Tuesday, December 9, 2014

RECIPE} Homeade Christmas Playdough


I live in a subdivision filled with amazing and friendly neighbors. This time of year we love to drop off little gifts to each other, but honestly, I end up throwing SO much away, because it tends to be candy, cookies and lots of tempting food and you all know i'm on a mission!

So, with a neighborhood filled with kids, instead of going the food route, my son and I made scented Christmas Playdough! It’s the perfect gift being easy and fun to make, inexpensive, and being in Michigan, gives the kids something to play with while stuck inside all winter long.


HOMEMADE PLAYDOUGH RECIPE



INGREDIENTS:

  • 5 cups water
  • 5 cups flour
  • 2 1/2 cups salt
  • 3 Tablespoons cream of tartar
  • 10 Tablespoons vegetable oil
  • Food coloring (We use red and green)
  • Glitter - OPTIONAL
  • Peppermint essential oil
DIRECTIONS:

1. Mix water, salt, cream of tartar, and food coloring. Cook on medium-low heat,
stirring regularly until mixture is hot. Add oil. Stir in flour a cup at a time, stirring in between each addition. Mix until playdough pulls away from pan and is no longer sticky (pinch it between your fingers to test). Dump dough on counter, let cool a bit, then knead.

2. You can get creative here. We make our play dough in three colors, red, green and white for Christmas. You could also just do red and white for Candy Canes!We made three batches of the play clay, one for each color. After the dough cooled down a bit, we kneaded in the peppermint essential oil (about 10 drops each batch) for the delicious Christmas smell. If you plan to use glitter, add that here also!
3. We then divided the colors into (about, I can't remember how many we made!) 12 servings each, rolled them into long pieces, gently twisted them together and placed them into old glass jars I saved from spaghetti sauce, salsa, etc. 
4. I capped each jar and used a piece of Christmas fabric to cover the lid, used a piece of ribbon and tied it on and done!
I did have play dough left over that I saved for my kiddos. I just put them in a rubbermaid tupperware container. It's been a year and it's still moist and we are playing with it!! This recipe was a complete success!

RECIPE} Cinnamon Christmas Ornaments

'Tis the season... Christmas decorations, Santa, Gift giving, the birth of baby Jesus and you know, the season to be stuck INSIDE with your kiddos bouncing off the walls! 



I am an on the go mama. I was like that BEFORE kids and having them sure hasn't changed the fact that sitting in the house, doing nothing drives me CRAZY. BUT, having kids HAS made me realize that leaving the house in negative degree, wind chill, snow covered roads with the flu and cold germs lingering everywhere, isn't always feasible OR smart. 

SO... figuring out ways to keep both the kiddos AND mama occupied and not stir crazy are a must. Last week, I ran to our local Aldi and Target (dollar section!!) at stocked up on CHEAP supplies for a few Christmas crafts!

First on the list... Cinnamon Scented Christmas tree ornaments. MMMmMmMmM. These are awesome. Only two ingredients, they make the house smell delicious (without chemicals-yay!) and it took up a ton of time. It's a dough consistency, so my son played with it for an hour before we ever made the ornaments. 


RECIPE} Cinnamon Christmas Ornaments



INGREDIENTS:
3/4C Applesauce
1C Cinnamon (use the cheap stuff, you won't be eating it!)

DIRECTIONS:
1) Preheat oven to 200 degrees. 

2) Add ingredients in a bowl and mix either by hand OR mixer. This is a VERY sticky mess when it's just starting. Depending on your humidity and temp levels, you may have to add a bit more applesauce or cinnamon. Just play with it. 

3) Once the dough forms into a ball, you are ready to roll, literally.  I placed my dough on a sheet of wax paper, covered it with plastic wrap and then used a rolling pin. You'll want the dough, as thick as you want your ornaments to be. I rolled to about 1/4" thick. 

4) use your choice of cookie cutters, cut out the dough, place on your cookie sheet and fill the pan. These do NOT expand, so fill the pan as much as you want/can. When you have run out of usable dough, roll it into a ball and roll it out again. Continue to do this until you've used all the dough or you are done (I tossed the last little bit of dough).


