Looking for a new healthy snack?  Check out Qunoot Sharafi‘s recipe for Fresh Greek Yogurt Salad!  Check out her website: http://www.realresults-inc.com

Recipe:

4 cups Greek yogurt

1 large cucumber

1.5 large tomatoes

1 cup cilantro

1 large lemon

¾ teaspoon salt

½ teaspoon black pepper

¼ teaspoon garlic powder

Cooking Instructions:

Remove cilantro from its stems and chop cilantro leaves. Add chopped cilantro leaves to the fat free Greek yogurt. Mix chopped leaves and yogurt together while adding salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Next, slice lemon in half and remove seeds to prevent lemon seeds from getting into the mixture. Squeeze the juice out from the entire lemon and add it into the mixture. Once evenly mixed put the entire mixture in a blender and blend until it reaches the desired consistency. You may add in more lemon or seasonings to your preference after tasting if necessary. Chill mixture for a few hours, preferably over night. Peel skins off of the cucumber and slice lengthwise into quarters. Remove the seeded portions of the cucumber and chop the entire cucumber into half inch pieces. To ensure an even consistency chop the tomato into a size as similar as the cucumber. Finally, mix both ingredients to the chilled yogurt mixture. Eat your salad alone or serve with kabobs and sandwiches. My personal favorite is using it as a great dip!

Makes 5 Servings

Approximate nutritional value per serving

PROTEIN: 19.5g

CARBS: 11.5g

FAT: 0.5g

CALORIES: 123

This WILL NOT be just clothing updates! We represent a LIFESTYLE, so this newsletter will fall in line with that vision.

Here are the details on what you can expect from our newsletter:

-The Latest BN Shape clothing news and updates on new clothing releases
-Special access to discounts, sales, and early releases
-Nutritional articles offering food tips, informational articles, and recipes (featuring PowerCakes‘ Kasey Arena, Skinny Mom Blogger Nicole Nordli, and more!)
-Sample workouts and videos from the BN Shape team
-Motivational articles
-BN Beauty and Ambassador updates and features

You won’t get this anywhere else but from BN Shape, so join us and SIGN UP HERE!! –> http://eepurl.com/yJfV5

Here’s another quick and easy recipe from Qunoot Sharafi that the kids will LOVE!  This peanut butter & apples snack provides healthy sources of protein, carbs, and fat, all in one tasty combination!  Visit her website for more recipes: http://www.realresults-inc.com/site/

Before finding out the news of my pregnancy, I was in the training state of mind and ready to finally get that pro card.  College distractions were finally out of my way and I was ready to give it all I had.  At last, I would live the healthy lifestyle from here on out.  Then I got the news!  The day before Christmas I found out I was 5 weeks pregnant and I was in complete shock.  I really did not know what to do or who to tell.  I didn’t know whether or not to tell my parents or wait it out till after the holidays.  Knowing I couldn’t hold it in, I decided to tell them the next day.  My parents were also in shock, but were very supportive of me and encouraging, which meant the world to me.  Ben (my boyfriend) and I had to make some serious decisions as far as moving in together, graduating in May, figuring out our careers, and preparing for a baby.

In the midst of the stressful thoughts I realized my life as a bikini competitor was over.  At least that was the mind set I had.  For the next 14 weeks, I began to let myself go.  No clean eating and no exercising.  I was too worried about what I could no longer do or have that I just thought depressing over it would somehow make things better.  I was wrong!  It really had and has taken a toll on me.  My physical appearance had changed and I lost my confidence in myself.  Therefore, I am still trying to get myself back in the gym to work out in front of others and not feel all eyes are on me.  After speaking to a few people who I truly admire, and explaining how guilty I felt for being so selfish, they helped me get my head on straight.  That’s when I really think it hit me…I was ready for a change!

I realize now all I can do and want to do.  My life goal has always been to motivate others to live a healthy lifestyle and that’s exactly what I want to continue to do.  I know now I am capable of so much and I need to take my passion to a whole new level of helping educate and inspire other pregnant woman.  Getting myself back together did not happen overnight and I am still struggling with it but I do know that all it takes is for me to take the step forward and stop talking about what I want to do…just DO IT!

I am now 5 months pregnant and having a baby boy and could not be more excited. Everything in life happens for a reason and bringing a new life into the world with the man I love is a blessing.  I hope to continue to move forward with this journey and help others as well!

Thanks to B.N. Shape and The BN Beauties for being so motivating and supportive, you’re a great family to have!

Love always,

Alaina Ravens

Do you get tired of having the same bland chicken breast?  If you do, Qunoot Sharafi provides the perfect solution her latest kitchen tip: Tandoori Spice!

One of Indian cuisine’s most well known recipes or meals is Tandoori Chicken! Why? It is absolutely delicious, simple and plain! Tandoori spice mixes usually have anywhere between half a dozen to a dozen spices mixed to make the perfect flavor that makes chicken, or chicken breast spicy flavorful and delicious. Spices such as Cumin, Coriander, Cayenne Pepper, Black Pepper, Onion Powder, Ginger, Clove, Garlic, are some of the main ingredients to this complex rub.  So spice up your chicken breast and throw it in the oven or on some skewers and grill them up! Usually tandoori chicken is served with raita or some type of yogurt so there is a cool substance to go along with all the spice.  To find out where you can find Tandoori Spice, visit Qunoot’s website: http://www.realresults-inc.com/site/

Nicole Nordli is a 39 yr old mother of 4 AMAZING kids!!  She is a certified spin, TRX, and group fitness instructor with a PASSION for health, food, fitness and everything in between. She loves to inspire & motivate others, but most importantly, set a healthy, POSITIVE example for her children. She has always been active and conscientious about the foods she eats, but recently became certified in nutrition,hoping to guide others on how to fuel their bodies properly with clean, whole foods. No “magic” potion or quick fixes – just clean eating, hard work and BELIEVING they are worth it!

