Healthy Taco Bar (with clean, homemade taco seasoning)

Yes, I am aware it isn't a Tuesday but Taco Day or Taco Monday doesn't sound as great as Taco Tuesday. I could have waited to publish this on Tuesday, BUT I only post on my blog on Mondays and I don't want to skip this Monday again (I skipped last Monday because I wasn't feel that great last weekend AND my 10 year old had four friends sleepover).

Besides, this Taco Bar Menu is perfect for any day!  We actually had tacos on Thursday this past week. Tuesday was a snow day and Mama Marie wanted venison stew.

I hope you enjoy this recipe!  You can even double the recipe if you're entertaining (great for Super Bowl Sunday!!!).

Ingredients:
1 1/4 lbs of ground grass fed beef or ground turkey
Homemade taco seasoning (see below)
1 Tsp Olive oil or coconut oil
1 small onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 cup cilantro, chopped
1 can tomato sauce
Shredded lettuce
Guacamole
Pico or fresh tomatoes, diced
Small/medium red onions, chopped
Organic cheese (omit if paleo)


Taco Shell Options:
Organic taco shells
Organic blue corn tortilla chips
Romaine lettuce


Directions:
1. Heat oil in a non-stick pan or skillet.  Add onions, cilantro and garlic.
2. When onion is translucent, add meat and cook, making sure to break up the clumps of meat.
3. Stir in tomato sauce and taco seasoning.
4. Set the table with the meat, and various toppings and shells. ENJOY!



Homemade taco seasoning
1 1/2 - 2 tsp cumin
1 1/2 Tbs chili powder
1 1/2 tsp paprika
1 1/2 tsp garlic powder
1 1/2 tsp onion powder
1/2 tsp oregano
1 tsp Himalaya sea salt
Onion powder

In my home, with the exception of my 10 year old, we prefer making taco bowls so we skip the shell and just pile on the meat and veggies!!! YUMMMMY!!!!

Top 3 Reasons People Quit Their Fitness Goals (and How to Get Rid of those Excuses)

It is mid-January, and I have received messages from people saying that their resolve is starting to wane.  Sadly, these friends of mine are not alone.  Only 8% of people achieve success in their resolutions.  For this post, I will give you the top 3 reasons people quit on their fitness goal and my tips on how to counter those reasons (in no particular order): 

REASON #1: NO TIME

Life gets in the way. You work a full time job.  Your kids play sports and have after school activities.  You have a home to clean.  And on and on and on and on.  I hear you. I'm right there with you.  However, I am able to fit in my workout.  Why? Because I work out at home.  If I had to go to the gym or a class, I wouldn't workout.  From the comfort of my home, I can pick out whatever workout I want to do (depending on the amount of time I have) and when I workout.  Sometimes, I workout in the morning after I read my Bible.  Other times, I workout right before I go to work (I do a quick shower after without washing my hair- thank God for dry shampoo!!!).  Other times, I  work out at night.

There are so many options that will allow you to work out from home in as little as 30 minutes (sometimes even less!).  All you need to do is have the initiative to push play.

When I tell people to workout from home, they often respond, "BUT I WILL NEVER TAKE THE INITIATIVE, I NEED TO GO TO A GYM OR CLASS." My question is WHY?  If time is the reason you are not working out, try working out from home.  You just need to make it a habit.  Why not try working out from home for 3-4 weeks?  And if you are looking for accountability, let's talk.
 

REASON #2: NO MONEY

You don't need a gym membership, a personal trainer, or a fitness class to get fit.  Again, if you work out at home, you will save a lot of money.
     > Use your stairs at home or work for some cardio.
     > Do body weight (no equipment workouts).  Check out my Facebook page for workouts you can 
     do anywhere.
     >Hike, walk, run, play ball outside with your family.
    >Try low cost home workout programs  (take advantage of the free 30 day offer).

REASON #3: WORKING OUT IS BORING.

     >Find an activity you enjoy.  I'm not a runner, so as much as I would love to work towards a half
     marathon, I haven't done it because I don't like running.  Dance. Do martial arts. Play volleyball. 

     > Find a workout buddy. 

     > Change things up. Try something new away from your regular routine. (see find an activity you
     enjoy).

Don't let life get in the way of your health.   If you are serious about getting fit but just need a boost to get going, why not join me and my friends for our next faith based fitness in the Faith, Fitness, and Fellowship Community What are other reasons that you can think of?

