Move Over Starbucks...Cafe Latte Just Got Better

Hi, I would like a Mocha, Choco, Cafe Latte, Frappe, Skinny, hold the sugar and add 70 plus superfoods...

I'm sorry, What? Haha! 

So you love your coffee but don't want all of the added chemicals and sugar and fat that comes with your cafe latte?  And you want 70 plus superfoods in it too?  Well, you are in luck!  

Introducing the new shakeology flavor - Cafe Latte!  
I was fortunate enough to try this new flavor and while I like my coffee (black, by the way), I am not a huge fan of coffee flavored things like ice cream or candy...So I wasn't sure how much I would like it.  But I can tell you that it was really good!  

With a blend of almond milk and ice, this Cafe Latte is just like the Starbucks frappuccino, only better!  

Cafe Latte has a great smooth flavor with a hint of coffee taste, not too overpowering. I really enjoyed the flavor and have already switched my shakeology vegan chocolate to the cafe latte for next month! 

Click on the picture below to get your Cafe Latte!

New Cafe Latte Recipes

Peppermint Mocha

1 cup unsweetened chocolate almond milk
1 tsp. pure peppermint extract

Muddy Nutty Buddy

½ cup unsweetened almond milk
½ cup water
2 tsp. all-natural peanut butter
¼ large banana, cut into chunks

Thanksgiving Day Meal Swap

Ahhhhh, I can smell the Turkey already...can you?

Thanksgiving dinner is so yummy, I really start craving all the carbs right around October. But while I love the carbs, I hate the overloaded and bloated feeling I get after stuffing myself full of the carbs.

Here is a recipe you can try this year - replace the regular mashed potatoes for mashed sweet potatoes!  YUM YUM!

Sweet potatoes are loaded with nutrition and make deliciously sweet and creamy mashed potatoes. Plus, they look more festive than russet potatoes with their bright orange color! The coconut milk in this recipe makes the side dish extra special.

Total Time: 35 min.

Prep Time: 15 min.

Cooking Time: 20 min.

Yield: 6 servings, about ½ cup each

Ingredients:

2 lbs. medium sweet potatoes, peeled, cut into cubes

Hot water

½ tsp. sea salt (or Himalayan salt), divided use

1 cup unsweetened coconut milk

1 Tbsp. finely chopped fresh thyme, reserve a small amount for garnish

Ground black pepper (to taste; optional)

Preparation:

1. Place sweet potatoes in medium saucepan. Cover with water. Add ¼ tsp. salt. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce heat to medium-low; cook for 15 to 20 minutes, or until tender. Remove from heat. Drain water from sweet potatoes and place in a medium bowl.

2. Add ½ cup coconut milk; mash with a potato masher.

3. Add additional coconut milk 2 Tbsp. at a time, until desired consistency is reached. Season with thyme, remaining ¼ tsp. salt, and pepper; mix well.

4. Garnish with thyme, if desired.

21 Day Fix - 1 ½ yellow, ½ blue

Calories - 161
Total Fat - 3 g
Saturated Fat - 2 g
Cholesterol - 0 mg
Sodium - 281 mg
Total Carbohydrate 31 g
Dietary Fiber - 5 g
Sugars 7 g
Protein 2 g

Taco Tuesday Rice

We just love Taco Tuesday in our house.  I always try to mix it up a bit with different side dishes to keep it interesting.  I don't typically buy the prepackaged mixes from the grocery store because they are loaded with sodium and sugars - two things I try to keep at a minimum. 

This week we tried a simple Mexican rice side dish. It was deeeeelishhhhh!  I also liked that it had fresh veggies mixed in and my kids loved it too.

Ingredients:

4 cups cooked (unseasoned) brown rice or whole grain rice

1 teaspoon coconut oil

½ medium onion, diced

1 medium tomato, diced

2 garlic cloves, minced

2 tablespoons tomato paste

½ teaspoon cumin

¼ paprika

dash or more (your choice on how hot you want it) cayenne pepper

1 teaspoon sea salt

Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

chopped cilantro, optional

Directions:

 Cook rice according to package directions. Set aside.

Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.  When hot, add the onions, tomatoes and sauté until just tender, about 2-3 minutes.  Add garlic and sauté for another minute.  

Add the tomato paste, cumin, paprika, cayenne, salt and pepper.  Stir to evenly coat the vegetables.  Add the cooked rice, stir, and cook for 1 minute or until heated through. Mix in cilantro before you serve.

Juice and Shake

Here are some recipes for you to enjoy:

Juicing - Ginger Juice

• 6 leaves kale 
• 4 stalks celery
• 1 cucumber 
• 2 green apples
• 1/2 lemon
• 1 (1 inch) piece fresh ginger

Juice in that order and drink right away.

