Release of Hammer & Chisel today!!!

So excited to finally be able to order the Hammer and Chisel program today! Can't wait to scream at my TV and reignite my love/hate relationship with Autumn again :)

Watch the quick video for more info:



Links below to order:

Challenge Pack with Shakeology

Challenge Pack with Performance Line

Base kit

Deluxe Kit

Full Body Exercise

Great exercise for runners, athletes with knee pain or those fighting back pain!

This is a great exercise to strengthen the hips which protect the joints above and below them (the knees and the low back!)



Hold the each rep for 5-10 seconds, I usually perform 3 sets of 10, or just go until I can't go anymore while talking on the phone or watching TV.



It's important to not let anything above the hips move or rotate as the leg lifts or you are working entirely different muscles!

Slowcooker Turkey Chili Recipe

I have mastered a chili recipe!

This is what I used this time (I cheated with a packet of seasoning, judge me). And yes, I got all natural, mountain-ground turkey. You know why? Because it was the cheapest.
Last time we made chili, we cooked the beans ourselves, but this time it was just me and I decided to prioritize my time. I also ended up throwing in some leftover buckwheat since I didn't have plans to use it for anything else - I didn't notice a flavor change at all, and added some nutrients!

Servings: 8-10 for normal folks. 4-5 for me and mine <3
Prep Time: 35 minutes
Cooking Time: 8-10 hours on LOW

Ingredients: 
1 package of ground turkey
1 packet Chili seasoning mix
1 can Bush's Chili beans
1 can Bush's Kidney Beans
1 can Diced Tomato (I got Italian seasoned for variety this time)
1 green bell pepper
1 medium onion
1 spoonful of minced garlic
1 tablespoon minced garlic
a splash of Wicheshire Sauce
a healthy amount of Uncle Don's Ground Pepper (this isn't on the market, so if you don't share an Uncle Don with me you should probably find him and ask, or just use your favorite fresh ground black pepper)

Directions: 
Cook ground turkey in pan over medium heat until evenly browned. Remove and add to crockpot. Dice and then saute onion and bell pepper and add to slow cooker along with all remaining ingredients. Mix well, cover and cook on low for 8-10 hours.

Enjoy!!

Hints and Tips: 
--Use a liner in the slow cooker and save yourself a ton of time and hassle come clean up!
-- If you get a chance to taste it during the day, adjust the flavor by adding any of your favorite seasonings or add some red pepper flakes to spice it up a bit!
--If you don't particularly like things low-fat, add cheese and/or sour cream at serving time
--Do the prep work the night before and put the meat and veggies in the slow cooker in the fridge over night, finish the rest in the morning right before work!
--If you don't add too much spice, let your fur-babies lick the bowl and you can be their favorite human for the night!

Airport traveling and not getting off track

Last week I took a vacation to California which consisted of many cheat days on food (hey bachlorette parties don't happen everyday!), but also included multiple workouts thanks to a good group of friends dedicated enough to pull me out of a comfy hotel bed and into the gym! And although I did have some energy drinks and juices while we were out, I don't actually drink so I got to keep those calories off my waist as well.

But the biggest struggle for me is the day I spend at the airport. On the way to where I am flying, I am well prepared with healthy food, snacks and ready to go, but for the return trip I was fresh out of good food and bloated from a long weekend. And I wasn't about to ask the bridal party to swing through the grocery store at 3:30 am so I could buy some apples for the plane!!

Luckily, I found apples at the gym in the hotel! And I took two. Thanks, Hard Rock for the apples. They were delicious.

So my first wellness tip for Airport traveling is: Dress like fitness is a priority:

I usually wear yoga pants and running shoes. That way, when I arrive to the airport and make it through security, I can walk some laps around the airport and get a 'lil cardio in and stretch my legs before sitting in a cramped seat for 2-3 hours. And when you pack like I do, hauling around my overstuffed carry-on and backpack is a workout all on its own!

I also have a stretch routine I do when they begin boarding or right before ( I try to be the last on the plane unless its Southwest, that way I'm not stuck in that seat with re-circulated air any longer than I need to be). I hope to get my pre-airplane stretch routine filmed and posted in the not so distant future, but for those who know the lingo: Hamstring stretch, piriformis stretch, low back stretches, calve stretches and butterflies. 

