Puffed Quinoa Peanut Butter Pie

I love picnics! I love the people, I love being outside, I love the food... But I also love the way my body feels when I eat healthy - and I want a dish that is yummy to share - tah-dah! You're welcome!

What you need:

• Puffed Quinoa (I order mine from nuts.com)
• 1/2 cup of natural peanut butter
• 3-4 tbsp agave nectar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• vegan dark chocolate (optional)

What you need to do:

1. In a mixing bowl, combine the peanut butter, agave and vanilla. If the mixture is hard to work with, heat it up a little.
2. Add the puffed quinoa 
3. Place mixture in a pie pan
4. Evenly distribute and flatten
5. Refrigerate to let it harden.
6. Optional - melt a few chocolate chips in a baggie, cut a small hole in the corner of the baggie and gently squeeze onto pie
7. Enjoy!

Baked Chicken Caprese

I love trying to find a way to mix veggies into my dishes - because honestly, I get tired of the taste of chicken sometimes! I love basil - fresh basil and fresh tomatoes just make me think of my garden and summertime.... This dish is full of rich flavors but was not a huge expense on my checkbook or my time. And yes, this is 21 Day Fix Approved!!!

What you need:

•  1/2 cup chopped fresh basil (can be pricey in the store, but is so cheap to grow)
• 5 small chicken breasts
• 3/4 cup cherry tomatoes, slices in quarters
• 2 cloves of minced garlic
• 8oz package of fresh mushrooms, sliced
• 2 tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
• dash of dry basil
• dash of garlic powder
• 1 cup shredded mozerella

What you need to do:

1. Preheat oven to 375
2. In a large frying pan, add olive oil, garlic and mushrooms.
3. Cook mushrooms to desired (I like mine with crispy edges)
4. Add in tomatoes, saute on medium for 5 minutes
5. Add in chopped basil and saute for 3 minutes
6. In a 9x13 baking dish, spray with olive oil spray
7. Place uncooked chicken in the dish, evenly spaced without overlapping.
8. Sprinkle dry basil and garlic powder on the chicken.
9. Place mushroom mixture evenly on top of the chicken.
10. Place in oven, uncovered for 20-25 minutes.
11. Spread mozeralla on top and place back in the oven until melted. (I put my oven on low broil to brown the cheese a little)
12. Enjoy!

Berry Stuffed French Toast

One of my coaches posted stuffed French toast in a challenge group and I just had to make it! So she just used plain ricotta - but I love sweets, and with a few simple adds, I made this a clean breakfast treat! It was so simple and my girls LOVED it! I can't wait to make this for my family at the beach, I think it will be a hit!

What you need:

• French Toast (here is my clean French Toast Recipe)
• 1/4 cup part skim ricotta
• 1/2 tsp pure honey
• 1/4 tsp lemon juice
• berries, diced about 1/2 cup (I used raspberries and strawberries)

What you need to do:

1. Combine ricotta, honey and lemon juice - mix well
2. Add 1/4 cup of berries
3. Let sit overnight, covered in the fridge (not necessary but I thought the flavors would blend better)
4. Cook French toast, as directed
5. With pan still warm, add the stuffing mixture on top one slice (I used about half)
6. Top with another slice of French toast.
7. Plate and top with remainder of the fruit.
8. Enjoy!

Banana Ice Cream

Wouldn't you love to be able to say, 'yes' when you wanted or your kiddos asked for ice cream? Well now you can :) As an HUGE ice cream lover, I admit I was skeptical - very skeptical actually! But I have to say, it doesn't get much better than this!!! Oh and for my dog momma's, this is  dog friendly as well! Aubrey crushed some dog treats and used them as her sprinkles!

 

We are experimenting with different recipes, so stay tuned!

What you need: 

• 2 Frozen Bananas (when my bananas start to ripen- I cut in half, peel, freeze on a plate and then toss in a freezer bag)
• 2 tsp. natural peanut butter

What you need to do:

1. Toss the bananas and peanut butter in a blender.
2. Blend until soft serve consistency.
3. Enjoy!

Protein Packed Pancakes

Huge hit in our household this morning! Great texture and taste! I found that a protein packed breakfast helps fuel metabolism early and keep you full! Try it out, you probably have everything you need! This recipe makes about 4 pancakes!

What you need:

• 1/4 cup quick oats
• 4 egg whites (or 2 whole eggs)
• 1/2 cup of berries or 1/2 of a banana
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 1 tsp cinnamon

What you need to do:

1. Spray pan with extra virgin olive oil
2. Heat to medium
3. Add all of the above to the blender - pulse
4. I use an ice cream scooper (or 1/4 cup measuring cup) and pour pancakes onto heated pan
5. Flip when edges form (about 1-2 minutes)
6. Cook other side
7. Enjoy!

If you are a 21 Day Fixer, I count these as 1 yellow, 1 red, and 1 purple. Enjoy :)

Cafe Latte is here!

Old news right? Ha! I finally have my order! And I can't wait... for all of YOU to try it.... because the truth is, I am not a coffee fan --- not even a little bit! So I am depending on Dan and all of you to give me feedback and recipes for my blog! Here are just a of the most commonly asked questions I have been getting on the newest flavor!

