So, not quite as disappointed that I didn't make it to the Battlefrog race as I was last week.  Why?  Because Super Saturday was phenomenal!  It was fun and informative, and I got to make a new friend.   Training + relationship + passion = an amazingly electric experience!

I thought I'd take some time to share with you some things I learned as well as try and give you a glimpse into the awesomeness that is the Pittsburgh, PA, group of coaches.

The first part of the day was dedicated to some amazing announcements including:

• The special for the month of October will be P90 - a new program from Tony Horton for those that are beginners that may be a bit intimidated by the idea of P90X.  Oh, and for every unit sold, Beachbody is going to donate to the Wounded Warrior Project!  How awesome is that??
• For all you Insanity/Shaun T fans out there, there's a NEW program coming out:  Insanity Max:30.  Insanity in 30 minute workouts!  And apparently there are tons of new moves.  Now, as someone who is more partial to Tony, they'd all be new to me, but having the intensity and results of Insanity in just 30 minutes a day?  That's an incredible opportunity!  Want to be among the first to get information about it?  Add your email to the email collector and be notified as soon as it's available!
• Now, the announcement *I'm* most excited about:  21 Day Fix Extreme!!!  Yep, a follow-up program to the best program ever (in my opinion), and it's coming out early next year!  New 30 minute workouts, a new nutrition program, and it's geared toward those who are looking for crazy results.  I cannot contain my excitement over this program!  Want to be the first to get information about the new Fix?  Add your email the this email collector and be notified about the Fix when it is available!

After the announcements we received some pretty amazing trainings.  Lots to think about and process.  There are definitely going to be some improvements and some changes in the way I run my business as a result.  I am so utterly blessed to be a part of our team of rockstars!  This is the smaller Brigade, which is a portion of the #1 team in Beachbody (also based out of the Pittsburgh area).  These women are phenomenal, and I am lucky to be counted as one of them!


So what about you?  Would you like to be part of this team of amazing women (and men - though they are not pictured here)?  I'd love to hear from you!  Fill out the following, and I will be in touch!

Continuing on in the vein of fear, I was reading this week in Numbers about the 12 spies sent to Canaan.  Don't know the story?  A synopsis:  God promised Canaan to the Israelites.  They reached it, and sent 12 spies into the land.  It was fruitful and rich, but there were giants living in the land.  10 of the 12 spies believed it couldn't be taken. 2 spies - Caleb and Joshua - had faith that God would provide.  Their passion for God far outweighed their fear of the giants in the land.

Fear is crippling. How many times have you seen something wonderful and yet let it slip away because you were afraid?

Let's talk Caleb, Joshua, and the Israelites for a moment.  The entire nation of Israel had seen signs and wonders, miracles and plagues, food and water from heaven while they were on their way to a land that was fruitful and promised to them. But when they got there, what happened?

Out of 12 men, only 2 believed that this marvelous land could be delivered into the Israelites' hands.  2!  This nation had seen God wipe out their Egyptian pursuers with waves of WATER, but only 2 spies believed this same God could deliver this promised nation. 

I'm feeling a bit down today.  If you've been around a bit, you may remember that I am currently injured.  I'm trying to be positive, but I'll admit, today is a bit difficult in that regard.

Why?

1. My plans to simply limit plyometrics have not gone as well as I'd hoped.  Turns out more hurts my foot than I expected.  I'm really missing getting all sweaty and exhausted!
2. I was supposed to run another obstacle course race tomorrow morning, but obviously that's not happening.  I'm pretty bummed.
3. Work is super stressful right now.  September 30 (the end of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services' fiscal year) cannot come fast enough!

I'm feeling like there is a whole lot that I can't do.  I feel like I keep running into that word:  CAN'T.  Have you ever felt that way?  What do you do in those situations?  How do you feel?

I'm the type of person that gets discouraged at first - but the more I hear that I can't do something - or multiple somethings - the more determined and resolved I get.  So it's time to look at some of the "CANS."

