Food for Thought: Tortilla Pizza Recipe

Tortilla Pizza Recipe

Pizza....one of the greatest foods in existance.  A food that I used to eat religiously every Friday for our family "Pizza Friday" meals.  As I started my weightloss journey, it became a food that I only saw maybe once a month for my one "free meal" for the week.  Until now... 

I am here to show you how to make an inexpensive, fast, and healthier version of this classic meal.  A recipe I guarentee everyone in your family will LOVE!

Ingredients you will need:

- 1 Large Mission extra grande tortilla shell

- 1/2 cup Contadina pizza sauce ( I love that they make it in a convient squeeze bottle)

- 5 ounces 99% lean ground turkey

- 17 Slices of turkey pepperoni

- 4-5 whole mushrooms chopped

- 1/2 cup of shredded cheese

- 2 tablespoons of parmesan cheese

      

Pre heat your oven to 400 degrees

While the oven is warming, brown your ground turkey meat making sure it is fully cooked.

Then take your tortilla shell and place it on your pan, add sauce, ground turkey, pepperoni, mushrooms,  and cheese.

Place in oven for 13 min and wham-o bam-o a perfectly done, delicious, thin crust pizza.

Here are the nutrtion facts:

Serving Size: 1/3 of the Pizza

Servings: 3

Calories: 277

Fat: 10.8g

Carbs: 21.8g

Protein: 23.1g

Sugar: 2g

This is a food that my husband asks me to make almost nightly.  He loves pizza.  The beauty of this recipe is that you can make it however you like it.  Add more veggies or add different meats.  You can always use smaller "personal" sized tortilla shells (which also come in low-carb versions).  Make it how you wish and pizza on my friends. 

Keep Inspiring, 

Shauna 

Shauna's Thoughts: Back To Basics

May has turned out to be a very crazy month for myself. First my Grandmother went into the hospital and I am really the only one here to help visit and bring her clothes and necessities she may need.  Then my husband and I made the decision to move into my Grandma's house in order to prepare her home for her return.  She will also need assistance once she is finally release. Trying to plan and execute my sons 4th birthday party, and try to settle him into the new house. Plus trying to balance my work and Farrell's schedules around all of this has really put my nutrition into a bit a jumble. My weigh-ins at Max Muscle have still been really good even in the chaos, but I know that my nutrition is starting to slip. I have been down this road too many times before, and I don't plan to continue going toward this dark path. So, as life is starting to settle back into normalcy, I am grabbing my ticket to getting back to basics. NUTRITION will be the key!  You can spend hours exercising and working out, but if you don't have your nutrition locked down you will never make progress.

Everyone has bad days, that turn into bad weekends, that turn into bad weeks, or even possibly turn into bad months.  That's life and it happens. We can't beat ourselves up for being human. What we can do is think about how far we have come and get back on track. I'll say it again,  let's get back to basics.  Write down your goals for the next month, break it down into weeks if that helps. Post it somewhere you will see it everyday. Plan your meals for the day or better yet the week! Water water water...this is something I have not been doing enough of. Grab a friend to workout with, friends that sweat together stay together.  Now that it is getting nicer outside get off the couch and do something fun outside with the family!  Do not let one bad meal, one bad weekend, or even one bad week keep you down. You have come to far to let something so tiny smolder your flame. 

Last weeks goals!

So, who is with me? I challenge everyone to write down their goals for the next month. They don't need to be crazy goals, make the goals something you can achieve in a month. Then you won't feel pressured or discouraged and give up.  Some examples could be: Drinking at least 80oz of water a day. Cut back alcohol to one drink a week (better yet no alcohol for 30 days).  Same for soda. Do you have a sweet tooth? Use fruits to satisfy your cravings.  Be dedicated to using your food log... You get the point.  These small little changes  will make a big impact over time!  Make posters, collages, or keep a journal for inspiration. I finally had a few minutes last night to catch up on my Fitness Smash Book.  It helped me gain some much needed motivation by looking at all the progress I have already made.  So remember, if you slipped up or fell off the wagon and you're looking for a sign to get back on track....THIS IS IT! This is your sign.  I will not let you fail, you can do anything you put your mind to. How bad do you want it?

