Day One..get it done

Come and join me on this burpee challenge. What is holding you back from giving this a try?? It's quick and you will be STRONGER from it. Let's motivate each other and do it together!!

Pumpkin Pancakes

1. 
2. Ingredients SERVES 2
3. 1/3 cup LIBBY'S PLAIN pumpkin purée
4. 2 tbsp coconut flour
5. 1/4 tsp baking powder
6. 1/4 tsp cinnamon
7. 1/4 tsp pumpkin spice
8. 3 tbsp Ghiradeli Chocolate Chips (optional)
9. 1 heaping scoop vanilla SHAKEOLOGY
10. 1/2 tsp organic vanilla extract
11. 2 organic eggs
12. Optional: 1 tbsp raw organic honey

Instructions

1. 1. In a bowl combine all ingredients
2. 2. Spray large skillet
3. 3. Pour batter and let cook over medium/low heat

Notes

1. Topped with pure maple syrup, chopped walnuts, and additional scattered chocolate chips

Sloppy Joes

Homemade Sloppy Joe Mix

Yield – 4 servings

Preparation Time – 5 minutes

Cooking Time – 10 minutes to bubble with cooked meat

Ingredients

• 3 Tbsp brown sugar
• 1 Tbsp minced onion
• 1 Tbsp smoked paprika (regular paprika works too!)
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp pepper
• MIX WITH…
• 1 lb.  ground beef (I used Bison)
• 15 oz. can tomato sauce, plus 1/2 cans worth of water
• 1 Tbsp mustard
• 2 1/2 Tbsp cider vinegar (regular distilled vinegar works too!)

Directions

• In a small bowl, combine the brown sugar, minced onion, ground cumin, smoked paprika, garlic powder,salt and pepper.
• Brown the ground beef, then stir in the tomato sauce plus about 1/2 cans worth of water (more if you plan on simmering it a long time), the mustard and cider vinegar. Add in the spices mixture and stir into the sauce. Let simmer for 5-10 minutes, giving time for the flavors and spices to infuse into the sauce.
• Serve Sloppy Joes on buns (or over rice) with favorite side dishes.
  

After school snacks

My kids come home super hungry after school. I have found that a lot of the packed snacks out there are expensive and full of stuff that they do not need.  I love pinterest. Here are a couple of the after school snacks that will be on the menu this week.

This recipe is an oldie, but goodie! I had a big zucchini that needed using up and I was sooo in the mood for these yummy (and guiltless) zucchini pizza bites!! A perfect way to use up all the zucchini in your garden and satisfy your craving for pizza in a low-carb way.

I make these all the time, sometimes for lunch or as snack. Even my husband thinks they are pretty darn good! They also happen to be gluten-free, and perfect for meatless Mondays. Of course, you could add some leftover sausage, pepperoni, basil, or whatever you like on your pizza. If you haven't tried these yet, they are a must while zucchini is in season!

Note: My zucchini was very large, if your zucchini is smaller, you can cut them on an angle for large ovals. 

Zucchini Pizza Bites
Skinnytaste.com 
Servings: 1 • Serving Size: 4 pieces • Old Points: 2 pts • Points+: 3 pts
Calories: 124.8 • Fat: 5.7 g • Protein: 8.2 g • Carb: 10.4 g • Fiber: 3.0 g   

Ingredients: 

• 4 slices large zucchini 1/4" thick (or 1 medium zucchini cut on diagnal)
• olive oil spray (I used my Misto)
• salt and pepper
• 2 tbsp quick marinara sauce
• 1/4 cup shredded part skim mozzarella

Directions: 

Cut zucchini about 1/4 inch thick. Spray both side lightly with oil and season with salt and pepper. Broil or grill the zucchini for about 2 minute on each side. Top with sauce and cheese and broil for an additional minute or two. (Careful not to burn cheese)

Ingredients

• 1 large old banana
• 3/4 cup old fashioned oats
• 1/8 tsp cinnamon
• pinch of salt
• 1/8 cup semi sweet chocolate chips

Instructions

1. Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees. In a medium sized bowl mash banana. Mix in salt and cinnamon. Stir until combined. Stir in oats and chocolate chips and stir until combined.
2. Place the dough onto a greased cookie sheet by the spoonful. Bake for 12-15 minutes or until golden brown.

Notes

Yield 6-8 cookies (perfect amount for a little treat)! Feel free to double the recipe.

Pizza Night!!

Cauliflower Pizza Crust
makes 1 large crust

Recipe courtesy of Doris Choi

Ingredients:

4 cups raw cauliflower rice
1 egg, beaten
1/3 cup soft goat cheese (chevre)
1 teaspoon dried oregano
pinch of salt

Directions:

Preheat your oven to 400F, then get to work on your crust.

Buffalo Chicken Meatballs

Ingredients

Meatballs:
• 1 lb ground chicken
• 1 tsp Real salt
• 1 tsp black pepper
• 1 tsp garlic powder
Sauce:
• 3/4 cup chicken bone broth (I used low sodium chicken broth)
• 1/2-3/4 cup hot sauce (check ingredients-- I used Frank Sauce)
• 2 1/2 Tbsp dry ranch seasoning

Instructions

1. In a medium sauce pot, combine the chicken bone broth, hot sauce, and ranch seasoning (place on the stove for later use)
2. Mix together the ground chicken and spices until combined
3. Form into meatballs (approximately 20 small meatballs)
4. Heat 1-2 Tbsp of oil in a large skillet, over medium-high heat
5. Sear the meatballs for 6-8 minutes, turning the meatballs for an even sear.
6. While the meatballs are searing, bring the hot sauce mixture to a boil and allow to cook until it has reduced by half and thickened (about 6-8 minutes)
7. Add the sauce to the meatballs after they have been seared and cook for another 3-4 minutes or until the meatballs are cooked through.
   

What is your first thought....

I have found through working with my clients that nutrition is the hardest and scariest thing to change.  I can totally relate and understand. It's a big step out of our comfort zone. People generally don't know where to start, or what to think about it. Clean eating isn't easy or convenient, but what is??  There are so many diets and advice out there. How do you know what works for you??  Is fueling your body with the best nutrition you can find, worth it to you?? If you were a fancy sports car would you fill your car with the lowest grade of gas to keep it running in it's best condition?? These are all questions that you should ask yourself if you feel like you are not performing at your best. Chances are it's how you are fueling your bodies.  

 

What do theses words mean to you????