GET SLIM with this Super Snack!

Is your afternoon treat at Starbuck’s or Dunkin Donuts really helping you slim down? Chances are the answer is no. And they’re not cheap either. A trip to Starbuck’s can cost you about $4.50 or more. These sugar-rich treats, can make you feel good momentarily, but soon you’ll be feeling hungry again and worse, hungry and experiencing a sugar-crash.

So I got an idea! Why not replace that fix you get from the coffee or donut shop with something that will actually help you GET SLIM? And it will be just as yummy. Maybe even yummier!

Read more here on my website!

Love & Light!

Wow! New blog posts!

Hi everyone! I just wanted to let you know about a few new blog posts that I have put out on my other website.

1) P90X 2 is coming soon! That's right! Read all about it here and see preview.

2) Can you be fit & fat? This question keeps coming up with the US population reaching all time highs of overweight & obese adults. Read more here.

3) Wouldn't it be great to feel young again? Maybe you don't want to be 21 again, but you want to feel like it, right? Find out how you can here.

4) If you want success with your nutrition, fitness or business you have to want it. I can point you to the right tools, but you need to decide to use them. Read more here.

Happy reading!

Love & light,
Jessica

Could I be tough?

No, I'm not talking about kicking people's asses or stuff like that. This is the kind of tough that's mental strength. The mental toughness that pushes you through when everyone else including yourself, says you;re not good enough. Click here to read more.

Insanity vs P90X - My review

The other day, a member of mine asked my opinion on Insanity vs. P90X. Last year P90X won hands down, but this year my mind may have changed a little. Click here to get all the details.

My journey to the Asylum

I just wanted to write a quick post and update you on what I’ve been doing. I just about completed Insanity, got all the way to last week of month 2. I had Asylum sitting here waiting for me since April and I had mixed feelings about starting this workout. I mean after all, with a name like Asylum, it sounded very intimidating. Insanity was tough, but I managed to make my way through it and enjoy it. But I just wasn’t so sure about this new workout.

My husband took the dvds to work because a friend and Insanity person, wanted to see what the workouts looked like. Well, when my husband called me that afternoon, he said, “it looks way too hard!” Okay, that made me think. Click here to read more.

Insanity Month 2 Fit Test & my observations

Hey everyone! I just started month 2 of Insanity last week.  Click here to read more about my resutls and my thoughts (and my husband's) so far on Insanity.

Making my way to the Asylum. Week 5 Insanity almost done

Yes, I should already be in an asylum, but I am talking about Insanity: The Asylum, the workout that's supposed to make Insanity look like its for wimps. I just need to make it through month 2 of Insanity and I'll be ready to be committed to the Asylum.

This week I'm solo in week 5, the recovery week.  My husband has been working like crazy. Plus he pulled his hamstring a few weeks ago and this is probably a good week for him to let it heal.  Right now the recovery week consists of the same workout, Core Cardio and Balance, each day for 6 days. Its not meant to be as grueling as the other weeks, but its still a good workout.

I was surprised at how sore my abs have been without doing a single crunch.  In the Core Cardio and Balance workout, you do moving planks, side knee raises and push ups, which work the abs nicely.  The hip flexor burners and shoulder burners are also a good way to work the abs, since you keep the abs engaged while doing them.

I'm a little nervous about next week. I know people who say month 2 of Insanity is killer. I will have to dig deep and really bring it.  I will update you on my next Fit Test and keep you posted on my progress in month 2.

Healthier Empanadas with Low Fat Chipotle Ranch Dip

Empanadas have become a favorite easy recipe whenever I make a roast chicken or turkey.  Traditionally empanadas are stuffed with beef and cheese, then deep fried. But this version is made healthier by baking the empanadas, using roast chicken or turkey breast, adding beans and less cheese.

You may be able to make it even healthier by using your own healthy pie crust recipe, but with 4 kids, I don't have time to make my own pie crust, so I use the pre-made refrigerated pie crusts that come rolled up.

I like to serve it with a low fat chipotle ranch dip and homemade guacamole. I also serve a salad for the adults and carrot sticks for the kids.

Healthier Empanadas with Low Fat Ranch Dip

2 cups of shredded roasted turkey or chicken breast
1 15 oz can of black beans drained and rinsed
1/2  cup of salsa
1/4  cup of low fat shredded sharp cheddar cheese
1/4 cup of low fat shredded Monterrey Jack cheese
2 tbs fresh chopped cilantro
1/2 tsp of cumin

2 refrigerated pie crusts

Preheat oven to 425 degrees. While oven is preheating, combine all of the ingredients, EXCEPT the pie crust in a large bowl, mix gently.

Using a cutter or a small bowl that is 4" in diameter, cut 6 circles from each pie crust. You may need to piece together a few leftover pieces. I usually get 5 and have to make a pieced up one.

Take about 2-3 TBS of empanada filling and place in center of each dough circle. Fold over and then crimp edge with a small fork. Place on cookie sheet. Using a sharp knife, cut a small slit on top of each emapanada to vent. 

Cook in oven at 425 for about 15 minutes or until golden brown. Serves 4-6 depending on if you take 2 or 3 empandas. I usually eat 2.

Low Fat Chipotle Ranch Dip

1/4 cup of low fat ranch dressing
1-2 tsp of chipotle powder (2 tsp or more if you like spicy)

mix in small bowl and serve with empanadas or raw veggies.

Let me know if you try this reciep and how you like it by leaving a comment below.

Insanity: Bigger thighs?? Well its a good thing

I'm almost done with week 4 of Insanity.  I never thought I'd say it, but I really love it now. Last summer, I missed Tony Horton so much while Shaun T. put me though so much torture. But I think Shaun has won my heart, although I will always have a spot open for Tony too.

With Insanity, I am jumping higher, moving faster, overall have better cardio performance. Maybe one day I can put all of this to some use, but for now it helps me with chasing the kids around the playground.

However, I was a little shocked when I noticed my pants were fitting a little tighter in the thigh area.  Not a lot tighter, but just enough to notice a difference.  All the jump squats and power jacks have caused my quads to grow, and my calves look more sculpted. And I think my booty is a wee bit bigger too. At first, like most women I was very alarmed by this.  I eat clean, I really try to watch my portions. I don't drink alcohol on a regular basis, and I drink water only.