Keep Inspiring  ~Shauna~
 

Weekly Motivation: Don't give up!

Well, Jenni and I continue to have a crazy month of May.  Motivation Monday has just turned into "Weekly Motivation".  Like I mentioned before, on this segment, we want to feature and interview someone who inspires us.  I was finally able to sit down with a wonderful woman named Carol Wisecarver.  She is a role model, an inspiration, and a true legend at our Farrell's location.  After my first kickboxing class with Carol, I knew this lady meant business.  That class is defiantly in my top five of hardest workouts I have done so far!

Carol Wisecarver

In January 2009 Carol saw a commercial on T.V. for a new workout facility in Omaha that was based on cardio kickboxing.  She had taken a few kickboxing classes in the past and decided to check it out.  Little did she know that by taking her first step into the building, she would become an FXB lifer.  Within the first five weeks of her first ten week session, Carol was asked if she would be interested in becoming an instructor.  From there on she was hooked.  Within the next few years she became part owner of the facility, to eventually owning the entire location! She fell in love with Farrell's for what the program does.  It creates a sense of community, instills confidence,  delivers great results, and challenges you to step out of your comfort zone.  While she loved what she was doing for people, by changing their lives and getting them healthy, she realized as an Owner she was starting to only see people as dollar signs.  She didn't like that feeling, so she sold her location to someone who would take just as much pride in the program as she did, and help Farrell's flourish in Omaha. Since then, Carol went back to instructing, and getting to do what she does best, inspiring others!  She is truly someone who cares about the success, and story of everyone she meets. 




Question and Answer Time:

Q: You look amazing.  Have you always been in good shape?
A: No, my family has a history of heart disease, diabetes, and obesity.  This doesn't come naturally. 

Finishing the Lincoln 1/2 Marathon

Carol is always on the go, doing lots of different things to stay active.  Hiking, biking, running, and even sky diving.  When she started Farrell's she hated running just like many of us do, but she was focused and determined and she didn't give up.  Running became her therapy to help prepare her for the day ahead or to unwind and reflect on what the day brought.  Carol has done four 1/2 Marathons and it seems like she is always participating in some sort of fun run for the month.



Q: What motivates and inspires you to live such an active lifestyle?
A: My 23 year old Daughter.  I want to there for her and watch her grow in life.  I want to be a good role model for her and show her that we all make mistakes sometimes and that's OK.

Carol, who just turned 50 this year, said her father passed away in his 50's, this is another reason why she stays so active.  I'm going to do whatever she is doing cause I can only hope when I turn 50 I look as amazing as she does!


Q: Food. Tell me about your nutrition.
A: Meal prep is key. I drive to Lincoln every day for work and I have to prep my meals. Everyone knows if I don't get my lunch in, I'm no fun.  I use Fruit to satisfy my sweet cravings.

Working in Lincoln, and living in Omaha makes for a busy day for Carol.  She gets up really early every day and takes/teaches 5 a.m. (and most likely gets a run in I'm sure).  She gets all of her meals ready for her day,  and drives to Lincoln and back.  If she didn't have her lunches and snacks prepped and ready to go, she would fall into bad habits and probably choose more unhealthy options.  She says she likes to prep up grilled chicken, that way she can add it to her salads easily.




Q: Favorite go to snack?
A: Cliff Bars.

Q: What three words best describe you.
A:Focused, Determined, and Content

Q: What would you tell someone who is on the fence about starting a workout program.
A: JUST GET STARTED! Stay commited and DON'T GIVE UP!

I couldn't agree more Carol.  We all have to start somewhere.  If we give up and stop trying, we will never know what could have been.  It will be hard, it will suck sometimes, it will be frustrating, you will have good weeks and bad weeks, but if you don't keep pushing yourself you will just be in the same spot you are in now.  I have so many good motivational quotes for this one... take your pick :)

 

A big thanks to Carol for letting me steal some of her time to talk to her and ask her all of these questions.  Seriously though, Carol is a woman of strength, determination and a true inspiration to anyone who meets her. I don't know how this woman does all she does, but I am so thankful I get to be a part of her energy when she is in class.  Thanks for being awesome Carol!

