Join my team and become a coach!

Are you interested in joining me as a coach on The Dream TEAM?

The Dream TEAM is the #2 team in all of the Beachbody organization. It is a group of motivated individuals who provide support, motivation and encouragement to people on a daily basis to help them achieve the health and fitness goals. I provide free coaching advice and support to people who are enrolled as my customer or coach with a free Team Beachbody account. As a coach my job is to help you set realistic health and fitness goals. Then, together we create an action plan. I never focus on the big picture, instead we break it down into manageable smaller chunks. We work to overcome things like emotional connections to food, traveling, meal planning, healthy snacks, and just plain motivation. Everything that we need to be successful is right here.

I really love running challenge groups. They are truly my passion. Challenge groups have been the best way for me to get to know my customers and to help them on a daily basis. A challenge group is all done through facebook. Each participate purchases a Beachbody fitness program and commits to drinking Shakeology for at least one meal a day. In return I will help you with meal planning, grocery shopping, planning and staying on track. The small group environment really works!

Now that my business is growing I also help my coaches that have joined my team to duplicate my success. I do this through weekly mentoring calls, our coach closed facebook support group, and events all over the United States. There is no greater feeling in the world than seeing your coaches succeed!!!

WHAT A BEACHBODY COACH ISN'T

Being a Beachbody Coach ISN’T a Get Rich Quick Scheme. It is hard work and you get out the effort you put in. So if you aren’t willing to put in the time and effort you aren’t going to succeed. All my coaches can tell you I live by the MOTTO “Be Here in A YEAR”, that means give this business 100% for a year and you will be AMAZED! Are you ready to change your life and the lives of countless others? What are you waiting for?

I AM A PRODUCT OF THE PRODUCT!

I have done Chalean Extreme, Turbofire, Focus T25, I am currently doing Brazil Butt Lift and I will start P90X3 in January! I also currently drink Shakeology every day and follow the clean eating lifestyle. I do not SELL anything except for a healthy lifestyle that is based upon the principles of eating whole natural foods and regular exercise! Of course I do promote Beachbody Fitness programs and supplements because they work! I have tried them and if you follow X,Y,Z then you will get the results that you are looking for! I not only have transformed my own life physically but I now have a more positive outlook on life and I LOVE being surrounding by people who want more out of life!

INDEPENDENT BEACHBODY COACH INFORMATION, COST?

• A one time fee of $40 to become a beachbody coach. This is not a yearly or reoccurring fee. You can also get that $40 fee waived if you sign up with a challenge pack or you or your spouse is active military then that fee is waived! (I can explain those options in more depth as well).
• A monthly website fee of $15. Beachbody gives you three websites from which you will sell to your customers. One site is a Beachbody coach site ,one is a specialized Shakeology site (only available for sale through the Team Beachbody Coach network) and the third is your Ultimate Reset Site. I have decided to create my own website and blog to share my experiences but it is not required.

To remain an active coach you need to have a Personal Volume (PV) of 50 points per month. Purchasing a month's supply of Shakeology (at a 25% discount) is 90PV for example and you're done. I agree with Team Beachbody's methodology that you need to use their product in order to be able to explain the benefits of the research they've done. Plus, their supplements actually taste a whole lot better than the other stuff I was using. Recovery drink... think orange creamsicle!

• Benefits:
  • You receive a 25% commission on anything somebody buys from Beachbody using one of your links. Somebody purchases a copy of P90X, you get a check for $29.96.
  • You can, if you choose to, create a team of coaches as well. You can create a business based off of a team of people who are passionate about the same things that you are. 
  • You receive a 25% discount on all Beachbody products including merchandise. If you are drinking Shakeology, just the discount savings alone covers the $15 monthly website fee.
  • You get paid on a weekly basis, every Thursday morning!
  • No inventory to carry, Beachbody takes care of everything.
  • Access to an entire team of experts on health and fitness.
  • Access to marketing materials and guidance on how to build your business.
• Intangibles:
  • I have found a new passion for health and fitness and have never felt better. I'm not trying to sell you that miracle pill, extreme diet, or a whole lot of vitamins you probably don't need, this is for real. Nothing in this program is easy, you have to work for it!
  • I have increased confidence in all aspects of my life. I finished 90 days+ of one of the most physically challenging activities I've ever encountered. I lost weight, built some muscle along the way and I feel fantastic.
  • I can give non-expert nutritional advice based upon my experience. I don't have a degree in nutrition, but I know what worked for me and am helping others figure out what works for them.
  • I can help YOU get in the best shape of your life!

HOW DO YOU SUCCEED?

You succeed at being a Beachbody Coach by putting the needs of others first. By reaching out to people and offerring your support and guidance. For me, I enroll my customers into my challenge groups. That is the place where I have day to day contact with them, I can support, motivate and encourage them to start and finish a fitness program. I provide them with tips and recipes plus all sorts of different strategies to get into shape. To succeed you follow the structure of inviting people to a challenge group, enrolling them into the group, helping them succeed and then eventually people become coaches as well! You succeed by leading by example, inspiring others to get into shape and by being motivated, driven and passionate about what you do! Of course, you don't have to know all the answers at first. You just have to be motivated to get started!!!

WHO IS THE COMPANY BEHIND THE COACH BUISNESS OPPORTUNITY?

Beachbody is a successful 10-year-old, $250+ million corporation based in Southern California. We create and sell the nation’s most popular in-home fitness and weight-loss products—high-quality, well-manufactured DVD workout programs, gear, and nutritional supplements that have been proven to work. When you become a Beachbody Coach, you’re teaming up with a solid, stable company and a best-selling brand.

HOW DO I EARN MONEY?

You get paid weekly commissions when people buy Beachbody products and Team Beachbody Club memberships through your personal website. You can also earn cash bonuses based on your team’s sales.

WHAT DOES IT COST TO BEGIN?

It only costs $39.99 to start a Beachbody business. That includes your first month’s Business Services Fees and your Coach Business Kit, which comes with everything you need to begin earning income. Or you can choose to purchase a challenge pack in which you get a fitness program of your choice, 30 day supply of Shakeology, free shipping and a 30 day trial of the club membership and the coach fee is waived! Now this is a great deal!!

