You Are Never TOO Old

How may times have you given up on yourself because you feel you are too old? Yes, I know 30's is not "old" It is though when we start putting ourselves last. Work, family, so many other things come before us. Then we start with the excuses..Here were some of mine.. I'm too old. I don't have time after I'm done with XYZ. My meds from seizure will never let me lose. What is the point will I even be alive tomorrow?  My husband loves me, why change? Food tastes too good - why diet?

So what have I discovered.. I am a much better mother, wife and friend when I put myself first just a little bit each day. I do have time but it's all about what is important to me. Is this a priority? If it is I will make it happen. DIEts is not a word in my vocabulary. I have ate clean for 3 years. It tastes amazing and I LOVE IT!! My seizure meds can slow me down a bit but I just have to watch that and work with my Neurologist if it were to happen. I also have to make sure not to let my medical condition define or stop me - I am the only person who will ever define me... I am alive and for every tomorrow I will enjoy EVERY second of it as HEALTHY as I can. Yes, my husband loves me. Honestly I don't even think he notices the change all that much until he sees before and after pics. The important part is I have to love ME enough to make myself healthy for ME. Period. Lastly, I am not old - but my excuses were!! If I can do this so can you!

The Highlight Reel

So much of our joy is taken away by comparing to other people. What you SEE is not always the full story. In weight loss you may see how fast others have lost, how easy it appears. You maybe missing what put them in the situation to need to lose in the first place. Was there abuse, illness, addiction? You aren't seeing what they needed to overcome to be successful in weight loss. Also, there is no right way to lose. The speed of weight and inches will all vary upon how much the person needs to lose - no two loses will ever be the same. Never compare your weight loss to another. Our bodies are all different. 

In business you may see how successful someone is, how they live the life of luxury or how things magically happen for them. With their business you may not be seeing the hours behind the scene. The days and nights of self doubt they have had before their business began to build. You maybe aren't seeing the years of struggle that gave them that personal reason "why" to be successful. Most business success does not happen overnight. It takes, time, effort, work and if you are lucky passion for what you do.

The things that seem so effortless really aren't they are just routine and well earned. In how someone appears to have a Norman Rockwell life. You may not be seeing the moments that every family has. The moments their child is anything but perfect. Or what in their life created a great parent in them? Did they have an absent parent? Did they not know their parent? Did they promise they would be everything to their child that they didn't have growing up?

Regardless of what you may be comparing yourself to in others know you are comparing your life to someones highlight reel NOT REAL life so - STOP!! Comparison is the thief of joy. Enjoy your own journey - don't worry about anybody else. Run your own race.

The Voice of Truth

The TRUTH is a very powerful thing. It is a thing many like to hide from. It is a thing many will like to keep in the past. I believe it is a wonderful tool. It is a tool to find wisdom, strength and lessons from. I also like to share from my past to help empower and also let others know that there is a light at the end of a tunnel. There are times in my life though people make me feel that I should stop. This is when I really will go through a time of reflection. I have reflected lately on just a few moments in my life... being a teenager at the dreaded dining room table being told to smile for the perfect Holiday picture. There was nothing remotely picture worthy of that moment. Over the past few months I have even found out that the illusion of it all was even deeper than I even knew then.  I have reflected back on my weight. My relationship with food that started as a child.  I was told I would not be good enough unless I was a certain size. Being told to wear a T-shirt over my swimsuit when I was young even though my body was just fine.  The cycle of yo-yo dieting and food abuse. Being handed a can of Slimfast for breakfast before I even entered High School.  I have also reflected back on my gran mal seizure. The depths of fear, anxiety and sadness that put me in. I have thought about being the Mom who always had an excuse as to why I couldn't go do something fun in the summer. Why staying in the house and being inactive was the better solution when all it really was is I didn't want to be seen in a bathing suit.

Now imagine if I just stopped there. 

Who would I be today? The same.

Instead I have broke free from abuse. I have forgiven but not forgotten. I have cut out the toxic relationships in my life. Set clear boundaries for the safety of my family. I have ended the trend of abuse in my family. I have healthy, happy, active and loving relationships with my children.  I have lost 110 lbs. with clean eating and working out. I have healthy relationship with food. Had high blood pressure - now it's perfect. Broke free from PTSD. I am 6.5 years seizure free. I see my life as a gift. My purpose is to pay all the above forward. I actively coach others to lose weight and be healthy. I have helped many lose thousands of pounds. If I didn't share my story NONE of that would be possible. When I do share my story I get countless messages from others thanking me for giving them hope and letting them know they are not alone.

