Be the good

 

I posted a pic on my page earlier in the week about how as a mom, my hobbies include peeing alone, choosing my battles, and making food (that no one eats). Y'all thought it was funny, and I know that is because you can totally relate (or you can't relate and you just feel sorry for this "mom" species). But it's the truth, mom's rarely get any actual ME time, we are constantly cleaning something, stepping on a toy, helping someone do one of 9 million various things, feeding someone, and just really serving other people in some way. And it's all very mundane (shhh, don't tell my kids)... it's the best job in the world, a life mission more than a job, but boy are the days long.

Most days, I feel like at the end of the day, what did I do today? Like what did I honestly get accomplished? The toys I cleaned up this morning, they've made their way back to the same spot in the middle of the floor. I dumped food in the trash while there are children out there who are starving... but, the years are SHORT. And one day, it will be over and I'll be longing for toys sprawled out everywhere (okay, maybe). I don't want to miss a THING! Heck no, I won't be at some 9-5 working for someone else while my kids long for me at home. Just no. And furthermore, I want to give my babies the world! I want to take them on vacations, I want to provide experiences. 

I am raising some beautiful children who will hopefully add their own value to this world. But, shouldn't I lead by example? 

Proverbs 22:6 Bring up a child by teaching him the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn away from it.

My me time is two fold. I've got my health and fitness, and I've got my business. Both provide me with time to feel refreshed and significant. When I first started this coaching business, I wanted to help people with fitness and health. To feel comfy in their own skin. Because of the amazing things it's done in my life. Now it's so much bigger. I want to help people get healthy but more so I want to lead you to the water. To show you how you can be PRESENT in your children's lives! I want to share every glorious thing about this business, because I really feel like I've found, more like stumbled across, the golden ticket. Helping other people get healthy, helping myself stay accountable to my health, and leading people to find their worth and invest more time with their families. I have the ability to add value to the world, to someone else's life. Even though you're a mom who cleans up the same toys all day long, even though you feel so insignificant, I'm here to tell you that YOU can add value to someone else's life. There's someone out there who is dying to meet you, your stories relate, she could be you, and she's desperately searching for a way to feel like she's doing something awesome with her life. She wants some me time. She is completely grateful to raise her amazing children, but she's looking for a way to put her stamp on the world beyond being "Mom." Because one day, those babies will be up and out, then what? If you don't help her, who will? 

So if you desperately need some ME time, get into a health and fitness program and plug into a challenge group to meet other like minded friends. The best thing you can do is get your me time while also bettering your health. And if you're looking to add value to the world, other than raising incredible children, and looking to show your children that they can be a shining light in someone else's life, then be a coach. This business is for ANYONE. If I can do it, you can do it. I'm an introvert, I have my anxiety struggles, I've got 4 kids, and I'm BUSY. I don't know a lot of people. I don't have a bowling league or some group that I'm involved in. I'm not a salesperson. So believe me when I say, If I can do it, you can do it. 

CROCK POT MEAL PLAN

I know, trust me, I know, you...are...busy! Check out this meal plan that has mostly crock pot meals, and then some meals that can be prepped in advance for the entire week! Easy peasy!

Clean Eating Donut Holes

Donut (see what I did there?) even tell me you don't have Shakeology?!? Friends, it's delicious, versatile, healthy, you simply have to try it!

Check out this awesome recipe!

No-Bake Cinnamon Sugar Donut Holes

Total Time: 8 hrs. 20 min.
Prep Time: 20 min.
Cooking Time: None
Yield: Makes 14 servings, 1 ball each

Ingredients:
⅓ cup whole raw almonds
Water
½ cup + 1½ tsp. unsweetened shredded coconut, divided use
1 tsp. ground cinnamon
½ tsp. ground nutmeg
1½ tsp. coconut (or palm) sugar
2 scoops Vanilla Shakeology
½ tsp. pure vanilla extract
¼ tsp. sea salt (or Himalayan salt)
6 medjool dates, pitted, coarsely chopped
2 Tbsp. + 1½ tsp. raw honey

Preparation:
1. Soak almonds in water overnight to remove skins; drain. Set aside.
2. Place 1½ tsp. coconut, cinnamon, nutmeg, and sugar in food processor; process for 20 seconds. Set aside.
3. Place remaining ½ cup coconut in food processor; process for 1 minute to release oils.
4. Add almonds, Shakeology, extract, and salt; pulse until well blended.
5. Add dates; process until well blended.
6. Add honey; process until well blended.
7. Roll into fourteen balls, about 1-inch in diameter each. Roll balls in cinnamon mixture.

