My Favorite Oatmeal Recipe!

As a busy mom- I am always trying to come up with new and creative ways to not only fuel my own body, but to get nutrients into my kids!! That can be hard when all they really want it cinnamon toast crunch cereal or toaster strudels! Who else feels my pain?!!

So I came up with this gem of a recipe that will make your taste buds and your kiddos taste buds dance!!! My girls actually asked for MORE! That is an accomplishment!!!

So here's how I make it!

Grab a sauce pan- I use 1 yellow container (21 Day Fix containers) of water- which equals 1/2 cup.

Bring the water to a boil. 

Add 1/2 cup (yellow container) of dry old fashioned oats

Add 1/2 cup (1/2 purple container) frozen blueberries - I get mine from Sam's Club

Add 1 tsp. peanut butter - let's be real... I do a heaping tsp.... it's just that good.

Cook on low for about 4 minutes.

Pour into a bowl and add 1/2 chopped banana (1 purple container)

Cinnamon to taste!

It's SO EASY and SO GOOD!!! 

My Top 6 Tips To Get Motivated To Workout

When I hear people tell me that working out just comes so naturally to me- I kinda want to cringe! Nothing really comes naturally to anyone- but with the right mindset it is easier to see WHY making it a priority everyday is so important!!

Do you want to workout? Do you want to get yourself onto a good routine and stop the rat race of excuses that fly everyday?


Here are are my 6 tips that get me motivated to workout everyday and i'm going to share them with you. Remember- these are things that have to be done consistently over time before they become a habit! It takes 3 weeks to create a habit! After 3 weeks of trying to escape your new workout routine- you'll begin to embrace it! Trust me :)

1. Set a goal! What do you want to see happen? Lose 10 pounds or maybe more? Tone up and feel better? Now- break them down into small weekly goals! Is it to lose 1 pound a week? 2 pounds a week? Celebrate every reached goal- THEN VISUALIZE your GOALS! It is so important to visualize how you are going to feel once you've accomplished your goals! What will you look like? What will you enjoy doing differently after you reach your goals?
Write them down- stick them all over your house- print pics if that will help and keep your eye on the prize!!

Hands down- JUST MOVE!! You've gotta get the excuses out!

2. Wear cute workout clothes! Motivational tanks are my fave! Cute Nike Pro shorts- matching sports bra- really whatever it takes! I swear- when you look cute- you feel cute! Target, Fabletics, TJ Maxx,  Marshalls, Victorias Secret, Dicks, Academy, Nike, Outlet Malls--- these are a few of my favorite places to shop!!

3. You've gotta LOVE your workout program. You really do! If you are someone who is into cardio, but you're trying to do a Yoga program- it's not going to motivate you to get your butt out of bed and get it done! Or if it's something that you've done over and over again- you're not going to want to do it and you'll put it off until later... then later never comes.
For me- I love kickboxing, weight training and HIIT type workouts. I choose my program based on my goals! If you need some help choosing something- reach out and let me know- I can help.

4. PREWORKOUT.

Oh My Gosh. Seriously- I used to be closed minded and would never even consider taking a pre workout. I had heard horror stories from some people and I wasn't going to use anything... UNTIL on day I did my own research and took the advice of some friends and other health professionals and went in for the kill. I made sure that all of the ingredients were all natural and I chose Beachbody's Energy and Endurance. AHHHH!!! It is my life saver! It's hard NOT to workout when my energy kicks in from that and when I'm done- I don't crash and burn. It's prefect for me, but remember- for some a cup of coffee is a great pre workout too!

5.  GET A WORKOUT BUDDY!!! Seriously- accountability partners are KEY! We have to be surrounded by like minded people! Get a friend and start to get your workout on! A simple text in the morning telling each other to get out of bed works wonders!!

6. You've gotta know WHY you are doing this. Your WHY has to be something so strong that on the days when you feel like giving up- the days when you feel like eating the ice cream or going through the drive thru- it's what keeps you grounded and away from the bad.

