Monday, March 28, 2016

Feta, Sundried Tomato and Lentil Salad

I made this Feta, Sundried tomato and Lentil salad for Easter brunch yesterday and well, it's AMAZING!!!! 

It's super quick and easy to make - try it out, SHARE the recipe to houseboats for your friends and then let me know what you think!! 



INGREDIENTS:
12 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
8 tablespoons white wine vinegar
1 teaspoon dried thyme, ground
1 cup drained coarsely chopped sun dried tomatoes packed in oil (I use Trader Joe's which has Italian seasonings)
4 cups lentil (again, trader Joe's which are pre cooked!)
2 cups crumbled Feta cheese

DIRECTIONS
In a large bowl whisk together oil, vinegar, thyme, tomatoes. 

Toss lentils well with dressing and gently stir in Feta and ENJOY!!!😋

Sunday, March 20, 2016

Cinnamon Quinoa Breakfast Bar

One of my absolute favorite quinoa recipes, and it's for BREAKFAST! 

This quinoa, cinnamon bar is to die for! Okay, maybe not literally. But honestly, it's DELICIOUS! 

We like to top ours with all natural peanut butter or almond butter and a few berries (your choice) and it's just delicious and perfect! 

You can also make these ahead of time and refrigerate through the week.

I typically make two batches and then freeze the second, in small Pyrex containers with 2-3 bars in each. 


My kids (19 months and 4) and my husband even approve! So I consider this a grand slam!

Here is the recipe, ENJOY! 

INGREDIENTS:

2 1/2 cups quinoa, cooked and cooled

4 eggs, beaten
1/3 cup almond milk
1/3 cup maple syrup (optional)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 tablespoon cinnamon

DIRECTIONS

  1. Preheat the oven to 375ºF and place the quinoa in a large mixing bowl. Line an 8-by-8-inch baking pan with lightly greased parchment.

  2. In a small bowl, whisk together eggs, almond milk, vanilla extract, and cinnamon until thoroughly combined. Add maple syrup (if using) and whisk.

  3. Add egg mixture to cooked and cooled quinoa. Stir with a large spoon to combine. Pour into the parchment-lined baking dish and spread it around to ensure that it’s even.

  4. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes until set and golden.

  5. Using parchment, remove bake from pan as soon as possible so that it doesn’t steam.

  6. Cool completely and cut into squares. Serve with a dollop of nut butter.

Saturday, March 5, 2016

90 Days to Excellence - Beachbody Leadership Training, with Craig Holiday


I am SO excited to have found these mp3 recordings from Criag Holiday's trainings! 
I have hears so many other Top Coaches, such as Traci Morrow, Melanie Mitro and Scotty Hobbs dote on the amazingness, clarity and time management strategies that comes from Craig Holiday's  trainings - I can't wait to get started myself!

TAKE THIS TRAINING WEEK BY WEEK and spend time applying each into your business. You may also benefit from having an accountability buddy, and your own coach is always available to you for that!
Here we go:
Week 1: Getting started right.
Week 2: Why Relational Marketing?
Week 3: 10 Points to a Great Leader.
Week 4: Managing Your Time.
Week 5: How to Start a New Coach.
Week 6: Passion- The Defining Difference.
Week 7: The Glue- What Holds this Business Together.
Week 8: Self Esteem- “Hand Me Downs” and Overcoming the Past.
I would love to hear what you experienced in your Beachbody Business after applying these strategies, share in a comment below!!!

RECIPE: Watermelon Mint & Feta Salad

I found this recipe off of pinterest a few summers ago, but just couldn't get myself to actually try it. This weekend (Memorial Day weekend!), we have a party or cookout to be at every single day. I needed something quick and easy that I could either make in bulk OR quickly, each day, to take as a side dish. 
I finally caved and tried this out today and Oh. My. Gosh! I don't know WHY I waited so long! It's absolutely delicious, no cooking involved and takes less than 10 minutes to make this salad. 
I had my three year old son and husband try it out and even they loved it! Give it a try, I promise, it will be a favorite at your table or party.


INGREDIENTS:
2 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
2 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice
¼ tsp. sea salt
¼ tsp. ground black pepper
1 dash hot pepper sauce (like Tabasco®) (optional; to taste)
3½ cups cubed watermelon
2/3 cup crumbled feta cheese (about 2½ oz.)
3 Tbsp. chopped sweet onion (like Maui or Vidalia)
1/3 cup chopped fresh mint leaves
DIRECTIONS:
1. Combine oil, lemon juice, salt, pepper, and hot sauce (if desired) in a medium bowl; whisk to blend. Set aside.
2. Combine watermelon, cheese, onion, and mint in a large serving bowl.
3. Drizzle with dressing; toss gently to blend.