DO I NEED TO BE A FITNESS EXPERT?
No, you don’t need to be a fitness or weight-loss expert to become a Beachbody Coach. You just need to be ready to commit to changing your life and inspiring others to do the same. It is important to be a product of the product!

WHAT KINDS OF HELP AND SUPPORT WILL I RECEIVE?

Once you become a coach on the Dream Team you will be added to our closed facebook team page. There you will receive updates, information, tips and tools to help you grow your business. This is your place to check in each day and get answers to your questions.
You also will be given the option to be a part of my coach apprenticeship program. This is a 60 day group that teaches you everything you need to know about running a challenge group, how to find people to invite, how to get them started, what program to choose for them, and how to run a successful challenge group. You will be given all the tools that helped me to be successful so that you do not have to re-invent the wheel. You will be given my 90 day challenge group structure, 30 day Shakeology and Clean Eating Group information, along with other valuable business building tools. You will not have to figure it out on your own. You do not run your first challenge group by yourself. Instead you are an apprentice coach in your first group. I run the challenge but you get to invite 3-5 customers into the group!

WILL I HAVE TO PURCHASE PRODUCTS FOR RESALE?

Unlike marketing programs that require you to buy a lot of products in order to participate, the Coach Opportunity has no inventory requirements. If you do want to purchase products for your own use or resale, you’ll get them at a significant discount.
I encourage everyone to be a product of the product. I truly believe that the best coaches are the one's that are actively working out and are drinking Shakeology. It's very hard to speak from experience and guide other people if you yourself have never tried it.

HOW DOES BEACHBODY PROMOTE ITS PRODUCTS?

We spend millions of dollars every week advertising our home fitness programs on the major TV stations and cable networks. (You’ve probably seen our famous infomercials for programs such as P90X, Turbo Jam, and Hip Hop Abs, as well as our magazine and Internet ads.) Millions of people already know about Beachbody, and every time we run an infomercial, we get thousands of new customers. We want those customers to shop through your store, so you get the commission on those sales!

HOW MUCH OF A DISCOUNT WILL I GET ON MY OWN BEACHBODY PRODUCTS?

As Beachbody Coach, you receive a 25% discount on all Beachbody products available in the Team Beachbody store.

You don't have to start coaching alone! It is my job to provide you with the tools to succeed! Check out the apprenticeship program!!

Currently accepting applications for individuals who want to grow a successful Beachbody Business.

Complete the form and I will set up a time to chat and discuss the options for my Apprenticeship program.

FREE 7 Day Clean Eating Support Group

I have gotten a lot of questions lately about what exactly "clean eating" means. There is so much confusion out there, between the Paleo diet, the Primal diet, Ditch the Wheat, Skinny Bitch-- they all have different opinions of the ideal way we should eat. I am not a nutrition expert, so I definitely can't tell you whether one of them is better than another. But what I can share with you is what has worked for me, as well as hundreds of other beachbody coaches that I work with.

 

The type of lifestyle I live is called clean eating. Noticed I called it a "lifestyle," not a diet? Yep, that was intentional. I am NOT on a diet, and it honestly irks me when people ask if I'm still "on that diet." A diet is a temporary restriction of food or calories in order to hit a particular goal. I am no longer trying to lose weight, nor am I temporarily restricting anything. I am permanently eating clean, with of course some exceptions here and there, because I'm human!

I believe very much in the 80/20 rule, so for me, I eat clean around 80% of the time and then allow myself to have whatever I want in moderation the other 20%. Now let me be clear, when I was trying to lose weight, I ate clean probably more like 95% of the time, but since I am just trying to maintain, I allow a little more leeway now.

 

So what exactly is clean eating? In a very basic nutshell, it is eating real foods that come from the earth or nature. For example, fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, and lean meats. I do not eliminate carbs, nor do I avoid wheat. I am not gluten sensitive, so I eat whole grains, especially brown rice, sprouted wheat bread, oats and quinoa (although techinically quinoa is a seed). I also eat dairy in limited quantities, mostly just greek yogurt and small amounts of cheese.  I use natural sweeteners such as raw honey, real maple syrup and stevia, but I try to use them sparingly.


The point of this blog entry, however, isn't to give you all of the details of clean eating. It is to invite you to participate in a 7 day FREE clean eating support group that I will be hosting starting on December 16th.

In order to participate, you will need to commit to doing two things:

1. You will invite someone else to do the group with you. It can be a friend, your spouse, your sister, your mom-- it doesn't matter. But you are way more likely to make a change to your eating if you have someone else to support you through it.

2. You need to commit to being active in the group during the entire 7 days. All that means is that you check into the group on Facebook at least once per day, read all the posts, and respond to questions/assignments. 

If you are interested in participating, please send me a message on Facebook, or email me at danarsimon@gmail.com.  I am excited to help you get healthier!!

The Top 10 Reasons I Love Being a Beachbody Coach

I am still a newer Beachbody coach, only in my 5th month of coaching. I haven't made millions yet, or anywhere close to it. I am not a 10 star diamond coach yet, or even a diamond coach at all (although I hope that statement changes in the very immediate future!) But even as I strive for these goals, I am LOVING what coaching has done for me. Here are the top 10 reasons that I love coaching:

1. It keeps me accountable! I'm not a perfect person who has more willpower than you or anyone else! I struggle with wanting to sleep in instead of working out, or wanting to eat my sourdough baguette that comes with my soup! I am a normal person who continues to dig deep each day to find the discipline I need to stick to my plan and achieve my fitness goals. It's not always easy, but being a coach makes it so much easier! I can't tell my challengers to do something that I am not doing too. I constantly remind myself that I need to set an example for my challengers to aspire to. I don't want to let them down, and I know that they look to me as an inspiration. That is the biggest reason I continue to be successful with my weight loss.

2. I love knowing that I have helped others. Seriously. There is nothing greater than hearing from someone that they feel healthier, or more confident, or more energetic because of me. I get thank yous almost daily from people who tell me that I have helped improve their lives. How many people can say that? I get so much joy from hearing about people's success. There is nothing more gratifying than knowing I make a difference.

