Hammer and Chisel Launch

The Master's Hammer and Chisel 

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What is The Master’s Hammer and Chisel™?

For the very first time, trainers Sagi Kalev and Autumn Calabrese have teamed up to create an expert program designed to help you craft a powerful, perfectly defined body. The Master’s Hammer and Chisel is an innovative resistancetraining system that incorporates three muscle-sculpting phases—Stabilization, Strength, and Power—or SSP Training. This is how Sagi and Autumn help you efficiently build, chisel, and refine a masterpiece physique in just 60 days. 

About your Trainers

Co-creators Sagi Kalev and Autumn Calabrese are experts when it comes to incredible physical transformations. Sagi has been crowned Mr. Israel— twice—and is a Master Professional Personal Trainer, IFBB Pro, member of the IFBB Propta Hall of Fame, Certified Nutrition Specialist, and Functional Diagnostic Nutritionist. Autumn Calabrese is a celebrity trainer, best-selling author, and working mom who has held certifications from the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) and the American Fitness Professionals & Associates (AFPA), and has competed at the national level in various bikini competitions.

I have had the opportunity to workout with Sagi and meet them both on a couple of occasions, and let me tell you they are the real deal! Super kind, passionate about helping others and a dedication to ensuring others success!
                            

Ready to rock this program??  Click here

What makes The Master’s Hammer and Chisel incredibly effective and unique? 

• The Master’s Hammer and Chisel is built on the three phases of SSP Training— Stabilization, Strength, and Power. Other workouts only focus on one or two phases, which might give you decent results. But The Master’s Hammer and Chisel program incorporates all three methods to help you relentlessly chip away fat and carve every muscle for a strong, visually stunning body in 60 days.
• 12 brand-new, 30- to 40-minute workouts that combine Sagi and Autumn’s proven techniques for 60 days of hardcore resistance training.
• Sagi and Autumn make eating for your goals simple. That’s why they included their easy-to-follow and completely customizable nutrition plan, along with 7 portion-control containers that show you how to portion out the right amount of food to help you reach your unique fitness goals.
• Flexible nutrition that allows you to lean out, sculpt and maintain, or build muscle.
• Includes options to adapt certain exercises if you have limited access to equipment.
• Includes a modifier who demonstrates some moves at a lower intensity

Who should complete this program?

• People looking for a comprehensive resistance training or muscle-sculpting program - Create a body that’s a true work of art with 30- to 40-minute resistance-training workouts that incorporate SSP Training’s three phases of sculpting—Stabilization, Strength, and Power—to help you rapidly build, chisel, and refine your body to reveal incredible definition in just 60 days.
• Those who liked Body Beast® or 21 Day Fix EXTREME® or Trainers Sagi Kalev and Autumn Calabrese - For the very first time, fitness competitors and personal trainers Sagi Kalev and Autumn Calabrese have teamed up to bring you a total-body transformation program, one that combines their motivating styles with their proven training methods and nutrition plan.
• People who crave a simple, flexible nutrition plan to help them reach their unique goals. - Sagi and Autumn recognize that everyone has different fitness goals and their easy-tofollow nutrition system lets you customize your eating plan to reach them. So whether you want to carve a lean, toned body, sculpt and maintain what you’ve got, or build more muscle, you’ll eat the right portions to sculpt your ultimate physique.

Whats Included?
BASE KIT WHAT’S THE BENEFIT?

• Portion-control containers + workouts 12 hardcore workouts on 6 DVDs Efficient 30- to 40-minute resistance-training workouts that will help you build muscle, sculpt incredible definition, and lose weight for a strong, visually stunning physique. 
• 7 color-coded, portion-control containers Whether you want to lean out, sculpt and maintain what you have, or build more muscle, you don’t need complicated meal plans to reach your goals. With 7 color-coded, portion-control containers, this is one nutrition plan that’s easy to follow. 
• The Master’s Hammer and Chisel Program and Nutrition Guide A comprehensive guide that shows you how to use your portion-control containers and nutrition plan. Also includes easy-to-make recipes and expert tips from Sagi and Autumn on how to get the most out of your workouts. 
• Quick-Start Guide Your simple 3-step blueprint for building the body you’ve always wanted.
•  60-Day Workout Calendar For efficient and effective training, the order of your workouts matters. With this calendar, Sagi and Autumn have you covered for the next 60 days. 
• Also includes your Nutrition Plan “cheat sheet” and Food Lists on the back! 
• Deluxe Kit -  In addition to everything featured in the Base Kit, you get an 8-lb. medicine ball along with 4 advanced workouts designed around this piece of equipment. You’ll also receive an extra 

Free from ordering through a coach -get an exclusive workout

Sign up to complete this program here 

 

Available December 8, 2015 HERE 

Disney Swag on a Budget!

