Happy National Lasagna Day!!

HAPPY NATIONAL LASAGNA DAY!!!!

Oh my goodness! An entire day dedicated to LASAGNA?

You know what? If I had known long time ago that there was such a thing as National Lasagna Day, I would have done SO MUCH MORE to celebrate!!! The house would be decorated in Italian flags, I would whip up a few lasagnas to take to family and friends, I would probably found a cable station with nothing but Italian opera or a soccer match with Italy playing and enjoyed lasagna to my heart's content. (Yeah, it would have been that deep.)

Honestly, I believe that there is no more perfect food than lasagna. It has all of the requirements for a complete meal right in one sheet pan. You have your grains, your vegetables, your dairy, your meat, and your fat, layered together in beautiful harmony. The fragrance from the oven is so overwhelming that you cannot wait for it to cool a bit before tearing in. And the first bite....pure heaven. Plus, you have tons of leftovers that you can take to work for lunch or freeze for a later date - more joy - whoo-hoo!!

Now that I have adopted a healthier lifestyle, I love a good vegetable lasagna and a heart-healthy lasagna along with the version I grew up eating (the italian sausage and full fat cheeses). Speaking of which, it is so funny - I always grew up thinking my mama had been to Italy because her recipe was just the absolute BEST! I found out later in life that her recipe was the one from the back of the lasagna noodle box with added bulk Italian sausage. Oh well.... :)

To commemorate National Lasagna Day, I want to share a couple of recipes for lasagna with you. I pray that you enjoy this wonderful meal with me.

Vegetable Lasagna

2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1 medium onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 cups zucchini, chopped in 1/2 inch dice
2 cups yellow squash, chopped in 1/2 inch dice
1 cup portabella mushrooms, sliced
1 cup carrots, julienned
1/2 cup red bell pepper, chopped
1/2 cup green bell pepper, chopped
2 (15 ounce) cans tomato sauce
1 (15 ounce) can tomatoes with basil, garlic, and oregano, drained
1 (6 ounce) can tomato paste
1 (8 ounce) container part skim ricotta cheese
2 egg whites
1 package (5 ounces) shredded parmesan cheese
10 whole wheat noodles, cooked according to package directions
3 cups part skim mozzarella cheese

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. In a large skillet, heat olive oil. Add onion and garlic and stir for 1 minute. Add all other vegetables and cook over medium heat until tender, about 6 to 8 minutes. Add tomato sauce, tomato paste, and tomatoes and heat through. In a small bowl, mix ricotta cheese, egg whites, and parmesan cheese. Line a 13"x 9" x 2" pan with foil. Spread 2 ladlefuls of sauce at bottom, then layer 3 noodles over sauce. Add 1/3 cheese mixture, 1/3 sauce mixture, and 1/3 mozzarella cheese. Repeat layers, ending with sauce and reserving 1/3 of mozzarella cheese. Cover pan with foil and bake for 45 minutes. Uncover, add remaining mozzarella cheese, and bake 15 minutes more until cheese is bubbly. Let cool before serving (if you can!). 16
servings.


Heart-Healthy Lasagna

2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1 medium onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 pounds ground turkey
2 jars marinara sauce
1 (8 ounce) container part skim ricotta cheese
2 egg whites
1 package (5 ounces) shredded parmesan cheese
1 package baby spinach leaves, washed, stems removed
10 whole wheat noodles, cooked according to package directions
3 cups part skim mozzarella cheese

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. In a large skillet, heat olive oil. Saute onion and garlic until tender. Add ground turkey and cook for about 10 - 12 minutes. Add marinara and stir to combine. In a small bowl, mix ricotta cheese, egg whites, and parmesan cheese. Line a 13"x 9" x 2" pan with foil. Spread 2 ladlefuls of meat sauce across bottom of pan, then layer 3 noodles over sauce. Add 1/3 cheese mixture, layer of baby spinach leaves, 1/3 sauce mixture, and 1/3 mozzarella cheese, then cover with noodles. Repeat, ending with sauce and reserving 1/3 of mozzarella cheese. Cover pan with foil and bake for 45 minutes. Uncover, add remaining mozzarella cheese, and bake 15 minutes more until cheese is bubbly. Let cool before serving (seriously, if you can!). 16 servings.


(p.s. If you REALLY want to do the regular version, go and pick up the Barilla Oven Ready [no boiling required] Lasagna Noodles and follow the directions on the box, adding 1/2 package of cooked Jimmy Dean Italian sausage to the meat sauce mixture. I know, sometimes you just need the full fat version of this amazing meal!)

Celebrate Your Independence!

