Tag: clean eating snack option

Country Heat – Week 3

Leave a comment

Week 2 is a wrap and week 3 of Country Heat started this morning! So stay tuned for all the updates and videos on my Facebook (fb.com/LLHealthyFit.com) and Instagram (MelissaBrown66). I would like to take time right now to reflect on week 2 as well as share my workout and nutrition plan for week 3 with you. Remember this is a process of changing old habits and replacing them with new ones. It is not always going to feel seamless!

Workout:

Week 2 was the first time that Dance Conditioning was on my workout schedule. This is a nice mix of dance cardio and traditional moves such as abs, lunges, and bridges. Every routine has me sweating and looking forward to the next! These workouts are my ‘ME’ time and life sure seemed more stressful than usual last week. The added stress did not allow my immune system to stay on point. The result was a cold and very tight neck muscles. I would catch myself often clenching my jaw and it took a few days until I could relax. Here are things I do to combat a cold and to feel like myself again:

Ways to Overcome Cold

I’m looking forward to week 3 and being able to breathe easier during my workouts without this cold! My workout schedule for week 3* looks something like this:

Country Heat - Week 3 Schedule

*I follow the Country Heat Deluxe workout calendar versus the basic.

Meal Plan:

Calorie range 1,200 to 1,499 – Plan A per the Country Heat calculation in the nutrition guide that comes with the program. I love the meal plan because it uses the color coded portion control container system developed by Autumn Calabrese. Shakeology comes in 7 different flavors. I alternate usually between two different flavors for my meal plan. Be sure to search my site for recipes to include in your meal plan.

Here are some tips this week if you are finding it difficult with nutrition/meal preparation:

  1. Carve Time Out To Develop Meal Plan: Pick a day of the week (weekend or week day) to determine the food items that are going to be part of your meal plan broken out into breakfast, AM snack, lunch, PM snack, and dinner. You can find me developing my meal plan on either a Sunday or Monday. The day can fluctuate based on your schedule, but it is important to set time aside each week.
  2. Meal Preparation: There are certain tasks that you can do in advance to make preparing food less time consuming on you. So you developed a meal plan, used the meal plan to make a grocery list, and shopped…now what! There are certain tasks based on your meal plan that can be done in advance for the week ahead.
    • Portion out snacks into containers or zip lock bags. This way they are available for a quick grab and go or can easily be placed in a cooler bag for wherever the day takes you.
    • Broil chicken or brown ground meat; store in an air tight container.
    • Chop vegetables; store in an air tight container together or separate by vegetable type.
  3. Set Goals: Ask yourself what you would like to accomplish this week? These goals should be specific to what you are going through and make the time frame achievable. Be sure that these goals are visible to you! WRITE THEM DOWN! Here are some example goals that I use for my nutrition:
    • I will drink 1/2 by body weight in ounces of water this week.
    • I will measure my food in the portion control color coded containers this week…let’s face it…we can become relaxed and get off course. Back to the basics helps me refocus.
    • I will take 15 minutes every single day to clear my mind this week. I like to break this 15 minutes up into 3 mini mind breaks! I’m not looking at my phone or checking email.

Country Heat - Week 3 Meal Plan

If you would like to join my Back to School – Back to You accountability group there is still time. We kick things off on August 22. If you have been thinking about making a change or if you are like me and let the summer fun in the sun get the best of you…do not just give up. The time is now to jump back on the horse and JOIN ME! You always find time for the things you want the most…why not make your health and wellness a priority?!

If you do not currently work with a Coach, please make sure to make me your FREE coach here.

 

Country Heat – Week 2

Leave a comment

Well I officially finished my first week of Country Heat! So here is an honest review of my first week as well as my plan for week 2. Tomorrow starts week 2 so stay tuned for all the updates and videos on my Facebook (fb.com/LLHealthyFit.com) and Instagram (MelissaBrown66).

Workout:

The workout calendar is 6 days a week. There are 2 new workout routines each week to learn; the same workout routine for 2 days in a row and then alternate on days 5 and 6. For week 1, the first workout was Country Swing. I am still shocked at how much I sweat during the workout and was sore in my core and legs. Giddy Up was the second workout and there were some moves such as Wonky Feet that caused me to try and try again! Again, the focus was on my abs and lower body during this workout. The Country Music in the background of the workout makes the time go fast and before I know it…I’m dripping sweat!!

