Healthy Halloween Candy Alternates

With Halloween a few days away, I am sure everyone has went out and bought candy to give out to our neighbors and family members. I know my kids are having Halloween parties at school. This year I want to give out something different that the usual, unhealthy candy. But at the same time I want it to be fun. I was able to find 5 fun alternatives to Halloween Candy, that are still fun for kids.

1. Goodie Bags: For the kids Halloween party this year we are filling little baggies with Halloween decorated notepads, pencils and stickers.. I let my son pick out the stickers and he was thrilled that he was not just giving out candy.


2. Popcorn: I found a cute decorative way to give out popcorn with a Halloween twist. Fill clear plastic gloves full of fresh popcorn and tied out with ribbon. An added touch would be a fun spider ring.

3. Masks: Everyone is dressing up already for the occasion but why not give an extra fun plain black mask for an added prop. Many party supply stores sell them in bulk or you can get crafty and make some.

4. Necklaces: Those party supply stores also sell Mardis Gras style black and orange beaded necklaces. My kids are always thrilled for these extra little things at parties.

5. Crayons and Coloring Pages: Many subdivisions where we live do a community friendly trick or treating. They often set up haunt houses in there garages or sit outside while several hundreds kids come through. Why no set up a table outside and give out crayons with Halloween related coloring pages.

7 Reasons to Drink Water

7 Reasons to Drink Water

 

1. Energy! 

Who doesn't need energy? Being dehydrated will drain your energy and make you feel tired!

2. Weight Loss... 

The best part about water is that it has no fat, calories or sugar.

3. Improved fitness performance.. 

When your dehydrated you have decreased performance with physical fitness.

4. Cleansing. 

Water cleanses the body by flushing out the toxins in the body.

5. Cures Headaches. 

Most headaches are caused by not getting enough water.

6. Healthy Skin. 

Makes skin clear and gives the skin a glow.

7. Heart Health

By staying hydrated you decrease your risk for a heart attack by 41%.



Everyday you should drink half your body weight in ounces. For example if you weight 200lbs then you will need to drink 100oz everyday.

21 Day Fix, What?!

After giving birth to my third child I was ready to get my pre-baby bod back. I have been struggling with weight loss since my first child who was born over 11 years ago. I had tried other weight loss programs. I eventually stop using their products due to them containing aspartame. I watched a video called Hunger for Change. This movie changed the way I looked at eating. I knew I needed to make a change.

On Facebook I kept seeing a friend post about her challenge groups, featuring the 21 day Fix. She was getting amazing results. I saw how quickly she was getting her pre-baby bod back. I figured if she could do it, so could I. I definitely wasn't enjoying being in the current state I was in. I rarely wanted to pose for pictures with my kids. So, I signed up to join her next challenge group. Something was just burning inside me saying " You need to do this!" I get tons of people asking me what am I doing, so I want to share my results and spread the wealth.

My Coach

Aside from the posts I saw on Facebook, I really had no idea what the 21 day fix was. The 21 day fix is, a 21 day program that includes workouts, and eating plan to help you lose weight safety and quickly. Luckily for me when I joined the challenge group I got a free coach. In this challenge group I was held accountable for each workout I did, and what I ate. I found the group helped me stay accountable and motivated. I took my pre-measurements, as well as, my before pictures. I was not excited at all to take the before picture. But, when I saw my measurements I was determined to succeed!!!

Nutrition

Included with my challenge pack was a nutrition guide, a 30 day supply of Shakeology, 7 portion containers and 7 workout videos.The nutrition guide book guides you through what to eat and how much you portion for each food group. I didn't have to count calories, so it was easier for me to figure out. Whatever fits in the containers you get to eat. I found that meal planning is the key. So, every Sunday I plan and prep my meals for the week ahead. If I did not get to plan my meals, for whatever reason, plan I found I struggled with getting in the right amount of food. Within a week it became much easier to manage. I was starting to learn how to eat properly.

In the beginning, I was struggling with figuring how to fit in all these foods in one day. Shakeology was an easy fix to my busy morning. Before I started, I rarely ever ate breakfast because mornings were always so hectic, with the kids and work. I carried Shakeology with me everywhere so I was not tempted to eat fast food. The packets made it easy to have a nutritious meal on the go. The shakes helped me when I craved sweets. How bad can it be, if it tastes like Ice Cream!

