Be Fearless

How many of you feel like exercise and clean eating have become a normal and regular part of your life now? Yes, I have times where I just want a milkshake and goodies, but it is just times now. Not ALL THE TIME like it used to be. I love that I have a healthy relationship with food now. This is the first time ever! You do not have to sacrifice to be healthy you just have to realize that there are better things out there for you.

In high school I ate so little because I thought I was fat. Always skipping breakfast and I would eat Jr. Mints for lunch and that was it and barely ateany dinner too. I used to think, "to lose weight I have to cut food, or a food group." I lost 20 pounds in high school because I didn't eat. I used an excuse as a reason to why I didn't want to eat. I felt that I had to stop eating and exercise to be happy. And I still thought I was fat even when I was too thin for my body type. Most people thought I looked great. I was miserable. I was hungry. I was depressed. And I was hurting myself. 

Even as a young adult I was hard on myself. Thinking that if I ever reach a certain weight that I would just stop eating again. And I thought I was HUGE! 

Now, I finally get to eat, and it always fills me up and still lose weight. I am eating the right types of carbs. I am eating healthy fats. I am LOVING veggies and fruits. And I am getting the protein in my body that it needs to function correctly! And the food I make is pretty great! Oh and I still get goodies, sometimes. I live my life by the 80/20 rule where I eat clean most of the time but still get a good treat. 

We are all in here for our own reason but we are fighting for what we want. We are fighting to be healthy and sometimes the battle is REAL! Be fearless in what you are pursuing. Because in the end, you matter. Your healthy life matters! You are worth it and never forget that!

If you are done letting food rule your life and want to start eating clean and healthy. Fill out this GOOGLE DOC and I will get back with you within 48 hours.  I can't wait to talk to you! 

Thanksgiving Appetizer: Pumpkin Hummus

Here is a great appetizer to try out before you dive into your feast! Let me know what you think! 

Pumpkin Hummus:

Pumpkin is a great Thanksgiving tradition. This recipe taste good with chips, and baked pita chips.

Ingredients:

2 tbsp tahini
2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
1 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp pumpkin oil
3/4 tsp sea salt
1/8 tsp ground pepper
15oz pumpkin (plain) baked or canned
4 cloves garlic, passed through a garlic press
2 tbsp cilantro

Preparation:

Place all ingredients in a food processor. Process until smooth.
Spoon into a decorative stoneware serving bowl and serve chilled.

[Image source: cooktj.com]

Keeping The Holidays Healthy

Here they are! The Holidays are HERE!

Every December I have been resigned with the fact that I was just going to enjoy my holiday and deal with the aftermath in January. But this year is going to be so different. This is the first year that I am going into the holidays losing weight and actually knowing what I should and shouldn't eat. And trying to follow that. I am taking the time for me, my health and my body! No more just allowing the holidays to run my life for me.

Why wait for New Years to make the changes your body is wanting?

For December I am running a group to help keep your holidays healthy. A holiday survival group just for women who are ready to make themselves a priority this year.

My 30 day exclusive private group will include:

-A fitness program that fits your lifestyle and needs
-30 day supply of dense nutrition
-Meal plans, recipes and grocery lists
-Meal planning help and support
-Accountability and one on one coaching
-Daily motivation to help you stick with your goals
-Clean eating and holiday survival guide ebooks
-A group of supportive women who can relate to YOU

I am ready to make this December the most healthy and best one I have ever had with ME as a priority. Are you ready?

Want more daily motivation and inspiration? Click here get free advice, support and encouragement + a free copy of my Clean Eating guide to help you get started on your health and fitness journey! Don't forget to follow me on INSTAGRAM and FACEBOOK!

Stretches for Tight Hips

Oh my legs and hips are super sore and tired from my workouts I have been doing this week. Tonight I am taking the time to stretch them out and help them out a little! Thankfully I have Pilates on the schedule for tomorrows workout and not strength training but I still need to stretch them tonight. I'm following this exercise routine to help me out! 

All of you doing the squat challenge. Takes some time during the week to stretch out your legs and hips! 

20 Pounds...GONE! My 5 Tips To Help You Lose 20 Pounds

I finally did it! I am at my 20 pounds lost mark! It feels like it has taken forever but looking back it really hasn't been that long. Since May. Since I came back and decided that I was worth it, that I was tired of being tired. Now I am going into the holidays losing weight, being healthy for me and my family and KICKING BUTT! (while making it smaller too!)

So what are my tips? 

