Mexican Shrimp

This shrimp was very flavorful and delicious served with some whole grain rice. YUM!

Ingredients:

1 1/3 cups precooked frozen shrimp, thawed and shelled. (I had tails on mine so just cut them off).
1/4 teaspoon each: cumin,coriander, paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder. ( I didn't regular paprika so used smoked paprika and tasted good.)
1 pinch dried oregano
3/4 teaspoon salt
2 tbsp low sodium chicken broth
2 tsp coconut oil
Optional: chopped cilantro for serving.

Directions:

1.  Mix seasonings together in a bowl, then add shrimp and coat thoroughly.

2.  Heat coconut oil in a large skillet.  When the pan gets really hot, add the shrimp carefully one at a tie.  Make sure they fit in the pan loosely and are not over lapping one another.
3.  Let the shrimp brown for a minute on one side.  Then flip them over to brown on the other side.

4.  Remove the shrimp and set aside.
5.  Pour chicken broth into pan and scrape off the seasonings and oil that are on the pan. Bring to a boil.
6.  Remove pan from heat once broth is boiling and add shrimp back into pan.
7.  Mix shrimp with broth until coated.
8.  Dish it up and enjoy!

I served this shrimp with brown rice.  Could add a nice steamed vegetable to it as well.

21 Day Fix containers: 1 red container for the shrimp.  

Chocolate Chip Cookies

Made these 21 Day Fix approved chocolate chip cookies on a rainy day and were delicious! Very moist, fluffy, and yummy.

Ingredients:

3 cups almond flour

1tsp baking soda

1/4 tsp sea salt

1/4 cup pure maple syrup or raw honey

1 large egg

2 large egg whites (1/4 cup)

1 tsp pure vanilla extract

1/2 cup semi-sweet (or dark) chocolate chips

Directions:

1.  Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
2.  Combine almond flour, baking soda, and salt in a medium bowl.  Mix well and set aside.
3.  Put oil and maple syrup (or honey) together in a large mixer bowl.  Beat until creamy, approximately 4 to 5 minutes.
4.  Add the egg, egg whites, and vanilla extract and beat for another 2 minutes.
5.  Gradually add the almond flour mixture to egg mixture.  Mix well until blended.
6.  Mix chocolate chips into batter.
7.  By rounded tablespoons, drop onto prepared baking sheet. (I line my baking sheets with parchment paper so easy clean up.)

8.  Bake for 14 - 16 minutes or until golden brown.  (My oven was hotter so they cooked in about 8 minutes).
9.  Remove from baking sheet onto cooling rack immediately after taken out of oven. Enjoy!
10.  Make sure to store cookies in an airtight container.

21 Day Fix diet:  1 cookie is 1 1/2 yellow container.

*Adapted from "Fixate" cookbook

Take Time to Breathe

STRESSED TO THE MAX!

Why do I do this to myself?  Put so much pressure on me - to have PERFECT classroom, have a CLEAN house, be the 'Pinterest' mom- and feel GUILTY when none of those happen.

Today, it all came at once and I just broke down.  I asked myself  'why put all that pressure on myself?'

I DON'T have to be perfect.  Who cares if house is a mess?  My classroom isn't perfect?  Don't have a fun activity planned for every minute of the day for the kiddos?  Just need to be PRESENT for my family & students. And be ME.

So, I am going to BREATHE and let everything go.  It will all work out.

Zucchini Bread

A healthier version of traditional zucchini bread.

Ingredients:

Nonstick cooking spray
6 large egg whites
1/2 cup melted coconut oil
1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
1/3 cup sugar
2 tsp vanilla extract
3/4 cups all purpose flour
1 3/4 cups whole wheat flour
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
3/4 tsp sea salt
3 tsp ground cinnamon
2 1/2 cups grated zucchini
1/2 cup chopped raw walnuts

Directions:
1.  Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
2.  Lightly coat two 9 x 5 inch loaf pans with nonstick spray.
3.  Combine egg whites, oil, applesauce, sugar, and extract in a large bowl.  Set aside.

4.  Combine all-purpose flour, whole wheat flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon in a medium bowl; mix well.

