Showing posts with label Gluten Free. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Gluten Free. Show all posts

Sunday, August 28, 2016

Mini Salsa Meatloaves

These mini salsa meatloaves are great to add to school lunch or for a family dinner.  You can make them ahead of time and have them ready to eat!



Mini Salsa Meatloaves
Adapted from Kraft Canada

Ingredients:

  • 1-1/4 cups Mexican Cheese, divided
  • 1 cup thick and chunky salsa, divided
  • 1/2 lb. ground turkey
  • 1/2 lb. ground pork
  • 1/2 cup finely chopped onions
  • 1/4 cup quinoa
  • 1 egg


Directions:
  1. Heat oven to 400ºF. 
  2. Reserve 3/4 cup cheese and 1/2 cup salsa for later use. Mix remaining cheese and salsa with remaining ingredients just until blended. 
  3. Press into 12 muffin pan cups sprayed with cooking spray; place on foil-covered baking sheet. Use back of spoon to make indentation in centre of each meatloaf. 
  4. Bake 20 to 25 min. or until done (160°F). Top with reserved salsa and cheese; bake 3 min. or until cheese is melted.

School Lunch Meal Plan // August 27-September 2


By Janice Burke

Sunday is meal prep day!  I'm busy getting the boys' lunches ready for the week.




Here are the recipes I used for this week's lunches :)


Click here for more tips and ideas check out other healthy school lunch menus!

Wednesday, June 1, 2016

June Newsletter



Summer is here and we are ready to start it off on the right foot! We have challenge groups ready to support you on your journey and lots of great programs for you to try :)



Unlock Even More with Beachbody on Demand: 




We have another round of awesome programs - 21 Day Fix, The Master's Hammer and Chisel, and 22 Minute Hard Corps - now available through 'Digital Instant Access' via Beachbody On Demand. What does that mean? It means Beachbody On Demand premium paid club members can take advantage of huge savings by unlocking digital– only versions of these top-selling programs - in addition to P90, PiYo, 21 Day Fix EXTREME, INSANITY MAX:30, T25, Body Beast and CIZE that were previously available via Digital Unlocks. This will only include base kit workouts, deluxe kit workouts, and base & deluxe workout bundles.

Don't miss the Super Trainer Exclusives on Beachbody on Demand:


In case you missed it our Super Trainers, Tony Horton and Sagi Kalev each launched exclusive new content via Beachbody on Demand. Login now and try it out! 
  • Tonyoga: Tony’s new 50 minute yoga program
  • Myofascial Release: Tony's 50 minute routine to help promote better mobility and reduce injury
  • Equipment Room: BI's and TRI's (Sagi's latest addition to his Equipment Room series) 

Mark your Calendar: A Country Sneak Peek is Coming!


On June 20th , get an exclusive '24-hour sneak peek' of Autumn Calabrese's 'Country Swing' full workout from her upcoming new 'Country Heat' program on Beachbody On Demand. Plus, submit a photo to our social media contest with #CountryHeat for a chance to win $1000. 5 winners will be chosen!



Great News! We are happy to announce BodyBoard, our newest iOS app (we are working on Android!) and social platform focused exclusively on fitness, nutrition, and motivation. BodyBoard is a fitness vision board that combines cutting-edge photo sharing tools with an active social network that inspires and pushes you to be your healthiest, most fit self. Share your workouts, meal preps, favorite quotes, and more with people who share your same goals. Get the iPhone app and #getonboard








Get fit with Fix for summer! Challenge Pack deals for June:


This month, the always popular Autumn Calabrese is back to get everyone beach body ready for the summer with big savings on 21 Day Fix® and 21 Day Fix Extreme® Challenge Packs, plus Kickstart offers. 
  • 21 Day Fix (+SP) and Shakeology Challenge Pack: $140 USD (regularly $160)
  • 21 Day Fix Extreme (+SP) and Shakeology Challenge Pack: $140 USD (regularly $160)
  • 21 Day Fix Kickstart and Shakeology Challenge Pack: $180 USD (regularly $205)
  • 21 Day Fix Extreme Kickstart and Shakeology Challenge Pack: $180 USD (regularly $205)

Last Chance to Refresh for Summer:

Good news just in time for summer! Between now and June 9th, you can save up to $10 on 3-Day Refresh kits (Challenge Packs not included). Plus we're offering a BONUS GIFT of the 3-Day Refresh Maintenance Guide to help you stay on track and maintain your results post-Refresh! But act fast, time is running out to get a jumpstart on clean eating and lose 3-5lbs.