Shakeology - Chocolate Peanut Butter cup

• 8oz of Unsweetened Chocolate Almond Milk
• tbsp. of peanut butter
• 1/2 banana
• three ice cubes
• 1 scoop of Vegan Chocolate Shakeology

Blend well and drink.

YUM!!!

Shake It Up

Juicing has impacted my family's life in many ways over the past few years.  We have been sick a lot less, and sick for shorter duration. 

But there was one thing that juicing just wasn't doing for me...it wasn't helping me change my eating habits.

My biggest issue is sugar.  I love sugar.

I'm hurting, baby, I'm broken down
I need your loving, loving, I need it now
When I'm without you
I'm something weak
You got me begging
Begging, I'm on my knees
Sugar...Ok, so I do love Maroon 5's song, which is kind of funny that I read the words and think - did Adam write this about a girl or actually sugar.  Ha! 

Seriously, I could not break the sugar habit. 

I tried the diet thing.  I gave up sugar for lent.  I decided - after that one donut - I was going to stop, or maybe after that one cupcake, no really after that one ice cream.  You following?  Nothing worked.  The more I tried the more I failed.  It sucked. 

Then a friend introduced me to Shakeology. 

To be honest, at first I was like, no.  I don't need that, I juice.  So what convinced me?

Super foods.  I have been doing a lot of research on super foods and my husband has been purchasing super foods to add to the juice we were drinking - like MSM, flax seeds, spirulina, maca root, quinoa, and more.  Shakeology has all of that in the ingredients and 70 other superfoods in it.

So I want you to imagine eating all of the following for breakfast OR lunch:

1 bowl of exotic fruit
4 cups of raw broccoli
7 whole carrots
10 cups of raw cauliflower
3 cups of romaine lettuce
4 cups of uncooked mushrooms
3 raw onions
1 cup of peas
4 cups red radishes
4 cups non fat yogurt
1 shot of wheat grass

I don't know about you, but there is no way I could eat all of that in one sitting!  Shakeology gives you this plus more -  in ONE SCOOP! And I will also add I can drink it in a chocolate yummy shake. That I can manage.

The first day I tried Shakeology - my husband and I left for a 4th of July picnic with chocolate shakes in hand.  We felt satisfied all day and it was probably the first time at a picnic that we didn't over-eat. 

After a week, we felt more energy and less cravings.  After 30 days, I no longer craved sugar, in fact when I eat it - I can't eat much because it is too sweet.  After a year, we are still feeling the same effects, plus my husband and I have made it a full year without getting sick. 

I often joke with my husband that with the combo of the juice and shakes our health is in super hero mode.  We have 2 young kids who bring home germs and bugs all the time, but with us making these changes in our lives - we have made it a full year in tip top health. 

Shakeology is not just a protein, weight loss drink - it is a super nutrition drink that will transform your health. Check out the picture below to see how Shakeology has helped others.

If you want more information on Shakeology, complete the application below, or comment.



Stop back on Friday and I will share some of my favorite recipes with you!

I'm Mad About Coconut Oil

Coconut oil is an amazing superfood that you can eat, lather on, and cook/bake with.  It is safe for kids and pets. It is minimally processed and has GOOD fat.

But how do you use it?  Well, I am hosting a FREE 5-day Coconut Oil challenge on Facebook starting on Monday.  We will explore the different ways to use it and you will be given the facts on why coconut oil is awesome! 

So follow this link:
https://www.facebook.com/fitfunfabwithCarey

Click on the events and join the Coconut Challenge!

Exciting Announcement!!!

I am hosting a special 21 Day Fix Challenge group starting July 6.

You get:

      > 6 – 30 minute workouts

      > Fail-proof food system (eat REAL food)

      > 1:1 support and motivation

      > Group support

      > Weight/inches lost

      > Strength building

      > Recipes and Tips

Plus…for every person who purchase** the 21 Day Fix program through me – You get the new Fixate Cookbook – FREE*!!! 

This is Autumn Calabrese’s new Cookbook which applies 101 of her favorite family recipes to the 21 Day program - a delicious approach to healthy weight loss.

Fixate:

      > Delicious and Healthy

      > Uses 21 Day Fix container system

      > Simple to prepare

      > Kid-friendly Recipes

      > Gluten-free Recipes

      > Vegan Recipes

      > Paleo Recipes

 This is an exclusive offer – meaning this cookbook is only available through me your coach! 

 

Order your 21 Day Fix  or click on the 21 Day Fix banner at the bottom of this page!

**Purchase only good to midnight June 30, 2015.

*This offer is only good for new participants.

REAL Results - 21 Days

What if you could get REAL results in 21 days...eating REAL food, with a REAL at-home workout? With people who have REAL struggles?

Would you want in?

I have helped nearly a hundred people lose weight and inches - a struggle they held on to for years. I have helped people gain back confidence and feel healthy - kicking bad habits to the curb.

Why me?

