It's Time!

Well, I was doing really well and I fell off.  Life started happening
We had vacation.
We had company
We had Vacation Bible School
We had swimming lessons
We had more company
School started back!!!!!
but
I AM BACK!!!!
I am back with a fresh mind and a fresh heart.
There are some changes that are going to take place and somethings will NOT change.
We all know that change is not always the easiest thing but it can be done.

September is a difficult month.  It holds a lot of different dates that at times can be difficult and yet are worth celebrating as well depending on how you would like to view them.

There have been a lot of tears shed this month.
There have been a lot of memories mulled over in my head.
There has been some healing in the process which brings me to where I am today.

I have this wonderful group of friends that I get to meet with every Wednesday night.
They encourage me, pray for me, we read scripture together and we share life.


Then I have the other group of friends called my Fit Family.  We meet at various times during the week and encourage one another and text and spur each other on in our Fitness Business.

Of course above all there is my family!  Without my family, I would not be able to do anything!


October is around the corner and therefore it is time.
Time for what you ask?
This will remain a blog about fitness and food
This will remain a blog about family and faith
I'm super excited about what the Lord is doing and I hope to be able to share that with you as well as my fitness journey.

I hope you will share and invite others to read along and join in!!!

Are You Ready???
I know I am!!!!!

Coach Pam

Philip. 4:13

I Was Asleep!!!!!

SOOOOO.......I WAS EXHAUSTED!!!  Yes, my Little Man was asleep in my lap and we are riding in the rear of the bus.  I figured that hubby would take a picture!  There was no denying I would fall asleep!  The ride was not that long but after walking ALL DAY I was just DONE!!!
Now, why on earth would I even post this here?
What does this have to do with anything?
You are not working out!
You are not meal prepping!
There is no workout posted!
This is a reality wake-up call!
This is realization that I am winning my battle.
This is realization that I am on my journey,
This is realization that I am good in my own skin.
You have to understand that if this was taken prior to my journey,
I would asked him to delete it.
I would have gone off the chain.
My thoughts are completely different now!
I thought it was GREAT PICTURE!
I created a memory with my family!
I see the changes in my face.
I can see the saggy stuff around my neck!
Yes, I would love to have that gone BUT it just reminds me of how far I have come!
Remember, this is coming for the girl that used to AVOID the camera at all cost!
I'm not finished with my journey!  There is still a lot to do but I am not who I used to be!


How would you feel if your spouse or friend took your sleeping picture?

Blessings,
Coach Pam

The Day After!

What in the world are you suppose to do "The Day After"?

Well, in my world I just in with both feet.  Literally!!! With one foot I have committed to a 21 Day Fix Extreme TV Test Group.  I'm super excited!  I have done 21 Day Fix Extreme before and I gave it all I had but if I had to be realistic, I confess that I did not follow the plan so well and I have done several other programs with those precious little colored containers, so I have it down to a science.  I can't wait to get started in the morning.  It will be  juggling act but I am so committed.  YOU and I can do ANYTHING for 21 days!!!!

The other foot has stepped in to an ON LINE BIBLE STUDY!  Yes, I am excited because it's something different.  The part that is so exciting is that the Lord asked me to lead it!  OH MY GOODNESS!!!!  Well, I had seen that Michelle Myers of She Works His Way and she had written a book about the Proverbs 31 Woman.  I love reading about her in scripture.  I love reading Michelle's blog and her Facebook post and couldn't wait to get my hands on her book.  I have read through the intro so many times and I am so ready to dive in.  I took a leap and posted it on Facebook thinking I might get a few friends to jump in.  HE BLESSED ME WITH 23 women from across the USA!!!!  There are just no words for me to tell you how excited I am!!!  I love Bible studies.  I have always loved getting into the word and studying.  Facebook allows the group and I can't wait to see what He is going to do!!!

I hope you will stick with me through this month.  I will post updates as the month goes along.  It's going to be an incredible month!  Are you in? Stick with me!  It's going to be AWESOME!!!!!

Blessings,
Coach Pam

Fourth of July Foodie Friday!!!!

