Almond Milk and Almond Flour

I love when I find out it is EASY to make something at home that you usually buy at the store.
I LOOOOOOOOOOOVE when I find out it tastes more delicious than anything I have ever bought at the store.
My friend, Steve, and I were talking recently about his love of making almond milk (and flour) at home. He said the only thing I'd need was my blender and a nut milk bag (I purchased mine on Amazon, of course).
Here is the recipe he sent me! This is for blending into smoothies. He still owes me the recipe he uses when he plans to drink it straight up.

1. Soak approximately 14 oz of almonds in filtered water (I used my fridge water) for about 8 hours

2. Strain and rinse almonds.

3. Put almonds in a blender and fill up with filtered water. Blend almonds with the water.
(You will need a really good blender to do this. Steve has a Vitamix. I have a DASH and it did well, but it was rough for a little while. Be careful.)

4. Strain out pulp with your nut milk bag. I squeezed it, kind of like I was milking a cow so I could get every drop I could.

TA-DA! You have made almond milk. Store in an airtight container in your fridge.

For the almond flour, bake the pulp on a pan lined with parchment paper for at least 6 hours (I had to do longer, which makes me think I could have squeeze more liquid out.). Grind in food processor to make flour.

Blacked Chicken and Cilantro Lime Quinoa

I first had this deliciousness a few years ago when someone brought us this meal after our daughter was born. We are still making it 3.5 years later and we enjoy it every time. The original recipe comes from www.sarcasticcooking.com  I, of course, tripled it so that we have enough for everyone and leftovers!

Ingredients

6 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

1 Tbsp paprika

1/2 Tbsp salt

1/2 Tbsp pepper

2 tsp cayenne pepper

1/2 Tbsp onion powder

1/2 Tbsp cumin

olive oil

2 cups low sodium chicken stock and 2 cups water

2 cups quinoa

Juice and zest from one lime (if I don't have this on hand, I skip it and it is still good)

cilantro, salt, and pepper to taste

One avocado

2 Tbsp plain Greek yogurt

Instructions

1.  Pat chicken dry.

2. Combine all the dry seasonings in a small bowl. Mix them together and season both sides of each chicken breast. 

3. Add enough olive oil to thinly coat bottom of your pan. Heat about a minute over med/high heat. Add chicken breasts to the pan. Cook about 7 minutes on each side with the lid on.

4. Meanwhile, add chicken stock, water, and quinoa to a pot. Bring to a simmer over medium/low heat. Reduce the heat to low and simmer for 15 minutes with lid on, or until all the stock has been absorbed. (Following package directions would suit you well here.)

5. When chicken is cooked through, remove from the pan and let them rest 7 minutes on a paper towel lined plate and tented with foil. Slice chicken.

6. Add the warm quinoa to a large bowl. Toss in lime zest, lime juice, salt, pepper, and cilantro. Mix to combine.

7. Serve sliced chicken breast on top of quinoa. Top with avocado cream sauce (to make, place flesh of one avocado and Greek yogurt in the blender or food processor and puree until smooth).

Note: I used a grain blend that had red quinoa, amaranth and brown rice. You could use regular quinoa or rice pilaf (white or brown). I have used all to great success depending on how I feel any given day and what I have on hand. :)

A Day in the Life Revisited

I wrote the following Day in the Life a YEAR ago. I have to say that even though I have started my own business, my days are not nearly as crazy as they once were. I believe it is because I have learned to prioritize and simplify where I can. Looking back on this day, I remember feeling like a freaking rock star that I survived it! I am very grateful that this is not the norm and I'm enjoying a slower paced life!

For your entertainment, take a look at a not-so-typical day in my life circa Fall 2015!

I think I might just throw in the towel some days if I didn't feel 100% positive that having five children is my calling in life. Some days I excel and Jared and I high five at how awesome we are. Other days I want to hide in the closet and pretend Mary Poppins is downstairs caring for my children.
Today was one of those days that reinforced the fact that 5 KIDS IS A LOT of KIDS! It wasn't bad, it was just insane. I am so glad this isn't a typical day and that tomorrow, I just have to fold those 7 loads of laundry I managed to wash today.  Take a look at a day in the life.

5:30: Alarm goes off for scheduled "Me" time and exercise. I find 2 year old in my bed and fear that getting out of bed will wake her, so I lay there for an hour trying to decide how to get out stealthily. I ultimately give up.
6:30-7:15: 5 year old comes in whining that his breakfast isn't ready. Since I literally slept in my clothes from the day before, I roll out of bed and head downstairs. Make lunches, make breakfast, eat breakfast, read scriptures, say family prayer, kiss 7 year old and 5 year old goodbye.
7:30: Nurse 6 month old while Dad takes everyone for a walk to see school kids off at the bus stop.
8:00: Rejoice that Dad is working from home on his late shift, so I squeeze in exercise and a shower!
9:30-11:30: Put baby down for a nap. Jared starts work and I build a city with Landon and Miriam. Proceed to attend to other "Mom" duties: snack getting, booty wiping, nose wiping, treat making for neighbors, lunch making, laundry,etc.
11:30: Nurse 6 month old while 4 year old and 2 year old play.
12:00: Allow children to entertain themselves while I make lunch for self and Jared.
2:00: Actually eat lunch I made and wonder what happened to the last 2 hours
2:30: Nurse 6 month old and put him down for nap #2. Walk to bus stop with 4 year old and 2 year old to pick up 5 year old and 7 year old.
3:00: Homework, agenda signing, talking about the day, etc.
4:00: Wake baby, load car with all 5 kids, head to friend's birthday party at the park.
4:30: Birthday party shenanigans. Children have a blast and get dirty and eat junk food. 2 year old poops her pants, clean her up with extra clothing I was awesome enough to bring. More birthday party shenanigans. Feed baby squash and change his diaper. Bump his head on hard park bench while changing diaper and spend 5 minutes getting him to stop freaking out. 2 year old wets her pants and proceeds to disrobe in middle of the park. Change her clothes again, except this time I only have extra undies. Pants and shoes/socks are ruined. Hurry everyone into car.
6:30: Once in car, head to church for 7 year old's first night as a Cub Scout.  It is a Pack Meeting so I am obligated to stay. (Apparently, pack meetings are family affairs.) Call Jared and ask him to bring extra clothes and shoes for 2 year old.  On the way to the church, 2 year old wets her pants again. Extra bonus: Car seat is now filled with urine and it's on my shirt because I didn't know she was wet and I picked her up to take her in the church (remember she has no shoes). How much did she drink at that dagum party?!
7:00: Meet Jared at the church (he has his Boy Scout obligation at the same time, so I'm still ALONE with everyone and they are hopped up on goodie bag candies and junk food). He brings clothes, but forgets shoes. Head inside looking like white trash. Finally go to the bathroom.  Enjoy Pack Meeting and that smile on my 7 year old's face is priceless when he is officially welcomed as a Scout. Calm a fussy, tired 6 month old for 45 minutes. Keep pulling up my pants because they are too big, which is AWESOME.
8:15: Get the heck out of there and head home.  Enjoy beautiful, nearly full moon on the drive home. 7 year old totally steps up and helps all the others get showered, dressed and teeth brushed while I nurse 6 month old and put him to bed.  7 year old even reads the younger children a story. As I finish nursing 6 month old, hear Jared enter house and tuck everyone in. Lay baby down and tuck everyone in. Start laundry to wash all the urine soaked clothing and car seat.
9:00: Write blog post and eat dinner. Bedtime is on the horizon. And, I am soooooooooo happy I made tapioca pudding last night, because I plan to eat 2 servings! And, I only hollered twice!