After comparing notes with my friend, Diandra, I realized I wasn't the only one out there who got these results.  And after thinking about it, I decided that I am okay with this.  As long as its not fat I'm gaining and my thighs (and booty) look good, I'm cool with that.

I'd rather have muscular (and I must say still lean looking) thighs than skinny, flabby ones.

I remember last year I pointed out to a friend that I wouldn't mind if my body looked like Dreya Weber's, of P90X fame. She remarked, "I don't know she's kind of big." But I don't think so. I think she looks strong, and healthy, rather than skinny and waif-like.  I grew up skinny and waif-like and its not fun. Especially when everyone else had nice curves.

I'll keep doing my Insanity workouts, and I will keep eating the way I do. I'm not going to get upset if my thighs (or butt) get bigger, as long as they get bigger the right way and not the wrong way.

Quinoa Salad from Insanity:The Asylum

I never tried quinoa before, I heard a lot of good things about it and decided to pick up a bag last week.  I made a quinoa pilaf and it was pretty tasty.  Quinoa is a whole grain, its high and protein and fiber. The recipe for quinoa salad would be great for the summer. This recipe serves 1, but you could double it for 2.

Here's one of Shaun T's favorites from his brand-new workout program, INSANITY: THE ASYLUM. Healthy and filling, this salad can help get you through your most extreme workouts. Did you know that quinoa contains all the amino acids needed to make a complete protein? It's pretty rare to see that kind of nutrient profile in a single plant-based food.


1/2 cup quinoa

2 cups water or broth (chicken or vegetable)

1 tsp. turmeric

1 pinch salt

1 lemon wedge

1 lime wedge

1/4 cup sliced cucumber

1 Tbsp. diced onion

1 tsp. grated raw ginger

1 Tbsp. julienned mint

1 Tbsp. chopped pistachio nuts

1/2 cup chopped romaine lettuce

Combine quinoa, water or broth, salt, and turmeric in a medium saucepan. Cover and cook over medium heat until about half the liquid is absorbed and quinoa begins to soften, about 15 minutes. Strain quinoa in a mesh strainer, then place in a bowl. Squeeze lemon and lime over quinoa and place in refrigerator to cool. When cool, toss with remaining ingredients. Makes 1 serving.

Preparation Time: 40 minutes

Nutritional Information (per serving, prepared with water)

Calories 383
Protein 14 grams
Fiber 7 grams
Carbs 64 grams
Fat 9 grams
Total Saturated Fat 1 gram

Don't let FEAR hold you back

Do you know what's holding you back from success? Its FEAR. FEAR is false, evidence appearing real. Fear can hold you back from weight loss, exercise, a new career, a new relationship, ending a bad relationship. Fear is you being your own worst enemy.

Don't sit there wondering what if, if I only could, or worse if I only did... Start getting hold of your life and ditch the fear. Once you start, you will feel so much better and learn to love the butterflies in your stomach.

Insanity Fit Test 2 Results

This morning marked Day 15 of Insanity for my husband and me. Day 15 means another Fit Test! I was really excited to see if I had made any improvements from the first Fit Test.

So down to the basement we went at an early morning hour.  I'll tell you, early morning workouts aren't everyone's cup of tea, but it sure is nice to have your workout done! And did you know that if you workout first thing in the morning (before breakfast) helps you burn more fat during cardio based workouts. And some studies suggest that you continue to burn even more calories through out the day compared to those who workout after breakfast.

Well, back to the Fit Test. When you do the Fit Test, you get a pretty good workout.  But today I decided to add in the first round of P90X Shoulders & Arms, as well as some Ab Ripper X.

Here are my results from Fit Test 1:

Switch Kicks 100 (or 50 each leg)

Power Jacks 58
Power Knees 100
Power Jumps 44
Globe Jumps 8
Suicide Jumps 14
Push-up Jacks 29
Low Plank Oblique 40

And here are results from Fit Test 2 (today):

Switch Kicks 124 (or 62 each leg)

Power Jacks 55 (what happened here?? 3 less than last week)
Power Knees 116
Power Jumps 42 (hey! 2 less than last week!!)
Globe Jumps 13
Suicide Jumps 15
Push-up Jacks 29
Low Plank Oblique 46 (or 92 each knee)

So I improved in some, stayed the same in one and for some reason dropped in 2.  I may have been focusing on better form this time around (I hope so...)

Well on to the official start of Week 3 of Insanity! Will post Fit Test 3 in a couple of weeks.



 

Insanity Week 2 Done! Getting a little closer to the Asylum!

My husband and I just finished week 2 of Insanity! Yay! We start our next Fit Test on Monday and I can't wait to see if there are improvements. I can already see improvements with my husband's form, flexibility and coordination.

We're making our way to the Asylum!! Its recommended that you complete Insanity before moving into the Asylum, so we will be there in the late spring or early summer.

This is what we have to look forward to:



My area of concern is push ups. I was always pretty good at them with P90X, but the fast pace of Insanity's push ups has me feeling weak with these.  I know this will improve, but right now its a little annoying. So I just modify where I have to and go a little slower.

I'm really excited that my husband is doing this with me. He was always a gym guy who wasn't really into change. I spent an entire year gently hinting at the benefits of a home workout routine. But now he's hooked and I guess an Insanic with me.

I will post my Fit Test Results on Monday. Have a great Saturday!!

Feel free to leave a comment below and let me know how you're doing on your fitness journey.

I am the real deal

I am the real deal. I don't mean that in a conceited, cocky way though.

Here's what I mean, I'm a real person, a real woman, real wife, real mother. I don't have help around the house except for my husband when he's home from work. I have 4 kids and I run my own business.

I am not the perfect mother. I often say the wrong things to my kids, and I do raise my voice - a lot.

I have struggles with food and weight, just like a lot of people do.  Mine might not be as noticeable as others, but I go through my times when I want to raid the pantry. I go through my days when I feel frustrated because the numbers on the scale went up instead down.  Although I love to cook healthy, I don't buy everything organic. I drink cow's milk sometimes. I don't eat grass-fed beef. I'm trying to get better, I'm working on it.

