"Healthier" Piccadillo

Healthier Piccadillo "the start"

Either you know it or you don't, Piccadillo is a very COMMON meal in the Cuban household but has also made its way to many Latin {and pretty much anyones} dinner tables {which BTW I am 1/2 Colombian so I need to represent every now and then for my culture}. ;-)

Its not always the healthiest meal but many have swapped out the ground beef for turkey to help lower the fats and still keep it tasty. While I was recreating this meal, I came up with this AMAZING recipe {with added veggies} that was DEVOURED by our entire household---- including my 6 and 3 year old little booger boys. Feel free to modify for you and your families needs. 

Hope you all can try it and enjoy it as much as we did. :-)

INGREDIENTS

• 1 Lb Extra Lean Ground Turkey (I buy Trader Joes)
• 1 Lb Extra Lean Ground Beef (Trader Joes)
• 1 TBSP Olive Oil
• 3 Garlic Cubes (I use the frozen cubes from Trader Joes/Whole Foods but you can use 3 chopped cloves as well)
• 1/2 Red Bell Pepper; chopped
• 1/2 Green Bell Pepper; chopped
• 1/2 Zucchini; chopped
• 1 Medium Onion; chopped
• 3 Plum Tomatoes; chopped
• 1/4 Cup Tomato Paste (I use low sodium)
• 1/4 Cup Low Sodium Chicken Broth
• Badilla Sazon Tropical Seasoning (you'll see this ingredient in MANY of my dishes)
• Cauliflower Rice (optional)

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Heat olive oil, garlic, onions, bell peppers and zucchini over medium heat; saute 8-10 minutes or until tender.
2. Add turkey and beef to pan and cook until meat is thoroughly cooked.
3. Add chopped tomatoes, tomato paste, chicken broth and about 1 tsp of sazon {careful.. you do NOT need much to add tons of flavor} to the pan and give it a good stir.
4. Lower heat, cover and simmer for 10-15 minutes or until tomatoes get soft and sauce thickens.
5. Taste, add additional seasonings and serve over cooked cauliflower rice, veggies or brown rice.
6. ENJOY and let me know if you try it out.

WHY I love Coaching SOOOOO much!

The question seems to pop up a lot these days and I wanted to share a little more...

The question of.... HOW do you stay motivated to do what you do for sooooooo many years?

You see, I wasn't always the way I am today and in another year, I won't be the person I am today. 5 years ago, after having my first son, I needed HELP in the confidence and motivation department so I sought out and found Beachbody. I was WEAK! I didn't give myself enough credit! I was doing the SAME SH&T over and over again with no sense of growth, change or accomplishment. SURE, I did a race here and there or I did a workout and felt good but it never stayed with me for longer than that week. It wasn't until I started sharing my own day to day struggles, accomplishments and DESIRE to help others that my life completely changed for the better.

Beachbody brought me fitness, a super nutritional shake that gave me energy & CURED my IBS, an AMAZING virtual network of friends and family, a TEAM, tips, tools, ideas to improve my life AND best of alllllll, it gave me ways to GROW as a person. It gave me FAITH in ME! It gave me a way to help others through my own personal experiences.

Because of this little coaching biz, I was able to set goals, get fit, retire from my corporate job and help others do the same. I was able to HELP so many people, local and afar, to become the best that they can be. I give them the same tools that Beachbody has given me simply by SHARING my day to day life. I take selfies because it helps myself stay accountable and it HELPS others see that they can do it too.

I'm just a regular girl that gets frustrated, suffers from anxiety, loses her cool and simply does NOT have it figured out BUT I push every day because I believe that if I CAN, others can do. I BELIEVE that my ridiculous and *annoying* sweaty selfie IS helping someone laugh, cry, push harder or even get the little boost they need to just reach out. I believe it is giving someone COURAGE to change! ‪#‎truth‬

I am still on this journey and have no intentions of backing down because my belief is way too STRONG to just give up. I won't give up on myself just like YOU can NOT give up on yourself.

If you are at a point where I was 5 years ago and you need "something" to get you going... "something" to motivate you to be better and to do just a little more, maybe you should take a leap on something you know nothing about like I did. You WILL learn and you WILL grow.