Stock up for Summer with the Beachbody MEGA Sale!

Save up to 78% during Beachbody's sizzling Summer Sale on June 6-13th in the US, and from June 7-14th in Canada! Score deep discounts on some of Beachbody's most popular programs, accessories and supplements, including INSANITY®, TurboFire®, LES MILLS COMBAT, Beachbody Fuel Shot and much more. More details to come!




Double Chocolate Zucchini Banana Muffins
From Making Dinner Fit
Yield: about one dozen



Ingredients:
  • 1 1/4 c whole wheat flour*
  • 1/4 c cocoa powder
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 1/4 c coconut oil, room temperature
  • 1/4 c sugar
  • 2 T stevia
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 c mashed banana (about 2-3 bananas)
  • 1/4 c unsweetened applesauce
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 3/4 c mini chocolate chips
  • 1 3/4 c grated zucchini (about 2 zucchini)
  • 1/2 c chopped walnuts (opt)

Directions:
  1. Whisk flour, cocoa, salt, and baking soda in medium bowl.
  2. In mixer beat coconut oil and sugar 2-3 minutes until it’s the texture of sand.
  3. Add eggs one at a time, add dry ingredients, and then add banana, applesauce, and vanilla to mixer.
  4. Fold in chocolate chips, zucchini, and walnuts.
  5. Bake 15 minutes or until sides are golden brown.
*To make these gluten-free, exchange wheat flour for 1 cup of quinoa, almond, or rice flour & 1/2 tsp xanthum gum.






What You Need to Know About the New Nutrition Labels

Last week, the FDA finalized the new look of the Nutrition Facts label. At first glance, the updated nutrition labels might not look wildly different—aside from that jumbo-sized font on the calorie count, which seems like it’s yelling at us like the National Weather Service used to do — but there are a few key differences. 

Some of the most notable changes to the Nutrition Facts label:
Fat gets its name cleared.
Now that we know fat isn’t inherently evil, “Calories from Fat” will no longer be listed next to the total calorie count per serving. This is good news for foods like guacamole, which gets 75 to 80 percent of its calories from the heart-healthy fat found in avocados. (Total fat, trans fat, and saturated fat will still be listed separately.

Serving sizes are getting a reality check.
Many serving sizes will be increased to reflect typical eating habits (whether or not that portion size is appropriate is an entirely different matter). For instance, on the new Nutrition Facts label design, 12 and 20 ounce bottles of sodas will now each be calculated as 1 serving, pints of ice cream will be reduced from four servings to three, and yogurt serving sizes will drop from eight ounces to six ounces.

Added sugars are getting singled out.
A banana has more sugar than a bowl of fruity Day-Glo cereal, but you can probably guess which is healthier. Foods with added sweeteners — like corn syrup, honey, or agave — are typically high in calories but pull little weight in the nutrient department. The new Dietary Guidelines caution against getting more than 10 percent of your daily calories from added sugars, and the new labels will list these sneaky sugars separately.

Key nutrients will be listed differently. 
Previously, manufacturers were required to list the percent Daily Value of vitamin A, vitamin C, calcium, and iron. On the new label, vitamins A and C are no longer required; instead, vitamin D and potassium will be listed alongside calcium and iron, and they’ll be displayed as amounts (micrograms or milligrams) as well as percentages. This is because through nationwide food surveys, the FDA learned that Americans don’t get enough vitamin D or potassium and state that “when lacking, are associated with increased risk of chronic disease.”

One word of caution: Manufacturers have until July 26, 2018 to make the required changes, and smaller companies will get an extra year. Until then, continue to keep a close eye on your serving sizes, scan the ingredients for hidden sugars, and use your common sense to interpret the current labels and find healthy, nutrient-rich options.






EXTREME FITNESS. SIMPLE EATING. SERIOUS RESULTS.

