It's all about that Shake-ology

The Best Shakeology Recipe is the easy shakeology recipe!  Beachbody has done all the work for you.  They have truly created "Nutrition Simplified" by packing in the nutritional value.

If you didn’t know…I didn’t always love Shakeology. My hubs wanted to try it and we bought a bag. He loved it and I was stuck at, “we are spending how much per month on one bag of a protein shake?” I didn’t get it but I also wasn’t looking at the overall benefits of Shakeology either. I was uninformed about what it actually was and just looking at it as a protein shake, which lets be honest IT IS NOT!!! I had been drinking meal replacement shakes from a different company because I wanted something to help my nutrition and I ran out one day. So of course I went over to our chocolate bag of Shakeology, grabbed a room temperature bottle of water, dumped a scoop in, shook it up, and GAGGED!! One sip and I had judged it awful, poured the rest down the drain and said never again.

I think about that day often now that I have been drinking Shakeology consistently for a YEAR!! I guess what really sticks out to me is that there are SO MANY options and I wish that it had come with some better instructions. If you make chicken wrong would you want to eat it every day? Nope!

The same applies to Shakeology. First you have to recognize what it truly is and that it’s a MEAL REPLACEMENT!! Shakeology is a very nutrient-dense shake that can be used for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. You’d have to eat a whole lot of fruits and vegetables to equal the nutrition in a single glass of Shakeology—and you probably couldn’t do it for less than 170 calories. Shakeology makes it very easy to cut your calories without substantially cutting down your daily volume of nutrients needed. Truth be told, the majority of people are WAY MORE nutrient deficient, than they are protein deficient. This is the reason why I love Shakeiology so much! I am not the best eater (which I am learning about every day!) so Shakeology was an easy way for me to get my nutrients. I love Shakeology because I am a busy parent and it is a quick and convenient way to get complete nutrition.  It supplies me with the energy I need to help keep up with the kids and my hectic lifestyle.  It is also easier to make and tastier than a salad, and it is an excellent way to eat healthy when eating a full meal is not possible.  If you don't like eating fruits and vegetables then this is a great way to get all the benefits of eating a full bowl of fruits and vegetables without having to actually eat them.

The other issue that you have to truly understand is the #1 reason that people don’t want to try Shakeology , love it, and then want to continue drinking it month after month and that is …the price!! That is beacause you are still looking at Shakeology as something that isn’t of value to you. Most people will agree that they would spend an average of $3 to $7 on a HEALTHY nutritious meal. I know most store-bought salads cost even more than that, and don’t contain nearly the dense concentration of nutrients. But on average, I think we can all agree healthy meals run between $3 and $7. Shakeology, at $4.33 per shake, comes in on the LOW END of average. (You can make Shakeology into a breakfast or lunch that you’d be buying anyway.) Not only are you spending less than you normally would, you’re also getting vital nutrients your body needs, that you just can’t get from your run-of-the-mill salad, plus the normal range of vitamins and minerals. So you can replace your VITAMINS, too. Sure, you may need a specific vitamin, based on your conditions, geography, or age—but in general, Shakeology will provide you with a solid base of your whole-food nutrients.

When was the last time you went to your grocery store and bought THIRTY meals all at once? Not often!!Typically, I’m guessing, you buy a few days’ worth each time. When you buy a bulk bag of Shakeology, you are buying 30 of your shakes up-front. That means you’ll spend less money at the grocery store. For the price, I cannot duplicate its vast quality of ingredients and nutrients.

Now let’s get into my tips for HOW to make your Shake!!!

Here are a few tips that I wish I had known the first time I ever tried Shakeology…

1. Do not mix with water!!!!! You can, if you are wanting to be hardcore, but if you want to enjoy the taste, I recommend mixing it with Almond or Coconut Milk!!!
2. ADD ice!!!! Shakeology definitely tastes better when it’s cold J
3. BLEND IT!!!! 99% of the time I use my blender to mix up my Shakeology. Even if it’s just milk, shakeology and Ice, using a blender brings it ALL together. If you use a Shaker cup, add milk, shakeology, then Ice and shake WELL!!
4. ADD IN’s!!! Shakeology is a MEAL Replacement, not a Protein Shake! My go to shake is 8 -10 oz. Almond Milk, Chocolate Shakeology, 1 tbs. PB2 (powdered peanut butter) and half a banana. I drink this combo at least 5 times a week! The ingredients are ALWAYS in my home and I could not go a day without.
5. BE Creative!!! Although I am a chocolate fan, I have found that trying different recipes makes drinking my shake every day more enjoyable. You have to find a recipe that YOU like!!!!