Breakfast Sandwich on Steroids

I saw one of those BuzzFeed videos on Facebook for this amazing looking breakfast sandwich. I changed it up a little bit and what occurred was magical!

Ingredients:
2 slices whole wheat sprouted bread (Use circle cookie cutter/child-sized cup to cut a hole in one slice)
1 egg
2-3 slices of turkey bacon
1/2 avocado, sliced
1/2 tomato, sliced
handful of arugula (or other green leaf)
Slice of favorite cheese (I used cheddar)

Heat pan over medium heat. Spray pan with cooking spray. Place bread with hole in pan, crack egg into hole and fry up until egg is cooked to your liking. I prefer over medium, so it ends up a little runny. I gave the toasty center circle to my baby!

Meanwhile, cook remaining slice of bread in the toaster. Once toasted, build sandwich and top with egg in a hole!

ENJOY!!!!!!!!!!

Almond Meal Chocolate Chip Cookies

My sweet bestie, JoAnn, hosted me at her house earlier this week. While I was there, she made me cookies! It was a recipe she has used and wanted to share with me. They were so delicious, I HAD to share them with you!

In a large bowl, whisk together
3 3/4 Cups Almond Flour
1 1/3 Cup unsweetened shredded coconut
1 1/2 tsp baking soda
3/4 tsp sea salt
1 Cup coconut sugar

Optional! If you want to add one of these for FALL FLAIR, whisk it into the dry ingredients.
1 tsp apple pie spice
           OR
1 tsp pumpkin pie spice
           OR
1 tsp cinnamon

In a separate bowl, whisk together
3 Eggs
9 Tbsp coconut oil, melted
1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract

Gently stir in 3/4 Cup Chocolate Chips or Cacao Nibs (Those mini chocolate chips by Enjoy Life are perfection!)

Chill in the fridge for about 30 minutes or overnight. Bake at 375 degrees for 7-10 minutes (when edges start to brown) and ENJOY!  P.S. They're Gluten Free!

Cute friend in cute apron sold separately!

Good Form Running

Tomorrow is the day! The day I start running again. I haven't run consistently since I found out I was pregnant with Weston. That was two years ago! I made a goal to run in the OUC half-marathon in Decemeber.

A couple of years ago, I attended the Good Form Running Clinic at Orlando's Track Shack. I looked back on that experience and the notes I took to gear my self up for my running goals. I thought some of you might want to take a look at the highlights.

The instructors talked briefly about each step in the GFR system: Posture, Midfoot, Cadence, and Lean. This was ALL new to me. We then went outside to run and were filmed! That made me a little nervous, but it was so helpful. They freeze-framed each participant's run and showed you exactly what you were doing and where you needed to make changes. I highly recommend filming yourself to see what you're doing right and where improvements may be needed.

I pretty much need to work on each area of GFR. Posture is the easiest to master and will benefit you even if you're not running. Stand tall and keep your head up and gaze forward; shoulders should be relaxed and down. It is important to reset your posture throughout your run and also throughout your day. This also includes arm positioning. Arms should be light and elbows tucked in. Thumbs shouldn't go above your chest nor pinkies below your waist. Hands should not cross the middle of your body and fists should be loose and not tight.
I also understand Cadence pretty well. That is basically how many strides you are taking each minute. GFR suggests you aim for 180 strides per minute. The instructor said that the number seems high, but you will actually exert less energy if you take more strides vs. longer strides per minute. Apparently there are apps out there that will play music set to the 180 strides per minute cadence so you can keep time with the music. Or, you can use a metronome app to practice this skill.
Lean was the one I had the greatest difficulty understanding. The instructor likened it to bending at the ankle like a ski jumper versus leaning from your waist. Basically you are flexing your ankles to reduce muscle strain caused by toeing off.
Midfoot is also easy to understand. Instead of striking the ground with your heel first (this causes braking--think roller skate brakes--and all sorts of injuries and problems, including harm to your knees, hips, and toes) or with your forefoot (causing strained calves and Achilles), you want to land directly on your midfoot. Marching in place prior to a run can help you reinforce proper midfoot strike. Reaching forward with your heel to increase your stride will not make you faster. Speed actually comes from the back leg as you propel yourself forward. Watch the video on GFR's website of the 1500 meter Olympic semifinal, you'll see what I mean. These guys look like they are gazelles: Jumping more than they are running. It's going to take a long time for me to get there, if I ever do.
The instructors encouraged us to practice one new skill at a time, even switching it up during the run as to what we focus on. I ran about 3 miles this morning and switched between each skill. I found that after one day of  implementing these techniques, my run did not wear me out like it usually does and I was faster! I'm excited to see how continued effort on these skills improves my runs.

If you live in Orlando, you should definitely do to the clinic. Seeing yourself on video and also critiquing the other participants was very helpful. If you're not in Orlando, I bet a running store near you will have similar opportunities.

Poached Salmon with Herb-Dijon Vinaigrette

I ALWAYS love a fast meal to prepare! My America's Test Kitchen Cookbooks are my best friend and we tried out a new recipe last week that I wanted to share. I modified it a little because I don't keep fresh spices in my house. For shame, I know! I also don't have alcohol in the house. Here is my version.  I, of course, doubled this recipe.