Ask yourself- WHY is now the time that you are ready to change? That why is really your self motivation. You can have all of the support you need with coaches, friends, family members cheering you on, but if it's not right in your mind- then you will never succeed. Hard core TRUTH! I know from personal experience. The why will be what will help you get back up and brush yourself off when you fall- because you WILL fall! It happens, it's life! We get back up and start fresh the next day. Your results will come from 1st- mindset, 2nd- putting in the work for your workouts AND don't forget the thing that controls 80% of your results... YOUR NUTRITION! You have to eat properly and follow a meal plan. I fought that part for so long- well I never reached my goals until I changed up what I was eating and drinking!

Those are my 6 tips for you! If you'd like additional help or advice- please reach out. You can find me on fb @ fb.com/valbfitness or email me: valbozzo15@gmail.com!

CHOOSE A HEALTHY LIFE! You deserve to live your life to the fullest! Be happy and cherish every moment!

Design Your Blueprint

What will you do with the next 2 years of your life? 

Will you spend it going through the motions of 'everyday life?' 
Or do you have some drive and ambition to learn something new, do more, be different?

Are you truly passionate with your life? Like feel like you live each day positively? With purpose? Intention? And put forth your best self?

Are you EXCITED to get up and go to work tomorrow?! Like jumping for joy right now?
Whether you answered yes or no- think of this...

What if:
You could just start a gradual change for YOU.
1-2 hours a day. Learning something new. Making you better for yourself, your family, a future spouse, family, etc.
What if- you could write down some big dreams and goals and be taught how to work towards achieving them?

What if... Life depended solely on YOUR decisions. You call the shots. You live how YOU want?

That is my reality and it for sure can be yours too.

Join me this week in a closed online group. {{Nope. you do not have to be local! Just living in the US or Canada.}}
No strings attached.
Read a daily post. Watch a short video. LEARN what it is that I have created in 2 years that has changed my family's blueprint.

We went from:

*Miserable, broke and arguing with my husband daily to happy, fulfilled and more in love than ever with my husband.
*Nearly bankrupt to earning 6 figures working from home in 2 years.
*Telling our kids "no, we can't afford piano lessons, soccer, cheer, dance, etc" to now allowing them to try anything to see where they excel and where there heart and passion is.
*Being restricted to like NO vacations to now traveling at least every other month-- and most trips are paid for by beachbody.
*I became the #1 coach in the state of MS bc I LEARNED how to live again and shared ME in hopes to help thousands of people change their lives too.
*Living paycheck to paycheck to now being SO CLOSE to financial freedom.
*The list goes on.

AND I've done all of this by treating this business as a business- working 1-2 hours a day for the first 6-9 months and now I work 20-30 hours a week of my OWN TIME. That means- before my kids wake up and after they go to bed. I did it during nap times and NEVER sacrificed my time with them. And I will never have to either!!

In 2 years I've seen DRASTIC changes and made BEST FRIENDS. Watching a woman lose 120 pounds-- THAT makes my heart SWELL. Seeing my coaches pay off debt, purchase new cars they never EVER thought they would be able to do, see some SO CLOSE to their six figure earning marks, some QUIT THEIR FULL TIME JOBS to work beachbody full time, some working moms become stay at home moms, and some {LIKE HOW I STARTED}- earning enough to buy groceries and put food on the table. THAT is a BLESSING.

I want to help YOU create YOUR success story!

On Monday, I'll be offering up a 5 day group, no obligation, Backstage Pass into what I do as a coach.

Answering all the fun questions like: How do you earn? Is this right for me? Is this a pyramid scheme? Is this legit? What do you do exactly? And so much more.

What do you have to lose? Or should I say- Think of ALL you have to GAIN!

Fill out the application if you would like to be added to this free informational group!

{{{{Cannot have a coach or be a coach}}}}

What A Difference 2 Years Can Make!

