busy BIRTHDAY month

There is so much going on right now, it is sure to be the very best birthday month EVER. I never thought turning 21 er…I mean 31 would be this exciting!

I am working my way through and reaching my goal of completing the C25K program and I am more motivated than ever to keep going and complete the C210K program and train for a 1/2 marathon next summer! I can’t believe I just typed those words! Week 6 Day 1! Yesterday was killer, shoulda got my run in early because it was HOT and it’s so weird to say that but I’m not complaining either! 

And really quick before I forget: a little over a month ago, with the encouragement of some of my dear friends, I decided to start and lead a local chapter of Moms RUN This Town! If you or someone you know would like to join please contact me so we can add them to our ultra supportive FB Group page.  

Moms RUN This Town (MRTT) is a FREE running club for women to support and motivate you in your running journey! It doesn’t matter if you are a walker or runner… a mom to humans or a mom to pets (or not a mom at all!)… We just want to surround you with like-minded women who have a passion for staying healthy!

Additionally, in honor of my birthday and turning 31 (gasp) I posted a pre-challenge challenge for our MRTT group but will post it here too so you can join in on the F-U-N! 

31 Days in August Buns and Guns! Today is my rest day for running so I have NO excuses! PLUS today is the day I set for my personal goal of alternating between running and something else like 5lb weights/Jillian DVD or Zumba or or or… So this is perfect spice to add to my routine and hope you challenge yourself as well! 

My Arbonne sistas and brothers are AMAZING and totally knocked the socks off of July and we are going to ROCK August!  We would love to have YOU on our team, please, if you are curious at all about this opportunity with Arbonne, now is the time to contact me and learn more! Let’s grab a green smoothie or a cup of soup, my treat, at the Co-Op Market Deli or Take 5 Cofee Lounge! 

And it was just announced: May 8-10 VEGAS baby! | Arbonne Global Training Conference -from everything I hear THIS event IS a game changer!! Mark YOUR calendar! YOU’RE comin’ with ME!!

GTC is for team building, energizing inspiration, unrivaled training, new product launches, magnificent recognition, and a celebration like no other - our Global Training Conference is the premier event of the year. We want to see YOU there!

The countdown has started…only 11 more days until the start of my Fit into Fall Challenge! There is tons of fun to be had and awesome prizes to be won! It will be so great to have outstanding support throughout the challenge! If you’re interested, there’s a challenge that started today, August 1st and we’re jumping on board with our group on the 12th for an extra boost of support and cheerleading, entertaining blog posts, inspiring before/after picture contest, don’t miss out! If you’re interested in joining my challenge, let me know ASAP so we can get you into our FB group and get your 30-Feeling Fit Kit ordered, contact me for the very best deal! 

And speaking of before/after picture contest…mark your calendar! Send me your before picture anytime between now and Sunday, August 11th to be entered into the best before/after picture contest. Don’t be shy, I won’t be posting these unless you give me the ok and only then will they be posted on our closed FB group when you submit your ‘after’ pictures by September 13th. My goal is to take my ‘before’ picture and post it for you to see before Sunday, August 11th. So stay tuned. If I can do it, you can do it! And WE CAN do it!

Together WE can do THIS!

Today Arbonne launched a new product, Arbonne Intelligence: Genius, and I am so flippin’ excited, I cannot wait to get my hands [and face] on this stuff! If you want to know more and take advantage of some HUGE savings please get in touch with me asap! I would LOVE to fill you in! 

And anyone who hosts and completes a party with me in the month of August will receive a free Arbonne gift. In addition, at the end of the month I will draw the name of one hostess at random. That lucky person will receive our brand new product, Genius, for free!! 

