Calling BS on myself!!

 "I see you've been eating whatever you want this summer." ~Christina’s clothes 

You guys know that I overshare sometimes (serious apologies…sorta), but I like to keep it real and I believe in sharing it all, the good, the bad and the ugly not just the highlight reels. I do this because I know if I'm struggling with something, there is someone else out there that is struggling too and they need to know they are not alone in this. I've had plenty of struggles and challenges in my life, and what I've learned is that these struggles and challenges are what makes us stronger, it's where we grow, it’s where we learn who we are and it's where we learn to appreciate the process and the success that goes along with it.  Your health & fitness is no different. 

Here’s the real honest deal:  I’ve gained 15 pounds that I’ve been strategically trying to hide all summer long and hiding is such hard work you guys, physically, but mostly emotionally.  Yes, it’s been a fabulous and fun summer that I have fully enjoyed with my family and friends.  Traveling, vacation, late nights, bbq’s and patio time, boating, cocktails and wine, time with friends, yadda yadda.  I have absolutely LOVED every single moment of it!!  

However it’s time for the shenanigans to stop. You know them: exercising but not really (not pushing hard, choosing “easier” workouts but “work out” was checked off my to do list), NOT following my meal plan (start out amazing in the morning but then end the night looking 4 months pregnant because of carb overload) and the return of the nightly glass (no, let’s be real, 2 glasses) of wine. 

It’s absolutely not just about my pant size or a number on the scale. However, these are my alarms that go off when I know things have gotten way too far off track. I'm sharing this because honestly, I feel like SH*T (sorry for cussing).  My energy is at the bottom of the barrel, my moods are a bit of a roller coaster, my strength and my cardio workouts are truly suffering, and my clothes are getting too tight!!  This has got to stop because I have some super cute fall pants that I must get this bootay into!  Most importantly though, my mindset is off.  Not having clothes fit or a number on the scale doesn't matter as much as my mindset.  Not feeling good about myself, not feeling proud, knowing that I'm not taking good care of me is a sad feeling.  I don't like feeling like this.  I like being more self-confident and happy and just rockin and rollin through life feeling fabulous!  I want that Christina back!

Why am I oversharing with you?  Because moments like this, used to make me feel so disappointed in myself, sad and depressed and wanting to throw my hands up in the air and ask “WHY am I bothering?  It’s so much work and what for?”  We want INSTANT gratification and when we don't get it, we think those icky, negative, defeating thoughts to ourselves.

And then, if it’s not enough to feel bad about myself, I decide to just go eat whatever I want “just for today” and I’ll start again tomorrow with a better attitude or I decide a glass of wine will help me feel better.  Either way I get in a funk and feel guilty and horrible because I KNOW I can do this, I’ve done it before, I have the full love and support of my hubby and family and I have all of the tools needed to accomplish it, I just need to USE THEM. It's no one's fault but my own and I'm OWNING MY OWN BS TODAY!

If any of this resonates with you, I want you to know you're absolutely not alone. We all have those times in life where we seem to take a step or two forward and then a giant leap back. I know….I’ve been living it this summer.

For me, it stops TODAY. Right now!  Here's my accountability picture....my never, ever again....I know, I'm still hiding from you.  See that smile.  Yeah, no.  Not a happy camper.  Still some shame there... I'm saving the whole pics for a freaking awesome after pic!! 

With all of this long winded post being said (thank you if you actually read this all and have gotten to the end), whether you have started with me before, are wanting to start or don't know where to start.  If you are sitting, watching and waiting to see how this all unfolds, I just want you to know, if you need help, I'm ALWAYS here for you.  I haven't given up on myself and I'd never give up on you....we are in this thing called LIFE together to lift each other up and help one another to be the best versions of ourselves that we are capable of becoming!  

If you read this and are ready to take back your life and find yourself again let me know!  I'm ready to help you whenever you're ready!!  Find me on Facebook or send me an email.  I'd love to chat with you!

~Christina

Your 2017 Resolution Solution!

Merry Christmas!!  If you are already thinking about your health and fitness resolutions for 2017 STOP!  Look no further.  I have your solution and you don't even have to leave your house to go to the gym!! 

