Food, Faith and Fitness Group

I have run many challenge and accountability groups and I am always super excited about them.  Once again, when the Lord puts it on your heart to do something, you take it and run with it!  I am over joyed about this particular one.  I have read this book several times and remember flying to Reno several years ago and I had downloaded it on my Kindle.  One flight and I had finished the book!  It was THAT good!  Made to Crave by Lysa Terkurst is one of those books that speaks volumes!
Whether you have read the book before or have only heard about it, that is GREAT!!!!  I'm combining the book with my upcoming Accountability Group called Food, Faith and Fitness.  We are going to read through the book while working through our individual programs and drinking Shakeology for one meal a day or you can use the Beachbody Performance Line, whichever you prefer.  It is going to be fabulous.  When you sign up to order your Challenge Pack with me as your Coach I WILL SUPPLY YOUR BOOK FOR YOU!!!!  YOU GET THE BOOK FREE!!!!!  Now do you see why I am excited about this!!!!!

So here is the banner that you will see over on Facebook.  Look for it!!!  I'm telling you that you are going to miss the biggest blessing of your life if you don't get plugged in ASAP.  I'm keeping this a SMALL group of 10.  Once there are 10 women it will be closed.  If there is that much demand, NEVER FEAR, I will repeat it and do it again!!!  You will want to get in on this ASAP!!!!
Do Not Wait!!!
You will be blessed beyond measure!!!
Click HERE to fill out your application!!!

Friday Food

I posted a picture of my dinner last night on Facebook and quickly discovered that a recipe was necessary.  There were a lot of request for it so I figured that this was the best place to put it so everyone could see it.

As you all know, we are doing the WHOLE30 Program.  It is a challenge but we have loved it so far.  It's difficult at times because you think you want what you can't have and you figure out a way around it.  So this was my solution to the desire for Mexican food.
What is NOT in this salad-
-re-fried beans
-cheese
-chips
-sour cream
-black beans
What IS IN THIS SALAD-
PLENTY OF VEGGIES!!!!!
So, let's get to the recipe!!!

WHOLE 30 Taco Salad By Pam

1 bag of shredded lettuce
1 pound of extra lean ground turkey
1 large red pepper-diced
1/2 large onion- diced
3 carrots- finely diced
2 tablespoons of Taco Seasoning
1/2 cup of medium salsa
1 cup of water
Tessemae's Creamy Ranch Dressing to taste

Divide shredded lettuce into 2 bowls and set aside.
Place ground turkey and veggies in a large pan to brown turkey and cook veggies.  Once turkey is cooked through, add in taco seasoning and salsa along with water.  Cook on high until thickened and water is evaporated.
Place meat mixture over lettuce.  Top with salsa and drizzle with dressing and serve.
ENJOY!!!!!

With all of the veggies, you will not miss what is not there.  It's an awesome alternative!!!!   I would love to hear what you think when you make it!!!!

Baked Egg Cups

FOODIE FRIDAY!!!!!
These are AWESOME!!!
WHOLE 30 Approved!!!!!

Baked Egg Cups
Preheat oven to 350
1/2 bell pepper (any color) diced
1/4 onion finely diced
6 mushrooms (any kind) finely diced
1 large hand-full of baby spinach leaves
12  eggs
1/3 cup of shredded cheese (optional)

Beat 12 eggs together and set aside.
Saute veggies together until tender.
Salt and pepper to taste.
Spray pan with nonstick cooking spray of choice
Divide veggies into the 12 sections and pour beaten eggs over the veggies.
Should be 1/2 to 1/3 full.  
Sprinkle with cheese if desired.
Bake approx 10 minutes or until done.
**NOT WHOLE 30 IF YOU ADD THE CHEESE**

You need a Brownie Pan?
These are THE BEST!!!!!
You can go HERE and check one out!!!
Special thanks to Kristen for sharing her awesome recipe!!!!!!!!

Sunday Recap!!

