right). It does. DARK chocolate is one of the best sources of zinc, which will decrease your risk of infection and promote the growth of white blood cells. 

Something Simple: Buy a dark chocolate bar if you’re taking a sick day, and treat yourself to a square or two. Just make sure you buy it unsweetened, because extra sugar surely won’t help a cold.

Another recipe to fall for when you are sick:

Recipes received from bhg.com

Simple and healthy (in moderation of course)

Dark Chocolate Banana Nut Pops

Ingredients

4 teaspoons almond or peanut butter
1 banana, cut into 12 equal slices
4 6- to 8-inch white round paper lollipop sticks or wooden skewers
2 ounces unsweetened dark chocolate melted
2 tablespoons finely chopped unsalted dry roasted almonds or peanuts

Directions

Line a baking sheet with waxed paper; set aside. Spoon 1/2 teaspoon of the almond butter onto each of the eight banana slices. Place half of the almond butter-topped banana slices on the remaining half of the almond butter-topped slices to make four stacks of two banana slices with almond butter between and almond butter on top. Place one of the remaining banana slices on top of each stack. Push a lollipop stick or wooden skewer all the way through the center of each banana stack.
Place melted chocolate in a shallow dish. Place finely chopped almonds in another shallow dish. Roll each banana stack in the melted chocolate. Use a thin metal spatula to spread the chocolate into a thin, even layer over the stacks. Immediately roll in finely chopped almonds. Place on prepared baking sheet.
Freeze banana pops about 30 minutes or until firm. Serve straight from the freezer.


AND ANOTHER ONE... Because who doesn't love chocolate...

Dark Chocolate Chip-Granola Cookies

Ingredients

2 2/3 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup butter, softened
1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup packed brown sugar
2 eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla
1 1/2 cups dark chocolate pieces
1 cup granola with almonds
1/2 cup rolled oats

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper. In a medium bowl stir together flour, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
In a large bowl beat butter with an electric mixer on medium to high speed for 30 seconds. Add granulated sugar and brown sugar. Beat until combined, scraping sides of bowl occasionally. Beat in eggs and vanilla until combined. Gradually add flour mixture, beating just until combined. Stir in chocolate pieces, granola, and oats.
Drop dough by rounded tablespoons or a small cookie scoop 2 inches apart onto the prepared cookie sheet. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes or until edges are light brown. Cool on cookie sheet for 1 minute. Transfer to a wire rack; cool.

Must-Have Mushrooms (Immune Booster #5)

Mushrooms can go on almost anything - and they should!
Because they promote white blood cell production, which helps your body fight off an infection. According to the director of the Institute of Herbal Medicine, people have been using mushrooms as immune boosters for centuries.

Here is one wonderful side:

from foodandwine.com

Mixed Mushroom Ragout

1. 1/4 cup vegetable oil
2. 1 pound shiitake mushrooms—stems discarded, caps sliced 1/4 inch thick
3. Salt and freshly ground pepper
4. 1 pound mixed mushrooms such as cremini, sliced 1/8 inch thick, and oyster mushrooms, caps quartered
5. 1 medium onion, finely diced
6. 2 garlic cloves, minced
7. 1/4 cup dry white wine
8. 1 cup chopped canned tomatoes, drained
9. 1/2 cup unsweetened coconut milk
10. 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
11. 1 tablespoon harissa
12. 2 teaspoons white or blond miso
13. 1 tablespoon golden raisins (optional)
14. 1 tablespoon capers
15. 1/2 cup chicken stock
16. 
    

1. In a large skillet, heat 2 tablespoons of the oil. Add the shiitake and season with salt and pepper. Cover and cook over moderate heat, stirring, until tender and starting to brown, about 7 minutes. Transfer to a bowl.
2. Heat 1 tablespoon of the oil in the skillet. Add the mixed mushrooms and cook over moderately high heat until any liquid has evaporated and the mushrooms start to brown, 5 minutes. Add the onion and remaining 1 tablespoon of oil; season with salt and pepper. Cover and cook over moderate heat, stirring, until the onion is softened, 5 minutes. Add the garlic, cover and cook over low heat, stirring a few times, until fragrant, 2 minutes. Add the wine and cook for 2 minutes. Add the tomatoes and simmer for 4 minutes.
3. In a bowl, whisk the coconut milk, mustard, harissa and miso. Add to the skillet with the shiitake, raisins, capers and stock. Simmer over low heat, stirring, until thickened, about 4 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.

Strawberry Sides (Immune Booster #4)

Strawberries are the perfect sweet treat and come packed with vitamin C—a common cold remedy most people turn to when they start feeling sick. Vitamin C battles viruses before you even get sick, it also breaks down stress hormones.

Simple recipe:
Whipping up a strawberry orange smoothie for breakfast is a great way to start your day (and it will feel soothing on a sore throat). (plus there is the double vitamin C boost to kick that sickness)

Another Strawberry Side dish:

This is perfect to top on almost any protein, but would be particularly tasty on fish such as salmon or tilapia.

