New Greenberry!! Yippie!!!

We used to have this wonderful Macbook Pro.

I say "used to" because I did something bad.

Very bad.

I spilled my Greenberry Shakeology on it.

Uh oh.

Guess what? Turns out that what is great for your body: lowers your cholesterol, increases your energy, fills you up, reduces your cravings for sweets, helps you lose weight and regulates digestion...

                              ...doesn't do that for a laptop.

If your bag looks like this, you've got the new formula!

Boo. :(


But the news is...

Greenberry Shakeology has just gotten a MAKEOVER!!!



And it's available now! :)  Yippie!!

Here's the 411 on the new formula straight from Beachbody HQ:

Q: What's different in the new Greenberry formula?
A:

• Reduced calories from 140 to 130 per serving
• Reduced Sugars from 11g to 6g per serving! (5 grams less than before!)
• Reduced Total Carbs from 19g to 13g per serving
• Increased Protein from 16g to 17g per serving
• Fiber increased from 3g to 4g due to the addition of pea protein and increase in super greens.
• Reduced fructose necessary in the formula due to the addition of Luo Han Guo
• We added Shakeology's newest superfoods: Luo Han Guo, Moringa and Himalayan Salt.
• We increased the amount of super-greens (it is Greenberry after all!) and included an even more delicious natural flavor which works more harmoniously with the formula to makes Greenberry sweeter and fruitier.
• Green tea used is no longer decaffeinated — therefore it is less "processed".
  • (Note: Green tea is naturally very low in caffeine).
• Plus we incorporated the improvements we made recently to Chocolate:
  • More concentrated grasses. We're using grass juice powders. The grasses are first pressed into juices—which allows us to concentrate the nutrients—then the juice is further concentrated into a powder. (Before we were just grinding the grasses themselves into powders)
  • Better strain of probiotics
  • No suma root or blue-green algae
  • Still Low Glycemic Index

Q: Can I still get the Original Greenberry Formula?
A: For those of you who loved the original Greenberry, you can still purchase it (24-count cartons only) for limited time, beginning Tuesday, May 7^th. 

Q: Does the New Greenberry Formula still have whey protein?
A: Yes, Greenberry Shakeology still has whey protein in it. We also added natural pea protein to round out the amino acid profile.

Q: Does the New Greenberry Formula still have fructose in it?
A: Yes, but nearly half of what it had before. In this latest formula evolution, new superfood ingredient Luo Han Guo (monkfruit) lends natural sweetness to the formulation without the carbs or calories.

Q: Why are the calories lower in this new Greenberry formula? (130 vs. 140 in the old formula)
A: This is mainly due to the reduction of fructose in the formula.

Q: What is Himalayan Salt? Why was it added into the new Greenberry Shakeology formula?
A: Salt and sodium are necessary in our diets. Unfortunately, common table salt has been stripped of its natural minerals. Himalayan salt is completely natural, relatively untouched, and as a result, still contains over 70 trace minerals. All these natural minerals found in Himalayan salt actually make this salt healthier for you than regular table salt. Additionally, as most people who bake know, adding a pinch of salt contributes to the sweetness of a product. Keep in mind that the RDA is 2400 mg. People who follow a low sodium diet generally restrict sodium to as low as 1500mg/day. So at 200mg, Greenberry Shakeology only represents 8% of the recommended daily intake.

Q: What are all ingredients now listed in blends on the 24-count cartons?
A: Ingredients on the Greenberry Shakeology packaging have been grouped in such a way to help customers more easily understand the categories of ingredients and their benefits.

Q: Why was Suma Root removed from Greenberry Shakeology?
A: Recently, the World Anti-Doping Association (WADA) and the National Football League (NFL) released a new list of nationally banned substances. Because current drug screening technologies are unable to differentiate between natural, healthy substances and synthetic banned substances, the list now encompasses a group of all-natural phyto-chemical compounds known as ecdysteroids, which are found in various plants around the globe. Since the ecdysterone found in Suma Root can be erroneously detected as a banned synthetic substance, we have chosen to exclude it from Greenberry Shakeology.