3. No one is telling me what to do. I am my own boss. I can spend as much or as little time on this business as I want. Obviously, the more time I spend, the more successful I'll be. But only I have to make that decision. There is no pressure from anyone other than myself. I definitely can't say that about my other job!

4. You can be a coach from anywhere! Yep, I can do my work from the beach, from the park with my kids, from Disneyland-- it doesn't matter, as long as I have a cell phone. Talk about flexibility! Who needs time off when you can be helping people for a few minutes a day from anywhere in the world?

5.  It's financially rewarding. While I may not be raking in the 6 figure income yet, I'm steadily bringing in at least an extra $500 a month, simply by helping other people. It's so nice to have extra income, plus there are always prizes and trips to be won. Our holiday shopping was much less stressful this year thanks to my extra earnings! Beachbody coaches get paid a 25% commission on anything we sell, plus you get the opportunity to earn team bonuses, cycle bonuses and additional bonuses when you advance in rank. And we get paid via direct deposit every Thursday. How cool is that? Every week I see the money from my work the previous week. Almost immediate gratification!

 

6.  The Beachbody organization is a group of positive, uplifting and super motivating individuals. I honestly love seeing my newsfeed on Facebook every morning, because I know I will get the positive motivation and encouragement I need to start my day off on the right foot. I've never been so surrounded by highly inspirational, positive people. I love it! I realize now how much time I have spent surrounded by negativity, and simply allowing myself to be a part of something so uplifting has made a huge difference in my outlook on life! We are all a product of our environments, so it is certain that by surrounding yourself with a healthy, positive network will bring about such qualities in yourself.

 

7.  The products rock. I mean truly, they are so awesome. I swear, they have changed my life. Shakeology is a game changer, and it has improved my health in so many ways. I have only gotten sick once since I started drinking it 9 months ago, and that is despite many illnesses in our house and working in doctor's offices all day. In the past I would be sick at least 6 times per year. I can say with certainty that the vitamins, antioxidants and probiotics in Shakeology deserve the credit. And the workout programs? A-MAZ-ING! I love every one I have tried! I had always had a gym membership before, because I thought I needed all of the fancy equipment and large variety of classes. But the truth was, I spent $30 a month (or $360/year) to go maybe once a week to a class that fit into my schedule. It was tough as a working mom to find time to drive to the gym, do an hour class, drive back--- it was a full 90 minutes. I don't have that kind of time! Now, I can do a killer workout in 30 minutes in my living room before my kids even wake up. No excuses needed! I have no problem sharing these products, because I believe in them. They work for me, and I've seen them work for countless others.

8.  There is so much potential. There are several top coaches in the "millionaire's club," and dozens who make six figures annually. Tons of coaches have quit their full time jobs and even retired their spouses because they have made so much money coaching. There is no "salary cap" or feeling like you can never achieve your financial goals in your career. This opportunity can take you as far as you can dream. Want to get out of debt? Want to buy your dream house? Or, if you are like me, do you want to stay home with your kids? It's all possible with hard work and dedication.

9. There are no set hours. You can work this business anytime you want. I'm doing it all when my kids are asleep so they aren't affected, which means early mornings, lunch breaks and after they go to bed. Anyone can find time to do this, even with a full time job. This is your opportunity, and you do it on YOUR time.

10.  You can help others experience the same benefits of coaching. I am so excited to build my team and show other people how to work this business. I can't wait for them to get as much out of Beachbody as I have.  I am honored to be able to lead a team and grow with them, helping everyone reach the goals that they set. What's better than your own success? Helping others succeed with you!

 

Does any of this sound like something you'd like to learn more about? If you think you may be interested in learning more about what this business is all about, I highly encourage you to contact me at danarsimon@gmail.com and let me know! I would love to answer your questions and help get you started!

Clean Eating Shopping List for Beginners

When you first start eating clean, it can be overwhelming to know where to begin at the grocery store. I definitely don't want you to think that you need to buy everything on this list, because that would cost a fortune and be totally unnecessary! But I did want to give you a general guideline to take some of the guesswork out of it.

First of all, I know you've probably heard the term "shop the perimeter," which means that you should try to stick mostly to buying fresh produce, meats and dairy, and leave the packaged goods found in the middle aisles to a minimum. But that doesn't mean that there aren't good packaged goods available, or that everything on the perimeter is fair game.

Here are some staples that I buy:

Breads:

• Ezekiel brand breads – Most often found in the freezer section. This brand of bread has several types to choose from. My favorite is the cinnamon raisin! It's delicious toasted with some natural peanut butter! They have tortillas as well.
• Alvarado Street Bakery brand breads – They have wonderful breads, rolls, hamburger buns and hot dog buns and all of them are clean. I found them at Sprouts.
• Trader Joe’s brand whole grain breads - The two in particular that I know are clean are the Sprouted Multi-Grain bread and the California Protein bread.

Crackers:

• Ak Mak Whole Wheat Crackers are your best bet. Otherwise, check out the ingredients and go for those with fewer ingredients, no high fructose corn syrup, and high fiber content. 

.
Dairy & Non-Dairy:
Dairy is constantly a source confusion for clean eaters. Some people say stay away completely, others say full fat is best, and some tell you to go fat free. I personally avoid all dairy milk and have switched completely to unsweetened vanilla almond milk. It only has 30 calories and tastes good.

• Cottage cheese (for those who eat it) – Full fat is best, but you can also use low fat. (NOT fat free. It has extra crap added to it to make up for the fat.)
• Yogurt – Always opt for Greek yogurt when you can, because it has a ton more protein. Plain yogurt (regular or Greek) is the only way to go. The sweetened yogurts have way too much sugar. You can always mix in your own fruits and dab of honey or maple syrup if you need it flavored. I like mine with some honey, cinnamon and berries.
• Cheese – Cheese is another thing that should only be eaten in it's full fat version. Low fat cheese has simply been processed more. But it is definitely high fat, so eat cheese only in moderation. Adding a little bit of a strong cheese, like feta or Parmesan, goes a long way.  Real grated Parmesan cheese is acceptable in moderation. (Note: Kraft brand Parmesan cheese is not clean. If it can sit on a shelf or in a cupboard for weeks or months, it’s not clean. Buy the stuff in the refrigerator section.)
• Unsweetened almond milk - I like the vanilla variety
• Unsweetened rice milk (made from brown rice, not white)
• Unsweetened LIGHT coconut milk – This is NOT the stuff in the cartons. This is the stuff in the cans.

