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!