Nourished November

It is the second week of November! Time flies when you are having fun TRANSFORMING! We are so pumped to finish 2022 STRONG with you! The BEST is yet to come! Thank you for continuing to transform in EVERY WAY! We just finished The Armor of God (our TransFit Bible Study) and we are excited to start a new Bible Study in January! Message us here if you would like to join us in January!

Holidays will be here in a blink, here are 3 tips to get you started on the right track.

♦️3 TIPS TO START THE HOLIDAYS STRONG♦️

1. Prepare your mindset! Decide today to focus on the reason for the season which is Jesus! Choose to plan your days and protect and prioritize your time over the holidays. Get a new journal or write down in your calendar your focus and your action plan for these next 6 weeks. Recommit to it daily. 

2.Prioritize your movement time this season. Shift your mindset from “I have to workout because I ate too much” to  “I get to workout so I can serve my loved ones well”.  If we are not taking care of ourselves and our bodies, how can we love others well and live fully for Christ? Fitness is not only about how you look but how you LIVE. Release perfectionism this season. Aim to maintain your workouts, your walks, yoga, and your quiet time.  Maintain your healthy habits of movement daily, extra water, and more green foods! Set aside time to set your mind for a successful day, reminding yourself that your health is essential. Thanksgiving and Christmas is time to celebrate our blessings, family, and Jesus.

3. Plan and choose your indulgences.  Planning what & when you can and will control. This is a secret to your success. If you know there is a delicious dessert at the party you will attend, enjoy a small portion, release any guilt, and then have a healthy breakfast the next morning and an extra glass of water. Plan for it! Skip the worldly holiday eating plan of over eating and ditch the diet culture that says you can’t be healthy over the holidays. Enjoy your holiday events with moderation and mindfulness.

Sweet friend, let’s forget about perfectionism over the holidays and go into the holidays with a mindset shift. Think differently going into the holiday season. Make a positive shift in 2022. You can make time to move, you can eat healthy and have treats in moderation, not the all or nothing mentality. Today, get unstuck in the performance and perfectionism culture. Our primary motivation is to honor the body God gave us. Yes, our Holiday Extravaganza starts next week. We are excited to encourage each other to maintain healthy habits daily. Christ centered accountability to keep you LIVING your best during the holidays! Praying for you!

We are focusing on NOURISHING our bodies in November. And this week is all about nourishing our bodies through NUTRITION! What you fuel your body with really does matter! There are SO MANY amazing recipes that are healthy and tasty beyond belief! We want to encourage you to try some of these INCREDIBLE recipes!

Ingredients

• 2 lbs 99% lean ground turkey breast

• 3 15oz cans of great northern beans (or kidney beans)

• 1 15oz can of pumpkin puree

• 1 onion

• 3 cloves of minced garlic

• 1/2 Tbsp chili powder

• 1 Tbsp chili powder

• 1 tsp oregano

• 2 tsp black pepper

• 2-3 cups of low sodium chicken broth

• 1 tsb olive oil

• Salt, to taste

Directions

• Spray large frying pan with oil, and over medium heat, cook the turkey, onion, and garlic for about 4-5 minutes or until mostly white.

• Pour the beans, pumpkin, peppers, spices, and broth into a large pot or crockpot.

• Mis in the pot and let simmer or if in a crockpot, set on LOW for 8 hours or HIGH for 4 hours.

• Garnish with avocado, Greek yogurt, cilantro, and salsa.

• Enjoy!

Ingredients

• 1 cup almond milk

• 1/2 cup pumpkin puree

• 1 serving vanilla protein powder

• 1 frozen banana

• 1 Tbsp ground flax seed

• 1 tsp pumpkin pie spice

• 1tsp cinnamon

• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract

• Crushed ice to fill

Directions

• Place all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth.

• Pour into a glass and top with cinnamon.

• Enjoy!

Stretch more this November! Want to know more about SI joint pain and stretches to help with it? Check out this document on the TransFit website!

4 Exercises to Improve Your Posture

Good morning sweet friends,

Do you ever slump your shoulders? I often I catch myself with a rounded upper back and shoulders. I know as a middle school girl I was embarrassed by my chest... or lack thereof. I vividly remember my friends complaining of having too much in that department, but I always slumped forward in shame. My mom would always come behind me, tug my shoulders back and tell me to hold my shoulders back and head up high. “Remember your posture, Caro,” she would say on rewind. Now, with my own girls and clients, I hear myself saying the same cues hourly. All this talk about posture had me diving into how to improve our body posture. God then whispered, “nothing happens in isolation— everything is connected, body, mind, and spirit. Your physical posture is important but how is the posture of your heart?”

All this posture talk coincides with a term we use at TransFit “Exercise is Worship.”
Really?!?! Are 50 kettlebell swings considered worship?

But here is what we mean by “exercise is worship”: authentic worship is less about the movement of our body and more about the posture of our hearts.

The posture we assume when we come to know Him instead of trying to do for Him.

The posture we take when our spirit is in awe of the gracious and loving mercy-giver who created everything, yet who loves us so.

The posture we need when we feel at our weakest but through a relationship with Him we can be made strong.

Exercise is worship! Let’s stand tall with our best posture keeping our eyes and heart focused on Him.

Worship is an attitude rather than an activity.

Worship is a gift not an obligation.