Keep Inspiring
~Shauna~

Food and Fitness Challenge:

I truly believe that meal preparation/planning is half the battle of changing the way you eat or even view food.  If you plan your meals ahead of time and get it in your head that today you will eat this, this and this and that is all you can eliminate half the junk you might have ate if you didn't plan your meals.

I don't know about you, but there are just some (many) days that when it comes to meal time and I open the cupboards (full of food) I just can't find a single thing to eat, mainly because I'm tired and don't want to cook or prepare it. So the easiest thing to do is grab something from the drive-thru or throw in one of those frozen cardboard pizza's :)..But if my meal was already planned and made I am more likely to eat that (mainly so it doesn't go to waste). It also prevents my little snacking because, when determined, I will stick to my plan and the prep has made that easier.

So here is my challenge to you for the next week. Prepare your meals for the week!! That's right I said the WEEK!!! This will even be a challenge for me because I only prepare them the night before.  I have listed a couple recipies and ideas down below that you can use. 
Remember:          Keep each meal proportioned
                                  Stay within your set nutritional numbers
                                  Food is Fuel (which means it may not always be fun)
                                  Look ahead and plan your meals around your crazy schedule
                                  Stick to your plan

WE CAN DO THIS!!!!

Breakfast (and/or Lunch)

Egg White, Spinach and Ham Quiches

2 c baby spinach

12 egg whites

1 tsp dried basil

1/8 tsp black pepper

6 tbsp shredded 2% mozzarella cheese

¾ c diced ham

1. Preheat the oven to 350°, and generously coat 6 jumbo muffin cups with nonstick cooking spray.
2. Cook the spinach in a large pan coated with nonstick cooking spray over medium-low heat for 2-3 minutes, or until wilted and dark green. Remove from the heat.
3. In a large bowl, whisk the egg whites until light and frothy, about 1-2 minutes. Whisk in the basil and pepper. Stir in the spinach, cheese, and ham. Divide the egg mixture between the prepared muffin cups, and bake at 350° for 25-30 minutes, or until set. Cool in the muffin cups for at least 8 minutes before removing.

(76 calories, 2.2g fat, 1g carbohydrate, 12.8g protein - per quiche)

 

What to pack -

1 - Egg White, Spinache and Ham Quiche

1 - Precooked Turkey Sausage Patty

1 - cup strawberry halves

1/2 cup green grapes

(246 calories, 9g fat, 24g carbohydrates, 24g protein)

   you can add more fruit for a few more carbs if you want :)

Pack up 6 of these so they are ready to go for the week!

Dinner (and/or Lunch)

Meatloaf Muffins

1 lb. ground beef (93%)

1/2 onion, chopped

1/2 cup oats

1 egg, beaten

3 tbsp Worcestershire sauce

2 cloves garlic, minced

2 tbsp oregano

1 cup Annies Organic Ketchup

salt/pepper to taste

Heat oven to 350 degrees.

In a bowl, combine all ingredients except for the ketchup, mixing well.

Pack mixture into each of the muffin tin slots.

Bake muffins for 20 minutes or until beef is browned.

Top each muffin with 1 tsp of Annie’s organic ketchup.

Place back into the oven for ten more minutes. Take out and let sit for 10 minutes.

What to pack -

1 - Meatloaf Muffin

1 - cup steamed fresh GreenBeans

1/2 - cup Sugar Free Applesauce

(298 calories, 7g fat, 35g carbohydrates, 21g protein)

Pack up 6 of these!

 

Don't forget to plan snacks as well and LOTS AND LOTS of water (at least 80oz a day)

 

All right! What are you waiting for?  NO better time to start than now!!

 

 

 

 

Fitness:

So this is going to be a simple one today.  But you will need a timer, a pen and a notebook (and maybe even a partner).

