Sunday, March 30, 2014

Get the Scoop on Sunday

Hi Everyone! 

With your free Team Beachbody account with me as your coach, you'll be receiving a weekly newsletter every weekend with recipes and tips for healthy living!   

Special Note: 
As many of you know, the Boston Fire Department lost 2 heroes this past week in a 9-alarm fire.  Thinking about what we can do to help these families, I've decided that ALL proceeds from my Tuesday, 4/1/14 Insanity class in Hyde Park, MA will go to the Lieutenant Walsh - Firefighter Kennedy Memorial Fund @ Boston Firefighters Credit Union.  If you can't make the class, but still want to contribute to the fund, please visit https://www.bosfirecu.com/  Thank you so much! 
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MEALSPIRATION SPOTLIGHTEdamame, Tomato and Feta Salad with Fresh Basil
  • 3 tbsp olive oil
  • 2 tbsp red wine vinegar, or to taste
  • 1 tbsp water
  • 1 clove of garlic, minced
  • 3/4 tsp table salt
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper
  • 1 pound edamame (shelled) cooked
  • 10 medium plum tomatoes seeded and chopped
  • 1/2 cup basil, fresh, cut into ribbons
  • 1 small uncooked red onion finely sliced
  • 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
Instructions:
To make dressing, in a small bowl, combine oil, vinegar, water, garlic, salt and pepper, set aside.
In a large serving bowl, combine edamame, tomatoes, basil and onion; toss with dressing and sprinkle with cheese.  Yields about 1 cup per serving.
_________________________________________________________
UPCOMING Online RESULTS GROUPS:

Need some support and accountability to get to your health goal?  

Join one of these groups!... 

2. April's Online 21-Day Fix Accountability Group (starts 4/21) 
*21-Day Fix can be ordered now and is off backorder 3/31!
*I'll coach you through the 21-day fix's workouts and nutrition plan using an online accountability group. 

Recent Accountability Group Testimony: 
"Upper fix done...trying Ezekiel bread with hummus tonight that someone recommended! Have a great night everyone!" 
**Yes, we share what's working well, what's not, and RECIPES!!  
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EXERCISE SPOTLIGHT: 21-Day Fix

I'm just soo in love with this program that I need to spotlight it again. 

21-Days of 30 minute workouts and mindless nutrition.  Never count a calorie or use a measuring cup again ;)  

And, it's super cheap $60 so you can also buy some cute workout clothes! 

**www.beachbodycoach.com/nrf026 --> "Shop Team Beachbody"

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SHAKEOLOGY SPOTLIGHTHoney Peanut Heaven 
1 scoop Strawberry, 1 c. unsweetened vanilla almond milk, 1 tsp. all-natural chunky peanut butter, 1 tsp raw honey, and a few ice cubes.  Blend and enjoy. 
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FUN FACT SPOTLIGHTPROGRESS
Before you try a new exercise, or increase the amount of weight you are lifting, ask yourself if you have mastered the basic version and therefore have "earned the right to progress."  Asking yourself this regularly will help you avoid injury!

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MOTIVATION SPOTLIGHT:
"Suck it up now so you won't have to suck it in later!" 

___________________________________________________________
FINANCIAL HEALTH SPOTLIGHT: Budget for Vacation

As the warm weather approaches, many of us will be going away on long weekends or vacations.  Here is some helpful info to budget your vacation...

Create a trip budget. To help you, use this free, web-based Travel Calculator, which can help you calculate the cost of gas, lodging, food and more. It’s also available as a free iPhone app, which you can download from iTunes.


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LIVE HOUR-LONG INSANITY CLASS SPOTLIGHT:
*Schedule is on my blog 


 _________________________________________________
CONTACT INFO SPOTLIGHT:
I'm always here to answer questions, coach you through a program, help you become a coach, anything!  Contact me :) 

_________________________________________________________
Have a fantastic, fit, healthy week!

Best,
Nicole

Saturday, March 29, 2014

Chunky Monkey Shakeology

Whenever I go into Whole Foods, I am in awe.  I love looking at all of their products and reading labels.  There is always something new that catches my eye.  Today I treated myself to their store made honey roasted peanut.....to die for!! 