Worship is the posture of our heart toward our Savior.

Let our worship be in every minute, every movement, and in every day. Let our hearts remember His loving-kindness toward us, which never ends. Why? Because, He is worthy. He deserves the praise of our whole heart - our best posture.

Let our worship as the posture of our hearts be the way we are inside, instead of something we do or who we are on the outside.

Moving into this holiday season help us all to remember:

It is not the posture of our body, but of our heart, that is most important. Everything we do “flows from our heart.” When we worship, let our hearts be lifted in adoration, gratitude, and humility to our gracious God. Let’s stand taller today, sweet friends, shoulders pulled back, head held high because we have been given the most amazing gifts.

“Lord, direct our focus always toward you and teach us to follow you in gratitude and love. Adjust the posture of our heart to be fixed and focused on your love and grace. Amen”

For your physical posture here are 4 exercises you can do today to improve your posture. Maintaining the natural lumbar curve in your low back is essential to preventing posture related back pain. This natural curve works as a shock absorber, helping to distribute weight along the length of your spine. Adjusting postural distortions can help decrease back pain.

Frequently getting up from a seated position and doing these 4 quick and easy realignment exercises can help you re-educate your muscles and improve your posture.

 1. Wall Angel

Stand with your back against a flat wall with your feet about four inches from the base. Maintain a slight bend in your knees. Your glutes, spine and head should all be against the wall.

Bring your arms up with elbows bent so your upper arms are parallel to the floor and squeeze your shoulder blades together, forming a letter "W" Hold for 3 seconds. Then, straighten your elbows to raise your arms up to form the letter “Y.” Make sure not to shrug your shoulders to your ears.

Repeat this 10 times, starting at “W,” holding for 2 seconds and then raising your arms into a “Y.” Do 2-3 sets.

2. Hip Flexor Stretch

Kneel onto your right knee with toes down, and place your left foot flat on the floor in front of you.

Place both hands on your left thigh and press your hips forward until you feel a good stretch in the hip flexors.

Contract your abdominals and slightly tilt your pelvis back while keeping your chin parallel to the floor. Hold this pose for 20-30 seconds, and then switch sides.

3. The X-Move

Kneel onto your right knee with toes down, and place your left foot flat on the floor in front of you.

Place both hands on your left thigh and press your hips forward until you feel a good stretch in the hip flexors.

Contract your abdominals and slightly tilt your pelvis back while keeping your chin parallel to the floor. Hold this pose for 20-30 seconds, and then switch sides.

4. The V-Move

While standing, stagger your feet so one is slightly behind the other. Grasp the handles, or the ends, of the resistance band and lift your arms upward and slightly outward away from your body about 30 degrees.

Keep a slight bend in your elbows. Stop at shoulder level; hold 3 seconds and return slowly.

Make sure to keep your shoulder blades down and back straight. Repeat this exercise for 8-12 repetitions for 3 sets.

Click on the button below to view a demonstration of each exercise from Caroline! You can also view other exercise and stretch videos on our YouTube channel HERE.

We want to encourage you to finish the last week of November nourishing your body and with the best posture! Please let us know how we can help you live transformed. If you have any questions or would like to schedule a one-on-one, please email us at transfitathens@gmail.com.

Blessings,

Team TransFit

🙌 #GivingTuesday: Here's How You Can Be All In

Sweet friends,

Can you believe it is the last week of November?! This month as flown by, and we hope that you had a wonderful Thanksgiving with your friends and family. As we finish this last week of Nourish in November, we want to remind you to nourish not only your body, but your mind and spirit as well. We are so thankful for the life and gifts that He has provided each and every one of us!

You may notice a new addition to our TransFit studio next time you are here! We have set up our Giving Tree! Friends, this Christmas season, TransFit will be partnering with Downtown Academy. We hope to bring lots of joy to teachers and students and are asking clients and friends to purchase fitness equipment for recess, PE and the after school program.

That’s where the Giving Tree comes in! Each ornament on the Giving Tree has a piece of equipment that Downtown Academy needs! All you have to do is pick an ornament, purchase the gift, and return the wrapped gift back to the studio by December 15th.

If you want to help out but don’t want to take an ornament, you can! You can purchase items like footballs, kickballs, jump ropes, rhythm ribbons or other equipment that will keep students moving!

You can drop off gifts at the studio and put them under the tree or give them to any TransFit staff member! Most items can be found at Five Below, Academy Sports, Dick’s, Walmart and Target! We are so excited to GIVE with our Giving Tree this year!

We have a special Cyber Monday SALE for YOU! Use code TRANSFORM20 for 20% OFF of any merchandise on our Etsy! Click the link below to check out our apparel, jewelry, candles and bible study!

Our Holiday Extravaganza challenge is under way! Over 90 people have signed up to participate this year, and that means there is plenty of money to play for! You have already made it through the first challenge day of Thanksgiving! How did you do!?

Get back into food journaling with MyFitnessPal, drinking plenty of water and making sure you are getting in three servings of vegetables! Check out some of our healthy recipes that you can try at home with your family and use the link below to sign up for a session on our app!

We can’t wait to see you in the studio this week to encourage you to finish Nourish in November strong! We want to help you reach your goals. Please email us at transfitathens@gmail.com with any questions or to schedule a one-on-one session! We can’t wait to see you in the studio soon!