Q: Why was Blue-green algae removed from Greenberry Shakeology?
A: The numerous benefits derived from blue-green algae are found in the other ingredients found in Shakeology's Phytonutrient / Super-Greens blend.

Q: Why is only one strain of probiotics listed on the new Greenberry Shakeology label rather than the 6 listed on the old formula?
A: Bacillus Coagulans is a powerful strain of probiotics proven to survive the acids in the stomach and reach the intestine where it is intended to function. Probiotics are good bacteria that help create a healthy environment in the intestines, to maintain healthy and improved digestive function. These friendly organisms may also help fight bacteria that cause diarrhea and there's also evidence that probiotics help maintain a strong immune system. This is why the probiotics need to reach the intestines instead of being eaten up in the stomach and why we have upgraded our probiotic strain.

Q: Is Greenberry Shakeology gluten-free?
A: The Shakeology formula does not contain any gluten-based ingredients and we make every effort to prevent any ingredients with gluten from coming into direct or indirect contact with our products. However, because of our high standards we do not feel it is appropriate to make a gluten-free claim since Shakeology is produced in facilities that also handle gluten based ingredients. If you have a concern about gluten it is best to consult your doctor before making any dietary changes.

Q: Original Greenberry Shakeology used to say it was Gluten–free. Why has it changed?
A: Because the safety of our customers is extremely important to us we felt it was prudent to include the statement that Shakeology is made in a factory that also handles gluten (wheat) based ingredients and we removed the Gluten Free statement. This does not mean that Shakeology contains gluten, in fact the Shakeology formula does not have any gluten based ingredients and we make every effort to prevent any ingredients with gluten from coming into direct or indirect contact with our product. This is taking a very conservative approach—however, the health and safety of consumers is our number one priority.

Q: When will Shakeology be certified gluten-free?
A: There are no gluten-based ingredients in the Shakeology formula. Although we can apply for a gluten-free certification, the safety of our customers is extremely important to us and until we are satisfied that our high standards can be met we will not put a gluten-free certified statement on the package. To meet our internal standards, we are reviewing our entire supply chain of nearly 100 ingredients to ensure that there is no potential exposure to gluten-based grains from the farm to the Shakeology product being sealed in the final package. At this point we cannot say when that assessment will be complete.

Q: Is Greenberry Shakeology free from allergens?
A: Shakeology is formulated to be free of the common 8 allergens, however, Shakeology is made in a manufacturing facility that also process allergens such as soy, wheat, milk and gluten. While our manufacturing procedures follows strict, required FDA Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs), which include cleaning and breaking down of equipment between production runs and proper air filtration systems as precautionary measures, the possibility of cross-contamination can never be 100% eliminated, therefore we include the warning statement as a precaution to make our customers aware that Shakeology is manufactured in a facility that also processes soy, egg, fish, crustacean shellfish, tree nuts, and wheat (gluten) ingredients." We feel this is a responsible approach to help those with extreme sensitivities to such ingredients make an informed decision about the use of Shakeology.

~

Ready to try some? As always, if you order on Home Direct, you will never pay shipping/handling (about $10 per bag). Beachbody always stands behind every product they offer and will refund your total purchase price if you decide it's not for you and return within 30 days. (so great!!) Click here to order yours and hey...just keep it off your laptop, k?

March Means Much!

There are so many exciting things happening in my life this March!

The BIGGEST of which is adding to our family!! Sweet Toby is going to be adopted in just 25 days! (or LESS if our Travel Approval shows up quickly!!!!)

Other awesome things happening is a sweet friend's 40th birthday, my daughter becomes a teenager this month...and another daughter turns 11.

But I want to talk about something ELSE that happens this month.

I'm celebrating 5 full years of being a Beachbody coach.

Huh? Yep. This actually is a big deal.

I'm a Beachbody coach. Hopefully this is not new information to you...but if so, let me tell you briefly about my story.

I was a regular mom who was trying to lose weight after having kids. But I loved love cookie dough and ice cream and had no understanding of how to exercise. I knew I should be exercising...but every time I attempted to go for a run I was a failure.

Spring 2007

A big, fat failure.

I had a lovely collection of exercise DVD's (and VHS tapes!) and would have streaks where I would use them for a few weeks at a time. But really, I had no idea what I was doing.

