36!

As hard as it is to believe that my children are growing up so fast, it is even harder to believe that I am a 36 year old woman! My birthday was pretty fantabulous this year. It basically lasted a week. I got birthday mail! I love birthday mail even more than regular mail! I had two birthday cakes. I got to go on a date with Jared! My children were so dear to me. Grayson even used his saved money to buy me a movie (The Blind Side) for a gift. I love my little family and they love me! 36 is not as old as I feared it was.

Easy Roasted Chicken

This is such an easy recipe and really hard to mess up. It is my go to when we have company and I want to feel fancy. I also love the possibility to use leftovers a multitude of ways! (Think quesadillas, chicken noodle soup, chicken salad, etc.) Makes your house smell soooooooooo good!

Preheat oven to 450 degrees

Rinse and dry chicken with paper towels.
Mix together your favorite spices. I use rosemary, thyme, parsley, pepper, and Himalayan Salt. I do not measure, I just eyeball it. Once mixed, add 1/4 cup olive oil (or oil of your choice) and mix well.
Roughly chop an onion in quarters. Cut a lemon (or lime) in half. Stuff onion and lemon (or lime) in the cavity of the chicken.
Rub spice and oil mixture all over outside of chicken.
Place in roaster pan. Cook at 450 for about 40 minutes.
Reduce heat to 350 and cook an additional hour or until chicken is registering 160-165 degrees internally.

St. Augustine Done Right

Our summer excursion to St. Augustine this year was the best one ever! I attribute it to my dad's retirement and the fact that I'm not pregnant or nursing a new baby! Seriously, it was awesome.
We saw friends, family, and my dad cooked dinner every night! That, in and of itself, was amazing. Jared doesn't cook at all, so I do ALL the cooking around here. It was nice to have a break from that and having to think about it. Instead, my dad just cooked my favorite meals ever and I overindulged because... VACATION!

I spent some time next door with my dear neighbor, Miss Carmina! She taught me how to make pastellios. They are a fried pastry with meat and cheese in the middle! So very delicious. It was even more wonderful to be in her kitchen once again. Many childhood memories here!

Just because I was on vacation, I still worked my business. Got to meet up with my newest coach, Janeen. I love hanging out with friends!

Naps were all over the place because we were maniacs and swam every day! My mom brought me a book so I could enjoy the nap in the van! She's the best!

Weston took a spill because he is a clumsy baby. You should see the other guy.

Poolside! This is the life.

We enjoyed tons of delicious foods! Dad even helped me throw a pizza party on Saturday. I didn't get any photos, but it was awesome!!!!!!!!!

Every morning the children ended up in Papa and Gigi's bed!

Workout in every day! Woot Woot!

Spent some time at the Rype and Readi Farm when Jared joined us after his three days at Scout Camp. Yummy veggies and baked goods. Cute animals too!

Jared and I learned from the master, Uncle Lonnie, how to boil shrimp! Seriously, the food we ate this trip was beyond delicious! So good!

Bananas Foster

When I was on vacation a couple of weeks ago, I had the opportunity to go on a date with my sweet hubbabloo! We enjoyed dessert at the Raintree Cafe in St. Augustine. I had a Bananas Foster Crepe. It was very delicious, and today I was wanting something sweet and bananay to eat. I found this recipe on teambeachbody.com

I didn't have any ripe bananas, so I popped some in the oven at 300 degrees for about 40 minutes. Great hack if you need ripe bananas and have none on hand.

Total Time: 21 min.
Prep Time: 15 min.
Cooking Time: 6 min.
Makes 4 servings, about ⅓ cup each

Ingredients:
2 tsp. raw honey
1 tsp. ground cinnamon
¼ tsp. ground nutmeg
Nonstick cooking spray
2 large ripe bananas, cut into ½-inch slices

Instructions:
1. Combine honey, cinnamon, and nutmeg in a small bowl; mix well. Set aside.
2. Heat medium nonstick skillet, lightly 
coated with spray, over medium-high heat.
3. Add bananas; cook, gently stirring, for 2 to 3 minutes.
4. Add honey mixture; cook, gently stirring, for 2 to 3 minutes, or until bananas are well coated and soft.
5. Serve immediately.

