Rising Woman~ Danny-J

I think this next Rising Woman will always be one of my favorite people on the planet. She is just so REAL. If you follow her online, you get the same woman in person. There is no pretending, no facade. She shares so much of herself online and she isn't afraid to tell it like it is. On the same token she can make you laugh with her wit and sass. She helps women in so many different ways and I'm so happy to have her share some of her story here...

Who are you and what do you do for a living?

My name is Danny-J (the J stands for Johnson) I am a professional speaker and lifestyle expert and I create programs and solutions for women that help them upgrade their finances, relationships and fitness.

What is your story?

Which part? LOL. I have many stories and probably each one could be a separate book, but I was a very depressed and suicidal teen who got pregnant at the age of 15. I ended up placing my daughter for adoption because I didn't want her to have to live the way I was living. Her birth made me get my act together and I ended up graduating high school early, going to college and earning my bachelors and masters degrees. In between my two degrees, I ended up paralyzed from a bacterial infection and this is what led me to fitness. I spent a lot of time in the gym rehabbing myself. Ultimately, I found that my best gifts were in helping others see the potential in themselves and after my passion for fitness waned a bit, I realized it wasn't about fitness, it was about the results that people would see in their life. Now I love to help people see results in all areas of their lives.

What have you overcome to get where you are today?

I I had to overcome self-doubt, body image issues, the feelings that I didn't belong here (on this planet or in this life) depression and anxiety, and ultimately I had to forgive myself and start to trust in a bigger plan.

What has been your greatest struggle in life?

My greatest struggle was and still is my negative beliefs, self-talk, and judgement. I am so much better than I used to be, but I have realized that my own thoughts and my negative talk have been the single barrier to any lack of results or success that I have been looking for.

Did you ever feel like giving up? When you felt like giving up, what did you do?

Ha!! uhmmmm yes, multiple times a day, everyday for the last 25 years and now at least once a day! LOL it's hard! Life is hard! Showing up is hard! But the one time that I DISTINCTLY remember REALLY getting ready to quit... I sat in a parking lot crying and thinking about just getting a job at Starbucks... it was around 9pm... and my phone notification went off, and I saw an email. The email was about two pages long from a woman whose name I didn't recognize. She said she had been following me for a long time and that my posts and emails and programs helped save her life. She said that I wouldn't recognize her because she would never comment, but that she had been watching. It was that moment that I realized I couldn't quit. I bawled again, but this time in gratitude and also just realizing that THIS was the reason I was compelled to share my struggles, my story, and my truth every day.

What are some of the tools and resources you have used to work through and overcome those struggles? (books, counselors, workshops, programs, coaches, etc.)

Everything you can probably think of! I was in counseling from age 15 to 21. I started listening to personal development "tapes" when I was 9 years old. My mom would make my brother and I do affirmations when we were 3 until about 12. I have gone to amazing workshops, done a lot of forgiveness work, I've done some really good and deep stuff in hypnotherapy sessions. Right now I am working with a coach and I think that probably for the rest of my life, I'll be working with coaches or therapists, because there is always something that can be dug up or improved.

What are your gifts and how did you discover them?

I think my gifts are connecting with people. I discovered that mostly when I started personal training. I realized that a client would come into the office and be so nervous, and I was able to quickly make them laugh and open up. People trust me with some of their deepest secrets and pains and I don't take that lightly.

Who in life do you rely on when you're struggling? Who keeps you uplifted and on your path?

When I'm struggling it depends. I have such a solid group of women friends that I can call on. Or I will reach out to someone who I know who has maybe been through something similar and seek counsel.

Tell us about your tribe and the importance of having one.

My squad I like to call them ;) LOL I actually feel like I have a few tribes and some people cross over into the others. I used to have a hard time relying on others, reaching out, sharing my vulnerabilities. I was always the one that people came to. I've learned in the past few years that connection is everything and you don't get out of this life without having some shit happen to you. The problem is that most of us feel like we are the only one. Having a tribe that gets you, gets what you're about, and what you've been through just gives you comfort in knowing you're not alone. They also push you, help you grow and challenge you to look at your own BS.

What do you want other women to know who are feeling lost, and/or experiencing their own tragedy and/or struggles?

This too shall pass. I recently have gone through a year of three different tragedies and losses and none of them were expected and all of them hurt deeply. My friends allowed me and reminded me that it was ok to grieve, to be sad, to mourn and scream and to feel all the feelings, to allow the feelings and not to judge them. I think we have to be ok with life being messy for a bit and also knowing that you won't "get over it" in one fell swoop. You might just realize you only cried once today! Progress! Then maybe a few months go by and out of the blue, for no apparent reason, you break down again... that is ok too! It is part of the process. Definitely seek counsel and friends who can hold space for you.

