Happy Memorial Day!

Memorial Day.
The unofficial start to Summer. (my VERY favorite season!)
A day to spend to spend with friends and family.
A day off of work.
BBQs and swimming pools.
BUT- SO much more than that.

Lives given. MANY lives. For US. For our freedom. For our liberty.

Although I do not know any soldiers personally who gave their lives for this country, I am BEYOND thankful to live in this GREAT nation where brave men and women put their lives on the line for us EVERY SINGLE DAY, and are willing to pay the ultimate sacrifice for US as well. Something we often forget and should NEVER ever take for granted. No matter what your politics are, you should take a moment today- and EVERY day- to appreciate the BLESSINGS and FREEDOMS you have in this country!!

In honor of our Armed Forces, today I did two 22 Minute Hard Corps workout (Resistance 1 and Cardio 1)---Tony Horton's program that is filmed with real Veterans. Super quick workouts but super intense and a great way to work up a sweat!

I hope everyone has a safe, happy holiday! GOD BLESS AMERICA!

Smoothie Bowls (aka DELICIOUSNESS!)

I'm having so much fun playing around with smoothie bowls lately! Breakfast is my FAVORITE meal and the meal I experiment with the most. I always have Shakeology for breakfast, but I like to get creative and use it beyond shakes!

I made this Almond Joy Shakeology bowl this week, and it was PERFECTION.

Base:
1 scoop of Vegan Chocolate Shakeology
1 purple of frozen mangos/pineapple
3/4 cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk
Coconut extract
LOTS OF ICE

Blend, blend, blend until super thick and creamy!

Toppings:
Unsweetened shredded coconut
Slivered almonds
Almond butter
Homemade coconut almond granola

It was heaven in a bowl. Seriously. Try it! Let me know if you like it!

HAPPY WEEKEND!

Transformation Tuesday

The left picture is my 'before' for Insanity- my UNOFFICIAL start with Beachbody On Demand on August 1, 2016 (I had no idea what I was getting into!) I STARTED my health journey at the END of the Summer season---this is NOT my 'Summer body'. This is my Spring, Summer, Fall, AND Winter body. It is just ME, who I am, and a piece of my life. Since August, I have completed FIVE full Beachbody programs (what? those at-home workouts really work?) I eat much better---I do eat a LOT, but I eat WELL and I don't eat junk (abs are made in the kitchen..right?) I drink my Shakeology AND a ton of water every day. I coach other women on their health journeys (who actually help me in my journey more than they realize!) I do intense exercise 6 days a week (and I actually ENJOY it!!) I work on my personal development and self-love by reading books or listening to podcasts on a daily basis. I DO work HARD on taking care of ME---which then helps me to better take care of my family and other responsibilities. NOTHING in life that's worth having comes easy. For me, being healthy in ALL aspects of my life is 100% worth the constant challenge.

Just a bit of perspective- I weigh 6 pounds MORE now than I did last August. That number on the scale – whatever it may be and however you may feel about it- is NOT the ONLY indicator of hard work, or nutrition, or dedication, or knowledge, or happiness, or WORTH. That number is NOT the focus of my daily life, and I hope it’s not the focus of yours either. If you want to be HEALTHY and HAPPY for longer than just Memorial Day to Labor Day each year----don't do hard work just for your 'Summer body'. Do hard work for your Spring, Summer, Fall, AND Winter body---for YOU- and for EVERY aspect of your overall health. Wellness is about taking CARE of your body AND mind. Fueling yourself. Moving yourself. Challenging yourself. Respecting yourself. LOVING yourself. Your body and mind are truly a precious GIFT-- and you are only given ONE body and ONE mind…so why not provide them with the best possible LOVE and CARE?

Overnight Oats: Fast, Easy, and Amazing!

Overnight oats have been an obsession of mine for a long, LONG time. I LOVE the versatility of oats. You can mix and match so many different flavors based on what you're craving and what you have on hand.

Basic recipe:
3/4 cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk
1 scoop of Shakeology flavor of choice
1/2 cup raw old-fashioned oats
Sprinkle of cinnamon

Add in fruit of choice, mix, and let it sit in the fridge overnight.
In the morning, add toppings of choice and enjoy cold!
My favorite fruits to add in: frozen blueberries, mashed banana, and strawberries!
My favorite toppings: granola, slivered almonds, nut butter, shredded coconut, or more fruit!