If you find a recipe that works for you…stick with it!! I’m not saying don’t experiment because I do that from time to time but I have had some epic fails along the way and you don’t want to be pouring your shakes down the drain every time you don’t like them.

Have I given you enough reasons to give it a try??? If so here are some ways that you can do so.

Ways to try Shakeology:

1. Message me for a sample of Shakeology. This is a perfect way to try the flavors and figure out which you like best.
2. Join one of my 7 day Shakeology Challenges:

It’s a way to try Shakeology for a week without making any commitments. It is $30 and with that you get 7 days of Shakeology (I suggest the combo pack so you can try all the flavors and see which you like best) and a premium Shaker Cup (for shakes on the go!).

3. You can sign up for Shakeology HD (home direct) which gives your free shipping and automatically ships your Shakes to you each month.  You can cancel at any time with no questions asked.  There is also a 30 day money back bottom of the bag guarantee.  If for any reason you do not like the shake you can return the empty bag for a full refund.
4. You can purchase Shakeology in the bag or 24 individual serving sizes, both are the same price.  With individual serving sizes you can have an assortment of Greenberry and Chocolate, Chocolate and Vanilla, and now Tropical Strawberry and Vegan Chocolate.

What do you get for your purchase of Shakeology HD?

Your first Shakeology order not only comes with a month's supply of shakeology.

You receive a calendar of 30 different ways to make each flavor.

You receive free shipping when you sign up for Home Direct.

You not only get a shake but you get a nutrient rich meal that you do not have to worry about creating yourself! How great is that?!?!

Shakeology really has changed my life! I know that sounds dramatic but it’s true. Not only has it helped to increase my nutrients but it has led me to a career as a Beachbody Coach. It has helped me to find a passion to help others and gave me a purpose greater than just myself. I have met some of my best friends through one little shake and it fulfilled a need in me to be part of a community of like-mided people, who encouraged me and made me feel a part of something. I needed that and I didn't even know it at the time I signed up.

So how can it change your life?? The opportunity is at your fingertips...all you have to do it reach out and grab it!

Zucchini Noodles with Avocado Cream

We ALL know I am a #hotmessinthekitchen but one of my main goals this year was to cook edible food at least 4 times a week �� some days are successful and other days are epic fails (boiled eggs anyone??) so when I find something that is easy and tasty I have to share it with the WORLD!!! 

Ingredients:

- 5 large zucchinis, washed

- 1 Tbsp. lard, bacon fat or tallow

-1/2 lb. bacon

SAUCE

- 1 large (or 2 small) avocados, pit removed

- 15 fresh basil leaves

- 1 tsp. sea salt + a few dashes to salt the zucchini

- 1/2 tsp. ground pepper

- 3 cloves garlic, crushed

- 2 Tbsp. extra virgin olive oil

- 1/2 lemon, squeezed

Directions:

1. Spirilze (I used the veggetti) your zucchini and place in a strainer. Add a few dashes of sea salt to the zucchini and toss to coat. Allow to sit in the sink for about 20 minutes. This will help some of the excess water drain out from the zucchini. After salting the zucchini, wrap it in a few paper towels and squeeze gently to remove any remaining moisture.

3. Cook your bacon. 

InstructionsA. Start with a cold pan. Bacon should be started in a cold pan, so before you turn on the heat, lay out your strips on the pan. You can place them so they are touching and crowd the pan a little as the bacon will shrink as it cooks but do not overlap too much.

B. Cook bacon low and slow. Bacon cooks best slowly over low heat, so turn your burner on low. Soon the bacon will begin to release some of its fat. When it starts to buckle and curl, use the tongs to loosen the strips and turn each slice to cook on the other side. Keep flipping and turning the bacon so that it browns evenly.

