Today I Come Clean

So the truth is, I'm going through a lot of darkness lately. I'm not gonna let it take me down, (NEVER!) but sometimes I get so lost in trying to motivate and inspire positivity that I forget to keep it real.

Today, I come clean. I tell you that I'm not always as positive as I seem. I admit that when I'm not posting as often it's because I can't find the upswing and the last thing I want is to be a reason people feel more negative.

Honest to God, it's been a struggle. I've fallen down on my face more times that I'd like to admit, and I I've been so emotional and weepy at times that it's been hard to focus (like, crying-at-commercials-where-kids-talk-about-believing-in-Santa weepy).


Some of it has been me not dealing with the inevitable (my grandmothers' suffering and approaching the end). This can’t be understated.


Some of it is also the state of our country:
...
Now you can call me one of those whining liberals if you'd like, but please don't ever confuse me with someone who gives a shit about the opinions of people who would judge me. I am someone who cares so deeply about the rights and freedoms of oppressed, disenfranchised and disregarded people that it has literally brought me to tears on regular and repeated occasions:
...
The first time I saw a homeless person and my mom told me we couldn't take him home to let him shower at our house as I wanted to offer.
...
The child that doesn't believe he can ever make anything of himself because he is enslaved to the victim mentality initiated and perpetuated by slave owners, and exploited and further perpetuated by modern-day discriminatory institutions of government and culture.
...
The LGBTQ person beaten to death for expression of their gender identity or their choice of partner.
…
The woman who doesn't get to choose when, where and by whom she is touched in a sexual manner.

I was on the fence about using this selfie. Right now, I can’t smile with happy exuberance. I feel helplessness, anxiety, despair and sadness.

So what's the upshot here? It's that I'm not alone. YOU are not alone. We are not alone. So many of us have experienced the illness and death of a loved one. So many of us have looked at how others are treated with rage and heartbreak.

My struggle towards the betterment of myself is my story, my story inspires and connects with others, and my God-given gifts and talents are in sharing that story. Which is why you're reading this right now.  And if you're anything like me, you're thinking "I've felt that way too. And I have been afraid to come out and say so." It's ok, we're in this together. We have love, and faith, and hope. And we have each other.

Quick and Easy (not to mention HEALTHY!) Mexican Chicken Pita Pizza!

you know how it happens...

You're staying on track, minding your own business, when it hits you like a ton of bricks: the debilitating pizza craving.  You don't wanna fork over money, wait 45 minutes, and go off those nutrition rails in one fell swoop...but....piiiiiiiizza.....

I got you!  That was me this week, and I was far too lazy to deal with cauliflower crust pizza (admittedly a delicious alternative, but more work than I was willing to put in...) so I did what I do best...poke around my fridge until I found an acceptable alternative I could throw together type quick.

I found the following:

- leftover baked chicken breast (I allllllllways make some in bulk at the beginning of the week)
- salsa
- whole wheat pitas
- cheese.

Yep, simple as that.  And yes, there's tons of ways to amp this up if you'd like (roasted red peppers? jalapeños? chopped green chiles? avocado? plain yogurt on top? yes yes and YES!), but I'm giving you the super simple breakdown so you can nail the basics (still delicious!) and then build upon it any way that you like. ;)

Sooooo without further ado, I give you my easy peasy Mexican Chicken Pita Pizzas:

1. Preheat oven to 350.
2. Grab a 6" whole-wheat pita out of the package and toss it on a cookie sheet **(super lazy trick -- put it on tin foil on top of the cookie sheet....no clean up!)
3. Spread 1/8-1/4 c. low/no sugar salsa onto said pita.
4.  Top salsa with about 3/4 c. of cooked, chopped chicken breast
5.  Top chicken with about 1/3 c. of shredded cheese (I like cheddar or taco blend here, but you can do mozz, jack, whatever ya got)
6.  Pop it in the oven for 12 minutes or until cheese melts and chicken is warm.

MMMMMM melty cheesy goodness...

Following one of our color-coded meal plans? One of these bad boys will get you 1.5 yellow, 1 red, and 1 blue. Enjoy!

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On the REAL REAL...

When I was 32, outwardly, I was on top of the world and "happy." I was in a committed relationship with the love of my life, had a career as a litigation attorney that I worked REALLY hard to get, went out to eat a lot, lived in a super amazing, hip, gorgeous neighborhood in Brooklyn, and was always out partying when I wasn't at work.

IT WAS A LIE! I was DYING on the inside under the weight of depression, anxiety, a job i HATED but bragged about because I thought that's what I was SUPPOSED to do, in debt up to my eyeballs, overweight, drinking and eating my feelings with people who I thought made me happy - because they were doing the same. I was so caught up in the cycle of making myself feel better with false soothing that I couldn't even see how their toxicity wore me down.

