Fabulous Femmes

WHY do we do it? WHY do we compete with, put down, criticize, compare ourselves to and wish failure upon our fellow fabulous femmes??? And more importantly, how do we stop?

Imagine how different things could be between us if we all believed that we were amazing, that we were beautiful and that we all had something unique to offer. Instead of being in competition we'd be dying to get to know all these other amazing people!

Wouldn't it be wonderful if we were only in competition with ourselves, striving to be all that we dreamed to be? And wouldn't it be incredible to go on that personal journey with a friend running along side you, not letting you quit and telling you she thinks the world of you! That's the kind of women I want surrounding me and the kind of woman I want to be others!

It takes a STRONG woman to admire someone else's beauty and not question her own. Take some time today to text, call or email a woman you admire. Let her know you believe in her and think she deserves the world.

21 Day Fix Approved Banana Apple Muffins

Banana Apple Muffins (From the FIXATE Cook Book)
1 muffin = 1 PURPLE and 1 BLUE

These are a staple in our house, they are SO good! And let's be honest, any delicious item that doesn't cost me a YELLOW container is certainly a friend of mine! Hence why I make them pretty much every other week :)

Ingredients:
2 large eggs, lightly beaten
1 cup mashed ripe banana (about 2 medium bananas)
1 Tbsp. organic grass-fed butter, melted (I use coconut oil instead)
1 1/2 cups almond flour
3/4 tsp. baking soda, gluten free
1 dash sea salt (or Himalayan salt)
1/2 cup chopped apple (about 3/4 medium apple)

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350 F.
2. Prepare nine muffin cups by lining with muffin tin layers or coating with muffin spray.
3. Combine eggs, banana, and butter in a medium bowl; mix well; set aside.
4. Combine almond flour, baking soda, and salt in a medium bowl; mix well.
5. Add almond meal mixture to egg mixture; mix until blended.
6. Add apple; mix until just blended.
7. Divide batter evenly between prepared muffin cups.
8. Bake 16 to 18 minutes, or until golden brown and toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
9. Transfer muffins to rack; cool.

Oh happy day!

Yesterday was a super exciting day for me!

After 10 months of working my business with no working camera on my cell phone (I know my Coach friends are picking themselves up off the floor right now!!!) This mama is finally back in business!

Let the selfie taking commence!

Opportunity Alert!

On December 23rd, two days before Christmas, after desperately trying to figure out another way, I sat in a quiet office where everything was the same dull beige colour.
.

“You think you can make this... what is it?...this 'Beachbody' thing work?” He asked.
My reply, “I KNOW I can!”
He slid me a paper and pen, I took a breath and signed my name to Personal Bankruptcy papers.
.

As I walked out of the office I surprisingly felt different than I thought I would. I felt relieved, like a weight had been lifted off my shoulders and I knew I had just made the best decision I could have ever made for Train and I. I had just given us a chance to start over, free from that financial weight that I was carrying and made a way for us to MOVE FORWARD in life, instead of struggling every month to just stay in the same place.
.

Since June of that year, my only income was the monthly Government checks for Train that I received AND very generous parents to live with! I was covering the few bills I had with the money from Train and the extra few hundred dollars I was making from my new Beachbody business barely made a dent in anything, but I spent every penny of it on food and diapers for Train, praying and trusting that one day I would NOT have to ask my parents to help me buy basic necessities for my own child.
.

The first financial goal I set for myself was to double my very small income and you know what??? For the last 2 months in a row I have (and then some!)
.

My Beachbody business has not been easy, it’s certainly not a get rich quick thing (those don’t exist!) I’m working hard every day doing something that has challenged me beyond anything else, and I am absolutely loving every minute!
.

This company is FULL of Coaches with stories just like mine, it’s their stories that inspired me to start Coaching! The magic truly happened for me though when I stopped looking at them and thinking they were “lucky” or unique in some way and realized, “Wait a minute, I have the exact same opportunity in front of me as they did! So, if I work hard and don’t give up, and I just do what they did, why couldn’t I change my life too?”
.

