New things are happening......

 Welll hellllllllooooo my little loves!!!

Whew it's been a HOT minute since I have been on here.

I won't even BOTHER with the infamous 'life is crazy busy, blah blah blah'.

All I can say is we started a new venture on top of the health & wellness journey we are on and time/life just got away from me!

Oh, and ya know we are T Minus 8 weeks away from the BIG day! What what!!?? I know, I know

I can't EVEN. Sooooooo excited to marry this man, you just have no idea. ;)

More on the wedding in upcoming posts, but let's get right to our new venture.

Guys, we are soooo freaking excited!!!

 For some time now we have talked about how much we would LOVE to do a couple's podcast and finally we stopped shitting around just talking about it and we freaking DID it!!!!

We are having an absolute BLAST with it and have gotten soooo much positive feedback.

Like some serious unexpected feedback. LOL

We are loving how well it's been received. 

We drop our episodes on Sundays around noonish 

(a good time for a cup of coffee or a cocktail depending on your mood!) 😉

If you want to hear real life shit, we just wrapped up Episode 4 this past weekend. It's full of pretty AWESOME at home date night advice.

We aren't experts by any means, but we think with our past experience we have a pretty good

story to tell and like to keep it REAL for all of you. 

So check out C & C with M & E and let us know what you think. (more on the name of the podcast in episode 1)

https://anchor.fm/hm18/episodes/CC-with-ME----Get-to-Know-Me-Episode-1-eh93ne

Oh, and be forewarned....this is NOT little ear friendly so don't go blasting it in the car

with your littles in the back seat or they are in for a serious EDUCATION!!! ;)

Sorry for the MIA situation....girlfriend needs to get her balance in ORDER!

Be back in a few days with some more good stuff!!!

Avocado Alfredo Zoodles with Shrimp

Happy Sunday lovelies!!

Ok, so I dove into another 2B Mindset recipe this weekend....

helllloooooooo!

Sooooo good! 

I love pasta but obviously pasta is NOT always the best choice to eat on a regular basis.

I know, I know, I LOVE a good pasta, but I have had zoodles in the past and

loved them as well. I did invest in a really good "spiralizer" aka Zoodler from Amazon.

That thing is a BEAST!! It was soooo easy AND quick to zoodle those guys!

This recipe was only for 2 servings, but I ended up zoodle-ing all of the zucchinis I had so they didn't go bad and modifying the recipe to at least 4 servings.

So the numbers here are based on 4 servings. I just put the excess zoodles in a ziploc bag for us to use this week for lunches, etc.

The sauce for this is BOMB!

Hopefully your people love this as much as my people did. We are definitely keeping this in the rotation.  If you give it a try, let me know how you like it. :)

INGREDIENTS:

2 medium avocado

1 cup plain Greek yogurt

Black pepper (divided and also added per taste)

Garlic Powder

Onion powder (divided)

Lemon juice

Raw shrimp (I used a whole bag of the xl size shrimp)

6-8 zucchinis (as you start spiralizing you can see how much you want to go with)

Shaved Parmesan Cheese

DIRECTIONS:

1. Mash up the avocado and combine it with the yogurt, 1/2 tsp pepper, 1/2 tsp garlic powder, 1/2 tsp onion powder and lemon juice. For the lemon juice, we personally LOVE lemon juice and the recipe didn't call for it, so I added non measured, just by taste. Mix well and set aside.

2. Heat a large nonstick pan with just a bit of olive oil or cooking spray over medium heat. (my pans don't use cooking spray so I always just use a little olive oil)

3. Add shrimp. Season with 1/2 tsp pepper, 1/2 tsp garlic powder, 1/2 tsp onion powder and yep, I did squirt a little more lemon juice in there. Cook stirring frequently for a minute or two.

