Finding My True Purpose One Day at a Time!

My Journey To Discovering My True Purpose 

After I graduated college and was fired from my first corporate job, I felt lost. That's when my journey to "find my real myself" began. It all started with getting my fitness & health back in check. I remember coming home from work completely exhausted, I'd nap most afternoons (sometimes sleeping until the next morning), I was living off frozen TV dinners, abusing caffeine & diet pills, drinking a lot, had horrible IBS, and felt In wasn't living up to my true potential.


Thanks to social media, I discovered a workout program called INSANITY. At the time I was so broke and $119.99 was a HUGE investment, but I needed to make an investment in myself and I knew with some skin in the game, I'd be more accountable!


Well, I not only got into the best shape of my life & changed my eating habits, I ignited this passion & drive inside me that affected many other areas of my life. This helped inspire me to go back to school to become a registered nurse and ultimately a family nurse practitioner.


I made it to my final career destination, but I still had this burning feeling inside that it wasn't enough, I was made for more.
My true passions throughout nursing school were all focused around the power of exercise & nutrition in preventing/ending diseases.


Last year a little thing called Beachbody Coaching fell into my lap unexpectedly at the time, but looking back it was when I needed it the most!
God knew what he was doing and although I started this business at a time I was stressed to the MAX in my career, it's been the thing that's saved my sanity & blessed my life everyday since!


Listening to others speak at yesterday's huge Beachbody event, I again felt this overwhelming sense of purpose, of belonging, of passion, and a true knowing that THIS IS MY PURPOSE!


Coaching allows me to pursue all of my passions into one role and help others uniquely using all of my own past struggles and triumphs as my guide!


Unlike modern medicine where I have a 15-30 min appointment slot with a patient, as a Coach, I'm able to dig WAY deeper with people, connect, and truly support them in their goals of living a healthier life just by sharing what I've been through, and being their wing girl along the way!
I feel like I've finally found "My People" in my team of fellow coaches as well, those who just "get" me!


I know for certain that this little "journey" I've been on the last 6 years, wasn't about me finding myself, rather discovering God's purpose for my life. I'm very thankful He allowed this gift to land in my lap when it did and I know he's using me to share this opportunity with others out there who are looking for their "something more".
If you're on a journey now, trust the process and stay open to opportunities. There's a bigger plan to all of it than we know!

This Week's Meal Plan - Bikini Boot Camp!

Bikini-Ready Boot Camp - Week 1 Meal Plan!

My virtual Bikini-Ready Boot Camp begins tomorrow and I'm so excited to be be taking this challenge along with some awesome new ladies! These groups are the Core of my coaching business and the results have been incredible! It's all about daily motivation, support, and accountability..and some fun!!

I'll admit I've been slacking on the meal prepping myself lately and since I'm going to be matron of honor in my friends wedding, which is taking place in Playa Del Carmen, in April...there is no better time for me to recommit! 

So today I spent the afternoon planning poolside and enjoyed this gorgeous day and finished off by heading to Trader Joe's to get all the goods. 

What's so awesome about meal planning is that not only does it keep me on track during the week and save me valuable time...it saves so much money! 

I'll admit, I'm guilty of buying all kinds of things I don't need (especially at Trader Joe's...dark chocolate espresso beans & cookie butter??...yes please!!).

Today I went with my list in hand and stuck to it and I was able to get 7 days worth of meals, with 5 meals per day, is just under $100. Which basically comes out to just $3 per meal...and this includes the cost of Shakeology daily!!! (I can't live without my superfoods!).

So for this 21 Day Bikini Challenge I'm hosting, I'll be following the 21 Day Fix Extreme workouts and meal plan! I'm so excited to work with some new clients in this private online community group this month and I can't wait to see their results too! 

I'm following the 21 Day Fix Extreme this month and I use the lowest calorie bracket. This is for 1200-1500 calories daily. 

What's great about this plan is that there is no starvation or restricting foods. It's all based on clean eating and correct portions! 

