The Day After Apple Pie Shakeology

The day after Thanksgiving, at my house, is a day filled with left overs.  Pies, pies and more pies.  For someone who is trying to eat healthy this can be a big temptation.

Normally, I am a chocolate or cafe latte drinker.  But I will make an exception for this one. Unsweetened applesauce and cinnamon make this Shakeology smoothie taste like apple pie filling with whipped cream.  It’s even better with home made applesauce which is super easy to make and well worth it. To make this shake even more delicious,add a dash of ground ginger and ½ tsp. of pure caramel extract. 

I say skip the apple pie and drink this instead.

Apple Pie Shakeology

Applesauce and cinnamon make this Shakeology shake taste like apple pie!

Author: Beachbody

Recipe type: Shakeology

Serves: 1 smoothie

Ingredients

• 1 cup water
• 1 scoop Vanilla Shakeology
• ½ cup unsweetened applesauce
• ½ tsp. ground cinnamon
• 1 cup ice

Instructions

1. Place water, Shakeology, applesauce, cinnamon, and ice in blender; cover. Blend until smooth

Nutritional Information (per serving):

Calories: 184

Total Fat: 2 g

Saturated Fat: 0 g

Cholesterol: 5 mg

Sodium: 215 mg

Carbohydrates: 29 g

Fiber: 5 g

Sugar: 18 g

Protein: 16 g

P90X/P90X2 Portions

1 Double Serving Snack

P90X3 Portions

1 Protein

1 Carb

Body Beast Portions

1 Fruit

1 Protein Liquid

Containers

1 Red

1 Purple

Sending strength, hope and love!

Darlene

Ashwagandha, Shakeology and Hypthyroidism

Have you ever heard of Ashwagandha? Neither had I until just recently but I bet you know someone who has thyroid issues right? Check this out...

It seems like everywhere I go, I hear someone talk about thyroid issues. I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism, (an underactive thyroid) 5 years ago and since then I have been taking levothyroxine every morning. About 4 months ago I stopped taking my medication.

The symptoms for hypothyroidism vary depending on the severity of the hormone deficiency, but usually any problems you have tend to develop slowly over a number of years. I barely noticed mine at first, fatigue and weight gain. I simply thought it was because of the life I was living and just getting older. If you know me, then you know that it can be 80 degrees outside and I can be cold, I am extremely sensitive to the cold.

This might be TMI but I have always had an issue with being constipated, to the point of having to take 10-15 stool softeners a day and still not being able to go to the bathroom. Some other symptoms that I have are dry skin, a puffy face, hoarseness, muscle weakness, thinning hair, weak nails, a very slow heart rate, depression and I am extremely forgetful at times. Like I said, a lot of the symptoms could be mistaken just for growing older. So let me just tell you how ecstatic I was to find that drinking my Shakeology every day could help with my thyroid! YAY! :)

One of the superfoods in Shakeology is Ashwagandha, which is considered a superstar when it comes to improving the health of your thyroid. It is extremely effective in balancing hormones. One thing that is incredible about Ashwagandha is that it works for people who have either hypo or hyper thyroid issues. Wow! It has even been shown to help support a sluggish thyroid for people who have been diagnosed with Hashimotos or even to help improve the health of those with Graves disease, which is an overactive thyroid. Amazing huh?

This herb works with your body to help bring back the balance, whether your levels are low or high. In a 20 day study of mice there was evidence that this herb has a stimulatory effect on a sluggish thyroid. No wonder I feel so much better after drinking Shakeology every day.

For the last week I have not been working out or drinking my Shakeology and I can tell the difference. I am constipated again, I have no energy, I hurt, I haven’t been sleeping very well and I have been so cold. After doing my research and finding out more about Ashwagandha, which is just ONE of the super foods in Shakeology, I am definitely going to make sure I NEVER go another day without my chocolate shakeology!

Actually I think I will go make a glass right now!

