J.A.M for all levels of Fitness!

A peak into a Belly Fit Club Level One JumpStart workout.  

We customize for all fitness levels. :) Anyone, at any age, and at any fitness level, can do J.A.M by TBFC and be successful!  

There are 5 different workouts each week so your body constantly changes and you never get bored. Also available are:
Level Two Jumpstart
Level Three Jumpstart
Level One Accelerate
Level Two Accelerate
Level Three Accelerate
Level One Maintain
Level Two Maintain
and Level Three Maintain.

Smoothies vs. Juices. What's the difference?

Smoothie vs Juices.  What’s the difference?

Of all the questions I often get, this one has to be the most common. Closely followed by ‘do I start with buying a juicer or a blender?’ or ‘which is the best for my health?’ or ‘which is more filling, more soothing, more energizing, most tasty, takes least time to clean…’ etc, etc. So as you can see all of these questions belong in the same box and today I'm hoping to crack it open of you.

A Popular choice.

So, the most common is the blender. This machine consists of just a jug and a motor stand, is easy to use, easy to rinse, quick to put away and takes the least amount of time and effort. The juicer is a little more complex with various parts to it, so requires a little more time for assembly and cleaning.

Preparation and outcome.

A blender/ smoothie maker requires whole fruit and vegetables to go into the jug for whizzing up. The outcome is a smooth, creamy, thick and filling shake, equivalent to a meal. The juicer involves a liquid extractor and separates both the juice and the pulp into different compartments, so the outcome is a thin and liquidy drink, nutrient packed and more hydrating than filling. 

The fibre.

Since blending requires whole food, you are going to consume all of the fibre from whatever you are putting into your shake, while juicing takes this pulp/fibre away and you are left with just the liquid component. Fibre is important for elimination and if you’ve been consuming a ‘standard’ diet (don’t even get me started on SAD- 'Standard American/British Diet'), then you are likely to be in need of this fibre to help you move things along. ‘Regular’ is going after every meal, not once every couple of days, but the unfortunate fact is that pretty much all of what the majority of population consumes contains little to no fibre at all.

Nutrition density.

Let’s look at how much produce you’d require to get a pint of green smoothie versus a pint of green juice. [Pint is 1/2 Litre]. For the smoothie- you’d be looking at say 1 whole pear, 1 celery sprig, 2 kiwi fruits and a handful of spinach topped with pure water. If you were to take those ingredients (less the water) and extract the juice out of them, you’d be left with just over half a pint glass of juice, so naturally you’d be looking at adding more of the spinach, maybe another celery sprig, a cucumber, and already you have loaded the glass with almost twice the amount of nutrition.

Nutrition absorption.

The amount of nutrients in your drink is one thing, but whether you can properly assimilate and make the most out of them is another. If you’ve never done a detox, done one a long time ago or consume heavy or processed food on a regular basis, chances are your gut lining is going to be pretty polluted, would have a thick wall of toxins to get through and would require the fibre to clean it out before you can properly begin to absorb the goodness from your food. So smoothies may just be the answer for you. Once the system has been purified, you will not only get the best out of your food, you can consume juices and rest assured that they will travel to your bloodstream quickly and efficiently converting into all the energy you can handle!

The decision.

So the difficult (or perhaps easy) part is deciding which is for you. In my case, I love both and go by the mood, etc. I do tend to make more smoothies when I’m home as they fill me up and are quick to make. You’ll have to have a good think about which are right for you and your health based on the above, especially when you must decide on what investment to make first.

There’s also a HUGE difference between the machines. I explain further my personal favorite juicer and blender and why they are my favorites. 

THE JUICER.  Breville Juicer Juice Fountain features a patented micro-mesh filter that spins at over 14,000 RPM'S, separating the juice from the fiber and seeds of the fruit and vegetables to extract even more juice.  And if you’re in a hurry….This Juicer can juice an 8-ounce glass of juice in five seconds. For quick, easy clean up, all parts of this juicer are dishwasher safe except for the juicer motor. This juicer will receive up to 50% more juice than standard juicers, and have the ability to juice everything! Strawberries, Grapes, Citrus, Watermelon, Pears, Kiwi, Apples, Oranges, Grapefruit, Melons, Cantaloupe, Cherries, Pineapple, Carrots, Tomatoes, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Celery, Cucumber, Fennel, Mangoes, Nectarines, Peaches, Pineapple, Plums, Raspberries, etc... Although this Breville juicer is not good for wheat grass, it performs very well getting 8-10oz of juice out of 1lb of anything that you run through it! This is one ultimate juicer, with fast juicing and easy cleanup making it one of our best juicers we’ve ever owned.

As for the blenders out there, the cheapo ones just swirl the produce around without releasing any of the nutrients to be available for assimilation, while the high powered blenders will break through the cellulose (wood like substance) which hold the precious chlorophyll and vitamins and make them available for us to digest.

