Monday, November 20, 2017

How to keep off the 7-10lb weight gain this Holiday Season

Happy Monday, friends!
Did you know that many people gain anywhere from 7-10 lbs over the holidays (from Halloween through New Years)?? I know it’s not hard to believe with all of the treats, multiple parties & get togethers, unhealthy options, stress, traveling/being on the go, and just plain ole overeating.
January is an AWESOME time to reset, and if you’re like me, you WANT to enjoy the holidays. But I DON’T want to gain that weight & push myself back even further from the starting line for January.

So we have a plan!! 



Here are a few products & tips that may help. We also have a FB group with encouragement, accountability, recipes, meal prep ideas, grocery lists, healthy treats, etc. for anyone who decides to join us.

Here are our FAVORITE “holiday helpers.”
  • Spark (helps with long-lasting energy & mental focus, sugar free, no crash…you’re just more productive, more focused, & don’t feel tired)
  • MNS C (this has your multivitamin & other goodies to fill in nutritional gaps, but also provides sustained release energy & additional appetite control)
  • Catalyst (helps preserve & maintain lean muscle, which we WANT)
  • Thermoplus (promotes healthy metabolism, helps convert fat into energy)
  • Carb Ease Plus (helps reduce the absorption and breakdown of carbohydrates and fat & helps reduce the negative effects of excessive carbohydrate consumption
  • FiboTrim (assists in the binding, transport and removal of dietary fats- so think fried foods, high fat foods, etc.)
  • Crave Check (6 hours of sustained- release appetite control, so you can take 2x/day to help you walk right past the dessert table)
  • Shakes (high protein, balanced & portion controlled meal that fills you up, tastes awesome, is great for on the go, and ensures you’re getting at least one healthy meal throughout the day)
  • Slim (supports appetite control & helps fight occasional drowsiness)
  • Clear Mood (helps brighten mood, supports sense of well-being, & provides support for relaxation)
  • Oasis (helps your body adapt to physical and other sources of stress…hellllllo holiday shopping, travel, & some family get togethers…think if it as a red wine without the alcohol)
  • Sleep Works (promotes better sleep by helping you fall asleep, stay asleep, and awaken refreshed)
You can pick & choose out of that list based on your specific needs and budget, or you can get them all as they work extremely well together too. (For example, Carb Ease & Crave Check are a MUST for me with my sweet tooth. I also LOVE Slim for an afternoon pick-me-up and to help with my nighttime snacking. Jon loves Carb-Ease and Fibotrim because he’s a meat and potatoes guy. He is more of a burger & fries than sweets guy. Spark & MNS are a no brainer.)

At the very least I recommend starting with Spark, MNS-C (3 boxes), and Carb-Ease. As a member, that is approximately $5/day for a 42 day supply.
If you want to make it most cost effective, you can become a member for $19.95 + tax & shipping. They will send you 1 boxes of Spark as part of your membership, so you can use those daily & it will get you through Christmas. The membership comes with your own (free) website, so you can log in and order your other goodies for a 20% discount.You’ll see the discount applied in your shopping cart every time you order, and it’ll ship to your door from FedEx in about 2-3 days. And just to clarify, there are NO monthly minimums, quotas, or autoships. You choose what, how often, if, and when you order.

*If you need more specific guidance about which products are best for your needs, we’d be glad to help make some recommendations & coach you through based on your goals.


I know lots of people need a game plan, so here is what our day looks like with those products. It really becomes a daily regimen & is worth it for the awesome results & feeling so good by putting great nutrition into your body. (FYI: You still eat balanced meals & snacks every 3 hours and drink a lot of water. This is not a substitute for healthy eating…they are meant to supplement & HELP.) Also, remember we will add you to our FB group if you decide to give it a shot and there are lots of awesome resources there too.

-upon rising: drink Spark + Rehydrate combo, MNS “before” pack, 3 Catalyst & 1 Thermoplus
-30 minutes later: eat breakfast & take both “with breakfast or lunch” MNS packs
-2 hours later: healthy snack
-30 minutes before lunch: final MNS pack
-Eat balanced lunch
-2 hours later: either a 2nd Spark or Slim
- 30 mintues before workout (Performance products + 3 Catalyst)
-Healthy Dinner *use Carb-Ease (immediately before high carb meal or cheat) and Fibotrim (10-15 before high fat meal) as needed
- After dinner snack: Muscle Gain shake
- Before bed: 3 Catalyst, Sleep Works 
*Clear Mood (1 capsule 1-3x/day) and Oasis as needed & can be fit in anywhere during the day. Clear Mood is a capsule and Oasis is a drink. Oasis is more for a specifically stressful event- like driving in Atl traffic, going to the airport, holiday shopping, etc, whereas Clear Mood is more for an overall mood brightener.

