Creating our dream life ..

Whew .. yesterday was a big ball of happy emotion! My husband selected Maritime, which has been a goal of his since he started school. On top of that, I have been working endless hours to build a business and after 10 months of hard work, it's finally starting to show. I got a call yesterday inviting Mase and I on an all expenses paid trip to Cancun compliments of Team Beachbody! That now makes 4 trips in the next 6 months for my business. Is this real life? You see happy smiling faces and we are incredibly grateful for the opportunities that are approaching us, but the truth is, it's been hard freaking work to get here. We are both spending countless hours daily trying to reach our goals separately and together. We have both had failures, heartache, stress, defeat, but the difference is we never gave up. We still aren't giving up. It's hard being young today trying to find success in your lives, and I can promise that nothing is ever going to be handed to you. So if you live in the mindset that life isn't fair, and you're never gonna get a break, then get over yourself and start creating the life you want because that's the only way it's going to happen. 

10 months ago, I chose to stop feeling sorry for myself and put my energy towards something that made me happy. I chose to stop using being a military spouse to cripple my mind into thinking a career wasn't possible for me due to travel. The reality of it is that anything is possible. Those words are not made up and for the longest time I didn't believe in them. We are taught our whole lives to follow our dreams, but the minute we take a chance on something we are judged. It's not safe. we could fail. Am I really making the right choice? But I came to the point where I knew i'd rather try like hell and fail miserably doing something I love than to sit around and keep watching the days go by. 

That was a risk we were willing to take .. 

Success doesn't happen overnight, but it's important that your vision of what you want is crystal clear so that you can start plugging away daily at your goals. Mason and I have big plans for our future, but they are not gonna happen if we sit around and wait for a miracle. That's not how the world works. If you want something, you gotta work for it, and my husbands career is a perfect example. His job is NOT easy, and it takes extreme dedication on his part to do the best he can do so he can live the life we have mapped out. Again, it's about deciding what you want and then swimming like hell. PREPARE FOR NOTHING is one of my favorite quotes. You know what you want, and you know what you need to do to accomplish it, but at the end of the day it's not promised. BUT, if you are relentless in your daily activity, the odds 98% percent of the time are going to be in your favor. 

We've got a ton of exciting things happening in the next 6-8 months. Christmas with the family, relocating, Los Angeles, New Hampshire, Cancun, Winging ceremony, Birthdays, Anniversary's, another move, Nashville .. I mean the list goes on. The most important thing though is to never lose your focus on the big picture. Celebrating the pay offs, but continuing to move in the right direction with a strong mindset CREATING the life of our dreams. It can get pretty flashy and exciting over here, but at the end of the day we are just two normal kids with big dreams who spend their days hustling to make it work and our nights in sweats on the couch catching up on DVR. We chose each other first everyday, treat our dog like a queen, and find more enjoyment in FaceTime chats with our family over weekend parties downtown. 

We live, we love, we fight, we cry ( well I cry.ha!) . We put our pants on like everyone else. We don't try to be perfect we just appreciate life and all of it's lessons. We choose to learn from our mistakes instead of drowning in misery , and we open our eyes each day making it the best that it can be.

2 weeks until we are home with our family! Lot's of work to do before then! Painting our house, packing our house, and renting our house is in our immediate future as of yesterday.  Oh and finding somewhere to live in TEXAS! 

Time to grind.

PS. i've never painted

Thanksgiving Green Bean Casserole

Thanks to Team Beachbody we have access to some amazing recipes. Definitely incorporating this into our thanksgiving feast! 

Ingredients:
5 Tbsp. whole wheat purpose flour, divided use
½ tsp. paprika
½ tsp. garlic powder
1 medium onion, (½ onion thinly sliced, ½ onion chopped), divided use
3 tsp. olive oil, divided use
8 oz sliced mushrooms
½ tsp. onion powder
3 fresh thyme sprigs, leaves removed and chopped, stems discarded
½ tsp. sea salt
½ tsp. ground black pepper
½ cup nonfat milk
2 Tbsp. dry sherry wine
1 lb. frozen French-cut green beans
1 cup nonfat plain yogurt