What if I freaking told you that Beachbody has just released an epic, game changing offer? What if I told you we just out offered gyms, other fitness programs and online workout companies? What if I told you our new offer would blow the lid off your 2017 resolutions?

What if I told you, you could get the complete
package that would offer unlimited access for a full YEAR to ALL of our programs new and old (even those still being developed)? What if I told you that it is less than a typical gym membership or personal training sessions? And with that you get cooking channels, portion control, Shakeology, 1 on 1 support, online coaching and your workouts on any device?

Because YEAH, we have that. We have all of that! We are freaking revolutionizing the way we take care of our fitness. You get to pick whatever workout program you want to do that Beachbody has ever created. You can do them all if you want. You can do a different one every day. Whatever you want!! Because you don’t have to pick just one!!

I am so excited about this! This is basically the Amazon Prime or Netflix of fitness right? So in honor of this, I am starting a brand new challenge group starting on January 9th! This offer goes live on December 27th. So let’s talk. Get your holiday funds together and make 2017 the year you change your life!!




🏻  a whole year unlimited access to every Beachbody workout program 

🏻  plus our revolutionary portion control system
 
🏻  plus a month of Shakeology to try (you can continue this if you want to or you can cancel at any time you choose)
 
🏻  plus a support system, challenge group support and Coach (🙋 Me)

 
All this for only $199!  This is less than signing up for a new gym membership or paying for personal training sessions. You have the worlds best trainers at your fingertips wherever you go. Available on any device you have, you have nutrition support and portion control containers an online group to help you stay motivated and accountable, 24 hour support online whenever you need it, meal planning, a cooking show with Autumn Calabrese and so much more.

 


New year - new you – new goals! Shoot me a message if you want more information about this. Let's get you ready to start 2017 right.  This will be the healthiest and fittest year of your life!

~Christina

 

Stress-Free Holiday Tips!!

These tips are so fabulous and really help put this fun, busy, crazy, love-filled time into perspective.  I found these on Darren Hardy's Facebook page a few years back (if you don't follow him please go and do it now).  He's truly life-changing.  His book the Compound Effect will change your life!!  Truly, go to his page and like it.  Here's 10 tips along with my editorial comments of course! 

10:  YES!!!  Get in a workout at least every couple of days!!  My goal is at least 5 days a week, but if you get in a good sweat session you let go of stress, feel better, clear your mind, get some extra energy and you feel crazy good about yourself!  Earn that fudge!

9:  We do this a lot!  All of our family lives close by, within 30 minutes or so from one another, but we still love hosting at our house.  Even my girls love that we host.  Yes, it's often more work, yes you have to clean and cook and be a good host, but we fill our home with love and laughter and memories.  Get everyone to bring a dish, BYOB and it makes it a bit easier.

8:  I so love this one!  It's hard to do, but you really don't have to do everything you are invited to do.  If you want to do it, if it sits in your heart right and you want to be there, you aren't going to do it because you are expected to, or supposed to or it's the right thing to do then DO IT!  But if you feel that you are obligated to do something or expected to do something give it a second thought.  This time of year is about doing things you love with those you love and if you don't love it, then why do it?

7:  Aah, yes!!  I've said this to myself just last night after I had a grumpy moment or two.  I was so busy doing who knows what around the house getting ready for Petra's party with friends this weekend and Sophia needed my help with her Oreo Truffle Pops she was making for school. I soooo wanted to say "not right now" but then realized what will she remember most?  Me frantically running around doing a zillion things and always have a sparkly, clean kitchen or me spending time with her, stopping what I'm doing and helping her finish them together?  It was time with her.  My girls won't always be with me, living with me, so I better make the most of my moments.  I then had to be reminded of this again later in the evening when things were a mess upstairs.  "Christina, does it really matter?  Really?"

6:   This is one my hubby always says to me:  "Take everything one day at a time.  Why are you already stressing about that?  We have 5 days until that happens, plenty of time!"  :)  Just handle what you need to handle each day and it will all come together.  Don't look at the ENTIRE huge list.  Just break it down to each day and accomplish that.  Little baby steps to take out the overwhelming feeling.

