Great Love: June Date Night In Box

If I could go back to any point in history I think it would be the roaring 20s. Something about the glam of flappers, the danger of the gangsters, and the mystery of the speakeasies makes it my first choice if they ever come through with a time travel invention. This Date Night In Box allowed us to experience the fun and the mystery of the 20s without leaving the house. It did NOT disappoint. It has been our favorite box yet!

We started the night by making our cocktails and cooking the recipes from the recipe card. They were all Gatsby themed, which I was pumped about (The Great Gatsby is one of my favorite novels!). We decided on one appetizer, the entree, and the dessert and they were all delicious. We even made an extra batch of brownies to share with family and friends and they all RAVED about them. The Marina Makes recipes have not disappointed! The cocktail was a mint julep. I'm not a huge bourbon fan, but this is one way I can definitely enjoy it! We had dinner outside and had a lot of fun doing the table talk portion of the date.

We then moved inside and queued up the 1980s movie Clue (totally terrible and awesome at the same time), and started playing the games. The first game was a murder mystery game inspired by, you guessed it, Clue! But it also had a go-fish aspect. It was a ton of fun, and I kicked Nate's butt! Then we played the dominoes game Mexican Train. I've never played this before so we took our time reading the directions before diving in. I also won this game.... TWICE! You bet I rubbed it in ;)

We ended the night by enjoying our dessert and creating a time capsule. We filled it with items to remind us of now. Pictures of our family, items from our disney trip along with other trinkets and treasures. We hid it away in Nate's closet to be opened in 10 years or so. We can't wait to see how life and our family changes in those 10 years.

The only part of the box that we didn't enjoy on this night...but enjoyed later was the moonshine & co fudge! It was delicious but because we had those AMAZING brownies, we saved the fudge for a later day.

Overall--we had a blast and give this Date Night In Box and A+. Stay tuned for July......

Frozen Yogurt Bites

Frozen yogurt is a favorite summer treat. I love sampling flavors and putting toppings on. I mean with fruit and chocolate how can you go wrong?!

These strawberry frozen yogurt bites are just as delicious and you don't have to go out to grab a froyo treat when these are in your freezer! Plain greek yogurt is the main star in this recipe, but the pecan, coconut sugar, and coconut oil crust is DIVINE!

Frozen Yogurt Bites, Serves 6 

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup pecans, chopped
• 1 Tbsp Coconut Sugar
• 1 Tbsp Extra Virgin Coconut Oil, Melted 
• 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
• 3/4 cup plain greek yogurt (0% or 2%)
• 2 Tbsp raw honey 
• 1 1/2 cup strawberries, diced 

Instructions

• Line muffin tin with 6 parchment cupcake liners, set aside 
• Combine pecans, sugar, oil, and cinnamon in a blender or food processor, pulse till combined
• Divide mixture evenly among prepared muffin cups, press in gently to set 
• Combine yogurt and honey in a small bowl, mix well 
• Evenly top pecan mixture with yogurt mixture 
• Top with strawberries 
• Freeze until firm (4-6 hours) 

Tip: When removing from the muffin tin, gently set tin in warm water for 30 seconds. This makes them easier to remove.

You don't have to limit your toppings to strawberries, either! Mix it up with your favorite fruit or chocolate treat. Have fun!

Morning Meltdown 100

One thing that has helped me jump into, and stay on track with my fitness journey as a busy mom, full-time teacher, and virtual health and wellness coach, is being able to do my workouts from home. Even though I worked at the gym as a swim instructor and lifeguard for a bit while living in Chicago, I was TERRIFIED to exercise there. I needed something easier, more convenient, and less stressful. Doing at-home workouts has allowed me to try so many different modalities of fitness that I would have NEVER been confident enough to try at a gym. I now love lifting weights, and my love for cardio has grown. I also LOVE doing workouts and exercises that are unique and that work your entire body with each move. This is why I'm so excited about our upcoming program: Morning Meltdown 100.

What is Morning Meltdown 100? 

Morning Meltdown 100 is a fast-paced, high energy program designed to be completed first thing in the morning. However, if morning workouts are not your thing, DO NOT WORRY! These workouts can be done at any time of the day.

Commit to 100 workouts and you will build strength and burn fat. These workouts combine cardio and resistance-training to tone your entire body. Add in a live DJ to keep the energy high and you're guaranteed to lose weight and get toned! Complete 100 workouts and you will feel strong, empowered, and like the best version of yourself!