I honestly can't even believe that we are heading to Disney in a little over a month!  For us, it really wasn't financially feasible but when friends say, "lets rent some houses in Orlando for the week," you know it's not an everyday occurrence and you want to make those memories, so you make it happen!  Life is too short not to in my opinion.  And honestly, my kids have been through hell this year and deserve a break! And so do we.  Gavin's eosinophilic esophagitis diagnosis last year at Christmas turned our world around.  His food restrictions are so strict that only the magical chefs at Disney can make it an amazing experience food wise for him as well as everyone else.  

So, long story short...we're headed to Disney!  We're going the first week of December so there was no way we could pull off Disney and Christmas so Santa is coming early this year!  On the morning that we wake up, there will be gifts under the tree and notes from Santa with our surprise.  They each will get tote bags with a simple iron on stating "this kid is going to Disney World."  There are reservations made on our last night there for Minnie's Magical Christmas Dinner and VIP tickets to the Fantasmic show.  I want to make Christmas memories so that when they wake up on actual Christmas and have scrapbooks of their pictures, they are still excited!  I also want to be that silly family with matching shirts!  There are a ton of cute ones on Etsy and through the internet but we don't have extra funds right now for that kind of stuff so I decided to make our own.  Now I warn you...I am the Pinterest Fail Queen so even starting these projects was scary.  But they worked!!!  So that means that I need to share with you how super simple it was, because I promise you can do it too!  

Bleach Mickey Zip Up Hoodies

All you need for this one is a colored sweatshirt, a spray bottle and some bleach.  I went with zip up ones because I figured they could act as coats and last the whole week.  I also chose black because it goes with everything!  I would definitely recommend a dark color. You could also use tee shirts too.  

I must have deleted my pictures of this whole project in process but I promise you can figure it out! 

1.  Find a mickey silhouette online to print out.  I just searched "Mickey ear silhouette" to find this one and printed different sizes on card stock.  

2.  Prepare your bleach spray bottle with Bleach/water solution.

3.  Place the mickey cut out on the area where you would like to see the Mickey head and lightly spray around it.  ***You do not want to saturate it, don't even do a full spray.  I used like little squirts after I learned this lesson the hard way on sweatshirt number one.  

4.  I made symbols on the front and back.  For the boys, I just did a larger Mickey on the back, centered.  For the girls, I used a smaller one in the corner and sprayed up towards the shoulder for effect.  

5.  Once they dried, I washed them in cold water, dried them, and hid them until we are ready to go! 



Next project is for our "Christmas dinner" date with Mickey and Minnie.  These are our matching family tees and I love them!!!  My only downfall was that I did not use soda wash so make sure you get some.  Now for this one, I actually save the step by step pics so I hope they help.  

Tye Die Mickey tees 

Step 1:  Cut out a Mickey template or find cups and bowls to trace Mickey's head onto your tee shirt.  

Step 2:  Use a needle and dental floss to sew a basting stitch around the mickey head. Do NOT tie off at the end.  

    

Step 3:  Holding the beginning stitch, pull the other end together to scrunch up your Mickey head, keeping the fabric of the mickey to the front of the shirt and tie the ends together.  

  

Step 4:  This is where I should have used soda ash to keep the colors bright but I just wet the fabric with water instead.  

Step 5:  Rubber band directly behind the Mickey head where the floss is bunched. Then, holding the Mickey section, turn the head to get the shirt the roll up into a cinnamon bun looking shape. 

                         

Step 6:  Rubber band the remainder of the shirt.  I used four bands making a pie like shape on the shirt.  Then you get to color!  Starting with the Mickey head.  Make sure to get the top and the ears underneath to get the whole head effect.  

Step 7:  Color each section according to what you want.  Since we are doing Christmas, we chose red and green. 

Step 8:  Place shirts in a plastic bag sealed for 24 hours.  Once the time is up, unwrap the shirt and rinse with cold water. Then wash! 

Thats it!!! I will add a pic of the whole family rocking them once vacation actually happens!  But I couldn't wait to get this all down into the blog.  Partly, because I never have time to write anymore. So I had to take advantage of a quiet evening and an early bedtime.  If I come up with any more projects, I will make sure to keep adding!  And leave your comments if you try them, with pics!!! Or if you have any other great ways to do fun family Disney projects on a budget!

