New Adventure!

I shared this on Facebook but I realize I have so many friends who don't use that to keep up with me...so I wanted to share it here, on my blog, too. 

"This post is somewhat hard for me. I feel like this may let some people down and I know others may think I am settling because I swore I was doing the whole SAHM gig forever while running my coaching business, but this is my life and I know what is best for me and my family. That is all that matters.

Over the past few months, some things have come up in my personal life that have reminded me of what I used to say and still believe to this day (I mean, after all, my daughter goes to school 3x/week)....I was not meant to be a SAHM mom forever. I LOVE my kids. I truly do. But not everyone is cut out for this gig, it is not easy. I have had two amazing years at home with them but there are some changes we need to make in our lives and me stepping back into the working world is one of them. 

I love my coaching business, that isn't going anywhere. I am a Beachbody Coach for life. #lifer I love what Beachbody has done for me, for my family and what I get to do each day. I wouldn't even be able to be in the spot I am, looking for jobs, interviewing and making this change in my life without what Beachbody. All of the personal growth I have done these past 20 months has lead me to become a strong and more confident woman. I know that I will carry this new attitude with me in whatever role I find. I will continue to be a coach, to grow myself as a person and run my business no matter what changes come my way. I would never stop sharing this business with others because I believe in Team Beachbody, their mission, the programs, products and the coaching opportunity. 

But there are days when I long to be a part of an office again, not the big corporate kind where you tend to be just a number on the payroll but a company that values their employees, has a strong understanding of the importance of culture and really believes in work-life balance. I miss days of getting dressed, like this, and going to a meeting. I think I clean up alright. ;) 

And I truly believe I can find a company that embodies all of that and still manage my coaching business just like I am now, before the kids are up or after they are in bed...that is the beauty of it, coaching does not impact a full time job if you use your time wisely. I can work it on my time and what works best for my schedule and my families schedule. And, let's be honest, an extra income from my coaching business on top of a salary from going back to work could be pretty nice, right?! 

So as I embark on this new season for me and for my family, I ask for positive vibes that I find a role with a company I believe in, like I do with Beachbody, and that they believe in me too. <3

{{Since there is $$ above, just want to say there is no guaranteed level of success with Coaching, it is up to the individual and the amount of effort they put into their business.}}"

Taco Stuffed Peppers

I am so sick of ground turkey, not gonna lie. Turkey sometimes tastes way too much, like, well TURKEY. And it gets old....

I will still eat turkey on Thanksgiving....that is a totally different concept. 

I had made taco stuffed peppers before but not with this exact recipe or with beef and if I do say so myself, this one is way tastier! ;) 

What You Need (Serves 2 people): 

1 lb lean ground beef (96/4)
2 red (or green) bell peppers
1 c cooked brown rice
1 can of rotel (not drained) 
1 tbsp southwest seasoning
4 tbsp shredded cheese

Instructions:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. 
2. Slice the tops off of the bell peppers, then cut them in 1/2 (see pic) and remove seeds.
3. Place them in a baking dish with a tiny bit of water in the bottom. Cover them with foil and place into the oven for about 15 minutes. 
4. While those are baking, dice up the tops of the peppers.
5. Place diced peppers and ground beef in a skillet until meat is browned. 
6. While meat is cooking, heat up your rice (if you are lazy like me and use the precooked microwaved kind).
7. Once meat is cooked, add in 1 tbsp southwest seasoning and can of rotel. Simmer for 5 minutes. 
8. Combine 1/2 cup rice and 3/4 cup meat mixture, 2 times. I keep the 2 combined mixture in two different bowls because if you do the Fix, those are your portions for each person.  

You will also have extra taco meat, I used that for leftovers for myself or quesadillas for the kids! 

9. Stuff each pepper with the mixture, then set aside the extra for each person.
10. Once peppers are stuffed, cover the dish with foil and place back into oven at 350 degrees for another 15 minutes.
11. Take peppers out, top each 1/2 with 1tbsp cheese and place back into the oven, uncovered until cheese is melted.
12. Serve with extra meat and rice mixture. Enjoy! 
 

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For my Fix Family: 1.5 Green, 1 Red, 1 Yellow, 1/2 Blue

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Southwest Seasoning
2 tbsp chili powder
4 tsp ground cumin
2 tsp coriander
1 tsp onion powder
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp dried oregano
1 tsp paprika
2 tsp sea salt

Mix all the seasonings together and put in a sealed container, it should make enough to have some left for other recipes! It is really great on anything, I use it in my burgers too! 

Core De Force - Week 2

Week 2 done, yes, I know I am a a few days behind in posting this but things have been a little hectic over here! I am still in love with this program, it challenges me in a new way everyday...I find myself wanting to push harder, to try the non modified move (although it doesn't always work) and make it until the bell rings. 

I will say it again, Core De Force has reminded me how badass I can feel after a workout.  

