Jodi Fit and Free

Ingredients needed for Brioche French Toast Casserole:

1 loaf of brioche cut into cube
4 eggs
1 cup whole milk or a mix of milk and heavy cream
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Maple syrup
Pinch of kosher salt
1/4 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup flour
1 teaspoon cinnamon
5 T butter

Cut your bread into 1-inch cubes or just tear it into small pieces. Place the cubed bread into a greased baking dish. (I like to swirl around some melted butter but cooking spray or a neutral oil would work too.) It may seem heaping and overflowing but the bread will shrink when you add the liquid.

In a large bowl whisk together the eggs, milk, cinnamon, vanilla and maple syrup. Pour the egg custard over the bread cubes and use your hands or a large spoon to evenly distribute the mixture all over the bread.
Let it soak for 15 minutes or so while you prepare the topping. Sprinkle the topping over the bread/custard mixture. Store in the fridge for at least 15 minutes or up to 24 hours!
Bake for 25 minutes covered in aluminum foil and then uncover and bake for 10-15 more or until the topping is bubbly and golden.

Real life happens…and that’s okay. ❤️

This morning, I’ll be spending some time taking care of family.

Can I tell you something? One of the healthiest things we can do isn’t just taking care of our bodies—it’s taking care of the people we love.

So don’t let a change in routine become an excuse to quit.

Take your walk.
Stretch your body.
Drink your water.
Say your prayers.
Keep showing up

Bless your heart…your body isn’t giving up on you. You just haven’t reminded it what it’s capable of yet. 💚

I’d love to hear from you:
What’s one healthy habit you’re keeping today, even if your schedule looks different?

How many times have you told yourself, “I’ll start when I have more energy… when life settles down… when I feel more like myself”?

What if that’s the very lie keeping you stuck?

You don’t have to earn God’s love by having everything together. You don’t have to wait until Monday to care for yourself. And you don’t have to be perfect to take the next step.

Sometimes faith looks like standing in your kitchen with a cup of coffee, whispering a simple prayer, and deciding to show up anyway.

One healthy choice.
One kind word to yourself.
One walk.
One prayer.
One faithful step.

God isn’t asking for perfection. He’s asking for your willingness.

So here’s your reminder today: stop waiting to feel ready. Start where you are, and let God meet you there.

I’d love to know—what’s one thing you’re trusting God with this week? ❤️☕

One of the biggest myths I hear is…

“Eating healthy takes too much time.”

Not true.

Tonight’s dinner is one of my favorites:
✔️ Lemon garlic chicken
✔️ Roasted broccoli
✔️ Brown rice

It’s packed with protein, takes about 25 minutes, and leaves me feeling energized instead of weighed down.

Healthy aging isn’t about perfection. It’s about making one good choice after another, even on busy days.

What’s one healthy dinner your family actually gets excited about? I’d love some new ideas! ❤️

People think transformation starts with motivation.

It doesn’t.

It starts with one decision.
One walk.
One workout.
One promise to yourself that you’ll keep showing up.

You don’t have to be fast.
You don’t have to be perfect.
You just have to keep moving.

Years from now, you’ll either be thankful you started today… or wishing you had.

Your future is built one step at a time. ❤️

💬 What’s one step you’re taking for yourself this week?

Ingredients:1 Tbsp olive oil1/2 yellow onion, chopped2 cloves garlic, minced4 cups water or vegetable stock1 (15 oz) can white beans (rinsed and drained)1/2 cup raw cashews1 lb broccoli florets, chopped1 large carrot, shredded4 oz extra sharp cheddar cheese, shreddedSalt & black pepper to tasteInstructions:Sauté the onion and garlic in olive oil in a large pot.Add the water/stock, white beans, and raw cashews. Bring to a boil, then simmer.Transfer the liquid and bean/cashew mixture to a high-speed blender and blend until perfectly creamy.Pour the blended liquid back into the pot, add the chopped broccoli and shredded carrot, and simmer for 15 minutes.Remove from heat, stir in the cheddar cheese until melted, and season with salt and pepper.

Ingredients:1/4 cup butter1/2 cup diced onion1/4 cup all-purpose flour2 cups half-and-half3 cups chicken broth4 cups chopped broccoli florets2 cups shredded sharp Cheddar cheese1/2 tsp paprika1/4 tsp garlic powderSalt and pepper to tasteInstructions:Melt the butter in a large Dutch oven over medium heat. Add onion and cook for 4-5 minutes until soft.Whisk in the flour and cook for 2-3 minutes to eliminate the raw taste.Gradually stir in the half-and-half and chicken broth. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 8-10 minutes.Stir in the chopped broccoli and cook until tender.Remove from heat, stir in the cheese until melted, and season with paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.

Have you ever noticed yourself reaching for the handrail…when you never used to?

Or maybe you’ve caught yourself feeling just a little less steady walking on uneven ground.

Most of us assume that’s just part of getting older.

But what if it isn’t?

Balance isn’t something we suddenly lose overnight. It’s a skill we stop practicing.

The encouraging news? Just like strength, balance can be improved. Every time you strengthen your legs, engage your core, and challenge your balance, you’re investing in your future.

Why does that matter?

Because healthy aging isn’t about looking younger.

It’s about staying confident enough to:
💙 Travel without fear.
💙 Play with your grandchildren.
💙 Walk your favorite trails.
💙 Keep doing the everyday things that make life meaningful.

That’s why today’s workout isn’t just another workout—it’s training for the life you want to keep living.

✨ Today’s challenge: Try the balance workout, then tell me in the comments…

What’s one activity you hope you’re still enjoying 20 years from now?

Let’s encourage each other and keep building strength for the future—one step at a time.

1.5 - 2 lbs chicken breast halves
1 (14 oz) can corn, drained
1 (14 oz) can black beans, drained
1 (4 oz) can green chiles
1 Jar salsa
1 (1 oz) packet taco seasoning
1 (8 oz) brick of cream cheese

Place chicken, cream cheese, corn, black beans, green chiles, salsa, & taco seasoning in the pot
Add half cup water.
Place your IP on Manual high pressure for 15 minutes. Do a quick release.
Remove chicken only and shred I used my kitchen aid to shred my chicken.
Keep your IP/Foodi on low Add chicken back in. Stir and mix well.
Directions for slow cooker: Place chicken, cream cheese, corn, black beans, green chiles, salsa, & taco seasoning in crock pot cook on low for 6 hours. Remove chicken and shred. Place back in the pot.
Serve with tortilla chips.

You probably don’t think about your grip strength…until life starts feeling harder.

Have you noticed opening jars takes more effort? Carrying groceries feels heavier? Your hands tire faster when gardening, traveling, or lifting your grandkids?

Those aren’t just little inconveniences—they can be early signs that your overall strength needs attention.

The good news? Grip strength can improve. And when it does, it often improves the way you move, carry, lift, and live every single day.

Healthy aging isn’t about chasing perfection.
It’s about building a body that gives you the freedom to keep saying YES to the life you love.

✨ Today’s challenge:
Try the workout in this post and tell me—which exercise surprised you the most?

Remember…we’re not just adding years to our lives. We’re adding life to our years. 💙