Get Your Body Back!

This Quote Deserves it's Own Blog Post...

2012-02-17T06:39:00.000-08:00

♥Courtesy of FitVillains on Tumblr♥:

Today’s Mantra:

If They’re Dragging You Down, Get Some Distance.

It’s not just about removing the bad though. You need to simultaneously seek others who lift you up. Look for mentors, people you want to be like (not look like) and people who inspire you.

Search for others who share the same interests, people who are positive and look for resources (blogs, sites, etc) that are in line with the person you want to be. You can’t control everything, but you can make attempts to make your environment (which includes the people around you) more positive.

Happy Friday!!

Tropical Strawberry Shakeology: Available Now!

2012-02-14T06:56:00.000-08:00

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!!

After many months of waiting and hoping, I'm happy to announce that Tropical Strawberry Shakeology has finally arrived. Even better, I'm offering a FREE GIFT to the first FIVE NEW CUSTOMERS who order Shakeology HD from me before FEBRUARY 20, 2012!

Don't miss out on this opportunity to try Shakeology and do something VERY nice for your body this Valentine's Day! It's something you will NOT regret! If you want to see what Shakeology has done for my body (along with P90X2) in just over 30 days, click here to see my results.

Contact me today for more information and to receive your FREE gift!!!

30 Day Transformation Picutres: P90X2 and Shakeology

2012-02-14T06:54:00.000-08:00

A few days ago I posted a blog about my first 30 days of P90X2. I wanted to share my 30 day transformation photos as well. Below is only 30 days into my P90X2 workouts and I've been drinking Shakeology once a day for just over 30 days.

I couldn't believe it myself when I first saw the photos but let me tell you, I am EXCITED to see what days 60 and 90 bring in my transformation! I am so thankful I took the leap and ordered P90X2 and Shakeology. I am most definitely loving what it's doing for my body!!!

Love is in the Air: Tropical Strawberry Shakeology

2012-02-10T15:14:00.000-08:00

Orange Sunshine
1 scoop Tropical Strawberry Shakeology
1/2 cup orange juice
1/2 cup water

On February 14, Beachbody's newest version of Shakeology will be available and you don't want to miss it. Tropical Strawberry Shakeology is a light fruity alternative to the other flavors of Shakeology, featuring strawberry, banana, and tropical fruits like pineapple, papaya, and coconut. It's also very easy to customize by adding items like your favorite fruits, yogurt, or almond milk (or regular milk if you desire). As a bonus for everyone out there who may have issues with dairy or lactose, it's 100% Vegan! The protein is derived from plant based protein including raw, sprouted bio-fermented brown rice, sacha inchi, chia, flax, quinoa, amarant, and spirulina. Another great fact about the new Tropical Strawberry Shakeology is there are no added vitamin or mineral isolates, it relies solely on vitamins and minerals naturally occurring in its whole food ingredients. I don't think you can get much healthier than that?!

I've been drinking Shakeology for about two months and have fallen in love with what it's done for my body. In the past two months while drinking Shakeology and doing P90X2, I've lost approximately 6 lbs and 6.5", putting me about 3 lbs from my goal weight. I've got more energy, my nails are stronger, and my skin is clearer. I also experience less cravings and feel fuller in the afternoons, never feeling the need to gorge myself with food at dinnertime. I have never been a veggie eater, so my body is VERY pleased to be getting all it's fruits and veggies on a daily basis. You can read more about my own 30-Day Shakeology Challenge. I'm a huge fruit lover (and tropics lover .. haha), so having a flavor like this is a dream come true! I am counting the days, hours, and minutes for it to arrive on my doorstep... I just might kiss the FedEx man when he drops it off. Ok, maybe i won't go that far! Ha!

As always, Beachbody offers a bottom of the bag guarantee! If you aren't satisfied with your Shakeology, even if your bag is empty, you can return it for a full refund. How can you go wrong?

Beginning February 14th, Tropical Strawberry Shakeology will also be available in the Challenge Packs!!

I'd love to help you get started on your own health and fitness journey! If you are interested in a sample or are ready to start your own 30-Day Shakeology Challenge, contact me at alissaangelo@gmail.com.

P90X2: The First 30 Days

2012-02-08T14:42:00.000-08:00

UPDATED 2/14: View my 30-Day Transformation by clicking here.

In September 2011, I took a leap of faith and decided to challenge myself by pre-ordering P90X2. I had been doing P90X for about 6 months in 2011, and figured I’d come a long way and it was time for a new challenge. I had really no clue what I was in for, except for the fact that Tony Horton was back and promised new, challenging, muscle-confusing workouts. I ordered the base package ($119.95), figuring I would be able to piece together whatever else I needed.

When my P90X2 package shipped around Christmas, I was really excited!! I had actually started a new round of P90X in October to get me nice and ready for the new workouts. After my package arrived, I immediately began reading through the Nutrition and Workout Guides, learning about each workout and checking out all the yummy recipes. I also began to pull together the equipment I needed to do the workouts, which they recommend the following:

Medicine Balls (up to 4)
Stability Ball
Pull-Up Bar
Foam Roller
16” Stand / Step
Yoga Mat
Pull-Up Assist

Now, if you remember I said I bought the base package because I already have a ton of equipment. I’m torn now after doing the first 30 days as to whether or not I should have splurged and got the larger package. However, I’ve been able to modify and substitute equipment where needed. Here is the equipment I’ve been using:

One 8 lb. weighted ball from one of my old FIRM workouts. This is a little smaller than a medicine ball in size, but works fine. Also, I just am not ready to do push-ups on four medicine balls. A couple more rounds of P90X2, and yah, I will get there. However, to start off this is working great for me!
I’ve got a 45 cm (smallest size) stability ball, so no substitutions there. However, I think I’m right in-between on what size I need. There are some moves that I could really benefit from the bigger stability ball.
I don’t own a pull-up bar, nor do I have anywhere in my house I could hook one up. All our doorways just won’t work for one. In the case of P90X and P90X2, I have always used a Resistance Band for my pull-ups. I have a resistance band with a strap that hooks over the top of a closed door to hold it in place. Once I got over my fear of the band possibly snapping and coming at me (it hasn’t yet… phew!), I have seen really great results. I just have to remember to really move back away from the door and challenge myself, and feel that burn! They also feature a Pull-Up Assist, which is a resistance band type thing you place your foot in, rather than using a chair. I don’t own one, but if I had a pull-up bar, I’m pretty sure I’d buy one of these!
Foam Roller…. Alright, while you can just do boring old stretching in place of a foam roller, I will tell you right now this is one piece of equipment I wish I would have gotten before starting P90X2. It’s at the top of my “to purchase” list for sure!
Some of the workouts use a stand for decline push-ups or to step-up on. There was no way (personally) I was buying one of these, as I have my handy dandy TransFIRMer from my FIRM-ing days. It was nice to be able to dust off the old TransFIRMer and put it back to work. It’s the perfect height and my hubby is glad to see its no longer gathering dust.
You definitely need a yoga mat, if you have one already… you are good to go! I found I have to use this on some of the pull-up variations, as my resistance bands are located over a door that goes from our kitchen into the garage. The kitchen floor is slippery, and I found myself sliding around trying to do the pull-up variation they were doing in the workout. The yoga mat keeps me in place, and of course, it’s used in the Yoga workout as well.

Now, on to the workouts! The first 30 days of P90X2 is titled “Foundation” because you are really focusing on building your core and focusing on balance. I’ve gotta tell you, when I first previewed the first workout I knew I was going to have a hard time. I’ve had two babies and if there is anything on my body that is weak, it’s most definitely my core. Since having babies, I really haven’t been great about keeping up with any type of core workout except when Core Synergistic’s would come up in my P90X rotation. I was scared going into these first 30 days, I thought I would never be able to do some of the moves they were doing in the workouts. Boy, was I wrong!

X2 Core

X2 Core focuses on strengthening your core muscles through instability. Equipment used includes a stability ball, medicine ball, foam roller, and weights (or resistance bands). This workout contains moves like Sphinx Plank Crunch, Warrior 3 Cross Crunch, Core Circles on the stability ball, X2 Diver, etc.

My first experience with this workout was pathetic, thanks to the weakness of my core. On many of the exercises I was barely able to push more than 3 reps out. I kept pushing forward though, because your core really can build strength quickly. By week 4, I was pumping out the reps and surprising myself with how much strength I had gained in a short amount of time. I’m not able to do ALL the reps by any means, and on many of the moves I am modifying by either not using a stability ball or the medicine ball. However, I have come a LONG way from where I was on the first day.

Plyocide

My P90X2 "Before" picture, January 2012
Stay tuned to see my full transformation!

Not sure Tony Horton could have given this workout a better name. Holy hell, this is one INTENSE workout. However, when you finish there is no doubt that you will feel a sense of accomplishment for pushing yourself through. After you warm-up and do some foam rolling, Tony leads you through 4 moves that you do for about a minute or so. The first move is always low-impact, and the following three moves are some sort of plyometric exercise. Plyocide and I definitely have a love/hate relationship…. There is no doubt about that!

X2 Recovery + Mobility

I’m ashamed to say it, but I haven’t pulled this one out yet. I know, I’m naughty. I love to stretch, but I also know this one uses the foam roller. I’ve been putting off doing it because I want the full effect… which means I need to order my foam roller. Stay tuned, I promise to do this workout in the second 30 days. I swear, I really will.

X2 Total Body

Here is where you get back to using good old dumbbells. They aren’t pulled out too much during the first 30 days, being you are mostly focusing on core and balance. However, during this workout they are put to good use. Moves include a 1-Arm Chest Press on the stability ball, a couple different pull-up variations, the good old Push-Up Side Arm Balance, Warrior 3 Kickback and Bicep Curls, Boing Push-Ups, and a personal favorite – Swimmer’s Curl Press in ½ Chair.

This is a great workout and again, just like in X2 Core, as the weeks went on I really progressed and saw my strength, balance, and core getting better. You do 12 exercises, and then start from the beginning repeating the same moves for a second round. If you are short on time, this is definitely one you can modify to only do half of the workout.

X2 Yoga

Tony’s new yoga workout isn’t too far off from the P90X YogaX but it’s a little shorter. X2 Yoga wraps up in 60 minutes, instead of 90, and incorporates new moves that weren’t done in the P90X version. It definitely gets a sweat going and there were many times I was left in awe by how advanced the people in the workout could get … it was crazy! However, there is always a modifier and you can guess who I was following most of the time. Ha!

X2 Balance + Power

This workout really focuses on balance, form, and core stability. You will need a couple sets of weights for this workout, stability ball, and medicine balls. This is another one that I was completely pathetic on the first week. I practically fell on my face doing a couple of the moves, but just modified the best I could and pushed through. The one that really got me was the X Plank Spider Twist. However, I stuck with it and saw huge improvements in the amount of reps I could do by the end of the first 30 days.

There you have it, my review of my first 30 days doing P90X2. I saw a total weight loss of about 5 lbs (my scale took a crap, so I don’t know how much I weighed on day 30), and saw a total loss of 6.5” off of my overall body. I’m pretty darn close to my goal weight and trying not to pay too much attention to the scale, but rather how my clothes are fitting and how I am feeling. I am HAPPY to report that my clothes are fitting very loosely and that is an awesome feeling! I’ve also been taking progress photos, which I will share here at the end of my first 90 days.