Ingredients

1 large lemon, sliced into 1/4 inch thick rounds
1 TBSP parsley (Double the spices if you have fresh! And reserve their stems.)
1 TBSP dill
1 red onion (or 2 shallots), minced
1 Cup water
4 (6 oz) skinless salmon fillets about 1 1/2 inches thick
1 TBSP honey
1 TBSP Dijon mustard
1 TBSP olive oil

Arrange the lemon slices on the bottom of a 12 inch skillet. Scatter parsley and dill (stems if you have fresh, otherwise use about 1/2 a TBSP of each), half of the onion over the lemon slices and add water.

Pat the salmon dry with paper towels and season with salt and pepper. Lay the salmon skinned side down on top of the lemons. Set the pan over high heat and bring to a simmer. Reduce heat to low, cover, and cook until the fish flakes apart when gently prodded with a paring knife. About 10 to 15 minutes.

Transfer cooked salmon and lemon slices to a paper-towel lined plate, cover with foil, and let drain while finishing the sauce.

Combine the remaining onion, minced parsley, dill, (I added the remaining 1/2 TBSP) honey, and Dijon mustard in a bowl. Return the cooking liquid to a medium-high heat and simmer until it has reduced to 1 TBSP, about 3 to 5 minutes. Strain the reduced cooking liquid into the bowl with the onion-herb mixture, whisk to combine, and season with salt and pepper to taste.

Gently transfer the drained salmon to individual plates, discarding the lemon slices. Spoon the vinaigrette over the top and serve.

Poached Salmon, Green Beans, Pineapple with Coconut Chips

I saved leftover salmon to put on top of a salad. I also saved the vinaigrette. It made the perfect dressing for the salad!

Meal Prep

Meal Prep is crucial to success in following any type of nutrition program. It also will save you money because you will frequent the stores and restaurants less often. Honestly, my biggest trick to saving money on food is by preparing it myself. Moving out to the semi-country where there are few excellent restaurant choices close by has really helped me save my pennies.

When I first started meal prepping it would take me hours. I would match my meals to what was on sale at the stores and try to get the most bang for my buck. It was very tedious and I dreaded it. I have come to learn where the best deals usually reside (Aldi, Sam's, and Wal-Mart) and don't really look at store ads anymore. Instead, I buy the best deals when I see them on sale and utilize my freezer!
I always leave a little extra space on my list for when I get to the store and discover our favorite yogurt is BOGO or Chicken is only $0.99 a pound.

Now, I sit down with my spiral bound notebook and my favorite cookbooks. I list out the days I am planning for and how many meals/snacks I need for each day. The first thing I do is shop my pantry and freezer. I build my meals around what I already have. I also take stock of items we frequent (peanut butter, honey, oatmeal, salsa, etc) so that we never run out. If I need an ingredient that is out of the ordinary, I try to find more than one recipe that uses said ingredient, so that I use it all up and nothing goes to waste. I typically plan for one to two weeks at a time. If my family LOVES a meal, I add it to my master list and after doing this for several years, we have a pretty great running list. Because I like to cook and try new recipes, I usually allow for one or two new recipes every two weeks.

Shrimp and grits, veggie blend, and watermelon

I write out all the meals/snacks for each day and then add the ingredients to my shopping list. I try to put meals with fresh ingredients during the earlier part of the week just in case those fresh fruits and veggies run out before I can get back to the store. I hate running out of things before the next big trip. But, with a family of 7, that is bound to happen. Good thing there's a Publix on the corner when milk is low and we don't need anything else.

How do you Meal Prep?

No Bake Energy Bites

Sometimes I just want to pretend like I'm eating cookie dough. I cannot be alone!

No bake energy bites are a great solution to this problem. I don't even bother rolling them up. I just slap them in a container and eat them straight from the container. I allow myself a spoonful (or two) a day. It is a great way to satisfy those time of the month cravings. I know you know what I mean!

I found the recipe I use HERE at Gimmesomeoven. I love that there are so many variations and you can pretty much use what is in your cupboard and get something pretty yummy and cookie-dough-esque.

The Plug-In Drug

The following post is not meant to make anyone feel badly about their own TV viewing habits. It is has been a personal struggle of mine and I'm recording it for posterity's sake. Some of you expressed interest in my thoughts, so here they are.  The book had a lot of great stuff I won't include here. If your interest is piqued, check it out your local library.

http://www.mariewinn.com/plugin.htm

I tend to obsess over how much TV my children are watching. After reading this book, I honestly wished I could turn back time and never let them sit down to view PBS. Not because I hate TV, in fact I LOVE TV. Mostly because I strongly dislike the little monsters my children become because of TV. Seriously, after too much viewing, these children of mine become evil versions of themselves. It was becoming this constant battle of dealing with little monsters or getting a break for myself.

I'll admit, just like 90% of the children I worked with as a therapist, you could totally blame this problem on me: the parent. I was inconsistent, unclear about boundaries, ambivalent, and wishy-washy about the subject. I lacked conviction big time. On the plus side, I have been doing a lot of positive things: we only have one TV. There are no TVs in bedrooms. We don't have cable television.

I really decided to get motivated to do something about what I consider to be a problem for my family after reading the Anne of Green Gables series last year. I fell in love with the characters in this series and longed for a simpler time when my children could have similar experiences as these characters. Now, I know I can't take them back 150 years, nor do I really want to. I don't want them to lack the ability to navigate the high-technology world in which we live; however, I was so tired of non-imaginative, grumpy children. The Plug-in Drug talks a lot about the correlation between less TV and less aggression and vice versa. It also spends a lot of time trying to convince you that TV isn't in itself a bad entity, but that it keeps children from having real-life experiences that facilitate cognitive, emotional, social development. Since these were my biggest concerns and I had seen this in my own home, I really got on board with what Winn was saying. She also points out that TV generations are also closely linked to declines in educational achievement.

Winn points out that many parents in recent generations use television as a "child-rearing tool." I hated to admit it, but this was true about me. I've used it for rewards, punishments, to get a break from the noise five active children can make, etc. I've been afraid to say No and I've really lacked conviction because of my own love of TV. I am definitely guilty of setting them in front of the set so I can catch up on my own programs online.

She talks about how TV fills a vacuum for lonely, isolated parents. I have felt that way! Especially when I've been pregnant or had a newborn baby. TV has totally filled that vacuum and I become this guilt-stricken woman who annoys my friends and especially my sister with my first-world problem of how much television my children are watching.

