Tomato Soup

Hi, friends!

     It's rainy and cold here in Arkansas, and one thing I love during this kind of weather is soup. I was short on time when I threw this together, but it's so yum that I had to share.

     Having three little boys and being super busy makes me wonder if I have time to cook dinner. So I'm always looking for and trying to create quick, easy, and healthy recipes.

     Another thing I love about soups is that they are even better the next day. This is actually leftover from last night, so I didn't have to really make myself anything for lunch. Meal planning is still something that I'm working on, but it makes for a good week when you can cook once and eat for a few days.

     Here's the recipe. Let me know what you think if you make it.

TOMATO SOUP

Ingredients

• 4 cloves of garlic
• 2 Tbsp of EVOO
• 1 14 oz can of tomato sauce
• 1 28 oz can of crushed tomatoes
• 2-3 cups of vegetable broth
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp coconut sugar
• 1/4 cup of coconut milk-I like to use a can
• 2 Tbsp of fresh basil

Directions

• Sauté the garlic in the EVOO for about a minute.
• Add all the ingredients except the milk and basil.
• Simmer for about 8 minutes.
• Add the milk and basil.
• Simmer for another minute.

     And boom! You're done. Easy and healthy!!

     If you want, you can top with organic cheese or make a grilled cheese with organic cheese and rye bread...or whatever bread you like. :)

xoxo
Steph

5 Ways to Have a Healthier Christmas

Hi, friends!

     On Christmas, we will be tempted to eat those unhealthy foods that our bodies do not benefit from. I'm not going to tell you not to eat any of those things that give you pleasure, but I'm going to give you a few tips to keep yourself in check and not overdo it. :)  

1. Eat a healthy breakfast. Most importantly, eat something high in protein.                               
2. Stay hydrated. Dehydration causes hunger. The same hormones that are set off for when you are dehydrated are set off when you're hungry. Drink lots of water--at least half your body weight in ounces. Infused water with lemon or cucumber is a great way to make water less boring.                          
3. Fill your plate up with all the good stuff first (like veggies). When you get to the casseroles or your less-than-healthy favorite, make that portion smaller.
4. Have a small portion of a dessert you love. When it comes to dessert time, make it something your REALLY love. In the first 1-2 bites, you will feel happiness and pleasure. By the third bite, the pleasure is gone. So know that you don't have to eat the whole piece of pie or cookie.     
5. Release those endorphins! I have included about a quick 20-minute workout to help you burn those Christmas calories and release endorphins...to help keep your spirit joyful! :)  

     There you have it--five tips for a healthier Christmas Day.

     I hope you have a very merry Christmas and a happy new year!

xoxo
Steph                                                            

Holiday Party Time...What Are You Wearing!?

     Today I'm sharing my three favorite holiday party dresses, so you can walk into your party with confidence and attitude. :)

 #1 The Lizzy Dress by Alexis

     I'm seriously obsessed with this designer. Every piece she does is amazing! I also love it paired with this amazing boyfriend blazer by Elizabeth and James, another one of my favorite designers. Both pieces can be purchased at my #1 favorite place to buy anything for my closet: Scarlet.

     Go to www.scarletclothing.com or text to order at 501-503-8777.

#2
     Who doesn't love lace!? Oh, and navy lace! This dress is crazy hot, and the price is even crazier! $65! Yep, your heard me. The clutch is by Rebecca Minkoff.

     Dress and clutch can be purchased at www.scarletclothing.com or text to order at 501-503-8777.

#3 The Vivian Mini Dress by For Love and Lemons
     The is a perfect dress for your holiday party or a friend's wedding. I LOVE LOVE LOVE this dress. www.forloveandlemons.com


"Style is a way to say who you are without having to speak"~ Rachel Zoe

"Attitude is everything"~ Diane von Furstenberg


     There you have it, friends!

xoxo
Steph

5 Ways to Have a Healthier Thanksgiving

Hi, friends!

     I thought I would share with you five important tips to help you have a healthier and happier Thanksgiving.

1. GIVE THANKS! Get up, and give thanks for all God has blessed you with. We obviously should do this every morning, but Thanksgiving is a perfect time to be thankful for all we have. Even if things may not be perfect, we are alive and breathing. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 says, "Give thanks in all circumstances."

2. MOVE YOUR BODY! When you exercise in the morning, you jump start your metabolism and keep it elevated for hours. Moving in the morning will help you burn calories all day, so you will burn that turkey lunch or dinner. :) I've included a circuit for you that requires no equipment--just your body!