            

The therapy of getting to know yourself

I do my best thinking when I run.  It seems to be the only time that I can do the two things that I need the most simultaneously and feel like a million bucks when I am done.  I just got back from a four mile run through the neighborhood that was initiated by me wanting to feed  my deep, depressed feelings with food. I knew that if I stayed at home I was going to try to make myself snap out of my funk with sugar and carbs...so for once, I chose right and laced up the sneakers.

Now before I get into the revelation that I had within the forty minutes I was gone, i need to back track just a little.  Well a week actually.  The last week of June was the week that I had been excited yet crazed about for months!  It started with it being the week of my daughters dance recital, which involves a years worth of work, thousands of dollars being invested and one manic child who cannot wait to put on her make up, costumes, and dance shoes and do what she does best.  Then, just because that wasn't enough, we decided that it would be the week that we would host our 1st Annual 5k Fun Run.  We had a fantastic theme being the Red Carpet Run, great tee shirts, props and an awesome venue.  We scheduled a pre-race packet pick up party and went all out.  I was so excited to be using my part time business of fitness and helping others get healthy into my full time career environment. But the weather was terrible and many of the volunteers didn't show.  We had to move the modified course indoors for our residents who are all a part of the ID population and require a little extra TLC.  And on top of all of it, there were two birthday parties and fathers day.  The point of all of this being, that I had to be at my best for all of it.  There was not one part of the week where I was not running at full speed performance level. So then Sunday night rolls around and into Monday and I am dragging.  My body doesn't want to do a lot and my mind wants to do even less.  I feel like I have a dark cloud hanging over me that is starting to suck me in.  I start slacking on my meal prepping, I am not at full speed with my workouts, and my work performance feels like I am taking a back seat when I should be in hustle mode since its the last week in my old position, and starting Monday, I become part of the administration.  It should be exciting...but I'm not feeling it.

So I'll take it back even just a little further, just for a minute.  My education and career is about people. It's about personalities, working with them, teaching them, motivating them, everything!  But I have never been able to do this with myself consciously until today.  Well tonight actually, as I was running.  I started to piece it all together.   I learned yesterday during a course I was taking that I was an enthusiast. That I thrive off of positive energy, that I like to give everything my all, especially when its new and exciting.  I get easily board with the small tasks because I like to think big - dream big - and make stuff happen.  Not by planning, more just by doing.  I like to go into a crowded room and take control of it.  Funny thing about me though is that I hate one on one conversation and find it completely awkward but I can handle a room like a pro.  weird...I know. 

So today, as I was running I was thinking about what I learned yesterday in this class I took and something I learned about a couple years ago and paid no mind too.  I am an enthusiast introvert.  I didn't know what it was or how it applied to me but I realized today that just because those are the types of environments and events that I crave and live for, they are not where I get my energy.  My energy comes from being away from all that, being with my family, curling up with a book, running with nothing but my music, playing with my children with no agenda. Thats where it builds and then when it's showtime, I m able to put it all out there and give it all that stored energy so that it exceeds my expectations when it comes to life experiences and that I make it an awesome memory.  But after that, I need to pull it back in and recharge in my little bubble. I often thought of this feeling I have right now as depression, and I am sure that in some capacity it is. Likely in medical terms, its the serotonin in my brain being depleted and needing to replenish, which is in fact depression. However tonight, after realizing that this is how my personality has always been and that these "depressive" bouts are usually preceded by major things that require me to be "ON" that I may be able to have better control of it.  I can see it for what it is and not use the excuse that I am a stress eater or that I feed my depression with food.  It's just part of my cycle, part of me, and a part that I am finally able to see and be aware of!  I feel like by coming to this realization, I can get through it and get out it quicker.  By doing the activities that are mindless yet good for the soul, I can recoup faster.  I feel like getting to understand me and how I work can be a game changer in mood swings and in my recovery!  

Hawaiian Cupcakes with Chocolate frosting (allergy free)

Whats the deal with soda cupcakes?

I've heard about people using soda to replace the wet ingredients in a cake mix but as someone who really doesn't drink the stuff, i never really thought twice about it.  Until today...as I was scrolling through my newsfeed on facebook, I came across a picture that showed good combinations of cake mix and soda that should taste good.  And now that I am faced with my son not being able to have dairy, eggs, nuts, and gluten I totally looked at this picture in a new light!  I wondered would it work with the gluten free cake mix that I had just got at Aldi's?  So I did what any crazy and desperate allergy mom does.  I sent the husband to the store for soda!