Strawberry-Avocado Salsa

Ingredients

1 cup finely chopped strawberries

1/4 cup finely chopped peeled avocado

2 tablespoons finely chopped red onion

2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro

1/2 teaspoon grated lime rind

2 tablespoons fresh lime juice

2 teaspoons finely chopped seeded jalapeño pepper

1/4 teaspoon sugar

Preparation

Combine all ingredients in a medium bowl; toss gently. Serve immediately.

OR what better way to eat strawberries than to eat them plain, whole, and fresh. :)

Brussels Sprout Sides (Immune Booster #3)

Brussel Sprouts!

These help nourish the thymus gland, which controls much of your immune system function. Eat two servings a day of these beta-carotene rich sprouts for optimal health.

These are amazing veggies that can be roasted to go with anything!

Here is a lovely recipe I found that is delicious and the colors look simply amazing!

1 1/2 pounds Brussels sprouts, trimmed and halved

1 pound red seedless grapes

3 tablespoons olive oil

2 cloves garlic, sliced

1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves

kosher salt and black pepper

Directions

Heat oven to 375° F. On a large rimmed baking sheet, toss the Brussels sprouts and grapes with the oil, garlic, thyme, ½ teaspoon salt, and ¼ teaspoon pepper.

Turn the Brussels sprouts cut-side down and roast until golden brown and tender, 20 to 25 minutes.

Recipe taken from:

Realsimple.com

Heart warming Tea Recipes (Immune Booster #2)

TEA

I could go on and on and on about tea. It is the BEST. Especially because it fights viruses and soothes sore throats - but also according to Prevention.com, a Harvard study shows that people who drank 5 cups of black tea for 2 weeks had more of the immune boosting protein interferon in their blood than those who didn’t.

Since tea doesn't necessarily have "recipes" other than infusing it with fruit and such. Here is a list of a few tea favorites that will help with many different types of illnesses!

Raspberry Leaf Tea:

Highly nutritious and especially beneficial for women as it helps balance hormones and is good for the skin. It is often consumed during pregnancy as it can strengthen the uterus and is a good source of Magnesium, Potassium, and B-Vitamins.

This is good hot or cold - and simply with water. Add stevia or natural sugars to sweeten.

Chamomile Tea:

Chamomile tea is one of the most consumed teas in the world behind regular black tea. Chamomile flowers have a naturally sweet taste with a hint of an apple flavor. Chamomile is a good herbal source of  Magnesium, and is known as a soothing and relaxing herb.

It makes an excellent in the evening or in times of stress because of its mildly sedative and soothing properties. It is an excellent herb for children and can even be an effective remedy for pink eye.

Another one perfect simply with hot water.

Mint Tea:

My husband LOVES mint tea when he is sick. Peppermint tea soothes the digestive track and is helpful for heartburn, nausea and indigestion. Useful in early pregnancy to help alleviate nausea.

A lot of people like this with hot water - I am one who usually can only drink this is it is infused with fruit.

While it is especially helpful during illness, Peppermint is a delicious tea anytime and can be consumed alone or with other herbs to help increase their effectiveness.

Jasmine Green Tea: Can be used to treat depression and other health issues. Plus it can also be used for Aromatherapy, Stroke Prevention, Antioxidants & Cancer, and Lower cholesterol. On top of that - it is AMAZING. Yum. Perfect simple and with hot water

Chai Tea: 

Chai tea is an ultimate favorite for me and can be good with Raspberry Leaf tea instead of black tea and with coconut milk instead of regular milk. There are many variations of chai tea recipes and with a little experimenting, you can find the one that you like best. Here is a basic recipe to give you some ideas.

Crock Pot Chai Tea Latte

An easy Chai Tea that can be pre-made in the crock pot for a warm drink on the go.

4 cups water

4 cups coconut milk (store bought or well-filtered homemade)

8 tea bags OR ½ cup loose leaf black tea or herbal tea

1-2 tsp stevia leaf

8 thin slices of fresh ginger root OR ½ tsp dried ginger root (optional)

6 cinnamon sticks

8-10 whole cloves or ¼-1/2 tsp clove powder

2 cardamon pods (optional but really good)

1 teaspoon of real vanilla extract

Optional: 1 Tablespoon chamomile flowers and ½ tsp dried fennel seeds

Instructions

Put water in crock pot and add herbs and spices (I really suggest using a cloth bag or reusable tea bag)

Cook on high for 2-2.5 hours or on low for up to 6 (I’ve kept on low overnight). Add milk or coconut milk and stir until heated.

Serve plain or topped with real whipped cream or the cream from a can of coconut milk. Can also be chilled and blended with ice and 2 TBSP coconut oil for an iced version!

Enjoy!

Perfect Oatmeal (Immune Booster #1)

Oatmeal is always a perfect, healthy, easy breakfast but it’s also full of beta-glucan, which has antimicrobial and antioxidant capabilities that are as strong as those found in Echinacea. Eat your oatmeal (or whip up some of my favorite overnight oats) and you will notice wounds healing faster and antibiotics working better.

