Loving what you do, and doing what you love

When you find your passion, then it's no longer a job but a soul purpose.

OMG... something big is happening!

I never would have jumped on something like this... but guys this was too good to pass on. I've got a secret... don't tell!

Reset and The Beast.. Oh YAY!

When my husband looked at me in June and said, "Do you think I can do the Reset?" I knew change in the form of AMAZING was coming.

The view is great at the Ocean

What does Ocean Avenue have to offer me as a Paleo Vegeo athlete and business entrepreneur?

What a difference a year makes

Vegan Cardio girl to Paleo Vegeo Sexy Beast and how the journey transformed everything in my life from business, to relationships..

Wednesday, May 22, 2013

Comfort Food for a Paleo Vegetarian - Spicy Bok Choy

Comfort Food For A Paleo Vegetarian if often Chinese

For me it's spicy bok choy! When I was much younger I worked for a friend's Chinese restaurant first as a hostess, packaging up take out, and eventually a waitress and then manager of the restaurant. When she opened her Best of Utah restaurant in Salt Lake City I helped her with that venture as well. This was a dream for her after having battled cancer with real foods, lots of fresh fruits and vegetables, and came out the other side. All of those years the cooks would make lunch and dinner for us when the rush was over, and one of my favorite items they ever cooked was the fresh spicy bok choy. That restaurant was like a family, and the foods, the more authentic cuisine became some of my comfort foods that I turn to, that isn't a chocolate cupcake.

Spicy Bok Choy with coconut oil 

Ingredients: 
1 1/4 lb. baby bok choy (approximately 6 heads)
1 tbsp coconut oil
1 piece (1 1/2-inch long) fresh ginger, peeled and minced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tbsp water
1 tbsp plus 1 tsp coconut aminos
3/4 tsp hot chili paste (I generally use the simply organic or make my own chili oil)

Directions:
  1. Cut the end off of each head of baby bok choy, and then wash with cold water and drain into a colander.
  2. Heat coconut oil in a large skillet or wok set over medium-high heat. Add ginger and garlic. Stir-fry for about 15 seconds, then add the bok choy. Cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly. 
  3. Add water, cover with lid, and allow the bok choy to steam until wilted, 30 to 60 seconds. Remove the lid, toss bok choy with coconut aminos and chili paste and/or chili oil. 
  4. Remove the skillet from the heat, recover, and allow the bok choy to steam for additional 30 seconds. Serve immediately.

Friday, May 3, 2013

Leading Your Network Marketing Business with Passion and Purpose

Leading Your Network Marketing Business


Conversation Characteristics Franklin Covey I Barbara Christensen Founding Ambassador Ocean Avenue
The biggest thing for you to realize about yourself when you are drawn into a network marketing organization, is that you are a leader in your own right. Someone is looking for you to lead them with your passion and your purpose. That means there are people who are turning to you for a reason, and they are listening to what you have to say. Your conversations have much more meaning than you even realize. Without understanding boundaries and roles you will be throwing people off with those conversations. So what should you realize about your conversation?

Conversation Characteristics: 

- Every time you open your mouth, YOU create culture.
- These conversations are more important to results than most other conversations you have as a leader.
- They can be formal or informal, long or short
- You are having them already, even if you don't consciously realize it.

Look for opportunities to turn a normal conversation into a leadership conversation. Don't "vomit" up your business ... but instead lead people into it by sharing your lifestyle... with sprinklings of why you are so passionate about your business every day. Determine WHY this business is so important to you, and break it down into a short and concise elevator response.

Learning to manage your passion with clarified boundaries


When we talk about “the passion of vision,” we’re talking about a deep, sustained energy. It’s fueled by the realization of the unique contribution we have the capacity to make—the legacy we can leave. It clarifies purpose, gives direction, and empowers us to perform beyond our resources. —Stephen R. Covey

This Energy... this VISION is powered by the roles and goals that really define who you are and what you need to do. But most of us don't even know what our goals are. Without boundaries your time gets easily eating up, and the life you want becomes further and further out of reach.