First of all, I need to apologize to you, my loyal customers. The month of June has been a trying time for me, and I did not make the opportunity to keep up with the emails to you. Well, I received some very "hot" emails from a few of you, basically telling me that the mid week motivations from me are seriously missed. I'm sorry for not being there when you needed me, and I pray that this will not happen again. You all are important to me, and I really do want to see you change your health and your lives for the better. If I can do anything else to encourage you or get you excited about what your future holds, please let me know.

Now, on with the motivation!

As we prepare to celebrate Independence Day, please do NOT allow that to be an excuse to "be free" from the healthy habits that you are making. You have come too far to take a whole weekend off! I am not saying that you cannot have your favorites - not at all! Personally, I am going to enjoy my slice of pound cake with strawberries and Reddi Whip. However, I know that with enjoying the foods that are not so healthy, I am going to have to work that much more to maintain my weight loss.

Instead, find new ways to eat old meals. How about taking a pork tenderloin, putting it in the crockpot and slow cooking until fork tender, then shredding it and adding your favorite barbecue sauce? Or enjoying a beautiful light slaw recipe instead of the heavy mayonnaise version we are used to having? Even dessert can be a treat - puree some mangoes or watermelons, add water, and put in ice cube containers to freeze? YUM!

With your exercise routine, how about you and the kids go swimming for a hour or two? Can you get in an extra walk in the morning, before the heat of the day hits like a ton of bricks (or is that just here in Birmingham, Alabama??)? If you are going out of town, take a Beachbody DVD with you and work out wherever you go.

Celebrate the freedom to get healthy and the freedom to change your life for the better! You are amazing and so worth it!

Remember, have a Happy Fourth, and keep doing it BIG!

Enjoy this cool treat I mentioned in the motivation today:

Fruity Ice Cubes
1 cup mangoes, peeled, seeded, and chopped
1/2 cup water
1/4 cup cane sugar

Place mangoes, water, and sugar in saucepan. Bring to a boil, then turn down to medium low and simmer for about 8 minutes. Pour mixture into blender and puree. Add to empty ice cube containers, then freeze until solid. If you like, after about 1 hour, put popsicle sticks into each cube. So good!!

Live Today for a Healthy Tomorrow

I have been contemplating last night and today about the passings of Ed McMahon, Farrah Fawcett, and Michael Jackson - all happening this week. Michael was preparing to go on his comeback tour in late July. Makes me thankful about the days that we have been given. What precious little time we have on this earth, and we really don't know when our time will come.

Since we do not know when we are going to take our last breath, it behooves us to make sure that every breath we are given is full of life, health, and wellness. I look back over my life, and right now, I have never been healthier. I eat foods that energize me, I get exercise as much as possible, and I love helping others to see their healthier future.

I pray that you will stop and take a moment to get back to the basics. Renew your commitment to yourself and your fitness goals. Make them a priority. Take charge of what you eat every day. Enjoy the time that you exercise - make it fun. Find something new to try, like a new recipe or a new activity, and take action. You may find something you really enjoy. Eliminate as much stress as you can from your life - no use being anxious or worried. (That's something I personally need to take time to do; get rid of the stress!!) Spend time helping your family get fit as well. Ensure a legacy of good health for years to come.

Live today so fully, so completely that at the end of the day, you fall into bed exhausted with the joys of your accomplishments, and the determination to start again tomorrow! Your healthier tomorrow starts right now, because tomorrow is not promised to anyone.

Be blessed, and keep doing it BIG!! :-)

You are Capable of Greatness!!

Hi all!!

If you do not know already, I am getting married THIS SATURDAY, April 25!! I have been running around like a chicken with my head cut off the past few weeks, but I wanted to make sure I got this motivational message out before I leave. I am hoping to be back to normal in the next two weeks or so, after the honeymoon, and moving to his house.

Now, on to the motivation!


You are Capable of Greatness!!

I was reading an article the other day (link is here - http://magichundred.blogspot.com/2009/04/think-your-goals-are-too-big-watch-this.html), and I was thinking about my goals and what I want to accomplish as far as my continued health is concerned. I had fallen off the fitness track during this month because of upcoming wedding and stresses at the job. My WOWY calendar for April is seriously sad. My eating has not been the best, either. I had gained a few pounds back, and was feeling bad about things. But reading this article and watching the video made me see that even though I had gotten off track, I was still capable of being GREAT!

My message to you today - you are also capable of greatness! Do not get frustrated and give up completely because life has you in a stranglehold. Do not give in because you missed your workouts or have not been eating clean meals. You are not a failure if you mess up; you become one if you let that messup stop you from succeeding. If you have been given one more day of life, that means that you have another chance to do better. Take advantage of the opportunities to be great each day! The things you do to be great do not have to be spectacular - little things mean a great deal! Get a quick walk around the block. Fix a healthy green salad with the dressing on the side. Sign in to WOWY and invite your friends and family to join you. Find a new recipe to try with your family. Look at yourself in the mirror and say positive and affirming things to yourself. What one thing can you do to create the greatness you know is supposed to be yours?