1. WORKOUT! You have to workout and exercise that beautiful body God blessed you with. We sit too much, I still sit too much, but I try to get at least 30 minutes of active exercise in. Not meaning I walk around my house or up and down the stairs but 30 minutes of an actual workout routine or walk outside, at a good pace. No more lazy strolling. Find a program that is easy to follow. Find a routine that you can do. And don't push yourself too hard in the beginning or else you are going to get too sore and give up too quickly! Don't know what program is best for you and your lifestyle? Send me a message and we can chat about that! I know there is one out there that will work best for you! 

2. EAT CLEAN! Ok so working out is only about 20% of the equation to actually losing weight. It is so good for our bodies and mind but eating is the other 80% that you really have to do to actually lose weight. You can exercise your butt off, 2 hours a day, and still only have minimal weight loss (trust me, I have been there) But once you clean up your eating and doing exercise, your weight will just literally FALL OFF OF YOU! So check your cupboards right now. See anything in there that you know isn't the best for you? Pitch it and get rid of it. Start filling your cupboards with healthy foods. Cut the snacks. And snack on fruits and veggies! Trust me! You will feel more satisfied with good whole foods than you do with any of the pre-packaged, processed snacks!

3. WATER! Water is so important to flush out all the toxins from your system. Drink half your body weight in ounces. AT LEAST! Just drink water. Take a measuring glass to your favorite cup and measure how much water it holds that way you will know, When I drink out of my favorite ASU cup I am getting 32 ounces of water! Really is that easy!

4. BE HAPPY! If you are happy and enjoying life you are going to want to exercise, eat good and people will notice. You are an amazing person. You are special and unique. You don't have to do anything special to feel happy and be positive you just have to be happy and positive! Say a positive phrase in the morning every day for 1 week and see how you feel at the end of the week.

5. BE YOU! You are amazing and wonderful. Just be you. Don't compare yourself to other people. Don't compare your success to other people too. It just isn't worth the time and effort. You are perfect and enjoy who you are now, but be open to making changes to enhance yourself! That's it!

Want more daily motivation and inspiration? Click here to join my private online community where you get info, tips, support and encouragement + a free gift with tips to help you get started with the right mindset for healthier nutrition choices TODAY!

Thanksgiving Side Option: Creamy Butternut Sage Linguini

This might not be exactly for Thanksgiving dinner but it could be a different kind of side to use.

Creamy Butternut Sage Linguine

Dairy and gluten free creamy butternut sage linguine.

Ingredients:

2 Tbsp. organic grapeseed oil
¼ cup finely chopped fresh sage
2 pound butternut squash; peeled, seeded, and cut into small ½-inch pieces (about 3 cups)
1 medium yellow onion; chopped
3 garlic cloves; pressed and minced
¼ tsp. red pepper flakes (optional)
2 cups low sodium vegetable broth
1 package gluten free linguine
½ cup raw cashews
2 cups water
1 tablespoon lemon juice
2 tsp. pink Himalayan salt + additional to taste
Freshly ground black pepper

Instructions:

Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Once the oil is hot, add the sage and stir to coat. Let the sage lightly sauté for about a minute or so before transferring it to a small dish. Set the sage aside.

Add cubed squash, onion, garlic and red pepper flakes to the skillet. Season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until onion is translucent, or about 10 minutes.

Add in your low-sodium vegetable broth. Bring the mixture to a boil, then cover and reduce heat, simmering until squash is soft and broth is reduced by half. This should take about 20 minutes.

In the meantime, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta according to package directions, stirring occasionally, until al dente.

In a blender, combine cashews, water, lemon juice, and salt. Process on high until very smooth, or about 2 minutes. Pour into a separate dish and set aside.

Once the squash mixture is done cooking, remove it from heat and let it cool slightly. 

Transfer the contents of the pan to a blender, and purée the mixture until smooth.

When finished, return squash purée to the skillet and whisk in your cashew cream sauce. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Combine pasta and squash purée until sauce coats pasta, seasoning with additional salt and pepper if necessary.

Serve pasta topped with fried sage and additional red pepper flakes if desired.

Found at: The Lean Clean Eating Machine

Facing Fears

Yesterday was a rough day for me guys. I faced a huge fear of mine during my counseling session. And it is something that has come out during this whole process of the miscarriage. Because I was so close to it actually happening.

I faced my fear dead on. I am so scared of not being here for my family. My fear is, had I had died during the miscarriage. I had to face that today. We had to go back into it and talk through those feelings of sadness and grief and how close I really was. I even said, "I didn't want to go down that path because it scared me." Talking about me dying and not being here just broke my heart.

But you know what. I realized how much I love my family. I realized that I have a lot more work to do here in this life and that I am making my life count. I have my two amazing boys who need me. And my husband that loves me and wants me. I have friends that would miss me. I have lives that I am helping to change right now and countless future people that I know I am going to be helping that need me! I am so thankful that I am still here. That it wasn't my time and that I have found my purpose as a mother, wife, teacher and motivator.

