Thursday, June 26, 2014

What IS Shakeology?

Shakeology is a comprehensive nutritional shake that provides a wide variety of healthy nutrients in a low-calorie formula. Whether you use it as a meal replacement for weight loss or simply to ensure your body gets all the nutrients it needs for optimal health, Shakeology takes the guesswork out of nutrition!

Is it a protein shake?

Yes...and no! While Shakeology has a high quality protein component it is far more than that. Shakeology has over 70 greens, fruits and veggies-that's the nutritional equivalent to FIVE plates of salad in each serving! Now don't get me wrong, I love a good salad, but FIVE a day, EVERY day??? I just know that no matter how good that might be for me I just couldn't keep up with it! Shakeology makes it very easy to get all the vital nutrients you need while still controlling calories. Truth be told, the majority of people are WAY MORE nutrient deficient, than they are Protein deficient. So why just stop at a protein shake?

Are the macronutrients 'better' than the shake I'm already drinking?

A lot of people look at just 3 things on a label: the protein, carbs and fats. There is WAY more to reading a label than that! As long as the protein, carbs and fats are in an acceptable RANGE, what you REALLY need to look at is the The quality of all the OTHER ingredients, where they come from and what they do for your internal health on a cellular level. You also need to be on the lookout for what is NOT on the label! Shakeology has no artificial colors, sweeteners, flavors, preservatives, stimulants or soy. When comparing labels, be sure to look at the BIG PICTURE!

Isn't it better to eat whole foods?

Yes! That's why Shakeology IS a whole food! Unlike many “processed fake” foods, each of Shakeology's superfoods has a unique way of being “preserved”. It’s a very difficult process to dry a food out enough that it can be ground and stored in a bag, but not so much that it’s precious nutritional enzymes are killed and eliminating it's nutritional value. Each ingredient in Shakeology undergoes this careful process so that you get all the benefits of the whole food nutrition, without the hassle and expense of importing and consuming all 70 ingredients and juicing them every day!

Isn't Shakeology really expensive??

Anyone who thinks Shakeology is expensive simply does not understand it's REAL VALUE. In a day and age where it costs $5 for a cup of coffee, most people would agree that paying $4 for a complete and comprehensive nutritional meal like Shakeology is a BARGAIN. Remember too that Shakeology also includes all of the daily vitamins for a typical adult (or child), so you are getting that as well!
Now granted, most of us do not buy an entire month's groceries at one time, so when you multiply the daily cost of shakeology out it can seem like a lot. BUT, when you consider that Shakeology is REPLACING one of those meals you'd need to purchase from the grocery store (or restaurant, or fast food place) I actually deduct my monthly Shakeology from my grocery budget. Its literally the least expensive AND the most dense nutritious daily meal my family consumes. For the price, I can not duplicate its number of high quality ingredients and nutrients.

Isn't Shakeology just for people who need to lose weight?

Definitely not! Remember, Shakeology is a NUTRITIONAL shake that EVERYONE can benefit from! So while it CAN be an extremely valuable tool for those looking to lose weight, it's just as valuable a tool for those looking to boost their immune system, regain energy, recovery from illness or even GAIN weight! Shakeology is about HEALTH. When you put the RIGHT nutrients in your body that it needs to develop, heal, recover, repair and thrive, you will ultimeltaly have MORE energy, LESS cravings, and FEEL better there fore you eat less and become more active.
Shakeology is the FOUNDATION from which ANYONE, young or old, weak or strong, too heavy or too light can build optimal health. Shakeology is about DENSE NUTRITION so you can use it as your meal base and add clean calories to it making it a 300 calorie, 500 calorie or even more! Lets face it, not everyone needs to lose weight, but every needs to be healthier!


What is Shakeology? Benefits?
Wow!

Healthier Ranch Dressing


Healthier Ranch Dressing

Total Time: 10 min.
Prep Time: 10 min.
Cooking Time: None
Yield: 5 servings, about 2 Tbsp. each
Ingredients:
1/3 cup nonfat plain Greek yogurt
1/3 cup low-fat buttermilk
1 Tbsp. Ranch Seasoning Blend
Preparation:
1. Combine yogurt, buttermilk, and Seasoning Blend in a small bowl; mix well.

Nutritional Information (per serving):
Calories: 30
Total Fat: 2 g
Saturated Fat: 1 g
Cholesterol: 5 mg
Sodium: 89 mg
Carbohydrate: 2 g
Fiber: 0 g
Sugar: 2 g
Protein: 1 g


P90X/P90X2 Portions (per 2 servings)
1 condiment

P90X3 Portions (per 2 servings)
1 fat

Body Beast Portions (per 2 servings)
1 fat

21 Day Fix Portions

Spinach Salad with Turkey


Spinach Salad with Turkey

Total Time: 10 min.
Prep Time: 10 min.
Cooking Time: None
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients:
¼ cup fresh orange juice
2 Tbsp. red wine vinegar
2 tsp. extra-virgin olive oil
2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
10 oz. fresh spinach, stems removed (about 6 cups)
½ medium red onion, finely sliced
1 medium tomato, chopped
1 cup sliced mushrooms
12 oz. cooked turkey breast
Preparation:
1. Combine orange juice, vinegar, oil, and garlic in a small bowl; whisk to blend. Set aside.
2. Combine spinach, onion, tomato, mushrooms, and turkey in a large serving bowl; mix well.
3. Drizzle dressing over salad; toss gently to blend.
4. Divide evenly between 4 serving plates.
Nutritional Information (per serving):
Calories: 137
Fat: 4 g
Saturated Fat: 1 g
Cholesterol: 38 mg
Sodium: 420 mg
Carbohydrate: 9 g
Fiber: 2 g
Sugar: 5 g
Protein: 18 g



