Why I Became A Beachbody Coach

I post a lot about Beachbody on my Facebook page and I feel like it sometimes comes across that I am just trying to sell a product to someone so that I can make some quick cash.   But the reality is that I truly want to help people.

I've spent my entire life struggling with my weight.  Sometimes I was skinny and sometimes I wasn't.  When I look back, I think I probably gained a lot of weight around age 11 or 12.  What a terrible age to gain weight.  I was already in that awkward preteen stage and feeling uncomfortable in my own skin.  Of course, my twin brother got the tall/thin genes!  I remember being at my dad's work picnic.  One of his coworkers looked at my brother and I and said, "If you take some of your weight (pointing to me) and put it on him (pointing to my brother), you guys would be perfect".  Wow!  What a terrible thing to say.  So terrible that I've never forgotten it.

Once I got to high school, I lost a lot of the weight.  Looking back, I know that I did it in an unhealthy way.  I didn't have an eating disorder, but I certainly cut back on the amount that I was eating on a daily basis.  I wasn't eating enough and it was unhealthy.  I wasn't athletic at all and I just didn't know how to do it the correct way.  My College days rolled around and I fluctuated back and forth during those years.  Let's be honest... I wasn't counting calories during those weekly trips to the bar... didn't think twice about sitting around a pizza with my friends armed with a bottle of ranch dressing to dip it in....and working out really wasn't a top priority in  my life at that time.  By the time I graduated, I had terrible habits when it came to eating and exercise.

After graduation... bring on the desk job!  Hours upon hours of sitting.  I worked in an office where many of the people around me had terrible eating habits.  Fast food was a staple.  People would constantly bring in baked goods and set them on the break room table for everyone to enjoy.  And guess what?  I went right along with them.  Gaining more and more weight as the weeks went on.

It's hard for someone to see that they are gaining weight... and it's even harder to admit even when your clothes no longer fit.  I honestly couldn't even tell you how many times I've stood in front of my closet crying because nothing really fit and if it did fit, I felt terrible in it.  I would then go shopping in an attempt to find something that I would feel comfortable wearing, but after several attempts at trying things on in the dressing room, I would leave empty-handed.  Rush out of the store and cry the whole way home.  It was a terrible cycle.

My college years were some of the best years of my life.  I made some amazing friends.  We spent countless hours together and I knew that they loved me for me.  It was a sad day when we all graduated and went our separate ways.  With that being said, we always made a point to try and get together 2 times a year.  We would make plans and I would get really excited to see everyone.  And then a week before our get-together, I would start having anxiety.  I didn't want people to see that I had gained weight. I felt so insecure in my own skin.  Eventually by the end of the week, I was coming up with excuses why I wouldn't be able to make it.  I was so insecure and down that I was giving up spending time with some of my favorite people in the world!

I also found myself hiding when anyone brought their camera out for a group shot.  I would immediately volunteer to be the person who took the picture just so I didn't have to be in it.   One of my worst fears was looking back on my wedding photos and being completely disgusted and ashamed about the way that I looked in them.  And that's when I decided to make a change! 

I was initially approached by my friend/sorority sister Kayla about Beachbody and being a part of her challenge group.  I turned her down the first time she asked me, telling her that it was too expensive... I was planning a wedding... blah, blah, blah.  Looking back I knew they were all excuses.  If I really wanted to make it happen, I would have found a way.  She approached me for a second time a couple months later and I finally agreed.  BEST DECISION EVER!!!  I lost 30 pounds just in time for my wedding and I found a healthy lifestyle.  I learned to lose weight the right way, by eating clean and exercising.

I've now taken the next step and I've become a Beachbody coach.  I've never been surrounded by so many positive people who truly care about others.  I'm still working on my weight loss journey, but I'm the healthiest I've ever been in my entire life.  I'm starting to get my confidence back and I'm starting to learn that I can be happy with me! 

This is why I post about Beachbody.  Because I've been there.  I've tried everything to lose weight.  I know what it feels like to feel completely overwhelmed with my weight and not knowing what to do.  I've cried and cried and cried over it.  That's why I want to help others.   It just takes that first leap of faith to start on your journey to a better you! 