5 Tips to Get Started in Fitness

1. Get Moving
Even if you’re not ready to start a program, incorporate more movement into your day. Take a walk, take the stairs instead of the elevator or escalator, park a little farther away from your destination, start your morning going up and down your stairs at home, clean out your closet, rearrange your furniture, stretch during television commercials, turn on some music and dance (or jump around if you’re not the dancing type).  Schedule a hike or walk with your family or some friends.

2. Drink Water
Get into the habit of drinking enough water every day, even if you are not working out yet.  Drinking water leading up to your program start date can help minimize initial muscle soreness.

3. Out with the JUNK, In with the FOOD
One of my go-to health and nutrition resources, Dr. Mark Hyman, always says, “There is no junk food.  There is junk. And there is food.” Empty pantry, refrigerator, freezer, car, and secret snack stash drawer of all the junk you should not be eating.  Then, stock up with healthy food and staples that will help you create healthy meals every day. Here is a list of pantry essentials for beginners.

4. Schedule in your Workout
Decide ahead of time, when you will fit your exercise in your day and schedule it in now!  Evaluate your CURRENT schedule and make whatever adjustments you need to make sure you fit in your workout.  Find out how much time you have to spare, and be realistic.  If done correctly, you don’t need an hour to get a good workout in.  There are MANY effective workouts that you can do in 30 minutes or less. 

There is currently a new MMA program that is out that I am dying to try, however, between school, my day job, coaching, blogging, and motherhood, I KNOW there is no way I can fit in the 40-50 minute workouts.  I am doing another round of 22 Minute Hard Corps instead mixing it in with some yoga during my less busy days.  See when you can carve out 30 minutes of your schedule and use that time for your workouts.  Put the workout in YOUR PLANNER (whether it is on your phone or your paper planner… I know many of you are planner people). 

Even better- set an alarm so you know when you’re supposed to workout.

5. Find Your Why
One of my favorite fitness trainers, Tony Horton, says, “If you’re really caught up in the numbers on the scale, or the dress size, and what’s happening with the tape measure, chances are that doesn’t really motivate or inspire you. Find a new purpose. Find a new reason why. The reason why has got to be so powerful, so strong that you’re not going to quit, you’re not going to fail, and you’re going to be consistent, and show up 5-7 days a week for the rest of your life.”

Now that you are ready to get fit and healthy, it’s time to pick a program.  There are many fitness programs to choose from.  I can help match you with an effective program, and add you to my free Mission Fitness group for motivation and accountability partners to help you stay motivated on your fitness journey.

Get on track with your fitness today!  Email me to schedule a FREE confidential 30 minute video chat or phone call.


Subscribe to my weekly email with recipes and bonus workouts here.

2017 Plans

Happy New Year!  Aren't you glad it's 2017?

A lot has happened in 2016 and it included a blogging break from this blog so that I can dedicate more time in Read Pray Move Ministry.  However, at the end of 2016, Read Pray Move Ministry had to face a major change.  You can read more about it here.  In a way, it is a relief to enter into 2017 with a new direction, but to tell you the truth, I am a little apprehensive.  We hit the ground running in 2016 with our game plan and schedule, and things didn't turn out quite the way we planned it. 

Although 2016 was a whirlwind of unmet expectations, God's timing was and always is impeccable.  Towards the end of the year, I was blessed to have two weeks off from school for Christmas break.   In the last two weeks, I spent my free time digging into God's Word and reading Wild and Free.  In my digging, and a few devotionals I have read, I came across Proverbs 19:21,"Many are the plans in a person's heart, but it is the LORD's purpose that prevails."

I have read and quoted this verse before.  However, as I was praying for my verse for 2017, this came to me loud and clear from more than one source. This short, two part Proverb was exactly what I needed  to remind me that GOD IS ALWAYS IN CONTROL.  I am here for God's glory and purpose. I won't waste my time lamenting over 2016.  All I know is that I have learned not to ignore the still small voice that tells me to pause as long as I need to for God's leading.  But what does this mean for me for 2017?

     1- I will set my goals, but it will be wide open to God's leading.  As much as I want to have a set
     game plan for my ministry and business, I won't set it all in stone.   

     2- I will create more white space by going back to the priceless lessons I have learned from
     The Best Yes by Lysa Terkeurst.

     3- I will still provide support for those who seek to get healthy through my challenge groups and  
     also through our online community, Faith, Fitness, and Fellowship.

     4- Something that I would really like to work on is limiting my time in social media.  I don't
     know what exactly this looks like but I know that it includes regular breaks. 

One of my plans for 2017 is to send out a weekly Health and Fitness related email that will include a motivational or inspirational message, a recipe, and a bonus workout circuit.  If you are interested in receiving this email, please sign up here.

Here's to a freeing yet productive 2017!

-Marie