So if my TRUTH makes some uncomfortable it is ok - I will live it unapologetically anyways.

Roasted Acorn Squash with Cranberries & Walnuts

This is a dish I originally made for Thanksgiving. It is so good I have made it several times since. I will continue to year round! I cut the amount of butter and the type of sugar from the original recipe but I prefer it this way.

Ingredients

• 2 Acorn Squash, cut in half
• 1 cup walnuts, roughly chopped
• 1 cup cranberries, frozen or fresh
• 2 tablespoons coconut sugar
• 2 tablespoons butter

Instructions

1. Preheat Oven to 375F.
2. Combine walnuts, cranberries and coconut sugar. 
3. Cut each acorn squash in half. Remove the seeds.
4. Place all halves in a baking dish. Split the mixture between all. Top with 1/2 tablespoon butter each.
5. Cover with foil and bake for 1 hour 15 minutes or until fork inserts into the squash easily.
6. Remove from the oven. Put on your plate and ENJOY!!

The Power Of Positive People

I have just been noticing lately how lucky I am. I do not have one friend that is not amazing. Every person that is in my life brings something wonderful to it. I know this should be a given but a while back some in my life brought me down and drained me. They lived negative lives. In all appearances it seemed ok but they are always the first to point out the bad, have a passive aggressive jab, or just want to complain all the time. I would see the call come through and think "do I really have to get this?" Bad, huh? You know we all have those people in our lives though. I worked so hard to be healthy. To help others be healthy. All I see is positive and then here it comes...It would make me feel guilty not to answer but if I did I would want to kick myself after because I would feel I fell into a trap almost! Or I would work hard to keep these people in my life out of some sort of obligation. I really needed to release that and realize a big obligation I had was my happiness and peace of mind. A year ago I set up safe boundaries in my life. I set these boundaries to achieve that calm life and to keep my family safe. There is a saying.. If your presence can't add value to my life your absence will make no difference. I completely disagree. It can make all the difference in the world. It will knock out the static. Raise the level of positivity. Make you a happier person without even knowing it until you pause and reflect. Associate with people who challenge you, who inspire you, who make you laugh, who make you a better person. You become like those who you are around most. Make sure you like what that is. Life is too short not to. Make sure yours is a good life with the best people in it.

Recipe! Clean Eating Snack/Breakfast

This is lovingly called Banana Mush by my daughter. It is used often for Breakfast in my home.  My daughter likes to throw it in a cup and eat it on the way to school.  It is also great as a snack as well.  Ever better it is super easy! All you need to do is -

1.  Cut up a Banana
2.  Add a few spoonfuls Plain Greek Yogurt
3.  Throw on some Almonds
4.  Mix it up and eat!

My daughter likes to add a little organic Stevia. I have added cinnamon before. If you have a nut allergy it is fine without the nuts as well.

Why I Am Passionate About Helping Others

Some people ask me WHY I am so passionate about helping others.. Why? Because I have been there. I know what it feels like to be overweight, depressed, not knowing how or where to start. Thinking if I even did what would be the point because I would see success and then just fail again. I know what it feels like to put more weight into my illness than into the power of the possibility. I know what it feels like to say oh, tomorrow to make it feel better now as I do something unhealthy today.

Then I know what it feel like to get sick and tired. Not only in myself but in all my excuses. To know that I am not destined to be that unhealthy person just existing. To know I am meant to LIVE! To know excuses are just that -excuses - and to be BIGGER than them. I know how it feels to find success. To lose 110lbs to find a healthy life. To keep it off for years. To stop being being a sideline parent and BE an active Mom. A Mom they are proud of and have fun with. I also know how it feels to be a good example to others that this CAN be done without fad diets. Just with clean nutrition and movement.

One of the best and most rewarding parts of my life is paying all that I have personally learned forward. To watch others that I help achieve success and do the same thing. This is something I do actively and daily with the ladies I coach through my online accountability groups. I would love to help you too. When you feel the time is right for you and you want a hand of support  - reach out to me! I would be glad to help show you the way.