Make the rest of your life the BEST of your life!

~Darlene <3

Shakeology Super Food Sancha Inchi in the the Spotlight!

Today was a very emotional day for me. I sat in front of my computer taking turns between studying and just staring at the screen. I came across a video showing Darin Olien, the maker of Shakeology traveling the world looking for the perfect ingredients that go into my shake. After drinking Shakeology for a year, I am ashamed to admit that I had no idea what was in it. 

When I first started drinking it, I had been told that it was good for me and it would be a game changer in my health journey. I was told it would help me lose weight, but that is just one benefit from drinking this amazing shake.

So, I started drinking it. Yes, I saw the effects. I had more energy. My skin was softer. I didn’t have to take 8-10 stool softeners a day. My hair and nails were growing really fast. I wasn’t depressed anymore.

The benefits of drinking Shakeology are amazing to me and well worth the money I save each month to make sure I am NEVER without it! I decided I wanted to know more about the ingredients.

The first one is Sacha Inchi. It is native to Peru. These seeds have a nut like flavor when roasted. It is rich in Vitamin E and Omega-3 Fatty Acids.

Sacha Inchi promotes weight loss and can also help reduce excess abdominal fat. Oh yeah, I need help in that area. I’m with you so far, what else does it do for me? I was amazed to find that not only does it aid in weight loss but it also helps fight depression, reduce cholesterol levels, prevent heart disease and aid in the management of diabetes.

I’m sold! I have battled with depression most of my life. To know that there is something that I am drinking every day that is helping my emotional state, is a huge selling point to me. The money that I have saved from not being on anti depressants alone is enough to pay for my monthly Shakeology.

This information is not something I grabbed out of thin air. There have been scientific studies to back up the claims that Sacha Inchi helps with high cholesterol and weight loss. Sancha Inchi is unsually high in tryptophan,an amino acid which is essential to the production of serotonin, a chemical involved in regulating your appetite. No wonder I am not hungry for hours after I drink my daily shake.

This is just one of the amazing super foods that make up Shakeology. Amazing that every day in my little town of Dover Foxcroft, I am drinking a super food from Peru!

Please comment below, like and share this message! 

Make the REST of your life the BEST of your life! <3

Chocolate Strawberry Cheesecake Shakeology

Today I woke up with cheesecake on the brain. Oh no! I am the biggest addict of ALL things cheesecake! So, I knew that today was going to be a struggle.

My favorite? I don't have one, if it has chocolate it's good, strawberries it's good, caramel yup, you guessed it...IT'S GOOD!

So I wracked my brain trying to come up with some way that I could have the best of both worlds...it hit me when I logged in to teambeachbody.

They had a link for Chocolate Raspberry Cheesecake Shakeology! REALLY????

Now, I didn't have the raspberries, but I had strawberries. Yup...I made some delicious chocolate strawberry cheesecake shakeology. 

smile emoticon

 YUM!!!!

Chocolate Strawberry Shakeology

1/2 purple, 1/2 yellow, 2 Red

Ingredients:

½ cup low-fat (1%) milk

¼ cup water

¼ cup reduced fat (2%) plain yogurt

1 scoop Chocolate Shakeology

¼ cup part skim ricotta cheese

½ cup fresh or frozen raspberries

1 cup ice

Preparation:

1. Place milk, water, yogurt, Shakeology, ricotta, raspberries, and ice in blender; cover. Blend until smooth.

Are you looking for more recipes...click the link below! Enjoy! 

http://bit.ly/1Apz2qV

Have you thought of trying shakeology but you weren't sure which flavor you would like?  Are you curious about how I can help you with your health and fitness journey?  

Comment below or find me on facebook at : DarLean Fitness

Also look for me on:

pinterest.com/darlenecaron

or 

Email Me! dcaronfitness@gmail.com

Make the REST of your life the BEST of your life! <3

5 Day Shakeology Shake and Share Group

Hey everyone. I feel like I have let some of you down by not sharing one of my favorite meals of the day with you...Shakeology. Now, I know a lot of you are afraid to try it because you think that it is just another protein shake, the market is flooded with them right? It is so much more than that.