RECIPE: Sweet Potato and Roasted Red Pepper Bisque

I LOVE this soup/bisque recipe from the Ultimate Reset. The recipe below is ingredients for ONE serving. I typically multiply everything by 4 so if I'm NOT on the reset, I can serve my family and if I AM on the reset, I can have soup ready for lunch and dinner when needed!


Ingredients
  • 1 sweet potato (aka garnet yam)
  • ¼ red bell pepper
  • 1 cup vegetable broth or water
  • 1 tsp. finely grated peeled ginger root
  • 1½ tsp. extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 tsp. miso paste, diluted in 1 tsp. hot water
  • Tamari or Bragg® Liquid Aminos, Himalayan salt, and herbal seasoning (to taste)
Directions
Peel and cube sweet potatoes. Cook in boiling water until tender. Drain and set aside. Meanwhile, roast a whole red bell pepper on gas stovetop or grill, turning frequently until evenly charred on the outside OR in your oven at 400 degrees for 15 to 20 minutes, turning every 10 minutes or until skin is charred.
Put pepper in bowl and cover with towel for 10 minutes to steam. Clean off skin and seeds by running under cool water. Remove seeds, cut in quarters, and chop one quarter into ½-inch cubes. (Set remainder of pepper aside for another use.)Place sweet potato, pepper, broth or water, ginger, oil, and miso in blender. (If you want chunky soup, set aside some chunks of pepper.) Blend thoroughly, adding more liquid to achieve desired soup consistency. Transfer to a pot and gently heat on low until hot. Add tamari or aminos, salt, and seasoning as desired.


RECIPE} Zucchini Taco Boats!

I always love to try a new recipe, but it's not so much fun if you idon'thave a test group to try it on, right??

When my family came into town this week, I decided it was the perfect audience and time to try out this clean, Zucchini Taco Boat recipe! 

One of my favorite things, is to find a recipe that can be modified to follow the guidelines and nutrition plan for whichever Beachbody program I'm following, such as 21 Day Fix, 21 Day Fix Extreme, or The Master's Hammer and Chisel. 



This recipe was SUPER simple and a total hit! My parents loved it and even my 16 month old daughter ate 3 zucchini halves! I'm definitely going to be adding these to my list to make again!


INGREDIENTS:

5 medium zucchini
1 1/2 pounds ground turkey
1 medium onion, diced
1 Cup diced sweet peppers, diced (red, yellow, orange, use what you have)
*Homemade Taco Seasoning (recipe found here)
1 cup salsa
1 1/2 cups Mexican shredded cheese blend
optional toppings: Greek Yogurt, sour cream, cilantro



DIRECTIONS:

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F

Wash and scoop out the insides of the zucchini with a spoon or melon scooper and chop them and place into pan.

Place the scooped out zucchini shells into a 9 by 13 baking dish (depending on the size of the zucchini, you may need an extra dish)

Toss scopped zucchini, peppers and onions  into a pan, lightly sautéing then add ground turkey

Once the turkey is browned, add the seasonings, salsa and 1 cup of cheese

Continue to cook until cheese is melted

Fill zucchini with this mixture then top with remaining cheese.

Cover with foil and bake 20-25 minutes or until zucchini is tender.

Enjoy with optional toppings!


*Pretty Fit Mom TIP: I make my taco seasoning in bulk, and save it in an old glass salsa jar, so that I'm able to use it quickly and easily!

Leave your comments below and let me know if you and your family enjoyed this!!

Sinless Cookies!


One of my favorite pastimes when the boredom strikes, is to cook and BAKE! But, I don't need to eat all that stuff and I have a hard time keeping from it at times! ha ha

So - - - in an effort to combat this, a couple years ago I went on a hunt to find the best and simplest recipes out there, that would calm my craving for the hobby AND the sweet tooth, without adding a tire around my waist. 


These are SIMPLE cookie balls and are win-win-win because:
🔹They are DELICIOUS
🔹They are filled with healthy ingredients like BANANA🍌
🔹The whole family can enjoy GUILT FREE!


INGREDIENTS:

2 Ripe banans, large (or 3, if small)
1 Cup, Quick Oats
1/2 Cup, Dark Chocolate Chips
1 HEAPING Tbsp, All Natural Peanut Butter


DIRECTIONS:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. 

Place banans in food processor and run until smooth - this CAN be done by hand with a fork!

Add rest of ingredients and mix well. 

