Consistency

I really need to get better about this blogging thing!!! I have thousands of people who land on this little blog of mine and you guys deserve better ;)

Today I want to write about consistency. 

Consistency is my biggest struggle. 

I know HOW to do the things that need to be done to reach my goals... I know how to eat right (which I take for granted...that wasn't always the case!), I know that working out makes me feel stronger and healthier and happier, I know that I am more productive on days that I do my hair....which may not make sense to everyone, but it does for me! If I FEEL GOOD about how I am presenting myself...I am more ON IT all day! I know HOW to save money...I know HOW to make my husband feel like a million bucks. I know WHY I love helping people and HOW that love can move my business forward. 

The only thing stopping me? CONSISTENCY.

Sometimes I just get distracted. I space out...move on to something else with the intention of coming back...I get called away. I just had to stop myself from checking my phone when I heard the little sound for email go off....I'm devoting this time, right now, to write this blog for you, and I'm still struggling to stay on task.

Sometimes I bite off more than I can chew. I have the best intentions most of the time, but I struggle to say no. Or think through whether or not really, truly have the time to follow through on what I am committing to. 

Sometimes I'm just plain lazy. There I said it! Sometimes spending a few extra minutes in the morning with Matt Lauer is more important than doing my hair. When I joke that I dont brush my hair half the time....I'm not joking! I really don't. I throw it in a pony tail. I feel like a hot mess the rest of the day, and I am not as productive as I would have been if I felt like I had my life together, hair and all!

I mean I could honestly go on about all of the reasons why my life lacks consistency and follow through. I really could. Can you relate?! Please....please someone tell me you can relate!

So I am working really hard on ways to improve the consistency in my life. If Im more consistent my life will be less chaotic. I will be happier. My husband will be happier. My kids will be happier. Ill be a better mom! Ill be a better motivator. A better coach. A better friend. I'd just be BETTER.

The first thing Ive implemented is setting a timer for specific tasks. I do a power hour for my business and in my home, where I focus on 4 specific activities, for 15 minutes each, over the course of an hour. I unplug during this time and just do the task ahead of me, nothing else for 15 minutes. When the timer is up, I wrap up whatever I am doing at that very second, and move on.

For bigger activities, things that I know, realistically, will take longer than 15 minutes and will require my undivided attention without an interruption, Ill set a longer timer. For example...if I am doing a Power Hour in my house, and spending 15 minutes in the kitchen, then 15 in the living Room, 15 in the Bathroom and 15 in the Bedroom....I can move from task to task and pick up where I left off once I return. Writing this Blog post however really requires that I stay focused, for the entire time that Im working on this or else I will lose my train of thought. So I set a timer for 30 minutes, to keep myself in check with time. If the time goes off and I need more time...I'll give myself more time, but Ill be aware of how long the task is taking.

Does that make sense?

The second thing Ive implemented is getting away from keep track of everything going on in my life...in my phone! Technology is a wonderful thing, but I like the feeling of making a list. Seeing a calendar and WHAT I have written in on each day and not just a little Dot letting me know there is something I should remember to do on that particular day. 

So I invested in a "Life Planner" for myself. It's a good old fashioned calendar, with monthly and weekly pages, and plenty of room to write. It's pretty...and Im attracted to pretty things. It's personalized...and I like seeing my family's names on our family planner...and it's functional! I like writing out my to do list and then crossing off what Ive done. I like seeing my family calendar and knowing who needs to be where, when. 

If you want to check out a life planner for yourself, I ordered mine at www.erincondren.com and there are plenty of options!

The third and biggest thing I have implemented...but of course need to be consistent about...is accountability! I run accountability groups for my challengers and keep them accountable for their health and fitness goals. But I need accountability for not just health and fitness goals...but personal and professional goals too! I have a Success Partner for my business now, and I am spending a lot of time on personal development trying to find a way I can keep myself accountable with my personal and professional goals...and help others do this same. Because I enjoy giving others that satisfaction and it keeps me on track too. 

So what about you? 

What do you struggle to stay consistent with? What could you use more accountability with? What would it mean to you and your life if you got a better handle on your responsibilities and your time?

Any feedback you could provide would be awesome. It's always nice to know Im not the only hot mess running around ;) And it might give me some insite into what I can do to help you or others like you to not feel so overwhelmed! Comment below or shoot me an email. 

Thank you!!!! xo- Meghann

PiYo - it's pretty awesome

PiYo!!!! 

I am about a month into PiYo and I gotta say....I'm surprised! The first couple of weeks seem kind of easy...they're still great...but they seem easy if you are used to working out frequently. 

