I made this for dinner tonight and my sons exact words were, “Mom I
love this steak.Can you make this every
night?”Both of my boys loved it, and my
husband and I did too!It was a win winall
around.It is healthy and clean yet
hearty and filling!You MUST give this
one a try!
Ingredients:
1 tsp. olive oil
1 ½ lbs. raw lean
beef stew meat, boneless, cut into 2 inch cubes
1 medium onion,
chopped
½ green bell pepper,
chopped
½ red bell pepper,
chopped
4 cloves of garlic,
crushed
2 medium tomatoes,
chopped
1 cup low sodium
organic beef broth
1 bay leaf
1 tsp. sea salt
1 tsp. ground black
pepper
2 cups cubed
butternut squash
¼ cup chopped fresh
flat leaf parsley
Directions:
1.Heat oil in large
saucepan over medium high heat.
2.Add beef, cook,
stirring frequently, for 4 to 5 minutes, or until beef is brown.
3.Add onion and bell
peppers; cook stirring frequently for 4 to 5 minutes, or until onion is
translucent.
4.Add garlic, cook
stirring frequently for 1 minute.
5.Add tomatoes, broth,
bay leaf, salt, and pepper. Bring to a boil.
6.Reduce heat to
medium - low, cook, covered for 40 minutes
7.Add squash, cook
stirring for 8 to 12 minutes occasionally or until the sauce thickens and beef is
fork tender and the squash is soft when poked with a fork.
8.Remove the bay leaf,
top with parsley and serve.
***Make extra and
have lunch made for the next few days!
***This recipe makes
6 servings and is approximately 1 ¼ cup per person. This counts as 1 green and 1 red container on
the 21 Day Fix.
I have been getting asked a lot of questions about what exactly the 3 Day Refresh is and what it entails. The 3 Day Refresh is a cleanse that is designed to help you make a clean break from bad habits, jump-start a healthier lifestyle, and see real weight loss, without starving yourself. It is great if you want to drop a few pounds fast! You drink three shakes a day, a fiber drink, and plenty of filtered water, along with fruits and vegetables to help keep your energy up and your metabolism going.
What your day looks like on the 3 Day Refresh:
Breakfast: Shakeology shake plus a fruit option from the guide provided.
Tea Break: Unsweetened green or herbal tea (optional)
Mid-Morning: Fiber Sweep (a digestive health drink)
Lunch: Vanilla Fresh (high protein, hungersatisfying shake) plus an option from the fruit, vegetable, and health fats list.
Snack: Fruit, vegetable, or fruit option
Tea Break: (optional) Dinner: Vanilla Fresh shake again plus a meal made from the dinner recipe list in the guide provided Tea Break: (optional) MY Journey & Results: I bought the 3 Day Refresh last year and was hungry on day 2, so what did I do?! I threw in the towel and quit! Naturally, I was hesitant about doing it this time, but I was READY. I have heard many great success stories with people doing it, so I thought, WHY NOT ME?! Day 1- I rocked day one, but I went to bed early to prevent my eyes wandering in the pantry and my hands dipping in a little of this and a little of that:) I love Shakeology, so that was one of my favorite meals! The Vanilla Fresh is also not bad. The worst thing to me was the Fiber Sweep, but to be honest the taste wasn't bad (tastes like tea) it was more a texture thing for me, so I just chugged and didn't look back. Bottoms up! Overall it was simple! Day 2- Okay, this is where I quit last time, so I was a little weary going into the day. I caught myself looking around in the kitchen more, but I just had to be conscious and tell myself to walk away! Talk about an eye opening experience. It made me realize how often I "taste" food on an ordinary day! This is something I will definitely be more aware of from now on! I didn't feel any lighter or different on day 2, but I just kept reminding myself to TRUST THE PROCESS! Day 2 was a success. Day 3- I woke up thinking, I made it this far so there is no turning back now! Again, I didn't really feel too different, but once again reminded myself to TRUST THE PROCESS. Day 3 was a success! RESULTS: I woke up feeling lighter and my stomach was noticeably flatter, but I was nervous to step on the scale. I had the best break up in the whole wide world about a month ago....with the scale!!! Rekindling that terrible relationship was a little nerve racking, but I was excited to see my progress! I lost 4 lbs total and 2 inches off my waist in just 3 days! What a great feeling! :) I thought I was not a cleanse kinda gal, just like I wasn't a shake kinda gal and look at me now....I LOVE my Shakeology! I will definitely do this every few months, because it is a great way to get rid of toxins, and cleanse your body of cravings and junk! It also feels so good to challenge myself to be as healthy as I can be! If you are looking to shed a few lbs, I HIGHLY recommend the 3-Day Refresh!!! I am starting a 30 clean eating challenge starting August 31st, and I would love for you to join me! The 3-Day Refresh is on promotion this month too! Message me for details! :)
1 jar marinara (watch out for sugar...I use Mario Batali)
1 red pepper
1 green pepper
1 onion
portabella mushrooms
spaghetti squash
low fat mozzarella cheese
olive oil spray
Step 1:
Wash spaghetti squash and microwave for 10 minutes.
