I'm so excited beachbody has tweaked the vegan shakes to have a smoother, creamier consistency and improved flavor. I thought it tasted great before, but now Chocolate Vegan has more cocoa for an intense chocolate flavor and Tropical Strawberry Vegan has succulent guava. They've also reduced their sugar and carbs! The reason I started drinking Shakeology two years ago, a whole year before I signed up as a coach, was because it was the best clean superfood rich protein shake on the market and I did my research. The vegan flavors are made from plant based protein (instead of whey) including oat, pea and rice proteins that has all 9 essential amino acids. The best part is it's a natural source of prebiotics and fiber.

Shakeology has been my daily dose of dense nutrition. I'm on home delivery which means I get a new box shipped to me every month because I drink it daily as my afternoon snack. It gives me energy for the afternoon, keeps my blood sugar level so I don't snack on something unhealthy plus gives me an extra protein boost in my day. I rotate between the different flavors every month. However it comes with a recipe calendar with 30 days of recipes of things to mix into your shakeology. So really every day I'm drinking a different flavor, it never gets old. I started a new job this year and I noticed that their fridge is a tad colder than any other I've used. So when I put my vegan chocolate shake in there in the morning, by afternoon it has a pudding consistency, doesn't do that with any other flavor. For me it's great because I basically get to eat chocolate pudding every afternoon! yay!

I even take it on vacation, pictured above was on the beach with me in Panama last year. I find that when I travel breakfast will be a buffet but most of it is unhealthy or just not stuff I want to eat, so I like knowing I have the option of something healthy as a backup to gorging on a ton of calories.

If you've been wanting to try Shakeology but don't want to commit to full bag try out the Sampler Pack which comes with four (whey) flavors:  Strawberry, Vanilla, Chocolate and Greenberry for only $20. Or click on the picture below for vegan chocolate.

I'm on the monthly auto-delivery system for Shakeology and I rotate flavors every month so I always have something new to drink. Every day I look at my recipe list and say to myself which Shakeology flavor should I go with this morning? Investing in nutritious foods and exercise is the best investment you can make! Not all protein shakes are alike, in terms of quality if you buy something cheap you get what you pay for. Check out the ingredient list on Shakeology, it contains both flaxseed and chia seeds amongst 70 other ingredients!





I'm loving the new strawberry flavor! With all the other flavors I always drank with almond or coconut milk, but the strawberry flavor I find ends up being a strawberry milkshake so I want to try something different with it. I have a killer sweet tooth, so drinking such a nutrient dense shake really helps me curb that urge. These recipes taste like candy/jelly beans/kool aid that you just can't believe it's so healthy. The cucumber one comes out really frothy! These recipes only work with Shakeology. 

Strawberry - Kiwi
1 cup club soda
1 kiwi
Coconut water ice cubes

Agua Fresca
3/4 cup club soda
½ medium cucumber, peeled
1 TB lime juice
Coconut water ice cubes

Strawberry-Pomegranate
3/4 cup water
¼ cup 100% pomegranate juice
Coconut water ice cubes

Cucumbers are 95% water and helps to rehydrate the body while elminating toxins. It's full of minerals and antioxidants and aids digestion. 

I talked about the benefits of pomegranates in this post.

I wanted to show you how I celebrated Valentine's Day this year.

I'm big on themed dish towels and change mine throughout the year according to the season. So this month I'm using my new Valentine themed dish towels. I bought two sets because I only liked one towel from each set. For the two that I didn't like, one towel has red coffee mugs and says "love you latte" and the other one has the word love all over it. If anyone wants them let me know.

I made my sweetie a coupon book for things we can do together.

I got a nude colored kimono because I'm not a fuchsia kind of girl, love my soft beigey light pinks.


I painted a gold heart on my nails. It's taken me awhile to find the perfect red shade for my skin tone. I know everyone loves OPI I'm Not Really a Waitress but it never looked good on me. For my hands I'm wearing Rekha and on my toes I wear a brighter color Sooki.

I changed the message on my chalkboard to this:

I saw Kevin Hart's new movie About Last Night. If you look at my Popular Posts list on the right sidebar, my post about Kevin's last movie is one of my top 5 posts. This movie was about dating in Chicago and follows two couples throughout the year. It co-stars Michael Ealy (pictured below) who seems to be in every Black movie these days. lol It's a funny movie and great for a Valentine's Day date.