For me, Winn's book was the mirror I needed to look in with an honest heart. It also gave me concrete ideas and strategies to gain control over this problem. I felt empowered! "[I'm] the adult, I can choose!" For those who may be struggling with this as well, here are some more of her suggestions.

1. Gain conviction--"The kids will know [I] mean it, if [I] know [I] mean it." So often for me no hasn't really meant no. It just meant no until I got so annoyed I gave in to the pleas for television time or needed some time to myself.

2. Establish firm rules--Jared and I discussed this and decided since we aren't ready to give up having a TV, we needed firm rules that we both agreed on. We decided that during the school year we wouldn't allow TV on school days. On non-school days there wouldn't be any rules really. During the summer, we decided to limit TV viewing to 1.5 hours. That way each child can choose a 30 minute program to watch. Winn suggests that TV viewing on non-school days will not be a problem because the children have simply found more interesting things to fill their time. Other rules she suggests, that we had already adopted are no TV at dinnertime or bedtime. (We do have TV dinners on Thursdays when Jared is at the church, but that is it.) One hour a day time limit if you aren't ready for no TV during weekdays. No solitary TV watching. She also suggest we set boundaries on how many programs become regular programs.

I decided to have an organic conversation about television in the car with the children and told them my concerns about too much television watching. I told them things were going to change and that I felt really strongly about this. I said it probably wouldn't be easy, but we could do it together. We're only a week in, but the complaints have become very few and everyone knows when TV goes on and when it goes off. They are filling their time with play and it is wonderful!

3.  Natural controls--Place the set itself in an "out of sight, out of mind" location, like a basement or a less frequently used room. Don't get a super fancy set that is enticing to watch. Get rid of cable so you have fewer choices. Don't put sets in children's bedrooms. Develop a rich social life.

To be successful she also points out how one needs to be realistic. Making changes is easier if you organize a TV Turnoff or start after a break in your regular schedule, like a vacation. Winn says it is important to "sell it to the kids" and not to "expect miracles." She also tells you to expect withdrawals. She lists the following negatives to limiting TV, missed shows, social pressure, and a decrease in effective punishments for parents to use with children.  Those are really the only negatives she lists.

Here is her list of positive changes in a less/no TV home,  more peace, increased closeness, children are more helpful, sibling relationships improve, adults and children have more interactions, increased reading, increased outdoor play , improved relationships between parents and children, and increased time for crafts and hobbies. I like that list! I want that for my children and for my family.

So far we're doing good with our new rules. If it is going to continue to be a success, I have to remember my own priorities for my children and remember that my break won't really come until they are grown up. In the meantime, I will enjoy a regular scheduled bed time so I can get a little respite each day.

P.S.. Just to clarify, TV really should include all screens (computers, tablets, video gaming, phones, etc).  The 1.5 hours they get each summer day includes both TV and computer time.

P.P.S. I find my biggest struggle with this is that they are getting a lot of media in at school. Knowing they have watched and been on screens at school, makes me more determined to limit their time here at home. 

Banana Boats

Watch out! Here's a dessert coming at you that is FAST, DELICIOUS, and, WAIT FOR IT, NOT A CHEAT MEAL! (Unless you really want to hold 10 mini-marshmallows against yourself.)

Ingredients:

Yellow bananas (I prefer mine to be just ripe, not spotted)
walnuts, or preferred nut
dark chocolate chips
mini marshmallows

Preheat oven to 350.
Slice bananas lengthwise, keep peel on.
Stuff with chocolate chips, nuts, and marshmallows.
Wrap with tin foil, leaving a pocket of air at the top!

Bake for about 5-7 minutes. Serve immediately by digging in with a spoon.

Easiest clean up ever! This dessert is my new favorite!

In the Morning I'm making WAFFLES

We love Waffles! Waffles are a rare treat around here. They take forever to make because our waffle maker came free with our George Foreman grill and only makes two waffles at a time! Here's our family's favorite waffle recipe as adapted from the America's Test Kitchen Cookbook. We double this recipe!

Ingredients:
1 Cup all-purpose flour (unbleached)
1 Cup whole wheat flour
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp baking soda
1 TBSP flaxseed meal
2 large eggs, separated
4 TBSP (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, melted
1 3/4 Cups buttermilk (or whole milk with a dash of lemon juice)
Pinch cream of tartar

Heat waffle iron according to its instructions.

Whisk together flours, salt, baking soda, and flaxseed meal in a large bowl. In a separate bowl, whisk together the egg yolks, butter, and then the buttermilk. Beat the egg whites and cream of tartar with an electric mixer on medium-high speed until stiff peaks form, about 2 minutes.

Make a well in the dry ingredients, pour buttermilk mixture into the well and whisk very gently until the buttermilk mixture is just incorporated (lumps are your friend). Toward the end of mixing, fold the whipped egg whites into the batter.

Following your waffle iron's instructions, spread the appropriate amount of batter (I use a large cookie scoop) onto the waffle iron and cook until golden brown. Repeat until batter is gone and the waffles are piled high.

We serve ours with fresh fruit, peanut butter, and maple syrup. This time I tried out some Trader Joe's Cookie Butter and it was pretty much the bomb.com!

My Story

I feel like we are writing new chapters to our own individual stories every day. I never thought in a million years that I would become part of  a network marketing company. Honestly, it is one of those things I would normally turn up my nose at.
Something about Beachbody was different. It felt different. It made ME different.
My coach, Amy, challenged me to share my story in a video blog (VLOG). It was scary, but I did it.
Now, I share that with you. Thanks for letting me into your world. Make it a great day!

Click HERE to watch my VLOG.

Macaroni and Cheese

I cannot begin to describe the love I have for macaroni and cheese. When food is associated with a wonderful memory, it is hard to stop eating it. My nana always made macaroni and cheese at holidays. It was so very delicious and my family continues this tradition of having macaroni and cheese at family parties and holidays.

I wanted to try a variation of the Macaroni and Cheese recipe in the FIXATE cookbook. I didn't follow it to the letter, but I did use it to inspire my personal recipe. The results was pretty good and my children went in for seconds and thirds! That's when you know you have a winner.

Macaroni and Cheese

1 box cooked whole grain pasta (penne, elbows, rotini, etc)
Steamed broccoli (I used half a family-sized frozen bag)
Cooked chicken breasts, cut up into bite sized pieces (I poached some chicken tenderloins or you could use a store-bought rotisserie chicken)

For the cheese sauce:
Melt 4 TBSP butter in a large saucepan over medium heat.
Add 3 TBSP whole wheat flour and whisk well.
Slowly add 3 Cups unsweetened plain almond milk, whisking it in (I usually use whole milk, so this was an experiment. The taste was great, but the consistency was more like Alfredo sauce. I will need to try again and see if I need to cook it longer next time.)