Meats:

• Eggs - These are a staple, especially egg whites. While most of the nutrition is in the yolks, eat them in moderation. Egg whites you can eat as many of as you like.
• Chicken & Turkey – Boneless, skinless poultry breasts are your best friends if you eat meat. The breast is the way to go. If you can afford organic meats, it’s always a better way to go.
• Beef:
  Beef can be part of a clean eating diet so long as you choose lean cuts. A butcher can help you select these. I personally hardly ever eat beef anymore, but find that sometimes the 96% lean ground beef tastes better than ground turkey in some recipes.
• Pork – Pork tenderloins or chops can be a good lean protein.
• Fish – Fish is a great clean protein and should be eaten often. Just be careful of super high mercury containing fish, such as shark or swordfish.

Produce:
This is where you really want to stock up. If you are confused about when to buy organic, a good general rule is to choose organic for produce that has thin skin such as peaches, nectarines and all berries, and purchase regular produce for produce that has thicker skin like bananas and oranges. Google “The Dirty Dozen” if you want to have a list of the worst pesticide laden produce.
So this is where “Shop The Perimeter” really comes in. The produce section is your friend. Load up when you can as you’ll want most of your eating plan to be generated from this section of the store. I always start my shopping trip here and my cart is half filled before I move on.

Fruits::

• Apples
• Oranges
• Grapefruits
• Banana
• Avocados
• Berries of all kinds
• Cherries
• Kiwi
• Star fruit
• Any other fresh fruit you enjoy

Veggies::

• Carrots
• Celery
• Spinach
• Broccoli
• Bell Peppers in any color
• Zucchini
• Eggplant
• Squash of any variety
• Kale
• Chard
• Collard greens
• Okra
• Green beans
• Tomatoes
• Sweet potatoes
• Onions of any variety
• Any other fresh veggie you enjoy

The Aisles:
When you do venture into the aisles of the store, you should only be there for a few, food related items such as:

• Tea – particularly green tea, but black tea has a high level of antioxidants as well.
• Coffee – also high in antioxidants
• Oatmeal – Just the plain kind. Nothing flavored. Opt for steel cut oats or traditional rolled oats.
• Canned items with no added sugar – There is a lot of debate as to whether or not canned items, even without added sugar and salt, are clean due to the BPA’s in the cans. But if you do decide to purchase things like beans or tomato sauce in a can, read the ingredients! There should be no added sugar (sugar, evaporated cane juice, dextrose, fructose, corn syrup, high fructose corn syrup, etc…) in the list. Also, watch the sodium content in canned goods. It can add up quick!
• Dry beans and legumes - like lentils, black beans, chickpeas, etc.
• Brown rice
• Whole wheat or whole grain (like brown rice) pasta
• Other whole grains such as barley
• Nuts – Again, read the ingredients here. Nuts should be the only ingredient on the package. Usually, this means you’ll be buying raw nuts.
• Seeds – Quinoa is a seed and it’s wonderful stuff. I use it a lot. Sun flower seeds, sesame seeds, chia or flaxseed are all good choices.
• Nut butters-- I am a huge lover of peanut butter and almond butter! Just be sure to buy the natural kind that has one ingredient- nuts! You can also make your own.

Spices and Natural Sweeteners:

• Honey  (raw is best. It has a cloudy appearance, not clear). 
• Pure Maple Syrup – Not the bottle syrups you get in restaurants. The real stuff.
• Molasses – Look for the unsulfured variety.
• Stevia - while there is a lot of controversy over sugar substitutes, stevia comes from a plant and is considered safe to use. I like the liquid variety-- a little goes a long way! I add a drop or two to my plain yogurt, or coffee and tea.
• Spices – spices are a great way to flavor your food without adding calories or fat. My favorites are cinnamon, basil, oregano, garlic, cilantro and cumin.

Other staples in my kitchen:

• Hummus-- I love hummus and eat it with veggies all the time. You can easily make your own, or check ingredients for a clean variety. I love the sprouted hummus at my local Roots store, but you can't always find it other places.
• Lentils-- Trader Joe's has them already cooked, but they are easy to make and pack a lot of protein! Add them to salads or soups.
• Lara bars and Quest bars-- these are the only two "bars" I eat. Lara bars are all natural and can be found at most stores. They have only a handful of natural ingredients are are a great option for an on-the-go snack. Quest bars can only be found in GNC stores, at Roots, or we get them on Amazon. They are the healthiest protein bars around, and they taste amazing! We always have strawberry cheesecake and cookie dough varieties on hand.

So there you have it. It’s not an exhaustive list by any means, but it should give you a good start. I hope it helps! Please let me know if you have any questions!

The Thanksgiving Recovery Shakeology 3 Day Cleanse

I love Thanksgiving-- it's one of my favorite holidays. I am a huge believer in grattitude all the time, so having a special day dedicated to giving thanks for all of our blessings is so awesome.  But I'm not gonna lie-- I also love the food. My sister-in-law makes most of it, and she is a killer cook, so everything is out-of-this-word delicious. Highlights include her mashed potatoes, creamed corn, carrot souffle, and for dessert, a maple cake that is to DIE for!

Ummmm...yeah. Not exactly a healthy, low-cal meal. Worth it? Yep! But if you are like me, and you've been indulging a little too much on yummy holiday treats, it's time for a Shakeology 3 day Cleanse! I am ready to get this heavy feeling out of here! I want to start clean and fresh, and this is a great, healthy way to do it.

I've done the cleanse twice before, and had great results both times. The first time I lost 4 pounds, and the second time I lost 2.5 pounds, but more importantly, the weight didn't come back afterwards! I also lost my cravings for sugar and carbs, which made it much easier to stick to clean eating afterwards.

