The 21 Day Fix Transformation

The 21 Day Fix was the beginning of my Transformation and continues to play a role in my daily life!

I had my 3rd child at the age of 35, putting on about 30 pounds, which is pretty average.  A good portion of that weight came off within the first year by running a few days a week.  But there was that last 8-10 pounds that wouldn't go away!  It did not make me overweight in the least but it bothered me.  It wasn't only the weight either...I wasn't enjoying running anymore like I had in the past, so I was doing it less and less.  I had very little energy and 3 kids who took a lot out of me.  I felt that my body had really changed after my 3rd child and that had me feeling very self-concious.

So, when a friend made a post about her transformation with Beachbody's 21 Day Fix program, I decided I would give it a try.  I needed a change!  I couldn't wait to get started!  Twenty one days later, I had lost 8 pounds and had never felt better!  I LOVED the workouts!!  I LOVED how the meal plan!  I didn't know much about clean eating before I started this program but I soon learned so much!  I also learned that I was totally OVEREATING!  Having the visual of the 21 day fix containers to show me how much I should be eating of each food group made life so much easier on me.  I was never one who could or would count calories.  I tried to watch what I ate but honestly before this, I hadn't any idea of how much of what foods I should be eating.  I was definitely NOT eating enough proteins or vegetables!

So here is how the program works for those who aren't familiar:

THE MEAL PLAN
Using a formula provided you figure out your daily calorie level and use a corresponding calorie chart to find out how many of each containers of food you should be eating each day.
The color coded containers are used to measure each of the food groups.  Each color container represents a different food group.
RED- Proteins
YELLOW- Carbs
GREEN- Vegetables
BLUE- Good Fats (nuts, cheeses, etc)
ORANGE- Seeds
Teaspoon for oils

This is all laid out for you in your eating plan guide that comes with the program which also includes recipes, eating out tips and meal plan examples.  It truly makes eating healthy so much easier!

THE WORKOUTS
The workouts are all only 30 minutes, so no more using time as an excuse!
There are a variety of workouts including cardio, weight training, pilates and yoga.  Each workout comes with a modifier to show you how you can adjust the exercises based on your own skill level and still get a great workout!

SHAKEOLOGY
Shakeology is a superfood whole foods shake formulated to curb hunger/cravings, provide energy, help regulate blood sugar levels, PH balance, and aid with digestion (tons of probiotics and amino acids).  Because of the superior nutrition in the shake, it helps promote healthier hair and skin as well as  weight loss because all your bodily systems begin to run at more optimal levels with continued use for a few weeks.

This combination of meal plan, workouts and superfoods is what makes this program so successful.  And when you pair that with the support of a coach and accountability group, you are sure to get results!  

Since this program is where I got my start and has been the beginning of so many people's successful transformation, I have decided to run a 21 Day Fix Support group for the month of July!!  What's even better is that Beachbody currently has the 21 Day Fix challenge pack on promotion which means that for the month of June, you can save money when you purchase it from a Beachbody coach!!

If you are interested in joining me for this challenge, please fill out the application below!  I will only be taking a total of 10 new people in this challenge so be sure to get your application in ASAP because these spots WILL fill up quickly!  (You must be a new customer and NOT currently have a BB coach) /https://tammygilles.wufoo.com/forms/qpenlv509j8aug/

Summer Corn, Avocado and Black Bean Salad

I LOVE summer salads of all kinds, especially when avocados are involved!!  I made this deliciousness the other day!  We actually ate it as a meal but it's really more of a side dish or could even be a snack or appetizer.  You could serve it with chips, crackers or in a pita!  

Here ya go!

Maxing Out for Summer

I haven't been this excited to start a new workout program in a while!  On Monday, May 23rd, I will be starting Insanity Max 30 with Shaun T, who happens to be one of my FAVORITE instructors!  My husband and I both completed Insanity last summer and it was super tough.  I loved the workouts but I will say that the second half of the program, it got really hard as the workouts got longer.  So, I am thrilled to be going back to a similar workout but only 30 minutes!

I don't know what it is about Shaun T but he really gets me going in all of his workout programs!!  I've done T25, Insanity, and Cize and he has so much energy in all of them that it becomes contagious!  If you have not tried one of his programs, you definitely should!  In fact, I have a new Support/Accountability group that will be starting Max 30 on Monday!  We have room for a couple of more people!
Here are the details:
-30 minute workouts
-Shakeology to help curb cravings, provide energy and overall nutrition
-Me as your coach
-Support from other like minded individuals on the same journey
-Recipes
-Meal planning tips

If this sounds like something that may benefit you, fill out my application ASAP so we can get you going!
/https://tammygilles.wufoo.com/forms/qpenlv509j8aug/

It's time for women to start supporting each other

Why do us women always seem to be putting each other down?  Why is there always so much judgment with women?

