Category Archives: Shakeology

It’s In The Bag: Goji Berry

Goji-berries

You probably heard a lot about getting in enough Vitamin C when you were growing up.  And the thought of constantly eating oranges and carrots (because that was really all you even considered eating for vitamin C as a kid….if that) made you a little apprehensive.  I am thankful now that I have grown up and expanded my palate to explore different foods and research new discoveries. In today’s It’s In the Bag series, we are talking about the Goji Berry.

Goji Berry is just one of the many powerful antioxidants included in Shakeology.

Antioxidants:

*Nutrients in foods that slow down the oxidation of our bodies.

*Protect our bodies from free radical damage.

*Help promote the body’s natural inflammatory response.

Free radicals are natural by-products that cells produce. The way free radicals damage your body is similar to how oxygen in the air rusts exposed metal on a car. If you don’t have enough antioxidants to absorb free radicals in your body, they overwhelm your cells, oxidizing and destroying them. Cellular damage is now known to lead to all chronic illnesses, including inflammation, cardiovascular disease, arthritis, and even dementia.

Goji Berries, rich in vitamin A, this nutritionally dense little fruit has played a vital role in Chinese medicine for thousands of years. It contains 19 amino acids (including the 8 that are essential for life), has more vitamin C than an orange, and is packed with immense amounts of beta-carotene—more than carrots.

In fact, look at these other possible benefits:

*protects the liver

*helps eyesight

*improve sexual function and fertility

*Strengthen the legs

*boost immune function

*improve circulation

*promote longevity

This little fruit can’t be mistaken for fluff.  Definitely something you should have on hand.  Another important ingredient included in Shakeology to give your body what it needs so that you can function at your best. Worth every penny.

You can grab Shakeology here. Remember, you can try Shakeology for a full 30 days and if you absolutely don’t love it, then you can return the empty bag for a full refund. So honestly, what’s your excuse not to try Shakeology?

 

It’s In The Bag: Papain & Bromelain

Papain and Bromelain.  If you are unfamiliar with what this is that is okay! Papain and Bromelain are enzymes and extracts from fruits you are familiar with (Papayas and Pineapples) and are used to provide key digestive enzymes in Shakeology…which is why this post is titled “It’s In The Bag!”

Digestive Enzymes are from plant sources that help your body break down food into its individual components, making nutrients easier to absorb. Cooking can destroy foods natural enzymes, so there is a good chance you are not getting enough of these enzymes in your diet!

Papain

Papain: A protein cleaving enzyme derived from papayas, and believed to be originated in Tropical America.

* Used as a digestive aid

* Helps promote the body’s natural inflammatory response.

* Aids in helping the body dispose of excessive fluid following injury

 

bromelain-bsp

Bromelain: A mixture of enzymes found in Pineapples

*Helps with the digestion of protein.

*Contains natural inflammatory properties.

Obviously, you can find pineapple and papayas in season at your local grocery story, juice and/or blend  to get the benefits. It is also found in your bag of Shakeology in flavors of Chocolate, Greenberry, Vegan Chocolate and Vegan Tropical Strawberry. You can go here for a complete nutrient profile on Shakeology.

I have been drinking Shakeology for a year and a half now, and I have to say I can’t imagine my house without it now, even though I was a relatively healthy eater before!

Did you know: Shakeology has a 30 day bottom of the bag money back guarantee?  That means if you aren’t 100% satisfied, you can mail back the empty back for a complete refund. So you really don’t have anything to lose….except maybe a little weight!

You can grab your bag here.

How I Beat The Sweet and a 30 Day Challenge

There was a time when I could never say no to a baked good.

I loved sweets.

Cupcakes, cookies, pies, cakes, donut holes. Oh my.

Seriously. Obsessed.

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Many of you know my story though and know that I decided to really take care of my body as well as pay attention to the kinds of things I put into my body.

I wanted to give my body nutrients. Fuel.  I didn’t just want to cram my mouth with stuff just to fill it.

I wanted to feel good.

And as much as I enjoyed a cupcake, it did not make me feel good.

Insert Shakeology.

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I had been following a  whole foods nutrition plan for about awhile prior to being introduced to Shakeology. And honestly, I wasn’t sure I needed it. But I did my research and realized that this wasn’t just some meal replacement shake just to give me calories.

It had nutrients that my body could use for fuel. And that was important to me.

