Creamy Garlic Dressing

This creamy garlic dressing tastes rich and decadent, but it is completely dairy free! I got the recipe from the Ultimate Reset, but I've been using it for every salad, and even make it when I have guests!

Lately, I've been using it for my chopped microgreen salads, which I'm eating for lunch on my 30 day elimination plan. 

It totally makes the salad! Enjoy!

INGREDIENTS

• ½ cup extra-virgin olive oil
• ¼ cup apple cider vinegar
• 3 cloves garlic, crushed
• 3 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice
• 2 Tbsp. chopped fresh parsley
• 1 tsp. Himalayan salt
• ½ tsp. Dijon mustard
• 1 Tbsp. raw honey (or pure maple syrup) - I did not use sweetener, because I don't like sweet dressing.

DIRECTIONS

1. Place oil, vinegar, garlic, lemon juice, parsley, salt, mustard, and honey in a blender or food processor; cover with lid.

2. Blend until smooth.
3. Refrigerate dressing if not using immediately. 

4. If dressing solidifies when cold, hold at room temperature for 30 minutes. Stir before serving.

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Breakfast sausage crumbles

This recipe was adapted from Dr. Amy Myers' Book "The Autoimmune Solution" AND "The Whole 30" book. I took both recipes and made a few changes. Below I have the variation I made. I'll also add that you can form this recipe into patties when the meat is raw, and then cook them. Because it saves time, and I don't like touching raw poultry or meat, I cook the ground meat, loose (without making it into a patty), with spices, which is also a time saver. I measure out the quantity per serving, with my 21 Day Fix containers.
Serve with Hearty Sweet Potato Hash.
This recipe is gluten free and paleo.

INGREDIENTS

• 2 TBSP coconut oil
• 1 clove minced garlic
• 1/2 cup minced onion
• 1 pound ground meant (turkey, pork, beef - I use turkey)
• 1/2 tsp ground sage
• 1/2 tsp Himalayan sea salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1 tsp turmeric (optional - but helps decrease inflammation)

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Heat coconut oil in skillet over medium heat.

2. Add onion and cook 2 mins or until translucent.

3. Add garlic, ground meat, and spices. 

4. Cook until meat is cooked through. 

5. Serve!

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How to get more ENERGY for your workouts!

Nearly everyone that’s familiar with Beachbody knows about Shakeology, but few people know about the Performance Line! I love the Performance Line, but Energize is my favorite! In the past I’ve used some of the products on an as-needed basis (especially Energize). But with challenging programs, these products helped me so much throughout the process with curbing soreness, keeping me energized, and giving me the strength to power through each workout.
There are currently 5 different supplements in the Performance Line:

Energize
Hydrate
Recover
Recharge
Creatine

And just like Shakeology, they’re all made with no artificial colors, flavors, or sweeteners, no fillers, and no preservative. No JUNK ingredients like other sports supplements out there!

Realizing that so few people have used the Performance Line, and now after having such a great experience with them myself, I figured I HAD to share more about each of the products with you! So, over the next few weeks, let me enlighten you!

Today we’re talking about my absolute favorite supplement, one you’ve probably seen me post about before: Energize.

What is Energize? FAQs
Energize is Beachbody’s pre-workout formula, but honestly, it’s perfect for anytime you need a little pick-me-up for your energy throughout the day. I know I’ve used it on many occasions when I wasn’t working out!

Think of it as coffee without the jitters… but better.
What does it really do, and how does it work?

I’m not going to bore you with the specifics because honestly, it’s all very scientific and half of you probably with just skip over it anyway. But here are the basics:

Two of the key ingredients in Energize are beta-alanine and quercetin, both of which work in different ways help to delay exercise-induced muscle fatigue. So, whether you’re doing 100 pushups or holding a difficult yoga pose, your muscles won’t start to feel tired as quickly. The third key ingredient is where we get our energy: caffeine. The low-dose caffeine, which comes from green tea & coffee bean extract, improves focus, reaction time, and even gives you a mental boost!

How does Energize taste?
Energize currently only comes in one flavor: lemon. And it. Is. Delicious.

Sometimes lemon-flavored drinks can taste too sweet and too artificial, but this is the perfect combination of sweet and tart! Even if you’re not a fan of lemon, I promise you’ll enjoy drinking this—I haven’t met anyone that’s tried Energize and NOT liked the taste.