Stir often until mixture thickens, comes to a boil. Off the heat, add 1 tsp Sea Salt, 6 shakes of black pepper, 2 shakes of cayenne pepper and stir. Slowly stir in 16 oz shredded sharp cheddar cheese (I used the white kind today).
Stir in cooked noodles, chicken, and broccoli and stir to coat and warm through. Serve immediately.

French Onion Soup

I absolutely LOVE soup! Jared doesn't really care for it. But sometimes I like to make a dinner I am really excited about. Next time, though, I'm making this and saving it all for me! The family didn't love it, but I really LOVED it. Looking forward to leftovers for lunch tomorrow. I served it with a garden salad. 

French Onion Soup (modified from FIXATE cookbook)

1 Tbsp olive oil

4 medium onions, sliced

4 cloves garlic, finely chopped

2 bay leaves

1/2 tsp dried thyme

1 dash Himalayan salt (or sea salt)

1/4 tsp ground white pepper

6.5 cups low-sodium beef broth

4 slices low-sodium sprouted whole grain bread (or whole wheat bread--No HFCS)

4 Tbsp shredded Parmesan (or Gruyere) cheese

1. Heat oil in a large saucepan over medium-high heat.

2. Add onions, cook, stirring frequently for 8-10 minutes (or until translucent).

3. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute (or until tender).

4. Add bay leaves, thyme, salt, and pepper. Reduce to medium-low and cook, stirring occasionally, for 25-30 minutes, or until onions are a soft brown color.

5. Add 1/2 cup beef broth. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce heat; gently boil fro 2-4 minutes (or until almost all liquid is absorbed). Remove bay leaves.

6. Add remaining 6 cups broth. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce heat and gently boil for 13-15 minutes.

7. Preheat oven to broil.

8. Place bread on a baking sheet, top with cheese, and broil 3-4 minutes or until cheese is bubbly and brown.

9. Evenly ladle soup into four serving bowls and top with bread.

2 Green, 1 Yellow, 1/2 Blue, 1/2 tsp

Easy Roasted Chicken

This is such an easy recipe and really hard to mess up. It is my go to when we have company and I want to feel fancy. I also love the possibility to use leftovers a multitude of ways! (Think quesadillas, chicken noodle soup, chicken salad, etc.) Makes your house smell soooooooooo good!

Preheat oven to 450 degrees

Rinse and dry chicken with paper towels.
Mix together your favorite spices. I use rosemary, thyme, parsley, pepper, and Himalayan Salt. I do not measure, I just eyeball it. Once mixed, add 1/4 cup olive oil (or oil of your choice) and mix well.
Roughly chop an onion in quarters. Cut a lemon (or lime) in half. Stuff onion and lemon (or lime) in the cavity of the chicken.
Rub spice and oil mixture all over outside of chicken.
Place in roaster pan. Cook at 450 for about 40 minutes.
Reduce heat to 350 and cook an additional hour or until chicken is registering 160-165 degrees internally.

Bananas Foster

When I was on vacation a couple of weeks ago, I had the opportunity to go on a date with my sweet hubbabloo! We enjoyed dessert at the Raintree Cafe in St. Augustine. I had a Bananas Foster Crepe. It was very delicious, and today I was wanting something sweet and bananay to eat. I found this recipe on teambeachbody.com

I didn't have any ripe bananas, so I popped some in the oven at 300 degrees for about 40 minutes. Great hack if you need ripe bananas and have none on hand.

Total Time: 21 min.
Prep Time: 15 min.
Cooking Time: 6 min.
Makes 4 servings, about ⅓ cup each

Ingredients:
2 tsp. raw honey
1 tsp. ground cinnamon
¼ tsp. ground nutmeg
Nonstick cooking spray
2 large ripe bananas, cut into ½-inch slices

Instructions:
1. Combine honey, cinnamon, and nutmeg in a small bowl; mix well. Set aside.
2. Heat medium nonstick skillet, lightly 
coated with spray, over medium-high heat.
3. Add bananas; cook, gently stirring, for 2 to 3 minutes.
4. Add honey mixture; cook, gently stirring, for 2 to 3 minutes, or until bananas are well coated and soft.
5. Serve immediately.

Tip: Use a nonstick coconut spray for additional flavor.

Eating your Feelings

One of the things I have come to learn about myself over the last few months is that I am an emotional eater. I have also come to learn that I am not alone. And guess, what, neither are you!
So many times at the end of a long hard day of momming, I would "treat" myself to something sugary and delicious and totally bad for me. It would be great if I could eat just one cookie or one peppermint patty or one scoop of ice cream. Unfortunately, once I start, I cannot stop. I will eat 4 or 5 and then feel terrible physically and emotionally afterwards.

Becoming a coach and having others rely on my good example jump started my goal to create better habits, but I still found myself eating my feelings (now more in secret than ever) when I was having a less than stellar day.

I decided what I really needed was to take a long, hard look at myself. The truth is, what I really need in those lonely, frustrating, discouraging moments is to refuel my spirit. I have found that talking with my spouse, calling a friend, going for a jog or a walk, spending time in a good book, or simply going to bed early all help me to actually feel better long term versus for the duration of my sweet treat.

Go for a walk or jog! I am sure you in live in a beautiful place!

Spending time in a fun book when you have small children can be hard, but it sure fills my cup.

So, the next time you're wearing your cranky pants, go take a nice long bath, read a book, and slip in to bed a little early. I promise it will do you more good than that sugary baked good. It has worked wonders for me.

A Dancer's Heart

I was a part of a children and teen's performing group for most of my childhood. I'm not sure if I've ever conveyed just how integral this was in my life. By the time I was in high school, I was at the dance studio nearly every day of the week taking multiple classes, tap, jazz, ballet, company (an audition only group), and ensemble. I even taught the 3-5 year olds ballet, tap, and jazz to help pay for my own classes.

On top of classes, Showtime USA performed in and around the St. Augustine area at least a few times each month. It was a huge deal to me. My dearest friends experienced all of this with me. If we weren't in classes together, we were hanging out at one another's houses, hanging out with Miss Pam (our dance instructor), painting the dance studio, popping one another's pimples (So gross, yet so awesome!). Heck, I got my first kiss in the parking lot of the studio.