A few other tips:
  • moderate exercise/be active (you don’t HAVE to hit the gym as hard, although of course the more you do, the better…but make an effort to move & be more active. walk your dogs, chase your kids/nieces & nephews – they’ll love it- take the stairs, park far away, etc.)
  • eat before you go to parties
  • fill up on protein & veggies first
  • eat small portions
  • don’t drink your calories
  • eat breakfast
  • eat balanced meals (don’t skip meals to “save room”)
  • drink your water
  • get enough sleep
  • meal prep
  • be the one to bring the healthy dish to the get together (I’ve got some yummy healthy treats if you click on my recipes in the label cloud, or you can search through Pinterest for a ton of idea
Happy, HEALTHY holidays!!







Sunday, November 19, 2017

What Verses Do You Pray Over Your Children?


Well, I am back and have so much to share that has been on my heart. I miss the blogging community and the amazing people it brought into my life for so many years. So, I am back. Sometimes the hardest part of the journey is just getting started... so here we go! 


Mamas are there specific verses you pray over your children? Boy mamas these two verses I have been praying over my boys. I would love to hear some scripture you are praying over your children!

May our sons be strong and courageous.
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go
.”
~Joshua 1:9

May our sons do justice, love kindness and walk humbly with God.
“He has told you, O man, what is good;
and what does the Lord require of you
but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?”
~Micah 6:8






Saturday, February 4, 2017

Truth be told... it's her BIRTHday not mine.

37 years ago today you laid in a hospital bed. I am sure you were scared and felt completely overwhelmed with what being a mom would be like. 37 years ago I am sure you were feeling anxious and clinging to Dad because there was so much you didn't know. 37 years ago I imagine that you sat in your hospital bed, gazing into my eyes and wondering just what this crazy life would hold for me. I wonder if you knew I would be your mini me or that I would have three little boys of my very own who think the world of you. I wonder if you knew that as you held me you would raise a daughter who would think of you as her hero. I wonder if you knew what a great mom you would be. I wonder if you knew that we would be the best shopping partners EVER. I wonder if you knew how as each year passed you would get more and more adorable and fashionable! 37 years ago you had no idea you would have a little girl who would be fighting for her life. 37 years ago you had no idea that as you gave birth to your first daughter she would be swiftly taken away from you and be in for a fight. A fight to see if she would be only minutes/hours/weeks old before having open heart surgery. 37 years ago you had so many people praying. Who knew, that Jesus would answer your cries to him and as the Dr. told you "miraculously" something {someone} opened part of the valve to my heart. 37 years ago they gave you a "miracle baby", one that you would spend hours on end watching to make sure your baby was breathing. One that you would take to many heart doctors for years and years to come. I wonder while the Dr. was telling you that your baby would never be able to have children of her own or play any sports growing up ... I wonder if you looked at him and shook your head because he didn't realize what a mighty GOD you serve. 


The only way I know how to be a mother is by having the very best one to teach me. One who taught me by holding me to a high standard. At the time I didn't get it but years later it all makes perfect sense. One who prayed with me and for me ALL the time. One who taught me by ALWAYS being there for me... always. One who NEVER missed a cheerleading, soccer, softball or basktetball game. One who cheered me on and was my biggest fan. One who bought me my first flute and let me try out piano lessons. One who taught me by always putting my needs before her own. One who taught me by giving so freely of herself, not only to me but everyone around her. One who taught me by doing so much for others. One who taught me by hosting giant birthday parties for me each year. {Yes, I saw the picture of the 10 highchairs set up for me and my toddler girlfriends}.  So much of who I am, Mom, comes from you. You inspire me each day to me a better mom, to pray more and to be thankful for my family. You continue to be my very best friend. I know I have told you this a million times... I couldn't do this life without you. Thanks for bringing me into this world 37 years ago.






How to keep off the 7-10lb weight gain this Holiday Season

Happy Monday, friends! Did you know that many people gain anywhere from 7-10 lbs over the holidays (from Halloween through New Years)?? I k...