Blessings,

Team TransFit

Healthy Swaps and Sides for Your Thanksgiving!

Sweet friends,

We are so thankful for our amazing clients! As Thursday approaches, let's stay focused on everything we are thankful for and enjoy our time with our friends and family. Let's remember we can stay on track, even in the holiday season!

During Thanksgiving, the main idea is to remember PORTION CONTROL. You do not have to avoid dessert and other Thanksgiving favorites completely, but focus on being mindful with your portions. Moderation is the key! Below are 4 Thanksgiving Recipes to help you have your healthiest Thanksgiving yet and that your entire family will enjoy!

Brined & Roasted Turkey

Brined & Roasted Turkey

from Fire and Flavor

Prep Time: 30 minutes + brine time
Cook Time: 2-2 ½ hours
Yields: 8 servings

Ingredients

• 1 (12-14 pound) turkey, neck and giblets removed and rinsed

• 1 package Fire & Flavor Turkey Perfect Brine Kit 

• Cotton string for tying

• 2 tablespoons canola oil

  Directions

1. Brine turkey according to package directions. If using liquid brine, remove turkey from brine and pat dry. Allow turkey to sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before roasting. Preheat oven to 500°F. Place turkey on a roasting rack set inside a rimmed roasting pan or sheet pan. Tuck wings underneath bird and tie legs together; rub generously with oil.

2. Place turkey on lowest level of oven and roast for 30 minutes. Lower oven temperature to 350°F and continue roasting until meat thermometer inserted in thickest part of breast registers 165°F, about 2 – 2 ½ hours.

3. Allow turkey to rest for 20 minutes before for carving.

Quinoa Salad with Roasted Sweet Potatoes and Kale

Quinoa Salad with Roasted Sweet Potatoes and Kale

Yield: 4 servings

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Ingredients

• 2 large sweet potatoes, peeled and chopped

• 1 tablespoon olive oil

• Salt and pepper, to taste

• 3 cups kale, chopped fine

• 5 tablespoons balsamic vinegar

• 1 cup uncooked quinoa

• 2 cups water

• Pinch of salt

• Optional: 1/4 cup walnuts

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Place sweet potatoes in a bowl. Drizzle with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Toss & put them on a large baking sheet lined with foil. Bake in the oven for 30 minutes. Stir a few times while baking.

2. Drizzle kale with 2 tablespoons of balsamic vinegar. Season with salt and pepper and massage, set aside.

3. While the potatoes are roasting, make the quinoa. Using a strainer, rinse the quinoa under cold water. Add quinoa, water, and salt to a medium saucepan and bring to a boil over medium heat. Boil for 5 minutes. Turn the heat to low and simmer for about 15 minutes, or until water is absorbed. Remove from heat and fluff with a fork. Let cool quinoa cool to room temperature.

4.In a large bowl, toss quinoa, sweet potatoes, and kale. Drizzle the salad with remaining three tablespoons of balsamic vinegar and add in walnuts. Stir to combine. Season with salt, pepper, extra olive oil & balsamic to taste and serve. Add in avocado for complete meal! Enjoy!

Green Beans with Pomegranates and Toasted Walnuts

Green Beans with Pomegranates and Toasted Walnuts

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup walnuts

• 1 pomegranate, seeds only

• 1 1/2 pound green beans (haricots, verts or traditional green beans). Fresh is preferred, but frozen green beans work great too.

Vinaigrette Dressing

• 2 tablespoons flax oil, or olive oil

• 2 tablespoons coconut vinegar or apple cider vinegar

• 1 tablespoon shallot, finely chopped or 1-2 teaspoons onion

• 1 teaspoon dijon mustard

• 1/2 teaspoon sea salt

• 1/4 teaspoon pepper

  Directions

1. To toast walnuts, heat a sauté pan over medium heat and add walnuts. Set timer for three minutes. After three minutes, stir and watch until crisp and fragrant. This takes about seven minutes total. Transfer to a bowl so they do not continue to cook.

2. Seed pomegranate.

3. Rinse green beans. Take a small handful and align the ends by tapping them on the cutting board. Cut the tips off all at once and repeat to the opposite end. Do this until all beans are completed. Do not cut beans into pieces; this will make them mushy once cooked.

4. Pour 2-3 inches of purified water into a pot with steamer. Once the water is at a rapid boil, turn the heat to medium, add beans and cover. Steam 5-6 minutes until bright green and tender-crisp. Don’t overcook.

5. In a two-cup glass measuring cup or medium bowl, combine the oil, vinegar, shallot, mustard, salt and pepper. Whisk until oil is incorporated well. Toss the beans with vinaigrette. Store in the refrigerator until ready to serve. Just before serving, sprinkle the salad with pomegranate seeds and toasted walnuts.

Pumpkin-Carrot Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting

Pumpkin-Carrot Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting

Yield: 48 squares

Ingredients

• 2 cups whole wheat pastry flour

• 2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice

• 2 teaspoons baking powder

• 1 teaspoon baking soda

• 1 cup sugar

• 1/2 cup brown sugar

• 1/3 cup Earth Balance butter (or butter)

• 2 eggs

• 2 large egg whites

• 1 can (15 oz.) pumpkin pie filling

• 
2/3 cup finely shredded carrot

• Cream cheese topping:
4 ounces light cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup sugar

• 
1 tablespoon skim milk

Directions

1. Pre-heat oven to 350° F. Spray a 15 x 10  pan with cooking spray.

2. In small bowl, whisk flour, pumpkin spice, baking powder, and baking soda.

3. In larger bowl, use electric mixer to beat sugar, Earth Balance, and brown sugar until crumbly. Add eggs, egg whites, pumpkin pie filling, and carrots. Beat until well blended.