Tip: Use a nonstick coconut spray for additional flavor.

Eating your Feelings

One of the things I have come to learn about myself over the last few months is that I am an emotional eater. I have also come to learn that I am not alone. And guess, what, neither are you!
So many times at the end of a long hard day of momming, I would "treat" myself to something sugary and delicious and totally bad for me. It would be great if I could eat just one cookie or one peppermint patty or one scoop of ice cream. Unfortunately, once I start, I cannot stop. I will eat 4 or 5 and then feel terrible physically and emotionally afterwards.

Becoming a coach and having others rely on my good example jump started my goal to create better habits, but I still found myself eating my feelings (now more in secret than ever) when I was having a less than stellar day.

I decided what I really needed was to take a long, hard look at myself. The truth is, what I really need in those lonely, frustrating, discouraging moments is to refuel my spirit. I have found that talking with my spouse, calling a friend, going for a jog or a walk, spending time in a good book, or simply going to bed early all help me to actually feel better long term versus for the duration of my sweet treat.

Go for a walk or jog! I am sure you in live in a beautiful place!

Spending time in a fun book when you have small children can be hard, but it sure fills my cup.

So, the next time you're wearing your cranky pants, go take a nice long bath, read a book, and slip in to bed a little early. I promise it will do you more good than that sugary baked good. It has worked wonders for me.

Crockpot Chicken Fajitas

I use my crockpot way less than I ought to! It really is a great way to make sure you have a whole foods dinner without a lot of fuss. I made this Crockpot Chicken Fajita recipe and it was a hit. I didn't even get a photo because they were gone in a flash. I hope you enjoy it as much as we did!

Ingredients

2 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts, sliced into 1 1/2" strips

1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes with green chilies

1 each red, orange, and yellow bell pepper, julienne (Aldi sells them in this combo for about $2.50)

1 large red onion, halved and sliced

4 cloves garlic, minced (I use the pre-minced garlic that is in olive oil anytime a recipe calls for garlic. It may not be as good, but it is so much easier.)

2 1/2 tsp chili powder

2 tsp cumin

1 tsp paprika

3/4 tsp ground coriander

1 tsp salt

3/4 tsp pepper

Optional

2 TBSP fresh lime juice

1 TBSP honey

For serving: whole wheat tortillas, sour cream, salsa, guacamole, cheddar cheese, black olives, etc

Directions

In a small bowl, whisk together spices. 

Spray crockpot with cooking spray. Pour half the canned tomatoes in the bottom and spread in an even layer. Top with half of the peppers, half of the onions, sprinkle garlic, top with chicken strips. Evenly sprinkle half of the seasoning over the chicken breasts, flip the chicken (I used my hand to just kind of flip it over) and sprinkle remaining spices (again, I used my hand to kind of make sure the spices were even). Top with remaining half of tomatoes, peppers, and onions.

Cover and cook on high heat for 3-4 hours or low heat for 6-8 hours. The longer you cook it, the more likely your chicken will shred due to tenderness. If you want to them to remain more firm, cook less.

Ladle out 1 cup of the broth and discard. 

If desired, whisk together lime juice and honey and add to crockpot.  Gently toss. Serve warm in warmed tortillas with your favorite toppings.

Recipe adapted from www.cookingclassy.com

15 Months!

At 15 months, Weston weighed in at 27.5 pounds and is nearly 32 inches tall. He remains our biggest boy. Weston still prefers Mommy, but is becoming more adventurous. He loves laughing and playing with his siblings. His favorite things are exploring the house, barking at Phoebe, admiring the chickens, drinking his milk, and snuggling!
We love our Westy-Woo and are so glad he is in our family!

He fell down pretty hard just before his month-day! That's life of a near-toddler.