#behealthy #behappy #timetochange

Learn to love.... YOU!

Something we should probably all think about. Does it really matter how someone else feels about us? For most of us it has been a battle to finally like ourselves let alone love ourselves. We have not been good enough, not smart enough, not thin enough, not a good enough this that or whatever... We are so worried about pleasing and loving everybody else that we forget that WE actually counted. That we we worthy. That we were important. Stop worrying so much about pleasing everybody else. If they are meant to be there - they will. You don't have to jump through hoops to get a persons love, attention, affection, approval or time. What you do need to do though is learn to love yourself. Once you do that your world will look so much better.

Recipe- Lasagna Stuffed Peppers!

What is on the Menu this weekend? Lasagna! Most of you know I don't eat pasta any longer - that doesn't mean I can't still have one of my favorites! Eating clean is all about finding new ways to have the old recipes that you love! This is a great example of it.

 INGREDIENTS

4 Large Bell Peppers

3 Cups Tomato Sauce - add your favorite meat 

1 Cup Ricotta Cheese

1 Cup Mozzarella Cheese 

½ Cup Parmesan Cheese 

1 Tbs. Italian Seasoning 

 DIRECTIONS

1.Preheat oven to 400° 

2.Prep Peppers. Cut in half lengthwise, remove ribs and seeds.  Place Pepper halves on lined baking sheet and bake for 20 minutes.

3.Remove the Peppers from oven.  Fill each Pepper about 3/4 full with Sauce. 

4.Spoon 2 Tbs. of Ricotta Cheese on top of the Sauce in each Pepper.  Next finish with some Meat Sauce on top of the Ricotta Cheese.

5.Top each Pepper with 2 Tbs. Mozzarella Cheese.  Bake for 12 minutes.

 6.Remove Peppers from oven.  Top each Pepper with a sprinkle of Parmesan Cheese and a sprinkle of Italian Seasoning.  Bake 5-7 additional minutes.

Let cool a bit and ENJOY!!

This will be so good you will say - "Who needs noodles!!"

Life Lessons

I have fought a long hard road to become a positive person. I was mentally and physically abused by a parent. I have been the victim of sexual violence.  I was married very young and we had a child at 19 and 20. Which I would NOT change but we have done everything in my life backwards and the hard way. I have struggled with obesity. I have lost it all to gain it back more times than I can even count. I had my gran mal seizure 6 years ago. This brought on a fear of everything and PTSD.

So what in the past has this created in me ? I have been afraid to become to my children like the parent of mine that I despise.  Scared as the Doctors told me I would never have children due to my attack. Discouraged because I have always had to struggle. Fear because I am afraid of death and leaving my children.

Now over the past few years what have I decided to do? The list will now become backwards. This is because my life started again when I almost died. You will find that with most survivors from near death experiences. It will either make them or break them, I will own it.. It broke me and broke me good for a few months. After my seizure I was SO afraid to live. That mostly stems from the fact 20 minutes before I was driving on the freeway with my children then 6 and 12. The thoughts of being unconscious for an hour and half, not knowing what happened but knowing every moment is burned in their little minds was a huge burden. A few months later I woke up and realized I LIVED. I was giving a second chance. From that moment there was no looking back. I see my life as a gift. I will honor that everyday.  I decided to get healthy. It took me a few times to get it right but when I did I lost 102 lbs in a year.  Not only am I healthy for over 3 years now. A great example for my children and family. I help coach other women to do the same thing. It is such a full circle blessing. Now my children are 13 and 19. What a gift is that? Just those years alone! To be able to help others, be healthy additionally is just amazing.

Everybody sees their children as miracles but after being told I would never have children after being attacked from damage to my body I see mine as the biggest blessings in the world. They are so meant to be with us. I had a couple of miscarriages. One at 19 weeks. Both of my children were born at 36 weeks. I went into labor - 4cm - with my daughter at 29 weeks and had to stay in the hospital with her until her delivery. There was nothing in this world that was going to stop them from getting to me. So I could choose to be angry and bitter towards men but I haven't. This is actually the first time I have ever mentioned this in writing. Yes, it happened. It has to many. It doesn't define me. It defines an animal. It just makes my children amazing. I released the anger and am healed.

