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Nov 01 2015 
Creamy Garlic Dressing – Gluten-Free Dressing – 21 Day Fix Approved!!
Creamy Garlic Dressing
It’s food prep day for a lot of us and a gluten-free dressing is the perfect option, better yet, creamy garlic dressing! I love spending just 1-2 hours on Sunday’s making simple foods to have on hand for the week. I am always looking for better ways to take care of my family. I am also always looking for gluten-free options. There is gluten in so much more than we think and I have felt the affects of not knowing I was eating gluten, when I actually was. One of the big culprits can be salad dressings. My husband went through a 21 Day cleanse back in 2012, called the The Ultimate Reset, and this little gem made it a lot easier for him. It called for a ton of salads and this was his dressing of choice.
Finding out I needed to go gluten-free during that time, I started going crazy on nutrition label reading. This one was about as simple as they come! I made it for him the first time and we were both in love. Shoot, my kids even love it! I never even thought about making a creamy garlic dressing, but this is the magic one! I have to give my husband credit for going through The Ultimate Reset. We actually gained an amazing amount of knowledge from those 21 days. So know that this creamy garlic dressing is absolutely healthy in every way and delicious. A great cookbook I use is Fixate. She is the creator of 21 Day Fix and has a ton of awesome recipes like this.
Here is one of my all time favorite homemade salad dressings:
Creamy Garlic Dressing Recipe:
1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
3-5 cloves garlic, crushed
3 Tbsp fresh lemon juice
2 Tbsp chopped fresh parsley
1 tsp Himalayan salt
1/2 tsp Dijon Mustard
1 Tbsp honey or agave
Blend for 30 seconds or until well mixed. Store in refrigerator and warm to room temp to shake and serve. Makes 8-10 servings.
Great with a little balsamic as a combo dressing. I also have a lot of clients that do the workouts and meal plan with 21 Day Fix. This creamy garlic dressing is absolutely great to use with that program and pretty much for anything. It is vegan and if you buy organic, you can’t really get a more pure dressing. Enjoy!
Garlic Creamy Dressing Courtesy of The Ultimate Reset
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Oct 24 2015 
Nordstrom Rack – Nike Air Max Steal!
Nordstrom Rack Super Find
New #nikes from Nordstrom Rack are making me want to workout today.???? Matt snagged these, Nike Air Max 2015 shoes, for me and they were a steal!! My husband is the best at finding deals at Nordstrom Rack. Whether it is the main store or the Rack, he is always looking for deals. He wants me to feel good as I strive to do my best daily. It is so important to have support.
I worked at Nordstroms for over 8 years as a makeup artist. I love Laurie Mercier and was the counter manager when they first came to Seattle. I love everything about it. I love everything about Nordstroms, the lines they carry, the service, the training I was given. It is such a classy store in every sense of the word. It is what I pride myself over, I was trained by the best. Even the Nordstroms Cafe has the best food….and they have some healthy choices! One of my husband and my favorites is the NIÇOISE SALAD WITH SALMON! Click on the name to see the menu!
Whenever we go shopping, it usually revolves around a Nordstrom Rack. There is no better place for returns. My husband had a pair of jeans he had never worn, but we had removed the tags. We took them back and they accepted them and gave us a full cash refund!!
To be honest, I haven’t worked out much this week since I was nursing my strained neck (2 car accidents in a year) and my diet wasn’t as great as I wanted (late night peanut butter anyone?) but I was up this morning telling myself to just get it done! 30 minutes goes by so fast. New Nordstrom Rack, Nike Air Max workout shoes get me in the mode!
The compound effect of a daily routine adds up for the good but it can also add up for the bad. Review what your compounding effect is and tweak it if you aren’t going in the right direction. You deserve to look and feel your best ? Go check out a Nordstrom Rack!
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Oct 03 2015 
How to Better Yourself? Learn From Friends!
How To Better Yourself
I ask myself all the time, how to better yourself. My gorgeous friend Jessica has taught me so much about eating clean! We celebrated her baby girl due next month today and it got me thinking………??
This woman makes most things from scratch and it’s always beyond delicious. She also makes very healthy food this way. It is amazing how she makes something taste so good, that I have conceived as being “not very good.” Does she have the “time”? No, she is a full-time midwife, that busts her butt all the time helping other mothers, but she does it anyways because she appreciates quality food. She is someone I can look up to and strive to become!
When you really look at how long it takes to make things from scratch, I’ve realized it’s not as complicated as I used to think. It just takes a little extra planning. I also have to be creative and I have to stop making excuses. Over the last few years I have really gotten some staple recipes that my family loves.
Food doesn’t have to be fried, dipped, battered, and overly sweet to taste amazing. It doesn’t have to have a bunch of sugar or tons of salt. It doesn’t need “cream of….” anything! It for sure doesn’t have to have a bunch of dairy either, (though I won’t lie, I will never go without butter totally;)
It can be simple and fresh.