5.  Add flour mixture to egg mixture; mix until just blended.
6.  Fold in zucchini and walnuts; mix until just blended.
7.  Divide batter evenly between the two pans.
8.  Bake for 45-50 minutes, or until golden brown and toothpick inserted into center comes out clean.
9.  Cool bread in pans 5-10 minutes, remove from pans and transfer to rack; cool completely.

**I did half of the recipe because didn't have 2 pans.

Tip: Leftover slices can be wrapped individually and stored in the freezer for future meals.

How to survive the weekend

Before 21 day fix, I would use the weekend as an excuse to eat unhealthy. Now, I follow these tips to help me stay on track and not undo al the hardwork I did during the week.

Diamond Coach

Diamond Coach - for real??? I was in shock this morning (July 30, 2015) when I became a Beachbody Diamond coach.  Like, this is for real?  I had to rub my eyes to make sure. (In the Beachbody world, you have to do xyz to make Diamond. It is a big milestone in your business when you hit Diamond.)

6 months ago, I signed up as a Beachbody coach because I had AMAZING results from the 21 day fix and drinking shakeology. I felt confident, had more energy, and was happy and wanted to help others feel this way too.

So, I set a goal to reach diamond in my first year with Beachbody and then I started HELPING people reach their fitness goals and helping THEM feel incredible too. I kept hearing in my head that I could not do become a diamond coach but I wanted to prove to myself that I COULD do it.  So, I worked hard, learned from my lows, read and listened to lots of personal development, worked every moment I could, and I DID IT!!  

Beachbody has given me this WONDERFUL opportunity that has helped me to learn who I am, get me in the BEST shape of my life, build AMAZING friendships with people. and pay off debt.  

Dream BIG and those dreams WILL come true!  

~Pam

3 Day Refresh

                                   

What is the 3 Day Refresh?

3 Day Refresh is a scientifically designed program that helps you fast-track your weight loss, kick-start healthy eating, and get a clean break from bad nutrition habits. 3-Day Refresh is a simple, straightforward program that will help cleanse your body and improve the way you feel— without starving yourself. Unlike juice cleanses or liquid fasts which tend to be high in sugar and low in protein (leaving you feeling weak, hungry, and sluggish), this easy-to-follow program helps support your metabolism while nourishing your vital organs.

How does it work?

For 3 days you’ll have a superfood-packed Shakeology® shake for breakfast along with a fruit option; a Fiber Sweep digestive health drink later in the morning; a satisfying, high-protein Vanilla Fresh shake for lunch, accompanied by fresh fruit, vegetables, and healthy fat options throughout the afternoon. For dinner, you’ll have another Vanilla Fresh shake along with your choice from a list of delicious, easy-to-prepare dinner recipes. You can also have tea twice a day and as much filtered water as you like (you should drink AT LEAST half your body weight in ounces per day).

Who should do the 3 Day Refresh?

*Anyone who wants to lose weight fast

*If other cleanses have tried and failed other cleanses (this one is cheaper and healthier than others).

*People who want to kick-start their healthy eating habits.

*Anyone who has "fallen off" the wagon and needs to get back on track with healthy eating

*If looking to get more energy

*Getting ready for a trip or event that would like to lose that 'bloating' weight

My experience with the 3 Day Refresh

The first time I did 3 Day Refresh was right after my trip to Nashville and the following weekend we had rented a pontoon with friends.  I wanted to lose the bloating fast that I had gained from Nashville and wanted to look good in my bathing suit.

So, I decided to do the 3 Day Refresh.  It was hard the first day to stick strictly to eating only the food I had chosen and not 'finish' my kids food that they didn't eat.  But, as the days went on, it got a little easier.  By end of day 3, I was a little crabby and jealous of my family eating.  However, I stuck to it all 3 days and did not stray once.  

The results were amazing!  All of the bloating was gone and I felt great!  Refreshed, energized, had an amazing night of sleep, and was back to eating healthy.

I highly recommend this to anyone!  It is definitely doable - and only 3 days!

Click here to order 3 Day Refresh

PiYo

   

After completing 4 rounds of 21 Day Fix, I needed a change in programs.

PiYo is a low impact, high intensity workout meaning it gets you sweating without doing intense cardio.  It incorporates Pilates and Yoga moves.  I haven't done much of Yoga or Pilates except for 21 day fix and thought since I liked those, might as well give PiYo a try.

