Keeping it Fresh: The best way to store your produce

Having this little chart helps me to keep my basic produce items fresh longer.  I was also a bit surprised by the apples.  I have always just put them in a bowl on the kitchen table for us to "grab and go".  But I will say that they sure seem crisper and taste a little sweeter when they are chilled!  For a more complete list of all your favorite grocery store items check out this handy article....How to Store Your Groceries

Beauty that Counts!

Every year one of my favorite companies, Mary Kay Cosemetics, does a fantastic fundraiser to support the fight against domestic abuse and cancers that affect women.  This program is called Beauty that Counts and when a customers orders one of these amazing lip glosses she will be joining that fight.   This summer they are offering 2 gorgeous lipgloss colors that look beautiful on all skin tones.  I love them both! The Mary Kay Foundation is truly a blessing and the work that they do is changing lives.  Please consider helping me raise money for this great cause!  I believe we can make a difference and I am hoping together we can purchase 100 of these awesome glosses.  If your are interested in helping out please go to Beauty that Counts or contact your Mary Kay beauty consultant to order yours today.

21 Day Fix Approved Mexican Lasagna: My new "go too" favorite.

I love Mexican food and quite honestly could eat it everyday!  However, it is usually very high in calories and eating it often does not help my fight against extra pounds.  So, I tried several recipes and tweaked them to satisfy, not on my tastebuds, but also my desire to keep it simple, easy and healthy.  Here is the finally product and it is a crowd pleaser!  This makes an appearance on our family menu at least twice a month....

MEXICAN LASAGNA  (21 Day Fix approved)

1lb Ground Turkey
1 Jar Organic Salsa (we use Hot)
1 1/2 cups Fat Free Refried Beans (2 red containers)
12 Corn Tortillas
1 1/2 cups Colby Jack Cheese  (6 blue containers)

Brown and drain turkey.  Add the jar of organic salsa to meat and simmer on low until heated through.  In a greased 13x9 pan layer 6 corn tortillas on the bottom.  Spread 1 red container or 3/4 cup of beans over tortillas.  Then layer with 1/2 the meat mixture.  Layer remaining 6 tortillas on top and repeat with beans and meat.  Then top with 6 blue containers or 1 1/2 cups of cheese.  Bake at 350 for 30 minutes or until heated through.

Serves 6 and is 1 red, 1 green, 1 yellow and 1 blue

Triple Threat Fitness: About Me

Triple Threat Fitness: About Me: I am a 42 year old wife and mother with 3 beautiful 9 year old identical triplet girls, Sadee, Savannah and Sarah.  I began my fitness journey just a short time ago.  On September 1st 2013 a friend introduced me to Beachbody and Shakeology and little did I know how both of these would change my life.  After 8 years of carrying extra "baby weight" (times 3) I was frustrated and depressed about the way my body looked and felt.  I was looking for a way to get in shape and shed those last 30 unwanted pounds from a pregnancy that had packed on 65 extra pounds nearly 9 years before.  Unfortunately, working full time and chasing the girls' activities made going to the gym unrealistic and, quite honestly, too expensive for me.  So, with the support of my husband and kids I jumped in head first to this beachbody lifestyle and have loved every minute of it.  The exercises are challenging and push me to reach my full fitness potential.  The eating plans have taught me a much better way to cook and prepare healthy meals for my family.  After losing nearly 30 pounds since beginning  this journey I have the decided to share my experience and help others achieve their health and fitness goals.  The purpose of this blog is to share healthy lifestyle tips for all of you!

Cinnamon Vanilla Latte Protein Shake

This is my morning "happy place"!  It is so wonderful, who needs Starbucks?

New Year, New You....

Well, this is it...the time ever year that we all start to loose steam in our New Year's Resolutions. Especially if that resolution has to do with diet and exercise. Let's make this year we all stay on track!!! Love this article...

http://pinterest.com/pin/140315344616762100/

Protein Shake Recipe: Fall Flavors

Fall is my favorite time of year.  I love the crisp autumn air and the beautiful colors that paint the world around us.  Nothing says fall more to me than apples and pumpkins, so I thought I would share two of my new fall recipe favorites.  Apple Pie Shakeology and Pumpkin Pie Shakeology!  These two awesome shake recipes are a delicious way to start the day or to have as a sweet indulgence.  I hope you love them as much as I do...

