BANANA BLUEBERRY MUFFINS

This one comes straight from Autumn Calabrese herself!

1 1/2 cup almond flour

1/8 tsp salt
3/4 tsp baking soda
1 Tablespoon melted coconut oil
2 large eggs
1 cup mashed bananas (about 2)
1/2 cup blueberries

1.Preheat oven to 350
2.Combine almond flour, salt and baking soda.
3.In a medium bowl, whisk together the coconut oil and eggs then stir into the dry ingredients.
4.Stir in the bananas and fold in the blueberries.
5.Spoon the batter into muffin cups (makes about 8) and bake for about 25-35 minutes.

1 Muffin is 1 Purple and 1 Blue!

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!

HEALTHY GRANOLA

Mix together:

1 cup of oats
cinnamon to taste
dash of nutmeg
1 tsp of coconut oil
tablespoon of maple syrup
tablespoon of brown sugar
handful of almonds
handful of craisins

Spray a baking sheet with cooking spray and bake in 300 degree oven till crispy.  About 15-25 minutes.

So much better than store bought granola that is LOADED with sugar. Enjoy!

STEEL CUT OATS (in slow cooker)

Spray the Slow cooker with Cooking Spray so that the oats do not burn and stick to the sides.

Then combine in the slow cooker:
2 cups steel cut oats
8 1/2 cups of water
1 1/2 cups of almond milk
1/4 cup brown sugar
1/8 cup maple syrup
dash of salt
cinnamon and nutmeg to taste...I like to put A LOT of cinnamon in!

I cooked on High heat for 4 hours...then you can drizzle in a little maple syrup if you wish, nuts, raisins, you name it!  Get creative!

BANANA MAPLE BLUEBERRY PANCAKES

Blend together 1/4 cup oats, dash of baking powder, dash of maple extract, 1 tablespoon ground flax, 1/4 banana, and 1 egg.

Place in pan and place blueberries in batter if desired, flip, and enjoy! You can also top with blueberries if you wish. 

21 day fix- 1 yellow, 1 purple, 1/2 red, 1/2 orange! 

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!!

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 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!!

3 Day Refresh Results!!

I was totally off track with eating healthy lately.  I had parties to attend, 4th of July, BBQ's, etc.  I left all of this get in the way of a healthy lifestyle that I love.  I was establishing bad habits and was disappointed for not feeling the best.  I was tired all the time, not sleeping well, clothes didn't fit the same....IT SUCKED!!

I also felt bloated and hated looking in the mirror. I was just not happy and overall knew I could do better!

So I got the 3 Day Refresh, a New program from Beachbody that you watch the video and see more about: CLICK HERE 

For the rest of July, It is only $140!!!...That is over $70 in savings as you get a bag of shakeology, and the 3 day refresh!!  Seriously this is even more the reason why I couldn't pass up this opportunity.


THE PROCESS:
You have 1 Shakeology a day, 2 Vanilla fresh shakes that come with the package, 1 Fiber sweep drink, and some fruits and vegetables along with healthy fats.  Honestly, it really isn't bad at all.  A lot of those Juice cleanses or fasts leave you starving and hating life....I LOVED THIS!!  I did not feel hungry and if I got any urges, I  just had some green tea.  I highly recommend this program.

THE RESULTS:

So 3 Days later, I FEEL AMAZING!!! Bloating is gone, I am so happy looking in the mirror, I do not have cravings anymore and I am staying on track.  Not distracted by outside, unhealthy foods, do not want pastries which I was getting into a bad habit of, and most of all MY CLOTHES FEEL GOOD ON ME!  I FEEL SEXY, I FEEL FIT.  That is the biggest part :)  And hey, I am back on track and going to CONTINUE losing and toning my body and eating healthy!!