Preparation:
1. Preheat oven to 400° F.
2. Combine 2 Tbsp. flour, paprika, and garlic powder in a medium bowl; mix well.
3. Add sliced onion; mix until well coated. Set aside.
4. Heat 2 tsp. oil in large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat.
5. Add sliced onion mixture; cook, turning once or twice, for 3 to 5 minutes, or until golden brown and crisp. Remove from skillet and place on a paper towel. Set aside. Wipe skillet clean.
6. Heat remaining 1 tsp. oil in skillet over medium-high heat.
7. Add chopped onions; cook, stirring frequently, for 2 to 4 minutes, or until translucent.
8. Add mushrooms; cook, stirring frequently, for 5 to 6 minutes, or until the liquid released from mushrooms is almost completely evaporated.
9. Add remaining 3 Tbsp. flour, onion powder, thyme, salt, and pepper; mix until vegetables are coated.
10. Add milk and sherry; cook, stirring frequently, for 4 to 5 minutes, or until bubbly and slightly thickened.
11. Add green beans; cook, stirring frequently, for 2 to 3 minutes, or until heated through.
12. Add yogurt; mix until combined.
13. Place green bean mixture in casserole dish. Top with onion mixture.
14. Bake for 10 to 15 minutes, or until casserole is bubbly.

Enjoy! :)

21 Day Fix Challenge Group

So why now? The question really is why not now? What better time to get a kickstart on your health and fitness than right after thanksgiving? There is that gap in between the holiday where people feel like they just completely BLEW it. They feel they are too far gone, which is where the new year new resolution comes into play. But let's be honest with ourselves here, how many resolutions have we started and let fall through? How many times have we promised ourselves that this time would be different, and it wasn't? To me, it's not about the perfect time because at the end of the day there is no perfect time and if we sit around and wait for it, we are going to be waiting forever. 

This was me, last year, at this very time. I was the heaviest I had ever been and thanksgiving was right around the corner. I was absolutely miserable, had nothing that fit, constantly wanted to be covered up in the biggest sweats I could find, shopping for large sweaters to try and cover up that I wasn't taking care of myself. It was total nonsense, and yes I write this here today and make it sound so simple because I did come out of it, I did change my life. But what you are forgetting is that I was there. I've struggled for the last 4 years with my weight. I've tried dieting, i've tried gym memberships, I've tried it all. Why wasn't anything working? Well first of all, I was looking for a quick fix. I was looking to do whatever it is I had to do, which in turn made me completely miserable, but to me I felt like I knew the outcome was worth it. And to be honest, it was. But within a month I was back to struggling again, because I reached my goal, so I quit. I had zero balance, I went back to struggling and fighting with myself as to why this was happening to me. I played the blame game, I played the I don't care game. But at the end of the day I did care, I wanted to be healthy, I wanted to feel confident.

I run these groups because I can relate. I run these groups to let you know that someone is rooting for you. To let you know that we can work through this together, and that you have someone that will count on you every step of the way. I realized I didn't have this, and that's why I wasn't successful. I realized that I was easily peer pressured or influenced in other directions that were not allowing me to achieve the goal that I truly desired. 

So it's not about waiting. Because guess what? i've tried that too! It's about taking the opportunity you have right now and letting me work with you. Coming into my kitchen and learning my tips, realizing i'm far from perfect and I don't pretend to be, but understanding that i've found balance. I'm not here to push you, or slap your hand when you make a mistake. I'm here to encourage you like I was encouraged, to be the person that believes in you, because I do believe in you. I believe in everyone that I work with because I know that we as humans are limitless. It's helping you believe in yourself that takes time, but it does happen, and when it does your life will be changed forever. 

So this is an open invitation to you or anyone that you may know to benefit from this. Give me 21 days. 3 weeks to help you learn tips and tricks that are going to benefit you forever. Go into the New Year strong instead of waiting until it gets here to make a change to last you a lifetime. 

Thanksgiving Pumpkin Pie

Sometimes people get all freaky freaky cray cray if someone is around who prefers healthier options. I know that's been the case for me a few times. People might opt out for their normal choices to avoid what they think will be a judgement call from me. Trust me when I say i'm not a health freak, I've just developed better habits over this last year. I'm still very much a burger and fries kind of girl, and my weakness for dark chocolate is the real deal. 

The important thing for me is just eating what I love, but searching for what might be a healthier recipe for the same food. Add those choices up over the last year and it makes a big difference! 

The gift of giving is my favorite of all, so why not benefit everyone and prepare a healthier dish for the family this year! Between me and you, they don't even have to know! Like I said before, healthy options sometimes turn people away. So let their forks do the talkin and you just sit back and enjoy :)


PIE CRUST:

• 1 Cup Quick Old Fashioned Oats
• 1 Cup Whole Wheat Flour
• 1/4 cup ground raw almonds
• 1 tbsp pure maple syrup ( or raw honey)
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 3 tbsp coconut oil
• 1 tbsp water

PIE:

• 1 (15 oz) can Pumpkin Puree
• 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
• 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
• 1/4 cup pure maple syrup ( or raw honey)
• 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
• 1/4 tsp sea salt
• 2/3 cup evaporated non fat milk

CRUST:

1. Preheat oven to 425.

2. Combine oats, flour, almonds,syrup, and salt; mix well.

3. Add oil to oats mixture. If needed, add water to hold together

4. Press into 9 inch pan. Bake 8-10 minutes, or until lightly brown.

PIE:

1. Reduce temp to 350.

2. Combine pumpkin, eggs, vanilla, syrup; mix well.

3. add cinnamon, nutmeg, salt, milk; mix until just blended.