5:  Oooh!  I like this one. I have often thought of things to do differently or things we did this year that I want to do again.  Like how I decorated the house or who I want to see, or a new way to draw names with the family that I heard about, a fun new tradition you'd like to start, or start adding to your Christmas card list. 

4:  This is a good one!  I love that the girls are old enough to help me with this and do some of my baking for me.  They absolutely love it and it's something they will feel responsible for and feel good about doing and helping me. I just wish they got the cleaning up part down.  :)

3:  It's my 80/20 Rule!  Don't give up and throw in the towel!  It's not the time to abandon all your nutrition goals.  You CAN have your cake and eat it too.  Eat good, whole, nutritious, clean foods 80% of the time and allow for 20% to be your indulgences.  You can go to the holiday cocktail party, you can have a piece of that fudge or that egg nog.  Just don't do it every night! 

2:  This is a hard one.  Stop taking myself and things I can't control so seriously.  Sing it out loud: "Let it go, Let it go!"  

1: Yes!  The more you are grateful for all that you have in your life, all of your blessings, the more you will notice that you have.

Healthy Holiday Tip #3

Ouch!  This is a little tough love.  Be mindful and keep the 80/20 rule in check.  80% of the time you eat clean and healthy, you drink lots of water and you get your workouts in.  That leaves 20% for all the indulgences and festivities this time of year brings.  You will feel less guilty, you'll be able to enjoy your favorite food and cookies and beverages.  You can't feel deprived this time of year.  It only leads to overeating and then throwing all the good habits out the window.  Don't do it this year.  Keep these good habits in check and you'll start the new year off right.

~Christina

Healthy Holiday Tip #2

You know when you stand around where all the food is, you just keep reaching your hand into that bowl of candy or reach for the cheese balls and crackers or nuts and chips.  You are having a great time, chatting and sipping your wine or cocktail and you just can't keep that hand away from all the goodies.  Grazing and chatting....having "just one more" a thousand more times. Before you know it, you've overindulged in food and drink and feel like a busted can of biscuits when you get home.
 
So be there and be really present with your friends and family.  Focus on your friends and family not the food. Find out what's going on in their lives and what's coming up for them.  Relive memories you have together, talk about the coming year.  Try to learn at least 3 new things about them.  It's about spending time with our loved ones right?  

Now, don't get me wrong...I'm surely not saying you can't have any of the treats at the party.  Just be mindful.  Get a small plate and have what you want.  You'll see how much you are eating that way.  Don't just stand there and keep reaching for more.  You'll never realize how much you had at the end of the night.  If you have to grab a plate each time, you'll notice it more.  

Out of sight is out of mind.  If the food is out of sight, it will be less tempting.  So either move away from the kitchen or food table or chat with people with your back to the food.  If you don't see it, there will be less temptation.

And remember Healthy Holiday Tip #1.  Don't go to the party hungry.

~Christina

Are you a "Bounce Back Person?"

I was listening to Joel Osteen this morning on XM radio during my commute, and he was talking about being a "Bounce Back Person" and he used this beautiful analogy of the palm trees. I loved it and it was so calming to me and helped me change my perspective on several things that I have on my mind and heart right now. I thought if it touched me, it just might help someone else too. I was able to find it online so I thought I'd share a few excerpts from it. 

_________________________________________________________________________________

 

God designed the palm tree to bend but not break in high winds. The palm tree can bend all the way over until its top touches the ground and still not break. Palms may be bent over for four or five hours during a strong hurricane. You’d think they would snap right off, as thin as they are, but palms are resilient. They bounce right back.

Biologists say that during a hurricane when the palm tree is being bent and pushed over, its root system is actually strengthened by the stress, which gives it new opportunities for growth.

When the storm is over, the palm tree smile and says, “I knew this would be a bad one. I knew I would be battered. But what do you know? I came back up stronger than I was before. Now, if you will excuse me, I think I’ll grow a little taller.”

That’s what God says will happen to each of us, if we just stay in faith. Psalm 92:12 “The righteous man will flourish like the palm tree.”

Isn’t that interesting? God could have said we would flourish like the mighty oak trees big, sturdy, with great branches. Or God might have said we’d flourish like pine trees tall and majestic, able to see for miles!