Also, I have three bags of breast milk in my freezer. I am having a tough time, emotionally, getting rid of them or even letting Weston have them! I am such a sentimental sap.

At-Home Fitness

I have always chosen to run or do an at-home fitness program in lieu of the gym. I have just never liked the gym. It is smelly, crowded, and far away. I have 5 children ages 8, 6, 5, 3, and 1. By the time we load up, get to the gym, unload, get inside, drop off at on-site daycare, workout, pick up from on-site daycare, load up, drive home, unload... Well, you get the picture. I don't have time for that nonsense. At-home workouts offer me the flexibility of getting up a little earlier than my family, working out, showering and having breakfast on the table before 7 AM. I also just prefer to not be with a bunch of people I don't know while I'm sweaty and in the zone. I like being in a comfortable place AKA my living room. Not to mention the monthly charges to my credit card for something I rarely used!
I have purchased dozens of at-home workouts prior to trying Beachbody fitness programs. Denise Austin, Winsor Pilates, Discount Bin DVDs from Wal-mart, Jillian Michaels, and many more. The only one that came close to doing anything was Jillian Michaels' 30 day shred. But, it cost $20 and only had 2 workouts on it. I got bored really quickly.

I had heard of P90x several years ago, but never did it because it seemed so LONG! I needed something shorter. Say, 30 minutes, that would actually work. My friend, Amy introduced me to Beachbody almost a year ago and I was an instant fan. My first 30 day program, CIZE, was a hip-hop dance program with Shaun T. He was super motivating. The workouts felt like a dance class. I lost 10 inches and about 5 pounds. Not a whole lot, but I wasn't really trying in the kitchen. I was 4 months post-partum and wasn't prepared to stop eating whatever I wanted.
Next, I tried PIYO. Another fabulous program with another fabulous trainer, Chalene Johnson. She felt like my friend and her program was dynamic and fun and helped me lose another 6 pounds and 8 inches.
I got sick around Christmas and put exercise on the back burner. I would go for walks inconsistently, and wasn't doing much to really finish off the last of my pregnancy weight. In April, I became a Beachbody coach and started 21 Day Fix. I finally learned how to make it count in the kitchen and in just 21 days, I lost another 6 inches and 6 pounds! I couldn't believe it. I was seeing a number on the scale that I hadn't seen since 3 babies ago!
Jared and I just finished a 60 day program called Hammer and Chisel. I didn't lose any weight because I wasn't trying too, but I did lose inches and built some actual muscles. I feel incredibly strong and confident. Honestly, the workouts were tough, but we showed up every day for 60 days and I couldn't' be more proud of us.
I am floored that I got these results from at-home fitness programs! I am a huge believer in what Beachbody is doing. They are getting results in a safe way that takes effort, hard work, and consistency. It isn't a get thin quick thing. You have to show up every day. You have to want it. You have to work for it. But, that is how the best things in life happen for us. Plus, putting in the work teaches you how to stay where you want to be and not gain it all back or begin eating poorly again.
It Actually Works!

Beachbody sends you all the tools you need to be successful when you purchase one of their fitness programs. You get ME as your FREE coach. I do my best to help you achieve those goals, motivate you, and hold you accountable. You get a calendar to follow for the duration of the program. Most programs have a minimum of 7 different workouts. The one we just completed, Hammer and Chisel has 16 different workouts! I was NEVER bored. I was challenged every day. You also get an eating plan/nutrition guide and the newer programs provide you with Portion Fix containers to help implement the eating plan. Portion Fix has revolutionized the way I eat. It works because you are eating normal foods, but in the right quantities. It really helps you to focus more on what you can eat and not what you can't. Plus, because you tally up your food by the containers and not calories, you don't get stuck on the numbers. There are plenty of ways to only eat 1,400 calories a day that are empty calories! That doesn't happen with Portion Fix, unless you eat too many yellows! That's the carb container, so you can see why they are hard to limit! Americans LOVE carbs!
So, if the gym isn't working for you. If your current at-home workout isn't working for you. I think you'll find something in Beachbody that does work for you. If you put in the work, show up every day, and really try you will have success!