Step 2:
Spray pan with olive oil spray. Wash, dice, and saute mushrooms, peppers, and onions for 2 minutes. Add lean ground beef or turkey. Cook until meat is cooked through.
Step 3:
Add jar of marinara and simmer for 30 minutes (the longer the better).
Step 4:
Slice spaghetti squash lengthwise. Scoop out seeds and place on baking sheet. Fill spaghetti bowls with meat mixture. Top with cheese. Bake for 10 minutes at 350 or until cheese is bubbly.
***You can also skip the meat and add more veggies! Zuchini and asparagus added would taste great too!
***We are not a big fan of leftovers in our house but this was great the next day also!
Can you be the next busy mom to build a successful business from your kitchen table? The answer is YES, busy moms can build a business too!
I started coaching a little over a year ago, and I am ready to expand my team!
This past year has been super exciting for me. I started my journey as a challenger myself, and absolutely LOVED the support I had that I just NEEDED to share my journey with others!
My own personal journey with Beachbody started a couple years back. I am a former teacher that became a stay at home mom when we moved from Florida to Pennsylvania for my husband's job. With a preemie still on an apnea monitor and relocating to a new town, my husband and I decided it was best for me to stay home. I left my career in the classroom that I loved so very much and poured my own heart and soul into every day. Talk about change! Teacher one day to stay at home mom the following, and a for sale sign in my front yard...with hardly any notice at all!
Believe me, I LOVE being a mom, but I loved teaching too! Staying at home as a mom in a new town, with a new house, and a new life was not an easy transition for me. We had moved to a new state previously for another promotion my husband received, but it was different this time. It was harder. I was used to the classroom environment and interacting with people every day. I was used to the hustle and bustle that came with teaching in a public school: meetings, commitees, volunteer work, and lesson planning for my own 20 plus little ones, that I was priveleged to greet each morning with a big smile and a warm hug. I was used to laughing and working with my colleagues that I loved and became my family (since mine was all in Ohio). I was used to coming home to my very first house my husband and I bought together. I was used to the life we were creating with our new bundle of joy. I was used to my life in Florida, and I couldn't have been happier there!!!
Shortly after our move to Pennsylvania, I knew I had to do something before I went a little crazy:) We moved from our beautiful beach house that my husband and I purchased together to my parents house while Chris lived in a hotel during the week, 90 miles away from us. We then moved into a condo, until we found a house of our own. I didn't have all of my belongings....some of it was still in storage because it wouldn't fit. The walls felt like they were closing in! It was time...I had to step out of my comfort zone and make new friends. I had to challenge myself to be a better mom and wife by challenging my own inner self and happiness. I go through life with a smile, and always look at the positive side of things, but this time, it was just plain hard!
I am a people person and I need socialization, so I joined a gym and attended a bootcamp class every morning to see the same ladies. I used to joke and say that it was my power hour to workout and socialize! After having our second baby, getting to my bootcamp class was merely impossible for me! Every time I woke up early to leave the house and be home before my husband had to leave for work, there was always someone up crying! Sooo I ordered Insanity through the website. I had no coach and no support system. I quit when I got bored and the going got tough. I quit when I didn't have the results I wanted in a couple weeks. I quit when I was super sore. I quit because I was sick after our second baby for months, before realizing my gallbladder had to be removed due to progesterone shots I had received to help have a full term pregnancy.