So for the past year I have been drinking Shakeology for 1 meal a day (mostly breakfast or lunch or a snack) and as well as eating clean.  While I didn’t lose a ton of weight on Shakeology (I had already reached ideal weight) I noticed that I no longer reached for a cookie.

I rarely feel the need to bake anymore…much to my family’s dismay. (They are used to it now *wink*).

Cookies and cakes are what they were intended to be in the first place. A treat.  I don’t feel the need to grab it for a snack. I don’t need it and my life goes on without eating sweets.  I can even say no to a treat without feeling like I was depriving myself.  It is empowering and honestly I love it.

If you feel like this is you, then I have a challenge group for you.

Beat The Sweet Shakeology Challenge Group:

For 30 Days you will commit to drinking Shakeology for one meal a day, as well as following a clean eating plan. We will be held accountable to sticking to the plan and not caving into the craving of a sweet treat because we know there is something better for us and for our bodies. I am limiting this group to just 10 people. So if this is something you want to be a part of, email me right away and I will get you all the information you need.

To our Health,

Tiff

Whole Wheat Pumpkin Pancakes

The last week and a half has been absolutely hectic for me and my family.  Between school, ministry and Madi having a short cheerleading course at a local High School, my time posting to social media had to be limited so that I could focus on the things that absolutely needed my full attention. I still worked out and ate (relatively clean) but unfortunately I have no photographic evidence. Ha!

What has absolutely saved my life the last week or so is making breakfast ahead of time for my loved ones.  I shared this as a food prep tip and I posted a photo of my Whole Wheat Pumpkin Pancakes which I whipped up this morning for future breakfasts.

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. So please don’t skip it.  I know it can be hard, but with a little planning and prep, it won’t be so hard in the mornings to get something good in our bellies.

I took the basic Whole Wheat Banana Pancake recipe from 100 Days of Real Food and replaced the Banana with 1 cup of pumpkin.  I also added to the dry mix:

1 TBSP Cinnamon

1 tsp Nutmeg

1/4 tsp Pumpkin Pie spice

Mix all together and cook like a pancake.

The original recipe does call for Real butter (whole foods remember, not margarine!), but you can substitute applesauce instead for a lower fat content.

I have also made ahead of time granola and overnight oats as well as blending a Shakeology smoothie for them.  They never leave hungry.

Again, I realize that this does take extra time to prep and plan. But I know that most of us would much rather take the extra time to prepare something good for our families than to go without or settle for empty, unhealthy meals from a drive-thru window.

What are your favorite make ahead meals?

Tiff

Start Today

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No matter where you are in your journey, whether you have taken those small first steps or have spent months trying to hit a target.

Just keep going.

Start and keep going. Don’t lose momentum.

Grab people and have them join you.

True success is never straight to the top. There are many twists and turns, starts and stops until we reach the place we want to be.

But you got this. As long as you remember why.

You want to be strong. You want to be healthy.

And maybe you want to inspire others to do the same.

Let’s do this.

Who’s with me?

Tiff

Healthy: A Priority or Too Expensive

When I share with others about Shakeology or invite them to join one of my monthly challenges, I usually hear this:

“Tiff, I would love to. But I just can’t afford it.”

And I realize I haven’t done my job properly.  I am not upset that I won’t get commission or that they won’t buy from me.

But that I haven’t helped them to realize the importance of Shakeology or help them see this as an investment into themselves.

In a Time Magazine article, it described what annually people spend on certain items:

Coffee: $1,092

Pets: $1,542

Electronics/Cell phones: $1,900 (for a smartphone!)

I could go on and on. When my husband meets with college students for coffee, he doesn’t think about how much that coffee costs. He is thinking of that student and how he can interact, care, love and pray for them.  To him (and to me!) that $4.00 coffee is worth the money in account for the time spent ministering.

For those who have pets, they don’t see nearly a $1600 price tag on their baby. They see their dog or cat as someone who is part of the family and one who needs proper care and attention.

The iPhone has paved a way for us to broaden the horizon and allow us to share, inspire and communicate in ways never before.  We don’t see a crazy expense. We see creativity and ability to get out a message..whatever that message may be thanks to apps like Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.

Do you get my point?

If it’s important to us, we’ll find a way to make it work. If not, we will always find an excuse.

I know about budgets (you would cry if you saw my clothes and shoes budget. What’s a girl to do!) and a lot of us live within one. Some of us have more flexibility with our budgets than others.