1. I can walk.  It may not be pretty, but I CAN walk.  I can even hobble quickly.  hehe
2. So I can't go to my obstacle course race.  But I CAN go to Super Saturday, something I was bummed I couldn't attend (found out the date AFTER I registered for my run).  It's going to be awesome!
3. I can be the best nurse informaticist I can be.  And I can help my hospital earn the money we need for Meaningful Use.
4. I can be an example and help lead my team of coaches and challengers DESPITE my injury.  I can channel my injury into their successes. 

So what about you?  What "can'ts" are you hitting up against?  What will you do about them?  How will you make them into cans?  Can I help you do it?  Let me know!

I have a new 21 Day Fix-approved favorite shake! Do you like sipping iced tea on the porch in the summer?  Me?  Not so much.  BUT, if you add some fresh fruit to that tea - like peaches, raspberries, lemons, or strawberries - THEN I'm all over it!  This recipe?  Definitely fits the bill!  AND, it's got all the essential nutrients my body needs!

Best part?  It's tangy, sweet, bursting with flavor and still only 1 red container!  Oh, and it couldn't be easier, either!

Ingredients:

• 1 scoop strawberry Shakeology
• Juice from 1/2 a lemon
• 10 oz cold green tea

Directions:

Throw it all in a shaker cup and shake, shake, shake!  Yum!

I came across this amazing quote the other day:


How true is that??  It matters not what you are facing; your enemy is fear.  Fear can paralyze you into inaction.  Fear can stimulate overreaction.  Fear can keep you squarely in the middle of your comfort zone. 

But here's the thing:  growth doesn't happen in your comfort zone.  "Magic" doesn't happen in your comfort zone.  If you stay in the middle, in the "known," then yes, you will avoid defeat and failure.  However, you will also avoid elation, pride, exhilaration!  And what kind of life is that?

Take one moment with me, ok?

Think about the unforgettable times in your life, the moments when you felt most alive. 
I'll tell you a couple of mine.  

The first is vocational.  Several years ago, when I was a floor nurse on the ICU, I took a chance.  I told our then-CEO that we as a hospital needed a full-time educator because our current system of staff education was lacking, to say the least.  Fast forward a year or so, and the position that included education as part of its scope opened up.  I had none of the qualifications yet.  I was just a nurse - no master's degree, no bachelor's degree, and absolutely no experience in quality or infection control (the other 2/3 of the job).  Did that stop me?  NO!  I applied and actually made it to the final round of interviews.  Did I get the quality position?  No, I didn't.  I got something even better:  I got a brand-new, full-time educator position.  I got what I REALLY wanted!  Could our CEO have laughed in my face the year before?  Absolutely!  Could he and the CNO have laughed me out of their offices in the interview process?  Most definitely, and justifiably!  But I didn't let those fears stop me.  My passion outweighed my fears - and it paid off!

My second story for you is personal and has considerably more risk associated with it.  When I was just 19 years old, I met a man 7 years older than me.  That was June.  That same man got down on one knee in October.  I became his wife the following July - at the ripe old age of 20.  When we got married, I knew him a sum total of 13 months and 10 days.  This man was ready to settle down; I wasn't even old enough to drink yet!  I barely knew him; I just knew I loved him and didn't want to live without him.  Could our marriage have been a disaster?  Again, absolutely!  But again, my fear didn't win.  My commitment and my heart did.

So what about you?  What big moments have you experienced?  Did they have an element of fear?  Did the fear win, or did you?  What was the result?  Share your stories in the comments; I'm desperate to hear them!

I think I have a new favorite hymn.  And a favorite verse in that hymn.  Above everything else in life, my desire is for Christ to be my vision, my purpose.  I do not want to live for riches; I do not want to define myself by the opinions of others.  My desire is found in the last line of this verse:  Thou and Thou only, first in my heart.  High King of heaven, my treasure Thou art.

Life is a little bit crazy right now, but I would be completely out of my tree if I didn't tell you about the special for this month.  After all, this particular program completely changed my life.  It changed my mom's life.  It's changed so many others' lives.  In fact, I am going to go on record as saying that if you follow this program, you are GUARANTEED results.

If you couldn't guess already - or if you're just new around here - I'm referring to the 21 Day Fix. I know I've been talking about this program a lot, but I can't help it.  It's that big of a deal to me!  The nutrition component to this program is exactly what so many people have been missing.