So desperate to be energized and healthy again I decided to give 21 Day Fix a try and skeptically joined my first challenge group. What was a challenge group really all about anyways?! Well I had nothing to lose and I was about to find out!
The results were in, after completing my first challenge group, I knew that if I could help just ONE person feel as good as I did, then it was all worth it! My favorite part about coaching, hands down, is changing lives by running challenge groups and holding others accountable with an effective support system.....all right from my kitchen table! I love surrounding myself with like minded people that set new goals for themselves to be the best they can be and working with them one on one. I love my Beachbody "family"!
After successfully doing this for over a year now, there is no turning back for me. I am so excited to continue my coaching journey and look forward to a little accountability myself after just having my third son. I seriuosly couldn't do it without these groups that offer so much! I realize how many people need this support and appreciate having this opportunity in their lives! I truly love to help others succeed in their goals to live a healthier life! There is nothing better than seeing someone's confidence soar through their positive transformation.
If you are are passionate about inspiring and helping others and enjoy health and fitness, you can build a successful business earning extra money from your home too! If you are interested in becoming a coach or joining a challenge group to see what all this awesomeness is about, please feel free to reach out to me through facebook or you can email me at mkavondet@gmail.com
I came across this recipe from the Beachbody blog, and they looked delicious! I have tried recipes with black beans before and they were....okay, just okay, but I am always willing to give them another try! Needless to say, I was a little hesitant because of the garbanzo beans, but they were honestly soooo goood! My boys, big and small, all approved! Anddd they all even had seconds! Even better, these muffins are 21 Day Fix approved (1 yellow; 1/2 orange/blue).
Ingredients:
1 (15 oz.) can garbanzo beans, drained and rinsed
3 large eggs
1/2 cup pure maple syrup
1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 tsp. baking soda
3 tbsp. coconut oil, melted
1 tsp. pure vanilla extract
1/3 cup dark chocolate chips
Preparation:
1. Preheat oven to 350° F.
2. Prepare 12 muffin cups by lining with muffin papers or coating with nonstick cooking spray; set
aside.
3. Place garbanzo beans, eggs, maple syrup, cocoa powder, baking soda, coconut oil, and vanilla
extract in blender or food processor. Blend until smooth.
4. Divide batter among 12 prepared muffin cups.
5. Top each muffin with about four chocolate chips; push into batter.
6. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.
7. Cool completely and enjoy!
WOW! What a whirlwind this past 10 months have been! On September 28, 2014 we got one of the best surprises of our lives...we were going to be parents for a third time and adding to the Avondet clan!
BUT you see..with that comes nausea, cravings, exhaustion, and a hubby that is happy to live on the edge a little by running to the store and spoiling me with dark chocolate peanut butter cups from Romolos (my fav!) and brownies! :) Together, WE were pregnant, haha!
So, here we are 11 days postpartum and 100% committed to starting the 21 Day Fix nutrition plan TOMORROW! We are ready to get back on track and it feels good!!! My workouts will follow in a few more weeks after I recover from my first c-section, which I have to say is no joke! I really appreciate all those c-section mommas out there and am giving you a high five! This was not what I wanted, but a decision the doctors made at 38 weeks, and I am truly grateful to them for a healthy baby and a safe delivery!
The cravings and nausea are gone, the exhaustion, well I pretty much tell myself to get over it and keep on moving...it is just part of motherhood!!! The hubby also promises not to run home with any more sweets for me!
For the past 14 years of dating and (almost) 8 years of marriage Chris and I have been one heck of a team, and our support and respect for one another has only grown stronger over the years! We are always better together and getting our nurtrition on track is no different.
It is truly wonderful to have an accountability partner, so if you are looking for help I would love for you to have your very own fun and colorful food containers and join my next health and fitness accountability group...together we are better! :)
