12 Days of Healthy Holiday Bites

Day 4: Banana Walnut Rum Muffins

I got this recipe idea from a friend on Instagram.

3 cups oats (gluten free)
3 mashed ripe bananas
1 cup unsweetened almond milk
2 eggs
1 sccop Vanilla Shakeology (optional)
1/3 cup chopped walnuts (optional)
1 TBS cinnamon
2-3 tsp rum extract (optional)
1 tsp vanilla
1.5 tsp baking powder
Vanilla stevia or sugar substitute (optional)

Mix together and cook on 375 for 18-20min
Makes 24 muffins

12 Days of Healthy Holiday Bites

Day 3: Pecan and Cranberry cookies from Clean Eating Magazine

Click on photo or here for the recipe link

12 Days of Healthy Holiday Bites

Day 2: My version of Starbucks Hot Cocoa


1/2 cup boiling water
1/2 cup almond milk
1.5 TBS Hershey's Special Dark Chocolate Cocoa baking powder
1/4 tsp peppermint extract
Vanilla Stevia
Walden's calorie free chocolate syrup

I mixed mine together in my ninja. You can just stir it in the pan. You can add marshmallows and whip topping if you would like.  My kids love it! If you want to be really festive sprinkle crushed candy cane on top.

Drink and enjoy!!

12 Days of Healthy Holiday Bites

Day 1: Paleo Meatballs from here (Super easy and family friendly)

Ingredients:

1lb. grass fed ground beef (if you aren't strict paleo you can use lean ground turkey)

1 egg
1tsp garlic powder
1tsp paprika

salt and pepper to taste (about 1/2tsp salt and 1/4tsp pepper)

1/2 small onion, minced (I used 1Tbsp dried minced onion in this photo)

1Tbsp spinach (optional)

1Tbsp fresh parsley (optional)

Directions:

Preheat oven to 375degrees.

In a large bowl, scramble egg and combine remaining ingredients. Mix thoroughly.

Take an ice-cream scoop and measure out equal portions onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or tin foil.

Bake for 10 minutes and then flip the meatballs to the other side and bake another 10 minutes. Total cook time is 20 minutes.

Remove from baking sheet and eat!!

These were browned by the oven only. If you want a little crunch to it and have the time for an extra step/mess, heat a pan with about 1Tbsp olive oil and brown on both sides then bake 10-15 minutes until thoroughly cooked.

Protein Waffles with Protein Frosting

Pumpkin Protein Waffle
1/2 cup oats (blend into flour)
1/2 cup Libby plain pumpkin
1/2 cup Egg white international
1 TBS vanilla Isalean
1/8 tsp pumpkin pie spice
1/8 tsp ginger
Vanilla Stevia

Blend oats and then add the rest of the ingredients. Makes two small Belgium waffles.

Protein Frosting
1/2 cup fage yogurt
1 scoop vanilla Isalean
1 TBS Chia seeds

Mix and place in the fridge to thicken for about 30 minutes.

I used all the protein frosting. You can use half and save for another time.

Chicken Salad stuffed bell pepper

1 bell pepper (washed, seeded, and cut in half)
1 can of Kirkland chicken (you can use any kind of chicken)
1 cup chopped celery
1/4-1/2 cup chopped purple onion (optional)
2 tbs crasins
1 tsp light miracle whip
1 tsp Greek yogurt
mustard to liking

Drain the can of chicken. Mix it in a bowl with all the above ingredients. Stuff half of the mixture into one bell pepper half. Eat and enjoy. I put the rest of the mixture in a bowl with the other half of the bell pepper in a baggie and stored it in the fridge for the next day.

Sometimes I wish I didn't know...

I am a very OCD person..yes it's true!! Life has thrown some curve balls lately and I am learning to roll with it. I have to workout 6 days a week, eat 90% clean, and have a sparkling clean house. With 3 kids ages 5 and under those are pretty high standards, and not realistic for my life right now. I am learning that if I slip here and there it is going to be okay, I will survive if I don't get my sweat on 6 days a week (for at least 60min), or if I eat a homemade roll and pumpkin pie around the holidays!! How dare me!! lol I am learning in life all things in moderation are OK,  believe me that is hard for me!! As a mom, wife, and fitness freak I put a lot of pressure on myself to be SUPERWOMAN. Let me tell you..it is not possible!!
For the past 10 months I have been working on trying to be a more balanced person. I have been seeing a counselor to help me overcome some of my life obstacles. To be honest I think everyone should see one!! It helps you realize what's really important and how corrupt your brain can be at times. Its a very humbling experience, and part of my pride doesn't want anyone to know. What will people think about me?? Will they think I am a freak (I am who I am)?? In all reality if you judge me, it is on you!! So I wouldn't waste your energy doing it. Save it for your workout :-).
One of my favorite health junkie ladies to follow is Jen. She is honest and real. Her website offers a lot of great tips and recipes. Check it out. In the mean time read this article!!
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