Tips:
• If you don’t have time to soak almonds overnight, you can cover them in water and microwave them for 1 minute. Cool before using.
• Store leftover bites in an air-tight container.

Recipe credit: Team Beachbody. For more details and cooking tips for this recipe, please visit the TBB Blog!
And to get access to over 500 more, register for a FREE account on my website!

What if

 

*Raises hand* guilty!!! And my sweet daughter is paying for it. Why? Because she got my anxious, worried, "what if" disposition. Over the last few years, I feel like I've been going through a roller coaster. Different things... finances (one income family in Southern California), friends, depression, health issues, blended family struggles, weight, anxiety. Just to name some of the biggies. 

I've been trying to turn Isabella's thinking into "what if things could go right" instead of wrong. For example, she's having a really hard time with the unexpected in kindergarten, library day can literally send her into what I can only describe as an anxiety attack in her tiny little body. And so instead of "what if... something totally scary to her... like sitting on the rug in the library" I'm trying to spin it to "What if you have fun! What if you find a cool book. What if it's the best day ever... etc." She does have the "what if monster" book, and we love that! I just love books that illustrate teachable moments! 

And through her struggle, I'm realizing I need this in my own life. I'm so darn worrisome, introverted. Yesterday I met with a coach on my team... we've "known" each other through social media for a year, but never actually met. It was such a huge step for me to actually meet up and have coffee together! It may not seem like a big thing to someone normal, haha, but to an introvert, this is huge. I'm all overcoming struggles over here left and right! Eventually, I'll get really brave an post a LIVE video on Facebook ... that's my next goal.  My coaching career is doing BIG things in my life. And if I can do this, you can do this. 

Do you let the "what if monster" take the wheel? Or do you have a handle on the "what ifs" and focus on what could go right? 

Mom hobbies

 

That is all for today. I'm off to go make some more food that won't get eaten, and change from one set of pajamas to the next. Peace, love, and pjs. 

Cilantro Lime Chicken

This crock pot recipe rocks! It can serve as a summer meal with the cilantro and lime kick, or as a comforting fall meal with the yummy gravy sauce that smothers the chicken. Absolutely wonderful, I hope you enjoy!

Ingredients:
3-4 Chicken Breasts
1 can low sodium chicken broth
1 large sweet onion
4-5 limes
1 cup cilantro
¼ cup wheat flour
Chili powder, cumin, 2 minced garlic cloves, sea salt
avocado

Directions:
Season chicken with spices and add to the crock pot. Chop onion and layer
around the chicken.

Next, pour 1 cup of chicken broth into the crock pot.

Juice 4 limes into the crock pot. Set to low for 4 hours for defrosted chicken.

When finished cooking, remove chicken and set aside. Add the flour to the crock
pot and chop about ½ cup of cilantro. Whisk well and turn the crock pot to high for
about 20 minutes for the sauce to thicken.

Top the chicken with the sauce and garnish with cilantro and sliced avocado.

I serve with Cilantro lime quinoa and black beans.

Superwoman Status

Sometimes, I'm reminded that even though I think I'm a hot mess, my family really thinks I'm superwoman. Now, I could let this annoy me, their unrealistic expectations of my abilities, or I could take it as a compliment.

The scenario: its Sunday morning, 6:45. I've slept in... yes, 6:45 on a Sunday is sleeping in. Take a moment to let the gravity of that really sink in... and remember that I'm not a morning person!

So, I get up, hubby is sleeping in a bit longer. I make my daughter breakfast, nurse my son, make some coffee (thank God that He gave someone the knowledge to create this Heavenly Elixir) and start making a breakfast casserole for after church. You see, my husband, Ben, enjoys really tasty breakfast on the weekends.

Then, I head upstairs to shower and get ready, baby in tow! I get Isabella ready, bathe Nixon and get him ready and I'm trying to get myself ready too. Nixon decides, as he usually does, that he would like to be held. So as I'm holding him, attempting to do my makeup, realizing that we have ten minutes until we need to get our butts in the car so I will be sporting my "wet hair" look, my husband asks if I can iron his shirt. I mean really? So many choice responses going through my head. And of course each one is sarcastic. I'm holding my son, doing my makeup, can I iron your shirt too? No, I cannot. I only have two hands. I did tell him I cannot, I am a woman who knows her limits, afterall!

And that's when I realized it. My family thinks I'm flipping amazing! What Mom can do all that?! Apparently, me!!!

I do so love that my family relies on me to care for them. And that they think I have magical superpowers. I wonder what super powers I'll be displaying this week?

Workout partner

 

GUT CHECK MOMENT HERE! 