What makes MM100 unique? This is the very first Beachbody program that incorporates a LIVE DJ. DJ Jesse Blake ramps up the beat to help you speed up moves--adding extra intensity and excitement to your workouts. It'll make you feel like your workout is a party and give you the motivation to keep going! After your workouts you will be energized, refreshed, and ready to go! 

How Does This Program Work?

This program features 100 workouts broken into 5 phases of 20 workouts. In each phase, you'll do a 10 workout cycle of 20-30 minute workouts, and then ramp up the intensity and self-competition and repeat those workouts with added 100 second challenges--all designed to give you a rotation of cardio, resistance, and mind/body training. However you want to complete your 100 workouts is totally up to you!

Of course there are recovery days included along the way to give your body time to slow down, stretch, and enjoy some TLC. If you miss a day, or want to play (for a day off), you can always stack a workout with another. The program outlines exactly how to do that if you need to! As we all know, life happens! Sometimes we get sick, our kiddos get sick, sometimes there are meetings...etc. The beauty of at-home fitness is that we can fit it in when it is most convenient for us. The most important part of this program is to complete the 100 workouts that you committed to in the beginning, no matter how long it takes! 

Another key ingredient to your success with this program is the Be 100 Book. A beautifully designed, interactive, daily motivational tool and tracker that is designed to help you unlock your potential and guide your commitment as you journey through this program.

Is this Program Right for Me?

Yes!! Together, you and I will discuss your personal health and fitness goals, but this program is great for anyone who is interested in toning up, losing weight, and building muscle; those who want to avoid, or break, a weight-loss plateau; and those who enjoy short, at-home workouts with a variety so you never get bored!

Testimonials from the MM100 Test Group

A select group of coaches were chosen and given access to test out this program first-hand over the past few months. Everyone is RAVING about it and the results they are getting: 

"There are people of all different sizes, shapes, and ages in the test group... You're a badass athlete too... If you only believe."



"This last week, every time I see a video of myself, I'm like 'HOW is that ME?!' Neverrrr have I ever felt this freaking INCREDIBLE! Thanks to Beachbody and this workout, after seven years of marriage and two kids, we look better now than on our honeymoon."


"I have always considered my upper body to be weak. I even struggled carrying my daughter around for long periods of time. This weekend, we walked around the outlet mall near our house and she was getting hot, didn't want to walk, and wanted to be carried. Typically my husband does it because my arms get tired after 5-10 minutes. This weekend I was able to carry her myself. It may not seem like a big deal, but to me it was! Especially since she cuddled in and laid her head on my shoulder. Oh! And another victory--I woke up this morning the lightest weight I've ever been in a long time. I just can't get enough of this program!" 


"Some days are slow, some days are stretchy, some days require balance, and some days you get to FLY! I was honestly a little scared of a one-hundred-day program, but here I am three-fourths of the way through it and I can't believe it!"

When Can I Start?

Morning Meltdown 100 officially launches on Beachbody On Demand on October 1, 2019. However, offers go on sale in July and VIP early access begins on July 29, 2019.  You can sign up for a Beachbody On Demand Membership here.

Fill out this form if you're interested in getting in on this program and joining us for an accountability group. Once this program is live, you will be one  of the first ones to get plugged in!

Grilled Peach Salad

I feel like there are two types of people. Those who love fruit on their salad, and those who don't. I'm definitely someone who LOVES to add fruit. The little bit of sweetness it brings to a salad is so good that I wind up craving salad all summer long. What better season to do it than summer?! When the fruit is fresh and when you can grill it to get a bit caramelized..... YUM!

This bed of spring mix and arugula is topped with grilled chicken, grilled peaches, goat cheese, blueberries, candied pecans, and a simple vinaigrette. It is refreshing and delicious and you need to try it!

Grilled Peach Salad, Serves 2 

Ingredients (Candied Pecans) 

• 1/4 cup chopped pecans 
• 1 Tbsp honey 
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon 
• 1 Tbsp water

Ingredients (Honey Vinaigrette)

• 1 Tbsp honey 
• 1 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil 
• 1 Tbsp apple cider vinegar 
• 1 Tbsp balsamic vinegar 
• a pinch of salt

Ingredients (Grilled Peach Salad)

• 2 ripe, firm peaches
• 1/2 tsp olive oil 
• 4 cups spring mix
• 2 cups arugula
• 1/2 cup blueberries
• 4 Tbsp crumbled goat cheese

I know! It seems like there are a lot of ingredients, but I PROMISE this salad is easy to throw together, and once you do it once, it'll be even easier the second time!