Of course I had to come home and experiment using it with my Shakeology. I decided on creating a chocolate banana and honey roasted peanut butter shake for my mid-afternoon snack...which is a super important snack because it gives me energy for my evening workout and keeps me from binging on dinner! 

With the chunky peanut butter and banana, I'll call it my Chunky Monkey Shakeology 

Here are the ingredients I used...
1/2 c unsweetened almond milk 
1 c water
1 medium frozen banana
1 scoop chocolate Shakeology 
2 tsp honey roasted peanut butter from Whole Foods 


Directions 
1. Blend all ingredients together
2. Enjoy (takes like a Wendy's Frosty...but better and more nutritious!!) 



Friday, March 28, 2014

Clean Eating Banana Oatmeal Cookies

I have a SUPER SWEET TOOTH and love that the 21-Day Fix allows be some sweets!!   It's all about balance, right?

The program's nutrition guide comes with tons of great recipes that I have slowly been trying out (I'm not a baker by any means!).  This week I decided to make the "Banana Oatmeal Cookies" for my students who are working so hard taking the state exam, MCAS.  I figured these would be a perfect treat because they are absolutely clean...no sugar to jitter them up!!

Although my kiddos didn't think they were "cookies," they did love them!

Here's the recipe, which makes 8 servings (2 cookies per serving).  For you guys and gals on the 21-Day Fix, 2 cookies is 1 yellow container.

Clean Eating Banana Oatmeal Cookies

Ingredients: 
Non-stick cooking spray
1 c. old-fashioned rolled oats
2 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp sea salt
2 ripe medium bananas, mashed
1/4 cup golden raisins
1/4 c chopped raw walnuts



Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

2. Lightly coat baking sheet with spray.  Set aside.

3. Combine oats, cinnamon, and salt in a medium bowl; mix well.



4. Add bananas, raisins, and walnuts; mix well.



5. Drop by heaping Tbsp. onto prepared baking sheet; flatten cookies with a spatula.



6. Bake for 14 to 15 minutes or until firm.


Saturday, March 22, 2014

Right Music for H.I.I.T. Workouts

It's close to impossible to have an AMAZING workout without the right music!   

The Insaniacs in my classes are always asking me for my playlist so here are 5 of the 18 songs that we'll be working out to this week...    

Come to class this week for GREAT MUSIC & GREAT WORKOUT!

1. No Scrubs -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FrLequ6dUdM 

2. Wake Me Up -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IcrbM1l_BoI

3. Summertime Sadness --> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nVjsGKrE6E8 

4. Timber --> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hHUbLv4ThOo 

5. Wrecking Ball --> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=My2FRPA3Gf8 




Wednesday, March 19, 2014

Who doesn't love a good lasagna?

Comfort food is just that...comforting.  However, after eating it we don't feel too comfortable.  I certainly know that an excess of carbs makes me feel like I could sleep forever.  I've been committed to fuel my body with the nutrients that it needs to function at an optimum.  As a result of that, I'm always searching for clean eating recipes that are healthy for me....BUT still delicious.   No one wants boring food! 

Check out this recipes....BUTTERNUT SQUASH LASAGNA....AHHmazing. 

Stay tuned for pictures from my kitchen :) 


Ingredients:

  • 2 medium or 1 large butternut squash
  • 1 pound (500 g) lean ground beef or pork
  • ~36 oz canned tomato sauce (1000 g Italian passata for my UK friends)
  • 4 oz (100 g) tomato paste
  • 1 onion, diced finely
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1/2 cup sliced olives
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • 4 eggs, beaten
  • Salt & pepper
  • Coconut oil or fat of choice


