BBQ Pulled Pork in the Crock Pot

This is one of the easiest, yummiest recipes I love!!

In your crock pot place:

1 15 oz can of Organic Tomato Sauce (No salt or sugar added)
1 Tbsp Apple Cider Vinegar
1 Tbsp Organic Unsulphured Molasses
1 Tbsp Garlic Powder
1 Tbsp Onion Powder
1/4 c Unfiltered Raw local Honey
1 tsp Ground Cumin
1 tsp Ground Cinnamon
1 tsp Chili Powder
Pinch of Pink Himalayan Salt

Stir these ingredients well.

Place in sauce 2 one pound pork tenderloins. I buy the 4 packs from Costco & use 2 per recipe.
Make sure the pork is covered by the sauce. Cook on low for about 6 hours. I opened mine at 5 hours & shredded it. Then let it cook for another hour.

There are many ways to serve this. The most popular is as a Pulled Pork Sandwich. I would be sure to choose a whole wheat, sprouted grain or gluten free bun.

I hope you enjoy!!

To DIE for CLEAN Lemon Bites!

Well my lemon tree is in full production & I usually fill a 12 oz bottle with lemon juice, throw a few in the freezer to use for zesting & then keep a few around to put in my water.

Today I was like I need to find a yummy clean recipe for Lemon Bars & ohhhhhhh boy I found a DELICIOUS one!!!! I searched a few on google & skipped by ones that used ingredients I don't normally have or that looked to complicated.

I don't like to spend my entire day in the kitchen.

So when I came across this recipe I was pleased to see how simple it was & that I had everything needed! I obviously must give the credit to Lauren from www.oatmealwithafork.com.

I didn't have the correct size baking dish & was afraid if I made them in a bigger dish they would be way too thin. Clearly thicker is better! This is what it looked like out of the oven. 

And here they are cooled & cut. My pics sure aren't as pretty as Lauren's but the taste is phenomenal! You can dust these with some stevia if you like. 

Ok, enough suspense, here's the recipe: I made a few small adjustments, listed below. But if you'd like to see the original recipe click here.

Ingredients

• BASE:

• 1½ c. Gluten Free oats, measured then ground into flour 

• 1 T. Organic coconut sugar (or another natural granulated sugar)

• ¼ t. Pink Himalayan salt

• 2 T. Organic coconut oil (melted)

• 4 T. cold water

• FILLING:

• 4 eggs

• 1 T. lemon zest

• 6 T. lemon juice

• 5 T. Unfiltered raw honey

• pinch Pink Himalayan salt

• ½ c. Gluten Free oats, measured then ground into flour

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees
2. BASE:
3. Mix together the ground oats, coconut sugar, and salt.
4. Mix the oil into the dry mix (it should look 'pebbly').
5. Mix in enough water to make a non-sticky dough.
6. In a WELL-OILED 9 inch pie dish, (I used the left over melted coconut oil) press the dough into the bottom of the dish (I like to break up the dough into smaller pieces and scatter them around the dish and then press them down).
7. Bake the base for 12 minutes.
8. Let cool while you make the filling.
9. FILLING:
10. Beat the eggs with the rest of the ingredients until a smooth batter is formed (it will be very runny, but don't fret!).
11. Pour the batter atop the cooled crust.
12. Bake for 20 minutes.
13. Cool completely, cut, and serve! I cut into small bites so the original nutrition facts weren't correct & my family ate half of it before I could count how many bites there were. 

Let me know what you think!

P.S. I am sure these are not 21 Day Fix approved but if you used your yellow swap out allowance I think you'd be safe counting 2 small bites as 1 Yellow container. Shhh, don't tell Autumn. :)

Chicken & Dumplings to warm the soul!

The first time I had Chicken & Dumplings I was in my 20's. I was like, "Whoa, where has this been all my life"?

I've searched high & low for cleaner healthier recipes that actually TASTE good. I have made several different ones & tweaked them to my preference each time. I finally found a really good recipe from The Gracious Pantry which you can find by clicking here & I made it. It was pretty darn tasty. The next time I made it I just adapted it to more my liking & here is what I came up with.