DOWN 4.4 Pounds in 3 days
LOST 6 inches TOTAL
         .5 inches off both arms
         1.5 inches off my chest
         2.5 inches off my hips
         1 inch off each leg
         .5 inches off my butt  (and yes I measure this because I am always doing squats to make this firmer for bikini season haha)

So there it is.  My recap of the 3 Day refresh!  If you want the Challenge pack this month, DO IT NOW!!!!!  CLICK HERE

CINNAMON SWIRL PROTEIN PANCAKES

INGREDIENTS:

1/2 banana mashed up
1 1/2 Tbsp almond milk
1 egg white
1/2 tsp vanilla
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp baking powder
2 Tbsp oat flour
1/2 scoop cinnamon swirl cellucor protein powder

DIRECTIONS:
1. Mix wet ingredients together, set aside.
2. Mix dry ingredients together, set aside.
3. Mix wet and dry ingredients and cook on pan strayed with pam.
4. ENJOY and top with a little greek yogurt mixed with PB2 and honey!! Or whatever you prefer:)

Pancake Problems!

So I have to confess...because the 1st step is admitting you have a problem.  Well....I HAVE A PANCAKE OBSESSION!!  Seriously though I love them, any kind, any topping, any time of the day.

I have even worked them into the 21 Day Fix eating plan so that I do not go crazy without them.  From pumpkin pancakes to banana chocolate pancakes, cinnamon swirl pancakes to cinnamon apple pie pancakes...EVEN spaghetti squash pancakes or Shakeology Pancakes!  You name it and I will try it!







What makes the perfect pancakes???  In my personal opinion it HAS to be a bit on the sweet side.  Fluffy texture is a MUST! And for toppings...I love maple syrup but to steer towards the healthy side I will combine greek yogurt with PB2 or just thin out PB2 with water and drizzle it over the top.

So get creative, and get cooking to make HEALTHY versions of pancakes!! I have added two NEW pancake recipes to my blog!!

FRENCH TOAST (in slow cooker)

Another one of my breakfast favorites turned into a healthy recipe!!

INGREDIENTS:
2 eggs
2 egg whites
2 Tbsp of honey or agave
2 tsp of vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups of almond milk (or whatever milk you prefer)
1 tsp cinnamon
9 slices of whole grain bread (each slice cut diagonally to make 18 triangles)

Filling ingredients:
3 cups of dices apples or bananas
3 Tbsp honey
1 tsp lemon juice
1 tsp cinnamon

DIRECTIONS:

1. Add the first 6 ingredients together in a bowl and whisk. Lightly spray the inside of the slow cooker with nonstick cooking spray.
2. In a separate bowl, Mix all the filling ingredients together, making sure the fruit is coated. Set aside.
3. Place 6 triangle slices of bread in the bottom of the slow cooker.  Add 1/4 of the filling.  Repeat until there are 3 layers of bread.  Add remaining filling.
4. Pour egg mixture over bread. Cover and cook on high 2 to 2 1/2 hrs or until bread has soaked up the liquid.  
5. I topped mine with some liquified PB2, and heated up jam.  You could also do syrup. ENJOY!!

BLUEBERRY WAFFLES WITH CINNAMON HONEY PB

Heaven on earth!!  I love breakfast and I am always looking for ways to make healthy versions of the high in calorie classics.  Here is a good one...enjoy!

INGREDIENTS FOR WAFFLE:
1/4 c oat flour
1 Tbsp coconut flour
1 Tbsp powder peanut butter
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp baking soda
2 Packets of Stevia
2 Tbsp almond milk
2 Tbsp unsweetened apple sauce
1 Tbsp Nonfat plain greek yogurt
3/4 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 tsp butter extract (if you want)
handful of blueberries

DIRECTIONS:
Mix dry ingredients together.  Then mix wet ingredients into it.  Fold in blueberries.

DIRECTIONS FOR PB:
Place 8oz of peanuts (unsalted) in blender with 1 Tbsp honey and cinnamon to taste.  Continue to blend until it turns into peanut butter.  NO SALT, NO OIL, NO SUGAR NEEDED!!

BLUEBERRY CORNBREAD MUFFINS

INGREDIENTS:
2/3 cup corn meal
1/2 cup oat flour
1/4 cup flour of your choice (I used oat flour)
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp vanilla extract
3-4 tbsp honey (or I used agave)
2 eggs
1/3 cup +1 tbsp unsweetened applesauce
1/3 cup almond milk
1/3 cup blueberries (or add more like I did!)