C. Pour off grease carefully. If the bacon is very fatty and your pan is filling up with grease, you can remove some by carefully suctioning it off with a bulb baster and squeezing it into a glass or metal container. Some people just spoon off the excess with a metal spoon. You can also pour off some of the grease but be very careful when you do this as spilled grease can cause a grease fire. I usually turn off the flame when I pour off the grease and I check be sure that none of it has dribbled down the sides of the pan. In any case, be sure that you pour it into a sturdy glass, metal, or ceramic container.

D.Cook until the bacon is done. When is the bacon done? That depends. Some people like their bacon extra crispy and others like it a little loose and flappy. It's important to know that your bacon will continue to cook some when you pull it from the pan and will stiffen up a little upon cooling. In general you will want to see even browning and make sure that the meat part has lost some of its raw redness.

E.Let the cooked bacon drain. Using your tongs, remove the pieces from the pan and onto your paper bag/towels or newspapers to drain.

3. Place all of the sauce ingredients in a food processorand blend until smooth. (If making this dish raw, stop here and just mix the sauce in with the noodles and serve)

4. Add the bacon fat/tallow to a saute pan over medium high heat and allow to melt. Add the zucchini and cook for about 2 minutes. Add the sauce and toss with kitchen tongs to ensure all of the zucchini noodles are coated in sauce. Cook for another 2-4 minutes or until heated through (Or heat the sauce separately and serve on top of the noodles). Serve right away.

Max Out Month 2

Week 5 of Insanity Max:30 is in the books and I have to say, it may have been the hardest week of workouts that I have EVER done. They are completely doable, but your mind can't win!!!! You must not give up. Shaun T talks about how he is scared in some of the workouts.. DON'T LET HIM GET INTO YOUR HEAD!!!!
One of the things I really liked about Month 2, is that it isn't just a harder Month 1. There are new moves (that I had never done before), there are CRAZY push up sequences, and through every since move, if you perform them with purpose you are sculpting those abs!
In Max Out Cardio, you have to move quick but you also have to pay attention. A lot of the time in month one, I just focused on what I was doing and never looked up. This isn't the case for month 2. I had to focus on and watch the moves because I had never done them.

Max Out Power should just be called Beat Down Day! By far the HARDEST workout I have EVER done. The moves are 45 seconds on 15 seconds off unlike month one 20 seconds and 10 seconds. Shaun says, "Now you have found the power - you have to let your power take over - not an option to not max out- now you let the power from within take over'" and it's so true! I wanted to actually turn off the workout and give up and I have never felt that way before. It pushes your most and mind to the limit and then gives you a little shove over into feeling a bit defeated. You have to go down to be able to get back up though right??

Max Sweat Intervals helps you redeem yourself after Max Out Power. So, after being beat down, you will do Max Sweat and feel like you can conquer the world. Don't get me wrong, you are going to max out, and much sooner than you did during month one. Don't hold back and don't be afraid. I was feeling very humbled after Max Power but as I went through Max Sweat, my confidence in the fact that I COULD do this came back in full force. I was also super sore by this workout and I was feeling muscles I didn't even know existed!

Max Strength would have to be the exact opposite of how I felt during max power. By the end you and the floor will be best friends because it should just be called make them do push ups. I have never done so many variations of push ups and up until I started T25 almost a year ago, I had never even done one push up! I modify them but I am strong enough (from month one) to push myself through. I can visibly see a difference in my arms and that is all due to my BFF the push up.

By Friday, you are ready for the week to be done. You are sore and tired but then it's time for Friday Night Fight Round 2. Out of month one, Friday fight was my favorite one, so it wasn't a huge surprise that it is my favorite in Month 2 either. I like knowing I only have to do that exercise one time and being able to give it everything I have. Shaun says, "It's about going beyond your max! You will max out but because you got this far - you know how to go more! Pull it together and you fight!! Do what you need to do to get through." He has a way of pushing you to go just a little bit farther than you really thought you could go.

Week 5 was mentally challenging. You have started to master month one and feel really confident and then you fail (a lot). I am so happy that I can do it in my home where no one can see my uncoordinated movements and my near face plants. I'm really starting to see more definition in my abs (hallelujah). I've never had abs before, so being able to see some has been a highlight for me. I used to be afraid of gaining muscle, but the truth is, I would rather be strong with some muscles than weak. My shoulders and arms are definitely getting defined (thank you push ups) and I think the exercises this week are really helping to define my inner thighs (at least that is what hurts the most). The soreness is worth being comfortable in my skin and knowing that no matter what he throws at me, I can push though it.