4. Add your zoodles, cook and stir frequently for about 2 to 3 minutes. Drain any excess liquid from the pan.

5. Add the avocado mixture stirring frequently, until heated through and shrimp are fully cooked. 

6. Plate up your beautiful creation and top with shaved parmesan. 

That's it!!! YUM!!!!!

Have a beautiful rest of your Sunday!!

Turnip Fries! Say WHAT?!

Guys, like what the HECK!?

Ok, so as you know we are doing Beachbody and this week

I am SUPER stoked because I am trying a BUNCH of new recipes.

This particular recipe caught my eye from the 2B Mindset meal program. And 

I'm sure you guys can GUESS why it caught my eye!?

hellooooo my little carb neglected heart was leaping at the word

FRIES!!!

Fries and I have had a LONG time love affair.

This GIRL has not met a fry she doesn't love.

Anyway, I was super interested in these little guys.

They were SUPER easy to make and I was BLOWN away by

how much they looked like LEGIT french fries!!

Everyone LOVED them! They will be staying in the rotation.

Go out to that grocery produce section and grab those turnips! 

(yep, NEVER HAVE I EVER bought a turnip before this recipe! LOL)

INGREDIENTS:

2 to 3 turnips (I bought 2 but only used 3) - cut them into thinner strips

tsp olive oil

Dash of Salt 

Dash of Pepper

DIRECTIONS:

1. Mix olive oil and seasonings together with the "fries"

2. Bake at 425 degrees for 42 - 45 minutes, turning occasionally to even out the browning.

That is seriously it guys!!!! So flipping EASY!!!

We had ours with a Salmon Burger with Avocado cream sauce over a bed of spinach. YUM!

Enjoy your Wednesday loves!!

Remember stay positive and take care of YOU! 💕

Turkey Taco Stuffed Sweet Potatoes

Happy Tuesday loves! So I've seen this recipe circulating around the internet for awhile and was always intrigued, so I finally took the plunge and tried them. I am so happy I did because they are legit DELISH....and super easy! SCORE! It only takes 2 sweet potatoes but equals 4 servings because you actually split the sweet potatoes in half. :) (in my pics I have 5 halves, I kept one half out to use today for lunch)  I have really been experimenting and trying a ton of new recipes to see how we all like them and so far it's really expanding our menu rotation!!

INGREDIENTS:

1 lb ground turkey
2 sweet potatoes (choose a size that works for the # of people you are feeding)
1 tsp olive oil
Ground cumin (divided, see directions)
Salt (divided, see directions)
Pepper (divided, see directions)
Garlic Cloves (minced, amount to your taste)
1 tsp chili powder
1/2 tsp oregano
1/2 tsp paprika
8 oz can tomato sauce
Monterey Jack cheese - shredded (amount to your preference)

DIRECTIONS:

1. Pierce the sweet potatoes all over with a knife. Wrap the sweet potato in a wet paper towel, yes, you read that right. LOL  It sounds weird but it helps potatoes cook quicker in the microwave. 😊 Cook about 6 minutes each side depending on your microwave. You will know they are ready when they are nice and soft to touch. Let them rest to cool. You want to be able to handle them without getting a third degree burn peeps!

2. After the potatoes are cool, cut them in half lengthwise. Scoop out all of the insides, being careful not to ruin the skin. You will place the hollowed out skins on a sheet pan. Mash the removed sweet potato with a fork until most of the lumps are gone then mix in the olive oil, 1/2 tsp of cumin, 1/4 tsp salt & 1/4 tsp pepper. Divide the mashed up mixture evenly between your hollowed out shells.

3. In a skillet over medium high heat, brown the turkey, stir in the garlic, the chili powder, 3/4 tsp cumin, oregano, paprika, 1/8 tsp salt and 1/8 tsp pepper. Stir in the tomato sauce.

4. Preheat your Broiler. Spoon the turkey mixture evenly on top of each of the sweet potato mixtures. Top with your cheese. Place in oven until the cheese is all melted with yummyness. (yes, that's a word) Remember it's on broil so the cheese is going to melt super duper FAST!! ;)

Try them out and let me know what you think!!!