Sunday Recap


"He won't give you more than you can handle"

How many times have you hear that?

How many times have you ever said that to a family or friend in the midst of a difficult situation?

I know I have said it more times than I care to count.  Yesterday, Sunday, at church our Pastor brought a message about this.  It was something that I had thought about in the past and had not really given it to much thought.  At the same time, I always really second guessed saying such a thing but never took the time to really sit down and really thinking it through.

Here is the point.

Yes, He will allow things to happen to you.  He is still in control. He knows exactly what is going on in your life. He hasn't fallen asleep or stepped away from your situation.  Anything and everything that comes your way is sifted through His nail scared hands. He is allowing these things or situations or circumstances to come your way and you may feel that He has allowed way more than you think you can handle.

When He allows these things, it's going to bring you to the point of brokenness and the realization that YOU CAN'T.  It takes you to the point of getting on your face before Him and crying out and telling Him that YOU CAN'T but HE CAN and you realize that.  Ask Him to HELP!

Amazing!!!!!!!!

Have you ever experienced this?

**When life gets to the point of not being able to take another step and realizing that your plan is not working.

**That moment when you think that He has just left the building.

**That time when you think that if He adds one more thing to your plate, you will just crack.

**He's allowing them to get your attention and realize that HE IS ENOUGH!!!!!

Body Shaming

Body Shaming-

This is PERSONAL!
This is WRONG!
This is NOT OK!

We hear a lot about "Body Shaming".  It infuriates me every time that I hear it or see it written.  It is something that I have dealt with and there is absolutely NOTHING positive that can come from it!

Many may not have any clue as to exactly what body-shaming is.  So, let's explain that first before we go any further.
- the action or practice of humiliating someone by making mocking or critical comments about their body shape or size.
-expressing mockery or criticism about a person's body shape or size. 
Just looking at the above definition should make anyone of us think twice about saying anything about someone.  I also realize that sometimes that people make comments and judgments about other people when they don't know the real story.  In my experience, maybe not yours, there is a reason and sometimes there can even be more reasons than anyone can image.
When you see people that maybe overweight just a little or to the clinical terminology of morbid obese-
What is your first thought?
Is it-
"She/He is huge."
"She has such a pretty face.  It's a shame she is so big."
"She/He has been to too many buffet's."
"She/He has to ride the scooter at Wal-Mart."
"How in the world do they fit behind the wheel in their car?"
The current rate of obesity in the US is spiraling out of control (36.5%).  We need to change our world and our thinking.  Something I have learned and did not realize that there are people that are Body-Shaming THEMSELVES!!!
I have been there in the past and I even am guilty of this in the midst of my fitness journey. When you are lacking the confidence in who you are and what you look like in the mirror, those comments come in your head and even out of your mouth at times.
"I'm so ugly compared to her."
"Look how broad my shoulders are."
"With those thighs, I'm never going to find a date."
"I can't lose the weight so I might as well just give up because I'm not worth it."
Here is the deal.  (On my soap-box)
Sometimes there are hidden causes for those that are medically overweight and walking around or even using the scooter at Wal-Mart. At times there are people that have those medical reasons.  Medications can cause you to gain weight no matter how much you workout.  Sometimes there are hormonal imbalances.  Sometimes it is depression, lack of confidence and those thoughts above are in their head and they have given up.
At this point in my life, when seeing men, women, teenagers and even children that are overweight, it breaks my heart.  I have been the one wearing the plus sizes and not feeling very confident in my own skin. I'm sure that there were those that would see me and wonder why I wasn't doing something about it. I'm sure that it was a major source of the reasons for infertility. I also know that I did have the medical condition called PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome) which makes losing weight an uphill battle and for sure it was not for a lack of trying.  It required a lot of work between the doctors and nutritionist and my own head to get to where I wanted to be.

