It's all about the Cardio --> June Monthly Workout Plan! 👙

Happy June! Can you believe it is summer! I just finished putting the finishing touches on my workout plan for June and I am sort of giddy about this one.  The whole month is centered around the super trainer Shaun T.  AND I have multiple options. A 10 day challenge or FULL 30 day group.

OPTION 1: The 10 day challenge is focused on a 3 day detox (i.e. cutting the crap and eating REAL food) and then jumping into 7 new workouts being released in the streaming workout portal. So in 10 days you get dialed in nutrition, focused workouts and results quick. The perfect way to kickstart your summer.

JOIN HERE! 

OPTION 2: 30 day challenge is a more tactical approach where we take nutrition, meal planning and workouts and break it down step by step throughout the month. We build a toolkit of resources for you to use for the rest of the year!

JOIN HERE! 

Oh and if you want to see my results from the first time I did Insanity (one of the featured workouts). Check them out! 

The monthly workout plan is as follows:

[Printable version can be downloaded here]

Did I also mention the groups have kind of amazing meal plans? I just shared this with my clients. 

Who doesn't want to eat these everyday?  The recipe is below.  Let's start June off right! 

Ingredients:

• Parchment paper

• Popsicle sticks

• 6 large bananas, cut in half lengthwise

• ½ scoop Vanilla Vegan Shakeology

• 2 tsp. all-natural peanut butter

• 3 Tbsp. + 2 tsp. extra-virgin organic coconut oil, divided use

• ¼ cup semi-sweet (or dark) chocolate chips, no dairy added (approx. 2 oz.)

• 2 Tbsp. chopped raw pistachios

Instructions: 

1. Line baking sheet with parchment paper. Set aside.

1. Place a popsicle stick into each banana. Place on prepared baking sheet. Set aside.

1. Combine Shakeology, peanut butter, and 3 Tbsp. oil in a small bowl; mix well.

1. Place in small re-sealable plastic bag. Squeeze out most of the air; seal top. Cut off a tiny corner of plastic bag containing chocolate. Evenly pipe peanut butter mixture over bananas. Set aside.

1. Place chocolate chips and remaining 2 tsp. oil in microwave-safe container. Microwave on 50% power for 30 seconds; stir. Microwave for an additional 30 to 45 seconds, or until just melted. Do not overcook. Place in small re-sealable plastic bag. Squeeze out most of the air; seal top.

1. Cut off a tiny corner of plastic bag containing chocolate. Evenly pipe chocolate over bananas.

1. Sprinkle evenly with pistachios.

1. Freeze for 2 to 3 hours, or until hard.

Memorial Day Favorites --> Easy, Healthy + Delicious!

I am on week 2 of 3 of a nutritional detox (aka no sugar, caffiene, and a LOT of fruits and veggies) so I am kind of drooling over all these recipes that are coming in for Memorial Day Weekend. I rounded up some of my favorites that I can't wait to make! No one will ever know these are HEALTHY!

ARUGULA AND WATERMELON SALAD --> This is one of my all time favorites. And watermelon in summer is a must!

BUFFALO TURKEY CHEESEBURGERS  --> Make these and no one will ever know they are healthy!

MARGARITA SMOOTHIES! (You can also put these in popsicle containers and save them for a frozen treat later!)

Total Time: 10 min.
Prep Time: 10 min.
Cooking Time: None
Yield: 1 smoothie

Ingredients:
1 cup unsweetened almond milk
2 Tbsp. fresh lime juice
1 cup ice
1 scoop Vanilla Shakeology
1½ tsp. finely grated lime peel (lime zest)
½ tsp. finely grated orange peel (orange zest)

Preparation:
1. Place almond milk, lime juice, ice, Shakeology, lime peel, and orange peel in blender; cover. Blend until smooth.

BAKED PARMESAN ZUCCHINI--> The perfect snack for a hot summer day!

COOKIE DOUGH ENERGY BITES

Total Time: 15 min. Prep Time: 15 min. 
Cooking Time: None Yield: 13 servings, 1 ball each 

Ingredients: ½ cup all-natural almond butter ¼ cup raw honey ½ cup finely chopped raw almonds 2½ scoops Vanilla Shakeology 2 Tbsp. mini semi-sweet (or dark chocolate) chocolate chips 

Preparation: 1. Combine almond butter, honey, almonds, Shakeology, and chocolate chips in a medium bowl; mix well. 2. Roll into thirteen balls, about 1-inch in diameter each. 

