Venezia, Ten Minutes, God, and a Large Scale Painting

  Sorry for such a break in posting.. life has been crazy, amazing, beautiful, exciting, bittersweet, and nerve-wrecking all in the last few weeks. So where do I even start…

  Living here.. in this beautiful place with so many differences from the United states I have come to realize many things. A larger love for my country but also it's faults, the real way to live by slowing down and savoring the moment, and that sometimes being emotional and passionate aren't actually bad…being vulnerable doesn't make you weak it makes you strong.

With that said, we recently took our last visit to Venezia and I had so many ah-ha moments… while on a water taxi I was watching multiple couples from all over the world oh and ah over each other in little romantic bubbles; knowing this was and will be a life changing and once in a lifetime event. But how blessed have I been to have lived this for the last three years… How much have a learnt and changed. We have been to countless museums all over the world however for some reason after the water taxi, and the feeling that this amazing blessing is coming to an end to start a new adventure; I realized I had NEVER appreciated the art as much as I did that day in the Gallerie dell' Accademia it just felt so different. I was seeing so many more little details then before.. I for the first ACTUAL time sat down for longer then three minutes and enjoyed the large scale frescos and paintings  I peeped out window sills that still had its original glass and that have been graced with the historical presence of strangers that I will never know but some how felt connected to because in that moment I felt the emotion of raw beauty and admiration for Venezia. On this day I had many amazing moments I will cherish for the rest of my life.. but none struck me like the emotion I felt when I viewed this amazing piece of work… 

Burrasca di Mare (sea storm) by Jacopo Negretti detto Palma II

I can tell you it is not the most beautiful piece of art I have ever seen.. and maybe it is a little off putting because it does not bring out a first impression of beauty, kindness, love, or and other type of warm emotion. It is dark and saddening.. filled with fire, demons, even the men who's very souls are being visually taken from their bodies. The sea creatures are a bit terrifying.. and it's when I see the sea creatures I see him. 

The ONE man determined not to take the easy escape by boat, he is not running, he is there fighting insurmountably facing odds that are obviously so out of his favor it would terrify any other person but him.. which man?? The glorious man bare back riding the large sea creature/fish ready to take his head.. and fight for his life. Notice his soul is steadily inside of him.. there is no questioning, no wavering in his faith in life or God he is ready for whichever way this plays out.. he is there in position to take the head of the evil that is trying to consume him. That man is a badass to put it lamely. How is it that a fictional painted character in a painting that I doubt even .5 percent of the world knows about touch me much more than the famous works of art I have seen else where in Florence, Rome (minus the Pieta.. I cried when I saw her I was so moved), Greece, Barcelona, I could go on. 

Because that one man in this one painting and the spirit of God made me realize in that moment.. to be this very man. To keep enduring and fighting regardless of the many demons trying to change the course of my fate, to be ready sword and courage to chop off the very head of fear itself… to live my life with my faith in myself, God, and those who I choose to spend my time with untouchable.. to remember that my soul is immovable and immeasurable and my doubts can no longer have it... and well I won't be doing these things naked but in my opinion that makes his even more fearless!  

Ten minutes of clearing my mind and being within myself, talking to God, and this painting has forever changed me… If I was a millionaire or remotely rich I would attempt to buy it.. but well then others may not get to experience this pieces emotional rapture. Remember to be this man.. unshaken, fearless, soulful, powerful, present, and unapologetically courageous. Live life as though at any moment a storm could come within your life but regardless of what type natural, spiritual, emotional, etc. you do not care… you will be there to attack it meeting it head first with the tenacity that people only wish they had the strength to possess. 

Private April Challenge Group

Healthy Chocolate Shakeology Peanut Butter Banana Mug Cake

This is hands down my greatest Shakeology creation that I have ever made.. it is SO delish I will be making this all the time! In fact it was so good I only had about three bites... I went to change a diaper and upon coming back my husband had eaten the whole entire thing!! It is very simple and takes less than 5 minutes.

Ingredients:

For Cake:

-2 tablespoons of natural peanut butter

-1/2 of one ripe banana

-2 tablespoons of unsweetened cocoa powder

-1/8 teaspoon of baking soda

-1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract

-1/8 teaspoon of salt

-2 tablespoons of almond flour

-1/2 cup of vanilla almond milk

-1/2 scoop of vanilla protein powder

For Chocolate Shakeology syrup:

-1/2 scoop of Chocolate Shakeology

-1 teaspoon of PB2 (powdered peanut butter)

-1/4 Vanilla Almond Milk

-1/2 tablespoon of unsweetened cocoa powder

-1 tablespoon of honey

Assembly:

- In a deep mug combine natural peanut butter, banana, 2 tablespoons of cocoa powder, baking soda, vanilla extract, salt, almond flour, 1/2 cup of almond milk, and protein powder.

- Use a whisk and mash banana and peanit butter into small chunks then whisk for about a 30 seconds until everything is well blended.

- Microwave for bout 1 1/2 minutes watching (it can pop over and make a mess, if it starts expanding to high over the mug top stop microwave, wait and continue)

- Get small bowl and combine the following:

- Whisk almond milk, Chocolate Shakeology, cocoa powder, honey, and PB2.

- Remove cup and flip over into a bowl & drizzle with Shakeology chocolate syrup.

-Enjoy

Feedback...

I would like to know.. what would you like to see posted on here? Is there a certain Shakeology recipe or clean eating recipe that you would like to see me try? Or a topic that you would like me to cover? Is there question about Beachbody programs? Or my life, struggles, successes, you would like me to address? Please comment below or write me on the website or Facebook!

Fail until you succeed..

The Super Bowl is on today and it got me to thinking about all of those players.. all those men living such a BIG dream.. how they found great success. How did they get that lucky? Natural born talent.. yea most. Knowing the right people... maybe a few. OR did they practice and work their asses off constantly fail so many times they were bound to succeed.. every. single. one. of. them!

I can't even begin to tell you how many times I've failed then given up on something... How many times have you told yourself well that didn't work out so I give up without the thought of, how can I try it differently so maybe I succeed next time, ever crossing your mind? 

   How many times have you told yourself after success not coming to you instantly so you are done?

   Have you ever let anyone tell you.. Oh you can't do that!! So you don't even try...?

   Or I'm not even going to try this even though I want to because I am terrified to put myself out there            and come out of my comfort zone?

Well if you are failing or have failed but you keep on pushing then you're in damn good company...

NEVER stop trying because the moment you do is when you actually fail...