Mediterranean Turkey Burgers

Total Time: 30 min.
Prep Time: 20 min.
Cooking Time: 10 min.
Yield: 6 servings

Ingredients:
¾ cup reduced-fat (2%) Greek yogurt
2 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice
2 cloves garlic, finely chopped, divided use
¼ tsp. dried dill weed
1½ lbs. 93% lean ground turkey
1 medium red onion, thinly slice half, finely chop half, divided use
¼ cup finely chopped sun-dried tomatoes
2 oz. frozen spinach, thawed, squeeze out liquid using a kitchen towel, chopped
6 Tbsp. crumbled feta cheese
1 tsp. dried oregano
½ cup whole grain bread crumbs
1 large egg
Sea salt and ground black pepper (to taste; optional)
1 cooked medium beet, sliced thin
¼ medium cucumber, sliced thin

Preparation:
1. To make yogurt sauce, combine yogurt, lemon juice, 1 clove garlic, and dill in a small bowl; mix well. Refrigerate, covered, until needed.
2. Preheat grill or broiler to high.
3. Combine turkey, chopped onion, sun-dried tomatoes, spinach, cheese, remaining 1 clove garlic, oregano, bread crumbs, and egg in a medium bowl. Season with salt and pepper if desired; mix well with clean hands. Form turkey mixture evenly into six patties.
4. Grill or broil patties for about 5 minutes on each side, or until no longer pink in the middle.
5. Serve patties topped evenly with yogurt sauce, onion slices, beet, and cucumber.

Spring is finally here! This salad, made with fresh peas, sliced radishes, and a lemon vinaigrette is the perfect way to celebrate the end of winter.

Total Time: 27 min.
Prep Time: 15 min.
Cooking Time: 2 min.
Yield: 4 servings

Ingredients:
Hot water
¼ cup fresh lemon juice
1 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
¼ tsp. sea salt (or Himalayan salt)
¼ tsp. ground black pepper
2 cups fresh shelled peas
1 head Bibb lettuce (or arugula), washed, patted dry, leaves torn
¼ cup coarsely chopped fresh mint
1 cup thinly sliced radishes
2 Tbsp. shaved pecorino Romano cheese (optional)

Preparation:
1. Bring water to a boil in medium saucepan.
2. Combine lemon juice, oil, salt, and pepper in a small bowl; whisk to blend. Set aside.
3. Add peas to water; cook for 1 to 2 minutes. Drain.
4. Plunge peas into ice water for about 10 minutes, or until peas are cold; drain again. Set aside.
5. Combine lettuce and mint in a large serving bowl; mix well.
6. Top with peas, radishes, and cheese. Drizzle with dressing; toss gently to blend.
7. Divide evenly between four serving plates.

Banana Mousse

Total Time: 55 min.
Prep Time: 10 min.
Cooking Time: None
Yield: 4 servings

Ingredients:
2 Tbsp. reduced-fat (2%) milk
1 Tbsp. raw honey
1 tsp. pure vanilla extract
1¼ medium bananas, sliced, reserve 8 slices for garnish
1 cup reduced-fat (2%) plain yogurt
4 fresh mint leaves (for garnish; optional)

Preparation:
1. Place milk, honey, extract, and bananas in blender; cover. Blend until smooth.
2. Place milk mixture in a medium bowl. Fold in yogurt; mix well. Cover.
3. Chill in the refrigerator, covered, for at least 45 minutes.
4. Portion mousse into four small serving bowls. Garnish each with two banana slices and one mint leaf.



Have a wonderful, safe and fun 4th of July!!!!!

Blessings,
Coach Pam

What Have I Learned As A Vegetarian?

I chose approx. 30 days ago to go Vegetarian again!  I had done this several years ago and felt incredible!  I slowly added things back but for whatever reason, I just could not do red meat.  I am sure that at that point it was all in my head.  About 2 years ago I tried to add back red meat.  I bought hamburger meat and some other things.  I ate it.  It was fine.  About a month into it, I started hurting.  I mean body aches worse than the flu.  I went to the beach WITHOUT RUNNING GEAR!  I was popping ibuprofen, Tylenol, Alieve and anything else I thought would help.  I was exhausted and felt miserable.  I was terrified something was VERY wrong.  I went back to when I started feeling bad.  It was the red meat.  I stopped eating it and within about 3 months all the symptoms were gone.  It was VERY weird but I made the choice that I just could not go there again.  I would give anything to have an awesome steak on the grill but then I remember how that felt and just choose to think about how good it would be.