What is some advice you would give to women who are healing?

Be gentle with yourself. Don't judge it. Don't judge things for not happening faster. They will in their time. Also find ways to laugh! When I was going through one of my biggest challenges, I spent so many hours crying I decided I was exhausted, so I turned on Youtube and started watching stand-up comedy every night. It gave me at least a small mental break and I truly believe laughter is the best medicine.

To learn more about Danny, to have some fun and be inspired, be sure to find her on her social media places. If you would like some mantras that can help you get through blocks or struggles, please go to Danny's website and download her little workbook and print it out! http://dannyj.com

Thank you again, Danny, for being part of the Rising Woman Project! Love you, girl! xoxo

A Little Piece of Me~

We're all on our own journey~

What I want the world to know is that it doesn't matter where you came from. It doesn't matter what your childhood was like, what kind of tragedy you've been through, or how long it takes you to get where you want to go. As long as you're always moving forward. And this is why I've decided to start sharing my story with you. I haven't always been happy & healthy. I wasn't born into a path of health and abundance. But somewhere along the way, I chose something different for myself. The path wasn't perfect and there were LOTS of mistakes along the way. But here I am today, in a place where I finally feel I have something to give. 

I am happily married to husband of almost 14 years and we have FIVE kids! My husband is an incredibly hard-working man and our kids are phenomenal, but we have every good reason to be TOO BUSY to be healthy, eat right, work out, etc., etc. None of that matters. If you choose to create and live a life you LOVE, and then take actions every day that will make that happen, one day you will wake up and realize you've done it. Just don't forget to enjoy the journey!

So, THIS is my very FIRST interview with a very dear friend of mine. She just started her own podcast show called Food, Love and Transformation and in a nutshell that just sums up so much of my own journey. When she asked me to be on her show, I was thrilled. Please excuse my amateur-ness ;) as I'm still working on my presentation and voice etiquette (we all start somewhere).. But this is ME and my life. Take it as you will. And please, if you do take a listen, I'd love to hear your feedback!

>>>Supermom! with Mimi Pacheco<<<

And now I want to take you on my next fitness journey.. Oh boy, I'm so excited!! :) For a couple of years I have enjoyed reading the back section of Oxygen magazine where they feature "real women living the Oxygen lifestyle.." and then I started fantasizing... maybe that could be me some day... And now I say, WHY NOT?? So, I'm going for it! Tomorrow morning I'm starting 60 days of JNL Fusion workouts and I figure by the time summer comes I'll be ready for my next photo shoot that I can submit to Oxygen! 

 

Do you have dreams, goals, wishes, fantasies that you've put on your "some-day-maybe" list? Well I say it's time to move them to your to-do-now list!! Life is happening NOW.. don't let it pass you by!!

Yours in health,
~Mimi~

PS~ Want to join me in my free, 60-day, private FB group for support, accountability, motivation and inspiration to get fit for summer? Go here and request to join - I'd love to have you:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/243414309130232/

Unveiling ~ Part One!

You may or may not have noticed a shift in gears around here lately. I'm sure your news feeds and inboxes are just as swamped as mine, so either way it can be hard to keep up! Definitely though, my articles has been more sporadic and my posts have broadened in topic from self-love to fitness to food. Over the past 2 years I have taken myself on a personal growth and development journey of a lifetime! A personal overhaul, if you will. I have gone through various workshops, seminars, leadership programs; and I have really stepped outside of my comfort zone to shed my past, develop a life that I love, and become a person that I love and that my family and friends can love more. 

*In Part Two of my Unveiling, I will share more of my recent journey with you all. In the meantime, feel free to get to know me by checking out my 35th Birthday post or my About Me page.*

What I'm here to unveil now is what I've been doing more recently. I have been working toward fine-tuning my goals and figuring out how to take my own journey and turn it into something that I can give back to others. I have discovered my mission and my passion in life.. And I've realized that I am here on this planet to make a difference in the lives, in the health, and in the happiness of others. So, I'd like to share with you how I will be starting to bring this all into reality and how I will begin to be available to help YOU create a life of happiness and vitality!

