CHOCOLATE & PEANUT BUTTER SWIRLED ICE CREAM

Chocolate & Peanut Butter Swirled Ice cream

It is as good as it looks. Amanda and I have a HUGE sweet tooth at night and we are always so tempted to steer off of our meal plan. This was the perfect solution to make and have in the freezer.

Chocolate layers: Frozen bananas blended with a little almond milk.

PB layers: PB mixed with a little almond milk, vanilla extract, and maple syrup

Chips are dark chocolate vegan chips.

This is 100% vegan, 100% full of flavor! Now…to see how long it actually lasts in the freezer 

SPICY AND CRISPY GARBANZO BEANS

1 can Garbanzo beans, drained, rinsed and dried
1/2 to 1 tbsp olive oil
1/2 tbsp paprika
1/2 tbsp cumin
1/4 tsp cayanne pepper
1/2 tsp salt

Mix all together then put on a baking sheet sprayed with Cooking spray.  Roast in 400 degree oven for about 30 minutes, giving them a shake every 8 to 10 minutes.

SO GOOD!!! much better than popcorn to snack on at the movie theater!

Conquering the month of MAY!

Have to start of the month of May on the right foot and get meal planning going.  I have the tendency to fall off the wagon when I do not have a plan.  I somewhat plan meals, somewhat keep track of what I need to eat as far as how many proteins, veggies, carbs..etc.  But usually do not stay on track because I am literally just grabbing anything I have and getting on with my day.

Starting off this month right with a MEAL PLAN!!  

For those who have not done the 21 day fix (beachbody workout and nutrition program)...

JUST DO IT!!  

I can not say it enough because it just makes meal planning so so easy!  As you can see above I have highlighted my colors in how many types of food in each category.  Now I may tweak it here and there to add additional calories, if needed, from doing some days of double workouts.  But other than that, meal planning REALLY helps planning the grocery list so that I do not over buy food and end up wasting.  I will be integrating a hybrid workout program of insanity max 30 / 21 day fix extreme / and running.  

Time to conquer the month of May!!  

FIG OAT TREATS

8 figs
about 1/2 cup oats
cinnamon (of course!)
drizzle of honey
handful of almonds

Yes I know, this is probably one of the least specific recipes I have made but honestly, I threw all this in a blender...having to scrape down the sides a couple times...then rolled them into bite sized balls to have as treats!  Threw them in the freezer so that I do not eat them all!

Enjoy!!

SPAGHETTI SQUASH AND BROCCOLI BAKE

I used a about a 1 1/2 pound spaghetti squash (for 2 servings) but if you want to double the recipe then go for it and use a 3 pound one, then giving you 4 servings.

1/2 tablespoon olive oil
2 small bunches of broccoli
garlic powder
crushed red pepper
basil
salt
pepper
1 tablespoon water
1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
1/4 cup shredded Parmesan cheese, divided

1. Preheat oven to 450 degrees.
2. Place squash cut side down in microwave safe dish, seeds removed, with about 1/4 cup water.  Cook on high until flesh is tender, about 10 minutes depending on size of squash.
3. While the squash cooks, saute broccoli in 1/2 tbsp olive oil for 4 minutes, season with garlic powder, basil, salt, pepper, red pepper flakes.  Add 1 tablespoon of water and let cook another 5 minutes or so.
4. Using a fork, scrape out the insides ofspaghetti squash and combine with broccoli, 1/8 cup parmesean cheese, almost the entire amount of mozzarella (saving a little to top it with), and season to taste.
5. Place empty spaghetti squash shells on a baking sheet and stuff with mixture. Sprinkle remaining cheese on top. Bake for 10 minutes, then place under broiler for about 1 minute (watch it so it doesn't burn!) just to toast the cheese.

ENJOY!!

HEARTY BEEF AND BUTTERNUT SQUASH STEW

Makes 6 servings.  Each serving is 1 red and 1 green.

1 tsp olive oil
1 1/2 pounds of raw lean beef meat, boneless, cut into 2 inch cubes
1 medium onion, chopped
1/2 green bell pepper, chopped
1/2 red bell pepper, chopped
4 cloves garlic, crushed
2 medium tomatoes, chopped
1 cup low sodium organic beef broth
1 bay leaf
1 tsp sea salt
1 tsp ground black pepper
2 cups cubed butternut squash
1/4 chopped flat leaf parsley

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

YUM YUM YUM!!!