Carbs, Eating, Portions...Oh My!

Happy Wednesday!!!

I have been a BUSY, BUSY bee getting our challenge group together for July!!!

We have been having the BEST time getting our group set up and are truly enjoying
this new journey together.
We had a pretty exciting day/evening yesterday. We were recognized on our team
call as the "power couple". LOL
It felt good because we are both passionate go-getters and when we do something
we do it 110%, so it was nice that it was recognized so early on. We also
make a really good team together because we really balance each other so well and have
so much fun and energy together.
(BTW, if you want in on one of our groups, PLEASE message me! We would LOVE to have you!)
Hey, I think we are so much fun, but I may be a little bias. ;)
I am in the second week of my new workout that I started and I can't EVEN.
This woman is pushing me completely out of my comfort zone.
So the real deal on me....
When I did Beachbody years ago I honestly did NOT follow the nutrition plan
that was recommended for the program I did. 😲
Why would I NEED that? I can't be bothered with that. I've never "dieted" a day in my life.
(ok, this was all crap I was saying internally in my head you guys!)
Fast forward 5 years later.  Clothes start fitting differently, (and I will just say, my clothes tell me
EVERYTHING I need to know, LOL - so eff you scale),
weight is proportioned "differently" 😉, etc
So with the wedding coming I wanted to really DIAL in on my nutrition and fitness
to be in the BEST shape I can possibly be in and ROCK that dress like nobody's business.
I decided to go 100% on my program I am doing and truly, honestly do the meal plan that
goes along with it.
Holy CRAP! To say it puts your eating into perspective would be an UNDERSTATEMENT!
Guys.....I was a CARB addict!! WTH?!
I literally NEVER realized how many I ate in a day until I started this program.
It makes you really think about what you are going to eat, so you aren't just
throwing crap down your throat.
BUUUUUTTTTT, I am NOT starving! LOL (contrary to what my carb neglected body thinks)
I feel GREAT. My clothes are ALREADY feeling different.
It's not about starving yourself. It's about eating better, cleaner.
So I'm super PROUD of myself because this is BIG for me. LOL
I will emphasize this.....
I am NOT trying to lose a bunch of weight, so before I get the hate mail, (which if you didn't see my story today on FB or Instagram, check it out)
I am toning and getting stuff back where it needs to be.😂
Plus I feel like a freaking million BUCKS when I am on my A game nutrition and fitness wise.
I say it all the time. Do NOT judge anyone on where they are in their life.
Whether that be a weight loss journey, a healthier lifestyle journey, a more positive outlook journey, hell if they want to sew facemasks for Covid.....
LET THEM BE!!!
You don't know what feeds people's soul. You don't know what their story is.
You worry about YOU.
I will definitely be checking back and keeping you posted on how this new LESS carb me is doing.
Keep my family in your thoughts!!! 😂😂

Blackened Chicken with Avocado Cream Sauce

Hi loves! Here's a light, healthy summer dish!  I did it with chicken, but any white fish would work perfectly!!! :)

It ended up being a WINNER!!! The sauce is soooo refreshing, we all LOVED it! Let me know what you think! I served mine with the roasted brussel sprouts because I think I may have a serious obsession with them! They are just soooooo yummy! Here's the link to the recipe for those here. (the recipe is in with another chicken recipe so DOUBLE SCORE! 😉)

Ingredients:

Blackened Chicken (or fish)

4 - thin chicken breasts
1 Tbsp blackening seasoning


Avocado Cream Sauce

1/3 cup plain greek yogurt
1 avocado, chopped up
1 Tbsp lemon juice
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/8 tsp salt
1/8 tsp pepper
Put all of the cream sauce ingredients into a food processor and blend until smooth and creamy! :)
Taste it and alter it to your taste buds!