DIRECTIONS:
1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees
2. Mix all ingredients together except blueberries.  You can mix by hand or use a blender
3. FOLD in blueberries OR if you prefer, pour batter into muffin tins sprayed with Pam, and press a few berries on top of each muffin.
4. Bake for about16-22 minutes (makes 10 muffins)

Macros: 127 calories, 22 carbs, 5 protein, 2g fat

PUMPKIN CHOCOLATE WAFFLES

THESE TASTE AMAZING!!

INGREDIENTS:
1/2 cup oats, grind into a flour in a food processor
1 tsp baking powder
1 Tbsp granulated sweetener
1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
3 Tbsp pumpkin puree
3 Tbsp almond milk
2 Egg whites
A couple chocolate chips

DIRECTIONS:
Mix all ingredients together and put on the waffle griddle.

I topped with a little syrup. ENJOY!!

PUMPKIN PANCAKES

These Pancakes are moist and delicious and will for sure be a favorite!

INGREDIENTS:
1/2 cup plus 1 Tbsp oats turned into a flour
1 tsp baking powder
1 Tbsp granulated sweetener
1 Tbsp greek yogurt
1/4 cup pumpkin puree
1/4 cup almond milk
2 egg whites
Cinnamon and pumpkin spice to taste

Optional Topping:
1/2 cup greek yogurt
1 tsp vanilla
2 tsp granulated sweetener
4 Tbsp almond milk

DIRECTIONS:
Mix everything in blender and fry in a pan in some coconut oil or use a cooking spray.  About 45seconds to a minute each side.

Top with the greek yogurt optional topping or syrup and DIG IN!!!

PUMPKIN OATMEAL

Combine 1/2 cup oatmeal with 1 cup of water.  Microwave until it is cooked through.

Then mix in 1 TBSP ground up flax seed, 1 TBSP maple syrup, cinnamon and pumpkin pie spice to taste.

I then added a handful of walnuts, and 1/2 cup pumpkin puree.

SOOOO much better than pumpkin pie!!!

OATMEAL BLUEBERRY MUFFINS

INGREDIENTS:

-1/2 cup whole wheat flour, OR oat flour
-1/2 cup oats
-1 tsp baking powder
-1 tsp baking soda
-2 tsp cinnamon
-2 tbsp ground flax seed
-3 egg whites
-1 tsp vanilla extract
-1/4 cup honey
-1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
-2 tbsp sugar
-however many blueberries you want!


DIRECTIONS:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees and spray mini muffin tins with cooking spray.
2. Mix all dry ingredients together
3. Mix all wet ingredients together
4. Combine wet and dry ingredients.  fold in blueberries.
5. Place in mini muffin tins and cook for about 9 to 10 minutes.
6. Let cool in tray for 1 additional minute then remove to a cooling rack

CHOCOLATE BANANA PANCAKES

These are absolutely incredible!!!!  MUST TRY!!!

INGREDIENTS:
1/2 cup oats
1/2 TBSP cocoa
1 tsp baking powder
1 TBSP granulated sweetener
2 egg whites
2/3 medium banana
2 TBSP unsweetened almond milk (or water)
Topping: 1/3 cup greek yogurt, 1/3 cup cottage cheese, 2-3 TBSP sugarfree maple syrup

DIRECTIONS:
Mix ingredients with a hand blender until smooth. Fry in a pan in some coconut oil about 30-45 seconds each side

Day 17 on the reset!

Good morning!  It is Day 17 and I have to say yesterday and today I have woke up feeling AMAZING!! I went to the movies last night and besides the fact that I was pumped to see Iron Man 3 in 3D, I was happy that my jeans were loose!  Definitely feeling the effects of the Ultimate Reset and LOVING IT!!

The food this week has been good...mostly just fruits and veggies which is hard for me at times.  I have been doing shakes for my breakfast instead of fruit and then having fruit as my snack.  I just love Shakeology as my first meal of the day! So I have been drinking water like it is my job.  The only bad part is that I am literally up every 2 hours in the middle of the night having to go to the bathroom.  SO ANNOYING!!

So with a few days to go, I am very excited to stay on track and finish strong!  Mind, Body are feeling good and I hope to keep it that way!!