Paleo and Carbs (BEST MASHED SWEET POTATOES EVER!!!!)

As an athlete, I know that my body NEEDS carbohydrates to fuel my workouts. In th past, I would have reached for anything available but since we decided to eat paleo I haven't been fueling my workouts properly and I have been feeling it! Even though I am eating lots of veggies (green ones) my body needs FUEL so today I decided I would prep some mashed sweet potatoes and went in search of a good recipe.

I found one that I liked that had ingredients I never would have thought to put together.
The outcome was AMAZING and I couldn't be happier.

If you have been following me for any length of time, you know that I am not the best in the kitchen. I have been known to ruin dozen of eggs with improper boiling and I have burned more meals than I would like to count but this recipe is super simple with limited ingredient and it tastes fabulous. 

I started by cutting up my sweet potatoes

I placed them in the pot to boil and let them go about 20 minutes

When they were done, I drained them and set them aside to cool.

I added about a quarter cup of coconut butter and let it melt. I added my sliced banana and let it cook for 5 minutes, stirring ever so often. 

Next I added the juice of 2 Halo oranges and let it cook about a minute.

I added the sweet potatoes back into the pot with 1/3 cup organic honey 1/4 cup vegetable stock and cinnamon and pumpkin pie spice. 

I mashed it all up until it was nice and smooth - let it cool a little bit and then portioned it out in my yellow containers so I didn't eat the entire pot! 

Healthy doesn't have to be bland!

3 pounds sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into chunks

1/4 cup coconut butter

1 banana, sliced

2 halo orange juiced

1/4 cup chicken stock

1/3 cup honey

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice

Salt and pepper

DirectionsBoil potatoes until tender, drain and reserve. Return the pot to the stove top over medium heat. Add butter and bananas to the pot. Cook bananas 5 minutes and add the juice of 2 orange to the pot,  Allow the juice to cook out, 1 minute. Add potatoes to the pot and the stock and honey. Mash potatoes, banana, stock and honey together until well combined. Season with cinnamon and pumpkin pie spice to your taste. Mash to combine spices and serve.

A little love of my favorite color- -ORANGE(theory)

I have been trying hard to not get upset over the fact that I pulled a muscle in my armpit. It has been very sore and honestly it shook me up. I am not a big fan of weight (surprise!) and with doing 21 day fix extreme last week, I stepped out of my comfort zone and got in some pretty great workouts. With that being said though, I miss running. While thinking a lot about my hiatus from running a couple things became very clear to me. First, I am a obsessive overtraining machine. I like to workout (a lot) and sometimes my 36 year old body reeeaaaallllyyy doesn't appreciate me. Second, as much as I love my treadmill, I do not like running on it in under 20 degree weather. With that being said, I have now signed up for the Love Run Half in Philadelphia at the end of March.
Have I been running? Funny you should ask that because the answer is a resounding NO!
I feel like this last year, I have grown so much into the person that I am truly meant to be and the part that has been missing in the person is the running part.
I know that marathons are out of the question for me. I don't have the time required to train for them and I honestly don't want to. It puts ton of stress on my family life and why would I want to do that?

So, if I don't want to do longer runs in my garage in sub 20 degree weather, what AM I going to do?

Enter Orangetheory.

The Orangetheory Fitness training session is comprised of three components: treadmill interval training blocks, indoor rowing and weight room or resistance training blocks.

A lot of my running friends RAVE about OT and we had a location open literally 5 minutes away from my front door so why not try it out. My friend Tara invited me to go with her and at first I was a bit hesitant. I haven't run since November (except the 2 miles I ran last night in order to get ready for today :)). They offer classes that start at 5:30 am, which normally would be WAY to early for me but the hubs was on board and I set up my free trial class. You see, I don't generally push myself when I am running. I generally run for the love of it and I don't see that changing any time soon. One of the reasons that I went on my running hiatus was that it wasn't fun anymore. Training and running 100 miles a week= not FUN! 