21 Day Fix Extreme Update

Officially made it to Day 9!!! It is amazing because I truly thought I would have caved in by now and cheating with some nachos, pizza, muffins...anything.  Plus sticking to the meal plan while being on vacation for a few days was an achievement. And personally, me going 9 days without frozen yogurt is UNBELIEVABLE!!!

Funny part is though, when you are eating healthy, working out, and in a routine holding each other accountable, it doesn't seem that hard at all.  Your cravings go away, thanks to shakeology too, and you don't think about the junk food.  I really do not miss it...OK I MISS THE FRO YO!  But on the days I can have 2 fruit servings, I blend up frozen strawberries and banana and that is my make shift fro yo.  SO good!

How are the workouts??

Well, I have to admit after going through insanity max 30, I thought they would be a breeze.  Boy was I wrong.  Autumn pushes you with utilizing the weights and giving minimal breaks.  I feel like the second I have a sip of water, we are already going again.  I like this because it keeps your mind focused on the exercises and not on the soreness you are beginning to feel.



How is the meal plan?  

My girlfriend and I have stuck to it!  Is it hard?  YES.  And I say yes because it seems like we spend a lot of time in the kitchen.  But comparing week 1 meal prep to week 2, we are speeding up the process.  Make several servings of each dish, use teamwork in the kitchen, have one person chopping while the other is using the stove...little ways to make it go by faster.  And come the end of meal prep, our fridge is full of tupperware containers ready to go!!

How are the recipes?

Tried Autumns Vegetable egg cups which are to die for and great to take on the go.  And we tried the turkey chili. With how cold it has been in New England, this was the perfect dinner to warm us up.
This week Chicken Fajitas and Turkey Meatballs, and Hearty Beef and Butternut Squash Stew are going to be tried from the 21 Day Fix Extreme book!!  Can not wait!





How are the results?

So far we have not taken inches but I can tell that I have a bit more room in my jeans which is never a bad thing!  On the scale we have dropped a few pounds, but ultimately the goal is to feel better, and feel healthier.  My skin has cleared up just by e



ating healthier and getting enough water / sleep in my life.  It is awesome to see that fueling your body does to you on the inside and out.  Less cover up is always a goal! haha

So heading into week 2, here is our meal plan!  It will be hard again towards the end of the week since we will be traveling for work, but again holding each other accountable will get us through!

CHOCOLATE COVERED PUMPKIN CHEESECAKE BITES

Blend 2/3 cup pumpkin puree, 2 ounces of light creme cheese, 1/3 cup oats, 1/4 cup coconut flour (or whatever flour you want), 2 scoops vanilla protein powder, 1 tsp pumpkin spice, and some cinnamon.

After mixing place in freezer for about 40 minutes.  Then roll into 18 bites.  Melt 1/2 cup dark chocolate chops and cover the bites.  Place back in freezer for about 10 minutes.  Then ENJOY!!

OATMEAL BAKE

Perfect breakfast for people who want to pop something in the oven for 25-30 minutes while they get ready and have it be a hearty and healthy!  You can also make a large one and have it for the week!

1/2 c oats
2 egg whites
1/4 cup unsweetened almond milk
2 tsp sweetener of choice
2 Tbsp syrup or honey or agave
1/4 tsp baking powder
1/2 banana cut in tiny pieces
1/2 to 1 tsp cinnamon
dash of nutmeg

Mix everything together and place in a ramekin sprayed with coconut oil or whatever you choose.  Bake for 25-30 min at 350 degrees.  I drizzled peanut butter powder mixed with water on top...you could also do more syrup, jam, melted chocolate, shredded coconut...whatever you wish!  Enjoy!!

BAKED APPLE FRIES

Baked apple fries! 

Mix together some cinnamon, almond meal and some crushed up nuts (any kind you want). Dip the apple slices in syrup or honey then dip in the mixture. Bake for 10 min at 350. Oh my heaven!!! It's like apple pie in your mouth!! So simple to make!!