For the past year, she has been a blogger for Skinny Mom, a website that offers the “skinny” on everything fitness, food, fashion, and family, with an emphasis on sharing healthy, clean recipes and workouts. She has written many reviews on fitness products, tools and gadgets that may help you reach your goals!  She also shares many of her fitness tips on her Facebook page, Food & Fitness Made Simple.  She believes everyone, no matter their shape or size deserves to lead a healthy fit life!

Please welcome Nicole as our NEWEST ambassador!

Founder & CEO of BN Shape, Dr. Dozie Onunkwo, recently teamed with CBS TV Affiliate, WLFI TV 18, to lead a weight loss program with WLFI News 18.  Viewers submitted videos explaining why they should be selected for this program.

Two viewers, Terri Staley and Jared Bond, were selected to trained and educated by Dr. Dozie.  Terri began the program at 309 lbs, while Jared began at 296 lbs.  Over two months, they were trained by Dr. Dozie 3 times per week.  They were also educated on the proper, healthy way to eat to facilitate fat loss and muscle gain.  After two months, Terri lost 23 pounds, 5 inches at her waist, and 2 inches at her chest.  Jared lost 6 pounds and 2 inches at his waist. This program aired on WLFI News 18 as a 4-part series called, “More Than A Resolution”.  Please check out the links below to watch each news segment!

More Than A Resolution: Part 1

More Than A Resolution: Part 2

More Than A Resolution: Part 3

To give you an idea of how significant this journey was, here is a great quote from Terri describing her early struggles to do something as simple as walking up the stairs:

Terri: “When we first started working out, I had to hold on to the rail to help pull myself up the steps, and then as soon as I got to the top, I was out of breath and I couldn’t talk and couldn’t breathe.  Now, I’m actually almost at a fast pace walking up the steps. I’m even trying to push and run up the steps a little bit. I’m not sure if I’m going to make it, but that’s why I’m pushing.”

Congratulations to Terri and Jared for the courage to take the steps to B.N. Shape!  We will continue to encourage them while they complete their transformations!

Jacqueline Allen, 30, is passionate about sharing with others the peace and inner-strength that she finds through fitness. She began exercising more than 15 years ago as a way to cleanse her body and mind.  As an instructor for a variety of yoga and exercise classes, Jacqueline is continuously motivated by seeing her students develop more physical and mental strength than they had ever imagined.  Jacqueline encourages her students to strive for a healthy lifestyle.  She guides them to a path of knowledge and acceptance and for them to believe that they can achieve their goals.  She demonstrates this by living the same values and practices that she teaches.

Jacqueline adds to her full-time position as a data analyst at Purdue University by teaching an average of 9 yoga classes, 2-3 spin classes, 2 TRX and 2 “boot camp” classes per week. In 2012, she also earned a specialized yoga certification in leading Yoga of 12-Step Recovery classes and regularly volunteered her time to help others to use yoga to help with this difficult transition. In 2011 and 2012, Jacqueline also led a special 10-week weight loss challenge that taught severely obese individuals new diet and exercise techniques.

Jacqueline is renowned for leading classes with challenging power workouts, but her students know she never asks more from them than she does from herself. In 2012 alone, Jacqueline completed 7 Tough Mudders in 6 different states, 4 mini-marathons and 1 full marathon (as well as numerous 5ks with friends).

Jacqueline is now embarking on the first stages of earning her 500-hour yoga certification, and looks forward to sharing the message of healthy living with an even broader audience through B N Shape Clothing and HER NEW BLOG –> http://jacquelinesitsallwithin.blogspot.com/

Please welcome Jacqueline Allen as one of our newest BN Shape Ambassadors!

Aleks Mortensen is recent graduate from Purdue University with a B.S. in Organizational Leadership and Supervision.  He also graduated form Airline Transport Professionals in 2008 as an FAA commercially rated pilot and Certified Flight Instructor earning a total of 10 ratings.  Currently, Aleks works as a Certified Flight Instructor for Purdue University’s Department of Aviation Technology providing ground and flight instruction to the students enrolled in the Professional Flight major, and in May of 2013 he will begin the next step in his career working for the airlines.

Aleks lives the B.N. Shape lifestyle on a daily basis by focusing on many aspects of maintaining a healthy lifestyle…with minimal breaks!  From the kitchen, to the weight room, to the road, track, and trails, he tries to incorporate as many forms of healthy living as he can into his regular routine.  In 2012, he completed his 10 Tough Mudder events!  During that year, he also completed 3 half-marathons and 2 full marathons, which were within the last quarter of the year.  However, Aleks isn’t your typical endurance athlete.  Most of his time throughout the week is spent in the weight room or cross training.

As Aleks continually expands his knowledge and background within the health and fitness world, he would eventually like to become a certified personal trainer and nutritional consultant to help others achieve their goals and enjoy the B.N Shape lifestyle.

We are very happy to have Aleks as a BN SHAPE AMBASSADOR!

Check out the latest recipe from Real Results Inc.’s Qunoot Sharafi for Fit French Toast!

Recipe (Makes 1 serving):

Nutritional value per serving

Cooking Instructions:

• -This fit French toast is high in protein, complex carbohydrates, and fat free.
• -This French toast is high in fiber and whole grains.
• -Enjoy this with some lower sugar jam and/or natural peanut butter spread on top or serve with some fresh fruit!