I’ve been asked about the weights I use so much that I want to designate a post to it! These are not cheap, but in the long run, they are so cost effective!!! I spent about $340 AU on mine, which included the stand and 2 weights and was so worth it! I’ve never questioned this purchase once.
I’ve explained how it all works, but if you do the math of 5, 7, 12, 14, 17.5, 20, 22, 25, 30, 35, 40, 44 and 48 lbs weights, you’re getting ALL of that in this little set and the best party - ITR TRAVELS WELL! I know it’s bulky, but I put this in the trunk of my car and pack around it and when I’m on vacation, I CAN DO ANY PROGRAM!!! NO NEED TO GO TO THE HOTEL GYM OR SKIP A WORKOUT. Do you get me??? Cost savings, time savings, goals non-interrupted. You’re welcome :) Shop around, I think these are the best brands (same product just called different names in different countries) and watch for the shipping costs when you check out. They are heavy because they’re 48 lbs x 2, plus the stand, so you want a free shipping deal!
message me if you have questions! I love talking about weights and helping clients save!
Spicy Butternut Squash Soup
I love a good soup for meal prep and this one makes enough for the whole family or a week of lunches! You can whip up a pot of this Spicy Butternut Squash Soup on the weekend and then look forward to eating this flavorful, rich soup all morning 😉 If you don’t love spicy foods, just omit the red pepper flakes, it’s super easy to modify!
Ingredients
2 tbsp olive oil
3 medium onions, chopped
4 garlic cloves, finely chopped
1 medium butternut squash, peeled and seeded, cut into 1” pieces
5½ cups low-sodium organic vegetable broth
1 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
3 fresh thyme sprigs, leaves removed and chopped, stem discarded (divided use)
6 tsp reduced-fat (2%) plain yogurt
Instructions
Heat oil in a large saucepan over medium-high heat.
Add onions; cook, stirring frequently, for 8-10 minutes or until onion is translucent.
Add garlic and cook, stirring frequently, for 1 minute.
Add squash, broth, and red pepper flakes; bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and gently boil, covered, for 25-30 minutes or until squash is soft. Remove from heat.
Place soup in a blender or food processor in 4 or more batches, as necessary; cover with lid and kitchen towel. Blend until smooth.
Return soup to saucepan over medium heat. Add 1 tsp thyme and cook, stirring constantly, until soup is hot.
Season with salt and pepper if desired.
Ladle soup into 6 serving bowls. Garnish each with 1 tsp yogurt and sprinkle all bowls with remaining 2 tsp of thyme.
Yields: 6 servings.
Ultimate Portion Fix Containers: 3 Green, 1 tsp
2B Mindset Plate It: A great FFC as part of lunch
These turkey burgers might make you a FAN!
✨Citrus Maple Dijon Turkey Burgers✨
What better on a fall night than a burger?! So many people think that when they start living a healthy lifestyle that they don’t get to eat delicious food … but we all know that’s false! And these burgers are further proof.
Ingredients
* ¼ cup dijon mustard
* 2 tbsp maple syrup
* 1 tbsp fresh orange juice
* ½ tsp orange zest
* 1 tsp fresh lemon juice
* ½ tsp lemon zest
* Salt + pepper, to taste
* 1 lb lean ground turkey meat
* ⅔ cup goat cheese
* 4 cups arugula
Instructions
1) Whisk together mustard, maple syrup, orange + lemon juice, orange + lemon zest, and salt and pepper in a small bowl. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes and up to 24 hours. Taste and add more maple, salt, or pepper.
2) Preheat the grill to high.
3) Form the meat into four, 4-ounce burgers. Season with salt and pepper. 4) Grill until cooked through, 3-5 minutes on each side. During the last minutes of cooking, add goat cheese to each burger, cover the grill with foil, and let cheese soften slightly.
5) Divide arugula between 4 plates. Place cooked burgers on arugula; drizzle with Maple Citrus Dijon dressing.
