Connect the Dots Ginger

Friday, September 29, 2017

Happy Birthday Elyse Cheyenne!

Happiest of happy birthdays to my sweet little rainbow baby Elyse! 1:01pm she is exactly 1 year old. I am in denial about her turning one as she is more than likely my last baby but I am truly excite to see how much she grows, learns and develops this next year.

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!

Thursday, September 28, 2017

Learn To Be Obsessed With Your Fitness and Health Challenge

I am struggling you guys! This ginger needs some structure in her life right now, and I am SOOOO excited about the newest workout to be released in January, 80 Day Obsession. But since my emergency appendectomy at the end of August and recovery I have been struggling to get back on track! And I want to be at a certain level of commitment, dedication and fitness before I begin 80 Day so that I reach my ultimate goal of 24% body fat. That means I have to LEARN to Be Obsessed.

Join me over the next 3 months in my exclusive group as we rotate through the different programs to help us learn to be obsessed with taking care of ourselves inside and out! We are combining daily exercise with learning healthier eating habits.

Each workout program has a modifier so it is perfect for any fitness level and allows you to increase your ability as you get stronger! Then, beginning January 15, we go right into 80 Day Obsession! And this isn't just about exercise. It's about learning to put the right foods in your body to help fuel your body and help your body be more efficient. With this challenge you will have access to meal plans, recipes and guides to help you stay on track with your goals!

I have it set up to hit the ground running with 21 Day Fix, 7 day a week workouts for just 3 weeks. Then we go into 2 rounds of Shift Shop, 6 days a week workouts. Then 21 Day Fix Extreme for the next 21 days. After Christmas the focus will be on nutrition and getting that on track for sure (the goal is to do that before with the other programs too, but really getting it dialed in on Extreme and we get access to the nutrition plan on Jan 8 to prep!) And then we begin the 80 day Obsession on Jan 15.

All programs are available with your Beachbody On Demand membership. To be part of the group, you must invest in yourself with a Beachbody On Demand Annual Membership bundled with Shakeology with me as your coach to get you the results you deserve. CLICK THE BUTTON BELOW to get your membership bundled with Shakeology!

Tuesday, September 26, 2017

When To Eat To Lose Weight

I am a firm believer in feeding my body throughout the day. I feel better and my body feels better when I am getting 5-6 meals a day. That means eating about every 2.5 hours! Check out my sample meal plan schedule below:

Think of your body as a fireplace. It constantly needs wood to keep it burning. Without any wood, the fire burns out. And when you miss a snack or meal your body can actually slip into a starvation mode and you will get HANGRY! (Hungry/angry). Once your body goes into starvation mode from not eating enough or skipping meals, and does it on a regular basis, your body starts to hold onto the food it does get so that it has energy to burn later. Thus...aiding in gaining weight not losing weight.

If you can't remember when to snack or eat your meals, start by planning out your meals for the whole week. You can download this weekly meal planner in my FREE ONLINE COMMUNITY HERE. Then try prep them the night before by putting each meal in separate baggies or containers in the fridge marked with what time to eat them. WHEN YOU EAT DOES MATTER! One another thing is to set alarms on your phone to help remind you when to eat (that's what I do!) Remember it takes 21 days to create a habit and 90 days to create a lifestyle change!

Check out these other tips to help:

Try eating at the same time every day. Consistency builds habits.
Eat a good sized breakfast to break your fast from sleeping
Consider an earlier lunch and a smaller dinner
Don't eat 7pm
Get a good night's sleep. Aim to get 7+ hours a night (I have an alarm on my phone to go to bed by 10:30pm every night.
Eat within 45 minutes after you exercise to help your body replenish glycogen and repair your muscles.

Monday, September 25, 2017

Healthy Butternut Squash Soup Recipe

The other day while I was at Target, my heart about skipped a beat! LOOK WHAT I FOUND! Panera Bread's Autumn Squash Soup! I love this stuff. And I look forward to it every year. And I have already had a bowl of it this month, now this stuff! YAY! It is a little $$ at $3.99 per container *prices may vary. Meaning that it will still only be something that I can get occasionally. Oh and There were many other flavors too! But, I have wanted to make my own at home. Meaning I can control what ingredients I have in it and sodium content too.

I first had butternut squash soup about 6 years ago. A Bakery in my old town had it and it was amazing! I asked the owner how she made it and it seemed sooooo easy, with the secret being apples! Yep, so here we go! Easy, healthy butter nut squash soup!