Well now I'm starting to see why!!! The first few weeks are all about getting down the moves, perfecting your form and getting used to the routine. I'm in week 4 and I am now seeing that not only are those routines effective...but thank God I did them!! I am so sore this week in all of the best ways and it seems like with every workout I'm seeing more and more definition and tone...and Im getting stronger. There is a method to the madness!!!

But enough about me...you probably want to know what PiYo is right???  

 



Here's what I know...
Have you been hearing about this new workout program that Chalene Johnson was just released?! I'm in the midst of doing PiYo and I am really enjoying it. I have always enjoyed extreme workouts - but I see the best results from the yoga and Pilates routines that go along with those workouts...(Hello X3 yoga and isometrics!) so I am really really excited about PiYo!!!!

Who will benefit from PiYo?

 EVERYONE!  It is a high intensity low impact workout that can be modified to meet everyone's needs.  It is meant to improve flexibility, torch calories and get you in the best shape of your life!
 
There is no jumping in this workout so it is great for someone who needs a low impact option.  It will overall give you a toned, sleek, and complete body transformation.  PiYo is inspired by Pilates and Yoga and was developed by Chalene Johnson who is also the creator of two of Beachbody's most popular programs Turbofire and Chalean Extreme.  There are no weights required for this workout. 

 

What PiYo Workouts are included with the program?

 

 

•  Align (46 mins): The Fundamentals (46 mins)
• Upper Body (35 mins): this focused workout will strengthen and stretch your entire body, while building on the movement patterns you have learned in Align.
• Define: Lower Body (25 mins) will shape and tone everything from your glutes, hamstrings, quads and calves gently, yet effectively to help you get sleek and lean legs.
• Sweat (35 mins) is a traditional PiYo Workout that is fast paced with body weight strength training and ab work!
• Core (30 mins) an ab-centric workout that targets every angle of the abdominals and back. I’ve read this will be a calorie-torcher too!
• Drench (45 mins) is a total body workout to get you sweaty, burning calories, and going to have your metabolism on fire!
• Strength Intervals (25 mins) designed to tone the whole body and burn tons of calories with no weights required!
• Sculpt (30 mins) no weights are required for this intense, full-body workout either!
• You’ll receive 9 workouts total including a Bonus DVD when you order through a coach...like me! ;)

 The PiYo kit also includes a really detailed and simple nutrition guide and calendar that tell you WHAT to do and WHEN to do it in terms of your fitness AND nutrition to get the very best results from this program. 

Does PiYo sound like something you might be interested in??? Do you need a little more info before you can decide? Message me on Facebook, comment on this post or email me at: CoachMegReed@gmail.com and I'll be happy to help. 

Healthy Comfort Food Part 2....Zucchini Lasaga and Eggplant Parm!

I love comfort food. Especially pasta!!! Unfortunately most of the pasta you find at the store is full of empty calories, chemicals and processed crap we don't really need. When you're trying to live a healthier lifestyle, a big bowl of pasta just isn't gonna o help you reach your goals. 

I've posted about healthy comfort food before...spaghetti squash with home made basil pesto (paleofied).....and Zoodles - I've been peasantly surprised (ok shocked) about how these go to comfort food staples without pasta are not only super EASY to make....but they taste better and are just as filling!!!

Both of the recipes below use my Easy, Fresh, Homemade Sauce. Next time you are at the store...check the sugar content in a jar of spaghetti sauce...and the ingredients....

This sauce tastes better to not just me, but my husband AND little girls, and it's clean. I know every single thing I put in it and I can feel good about giving it to my family.

I eyeball everything when I cook and I encourage you to do the same - these recipes are approximate because I adjust as a I go based on how it's tasting...this is a good base line to work from though to make your own specialtiy ;)

Meghann's Easy, Fresh, Homemade Sauce:

Ingredients

4-6 Tomatoes chopped

Garlic - I usually use the garlic in the jar that's already minced, I've been into the roasted garlic lately and I throw in 1-2 spoonful

Italian Seasoning - check your labels, you want to recognize the names of everything in that little jar

Fresh Basil

Olive Oil

Tomato Paste (the small can...I need to be better about writing these things down!) check the label here too! The only ingredient should be "tomatoes"

To make...

In a large frying pan or sauce pan, heat about 2 tablespoons of olive oil on medium heat....I just drizzle it around the pan once...it could be way less oil than that, but I drizzle it around the perimeter of the pan then move the pan around a bit so it spreads....

Add chopped tomatoes, garlic, a few basil leaves and seasoning (again...the seasoning just do to taste...I give it a few good shakes)

Cover and let simmer for about 10 minutes - during this time Im usually prepping my veggies for the "pasta" part

after 10 minutes take the lid off, you'll notice that a lot of liquid has formed from the tomatoes. stir it up really good....I "press" down and the tomatoes to get them to be more "saucy"

Add the tomato paste, mix it all up and let simmer another 10 minutes.

