Would You Do This?

Would you be willing to live like no one else?

 We have made a big decision. This is something that's important to us and I felt it was something different to share with my Facebook "framily", y'all mean a lot to me and I love each of you, all for different reasons. So I feel it's ok to share this. It's nothing bad and nothing to feel bad about. We are happy with our decision :)

Ok let me explain. We may be crazy and going against the norm, but we've decided to have Christmas different this year. Every year so many people go into debt or spend money they don't have to buy stuff they don't need because they've lost sight of what the holiday is all about. Christmas comes with or without a tree or gifts. It's December 25th, every year, regardless if we have a tree up & gifts under it. Every year we bend over backwards and stress out trying to make sure we get our kids & everyone else the stuff (they don't need) to make them happy and in the process we end up not paying bills or scrimping on groceries or maxing out credit cards to have the money (we don't really have) to do it. NOT this year... We don't have the money! We've had some financial trouble, so things are worse than tight. BUT - We aren't stressing or worried our kids will be scarred for life because they didn't get to open any presents. They will be fine! We have already talked to them about this and they understand (having good kids is a blessing). We don't have a tree either... This year will be focused on what matters: family, having a warm, safe, dry home. Electricity, running water. Food on the table (we will have a nice Christmas dinner), love, community and being together. Those are our gifts.

In an effort to start a new lifestyle that will snowball us out of debt, this is our first step. We will live like no one else, so later we can live like no one else. 

Do You Think Eating Clean is Expensive?

Eating healthy can be expensive if you are not catching sales or buying in bulk. Shopping at specialty stores is even more expensive because prices are typically much higher than a regular supermarket. Even if you do tend to spend a little more for your healthy food, isn't it worth it because it is for your health? I say yes! 

There are ways to save money on your clean eating foods as long as you avoid the pitfalls that can occur with switching to a healthy diet.

Clip Coupons: 
Time consuming maybe, but well worth it to save you money on the foods you eat all the time. Try to stay away from the processed foods in the isles, but you can find money saving coupons for healthier options. You just need to know where to look and what to look for.

Shop Your Cupboards:
Make a list of the supplies and ingredients you already have in your fridge, freezer and cupboards. Make a menu plan around those items and then buy only what you need fresh.

Buy Foods in Bulk:
Eating clean usually involves eating the same types of food on a regular basis. Lean meats, vegetables, fruit, whole grains and more are usually the types of foods that you will find yourself eating over and over. Since this may be the case for you, you can save more money buy shopping at bulk food stores like Costco.

Don't Buy Organic:
Unless you prefer organic foods, you don't necessarily have to purchase them. Foods which are labeled organic tend to cost a little more than their regular versions. If you're on a budget, cutting out organic foods may save you some cash.

Better yet; Grow your own organic foods! Healthy & Cheap.

Eat The Same Meals Regularly:
Most clean eating meals tend to be simple but you can keep it even simpler by rotating the same meals week after week. This can be boring for some but if you don't mind eating the same meals several times a week, then you can save money because you are not having to buy extra ingredients for more complex recipes.

Those are just a few tips to save money on your clean eating shopping list.

Family Health & Wellness: Thinking Outside the Lunch Box

To ensure that your child has ample fuel to power through those long classes, make sure they are eating a wide variety of foods from the major food groups. Use the Food Guide Pyramid as a guide to make sure you're covering all the bases. Here are some tips on making lunchtime nutritious: 

1. Choose whole wheat bread instead of white. Whole grains are loaded with nutrients and fiber, while their refined counterparts are lacking. To make sure your bread is whole wheat, check the label. The first ingredient should be whole wheat, not just wheat flour. If your child is used to the refined version, try switching to a hybrid variety first, which contains some whole grains mixed with refined flour. 

2. Don't skip fruits and vegetables. Many kids are partial to fruits, but vegetables are important too. Include peanut butter or ranch dressing as a dip for carrots, celery, or cherry tomatoes. Add finely minced kale and zucchini to soups or stews, where it may sneak past your detective. For fruit, fresh is best. If you must use canned (it may be time-saving and cheaper), make sure it is preserved in fruit juice, not syrup. 

3. Include protein for sustained energy. Besides lean meats, good protein sources include nuts, cheese, and beans. Some easy-to-pack examples include cheese cubes, almond butter (like peanut butter, but made with almonds instead), trail mix, hummus, and soy "deli" slices (found in the natural foods section of your local grocery). 

4. Add calcium. Include milk money or pack calcium-enriched orange juice, soymilk, or rice milk. 

5. Avoid soda and other sweetened drinks. Water and 100% fruit juices are better choices.

What are You Willing to Give Up?

WARNING: This article will contain blunt and brutal honesty.