What makes the Shakeology Cleanse stand apart from the others is that the Shakeology cleanse is not a true "cleanse". The Shakeology Cleanse is a calorie restricted, nutrient rich cleanse. There are no strange drinks made of maple and lemon or apple cider. With Shakeology you will be satisfied and you won't be a zombie or feel like you are starving your body of vital nutrients, because you aren't! The main point of the Shakeology Cleanse is not calorie restriction but nutrient richness. The aim is to get the most nutrients into your body with the fewest calories consumed. These calories are to fuel your workouts and rid the body of toxins and hydration into homeostasis.  As a result, your body will run more efficiently , you will detoxify and replenish vital nutrients, you will reduce bloating and water retention, and you can lose anywhere from 3lbs to 10lbs in just 3 days!!

The Benefits of the Shakeology 3-Day-Cleanse:

• Rid your body of fat
• Detoxify your body
• Jump start your weight loss and fitness routine
• Body rejuvenation

How does the Shakeology Cleanse work? With the Shakeology Cleanse your daily food structure remains close to the same as you’re everyday eating. You will still be eating every few hours with meals that are balanced and nutrient rich which will make up for consuming fewer calories. This means that you can still continue with your workout routine. Adding fruits, nuts, seeds, and the Shakeology fiber supplement can be done as you see fit. Your one solid meal a day, your salad, can also contain fruits, nuts, and seeds, legumes, and veggies along with four ounces or less of a white protein. The point is to keep you satiated and to avoid anything that is artificial - including your salad dressing. The Shakeology Cleanse is designed to optimize your body’s performance. You want to have enough food to fuel your day and your workout. By eating foods that are high in fiber and nutrients it is virtually impossible to overeat. With the high fiber, digestive aids, and enzymes, your body will be ridding itself of excess food and fat and flushing out waste.

Shakeology 3-Day Cleanse Explained:
Once again, this cleanse is meant to be done in conjunction with your regular fitness routine but best to schedule during your recovery weeks if you are doing an intense program like P90X or INSANITY. It is also a GREAT way to jump-start ANY fitness routine and weight loss by doing the cleanse the week before you begin and getting your body healthy!

Reasons why you might not lose weight:

First, most people WILL lose some weight but weight loss is not the goal of the Shakeology Cleanse. People with a lot of junk in their systems tend to lose the most weight from this cleanse. If you've been eating clean then there are less toxins and food left in your system to be rid of. While you may not lose much weight while doing the cleanse, your body will be ready to lose once you have finished and continue your fitness program.

Second, restricting calories can be stressful. Stress in the body releases the hormone cortisol and inhibits you from losing weight. This is the reason why you don't do the Shakeology Cleanse no longer than 3 days.
Frequently Asked Questions:
How many calories per day?
800 - 1,100 per day


How often can I do the Shakeology Cleanse?
Ideally you should do it once per quarter (every 3 months)
When you start a new workout program
When you feel you need help breaking through a weight-loss plateau


Should I/Can I still do my workout during the Cleanse?
Depends on the individual
You will have less energy, so consider doing it during your 'recovery' week
Don't do it in the middle of P90X or INSANITY

Can I do a 1-day or 2-day Cleanse?
Yes, some people see results in 1 or 2 days!
It is NOT recommended doing the Cleanse for longer than 3 days!


Should I/Can I take other Beachbody supplements during the Cleanse?
Not the Beachbody Results and Recovery drink, it has too much sugar
All other Beachbody supplements are fine but not necessary

How Much Does it Cost?

$50 per 3 day cleanse plus shipping.

Cleanse includes: 9 packets of Shakeology, 3 packets of green tea and a Shakeology shaker cup!

If you are interested in purchasing a Shakeology Cleanse Kit, please send me an email at danarsimon@gmail.com and let me know which flavors you would prefer (chocolate, vanilla, tropical strawberry, greenberry or a combination).

Egg Muffins

These little egg muffins are seriously a life saver in our house. I make them on a Sunday, and we have a protein rich, easy and tasty breakfast ready in 1 minute that we can eat on the go. My husband and daughter leave the house at 6:45 on school days, so there isn't much time for them to prepare and eat a good breakfast. These little guys are the perfect solution!

You could honestly make these about a million different ways. I am going to post our usual recipe, which uses canadian bacon, chopped green chilies and cheddar cheese, because this is truly what we eat most often. But I have also tried sundried tomatoes, mushrooms and goat cheese, or chopped broccoli, red bell pepper and feta--- the opportunities are only limited to your imagination.

Ingredients:
6 whole eggs
1 1/4 cup egg whites
5 slices of lean canadian bacon
1 4 oz can chopped mild green chilies
1-2 cups shredded cheddar cheese (I used low fat)
salt and pepper to taste

In a large bowl, whisk the eggs and egg whites until smooth. Add green chilies and salt and pepper to taste. Chop up canadian bacon into tiny pieces.

Spray a standard sized muffin tin with non-stick cooking spray. I actually use a silpat muffin tin and spray it with olive oil spray or brush a little bit of olive oil on each muffin cup. Distribute a little bit of the chopped up canadian bacon evenly into each muffin cup. Top each cup with enough cheese to fill the cup up 3/4 full. Then pour the egg mixture on top of the meat and cheese to fill up each cup.

Bake at 350 for between 20-28 minutes, or until the tops are slightly browned and a toothpick inserted into the middle comes out clean.

The muffins can be enjoyed immediately, or you can keep them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week. We usually microwave two muffins at a time for 50 seconds when reheating them.

Crock Pot Turkey Chili

I am a big lover of the crock pot. I mean honestly, what is better than coming home after work and having dinner all ready to put on the table? For me, a healthy, tasty crockpot recipe is like gold!

This chili is super easy, totally healthy and tasty on a cool, fall night!

 ...
- 1 lb ground turkey
- 1/2 onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can black beans
- 1 can chili or kidney beans
- 1 can of corn (or 1.5 cups frozen corn)
- 1 can of Rotelle (or 1 can of crushed tomatoes and 1 4 oz can of diced green chilies)
- 1 TBSP Tomato paste
- 1 cup water
- 1 packet of chili seasoning, or you can use 2 TBSP chili powder, 1 TBSP cumin, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp oregano, 1 tsp salt

Brown onion, ground turkey and garlic in a nonstick pan over medium high heat until turkey is cooked through and onions are translucent or browned. Drain fat. Add turkey and all other ingredients to the crockpot and give it a stir. Cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 4 hours.