Are you curious yet??? I will have round 2 of Insanity Max:30 starting February 9. Join me, you will not regret it!

Insanity Instructor Check!

This last weekend, I really stepped out of my comfort zone and went to New York to get certified to teach Insanity.

Fun fact... I had never done the original insanity. Fun fact #2... I had never been to a group exercise class before in my life.

I have never been what some would call coordinated (at all). I'm the person who when they say move left, I go right but I totally fell in love with Insanity Max:30 and I felt pretty confident that I could make it through the training so I signed up and went to New York. My mantra for this certification was... Just make it through and you know what? I didn't just make it through- I loved every second of it. When I originally signed up, I was super excited because the instructor was going to be Danielle Katz, who is a master trainer and expert on Insanity formats. She is a kick butt Beachbody coach but she is an EXPERT on teaching Insanity!!
This means that short of Shaun T being there to teach me... Danielle is the BEST!

Not only did we have Danielle there to impart all of her knowledge but where Danielle goes, Darren goes and so we got to have the knowledge of two master insanity trainers!
That's kind of intimidating for a person who has never done insanity- right?!??
So, everyone shows up at the location and we sit in a circle and we all start saying who we are and where we are from... And the first 5 people to introduce themselves were in the Insanity Max:30 test group - oh ok. The next 4 people , they were in he insanity and insanity max DVD's - what?!?!? Apparently I had fallen into Insanity Royalty and I need to catch up!!
The class overall was super informative and I learned a ton about the Insanity Brand. Then... It was time to workout.
So, Danielle started previewing the moves for the round we will be doing in the class and she says - "oh wow this one is hard, WOW, this is really HARD!"
As a newbie... I was scared but I KNEW I just had to make it through. Could I do every move??? No, so I modified! I concentrated on doing good form instead of trying to "keep up" with all of these Insanity Pro's that were getting certified.. JUST LIKE ME!
I truly feel like doing the Beachbody programs has not only made me a stronger person on the outside but they have done more work on my insides! The confidence I have gained is AMAZING!!!

Sigh...I digress...
I made It through the workout!! ME! The person who had never done insanity or been to a group exercise class. And when it came time in our small group to teach our section- I did pretty good (if I do say so myself).

I have to practice and I have to learn but I WILL teach insanity in the near future - I can tell you that with full confidence because if there is one thing I have learned being a Beachbody coach it is how to set goals and meet them!
So who is ready to go Insane with me?? It was one of the best days of my life and I wish I could bottle up the feelings from that day and give it away to people!!
I can- come to a class with me!!!!! I can't wait to start teaching and it boggles my mind that a year ago, this wasn't even a dream of mine. What this whole experience has taught me is to be open minded!! Don't judge a program before you actually try it first and even though it's the "hardest workout ever made" it is the most rewarding one as well!! I am certifiably Insane - it's official now!!

Why not you??

That girl in week 1, she had no idea how much she would GROW. She looks scared- ha! She was scared. She wanted to see changes so badly and she wanted to be able to be a good example to as many people as she could be. 

That girl in week 4, she thought she was doing awesome. She had seen some results, she had stuck to the plan, and was pretty proud of herself.

The girl in week 6, she has been humbled. She has experienced some freaking HARD workouts. She has faced her fear of group exercise classes. She has learned that she is more than a number on a scale. She can see the light at the end of the tunnel. 2 more weeks and she will be an Insanity Max:30 graduate!!! She CAN push through and Max Out! She KNOWS that things she never thought she wanted are possible. 

When I started doing Beachbody programs (T25 to be exact), I wanted to be able to tone up a little bit, and I did. Max:30 has taken my toning to an entirely new level. It has taken it to a level that I didn't even know I wanted. I didn't know that finding abs would push me to want to see what other muscles were there. I didn't know that I could actually enjoy (gasp!) push ups! I didn't know I was capable of some of these things.

I am not posting this to make anyone feel badly. I am posting and sharing myself like this because I want you to see the possibilities. If you want to be a runner, go outside and run (even if it's just 100 yards) you have to start somewhere. If you want to learn about nutrition, start researching!!! All the answers you need are available- all you have to do is find the one that you are looking for.