Ingredients for Stew
6 cups organic low sodium vegetable broth
1 1/2 tsp dry basil
1 1/2 tsp dry oregano
1 Tbsp garlic powder
2 1/2 cups (approx 16oz) boneless, skinless chicken breast or tenders cut into bit size chunks
2 Tbsp EVOO
1/2 large organic yellow onion, chopped
2 cups organic carrots, chopped
2 cups organic celery, chopped

Dumplings
2 cups whole wheat pastry flour
1 Tbsp baking soda
1/2 tsp Himalayan salt
3 Tbsp EVOO
1 cup milk (I used unsweetened vanilla almond, but you can use any kind you like)

Directions for the Stew
1. Heat EVOO in crock pot on high or brown setting. Add onion, carrots, celery & seasonings. Sauté until onions are translucent.
2. Add broth & chicken.

Directions for the Dumplings
1. Combine flour, baking soda & salt in a large mixing bowl. Stir well.
2. Pour in oil & milk & mix with a wooden spoon.
3. Turn crock pot to low setting (broth should have been at a boil by this time).
4. Use a spoon to scoop up & round off your dumplings & drop them on top of the stew.
5. Cook on low for 6-8 hours. Until chicken & dumplings are cooked.


Since I currently use the 21 Day Fix portion control containers, I measure my servings out in those for my meal. Dumplings=Yellow, Chicken=Red, Veggies & Broth=Green.

It's getting cold outside!

This time of year I really get an itch to hang out in the kitchen. I do enjoy cooking & eating, I just don't enjoy spending countless hours in the kitchen when I could be doing way more awesome things.

I busted out my white binder full of recipes I have collected over time. I am one for finding a recipe & changing it up since I don't really like to follow them either. Ya, I know, seems silly. But really, if I come across a yummy recipe & it's full of ingredients I don't like or eat, then I just start subbing in the items I do like. So therefore I am creating my own recipes. Oh yeah, most of the time I don't really measure either. For example, if a recipe called for 1 cup of chopped carrots & I peeled 2 large carrots & chopped them up & it measured out to 1.5 cups, I don't care, I will use it all. You catch my drift!!

Anyway, it's getting cold outside & I like to eat warm comfy foods when it does. That doesn't always go along with my goals for health & fitness so I compromise. In this last week I have made this recipe twice & it was a hit in my house so I figure I better share!

This recipe started as a recipe from a magazine. I tore the page out & over time have altered it so much, it a whole new recipe.

I call it: Sweet Italian Chicken Sausage Minestrone Soup and it is AH~MAZING!!

Ingredients:
6 C. Organic reduced sodium vegetable stock
1 can (15.5oz) Organic Diced Tomatoes
2 Tbsp Organic, no salt added Tomato Paste
1 Tbsp Organic Olive Oil
4 links, True Story Organic Sweet Italian Chicken Sausage, sliced in rounds
1.5 C. Organic yellow onion, chopped (about 1 small)
2 cloves Organic garlic, minced
1 C. Organic Celery, chopped
1 C. Organic Carrots, chopped
1 C. Dry Quinoa noodles
1 tsp dry oregano
1 can (15.5 oz) Organic Garbanzo beans or Kidney beans, rinsed
2 C. Organic Zucchini, chopped
2 C. Organic baby Spinach, fresh

Directions:

1. Heat olive oil in large skillet on Medium heat. Add sausage & brown.
2. Add tomato paste, cook about 5 minutes until brown.
3. Add onions, celery, garlic, carrots & oregano. Cook about 5 minutes longer.
4. Pour vegetable stock, diced tomatoes & dry noodles into a large pot. About 4 quarts in size.
5. Add skillet contents to pot & turn to med heat. Let simmer for about 20 minutes or until carrots are soft.
6. Add zucchini, beans & spinach. Turn to high heat for about 5 minutes or until spinach is wilted.

Serve with optional items: fresh bread, parmesan cheese, dollop of pesto sauce.

Serving size is 1.5 cups.

21 Day Fix side notes: I measured out the veggies into a Green container, the sausage into a Red & the beans & pasta in half a yellow. You can measure out to your specific needs.