Stop questioning it and coming up with all the reasons you can't because TRUST ME, I KNOW the excuses, I KNOW the verses, I KNOW the thoughts you're putting into your head--- I've done them ALL too. Just drop the guard and TRY IT! You have NOTHING to lose.

Learn and GROW along the way... STOP being stagnant with your life. MAKE an IMPACT NOW! Your time is NOW!

Back to SCHOOL Lunchbox Ideas

Are you ready for it?!?!!!! Its almost {or maybe already} TIME for the kiddies to close up the summer and head BACK to school... Y E S... mommy is EXCITED too! SORRY my teacher friends, I know this just means the start of MADNESS but HEY, you all are the BESTEST and I'm beyond grateful for all that you do. <3

I don't know about you but summer is/was AMAZING and filled with tons of FUN and trips and games and camps and memories BUT its time. I just can't keep up with these kiddies during the summer AND the amount of snacks they eat alllllll day is getting a bit out of hand. I am SO ready to get back into my routines and let the kids settle back into theirs. PLUS... they miss their schools, their teachers and their FRIENDS! The school year is FUN and I really look forward to seeing my kids head back and flourish with their new environments.

For us, school starts back in under 2 weeks and I'm in final prep mode to get things situated for them. From new backpacks to lunchboxes to uniforms and new shoes... to school supplies, little first day teacher gifts and meet and greets... SHIT is getting REAL up in here!

One of the things I really get excited about is FOOD and preparing these cute little meals for my munchkins. I'm fortunate that they are not the pickiest of eaters BUT they do go through their phases and I DO need to keep up with the times because they change DAILY. Today they like this and tomorrow they don't. OH and they HATE sandwiches so thats pretty much out of the question too. I prefer NOT to have them buy any lunches from school right now so coming up with ideas can be a daunting task for us parents; especially with picky eaters, food-allergies and many other things that we need to work around. BUT, it doesn't need to be... its all about getting CREATIVE in the lunchbox!

Beginning August 29th, I will be bringing BACK my Back to School Lunchbox Group where I'll share some amazing tips, ideas, VIDEOS, stories, etc etc of how I get creative and what I put in my kids lunchboxes. Last year, this group was AMAZING and really helped me come up with ideas as well as share it with you all. You'd be surprised at how EASY and AFFORDABLE it is to do and what YOU can do too and you DO NOT need to be a chef in the kitchen or even spend a lot of time; unless you really want to.

We are NOT starting when school starts because lets be REALLLLL here, we're busy! Lets get into school, get the kids back and then bring in a new focus aka lunch box ideas and ways to help out kids become a little more healthy while away from the home. Ultimately, we want the BEST for our kids and fortunately, YOU can make that impact in their lives... they look up to YOU! So together, lets do this. Lets give them some excitement and something to look forward to.  {and HEY... you may get some ideas for yourself too} ANNNNNNNNND I hate to burst your bubble but this is NOT am eat celery and carrots kinda group. I am gonna get REAL and show you that balance is KEY and there are ways to still give your kids "junk food".. HEALTHY junk food that is... hahaha!

Two super EASY steps to join!

1. Please allow me to be your Health and Fitness Coach so that I can help you along this journey and answer any questions you have. Get registered here: http://bit.ly/free_member
2. JOIN the FREE Group on Facebook at: http://bit.ly/healthylunchboxchallenge

That is pretty much IT! Lets do this TOGETHER and make an impact on our kids nutrition for the up and coming school year.

Benefits of COFFEE...YES!

Do you drink coffee? Did you know that coffee is actually VERY beneficial to your body?!!!! YES, I know..... so surprising! (haha) Coffee is LOADED with antioxidants and beneficial ingredients that can INCREASE your health. So if you're like me and LOVE yourself a good ol' cup of caffeine, read on for all the amazing benefits :-)

1. Coffee can improve your energy levels and make you SMARTER! When caffeine travels into the brain, it increases the amount of neurotransmitters that are released; which leads to an INCREASE in the firing of neurons. 
2. Coffee can HELP you burn FAT! Caffeine increases fat burning and BOOST metabolic rate. (this may diminish in long-term coffee drinkers... BUMMER!)
3. Caffeine can DRASTICALLY increase physical performance. Caffeine makes fat cells break down body fat, releasing them into the blood as free fatty acids and making them available as fuel. {NOT the heavy cream and sugar though... sorry!}
4. Essential NUTRIENTS in coffee. A single cup contains: Vitamins B2, B5, B3, manganese, potassium and magnesium.
5. Coffee is the BIGGEST source of antioxidants in the Western Diet.

