Author Archives: michelle@hillaert.com

Instant Pot Pot Roast in 35 Minutes

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quick and easy instant pot pot roast recipe

I’m a big fan of the instant pot. When 4:30pm would roll around… or 5pm (which is more likely the case) and dinner was ready, I used to get into a big panic.

“What can we make for dinner? Do we have any meat that’s thawed out? Oh shoot… it takes SOOO long to make the brown rice!”

Questions like that were constantly hitting me in the early evening. That is… until I got my Instant Pot pressure cooker!

I think I’m in LOVE! Can you actually be in love with a device? Because if I could… this one would rival my iPhone in a second! Continue reading →

Quick & Easy Pecan Pie Espresso Shakeology Balls

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Shakeology Energy BitesWho doesn’t like a quick and easy snack? I will warn you though. While this snack is easy to make and is considered “clean,” it is NOT something that’s low calorie that you just want to sit back and eat a ton of if you’re trying to lose weight. Those calories do tend to add up!

Another thing…
I do quick and easy, so that’s what I’m going to share here. I just dump stuff into my food processor and wait until the texture is just right. So I’ll give you a ’round about’ idea of measurement, but… if you’re as busy as I am with my million kiddos in toe and sports coming out my ears… then not having to mess up those measuring cups will just save you that extra cleaning step. Right? And who likes to wash all those dishes anyway??? Continue reading →

7 MOST Important Lessons Learned in 15 Years Of Marriage

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John Paul II
I’ll never forget that morning, 15 years ago. Up at 6:30am after going to bed at 5 in the morning. I had stayed up all night making my wedding veil. I was tired… nervous. Was I really ready to commit to a lifetime with this man? To be honest, it scared the heck out of me.

I was terrified of commitment… I had struggled my whole life with fear of rejection. One of my favorite songs was sung by Ella Fitzgerald, and the part that I used to sing with ALL my heart was “When I fall in love, it will be forever, or I’ll never fall in love…. When I give my heart, it will be completely, or I’ll never give my heart.” 

You see, Trent was my first “boyfriend.” The first man I committed to for more than a week. Yeah… there were guys that I had hung out with here and there, but I REFUSED to give my heart or any real piece of it, except to someone I could actually see myself marrying, because I was so terrified of what would happen if I was eventually seen as not good enough… unworthy… and cast aside. I simply couldn’t bear the thought.

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Quick & Easy Kid-Friendly GLUTEN-FREE Granola Recipe

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granolarecipeOkay, gotta admit. I LOVE to serve anything that’s quick and easy, including cereal. But to be honest, the GOOD stuff, especially the gluten-free good stuff, is almost always expensive, even at the grocery outlet that I frequent, and it just doesn’t fit into my big family budget.

I’ve had this mental block for the longest time when it comes to making granola… I thought… it’s SO HARD!!! I really didn’t feel like taking extra time to make a complicated recipe. It didn’t seem quick and it sure as heck didn’t seem easy.

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Quick & Easy Recipe: Almond Butter & Banana Sandwich

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peanutbananaI’m ALL about Quick and Easy when it comes to meals. So when I don’t have my Shakeology handy to grab for a quick lunch, I’m looking for something I can literally throw together in minutes or seconds :)

I started making these back when I first began my journey with Insanity (follow the link for more of my story!) over two years ago, and I have to admit that they’re an awesome go-to! I’ve been eating these for years, and find them not only to be a great snack or lunch, but an awesome treat!

INGREDIENTS
-> Ezekiel Bread
-> Almond butter (2T)
-> Banana

21 DAY FIXERS!!! This will most likely be a SNACK, not a lunch if you’re a decent eater like me. LOL  Here are your containers!

YELLOW CONTAINER:  1 slice Ezekiel Bread
Tsp: Almond Butter
PURPLE CONTAINER: 1/2 Banana

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Sean Eddy: From Couch to SWAT in 4 Months

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SeanEddy

When Sean Eddy’s transformation pics hit our team page, I was literally blown away! Only a few months before, he had signed up to join an accountability group with his coach, Ed, and he was facing some pretty tough challenges.

An EMS worker, who for the longest time didn’t make his personal health a priority, Sean was given one last chance to clean up his eating and exercise before his doctor was going to make him start taking high blood pressure medication for the sake of his health.

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HOW-TO VIDEO – 21 Day Fix Easy Egg & Veggie Breakfast

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21 Day Fix Easy BreakfastWith a crazy schedule with 5 (almost 6) kids, home, work, TONS of soccer, and my overall struggle with completely organizing my days, I just don’t have or want to take the time on a regular basis to make a nice breakfast. Since I usually have my Shakeology for lunch, I stick with some form of eggs for breakfast. They can be easily dressed up or kept plain with the spinach, eggs and no extras.

Either way, I have a great healthy breakfast in minutes, and I didn’t really have to think about it, which for this busy mama is a HUGE plus! Continue reading →

9 Things You Should NEVER Say To a Pregnant Mama

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9thingsprego
Are you pregnant? Have you ever BEEN pregnant? Do you have 3 or more kiddos? Do you KNOW someone who is pregnant?

Chances are that you’ve heard or said some of these things to a pregnant mom without really knowing how it could affect her. Now… truth be told… I personally don’t get offended easily in these situations… not unless someone is being purposefully rude… of course. Being prego with #6, I’ve pretty much heard it all, and just let it go in one ear and out the other.

HOWEVER… I thought it would be FUN to write up the questions that I have heard over and over during pregnancy. I polled my Facebook friends, and I’m wondering just how many moms have heard some of these same things before?

Please share your own experience in the comments! Continue reading →

How EMBRACING Failure Helps Us Succeed

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stumblingblockIn one of my newer challenge groups this week, one of the gals in the group was having a really tough day. Things were hard. She was struggling. It was the third day of trying to make this huge life change, and she really felt like quitting. She wanted to throw in the towel and just give up.

I have to admit, it was really beautiful to see others in the group quickly jump in to encourage her and help to lift her spirit. To help give her the strength she needed to make it through that day, and then show up again the next. This was a huge battle won for this lady… and I am so proud of her!

One of the biggest fears we have is the fear of failing. The fear that we just can’t do it. We don’t have what it takes. And trust me… sometimes it’s simply a lot easier to quit, before we actually prove ourselves right… right?

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Clean Eating & Low-Cal Hot Chocolate

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cocorecipeIt’s SOOO COOOOLD outside! What better way to snuggle in from the freezing weather then to have a nice GUILT-FREE cup of hot cocoa!

Recently, I discovered a new kind of dairy-free milk in my local grocery store and decided to give it a whirl. Have you ever heard of Cashew Milk? I was hesitant at first, but considering the fact that I LOVE cashews, looking back, I’m surprised I didn’t just dive right in the first time I saw it.

With a thicker consistency than almond milk and a richer flavor, I find cashew milk a much better direct swap for good ole regular milk.

So… snuggle in, and enjoy this decadent low-cal goodness! Continue reading →