The last 4 weeks have been a challenge at times.   Did I slip up? Yes.  I gave in 3 times.  Jimmy Johns came to town.  That is my favorite place of all to get a sandwich!!!  It's all about the bread there and not to mention the avocado they have to put on it!  AMAZING!!!!!  I had my #4 with avocado and spouts!  YUMMY!!!!

I love veggies so it was really not to hard.  I love pasta and rice and other foods.  Leaving off chicken, pork, turkey and red meat is not a problem.  Seafood was REALLY hard.  We live on the Eastern Shore and seafood is abundant and not eating it was tough but I made it!

Conclusion- 
I can do anything that I set my mind to.
I didn't feel deprived.
I actually feel better today than I did 4 weeks ago.
I lost 5 pounds in the process.
I feel more energetic!
Amazing!

Have you ever tried to be a Vegetarian?
Have you ever tried to be a Vegan?  I know I can't do that.  No eggs, cheese and yogurt......NOPE, not here!!!! I will be returning to some chicken, some turkey but a lot of SEAFOOD!!!!!!

I would love to hear your thoughts and ideas.  Do you have some favorite Vegetarian Recipes?  I would love to see them.  Post the link or share them below in the comments!!!!!

Have a wonderful day!!!

Blessings,
Coach Pam

Shrimp Coconut Curry

Shrimp Coconut Curry

Total Time: 21 min.
Prep Time: 15 min.
Cooking Time: 6 min.
Yield: 1 serving

Ingredients:
¼ cup canned coconut milk
1 tsp. fresh lime juice
½ tsp. raw honey (or agave syrup) (optional)
½ tsp. curry powder
1 thin slice fresh ginger, peeled, finely chopped
¼ tsp. finely chopped garlic
6 oz. raw medium shrimp, peeled, deveined
¼ tsp. ground black pepper
1 tsp. extra-virgin organic coconut oil
½ medium red bell pepper, chopped
6 fresh cilantro sprigs (for garnish; optional)

Preparation:
1. Combine coconut milk, lime juice, honey, curry powder, ginger, and garlic in a small bowl; mix well. Set aside.
2. Season shrimp with pepper.
3. Heat oil in large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat.
4. Add shrimp and bell pepper; cook, stirring frequently, for 30 seconds.
5. Add coconut milk mixture. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low; gently boil for 5 minutes, or until sauce is slightly thickened and shrimp is opaque and firm.
6. Garnish with cilantro if desired.

Sagi’s Variation: Recipe can be made with 4 to 6 oz. skinless chicken breast. Make sure to cook chicken for a longer time (about 5 minutes or until it is not pink) before adding sauce. Multiple servings can be made and frozen in individual servings for future meals.

GOOD MONDAY MORNING!!!!

I am so super excited!  I'm busy with family and I'm busy with work but I am also busy with my fun business!  It's awesome to think that I get to encourage others on their fitness journey!  

Maybe you are not ready for someone to help you with your fitness journey but you need to start somewhere.  

Maybe you just need some encouragement. 

Maybe you just need to meet some other people.  

I am running a Clean Eating- Water Drinking 5 Day Challenge Group!

It is so exciting and seeing people interact and share!  

It is absolutely priceless!!!  

It's what makes me so happy!!  

Not to mention it's so much fun!

I'm also getting ready to have a Bible study started.  Super excited about that!  Michelle Myers is an incredible woman.  She's a wife, a mother, a pastor's wife, fitness business owner and shares her faith!  She wrote a book that I had seen so many times and just felt lead to order it.  I got it from Amazon and when it came, I was so excited.  I keep reading the intro and wanting to share it.  What do you do when you have something that is so exciting? You want to share.  

July 1st I will have a Bible Study on Facebook.  It's going to be great.  A Bible study based on Proverbs 31!  CAN'T WAIT!!!!!

Just wanted to share what all was going on!!!  I'm thrilled to have all of these women that are making changes physically, emotionally, and spiritually!  Want to join in?  Just leave a comment or find me on Facebook!

Can't wait to see how the Lord is going to use these groups!!!!

Blessings, 

Coach Pam