It is how I gained self-confidence. It is how I learned to persevere and set goals and to fail gracefully. It is also where I first heard about the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Just last year, I rediscovered my dancer's heart. I had the opportunity to go to Showtime's end of the year show and participate in the 30 year reunion for past performers. I had a smile the entire time. It was amazing to see those kids having the time of their lives up on that stage. I was right back to those days. It was awesome to actually be on stage again and dance with some of my best friends! Some people hated high school. I'll go ahead and admit that although it wasn't always easy, it was a great time in my life. Showtime and my friends there were a huge part of that. Seriously, watching my children fall in love with the show and remembering all the positive in my life made me want to open a Showtime franchise here in Orlando!

A couple of years ago, my mom treated my sister and I to the Move Live Tour put on by dancing siblings, Julianne and Derek Hough. My goodness, it was amazing. It was like Showtime on steroids! Again, the smile never left my face. I have a dancer's heart and I guess I always will. I need to integrate dance more fully in my life somehow. Maybe that's by opening a Showtime, maybe it's by taking up Zumba, maybe it's by dancing in my LIVING ROOM. As a child, there was a studio in town run by Sally Walton. They often performed at the same events we did. There was always a number or two put on by adults. I remember thinking they were so old and how weird that they were in costumes dancing at their age! Little did I know, they probably felt as I do now. Dance isn't something you outgrow! I've changed my tune. Those ladies rocked and good on them for continuing to do what they loved.

My heart is full of gratitude for Miss Pam and all she did to help me hone my dancing and singing talents. Doing the routine "Just one more time" (more like 20) and helping me improve my other talents; those that aren't as easy to see: integrity, honesty, and charity. My heart is also full of gratitude for my parents who surely sacrificed to pay for umpteen classes a week and costumes and tours and camps. My parents always supported me and found joy in watching me have the time of my life. They were truly selfless in that regard.

Mom and me at Move Live on Tour a couple years ago!

I love you, Mom!

Performing in a sequined black dress and having a ball!

It makes complete sense to me that my post-baby weightloss transformation started out with a dance fitness program, CIZE! And now, Beachbody is launching another dance fitness program, Country Heat! I am soooooooooooooooooooooo excited!

Crockpot Chicken Fajitas

I use my crockpot way less than I ought to! It really is a great way to make sure you have a whole foods dinner without a lot of fuss. I made this Crockpot Chicken Fajita recipe and it was a hit. I didn't even get a photo because they were gone in a flash. I hope you enjoy it as much as we did!

Ingredients

2 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts, sliced into 1 1/2" strips

1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes with green chilies

1 each red, orange, and yellow bell pepper, julienne (Aldi sells them in this combo for about $2.50)

1 large red onion, halved and sliced

4 cloves garlic, minced (I use the pre-minced garlic that is in olive oil anytime a recipe calls for garlic. It may not be as good, but it is so much easier.)

2 1/2 tsp chili powder

2 tsp cumin

1 tsp paprika

3/4 tsp ground coriander

1 tsp salt

3/4 tsp pepper

Optional

2 TBSP fresh lime juice

1 TBSP honey

For serving: whole wheat tortillas, sour cream, salsa, guacamole, cheddar cheese, black olives, etc

Directions

In a small bowl, whisk together spices. 

Spray crockpot with cooking spray. Pour half the canned tomatoes in the bottom and spread in an even layer. Top with half of the peppers, half of the onions, sprinkle garlic, top with chicken strips. Evenly sprinkle half of the seasoning over the chicken breasts, flip the chicken (I used my hand to just kind of flip it over) and sprinkle remaining spices (again, I used my hand to kind of make sure the spices were even). Top with remaining half of tomatoes, peppers, and onions.

Cover and cook on high heat for 3-4 hours or low heat for 6-8 hours. The longer you cook it, the more likely your chicken will shred due to tenderness. If you want to them to remain more firm, cook less.

Ladle out 1 cup of the broth and discard. 

If desired, whisk together lime juice and honey and add to crockpot.  Gently toss. Serve warm in warmed tortillas with your favorite toppings.

Recipe adapted from www.cookingclassy.com

Service Required--Driving Lessons for Life

Today's guest post was written by my dear friend and former colleague, Jim R. Jacobs. Jim recently wrote his first book, Driving Lessons for Life. The following driving lesson is not in the book, but gives you a sampling of what a gem this book will be. Pun intended!
A couple of days ago, I did a blog post on the ten most influential people in my life. Jim made that list. Here's what I wrote then,  "Jim was my first boss out of graduate school.  He was my supervisor as I pursued my licensure in clinical social work. He became a dear friend.  I see Jim as the older brother I never had.  I know his life isn't perfect, but it is lived with a faith I want to have."  
Jim taught me many driving lessons as we met weekly for my clinical supervision requirements. I learned so much from him and I am excited to get my own autographed copy of his book to cherish. It'll feel like I'm sitting across from him on the couch in his office (eating tuna fish for lunch) and learning from a great man how to become a great therapist, person, and friend. Enjoy!

Service Required

by Jim R. Jacobs

I cannot speak for everyone else, but I am not particularly pleased when one of those indicator lights starts to light up the dashboard of my car.  Normally, these lights communicate there is something wrong with the vehicle, which means I am going to be reaching into my wallet soon.  I don’t find the lights have ever brought me a feeling of satisfaction, peace, or harmony in my life.  Usually, I start to feel stressed.  Then, I wonder whether the light is mistakenly on.  I ignore it for some time, hoping it will just go off.  When it occasionally does, I feel satisfaction somehow in not having to do anything.  More often, it continues to flash at me, sending out waves of anxiety about what is wrong with my car.  While the lights are helpful to maintain my car and keep me moving, I do not like the feeling I get when they start to blink.  However, there is one light on the dashboard which sends a very helpful life message: “Service Required.”

If I could install an indicator light on the dashboard of my life, I would choose the “Service Required” light.  This message is powerful and key to living the most productive and happy life.  Service is truly essential.  When we reach out in loving kindness to others, not only does the world become better, but we grow too!  Service adds substance to each of our daily interactions.  Hearts are lifted, souls are strengthened, and hope is instilled.  When we, in generous service, reach out to someone around us, we feel a sense of confidence, assurance, and connection.  Nothing is more powerful than charitable service to another in need. 

