5 Tips For Getting Out Of A Funk!

Do you ever have times where you just feel like you're in a funk??

That has been me this week and I don't really know why - there's no specific reason for it - just feeling kind of "eh" , you know?

(Or mayyyybe it's because NY weather is ridiculous and just depressing! )

BUT either way......whatever it is - it HAS to STOP!

And while it's completely okay (and TOTALLY normal) to be in a bad mood once in a while, you don't want to get STUCK there!! Take a minute to feel sorry for yourself, cry, scream, whatever you need to do! And then make the conscious decision to get yourself feeling better! But sometimes that is easier said than done!!

So I wanted to share a couple things that I do when I feel like I'm in a funk!!

1) MUSIC:  I love music and music can just change my mood! Find something that makes you HAPPY and turn it UP! None of that slow, mopey, sad stuff! That doesn't help anything!! Dance around, go crazy! Seriously - I DARE you to find an awesome song and try to sit still! 

2) PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT:  I love listening to/reading personal development - and there is a TON out there - this week I have been listening to Eric Thomas on repeat- if you need a kick in the ass, he's your guy!!

*This is the one I've been listening to recently:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Oxz060iedY

3) Go WORKOUT!!:  I realized today that I have only worked out ONCE this week and it's Thursday - WTF! - It's no wonder I have been feeling shitty!! (And I forgot my Shakeology a couple days in a row, I'm telling you it's no coincidence!!) Get moving! And I can pretty much guarantee you will start to feel better! 

4) GET OUT!!: Surround yourself with people you like, people that make you happy, people you can be yourself around!!! Personally, when I feel like this I'm quick to just seclude myself - it's just my introverted comfort zone! But force yourself to get out there and do something fun! 

5) FOCUS on the GOOD! - Seriously, I am someone who always tries to look for the good in things!

However, I am HUMAN and sometimes I am a miserable human (just ask my husband!!!)

BUT POSITIVITY is a CHOICE, so don't focus on what you don't like unless your figuring out a way to CHANGE it! Find the good or the lesson in things!

So NOW I'm going to take my own advice and go workout while listening to some personal development!!! **FOR THE RECORD - I'm just talking about feeling crummy or being a TEMPORARY bad mood, but depression is a REAL thing! If you're in a long term "rut" or just feeling really down on yourself, there is NO SHAME in seeking professional help!** So tell me, what do you do when you feel like you're in a rut?? I'd love for you to share with me in the comments below!!!!

Healthy Frozen Yogurt Bark

This past week was Winter break which means I got to spend the whole week off with my little love bug! And winter definitely decided to make an appearance! So we had to find some ways to occupy ourselves indoors! 

The day of the snow storm we decided to close the blinds and pretend we were at the beach instead! (I guess you can say we are OVER winter!)

Lili laid out beach towels in the living room, we did mani-pedi's in bright summer colors, and we of course needed a nice summery snack and this is what we came up with!!

It was fun for us to make together, it's delicious (so good that she kept sneaking bites while she was making it) AND it's healthy! We will definitely be making it again!

Here's what you need:
*Wax Paper
* A non-stick baking pan (or anything that is safe to go in the freezer!)
* Fruit (frozen, fresh, or dried)
* Greek yogurt (we used vanilla)
* Chia seeds (you could use nuts, chocolate chips, or just leave this out)

Note - The amounts of each ingredient will vary depending on what size pan you use! We used about 2 cups of yogurt, 1 cup of fruit, and 2 TBS of chia seeds.

Steps:

1) Line your pan with wax paper

2) Spread yogurt in pan (how much yogurt depends on your size pan, we made it about 1/4 inch thick)



3) Add fruit (again how much is up to you!)

4) Sprinkle Chia Seeds on top!
(Chia seeds have of tons health benefits! If you're not familiar with them, I plan on writing a  post about it very soon!!)







5) Sample some fruit along the way....you know, just to make sure it's not poison or anything ;) (Optional!)






6) Cover and freeze for about 4 hours

7) Break into pieces and ENJOY!





*If you tried this recipe and liked it, or came up with some other delicious ingredients to add to it, let me know in the comments below!!

My Greatest Adventure!

Becoming a parent is one of the most challenging, yet rewarding jobs I have ever been given!

This little girl makes me a better person!! She challenges me to grow DAILY! 

She is my daily reminder to be more kind, more patient, work harder, be positive, and slow down! 

