Sweet Potato Cookies

I had high expectations for these, because I loooooove sweet potatoes, and man did they meet and exceed my expectations! They are soft and delicious and are made with just a few ingredients and all clean! No junk. So on with it...

Ingredients:

2 cups of pureed Sweet Potato
1 cup Oat flour
1/4 cup of real Maple syrup
1 1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
Chocolate chips (I use organic with limited ingredients)

Directions:

Preheat oven at 350 degrees.
Combine all ingredients with food processor or blender til smooth, stir in chocolate chips. Drop on greased or lined cookie sheets with a tablespoon. Bake 18-20 minutes.

Store in the refrigerator if they make it that far! ;)

Adapted from My Whole Food Life

Pear Spice Muffins

Somehow I had a ridiculous amount of pears in my fridge and thought maybe they would make delicious muffins! Sometimes breakfast with the kids is a struggle so I'm thinking these are going to be perfect to mix things up a little! They also make a great after school snack or an on the go snack for anyone!

Pear Spice Muffins

Ingredients:

2 cups of whole wheat flour
1/2 cup of Coconut Sugar
3 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp Himalayan salt
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp ginger
1/4 tsp nutmeg
1 cup almond milk
1/4 cup raw honey
1/4 cup coconut oil
1 tsp vanilla
1 egg
2 medium pears, shredded

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Line muffin pan with liners or grease with coconut oil.

1. In a large bowl, combine all dry ingredients and mix well.
2. In a smaller bowl, combine all wet ingredients and mix well.
3. Add wet ingredients to dry, combine well and then gently fold in shredded pear.
4. Fill muffin cups 3/4 of the way, bake for 15 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean from the middle of the muffin. Let cool.
5. Enjoy!

Portion Control Control

So, I received the most amazing news last week! I was picked (in a drawing) to attend my team's Diamond Leadership Retreat in Virginia Beach at the end of February! I am not Diamond yet, but plan to be by the time this goes down and I am beyond excited to spend a few days with these awesome people and to stay in a sweet house on the beach!

Of course, beach means bathing suit, and bathing suit means abs!!! So, I am full on 21 Day Fix Meal Plan, along with my Insanity Max:30 workouts, in prep! Have I mentioned how amazing all of these resources are? I don't need a nutritionist, I don't need a personal trainer, I don't have to go out in the cold to the gym at 5am to get my workout in and I know that I will get results - IF I follow the plan. It's that easy!

I said I was going to start Monday, but I really try to stay very consistent with eating whole foods all of the time, along with getting in my superfood shake - DAILY - and getting my workouts in...I was even pretty good over the holidays. But, what I have noticed is that I have gotten a little bit liberal with my portion sizes, especially my complex carbs (yellows)! So tonight, we had whole wheat pasta with sautéed veggies (coconut oil - yum!) and I pulled out that yellow container. Umm yeah, I forgot how small that thing was, ha! But I also know what kind of results I was getting when I was using it and that I do not need to overeat those carbs to have energy and to feel full. So, back to it!

The Monday start date is to officially begin with all of my amazing and inspiring challengers that have decided to join me (oh, and to bypass having to give up cake at my son's birthday party on Sunday!) on this journey to healthy and fit! This program is such an amazing teaching tool and half of the value is having that tool to go back to when I feel I may have gotten off track or been having some "portion distortion"! Just because it's healthy and whole food doesn't mean you can just keep shoveling it in!

On that note, if you feel you may have some "portion distortion" and want to learn how to get that under control, I would love for you to join my next accountability group. Accountability = Success!!
Register here:https://kristenrobison.wufoo.com/code/21-day-fit-revolution-challenge/

Out of MY Comfort Zone

Everyone has doubts. Doubts can be paralyzing. They can keep one from living, doing something they love, or from creating the best possible life for themselves.

I am a former intermittent exerciser. I never tried tough workouts because I didn't think I could do it, and I worked at a gym! I would try something new, do it for a few months and then fall off the bandwagon. I never pushed myself out of my exercise comfort zone, I still tend to not want to push myself. I don't like to feel uncomfortable when I work out. I think that's why I like distance running. I find a pace, settle in, and enjoy my music, nature, or good conversation with my running buddy.