4. Add flour mixture and mix until well blended. Spread onto greased pan.

5. To prepare cream cheese topping: mix together cream cheese, sugar, and milk until thoroughly blended.

6. Drop teaspoon-fulls of topping over pumpkin batter and swirl and cut mixture into batter with a butter knife.

7. Bake for 20 to 30 minutes or until toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

8. Cool in pan completely on wire rack before cutting into squares.

We hope that you and your family have a wonderful Thanksgiving week filled with love and joy! Don’t forget about our challenge to exercise 5x per week and eat at least 3 servings of vegetables per day to Nourish in November! We will be open on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday this week, so come into the studio for a pre-Thanksgiving workout!

Blessings,

Team TransFit

5 Foods to Lose Body Fat & Nourish Your Body!

Sweet friends,

This month we want to encourage you to nourish your mind, body and spirit. We can nourish our bodies by making healthy food choices and giving our body the super foods and nutrients that it needs to thrive. We wanted to share with you 5 of our favorite foods to help you loose body fat and trim excess fiscal fat from your abdominals!

5 Foods to Help Trim Belly Fat

Green Tea

Green tea is one of the healthiest beverages for the body and is filled with antioxidants and plant-based compounds that can help improve your overall health. Green tea is also a great caffeine source, but it does not contain near as much as a normal cup of coffee. Some studies even show that green tea may help boost your metabolic rate and increase fat burning! Tulsi green tea is one of our favorites, and we encourage you to have a cup with breakfast or your afternoon snack this week!

Walnuts

Walnuts are the super nut! These nuts provide healthy fats, fiber, vitamins, and minerals— and that’s just the beginning of what they can do for your health! Walnuts can also help reduce inflammation and support a healthy gut. Because they are calorie-dense, eating walnuts can even help control your appetite, making you feel full quicker and longer! Try our Walnut Crusted Pork Tenderloin recipe for dinner this week!

Sweet Potatoes

Sweet potatoes are one of the best side dishes for you, and they are amazing on top of a salad or with chicken for the fall! They are packed full of Vitamin A and Vitamin C, which fight against aging and disease. Sweet potatoes also keep you full longer and can help you burn fat, while also keeping your sugar levels from spiking! Check out our recipe for Maple Roasted Sweet Potatoes and try it with your family this week!

Kale

This low calorie food is packed with nutrients that you need in your body every day! Kale is an excellent source of Vitamin C and is one of the world’s best sources of Vitamin K, which is crucial for blood clotting. Kale is also low calorie, but provides a bulk that will make you feel full! This food is a WIN! Try our recipe for a Chopped Kale Salad with Butternut Squash and Chickpeas.

Salmon

Salmon is an excellent source of protein, which is a vital component of weight loss. This food is particularly high in omega-3s, which help reduce inflammation and reduce hormones in the body. Add salmon to the top of your salad or try our recipes for Blackened Salmon Tacos or Spinach Stuffed Baked Salmon.

We would like to share a meal plan to help guide your meals through this holiday season! Did you know we have FREE MEAL PLANS available on our website. Download them HERE!

We also have a Fall Meal Plan that you can purchase for only $9.99! This meal plan was created by our registered dietitians, Kaeti Shurling and Katie Woodall and includes four weeks of meal plans, recipes and grocery lists. Download it at the link below!

It’s almost time for our Holiday Extravaganza! For those of you that have never participated, this is your year! The goal is to maintain your weight through the holiday season! The cost is $20 to participate. Weigh-ins will begin the week of November 12-16.

If you maintain your weight, you get your entry money back in January when you come back to weigh-in! If you gain weight, your money stays in the bucket! At the end of the holiday season, we will re-weigh and the biggest loser gets to keep ALL of the leftover money! The top-five finishers will also receive a gift!

Join us in the studio for a session! We have TWO yoga classes to help you nourish your mind body and spirit. Come join our new instructor, Emily Deitz on Mondays at 5:30 p.m. or Caroline on Fridays at 9:30 a.m.

This 55-minute yoga session will increase flexibility and core strength. The postures are connected through the breath for a transformative and balancing effect. The yoga session will burn fat, increase endurance, flexibility and strength. The session will inspire you physically and mentally to live transformed in mind, body and spirit.

Sign up for the session on our app at the link below!

Please let us know how we can encourage you and help you reach your goals! Please email us if you have any questions or if you would like to schedule a one-on-one session or an appointment with one of our nutritionists at transfitathens@gmail.com.

Blessings,

Team TransFit

Exciting November News To Help You Transform!

Sweet friends,

November is here and the holidays are right around the corner! With the joyful holidays comes a lot of temptations of unhealthy foods and lack of exercise, but this month is the perfect time to challenge yourself to stick to your goals!

November is a time of Thanksgiving, and we want to focus on nourishing our bodies this month through mind, body and spirit. We can do it! Instead of diving into those unhealthy foods, let’s view proper nutrition and exercise as a form of worship!