What I was doing was having more babies and getting bigger.

Inwardly, I had actually resigned to living my life feeling fat and sludgy. (There was no chance of anything else...right?)

And then...I found Beachbody.

Seriously, it was actually like that! I had a friend tell me about Power 90 and how it was working for her and had heard about another program they had made called Slim in 6. I found out it was $60 and decided I had enough workout videos, what would another one really benefit me? So I forgot about it.

Then one day in June, I went to a garage sale.

There sat Slim in 6. It was marked $3.

I shot up a silent prayer, "Lord, if you'll let me get that $60 program for $3...then I will DO it!" I made my way over to the table to grab it and someone stepped between it and me...and...

...she passed it up! I grabbed it and bought it and made my silent pledge.

This was 2007, shortly after we had buried our son Oskar. I had fed my pain with bread and butter and was not proud of the way I looked.

AT. ALL.

So here I was, each day doing this (incredibly boring!) workout program. I had pledged to do it for the entire time...and that meant SIX DAYS a week for SIX ENTIRE WEEKS! Yes, it about killed me from boredom. (Please don't tell dear sweet Debbie S*ebers I said this about her first program...but maybe she already knows?!???) ANYWAY, I found Beachbody online and joined the community. I found other women who were doing this program too and we collectively supported each other, whined about our sore thighs and got the idea to put our own soundtrack in to make the time go faster.

In short: I got hooked onto the Beachbody community.

One of the things that stood out that made this whole thing different was that the Beachbody program came with a plan. A calendar. A "do this workout, then do this workout...now a day of rest and get back at it and do this workout." 

You see, up until then, I just willy-nilly did workouts as I felt like it.

I would wake up and if I thought about exercise I would stand and stare at my collection and choose one at random.

And often, I chose the easier ones.

And guess what?

I.GOT.NOWHERE.

So by week 4 of doing Slim in 6, I was actually seeing REAL CHANGE in my body! I was completely amazed. Nothing I had ever done had made these kinds of changes!

I quickly realized I was going to need something NEW to do by the time week 6 arrived!

And we all knew I was DONE with D*bbie! (Seriously, I love her...but that workout was blech!)

I found a Beachbody coach online in this community and I asked her for help.

She was so kind and helped me understand about the different trainers and their different specialities and what might be a good next choice for me.

I without hesitation went and spent the money to have a new program to begin when I finished the first!
(What a different take I had now on spending money for GOOD QUALITY exercise videos!)

Fast forward a year...and that same beloved Beachbody coach shared with me that I could become a coach too. I could find additional encouragement, accountability and earn an income while doing it for myself.

Hmmm.

I was totally skeptical.

Totally.

But then, my Dad explained to me that there really was some good promise in this. He gave me some advice, "If you are going to do it, do it for the long haul. Don't just try it for 6 months and dump it. Hang in there. It will pay off."

Good words.

(My Dad is full of great advice, it turns out! How blessed am I???) Love you, Dad. :)

And so, in March of 2008, I signed up to become a Beachbody coach.

Truly I think I did this for two main reasons: I wanted the 25% discount for my own purchases...and I loved Traci Morrow my coach and wanted to be like her.

Turns out, those were pretty decent reasons.

Traci is now one of my dearest friends...and I've become one of her star diamond coaches on her team. My own team is an awesome collection of the COOLEST people and we all take our training from Traci herself.

Wow--you may not understand how AMAZING this is...but trust me, it's AWESOME!

So...it's been 5 years and I will never look back. I will never need a gym membership and I will continue to use program after program to challenge my body in greater and greater fitness.

Playing WITH my kids, summer 2012

I actually have learned to LOVE exercise and the way it makes me feel when I am done! :) I love the benefits of maintaining a healthy weight, dealing with stress better, having strength ready to go for whatever task I may find and being able to run and play with our kids. (Not merely watching from the sidelines!)

It's a great life.

And then there's that income thing. What a fabulous side benefit! I'm super excited about this part!

Braces, clothing, groceries...covering all our own Shakeology purchases, supplements, new programs, and supporting precious dear Afiswa in Uganda are some of the perks we enjoy.

So...today marks 5 full years of doing this...and there's no sign of me letting up!