Shakeology is my healthiest meal of the day! It is filled with some amazing super foods that have not only helped me to feel full, grow my hair and nails quicker, helped with my digestion and skin, just to name a few!

I know, I know. I can hear you now complaining about how much it costs. But I want you to ask yourself if you were going to go to a restaurant, even Subway and get a healthy lunch how much would it cost you? Can you get it for $4? I don't think so! There is so much more to Shakeology and I would love to share some of that with you. smile emoticon

I am starting a 5 Day Shake and Share Group on August 24th and would love for you to join me. This is the best way for you to try Shakeology and start seeing some quick benefits (increased energy, reduced cravings, stay full longer between meals, weight loss and more) to see if Shakeology is right for you.

The Shakeology sampler comes with 5 days of Shakeology for $25 and is a requirement to be in this group. The tips and clean eating recipes in this group are free!

I have a limited supply of Chocolate, Vanilla and Strawberry, so message me today or comment below to reserve your spot!

Please pay it forward and share this with your friends, family or anyone else that you believe would be interested.

If ou have any questions or would like to talk over some options you can find me at: DarLean Fitness

Make the rest of your life the BEST of you life!

S'mores Shakeology Recipe! Dessert for Breakfast

Dessert for breakfast? Count me in! heart emoticon There’s a coffee version and a caffeine-free version! Thank you Beachbody! smile emoticon

S’mores Shakeology (with coffee)
1/2 yellow and 1 red container

½ cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk
½ cup brewed coffee, chilled
1 tsp. pure vanilla extract
1 scoop Chocolate Shakeology
2 tsp. ground whole wheat graham cracker crumbs, divided use
1 cup ice

Preparation:
1. Place almond milk, coffee, extract, Shakeology, 1 tsp. graham cracker crumbs, and ice in blender; cover. Blend until smooth.
2. Pour into a serving glass and garnish with remaining 1 tsp. graham cracker crumbs; serve immediately.

OR

S’mores Shakeology (without coffee)
1 yellow and 1 red container

Ingredients:
1 cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk
1 tsp. pure vanilla extract
1 scoop Chocolate Shakeology
2 tsp. ground whole wheat graham cracker crumbs, divided use
1 cup ice

Preparation:
1. Place almond milk, extract, Shakeology, 1 tsp. graham cracker crumbs, and ice in blender; cover. Blend until smooth.
2. Pour into a serving glass and garnish with remaining 1 tsp. graham cracker crumbs; serve immediately.

Want more recipes?  Would you like to know more about Shakeology or how you can get it delivered to your home?  Comment below or find me on facebook at: Darlene Caron Nutrition and Fitness

Make the REST of your life, the BEST of your life! <3

Shakeology No Bake Cookies

As I was sitting here tonight, my son came in complaining about the healthy food in the house and how it was going to kill him.  Mind you, this is while he is eating a pizza in front of me. :)

I decided that instead of eating a piece of his pizza, now that I was craving something, anything to munch on, that I would go make something healthy for a snack.  I really wanted chocolate.

I found a chocolate no bake cookie recipe using Chocolate Shakeology.  Ok, I will try anything at least once.  I love drinking my Shakeology so now I guess I will try eating it.

This is a recipe that I got from PiYo.

No Bake Cookies
makes 24 servings

1 cup Chocolate or Vanilla Shakeology
1 cup all natural peanut butter (or almond butter)
1 cup quick cooking rolled oats
1/2 cup raw honey

Combine peanut butter, oats, honey and Shakeology in a medium bowl; mix well with a rubber spatula or by hand.  Roll mixture into twenty four balls, each about 1 inch in size.  Flatten each slightly so that it is shaped like a traditional cookie.

