Tasty Treats!

I have been noticing that I have been eating a ton of protein bars as snacks.. the downfall.. these bad boys are LOADED with sugar (which is probably why I have been eating them so much). A lot of people (me included) feel like we are doing good eating a PROTEIN BAR.. its good for you right? WRONG! majority of those bad boys are jam packed with sugars sodium and unnecessary fats! I might as well splurge and eat a 'not so clean meal'.

So why do I eat them? I think i'm thinking that they are healthier and they aren't. I also like the convenience of them. Its a grab n go. Its an easy snack after my hard workout. I could talk all day trying to justify them, but then I'd be blowing smoke right up my own.....

I've been researching healthier alternatives to making my OWN "protein bars" well, tasty healthier snacks.
Yesterday I decided to try out my own little recipe and surprisingly they were GOOD!! As you can see below I was clearly enjoying them..

I threw together
1 cup of Quaker Oats
2 tbsp of pb2 (made with water)  Almond butter would be a better option
1/2 banana mashed
2 tbsp of flax seed
handful of slivered almonds

Mix everything together in a mixing bowl until everything starts sticking together. Spread out on wax paper and cut into squares. Place in refrigerator for an hour (i left mine in there for a few hours because I was running around- tastes better the longer you leave in fridge)

I absolutely enjoyed these tasty treats but will try adding dried fruit in them next time! Ill post another blog and let you know my thoughts!

If you have any other great recipes for at home tasty treats please let me know by commenting below!

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Shakeology Bars

The downfall of being on the reset right now... I'm craving one of these delicious goodies!
SHAKEOLOGY NO BAKE BARS!

Did you know that you can make healthy tasty treats from shakeology.... nom nom nom here how.
8 Tablespoons PB2 (low fat, high protein powdered peanut butter - can get at kroger, whole foods, trader joes, or on amazon)
3 Tablespoons Natural Peanut butter (w/flax seeds is the best!)
½ Cup Shakeology Protein Powder (1 packet)
3 Tablespoons Raw Honey
½ Cup Quick Oats
 
Mix PB2 with water until it’s a paste like consistency. Mix all ingredients, including the PB2 mixture together in a mixing bowl. It make take some time to blend all of the ingredients together. If it's too sticky, sprinkle in additional protein powder so that it's a pretty dry/crumbly texture.
Pour mixture into a square dish and cut into bars, put into freezer for 10-12 minutes and enjoy!!! 

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The Ultimate Reset

In case you aren't following me on my other social media accounts, I have decided to try Beachbody's 21 day Ultimate Reset in which I started (05/19/2013).  I thought I would track my progress week by week to help those of you who may be interested in trying it one day. Think of me as your guinea pig- let me do all the dirty work first and pave the way for you in the future. :) Feel free to post any questions you have through this process or contact me directly:  ashleymstansfield@yahoo.com

What is the Ultimate Reset? 

A 21 day challenge to resetting your body ridding it of harmful toxins that you have put into it with fast foods, preservatives and other harmful chemicals. Within the 21 days you are given a day by day meal plan as well as supplements and a regimen on when to take them. No it is not a detox or cleanse and no you are not bound to the bathroom. 

Why would one do the Ultimate Reset?

Remove Harmful Toxins

Lose Weight Safely

Increase Energy

Lower "Bad" Cholesterol

Boost Mood and Mental Clarity

Reduce Inflammation

Improve Regularity

Why are YOU doing the Ultimate Reset?

Good question, I'm already pretty active and healthy but my eating can ALWAYS improve. For many years I have been addicted to caffeine (no wonder Starbucks is a multi billion dollar business). I have had a lot of medical issues in which drinking Shakeology a day has helped, A LOT! BUT, I still love sugars and CARBS- mm i love my pasta! So I wanted to challenge myself to learning how to eat healthier, cleaner, and rid MY body of the harmful toxins I have put into it. I haven't always been good with what I consume, alcohol, caffeine, sweets, fast food. When I started getting serious about working out and maxing out my results, I did cut back on A TON, I hardly ate out, I limit my alcohol consumption to once every month- if that! Fast food was never an option to me. I did pretty well cutting the crap out of my diet but then I noticed that i was eating A LOT of fruit, cheese, pasta, etc. So NOW its time to kick it up a notch and see what I can do with the ULTIMATE RESET. I want to ultimately live a happy healthy life and if food effects that, then I want to learn as much as I can to assist in taking care of it. To be quite honest with you, the MEAL PLAN is the BIGGEST reason why I wanted to do this. I wanted to learn new meals and recipes to ultimately eat cleaner. The supplements are great too.

Do you have to starve yourself on the Reset?