I was nervous when I got there and they handed my the heart rate monitor. I have never exercised with one on before and like I said, I don't usually push myself very hard. I started out on the floor circuit which involved...weights (UGH!) Normally, I would go for the lightest weights available but the instructor wasn't having that. So, I used 12 lb weights! That may not sound like a lot o you, but to me its 7+ from what I am used to using (in each arm). I struggled a little bit but I promised myself that I was going to embrace the experience. 

The interesting thing to me about OT is that is a lot like what I feel that Crossfit probably looks like but with more technology. Where in crossfit you lift tires at OT you have treadmills and rowing machines. (I digress) I also like the fact that there is a WOD and that when I go back tomorrow, the workout will be completely different. 

My plan is to go to OT 2x's a week and to do a cross training DVD 2x's a week plus do my long runs on Saturdays (it sounds like a lot, but I wouldn't be me if I didn't do some crazy scheduled workouts). I can not wait for it to get warm outside so that I can run OUTSIDE in the HEAT!!! 
It's time to get back to RUNCRAZYKYLE....now if only I could go run at Disney :(

What kind of coach could you be???

What is a Beachbody Coach?

The coach network was created to offer people a way to stay accountable and have support to completing the workout programs that they were purchasing off of the informercials. We help the people to complete those programs and we help them get FIT! 

You do not have to be personal trainers 

You do not need to be a nutritionist 

You do not need a degree in exercise physiology 

You don't need to be in great shape or have abs

ANYONE CAN BECOME A COACH!

Coaching can be whatever you want it to be...

-Discount Coach: A coach just to get 25% off all of the amazing Beachbody products - no requirements to sell anything. Your Shakeology each month keeps you active. You just enjoy the benefit of a discount.

-Hobby coach (Part Time): A coach who signs up for the discount and does Beachbody on the side for some additional income or to pay for their products and programs.

-Business Builder: These coaches are the ones (like myself) who see Beachbody as their career and passion. They want to earn a significant income and want to push the limit of what this business opportunity can provide. 

What kind of coach would you be?? I'm looking for 3 people who would like to join my team {Insanely Fit} as coaches. Whether you just want a discount on your Shakeology or you want to make Beachbody your career, I WANT YOU!! 

Message me at kyle.jama@yahoo.com or just leave me a comment "interested" and I'll send you some more information. 

Spontaneously Refresed

Last night, I had enough! I have been diligently doing my workouts (which is never truly the problem for me) but the nutritional aspect of my life is OUT OF CONTROL. In January, our family decided to transition into a Paleo lifestyle. We did Whole 30 for the month and I was feeling GREAT and then February started and our lives have been spiraling out of control (a little dramatic but how I feel). Nutrition is where I need to spend the majority of my time focusing. I woke up this morning totally prepared to eat clean and stay focused on my goals. I worked out (Cardio Fix Extreme…review to come) and drank my Shakeology. I have been getting up early to work out since mid December when I started Insanity Max:30 and have continued to do so. I will say though that around 10 am, even only a few hours after my Shakeology, I have been starving. This morning though, I was FOCUSED.

I prepared some roasted Brussel Sprouts for my “snack”

and as I was sitting down and eating them, I looked over and that 3 day refresh box was staring back at me.

My hubs and I did the refresh last July, so I knew what to expect and since my “hard” workout was over and I know that tomorrow is Dirty 30 Extreme and Sunday is Yoga Fix Extreme, I figured why not start the refresh today. It will give me the extra kickstart that I need and help me to do it in the proper way. I was already on track, so why not use the amazing tool that I already had sitting right in front of me.

Yes, tomorrow’s workout may be more challenging but physical challenges aren’t new and I KNOW I can push through. It’s the nutritional challenges that I find really hamper my results.

So….the Fiber Sweep has gone down and that alone makes me feel successful today. 