Want to find out what program might be a fit for you? Go here to browse and then here to contact me and have me help you!

You never know where YOU may be 5 years from now! 

"Life is GRAND!" says Kelly!

Here's a story I've been soooooo excited to share!

My sweet friend, Kelly has lost ONE HUNDRED POUNDS!!!! 

WOOOOOO HOOOOOOOOO!!!!!

Kelly is in my daily elite accountability group on Facebook.

She posts everyday how she has done in many different areas...

things like...

              her sleep

                      her food

                         her workouts

                                  her water intake

                                               her Shakeology

                                                                       and her particular vice habits.

And she is ONE ENORMOUS SUCCESS STORY!!! (well, she's small, her success story is HUGE!)

Listen as she shares in her own words:

Me: Tell me what life was like in regards to health and fitness. Did
you workout? Had you dieted on and off? 

Kelly: Well, prior to my weight loss LIFE with health and fitness wasn't
really happening.  I always wanted to be healthy and fit, thought I
was....really at almost 300lbs healthy?  Who was I kiddin' I had tried
every diet imaginable.......Weight Watchers, Jenny Craig,
Nutra-system,Slim Fast The Grapefruit diet, Atkins, low carbs, fat
free, no dairy, no meat....blahahaha....Every time I tried a "new"
diet, I would get soooo excited!  This is it!  I finally found the
right one!  I'm gonna get skinny!......Really? I've tried and failed,
tried and failed time and time again.  What a roller coaster?!?!?
Finally, I decided to do something in 2011. I had gastric bypass
surgery November 28, 2011.  It was not an easy decision.  Surgery?
Are you crazy?  People thought I was taking the easy way out, "all you
have to do is eat right and exercise"  I had practically starved
myself for days and the scale would never move! "all you need is will
power" Really?  I think at nearly 300lbs eating nothing but water and
protein shakes and liquids for 3 days is pretty good "will power".
Yes, I would loss some weight, started to feel good, exercise, then
the weight began to creep back up and then more.

Me: How did you feel, both physically and emotionally?

Kelly: Emotionally?  Well, it was an emotional roller coaster.  I was
depressed.  I was an emotional eater....I ate when I was happy....,
when I was sad...., when I sleepy....thought that pizza and soda would
"wake me up".  As I grew up, I realized that every family function
gathered and centered around FOOD! I ate and ate...and I felt awful,
tired and was starting to get sick.  My health was deteriorating.  My
blood pressure was high, I had headaches, asthma, my body ached and
then my biggest fear....I became diabetic.  I was on 2 blood pressure
medications, 2 diabetic meds (1 pill and 1 injectable), medication for
acid reflux, inhaler for my asthma, muscle relaxer for neck and back
pain.  Then I began to suffer from some sort of skin rash and reaction
to something. I went to several doctors, like 3 in one day!  Seen an
immunologist, dermatologist and endocrinologist all in one day.  Had
skin biopsies, blood work and was then told that I had Hashimotos
Thyroiditis..Huh?  Okay, so now I'm fat, sick and tired!  The answer
is my thyroid!  Just fix it, give me another pill and it'll get
better, right?  wrong! Oh, did I also mention that I was diagnosed
with infertility issues and was told by doctors that I was fat and  if
I would only lose weight, I get pregnant.  Depressed, again........

Me: What was your turning point? What happened that made you say,
"okay. I'm DOING SOMETHING!"

Kelly: I had lots of reasons to lose weight, but my turning point was my
children.  I want to be healthy for my children.  I didn't want them
to have an unhealthy, fat, obese Mama....  I couldn't even play with
my kids due to being tired all the time.  My body ached, my legs hurt
and they wanted me to play blocks on the floor with them.   I
couldn't.  See, my Mom died at age 56 from diabetes complications.
She had her first heart attack in her 40's, she was on dialysis.  I
was heading in the same direction and I knew how I felt and I didn't
want my husband and kids to live without a Mama. I was going to die if
I didn't do something, NOW!  I decided to have surgery.

Me: Tell me about making that decision, to have gastric bypass surgery. 