Here's the fun color-coded containers:

Here is my Meal pLan for Week 1:

Are you doing the 21 Day Fix too? I'd love to hear from you! 

If you want to get in on my next Bikini Boot Camp Apply Here for More Info!

Or maybe you're already a fan of the 21 Day Fix, you're a fitness fanatic, and/or you got amazing results yourself??

Imagine making an income helping people online stay healthy and Fit! 

You could totally do what I do and pay it forward to help others!  

Fill out this form and I'll contact you and answer any questions! 

Email:  SaraFitCoach@gmail.com 

The Old "Healthy" Me vs. the New Healthy Me!

Wow, what a difference a few changes makes!

I always thought of myself as health conscience, however, my understanding of what it means to be HEALTHY has really changed! 

I used to eat those “healthy” frozen meals pretty much for lunch and dinner (5 for $10 sale…I was ALL OVER THAT!)

I used to drink Diet Soda to “trick” my body into thinking I was full so I wouldn’t eat real food (in attempt to be skinny for some bikini, outfit, event).

I used to crash diet, restrict and binge, reward and punish myself…and basically never saw results.

I used to take caffeine pills almost daily because I was so exhausted from my nights of partying and lack of sleep or real food!!

I used to promote energy drinks (and drink these everyday!)

I’ve not only learned thanks to my nursing career but through my own personal experiences what it means to be truly healthy!

Now I eat REAL FOOD,  I eat 5-6 meals per day, and I eat a balanced diet (one that gives me actual energy!)

Now I drink lots and lots of WATER! (what our bodies made most of and needs!)

Now I give myself 30 mins of exercise at least 5 days per week so that I can feel stronger and less stressed (Endorphins are my BFF)

Now I consume a superfood daily that provide me with so much natural energy and help my body function efficiently! (I’ve cured my insomnia)

Now I promote a superdense nutritious meal that gives me all my daily vitamins & nutrients (My Superpower Shake!) 

If you’re guilty of any of the things I used to do, I can RELATE!!! 

That was ME for years!!! But I can tell you first hand that the changes I’ve made have helped me to FEEL SO MUCH BETTER EVERYDAY! 

You can make small changes everyday towards better health, but why do it alone? I’m here to help you! 

I work with women online to learn steps toward better health through a positive and supportive environment! 

Let's start today towards a more AWESOME version of YOU!

Find me on Facebook:

www.facebook.com/sarachallenge

Cilantro Lime Crock-Pot Chicken

Cilantro Lime Crock-Pot Chicken

As those of you who know or follow me know, I’m a busy girl always on the go! In my quest to eat healthy whole food meals, I've discovered how amazing a crock-pot can be. 

It allows me to make easy meals for the whole week and I just have to throw all the ingredients in, let it cook, and enjoy! Perfect for a busy girl who wants to eat healthy (and who maybe isn't the best cook!).

I came across this super easy meal a few weeks ago and decided to give it a try! Not only did it taste great, it made a week’s worth of healthy lunches/dinners which helped me stay on track during a busy work week!

Seriously, try this Cilantro Lime Crock-pot Chicken recipe and you won’t be sorry! Plus it can be eaten in a variety of ways….alone, over brown rice, rolled up in tortillas, with salsa,….the ideas are endless!

Ingredients:

-Chicken breasts – I used ~2 lbs but you can use however much you want to make!

-3 limes

-Chicken broth – I used the low sodium for a healthier option!

-Fresh Cilantro

-Black pepper

-Onions – chopped

-Garlic Powder (optional)

Directions:

-Lay chicken breasts into the bottom of the pot

-Cover with chicken broth ( I filled my pot almost half way)

-Squeeze lime juice over the mix – (I got tired of squeezing mine and I threw them into my juicer for extra lime juice)

-Chop up about half an onion and add it to the mix

-Add in black pepper, salt (I don’t add salt but you can), garlic powder

-Lay fresh cilantro leaves/stalks over

-Keep lid closed (allows for better moisture to remain in the chicken)

-Cook on low for approx. 5 hours

*Hint- At about 4 hours I shredded the chicken using 2 forks so that I could have shredded chicken and it allows for the juices to penetrate more!

