Thursday, January 20, 2011

Shakeology - What is it?

You've seen me post occasionally on Facebook about Shakeology.  I wanted to do a blog on it, because I've been getting questions lately about what it is.  It is AMAZING!!  The reason I haven't posted on it sooner, is because I wanted to use it for at least a month to see what benefits it really gave me prior to really giving my opinion and recommendation.  As a Beachbody coach, you can order this through me, however, I really wanted to use the product myself first before recommending it.  Well, I've been using it at least once a day for a little over a month now - and here's what it's done for me:
  • I've lost an additional 6 pounds (after maintaining for about 7 months)
  • GREATLY reduced my caffeine intake
  • Reduced cravings for "bad" foods
  • Increased my energy level
  • Improved my digestive health significantly
Shakeology comes in two flavors, Chocolate and Greenberry.  I've tried both, and I like both.  Personally, the Chocolate is my favorite.  I blend it with 1 banana, 1 Tbs. peanut butter, 1 cup water, and 5 ice cubes.  It is absolutely DELICIOUS.  I actually crave it now....they aren't kidding when they say it tastes like dessert! 
Here's a picture of my favorite way to blend it.....on my kitchen counter.  :-)

Ready to blend....                              ready to drink!!!





Shakeology is a combination of 70 different ingredients, including antioxidants, phytonutrients, enzymes, prebiotics, protein, and many rare ingredients - including adaptogens, camu-camu, and sacha inchi.  You may be wondering about the cost - and in the interest of full disclosure, I will tell you that I first flinched at the price of $4/shake(meal).  At first, I thought there was no way I could afford it, but the ingredients and reviews had me so curious that I had to try it.  If you figure you are replacing a meal, $4.00 really isn't that bad...in fact for the nutrition you are getting, it is pretty outstanding.  If you consider your normal lunch (Subway, McDonald's, etc.) costs you in the $5-$8 range - you could save money, lose weight, and improve your health by switching to Shakeology!  In addition, Beachbody beleives in this product so much, that they offer a 30 day "bottom of the bag" guarantee.  If you use it for a month and decide you just didn't like it, you can send back the EMPTY bag, and they will refund your money! 
If you are interested in learning more about the nutritional benefits of Shakeology, watch this video!!  It is about 13 minutes long, and does and excellent job of describing the benefits of this nutritional powerhouse.


If you want to do a little more informational exploring on your own (or order Shakeology), visit my website - www.shakeology.com/tracimcginnis

If you would like to try a free sample, contact me either via Facebook or my email address:  tracim@frontier.com

Yours in health,
Traci


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Wednesday, January 12, 2011

Restaurants - Using the internet to make smarter choices!

I've been getting a lot of questions this week on the types of things I eat.  I thought it would be a perfect time to talk about how to eat smart when you are eating out.  There are two really important tips that are a MUST if you are going to make good decisions when eating out: 

1) Research the nutritional information on the Internet before you go; and
2) Decide what you are going to order before you even step foot in the restaurant

By following those two rules, you will feel more empowered and less tempted by bad decisions when you get there! 

Many of you may have read or heard about the "Eat This, Not That" articles that are in Men's Health magazine and now in bookstores.  This is my version!  I'm calling it "What I used to eat/What I eat now".  I hope it helps you make better decisions when eating out.  I'm including links to all of the restaurants nutritional information as well, so you can see for yourself what is in the foods you eat!  These were and still are some of my favorite places....in a future post, I will include even more!

Fast Food Joints

Culvers

What I used to eat:                                  Calories                 Fat (grams)

Double Cheese Butterburger w/                     680                          40
Lettuce, Onion, and Mayo

Onion Rings (regular order)                           630                          36 ______________________________________________________
Total I used to consume:                           1310                          76

What I eat now:

Grilled Chicken Cesar Salad                        340                           16
Reduced Calorie Ranch Dressing                 130                           12
______________________________________________________
Total I consume now:                                470                           28

Difference!                                                840                          48


McDonalds
Link to McDonalds Nutritional Information: 
http://nutrition.mcdonalds.com/nutritionexchange/nutritionfacts.pdf
What I used to eat:                                Calories              Fat (grams)
   
Quarter Pounder with Cheese                     510                            26
Medium French Fries                                 380                            19
_____________________________________________________
Total I used to consume:                          890                            45

What I eat now:

Classic Grilled Chicken Sandwich              360                           4.5 
without mayo
_____________________________________________________
Total I consume now:                              360                           4.5