Well, the first week I spent most of my time watching the TV and trying to learn the moves than actually working out.  I was getting frustrated and wanted to quit.  But, I continued with the videos and started to get the moves down.  By the third week of the program, I was hooked!  Plus - you get to workout barefoot!

At the end of the month 2 with PiYo, I had lost 5 INCHES in my waist! I was BLOWN away because I hadn't felt like it was a workout because I wasn't sweating.

This program is great if you have bad knees or just hate cardio.  You will gain flexibility through PiYo as well as lose those pesky love handles.

Click here to order PiYo

Insanity

                                   

Insanity was the VERY FIRST program I ever did with Beachbody back in 2011.

Before I had kids, I was a huge fan of the gym and would go at least 4 times a week.  My visits to the gym consisted of attending a Boot Camp Class, Spinning Class, or go on the Eliptical 30 minutes and than lift weights.  (Sometimes I'd do a Spin class and than go to Boot Camp).

After my first child in July 2011, I knew I didn't want to commit an hour or more to the gym (when you factor in travel time, time to workout, and driving home, it would be at least an hour and a half.)  When I got pregnant with my first, Owen, I watched Insanity infomercials and LOVED how intense it was, used no equipment, and could be done in the comfort of my home.  I decided when I was ready to get my body back into shape, I was going to order Insanity and complete the program.

So, I ordered the program shortly after Christmas and was excited/nervous/scared to begin.  How was I going to like working out at home?  Was it going to be hard to motivate myself?  Would I not push myself to the fullest?  Was it going to feel weird working out at home?  All of those thoughts ran through my head.  I pushed them away, knew I wanted to get my body back and feel good about myself, and just went for it.

Not going to lie, the program was hard.  I was sweating BUCKETS after workouts and even while showering afterwards.  But, I was feeling GREAT.  My clothes started to feel looser, had MORE energy, and gained my self confidence back.

Before Insanity:

 After 60 Days:

I did complete the full 60 days and had TREMENDOUS results.  It was amazing!  And from that point on, I have not set foot in a gym!  Love the fact I could push play and be done within an hour - with just working out at home and using my body as resistance.

Once I had baby #2 in April 2014, I decided to do another round of Insanity.  I had great results again, but was getting tired of the 60 minute workouts and I didn't follow the meal plan.  That's what led me to do 21 Day Fix, which helped me learn about clean eating and healthy portion control.

Click here to order Insanity

21 Day Fix

It was time to take care of myself again.  After having Olivia, life changed in a hurry.  Being a mom to two kids was a big task like I had not imagined- double the laundry, double the dishes, double the attention to be given.  It was a big adjustment and at times, felt I couldn't do it (had no energy, felt unhappy with my body, and just felt yucky).  

And along with the craziness of 2 kids, I was starting a new job (going back into the classroom to teach Kindergarten after being out of the classroom for 4 years).  I was BEYOND stressed and was not a happy person.  That’s when I realized I needed to start taking care of ME so I can be a better mom, wife, teacher, and person.  Then I remembered how I felt when I worked out doing Insanity after having Owen (my oldest). Working out was a way for me to feel good about myself, feel energized, and to feel healthy. So I decided to set time aside for ME to stay sane.  How did I do it?  I got up 30 minutes earlier in the morning to get it done.  If I didn't set that time aside in the morning, I knew it wouldn't get done.

Once I started following the nutrition plan and using healthy foods through correct portion control and working out 30 minutes with the 21 day fix, I got into a better place.  I wasn't crabby with my husband & kids, had more energy at night to play, and felt my self confidence increase.  Even better than FEELING great, the pounds and inches started FALLING OFF and I got my body back to a size I have not been in since before kids!  This is the healthiest I have felt and I am a better person for it.  Doing 21 day fix has changed my life for the better!  

Click here to order 21 Day Fix

Clean Eating Cookie Dough

This is a great healthy alternative to cookie dough for those sweet tooth cravings!

Ingredients:

1 plain greek yogurt (I used vanilla)
1 tbsp peanut butter
1 tbsp honey
1/4 tsp vanilla
pinch of sea salt
1 tbsp chocolate chips (mini, semi-sweet, dark - whatever kind you have handy)






Directions:
Mix all ingredients together and enjoy!