My 21 Day Gut Health Cleanse

The Ultimate Reset is a 21 Day Cleanse committed to eating clean and living a healthy life. 

This cleanse is NOT easy. It's created to work. It's created to learn about sacrifice.

What I learned: 

- so much about discipline

- how to grocery shop and prepare

- how to enjoy new healthy, portioned, nutritious meals

- freedom from things holding me down

- needs vs. wants

What can change: 

- A transformation physically, mentally, and emotionally

- The body's detoxification process 

- Weightloss

 - Improved my energy levels

- Postive attitude

- Better regularity

 - Improved cholesterol

Was it easy? No. Just like a good workout, this is tough and will bring challenges. 

What made it easier? A support of a ton of people online are doing it/have done it too AND the support of an accountability buddy. 

What does it entail? 

- taking targeted supplements: detox, power greens, soothe, mineralize, optimize, and revitalize.

- lots of water + sleep

- a daily meal plan with specific recipes for all 21 days of the reset

- lots of cooking and meal prepping

- an option for only light workouts, like walking or yoga

I accounted for every meal I ate, for accountability and encouragement for others on their journey. Every meal is on Instagram. 

Here are a few examples of what an average day might 

look like (this is day 2, day 11, and day 18): 

So...let's get to it. 

Why did I decide to dive in and commit to doing the Ultimate Reset? 

If you've been following me, you might know that my husband and I struggle with infertility. 

Since last summer, I haven't been able to manage my weight despite my daily workouts, my portion control, my daily superfood shake.

I have the BEST tools and the BEST accountability. 

But sometimes, things like infertility like to rear their ugly head and mess even more up. 

Why? 

A year of hormone imbalance, infertility meds, lots of pain and testing, loss, 

hypothyroidism, stress, cutting back from workouts (per doctors request), ..did I mention hormone imbalances had me shopping for new clothes and looking for change.

Hormone imbalances impact SO much of our lives. 

But you know what? Sometimes even when it feels like everything is uncontrollable...sometimes, you can eat clean, workout, stay positive but still things are not in your control. 

 I found my way to control it in 21 days. 

I found my way to control it with the Ultimate Reset. 

In 21 days...

I got rid of: 13 lbs., built up toxins, an addiction to coffee, hopelessness, the need to snack

I gained: energy, feeling  legitimately "cleaner", better sleep, hope, a perspective change, more of an understanding of food, freedom, control

This is not easy to share. But, I've committed to helping people, 

so that takes priority over my comfort zone. 

Our infertility struggle does not get to win this one. 

Let me repeat, our infertility struggle does not get to win this one. 

I'm already back to my workout routines, committed to keeping up these habits, and I'm excited for this momentum as summer rolls in. 

If you're interested in the Ultimate Reset, I would love to walk beside you as you find the freedoms I have found. Click here to join my next challenge and we'll get you started. 

Raspberry Chia Seed Pudding

This recipe is taken from the Ultimate Reset (a 21 day detox program). 

It's vegan, raw, and DELICIOUS. 

This is offered as one of the snack for Phase 2 (the week/phase) called 'Release'. 

Makes: 2 servings

What you need: 

1/4 cup chia seeds

1 1/4 cup coconut water 

ground cinnamon

How to make it: 

- Combine chia seeds and coconut water in a medium bowl

- Mix well and break any clumps

- Keep at room temperature for 30 minutes and mix off and on

- Add a dash of cinnamon

- Seal well (I recommend a very air tight container) and refrigerate overnight

- Enjoy

Paleo Lemon Poppyseed Muffins

Makes: 8 muffins

Time: 1 hour

What you need: 

4 eggs

3 tbsp lemon juice

1 tsp vanilla extract

1/3 cup coconut flour

1/4 cup melted coconut oil

1/4 cup honey

1/8 tsp salt

1/2 tsp baking soda

1 tbsp poppyseeds

• 
  

To make: 

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees

2. In a food processor, add the eggs, lemon juice, vanilla extract, coconut flour, coconut oil, honey, salt, and baking soda and process

3. Pulse in the tbsp of poppyseeds

4. In a muffin tin, pour combination to make 8 muffins

5. Bake for 25-30 minutes

6. To verify muffins are finished, insert a fork or toothpick

7. Cool for 20 minutes

My Favorite Vegan Superfoods

Huge news! Are you dairy-free too??