2 YEARS. 

May 6, 2013. I signed up as a Beachbody Coach. - the big picture in the collage is my VERY FIRST CHALLENGE GROUP POST!!! 

I remember it took me days to actually post it. It took me over 30 minutes to hit enter after I got the courage to just DO IT! After I hit submit- I CRIED and slammed my computer screen shut bc I was waiting for the negative comments. The backlash... But- it never came! I was SO HUMBLED that I had support! That was the first step of my journey.

I had no idea where it would take me. To be honest-- I thought that it was way too good to be true and I didn't even have a single goal for myself. I kind of messed around for a couple of weeks until I heard this 'TEAM CALL' that I decided to finally get on one Monday night. 

The host of the call was Melanie Mitro. She talked about how she was a mom of 2 boys from PA. She built her business from her kitchen table with a toddler and an infant. She planned her days. She talked about how much her income was just from helping other people. And then she said something that has stuck with me since that very moment I heard it.

She said.-- "WHY NOT YOU." She was right? Why couldn't I be successful in life? Why couldn't I decide to do something more? Why couldn't I MAKE IT TO THE TOP? 

So from that moment on... I studied the leaders. I committed to helping ONE PERSON with this! I put my heart and soul into taking this seriously and I decided that NO MATTER WHAT HAPPENED.. I was going to set small goals for myself each month, take baby steps and ACHIEVE THEM. NON NEGOTIABLE.

This was for my family. This was for me being able to stay at home with my kids and not have to put them in daycare. This was for me to be at home when my husband was not deployed. This was to help our family get out of a really ugly financial situation. THIS. WAS. IT.




And honestly... now looking back. HOW THANKFUL I AM THAT GOD PUT THIS IN MY LIFE TWO YEARS AGO!! Blessed. Humbled. Grateful. The list goes on.

In two years Beachbody has:

HELPED US GET HEALTHY
I learned how to set goals and find myself
Pay for groceries
Pay for monthly bills
Help over 1,000 people on their health and fitness journey
Paid for my husband and I to go on several all expense paid vacations/trips.

I have met the CEO's of our company. HUGGED THEM! SO cool!
I have met every celebrity trainer and worked out with them. PINCH ME!
I have achieve Success Club every single month EXCEPT for June 2013.

I am a 7 Star Diamond ELITE COACH!
I have achieved the status of TOP COACH in the state of Mississippi.
I am an ELITE COACH- the TOP 1% OF THE ENTIRE COMPANY.
I have earned the title of motivational speaker.
I train brand new coaches to become leaders and learn how to grow a successful business.

We have met the best friends of our lives!


Personally- my FAITH, my MARRIAGE, my LIFE is better than I could have ever DREAMED it would be. Seriously. DREAMS DO COME TRUE.

And...

TO DATE- We have paid off over $50,000 worth of debt in the last year and a half. -- THANK YOU BEACHBODY!

Im sure there is so much more I could list! These are just a FEW things that have happened over the last 2 years and I KNOW it is just going to get better and better!!

Are you someone who is ready to change more than you want to stay the same? Does this sound like YOU? Have you been thinking of asking me about what I do, but just haven't had the courage to do so? Or maybe you {LIKE ME} are skeptical.



I can help answer all of your questions! Please fill out the application below and we can schedule a time to talk heart emoticon I GENUINELY LOVE PEOPLE! And I want this same success for YOU heart emoticon I will be training 20 people this month to become leaders in this business. It starts with the decision to try! Will you be one?!

The BEST Pizza Ever!

So let's face it. Pizza is good! It is probably one of the most eaten foods in America! Why in the world would anyone want to stop eating it, even when they are working on losing weight? I don't think that we have to give it up! Ever ;) I think we just have to tweak it a little bit!

So we used to load it with fatty meats- pepperoni, sausage, bacon, etc... but not anymore! Here is our recipe that even the kiddos will eat!


