Planning isn't half of the battle...IT IS THE BATTLE

Let's face it, it is tough to accomplish a goal without a plan. I mean, seriously, it is tough.  Have you ever had an idea and you just tried to "wing it?"  If so, were you successful?  I bet, more often than not, you are unsuccessful. I do not say that to be mean.  I say that because I know that feeling very well.

Over the weekend, I opened up about my recent weight gain. Lately, I had been really struggling getting back on track.  I would start the week off good and just fall off the wagon very quickly.  I was unenthused about my workouts and my meals.  I was just a hot mess.

So, I went back to what I know.  I knew that I needed to clean up my nutrition.  It was a MESS.  I needed something simple and easy.  Something DO-ABLE.  I wanted quick workout to go with my busy schedule.  So, I had to sit down and put my plan together.  I had to develop a goal and the steps needed to get me there. 

So, I put my nose down and focused.  My goal is to lose 13 pounds in 21 days.  My meal plan will be laid out weekly and my food will be prepped.  Day 1 is in the books!

I have added my meal plan to my Facebook page.  I am hopeful that this gives you some ideas on how to clean up your eating.

Grilled Peaches

Okay, so I anticipate spring and summer not only because of the weather 🌞🌞, but also because of the delicious, fresh fruits and veggies 🍑🍑🍑.  These GRILLED PEACHES look totally INSANE....and by insane, I mean freaking DELICIOUS.  

Source:www.claimingourspace.com

Ingredients 

🍑4 peaches, ripe yet not too soft, pitted and cut into quarters

🍑1/4 cup brown sugar

🍑2 teaspoons vanilla

🍑1/4 teaspoon ground ginger

Directions

🍑In a large bowl, mix together brown sugar, ground ginger and vanilla.

🍑Add peach quarters, mixing to ensure all pieces are covered with the sugar mixture.

🍑Let sit 15-30 minutes. During this time the mixture will become wetter and more liquidy.  

🍑Toss every 10 minutes or so to ensure peaches stay coated.

🍑On a hot grill with clean grates, place peaches, flesh side down. Cook for 3-5 minutes, depending on the heat, which should be turned down if the peaches begin to burn. 

🍑Flip peaches to other flesh side and grill for another 3-5 minutes.

🍑Peaches should now be soft and ready to serve.

Some serving ideas:

🍑drizzled with a little honey

paired with vanilla ice cream (my favorite)

🍑topped with toasted almonds

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Protein Boost Bites

Sometimes you just need a bite of something ooey, gooey and yummy!  These little bites look so good and good for you!

Source: choosingsimplicity.wordpress.com

Ingredients:

1 cup organic rolled oats (make sure they are GF if you have a gluten sensitivity)

generous 1/2 cup organic peanut butter (or other nut butter)

1/3 cup raw honey

1/2 cup organic coconut flakes-unsweetened

2 TBLS cup organic flaxseed

2 TBLS cup organic chia seed

1/4 cup organic mini chocolate chips or coarsely chopped regular-sized chocolate chips

1/4 cup organic dried cranberries, chopped (optional)

1 tsp organic vanilla

 

Direction so:

Place flax and chia seed inside of a clean coffee grinder and process for a few seconds or until fine, being careful not OVER grind or it will get clumpy and oily.

Place all of the dry ingredients into a mixing bowl and mix well.

Add in the wet ingredients (nut butter, honey, vanilla) and mix well with a spatula.  Towards the end you can also use your hands a little if needed.

Using a small cookie scoop – ball out the mixture into your hands, gently squeeze it all together then roll it out into ball shape.  Place in a large tupperware container and repeat this process until all of the mix is used up.

Thee can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a couple weeks.

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Bacon Spinach Egg Muffins

If you're always running late in the morning and struggling to get breakfast in, then you need to SHARE this recipe to timeline so you always have it!

These Bacon Spinach Egg Muffins can be made a head of time so you can just "grab and go!"  

Source: Melissassouthernstylekichen.com

Ingredients you’ll need:

✨10 large eggs

✨1/2 cup heavy cream or half & half

(I sub with Almond Milk)

✨1 tsp plain or seasoned salt

✨1 tsp mustard powder

✨1/2 tsp onion powder

✨1/2 tsp garlic powder

✨1/2 tsp black pepper

✨1/2 lb bacon cooked and crumbled

✨2 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese, divided

✨1 cup loosely packed fresh spinach, thinly sliced

✨1/3 cup self-rising flour or biscuit mix [i.e. Bisquick]

✨2 green onion, thinly sliced

✨1/4 cup diced pimento or red bell pepper

Directions:

✨Preheat the oven to 350°F.  Spritz a 12 cup muffin tin with cooking spray and set aside.  In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, cream and seasonings

✨Add the remaining ingredients reserving 1/2 cup shredded cheese for the tops.  Mix until the ingredients are evenly distributed.

