My Ultimate Reset

Holy Cow! Life has certainly pulled me in and pulled me away from focusing on sharing with all of you! It's been a while since I have posted! My oldest son graduated college, summer came and went and then my dear mother was diagnosed with brain cancer.  It has been a whirlwind.  But I am here now because it is a new year and I am having a day where I feel like I have my hands on the reigns and have a handle, not control, but a handle on the hours.  For now! 

So...currently I have begun my Whole 30 journey.  This journey was inspired by the Ultimate Reset program I did in August of 2016.  The Ultimate Reset was AMAZING in so many ways! I was perpetually bloated during the summer wind down.  Miserable and tired.  I was heavier than I had been in a while (for what I was comfortable with).  I had developed some unhealthy habits that I was ready to shake! So I jumped in with both feet! I started the 21 day program full force.  Summer was tapering down...we were still spending days at the beach and nights at soccer.  But I was ready.  Just turning 42 and I was ready to make some changes.  In 21 days I lost 19 pounds! Not only did I lose 19 pounds but I discovered a new relationship with food! I was energized and happy.  And I was super proud of myself that I had finished the program in it's entirety! No cheats and no mess ups! It wasn't always easy, either.  Like I said, we were at the beach several days during those 21 days.  I had a 40th birthday party I attended and my son's graduation party.  Still...I came out victorious! I felt empowered and genuinely proud of myself.  

I carried those positive food habits with me even after the 21 days.  I followed through, even spending weeks in the hospital with my mom.  Healthy food choices came easier.  And I was happy! It's a program I highly recommend! A program that changed my mindset.  And a program that has propelled me, once again, to reintroduce myself to some better food choices.  The holidays and the stress of our family situation started to weigh on me and I stopped paying attention.  Becoming tired again.  Which led me to Whole 30.  5 Days in and I am feeling good and wanted to invite anyone and everyone on this journey with me! You can find the event on my FB page if you are interested! I will keep all of you posted on my results!    

Slow Cooker Burrito Bowl

This recipe serves 6 to 8 people.

1 to 1 1/2 pounds of boneless skinless chicken breasts
1 14ounce can diced tomatoes
1 cup chicken stock, divided, plus more if needed
2 tsp. chili powder
2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. cumin
1 cup brown rice
1 15ouce can of black beans, drained and rinsed
1 cup frozen corn

 

Combine the chicken, diced tomatoes, 1/2 cup of chicken stock, chili powder, salt and cumin in a 2 1/2 to 3 1/2 quart slow cooker.  Make sure the chicken is covered and add additional stock if needed.  Cover with the lid and cook on low for 3 to 4 hours.

 

Remove the lid and add the rice, black beans, frozen corn and the remaining chicken broth.  Replace the lid and continue cooking on low for another 3 to 4 hours.  Check the rice periodically in the last hour of cooking, stirring once or twice to make sure the rice cooks evenly and adding more chicken broth if the mixture seems dry.

 

Cooking is done when the rice is tender.  If the rice is done while there is still liquid left in the slow cooker, remove the lid and cook on high to let the liquid evaporate.

 

Total cook time:  6 to 8 hours

Use 2 forks to shred the chicken. 

Optional toppings include:  shredded cheese, chopped cilantro, sour cream, avocado, salsa or hot sauce.  Serve over salad or in a tortilla or taco shell.

Shakeology and The Shakeology Challenge

   So there's this stuff...and it's called Shakeology.  My husband and I have been drinking it every day for the past 2 years! It is a huge part of my fitness program and an even bigger part of my life.

   I'm a runner.  Meaning, I am constantly on the go.  Most of the time I forget to eat or just grab what I can.  It has been a huge downfall for me and for my health.  The same goes for my husband who is always on the road.  When I started my first Beachbody program, T25, I was given Shakeology samples by my coach.  I had purchased the program without the shakes because I didn't want to spend the money.  Once I had a of days that included Shakeology...I ordered it.  I couldn't be without it.  It was my go to meal when I was running.  It increased my energy, gave me the nutrients I was missing, reduced my sweet cravings and helped with my digestion.  My husband, a long time patient of cholesterol medicine, had a different experience.  He lost weight, his good cholesterol increased and his bad cholesterol decreased.  My skeptical husband was now a believer.

