Chocolate Peanut Butter Banana

My all time favorite Shakeology recipe...


1 scoop Chocolate Shakeology
12 oz of water
½ banana
1Tbl. PB2 or 2 tsp. peanut butter
4 ice cubes

Throw all the ingredients into a blender and ENJOY!!!

Banana Chocolate Chip Cookies

Here is a yummy cookie recipe sure to satisfy your sweet tooth while sticking to your clean eating lifestyle!

 

 

Dine Out Without Diving Off Your Diet

When you start to eat healthily, dining out, which was once a bliss-filled, belt-notch-loosening pleasure, becomes a culinary terror.

Servings are super sized and smothered in butter. Enormous gallons of soda abound. Fries come with your order whether you want them or not. Very little veggies can be seen for miles. Not bad if you want a SUPER sized meal that probably accounts for two days worth of your caloric intake, but what if you DON'T what that? What do you do?

 No fear, I'm here to help.

 ***Please remember that even with our tips, restaurant dining is almost always going to be less healthy than what you can make at home. Try to limit eating out to once a week and make that meal your cheat. Its nearly impossible to make it as healthy as you could at home.

That said, here are a few pointers:

1. Make smart choices
Almost every menu contains chicken or fish cooked in a healthy way. Look for words like "grilled," "broiled," or "steamed," and avoid "sautéed", "smothered" and "fried."

2. Skip the appetizer
By definition, an appetizer is intended to get your appetite going. But when some appetizers contain more than 1,000 calories, that's not an appetizer—that's a full meal and more! If you do want an appetizer, ask your table if they'd be willing to split one of the healthier options like a salad, bruschetta, ceviche, or anything that's light on sauce and heavy on fruits, veggies, or lean protein.

3. Eat a salad
Greens are also a great option, but not all salads are created equal. Stick with salads that don't contain mayo (in other words, avoid the tuna and chicken salad), and ask for the dressing on the side. This way you can add your tablespoon or two, instead of having your salad drenched in it.

4. Skip the Side dishes
At many restaurants, the "side" is a baked potato, fries, or coleslaw. What does that equal? Unnecessary calories. If you'd like a side, request the salad (dressing on the side), fruit, or steamed veggies, even if you don't see them as an option.

5. No bread
Don't eat the bread. Does it taste good? Sure! But instead of eating something because it's in front of you, swap those empty calories for something you'd actually enjoy.

6. Eat half
Over time, American portion sizes have enlarged to gargantuan sizes. Restaurants often provide you not with one serving of pasta, but with as many as 4 or more. But if you have a hard time not cleaning your plate—after all, the food does taste good—request that the waiter split your order in half before they bring it to the table. That way you can enjoy your dinner as lunch later in the week.

7. No soda
If bread is bad, soda might be worse. That's because it's easy to consume massive amounts of calories fast. And don't even think about going the "diet" route. Those artificial sweeteners aren't healthy, and they can lead you to crave more sugary substances. Talk about a lose-lose! If you want something other than water, ask for unsweetened iced tea. It's calorie free, so you can drink as much as you want!

8. Dessert
Hmmm dessert is awesome but is it worth it? Granted, some restaurants use restraint, and focus more on unique flavors than on quantity, but if you're out with friends at the type of place where the dessert has more calories than your meal, and they insist upon ordering it, suggest the table split it. Then take a single bite and put your spoon down. It's not about denying yourself, but about making smart choices. If you really want dessert, skip the appetizer or reduce the portion of your main course, and again, portions matter. OR skip it and if you're still craving something sweet when you get home, enjoy some yogurt and berries or a piece of fruit.


9. Watch your Alcohol Intake

Alcohol inhibits your judgment and is VERY high in sugar. But if you do have an alcoholic drink with a meal, reduce your other carbohydrate intake. Best choices for alcoholic drinks are a glass of wine and light beer. Choose plain liquors, like vodka, whiskey, or gin, with low-calorie mixers, such as club soda, instead of jaeger or kahlua. Avoid mixed or specialty drinks like piña coladas or mai tais—they’re loaded with calories and sugar.