  1. Preheat the oven to 400F (200C)
  2. In a large pot over medium heat, sauté the diced onion in a spoonful of coconut oil until it’s softened, about 5 minutes. Add the pork, garlic and oregano and raise the heat to medium-high. Saute until the pork is cooked through.
  3. Add the olives, tomato sauce and paste. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Turn heat to low and simmer while you prepare the squash. Note: this makes a tasty meat sauce all on its own or for use in other recipes.
  4. Peel the butternut squash. Slice into very thin rounds by laying the squash on a cutting board. I tried to make mine about 1/8″ thick. The key is to make the slices as uniform as possible so they cook evenly. You could also use a mandolin to make them evenly sized. Be sure you have a sharp knife! Other recipes call for the squash to be sliced lengthwise into long sheets but this is very hard to do with a knife. The rounds enable quicker prep time and the result is just as tasty.
  5. Now it’s time to prepare the lasagna: start with a bit of sauce to cover the bottom of the dish. Then place the squash in a single layer (I used small pieces from the bottom of the squash, which I had to cut into half moons to remove the seeds, to fill in the gaps between the rounds). Now add another layer of sauce. Don’t skimp because the moisture from the sauce is what cooks the squash. Now add about 1/3 of the scrambled egg and smear it around. It will look gross. Stay the path. It’s going to taste awesome and gives the appearance of cheese.
  6. Repeat the squash-sauce-egg sequence one or two more times, depending on how much you have left (I used two 9″ round pans so each ended up with two layers).
  7. Finish with a light layer of sauce. I also used up some of the extra pieces of squash as decoration. Fancy. 
  8. Bake for about 25-30 minutes or until a knife easily pierces the squash.
Courtesy of: http://stupideasypaleo.com/2013/03/25/butternut-squash-lasagna/ 

Monday, March 17, 2014

Gut & Butt Challenge

Many of us ladies struggle the most with toning our tummy and butt.

Because of this, I'm running a free challenge through a secret Facebook group for 14 days to help you out and get you on track for that summer body that you crave.

On the 14th day, challengers will hold a plank for 2m and do 200 squats.  Days 1-13 will build up to that goal.

I'm really excited to start this!  Message me @ nicolefield08@gmail.com to get in or be on the wait list for the next free challenge.






       Sneak Peak @ the Gut & Butt Workout Calendar 








Day 1

30sec.
50
Day 2

Revealed only to group participants :) 
Day 3
Revealed only to group participants :) 
Day 4
Revealed only to group participants :) 
Day 5
Revealed only to group participants :) 
Day 6
Revealed only to group participants :) 
Day 7
Revealed only to group participants :) 
Day 8
Revealed only to group participants :)
Day 9

Revealed only to group participants :) 
Day 10
Revealed only to group participants :) 
Day 11
Revealed only to group participants :) 
Day 12
Revealed only to group participants :) 
Day 13
Revealed only to group participants :)
Day 14

2m
200


Congrats!

Sunday, March 16, 2014

Get the Weekly Scoop on Sunday

Hi Everyone! 

Happy St. Patrick's Day & Evacuation Day!   I hope you celebrate with a healthy green treat!  We celebrate both holidays whole-heartedly in Boston!  

As part of your free Team Beachbody account with me as your coach, you'll be receiving a weekly newsletter with recipes and tips for healthy living!   

Here you are... 

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MEALSPIRATION SPOTLIGHT: Kale Chips
(of course I had to pick something green for St. Patrick's Day!) 

  • 1 large bunch kale, tough stems removed, leaves torn into pieces (about 16 cups)
  • 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt

    1. Position racks in upper third and center of oven; preheat to 400°F.
    2. If kale is wet, very thoroughly pat dry with a clean kitchen towel; transfer to a large bowl. Drizzle the kale with oil and sprinkle with salt. Using your hands, massage the oil and salt onto the kale leaves to evenly coat. Fill 2 large rimmed baking sheets with a layer of kale, making sure the leaves don’t overlap. (If the kale won’t all fit, make the chips in batches.)
    3. Bake until most leaves are crisp, switching the pans back to front and top to bottom halfway through, 8 to 12 minutes total. (If baking a batch on just one sheet, start checking after 8 minutes to prevent burning.)
    Let me know if you try them!  
    _________________________________________________________
    UPCOMING Online HEALTH ACCOUNTABILITY GROUPS:

    Need some support and accountability to get to your health goal?  