   From then on we made sure to include Shakeology into our lifestyle every day.  Our 4 children enjoy it as well, in 1/2 servings.  Now, this brings me to my Shakeology Challenge.  Beachbody offers a super sampler pack! It's 6 packets of Shakeology in every flavor (with the exception of the newly released flavor, Cafe Latte).  So what I am going to do is to host a 7 day clean eating and Shakeology challenge to help you get the maximum benefits and see for yourself why my husband and I drink it faithfully.

   So....how does this work? First, I must be assigned as your coach through Team Beachbody.  If you do not have an account you can go to my site www.beachbodycoach.com/ckgrego and create one for FREE!! Then, you are required to purchase the Super Sampler of Shakeology.  That will give you access into my closed online group.

   Then, starting February 15th I will be providing you with a sample clean eating meal plan and grocery list, daily tips to start making healthier choices, snack ideas, lists of good sources of protein plus the foods you should stay away from.  Each day we will post our Shakeology recipe and give feedback on what we think.  You can replace any meal with Shakeology and I suggest choosing the meal that you struggle with the most.

   Our goal is to see what kind of success we can have in 7 days! You could, seriously, lose a pant size if you give it 100%! So, are you in? It's $29.95 + shipping and tax plus the amazing support I will give you to help you start and finish, successfully, in 7 days! I am so excited about this challenge! I hope you jump on board! But don't wait! Spots fill up quickly! Have a friend or spouse join with you! What have you got to lose? Except your excuses! Email me with any questions and I will get back to you right away! Let's do this! Together!

 

The 3 Day Refresh

August is my birthday month.  On top of it being my birthday month it was also a crazy summer of running around and keeping my 4 kids busy.  The week after my birthday I had decided I was going to do the 3 Day Refresh.  It wasn't easy for me! I like to eat.  (Which is funny because I usually forget to eat while I am running around.)  But my results were fantastic! Down 5 pounds and 2.5 inches in 3 days was exciting! However, the more exciting part of it was that I had eliminated all of my sugar and junk cravings and found that I had more energy.  

The picture to the right is exactly one week from the last day of the 3 Day Refresh.  I hadn't begun exercising again but had stuck to eating clean and drinking my Shakeology every day.  I had one cheat day at a BBQ...but other than that I had maintained a good nutrition plan.  This program is awesome! I absolutely love it! And I would love to share it with you! 

My New Favorite Cardio

My very first Beachbody program was T25.  I will admit...I HATE CARDIO! T25 was a challenge! But I pushed through and did it and had amazing results once I finished the program.  I struggled getting through the entire program.  However, Shaun T. kept me going.  I don't know why and I don't know how.  But he was fun to watch and I had this weird feeling that I didn't want to disappoint him.  Even though he would NEVER know if I finished or not! Ha ha! I kept going.  After T25 I added various other workouts from Beachbody and fell in love with a couple.  Still, I always dreaded those cardio days! Yuck!

Until...I tried Cize! Holy cow! I will admit that I doubted the program.  How could dancing for 1/2 an hour really burn that many calories? Well, my first day I burned about 400 calories and ended up drenched in sweat.  The best part about it? I didn't even pay attention to the fact that I was doing cardio! It was perfect! A one month program of approximately 30 minute workouts.  With a nutrition guide and color coded containers to boot? I was in!!!!

I was so excited.  A few coaches started a test group for Cize.  One person reported losing almost 3 pound and 2.6 inches in just one week! So exciting! I would like to expand my test group.  So if you, or anyone you know, would be interested in joining please drop me an email! This program is so much fun!

ckgrego@gmail.com

Why I Chose Beachbody

Growing up there were many things I wanted to be.  A journalist, a psychologist, a police officer and a forensic psychologist.  As I grew older, my life took many twists and turns of it's own.  While working in a Drug and Alcohol Prevention Program for teens, I met my now husband.  I became a wife and, very quickly, a mother and found that my heart was at home with my family.  I had no desire to be anywhere but at home raising my children and supporting the love of my life.  