Milk Cookies

I know this isn't a healthy recipe, per se, but they are a great gift for new mamas. They help with milk supply and taste so yummy. I love to make a batch and freeze them in ready to go dough balls. If the new mama lives nearby, I usually cook them up before delivering them. But, if she is further away and I need to deliver before baby's arrival, I'll take them frozen with instructions to cook.
If you've got a non-chocolate friend, disown them! Just kidding, just sub out the chocolate chips for white chocolate chips and cranberries. So good! Recipe credit goes to my childhood pal, Jennifer Lee Smith!

1 Cup butter
1 Cup sugar
1 Cup brown sugar
4 Tbsp water
2 Tbsp flaxeed meal (no subs)
2 large eggs
1 tsp vanilla
2 Cups flour
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
2 Tbsp Brewer's yeast (no subs)
3 Cups oats
1 bag chocolate chips

Combine dry ingredients, except oats and chocolate chips.
Mix 2 Tbsp flaxseed meal and 4 Tbsp water, set aside for 3-5 minutes.
Cream butter and sugars. Add eggs. Add flaxseed mix. Add vanilla. Beat until well blended.
Add dry ingredients. Add oats and chocolate chips. Drop on parchment paper on baking sheet. Bake 8-12 minutes at 375.

Broken Hearts

Today was a really hard day! I have had my heart broken before. Once it was in the tiniest pieces, I didn't know if it would every be repaired. Today, hurt almost as much as that. It hurt that badly because I felt the heartbreak of my son and couldn't do a single thing about it. I wanted to fix it so badly and couldn't. I tried, but it wasn't enough.
He took his bearded dragon, Alexandra, outside to play with his friend. The rule is she isn't to go outside. He was walking out the door and I asked him to put her away and he shook his head and went any way. Jared later stuck his head out the door and asked him to bring her in. Again, he refused.
Well, while they were outside, something spooked her and she got away and ran into the cover of the storm drain and went down the pipe! My boys were in tears and so was I. We tried several things to get her out and none were successful. We prayed and prayed and prayed and the answer has been no.
This is a natural consequence of a broken rule, but it is heartbreaking. Being a mom is hard sometimes. I chose to be easy on him this morning and didn't go all "mean" mom on him and make him keep her inside. If I had, he wouldn't have had to go through this. I have been kicking myself all day. He said tonight that he knew it was his fault and then proceeded to sob himself to sleep.
My whole heart aches and feels so heavy. Motherhood is not for sissies. This job is no joke.

Veggie Burgers

Y'all those frozen veggie burgers are for the birds. I just don't like them. I have truly fallen in love with Alana Chernila's cookbook The Homemade Pantry! She has so many amazing recipes that are way better than their store-bought brothers. You can make her veggie burger recipe and eat them right away or freeze them for later use. Today, I made them to take to a friend that is having a baby next week. They were a go-to for me post-baby. I made a batch (about 16-20 depending on size) and had an easy, healthy lunch option when I was adjusting to life with a newborn in the house. I hope you love it as much as I do. It's a lot of work, but so worth it.

Ingredients
1 Tbsp olive oil, plus a little extra (or cooking spray) for the baking sheet
1 medium onion, diced
6 garlic cloves, minced
2 medium carrots, shredded
1 red bell pepper, diced
10 large mushrooms, stems removed and caps diced
1/2 cup corn (fresh or frozen)
1/2 Tbsp ground cumin
1/2 Tbsp dried oregano
1/2 to 1 Tbsp chili powder, or to taste
salt and pepper to taste
3 15.5 oz cans black beans, drained
2 cups cooked brown rice (from 1 cup dry)
2 cups Breadcrumbs, store-bought or homemade (I didn't have any today, so I toasted 8 slices of bread and pulsed in my blender/food processor)