Some of my greatest memories have been wrapped up in the opportunity to serve someone else.  As I look back on the roads of life I have traveled, I smile at the thought of opportunities to help one in need.  Let’s face it!  The road of life is sometimes hard to travel.  Would we all not be better, if we took more time to stop and help someone stranded on the side?  I will never forget heading to a church meeting dressed in my finest clothes and having this opportunity.  A woman was stuck on the side of the road with an obviously very flat tire.  She resisted my help, but in my suit and tie, I changed the tire for her.  She was grateful and was teary-eyed as she looked at my greasy hands and my soiled suit.  I wished her well and never saw her again.  Yet, I have not stopped thinking about that experience.  I was too late for the worship service, but went anyway.  I felt incredible as I walked into the building with my soiled hands and clothes.  I remember feeling just as grand washing my hands as I had felt in any religious service I had previously attended.  Service had made the difference.  It always makes a difference!

We need each other.  There are too many people in this world who tear down.  We need more who lift up.  There are enough people who find fault.  We need more people who build and strengthen.  Every day, you can find an abundance of people who act in selfish ways.  We need more people who give self-less service.  For within service is the very substance of life.  Greater joy, greater love, greater harmony, greater satisfaction, and greater peace all can be found by the service we do for others. 

Start today!  Install a “Service Required” light on your dashboard.  Attend to it right away.  Start with your family and those right around you.  Then, extend the marvelous influence of self-less service to those in your neighborhood and community.  Seek to make a difference.  For in a full and rich life, service truly is required.

Jim R. Jacobs is the author of the new book Driving Lessons For Life, a great new book teaching powerful life lessons from what we experience on the road.  Driving Lessons For Life is not your typical self-help/inspirational book.  Jim takes the common experiences we all have behind the wheel of the car, and weaves a powerful lesson into them.  There has never been such a book as this.  You read the lesson, you recall the story, and then you do what you always do—drive somewhere.  Literally, every time you head off in your car, a key life lesson will be reinforced in you.  Driving Lessons become Life Lessons as you reflect on them again and again.  These lessons are powerful because they are so connected to your everyday life.  Sign up for driving lessons today!  This book is a perfect gift for yourself, your friends, the new driver, the old driver, and everyone who gets in the car.  Get a signed copy today at www.DrivingLessonsForLife.com.

To contact Jim to share your experiences, to arrange a great speaker for your next event, or for a complimentary, no obligation coaching session, please send an e-mail to DrivingLessonsForLife@gmail.com. 

Your Vibe Attracts Your Tribe

I hear the phrase "Your Vibe Attracts Your Tribe" a lot among other Beachbody coaches. They are definitely on to something. It got me thinking about my own tribe. I decided to share a little about some of the most influential people in my life. They have definitely helped shape me into the woman I am today.

10 People Who Have Influenced Me (In no particular order)

1. My parents.  I'm counting them as one person here and I hope they don't mind.  My parents were the first great influence on my life.  They taught me so many things and continue to teach me things even into adulthood.  Here are two that stand out. It's okay to make mistakes.  It is important to always do MY best and not that important to be THE best.  Because I learned these things, I have been more willing to take risks, more able to accept disappointment and move on from it a stronger person, and I feel a confidence that apparently is more unique than I thought it was.

2. Janelle Butler Simmons.  I sometimes tell people she saved my life.  I truly believe this.  Janelle was my visiting teacher, for those that know LDS lingo, shortly after my divorce.  That was a super tough time for me and she was the friend I needed to help keep me going many times over.

3. Scott Pederson. Scott was the first person to teach me how to laugh at myself.  I have always been way too serious and it was way worse as a teenager.  Scott made life fun and gave me the courage I needed to start laughing.

4. Stacey Hesson Gillespie.  My SISTER!  I love this girl.  She really is my best friend and I get to be her sister.  It's awesome.  I am always amazed by how much love she has for me.  She makes me feel like I could do anything.  I love her for that and so many other reasons.  Sometimes I think Stacey should have been the older sister.  She is so loyal and will kick someone's butt if they cross a person she loves.  I am pretty sure I learned all about loyalty from my little sister.

5. Kendall Williams and Christopher Prince.  Again, two people counting as one.  These were the missionaries from the LDS Church that taught me all about the LDS Church.  Their testimonies and strength were influential in my ultimate decision to join the LDS Church: One of the best decisions of my life.

6. JoAnn Moghimi. This woman is one of my newer friends! We became fast friends a few years ago when we were introduced through mutual friends. JoAnn is loyalty to the max. She has my back, but gives me a swift kick in the pants as needed. We laugh together and cry together and just get each other. She has never judged me and always seems to know when I need her. I love you, JoAnn!

7. Darren and Emily Ernst. I know I'm cheating, but they go together!  Darren and Emily showed me what a marriage could really be like.  They were the first people that reached out to me as my marriage fell apart.  Though we haven't lived close since that time, I have kept in touch with them.  Because of their example, their love for one another, and their faith in me I had hope that there was something better out there for me.  Guess what?! There was and it is wonderful.

8. Jim Jacobs. Jim was my first boss out of graduate school.  He was my supervisor as I pursued my licensure in clinical social work. He became a dear friend.  I see Jim as the older brother I never had.  I know his life isn't perfect, but it is lived with a faith I want to have.

9.  Brooke Anderson.  Brooke was one of my BYU roommates.  I love her and I love that although we live about as far apart from one another as we can get (me in FL and her in WA), we still are part of one another's lives.  Brooke is so creative and so thoughtful.  She inspires me to be the best mom and wife I can be as she selflessly does those things herself.  She is a true friend and I cherish her so much.

10. Jared Krause. My hubbabaloo.  I love this guy. He has influenced my life for good in so many ways.  He taught me to love again and he taught me it was safe to be loved.  He had to be pretty patient and for that I am so grateful.  We have a good life together.  It is crazy and busy and chaotic, but it is our little life.  It is so full and I am proud to be Mrs. Krause.

Faith

I have read the Book of Mormon nearly every year for the last 20 years. I make a sincere effort to do so once a year. Each time I read the Book of Mormon something extraordinary happens. I find something new. Maybe it's just that something new resonates with me. This time around, it was the subject of faith. One of the Book of Mormon prophets, Alma, teaches the people in Alma 32 about faith and how to grow one's faith. It is a great chapter and coupled with Hebrews 11, really helps one to understand  the concept of faith.

Faith is not just the religion someone practices.

Faith is not just a character on Buffy the Vampire Slayer.

(Sorry, I just had to.)

