Showing posts with label meal replacement shakes. Show all posts
Showing posts with label meal replacement shakes. Show all posts

Thursday, October 10, 2013

Chocolate Shakeology Coconut Oat Cake

Chocolate Shakeology Coconut Oat Cake Recipe




Preheat oven to 350F

2 cups quick oats
1/2 cup Shakeology
1 1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 cup raw honey
1 cup water
3 egg whites
1/4 cup unsweetened shredded coconut

Mix everything in a bowl, then pour into a springform pan. Bake at 350 for approx 18mins, then cool completely in the pan. Once cool, cut into wedges. Makes 16 servings.

Optional: sprinkle with additional coconut prior to baking

I know there are other people with the same sweet tooth I have and this is a perfect way to cook for the family and friends and keep everyone healthy and giving them the proper nutrition!

ENJOY!

Monday, October 7, 2013

How to Get Into the Best Shape of Your Life!

Have you tried almost every FAD diet out there and it ended in gaining your weight back, or even more? I am here to tell you that FAD diets do not ever work, or at least not FOREVER.  It is time to find a routine that works for you.. something you can life off of forever and not worry about that yo-yo dieting!
I have a few tips that seem so easy, but can seem so difficult, but can actually be very simple! Let's get right to the point.  My goal is for you to live a healthy and fulfilling lifestyle, but also enjoy the foods you eat, without feeling like you are in food jail!  Statistics show, when you give yourself a little of want to crave or want, you are less likely to go on a binge or fall off the wagon!
So here we go:

Exercise regularly- Exercising 3-5 times a week around 30 min-1 hr a day will increase your metabolism and help build muscle, which also helps increase your metabolism! You do not need to workout 2 hrs a day.. That is only going to wear you out so quick and make you not enjoy working out at all.. If you eat properly, you do not need the extra work on your body!
Sticking to an exercise program really helps you to stay motivated and accountable! Since I am a health and fitness coach for Beach Body, I love doing each program because it gives me a complete schedule of what I should do.. less thinking and more doing!!  Also for people who do not have the time to run to the gym, these programs are home DVD's and can be done at your convenience (kids are napping or before they wake up, or before you go to work) and you still sweat like a pig and build muscle! There are different workouts for individuals with different levels of intensity needs, and abilities.
Click HERE to view the available workouts

Eating clean is very important.  When I say eat clean, I mean foods that were not processed and made in a factory.. You can find these "clean foods" usually on the outsides of the grocery stores... Your fresh veggies, lean meats and proteins, fruits, etc.  Try to stay away from the canned food, as you will notice extra ingredients and added sodium to these foods, which we do not need! These cause extra bloating, and more cravings!
*TIP- when you are looking for foods to buy at the store, the less ingredients on the back, the better chance they are healthy and safe to eat!
Try to eat every 3 hrs, so you stay satisfied, less chance of binge eating, and keep that metabolism going strong!
Stay away from eating 2-3 hrs before bed.. Your body will be resting and the extra calories are more likely to be stored as fat.  If you are hungry, eat some complex carbs (veggies) or lean protein where it is easier to digest!
One way I stick to clean eating that has helped me tremendously on reaching my goals is by using SHAKEOLOGY, a meal replacement HEALTH SHAKE! This is NOT a diet shake..
This is my meal that I know has all natural ingredients that gives me benefits such as increase in energy, decrease in my cravings, boost in immune system, and improve my heart health! Shakeology is NON GMO, Gluten Free, and low on the glycemic index, so it is great for Diabetics! What a way to level out your blood sugar and also get all the nutrients you need just in one shake!
This is how powerful Shakeology is... 1 shake is compared to making 6 trips to the salad bar! Pretty intense huh? Give it 2 weeks to use Shakeology consistently and you will notice a significant difference in your energy level and cravings!
Why do I love these shakes? I get my nutrients daily that i know I do not get enough of in the food I eat on a regular basis which is how you decrease cravings, they are quick and very convenient, especially being a busy mom of 2 with 2 jobs! I wake up, get the kids ready and myself, and make my shake and eat my breakfast while taking them to daycare!
P.S. It feels pretty awesome to get my chocolate in and not feel guilty while drinking it!!
Click to watch a short clip on SHAKEOLOGY-Doctors Don't Lie