If you have any particular questions about P90X2 or are interested in ordering, contact me at alissaangelo@gmail.com.

Stay tuned, I will be back with more on month 2 of my P90X2 journey!

Vangie's Yummy Creative Quinoa Concoction

2012-01-29T15:34:00.000-08:00

I should have saved some tomato to put on top,
in real life it's so colorful and pretty!

Last week I spent a lot of time catching up with one of my oldest (as in I've known her the longest... lol) friend Vangie. She recently joined my Beachbody Team, and might I say I am so happy to have her on board. Anyway, as we were talking on the phone she asked me if I eat Quinoa. It took me a second to figure out what this was, and then I remembered eating it all the time while I was hospitalized up at OHSU after giving birth to Lilian. I'd never heard of it before then but it was pretty tasty, especially for hospital food. After describing all the yummy-ness this dish offered, I ended up asking her to email me the recipe because I needed to make this! After a trip to Trader Joe's this weekend to pick up the Chicken Sausages and some organic Quinoa, I have made it twice. The first time I messed it up a bit and forgot the egg... I thought it tasted fine but today for lunch I made it again and made sure I added the egg, and it really does add a lot to the dish. Vangie said this is totally a creative concoction, but it totally works! Very tasty and protein packed!

My recipe is based on one serving, just increase if you are making for more people. Enjoy!

Vangie's Yummy Creative Quinoa Concoction

1/4 cup dry Quinoa
1 to 2 cloves of garlic
Onion*
1/2 of a Trader Joes Spicy Chicken Sausage (or whatever flavor you desire)
1 egg
1/4 of a small avocado
1 small tomato
1/2 ounce of Trade Joe's Reduced Fat Gouda Cheese
Chopped Cilantro

*I omitted onion because I'm not a fan. Include whatever desired amount you think would work, I'm guessing it wouldn't need to be much.

Cook your 1/4 cup of Quinoa first using either water or chicken broth. Set aside.
Before you get started with your concoction or while the Quinoa is cooking, I highly recommend you chop up all of the ingredients and set aside.

Finely chop garlic and onion
Chop or slice your Spicy Chicken Sausage (keep separate)
Chop up and place in a small bowl your avocado, tomato, cheese, and cilantro (I put these all together in one bowl)

Alright, now let's get started! In a pan, heat up (I used medium heat) a small amount of olive oil or you could do like I did and spray some Olive Oil Pam in the pan (cuts down on calories) and saute your garlic and onions.
Once they get fragrant, throw in your Spicy Chicken Sausage and saute for a couple minutes.
Now throw in your cooked Quinoa and mix together.
Crack your egg and throw it in the mix. Mix it in there and let it cook.
Once your egg is cooked, dump in your avocado, tomato, cheese and cilantro. Cook for a couple minutes, mixing the whole concoction together.
Put it all on a plate, and enjoy!

I hope you enjoy this recipe as much as I did! While it's not super low-cal (I think MyFitnessPal calculated it at around 400 calories), it's full of super healthy foods and protein packed (25 grams!).

If you try this, I'd love to hear what you think!

Beachbody Challenge Packs - Explained!

2012-01-27T13:00:00.000-08:00

UPDATED 1/26/12 to include new Challenge Packs!

I've received many questions about which fitness program will work for you in my Beachbody Challenge. Check out the description and video clips of EVERY fitness program offered in the Challenge Packs!!

CLICK ON PICTURES FOR A SAMPLE VIDEO!

Power 90® In-Home Boot Camp…What is it?

Power 90® In-Home Boot Camp is a complete fitness program meant to achieve total-body transformation in 90 days. This easy-to-follow, highly effective combination of sculpting, cardio, and ab workouts helps you lose fat and inches while creating a strong, well-toned physique.

Turbo Jam® …What is it?

Turbo Jam® is an in-home fitness program that combines kickboxing, dancing, and body sculpting moves to help you burn calories and tone muscles. Trainer Chalene Johnson teaches you her signature “Elite 11” moves, then uses them in a variety of ways to raise your heart rate and keep it elevated so you burn the most fat.

Brazil Butt Lift®…What is it?

Brazil Butt Lift® uses cardio, dance, and a unique training method to work your rear end from every angle. You’ll reduce your hips, slim your thighs, and lift your butt, shaping into the best booty of your life.

Slim in 6® …What is it?

Slim in 6® is an in-home workout program that helps you melt away fat and sculpt a leaner, sexier body in just six weeks. An easy-to-follow blend of fat-burning cardio and sculpting moves, Slim in 6 can work for just about anyone, even people who’ve never pursued a regular exercise plan.

Hip Hop Abs® …What is it?

Hip Hop Abs® is a 30-day, dance-based in-home fitness program designed to help you burn fat and sculpt your abs without doing crunches or sit-ups. It’s good for beginners as well as experienced exercisers.

10-Minute Trainer®…What is it?

10-Minute Trainer® is a time-saving fitness program that lets you build a lean, toned body in as little as 10 minutes a day. Tony Horton’s super-efficient workouts combine full-body sculpting with fat-burning cardio.

Body Gospel®…What is it?

Body Gospel® is a comprehensive fitness program that connects the power of faith with the desire to lose weight and get fit. It includes cross-training workouts set to uplifting gospel music, muscle-firming resistance bands, and a complete nutrition plan.

RevAbs®... What is it?