You may probably know I am a massive fan of the Vitamix! I can’t even imagine a life without it- the smoothies, the nut shakes, the soups, the ice creams, salad dressings, sauces, pastes, cheesecakes, etc etc. So if I had to make a choice for you, I won’t even think twice on my answer. I know it’s pretty pricey though, but once you use it for the very first time, you’ll already know every penny has been worth it.

For now, here's another smoothie recipe for you to enjoy...

Green Machine Smoothie

1 pear

1 banana

3 kiwi fruits

3 handfuls spinach

2 tsp Vitamineral Greens

1-2 cup/s pure water

Blend in Vitamix and serve

Sexy Summer Arms in 28-days!

Sexy Summer Arms in 28 Days! 

Sexy Summer Arms in 28 Days! (all exercises posted on our Blog can be found on our website, www.thebellyfitclub.com)
The great thing about training arms is that you'll never run out of exercises.  With just 20-minutes of Cardio combined with this strength training routine only 4 times a week, you will be sleeveless in no time.  For fast results follow this with my 28-day Jumpstart eating plan found here, www.thebellyfitclub.com.


This is a great upper-body Circuit done in a circuit fashion-do one set of an exercise, then immediantely move to the next. 
No gym or treadmill required to get the body you've always wanted here...All can be done on the ball with hand weights and, for cardio, a jumprope.  
Warm-up with 10-minute of cardio
Chest-Chest Press followed with Pushups for 10 reps each
rest for 10-30 seconds
Back-One Arm Row followed with Back Extensions
rest for 10-30 seconds
Shoulders-Shoulder Press Followed with Side Raises
rest for 10-30 seconds
Biceps-Side Bi Curls followed by Alt. Biceps Curls
rest for 10-30 seconds
Triceps-Triceps Pushups followed with Triceps Dips
rest for 10-30 seconds
Abs-The Plank followed with Ball Crunches
10-minute of cardio
Chest-Chest Press followed with Pushups for 10 reps each
rest for 10-30 secondsBack-One Arm Row followed with Back Extensions
rest for 10-30 seconds
Shoulders-Chest Press Followed with Side Raises
rest for 10-30 seconds
Biceps-Side Curls followed by Alt. Biceps Curls
rest for 10-30 seconds
Triceps-Triceps Pushups followed with Triceps Dips
rest for 10-30 seconds
Abs-The Plank followed with Ball Crunches
DONE!  
YOU.  ARE.  AMAZING!  

Craving Chocolate? Try This! :)

Healthy Ideas for a BOOMING Holiday Weekend!

Easy entertaining is the name of the game on July 4th. Whether you watch the fireworks, listen to the town band or just relax in the backyard, chances are you’ll share a meal with family and friends this Independence Day. Put a fresh twist to your classic American fare with this selection of easy, healthy July 4th recipes, grilling recipes and potluck recipes from our Test Kitchen. 

Happy Fourth of July to everyone from TBFC!

WATERMELON! 

No other fruit says summer like the subtly crunchy, thirst quenching

watermelon. Although watermelons can now be found in the markets throughout the

year, the season for watermelon is in the summer when they are sweet and of the

best quality.  The 4th of July wouldnt be complete without WATERMELON!

Hummus. Use as a dip for veggies.

Hummus.  Emerald Valley makes the best.  We use Hummus as a dip for veggies and baked veggie chips.

Guacamole. We love this as a dip for veggies and baked veggie chips.

Mix Emerald Valley Salsa with fresh avocado and you have a quick delicious dip.

Baked Veggie Chips. :)

 Veggie Chips

 Ingredients :2large carrots, 2 large parsnips, 1beet1zucchin, i2TBS pure organic butter, 1TBS sea salt.

Usinga mandoline, slice all the vegetables into diagonal coin-size slices.  Place on a baking sheet.  Melt butter and drizzle over veggies.  Top veggies with sea salt to taste.  Bake at 400 degrees for 1 hour (or until crisp).  Enjoy with any of the dips.

Veggie tray

Have vegetables cut up and out.  Adults and kids will eat more of these if they have easy access.  Always put the vegetables out first when everyone is the most hungry. :)

Ryans FAVORITE salad!

This salad is delicious and so easy to make.  Grill up some chicken and place on a bed of greens.  Spinkle dried cherries or cranberries and goat or blue cheese on top and drizzle with lemon and olive oil. 

Corn Salad

Veggie Bugars <3

 Veggie Burger

 2 Ezekiel English, Muffins Toasted, 2 Garden Veggie Burgers, 1 Tomato Sliced, Romaine Lettuce, ½ Red Onion, SlicedVeganaise, Organic Mustard, Organic Ketchup. 600 calories

Salmon Salad

 Super Grilled Salmon Salad

 Everyone likes to use a different preparation for grilling salmon. The simplest way is to brush it with olive oil, keep the skin on and add a little salt and pepper.   Grill the salmon for about 4 minutes per side. Only cover the grill if you have a gas grill, but you don't need to do so.  Don't constantly fuss with the salmon; set a timer and remove salmon when it goes off. Just be sure you're close by so you can take it off the grill promptly. Do not overcook! When you remove your salmon fillets from the grill, they will continue to cook a little as they sit, so they should look a little raw inside upon removal from the grill.   To test for doneness, touch the fish: if it's "squishy," it's not done, but if its firm with some give, it is medium rare, the recommended doneness for salmon.

