✝️ Happy Easter Weekend! Celebrate with New Recipes!

Sweet friends,

We want to wish you all a Happy Easter weekend on this Good Friday! Our hope for you this Easter is to enjoy your family and celebrate Christ’s resurrection!

As we've been celebrating "Holy Week" and following the April reading plan from the Gospel of Luke, we remember that today on Good Friday, the day Jesus was crucified, God was at work. The darkness of this day would be overshadowed by joy a couple of days later with the discovery of Jesus' resurrection. Luke 24: 6-7

 He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: “The Son of Man must be delivered over to the hands of sinners, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.” As we celebrate Easter this Sunday, may we know by faith the forgiveness of our sins, a life of purpose meant to bring glory to God, and everlasting joy that does not end with death, because He is Risen!

Happy Easter to all our amazing friends and clients! Please keep following along with us in our April Bible reading plan. Download the free ebook below!

Honor the amazing body that God has given you and fuel yourself with nutritious treats this Easter! We challenge you to step away from the candy and overconsumption, and instead focus on the real reason for the holiday— Jesus' resurrection and the blessings He has given you! Below are four healthy Easter recipes you can enjoy without feeling sluggish later! You can find way more recipes like these on our website HERE.

Try these recipes for your Easter celebration and share them with us on social media! Follow us on Instagram HERE and Facebook HERE!

Spring Breakfast Casserole

Ingredients:

• 1 lb lean ground turkey

• 1 cup of grits

• 2 cups light cheddar cheese

• 5 eggs

• 1/2 cup skim milk

• Salt & pepper to taste

Instructions:

• Brown turkey sausage in a skillet, then crumble in the bottom of a casserole dish.

• Cook grits and add cheese (stir to smooth, let cool).

• Beat eggs, milk, salt, and pepper together. Add to grits mixture.

• Pour over sausage in casserole dish.

• Bake at 350 for 1 hour. (You can refrigerate the night before or even freeze and put in the refrigerator the night before)

Easter Salad with Lemon Dressing

DRESSING

Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup fresh squeezed lemon juice

• 2 Tbsps unsweetened almond milk

• 2 Tbsps apple cider vinegar

• 4 Tbsps extra virgin olive oil

• 1 tsp organic prepared dijon mustard

• 1 Tbsp poppy seeds

• Pinch sea salt

Instructions:

• Whisk all ingredients.

• Serve immediately or refrigerate up to 2 days, whisk again immediately before serving.

SALAD

Ingredients:

• 8 oz organic baby spinach

• 1 diced peach

• 1/2 cup fresh blueberries

• 1/2 cup sliced strawberries

• 3 Tbsps sliced raw almonds

• OPTIONAL: 1/2 lb fresh, small asparagus. Chop to use just the tips.

• 4 oz chopped goat cheese

Instructions:

• Combine all ingredients in a large bowl and serve with Poppyseed Dressing. Enjoy!

Garlic Roasted Carrots

Ingredients:

• 24 baby carrots, tops trimmed to 2 inches

• 2 tablespoons olive oil

• 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar

• 5 cloves garlic, minced

• 1 teaspoon dried thyme

• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

• 2 tablespoons chopped parsley leaves

Instructions:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Lightly oil a baking sheet or coat with nonstick spray.

• Place carrots in a single layer onto the prepared baking sheet. Add olive oil, balsamic vinegar, garlic and thyme; season with salt and pepper, to taste. Gently toss to combine.

• Place into oven and bake for 35-40 minutes, or until tender.

• Serve immediately, garnished with parsley, if desired.

Recipe credit: https://damndelicious.net/2015/01/17/garlic-roasted-carrots/

No-Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookies

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup natural peanut butter

• 1/4 cup honey

• 1/4 to 1/2 tsp sea salt

• 1/4 cup coconut oil

• 1 tsp vanilla

• 2 tbsp cocoa powder 

• 1 cup quick cooking oats

• 1/4 cup shredded coconut

Instructions:

• Line a baking sheet with wax paper and set aside.

• Combine peanut butter, honey, salt, and coconut oil in a saucepan and heat until combined. 

• Add quick cooking oats and mix well.

• Add coconut and stir until completely combined.

• Drop 1 tbsp portions of mixture onto your prepared baking sheet. Press into the shape of nests. Continue until you've used all your cookie mixture. 

• Let cool in the refrigerator or freezer until hardened. Top with your favorite candy eggs.

• Serve cool or at room temperature. Store in airtight container in the refrigerator!

Thank you to our sweet Hannah Cooper for this amazing photo!