I don't like the way my face is changing as I age, and I don't like what the skin right above my navel has become after having 4 kids.

I don't like waking up at 5 am to exercise. I'd rather not exercise on some days.

I didn't have an athletic childhood, and I wasn't a very popular or outgoing kid.  As a matter of fact I was very timid, shy and maybe even mopey.  I didn't come from a rich family, or even middle class. It was lower middle class.

I bounced form job to job. I couldn't find my niche. I'm not organized and I have some clutter hot spots in my home.

Too many people think its easy for me to stay in shape, to eat right, to run a successful business from home, to stay positive. But I'm real, just like you all are.

However, I am always working on turning my negatives into positives. One good and bad quality of mine is the fact that I'm rebellious in a way. I refuse to let a negative situation get the best of me. My rebellious nature has gotten me in a lot of tight spots and trouble. But thankfully its also helped push me to do better. When someone tells me it can't be done, I will try like hell to do it.

I look back at my life and I'm sometimes tempted to fantasize about; if I only did this, or if my parents had paid for braces for my teeth, or if I didn't use that credit card, if I didn't date that guy... But if my circumstances had been perfect, if I was Ms. Popular in high school, if my parents had money, if I had been more athletic, I might not be where I am today.  Where I am now is being a real person for you.

I'm a real person who coaches real people. Its not pretty and its not perfect, but its me. And I get where you're coming from, and I don't think I'm better than you.  I just want to help you be a better you.

I'd love to hear from you. Please leave a comment below.

Insanity: The Asylum - I'm a little nervous...

During the month of February, Beachbody had a contest for their coaches to win an autographed copy of Shaun T's new workout, Insanity: The Asylum.  Well guess what! I won it! Woo hoo! So after over a month of waiting, its due to arrive at my door either today or tomorrow.  And now I'm a little nervous.

I just started loving Insanity. I wasn't a big fan of it last year, but I don;t know what happened this year to make me a true Insanity believer.  Maybe its the fact I needed a challenge, or my husband is doing it with me this time, I'm not sure, could be a combo of things. But before I get too ga-ga over it, I still have to get through a few more weeks of month 1 and then its on to the grueling month 2.  I've heard that's tough!

So, as I wait for the mail person to deliver my Asylum, I am just a little nervous at the thought of starting it. I know I'm being a big baby, but it sounds intense. It is only 30 days, so 4 weeks can't be so bad, can it?

Here's a glimpse of what its looks like:



If you;d like more info on Insanity: The Asylum, send me an email to fitwithjessica@live.com or visit my website http://fitwithjessica.com/. Feel free to leave a comment below and let me know how you think it will be!

How "honey" gets you through your Insanity workouts

You're probably wondering which honey to use to get you through those Insanity workouts. Organic, local, imported... No, not that type of honey! I'm talking about your "honey." Whether its your spouse, boyfriend, girlfriend, best friend, or your kids, having someone close to you with the same goals can really help you get through your Insanity workouts or any other workouts for that matter. I have to admit, I got the idea for this blog post from my friend Rich Dafter, after a Facebook comment he made. I thought it was cute and thought I'd write about it.

I got really used to working out solo for a long time.  Don't get me wrong, I love my solo workouts. Its my "me" time.  But there is something different about having a workout partner to hold you accountable. I felt like I pushed myself a little harder than I do when working out solo.  Not saying I go easy on myself, but there was a little bit of the "show off" factor going on when my husband got involved.  I don't want him to think I'm a slouching during Insanity, LOL.

One of the cool things about working out with my husband is that we are comfortable not making small talk. Well with Insanity, there really isn't any opportunity for that.  One thing that bugs the both of us is people who talk your ear off at the gym. We can both workout, sweat, push each other, but not get on each other's nerves. Perfect!!

If you'd like to share your story about working out with "honey," please leave your comments below.

Insanity Fit Test - Day 1

Well today was the official start of Day 1 of Insanity with my husband.  The Insanity Fit Test marked our first day.  We haven't worked out together in years, so its fun to start something new with him.

I did Insanity last year and I'll be honest, I wasn't that crazy about it.  I don't know if it was because it was mid-summer and hot as hell, or if I just wasn't mentally ready for it. So I did 4 weeks and quickly went running back to Tony Horton's P90X.

Then I tried again in the fall, this time I thought I'd do a yoga/Insanity hybrid.  Well about 2 weeks into it I hurt my shoulder.  Too many chaturangas with my power yoga and too many push-ups with Insanity. But it did open up the door to trying Brazil Butt Lift, which was perfect around the holidays followed by more P90X.

Well at about week 8 of round 3, I started getting the itch to try Insanity again.  I surely thought I was crazy because why on earth would I want to try that again? But the thought kept needling its way in and sure enough I substituted one of the P90X cardio workouts for an Insanity workout.  Guess what! I made it through and actually felt great afterwards. So I tried it again on the next cardio day, and I was totally hooked.  So I asked my husband if he'd do a round of Insanity with me.  I was shocked when a week later he told me yes. Just to see if he was really on board, I tried a workout with him on Saturday and he loved it. So much so that he wanted to do another on Sunday. So its official, we started Day 1 today. We trudged down to the basement at 5 am to start our insane journey.

The Fit Test is a workout in itself.  30 minutes of power exercises, combined with plyometrics, push ups and core exercises that make Pilates look like its for girlie's.

And for the record, I like the Insanity Elite Nutrition Guide a lot better than the P90X Nutrition Guide (which I still like a lot).

Here are my results for today's Fit Test:

Switch Kicks 100 (or 50 each leg)
Power Jacks 58
Power Knees 100
Power Jumps 44
Globe Jumps 8 (I know I sucked at this one, but I had also worked out 12 days straight)
Suicide Jumps 14
Push-up Jacks 29
Low Plank Oblique 40 (not as easy as it sounds)

So the next Fit Test is on Day 15.  Let's see if I can dig deeper and rock this!