Wednesday, July 1, 2015

July Newsletter




We are at the beginning of our summer challenge groups so make sure you let us know if you're ready to start working on your fitness! There are three new exciting products coming out this month to help us get healthy!  We have Cize, the Fixate cookbook, and a new line of performance supplements! I know you'll want to get your hands on these ASAP!  We sure do!


Have you tried the new Cize workout available on Beachbody on Demand? It's really fun and the whole program comes out this month! July 20th you can get into great shape at home with Shaun T's newest, intense dance fitness program. You'll have so much fun challenging yourself to master the dance choreography during this 4 week program that you won't even realize you are getting a great cardio workout. CIZE truly is "The end of exercize."

In each routine, Shaun breaks down challenging moves step-by-step, and builds them into a full dance sequence in just 35-40 minutes. So, while you are mastering the dance moves, you'll also be burning fat and calories.

Watch this video to learn more about CIZE: http://bit.ly/1HxtCv0



Get your pots, pans, and kitchen essentials ready, because we're debuting Autumn Calabrese's 21 Day Fix-based cookbook, FIXATE, on July 14th! This all-new cookbook takes Autumn's simple color-coded container portion control system and applies it to 101 of her favorite family recipes.

Each FIXATE recipe lists color-coded container equivalents and nutrition facts. Plus, FIXATE includes Paleo, gluten-free, vegan, and vegetarian recipes along with Autumn's personal tips for preparing meals quickly, and stocking your kitchen with absolute must-haves.

Find out more information at this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IHPr-IsvpKI  



We are excited about the new Beachbody Performance Line being all natural. It's so hard to find good supplements that don't have anything artificial in them! 

Designed by Harvard-trained scientists and based on cutting-edge sports science, exercise physiology, and nutrition research, Beachbody Performance contains scientifically proven ergogenic (performance enhancing) ingredients and plant-based nutrients to help maximize exercise performance and recovery safely, effectively, and naturally. No artificial colors, flavors, sweeteners, or preservatives. Order Beachbody Performance individually by formula, or all together in a stack.

The system consists of five powder drinks that are formulated with key ingredients scientifically shown to be effective: 
  1. Beachbody Energize Pre-Workout: Improves intense exercise performance, increases energy and endurance, and sharpens focus and reaction time. 
  2. Beachbody Hydrate During-Workout: Supports hydration during exercise, replaces electrolytes lost during exercise, fuels working muscles, and improves endurance. 
  3. Beachbody Recover Post-Workout: Speeds muscle recovery, promotes lean muscle synthesis, combats exercise-induced muscle soreness, and improves muscle strength recovery. 
  4. Beachbody Recharge Nighttime: Supports overnight muscle recovery, improves overnight adaptation to exercise, promotes lean muscle synthesis, and reduces muscle breakdown. 
  5. Beachbody Creatine: This add-on has no flavor and mixes well with the Recover Post-Workout formula to improve high intensity exercise performance, increase muscle strength and power, and enhance the effects of resistance training. 
Check out this link for more information:
http://www.teambeachbody.com/promotions/performance-email-collector


Challenge Pack Deals in July:

The 21 Day Fix and 21 Day Fix Extreme are on sale again this month!  Let us know if you're ready to get (and stay) healthy and fit!  Check out this post on the 21 Day Fix to learn more about it :) 

  • 21 Day Fix® and Shakeology® Challenge Pack (Eng. & Sp.): only $140 
  • 21 Day Fix and Shakeology Kickstart Challenge Pack (includes the 3 Day Refresh): only $180
  • 21 Day Fix EXTREME® and Shakeology Challenge Pack (Eng. & Sp.): only $140
  • 21 Day Fix EXTREME and Shakeology Kickstart Challenge Pack (includes the 3 Day Refresh): only $180 

Monthly Recipe:

This month's recipe comes from Autumn Calabrese's new recipe book Fixate! You can get this gluten-free recipe and four others for free at this link: http://www.teambeachbody.com/teambeachbodyblog/nutrition/get-a-sneak-peek-at-recipes-from-the-fixate-cookbook  

Zucchini Chips 
Serves: 4 Prep Time: 15 min. Cooking Time: 2 hrs 
Container Equivalents (per serving): 1 ½ Green


  1. Preheat oven to 225° F. 
  2. Place zucchini slices in one layer between paper towels to help draw out liquid. 
  3. Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper. 
  4. Place zucchini slices on prepared baking sheets. 
  5. Brush zucchini with oil; sprinkle with salt. 
  6. Bake for 2 hours, or until golden brown and crispy. 
  7. Cool completely before serving.