Tosca Reno wrote a wonderful post for Valentine's Day:

Eating Clean is a lifestyle, a journey! Embarking on this lifestyle change includes everyone around you: your family, your friends, even your acquaintances. Seeing as its Valentine's Day, I want to focus on the relationship between Eating Clean and your partner. This lifestyle choice can prove to be quite a challenge for couples who don't see eye-to-eye about healthy food and a healthy limit of activity. For other couples this can be the foundation of their relationship; a choice that truly bonds them together; a union of love for Clean food, sweat and iron! Either way there are always ups and downs in every relationship – healthy or not.

I made her recipe for Pomegranate Fizz – 2 oz. Pomegranate juice, 1/2 to 1 oz. Triple sec or other orange liqueur, 5 oz. Chilled champagne, squeeze of fresh lemon juice, 6-8 pomegranate seeds with grated lemon rind (zest).


This year I didn't bake my usual Valentine's Day cookies or make chocolate covered strawberries because I didn't want the day focused on sugar. The only dessert we had was a couple heart shaped macarons because I love their pillowy deliciousness and aren't too bad calorie wise. We went out to a new Italian restaurant that doesn't serve table bread and I ordered a half serving of pasta that came with edible flowers on top!

I also just received my shipment of the new Shakeology flavor and that has been the best part of this month, how much I'm loving Strawberry Shakeology!

By the way did you know today is National Free Shipping Day? Over 1000 stores are participating! 

I mixed my Vanilla Shakeology with Califa Holiday Nog for a festive shake! You could also make french toast with this!


Vanilla Nog

• 1 scoop Vanilla Shakeology
• 1 cup Califia Farms Holiday Nog
• 1/4 tsp. nutmeg  (benefits of nutmeg)
• Coconut Water Ice 
• 1/2 tb coconut oil (optional)

Enjoy!

Give Shakeology a try.


For another delicious holiday recipe check out Snickerdoodle Shakeology.

Cinnamon is a powerful spice and was consumed in Ancient Egypt and is mentioned in the Bible in Exodus.

It regulates blood sugar,  reduces LDL cholesterol levels and it reduces pain linked to arthritis. Cinnamon is an excellent source of the trace mineral manganese which helps your body utilize several key nutrients such as biotin. Just 2 tsp of cinnamon is 45% your daily value of manganese. Cinnamon also helps keep your bones strong, helps to promote optimal function of your thyroid gland, maintains the health of your nerves and protect your cells from free-radical damage.

You can sprinkle cinnamon on your oatmeal or in your shakeology! Just whatever you do, don't do the cinnamon dare which is the challenge of trying to swallow a spoonful of cinnamon in 60 seconds without drinking water because it's harmful to your lungs when inhaled and could end you up in the hospital,  no joke!

I love trying out new flavors of Shakeology, makes every glass I drink different! In the spirit of fall holidays I gave this recipe a shot this morning. Now I was a bit hesitant to try this, but to my surprise I love it and it actually tastes like the cookies! Give it a try!

It's fall which means pumpkin flavored everything! For some of you that means Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte, but since I don't drink coffee I added pumpkin to my shakeology! I love Shakeology because it's not just a protein shake but a whole meal with 70 amazing ingredients and will keep me healthy during cold season. It's super easy to make and a sweet alternative to getting a pumpkin donut at Dunkin Donuts. This recipe won't taste the same with another brand of protein powder as Vanilla Shakeology has a distinctive flavor that adds to this, plus you won't get the full nutritional benefit with another brand.




Lots of other protein powders are full of synthetic and artificial ingredients. Shakeology is made of high qualify natural ingredients. You want to give your body the best, that's shakeology. 

Autumn brings apple picking, apple cider, and Honeycrisp apples so I thought why not Apple Pie Vanilla Shakeology? People always ask, "Why should I buy Shakeology? It's so expensive, I can get this shake or that one for waaay cheaper & it's just as good." Well actually, it isn't as good. If you are comparing shakes, make sure you don't just compare the price and the calories. Look at the ingredients - that is where the difference is!






