Brownie Scramble with Peanut Butter Syrup

I woke up yesterday and the idea for this came into my head, I'm not sure why. But I decided to make it, and fell in love. Do you think chocolate and peanut butter are meant to be together? Do you love peanut butter cups? Do you love brownies? If so, you may just love this too. Now, this isn't the lowest calorie meal. If I were holding to 21 Day Fix containers I probably wouldn't make it often because it would use a lot of containers. That said, it's super HEALTHY, very FILLING, totally SATISFIES SWEET-TOOTH cravings, and it's YUMMY!

Brownie Scramble 

1 small banana (or half a large)

2 eggs

1 scoop Vegan Chocolate Shakeology

Evoo or coconut oil

Peanut Butter Syrup

2 Tsp PB

1 Tsp pure maple syrup

Mash up your banana. Add the eggs and Shakeology and mix until well combined. Pour into a heated skillet coated with EVOO or coconut oil and stir until cooked through. Combine PB and syrup and heat in the microwave for a bit. Then put on top of your scramble. Then enjoy the sweet chocolatey, peanut buttery goodness and feel good that you have just done something great for your body.

Then and Now

I've mentioned before that before I started 21 Day Fix in February I was the heaviest I have ever been. I wasn't obese, or grossly overweight. But I didn't like my body. I always wore baggy clothes because none of my fitted clothes fit any more, and because I wanted to hide my body. I hated to see my body.
Since I started on my fitness journey I have lost over 20 pounds, which is great. I have lost over 20 inches, also great. My clothes fit better now and I like the look of my body better.  I'm grateful for all of those things.
But what I am more grateful for is that I am now empowered with the knowledge of how to fuel my body with proper nutrition. Nutrition that not only helps me feel better now, but I know it is an investment in my future health as well, mental and physical. I now am a consistent exerciser, something I have never really been. I am setting an example for my kids and helping my whole family eat more balanced. AND I have been blessed with the opportunity to help several of my friends toward improving their fitness! That is what Beachbody has done for me!
If you would like to learn more about how to get the right balance of nutrients so you can feel great in your own skin, and find a workout program that can help you get the results you desire, please let me know, I'd love to help you! There are so many great workouts on sale for just $10 this month when you buy a month of Shakeology. It is the perfect time to start YOUR fitness journey.

#shakeology #yourfitnessjourney #weightloss #loseweight #getfit #fitness #healthyhabits #exerciseandnutrition #yourhealthandfitnesscoach #wholesoulfitness #abalancedlife

Tip of the Day: Early Morning Workouts Are Where It's At!

So, most mornings start the same way for me. I wake up at 6 when my husband does. I pray and read my scriptures for a half hour. Then I do my workout. Then I eat breakfast. I do this because if I don't get my prayers and scriptures as well as my workout in before my son wakes up it is much harder for me to assure that it will happen. WELL, it just so happens that there are benefits to working out before you eat in the morning! I was looking at TeamBeachbody.com today and came across an article that said this:

Strength sessions done in a fasted state first thing in the morning can potentially help the body to release maximal levels of HgH (growth hormone) which allows the body to recover, repair, and refuel for the next workout. 

Training first thing in the morning in a fasted state has been proven to help the body become more efficient at utilizing fat as a substrate. Even for those who don’t necessarily need to lose weight, Paleo practitioners believe functioning on fat as your fuel throughout the day provides for improved mental focus, balanced energy levels, and less cravings for sweets, as the latter is typically representative of a blood sugar crash in disguise.

I had no idea I was doing something good for my body by working out before I ate, but so glad to know it now!

Fuzzy Chocolate

We have a peach tree in our backyard. Every other year we get tons of peaches. Like, at least 100 pounds of them. Two years ago we got so many that nearly half the branches on our tree broke from their weight. We should have thinned them, lesson learned. Even with only half the branches we used to have we still got at least 10 grocery bags full of peaches. We give loss away but even so we can'teat them fast enough. So, we freeze most of them to throw in smoothies throughout the year. Unfortunately for my husband the peaches ripened this year while I was away on a nearly month long vacation. So, he spent pretty much all his evenings for about two weeks prepping and freezing peaches. Lucky for me or freezer is now stocked with his hard work. I decided to try adding peaches to my shake today. Holy sweet goodness! So smooth and creamy and AWESOME! Grab yourself some Shakeology and frozen peaches and try it!

Take a Chance

Peaches and cottage cheese. So, so easy, quick, delicious, and good for me! 
I spent most of my life thinking I didn't like cottage cheese. I didn't care for it as a kid and so I just never ate it and thought it was because I didn't like it. Then I decided to give it a try about 5 years ago. And I totally liked it! Now eating cottage cheese with some fruit is one of my favorite treats! If I hasn't decided to try it that one day 5 years ago I would still be avoiding it. 
Maybe you have tried diet drinks in the past. Or protein shakes. And didn't care for them or get the results you wanted. And you don't want to try any more. Or maybe you've tried eating healthy and it only made you cranky. Or you just don't like to exercise? Well, if you'll give me a chance, I'll try to show you that you will LOVE Shakeology, that you can enjoy eating and get all the right nutrition for your body, and that there's a workout program that's right for YOU! What if I told you that if you took the chance you'd be protected with a money back guarantee so if I'm wrong you haven't lost anything. Would you be ready to take a chance then?