Portion Fix Containers: 1 Green, 1 Red, ½ Blue, 1.5 tsp
2B Mindset Plate It: Serve with more veggies for a great dinner option.
Got a healthier burger recipe? I’d love to hear it!!
My Story!
Wow, this was soooo hard to do, and even after I’ve shared it on You Tube, it took me a bit to share it here for all to see! I’m pretty raw here, I’ve shed a few tears and I’been open about it all, not just telling you the pretty stuff :) You might be able to relate to some of the things I was told, some of the eating disorders I experienced, or some of the fad diets I tried. There’s no judging here, I just hope that I’ve inspired to share your story with me, or other, or both! It’s time to move forward and end yo-yo living forever!!!
Chocolate + Banana + Peanut Butter = L O V E
This recipe is a perfect treat when you’re craving dessert (only 300 cal, 7 g protein, 3 g fiber) with macros I can totally get behind. Don’t undo all the work on the gym; in your kitchen. You’ve worked too hard and we are moving forward!
Ingredients
* 1 (6-inch) whole wheat tortilla
* 1 tbsp all-natural smooth peanut butter
* ½ large banana, thinly sliced
* 1 tbsp dark or semi-sweet chocolate chips
Instructions
1) Spread half of the tortilla with peanut butter.
2) Top the peanut butter with banana and chocolate chips.
3) Fold the tortilla in half and cook in a medium, nonstick skillet over medium-high heat, for 4-5 minutes, turning once, until the chocolate is melted and the tortilla is golden brown.
1 serving.
Portion Fix Containers: 1 purple, 1½ yellow, 3 tsp
2B Mindset Plate It: Enjoy as an occasional treat (with a bonus FFC). Be sure to track it!
Do you have a healthy-ish dessert recipe that you love? Id love to see it, share the link below! What’s your go-to sweet treat?
Turkey chili - hello fall!
Turkey chili - the perfect meal to pull together on a cool Sunday in the Fall. 😍 Who is with me?! Maybe you can try this tomorrow! This is also a great recipe to make ahead for a quick, high-protein lunch, or to freeze for a busy weekday dinner when you’re too busy to cook!
This recipe has 2 cans of kidney beans… but you can use any beans you like, or ne wild and try 2 different types of beans.
Ingredients
1 tsp olive oil
1 large onion, chopped
1 medium red bell pepper, chopped
1 medium yellow or orange bell pepper, chopped
1 lb raw 93% lean ground turkey
1 (28 oz) can chopped tomatoes
2 (15 oz) cans kidney beans, rinsed + drained
1 tsp chili powder
½ tsp sea salt
Crushed red peppers (to taste, optional)
12 sprigs of parsley, chopped
Instructions
Heat oil in a large saucepan over medium-high heat.
Add the onion and bell peppers. Cook, stirring frequently, for 4-5 minutes, or until the onion is soft.
Add the turkey and cook for 4-5 minutes, or until the turkey is browned.
Add tomatoes, beans, chili powder, salt, and crushed red peppers. Cook, stirring frequently, for 10-15 minutes.
Divide turkey chili into 6 serving bowls and garnish with parsley if desired.
Yield: 6 servings
Ultimate Portion Fix Containers: ½ Green, ½ Red, 1½ Yellow
2B Mindset Plate It: Add a side salad or veggies for a great lunch option.
Peppermint Patty Shakeology
Peppermint Patty Shakeology
Ingredients
1 cup unsweetened almond milk
1 cup ice
½ scoop Chocolate Shakeology (whey or vegan will do)
½ scoop Vanilla Shakeology (either forumla)
½ tsp pure peppermint extract
1 tsp shaved dark chocolate
Fresh mint leaves, for garnish, optional
Instructions
Place almond milk, ice, Shakeology, and peppermint extract in a blender; cover and blend until smooth.
Pour into glass and garnish with chocolate + mint leaves, if desired.
Yield: 1 serving
Ultimate Portion Fix Containers: 1 Red, 1 tsp
2B Mindset Plate It: Enjoy as an occasional snack(tional) or enjoy as part of breakfast.