Difference!                                              530                         40.5

Taco Bell
Link to Taco Bell Nutritional Information: 

What I used to eat:                                              Calories                    Fat (Grams)

Grilled Stuffed Chicken Burrito                          660                                   24
Nachos Supreme                                                      440                                   24
___________________________________________________________
Total I used to consume:                                      1100                                  48

What I eat now:

1 Fresco Chicken Soft Taco                                   170                                      4
Pintos & Cheese                                                       170                                      6
____________________________________________________________
Total I consume now:                                             340                                     10

Difference!                                                                 760                                    38

Chipotle
Link to Chipotle Nutritional Information: 

What I used to eat:                                           Calories                             Fat (Grams)

Chicken Burrito with rice, black                     975                                         38
beans, salsa, cheese, sour cream,
and lettuce

Chips & Guacamole                                             720                                         40
____________________________________________________________
Total I used to consume:                                  1695                                        78

What I eat now:

Chicken burrito bowl with rice,
fajita vegetables, salsa, and lettuce            345                                        9.5
___________________________________________________________
Total I consume now:                                        345                                         9.5

Difference!                                                           1350 (WOW!)                   68.5

Noodles & Company
Link to Noodles & Company Nutritional Information:

What I used to eat:                                    Calories                               Fat (Grams)

Wisconsin Mac & Cheese                          1030                                           33.5  
(Regular size) with Chicken
_____________________________________________________________
Total I used to consume:                           1030                                            33.5

What I eat now:

Small Cesar Salad w/ Chicken                 290                                              16.5
Small Chicken Noodle Soup                    150                                                    2
_____________________________________________________________
What I consume now:                                440                                               18.5 

Difference!                                                    590                                                15

Potbelly Sandwich Shop
Link to Potbelly Nutritional Information:

What I used to eat:                              Calories                                  Fat (Grams)

Original Turkey sandwich                     573                                                 22 
on wheat with lettuce &
mayo

Sheila's Dream Bar                                  434                                                 21
__________________________________________________________
Total I used to consume:                     1007                                                43

What I eat now:

Skinny TKY on wheat with                  364                                                   9
mushrooms, lettuce, and
mustard

Original Baked Lays                               130                                                  2
Potato Chips
__________________________________________________________
Total I consume now:                           494                                                 11

Difference!                                               513                                                32


Sit Down Joints 

Olive Garden
Link to Olive Garden Nutritional Information:

What I used to eat:                           Calories                                 Fat (Grams)

Fettuccine Alfredo                             1220                                                 75
3 Breadsticks                                           450                                                   6
2 plates of salad                                    700                                                  52
_____________________________________________ ____________
Total I used to consume:                  2370                                               133

What I eat now:

Venetian Apricot Chicken                380                                                   4
1 bowl Minestrone soup                  100                                                    1 
_________________________________________________________
Total I consume now:                        480                                                    5

Difference!!!!!!!                                 1890                                              128

Monicals Pizza
Link to Monicals Nutritional Information:

What I used to eat:                         Calories:                                 Fat (Grams)

Individual Sausage &                         811                                              28.4
Cheese Pizza

Individual Salad with                        230                                              19.8 
Ranch dressing
________________________________________________________
Total I used to consume:                1041                                              48.2

What I eat now:

Individual "Cheese-Free"            403.5                                              1.2
Pizza

Individual Salad with                     160                                                 4.8
Light Italian dressing
 _______________________________________________________
Total I consume now:                    563.5                                              6

Difference!                                        497.5                                           42.2

Buffalo Wild Wings
Link to Buffalo Wild Wings Nutritional Information:

What I used to eat:                     Calories                                Fat (Grams)

8 Boneless Wings in                        704                                               48 
Asian Zing sauce

Ranch dipping sauce                       320                                               30

Potato Wedges                                 280                                               14
_______________________________________________________
What I used to consume:             1304                                              92

What I eat now:

4 Naked Tenders                           173                                                   8
Asian Zing Sauce                             90                                                    0
Side Salad                                        210                                                 15
Fat Free Ranch                                  40                                                  0
______________________________________________________
What I consume now:                 513                                                 23

Difference!                                     791                                                 69


You can see how by just arming yourself with the information prior to eating out you can make HUGE differences in the calories and fat consumed.  I honestly do not feel like I have had to sacrifice eating out due to living a healthier lifestyle.  Use the tools that are out there for you, and you can still enjoy going to your favorite places!

Yours in Health,
Traci 

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