Confessions of a Beachbody Coach #14

Confession: I am not nearly as hardcore as I would like to think I am. I just got back from a nearly month-long vacation. I had intended to get a workout in every day. I intended to drink my Shakeology every day. I had intended to keep my nutrition closer to my ideal. However, none of these intentions were realized. While I was pretty active most days with hiking, swimming, carrying my son in a carrier while pushing my daughter in a stroller and walking tons, etc., I only did actual workouts a few times. Only on days when I felt like my body was mad at me for not doing a better job. I did drink my shakes several times, but not every day. They fill me up and there was lots of other stuff I wanted to eat. I ate mostly healthy stuff, but not balanced. And then there was the nightly ice cream when I was staying with my parents and sister. And that Cheesecake Factory cheesecake. Oops! And really, while I was visiting with my family and friends I was really just more focused on spending time with and enjoying them than sticking to my fitness goals. I gained 3 pounds during those 3.5 weeks. I'm not the best example I guess. But you know what, I'm okay with it. I've come to terms with the fact that I don't love working out and probably never will. I am not a gym rat. I usually feel pretty good whether I exercise or not. I feel better when I do, but the difference isn't drastic for me. Same with eating balanced, I feel better when I do, and I do feel gross when I've eaten lots of fat or sugar, but since I generally eat healthy things I feel fine most of the time. But, I'm also a researcher. I know from the research I have done that regular exercise is good for me - for my body and my brain. Same with eating balanced, clean foods. Same with Shakeology. These things are all good for me,. Whether I feel hugely different when I do them or not I know intellectually that they help me be healthier now and are an investment in my future health. So, MOST OF THE TIME, I will keep doing them on a daily basis. But once in a while, like when I'm on vacation, I may not be 100% faithful, and I'm okay with it. I don't think I will have any long-term negative affects as a result. But that's just me :). What do you think? But, FYI, I'm back in the game now :).

#confessionsofabachbodycoach #vacation #threeandahalfweeksoffun #familyandfriends #fitnessfail #worthit #yourhealthandfitnesscoach #wholesoulfitness #abalancedlife

Check It Out!

I mentioned before in my confession about breaking down and buying a scale that I'm a sucker for free things. Which is why I bought the scale. Whenever you complete a Beachbody program you can enter your results into the Beachbody Challenge and not only have a chance to win cash, but EVERYONE is sent some free apparel! Isn't that awesome! I was slightly disappointed they sent me a tank top instead of t-shirt because I don't wear tank tops on their own. BUT, beggars can't be choosers and I am still excited to have it! I need to enter my Cize and 21 Day Fix results too so I can get some more free stuff!!!

Minted Watermelon Parfait

If I tried to put a taste to summer it may very well be watermelon. I love watermelon - it's sweetness, that it's crunchy but so juicy, it seems like a fresh taste to me. I just love it. And it is actually really good for you as well - it has lycopene, pretty high vitamin content, and pretty high protein content as well. I eat quite a lot of watermelon in the summer. Several years ago I attended a social event and someone brought a watermelon and mint salad. I would have never thought to pair the two but I really liked it. I have quite a lot of mint growing in my backyard and generally don't find many uses for it, to be honest. But I occasionally add some to a bowl of watermelon now. It's yummy. Well, I decided to try something new and made this wonderful minted watermelon into a parfait. It did not disappoint!

Minted Watermelon Parfait
3/4 cup plain yogurt
1 cup diced watermelon
1 tsp minced fresh mint
2 Tbs shredded unsweetened coconut (optional)
1 tsp stevia (optional)

Toss watermelon and mint together along with half the stevia (if using). Mix the other half teaspoon stevia with yogurt. Add coconut and mint/watermelon mix. Yum, yum!

Perception Shapes Our Reality

A friend shared this video on Facebook and I really liked it.  What do you think? I fully believe it - that we are as happy as we decide to be, that as we think positive, positive things happen.

#positiveenergy #positivethoughts #youareashappyasyoumakeupyourmindtobe #behappynow #abalancedlife #wholesoulfitness

Cize Results

I just compared my before and after Cize measurements. I recognize that just looking at these two pictures it is not super obvious that I changed at all. I'm not a bikini wearer nor do I wear sports bras alone or take pictures in them so it's a little harder to tell that I've changed at all. But, I lost 5 pounds and 5.5 inches! (Comparing the two pictures you may be able to see that my shirt is a bit baggier on me in the after picture. Can you tell?) It's not even a super intense workout. It was because of portion controlled eating and daily Shakeology. 
Are you ready to see some results while improving your overall health? If so, there's no better time to start than now! This month Beachbody has several workout programs for just $10, when you buy a month of Shakeology. And, starting this coming Monday I'll be hosting a new support and accountability group. This one is going to be intense. I will help group members set goals beforehand that are not only measurable, but also controllable. During the 3 week challenge there will be daily check ins to see how everyone did on their goals for the day. Since this will be more intense and require more of my time for each participant I'll only be adding 5 people this time. If you would like to be one of the 5 let me know!
Oh, and the best part is, RESULTS ARE GUARANTEED!!!! If you don't get the results you're hoping for you can get your money back, no questions!