20 Secrets of Very Fit People

by Chalene Johnson

Looking to get into great shape? Here are 20 secrets that very fit people follow to get–and stay–in shape. Read these tips, then print them out and post them somewhere you see them every day so they’re a daily reminder! 
  1. Keep a water bottle with you at all times and drink from it often. Water should always be your drink of choice. To kick things up every once in a while, try adding lemon, lime, cucumber, or a few berries to liven up the flavor without adding significant calories. 
  2. Look at exercise as a pleasure and a privilege, not a burden or chore. Think positively about the changes regular exercise will produce. Rather than obsessing about your next meal, get excited about your next workout! 
  3. Eat well-balanced meals and remember that excess calories will turn into excess weight. No matter what the latest fad diet says, extra calories equal extra weight!  
  4. Limit caffeine and exposure to secondhand smoke. 
  5. Focus on short-term fitness goals with an emphasis on completing daily exercise. 
  6. Keep a daily log of what you’re actually eating. This includes every time you grab a handful of chips here or eat the crust of your kid’s sandwich there, and all of your snacking. 
  7. Enjoy an occasional (once a week) “unhealthy” treat, but never an unhealthy week or unhealthy vacation. 
  8. Enjoy contributing to the health of others by having a partner or friends to exercise with, as well as recruiting others who want to feel better and have more energy. Have a neighbor who’s sitting on the porch every morning when you walk by? Ask him or her to join you on your walk! 
  9. Avoid monotony by taking up new forms of exercising, or using things that keep you motivated and inspired, like new shoes or great music. 
  10. Subscribe to fitness magazines to keep focused on health as an overall way of life. Don’t want the extra paper cluttering up your house? Make sure to visit a healthy lifestyle blog every day (like this one!) or find some fitness folks to inspire you on Instagram! 
  11. Invest in the right tools including good shoes, and comfortable, quality workout clothes. 
  12. Make it your goal to do some form of exercise 6 days a week. If your workout program is just 5 days a week, get a walk in on the other days. Don’t compare your body to those of others. Instead, love yourself as you are and just work to reach your personal best. 
  13. If your diet is unbalanced, make an effort to fix that, but also consider taking a multivitamin. 15. Work to take your exercise to new levels of intensity. 
  14. Create an exercise schedule the day before instead of leaving it to chance or waiting to “find” the time. If the last three Presidents of the United States can make time to work out every day, you can make time too! 
  15. Move beyond the boundaries of weight loss and into total fitness. Measure success by the way your clothes fit, your energy level, or your reduction in pain or stiffness, not the number on a scale. 
  16. Stick with eating plans you can maintain indefinitely. Remember that no matter how hard you’re working out, if you’re consuming too many calories, you’ll never see the muscles that lie beneath layers of fatty tissue. 
  17. Get adequate amounts of sleep so your muscles can recover. An added bonus of exercise: most people who exercise regularly fall asleep faster and sleep more soundly! 
  18. Limit alcohol intake to special occasions.



EXTREME FITNESS. SIMPLE EATING. SERIOUS RESULTS.

Friday, June 5, 2015

Slow Cooker Taco Chicken

This tasty chicken is a great protein topper for more than just tacos!  Put in on a salad, on some quinoa, in a whole wheat pita...ANYTHING.  I love slow cooker recipes that I can quickly throw together and forget while it cooks.  Plus, it always leaves my house smelling yummy!