For Nourish in November, we want to challenge you to be active and exercise 5 TIMES PER WEEK and eat THREE servings of vegetables per day! You can go on a nice walk in the cool fall air with your family, come into the studio for a TransFormer session, do yoga, or play with your kids in the backyard! Just be active! One serving of vegetables is typically equal to 1/2 cup. Try to get a minimum of three servings per day.

Download our November calendar below and fill in your exercise and vegetables EVERY DAY. Turn in or send us your calendar at the end of the month for a chance to win A MONTH OF FREE SESSIONS!

It’s almost time for our Holiday Extravaganza! For those of you that have never participated, this is your year! The goal is to maintain your weight through the holiday season! The cost is $20 to participate. Weigh-ins will begin the week of November 12-16.

If you maintain your weight, you get your entry money back in January when you come back to weigh-in! If you gain weight, your money stays in the bucket! At the end of the holiday season, we will re-weigh and the biggest loser gets to keep ALL of the leftover money! The top-five finishers will also receive a gift!

We are excited to share with you our Service Outreach Project for the holidays! Our service project will benefit the students of Downtown Academy, a school just a few miles from TransFit that seeks to provide children of inner-city Athens an excellent and rigorous Christ-centered education that builds knowledge, character and purpose.

We will be purchasing fitness equipment (balls, jump ropes, fitness bands, etc.) for students to use during recess and in their after-school program. This was a need we became aware of recently, and it resonated with our mission here at TransFit. We are passionate about health, which includes mind, body and spirit.

Look for the Giving Tree that will be set up in the studio right after Thanksgiving, with instructions on how you can participate. We look forward to celebrating the birth of Jesus with our clients and community!

Join us for a yoga session on Mondays at 5:30 p.m or on Fridays at 9:30 a.m. to stretch and nourish your body!

This 55-minute yoga session will increase flexibility and core strength. The postures are connected through the breath for a transformative and balancing effect. The yoga session will burn fat, increase endurance, flexibility and strength. The session will inspire you physically and mentally to live transformed in mind, body and spirit.

Sign up for the session on our app at the link below!

We look forward to seeing you in the studio this month! Please let us know how we can encourage you to reach your goals and pray for you! If you have any questions or want to set up a one-on-one session, please email us at transfitathens@gmail.com.

Blessings,

Team TransFit

CYBER MONDAY Deal You Don't Want to Miss!

Sweet friend, 

We hope that you had a great thanksgiving and Black Friday! We hope that you were able to enjoy time with friends and family, reflecting on all that we have to be thankful for! Our BLACK FRIDAY deal was a hit and we hope you joined us! But, if you missed out- Don't fret we have our CYBER MONDAY SALE! 

Check out our merchandise on Etsy HERE! Use the code CYBERMONDAY when checking out for 15% off! 

You can purchase all merchandise on our Etsy site! 

Also, our CYBER MONDAY SPECIAL includes 15% off all sessions, packages, and services. You can  purchase these on our app HERE or website HERE! USE THE CODE CYBERMONDAY when checking out! 

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Here is a great recipe to add to your meal plan after Thanksgiving! 

Leftover Turkey Cobb Salad

SERVES 2

INGREDIENTS:

• 2 slices turkey bacon, cooked and crumbled
• 6 oz cooked turkey breast
• 2 cups cubes butternut squash, diced
• olive oil spray
• 1/8 tsp kosher salt
• black pepper, to taste
• 3 cups mixed greens of choice
• 3/4 oz crumbled goat cheese
• 1/4 cup pumpkin seeds or pecan halves
• 1 tbsp craisins (optional)
• For the vinaigrette:
•  1 tsp dijon mustard
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 3 tbsp red wine vinegar
• 1 tsp maple syrup
• 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt

DIRECTIONS:

1. Preheat the oven to 425F. Place the butternut squash on a large nonstick baking sheet, spray with oil, season with salt and pepper and bake 15 minutes, turn then cook an additional 10 minutes, or until tender. Let cool a few minutes.
2. Meanwhile combine the dressing ingredients in a small bowl and whisk.
3. Divide the greens between two plates, top each with half of the remaining ingredients and dressing.

We hope to see you in the studio this week! If you have any questions, please email us at transfitathens@gmail.com. 

Blessings, 

Team TransFit

A DEAL you DON'T want to MISS!!!

Happy Black Friday! 

We hope each of you had a great Thanksgiving day and were able to spend time with friends and family! We each have so much to be thankful for!  

Today, we are excited to offer YOU a TransFit Black Friday DEAL! We are offering 20% off ANY package, session, or item on our website & the TransFit app. This means that you can purchase ANY item, whether it is personal training, transformer sessions, or a nutrition consultation, for 20% off! You can purchase these packages on our TransFit app or our website and use the code BLACKFRIDAY to receive the discount! Each package will have an expiration of 3 months!

You can also use our BLACK FRIDAY deal on our merchandise on ETSY! Click HERE to go to our Etsy store! 

Enjoy this time with family, but remember to continue to exercise and focus on nutrition. Continue to make everyday count so you can be the biggest loser for Holiday Extravaganza! Check out our app, website, and YouTube channel for recipes and workouts! We can't wait to see you in the studio next week! 

Blessings, 

Team TransFit 

Need New Recipes and Workouts to Transform Your Thanksgiving?

Good morning sweet friends!