I've told you about my transformation with the 21 Day Fix, my mom's transformation, and I've even shown you two other women who have had phenomenal results.  Still not convinced?  Want to see a few more?  Maybe a few with multiple rounds (because the results just keep getting better and better the more you do them!)?

Here's Ryann after 1 round:

And Melinda:

Can I have those abs, please?

Then there's Michele with 5 rounds of the Fix:


Convinced yet?  This is the real deal.  Do you have questions?  Message me and I will do my best to steer you in the right direction.  I want to see YOUR picture on this blog; do you?

I'm holding another Fix group starting the first week in October.  Will you be in it?  Fill out the following form, and let's get to work together!

Some days you just need something creamy.  And something of substance.  Something filling.  And you know what?  It really is amazing how versatile avocado is!  And this pasta definitely qualifies as comfort food!

Ingredients:

• 12 oz whole wheat pasta (I used penne)
• 2 ripe avocados
• 3 Tbsp lemon juice
• 1 Tbsp minced garlic
• 1 can Italian-style diced tomatoes
• 1/2 tsp sea salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Directions:

1. Cook pasta according to package directions.
2. Place avocados, lemon juice, garlic, salt and pepper in a food processor.  Process until creamy.
3. Add tomatoes and pulse just until combined.
4. When pasta is cooked, drain well and return to pot.  Add avocado mixture and heat until just warmed through.
5. Sprinkle cheese on bowls just before serving.

I previously mentioned that I had been fighting an injury.  And yep, I can officially claim my first fitness-limiting injury, complete with a snazzy new accessory.

That fall?  Apparently it either caused - or was caused by - a tremendous amount of loosening in my tendons and ligaments.  It's a little surreal to have an ortho doc separate your ankle bones by an inch to an inch and a half and not feel it!  So the verdict?  I get to wear my snazzy new boot for 4-6 weeks.  And of course, there are a few restrictions.  Namely, I am not to run (boo!) or do plyometrics (double boo!).  So some of my higher impact stuff is out.  BUT, he did say I could do anything else to my own pain tolerance.  He recommended a stationary bike or swimming - probably the only two things I *don't* have access to in my gym downstairs.  But that's ok, because I wholeheartedly plan to take him up on the "anything else to my own pain level" thing.  :)

Yesterday I tried walking - and possibly walked a wee bit too much!  Even with my fancy new boot, I was HURTING and couldn't even take a full step by the end of the day.  And I am still hurting this morning, though not nearly as badly.

So what's a fit girl to do?

1. Concentrate on nutrition.  The 21 Day Fix nutrition plan is foolproof.  So this weekend I "hit the books" hard and figured out just which level I'd be at with a lower impact program.  I ended up dropping down a level, but there is still plenty of food!  
2. Track everything that passes your lips!  I have an iPhone, and there are two apps I use religiously to track my intake:  MyFitnessPal and the native iPhone Reminder app:
   
   
   I use the Reminder app to track just how much of what containers I've eaten for the day.  It's free; it's color-coded; and I can access it from the phone, my iPad, and my computer.  Win, win!
3. Modify, Modify, Modify!  I already mentioned how I am restricted from plyometric exercises.  Several fitness programs incorporate plyometrics because, well, that type of exercise works!  The trick with any type of injury is to modify it to within your ability and to maintain safety.  How?  If the program has a modifier, start there.  Cat - the modifier for the 21 Day Fix - is probably the BEST modifier I have ever seen in a fitness program!  Even so, there are a few things I have to change and some others that I just can't do right now.  You know what?  That's ok.  Give me 4 weeks, and I'll knock it out of the park!

As you may have guessed,  it's back to the Fix for me, for now....  (Tony, I'll miss you!  I'll see you soon!)  So far, it's the easiest program for me to modify for my current restrictions.  That being said, I'd love some company!  I've decided to host another 21 Day Fix group beginning preseason October 1st.  Three weeks, and boom!  Who *wouldn't* love to rock a cute Halloween costume? (It's one of my favorite holidays!!)

