Creative With Shakes but Need A Name....

New Protein Shake Needs a Name

When I returned from my boot camp I instruct, I decided I wanted a good post workout/breakfast drink.  I was craving a peanut butter shake and also a banana but I’m out of bananas.  I need to add that to my list.  I remembered I just purchased these new Chobani Champions Honey-Nana Greek yogurts and I had a creative urge.    One of my favorite protein powders is Syntha 6 in Vanilla by BSN and I love to add PB2 and Unsweetened Almond Milk to my shakes.  I didn’t add ice like I normally do and this shake had a thicker but smoother texture to it almost like a chocolate mousse.  I have to say it was a great shake but it needs a name.  This isn’t a shake I would recommend having often especially if you do not burn a lot of calories during your workout. 

Ingredients:

• 1 scoop Syntha 6 Vanilla
• 1 Tbsp. PB2 Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter
• 8oz.  Unsweetened Almond Milk by Almond Breeze
• 1 Container- Chobani Champions Honey-Nana Greek yogurt

Directions: add all ingredients to a blender and blend without ice. 

Nutritional Facts:  

353 Calories

31 g Carbohydrates

13 g fat

33 g protein

What do you think I should call this shake? 

Lazy Day and A New Marinade

It's been very hot here in Indiana and the kids and I was afraid it would be another hot day. I figured today is a great day to catch up on housework and laundry. My youngest son wanted to declare today another pajama day; everyday would be pajama day if I left it up to him. For dinner I decided to defrost some chicken and make my own marinade. The marinade ingredients included:
 • Fresh squeezed orange juice (1)
• Fresh squeezed lime juice (1)
 • Sea Salt pinch
• Chili powder
 • pepper
• Onion powder

I marinated the chicken for several hours and grilled them. I also made a fresh romaine salad with cherry tomatoes and bell peppers and I tried a new product by Roland Black Bean Quinoa. It was a pretty summer time meal that was quick and easy to make with leftovers for my lunch. What is one of your favorite marinades to make?

Not in The Mood

There are some days when I go workout that I just don't feel like it.  Today wasn't one of those days until I arrived.  I ended up in this horrible funk and couldn't shake it and it started with the sleds being brought out.  What are sleds? Below you will see a sled and for me it's the devil because I am healing from a cracked disc in my neck and a bulging disc.  I knew at once I needed to modify my workout. Then during the workout I felt tired and broke two nails.  I was wasting time trying to rip them completely off while cussing.  I thought the workout was going to be an entire waste of my time but maybe the stress of being so mad and not in the mood actually helped. I ended up burning 545 calories during that 45 minute workout.  


Even if you're not in the mood to workout push yourself because after it's all over you will feel great and it does awesome things for your mood.  Keep pushing!  

Convenience Items

I’m all about things that make my life simple and ZipLoc has my new favorite convenience item.  I purchased the new Perfect Portions bags and let me say I love these things. 

As you can see by the picture I had field day preparing my week’s worth of meats for my lunches and dinners.  I am all about planning ahead and this allows me the convenience of pulling out two servings of meat; one for lunch and one for dinner already weighed for perfection.  

When you’re trying to maintain clean eating habits items like the Perfect Portions makes life so much easier.  I’m a mom of four and I need simple!   I also use a scale to weigh all my meat portions because today the chicken breasts gigantic.   I weighed one chicken breast and it was over six ounces which is more than my required portion. 

Be sure to always weigh or measure your foods this is a great way to control your portions and lose weight or maintain a healthy weight. 

A Pictures Worth a Thousand Words

I have been missing in action for a week due to our family vacation.  The kids and I traveled to Outer Banks, North Carolina or OBX for those of you who are familiar.  This is our family vacation with my parents that we take each summer.  I did manage to get in some running several days and one day of kettlebells; which I will say wasn’t enough considering the butt kicking I got to day when I returned. 

During vacation I was able to plan workouts for my boot camp that begins tomorrow and take lots of photos.  They say pictures are worth a thousand words and this vacation my daughter managed to catch some photos of me with my mom and they caused a stir on my mom’s Facebook page.  My mom started her first 24 Day Challenge on March 24 check out her before photo. 

Since then my mom is down 25 pounds!  She received so many positive comments on her Facebook page after her friends and family saw these photos.  One of the comments someone said, “you look like you’re in your twenties”!  WOW now that was cool!  Everyday my mom is working 12 hour days as a nurse practitioner then she comes home and hits the pavement running.  She eats clean each week and you can find her planning and preparing her meals on Sunday’s for the next week.  She has found a balance and the proof is in the pictures!

Don’t get discouraged and think you cannot accomplish your goals because it’s too hard instead let me help you and join the many others who take my challenge and let them be your support and your encouragement.