4. Pour pumpkin mix into pie crust. Bake 45-60 minutes or until knife inserted in center comes out clean.

5. ENJOY :)

Chicken Cheesesteak!

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 whole grain hot dog bun
• boneless, skinless chicken breast
• Olive oil cooking spray
• 1/2 cup white onions, slivered
• 1 green pepper, cut in slices
• Sea salt & ground black pepper, to taste
• 1 slice reduced fat provolone cheese

DIRECTIONS:

1.  Preheat oven to 375

2. season chicken and bake, approx 35 minutes ( or until done )

3. Add cooking spray to a pan and cook onions and peppers on medium heat until tender and light brown. ( salt and pepper to taste)

4. Individually wrap buns in aluminum foil and place in oven for approx 10 minutes. 

5. To shave chicken,  Slice at a 45 degree angle.

6. Unwrap bun and add provolone cheese , shaved chicken, and peppers/onions. Serve Immediately. 

7. ENJOY :)

Chicken Stir Fry

INGREDIENTS :

- Chicken breast
- 1 cup Asparagus
- 1 cup green pepper, sliced
- 1 tsp coconut oil
- whole grain rice
- seasoning of choice


DIRECTIONS:

1. Season chicken and grill.
2. In a pan, add asparagus and peppers ( other veggies if you have them). Sautee with coconut oil until tender
3. Bake Rice ( Directions below )
4. Combine and enjoy!



RICE RECIPE: 5 min prep/ 1 hr bake 
** I usually always bake my rice this way, especially when I am planning rice for more than one meal during the week. I will sometimes double the recipe to have plenty, and really saves me time in preparing future weekly meals.**

INGREDIENTS:
1 1/2 cups brown rice
2 1/2 cups water
1 tbsp EVOO
1 tsp Kosher salt
2 teaspoons garlic powder


DIRECTIONS:
1. Preheat oven to 375
2. Place the olive oil, salt, and garlic powder in a 8-inch square glass dish
3. bring water to boil and add to dish.
4. add rice, Stir.
5. Cover with foil and bake for 60 minutes

PERFECT RICE EVERYTIME :)

21 Day Fix Approved Chili

THIS WAS SO YUMMY! :)

- 1 LB 93% lean ground turkey.
- 1/2 white onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, chopped
- 1/2 cup diced tomato
- 1 cup corn
- 1 cup of black beans, drained & rinsed
- 1 cup of kidney beans, drained & rinsed
- 1 TBSP tomato paste
- Lawry's chili seasoning packet
- 1 can tomato sauce

OPTIONAL garnish:
- Low fat shredded cheddar cheese
- 2 tbsp Greek yogurt! ( sub for sour cream, you cannot taste the difference!)


DIRECTIONS:
brown turkey and drain
combine ingredients in a crock pot
cook on low for 4 hours.
ENJOY!

21 day fix approved Weekly Menu! :)

As time consuming as it may seem to take approx 3 hours on Sundays creating our meal plan, grocery shopping, and prepping, It's saving us TIME and MONEY throughout our week. Mason and I are pretty simple. We LOVE good food, but know it's not necessary for us to cook immaculate meals for just the two of us every single day of the week. 

With Mason being in flight school his schedule is extremely time consuming and the last thing I want to do is spend hours in the kitchen every night when he gets home when I could be spending that time with him sharing our day and catching up on our favorite shows! Again, we are simple. 

Today I wanted to share with you a glimpse of what our meals look like for the week. Granted this is just one week, and every week we try to switch it up, but this will give you an idea of just how SIMPLE it is to eat right, eat enough, and not spend an eternity or an entire paycheck making sure you and your family stay healthy. 