Since my occupation is health and fitness and I am constantly preaching about clean ingredients, I couldn't, in good faith, just put soda in these things so I used a can of crushed pineapple too. And to top it all off, I found a pudding mix that only contained soy as one of the top allergens and since Gavin can tolerate when its in a product, I mixed it with coconut milk and used it for frosting.  It was pretty creative in my opinion!

 






So I warn you, I probably belong far from a kitchen and am a pinterest nightmare on most occasions, but every once in awhile, I can pull something off.  And today was one of those days.

So let me share my fun recipe!


Hawaiian Cupcakes with Chocolate frosting

Cupcake mix
1 box of your choice of pre-packaged cake mix
3/4 of a can of crushed pineapple
8 oz of Orange Soda

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Combine ingredients and mix until smooth.
Separate into cupcakes, mini cupcakes, or cake

Bake mini cakes for 15 minutes, regular cupcakes for 18 minutes

Frosting mix
1 box of chocolate pudding
1 1/2 cup cold coconut milk

Combine until smooth, refrigerate while cake is baking.

Once the cupcakes come out, let sit for two minutes and then move to cooling rack.  Allow to cool for 15 minutes before topping with pudding.

Vanilla Chia Vegan Yogurt

Going dairy free,  we've missed yogurt!   We've tried a couple of the coconut milk ones but they are so expensive,  so alternatives to store bought are a must.  I tried this month's ago and literally forgot how much I liked it so I was so happy when someone reminded me of it.   My son,  who is still top 8 allergy free wasn't too keen on the chia seeds but maybe after a few tries,  he'll warm up to them!

So this is a super simple process but the first stage of it is super important.  Chia seeds will get clumpy in the coconut milk if you don't stir it ever 20 minutes two times to keep the seeds separated and evenly distributed through the milk as it starts to absorb.   Then you can leave it over night and be ready for breakfast in the morning!

Just measure the chia and put it in a container that you have a lid for.   Honestly a mason jar would be perfect but I didn't have an extra one to try at the time so regular Tupper are works fine too.   Add in the coconut milk,  sweetener,  and vanilla extract and just stir until it's all mixed evenly and refrigerate.   Then make sure after about 20 minutes you go back and stir it again and better yet,  do that one more time in another twenty minutes.   That last stir isn't super necessary but is helpful with the consistency of it come morning.   

The next day,  pull it out of the fridge,  give it a stir and top it with your favorite berries.  You've got yourself a natural breakfast that will leave you feeling full and energized for hours!  

Ingredients :

1/4c chia seeds (either black or white) 

1c unsweetened coconut milk

1 packet of Stevia or 1 tsp of honey 

1 tsp vanilla extract 

1c mixed berries (used to top) 

Preparation :

Mix ingredients (minus the berries)  into a container,  cover,  and refrigerate.   Stir yogurt after 20 minutes to keep consistency and repeat after another 20 minutes.   Let sit overnight.   When ready to eat, top with your berries and enjoy! 

Making Birthdays Happen

Today, he turns 5!  The thought of this day has had me having panic attacks for weeks now.  My aunt pulled through and sent up some goodies from Erin McKenna's Bakery NYC that had me relax a bit knowing that we had safe treats in the house for the events and he loves them.  However this morning, he stressed the importance of having cake with frosting.  Seriously!?!?  on the day of his birthday he throws this at me!!!  Ok...mission accepted....I think!

First thing I do, like anything else is get on the internet and start searching.  When that had me even more frustrated about which one to pick and will it turn out, I searched facebook for allergy moms group and landed on one that was inactive for the last few months.  I decided to post a plea for help anyway and am blessed with a couple of moms who pulled through and sent me chocolate cake recipes that we easy enough!  I sent my husband to the store with a list of things we didn't have at the house and prayed all day while at work that I would be able to pull this off.

There was one recipe that a woman sent to me that was written like I think. Short thoughts and straight to the point so that was the one I used.  And I have really been wanting to try the Dollop frosting, which is gluten free, soy free, and vegan so this was the perfect opportunity!

The first part was easy, combine the wet ingredients with the dry ingredients, split the dough, and bake for ten minutes!  Cool, I can handle that!  So my two youngest and I combined the rice flour, organic sugar, cocoa, baking soda.  The mixer held the light olive oil, eater, vanilla extract, and apple cider vinegar.  I'll admit that I loved that there was no egg replacement because that it usually where everything I bake takes a turn for the worst.  So we put it into to pans and baked just for ten minutes.  Once it cooled for about 5, flipped it onto what was supposed to be wax paper and I didn't have any!  I tried to make due with foil but I seriously recommend being prepared!

