Nicole Zedlitz

Nothing like a two month sabbatical from blogging (oops!!).  Sorry to leave y'all hangin.'  Anyways....I wanted to give a quick update on what is going on as the end of 2015 quickly approaches.  How is it that time just keeps moving faster and faster? There's a VERY new adventure for me.  This past weekend I became a Cize Live Instructor.  I cannot wait to begin teaching!!  It was a goal of mine to this time last year to become TurboKick certified, but when Cize was launched at Summit, my sites shifted.  Our master trainer explained it perfectly when she said, "it's like coming to class and being in a music video every time."  You will learn all of the moves for a routine and by the end of the class, you will be able to "perform" it (aka, Cize it Up). So be on the look out for more details as I get everything set up ;) There's one other goal that I shared on my blog about a year ago too that I have chosen not to achieve this year.  Some of yo

Hey Everyone!! I showed you my homemade blueberry muffins on Saturday and wanted to share the recipe that I used.  When they were done, I tried them and said, "Wow, they are good."  My husband looked at me and said, "well, that doesn't mean much."  Hey now??!!  He knows that I like "healthy" tastes that he and the boys don't always like.  But to their surprise (and mine too), they liked them!  Noah liked them so much that he put down his ring pop at the pool to eat his muffin first (mind- blown haha!!). So here it is... You can make any substitutions you wish to make them fit your goals and lifestyle. - 1 1/2 cups all purpose flour (I chose to use 1 part regular white flour and 2 parts whole wheat flour) -1/2 Cups Sugar in the Raw (you can substitute the sweetener of your choice here) -1/2 tsp Sea Salt -2 tsp Baking Powder -1/3 Cup Oil (I chose to mix coconut oil and good old fashion butter) -1 large egg (we use o

I know, I know...That sounds like an oxymoron.  How can you have a dessert that is a "pancake" on the Daniel Fast? Well, I think I've got you covered AND it's 21 Day Fix Approved too. To start, the Daniel Fast is a three week vegan fast while also fasting from any sugar/sweetener and processed foods.  This is the fourth year that our church has participated in this type of corporate fast during our month of prayer and we try and participate when we can. I absolutely LOVE my oatmeal pancakes and my sweet potato pancakes, but both have egg... so I began to experiment to see if I could make a pancake that would satisfy my craving of sweets while keeping to fast friendly ingredients. I think I hit the JACKPOT!!  These Peanut Butter Banana pancakes are AMAZING!!! Here's how I made them... Ingredients: -1/2 banana -1/2 yellow container (1/8 cup) of rolled oats -1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract -1/2 tsp of cinnamon (a few heavy dashes) -1 tbsp of crunchy all

At Summit, the release of the all-new performance products took place and you better believe that I snagged a sampler pack.  I wanted to try it ALL!!  The sampler pack comes with one serving of all of the new performance products.  It's a great way to see if you like the taste and how they make you feel.  Since I am a diehard E & E fan, I wanted to put the new Energize to the test. So last Saturday, I had a nine mile run scheduled with our group that's training for the Rock-N-Roll Half Marathon over labor day weekend.  What better way to try out the products.  I got up early (like 4:30 early) on Saturday and down went the Energize.  Now at Summit, my coach tried it and felt tingling (as it helps circulation before working out).  I'm not much for tingling, so I was skeptical (keeping it real here).  I did feel a "fresh" feeling but without a lot of tingling, so that worked for me. While the Energize was kicking in, I filled up my water belt (which has 3

Life is Short... That's why I find balance in my nutrition; because, for me, eating super clean ALL the time is not realistic.  I want to ENJOY that ice cream cone with my sons or the popcorn at the movies and not feel guilty about it. However, the other times, I am still able to satisfy my sweet tooth without compromising my nutrition.  The 21 Day Fix way of eating has been a complete game-changer.  Even on days where I don't feel like tracking strictly, I still keep my portions in mind as a way for me to stay within my nutritional goals. Today, I'm sharing two of my sweet treats that can work within your 21 Day Fix portions while making you feel like you're cheating... sneaky sneaky I know ;) Sweet Potato Pancakes -2 yellows containers of roasted sweet potato (about 1 cup) -1 whole egg -a couple dashes of cinnamon -a dash of pumpkin pie spice -a couple drops of either vanilla or caramel extract (I used caramel) Smash the sweet potatoes and egg together, add