As the recipes are not added, I plan to upload our dinners each evening this week attaching the recipe if anyone is interested. So check back :) These meals are 21 day fix approved, which is the meal plan that I have followed for the last 8 months. What I love about the 21 day fix is that i'm eating REAL FOOD, and a lot of it!! It's really important to spread out your meals throughout the day , which is why you will see that we are eating between 5-6 times. This meal plan i'm showing is based specifically off of MY caloric intake ( calculations provided from 21 fix guide) , which isn't nearly enough for Mason, so his portions will most likely be doubled. Believe it or not, the more you weigh, the more you EAT! Your body NEEDS that fuel to burn or it will constantly feel deprived and store everything you do feed it..aka ( weight gain)

My biggest problem with the 21 day fix is making sure I am eating enough! I won't lie, when I started this program and saw the containers I would be using to portion out my food, I WAS SCARED. I didn't think it would be enough, I thought I would starve and that this would turn into another failed diet I can say that I tried and didn't work. But depending on your caloric target, depends how many times you fill EACH container up, and as you will see in my meal plan, I get to use them a lot EACH DAY :)

THIS is why I love this program. It doesn't feel like I am eating any different. The biggest thing, like I said, is eating enough and the proper portion sizes. You can absolutely over eat on GOOD food, and this program teaches an awesome balance that can become an easy habit in just 3 weeks of applying it. 

I can honestly say MEAL PREP is the way to go. Especially if you are a busy family. Spending a few hours one day a week to prep your family to success is going to actually SAVE so much time and money in the long run. 

Natalie & Mason's weekly meal guide

You are awesomme!

Alright peeps. Time for a pep talk, and this isn’t one of those fitness or motivational health topics so listen up. This is about you and getting out of Loserville. Yep, I said it. I’ve been there, we’ve all been there. Forgive yourself, I did.

We literally come into this world perfect, and then we spend the rest of our lives investing everything we have believing we are not good enough. Ridiculous, right?! But it’s true. Fear, failure, judgment, criticism , you name it, we are affected by it to the point where it determines our value, our worth. When we are happy and all in love with OURSELVES, we won’t be bothered with the BS. OR anyone else’s at that matter. So it’s time to win yourself over, and I’m gonna help you do that. So here goes:

1.       Appreciate yourself:: I don’t know if anyone’s told you this recently, but you’re kind of big deal. Yes you! There is no one like you, do you realize that? No one who can do that “thing,” yeah that thing like you can.  You’re in there, I know you are. You might have to find yourself buried under piles of low blows, failures, etc, but you’re in there. So dust off, and join the party. You are the only one there is, and will ever be. You rock, start showing it!

2.       Drown yourself in affirmations:: oh yeah, I’m going there. If anyone thinks this is crazy, it’s me. Trust me though, it works. Let’s practice. First you want figure out which affirmations your need to hear the most and repeat them all day long to yourself. Write them on post it notes, whatever you have to do, just do it. Here are some examples.

a.       My heart is open, love pours in and out.

b.      Dayyyyummn I look good today.

c.       I am smart, I am beautiful.

d.      I deserve to LIVE a good life.

Okay , you get the picture. If these are dumb, find ones that you really do need to hear, and   really FEEL it. You can’t just be spit balling anything , it’s gotta be there, and you gotta believe it.

3.       Do things you love:: Look at your life and see where you are disappointing yourself.  Do you catch yourself saying, “ Man, I can’t remember the last time I did that.” ß uhm hello! Go do that again! MAKE TIME. We are all busy, but it’s the people who make time enjoying their lives  that actually ENJOY THEIR LIVES! Get over yourself. You can make time! OH, and a huge one. Put your needs first. Yeah I know, the person you are being a slave for might not understand, but they will still love you, I promise. You are not selfish for doing that. I still work on this EVERYDAY. Start taking care of yourself like you are the most awesome person you’ve ever met!

4.       Find a replacement :: Yep , crucial. If you look in the mirror and your first thought is “YIKES”, make a conscious effort to walk by again and say, “what up pretty lady!” Don’t spend your life clinging to the insulting decisions you make about yourself. REPLACE THEM.

5.       DITCH THE SELF- DEPRECATING HUMOR:: I get it, laugh at yourself. PLEASE LAUGH AT YOURSELF. If you take life too seriously, it’s gonna be a long road to misery. But don’t make this a daily thing. You are practically begging yourself to think you’re an idiot. Seemingly harmless jokes, over time, turn into seriously destructive beliefs. Our beliefs become our actions, our actions become our habits, our habits become our realities. Helllo it’s not funny if you’re always knocking yourself about not getting a date, WHEN YOU REALLY ARE NOT GETTING A DATE! You are literally patronizing yourself because you are forcing a false illusion. StAAAHP the nonsense.

6.       Let the love in:: Yep, take compliments. Period. The next time someone compliments you, just say THANK YOU, and stop countering everything with a disclaimer. Got it? good.