#cize #cizeresults #youcandoittoo #beachbody #healthandfitnesscoach #yourhealthandfitnesscoach #wholesoulfitness #abalancedlife #guaranteedresults #oryourmoneyback #nothingtoloose #exceptunwantedweight

Roasted Cauliflower

I've mentioned my roasted veggie love before. They're my fav. But of all the roasted veggies in the world roasted cauliflower is hands down my absolute all time favorite! Seriously, I could eat it all day. Every day. It's addictive. It's sweet and salty and crunchy but soft. It's amazingly fantastic. Even if you think you don't like vegetables you should try it, because you will be a veggie convert! Honestly, it's that good. And, did you know veggies that kind of look like brains, such as cauliflower, are actually really good for your brain? Now you do.

Roasted Cauliflower
1 head of cauliflower
1-2 Tbs EVOO (depending on the size of the head)
garlic salt to taste (alternatively you could use sea salt and garlic powder, but I think garlic salt is just easier and I like it so I still use it, even if it isn't considered 100% clean.)

Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Cut cauliflower into bite-sized florets.

Put them in a produce bag (or ziplock if that's what you have.) Pour in the EVOO and sprinkle in the garlic salt. Twist the top of the bag trapping air inside (or zip the bag as the case may be.) Bounce the cauliflower around until it is evenly coated. Lay the cauliflower out on foil lined cookie sheet (just makes clean up easier) in a single layer with a little bit of space between florets. Roast until cauliflower is golden brown - 30ish minutes.

Find other easy, healthy, and delicious recipes at www.pinterest.com/amandacolbyfitn/

#easyhealthydelicious #eatyourveggies #vegetables #roastedcauliflower #addictiveveggies #cauliflowerpopcorn #wholesoulfitness #abalancedlife #yourbeachbodycoach

Benefits of Shakeology

There are SO many things that make Shakeology amazing!

• It is so quick and easy. Seriously, you can have it ready to go in less than 30 seconds from start to finish!
• Not only can it replace an entire meal, it also contains a full day of vitamins, and in a drinkable form so your body can actually absorb them! (Did you know that most vitamins taken in pill form actually pass straight through your system?!?!)
• It has all the nutrition you need to feel better, have more energy, recover more quickly from workouts, feel less hungry, have fewer cravings, and lose weight more quickly!
• And since you can add whatever you want to it it is flexible enough to meet the calorie needs for any individual!

To find out how you can get try Shakeology risk free, AND AT A DISCOUNT comment or email me at amancacolbyfitness@gmail.com.

#shakeology #shakeologylove #shakeologyforyourhealth #youreworthit #dailydoseofdensenutrition #healthiestmealoftheday #yourbeachbodycoach #wholesoulfitness #abalancedlife

Raise Children That Will Make The World Better

I love this! Parenting is one of the hardest things I have ever done - but I LOVE it! And I hope that these beautiful children who I have been given the privilege and responsibility of raising will make the world a better place. I know they make my world better! There is so much pain and cruelty and hate and ugliness in the world. But we can teach our children how to show love, and kindness, and beauty.

#truth #lrknost #raisechildrenthatmaketheworldbetter #lifeisbeautiful #positiveparenting

Mint Chocolate Chip Milkshake-o

If you like mint chocolate chip ice cream and shakes then this one is for YOU!

Mint Chocolate Chip Milkshake-o

• 1 scoop Vanilla Shakeology
• 1-1.5 cups almond milk
• 1/4-1/2 tsp peppermint extract (to taste) OR 3 drops peppermint essential oils*
• 4 drops green food coloring (optional)
• 1/2 small avocado (optional - makes it creamier, but also adds calories)
• Handful of spinach (optional - but easy way to get more veggies in)
• 1 Tbs mini dark/semi-sweet chocolate chips

Blend everything except the chips. After you have poured your shake into a glass mix in the chips with a spoon. Then feel good about eating a dessert that is making you healthier!

Find more guilt-free recipes at www.pinterest.com/amandacolbyfitn/

If you don't have any Shakeology yet let's fix that! Contact me at: amandacolbyfitness@gmail.com and we'll talk about ways you can get it at a discount!

*If you are interested in learning more about or ordering essential oils let me know.

#shakeology #shakeologylove #mintchocolatechip #dessertsthatmakeyouhealthier #desserforbreakfast #dessertanytime #noguiltdessert #realfood #realfoodthattastesgood #cleaneating #wholefood #realfastfood #healthiestmealoftheday #wholesoulfitness #cleaneating #wholefood #abalancedlife