What roles do you play in life? Wife, Husband, mother, business owner, teacher, daughter, friend, neighbor, volunteer? You know what they are - and some of you may be working on too many roles. You should have only six roles that you are using to define the forward momentum... think about what it would be like to wear twenty hats and get everything done in life that you need to do... how would that work??

So how can I define my roles in life to move my network marketing business forward? 


Today I'd like for you all to do the following:
1. List your roles.... as many as you can think of.
2. Assign a priority to each role, or reflect on if one role really is part of another role.
3. List any key people associated with these roles.
4. Write a clarifying statement that describes specifically how you would want to fulfill this role in your life.
5. Break it down to just 6 Roles... and let the rest go. It is hard but your productivity will flourish if you can do this, and your life will feel completely different.

Sunday, April 28, 2013

The Brunch Pancake - Farinata (chickpea crepes with mushrooms, tomatoes and artichoke aioli)

Farinata Chickpea Crepes

Paleo Vegeo Barbara Christensen Ocean Avenue and Body FX Founder Farinata chickpea crepes with mushrooms, tomatoes and artichoke aioliI recently purchased the 'Crazy Sexy Kitchen' recipe book from Kris Carr and today I decided I was going to make some of the Farinata chickpea crepes to have for breakfast a few days this next week on my meal plan. I figured I'd make some for brunch and then put some away for the week. Good thing I was making extras because they were a huge hit with my kids. I have to say that although I've cooked with chickpea flour before, I was pretty unsure about making them. But I don't know that I'd want regular pancakes after having these, they were really that amazing!

I cooked them on low in one pan with coconut oil, and then sauteed some tomatoes and mushrooms in another pan and it was really easy to make, and fast.

Farinata Chickpea Crepes and Artichoke Aioli Recipe

I modified a little and here is my changes on the amazing recipe that Kris Carr shared in her book:

Paleo Vegeo Barbara Christensen Ocean Avenue and Body FX Founder Farinata chickpea crepes
Ingredients: 
Farinata Chickpea Crepe Batter
1 3/4 cups water
1 teaspoon Himilayan salt
Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
1 1/3 cups chickpea flour
4 drops doTERRA rosemary essential oil

Coconut oil (add a tsp before and in between each pancake)

Directions: 
1. In a blender, combine water, salt, pepper, and chickpea flour. Blend until smooth. Add more flour, if necessary, until the mixture is the consistency of slightly thick pancake batter. Lastly add the doTERRA.
2. Place pan over medium heat and add enough coconut oil to lightly coat the bottom.
3. I put my batter in a shaker cup.
4. Pour about 1/4 cup of the Farinata Batter into the center of the pan.
5. Cook until golden brown on the bottom, about 3 to 4 minutes, then flip it over and brown the other side. 6. Set aside on a plate and cover to keep warm while you cook the remaining crêpes, using the rest of the batter and more coconut oil in between each one.

In the Artichoke aioli I went the easy route

Ingredients: 
Artichoke Aioli
1/2 jar of Annies Lemon & Chive dressing
1 1/2 tbsp of Braggs Apple Cider Vinegar
1 cup of artichoke hearts

Directions: 
1. Place in blender
2. Mix until completely blended.
3. Pour and enjoy


Wednesday, April 10, 2013

Super yummy 5:2 Paleo Vegeo Soup

Super yummy 5:2 Paleo Vegeo Soup - The Fast Diet for a Paleo Vegetarian

I saw this amazing recipe after watching the documentary, Eat, Fast and Live Longer on PBS recently, and checking out all of the fuss on the UK websites. This book has taken off over there, and I think that when incorporated with a paleo vegeo lifestyle it could really be the secret to aging in a healthier manner.

This is really important to me because this last week my mom called me to tell me that she had skin cancer, and I can be thankful that my niece pushed her to go to the doctor before it could really spread into her tissue or organs. Being able to lower those hormone levels that are attached to aging, and to those cancers really is even more important to me now. I have an adorable daughter that wants me to live to be 104, and I plan to do just that with her by my side.