I was in church this morning, as I usually am on Sundays, and I realized a few things.  I realized that although Jesus has always been front-and-center in my personal life, He has not been in my business.  It's time to change that.  Sure, I have given 10% of all my earnings to my church and 10% to a local ministry to teenage pregnant girls, but I haven't actually run my business with Him at the center.  Like I said, it's time for that to change.

I'm not sure exactly what that looks like, yet, but I do know the first few steps:

1. I'm going to add one more "themed" day to my blog:  Spirit-Filled Sunday.  Some weeks it will be an in-depth discussion, some weeks simply a verse, some weeks a praise and worship song.  But all weeks it will be wholly and totally devoted to Christ.
2. This business is going to take some prayer.  Lots and lots of prayer.  So if you feel like it, I'd appreciate any you may spare for me!  
3. I'm going to need some leadership in my business to walk hand-in-hand with me to shape it into the calling that I know it is.

So what am I looking for?  I am looking for 2-3 people to work alongside me.  These people will be grounded in their faith and will want to change the world with Christ at the center.  These people will be creative and passionate about health and fitness (regardless of where they are in their own journeys) as well as their relationships with Jesus (again, regardless of where they are in their own journeys).

I'm not going to sugar-coat it - it may be difficult.  It's going to be a smaller road, but I do believe it will be a blessed road.  Does that sound like something you'd like to be a part of?  Are you looking for a way to share your faith, to work it in a new and different way?  Then I would love to speak with you.  Please, message me or fill out the form below.  Are you ready to take the world by storm?

So the Refresh...  I promised to be honest...  Honestly?  This was TREMENDOUSLY hard for me!  I was starving, dizzy at times, and overall pretty miserable.  Of course, to be fair, I was injured and about to start my PMS week, but still, I don't think this cleanse is for me.  The nice thing?  I did end up losing 3 pounds in three days. 

So the Refresh consists of a series of several drinks: 
Shakeology:

Vanilla Fresh:

and the Fiber Sweep:
 
It also incorporates some fruits and veggies and healthy fats.  I was boring for dinner and just ate the same thing all three days (spinach salad), but some of the other recipes looked interesting as well. 

Shakeo was, of course, amazing.  I was terrified of the Fiber Sweep because I had quite frankly heard horror stories about the taste and texture.  However, it really wasn't that bad.  Have you ever finished a box of cereal and had all the crumbs at the end?  That's what it tasted like.

My issue - if I had an issue outside of the way I felt - was with the Vanilla Fresh.  I had a hard time getting it down, and unfortunately, you had to drink it twice a day.  It just had a funny aftertaste to me.

All in all, was the Refresh effective?  Yes.  Would I do it again?  Most likely not.  But it was a learning experience!

I brought this much in every day for almost 2 weeks.....I hit the jackpot this year!

I married a step-Italian.  That is to say, he doesn't have Italian in his blood, but he sure as heck has Italian in his taste buds!  The boy could eat "noodles" every meal of his life and be quite happy about it.  Unfortunately for him, this girl has never made sauce (I know, it's a sin, right?), so he's been stuck eating jarred sauce.  That is, until now.

This girl - this decidedly non-Italian - had an overabundance of fresh tomatoes and no way to use them except in some homemade sauce.  But this girl is also not the kind of person to watch a sauce over a hot stove all day, especially when we don't have central air, and it's 90 degrees outside.  So what did I do?  I decided to once again make use of my amazing little slow cooker.  Oh, and when I say little, I think I chose the wrong one to use.  I would highly recommend at least a 5 quart slow cooker for this one.  You'll notice that the edges are a little browned in the picture?  That's because it overflowed just a bit.  But it still tastes amazing!

This recipe is a true fix-and-forget one.  Once the ingredients were in the slow cooker, I just let them go for about 9 hours and then added the herbs for the last hour to kick it up a notch.

Now we have our own jarred sauce (or at least a few jars' worth)!