I have been failing miserably at working out. The queen of "how to find the time" couldn't find the time. Or the motivation. I think some people think I love working out. I don't. Gasp! I really don't love it. I love the way it makes me feel. I love the way it makes me look. I love the health benefits. I never regret a workout. But I don't jump outta bed ready to pump iron. I regret not working out. And that regret has been taking a toll. 

So my game plan was, workout in the morning when Nixon takes his nap and Isabella's at school. Fail! I wasn't doing it. I was barely getting in 3 workouts a week. And that was even because Health Bet required it. I was trying to stay accountable, cause whatever I ask of my challengers, I better be doing too!!! But I was failing. No sleep & bigger priorities were taking up my time. Clean house anyone?!  But geez, if I don't make my health a priority, who the heck will?

Then, I realized, I was missing my accountability partner. Isabella!!! This girl LOVES working out with me. She'll often ask me to workout, and lately she's been telling me she misses working out with me. 

Lightbulb! It's been a little difficult for her and I to get quality time lately. Don't get me wrong, she's a priority, and I've been working on making her even more of a priority than I had been. But I've got an infant who needs me all the time. Then she needs me too, but in a different way. 

Can we say MOM GUILT any louder? 

So yea, my workout partner is a 5 year old. She's probably better at accountability than I am! And we are going to try to make this an after school thing everyday! My ME time just turned into US time. And I think this could be the best idea ever. 

Try it with your kids. Don't feel like you're taking time away from them to get to your workout, involve them. Maybe they'll love it as much as my little partner does. 

How do you guys spread yourselves between your kids? Isabella's been the only one for years, from 8-3, it's just her and I. Quality time. And now we don't have that. It's messing us both up!

Past lives

 

Long read. And some personal junk here. But I'm all for being real with myself. 

Momming is hard. There, I said it. I love my children with a fire in my soul, but man, it's hard. It's thankless. It's not glamorous. It's long days followed by sleepless nights. It's a "coffee is REQUIRED" lifestyle. It means I always come, 2nd? No, more like 10th. It's trying to talk to your husband but feeling like you have Tourette's and distracting from the conversation every 32 seconds. It's having someone literally attached to you, always. 

Now is it the most rewarding thing ever? Hell yes. Would I trade it for anything in the entire world, no way. Do I absolutely love being a stay at home and absolutely refuse to go back to work, uh yes! My children mean everything to me. I wouldn't want to miss a single moment. So I'm glad they are literally attached to me! 

But I will say this, I'm so glad that I have my health business. It's something for ME. It actually forces me to get out of my introverted ways and talk to people. You guys, if I didn't have that, I would just be sitting over here in a little hole, 10th in line to everything! It forces me to eat well. Forces me to workout. Forces me to take care of myself. And when I say "force," this isn't a bad thing. How many people think talking to people, eating well, and working out is bad? No one. But how many introverts would totally shy away from these things if given the opportunity? Probably 90% of us. I would never talk to a soul! 

The conversations I get to have with actual adults, about actual things that matter, thank you to my business for that! I look so forward to speaking with like minded people!! I look so forward to sharing my passion with people! And hearing their passions! And giving this GIFT of health and fitness to people who, without home workouts, wouldn't have another way to get it! Cause before I was introduced to this thing, I didn't EVER make it to a gym. I was a HOT MESS! I didn't have a passion, I didn't have a purpose, I sat in my hole, I didn't talk to anyone, I wasn't healthy (omg not in the least!) I was wasting the gifts that God gave me. I was wasting my life and my children's lives. Seriously you guys, I couldn't keep up with my girl. We didn't even play. I never went to the park. I could barely chase her up the stairs I was so unhealthy. When I think back on it, it's just gross. I was a grumpy, frumpy, bump on a log. Pretending to be someone else. Anyone but myself. The loathing was something I kept secret from everyone. But you can't keep secrets from God. 

Thank GOD that He brought this opportunity to me. It has impacted my life and my children's lives immeasurably. 

I was asked yesterday to imagine my life without Beachbody, if Beachbody went away. And I won't say I can't imagine it and give you a bunch of froo froo language about how I can't even picture my life without this amazing opportunity... cause I can picture my life. I've been there. It's not a pretty place. I won't go back. Keep moving forward! 

So how did this introvert chick actually say yes to something new? Well, I'm a people pleaser too! I hate to offend people (there's a painful backstory to that). And I totally offended a friend of mine who was a coach. Had been a coach for years. She made a post that said "how can I help you with fitness?" And I commented that it would be nice to get free workouts, 30 minute workouts no less, so that I didn't have to buy a program from that Beachbody company. Uh, she was a coach  for Beachbody. She used these "programs" as tools to bring fitness to people. I didn't know that! I didn't even know she was a Beachbody coach. I didn't even know what the heck a coach was. I thought coaches were just people who bragged about having a "beach body." Like they were somehow endorsed by this company as being perfectly shaped. You send in your pic and they say "yup, you look good." I hadn't taken the time to actually read her posts, I scrolled on by even though this friend meant something to me. 