She is my daily reminder that my actions don't just effect and influence me, they influence her!

She is ALWAYS watching and always LEARNING from me!

She relies on me to lead her not by my words, but by my actions!

And not only am I teaching her, but I am learning so much from her!!

She is my daughter, my greatest gift, my greatest lesson, my greatest ADVENTURE!! 
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Be Persistent!!

<<This is something I wrote last Summer - but I love the reminder it gives me to keep GOING after what I want! SO I thought I would share it in case someone else can relate!!>>
   
   
 August 2, 2015 - 
    
 Tonight while I was watching Liliana swim I couldn't help but notice how far she has come this summer!

I remember watching her at the beginning of summer walking around the shallow end of the pool on her tippy-toes afraid of her head going under water.

Then after a few days of that she FINALLY worked up the courage to put her face under water, a few days later and she took off swimming UNDER water - and since then she has spent HOURS in the pool just practicing and practicing!

Watching her made me realize how much her determination and persistence has paid off!

There were days when she would get SO frustrated because she couldn't swim.  She would try to swim on her back and just sink, she would try to swim forward and just not get anywhere BUT she NEVER GAVE UP!

She could have taken the easy way out and just said "forget it, I can't swim, I don't want to keep going to the pool" but she DIDN'T!

I honestly don't think giving up ever crossed her mind as an option!!

She kept going day after day until she got it! And I admire that quality in her so much!

I guess my point is that so often as adults we look at something that may be CHALLENGING and just not bother trying because it's "too hard" or will take "too long", or we "try" but not really give it our all- I know I have been SOOO guilty of this!!!

We talk ourselves out of things before we even start - why?? Maybe because we are afraid of failing or just don't have the confidence in ourselves that we can actually achieve whatever it is we want - and then quit when it doesn't come easy - but we shouldn't!

Some things in life, the things worth having, take hard work- like reaching goals and pursuing dreams but they ARE NOT impossible!!

Be persistent, go after what you want!!" <3

What's in a name??

For a long time I had been trying to think of a name for my team! 

I am part of an incredible team in Beachbody, but as I grow my own business I want to have a name that is my own. 

I thought about it for a long time and I just couldn’t think of anything that really felt right…..but once I heard it, I couldn’t get it out of my head, I just knew that it was the ONE!

The name “From This Day Forward Fitness” actually came to me one day in a church service!! The service was about marriage but the point of the message was that God accepts us as we are TODAY no matter what yesterday looked like.  God is a “from this day forward” kind of God! 

Pretty amazing to think about, right?

And hearing that made me realize that I want to be able give myself enough grace to be able to live my life “from this day forward” in all aspects of my life!!

Because I know I screw up ALL the time, I’m HUMAN!!

I screw up as a mom, as a wife, as a coach, I miss workouts, I eat foods I “shouldn’t”, I lose my patience, I’ve yelled at my daughter (which I hate to admit)… the list goes on!

And it can be sooo easy to get stuck focusing on the past – focusing on all of our short comings, on the” could have’s” and “should have’s”, on the things we failed at, all the mistakes we have made. 

But those mistakes DO NOT define us, and they certainly do not define our future, especially if we allow ourselves to LEARN from them and then MOVE ON!! 

If you don’t know, I LOVE quotes! Words can be so powerful!

And I’m not sure who said it, but one that I really like is -

“Your mistakes are meant to guide you, not define you!”

And I know that through every mistake there is a lesson to be learned. 

So although I will make mistakes, it doesn’t matter –what matters is what I do “from this day forward” to IMPROVE!!!

So, from this day forward fitness is just that – focusing on being healthier and better each day than you were the day before!!!

When we fall short (and we ALL do), you don’t dwell on it…you pick yourself back up and you keep going!!! And one day at a time, one foot in front of the other, you will get to your goal!

Body Beast Chili

 BEAST TURKEY CHILI
(Makes 4 servings, 1 1/2 cups each)
Total Time: 50 Minutes

Prep Time: 15 Minutes

Cook Time: 35 Minutes

My husband and I have been doing Body Beast and we have really been enjoying trying out some of the new recipes from the Body Beast Cookbook! So far this one is definitely a family favorite!!

