It is now one week since I completed the Ultimate Reset. I decided before I was done that I would stick with the meal plan for at least a few more weeks and avoid animal protein for a little bit longer. I did great last week. I didn't even add coffee back in, no desserts, just a little bit of dried fruit when I needed a treat. This weekend I went camping with my family and ran into some complications. The boy scout camp was set up for meat lovers... or simply, people who think that animal protein plays a part in every meal... kind of like I thought until 4 weeks ago :) First meal I turned down the meat and added extra chick peas to my salad which worked really well. Second meal I asked for chick peas for breakfast... not bad with some fruit cut on top, but not delicious! I was offered Vegetarian options for future meals. This did cover the meat and chicken part but not the cheese and milk part which pretty much became my protein source in the rest of the meals. I decided that I would go with it, I would stick with part of my plan, and when I got home I would get back to where I wanted to be. I made sure I got my Tropical Shakeology in each day and I stayed strong in avoiding sugar... I even turned down campfire Smores two days in a row :)
I will be vacationing with family next week and I plan to introduce a few Vegan recipes to the group but, I suspect my "flexitarian" eating will need to be pretty flexible as I cannot make extra meals for myself for the duration of our trip. Yes, I know I could, but a happy family vacation is key combined with the best I can do!
I promised to start sharing some of my favorite recipes: Black Beans and Rice
3/4 cup cooked brown rice
1/2 cup canned low sodium black beans
1/4 tsp extra virgin olive oil
1/8 tsp ground chili powder
1 pinch ground cumin
1/4 tsp ground coriander
1 tsp Bragg liquid aminos (in place of soy sauce)
Himalayan Sea Salt (to taste) - get at Trader Joe's
While rice is cooking, heat beans gently in saucepan until very hot. Drain and return to pan. Add oil, spices, aminos and salt. Stir well. Gently fold beans into cooked rice. Serves 1
Serve with, 1/4 cup fresh corn, 2 tbsp salsa, 1/4 cup guacamole, 1 6" corn tortilla and a side salad or Kale steamed and squirted with fresh lemon juice, a sprinkling of Himalayan sea salt and 1 tbsp of pine nuts! (recipe from the Ultimate Reset week one)
That is a good sized meal, plenty of protein and delicious! Let me know what you think.
Please join me at www.GetFitWithNicola.com for weekly emails on health and fitness.
I have been playing with that last 10 pounds for the past 2 years. Up 8, down 7, depending on the program, my focus on nutrition, 3 day Shakeology jumpstarts, crazy schedules... I am fit, I am healthy, regardless of that 10 pounds I am in a good place so I haven't had the drive to get it off and keep it off. BUT, I would love to never have to worry about the love handles when I pull on my jeans. I would love to not worry about any lumps and bumps when I pull out my summer wardrobe!
I work out 5-6 times per week, I love to work out and I love to work out hard! Exercise is not my problem and definitely not my nemesis. What is? My nutrition! I eat fairly well. I love vegetables, I don't enjoy fast food, I avoid deep fried... I DO have portion control issues and I do have a few vices. I love cereal, ice cream, chocolate and wine! None of these are really bad but they are all things that are preventing me from finding my abs.
It is not just about finding my abs and losing a few pounds though. I have days where I don't have the energy I feel I should, allergies slow me down seasonally, I often get a gassy belly in the evenings, and some days I am exceptionally moody (I blame it on bad behavior days with the kids but I suspect I can't blame it all on them)!!!
my plan? Start the Ultimate Reset this Monday!
Beachbody has recently released a 21 day detox. It's a no-starvation, multifaceted, life-changing, cutting-edge, "this-is-the-real-deal", inner-body tune-up!
It does more than simply cleanse the body. It does help your body eliminate waste, gently and naturally, but it also helps to maximize the energy production within your cells, improve your body's ability to process fuel from nutrients and micronutrients, and assist every process in your body in running more smoothly.
So if you've been feeling run down and worn out, or noticed a decline in your performance in any aspect of your life, it may simply be that you're out of tune (and in the hurry-up, high-stress, eat-on-the-run world, most of us are). If that sounds like you, the Beachbody Ultimate Reset will help deliver the total tune-up your body has been craving.
Take a look at the following video to learn more about the Reset and follow my journey as I share the ups and downs of the process. I hear there are a few rough days as you deal with cutting foods you enjoy, tiredness as your body works through the process and sore muscles despite reduced workouts! The benefits though have been dramatic. From jumping out of bed with renewed energy each morning, reduced cholesterol and lost weight, lack of cravings, new love for healthy foods and feeling dramatically better-physically, mentally and emotionally! www.GetFitWithNicola.com
Upon hearing that the newest flavor of Shakeology was to be Tropical Strawberry, I was very excited! Upon hearing it was Vegan, I didn't realize there should be any concern!
Vegan shakes are not known to be very tasty, nor to have a great texture. This is due to the protein source!!! Protein shakes are usually whey or soy based... neither being Vegan, but both blend very smoothly.
Beachbody played with many options in searching for the best vegan protein source but settled on sprouted fermented brown rice!!! Nice!!! I was able to sample Tropical Shakeology last June and LOVED it! Amazing flavor, rich, creamy and perfect! Alas, when my Tropical Shakeology arrived last week I ripped open the bag, added a scoop to my regular measuring cup with ice, water, almond milk and a few frozen strawberries, mixed it until just blended and ... wasn't too impressed :( It was chalky and a bit gritty... uh oh, what to do?
I did a little digging and learned a few tips... Blend longer! Allows the protein to soften a little maybe? Add some acid such as orange, cranberry or pineapple in juice or whole form! Don't add so much ice! It tastes better as a thick drink or light shake as opposed to being eaten with a spoon! Two other suggestions move the shake away from the Vegan format but adding Greek yogurt and/ or adding fat free, sugar free jello pudding powder... sure they work, but not what I was after!
Next shake experience... DELECTABLE!
My favorite recipe is 1/2 cup unsweetened almond milk, 1/4 cup frozen pineapple, 1/4 cup frozen strawberries, 1 scoop Tropical Shakeology, 1/2 cup water, ice to taste... blend for 2 minutes. Let it sit for a few minutes, blend again for 1 minute... then drink. Today I had to drink some straight out of the blender as I couldn't wait to get it in a cup! Yep, loving it!!!
Taste the Tropics: New Tropical Strawberry Shakeology