2 large eggs, beaten
1 Tbsp Dijon mustard
2 Tbsp apple cider vinegar
2 Tbsp soy sauce
2 Tbsp nutritional yeast (I use Brewer's Yeast)

Tips: I cook the rice first so it's done by the time my veggies are chopped and other ingredients are ready to go. I premeasure the spices and put in a little bowl so they're ready to go for their step. I do the same with the mustard, vinegar, etc. Also, while waiting for the mixture to cool, do your dishes. This makes a lot of dishes. :)

1. Heat the oil over medium heat in a large saucepan. Add the onion and cook until soft and shiny, about 3 minutes. Add the garlic, carrots, red pepper, and mushrooms and cook, stirring often, until soft and aromatic, about 10 minutes. Add the corn, cumin, oregano, chili powder, salt and pepper. Continue to cook for 3 minutes more. Remove from heat and allow the mixture to cool slightly.
2. Preheat the oven to 425. In a large mixing bowl, combine 2 cups of the beans, 1 cup of the rice, and half of the cooked veggie mixture. Mash with a potato masher until the ingredients are well blended. Use your hands to combine this mixture wiht the breadcrumbs, eggs, mustard, vinegar, soy sauce, yeast, and remaining 2 cups beans, remaining 1 cup rice, and remaining cooked veggies. Let the mixture cool entirely.
3. Oil a baking sheet with olive oil. Using your hands, form the mixture into well-packed patties. Lay the patties on the oiled baking sheet, and flatten with a spatula. Bake for 15 minutes, flip the patties, flatten with the spatula once again, and bake for another 15 minutes. Serve immediately, or if storing for later, allow to cool, then freeze on a baking sheet for at least 3 hours before transferring to freezer bags.

Storage
Freezer-safe container or bag, 4 months (microwave for 1 minute and then grill or fry the frozen patties on low heat in a covered, oiled frying pan for 10 minutes on each side)
Fridge-(after defrosting or before freezing) covered container for 4 days

Andrea and the Red Crayon

I have been a mom for nearly 9 years. I have 5 children, but it wasn't until this weekend that I had a crayon run through the dryer. Pretty good, right?! Well, I still had the problem of getting it all out. I am so grateful for Google and the author over at Diary of a Doctor's Wife for sharing her experience. I'm happy to report that I successfully got most of the crayon out of the clothing. (Which, by the way, was MY clothing! It was totally MY fault that crayon was in MY pocket! I picked it up to avoid a choking baby situation and forgot to throw it away! Blergh!)

Here's what I did! I didn't even have to go to the store. All of these items were already in my house. Hooray!

1.) Boil water in your largest pot!
2.) Add regular laundry soap, 1/2 cup of vinegar, 4-6 tablespoons of Dawn dish detergent to the washing machine and set it to hot!
3.) Add boiling water to the washing machine.
4.) Add the victims of the crayon attack to the washing machine. Soak for 15 minutes.
5.) Run the wash as normal and dry as normal.

Well, my trust in the Doctor's Wife was warranted! It worked splendidly. It was a red crayon on a light colored load, but now you can hardly see the offending marks. Most were completely gone, just a little evidence remained.

If you give a family a PANCAKE...

Pancakes are a family favorite around these parts. I prefer to double or even triple this recipe so that we can eat pancakes for breakfast on another day. I love the flavor of these pancakes so much, I rarely even put syrup on them. My recipe is modified from the America's Test Kitchen Family Cookbook.

Ingredients
1 Cup Unbleached All Purpose Flour
1 Cup Whole Wheat Flour
2 Tbsp Sugar
1 Tbsp Ground Flaxseed Meal
2 tsp Baking Powder
1/2 tsp Baking Soda
1/2 tsp Salt
1 Large Egg
3 Tbsp Unsalted Butter, Melted
2 Cups Buttermilk (or Sour Milk--2 Cups Scant Milk, plus a little lemon juice)
1 to 2 tsp Oil (to grease pan)

Whisk together the flour, sugar, flaxseed meal, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a large bowl and set aside. In a separate bowl, whisk together the egg, melted butter, and then add in the buttermilk. Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients, pour the buttermilk mixture into the well, and whisk very gently until the buttermilk mixture is just incorporated. The trick is to leave a few lumps. Don't whisk it smooth!

