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Tuesday, June 2, 2015

ALERT: Vulnerable Post

"A journey of 1,000 miles begins with a single step." -Confucius


As a little girl, clear through college, I have been the chunky girl. I played sports and I now work as a waitress on my feet all the time. But one thing I never had was structure with my food. I find myself falling off the wagon, forgetting to meal plan, not wanting to go to the grocery store. 

Putting myself off.

As many already know, I LOVE fitness. I love helping other people find their true self and become healthy at the same time. Making everyone else happy has always been my number one goal in life and in my Beachbody business. Only one problem: people don't want to join you when you don't do the workouts or eat the meals.....

This has been my biggest struggle the past year and a half is getting people to see their own potential. But trying to do that while not eating right and working out and having my own results has hurt my business in so many ways. People don't follow me because they see that I made excuses, so that lets them make excuses for themselves. They see me out to dinner with a drink and some fried food. So if I make bad choices, it's okay for them too. 

This is when I strongly say: this is the end. 

This is not simply a diet plan that "works in 4 weeks" or some "easy to chew diet pill". This is my life, this is my body, and each and every person I inspire is one more reason to get my butt in gear. 

I have nothing else to blame my laziness on. My pants don't fit. I hate the body I look at in the mirror. I hate the fact that 85% of the pants on my closet don't fit. So, mark my words....

I WILL be at my goal weight, doing it all in a healthy way by diet and exercise, in 2015. I WILL look at myself in the mirror and be proud of the woman I have become and I will be the woman that leads by example and I WILL turn my "hobby" business into a career and it will get me through nursing school.

So this is my call to you....

Will YOU join me?

Will YOU do what I am doing and change your image for the better and to grow in life?

If so, I ask you to one simple thing.

Email me. Let's chat. I need a support system, I need people to help and to also help me. I need my surroundings to be positive and I absolutely WILL do anything in my power to help you achieve your own goals while doing this together.

So one simple email or text could change your life. You never truly know until you take the leap of faith and just do it. 

I need you and if you would like to change your body to what you truly want, you need me. I will be there and I will be your support system. I will be there at the "midnight munchies" and when you really just want that cheat meal. 

This may seem a little like a cry for help. It is. It simply is. I have been on a roller coaster with my health and fitness the past two years and now I will be committed no matter the circumstances. 



So I ask this: if not now, when??

When will you finally say enough is enough, I want happiness and structure in life! 

Email me and let's chat: 
Laurenknight4574@gmail.com

Xox,
Lauren 🎀






Tuesday, March 3, 2015

Recipe of the Day - March 3

Hello, Tuesday!

Recipe of the evening goes to something that I absolutely love and couldn't live without.. Shakeology! 

I have been using Shakeology for a little over a year now and it has taken me places I couldn't imagine. I struggled with stomach issues for about 2 years before starting Shakeology and Beachbody programs. I had gained the "Freshman 15", and I was unhappy with everything about my body. Today, I am down THREE pounds! That's right, only 3 pounds.... But it is a world of difference. 2 years ago I would have starved myself after looking at the scale. 2 years ago I would have starved myself then eaten more because I felt bad for myself and what was one more burger or Bagel Bite going to do anyways?

Today, I can say I have only lost three pounds BUT with the help of Shakeology, I have 0 stomach issues. I have a body i that I can look at in the mirror and smile about. And I have a body that someday someone else will love just as much as I do. No, I'm not where I want to be but that is all a part of my journey. My lifelong mental and physical journey of enjoying life and taking it one step at a time. It's not a race, it's an adventure so live it up! 

So my point to you, whoever you may be, is stop worrying about the number on the scale and worry about who you see in the mirror. Worry about putting a smile on your face and switching up your foods so they are more nutritious and healthy. Go on a walk or run to somewhere you have never been. Just do small things and somehow, some way, those numbers will start dropping little by little and you won't even care because you know what you are doing to your body will mean more than a number. 

Enough with the sappy stuff, let's get to the food! (Or Shakeology) hehe!


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🍓 one serving or scoop of Strawberry Shakeology
🍓 1/2 C Unsweetened Almond Milk
🍓 1/4 C water
🍓 4 large strawberries

Boom! Put it all in a blender. Press blend. Press stop. Pour into cup. ENJOY!! ;)

Love always, 
Lauren Michelle <3

Monday, March 2, 2015

Recipe of the Day - Spaghetti Squash March 2

Good evening lovelies, how are you? Wanted to give you recipe #2 for March!

Today, I have how to cook Spaghetti Squash. I had never tried it before and had never even heard of it! Now, it is my replacement for actual spaghetti noodles. So here it goes...