7.       DON’T COMPARE YOURSELF TO OTHERS:: I’ll use my husband for this one. ( sorry babe). You know that feeling when you spend soooo much time creating something awesome, and it really is awesome, only to find out someone beat you to the punch and submitted it before you did. So the idea feels like not yours right? Wrong. Comparison is the fastest way to take all the fun out of life. Mason actually started questioning that his wasn’t as good. DUDE, it was soooo awesome! The point is, it’s none of your business what anyone else is doing, what matters is that you are enjoying yourself and you are pleased with what you are creating. MY HUBBY ROCKS!

8.       FORGIVE YOURSELF: You’ve screwed up in the past, who hasn’t? and you will screw up again in the future. You are not alone. Understand this: Guilt, shame, and criticism are some of the most destructive forces in your life, which is why forgiving yourself is one of the most powerful. LEARN FROM IT, AND LET IT GO!

9.       LOVE YOURSELF: x100 because you are freaking aweeesome!

Inspired by: Jen Sincero

Taco Night!

Ingredients:

1 lb ground Turkey ( 93% lean)

Homemade Taco Seasoning

Tomatoes 

cheese

Greek Yogurt ( Chobani non-fat plain)

Organic Romane Hearts

Homemade Taco Seasoning:

1 1/2 teaspoon of Chili Powder

1/4 teaspoon of Garlic Powder

1/4 teaspoon of Onion Powder

1/4 teaspoon of Dried Oregano

1/4 teaspoon of crushed Red Pepper Flakes

1/4 teaspoon of Paprika

1 teaspoon Ground Cumin

1/2 teaspoon of Salt

1/2 teaspoon of Pepper

*** 2/3 cup of water for every 3 1/2 tablespoons of seasoning with 1 pound meat ** 

Instructions:

1. Brown Ground Turkey in pan. Drain.

2. add taco seasoning mix

3. Prepare romane hearts ( 1 tsp greek yogurt. Sprinkle cheese & tomato)

4. ENJOY! :)

Brownie Cupcakes!

Ingredients:

1 (15 oz ) can chickpeas ( garbanzo beans), drained, rinsed

3 large eggs

1/2 cup pure maple syrup

1/3 cup Chocolate Shakeology

1 tsp. baking powder

1 tsp. vanilla extract

3 tbsp. coconut oil, melted

1/3 cup dark chocolate chips

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

2. Prepare muffin tray by lining with muffin papers or coating with nonstick cooking spray.

3. Place chickpeas, eggs, maple syrup, cocoa powder, baking soda, coconut oil, and extract in blender or food processer: blend until smooth

4. divide batter among 12 prepared muffin cups

5. top each muffin with a few chocolate chips. press into batter

6. Bake 10-12 minutes or until toothpick inserted comes out clean!

7. Cool and ENJOY!

My Transformation

I'm just a normal girl who made a promise to myself that enough was enough. 

My fitness journey started in Feb of this year, a point in my life that some would call my lowest. Have you ever been to the point in your life when you realize everything you have worked so hard for is NOT paying off? Dealing with the stresses of a brand new move, a new place, a new life, looking for a job daily, etc. I felt like I just couldn't win. "Why me?" I would often ask myself. Feeling sorry for myself that nothing was going the way I had envisioned it. But if you ask me now, I can't even tell you what I really envisioned at all back then? I don't think I actually had a plan. I think I was expecting for some large sum gig to come knocking at my door so I could call myself "successful." I've worked so hard my whole life, working since I was 15, always independent, taking on a tough major to prove I could do it, testing my limits and pushing past them. I knew that once that diploma came in the mail , I could start the life I've always dreamed of. 

What does it mean to be successful? I used to think that a 6 figure income was number one and that anything other than was not good enough. I was so stressed about not having control over my future, I was so sick of waiting... 

I decided while I waited that there was one thing I could control .. and that was me. I had gained a whopping 15 pounds since my wedding (8 months earlier) and I knew that getting my health under control was something I neglected for far to long. It was time to make a change. If you know my story already, then you know that I was following a friend on facebook who was a beachbody coach. I was intrigued by the idea of it considering I LOVED beachbody programs. I took a chance, reached out, and got started right away on a program focusing on fitness and nutrition. It was with countless failed attempts and at the verge of giving up that they ON switch just showed up out of nowhere and I couldn't be stopped.

After about a month of my new routine, my habits were pretty well intact. I was feeling positive, seeing great results, and my health was making a turn for the better. It was through this program and through my failures that I realized the problem all along, and that problem was me. 

For so long I felt like I could blame the world for everything. It wasn't until I failed multiple times at this program that I realized the only person I could blame this on this time was MYSELF. That was a huuuuge eye opener for me, and one I was so blessed to receive. 