But there are ways to make it work.

You can go in with a friend on a challenge pack. Breakfast can be done healthy and cheap so use Shakeology for lunch or dinner. Use half a scoop. Split a bag with a friend.

The point is, you can find ways to make it work.  Never feel as though being healthy and fit and having the tools isn’t an option for you. It is.

Tiff~

Chocolate Peanut Butter Banana Cream Shake

I had not been grocery shopping since we returned from our vacation. And with our son’s birthday yesterday, filling up our fridge was a last priority.

But I was hungry this morning and ticked that I didn’t have anything in the fridge to whip up.

Thank you Jesus for Shakeology! It saved my family from the angry, hungry mom that was about to rear her head. Here is what I was able.to come up with despite my sad looking pantry:

Chocolate Peanut Butter &Banana Cream Shakeology

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1 scoop Chocolate Shakeology (or chocolate protein powder)
1 TBSP Natural Peanut Butter
1 to 2 TBSP sugar free, fat free Banana Cream pudding mix (to taste)
1cup unsweetened almond milk
Ice to taste
Throw in blender and blend!!

And it was delicious and kept me full long enough to go to the store without buying everything in sight. You know what I mean!!

Hope you have a blessed Thursday!
For more information about Shakeology, check out my website Harper Fit Club.

Tiff

New Recipe: Salted Caramel Shakeology

Last night I was watching the Bachelorette with my man, when suddenly it hits me.

A huge craving for something really sweet.

I have the worst sweet tooth in the world.  I have been known to eat 2 or 3 cupcakes just because they are there.  I love all things sweet and it can be very difficult for me to resist the urge if I am not properly armed in the kitchen.

So I made a Salted Caramel Shakeology:

1 Scoop of Chocolate Shakeology (or chocolate protein powder)

1 cup non fat milk (or any milk you choose)

1 tsp Caramel extract

dash of sea salt.

Whaaaat?  So good.  And I was perfectly satisfied with my treat while watching Emily kick Ryan off.  He should not have called her a trophy wife.  She didn’t like that much eh?

Have a great Tuesday friends!

<3 Tiff

 

 

A Summer Shake Recipe

I am so pumped for the summer and the heat. I am a hot weather girl. The cold makes me very sad and crabby. Summer makes me feel like I am coming alive.  LOVE IT!

My husband, on the other hand, prefers the weather much cooler. I bet you can guess what our discussions our like regarding the air conditioner. LOL!

I have a new Shakeology recipe to share with you all!  I mentioned this last time that while I love chocolate, Greenberry is perfect for summer and for pairing with juices, fruit and veggies.  I cannot get enough and neither can my kids.

Orange-Vanilla Shakeology

1 cup orange juice

1/4 cup nonfat vanilla yogurt

1 TBSP Ground flaxseed

1/8 tsp vanilla extract

1 scoop or packet of Greenberry Shakeology

Throw in a blender, and give that baby a whirl. By the way, I recently got the Ninja for Mother’s Day and I am a very happy girl.

Also, if you don’t have Shakeology, you could very well use vanilla flavored protein powder and use plain flavored nonfat yogurt.  I love Shakeology because of the nutrition it offers me and my family. So good.

Have a healthy shake  recipe to share? Please do!

<3 Tiff

New Shakeology Recipe-Pineapple Avocado

Yesterday I tried a new Shakeology recipe that myself and the kids really enjoyed. I decided it was too good not to share so if you are a Shakeo lover you are in for a summer treat!

This time I used Greenberry instead of Chocolate.  I go through flavor phases so I love that I can switch out the flavors every month if I want to.  All three (Chocolate, Greenberry, and Vegan Tropical Strawberry) are delicious and customizable.

Pineapple Avocado

1 cup water

1/4 cup pineapple juice (I used Simply Orange Pineapple)

1/4 cup Avocado

1 scoop or packet of Greenberry Shakeology (If you do not have Shakeology, you can probably use vanilla whey or brown rice protein)

Ice to taste

Throw in blender and enjoy!!!  It was so refreshing for these warm weather days we have been experiencing in California.

If you have been wanting to try green smoothies but a little apprehensive about buying a lot of fruit and veggies in order to make it, Shakeology is an excellent and highly nutritious option. You can check out more information here.

Have a great Wednesday!

Tiff~