I ALWAYS get a ton of stares from people because I am a grown-ass woman sitting on the floor of the airport stretching, yet I can barelllyyyyy even touch my toes. But usually, the coolest thing happens... 2 or 3 other passengers get in a few stretches before they board as well! Some try to hide it and be inconspicuous but I usually stare them down until they feel my eyes burning into their skull so they turn around and I can give them a big, encouraging smile of approval! I love when feeling good is contagious, and I hope they carry the practice onto their trip. 

Next, get some fruit. Take it from the hotel gym if you need to, but apples travel very well. Grapes are fun, yummy and convenient!  Bananas - don't try it. Pears and plums are decent, and oranges if you like those as well. But apples are sturdy, don't get bruised and mashed in the backpack and are my go-to for airplane traveling. I do always say a quick prayer that the person sitting beside me doesn't suffer from misophonia like I do, but I eat it as quiet as possible and always bring a bag to put the core in when I'm done. 

This time, I had to pick up my sandwhich at the airport, which means I paid $9 bucks for some bread and meat, but with an angry GI system, it still sounded better than a $14 burger. 

So this sufficed as my meal for the evening, and it was all I needed to get back on track after an amazing weekend. 

Hope this helps y'all on your next adventure!

Recipe: Turkey & Buckwheat Patties

I hope you can pardon the super fancy and non-ecofriendly plate, but when you packing up to move, the options are limited!! 

The patties are a new item on our healthier meal plans, and one we have grown to love as we perfected it. 

Total Time: 45 mins

          Prep Time: 30 minutes  

          Cooking Time: 10-15 minutes

Ingredients: 

• One package of ground turkey
• 1 cup uncooked buckwheat
• 1/2 green bell pepper, diced
• 1/2 medium sized onion, diced
• 2 tablespoons garlic salt
• Pepper to taste
• 1 egg
• 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
• Optional seasonings to taste: Oregano, Basil and Cavender's Greek Seasoning

3-4 tablespoons of  Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO) for cooking 

Directions: 

Cook buckwheat according to directions, (we buy the pre-roasted so we can take out that step and just need to boil it). Brown turkey in large pan - once completed, wipe down pan and add enough EVOO to cover bottom of non-stick pan and heat up oil until hot enough for water to sizzle on when sprinkled.

Mix together remaining ingredients, adding the buckwheat last to get a consistency that allows the mixture to stick together in ball, then mash down ball to make it into a patty.

Add to oil and cook (covered) 5-7 minutes on med/low on each side. Time will vary depending on the thickness of the patty and heat of the oil. We tend to flip them several times to make sure they are fully cooked and not burnt. 

That's it! Think of making them like mini-meatloafs, adding whatever your magical special ingredients are and having fun with the recipe. We have also made this same recipe using Quinoa instead of buckwheat, and it is just as delicious! 

Enjoy my friends! And be well. 

October Promos on 21 day Fix & 21 DF Extreme Challenge packs!

Woohoo!!
My favorite workout is on sale!! I have fallen in love with the 21 day Fix Extreme and this month you can get the original or the extreme, along with Shakeology (1 month supply) and a 30 day trial of the Beachbody Club for a discount. You also get a lil tote bag, which makes me a bit jealous ;)

I have not done the original, only the extreme but I think the names explain the difference. If you are just starting to work out again, I suggest the original. If you can do burpees, squats and jumps consistently already, go with the extreme! The equipment needed is the same for both: 2 sets of dumbbells, one lighter/one heavier, and a resistance band. It also recommends a yoga mat, but since I travel light I use a towel or one of the dogs blankets. Beachbody does sell all the needed equipment, but... I got my dumb bells off of Craigslist!! Just make sure you meet in a safe place and take someone with you - being kidnapped to save $20 bucks isn't worth it! Ross often carries resistance bands for cheap, as does Walmart and any sporting goods store.

Here is a quick youtube video to explain it all a bit more!

The link below will take you to more information! 

        

Or this link will take you directly to order ;) 

Order 21 day Fix Challenge Pack now!!

Why I became a Beachbody Coach

The short version:

I first started with Beachbody when I tried P90x with my brother in law. I was skeptical at first but amazed by the intensity of the workouts and the results I got, and I have been using their products every since. I dig that Beachbody programs are created to use minimal equipment, at my own house, because it takes away my excuses to not work out! I became a coach for Beachbody because I want everyone to experience the success that comes with their programs and to fight the epidemics of obesity and poor nutrition.  Being a Beachbody coach also allows me more freedom in my business life (aka financial!) so I can spend time in the outdoors creating adventures with my loved ones.