I hope you enjoy this recipe as much as we did!! Leave a comment & let me know. Thanks for stopping by.

Who's PUMPED for PiYo~by Chalene Johnson

Have you heard the news? Chalene Johnson has been working on a NEW program, that is unlike any other program she has created. It will be released after the Team Beachbody Coach Summit 2014 on Monday, June 23, 2014. Want to see a sneak peak? You can also click this link & enter for your chance to WIN a FREE copy of PiYo when it is released!!

I wanted to share this info with you about PiYo because I have first hand seen some AMAZING results come out of the test group. My sponsoring coach, Mindy Hord, was chosen to be part of it & she gave her all & it shows. I have also seen the before & after pics of other test group participants & they had amazing results as well. I am more familiar with Mindy's journey since I followed her from day 1.

Mindy lost a total of 22" and 13 lbs. and lowered her body fat by 5% between April 7 and June 1 with 48 workouts!

Beginning stats:

Chest - 37 1/4"
Waist - 33"
Hips - 35"
Left Thigh - 21"
Right Thigh - 22"
Left Arm - 13"
Right Arm - 13"
Body fat: 22.6%

Ending stats: 

Chest - 33"
Waist - 26"
Hips - 32 1/2"
Left Thigh - 20"
Right Thigh - 20 1/2"
Left Arm - 10 1/2"
Right Arm - 11"
Body Fat - 17.7%


We will be starting a BIG support/challenge group on July 7th! I will be participating myself, of course!!! I would love for you to join me! You do NOT have to be in shape to start this program. As always, there will be a modifier so that you can get the best possible workout to your physical ability. There is also a nutrition guide to help you fuel your body with all the right foods. I know that is one of my biggest struggles!

Here is some information I have put together to help you decide if this is the right program for you!

*Are you tired of waking of up feeling like you need a walker just to get from the bed to the bathroom? 
*Does it seem like you have been suffering from one fitness related injury after another? 
*Would you like to restore your body, instead of just settling for "this is what getting old must feel like"?
*Are you just getting into fitness and want fast results, without risking injury or feeling like you are going to die? 
*Have you suffered from joint, knee or back problems or recovering from an injury? 
*Are you constantly being injured or working through injuries?
*Are you a total cardio junkie and have hit a plateau?
*Do you wish you could work on your flexibility but don't have time to do two types of workout?
*Have you tried programs but just cant seem to "change" your body?
*Do you hate cardio?
*Would you like to be able to customize the format of your workout? 

YOUR BODY CRAVES RESTORATION AND FLEXIBILITY!

How many of these benefits sound appealing to you??

  

 - Better posture (less back a pain & you look skinnier when you stand up straight)

 - Improved balance and flexibility

 - Increased strength 

 - Stronger core

 - Less cellulite

 - More peaceful sleep

 - Long, lean sexy muscles

 - Firmer, tighter butt

 - less joint pain 

"PiYo gives you hardcore definition, intense calorie burn, and allover strength—without weights, without jumps, and without destroying your body."

—Chalene Johnson, creator of PiYo

On April 13th, 2014 I attended a PiYo certification training. I had NO IDEA what I was about to experience. After learning how & why PiYo was developed I really understood how this will help so many people! Our instructor, Doris Estremera, was pregnant when she taught us! This program is for EVERYONE!!!

I am posing in the "wild thing" on the bottom left, 2nd one in with a gray hat on. 

Here is a LIVE Q&A by Chalene Johnson. If you have questions, they are most likely talked about in this session or you can always ask me. 

Here is a list of the workouts too!!!

Align: The Fundamentals (46 mins)

Sweat (35 mins) is a traditional PiYo Workout that is fast paced with body weight strength training and ab work!

An amazing 30 minute Core workout that will hit every muscle in your POWERHOUSE!

PiYo Sculpt (30 mins) uses body weight to generate muscular endurance to stimulate metabolic changes to totally and utterly transform your figure!

Define: Lower Body (25 mins) will shape and tone everything from your glutes, hamstrings, quads and calves gently, yet effectively to help you get sleek and lean legs.

This Upper Body focused workout (35 mins) will strengthen and stretch your entire body, while building on the movement patterns you have learned in Align.