Kelly: I had thought about surgery for years.  It was not an easy decision.
I had failed everything else as far as dieting and exercising, I
thought to myself...."what makes you think surgery is going to work? I
really thought to myself that I'll probably fail this too.  I didn't
tell may people about my decision to have the surgery.  Only a few, my
wonderful and supportive husband and a close friend.  Then, when I had
my surgery date scheduled, I told my family.  I had one cousin that
refused to talk to me about it, was mad at me and said to me "how and
why would you even think of this?"  I had asked her for support and
she wasn't there for me....we didn't talk for MONTHS!  I did have
other family members that were very supportive.  Then, people at work
were starting to ask me why I was off the schedule? What's wrong? You
okay?  So, I did tell my work family, reluctantly....  They were sooo
supportive! I had GASTRIC BYPASS (RNY) surgery on 11/28/11.


Me: What was your highest weight/size?

Kelly: 293lbs....my wedding day!  Suppose to be one of the happiest days in my
life.  I couldn't find a dress big enough.  I was a size 28.
Currently I am 193lbs and still losing.  I am still working on my weight
loss journey.

Me: WOW! You did it!! You hit 100 pound loss! WHAT A MILESTONE!!! I could NOT be any prouder!!! :) :) :)

Me: So, did the surgery do all the work for you...or did you have to put in
effort in too? How has the surgery changed you?

Kelly: The surgery is ONLY a tool!  You gotta be compliant and work!  This
has been one of the hardest things I have ever done! (and you as well
as me know how hard adoption can be!) (Kelly is a fellow adoptive mommy to two gorgeous girls from China and Cambodia!)
I can only eat small meals.  I don't eat meat, that is only a personal
preference, others eat meat.  I have to chew my food completely, about
25-30 bites.  I can't eat and drink fluid at the same meal.  Things
"get stuck"  See, my stomach is smaller, significantly small, about
3-4oz  I can't eat sweets...I will physically get sick (vomit,
diarrhea, stomach pain, sweaty, feel like I'm dying) Carbs are only
empty calories.  I fill up on protein first.  I drink 1-2 protein
shakes daily, I LOVE veggies! And water! lots of water!  I have to
carry a water jug with me all the time.  This procedure was a BIG
surgery!  I don't absorbed the food I eat now....it goes right through
me and BYPASSES everything else in me.  So, protein is a big deal for
me.  I needed it for healing after surgery and I need it now for
muscle, energy and strength.

Me: How did being in our challenge group impact your journey?

Kelly: I LOVE my challenge group/family.  You gals are so supportive, even
though you all didn't know what I have been through as far as my
weight issues.  The challenge group is great for accountability.  I am
more likely to do my exercise and follow the guidelines with the help
and positive support of them :-)

Me: What role did Shakeology play in your weight loss?

Kelly: I have tried A LOT of shakes!  Shakeology tastes great!  It has the
protein I need to keep me satisfied and full!  It has the vitamins and
nutrients I need, especially after having the weight loss surgery.

Me: What workouts did you do across the year of your journey?

Kelly: I was introduced to Beachbody's Turbo Jam, LOVE IT!  I also do the elliptical,
stationary bike, walk/run, zumba, I tried P90X....not ready for that
yet!  I like variety, I don't want to get bored in my exercise
routine.

Me: What would you tell someone who is struggling with their weight
and discouraged?

Kelly: Being overweight is hard on your body and your health.  It will kill
you, I was on that road, and I wanted off.  I made lots of u-turns and
always seemed to go back to my unhealthy ways of eating and not
exercising.  I was discouraged and I still have my days, but I have
the positive and encouraging support from my Beachbody friends and family!
;-)

Me: What is next for you?

Kelly: My weight loss journey isn't over yet, I still have more to lose.  I
have gained so much more!  The friendships and support have been
wonderful!  I had begun this journey thinking I was going to "get
skinny", well it is so much more!  I am HEALTHY! I have more energy to
play with my kids.  I get full bear hugs!  Before, no one could wrap
their arms around my almost 300 lb body!  I can sit in a stadium seat
without having pain from squeezing into the seat.  I can sit in an
airplane seat too!  I can buy "normal" clothes!
What's next? You ask.......I don't know.  I still want to gain healthy
tips and feel good through exercise and healthy living. This is NOT a
diet, it is a LIFESTYLE!  A LONG LIVING HEALTHY ONE!