I fell into the role of stay at home mom very well.  I was a cheer mom, a PTN mom and a volunteer.  I started going to the gym while my little ones were in preschool.  I loved it.  I found that going to the gym with kids in tow wasn't as easy as when they were in school, which was only 2 half days.  Not a lot of time.  I wanted more.  A friend of mine started posting progress pics of a workout she was doing at home called T25.  I was amazed! I needed what she had! So I bought it...shakes and all. After 7 weeks I was blown away! 

I hadn't gotten these type of results in the gym! I wanted more.  So I signed on to be a Beachbody coach myself.  Initially, it was to cover the cost of my shakes.  I couldn't go without my shakes but didn't want to pay full price for them.  I knew that once my friends saw my results, they would want what I was doing.  I was so excited to share and to help pay for my shakes while helping my friends!  Time passed.  I was still doing my workouts and still drinking my shakes.  However, I was finding that my "why" was changing.  I was learning.  Learning how to be good to my body.  I was learning how to feed my family the best way possible.  I was watching my husband lower his blood sugar and cholesterol while working out in between appointments and drinking Shakeology.  

What I was doing became so much more.  

A year and a half later I am still learning.  My lifestyle has changed.  The lifestyle of my family has changed.  I watch parents grow old in poor health and leave their families way to early.  I watch Mom's raise obese children.  My reasons have become far greater than how I am going to look in a bikini during the summer.  My reasons have now become how long I will be around for my husband and my children.  

I have worked very hard at developing a lifestyle that promotes health for myself and my family.  A lifestyle that develops strength and knowledge.  I am not a trainer or a nutritionist.  Rather, a mom who loves her family more than anything in this world.  It is for that reason that I keep myself healthy.  My family needs me.  This is why I do what I do.  It is not selfish to put yourself first.  Where would your family be without you? Whether your family is your parents, a spouse, your children, your best friend or your siblings or grandparents? 

This time for health is now.  Let me help you!

A Family Approved Dinner and a Win For Me!

Healthy Shepherd's Pie with Cauliflower Topping! Wow! So good! 

  During a conversation with one of my closest friends, the topic of making small changes to our regular family dishes came up.  What do Moms do to make small changes to favorite recipes to make them healthier? She mentioned Shepherd's Pie! Yum! I hadn't had that in forever! She told me that she had heard of making it with a cauliflower topping.  Well that made sense to me! I mean, after all, we replace mashed potatoes with mashed cauliflower all of the time.

  Thus began my recipe search.  Being gluten intolerant I knew I needed a recipe that didn't include any gluten containing products.  I wanted as healthy as possible.  And as I searched...I found it! I was so excited to get started.  It was prepared in 1/2 an hour and cooked for another 30 minutes.  I popped it into the oven while the kids did homework and it was nice and hot and ready to eat promptly at dinner!

  I get excited when I find a meal that is approved by everyone in the family, that tastes good and is good for you! So I decided to share.  Make this one for the family this month! Let me know how it goes over!!

Shepherd's Pie with Cauliflower Topping

Serves: 4-6

Ingredients:

~ 1 Head Cauliflower

~ 2 Tbsp Coconut Oil

~ 1 Small Onion - diced

~ 2 Celery Ribs - diced

~ 2 Carrots - diced

~ 2 Garlic Cloves - minced

~ 1 Pound Fat Free Ground Turkey ( you can use lean beef or lamb if you prefer)

~ 1/2 Cup Broth

~ 1 Tbsp Ketchup

~ 2 Tbsp Parsley

~ Salt and Pepper to taste

~ 1/2 Cup Shredded Mozzarella (if desired)

Instructions:

1.  Preheat oven to 400 degrees.  Grease 2-3 quart casserole dish and set aside.

2.  In a large pot, steam cauliflower florets until tender.

3.  Heat 1 Tbsp. coconut oil in a large skilled.  Add the onion, celery, carrots and garlic and cook until soften.

4.  Add the ground meat to the pan and cook until brown adding broth to keep the mixture moist.  Add the ketchup and parsley and season with salt and pepper to taste.

5.  Let the meat mixture simmer and prepare the cauliflower topping.

6.  Drain cauliflower and add 1 Tbsp. coconut oil and salt and pepper to taste and mash with a hand mixer until smooth and creamy.

7.  Spread the meat mixture in the casserole dish and top with cauliflower.  Sprinkle the cheese on top and cook for 30 minutes until hot and bubbly.

Serve and Enjoy!