I put the cakes in the freezer for about 30 minutes to solidify.  Then removed the cakes and frosted the center with the Dollop Vanilla frosting, flipped the other half on top and iced the rest.  I just added a little food coloring to the frosting in the corner of a little baggie to do some piping and words.  I am seriously not creative, not fancy, and not good in the kitchen so this is a masterpiece for me and it made my little man one happy birthday boy!

special thanks to Rachel D for coming through and helping with this!

Allergy free Oreo Cake

Ingredients:

2 1/2 cups of white rice flour
1/2 cup + 3 tbsp carob powder
2 cups white sugar
2 tsp baking soda

1/4 cup + 2 tbsp light olive oil
2 1/4 cup + 2 tbsp water
1 tbsp vanilla extract
2 tbsp apple cider vinegar

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees and grease 2 circle layer pans.

Combine dry ingredients in a large bowl, mix, and set aside

Combine wet ingredients, mix, and add to dry ingredient bowl just until blended.

Divide dough evenly into two cake pans and bake for 10 minutes or until the knife comes out clean.

Let sit for 5 minutes then invert onto wax paper and let cool completely.

Freeze cake for 30 minutes before constructing!



Hope this helps you come up with a great treat for your allergy free munchkin and the family!

Lots of love,
Lisa Fickenworth

Sunbutter Shako cups

So it's Easter and that used to mean that there was a TON of chocolate that surround us.  The entire family is fanatics about the Reeses cup and reeses eggs made it even better!  However this year, we are limiting the chocolate and since reeses don't quite make the list when it comes to being top 8 allergen free, we needed to find a way to adapt so that Gavin (and momma) wasn't feeling so lonely!  Plus it's a perfect time for me to find another treat that combines allergy free and healthy for my EoE munchkin and Portion Control approved with clean food ingredients for the mommas!

I have been getting creative the past months since I was doing the 21 day fix and chocolate isn't allowed with the extreme plan so we've been making our own, using the super nutrition of shakeology. So it dawned on me that if I can use this to make healthy chocolate substitute then I could use it for a pb cup, right?!?  It seemed way too perfect!  Now before I even start to write down about how easy this is...let me warn you!  I don't make things pretty, lol.  I like to throw things together and just pray that they taste good!  Sometimes things work out, other times not so much. So what I am about to share with you, may not be super pretty but I know many of you moms out there who would be able to finesse the heck out of this for perfection!  So i'll share the roots of the project, and allow your creative minds to expand!

I started with brainstorming what we had because who has time to run to the store when you have a brain storm and I decided on 2 scoops of chocolate vegan shakeology. This meant me and the kids would get some crazy doses of nutrition while enjoying dessert, bonus right!?!  Then to find a way to form it and solidify it, I went with coconut oil and the plan to freeze it.  Sunflower seed butter as the PB alternative, and a dab of gf vanilla extract.  Using the mini muffin pan, which is a genius invention by the way, I think we were set to begin!.  The kids pulled their chairs up to the cupboard and we got started!

Now I warned you, I said things aren't pretty in my kitchen so bear with me!  I first melted the coconut oil and mixed it in with the two scoops of shakeology and the capful of vanilla extract.  I slowly added tbsp of water into the mix until I got the consistency I liked. It was about 8 tbsp total although that can be played with based on how you work with it and form it.  I used the coconut oil on the corner of a paper towel to lightly coat the inside of the tin.  I then scoops about 1/3 of a tsp of the shakeology mix onto the bottom of the tin and attempted to flatten it out the best I could. I think if I mixed it longer and added a tad more water/oil, this would work better.  But it is what it is so we kept going.  I placed a tiny bit of sunflower seed butter in all the tins as the next layer and then topped several of them with more shakeology mix and left a few with just the sun-butter as the top.  The last step was to throw them in the freezer. I would recommend at least 4 hours but I just left them in overnight since it was close to bedtime.

The next morning I pulled the tin out of the freezer and used a spoon to pop them out!  They stayed together and were exactly what I wanted.  Mini sun-butter cups, top 8 allergen free, and packed with nutrition! Perfect for the EoE munchkin, tasty for the girls, and 21 day fix approved for mom!  Chalking this up as a win and can't wait to perfect that constituency so they look as good as they taste for next time.  You are going to want to store them in refrigerator after making so that they stay solid!