I had always been overweight and thoroughly disgusted with my body, but I believed I couldn't do anything about it -- as I had tried and FAILED at every attempt I made to lose weight before. So I did what I learned to do best -- mask EVERYTHING with a false exterior. I relied on being the "smart, funny" one (with my witty, self-deprecating jokes) when I DESPERATELY wanted to be the "pretty, desired" one. I dealt with all the extra weight as best I could by learning how to dress my frame to hide the "bad" parts (multiple layered pairs of spanx, high-waisted skirts and blazers to hide my hips and thighs...I wouldn't be caught DEAD in pants) and accentuate the "good" parts (plunging necklines, push-up bras, the highest heels I could find).

Needless to say, I attracted ALL the wrong kinds of attention, but I didn't even care - my self-worth was defined in those days by whether anyone (preferably someone I thought "out of my league," but honestly, anyone would do) thought I was fuckable.

I didn't realize any of this at the time -- all I knew is I felt this dark, hopeless cloud following me everywhere I went, scratching at my consciousness, begging for change.

And then, one day, it hit me like a ton of bricks. I woke up New Year's Day 2014, hungover and in the worst physical shape of my life. I remember sitting in my living room, in the middle of the afternoon, eating the appetizers that were left out from the night before (GROSS, I know!) and looking over at my girlfriend's fit sister Emily and her physical-trainer boyfriend Derek. I had been seething with jealousy over how great and happy they looked, how much they seemed to love working out and eating clean, and it suddenly dawned on me that this was not something that was beyond me -- that I had a choice: I could keep sitting in this nasty disgusting negative place, eating yesterday's cheese platter, wishing I could be like them.....or I could be motivated by them and ACTUALLY do something about it for myself.

I made a decision that day and joined an online support group that a friend had snuck me into, and connected with this complete stranger who since then has been my coach, friend, motivator and mentor! Micki was the complete opposite of me in so many ways and yet exactly the same in so many others. This woman I knew nothing about has become a sister to me. She sealed my decision to reclaim my body and my life through support and accountability and the amount of gratitude I have to her is infinite!

So I started to take control of the one thing I could... MY BODY. That is when I started my first program T25... and I HATED working out, but I got up EVERY DAY to do it NO MATTER WHAT -- for the first time, because I had a group that I was connected to and I felt accountable to them. 9 months later, after completing three rounds of that program in addition to a few others, I was 50 lbs lighter, selected to be in an infomercial, and fell in LOVE with health and wellness. Yep, the girl who HATED working out and LOVED eating fell in love with the process. The compound effect was happening all around me...people were noticing that I was changing from the inside as well as the outside - they were drawn to me and I started helping them do what I was doing.

From there I eventually realized through this struggle and process I had found my purpose. It all happened organically and quite unexpectedly. I found my way back to my faith. My relationships improved. I began to distance myself from the negative people and replace them with supportive ones. I started to appreciate my shape and curves, and my goals shifted from "being skinny" to "being a fit, strong, badass." ALL of this happened through health & fitness (this includes MENTAL fitness too people!). I had "re-wired" the way I viewed myself, others and the world without even realizing it was happening. All through positive self talk and mastering my mindset, this greatly impacted EVERYTHING!

Prior to this shift I felt destined to live my life on "cruise control..." but God had other plans for me. After a few months of helping friends and family through their programs online as a "hobby;" random strangers would message me with their stories and share openly with me. In seeing all the impact my story was having on others, and how I was helping them achieve the same level of change and success I was, I knew without a doubt that I was meant to do this on a larger scale. And THAT my friends, is why I'm a coach.

I have since completely changed my situation... I am able to work from home doing something that inspires me. I no longer have anxiety every Sunday night thinking about how much I hate my work and life. I get to help people in the midst of their struggle to help them see the light... WHICH is MY CALLING! and a BLESSING! ALL the struggle... The pain, self doubt, and tough times were leading me right to this point... my destiny!!! My story is mine to write and yes, not every chapter is sunshine and rainbows, but I OWN every chapter of it. I no longer look for negative attention -- I have INCREDIBLE people in my life that I can be completely vulnerable with - and we lift each other up every day with love and positivity. I no longer need validation from anyone else.

