Healthy "FRIED" Rice

When you are craving Chinese, you figure it out with what you have in the house so you don't feel guilty afterwards. This was perfect for my craving!! 

All my items happened to be Trader Joe's brand. And this was for 1 person...yeah, all of that food, just for little old me. 

What You Need:

6 Red Argentinian Shrimp (or shrimp of your choice) 
1 Large Egg
1/4 Cup Frozen Peas (optional)
1/4 Cup Brown Rice
1/2 Cup Frozen Cauliflower Rice
1/2 Cup Carrots (I used carrot spirals because that is what I had on hand) 
Coconut Aminos (about 1/2 tbsp)
Low Sodium Soy Sauce (1 tsp) 
Sesame Oil (I did not use it, but about 1/4 tsp would be good)
Ginger, to taste (optional) 
Scallions, 1 heaping tbsp (I totally forgot these and was sad)

Preparation: 

1. Microwave rice. Set aside. 
2. While that is cooking, get shrimp into small pan to sauté, it will just be thrown on top of rice when you are done.
3. In another pan, heat 1 tsp olive oil. Add peas, carrots and cauliflower rice, cook until heated all the way through. 
4. Push veggies to the side, crack an egg in same pan and cook.
5. Add rice to pan and mix all ingredients.
6. Add in sauces. Stir. 
7. Pour veggie and rice mix onto plate, top w/ shrimp and scallions.
8. Inhale. 

Note: If you are doing ginger and/or sesame oil, I would put that in the pan when you would do olive oil in step 3 (so no olive oil, use sesame oil in its place).

The carrot spirals were sweet than regular chopped carrots but I did not care, this meal totally kicked my craving in the ass and made my tummy happy at the same time! 

For my Fixers: 1.5 red, 1 yellow, 1 green, 1/2 orange (for sauces)

Back to School, Back to You!

I did this all at home. 

Where are all my busy women at? This time of year gets hectic, especially if you are a mom or teacher...or anyone for that matter. Life is busy for most of us, no matter the circumstances! Can I get an AMEN to that?!

But it is time to put the excuses aside and focus on YOU! And you can do it all from home, on your time. No worrying about when you will get to the gym or IF you will get to the gym. No stressing over what is going on the menu for the week. Skipping breakfast because you are running out the door will become a thing of the past. And losing momentum because of lack of support will never be an issue. 

You will have access to over 600 workouts at your fingertips to stream when you want and where you want. There will be a meal plan guide laid out just for you and it will be catered to your goals, whether you want to lose weight, tone up or just maintain a healthy lifestyle. The access to the amount of recipes you have is endless and new ones are added all the time! Yay for new foods! And you won't want to skip breakfast when you are armed with your superfood shake that keeps you energized and feeling like you can tackle the day! (And for all the teachers or mama's out there, it boosts your immune system too...who has time to be sick during the school year?) Plus, being surrounded by a community of women on the same journey as you who are there to cheer you on, good or bad day and never judging helps you stay the path! No more giving up on yourself and your goals. 

Basically, we just do our workouts, drink our superfoods & eat meals using our awesome color coded containers all of that helps us hit our goals and learn how to live that balanced life. Wine and chocolate included. (Because priorities.)

Sound like something you need in your life? Find me on Facebook and shoot me a message! Spots will fill up quick and the deadline to sign up is only a week away! Not to mention the sale price ends soon! Ahhh!

I hope to see you in our group! 

You want me to do what....

If you are one of my challengers in my groups, you know that I am all about making sure you are prepared each week in the kitchen. Meal planning. Meal prep. It is all essential and here are my reasons why:

1. It saves me time. 

I know what you are thinking...Ashley, how does spending a couple of hours in the kitchen on Sunday (or for me, on Monday) save you freaking time? Well, let's see...if I knock out meals for the week in one day, that is time I don't spend each day making lunch & dinner which in turn gives me more time to work (if the kids aren't home) or spend time with my kids since I am not spending an hour cooking dinner each night. All we have to do is heat & eat when we are ready! Now, that being said, sometimes I do have to cook a little something extra for the kids to go with their meal, like their favorite Annie's Mac. 

2. No room for poor choices. 

Ok, so this goes along with saving time. If you are like me, you are often on the go. And being on the go means stopping & grabbing something, usually something not so good for us. But if you have snacks ready to grab & go before you leave the house...you are less likely to make poor choices while you are out & about. And yes, I am known to take a cooler with me wherever I am going if I am laser focused on my goals or even if I know I am going to be gone a while & don't want to spend money on junk. 

