Seeing the "WHY" and Reaching Success

 I hope everyone had a simply fabulous Mother's Day! I am so excited to say I achieved my weekly goal of jogging 2 miles. Yesterday I went to the ball fields after a fantastic Mother's Day lunch with my husband and son. It was so peaceful. Nothing but me and nature. I had the iPod all ready to go, when suddenly I realized - the battery was dead. No worries. It was too beautiful a day to let a little thing like that keep me from jogging my victory miles. So I just let the sounds of nature and the crushing pebbles beneath my feet keep me company. Before I knew it, I had reached 2.14 miles! Life is good.

It definitely made me more aware of the "WHY" in pushing forward with my fitness and nutrition goals. I really want to be someone my son can look up to. I want him to see that it is possible to enjoy a happy healthy life. I'm hoping that by putting our health and fitness as a priority, I will somehow help him to avoid all those pitfalls I suffered through. Not to mention the fact that I want to be around for him.

Today started Week 6 with the P90X +®. This morning was Upper Body Plus / Abs Core Plus. I'm so excited about my progress. I just know that Clean Eating, P90X+® and jogging are going to ROCK ME LEAN!!!

Here is a great recipe I threw together tonight to keep us moving forward! I just love exploring all the great vegetable alternatives out there! Eating Clean is not only healthy and fun - it's NUTRITIOUS! What more could a mom as for?

Chickpea and Barley Vegetable Soup

2 quarts water
1 (29 oz.) can Chickpeas, drained and rinsed
1 (12 oz.) pkg frozen Mirepoix Cajun Blend Vegetables (Onions, Celery, Green Peppers)
1 (12 oz. )pkg frozen Mixed Vegetables
1 can Petite Tomatoes, drained
1 cup uncooked Pearl Barley

2 cubes Vegetable Bouillon
1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
2 ½ tsp Sea Salt
1 tsp Thyme
1 tsp Minced Garlic
1 tsp Parsley
1 tsp Curry Powder
¼ tsp Black Pepper
1 Bayleaf, crushed

In large soup pot, combine all ingredients.  Bring to rapid boil. Reduce to medium heat and cook 60-90 minutes until barley is tender stirring occasionally. Ladle into serving bowls and enjoy.

Nutrition Facts

8 Servings

Amount Per Serving

Calories 233.5 Total Fat 1.6g  Sodium 369.1 mg
Potassium 337.9 mg Total Carbohydrate 47.5 g
Dietary Fiber 9.7 g Sugars 1.2 g Protein 8.5 g

*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

Time to TURBO Your P90X - Exclusive TurboFire® Sneak Preview

I am so excited to announce that from May 3, 2010 thru June 2, 2010 Team BeachBody is offering an exclusive sneak preview to the much anticipated TurboFire®. Tony Horton One on One® subscribers will get a FREE full workout sample of TurboFire®, the new High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) Program. If you've been looking for a program to rev up your metabolism and get maximum calorie burn, you won't want to miss the chance to preview this program. It is the perfect addition to your P90X® regimen. For all you serious P90X® fans, this will be taking your cardio program to the next level.TurboFire® is a great idea for P90X® users who want to add more cardio to their regimen and an excellent "graduate" course for Turbo Jam®, Hip Hop Abs®, or Slim in 6® enthusiasts.

Don't know what HIIT really is? HIIT is a high intensity interval training routine that is specifically designed to help you get maximum results through cycling your cardio routine with high intensity energy burst. When you do a normal cardio routine, your body adapts to the routine and burns calories in what is known as a "steady state." With a HIIT routine you don't allow your body to reach this steady state, thus you will be burning more calories! This type of training raises your heart rate and allows you to keep burning calories long after your workout. This is definitely the type of fitness program you need if you are looking to rev up your metabolism and trim fat. It is an excellent addition to any weight loss regimen.

What better way to introduce TurboFire® than to bring it along with Tony Horton's One on One® subscription. Any P90X® enthusiast will love continuing their P90X® program with a new workout delivered to their mailbox each and every month! Tony's One on One® workouts offer the same P90X® intensity only at quicker pace. Most workouts are between 20-40 minutes long and are designed to target a specific muscle group. This month enjoy Tony's One on One® 4 Legs! Tony works the biggest muscles in your body while forcing you to work on one leg! The benefits of this program will be apparent as you build strength, stamina and balance. This is definitely a MUST-HAVE for any P90X® fan!



So what are you waiting for? Let's get your fitness on track today! Order Tony's One on One® today! Don't forget, if you order through me - I will be your fitness coach! Together we can knock out those workouts and BRING IT P90X® Style! If you are looking for a fitness coach that will be there and keep you motivated, then I am the girl for you. Not sure if you are P90X® ready? Just visit my website and look at all the other in home fitness programs Team Beachbody has to offer. I will be more than happy to visit with you and get your fitness started in the right direction. Simply hit the CONTACT button and let's talk fitness!

Understanding Vegan vs. Vegetarian

The more I study about the vegan society and vegetarians, the more I am convinced there is so much to explore. First, would probably be to distinguish the difference between the two groups. Vegans advocate that our food should come from fruits, nuts, vegetables, grains and other nonanimal products. This would also include not eating eggs, milk, butter, cheese and honey. Yes, I did say honey. If it is something that came from an animal source - insects included - vegans do not consume it. In the fabulous words of Tony Horton, "if it has eyes and feet - don't eat." Veganism focuses on alternatives to the use of animals and animal products for our survival. They strive for living compassionately by means that benefit both man and animal. They are strong advocates against animal cruelty and usage.