Annnnnd that's all I do! Im sure there are fancier ways to make sauce...but this is my way and it turns out great every time...it's simple and clean and we all like it!

I do make Meat Sauce too - I posted that recipe awhile back when talking about Healthy Comfort Food so you can find it here!

 I use this sauce with the Zucchini Lasagna and Eggplant Parm recipes below :)

Zucchini Lasagna

This is literally Lasagna...made with Zucchini....that's the only major difference from traditional lasagna. So if you have a lasagna recipe that you LOVE...try it with Zucchini instead! 

To prep the Zucchini I use a kitchen gadget called a mandolin that I found at Big Lots for less than $10. It slices the Zucchini super thin. The Zucchini retains a lot of water so what I do is slice it (as seen below) and sprinkle with salt. Then I let it sit for 10 minutes or so and then I put it in a strainer and press the pile with paper towels. I'm sure there is a better method with these has worked well for me! I've also prepped the Zucchini in the morning, and put the salted bowl into the fridge before work. Then strain it and you'll find the salt has already pulled post of the liquid out.

Next, you want to cook the Zucchini briefly. The best method is on your grill, about 2-3 minutes per side. I've also used an electric griddle though. This helps with the firmness of the Zucchini, the taste and makes the moisture less of an issue too.

After you've done all of that you use your Zucchini strips just like you would pasta.

For a pan of 13x9 pan of lasagne 4-6 Zucchini should be plenty!

I layer mine with sauce (for the pic below I used meat sauce), fat free ricotta cheese and low moisture part skim mozzarella.

The cheese obviously isn't the CLEANEST thing in the world, but by switching from the full fat stuff I used to use to the Fat Free Ricotta and Part Skim Mozz I save a lot of calories and fat & I cant taste a difference.

I cook the assembled "lasagna" in a pre-heated oven at 375 for 20-30 minutes...until the cheese looks slightly browned on the top.

Seriously freaking delicious and I swear you wont miss the pasta one bit!!!!

Eggplant Parmesan

Until I made this, I had never had Eggplant in my life. My husband mentioned that I should try making it though so I gave it a go. All of the recipes I found required breadcrumbs...which I didn't have and didn't want to buy...and frying the eggplant. So I made up my own recipe that I felt a little better about.

I used...
3 large Eggplants
3 Eggs
Half a container of Parmesan Cheese

I cut up the Eggplant into slices...maybe a 1/4 inch thick. Again, moisture becomes an issue, so I put the slices in a bowl and salted them to draw out some of the liquid...it worked well.

I let them sit in salt for about 10 minutes (while I prepped the "dipping station")

I got 2 bowls. In the first I mixed 3 eggs with a little Italian seasoning in the second I dumped about half a container of Parm cheese.

I dipped each Eggplant Slice in the egg, then in the parm and set it on a baking sheet that I had prepped with some olive oil...just enough so they wouldn't stick.

I cooked the Eggplant in a preheated 450 degree oven for 10 minutes, flipped them all and then put them back for another 10 minutes.

The turned out PERFECT.

I lowered the heat on the oven to 375, and assembled the cooked eggplant in a 13x9 dish with my home made sauce, ricotta cheese and skim mozz....just like I do the lasagna. It turned out great

The finished product looked great, it tasted great and we had plenty for left overs.

 

NOW - is the cheese the BEST option....well, no, it isn't the BEST option. 

But sometimes you just want comfort food and making it with veggies, clean ingredients, no added sugar and real food.......not chemicals you're gonna find in so much of your regular comfort food...IS definitely a healthier option.

A serving of each of these dishes is gonna run you  about 350 - 400 calories...which is perfect for your main course for dinner...it has a good amount of protein and lots of veggies. 

I hope you can use these recipes to create your own Healthy Comfort Food for your family! If you have any questions leave them in the comment section below :)

Accountability Group Application

Are you looking to get in shape, change your lifestyle or stay on track...but need some accountability and motivation to do it? Join us! I'd love to be your free health coach and help you stay on track to reach your goals!!

 Accountability Group Application.

Online contact and registration forms from Wufoo.

Showcase Challenge Pack

 Have you been interested in trying 21 Day Fix, P90X3 or T25 but don't know WHICH program is right for you?

Beachbody has just come out with this brand new Showcase Challenge Pack...and it's a pretty crazy deal!! 

It includes...