Same with your meals, if you know you have a soccer game or dance class & you aren't going to feel like rushing to cook before or cooking for your hangry family (yourself included) after...if you have healthy meals planned & prepped in your fridge to heat & eat...that is a life saver! 

Of course, I don't prep everything in advance but if I know what is on my plan, when I am feeling hungry, I know what I should be eating...back before I got on the planning wagon, I used to stand in the pantry or stare at an open fridge & eat whatever jumped out at me which usually wasn't a healthy choice or something that would leave me feeling good afterwards (a.k.a. something sugary that would cause me to crash). 

3. It saves money. 

See above. On the go = money spent.  And if you don't at least have your meals planned out (not everyone likes to prep ahead & that is ok but planning is still essential), then you are more likely to grab the family, go out & spend WAY more money than you need too. And more than likely eat more calories than you need too.  

4. I fuel my body better.

What do I mean by that? Well, when I have planned (& prepped) my meals & snacks, I know exactly what I should be eating & when. Typically this comes down to 4-5 small meals a day which means I am eating often & keeping my body fueled with healthy foods. Again, I don't have to go stand in the pantry or stare in my fridge, I know what I should be eating, therefore more often than not (let's be honest, I am not perfect), I make healthier choices! And when I make healthier choices, I stay fuller longer because I am not feeding myself empty carbs from junk! 

5. It helps me reach my goals & stay on track. 

If I am really pushing to reach some goals, I have to plan & prep otherwise I leave it to chance which we all know what that does (see 1-4 above...).

One thing I ask my challengers in my virtual health & fitness groups when they tell me they are struggling to reach their goals is...what is your nutrition like? Are you planning & prepping your food according to the meal plan guidelines for the program you are doing or are you leaving it to chance? They pick what I am putting down after I ask that.... ;) 

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This kind of prep (see below) makes me happy....it was salsa chicken, meatballs, taco meat & burgers! All great prep staples. 

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My tips:

(Keep in mind, these work great for me, but what works for me may not work for you!)

1. Break it up! 

I split up my prep throughout the week & therefore I go to the grocery store AT LEAST twice. 
I plan our meals out for Mon-Thurs on Sunday & then I plan Fri-Sun on Thursday evening. I do my shopping on Monday and Friday.  

Why do I split it up? Because what I plan on Sunday for the following Sunday may not even sound remotely good to me which means I am more likely to say fuck it & eat something that isn't on my plan BUT if I break up my planning & prep into chunks, I can plan what sounds good to me & it helps me stay on track. 

2. Always keep healthy food on hand! 

Do I really need to explain this one? Ok, I will. Even if I have a week where planning & prep sounds like pure torture (trust me, I have those weeks, typically after vacation), I still keep healthy snacks, protein & veggies on hand...that way when I do grab something or throw together a meal, it is still healthy! 

3. I am a creature of habit.

Fit people tend to eat the same thing over & over. Why? Because they enjoy it & it makes planning & prep simple. I have staples in my meal plan every week that I know won't change...then I plan the rest of my meals around those staples.

Current staples: Greek Yogurt + Frozen Cherries & at least 1 salad a day! 

4. Double up! 

When you cook, double the recipe, portion it out and freeze the extras! Or even put them in the fridge and eat them for lunch the next day or sometime that week (preferably within 4-5 days if it is in the fridge, however I leave food in the freezer for months at a time). 

Genius idea, right?

If we have burgers for dinner, I make 8 instead of 4. Turkey tacos. Make extra taco meat for salads, tacos, the kids quesadillas, etc., you get the point!

5. Track your food! 

Especially if you are wanting to hit a certain goal by a certain date. TRACK. TRACK. TRACK.

I use my awesome color coded container system to keep me on track with my nutrition. I not only plan out my meals on a spreadsheet (that tracks how many of each food group I get a day by container color) but I also print out a tally sheet to mark off each food as I eat it. 

I notice when I am not tracking my food that random things tend to jump into my mouth without me even noticing...like a bite of my kids french toast or mac. Or those tootsie rolls that have been in the pantry since Easter. 

We tend to eat without even thinking about it...no conscious effort, we just grab stuff BUT if we are planning, prepping & tracking, we learn to eat to fuel our body & make better choices! 

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If this helps you, comment below or share it so you can help a friend who wants to get on the planning & prep train! Want help staying accountable? Fill out this form to get info on my next virtual health & fitness group! 

