Beachbody Challenge ~90 Days until the New Year New You Challenge!

I want to take the time for 2 more shout outs to my girls that just completed my TurboFire Challenge! Both drank Shakeology each day and followed the nutritional plan!

“Thank you so much for helping me! The Challenge Group is exactly what I needed to get the motivation and finish strong in the program!” ~Lina

This is one turbo Mom! Kelly C. who lost 101 lbs with Turbo Fire and Shakeology. "After the birth of my daughter and postpartum depression, I found myself at my highest weight, over 250lbs! My entire body hurt and I needed to change not only for me, but my daughter. The last thing I wanted was for her to grow-up thinking it was normal to hate the way you look. Shakeology made a world of difference. No doubt, it was one of the keys to my wearing a bikini for the first time in my life!" 

5 Ways to Fight Fattening Holiday Habits

5 Ways to Fight Fattening Holiday Habits

Ah, the holidays. Or as we those of us who are too fond of cookies and traditional big meals say, AHHHHHH! The holidays!

No one decides to gain 5 to 15 pounds between November and January. But when family recipes, busy schedules, and friendly get-togethers put fat-filled temptations in your face at every turn, who can resist?

You can, with satisfying, delicious Shakeology^®! It's your super power, giving you the strength to pass up the fluffiest mashed potatoes and the richest pumpkin pie. And that's not the only way Shakeology makes your holidays happier. Here are 5 ways the Healthiest Meal of the Day^® helps you stay on track during the most wonderful time of the year:

1. Shakeology helps curb cravings so you won't overeat. Want to ease up on the eggnog and back off the brownies? Drink Shakeology before a holiday event. The whey protein isolate in each creamy glass keeps your blood sugar steady and crushes junk food cravings. That buffet table can't hurt you now—go ahead and stroll past it. You'll find that resisting temptation will be easier and feels way more awesome than any candied yam tastes.
2. Shakeology boosts your energy just when you need it. There are never enough hours in the day, but somehow time seems even scarcer in November and December. If you're like me, you've got to run around from sunup to bedtime to get everything done. Thankfully, the vitamins, minerals, and protein in Shakeology give you the stamina to keep going. Digestive enzymes in every serving speed up the body's absorption of nutrients too, so you can feel the benefits faster. And use any extra energy to prepare a healthy meal instead of grabbing the nearest holiday cheese tray.
3. Guard against illness. There's something magical in the air—something viral too: cold and flu germs making the rounds in the shopping malls and holiday parties. Happily, Shakeology provides a powerful cocktail of natural ingredients to help support immune system function: super-greens, super-fruits, adaptagen herbs, pre- and probiotics, and digestive enzymes. I'm not saying Shakeology will make you completely impervious to the flu bug, but it could support your immune system when you share hugs with sniffly loved ones. Come to think of it, maybe THEY could use some Shakeology.
4. Take the stress out of the season. Let's face it: the most wonderful time of the year comes with expectations that can cause anxiety. Shakeology's got your antidote, with protein and amino acids to promote alertness, and adaptogen herbs that can reduce feelings of stress and fatigue. So relax with a glass of Shakeology. It's a healthier way to handle stress than over-indulging in holiday spirits and/or pecan pie.
5. Replace a fattening holiday tradition with a healthy one.Instead of piling on the calories with Christmas pudding, tryChocolate Shakelogy Pudding:
   
   Ingredients:
   1 scoop Chocolate Shakeology, 1 ripe avocado, 1 large banana, 1 cup almond milk, 1 tsp. lemon
   Preparation:
   Mix all ingredients in blender until smooth. Pour into 4 small individual dishes. Refrigerate for an hour. If the pudding ends up too thick, simply add a bit more almond milk. Serves 1. Optional: Garnish with some chopped pecans, chia seeds or walnuts.
   Treat yourself right with this lean alternative to traditional eggnog, Berry Yule Log:
   Ingredients:
   1/2 tsp. cinnamon
   1/2 tsp. almond extract
   1/2 cup pitted black cherries
   1 cup vanilla almond milk
   1 scoop Greenberry Shakeology
   Preparation:
   Mix together in blender until smooth, serve chilled.

"This is the first year I haven't completely caved when it comes to all of the holiday treats . . . Thanks, Shakeology!"—Valynne B., Portland, OR

"Shakeology is awesome! I use it for all my desserts, and I can just walk away from all the goodies around the holidays."—Scott R., Youngstown, OH

"Drinking Shakeology pre-Christmas is helping keep all the goodies at bay :) Thanks for an amazing, craving-stifling product!"—Melanie W.

For a whole month of delicious Shakeology Holiday-themed recipes, click here.

Starting November 29th, you can win FREE Shakeology and fitness programs in the Shakeology Holiday Dessert Recipe Contest. Visit the Shakeology Facebook^® page to enter!

Top 20 Brain Foods

Top 20-brain-foods-easy-reference-guide from My Workouts Pay

P90X Healthy Yam Protein Muffins

I have been having a hard time blogging today and adding my recipes because my little one is really sick. She is sleeping now, so it's time to get some recipes up.