Sometimes it just helps to have someone make it look easy and you gain confidence in knowing that you too can create amazing things in a short amount of time. Thanks so much Jess for all that you do and all that you are! Baby Hazel is about to receive the best gift a child could have, her loving mother. Thank you for being such an amazing friend and for pouring so much love into my life. You are such a blessing! Remember, never stop learning how to better yourself.
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Oct 01 2015 
Gluten-Free Lunch Ideas! Veggie Soup on the Go!!
Gluten-Free Lunch Ideas
Being gluten-free, I am always looking for gluten-free lunch ideas. I am going to be consistently looking for more an more simple ideas, that you can buy while on the go. I find that almost anyone can make gluten-free lunch ideas at home….but what about at work or while out with the kids. Here is one I love!
Veggies are so hard to get in when life is crazy busy. We live by eating whatever is in front of us in this fast paced life. Fall ?and Winter❄ are so great for soup and you can hide tons of veggies in a yummy way. The other reason I love it? My kids will eat it! You can’t beat that! Finding food that my kids will eat that is healthy for them, on the go, is a win-win in my book.
This is a hearty veggie soup with kale, carrots, potatoes. Yum!!!!! It is at Metropolitan Market. This is one of my all time favorite grocery stores. They have all kinds of unique items. The market actually labels which soups are gluten-free. It is so nice to quickly jump in the store, pick up what I need and then pay and get back in the car, within five minutes.
Do be careful. A lot of the canned soups are not that healthy and can have hidden junk in them. Make sure to always read the labels. A lot of gluten-free items are made with quality ingredients, but I am seeing a trend of more and more that are not good. It seems like we can never get away from the junk! So, I will continually search for gluten-free lunch ideas.
Do you have a favorite “go to” soup? I would love to hear it!! This time a year, I start making them weekly. They are great to have for leftovers. Comment with a recipe of the one you can’t live without!
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Sep 28 2015 
Weekend Weight Loss Tips!
Weekend weight loss tips:
Use these weight loss tips. Don’t turn your back on your goals this weekend. I promise you’ll regret it. I’ve done this way too many times and I always feel super bummed on Monday. You work so hard during the week and the weekend should be fun but still in alignment with your goals. Here’s some weight loss tips for you:
1. Do an extended cardio session. ?Take a long walk or run and get your mind ready for the week ahead.
2. Give yourself one treat meal and enjoy it -guilt free. ??Make sure your other meals are fueling you and you’re also getting your water in. I get just on the weekends and let my meals/water take a back seat. Keep track and focus on it.
3. Spend time prepping and shopping for the week ahead. This will save you more time and energy on those busy weekdays. Cook some meats, cut veggies and pre-cook rice or quinoa.
4. Catch up on sleep, don’t deplete it. Proper sleep helps your body fight sickness and repairs it for better workouts.
❤Have so much fun but keep those goals in the back of your mind!! It is not an easy road at all but an ever so necessary one.. It is also not at all something you want to skip. I have skipped it many times and have suffered the consequences. I love having accountability! Having a group of women, pushing you on is so important. I know you can do anything, I’m your biggest fan! ❤
Remember that moderation is a huge key as well. I seem to always forget to mention this one. Just keep things palm sized. You don’t need your entire arm!! Keep up the hard work and dedication. Thanks for checking out my weight loss tips.
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Sep 24 2015 
Transformation Tuesday from Quebec!
TRANSFORMATION TUESDAY!
Genevieve blows me away with this transformation Tuesday! She is a full time working mom and takes pride in her health every day. Here is a peek into her story and life ——->>>>>
“I did not lose much, less than 10 pounds. But the daily balance is my best tool to measure my progress. I prefer to look at how my clothes fit, take my measurements and some pictures. I’ve worked out for about 20 years, many years of running and gyms. I will be 40 soon. Honestly, I have never felt so well and healthy since I discovered Shakeology. The nutrients keep me going on the days I don’t have time to eat breakfast or lunch. The battle is a daily one. It’s not easy but I have to say I look and feel better than I ever have.”
Her French text says “I am too tired, I have a busy week but I can do it!! ”
Excuses don’t lead us to our final destination. Avoiding them is what takes you places. If you mess up, know there will be another opportunity to make a better choice. Get back on the right path and don’t worry about being perfect. Even if it takes longer than you thought, keep running to your destination.
I feel the exact same way as her! The daily habits are the ones we master, not getting on the scale. I love to brag on my fellow team mates because they work so hard not only on themselves but with all of their clients.
Well done my friend and thank you for letting me share part of your journey. I wish we lived closer!!! Maybe a trip to Quebec is in order someday soon XO Another successful transformation Tuesday thanks Genevieve…you inspire me!
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Sep 22 2015 
Read the Nutrition Label! It is Important!
Nutrition Label and Dried Fruit 101:
I was in Costco (again) ?today and wanted to make a post to explain the importance of reading a nutrition label. On the left is your average dried fruit. Refined sugar and yucky preservatives. I almost bought it before I flipped it over and read what was in it.