I was so EMBARRASSED, I felt so dumb, and I felt like such a jerk that I joined her new "challenge group" so as not to be such a jerk. And really the $60 to buy a program was NOTHING compared to what that group and that program gave me. The girl wasn't trying to sell me on anything, she was trying to give me a gift. And that she did. And the rest is history! 

Sometimes God allows you to make an idiot of yourself to bring something better to you that you would never do on your own! 

Marriage and Breakfast

I bet you didn't realize the two went together? In my house, they do. You see, my handsome husband is one of those *morning people* and how we ended up married, well I guess opposites attract. I couldn't be further from a morning person! You know what morning people like? Breakfast. And you know when? Early. Cause they've already been up for hours come 9am. 

 

Another one? Okay, why not, then back to my story! 

 

So, since my little guy takes after his daddy, he wakes up at 4:30... every flipping morning. He's not quite awake though, he's just stirring around. But I cannot sleep because he needs to be upright and patted on the back to remain asleep. So I decided, instead of trying to sleep sitting up and while patting, whatever, I'm just going to get up and get some work done. I'm not sure how long I can keep it up, since little dude is also waking 4-5 times in the 6 hours he's been asleep, but we'll see how long I can function on this kind of sleep pattern. 

So anyhow, talk about a "power hour!" Today, I got fed up with the incessant patting and stirring and at 5:30 I just went downstairs. I'm working my biz in peace and quiet until the hubster and daughter wake just after 7. Felt pretty good to get my work done early, shhh, do not tell a soul that I said that. I'm afraid I might be labeled a morning person! When my family woke up, I didn't have anything to do but serve them. Got my baby girl some chocolate almond milk, her morning *special drink* as she calls it (as coffee is mine!) and started making my husband some coffee. 

 

He comes downstairs and is AMAZED. I got up before him, (he's says that's NEVER happened in our 8 years together) I'm making coffee for him, and I've got breakfast in the works. He's all huggie and sweet to me, you see, he's an Acts of Service guy. I just made him feel totally loved.  And while I had blender muffins on the agenda for breakfast, I know my guy, he wants a hearty meal. Would it kill me to throw together a little veggie scramble to go with it? Nope, it wouldn't. 

 

And for the first time in, forever, (Frozen fans, you know you just sang that) I was invited to go on a morning walk with him, our kids, and our pup. And me, I'm a Quality Time gal. So the offer made my heart soar. Did I go? Actually, I totally failed and declined so I could get a shower. Cause moms, you know if there's a chance for a kid free shower, that's like being at a spa. But I appreciated the offer, and I kicked myself a little, next time, I'll go. 

Acts of service and quality time are two of the 5 Love Languages. If you and your spouse haven't looked into it, you totally should. Basically, we each have a language that we speak in terms of love. For example, hubby is acts of service, he feels love when being served, or being taken care of. He also shows love this way. You show love in the way you receive love. So for him, making me breakfast and changing the oil in my car, these are lovey things. But guess what, I'm quality time. So I feel love (and show love) through quality time. The reason to figure out your spouse's language, is so that you "speak" to your spouse and show him love using the right language. It doesn't come naturally to me to use acts of service to show love, it comes natural for me to use quality time, but that's not how he feels love, get it? If you want to take the quiz, there's a free version here! I would love to hear how you and your spouse stack up!  

Banana Oat Blender Muffins

 

A quick and easy breakfast muffin that you can whip up with limited time! Recipe makes 12. 

2 cups old fashioned rolled oats

2 ripe bananas

2 eggs

1  cup plain Greek yogurt

1 Tbsp honey

1 Tbsp maple syrup 

1 1/2 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp baking soda

1 tsp vanilla extract

pinch of sea salt

*  Up to 1/2 cup mix-ins: I used chocolate chips because chocolate makes everything better for my daughter (and me, who am I kidding?) You can also use chopped nuts, pumpkin, any seeds, or berries. 

You'll add all ingredients except your mix ins to to blender. Blend on high for 2-3 minutes until the mixture is smooth and creamy. 

 

I don't have a beautiful vitamix blender (hint, hint, hubby) so I needed to process the ingredients a for a second in the food processor, then blend. 

 

Next, add your mix ins. 

If using cupcake liners, spray them a little. If using just the muffin tin, spray it well. Full each cup almost to the top, but not quite. 

 

Bake on 400 for 15 minutes

 

You'll want to store these in the fridge. 