The point of all of this- STOP IT!!!!!!  That man or woman that you see out at the restaurant, the mall, or the store, remember, they are a walking story.  There is something happening there and if you don't know what it is, BE QUIET!!  They don't want to hear it. They don't need to hear it. They deserve the same respect as you do!!!!
Body-Shaming is real and it needs to STOP!
Have you experienced Body-Shaming?

2 Weeks of Whole30 Check In

WE HAVE MADE IT!!!

2 FULL WEEKS!

This is just crazy!!!!  I am still amazed at what we have been able to accomplish.  I'm still so proud that my Hubby jumped in and is doing this with me.  I  tried to do this before with a couple of other people and he was not with me on doing it at that point.  It is so much easier to do this with your spouses support and doing it together!

We have cut out dairy- HE LOVES A GLASS OF MILK and ICE CREAM!

We have cut out sugar- I love sugar in my coffee!

We have cut out legumes- Did you know you can have chili without beans? Did you know that you can live without hummus?

We have cut out wheat, gluten, grains- We have learned to be creative to have meals without bread, pasta, couscous and quinoa

We have cut out soy and a multitude of additives- We have learned so much about reading labels and all of the crud that we have allowed in our food. It is a real eye opener.

We weighed in the first day and we are not to weigh again until after the 30 days.  I know that things are changing just by my clothes.  Pants are loose, jackets close and cross over and just in general feeling so much better.  It really makes me want to just throw away the "Stuff" in my pantry.

Kaleb keeps saying----"There is NOTHING in here" when he looks in the pantry.  I just explain that we are eating food that is good for us and that are going to make us healthier, happier and able to play more outside with him.  He loves that idea!!!!

Stay with me.  We have 2 more weeks.  Just another 14 days.  I KNOW we can do this!  No quitting! No cheating! We Got THIS!!!!!!

Have you ever considered doing Whole30?

Do you have questions?

What if you could do it with a group of other men and women, would you be interested?

Post below!  I would love to hear from you!!!!!

Transformation Tuesday

TRANSFORMATION TUESDAY!!

I am excited to share this.
I didn't ask if I could.
I just chose to do it anyway.
Transformation Tuesday is none other than my HUBBY!!!!!!!  

I am so excited to just brag on him a little bit!!!!!  Last year he jumped into a weight-loss challenge at work.  You have to understand that he is SUPER competitive!!!!! He works hard and will step up to any challenge put in front of him.

Last year he dropped over 40 pounds and has kept it off.  This year is different.  We decided to do Whole 30!  I mean giving up some major things that we eat and cook and buy all the time! Sugar and grains and wheat etc.  I wasn't sure but of course he said "Yes, I'm in."  I admit when he said that I seriously thought...."He has no idea what he is getting into!".
We are Day 9 and he is doing AWESOME!!!!!  We are doing a weight loss challenge at work as well and he is in the middle of that as well!!!

He wouldn't have done this, several years ago.  I just wanted to share how proud I am of him and how excited I am that he is joining me in this journey!  It's so much better doing life together!!!!!

Resolutions VS Goals

Resolutions vs Goals

Well, this is January 2017 and we have all done this.  We make our "New Year’s Resolutions".  It's just that time of the year to put pen to paper or fingers to the computer and make that list. That is what we do. 

It's a new year

-new goals 

-new ideas

-new dreams

What if we broke them down?  What if we think about what exactly do they REALLY mean? 

Resolution - a firm decision to do or not to do something.

Goals- a desired result or possible outcome that a person or a system envisions, plans and commits to achieve: a personal or organizational desired end-point.

Really there is not a lot of difference between the two.  I think the key is that a Goal is something that envisions, plans, and commits.  I started reading personal development books and I am growing and changing in my thinking and how to accomplish exactly what I wanted. It is absolutely amazing!!!  

Below is what I actually posted publicly.  It was a huge leap to post something so personal publicly. We have some exciting events coming up this year and this will keep me focused and ready for what is coming!!!

How about you? 

Are you Resolutions?

Are you Goals?

Have you put them in print whether on paper or a computer?

Have you shared them with anyone? 