First- we use a STORE BOUGHT PIZZA CRUST! Yes- we do. Okay- do I KNOW that homemade is better for us? Yes. Do I KNOW that we should do the cauliflower crust- sure! But in all honestly- I DON'T LIKE IT. (There I said it ;) ) So, you know what? Our pizza crust we use is not super 'clean' but for once a week saving us from going through a Dominos or Pizza Hut- this takes the cake! We are human and just do our best!

So- we use THIN CRUST! It is super thin and the brand name is Mama Mary's. We really love to get the little personal pan size ones too and let our kids make their own! It's fun and gets them involved in making healthy choices for their toppings.

We lay out the crust and then add a drizzle of EVOO to the top and spread it around.


Next- sauce! We do choose an organic pizza sauce- it is honestly whatever brand we can find on sale or that they have at the store. ANY BRAND WORKS! it's just sauce!

Then we sprinkle the sauce covered crust with some garlic powder and onion powder.

Then comes the mozorella- again- any kind! I do buy the shredded cheese. Again- quick, easy and it works.

Then we load it with HEALTHY OPTIONS!

I do turkey pepperoni bc our kids love it. Then we always have mushrooms, sliced colored peppers, banana peppers, onions and whatever we feel like! That is it most of the time. Sometimes we get funky and do a hawaiian pizza! Really whatever you want- just choose wisely to get your veggies in!

Then-we have a size of salad or asparagus! And usually a La Croix sparkling water to make us feel like we are drinking some pop with it ;)

So- there you have it! Our favorite meal- revealed!!

Hope you enjoy!

21 Day Fix Grocery List

I am SO in love with the 21 Day Fix Meal plan!! It's my new go to guide when it comes to meal planning each week. I really love the WHOLE PROGRAM! It is GENIUS!!! 

I love the containers-- it is totally fool proof! Fill it up and eat it! 

I love how they are color coded for each food group! No questions asked! It is just easy!

I love that you know exactly how much to eat of each food with out even trying. 

No calorie counting

No guessing

I love the workouts

I love that they are short

I love that they work the entire body

So .. that MIGHT sum it up ... but not really!! 

I mostly love that my challengers are FINALLY finding something that works and getting AMAZING results all while learning how to properly fuel their bodies. 

I have been following the fix meal plan for a month now and I can tell you that I don't even have to use the containers most days. I can pretty much eyeball how much of each food group I'm suppose to have. It's become a HABIT and something that I just do and follow. 

I love how I didn't really have to change much to the clean eating plan that I already follow but It really let me zero in on how many portions of each food group that I needed to have daily. I still have a complex carb and protein with every meal. 

When I head to the grocery store every week I pretty much have the same things on my list. No, they aren't always used for the same meals but normally the same ingredients are used and mixed around to make various meals. There are a list of foods that are approved on the 21 day fix and most of them are what I was already currently eating so it made things pretty simple. I can't tell you exactly what to buy but I can give you a good idea of what you should see in your cart each week. 

Proteins (RED)

Lean chicken breast

Pork Tenderloin

Flank steak

Eggs

Lean ground turkey

Salmon/Tilapia

Plain greek yogurt

Organic veggie burgers

Protein powder

Turkey Meat, Ham, and Turkey Bacon are on the list. I do enjoy Turkey bacon at least once a week with my breakfast but it's not something that I would include in your diet daily. It's higher in sodium and your body will retain water. So I try and stay away from these things. 

Healthy Fats (BLUE) 

Avocado (I love the mini wholly guacamole, perfect size for the blue container) 

Raw unsalted nuts (I like almonds and walnuts) 

All natural Peanut Butter

Hummus

Feta

Extra virgin olive oil

Coconut oil

I do have to say this is the category that I found I was eating way to much of. I really really love my peanut butter, hummus and avocado. I would eat all of these in one day and it was one of the main factors holding me back from progress. YES they are healthy but having to much of a good thing CAN hurt you. That's what I love about this plan. You can be a beginner or a pro clean eater but you are still going to learn something. I've eliminated a lot of dairy from my diet and i've noticed less bloating and stomach pains. 