 I've been using Shakeology for 3 years this month...bonkers, right?! I mean, consistently, what have you been doing for your health for 3 years?! Our go-to is chocolate vegan but on occasion, Kyle gets Cafe Latte (because he loves that Frapp taste) but I can never really share it because I'm not supposed to have dairy. One time, we ran out of my chocolate vegan and had only vanilla for a few days. The aftermath of dairy in my system was worth all of those superfoods I need to have energy, help with my digestive issues, lower my stress levels, and curb my cravings. BUT here's the good news!!!!!

Vanilla and Cafe Latte now come in vegan formulas!

There are so many superfood options now: 

Vegan: chocolate, vanilla, cafe latte, or strawberry

Non-Vegan: chocolate, vanilla, cafe latte, greenberry, or strawberry

Not sure what this superfood shake is? Click here! 

 They've even added macha! I love how the recipes are evolving. I found something cool out this past weekend about why they took while to get these formulas to be vegan -- it's all related to keeping them as natural as possible and toxic-free! How cool is that?! I love the integrity behind the ingredients! 

Dairy free friends (I know there are a lot of you), wanna try it for 30 days? 

Let me know!

*BONUS: get the all access pass to have an online gym for a year for just $30 more when you get the new vegan Shake with this link (also registers you for my next accountability challenge): http://tinyurl.com/Gymforayear

Beauty is Found Within

This is not my normal post, so if you're oppose to magic and all things Disney, just move along. So, like every girl who grew up in the 90's, I was obsessed with Beauty and the Beast. I related to Belle as a child...she desired adventure, she was seen as "odd", she was a brunette (unlike many of the other princesses), she was different than the other girls, she was brave, and she didn't just fall for any guy.

Here's proof: 

 If you haven't seen the live action Beauty and the Beast, GO see it. 

The movie surpassed my expectations. If you didn't already know that I'm Disney obsessed, then you don't know me. I have never cared for Cinderella but I saw the live action in the theatre, because at the time, I was a cast member at Walt Disney World and I went with friends. To my surprise, I loved it. 

When it was announced that Emma Watson would play Belle, I just couldn't get Hermione out of my head (I too, am a Harry Potter fan). When still shots started rolling out of the enchanted characters, I wasn't impressed. I was just nervous it wouldn't live up to the hype. I was wrong. I saw it twice opening weekend, and a third time this past week -- yep, I'm that girl, and I haven't stopped playing the soundtrack since.

Here are some of my favorite things about the live action film: 

SPOILER ALERT

1. You might not have noticed, but the two people helping the Prince getting ready during the Prologue are Lumiere and Cogsworth (in human form). 

2. Belle appeared to be much more brave. 

(Also, those outfits of hers...I want all of them!)

3. Maurice talks slightly more about Belle's mom and describes her as 'fearless'. I love that it's the one thing that Belle has to hold on to. 

4. This quote added to the updated song, "Belle": 

5. I truly despise Gaston. I never understood the draw to him. I thought Luke Evans and Josh Gad portrayed the perfect Gaston and Le Fou...like, somehow better than the cartoon.

6. Because they decided to not make Maurice an inventor, they still showed creativity and invention with Belle (making the laundry "machine").

7. THIS QUOTE: "Can anyone be happy if they aren't free?"

You guys. This. This. This. 

8. EVERMORE. This song brought more of a broadway musical feel to it and I can't get enough of it. 

9. I love how they slightly change the way Belle disposes of her yellow gown on the way back to the castle after rescuing Maurice. 

10. The reuniting scene was fantastic. The entire Potts family! The villagers remembering the castle! The castle transforming into it's original, beautiful exterior. 

I'm glad they answered questions I've had since 1991: 

- Where did her mom go? answered.

- Why do those in the provincial town know nothing about this mysterious castle? answered. 

- Where is Chip's dad? answered. 

- Why are some household items not enchanted? answered.

Questions I still have: 

1. Why did Belle STILL not get to eat during 'Be Our Guest'? not answered. 

2. What's with the Taj Mahal in 'Be Our Guest'? No one, even on the interwebs has answered this. 

Literally, that's it. 

Have you seen it? Did you love it? 

What is the All Access Pass?

If you follow me on Facebook or Instagram, you've probably seen that I've been super excited about major news! Team Beachbody has launched a new program for it's customers and coaches (new and old)! I remember when I used to have to drive to the gym, fight over equipment, spray it down to get previous gym-goers sweat off, and then worry that my cellulite was showing or if I would fall off the treadmill or if I was using a machine wrong, fit it in my schedule with their limited hours and limited parking spots....and THEN I remember a time when I finally fired my gym after I found at-home workouts. I bought a challenge pack, started drinking Shakeology, I'd pop in a DVD and workout at home for 30 minutes a day and found incredible results. THEN, I remember when Beachbody switched over from using DVDs to having the capability to stream our workouts. This changed the game. Not only could I stream all of the workouts I had bought from my iPad, phone, Mac, or T.V. but I could also have access to programs and a healthy cooking show at my disposal. What a game changer!