    Join one of these groups!... 

    1. March's Online Health Accountability Group 
    *Starts 3/17/14 for 30-days 
    *Working out required (can be your own gym routine or working out at home with a Team Beachbody program)
    *Me as your coach
    *Limited to 15 for best experience 
    *Daily posts in Facebook group from you = REQUIRED 
    *Weekly goal check-ins with me = REQUIRED

    Or, 

    2. April's Online 21-Day Fix Accountability Group (starts 4/21) 
    *21-Day Fix can be ordered now, but it's on back order and will be delivered in late March...which is the reason why we are starting 4/21.
    *I'll coach you through the 21-day fix's workouts and nutrition plan using an online accountability group. 

    Recent Accountability Group Testimony: 
    Got this text today.  Love seeing my challengers hit their goals!
    "Hey Nicole, I officially have lost 6 pounds!!  Feel great and excited!!" 
    _________________________________________________

    EXERCISE SPOTLIGHT: Yoga Booty Ballet $ 39.90

    Hollywood's fun fitness secret combines yoga, dance, and body sculpting to blast calories and target your abs, thighs, and booty. With Gillian Marloth and Teigh McDonough.
    **On Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G2N_z2E6KH8
    **www.beachbodycoach.com/nrf026 --> "Shop Team Beachbody"

    _______________________________________________________

    SHAKEOLOGY SPOTLIGHTPina Colada 
    1 scoop Vanilla Shakeology; 1 cup organic all natural pineapple juice; 1/2 c pineapple chunks; 1/2 c water; a few pieces of ice; Blend
    __________________________________________________________

    FUN FACT SPOTLIGHT: When you do exercises like the plank, think "apples not applesauce!"
    Simply put, engage your bum. We all sit so much that our bum muscles are often on holiday. To help "turn them on", squeeze your bum muscles so your rear end becomes hard like an apple, not soft like applesauce. 
    http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/kathleen-trotter/8-fun-fit-facts_b_3889711.html

    __________________________________________________________
    MOTIVATION SPOTLIGHT:
    "Weight loss is not a physical challenge.  It's a mental one." 

    Do you agree or disagree? 
    ___________________________________________________________
    FINANCIAL HEALTH SPOTLIGHT: Credit Cards 
    “Pay off or pay down credit card debt with any existing savings,” says Tom Gilovich, psychology professor at Cornell University, co-author of Why Smart People Make Big Money Mistakes and a TIME Moneyland contributor. With credit card APRs averaging nearly 15%, people with credit card debt pay much more in interest than they can earn by having that money invested elsewhere.
    http://business.time.com/2012/05/24/10-ways-to-improve-your-financial-health-even-if-you-only-do-one/slide/2-pay-off-credit-card-debt/ 

    _________________________________________________________
    LIVE HOUR-LONG INSANITY CLASS SPOTLIGHT:
    *Taught by me...got certified in the fall 
    *Schedule is on my blog 
     _________________________________________________
    CONTACT INFO SPOTLIGHT:
    I'm always here to answer questions, coach you through a program, help you become a coach, anything!  Contact me :) 

    _________________________________________________________
    Have a fantastic, fit, healthy week!

    Best,
    Nicole

    Tuesday, March 4, 2014

    Shamrock Shake

    It's March so why not liven up your breakfast with a Shamrock Shake :)  I know I'll be enjoying it often this month.

    Ingredients:
    • 8 oz Skim, Rice, Almond or Soy Milk
    • 4 oz ice and water
    • splash of peppermint extract or some mint water
    • 1 tsp all natural pb
    • 2 tbsp vanilla sugar free instant pudding mix
    • 1 packet of Greenberry Shakeology 
    • Blend and enjoy!!!

    I got the recipe from Chalene Johnson....check out her video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=solDD9CZWdQ&edufilter=gOPfCTz7yQCXqTC2XcyI4w 


    Sunday, March 2, 2014

    Sunday Scoop!