I like to top it with shredded cheese, sliced green onions and a dollop of nonfat greek yogurt. Yum!

Mexican Brown Rice and Chicken Casserole

There is something so comforting (and easy!) about casseroles. Who doesn't love a nice cheesy casserole dish on a cool fall night? But most casseroles are loaded with cream-of-something soups and other fattening, unclean ingredients.

This recipe is literally like a burrito without the tortilla! I altered a weight watchers recipe to make this one, and it encompasses everything I love in a dinner recipe: it's easy, healthy and yummy!

Ingredients:

• 4 C cooked brown rice (I use two of the frozen brown rice packets from Costco)
• 1 1/4 C salsa (I use medium Pace Picante Sauce)
• 2 chicken breasts, shredded (I just shred the white meat from a rotisserie chicken)
• 1 tsp cumin
• 10 oz chopped spinach, frozen
• 1 15 oz can fat free refried beans
• 10 oz bag frozen corn kernels (or you could use canned)
• 1 4 oz can mild diced green chili peppers
• 1 Tbsp chili powder
• 3/4 C shredded cheese (I use reduced fat Mexican blend)

Preheat oven to 375. Spray a 2 quart baking dish with non-stick cooking spray.

In a large bowl, combine rice, salsa, cumin and chili peppers. Spoon about half of this rice mixture in the bottom of your baking dish.

In another large bowl, combine refried beans, chicken, corn and chili powder.  Using a rubber spatula, scrape bean mixture on top of rice layer and smooth out top.

Defrost chopped spinach and wring out all extra liquid in a towel. Layer the spinach on top of the beans.

Spread the remaining rice mixture on top of the spinach, and top with the shredded cheese. Bake approximately 30 minutes or until heated through and cheese is melted. I serve it with non-fat plain greek yogurt and guacamole. Delish!

Is a Calorie Really Just a Calorie?

It is easy to rationalize that as long as you stick to a particular calorie count per day, you should be able to lose weight. We have all heard the information that a pound is roughly equal to 3,500 calories, so technically speaking, if we take in 3,500 fewer calories in a week, we should lose 1 pound, right? In that way of thinking, if we reduced our daily caloric intake by 500 calories per day over the course of a week, we would weigh 1 pound less. Well, that may indeed be the case, but it is actually much more complicated than that.

While it is definitely true that all calories are created equal when you define them by their energy content, it is impossible to consider fat calories, carbohydrate calories and protein calories equal because of the way our bodies process them.

Once we consume calories from food, our bodies go to work to metabolize them. The body must use energy to digest and absorb the energy from our food. Generally, more energy is required to process protein than carbs, and more energy is required to process carbs than fat. What that means is that protein is most easily digested and turned into energy, while carbs and fat stick around a little longer, often resulting in less weight loss.

Calorie Restriction

Unfortunately, many people believe that by dramatically cutting calories, they will see the quickest weight loss. While it is true that the first few weeks may indeed result in dramatic results, usually after awhile the body's metabolism adapts to the new calorie allotment and starts burning calories at a slower rate in order to prevent starvation. As a matter of fact, many overweight individuals eat too few calories in a day. These people also usually lead very inactive lifestyles, because they don't have enough energy coming from healthy food sources. Their resting metabolic rate is extremely low. This means the number of calories their bodies burn at rest can be as low as 750 calories per day! For this person, if they only ate 1000 calories per day (which is considered starvation), they would gain 10 pounds in a year! Eating enough calories from healthy foods that provide the vitamins, minerals and protein our bodies need is the most efficient way to lose weight. Weight training, or adding more muscle mass to our bodies, can also have a dramatic effect on our metabolism.

Timing of Meals

Our bodies are literally like a furnace, and when we put food in, the furnace burns to process it, then cools off between meals. If the furnace is left to get completely cold, it has to warm up all over again, and it takes longer to reach burning temperatures. If, however, it is fed regularly and never has a chance to completely cool, it stays burning at various temperatures throughout the day, constantly metabolising our calories.

It is proven that we burn the most calories in the morning, which is why some people say to eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a queen and dinner like a pauper. The truth is that the most efficient way to increase your metabolism is to eat 5-6 times per day at 2.5-3 hour intervals. A study of boxers showed that those who ate six meals per day on a weight controlled diet lowered their body fat percentage significantly more than boxers who ate the exact same number of calories in two meals per day. 

When you avoid long periods without food, you keep your blood glucose at a more consistent level with fewer peaks and valleys. Not only does this help keep your energy levels high, but it also helps prevent the release of cortisol, a hormone known to contribute to belly fat. Simply by dividing your daily calories into more frequent, smaller meals you could lose weight without eliminating any calories at all.

Protein and Fiber Reduce Appetite

Generally speaking, foods high in protein and/or fiber will fill you up more per calorie than other foods. This means that by eating a diet high in protein and fiber, you will feel more satisfied and end up eating less without even really trying. In addition, fiber is not absorbed into the body, so even though it fills you up, it doesn't fill you out! This is why a diet high in lean meats, vegetables and whole grains is the best possible option for you to stay satisfied and still lose weight while feeling great.

And lastly, remember that you could eat a 1500 calorie a day diet consisting of a donut, a couple of fast food tacos, a small salad and a glass of wine. But you would feel hungry, lack energy and see very slow weight loss progress. Or you could have a 1500 calorie day filled with an egg white omelet with veggies and cheese, a snack of almonds and an apple, a big salad topped with chicken for lunch, a snack of greek yogurt with berries and honey and a dinner of salmon with brown rice and broccoli. You would feel satiated, full of energy and see a leaner you in much less time! Not to mention the benefits of shinier hair, clearer skin and an overall glow that can only come from nutrients found in fresh, clean foods. If you don't believe me, try it yourself for a week!

 

 

If you have questions or want more information, feel free to contact me! I run monthly health and fitness challenges online and would love to help you!

 

 

 



Melt in Your Mouth Chicken

I get so bored of chicken recipes, and it seems like it's tough to keep finding new ways to enjoy it that are healthy and still make everyone in the family happy. Luckily, we found this recipe on Pintrest, and it was honestly one of the best chicken recipes I've ever tasted. We eat it all the time now!