Why Should WE drink shakeology?? Is it worth the price??

I have a lot of people ask about Shakeology - most of these people have done just enough research to see the price tag and find another protein shake. I, too, refused Shakeology for several years, based off the price alone. But then I actually researched, and tried it!

What I first realized is this shake offers a lot more than protein. It is a dense super food, meaning it has all the exotic super foods that I can't pronounce and surely am too intimidated to buy, but that my body needs. I mean, what am I going to do with camu-camu and where would I even begin to find it in the grocery store down the road?! Truth is, the big box stores won't carry most of foods in Shakeology, and if they did, the price for all of them would far exceed the price of Shakeology.

I know I don't get all the vitamins and minerals my body needs to run efficiently, because most foods bought today lack what nature originally gave them. I don't buy organic, I don't plan to start buying organic. Shakeology is my supplement for all of that!

A link to the ingredients is here because blogger has made it incredibly difficult to embed a PDF :/

Most folks don't like to talk about their digestive systems (unless you are like me and my coworkers - working in a hospital, its a normal lunch time conversation!), but I am fully aware most of us have some kind of "issue". Not many people, even those are a healthy diet, are 'regular'. Shakeology has the prebiotics and probiotics that I was trying to find in yogurt, probiotic pills and whatever else cost under $15 and promised to fix me.

Weight loss - honestly not a goal of mine, and therefore I'm not the expert here. The success stories are hard to argue with, though, and I'm sure if you traded Shakeology for ice cream and/or soda, you'd see some pretty quick results! Which brings me to the next point, one of my favorites: taste.

When I first tried Shakeology, I mixed it with Almond milk and I was amazed by the taste. It quickly became the substitute for my dessert  (on most days...) and I continue to come up with recipes that make me feel like I am getting a treat, while my body gets all the fuel it needs to stay healthy.

So, give it a try! What do you have to lose? I mean, there's a 30 day money back guarantee! Click here to kick start your health goals.

Here is another video, perhaps they say it all better, but I wanted to offer my true feedback on the product. Because yes, it is pricey, but its because it is so much more than a protein shake.

What is Piyo??

In the most basic terms, Piyo is a glorious mix of yoga and pilates.

I was skeptical because it had none of my favorite workout factors - running, weights, jumping. However, I did the entire program and I was really amazed!! It toned places of my body I had ignored for far too long. It tightened things up so they didn't jiggle when I ran! And by the end of it, I was able to touch my toes and my downward dog had come a LONG ways from when I first attempted yoga many years ago.

Traditional yoga is not really my cup of tea, I do it, but I don't love it... Piyo has more than enough dynamic movement so I still feel a sense of serenity (and almost a touch of grace) yet I gained a lot of strength.

Here is a video that explains it much better than I can, showing you some of the moves and set ups!

September Beachbody Sales! Piyo and Shakeology!

Beachbody has some great offers to get Fall started off right this season!! For those interested in either Shakeology or Piyo (both are used and highly recommended by Yours Truly!), this month is perfect. Remember that there is a 30 day money back guarantee on all beachbody purchases if you are not completely satisfied, so don't let that scare you from jumping in with both feet. 

• PiYo® and Shakeology® Challenge Pack is available for $140 USD, regular retail price $160 USD. View the U.S.  promotion details.
• PiYo Kickstart and Shakeology Challenge Pack is available for $180 USD, regular retail price $205 USD. View the U.S. promotion details.
• 3-Day Refresh® and Shakeology Challenge Pack is available for $140 USD, regular retail price $160 USD. View the U.S. promotion details.

However, that being said - I believe you will only be satisfied if you truly put forth the effort to improve yourself! I love Shakeology and think it has amazing benefits, but I think in order to see the full benefits you have to put in a lil bit of work. Whether that be changing your eating habits or beginning a workout program or cashing in on that gym membership, every step makes a difference and you WILL fill different from the inside out. 

Challenge yourself, and your friends, to stop putting off the first step. Enjoy the journey, friends, it's a beautiful one.