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Spaghetti Squash




-- Select a nice oval squash from your local grocery store. Get that baby home and get to work!

-- Cut off the stem and the other end of the squash. Pitch it!

-- Cut that thing in half LENGTHWISE.

-- Open up the squash and scoop out the seeds with a spoon. 

-- Preheat an oven to 400 degrees F.  Place the squash halves on a heavy-bottomed roasting pan. Add 1 tablespoon of olive oil and a pinch of salt and pepper to each half. Rub the oil, salt and pepper on the inside and flip them over and rub on the outside skins as well.



--  Place the squash cut side down back on the roasting pan and cover with foil.

Place the roasting pan with the squash into the oven and cook until the rind is slightly soft or gives with a little pressure, about 35-40 minutes.  Notice how the insides look soft after they’re cooked?
-- Allow the squash to cool just enough so you can handle it.  Scrape the spaghetti squash out with a fork.  It will resemble stringy “noodles”.
This is exactly how I enjoy my squash!

(This recipe has been written with the help of Zagleft.com along with some pictures!)
--I cannot wait to try this way of cooking my squash, I think it will be so much more simple than what I have been doing! :D

Enjoy and love always, 

10 tips for Eating on a College Student's Budget


Monday for me is my start to my weekend. I am a waitress by trade (for now!) and anyone who has ever waitressed knows that your money is made doing double shifts on the weekends. So, when normal working people who have Monday-Friday jobs say no to Mondays, I am silently cheering in the corner thankful that the weekend is finally over! 

Today, while I relax (and possibly take a much needed nap later) I want to share some really simple meal prepping tools I use to help me prep faster and easier. I am a college girl on a budget so this is a crucial part of eating healthy and being able to afford it as well. 

If you are in college or have ever experienced the life of a poor kid just trying to pay rent for the month, you understand my pain when it comes to spending money on groceries. It's a weekly struggle when I decide how much I want to spend on food. So let's start with my tips on how to spend less and save more!

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Tip #1 - Never go without a list.


I have learned that going into any store without a list is a BAD idea. I always buy everything that I don't need and spending way more than I really can afford. So stick to a list! Be a man or woman on a mission!





Tip #2 - Great Value is always cheapest but now always the best quality.

For those of you who have no idea what I'm talking about, Great Value is a Walmart brand version of the more expensive brand name items. They have great products and normally don't skimp on quality. Instead, they use a simpler form of branding with less "pretty colored packaging." HOWEVER, I have found a few items like the look-a-like Oreos... don't go near them. If I was to waste calories, they will be brand name Oreos! But other than the few items I wouldn't recommend, I would always try GV first. 







Tip #3 - Go above or below eye level


The "Golden Eye Level" is exactly where you want to steer clear from. This is where the most money is made with the most expensive items right there staring you in the face. The bigger companies pay more money for their products to be in that prime position because let's be honest, where does your eye immediately go when shopping? The fun colored bags of chips right at eye level! Us short girls are vertically challenged to get those bags on the top shelf, but if it's a dollar cheaper, grab that tall creepy man beside you and ask for help!







Tip #4 - Bulk is most of the time better



If you can buy in bulk, do it! Freezing and Ziploc baggies are going to be your best friend. Buying in bulk is more expensive at the register but when you are saving $2-5/meal it adds up your savings. Costco and Sam's Club are a few of the popular stores that are conveniently priced when it comes to bulk. Anywhere from bread, chicken, fruits, anything really. Most things are able to be split up and put in the freezer in smaller portions to use when you need. 






Tip #4 - Get rid of the fluff


Getting rid of the extra foods and not sticking to a meal plan are going to be your biggest areas of money problems. Living on a student budget is not easy if you are buying non-essential items for your pantry that just sit there and are not being used. I have gotten to the point where I have to go to the store if I have an unexpected dinner to make or someone is visiting because I don't keep anything extra in my cabinets besides what I need for the week. I have essential all-purpose seasonings and sauces, that's about it. I don't buy a lot of extra and I have perfected how big my servings are so I can eyeball them when shopping and really know how much I will need. Plus, by sticking to your list and meal plan and not buying all the extra you will be less likely to cheat and go off track with your progress.






Tip #5 - Pay attention to sales ads


Paying attention to weekly ads when you are planning your grocery list for the week is always an easy way to get the best deals. If you are willing to go to a few different stores instead of a one-stop shop, you will save more.






Tip #6 - Walmart Savings Catcher


This app is A M A Z I N G. If you are wanting the one-stop shop like I do, this is the thing to do. You buy your groceries, get your receipt and scan it into the app. It then scans the prices for up to 3 days and if there is a better deal at another store they will credit you  money back! Pretty cool idea I thought :)







Tip #7 - Coupons!