My point is this: in the THICK of it, your life may seem out of control... it may feel like every thing is going wrong. You might be struggling - financially, spiritually, emotionally, and physically. But THE TRUTH IS... it may just be the thing needed to create your AMAZING future! Stay strong... Have faith! And keep your eyes open -- because everything is going to turn out just how God intends it, and sometimes He has an unconventional way of showing us the light ❤️

If this resonated with you, and this is the sign you've been waiting for, please click HERE to connect with me and learn more about how I can help you! If this touched you but you still don't feel ready, PLEASE do me a favor and share this post so that I have the opportunity of reaching others who need to hear this and who need my help! ❤️ Thank you as always and much love! 

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Fearless From The Inside-Out

Most teenagers have an awkward phase.

But my uncomfortability with my myself began long before - and lasted long after - those few teenage years.

I was fearless enough to try anything when I was little — no one could tell me I couldn’t. I was an only child of two doting parents, the first grandchild. Everyone in my life treated me with love, adoration, and as an automatic friend.  I was completely free and safe, oblivious to the sheer possibility of maligned intentions or sinister motives.  

But once I had to venture outside of my cozy cocoon and go to school, with other children, I became acutely aware of my surroundings, my image, my ’otherness.' Slowly but surely, inevitably, the words started to seep into my consciousness - you’re not good enough at dance, you’re not pretty, skinny, or popular, you’re a klutz, you’re terrible at sports, your thighs are too big, you’ll never fit in.  Just stick to what you’re good at — getting good grades and being smart. 

Occasionally I would branch out and try something new - dance class, running for student council president, trying out for the volleyball team.  But that only solidified my fears of inadequacy — the students (and coaches) always picked me last (if at all), I looked NOTHING like the other girls in my dance costume, and debating skills mean nothing in a popularity contest.

I constantly sought attention anywhere I could get it — boys, teachers, friends -- but it was usually negative and never fulfilling - because I had stopped believing I deserved it.  

This pattern continued throughout my 20s and early 30s in much larger and much more self-destructive ways.

So how do I come to you today a happier, well-rounded, confident woman? What’s the lesson that took me 34 years to learn?

When you seek fulfillment from external sources, you will NEVER feel 100% happy. YOU have to believe in your worthiness. YOU were created exactly the way you were supposed to be — and those who don’t like it can fuck off. I had to learn that, from the inside out.  

How did I come to learn this? 

It started with a community of people working towards fitness. Fitness! The thing I was most terrified of! I found out that connecting with people who were going through the same thing as I was, shamelessly vulnerable about every feeling that comes up along the way, gave me the power to keep going when I desperately wanted to give up. I didn’t have to fear comparing myself to those hot fit women at the gym while I was stumbling on a treadmill in a baggy t-shirt. I could do it from home and connect with a private group, where no one made fun of me and everyone lifted each other up.  This wasn’t a fairy tale, this was a real thing; a real family. I started almost three years ago and I still consider this community my family.

As I began to win small battles with my health and fitness, I started to believe in myself — I was doing something I had NEVER been able to do before. I felt stronger and ready to tackle shit that came up on my own.

I started reading personal development - learning how to manage my emotional peaks and valleys, how to not give into the funks, how to dream again, have vision, and work towards it.

I learned how to share my story, so others who read it may know that there IS a light, that you DON’T have to live in the darkness, that there IS someone who’s been where they are and knows the way out.

And now, I help others do the same. There’s nothing like seeing someone else come up from the ditch - realize the light you see in them, recognize it, and achieve it themselves.

Do you want to work on your own happiness? Feel healthier from the inside out? It starts with a decision to commit to it - I provide the tools and step-by-step plan. If you made it this far and it resonated with you, NOW’s the time to do it — message me at fb.com/jaimepiazza or comment below and let’s talk :) 

Please share or tag a friend if you know this will touch someone’s life <3 

Thank you, always, for reading <3 

Guilt -FREE Chicken Rollatini!

YES! you CAN eat healthy and still have all this! The weather is getting colder and it’s oven season in my house, so I decided to give my own spin on chicken rollatini. I tested it on my girlfriend’s family this weekend and it was a HIT!

Are you ready to get this deliciousness on and poppin? It’s not only delicious and healthy, but beautiful and impressive for company! They’ll never know what hit them! I stuff the chicken with asparagus, roasted red peppers and mozzarella (but you can swap out veggies or add roasted garlic if you like!)

Here we go!