Kelly added a post script: I am no longer on all that
medication.  Only 1 thyroid pill!  I take my vitamins and get
additional nutrition from Shakeology!  No longer a diabetic, nor suffer
from asthma or high blood pressure!  LIFE is GRAND!

We all REJOICE for the awesome results sweet Kelly has had! If YOU have been waiting to change your life...don't wait ANY LONGER!!! 

None of us knows how many days we have...but we do know that our days are indeed numbered:

"A person’s days are determined; you have decreed the number of his months and have set limits he cannot exceed." Job 14:5

“Show me, Lord, my life’s end and the number of my days; let me know how fleeting my life is."
Psalm 39:4

"Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom." Psalm 90:12

How many more of YOUR DAYS do you want to waste feeling fat, sick and tired? I would love love love to help you as I've helped Kelly. Click here to connect with me on Facebook and here to go to my coaching page! I can help you find the program that is best suited for you and offer you individualized coaching support! Maybe YOU will be featured NEXT on this blog! :)

Sharing My Secret...

So often people see me with my children and quip,

"Wow! They are all yours? You must have non-stop energy!"

I must admit that several years ago, I could never be doing what I'm doing now.

I was tired.

A lot.

Daily napping was not a luxury, it was a NECESSITY.

And coffee in the morning? Yes! And it wasn't just for the enjoyment...it was to start my body for the day...and keep me going later. I could drink a pot. For reals.

Enter Shakeology.

I was already a Team Beachbody coach before Darin Olien and Isabelle Daikeler invented the formula, so I was curious what Beachbody had created.

I placed my first order.

I was VERY IMPRESSED.

I began drinking it daily.

Things began to change.

I had energy that was...steady. I didn't have that dip in the afternoon.

No more desperate need to melt into the couch come 1 pm!!

And once I did a 3 day cleanse using Shakeology...it broke my addiction to caffeine and I have not been a regular coffee drinker ever since. It's been 3 years!

This summer, I contracted a parasite that trashed my intestines. It took FOREVER to get over. (I think it's done! FINALLY!) During this time, I went multiple times to my doctor who finally said, "Amy, I have no idea what's wrong with you."

I visited a naturalist. He is an Registered Nurse and knew a lot about a lot of things. As I visited with him, I told him I had a bag of my Shakeology in the car, would he like to see it?

He said no.

I brought it in anyway. ;)

When he looked at it, he had a critical look on his face. Then, he melted.

"Hmmm."

Silence.

Then, "Wow. I've never seen a product packed full of so many good super foods. You should drink this everyday!"

He later came back to the subject of Shakeology and told me, "100% of the time when people bring their shakes in to me I tell them they are not worth anything. They isolate one or two good foods and then the rest of the shake is full of man made or synthetic fillers that render them useless. But this is the FIRST SHAKE I've ever seen to truly be full of healthy good foods that I would want to drink myself!"

It was pretty amazing, considering he had no connections with me or Beachbody and had never seen the product before.

Tony Horton of P90X fame and a trainer with Beachbody recently made this video about why he likes Shakeology. Tony is a fitness king and a vegan. He is uber careful with all the foods he puts in his body.

Enjoy watching this and now you know...

SHAKEOLOGY is MY SECRET!!! 

If you would like to try Shakeology for yourself, Beachbody always has a 30 day money back guarantee. You can even mail back the EMPTY bag within those days and receive a full refund if it doesn't meet your satisfaction.

Here's where you can buy some and have the commission help bring Toby home from China:

Buy Shakeology for Toby

Now my secret can become YOURS!

My Yum Yum List

Did you know? Eating every 3-4 hours is key in not overeating later in the day/night...and it keeps your metabolism steady and burning all day.

I thought maybe I'd post a few of the things I like to snack on with the hopes that you'll get some encouragement to eat light as we approach summer...

                                                                            ...and I'm hoping for some new ideas too!