Shift Shop Exclusive Launch Group

Me & Chris Downing in Punta Cana, he is the Shift Shop mastermind! 

Gahhhh!!! I am so freaking excited that the official launch day of Shift Shop is only 10 days away! It is a 21 day total body transformation program that will make you fall in love yourself and your body. 

This is the first Beachbody fitness program created by Super Trainer Chris Downing, whose engaging, motivation-based approach helps you grow stronger—physically and mentally—all powered by his personal philosophy: Empower. Love. Inspire.

And can I tell you that I experienced this first hand at our Success Club trip in Punta Cana when I got to work out with him! He had me in tears, not because of the pain, although I was in pain, but because he was pushing me outside of my comfort zone and making me believe in my ability to keep pushing myself. He has this natural ability to make you feel like you can do whatever you put your mind too. 

I have all the deets in this post if you are interested in changing up your workout, need to break a plateau, want to get started with your transformation or you need to hold yourself accountable. 

I will be hosting a private launch group for people who are ready to make the shift for this 21 day program. 

What is Shift Shop? And who is it for? 

A lot of our test group participants did the program 2x back to back. Amazing results, whether you do it for 21 days or 42!

Like I said before, the SHIFT SHOP uses a revolutionary “ramp-up” method that starts you off slow—then gradually increases the intensity week by week—all while refining your nutrition. This is how you make maximum progress in minimal time.

There’s a good reason why the SHIFT SHOP is your perfect on-ramp to fitness. You will stay committed, because it’s only 3 weeks. You won’t feel intimidated, because Chris slowly ramps you up, and there’s an incredible modifier to follow. You’ll also face no limits. Because just when you think you can’t possibly do that last rep, Chris will get two or three more out of you. And because you’re shifting your mindset as well as your body, you’ll be able to build on these achievements for the rest of your life. 

Who is Shift Shop for?

• Men and women of any age or fitness level who want to get fit and lose up to 10 pounds fast. We're talking only 3 weeks peeps! 
• Anyone trying to reach his or her next level of fitness.
• Anyone who wants significant results quickly—but who need a program that eases them into working out and eating healthier.
• People who enjoy athletic activities—who want to become leaner, faster, stronger. Chris Downing has trained everyone from pro and amateur athletes, including overweight football players, helping them to achieve their fitness and nutrition goals.

What is the program like? Nutrition? Workout lengths? 

The eating plan will be laid out for you so figuring out what to eat is never a battle. There’s even a nutrition strategy that changes what you eat each week—to fire up your metabolism—for the best possible 21 day results. 

In Week 1 with the SHIFT SHOP, you start with 25-minute cardio and strength workouts you can really do, and a nutrition plan you can stick with. Starting in Week 2, you're pushing a little harder, for 35 minutes, and consuming more protein to fuel the burn. But it's nothing you can't handle. In Week 3, your shift has kicked into high gear, with intense 45-minute workouts and clean eating. The results when you cross the finish line? Stunning.

To keep your nutrition on track, the simple shift nutrition guide delivers the perfect balance of the right foods at the right time—by reducing starchy carbs while ramping up proteins and veggies week by week—so you can stay focused and get your best results.

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When Can I Get This Workout?

2 rounds.

Shift Shop will be available to any current Beachbody on Demand members as of 7/12. If you don't have access, no problem, we can get you set up!  So if you do not have a coach right now make sure to sign up with me so that I can be your coach and guide you from start to finish through the program, you can go HERE to sign up with me as your free coach.  

Also, please make sure that you complete the application below to be considered for a spot in my exclusive Shift Shop Launch Group, being in the group assures that you get the support and accountability to start and complete the program.  To complete the application click here: Shift Shop Launch Group.

Once you fill out the application, you can also join the Launch Group Event by clicking here. 

What does the program cost?

There are a variety of options.  However, the one that I recommend, hands down is the, Annual All Access Challenge Pack. The Challenge Pack comes with everything you need to be successful, not just for the 21 days of this program but all year long. It comes with one year of access to Beachbody on Demand (so over 600 workouts, including Shift Shop), nutrition guide, portion fix nutrition system, a shaker cup and either 1 month of Shakeology or our Performance Stack (Energize and Recover, which if I were you, I would definitely not skip on the Performance Line) so you can push harder in your workouts and reduce soreness for the next day. You also get free access to me as your coach, a discounted promotional price, lower shipping plus it gives you a spot in my Exclusive Group where I will be personally walking you through the entire program and sharing tips and videos from Chris himself. I will help you understand the nutrition guide, answer any questions on your food plan, give you recipes, tips and tricks plus daily accountability so that you finish the program without a hitch! 