Workouts

Autumn Calabrese, is the celebrity trainer who designed the 21 Day Fix program. I find her workouts

to be challenging. In just 30 mins I feel like I had been in the gym for over an hour. When I first started this program it felt like 30 mins was long. I had to push myself to workout. I found the modifications provided in the videos got me through the first week! By the second and third week I was able to do most of the workouts without doing the modification. I felt accomplished and noticed I was getting stronger. Some days were harder than others but I kept pushing. I found her words encouraging. When she said "Everything you got, and a little bit more.", I took her serious. 

Results

 My first round of the fix and I lost 10 lbs and 18 inches. Once, I got results I was hooked.

I loved that everywhere I went people were noticing my results. I become so excited and wanted to start helping others. I was already getting some many others wanting me to help them with losing weight since I was making such great progress. I found myself talking about the program all the time. I figured I might as well become a coach! I start a new challenge group every month. My next challenge group is starting November 2nd. To join email me kristinemhill@yahoo.com or message me on Facebook! I would love to help you get the same results. Get you free account.

Eminem Workouts From Home

Eminem at his heaviest of 230 pounds. After his weight loss journey down to 149 pounds.

Since I started Beach Body, I have been eating healthy, clean food and working out at least 30 mins a day with the 21 Day Fix. 
Last month, September 2015, Men's Journal wrote an article about Eminem losing 81 pounds called "Eminem the Home Body" They reported "He boxed, he battled addiction, and ran like a hamster on a wheel. Then, the guy behind the 'Southpaw' soundtrack's 'Phenomenal' found his fitness groove in front of the TV." It was so intriguing to see someone as famous as Eminem, was doing Beach Body just like me!!

He found that he was able to get fit by using P90x, Body Beast and Insanity the same programs available to you and me from Beach Body. After Eminem got out of rehab in 2009, he needed to lose weight! At his heaviest of 230 lbs Eminem overdosed on pills. The coating on the Valium and Vicodin he was taking always had his stomach hurting and he would eat all the time to avoid a stomach ache. After rehab, he turned to fitness, getting a runners high on the treadmill. Going from one addiction (pills) to another (running). He ran so much, he injured his hip flexors and needed to switch it up.

Starting with Shaun T's Instanity, he found that Shaun T's "wacky" way of yelling, motivated him. I found that Autumn Cabrease motivated me to workout in the 21 Day Fix the same way. When he first began Insanity he would alternate between running and Insanity. After a while he just did Insanity and then plateaued and began P90x. Eventually he moved on to Body Beast. It is interesting to see that Eminem was able to find motivation from the same workouts that are available to you and I. 

Body Beast is 30 min weight training program featuring body builder Sagi Kalev. This program in 90 days featuring 11 workouts, a full nutrition plan and support from your own free personal coach.

P90x is a 90 day program featuring 12 different workouts.Get ripped in 90 days by following the nutrition plan and muscle confusion workouts!
To get started with an at home workout program such as P90x, Body Beast or Insanity fill out our challenge application to get started today and get your own free personal coach.

Free AB and Clean Eating Challenge Group

Monday I am running a FREE 7 Day AB and clean eating challenge group!
Get rid of your junk food and kick start a new holiday wardrobe with a smaller core and happier body.
I want to add value to your life even if you are on a tight budget. Comment if you want in!!

The Master's Hammer and Chisel

What is The Master's Hammer and Chisel?

What is The Master's Hammer and Chisel?
Its a new Cardio and Strength training program. I super excited about starting December 1st is when you can first get it. I am launching my first pilot group December 1st.

Requirements to Join Me:

1. You have me as your free Team Beachbody Coach. If I am not yet, please do that using this link now: Free Coach Account

2. You must order The Master's Hammer and Chisel Challenge Pack.

It will be on sale for December at a special release price of $160 US. 

Program will first launch on December 1st.

Challenge Pack Includes:

-12 workouts

-7 color-coded portion control containers

-Shaker Bottle

-Program Guide and Calendars

-Nutrition Guide

-Quick Start Guide

-3 FREE Bonus Workouts

-1 Month of Meals with Shakeology (you choose the flavor)

-Me as your Free Coach

-24/7 Support in our Online Accountability Group

-30 Day FREE Trial of Beachbody Club Membership which includes Beachbody On Demand (Stream hundreds of workouts in the Beachbody Member Library. You also get complete program materials, like fitness guides, nutrition guides, meal plans, and workout calendars.)