Apple Pie Shakeology

Coconut water Ice cubes
1 scoop Vanilla Shakeology 
1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
1 cup unsweetened almond milk
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
Blend & enjoy!

 

 

 

It's official the Shakeology Sampler Box is now here! If you are interested in trying this amazing shake I keep talking about you can get it here.

I've decided to lead a 30 Day Clean Eating and Shakeology Support Group starting September 30th.  We will incorporate Shakeology as 1 meal each day (whatever meal you choose).   It is going to keep you full for 3 hours, help to curb your cravings, give you natural energy and help you lose weight.  It is the one meal a day that I don't have to think about when I am trying to change my eating habits. Exercise is optional, but is encouraged. The only requirements are that I am your official Beachbody Coach and that you commit to completing the 30 days with Shakeology.

You will be provided with daily tips, motivation, accountability, meal plans and recipes.  You will set goals for yourself based on your own health and fitness. You will be given the principles of clean eating  and taught how to apply them to your every day life. We will discuss topics such as meal planning, snacks, portion sizes, metabolism, emotional eating, dealing with stress, water intake and more.  My goal is to make this a lifestyle change and not another fad diet!  I want you to truly adopt a new way of living.  To know that the food is good, that you don’t have to crash diet and that you can live a healthy and fulfilling life! What do have to lose besides fat? Message me for details or comment below.


 

Now I know you're thinking why can't every Monday be a holiday! lol I had a super relaxing day yesterday hanging with friends. I also had a few minutes to make this video to show you how I like to make my shakeology.

Cost objections are the #1 excuse people give me about why they won't order Shakeology! Well from the lips of Beachbody CEO, Shakeology was not developed to be the cheapest shake out there! No additives, no preservatives, no processed ingredients! All natural to encourage the body's systems to function at optimal performance. So yes it's not cheap but when it comes to your health shouldn't you be willing to pay for nutrition? If you want to know why it's so expensive, take three minutes to watch this video from the CEO of Beachbody. Nothing on the market can even come close to this product. Compare the ingredients in shakeology to whatever else you're using. 




Depending on the flavor Shakeology has between 6-9 grams of sugar in it and its purpose is for nutrient transport. If you're exercising and on a calorie-restricted diet, this combo can leave you in a glycogen-starved state where your overtrained and underfed body can catabolize muscle tissue for energy. Therefore, most  meal replacement snacks have some sugar, which speeds nutrients into a depleted system quickly which aids recovery between workouts with minimal calories. Shakeology gives a balanced mixture of ingredients to allow the nutrients to be absorbs without an insulin spike, and thus, why Shakeology has scored such a low number on the GI index.

People have been asking for Vanilla Shakeology for years! Beachbody took their time in releasing this flavor until they found a pure, flavorful, and ethically sourced vanilla bean in small farms in Madagascar where they are also supporting the education of the community. The best part about the vanilla flavor is that you can customize the flavor! Here's a month full of different recipes you can try! I've been busy trying them out!

So far my favorites are: Orange Dream,  PB&J, Hazelnut, Peaches and Cream, and Berry Delight. There's 8 days left to get Shakeology at 60% off the price by getting the T25 Challenge Pack.


A lot of people don't know what real food tastes like. They are so used to consuming foods that have artificial flavors and thus think natural food is "boring and tasteless". Most artificial flavorings are derived from petroleum and contain many chemical ingredients which are volatile to our health. I talked to a woman  who told me she didn't like the taste of Shakeology. Really? So I asked her how she prepared it. She said she just mixed it with water. That's like eating pumpkin out of the can and saying it's "just okay" or throwing some chicken on the pan and thinking it tasted kinda boring. You gotta try "customizing" your Shakeology!

Some people like their shakes really juicy (more liquid) and some like them thick and foamy. I like something in the middle, but I add Zico water ice cubes and almond milk so that the whole thing is far more filling. I add fruit and it keeps me full for hours and I love, love the taste! Also, check out the benefits of Almond milk, super low in cal, and you can find it on the shelf at the grocery store in the non-dairy section.