P90X/P90X2 Portions (per serving)
1 protein
1 vegetable

P90X3 Portions (per serving)
1 protein
½ carb

Body Beast Portions (per serving)
2 proteins
2 vegetables

21 Day Fix Portions (per serving)
½ red container
2 green containers

No-Bake Cranberry and Coconut Cookies


No-Bake Cranberry and Coconut Cookies

Total Time: 1 hr., 15 min.
Prep Time: 15 min.
Cooking Time: None
Yield: 15 cookies
Ingredients:
¼ cup unsweetened shredded coconut
½ cup all-natural smooth almond butter
2 to 3 Tbsp. unsweetened coconut milk beverage or almond milk
¼ quick-cooking rolled oats
1/3 cup dried cranberries
1½ scoops Chocolate Vegan Shakeology
Preparation:
1. Place coconut in small bowl. Set aside.
2. Combine almond butter, coconut milk beverage, oats, cranberries, and Shakeology in food processor; mix well until it forms a dough.
3. Shape mixture into fifteen 1-inch balls; flatten each slightly into the shape of a cookie.
4. Press both sides of cookies in coconut.
5. Refrigerate for 1 hour before serving.

Nutritional Information (per serving):
Calories: 99
Fat: 7 g
Saturated Fat: 2 g
Cholesterol: 0 mg
Sodium: 45 mg
Fiber: 2 g
Sugar: 3 g
Protein: 4 g


P90X/P90X2 Portions (per serving)
1 single snack

Body Beast Portions (per serving)
1 balanced liquid
½ protein liquid
Spiced Orange Blossom

Spiced Orange Blossom

1 serving of Vanilla Shakeology
  • 1 cup water
  • 4 tsp orange herbal tea (cooled)
  • ½ tsp ground cinnamon
Calories:132
Total Fat:2 g
Saturated Fat:0 g
Cholesterol:5 mg
Sodium:208 mg
Carbohydrate:14 g
Fiber:3 g
Sugar:7 g
Protein:16 g
These easy, make-ahead, egg-based muffins are perfect for those mornings when you wake up a little too late (and have a meeting in, oh, about 20 minutes). Mix up some eggs, throw in your favorite veggies and breakfast meat, and bake. Store them in the fridge for on-the-go eggy, protein-packed deliciousness all week long. These breakfast treats are perfect on their own and equally good sandwiched in an english muffin or two slices of whole-grain toast.

Recipe: Zucchini-Bacon Egg Muffins (Gluten-Free)




What You'll Need:
1 large zucchini, shredded (about 3 cups) 6 slices bacon (or turkey bacon), chopped 9 eggs 1/4 cup milk (sub water to make this recipe Paleo) 1/2 cup shredded cheese (omit to make this recipe Paleo) Oil or cooking spray Salt and pepper to taste
What to Do:
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Prepare muffin tin by greasing liberally with oil or cooking spray. Set aside.
  1. In a small frying pan, cook bacon until crispy. Once cooked, scoop onto a paper-towel-lined plate to collect the excess fat.
  2. Now, prepare the eggs: In a medium bowl, beat eggs until evenly combined. Add milk, salt, and pepper, and stir to combine.
  3. Add zucchini, cheese, and cooked (and cooled) bacon. Stir to combine.
  4. Portion egg mixture evenly into muffin cups. They should be almost all the way full.
  5. Bake until cooked through and lightly golden, about 25 to 30 minutes.
  6. Serve alone, alongside toast, or on top of a salad for a healthy, filling breakfast or brunch. Stored in tupperware, the egg muffins should last about a week in the fridge. Microwave for roughly 30 seconds to reheat for breafasts all week long!

Thursday, June 12, 2014

Egg White Scramble with Chicken


Egg White Scramble with Chicken

Total Time: 12 min.
Prep Time: 5 min.
Cooking Time: 7 min.
Yield: 1 serving
Ingredients:
Nonstick cooking spray
6 large egg whites (2/3 cup)
3 oz. cooked chicken breast, diced
3 Tbsp. shredded Parmesan cheese
Sea salt and ground black pepper (to taste; optional)
5 fresh basil leaves, chopped (for garnish; optional)
Preparation:
1. Heat medium nonstick skillet lightly coated with spray over medium-low heat.
2. Add egg whites; cook, stirring constantly, for 3 to 4 minutes, or until almost set.
3. Add chicken and cheese; cook, stirring frequently, for 2 to 3 minutes, or until eggs are set.
4. Season with salt and pepper if desired; garnish with basil.
Nutritional Information (per serving):
Calories: 285
Fat: 6 g
Saturated Fat: 3 g
Cholesterol: 79 mg
Sodium: 561 mg
Carbohydrate: 2 g
Fiber: 0 g
Sugar: 2 g
Protein: 52 g


P90X/P90X2 Portions (per serving)
2 protein
½ dairy

Body Beast Portions (per serving)
9 protein