Slow Cooker Taco Chicken

2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 Cup Water
2 Tbls Homemade Dried Onion Soup Mix (see below for recipe)
1 1/2 tsp chili powder
1 1/2 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp coriander
6-8 cloves garlic, smashed
1 Tbls dehydrated onion
Juice of 1 lime
Salt, to taste
Chipotle hot sauce, to taste

Place all ingredients except for lime, salt, and hot sauce in slow cooker and cook 5-6 hours on low, or until chicken shreds easily with a fork.  When done, shred the chicken and sprinkle with lime juice.  Taste and season with salt and hot sauce to taste.
(Adapted from 400 calories or less with Our Best Bites)





Homemade Dried Onion Soup Mix

1/4 Cup dried minced onion
1 1/2 tsp onion powder
1 1/4 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp dried parsley
1 tsp salt

Mix all ingredients together in a small bowl.  Use in place of store bought soup mix packets or store in an airtight container for later.
(Recipe from 100 days of Real Food)

Monday, June 1, 2015

June Newsletter




This just in! Autumn Calabrese (creator of the 21 Day Fix and 21 Day Fix Extreme) created a new Fix approved recipe book with 101 recipes called Fixate.  It will be available on July 14th and will be $19.95 or $17.96 for club members. Let's chat about how you can get a 25% discount on your Beachbody purchases!



Fixate will teach you how to make healthy, delicious meals that fit into your busy lifestyle. And every recipe includes container equivalents to use with 21 Day Fix, as well as nutritional information you can use with any Beachbody® fitness program. 


Challenge Groups Starting in June:

We at Team Tenacity have two great challenge groups starting this month and one big one starting early next month.  I would be happy to discuss which group would be best for you goals!

Summer Nutrition and Fitness BASH! is starting June 8th! We all have our own struggles we would like to overcome and goals to achieve in health and wellness. So, why not choose a program that works for YOU? In this challenge, you get to choose YOUR program that meet YOUR specific needs and goals! Don’t worry! Not sure what to pick? I can help you figure it all out. 



For more information click here to see the event and contact me to get you set up!

The Summer Fun Challenge Group is starting June 15th! It includes a lot of information on things like the importance of self-care, fitness, & self-love. We'll also talk about nutrition, meal planning, emotional eating, & more. It's going to a lot of fun! For our workout program we'll be using Beachbody on Demand or a program of your choice!  It's designed to be a well-rounded group to set you up for success!


Considering joining? Check out this blog post that gives more details and contact me via email or FB messenger so I can help you get set up.

Team Tenacity 21 Day Fix Challenge Group is starting July 1st! This month Beachbody is going to give $10 to cancer research for every 21 Day Fix challenge pack sold so we are planning a big challenge group in July!  Are you ready to get your nutrition and fitness on track in only three weeks?  Let's get you started!  Check out this link for more information on the 21 Day Fix :)


New on Beachbody on Demand for June:  

This month they have added one sneak peek workout from the new program Cize!  The program doesn't come out until July 20th!  This is a club exclusive so if you don't already have club membership contact me and we can get you set up with a FREE 30 day trial!  Sign up to win a free copy of the Cize program here.



Challenge Pack Deals in June:
  • 21 Day Fix® and Shakeology® Challenge Pack (Eng. & Sp.): only $140 
  • 21 Day Fix and Shakeology Kickstart Challenge Pack (includes the 3 Day Refresh): only $180
  • 21 Day Fix EXTREME® and Shakeology Challenge Pack (Eng. & Sp.): only $140
  • 21 Day Fix EXTREME and Shakeology Kickstart Challenge Pack (includes the 3 Day Refresh): only $180 
  • PiYo and Shakeology Challenge Pack: only $140 -- ENDS JUNE 15!
  • PiYo and Shakeology Kickstart Challenge Pack (includes the 3 Day Refresh): only $180 -- ENDS JUNE 15!

Monthly Recipe:  

This month's recipe comes from Autumn Calabrese's new recipe book Fixate!  You can get this gluten-free recipe and four others for free at this link.