Chocolate Shakeology and Peanut Butter

Honey, oats, shakeology and peanut butter

I didn't flatten mine I just left them in a ball.  

I have to say these were delicious.  I can see a problem with them though.  They are so good, that I could easily over eat with them.  So I will need to use some will power.  

But oh my YUM!

21 Day Fix Chocolate Shakeology Pie

Ok, so I won't lie, today I really didn't want to eat anything healthy.  I wanted the standard family tradition of pumpkin pie, custard pie, chocolate cream pie, banana cream pie, any kind of pie that didn't involve being healthy.

I decided that since I was trying to teach others how to eat clean that I would try a new recipe for a healthy Chocolate Shakeology Pie.  I was all for this until I heard I had to put Tofu in it.

Tofu?  Really?  In my PIE?  My first reaction wasn't pleasant.

It's funny because I have gone on cruises and tried escargot and frog legs.  I actually pride myself on trying new food each day on a cruise ship.  So, why was tofu any different?

This is 1 1/2 yellow and 1 blue/orange container.

Ingredients:
2 Tbsp nonfat milk
1 (12 oz) container of firm (or silken) Tofu
2 scoops Chocolate Shakeology
1/2 cup all natural peanut butter

(I was suppose to use a whole wheat graham pie crust, but after I finished the filling I realized I didn't have everything to make it :(  )

Preparation:
1.  Place milk, tofu, Shakeology and peanut butter in blender, cover.  Blend until smooth.
2.  Pour tofu mixture into pie crust, refrigerate for at least 1 hour or until firm.
3.  Cut into eight servings

I tried to blend this in my blender, but it was so thick that my poor blender was not having any of it.  So out came the mixer.

The brave men in my family are complete wimps and will not try this pie.  They have been stuffing their faces with pumpkin and banana cream pie.  I did try it and I have to say it was good.  If I hadn't made it, I would not realize that there was tofu in it.

It just tastes like my chocolate peanut butter shakeology drink that I have for breakfast each morning, just thicker.  YUM!

I guess I will survive my tofu experience.  But, if anyone out there eats tofu,  please tell me, do you drain it before you use it?  Maybe that is why my tofu mixture was so thick, because I drained it first.

Anyhow, enjoy!  I know I will.

                                    ~Darlene <3

Shakeology: Try Before You Invest

Hey everyone. Have you ever wondered what Shakeology is or what it tastes like? Well, now is your chance to try it out before you invest!

I am starting a 5 Day Shakeology Challenge and would love for you to join me. This is the best way for you to try Shakeology and start seeing some quick benefits (increased energy, reduced cravings, stay full longer between meals, weight loss and more) to see if Shakeology is right for you.

What is the challenge?

Shakeology:

Replace one meal a day for five days with Shakeology. Use it when you need it the most. If you don't eat breakfast, Shakeology is a great way to start your day. If you are busy at work and skip lunch, then have yours at lunch. There are lots of different ways to mix the shakes, they taste great and have all of the vitamins and nutrients you need each day. Experiment with the recipes, maybe you like more or less ice. Maybe you like fruit in yours or you like to add mint extract. There are many ways to enjoy it.

I drink mine first thing in the morning so that I can start my day off right.

Eat Clean:

I am not saying you need to count calories or eliminate all of the foods that you love. It means eating food that has no more than 5 ingredients! Watch the amount of sugar in foods, I try to eat food that has 5 g or less of sugar.

Exercise:

It doesn't matter what your fitness level is or how old you are, it is never to late to start exercising. If you don't exercise at all then I suggest you start walking. Start out with 30 minutes a day. Do 10 minutes in the morning, 10 minutes at lunch and 10 minutes in the evening. If you are working out already than I suggest working out at least 30 minutes a day. Get moving!