Here are some of the things I'm working on in 2013:

*Open NOW: 
Launched my health empowerment program for women in January (Mimi's Health Camp). Healthy living can have a different meaning for everyone. In my program, we start with the inside and then work our way into developing a lifestyle that works for YOU. This means developing self-love, healthy eating and exercise habits that are sustainable and unique to each individual. 

*Cooking classes and personal training to help women create a healthy lifestyle that works for them. This isn't about following a strict diet or workout regimen. This is about developing new habits that work for YOU.

*Sweaty Betty Ambassadorship: supporting and empowering as many women as possible in their journeys to health in this amazing community of women.

*Working to offer Mimi's Health Camp online by summer 2013 - stay tuned!

*Heavenly Healthy cookbook in the works - to be published by the end of the year!?

To stay in the loop, sign up for my Heavenly Healthy newsletter here:
NEWSLETTER

As always, thank you for reading, following and supporting my journey and please let me know how I can support YOU! 

~Mimi~

PS. One of the greatest quotes and tools that has been of amazing value to me lately: 
Collaboration, NOT competition~
When we can work together as a team, we can truly create miracles!

What it means to be a Sweaty Betty~

Over the past 8 months being a Sweaty Betty has come to mean so much to me. It all started when I met Danny-J earlier in 2012. I just happened to get lucky when she came to town and my hubby & I got to meet her for a drink. It was then that she shared the crazy journey that she was about to embark on with The Sweaty Betties. Things were changing and big things were coming! 

A few months later she chose me as one of the bloggers to attend the very first Inspiration & Perspiration Workshop in Las Vegas in October. This was the first time I left my family for such a long distance alone and even though I was a little nervous, I was super excited. So I packed up my car, my 80's gear, my music and set off on my 4-hour road trip!

Left to Right: Creative Galina, Angie Gooding, Heidi Henry from Banana Buzzbomb, Me :) Danny-J, the other Mimi,  and Lindsay from ALY Warriors

I have been on my own health & fitness journey for a few years now (but actually, it's a lifelong journey, isn't it?!). Getting healthy and learning to balance my soul has led to my true place of happiness. Now more than ever before I am truly in love with my life! Over the past year my journey has become about how I'm going to give what I have gotten back to others. Danny-J and The Sweaty Betties have been a huge part of the evolution of this part of my journey.

The I&P Workshop far exceeded what I thought it would be and was one of the turning points that began to crack open my purpose in life. I met and connected with SO many amazing women who I now call my friends and that has only snowballed since becoming a Sweaty Betty Ambassador. I would dare to say that for most people it is impossible to have this many close friends who make such an impact on the world all in one place. Their presence and their willingness to share themselves with others moves me to tears. And it's so exciting to see things grow inside of this community. Not just for the Sweaty Betties as a community, but inside of each of our lives. There just seems to be this force that has us all flourishing and growing inside of what we're committed to and it's incredible. Makes me think of this quote:

So, who are the Sweaty Betties Ambassadors? We were hand picked by Danny-J to represent The Sweaty Betties Fitness Community and to help her spread her message. We each have uniquely inspiring stories and we have all been through a LOT in our own lives. And now we're here to have our stories be a contribution to other people's journeys. 

Here are the links to each of the SBA's Facebook pages.. go give them a LIKE!! Their sites can also be found under my 'favorites' on my home page.

Crystal with Train Dirty Fitness

Lindsay with ALY Warriors

Shanna with Pineapple and Coconut

Deanna with Life as the Fat Friend

Stacey Hancock

Margo ~ Brooklyn FitChick

Astrid with Better Believe Fit

Kimberly with Kiki's Kitchen- A Gluten Free Zone

Claudette with Cavegirl Confections

Christy with Whole to Healthy

Lisa with Healthy Way Fitness

Mariette with Namaste Mari

Valerie with LiveFit Journey

Grissel - Model and Fitness Bikini Competitor

If you're looking for a safe place to share your journey, get support and get on the right track to being healthy and fit, you definitely want to check out this amazing community. And as Danny says, "Don't be a b*tch!" :)

Benefits of rebound exercise ~ AKA: jumping on the trampoline!