It was then that my life starting shifting. I realized the problem wasn't anyone else, it was me. So I began working on myself, 100%. My fitness and health were under control now, and I was doing the necessary tasks to better myself, but I needed more. So I opened my mind to personal development. In what areas did I feel insecure or unsure? I would target those emotions, whether it was leadership, consistency, time management, confidence, etc. and I READ a book about them.

Do you know the feeling you get when you have a conversation with someone who opens your mind to a whole new perspective of a view or concept you had only known to be the way you thought of it? You leave that conversation feeling inspired and excited right? That's what 10-15 minutes of personal development can do for your life every single day. Imagine how much your mindset could change, if you had that positivity flooding your life. 

Healthy routine= check.
positive mindset= check.

With my knew journey I was starting to learn so much about myself that I never had known before. For the first time I was REALLY starting envision my life. Setting a plan, writing down goals for how I was going to achieve my dreams, and most importantly, I was taking ACTION to do them. 

While doing all of this, I had committed to being a Beachbody Coach. In hopes to help someone get motivated like I had been, because I knew the outcome could be life changing. I've developed such a love for this business that my heart could just explode!!!

healthy routine=check
positive mindset=check
dream job= check

So what does it mean to be successful? To me it means working on yourself every single day to the best person you can be. Surrounding yourself with positive people and positive lifestyles. Figuring out what you want out of life and GOING FOR IT RIGHT NOW, regardless of the judgement that might be perceived. Stop trying to fit the mold and LIVE unapologetically, staying true to yourself no matter what. Learning that YOU determine your fate, not anyone else. Lastly, and most importantly to me is LOVE. Whether that is a spouse, a kid, a pet, whatever it may be, love is such a beautiful gift and one we should NEVER take for granted. 

Shakeology and what it has done for me!

Woke up this morning realizing that today marks 7 months that I have been drinking Shakeology every single day. It was in February that I was encouraged to purchase it as a challenge pack with my workout program. (For those of you that do not know, challenge packs are workout programs combined with a month supply of shakeology at great discounted prices.) At the time, I only purchased it for the fact that I was saving money, and had no intention on sticking with it because "shakes" just really weren't my thing. I'll be honest in saying I didn't do my research, but I trusted my friend who was drinking it everyday and that it didn't have any stimulants in it, etc. It was a health drink, so I thought, no harm done? 

Rewind, and I'm at the point in my life where I am unhappy and unhealthy. I had been struggling with stomach issues that gave me problems at least 3x a week for at least 2 years. It became second nature to me, and at this point I thought I was unlucky and that this was just something I was going to have to deal with forever. A few weeks into drinking shakeology daily, I noticed my energy levels were much higher. My typical schedule consisted of waking up and needing a coffee before I could even function, but I had felt "better" and really didn't know why, so I just went with it! After about a month of consistently drinking Shakeology daily, it dawned on me that I hadn't had a stomach ache. I remember sitting down with my husband and talking to him about it, wondering if the shakeology was the cause for my new changes? We really were not sure, so I started to really research the "stuff."

For the first time, I realized the bag said it was the healthiest meal of the day. Then I learned that this was 100% natural and included 70+ super foods. I had no idea what "super foods" were so I typed it in my google search engine to find the definition stated, " a marketing term used to describe foods with supposed health benefits." Now I was really interested and chose to examine these super foods one by one. Here are a few:

Astragalus: Used in ancient Chinese medicine for centuries
Natures remedy to treat: Fibromyalgia, diabetes, arthritis, asthma.
It boosts immune system, protects against heart disease, improves overall weakness, lowers blood sugar, and treats respiratory infections+ nervous system conditions.

Sacha Inchi: Increasing production in the Peruvian Amazon.
Natural remedy for: heart disease, diabetes, cancer, ADD, depression, osteoporosis.

Maca Root: Used for 2,000 years by Inca Indians.
2 major benefits? Prolonged energy and endurance.

Chia Seeds: Native to southern Mexico.
Reduces food cravings, helps stay hydrated, and are rich in omega 3's. 

Wheat Grass: The building block for a healthy blood stream.
Increases red blood count, purifies and cleanses blood, improves blood disorders, reduces blood pressure, suppresses appetite, reduces fatigue, increases energy levels. It's antioxidants repair damaged blood cells. Very beneficial for cancer patients.

and many more .. .

Not to mention the prebiotics, probiotics, and digestive enzymes which are beneficial to your digestive system. 