Strength Intervals (25 mins): 25 minutes is all you need of this body carving workout!

Ok, there is most of the info I can dig up about PiYo!! I hope you have gained some insight & are considering joining me on July 7th!!

***Just found out that the intro price for the PiYo challenge pack which includes a 30 day supply of Shakeology will be $140 (reg price is going to be $160) HOLY MOLY this is a SMOKIN' DEAL!!!

Want to save on PiYo?

Become a Team Beachbody Coach!

There are many benefits in becoming a Team Beachbody Coach, including saving 25% on your product orders like PiYo™. Whether your passion is helping people get fit, making a little extra money, or being your own boss, becoming a Team Beachbody coach offers unlimited opportunities.

21 Day Fix-My results, experience & review of the program.

I am down 6 pounds & 9.5 inches. Considering the fact that we were traveling for 6 out of the 21 days, I think I did pretty well. 

Of course my nutrition COULD have been 100%, but honestly for me that isn't realistic. I am a pretty clean eater most of the time, but I have learned that I cannot restrict myself because I have issues with binge eating & I am totally an emotional eater. So ya, I had a burger, 3 slices of pizza (could have eaten WAY more), some cookies & beer. And a few nights a week I have 1-2 small squares of dark chocolate. 

Most of all, even having the above foods, this round has helped me get back into a portion control groove. I keep a note in my iPhone for my daily portion amounts in each category. I check them off as I eat. Using the "colored container" system is so much faster & funner than reading the packages, getting out measuring spoons or cups. I have all my containers sitting right on my counter & I just grab, fill & dump (on my plate). 

I KNOW that portion control & food prep is one of the biggest problems that people have when trying to lose weight & eat better. It comes sometimes from sheer laziness (I know because I battle it too) & from being uneducated in what is healthy & nutrition in general. The 21 Day Fix is truly the key to helping people be successful at all of the above. The workouts are only 30 minutes & completely modifiable. Heck, there is plenty that I modify & still get a great workout. You can easily use the containers with any other fitness routine that you may have too. Even when I am not following the 21 Day Fix workouts, I still use the containers DAILY! I actually feel weird not using them or checking them off my list. I have taken them to a restaurant & portioned out my food & took the rest home. 

I have helped several people start with this program since it's release in February & I have seen people make changes & accomplish goals that they never though possible. It's like this program has opened a door to an entirely new world for them. The simplicity of this program makes people HAPPY too!!! I'll be honest, there are some programs that are just complicated for people to follow & it is very frustrating (I know because I have been there too!) & that is why some give up so easily. They think that being healthy is just too hard. It really isn't. The hardest part is getting started, and that's why there are people like me out there willing to put in the time & effort to help others. 

Back in 2010 when I first ordered P90X, I never even knew about Team Beachbody Coaches. Man, I WISH I WOULD HAVE!!! When we got our package we picked the schedule, did all our measurements, pics & fit test, but I looked at the nutrition guide & laughed! I thought they (Tony Horton & Beachbody) were crazy for wanting me to eat all that food. I just knew that if I ate the same as I was it would be fine! Well when we took our 60 day progress pics & there was ZERO change I just knew that program was a joke. Only "Fit" people could get results. I truly had no idea that my nutrition was the problem. I wish I had a coach then to help me because at that point we just quit doing the program. It wasn't until 2 years later that I picked it back up with the help of a coach & learned exactly why the nutrition was so important. Alas, I got actual results!!

If you think that the 21 Day Fix could be the answer for you, don't hesitate to ask about it. Give it a try. What do you have to lose? Honestly, EVERYONE NEEDS this program in their life!!

Confessions of a Beachbody Coach

Yesterday Tom & I committed 110% to a second round of the 21 Day Fix. We did a round when it first came out in preparation for our Cruise to Cozmel & Grand Caymen, but I will be honest we were NOT 110% with our nutrition. Why? Because we are HUMAN! My husband started his 5 week vacation & we literally went into "Vacation Mode" until, well... yesterday!

