Can I make my own Shakeology CHEAPER?

When I find something I like I usually try to recreate it at home cheaper. I do this with personal care products like making my own body lotion and household items such as making my own laundry detergent. I like knowing what the ingredients are and I can usually save money as well. That is a win in my mind! 

The price of Shakeology is expensive! When I was first told the price I thought, really for a protein shake? That's ridiculous! So, I started doing some research to see what ingredients are in Shakeology. Stuff like proteins & amino acids, antioxidants & super fruits, phytonutrients and super-greens, adaptogen herbs, prebiotics and probiotics and enzymes! Then I started to see the value in Shakeology. I wasn't eating much if any of those things on a daily basis.

I also love that the ingredients have nothing artificial in them. If it did, I wouldn't buy it or have my husband and kids drink it daily. 

So for those of you who think you can just eat a whole food diet and get the same amount of nutrition look at what each serving contains.

1 serving contains the same nutritional value as:

3 cups of romaine lettuce 

4 cups of raw mushrooms

1 shot of wheatgrass
1 bowl of exotic fruit
3 raw onions
7 raw carrots
4 cups of non-fat yogurt
4 cups of red radishes
4 cups of raw broccoli
1 cup of peas
AND
10 cups of cauliflower

If you can eat all of that food for one meal well then, that's amazing and good for you! But I would like to just drink a shake and call it good. I'm a busy mom and a lot of times I need to eat quickly and run, so I can have a healthy shake in less then 5 minutes from start to clean-up! Perfect!

Here's a funny video that Tony Horton did on Shakeology

I started Shakeology in March of 2014. The benefits are more then I had hoped for. I thought I would try it since I knew I had the 30 day money back guarantee. Now I have energy during the day and I don't have the afternoon slump anymore. I stopped losing so much hair in the shower - added plus. And the most surprising side-effect was my seasonal allergies stopped! If you know me personally I'm pretty much medicated on some type of OTC allergy meds about 9 months out of the year. I'll do another post soon on my allergies & Shakeology because it could get lengthy! So the biggest reason I stay on Shakeology every. single. day - it boosts my immune system! My body craves it. I did the Whole 30 cleanse back in Jan and went off of everything including Shakeology and my allergies started coming back. So now I don't miss a day and I keep single serving packets in my purse just in case:-)

So if you have been on the fence about trying Shakeology give it a shot! If you don't like it return it within the 30 days. The chance that it will help you and make you feel healthier is worth investing in! I think you're worth it, you should too!

Plus - if you are going to try shakeology might as well purchase a challenge pack and get a celebrity trainer workout program at a steep discount! I run monthly challenge groups starting the first Monday of each month. I would love to help you achieve your health & fitness goals.

To purchase Shakeology only:
http://www.shakeology.com/melissacpowell

To purchase a Challenge Pack (Shakeology & workout program)
http://www.beachbodycoach.com/MelissaCPowell

Thanks for stopping by and have a great day! Melissa

Simple Shredded Protein!

I like simple recipes and making my life easier. Every Sunday I cook up a bunch of chicken breast and shred them in my kitchen-aid mixer. Then it's ready for the week. I've also cooked a beef roast in the crock-pot and shredded it the same way. It's like magic!

So what to do with all this shredded protein?
     - add to salads
     - Make chicken quesadillas
     - add to a stir-fry
     - season and make chicken/beef tacos
     - add to a soup
     - extras freeze for later!

How to cook?
1. I brush the chicken with olive oil & season. If you want the seasonings more versatile use salt & pepper. Otherwise I like to try different seasoning combos. My favorite spice is herbes de province & garlic salt.

2. Bake the chicken at 450 degrees for 12 minutes per side. If you have large chicken breasts it will take longer.

3. I place 2-3 chicken breasts at a time in the mixer and turn up the speed to 5. It shreds quickly - about 20-30 seconds. So much for using two forks and pulling it all apart!!

I hope this will save you some time as well!

Camping Foil Packets = No Dishes!

We have been making these awesome little foil packets all summer camping! I love the fact that I have less dishes to do! I really only need to clean a knife and the forks we eat with.
I start with 2 sheets of foil - I double it so there is no leakage. Rub some butter or coconut oil on the bottom to prevent burning. Then chop your veggies or meat up and center it in the foil. I season it according to what the person likes and then I seal it up tight. The steam will make these little packets cook quickly in 20-30 minutes. I usually check them at 15 minutes to stir it a little and see how done they are.

So for my kids their favorite is: Sliced hot dogs, carrots & potatoes. I season with a little salt and pepper.

Some of our favorites:
     Sliced Chicken Apple Sausage (from Trader Joe's), carrots, sweet peas & potatoes.
     Ground turkey meatballs (I just roll them into a ball with herbes de provence), sweet potatoes & sweet peas
     Ground hamburger, potatoes, carrots or peppers & mushrooms
   

You can use your imagination - also let your kids pick what they want. They are much more willing to eat it if they put everything in their own packet.

Hey There!

Hi! Thanks for stopping by to check out my new blog. We have been enjoying a busy summer. I am working on my health and fitness every day, building my business and keeping up with teaching 3 kids and all my stay-at-home mom duties. We do a light school schedule through the summer. Hockey season will be starting soon for my son and I volunteered to help be the ice-scheduler assistant (no one wanted the job) - so I'm excited to see what I volunteered for! I have a BUSY life that I LOVE!

I wanted to tell you I have found my absolute favorite workout program in the 21 Day Fix after my sister recommended I try it. I needed some fitness help and now I'm hooked! I'm getting results and feeling stronger every day. I drink my Shakeology daily and that keeps my seasonal allergies away and gives me the energy I need to get through the day.

So I hope you will think of me as your new friend and check in often! If you want to get in the best shape of your life: physically, emotionally, financially… I am the coach to help you. If you are looking to make changes to your family life with food & fitness or starting your own business I will be here to help you.

You are the person that will make the biggest impact on your family because as a parent you purchase and prepare all the food! You control what your family eats. It's time to be a ROLE MODEL and set an example that you want your kids to follow! I work out every morning and now my kids work out with me. They try to do their best, but what they will remember is mom made time for herself! I'm not perfect but I will give you 100% to help you achieve these goals. Stay tuned for more info on clean eating, fitness and any other projects I decide to get myself into!