Ingredients:

3 cups roasted butternut squash, halved vertically, seeds removed
4-6 cups veggie or chicken broth (I like to have a thicker soup so I use about 4 cups, use more to thin it out. Plus I like to use chicken bone broth so that it adds some protein to my soup.)
1 tbsp Oil, plus more for drizzle
1 cup diced onion
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 cup carrots, chopped
1 cup apple, peeled and diced (or apple sauce!)
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
1 pinch nutmeg

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit and line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper. Place the butternut squash on the pan and drizzle each half with just enough olive oil to lightly coat the squash on the inside (about 1 teaspoon each). Rub the oil over the inside of the squash and sprinkle it with salt and pepper.
Turn the squash face down and roast until it is tender and completely cooked through, about 45 to 50 minutes. Set the squash aside until it’s cool enough to handle, about 10 minutes. Then use a large spoon to scoop the butternut squash flesh into a bowl and discard the tough skin.
Meanwhile, in a medium skillet (or large soup pot, if you’ll be serving soup from that pot), warm 1 tablespoon olive oil over medium heat until shimmering. Add the chopped onion. Cook, stirring often, until the onion has softened and is starting to turn golden on the edges, about 3 to 4 minutes. Add the garlic and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds, stirring frequently.
Add the butternut squash, veggie or chicken broth, apple, salt, pepper and nutmeg
Bring to a boil and simmer for 15 minutes.
Using an immersion blender or blend in your blender to puree the soup. (if using a blender, you will have to blend it in batches, return it to the original pot to stir together after it is all purred.
Taste for seasoning and adjust if necessary
Enjoy!

Do you have a favorite seasonal soup??? Comment below!

Tuesday, September 19, 2017

Babies On BOD: Pre and Post Natal Fitness Section on Beachbody On Demand

This past summer, at the annual conference for coaches with Beachbody, moms with babies were not able to participate in the group workout sessions. They were actually being turned away. But depending on the age of the baby and nursing or not, we just can't leave the baby with our spouse. They have to come with us EVERYWHERE!

Autumn Calabrese, the creator of 21 Day Fix, got wind of what was happening and put out a message to all moms to join her exclusively for a mom and babies only workout session! YEP! She saw a problem, and fixed it. Since then, Beachbody has listened. THERE ARE A LOT OF WOMEN PREGNANT or WITH YOUNG KIDS LOOKING FOR MORE WORKOUTS! So what did they do? They created a whole section on Beachbody On Demand unlimited online streaming just for Moms! They have added new workouts, because there was already an Active Maternity workout available, also by Autumn Calabrese, and included the workout from this summer in the section.

There are 10 workouts and 1 informational video on the station, Pre and Post Natal Fitness. I am pretty sure that they will be adding more to it too! Want a FREE 14 Day Trial? CLICK HERE or the image below---Scroll down the page to the 3 month option which has a FREE 14 Day Trial!

Monday, September 18, 2017

Best Tip To Fight Back To School Sickness

We are going on 4 weeks into the new school year right now, and I FINALLY found the way to keep my family from getting the dreaded "back to school cold!" I have one kid in Kindergarten and 2 here at home with me. And last year by the end of week 2, we were all suffering from the cold.

BEST TIP TO KEEP YOU AND YOUR FAMILY SICK FREE:

HAVE YOUR CHILDREN WASH THEIR HANDS RIGHT WHEN THEY GET HOME!

Mason now knows that once he walks into the door, he goes right into the bathroom and scrubs his hands. And this might seem like an obvious thing but you guys, I didn't start this until about 7 months into the school year last year. Just didn't even cross my mind. So...I'm paying it forward. If your family is getting sick, have your kids wash up right when they walk in the door!

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!

Friday, September 15, 2017

Healthy Quinoa Breakfast Ideas

No oatmeal? NO PROBLEM! This week I ran out of oatmeal! Yep, considering the fact that I haven't really done a real grocery run since before my emergency appendectomy surgery 3 weeks ago it was bound to happen. But as I was going through my cupboards I realized I do have a TON of quinoa.

Quinoa is a GREAT protein packed seed, not a grain! Quinoa is gluten free and also has 9 essential amino acids that our bodies need. Plus it is high in fiber, magnesium, B- vitamins, iron, potassium, calcium, phosphorus, vitamin E and antioxidants. Coming in with a whopping 8 grams of protein per 1 cup. And it also can take on any flavor you give it. I haven't been utilizing quinoa as much as I should. Most people eat it as a side or on top of salads, and I can't stand it that way. But as an oatmeal alternative, I can do that! NEW GOAL: Alternate Quinoa and Oatmeal in my mornings so that I am getting the good stuff my body needs and to use up the quinoa that I have! ENTER, healthy recipes that I can do!

Check out these recipe ideas for a healthy quinoa breakfast!

PUMPKIN SPICED BREAKFAST QUINOA

Pumpkin Spiced Breakfast Quinoa by Once Upon A Cutting Board

5 INGREDIENT QUINOA SUPERFOOD BREAKFAST BOWL

5 Ingredient Quinoa Superfood Breakfast Bowl by: Two Raspberries

BREAKFAST QUINOA RICE PUDDING

Breakfast Quinoa Rice Pudding by: Catching Seeds

VANILLA BEAN BREAKFAST QUINOA

Vanilla Bean Breakfast Quinoa by: Fit Foodie Finds

QUINOA CEAREAL WITH CARAMELIZED BANANAS

Warm Quinoa Cereal with Caramelized Bananas by: Running To The Kitchen

APPLE PIE QUINOA

Apple Pie Quinoa by: Food Babbles

Thursday, September 14, 2017

6 Day Morning Makeover Challenge

Starting the week of the 25th my team is hosting a 6 day Morning Makeover Challenge! To help you lose weight, increase your energy, have more mental focus, regulate your digestion, decrease sugar cravings, get extra servings of veggies, replace your coffee addiction, get some chocolate every day and even some recipes to help you stay on track!