• 4 chicken breasts, pounded thin
• 1/2 C parmesan cheese
• 1 C plain fat free greek yogurt
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 1/2 tsp seasoning salt
• 1/2 tsp pepper

Preheat oven to 375. Spray a 9 X 11 baking dish with nonstick cooking spray and place the chicken breasts side by side in the dish.

In a small bowl, combine all other ingredients. Spread yogurt mixture all over chicken and bake for 45 minutes or until chicken is done. Switch oven to broil and broil the chicken for 5 more minutes, or until topping is golden brown.

Turkey Meatballs

We are really trying to eat less red meat these days, so I wanted to find a good meatball recipe that still had great flavor. We love these by themselves, with some whole wheat noodles, or as a meatball sandwich. Even my kids like them (and they are the pickiest eaters on earth!)

• 1 1/4 lbs extra lean ground turkey
• 1/2 C breadcrumbs
• 2 Tbsp chopped onion
• 1/2 C fresh finely grated Pecorino Romano cheese (I get it at Trader Joe's) or Fresh Parmesan
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 tsp minced garlic
• 1 egg, whisked
• 1 Tbsp shopped fresh parsley
• 1/2 Tbsp dried oregano
• 3 Tbsp olive oil
• 1 14 oz can pizza sauce (or I use the refrigerated tub of pizza sauce from Trader Joes)
• 4 oz fresh part skim mozzerella, sliced into 12 thin slices

Preheat over to 400, setting rack in the upper third of the oven. In a large bowl, using your hands, gently mix together first 9 ingredients. Shape into balls that are a little bit bigger than golf balls. You should get about 12 (sometimes I only end up with 10 or 11, if I roll them too big). Place them a few inches apart on a foil lined baking sheet.

In a small bowl, mix one spoonfull of your pizza sauce with the olive oil. Brush on top of each meatball. Bake for 15 minutes.

Remove meatballs from oven, spoon some pizza sauce over each one, and then top each meatball off with a thin slice of mozzerella. Switch oven to broil and broil the meatballs for 3-5 minutes, or until cheese is bubbly and golden. Heat any remaining pizza sauce in a small saucepan or the microwave and serve meatballs with extra sauce for dipping.

Quinoa Chicken Fried "Rice"

As you can see by the number of recipes with quinoa in them, I have definitely been on a quinoa kick lately. I just love how versatile it is, and with such a great health profile, it's hard not to want to try out every quinoa recipe I see! For those of you who are new to quinoa (pronounced keen'-wa), it is a gluten-free, nutty grain that is a complete protein which is high in fiber, low in calories and high in iron, magnesium and calcium.

My husband and kids are super picky eaters, which makes it tough for me to keep our weekly menus interesting. I always feel like I am bored of chicken, and looking for new ways to keep it interesting. This was something different from our usual chicken dinners, and was a winner with everyone! And as a bonus, it was ridiculously fast and easy! Definitely going to add it to the regular dinner rotation.

 

1 C dry quinoa (cooked in 2 C chicken broth or water)
2 Tbsp sesame oil
1 16 oz package frozen baby carrots and peas, thawed
2-4 stalks green onions, chopped
2 eggs, fried
1 lb chicken, cubed
1 tsp minced garlic
1/2 tsp minced ginger
low sodium soy sauce to taste

Heat 2 C chicken broth or water and 1 C dry quinoa in a small saucepan until it comes to a rolling boil. Reduce heat to a simmer, cover and continue cooking for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until liquid is absorbed.

Meanwhile, heat sesame oil in a large non stick skillet over medium high heat. Cook chicken and garlic until chicken is no longer pink. Add ginger and continue cooking for another 2 minutes.

While chicken is cooking, crack both eggs into another small frying pan sprayed with non-stick cooking spray and fry them until done.

Add fried eggs, thawed carrots and peas and cooked quinoa to the pan with the chicken. Pour soy sauce on top and stir to combine (I do about two turns around the pan of soy sauce). Sprinkle with green onions and enjoy!

No Bake Oatmeal Peanut Butter Energy Balls

These might be my favorite snack ever! As someone who is a follower of clean eating, I follow a daily routine of eating five times a day. That means I need two snacks each day that are healthy, combine protein with a complex carbohydrate, and keep me energized and full until my next meal. These totally fit the bill! Not only are they insanely delicious, but they fit my favorite requirement: I can make them ahead of time and just grab and go with no preparation in the morning! I'm telling you, these things are the BOMB!

Okay, so this recipe is so easy, it's almost embarrassing (key word, almost).

• 1 C dry oatmeal
• 1/2 C chocolate chips
• 1/2 C natural peanut butter
• 1/2 C ground flaxseed
• 1/3 C honey
• 1 tsp vanilla

All you have to do is mix all ingredients in a large bowl until well incorporated. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Using your hands, roll the mixture into golf-ball sized balls and place them on the baking sheet. Place the baking sheet into the fridge for an hour or longer, until the balls have become firm and easy to pick up. You can store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week!

Chicken Lettuce Wraps

I LOVE PF Chang's chicken lettuce wraps! If you've never tried them, they are basically large leaves of iceberg lettuce that you fill with a ground chicken and veggie mixture, topped with a yummy sauce. I always assumed that they were a pretty healthy option at PF Chang's, since it was just chicken and veggies wrapped in lettuce. Wrong! 

Note: Values shown are for the full dish	Total Calories	Total Fat (g)	Total Saturated Fat	Total Sodium (mg	Total Carbohydrates	Total Dietary Fiber (	Total Protein (g)
MAIN MENU
STARTERS
Chang's Chicken Lettuce Wraps	530	24	6	2090	47	8	32

24 grams of fat and more than 2,000 mg of sodium! And that's just for an appetizer! Considering we should limit our sodium intake to less than 2,300 mg per day, this is way too much. So I tried to create a lighter, healthier version to make at home. I must say, while not an exact replica, they are yummy!