What I do know, is that that is NO way to get better. In order to improve, physically AND mentally, one MUST be pushed. You must commit. No excuses! I tell my clients and my patients that all the time. Push yourself and you WILL get better. If you don't increase your weight or your reps, if you don't get off the couch, you never will!

So why this blog topic? When I started my fitness journey earlier this year, I did a program called the 21 Day Fix, had amazing results. It taught me how to eat, what to eat and I now love eating nutritious, clean foods.  My running improved tremendously. Like 13 minutes off my half marathon PR. Amazing, right? I lost 15 lbs! and have been able to maintain it. The workouts are diverse and quick and are wonderful for anyone of any fitness level! BUT, I feel like I am ready for something new and different.

The brand new program, Insanity Max 30, was just released. This program scares the living s*%t out of me. And that is the exact reason I am going to do it. I know that I sat in my comfort zone for way. too. long. In the past, I would have looked at this program and said "no way", I will sweat way too much. (ahem, excuse.) But now, I know that I can do anything that I put my mind to and that this program will do amazing things for me mentally and physically.


In an interview, Shaun T (the fitness trainer for this program) says that Insanity Max 30 is "not for the lazy or people that make excuses." This program IS for anyone who is ready to make a change, to commit and to put their all into their health and fitness.

What is Insanity Max 30?

-30 minute workouts (cardio and resistance)
-60 Day program
-No equipment, use your body as resistance for all exercises
-Follow Shaun T until you "max out", take a break and get back in it!
-Modifier to follow at all times (I will be modifying!)
-Meal plan to follow to maximize results
-30 day supply of Shakeology (superfood, junk free, meal replacement that has changed my life completely)
-Me as your motivator, mentor, Coach!

To me, this is the ultimate challenge and will be such an accomplishment to complete! Where are my people who want to challenge themselves? It's a new year, it's a clean slate. Who wants to say that they were able to complete one of the toughest home workout programs out there? Who is ready to transform their body AND their minds??!!

Requirements are a commitment to the program and shakeology for at least 60 days. You commit, I will support and we will ACHIEVE - together!

The program is on sale for the rest of December only!
Get it here and make me your coach: http://bit.ly/cpmax30

Sweet Potato Casserole

Whenever I try to talk my kiddos into trying sweet potatoes (both of them have a ridiculous aversion to any form of potato-ish texture food), I so strategically call them "candy" potatoes! However, as appetizing as it sounds, they never fall for it! I don't understand it...I love sweet potatoes, especially when paired with pecans or a little brown sugar. Try this amazing recipe for your holiday menu, I know I will be!

Preheat Oven 350 degrees

Ingredients:

3 large sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into cube
1/4 cup pure maple syrup
3 tbsp grass-fed butter
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1 tsp vanilla
1/4 tsp Himalayan sea salt

Pecan Topping:

1 cup raw pecans
1 tbsp pure maple syrup

Directions: Peel and boil sweet potatoes until soft. Drain and add remaining ingredients to the potatoes. Mash with potato masher or immersion blender. Spread evenly in a greased casserole dish. 

Heat pecans in a small pan over medium heat for 30s, add maple syrup to coat and let boil. Once boiling, remove from heat. Spread pecans on a baking sheet to cool. Once cool, top potato mixture with pecans. Sprinkle with cinnamon. Bake for 20 minutes.

ENJOY!!

This is one of many "clean" and healthy holiday recipes that I will be sharing in my upcoming Clean Eating for Everyday and for the Holidays group on Facebook! I would love to have you join! 
Join here! And make me your FREE inspirational and motivational fitness Coach here!

Revolutionizing Fit

When I came up with the idea for the name of this blog, "The Fit Revolution", my thoughts were centered on changing or revolutionizing what it meant to be "fit" for my fellow mommas, but really for anyone and everyone. There are so many ways in which one can be fit...physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually...did I miss any?? And I feel like, at any point in time, improvement in one department helps to improve the others. Improving my physical health has had a domino effect in most other aspects of my life as well. It has shown me what I am capable of in so many ways.