Get the sexy six-pack abs you've always wanted with RevAbs. This ab-focused workout is specifically designed to burn off the fat and give you rock-hard results in just 90 days. Trainer Brett Hoebel (of Biggest Loser fame!) teaches you special techniques to work your entire core from six different angles, so you get better results, faster.

ChaLEAN Extreme®... What is it?

Get ready to burn fat, boost your metabolism, and get lean with ChaLEAN Extreme, the extreme workout system from Chalene Johnson. It's a fact: The more lean muscle you have, the more fat you burn. You can lose up to 60% of your body fat in just 3 months and see visible results every 30 days, because MUSCLE BURNS FAT.

Insanity: The Asylum®... What is it?

Insanity: THE ASYLUM features former track-and-field star Shaun T who will push you to Dig Deeper than ever with sports-specific training and drills inspired by pro athletes. During this 30-day program, he'll push you to build your speed, coordination, agility, strength, and power. So on game day, you'll have the unbeatable athletic edge.

P90X® Extreme Home Fitness…What is it?

P90X® is a comprehensive in-home fitness and nutrition program proven to burn fat and reshapes your body with lean muscle in just 90 days. In fact, if P90X doesn’t get you absolutely ripped in 90 days, you’ll get your money back. Twelve different workouts target every area of your body, incorporating moves used by elite athletes, gymnasts, weightlifters, and martial artists.

INSANITY® …What is it?

INSANITY is a 60-day cardio-based total-body conditioning program that’s perhaps the most intense workout ever put on DVD. Fitness expert Shaun T drew on his collegiate track and field training plus his subsequent years of experience as an elite trainer to create a program that takes total-body conditioning to an extreme level. Just as P90X is the height of resistance training, so INSANITY is the pinnacle of cardio training.

TurboFire®…What is it?

TurboFire is a total-body cardio-conditioning workout program using HIIT (high intensity interval training) set to upbeat music that motivates you to dial up your intensity levels, doing kickboxing drills and aerobic exercises, mixed with dance moves in a class setting. Anyone looking to achieve peak fitness levels can complete the program in either 12 weeks or 20 weeks.

P90X2®... What is it?

P90X2 continues the Muscle Confusion with the latest cutting-edge training technique used by pro sports trainers. Twelve workouts help you focus on your abs/core, powerful athletic function, and lightning-bolt agility. Expect to chisel your body and virtually blast right through your plateaus.

If you don't see a program here that you think will work for you, let me know and I will help you find another Beachbody program that fits you and your style.

E&E Energy & Endurance Review

2012-01-24T15:51:00.000-08:00

In early January, Beachbody released their new energy drink, E&E Energy & Endurance. I'm fairly new to the world of energy drinks, but know there are so many out there to choose from and you hear all different types of information on them. Mostly that many contain harmful chemicals or are packed with sugar.

With this new pre-workout drink, Beachbody promises you will see an improvement in your energy, endurance, strength, and focus. It is designed to help you power through and maximize every moment of your workouts. Their formula contains a proprietary blend of advanced nitric oxide boosters, amino acids, natural energizers, electrolytes, and essential B vitamins. The best part is there are no artificial flavors, sweeteners, or preservatives, and no high-risk or untested ingredients.

I decided to give this a try, and figured I had a great test for it. I have been finding in recent months that by the end of the week, I am exhausted and lacking energy to make it through my workouts. I've been making excuses to myself that it's ok to just do half of my workout or I'll make it up on the weekend. Well that isn't happening.... I'm already tired from the week, I'm fooling myself to think I might actually get up on a Saturday morning when I can sleep in. Needless to say, I figured I'm the perfect candidate to see if this will help me get through my workouts without making excuses or feeling too tired to finish my workout.

This morning was the ultimate test, in my opinion. My workout for today was P90X2 Plyocide. This is an hour of kick-ass cardio and I had yet to finish the whole workout. I always was running out of time because I didn't really have the energy to get started at 5:30 a.m. in the first place. I drank my E&E and about 20 minutes later I started the workout. I definitely felt ready and energetic, but questioned whether I was really going to make it through. When I hit the point where I usually turn off the DVD and kept pushing through, I realized I was actually performing better than usual and making it through most of the moves without having to take a break. Pretty impressive... I actually finished the WHOLE workout for the first time and it felt SO good. That workout is intense and I burned 388 calories. It was a great feeling, and I can pretty much guarantee you that wouldn't have happened if I hadn't used the E&E.

Now, I have to say the taste of E&E definitely leaves much to be desired. It's lemon-lime flavored and has a bit of a artificial sweetener taste to it. However, it only requires 4 to 8 oz. of water and this morning I used 4 oz. of water and downed it really fast; another tip I've seen is to double the amount of water. I would rather just shoot it down and get moving!

If you are interested in more information, feel free to contact me!

Shakeology Recipe: Very Berry Squeeze

2012-01-23T15:00:00.000-08:00

I have been pretty open and honest that I have had one heck of a time finding a recipe that makes Greenberry Shakeology tolerable and drinkable. However, I think I have finally found one that I love and could drink everyday. It really cancels out the wheat grass taste that comes along with the super healthy Greenberry flavor. If you've sworn off Greenberry and haven't tried this recipe, give good old Greenberry one more chance.

Very Berry Squeeze

1 packet Greenberry Shakeology
1/2 cup strawberries
1/2 cup raspberries
1/2 cup orange juice
1/2 cup water

If your fruit is frozen, you don't really need to add any ice to this concoction... just blend and enjoy!

Shakeology Recipes: Chocolate Peanut Butter Cup

2012-01-23T14:39:00.000-08:00

Now it's time to share my favorite Shakeology recipes with you! By far, this is my FAVORITE Chocolate Shakeology recipe... so good and tastes just like a peanut butter cup. Mmmmm!!!