I can’t tell you how many times in my life I have not flipped my product over and read the nutrition label. It is a failure I look to change. I think it is putting it in my phone when I go to the grocery store, so I remember, and after a while it should become a habit. But it is so important, because look at what you fine!
The one on the right is organic and only ONE ingredient. Just the way it should be. If you are going to pay the money you may as well get the best product. Your body will thank you! I promise it will! ????
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Sep 21 2015 
Paleo and Gluten-Free Meal Plan!
Gluten-free meal plan? Paleo? I don’t need any of that stuff…. little did I know. It feels like yesterday that I was pregnant with my baby boy and this sweet girl and I would roam around town doing whatever we wanted. We mainly ended up at a Starbucks because we’d split a Chonga bagel as our snack. Almost every day. I am a licensed esthetician and I worked right up the road from a wonderful little restaurant! It was called Taco Time! Yep, one of my favorite fast food stops. I would get done with a client, go grab a couple crispy burritos, a Coke and head back to work.
My second pregnancy was much harder and I couldn’t figure out why. Bloated, tired, swollen are words I used often. I would talk to my midwife and chiropractor and a few times they both said to me, “sounds like a gluten allergy.”
I obviously didn’t want to hear that because the thought of going “gluten-free” sounded so overwhelming. So intense. Plus, breaking up with the Chonga bagel and fast food was overwhelming to consider while pregnant. So I did what any other busy mom would do. I waited until conditions worsened. ☺Baby girl had a diaper rash that would not leave and my hand eczema was getting more intense. I remember having that full, swollen feeling during my #HIIT workouts, too. Jumping would hurt.
Immediately my doctor took us both off gluten as soon as she saw our conditions. She saw the writing on the wall instantly. If I snuck some bread or pizza after I had cut gluten out, I would look 5 months pregnant again almost instantly. ?? It was time for a gluten-free meal plan!
I share this to tell you that living this lifestyle has helped my fitness results a TON!! I’ve learned to pre-plan before parties and events because I can’t eat most of the food there. I am forced to eat more whole foods because processed and packaged foods usually make me feel yuck. It also keeps me away from maple bars ?!!
GLUTEN-FREE MEAL PLAN AND FREE GROUP!
I run groups on Facebook all the time. This free, 5 day #Paleo and gluten-free meal plan group is one I run on a continual basis. You’ll have a sneak peek into the foods we eat, new recipes for you to try and hopefully pick up a new habit or meal idea.
It’s a free private group you’ll have access to so go to this LINK and fill out your info! Remember to invite a friend. The gluten-free meal plan can always use new ideas! The more the merrier!
#mealplan #newideas #health #byebyebloat
It’s gonna be fun!!!?????? -
Sep 19 2015 
Stop Procrastinating and Feel Free!
Stop Procrastinating …Get it Done!
Life can be hard. Life can be busy, hectic, crazy. You name it we will have an excuse for it. Keeping my daily schedule is the key to stop procrastinating! Setting an alarm, actually getting up when it goes off, and having a strategic plan is the most important part. I think the book “Eat That Frog!” is one of the best resources for breaking down how to get things done, to stop procrastinating.
I used to be the queen of procrastination!! I’ve been learning to change. When the opportunity is there, I take it. It actually feels good to move on and get done. To FEEL FREE from my old habits. Making lists,
I’ve been struggling with my daily dedication to my schedule lately. I stay up too late or don’t get my essential reading in! Anyone with me? I could get so mad at myself and have bigger set backs or just GET TO IT!!
Today is a new day, God’s mercies are new each morning and we are free to make the right choices and freedoms in our lives!
#change #priorities #schedule #workhard #playhard
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Sep 15 2015 
Healthy Gluten-Free Lunch for the Kiddos!
A Kid Friendly Gluten-Free Lunch
Oh school….how I miss my baby girl! She is in all day kindergarten and I have to come up a gluten-free lunch everyday. It has killed me to not hear her beautiful melodic voice throughout the house during the day. To watch her color a drawing, running over to me to have me give her approval, then squealing with joy when I say I love it. I will miss watching her mumble to herself as she plays with her toys, in her own little creative world. I will miss those feet stomping through the house as she is focused on finding this or that. Okay…enough of my mommy depression!! 😉
After about two weeks of gluten-free lunch packing, I have gotten a bit better. Here is a look into what Sam eats:
Applegate roasted turkey
Van’s gluten-free cheese crackers
Strawberries and CucumbersBut the best part is……..frilly toothpicks! They make it more fun. Finding those little things that make it special are Sam and my special little bond. She loves those little things as much as me! My husband just roles his eyes, but it is so amazing to see that little sparkle in her eyes. She has even mentioned it when she gets home after the long day. It makes it so worth it!
Oh, and she’s a true girl which means a little dark chocolate to get her thru the day ???
Stacy Rody has created 277 entries
Stacy Rody
