What exactly is a #girlieboss?

Hi fellow Girlieboss!

Let's break this down....what is a girlieboss?  

A Girlieboss is in charge of her own life. She gets what she wants because she works for it.
As a girlieboss, you take control and accept responsibility. You are a fighter. You know when to throw punches and when to roll with them. Sometimes you break the rules; sometimes you follow them. But it's always on your own terms. You know where you are going but can't do it without having some fun along the way. You value honesty or perfection. You ask questions. You take your life seriously but you don't take yourself too seriously. You are going to take over the world and change it in the process. You are a bad ass.

The rules are simple for us girliebosses!  I have them narrowed down to 12 but if you think that there should be more added -- connect with me on Facebook!   I love hearing from my girliebosses! Let's start off with our girlieboss rules:

12 #GIRLIEBOSS RULES 

1. If it feels wrong, don't do it!
2. Say exactly what you mean
3. Don't be a people pleaser
4. Trust your instincts
5. Never speak bad about yourself
6. Never give up on your dreams
7. Don't be afraid to say no
8. Don't be afraid to say yes
9. Be kind to yourself
10. Let go of what you can't control
11. Stay away from drama and negativity
12. LOVE

13,  DREAM

Are you chasing your dreams?  In your high heels, of course!  Or, a close second, your gym shoes. ;) Every morning you have 2 choices. Which one do you choose?

1. Continue to sleep with your dreams.

OR

2. Wake up and chase them!

If you don't make the time to work on creating the life you want, you're eventually going to be forced to spend a lot of time dealing with the life you don't want.  Design your life!  I designed mine over 5 years ago...and I am proud to say that I am living the #girlieboss lifestyle that I chased!!!

What is my story?

I love fitness and I absolutely have a passion for helping others in their journey!  

Many people think that I've always been in shape and have had this passion for fitness! That's not true!  It's only been since 2008 that I really started to get serious with my own fitness journey and made the changes that finally gave me results.  I thought Twizzlers (a fat free candy, after all!) and working out at 50% was 'enough'.   But, I had a BIG wake up call when I saw a picture of myself!! It was time to make a serious change! I became a Beachbody Coach, started to work out SERIOUSLY (100% for every workout and added the important aspect of lifting weights) and I changed my diet. I now drink Shakeology and eat 5 to 6 small meals (about 300-350 calories each) a day.  But my changes from coaching were not just physical - they were mental.  I gained confidence (not because of the physical changes, although that certainly was nice) because working out gave me mental strength! I started to believe in myself.  I started to realize just how powerful I was; physically and mentally - and that is an empowering feeling!

Not only did I start to see changes -- but  others saw changes in me, too!  I smiled more, laughed more, and became more confident in the person I am!   I was cruising thru 2008 on a girlieboss dream! Until, in September of 2009 my world came crashing upside down. We discovered my husband had a brain tumor. It was a grim prognosis in the beginning… they told him he may only have a year and a half. They removed the tumor successfully and it ended up being a grade 2 instead of the grade 3 or 4 like they were suspecting. So thank the Lord we were given TIME!  So here we are many years later and he is doing fantastic!!

When you have a life changing moment like that, it really opens your eyes to what’s important! Follow your dreams! Life is so precious, we have NO idea what the future holds for us so GO BIG, DO MORE and of course, DON’T SWEAT THE SMALL STUFF!!  And my girlieboss mantra was born.  I knew I was a girlieboss along - but I found the power to believe it. And after our life was changed - I knew that I needed to share this message with YOU!

SO,

Stop being unhappy with yourself, you are perfect.

Stop wishing you looked like someone else or wishing people liked you as much as they like someone else.

Stop trying to get attention from those who hurt you.

Stop hating your body, your face, your personality, your quirks, love them.

Without those things you wouldn't be you and why would you want to be anyone else?

Be confident with who you are.

Smile - it'll draw people in.

If anyone hates on you because you are happy with yourself then you stick your middle finger in the air and say screw it.

My happiness will not depend on others anymore.

I'm happy because I love who I am.

I love my flaws.

I love my imperfections.

They make me and ME is pretty amazing.