When should you drink Energize?
Beachbody recommends using this pre-workout drink 30 minutes before most workouts. But for more intense workouts, it can be consumed up to an hour before.

How do you make it?
Simply add 1 serving of Energize to a blender bottle with water, shake it up, and you’re good to go!

Servings sizes of Energize depend on your weight:

If you weigh <160 lbs: 1 scoop + 8oz water
If you weigh ≥160 lbs: 2 scoops + 16oz water

And finally, why is it SO yellow?
“Are you sure there are no artificial colors?” Seriously, when you prepare your first glass you will ask this question. It’s SO yellow! I actually had to look this one up myself because I was too curious! If there are no artificial colors, why does it look like that?

So, apparently, quercetin (one of those key ingredients I mentioned above) is naturally an extremely bright yellow color. Totally fine to consume and 100% natural, but likes to stain anything it touches.

When you’re preparing your pre-workout drink, remember that and be very careful not to get any of the powder on your clothes!
Does this sound like something you need?

Give it a shot, you don’t even have to commit to a full container!

Sample it with the Energize 10-day pack

Or go all-in with a 40-serving container

Already tried Energize in the past? What did you think of it? Let me know in the comments below!

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30 Day Elimination Plan - Week 1 Review

Vegan Vanilla Shakeology everyday!

Week one. No cheats. Down 6 pounds.

Realizations:
If I actually nourish my body with wholesome food and cut out sugar completely- it takes me about 4 days to feel normal. Detox is real. Sugar addiction is real.

Seems like there is something to be said about what we fuel ourselves with... how it almost masks what we really need. Sugar has been a total mask. Drink it, eat it, spike of energy- crash.

I am sleeping well. But craving more of it. So each night I’ve allowed myself about 8 hours. I need this and ya know what- I’m gonna give myself the grace of it.

But then I got to thinking when advertisers talk about these amazing quick fix solutions about having more energy and getting great sleep... umm this actually the same solution. But like legit natural. No mask.
The 30 Day Elimination Plan program:

• Intermittent fasting - I eat all my food from 11 am and finish eating by 7 pm 
• Self care - 8 hours of sleep, speaking kind words to myself, reading The Goddess Revolution: Make Peace with Food, Love Your Body and Reclaim Your Life
• Eliminate inflammatory foods 
• New workouts live with Autumn Calabrese, creator of the 21 Day Fix

Sunday (day 1)
My knees are in a lot of pain, and I am limping, barely able to walk. This is frustrating, because I've been to many doctors and practitioners and no one has been able to diagnose the problem, or even have a hypothesis about the cause.

So, I took today as a rest day.

I am excited for this new program, so I spent the day meal planning and prepping. I read the first two chapters of the Goddess Revolution, a book about learning how to really love your body, and break your addictive habits with food. While I already love my body, no matter what the number is on the scale, I realize I've been carrying these extra pounds and just don't FEEL good - I feel physically weighed down.

There's a difference. I don't hate my body. It's a beautiful, strong, healthy being. But because my clothes have been tight, and my knees are in pain, I've felt uncomfortable.

And while I eat healthy, I haven't been able to adhere to a meal plan for more than three days without a cheat

Time to change.

At 9 pm was a live video face time call with Beachbody nutritionist Melissa McAllister. She talked about intermittent fasting, which I've tried before. However, she also talked about eliminating inflammatory foods for 30 days.

After listening to her, I tweaked my meal plan to eliminate my daily sweet potato, and replace it with avocado. Sweet potatoes aren't inflammatory themselves, however, too much natural glucose could cause inflammation. So, I reduced my carbohydrates, which are converted into glucose in the body, and upped my healthy fats.

Monday (day 2)

Microgreens Salad

Slayed my workout at noon, but because of my knees, which are sore and stiff, I modified any leg movements. Autumn is doing live workouts on the West Coast, and begins at noon EST. Today, this fit in my schedule, and I LOVED the Core workout. Different moves, new and fresh, kept me motivated. I have a bit of workout ADD, because I love new workout moves!

Slayed my water, my nutrition; I'm excited and motivated for this plan. I haven't been able to go 3 days without a cheat, or diving into a bag of popcorn, so I'm ready!

I started eating at 11 am and finished all food by 7 pm.