• 1 lb ground chicken (or you could use extra lean ground turkey)
• 1/2 yellow onion, minced
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1/2 inch piece of fresh ginger, minced, or 1 tsp powdered ginger
• 2-1/2 Tbsp low sodium soy sauce
• 1 Tbsp + 1 tsp rice vinegar
• 1 Tbsp sesame oil
• 1 Tbsp peanut butter
• 1/2 Tbsp water
• 1/2 Tbsp honey
• 1 Tbsp chili garlic sauce (or a little less if you like it more mild)
• 3 green onions, chopped
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1/2 8 oz can of sliced water chestnuts, drained and chopped
• 10-12 outer leaves of green leaf or romaine lettuce, rinsed and patted dry

For sauce:

• 2 Tbsp low sodium soy sauce
• 2 tsp rice vinegar
• 1/2 Tbsp honey

In a large, non-stick skillet, heat chicken, onion, salt and pepper until chicken is nearly done, stirring often to break up the meat. Add garlic and ginger and continue cooking until chicken is no longer pink.

Meanwhile, in a microwave safe bowl, combine soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, peanut butter, water, and chili garlic sauce. Microwave in high for 20 seconds, then stir until smooth. Add to skillet and stir to combine with chicken mixture.

Add green onions and water chestnuts to the skillet and cook for 1-2 minutes, until the onions are soft and the water chestnuts are heated through.

Combine ingredients for sauce in a small bowl and stir well. Serve chicken in lettuce cups with sauce on the side.

Overnight Oats

If you have read any of my posts or recipes, you probably know that I'm a sucker for any breakfast recipe that is clean and healthy and can be made the night before! If you are also a busy working mom, you know how hectic weekday mornings are. In my house, it's like a three ringed circus in the mornings! That is why I usually drink Shakeology for breakfast, but sometimes I like to eat something instead of drinking a shake in the morning.

As you've probably heard a million times, eating breakfast is one of the keys to managing your weight. Did you know that when sumo wrestlers are not large enough, they are forced to eliminate breakfast in order to fatten them up! It's true! Not eating breakfast means your body is going for so many hours without fuel that it automatically enters starvation mode, resulting in a release of cortisol. If you have heard anything about the hormone cortisol, you know that it is one of the main causes of belly fat, especially as we get older.

Overnight oats are such an easy, delicious and healthy breakfast, that it honestly leaves you with no excuse for not eating in the morning!  There are a ton of different varieties, depending on what you mix in. Here is my recipe for blueberry banana overnight oats, which is my go-to flavor.

• 1 C almond or coconut milk (I use unsweetened vanilla almond milk)
• 1/2 C old fashioned rolled oats (not quick cooking or steel cut)
• 1/4 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 tbsp chia seeds
• 1/4 tsp cinnamon
• 1/4 banana, chopped
• 1/2 C blueberries

Mix all ingredients in a covered bowl or a mason jar. Keep in the refrigerator overnight. In the morning, you can heat it in the microwave for a minute if you prefer it warm, or just eat it cold. You may wish to sprinkle some chopped almonds or granola on top for a little crunch!

Mediterranean Chickpea Salad

I love making quick, easy salads that I can bring with me for lunch on a workday. It is even better when that salad can marinate overnight and not be soggy the next day. I am so strapped for time in the mornings trying to get my kids and I out of the house on time that anything I can do the night before is a huge plus for me!

This salad is perfect, because it is best the day after it is made, once it's had a chance to really marinate and combine all of the flavors. I also like it because it is so easy! And it has garbanzo beans in it, which are a great source of protein.

For the Salad:

• 1 15-oz can garbanzo beans (aka chickpeas)
• 1/8 C chopped fresh flatleaf parsley (or you could use 1/2 T dry)
• 1/2 C diced red bell pepper
• 1/2 C diced tomato
• 1 4 oz can sliced black olives
• 1/8 C diced red onion
• 1/4 C chopped canned artichoke hearts
• 1/2 C chopped cucumber
• 2 oz crumbled reduced fat feta cheese

For the Dressing:

• 1/2 T lemon juice (half of a lemon)
• 1/2 T red wine vinagar
• 1/4 tsp minced garlic
• 1 T plain greek yogurt
• 1/2 tsp dried oregano
• salt and pepper to taste

Drain and rince garbanzo beans. Place in a medium sized bowl. Wash and dice veggies into small pieces and add ot the bowl. Crumble feta on top and add olives.

In a shaker or water bottle, add all ingredients for the dressing and shake to mix. Pour over salad and toss. Chill in the fridge for at least an hour or overnight.

Strawberry Feta Quinoa Salad

I am honestly LOVING experimenting with quinoa lately. If you are new to quinoa (pronounced keen-wa), you should definitely not be afraid to try it! Now known as one of the earth's superfoods, quinoa is the only grain that is also a complete source of protein, meaning it contains all nine essential amino acids.  As one of the healthiest grains around, it is also one of the most versatile. You can eat quinoa in savory or sweet dishes, for breakfast, lunch or dinner! It' s a little bit like rice, in that it picks up the flavor of whatever you cook it with. It's also incredibly easy to make... just combine one part quinoa with two parts water, bring to a boil, reduce the heat to a simmer and cover until liquid has been absorbed. Easy peasy!

So I was wanting to try a refreshing quinoa salad recipe. It has been so incredibly hot and humid around here lately that all I want to eat is cold stuff! I am always looking for foods that I can prepare at night and just throw in my cooler the next day for lunch, and this week, my lunch for two days is this delicious strawberry feta quinoa salad!

It honestly took me a total of 15 minutes to make this (including making the quinoa, but minus the time it cooled in the fridge- I was sleeping!), and I have lunch for two days! Here is the recipe:

 

• 1 C uncooked quinoa (cooked in 2 cups water)
• 2 C sliced fresh strawberries
• 1/3 C (or to taste) crumbled feta cheese (I used reduced fat)
• 4-5 fresh basil leaves, chopped or 1T dry (highly recommend fresh, it's a big part of what makes this salad taste so yummy)
• 1/2 C chopped walnuts, pecans or hazelnuts
• 1 T olive oil
• 2-3 T honey

In a small pot, bring 1C quinoa and 2C water to a rolling boil. Reduce heat to low, cover and let simmer for about 10-15 minutes or until the water is absorbed. Refrigerate for about an hour or until room temperature. I did it overnight and just added the other ingredients the next morning.

In a large bowl, mix together cold quinoa with remaining ingredients and toss. Serve cold.