PINEAPPLE CHICKEN SKEWERS

SERVES: 4 (2 skewers each) Prep Time: 20 min. Cooking Time: 10 min. CONTAINER EQUIVALENTS (per serving): ½ green ½ purple 1 red


Ingredients:
  • 8 bamboo skewers 
  • 1 lb. raw chicken breast, boneless, skinless, cut into 16 1-inch pieces 
  • ¼ cup reduced-sodium tamari soy sauce, gluten-free 
  • 2 tsp. sesame oil 
  • 2 tsp. grated fresh ginger 
  • 1 (8-oz.) can pineapple chunks in juice, drained 
  • 1 medium red bell pepper, cut into 16 1-inch chunks 
  • ½ large red onion, cut into 16 1-inch chunks


Directions:
  1. Soak bamboo skewers in water for 30 minutes. 
  2. Place chicken in resealable plastic bag (or container); add soy sauce, oil, and ginger; seal bag and shake gently to mix. Refrigerate at least 30 minutes to marinate. 
  3. Preheat gas or charcoal grill on medium heat. 
  4. Place a piece of chicken, pineapple chunk, bell pepper, and onion onto a skewer. Repeat, so the skewer has two pieces of each ingredient. Repeat with seven remaining skewers. Discard marinade that contained chicken. 
  5. Grill skewers on covered grill for 4 to 5 minutes on each side, or until chicken is no longer pink in the middle. 
  6. Serve immediately

NUTRITIONAL INFORMATION (per serving): Calories: 207 Total Fat: 5 g Saturated Fat: 1 g Cholesterol: 73 mg Sodium: 594 mg Carbohydrates: 12 g Fiber: 1 g Sugars: 9 g Protein: 25 g




How to Stay Cool During Summer Workouts
By: Kara Wahlgren

Working out in the summer heat can be a miserable, sweat-soaked endeavor. As much as you don’t want to slack off, let’s be real—when it’s a bazillion degrees with 8,000% humidity, just lying on your couch in your air-conditioned living room starts to look reeeeeally tempting. But with the proper preparation, you can keep your workout going strong throughout the dog days of summer. Here’s how to weatherproof your workout.


1. Get the Timing Right

Blazing sun isn’t going to do you any favors, so if you are going to exercise outside (or if you don’t have air-conditioning), schedule your workout for early morning or late evening. “It’s ideal to work out before or after the heat index rises,” says Elizabeth Kovar, an ACE Master Trainer and mind-body movement specialist. “If your schedule doesn’t allow you to work out during those hours, play it safe by working out indoors.”


2. Stay Hydrated

Okay, so I royally screwed this one up a few weeks ago. On the first day of a nasty heat wave, I went for an early-morning run while it was still “only” 86 degrees out. Minor tactical error: I only drank half a glass of water when I woke up. I spent the rest of the day on the couch nursing a splitting headache, achy muscles, and wicked nausea. Oops. “Guidelines recommend consuming 17–20 ounces of water two hours before exercise, 7–10 ounces of fluid every ten minutes during exercise, and 16–24 ounces for every pound of body weight lost after exercise,” says Jessica Matthews, MS, an exercise physiologist for the American Council on Exercise. If you’re working out for an hour or more, you may also want to replace electrolytes with Results and Recovery Formula or coconut water.


3. Eat to Beat the Heat

Excuse all the rhyming, but it really is important to eat properly before a summer workout, since the wrong foods can boost your body temperature. “Avoid spicy foods, which stimulate heat production,” Kovar says. “Also, high-protein foods and anything greasy will be harder to digest, thus enhancing internal heat production.” Stick with easy-to-digest foods like fruit, eggs, or yogurt instead.


4. Dress the Part

This one’s really easy. “Lightweight, loose-fitting, minimal clothing can provide a greater skin surface area for heat dissipation,” Matthews says. Black may be slimming, but wear light colors to reflect the heat from the sun, and choose moisture-wicking fabrics to stay cool and dry.


5. Scale Back

On crazy-hot days, you may need to change your “go hard or go home” philosophy to “go easy or go inside.” If you’re acclimated to hot weather, then you may be able to tolerate a tough workout in extreme heat. But if you live in an area where three-digit temps make headlines, scale back when a heat wave hits. “Anything lower intensity or steady state is probably more achievable mentally or physically,” Kovar says. If you’re planning on doing high-intensity interval training, she adds, “Try to find a shaded area or take the training indoors.”