Clean Eating Sloppy Joes

 Clean Eating Sloppy Joes

Eating clean doesn't mean that you have to give up all of  your favorite foods!  I'm always on the hunt for clean eating recipes that will not only satisfy my craving for these foods, but will also be acceptable to my husband who isn't necessarily quite as enthusiastic about "that clean eating stuff" as he puts it.  Even though I've tried to explain it to him, he has the same misconception that many have... that it's a diet.  Clean eating isn't a "diet"...it's about getting rid of the processed food and opting for fresh, natural ingredients instead.  It means that I cook a lot of things from scratch... but trust me when I tell you that I'm not spending hours in the kitchen!  I look for fast, family friendly recipes that everyone can enjoy.  I found this recipe on another coach's clean eating blog and thought I would share with all of you!  Clean eating sloppy joes... a winner with both adults and kids!  Sloppy Joe... Sloppy Sloppy Joe... You're singing it, aren't you?!

 

Ingredients

1 lb Lean Ground Turkey
1 (15 oz) Can Organic Tomato Sauce
1/2 Cup Clean Ketchup
1 tbsp. Garlic Powder
1 tbsp. Onion Powder
1 Medium Green Pepper
1 Medium Red Bell Pepper

For the "Clean" Ketchup, I used Simply Heinz since it was my best option at my local small town grocery store.  It was on the bottom shelf and hard to see, but I found it!

 

Cook lean ground turkey in a large skillet.  Once meat is cooked, add all other ingredients and stir until well blended.

Simmer on low for 10-15 minutes. 

That's it!  Serve on a Whole Wheat Hamburger Bun with some veggies on the side!  I did an open-face sandwich and just used one slice of bread.  Served with a side of fresh cut green beans.

Cauliflower Crust Pizza - Pizza Without The Guilt!

If I had to choose the one food that helped me to gain the bulk of my weight, I would blame it on pizza.  Oh Heavenly Pizza!  It's right up there with my love of sweets.  We ordered it EVERY Sunday and ate it ALL DAY LONG while we watched the football games.  So good... but oh so bad!  Now that I'm on my weight loss journey, I need to look for alternatives to my favorite foods and this recipe is the bomb!  It's a recipe that my husband loves and asks for frequently.

 Cauliflower Crust Pizza

1 cup cooked, riced cauliflower
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1 egg, beaten
1 tsp dried oregano
1/2 tsp crushed garlic
1/2 tsp garlic salt
olive oil (optional)

pizza sauce, shredded cheese and your choice of toppings

To "Rice" the Cauliflower:
Take 1 large head of fresh cauliflower, remove stems and leaves, and chop the florets into chunks. Add to food processor and pulse until it looks like grain. Do not over-do pulse or you will puree it. (If you don't have a food processor, you can grate the whole head with a cheese grater). Place the riced cauliflower into a microwave safe bowl and microwave for 8 minutes (some microwaves are more powerful than others, so you may need to reduce this cooking time). There is no need to add water, as the natural moisture in the cauliflower is enough to cook itself.
One large head should produce approximately 3 cups of riced cauliflower. The remainder can be used to make additional pizza crusts immediately, or can be stored in the refrigerator for up to one week.

To Make the Pizza Crust:
Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Spray a cookie sheet with non-stick cooking spray.  I line my cookie sheet with foil first to make cleanup easier.
In a medium bowl, stir together 1 cup cauliflower, egg and mozzarella. Add oregano, crushed garlic and garlic salt, stir.

Transfer to the cookie sheet, and using your hands, pat out into a 9" round. Optional: Brush olive oil over top of mixture to help with browning. Bake at 450 degrees for 15 minutes. This is what they will look like when you take them out of the oven.

 Remove from oven. To the crust, add sauce, toppings and cheese.

Place under a broiler at high heat just until cheese is melted (approximately 3-4 minutes). 

I like to serve my "pizza" with a side salad!  And I usually have leftovers for lunch the next day!

General Tso's Meatballs... Getting My Chinese Takeout Fix!

One of my favorite takeout dishes from the Chinese restaurant is General Tso's Chicken.  However, I rarely ever order it because I know that it's terrible for me.  It's definitely something that I have as a splurge.  When I saw this recipe on Facebook, I was super excited to try it.  I changed a few of the ingredients to suit my own tastes and cut out the step where it tells you to fry the meatballs.  These little things are delicious and a perfect way to get that Chinese takeout fix!

General Tso's Meatballs
Serving Size (4 Meatballs)

 Ingredients (For The Meatballs):
1 lb Ground Turkey
1 tsp ground Ginger
1/4 cup Scallions, Chopped
1 tsp garlic powder
1/4 cup almond flour
1 egg

Mix all ingredients together and form into balls.  Should make about 16 meatballs.  Bake in the oven at 350 degrees for 30-35 minutes or until cooked thoroughly.