Because I know what it feels like to try - over and over again - to lose weight - to drop a dress size - to get my health back on track. I tried dieting and failed. I tried running and failed. I tried walking and other exercise programs and failed.

I know the battle between celery and cake. I know the guilt of binging on brownies. I know the excuses - I will start tomorrow.

I know all about hiding behind my kids in photographs. I know the frustration of not wanting to go shopping because I don't want to buy clothes because I am embarrassed by the size.

Join me!

21 days of:
• Eating real food - following a simple program
• 30 minute exercise
• Support and motivation

I won't promise you that it will be easy, but I promise you will get stronger, healthier and will see a change. I promise to support and motivate you. And if you don't get the results you were expecting - you can get your money back - guaranteed!

Sign me up!

We start on June 8, so hurry - I only have a few spots open!
Comment or email me and I will get you the details!
‪
#‎21dayfix

My Diet Makes Me Want to Pig Out!

I am craving EVERYTHING. I need to eat SOMETHING sweet or salty.  I am going to PIG OUT.  What is going on? 

I have struggled with this, have you?  Every time I attempted to diet, about 2 weeks in I was raiding the pantry.  I would eat a little of this, a little of that, something sweet, something salty and would NEVER feel satisfied.  Then the guilt sank in and I threw in the towel because I failed my diet.
Why does this happen?

We are already depriving our bodies of important minerals, vitamins and nutrients. Think about our diet.  We eat processed foods like cereal, granola bars, fast food, mac and cheese and other boxed foods...these things have little to no nutritional value, just a lot of salt, sugar and empty calories.  Long before processed foods existed - humans ate veggies, fruits, grains and meat. These things are loaded with the minerals, vitamins and nutrients we need to survive.

Our bodies - more our mouths like the taste of salty and sugary tasting foods, so when we are hungry we often think we want chips or cookies to eat.  But since these things don't have nutritional value, it will never satisfy the craving. 

What you can do?
Eat this not that.  Check out the chart below to help you understand what you are TRULY craving. 
It is important to feed your body the minerals, vitamins and nutrients it craves, not what you think you want.  So next time, grab an apple or some sunflower seeds and fuel your body with the foods it needs to keep going.

Overfed and Starving

That is what we are.  Really?  But experts say that Americans are overweight and we are in a health crisis, well we are.  But I really think that most of us are missing the mark.  We are overfed – Americans consume an excess of empty calories from processed foods every day.  Processed foods are loaded with calories and very little (if any) nutritional value.

Our bodies are craving nutrients and vitamins, yet we are not feeding ourselves with what it needs, instead we are eating what we think we need. And as yummy as that snickers bar sounds, it is not what your body is looking for. 

I found this article and wanted to share it because it explains what is happening with our diet and what we can do about it.  Plus, an expert wrote it – which I won’t claim to be, haha.

 

It’s Cinco de Mayo and I am on a diet, now what?

Well, there goes your diet.  You worked out, you ate right and then 5^th of May ruined it.  Ha!

Practically every month we are celebrating something – holidays, birthdays, anniversaries, weddings, and so on…There will ALWAYS be something, some kind of excuse that keeps us from staying on track because let’s face it – life is tough.

We are surrounded with processed foods, cakes, fried foods, fast foods, sugar and fats.  And basically, every holiday we give ourselves the excuse that it is ok to binge eat these foods.  And it is ok to eat these foods on occasion, but not every day.  And the hardest part…is the every day.

I know!  I have been there. It seemed like every time I tried to cut the sugar out – I craved it more.  The more I ate, I craved it more.  “This will be the last cookie.” “It’s the holidays; I can eat a second piece of pie.” I know the excuses.  I know them well.

It was like a never ending cycle and it was going into a downward spiral for me and my health.  Until I decided enough already!  Was I living holiday to holiday or living to be here for another 50 years of holidays? 

Don’t get me wrong, I still enjoy treats on occasion – I just try not to eat the stuff that was making me tired, sick and unhappy – every day. 

You can make simple choices every day that will help move you in the right direction of a healthy lifestyle. Today for instance, instead of a taco or tortilla – eat a salad with taco meat, tomato, cucumber, avocado, onion, homemade salsa and a little cheese. Instead of ground beef, choose turkey or chicken. Instead of refried beans, get black beans. 

Even if you overindulge, don't throw in the towel...one day of eating bad will not break you.  Tomorrow is a new day, start fresh and keep going.

Here is a recipe for Beans and Rice to enjoy:

Ingredients:

• ¾ cup cooked brown rice or quinoa

• ¾ cup black beans

• ½ cup canned low sodium diced tomatoes

• ½ tsp chili powder

• ½ tsp. cumin

• 1 tbsp crumbled queso fresco

• Cilantro sprigs chopped.

Combine the rice, beans, tomatoes, chili powder, cumin over medium heat and until heated through.

Place in bowl, garnish with cheese and cilantro.

Happy Cinco de Mayo!