But God chose palm trees because He knew there would be difficult times in which we would have to bend so we wouldn’t break. He knew things would come against us, trying to steal our joy, our victory. So God said, “You will be like a palm tree, because I’ve put a bounce back in your spirit.”

The storms of life will come. The winds will blow. At times, it might look like you’re finished, like it’s all over for you. You might get a bad report about your health. You might be passed over for a promotion or laid off. Other times, it might appear that your dream has died. But just like that palm tree, when the storm is over, you will not stay down. You will bounce back and keep growing.

We all face disappointments and setbacks. But the key is to develop a bounce-back mentality.

When you get knocked down, don’t stay down. Get up to fight another day. Disappointments hit. Disruptions happen. But pity parties are not the answer.

When you’re a bounce-back person, you know that every adversity, every setback is only temporary. It will not last forever.  No challenge is too difficult for you. No obstacle is too high to overcome. No sickness, no disappointment, no person, no hurricane, no dive in the stock market can keep you from your God-given destiny.

Don’t accept difficult days as the way it will always be. You may be a little bent right now because of hard winds, but that’s not permanent.

Life will hand you disappointments and setbacks. But we are not like an oak tree that can be toppled over. We’re not like a pine tree that can be blown down. You and I are like the palm tree. We may get battered and beat up, but we will return stronger than we were before. ~Joel Osteen

Are you a busy mom? Are you ready to make yourself a priority?

I created the Busy Mom Challenge for YOU and for ME. I want to help us busy moms feel their absolute best! Because when you are happy and healthy, you are a better mom.

The Busy Mom Challenge is for you if…


✅ You want to love what you see in the mirror – and not have that negative self-talk.
✅ You want to lose a size in 30 days – maybe two sizes!
✅ You want to gain confidence – the kind that shows!
✅ You don’t know where to start – but you know you must.
✅ You don’t think you have the time for yourself – but you know you need to make time.
✅ You want the energy to keep up with your kids – and the memories!
✅ You are willing to invest in yourself – because who else will?
✅ You want to be a part of a supportive group of moms – and never feel alone.
✅ You are absolutely serious about taking control of your health – with no regrets!
✅ You want a step-by-step guide of HOW to lose weight and keep it off – fast and efficiently!

The lazy days of summer are over and it's time to get back to our crazy school schedules, sports, homework, making lunches, PTA meetings, etc.  I certainly feel like the woman in this photo and I would bet you do too. That’s why I decided to create the Busy Mom Challenge. 

Unlike most other challenge groups, this one is uniquely designed for BUSY MOMS – whether you work full time, stay at home, have 1 kid or 5, life as a mom is BUSY…between housework, cooking, taking care of babies, kids and that's not to mention a significant other too!! Oh and wait….what about time for YOU?! 

In just 30 days, I’m going to be with you and show you step by step how to change your life.  How to not feel guilty by giving yourself 30 minutes to workout.  How to eat better to have more energy and feel better.  How to grocery shop and prep meals that will actually give you more time each day.   How to talk better to yourself and gain more confidence and self-esteem.  Oh and yes, you can have that glass of wine if you want to!   Phew!!

That’s right. I don’t want you to commit to 60 or 90 days, I just want you to commit to only 30 days. Give me just one month to show you how you can change  your lifestyle and see some radical changes happening in your body, your mind and your spirit.

We'll be connecting via a private online challenge group on Facebook, we'll be reading a book together that I will give you, we will be having online call (on a schedule we all can commit to) to connect with eachother.  This is a commitment to you!!  You are deciding to make yourself a priority. 

Are you in? Send me a Facebook message, comment or email me and I'll get in touch with you. I look forward to hearing from you. Tag and share with your group of friends and do this together! The more support you have the better your results will be!

~Christina

A before and after I have never shared before

It’s crazy to think back to a time in my life where I wasn’t the person I am today. The girl on the left, although smiley and happy, really wasn’t. She was going through a sort of transformation on the inside. She was like a caterpillar, crawling up inside her cocoon waiting to become a beautiful butterfly and be able to fly.

I haven’t ever shared this with anyone. This isn’t easy. But I want to get it out. Okay….here goes nothing! 