5) use a straw to poke a hole in the top of the ornament. This is where you will use ribbon or string to tie through and hang your ornament. Don't forget this! ;)

6) Place your ornaments into the oven for about 2.5 hours. They need to dry completely through!

7) Decorate (we used glitter glue) OR leave as is. 


8) Tie a string/ribbon through the hole and then hang your ornaments

My kids each have their own little Christmas tree. I do this in hopes they will leave the main one ALONE. Per his request, my lil man made his tree DINOSAURS this year. For those of you wondering where I found these ornaments, you can find them here!


I have a little guy (two and a half years old) with a small attention span, so we made this a two day project. We made and dried the ornaments on day one and the next day, we decorated and hung them. 

Saturday, December 6, 2014

RECIPE} Eggnog Shakeology

If you haven't figured it out yet.... I absolutely LOVE christmas and everything holiday related, including eggnog.

I was the kid that didn't want to share any and could easily chug a jug in one night. 

BUT... It's been years since I've had it because HELLO, it's absolutely horrible for you. 

So, today, I tried out a recipe that's been in my head and it was so delicious, my lil guy stole it!



Wanna give it a try?? I'm in the holiday giving spirit.... So here is te recipe, enjoy! 🎁🎅🎄

1 Scoop Vanilla Shakeology
8oz Water
4oz Unsweetened almond milk
Ice to taste
Dash of Cinnamon
Dash of Nutmeg
BLEND to desired consistency and ENJOY!

*the spices used in here are very distinct and STRONG. Remember that you can always add more, but cannot take it away once added... So use sparingly and add if you need it! 

Sunday, November 16, 2014

Quinoa Sage Stuffing

Thanksgiving is around the corner and once again, I'm on a mission to try and "clean up" as many of our traditional favorites as possible. I absolutely LOVE Thanksgiving, but probably for all of the wrong reasons. In the past, I've been guilty of eating way too much, trying every dessert and then spending the rest of my evening strategizing for Black Friday! 

Last year, I was able to cut back on my portions and realize that I was FULL after just one plate and this year, I'm taking it a step further and trying to find healthier options, without giving up all the flavor. Stuffing is my FAVORITE Thanksgiving food, and I've made it my mission to create a healthier option that is SO delicious hopefully I can trick a few of my family members into enjoying it, without knowing it's healthy! Here is the recipe I came up with and let me tell ya, my husband and son DEVOURED it during our taste test last week.




INGREDIENTS: 
1 C Quinoa, rinsed well (I purchase mine already rinsed)
2 1/2 C Organic low-sodium chicken broth (you can use vegetable for vegan option) - separated

1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
1 heaping C Celery, diced
1 medium White onion, diced

1/4 C Dried cherries (or cranberries)
1 small handful of fresh sage, chopped {about 1 tablespoon if using dried herbs}
1 Organic, Granny Smith apple, Cored and diced1 tsp garlic, minced
Hymalayan salt
fresh ground pepper


DIRECTIONS:
In a medium sized pot bring 1 cup of vegetable broth and 1 cup of water to a boil. Add in the quinoa, salt, pepper and stir. Set to low heat and simmer with a lid on for 10 minutes. Turn off the heat {do not lift lid} and allow the quinoa to steam for another 10 minutes. When that is over, you will have picture perfect quinoa – trust me, no  more soggy mess!
Heat the olive oil in a pan over low heat. Add in the minced garlic, chopped celery, onion and cherries. Cook until veggies begin to become clear, about 5-10 minutes. Turn the heat up to medium and add in the remaining broth, sage and season with more salt and pepper if needed; simmer for a few minutes.
Combine the quinoa with the veggie mixture and stir together.

TIP: If you find the mixture to be too dry for your taste, add a bit more broth. If you prefer your stuffing to be a bit drier, add to a pan and bake on 375 for 10 minutes

If you are interested in learning more recipes like this one, send me a message on Facebook. I'm running a FREE Thanksgiving Makeover group and we'll be sharing tons of clean(er) option recipes, tips & tricks to not overeat and Fun facts!