    Hi Challengers! 


    As part of your free Team Beachbody account with me as your coach, you'll be receiving a weekly newsletter with recipes and tips for healthy living!  
    __________________________________________________
    MEALSPIRATION SPOTLIGHT: Cinnamon Quinoa Bake 
    Ingredients
    • 2 1/2 cups of quinoa cooked and cooled
    • 4 eggs beaten
    • 1/3 cup vanilla soy milk
    • 1/3 cup maple syrup (optional)
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
    • 1 tablespoon cinnamon
    Directions
    Yields nine to 12 bars
    1. Preheat the oven to 375ºF and place the quinoa in a large mixing bowl. Line an 8-by-8-inch baking pan with lightly greased parchment.
    2. In a small bowl, whisk together eggs, soy milk, vanilla extract, and cinnamon until thoroughly combined. Add maple syrup (if using) and whisk.
    3. Add egg mixture to cooked and cooled quinoa. Stir with a large spoon to combine. Pour into the parchment-lined baking dish and spread it around to ensure that it’s even.
    4. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes until set and golden.
    5. Using parchment, remove bake from pan as soon as possible so that it doesn’t steam.
    6. Cool completely and cut into squares. Serve with a dollop of nut butter.
    ____________________________________________________________
    UPCOMING Online HEALTH ACCOUNTABILITY GROUPS:

    Need some support and accountability to get to your health goal?  

    Join one of these groups!... 

    1. March's Online Health Accountability Group 
    *Starts 3/18/14 for 30-days 
    *Working out required (can be your own gym routine or working out at home with a Team Beachbody program)
    *Me as your coach
    *Limited to 15 for best experience 
    *Daily posts in Facebook group from you = REQUIRED 
    *Weekly goal check-ins with me = REQUIRED

    Or, 

    2. April's Online 21-Day Fix Accountability Group (starts 4/7) 
    *21-Day Fix can be ordered now, but it's on back order and will be delivered in late March...which is the reason why we are starting 4/7.
    *I'll coach you through the 21-day fix's workouts and nutrition plan using an online accountability group. 

    Recent Accountability Group Testimony: 
    In their first week of the 21-Day Fix, my current challenge group lost over 26 pounds!!  
    ________________________________________
    EXERCISE SPOTLIGHT: Slim in 6 
    NOW 50% OFF!
    Reshape your body in just 6 weeks with Slim in 6®. Thousands of people have lost up to 25 pounds in 6 weeks with this breakthrough system—and you can too.
    **www.beachbodycoach.com/nrf026 --> "Shop Team Beachbody"
    ______________________________________________________________

    SHAKEOLOGY SPOTLIGHT: Shamrock Shakeology  
    • 8 oz Skim, Rice, Almond or Soy Milk
    • 4 oz ice and water
    • splash of peppermint extract or some mint water
    • 1 tsp all natural pb
    • 2 tbsp vanilla sugar free instant pudding mix
    • 1 packet of Greenberry Shakeology 
    • Blend and enjoy!!!
    ______________________________

    FUN FACT SPOTLIGHT: 
    People who exercise as little as 15 minutes a day have a 14 percent lower mortality risk than people who don't exercise at all.
    __________________________________________________________
    MOTIVATION SPOTLIGHT:
    "Dream it.  Wish it.  Do it." 
    ___________________________________________________________
    FINANCIAL HEALTH SPOTLIGHT: Student Loans 
    "As long as most of it is locked in at lower rates, 20-somethings are better off putting their extra cash into high-yield savings accounts or retirement savings." 
    ____________________________________________________________________
    LIVE INSANITY CLASS SPOTLIGHT:
    *Schedule is on my blog
     _________________________________________________
    CONTACT INFO SPOTLIGHT:
    I'm always here to answer questions, coach you through a program, help you become a coach, anything!  Contact me :) 

    _________________________________________________________
    Have a fantastic, fit, healthy week!

    Best,
    Nicole