This was what I ate:

Turkey Bolognese over Spaghetti Squash

Upon waking: 25 ounces of water. Energize before my workout.

• Breakfast: 2 eggs, 2 large handfuls of spinach, 1/2 an avocado
• Lunch: Lettuce, pea shoots, 3 cherry tomatoes, 4 slices of red pepper, shred carrots, cucumber, 1/4 cup pumpkin seeds, 1/2 avocado, 2 tsp evoo
• Vanilla Shakeology with almond milk and 1/3 banana for "dessert"
• Dinner: Spaghetti Squash, spinach, red container of ground turkey, purple container of tomato sauce

Mexi-Chicken Spag Squash

Tuesday (day 3)
Down a pound, but my knees are still sore, and stiff. Cardio workout was amazing, and I love using the slides and bands! Stuck to my water and nutrition.
Today's menu:

• Upon waking: 25 ounces of water. Energize before my workout.
• Breakfast: 2 eggs, 2 large handfuls of spinach, 1/2 an avocado
• Lunch: Lettuce, pea shoots, 3 cherry tomatoes, 4 slices of red pepper, shred carrots, cucumber, 1/4 cup pumpkin seeds, 1/2 avocado, 2 tsp evoo
• Vanilla Shakeology with almond milk and 1/3 banana for "dessert"
• Dinner: Spaghetti squash with spinach and Mexican spiced chicken.

Microgreens salad with pumpkin seeds

Wednesday (Day 4)
A bit grumpy today, and tired. Guess I'm feeling the effects of no sugar!

With today's schedule, I barely had a moment to breathe. I woke up at 5:15 am to go teach Bootcamp, came home and got everyone out the door for dinner. Then I did my own workout. Couldn't do it at noon with Autumn, because I have to hold office hours for students, so I did 21 Day Fix Extreme Upper Fix, and my arms felt like jello!

After my workout, returned to the gym to personal train a client, ran home, changed and went to campus for office hours and teach my two classes. Came back home at 4 pm to quickly eat my lunch, and then went to pick up the kids from after school activities. Brought them home, another quick change to go to my husband's formal work dinner!!

The dinner started with a salad (yeah). Then, I ordered Salmon, which came with a pumpkin cream risotto. I ate the salmon, but this pumpkin loving girl took one small taste of the delicious pumpkin cream risotto and left the rest! I will NOT crack!

Then dessert came: creme brûlée! I am determined - yes, I had one taste, and that was it! Today was a WIN!

Today's menu:

• Upon waking: 25 ounces of water. Energize before my workout.
• Breakfast: 2 eggs, 2 large handfuls of spinach, 1/2 an avocado
• Lunch: Lettuce, pea shoots, 3 cherry tomatoes, 4 slices of red pepper, shred carrots, cucumber, 1/4 cup pumpkin seeds, 1/2 avocado, 2 tsp evoo
• Vanilla Shakeology with almond milk and 1/3 banana for "dessert"
• Dinner: see above

Booty Workout

Thursday (Day 5)
Down 5 pounds!!!! Incredible! Feeling great!

The workout was great! It was a booty workout, and I was worried it would be too challenging for my knees. They are feeling much better. But the workout used the sliders and the bands, new fresh exercises, with no impact and no strain on the knees!!

Beef and Broccoli

It was another day with a crazy schedule, one thing after the other. At one point, I came home, and I thought about opening a bag of popcorn, but I knew if I did, I wouldn't stop. I had pre-made my salad for when I got home, sat down and ate it, drank my shake and lots of water. Then I distracted myself, and got back to the busy schedule.

Today's menu:

• Upon waking: 25 ounces of water. Energize before my workout.
• Breakfast: 2 eggs, 2 large handfuls of spinach, 1/2 an avocado
• Lunch: Lettuce, pea shoots, 3 cherry tomatoes, 4 slices of red pepper, shred carrots, cucumber, 1/4 cup pumpkin seeds, 1/2 avocado, 2 tsp evoo
• Vanilla Shakeology with almond milk and 1/3 banana for "dessert"
• Dinner: Beef and Broccoli with turmeric, black pepper, Everything But The Bagel seasoning, coconut aminos and sesame oil

Friday (day 6)
Down 6 pounds!
Exhausted today, because of the previous two days. Feeling hungry and grumpy, but lighter! The waist of my pants is not tight! The waistband of my underwear is not digging into my hips! My knees are less swollen.