This past weekend I experienced my first music festival, Big Barrel in Dover, Delaware.  We were able to see Blake Shelton, Miranda Lambert, Carrie Underwood, Lynrd Skynrd and many others.  It was a super fun and a much needed get-away.  Get-Away was the key word!!  I got away from all of my healthy eating habits too!! If following the 21 Day Fix eating plan, it would have been a weekend full of cheats and yellows.  I had loaded baked potato, pulled pork sandwiches, fries and Olive Garden Pasta.  I'm coming clean!  I don't feel guilty because it doesn't happen all the time, but I don't feel GOOD!  My body is mad at me and I can feel it.  I stepped on the scale this morning and saw a 5lb weight gain!!!  Ahhhh!!  Five pounds of bloat and crap in just three days!  Not exactly the souvenir I was hoping for... So, now what do I do???  I hop right back on my routine.  I'm beginning the 21 Day Fix Extreme today along with my running.  I will be factoring my runs into my

To say the last few days have been BUSY would be an understatement!!  We took a day trip to North Carolina on Saturday to spend some time with family.  It was a great but long trip!  It's always nice to be in the country with family.  The pace is slower and sweet tea is king. Then Sunday, we had a six mile run planned.  Now last week was the FIRST time I had ever run over two miles without stopping to walk for a little of it.  So I was STILL VERY nervous about it all!!  Could I still complete 5 like I had done the previous week?  Could I add one MORE mile?  Well WE DID IT!!  The last mile was rough but it went a lot better than the week before.  I use a heart rate monitor and it sat steady around 180 for my 5 miler and this week is sat at 160-170 until the last mile then went up a little.  My breathing had quicken so it didn't surprise me that it rose. Next weekend, I'll be at a country music festival and I'm not sure of where we will be located an

Alright...so I'm not the best jokester!  However, I know that Shakeology has absolutely changed my life.  I've been drinking it for a year and a half and my health has been completely transformed!  It helps me to stay focused and on track with wanting  the healthy options.  So I'm sharing some of my favorite Shakeo recipes with you today ;-) Oranges and Cream -Vanilla Shakeology -1 container of Orange Greek Yogurt -1/2 banana -8 oz water -4 oz of your favorite non-dairy milk -ice Blend everything together... Oranges and Cream in a Flash -Water -1/4 cup plain greek yogurt -Natural Orange juice -Vanilla Shakeo Shake it up-- make sure your water and juice is really cold. This shake is my favorite "go-to" shake when I barely have time to throw everything in my shaker cup and wrangle my two little ones out the door. 21 DF portions: 1 1/2 Reds, 1 Purple Summer Time Shakeo -Vanilla Shakeology -Water/Ice -Watermelon -Rasberries -Raw Kale -1

We have officially begun year two of Beachbody coaching in my house.  It's hard to believe that I've been on this journey for this long and have just as much excitement as day one.   It's gone by so fast and what a fun ride it's been. Some things I've learned/experienced throughout this year: -Beachbody can be whatever you choose it to be.  If you are interested in an income producing hobby this can be it or it can be your Plan A too.  You can early as little or as much depending on the time you choose to put in to it. -It is a REAL company; which means you have to do REAL work to make money.  This takes dedication and consistency, just like a healthy lifestyle, in order to get results.  A lot of people see multi-level marketing as get-rich-quick schemes.  Well, I'm not rich, but I will tell you I have vision, and Beachbody is a huge part of that vision. -The main investment you will make is in yourself.  I signed up with a challenge pack purchase, so my $39.

I saw this idea for a sugar free, dairy free ice cream option on Instagram not too long ago and had to try it out!! It's super easy! And tastes amazing! Ice "Cream" Recipe: -1 can of coconut cream (I find it from Trader Joes) -Fruit of choice (frozen) -Splash of almond or cashew milk I made mine with frozen bananas; however, I think that pineapple or peaches would be amazing!!  You can taste the coconut flavor so mix fruits who's flavor will combine well with coconut.  First, place coconut cream in blender with fresh fruit. Blend until you have a smooth mixture. Then place into ice cream maker.  I wish I could tell you more steps, but it's that easy!  A couple steps and you're done! To make your own variations, you can always add pure extracts and/ or spices (like cinnamon) too.  Have fun with it and get the kids involved!  If they make it, they will be more apted to try it.  Happy Memorial Day Weekend! And a HUGE thank you to everyone who has sacrificed to pr