*side note: can you tell my cupcake liners are Christmas? I bought those two years ago. This is how much I bake 😂 But hey, I'm getting better!

 

Pumpkin Spice Oats

 

Who doesn't love all things PUMPKIN!?

Did you know that most pumpkin products are ARTIFICIALLY flavored? Seriously, look at the ingredient label. Is "pumpkin" even listed? This makes me mad. I want to enjoy pumpkin in fall just like all of us do, but I do not want to sacrifice my nutrition for it. 

Also, mom of 3. Not a lot of time for recipes that take FOREVER to prep and have ingredients that are not regularly in my kitchen! That makes me even more mad! 

Enter, Pumpkin Spice Overnight Oats! All the cooking is done while you're getting your beauty sleep! Or lack thereof in my case, cause I'm nursing a beautiful boy who doesn't sleep. Plus for this recipe, the oats boost milk supply! 

Ingredients

* ⅓ cup plain Greek yogurt

* ½ cup Old fashioned rolled oats

* ⅔ cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk 

* 1 tablespoon chia seeds or ground flax meal

* ½ teaspoon vanilla extract

* 2 tablespoons maple syrup

* 1 T coconut sugar

* ½ cup plain pumpkin puree

* ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon

* ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg 

* ½ teaspoon pumpkin pie spice 

Instructions

1. In a mixing bowl, whisk together all ingredients then transfer it to a mason jar. I use a 16oz jar and it's perfect. You can use any jar with a tight lid. 

2. Close and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, but preferably overnight before eating.

3. Wake and warm it up and enjoy! 

Serves 2.

Energy, Or Lack Therof

Some days, I can barely muster enough energy to function! But this sweet little face makes my day bright as can be! Even though he's the source of my zero energy! How many times does your kiddo wake at night? This boy, at least SIX. Yes, SIX. At least.

My afternoon Shakeology helps immensely as well! When I need a pick me up, it's much better than coffee. Not only for the vitamins, but also because I'm nursing and I don't want a hyper boy! He doesn't need any more energy than he already has!

Mommies, if you've got tricks for energy, please send them my way on Facebook! And come say "hi" if you've got a baby who brightens your day!!!

Grand prize group!

 

I've been legit biting my nails anxious to share this FREAKING AWESOME group that's beginning October 3rd.

Country Heat is *the* HOTTEST program available! And you can win it buddy! 

➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖

Enroll in my upcoming 21 day challenge and here's what is in store for you: 

👉🏻 Meal planning help

👉🏻Recipes

👉🏻Guidebook

👉🏻Clean eating

👉🏻Online access to a resources tailored to YOUR SUCCESS

👉🏻Daily encouragement 

👉🏻Daily check ins for motivation & accountability 

👉🏻Freedom to workout at home on your schedule 

👉🏻 Superfoods supplement 

👉🏻Workout DVDs

👉🏻Freedom to choose from several plans to meet your individual needs 

👉🏻Free mobile app to stay on track

👉🏻Individualized help

Annnnnnd... As if that wasn't enough, a grand prize at the end for one top participant! (Hard work and participation PAYS OFF!)

➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖

⏩ How do you sign up? Well first, let me make note that this group is limited to TEN and ONLY TEN participants. So the first come first served! 

You WILL succeed! Prep Week starts Monday, September 26th, challenge starts Monday, October 3rd. Message me now so you don't miss out on securing your spot! 💌 and together we'll find the plan that best suits your lifestyle and your goal. Jalenecabralesfitness@gmail.com

*Legal Stuff: Cannot be working with another coach or be a coach. New to you program is required. 

Crock Pot Clean Eating Group

My crock pot is life. Seriously. I have a 4 month old, 5 year old, and 15 year old. As a health coach, I strive to get healthy meals on the table each night, but boy is that difficult with my daily routine. But I manage to get a homecooked meal on the table at 6pm every night! Not bragging here... In fact, I'm going to let you in on a secret... I've got my trusty crock pot as my sidekick! So I would like to invite you to an exclusive group for Clean Eating Crock Pot Meals!

In this group, you'll find:

1. Recipes for clean eating crock pot meals.
2. A workable meal plan that you can use to slim down before the holidays begin!
3. Easy meals and comfort food meals that are perfect for the fall months.
4. Overview of clean eating.


This group will be hosted on Facebook, please follow THIS LINK to Rsvp! Fun and free!

A day in the life!

