Saturday, February 25, 2012

The best no bake protein bar....ever. ( according to the hubby)

I have a new and improved blog over at www.mommymeansbusiness.co ! Go there to see this delicious and easy recipe ! <3

Okay... So I've been looking for a healthy and clean snack we can take with us on the go, packed with protein, and something the little guy would enjoy. I pack snacks for every outing, ever. I like to be prepared with healthy options so we do not cave and grab things we'll regret.

Corbin has this new obsession with Kashi bars, which are super gross in my opinion. Hard as a rock and the chocolate tastes like poop. Maybe I exaggerate a little. ;) But they're not the business, I do know that.

SO... this is why I decided to look up some protein bar recipes. I found lots of different variations, but this is what I came up with!

I made two variations. One for Corbin and Josh with more nuts and seeds, and one for me with more protein and less fats.

See my new blog for this recipe!


Wednesday, February 15, 2012

Do NOT reward yourself with food, you're not a dog.


Harsh? maybe. True? YES.

I had to laugh at this quote because I am totally guilty of it. Why is it that most of us turn to food for just about every celebration or slump? It's so twisted that as I get excited to see new muscles and abs coming back, I'm already thinking of what bad indulgence to have and celebrate! WTHeck?? It's just a set back.  SO when you need a reward, make it something other than food and refer to this quote. ;)

Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Introducing...TROPICAL SHAKEOLOGY!!!

Introducing....TROPICAL SHAKEOLOGY!!! AVAILABLE TO ORDER AS OF TODAY, Februrary 14th!
Tropical Strawberry Shakeology<sup>®</sup> Vegan Never Tasted So Good.


Tropical Strawberry Shakeology is the most delicious vegan shake ever created. Crafted with a mouthwatering mix of strawberries, bananas, papayas, pineapples, coconuts, plus whole superfoods from around the world, you'll love the refreshing fruity flavor of our 100% VEGANSOY and DAIRY-FREE Tropical Strawberry shake.
You don't have to be a vegan to love a vegan shake. Many people digest plant proteins better than animal proteins. And Tropical Strawberry Shakeology contains vitamins and nutrients your body craves in a more readily assimilable form to help keep you strong, healthy, lean, and focused.
Tropical Strawberry Shakeology is a Nutritious and Delicious Meal That Can Help You:*
  • Lose Weight
  • Reduce Cravings
  • Stay Regular
  • Feel Energized
  • Experience Vitality

What Makes Tropical Strawberry Shakeology
So Different?



Tropical Strawberry Shakeology<sup>®</sup> Vegan Never Tasted So Good.
For the First Time, 100% Vegan is Creamy
and Smooth.
Delivering vegan benefits without the grittiness of vegan proteins was a challenge, but we succeeded by blending ultra-fine, bio-fermented, raw sprouted brown rice protein with sacha inchi, quinoa, chia, flax, amaranth, and spirulina. This proprietary vegan protein blend enabled us to create a shake that both tastes good and is outrageously good for you.
Why We Use Raw Sprouted and Bio-Fermented Brown Rice Protein.
When a seed sprouts, it transitions from being dormant to active, catapulting a metabolic explosion of nutrition. Vitamins, minerals, phytonutrients, essential fatty acids, and antioxidants all skyrocket, creating more amazing stuff for your body. Sprouting also synthesizes healthy enzymes and increases the quality of the proteins. And it reduces phytic acid, a substance that interferes with a body's ability to absorb minerals. Bio-fermenting further breaks down the rice grain, releasing enzymes to make it easier for your body to absorb its vitamins and other nutrients.
IT'S AMAZING!
Tropical Strawberry Shakeology<sup>®</sup> Vegan Never Tasted So Good.
The Superpowers of Sacha Inchi.
This high-quality, easily absorbable, organic vegetable protein is remarkable in so many ways. First, it's naturally rich in good fats and fiber, which helps control your appetite. It also helps promote the body's natural anti-inflammatory response to keep you healthy. And sacha inchi has a very high concentration of omega fatty acids—providing a perfect balance of omega-3, omega-6, and omega-9.
Whole Foods Are our Holy Grail.
All the key nutrients in Tropical Strawberry Shakeology come from 100% whole foods. And what's so great about whole foods? Because they're unprocessed and unrefined, whole foods deliver vitamins and nutrients to your body in the most holistic and easily assimilated way—the way nature intended.
More Superfoods Mean Super Nutrition.
Superfoods, simply put, are super foods. They're healthy, delicious, and contain all kinds of health-improving nutrients your body desperately craves and needs. And we packed these four NEW superfoods into our Tropical Strawberry shake:
Coconut and honey
Coconut Flower Nectar
The flower of a coconut tree produces nectar that's sweet, has a round, earthy flavor, and is low on the glycemic index (GI). It's high in potassium, magnesium, zinc, and iron; is a natural source of vitamins B1, B2, B3, B6, and C; and contains 17 amino acids. It's also rich with inulin, a prebiotic fiber that feeds our intestinal flora and helps boost digestive and immune functions.
Luo Han Guo Fruit
This low glycemic fruit has been used as a powerful and healthy way to lend natural sweetness to foods in Asia for nearly a millennium. Its antioxidant properties help with immune health, and the fruit has also been used in Asia for medicinal purposes, such as respiratory support and to soothe sore throats.
Coconut and honey
Himalayan Salt
Our bodies need salt, but only the good kind. Because Himalayan salt is minimally processed, it contains more than 70 trace minerals from the Earth that our bodies need. Plus, it may help detoxify the blood and stabilize cells' pH balance.
Konjac Root
When used as a soluble dietary fiber, this superfood helps promote healthy blood sugar levels, makes you feel full quicker, promotes healthy cholesterol levels, and helps clean the digestive tract of excess fat and toxins.

