Little Secrets about how I love fitness

I don't! 
There. I said it. I don't love fitness!

I struggle to workout some days. It's hard. BUT, I know how amazing it is for my mental health, and my body! I need it. But, that doesn't mean I love it! LOL

One of the ways I like to keep things interesting and fun, is to switch it up! I try to do this often! I have what you could easily call workout A.D.D. I jump around programs/workouts a lot. Unless I'm 100% committed to a program, I like to try out new things!

Well, today there was an amazing sneak peek on my BOD streaming workout service of the new Core de Force workout being released next month! Something you may not know about me... I used to totally be into martial arts. I even tested for my brown belt when I was 6 months pregnant with my now 11 year old daughter. I could even still kick above my belt! Well, I tried out this new workout today... and I can say it was SUPER fun! Try to mix up your workouts and keep things fresh and fun. That is the way to not get bored.

 Note: Don't mind my crazy hair and mismatch clothes.... this is why I workout at home. I'd be the "crazy lady" going to the gym like this!


 


Muffins are amazing!

Ok, so muffins aren't exactly healthy - but making them at home does make them a bunch more healthy!! Plus, my kids LOVE when I make muffins!! From scratch is ALWAYS better then those store bought!

Today was a lazy Saturday morning - so I decided to bake some muffins! They really didn't take too long, and were so yummy! I made banana crumble muffins - and they were made with all organic ingredients (<---- that means "healthy" right??) The recipe I originally found on all recipes, but made some changes for our family since we don't do any dairy. 

Whip these up on a lazy morning for your kids, they will think you are super awesome baker mom!! 

Ingredients:
1.5 C flour
1 tsp each baking soda & baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
3 mashed bananas
3/4 C granulated sugar 
1 egg
1/3 C coconut oil

Topping:
1/3 C brown sugar
2 tbsp flour
1 tbsp coconut oil
Cinnamon to taste

Preheat to 375. Mix flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt in a bowl - set aside. Cream together bananas, sugar, egg, and coconut oil (soften with heat of necessary). Once well combined, add dry to wet - stir until just combined and moistened. Put into muffin cups it greased muffin tin. Bake 18-22 minutes. Cool on wire rack, and enjoy!

Do you follow me on Facebook yet? I post all kinds of recipes over there too! 

Fresh out of the oven Muffins!!


This recipe was adapted from a recipe at All Recipes: http://allrecipes.com/recipe/banana-crumb-muffins/






Protein loaded oatmeal that is delicious!

I love oatmeal. I eat it often. Not that thin "instant" type.... But good old fashioned thick  oats! The kind you have to cook in a pot, on the stove (unless you do my overnight oats HERE). What I don't love... How I am hungry 1.5 hours after eating!

I have found that I need protein in the morning to keep me feeling full! This typically comes in the form of eggs. I also read that a high protein breakfast can help you lose weight - that is a plus!! I have come up with a way to enjoy my oatmeal, and still get my protein needs met with eggs!  Creamy egg white oatmeal!! 

I know what you are thinking... GROSS!! That is what I thought to before I tried it, but I promise it's amazing! So amazing, I even make it for my kids oatmeal with egg whites in it now and they have no clue!! 

Peaches are in season here in California, and since I eat produce according to the "in season" schedule - I have tons now! We went to the farmers market to load up, and came home with 6lbs of peaches! I made some yummy peach streusel for the husband. I still had tons left over, so I made peaches and cream egg white oatmeal for days! I'm sharing my recipe here with you! 

What you'll need: 
3/4  cup water
3/4 cup almond/coconut blend milk
1/2 cup old fashioned oats
1/2 cup organic egg whites 
Peaches cut up
Sweetener to taste (I used honey)
Cinnamon (optional)

Put milk + water in a saucepan, bring to just a boil. Add oats. Cook until 3/4 of the water is gone. Reduce heat, while constantly stirring, slowly add egg whites. Keep stirring. Cook an additional 3 minutes while stirring (or until remaining liquid is absorbed). Remove from heat. Stir in sweetener, cinnamon,  and fresh fruit! Enjoy!






Protein Loaded Oatmeal with Peaches







Why you need to measure!

I asked in a post over on my Facebook page if people measured their oil when cooking. Overwhelmingly, the answer was NO! The only time people stated they measured was in baking!

I did an experiment, and actually free poured my oil into a measuring device without watching the amount, just what I would use for cooking whatever I was cooking - guess what happened?!? I poured almost twice as much as needed EVERY time! You might ask why this is important? 

Oils are fats. Just nutritionally speaking, 1 tblsp of oil has the same amount of fat as a snickers bar!!! (read on happyherbivore.com). Oils are not a natural occurring food. All oils are processed, they all need pressed/extracted etc.  Oils are simply empty calories, and can easily be over used! You REALLY should be measuring!

Watch this video about oils! It was very interesting!


I am not saying DON'T eat oils, I am saying be aware of how much you ARE eating, and choose good oils! My husband bought me this amazing oil pourer, with a measurer*! I now can measure and see how much oils I am using, easily! *Yes, I realize these are not real words, I made them up




This Oil Pourer is AMAZING! I love being able to measure, and see exactly what I am using. This also makes my tracking in my 21 Day Fix meal sheets easier, since it is measured in teaspoons. It comes fully apart, and has SUPER easy clean up! It is even Dishwasher Safe! If you don't have something like this at least pull out your measuring spoons and measure! Don't load up on un-necessary empty calories! Save them for that snickers bar or Smoreo treat instead! 