{If you already drink shakeology regularly, we will get you set up with just the program}

3. You check into our VIP private accountability daily.

4. You are commit to changing your body from top to bottom!

Fill out my Challenge Group application. I will choose 10 challenges who are willing to join me and commit to a change. Application

If you want to TRY out TWO of the Hammer & Chisel Workouts - YOU CAN RIGHT NOW!

Sign up for the FREE 30 Day Trial Of Beachbody's Club Membership which INCLUDES Beachbody on Demand. It is like Netflix for Beachbody! On there, you will find TWO of the Hammer and Chisel Workouts to try!

Meet the Trainers

Sagi and Autumn have spent decades acquiring the tools, skills, and experience needed to transform your body—and they're going to help you do it in just 30-40 minutes per day. So what's their secret?

It's all in their approach. You won't simply bust out some curls or perform mindless repetitions. With The Master's Hammer and Chisel you'll use what the experts call SSP Training, for Stabilization, Strength, and Power. Incorporate one or two of these phases into your workout routine and you might see decent results. But combine all three phases—the way Sagi and Autumn do in The Master's Hammer and Chisel—and this comprehensive resistance-training method will relentlessly chip away fat, carve powerful muscle, and refine every inch of your body for results that are a true work of art.

Flourless Pancakes

Flourless Pancakes 21 day Fix approved! 

Portion break down for 3 pancakes: 1/4 yellow, 1/2 red and 1 purple. 

Pancakes are breakfasts comfort food if you ask me. Once starting the challenge it was important to me to find alternatives to all the foods I love. Never should I ever feel deprived of yummy food!

Serving size: 2 Makes: 6 pancakes Cook time: 5 mins

Ingredients: 

2TBSP Coconut Oil Organic

2 eggs

1 banana

3/4 Oats

4 oz of unsweetened apple sauce

1 tsp vanilla extract

1 tsp cinnamon 

Directions:

1. Mix together all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth

2. Heat griddle pan with coconut oil and pour mixture onto pan, making small pancakes.

3. Brown on both sides. When the batter beginning to bubble it is time to flip them.

3. Drizzle pure maple syrup or eat them plain.

OPTIONAL add fruit to top. 

Zucchini Pasta

Zucchini Pasta

Pasta is my weakness and my favorite homemade meal. I most definitely would have never thought of trying to swap my beloved pasta with a zucchini noodle!!! However, on my fitness journey I have learned to replace good meals with healthier alternatives. I love that you get the extra veggies without the carb. These are good in there own way. I must say I do enjoy this dish. My new go to meal... It is a much quicker meal than I ever dreamed. With my handy julienne peeler I can make zucchini noodles galore el pronto!

Serving Size: 2 Cook Time: 20 mins Prep Time:15

Ingredients:

1 Zucchini, julienne peeled into noodles

1 glass jar of Flora Diced tomatoes

1 TBSP Minced Garlic
1 TBSP Basil
1 TBSP Oregano

1. Peel zucchini, then julienne zucchini into noodles.
2. Add Olive Oil to medium sauce pan with garlic on medium heat.
3. Add diced tomatoes, basil, oregano and zucchini noodles to pan bring to boil and then cover pan. Lower heat to low and simmer for 15 mins.
4. Serve warm....



Cauliflower & Chicken Fried Rice

Cauliflower & Chicken Fried Rice

Great Prep Meal.....

Do you like Fried Rice but do not want the extra fat. Need a healthy alternative? Swapping out the 

rice for cauliflower is a healthy way to decrease your carb intake and add extra veggies. Using ground chicken adds a protein boost. You easily could skip the ground chicken and just use leftover chicken. 

This recipe is a great prep meal for the week, leaving you enough serving for the whole week or you could freeze the rest for a quick easy dinner another time.

Prep Time: 20 min. Total Time: 1 hr. 8 min. Cooking Time: 18 min. 