Fruit (PURPLE)

Berries (my favorite strawberries, raspberries, and blueberries) 

Orange

Apple

Grapes

1/2 Banana 

Watermelon

Kiwi

Limes/Lemons for flavor in water or on fish. 

Try and watch your sugars when it comes to fruit. If you are really wanting to shed weight or only have a little bit to lose. Stay away from Grapes, Mangos, and Banana's. Those are higher in Sugar and Banana's are high in starch. This is a hard one for me because I love fruit but I promise the minute you make these small changes you will see those changes you have been wanting to see. Also try and have your fruits earlier in the day. 

Vegetables (GREEN)

Baby Spinach Leaves

Broccoli

Aspragus

Green beans

Carrots

Cucumbers

Tomatoes

Celery

Peppers 

Onions

Squash

No CORN is not a vegetable people!!! It's a STARCH! Stay away from it. 

Complex Carbs 

Yams or Sweet Potatoes 

Back Beans

Pinto Beans 

Quinoa 

Brown Rice

Rolled Oats (NOT INSTANT) 

Ezekiel Bread

Whole Wheat Tortilla

Brown Rice Cake 

Here are a list of things that I frequently use:

Chia seeds

Unsweetened vanilla almond milk

Mrs. Dash seasonings (salt free) 

Raw honey

Cinnamon

Garlic 

Seltzer Water 

Green tea

If you would like more support in your 21 day fix journey or you would like to start your 21 day fix journey please complete the application below to be considered for my next 21 day fix accountability, support/challenge group

Reese's PB Cups- Shakeology Style!

Okay guys!!! So I swear that I am surrounded by the Reese's Easter Eggs everywhere I go anymore!! Easter is right around the corner and I don't care who you are or how much willpower you have... that chocolate it tempting as heck! So- tonight I got CREATIVE!! I still had 3 tsp. of peanut butter I could eat for the day (THANK YOU 21 DAY FIX MEAL PLAN!!!) and I can always have Shakeology! So- I combined the two!!

This recipe is AHHHH MAZING! Get ready to make your taste buds squeal!!

Reeses PB Cups- Shakeology Style

1 heaping Scoop Chocolate Shakeology
1 TBSP. Coconut Oil- melted (30 seconds in the microwave)
Peanut Butter

Mix the Shakeology and melted Coconut Oil together.
Then scoop a tsp. of the chocolate mix onto a plate and flatten it. THEN add 1 tsp. PB on top of the chocolate. Finish it off by putting another scoop of chocolate mixture on top of the PB and spread it out.

Makes about 4-5!!

THEN- Best part. Freeze for about 20 minutes!!

Let me know how you like them!!


Also- Remember---> We don't DIET!!! We live a healthy lifestyle and that means eating clean 80% of the time! So- when we want those REAL TREATS-- there is no guilt! I like to make fun recipes that are healthy but have lots of taste! Eat according to your goals!! It is SO WORTH it!

Tosca's Clean Eating Tips and Portion Control!

I have based most of my clean eating around the amazing Tosca Reno.  I realized one day that I had to take control over what I was putting into not only my body, but serving to may growing family as well.  I realized quickly that I was NOT eating proper portions or proper types of food-- even though I took pride in saying that I "ate healthy." --- NADA. That was false. Taco Bell drive thru twice a week, bread/rolls with every dinner, too many carbs and too little veggies-- and don't get me started on the sugar consumption each day!! BUT I was honestly blind to it... because "I was thin-- it didn't affect me." BUT IT DID. My mood, my energy levels, my skin, basically everything about my body was just BLAH!!