I was really, really good at playing my roles, doing what I should do, making others happy and doing a lot, I mean a lot, of pretending and fake smiling. Inside I was a complete mess. A few years ago, well 9 years ago to be exact, Something happened in my life that turned everything I thought I knew upside down. It threw me in a tailspin. I had to figure out a ton of things and in a hurry. I realized that my life was one big, huge, gigantic mess and I had helped to make it that way. Nothing was as it seemed and what I portrayed it to be. I was not the person I was pretending to be and it was killing me inside. I had played it well for quite a few years until it came crashing down one sunny, Sunday afternoon in late September. I had to grow up and become a big girl and fast. It wasn’t easy. It took time and massive, massive internal work. In fact, I’m still working on it. Aren’t we all though? Aren’t we always working on ourselves? If you're not you should be. 

I look back now at that girl in the before picture and am no longer sad for her. I used to be really sad for her. But what I know now, many years later is that it was all an absolute blessing. It woke me up!! It made me change. If it had not happened I honestly don’t know who I’d be. I would not be this person right here that you all know and love today. 

I was always on a voyage to find that one thing….have that major “aha” moment that would change my life. I searched it out in books, blogs, lectures, quotes, etc. I never had that “aha” moment occur until it crashed in on me. That was my “aha” moment. Not a good “aha” moment that I always wanted it to be, but it was a wake up call! BUT…..had I not had been searching for it, I would not have had the tools that I learned along the way through those books, blogs, lectures and quotes to deal with it and know exactly what was happening and how I needed to handle it and exactly what I needed to do. I truly believe that my journey to find myself, find the true me, happened in that exact, divine order. As hard as it was to go through…. I can now look back and be thankful for it. It was my Blesson! (Blessing and Lesson) PS – Okay I know this all sounds cryptic and I hate that too. Why doesn’t she just come out with it already? What happened? I get you, but I won’t be telling you. Only a couple of people in my life know about this. I don’t talk about “it” to anyone ever. Maybe one day….but I don’t need to. It’s just about the lessons learned from here on out.

I knew everything I needed to know. I had it all in me all the time. I had to be pushed off the edge in order to take those lessons and actually change and live that life I had always wanted and be that person I had always wanted to be! I could see her….I was just afraid. It took a major event to make me see her. I now only have moments of insecurity, no self-esteem, no confidence, no belief in myself. Those moments used to take over my entire day, my entire being. Now when those thoughts pop up I acknowledge them, counteract the thought with a better one and kick it to the curb and move on with my day becoming stronger. 

Had all of this not have happened to me, in the exact, divine order that it did, I would not have been ready to accept the opportunity or even have the guts to join my first challenge group. But I now believed in myself and that I could handle anything. I was so much stronger on the inside that I wanted to be stronger on the outside too. Beachbody gave me something to fight for….me! It helped me come out of my shell, and gave me a focus. It helped me to continue to focus on me. It gave me a new tribe of amazing, like-minded people on the same path. It gave me amazing friends that I would have never, ever met that I can’t even imagine not being in my life today. It gave me so much happiness helping others change their life on their journey with me. It gave me even more personal development to continue to help me grow and learn more and more about myself. It’s helped me to become a leader of a whole team of coaches. I absolutely fell in love with fitness and now it’s just a part of me. It keeps me sane and helps me feel so strong on the inside and outside. I became a fitness instructor! What the? I never would have dreamed that would ever happen in my life. This huge introvert that hated working out, would be able stand in front of a class of people staring back at her to teach them Insanity!! Insanity of all workouts too? Crazy town…..

I am a very happy, positive, loving woman who loves being a wife, mom, daughter, sister and friend. I feel like I’m even better at all these roles too! That’s not to say I never have a bad day or don’t do anything wrong or make massive mistakes! Are you kidding me? I certainly do, and I make many of them. However, I now have tools to turn it around. I know that they are just thoughts and I can change it. I know it’s just a moment, just a day and it will get better. There’s always a lesson and everything, I mean everything (the good, the bad and the ugly), happens for a reason. There’s always something to learn. I try to not stay there in those bad moments or days. I let them happen and just move on. Yes, I could do better too. It’s not always perfect sunshine, rainbows and unicorns around me. I have my Grumpy Gus days that are harder to snap out of than others. But no one is perfect, I’m certainly not. But what’s great is that there are no more fake smiles or pretending. It’s all fo reals! :) I accept my life as it is…no more wishing for something different. If I want something different it’s up to me to create it! I make it happen! I am intentionally creating the life I want, I live as the person I want to become and I’m so freaking, unbelievably happy in my life. 