Other amazing things about oatmeal are: 

Lower Cholesterol Levels

Reduce Risk of Cardiovascular Disease

Prevent Heart Failure

Stabilize Blood Sugar

Lower Type 2 Diabetes Risk

Protect against Breast Cancer

On top of all of those things, they are delicious!

Plus they are perfect for adding to bread, cookies, muffins, pancakes, cereal, stuffing, and much more!
Also, to make oatmeal even more yummy by itself - try adding a little vanilla, fruit, nuts, or almond milk to your bowl!

One of my favorite oatmeal recipes is:

Baked Berry Oatmeal

Simple and easy to reheat!

2 cups rolled oats

1/2 cup walnut pieces, toasted and chopped*

1/3 cup natural cane sugar or maple syrup (optional)

1 teaspoon aluminum-free baking powder

1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

Scant 1/2 teaspoon fine-grain sea salt

2 cups milk

1 large egg

1.5 tablespoons unsalted butter (or coconut oil), melted and cooled slightly

2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

2 ripe bananas, cut into 1/2-inch pieces

1 1/2 cups huckleberries, blueberries, or mixed berries*

*Blueberries are my favorite but feel free to use any berries or nuts that you most enjoy! :)

Preheat the oven to 375°F with a rack in the top third of the oven. Spray inside of an 8-inch square baking dish.

In a bowl, mix together the oats, half the walnuts, the sugar, if using, the baking powder, cinnamon, and salt.

In another bowl, whisk together the maple syrup, if using, the milk, egg, butter, and the vanilla.

Arrange the bananas in a single layer in the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle two-thirds of the berries over the top. Cover the fruit with the oat mixture. Slowly drizzle the milk mixture over the oats. Gently give the baking dish a couple thwacks on the countertop to make sure the milk moves through the oats. Scatter the remaining berries and remaining walnuts across the top.

Bake for 35 to 45 minutes, until the top is nicely golden and the oat mixture has set. Remove from the oven and let cool for a few minutes. Sprinkle with a bit more sugar or drizzle with maple syrup if you want it a bit sweeter.

The first weekend - Day 6 and 7

This weekend has been pretty great. I took the time off from my business to spend the weekend with my family. It was a wonderful reset to be able to get focused again for the week to come.

But along with that came struggle. I had lots of meals outside the home which made clean eating difficult but I tried to stick to it as best as possible.

Workouts were not perfectly on schedule either. I was able to get one in for the whole weekend (rather than four) but I am pleased that I was able to spend so much time with my family.

I am ready for a strong week - And stats on Tuesday!!

How do you stay on track during your weekends?

Everything you got - Day 5

Day Five is now in the books.

I was SO spot on with my water today - which was good because i didn't quite squeeze all my containers in today. And the water really helped fuel me for my workouts. I did upper fix and cardio fix for today. AND I did them one right after the other. Yikes.
I may not do it that way again. HA!

I usually take my time and do upper in the morning and then when J is down for one of his naps, I will do the other one. Wellllll, I let the day fly by and when J got to his second nap I decided to go for it - because I knew I would not do them - especially not the second one - if I didn't do both NOW.
Then I just got a huge burst of energy. And I was able to push hard through both - but man was I beat at the end of the second one.

Here is a little something I found that I LOVE about 21 Day Fix. Autumn says it in almost every video and it really pushes me - EVERY TIME.

GIVE EVERYTHING YOU'VE GOT....

AND THEN JUST A LITTLE BIT MORE.

YES! Isn't this how every aspect in life should be. We always have "a little more" that we can give - especially when we are pushing for something that we want to accomplish. In everything I do - I never try to do something and only do it halfway. I always try to give it EVERYTHING I've got. It doesn't matter where I am or what I am doing. And this is something that I want. I want to be healthy and be able to BE an EXAMPLE for him not just a spokeswoman.

So in this, and in everything, I will give it everything I've got. AND just a little bit more.

Keep Moving - Day 3

The third day of 21 Day Fix went quite the same as the day before. I had the same eating schedule as well, because I was so happy with how the day went yesterday.

For workouts, I did lower and upper fix.

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Those were the basics of my day. My little one is getting sick again (along with getting two new teeth) - so things are a little crazy at home. I wasn't feeling the best today either. But guess what?!

Exercise is amazing.

I was tired from waking up at 5am this morning, busy dealing with the baby, and feeling a little under the weather myself. BUT it is amazing what a little 30 minute workout can do for you. Even though it made me a little more tired and my muscles a little more sore (who am I kidding- A LOT more) - I felt great. My body feels refreshed, energized, and STRONG.

I am making progress. Especially because the old me would have said "screw it" and moped on the couch all day instead of choosing to eat healthy and pushing myself to exercise. In a challenge earlier in the week - I wrote three affirmations for myself that I read daily - to combat my excuses I would have made before my life change.

I have the strength to say "yes" to working out and "no" to unhealthy foods.

I love myself and will have POSITIVE self-talk daily.

I WILL NOT GIVE UP.