Wednesday, November 12, 2014

RECIPE} NO BAKE: Chocolate Peanut Butter Coconut Cookies

NO BAKE: Chocolate Peanut Butter Coconut Cookies


INGREDIENTS
Make ~ 2 dozen cookies
1/2 C honey
1/4 C coconut oil
1/4 C Chocolate Shakeology
1/4 tsp Pink hymalayan Salt
1/2 C All Natural Peanut butter
1/8 C Peanuts (shelled and unsalted)
3/4 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
1 cup unsweetened shredded coconut
2 tablespoons flaxseeds, wheat germ or chia seeds
METHOD
Combine the honey, coconut oil, shakeology and salt in a medium saucepan. Stir over medium heat until the coconut oil is completely melted and the mixture is smooth and warm, about 2 to 3 minutes.
Add the peanut butter and stir until completely melted, about 2 minutes. 
Remove from heat and stir in the oats. Cover with a lid for 5 minutes. Remove the lid and stir in 1/3 cup of the coconut and the flaxseeds, wheat germ or chia seeds.
Use a round tablespoon to scoop, then level, the mixture. Sprinkle with some of the remaining coconut and press lightly onto the cookie. Use a small offset spatula to gently coax the cookie onto a parchment-lined baking sheet, coconut-side down. The mixture will be a little delicate and sticky at this point. Lightly flatten the cookie with the spatula or your fingers. Repeat this process with the remaining cookie mixture, to make about 2 dozen cookies.


Refrigerate the cookies on the baking sheet until they are completely chilled, at least 30 minutes. These cookies are best served very chilled.



Monday, November 10, 2014

10 Ideas for a Cheap Date Night!

As a parent of two, I know how difficult it can be to get away with your significant other for an evening on the town. As a mother of two, I also understand that money and budgets can really throw a wrench into the plans! So, My husband and I have come up with our 10 favorite date ideas, for all types of interests, that are relatively inexpensive.  So, no need to keep you waiting any longer, drum roll please...


1. Take a class together
Check with your local community college or Park and Recreational department. We have a ton of classes where we live, that can be anywhere from FREE to less than a hundred dollars for a few months worth of classes. Find something you both are interested in OR try something brand new!

2. Farmer’s Market in the Morning, Making Dinner Together That Evening

Spend Locally and spend time together throughout the day from the farmer's market all the way through the evening when you make dinner TOGETHER. 

3. Game & Movie Night In
Can't find a babysitter? Put the kids to bed and have a game night or watch movie. If you can handle waiting a few weeks for movies to be released, you can rent them for cheap from Redbox OR stream them from Amazon Prime or Netflix!

4. Browse through a bookstore
Have fun with each other browsing through an old book store. See if you can find an old classic, or search for your favorite childhood book and the memories that come with it OR find 50 Shades of Grey and read that to each other and make some new memories ;) 

5. Support the local musicians
You can always find local musicians playing at a local bar, park, or fair. If you have a favorite one, search their web site and see what their schedule is. 

6. Sweat together
Working out together is one of the best things you can actually do for your relationship. It builds trust, raises endorphins, reduces stress and goals reached together create great memories. 

7. Visit a museum
Most museums have a free day per month or one day a week that the admission price is reduced. 

8. Act like a child
You know all of those activities you used to do when you were a kid and don't do anymore? Why not? Go sledding, bike riding, roller blading, go to an indoor trampoline park. Whatever you used to do as a kid, give it a try today!

9. Be a tourist in your own town
Ever notice you never take advantage of all your city has to offer? We are all guilty of "we'll do it one day..." but why not today? You live there, so you should be the first to have taken advantage of all the cool exhibits, sites, etc.

10. Volunteer for your favorite cause
We all have used the excuse that we don't have time to volunteer, so why not turn it into date night? Pick something fun - an organization or cause you are both passionate for and do it! Besides, did you know that people that help others live longer than those who don't AND are happier and healthier?

One last piece of advice - Check Groupon or other flashbuy sites for awesome local deals. My husband and I get a TON of great deals doing this!

What are YOUR favorite inexpensive date ideas? Share them with us in the comments section below!

