Shakeology: My Favorites- Tropical Passion and Chocolate Banana

I am a creature of habit. Not even kidding you, I can go one whole week eating the same three meals every day! Knowing this, it really isn't shocking that I really only like two recipes for my Shakeology.
For the longest time- I only liked one then the Ultimate Reset broadened my horizons and I got a second flavor haha.

Tropical Passion:
Shakeology:Tropical Strawberry (Vegan)
Liquid: Water with a splash of coconut milk
Fruit: Tropical mixed berries (strawberries, peaches, pineapple, mango)
Blend all ingredients until smooth and enjoy!

Chocolate Banana:
Shakeology: Chocolate Vegan
Liquid: coconut milk
Fruit: frozen banana (it is easier on your blender if you slice your banana before freezing it)
Extra: 3 ice cubes
Blend everything in blender until smooth then enjoy!

Beans and Rice

Another Ultimate Reset favorite. This is honestly one the the CHEAPEST meals you can make. Mike makes it all the time when we are low on groceries and he has made it frequently for the past year. On occasion he adds things like onions or tomatoes- but for the most part he sticks pretty close to this.

Ingredients:
1 cup canned pinto beans with liquid (you can also use great northern or black beans and it still turns out yummy!)
2 cups cooked brown rice
2 tsp extra virgin olive oil
2 tsp ground smoked paprika
1 dash ground cumin
1/2 tsp coriander
2 tsp. Bragg Liquid Aminos
1/4 tsp Himalayan salt (optional)

Directions:
Heat beans in a saucepan until hot. Drain, add oil and spices and mix well. Fold mixture into the cooked brown rice. This makes 2 servings!

Ginger Sesame Miso Dressing

I was introduced to this recipe during the Ultimate Reset. I typically don't lean toward the more asian flavors- but this dressing is GOOD! It is good on so many different things- but is fragrant! I once ate it in the car on my salad and my fellow passengers were not so happy- haha whoops!

Ingredients:
2 T miso paste
1/4 cup rice vinegar
1 T Bragg liquid aminos
1/4 cup sesame oil
1 tsp chopped ginger
1/4 cup water

Directions:
Place all ingredients in a blender or food processor and blend until smooth. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

Clean Balsamic Dressing

Salad dessing is something that I am hopelessly addicted to. I literally can put it on everything. Salad, chicken, pasta, veggies- you name it. Making the transition to eating clean meant cutting out my favorite dressings- well I am happy to say that I have now discovered how delicious the homemade dressings are and store-bought doesn't even compare! I still add them to things people generally wouldn't BUT I definitely don't consume as much as I used to.

Ingredients:
1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
3 T balsamic vinegar
1/2 T red wine vinegar
1 clove garlic minced
1 T dijon mustard
1 T lemon juice

1/4 tsp ground pepper

Directions:

Mix all of the above together for a yummy, healthy CLEAN dressing!

You can store this in the fridge BUT it will turn solid because of the olive oil- just take it out of the fridge about 30 mins before you need it!

Ultimate Reset Results

So here it is- my final Ultimate Reset Results and Review!

So what is the Ultimate Reset? The ultimate Reset is a 21 day program that helps get  your insides into AMAZING shape. It involves NO working out, and focusing only on what you put into your body- with supplements and an eating plan that slowly weans you to a vegan diet. Okay so how did it go for me?
Well here are my starting stats (note- I am 5'8''):
Weight-160.4lbs
R Arm- 11''
L Arm- 11''
Chest (above boobs)- 37''
Waist- 31.5''
Hips- 39.5''
R Thigh (right under butt)- 24.5''
L Thigh-24''

The first few days are what I always hear to be the hardest- so I was preparing myself for that, but honestly the hardest for me were probably 5-8. This could be because I took a trip with my family during this time and they were NOT supportive or it could be that my body was detoxing. I will do a separate post on doing the Ultimate Reset while traveling- because that held its own set of challenges!

I was in a Challenge Group while I did the Ultimate Reset- which really helped me! Knowing that I had to submit my stats and photos publicly to the group really helped to hold me accountable. I was also pleasantly surprised at how well I did. I did not cheat even ONE time. This is coming from the girl that seriously believed she had NO WILLPOWER!

The hardest thing for me to give up? COFFEE- HANDS down. I am a coffee addict and it was so hard to smell it  (in fat I went to the store and could smell it from two aisles away- HAHA it made me so sad! The meal I loved most? Sweet potatoes, rice, and veggies. I seriously LOVE this meal, and actually have continued to eat it after the reset ended! Sometimes I cook the veggies in sesame oil and coconut oil, and sometimes I cook them in olive oil. Did I like the other recipes? Some of them. I honestly didn't try them all, but picked one or two meals for the week (one breakfast, one or two lunches, one or two dinners).

My day 21 results?

Weight-160.4lbs

R Arm- 11''

L Arm- 11''

Chest (above boobs)- 37''

Waist- 31.5''

Hips- 39.5''

R Thigh (right under butt)- 24.5''

L Thigh-24''

Above all? I slept really well, and I felt really light! Honestly, I am considering doing it again in April with Mike :)

Best Store Bought Marinades

The best store bought marinades are marinades that don't have a lot of ingredients. And you need to check those ingredients to make sure they are healthy AND real.

Hands down my favorite marinade is from the "Weber Just Add Juice Line." Now these aren't the best in terms of ingredients (they still list xanthan gum and food starch-modified) BUT compared to everything else they are pretty darn good. You just add whatever kind of juice the particular marinade calls for- NO oils and marinade your meat! My favorite is the lemon pepper, but we have also had the garlic and herb, sesame ginger, and teriyaki. Weber makes another line of marinades- but they are not as clean as the just add juice line AND they ask you to add oil.

My second favorite marinade? Why just some Mrs. Dash of course! I use the tomato and basil or the extra spicy but there are like a billion that you can choose from. I take about 2-3 T of the mix, and mix it with 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil, and about 3T lemon juice or apple cider vinegar. Mix together and marinade!

I have also used most of the salad dressings on my blog as marinades too- but I prefer the two options shown above.

Tips on working out at Home

1. Set aside time for it- Literally SCHEDULE your workout.
2. Put you workout clothes on ahead of time.
3. Take your pre-workout- ( I use E&E)
4. I like to have my laptop on- not open to the internet though!
5. Pretend like someone is watching you- making sure you give 100%. I really wish I was kidding- but I do my best when I think I am being watched and judged- haha.
6. Put your Phone on SILENT and in the other room!