:::New Journey New Beginnings:::

In the past 9 months I've Learned

* That my family would be adding another individual to it; and I was scared S***less of it!

* That I was a lot more independent than what everyone else, especially myself, thought.

* That I am a person motivated by actions and not just dreams.

* That it is possible for me to work a career that I love; even if it means struggling until I get there.

* That my true friends will always remain my true friends.

* That the only person you can trust 100% is yourself!

I've grown into the person that I believe that I am intended to be. I know that I still have a ton of growing to do, but I can see the difference and I must say that it feels good to know who I am again. 

Has it been easy? NO! Will it be worth it? I sure hope so! The second you realize what you truly want out of life, everything becomes clear. Making "hard" changes become easy ones. 

Trust yourself! Trust your instincts!

Each day is a new beginning. I haven't been perfect, and I doubt you have too! Have I stayed on task with my goals for 2015? I've definitely had some slip ups! But that's OK! We are human and we are not perfect. What you need to ask yourself is; are you letting those mistakes, those downfalls, define you? Are you giving up already? Now is the time to push through! We're coming up on the last week of February and we still have 10 months to make those goals happen!

Try not to get overwhelmed by everyday tasks! Tackle them one day at a time. My house is a crazy mess right now. If I thought about what it would take to make the entire thing spotless I would end up just laying in my bed under the covers sobbing. So what am I going to do instead? I'm going to make it a point to clean one room, one day at a time. I am going to MANAGE my time and not get overwhelmed or frustrated. 

Here are some tips to help you stay focused and on task

:::Make a To Do List:::

Things will fall into place with lists... A lot of people fall off task simply because they are too busy to keep up with all of their daily responsibilities. Having a daily to-do list will help you get through your day stress free!

::: Make a Goals List:::

Aside from your daily to do list you should have goals with deadlines. I have a spread sheet with my quarterly, yearly, and long term goals. Find out what you need to be doing to reach those goals and incorporate it into your daily lists. 

:::Eliminate Excuses:::

My biggest pet peeve??? "I don't have time"... Worst excuse in the book. Why not just say, I'm too lazy... or I don't want it bad enough... Anything worth having, and keeping, in life is worth making time for. Especially your health! Prioritize your life! Your health, mental and physical, MUST come first, even before your kids. Yes I said it! Before your children, spouse, etc. If you're not taking care of yourself how can you expect to be around long enough to take care of the people who depend on you the most?!?

Realize that certain things CAN wait. You didn't get all of your laundry done but you need to prep your meals for the next day/ week? throw in one more load and head to the kitchen... You didn't get as far ahead on that company project but you know its family time? Take a break and spend time with your spouse and/or kids. 

Giving yourself a break is crucial to maintaining a balanced life!

Well that's it for today! I'm tired and its almost midnight, I should finish cleaning and work on my business but this momma needs her sleep! 

XOXO

Kristina Marie

Chicken Tortilla Soup for Dummies

Chicken Tortilla Soup

If you're anything like me cooking is not your favorite thing in the world to do. Heck I can barely make anything that doesn't come with step by step directions. I dislike cooking SO much that I eat the simplest meals possible. However, once in a while I will find a "cheat" way to make something extremely delicious!!! 

So here is my "Tortilla Soup for Dummies" Recipe

serves 4-6 people

2 can's of Amy's Southwestern Vegetable Soup

2 boneless, skinless, chicken breasts

Shredded mozzarella   cheese

Unsalted corn tortilla chips

Bake chicken breasts for 45 mins at 375

Cut chicken breasts into cubes

Warm soup on stove in large pot

Stir in chicken

Pour soup into bowl and top with cheese and crushed tortilla chips

Note: you can add as much veggies as you want to the soup. You can also add more chicken if you desire. 

Enjoy!

XOXO

 

First Bog of 2015!

Happy New Year! What are your goals for 2015?!? I have a never-ending list of them! But here are my TOP 5!