We have had the MOST fun with one Christmas gift that we bought our kids this year - a 15 foot trampoline! My friend sent this to me and I thought it was so fascinating that I had to share. I knew that jumping on the trampoline was a GREAT cardio workout, but I had no idea about all of these other benefits. SO FUN!! :)

The Benefits of Rebound Exercise: 33 Ways the Body Responds

By Dr. Morton Walker and Albert E. Carter

The study of the human body is fairly interesting. The moment it becomes no less than amazing is when we understand what happens as the body is placed under the demands of movement and resistance we call exercise. Today we examine, specifically, how Rebound Exercise benefits our bodies. Studies described and documented in the book The Ultimate Exercise for the New Millennium, proves regular rebounding can reduce your body fat, firm your arms, benefit the shape of your legs, hips and abdomen, improve your balance, stimulate your lymphatic system, protect your joints, strengthen your muscles and bones without the trauma of hitting a hard surface, provide an aerobic effect for your cardiopulmonary systems, revitalize your body when it's tired, and generally put you in a state of mental and physical wellness! In fact, we are just warming up!

There are at least 33 fascinating ways the body benefits from Rebound Exercise, detailed below:

1. Rebounding provides an increased G-force (gravitational load), which benefits the body by strengthening the musculoskeletal systems.

2. Rebounding protects the joints from the chronic fatigue and impact delivered by exercising on hard surfaces.

3. Rebounding helps manage body composition and improves muscle-to-fat ratio. Rebound Exercise benefits you by giving you more control over these.

4. Rebounding benefits lymphatic circulation by stimulating the millions of one-way valves in the lymphatic system. This benefits the body's immune capacity for fighting current disease, destroying cancer cells, eliminating antigens and preventing future illness.

5. Rebounding circulates more oxygen to the tissues.

6. Rebounding establishes a better equilibrium between the oxygen required by the tissues and the oxygen made available.

7. Rebounding increases capacity for respiration.

8. Rebounding tends to reduce the height to which the arterial pressures rise during exertion.

9. Rebounding lessens the time during which blood pressure remains abnormal after severe activity.

10. Rebounding assists in the rehabilitation of existing heart problems. Rebound Exercise also benefits recovery from heart procedures, providing gentle, low impact circulation. (Case: Cardiac Rehabilitation Using A ReboundAIR)

11. Rebounding increases the functional activity of the red bone marrow in the production of red blood cells.

12. Rebounding gradually improves resting metabolic rate so that more calories are burned for hours after exercise. Related, Rebound Exercise benefits the post-exercise "Glycogen Replenishment" process.

13. Rebounding causes core muscles and large muscle groups to contract, resulting in the rhythmic compression of the veins and arteries, which more effectively moves fluids, both blood and lymphatic, through the body and back to the heart, lowering peripheral blood pressure and lightening the heart's load.

14. Rebounding decreases the volume of blood pooling in the veins of the cardiovascular system preventing chronic edema.

15. Rebounding encourages collateral circulation by increasing the capillary count in the muscles and decreasing the distance between the capillaries and the target cells.

Where have I been?!!

You may or may not have noticed a considerable decline in my posting over the past couple of months and I must say, I've missed you!! :)

I guess you could say I'm in sort of a makeover stage. But actually, I don't think I'll ever stop working on my self. I don't ever want to settle on "good enough." I believe there are always things to learn and there's always room to grow.

So, here's where I've been in LIFE~

One of the reasons I have become increasingly busy (on top of the kids going back to school and the pace picking up at work) is because I have begun The Introduction Leader's Program with Landmark Education. I have been participating in this education for almost a year and a half and the best way that I can put it into words right now is that it has rocked my world! This education has burned up my regrets and sorrows from the past and cleared a new path for creation of whatever I desire. Anything is possible! It has fueled my fire in setting out to accomplish and fulfill all of the things that matter to me. I'm now looking at 6 months of self development and growth in this program and I'm so excited about the ME that will come out on the other side!

Here's where I've been in FITNESS~

I just noticed that I kind of fell of the wagon of sharing my LiveFit Trainer progress. Life got insanely busy, my schedule changed considerably and I totally fell off of my gym wagon (for a whole month! ouch!). I only made it through Phase 2, BUT I absolutely LOVED the progress that I made with even just the first two phases of that program. I'm pretty sure I will do those phases again in the future. Phase 3 became a little lengthy and complicated for the amount of time I was willing to spend in the gym. Also, since I wasn't following the diet that went along with the program, I really didn't feel that phase suited my goals. At any rate, I HIGHLY suggest Jamie's program if you're looking for a way to change it up and build some muscle. I found it to be highly effective (with or without the diet) and very well rounded. I'm certain that you'll gain both results and knowledge from this program.