Chocolate Peanut Butter Cup Shakeology

1 Chocolate Shakeology Packet
1 tbsp Peanut Butter or Peanut Butter Substitute
1 cup of plain Almond milk (or milk of your choice)
1 to 2 packets of Truvia to get your desired level of sweetness
Ice

Blend and enjoy!

30 Day Shakeology Review

2012-01-22T15:06:00.000-08:00

Finally, I've got a few minutes to give you my review of my own Shakeology 30-day Challenge!

I began this journey in late December, and first posted about it here. About a week ago, I officially hit the 30-day mark and must say, I am SO happy to have Shakeology in my daily diet. It really has delivered on it's promise, I've noticed an improvement in my complexion, more energy, continued regularity, and my nails look healthier than they ever have! I imagine this is thanks to all the vitamins I'm now getting, as I haven't been a good vitamin-taker over the past year.

As I said in the past, I had always wanted to try Shakeology but couldn't seem to find the money in my budget to purchase it ... or at least so I thought. Since trying it, I have definitely not had to buy what I used to for snacks. Being this replaces one meal a day, it's eliminated the need for purchasing the food I would normally purchase for my afternoon snack. Here's a quick recap of the first 15 days of Shakeology:

Days 1 to 4

I must admit that at this point, I didn't really notice any change at all. Of course, I didn't really expect to either. I alternated back and forth between Greenberry and Chocolate Shakeology. I definitely am having a hard time finding a good recipe for the Greenberry... the flavor leaves alot to be desired but I'm working on finding a recipe that makes it a little more appealing.

Days 5 to 6

I woke up with a little bit of a tummy ache. I made a few trips to the restroom and thought maybe I had a bug. Turns out, this is a normal reaction for days 5 to 7. I like to call this period, my Monday and Tuesday cleanse, haha! Check out this video for an explanation:

Days 7 to 15
No more stomach upset, it just disappeared, and I can definitely say I'm much more regular. Ha! Kind of like clockwork each day. Can't say much for the cravings as I, for some reason, decided to take this challenge up in the middle of the holidays and eating has definitely NOT been on the mark. Hopefully for the second half of this challenge I will see those reduced cravings!

One thing I am definitely starting to notice is an improvement in my nails. I have always had flimsy nails that easily peel. Especially after removing my acrylic nails in 2010 (had them for at least 10 years). I've noticed they just look better and aren't peeling or breaking as much as they used to. Hmmmm.... definitely something to watch!

Now on to the last half of my Shakeology Challenge:

Days 16 to 30
The last half of my challenge was similar to that of days 7 to 15. I continually saw an improvement in my skin and nails, as well as energy and cravings. Once the holidays were over, I was much more apt to stay on my healthy eating and having my Shakeology each day really helped satisfy those sweets cravings I get from time to time. Another effect I noticed was if I ate food high in fat, I paid for it because my body was not really happy to have to process it after I'd been feeding it all the good stuff. I've had to definitely watch myself when it comes to the bad stuff (i.e. pizza) and monitor how much I eat. I also have found that when I do eat things like pizza, I am not stuffing myself like I have in the past.

I'm hoping to do a Shake-n-Share party soon for my local friends, so they can try Shakeology and see why I love it so much.

If you are interested in purchasing a sample or 5 to 10 day supply, please contact me at alissaangelo@gmail.com.

What's Coming Up from Beachbody...

2012-01-13T14:37:00.000-08:00

Here is a sneak peek of what's coming your way from Beachbody these first few months of 2012!!

Coach Member Fee Waived

This was supposed to only last through the end of 2011, but will be permanent for any new coach that purchases a Challenge Pack. You must enroll as a coach first, place the Challenge Pack in your cart, and you have just became a “product of the product” and got your foot in the door saving up to $54.00. AVAILABLE NOW! Email me for more details at alissaangelo@gmail.com.

P90X Qualification

You now have the opportunity to become qualified to teach the P90X format! This will be AVAILABLE online in late January for $99 (coaches save 10%).

P90X Certification

If you'd rather learn to teach the P90X format in person, you will have the opportunity to attend a 2-day, extremely thorough, and intense training program. It will include everything you need to become certified to teach the P90X format for a cost of $399 (coaches save 10%). These training sessions will be AVAILABLE in March 2012!

Tai Cheng Fitness Program

The Tai Cheng Fitness Program is based on classical Tai Chi techniques, ancient Chi Kung practices, and modern corrective exercise patterns that both rehab and prehab the body, improving the body’s metabolism, joint function, stress management, and athletic performance! AVAILABLE in early February.

Tropical Strawberry Shakeology

The newest flavor of Shakeology is our very first Vegan recipe, and they guarantee it will knock your socks off! This is also a part of our brand new “Ultimate” line of products and will be AVAILABLE February 14, 2012.

Energy & Endurance Formula Pre-Workout Drink

Without all the harmful chemicals of supermarket energy drinks, you can now enjoy our brand new Energy & Endurance Pre-Workout Drink. Improve energy, endurance, and focus. Burn more calories and fat to get ripped faster. Maximize muscle performance to build muscle faster. Only 20 calories/serving. Give your body the boost it needs for maximum performance in a delicious lemon lime flavor. AVAILABLE NOW!

21 day Ultimate Reset Body Cleanse

This will be a part of an “Ultimate” line of high end nutritional products to cleanse and nourish your body. AVAILABLE March 2012

Beachbody Apparel

New styles, new fabrics and now retail commissions of 15% for coaches. AVAILABLE in a few weeks!

