Banana and Strawberry "Ice Cream"

Let's face it, when you are a few days in to a new way of eating (aka diet), things may be going really well at first, then boom, cravings of junk food hit and even the temptation of wanting to yank the bowl of ice cream your 4 year old is eating right out of her hands (I would never do that though).

But what if I told you that you could still have ice cream that isn't bad for you and it won't ruin all of you hard work?  No, I'm not kidding.  And what if I told you this type of ice cream only requires 2 ingredients that I'm sure you have in your kitchen.

Servings: 2 

21 Day Fix:  1 1/2 yellow

Ingredients

2 medium bananas

1 cup strawberries

Unsweetened almond milk

Directions

1. Cut bananas into pieces.
2. Rinse and cut tops off of strawberries.
3. Place fruit in plastic bag and freeze for 4 hours or overnight.
4. Place bananas and strawberries in blender and blend until smooth.
5. Add 2 to 4 tablespoons almond milk, if needed, to make it creamier.  
6. Enjoy

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Beachbody Coach Sneak Peak: What Does a Coach Do?

If I was an outsider looking in at my life, I would be SOO confused! What does she DO all day (besides post health and nutrition information)?! If you are scratching your head...wondering how I can stay home all day, be there for my kids, and build a business then you are invited!

The whole concept of being a Beachbody coach can seem so abstract and SCAM-Y.

I should know, I am one of the BIGGEST skeptics. I never buy anything or go anywhere until I read reviews and research and then read and research even more. I've been lead astray into buying crap products before way too many times.   The feeling of being scammed or even lead astray is one of the WORST feelings. So with that being said, I would like to "Pull the curtain back" and give you a glimpse into what I do and invite you to my 5 Day Coach Sneak Peak so you can decide if it's a good fit for YOU!

No commitment is necessary.  This is simply a chance for you to see if this is a good fit for you.

What You Can Expect

I, along with my friend and mentor, will simply share our story, and how we have helped others become happier and healthier. 

I'll cover some of the common questions about what a coach is and does,  

We will share our team values and how we are one big family with one goal in common - to end the obesity epidemic.

This is NOT going to be one of those weird "Business Opportunities."  There is no pressure to sign up. This is simply an opportunity to learn more and decide if it might be right for YOU! 


And don't worry, you won't hurt my feelings if it's not for you or the timing just isn't right.

THAT'S IT! 5 Days sharing the way we feel about this awesome opportunity and our desire to help others.

If you want to be a FLY on the wall in this group and you do not already have a coach, send me a message to RSVP.

Request to join (Group Runs August 17-21)

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Paleo While On The 21 Day Fix

So you have decided to go Paleo - great  !  But you also want to do the 21 Day Fix - sure, no problem. However, you are concerned when it comes to some of the foods allowed while doing the fix, which consist of grains and dairy products.  The good news is you can still eat Paleo while doing the 21 Day Fix.   

Paleo 21 Day Fix Meal Plan Changes

While going Paleo on the 21 Day Fix, the main change you will make is regarding carbs.  Normally, you would eat carbs (yellow container) such as rice, quinoa and other grains.  However, since those are a no-no while eating Paleo, you will have sweet potato once per day and unsweetened almond milk in your Shakeology once per day. 

In addition to the reduction of carbs via grains while on the Paleo 21 Day Fix, you will need to increase the amount of healthy fats.  Therefore, you will note the addition of nut butters (almond butter, etc.), which are seeds and are considered a good fat, will go in the blue (healthy fats) container.  

Paleo and Shakeology

Now I know that Shakeology is not considered Paleo, however, due to Shakeology's  superfoods from exotic fruits and veggies, phytonutrients, amino acids, protein that is in a highly digestible form, not to mention prebiotics and probiotics, it makes consuming Shakeology on a daily basis a win-win situation.  Another added benefit of Shakeology is that it can be used as one of your meals that you literally do not have to cook or even plan out such as your other meals, you just mix and shake.  It is just that simple.  Shakeology on the 21 Day Fix is to be used as one of your red (protein) containers.

Paleo 21 Day Fix Recipes

Over the course of the next few weeks, my recipes will focus on those that are specific to the 21 Day Fix - Paleo style.  As always, these recipes and additional meal and snack options are always shared in my private Challenge Groups!

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Going Paleo

If you have been following my journey to health, you know that I have been battling not only thyroid issues, but digestive issues too.  When I started my journey, I began the SCD (Specific Carbohydrate Diet) to ease my way from being a vegan/vegetarian for almost 20 years, to eating meat (mainly in the form of chicken and turkey).  It was during this time that I started to hear more and more about Paleo and Primal.  

Through reading and researching more about what Paleo and Primal is, I heard of some amazing health transformations from those that chose to deviate from the SAD (Standard American Diet) to Paleo or Primal, from losing weight to even healing their digestive issues, which is my main goal.