Makes: 8 servings, approx. ⅔ cup each

Ingredients:

1 lb. raw lean ground chicken or leftover chicken breast
5 Tbsp. organic coconut aminos, divided use
1 Tbsp. dry sherry
1 clove garlic, finely chopped
Hot water
2  carrots, chopped
1 cup fresh peas
2 medium heads cauliflower, cut into bite-sized pieces
2 Tbsp.  organic coconut oil, divided use
4 large eggs, lightly beaten
4 green onions, thinly sliced, reserve a small amount of the greens for garnish

Preparation:
1. Mix chicken, 1 Tbsp. coconut aminos, sherry, and garlic in a medium bowl; mix well. Let it set for 30 minutes.
2. Boil water in steamer over high heat. Reduce heat to medium-high. Place carrots in steamer basket; cook for 2 to 3 minutes.
3. Add fresh peas; cook for 2 to 3 minutes, or until tender-crisp and peas are bright green. Place in ice water bath to stop cooking process. Set aside.
4. Place half of cauliflower in food processor; pulse until cauliflower is chopped into pieces about the size of rice. Repeat with the other half. Set aside.
5. Heat 1 Tbsp. oil in large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat.
6. Add chicken mixture; cook, stirring frequently to break chicken into small pieces, for 4 to 6 minutes, or until chicken is no longer pink. Remove from pan. Set aside.
7. Add remaining 1 Tbsp. oil; heat, over medium-high heat.
8. Add cauliflower and remaining 4 Tbsp. coconut aminos; cook, stirring frequently, for 2 to 4 minutes.
9. Make a well in the middle of the cauliflower mixture. Add eggs; cook, stirring frequently in the well, for 2 to 3 minutes, or until eggs start to set.
10. Mix eggs into cauliflower mixture. Add chicken, carrot mixture, and green onions; cook, stirring frequently, for 2 minutes, or until heated through.
11. Serve and freeze or prep ahead; garnish evenly with green onion.

Starting My Transformation... Join My Journey

 
Today is my 6th day and third round of the 21 day fix. In the beginning of my first round, it took me a few weeks to wrap my head around meal planning and knowing how much to eat. I relearned how to create nutritious meals. In the 21 day fix you get 7 great containers to portion out your meals. The amount of food I get to eat every day is amazing. For example I get to eat 4 red containers in my meal plan that was designed for me.

These containers made it easy for me to know how much I should be eating. You can over eat on healthy food too. So the importance of portion control is key.

This is me, day one of my first round... I am the heaviest I have ever been. Everyday I lacked energy and motivation to do easy day to day tasks. This is my postpartum body after 3 kids and I had my youngest just a few months prior to this photo.

Something had to change!!! I am way to young to feel and look like this... So I started the 21 day Fix with a coach and an online challenge group. Every day I was required to drink shakeology, check in and make myself accountable for my workouts/nutrition. In my challenge pack I got 7 workouts, a nutrition plan, 7 containers, a months supply of shakeology and a free coach. My coach Ashleah inspired me to make a change. I saw her transformation, which was amazing for from a size 9 to a size 1 in just a few rounds of the 21 day fix. I figured if she could work full-time and be a mom of 2 and do this I knew I could too. 

Here I am 48 days later after starting the program. 

I remember when Ashleah first asked me to join her challenge group and even shared being a coach. I told her there is no way I have time to be a coach or check in to a challenge group every day. I felt there was not way I could workout everyday and eat clean...
Some how after watching her for months I finally messaged her and said "Hey I am ready.. I don't care what it costs.. I don't care how early I have to get up.. I am doing this."


Monday I am starting my 3 round of the fix and I have goals to meet. I am coach I want to help others so they can feel just like I do everyday....

Check out my contact me page so you can fill out an application for my upcoming challenge group on Oct 19th. Simply contact me via facebook or fill out the application when your ready to make a change. 

Avocado Toast

Avocado Toast

When it comes to avocado toast do we really need to write out a recipe? So simple to make but when you take a bite of it your realize there is so much more to it. Great excuse to eat avocado. The mashed up avocados add a buttery smooth texture to the toast that you'll just love. 

This is one of my favorite breakfast recipes. Anytime someone asks what my go to breakfast is I normal would have to say avocados on toast. I like to use all clean and organic ingredients.

Avocado Toast Mash

1 avocado
4 grape tomatoes
2 tsp chia seeds
Salt and Pepper
1 tsp garlic powder
1 slice organic whole grain toast (Eureka)

Smash avocado in a small bowl with fork. Cut grape tomatoes in half or quarters, which ever you prefer. Mix in the reminder of ingredients together and spread on toast! Enjoy😊

Makes 4 servings.