* Read the entire Bible

* Eat Clean/ Drink 120oz or more of water each day

* Become debt free/ save $$$

* Develop a closer relationship with my spouse and children

* Become a 5 STAR Diamond Coach

As you can see I have personal goals mixed in with my fitness goals. These are the MOST important things in life to me. My health, my family, and my relationship with our supreme creator. 

I want you to ask yourself why! Why are your goals important? Why do you want to loose weight/ get over an ex/ own a BMW? Why are you making these changes? 

That might sound like a silly thing to ask yourself, however you would be surprised by how many people do these things for the wrong reasons. They do them for someone else- I want to loose weight so my ex gets jealous and wants me back; I want to graduate college so my parents are proud; I want a new car so I can show off to my friends.

 My "Why"

My "why" is very simple! I just want to be happy. I want to improve my relationship with God/Gaea/Buddha/ Ala etc. , because he/she is the reason that I even exist. He/she is who I am going to be spending eternity with. I want to get to know him/her better. One thing that I have found out about myself over the past year is that it doesn't matter if your Catholic/ Baptist/ Muslim/ Buddhist etc. There is a supreme creator and I have a need to be more in touch with them. I want to read the Bible from front to back because that is the religion/church that I was raised in, and to be honest I don't understand a whole lot about it. I honestly feel if I had a better understanding of Christianity then I would be able to make a better decision for myself on what I truly believe in. Having a confident outlook on my personal religious preference will help shape me into a better person. I don't need anyone's approval, only my own. 

Eating clean and drinking more water is a no brainier to me. It only makes sense that what you put into your body, over time, will be a deciding factor in how your health will be throughout your life. Living a long, healthy, life is EXTREMELY important to me. My children count on me to be there for them and to take care of them. How can I do so if I'm not even taking care of myself? Not to mention, the healthier you are the better you feel, the better you feel the happier you are! WIN-WIN situation if you ask me.

Becoming debt free and saving money will help ensure that my family is well taken care of, even after I leave this life. I want my kids to struggle as least as possible. I find happiness knowing that my children will never go without. Life is hard enough without the stress of financial burdens. 

My family and I have been through a lot. My relationship is no where near perfect, but it is also no where near terrible. Communication and understanding are crucial when it comes to relationships. We must always continue to grow in every relationship we have, not just romantic ones. Improving my communication skills and learning how to express my needs/wants in an appropriate way are things that I need to work on for my own personal development. Just because you found the person you are going to spend the rest of your life with doesn't mean you stop trying. You should never stop complimenting one another. Self- development books are a GREAT source when it comes to improving relationships because they teach you about yourself.

Growing my business is essential in my happiness! Why? because I finally found something that I have a PASSION for! Something that I can do for the rest of my life, something that I LOVE doing; helping people. I thought that my calling was in a human service field, hence my degree in criminal justice. Even though I do love law enforcement, I have no passion for it. I love helping people reconnect with themselves. Helping people reach and achieve goals that they didn't even think was possible. By reaching 5 Star Diamond I would be able to quit my 9-5 job and solely focus on what I have a passion for. I will be able to help even more people, and that makes me HAPPY!

How to Focus on YOU

If your goals are like mine and include taking more time out for yourself, then here are some helpful tips on how to focus on *YOU*

* Keep a schedule. Even if you have to write out your entire day from dusk til dawn with a check mark box, do it! I've been doing this for a while now and I must say, it helps tremendously! Not only to I keep track in my planner, but I also have a daily check sheet!

* Read self-development books! This is a HUGE one! Self-development books can give you the motivation you may have been lacking. They also help with self-esteem and stress! My favorite so far is The Compound Effect by Darren Hardy.

* Wake up earlier. Waking up even 20 minutes earlier can make the biggest difference in your day. I give myself at least an hour in the morning to get going. I wake up, EAT BREAKFAST, and read for about 20 minutes. I drink 20oz or more of water to get my system going, then I check my emails. By this time I am ready to start my day; get ready for work, feed my daughter; pack lunch; etc. 

* Track your goals! If one of your goals is to lose weight; track your meals, track your exercise. Make small changes. For example: take the stairs over the elevator. 