So, what now?! Now, I'm jumping into week 3/4 of The Sweaty Betties 12-Week Lifting Program. I'm really hoping to get back the definition that I lost during my month off. Stay tuned! :)

And in case you didn't see yet, I was one of the winners chosen for the Inspiration & Perspiration workshop in Las Vegas next month!! (*My blog entry*) I can hardly wait to spend the weekend with the amazingly inspiring women that are putting this on. WHO ELSE will we be seeing there???

In FOOD (my favorite topic!) ~

Recently I've noticed an increase in my feeling tired. Yes, I'm insanely busy, but it just doesn't seem to match up with how often I feel fatigued. I sleep well, eat healthy and exercise consistently, so what could be wrong? My initial thought was to blame it on the caffeine, but even when I cut it out, it didn't seem to improve. So now, this preferred vegetarian is adding in some protein again (specifically, seafood) to see if that helps. I'm open to your thoughts on this topic as well! And yes, if the problem persists or becomes more concerning, I will see my doctor. :)

And last, but certainly not least... Heavenly Healthy is undergoing a makeover! I'm so excited because I have a great friend who is working with me on giving my site a new design. I have big plans for this page over the next year or so and our 'outfit' should be reflective of what's to come! Again, stay tuned! :)

Thanks for reading, supporting and sticking around during my crazy times! You're the best! :)

Healthfully yours,
~Mimi~

Sweaty Inspiration!

My life has been crazy full of possibilities lately, so I came to realize that it wouldn't make sense for me NOT to enter the contest for The Sweaty Betties Inspiration and Perspiration Workshop next month! This workshop will feature my absolute #1 FAVORITE ladies in the health and fitness world. I 100% back everything that they're about ~ natural health, fitness, fun, balance and being 100% true to who we are as amazing and beautiful women from the inside out. I would be thrilled and honored to be able to spend some time with and learn more from them!! 

And this is why I'm here to share with you all, "What Inspires ME to Sweat!"

Getting sweaty has transformed so much about the person I am to the world around me. I am a more fit woman, wife, mommy and friend because of who I have found myself to be through being physically fit. Getting sweaty not only releases my endorphins, but it releases something that empowers me to live my life to its fullest and to chase that which is beyond my wildest dreams! I am inspired to sweat because it has made me the woman that I am today! :)

Have you checked out this workshop yet? Are you going? 

This awesome workshop to be held in Las Vegas is brought to us by the following AMAZING ladies:

The Sweaty Betties

BexLife

Angie Gooding

If you're not following them yet, you're missing out! They're sure to provide you with so much quality and richness in regard to health, fitness and all around wellness. If you're a new fan of theirs, please tell them I sent you! :)

And the winner is...

Thank you to everyone who shared and participated in this giveaway.

The winner of this The Sweaty Band giveaway is...

Tina W 1974

Thank you so much for your kind words and your support on my blog. It really means a lot! :)

Please email your mailing address ASAP to: heavenlyhealthy@yahoo.com

Yours in health,

~Mimi~

LiveFit Weeks 2/3 & my first give away!

Happy Friday, healthy people! This past couple of weeks has been absolutely insane, but I'm so excited because I feel like I'm getting back on my game and ready to have some fun. :)

This morning wrapped up week 3 of Jamie Eason's LiveFit trainer and I'm still LOVING it. We've also changed up our schedule and are now getting our workouts done in the mornings. I love having the evenings freed up to be with the family and spend time in the kitchen. I was in a major funk last week (week 2) and only got to work out one day, but since I'm not new to weight training, I decided not to back track and just pick up where I would have been without the break. Leg day (Monday) was a killer and I've been sore in different areas all week. Sometimes being sore like that is just so bitter-sweet. There's nothing like feeling the proof of a good workout!

As for the diet part of the LiveFit trainer, I'm not even looking at it anymore. The hubs has recently gone gluten free and we're both vegetarian, so our areas of focus are a little different than what's in the program. Our main focus is that we eat LOTS of fresh fruits and veggies, and still get enough protein. I also periodically track my intake with myfitnesspal.com, just to be sure I'm on track.

No matter what you're doing on your health and fitness journey, your number one prioroty should always be what you're putting in your body. That will always be the main factor to the outcome you obtain. I'm confident that as long as we continue to eat clean and healthy 80+% of the time, we will still be extremely successful with this program. Watch and see! ;)


And now... (drum roll please!!) for my very first giveaway!! I'm so excited to enter this world of sharing great products with my great fans! It is such a joy for me to share the things that I use on my health and fitness journey, and this is just the beginning of things to come.