Now the Intermittent Fasting has been around for a long time, but it wasn't until I watched the documentary that I really understood the science behind it. Part of the information on the tribe the one doctor was working with was so interesting. I am the girl that is in bed on time, and I could not stop watching this show. It takes a lot to keep my interest, and so you know it was very very good.

Spicy Tomato and Chickpea Soup


The original recipe by Jacqueline Meldrum called for legumes and it was 123 calories for a portion. Now, you can soak your legumes, but they just look to me (in my brain due to their proteins) like soggy peanuts. And I wouldn't let you as my friend eat a peanut. An almond, yes. So what I did was changed up the protein in this soup. What I found out was that dry, soaked and boiled (35 minutes) chickpeas have a GI of only 10, and a GL of only 14!! Chickpeas (or garbanzo beans as they are also known) can contain up to 29 percent protein, and a 1/2 cup serving provides 7grams of protein for a very small amount of calories and carbohydrates.When you soak the dry chickpeas, drain, rinse and boil it will remove most of the phylates and make them more digestible.You could also not do any chickpeas and toss in a handful of the organic raw cashews from your local natural market instead. 

Low Calorie Spicy Tomato & Chickpea Soup
  • 1 tsp coconut oil
  • 1 medium onion, finely chopped
  • clove garlic, finely grated
  • 1 inch/2½ cm fresh ginger, finely grated
  • 2 tsp ground cumin
  • 1 tsp ground turmeric (LOVE)
  • 3/4 cup Chickpeas (soak dry beans overnight, drain, rinse and cook for 35 minutes, let cool)
  • 1.5 cups chopped tomatoes
  • vegan stock cubes, dissolved in 3 pints of hot water
  • Fresh coriander, finely chopped, a spoonful
  • a good grinding of Pink Himilayan salt & black pepper
Directions: 
1. Saute the onion, garlic and ginger in the coconut oil until the onion is soft.
2.
 Add the spices and mix well until the onion is well coated.3. Pour in the tomatoes, chickpeas and vegetable stock and bring to the boil. Reduce to a simmer and cook for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally as lentils have a tendency to catch on the bottom of the pan.4. Add the coriander and season with salt and pepper.5. Enjoy!

Serves 6

Sunday, April 7, 2013

Getting Over the NOW Desire

Getting Over Your NOW Desire

A friend of mine shared this amazing Jim Rohn quote and it really got me thinking...

DESIRE - How does one gain desire? I don't think I can answer this directly because there are many ways. But I do know two things about desire: 


a. It comes from the inside not the outside. 
b. It can be triggered by outside forces.

Almost anything can trigger desire. It's a matter of timing as much as preparation. It might be a song that tugs at the heart. It might be a memorable sermon. It might be a movie, a conversation with a friend, a confrontation with the enemy, or a bitter experience. Even a book or an article such as this one can trigger the inner mechanism that will make some people say, "I want it now!" 

Therefore, while searching for your "hot button" of pure, raw desire, welcome into your life each positive experience. Don't erect a wall to protect you from experiencing life. The same wall that keeps out your disappointment also keeps out the sunlight of enriching experiences. So let life touch you. The next touch could be the one that turns your life around. - Jim Rohn

So are are you ready to work for your desires? 


This is not about getting something you want now, or about a one size fits all product line. I like that this company focuses in on the desires of a full nation of people. I have my products for my crazy insane athletic friends (although Franco Cavaleri would laugh and say, isn't that what WB and Empower are??) but these are products for EVERYONE. 

That's what I love. I can offer Empower to my mom in her 70's to help her not only with her hands, but with the skin cancer issues she is going through. That goes for the WheySmart as well. I can give WheySmart to my friend's kid who really struggles to get something healthy in to help with focus at school in the morning. I can give my husband something that is NOT full of chemicals to help boost his energy and fat burn every morning before work. It's a focus on long term health for all... and that isn't what all companies are providing. 