When we first started Farrell's we were "tested" on a few things like push ups, sit ups, etc. I was AMAZED at how much my numbers improved in just a few short weeks!  I had gotten so much stronger.  Even though the scale wasn't moving super fast, it was motivating to see the improvements.  So that's what we are doing today. 
Here's what you'll write down:
Number of Push ups in a minute
 (Gals, you can do knee pushups but remember that because that's how you'll have to them each time you test! Guys, Sorry Charlie! Its from your toes only!) :)
Number of Sit ups in a minute
How long can you hold a Plank (straight arm or elbows but remember which one you do)
How fast can you run/walk a mile

If you are not involved in a daily workout program make sure you are doing push ups, situps, and planking EVERY day.  And if possible try running/walking your mile once or twice a week.  I guarantee if you do this you too can be motivated by the results

Good Luck!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shauna's Thoughts: How to stay Motivated

Sorry we weren't able to get a Motivation Monday post done this week.  May has turned out to be quite hectic to both Jenni and I. We will have a great story for everyone next Monday.  I get to do a Q&A with the lovely Carol Wisecarver! She has been in the FXB world for a very long time, and I cannot wait to get her story. Until then, I thought I could share some ideas and tips on how I stay motivated.

#ONE 

Find your reason WHY.  Why did you start this journey in the first place?  

Did you just want to lose a few winter pounds? Did you have to lose the weight because of a medical reason? Were you just tired of the way you look and feel?  Were you tired of making promises to yourself and never followed through? Did you want to be healthier for your family?  There had to have been a reason WHY you started.  Write that reason down and put it somewhere where you will see it every day!

#TWO

 Don't do it alone! Get the entire family involved, do it with friends, or make friends with people who have the same goals.  Surround yourself with like minded people.  You will gain accountability, support, and you will have fun. This will give you a shoulder to cry on, someone to talk you off the ledge as you are about to eat that delicious doughnut, and give you some good competition!  All of which will keep you motivated and determined to keep going. 

#THREE

 Realize that Rome wasn't built in a day.  I didn't gain all my weight and get into all of my unhealthy habits in one day.  It took a year for me to gain back the 30+ pounds I had lost the previous year.  I was realistic and I knew I wasn't going to lose all the weight in one day either.  Remember there isn't a miracle pill or diet that will instantly make you skinny (well I mean I guess there is photo shop... JUST KIDDING). It will take hard work, perseverance, determination, accountability, and getting into the right mind set to see results. There will be good days and bad days, but don't give up just cause you had a bad day or week.  Get back up, call a friend and get back to it! 

#FOUR

 Do something you like to do, I have said this before.  I have never been successful in my weight loss because I never stuck to it.  Why?  Because there wasn't any passion in what I was doing.  Sure, I was dropping weight and looking better, but I hated going to the gym.  My husband will tell how I would dread going to the gym.  I would make any excuse possible to not go, and complain about the workouts he was giving me.  It wasn't until I found something that I enjoyed doing and became completely passionate (OK let's be honest...obsessed) about, that I have finally stuck with it.  Enjoying my fitness routine motivates me to go every day, and push myself harder and harder during every workout. It motivates me so much that I was refereed to as the "teachers pet" the other day.  Guess what?  I wear that with pride because I love what I do. Haters gonna hate ;)

#FIVE

Here's a sample of my Smash book

Keep a fitness journal or post inspirational quotes.  This is something that I also get made fun of for doing, but I don't care.  It keeps me motivated.  I started my fitness "Smash Book" when I started FXB at the beginning of this year.  I needed something that I could document my journey in.  I wanted something that I could look back to when I was feeling unmotivated, in a slump, or having one of those "bad days".  I absolutely love it and it doubles as a therapy session for me.  I love having a creative outlet.


                                                                         
#SIX
Don't let the number on the scale define you.  This one is hard for me to remember too.  I think as a society we have been trained to fit into a certain size jean, and stay with-in a certain number on the scale. We are all made differently, and we all come in different shapes and sizes.  Don't be discouraged by the numbers.  Look for improvements in your daily life.  Are you able to walk farther without losing your breath? Do you have more energy?  Are your clothes fitting better? Try taking measurements of your body every three months.  Maybe you didn't lose numbers on the scale, but you will be shocked when you realize you have lost inches on your body! Stay positive and keep going  refer back to #THREE!

Well those are some things that help me stay motivated.  Leave a comment below and tell us what keeps you motivated!  Just remember don't give up, it will take time and patience, but in the end it will be worth all of hard work.

Keep Inspiring
~Shauna~

Welcome to our Blog!