In my 25 months as a Beachbody Coach I have given my all to more than 1 program, hence the fact that I have lost 40+ pounds & built lean muscle & definition. But I will admit that I get side tracked, bored, discouraged, stressed & tempted. It's everywhere! I am a firm believer in taking baby steps in order to be successful over time. Nothing is guaranteed in life but we do hold the power to make the decisions. I help people everyday with these same issues.

I knew that I had gained some weight from the cruise just due to salty foods & lots of beer. I don't really weigh myself much anymore so I didn't have an exact number but I could feel a difference in my body. Anyway, fast forward to yesterday. I got up in the morning & went straight to the bathroom to get on the scale for my "before" stats. I wrote the number into my notepad on my phone & carried on with my morning routine. After waking up hubby we did our pics & measurements, then headed to the garage for Day 1. I had not really worked out in about 2 weeks. We had been training for a Half Marathon & that was part of what threw off our routine & eating too. Anyway, I felt GOOD, I told Tom I was going to push myself 110% & I did! Finished up the 30 minute workout & felt amazing! That evening I sat down at the computer to enter my stats into the goal tracker that is included with a FREE membership to Team Beachbody. I saw that I hadn't even entered stats since the end of January which is when we completed round 2 of the Ultimate Reset. I wanted to cry when I read them compared to what I was entering in. I was 17 pounds heavier. Gained 2 inches in each thigh, 3 inches in my hips & 4 in my waist! ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!?!?!? F*CK was all I could say!

So there it is. My biggest obstacle in my journey so far. I will over come it! I AM 110% dedicated to the 21 Day Fix. It has changed so many lives & it will change mine! Take a peek at some of these amazing results from my customers, friends & coaches.

Crazzzzzzzzy right?!?!?!?!

I have 1 exception already planned, my daughters Bday I will eat 1 cupcake. That is all.

If you are interested in the 21 Day Fix & need help, support, motivation or accountability please don't hesitate to reach out to me. We can do this, together.  You can find me on Facebook or shoot me an email at macksmamma@gmail.com. I would love to have you join me!

Why I believe in Shakeology & why I think EVERYONE NEEDS it in their life!

In today's world there are a ridiculous amount of healthy protein shakes & meal replacements. How do you choose the best one? Well, by doing research & trying them. At least, that is what I did.

*This post is not to bash any other brand nor am I compensated for promoting a specific brand, like a lot of the other "health" bloggers out there!

Let me roll back a few years to when I actually started consuming Protein Shakes daily for weight loss. I was at my then highest pre baby weight of 215 pounds. The job I had at the time exposed me to numerous "high quality" protein foods. I tried every different pre made protein shake that I was exposed to. I based my decisions on calories (was always looking at 150 or less), fat (always looking for 0g), protein (always looking for 15g or higher) & carbs/sugar (always looking for 5g or less). I was never really educate on why. Then I took in the taste factor. I could choke down almost anything if I thought it meant I was going to lose weight. I started buying it in bulk powder & mixing things into my shakes so they would taste better. Veggies, fruits, super foods, sugar free jello packets, sugar free anything! I never REALLY payed attention to the price. Anyway eventually I fell of that wagon after having my first daughter. I gained twice as much weight as I had lost because I thought I could eat whatever I wanted & let me tell you, I COULD EAT!!!

Fast forward to after the birth of my second daughter. I saw my friend, Mindy, post about Shakeology on Facebook. I remembered that I briefly came across Shakeology a few years prior & my first & only thought about it was, it was EXPENSIVE & that I could go buy a tub of whey protein powder for a quarter of the price! Well, I think I even told her that & she said I should at least give it a try as she has felt a huge difference in her health in just the 2 months she had been drinking it, and that Beachbody offered a 30 day Bottom of the Bag guarantee, so if I didn't like it, I could just get my money back. I talked with my hubby & decided to purchase 1 bag to give it a try. I used my almost maxed out credit card to make the purchase & I patiently waited 5 days until it arrive.

I bet the mailman had no idea how that bright green box would forever change the course of my life!!