APPLE PIE SHAKE

8 oz water

1/2 cup unsweetened apple sauce

1/2 tsp cinnamon 

1 cup of ice

1 scoop Vanilla Shakeology 

 

PUMPKIN PIE 

4 oz Almond Milk

4 oz water

1/2 cup pumpkin purée 

1/2 tsp pumpkin pie spice

1 cup ice

1 scoop Vanilla Shakeology 

**blend both recipes for one minute until smooth**

21 Day Fix Challenge!

• My 21 Day Fix Challenge Group has only 3 spaces left! Want to lose up to 15 pounds in 21 days?  It is fun and exciting and you will love the results.  Group starts the 22nd.  Also, the first 2 people to order a challenge pack from me will get a FREE months supply of Shakeology!  Win the battle and sign up today... www.beachbodycoach.com/esuite/home/kappyp03
  

21 Day Fix: Slow Cooker Pulled Pork

I love finding family favorites that are 21 Day Fix approved and here is another one.  I especially love that it a crock pot meal.  I love my crock pot and use it all the time.  So, look for more slow cooker recipes to come!

21 DAY FIX PULLED PORK
(1 red, 1/4 purple, 1 yellow)

1 pork loin
1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
1/2 cup water
1 cup onion and mushrooms chopped (green pepper would also work)
1 tsp cayenne pepper
1 tbsp garlic powder
1/4 c apple cider vinegar
1/4 c yellow mustard

Combine the first 6 ingredients in the crock pot and cook on low for 7 hours.  Drain, shred and return it to pot.  Stir in vinegar and mustard.  Adjust spices to taste.  Serve one red container on whole wheat bun.

21 Day Fix Recipe: Stuffed Peppers

These are truly one of our families favorite meals!  They are so yummy and super easy.  Each pepper equals 1 green, 1 red, 1 yellow and 1 blue container.

6 Peppers (your choice of color)
3 cups of cooked brown rice
1 can crushed tomatoes with Italian seasoning
1 lb of lean ground turkey
1 1/2 cups of mozzarella cheese

Brown the turkey and add tomatoes.  Then using your containers mix one yellow of rice with 1 red of the meat mixture.  Stuff into cleaned pepper.  Repeat for all peppers.  Then sprinkle one blue container of cheese on each pepper.  Bake at 375 for 30-35 minutes or until filling is hot.

PiYo: One Week Later

Ok, so after a week of my new PiYo adventure here is my review.  The workouts are intense!  This is not a wimpy at home workout.  I have been stretched to the point of shear exhaustion!  However, with that being said I have come through it not only stronger physically but mentally, as well.  There were several days that I contemplated giving up and going back to my 21 Day Fix workouts.  I made myself push through and the results are great.  As I started my second week I notice that I am able to hold that plank just a little bit longer and my warrior 3 pose is just a little bit more steady.  To me that is a big WIN!  When you beat a challenge both physically and mentally it opens up a new way of being, it makes you a better person.  So, lesson learned.....KEEP GOING!

See you next time!
Katherine

PiYo: My New Adventure!

Today I start a new fitness adventure!  After doing the 21 Day Fix workouts for 4 months I am ready to mix it up a little.  So today I start PiYo....

What makes PiYo unique?
Benefits of Pilates, yoga, and cardio—all in one!
• It's an authentic, incredibly effective body-transformation program that combines Pilates- and yoga-inspired moves, all set to a faster pace, so you get your strength, flexibility, and cardio all in each workout. PiYo delivers the long, lean muscles and flat, toned abs of Pilates, a firm butt and strong arms like you'd get from yoga, and the weight-loss benefits of fat-burning cardio. The workouts take 
just 25–45 minutes each!

So, follow me each day as I branch out into new fitness territory.  I hope to come through it stronger and better than before!

Wish me luck!
Katherine

Clean Eating Bootcamp!

Have you been thinking about trying to find healthier eating options for you or your family? For many of us this seems like an impossible task.  We all have busy schedules, families and lifestyles that keep us on the go.  Convenience foods become a easy go to and the drive through or freezer section of the local grocery store have become a weekly staple in our diets.  As a busy, working mom of 3 I know all to well about the junk food rut.  But after changing how we eat and planning ahead I am happy to see my kids making better food choices and my husband and I have lost over 50 pounds combined.  I am so excited to share a jump start clean eating boot camp with all of you.  I will give you all the great tasting, clean recipes and a grocery list.  You just need to commit that you can do anything for  10 days.  I promise you will feel better and be ready to continue on with a new healthy
outlook on food!  Just leave me a comment if you would like more information on joining the
challenge group or if you have questions.  I would love to have you join us!