Coffee is YUMMY and has many benefits but just like anything else in life, its all about balance and making sure you are not overdoing anything. Be careful with all these crazy mixed drinks and creams and sugars and syrups and what not---- thats where it becomes not-so-healthy.

In the end, enjoy your shot or cup with JOY! Coffee brings happiness and I ADORE my cup of warmth!

New Month...New GOALS!

Oh HELLO pretty August!!!!!

I welcome a new month and Monday with WIDE OPEN ARMS.... Ready to release and EMBRACE what has been, what is and what WILL BE!!!! I'm letting GOOOOOOOO of the things holding me down. I'm removing drama from my life but open to positive and influential conversations that will propel me forward in life. I ain't down with the BS and I'm OK with walking away from unhealthy stuff!!!

This month, I WILL...
✔️use my new daily bullet journal to keep me on track
✔️grow Fit4Lyfe gym with 20 NEW clients and help them reach their fitness goals 💪
✔️help TWO Fit4Lyfe online coaches MOVE their businesses forward
✔️stick to paleo 90%
✔️stick to my workouts
✔️enjoy an AMAZING vaca with my hubster WITHOUT kiddies
✔️be LESS on social media and MORE present with my family and clients
✔️embrace the new school year and NOT get overwhelmed
✔️increase the Fit4Lyfe gym options with more classes, more trainers and MORE fun stuff
✔️dedicate one hour per week doing something just for ME!
✔️practice more and MORE self love

One goal, on step will make a HUGE difference!!!!

What will YOU commit to doing this month? Setting a few or even ONE goal can really help you set the pace in your life and give you something to work towards. If this is your first time setting goals, its OK... start SLOW and work your way up. Here are some tips to getting started:

1. Get clear about WHAT you want.
2. Get clear about the WORK that needs to be done to get there.
3. PRIORITIZE the ACTIONS that need to be done to get there.
4. Check-in REGULARLY!

Overall, you can achieve ANYTHING you want! Takes time but you can do this.

Breakfast aka my FAVE meal of the day

When it comes to breakfast, I am your go-to girl! Like SERIOUSLY, its my fave meal and I could eat it all day long. If it was MY choice, it'd be pancakes and eggs until the sun goes down BUT unfortunately, we do have to keep it balanced around here and for the most part, I am a creature of HABIT----- veggies, eggs, healthy fat and some sort of healthy carbs. Its a rarity to see me indulging in pancakes but that is just because it doesn't follow along with my own personal goals right now BUT I do enjoy when the timing is right. {one day we will meet again}

My breakfast: Egg Whites, Sauted Coconut Veggies, Sweet Potatoes, Fruit

Breakfast is by all means the most IMPORTANT meal of the day and its really a smart choice to make. You are literally "BREAKING-the-FAST" so fueling up will not only boost your metabolism but it will set you up for a GREAT day. Having a balanced meal will stabilize blood sugar levels and as you go through your hectic day, you're going to need that balance to help keep you on track. In the morning, after you have gone without food for as long as 8-10 hours, your glucose levels drop. When this happens, your body compensates by releasing the glucose that has been stored in your muscle tissue and liver, called glycogen. Once all the energy from the glycogen stored is used up, the body breaks down fatty acids to produce energy. Without carbohydrates, fatty acids are only partially oxidized, which can cause reduced energy levels. So, yup, STOP skipping and start making it a part of your daily routine.

Here are some GREAT options to choose from:

• Shakeology (well DUH... healthiest, balanced meal)
• Sun Butter, Banana & Chia Seed Toast
• Avocado Toast with Egg
• Microwaved Eggs & Cheese
• PALEO Sweet Potato Muffins
• PALEO Chocolate Waffles
• PALEO Butternut Squash "Not-so-oatmeal" Oatmeal

All in all... there are PLENTY of options out there to choose from and all it takes is a desire to pick one and TRY! No need to make a new breakfast item everyday and if you find that time is of the essence at that time, opt for a power smoothie or Shakeology thats PACKED with vitamins and nutrients to get your day started right. Have FUN!