Stay tuned…it’s only 3 days- Right???

- See more at: http://crazykylefit.com/uncategorized/spontaneously-refreshed/#sthash.m12EbfQk.dpuf

Citrus- Bison Meatballs

So I have definitely been trying to think outside of my box when in the kitchen. Considering I am not the best cook (at all) I have been relying heavily on being teachable and following recipes to a tee! 

One of the ingredients that I have been super surprised that I like is Bison. I have never been a huge meat eater but the flavor and low fat content has really got me hooked. I was definitely unsure about the flavor comination in this recipe but the sauce was AMAZING!!!! It was not overwhelmingly orange but the aminos and ginger all worked (who kneW? chefs...chefs know!)

INGREDIENTS

• 2 tablespoons coconut oil
• ½ yellow onion, minced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon ginger
• 2 pounds ground bison 
• 1 tablespoon thyme
• ½ teaspoon sea salt
• 1 orange, juiced (about ½ cup)
• ¼ cup liquid aminos
• INSTRUCTIONS

  1. Heat half of the coconut oil in the bottom of a skillet on medium heat. When the oil is melted and the pan is hot, add the onion, and cook, stirring, for 8 minutes, or until translucent. Add the garlic and ginger and cook, stirring, for a minute, just until fragrant. Remove from heat and place onion mixture into a bowl. Set aside to cool for a few minutes.

  
  

  

  When the onion mixture has cooled, add it to a large bowl with the ground bison, thyme, and salt. Gently mix with your hands until everything is well incorporated. Form into 1-1/2" meatballs (about 20 total).

  

  Place the rest of the coconut oil in the bottom of the skillet you used for the onions on medium heat. When the oil is melted and the pan is hot, add the meatballs. Brown for three minutes on one side, flip, and add the orange juice and liquid aminos. Cook, covered, for 10 minutes, or until cooked throughout. Remove from pan and set aside.

  

  Leave the remaining juices in the pan and turn up to medium-high heat. Let the sauce reduce about ½, about 5-10 minutes

  

  Serve and enjoy!!

  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  1. Heat half of the coconut oil in the bottom of a skillet on medium heat. When the oil is melted and the pan is hot, add the onion, and cook, stirring, for 8 minutes, or until translucent. Add the garlic and ginger and cook, stirring, for a minute, just until fragrant. Remove from heat and place onion mixture into a bowl. Set aside to cool for a few minutes.
  2. When the onion mixture has cooled, add it to a large bowl with the ground bison, thyme, and salt. Gently mix with your hands until everything is well incorporated. Form into 1-1/2" meatballs (about 20 total).
  3. Place the rest of the coconut oil in the bottom of the skillet you used for the onions on medium heat. When the fat is melted and the pan is hot, add the meatballs. Brown for three minutes on one side, flip, and add the orange juice and liquid aminos. Cook, covered, for 10 minutes, or until cooked throughout. Remove from pan and set aside.
  4. Leave the remaining juices in the pan and turn up to medium-high heat. Let the sauce reduce about ½, about 5-10 minutes.
  5. Serve and ENJOY!!!
  
  

  
  

Egg White Veggie Muffin Cups

Breakfast for me is always SHAKEOLOGY!!!

That  doesn't mean that it is for everyone else in the family! Hubs really likes to have his for lunch so I have been trying to find a good recipe for egg white muffins and I finally found one that worked for all of us. Hubs has been working hard with Les Mills Pump for the last 5 weeks, so I will do just about anything to help him stay on track, which includes cooking!

Here is the recipe for Egg White Muffins.