If you;d like more info on Insanity, P90X or any of the other amazing Beachbody workouts, visit my website at http://fitwithjessica.com/ or eamil me at fitwithjessica@live.com

Whole wheat pancakes for the fitness minded

Pancakes have always been a big hit with my kids since they were old enough to eat them.  But the traditional type can be a no-no for the fitness minded. So on my quest for a healthier pancake, I found a recipe for whole wheat ones.  I make a big batch, freeze them and then microwave for 30 seconds per pancake for quick weekday breakfasts.

So here is my current recipe for whole wheat pancakes:

Jessica's Whole Wheat Pancakes for the Fitness Minded

2 cups of whole wheat flour
1 tbs of baking powder
1 tsp of salt
2 tbs brown sugar
2 eggs
1/3 cup of oil
1-3/4 cup of milk

Mix all of the dry ingredients in a large bowl. Next add your eggs, oil and milk. Stir until blended, but make sure you leave some lumps.

Coat a pan with cooking spray and heat pan on medium heat.  Add 1/4-1/3 cup of pancake batter for medium sized pancakes.  I can usually fit 3 pancakes in my pan.

Wait until, pancakes get little bubbles and carefully turn.  I place the cooked pancakes on a cookie sheet and then freeze.  Once frozen I place in a freezer bag.

Hot pancakes taste great with a drizzle of honey or maple syrup or topped with berries.

These pancakes can be used when following the P90X Nutrition Guide or the Insanity Elite Nutrition Guide.

My recipe makes about 15-18 pancakes.

My P90X Chicken Scramble with Spinach

I love using the P90X Nutrition Guide and the Insanity Elite Nutrition guide for recipes.  Since I love to cook, I often make my own versions of the recipes.

Last night we had breakfast for dinner.  The night before I had made a salad with cubed chicken and I had some left over.  The kids really look forward to my homemade, whole wheat pancakes and scrambled eggs.  My husband and I wanted to something a little more grown up.  Enter the Chicken Scramble with Spinach!

I used whole eggs instead of egg whites.  I was short on eggs and it would have been a pretty skimpy dinner if I didn't use the whole egg.  I also omitted the Parmesan cheese and basil that the original P90X version calls for.

I served it up with a side of fresh strawberries.

My P90X Chicken Scramble with Spinach


This recipe is for 2 people

6 whole eggs (or 12 egg whites)
2 cups of baby spinach
2 TBS finely chopped onion
6 oz of cooked, cubed chicken

Cook spinach and onions in large non-stick skillet in 1 tsp of olive oil over medium heat. Toss in chicken.  Once spinach is soft and wilted, remove from pan and place on plate.

Cook eggs over medium heat until halfway set.  Add the spinach, chicken and onion to eggs and cook through. Garnish with fresh, crushed black pepper or Mrs. Dash and enjoy.

I'd love to hear from you.  Let me know if you try this recipe and enjoy it.  Feel free to leave a comment below.

Healthy Banana Ice Cream

I scream, you scream, we all scream for ice cream!!! Ice cream is so yummy, but a big no-no for lots of people.  It could be because they have blood sugar issues, or gluten, lactose and digestive issues or maybe trying to avoid the fat and calories associated with it.  I'm not saying you need to totally never have ice cream again, but if you want to save calories and eat clean, this  might be for you.  I'm going to try it this weekend.

I saw this yesterday on the Today Show, while waiting at the dentist with my kids. The segment was on healthy snacks for kids.  And then today, while getting a pedicure (thanks to my hubby xo) I was thumbing through Health magazine and saw the recipe again! So I figured I was meant to try it and share it as well.

So here it goes:

Banana Ice Cream

1 ripe banana per person, sliced and frozen. (You can place slices on a cookie sheet to prevent them form sticking together while freezing)

A few TBS of low fat milk (dairy, soy, almond, rice)

Place the frozen banana slices in the blender or food processor, and pulse at first , then blend to get a creamy texture.  You can add a TBS of milk a little at a time to get a smoother consistency.

Once at the desired consistency, you can spoon into serving bowls and top with chopped walnuts, shaved dark chocolate, or cinnamon.  You may even want to try a drizzle of honey or pure maple syrup if your bananas weren't that ripe.

Another idea is to add a little PB2 (low fat natural powdered peanut butter) to your blender and make it extra yummy, or even add a little chocolate Shakeology to it (yummo)

Eating Clean

On Monday, March 28th, I'm hosting a Get Set for Memorial Day Clean Eating and Exercise Challenge on Facebook.  I figure if we start on the 28th and run right through the Friday before Memorial Day, we should be rocking for summer.  I'm not making up meal plans or exercise routines, but as a group we will hold each other accountable to eating clean and exercising daily.

Basically you want to eat the foods in the top 2 tiers of Michi's Ladder.  If you mainly eat form those 2 tiers, you will be eating near perfect.

I wanted to give you an example of how I ate yesterday, so you can see Michi's Ladder in action.

Breakfast: a berry, banana whey protein smoothie made with 1% milk and hot green tea on side

Snack: 3/4 cup of plain oatmeal, made with water, topped with 2 Tbs raisins and 2 Tbs walnuts, with 1 Tbs whey sprinkled on top with water to drink

Lunch: 1-1/2 scoop of chocolate Shakeology, blended with soy milk and ice and green tea on side

Snack: 1 slice of 100% whole wheat bread, with 1 Tbs peanut butter (here's where I dipped into tier 3), and 1/4 sliced banana, 1-6 oz glass of milk and water to drink

Dinner: Egg white omelet with spinach and mushroom and 1 high fiber, 100% whole wheat, 100 cal English muffin. and hot green tea and water to drink.

Remember to drink lot of water (at least 64 oz).  If you need to dip into tier 3 or more, that's fine as long as you keep that minimal.

I'd love to hear from you! Please feel free to leave a comment below or email me at fitwithjessica@live.com.

Oven Fried Fish

Its that time of year when people are eating fish on Friday! Here is an easy recipe that would go great with some oven roasted asparagus (make while baking fish) and a side salad. Or if you're not watching carbs, some wild rice pilaf or baked sweet potato.