I would love to hear from you!!!!  Post them below!!!!!  

Whole 30

So this year, I was in the midst of a discussion that was taking place and ended up finding myself agreeing to do WHOLE 30!!!  Oh my goodness!  What in the world was I thinking???  I have been so excited and so ready.  We have talked about it for a few weeks. I shared it with my Hubby and he said he wanted to do it with me!  That makes life so much easier!!!!!

The time came for me to go to the grocery store.  I had read over the book.  I tagged some of the great recipes and what we could eat.  I chose in this particular program that I would think on the things that we can eat and not on the ones that we could not eat.

My Hubby would tell you he is a picky eater but he is so competitive he is ready!

It has been Day 4!!  So far we are doing pretty good!!  We had fruit and a Shakeology for breakfast

We had Salmon and sweet potatoes for lunch with a side of raspberries and blackberries and then we get to go home for dinner!!!!!  It was REALLY good!

I have all kinds of thing prepared in the fridge.  Some of the things we have prepared....

Spaghetti sauce with chicken for the Spaghetti Squash

Pork Chops ready to cook

Plenty of Salmon for a few other lunches/dinners

Roasted veggies

Butternut squash for a soup later in the week

Roasted sweet potatoes

Pork Sausage

Veggies, chopped and sauteed for omelets for breakfast!


Now....can you tell me if any of that sounds like you are on a diet?

Nope!

Does it sound like we are lacking anything?

Nope

To look at what we are giving up?

Sugar (white sugar, sugar substitutes, etc)

Dairy (cheese, milk, yogurt)

Legumes (black-beans, lentils, peanut-butter etc)

Grains (Bread, couscous, pasta)



It's a challenge BUT WE ARE DOING IT!!!!!!

Chicken Marinara with Spaghetti Squash

Chicken Marinara with Spaghetti Squash

Spaghetti Squash-
Preheat oven to 400
Cut squash in half
Scoop out the seeds
Salt and Pepper to taste
Brush with olive oil and place cut side down on a non stick cookie sheet and back at 400 for approx. 45 minutes.  Set aside.

Chicken Marinara-
1 can diced tomatoes (no sugar or salt)
3 small carrots- peeled and cut into chunks
1 small onion- diced
1 can of tomato puree
1 can tomato paste
3 boneless chicken breast- diced
Add salt and pepper to taste
Add Italian Seasoning to taste
Place all ingredients in a pot and simmer on medium for approx 1 hour.

Scoop out squash with 2 forks.  Should appear like spaghetti.  Divide into 2 pasta bowls and add Chicken Marinara.

It is DIVINE!!!!!  Reheated is really good!!!!

New Word for 2017

Well, HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!

Can you believe it is already 2017!?

I'm just amazed!!!!!

2017 is going to be an incredible year with a lot of changes and just a time of excitement!  It's going to be just AWESOME!!!!

There is always a lot of talk about a new year and what we are all going to change and then we attempt to make a plan to do just that.  Well, before that is even attempted for me, I first have to figure out what my "Word of the Year" is going to be.  I have thought long and hard many times about my WOTY and what it means for me and how it has the potential to change everything!  I mean EVERYTHING!  So after a lot of thinking and praying about what that word would be this year, I finally "Got It'!!!!!

It was so simple, I really questioned it!

GROWTH

Seems super simple compared to previous years. At the same time this word can be HUGE!  I chose to really stop and think about this and what exactly it could be and what could it lead to.

Growth in my spiritual life with scripture reading and prayer time

Growth in my family life with learning to say NO to those things that going to cause us to limit our time together as a family.

Growth in my relationship with my Husband. We are so busy and we need to learn to take the time with each other and grow our relationship deeper.

Growth in my ability as an On Line Health and Fitness Coach and grow my business.  To grow beyond my wildest dreams!



I'm super excited about getting this year started!  
How about you? Did you pick a word for the year? 
Have you considered the reason why you chose that particular word?  
It's going to be an incredible year.......are you ready???