Keep in mind what you are looking for as you go through this journey. It's different for all, and there is not one road fits all. :)

Friday, April 5, 2013

BodyFX Direct Founder and Charter Coaching Opportunities during launch

BodyFX Direct Founder and Charter Coach Program

Beachbody Coaching vs BodyFX Direct CoachingOn April 8th, BodyFX will begin accepting orders for Fast Start Product Packs and Coach's Media Packs.

As our way of saying "Thanks" to those of you who have persevered with us through the initial "Pre PreLaunch Period" - and who are making the commitment to become a Coach prior to the availability of the complete BodyFX product line - all Reps who become a Coach during the month of April will forever be known as "Charter Coaches".


Charter Coach's will be divided into two categories:

#1. Founding Charter Coaches - The Company's first week of business will run from 9:00 am Pacific Time on Monday, April 8th -to midnight on Saturday April, 13th. Any Rep who purchases their Fast-Start Pack and Coach's Media Pack prior to midnight on April 13th will be forever be known as a "Founding Charter Coach".

Founding Charter Coaches will be at the very top of the "rotation list" when we begin assigning
infomercial customers. Founding Charter Coaches will also receive the following perks and benefits:
  • Special Reception at BodyFX Kick-off Extravaganza Founding Charter Coaches will have the opportunity to rub shoulders with James and Jaana Kunitz, Jennifer Nicole Lee, Don Bodenbach and Cliff Layton in a smaller, more intimate atmosphere.
  • "Up-front Seating" at BodyFX Kick-off Extravaganza By the time our Kick-off Extravaganza rolls around, there could be thousands of people in attendance. As a Founding Charter Coach, you will enjoy special reserved seating at the very front of the room!
  • Photo Opportunity with James and Jaana Kunitz Founding Charter Coaches will have their portrait taken with James and Jaana in front of a "Special Background" that identifies you as a "Founding Charter Coach". Imagine the prestige of putting this picture on your BodyFX website or Facebook page!
  • Founding Charter Coach "Pin" and Award Certificate All Founding Charter Coaches will be recognized at the Kick-off Extravaganza - and will receive a special "Founding Charter Coach Pin" and a Certificate commemorating your commitment to be a Founding Charter Coach
-- PLUS --
All "Founding Charter Coaches" will receive Triple Leads!
During the month of May, all "Founding Charter Coaches" will receive TRIPLE leads from the Company's  television infomercials and full-page magazine advertisements!

#2. Charter Coaches - Reps who join the Company between April 14th and May 1st will not qualify to be a FOUNDER, however, any Rep who becomes a Coach between April 14th and May 1st will still deserve special recognition.have the opportunity to become "Founding Charter Coaches". The window of opportunity will have already been closed.  Reps who purchase their Fast-Start Pack and Coach's Media Pack during this time frame will forever be known as "Charter Coaches".
Charter Coaches will receive the following perks and benefits:
  • Reception at BodyFX Kick-off Extravaganza Charter Coaches will be invited to attend a special Reception with Corporate Personnel and Founding Charter Coaches. 
  • "Special Seating" at BodyFX Kick-off Extravaganza Charter Coaches will receive special seating near the front of the room (behind the Founding Charter Coaches!) 
  • Photo Opportunity with James and Jaana Kunitz Charter Coaches will have their portrait taken with James and Jaana in front of a "Special Background" that identifies you as a "Charter Coach". 
  • Award Certificate All Charter Coaches will receive a special Certificate commemorating their commitment to be a Charter Coach.

Important Notes:

Becoming a BodyFX Coach is simple! All a Rep has to do is purchase a Fast-Start Product Pack ($299.95) and Since the Fast-Start Pack carries 50 BV, and since the months of April and May are being combined, anyone who purchases a  Fast-Start Pack in April will automatically be qualified for uni-level commissions and infinity bonuses in the April/May bonus period. For this reason, the first monthly Autoship Orders will kick-in during the month of June. a Coach's Media  Pack ($179.95).