I can remember going out with a group of ladies a couple years back and the whole day was spent tearing other ladies down.  "Look what she's wearing!"  "Did you see her hair?"  "I can not believe she left the house like that!"  Even in the small group of so called "friends" there were insults amongst each other.  These weren't teenagers, they were grown women!  I went home that day a little sad about the whole experience.

It's not that I've never put someone down before, I'm human and I have made lots of mistakes in my life that I'm not proud of.  But, I'm now on a mission to better myself and hopefully make this place a little better for my children to grow up in.  I have children now to be an example for and one with special needs.  A daughter that will no doubt be made fun of in her life time because she looks "different" than some of her peers.  A daughter who will be judged based solely on appearance.  A daughter who will be underestimated based on a diagnosis.  So, this makes this subject a little more touchy for me.

I realize there are a couple main reasons that women put each other down.  The biggest cause for this that I can see, is there own insecurities.  We all have them!  It's always been tough for women.  There is a certain criteria that society thinks that women should meet.  And if we don't, we think we are not good enough.  It's so much tougher now with social media.  We see pictures on the internet of women and think that is how we should look, just because someone else thinks its beautiful.  We see a mom post on Facebook about all the hours she volunteers at her child's school, and the working mom's start feeling the guilt that they aren't doing enough.  We see the mom's taking their children on elaborate vacations, and the stay at home mom starts to think, maybe I should go back to work so we can afford that.  We see the moms who work out everyday and we start doubting the way we look.  It goes on and on and on!!

So, what happens to all of these insecurities?   When the situations can't be changed, the insecurities turn to anger and blame.  We start getting upset with these moms who we think are somehow better than us (they're not!!) and we start finding reasons to hate them.  We start looking for the negative in that person and just to make us feel better about ourselves, we start telling our friends the bad things about them.  Is this starting to sound familiar????

But this HAS to change!!  The thing is, is that we are all uniquely made!  God gave us each different gifts and talents.  What you should be concerned about is, are YOU using those gifts to the best of YOUR ability?
   
                 "God's gift to us: Potential.  Our gift to God:  Developing it."

I say, we take a stand against society!  I say we work on being the best version of ourselves!  I say we start lifting each other up instead of putting each other down!  I say we start supporting each other!

Think of the things we could get done in this world if we were working together instead of against each other!

That is why I love what I do!  I get to do this everyday, at least I try!  My groups are about lifting each other up, empowering each other.  It's not about looking a certain way!  It's about feeling better physically and emotionally.  It's about finding your confidence. It's about feeling good in your own skin.  No more comparing yourself to ANYONE else but who you use to be!

   "If you put a small value on yourself, rest assured the the rest of the world will not raise the price."

If you want to be a part of one of these groups, email me or fill out this application  https://tammygilles.wufoo.com/forms/z1g3iddz1ac0794/

Chunky Chickpea Salad

This newest recipe came from a Bible study I participated in recently called The Daniel Plan.  Our leader, a dietician, made this delicous concoction and shared it and the recipe with us.  So now I'm sharing it with you since it's too good to keep to myself.  :)

This chickpea salad can be served on a slice of whole wheat bread or flat bread or as I prefer over a spinach salad.  You can also make it more of an egg like consistency by adding the beans to a food processor.

Honey Orange Chicken Drummers

Over the weekend, Jack (my oldest) came to me with a new recipe he wanted to try out this week.  I was pleasantly surprised to see it was a pretty healthy recipe.  Of course, it was chicken, because that's about all he eats.  But he is making an effort to try new things.  And he's becoming quite the chef!

It's so funny because when he cooks with me, he is all about following the directions exactly as they're written.  Of course, there is nothing wrong with that but I like to just occasionally throw things in.  And I'm terrible about measuring out things while he is very precise.  But we work pretty well together and I love spending the time with him!

So here is the recipe to our latest concoction!

Gluten Free Chocolate Chip cookies

There is not much better than some homemade chocolate chip cookies!!  And when you can find a recipe that is gluten-free AND sugar-free, BONUS!!  I can't take credit for this recipe, I'm not that good!  But I did make them and they are seriously DELICIOUS and KID-APPROVED!  Everyone in my family ate them all up!

So this recipe is from Autumn Calabrese's Cookbook which can be found here FixateCookbook .