6. Heed the Warning Signs

Heat exhaustion isn’t a push-through-the-pain situation. Unchecked, it can lead to coma or death—so if you start to feel crampy, dizzy, or nauseous, stop immediately and start doing damage control. “Drink plenty of water and remove any unnecessary clothing,” Matthews says. “You can also mist your skin with water to bring your body temperature down.” If your skin is hot but not sweaty, or your pulse feels fast and weak, those are signs of heatstroke. “Call 911 and get cool any way that you can until help arrives,” Matthews says. Anytime the heat index is over 90 degrees, you’re at risk for heat exhaustion; over 105 degrees, it’s almost a given.2 So play it safe—if you know you can’t handle the heat, head indoors.




EXTREME FITNESS. SIMPLE EATING. SERIOUS RESULTS.

Thursday, May 14, 2015

Beef & Butternut Squash Stew

Hearty Beef & Butternut Squash Stew
(recipe from 21 Day Fix Extreme eating plan)




This stew was AMAZING!  I had to control myself to only have one bowl, and couldn't wait to have it as leftovers.  So much flavor with healthy ingredients.

Ingredients
1 tsp olive oil
1½ lbs raw lean beef stew meat, boneless, cut into cubes
1 medium onion, chopped
½ green bell pepper, chopped
½ red bell pepper, chopped
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup cherry tomatoes or 2 medium tomatoes, chopped
1 cup organic beef broth
1 bay leaf
1 tsp sea salt
1 tsp ground black pepper (optional)
2 cups cubed butternut squash
¼ cup chopped fresh flat leaf parsley

Instructions
Heat oil in a large sauce pan over medium-high heat.
Add beef; cook, stirring frequently, for 4 to 5 minutes, or until beef is brown.
Add onion and bell peppers; cook, stirring frequently , for 4 to 5 minutes.
Add garlic; cook, stirring frequently, for 1 minute
Add tomatoes, broth, bay leaf, salt and pepper, bring to a boil.
Reduce heat to medium-low, cook, covered, for 40 minutes.
Add squash; cook, stirring occasionally, for 8 - 12 minutes, or until sauce has thickened and beef is fork-tender.
Remove bay leaf; serve topped with parsley.

One serving = approx 1-1/4 cups each
Container equivalents = 1 green, 1 red

Monday, May 4, 2015

Quick Spaghetti Squash




I had a lot of people wanting this one...
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You will be happy to know it is super simple!!
Tonight my boys were wanting spaghetti, one of their favorites that we don't make as often as I should.
I used to make everything from scratch and add all the ingredients in the crock pot all day. 
The only problem with that is I would forget to start it before 10 am .

So as a busy on the go mom, I started to tweak it and use very few ingredients.
The boys love real noodles, So I buy quinoa noodles or veggie noodles for them. And I have mine on spaghetti squash. 
Spaghetti squash is just something no one else in my family enjoys, no matter how many times I have them try it. But I love it! So I always have lunch for the next day with the other half. I don't mind not sharing this one.

You don't need hours in the kitchen to do this. And you don't need to use an expensive jar full of sugar and salt and other ingredients list that I can't pronounce either. I stopped buying ready to go sauces a few years ago. They just add way too much crap to it. I like to know and control what I put into my body. 
So I always have this meal in the house, ready to go for those rainy days like today.

What you will need
1 small spaghetti squash, better for portion control and cooks faster
1 can of crushed tomatoes
1/2 can of diced tomatoes
4-5 TBS of Italian seasonings of your choice
1 tsp garlic powder or 2 garlic cloves
1 lb of lean ground chicken ( you can use lean turkey, lean hamburger, steak)

Here is what I did tonight

Microwaved the whole squash for 3 min this softens it up just enough to cut in half without chopping off your fingers!
Then I take half of it,clean out the seeds and place in a glass dish with lid, add a little bit of water to the bottom for moisture and nook again in the microwave for 3-5 min with the lid on; depending on the size.

The squash should easily shred into noodle like strands, shred it up with a fork; then add your spaghetti sauce, place back in the microwave uncovered for 3 min to let the sauce soak in. Stir it up let it sit for just a bit for the flavors to soak in and serve it with salad or a side of steamed broccoli.

This can also be done in the oven. You can also add fresh herbs, onions, and so many different fresh ingredients, I love too add diced zucchini. 

If you try this or have any ideas, ingredients or tips you want to add; please comment below, take a picture and tag me in it when you try this!