For those of you sticking to the diets from Beachbody and getting tired of eating the same old same old yam.. Ya know? The ones you bake in the oven and after 60 days of doing this you want to, well barf. Well, my husband gagged on his saying "I can't take it anymore" hehe.. So he still needs his carbs and it is convenient and cheap if you are watching your budget.. Here's a spin off the old yam...

Healthy Yam Protein Muffins

mmmmm :0)

Ingredients 

3 cups mashed yams

6 egg whites

2 scoops vanilla whey protein

1 T cinnamon

2 tsp all spice

1 tsp baking soda

pinch of salt 

Directions

1. Pierce 3-4 yams with a knife a few times and place in microwave for 10 minutes.

2. Place yams in mixer and mix until yams are mashed. The skin usually separates at this point and I take out about half the skin. 

3. Add remaining ingredients and mix well. 

4. Place mixture in muffin tins and bake for 20 minutes at 350. 

This made 12 muffins, each with about 70 calories, 10g carbs and 7g protein. 

Why Beachbody?

Why Beachbody? Why can't I just go to the gym and workout? Why can't I just do my own thing with other workout programs?

Why? You wouldn't be hear reading this asking me that question if you are already struggling to meet your goal.

First, you can go the gym to workout. I did. Guess what? I reached a plateau because I had no idea what I was doing! I even worked as an employee at the gym! Even if you knew what you were doing with creating workout routines and sticking to it, you get up one morning and say, "I really don't want to go to the gym today." At that point, you start to come up with excuses as to why you don't have to go, then next thing you know, it's the end of the day and you still have not accomplished anything. Now you broke your routine and it's hard to get up and get going the next day and most people don't.

Why can't you do your own thing with other workout programs? Go ahead! Again, you are reading this for a reason because it's hard to keep to a schedule and workout at home alone.

So why join Beachbody? Why not?! Not only does Beachbody have the testimonials out there from REAL people because their programs work, but there is a whole community of people out there wanting to help you reach your goals and MOTIVATE you so you stick with the program. 

Have no idea what you are doing with fitness and nutrition? There are so many recipes out there and each program has a nutrition plan. There are many people in the same boat that you can relate to and keep pushing forward. 

The best part is, all you need to do is find a program that fits you! Do you need help finding the right one? Not a problem! There are so many programs out there that are guaranteed to give you the results you want; whether it be to lose weight, bulk up, tone up, or just join an awesome group of people to talk to!! 

The one thing I hear all the time... "I don't have time." Let me ask you something, do you want to reach your goals? You need to find the time. You would be surprised. 

Quick story.. My husband and I have 3 kids, 3 dogs and a house to care for. Dean goes to work from 7:45am until 4:30 and work that he does take home to work on at night. Then he goes to school from 5:00pm to 9:00pm. This is Monday through Thursday and Saturdays he goes to school 7am to 1pm. On top of that ridiculous schedule, he has to study (he is going to school for accounting and is studying for his CPA). He also has to help me around the house.. We have a decent size yard that takes him forever to mow. That's done on Saturdays. In the midst of all that, he has to play daddy every chance he gets. Our kids are all involved in sports. We are ALWAYS busy!! He makes time in the mornings for his workouts and if he had to miss his workout for whatever reason, he does it at night after the crazy day he had. We make and prepare all of our meals on Sundays as a family thing so we don't have to worry about last minute meal ideas. Why does he do all of this? Because he has a vision of his goals and where he wants to be. 

Again, if you want something bad enough, you can't wait for it to come to you. You have to make it happen. There are a lot of workout programs like the 7 minute trainer that may help to at least get you started.

Another thing I often hear is "I can't afford it."

I don't know about your personal situation, but I know others that have said the same thing and we got them to get started somewhere. First, the programs aren't bad in price. P90X is 3 payments of $39.95 plus shipping. Think of it not as going to the store to purchase something you really don't need. Think of it as your life investment! 

Affording "healthy" food is another one. My husband and I don't have money raining into our house. Nor is it growing on trees in the back yard. He is in school which is expensive. He doesn't get a huge fat paycheck and I don't work. We have 3 kids.. You get the point. We set a budget of how much we can afford. Instead of going out to dinner, we put that money back into our weekly budget. I scan through the ads and find what's on sale and make dinners that way. We buy our meat in bulk at Sam's Club. We eat great food that tastes wonderful on a $50 a week budget. We also are taking Shakeology that even lowers the cost of $50 because it substitutes as a meal every day. 

"How much does it cost for me to have a coach?" Absolutely nothing!!!! This is your journey. I am a coach because I want to spread the word because I have been in your shoes! I was once someone unhappy and miserable...Stressed all the time. Sure, I get stressed with family things, but I bounce back because I have it in me to do it. I'm happy and feel great!! 

So what do you need to get started? A program and the right coach to guide you through it. If you don't want a coach, you don't have to have one. It may be harder for you to find how to get to point A to point B, but everything is up to you. 

If you want me to be your coach, we can start out with a simple phone call so I can understand and get to know you better and understand where you want to be. I can answer all of your questions and get you started in the right direction. 

And remember "It's never a question of can you, but WILL you?"