BUT-- Tosca couldn't have said it better!  Are you struggling with eating clean and what to eat and when to eat it!  I promise you- eating 5-6 small meals a day is what your body needs. And it is not hard to do once you get into the routine! Check out this YouTube video on portion sizes to get your mind in the right place!!!

I absolutely love TOSCA and she is usually my GO TO book and I look up her youtube vids often!  I am so thankful that I picked up one of her books one day about a year and a half ago! It has changed my life and made me see that clean eating tastes AMAZING and I am not deprived at all!! I lost those last pesky 10 pounds that were sticking around because of the 'plateau' that I thought I would never overcome... It is all mental! That paired with drinking my Shakeology everyday and working out 6 days a week is exactly what I need and exactly what my clients do! It's a lifestyle! And it works!





If you want more information please message me at valbozzo15@gmail.com and I'd be glad to help you develop a plan to start eating clean and getting lean!!

Clean Eating Thanksgiving Go To's!

Thanksgiving is a day to literally stuff yourself like the turkey on your table!  It puts people into the infamous turkey coma!  Then you unbutton your pants, lay on the couch and question why the heck you ate so much!  Seriously you can't deny that you have totally been there!  I have for sure!

The next day you wake up and feel sluggish and vow to never do that again.  But holiday amnesia kicks in and there are leftovers- so you just eat some more!! But wait... you do 'okay' the next three weeks until the Christmas gatherings start and it happens all over again!  It's the vicious cycle of yo-yo dieting, detoxing and binging!  But this year you can have a little self control and also still enjoy the day!  For me my balance is finding clean recipes that are full of flavor, satisfy what I enjoy and still leave feeling comfortable in my jeans!! 

So this week is our holiday survival guide!!!  Today is recipe day.  How can you tweak the foods you love to save your waistline???

Corn Soufflé is no doubt one of my fav recipes. But it has a stick of butter and sour cream in there which leaves my entire stomach in knots and the calories are killer!  So double whammy!  I cleaned it up and it's pretty darn delicious.

Ingredients:
1/4 c egg substitute
1/4 c melted butter
1 8oz no salt added can of corn, drained
1 8oz can of cream corn
1 8 oz package of corn bread mix
1 8oz carton of plain greek yogurt
Cooking spray

Preparation

1. Preheat oven to 350°.
2. Combine first 6 ingredients in a medium bowl; stir well. Pour into an 8-inch square baking dish coated with cooking spray. Bake at 350° for 45 minutes or until set.

Next up the turkey!!!  Injecting your turkey with sodium and butter is one sure way to inject a little extra cushion to the middle!  This is one of our fav turkey recipes!  We actually use this with boneless skinless turkey breast quite often.

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 split bone-in, skin-on turkey breast (about 2 1/2 lb)
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 2 tsp fresh lemon juice
• 1 tsp lemon zest
• 1 tsp minced fresh rosemary leaves
• 1 tsp minced fresh sage leaves
• 2 tsp minced fresh thyme leaves
• 1/2 tsp kosher salt
• 1/4 tsp ground black pepper

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Preheat oven to 425°F. Place turkey breast, skin-side-up, on a rack in a roasting pan.
2. In a small bowl, whisk together oil, lemon juice and zest, herbs, salt and pepper. Using your fingers, gently loosen skin from turkey breast meat without removing it completely. Rub herb-oil mixture under skin and all over turkey breast meat (including underneath breast as well).
3. Roast, skin side-up, for 50 to 60 minutes or until an instant-read thermometer reads 165°F when inserted into thickest part of breast (test in a few places to make sure).
4. Cover turkey with foil and let rest at room temperature for 15 minutes. Remove and discard skin, then cut turkey breast from bone. Slice meat and serve.

 More thanksgiving recipes here!!!  Rolls, drinks and sweet potato casserole.

You can HAVE YOUR CAKE AND EAT IT TOO!!!

What's your favorite holiday dish that you would like a clean version of? If you post in the comments I will give you some suggestions and possibly a recipe!