I hope you have an amazing week and enjoy your long weekend! 

Hello May! 👙 Workout of the Month --> PLUS Detox Plan!

Hello May! I am excited for you! 🌸 Last month I started a cardio challenge and got totally burnt out. Between a new job and schedules at home (aka nap transition and no one sleeping at home), I just can't even think about doing another burpee or sprint right now. And those are the workouts I love. I even told a good friend at the beginning of the month that they were my "spirit" workout. lol. I think this was a sign my body needs a break. Or a detox!!

SO, long story short, we are detoxing this month. A mix of a nutritional overhaul and a little PiYo. Which is a mix of pilates and yoga and total body strength. And has a bonus you can totally do it barefoot on your patio in this amazing spring weather!!!

--> Download the workout plan here!

Next, let's chat detox. I recently got really into this blog called "I quit Sugar" and our habits as a family over the winter could use some improvements. So, I am doing the Ultimate Reset again. Except for this time, I am giving myself a week to detox before starting it. Which means cutting back on sugar and caffeine beforehand so it isn't as painful when the actual detox starts! You can read about my journey the first time around here: 

Week 1

Week 2

Week 3

You can learn more about the detox here! Join me!  I hope this inspires you to have a happy and healthy May! 

Top 5 Ways to Stay Motivated for SPRING! (And some of my favs!) 👙

Happy First Day of SPRING! I don't know about you but I am so ready for some warm weather and to get outside! That also means shedding those sweaters, heading the the pool (ok, no quite but soon) and breaking out the shorts!

Here are a few of my favorites to keep me motivated!

TOP 5 WAYS TO STAY MOTIVATED FOR SPRING! (...and some of my favs!)
1) Be a morning person! (or pretend!)
Learn to master your mornings!

2) Reward yourself.
Embrace the swimsuit. Find a fit that flatters your figure! (p.s. This Fabletics one is super cute!)

3) 10 minutes of motivation daily. 
Update your audible with this read: The Universe has your back!

4) Find healthy treats!
Unicorn Bark. It is real. And it is awesome!

5) Increase your protein. Curb your cravings.
A green shamrock shake that packs more protein than breakfast!

Bonus: Find more time!
This cookbook as saved dinner at our house! Super fast doesn't even give it justice.

I hope this inspires you!

Thanksgiving Inspiration!

Its that time of year again, where I sort of go crazy on Pinterest and hope that I have time to make everything. I started with this colorful winter salad! Which ironically I ate as the first snowflakes fell of the season.  I was inspired by a pomegranate dinner recipe I saw but made a simpler version.

KALE CRUNCH SALAD:

I LOVE Trader Joe's and they have this new kale crunch salad mix which is a mix of kale and brussel sprouts. I added pomegranates, almonds and then balsamic vinegar. Its the perfect side with a lot of crunch. Adding flank steak or chicken sausage would be amazing. 

Then I started in on the Thanksgiving dishes....

THANKSGIVING INSPIRATION:

I plan on making these two for our "healthier" sides.  First up, roasted sweet potato and fig casserole. 

Recipe + Source

And then this...Quinoa stuffing. I could seriously eat quinoa every meal. 

Recipe + Source

Here are some additional resources that have some amazing, clean eating inspired recipes!

--> The ultimate Thanksgiving recipe guide

--> 20 meatless Thanksgiving recipes

--> 7 Thanksgiving day breakfasts

I hope you all have an amazing Thanksgiving! I'll be back later this week with a meal plan to get you back on track after a little indulgence!

Back to Basics --> Easy 7 day Clean Eating Meal Plan!

I'll say it again but I cannot believe it is August! With the girls starting pre-school and Heather heading off to college I just felt the need to simply things this month. SO, I kicked off August with a new meal plan, inspired by my goal to keep things simple!

You can view all the recipes and make a copy for yourself here! And because organizing and color coding makes me happy, make sure to check out all my other plans. (For those of you following Beachbody programs, This is 21 Day Fix, Country Heat and Hammer and Chisel friendly.)

As you might have seen I have started a country dancing workout program. WHATT! I know. I am not a huge country music fan....AND I am a horrible dancer...BUT this has incorporated a little extra fun into our schedule and allows me to dance barefoot in our basement in the morning or better yet with the girls after work. Its been a really nice change in schedule and something all of us our enjoying!

CHECK US OUT! 

Have an fun, healthy weekend!