I give all of myself in all that I do. Because we only have 1 life to live. Live it to your fullest. Every single day! And be thankful for the life that you do have. It has helped shape you into the person you are now!

Want more daily motivation and inspiration? Click here get free advice, support and encouragement + a free copy of my Clean Eating guide to help you get started on your health and fitness journey! Don't forget to follow me on INSTAGRAM and FACEBOOK!

Happy and Healthy National Redhead Day!

Happy National Redhead day! From this Ginger to you! Where are all my redheaded friends out there? Hey gotta give a shoutout to a holiday just for GINGERS!

Here are a few of fun facts about us redheads! Did you know any of these?

~People with red hair are likely more sensitive to pain. This is because the gene mutation (MC1R) that causes red hair is on the same gene linked to pain receptors. It also means redheads usually need more anesthesia for dental and medical procedures. (um totally true, I am always give more drugs for dental stuff and even for my surgery in March.)

~Having red hair isn't the only thing that makes some redheads unique. They are also more likely to be left handed. Both characteristics come from recessive genes, which like to come in pairs. (I am quite ambidextrous)

~Redheads probably won't go grey. That's because the pigment just fades over time. So they will probably go blonde and even white, but not grey. (yea! Weird thing as I am getting older, my hair is actually getting more red. So...We shall see what happens)

~Bees have been proven to be more attracted to redheads. (I hate bees! And seriously they all flock to me it seems like. I would squeal like a little girl and cower anytime a bee came near me!)

And to end this awesomely GINGERTASTIC post! How about a great Ginger Cookie Recipe! 

Healthy Ginger Cookies

Ingredients:
¾ C coconut oil
1 C agave
¼ C molasses
2 eggs (organic and free-range)
3½ C whole-wheat flour, finely ground (preferably soft white wheat)
1½ tsp. baking soda
½ tsp. sea salt
2 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. ground cloves
3 tsp. ginger (plus, optionally, freshly grated ginger root)
1 tsp. nutmeg

Cream together the coconut oil and sweeteners, then add the egg and mix well. Add all the dry ingredients and mix well. Roll into walnut-sized balls and bake at 375° for 6 min. I rolled mine lightly in evaporated cane juice because my boys love the crunch. 

*Found at The Fitness Freak

Veteran's Day Hot Chocolate

(2012. Picking Matt up at the airport after an 11 month deployment. Mason was 11 months old.) 

Matt has always felt that this day, Veteran's Day is "His Day". And it is. Today we dropped Mason off at school and Matt, Collin baby and I headed down to the downtown area of Charlottesville. We happened upon the Veteran's Day Celebration. We then enjoyed a great breakfast at the area's first diner. I ate french toast and eggs. YUM! 80/20, eat clean 80% of the time and you can eat anything else the other 20%! We then picked Mason up from school, went to Best Buy and I finally rejoined the cell phone age and got a business phone! And have just been relaxing the rest of the day! What did you guys do today? 

So, to make my officer feel extra special on "his day" I am trying out this awesome Hot Chocolate with a kick recipe tonight after the kiddos go to bed! Hot chocolate is one of his favorite cold weather drinks!

Does this look good to you?

CLEAN EATING HOT CHOCOLATE

(Makes approximately 4 cups)

INGREDIENTS:

4 cups unsweetened milk (any type)
3/4 cup honey (or to taste)
2 teaspoons cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon cayenne (optional)
3 tablespoons unsweetened powdered cocoa

DIRECTIONS:

Combine all ingredients in a pot and warm over medium to medium high heat. Stir constantly with a whisk.
Pour into cups and serve.

Found at The Gracious Pantry

Old Me vs New Me

Transformation Tuesday! MY OWN! The old me and the new me. The me on the left. She was suffering from depression, but still trying to be better every day. Shy, nervous and suffered from low self confidence and esteem. Determined though to never give up. Worked on eating better, giving up the processed foods, and making meals that were healthy and helped make her happy. Motivated to change while motivating and supporting others just like her.

Well, the old me, the one on the left, blossomed into the girl on the right! Confident, glowing, happy, inspiring others and 18.5 pounds lighter. All because I decided that I was worth it and that I was tired of being sad, tied of my body hurting, or out of breath when climbing the stairs. I was through with making excuses. I had enough and I was ready to change.

And I have.

It is so amazing to see that in just a few short months I have literally transformed into this girl on the right. No make up and all and still beautiful!
Be you. Take care of you. You are worth fighting for. You are worth starting today and trying. This is your chance. Are you ready? You can join me and my group. Send me a message and we can talk about how you can change too! Connect the dots for your fitness, health and life with this Ginger! 

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