What a high energy week in the studio! Thank you!  Each of you are working so hard and we know that you are excited about the Holiday Extravaganza! With the holidays approaching, you may need this weekend to relax, and enjoy a delicious home-cooked  fall meal (click the link to get some great new menu ideas).  Cherish these times, slow down, and be grateful for the relationships in your life. Family meals are can be a time when you can learn what’s going on in everyone’s lives, when you can spark up a fun conversation, and just enjoy sweet company!

If you are like me, you've already begun to think about all the dishes you will "get" to prepare, events you will be going to, and the "full" (not busy) (yet wonderful!) schedule the next few weeks hold. Amidst all of the "fullness" of the season let's stay focused on our goals and be diligent even through the holidays!  There will be times when we will have a treat that maybe we didn't plan for or a day when we will miss a workout- BUT what is important is that you do not allow that to completely take your eyes off of your goals and your progress. If you put that small slip behind you but get right back on track, you will find that you are even better than before!! Patience and perseverance will be the name of the real holiday game!! 

Give each day your best in body, mind and spirit as you seek to become healthier and follow the Lord more each and every day! 

As you prepare for Thanksgiving, here are a few GREAT tried and true recipes from our amazing friends at Fire & Flavor that you can prepare for your family and guests. These dishes are DELICIOUS and so good for your body. You will be left satisfied and not have the miserable fullness that we have all experienced! Treat your body right this Thanksgiving and IT will be thankful!! 

Check out these great recipes from our client Gena Knox and her company Fire and Flavor!

Spice Rubbed Apple Smoked Turkey

Prep Time:  30 minutes + brine time

Cook Time:  About 2 ½ hours

Yields: 8 servings

Ingredients:

• 1 - Fire & Flavor Turkey Perfect Herb or Apple Sage Brine Kit (with bag)
• 12-pound fresh turkey, neck and giblets removed
• 2 large aluminum roasting pans
• 12 whole carrots
• 3 tablespoons canola oil
• 2-3 tablespoons Fire & Flavor Turkey Rub
• Cotton string for tying
• Fire & Flavor Premium Lump charcoal
• 5 cups Fire & Flavor apple wood chips, soaked

FIRST  The day before cooking turkey, prepare brine according to package directions. Place turkey, breast side down in brining bag set inside an ice filled cooler.  Pour prepared brine and ice water over turkey.  Seal bag making sure to press out any extra air.  Brine for 12 hours or 1 hour per pound of turkey. 

NEXT  Remove turkey from brine, pat dry, but do not rinse.  Allow turkey to sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before smoking.   Prepare charcoal grill for indirect heat (if using a Big Green Egg use deflector plate) and heat to 325°F. Double stack aluminum trays and line with carrots.  Place turkey on top of carrots and brush with oil; rub with Turkey Rub making sure to coat all sides.  Tie turkey legs together with cotton string and tuck wing tips under. 

LAST  Add 2 cups of wood chips to charcoal and place turkey over indirect heat.  Close lid and cook for 1 hour.  Add additional wood chips and, if necessary, more coals to keep grill heated to 325°F.  Close lid and continue cooking turkey until meat thermometer inserted in thickest part of breast registers 165°F (cooking time is usually about 12 minutes per pound of turkey).  Carefully remove turkey and pan from grill and let rest for 30 minutes before carving. 

You can brine your turkey a day or two in advance.  Place brined turkey on rimmed baking sheet and refrigerate, uncovered) for up to 24 hours before cooking.   

Wheatberry Salad with Brussels Sprouts, Dried Cherries, and Pecans

This salad is delicious served warm or room temperature and leftovers are perfect over a salad.  If you want to make ahead, toss bacon, pecans and sprouts just before serving. 

Prep Time:  20 minutes

Cook Time:  1 hour
Yields:  8 servings

Salad:

• 4 cups water
• 3 cups low-sodium chicken stock
• 2½ cups wheat berries
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2½ tablespoons olive oil
• 2½ tablespoons lemon juice
• 1/3 cup dried cherries
• 1/3 cup toasted pecan halves, roughly chopped
• 3 strips bacon, crumbled

Sprouts:

• 1¼ pounds Brussels sprouts, trimmed
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 2 teaspoons Fire & Flavor Chicken Rub

FIRST  In a large stock pot, bring water and stock to boil.  Add salt and wheat berries, reduce to a simmer, cover, and cook for about 45 minutes or until berries are tender, but still have a bite.  While berries are cooking, combine lemon juice and olive oil and set aside.  Drain berries, toss with half of dressing; set aide. 

NEXT  Preheat oven to 425°F.  Halve or quarter Brussels Sprouts, depending on their size.  Spread in an even layer on a rimmed baking sheet coated with oil.  Drizzle sprouts with oil and sprinkle with Chicken Rub.  Toss and spread in an even layer, cut sides down.  Roast for about 20 minutes, until edges are brown and crispy, tossing half way through.  Remove from oven and combine with wheat berries. 

LAST  Toss wheat berries with cherries, pecans, bacon, and remaining dressing.  Season to taste with salt and freshly ground black pepper.  Serve room temperature or warm!

Roasted Delicata Squash and Arugula Salad

We love this fall harvest salad with almost any meal.  Delicata squash is easy to slice and roast and adds a slightly sweet, but hearty element to any salad.