Some days, I've really got my sh*t together. I feel like superwoman on those day!
1. Running errands
2. Nixon's dr appt
This took me from 8-11 and then I picked Bella up from school.
3. Play date for Bella at my house
4. Nixon is sleeping! Hallelujah
5. Prepped dinner
6. Dessert is in the CROCK POT! <-- remember how much I love crock pots!! I'll post the dessert in my clean eating crock pot group that starts next Wednesday, lemme know if you want to join! 7. Cleaned the house 8. Sent out the first batch of invitations to my FREE YOGA group! <--- you can join that one too! 9. It's only 2:20 10. Did I mention I've been up since 4am? 11. Time to go Namaste with my Yoga workout! Clearly tomorrow will be a hot mess!!! Isn't that how it goes!? Fortunately, I work when I want, how I want, where I want! PS- how cute is my son?!

Marriage

 

When you open your Bible right to Ephesians 5...

Wives... You know what I'm talking about! 

Okay, okay, this is not the first but the second time in a a very short time frame that God has led me to this lesson. 

When the world tells you to fight back, Jesus tells you to love back. Powerful isn't it? You can apply it to so many areas of life, but I think it comes in handy when we are thinking of our marriage. 

Sometimes, we just want to be mad, right? We love him more than life but at this moment we don't like what he has to say, we don't like his opinion, we sure as heck don't want his help, we won't admit he's right (never!), and we just say "I'm fine" when asked by him how we are doing. 

Ladies, you know when you say "I'm fine" you're anything but. He knows it too. (They've figured out the code, it's time to just fess up!) Instead of grinding our heels into the ground, maybe we can soften and lean into him instead of pulling away. He's probably got just what you need, even if you are resistant to hear it. Go hug the man, you know you adore him. 

Oh, and if he tells you that you're being a pain in the butt. You're probably being a pain in the butt. 

1 Peter 3: 1-7

Paraphrased in the way I read it... Your husband should be able to see God through you. Your unfading beauty should come from a gentle and quiet spirit. 

When your husband looks at you, does he see God? I've been asking myself this for the past couple weeks and it's doing good for me. I hope it helps you too. Life's too short to be mad over dumb stuff... And really, whatever "it" is, it's probably dumb all things considered!

My Jeans!

This is a total bathroom selfie (and my mirror isn't even clean, whatev) but hey, it's the first time in almost a YEAR that I've worn jeans! MY jeans! Not new, bigger, jeans. My same pre-pregnancy jeans!

I fully expected to buy an entire new wardrobe. But this morning I tried on jeans that were buried in my closet, and while some won't fit, some will! And for that, I'm stoked!!!!

And bonus, the zipper isn't even hurting my c section incision that still kills me daily!

Living the Dream

Living the dream, and feeling worthy enough to have dreams!

You might not get it, and that's okay, neither did I. I didn't get it, that people actually get their life's desires by helping other people. That people actually have a fire and passion for helping others get happy.

That people actually live for this.

But it's true. Coaches are not salespeople. We don't sell products. We don't work for Beachbody. We don't work for Shakeology. We actually get our kicks from seeing our friends, family, complete strangers feel better from the inside out. We work for our own passion, and you can hardly even call it work when you love what you do and when you reach goals by doing the things that make you a better person.
There are good people in this world. They are called coaches. So while it may be totally silly or even annoying that I post my selfies, my recipes, my Bible verses, my inspiration for my own life, that's okay. I thought it was silly too. I thought it was annoying. I thought it was quite presumptuous as a matter of fact, that this coach person thinks they can come into my life with a DVD and a drink and be all "I can help you make your life magical." Pffft, weird right?

But now I realize, that's just what we do! And if you haven't tried it out, you just don't get it. It's like this healthy and happy person club, until you're in it, you don't know the secret handshake!
If I've inspired just one person to become healthy, to have fun with it, to live longer for their children, I win. This is more than a job. It's a purpose, a calling. It's making dreams into reality. And I get to do it from home, with my children in tow, on my own time. For real?!?! YES. It is real. I'm living it. Lucky lady, but luck has nothing to do with it. I believed in myself enough to take a chance.
So what happened when I took the chance? Well, I became one of these coach people... I learned the secret handshake... These people, they live to help you live better. To help you feel better. To help you look better. And then, something happens... When you're the coach, YOU live better. You stop going through the motions, thinking that you can't have dreams and goals, you stop telling yourself that you'll be working a 9-5 for someone else your whole life, that you'll leave your kids with a stranger, that said stranger will raise them, that you won't be there for bedtime stories, kisses on scraped knees, morning snuggles and UNSCHEDULED time, that you won't ever make it to Hawaii, that you won't ever retire, or retire your husband. You'll be be working your whole lives and never really spend time together.