Ingredients:

Coconut Oil Spray (i used olive oil Pam, I find that the coconut oil one doesn't work as well)
24 egg whites
12 spears asparagus
1 cup spinach trimmed
salt and pepper
cayenne pepper (to taste)

Instructions:
1. Preheat oven 350.
2. Spray Muffin Tin with spray (of your choice)
3. Whisk egg whites together with salt, pepper, and cayenne.
4. Pour into prepared muffin tin evenly. (make sure you have equal amounts per tin or they will not each come out right)
5. Add Asparagus to each egg white muffin.
6. Add Spinach to each egg white muffin.
7. Bake 25-30 minutes or until egg whites are set.
8. Remove from the oven and let sit for 5 minutes before serving.
9. Serve warm or save in the fridge for a quick and easy grab and go meal.

These exceeded my expectations!! You can use any vegetables that you want but we always need more green veggies so that is what I chose to do this time. I think next time I would cut the spinach up before placing it in the egg white mixture so that there weren't just huge piles of spinach (although it does look pretty in the photos :))

Insanely Grateful {to the Max}

I have been a sappy mess today! It's the same feeling I had after my first half marathon and after I completed the Dopey Challenge. It's that sense that I completed something that at one point in time I thought was impossible. 

The changes in my body are subtle compared to the changes to my mind and to my spirit. When I finished Dopey in January 2014, I was burned out! I had done something that few other people could say that had done and my body didn't want to do it again. I was depressed and I didn't know what I was going to do. I couldn't continue running crazy amounts of miles for crazy amounts of hours per week. My family needed my time and I felt guilty giving that time to myself. Beachbody and Shaun T literally saved me! That sound dramatic even to me but it is so true. I had never done an at home program (except for my treadmill 😬) and I had never consistently cross trained. I had gotten a challenge pack with FocusT25 and it sat in that box for at least six months until that day when I just didn't want to run anymore but I needed to do something. I'm giving you a little of my backstory so please bear with me. 

FocusT25 gave me results that I had never seen before and muscles in my legs that I didn't even know I needed to help me run faster. It also showed me that there was another way. 

Fast forward to the release of Insanity Max:30. The name insanity scared the crap out of me! I had seen the original version and my mind said "oh no - NOT ME!" but this was a shorter version right? It was only 30 minutes and I was "allowed" to take breaks. I had learned focus and now I needed to gain my power. So, I ordered it and couldn't wait to get started. 

From Day 1, Shaun tells you that he believes in you and that you CAN do it and somewhere around day 10 you start believing that you just might be able to do this! You keep pushing play, you drink your Shakeology, and you SEE your body transforming. I told a friend of mine that I was extremely glad that I had the photos to see my transformation because that stupid scale DID NOT MOVE and for the first time in my life it doesn't matter. That number that I used to define myself by for so long, it's just that- a number. That number doesn't show how many push-ups I can do or how I am able to do tuck jumps, it doesn't show the confidence I have gained or the joy I have for sharing my story of hope with others. That number means nothing! 

I was able to finish month 1 feeling on top of the world and then I pushed play on month 2! To say that I felt a bit defeated can't even express my feelings enough. The entire time Shaun was beating my body down though he was lifting my spirit up. He kept telling me that I could do it and you know what... I DID! I might have "maxed out" but that was the whole point right? Learning to see your limits and trying to overcome them. 

I will probably never meet Shaun but I want to be him for someone. I want to be able to help people believe that even if it's hard, they can get through. He didn't just give me a six pack (which I won't be giving back) but he gave me peace. He gave me strength and the courage to step out of hiding in the background. I couldn't say thank you enough to him because as cheesy as it sounds, my life isn't the same anymore.

I think that we all are trying to live as best as we can and for those 30 minutes every day, I could just be me- Jama, not a mom or a wife, I could be the athlete that I always knew I could be but that I never knew I was.

If you are scared to fail... don't be. You will fail, it's a guarantee but through the failure you will see who you we always meant to be! So thank you Shaun for showing me who I could become and for always believing in me- even though we may never meet you have changed me and I am eternally grateful! 

Turkey Meatloaf Muffins

Eating Clean is not say for people like me. The people who don't like to sit down and plan what they are going to eat. I understand the concept of meal planning, I do, but up until now i have never done it. 