Have you seen, tried, or heard of the Blender Bottle? I've been seeing this thing all over the place and when I found their website, I just had to try it. The hubs and I have been using it and it works better than I imagined it would or could. No clumps and it comes out nice and smooth. It doesn't leak when you shake it and the smaller size that we got fits inside of our lunch cooler perfectly! And it's green, too - BPA free! This thing ROCKS!! :)

And here are more features about the Classic, which is the one we got:

BlenderBall® whisk inside

Secure screw-on lid

Wide mouth makes it easy to add ingredients

Large drink/pour spout

StayOpen flip cap™ won't close on your nose

GripperBars™ make it easy to hold

Embossed ounce and milliliter markings

Easy to clean—dishwasher safe

20 or 28—ounce capacity

Available in a variety of colors

Fits in most car drink holders

BPA-free

Photos: Blenderbottle.com

If you want to learn more about the Blender Bottle or purchase your own, you can visit their WEBSITE, follow them on Twitter and/or 'like' them on Facebook.

To enter: Just comment on this blog post (with your name)! 

U.S. residents only. Contest ends July 3rd, winner announced the 4th of July. 

Good luck and have a GREAT weekend!! :)

My crazy life and the LiveFit trainer!

Life has been sweet, crazy, emotional and busy all wrapped up in one messy burrito! Here are just some of the things that are happening in my life right now.


All of my kids just went on summer break. (*crazy*)
My son was just promoted to middle school and leaves the family for the first time to go to church camp in a week, for a whole week. (*bitter sweet*)
My daughter (and her roommate, aka: my "adopted" daughter) graduates high school tomorrow! (*emotional*)
I start my summer class next week and am hoping to start my ACE training within the next month(saving my pennies!). (*exciting*)
I am continually working on and growing Heavenly Healthy so that it can become my dream come true! (*busy, proud, determined, excited*)




I just finished week 1 of Jamie Eason's LiveFit trainer and I'm LOVING it! I have this amazing little accountability group on FB and the women in there inspire and motivate me every day. We've got a great little team to go through things with together and to help answer questions and concerns that come up. I'm really proud of what has developed in there. Even though I'm only through one week, I can tell this program is going to be amazing and give all of us just the tools we need to get the results we desire.


Not only is it free, but the program is so well rounded and it's really teaching techniques and habits that can be carried on well past the 12 weeks.


My goal for the program is to create more all-around muscle definition and to tone down the remaining fat around my midsection. I will post progress pics after phase one. Maybe. :)


I'm already very familiar with eating clean and have been doing it for years, but this program is teaching me more about food combinations and coupling that with these amazing workouts. I'm not following Jamie's diet exactly because I'm vegetarian and my hubs is currently gluten free, but we are following the food groups and the meal frequency as much as possible. Learning more about the way our bodies respond to food is right up my alley and I've already dropped two pounds of fat this week. Obviously, something is working!


And the workouts? Well, I must say that so far they're very deceiving. In the first week, they've been very short, taking about 40 minutes to complete. We've all felt that we weren't doing "enough" and I know that many of my group members were having a hard time letting go of their cardio. But I also know that I've spent the past 4 out of 5 days SORE! I think Jamie knows what she's doing and I have nothing but faith in this program.


This weekend I'm taking time to unplug and enjoy the wonderful things and people in my life, and to refocus my intentions so that I can tackle the week and the happenings that lie ahead!


I hope that you all had a wonderful week and you enjoy your time with your fathers (or father figures) this weekend.


Healthfully yours,
~Mimi~

LIKE me, FOLLOW me, PIN me!

Four Fab Fitters ~ Thursday

Breakfast from me~ Heavenly Healthy~

>> VIDEO Workout << of the Day from Better Believe Fit~

Snack of the Day from Go Mommy Go~

Snacktime! Greek Yogurt w/ 1/2 TBSP Peanut Butter & Handful of Blueberries

Dinner from Creating a Family of Lettuce Heads~

Four Fab Fitters ~ Wednesday

Workout of the Day from Yours Truly ~Heavenly Healthy~

Inspiration from Better Believe Fit~

Snack time from Creating a Family of Lettuce Heads~

Dinner made by Go Mommy Go~

Thai Spiced Chicken

***If you can't see the Full Recipe, it is posted in Go Mommy Go Notes

Super healthy, easy and quick chicken recipe - high in protein, low in fat - great muscle building recipe the whole family will love.