Going tonight to scope out the booth at the Fair that Ginger has been working so hard on, she is truly a awe-inspiring individual and I am SO grateful to have her in my life and to be a part of her team! Thank you Ginger! :)

Come see me at the Fair!! I’ll be located in the Borealis Pavilion (D8) on 

Thursday, August 8th from 5-10pm! | It’s Alyeska Canned Food Day [Bring 4 cans of food to donate to The Food Bank and one adult admission will be only $3, 4 cans of food will = $2 admission for youth / senior]!

Friday, August 9th from 5-10pm! | It’s TVC Get Fit Day [Location: Totem Square Tanana Valley Clinic will be there with free blood pressure checks, health information, and free gifts.]

Sunday, August 11th from 5-10pm! | It’s Stanley Nissan Community Day [Location: Totem Square] Come late and be there for a brilliant display of samples, discounts and deals and then catch the equally brilliant and magnificent fireworks show to wrap up the 2013 Fairbanks Fair!

I'll be there early on Friday because I don't want to miss a rockin' good time with the band Magnetik North, playing classic rock from the 60s, 70s and 80s! 

And last but not least…BIRTHDAY FLOWERS delivered today! Thank you Mom & James! They’re beautiful! I LOVE my BIRTHDAY MONTH!!  And the florist just called and told me the delivery driver is on his way BACK here to drop off more!! [he forgot something the first time around!]

Speaking of my mama...she's coming up to visit me and she's bringing my brother! I am SO excited to have these two spend a few days with me and celebrate the big 3-1! 

I’m so lucky my husband caught on quickly and celebrates me all month! Love him! :)

And this one’s for YOU!

Tackling my Tuesday

What AWESOME weather we've been having here in Fairbanks!

So much fun at the lake with my family and friends this weekend!

And I was still able to work my business; I met some fabulous people at my Arbonne trunk show/friend's multi family garage sale!

And I completed week 5 of C25K -moving on to week 6! Woohoo!

I feel so accomplished!

Cannot believe this is the last Tuesday in July; I am looking ahead to an AWESOME AUGUST!! DO NOT MISS out on all the celebrations going on in August!

Just a sneak peak:

August 1: I am one of a handful of Independent Consultants that is able to order the Arbonne Intelligence: Genius product August 1 before its September 1 launch! I am offering this product to YOU for 35% off PLUS if you want to order anything else at the same time, I will give you 35% off of that too! 

This offer is available for ONE DAY; AUGUST 1! Do not miss this Genius opportunity and take advantage of HUGE savings! 

Experience the revolutionary new technology of the Genius product before its September 1 launch!

• See visible improvement in the appearance of skin moisture, firmness and elasticity in just two weeks!
• Unveil your most radiant-looking, beautiful skin!
• Minimize fine lines and wrinkles, acne, acne scars. 
• Best of all, this new product is formulated to work with ALL Arbonne skincare product lines.
• $61.25 [2 month supply]

August 3: My BIRTHDAY! The big 3-1! Check back soon to see my birthday gift to YOU!

August 8, 9 and 10: Remember to come see me at the fair and if you want to join my Fit into Fall Challenge that starts August 12th; there's still time to join! I look forward to sharing my success with you and hope you will be part of the challenge to lead and maintain a healthy lifestyle!

Thinking and Planning Ahead | Cleaning up your grocery shopping list

I've been spending some time preparing for the upcoming Fit into Fall Challenge by not only experimenting with different smoothie/shake recipes and clean meals but also by giving my grocery shopping list a complete make-over, cleaning it up a lot!

I have already made it a habit of having the following staple items in my cupboards, on my counter and in my fridge/freezer [so I'm looking forward to a not-so-challenging transition]:

Chicken Breasts

Ground chicken or Ground Turkey

Eggs -try your best to find local

Grass-fed beef

Wild-caught salmon

Tuna

Quinoa and veg broth

Sweet potatoes

Rolled Oats (Gluten Free)

Natural Peanut Butter

Almonds, Walnuts, Cashews

Avocado

Coconut Oil

Cottage Cheese

Plain Greek Yogurt

Chia Seeds

Flax Seed

Apple Cider Vinegar

Pure Vanilla Extract

Local honey

Applesauce -no sugar added

Multivitamins

Omega 3s

Protein Powder

Start thinking now about using up what you currently have on hand and consider giving your grocery shopping list a similar clean make-over as well! 