If you are nervous about trying Shakeology because you are afraid that you won't like it, then this is the perfect opportunity. I will be doing a 30 day Shakeology and Clean Eating Group to aid you in finding the balance between diet and exercise. We will focus on the principles of clean eating, preparing healthy meals, snacks, grocery shopping, temptations, emotional eating and more! Especially this time of the year when everyone is traveling, going to the pool and bbqs. We have to be on the top of our game when it comes to our health! Do you need that gentle little nudge, some encouragement and support along the way? Then join my next challenge group and I will guide you in the right direction! Ask me how! You can order Shakeology here.

Yes there really is such a thing! Are you sick of snacks that leave you hungry 30 minutes later? When you're at your desk at work do you feel an afternoon slump when you lack energy and crave something to eat? You want to choose healthy afternoon snacks that leave you feeling satisfied and energized—not hungrier and sleepier! Incorporate these elements into your afternoon snack to find your perfect fuel.

Pick a powerful snack that packs a protein punch to help you avoid that nap your usual bag of pretzels induces. Protein is slowly digested in your stomach, so will keep you fuller, for longer. Shaekology will cure your craving for sweets, while giving you a healthy dose of protein. It also has a fantastic amount of fiber which helps to normalize your blood sugar response, improve digestion and can even help with healthy blood cholesterol management. Active adults should aim for at least 23 grams of fiber per day.

Need something healthy to sip on while you enjoy the festivities? Try out the new Vanilla Shakeology flavor! Only 4 days left for free shipping!

I made this tres leches flag cake a couple years ago.

But I found some healthy fun red, white and blue 4^th of July fun dessert ideas I wanted to share. I'm definitely a fan of cutting fruit into fun shapes as I did here and here. The middle picture uses star cookie cutters. The picture on the right is watermelon, apples and blueberries, to keep apples from browning brush with fresh lemon  or lime juice, the straw keeps them all in place.

Vanilla Shakeology has arrived! Shakeology is a nutrient dense food with all natural ingredients. Who wouldn't want their daily nutrition that tastes like a dessert but has all the health benefits you need to stay healthy, strong, energetic and lose weight! It took years of searching and testing to hunt down a pure, flavorful, and ethically sourced vanilla bean that would meet Shakeology's standards. The vanilla beans come from small farms in Madagascar (an island off the coast of Africa which I've actually visited). Beachbody is also building schools in Madagascar to enhance the educational environment  resources for more than 3000 children.

Vanilla Shakeology has 130 calories, 16g of protein, 14g of carbs, 7g of sugar, and 2g of fat. It is gluten-free and they are considering a vegan version in the future. I think this would taste really good with some hazelnut milk! When you have vanilla you can do so many awesome things with it, check out the recipes below. Make this your new starbucks every morning! Order through me by July 7 and shipping is free!

Greenberry was Beachbody's first flavor four years ago and they decided to give it a makeover to improve the taste! Its sweeter, fruitier and even better than before. There is no more weird after taste or wheat grass flavor! They reduced the calories, sugar, and carbs, then increased the protein and fiber. It's still has a Low Glycemic Index And they added three new ingredients that are already in the other flavors of Shakeology:

Luo Han Guo - Monkfruit which lends natural sweetness to the formulation

Moringa - The horseradish tree has been used medicinally the world over dating back the ancient Romans, Greeks, and Egyptians. Moringa is known to promote energy, vitality, athletic performance and weight loss while also promoting a healthy immune system to keep you super healthy. Packed with vitamins A and C, as well as potassium, iron, and zinc. You'll also find 96 active phytochemicals and 35 active antioxidants, including superoxide dismutase (SOD), an enzyme especially effective at combating damage done by superoxide, a common free radical. You'll also find 18 essential amino acids, including the 9 essential to human life.  Beachbody source ours primarily from Senegal and give them a higher wage than in the other commodities

Himalayan Salt Salt and sodium are necessary in our diets. Unfortunately, common table salt has been stripped of its natural minerals. Himalayan salt is completely natural, relatively untouched, and as a result, still contains over 70 trace minerals. All these natural minerals found in Himalayan salt actually make this salt healthier for you than regular table salt. Additionally, as most people who bake know, adding a pinch of salt contributes to the sweetness of a product.