Oven-Fried Fish

From Team Beachbody - Eat Smart



Recommended by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute

2 lbs. fish fillets

1 Tbsp. lemon juice, fresh

1/4 cup skim milk or 1% buttermilk

2 drops hot pepper sauce

1 tsp. fresh garlic, minced

1/4 tsp. white pepper, ground

1/4 tsp. salt

1/4 tsp. onion powder

1/2 cup cornflakes, crumbled, or regular bread crumbs

1 Tbsp. vegetable oil

1 fresh lemon, cut in wedges

Preheat oven to 475 degrees. Wipe fillets with lemon juice and pat dry. Combine milk, hot pepper sauce, and garlic. Combine pepper, salt, and onion powder with cornflake crumbs and place on a plate. Let fillets sit briefly in milk. Remove and coat fillets on both sides with seasoned crumbs. Let stand briefly until coating sticks to each side of fish. Arrange on lightly oiled shallow baking dish. Bake for 20 minutes on middle rack without turning. Cut into 6 pieces. Serve with fresh lemon. Makes 6 servings.

Preparation Time: 10 minutes
Cooking Time: 20 minutes

Nutritional Information: (per serving)

Calories: 183  Protein: 30 g  Fiber: 1 g  Carbs: 10 g  Fat Total: 2 g  Saturated Fat: < 1 g

Keep that Kitchen Clean (Naturally)

I love to use natural ingredients to clean my kitchen such as lemon, orange, white vinegar... Its so much better than using harsh chemical, especially on surfaces where you prepare foods.  Below is an article that can help you get started on cleaning up the inside of your fridge to the countertops.

6 Spring Cleaning Tips for Your Kitchen


By Joe Wilkes

It's almost springtime, which for a lot of us means it's time to do a deep-clean of our homes—throwing out the old, organizing the new, storing the winter clothes, and getting ready for warmer weather and a fresh start. For others, it's the beginning of another season of denial about how squalid our living conditions have become. Even more than New Year's, spring is a good time to make some new resolutions and create an environment that'll make us want to keep them. Here are some ideas for getting your kitchen into shape.

1.Out with the old. I like to think of my refrigerator as a cabinet of hope. Most times, it's full of fruits and vegetables, purchased in a fit of confidence that I would steam and stir-fry my way to a slimmer me. Then I end up going out to restaurants with friends, and my Sunday produce ends up looking pretty bad by week's end. Yet, unbelievably, I leave it all in my refrigerator with the hope that it'll somehow return to a state of edibility. Similarly, expired dairy products and aging condiment bottles litter my shelves, the result of my misguided optimism that they too will come back in fashion—like my '80s wardrobe will, if I just wait long enough. I'm here to tell you, however, that there's been no grocery miracle in my refrigerator these many years. And now, it's time to give the expired residents of this frosty food hinterland a proper burial.

First thing to do: Get rid of everything that even looks old. Be merciless. If it's past the expiration date, throw it out. If it doesn't have an expiration date, throw it out. Another scourge in my fridge is the many plastic containers filled with leftovers. I don't remember exactly what meal they are left over from, but I can't recall anything that included frizzy mold as an ingredient. Much of the reason the containers languish in the back of the fridge is because I'm avoiding the horror of having to wash out the science experiment they've become. This year, I'm going to throw money at the problem, and throw out the leftovers in their containers without ever lifting the lid. Then, I will treat myself to shiny, new plastic containers as a reward for my new hygienic lifestyle. Additionally, if my plastic cutting boards are beyond bleaching, it's a good annual tradition to replace them.

2.Out with the bad. While I'm gripped in the mania of throwing away all the food that has literally turned to garbage, I'm also going to throw away the food that's metaphorically garbage. All the unhealthy snack foods that lure me away from my healthy eating plan are going to have to go. I'm evicting the half-full bags of tortilla and potato chips from my cupboards. Ben and Jerry's® are moving from the freezer to the dumpster. Any empty-calorie snacks I can steal a spoonful or handful of and pretend they don't count have to hit the road. Once I clear the cupboards and refrigerator, I can go to the store and load up on healthy staples, whose temptations I won't have to resist.

3.In with the new. Now that the refrigerator's clean and the cupboards are bare, it's time to shop. Stock up the larder with delicious, healthy foods from the first two tiers of Michi's Ladder. And make sure to get lots of easy-to-prepare snacks to keep within easy reach when hunger pangs hit. Great snacks include cottage cheese, nonfat yogurt, hummus, salsa, and raisins. Instant oatmeal, whole-grain cereals, and egg whites are good to have on hand for breakfast. And foods like brown rice, dried beans, canned broths, water-packed tuna, and frozen fruits and vegetables are good staples to always keep in supply for mealtime. Of course, you should also try eating plenty of fresh produce, seafood, and lean meats. Just don't be like me and go crazy at the Sunday farmers' market only to have to throw food away at the end of the week. Buy enough perishable items to last a couple of days, then make short trips to the supermarket or farmers' market during the week. Your food will taste better and fresher, and you won't have a CSI episode in the crisper drawer at the end of the week.

4.When life gives you lemons . . . I know I've talked a lot about throwing all your produce away. But some of it can do a little cleaning work for you before it hits the compost bin. Lemons are very acidic, and their juice is naturally antibacterial and antiseptic. You can use lemon juice to bleach countertopost bin. Lemons are very acidic, and their juice is naturally antibacterial and antiseptic. You can use lemon juice to bleach countertop stains and shine up metal. And it makes your kitchen smell lemony fresh to boot! Instead of throwing those lemons in the trash, throw one or two in the garbage disposal and grind away. It'll help get rid of food dried onto the blades while filling your kitchen with the smell of lemons. (If the lemons are really old and the rinds have turned hard and leathery, don't try this. The disposal blades might not be able to chop them, and they'll just rattle around in your disposal forever. Trust me, I know.) Another great tip a friend gave me is to cut a bunch of lemons in half and put them in a big microwave-safe bowl filled with water. Then microwave the bowl of lemons on high for a few minutes, until the water steams. Keep the microwave closed. The lemon-juice-infused steam will permeate all the stuff cooked onto the microwave walls from various exploding culinary attempts. The crud will wipe off easily and your microwave will smell great. Best of all, no toxic cleaners will accidentally find their way into your meals!

