Tosca Reno: Sugar!

I am a huge fan of Tosca Reno and oxygen. She is an amazing woman who has had her trials in life and always finds the positive in them. I WILL meet her in the future she is one of my many fitness idols. I loved this article and since I have committed to no sugar for 30 days with some friends I thought this was perfect.
Tosca Reno: Sugar!

Dark Chocolate Pumpkin protein pancakes

I am OBSESSED with Fall and pumpkin!! If you love pumpkin recipes follow my blog I will be posting as I find them and try them!!

1/3 cup blended oats
1/4 cup Libby's plain pumpkin
5 Egg whites (I use egg white international..they rock!!)
1/2 TBS. dark cocoa powder
pumpkin pie spice, cinnamon, and vanilla
stevia (I prefer NuNaturals from iherb.com)

blend in magic bullet
cook with pam
Makes 2-3 pancakes depending on size
Eat and enjoy
They freeze great

Jamie Easton's pumpkin protein bars

Nutrition Facts:

Nutrition (without walnuts): 1 square = 47 calories, .7 g fat, 8 g carbs, 3.7 g protein

Nutrition (with walnuts): 1 square = 63 calories, 2.3 g fat, 8 g carbs, 4 g protein

Ingredients:

• ½ C Xylitol Brown Sugar Blend (Ideal)
• 1 - 4 oz. jar baby food applesauce
• 2 tsp. ground cinnamon
• 1 ½ tsp. ground ginger
• ½ tsp. ground clove
• 1 tsp. baking powder
• 1 tsp. baking soda
• ½ tsp. salt
• 2 tsp. vanilla extract
• 4 large egg whites
• 1 - 15 oz. can of raw pumpkin
• 2 C oat flour
• 2 scoops vanilla whey protein
• ½ cup almond milk
• ½ C chopped walnuts (optional)

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350.
2. Spray a 9 X 13 Pyrex dish with non-stick spray.
3. Combine first 11 ingredients and mix well.
4. Add the final 3 ingredients (4, if adding walnuts), and mix until incorporated. Spread batter into the Pyrex dish and bake for 30 min.
5. Makes 24 squares.

Kid approved

There are two things that are staples in our house.  Pumpkin and waffles!! I would buy stock in Libby's canned pumpkin if I could. Every time I go to the store I have to buy a couple cans. I have a fear of running out. It would be a very depressing day if I did not have my pumpkin, and my kids would be sad if they didn't have their morning waffles!!

Pumpkin Protein Waffles
2/3 cup gluten free oats
1/2 cup cottage cheese
1/2 cup plain pumpkin
8 egg whites
stevia
cinnamon
nutmeg
pumpkin spice

Blend the oats into flour
Add the rest of the ingredients and blend for a minute
Cook with Pam in a waffle iron.
Makes four small waffles or 2 big Belgium waffles

Its been a long time since I have posted. Being pregnant and post baby has had me a bit distracted. Anyway I am back in the game again. With nursing an infant and 2 toddlers to chase I have to make quick healthy meals.  Here is one of my favorites.

1/2 cup fage yogurt
1 scoop chocolate protein powder (I use isagenix)
1 TBS. cocoa powder
2-3 drops vanilla stevia (iherb.com sells it for a reasonable price)
mix and enjoy
(if I am feeling naughty I add 10 almonds)

Get swimsuit ready...

Found this fun workout on Pinterest. Click here for the website

The Ultimate Hips, Bum and Thigh Workout

The whole hip, bum and thigh region is amongst the biggest problem areas for women (and men, although they are less vocal about it!). This is my personal favorite workout for butt-firming, leg-toning, and hip- and thigh-slimming to enable you to get the bum and backside of your dreams! The added bonus? These specific exercises target those cellulite-prone areas thus enabling you to minimize your cellulite. All you need is yourself and 15 minutes!

What to do: Perform 50 reps of each exercise, and complete as many rounds as you can in 15 minutes, leaving you with a big burn. When you’re sore tomorrow, you’ll know it’s working!

The Workout: As many rounds as you can in 15 minutes:

• Lunges, 50 reps (25 each leg)
• Bodyweight Squats, 50 reps
• Back Extensions, 50 reps

Good Tips...

I saw this video a couple of weeks ago and really enjoyed it. I am not a fitness competitor, I am 6 months pregnant and found Gina's tips to be very useful in every day life. It is all about finding balance for you and where you are at right now in life. Click here to check it out.

Also, I have an amazing friend that is competing in the Jay Cutler Classic this next weekend. She posted this saying last week, and I loved it!! How many times have we held onto something negative that we have done?? The hardest part for me is to forgive myself for not being as perfect as I would like to be. No one is PERFECT so why do I think I should be?? Learn to have patience with your goals in life, and enjoy where you are at this moment. Life is too precious to not enjoy the whole journey.

Here is my friend's blog. Click here to check it out.