At this point it was clear to me that my results were from the choices I made to fuel my body every single day with exactly what it needs. I couldn't believe that all my internal problems were due to the fact that I was depriving my body of nutrients. To try and match the nutrition in shakeology would cost you $41 dollars a day at a grocery store vs the $3.98/day you pay to have your shake. All I know is this, I would much rather invest in my health now for 3.98 a day than to continue to neglect myself and invest a lot more in doctors bills/medications later. 

Call me biased, but I have not seen anything that remotely compares to the nutritional value of Shakeology which I why I am so passionate about it and why my family, customers, and I drink it every single day. 

Happy 7 months Shakeology! 

21 Reasons why the 21 day fix works

You have heard of the 21 day fix. BUT WHAT IS IT, AND HOW DO YOU SEE RESULTS SO QUICKLY? I'll tell you, and i'll tell you why it works for everyone. 

1. It takes 21 days to break a bad habit, follow this new eating pattern and get on a workout regimen and you have just created a new lifestyle for yourself.

2. When starting the 21 day fix program it's all about speeding up your metabolism. How do you do that? Smaller meals frequent times a day is what your body needs and what the fix provides.

3. This guided meal plan is only guided in the sense that it tells you how many proteins, fruits, veggies,carbs, etc that you can have each day based off a simple calculation.

4. There is no way you won't like the food, because you get to create your own meal plan based off  your caloric intake.

5. Throw the guessing out the window, because included are portion sized containers. If it fits in the container, you can have it.

6. Muscle confusion is extremely important when working towards your goals which is why the 30 minute a day workouts all have a different focus.

7. Included with the 21 day fix is your daily dense nutrition called Shakeology. Having one shake that provides ALL the nutrients you need for one day eliminates the "craving " feeling you so often get. After all, cravings are our bodies way of telling us our bodies are lacking some sort of nutrient. Imagine eliminating that factor all together?

8. The workouts are extremely doable. FOR ANYONE, ANY AGE, IN ANY SHAPE. How? They offer a modifier in each video to follow and you gradually work your way up. 

9. Accountability is something we all need. Which is why I run monthly challenge groups specific to this program.

10. Not only will this program get you in great shape, but it EDUCATES you so much on what a proper diet ACTUALLY looks like. Believe it not, most people are not eating ENOUGH. When you are neglecting your body of food, it goes into hibernation mode and starts storing. To sum it up EAT MORE=LOSE MORE. You need to fuel your body so it has something to burn.

11. Men and Women approved. This program can give anyone a good workout, no matter what shape you are in.

12. People often tend to stick to something more when they see quick results. You will definitely notice a change in your first week, and all you are doing is working out and eating more than your used to.

13. Eliminate the cost of a nutritionist, a gym membership, and consuming 5 plates of salad a day, and get it all in one program that can be done right inside your home.

14. You can incorporate WINE into this diet! You are not depriving yourself by any means.

15. HAVE I MENTIONED IT'S ONLY 30 MINUTES A DAY WORKOUTS!?

16. 3 months later, I still use the meal plan as a guide. I've learned to recognize what proper portions look like without the containers, and I'm not overeating like in the past and maintaining my results because of it.

17. Everyone that has done this program with me and stuck to it completely for 21 days has had results, but most importantly felt 100x better. 

18. ENERGY levels are sky rocketing because of your new habits and fueling your body with the proper amount of nutrients. 

19. The great thing about this program is it's yours forever and you can continue after the 21 days. ( which most do)

20. I'm proof that it actually works, as many others challengers could say also!

21. I want to help you feel great too! My next challenge group Starts Aug 18th! 

Beachbody Coaching & why I love it!

When I first started my Beachbody Journey, it was more to focus on myself. Being a Beachbody Coach was exactly what I needed to accomplish my goals, and get my butt in gear! I felt that if I wanted to be an example to others, I had to 1. Be proof of the products/programs and 2. truly believe in myself. I knew that I really needed to figure myself out and what I wanted in my life before I could try and help other people. 

Starting a new journey is extremely scary, ESPECIALLY a journey in Network Marketing . I was a skeptic coming into this business for the simple fact that I had heard about "these types" of systems before, and it's not something I really wanted to be a part of. But I decided to set my ignorance aside, and educate myself on this opportunity and how I could help other people. Here is what I've found out..

"Companies have choices. They can dive into the ever fragmented world of advertising to get the word out, they can hire a large and expensive sales force to sell their products or services, or they can utilize Network Marketing to tell their story to the world. More and more companies will choose to use Network Marketing because it fits the new economy. They can provide all the corporate support and pay distributors on a purely performance basis to promote their products." (Isn't that where our job market is headed anyways?) It's really smart actually, because in the new economy, word-of-mouth advertising continues to work better than any other form of promotion.So basically they can take the money they would have spent on advertising and promotion and pay it to distributors to spread the word. 