Heat a nonstick skillet over medium heat for 3 to 5 minutes. Brush the pan bottom with the oil. Pour batter  on the skillet and cook until large bubbles begin to appear, about 2 minutes. Flip the pancakes and cook until golden brown on the second side. Repeat with remaining batter, brushing skillet with oil as needed between batches (I only do this about every other batch.)

Vegetable Soup

I love soup as a meal. Some people, my husband included, prefer it as an appetizer. But, paired with a slice of homemade bread or a yummy salad, soup is a go-to for me. It is an easy way for me to get a power-packed dose of hearty veggies. I often make a batch on a Monday and then make it my lunch for entire week. So yummy! My Vegetable Soup recipe is adapted from America's Test Kitchen's Family Cookbook.

Ingredients:

2 Tablespoons olive oil

1 onion, minced

2 ribs celery, chopped fine or sliced

4-5 carrots, peeled and sliced

2 garlic cloves, minced

salt

1- 32 oz veggie broth plus 1 cup of water. 

1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes (DON'T drain)

1 can of great northern beans, drained and rinsed (Kidney beans or another white bean would work) 

1 cup frozen peas, thawed

pepper

1. Heat oil in a large pot over medium-low heat until shimmering. Stir in the onion, celery, carrots, garlic, and 3/4 tsp salt. Cover and cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are very soft, about 20 minutes. This process is called "sweating" and will draw out the natural sweetness of the veggies and enriches the flavor of the broth.
2. Stir in the broth, beans, and tomatoes. Bring to a simmer and cook about 10 minutes.
3. Off the heat, add the peas. Let the soup stand for 2 minutes. Season with salt and pepper to taste before serving.

Watermelon Cucumber Salad

I'm always looking for healthy, tasty recipes to take to gatherings. I feel like I show up to BBQ's or church socials and there are about 50 desserts and no fruits or veggies. I made this delicious salad recently and wanted to share it with you. It is beautiful and tastes so yummy! I hope you enjoy it as much as we did. It is the perfect take along to your next BBQ!

1 English cucumber, peeled, seeded, and cubed
1/2 of a seedless watermelon, cubed
1/2 a lemon juiced
1/2 thinly sliced red onion, soaked in cold water for 15-20 minutes
1/8 cup olive oil
Thinly sliced fresh mint to taste

I sliced the onions first and then let them soak while I chopped the remaining ingredients. Drain the onion, squeeze dry and toss with cucumber, melon, lemon juice, 1/8 olive oil, and mint. Chill until ready to serve. If desired, right before serving,
season lightly with salt and pepper. Enjoy!

IBOTTA!!!!!!!!!!!!

I mentioned in my Grocery Shopping post that I hate couponing. I did do couponing for awhile, but I found two things: It took too much time and often the coupons didn't really reflect the things that I needed to purchase. I love Sam's because they give me instant rebates on items I already love to buy. Today, I received $3 back on my Dawn detergent today and $3.50 off of my frozen salmon filets too! So awesome because those things were on my list and I didn't have to coupon.
Aldi doesn't even accept coupons. Guys I purchased 66 items today at Aldi, including 4 gallons of milk, Smores' fixins, Fresh Fruit and Veggies all for $130!!!!!!!!!!