COCONUT CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES

INGREDIENTS:
1/4 cup coconut oil, melted
1/4 cup maple syrup
1 tablespoon vanilla
2 eggs
1/2 tsp sea salt
1/3 cup coconut flour (do not substitute for any other kind of flour)
1/3 cup dark chocolate chips



DIRECTIONS:
1.  Preheat oven to 350 degrees
2. Mix eggs, vanilla, syrup, and oil.  Blend well.
3. Add salt and flour.  Mix until combined.  Then add in chips.
4. Drop cookie batter onto a parchment lined baking sheet and bake for about 12 minutes!

So yummy!

PROTEIN BITES

Mix together:
1 cup oats
1/2 cup ground flax seed
1/2 cup crunchy peanut butter
1/3 cup honey
2 tbsp chia seeds
2 tbsp melted coconut oil
1 tsp vanilla

You can add chocolate chips if you would like OR for lower calories....after the bites have been refrigerated/in the freezer, mix together 2 tbsp melted coconut oil, 1 tsp vanilla, and 3 tbsp cocoa powder.  You can add some powder sugar if you want to.  Then drizzle on top as seen in the pictures and put back in refrigerator until ready to devour!!

PUMPKIN CREPES

Melt in your mouth pumpkin goodness is what this is.  Had to kick off October with a yummy recipe so here it is!

INGREDIENTS:
3 egg whites
1 tbsp coconut flour
2 tsp almond flour
1 tbsp almond milk
1/4 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
cinnamon and pumpkin pie spice to your liking.

Filling:
1/3 cup pumpkin puree
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp vanilla extract

Topping:
Greek yogurt mixed with cinnamon and a dash of syrup or honey (whatever you want to sweeten it)
1 tbsp almond milk (so the yogurt will spread)

DIRECTIONS:
After crepe ingredients are put in blender and ready to go...Spray nonstick pan and make the crepe thin.  About 1-2 min per side.  Once all crepes are cooked (about 4 depending on how thin/big your pan is), spread with filling and roll.  Then top with the greek yogurt topping and devour!!!

More about My Story

Almost a year ago I was close to going to the emergency room. I couldn't walk on my own, cried and screamed due to the excruciating pain I was in and I could barely go to the bathroom by myself. In a blink of an eye I went from my tough college athlete 'push through anything' mentality to wondering if this was going to be forever. 

Pain management, drugs, a lot of money for treatment and therapy,chiropractic appointments, etc. With time, patience, self motivation, and the inspiration from others I slowly was able to get back to the active life I knew and loved.

So what happened? OVERTRAINING. I thought working out longer, harder, eating less, was going to break my plateau and finally bring me the confidence I longed for. I had been doing a home workout program, plus would go to the gym for at least an hour. It was truly INSANE. This reality check put things into perspective perfectly for me. Yes, I was recorded on the doctors table, drugs in me, machine hooked up to me, so that I would remember this weak moment in my life.

This is only a part of what brings me to inspire others. Patience to get into shape. Patience to learn the steps to making changes to your nutrition to make huge impacts on your body. Motivate others to workout SMART and NOT OVERTRAIN. Working out is only about 30% of it...the rest is what you're putting into your body.

So I urge you to take that first step towards a healthier, happier life. I'll be right next to you on the journey.

PB BANANA CUPS (NO BAKE!)

I love Instagram for the pure reason of seeing recipes, tweaking them, and then trying them out!  This is one that I will for sure hold onto.

INGREDIENTS:
2 TBSP coconut oil melted
5 TBSP any nut butter you want
2 TSP pure maple syrup
2 tsp cocoa powder
1 banana sliced (cut them thinner than mine!)

DIRECTIONS:
Mix oil, butter, and syrup.  Then pour half of this mixture into a separate bowl and mix in cocoa powder. 

Now you have a "PB" bowl and a "chocolate" bowl.

Place 8 mini muffin cups onto a tray. Pour the chocolate layer into each cup then freeze for 30 minutes

Remove from freezer, place a slice of banana on each and top with the Peanut butter layer. Freeze for another 30-45 minutes.

DEVOUR!

BLUEBERRY CRUMBLE

INGREDIENTS:
1 cup blueberries
1/4 tsp nutmeg
1 TBSP honey
1 tsp cinnamon
juice from 1/2 orange

Topping:
1/3 cup coconut flour
2 TBSP unsweetened applesauce


DIRECTIONS:
Mix blueberries, nutmeg, cinnamon, honey, orange juice together.  Place in a loaf pan coated with pam and cook for 20 minutes at 325 degrees.