•6 chicken breasts cut in half
•12oz natural plain Greek yogurt
•2-3 tbsp Thai red curry paste
•4 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro
•7.5 cm/3 inch piece cucumber
•Lime wedges
Cooking Instructions
1. Preheat your oven to 375°f. Put the chicken in a shallow dish in one layer. Blend a third of the yogurt, the curry paste and three tablespoons of the cilantro. Season with salt (to taste) and pour over the chicken, turning the pieces until they are evenly coated. Leave for at least 10 minutes, or in the fridge overnight.

2. Lift the chicken on to a rack in a roasting tin and roast for 35-40 minutes, until golden. (To cook the chicken on the grill, reduce the cooking time to 25-30 minutes.)

3. Blend together the remaining yogurt and cilantro. Finely chop the cucumber and stir into the yogurt mixture. Serve with the chicken and garnish with wedges of lime.

I serve this dish with simple salad greens.

Protein:43g
Carbs: 8g
Fat: 3g

Friday Favorites!

I have come across some awesome things and people this week that I think are ultra worthy of being shared! I LOVE finding new tools for empowering and maximizing my healthy lifestyle and it is my passion to share the healthy wealth with you all.

Fitness~
TRX - Have you tried it yet? I was already a big fan of using my bodyweight for working out and strength training, but this suspension training takes your training to a whole new level. After one full body circuit workout with two of my friends, I was sore in places I forgot existed. I highly recommend giving it a try if you have the chance!


Food~
I'm so excited to have been introduced to a new realm of healthy cooking this week. My friend, who has been a nutrtitional chef for the past 8 years, came and presented an amazing healthy cooking experience with The Saladmaster. The hubs and I have purchased a whole new cooking set that will completely replace all of our pots and pans. Our new set will maximize the nutritional content of our cooked foods by cooking at a lower temperature and eliminating metal toxicities in our foods. As someone who spends a lot of time cooking and aiming to keep her family as healthy as possible, this is yet another valuable tool in maximizing my efforts. And some day, I'm going to have my dream kitchen to go along with it all! ;)


Friends~
I'm so thankful for the healthy relationships that are forming in my life lately. One of the toughest parts in transforming from an unhealthy to a healthy lifestyle is trying to find your place in a sort of "new" world. You find that you have to change your surroundings to ones that support your new choices and trying to eliminate environments where temptation may occur, or where your choices might be mocked (for lack of a better term). I have found that as long as you stay strong and persistent on your path toward your goals, it will still take time, but soon enough you will find yourself surrounded with a nurturing environment and you will breath a breathe of fresh air. Just don't give up!

I'm also excited because last week the hubs decided to join me on my Heavenly Healthy FB page. I'm thankful for his enthusiasm in helping to share our wealth of healthy knowledge together. This also takes a little bit of pressure off as summer approaches and my schedule tightens. The kids will be out of school which always changes the daily routine, and I will also be taking some classes that are big steps toward my next goals. This is on top of an already crazy, busy routine, but my wish is to keep ~HH~ going and growing strong! :)


Fun~
Wishing you all a happy, healthy and fun Memorial weekend!! Hope you all get to kick back and enjoy some sunshine with your loved ones. Thank you for your support and as always, I love hearing from you!!

I'm a FitFluential Ambassador!

<<---- See that cute pink badge over there? Yep, that's right! I'm now a FitFluential Ambassador and I'm tickled pink about it! ;) This is just one more thing that opens up a myriad of opportunities for me and Heavenly Healthy. 


But what does it mean, you ask? Well, it could be said that I'm sort of an employee, or business-fitness partner with FitFluential, Inc.. Being an Ambassador means that I will have opportunities to work with fitness brands and be invited to take part in exclusive events. It is also an amazing social networking partnership where I will get to meet and connect with others who share the same passion in health and fitness as me.


FitFluential says, "We consider our Ambassadors to be the highest rank in our rapidly growing community of fitness fanatics."


I'm honored and so thrilled to be part of this community and fit-fanatic-family! :)


I'm still learning what this all means to me, but I'm super excited to share yet another fun journey with you all! 


If you want to learn more about FitFluential, just click on that badge and check it out. If you have a great love any realm of fitness whatsoever, I actually recommend that you do! There are many ways for you to get connected and involved.


Thank you for all of your love and support!!


Fitfully yours,
~Mimi~ 

I'm on a mission!

I never cease to be amazed at the way that when I set out to do things that my missions seem to take lives of their own. I know that I have shared with you all that it has been through these pages that I have found my passion in life - helping people get/be healthy. My own personally acquired knowledge has gotten me this far. It has helped me to grow Heavenly Healthy and I've been able to help some loved ones to make healthy changes in their lives (I look forward to sharing those stories with you in the near future). I'd also like to think that I've inspired a few to make some changes on their own. At any rate, this has all fueled my fire to further my abilities.