Drink Water- I cannot tell you enough how important it is to drink your water every day! People have these thoughts that they are constantly hungry, but in reality, a lot of these cravings are from dehydration and not getting enough water!
HOW MUCH WATER SHOULD YOU DRINK DAILY?? Take your weight divided by 2, and turn that number into ounces.. that is how much water you should have daily..
Ex. I weight 130.. take 130/2 and get 65.. now use ounces.. so 65 ounces is what I should be in taking daily in water!
One way I get my water in is by drinking 15-20 ounces 30 minutes before each meal.. This not only helps me get my fluid in, but drinking prior to eating helps you determine when you are full, rather than drinking while you eat.. You do not realize you are full until 30 min after eating, so drinking water will help indicate the need for additional food! I learned this by doing a cleanse called ULTIMATE RESET which is also by Beach Body!  It is 21 days long and focuses on clean eating and taking away toxins from your body! It is a strict meal plan and even gives you the recipes and grocery list you need! The reset is also to help lower your cholesterol and learn on how to eat when you are truly hungry! I learned so much from this and recommend to anyone interested in a cleanse or kick starting their healthy lifestyle!
Back to water!! So some of you may not like plain water, so what other options do you have??? Add lemon to your water or even fresh fruit or veggies such as cucumber! Nothing like more cleansing and a little flavor to your water!! I am a lemon person and love drinking my lemon water, especially in the morning!!

Sleep- I know many of us do not get the sleep we need and I am totally guilty of this! But I know that when you do get your 8 hrs, you are more refreshed, have a clearer mind, and are more on track with your though process... No joke, its completely true! When you wear your body down, you are not giving your mind the opportunity to be on track.  When you get your 7 or 8 hrs of sleep, you are more likely to complete tasks quicker and not as half a**ed!

Last but not least STAY POSITIVE!!! Can I tell you how much you impact yourself?? If you tell yourself, for the most part, it will happen.. You put yourself down and say you cannot do it, You will most likely, not succeed.. So, how do we change this around?? By changing your entire way of thinking!
If you start the day with your glass half full, and say you CAN do it, you will work harder and more efficiently.  You have to believe in yourself in order to achieve.. Let me ask you this.... if you don't believe in yourself, how do you expect others to?? EXACTLY! Its time to put your big girl or boy pants on, start thinking positive, and start working towards your goals!! Your goals are not achieved by wishing or complaining!
I know I can be a little hard core and military like, BUT I know how this works and I know what needs to be done to reach your goals! I am not here to play around, I'm here to help you transform yourself into what you may have thought at one time was impossible!

If you are ready to begin this transformation, join me in my 60 or 90 day fitness challenge to get into the best shape of your life! Yes, you can do this all at home, no paying for gym memberships, personal trainers, or babysitters..I will coach you through your journey and give you tips and guide you to success!  If you are ready to start the challenge, email me @ deidra.penrose@yahoo.com
or find me on facebook @ www,facebook.com/deidra.penrose





I am looking forward to helping you to your journey of success!!


Thursday, September 26, 2013

Battle of the Bulge Fitness Challenge

I am so excited to announce my upcoming FITNESS CHALLENGE starting OCT 14TH!! BATTLE OF THE BULDGE!! Summer is over and it's time to move on to bigger and better things, like our health and fitness goals!!
Whether you go to the gym, or do not work out at all, there is still room for maintenance, improvement, and results!  Many people think the only way to reach their goal is by going to the gym, working out for 2 hrs every day, or not eating enough calories and depleting their body of all the nutrition they really need!

This is NOT true! Anyone who says this is how to get real results, it is false advertisement!  I have been involved in health and fitness now for 10 yrs, right out of high school and I have been passionate about it ever since! I have realized, you do not need 2 hrs a day to workout, and you do need to eat to keep your metabolism going strong! Its like feeding fuel to a car to make it run... same concept with your body. Food is your fuel and if you feed it the right foods, your body will run like a champ!!



So what is a challenge group???
It is a 90 day challenge that I hold in a closed group on facebook.  I have 5 people in the group so I can work 1:1 with them to help them reach their ultimate health and fitness goals.  It does not matter if you are male or female, need to lose 10, 20, or 70 lbs, this challenge group is for everyone! Depending on what your goals are, your preference is, and your activity level will depend on what program you would chose.  We have programs of all kinds to help every person wanting to achieve their goals.  For instance, INSANITY is a high intensity program that is 60 days long and ranges from 35 min to 60 min.  It is cardio and no weights are required. If you want weight training, there are programs such as P90X, BODY BEAST, and if you want a variety, you would maybe go with FOCUS T25! Many females love the dancing cardio, so TURBO FIREor TURBO JAM would be great! Those are just to name a few.  Along with using a workout program, I incorporate nutrition to help maximize your results by using SHAKEOLOGY, our health meal replacement shake.