Mix topping together and make it into a crumble topping by squeezing together.

After 20 min, pull out blueberry mix, sprinkle topping, bake for another 20 min.  Enjoy!

Feel free to double recipe and bake in a pie dish!

SNICKERS BAR (healthy!)

You will absolutely die when you make this recipe so get the ingredients and make this NOW!!

1st:  Blend 1/2 cup oats, 1/2 cup raw almonds, and 3 Tbsp of honey.  Form into 4 or 5 bars and place in freezer on wax paper or parchment paper.

2nd:  Puree 1/2 cup dates with a tablespoon of water at a time to make the caramel layer.  I kept having to scrape down the sides but it eventually works.  Chop up 1/4 cup almonds, or use a blender and mix it into the caramel (date) puree.  Spread this puree, which will be thick, onto the frozen nougats that were in the freezer.  Then place back in freezer.

3rd:  Mix together 3 tbsp coconut oil, 3 tablespoons cocoa powder, 1 tsp vanilla extract.  Add 2 tablespoons of powder sugar if you want it a bit sweeter (yes this is not clean eating but I have a major sweet tooth!)  Pour this chocolate sauce over the frozen bars and place back in freezer to harder.

DEVOUR!!!!

SOUTHWEST HUMMUS & PESTO HUMMUS

Southwestern Hummus

1 can rinsed and drained black beans
Juice of 1 lime
1/4 cilantro leaves
1 tsp cumin
pepper, salt, chili powder to taste

Blend and enjoy!




Pesto Hummus

1 can rinsed and drained chick peas
1/3 cup tahini
2 Tbsp chickpea basil pesto
2 Tbsp lemon juice
1 Tbsp grated Parmesan cheese

More about me and my fitness story

***Honesty Alert***
What was I like before beachbody?

This is a question I get asked quite a bit. I was a former college athlete who struggled with my weight and self confidence all throughout college. I loved competing and working hard but absolutely hated shopping for new clothes. I did not like how I looked in the mirror, didn't like how clothes felt on me besides my soccer clothes, and I didn't know how to fix it.

I joined weight watchers, lost some weight, worked my ass off in soccer and finished my 4 years. I had thunder thighs at the end of 4 years.

Afterwards I fell into the trap of putting on weight, dropping weight...always back and forth. I would workout for hours, but I was still never happy with my definition or the way I felt. I didn't know what to do.

Beachbody saved me. I was introduced to insanity from my beachbody coach and entered my first 30 day healthy eating group. The support from others, the health tips, motivation and meal planning...it was truly amazing to experience!! Beachbody helped me incorporate weight training, not just overdosing on cardio. It helped improve my confidence, my enjoyment in shopping came back, my love for cooking and cooking healthy was finally there. The workouts came with a schedule to follow, eating right and making unhealthy recipes the right way, drinking the shakeology...it all came together for me.

I was once an unhappy, unconfident person and then grew into a confident, outgoing person who is enthused to share my beachbody experience with others. There truly is nothing better than being healthy and getting fit.

Whenever you feel like there is nothing left, you just have to take a step in the right direction.

I am always here to help people. If they have a will...there is a way!!

BLONDIES

Try these blondies for a SWEET craving to be satisfied!!

INGREDIENTS:
1 can of chickpeas, rinsed and drained
1/3 cup Peanut butter or almond butter (all natural)
1/4 cup of maple syrup or agave or honey (your choice!)
1/2 cup coconut sugar
5 tbsp almond flour
2 tsp vanilla
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp baking soda
1/2 cup chocolate chips (I used a vegan kind but you can choose)

DIRECTIONS:
1. Heat oven to 350 degrees and spray a 8x8 pan with cooking spray
2. Blend all ingredients except chocolate chips in a food processor or for me....I LOVE my ninja!  Then fold the 1/3 cup chocolate chips in.
3. Spread in pan, then sprinkle the 2 tbsp chips on top. Bake for 25-30 minutes and let cool on wire rack before cutting.

HEAVEN IN YOUR MOUTH!