Recipe and Preparation

Items needed:

mini muffin pan

1 1/2 tablespoons of Coconut Oil

Chocolate Vegan Shakeology 

1/4 water

1/2 tsp of gluten free vanilla extract

1/2 cup of sunflower seed butter or the alternative of your choice

Preparation

1.  Use the corner of a paper towel covered with coconut oil to wipe in the cups of the mini muffin pan.  You will need to prepare for a dozen Sun-Butter cups.

2.  Melt the remaining coconut oil in the microwave.

3.  Place two scoops or servings of vegan chocolate shakeology into a bowl and add in the vanilla extract and melted coconut oil.

4.  Begin to mix or stir ingredients together and begin adding water one tablespoon at a time. Continue to stir until the chocolate mix reaches a consistency that is smooth.

5.  Use about a 1/2 tbsp of shake mix and put on the bottom of each tin cup.  Try to tap the pan at the end to smooth out the bottom layer.  Place in the freezer for 15 minutes.

6.  After 15 minutes the bottom layer should be solid enough to scoop on the sun-butter nice and neat.  The amount you want to use it up to you.  I recommend at least 1/2 a tsp.

7.  Lastly, you can choose to top the cups with more chocolate or leave it with the sun-butter on top. If you choose to top them, you may need to mix another tbsp of water into the shakeology mix and then scoop it onto the top layer of each of the cups and again tap the pan down once you are down to try for a more smooth look.

8.  Place in the freezer for 4 hours or overnight and pop them out with a spoon once they are solid.  Store them in the refrigerator until ready to eat.

AWESOME for portion control planning and when the cravings hit hard!!!  For those of you doing the 21 Day Fix, 21 Day Fix Extreme, Insanity Max or any of the Portion Control meal plans then 2 cups would be: 

1/2 Red

1/2 tsp 

For more information about portion control meal planning, weightloss, clean eating, and exercise, check out the resources at www.itsfitpossible.com or email me!  My goal is to help others find ways to realize that you CAN handle it all!  There are huge benefits in caring for your special needs children when you are caring for yourself as well!  A healthy mom creates a healthy family <3

Lisa Fickenworth

www.facebook.com/lfickenworth

Help yourself first!

The one thing that I now it takes to raise children is a strong mind and a strong body.  US mothers need to be prepared for anything.  We need to build our bodies to be tough and resilient because there is not time for us to be getting sick and running out of energy.  So one thing that I have found to be super helpful is getting healthy myself and helping outed do the same.  Check out the link below on how to access free workouts and meal plans with the help of a free coach!  It's kind of a great concept! 

http://eepurl.com/bhWm2r

Making Easter Rock with food allergies

I honestly was dreading Easter.   Nothing like a holiday filed with chocolate and candy that your child can't have.  So I'm determined to make it awesome in spite of me probably having to tell him "no"  to make things.  

Starting with breakfast, this little bunny bottom will so the trick!   Super simple with a gluten-free pancake mix and using applesauce as an egg replacement.   He probably won't touch the coconut on the tail but that can come off easily enough once the visual effects has passed.  

Next up is the basket.   I have always done just a little candy and something fun anyway so this one seems simple enough.   I ordered a basket of allergy free goodies from Allermates.com.   I am still waiting on it to arrive,  which had me a little nervous  but we also got a ninja turtle t-shirt,  spiderman gloves and a new hat.   It really doesn't take much so I shop for what's on sale and things he wants and needs. 

Moving into the Egg Hunt all the kids are likely going to notice that the bunny went rogue this year but I don't think they'll mind.   I'll fill the eggs with change instead of candy and make it safe for Gavin to find as many as he can with all the other children having fun as well. 

My mom has dinner covered with ham and sweet potato which are both safe foods for him. There are always does these amazing baskets filled with chocolate and goodness.  I'm hoping that no one goes overboard but we'll make it work.   Gavin appreciates the thought even though he might not be able to have it.   He's one heck of a kid!  

For more information about portion control meal planning, weightloss, clean eating, and exercise, check out the resources at www.itsfitpossible.com or email me!  My goal is to help others find ways to realize that you CAN handle it all!  There are huge benefits in caring for your special needs children when you are caring for yourself as well!  A healthy mom creates a healthy family <3

Managing the stress of special needs

I love my kids more than anything but as a full time working mom of three,  I am going CRAZY trying to manage all the appointments.   My children each have their own special needs that have to be managed.  Gavin with his EoE and eight hundred issues a week that come with it,  Olivia for her anxiety and attention seeking behavior that only seems to get worse with Gavin's ever growing list,  and Lily who we haven't even started with yet because she's the lesser of the evils at this point and I pray she starts to normalize with a little extra love and some discipline.   How in the world do you find the time and energy a parent to do it all!!??!!