5.Vinegar—not just for salad. While you're cleaning and staying nontoxic, try using the Michi's Ladder top-tier favorite vinegar to spruce up your kitchen. Diluted with water, white vinegar can be used to clean windows, wash floors, and wipe countertops. It cuts grease and removes stains from cookware, and if you run a pot full of the vinegar and water solution through your coffeemaker, you'll be amazed at the kind of hard-water deposits it removes. It's also good for removing hard-water stains on your glassware. It even cuts soap scum and kills mildew, so you might give good, old-fashioned, cheap white vinegar a try before investing in expensive cleaners that can introduce toxins into your kitchen.

6.Baking soda—not just for baking. Here's a fun fact. Did you know that baking soda mixed with grease makes soap? It's true. It's a great, cheap, nontoxic way to wipe off your stovetop and the surrounding areas that have been spattered by a season's worth of stir-fries. An open box can absorb odors in the refrigerator, and a little sprinkled in your garbage can will do likewise. If you have a grease fire, you can put it out with baking soda. If you have pots with burned-on food, let them soak in baking soda and water overnight. Also, if you have plastic storage containers that are a bit stinky from their previous occupants, try soaking them overnight in baking soda and water. You can make a baking soda paste with water and polish your silver. It's a miracle product—nontoxic and cheap!

I'd love to hear from you! Please feel free to leave a comment below and share any other ideas you have about keeping your kitchen safe, healthy and clean.

Happy anniversary day means happy family day

I know some of you might think its lame to spend your anniversary at home with your kids, but our kids are such a big part of our marriage, why not include them in the day.  Oh, don't get me wrong, my fantasy is to leave the kids with a responsible adult and jet away with my husband for a few days to an exotic, warm island, but that's not happening, at least for now.

Yes, I have friends who have the luxury of parents near by who are able to stay with their kids and they can go on a romantic trip, but although we are blessed to have both sets of parents still alive and healthy, they aren't available to do what other's parents can.  My in-laws are older, in their mid-80s and my parents both live in FL and neither of them can just drop what they're doing to come up and babysit.

So we make due, and we still have fun. This anniversary will be spent just like the many other ones since having kids. We'll spend the day as a family, the kids playing with their new toy and have a nice dinner with the kids:)

Happy anniversary to the love and loves of my life!

How to cut the time on your P90X workouts

The first thing most people say when they think about starting P90X or they just purchased it is "the workouts seem so long!" Well, yes, they do seem long, but compared to getting yourself dressed, in the car and off to the gym, then start your routine, towel off and get back in the car to go home, they're really a lot shorter on time than trudging to the gym everyday.  And let's face it, most of us with gym memberships get tired of that routine so we slip up and stop going.

But there are ways you can make your P90X workouts a little shorter and shave off 20-30 minutes of your workout time.

1) One way to shave off time is by splitting your workout.  You can do your main workout (like chest & back) and then save Ab Ripper X for later in the day. This is good if you feel way to spent after your main workout.  Or you can split your workout by doing all the chest exercises in the morning (hit the next button on your remote to skip the back exercises) and then in the afternoon or evening do all the back exercises (again the remote comes in handy). Add Ab Ripper X in at the end of either workout.  But make sure you do the warm up and cool down with each split session.

2) You can do the first round of exercises only. I still highly recommendd doing the warm-up and cool down.  But be warned, if you get in the habit of doing 1/2 the DVD only everyday and every workout, you may have to decrease you calories.

3) As you get better at the workouts, you will find yourself able to start an exercise while Tony is still explaining the exercise.  You may finish by the time they start going.  Use the remote and skip ahead to the next exercise.  I do this a lot and it shaves off about 20 minutes.  I really don't do this with the cardio DVDs. But on occasion I will skip next during a few very challenging Plyometrics exercises (only if I'm really feeling wiped out).

4) Yoga X is long.  90 minutes is a long time.  Most of the poses in Yoga X are very advanced and if you;re not doing yoga more often can still seem too advanced for you by week 13.  On days I'm rushed, I will do the first 30 minutes and the last 30 minutes of Yoga X.  I used to teach yoga classes, so I know that some of the poses like crane, are poses that can take years to master.  You can still get an energizing yoga workout by eliminating some of the very difficult and advanced yoga poses.

So there you have it.  I know there will be some P90X purists who think what I said is blasphemy, but we all have busy lives and sometimes you need to make some adjustments.  I'd rather you do this than skip your workout entirely.

I'd love to help you reach your fitness goals.  As a Team Beachbody Coach, I'm here to support you and be your guide on your journey to a new, healthier you.  Please email me at fitwithjessica@live.com or visit my website http://fitwithjessica.com/ to get started. And please feel free to comment below.

Fire up that Metabolism

Having a higher metabolism will help your body burn more fat and calories.  Did you know that eating 6 small meals per day will help fire it up?  You burn an extra 237 calories per day doing this!  Read the article below to find out more ways to fire it up!

Ways to Fire Up Your Metabolism



By Monica Ciociola

It can be discouraging when your results don't seem to match the efforts you're putting into getting in shape. But instead of giving up on your fitness program, or worse, diving into the Twinkies® (trust me, you'll regret it!), try making just a few easy changes to your diet and your lifestyle. Sometimes the smallest things—like getting more protein in the morning or enough rest at night—can lead to the biggest weight loss surprises.

1.Don't skip breakfast. Eating lean protein in the morning will help get your metabolism revved up for the day ahead. Protein from egg whites, for instance, will help stabilize your blood sugar, make you feel fuller, and keep you from overeating later in the day.

2.Resistance training. Working out with some form of resistance—resistance bands, weights, or a stability ball—helps build your muscles. And because one pound of muscle burns way more calories than a pound of fat does, the more muscle you have on your body, the higher your metabolic rate will be.

3.Interval training. Short 10-minute explosive cardio sessions followed by less intense cardio for the same amount of time will rev up your metabolism. For some of the best interval training workouts, check out INSANITY® or TurboFire®.

4.Get your beauty rest. Human growth hormone works directly on cells to increase your metabolic rate by 15 to 20 percent and can only be produced during the hours of deep sleep. So make sure you get a good night's sleep!

5.The magic mix. At mealtime, try consuming lean proteins from chicken and white fish along with complex carbohydrates from fruits and veggies. This magical combination will speed up your metabolic rate as food is transformed into usable nutrients, and you'll build muscle and burn fat during the digestive process.