Instructions (Pecans)

• Place all ingredients into a small skillet on medium/high heat. 
• Allow honey mixture to boil and reduce until pan becomes dry 
• Add a touch of butter to let the pecans separate 
• Remove from the skillet and onto wax paper, spread to cool 

Instructions (Honey Vinaigrette) 

• Add all ingredients to a small dish or small mason jar, shake well to combine

Instructions (Grilled Peach Salad)

• Preheat Grill to high heat
• Cut peaches, and remove the pit, cut each peach into 4 wedges 
• Place the peaches in a bowl and toss with olive oil 
• Grill the peaches for 2 minute per side, remove gently
• Place the arugula and spring mix in the bowl with the candied pecans, blueberries, grilled peaches, and goat cheese
• Divide evenly among two serving dishes 
• Top with 2 Tbsp of honey vinaigrette
• Serve immediately

I hope you enjoy this salad. I love the combination of flavors. If you try it, it is sure to become a summer favorite! 

Healthy Taco Salad

Tacos Tacos Tacos! When we're not sure what to put on the menu for meal planning, tacos are always our go-to. These taco bowls last for two nights, and I get pumped when we have leftovers because it means I don't have to cook! They're super easy to throw together too--so even when you DO cook, it's a quick meal.



Taco Salad Bowls, Serves 4 

Ingredients

• 8 Cups, Hearts of Romaine Lettuce, chopped, divided use
• 1 lb Lean Ground Turkey
• 2 Tbsp Homemade, or Low-Sodium Taco Seasoning 
• 1 Bag Frozen Cauliflower Rice 
• 2 Cups, Grape Tomatoes, halved, divided use
• 1 Cup Pico De Gallo, divided use 
• 1/2 Cup 0% greek yogurt, divided use 
• 1/2 cup plantain chips, crushed (optional)
• Chopped fresh cilantro (optional) 

Instructions

• Brown ground turkey in a large skillet
• Add homemade taco seasoning (or packaged seasoning) and 1/4 cup water, reduce heat to medium/low
• Add 1 bag of frozen cauliflower rice
• Cook, uncovered, until heated through, about 7-8 minutes 
• Place two cups of chopped romaine on the bottom of your serving bowls
• Spoon in 1 cup of the taco mixture 
• Top with 1/4 cup grape tomatoes, 1/4 cup pico de gallo, 2 tbsp greek yogurt, and 2 tbsp plantain chips on top.
• Add chopped cilantro if desired

As you may have noticed, this taco salad skips the traditional crispy shell bowl and loads up on romaine and sliced grape tomatoes. Instead of rice, caulirice is used as a substitute, meaning that these taco bowls are truly veggies most! I promise, you won't even miss the rice or the crispy shell. You'll see...

White Bean and Basil Hummus

I could live off of snacks and so could Gabe. We love crunchy things, and we love to dip said crunchy things (plantain chips, carrots, cucumbers, veggies straws) into hummus. Our go-to hummus is the plain hummus from Trader Joe's; it's smooth and has a yummy, nutty flavor to it. However, I got a bunch of fresh herbs for Mother's Day and my birthday this year so I've been wanting to use them for fun new recipes! All of these things inspired this White Bean and Basil Hummus. Let's get started. 

Ingredients

• 15 ounce can low sodium white kidney beans
• 1/2 cup fresh basil leaves 
• 1/4 cup tahini 
• 3 Tbsp 100% lemon juice (or the juice of one fresh lemon) 
• 1/2 tsp sea salt 
• 1 clove garlic, minced 
• 2 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil 

Instructions

• Add all ingredients EXCEPT olive oil to a large blender or food processor
• Pulse ingredients a few times to start mixing the ingredients together 
• Add 1 Tbsp olive oil slowly and blend on high allowing the mixture to become smooth 
• Add in last Tbsp of olive oil and blend until the hummus reaches desired consistency 
• Place in a bowl and serve. 

That's it! This one is SUPER simple and it's a great side dish or snack dish to bring with vegetables to a party this summer. If you find that the consistency still isn't at its desired smoothness after 2 tbsp of olive oil, you can add up to 1 more Tbsp, 1/2 at a time. We found just two was perfect for us! You can definitely also play with different flavors. Chickpeas instead of white beans and different herbs instead of basil! Have fun!