Since deciding that one of my "realsolutions" was to cook dinner 3 times a week, I thought I should find some items that maybe all of us could eat. I had to do some research because most meatloaf recipes have some type of oat/oatmeal as a binder and we are still trying to eat mostly Paleoish when we can. Hubs really likes a red pepper and sweet potato soup so I knew that flavor combination would work together. 

I started by shredding my sweet potato and dicing my red pepper.

After the veggies were shredded and diced, I added them into my ground turkey.

Then I added in my eggs and almond meal

And then I added in my ketchup and barbecue sauce (i just used what we had in the house) and the spices.

I mixed all my ingredients together and then scooped them into 12 muffin tins that I sprayed with coconut oil spray. 

Place it in your 350 degree preheated oven and bake them for 40 minutes (or until they are brown and crispy on top. 

I let them sit for 5 minutes in the pan just to make sure they were cooked all the way through (you know I usually have things come out raw!) I used a knife to cut around the edges and out they all came- perfectly done!! 

They were a little crispy around the edges but I won't be taking anyone to the ER for salmonella so that is a major WIN!!! The flavor was actually really good which I was concerned about since I kinda made this up as I went (something will never change). 

Now I have a clean and healthy protein for my week. If you are doing the 21 day fix or 21 day fix extreme the ratio of one would be 1 red and 1/2 yellow per each meatloaf muffin. 

Enjoy!!!

Ingredients

2 1b lean ground turkey 

2 farm fresh egg

1 cup almond meal

1 sweet potato, peeled and grated

1/2 red bell pepper diced 

1 tsp sea salt

1 tsp garlic powder

1/4 tsp chili powder

1/4 cup ketchup 

1/4 cup bbq sauce 

Pre-heat your oven to 350 degrees and prepare your muffin tin.  You can also grease them with some coconut oil/animal fat of your choice.

Mix all your ingredients in a large bowl and don’t be afraid to get your hands dirty! They’re the best mixing tools we have!

Divide meat mixture among 12muffin tin cups. Bake for 40 minutes (or until brown and a little bit crispy on top).

Spicy and Sweet Coconut Honey Chicken

I am not the best cook, I think we have established that right?? That has not deterred me from attempting to make some recipes I NEVER would have attempted before. That is the case for this Spicy and Sweet Coconut Honey Chicken. I try to keep my recipes extremely simple and this one was up until the part where I made the sauce. I'm sure my sauce was a little lumpy but the hubs LOVED it and he is definitely my biggest critic. If only I could get my kids to eat this...baby steps.

The first issue that I would remedy when I make this next time would be...I would get the boneless skinless chicken thighs. I had to take it off the bone and I won't lie, it was slightly gross to me, but I did it! 

Now place a large saucepan or dutch oven over medium heat. Add coconut oil. Once oil is very hot, add chicken to the pan without crowding the pan to help with searing. 

I don't think I got my oil hot enough because my chicken did not sear very well. After chicken has cooked through, remove with a slotted spoon and set aside.

After I removed the chicken from the pan, there was a lot of liquid from the chicken cooking too slowly. Next time I make this I will make sure it is seared a bit better. I added the garlic and onions and cooked them until they were translucent.

After the onions were nice and soft (5 minutes or so) I added the honey, coconit milk, aminos and siracha. This is where I started to panic a little bit. I was supposed to whisk everything together and bring it to a boil ( and we know from the egg debacle that boiling things is rough for me!)

Once it was boiling, I was supposed to turn the heat down and add the tapioca flour and keep whisking. I need like 4 hands to be able to do this, so my sauce was a little lumpy. My goal though wasn't a lumpless sauce, it was a good tasting meal that my hubs would eat. 

After the sauce thickens up, I added the chicken back in to coat it (about 4 minutes to reheat) and then you can serve it with your favorite veggies. 