What is Paleo?

Paleo is a way of eating like our ancestors the caveman did:

• lean meats
• seafood
• fruits
• vegetables
• healthy fats from grass fed meat, fish, nuts and avocados.           

Foods that you avoid include:

• Grains
• Processed foods
• Processed sugars
• Legumes
• White Starches
• Junk Food
• Hydrogenated Oils
• Alcohol

Now dairy may be the big decision maker in going Paleo or not.  However, when you chose to go Primal, you are following the Paleo way of eating, but are allowed dairy, specifically, raw dairy and cheeses.

Also, when you eat Paleo/Primal, one of the key concepts is to eat organic, non-GMO and grass fed meats. By doing this, you will be limiting your bodies' exposure to harmful chemicals, antibiotics and hormones that our foods are injected or sprayed on.

Why Paleo?

Paleo has so many health benefits, ranging from losing weight to healing autoimmune diseases and more.  If you think about it, our ancestors did not have the health issues that seem to be plaguing our generation (at least none that we know of).

                              Image courtesy of Primal Palate – http://www.primalpalate.com/about/the-paleo-diet

What can you expect temporarily on the Paleo Diet?

• Irritability
• Detox Symptoms like fatigue and fever
• Skin Rashes/Changes
• Weight loss/Muscle Gain
• Digestive Changes

All of these sypmtoms are because if you have been eating the SAD way, then you will be going through a detox when you "clean up" your bad eating habits and start eating food that actually nourishes the body instead of dumping chemicals and unhealthy fats in it.

What can you expect long term on the Paleo Diet?

• A better mood
• No more chronic fatigue
• Better looking skin
• Consistent Healthy Body Fat
• Better Digestion
• Reduced risk of disease

Have you or someone you know gone Paleo? I would love to hear of any health changes experienced since going Paleo.

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Baltic Amber and Hazel Wood: Natural Methods to Help Teething in Infants

Life with with an newborn is so much fun, except when the teething begins.  My three month old is starting to teeth, and with that comes not only drooling, but so does the fussing and increased reflux (although I am not sure if this is related to teething or not).  During these times, for all of my children, I have used natural remedies to help with the pain such as teething gel or teething tablets. Recently, the talk of the town seems to be Baltic Amber necklaces to help with teething pain.

Baltic Amber

Recently, the talk of the town seems to be Baltic Amber necklaces.  The theory behind using Baltic Amber is the succinic acid that is naturally found in amber is adsorbed into the skin (only a very small amount - nothing that is toxic at all).  The succinic acid helps to restore oxygen and energy to the cells of the body, thus helping the body to deal with pain and inflammation.

According to some websites that sell Baltic Amber, it is used not only for teething discomfort, but also used for other aches and pain, such as PMS and migraines, helps to restore energy, and even helps with chronic inflammation (something I plan on trying due to Hashimoto's).

The key to Baltic Amber is to where the amber closest to the source of the problem.  So if you are having teething or any head pain (headache/migraine), you can wear it as a necklace.  If you have have pain on the body such as knee pain, you can wear it above the knee.  The key is to get it closest to the source of the pain.

                                                       

Photo courtesy of Inspired by Finn

Hazel Wood

While researching natural ways to help with teething pain, I heard about using hazel wood to help with reflux issues (which my baby has and is on medication for).  Hazel wood (specifically beaked hazel wood) is said to help with gastro issues such as reflux, ulcers, and heartburn (which I wish I would have known this as I had horrible heartburn during pregnancy).  It is also said to help with skin issues such as eczema and even constipation.

Photo courtesy of Healing Hazel

So Now What?

After doing my research, I set out to find where to buy them.  Some of the research I did was on the website Inspired by Finn  and Healing Hazel and I was lucky enough to find a local retailer that sold the Inspired by Finn line so that I could try on the different sizes of necklaces and ask more questions. After trying on a few sizes, we found a fit that was a perfect fit.  

According to the instructions and the research I have done, you are to wear the necklaces as close to the skin as possible for 24 hours a day and only take them off when taking a shower or swimming as water can cause the necklace to wear faster than normal and soap residue can hinder the effects of the amber and hazel wood.  When using the necklaces for infants or small children, you can take them off and wear them as anklets during the night (which is what I plan on doing with my child).

But Does It Work?

I plan on giving the necklaces at full month before deciding if they work or not.  If they work, I plan on ordering one for my daughters (one has anxiety issues and the other has eczema issues) as well as one for me to help with my Hashimoto's.  Now I am not saying that amber and hazel wood is the cure for everything and will make you be pain free, but if they help my little one with teething pain even a little bit, then that is good enough for me.

Have you used either Baltic Amber and/or Hazel Wood necklaces to help with your little one's teething pain or reflux?

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