So read on and be sure to comment with your favorite Yum Yum snack! :)

Shakeology Balls--recipe from Chalene Johnson's Push book!
1 cup PB2 (another GREAT secret--Powdered peanut butter with 85% of the fat removed! AWESOME!)
1/2 cup natural peanut butter (I use Trader Joe's that is full of flax seeds!)
1 cup quick oats
1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
1 scoop Chocolate Shakeology powder
Stevia, Truvia sweetener to taste

Mix all in bowl. Wet hands and form into ping-pong size balls. Place in wax paper in fridge...or enjoy write off your fingers! YUM!

2 balls are only 135 calories! SCORE!!

Amy's Healthy Ice Cream--okay, this isn't really ice cream, but it's so good, you can fool yourself!

1 cup Fage Greek yogurt
1 cup frozen red raspberries
Stevia/Truvia sweetener to taste

Tons of protein, no fat and just 209 calories for a huge bowlful!

Carrots and Hummus
Just what it sounds like...I used to dip whole wheat pita chips in hummus, but have recently been backing off on my "breads" and am just as satisfied with carrots in my hummus dip! Mini carrots are more fun too!

Depending on your hummus, anywhere from 35-70 calories for 2 Tablespoons of hummus and another 35 calories for 3 ounces of carrots.

Ends and Pieces from Trader Joe's
The 100% dried fruit bars need to be trimmed into their perfect shapes...what do they do with all those leftover edges? They bag them up in "Ends and Pieces!" You never know what flavor fruit you'll get and they are so healthy!!

4-5 pieces for 100 calories.

Tony Horton's Sticky Bar from Bring It! by Tony Horton
1/2 banana
1/2 cup lean healthy cereal (Kashi Go Lean is what I've used)
1 heaping tablespoon crunchy almond or peanut butter (natural)
Mash all together in a bowl. Roll mixture into a bar. Freeze.  Zap on high 20 seconds in your microwave when you are ready to enjoy!

Calorie count? 215.

Apple and Almond Butter
What a great snack the combination of the sweet apple and stick-to-your-ribs of almond butter! I measure out 1 tablespoon of Almond butter and dip 1/2 an apple (wedged) in for a filling and healthy snack!

Calories in this combination usually run about 145.

Tropical Strawberry Shakeology
This new member of the Shakeology family has me smitten! I prefer it to both Greenberry and Chocolate and have lots of favorite ways to make it. Recently, I've indulged in a cup of skim milk, 2 tablespoons of walnuts and a dash of cinnamon. HEAVEN!

Just in water and ice it comes in at just 160 calories. Slurp!!

Kale Chips
Oh my wow!! How can you get more greens in your diet? Like THIS! Buy a head of kale...wash and dry WELL. Tear off the main stem and lightly coat with olive oil and sprinkle with sea salt. Spread them on a cookie sheet and bake for 18 -20 mins in a 300 degree oven. YOU WILL BE AMAZED! They melt in your mouth the way cotton candy does! They taste a bit like a potato chip, but remember you are eating a green vegetable. Try it! If you don't make them right the first time, TRY AGAIN! I bombed my first try and the second left them begging for more! (My littles and I ate an entire head of kale in one sitting!)

P90X Protein Bars

I have always ordered the variety box, but have settled currently on the Chocolate Fudge variety. Since this is a processed food, I eat these sparingly. But they are so yummy and a great grab-and-go treat!

One bar is 20 grams of protein (WOW!) and 260 calories.

Dried fruit
Dried fruit is great for the road! I love apricots and apples in particular. Craisins are another favorite--just watch the portion size!

With dried apples 10 rings are just 110 calories. With Cranberries, just 1/4 cup can be 140 calories!

Nuts
I'm nuts for nuts! This is heart healthy fats that taste delish and fill you up! My favs are walnuts, almonds, cashews and pistachios. Raw and unsalted are my preference. Eating too much salt makes you retain water. Boo!

Be VERY careful with your portion size! Just a 1/4 cup can be 200 calories. It's easy peasy to overeat on nuts, so measure them out before your hunger strikes!

What are YOUR favorite snacks?

Comment below and share your ideas!

Decide to GAIN weight for Christmas?!?!

With P90X creator Tony Horton at the Diamond
Beachbody Coach Gala party in LA

As many people know, I am proud to be a Beachbody Coach. I just LOVE it! However, due to our adoption process and going independently, I've not been able to focus on it intensely.