* Take time out for yourself! Set aside at least 30 minutes a day for YOU. I like to stretch, do yoga, meditate, anything that lets me connect with my inner self. It's important to be able to reflect on your daily activities and future goals. 

* Learn to say NO! If you're like me, a "yes" person, then saying no to someone can be very difficult. Up until about 3 years ago I couldn't tell anyone no, I was always busting my butt with nothing to show for it. I lent out thousands of dollars over the last 10 years that I haven't seen a dime back. I've been that friend that wakes up at 4am to bail someone out of a situation when I had to work at 7am, barely getting a thank you. It's ok to say NO, and once you do you will feel a huge sense of relief. 

* Learn to say YES! If someone offers you an opportunity, take it! Try new things, visit new places, let go of bad habits. Change is a part of life, embrace it!

Decide. Commit. Succeed.

XOXO

Kristina Marie  

 

Oatmeal Cranberry White Chocolate Cookies

 

Oatmeal Cranberry White Chocolate Cookies

Need a sweet treat that wont end up on your waistline? Your healthy diet can include these delicious cookies! You can substitute raisins for the white chocolate for an even HEALTHIER option. 

Total Time: 25 mins

Prep Time: 10 mins

Cooking Time: 15 mins

Yield:  18 servings, 1 cookie each

Ingredients: 

Nonstick cooking spray  

1 1/4 cups of WHOLE WHEAT flour

1 cup of old-fashioned rolled oats

1/2 tsp. of baking soda

1 scoop of Beachbody Whey Protein Powder- Vanilla 

3/4 cup thawed apple juice concentrate

1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce

1/4 cup of white chocolate chips (or raisins)

1/4 cup of unsweetened dried cranberries

Preparation 

1. Preheat oven to 350 F

2. Lightly coat baking sheet with spray- set aside

3. Combine flour, oats, baking soda, and protein powder in a mixing bowl; mix

4. Combine apple juice concentrate and apple sauce in a medium bowl; mix well

5. Add the apple juice mixture to the flour mixture; mix until blended

6. Fold in chips and cranberries; mix well

7. Drop by rounded Tbsp. onto prepared baking sheet

8. Bake for 10-15 mins or until lightly browned

Enjoy!

 

   

Tips for not packing on those extra hoilday pounds

SELF DISCIPLINE!

 It's the Monday before Christmas and I'm sure you are all so excited to spend time with your loved ones! I know I am! However I know you're NOT looking forward to those 10-12lbs that the holiday usually packs on. 

Here are some simple tips so that you can enjoy that Christmas Cheer without that weight gain fear!

Never Arrive Hungry

Try to have a nutritious snack beforehand, a protein bar is a great on the go snack to grab. If you do arrive hungry, drink some water to fill up before filling your plate.

Divert Your Attention

Don't look at the party as just a food event, enjoy your friends' company or dancing. Focus on something other than food.

Pace Yourself

Have you ever tried telling yourself you'll only eat during the first half hour of a party? If you cram in as much as you can in half an hour, you chew faster. Chewing more slowly will fill you up with less food.

Try putting your fork down between every bite. This puts you in control.

Outsmart the Buffet

When dinner is served buffet-style, use the smallest plate available and don't stack your food; limit your helpings to a single story. Go for the simplest foods on the buffet. Fresh fruits and vegetables and shrimp cocktail are good choices. Watch out for sauces and dips.

Limit Alcohol

Avoid drinking too much alcohol at holiday parties. It's not just about calories but about controls. If you drink a lot you, won't have as much control over what you eat.

If you feel out of place without a drink try sipping water or club soda, "so you have something to carry', like everyone else.

Be Choosy About Sweets

When it comes to dessert, be very selective. Limit your sweets to small portions.

What about sampling several desserts, if you only take a tiny bite of each one? You have to know yourself. Some people can eat one bite of something and stop. I don't think most people can do that. If you know you're the type who can't stop at one bite, you're better off taking a small portion of a single dessert than piling your plate with several treats you plan to "try."