2 more weeks and then I will be starting a new program, I will be committing to the 21 day fix Extreme program for 3 weeks and most likely I will then start another round of Insanity Max. If you are wanting some direction...ask me!!! I want to help you start your journey. It won't be the exact same as mine but it will be an adventure that I would love to go on with you :)

What do you do decompress???

The last few weeks have been CRAZY in the Kyle household. While we were on vacation in Utah, hubs had to get 16 stitches from a gash he got while snowboarding. Then this last weekend I was traveling to get my Insanity Certification ( still flying high from that). While I was gone, Ryan broke his arm and we had to go get him casted when I got home...so CRAZY!

One of my goals for this year was to learn how to cook and we have been very vigilant in making our meals BUT we really like to eat out. Food always tastes better when you don't have to make it, so I suggested to hubs that we have a date night and of course he said yes!!

One of the perks of where we live is that we are literally 20 minutes outside of Philadelphia and we have so many great options for date night. Hubs gave me 2 choices and we decided that we would try out Talula's Garden. My reason for choosing this restaurant is because it claimed a Farm to Table atmosphere and when I looked at the menu there were plenty of options for our nutrition plan.

I wish I had been able to take more photos of the actual restaurant because the garden outside was beautiful but the waitress told me that the gardens aren't open to sit at until the temperature is consistently above 60. Since the temperature was around 35 when we arrived, I was very happy to be sitting inside.

The chef sent out complimentary brioche buns with a pat of butter and even though that is NOT paleo, it would have been rude for me to leave it sitting there, so I took a small taste and it melted in my mouth. I had already looked at the menu and hubs and I had pretty much decided what we were going to get. 

We started with:

"Oyster and Pickles"...cornmeal fried Chesapeake Oysters, Garden Pickels, Baby Romaine hearts and Smoke house made creme fraiche. (there is not pic because we inhaled it)

The Hubs had:

Overnight Pork Belly, Berkshire Pork, Black Garlic Crust, Ginger Scented Sweet Potatoes, Local Apples, and Pomegranate Pork Gastrique

     I have to say that I did taste the pork belly and it was very very good. I was expecting it to be a little bit crispier but he loved it.

My choice was"

Seared Day Boat Scallops, Fragrant Roasted Quince, Parsnip Puree, Toasted Hazelnuts, Citrus Herb Vinaigrette, Fresh Baby Kale

     IT WAS AHHHHH-MAZING! I don't think it was because I didn't have to actually make it but the parsnip puree was so so good!!! 

For sides we had:

Brussel Sprouts and Bacon "Stuffing" walnuts and Apple Cider Glaze

     and 

Maple Roasted Butternut and Acorn Squash , Hot & Spicy Toasted Pecans

The squash could have been a dessert. The maple syrup that they were roasted with really made them sweet and tender. I could have eaten just that and been a happy happy person. 

We did have dessert ( no pics)
Old Fashioned Maple Bread Pudding
     Toasted Brioche, Maple Ice Cream, Cayenne Cashews, and Bourbon Sauce.

It wasn't a HUGE dessert but it hit the spot and it was a very nice end to a wonderful meal with my hubs.

We really like being able to find places that have healthier options so that when we leave we don't feel like we have ruined the progress that we have been striving for in our workouts all week.

Do you like to go out to eat? What's your favorite places to go??

Appleicious Greenery Shakeology Recipe

Finding a good Greenberry recipe was something that after a year of drinking Shakeology, I was desperately searching for. I just figured that I would never drink anything except for me beloved chocolate and vegan chocolate and I was totally ok with that. 

When I was in New York, 2 people attending the certification class with me were drinking Greenberry with just ice and water. I have to admit, I may have made a face or two of disgust, BUT then Alicia gave me the golden recipe.  I had some Greenery packets and I figured I didn't have anything to lose so Monday morning, I put my ingredients in my trusty Vitamix, blended it up, and it was REFRESHING!!!!

Applelicious:

1 scoop Greenberry Shakeology

1 cup water

splash of Almond Milk

1 tsp oranic honey

3/4 of a honey crisp apple

Ice

BLEND and ENJOY