Ingredients (For the Sauce):
1/2 tsp Sesame Oil
3 Tbsp Rice Wine Vinegar
3 Tbsp Soy Sauce (Low Sodium)
3 Tbsp Honey
1/4 cup Scallions, Chopped
4-5 small dried chilies, seeded and chopped (I didn't have these so I substituted a tsp of chili powder and added some red pepper flakes)

Combine all ingredients in a saucepan and bring to a boil.  Simmer for five minutes until thickened and remove from heat.  Pour sauce over meatballs and serve.

To get updates about new recipes on my blog and for some health and fitness tips, check out my Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/BurpeesAndBakedGoods
Beachbody Coach Page: http://www.beachbodycoach.com/shanwarburton (sign up for a FREE account!)

Southwest Stuffed Peppers

Southwest Stuffed Peppers

3 or 4 Peppers (can use Green, Red, Yellow or a mixture)

1 lb ground turkey
1 cup chopped onions
Packet Taco Seasoning
2 cups cooked rice
1 can of black beans, drained and rinsed
1 can of corn (or use frozen corn)
1 15 oz jar of salsa (I sometimes use a little more)
Shredded Mexican Cheese

Cut and clean your peppers.  Hint: Cut Peppers in half lengthwise and try NOT to cut off the top of the pepper (like I did in these photos).  If you cut off the top, you will have trouble getting your "stuffing" to stay in them.  I already had these peppers cut and in my freezer so I just went with what I had.  Place peppers in a baking dish and drizzle with Olive Oil.  Bake at 400 for 20-25 minutes or until tender.  They will be done by the time you are done with making the stuff for inside.

 

In a large skillet, cook your ground turkey and onion (salt and pepper to taste).

Once your meat is cooked through, add salsa, black beans, corn, rice, and taco seasoning.

Spoon this mixture into your peppers.  Top with cheese.  

Place back into the oven and bake until your cheese is melted.  Here is what the finished product will look like.

This recipe makes a ton of "stuffing" for in your peppers and I usually have a good amount left over.  We usually use it to top off salads, in a wrap, or just heated up in a bowl.  Makes a great lunch for the following day!

Avocado Chicken Salad...Winner, winner, chicken dinner!

I'm a huge fan of chicken salad, but I don't make it that often because the only recipe I know how to make calls for mayonnaise, and I've been trying to avoid mayo.  As many of you know, I am a Pinterest freak!  So, when I saw a recipe for chicken salad that called for avocado rather than mayo, I was on it!  I revamped the recipe to my own liking and it came out a winner.  I got a 2 thumbs up from my husband!  Here's the recipe:

Avocado Chicken Salad

2 or 3 chicken breasts (I did 3, but mine were on the small side)
2 avocados
1/4 chopped onion
juice from one lime
Salt and pepper to taste

Chop up your cooked chicken breasts.  Add avocado, onion, and lime juice.  Mix all ingredients.

That's it!  Voila!

Yes it's green... it has avocado in it, but it is the best chicken salad I've ever had!  Here's what the finished product looks like.

Banana Pancakes!

I've had bananas sitting on my counter all week that didn't get eaten and they were staring at me with their browness.  I hated to just throw them away.  I decided to use what I had in the house to make something with them.  So I set out on a Pinterest mission!  I spend enough time going to the grocery store, so that was NOT an option.  I've been hungry for pancakes and it's Sunday, so banana pancakes sounded like a perfect plan.  I found several recipes for banana pancakes but they all had ingredients listed that I (a) did not want to use in the recipe or (b) did not have in my house.  So this recipe is a modge podge of all 3!

So here are the ingredients that I used:

2 Mashed Bananas

2 Egg Whites

1/2 Whole Wheat Flour

1/4 Vanilla Shakeology

1/2 C. Milk

1/2 tsp. Baking Powder

2 tsp. Cinnamon

2 Tbs. PB2

 

Mash Bananas. Mix with Egg Whites and Milk.  Add all other ingredients and mix well.

Drop into pan as you would with normal pancake mix.  

 

 Hint: Cook on low heat for a longer amount of time so middle cooks through.

 

They had a pretty similar consistency to regular pancakes and I just ate mine plain. I thought they were fantastic!  My husband ate them as well.  He said they were "okay" but he is a pancake snob so I wouldn't take his opinion to heart.  Pancakes are his favorite breakfast food and he usually smothers them with butter and syrup, so I was already at a disadvantage going in.  Ha!  I would definitely make these again and I know that you would love them too!