Busy Moms Building a Business

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

Flourless Dark Chocolate Brownie Muffin

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!

We are better together!

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!  :)

Buffalo Chicken Lettuce Wraps

Looking for a simple but tasty dinner?!  Look no further!  These were delicious and you can spice them up or down, depending on your preference.  

Marinade 3-4 boneless skinless chicken breast in Franks hot sauce for an hour.

Grill Chicken breast and brush with hot sauce....

Cut chicken in thin strips.

Wash lettuce wraps and prepare toppings of choice.

Topping option ideas: carrots, celery, avocado, peppers, tomatoes, low fat shredded cheddar, crumbled blue cheese, nonfat greek yogurt.

Assemble your wraps! Easy, fresh, healthy and DELISH! 

Recipe: Egg Muffins

Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies

Last night I was craving something sweet, and I will be honest, I didn't want a healthy alternative.  I wanted something sweet, and yummy....I wanted dessert!  I made these cookies and they were soft, chewy, and AWESOME!  They felt like they should be sinful....but they still followed clean eating rules and were pretty heatlhy for cookies!  However, if you are doing the 21 Day Fix, you would still want to count this as one of your treats :)

Ingredients:
1 large egg
1/4 cup coconut oil (melted)
1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce
1/4 cup coconut sugar
1/4 cup pure maple syrup
1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
1 cup whole wheat flour
1 1/2 cups oats
1 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp.  baking soda
pinch of sea salt (optional)
handful of dark chocolate chips

Directions:
In a large bowl or mixer add egg, coconut oil, applesauce, coconut sugar, maple syrup, vanilla, and cinnamon.  Mix well.

Add flour, oats, and baking soda and stir to combine.  Add chocolate chips.  Chill dough for a couple hours in the fridge.

Preheat Oven to 350.  Spray cookie sheet with baking spray.  Roll into balls and cook for 10 minutes. Do not overcook, they will become more firm when they cool down.

Makes 15 cookies.

Buffalo Chicken Pizza Recipe & What's Cookin' in the Avondet House this Week (Meal Plan Included)

It's Friiiidayyy!!! Friday's are ususally my meal planning day, so I can head to the grocery store over the weekend with a list in hand and get prepped and ready for my week ahead.  Unfortunately I LOVE good ole cheese pizza when I am pregnant, a food I am pretty good at avoiding when I am not. Sooo, I have been living it up more lately and letting myself enjoy it in moderation before we meet our new bundle of joy. I got this recipe for Buffalo Chicken Pizza from another Beachbody coach, and asked her if I could share it here with all of you.  It was DELICIOUS and a little less guiltless too!!! 

Ingredients:

-   One 100% whole wheat pizza crust or dough

-   1/2 cup nonfat plain Greek Yogurt

-   3/4 cup buffalo sauce (I used Frank's), divided

-   1 lb raw, skinless chicken breast

-   1/2 sweet yellow onion, chopped

-   1 cup low moisture part skim mozzarella cheese

-   handful of chopped green onions, celery or carrots to garnish (optional)

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 450.  Place chicken breast in skillet and season with 1/2 cup buffalo sauce.  Cook on medium heat until cooked through. Remove from skilled and shred. While chicken is cooking saute onion in small skillet.

2. Combine remaining 1/4 cup of buffalo sauce with Greek yogurt in small bowl and mix well. 

3. Spread the yogurt sauce mixture evenly over the pizza shell.

4. Layer the chicken and onions evenly over the sauce.

5. Top with mozzarella cheese.

6. Place the pizza on oven rack for approximately 10-12 minutes.

7. Top with a small handful of chopped green onions, celery, or carrots.  

 I have been getting a lot of questions on the 21 Day Fix nutrition, so I thought I would share what else is cooking up in our kitchen this week.  My meal plan is color coded according to the 21 Day Fix nutrition guidelines.  As you can see my calorie range is normally 1200, however, I have added some extra snacks here and there, and a few more calories in this plan due to being pregnant.  I also usually follow a workout program to a tee.  I plan my workouts for the week, and add them to this meal plan, so there is nothing left to the imagination and I can stay on track!!!  To be honest though, being 6 months pregnant right now, I kind of just go with the flow on what I am feeling that day between 21 Day Fix and Insanity.  Some workouts are just getting to be a little more uncomfortable than others! ;)