I hope this will help you make better decisions while eating out. Going out to eat should be fun and about eating good food but that doesn't mean you need to stuff yourself so full that you will sorely regret it in a few hours. Instead make going out to eat about the company that is joining you. Eating slowly and engage in conversations that will keep your mind off the food and on them.

What do you stand for?

If you stand for nothing, you will fall for everything.

This couldn't be more true in all aspects of life. Being successful at whatever profession you are doing takes hard work and dedication. It takes knowing your WHY and having it so deeply rooted in your heart and soul that nothing can take you away from it. Not your excuses, not the hard times, not the criticisms. Nothing can rip you from your goals because you stand for something bigger. 

Today I ran the farthest I've ever run alone by far. For the longest time I believed I couldn't. I believed I needed someone to be there next to me pushing me, but today, I discovered that I don't NEED it. When it comes down to it, I need to be able to do it myself and today I did. 

The same goes for your business or career. Don't rely on someone else to push you, to motivate you. Yes, it's good to surround yourself with mentors and leaders. However, it all comes down to YOU and how deeply YOU want it. They can dont it for you. 

Don't be scared to try something new, don't let fear hold you back. Find your wings on the way down and FLY. 

Stand for something greater than those fears, and the excuses and everything else that stands in your way. Stand for yourself and have a believe so strong that nothing can shake it. 

Snickerdoodles for LUNCH!

I'm a total chocolate lover. For months and months I only drank ONE recipe of the chocolate Shakeology. It was my absolute must have every single day, so when I started to get bored of it I was kind of in SHOCK and desperately wanted to find another GOOD recipe I could fall in love with.

 

So for the past two days I've had this Snickerdoodle recipe and let me tell you-- ITS AMAZING!! Its creamy and sweet just like my favorite chocolate recipe but its VANILLA! Yum and Yum!

I LOVE that it tastes like dessert but it acts like eating 7 salads!! 

 

 Here's the recipe!

1 scoop vanilla shakeology
1/2 banana
2 tsp. peanut butter
2 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. pure vanilla extract
1 1/2 cup water
4 ice cubes

Blend in a blender and ENJOY!!

 

 

Every Thursday--

I love Thursdays in the Beachbody world! I know, I know, kind of random to be talking about on a Saturday BUT it's one of my favorite days! I get to shout out my team for their amazing work, their rank advancements AND it's payday. 

While I normally don't post about what I earn because that's not why I joined this business, it is an amazing perk. So far this month I have made enough to pay both my student loans and two utility bills. It feels amazing to be earning money for my family to help dig us out of debt. 

Each month I've watched my income steadily grow because I've poured my heart into my team and challengers. 

***

Do you ever wonder exactly WHAT it is I do as a coach? HOW I have built a business, for 2-3 hours per day, while kids nap?

Now you have an opportunity to learn! I am hosting a 5 Day Sneak Peek into coaching beginning on April 27th. 

No obligations, no commitments, just get your questions answered and learn what this "BeachbodyBusiness" is all about. 

Message me if you are interested!

Don't be Afraid.

Don't be afraid to start where you are. Don't be scared to take your before photos. It's these photos that will show you how far you have come. Someday, you will look back and not even recognize the other person in the photo. You will have changed for the better. You will be healthier: mind, body and spirit. It's good to see where you have come from.

I was there too. I know what it's like to feel uncomfortable in your own skin. I know that gut wrenching feeling as you walk into your closet dreading trying to find an outfit because you know nothing fits right. In the end, you throw on a sweatshirt which even further drives your shame in your body into your heart. I know how it feels to cross your arms over your belly or grab a pillow or your purse to hide it. 

I want you to know that your future is 100% in your hands. Beyond all the excuses and fear is a strong, confident woman struggling to get out. It's time to make a change and let her out. As your coach I want you to know whole heartedly that YOU deserve to feel your best everyday. 

Are you ready? I want to help. Email me at jaclyncrowellfitness@gmail.com I'm here for you and will be for as long as you need. If you are in 100% in, so am I. 💕