Sunday, October 19, 2014

P90

What is P90®?
P90 is your gateway to getting fit regardless of your age or fitness level! This program from legendary trainer Tony Horton includes ten all-new workouts that are simple, doable, and less extreme than his others, but still just as effective. P90 opens the door for you to see dramatic, visible results in just 90 days

Why is P90 effective?
P90 works because of a game-changing technique called Sectional Progression. Tony eases you into a variety of cardio, strength, and stability moves that work the back, shoulders, chest, biceps, triceps,
and legs—and every move helps strengthen and flatten the abs. These routines don’t get harder until you’re ready for the next challenge. Then, just when you’ve mastered those moves, he ups the ante a little more.
These 10 new P90 workouts are arranged in 3 Progressive Phases. Each new phase of P90 is designed to gradually ease your body past its old limits. So after 30 days of P90, you’re leaner and more solid; after 60 days, you’re seeing muscles you’ve never noticed before; and by Day 90 you can finally have that lean, strong body you could once only dream about.

What makes P90 unique?
Now you don’t have to go to the extreme to get dramatic, visible results! Tony Horton’s all-new P90 workouts are simple, doable, and made to change your body right away— regardless of your age or fitness level.


Tony Horton is your personal trainer
Tony has created some of America’s best-selling home fitness programs—P90X, P90X2®, 10-Minute Trainer®, Power 90®, and P90X3®—all in collaboration with Beachbody®. As your personal P90 trainer, Tony will be right with you every step of the way. Helping you, encouraging you, and keeping it fun. P90 is the workout you’ll love because you’ll be able to do it. And that’s how you’ll see results in just 90 days.


Who is P90 for?
Extreme programs like P90X® aren't for everyone. So welcome to the all-new P90—your gateway to getting fit regardless of your age or fitness level! Legendary trainer Tony Horton has now created shorter workouts that are simple, doable, and less extreme than his others, but still just as effective. So whether you haven't worked out in a decade, or you're just looking to maintain what you've got, P90 opens the door for you to see dramatic, visible results in just 90 days. 


What equipment is needed to do P90?
Just the Pro-Grade Resistance Band†† with handles and door attachment, which is included!




What's included?

• Ten (10) simple, effective workouts on 4 DVDs 
• Simple Kitchen Nutrition Guide
• 4-Step Power Plan
"How to Hit It" Tutorial

• 6-Day Shred
• 1 Pro-Grade Resistance Band†† with one set of handles and door attachment 

• 90-Day Workout Calendar
• BONUS, Order through me and receive a FREE Bonus Workout DVD—P90X3® Dynamix (a $19.95 value).





It’s all about results
Since results speak louder than words, let’s take a closer look at the numbers—straight from the mouths of the test group members.
                                

  • “I lost 24 lbs and 24 inches! I really like the way I look now, and it’s been a while since I’ve been able to say that.”
    – Heidi Sulzman
  • “I wore size 44 pants and now wear a 36! At 35, this is the most fit I’ve ever been!”
    –  Edgar Rodriguez
  • “I lost 22 pounds and a total of 20 inches. I also lost 27% of my body fat. I feel so much better about myself physically and mentally.”
    –  Brittnie Casado
  • “I’m wearing the pants I wore 3 years ago—before I had my last child. My skinny jeans are now too BIG!”
    –  Tien Brunelle
  • “I’ve trimmed down, built up my cardio, and gained flexibility. I also gained some great exercise habits.”
    –  David Strong
Ready to Get Started?
I'm ready to help you reach your goals and feeling amazing! I’m paying it forward with #P90. #ItsYourTurn. Click here to join my next accountability group, start the program, receive support and get YOUR transformation! I'll be your personal coach, guiding you through, every step of the way helping to keep you on track! Let's do this together!


Tuesday, September 30, 2014

21 Day Fix

What is 21 Day Fix™?
21 Day Fix is a nutrition and fitness program that makes losing weight so simple, anyone can do it. Easy-to-follow portion control and 30-minute workouts take the guesswork out of losing weight to help you see results fast—up to 15 pounds in just 21 days!  Whether you want to lose a few pounds before your next vacation or jump-start a bigger weight-loss goal, 21 Day Fix is the program for you. It’s simple, it’s fast, and it works. If you’re ready to get serious, 21 Day Fix can help you lose the weight.