Ingredients:

• approximately 6 lbs fresh tomatoes
• 1/4 cup minced garlic
• 2 onions, finely chopped
• 2 Tbsp olive oil
• 2 tsp sea salt
• 1/2 cup blush wine (choose one that you like to drink - you'll like it in what you cook as well!)
• 1 Tbsp dried basil
• 1 Tbsp dried oregano
• 1 Tbsp dried thyme
• 1/4 cup dried parsley
• 1/4 cup honey

Directions:

1. Process the tomatoes in a food processor or blender until desired consistency for your sauce is reached.  I like mine just slightly chunky, but I know some who prefer a silky smooth sauce.
2. Saute onions until translucent; add garlic and saute another 30 seconds until fragrant.
3. Add tomatoes, garlic, onion, oil, salt, and wine into slow cooker.  Cook on low 9-10 hours.
4. Add spices and honey, and cook on low another 1-2 hours.  

Enjoy with your favorite whole wheat pasta or pizza crust!

I've had a lot of added stress over the last three weeks, and unfortunately, I have reacted by stress eating.  And this last week?  Since I've been incapacitated, hubby has been in charge of all the food.  Although he has been tremendously supportive and has taken care of every meal, his choice of food preparation/retrieval has not been the healthiest.  And trust me, I was NOT about to look this particular gift horse in the mouth!

Want to know a sampling of what I ate this week? (Don't judge me - I'm judging myself enough for both of us!):

• McDonald's hotcakes
• Velveeta Shells and Cheese
• Hamburger Helper Stroganoff
• Moo Goo Gai Pan

Now, it wasn't all horrible, but those are the highlights.  

Needless to say, this girl needs a reset button!  I still can't exercise (which is killing me!), but I can refresh my system.  I had thought about doing the Shakeology Cleanse again, but then my coach mentioned having a group just for coaches to do the new 3 Day Refresh beginning today:

I'll be honest, I was a little hesitant to commit to the Refresh.  I love my Shakeo Cleanse and really wasn't seeing a huge benefit to purchasing another 3 day program.  Anyone else feel me on that?

But I did ultimately decide to commit, for a couple reasons:

1. I could use the support.  Today is my first day back at the office and back into "normal" life, complete with the increased stress levels.  I could really use someone doing this "reset" with me, and there is NO ONE better than our team of coaches, in my opinion!  Yep, even coaches need the support of challenge groups!
2. I want to be able to give an honest and in-depth personal review of the program.  How can I do that without doing it?
3. There's variety - moreso than the Shakeo Cleanse.  So I figured, why not?

So who wants to know my opinion?  I promise to be honest!

Life has been kicking my rump over the last three weeks!  And, I actually had to double-check my calendar because I couldn't believe it had truly been three weeks since I had posted!  I have had my arse kicked, tossed, and kicked again. 

If I give you enough reasons, will you forgive me?  Or, maybe not, but will you at least understand?

1. Work has been a tad bit tense.  We have a huge deadline looming at the end of September, and we are not exactly comfortable with our current position for said deadline.  So, there's a bit of stress at work.
2. I ran another obstacle race back on August 2.  It was fun, dirty, and utterly worth it....  BUT, I sprained my ankle pretty badly during the race.  It hurt for about a week and then gradually got better.  I wore a brace for some of the higher impact stuff in P90X3, but after the first week, there wasn't much of an issue.....until last week when it started swelling and aching again.  Which leads us to....
3. Another injury!  This time, I fell at work (yay...), and my foot swelled and became so painful I couldn't walk on it.  X-rays showed no break, so I assumed (incorrectly it turns out) that I'd be back on the horse again in just a couple days.  That was Tuesday.  Today (Sunday), I took my first steps without crutches.  But I couldn't go far, and now - Sunday evening - my foot is swollen and painful again, and I can no longer bear weight on it.  Which leads us to...
4. I've missed nearly a week of P90X3 - and I am MISERABLE for it!  Course, it doesn't help that I am under "house arrest" as the hubby calls it.  In fact, I have left the house once since Tuesday.  The couch has become my new office.  Upside?  Hubby has been AMAZING.  :)

Sooooo, did I merit any forgiveness?

Will it make it any better if I tell you that being incapacitated has had its benefits as far as the blog goes?  Speaking of which, how do you like the new look?  Let me know in the comments!