Chocolate Recover Shake
After you’ve done your actual cooldown, what is your post-workout routine?
For me, I like to make my Recover shake (cools me down, literally) while checking in here! Recover speeds muscle recovery, combats exercise-induced muscle soreness, reduces muscle breakdown, and improves your muscle strength recovery. The fact that it tastes like a Frosty is an added bonus 🤣 If you’re in a rush, you can just “shake” it up in your blender bottle that you got free with your order, but if you have 60 seconds, blending it is OH-SO-GOOOOOOD!!
Here’s my current go-to recipe to cool down post-workout!
Ingredients
1 cup unsweetened almond milk (or soy milk)
1 scoop Chocolate Recover (I use vegan formula so it’s dairy free)
½ large banana (for men, use 1 full banana post-workout)
1 cup frozen cauliflower
1 tsp ground cinnamon
Instructions
Combine almond milk, Recover, banana, cauliflower, and cinnamon in a blender; cover and blend until smooth. That’s so stinking easy, amiright??
Yield: 1 serving.
Portion Fix Containers: 1 Green, 1 Purple, 1 tsp (does not count as a Red if you drink it within 30 m minutes of exercise. any other time it is 1 Red)
2B Mindset: For more information on how to incorporate Beachbody Performance into 2B Mindset, see the “2B Mindset and Exercise” video in the 2B Mindset Program Materials section on BOD - incorporating Recover will vary based on the intensity of the program you’re doing!
Bear Naked Granola
It’s rare you’ll find me raving about granola because most contain coconut, which I’m allergic to but I discovered this brand at Costco and fell in love with it. They use peanut butter and cinnamon in a way that it doesn’t need a lot of sugar so the macros work for my nutrition plan. Did you know - most granola is the equivalent of eating a Snickers Bar? Truth, watch the sugar and carb content. I try to keep my sugar under 10 grams per serving.
What’s your favorite granola?
Don't put YOU off!
What’s something you did today that your brain 🧠 tried saying, “you’re too busy 🤪, you’re too tired 😴, you’re too sore 😬, it won’t matter 😯”? I thought 💭 about planking way longer than it would have taken me to just get up and do it.
Given it was Shoulder day 💪🏻, I had to break my plank into segments, but 10 minutes, is 10 minutes. Still a goal crusher 🏆 and I got it done while studying. Let’s celebrate 🎉 your mindset wins too! 👇🏻👇🏻 Share below.
Double Chocolate Black Bean Brownies
How’s everyone feeling after the Halloween craziness and sugar overload??? I had to do QC and make sure all the “candy was safe” last night so a few Twix and Snickers might have disappeared from their bags. But a lot also went into the bin because we don’t need that laying around. Candy equals excess calories and money at the dentist!
But to slowly ween you off the sugar, I’m sharing a healthy dessert with you :) If you’re like me, you might be cooking from the pantry more than ever before?! This recipe uses ingredients you most likely, already have in your kitchen! Challenge your family to try and guess the secret ingredient 😉 If you make these, make sure to snap a picture and share it with me!
Ingredients
¼ cup quick rolled oats
1 (15 ounce) can black beans, drained, rinsed
2 large eggs
¼ cup cocoa powder
⅔ cup honey
¼ cup coconut oil
1 tsp vanilla extract
½ tsp baking powder
Pinch of kosher salt
1 cup chocolate chips (divided use)
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
Place the oats in a food processor and pulse until finely chopped (approximately 1 minute).
Place black beans, eggs, cocoa powder, honey, coconut oil, vanilla extract, baking powder, and salt into the food processor and pulse until combined (approximately 1 minute).
Pour ½ cup chocolate chips into the batter and mix in.
Pour batter into a greased 8x8 inch pan and top with the other ½ cup of chocolate chips.
Back for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Cool and slice into 2-inch squares.
When I take these to parties, NO ONE ever guesses there are black beans in this and they are gone. 100% of the time, G O N E! Don’t be turned off, try them and see for yourself.
