Hi friends. To start 2021 on the right foot, I jumped on Arbonne‘s “30 Days to Healthy Living” bandwagon on January 4, lead by my sweet neighbor Nicole Phelan. I felt like my system needed a big reboot after I threw all of the healthy rules out the window during the holidays. You all know that I’m willing try everything and anything when it comes to trying to eat healthier, and I love that there is as much structure as I need with this Arbonne program without it being so rigid that it’s hard to follow.
I’ve done various phases of this Arbonne program before and have always liked the products and the simplicity of the plans. The same holds true for this 30-day plan. In a nutshell, I do a protein shake for breakfast/lunch (I drink it late morning), 1/2 a green apple and almond butter or some veggies and hummus for a mid-afternoon snack, a handful of almonds, and then a relatively low carb, lean protein dinner.
This program does ask you to give up all of the fun stuff: sugar, dairy, gluten, alcohol, and caffeine. The only one that is really tough for me is been going without caffeine. So Arbonne experts, forgive me, but I’ve been limiting myself to two cups of coffee per day with a little of the Califia Coconut and Almond Milk Vanilla Creamer. It’s delicious and is only 15 calories per serving, very low in sugar, and it absolutely satisfies my coffee craving and my sweet tooth.
If you were following me last fall, you know that I got into the habit of making a green smoothie/shake. I’m still following that recipe, but swapping in the Arbonne products for the protein and fiber boost. Here’s what the recipe looks like:
- 2 scoops Arbonne Chocolate Protein powder
- 1 scoop Arbonne Fiber Boost
- 2 scoops MCT Powder (lots of benefits: helps with brain health, controls blood sugar, helps reduce risk of heart disease)
- 2 scoops Vital Proteins Collagen
- 2 tablespoons ground flaxseed (helps digestion)
- 1 teaspoon turmeric powder (great anti-inflammatory)
- 1 tablespoon almond butter
- 1 cup spinach
- 1 cup almond milk
- 1 cup ice
I blend this up and it takes me a while to finish it. By the time I do, I’m ready for a little snack to munch on. The actual Arbonne 30-day program calls for two shakes per day, but because I’m juggling also losing a few pounds in addition to getting all of the junk out of my diet, I’m only drinking one. I’ve not been super hungry and it’s nice to know I can add the second shake in if I am.
These smoothie/shakes are pretty good as far as protein shakes go. But you know going in that protein shakes have a flavor all of their own.
As of this morning, I’m only down two pounds, but Nicole says that’s not unexpected heading into week three of this plan. But the upside is that I’m less bloated, sleeping well, and definitely eating better.
Let me know if any of you are doing this program, and if you have any tips to help get me through the next two weeks that you’d like to share. It always helps to have a buddy or two when you’re trying to be good! I promise to circle back when this program is finished with a final report.
If you’d like to learn more about Arbonne’s program, click here to connect with Nicole Phelan. (She’s darling, very knowledgable about making healthy choices, and just the kind of person you want cheering you on to a healthier 2021.)
xo,
P.S. This cute top I’m wearing is the Full Flourish Pullover from lululemon in the Luxtreme fabric. It’s slightly cropped, but so comfortable, and this chambray color is to die for! It’s an easy piece to wear that also makes you look super pulled together. Click here for the details. I’m wearing a size 8 for reference.