Bring Your Own Treats

Whether you're going to a friend's party or an office potluck, consider bringing a low-calorie treat that you know you'll enjoy. Bringing your own dessert will make the more fattening alternatives less tempting.

Limit 'Tastes' While Cooking

If you do a lot of cooking during the holidays, crack down on all those "tastes." "People lose their appetites when they've been cooking because they've been eating the whole time. Instead of tasting mindlessly every few minutes, limit yourself to two small bites of each item pre- and post-seasoning.

Walk It Off

Make a new holiday tradition: the family walk. Besides burning some extra calories, this will get everyone away from the food for awhile.

Go out for a walk as a family before or after the meal. Walking not only benefits you physically but also puts you in a mindset to be more careful about what you eat.

Pep Talk

 

101

     Who are YOU today? are you where you thought you would be 10 years ago? 5 years ago? how about even 1 year ago? I can honestly tell you that 10 years ago, if someone told me I would be the mom of (almost) 4 kids, I would of laughed hysterically in their face. Not because I thought it was funny, but because I was TERRIFIED of kids! The thought of being a mom was not even a slight idea to entertain in my mind.

     Today I could never IMAGINE my life with out children! I've learned so much from being a mom. Being a parent is one of the most rewarding things in life. 5 years ago my life got turned upside down. I lost everything I was familiar with. I went through a HUGE break up with the person I had planned to spend the rest of my life with. I moved back to Lansing with NO WHERE to live, other than my parents home. It was a very discouraging time in my life. 

     From January 2010 to *NOW* I have changed SO MUCH! In ways that I never thought I would have. I graduated college, I had a child, I found the TRUE love of my life, I have a job that I absolutely LOVE. I am happier now then I ever thought I would be. In 2010 I hit rock bottom, today I am climbing back up to the top!

     My point people, is that CHANGE is GOOD!!! It's scarier than shit, but it's good! The first step to change is changing the way we think. If we think we can't, we wont! You have to believe that you WILL. You WILL succeed, you WILL loose those extra 10-15 lbs, you WILL be able to make more time for family and friends! No one is going to change for you, you have to change for yourself. 

     One of the easiest ways I found to manage my time was getting a planner and KEEPING a schedule. I found that when I have my days planned out I am more apt to stay on task. Schedules can also help with managing your bills and debt.

     Another thing I found helpful was waking up an hour earlier! This has SAVED me! It's a great way to ensure you get your 30-45min workout in with about 15 minutes to spare. If you are not a morning person, check out these easy tips to get your day going

------>Click HERE 

     Eating breakfast is a MUST!!! If you don't have "time" make time! I found that Shakeology  has improved my health TREMENDOUSLY! I was NEVER a breakfast person but Shakeology has changed that! The first thing I noticed was an increase in my energy. I am 26 weeks pregnant so weight loss is not my targeted goal, staying healthy is! However it is a PROVEN fact that Shakeology does aid in weight loss!

     You also want to make sure that you are drinking 2-3 liters of water a day. This helps get your organs functioning properely. It is also essential in brain functioning and activity. All of these small steps are going to put you in the right direction for your BIG future GOALS! Whether your goal is to loose weight, stay healthy, build up muscle, or just be a happier, more positive person; all of these things WILL help you!

     Let today/ tonight be your time to CHANGE! No more EXCUSES! No more "I'll start tomorrow/ on Monday/ or next month", do it NOW! If you need support, accountability, or just someone to talk to I am here for YOU!

All you need to do is send me an email with the subject line :"Ready to Change" and together we can come up with a plan for you that will help you SUCCEED!  

XOXO

Kristina Marie

Samoas Cookie Shakeology

Samoas Cookie Shakeology

 

1 Scoop of Shakeology Chocolate or Chocolate Vegan

1 tsp of cocoanut extract

1/2 tsp of peanut butter

1 tsp of vanilla cookie spread

1/2 tsp of honey (optional)

8oz of almond milk

ice cubes and blend! (If you want it thinner add water)

This was my first time making it and it was DELICIOUS! 

The carb count is somewhat high so I wouldn't use this recipe all the time- however its a great fix if you have a sweet tooth