Many of you know that I have been going to school for quite some time. I've been taking it very slow since my family always comes first. And to be honest, I have wavered A LOT on what I really want to be when I grow up. I thought I was going for nursing (and that was after going through quite a few other ideas), but then I came to realize that what I really want is teach people how to be healthy and fit. I want to help decrease the need for so many nurses and doctors. I want to help people live long and healthy lives without the need for drugs. I want to be a part of the health revolution, not the health epidemic.

So, a couple months ago I proudly and confidently changed my major to kinesiology. I'm halfway through my degree and I'm thankful that I haven't taken any classes that won't count toward my goal. Then, also over the past couple of months, I've decided that I'd also like to get my certification in personal training. With this under my belt, I can really start getting out there and helping people. I'll start slow and work my way into my bigger dreams and goals, but I'm confident with where I'm going. I finally have a very clear vision and I am so excited about it all.

Thank you for being here to share my journey! I look forward to sharing the next couple of months with you as I work toward my certification and continuing to grow my knowledge.

I'm always open to your feedback, input, advice, ideas, etc. I love hearing from you! :)

Yours in health~
Mimi

Realization: Strength!

Three weeks ago I started a beginning weight training class as part of my degree requirements and I'm loving it! At first I thought I was super cool ;) and way ahead of what I would get out of this class because I've been lifting weights with The Hubs for so long. Boy, was I wrong and I'm happy that I'm learning a lot! I'm learning how to track and gauge my progress which is helping me to become stronger and push myself beyond what I thought I could do. I never knew what it meant to "max out" and wow! That has really been a great tool.


So, this morning I was doing my assisted pull-ups. I started three weeks ago with 55-60# of help and ended today with 35#. When I finished my last set, I turned around and (not knowing he was there) my coach instructed that I take some of that weight off. At that moment I realized I was doing it again - underestimating myself. So tonight as I was sitting here thinking about how I wanted to share my progress with you all, I realized that I hadn't tried an unassisted pull-up in ages. Well, I just did TWO of them! And then proceeded to do a victory lap around my house! :)


Case in point: push yourself (safely, of course)! Push past the perceived limits that you've imposed on yourself.


You never know what you're capable of until you try!!

Hollywood Half Heaven!

Wow! I can't believe we did it. I mean, I KNEW Angel would do it, but I really thought I was out of the half marathon game. I imagined sitting on the sidelines cheering on my daughter as she crossed the finish line. With an injured foot half way through my training and a whole month off of the schedule, I really wasn't imagining still being able to make it out there. And then about 2 weeks before the big day, the thought popped into my head, "maybe I still can?!" I had some things on my side... I had just done a mud run with my family and I wasn't a bit sore afterward. I recently cranked up my weight training with the Hubs and two of our friends and I was feeling stronger than I have in a long time. Maybe even stronger than ever!


Could that be the strength I needed to make it through 13.1 miles? Maybe...


Or was it something else that would fuel my fire? Was it the fact that I started something a couple of months ago with my daughter that really meant so much to me? It meant taking on something physically bigger than I ever had. It meant challenging mental and physical limits that I had never touched. It meant strengthening and solidifying new and higher standards that I have set for myself. It meant teaching my daughter a lesson in completion that she might not get now, but she surely will some day. It meant an amazing bonding experience with her before she graduates high school and starts college!

Turns out it was ALL of the above and so much more. Thinking back and looking at pictures, that experience was incredibly priceless. It fills my heart beyond measure. The energy of all of the people around us; the incredible stories that you hear/see from people who are out there for their first (like us) or their 50th time; people that have lost hundreds of pounds and transformed their health; people of all ages, shapes, colors, sizes and personalities.

If they can do it and If *I* can do it - 

then YOU can do it and ANYONE can do it. 

And EVERYONE should do it. 

At least ONCE. 

Big, special thanks and so much love to my daughter for allowing me to drag her through this experience. Thank you, Angel, for sticking with me as long as you did even though I know you could have blown me out of the water from the get-go! ;) 

It wouldn't have been the same without you, my dear! 

I love you so much!! 

And thank you to the crew that put on the Inaugural Hollywood Half Marathon. I know you guys put a lot of hard work into that and had a lot of flack to put up with to the very end.

For me, top to bottom, it was an amazing experience!! :)