Coconut Dream Smoothie

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Everyone loves a smoothie now and then right? Great snack or breakfast on the go – thanks to Shannon from Skinny Sometimes for another great recipe! coconut-dream-smoothie

Chicken Avocado BLT

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Healthy fast food? YES!! Thanks to Shannon from Skinny Sometimes for this amazing paleo chicken avocado BLT recipe. Super simple, super delicious!

chicken-avocado-blt

Paleo Shrimp Scampi

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How good does this Paleo Shrimp Scampi recipe look? Thanks to Shannon at Skinny Sometimes for creating this for me! Enjoy!

paleo-shrimp-scampi

How can I get rid of loose skin on my belly?

this picture is more likely a candidate for a tummy tuck ** always consult a board certified plastic surgeon and get more than one opinion**

I get emails with training and diet questions all the time. I also get this question (or version of it a lot)

<<<Q: I used to be a size 18 and now am a size 2. I eat clean, weight train and do cardio, but I still have this loose skin. How can I tighten  my belly?? (or I have loose skin after pregnancy)>>>

these stretch marks will not go away, but her skin most likely will still tighten more

There are many factors

*age

*amount of weight lost

*how long you were overweight

*how fast you gained the weight

*how fast you lost the weight

 

……….and a lot of genetics.

Some people gain and lose a ton of weight and have hardly any issues while others are covered in stretch marks and are trying to fix that sagging skin.

You can cry about it or just learn what you can do and accept what you can’t.

There are tips for preventing stretch marks; like cocoa butter and moisturizing, but honestly, if you’re bodies’ genetics are likely to get stretchmarks, no amount of cocoa butter is going to stop that. At this point, the damage is done. So….what is my answer for what you can do?

Assuming you already eat clean, lift-weights and “do what you’re supposed to”…. you may not like the answer.

Preparation-H does not work.

Saran Wrap does not work.

Crunches, reverse crunches, planks or any abdominal exercise you can think of will not work.

There are a few lasers (usually very painful, expensive, and not largely effective) that are available that MAY have some effect on small areas or small amounts of skin “wrinkling”

this picture is more likely a candidate for a tummy tuck ** always consult a board certified plastic surgeon and get more than one opinion**

 

The only true thing that can actually get RID of loose skin is a tummy tuck.

They actually CUT. IT. OFF.

Even this only works if you have a significant amount of skin…. annnnnnnnd $8-$10k and about 3 months to recover.


Sooooo–  the BEST thing you can do is: love yourself, don’t stress over it (its probably worse in your head) and think of it as a symbol of your hard work or your souvenir of your beautiful child or your hard work on losing the weight.

Surgery is a personal choice but realize that if you aren’t ok inside, it’s not going to fix everything. That being said, if you worked hard, there’s no reason you should be held back because of some loose skin.

Whatever you choose, be ok with that.

I would never judge and I’d be in line for a tummy-tuck if I worked my ass off to lose a bunch of weight and it was really bothering me.  

We don’t all look/stay young forever.

Just be strong, be healthy, be beautiful.
and sorry I wish I had some better tips… but I am here to tell you the truth, not what you want to hear. Please Leave your comments!

you are MORE than some silly scars :)

Easy Veggie Scramble

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There is nothing I love more than an easy recipe! Shannon from Skinny Sometimes hit the jackpot with this super easy veggie scramble!Easy-Veggie-Scramble

Green Pear Salad

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Green-Pear-Salad
Serves 2
Ingredients:
1 zuchinni  (sliced & roasted)
1 half ripe pear in (sliced & roasted)
1 romaine lettuce washed and dried and cut in bite size peaces
Half a cup organic grass fed goat cheese
2 stalks celery washed and chopped
Half cup EV olive oil
1 tbsp dijon mustard
1tbsp lemon juice
1 tbsp balsamic
A pinch of garlic diced
1 tbsp chopped parsley
Sea salt and cracked pepper
Slice zucchini and pears, toss in coconut oil and roast on 375 degrees until tender.
Mix all dressing ingredients in a small jar and shake shake shake.
On a plate arrange lettuce, celery and zucchini and pear on top sprinkle cheese and drizzle dressing on top.
Optional: Add some chopped organic chicken breast to top salad. Enjoy!

 

Winter Veggie Yum!

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Winter-Veggie-Yum
Serves 4
Ingredients:
2 zuchinni
1 sweet potato ( red)
1 tbsp fresh ginger
1 leek washed and cut in chunks
1 cup raw fava beans
1 tbsp curry powder
1 tbsp coconut oil
Half tsp paprika
1 tbsp sea salt
Half tsp nutmeg
1 cup raw arugula cut in strips
1 cup raw n toasted cashew nuts
Directions:
In a hot pot pour 5 cups water with all ingredients except arugula and cashews. Boil for 45 min. Let cool a for a few minutes and pour entire pot into the blender, blend on high for 3 min. Serve with arugula, cashews and cracked pepper. Yumm!

My 3-Day Juice Cleanse

this was like dessert! The last juice of the day

I was one of those people, whom if you mentioned a juice cleanse or fast, I would say:

“WHY do you need that? Your liver should detox everything… just make healthy choices! Duh!!”

Then…. I saw the movie “Fat, Sick, and Nearly Dead”

I became a little more open-minded, yet still, strongly skeptical.

In the movie, a man goes on a complete juice fast for something like 90 days! It’s a little extreme, but he explains that he is getting enough calories and the juice is taking the concentrated nutrients from the fruits and vegetables.
I was intrigued enough to want to try it, or at least add a green juice to my daily routine.