Absolutely not! Again, one of the biggest reasons I wanted to do this was to educate myself on the meals they recommend you eating. They are all clean! You end up eating 3 meals a day with the option of a snack. I am learning that the meals are soooo delicious, but the portions are smaller, so the first few days are sort of hard because you don't feel full, but that's because I was probably eating too much anyways! I will say there are some meals that fill me up over others so that's something to look at too. I will give you my full report come the end of week one! 

Ill keep you posted! 

Here goes nothin.... 

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Shakeology Cleanse

On May 19, I will be participating in the Ultimate Reset, to reset my metabolism.

However, for those who don't want to commit to a 21 day cleanse, I am hosting a 3 day Shakeology Cleanse.

What is a Shakeology Cleanse?
3 days designed to rid your body of toxins, chemicals & junk that you have been eating lately, while providing you with the proper nutrients your body needs. The KEY goal of the Shakeology cleanse is to optimize your body's performance.

Will I lose weight during a Shakeology Cleanse?
For those who don't typically watch what they put into their body, yes, you will lose weight. The average is anywhere between 5-7lbs in the 3 days. If you are already fit, and eat pretty well the likely hood of you losing weight is slim. BUT that doesn't mean that you won't benefit from the cleanse. You will still detoxify your body, rejuvenation your body by replenishing proper nutrients, and overall will fee great at the end of 3 days!

When & why should I do the Cleanse?
- feeling bloated?
-tired all the time?
-just got back from vacation and ate and drank like crap?
-have something coming up where you want to be a few lbs lighter?
-have that sluggish feeling and need a little pick me up?

These are all reasons that would be great for you to do a cleanse. I typically do one once a month and a friend of mine asked, why? Why do you feel its necessary to do that? My response: there are many. Usually its because I eat well 80% of the time. The other 20% is specific weekends when I'm celebrating, vacationing, and usually drinking or eating out for a weekend. Now splurging one weekend a month isn't going to kill me, but it doesn't leave me feeling clean and good! Usually struggle and feel bloated afterward. THIS is why I usually do one. I have had weddings, photoshoots, special occasions where I wanted to be a few lbs lighter so I would do the cleanse 3-4 days prior to it. There are several reasons. I most often encourage those who have been thinking about trying Shakeology by starting out with a cleanse first.

Do I have to starve myself to do the Cleanse?
Absolutely not! It actually gets you into the habit of consuming more often which will in turn boost your metabolism. You will consume a shake for breakfast & lunch, salad with chicken or fish for dinner and a shake for a snack. You can consume Green Tea and fruit in between to fight cravings!

How do I sign up for the Cleanse?
Contact me, ashleymstansfield@yahoo.com
I will walk you through the 3 days if you would like. You can purchase a 30 day supply of shakeology if you want to continue drinking a shake a day after the cleanse or you can purchase a 'trial' of 9 packets just for the cleanse through me directly! http://myshakeology.com/AshMarie2689 Read up on the ingredients in Shakeology!

** Here is a photo of me after a cleanse, I was 6lbs down and you can clearly see the difference in my tummy!**

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Define Success

I took initiative to host a book club to read Push by Chalene Johnson. It was a way for me to stay accountable with reading a chapter a day and write down the goals that I want to achieve this year. In addition, it is also helping others by checking in daily with their "homework" that the book suggests you do.

Today was Chapter 7- "Success- IS MY ONLY OPTION"

This really hit home for me and it was just what I needed in this very moment. The truth is I am not happy with where I am at today. Although, I have made huge strides, I am not happy with the financial debt that I have. I am not happy with 'workin' for the man'. I so desperately need change.

The first step is to define success: My definition of success is the accomplishment of

goals that you set for yourself. It is not defined by how much money you have in the bank or the amount of "stuff" you have in your home. Its the ability to live a healthy, happy & stress free life.

That being said, I have made a list of goals that will get me there; out of debt and working solely for ME. Living and leading a healthy, stress free, debt free LIFE!

I need to succeed, I have to succeed, I WILL SUCCEED! There are going to be bumps in the road, and days when I want to say 'the hell with it" but at the end of the day...

SUCCESS IS MY ONLY OPTION, FAILURE IS NOT!

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Feminine Muscle

I hear from so many people that they want to lose weight but not "build muscle". The truth is, you won't burn fat if you're not building muscle.

I get it ladies, you want to stay looking girly as possible. But listen, you won't get that Victoria Secret body if you aren't lifting heavy! Take a look at some of my photos! Flexing I have muscle, but relaxed.... Still girly, feminine arms!

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Maxim

In 2010 I made Maxim Magazine & their website for Hometowm Hottie.
This year, I plan on doing it again and going for the GOLD, baby lol. I want a featured layout in the magazine. What do you say? Vote for me?!? :)

Here's my video from 2010. http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xkrp8d_ashley-stansfield-holland-s-hometown-hottie_lifestyle#.UTlyBDD_mSo

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