                                                        

Welcome to our blog!  My name is Shauna, I am 29 years old, Married, and I have a handsome 3 year old (soon to be 4!)... oh and 2 Fur babies.  Jenni and I wanted to start this blog as a way to share our weight loss journeys, exchange delicious recipes, work-outs, and maybe just share our thoughts. 

Like many people, I have battled with my weight for years.  I have been a size 4 to a size 18 and everywhere in between. I have starved myself, been on crash diets, fad diets, binged, done it the healthy way, and rode this roller coaster all over again.  Why wasn't anything permanent? Well you see I have (had) an unhealthy relationship with food.  It probably doesn't help that I am a General Manager of a Restaurant.  I have loads of burgers, fried foods, and ice cream at my finger tips.  Sure eating this kind of food every once in a while is fine, but I ate this food every day, multiple times a day. 

December 2014 I was tired of this stupid cycle I was putting myself through.  Looking back to 2013 I had lost 30 lbs. and I was in the best shape that I had been in for a really long time... and I fell off the wagon...again...how many times was I going to do this to myself? So my lovely husband, who, I will mention is a personal trainer...yes I know how crazy that sounds, signed me up for Farrell's Extreme Body Shaping starting January 2015. Farrell's is a 10 week program where you commit yourself to work out for 45 minutes 6 days a week, while keeping your nutrition on point! The person with the best over all before and after picture wins $1,000.00!  Honestly, when he told me this my first reaction was what?! First, how will I be able to go 6 days a week and commit to the same time every day to do so? Second, anything I knew or heard about Farrell's seemed like a crazy group of people trying to get you into this weird fitness cult. I wanted to change though, and I  was ready to anything at this point...even if it meant joining a cult. 

       I could write an entire book on my first 10 week experience at Farrell's, but we still have to get to Jenni's introduction :) so we will save that for another time.  To sum it up, I went to my 4:30 class 6 days a week for 10 weeks, I did ever extra credit challenge my coach told me to do, I ran the mile before class as often as I could (it was winter). I used my 10 week student book and even turned it into a scrap book. I made forever friendships with my fellow 4:30 team, I gained confidence in myself and it helped me with my social anxiety. I pushed myself out of my comfort zone over and over again. I ate to fuel my body (and still had my cheat day).  I wanted to prove to everyone and myself that I wasn't going to give up this time. When we had our 10 week "graduation" party, I went to cheer on my fellow team in hopes one of us would be the lucky winners of that $1,000.00 prize. We all worked so hard, lots of sweat, tears, and transformations happened to all of us in that first 10 weeks. Guess what? I won....I won the $1,000.00 prize.  I was so shocked I froze and started crying.  All the hard work paid off.

 

                                     

         So that's my story in a nut shell.  I drank the Farrell's Kool-aide and I am a lifer. I couldn't imagine my day with out going to my 4:30 class and seeing all of my friends.  It is my drug, my therapy, my competition, and my play time.  Here are my before and after photos from my first 10 weeks.  The thing is, I found what works for me and I found a balance in my nutrition (which is the most important thing of this entire journey).  I started believing in me.  So I hope you like our blog, and yes we will probably talk a lot about Farrell's.  We want to reach out to as many people as possible and inspire others to take a hold of their lives and to start believing that you CAN do it no matter what! Ok enough about me here's the beautiful Jennifer to tell you a little about her!