You can also add in more broth throughout the week for added moisture!

ENJOY!!

Oatmeal Breakfast Bars!

These are a staple in our household and one of my husband, Ralph's favorite go-to breakfasts. 

These oatmeal bars are healthy, tasty, easy to make, and make for a quick and easy breakfast during the busy week!

What's also great about these is that you can add in your favorite fruits for variety or even add in protein powder for extra protein. They taste best warmed up in the morning for 15 seconds and you can add natural peanut butter on them or sugar-free maple syrup for a special treat!

*Here's the Recipe*

- 3 cups of Quick Cook oats, plain

- 3/4th cup of brown sugar

-  1 Teaspoon of salt

-2 Teaspoons of baking powder

- 1 Teaspoon cinnamon

- 1 Cup of unsweetened applesauce

- 2 Eggs (or 1/2 cup egg whites/egg beaters)

- 1 Cup almond milk

-Optional - add in any cut up pieces of fruit if you like. Green apple slices work very well and are very tasty!

*Directions*

-Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

-Combine ingredients in a large bowel and stir together. 

-Spray the bottom of square pan with non-stick spray

-Pour ingredients into pan and bake for 40 mins

-Let cool, slice into squares, & ENJOY!!

My Go-To Clean Eating Weekly Recipe!


So I'm a nurse practitioner with a HUGE passion for nutrition and fitness. Two of the biggest challenges I have is the fact that I'm not a very good cook & I live a pretty busy life! I had the luxury of growing up to amazingly healthy home-cooked meals every night (Thank You MOM!) but let's be honest...I don't have much time to play around in the kitchen!

I love simple, non-processed ingredients but I also want a dinner that's a little more exciting than just plain chicken and broccoli....

That's why I created this healthy meal! It serves 3 main purposes really...1) It's full of healthy & simple ingredients so I can eat clean! 2) It literally takes me 15 mins to make and 3) It makes enough so that I have meals all week long (again saving me valuable time!).  Just what every fit girl on the go needs!

Ingredients:

-Organic Ground Turkey Meat

-Organic low-sodium canned tomatoes (x2 if you love tomatoes like me)

-Organic low sodium canned black beans

-Diced Onion

-Olive oil

-Spinach leaves

-Zucchini

-whatever other veggies or legumes you want! Sometimes I'll add in portobello mushrooms, or chickpeas, etc.

Directions:

-I start by dicing up the onions and cutting up the zucchini or whatever else I'm going to use.
 -Then I start with a few drizzles of olive oil in a big skillet pan and brown the ground turkey meat on medium heat for about 12 mins or until brown.
-In a separate smaller skillet, I brown the diced onions and you can add the zucchini in also as that takes longer to cook again on medium heat
-After the meat is browned, I start adding in the canned tomatoes, beans, chickpeas, or whatever other canned ingredients I'm going to use (I pour out the water from the cans but I leave the tomato juice and a small amount of the black bean juice just to make it more of a chili consistency)
-I I let those start to warm and then I add the entire bag (or 2) of spinach leaves and let the steam form the skillet wilt the spinach down. *You may have to start with smaller amounts until it wilts and then add more*
- Lastly I add in the zucchini and onions to the mix and just put it on low heat to mix it all together.
-Optional - at times I've used a small drizzle of balsamic or added fresh garlic with the onions in the begging but you don't need to. The onions give it such a great flavor alone!

Let it cool a little and serve in a bowl. I like to let the juices from the tomatoes stay in the mix so it's almost like a chili consistency.
Then pour the rest into a big Tupperware for the rest of the week's diners or lunches!

 Easy to grab and go for a healthy lunch or stay on track when you come home tired and don't feel inspired!