All of this rambling from a picture I came across today. Wow!! Transformations are not just physical. I am so proud of myself that I just had to share a little piece of me with you. I love me and the me I continue to become. I am now the butterfly, enjoying my amazing life with my beautiful and loving husband, daughters, family and my amazing family of friends. Grateful and thankful!!! #ahappyfitlife #blessons

Fixate Roasted Acorn Squash

This is a delish and super easy side dish.  It made the house smell so good too!!  I had never cooked acorn squash before but it was super easy and my hubby and I loved it! Be careful when you cut it in half though.  It's a little awkard.

Fixate Roasted Acorn Squash

Serves 4 (1/2 squash each)

Container Equivalents 3 green 1 tsp

Ingredients

• Nonstick Spray
• 2 medium acorn squash, halved, seeded
• ½ tsp sea salt (or Himalayan salt)
• ½ tsp ground black pepper
• 4 tsp unsalted organic grass-fed butter
• 4 tsp pure maple syrup
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• ½ tsp ground nutmeg

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees farenheight
2. Coat large baking sheet with spray. Place squash, cut side down, on baking sheet.
3. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until tender crisp.
4. Turn cut side up. Season with salt and pepper. Dot each half with 1 tsp. butter: drizzle with 1 tsp. maple syrup. Sprinkle evenly with cinnamon and nutmeg.
5. Bake for 15 to 20 additional minutes, or until tender.

Fixate Creamy Chicken Salad with Honey Mustard Dressing

I loved this and this will be a go-to lunch for me!  It makes enough for a few days and I think it was actually better the next day.  Make it super easy on yourself and get a rotisserie cooked chicken at the grocery store.  Makes the prep of this super fast and you have more chicken for other recipes for the week.

Creamy Chicken Salad with Honey Mustard Dressing

Serves 4 (1 1/4 cup each) and you will have plenty of dressing for other things.

Container Equivalents  1 green 1 red 1/2 purple 1/2 blue 1/2 orange

 Ingredients:

• 3 cups chopped rotisserie chicken breast (boneless / skinless)
• 1/2 cup chopped green apple
• 1/2 cup seedless red grapes, cut in half
• 1/2 cup sliced almonds
• 2 green onions, sliced (I did not use as I don't care for them)
• 2 Tbsp chopped fresh tarragon (I did not use)
• 1/4 cup Honey Mustard Dressing (see below)
• 8 cups shredded romaine lettuce

Directions:

1. Combine chicken, apple, grapes, almonds, green onions, tarragon, and Honey Mustard Salad Dressing in a large bowl.  Mix well, cover and refrigerate for 2 hours.
2. Serve 1 1/4 cup Creamy Chicken Salad over 2 cups of romaine lettuce per serving.   

Honey Mustard Dressing
** Serves 8 with 2 Tbsp per serving
** 1 Orange Container

• 1/2 cup reduced fat plain Greek yogurt
• 3 Tbsp Dijon mustard, gluten-free
• 3 Tbsp raw honey
• 3 Tbsp rice vinegar
• 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
• Sea Salt to taste (optional) 

Directions: Combine yogurt, mustard, honey, and vinegar in a medium bowl and mix well. Slowly add the oil, whisking constantly until well blended.  

Fixate Beef Stew with Sweet Potatoes

My entire family absolutely LOVED this recipe.  It takes some prep and planning for time.  You need to let it simmer on the stove for 2 hours.  Total time is about 3 hours but most of that it is simmering and you can go do other things, like maybe workout?  :)

I made a couple of changes so I'll note those below.