I am no coupon-er but I can tell you this is most right-in-your-face advertising ever and it's FREE! You are taking a few minutes out of your day and saving some money while doing it! 






Tip #8 - Do not shop when hungry


Shopping when you are hungry is an easy and for sure way to fill your cart with extra stuff that you don't need like the donuts and chocolate covered pretzels. You will watch your bill go sky high and end up not using half the stuff you bought. 







Tip #9 - Don't center every meal around meat



Focusing on getting your lean protein in every meal is one thing, but getting it from animal sources and watching your grocery bill skyrocket is another. Tofu will become your best friend along with other non-animal proteins. Google it, get on Pinterest, become more knowledgeable about other ways to get your protein and you will be amazed at how much you save!







Tip #10 - Stay away (mostly) from the alcohol


Okay, let's be honest here. I know it is the "social" thing to do in college but let's be honest, can you afford it every night or 3-4 times a week. Do this and you are guaranteed to not see progress with your workouts, your bank account keeps decreasing, and all of a sudden you have no money for the real food (and that does not include drunk runs to McDonald's!)







For more tips and tricks, email me @ laurenknight4574@gmail.com and we can personally work together to see what works best for you and for your lifestyle whether you are a college student, momma, or anything in between!



Love always, 




Sunday, March 1, 2015

Recipe of the Day - March 1

Hey y'all! Haven't posted in awhile and I know it's a sad excuse but school has gotten ahold of me and tugged tight! But it's 1:12 AM here in rainy West Virginia and of course my brain is going 50 miles per minute! 

So with that I have come up with something for March! I am going to post a recipe every day in March. They may be new recipes I have tried from other people, easy ones that I have made up, Shakeology recipes, or things I have not tried yet but will shortly! 

I would love any comments, recommendations, or suggestions for recipes you guys would like to see! So here goes the first one, something I made a few hours ago for my late night snack.


Strawberry Shakeology - with a twist!


Ingredients - 
✔️ 1 packet (serving) of Strawberry Shakeology

✔️ 1 small banana

✔️ 2 tablespoons natural peanut butter 

✔️ 1/2 cup unsweetened almond milk 

✔️ 1/2 cup water

Instructions -

--- add in blender and press blend, pour into cup and ENJOY! 

Prep time - 

--- 3 minutes (if that!)

If you need that special Shakeology ingredient, I know where to get some :D comment below and I'll be glad to hook you up with a sample or a while big bag!

Love always, 
Lauren Michelle 💜

Friday, December 19, 2014

Clean Eating Low-Carb Eggnog

Going low carb right before the holidays can be a brilliant plan for avoiding holiday weight gain. It can also be an overwhelming challenge because you still want to enjoy all your holiday favorites with family and friends. In fact, I'm still not sure if going this route at this time of year is a sign or pure genius, or pure insanity!

Christmas is a huge holiday at my great-grandma's house and usually comes with a buffet of delicious, not-so-clean foods that could tempt anyone and everyone! So what is one supposed to do?! Start converting recipes like a madwoman, that's what! And I'm starting with the eggnog.


INGREDIENTS:

  • 1 large egg
  • 1 tsp. pure liquid stevia, or more to taste after cooking if needed
  • 1 tsp teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/8 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg (more to taste after cooking)
  • 1 cups unsweetened almond milk (homemade is best)

DIRECTIONS:

  1. Blend all ingredients in a blender for about 1 minute.
  2. Pour into a medium pot.
  3. Warm over medium heat. The moment it becomes warm, reduce to the lowest heat setting. If you have a simmer burner on your stove, all the better.
  4. Using a wooden spoon, stir gently, slowly and continuously for 8-10 minutes.
  5. CRITICAL: Do not let this boil! You want it hot, but not boiling or even simmering. The very second this boils, you will have scrambled eggs instead of eggnog. It’s sensitive stuff, so give it your full attention
  6. Allow to cool slightly and serve sprinkled with fresh cinnamon
Number of servings (yield): 1

Merry Christmas week!
XoXo, 




Grinch Kabobs

It's Christmas WEEK!!!!!

And what better way to celebrate and start the cooking and prepping than with a Christmas treat, it's quick and easy to put together for a quick party that you weren't planning on attending or if you are just in a hurry to meet the family!




These are the easiest thing ever!

Ingredients:

  • Green Grapes
  • Strawberries
  • Bananas
  • Mini Marshmallows
  • Toothpicks

Directions:
  1. Slice bananas.
  2. Cut stem end off of strawberries
  3. Place kabobs on toothpicks with grape the banana slice, the strawberry, them marshmallow on end,
  4. Then ENJOY :)

Merry Christmas!