Plan ahead and set yourself up for SUCCESS!! 

Please let me know if you have any questions, we're in this together!

fresh AK wild-caught salmon and fresh from our garden potatoes and yellow squash roasted in coconut oil.
I sprinkled a tiny bit of fresh parm on the yellow squash, YUM!

FAT FLUSH WATER
I read online and have been following this recommendation myself this week: 
You should drink at least three 8 oz glasses per day, they say the longer it sits, the better it tastes. You can eat them as well but they are intended as flavoring and still work, so that is a personal choice. The Vitamin C turns fat into fuel, the tangerine (I didn't use tangerine in this batch) increases your sensitivity to insulin, and the cucumber makes you feel full.
Try it for 10 days and see what you think!
Ingredients per 8 oz serving
Water | 1 slice grapefruit | 1 tangerine
½ cucumber, sliced | 2 peppermint leaves
Ice – as much as you like
Directions | Wash grapefruit, tangerine cucumber and peppermint leaves. Slice cucumber, grapefruit and tangerine (or peel). Combine all ingredients (fruits, vegetables, 8 oz water, and ice) into a large pitcher.
For even better taste add some berries - they are full of antioxidants | Stir & Enjoy!

And speaking of thinking and planning ahead, my baby will be *Despicable* THREE in September! I showed her this picture my friend posted of these cupcakes she made and my *baby* girl has been obsessing over it ever since! I had to save the picture to every iDevice we own so she can just sit in wonderment! Seems to me we've got our party theme picked out a couple months in advance! 

Photo courtesy of Rachel

Random Monday

Hooray for Monday. Time to kick off the sheets. Clear out the cob webs. Kick out the jams.

We are the ready, willing and able. Bring us a whole case of the Mondays. We’ll grab a bottle, shake it up and dance in the champagne shower of awesomeness.

While the drones dread Monday, we see it as a starting line for dreamers and doers. There’s a fresh week of days on the clock. And countless possibilities for our boundless potential. We’re relaxed, recharged and reloaded. Ready to tackle the work we were born to do. Ready to create something remarkable.

This is not the day to be back at the grindstone. This is the day to be back at our passion. Breathing new life into our projects. We are conduits of innovation, imagination and inspiration. It’s Monday. And we can’t wait to get started. On your mark…Get set…

What are you working on?

We didn't work on much over the weekend! The usual: a Friday evening being inspired by Dr. Laura Fortner, and dreaming of my new white Mercedes Benz, eating dinner as a family, attended a lovely wedding, caught up on laundry, homemade smoothie cubes and infused water, and I did manage to get in a run (week 5, day 1 of C25K -horray!)!  I never once dreaded Monday [that's not so true for my hard-working husband but he was off most of last week!]. And he doesn't dread Mondays because I don't dread Mondays, I woke up when he got in the shower and made him a choco-pb smoothie and his day 5 Body Cleanse drink to take to work. What a difference it makes in our lives when I get up with him before he goes to work and send him off with love! 

I hope YOU didn't dread facing Monday this morning! If you did, and you don't want to dread Mindays in the future, it's definitely possible! [Click to read their success stories] Teachers, hair stylists, and dental hygienists... just to name a few!

And in no particular order: 

Dinner as a family:
fresh from our garden salad, grilled organic free-range chicken
and fresh from our garden zucchini.

I love him! Kissy face, not duck lips! Love weddings!
Love, love, love!

Love seeing friends, new and old, at wedding! Love these ladies! 

homemade smoothie cubes:
spinach, yogurt, frozen mixed fruit, frozen banana.
Voila! 

Dreaming of my new white MB!

Spending my Friday with these fabulous ladies! Being inspired and Face-timing in the 'wilderness' AK style (in a motorhome!)! Listening to how a mother & obgyn, Dr. Laura Fortner, working 80 hrs+ a week found this amazing opportunity to change her life (time freedom, not just replacing but EXCEEDING her income, helping others do the same) and the lives of others!

But what many don't realize is that we are offering a FUTURE, a way to change lives. Bring moms & dads home. Take stay at home moms & dads and get them some "me" time. Building financial walls around families, giving hope to those that once had none. Building wells, schools & housing for orphans around the world. Giving blankets, shoes, food- all the things we take for granted, to those that have none. We are Trailblazers, star reachers, bridge builders. We are life changers, the original Transformers. We are leaders, teammates. Soulmates. We are doctors, lawyers, swim coaches, professors and hockey players locked arm in arm connected at the heart. We are mothers, daughters, fathers and sons. We are friends. We are Arbonne. We earth lovers and protectors. We are green. And growing. And big on botanicals. We are pure. Safe and beneficial. Always have been. Always will be. We are worldwide. WorldClass. We're for simple, Elegant & vibrant. We're for freedom. From radical's, gluten, the 9-to-5. We're for happy and natural. Champions of wellness. We're for generosity. Giving big and giving back. We're forward thinking. Forward-looking. Future friendly. We believe in opportunity & optimism. And awesome. We are warriors who work hard. Dreamers who dream big. We are owners of our own lives. We are positive. Powerful unstoppable. We are pure through and through. Inside and out. Pure Energy. Pure products. Pure hearts. We are Arbonne.

blueberry and mint infused water! Mmmm!
try it!

Casual Fridays

What a great response so far from folks interested and wanting more information on my Arbonne Fit into Fall Challenge!! Please contact me if you would like more information!

I have jumped into experimenting with new smoothie recipes and clean meals and have come up with and found some yummy recipes (finally found a way to use some of that mint that is growing in my garden!).

Fruity-green shake (spinach and kale w/ frozen mixed fruit),
Strawberry (so easy and always a favorite of mine) & Chocolate-mint (YUM!)

Birthday Cake inspired by a FB post by Sarah e. Evans Living Fit and Clean! Because someone has birthday is coming up in a couple weeks! Yikes! 31?!? ALREADY?!

Looking forward to giving this one a whirl!

Recipe:
1 scoop of Arbonne Vanilla Protein Shake Mix
6 oz unsweetened almond milk
Ice (5-7 cubes)
Mix in blender and top with sprinkles for the full effect!

Strawberry, Basil + Lemon Protein Shake
Ingredients:
5 small strawberries (or 3 large quartered)
6 basil leaves
Juice from a large lemon
8 oz water
5 ice cubes
1 serving Vanilla Protein Powder
1 serving Fiber Booster

Preparation:
We recommend putting powders in last. Add ice cubes, water, strawberries, basil, lemon, water and powders.

I know, doesn't really look appealing. I remembered to take a pic after I mixed and took one bite! Can I just say, SOoooooo GoooooD!! So good.

This has got to be one of the best snacks. EVER!
Fresh zucchini from my garden, salsa, cottage cheese, and crushed walnuts and pecans!
SOoooooo GooooD!

Mmmm. Aaack! I know. A corn tortilla but I am in LOVE with these little guys!!
And they are little! Lettuce and green onion and chives fresh from our garden.
A dollop of the. best. (store bought) salsa! [Nothing beats (my) homemade!]
And some cottage cheese, for a little protein!

And since I cannot get enough Arbonne Crunchy Protein Bars in my belly,
I always have these oats on hand and my entire family LOVES LOVES LOVES!!
There's NO turning back to the ol' one-minute quick oats!! 

Arbonne Crunchy Protein Bar Recipe
(if you do one more thing in your life, make these!!)
I really need to find out who Judy is and thank her, personally, for this recipe! I make 2 batches and freeze a majority of them to pull out throughout a couple weeks! Again, the entire family LOVES LOVES LOVES LOVES these! Or maybe it's me that loves them most!

Judy's Crunchy Gluten-Free Protein Bars

 2 cups Organic Peanut Butter (I like to use 1C peanut butter & 1 C Almond butter)

¾ cup honey

6 scoops Arbonne Protein Powder (I use all vanilla, you can do ½ & ½ )

1 scoop Fiber Booster

1 ½ cups GF Oats (this amount varies depending on how much oil is in your peanut butter)

½ cup chopped pecans

2/3 cups chopped walnuts

1 TBS Raw Cacao (can omit this if using the Arbonne Chocolate Protein Powder)

½  cup GF, Dairy Free & Soy Free Chocolate chips

1/2-2/3 cups of rice chex cereal

Microwave peanut butter & honey for 90 seconds.  Mix well and add the protein powder and fiber booster.  Add Cacao at this point if using it.  Add nuts & oatmeal, mix well.  Finally fold in the rice chex cereal.  Put mixture into a 9 X 13 pan and press down firmly with your hands.  Sprinkle chocolate chips on top and press in firmly.  Refrigerate for 2 hours before serving.

TIP:  I like to cut my bars before refrigerating so the kids can help themselves to them...all four of my kids love these!  ENOY!

I REALLY want to make these! Thank you Katelyn O'Shea over at A Pure New You for the recipe and beautiful picture of the protein balls.

Photo courtesy of Katelyn O'Shea

Protein Balls 

Ingredients:

2 cups organic peanut butter

1 1/3 cups honey or agave nectar 

2 cups Arbonne Essentials protein powder *

4 cups organic rolled oats

Directions:

1. Combine peanut butter and honey in a medium saucepan. Cook on low heat for about 5 mins, stirring occasionally.

2. Remove from heat; add protein powder and mix well.

3. Measure out rolled oats in a large bowl. Add heated mixture and combine.

4. Refrigerate for one hour.

5. Roll into 1" balls.

* Consultants recommend using 1 cup chocolate and 1 cup vanilla powder.

Remember to check out my Arbonne Fit into Fall Challenge coming up August 12th!

30-Day Fit into Fall Challenge

We have been totally revamping eating habits, along with my regular exercise and I definitely notice the loss of inches.  I am LOVING my 2 Arbonne Protein Shake smoothies a day, getting creative: adding spinach and kale, peanut butter and frozen banana to my chocolate smoothies and frozen mixed fruit with my vanilla smoothies. I stock up on totally healthy food and snack options and don't even bring tempting crap into the house, at least I really make an effort not to have anything I know will sabotage all our hard work.  My family is (for the most part) always on board to try new things and we all try to remind each other that our healthy choices will have definite long term benefits and results!! 

But like so many others, what I need to gain is a little boost in my momentum.  
And that's when I turn to YOU!

I am truly inspired by so many people in my life and online, especially Morgan over at A Wellness Story and her 30 Days to Healthy Living series and Becki, for sharing her journey: What My Body Told Me During & After My Detox over at Creative Soul in Motion for really helping my Fit into Fall Challenge dreams become a reality!

Join my Fit into Fall Challenge and implement a healthy living plan that will:

• Detoxify your body
• Give you more energy
• Increase mental focus
• Get restful sleep
• Achieve hormonal balance
• Eliminate cravings
• Identify food allergies
• Shed unwanted pounds and lose weight

Arbonne Essentials nutrition products are delicious:

• Vegan certified
• Gluten-free
• Dairy/Whey-free & Soy-free
• No GMO
• Free of artificial colors
• Free of artificial flavors
• Free of artificial sweeteners

Please know Arbonne has done all the work for you! For your meals, you will only have to prepare ONE clean meal a day! The rest is done. It will be SO SIMPLE to change your life!

I will be preparing everyone for the challenge during the next few weeks, the challenge will run from August 12 - Sep 12 (don't indulge in too much Fair food, Fairbanks!) :)

PRIZES!

Everyone that purchases the 30-Day Feeling Fit Kit between now and August 4th will be entered into a drawing to receive 35% off Arbonne products for two months!

1st Place: $125 in FREE Product & 35% off for 2 months

2nd Place: 1 month's supply of Protein Powder & 35% off for 1 month

3rd Place: 1 Box of Fizz Sticks & 35% off their next order!

Because this contest is open to men & women (and we lose weight at different rates) the challenge will be based on points. Points will be granted on several different bases: consistent weight/inches loss, doing/showing up to work outs, how close you get to your goal, meeting your goal & exceeding your goal.

If you start with a friend, you and your friend get a bonus point even before the challenge starts!

If you schedule a one-on-one meeting or nutrition/skin care event in July or August you will receive one bonus point!

Join me for my Arbonne Fit into Fall Challenge

From now until August 4th I am offering a deal you simply cannot pass up! Order by August 4th so you can start the challenge with us on time August 12th (I will have very limited stock on hand at the Fair August 8th, 9th & 11th 5-10pm). Contact me so I can get you the correct package!

Preferred Client Healthy Living Packs

Click for the Arbonne Essentials 30 Day Guide

CHALLENGE ACCEPTED?!?

I am doing this challenge right along side you and will be blogging about it every step of the way! 

Do your best! Progress not perfection people! If you mess up…start over on your next meal! 

The way you will look and feel is PRICELESS! When you feel good about YOU, you are better in every area of your life! Every relationship will be healthier which creates healthy families and friendships. 

Contact Kristin Dodson 907.978.0491 | kristindodson@myarbonne.com | www.kristindodson.myarbonne.com

Please remember to drink half your weight in oz of water every day...For example if you weigh 200lbs - drink 100oz of water based fluids throughout the day - more if you are working out.

Why Arbonne Protein Shakes? 20 Grams Vegan protein from Cranberries, Brown Rice and Peas - no artificial sweeteners, a full compliment of Vitamins and Minerals and all the Essential Amino Acids and only 160 calories when mixed with water. I will be teaching you how to replace 1-2 meals a day with a MEAL shake. Save the mixing with just water for your recovery.

Why Arbonne Energy Fizz Sticks? Are you addicted to…coffee? Soda? Black Tea? Talk about a great way to start your day instead of a coffee - this long lasting Energy Drink helps promote alertness and cognitive performance....Feel that 3pm slump? Grab one of these and you will be raring to go in no time - packed with Vitamin B6 and B12 as well as antioxidants, Guarana, Green Tea, Taurine and Rhodiola - Tastes fabulous in Pomegranate or Citrus - just stir into 8 oz water and enjoy 2-3 times per day as needed.

I LOVE the Arbonne Fit Chews! Ideal snack to control appetite and cravings and gives you a boost of energy! If you have a sweet tooth (like me) these are completely necessary! You'll love the flavors (get the Mango-Pineapple before they're gone!) lemon, chocolate and caramel! 

I also take Women’s Daily Vitamins and Metabolism Boost - as your individual needs will vary consult with your medical professional and then your Arbonne consultant for what is best for you. Other products available are Arbonne’s Calcium Plus, OMEGA-3 and Digestion Plus. 

Most people need extra fiber in their diet. Start with ¼-1/2 scoop of Arbonne Fiber Plus and work up to the 1 scoop per day in your shakes!

The first week of the program is all about experimenting with some new foods, eliminating allergenic and addictive foods and finding the timing of meals that works best with your body. We are preparing our self for this journey! We are starting to repair our digestive system and heal our inside. This is where your body adjusts to a clean diet and prepares starting the Arbonne 7 Day Cleanse, which is added to the regimen to really cleanse the liver and digestive tract.