What you get:

6 servings of the same superfood meal replacement powder in chocolate, vanilla and Cafe Latté flavors. (You get 2 packets of each flavor!
Access to my private Facebook group for support and fun all week
Daily recipes to swap out your current breakfast (or any meal or snack)
Daily workouts to help get your sweat on and increase those endorphins

All for only $36.50 (shipping included!) US shipping only.

*These challenges will be held monthly! Next challenge week begins September 25. MUST ORDER by August 15 to be included in the group for this month! Limited availability to join each month. Don't wait. Order Today!

CLICK HERE to order!

Wednesday, September 13, 2017

Homemade Vegan Poppyseed Dressing

(source)

One of my favorite dressings to use on salads is a Poppy Seed Dressing. Just like Brianna's Home Style Poppyseed dressing. But...to save some $$ and make sure I know everything going in to it I prefer homemade dressings. I have one I use specifically for a spinach salad at holidays and special occasions, but...it has a lot of sugar in it. And I could eat it everyday... Check out this healthier option! And yes, this uses maple syrup instead of sugar!!!

Vegan Poppyseed Dressing
makes about 1 cup (so you will have leftovers)

2 Tbsp Vegan mayo
2 tsp spicy Dijon mustard
1 1/2 Tbsp olive oil
2 Tbsp apple cider vinegar
1 tsp lemon juice
1 Tbsp agave or maple syrup
1 tsp shallots, finely chopped
1 Tbsp poppy seeds
1/2 tsp garlic powder
dash pepper

Directions for dressing:

Whisk all ingredients very well. I usually blend my dressings to get a creamier texture, but for this, add the poppy seeds after you blend so they don't get broken down.

Monday, September 11, 2017

Food Is Not Your Enemy

Biggest thing to learn and really believe is that you don’t have to be perfect with your diet or exercise to lose weight. If you are eating healthy and clean MOST of the time, you will lose weight. It might not be as fast of a weight loss but, it will be a more lasting weight loss. This is where living the 80/20 rule comes in. Eat clean 80% of the time. Following the approved foods to a T but one meal a week you allow yourself to indulge more than you would. Maybe having a slice of cake, or pasta dinner with Alfredo sauce.

Weight loss comes from the kitchen with the help of exercise to assist with fat burning in your body.

Ask yourself: Last time you were on a diet how did you feel when you “cheated” on the diet?

This is why diets do not work. Because you feel like you are cheating when you eat something that isn't allowed. With the 80/20 lifestyle there is no cheating. 80% of the time you eat clean and healthy. 20% of the time you allow yourself a GUILT FREE treat or meal and still be able to reach your results. Wouldn’t that be nice to never cheat again? Make sure to plan out in your weekly meal plan your indulgent treat to look forward to it!

How to make 80/20 work in your life:

CLICK HERE and request to join my FREE online community and you can PRINT this weekly meal plan calendar off to help you!

PLAN OUT YOUR MEALS AHEAD OF TIME
Take time every week to plan your meals and even your indulgent meal. Put it on a calendar. Write that meal in big letters, or color so you can see, "on Thursday night I get to have PIZZA!" Do you think seeing that know that you have it planned will help you stay on track?

Use that as your motivation to say "NO" to treats or temptations during the week. You have your meals planned. No need to indulge.

LEARN TO BE FLEXIBLE!
Life happens. There might be a last minute work lunch that you have to go to. Or your kids after school activity went way later than expected. If you already have all your meals planned out for the week, you can just swap things around. Indulge tonight, but stick tonights dinner where you were planning on indulging.

PREP YOUR FOOD
Pre cook most of your food so that it is already ready to go so that you don't have to work that hard to make clean eating happen. Biggest reason why we eat out is because it is fast! But if you already have your chicken pre-cook, you just have to heat it up and GO! Fast and healthier than eating out at McD for the 3rd time this week!

READ THE GODDESS REVOLUTION! If you want to change how you think about food, your body and reclaim your life, check out this amazing, empowering book to help you do just that. I'm halfway through it. It's an easy read you guys. But it is helping to strengthen my mindset to get my butt in gear!

How do you think living an 80/20 lifestyle will change how you think of dieting?

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!

WELCOME! If you are new CLICK HERE!

Hi! I'm Becky, the FIT GINGER! Are you having a hard time losing weight after having kids? Or do you struggle trying to find time to exercise daily and be the best version of you? I used to be a Yo-Yo dieter who struggled to lose weight and keep it off. Who put her kids first and didn't make the time to work on myself. I was uncomfortable in my own skin because of my shape and size. But not any more! Check out my site for info, tips, motivation and to learn about the tools that I use plus more to help you get the results you really want. Be sure to subscribe above for more tips right in your inbox!