Make a healthy choice today!
Katherine

6 Metabolism Killers

This is a great article!  Once I discovered this simple formula everything changed and the weight just started coming off....

http://pinterest.com/pin/140315344615474607/

21 Day Fix Cucumber Salad

This is one of my favorite snacks to have on the 21 Day Fix.  It is super filling and the Veggetti pasta tool makes it not only look pretty but easy too!


Super Easy Cucumber Salad

1/2 seedless English cucumber (green)
2 tablespoons of your favorite dressing (orange)

Slice or shredded your cucumber in a bowl and toss with your favorite dressing.  I have included my favorite recipe for ranch dressing.

Easy Fix Ranch

1 cup plain Greek Yogurt
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon dried parsley
1/2 teaspoon dried chives
1/4 dried dill
1/4 onion powder
1/4 garlic powder
1/8 sea salt
Pepper to taste

Mix together in bowl, add some water if you want to thin out consistency.  Cover and let sit in refrigerator for 1 hour.

21 Day Fix Pizza

I love pizza!  I love all kinds of pizza, but I have struggled to find the right recipe to satisfy my pizza cravings during the 21 Day Fix.  Well, thanks to me dear friend and fellow beachbody coach Kim I have discovered a solution that, not only satisfies, but that I can honestly say I love.  So here it is....

21 DAY FIX PIZZA

1 whole wheat tortilla
1/2 cup crushed tomatoes or 1 tbsp tomato paste
1/2 cup fresh veggies (your choice)
1/2 cup protein (your choice)
1/4 mozzarella cheese
Italian seasoning to taste

Bake in a preheated 400 oven for 10-15 minutes.  (This would be 1 green, 1 yellow, 1 red, 1 blue)

Easy Salsa Meatloaf

EASY SALSA MEATLOAF

2 lbs Ground Turkey
2 Eggs (lightly beaten)
1 tsp Garlic Powder
1 cup Old Fashion Oats
1 cup All Natural Salsa (I use hot, but use your favorite)
1 tsp Salt
Black Pepper to taste

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.  Combine all the ingredients in a large bowl.  Press mixture into 9x15 loaf pan or shape into a loaf and place in an un-greased 13x9 baking dish.  Bake for 60-70 minutes or until center is no longer pink.  Let 10-15 minutes before serving.

EASY SALSA MINI MEATLOAF MUFFINS

Prepare same as directed above but form into balls and place in a greased muffin tin.  Bake at 375 for 45 minutes.  These make a perfect lunch and  2 muffins are only 160 calories!!

Sipping Myself Thin

Studies have shown that people who start the day with a protein-rich breakfast consume 200 fewer calories per day. Part of this reason is because the amino acids help dull hunger, leaving you feeling fuller for longer! Shakeology has a whopping 15 grams of protein so drink Shakeology in the AM if you're looking to lose weight!  I have been drinking Shakeology for almost 10 months and not only do I feel healthier but I have lost almost 25 pounds.  It really has been life changing for me.  I am a carb junkie and those cravings have completely subsided since drink Shakeology.  I can still eat the things I love, I just eat them better!  Here is one of my favorite recipes for Chocolate...

PEANUTBUTTER MONKEY

4 oz Almond Milk
8 oz Water
1 tbs Peanut Butter or BB2 Powder
1/2  Frozen Banana
Ice
1 Scoop of Chocolate Shakeology 

**Blend until smooth**

Finally: Weight Loss Made Simple

Have you heard about Beachbody's one-of-a-kind fitness and nutrition program that can help you lose weight fast? It's called 21 Day FixTM, and it makes weight loss so simple, people are losing up to 15 pounds in just 21 days.

The way 21 Day Fix works is simple—it's a combination of easy portion control and 30-minute workouts. That's it! What makes it different is that there's no guesswork involved. Everything is laid out for you so you don't have to count calories or points.
What I love about this program is that you can lose weight without ever feeling deprived or cutting out your favorite foods. There's room for everything in this plan!
And the workouts are easy to follow, so no matter what your fitness level is, you can keep up and see amazing weight-loss results.

If you get 21 Day Fix through me, I can get you a FREE workout DVD called Plyo Fix that burns a ton of calories in only 30 minutes.
Just stop by my website at http://www.beachbodycoach.com/KAPPYP03 and follow the 21 Day Fix banner. Or contact me directly and I'll tell you more about it!

I've seen the results, and it really works.  After 3 rounds of the 21 Day Fix I have lost 25 pounds and feel great!

Be Fit Today,
Katherine Paulson
Beachbody Coach