Shine Bright! A personal note from me!

As with any holiday season, the new year brings on new goals, a fresh start and for me a few changes. In particular, changes that I have been working on for a few months and am very excited to share. I'll be honest I have been bursting at the seems to announce this because I truly believe that I can help so many more people this way...And YOU are the first to know! Drumroll please....

INTRODUCING....I am very excited to announce that I will be branching off into one on one personal coaching. A little program I call "Shine Brightly" which was inspired earlier this year by what can happen when you find the right support system for building your dreams and achieving your goals.

What does this mean? Well, I consider myself a "productivity" coach because, if you know me, I LOVE routine. I love checklists. And I love what daily accountability can do for you. It has truly changed my life. Since embarking on this journey myself I have launched my own business, switched careers and joined a non-profit community board from a career perspective. I have also transformed our families eating habits, established healthy routines and finally have found a sense of balance. Not that it doesn't get crazy, but I have the tools to slow down when I need too. The further along I have gotten on this journey, the more I kept thinking...I have to SHARE this! Let me help you be your most productive self. Because you can accomplish SO much more! 

You can review my personal coaching packages here. 

Let me ask you this...

--> Do you feel like you can accomplish so much more but don't have the time to do it?

--> Are you so busy that you have lost your sense of self?

If you want the kind of routine that makes you feel accomplished, gives you time to think about your goals, find some pockets of time for yourself AND feel excited about life, then keep reading. And YES, it is all possible with a few tweaks. It is all about the mindset and a few small steps we are going to take together. I have taken my passion for helping women leaders and turned it into a full-time business all while working my 9-5 gig and raising twin toddlers! You got this! This is just a sample of what my coaching program entails.

--> Custom productivity system, templates and tools designed for you

--> Private coaching sessions on your schedule

--> Personalized goals / intentions to focus on between sessions

--> BONUS membership to workshops and all resources

--> Curated welcome package (You know I love gifts!) 

Finding a community of support and enthusiasm along with the flexibility to fit into an ever-changing way of life for me was the game changer. I am like the peanut butter to your jelly. This plan sticks for the long term. Why? Because it is a lifestyle. Not a 30-day change. You get me one on one and the community and tools for the long haul. And this time is all tailored to YOU!

Check out my personal coaching packages here. Personal coaching spots are limited each month to ensure flexibility so make sure to check out the options!

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN IF YOU ARE ALREADY A CLIENT? 
What does this mean for Beachbody and my current clients? Nothing. It stays the same. It is just another tool in my toolkit of offerings. At home workouts and meal planning has forever changed my life and I will still be passionate about it. I will continue to support all my Beachbody clients as I do today. I'm also super excited about our January 80 Day Obsession challenge starting soon!

WHAT WILL CHANGE?You may have noticed my social media has shifted to more about what I am passionate about. Planning. Schedule makeovers. Awesome recipes. Tips and tricks to rock your to-do list. That new morning routine. The things I would share over coffee or lunch if we are meeting in person. (And I hope we do meet in person soon!) The stuff I love. I will still share a few workouts and fitness tips, but that will become much more customized to you.

And because you have been with me from the beginning. I am sending you a little thank-you for the support. Kick-start your New Year with this Motivational Jumpstart Guide.

I am very much looking forward to the new year and new opportunities. I can't wait to connect in the future!

Workout Brownies with SUPERFOOD frosting!

Yes, these are actually good for you!

I have shared a few recipes on social media that I love but here are few workout brownies that I have been raving about! (They are great for after dinner to curb or sugar cravings or after a workout!)

--> Chocolate Brownies

--> Mint Brownies

I make these on Sunday and then freeze them for the week(s) ahead. The recipe makes a HUGE batch so you can honestly go 5-10 days with one recipe! And they are filling so you won't want to eat the entire pan (which is the case with more sugary recipes!)

But wait, there is more goodness!  Take these recipes above and add on a SUPERFOOD frosting!

SUPERFOOD ICING  INGREDIENTS:
- Coconut Oil
- Chocolate Shakeology (or another brand of protein powder)
- Toppings as desired (nuts, sprinkles, coconut)

INSTRUCTIONS:

- Prepare workout brownies based on above recipe

- Melt 4 tablespoons of coconut oil in the microwave. Make sure it is 100% melted.

- Slowly add in 4 tablespoons of protein powder

- Mix until clumps have dissolved and ice brownies

- Add in nuts, sprinkles, coconut or any topping as desired

Once the brownies are iced I place them in the fridge for 24 hours or the freezer for 12. Remove and then cut them individual servings. I keep them on a plate as they are "fudgy" and "gooey", but AMAZING! The perfect 8pm treat after a LONG day or to celebrate an awesome workout!

Try them and let me know what you think!

Trader Joe's Holiday Gift Guide (My top 10!)

Yes, I just dedicated an entire blog post to Trader Joe's. Mainly because I LOVE shopping there so much AND because some of my clients asked me to! (I talk about their store ALOT!) And as an added bonus if you have toddlers, they will love it just as much!

Sooo, with that said, here are my top 9 holiday finds from Trader Joe's.

--> Make a gift basket with their holiday tea! The Winter Wake-up is my new favorite! (They also have a great peppermint hot chocolate and coffee selection!

--> Decorate your house with their amazing flowers and greenery! We did our entire outside and some of the inside with their selection. I filled my outdoor planters with greenery (just $4.99 a bundle) and hung wreaths all over our house.

--> Candy Candy Joe's. These are NOT good for you, but my kids LOVE them and they are a fun treat. If you look in the frozen section they also have chocolate dipped versions which are great for last minute holiday parties!

--> Jumbo Cinnamon Rolls. These have become a holiday tradition at our house. Better than the homemade! And they take about 5 minutes to make. Perfect for a cold winter morning by the fire.

--> Everything bagel seasoning. A great stocking stuffer and better yet a great dinner saver. Put this on anything with some olive oil and bake in the oven. It is SOOOO good!

--> Pre-cut veggies. These are dinner savers too. Everything from fresh cut squash crinkle fries (not frozen) to riced cauliflower to pomegranate seeds to pre-chopped stir-fry. These finds make life easier!

--> Wine. My favorite wine is the Dark Horse variety but there are so many awesome TJ's originals to choose from! Here is a list of 27 that won't' break the bank!

--> Pantry and snacks. Pair these amazing SNACKS with your wine and you have an instant party!

--> Advent calendar and gifts. If you have a friend who loves chocolate, their pre-packaged "foodie" gifts are perfect stocking stuffers and great to keep around the house or office. (Try the organic honey sampler, or the holiday coffee sampler for your foodie friends!)

--> Cutest terrarium ever. I got these on sale and hung them all over my house. Perfect gifts, but awesome for the winter when you just want a little greenery around (even after the holidays). 

Happy shopping! And make to share what you found on your Trader Joe's adventure!

p.s. Fun fact. I wrote a paper about Trader Joe's which is owned by Aldi in Grad School. They design their store to be like a treasure hunt. And they deliberately add new products and keep products seasonal every week to make it more fun!