If you have any questions or are interested in any of these upcoming products, just let me know by emailing me at alissaangelo@gmail.com or posting a comment below.

If you have ever contemplated this opportunity, DON’T WAIT…DO IT! Feel confident knowing you are joining a company that has just been inducted into the Better Business Bureau’s Hall of Fame. This opportunity is only going to grow bigger and better!

Healthy Dinner Recipe: Individual Meat Loaves

2012-01-08T09:05:00.000-08:00

When I received my copy of P90X2, I grabbed the Nutrition Guide and started browsing. I am always on the lookout for new recipes, especially ones someone else in my family might eat besides me! That makes dinner time MUCH easier. I found several recipes I wanted to try, but this one stuck out to me more than the others.

My husband loves meatloaf, and insists that he always have some sort of animal protein on his plate each night. Yesterday, while I was at a Princess Playdate birthday party for my friend Rose's daughter Brynn, this same topic came up. Our husband's are all meat and potatoes kinda guys. This got me thinking and reminded me of this recipe, and I had to share it for all those out there who really like a good comfort meal but want to make it healthier.

Last night we couldn't decide what was for dinner, except for the girls (because they are so darn picky) it was Macaroni and Cheese. While John was in the other room I remembered this recipe and without saying a word to him or giving him a chance to object, I began throwing the ingredients together. When he came into the room, I announced that I was making a recipe. He was caught a little off-guard and said that I shouldn't expect him to eat it, especially with TURKEY as the main ingredient. I told him that was fine, but there would be enough for him. God forbid, I used turkey instead of beef! Ha! Needless to say, I finished cooking it and after he got a whiff of the smell he asked for a bite of mine and decided to go load up his plate.

In the end, this recipe got the thumbs up from my husband... which doesn't happen all that often! I heard these words out of his mouth, "Hmmm... yah that was pretty good, I guess you could make that one again!" Success!!!

Individual Meat Loaves

2 large egg whites
1/2 cup quick-cooking oats
2 tbsp. Worcestershire sauce
1/2 tsp garlic powder
2 tbsp. ketchup
1/4 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. ground black pepper
1 lb. ground lean chicken or turkey breast
3 tbsp. minced onion
1 small can tomato sauce
Nonstick cooking spray

Preheat oven to 350 degrees
In a large bowl, beat egg whites well with a whisk
Stir in oats, Worcestershire, garlic powder, ketchup, salt, and pepper
Add ground meat and onion; mix well
Divide meat mixture into 4 equal portions, shaping each into an oval shaped loaf
Lightly spray a foil-lined, rimmed baking pan with cooking spray. Place loaves on prepared pan and cover each loaf with tomato sauce
Bake for 30 minutes or until cooked through ***

***I cooked mine for 45 minutes and actually would have cooked them longer to get my desired consistency. They weren't really cooked at 30 minutes, and only warm in the center. Definitely watch them closely and make sure they are cooked all the way through!

Serves 4; Calories - 208; Fat - 2g (saturated fat - 0.5g); Carbs - 16g; Protein - 30g; Fiber - 2.5g; Sodium - 352mg; Cholesterol - 70mg.

Ideas for what to serve these with would be veggies of your choice (I had cucumber lying around.... more than you see in the picture but Lilian confiscated most of what I had while I was waiting for the meat loaves to finish), and on a normal night we would have had potatoes with this as well. Yes, I know people say to stay away from potatoes, but they are a staple in my house. I try to keep my portions small and don't add a bunch of things to them like sour cream and butter. We generally buy the Ore-Ida Steam and Mash potatoes because they are quick and easy, 10 minutes in the microwave and they are done. All you do is add milk and mash in a bowl. Just watch your portion sizes and try to have more veggies than potatoes on your plate.

I hope you all enjoy these as much as we did. I can't say either of my kids were too excited about them... Lilian tried it but then it came right back out onto my plate and Lynsie just turned her nose up at it. Someday they might enjoy meat.... maybe..... *sigh*

Happy Sunday everyone!

Protein Packed Snack: Chobani Greek Yogurt

2012-01-04T05:00:00.000-08:00

It's no secret to my friends and family that I am a HUGE fan of Chobani Greek Yogurt. I require my Chobani yogurt at LEAST once a day, and what makes it even better is how great it tastes AND it's good for you! It's a protein packed snack (14 grams of protein per cup) and is available in 0% fat (140 calories) or 2% fat (160 calories). Plus, to top it all off, Chobani only uses all natural ingredients.

The flavor choices are amazing as well. Yes, they have your basics like strawberry, blueberry, peach, vanilla, plain, etc. However, they also have Mango (Love it!), Pineapple (Delicious!), Pomegranate (Yum!) and so many more. Your taste buds will never be bored with the yummy-ness of Chobani.

Recently, Chobani came out with new flavors which include Apple Cinnamon (0% fat), Blood Orange (0% fat), and Passion Fruit (2%). I haven't been lucky enough to find the latter two at my local grocery stores but a close friend of mine found the Apple Cinnamon while she was shopping in the "big" city this past weekend and was kind enough to grab an extra for me. Thanks Jen!!! I have to say this is the flavor I was most skeptical about when I heard about the new releases. However, I was pleasantly surprised and found it was a tasty treat with just enough apple and cinnamon flavor, and the texture was nice and creamy. Also, my friend Lisa thought it might be pretty tasty and just like apple crisp if you added some Grapenuts to it. I like the way she thinks!

Sometimes to get my Chobani in for the day, I mix the cup into one of my Shakeology smoothies. Here's my favorite recipe featuring Chobani:

Strawberry-Orange Greenberry Shakeology

1 Packet of Greenberry Shakeology
1 Chobani Strawberry Greek Yogurt
1/2 cup Orange Juice
Ice

This is a super protein (and vitamin) packed shake... it doesn't get much better than this!