However, I looked into juicers and got overwhelmed and then dropped that idea.

Ha!

So… in comes Skinny Limits!!

Two of my dear friends, Rebekah Borucki (Bexlife) and Sarah Dussault (Sarahfit), both did a Skinny Limits juice cleanse and review, and since I highly value their opinions and friendship… I totally asked them on the side,

“sooooo… tell me the truth… what did you really think?”

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They both came back with REAL rave reviews.

Ok, Ok.. let’s do this!

I got ahold of the company and decided that the BEST time for me to try the cleanse was after I returned from Chicago, it would be my last weekend of travel after 3 months on the road. A really good time to detox!!

I chose the TROPICAL 3-Day Cleanse, because I saw that pineapple juice was in it… and… well…. pineapple juice.

So, since it arrived pretty early in the morning, I decided to start right then!

I busted open my first juice… and….down the hatch!!

Mmmm!! Not bad! It was green, but it didn’t “taste green” if you know what I mean?

I stacked all the drinks in number order in my fridge and I was really excited to do this!

I did get a little hungry, but there were 6 juices a day, so I never really felt deprived.

The morning of Day 2, I felt a little achy. I did read that there might be detox-like symptoms; headache, fatigue, etc.

It was to be expected. The hunger wasn’t too big of an issue and I really did enjoy each of the drinks. In fact, I was really looking forward to trying each one, so I kept looking at my clock to see if it was time yet!

Unfortunately, on Day 2…. I got into a car accident on the way home from a hair appointment.
ugh!!! Needless to say, I cried and went to bed skipping the last two juices.

(Note: everyone was ok. My car, the other guys car, ego and bank account were the most hurt)

CAR

Day 3 I woke up a little hungrier (from skipping a few hundred calories) and had to make some calls to insurance.

I ended up going to get my car looked at and had to drop it off for repairs, pick up a rental, etc.
That ended up taking over 6 hours… and, did I bring my juice?
No.

I ended up eating a meal out because I knew I wasn’t going to be home anytime soon.

I felt like I failed, for not doing the cleanse “right”

The good news was… I had some drinks left over for Day 4!!

I realized how much I was really looking forward to my daily juices and I was definitely starting to feel better!

I definitely WILL do this cleanse again and I can see the benefit of having 1-2 juices a day just to add to your daily routine.
I love the convenience of having the juices made and shipped to you (it would be a TON of work, to try this by juicing your own!!)

this was like dessert! The last juice of the day

this was like dessert! The last juice of the day

Conclusions:

I loved this cleanse. I do NOT recommend getting into a car accident while you’re attempting to cleanse. (I also don’t recommend it at any time.. it’s really a bummer)
I will most likely do a FULL 3-Day cleanse once a quarter and also try and get some of these juices going in my daily or at least monthly routine. I think I’m addicted!




*All reviews posted on my blog feature my own views and opinions. There are instances when I have reviewed or featured a product and I have received compensation in the form of product for my personal use or for use in a giveaway, discounts toward purchase for my followers, monetary compensation, or any combination of those three things. I never accept payment for favorable reviews.

 

How to Cure Anxiety for good. An interview with Trudy Scott

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I haven’t mentioned too often, that I used to suffer with SEVERE anxiety and depression.

I had been on all kinds of medications and I thought I would be on a life time of pills.

I used to have panic attacks so bad at night that I was even afraid to go to sleep!

I would drive around in my truck until I was so tired, that I would fall asleep in a parking lot.
It was bad!

I was so happy to have the honor of interviewing Trudy Scott, the author of The Anti-Anxiety Food Solution. If you have ever suffered from minor anxiousness to full blown panic attacks, you’ll want to hear of some of her easy tips and DEFINITELY get a copy of this book for yourself! It’s a step-by-step guide, to figuring this all out with, simply, food.

Check it out, leave a comment below and you’ll have a chance to WIN one of five signed copies!

Get your freebies from Trudy http://www.antianxietyfoodsolution.com/freebies/

  • 9 Great Questions Women Ask About Food, Mood and their Health
  • 5 Simple Steps to Reduce Anxiety Now
  • Is gluten one of the foods affecting your mood and anxiety levels?
  • Organic foods, Stanford study, pesticides and the brain
 You’ll also be signed up for her fabulous ezine “Food, Mood and Gal Stuff”

 

Paleo Shrimp Salad

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Paleo-Shrimp-Salad

You know I love me some Paleo-style eating and living.

#Just Eat Real Food.

I’m excited to be an affiliate with the Harvest Your Health Bundle Sale which includes the 21-Day Paleo Cleanse I have been doing!

Harvest-Your-Health-Bundle-Sale_Learn-More

Shrimp salad

paleo, gluten-free,  super healthy
Serves 5 to 7

  • 1 lettuce of your preference ( i suggest curly endive or butter) washed and in bite size pieces
  • 1 avocado in slices
  • 1 lb medium shrimp boiled in salted water for 8 min and cooled in ice water
  • 1 mango in small cubes
  • 1 cup organic corn
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes
  • 1 cup orange wedges
  • 1 cup arugula
  • 3 tbsp black and regular sesame
  • Arrange on plates as desired

Dressing

  • 1/2 cup mirin or vinegar rice
  • 1 cup olive oil
  • 2 tbsp dijon mustard
  • 1 tsp sesame oil
  • The juice of one orange
  • Salt n pepper to taste

Mix all ingredients in a mason jar and shake shake shake.

Chef Vanessa Lee
Questions and comments: [email protected]