Why is 21 Day Fix effective?


Because it’s so simple! You don’t have to count calories, points, or log your food into diet software. With 21 Day Fix, everything is laid out for you. All you have to do is use the specially designed portion-control containers and do one 30-minute workout per day. Commit to it for 21 days, and you’re going to love your results.


What makes 21 Day Fix unique?

It’s the only fitness and nutrition program that combines portion-control
containers and world-class workouts. By placing equal emphasis on fitness and
healthy portion control, 21 Day Fix can help anyone lose weight—and keep it
off—in a way that’s simple and sustainable. Whether you want to lose 10 pounds  or 100 pounds, you can do it with this program.


So she created short but effective workouts that take only 30 minutes a day, along with a simple eating plan that doesn’t require you to spend hours in the kitchen

Autumn Calabrese is your personal trainer:
Autumn Calabrese is a celebrity fitness trainer, busy mom, and national-level bikini competitor. She came up with the idea of a portion-control container system after watching a client eat an entire 1,300-calorie salad in one sitting because it was “healthy.” Autumn realized that super-sized portions were hurting her clients’ weight-loss success because they were eating too much without knowing it. So she developed portion-control containers to help people see how simple it is to eat the right amounts and lose weight easily. And as a single mother, Autumn understands how hard it can be to fit exercise and healthy eating into a jam-packed schedule.


What's included in 21 Day Fix?

Essential Package:
• 7 color-coded portion-control containers
• Shakeology® shaker cup
• 6 easy-to-follow 30-minute workouts
• 21 Day Fix Start Here quickstart guide and workout calendar
• 21 Day Fix Eating Plan that shows you exactly what to do
• 3 Day Quick Fix Guide, Autumn's secret weapon for fast weight loss
• Dirty 30 bonus workout


What equipment is needed?

• Dumbbells or a resistance band are used in some workouts.
• A yoga mat and the Beachbody® miniMAT are helpful, but not required.


Do I have to do the workouts, or can I just follow the portion-control Eating Plan?

• Both the workouts and Eating Plan are essential to get the best results in 21 days.
• If you're worried about being out of shape, we suggest you follow the modifier and do what you can, rather than skipping the workouts entirely. You'll feel stronger in no time.

Can I use other containers I have at home?
• No, these are custom-designed for 21 Day Fix. Other containers may have the wrong proportions and you will not be successful unless you follow the Eating Plan using these containers.
• Very few (if any) other containers come in the variety of sizes needed for 21 Day Fix.

Can I eat out at restaurants when I do 21 Day Fix?
• Yes! The Eating Plan includes a restaurant guide that shows you how to practice portion control at your favorite restaurants.

What does it mean when you say "no off-limit foods"?
• The 21 Day Fix Eating Plan shows you how to incorporate treats (like chocolate and wine) into the plan . . . and you can still lose weight.

What makes the 21 Day Fix workouts so effective?
• 21 Day Fix takes all of the guesswork out of working out. You know which workout to doeach day and can be confident you're working your whole body efficiently in just 30 minutes a day.
• The workouts yield consistent calorie-burning results, unlike a treadmill workout that can have very inconsistent and inaccurate calorie counts.
• The 30-minute boot-camp style workouts keep your heart rate up throughout, so you have an effective and efficient workout that burns maximum calories.
• There's a modifier in every workout to show you how to take down the intensity while still getting awesome results.
• Trainer Autumn Calabrese created a 7-day-a-week schedule to give you the best results in just 21 days. Each day of the week is a different workout, all perfectly designed to avoid overtraining and keep you injury-free.