6.¡Ay, caliente! Studies show that hot peppers, spices, green teas, and caffeine can give your metabolism a sudden surge by stimulating the release of stress hormones. If jalapeño and cayenne make you wince, turn to our all-natural Slimming Formula supplement, which contains green tea, for the same metabolism-boosting effect.

I would love to hear from you! Please feel free to leave a comment below.  If you need help with your fitness and nutrition, email me at fitwithjessica@live.com or visit http://fitwithjessica.com/

Loren - really bringing it in Day 13 of P90X

Meet Loren! Loren is someone new that I'm coaching and just because she's not too far into her 90 day journey of P90X doesn't mean she's not seeing amazing results already! Loren is a stay at home mom of two very cute girls and she also runs her own intimate apparel business.  So Loren, just like the rest of us has a very busy schedule.  She could very easily fall into the trap of putting everything else first, but she's really determined to make her health her priority.  She knows that this will help her be a better mom, wife and business woman.  Here is what Loren had to say in her own words:

"It's day 13 and I'm really mad at myself! I can't believe how much money I have wasted on Spanx when all I needed was some self control and muscle confusion! My biggest fear is that my new perky energetic disposition might be annoying the people around me- "Oh well" I say! Day 13 down 5 lbs and one dress size- BRING IT!!"

Way to go Loren!  Keep up the good work and keep inspiring us to bring it! Not only is Loren exercising, but she is following a healthy nutrition plan that comes with P90X and she just started drinking Shakeology. 

If you would like more information on P90X, the program that Loren is doing, or any other Beachbody workout, send me an email to fitwithjessica@live.com or visit http://fitwithjessica.com/

I don't feel my age

Today is my birthday! I woke up at 5:00 a.m, did my P90X workout, had my oatmeal and a whey protein smoothie. Then I had my Shakeology for lunch (after a healthy snack of course). Woo hoo! Way to party like a rock star on your birthday, right? Trust me, I wouldn;t have had it any other way!

Even though I'm another year older, I really don't feel it. Mentally, I know I'm slightly immature (lol), but I'm talking physically.  My body feels as though I'm in my 20s. I actually feel better than when I was in my 20s.  In my 20s I was super skinny. I weighed in at 102-105 pounds, which at 5'4.5" is very thin.  I'm 20 lbs more than that now, but with exercise and eating right, its all in the right places.

I'm also more flexible than what I was in my 20s. I do a lot more flexibility exercies than what I did back then. I'm stronger and feel more balanced.

I used to smoke, drink more (alcohol) and would stay up until 3:00 a.m. most nights, and wake up around 9:00 a.m..  I ate what I wanted, but only ate about 2 meals per day and maybe a snack. So while I was super skinny, I wasn't super healthy.  I remember always having headaches and not sleeping great.  It was a "fun" life, but not a very healthy one.

Flash forward to present day - while I don't fit in a size 0 jeans anymore, or I'm not partying like a rock star, I feel so much healthier than I ever did.  I feel like I should be in my 20s again!

My drinks of choice are now water, green tea and Shakeology.  I eat 5-6 small meals per day, I exercise everyday with programs like P90X, Insanity and Brazil Butt Lift.  I make sure I get 7-8 hours of sleep everynight (although sometimes interrupted by a small child). So I instead of leading the rock star life style I once led, I'm leading the healthy lifestyle. And I'm much happier for it!

If you're ready to lead a healthier life, now's the time to do it. Its never too late or too early.  As a Team Beachbody Coach, I can help you set up healthy goals.  Now is the right time.

I'd love to hear from you! Leave a comment below or email me at fitwithjessica@live.com

We all have cellulite...

I was standing in line at BJs Wholesale Club today and saw the latest In Touch magazine cover with Kim Kardashian and I think it may have been Holly Madison (from The Girls Next Door) on the cover.  The title blared "We Have Cellulite, so What!" And inside there were untouched photos of both women in bikinis with cellulite (not much, but visible).

I wanted to see if I could find the article online, but found this article instead from the NY Post, click here to view . As I looked at the pictures, I thought to myself, I wish more women could come to grips with their cellulite, stretch marks and other issues.  And I wish more magazines would feature women standing up and saying "so what!"  Perhaps so many of the women I coach would have better body images of themselves.

We all have cellulite lurking around, even men do.  I remember going to a KISS concert in 1996, having front row seats and noticed that even Gene Simmons had cellulite peeking through the side cut-outs on his spandex.  Oh well...

Exercise and nutrition are extremely important in maintaining a healthy weight, healthy heart, healthy everything, but exercise and nutrition aren't necessarily going to get rid of your cellulite.  Sure it could minimize the appearance or in some cases make it look worse.  But I wish society would just let us relax a little about our slightly lumpy thighs and tummies.

I know I often fall victim into wanting that perfect looking body, but unfortunately its not going to happen.  I have my own issues with not being entirely happy with my abs and the skin that got stretched due to having 4 large babies.  And no matter what I do, its not going away.  But I try to change my thinking into "well, I'm healthy and that's really what matters."

I know its a lot easier said than done, but just try to be happy in the skin you're in.

I'd love to hear from you! Please feel free to leave a comment below.

Ed Z. - What a difference a year makes...

Back in December, I featured Ed Z. in my blog. He amazed his doctor, himself and me on how he took the diagnosis of type 2 diabetes and turned it all around.  Today is his one year anniversary of being diagnosed.  Ed was gracious enough to send me this email.  He's so sweet that he thanked me, but Ed has done all of this on his own. As Ed's Team Beachbody Coach, I offered him support and answered a few questions for him every now and then.  But Ed did all the work, no doubt about it. Read Ed's email below:

"Just thought I would share with you that today is my 1 year anniversary of being diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes. I was originally put on 3 different medications, and things did not look good for me at the time.


I mourned my situation, and gave it it's due. Then, I set about getting my mind right, setting a goal, and formulating my plan. Today, I stand before you a new man. I went from a 4X to medium, size 50 pants to size 33s, 140 pounds lighter, and no medication whatsoever!!! What a difference a year makes!!!