Want to get one for yourself? 


I am not always a food police!!

I am selective with what I feed my family. Many people think it's 100% organic, or that i just spend all day in the kitchen. Let me tell you ..... I'm not perfect.

I, just like most other mom's I know; try to do my best with what I have. So there are certain things I never eat (or try my hardest not to) unless they are organic. I don't let my kids eat HFCs (high fructose corn syrup), artificial sweeteners, or things that have ingredients I can't pronounce. I make our own granola, bread, jam and lots of other things from scratch at home. I am not able to do it 100% of the time. 

Many people simply think I'm a food snob, or that I think their food isn't good enough for my family and I. However, this all started with my now 8 year old having major gastrointestinal problems around age 2.5-3. She was medivacced to a larger hospital (Tripler, in Hawaii) for endoscopy/colonoscopy and a large array of other test.  They were concerned about everything from Celiacs to Cancer. Thankfully, all test were clear.... but we still had no answers. On the doctors orders, we had to eliminate everything from her diet (which is when we went while food vegan) and really watch what we gave her. Taking out everything, and slowly adding it in - we should be able to see what she is sensitive to. She still eats no dairy or soy, and the only eat she eats is fish. She gets sick easily from greasy or processed foods. My needing to learn about food, and how to help her feel the best she could was important to me. That is why I make food choices I do - like corn is ONLY organic, eggs only organic/vegetarian fed and preferably local/free range. This isn't from me being a food snob, but because if she eats eggs that were fed a high corn/soy diet - she gets sick! 95% of the feed given to commercial egg producing chickens is gmo's and not good stuff. If it makes my daughter sick, we don't buy it anymore. 

With all this being said, we are not deprived in the food department. We also don't mind bringing our own food many places with us. It's not that we don't think yours is good, we just don't want our daughter getting sick. Don't be afraid to invite us over for dinner, or a BBQ. I am used to adapting and bringing stuff. As long as you are not offended we bring some of our own, it is not hard at all! 

Now, there are some times - you have to bend the rules a little. S'mores! My 5 & 8 year old had NEVER HAD ONE!!! We were in Oregon at grandma and grandpa's, and they have a fire pit in backyard. We decided to bend the rules, and let them experience s'mores. (If you know of organic marshmallows, please let me know in comments below)  we picked out organic, dark chocolate, graham crackers, and regular marshmallows with corn syrup (eek!).



We didn't let them eat too much, but they loved it!! Eating this "bad" food once Ina VERY but moon won't kill them! 

My words of wisdom to you - do your best. Make the choices that are best for your family. Do what you can. Bend the rules on occasion. You are an awesome mom/dad. Be a food police if you have to, but bend the rules very rarely, the fun on their faces was worth it (and no one got sick from the one marshmallow!)

Don't their faces just say it all!!






Do you have problems with people understanding your families food issues? Comment below how you deal with it. 



Fitness Friday Move of the week - Try it yourself!!

TRICEPS!!

They are SUCH a Sexy muscle to show off .... ESPECIALLY with summer and short sleeves and tank tops coming!!

What's a Tricep? 

Aside from Triceps, most exercises that work this muscle - also use many others in the shoulders, chest, back, and arms! So it's like a Super Whammy of a workout! ;)

So, I challenge you to do 3 sets of 10 every other day for the next week! If that is too much, or too little adjust for your fitness level! 

The move you will be doing? 

Tricep Dips  

Be sure that you follow these guidelines 

* Place hands on each side of your hips - facing forward

* Keep your legs bent like I show in the video for beginners - when that gets too easy, simply move your feet farther out, keeping them slightly bent, and keep your form - Need even harder? Simply fully extend your legs out in front! 

* Lower your body down

* Keep arms parallel with the ground

* Squeeze your triceps at the top

* Keep your core tight

* Bend at the elbows when dipping down

Here is me, showing you how I do mine! 





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I went on a FREE Cruise!! Say what?!?!?!?!?!?

I am writing this from the middle of the Caribbean. We are about to drop anchor and boat taxi into George Town Grand Cayman! I am aboard the S.S. Beachbody, on a trip I earned!!



This is truly mind blowing to me! Like, seriously!! What company charters one no the largest cruise ships, in the best fleet for their people!?! Beachbody does, Carl Daikeler does - that's who!! They chartered this entire Liberty of the Seas ship with the Royal Caribbean, the WHOLE thing!! 



To be around 3200 fellow coaches, all who earned this trip is mind blowing!! We are all working together to end the trend of obesity.


The food, service, ports, excursions - EVERYTHING is above and beyond!! This company really knows how to pamper people!! I hope that next year, I have many of you on the trip with me!! Next year, is Cancun!! Woo Hoo!!



Mayan Temple - Cozumel
Jungle Buggy Adventure - Cozumel
Salsa Making in Cozumel


Drinking a coconut in Grand Cayman
YES, that is a Stingray - IN THE WILD!!


DO YOU want to learn how you can go on next years trip with me for FREE!?!??!