   Although my weight loss journey started quite sometime ago.  My "fit" journey really just began in January 2015.  The words, don't give up...Not this time... Were said at orientation day at the new fitness program I was about to begin.  A program that would change my life.  A program that I wouldn't give up on... Not this time. 
     So, Let me start from the beginning. First off my name is Jenni, I am a wife and mother of 4 pretty amazing kids. I'm not that gal that has had to deal with weight issues my WHOLE life, but I have been overweight for most of my adult life.  When I was younger I was a gymnast. I wasn't the small boxy things that you see at the Olympics.  I was tall and skinny (yes, 5'5 is tall in the gymnastics world) I wasn't very limber, doing splits and bending crazy ways wasn't my thing either, but I was a powerhouse trickster. I could flip and flop all over the place.  Eventually I realized that no matter how hard I tried I would not be the next Mary Lou Retton.  Plus at 16 there were now more important things in life, like boys! I had always been able to eat whatever I wanted and still maintain my size 3 or 5 and then...came the babies.  I was 20 when I had my first son Dylan, after having him I was pretty shocked at how huge I had become. So I went to eating nothing and exercising several times a day to get back into my skinny jeans.  I finally did it! But by the time I was 23 I was wearing a size 16...and so it began...My struggle to love my body, to love myself.  As I got older and the more children I had the bigger and bigger I became.  Sure I did a few crash diets, fad diets, and starving myself diets here and there, and sure they worked for a few months here and there, but I always went back to my old bad habits (or I just started eating again.).
     In 2014 I really began to get disgusted with myself and how I felt and looked, and even how I was eating. I really really wanted to make a change, but wanted to do it the permanent way.  I wanted to be skinny once and for all, forever. The day that I put my size 20 pants on and busted the zipper out of them was the day I finally got mad enough to do something about it...well kind of.. I went and visited a bariatric surgeon.  At this time I weighed in at 288lbs. (I'm not sure I have ever told anyone that number agh!) We discussed my options.  Came up with a game plan and decided to move forward.  Now with my insurance they required that I have six months of "physician guided" weight loss.  Basically, I need to go see my PCP, step on the scale, lie to him for six months and tell him I have been doing all I can to lose weight but nothing is working.  I did that for the first month.  The second month I decided I would try to lose a pound or two.  I went to what I know worked before, starving myself and moving my body.  Of course it worked. I would only eat 500-1000 calories a day and whatever I ate, I made sure I burned almost all that at the gym.  The weight seemed to melt off.  It was great.  Never mind the fact that I was tired, hungry and grumpy ALL the time. After loosing about 65lbs, the weight stopped coming off. I knew I had to figure something out.  Something different, but wasn't sure what. 
     In January, my beautiful friend Shanon asked me to do this intense 10 week program, Farrells, with her.  It was a bit costly and didn't seem like the type of thing I would be into, but I needed to do something. I was not going back to those size 20 jeans again.  Plus, the 10 week program was a competition. I am super competitive. person.  Like steal candy from a baby competitive.  Bowl you over competitive.  I HATE losing.  Plus it had a $1000 prize! I was in.  We started at the end of January (2015) and I was a little taken back at first.  The program consisted of going to workout 6 days a week for 45 minutes.  3 days a week would be a cardio/kickboxing day.  The other 3 would be strength training (alternating lower and upper body).  Plus I was given how many carbs I could consume per meal and how many proteins I needed to consume per meal. and oh I forgot to mention I had to eat..6...yes...6 meals a day.  So I went from eating hardly anything to 6 meals a day... Ummm no.... I didn't want to gain the weight I had just lost.  Have these people lost their mind.  It totally didn't make any sense how this was going to help me get those rock hard abs.  After two weeks of working out and doing my own nutrition, my way I went in and talked with the managed and my coach about the food.  And in that small crowded office it finally hit me... I finally got it... They threw out phrases like "food is fuel" "food is not the enemy" "food builds muscles"...WHAT??!!! How did I not realize this till now? From that day forward I started paying attention to the ingredients on the packages of things I bought vs. the calorie number.  I started paying attention to how great and clean I was feeling vs. the number that the scale was flashing at me.  My life changed.  I was not only losing weight, and inches, but feeling stronger than I had ever felt before.  I have more energy, I feel good about the food I eat and about the example I am setting for my kids, and friends. 
     Since I began my journey, or I should say since people started seeing a physical change in me they have been asking "what are you doing","what do you eat" "do you ever eat fast food" "do you ever cheat" How do find time"... all those and a tons more and the crazy thing is Shauna and I have found the answer to all these questions.  Farrell's Extreme Body Shaping isn't a magic pill, or fad. They are a life line, they show people how to live.  Had someone told me years ago how great being healthy feels, and how obtainable it is.  I would of done it years ago.  Now both Shauna and I want to shout it from the mountains how great we feel, and that you can feel that way too.  I hope you will find a little hope and inspiration in our stories.  Because, truly if I could do it, so can you, so can anyone.  I had/have the cards stacked against me but with determination, drive and faith I blew that stack of cards over.  I didn't give up... not this time. :)
Jenni