✨Divide between the muffin cups.  Depending on how you divide the mixture, you may be able to yield more.  Sprinkle the tops with the remaining shredded cheese and bake for 25-27 minutes until golden and puffy. Serve immediately.  Makes: 12 egg muffins

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Spinach Parmesan Crostini

When creating a menu for a party, I ask myself three things:

Is it easy?

Is it yummy?

Is it pretty?

These Greek Style Cucumber Cups are a for sure WINNER!  They are EASY, YUMMY and PRETTY!  Your friends will certainly be impressed with these little morsels of goodness!  

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Source: The Comfort of Cooking

Yields: About 15 Cucumber Cups

Ingredients

✨2 cucumbers

✨1/2 small red onion, finely chopped

✨1/2 red bell pepper, finely chopped

✨1 vine ripe tomato, seeded and finely chopped

✨1/8 cup black olives, pitted and chopped

✨1/4 tablespoon dried oregano

✨1/8 cup fresh feta, crumbled

✨1/4 cup parsley, chopped

✨Juice of 1 lemon plus 1/2 tablespoon zest

✨1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil

✨Salt and ground black pepper

Directions

In a large mixing bowl, mix together the onion, bell pepper, tomato, olives, oregano, feta, parsley, lemon juice and zest, and olive oil. Season with salt and pepper, to taste.

Peel the cucumbers partially, leaving thin strips of skin going down the entire length of the cucumber. Trim the ends of the cucumbers and cut each cucumber into 1-inch thick slices. Scoop out the center of each slice with a melon baller, leaving a shell of flesh.

Scoop about 1 tablespoon of the Mediterranean salad into the cucumber cups. Garnish with additional parsley and feta, if desired.

Have you ever thought...

At the age of 36, I can honestly say that I am happy.  Yup.  I am happy.  I am a wife and a mommy.  I am in absolute love with my boys.  I am proud of where I am in life right now.  Granted, life is still a work in progress; however, this journey is full of love and endless belly laughs. 

Please do not be fooled, life has not always been that way.  I have certainly had my ups and downs.  I know what it is to live paycheck to paycheck or to "rob Peter to pay Paul."  There have been moments where life has been down right hard not only for myself, but for my family as well.  Five years ago, I made a drastic career change.  I left my cushiony corporate job to consult for a small business as their Estimator and Office Director.  I actually work directly with my family, which has good and bad moments (mostly all good - haha).  When I made that change, it was so tough.  To  go from a consistent check to working primarily off of commission was stressful.  You know, it takes time.  You really do have to plant a garden.  As you tend to your garden it will grow.  It does not happen over night, but it does happen.  You truly have to become patient and WOW, that is really hard.

Well, nothing worth having comes easy.  Although it was difficult, I some how managed to stay on my path.  There were a lot of sacrifices.  There were plenty of strapped wallets.  There were a lot of sleepless nights.  However, two years into being self employed, I was able to double my corporate income.  It was pretty incredible because it just would have never happened in my corporate job.  Every year, we were receiving less than 5% pay increases, so it just was not even possible.  The best part is each year, my income grows. 

Since crossing over into the world of self employment, I have the opportunity to continue my growth.  I realize that I am capable of more than I ever thought I was.  I have discovered so many non traditional ways to provide for my family, and it has been life changing for us.  I realize that there are so many other mommys working behind a desk in Corporate America struggling to contribute to their family.  They are over worked and under paid.  I know what it is like.  I am so happy I took a leap of faith and found a better way.

So, I ask you..."Have you ever thought that there could be a better way?"  "Have you ever thought that you could be doing more with your life?"  Well, if so, I want to work with you.  I will be opening up my next 21 Day Boot Camp on June    , 2016, and I am only taking 10 women.  Over these 21 days, we are going to focus on creating the best version of ourselves.  Plus, I am going to teach you how to bring in an extra $500 or more each month simply by helping others.

All I can do is invite you.  It is up to you to reach out and take action.  Please email me at julesjonesrandf@gmail.com and lets get you going.

Layered Lemonade Drops

Let's face it, my days of doing Lemon Drops is over.  However, just because I may not be able to shoot Lemon Drops all night, does not mean that I have to throw in the towel.  Let's try a more lady like version.  These Layered Lemonade Drops look INCREDIBLE.  Not only are they pretty, they are delicious too!

Source: www.delish.com

Ingredients

• 6 oz. vodka
• 1 c. mango lemonade
• 1 c. pink lemonade blended with ½ cup of strawberries
• 1 c. regular lemonade
• 1 c. ice

Directions

1. Fill blender with 1/3 of vodka and mango lemonade and ice. Blend and set aside. Repeat 2 more times, first with strawberry/pink lemonade then regular lemonade.
2. Chill each mixture, and keep each layer chilled until ready to pour in glass.Pour into serving glass in layers starting with mango mix, then strawberry/pink lemonade mix, and lastly regular lemonade.