I excitedly opened up the box, pulled the black bag out read over the recipe calendar that it came with & opened up the bag. The aroma was insanely delicious! It was Chocolate & it smelled like I just stuck my head into a sweetened cocoa powder bag! I was in HEAVEN! But that thought lingered, of how will it taste. So I poured my ingredients into the blender & added a scoop of the aromatic powder, put the lid on & hit blend! In less than one minute I had a silky glass of dense nutrition. Tom & I looked at each other & each took a drink... Oh My Goodness, I was HOOKED!

We each drank a shake a day for about 10 days then I asked my husband how he felt. At first, he said he didn't notice any differences. Then I pointed out the fact that in those 10 days we had not once gotten dessert or even mentioned it. We had not gone out for a burger or Mexican food which was a weekly occurrence. My digestive system had become regular. So at that moment I knew we would continue to drink Shakeology for as long as they made it! I sent Mindy a message informing her that I would be purchasing more & wanted to sign up as a discount coach so we could afford two bags a month. Within 30 days I reevaluated how I felt. At this point I was able to stop drinking the daily fiber laxative I had been taking for 2+ years, I stopped taking a daily multivitamin, sugar cravings we pretty much gone & we had not eaten out as often. I adjusted our monthly food budget to include Shakeology & yes, it was a huge adjustment but so was having another baby & we figured out how to get the money we need for that too!

Here is what a few of my friends have to say about their experience with Shakeology:

Jo, I have been able to cut my blood pressure meds in half! I used to have 3-4 dangerous spikes per week even taking meds twice/day.

Now i only take it in the morning and rarely have any spikes.

Nikki, I went from never having breakfast to having something quick, delicious and super HEALTHY!

Karolee, Dido with Nikki about breakfast but also totally cut my cravings even during PMS and made me feel AMAZING!

Amy, When my daughter and I were sick, it was one of the only things that we could keep down.

Anna, Difference in my skin it feels and looks healthier

Tammie, Its improved my health! I'm no longer sick every other month and not having to go to the doctors all the time now. Its helped reduce my cravings!

Nancy, my blood sugar has gone down and helps with sugar cravings

Jesslyn, My downfall for me is my soy mochas. Shakeo has made it so I feel like it's too sweet now. Not a huge candy or sweets person but now when I try eating candy, it kinda makes me feel nauseated. Also I'm trying to be better about ordering sugar free soy peppermint lattes instead of peppermint mochas. Taste better. Gotta make a doctors appointment to see about blood work to check on blood sugar levels and cholesterol. And my rosacea seems to be better and I gave less flare ups from it and less acne.

Monica, I'm more regular, not so boated and gassy, My hair and nails grow way better, I have more energy - no more dozing off at my desk at 3pm. And I just feel better. I didn't even realize how crappy I felt until I started feeling great!

Kristina, 

Granted we are all different. We all have different goals. We all have different priorities in life. Since having children & getting older (and wiser) I have really changed my views on my life as a wife, mother, friend & individual. Our health has really come into focus & the need to teach our children about being healthy, active & happy. Now, am I saying that you have to feed your kids Shakeology to make all this possible, no, of course not. But if you want to, then I say go for it. My kids like it & I know that I am providing them with optimum nutrition. Especially when they do not get their daily veggies in! Yes, you can go out and buy lots of different ingredients to make your own, but you will spend hundreds of dollars to do so. I did my research on the ingredients in Shakeology & made the decision for myself. Yes, I still do blend other ingredients into it because I like it that way. I use it as a meal replacement OR an added nutritional supplement. Just depends on my needs for the day.

I hear people everyday give excuses as to why they cannot afford it, yet they constantly eat out at restaurants or spend tons of money on material things that only give them instant gratification. I am not judging their spending but instead of saying you cannot afford it, just say that you don't want to try it! Instead they are constantly trying to get free samples. In fact if you want it for as cheap as possible, the answer is to become a Coach! We pay $3.24 per serving!

Shakeology is NOT a protein shake, it is not even classified as a meal replacement. It is a nutrient dense super food supplement. It was created because Carl Diakeler's wife, Isabelle,  told him that he had the diet of a 5th grader! He didn't eat any vegetables but knew that he needed the nutrition that they held, so there began the start of Shakeology.

If you are reading this post & have never tried Shakeology, I challenge you to give it a shot! With a 30 day Bottom of the Bag Guarantee you cannot lose!