The Fast-Start Product Pack will include one of each of the products in the BodyFX Product line (including both flavors of Shake FX) and ten product DVDs. The Coach's Media Pack will include one set of JNL Fusion FitnessDVDs and one set of Figure Eight Fitness DVDs. The total cost forthe two packages is $479.90. Together, these packages will allow you to personally experience the Products and FitnessDVDs. This first-hand knowledge will be invaluable when you begin working with the television infomercial leads that will be assigned to you.
Reps who purchase a Fast-Start Pack - and set up a $50 June Autoship order will be qualified to earn Fast-Start Bonuses on levels 1 - 3. A Fast-Start Pack purchase plus a $100 June Autoship qualifies you to earn Fast-Start Bonuses on levels 1 - 5. Fast-Start Bonuses are paid weekly - and the first Fast-Start bonuses will be paid on or before April 19th. In order for you to be eligible to earn Fast-Start Bonuses on orders that are placed during the first weekly commission period, you must have purchased your Fast-Start Package (and established your Autoship order) prior to the close of business on Saturday, April 13.


Wednesday, April 3, 2013

Why Ocean Avenue over Team Beachbody


Why Ocean Avenue: 

This is something I'm working on for all of you, and every week I want to focus on why Ocean Avenue as a business opportunity offers more than the other guys. Week One I wanted to focus on Beachbody because a) Heidi Totten one of my best friends just quit Beachbody to go full time with Ocean Avenue {She is a Founding Ambassador with me... another Founding Ambassador on our team}, and so I wanted to share why. With the official Launch of Ocean Avenue as September of this year... the momentum is amazing. They've grown just this month by 52% - so I have to say there is a reason for all of the excitement surrounding this company. 

Start Up Costs: 

{Ocean Avenue} It is $49.95 for an Ambassador to start with Ocean Avenue. You get a website that has no additional costs associated with it. No monthly fee. You then earn a flat rate commisison on your retail sales, start earning vacation points and can start building a team, and can earn unilevel team bonuses. You have a $29.95 fee annually. 
{Beachbody} It costs $39.95 to sign up as a Team Beachbody Coach. You have a $16.95 fee every month for your website service fees plus taxes, and will earn 15% - 25% commission on your retail sales. 

Building A Business: 

{Ocean Avenue} Offers you the ability to build both wholesale team members which can earn your products for free. Offers you the ability to build a team of Ambassadors. In order to qualify for the First Order Bonus, you will be required to make an in initial package purchase of 90PV and a monthly 50 PV to be active. Packages start at $129.95 for two products:  1 WheySmart & 1 Invigorate. You earn bonus off your team, and the unilevel growth of your team., and the bonuses that you earn with Ocean Avenue are amazing. 

{Beachbody} You must have a 50 PV to be active. Most coaches are on autoshipment of Shakeology which costs about $107 for a coach. For your customer the cost of Shakeology is $129.95. You have to have two coaches under you, one on each leg in order to qualify for Emerald benefits which means free customers (but unless you connect with them and get them to make purchases through you there is no commission on those customers). You only build binary, and when you get a team you must have 120 PV on one leg and 240 PV on the other in order to bonus - which is about $14 per cycle that you hit that bonus. There is no unilevel in Beachbody. You must also pay for Club Membership every month to be qualified as an Emerald Coach. 

Sales: 

{Ocean Avenue} This is a level playing field. Everyone has the same products and the only way to buy is to go through an Ambassador. 

{Beachbody} Beachbody has two divisions - Beachbody and Team Beachbody. If your customer goes to the Beachbody site to purchase Shakeology or a Workout program on a payment plan, you do not earn any commission, and have to make sure you connect with coach relations to get that customer into your customer base. Beachbody also has affiliate programs out there, you can buy from Amazon, you can buy from Groupon, the infomercials, and all of that takes away from a coaches ability to earn because "shiny syndrome" often pulls your customers to something prettier... like the payment plan or a special deal, or Amazon prime. I will say in their defense that if buying a workout program you do get more from a coach (free DVD) than from the infomercials, but Shakeology is just Shakeology across the board. 