Candy Corn Parfait
Candy corn: you either love it or you hate it! But this delicious parfait puts a fun & healthy spin on the colors of candy corn! Here’s the Candy Corn Parfait - a perfect dessert to serve up on Halloween. Let me know how you like it!
Ingredients
1 Cup coconut cream, unsweetened (chill in fridge overnight, or 1 hour in freezer)
1 Tbsp pure maple syrup
1 pinch sea salt
½ tsp pure vanilla extract
20 oz canned pineapple chunks, drained
2 Cups canned Mandarin oranges, drained
8 pieces candy corn
Instructions
Remove all liquid from coconut cream.
Place coconut cream, maple syrup, salt, and extract in a large mixing bowl; beat with a mixer until stiff peaks form. Set aside.
Spoon pineapple evenly into the bottom of 8 clear glasses; then, arrange the mandarin oranges evenly on top.
Top each glass with a dollop of whipped coconut cream + a piece of candy corn and serve!
Yield: 8 servings.
UPF Containers: 1 Purple, 1 Blue
2B Mindset Plate It: Enjoy as an occasional treat. Be sure to track it!
Candy Bar Inspired Smoothies
Click to download pdf.
It’s that time of year - candy is everywhere and the sweet tooth is getting strong. I can't be the only one?!? I definitely enjoy a few pieces of Halloween candy, but I have been trying to recreate the flavors of my favorite treats in my morning smoothie (Twix, Snickers and Recess's Cups are a favorite here).
Click here to download your copy!
Snickers smoothie
Mini chocolate bars are a crucial part of Halloween… but you also don’t want to be eating 20 Snickers in a single sitting or eating them into November That month is full of it’s own temptations! So, swap in a smoothie instead, same taste, better macros, more energy!
I love this Snickers smoothie recipe because it seriously tastes amazing and has all the superfood goodness you could want!
Ingredients
1 scoop Chocolate Shakeology
8 oz unsweetened almond milk
1 tsp all-natural peanut butter (no added sugar or oil, keep it clean!)
½ a banana
1 tsp caramel extract
1 cup of ice
Instructions
Add all ingredients into the blender. Cover and blend until smooth.
This is only 1 serving.
Ultimate Portion Fix Containers: 1 Red, 1 Purple, 2 tsp
2B Mindset: Enjoy as part of a healthy breakfast.
Pumpkin Spice Latte Energy Balls
These Pumpkin Spice Latte Energy Balls are the perfect thing to whip up on the weekend and snack on during the week!
Ingredients
1 cup all-natural smooth almond butter (TIP - make sure it’s clean! no added oil or sugar)
¼ cup honey (try to buy local, helps with allergies)
¾ cup dry rolled oats (not quick)
½ packet of Cafe Latte Shakeology and ½ packet of Pumpkin Spice Shakeology (or full scoop of Cafe Latte if no PS left!)
½ cup sliced almonds
Instructions
Combine almond butter, honey, oats, Shakeology, and almonds in a medium bowl; mix well with clean hands or a rubber spatula.
Shape mixture into 24 small balls; place in an airtight container.
Put in the fridge for at least 1 hour before serving.
Eat immediately or store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
Yield: 12 servings (2 energy balls = 1 serving)
UPF Containers: 1 Yellow, ½ Blue, 2½ tsp
2B Mindset Plate It: Enjoy as an occasional treat - be sure to track!
Shakeology Cookie Dough
Some things can be simple and delicious and this is one of those things. If you have a sweet tooth, this is low in sugar and meets the needs for those cravings. My Life Coach Teacher, Shannon Conway, shared this with me and it had me at hello, if you know what I’m saying ;o)
Ingredients:
* 1 scoop / packet Vanilla Shakeology (vegan or whey)
* 1 TBSP Original Ghee (from Amazon)
* 1-3 TBSP milk (DF or reg)
* 1 TBSP creamy nut butter (make sure it's clean!)
* 1-2 TBSP chocolate chips
Directions:
1) Heat 30 seconds in microwave.