Since my goal was to make something my hubs would eat again, dinner was a success! This entire process of learning to cook (even at this stage in my life) is actually pretty fun. I haven't served anything raw or burnt all week!! Yay!!!!

Ingredients

For the chicken

• 1-2 tablespoons coconut oil
• 1.5 pounds chicken thighs, cut into 1 inch cubes
• salt, to taste

For the sauce

• 2 tablespoons coconut oil
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• ½ small yellow onion, minced
• 1 (14 ounce) can of full fat coconut milk
• ¼ cup honey
• ½ cup coconut aminos (or gluten free soy sauce)
• 2-3 tablespoons sriracha, depending how spicy you like (find paleo sriracha here)
• ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
• salt, to taste
• ¼ cup tapioca flour
• chopped green onions (to garnish)

Instructions

1. 
   
2. Now place a large saucepan or dutch oven over medium heat. Add coconut oil. Once oil is very hot, add chicken to the pan without crowding the pan to help with searing. Sprinkle with salt. Once chicken begins to turn white, flip on cook on other side. After chicken has cooked through, remove with a slotted spoon and set aside.
3. When chicken is done cooking, add 2 more tablespoons to the pan (if needed) then add garlic and onion. Once onion becomes translucent, add coconut milk, honey, coconut amines, sriracha, red pepper flakes, and salt. Whisk together and let come to a low boil then reduce to low heat.
4. Lastly, while continuously whisking, add in tapioca flour ⅛ cup at a time. Be sure to continuously whisk to keep from tapioca flour from clumping.
5. Once mixture thickens, add chicken to the pan with the sauce and coat, let cook for about a minute to reheat the chicken.
6. Pour sauce and chicken on top rice and garnish with green onions.

Paleo Bison Chili

In my attempt to cook and eat healthier this year, I have realized one thing...I need to plan my weekly meals. Our family has always been a "what do you feel like" family. You know the one, me texting my hubs every morning asking, what do you feel like for dinner tonight? Him saying, whatever you want and then we end up ordering in since neither of us can make a decision. So, I sat down at my computer and researched meals that I thought looked good and relatively easy (because I am still a hot mess in the kitchen, lets be honest!)

 First up on my prep for the week is Paleo Bison Chicken.

 Prep your veggies... I am not an expert at this yet, I need to practice getting it all around the same size.

 Heat a heavy bottomed soup pot over medium-high heat. When the pan is hot, add coconut oil.Add onions, peppers and garlic and sauté until onions are translucent, about 3 or 4 minutes.

 Next, add ground bison, cumin, and chili powder.Stir while this cooks, about 5 to 6 minutes.

 I used organic green chiles, diced tomatoes with jalapeños and cilantro for some extra flavor and crab salsa. I wasn't sure about using the crab salsa but the hubs picked it and if it doesn't work out I can always use a regular salsa next time.

 Pour in salsa, tomatoes, green chiles and salt.

 Simmer for one hour.

It turned out a little bit on the spicy side thanks to the jalapeño in the tomatoes and the chili powder. For a milder flavor you can play with the spices a bit. I got a big thumbs up from the hubs and since he is my biggest critic, this dinner was a WIN!!!!!!

Spoon up and ENJOY!!!

Ingredients:

     1 Tbs coconut oil, tallow, bacon grease, or lard

     1/2 medium yellow onion, diced

     1 green pepper 

     1 red pepper

     2 cloves garlic, sliced

     1-3/4 lb ground bison (elk, venison, or beef may be substituted)

     2 tsp ground cumin

     2 tsp chili powder

     1 (12 oz) jar salsa

     1 (8 oz) can diced tomatoes

     1 (7 oz) can mild green chiles

     2 tsp sea salt (optional)

Instructions

Heat a heavy bottomed soup pot over medium-high heat. 

When the pan is hot, add coconut oil.

Add onions, peppers and garlic and sauté until onions are translucent, about 3 or 4 minutes.