Thai-Inspired Stir Fry with Coconut Rice

I started my 10 day Daniel Plan Detox yesterday!  So far, So good!  I actually had a really good day yesterday and didn't miss my sweets until after dinner.  I was really worried about being hungry last night between my snack and dinner because dinner was going to be so late and all I had for snack was a Veggie Mocktail.  But, surprisingly I wasn't!  So, a good start!!

I was asked by a few people to share last night's Thai inspired stir fry.  This recipe is from The Daniel Plan which I highly recommend checking out.  I did, of course, change it just a bit, so I will provide you with the recipe that I used.  It was really yummy!

Oh yea, and the rice, that's a funny story!  I asked my 13 year old to start the rice for me while I was at therapy with my youngest.  He's been doing a lot of cooking lately. I go to the kitchen and take the lid off and the pot is obviously full of water. 

So I ask him, "How much water did you put in there?" 
His response, "A lot!" 
Me: "Did you read the directions?"
Him: "I didn't understand them."
Me: "how much rice did you put in there?"
Him: I don't know, I couldn't find a measuring cup!"

Lol

Well, surprisingly I was able to salvage the rice and it was really yummy!

Antioxidant Salad dressing

If you haven't read the book or participated in The Daniel Plan Bible study, you should!  I'm in the middle of a bible study using this book right now and am learning so much!!  The concept is how to achieve a healthy lifestyle by focusing on faith, food, fitness, focus and friends.  LOVE it!  Check it out!

In this book, they provide lots of healthy recipes that I have been experimenting with!  One of my favorites is an Antioxidant Salad dressing.  Seriously, it is SO good!  I have used it on my salads as well as quinoa dishes.  It's too good not to share, so here is the recipe:

Healthy Chocolate Chip Muffins

I've mentioned before how picky my oldest son is.  I'm always looking for healthy recipes that he may eat but I often have to get very creative.  I've really been working on getting him to eat a healthier breakfast in the morning before school. But it needed to be something quick because he gets on the bus EARLY!  When I asked him about things that he wanted for breakfast he of course mentioned chocolate chip muffins!  So, I had to come up with a way to make them somewhat healthy!  I found a few recipes on Pinterest and modified them a bit to get some protein added in and sugar taken out.  This is what I came up with!  They have been  HUGE hit with both my boys!  This is the 3rd batch I've made because they keep requesting them.  Yes, there is chocolate in them but I use chocolate chips with 70% or higher cacao.  So, not too shabby!

Buffalo Chicken and Sweet Potatoes

My oldest has always been such a picky eater.  To help him get over this, he's been doing a lot of cooking with me and helping me come up with things to cook that he would like to try.  I was SO EXCITED when he came to me the other night and actually asked to help me cook!!  I mean, he will be an official teenager in a month so most of his time is spent in his room.  I adore any time I get to spend one on one time with him.  Plus, I really enjoy cooking so its great that we can enjoy it together.

His favorite food is chicken wings and he likes them with a bit of spice so this recipe was right up his alley.  He's never been a fan of sweet potatoes but has started making them himself and eating them a little more so again, a good combination for us to cook together.  Before I give you the recipe, I will say this, while we enjoyed this recipe, my cooking was not perfect and I will need to adjust it the next time to make it even better.  I will give you the actual recipe but tell you what I am going to do differently next time.
*So, the only problem with cooking this all together in the oven was that my chicken got done before the sweet potatoes.  I ended up taking the chicken out of the mix and putting the sweet potatoes back in for longer.  When I served it, some of the sweet potatoes were still not done yet.  :(  But the ones that were,were delicious!  So, next time I think I will try cooking the sweet potatoes a bit before mixing all the ingredients together.  If you have another suggestion, please let me know!  Because, this really is a tasty and healthy meal.  :)  Oh yea, I also cut this recipe in half.

Buffalo Chicken and Sweet Potato

• 2 lb chicken breast cut into cubes
• 5 whole sweet potatoes peeled and cut into cubes
• 1 tbsp paprika
• 2 tbsp garlic powder
• 6 tbsp hot sauce (I actually used wing sauce)
  
  
• 12 slices turkey bacon cooked and cut into pieces
• 1 cup green onions sliced
• 1/4 tsp pepper

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
2. In a large bowl, combine together the olive oil, paprika, garlic powder, hot sauce, and season with pepper to taste.
3. Add the sweet potatoes and chicken and stir to coat.
4. Empty the bowl into a casserole dish.
5. Bake in the oven for 40 to 45 minutes, stirring every 15 minutes.
6. Add the green onions and bacon to the dish and place back in the oven for another 5 minutes to let all the flavors combine. Makes around 8 servings (1 cup each).

Fix Portions (per 1 serving): 1 red, 1.5 yellow, tsp oil