I may dislike couponing, but I LOVE IBOTTA!!!!!!!!! It is an app for your phone that you get instant rebates for your purchases. Before I shop, I just check real quick to see if anything on my list is on IBOTTA that day. Sometimes I see something I've been wanting to get and will put it on the list if I see a rebate. After you shop, you scan the bar codes on the items you purchased and then take a picture of your receipt on your phone. Submit and you get your credit on your IBOTTA account within a day. I save mine and once I get $50, I cash it in at my Paypal account so I can use it. Recently, I used it to get myself a few new clothes at one of my favorite online boutiques www.apartmenteighteen.com

Seriously, y'all should check it out. They even do more than groceries! And, if you're like me and don't drink alcohol, you can turn off those notifications (there were A LOT of rebates on alcohol crowding up my feed, haha).

Honey Lemon Chicken Skewers and Mediterranean Farro Salad

There's something about using the grill that turns regular food into spectacular food. The children love to eat things that have been grilled. Putting it on a skewer makes it even more fun! This meal was a huge hit. The children weren't as excited about the Farro Salad, but I LOVED it and it make a great lunch the next day. 

Honey Lemon Chicken Skewers, Mediterranean Farro Salad, Roasted Veggie of Choice

BE SURE TO SOAK SKEWERS (12) IN WATER FOR AT LEAST 30 MINUTES PRIOR TO THREADING CHICKEN ON

HONEY LEMON CHICKEN

For the marinade:

6 Tbsp fresh lemon juice (divided in half)

1 Tbsp chopped garlic

1 tsp Himalayan or kosher salt

1/2 tsp black pepper

2 pounds chicken breasts cut into small-medium pieces

1/2 cup raw honey

1 Tbsp hot sauce

In a large bowl, combine 3 Tbsp of the lemon juice, garlic, salt, and pepper. Add the chicken and toss to coat. Cover and refrigerate for up to 4 hours.

In a small bowl, combine the remaining 3 Tbsp lemon juice, honey, and hot sauce.

Prepare the grill for direct and indirect cooking over medium heat.

Thread about 8 pieces of chicken on each bamboo skewer.

Brush the cooking grates clean. Cook the skewered chicken over direct medium heat for 3-4 minutes, turning once. Then move the chicken to indirect heat and cook until the meat is no longer pink, 15-20 minutes, basting with the honey mixture once or twice during the last 10 minutes of grilling time. Keep the lid closed as much as possible during grilled. Remove from the grill and brush once more with the glaze.

FARRO SALAD (can be made earlier in the day and refrigerated, take out about 30 minutes prior to serving)

1 Cup Farro-cooked according to package directions.

1 pound of tomatoes chopped

1/2 sweet or red onion chopped

1 TBSP dried parsley

1 garlic clove, choped

2 Tbsp balsamic vinegar (or 2 Tbsp cider vinegar mixed with 2 tsp sugar)

1/4 Cup olive oil

salt and pepper to taste

In a large bowl, combine farro, tomatoes, onions, and parsley. In a small bowl, whisk together the garlic, vinegar, salt, pepper, and olive oil. Add the vinaigrette to the salad and toss again. Serve at room temperature.

ROASTED VEGGIES

Drizzle veggies with olive oil, sprinkle with salt, pepper, and oregano and roast in the oven at 425 for about 20 minutes.

Shakeology--What's the Big Deal?

You guys the Internet, as always, has a plethora of information about meal replacement shakes. Some is accurate, some is not. I'll be honest, Shakeology is the only meal replacement shake I have used. I am not a doctor, but I am a real person and I can speak to how it makes me feel.
It is honestly my secret weapon. Here's why.

Number One:
The biggest difference I have noticed is the increase in energy I have experienced. Prior to drinking Shakeology, if I dared to sit on the couch during my children's afternoon television time, about 90% of the time I would FALL ASLEEP! When you have five children ages 8 and under, this is not only dangerous, it puts you way behind schedule. I no longer have those 
2 PM slumps. I can be productive throughout my day and not just for a fraction of it.