Apple Mojito recipe
1 scoop Greenberry Shakeology
1/4 cup apple juice
1 cup sparkling water
1 tsp fresh lime juice
1 tsp agave nectar
Ice to taste

 

What is Cinco de Mayo all about, anyway?  According to wikipedia:

In the state of Puebla, the date is observed to commemorate the Mexican army's  victory over the French at the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862. Cinco de Mayo is not Mexico's Independence Day—the most important national patriotic holiday in Mexico—which is celebrated on September 16. The holiday originated with Mexican-American communities in the American West as a way to commemorate the cause of freedom and democracy during the first years of the American Civil War.

If you don't eat well or are chronically stressed out, where do you end up, in that 69% statistic worrying about your health in the future. You can boost your longevity by changing what you eat. Yes you have control over what you eat! Do you struggle with feeling tired all the time, do you need caffeine to perk you up, do you have trouble sleeping, well those are all signs of chronic malnutrition/ lack of nutrients. Vegetables are the most nutritional food group, and no eating a side salad of iceberg lettuce (drenched in dressing) is not enough to cover your daily requirements.

My friends know that I've been talking about vitamins for years and how the quality of the vitamin is important. Not all vitamins are the same and unlike with medicine there's no requirements that the label must actually match what's in the pill. See most vitamins don't fully release for absorption into your body plus our body best absorbs nutrients when its a whole food. This lab test found defects in 40% of the multivitamins it tested! It said some of the vitamins had up to 30% less than the advertised amount of a vitamin.  

Shakeology is my new vitamin. The reason why this is better than taking a man made chemical vitamin is because it's all natural and absorbs into your body. In just one drink Shakeology would be like eating 5 salads...amazing right! I have so much energy just by getting the right nutrients everyday! It's a power packed meal with all the vitamins and superfoods that give you energy. You are getting the most bang for your buck with one meal with shakeology! Now Shakeology alone won’t make you lose weight, but it’s the best tool in your toolbelt, making the whole weight loss process easier, if you feel great and those sugar cravings go away, you’ll stick with it.

I’d heard that shakeology takes away sweet cravings and I thought that was crazy, but once I started drinking it daily it really did it for me! I'm no longer eating all the cookies at work. Shakeology isn't just a weight loss drink, yes that's a great perk, along with more energy/stamina, and lowering cholesterol and risk of heart disease, the benefits are endless, but the best reason of all is that Shakeology is the healthiest meal of the day packed with all your essential nutrients and it's all natural! Any product you compare it to you'll see has artificial sugar or other chemicals in it. There's no other shake on the market that is 100% whole foods and 70 ingredients!

 

Starting April 15th I will be hosting a clean eating and Shakeology private online support group. For 30 days I will teach you how to plan out your meals, grocery shop, choose healthy meals and snacks and incorporate Shakeology as one meal a day. I will teach you the basics of proper nutrition, fueling your body for energy and not for comfort and dealing with all the temptations that surround us on a daily basis. All the support and guidance you need to truly make a lifestyle change. Because 80% of your weight loss comes from nutrition, so why waste all those hours in the gym if your nutrition isn't right?  Do you want to make a change? Are you afraid to start? Well this is the perfect place to go! Contact me for details.

I'd say this is my favorite holiday after Halloween! No you don't have to be Irish or like beer to celebrate it.
You can make the day fun by eating green food! Start your day off with green pancakes, waffles or green eggs by adding food coloring to the mix. For lunch you can have a cucumber tea sandwich and avocado deviled eggs. Then for dinner get some green pasta (the semolina mixed with spinach) or regular pasta with a pesto sauce and a side of asparagus, peas, or broccoli. For dessert  you can have green grapes, kiwis, and honeydew. For a fun cocktail mix midori with champagne for a shamrock cocktail.

I made Chalene Johnson's Greenberry Shakeology Shake recipe:

• 8 oz of almond milk
• 4 oz of water and ice
• splash of peppermint extract
• 1 tsp of peanut butter
• 2 tbsp of sugar free vanilla or cheesecake jello instant pudding mix
• packet of greenberry shakeology

Another recipe to try is the Shamrock smoothie:

1 cup almond milk, unsweetened
1 kiwi fruit, peeled and diced
¼ cup fresh mint leaves
1 tsp. pure maple syrup
1 scoop Greenberry Shakeology
1 cup ice cubes

Both recipes are a whole lot healthier than McDonalds Shamrock Shake, read what the ingredients are.