Support:

If you surround yourself with like minded individuals, and tell everyone about the changes you are making, you are more likely to succeed. I will be setting up a Facebook group where I will give daily support and advice. There will be fun daily assignments that are very short and easy to do.

You are the only person who can decide it is time to change, but I will be there along the way to support and motivate you. The groups is there to hold you accountable. It isn't going to be easy, but with a little bit of hard work you can reach your goals.

If you have any questions or would like more information on either joining a group or purchasing individual one time use Shakeology packets, then message me or comment below.

I am so excited to start this journey with you.

Chocolate Glazed Carrot Cake Shakeology

I love to try new food but usually it isn't healthy food.  I never thought I would try an avocado or tofu.  But since I have become a coach, I have tried a lot of things I didn't think I would.

Today,  I decided to be brave and try something new with my Shakeology.  I absolutely love carrot cake, but obviously it isn't the healthiest food that I can eat.   I had found a recipe for a Chocolate Glazed Carrot Cake Shakeology and thought, drink my carrots?   Ummm. NO!

But I did today, and I was very surprised at how good this was.  So, be brave, get out your blender and make some carrot cake!

Chocolate Glazed Carrot Cake Shakeology

INGREDIENTS

1 scoop chocolate Shakeology

1/2 cup water

1/2 cup unsweetened almond milk

4 oz. baby carrots (or baby steamed carrots)

1/2 tsp. cinnamon

1/2 tsp. vanilla extract

1/2 cup frozen pineapple

Ice to taste

Mix all ingredients in a blender and enjoy!

I thought it was very tasty.  I loved the cinnamon and vanilla.  Next time I think I will try it with Vanilla Shakeology just to see how that tastes.

I would love to hear what you think!  Comment below and give a review.

I believed I could so I did!

Chocolate Shakeology Pudding

I have been trying to come up with different ideas of how I can eat or drink Shakeology.  So stay tuned for my upcoming posts.  I am planning on having fun with this. :)

I made a Chocolate Shakeology Pudding, I am a huge chocolate pudding fan!  Not this one, but that doesn't mean you won't.  I have found that I am not a huge fan of avocado.  Maybe I am using it wrong or not getting it ripe, I will do some research on this. If you have any tips or ideas about avocado then let me know.

I think I will make this again but try maybe using 1/2 of an avocado and see if that works. 

Chocolate Shakeology Pudding:

1 1/2 scoops Chocolate Shakeology
1 ripe medium avocado 
1 medium banana cut into chunks
1 cup unsweetened almond milk
1 tsp fresh lemon juice

Place Shakeology, avocado, banana, almond milk and lemon juice in a blender, cover.  Blend until smooth.  If it it too thick add additional almond milk.  Pour into four dessert cups, refrigerate for at least one hour or until set.

If you decide to make this, let me know what you think. 

~ I believed I could, so I did. <3

Salted Caramel Shakeology

This week I really wanted to try a different recipe with Shakeology...I found Salted Caramel.  I love caramels so I figured, let's do it!

Salted Caramel Shakeology

1 cup almond milk
6-8 ice cubes
1 scoop Chocolate Shakeology
1 tsp caramel extract
Dash of sea salt

Blend well and enjoy!

I will definitely be having this one again.  What is your favorite?  Share below

Have a great day!

~ I believed I could so I did. <3

Chocolate Maple Buttercup Shakeology

Are you looking for a new Shakeology recipe to try.  How about ~ Chocolate Maple Buttercup?  

It is yummy!  I made mine with Chocolate Vegan but it tastes great with Chocolate too!

Add 1 scoop of Chocolate Shakeology

1 cup Almond Milk or skim milk

1 Tablespoon all natural almond butter

1 teaspoon pur maple syrup

Blend with 1/2 cup to 1 cup of ice for a smoother texture. 

This shake is delicious!  The pure maple syrup gives it a little bit of extra sweetness.  So, it was a great after workout treat .

I will be posting more Shakeology recipes so visit often.