Number Two:
I have all but eliminated my sugar and junk food cravings. Guys, I am not joking when I tell you I was baking three or four times a week. I am not exaggerating when I tell you I would save half the cookie dough and freeze it so that I could sneak bites throughout the day and/or as a reward for not falling apart at the end of the day. It was really so bad! Shakeology tastes like a milkshake to me. For those of you who want to add water, shake and drink, you might be disappointed in the taste and texture. I have found that taking an extra 5 minutes to pull out your blender, add ice, unsweetened almond milk, 1/2 a banana, and a tsp of almond butter really takes the taste to another level.

Number Three:
Shakeology has done wonders for my digestive tract. Previous to drinking Shakeology, my digestion was never regular and I experienced discomfort on a daily basis. It took about a week or two for my body to adjust to all the prebiotics and probiotics found in Shakeology and now I am regular and no longer deal with discomfort, pain, or bloating. It is a beautiful thing!

Number Four:
Since Shakeology is a meal replacement, I feel full when I drink it and don't find myself reaching for unhealthy, fast food when I am in the middle of my chaotic days. I always plan to drink Shakeology at my busiest time each day. If the morning is flying by and I haven't had a chance to prepare a healthy breakfast, I grab my Shakeology and start my day off right. Most often, however, I choose to drink Shakeology as my lunch meal. Otherwise, I would eat either nothing and then binge later on junk food/sweets or I would get fast food or takeout while running errands and make poor nutrition choices. I know I can be an emotional eater, so occasionally, on days I know I have to do bedtime alone, I'll save my Shakeology for a treat after the children are in bed.

Number Five:
Shakeology is packed full of whole foods full of nutritional value. There is no added refined sugars. So, at the end of the day I FEEL good about putting these ingredients into my body. It is something small I can do on a daily basis to put my health first. I love how that makes me feel. Most nutrition shakes on the market today do not have whole foods and are full of artificial ingredients. Elite Beachbody Coach Seay Stanford who has a background in pharmaceutical sales and is a certified holistic nutrition and health coach, had a great article about this on her website. Click HERE to read it.

Number Six:
My mood improved! I began drinking Shakeology when my youngest child was just 4 months old. I don't think I realized until after I took a four month break from drinking it daily that it was making such a huge difference in this area. When I started drinking it consistently, again in April, I saw my mood improve and those panic attacks I was having every day when the big boys got home from school stopped. I have felt more in control of my life and I really believe Shakeology had something to do with that. 


If you want to give Shakeology a try, click HERE!

Below are some testimonials from my very own challengers!

Busy Wife and Mama Morgan

"I use Shakeology because it's easy. I wasn't eating. I wasn't eating because I didn't have time... Or I was just eating spoonfuls of peanut butter. (Shakeology) increased my milk supply (while nursing), and I wouldn't say it's the most amaxing thing I've had, but I've come to really enjoy it."

Jessie, Mom of 4, including a newborn

"I've been drinking Shakeology for a little more than a month. I'll admit that at first I was a little bit skeptical about the price for a "protein powder", but it has been SO much more than that for me! Since I've started drinking it, my moods have improved. Before starting Shakeology, I was teetering on the brink of postpartum depression, and struggled everyday with anxiety which led me to be impatient with my kids, which then led me to feel bad about myself. Since starting it, I can honestly say that I feel like a new person. Not everyday is perfect, but I really like who I am when I drink my Shakeology! Another benefit that I have noticed is that it helps me stay away from problem foods that would cause me to gain weight and feel lethargic and grumpy. I am terrible snacker, and once I start with the junk food, it can be difficult to stop. I keep craving more and more junk because I'm consuming empty calories instead of satisfying my body's need for vitamins, minerals, and protein. Shakeology is an easy way to give my body what it needs so that I can put an end to those junk food cravings. Lastly, I enjoy Shakeology because it tastes good! I've tried several different protein powders, and I can honestly say that this is the best tasting one I've tried. I look forward to drinking it everyday, which keeps me excited to work towards my health, weight loss, and self improvement goals."


Finally, a side by side comparison chart of Shakeology and other Meal Replacements on the Market.

http://www.shakeology.chttp://www.shakeology.com/en_US/?sn=fitkrausehausom/en_US/?