Shakeology is unlike other fad shakes because
#1 It is a complete meal replacement
#2 Shakeology improves your overall health- increases your energy level, improves your digestive system, immune system, decreases your cravings, improves your blood pressure and cholesterol, and removes toxins from your body
#3 Shakeology is made from WHOLE FOODS and is broken down at a temperature to where the nutrients are not stripped away
#4 You no longer need a MULTI VITAMIN because every vitmain and mineral in your vitamin is right here for you! (SAVE $$)
#5 There are sooo many recipes to use with Shakeology- You can add fruit, peanut butter, coffee, (literally anything). When you order shakeology, you get a month calendar of recipes for each flavor you get!
There's more! You can make no bake cookies, ice cream, energy bars, Reese cups, or even a pie!! BUT ITS HEALTHY!!
This is just a few benefits of using Shakeology, but I will say, nutrition is 70-80% of your weight loss/results, so it is extremely important to have a regimen down so you can stay consistent, and reach your goals!
Instead of going to fast food, save money, and get better nutrition and better results!
Here is a short clip on SHAKEOLOGY
Now you see WHY we value our Shakeology so much? You do not get this much nutrition in ANY other shake!! Easy.. Convenient.. and satisfying!!

So now you know the importance of using both exercise and nutrition, so now lets put it all together.. Here is what you get out of my 90 day Challenge:
1:1 personal training from me
Hold you accountable to reach your goals
Motivation
Nutrition and fitness tips
Recipes
Meal planning
A transformation you will NEVER REGRET!


I would love to be a part of your journey to success!! 


This is how I made my transformation ...

Are you willing to take the step be be next?


If you are interested in joining my next challenge, contact me to get started at deidra.penrose@yahoo.com
You can FIND ME ON FACEBOOK at www.facebook.com/deidra.penrose
Like my fitness page at www.facebook.com/foreverFITnurse
IG@ForeverFITnurse




Sunday, September 22, 2013

Weekly Meal Plan, Exercise, and Goals!

I cannot believe the end of September is here already!! Although I love summer, I am really looking forward to watching the leaves fall, and dressing my boys up to go to pumpkin patches and hay rides!! I just went this morning to get one of my sons' Halloween costume that is sooo adorable, but of course he will not try it on!! AHHH! 

So other than my family time I am excited for, I am also ready to begin another awesome week of staying fit and maintaining my health and appearance! Every Sunday, I make a meal plan for the entire week, I make a grocery list, and go to the store and get everything I need!  After I get home, I am on a mission to cook all my food! I love doing easy snacks and meals because it saves me hours in the kitchen and I can take that time and put it towards time with my family! So in reality, I literally just took from 9 am until 130 pm to do everything and now I am worry free for the week!! 


Meal planning has been one of the best things I could have ever started because it sets me up for success, and gives me NO excuse to miss a meal, or fall off the wagon!! Everything is right in front of me!! 
Here is my plan for the week: As you see, I make a couple meals and just use them a few times so I am not wasting food, but saving money!!


Sept 23rd-sept 30th


Insanity Class
Body Beast
Cardio
T25
Total Body Circuit
Pole Fitness
Yoga
Insanity
Rest/stretch

Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Sunday
Meal 1


Shakeology
Almond Fudge
Egg whites, kale with pine nuts, 1 slice Ezekiel bread

Shakeology choco peanut butter
Egg Whites, kale, pine nuts, 1 slice Ezekiel bread
Shakeology (almond fudge)
Shakeology (vanilla almond)
Banana protein bar (with vanilla shakeolog)-Blog
Snack


1 apple, 1 oz raw almonds
Shakeology

1 apple, 1 oz raw almonds
1 apple, 1 oz raw almonds
Greek yogurt with fresh fruit drizzle pure maple syrup
Greek yogurt with fresh fruit
Greek yogurt with fresh fruit drizzle pure maple syrup
Meal 2


Greek salad cucumber/ tomato salad (blog)
Greek salad, cucumber/ tomato salad
Left over chicken alfredo with spaghetti squash
Grilled chicken, greek salad
Left over
Crock pot black bean and sweet potato turkey chili (blog)
Mediterranean cheese sandwhich (blod)
Mediterranean cheese sandwhich (blod)
Snack


3 Hard boiled eggs, wheat crackers
Raw veggies and hummus
Raw veggies and hummus
3 hard boiled eggs, 4 whole wheat crackers
1 apple. Almonds 1 oz
Peppers and hummus
Peppers and hummus
Meal 4