With faith, hard work, and dedication, we can achieve anything we set our minds to!!!

I'm a week away from finishing my second round of P90X. Now, I'm a two time graduate of the program!!!

I'm going take it up a notch and I'm ordering INSANITY!!! According to the reviews they say it makes P90X look easy!!!

I'm so fired up for the challenge, you just don't know!!!!

I know I've said it, before, but thank you again for all your help and advice.

Words will never be able to express how much I appreciate all you have done for me. : )

Ed"

What an awesome email to get! This totally made my day! Again, Ed did all the hard work.  He's an amazing example of how we can take charge of our health and change our life.

Please feel free to leave a comment below, or if you have a private question, email me at fitwithjessica@live.com  If you'd like to have me as your free Team Beachbody Coach, click here.

Exercise for your mental health

I know most of us who do exercise regularly do it for the physical benefits. A healthy heart, lowered blood pressure and cholesterol, slimmer waistline, these are some of the reasons we get our bodies moving and grooving.  However exercise is also an awesome way to improve your mental health too.

Exercise can be viewed as a preventative activity that may actually help prevent physical and emotional conditions. Even short bursts of activity help individuals feel better, which means that you don't have to spend hours at the gym to gain real mental health benefits.


One reason for the feelings of well-being that are generated during and after exercise: the body's natural release of endorphins. These chemicals released by the brain are the body's natural painkillers and can lead to an increase in feelings of happiness. Exercise leads to an increase in energy and to better sleeping patterns, which may also explain why it is so helpful to people with depression. Low energy and poor sleep are common symptoms of depression.

The side effects of exercise happen to be much better than some of the negative side effects of prescription medications as well.  When you exercise you will also start feeling more confident in yourself.  You will start to look better and feel better.  You may lose the excess weight you've been carrying around instead of putting on pounds associated with certain medications. And most people who exercise regularly report that their libido picks up too (drop in libido has long been associated with certain medications).

Now, there will still be people who do need medication.  This post isn't meant to say that everyone can stop taking their medicine.  It just mean to point out some positives to staying active.

You;re never too old to start exercise either.  As long as your doctor gives you the okay, you can start exercising at any age.  I've seen people start in their 70s and they feel wonderful.  You just need to start slow if you've never exercised before.

Okay, I know some of you may get intimidated when I talk about a program like P90X or Insanity.  You don't need to start off at that level.  Just make a decision to do something like walking for 10 minutes, or taking the stairs whenever possible.  Gradually increase the amount of time you exercise and the intensity as you get better at it.

Here are a few suggestion I have for people just starting out and want to try a Beachbody program, but not ready for the intesity of P90X:

Rockin Body by Shaun T.
Slim in 6 by Debbie Siebers
Turbo Jam by Chalene Johnson
10-Minute Trainer by Tony Horton
Power 90 by Tony Horton
Yoga Booty Ballet Ab & Butt Makeover by Gillian and Teigh 

The workouts I listed above are just suggestions for getting started.  And they still provide a challenge too.  They're not too easy, you need to do some work.  And walking, running, bike riding and swimming are all excellent activities as well.  Mix them up and have fun!  Don't worry about getting it perfect, just do it!

I'd love to hear from you! Please feel free to comment below.

Would you drink that?

I totally love, love, love my chocolate Shakeology.  So much so that I had no desire to try the greenberry.  I heard a lot of mixed reviews on the greenberry, that I decided without trying it that it wasn't for me. 

Well for lunch today I tried greenberry with vanilla flavored soy milk, 1/2 a frozen, sliced banana, and a little bit of peanut butter.  Guess what! It was pretty good.  I don't think I will convert from my chocolate, but there are some people who just don't like chocolate and this makes a nice alternative.  I also imagine it blends well with fruit flavors that might not be so good with chocolate.

Here's something else I learned from a coach/friend of mine. If you add unsweetened cocoa (the kind you bake with), you can turn your greenberry Shakeology into chocolate like magic.  That's all Beachbody does to it.  Same ingredients, nothing artificial, just one has cocoa and the other doesn't. 

Shakeology is a meal replacement shake designed to be enjoyed every day, one meal a day.  You can use it to lose weight or maintain your healthy weight.  Here's a video that explains what you'd have to blend up to get all the nutrition that's packed in one shake:



Again, I really love the stuff.  If you want more info, just send me an email to fitwithjessica@live.com or you can visit mt website by clicking here.  I can also show you how to save 25% on your order.

I'd love to hear from you! Please feel free to leave a comment below.

One of the best decisions I've made - becoming a Team Beachbody Coach

February 17, 2011, marks my 1 year anniversary as a Team Beachbody Coach! I'm happy to say its one of the best choices I've made.

Okay, when I first thought about becoming a coach, I really wasn't so sure it was a good choice.  It took me about 4 weeks before I made a decision and even then, I was hesitant.  Why did I sign up? Well, things started out great with my fitness career.  I lived in a neighborhood where word of mouth was really easy.  I taught Pilates, was a personal trainer and also taught pole dancing classes.  Things were going great!  But then we moved to another town and that "social network" I was in slowly dwindled.  The town I live in now is pretty big, and most people keep to themselves.  So it was hard to make friends and to promote my classes. 

We also had our 4th child, and that made it difficult to go out and teach or train people. I also started exercising less since I wasn't teaching more than 2 times per week.  I was also getting stressed out trying to find a sitter to watch my kids when my husband worked late, or trying to get dinner ready, lunches for the next day made and out the door on time to teach.  All this stress for $60 per week.  I needed to do something different.

Team Beachbody really came at a perfect time for me.  I'm not going to say its easy, or a get rich quick thing, but so far things have really turned out great.  I'm proud to be part of a company that offers so many great fitness and nutrition products, like P90X, Shakeology, Insanity and many more.  Becoming a Coach with Team Beachbody has enabled me to do what I'm passionate about and be home for my kids.

Listen, we all should be exercising and eating right.  Some of us need a coach, like me to help get them started and keep them on the right path.  Let me know if I can help you by sending me an email to fitwithjessica@live.com or leaving a comment below.

If you're interested in becoming a coach and helping transform people's lives through health and fitness let me know.  I can help you get started and keep you on the right path with that as well.