Month: April 2015

Can we all just agree on something?  Wether you are a working mom or an at home mom or somewhere in between, MOMS ARE BUSY.

I know this to be true, because I have done it all.  I have worked full time, part time and had the opportunity to be a full time at home mom, too.  No matter what stage in my mommy career I have been in, I was busy and often times overwhelmed.

So, what can we do?  I say it is time for Busy Mom Bootcamp!

It is high time to dedicate some part of our day to get a few things done that will make our lives a little easier.

For 21 days we will discuss and focus on:

• exercising 30 minutes a day for a minimum of 5 days a week- NO EXCUSES
• ways to make proper nutrition a part of every day- not just for us, but for our families
• weekly meal planning and prepping
• sharing easy, healthy recipes
• sharing ways to organize our crazy schedule to fit it all in!
• ways to lead by example for our kids by being healthy and happy

Will we be perfect every day?  Probably not, but we will work together and support one another so that we can feel happier and more satisfied at the end of each day!

So, if this sound like something you need in your life you can choose from a few options:

 

For more information and to reserve your spot sign up here:  Busy Mom Bootcamp

The deadline to join the next bootcamp is Saturday, May 2nd.  We will start our bootcamp bright and early Monday, May 11th!

I look forward to helping you whip your life into shape!

I recently posted this picture in one of my challenge groups for Funny Friday:

There were some lively and funny comments that went a little something like this:

“LOL I totally agree!”

“This post motivated me for a different reason- I can’t lose my chest to save my life”

“OMG, me, too!”

“The struggle is real and different for us all”

This conversation made me realize a few thing.

1. I LOVE THESE GROUPS!  I love putting people together from all different places in their lives who all have the same desire; to get healthy and live happy!  I love the conversations we have and the friendships that are made.  We all do struggle and have different “problems” but in the end we are more similar than we are different.

2. WHY CAN’T WE LOVE OURSELVES FOR WHO WE ARE?  I do believe that the women in my groups are all working towards this, but it is almost ingrained in us to be critical of ourselves and especially our bodies.  I have worked to lose almost 20 pounds over the last year.  I have lost it and kept if off!  I have built muscle and feel stronger!  I feel better- physically and mentally!  I have more energy!  I have more patience!  BUT there are days I look in the mirror and the overwhelming thing I see is that I am flat as a pancake!  I have actually contemplated plastic surgery.  Please don’t get me wrong, there is absolutely nothing wrong with getting plastic surgery, but why can’t we look in the mirror and see the good?  Is it really harder to do that, than it is to go under the knife???  We are all made uniquely and I am working on loving the person I see staring back at me- training bra and all!

3. WHY DO SO MANY OF US GIVE UP BEFORE WE REACH OUR GOAL?  On the flip side of my flat chest is a big butt.  While my chest disappeared in no time, it took a long time for me to see a difference in my back side.  That is why this Friday Funny found its way into my group.  I will never have a tiny butt- that is not the way I am made.  BUT with a little hard work and dedication I have made a big change in how my tail end looks!  Too often we give up before we get to see the real magic happen.  Life is full of ups and downs.  We are also going to experience plateaus!  Not just in a weight loss journey, but in ANY journey.  We have to have faith in ourselves and in the universe.  If you are willing to put in the work and truly believe in what you are working towards, you have to be willing to push through the the bad times, brush yourself off and keep going!

The moral of this story- surround yourself with like minded, supportive people, love yourself and Never give up!  Oh and make sure to laugh along the way!

 

I have been trying and perfecting a good steak marinade for a while and this one has been voted best by my pretty picky husband and boys!

You will need just a few things:

• 1 cup Bragg Liquid Amino
• 1/4 cup honey
• 3 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
• 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard 
• 1 teaspoon red-pepper flakes 
• 1/4 teaspoon ground pepper

For this particular dinner I used grass fed skirt steak, but I have used flank steak and fillets.

Mix all the ingredients together and let the meat and veggies sit for 1-2 hours.  Cook as you normally would, but since it is finally grilling season I highly recommend grilling it!

 

TIP:

I recently started using Bragg Liquid Aminos instead of low sodium soy sauce and I really do not taste a difference and it takes the sodium per serving from around 500 to 160!

 

 

 

Enjoy!

 

I have always known that salads are good for you.  I didn’t always know that a lot of the stuff you put on it are…not so good for you.  You can actually eat more calories and fat in a poorly prepared salad then in a hamburger and fries!!!

So when I decided that my salads needed a makeover I started by searching for a better dressing alternative.

After trying several different recipes I found this one that has changed my life, at least when it comes to my salads that is!

Here is my favorite:

• 1/4 cup red wine vinegar
• 1 tablespoon honey (raw and local is best)
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• 1 garlic clove, minced (use a garlic press – it’s easy and extracts maximum flavor)
• freshly ground pepper, to taste
• 1/2 cup good quality extra-virgin olive oil

Put all the ingredients into a mason jar and shake away!!  This can be stored in the refrigerator for about 2 weeks, if it lasts that long.  Because of the oil, you need to let it sit out for about 20 minutes and come to room temperature so the oil liquifies.

Try these other variations:

Apple Cider: Sub apple cider vinegar for red wine

Balsamic: Sub balsamic vinegar for the red wine and add an extra clove of garlic

Raspberry: Sub white wine vinegar or raspberry vinegar for the red wine. Puree 1/4 – 1/2 cup fresh (or thawed) raspberries in a blender and add to other ingredients

Italian: Add 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning and an extra clove of garlic

 

 

Speaking of salads, I also love to make them up ahead in mason jars for quick lunches, snacks on the go or to add to dinner.  The key to this is the order in which you add your ingredients.  If you follow this simple order, they will stay fresh for 5-7 days!

 

 

Enjoy!