What are the workouts?
7 workouts on 2 DVDs (VHS not available)


Dirty 30 workout**


Total Body Cardio Fix


Upper Fix


Lower Fix


Pilates Fix


Cardio Fix


Yoga Fix




So, how crazy would it be if I told you that in the month of September, you could receive this amazing program for FREE, by purchasing shakeology? If you are interested in trying this program, urge you to try now! I am making the promise to each and every one of my customers, that by the end of the program, if they are not happy and have not seen results, you can return the product, for a full refund. I will mark it on my calendar to have a discussion with you after 21 days and see where you stand. That's how much we believe in this product! 
In addition to that, I'll also be helping and guiding you every step of the way, through my online support groups. You'll receive daily accountability and support from myself and others going through the journey with you. 


If you are ready to stop waiting and making excuses, ready to finally feel like the person you know you can be... let's do this!  SIGN UP for my next support group and to have me as your personal cheerleader and coach!

Sunday, September 21, 2014

All Clear!

The six week date finally arrive and I had my check-up (bittersweet because I cannot believe my baby girl is already that old!). I received the All Clear, thumbs up signal and that means I'll officially begin my next workout program and routine, starting Monday!



I spent too much of my time this weekend, trying to decide what program I would start with. I have so many choices! 21 Day Fix, PiYO, Les Mills Body Pump, Focus T25, P90X3... the list goes on and on.  Finally, this afternoon, I decided I want and need equal parts of everything and made my final decision (and by final, I mean for now, unless I start and decide to change my mind - hey I'm a woman, it's my prerogative, right?).

So, Drum roll please.....

I'll be doing a PiYO, Les Mills Pump workout hybrid, along with the 21 Day Fix nutrition plan!

I realize I can work my butt off day and night, but without getting my nutrition under control, I'll never reach my goals. Besides that, I don't have all day and night to workout, I'm a mom of two and one is a newborn - remember?!

Check out my workout schedule for month 1:


I'll be taking my before measurements, weight and pictures tomorrow... If I become extremely brave or someone gets me super drunk (which wouldn't currently take much) I may post them sooner than later. Otherwise, you'll have to wait for the big reveal!

I'm always looking for support... any other mamas out there want to join me on this journey? You do NOT have to do this workout plan , but just workout and get this nutrition on track with me!

Comment below or shoot me a message on Facebook!

RECIPE} Black Bean Hummus

Black Bean Hummus


INGREDIENTS:
1 Clove of garlic, minced
1 Can (15oz) low sodium black beans; drain and reserve liquid
2 TB Lemon juice
1 1/2 TB Tahini
1 tsp Ground cumin
1/2 tsp Himalayan salt
1/2 tsp Chili Powder

DIRECTIONS:
Mince garlic in a food processor. Add black beans, 2 tablespoons reserved liquid, lemon juice, tahini, cumin, himalayan salt, and chili powder; process until smooth, scraping down the sides as needed. 

Add additional seasoning and liquid to taste. Garnish with paprika and Greek olives.

Serve with raw veggies, pita, crackers or chips of your choice and ENJOY!





Tuesday, September 9, 2014

RECIPE} Clean Homemade Pumpkin Spice Latte

Fall is around the corner and that means pumpkin flavored EVERYTHING (or so it seems!). Are you a pumpkin flavor fan? A victim to the Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte? Personally, I'm not a fan of the famous latte. It's always tasted fake to me (not to mention all of the fake sweeteners and crazy amount of calories), but I DO love the pumpkin flavor, which caused me to search this fabulous little concoction out! This version of pumpkin spice latte has half the calories of your favorite fall treat.

Clean Homemade Pumpkin Spice Latte

INGREDIENTS:
1 cup nonfat milk (I use almond milk)
1 Tbsp. pumpkin puree
¼ tsp. pumpkin pie spice
2 tsp. pure vanilla extract
1 cup brewed black coffee or 1 shot espresso
1 dash ground nutmeg (to taste; optional)
DIRECTIONS:
Heat milk, pumpkin puree, pumpkin pie spice, and extract in medium saucepan over medium heat; cook for 4 to 5 minutes, or until mixture is hot, but not boiling. It is ready when there are many small bubbles on the sides of the saucepan.
Remove from heat; mix vigorously with a whisk until frothy.
Pour coffee or espresso into serving mug; top with milk mixture.
Top with nutmeg if desired.