We have this {HOPE} as an {ANCHOR} for the soul.

{HOPE} as an {ANCHOR} for the soul.

Yesterday was a long, rough day... The kind where your head hits the pillow at the end of the day and you're glad it is over. 🙄😴

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I literally felt like everything that could go wrong did and things had changed in an instant. 😔

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Car problems, doctors concerns, legal paperwork, job changes, long distance friendships with my BFF's, and my body was physically exhausted. 😳 I literally wanted to cry but held it together through appointments.

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This morning, I woke up with this verse and song in my head... 

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⚓️ "There is {HOPE} in the promise of the cross.  You gave everything to SAVE the world You LOVE.  

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And THIS HOPE is an {ANCHOR} for my SOUL. Our God will STAND. UNSHAKEABLE." 💗

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It is inevitable that the storms of life will come and go.  The waves will cause ripple effects that may last for minutes, days, weeks, months, or years. 🌊

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But it isn't my job to calm the waves or try to escape them, it is my job to {TRUST} the Lord.  The only one who can calm the waves and walk on water. ✝

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The last couple of weeks have been filled with uncertainty. There are moments where I'd like to admit I haven't asked God, "why?". But I have. 🙈

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Today I'm reminded and even convicted pondering the story of Peter in Matthew 14:22-33, when he saw Jesus walking on the water.  The Lord told him not to be afraid, Peter asked if it was Jesus, and He told Peter to come.  Peter saw the wind, began to freak out, and asked the Lord to save him.  Jesus responds (v. 31), "You of little faith," he said, "why did you doubt?" 💁🏻

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Why did Peter doubt?  Why do we doubt?  Do we somehow think that there is another way, as if God hadn't already figured out every detail? 🤓

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Our plans are certainly not better and if we were honest we would admit that. 🙆🏻 His plans are always better.  Whatever path we may have to get there, the end result when we follow, and seek the Lord's guidance always works out in our best interest.

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There isn't a detail He has missed, a hurt He has ignored, a pain He will not heal in His way a gift He has withheld, or a promise He has forgotten. 🤔

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The end result of our trial or the continuation of our ever evolving life story may not look the way we have pictured it.  But I can promise you, it is always better and safer for us when we follow the Lord's leading. ❤️

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🙏🏼 "But when you ask him, be sure that your faith is in God alone. Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind. Such people should not expect to receive anything from the Lord." ~James 1:6-7 (NLT)

21-Day Fix Meal Plan :: I DON'T count calories. I count {COLORS}.

I DON'T count calories. 💁🏻

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I count {COLORS}. 💚💛💙💜❤️🔶

{Clean eating} :: Perfect {portions}. ☺️

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It can really be that {simple}. 👏🏻 

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There really is no need to overcomplicate it or put too much pressure on yourself.

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I personally was never a fan of WW points counting system, I've seen so many people struggle with it.  It does not teach a clean eating but rather a way to still fit processed food and junk into your lifestyle, in fact they sell branded processed snacks. 🙄

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Calories counting, pffff!!  Who has time for that. Again, I've seen so many people struggle with it because it becomes an obsessive mentality.  When the quality of the food itself should matter more than the calories. It doesn't matter how many calories it is if the food isn't good for your body. 😁

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Weighing food on scale.  Now I don't have a problem with this.  Many body builders and fitness professionals do it. It is a way of measuring out your portions.  I just really don't have time to weigh every meal and snack. 😐

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Enter 21-Day Fix meal plan. Wow!  Now this fit my lifestyle like a glove and is flexible enough to apply with other exercise programs.  It is easy.  I can track my meals on the go and prepping isn't a nightmare.  It was simple!  I fell in love with it!  😊

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In fact, my weight has fluctuated quite a bit not being able to exercise the past few months... Aside from movement at physical therapy. I went to the cardiologist office and the scale said I had gained about 8 lbs. from less movement and perhaps indulging more than I should when I felt down.  🙈 So I again started tracking my meals and portions with the 21DFX about 2 1/2 weeks ago. 

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The extra weight has come off of my stomach where it was centered, no more bloat. 😦 I've started to feel better by focusing on the right portions and the foods I'm feeding my body.  🍎🍊🍚🍗😚

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Your FOOD can either be {medicine} or a slow form of {poison} you GET to choose. 🤓🤒👇🏼

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If you'd like to learn more I'm starting my next {21-Day Fix MEAL PLAN} virtual accountability group on August 31st. 

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But this time {YOU can CHOOSE THE WORKOUT program} you'd like to go along with it!  💪🏼💃🏻And let me tell you Beachbody has a plethora of amazing workout programs, there is a bound to be a {SOULMATE WORKOUT} for you! 😀

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If you'd like info post "YES" below, Facebook message, or email me at marisaisabelfit@gmail.com. ⬇️⬇️⬇️

{{Healthy Food Hack}} Ground Turkey Meat & Meatballs

Wondering how to get your family to eat some extra veggies? 💁🏻

Here is a {{HEALTHY FOOD HACK}} I do all the time... 🍴

I chop a whole bag of spinach.

Cook it with my ground turkey.

And disguise it inside my tomato sauce!! 🍝

I also hide it inside turkey meatballs! 🙊

And guess what?  NO ONE knows the difference or can even taste it. It tastes delicious!! 😋

I serve it with a side of organic whole grain or gluten free pasta. 😀🍴

These are a few of my {{favorite things}}.