I want you to see a future full of health, vitality, and ENDLESS possibilities! Choose GREATNESS!! It is already inside of each of you, so let it SHINE! You are so worth that!

Recipe - Basil Chicken

Here's the great recipe that we had for dinner this past weekend - Basil Chicken!! This was a delicious dish, and so very fragrant!! I hope that you enjoy it as much as I did!


Basil Chicken

1 pound baby carrots
2 medium onions, sliced
2 cups celery slices and leaves
3 -4 pound whole chicken
1/2 cup cooking broth or white wine
2 teaspoons sea salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
2 teaspoons dried basil OR 2 tablespoons fresh basil, chopped fine

Place carrots, onions, and celery in bottom of slow cooker. Place chicken on top of vegetables. Pour broth or wine over chicken. Sprinkle with salt, pepper, and basil. Cover. Cook on low 8 -10 hours, or until chicken and vegetables are tender.

Looking for more great recipes? I encourage you to join the Team Beachbody Club and get recipes, tips for healthy living, and motivation to live your best life ever! Come have fun with me!

How Bad Do You Want This??

One of the survey responses I received a few months ago asked about how to stay focused on your goals of losing weight or getting toned. That is an excellent topic to talk about today.

I was reading over the customer bios yesterday, and read goals that really touched my heart and got me excited for my customers:

"My goal is to lose 110 pounds, gain strength, and tone my muscle."

"I want to get prepared for my 20th wedding anniversary in 2009 by getting my
body back! I need friends and motivation to do it."

"I am sick and tired of being sick and tired. I bought Power 90 to
help me change."

"My health has made a turn for the worse. My doctor says I need to
make changes now - no excuses!"

In thinking about how you can stay focused, I heard something on a CD that really brought it home, and I hope this helps you as much as it is helping me. There are two questions that you desperately need to ask yourself. Those two questions are:

1. What do you want to change?


2. What are you going to do about it??

These questions are very powerful. This puts the ball in YOUR court. You have to put the focus on what you REALLY want. A lot of people call this your big why. What specifically is it that you want to do with your health and your fitness? Why does this mean so much to you? Most importantly, ARE YOU WILLING to make the choices necessary to make your changes happen??

One of my customers has asked me to email her every Monday to ask about her exercise and nutrition plan for the week. In her words, she is "...not giving up this time and wants that accountability each week to help move her forward." That's why I am here - to help you in any way I can. If it's an email each week to motivate you or share information with you, then I will do it. If you want to workout with me, then I will do it if it fits my schedule. If you want to talk about nutrition options or get a healthy recipe, then I can do that too. As your coach, I will do what it takes to help you succeed!!

I believe in you and the power within you to make the best choices for your life. I know that you can make these changes. I am not just saying these things - I truly believe you can!! However, I cannot make the changes for you - you are the only one who can make the decisions and take the right actions for getting what you want. You are responsible for your life, and you only have one life to live. Take the actions to make your goals REALITY!!!

How do you stay focused? Honestly answer the two questions above for yourself. Then TAKE ACTION on what you stated!

How bad do YOU want this??



Let me know how YOU answered these questions - leave a comment below!!

Don't Be FOOLED - Nutrition Is VITAL To Your Healthy Lifestyle

It's April Fool's Day, the day when people try to fool others with their words, making things seem like they are true. There are those who go all out in creating the best April Fool's joke. Some are good, some are a waste of time and energy.



One thing that really is no joke, however, is that in order to see results in your weight loss or your toning regimen, you absolutely MUST change what you eat. You can do Hip Hop Abs, P90X, Turbo Jam, or ChaLEAN Extreme for months. You can run miles daily. You can do all these things, but if you are still eating junk, then your body will not change. Period. Think about a car - if you keep it clean on the outside, but never take care of the inside, eventually it will stop working.



Everything you put into your mouth is going to bring results - either good or bad. Let's start today and focus on getting GOOD RESULTS!



Start by opening up that refrigerator and pantry. What kinds of things do you have in there to nourish your body? Are you looking at whole grain breads, pastas, and cereals? Do you see fish, chicken, lean beef, and turkey? Are the drawers full of carrots, salad greens, and other fruits and vegetables? Are your oils promoting health, like grapeseed, olive, and canola? Do you keep other herbs and spices to help flavor your food?



Remove those cakes, cookies, breads, and things made with white flour. Remove the fatty cuts of meat in your refrigerator. Remove the unhealthy potato chips and white crackers. Remove the junk foods that you enjoy so much. This is a process, so don't feel you have to remove everything overnight. However, the more you remove, the better things will go!