Chicken Alfredo with spaghetti squash
Chicken Alfredo with spaghetti squash
Crock pot black bean and sweet potato turkey chili (blog)
Crock pot black bean and sweet potato turkey chili (blog)
Greek Salad , grilled chicken
Off meal
Pot Roast, with whole wheat noodles
Snack


Banana protein icecream (blog)
Kale chips
Kale chips
1 rice cake with natural peanut butter
1 rice cake with 1 tbsp natural peanut butter
Banana protein icecream (blog)
2 shakeo balls (blog)

http://deidrap8.blogspot.com








I made more than enough Chicken Alfredo with spaghetti squash for my husband and kids to eat today for lunch and they literally ate every bit on their plate!! I love being able to cook healthy for my family and they do not even realize it! 





Another meal that I made today was simple, hardly any work at all, but healthy! Crock Pot Black bean and Sweet Potato Turkey Chili! You literally throw ingredients in and walk away!! These are the kind of meals I like! I usually do an easy recipe with another that requires a little more work, so it evens itself out!



One of my favorite meals that is easy and convenient, especially with my busy schedule with 3 jobs, kids to daycare, exercise, and other family tasks, I use SHAKEOLOGY!
Shakeology is a meal replacement shake that gives you all the nutrition you need in just 1 meal! You get your servings of fruits and veggies, your multi-vitamin (yes, no more buying multi-vitamins), and is ALL natural, NON-GMO, Gluten FREE, and even low on the glycemic index, so diabetics can use this shake and improve their blood sugars and A1C!! 
I have used shakeology once daily for the past year, and never gone away from it,  Within 2 weeks, I felt an increase in my energy levels, and my digestion improved, along with my cravings subsiding! 

What other benefits does Shakeology have:
  • Increase in energy
  • Improve your digestion
  • Improve your immune system and immune response
  • Curb your cravings
  • Lower your blood pressure and cholesterol
  • Improve heart health
What nutrients are in Shakeology that help so many different areas?
  • Proteins and amino acids: Help build lean muscles, heals wounds, improves skin and hair, supports optimum brain function and mental clarity, reduce cravings, and improves your mood
  • Antioxidants: helps reduce damage in the body caused by free radicals and lowers the chance of heart disease, high blood pressure, dementia, and arthritis
  • Phytonutrients: Helps boost immune system, helps fight diseases, detoxifies the body with alkalizing agents, slow the aging process
  • Adaptogens: Protects the body from stress and helps balance endocrine hormones and the immune system
  • Prebiotics: Helps promote better intestinal health by aiding the digestive process
  • Digestive enzymes: Helps the body break down foods and increase absorption of nutrients
Pretty intense right?! 
Since 70-80% of your weight loss and health goals come from nutrition, it is highly  important to eat clean, and get the proper nutrition every day.  This is one meal every day I do not have to ever worry about! No shopping at the store because it comes to my front door every month. No need to cook 1 meal, I throw it in a blender and drink it! 
If you are interested in starting Shakeology as a part of your daily nutrition, go to: www.myshakeology.com/deidrap8


CLICK HERE to watch a short clip of what SHAKEOLOGY is about!

If you are looking to not only improve your nutrition, but get into a great exercise and healthy routine, you can join my next challenge group starting Oct 14th! You get 1:1 coaching with me to help you learn everything you need to know about clean eating, exercise, and living a healthy and fulfilling lifestyle. My groups are 60-90 days long and is a perfect way for you to reach your ultimate health and fitness goals!  
This is a great way to get the support and motivation to keep you going. Sometimes the gym keeps you at a plateau and you don't see the results you want, no matter how long you work at it. 
Switching your routine up may be what you need and from experience, tricking your body is the best way to reach your goals! 
Message me for details on my challenge group BATTLE OF THE BULDGE!!

Find me on facebook at www.facebook.com/deidra.penrose
IG @foreverFITnurse



Wednesday, September 18, 2013

Meal Plan (Clean) and Exercise Schedule

So summer is pretty much over and its time to get ready for the winter weather!! Although I love summer and being outside, I love fires and the smell of cinnamon and pine trees and decorating for Thanksgiving and Christmas!! This means time to cuddle inside with my kids and hubby!! 

What are your plans for exercise when you don't want to travel in the cold weather? Do you have in home workouts, or do you stop exercise all together? I know this time of year gets people less excited and into exercise because your not wearing a bikini or shorts and tank everywhere.  That does not mean you don't have to take care of your body though! You still have to feel good about yourself and be happy with your body! I know when I gained my weight, I was unhappy and embarrassed to even be around my husband.  How is anyone suppose to love you if you don't love yourself?