2) Stir in Milk and Nut Butter.
3) Mix for 30 seconds.
4) Add Chocolate Chips.
1-2 servings
Pumpkin Spice Breakfast Yogurt
It’s time for a tasty treat … and this time of year is perfect for Pumpkin Spice! You may have seen a wonder whip recipe from 2B Mindset but this one is made for October!
Ingredients
3 tbsp pumpkin puree
1 tsp pumpkin pie spice
¾ cup plain Greek yogurt
1 tsp honey (or maple syrup)
2 tbsp granola here’s a great “clean” option)
Instructions
Mix pumpkin puree, pumpkin pie spice, Greek yogurt, and honey together in a bowl. Top with granola and enjoy!
Yield: 1 serving.
Ultimate Portion Fix Containers: 1 Red, ½ Yellow, 1½ tsp
2B Mindset Plate It: Eat as a healthy breakfast option!
Intensifying #mbf and #mbfa
If you’re like me, you’ve already completed a few round of #mbf (Muscle Burns Fat) and #mbfa (MBF Advanced) because they are so short (only 21 days each). It might be time to intensify things so you keep getting results and don’t plateau. Each time I repeat I try to perfect form and increase my weights, but here are a few other tricks too! Let me know which resonated with you the most!
Turmeric Latte
The weather continues to get cooler (depending where you are!) and I’m loving this warm Turmeric Latte on cool mornings 😍 This recipe makes 2 servings, so whip one up for you and a loved one!
Ingredients
2 cups unsweetened vanilla almond milk
½ tsp pure vanilla extract
4 tsp honey
1 tsp ground turmeric
¼ tsp ground cinnamon
Pinch of ground nutmeg
Pinch of cardamom
Extra ground cinnamon to sprinkle on top!
Instructions
In a small pot, add almond milk, vanilla, honey, ground turmeric, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cardamom over medium-high heat.
Whisk together and bring ingredients to a boil; then, reduce heat to low and simmer for 3-5 minutes to reduce the mixture, stirring occasionally.
Pour into 2 small mugs, then sprinkle with ground cinnamon.
Ultimate Portion Fix Containers: 1 tsp
2B Mindset Plate It: Enjoy as an occasional treat; be sure to track it.
Cocoa Nut Butter Protein Balls
These are sooo easy and can be modified however you want if there are allergies!
Ingredients:
- 5 cup QUICK oats (old fashioned requires more sweetener IMO)
- 1 cup any Creamy nut 🥜 butter (just make sure it’s clean and there’s no added sugar or oil)
Yogurt, Shakeology powder, loose granola on top! 1.5R, 2Y, 2 tsp
- ¾ cup sweetener of choice (I combined local Honey🍯 and Pure Maple Syrup)
- ½ cup cocoa
- 2 scoops / packets Shakeology (any flavor and either whey or vegan will do)
** if for a kids’ class, you could switch 1 cup of Oats with 1 cup Rice Krispies for a crunch
**other modifications can be diced cranberries, nuts, coconut or chocolate chips. These will require more sweetener to make it sticky enough to hold, so instead swap out ½ cup Oats for these modifications.
Directions:
1. Mix together with a mixer or you’ll get an arm workout too. It doesn’t matter which order you add ingredients, I mix once all are in the bowl.
2. Roll into balls (24-30), or put in a 13x9 pan and make bars (yields ~20-22 bars depending on thickness).
Serve with plain greek yogurt for breakfast (see above) with 2 - 3 balls (these are sweet enough so you don’t need a sweetened yogurt like Vanilla, and then you forgo the additives that aren’t great for you anyways). You can also put additional Shakeology in your yogurt and stir together before topping with loose granola, or crumble a few balls.
For lunch these can be a healthy carb (2-3 balls), or for snack (kids 4-5 balls, adults 2). These are heavier than my 21-Day Fix Granola Balls so I limit these to heavy fitness days like training, or days I work out for longer than 40 minutes.
Let me know how you like them! I find them very kid friendly!