It's kind of like how we all used to drive to Blockbuster, spend time picking out a movie, drive back home, put it in our VHS or DVD players, then have to make sure we got it back to Blockbuster on time or we would be fined! Do you remember a day when we had to watch shows (AND commercials) live or we couldn't see them!? Now, most of us stream all of our shows and movies through Netflix or Hulu! Can you believe how much has changed in just a few years?

So, what does this have to do with fitness and a healthy lifestyle??
Well, as technology changes, so does our lifestyle, right? There will never be a way around clean eating and exercise for a healthy weightloss and while that's not changing, what is changing is the incredibly vast tools and options we have to get the results we want! About 3 years ago, I was one of the first people to try the 21 Day Fix; you may have heard of it! This program completely changed my life and my husband's life! I learned how to eat with proper portions, grocery shop, meal prep, and fit 30 minutes of workouts in my busy schedule with the support of a challenge group.

It's crazy that in these short 3 years, how much I've seen change within this world of Beachbody -- the company, trainers, and technological team is constantly move with the times and help us get the results we want, to feel our best! I've really seen firsthand how Beachbody On Demand has helped change so many lives--especially for mamas!

The latest and greatest announcement is the new Annual All-Access Beachbody on Demand Challenge Pack and Membership! You've heard of programs like P90X, Insanity, 21 Day Fix, Cize, Country Heat, Brazilian Butt Lift, and PiYo, right? Well, maybe you've bought one of the DVD's and you fell off your plan. Maybe you've been wanting to try a new program, maybe go from Pilates to now dancing? Guess what? This program not only provides you with EVERY program created by Beachbody, but also includes future releases. You'll have access to all of these incredible, diverse programs on a digital library you can access plus anything new with no additional purchase for 12 entire months! This incredible opportunity has a limited availability for purchase.

Reasons I think that the Annual All-Access Beachbody on Demand will give an opportunity for even better results and why I can't wait to upgrade my account to it...

Here's what you'll get:
- 1 year membership to Beachbody on Demand (aka BOD) with all content plus future releases
- Portion Fix (which includes a 7 piece portion control container system, an eating guide, container, and a shaker cup)
- Your choice of Shakeology flavor (a 30 day supply on home direct)

For an entire year, ALL for $160 -- with no monthly fees
(Business Starter Kit will be waived if you choose the coach enrollment choice at time of purchase)

The reason this is SUPER incredible news is because all of this is worth thousands of dollars...but to be honest, the real reason I'm so excited is for how Beachbody has changed my life.
I always say that I would've paid my $140 (the original cost of my first challenge pack - which included a bag of Shakeology, the 21 Day Fix DVDs, and the portion fix container system) over and over and over to find freedom in eating, to find freedom in weightloss, to find freedom from searching for something, to find confidence, to find energy, the list goes on....
As your coach, I'll be able to help you:
- plan which programs you want to do to help you get your results.
- every single step of the way.
- be encouraged and have support every single day in our challenge groups.
- create meal plans and recipes for your whole family.
- create discipline and time management to create a healthy lifestyle.
- find freedom, confidence, energy, and weightloss.

As we choose programs and meal plans, the goal will be to create a sustainable healthy lifestyle. You'll have so many options to help you achieve your goals. We can mix, match, and change your plans to find what works for you so this is the year that you don't give up!

My next accountability wellness group officially launches on April 3rd! We will all be setting achievable goals, logging our workouts, our nutrition plans, and Shakeology weekly in an app so you can see how far you've come, to stay on track, be encouraged by others with 24/7 support!

Now here are all the nitty gritty details:
-To order at the discounted -$20 off rate for this month only: http://tinyurl.com/gymforayear
           - Click on 'All Access Annual Pass with Shakeology Challenge Pack'
           - Choose your Shakeology flavor (now even more vegan flavors)
           - You'll be added to our next challenge group for daily support
           - Congrats! You've done the hardest step -- choosing your health and life!
- If you're already a BOD customer, call 1-800-470-7870 and cancel your existing On Demand service and upgrade to the All Access account.
- The Annual All Access Beachbody On Demand Challenge Pack is $160 (JUST THIS MONTH).
- Without Shakeology, the Annual All Beachbody on Demand (for just the accessibility to the workouts online and without one-on-one support, Shakeology nutrition, or portion containers for proper nutrition is $99.95.

Click here to ask questions or join us!