Ok, so for the week 2 down low: 

Same as before: there is plenty of food and you don't have to eat boring, bland meals...the nutrition plans allows you to eat foods you love in the portions that are fit for your body type and specific goals.  Food is fuel, so this meal plan is the perfect compliment to keep you energized for this program! Also, during week 2, you get an extra fruit on your meal plan. So my meal plan calls for 3 a day, I bumped up to 4. And to be honest, that was hard to get in somedays! 

We also went out to dinner, Aaron and I shared a burger, I got a salad as my side. But seriously, look at this food...this is not a diet, this is food you can eat and enjoy for a lifetime!

The only thing that is missing is my wine...but the time will come to incorporate that back in to my lifestyle, like on Thanksgiving, HA! Who can go to Turkey Day and not drink?! But in all seriousness, I have goals that I want to reach, so I can do without the wine for now!

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I did have Halo Top 2 nights in week 2 but only if I had containers that were leftover, again, gotta keep my sweet tooth under control. And if I got in my extra fruit each day, it was some grapes!

Week 2 definitely was more about physical changes for us, pictures said more than the scale...which is ok, the scale is not what determines success! Both of our bellies have definitely leaned out and Aaron's abs are popping through in areas he has never seen them before! I would call that a win! His after pic (on the right) was on Day 13! 

Here is a peek into one of our workouts from week 2, MMA Power, it was new and more complex but after doing it a second time, the combos made more sense and I was able to push harder. This video is the first day we did it, so you can see my concentrating and correcting myself (Aaron did the same) when I mess up a combo...that is what I mean, there is always room to improve with this program!

Again, I am not sure I would make it through these workouts without my Energize before or my Hydrate during.  They are lifesavers for me. The Energize gives me the swift kick in the ass that I need early in the morning and the Hydrate replaces electrolytes in my body as I sweat, unlike water. 

Oh and this program definitely leaves you sore...so I am thankful for my Recover after each workout too, it helps to lessen the severity of my soreness. BUT, I still feel it...my body was sore in new places too. I felt like I had been punched in the gut, my arms were jelly from all the punches and push ups and my quads and ass were on fire when I took the steps. I am totally ok with that though, it means that it is working.
 

Alright, that is it for week 2! Hopefully I get week 3 up sooner than I did week 2. ;) 

PS - if you want more info on this program or the application to join my Exclusive Test Group, click here!

Jalapeño Cheddar Burger

Ahhhhh, I am on recipe overload over here. Lot's of new ones coming in with my new program and other random ones I am making up so I apologize for being behind BUT I promised you I would post this today, even if that means 9pm at night. 

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What You Need (4 Servings): 
Source: Core De Force Meal Plan

1 lb. raw 96/4 lean ground beef (I find this at Trader Joe's)
2 small jalapeños, seeds & vein removed, chopped
1/2 c shredded cheddar
1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
1/2 tsp seat salt
1/2 tsp ground black pepper
Optional -> 
4 slices medium tomato
4 butter or bibb lettuce leaves
4 slices red onion

1. Preheat grill on high.
2. Combine all ingredients (except opt. ones), in a large mixing bowl, mix well. Shape into 4 patties.
3. Grill for 4-6 minutes on each side or until preferred internal temp.
4. Optional: Place each patty on top of lettuce & top with 1 slice onion and 1 slice tomato.

For my Fix Family:  1 Red, 1/2 blue, 1 Green (if you use opt. veggies)

Healthier BBQ Chicken Pizza (CPK Style)

One of the amazing things about each new program is that there are new recipes to try out! 

Of course, I always end up modifying recipes to: 
1) use products I love that can easily replace something I don't want to use, i.e. pita vs my favorite pizza crust
2) make it easier! The original recipe is from Core De Force, it uses whole wheat pita as the crust and they make their own BBQ sauce...ain't nobody got time for that! My Trader Joe's sauce is perfect for a BBQ Chicken Pizza! 

PS - I love when people are all like, "I am on this diet and I am SO HUNGRY all the time! I can't eat anything good! I have to eat some bar for breakfast that doesn't fill me up, then for lunch, I have a shake filled with artificial ingredients and it cost me like $300+"....and I am over here like, oh poor you, this pizza is eff'n amazing, I will eat some for you. ;) 

What You Need (1 Serving):

1 whole grain crust (or whole wheat pita)
2 Tbsp. bbq sauce (try to find one without a bunch of extra "junk" in it)
2 Tbsp. cheddar (recipe calls for mozzarella, but I prefer cheddar) 
1/3 chopped cooked chicken breast
2 Tbsp. chopped red onion (I only use 1 Tbsp...onions aren't my friend)
1 Tbsp. chopped fresh cilantro (or the amazing freeze dried stuff you can find near the veggies/salads in the grocery store, love those)

Preparation: 

1. Preheat oven to 350 (one of these days I will figure out how to do the whole fahrenheit thing on my blog).
2. Place crust on a baking sheet, top with bbq sauce, cheese, chicken & onion.
3. Bake for 10-12 minutes or until the cheese is melted.
4. Sprinkle w/ cilantro, slice & ENJOY! 

 

I could eat this right now...

For my Fix family:  2 yellow, 1/2 red 1/2 blue 1/2 purple