Its time to focus on yourself by eating proper nutrition and incorporate exercise so you are healthy inside and out! Nutrition is 70-80% of your weight loss.  So if you plan on exercising 3-5 days a week, but eat processed foods and not watch your portions, you are wasting your time.  I am not going to sugar coat anything.  I am here to help you so I am going to tell you the truth! I am saying this from experience. I was the type who would workout hard, and then eat a jar of peanut butter or box of  oreos in one sitting (no joke)!I was a fatty.. An unhappy one at that! 
After finally being so disgusted with myself, I took the time to educate myself on nutrition and clean eating and exercised regularly.  I am a fitness coach for BEACH BODY and our goal is to help people live a healthier and more fulfilling lifestyle by incorporating both exercise and clean eating into your schedule.
I know it sounds hard right??! 
Honestly, if you think being dedicated sounds hard, what in life is easy anymore right?! NOTHING! We gotta work hard for what we want and if we want something bad enough (no matter what it is), we will do what it takes to get there.  I put my commitment into nutrition and exercise and I have reached my goal in 10 month losing 40 lbs BUT toning and feeling comfortable in my own body, gaining lots of energy, and getting rid of my cravings! Don't get me wrong I am human and still have my days, BUT nothing like what they use to be.  

How did I reach my goals?
When I started 1 yr ago, I started my weight loss journey in a challenge group with another BEACH BODY coach and did INSANITY and drinking SHAKEOLOGY.  I have been using Shakeology ever since, but also used TURBO FIRE, P90X, Les Mills COMBAT, ULTIMATE RESET, and FOCUS T25! I love having all my workouts at home because this gives me a great variety to switch things up! 
If I am in the mood for some dancing, I will go with Turbo Fire.. if I want cardio, I will go with Insanity.. If I want to lift, P90X it is!! For the past 10 weeks, I have been doing T25 which works perfectly for me at 4am before I go to work! Love the quick, but intense workouts! 
So here is my meal plan for the week:

Sept 16thth-sept 22nd


T25
Ript circuit
T25
Dynamic core
T25
Core cardio
T25
Upper focus
T25
Speed 2.0
Rest
Rest/stretch

Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Sunday
Meal 1


Shakeology Pumpkin Pie
Shakeology (Pumpkin Pie)
Shakeology (pumpkin Pie)
Shakeoogy
(choco peanut butter)
Shakeology (almond fudge)
Shakeology (vanilla almond)
Shakeology (vanilla almond)
Snack


1 apple, 1 oz raw almonds
Banana with 1 tbsp natural peanut butter
1 apple, 1 oz raw almonds
1 apple, 1 oz raw almonds
1apple, 1 oz almonds
Banana protein Energy bar (blog)
Banana Protein energy bar
Meal 2


Greek salad grilled chicken (5 oz)
Greek salad
Greek salad, grilled chicken 5 oz
Greek salad, chicken salad
Protein bar (luna)
Steak salad

Snack


Raw peppers and cucumber and hummus
1 apple, 1 oz raw almonds
3 hard boiled eggs, 4 whole wheat crackers
3 hard boiled eggs, 4 whole wheat crackers
4 whole wheat crackers, green bean chips
Peppers and hummus
Peppers and hummus
Meal 4


Shakeology
Stir  fry veggies with sweet potato
veggie stir fry sweet potato
Baked sweet potato, veggie stir fry, cucumber tomato salad
Baked sweet potato, veggie stir fry, cucumber tomato salad
Chicken and shrimp stir-fry
Chicken and shrimp stir-fry
Snack


String cheese, hard boiled eggs
Banana protein icecream (blog)
Banana protein ice cream
Peppers and hummus
Raw peppers and hummus
Kale chips
Kale chips

http://deidrap8.blogspot.com


I use Shakeology once a day which is my health shake and a complete meal replacement that has lots of dense nutrition! Its like my fuel for my body and thats where I get my energy from and less cravings.  I stick to proteins and veggies in the evening so I am not holding in anything heavy while Im sleeping.. of course you don't burn as many calories during sleep so you do not need a full course meal at night.
I run challenge groups once a month, so if you are ready to start your journey to a new lifestyle, my next challenge will start Oct 14th! Message me for details 
Deidra.penrose@yahoo.com
You can find me on facebook at facebook.com/deidra.penrose
IG @foreverfitnurse