Prep Time:  15 minutes
Cook Time:  30 minutes
Yields:  6 servings

• 3 medium delicate squash (about 3 pounds)
• 2 teaspoons brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 8 cups baby arugula
• 3 ounce fresh goat cheese, crumbled
• ½ cup pomegranate seeds
• ½ cup toasted pecan halves

Dressing:

• 3 tablespoons sherry or red wine vinegar
• 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
• 1 teaspoon honey
• ¼ cup olive oil

FIRST  Preheat oven to 425°F.  Cut squash into ½-inch slices and scoop seeds out with a spoon.  Coat two rimmed backing sheets with a little olive oil.  Toss squash with brown sugar and oil and spread in a single layer on baking sheets.  Roast for 25-30 minutes, until both sides are golden brown, flipping until half way through.

NEXT  While squash are roasting prepare dressing.  Whisk vinegar, mustard, honey, and oil; season with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper.

LAST  Toss arugula with enough dressing to coat.  Arrange in a large, shallow bowl or platter and top with squash rings, cheese, pomegranate seeds, and pecans.  Serve immediately.

In addition to these excellent recipes, check out some of our favorite at home workouts! You can find workouts and workout videos on our website HERE and videos on YouTube HERE! We hope that you will check them out and use them during the holidays! 

Continue to honor your body this weekend by putting in-season, nutrient-dense vegetables on your dinner plate! We would love to have you sweat and get those muscles toned before the game, join us 8 AM on Saturday morning! You can find more recipes, workouts, and inspiration on our TransFit app! 

Next week we will be open Monday, Tuesday, and for two sessions on Wednesday! We will be CLOSED Thursday and Friday, but open for session on Saturday morning!

Wednesday will be the LAST day to weigh in for Holiday Extravaganza! The pot is HUGE this year but our hope is everyone will get their money back in January! We have amazing prizes for the top 20 biggest losers! 

 Check out our new SPECIAL LIMITED -TIME Transformational Holiday Bundle with three of our favorite eBooks. Check out how you can transform in body, mind, and spirit over the holidays HERE! 

We look forward to seeing you in the studio! 

Blessings, 

Team TransFit

Are you ALL IN this Holiday Season?!

Happy Sunday, friends! 

Hope you are finding some rest and recovery and time to recharge today. Last week, the TransFit studio was buzzing with excitement and we loved seeing your hard work and dedication to your health! We had the privilege of recently hearing from our new TransFit Registered Dietitian, Kaeti Shurling at our Lunch and Learn. We wanted to share these two key takeaways with you to help you be ALL IN this Holiday Season-

1. Drink 80 oz of water daily and add frozen fruit to make it more flavorful! 
2. Try to eat at least 2-3 servings of fish a week!                                                                        - Fish is packed with omega-3 fatty acids that have a number of health benefits.   Eating a diet with omega -3 fatty acids can reduce memory loss, lower the risk of heart disease, reduce inflammation, and can lower blood pressure! 

These are two tips that you can add to your weekly meal plan today, so that you can live transformed mind, body, and spirit. Kaeti has shared this incredible Grain Bowl recipe with us. Set aside time today to meal prep (download a FREE MEAL PLAN HERE) and plan out your workouts for the week will help you stay focused on your goals and help you stay committed to being ALL IN this Holiday Season! Holiday Extravaganza weigh-in's start this week so bring your $20 and join the transforming holiday challenge! 

Perfect Portions: Grain Bowl 

(500 kcal/portion)

Ingredients (4 Portions):

• 1.5 Onion
• 10 oz Frozen shelled Edamame, thawed
• 1.25 c Uncooked Quinoa
• 1 Lemon
• 2 tsp Minced Garlic
• 2 Zucchini, diced
• 2 cup Chicken Stock
• 2 oz, Walnuts
• 4 Tbsp Olive Oil
• Pepper to Taste

Instructions:

1. In a medium pot, cook quinoa according to quinoa package instructions, using chicken stock instead of water.  

2. Finely dice onion. Zest, then halve lemon.

3. On a baking sheet, toss shelled edamame, diced zucchini, and a drizzle of olive oil. Season generously with pepper. Roast in oven until nicely browned, 15-20 minutes, tossing halfway through.

4. Saute onion and garlic until fragrant and onion is soft and translucent. 

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We can tell that you are ready for Holiday Extravaganza! If you missed our last blog, check it out HERE. But, get ready....it's time for HOLIDAY EXTRAVAGANZA! Grab your $20 and come join us! Weigh ins start TOMORROW! We hope that you are ready to compete for a chance to win the BIG prize! If you, someone in your family, or a friend own a business and would like to join us in the Holiday Extravaganza giveaway baskets and gifts, please email us at transfitathens@gmail.com. We would love any and all donations for prizes weekly and for the top 10 biggest losers!

We are so thankful for each of you! Let's get ready for an amazing Holiday Extravaganza! If you have any questions, please email us at transfitathens@gmail.com. Don't forget to use our app for inspiration, workouts, and recipes! Also shop all our inspirational products on our new TransFit Fashion Etsy Shop! Excited to see you in the studio this week!

Blessings, 

Team TransFit

Are you ready for the most TRANSFORMING Holiday Challenge?