Faith is an all-encompassing way of living one's life. Faithful is a word I want used to describe me. I strive daily to live by and increase my faith. I am a prayerful person and I don't just believe my prayers are answered, I know my prayers are answered. Quite often answers to prayers require a leap of faith.

Boyd K. Packer had this to say about faith. "Faith, to be faith, must center around something that is not known. Faith, to be faith, must go beyond that for which there is confirming evidence. Faith, to be faith, must go into the unknown. Faith, to be faith, must walk to the edge of the light, and then a few steps into the darkness. If everything has to be known, if everything has to be explained, if everything has to be certified, then there is no need for faith. Indeed there is no room for it.
"The prophet Alma said: 'Yea, there are many who do say: If thou wilt show unto us a sign from heaven, then we shall know of a surety; then we shall believe. Now I ask, is that faith? Behold, I say unto you, Nay; for if a man knoweth a thing he hath no cause to believe, for he knoweth it... And now as I said concerning faith--faith is not to have a perfect knowledge of things; therefore if ye have faith ye hope for things which are not seen, which are true.' (Alma 32:17-18, 21).
"There are two kinds of faith. One of them functions ordinarily in the life of every soul. It is the kind of faith born by experience; it gives us certainty that a new day will dawn, that spring will come, that growth will take place. It is the kind of faith that relates us with confidence to that which is scheduled to happen...
"There is another kind of faith, rare indeed. This is the kind of faith that causes things to happen. It is the kind of faith that is worthy and prepared and unyielding, and it calls forth things that otherwise would not be. It is the kind of faith that moves people. It is the kind of faith that sometimes moves things. Few possess it. It comes by gradual growth. It is a marvelous, even a transcendent, power, a power as real and as invisible as electricity. Direct and channeled, it has great effect.
"But faith must be faith. One man tried 'experimenting' with faith. He had spoken to his certainty that an event would transpire, and his desires were not brought to pass; the event he so much yearned for did not happen. Afterward, his bitter comment was, 'Well, you see, it didn't happen. I didn't think it would.'
"In a world filled with skepticism and doubt, the expression 'seeing is believing' promotes the attitude, 'You show me, and I will believe.' We want all of the proof and all of the evidence first. It seems hard to take things on faith.
"When will we learn that in spiritual things it works the other way about--that believing is seeing? Spiritual belief precedes spiritual knowledge When we believe in things that are not seen but are nevertheless true, then we have faith" (Boyd K. Packer, "What is Faith?" in Faith, pp. 42-43).

"Believing is seeing." I love that! Here's to being less skeptical and more faithful. If you're waiting for a sign to do something, maybe the Lord is actually waiting on you to take a leap of faith.

At Home Fitness

I have always chosen to run or do an at-home fitness program in lieu of the gym. I have just never liked the gym. It is smelly, crowded, and far away. I have 5 children ages 8, 6, 5, 3, and 1. By the time we load up, get to the gym, unload, get inside, drop off at on-site daycare, workout, pick up from on-site daycare, load up, drive home, unload... Well, you get the picture. I don't have time for that nonsense. At-home workouts offer me the flexibility of getting up a little earlier than my family, working out, showering and having breakfast on the table before 7 AM. I also just prefer to not be with a bunch of people I don't know while I'm sweaty and in the zone. I like being in a comfortable place AKA my living room. Not to mention the monthly charges to my credit card for something I rarely used!
I have purchased dozens of at-home workouts prior to trying Beachbody fitness programs. Denise Austin, Winsor Pilates, Discount Bin DVDs from Wal-mart, Jillian Michaels, and many more. The only one that came close to doing anything was Jillian Michaels' 30 day shred. But, it cost $20 and only had 2 workouts on it. I got bored really quickly.

I had heard of P90x several years ago, but never did it because it seemed so LONG! I needed something shorter. Say, 30 minutes, that would actually work. My friend, Amy introduced me to Beachbody almost a year ago and I was an instant fan. My first 30 day program, CIZE, was a hip-hop dance program with Shaun T. He was super motivating. The workouts felt like a dance class. I lost 10 inches and about 5 pounds. Not a whole lot, but I wasn't really trying in the kitchen. I was 4 months post-partum and wasn't prepared to stop eating whatever I wanted.
Next, I tried PIYO. Another fabulous program with another fabulous trainer, Chalene Johnson. She felt like my friend and her program was dynamic and fun and helped me lose another 6 pounds and 8 inches.
I got sick around Christmas and put exercise on the back burner. I would go for walks inconsistently, and wasn't doing much to really finish off the last of my pregnancy weight. In April, I became a Beachbody coach and started 21 Day Fix. I finally learned how to make it count in the kitchen and in just 21 days, I lost another 6 inches and 6 pounds! I couldn't believe it. I was seeing a number on the scale that I hadn't seen since 3 babies ago!
Jared and I just finished a 60 day program called Hammer and Chisel. I didn't lose any weight because I wasn't trying too, but I did lose inches and built some actual muscles. I feel incredibly strong and confident. Honestly, the workouts were tough, but we showed up every day for 60 days and I couldn't' be more proud of us.
I am floored that I got these results from at-home fitness programs! I am a huge believer in what Beachbody is doing. They are getting results in a safe way that takes effort, hard work, and consistency. It isn't a get thin quick thing. You have to show up every day. You have to want it. You have to work for it. But, that is how the best things in life happen for us. Plus, putting in the work teaches you how to stay where you want to be and not gain it all back or begin eating poorly again.
It Actually Works!

Beachbody sends you all the tools you need to be successful when you purchase one of their fitness programs. You get ME as your FREE coach. I do my best to help you achieve those goals, motivate you, and hold you accountable. You get a calendar to follow for the duration of the program. Most programs have a minimum of 7 different workouts. The one we just completed, Hammer and Chisel has 16 different workouts! I was NEVER bored. I was challenged every day. You also get an eating plan/nutrition guide and the newer programs provide you with Portion Fix containers to help implement the eating plan. Portion Fix has revolutionized the way I eat. It works because you are eating normal foods, but in the right quantities. It really helps you to focus more on what you can eat and not what you can't. Plus, because you tally up your food by the containers and not calories, you don't get stuck on the numbers. There are plenty of ways to only eat 1,400 calories a day that are empty calories! That doesn't happen with Portion Fix, unless you eat too many yellows! That's the carb container, so you can see why they are hard to limit! Americans LOVE carbs!
So, if the gym isn't working for you. If your current at-home workout isn't working for you. I think you'll find something in Beachbody that does work for you. If you put in the work, show up every day, and really try you will have success!