The struggles of doing life "backwards" Has actually turned both my husband and I into business owners. It has put the importance of school and Higher Education into our children. There is no "right" way in life. I am just really proud to watch my son finish his second year of College and plan for his future. It is exciting!

My bad parent. This is a definer in my life. I had one - it doesn't make me one. It actually does the opposite. I have learned how not to be one and I will never act that way. I would never hurt, abandon, play games, put on an emotional roller coaster, or tear apart a family with games or lies. I will always treat all of my children equally. My children will always know I have their backs. I am there for them for the good and the bad. We are a unit. A unit of love and honesty. That will never change. I have ended the trend of obesity, addictions, and now abuse in my family. Out of everything I have accomplished this is my greatest accomplishment.

You can wake up everyday and decide you want to be negative and angry or you can CHOOSE to be positive. It takes the same amount of effort. We all have lists of what has happened to us but you can overcome anything with the right attitude and mindset. Release what is hurting you. Find the gift in it not the pain. Life is full of lessons if you are willing to look.

Turn your face to the sun and the shadows will fall behind you...

My Amazing Losers

I just did something that will probably shock some of you. I deleted the Biggest Loser Finale from my DVR! What??? Yep.. I did!! I have watched it for years. I often joke that with all the weight I lost I deserve a Ken Paves makeover! I have watched it for years. Before I started on my journey to health it was my pizza night. I would sit in bed eating slice after slice wondering how it would feel to actually take that step and BE healthy. I would wonder what it would feel like to have my family be proud of me. Since I have often wondered where are they now? Have they maintained their losses? Well now slowly people are coming forward and their stories aren't so great. Do I know if they all feel that way... no? Will I ever? I don't think so as it appears there are contracts involved. What I DO know is bigger than all that - I DO see inspiring women every single day. I see amazing success stories. I see people supporting one another. They lift one another up when they are down, cheer for them when they are up and laugh at them when they are silly.  I see people doing it right with healthy nutrition and workouts. How do I know? They are MY Challengers - My AMAZING LOSERS.

That is all I need. What better inspiration is there than real life results. I'm done with the shows - I pick my girls.

Now back to that question I had as an obese unhappy Mom sitting on my bed eating pizza.. What would it feel like to be healthy and make my family proud? It feels amazing... What feels even better though is paying it forward for hundreds of women so they can feel the same way.

Isn't life amazing?

Collect Moments

One thing I learned a few years back is you can have all the "stuff" in the world but you can't take it with you. If I would have left this earth when I had my gran mal seizure 6 years ago do you think my children would want my clothes, jewelry, purses, cars... or do you think they would rather moments like this? Memories of a beautiful moment.Time spent talking about our past, thinking about our future and just being present in the moment. You are not promised tomorrow.

Spoil them with LOVE. Collect moments not things.

#lovelife #parents #memories #simplify

Recipe - Easy Mason Jar Salads

I have to tell you - this was fun!! Meal Prep for 8 amazing salads took 20 minutes. This is definitely going to be a staple in my home. I made 4 for me and 4 for my daughter. This takes guess work out and now we just have healthy and delicious fresh and clean food waiting for us.

Since I like everything as easy as possible I thought the graphic I made above would be the easiest way to teach you how to make this. Now a little more on the details.

1. Bottom layer - Dressings. Simple! Pick one or not. I tend to not use dressings often. When I do I like Walden Farms from my health food store. Just a little is enough. With all the great ingredients you really won't need much because this just tastes good!
2. Chopped Veggies - the hearty stuff. This layer protects the lettuce from the dressing so things you can chop and take up space.
3. Beans, Sprouts, Mushrooms - even Avocado! Yum! 
4. Optional Pasta or Grains - We are not big pasta eaters but I would add a quinoa. You could also add. All personal preference. 
5. Protein and Cheese - Meat, eggs and cheese. Again all personal preference.
6. Lettuce, Nuts and Seeds - The top layer is what you want to keep crisp. So this is the place for your pick of greens and seeds.
7. When you are ready shake it AND eat it!!

I think one of the most important things is to get a "wide mouth" jar so you can get things into and out. Also, it will make it easier for cleaning. There are also different sizes. I bought the 20 ounce for myself and the slightly smaller one for my daughter.