Sweet friend, 

Are you READY to TRANFORM?  Don't let these holidays months fly by and your back to square one in January friends!  Thank you for participating in our October calendar challenge --we are SO proud of each of you! We are so excited to announce our winner, Ellen Sabatini! Ellen exercised everyday in October and had the goal of positive thoughts daily! Ellen and her whole family are the true TRANSFORMERS! Ellen is inspiring our community and teaching children about whole body health. Together, she and the Barrow Buddies at Barrow Elementary School are the winners in the race of life! Thank you, Ellen, for giving your best one day at a time and renewing your body, mind, and spirit- living transformed! 

BUT... now that October has come and gone it's time for everyone to compete for a chance in the BIG Holiday competition and win BIG!

You guessed it... it's time for HOLIDAY EXTRAVAGANZA! 

Time for the Holiday Extravaganza, the best holiday challenge to keep you accountable to your goals over Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years!  If you would like to participate this year, please e-mail us, transfitathens@gmail.com, to find a time for you to come weigh in or weigh in before or after a session! Feel free to invite friends & family to play as well. The pot will be huge this year, but hopefully everyone will take their money back! 

DETAILS OF THE GAME:

Starts the week of November 13th - Finish week of January 8th

Here's how it works: Challenge begins the week of November 13th. In order to play, any person who wants to play puts $20 in the bucket. You will weigh in (cinfdentially) and do your best over the holidays to eat right, exercise, drink water, and do our weekly challenges. On the week of January 8th we will weigh in again. 

If your weight stays the same- you get your $20 BACK! If you gain weight, your money stays in the bucket and you contribute to the biggest looser prize! 

If you are the biggest loser (we use % of weight lost) you get to keep all the money in the bucket! Our top five winners will also receive a special gift basket! The Holiday Extravaganzas is the best way to keep you accountable over the holiday season! Let's do it! 

Last year our 1st place winner won $950 cash!!

If you have any questions, please email us at transfitathens@gmail.com. We can't wait to enter into one of our favorite times of the year! Let's hold each other accountable and make this the best holiday season for our body, mind, and spirit. We believe in YOU! We hope you will join us! 

Blessings, 

Team TransFit

AND Biblical Meditation the first Tuesday of every month from 12-1 PM! 

November is HERE! How can you kickstart your nutrition this month?

Happy November sweet friends!

All of a sudden, November is here and the holidays are right around the corner! Often it seems we associate the holidays with being surrounded by unhealthy foods and lack of exercise; however, November is the best time of year to focus on nutrition and cardiovascular exercise! In light of Thanksgiving we want to focus on being thankful for our bodies by respecting and taking care of them. You can do this viewing exercise as worship and proper nutrition as a way to be thankful for the healthy body you have! Practicing these healthy habits diligently and staying accountable to your goals through the holiday season will help you honor your body! 

Friends, let’s light a fire down deep and have a passion to become more motivated than we have all year in time for this holiday season.  You can stick to your plan and reach your goals through the holidays! At TransFit we believe in you and we are excited to help you be the best YOU!  

We would love for you to come join us Friday at 12:30 PM for our Lunch and Learn. We will discuss the importance nutrition, tips for the holiday season, and how to feel your best for to finish 2017 strong . You will have the opportunity to hear from our new registered dietitian, Kaeti Shurling, and eat and fellowship together.  Please sign up on our app under SPECIAL EVENTS! If you have any questions, please email us at transfitathens@gmail.com.

We wanted to share one of our new fall recipes with you, today! Enjoy! 

Chopped Kale Salad with Butternut Squash & Chickpeas

SERVES: SERVES 4 AS MEAL - OR 8 AS A SIDE

Ingredients

For the Salad

• 1 large bunch of kale 
• 4 cups of any other green lettuce (chopped spinach, broccoli slaw, more kale)
• 2-3 cups large diced butternut squash
• 1 15 ounce can chickpeas (garbanzo beans), drained and rinsed
• 1 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 1 tablespoon curry powder
• ½ teaspoon of cayenne pepper
• Kosher salt
• ½ cup toasted pecan
• OPTIONAL: Chopped chicken or other protein, pomagranate

For the Dressing

• 2 tablespoons tahini
• ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
• 2 tablespoons white wine vinegar
• 1 teaspoon honey
• ½ teaspoon kosher salt

Instructions

1. Prep kale by cutting out the tough ribs of the kale and discard. Chop kale and add to a large bowl.  
2. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Add the diced butternut squash and rinsed chickpeas to a baking sheet lined with foil. Drizzle with the extra virgin olive oil, curry powder and cayenne. Mix until the squash and chickpeas are well coated. Sprinkle with kosher salt and bake for 20-25 minutes or until squash is tender and chickpeas are lightly browned.
3. Meanwhile add the dressing ingredients to a small mason jar. Shake to mix and taste for more seasoning or vinegar if desired.
4. Transfer the butternut squash and chickpeas to the bowl of kale. Add the pecans and drizzle with the tahini dressing. Toss to coat. Allow to rest for 10 to 30 minutes before serving so kale softens. Add chicken or other protein! Enjoy!

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We want to spend November focused on being grateful for the body we have and that we have the abilities to treat our bodies well. Let’s choose to make choices today and every day to treat our bodies with love and respect. 

We are excited to reach new goals with you this month and watch you achieve new things and begin living an even healthier lifestyle! If you have any questions, please email us at transfitathens@gmail.com. 

Blessings, 

Team TransFit