What is your goal for the Holiday Season???

During the holiday season many people lose sight of their overall sense of well being. Life seems to become more chaotic as its loaded with our everyday tasks, parties, shopping, less sleep, and not the best eating choices. When people get busier the first thing to go out the window is their workout and meal planning and prepping. Without those your overall sense of well being is toast.

This holiday season I want you to have a goal in mind to help keep you sane and on track. Write it down now and put it somewhere you can see it everyday, this way you are reminded of your commitment and one step closer to your goal for 2012.

My goal is to incorporate more yoga and meditating for the 2011 holiday season. What's yours??

A saying I came across

Kind words and encouragement are much more effective than criticism.

So true!! I have seen a lot of people writing/posting each day what they are grateful for in the month of November. It is a great time to reflect on the blessings we have in our lives daily. This may seem cheesy to you. I promise you it works. When we are grateful for our everyday life, and the small things. Life is brighter all around.

My challenge for myself and you is to write one thing down that you are grateful for over the next 30 days. Who's in???

Fight for your kids health

I have been preparing a fitness/nutrition presentation for a group of 8-10 year olds. It has been a lot of fun, and I have found some new fun websites with awesome ideas for families. Makes it simple and easy to live a healthy lifestyle with kids. One of my favorite new websites is Disney Family. Take a minute and plan a fun family hike or yummy healthy meal.

King of Chili from Hungry Girl

I love yummy winter foods. Chili is probably one of my favorites. You know I love yummy food with a healthy twist. Hungry Girl does just that. Check out her website for more yummy choices.

Ingredients:

4 1/4 cups canned tomato sauce
1 cup canned diced tomatoes with green chiles
1/2 cup jarred jalapeño slices, drained and chopped
1 1/2 tbsp. chili powder
1 tsp. ground cumin
2 tsp. crushed garlic
1 3/4 cups peeled and chopped carrots
1 1/2 cups chopped onions (1 - 2 onions)
1 1/2 cups chopped portabella mushrooms
1 large red bell pepper, stem removed, seeded, chopped
1 large green bell pepper, stem removed, seeded, chopped
1 cup canned sweet corn kernels, drained
3/4 cup canned black beans, drained and rinsed
3/4 cup canned red kidney beans, drained and rinsed
1 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
Optional: salt

Directions:
In a large pot over low heat on the stove, combine tomato sauce, diced tomatoes with green chiles, jalapeños, chili powder, and cumin. Stir well.

Once mixture is hot, add garlic and carrots. Stir and continue to cook for about 5 minutes.

Meanwhile, bring a large skillet to medium heat on the stove. Add onions, mushrooms, peppers, 1/2 cup water and, if you like, a few dashes of salt. Stirring occasionally, cook until veggies have just slightly softened, about 5 minutes.

Using a slotted spoon to drain any excess water, transfer veggies from the skillet to the large pot. Add corn, beans, and Worcestershire sauce to the pot as well. Mix thoroughly.

Cook over low heat for about 2 hours, stirring every 20 minutes or so, until all veggies are tender.

Serve it up!

MAKES 10 SERVINGS

Serving Size: 1 cup (1/10th of recipe)
Calories: 120
Fat: 1g
Sodium: 820mg
Carbs: 26g
Fiber: 6g
Sugars: 10g
Protein: 6g

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Easy Fat Burn Tip

To lose weight might seem like Rocket Science to some, and others it may seem easy. The difference in the two is knowing what to do to get to your goal. Start with small changes in your daily diet. Add 5 handfuls of veggies to your daily food and see what happens.

Morning Smoothie

1 scoop whey protein

1/2 c. frozen mixed berries

1 handful of spinach

2 drops vanilla stevia

Add ice and water to your liking

Blend and enjoy

Fall Treat from Once a Month Mom

• 6 Tablespoons pureed pumpkin
  

  Pumpkin puree, if you don't want to mess with the spices you can buy the pumpkin pie mix in the can!

• 1 teaspoon vanilla coffee creamer (I use sugar free)
• 1/8 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon vanilla
• 1 Tablespoon brown sugar (I use vanilla stevia to sweeten)
• 6 ounces milk
• 12 ounces strong coffee (I use Pero)

Directions:

Place all ingredients except coffee into a blender and blend until combined and smooth. Divide pumpkin base mixture among two coffee mugs (about six ounces for one serving). Heat in microwave for about one minute. Then add approximately six ounces of coffee to each mug and serve! You can add more coffee or more mixture to your liking and taste.

Freezing Directions:

Place all ingredients except coffee into a blender and blend until combined and smooth. Divide mixture among two pint freezer bags and freeze until ready to use. TO SERVE: Thaw in refrigerator or in microwave. Then add approximately six ounces of coffee to mixture and serve! You can add more coffee or more mixture to your liking and taste.

Servings: 2 – 12 ounce pumpkin treats

Check out Once a Month Mom for some awesome ideas!!

Banana Muffins

I am in LOVE with this recipe. I make them weekly and freeze them for my family for breakfast. Pop them in the microwave for 15 seconds and it's breakfast on the go. Super yummy. I have mine with egg whites and veggies or a protein shake if I am in a hurry.

Go here for more yummy recipes.

3 Large Ripe Bananas

3/4 cup Applesauce 2 eggs

1/4 cup sugar (I used 1/4 cup evaporated cane juice)

1/2 cup Truvia (or 30 packets)

2 cups Whole Wheat Flour 2 tsp Vanilla

1/2 tsp Baking Powder

1 tsp Baking Soda

1/2 tsp Salt

Directions: In a blender, mix eggs, applesauce and bananas until smooth. Pour into a large bowl. Add the remaining ingredients and stir until blended into a smooth batter. Fold in chocolate chips, carob chips or nuts if desired. Preheat oven to 325. Fill each opening of a sprayed muffin tin 3/4 of the way full. (I personally prefer foil liners.) Bake for 20 minutes or until light brown.

Makes 24 muffins. Each muffin (sans additions) is approximately 70 calories. They are just as good 1 – 2 days later!