Ingredients:

*1 tsp olive oil

*1 1/2 pounds lean ground turkey meat

*1 med white onion, chopped
*1 medium bell pepper, chopped
*3 cloves garlic minced
*1 1/2 tsp ground cumin
*1 TBSP chili powder
*1/2 tsp salt
*1/4 tsp cayenne pepper (optional)
*1-15 oz can pinto or kidney beans, rinsed and drained
*1-15 oz can tomato sauce (no-sugar added)
2 TBSP chopped fresh parsley

 Directions:

1) Heat Oil in large skillet or saucepan over medium-high heat.

2) Add turkey, onion, pepper and garlic and cook stirring occasionally until turkey is no longer pink.

3) Add cumin, chili powder, salt, cayenne pepper - stir and cook for 1 minute

4) Add kidney beans and tomato sauce; bring to a boil.5) Reduce heat to low simmer, stirring occasionally for about 15-20 minutes or until thickened
 ****NOTE**** I wanted it to have a little broth to it so I added about a 1/2 cup of vegetable broth and then let it simmer!

5) Sprinkle parsley on top and ENJOY!!!! 

     ***I served it over brown rice with a side of broccoli and it was amazing!!!!

<<<If you enjoyed this recipe, let me know it the comments below!!!>>>

Butternut Squash Soup

           

So, I don't know about you but all of this cold, snowy weather has been making me want to do NOTHING but snuggle up in big fluffy blankets, drink hot coffee and tea, and of course make soup!!!

I  swear, I am NOT made for this cold weather!! I just want to hibernate inside until Spring! haha

Anyway, I had some butternut squash laying around and was looking for a healthy soup recipe to make. So I did what every normal person does, I went to Pinterest!! ;)

The last time I made a butternut squash soup from a different recipe it ended up watery and didn't have much flavor.

I wanted something thicker, but creamy at the same time! And I wanted it to be flavorful!

I didn't find exactly what I was looking for so I used one of the recipes I found as inspiration for what I came up with!!

It was super easy and SOOO delicious!! This will definitely be going in my recipe binder!!

I hope you enjoy!!

Ingredients:

* 2 Butternut squash (about 4 pounds)
* 2 tablespoons coconut oil
* 1 medium sized apple (I used gala apples, but it really doesn't matter)
* 1/2 medium sized onion
* 2 1/2 cups low-sodium vegetable broth
* 2 cups water

* 1 tsp salt 

* 1 tsp cinnamon 

* 1/2 tsp black pepper (more if you want a little more spice)
* 1/2 cup half & half
* toasted pumpkin seeds (optional)

* plain Greek yogurt (optional)

Directions: 

* Cut squash lengthwise and remove seeds
* Place face down in baking pan with about 1/2 inch water in the bottom
* Roast on 350° for about 30-45 minutes or until tender

*While that's roasting: Dice the onion, peel/core/dice the apple

*Add coconut oil to a saucepan over medium heat
*Add onion, apple, salt, and pepper- cook, stirring occasionally until soft, about 5-10 minutes
*Remove from heat and set aside

*When the Squash is tender - remove it from the oven and let cool until you can touch it

*Peel the squash or scoop it out with a spoon ( I put it on a cutting board and cut it into small pieces)
*Place squash in the pan with the apple/onion mixture
*Add the broth, water, cinnamon, and half&half

*Working in small batches, puree the soup in a blender (I used my Ninja for this and it worked perfectly, but any blender should do the job!!)

* Place pureed soup in pan and heat until desired temp

*Garnish with pumpkin seeds and Greek yogurt if you want!

ENJOY!!

If you like it let me know in the comments below!!

A Little Piece Of My Story

So, I have something on my heart that I have wanted to share for a LOOONG time!!

If you saw my post on Facebook last week, it talked about FEAR and how I have personally let fear influence many of my decisions.  It is something I am working on! Because often times it is a perceived fear, not reality!

Last summer at church there was a message about sharing who we REALLY are with others, sharing our stories/struggles ….because as humans we connect through our WEAKNESSES – not perfection.  And I thought that if my past struggles could HELP someone, then those struggles wouldn’t have been all for nothing. 

MAYBE those struggles are something I had to go through so that I can help others.  Who knows?  But I do believe that everything happens for a reason. 

What I’m going to share is something very personal and unless you have known me on a close level for a long time then you may not know this about me.  And I have hesitated to share for fear of being judged or misunderstood. 

BUT honestly when it comes down to it, if someone judges me or misunderstands me, well then this message is NOT meant for them! This message is meant for someone who may see themselves in MY story.  MAYBE someone who needs to know that they aren’t alone and that there IS another way is reading this, and that is why I am sharing!