Here is what I KNOW; You CAN change your life. You CAN create financial freedom. You CAN have a job that doesn’t feel like work.
.

Wherever you are at in life right now, know this, you CAN come back from ANYTHING!!
.

If what I did to rebuild my life can help you with yours, if my story gives you even a glimmer of hope that maybe things could change for you too, I am SO SO happy to share with you anything about my life that I can! I creeped my Coach (and now friend) for years before I started Coaching. I wanted to reach out, but I was scared and it took something really awful to force me out of my comfort zone and cause me to take a chance. Don’t be like me! Don’t stay where you are feeling hopeless and scared of the future, when the truth is you can absolutely change things! Perhaps THIS is YOUR opportunity just like it was mine!

Paleo Banana Bread

I found this amazing Paleo Banana Bread on Pinterest that was perfect for Train during our Whole30 (and for both of us afterwards!)

Paleo Banana Bread
 
 Ingredients:
4 medium to large brown bananas
7 eggs at room temperature
¼ cup melted coconut oil, ghee, or grass fed butter
2 teaspoons vanilla (I didn't add this so that I could keep the ingredients Whole30 compliant for Train.)
3/4 cup coconut flour
1 tablespoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt
3/4 teaspoon baking soda

Instructions:
> Preheat oven to 350° and grease a 9x5 loaf pan.
> In a large bowl, mash bananas until smooth. A few small chunks are okay.
> Add the eggs, then the butter and vanilla, mixing well.
> Stir in the coconut flour, cinnamon, salt, and baking soda.
> Let sit 3-4 minutes to allow the coconut flour to thicken up.
> Pour into prepared loaf pan and bake 45-55 minutes or until the center is no longer "jiggly".

Action or inaction?...that is THE question!

So, this morning is day 3 for me of getting up early and doing my workout first thing. Is it easy??? NO!!! Is it worth it??? YES! :)

.

As I was doing my workout this morning, I was thinking about how I used to always try to find a different, EASIER way to achieve my health and fitness goals.

.

You know the thoughts; "Please!!! I'll do ANYTHING but eat right and workout! OR "I'll do ANYTHING as long as I don't have to give up something I love or work really hard!" Seriously, that was me!

.

BUT here's the fact about changing your health or body or really anything you want to change about yourself; there is NO quick fix! Ok so that's obviously the bad news! BUT here's the good news!!! There is also no secret to how you can! --> Eat right and get your body moving (Thank you 21 Day Fix for showing me the way in both regards!!! <3 )

.

So, how come I knew that secret the whole time but nothing in my life ever changed and I never achieved any of my health and fitness goals?

.

It's simply because some people choose to do the work and some people don't. I was the second person for almost my whole life! ACTION is the ONLY thing that sets successful people apart form unsuccessful people, (not just in fitness but in everything in life.) It really IS that simple (and that hard, all at the same time! :) )

.

I have found for me that my fitness journey is more mental than physical. Yes it's hard, I've cried, I get frustrated and I've wanted to quit, and so will you! How bad do you want to achieve your goals though? How bad do you want to change? How bad do you want to feel different? Are you in it for the long haul? If you are, than know this, I AM TOO! :) Which means you'll never be alone as you move forward!

.

My next Accountability Group starts on April 18th :) Message me today to reserve your spot and we can reach our goals together <3

.

SMALL, SMART CHOICES + TIME + CONSISTENCY = RADICAL RESULTS

 

 

You don't have to LOVE something to actually do it!

I HATE waking up early! Like really despise it!
.

A while back I had got myself rolling on a great routine of getting up BEFORE Train and completing my workout. And let me tell you it felt great to have that crossed off my list for the day!
.

Slowly over time, my old habits crept back in. And it wasn't long before I wasn't even setting my alarm anymore but instead just waiting until Train was calling for me.
.

I had forgotten how fantastic it felt to have that little bit of quite time to myself in the morning and how much better my day with Train was when I was alert and prepared for him when he woke up raring to go!
.