Vegetarians on the other hand tend to have a broader scope when it comes to their nutritional choices. In fact there is more than one type of vegetarian! Who knew? Seems there is basically a category that almost anyone can fit into that is trying to clean up their diet. Some of the different types include:

• Flexitarians - people who mainly eat a vegetarian diet, but occasionally eat meat.
• Lacto vegetarians - people who eat no flesh of any kind, but their diet includes dairy products.
• Lacto-ovo vegetarians - same as Lacto vegetarians only their diet includes eggs.
• Macrobiotic - people who refrain from the use of any processed or refined foods. Their diets are largely whole grains, seeds, beans and vegetables.
• Fruitarians - people who eat primarily fruit. A person is considered a Fruitarian if 75% of their diet is fruit. Fruitarians also seeds, nuts and vegetables like tomatoes.
• Pollo vegetarians - people who mainly eat a vegetarian diet, but include poultry in their diet. Some Pollo vegetarians also include eggs and dairy products.
• Pescetarians - people who mainly eat a vegetarian diet, but include fish and sea food in their diet. Pescetarians refrain from eating mammal or bird.

These are only a few. The list goes on and on. After finishing our last challenge on the Cinderella Pact, I've tried really hard to maintain the vegan diet. But have to admit, it has been a little difficult for me. I tend to be more the Pescetarian. Not that I don't totally enjoy all the terrific vegetable options out there - because I truly do. I just seem to really lack in quick and easy ideas and keep going back to fish. One of my favorite easy fish meals is:

EASY BAKED TILAPIA

1 Large Package of frozen Tilapia (about 12 pcs)
3 tbsp of Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Chesapeake Bay Seasoning
Lemon Pepper
Paprika
Dill Weed
2 (10 oz.) packages of frozen vegetables
Garlic Powder

In 9 X 13 baking dish drizzle olive oil. Roll frozen tilapia to coat with oil. Sprinkle seasonings (Chesapeake Bay, Lemon Pepper, Paprika, Dill weed) to coat top of tilapia (I didn't give measurements here because I love to sprinkle heavy...love lots of spices). Pour frozen vegetables over the top of seasoned fish then sprinkle tops of vegetables with Garlic Powder. Cover with aluminum foil and seal the edges. Bake in preheated oven at 375 degrees for 45-60 minutes. Fish will be flaky when done. Remove from oven and set on top of stove for about 5 minutes. Peel back foil and enjoy!!! Perfect every time!!! WE LOVE THIS.The photo above is Easy Baked Tilapia with broccoli florets. I also prepared Taste of Home's Easy Vegetable Rice.

So whether you are trying to become a vegan or just exploring some of the alternative vegetarian diets out there, one thing is certain - eating more fresh vegetables, fruits and whole grains will definitely enhance your nutritional regimen. There is truly a perfect balance between clean eating and exercise. It is called a NEW FIT YOU!!!

I'd love to hear about your favorite vegetarian dishes or simply where you go to find your favorite recipes. Please feel free to leave a comment!

Making the Most of Your Time

You know it really is CRAZY just how many people I have tell me they "just don't have time" to workout or they wish "they had more time" and then they could workout. I would really like to be more sympathetic, but the truth is I really can't be. I know that may sound a little harsh, but when someone says this to me the first thought that goes through my mind is "you are telling me you don't have TIME for YOU!" WOW! You have decided that everything else in the world is far more important than YOU. Ok, maybe that is really not what you are intending to say - but it is how it just came across.

Truth of the matter is we all have the same 24 hours a day as everyone else on the planet. There is no possible way I could give you more hours in your day, or for that matter take any away from you. The thing I will do for you is show you how to plan. You need to know how to put "YOU" on the list.

1.  Start each day off by making a "to-do" list. List out the 10 most important tasks you would like to accomplish that day. Then number each item by relevance of importance.
2. Invest in one of those cute little inexpensive daily planners. I like the ones that have my days broken down in 15 minute increments.
3. The first thing I want you to put in your daily planner is your workout time. Block off at least 1-hour of uninterrupted time you can devote to working out (whether it's going for a jog, walk or hammering out one of those P90X routines...GET IT IN THE PLANNER). If you are going to a gym to workout, be sure you allow travel time to and from the gym. BONUS: If you are doing P90X or another home fitness program...you are already making more effective use of that precious time =). Statistics prove we are more likely to keep our appointments when we schedule them. So think of it like that important meeting or doctor's appointment you wouldn't want to miss. Then just as you would keep those appointments - commit to the one you just made for your fitness.
4. Next, take each of those important task you want to accomplish and schedule them in your planner. You will be surprised how much easier it is to fit something into your daily routine when you have it on paper. 

Your fitness really is an important part of making sure you are living the quality of life you deserve. So when you are making that appointment, try to schedule a time that will be both realistic and productive. If you are a morning person, plan to workout first thing after you get up. If you are more of a night owl, plan your workouts for the evening hours. All of us are different. Just be sure to find a time where you will be energized to give it your best effort.  Working out first thing in the mornings works best for me because then I know it will get done and don't have to worry about any other distractions taking away from my "me-time."

You may find that you run into the unexpected and sometimes all the things you wanted to get done don't happen on your "to-do" list. That's ok. Life is like that. We all have projects that take a little more time than we expected or something else comes up and you don't get to it. You haven't failed. As a matter of fact, you probably accomplished much more with your day had you not planned at all. Just carry it over to the next day's "to-do" list. The point is to try to schedule your day instead of leaving it all to chance. Successful people make good use of their time. They have a plan!

I'm really excited that my planning is starting to pay off. The other night after going for my jog when I came home to take a shower I noticed my back muscles are FINALLY starting to show! YAY me! So I had to grab the camera and take a quick photo. I have my 30-Day photos coming up on Monday. I can't wait to see the comparison. It truly is the best reward when you can actually see your efforts!

Keep bringing it!!!