I'm no stranger to living on a tight budget. My family and I have lived on one for 99.9% of our lives. Even before the economy tanked, we were always on a strict budget, always wondering how we'd pay for this bill or that bill, how we'd put gas in the car or food in our cupboards. Scraping by, pinching pennies, clipping coupons and sacrificing our wants for our needs and even sometimes our needs would be sacrificed as well. We are no strangers to going without.

Now during this time I started my weightloss journey. I lost over 50 pounds and I did it on a strict budget and I did it healthy. I exercised, I changed my eating habits and I really learned that you can afford to eat right and exercise when you are poor. No it's not easy! Nothing in life worth doing is easy. But if it's important to you, you find a way. Simple as that. You make a choice and you just do it.

One of the most irritating excuses I get from people is "I can't afford it" or "I don't have the money". Ok? I get that. But really ... is it that you CAN'T afford it or that you don't WANT to afford it? Let me explain what I mean.

What are you willing to give up? If it is a matter of CAN'T afford - what are you willing to give up so that you CAN afford it? Are you willing to give up the pricey coffee house drinks or the trips through the drive through at McDonald's or the take home from the local pizza joint? Are you willing to quit buying junk food and processed garbage that manufacturers are passing off as food from the grocery store? Are you willing to give up your weekly shopping trips to the mall or the manicure or the other "frivolous" stuff you shell out for?

It all boils down to this: What are you willing to give up and put that money towards your health?

In the case of WANT to afford it; Who WANTS to continue to be unhealthy, fat, unproductive and sick? Who WANTS to have heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes and joint pain? Who WANTS to pay for doctor visits, prescriptions, hospital stays and diabetic supplies? If you WANT all those things, then by all means continue to NOT WANT to afford a healthy lifestyle. There is nothing I can do for you and that's so sad!

I made a choice 2 years ago that nothing would prevent me from losing weight and getting healthy. I spent a better part of 18 years with excuses and the unwillingness to change because I didn't know how! But when I made the choice to figure it out, nothing and no one could stop me.

I gave up soda, alcohol, junk food, potato chips, fast food, creamer in my coffee, processed foods that hold little to zero nutrition and I took that money I saved from all that and put it towards ME and my health and that of my family.

IT CAN BE DONE! I was willing to give up what was killing me and making me fat, so that I could afford a new lifestyle.

As far as exercise goes... I don't have an expensive gym membership, I never would have one because I prefer to work out at home where it's free. I walk. Walking is free. I hike. Hiking is free. I did invest a little money to have a few dvd's I could put in my dvd player and press play. And I invested some money in acquiring a treadmill and some basic at home equipment; dumbbells, resistance bands, yoga ball, jump rope and a medicine ball. Those were my basic, relatively cheap start to exercise. Because money was limited I'd buy one thing every couple of weeks to add to my library of workout equipment or dvd's. It took a while but eventually I had all I needed. Nothing extravagant, nothing outrageously expensive. The treadmill I had came from a friend and we paid them $100 for it. Just a plain jane treadmill, but it did it's job.

I think you get my point, but maybe not, some people are just way to stubborn and ignorant to understand the point. It is what it is... and yeah, I said it! I warned you I'd be bluntly honest...

Anyway - I worked my way to the point where I am now. A Team Beachbody coach. Was it cheap? No! I actually borrowed my start up costs from a friend. Some say $40 is nothing to start your own business. Well it is when you don't have it, right?! Like I said, I understand all to well about the limitations with money. And yes, there's more to it then just the sign up cost. You have to be a "Product of the Product" and use their workouts and use their nutritional supplements, all that costs money to get you started. No, it's not easy and it's not cheap! But you know what? Since I became a coach, it has changed my life. I am so proud of my job and what I do. Can I afford the products? Honestly - some days I'm not sure. I ponder every day if I'll be able to on the budget we are on but my faith in what I do and the products that Beachbody offers, see me through. I 100% believe in what Beachbody offers and what they stand for and I am very proud to be a part of it, therefore I will do whatever I have to do to afford what I know will save my life and keep me healthy.

Shakeology is priceless in my opinion. For those who say they can't afford it...revert back to my original question: What are you willing to give up? I scrimp and save and do all I can to make sure I can afford my supply every month because it is that important to me. It is that healthy for me. Shakeology doesn't compare to any other "shake" on the market! It beats the competition 100%, hands down! I'm willing to give up anything extra if it means having the money to afford my Shakeology, that is my choice.

So tell me, what are you willing to give up? Would you give up all the bad habits, all the unhealthy food and drinks in order to save up the money to buy a 30 day supply of Shakeology and try it for yourself? I'm telling you, this product will change your life and change your health, but you have to be willing to make a choice and give something up.

What choice do you make?