The Challenge Pack is currently at a promotional price of $160. I am offering agility markers or a gift card (your pick) to any new participants who commit by 7/7! 

What can I do to get the most out of my Accountability Group?

This is the VITAL part of it all.  How can you REALLY succeed at this program??  Think about it this way, anyone can go out there, buy the program and do the workouts.  But as I have witnessed MANY times (and I am guilty of this myself), people purchase a program with the best of intentions then they don't do a damn thing with it because they are too busy making excuses as to why they don't have time to make it happen. The goal with participating in an Accountability Group is to not let the BS excuses get in the way or let another program collect dust! It’s time to take charge of your fitness and nutrition, that starts with you! You have a close knit, online community at your fingertips that is going to help you start and complete the program and get the RESULTS that you want. 

Are you ready to join? Here are the requirements: 

• In my Launch Group I am going to be requiring that each participate for the entire 21 days of the program starting July 24th.  You must have ME as your assigned coach.  You cannot already be working with another coach or be a coach yourself.
• You must commit to both the fitness program and Shakeology or our Performance Line to join the group.  You will be getting everything you need for this group when you sign up with me.
• You must be willing to participate daily in the closed online group.  You must be committed to logging your workouts and your daily food activity.
• I am committed to providing you with tools, tips and recipes to help you get to your goals. As well as ways to get through the summer while enjoying yourself BUT not ruining your hard work.
• You must be willing to give it your all!  Change is not always easy but it is totally worth it.

I know you are still going to try and say, "I will wait until after the summer" but let me remind you, there will never ever be a perfect time to start your fitness and health transformation. I have stuff going on this summer too, travel, dinners with friends, etc. but I am still jumping in and I will do the best I can in the nutrition department given our schedule. You will always find an excuse. You just have to make it happen. You have to get over your fears and BS excuses, bite the bullet and hop on the wagon. You will never know if you can succeed if you don't try. This just might be that 1 thing where everything comes together and just finally makes sense to you and it sticks.  

Make sure we are connected on Facebook so you can stay up to date with this event and my journey with Shift Shop. Be sure to message me and tell me you find me through my blog! 

There is limited space in my Launch Group so make sure you complete the application HERE to get your spot!

Don't forget, I am here to cheer you on, I would love nothing more than to see you make the shift and achieve your goals so you can feel confident and empowered. 

Double Chocolate Cookies

I love sweets. There I said it. And I have a feeling I am not alone. ;) But I also love to find healthier alternatives to get my fix (get it, fix approved cookies, get my fix..ok yeah, I will stop).

I stumbled across these cookies on Fixate, which is an amazing little cooking show that Autumn Calabrese and her brother Bobby put together for our Beachbody on Demand members. You can watch their short cooking show segments OR if you are pressed for time, you can just grab all the recipes they make from the PDF in BOD (Beachbody on Demand). So I definitely can't take credit for this recipe, I must give credit where credit is due....thank you Autumn and Bobby! If you want access to Beachbody on Demand or have access and don't know how to find these amazing recipes in Fixate, let me know! 

Double Chocolate Cookies
1 cookie = 1 Yellow Container

What You Need:
1/4 C extra virgin organic coconut oil, melted
1/2 C unsweetened applesauce
1/3 C pure maple syrup
1/4 C lite coconut milk, canned
1/3 C coconut flour
1/4 C whole wheat flour (I used white whole wheat)
1/2 C unsweetened cocoa powder
1/4 C dark chocolate chips, 70% cacao or more (I used 60%) 

Preparation: 
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
2. Coat a baking sheet with non stick spray & set it to the side.
3. Combine wet ingredients, mix well, set aside. 
4. Combine dry ingredients (flour, cocoa powder) in a small bowl, set aside.
5. Add flour to the wet ingredients, mix until blended. 
6. Add in chocolate chips, mix until blended.
7. Drop onto baking sheet, a tbsp cookie dropper or measuring spoon works.
8. Bake for 10-12 minutes or until firm. (Mine cooked for 15 minutes, I would say oven temps vary.)

I was a little concerned about the texture when I mixed the two bowls together, because it is thicker but they turned out good! They are not your normal cookie texture and they don't flatten out...but they are yummy! 1 is plenty to curb a sweet tooth.