1.  Be blessed
You can and will manage things.  Take a deep breath every morning before jumping into the day and say thank you and just lost through all that you are grateful for.  This keeps your inner strength going and focused on what is going right versus what is really hard work.  Everyday I'm grateful for the hugs and kisses my babies give me.  I'm grateful for the ability to do the best I can with what I have.  I'm grateful for a body that is capable of being pushed and challenged.  And I'm grateful for those around me who understand my madness and not only support me but allow me to support them. 

Be present in each moment and enjoy it for everything it has.  Even if it is as simple as brushing your child's hair and getting  her dressed.  Make that your focus 100% and be blessed it is pastor your day.   This will help you appreciate so much more!

2.  Prioritize your priorities constantly. 
I am always rearranging what is more important at the moment.  There is always a list of what must get done,  what should get done, and what can wait.   Dishes,  laundry, and other things that take me away from  the top two teirs are things that can wait!  It means I have to be ok with clutter sometimes but I've learned to handle that! 

3.  Meditate or do something for you everyday!
Parents, this is HUGE !!! you have to be in a good spot mentally to be able to handle the madness of being a parent... Not to mention the parent of children that may need a little more than the average.  This means taking are of your body and mind.  Fuel it with the proper foods for energy and health,  push your  body to exercise and get strong physically to prove that you can mentally.  And even if it's just for 60 seconds a day... BREATHE!!!  Whether it's before a task that you need to vigilantly focus on or just to decompress, inhale all that is good and exhale the negative thoughts and actions that are going on inside you.

4. Get organized
I'm not an organized person by nature.   I have notes everywhere.  I am spontaneous with my actions and run with ideas immediately before they lose their momentum.  This type of personality can lead to a little stress when it comes to neat and orderly.  My advice... Or at least what I do to keep it together is this:
-keep one electronic calendar in your phone of everybody's stuff.   And set notifications 48 hours in advance so you can make arrangements if you forget it was scheduled.
-keep a separate notebook or calendar for each topic or child.  For example,  I have a mini planner that goes with me to all of Gavin's appointments.  If something happens during the days,  like a reaction,  I write it down on the day it occurred.  This gives me one thing to bring and maintain when it comes to his health. 
-maintain a separate planner for your business day.  Since I work full-time,  I have a planner of my work hours and what I doing during those 8 hours a day.  Since I also run a home business that I am busting my butt to be successful,  I maintain a seperate planner with my coaching business info in.  

These things do not make for a smooth day without bumps or confusion but they make it work for me with the ability to keep my insanity intact.   I have been able to subcategorize my life and my roles and I keep them divided in order to keep them running efficiently.  However pulling it all together to just allow me to me me sometimes is where I personally struggle.  I feel like some day that will be able to become a part of my personal development plan bit for today,  I need to do my best for them and these are the priorities. 

We have to be superheros!  Sorry parents,  but there's no way around it!  You have to be able to take on the world at any given moment and handle it with the grace and patience that we want our children to emulate.  I can't change the adults in the world.  I can't force them to be more patient or to do things a certain way.  I can only hope to be a strong enough presence in my children's lives that they remember the way that I have learned to manage stress and learn from it.   My life has come a long way from self medication, pharmaceutical medication,  and panic attacks that stopped me from experiencing life.  Once I realized that I needed to be stronger and better for them,  I found ways to make that happen and to find peace with it all.   I love to be able to work through these things with other parents to help them find their balance as well.   But first things first moms and dad's,  you have to get your stuff together in order to take care of the rest!!  Let's find the way to do that.  You're kiddos deserve that and so do you!!!

Hope that helps sometime and I'd love to hear about the tips you have to share as well!

<3 Lisa Fickenworth

Allergy Free Cinnamon Rolls for the Win!!!

Allergy Free Cinnamon Rolls 

Cinnamon rolls were a regular staple around here for breakfast going six months back.  Any chance he'd get, my husband would put them in the oven and make a set of the Pillsbury ones for him and the kids and everyone would be happy.  The day we started the elimination diet, they disappeared from the house forever!  We do our best to not have to separate foods because I hate having Gavin has his food and us have ours.  On some things though, it isn't always possible but possible.  However, score one for the family today because cinnamon rolls are back and they are for EVERYONE!

We followed the recipe to a T from Momables.com  HERE and although all of my past recipes have created a little apprehension from the kids when it comes to trying them, these actually turned out really good!!!  