But I'm hungry. By dinner, I looked at my salad and was a little annoyed - this was all the food I had left for the day! For dinner, my husband and my sons ordered pizza. I had my salad - ugh. Was tired. Tired of salad, tired of this plan already....but I stopped and took a breath. I didn't get enough sleep the night before, yes, I was TIRED. That's all. But after I ate my salad, my son's four pizza crusts were on his plate, and I reached over and ate one!

Oh, sweet, delicious, chewy carbohydrate!! It tasted so good.....But then I stopped myself. This is how I had gotten out of control. I was not going to let pizza crust ruin my good feeling.

Today's menu:

• Upon waking: 25 ounces of water. Energize before my workout.
• Breakfast: 2 eggs, 2 large handfuls of spinach, 1/2 an avocado
• Lunch: Lettuce, pea shoots, 3 cherry tomatoes, 4 slices of red pepper, shred carrots, cucumber, 1/4 cup pumpkin seeds, 1/2 avocado, 2 tsp evoo
• Vanilla Shakeology with almond milk and 1/3 banana for "dessert"
• Dinner: Salad with ground beef, evoo, turmeric, salt and pepper.

Saturday (day 7)

Pumpkin Protein PancakesDown 7 pounds. 

Down 7 pounds.
I know I'm losing so quickly, because I'm losing water and bloat that my body had been retaining. I slept 10 hours last night, and I'm feeling amazing! YES more energy, YES happier, YES less pain in my knees!

Live workouts with Autumn are only Monday-Friday, so today I completed a 30 minute functional core workout, and walked for 45 minutes on the treadmill, as it is 20 degrees out today!
Relaxed and spent time with my family.
Today's menu:
Upon waking: 25 ounces of water. Energize before my workout.
Breakfast: pumpkin protein pancakes - SO GOOD!
Lunch: Vanilla Shakeology with almond milk and 1/3 banana for "dessert"
Dinner: Spinach and onion frittata, salad

This week I practiced what I preach to all my clients.
I gave my body loving foods, I gave my body loving movement, I gave my body sleep, and I gave my body love.

So maybe this is kinda my gut check: "Vanessa- if you want to love your job and do your job amazingly- dude take care of you first."
Like duh, Vanessa.
I've legit fallen in love with it all over again!

Thanks for all your love and support this week! Let's go Week 2!!

To join my exclusive Fit Club where we will use these same principles, or to get more info, please fill out the form below. In my Fit Clubs, we will hold each other accountable, and take care of our own wellness!!

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30 Day Elimination Plan

Finally able to share the BIG NEWS!!!
I have been selected for a special project: a 30 day elimination program to create a new curriculum for nutrition and fitness with TWO of my most favoritest celebrity trainers and top nutritionist!

To be part of this Test Group, I had to commit to 30 Days of no alcohol, a balanced nutrition plan, my superfoods, and daily exercise. It's only 30 days!

Check out my first week on the 30 Day Elimination Plan, and follow my journey!

I've been having problems with my knee that have sidelined all my intense workouts, and I've had to modify any moves involving lower body and give up most of my cardio.  BUT, I haven't modified my nutrition to match my workouts, and the pounds have started creeping on, and I'm just feeling like I can't move as well as I used to.

My Week 1 Meal Plan

I know this 4 weeks will challenge me and this will go through Thanksgiving as I am equipped with some amazing plan approved recipes (don’t worry I will share some) and sparkling water with a lime will be my cocktail of choice.

I know it won't be easy, but we are going into one of the busiest season of the year, where I tend to lose control, eat all the food, drink all the drinks, because hey, it's the holidays!

But, I am committed to be in control of my thoughts with nutrition and exercise. LOVING MY BODY and teaching my mind to respect it!!

So, this is to eliminate toxic foods, toxic habits, and toxic stress (a bit redundant, I know)!
THEN, when the 30 days are done, I get to share this new program when it is released in December!

​I'll be blogging about this experience weekly, and daily on Facebook and Instagram, and I'd love your support! 

Took my "before" photos and measurements, made my meal plan and I'm ready to go!! 

Wish me luck! 

To join my exclusive Fit Club where we will use these same principles, or to get more info, please fill out the form below. In my Fit Clubs, we will hold each other accountable, and take care of our own wellness!!

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