1.  Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Season the chicken well on both sides with blackening seasoning..(it may take more because this depends on your "hot" tolerance

2. Bake chicken for about 15 - 20 minutes each side until it's cooked through  (adjust cooking times depending on your oven)

3. Top with a dollop of the avocado cream sauce. (um, I may tend to put a little toooo much on mine, it's just sooooo delish and I even like it on my rice!!!)

ENJOY!!!!

If you would like to follow my blog just click the subscribe button at the bottom and you will know when there is a new post on here! :)

Self Care, Misconceptions, People's Opinions

Happy Hump Day Loves!!!

So I'll start off by saying YES, if you know me I have had

a HUGE amount of life changes in these last 2 years.

I think the important thing to remember is you LITERALLY never know what someone is going thru, or what their life really is UNLESS you walked in their shoes.

Yasssssss, I know, you see people on social media and life looks

fab, blah blah blah, but here's the thing, most of the time those people are NOT 

being "fake". Those people are trying to make it, they are trying to push through whatever in their life is NOT perfect without being a DOWNER to everyone else.

You can NOT fault someone for trying to stay positive, for trying to survive, for just trying to be.

I myself know what it's like first hand for people to make assumptions about me & my life, to say I was "fake", to be SHOCKED by my decisions..yada yada yada.

No, I wasn't fake I was one of those people trying to hold my "perfect" life together

one thread at a time. If that makes me fake, then I'm sorry, but sometimes

you have to do what you have to do to make it.

I know the truth, my kids know the truth and what other people "think" they know

is none of my business.

But I digress, sooooooooooo

5 years ago I started the journey of really taking care of me because I was in a BAD BAD place mentally. Physically I didn't want to move out of bed or even shower, let alone exercise

or do anything to help myself. It was easier to wallow in my own self pity. 

Admitting that you are wallowing is the first step to digging yourself out. ;)

At the time my sister was a fitness coach and kept encouraging me to try her

challenge groups. I didn't want to do it, but I also couldn't stand myself anymore.

(I'm a pretty positive person, so my negativity and shit attitude was even getting to ME)

I started doing her groups, started reading some PD books,  I was loving the workouts, and 

while I was doing all of that I started feeling incredible.

My whole perspective changed. I was more positive. I had more energy. I was 

getting up and SHOWERING. I was laughing again.

I WAS LIVING.

Long story short I was so active in the challenge groups and was having

so much fun with it, I became a Beachbody coach and LOVED it.

I did it for a couple years, but the support I needed, especially at home was NOT there

and I started losing my spark to do it.

So I stopped and then life kept happening and before you know it

there I was doing something I NEVER EVER wanted to do.....

got DIVORCED. 

WOW!

I know it was a SHOCK to those who have known my ex & I for a long time and that shock is still 

probably A LOT for some, but the bottom line is

we are both in a BETTER place now.

No matter what anyone else thinks everything works out for the best.

So here I am on what I like to call the "Second Half" of my life

and I could NOT be happier!!! 

I met someone who loves me fiercely, loves my kids,

who I literally laugh with EVERY. SINGLE. DAY, who respects me, who protects me, who supports me, who I am madly, deeply in love with. 

Planning our wedding has been a dream. That will be the most magical day of our lives.

All of these changes have also ignited my NEED/DESIRE to start focusing on ME again.

I know I was in the BEST shape of my life and felt the best I have ever felt when I was doing these programs and when I was actively coaching.

Booom, I'm BACK! I have started coaching again and this time

my LOVE is coaching with me because he sees and feels the benefits of it all.

We are going to be starting up a pretty LEGIT, energetic challenge group in the next couple weeks. If you have any interest in joining or would like more info, please send me a message. We would love to have you and help you on your journey!

These people are my WORLD!

Have an amazing day and REMEMBER don't let other people's

misconceptions and/or opinions of you, hold you back from the life you DESERVE!