My workout schedule for week 2* looks something like this:

Country Heat - Week 2 Schedule

*I follow the Country Heat Deluxe workout calendar versus the basic.

Meal Plan:

Calorie range 1,200 to 1,499 – Plan A per the Country Heat calculation in the nutrition guide that comes with the program. I love the meal plan because it uses the color coded portion control container system developed by Autumn Calabrese. Shakeology comes in 7 different flavors. I alternate usually between two different flavors for my meal plan. Be sure to search my site for recipes to include in your meal plan.

Below is my meal plan for the upcoming week if you would like to check out what I will be eating. Meal planning can seem complicated so my best piece of advice is to KEEP IT SIMPLE and DO NOT OVER THINK. Try your best to not worry about complex recipes as I have found recipes with a few ingredients allow the meal planning process and grocery shopping to go smoother. I’m a big advocate to use what you already have in your pantry or refrigerator before buying more groceries.

Nutrition is extremely important to your success and people often give up on meal planning before even trying. Please take time to read through the nutrition guide that comes with your fitness program rather than jumping into the exercises without ever reading the nutrition guide. If you are finding it difficult or really are not sure how to start, then please ask. There are meal plans on my site that you can look at for guidance and then start substituting food items I have for food items you enjoy (i.e., a vegetable for another vegetable your family will eat). I started meal planning where my dinner options were a piece of chicken breast (1 red), brown rice or quinoa (1 yellow), and green beans (1 green). The more complex you make this process the harder it is to learn how to eat healthy and in the proper portions. Your goal is to eat 5-6 small meals a day to keep your metabolism up. Your food is your fuel.

I have been asked if I stick to my meal plan 100%. Most often I do stick to my meal plan; however, there are times where I will swap my AM snack and breakfast. This is completely okay! The whole point to this journey is progress not perfection. Let’s make this meal plan happen!!

There are tracking sheets on the Team Beachbody website so that you can check off the boxes when you eat the color coded containers throughout the day. This way you will visually be able to see that you are eating balanced meals throughout the day.

Country Heat - Week 2 Meal Plan

If you would like to join my Back to School – Back to You accountability group there is still time. We kick things off on August 22. If you have been thinking about making a change or if you are like me and let the summer fun in the sun get the best of you…do not just give up. The time is now to jump back on the horse and JOIN ME! You always find time for the things you want the most…why not make your health and wellness a priority?!

If you do not currently work with a Coach, please make sure to make me your FREE coach here.

Country Heat Image.jpeg

Greek Yogurt – Honey and Cinnamon

1 Comment

So the truth is…I’m not one to have yogurt as a snack! My mind is slowly changing though!!

One way to save money is to buy plain Greek yogurt and create the following snack:

1 cup of Plain Greek Yogurt
1 tablespoon of Honey (*support buying local honey)
1 teaspoon of Cinnamon

Mix together and ENJOY!

I will mix it up and add some cinnamon chips too…YUMMY!!

Plain Greek Yogurt with Honey and Cinnamon

 

For more tips, support, recipes, meal planning, and other health and wellness assistance, please apply here by completing my get support form!

The color coded containers are available for purchase in my fitness shop. The serving would be equivalent to 1 red container.

 

No Bake Cookies with Cafe Latte/Chocolate

1 Comment

I’m always looking for a sweet treat that is family friendly and fun for my daughter to help make with me! These no bake cookies are a great alternative to regular cookies. I took them to a family gathering and people were amazed that they were “healthy” cookies with protein! I like the slight coffee taste of these cookies.

IMG_8490[1]

INGREDIENTS YOU NEED:

  • 1 scoop of Café Latte Shakeology
  • 1 scoop of Chocolate Shakeology (*Regular or Vegan Chocolate)
  • 1 cup of Crunchy Peanut Butter (*You can use 1 cup of all natural peanut butter and 1/2 cup of peanuts.)
  • 1 cup of quick-cooking rolled oats
  • 1/2 cup of local honey
  • 1/3 cup chopped walnuts

WHAT TO DO:

1. Melt peanut butter and honey in a medium saucepan over medium heat; stir frequently.

2. Add Shakeology and stir.

3. Add Oats and stir.

4. Add chopped walnuts and stir.

5. Scoop mixture into 1-inch size balls on to a cookie sheet lined with wax paper. Lightly press cookies with a spatula to flatten.