My oldest daughter and I woke up before the rest of the house so we immediately began getting things ready and she was just as excited to be getting cinnamon rolls this morning!  It was so nice to have some quiet time just with her.  I feel like she gets the short end of the stick all the time for being the oldest and sometimes you forget that they need the personalized attention too!  So we enjoyed some quality time preparing all the ingredients and she especially likes that I trust her now to do the measuring and take lead.

 Our substitution ingredients consisted of Regular Coconut milk and lemon juice in place of greek yogurt and Earth Balance spread in place of butter but the rest was straight from the recipe.  I'm copying and pasting hers cause it's only fair to hive her the credit :)

Ingredients

Dough:

• 1¼ cups plain Greek yogurt (For dairy-free, you can use a souring alternative: 1¼ cups milk substitute of choice + 3 teaspoons lemon juice or apple cider vinegar. Mix and let stand for 10 minutes, then add to recipe.)
• 4 tablespoons melted butter (For dairy-free, use a substitute like Earth Balance Vegan.)
• 2½ cups all-purpose gluten-free flour (King Arthur GF Flour is made in a Top-8 allergen-free facility.)
• ½ teaspoon xanthan gum
• 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
• 1¼ teaspoons gluten-free baking powder
• ½ teaspoon gluten-free baking soda

Filling:

• ¾ cup packed brown sugar
• ¼ cup granulated sugar
• 3 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1 tablespoon melted butter (For dairy-free, use a substitute like Earth Balance Vegan.)

Glaze:

• ¼ cup melted butter (For dairy-free, use a substitute like Earth Balance Vegan.)
• 2 cups confectioners sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 3-5 tablespoons hot water

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 425F, and coat either a muffin tin or a 9-inch-round baking dish with cooking spray.
2. In a large bowl, begin making the dough by mixing the yogurt and 2 tablespoons of the melted butter.
3. Stir in the flour, xanthan gum, sugar, baking powder, and baking soda until absorbed. The dough will look soft and crumbly.
4. Move the dough onto a floured work surface, and begin to knead and mix with your hands until smooth.
5. Form the dough into about a 12x9-inch rectangle, then brush it with the remaining 2 tablespoons of the melted butter.
6. In another bowl, make the filling mixture by combining the brown sugar, granulated sugar, cinnamon, and melted butter.
7. Once it resembles a wet sand, spread it evenly onto the dough leaving a ½-inch border. Push the filling firmly into the dough.
8. Starting on the long side, begin to slowly roll the dough into a tight log. If your fingers are sticking to the dough, lightly flour or moisten them with water.
9. Pinch the seam to seal the log, and slice evenly into 10 rolls.
10. Place the slices into your pan, and bake until the edges begin to turn golden brown, about 20 minutes.
11. Remove from the oven, and move the slices from the pan onto a cooling rack.
12. As they slightly cool, make the glaze by mixing the melted butter, sugar, and vanilla. Add water 1 tablespoon at a time until you reach the desired consistency.
13. Drizzle the glaze over the rolls and enjoy!

Prep work...not going to lie, I was a little nervous about the next step...

Never thought I would actually get it to roll!!!  **insert happy dance here***

We went for the muffin pan (cause it's my go-to) but I'm sure the circle pan would work just as well.  

So after 20 minutes of them being in the oven,and me being a nervous wreck cause nothing ever works out this well for me so I was assuming it had to fall apart somewhere. I made the frosting and prepared for the worst...I was the most pleasantly surprised momma to actually smell cinnamon rolls baking and ever more excited when they were a like golden brown as the buzzer went off.  I quickly moved them to the cooling rack and only waiting long enough to stir the frosting cause we like when it melts on top!  We didn't wait too long to eat them either!!!  The end pieces were a little more dough then they were cinnamon but the rest were flavorful and sweet and the majority of the family was happy with the results!  I'm ok with 5 out of 6 in the house eating them, especially when the one who needs the safe foods is enjoying them :)  

So our review of the allergy free cinnamon rolls is a thumbs up!  This is one I would add to the menu once a month as a good breakfast treat!  

Hope you enjoy!

For more information about portion control meal planning, weightloss, clean eating, and exercise, check out the resources at www.itsfitpossible.com or email me!  My goal is to help others find ways to realize that you CAN handle it all!  There are huge benefits in caring for your special needs children when you are caring for yourself as well!  A healthy mom creates a healthy family <3

Lisa Fickenworth

theEoEmom@gmail.com

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