So here goes, I know that I talk a lot about working out and eating healthy – and if we have been Facebook friends for a while then you probably have seen some of those posts – BUT I have NEVER shared WHY I am so passionate about leading a healthy lifestyle, why I’m a Beachbody coach and why I truly LOVE helping others. 

And the TRUTH is, I wasn’t always this way.  In fact about 7 years ago my life looked COMPLETELY different!!

7 years ago THIS week my life changed FOREVER!!!! I found out I was pregnant!!!

7 years ago THIS week I also went into recovery from an eating disorder I had struggled with since I was 12.

It started when I was 12, going on 13 and for a while it was “manageable.”  When I was 14, freshman year of high school, things got out of control-

That’s when my family found out. 

That’s when I was diagnosed with anorexia/bulimia. 

That’s when therapy started.

That’s when I remember being forced to drink the smallest amount of a protein drink (that at the time seemed like the worst imaginable thing anyone could ask me to do!).

That is when the threats of tube feeds came if I refused to drink it. 

That’s when trips to the hospital for therapy became “routine” – at least for a little while.

It was SO hard knowing that my family was hurting because of MY behavior.   I remember driving home from the hospital one day in complete silence, and my heart broke because I could see the hurt in my mom, and I just hated it, but I just couldn’t STOP. 

So I got really good at HIDING it! Acting like everything was okay – and I would hide it ….for a while.

Until I couldn’t anymore.

Eventually, I would get “caught” - I’ll never forget the time when my brother caught me, (and if you’re reading this, I’m sorry!) I had no idea what to say or do…I was so embarrassed and felt awful. 

I felt trapped.  I felt out of control.  I hated the way that I was and I remember always telling myself “This is the last time, never again” – until the next time came and I couldn’t control myself and then that became the “last time”….  And this cycle went on and on for years –

I won’t go into too many details right now (or this post would double in length!) BUT I will say that from ages 12-23 I lived inside my own little version of hell!

So what changed?

Liliana Hope Palmer.

Liliana save me from myself in more ways than she will ever know!

The moment I found out I was pregnant, I instantly loved that little baby more than I loved myself and I knew I had to take care of myself because my baby needed me to. 

I’m not going to say it was easy, the fear of gaining weight terrified me, I was very careful of what I ate and thank God my only cravings were fresh fruit and popsicles!!!

And just because I fought the urges didn’t mean they weren’t there.   It was something I dealt with EVERY day.

I just took it ONE day at a time!! I told myself I had to get through the pregnancy – and then after the pregnancy I told myself “Okay, you’ve come this far, there’s NO going back!”

And having a little girl, my biggest fear was that she would grow up hating herself if that’s all she saw me doing! So it just wasn’t an option!!

Looking back, I have to say I’m proud of myself – because it would have been so easy to slip back into my old ways.  My husband left for a deployment when our daughter was a newborn – he was gone her whole first year and I was all alone, states away from anyone I knew! It would have been “easy” to get away with, but I knew that she and I deserved better!

But I also knew I had to find a healthy alternative, a way to take care of my body, a way for me to get my body back after pregnancy.  I was determined to prove to MYSELF that I could get my body back in a HEALTHY way.   But I wasn’t going to take my newborn to a gym and leave her with strangers while I worked out, so I had to find something I could do at home.

And that is when I found Beachbody, although at the time I had no clue what that meant! A friend had recommended Insanity to me and I thought what the heck! And it was exactly what I needed!

Doing Insanity was HARD, I started over 3 times before ever completing it – but it was SO rewarding!  It gave be something to work towards, something to occupy my time with- and to top it off, I had abs before Lili’s first birthday!

And from there I just continued to learn about nutrition and fitness.  I am not a fitness expert or a nutritionist, I’m just someone who LOVES leading a healthy lifestyle and I LOVE sharing what has worked for me (and what hasn’t) with other people and helping them on their fitness journey, hopefully making their journey a little less bumpy.  It has just become a passion of mine!

And I can honestly say I am in the best shape of my life and don’t just mean physically – because honestly, I have been skinnier/leaner  than I am right now, I have also been heavier – BUT I have NEVER been HEALTHIER! Both physically and mentally!

It has taken me a LONG time to get here and I still have work to do – but that’s what life is all about – continually making progress.  Becoming the best versions of OURSELVES possible!

So that is MY story - If this resonated with you at all, I would love for you to reach out to me! I would love for you to know that whatever you’re going through – you are NOT alone!