Also, a quick tip for those of you with small children. Chobani offers a smaller serving of their yogurt called Chobani Champions. This is a great, healthy snack or addition to their meal. My 4-year-old is SUPER picky but she never turns down yogurt. I figure if I'm gonna give her yogurt, why not give her a healthy yogurt? Way better than those cartoon character, sugar packed ones out there. Flavors include Very Berry and Honey-Nana. They are also releasing a couple new flavors which include Orange Dream and Vanilla Chocolate Chunk. Pretty sure my kids won't be turning either of these flavors down!

Next time you are at the grocery store, look in the yogurt aisle for the Chobani products, I promise you won't be disappointed. In the meantime, my friends and I will be impatiently on the lookout for all the new flavors locally here in Stayton, Oregon!

Healthy, Quick, and Easy Lunch Idea

2012-01-02T13:48:00.000-08:00

Today's lunch idea comes from the one and only, Chalene Johnson. Recently, Chalene released a book called "PUSH: 30 Days to Turbocharged Habits, a Bangin' Body, and the Life You Deserve!" and I've started no my own 30 day PUSH. Already, after two days I'm learning SOOOO much about myself. I highly recommend anybody and everybody check it out, it's really helping me already focus on my priorities and goals.

Anyway, I said this was a post about a healthy, quick, and easy lunch idea... so let's get to it! This recipe comes from Chalene's book and is one of her "Throw and Go" recipes. It's a Chickpea Salad and it was TASTY!

Chickpea Salad

1 can (16 oz.) chickpeas, drained and rinsed
2 cloves garlic, pressed
1/2 cucumber, sliced or diced
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
Splash of lemon juice or white wine vinegar

Combine the chickpeas, garlic, cucumber, olive oil, and lemon juice or vinegar. Add salt and freshley ground black pepper to taste, mix well.

Makes 4 servings

Per serving: 97 calories, 3 g protein, 12 g carbs, 4 g total fat, 3 g dietary fiber, 166 mg sodium

Mine didn't come out looking quite as pretty as Chalene's did in her book but it sure tasted good. Also, my can of Chickpeas was only 15 oz. and in the end I only came out with approximately 3 servings of 4 oz. rather than the 4 servings her recipe states. However, I separated out those servings into individual containers and they'll be easy to grab this week when I'm back at work. Also, I paired this with a Chobani Pineapple Greek Yogurt. This upped the protein in my meal quite a bit, which I needed after my workout this morning. This brought the total calories of my lunch to about 260 calories. This is a little low for me, but I ate a bit late and it won't be too long until my afternoon snack.

Again, if you haven't checked out Chalene's book "PUSH: 30 Days to Turbocharged Habits, a Bangin' Body, and the Life You Deserve!", you really should consider it. It's motivating, has tons of recipes and even some great workouts you can try.

Until next time!

Healthy Breakfast Review: Umpqua Oats

2012-01-01T14:11:00.000-08:00

While I was at our local Safeway the other day, I noticed containers of oatmeal made by Umpqua Oats. The price wasn't too high (about $2.49, I think), so I decided to grab a couple containers of the Not Guilty flavor. They offer several flavors which include Lei'd Back, Old School, Take a Hike, and Kick Start. However, the Not Guilty flavor was closest to my personal "nutrition guidelines." It's low in sugar (4 grams) and the calories are decent (210 calories). This flavor included apples, blueberries, flax and chia seed. Yum!

The prep was pretty easy and can all be done in the one container. I heated up my water in the microwave, poured it in the cup, and covered to let it steep for 2 to 3 minutes. When I came back my cute little cup was looking pretty tasty and I was starving. First bite, a bit sour which I attributed to it having no sugar-added. Which is fine, I just pulled out a packet of Truvia and added it. This made it perfect! The oats were just the right texture and consistency and the fruits were tasty.

I'm definitely looking forward to trying more of the flavors, and hope to see Umpqua Oats on the shelves in every grocery store!

Do You Own a Food Scale?

2011-12-31T07:40:00.000-08:00

If you don't own a food scale, get one! This was a tip given to me when I was struggling to lose weight. I'd never thought of it being something I would need, but have found the scale is something I use on a daily basis. You hear people talking about how losing weight is all about portion control and making sure you aren't eating too much in a meal. Well, this is what has helped me get my portions under control and get an idea of what a proper serving sizes should look like.

I use my scale the most on Sunday evenings to prepare all my snacks for the week. This way there are NO EXCUSES for me not to eat my snacks and reach my goals. I take a half-hour fill baggies or dishes with my snack food for the week. It's perfectly portioned out and I have no excuse not to eat healthy while I'm at work, it's all there and ready for me! I also pull it out at random times to weigh out ingredients in my daily Shakeology or to figure out how many ounces of meat I'm eating at dinner.

You can find food scales pretty much anywhere these days. The one I own I purchased at Target back in 2004 or 2005. I'm sure they still sell them there with the kitchen gadgets. The one pictured above is available on Amazon.com.

My Shakeology 30-Day Challenge

2011-12-30T15:45:00.000-08:00

I finally took the plunge and decided to try Shakeology for 30 days. I've been back and forth wanting to try it, always having an excuse not to take the plunge. The one tidbit of information that put me over the edge and convinced me to give it was the fact that this covers all my fruits and veggies for a whole day. I am so NOT a veggie eater. I try, I really do but I just can't bring myself to do it. It's definitely the one area I consistently lack in and could use a boost.