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Happy Easter from our TransFit family to you!

Check out our website for blogs, inspiration, recipes, workouts, and so much more!

Let us know how we can serve you! Email us at transfitathens@gmail.com if you have any questions or want to schedule a one-on-one.

Blessings, 

Team TransFit

True Confession of a Perfectionist Trying to Let Go…

Sweet friends,

Does anyone else start to feel the pressure as we head into the holiday season? Why do I do this to myself every year?  Do you feel the pressure to have the perfectly decorated house, the most delicious Thanksgiving meal, and of course, the perfect party dress? Anybody else reading my mail? 

As we enter into the holiday season this year, I crave for things to be different. I am passionate about the saying “I AM ENOUGH.” I want to believe this statement and trust Him in the process.

Sweet sisters, today let’s all replace these lies we perfectionist face with what is true. Let’s say these words loud and clear together:

“I am cherished”

“I am beloved”

“I am good enough”

Because of what our incredible Christ has already done for us; yes, YOU are adored by a faithful God.  What amazing news that is and what a relief when we can actually believe in our hearts what is true about who we really are!

That is why my life mission at this stage in life is to inspire women to transform not only their physical bodies, but their entire lives. Our goal is to help women overcome the lies that we all battle everyday of “the perfect life” and to embrace the gifts they have been given to be able to walk in confidence in who they were meant to be! 

Our annual contest Holiday Extravaganza helps us to maintain our weight over the holidays. Why do we do it?  Because we are called to give our best with what we have been given or should I say gifted? We are called to glorify Him and love others well. We can do this when our physical bodies are at their best. 

You are right, physical transformation is the before and after photos of women losing 50 pounds. We know that good nutrition and proper exercise can lead to weight loss; however, losing weight is not what life is all about. Losing weight or getting to a “number” on the scale doesn’t lead to true happiness. It’s a fleeting jolt of bliss but will never lead to real joy. 

Real transformation has little to do with our body shape and has everything to do with the truths we are putting deep in our hearts and minds.  When His word permeates through our veins daily we can have a genuine life change, and enjoy the process of transformation daily. It’s this transformative journey where we experience deep relationship and the true joy with our God and our community. 

How the truths seep into your veins is not by some physical activity that you do, or by some kind act you performed. The process of transformation is something He does in you over time. 

2 Corinthians 12:9 reminds us, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weakness, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”  He grants us grace when He formed us specifically in the palm of His mighty hand. He is the one who will transform you from the inside out. He can replace the lies that we have to be perfect with the truth that we are cherished and adored. Enough.

I started this business 8 years ago because my mind was leading me in all the wrong directions, and I was in a pit of depression and despair. I had fallen prey to the “not perfect life” so it’s “not worth it life.” However, what was “perfect" in the world was not real. God transformed my life by instilling real truths about my body, my “perfect life”, and what really should be filling my soul.  

He still is transforming me daily, and can transform you. WHY?  Because He loves us and He choose us.  He does this not because we are “a number on a scale” or because we have done all the right things. He made us enough just the way are— today. Right now, this hour, this minute. So remind yourself of that truth. YOU ARE ENOUGH. A scale or a pair of jeans doesn’t need to control you and ruin your day.  You were put on this earth to love, not feel guilt or to beat yourself up over a size or number. Jesus reminds us over and over in His word to “love our neighbor as ourselves.” 

Why is it hard for us to accept this and live this out? And how do we do this, really? 

We start by seeking self-respect, security, and significance in Christ. We start to know Him, spend time with Him, and love Him to be able to truly love ourselves. 

So stop right now telling yourself: “I’m too fat, I’m too old, I’m too tired, or I’m too flawed”

Silence that inner critic who says you can’t, you won’t or you aren’t…because YES you are imperfect; we all are, but YOU ARE ENOUGH. Because of Him, you are worthy, you are loved, you are strong enough to get though whatever comes in your life journey.

 So my challenge to you is this: start treating yourself with love, self-respect, and significance.  

You were fearfully and wonderfully made and specifically designed for an amazing life purpose. You are loved and you are enough.

Today is the day to take action on your goals, your life, your health, and your body. Treat the temple you have been given with utmost care and respect. Love and honor yourself by taking care of yourself. Remind yourself daily, no, hourly who you really are:

You are enough, and you are adored by a mighty and powerful King.

How can we help you, care for you, pray for you? Our staff wants to know you, connect with you and encourage you. Please reach out to us at transfitathens@gmail.com. We would love to schedule one-on-one time for coffee, or a walk or healthy lunch!

Love and Blessings,

Caroline