You just stop telling yourself that, because it's not true. Life isn't about going through the motions until you keel over and go be with Jesus. As amazing as Heaven will be, you aren't there yet! You were put on this Earth to do more than go through the motions. You like to be healthy and to eat and live well, and you also have a gift of sharing health with others, how joyous do you think the King is that you've taken the gifts He's handed you and actually used them?!? ANYONE has this gift. THAT is what being a coach is. Feeling worthy enough to have dreams, working for them, helping people.


I'm in the best place I've ever been in my life. And it's so darn simple. I never knew before I tried it. How infectious it is to help people. How awesome it makes ME feel. That's living the dream. That's coaching.

Clean Eating Lactation Cookies

I'm pretty proud of myself! I am NOT a baker. Cooking, yes, baking, no! But I wanted to boost supply a bit with some lactation cookies, and every recipe I found was a hodge podge of unhealthy ingredients. One even claimed to be clean but contained brown sugar and white flour! So since I've been cleaning up recipes for myself for about two years, I decided I could totally tackle this clean eating baking recipe like the boss that I am!!! Hint: Go into anything with that kind of confidence, and you're unstoppable!

These are soft, flakey, and kid/husband approved! And you don't have to be nursing to enjoy them! Think: delicious oatmeal chocolate chip cookie!


Ingredients:


1/2 cup REAL butter, softened (I microwave for about 20 seconds cause I'm impatient)

16 Oz of Peanut Butter

1 1/2 cups coconut sugar

1 Tbs maple syrup

2 teasp vanilla extract

3 Eggs

3 1/2 cups of rolled oats

1/2 cup coconut flour

3 Tbs ground flax seed (You can use up to 1/2 cup, depending on how much supply you want to boost. If you use 1/2 cup, back down your flour to 1/4 cup)

2 teasp baking soda

1/2 teasp sea salt

1 cup dark chocolate mini chips

1/2 cup of chopped or slivered almonds. I just tossed a handful in my food processor and chopped them up!

*Optional: if you're supply is really lacking, you can add 2-3 T of Brewer's yeast (Not nutritional yeast!) You can find it at a health food store or on Amazon (Of course, what do they not have?)



Directions:

Mix the butter, coconut sugar, peanut butter. Then add the other wet ingredients and mix well.

Bakers, you know you're supposed to mix the salt, baking soda, flour, and oats first, then add. Truly, I never do this, and I've yet to run into a big bite of unmixed salty-ness. But if you're a baker, mix your dry ingredients first then add them, if you're not, then you're like me, just add them in and hope for the best!

Finally, add the chocolate chips and almonds.


Preheat oven to 350.

Scoop a two inch ball out of the very sticky dough, place in on an ungreased cookie sheet and press it down to flatten it a bit.

Bake for about 9 minutes.

This recipe makes a ton! But your family is going to gobble them up, so that's okay.

And in the morning, if you decide to have cookies for breakfast, add a little almond milk and start dunking, guilt free, because they are clean and delicious! Rock on, mama!

FREE YOGA!

September is Yoga month! Truth, I am not really into yoga. I have trouble slowing down enough to actually enjoy it. But that probably means I NEED to slow down a bit. Do you ever find that the things you don't do are precisely the things you should do? I've been focusing on some self reflection over the past month, and yoga may be just the thing I need! Slow down, decompress, refresh... And just... Be.

Plus, when my company offers me a 3 Week Yoga Retreat program for FREE, and I tells me I can also give it to my friends for FREE, I best be taking advantage of it!

If you want to try this 3 week online program with me, please send me an email at Jalene.Cabrales@gmail.com (Subject line: FREE YOGA!) so I can hook you up with the free program. We will also use an app for your phone to log in workouts, stay accountable, and chat for motivation through the program! The app is also free!


Then, I'll email you the details and link to get your free program and app, and we'll get going!

Legal stuff: cannot be working with another coach. Free program is part of a one time 30 day free trial.

Roasted Butternut Squash

Need a side dish? This! And it would be perfection on Thanksgiving!


2 cups of butternut squash, cubed
2 T coconut sugar
1 1/2 cups fresh spinach
1/2 cup almonds, chopped
1/2 cup craisins
Sea Salt, Pepper, EVOO


First, toss the squash in 2-3 tablespoons of oil. Then, season with cracked pepper and sea salt, about a 1/2 teaspoon of each. Sprinkle 1 T of coconut sugar over the mixture and toss. Spread it into an even layer on a cookie sheet.

Bake at 425 for 20 minutes until squash is tender.

Next, mix the almonds and craisins together in the same mixing bowl, so a small amount of the oil mixture transfers to them. Sprinkle over the squash and bake another 5 minutes.

Immediately after you remove it from the oven, sprinkle the remaining tablespoon of coconut sugar on top, and top it with the spinach. Let stand for 1-2 minutes, then mix and serve!