When I became a Team Beachbody coach, I figured it was time to take the plunge. I mean, really, if I'm going to be recommending a product to my friends and family I need to believe in it!! I'll admit, I was skeptical that I was going to actually have any noticeable results. I've done protein powder shakes before to get extra protein. However, Shakeology promises to be much more than just another protein shake. Here are the results Beachbody saw from their 90-day Shakeology research study group:

By the end of WEEK ONE

Improved digestion and regularity
Reduced cravings

By the end of WEEK FOUR

Increased energy and stamina
Lost weight
Improved mental clarity

By the end of WEEK TWELVE

Lost 10 lbs and 2 inches off waist on average
Reduced risk for heart disease and other degenerative diseases
Lowered cholesterol on average by 30% and even up to 70%
Healthier skin, hair, and nails

As a bonus, Beachbody offers a 30-day money back guarantee... even if your bag is empty! I figure, what do I have to lose?
On December 15, 2011, I began my 30-day Shakeology challenge. I plan to continue with blog posts as I go on this journey and report back the results I see.

Days 1 to 4

Wall of Shakeology Ingredients

I must admit that at this point, I didn't really notice any change at all. Of course, I didn't really expect to either. I alternated back and forth between Greenberry and Chocolate Shakeology. I definitely am having a hard time finding a good recipe for the Greenberry... the flavor leaves alot to be desired but I'm working on finding a recipe that makes it a little more appealing.

Days 5 to 6
I woke up with a little bit of a tummy ache. I made a few trips to the restroom and thought maybe I had a bug. Turns out, this is a normal reaction for days 5 to 7. I like to call this period, my Monday and Tuesday cleanse. Check out this video for an explanation:

Days 7 to 15
No more stomach upset, it just disappeared, and I can definitely say I'm much more regular. Ha! Kind of like clockwork each day. Can't say much for the cravings as I, for some reason, decided to take this challenge up in the middle of the holidays and eating has definitely NOT been on the mark. Hopefully for the second half of this challenge I will see those reduced cravings!
One thing I am definitely starting to notice is an improvement in my nails. I have always had flimsy nails that easily peel. Especially after removing my acrylic nails in 2010. I've noticed they just look better and aren't peeling or breaking as much as they used to. Hmmmm.... definitely something to watch!
Also, looking forward to Tropical Shakeology. It would be nice to add a new flavor to the rotation and doesn't it look tasty over there all pretty in pink? YUM!
Tomorrow I will post a couple recipes, one chocolate and one greenberry. Yes, I think I may have found a recipe that makes greenberry TASTY!!

Easy, Healthy Breakfast Ideas

2011-12-29T06:09:00.000-08:00

Did you know breakfast is the most important meal of the day? I know, I know you've heard it all before but it really is. Breakfast fills up your empty tank and gets your body going for the day. It also sets the pace for how you eat the rest of the day.

Here is a quick, easy recipe from Fitness Magazine that will get your day off to a good start:

Waffles With Blueberry Maple Syrup

FitnessMagazine.com / Chris Gallo

1/3 cup frozen blueberries
2 teaspoons maple syrup
2 whole-grain waffles
1 tablespoon pecans

Microwave blueberries and syrup together for 2 to 3 minutes, until berries are thawed. Toast waffles and top with warm blueberry syrup. Sprinkle with pecans.

Calories: 305; Protein: 8g; Carbs: 41g; Fat: 14g; Saturated Fat: 3g; Dietary Fiber: 4g

Waffles you may want to try include Eggo Nutri-Grain Waffles made with whole-wheat (2 waffles at 170 calories); or Kashi 7 Grain or Blueberry Waffles (2 waffles at 150 calories).

I've tried both of these brands and they are great! Van's Foods also has a large line of waffles available, but I haven't had a chance to try them yet. I'd LOVE to try their Power Grains waffles though, which have 10 grams of protein!! That's not too shabby for a waffle!

Have a great day everyone and don't forget to eat your breakfast!

New Year's Eve Low-Cal Drink Recipe

2011-12-28T22:06:00.000-08:00

Have you heard of Baja Bob's Sugar-Free Drink Mixers? If not, you have been missing out and wasting some serious calories. He's got everything from simple margarita mix to mudslides and martini's! Here's just one of MANY recipes on the Baja Bob site:

Champagne Margarita
(submitted by Baja Bob fan Christie Wright)

2 parts Baja Bob's mix
2 parts Champagne
1/2 fresh-squeezed lime
Pour into tall glass filled high with ice

Enjoy (and, of course, don't drink and drive)!!!

New Adventure.... Beachbody and Me

2011-12-24T22:01:00.001-08:00

Over the coming days, weeks, and months you will see me posting more (YAY!) and talking more about health and fitness, as well as my family. I recently became a Team Beachbody Coach. If you have any questions on what that is, please let me know. Also, please remember me when you are thinking about health and fitness. If I can be of any help, send me a message and I'm sure I will be able to point you in the right direction.

I'm also looking forward to posting more often and sharing my experiences and updates on our family!

Merry Christmas!!

Healthy Snack Idea

2009-06-10T10:00:00.000-07:00

A few months ago I received a coupon for a free box of these Kashi TLC Cereal bars. I'm not usually one to eat cereal bars but heck, they were free. Wow, these bars were awesome! Very fruity, soft, and healthy! Perfect for me to grab when I needed a quick, easy snack. Heck, even John likes them!!

I was over at Hip2Save and she posted a link to a $1.50 off coupon and I figured I'd share it here with you:

http://www.vocalpoint.com/kashibar/coupon.html

P.S. If you hit the back button on your browser it will print you out another. Two $1.50 off coupons! Score!!