So what does this mean for me? It means that I can receive all the benefits of traditional business ownership without the typical risks, and there is NO cap on my income because Network Marketing companies want you to make as much as possible. So what's the catch?

The catch is that your in network marketing. The catch is that people will talk, and at times think less of you. They will think you are crazy! And why? Because most people have either done it or know someone who has, and failed. In other words, they are not joining a profession, they are hoping to get lucky, sign up a few people to cover their own start up costs, and sit back and watch the money roll in. DOESN'T WORK THAT WAY. Instead of taking responsibility for not really starting their business, they blame Network Marketing and make sure to tell the world that it's a scam and doesn't work. This business is anything but easy, which is why people quit.

So what makes Beachbody different? 

All that stuff up there ^^^^^^^ that's not why we are here. Sure the compensation plan Beachbody offers is extremely rewarding , but we are truly passionate about helping other people. We truly want to make a difference and help people reach their goals. We truly want people to find happiness within THEM. Because what happens when you truly find happiness within yourself? Everything else in life starts to make sense! Tell me it doesn't feel good to know you have impacted someones life in a positive way?

Well why do we care so much? 

Because every single one of us has a story, every single one of us has gone through something and/or continues to go through something. It's funny because Beachbody is so much more than health and fitness. It's a family, a creative license to make a business however you see fit, a way to get out of debt, change the path of your life, freedom of time, etc. and the best part? This business is for anyone as long as you come in with a strong work ethic, a big heart, and an open mind so we can help educate you on what it takes to be successful. 

About me

A little about me! My name is Natalie Bailey and I am 24 years old. I graduated with my Bachelors of Science degree in Animal and Nutritional Science in December of 2012. Upon graduation, I relocated to Annapolis, MD to be closer to my fiance and plan for our wedding the following summer. My awesome husband, Mason, is an Ensign in the Navy, and we are now stationed in Pensacola, Fl while he attends flight school. Military life! You guessed it, we travel a lot. It's something I was well aware of when I fell in love with him at 17. I was prepared in every way I thought possible. Leaving family, moving city to city, independence, etc. I guess the one thing I never really wrapped my brain around was having a career. I have always been independent, so having a career was not an option, but what I didn't realize was how difficult it was going to be to find work, to find a job and someone that would accept me as a "military wife" knowing that my stay was only temporary. Moving to Florida was definitely a wake up call, and as strong of a person that I like to think I am, I wasn't handling the adjustment very well. I started to gain weight, get sick, etc. This on going "feeling sorry for myself" mentality was setting in, and I found myself drifting further and further away from who I always saw myself becoming. I had picked up a few waitress jobs until I could find something better, I worked 40 hr weeks in an insurance office, but nothing was fulfilling me. I had always envisioned this life for myself where I could make a difference. It was in Feb 2014 that I found Beachbody Coaching and my life has been changed ever since.

I was interested in the idea of everything because I had already done Insanity in the past, and was in the process of purchasing a new program called T25 to get me back on track with my health and fitness. To be honest, when I reached out to my, now coach, about what she was doing, it sounded like a bunch of bull. But I took the chance for the simple fact that she talked me into Shakeology. Because of my bad habits, I was having serious health issues, and it didn't take long for me to reap the benefits that Shakeology had to offer. I had not felt better, physically, in a really really long time, and I knew shakeology was a huge contributor to that. But again, I felt like I was stuggling with the monthly cost, so I was torn. When I explained my issues to my coach, she presented the coaching opportunity. She encouraged me to share my newest purchase of shakeology and my workout program, and explained to me that if I just made a few sales a month, my shakeology would be paid for. It was a done deal in my eyes, because there was no way I wanted to let go of shakeology.

So I did, I made a post on facebook. Talk about nerve wracking! But the response was incredible. So much love and support from my Facebook family. I never knew that so many people would be interested in ME and MY journey. My post was mostly to hold myself accountable, and the support motivated me that much more. Fast forward 6 months and a 20 lb weight loss story later, my journey alone has been able to touch so many lives and gave them the courage to step up and take charge of themselves also. I've found a career path that I can take with me wherever I go. I'm changing lives, making a reliable income, I feel better than I ever have, I am doing something with PURPOSE, and most importantly, I am living the life I've dreamed of. 

At the end of the day, I've developed such a passion for this business and what it has done for me, that I feel compelled to help as many people as I possibly can. The power of accountability is truly life changing, and I am proof of that.