And don't you forget it!  You are a Girlieboss!  And you are AMAZING. Repeat after me:  This is our girlieboss mantra: 

I believe anything is possible
I see opportunity when others see impossibility.
I take risks.
I am focused.
I hustle.
I know that nothing is unrealistic.
I feel overwhelming love.
I embrace my childklike wonder and curiosity
I take flying leaps into the unknown
I contribute to something bigger than myself.
I create.
I learn.
I grow.
I do.
I believe it's never too late to start living a dream.

If you haven't already, I'd love to connect with you and hear from you!  Are we friends on Facebook already?  If not, find me there - send me a friend request and share your girlieboss story with me!!!

Recipe alert - and don't let the name fool you, it's clean and healthy! Creamy Mexican Chicken

Happy Monday!!!

And it's the last Monday in January!!! I feel like this month FLEW by! How is everyone doing with their New Years Resolutions!?? Did you know that only about 8% of people actually keep their resolution?? IF your resolution was anything to do in health/fitness, then this recipe will help keep you on track but provide a 'cheating' feel....

Creamy Mexican Chicken is not only delicious but it is super easy and nutritious! Let's face it, usually when you hear "creamy", you think that the dish can't be all too clean and healthy? NOT this one! So, if you struggle to stay on track, this meal may be perfect for you....plus, with all the time saving benefits of a crockpot, you have extra time to get that workout in! ;)

CREAMY MEXICAN CHILI

Ingredients:

-4 small boneless, skinless chicken breasts (may be frozen)

-15 oz. can black beans, drained

-7 oz. canned chopped green chilies

-1 cup frozen corn

-1 large onion, diced

-3 bell peppers, chopped

-15 oz. can diced tomatoes

-Salt and pepper, to taste

-1 tsp. paprika

-1 tsp. cumin

-1 red container plain Greek yogurt

-Fresh cilantro

Directions:

Add chicken breasts to slow-cooker. Top with remaining ingredients, except for Greek yogurt and fresh cilantro. Cook on low for 8 hours, until chicken breasts begin to fall apart easily.

Remove chicken and shred. Add back to crockpot. Add Greek yogurt, cover and continue to cook on low for 30 minutes. Stir well, top with fresh cilantro. Serve with tortillas, or over quinoa or rice.

21 Day Fix approved:

This makes 6 servings, and each serving counts as 1 RED, 1 GREEN, 1/2 a PURPLE, and 1 YELLOW. Count additional YELLOW for tortillas and/or rice and quinoa. Top with avocado or cheese with your BLUE container!

P.S I read that you shouldn't put frozen foods into a crockpot -- I've never had a problem with doing it but have you heard that?? For more tips like that, benefits of using, and over 40 crockpot recipes (all clean and healthy) be sure to join my FREE 5 day crockpot group that starts next week! JOIN HERE!

#ThankfulThursday

Thankful Thursday!! I am so grateful for my workout partner! Today especially, I needed a little kick in my booty...and she always provides it! Who is your workout buddy? Do you have one?? Be sure to Tag & Thank your workout buddy! 

Why you love your workout partner:

1. You'll Actually Show Up! Half the battle in a workout can be just getting there! Having an accountability partner will guarantee you show up! 

2. You'll Work Harder! It's proven that when you work out with someone, you are more likely to push yourself harder! The motivation and even competition with another person will kick up your workout!

3. You'll Score a Free Therapy session! Not only do you get a workout but you can talk and vent and laugh with a good friend! That's a priceless bonus!

4. You'll Learn New Tricks. Having another person to workout with means two brains versus one! Tired of boring bicep curls? Your friend may have a different move that works your biceps in a new way! Or, you can't master that Piyo flip? Your friend can help you dissect the move! 

5. You'll Burn More Calories. In fact, you'll burn, on average, 41 more calories per session exercising with your plus one than you would solo, studies prove.

Not to mention, it is just more FUN!  Why go thru a workout alone when you have someone by your side cheering you on and supporting you?  You can grab a cup of coffee after your workout and plan your next gym sesh or just catch up, too.  It's good for the body AND soul!  

**As always, you can connect with me on Facebook -- speaking of which, I am doing a FREE 5 day clean eating ROCK your CROCK POT challenge there starting February 3rd.   You should grab your workout buddy and join in the fun!  CLICK HERE to check it out!