I had let my mind totally shift back to the old thoughts that said, a little bit of extra sleep was more important than all the fantastic benefits I had been experiencing.
.

It's hard waking up early to workout and prepare for the day but it's also hard staggering into Train's room and trying to start the day with a wild toddler and not really even feeling awake until mid-morning.
.

I started asking myself, "If both are hard, why not CHOOSE the hard I prefer?!" Let's be honest here, I'm tired at 6:30am but you know what, I'm also tired at 8, 9 or 10am smile emoticon
.

So last night I gave myself a much needed kick in the booty and decided that if I'm going to be tired I'd rather be tired and accomplish something worthwhile, then be tired and just disappointed with myself for not starting my day off better!
.

SO, this morning I got up early, did my workout, checked in with my challengers and even brushed my teeth, put makeup on and did my hair all before Train was up and you know what? I FEEL ABSOLUTELY FANTASTIC!
.

And tomorrow I'm going to push myself to do it again! NOT because I suddenly fell in love with getting up early but because I LOVE the RESULTS of what I accomplish by getting up early!
.

The lesson's I was reminded of today;
#1 Change your thinking FIRST!
#2 CHOOSE your hard!
#3 You don't have to LOVE doing something to actually do it!

Spaghetti Squash Chow Mein

Swapping Spaghetti Squash for pasta was one of the very first healthy swaps I made. I love it and am SO excited to find another delicious way to make it! I'll be serving mine with chicken! Shrimp would probably be good with it too, if you're a shrimp lover. (Which I am not!) 

Spaghetti Squash Chow Mein

Ingredients:

1 large spaghetti squash
1/4 cup soy sauce or tamari
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon brown sugar (or coconut sugar)
2 teaspoons freshly grated ginger
1/4 teaspoon white pepper
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 onion, diced (I'm going to make mine with green onion.)
3 stalks celery, sliced diagonally
2 cups cole slaw mix (shredded cabbage and carrots)

Directions

Cut a spaghetti squash in half length wise and scoop out seeds. Lay skin side up in a 13 x 9 pyrex and pour 1/2 inch of water in the bottom of the pan. Bake at 400 degrees for 30-40 minutes, until flesh is very tender. Once done, scoop out flesh with a fork so it breaks apart into strings, set aside.
{{ *NOTE* I just cut the squash in half, scoop the seeds out spray it with coconut oil and put it on a baking sheet to cook. I've never added water to a baking pan to cook it. }}

In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, garlic, brown sugar, ginger and white pepper; set aside.

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium high heat. Add onion and celery, and cook, stirring often, until tender, about 3-4 minutes. Stir in cabbage until heated through, about 1 minute.

Stir in spaghetti squash and soy sauce mixture until well combined, about 2 minutes.

Serve immediately.

We CAN!

 

If lifting weights is wrong, I don’t want to be right!!! :) I finished Hammer and Chisel earlier this week and I have to say, I absolutely LOVE this program and will definitely be repeating it again soon!

.

I am shocked at how I have literally transformed my body in like, 35 minutes a day from MY LIVING ROOM! No babysitter and no commute required! Can you believe that?! Seriously, if the only way to get in shape and work out was going to the gym, this little mama would be plum out of luck!

.

Ok, so we all know that with every journey to success comes struggles, so here it is --> I didn’t totally fall off the rails or anything like that, but in the last half of the program I may have had a few too many treats here and there and a few extra rest days than were scheduled :)

.

Now normally, this would totally destroy me and would make me feel like I totally failed BUT guess what... My fitness is not a destination, it's a way of life and even with some treats and a missed workout here and there I am blown away and SO insanely proud of the progress I have made in regards to my consistency and my ability to complete the things I start.

.

We CAN do hard things. We CAN change our habits. We CAN change our lives <3 Do you believe that? Do you want to?

I have another accountability group starting up soon that I would love for you to be a part of! {{MESSAGE}} me about it, I would love to share with you how it's possible, even as a busy mama, to make new habits, transform your body and feel better than you even thought possible, (yes, all from YOUR living room :) )

.

