June is for HOT HOT Specials!

Everyone loves a good SALE right? Seriously, you would be kidding yourself if you said you didn't look for a good deal!

Well I have a few REALLY AWESOME deals for you for June... ready? Let's go!

21 Day Fix Challenge Pack

(also in Spanish)

Yes that is CORRECT! The 21 Day Fix is back on sale, just in time for a good ol fashioned summer slim down!

Let's talk the Fix... What is it exactly, and why is it so popular? You have probably seen the commercials late at night or early in the morning, so let's explore it a little further!

Check out the Commercial!!!

What do you get inside your Challenge Pack when you purchase the 21 Day Fix?

(a challenge pack is when you select a workout program, and any flavor of Shakeology!)

• 21 Day Fix workout dvds
• Shakeology bottle
• Containers for portion control
• 21 Day Fix meal guide and recipes
• Bonus dvd for purchasing through me, your coach!

Everything pictured comes in your box!

But I left out two very important things!!!

1. Shakeology! The healthiest meal of the day. When you sign up for a challenge pack, you are signing up for complete success. 

Don't think that you can leave one piece of the puzzle out, and think that it is finished!

Would you only brush the top teeth and forget the bottom? NO!

So why would you leave out the most KEY ingredient to achieving the best results with this program?

You get to choose your favorite flavor, or order a variety box!!

2. You get FREE ADMISSION into my next challenge group.

Fitness + Nutrition + Support = Success

And that support comes from me, your FREE Beachbody coach! I will get you into an accountability group with others just like you, helping motivate you, keep you on track, and be there for support. Plus we do fun games for prizes and have recipe swaps!!

Don't think that you have to eat out of those containers!

You get a full plate of food at every meal!

Perfectly portioned for you!

So how about those results? 

These results are not guaranteed.... I have to say that... but everyone has their own potential!

What is your potential??? Will you GO FOR IT or will you sit on the sidelines and watch others succeed????

This is your chance to finally get everything in line, and get back your body and your life!

Summer is not to be wasted under thick clothes or big cover ups! Show it off, feel confident, be you!

So Erika.... what is the PRICE?????

The 21 Day Fix Challenge Pack is ON SALE for $140 for June.

What does that mean??? Well let me tell you!!!!!

Shakeology is valued at $129 a bag. 

So if you combine Shakeology and the workout program... you save big!

For more info on Shakeology and price... go here!

It is like getting the Fix program (containers, dvds, bonus dvd, meal plan, and cup) for $10!!!!!

Along with your purchase, you get to enjoy 30 days FREE of Beachbody OnDemand...

Think Netflix for workouts! They included over $5000 worth of programs (entire programs) in this streaming program, available anywhere you can get internet! (I use mine on my phone!!!)

So you can try Cize, P90X, Insanity, Turbofire, Hip Hop Abs, Piyo..... just to name a few... for free for 30 days!

To read more about OnDemand, go here! 

So are you pumped?

Are you ready to get your FIX on with me later in JUNE?

Then leave a note in the comments.... or find me on Facebook!

www.facebook.com/erika.levarse

Email: mommyburgh@gmail.com

www.beachbodycoach.com/erikalevarse (look for the 21 Day Fix banner on the page!)

#KarissaStrong Challenge

This past month I decided to work with a charity is giving back to Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh. And because of the great success with that, I wanted to search for a new charity to get involved with that really touched my heart.

After a lot of thinking and searching, I came across my friend Paul Kunko on Facebook.

Here is the story of his daughter Karissa....

Recently Karissa's attacker was found guilty and sentenced to death. Some may say that this ordeal is close to being over, that we can all move on, but domestic violence is still very real in the lives of many women. Karissa's story is just one of many, but by putting her story in the spotlight, and the recent verdict by the courts, will send a very strong message that families will not take this laying down. They will no longer be silent. And hopefully, we can save life before it has to get to this point.

I am teaming with Futures Without Violence to donate all proceeds in Karissa's name.

So how does fitness relate to all of this?

After talking with Paul, we both bonded over our careers in fitness. He was a personal trainer before all of this happened to his family, and I am a Beachbody coach who teaches group fitness classes. 

We both agreed that health and fitness can play a large part in EMPOWERING women to have a voice, and to have the self esteem to ask for help. A lot of domestic violence cases are SILENT because the woman is too scared to reach out for help, in fear of her attacker. We will be silent no more.

How will this work?

There are multiple ways that you can help. 

1. I am donating ALL of my commissions from any sales through my site to Futures Without Violence in Karissa's name. I will make no money from these sales, everything will go towards the fundraiser. I will tally the total at the end of the time period, and put it in our official GOFUNDME site. 

2. You can donate directly to the GOFUNDME site.

3. We are organizing a fitness class for anyone to attend. Come sweat it out with us, and all proceeds (admission and donations) will go towards Karissa's fund for Futures Without Violence. 

* Information on the fitness class will be up as soon as I secure a location and date! *

#KarissaStrong Challenge

So lets talk about the first item on that list... I work as a Beachbody coach. I help people find a fitness program and nutrition program that will best work towards their needs, and then place them into one of my free challenge groups for accountability while they are starting their journey with the chosen program. 

Programs range from the 21 Day Fix, T25, Insanity, P90X, Body Beast, Piyo, Slim in 6, Insanity Max 30, P90, P90X3, 21 Day Fix Extreme, Tai Cheng.... and more!!!!!!!

I'm sure you have seen some commercials ;)

If you are interested in joining us for a 21 day Challenge, called the #KarissaStrong challenge (official hashtag we will use when posting!), you can purchase a brand new program and I will put you in our private group. We will have an official start date in late June, so you have plenty of time to buy a program, grab some friends, and come sweat it out with us.

We are sweating for something A LOT BIGGER than us. Domestic violence is real and scary... and often a very lonely place to me mentally. If anything, this will send a message of COMMUNITY. That no one has to do this alone, and we can come together for not only a great cause, but to better ourselves in the process.

I will set up the FREE challenge, only cost for admission is to purchase a program and come ready to workout from the comfort of your own home! Grab some friends to join us, or to join you in your living room each day!

We will talk fitness, nutrition, and I will provide tips on clean eating and family friendly healthy recipes!

There will also be prizes along the way!

Everyone who participates is eligible for a FREE tshirt as well! 

Again, all commissions from purchased items will go towards Karissa's fund for Futures Without Violence. 

So are you in???

If you are interested in joining our challenge, or for more information on the Live fitness class in honor of Karissa, please add me on Facebook!
www.facebook.com/erika,levarse 

Or email me at mommyburgh@gmail.com 

7 Day Clean Eating Meal Plan (Kid Friendly)

7-Day Clean Eating Meal Plan (Kid-Friendly)

My kids are slowly adapting to a clean eating lifestyle. The key? Gradually exposing them to new tastes and flavors.  Eventually they do catch on. This is a clean eating menu plan my own kids will eat. If your kids aren’t up to a totally clean diet yet, don’t give up! It takes time and persistence – plus great role modeling.

This menu plan contains products and ingredients from ALDI, but you can get them just about anywhere.  I do use spices and basic pantry ingredients I have at home already (and you probably do too), so they’re not on my grocery list.  Be sure to read the recipes completely before creating your own grocery list.

Day One: Monday

• Breakfast:  Scrambled eggs in whole grain wraps (add-ins to taste)
• Snack:  Trail Mix and fruit
• Lunch:  Whole grain spaghetti with marinara sauce (make a double batch so you have lunch for tomorrow too)
• Snack:  Homemade hummus or ALDI hummus with whole grain crackers
• Dinner:  Turkey burgers  with sweet potato fries and sweet chipotle dip

Day Two: Tuesday

• Breakfast:  Simply Nature Honey Toasted Oats Cereal with milk
• Snack:  Trail Mix and fruit
• Lunch: Whole grain spaghetti with marinara sauce
• Snack:  Yogurt-covered blueberries
• Dinner:  Crock pot rotisserie chicken with mashed potatoes and peas

Day Three: Wednesday

• Breakfast:  Raspberry Protein Shake
• Snack: Banana
• Lunch:  Leftover chicken in whole grain wrap
• Snack:  Homemade air-popped popcorn
• Dinner:  Spanish omelet with Greek yogurt instead of sour cream

Day Four: Thursday

• Breakfast: Scrambled eggs in whole grain wraps (add-ins to taste)
• Snack:  Fruit
• Lunch: Leftovers
• Snack:  Cookie Dough Greek Yogurt
• Dinner:  Clean Eating Chicken Tenders  (made extra for a lunch one day)

Day Five: Friday

• Breakfast:  Simply Nature Honey Toasted Oats Cereal with milk
• Snack:  Apple slices and Trail Mix
• Lunch: Greek Chicken Wraps (I leave out the olives because my kids don’t like them)
• Snack:  Air-popped popcorn
• Dinner:  Broiled tilapia with Parmesan roasted cauliflower 
  

Day Six: Saturday

• Breakfast:  Raspberry Protein Shake
• Snack:   Homemade hummus or ALDI hummus with whole grain crackers
• Lunch: Clean Eating Chicken Tenders
• Snack:  Yogurt-covered blueberries 
• Dinner:  Whole wheat gnocchi bolognese

Day Seven: Sunday

• Breakfast: Simply Nature Honey Toasted Oats Cereal with milk
• Snack:  Homemade hummus with whole grain crackers
• Lunch:  Leftovers
• Snack:  Raspberry Protein Shake
• Dinner:  Copycat Chipotle Steak Burrito Bowls

Clean Eating Meal Plan Shopping List

• One bag frozen raspberries
• One container blueberries
• One gallon skim milk
• One loaf whole wheat bread
• Greek yogurt (two containers)
• Hummus (or ingredients to make it)
• Skim milk (one gallon)
• Whole grain crackers
• 3 dozen eggs
• 5-lb. bag potatoes
• Sweet potatoes
• Frozen tilapia
• Popcorn
• Onions (white)
• Red onion (one)
• Frozen corn
• One can black beans
• One jar Simply Nature marinara sauce
• Cilantro
• Whole wheat gnocchi
• Whole chicken
• Chicken breast
• Skirt steak for burrito bowls
• Rice
• One lime
• 2 jalapeños
• Trail Mix
• Bananas
• Apples
• Low-fat cottage cheese
• Roma tomatoes
• Romaine lettuce
• Fit & Active Whole Grain Pasta (Spaghetti)
• Fit & Active Whole Grain Wraps

Find me on FACEBOOK! www.facebook.com/erika.levarse   

Why Is Shakeology So Expensive?

Now check this out!

Want more details on Shakeology and how it can help you???

www.facebook.com/erika.levarse

Clean Eating Challenge: Seasonings

Here's a fast and easy way to bring your savory foods to life!

Just combine these herbs, mix well, and store them in an airtight container. Use them as a rub for roasting or grilling chicken, meat, or fish, or use them to spice up ground chicken, turkey, or beef. You can also use these mixes to flavor rice, lentils, beans, quinoa, and veggies!


{These mixes are all-you-can-eat for the 21 Day Fix meal plan}


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

All-Purpose Seasoning
4 tsp onion powder
2 tsp garlic powder
2 tsp mustard powder
1/4 tsp dried thyme
1/4 tsp ground black pepper
1 tsp sea salt


Smoky Southwestern Seasoning
1 Tbsp chili powder
2 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp coriander
1/2 tsp onion powder
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp dried oregano
1/2 tsp smoked paprika
1 tsp sea salt


Mediterranean Seasoning
4 Tbsp dried parsley, crushed
4 tsp dried onion flakes
2 tsp dried basil, crushed
1 tsp ground oregano
1 tsp ground thyme
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp sea salt
1/4 tsp ground black pepper

Don't Let Life Run You!

When I graduated from college, I was pretty scared. I thought... okay now what? Because I sort of left without a plan. I figured, I'd apply to places, get hired, and then my adult life would start. I didn't take advantage of things like job placements or internships in school, I thought the degree would speak for itself. 

I left school and picked up more shifts working retail, because I had the time, and I was really good at it! I was a natural at talking to people and helping them with clothes... seriously, that is like the easiest job. So that easy job turned into just moving up in rank, and moving to better opportunities. I honestly thought that I found my thing. I was going to be a store manager, maybe work at corporate and my life would just fall into place piece by piece.

But after having my second child, a lot of stuff started to change, and looking back now, I see that was just a sign from God telling me to WAKE UP and listen. But I didn't, I kept pushing thinking I just had to get through all the crap to get to the good stuff. But the good stuff never came, it actually got worse. I left work crying, and if you know me, I am NOT a cryer!! 

I rarely got to bathe my kids. Our only interactions for the day were the conversations we had on our way to daycare, and usually my head was racing so much that I would turn up the music to drown them out. I came home late and worked A LOT of unpaid hours. My soul belonged to this job that I convinced myself meant a lot to me. Why?

I was consumed by proving that I was something, and rank and titles at work meant I was someone. When in reality, I was missing out on the best job of all... being a mom, and being me. 

This February I took a huge leap and gave up well over a decade of working retail... all those years that I built up to get somewhere... I gave it all up to be home with my girls, and figure out what God was trying to say to me years ago. 

My job as a Beachbody coach is NOT to sell you workout programs and an expensive shake (it's not expensive! lol)... my job is to show you that you have potential. Working out is FAR MORE than just "getting skinny" or "losing weight"... it is doing something for yourself that will forever resonate in your life. There is a ripple effect in taking charge of your health and fitness... and it is very real. 

So when I invite you to a challenge group or tell you that I think you'd be an amazing coach... I am not saying that to make money from you. I actually make very little from both of those things. I do it because someone did it for me. It took me YEARS after to finally understand why she did it... but sitting here today, being able to design my life that I love with my two precious girls... I can only hope that each and every one of you have this feeling too... and seriously go after those dreams. 

Life is WAY TOO SHORT to get caught up in what you SHOULD BE when you could be spending time finding out the unlimited amount of things you COULD BE. 

xoxoxoxo

p.s. my next challenge group is starting PRE SEASON on Thursday. If you own a program or want to give something new a try, get in contact with me! I'd love to have you!!!!

To join... please fill out this application!

https://beachbodyerika.wufoo.com/forms/application-for-challenge-group/

Clean Eating Challenge

Clean Eating Challenge

Choose ONE QuickStart Guide below. Follow that plan for the first 5 days of the challenge. THEN choose your meals from the menus at the bottom of this page (scroll down).

Turbofire Quickstart

T25 Quickstart

HipHop Abs Quickstart

TIPS: 
Follow the plan as written. If you don’t see it on the menu – don’t eat it.

Water: A minimum of 64 oz. water, spaced throughout the day. Squeeze half a lemon into each glass of water.

Avoid coffee, soda and processed sugars. Some people may experience a headache, especially if they’re used to drinking coffee. This is normal and will subside in 1 to 3 days. Drinking water helps.

Drink water! Drinking enough water daily will help keep you hydrated, flush out toxins, soothe headaches, and ease any stomach upsets. Skip other liquid refreshments (including soft drinks) these first 5 days. If you’ve gotta have your java note that your one cup a day is in addition to your water amount for the day; don’t skip a glass of water in exchange for a cup of coffee – NOT EQUAL. Also, measure what you are putting in your coffee. You do not need more than 1 tbsp of creamer (preferably non-dairy — coconut creamer is delish!) and try to avoid artificial sweeteners.

SHAKEOLOGY: if you are not currently on Shakeology replace that “meal” with a meal or snack listed below. Or feel free to sub your own smoothie/juice.

If you’re hungry, it’s normal. This is a short term jump-start that reduces your intake to help you shed excess pounds and inches quickly. So you’re supposed to be hungry.

Depending on your weight & goals, you may need more calories during these starts. I’ve included notes about how to add calories and still stick with the plan.

EXERCISE - You should be getting at least 30 mins (25 mins if you’re doing T25) of ACTIVE exercise a day. Start out with at least 3 days a week and work up to 5 days a week. Get moving to get your heart rate up! Other ways to incorporate exercise: park your car far away, take the stairs, walk the dog, play tag with your kids, put on some music and DANCE! If you are looking for an at home workout program let me know — I have TONS to choose from!

*** If you are breastfeeding, please consult me before starting the program. I am not a nutritionist, but I would like to know of any issues before we start. That was we can all work together is your doctor on what is best for you and baby! ***

If you really need more food:

Here are some low-calorie snacks to help you through the day! Before giving in to any of these extras, though, try drinking more water. Water can help the hunger or cravings subside. Often we feel we are hungry, but really our bodies need more water.

Add 1 hardboiled egg white to the morning snack, the afternoon snack, or the late snack.

Add cut-up raw veggies (like cucumber, peppers, celery or radish) to your lunch or snack.

Add 2 to 4 oz. of lean protein to your lunch.

Let yourself rest for a full 8 hours each night.

____________________________________________________________

Once you have completed the quickstart, please use these recipes to choose your meals for the rest of the challenge, if you opt to keep going! 

Breakfast Recipes

Lunch Recipes

Dinner Recipes

Snack Recipes

Shakeology Recipes

____________________________________________________________

What Is Clean Eating?

What is Clean Eating?
Are you wondering what clean eating is? Would you be surprised to hear that there really aren’t any fitness goals you can achieve without it? This may seem extreme, but the simple truth is, you just can’t get healthy without eating healthy. You can exercise from the time the rooster crows until the cows come home, but if you make a run through your local drive-through afterwards, you just are not going to get anywhere. Food is the big ticket to good health. If you eat garbage, your body will show it. If you eat whole, healthy and fresh foods, your body, skin and soul will glow and you’ll have endless energy.

How To Eat Clean:

• Eat Lots of Plants

Eat food that is straight from nature. Some people say “as close to the way nature made it as possible.” But I think that leaves too much wiggle room – in my humble opinion. Eat mostly foods that are off a tree, bush, plant or vine, and you’ve pretty much got it covered. The idea is to stay away from anything that humans (food corporations) have altered in any way.

• Include Meats

Eat meats that are whole and straight from the butcher. Don’t buy pre-packaged meat products because you never know what’s in them. When possible, buy whole meats and grind them yourself. You’d be surprised what’s in ground turkey meat! You can also select a few turkey breasts and ask that the butcher grind them for you. Many butchers are more than willing to accommodate. If visiting a butcher is unrealistic – buy organic, hormone free meats.

• Enjoy Grains

Eat grains that are still complete and haven’t been broken down into “glue”. Stick to brown rice, whole wheat and other whole grains.

• Read Labels

Be Careful! I don’t know how many loaves of bread I’ve picked up at the store that say they are whole grain. But when I take a look at the ingredient list, white flour is the second ingredient after whole wheat flour!

• Eat Fewer Ingredients

Try not to purchase foods that have more than 3-6 ingredients in the ingredient list. And be sure you recognize each and every ingredient. If you find a “mystery ingredient” such as “spices”, contact the company! Ask them what they consider to be spices. If it’s anything other than honest-to-goodness herbs and spices, avoid it! And remember, if you can’t pronounce it, it probably shouldn’t go into your body.

• Eat 5 to 6 Small Meals a Day

This may seem like a lot at first. But remember, you are eating smaller portions. If you have a really hard time with this, prepare your regular three meals and a snack for the day, and divide lunch and dinner in half. That way you’ve instantly got 6 small meals!

Short 4 Minute Video

In Conclusion:

Many folks who are very accustomed to processed foods have a difficult time with (i.e., don’t like the taste of) the natural flavors of real food. They claim they don’t like vegetables or anything much that is healthy. If you are one of these people, I’m here to tell you that over time, your taste buds WILL change. If you start eating this way regularly, you’ll see that eventually, the stuff you used to love just doesn’t taste the same any longer. I’ve even found this to be true with organic foods. There are certain foods I ALWAYS buy organic. On occasion, when these foods become available to my dinner plate in a non-organic version, I can definitely taste the difference! It’s amazing how “numb” our taste buds have become to real foods. Give it time. You’ll learn to love your spinach!

Team Call... Master Your Mindset

I seriously sound like a broken record talking about these amazing team calls that I get to sit in on... but they are for sure the bread and butter of my business.

No other company would set standards like this... without even really setting them! No one at corporate said that we have to get on team calls, have guest speakers, take time away from our business to pay it forward for another team.... but we do! And we do it with a smile.

I love that Beachbody is all about SHARING. Sharing our experiences with the products, sharing how it has changed our lives, and sharing the information we find with other coaches. There is no ME... there is only TEAM!

A great example of this occurred on our team call last night.... usually it is just us sitting around talking about how our businesses are going... but last night we had a surprise guest speaker. She is not even a member of our team, but she took time away from her team to talk to us about MINDSET... and I am forever grateful for this call.

I myself and on the STRUGGLE BUS when it comes to mindset, but she really helped me get out of my negative nancy talk and into a more positive light.

Here is the call...

Enjoy!!!!

And as always... here are my notes!!!!

• Surrender to the fact that running this business will be hard, having to have an open mind/heart, and trying something NEW for a change. The same stuff that got you places before will no longer matter here. 
• The only difference between successful people and not successful people is MINDSET - GOOD THINKING! Every single morning, THINK about your THINKING. How will you DECIDE to go about this day? Because it is a choice.
• Success is 50% mindset and 50% action
• You reap what you sow = you reap what you SOAK.... in other words, be a sponge!
• Empower yourself, because no one else can do that for you. Stop being a victim and start being a VICTOR! 
• Whatever you put out there, will be what you get in return. If you are putting out negative vices, you will attract negative people. 
• Try this... replace the word FAILURE with the word STUMBLE. Doesn't seem so bad anymore right? Instead of "I am afraid to fail" which is a really valid concern, you can change it to "I am afraid to stumble." That is a lot easier to work through mentally. 
• The only time you FAIL is when you QUIT. 
• Look for lessons in every stumbling block... like Carl said in the previous call... every NO is an opportunity to just ask "how can I do better?"
• Live in a 2 year world... imagine how life will be 2 years from now... will what you are going through this very second MATTER 2 years from now? If not, then don't stress about it. Be the SOLUTION to the problem, instead of waiting for others to help you solve it. 
• Compound effect... what can you control? One little step today, and each day, will be what truly effects your business in the long run. 

Personal Development:

"Lean In" by Sheryl Sanburg

"You are a Badass" by Jen Sincero

"No Excuses" by Brian Tracy

"The Go Giver" by Bob Burg 

"Thinking for a Change" by John C Maxwell 

Bombshell Dynasty Call with CEO Carl Daikeler

Last night was a pretty awesome night for my team... I hosted a little team chat prior to our larger team call, that happened to feature the CEO of Beachbody: Carl Daikeler. It is certainly not every day that the top dog of a company hops on a call to chat with a team for 45 minutes!

But that is just how loving and caring our "boss" is here at Beachbody. He had a scheduled call with Lindsay Matway, and instead of it being a one on one, they decided to host a call for our entire team. I think nearly 1000 people attended that call... crazy!!

My team is made up of relatively newer coaches, and this was the first LIVE team call, not just listening to recordings... so it was extra special to have them on, hear them chat at the beginning, listen to Carl, then chat afterwards!

Here is the recording of the call.....

Enjoy!!!

My Notes:

• If you fail 100% of the time, but decide to get 1% better each week... then in one year you will be a little over 50% better than where you started. You just went from 0 to 50 in a year... and that is pretty amazing. Small steps add up to big successes.

There are 4 responses you will get from a potential customer... write these down on a notecard along with answers or responses on the back....

1. They say "YES!" and are all in! 
2. "I'm not sure..."
3. "No." - but will offer you a referral
4. "No." - but refuse to offer a referral.

1. Move forward and get them started with a Challenge Pack!
2. Solve a problem for them (weight, time, consistency), match their goal to the product ("I thought you said you wanted to lose 10 lbs before summer"), you have just started coaching (not selling to them) and your journey starts now before the actual sale, offer the money back guarantee!
3. Ask them for a referral of 2 people who might be interested, and tell them you will always be right here when they have questions.
4. Use this as a learning experience, "Can you help me do better next time?" 

~ Be an active business person, do not take a No as a failure, but as a way to learn!

• You cannot save people! They have to be fully willing to commit, or else you will just be going over the same things with them every single time and getting nowhere! "I'm all in, if you are willing to do the work!" 
• "I am not a limo driver, I am the traffic cop." You cannot shuttle people to their destination, but you can point them in the right direction.