Here's a few examples of Tropical Shakeology recipes!
Tropical Breeze
1 cup coconut milk beverage (carton variety)1/2 cup sliced strawberries 
1 small orange, peeled, chopped
1/2 medium banana


OH So Vanilla
1 cup skim milk
1/2 tsp. vanilla extract

Banana Coconut Cruise
1 coconut milk
1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
1/2 banana

Mojito
1 Tbsp. fresh lime
2 Tbsp. chopped fresh mint leaves
1 cup water

Orange Sunshine
1/2 cup 100% orange juice
1/2 cup water

Almond paradise
1 cup unsweetened almond milk
1 tsp. natural almond butter


TO ORDER NOW OR LEARN MORE, CLICK HERE!

Monday, February 13, 2012

INSANITY- Day 1

Today marks day 1 of 60 for me and my Insanity girls! We're ready and excited to KILL our workouts and start our journey to some great results! Wondering what the heck I'm talking about?

Insanity is known as the most intense workout program ever put on DVD! It's an at home fitness program like no other!  It comes with 10 different discs packed with Cardio plyometric drills with intervals of strength, power, resistance, and core training. There is no equipment or weights needed, it's all about using your own body weight and speed to burn that fat off!

I would agree that is is likely the most intense DVD out. I've done P90X and consider myself to be in pretty good shape, but this totally kicked my butt during the fit test! I'm excited for the fast pace, energy, and challenge of it!

Here's to day 1!!!


Interested in learning more  about Insanity? Click on the link to see more and get motivated to get INSANELY ripped! To buy or learn more, click here!

Saturday, February 11, 2012

Broiled Sweet Cinnamon Oranges

I found this recipe on Pinterest and fell in love! It's quick, easy, and Deeelicious. 


Normally, I am not a big fan of oranges. but add cinnamon and sugar, and  pop it in the oven - I'm all about it! 



 What you will need:

  • A large orange
  • 1 tbs of raw brown sugar or sugar substitute such as Truvia- which is what I used 
  • 1 tsp of cinnamon







Directions:

  1. Slice orange in half. Remove seeds.
  2. Using a sharp knife detach the orange from the peel. Slice the orange into sections following the natural pattern of the orange. This will make it easy for bite size pieces
  3. Turn your broiler on high.
  4. Sprinkle mixture of sugar and cinnamon onto orange, and smear it in.
  5. Place orange halves into an oven safe dish and broil for about 6 minutes or until the sugar is brown and bubbling.
  6. Enjoy right away! This is absolutely wonderful right out of the oven!

Find some visual motivation!

HOLY RIPPED! How's this for some motivation??? Maybe I should plaster it on my fridge, pantry, and FOREHEAD??? haha seriously though. What motivates YOU??

Friday, February 10, 2012

This is my WHY... What is yours?

Soooo... all of us fall off the wagon every now and then.... Even me "workout maniac" has fallen off. Life happens and sometimes it just gets in the way of our goals and dreams. As long as we keep them there for when we get back up again, It's what's important. Never truly losing sight. 


So when I say I fell off the wagon, I mean, I fell off and got trampled UNDER it! Sometimes God throws us curve balls which can break us, humble us, and totally catch us off guard... just to build us up again. Why he does that... I have no idea. Maybe he needed a new heart to work with? I do believe he has his reasons though. 


So here I am starting fresh with new goals and determination. It's not easy starting over, BUT attitude IS everything, So here we go! 


For me, being a stay at home mama and military wife- away from fam and friends, working out plays a big role in my personal happiness. It's not all about the reflection in the mirror, it's about having goals and achieving them one day at a time. Something to look forward to, something to be proud of, and just something productive to DO!  I'm sure any other stay at home parents can relate to needing some "ME" time. This is mine.


When you're finding it hard to start over, or to stay on track with your goals... ask yourself WHY you're doing it in the first place. Think past the physical part and find the deeper reasons why. Is it your confidence? Your health? Your ex? haha whatever it is, find it, keep it close to your heart, and DON'T LET GO! 


Everyone starts somewhere. When will you start? 


If you'd like some direction or help achieving your goals JUST ASK! I'd love to help!  Make me your coach at WWW.BEACHBODYCOACH.COM/MELISSAMEANS and join the free membership!