I had tried out a program in hopes of toning up and cleaning up my diet and it set me on this mission to help others understand how simple it can be to get healthy, lose weight and feel amazing. I wanted to help others understand that you should never be "on a diet." There is no need for a diet. Why take extreme measures to lose weight or tone up when you can do it by simply changing how you eat and what you eat and making it a habit. This way you don't feel deprived, starved, or "hangry", you make it into a lifestyle that can be maintained. I felt like I had this awesome sense of control over my health (and still do). I know what to eat, how much of it, how much I need to exercise (30 minutes a day, or so) and supplement all of that with superfood yumminess to make sure I am fueling my body with as much awesome and clean nutrition as possible. So revolutionizing fit is having a clear cut eating plan that is easy to maintain and short daily workouts to keep you out of the gym for an hour and a half. The fact is that it is so simple in comparison to so many other things that I and so many others have tried.

I also wanted to revolutionize what it means to be fit! Skinny does not equal fit. Bench pressing 300 lbs does not equal fit. Fit = doing something on a daily basis to maximize your health, a positive self image, making time for yourself, presence in your daily life, accepting your imperfections, and happiness!

I wanted to inspire moms to do things for themselves! Wouldn't that be a revolution?! Every momma knows that it is difficult to make time for yourself. You instinctively put your children and spouse first because that is your job as mother and wife. Everyone eats before you, you are always running to sports games and dance classes. And by the end of the day, you collapse into bed, just to start it over the next day. Since starting the fitness program and then becoming a coach (so I could share it with all of you), I really have been doing my best to make time for myself and do things that I love.

Becoming physically fit was just the beginning of this whole journey, the coaching part of it has transformed me probably more than anything. I have helped so many people, I have improved myself through personal development, getting back to making time for myself and allowing myself to be inspired by my fellow coaches and my challengers!

My plan is to continue to revolutionize FIT by showing all of you it can be done! You can become fit and healthy without being extreme, still have time for your family and make incredible changes in your own life!

If you are in, add me on Facebook here. PM me, I love to chat!

Status Post Toronto!

So, I was hoping to be writing a blog post about my own running experience yesterday but injury has kept me from doing much running lately! Totally ruined my fall plans and I'm not going to lie, I was extremely disappointed as we rode to Toronto, visited the Expo to pick up Kyle's race bib and made our way to the start line Sunday morning.

After doing 3 half marathons, I know how exciting it is waiting to cross those lines - the start and the finish! There is just so much energy and camaraderie amongst all those runners and definitely nothing else like it. But, I have to say, in a way, I am glad that I didn't run yesterday. Yesterday was Kyle's day. He spent months preparing, training, never missed a run, never even once complained (even the 20 miler)! I was able to wait and watch for him to cross the finish line and to celebrate with him when he made his way out of the finisher chute!

It was awesome to just be able to sit back and take in the scene. The city of Toronto is a great city for people watching to begin with, but there was so much diversity among the runners themselves and really showed me that no matter the race, sex, size, or personality, that running is anyone's sport!  There was even a guy in a cowboy on an ostrich costume that ran the full marathon! Some people do it to win, some people do it to finish, some people do it just to prove to themselves that they can. It is a group of people of tremendous determination. Determination to be great, to be physically and mentally strong and to be a part of something bigger than themselves. People really come together to support each other, to cheer each other on and extend kind words when a fellow runner might be struggling. That is why I have come to love running, I love the races! The training doesn't hurt (although it has over the past few months) and the races (even when I'm not running) are one of the most inspirational and exhilarating experiences I have had!

But, the best part was that I was able to watch my love and best friend become a member of only 0.5% of the U.S. population of marathon finishers. He finished strong, met his goal (under 4 hours) and was able to walk back to the car (with just a couple stops on the way :))!

My plan is to run here and there throughout fall and winter and hopefully be back in full swing for half marathon training in the spring. I will break 2 hours (set those goals) next year! In the mean time, I think P90x3 is in the works for me and hubby (eek, Tony Horton scares me!!) so we will definitely be in kick butt shape by the time spring rolls around!  The 21 Day Fix meal plan and Shakeology continue to be amazing tools to keep our nutrition on track and coaching keeps me accountable!

On that note, I will be holding a "What is Coaching" FB group next week! I'm telling you, when you are responsible for inspiring and motivating others to be healthy, it's that much harder to fall off the wagon. It's an awesome way to keep yourself accountable and a great way to supplement your income with no requirements or pressure! I would love to add you in if you are the least bit interested in what and how I do it! Let me know! Add me on Facebook here.