Beef Stew with Sweet Potatoes
Serves 6
Container Equivalents 1/2 green  1/2 yellow  1  1/2 red

Ingredients:

1 tsp olive oil
1 lb. 10 oz. raw lean beef stew meat
1 medium onion chopped
1 medium carrot, sliced
2 medium celery stalks chopped
4 cloves garlic finely chopped
8 cups low sodium organic beef broth
1/2 cup red wine
1/4 tsp sea salt or Himalayan salt
1 tsp ground black pepper
1 tsp ground paprika
3 bay leaves (I did not have any so I left them out)
2 medium tomatoes chopped
2 large sweet potatoes cut into 1 inch cubes (I used cubed butternut squash that I found already cut for me at the grocery store)
2 tsp cornstarch
lukewarm water

Directions:

1.  Heat oil in large pot (I used a dutch oven) over medium high heat.

2.  Add stew meat; cook, stirring frequently, for 4-5 minutes, or until browned.

3.  Add onion, carrot and celery; cook, stirring occasionally, for 5-6 minutes, or until onion is translucent.

4.  Add garlic; cook, stirring frequently, for 1 minute.

5.  Add 1 cup broth and the wine; cook, stirring constantly, scraping bottom of pan so beef doesn't stick, for 5-8 minutes, or until liquid is reduced in half.

6.  Add salt, pepper, paprika, bay leaves and tomatoes.  Bring to a boil.  Reduce heat; gently boil, stirring occasionally, for 5-8 minutes, or until liquid has almost completely evaporated, and tomatoes begin to break down.

7.  Add remaining 7 cups broth.  Bring to a boil over medium high heat.  Reduce heat; gently boil, stirring occasionally, for 2 hours.

8.  Add sweet potatoes, cook, stirring occasionally, for 20-25 minutes, or until sweet potatoes are tender.

9.  Combine cornstarch and water in a small bow; whisk to blend.

10.  Add cornstarch mixture to stew; cook, stirring constantly, for 2-3 minutes, or until stew has thickened slightly.

Enjoy!

Ladies only.....are you really serious this time?

Ok ladies....this video is for you IF you know that it's finally, really seriously this time, I'm going to do it, finally time to drop the excuses and go for it. Want to take a chance and do this with me? Is what you are doing working for you or do you need to change your game plan or even more important do you just need a game plan? Take a look. This might be exactly the sign you've been looking for!!

Are you ready to give this a shot this holiday season? Let's get FITTER not FATTER this time of year. Yep! I said the big, bad F word, but it's true right? This time of year is hard for all of us!! Just because it's hoodies and sweatpants season doesn’t mean you shouldn't work on what's going on underneath all that coziness.

I have many challengers that tell me their biggest regret is, “I WISH I WOULD HAVE JOINED YOU SOONER."

So, what is a Challenge Group?  It's your online family, it's a support system.  It's a place to go every day to check in, see how others are doing, let everyone know how you are doing.  We share our successes and our struggles and we motivate, support and encourage one another to keep going.  We make sure we've worked out each day, when we said we were going to.  We help one another guarantee our success and reach our goals.  We chart our progress, we share recipes, and tips and tricks and advice.  It's a full on support system in the comfort of your own home or your phone or tablet.  We're always there, 24 hours a day, whenever you need us.

Challenge groups aren’t difficult, they are fun! The overall goal is to CHANGE your MENTALITY about your health so you create LIFELONG habits.

So are you ready?  You want to reach some goals so you feel a bit more comfortable this winter, have a vacation coming up?  Maybe you don't have weight you want to lose but you want to tone up or train for a race or reach another milestone.  Maybe you have 5, 10, 20, 50 pounds or more you'd like to get rid of...forever.  Maybe you just need to get yourself back on track and challenge yourself with something new.  Whatever the reason, I've got you covered.  Let's do this together and make this the winter where you get fitter instead of gaining those extra pounds so you have to make those lose weight and get fit New Year's Resolutions!!


That’s it! I want you to have fun and enjoy it, to see RESULTS & to stop putting yourself on the back-burner. You can even still have wine and chocolate! Are you ready?? 

We’re starting November 2nd so time is short but it's only 21 days. You can give me 21 days right? We'll be done before Thanksgiving. I still have a few spots left just for you!!

Check out the 21 Day Fix Challenge Pack or send me a FB message or email and we'll get you set up for amazing success!!

~Christina