I met my goal; my first goal that is!  To complete one week of the Countdown to Ckmpetition plan of the 21 Day Fix Extreme. So here's the verdict:: -3.8lbs and 5 1/4 inches!!  I am beyond excited about that. Two and a half inches off my thighs alone and those measurements haven't budged in over nine months! I have chosen to keep going. I feel great and the results are really motivating me. I feels muscles growing and definition peaking through little by little. I know that I won't be "ripped" in a week; and I'm not sure that "ripped" is what I want but I'll just keep going until I get there.  Some of the positives of this type of eating plan is that the "normal" day that incorporates fruits and carbs breaks up the restrictiveness of it. I can focus on just two days of meat and veggies (with a carb in the morning) and then feel relaxed on the third day.  I've been able to eat out with friends too. We went to Dave and Busters on Satur

Alright, what's Nicole doing next??? Well, you gotta keep moving forward to go somewhere right?  My next goal is to move past my mindset that I can eat whatever I want and still maintain my weight. While that's true, I have goals that push me further than where I'm at currently.  In order to do that, I've decided to give the Countdown to Competition track of the 21 Day Fix Extreme a shot. It lasts for 21 days but I'm not stressing out about that. I'm simply taking it one day at a time, and one workout at a time (as Autumn would say!).  This track has the challenger carb-cycle. I have looked into carb cycling before but tracking my macros had always been a little challenging for me and I was looking for something easier. Basically you have two super low carb days and then a re-feed day. This is a day when you are eating more carbs and fruit is added in too. But don't confuse this with a cheat day; meals are still clean and portions are controlled (we don'

Today, Tuesday is about one week post Refresh and I am feeling great!!!  I'll be honest, I wasn't completely sold that this was a "miracle" kick-start but now, I'm totally a believer!!  In the past week, I have completely changed the way I am eating.  I'm back to where I want to be without feeling like I am dying of deprivation (we've all been there, lol). Throughout the week, I chose less bread and more healthy veggies, fruits and fats.  On Friday night, I for my "cheat meal," I ate two slices of cheese pizza and two samoa cookies (I am so ready for that last box to be GONE!!).  I was going to have a little diet soda too, and I took two sips and wasn't impressed, so I switched back to water.  I was stuffed!!  The week before I would have had more that two slices, for sure, followed by a HUGE dessert!  Sweets are my downfall y'all! I am still working on Saturdays until April 15th (go get your taxes done!!!) and I eat out on that day.

Hey Everyone!!  I am so excited to share my results with you!  I've been wanting to try this cleanse ever since it was launched last year.  The timing was never right for me.  But think about it, is there really a "right" and "perfect" time for a new routine. Probably not!  I had to turn down a lunch out and multiple delicious dinners, but I wanted to see this all the way through!!  I wasn't THAT bad and I wanted to finish these three days with a success while sticking with the program 100% the entire time. I have NEVER EVER stuck to an eating program 100%!!  Yep, I said it...Yikes!!  There has always been a little bit of the kids food or a little (sometimes big) cheat here and there.  This time I was determined and I'm excited to say, there were no bites of food and no sips of drinks that were not allowed. I choose to start on Monday to avoid temptations at home. I prepped all my Monday food on Sunday night, so I was ready to go on Monday. I brough

...See what I did there?..."Refreshing" I digress; alright, so I told ya'll that I would be sharing some of my cleanse dinners.  They are SUPER simple and easy.  Perfect for any weather in any season.  If you are in a hurry, these are great clean "go-to" meals that can be ready in 15-20 minutes. First up,  Steamed Coconut Veggies! - 1/2 cup cauliflower - 1/2 cup broccoli - 4-5 baby carrots - 1/2 cup water - 1/2 tbsp coconut oil - fresh herbs of your choosing (I used a dry herb salt-free mixture) Steam all veggies for about 5 minutes.  While steaming veggies, warm 1 cup of organic vegetable broth on the stove or in the microwave.  Once veggies are tender yet crunchy, pour the warm vegetable broth over the veggies. Pair this with the Vanilla Refresh Shake or Shakeo. If not on the cleanse, you can pair with quinoa or a baked sweet potato with coconut oil and organic cinnamon.  Next up,  Roasted Asparagus with Sli