Talk soon XO

Holy Yumminess!

These little beauties are AMAZING! Well, IF you love chocolate and peanut butter but come on who doesn't love that combo?!

Chocolate Peanut Butter Granola Bars

INGREDIENTS:
1/2 cup natural peanut butter
1/3 cup honey
1/4 cup unsalted butter
1 cup Old Fashioned oats (not quick oats)
2 tablespoons wheat germ
1/2 cup coconut
1/2 cup chocolate chips

DIRECTIONS:
1. Melt the butter, peanut butter and honey in a pot over medium to low heat, stirring constantly. Turn off the burner when melted.
2. Pour in the cup of oats and the wheat germ. Stir til combined.
3. Wait til it cools and stir in the coconut and chocolate chips.
4. Pour into foil-lined 8 X 8 pan and stick in the fridge.
5. Once cooled, flip bars onto cutting board and cut to the size you like.

Just Do It!

Being consistent with eating clean and doing my workouts has definitely transformed my body over time BUT there is another transformation that has taken place in me that can't be captured in a photo and it's actually the one that excites me the most!

CHOOSING to eat clean consistently even when I don't feel like it and CHOOSING to press play on my workouts even when I don't feel like it has truly made me stronger! (And trust me there are LOT'S of days I don't feel like it!)

*** There is great strength in doing things we don't feel like doing ***

My health and fitness journey has had lots of ups and downs but CHOOSING to keep pushing forward even when I haven't felt like it has shown me that I am not the failure I thought I once was.
I AM capable of completing hard things. I AM capable of sticking with hard things. I AM SO capable of overcoming hard things.

This inward transformation has overflowed into every aspect of my life, as a mama, a friend, a business owner, a daughter and as a woman. It's shown me confidence, courage, perseverance and strength that I never knew I had.

I got a lot more than I bargained for when I ordered my 21 Day Fix Challenge Pack and I couldn't be more grateful!

Are you like me, and just SO ready to feel different, inside and out? Do you want to finally see what you're truly capable of? I have a few spots left in my Challenge Group and I'd love for you to experience what I have.

My groups aren't for the elite, or the special people who have it all together. They are for people just like me, who have tried and failed a million times, who wonder if they can and who have given up in the past. People who keep trying because they know there has to be a way to feel better, to look better, to be better and want to try just one more time!

Message me today and start your transformation:)

True Beauty

Beauty is your actions NOT your outward appearance.
 
The words that flow from your mouth and the attitude you carry in your heart are where your beauty lie.

Beauty is a woman who get's up after she falls or get's knocked down. Beauty is a woman who runs when she's weary. Beauty is a woman who put's her life in God's hands when she has no idea what the future holds. Beauty is choosing happiness when all she feels is sad.
 
BEAUTY IS STRENGTH AND BOTH ARE ACTIONS NOT FEELINGS.

You don't have to FEEL it to BE it!

Easy Steel Cut Oats

I love steel cut oats, I know they're good for me but really, who's got time for them? Maybe it's just me, but they take forever to cook, and in the end what do you get? A pot of weird slime and crunchy things and a messy stove because the pot inevitably always boils over no matter how closely I watch it!

UNTIL NOW!!! :)

On your prep night; bring water to a boil in a pot, add the steel cut oats, stir, let boil for a few minutes, place the lid on, remove from heat and let them sit out over night. BAM! THEY TURN OUT PERFECTLY!

The next day you can portion them out, pop them in the fridge and each morning add in what you like, stir and heat! Yup, it's as easy as that!

This morning I added to mine, 1 tsp of melted coconut oil, 4 tsp of chia seeds, 1 tsp of cinnamon and 1/2 a mashed banana! It was so delicious! Well, what I got to eat of them was, because Trains kept asking for more bites! :)

>> I did 4 cups of water to 1 cup of oats. This made me about 6 servings, so I'm set for the week :) <<