Ingredients:

• 10 thin chicken cutlets (about 2.5 lbs)
• 1 bunch (approximately 20 stalks) asparagus
• 1 jar of roasted red peppers (in water, NOT marinated in oil!), sliced into long strips
• 1 cup whole wheat seasoned breadcrumbs
• a few tbsp of shredded romano cheese (i like locatelli)
• 10 oz (2/3 of a 16oz brick 3 part skim mozzarella, cut into approx 1oz slices
• salt and pepper to taste
• Juice of 2 lemons 
• 2 tbsp olive oil 
• salt and pepper to taste
• olive oil or coconut non-stick spray

DIRECTIONS:

1. Preheat oven to 450°. Lightly spray a baking dish with non-stick spray.
2. Fill a large pot 2/3 with water and heat on high to boiling. Trim ends of asparagus and drop into boiling water, cook for 3-5 mins and remove to ice bath (blanch them).
3. Lay chicken cutlets down on a working surface and lay one slice of mozzarella, two asparagus spears and 1-2 strips of roasted peppers across the width of each cutlet. Roll each one longways and keep seam side down.
4. Combine breadcrumbs and Romano cheese in one bowl; in a second bowl combine olive oil, lemon juice, and pepper.
5. Dip rolled chicken chicken in lemon-oil mixture, then in breadcrumbs and place seam side down in a baking dish (no toothpicks needed). Repeat with the remaining chicken. When finished, lightly spray chicken rollatini with oil spray. 
6. Bake 25 - 30 minutes. Serve immediately. Go ahead, have two - guilt free!!

Live Every Moment

It's a simple message but one I'm guilty of completely disregarding. 

I'll walk past something breathtakingly beautiful in the middle of nowhere and be so busy, head-in-my-phone that I don't even look up or barely take it in. 

Like this gorgeous pond in the middle of a courthouse complex in Central Islip. Mother Nature holding strong while a center of litigation is built around her. 

I used to see a courthouse as a symbol of justice, with the ultimate goal of righting wrongs, mending broken families, creating a safer society…the pillar of fairness and equality.  

But being a family court litigator for 8 years, living in the underbelly of a system that often missed the mark, I started to become a part of the game. Surrounded by players moving pawns, finding loopholes, going for the jugular, I began to acclimate to my surroundings.  A shift happened in my thinking and approach - and I didn’t even realize it.

But my conscience did. I became anxious and depressed. I hated going to work and it kept me up on Sunday nights. I went out drinking and partying almost every night after work to try to numb it, but it only got worse.  When I went to law school, I had a grandiose vision of helping be the voice for those who didn’t have one, making a difference, furthering justice and equality. I was left screaming up a faucet and drowning in it.  Self preservation meant playing by the rules of those around me, and my natural fighter came out swinging to stay in the game. I was no longer proud of who I had become, I didn’t even like myself anymore.  I had lost my faith in humanity and myself, and my conscience fought back.

I needed to distance myself from it to truly appreciate how far away from myself and my beliefs I had gotten. So I started working on myself physically, mentally, emotionally. I unintentionally began inspiring others, and then I started helping others do the same. The feeling of watching someone that I’ve coached blossom, see themselves, chase their own happiness, and realize life doesn’t have to be a series of miserable moments spent at a place they hate doing something that doesn’t align with their passion and purpose.

Today, I’ve helped countless people become empowered to make themselves healthier and create a happier life for themselves.  My work isn’t done, but one of the things I’ve learned along the way is that my happiness comes from taking a moment to stop and breathe and appreciate the gifts around me, to live in the moment. 

Beauty and love is everywhere.  You just have to look up to see it <3 

HEALTHY Chicken Parmigiana Zucchini Boats!

I am SO excited to share this recipe I made this weekend because it is not only DELICIOUS, but low-carb and healthy! This is an EASY and great dish for fall with all the flavor and none of the guilt of traditional chicken parmigiana! Want more health and fitness tips and recipes like these? Follow me at fb.com/coachjaimepiazza

CHICKEN PARMIGIANA ZUCCHINI BOATS!

Ingredients:

4 zucchini

1.5 lbs grilled/baked boneless, skinless chicken breast, chopped into bite-sized chunks

1.5 cups natural, low-sugar tomato sauce (or homemade)

1 1/3 cups part-skim shredded (or fresh!) mozzarella cheese

Preheat oven to 350.

Slice zucchini in half lengthwise and place halves on cookie sheet skin-side down. Scoop out seeds and flesh of the zucchini boats. Distribute chicken evenly among zucchini boats.  

Add a layer of tomato sauce (approximately 2 tbsp per boat, more or less to your liking). Top with shredded (or fresh! mozzarella, divided evenly among the boats.

Bake about 10-15 minutes, or until cheese is bubbly and slightly brown on top and chicken is warmed through.

Serve piping hot with a sprinkle of parmesan cheese, if desired :)

Serves 4 (two boats per serving).

Following the Fix? Each serving is 1.5-2 green (depending on size of zucchini), 1 red, 1 blue.