3. EAT BREAKFAST! Your breakfast should include protein and good fats. This will help stabilize your blood sugar levels. Scrambled eggs with avocado is one of my favs! I like to eat five small meals a day. For a low-glycemic mid-morning snack, try an organic apple with peanut butter or organic cheese and almonds.

4. PORTION CONTROL! Watch your portions when you are making your plate. Be sure you have veggies and protein. Enjoy the foods you love, but don't pile it on. If you don't control your portions, you will be miserable afterwards.

5. DIGESTIVE ENZYME! These help with gas and bloating. I take them before every meal daily. I take this one every day: USANA digestive enzyme. If you interested in trying it, you can click on "join the ride" and receive 10% off.

     There you have it. I hope this has been helpful! If you do my workout, let me know what you think in the comments below! :)

 

     I hope you have a VERY HAPPY THANKSGIVING!
 

xoxo

Steph

Roasted Pepper & Asparagus Quinoa

Hi, friends!

     Today I'm sharing one of my favorite quick and easy dinner recipes. It is so healthy and so yummy! Full of veggies and quinoa, it's the perfect balance of lean protein and complex carbs. I love quinoa because it's a great grain that is full of fiber and won't spike your blood sugar!

     This recipe takes under 25 minutes to make and tastes great as leftovers. Let's go!

ROASTED PEPPER & ASPARAGUS QUINOA

serves 6-8 | vegan

Ingredients

• 2 cups of cooked quinoa
• 1 cup of roasted red peppers, chopped
• 1 bunch of asparagus, roughly chopped
• 2 Tbs. olive oil
• 1 Tbs. minced garlic
• sea salt and pepper, to taste

Directions

1. Cook quinoa as directed, and set it aside.
2. Sautee asparagus and garlic in olive oil for about 5 minutes.
3. Add quinoa and peppers into the pan, and mix with asparagus and pepper.
4. Cook for a few more minutes until heated through.
5. Salt and pepper to taste.
6. Add protein of choice. I used tilapia, but other good choices are chicken, salmon, or tofu.
7. Enjoy!

I hope you give it a try!

xoxo

Steph

Say Yes to Candy Corn and No to Chemicals

     Get up, and do the monster mash! I love candy corn, but I don't love all the bad stuff that's in it. Fortunately, I finally found a candy corn without some of the bad stuff. Of course, it still has sugar, but Sweets Naturally Flavored Candy Corn is a dye-free candy made with natural colors and non-GMO ingredients. Plus, it's gluten free!

     Studies have shown that there a many connections between food dyes and ADHD. Food-dye dangers also include cancer and allergic reactions, so don't get sucked in by food dyes' colorful colors and creepy chemicals. Keep your eyes on the good colors in fruits and veggies. But if you want to indulge in some candy, you can still treat yourself in a safe way this Halloween!

Have a happy Halloween!

xoxo
Steph

Welcome!

Hey! I'm Stephanie. Welcome to my blog! I'm a health coach, personal trainer, mom of three boys, and fashion addict. I started this blog to share my passion by helping you live your life to the fullest.

Join the ride for health and fitness tips, fashion finds, and a little bit of my crazy life!

So what's my story? 
     For the past eight years, I’ve had the opportunity to stay home with my three boys and do the bookkeeping for our two businesses. I’ve always had a passion for health and fitness, and I’ve always taught my boys healthy habits and provided healthy meals.

In January of 2015, my husband and I went on a trip to Mexico, and when we got back, we struggled with getting back into the groove with our healthy eating habits. That’s when I contacted Elizabeth about doing USANA’s five-day RESET program. By the end of the five days we were amazed at how great we felt. We had no more cravings­, some weight los­s, more energy­ and even better digestion.

During this time, I was approached by a few different entrepreneurs in similar fields, but nothing seemed right. Shortly after, Elizabeth Finch approached me about partnering up with USANA and joining her team...and I thought “YES! I can totally do that because I love the products and I know they work." I really liked the idea because it was flexible and I still wanted my boys to come first.

I’ve been with USANA ever since, and I’ve gotten a check almost every week. My “why” is still for my family; I’m surrounded by family that is battling cancer, which drives me even more to reach out to people and help them become healthier and happier. It is my goal to help change lives through USANA’s amazing programs.

USANA leads the way with cutting-edge technology in the health and wellness industry. They also have a great compensation plan that rewards hard work.

USANA gives me the opportunity and the freedom to do the things I love, make a positive difference in people’s lives, and make a great living doing it.
I wanted to start my blog to share a more personal side of my life. I’ll also give you tips you can use in your everyday life and the opportunity to join the USANA ride!

Stay tuned for more to come!

xoxo
Steph