Tuesday, April 21, 2015

Chocolate Almond Banana Shakeology

Today's Shakeology recipe is Coach Katherine Andrea's favorite way to make her dense superfood nutrition. It's creamy and tasty!


You can get health & fitness tips, motivation, and accountability from Katherine at:


Chocolate Almond Banana Shakeology

Ingredients:
  • 1 scoop chocolate Shakeology
  • 2 teaspoons almond butter
  • 1 banana
  • 1/4 cup almond milk
  • 3/4 cup water
  • Ice


Blend and enjoy!

>> If you are interested in learning more about Shakeology, contact us in the contact form on the left-hand side or in the comments below :)

Friday, April 17, 2015

Healthy Meatloaf Recipe

Healthy Meatloaf Recipe

I grew up on Meatloaf, it fed our family of 12 easily! We all loved it and thought it was amazing. It was probably one of the healthiest meals we had throughout the week. Smothered in ketchup with a side of green beans and mashed potatoes and we were in Heaven!

But, when my healthy mommy gene kicked in, I started tweaking almost every recipe I could find! This led to five and half years of trial and error with lots of flops and burnt results. But once I found something that worked and the family liked; It became a staple that I make over and over and over again. Each time I make a recipe I change up a few things so we don't get bored. I truly like to cook BASIC, super BASIC ...I am NOT a cook, I don't enjoy it that much either. I do love serving healthy meals though! It really does make me the proudest when I control the nutritional value of what is on my family's plates as we sit down to eat.


Just don't judge me for the Chex Rice cereal for breakfast this morning...its Friday

Before I share my tips and ideas on how to make your healthy meatloaf, know that NOT everyone in my family loves it. My husband won't eat ground turkey or chicken, although he is not a fan of meatloaf either. So I make this for Lunch. I prep a BIG batch and the boys and I eat it for our lunches. It packs well in their school lunch boxes.



Now, lets think about the traditional meatloaf and its intention. It was a way to make meat go further. So instead of using "cheap" meat, I use ground chicken and turkey, which is healthier than "cheap" meat and is known to cost less than leaner grass feed beef. So instead of adding "crap" to my meat to make it go further, I add healthy foods that will keep you fuller longer. When I first tweaked this recipe I used oatmeal instead of bread crumbs (have you ever looked at the ingredients on the back of the bread crumbs you buy? I dare you to go look if you have some on hand). Also, I don't add any sauces.




What I do add is an egg or two depending on how big the batch is. Then, I dice up any veggies on hand that I have, super small other wise your meatloaf will fall apart.  I love to grate up zucchini and carrots. I also like to add minced, onion, garlic, mushrooms, peppers. .The veggies help add moisture and flavor to the meat. You can create so many different flavors. I like to use "Mrs Dash- no salt added" seasonings. Sometimes we make it more of an Italian style meatloaf with a can of tomato sauce and other times I add a Mexican spin to it by adding cilantro and a can of hatch green chilli peppers or you can use fresh peppers if you have it!


Cooking with Turkey and veggies is going to give off more juice/liquid so I drain that about half way through baking. I cut into it to see how close it is to being done.I love to turn the broiler on for the last 5-10 to crisp up the top too.


The Recipe:

Preheat oven to 350

In a mixing bowl add in no particular order:

  • 1 lb of lean ground turkey or chicken
  • 1 small zucchini (grated)
  • 1 garlic clove (crushed)
  • 1/2 small red onion (chopped finely)
  • 2 med size mushrooms (chopped up small)
  • 1 can of fire roasted chopped green chilli (don't drain)
  • hand full of fresh cilantro
  • 1 tsp of cumin
  • 1 egg
  • 1-2 tsp of Mrs. Dash Fiesta Lime
Bake in a loaf pan on the center rack at 350 for 15-20 min till firmed up, you don't want to over cook it or will get dried out. If you cut in the center and it is not done add an extra 5 min and check again. 
The last 5 min I turn the broiler on and brown up the top. Enjoy!

Let me know if you try this recipe, tell me what you think. Or if you have any "flavor" suggestions I would love to hear about it. Tuna Sweet Potato Muffins coming up Next with K.I.S.S. Recipies

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