Next, add ground bison, cumin, and chili powder.

Stir while this cooks, about 5 to 6 minutes.

Pour in salsa, tomatoes, green chiles and salt.

Simmer for at least 1 hour.

Enjoy!

Applelicious Greenberry 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

What do you do to 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??

What a difference 6 weeks can make

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 :)

Coach Basics- Day 5 (part 2)

Day 5 (2 of 2) – Let’s talk PEOPLE:
BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS WHAT DO I SAY TO PEOPLE?
When you meet new people here’s an easy way to remember how to connect and build strong relationships— always follow the F.O.R.M. process.
F = Family: Does your prospect have kids, siblings, a spouse, etc
O = Occupation: What does your prospect do for a living?
R = Recreation: What does your prospect do for fun? Do they play sports? Are they in a club? Dothey go to the beach or go camping with their family?
M = Message: After you get to know your new friend by asking questions about their family, occupation, and recreation you can tailor your invitation for them to get their free Team Beachbody membership and join your general health and fitness Facebook page or your nextChallenge Group. We all know where it can go from there! So, get out there and F.O.R.M.
Goals: Make it a goal to F.O.R.M. with at least two new people via social media today. You can do this simply by having a conversation with a fellow member of a group that you belong to. Remember F.O.R.M.ing is all about sincerely wanting to get to know people, so always be sincerein your conversation and intent. Make it your goal the next time you are there to F.O.R.M. with at least one new person.
EXPANDING YOUR NETWORK:
One of the things I hear OVER and OVER as a Coach that has been in the business for over 3 years is - I just don't know enough people! WRONG. And if you have that mentality, then you willnot put the effort to find people to join you. Consider that MANY of YOU were not my personal friends before you and I met - we met through Facebook, my fan page, a referral and the list goeson and on! RIGHT?!?
Oh, and I guess the 430853408345 people on Social Media today aren't enough! I am being sarcastic but it is TRUE! My sister and I have independently built two 6-figure incomes with theSAME circle of friends. If you think there aren't enough people - think again. You just need to find them. HERE IS HOW:
By now, you have already told your family and friends that you are a Coach. Now what? Are you wondering how to keep the momentum going? Our most successful Coaches are always looking for more people to help and making new friends wherever their lives take them, as well as on theinternet. Always keep your eyes and ears open and don’t be afraid to just talk to people! Here are some great ways to expand your list:
1. Social Media – We’re doing it right now. You’ve gothundreds, possibly thousands of friends on Facebook, Google+™, LinkedIn®, Pinterest—plus they have friends you could friend!
TIP: Go to your friend's pages (THAT ARE NOT COACHES) and go to their friends list. You might find old friends from Elementary, Junior High School, etc. Send them friend requests. Do about 5 per day. Do not go crazy doing this as you can be thrown in Facebook jail. Skim YOUR friends list and make the day of 3 people each day. What do I mean? Private message 3 people each day simply to put a smile on their face.
"Hey Monica! I saw your daughter did awesome on her ballet performance. Just wanted to congratulate you. That is so great! I hope you have a fantastic day my friend!"
That is it. It will probably get a simple, un-intentional conversation going. Remember, NEVER assume it will end in a sale immediately. That is not the point. The point is to expand your Network and develop relationships. You never know if Monica has a friend that has mentioned she needs to lose weight. Now you are on Monica's mind.
2. Wear & Share – Wear Beachbody gear with pride (T-shirts, hats, etc.). Keep your ears open, and you’ll start to hear people mention that they’ve heard of, or done “that program.”
3. Are you a parent? Do your kids play sports? Are your kids in school? Are your kids in clubs? Every child has parents; connect with them!
4. Are you a member of any networking groups? If you’re not, join some.
5. Do you buy groceries or do any kind of shopping? People are everywhere; be friendly, SMILE, and people will want to talk to you!