homeschooling

Test Group Day 3

~ CoachTiffanyBirkholz ~ Leave a comment

Today was cardio core and it was another great workout. I thought I had figured out the timed nutrition but somehow missed a meal and ended up having to finish my last one at 9pm! Oops.

After a full day of homeschooling I had to figure out a quick dinner based on what we had in the fridge. We are Costco addicts and always have some frozen chicken in the freezer. We also have a Costco sized bag of lemons so I went for a lemon chicken recipe.

Ingredients:

2 pouches of chicken breasts (4 breasts)

1 onion chopped

1T oil of your choice (I used avocado)

1/2c chicken broth (I used 1/2c water with 1/2t better than bouillon reduced sodium chicken)

1t Himalayan salt

1t dried parsley

1/4t sweet paprika

The juice of 1 large lemon and 1/2 of the zest

5 garlic cloves

Arrowroot or cornstarch (for thickening)

  1. Select Sauté mode and let the Instant Pot get hot
  2. Chop the onions
  3. Add oil when the Instant Pot reads “HOT”
  4. Add onions and cook (next time I’ll add the garlic here)
  5. Combine chicken broth, salt, parsley, paprika, lemon juice and zest (I garlic pressed the 5 cloves here, but add them to the onions for more flavor)
  6. When the onions are looking a bit brown/golden, add the chicken breasts and pour the broth combo over them. Stir to make sure they’re well covered.
  7. Push off cancel
  8. Select “Poultry” and make sure it’s at 12 minutes for chicken breast. I’d probably do 14 for thighs.
  9. Quick release pressure when the timer is done.
  10. Scoop out 1/3c of broth and whisk in arrowroot or cornstarch to make a slurry.
  11. Remove chicken from the Instant Pot
  12. Add the slurry to the broth and turn on Sauté mode
  13. Whisk periodically while the gravy thickens
  14. Dump gravy into a blender for a smooth consistency. I just bring the vitamix to the table as a quick gravy boat 🤷🏻‍♀️
  15. I had it with some steamed green beans. The rest of the family added some bow tie pasta.

Enjoy!

Do I have anything to share?

~ CoachTiffanyBirkholz ~ Leave a comment

I had gotten into a good rhythm of blogging when I felt I had something to share updates about. Then self-doubt hit and I was sure that there were more interesting blogs to follow and that my story isn’t exciting. Today I decided that this is my blog so it’s important to share what’s going on with me. 

So here’s the update:

  • I’m getting ready to certify in Core De Force in July. It’s been sort of a holding pattern in my workouts, I do something every day but didn’t have a new schedule to complete till this week when I started the new beginner program YOUv2. I have had people tell me they think it will be too easy but I am loving it. It uses my body in new ways. I’m using the All Access Netflix of fitness system to access the workouts. 
  • After 10ish years of OrthoK lenses, hubby talked me into prepping for lasik. It’s been 2 nights of no lenses and my vision is BAD. I’m sure there’s a life lesson in here about realizing how blind I really am and how for so long I’ve thought I had clarity. Back in my night driving glasses for a tiny bit of help. 
  • My 100 books in 2017 challenge is going really well. I’m at almost 40 books and have really appreciated the perspective change as I fill my mind with good and interesting things. 
  • We have 3 weeks left of homeschooling for the year. As I write our lesson plans each weekend it’s amazing to me to look back at all the 30+ weeks that are done. Time moves on and it’s amazing all we have covered. 
  • Our city garden is in as of last night and I’m looking forward to fresh tomatoes and veggies. 

That’s the update for me. How’s life been for you?

Tuesday Thoughts and a Tip

~ CoachTiffanyBirkholz ~ Leave a comment

So I made a great video on FB live this morning and the connection cut off most of the sound. Boo. 

Here’s the summary:

  • When you wake up in the morning, focus on your thoughts. I try not to tell myself “you’re sore, you’re tired, you should sleep another hour” and instead tell myself “you’re sore, that’s awesome. Time to hit the mat and work out some soreness.”  Your thoughts determine your attitude toward your day. 
  • Along those lines, are you a Manic Monday kind of person or are you a every day is an opportunity kind of person? Instead of hating Mondays, make it a Marvelous Monday, a Terrific Tuesday, etc. 
  • Related to yesterday’s post, it’s important to make your list of requirements to know what you need to hit your goals. Then pick something that satisfies most of the requirements and commit to it. The deciding phase is the hardest for me. Once I commit it’s about checking off those boxes. Focus on what you hope to achieve with the program and go all out. 

In the midst of all this struggle and centering, I’ve also been homeschooling. Here’s my top tip as a “veteran.”  Last year I worked out of our kitchen so I could cook and do other things while the girls were working. This year I “gave up” the office and we only do school upstairs. It’s helped with focus and having the map up at all times, but it’s also helped with being able to leave things as they are and close the door. 

After hours homeschool field trip

~ CoachTiffanyBirkholz ~ Leave a comment

We had a special invite to see the new Shark Bridge at Adventure Aquarium tonight. It was extra special to go with E’s colleague and his homeschooled daughter. 

I’m super spoiled and love going when it isn’t busy. We got a private show by the hammerhead!  
The new shark bridge is amazing and so cool. I love how you can look down and see how big and small the sharks really are!