These are a few of my {{favorite things}}

FITNESS 

Posture Pump - I wouldn't say that it is only for fitness but it has helped me tremendously following my car crash.  This product is used under the supervision of my chiropractor and it has helped in restoring my neck curve.

Stretch It Strap - This is used in my physical therapy but can also be used at home. The loops help hold your body in place to allow proper stretching.

Exercise Bands - These are also used in my physical therapy but I have also used them for at-home workouts.

Bosu Balance Trainer - "Bosu" stands for both sides up because you can use either side of this trainer.  The Bosu trainer helps with flexibility, core strength, balance, and even cardio. It can be used for therapy or a killer workout. Bosu also makes a smaller trainer for children.  The Bosu trainer is great for all ages.

LIFESTYLE  

Ninja Professional Blender - I love this portable blender.  It makes my Shakeology so smooth in the morning!  It is also useful for many other things, I've also used it to smooth tomatoes in my homemade sauce.

Dash Rapid Egg Cooker - This little portable gadget makes eggs in a jiffy and it is user friendly! 

Nutriforce Sports Natural Amino - Post workout BCAA's & recovery drink mix. Branch Chain Amino Acid's without the sucralose.  Aminos aid in muscle tissue repair and reducing muscle soreness.

S'Well Bottle - Isn't this the cutest little S'Well bottle?  These {S'Well bottles} keep drinks hot or cold for up to 24 hours!  My preferred method is cold. I'm a BIG water drinker... All day long!!  They come in solids, prints, and different ounce sizes.  (You can find them in the FITNESS category link below).

GROCERY

Power Crunch Bars - I love grabbing these on the way to the movies in replace of a candy bar.  

Earth Balance Coconut & Peanut Spread - Fellow PB lovers!  This is my favorite peanut butter ever!  It tastes so good off the spoon, in PB recipes, and in my Shakeology.

BEAUTY

Bare Minerals Revamped Lash Domination - This curls my lashes beautifully, lengthens, separates, and lifts!  I've used it on and off.  Mostly because I use mascara daily.  It is the one beauty product I can't live without!  I wanted to switch to a mascara that was more organic, with benefits for my lashes.

Bare Minerals BareSkin - I'm not big on foundation or anything cakey on my face.  I only use foundation for under eye circles that I've inherited or blemishes on occasion.  This stuff is perfect!  Lightweight, covers, and blends well! 

Josie Maran Argan Oil Mascara - I found this mascara on a search for one that provide benefits for my lashes without sulfates, parabens, and phthalates.  This mascara nourishes as it lengthens, volumizes, and curls. 

Redmond Earthpaste - Yeah, so it is a little weird brushing with clay.  But at least it doesn't contain chemicals.  It doesn't taste bad to me, I got used to the texture rather quickly.  Bonus: my teeth are super smooth after every brush!  I do realize however everyone may not like it, you can get that impression reading Amazon reviews.

These items can be found in the link below, along with more of my {FAVORITE} finds! 🙂⬇️

http://astore.amazon.com/mifit12-20

Amazon PRIME day!! {{Free 30-Day membership trial.}}

Hello friends!


Would you like to take advantage of Amazon Prime Day but you don't have an account?  


{Amazon Prime Day} is like Christmas in July for Prime customers!  I'm sure you'd like to score saw awesome deals with free 2-day shipping!


I have a link to a free 30-Day Membership so you can shop till you drop on July 12th!  Happy shopping!  


Try Amazon Prime 30-Day Free Trial


P.S.  I'll also be sharing some of my favorite Amazon products (health, fitness, beauty, cooking, etc...)  on another blog post tomorrow!

Marisa's Favorite Things!

Shakeology Fudgesicles

This weekend I had a bit of a sweet tooth and I wanted a healthier alternative.  It was also pretty hot outside so I thought a cool treat would be nice. I wanted popsicles but couldn't find molds, so I used some small cups and sticks.  My secret ingredient, Shakeology!  The small cups were perfect for this sweet treat! 

Shakeo Fudgesicles

{INGREDIENTS}

• 1 scoop of Chocolate Shakeology 

• 1 banana

• 1 tbsp. of honey

• 1 heaping spoonful of peanut butter

• 1 tablespoon of coconut oil 

• 1 1/2 c. of almond or coconut milk 

{INSTRUCTIONS}

1). Place all the wet ingredients in a blender and the scoop of Shakeology last.

2).  Blend until smooth.

3).  Pour into small cups and place a stick in the middle.  

4).  Place in the freezer for a few hours or overnight to harden.

5). The result = a delicious and healthy sweet treat! Guilt free! 

P.S. It is also kid friendly and I've eaten half my batch already! 

{{Cafe Latte Shakeology Frappucino}}

{{Frappucino Friday}}

My favorite Cafe Latte recipe ::

•1/2 a frozen banana

•1/2 ice

•1 cup of almond milk

•a dollop of whip cream spray or coconut cool whip

•1 scoop of Cafe Latte Shakeology

{{Directions}} 

1).  Add all the liquid ingredients to the mixer. 

2). Followed with the powder ingredients on the top and blend throughly. 

3).  Add a dollop of cream on top for garnish.

Enjoy your healthy frapp! 

{{For added flavoring}} 

** Sometimes when I want to live on the edge I drizzle a bit of chocolate syrup on the top.

OR 

** The healthier way to add chocolate flavor is to add a tablespoon of cocoa powder to the mix before blending.

**For vanilla add a teaspoon of vanilla extract before blending.