6. Place in the refrigerator to cool.

7. Cookies can then be stored in a container either in the freezer, refrigerator, or on the counter. Storing the cookies in the freezer means that you have to pull them out and let them sit for a few minutes before eating!

8. Enjoy!

Serving: 2 cookies would equate to 1 yellow and part of a blue container

Shakeology sampler packs are available for purchase in my fitness shop.

For more tips, support, recipes, meal planning, and other health and wellness assistance, please apply here by completing my get support form!

 

Cookie Dough Bites

Leave a comment

IMG_5765

Many recipes seem to call for bananas and/or peanut butter for cleaner version of snacks. Sometimes you just need a change up without throwing off your entire day. I cannot resist eating raw cookie dough when making chocolate chip cookies. Eating raw cookie dough with eggs isn’t the smartest choice, but I know the temptation is pretty difficult to resist. Not to mention all of the sugar used to make cookies!

Here is my solution…COOKIE DOUGH BITES! Few ingredients and no baking necessary. The hard part will be limiting yourself to 2 cookie dough bites in one day! My tip is to keep them in the freezer and portion out the allotted cookie dough bites. This is a great sweet treat that will not undo your entire day of healthier eating and exercise.

INGREDIENTS YOU NEED:

  • 2/3 cup raw cashews
  • 1 1/3 cup of quick oats
  • 2 TBSP Agave
  • 1 TBSP Maple Syrup
  • 1 tsp Vanilla Extract
  • 1/4 cup of miniature chocolate chips

WHAT TO DO:

  1. Blend the cashews and oats in a blender or food processor until they are in a powder. Be careful not to over blend OR the cashews will turn into cashew butter!
  2. Add the agave, maple syrup,  and vanilla to the mixture. Blend until well incorporated, but do not over process. Sometimes I have to use a spatula or mix by hand.
  3. Place mixture in a small bowl and stir in chocolate chips by hand. The miniature chocolate chips work the best.
  4. Form into 1 – inch balls. This recipe makes approximately 13 cookie dough bites.
  5. Place in freezer or refrigerator.
  6. Enjoy!

For more tips, support, recipes, meal planning, and other health and wellness assistance, please apply here by completing my get support form!

Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Bites

Leave a comment

IMG_5467[1]

INGREDIENTS YOU NEED:

  • 2/3 cup creamy peanut (*An option is to substitute for almond butter.)
  • 1 cup oats
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons honey (*I use local honey.)
  • 1/4 cup miniature chocolate chips (*In the picture, I had used large chocolate chips.)
  • Flax seed (optional)

WHAT TO DO:

  1. Mix all ingredients in a bowl until well-combined.
  2. Cover and chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes.
  3. Once done chilling, roll into approximately 1 inch balls.
  4. Roll 1 inch balls in a thin layer of oats and chocolate chips on a cutting board.
  5. Store in the refrigerator until ready to be eaten.
  6. Enjoy!

For more tips, support, recipes, meal planning, and other health and wellness assistance, please apply here by completing my get support form!

 

Pumpkin Yogurt

Leave a comment

pumpkin, pumpkin spice, greek yogurt, plain yogurt

I like being able to take plain yogurt and add my own flavor to it. Here is a little snack that is both crunchy and creamy! Pretty simple to make and this is what I did for this treat!

PUMPKIN YOGURT

  • Plain Greek Yogurt
  • Mini Nilla Wafers (*I crushed a few in my hands)
  • Canned pumpkin (*Pumpkin should be the only ingredient)

Mix all together and drizzle with local honey and/or even sprinkle some pumpkin pie spice!

For my customers who are using the 21 Day Fix color coded containers the breakout is 1 Red, 1 Yellow, 1/4 Purple

The color coded containers are available for purchase in my fitness shop.

For more tips, support, recipes, meal planning, and other health and wellness assistance, please apply here by completing my get support form!