MAKE THE HAPPY

You don't FIND a happy life, you MAKE it.

Reflecting over the personal development I've been doing over the last week, here's my take on myself...

I'm not an optimist. Sometimes I really wish I was! Wouldn't my life be so much more perfect if I just found the good in everything and had a positive outlook? Well, I'm a realist. But that's okay, really it is. I've gotta love myself for how I am, realist and all! So how do realists approach life, dreams, goals? Instead of "finding" the good by happy accident or kismet, I've gotta MAKE the good. Because the only thing I can control, is me. <-- ouch, that's a hard one for me. Control freak here.

Here's how I see it... A house isn't a home when first purchased, it's a shell. You make it the a home by filling it with the things you love. Such is life, make it yours, make it happy, make it fulfilling by filling it with things you love. Not happy? Change that! Take out the things that don't mesh with your goal, add the things that do.

Your life doesn't get better by chance, it gets better by change (Jim Rohn)

Worry

Man oh man is God working overtime this week. The Man is on fiya!!! Isn't He always though? We just have to listen. Seek Him out. He's there.

Worry. Ugh. That's me, big worrier. I worry about things that are YEARS away (like going back to work when Nixon is 5!) I simply REFUSE to go back to work, guys. It's not gonna happen. So what is gonna happen? I'm going to have to stop worrying and being scared, and live bold, live in a way that will create dreams and turn them to reality, that will stifle FEAR, that will fulfill my purpose. There is no PLAN B! I'm in it to win it. I'm worth those dreams. I won't be going through the motions of life. I will LIVE BOLD. Not I will, I AM living bold, from now on peeps.

Purpose, that's a deep word isn't it? Been thinking a lot on purpose, in my ripe old age of 32, and realizing that we only live ONCE. It needs to be great. One day, I'll be in Heaven with the King of Kings, but until then I need to make the most out of this life. Stop worry about CRAP. And start living the way God has planned for me. I mean there's really two options, be rich because you took a chance or be broke because you were skeptical. Rich in life experience, rich in love, rich in travel, rich in freedom!

Saw a quote: "So little of what could happen, does happen." Do you get it? If you do, you're a worrier like me. And we just need to tone it down a notch, am I right?!

In Luke chapter 8, Jesus compares worry to a thorn. It suffocates the plant from reaching maturity. Worry & fear, very similar, right? Fear can cripple us if we let it. You can't see it, but it will take you DOWN.

However, it also works the same with faith, you can't see it, but it will build you UP. Fear and faith, both Involve you believing in something that you cannot see.

There's only one question, which direction do you want to go, down or up?

Momming isn't easy

Is what you're putting out there what you want them to see? This quote was revealed to me today. And I placed it on a photo of my girl so that I will remember.

I don't know if you remember when I shared that my new strategy for reading my Bible is to pray, then open and read. God has been showing me exactly what I need to see.

Well, recently it's been put on my heart to pray for myself as a mother. And God has been showing me that I need to be a more gentle mother... And wife! In fact, I need to be more gentle in all areas. Friends, I'm not a very gentle person. I'm kinda like a herd of elephants in the way I approach situations. It goes against the grain for me. But in my prayers, in humbling myself before God, He has told me not to be afraid. My prayers have been heard. And He is showing me how, and helping me, to be a better and more effective parent.

My little girl has gone through so many changes in the last 6 months, from my bedrest complicating our lives in so many ways, to Nixon's birth, to starting kindergarten, this little one who is already so resistant to change (she got it from her mama) has been thrown through the ringer. And so gentleness is what she needs. Showing her God's unconditional love and promises through her mommy's undying devotion to her. That's my mission. And it's a work in progress for sure.

Chicken Stromboli

You know what I love? EASY. delicious, and clean meals! Don't you? This one is about as easy as they come!

Serves 2.
2 chicken breasts, shredded
1 wheat pizza crust
1/4 cup prepared basil pesto
10 ounces (approximately) diced tomatoes, canned
1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
1/3 cup chopped red onion
1/4 cup chopped mushrooms

Parmesan for garnish.



1. Cook chicken to be shredded. I use a crock pot! You can also use a prepared rotisserie chicken for a quick meal.

2. Mix all ingredients in a mixing bowl and set aside. Hot pink bowl is optional, but it does make it a little more fun!

3. Preheat oven to 400. Flatten pizza dough onto a prepared, rectangular cookie sheet.

4. Spoon mixture onto dough...

... and wrap the long sides over to meet in the middle.

Then flip the stromboli so the seam side is down.

5. Top with grated parmesan and bake for 25 minutes until golden brown. And Enjoy!