Need more motivation?? Read about the Piyo Success stories here and shakeology success and satisfaction here

And although this is an independent study with a bias, I still feel it is worth the watch if you are as skeptical as I am: 

Hiking Day

I am so grateful for my health and ability to go wander and explore.

The elevation is Casper Wyoming is over 5,000 feet which put the trail head at over 6,000, on a trail that climbed over 1200 feet! The little dog needed some carrying as we ascended, but all of us were able to carry on and see some amazing sights.

My advice for the day: do something every day that scares you.

The Sights From the Top is Always Worth the Climb

The power of a personal blender for nutritional shakes

Until recently, one of the things that kept me away from consistently having my nutrition shake was the amount of work it would take to blend it properly by hand! I tried multiple types of hand shakers, yet after several minutes of shaking my arm around like I was playing with maracas, there were always still clumps of powder, and let's be honest...those are awful.

The last rental we stayed in had a Magic Bullet---what a game changer!!! I could easily put in the powder with almond milk/ice, along with some fruit and greek yogurt, and quickly have a well blended and delicious shake. We didn't get to take the Magic Bullet with us to our new location, so we went to Big Lots and for $20 purchased a Bella Rocket Blender. I can't say its as amazing as the Magic Bullet, but it gets the job done and has containers which fit in my car's cup holders - more convenience = higher chance at long term success!

The switch from $20/tub 'powder' to Shakeology also attributed to my consistency. The taste improved and so did the nutritional benefits. It also was a key player in the 21 day fix Extreme challenge I took on, as ice cream and chocolate were officially out. Learning to make shakes that actually tasted like a treat has been worth the effort!

Today's shake was less fresh than I prefer, but we still haven't done a proper grocery shopping trip since our arrival. It was Tropical Strawberry Shakeology, almond milk, ice, canned pineapple and packaged peaches (yes, probably loaded with sugar, but if it's the worse thing I eat today, I'll be okay!). It felt like I should have been sitting under the shade in a hammock on a beach somewhere, I'll take my lil piece of paradise for the day :)

Health and Sanity When Traveling

The past two days we have traveled from Washington State to Wyoming for job relocation, and staying healthy on the road is definitely a challenge. Here are a few tips for staying healthy when traveling:

• Think ahead, then plan! This includes packing healthy snacks so you aren't tempted to buy junk food and also prevents you from getting too hungry, which usually leads to regretful binge eating. 
• Take time for fresh air and movement. Having dogs means we had to get out of the car every few hours and walk them, which allowed us to stretch our legs and increase the blood flow through our bodies. 
• At the airport, use the time between security and boarding to walk around the airport and do some stretches before sitting on the plane. My experience has been a few strange stares, and usually a few people that will then also perform some stretches! Lead by example :)
• Pack exercise equipment. Resistance bands are easy to pack and lightweight. I also use my Beachbody on Demand from my Ipad - usually Piyo or Insanity since they only require my body weight for equipment! Those workouts are my favorites for a reason! See the links below if you haven't checked them out yet.
• Stay connected! Sometimes this means checking in with friends for accountability, taking along a fitness magazine, downloading a health podcast, etc. But staying connected keeps your mind focused on your goals and keeps you from getting distracted, it doesn't take very long to break a habit!

Active Recovery was a bit more active than recovery today

We set off today in search of some water to swim in and some trails to wander on. We had our starting point picked out, but unfortunately the signs and lifeguards informed us that the dogs were neither allowed on their beach or in their water! 

So off we went hiking, and the scenary drew us in so we kept hiking. 10 and 1/2 miles later we completed some sort of a loop which included creeks, waterfalls, old boyscout cabins and curious animals. 

It was a tiring hike with quite a bit of elevation change, but the view from the top is always worth the climb (sadly, we didn't capture this view in a picture this time...) 

Shakeology recipe of the day

I didn't snap a picture of the ingredients today, but using the Tropical Strawberry Shakeology, I added half a banana, frozen berry medley (from Trader Joes), a scoop of greek yogurt, a scoop of all natural peanut butter and some almond milk. Another success!! 

Me and Brad are both pretty hooked on the daily smoothie. Next adventure will be adding more vegetables and keeping a taste that makes me feel like its dessert! 

Working out

Today was one of the many days Archer decided to join me on my workout. It was cardio extreme day and by the end I was spent, my lunge jumps more resembled drunken dance moves, but it always feels good to complete a good workout!