Salad:

4 Cups Mixed Organic, Spring Greens, ¼ c. Red Onion, ¼ c. Blue Cheese, ¼. Dried Cranberries, 1 Zucchini Sliced

Toss with Olive Oil and fresh lemon juice.

Place Salmon on top.  This is a beautiful salad.

Lemonade.

This Lemonade is made without processed sugar.  In a pitcher of spring water add 3/4 cup fresh lemon juice and sweeten with stevia to your liking. :)

PureBODY {Sweet Smoothie Cleanse}

{Sweet Smoothie Cleanse}

Day 1

[Breakfast]

The first day is easiest, start each day with the Master Cleanse Lemonade

Master Cleanse Lemonade

2 TBS Fresh Lemon Juice

2 TBS Organic Grade B Maple Syrup

A pinch of Cayenne Pepper

8-10 oz of purified wate

Basic Green Smoothie
2 kale leaves
sprouts
1 banana
1-2 TBS raw organic coconut oil or raw coconut butter
1 TBS of VitaMineral Greens
1 cup water
1 cup ice

 [Snack]

Creamsicle Smoothie snack

1/4 avocado

1 orange

1 cup nut milk

handful spinach

pinch stevia

vanilla extract

  [Dinner] 

[Lunch]

Sip on peppermint tea

Dinner “Soup”

1/2 cup cashews

4 stalks celery

4 carrots

2 large handfuls kale

handful parsley

1″ piece of ginger

small clove garlic

curry powder and sea salt, to taste

hot water to thin

(Serves 2)

Easy peasy! Day one, done and done.


To see the full version of this cleanse featured on PureBODY by TBFC go to www.thebellyfitclub.com

A few tips while on a smoothie cleanse: 

§  Keep fueled! Smoothie are filling, but being a more usable source of energy, you’ll burn through them quicker than solid food that takes longer to digest. Don’t be afraid you’re eating “too much”. Your body needs fuel! Its okay to eat 3-4 smoothies each day. 

§  Go easy on the exercise, but get it in! Exercise is super important for sweating out toxins.  We are all different, so it’s important to listen to your body.  

§  Water, water, water! You are taking in a LOT of fiber. Drink up that water!

§  Temptations will pass. It’s only three days, you can do it! Have some tea, go for a walk, and drink some water. Temptations will pass. 
....for more delicious recipes go to www.thebellyfitclub.com 

PureBODY Juice Lovin ❤

{Juice Lovin Cleanse}

Day 1

 Early on the first morning of the juice fast, drink herbal tea with lemon and stevia.

[Breakfast]

The first day is easiest, start each day with the Master Cleanse Lemonade

Master Cleanse Lemonade

1 cup Fresh Lemon Juice

1 cup Organic Grade B Maple Syrup

1-4 pinches of Cayenne Pepper 

60-64 oz of purified water 
Drink until gone

Next, have your first glass of freshly made juice (it can be anything you like). Cantaloupe or pineapple are my favorite.  Cantaloupe Juice Feed a whole Cantaloupe through your juicer, rind and all! :) ***The American Cancer society recommends to have cantaloupes and watermelons daily to aid in the fight of intestinal cancer. Keep this in mind when preparing your recipes for juicer. Spend the day doing something you really enjoy. I find when I do juice fasts a great time to organize my house, read a good book, or get a massage.

[Lunch]

Sip on peppermint tea

Mid-Afternoon- take a break from what ever youre doing and make another juice. This time make it a vegetable juice like Green lemonade.

Green Lemonade

8 Kale Leaves

10-12 Celery Stalks

3 handfuls Parsley

5 Fuji Apple or 2 squirt Stevia

2-3 whole Lemons (no rind)

1" chunk fresh Ginger
Drink as needed until dinner

 [Dinner]

Beet That!

1 whole Beet

4-5 Carrots

3 Celery Stalks

Fresh Ginger (optional)

For more on the amazing benefits of Beet Juice click here. http://thebellyfitclub.blogspot.com/2011_08_01_archive.html

 [After Dinner]

Go for a walk or another movement you enjoy like Yoga.

Drink more Juice of needed.

Sweet Pear Juice

3 Pears

1 whole Yam

1 Apple

You will want to end the fast at this time of the day. Dinner time is always the hardest. Make sure you plan ahead and schedule something to do you enjoy during this time.

Take a long hot bath.

 Enjoy another cup of herbal tea (make sure it doesnt have caffeine). Go to bed early.

Day one, DONE! 

Day 2-10 featured on www.thebellyfitclub.com

You can continue to do this for as many days as you feels comfortable. 
The longest my body has wanted to 

go is 14 days which allowed me to drop all my baby weight from my 3rd child (a 15 pound fat loss).

 If you decide to go longer then 3-days you will need to ease back into eating solid food again. 

I will help you with that when the time comes.

Best of Health!

Kristie♥