Incentive Trips: 

{Ocean Avenue} You earn vacation points for every dollar you spend. Vacations are given for families, and not just the individual. Both Ambassadors and Wholesalers can earn vacation points in the Vacation Club. Everyone will be able to earn something every year for their family. Even the convention is family focused so that you can bring your kids and let them have fun while you are learning. This year's first convention for the official launch is going to be held in Orlando, home of Mickey Mouse. ;) 

{Beachbody} The Success Club trip must be earned. This year is a Cruise. The cost for a family of 3 just for the cruise portion, $2350. I can earn $950 of that by achieving success club. Success Club 5 is earned by signing up one coach, and then selling either 4 HD orders of Shakeology, or two challenge packs every month. Double that for Success Club 10. Other Incentives are earned by the top elite coaches. Last year number 11 that did not qualify for the Elite 10 Trip signed up 100 coaches, and that doesn't even count the challenge packs... just to not qualify for the trip. To qualify for Success Club you must also have a 90 PV HD order or your own. In fact this year if you didn't pre-register and pay for your trip, even if you earn the trip you may not be able to go, because it will be sold out. 

Extras: 

{Ocean Avenue} As an Ambassador you get a free Shine Brite account for your child, access to Franco's weekly calls to learn about nutrition, as well as the other weekly training calls and the weekly opportunity calls to use with anyone interested in learning more about the products or the business. 

{Beachbody} You pay for access to Success Magazine on Demand. They have one weekly training call, and no opportunity calls. In order to participate in the Chats with the trainers, and to qualify as an Emerald Coach you must pay additional $1.50 a week for club membership as well to get the customer lead program. 

If anyone has any other questions about this please ask away. Next week I will probably tackle another "health / weight loss" company. Let me know which one you would like to compare.

Let me say, Beachbody has amazing products. Shakeology is untouched in the superior ingredients in the industry, but not everyone can afford it. The workouts stand out as having helped TONS of people to get healthy. So this is not a bash on Beachbody, rather a comparison of business, and I believe that for a start up Ocean Avenue wins.  By sharing my feelings I am taking a huge risk, but I believe in truth. 

Vegetarian Black Bean Burgers Made with Essential Oils

Vegetarian Black Bean Burgers Made with Essential Oils, oh YUM!! 


With the warmer weather quickly approaching, a healthy grilled meal could be exactly what you need to get in the spring mood. These delicious and easy black bean burgers with essential oils are sure to be loved by everyone in your family.

Ingredients:
2 garlic cloves
2 cans or 3 cups cooked black beans (drained and divided)
1/4 cup red bell pepper
2 drops dōTERRA Cilantro essential oil (http://shop.lifeessentially.com)
2 drops dōTERRA Basil essential oil
1 pastured egg
1 cup dried shiitake mushrooms
Himalayan Salt and ground Pink Peppercorn

Directions:
1. Soak beans over night, rinse and drain the beans.
2. Put 1/2 of rinsed beans (1.5 cups), yellow onion, garlic, red bell pepper, Cilantro and Basil essential oil, egg, dried shiitake mushrooms, and salt and pepper into a food processor or blender. Process until smooth.
3. Combine with the remaining black beans and stir. If the mixture is too sticky, add more dried shiitake mushrooms until it holds together.
4. Divide into 4 patties.
5. Heat skillet/grill on medium heat. Add coconut oil.
6. Heat 6 minutes on each side. Be careful when you flip the burgers as they are very delicate.
7. While the burgers are cooking, cut up tomatoes, romaine lettuce, or other desired toppings.
8. Once the burger is cooked, put the burger on either a gluten-free bun or use a big butter lettuce leaf, top with your choice of veggies and desired condiments.
9. Enjoy!

For a delicious side dish, broil some asparagus with a little bit of coconut oil, Himalayan salt, and dōTERRA Lemon essential oil.