And I've learned that adopting a child is VERY SIMILAR to having a birth child...life is thrown completely out of whack and regular workouts are a distant memory! I've heard it said that adopting an older child is just like having a newborn except that they don't lay down for a nap every 2-3 hours! RIGHT!!

Granted I didn't gain that dreaded pregnancy weight this time, but I have really struggled to get time to workout as I had so regularly done before.

So... I decided to jump back in with a Fitness Challenge that will stretch across the holidays like a big blanket of snow! I mean really--how many of us actually WANT to gain that  5-10 pounds that are SOOOOO easy to pick up during Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years?

Do you know that if you do not decide to lose weight during the holidays you will actually gain it? So if you do nothing, you are in effect deciding to gain weight for Christmas!!!! Hey, please pass the fudge. ;)

Think about what it would be like to hit New Year's Eve and realize, "I AM ALREADY LIVING LIKE I WANT TO," and your only resolution to be "keep it up?"

Not possible? Hmmmm. I think you can do it!

So, that's where this challenge is going to come in!! :)

I am offering to coach FIVE people over the holidays and into the New Year (to Grandmother's house we go!). We will develop a community of encouragement and accountability all striving to improve our health TOGETHER. This is a beta test group so there are going to be some requirements so we can get good results.

What are the requirements?

*You must be committed for 90 days. That stretch will look like mid-November through mid-February.

*You need to drink Shakeology daily. And we are hoping for that awesome new TROPICAL vegan flavor to come out in the first quarter of 2012!!!

*You must commit to a Beachbody program. Nearly all programs are 6 days a week of exercise. Some are 5. The daily time commitment is usually 45 - 60 minutes.

*You must be on Facebook. The reason for this requirement is that I want to have all of us in a private group together where we can build relationships, encourage and stay accountable.

*I will recommend that people log their nutrition into an online fitness app like MyFitnessPal. We can all "friend" each other there and stay accountable that way too!

Now for some good news!

On November 1, 2011 Beachbody will release the "Challenge Packs" which include:
* a home direct order of Shakeology,
*a fitness program of your choice,
* 1 free month of the Beachbody Club (The Club includes an awesome meal planner and other great weight loss/fitness related tools).

There are three packs to choose from but since they have not been officially released, I cannot post which fitness programs are in which pack. However, the prices are in the neighborhood of $160 for the beginning programs up to $205 for the more advanced programs. Each pack will come with free shipping and will also save on the whole cost from $25-$45 (than if you ordered Shakeology and the fitness program separately). :)

If this sounds like something  you are ready to COMMIT to...then add a comment to this post and let me know. I will not publish your comments. Supply me with an email and if we aren't already Facebook friends, then request me or give me your page in the comment and I'll look you up.

I'm excited to see who God brings together for this challenge and I'm ready to kick myself back into gear after our adoption!

Holiday weight gain? Not me!! Not YOU! ;)

Love Strand 28/28 The Final Entry...

It was quiet.

TOO QUIET.

And this is where I found her...

This child--how dearly I love her--tests my patience hourly. She is the busiest little person I have ever known. Her antics often make me stress out (call the pediatrician!) or just pull out my hair (get down from there!). Sometimes I'm just grossed out, like the time she found a discarded straw and proceeded to use it in the toilet water (pleeeeeease tell me the last person flushed!!) Oh me oh my!

This time I burst out laughing!

Her older sister had not finished drinking her chocolate Shakeology. DQ climbed up onto the table and dumped it. She made a lovely rainbow shape with the palm of her hand and proceeded to delight in ingesting the wholesome goodness. She wasn't sure if she was in hot water or if Mommy was okay with this, but after my camera got clicking she realized it must be okay. 

Not just okay...it's GOOD for you!!

If you aren't familiar with Shakeology, it's an amazing meal replacement shake made with whole foods that contain no synthetic ingredients or chemicals. Brian and I drink it daily and love it. Our kids beg us for it, so when we give it them it's a real treat! DQ is a smart cookie and made good on the little leftover in Anneli's cup! So cute, isn't she? :)

Here's the Shakeology button if you want to learn more: