Let's face it: We live in a culture of "I'm too busy". Too busy to cook, to clean, to exercise, to have fun. I'm just going to tackle the "too busy to cook" part today by sharing a CrockPot recipe that I have fallen in love with. It tastes amazing and only took me 10 MINUTES TO PREPARE!!! This is altered from Good Housekeeping. Here's what you need:
1 onion, sliced.
3 peppers (the choice of color is yours), sliced
1/2 cup picked jalapeños (or more or less depending on your taste)
1 bay leaf
2 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp dried oregano
Salt
2 lbs flank steak (grass fed if you can find it; otherwise make sure it's as lean as possible)
1 14-oz can whole tomatoes, roughly cut up

Load up and mix the onion, peppers, jalapeños, jalapeño, bay leaf, spices and salt. Then, add the beef. Finally, add the tomatoes on top. Cover and cook on low for 9 hours. When it's done, take the beef out to shred with forks. Get rid of the bay leaf. Skim off any excess fat from the pepper mix. And then... EAT! Serves 4-6. Serve with sautéed spinach and a black beans (if they're your thing).

The first time Leslie did a pushup, I jumped up and down clapping for joy. She had worked on pushups on and off for a few months; as it goes for most of my clients, we had started from the very beginning stages. And then one day she busted out a full-on floor pushup like it was no big deal. That's the awesome thing about Leslie: She'd not afraid to take on a challenge and do the ground work needed to get to the ultimate goal. She understands that getting strong and healthy is a process and a journey and that is why she's been so successful at the gym. She brings so much positivity to her sessions that it's contagious. Basically, she's an awesome woman! Meet Leslie!

Please tell me a little bit about yourself!
Here are the numbers on me: I'm a 44 year old mother of 2 (10 and 14), wife of 22 years, 28 hour-a-week genetic counselor, 5 year cancer survivor, and 2 hour-a-week trainee with Izzy.

What were your initial goals when you started training?
For 14 years, I have been on medications which increased both pounds and stress for me. I also have had insulin-dependent diabetes for 28 years and was diagnosed with cancer 5 years ago. Together, these health issues added up and I wanted to get back on track with managing my health and stress levels.  

What has been your biggest celebratory moment so far on your journey?
Sticking with it! In the past, I'd be gung-ho about exercise at first and then my enthusiasm would wane because I wasn't enjoying it (or probably doing it right!). Working out with Izzy has been fun and is something I look forward to instead of dreading! Also, I just feel better and more rested in general, which is something to celebrate, I think!

What do you enjoy the most about your training?
Ball slams, for sure! And chatting with Izzy and my workout partners--this makes it more fun and the time flies too.

Do you have any fitness goals for the rest of this year going into the next?
To stick with my routine with Izzy, plus add some more exercise into my life outside the gym.