• Three 30-minute or less programs: 21 Day Fix^®, FOCUS T25^® and P90X3^®
• Shakeology! Delivered on Home Direct
• 30-Day FREE trial membership to Team Beachbody Club
• Business Starter Kit
• Popular Coach tools including a Shakeology^® Taste Sampler, Shakeology Tote Bags (5-pack), Shakeology Welcome Guides (10-pack) and Team Beachbody Product Catalogs (5-pack)

When you purchase this program you are enrolling as a Coach. They are giving you everything you need to start a successful business in one pretty little package. If you want more information about Coaching I did a detailed post about the opportunity here: 

Do you have zero interest in Coaching? Coaches get a 25% discount, so many people enroll as a "Discount Coach" for just that...the discount. Or...you can always cancel. (although once you use this stuff you wont wanna!)

This is a great opportunity to get in the best shape of your life and get healthier than ever before (thank you Shakeology!) 

Interested? Have questions? Email me for more info at coachmegreed@gmail.com 

or leave a comment below and Ill be happy to get in touch with you.

PiYo!

PiYo!!!! 

 

Here's what I know...

Have you been hearing about this new workout program that Chalene Johnson was just released?! I'm in the midst of doing PiYo and I am really enjoying it. I have always enjoyed extreme workouts - but I see the best results from the yoga and Pilates routines that go along with those workouts...(Hello X3 yoga and isometrics!) so I am really really excited about PiYo!!!!

Who will benefit from PiYo?

 EVERYONE!  It is a high intensity low impact workout that can be modified to meet everyone's needs.  It is meant to improve flexibility, torch calories and get you in the best shape of your life!
 
There is no jumping in this workout so it is great for someone who needs a low impact option.  It will overall give you a toned, sleek, and complete body transformation.  PiYo is inspired by Pilates and Yoga and was developed by Chalene Johnson who is also the creator of two of Beachbody's most popular programs Turbofire and Chalean Extreme.  There are no weights required for this workout. 

 

What PiYo Workouts are included with the program?
 

 

•  Align (46 mins): The Fundamentals (46 mins)
• Upper Body (35 mins): this focused workout will strengthen and stretch your entire body, while building on the movement patterns you have learned in Align.
• Define: Lower Body (25 mins) will shape and tone everything from your glutes, hamstrings, quads and calves gently, yet effectively to help you get sleek and lean legs.
• Sweat (35 mins) is a traditional PiYo Workout that is fast paced with body weight strength training and ab work!
• Core (30 mins) an ab-centric workout that targets every angle of the abdominals and back. I’ve read this will be a calorie-torcher too!
• Drench (45 mins) is a total body workout to get you sweaty, burning calories, and going to have your metabolism on fire!
• Strength Intervals (25 mins) designed to tone the whole body and burn tons of calories with no weights required!
• Sculpt (30 mins) no weights are required for this intense, full-body workout either!
• You’ll receive 9 workouts total including a Bonus DVD when you order through a coach...like me! ;)

 The PiYo kit also includes a really detailed and simple nutrition guide and calendar that tell you WHAT to do and WHEN to do it in terms of your fitness AND nutrition to get the very best results from this program. 

If this sounds like something you'd be interested in, message me on Facebook or 

email me at coachmegreed@gmail.com!

Zoodles!

Zoodles, with ricotta "sauce" and a whole grain Pita with Ricotta and turkey

I've been cheating on spaghetti squash....

I <3 ZOODLES!!!!  I'm obsessed. Don't get me wrong I still enjoy spaghetti squash...I will still HAVE it from time to time...but nothing can beat the value & convenience of Zoodles.

What are Zoodles you say? Basically just a fun little name for "Zucchini Noodles". I didn't think anything could be easier than spaghetti squash....I was wrong! (It doesn't happen often....) Basically all I do is take a Zucchini...and run it over a Mandolin. I found my Mandolin at Big Lots for less than $10 bucks....money well spent...Ill tell you another time how much easier Sweet Potato fries are now ;)

Once you have you "Zoodles" you saute in Olive Oil...I throw a little garlic in too...for a few minutes, until all of the liquid has evaporated. The whole process, start to finish, takes about 10 minutes....

I've found so many fun ways to serve it too....

Zoodles with scallions, red peppers, tablespoon ricotta and mozzarella cheese

Super easy...Shred...sautee (in this I added orange peppers) then top with cheeses or sauce....or eat alone!

This was lunch today...took me 10 minutes before work to throw it together and it counts for                           2 greens, 1 blue, 1 red in 21 day fix world!

Seriously these things are yummy!!! Also...I was never a big ricotta eater before...but when I saw that it counts as a red for the 21 day fix I decided to try it in some different ways...and it is SO good heated up with Zoodles and a Blue container of Mozzarella Cheese...

Sorry Spaghetti Squash...but it's not me...it's you. Zoodles fit my need for fast, easy, healthy and delicious more efficiently! Thanks for the good times...xoxox