PLOP the dough on a cookie sheet, forming small balls or blobs.



place in oven for 15 minutes, or until golden brown around the edges. 

Enjoy!

Thursday, March 3, 2016

What is 22 Minute Hard Corp?


Beachbody is at it again.  They have launched a brand new home fitness program that is going to blow your mind!!  They started out with programs like Insanity and p90X, that were more than an hour long each day.  Then, they created 21 Day Fix that is only 30 minutes daily, T25 that is 25 minutes daily and now we are taking it to a whole new level.  Just 22 minutes a day... yes you heard me right!  In just 22 minutes you can get some seriously rocking results with Tony Horton and ME as your coach! 


CAN YOU REALLY GET RESULTS in 22 minutes a day????  

YES MA'AM or SIR you can!  It is all about focusing on the workout, pushing yourself to your max, dialing in your nutrition and following the plan to the T and of course the most important part {at least I think it is} is having support and accountability from your Team BEACHBODY Coach {ME} and the rest of the challengers in the group.  There is something comforting from knowing that you are not the only one out there struggling, having a bad day, or a slip up with your nutrition.  It's know to know that we are all in this together!  We are getting "bootcamp fit" with 22 Minute Hard Corps.

Basically every excuse you have for not getting in shape is invalid because I had 2 kids, I lost 100 lbs after my son was born and then got pregnant with my daughter and went through the emotional ups and downs of post partum. I was a stay at home mom whose husband travels and works long hours.  But I made it a priority and found a way because I wanted to CHANGE more than I wanted to stay the same.

Also, I waited until JUNE to decide I wanted to get in shape for summer and lets be honest here.  You don't just lose all the weight overnight or in 30 days when you decide you are ready!  So if you are reading this then you should START now because this is a sign!

If you want to get leaner and stronger then this is for you!  No matter what your current fitness level, you can modify this program to find success! You can do anything that you put your mind to. 



So what is 22 Minute Hard Corps anyways??


So it was created by Tony Horton who also is the creator of P90X, P90X2, P90X3, Power 90 and more.  It is a mixture of eight routines that alternate between total body cardio & resistance 1 workout a day for 6 days a week.  The workout is fast paced and there is little rest - 22 seconds to be exact.  The workouts are easy to pick up and learn.  You are moving from exercise to exercise quickly to maximize time and results.


What Equipment Do You Need?

Dumbbells or pull up bar (or resistance bands with a door attachment).  The harder you work the faster that you grow!!! 

I know you  might be thinking that you can't do this workout, but you CAN.  It is for everyone and even in the first three workouts I've tried this week, there were modifications for every ability level which I totally love! 
The program is 8 weeks in length, 6 days a week, 1 workout a day for 22 minutes!  YOU CAN DO THIS!





What will you get with this program?


• 8 challenging workouts on 2 DVDs
• Quick Start Mission Guide
• 8-week Basic Training Action Plan
• Rations for Results Nutrition Field Guide
• Cold Start pre-workout drill
• Hell Week Challenge Card
• HARD CORPS: Battle Buddy Workout DVD (Network Exclusive)



So who is this workout for??  People who don't have a lot of time to spend working out in a gym.

People who want fast effective results with little or no FUSS.
There is also an optional 2 a day hell week challenge if you are up for it! 


So now is your time, do you accept the challenge?





I AM KICKING OFF MY 22 MINUTE HARD CORPS TEST GROUP EXCLUSIVE FOR MY NEW AND CURRENT CUSTOMERS ON THE 21st OF MARCH.  


On the 21st of March we will start our pre season which consists of 1 week of goal setting, pictures, measurements, meal planning and education on the nutritional plan and then the following week is our official day 1!

******For 8 weeks I will guide you daily through the program with support, accountability, access to an online/app based closed group for support and guidance.  Each participant is required to purchase the 22 Minute Hard Corps Challenge Pack/Program and commit to replacing 1 meal a day with Shakeology for the duration of the group.

If you are interested in getting more information about the program please complete the form below and I will contact you within 24 hours with details.


If you do not currently work with a Coach please make me your FREE coach here.  




Do you want to see some results from people just like you??


HERE ARE SOME AMAZING RESULTS FROM THE 22 MINUTE HARD CORPS TEST GROUP.


Lourdes G 16 lbs and 12 inches in 8 weeks with Hard Corps.  Wohooo way to go!  




Carl T was one of the first to try Hard Corps and lost 3 lbs and got ripped.



Stephenie W lost 9 lbs and 7.5 inches in 8 weeks.  She said she loved the military/bootcamp style workout!!  The music and the beats of the drum motivate you to push thru to the end!