Q: I like drinking my shakes in the evening, does Café Latte have caffeine?

A: NOT AT ALL! The caffeine levels in Café Latte are exactly the same as they are in ALL of our Shakeology flavors. So even though it tastes like coffee, Café Latte contains 75% less caffeine than an 8 oz. cup o’ Joe. So if you have been enjoying our other shakes in the evening without a problem, then this won't be either!

Q: What does it taste like?

A: Wwwweeelll - I am the wrong person to ask lol! But, I have a lot of coffee loving fans and this is what they tell me, "Absolutely amazing! It’s incredibly rich, robust, and creamy with hints of Café and notes of Latte. It truly does taste just like a frozen coffee drink you’d get from a coffee shop" So pretty cool, you get the same great taste of a coffee shop frozen drink, but with all the superfood benefits of Shakeology - plus way less fat, sodium, and calories!

Q: What makes this so special?

A: It’s formulated with WHOLE Coffee Fruit —a coveted superfood powerhouse and antioxidant -- that’s native to regions of Mexico and India. Coffee fruit is the red fleshy fruit that surrounds what we know to be the coffee bean! Not only does Café Latte taste great, but the use of the entire plant also minimizes Shakeology’s carbon footprint.

Q: How do I get to try it?

A: A few different ways actually!

1. Order a bag of 30 servings or a box of 24 servings today!
2. Try the Barista Triple Combo Box. This pack contains 24 single-serving packets of Café Latte, Vanilla, and Chocolate (8 per flavor)
3. Order a single packet from me! Email me at etraill7@gmail.com with your name and address (must have paypal!)

I hope this helped!

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Onion Baby-Baked Potatoes

It is no secret... I love butter - my hardest craving to kick! Every time I try to make a regular baked potato, I tell myself I won't put butter on it "this time" and guess what??? I always to... So I gotta switch it up!  Delicious and simple as can be! You can use red potatoes and cut them as well!

What you need:

• Baby potatoes (red or multicolored)
• Extra Virgin Olive Oil (amount depends on how many potatoes you are making, you need just enough for a light coating)
• Dried Minced Onion
• Onion Powder
• Dried Parsley
• Dash of Garlic Powder

What you need to do:

1. Preheat oven to 400
2. Spray glass baking dish
3. Place washed potatoes in the dish, single layer
4. Drizzle lightly with EVOO
5. Sprinkle on onion powder and minced onion
6. Bake for 40 minutes
7. Enjoy!

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Clean Crockpot Buffalo Chicken Dip

I have really been enjoying this recipe - perfect appetizer for football games, awesome on salads or in wraps, and best part ------- you toss in the crockpot, no prep, no clean up!

What you need:

• 1 pound of boneless/skinless chicken breasts
• 1/4 cup of Franks Red Hot
• 3/4 cup of Greek Yogurt
• 1/2 cup of shredded cheddar
• Garlic Powder
• Minced Onion
• Onion Powder

What you need to do:

1. Spray Crockpot with olive oil spray
2. Add in chicken (whole and raw)
3. Top with Franks and yogurt
4. Sprinkle top with garlic powder, minced onion and onion powder
5. Top with cheese
6. Cook on low for 3 hours (make sure chicken is always well coated)
7. Chicken will shred easily
8. Optional toppings - green onions, feta, chopped celery
9. Enjoy!

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21 Day Fix on a Budget

I love doing the 21 Day Fix Meal Plan because I feel like it is perfect for my Type A personality - I know what to eat and exactly how much to eat of it - it is straight forward and to the point... But what I didn't like was the amount of money I found myself spending when I did week 1! I am a budget savoy momma and spending that much money on groceries just isn't my thing! So each week I set a goal to save more and more! Now today, after months of following this meal plan, I think I have it figured out!

Keep a Food Journal:

One thing that took me a little bit of time to learn was which meals would keep me full and satisfied and where to put them in my meal plan. For example, I used to always put my Shakeology for breakfast, but then I struggled with cravings and busy schedule at lunch time. So I moved my Shakeology to lunch and I have noticed a huge improvement!

My days all look the same with the exception of dinner, and the reason I do this is because I know exactly what I need when I go to the grocery story. Keep a food journal, remember what kept you full, when you were hungry and if you bought too much or not enough of something. Then tweek your list each time!


Feeding a family of 4 (and yes, this included paper products and those lovely fresh flowers!) for 2 weeks on 150$ budget takes practice. I had to learn what worked, where to buy, and how much we really needed for 2 weeks! Typically now I shop weekly because I love farmer markets, but in the winter I will go back to every 2 weeks. You will see that the first week I eat a lot of fresh foods, and the second weeks more frozen or fruits and veggies with a longer shelf life like apples and carrots!

The Beauty is in Simplicity:

When meal planning, I try to keep things as simple as possible. If I had to cook or prepare 3-5 meals a day, I would never stick with it. So my meal plans are simple, but that is what works for me. Once I changed my state of mind about food and looked at it more as a way to fuel my body, the repetition became less of an issue for me. 21 Day Fix approved foods that are very budget friendly are potatoes, brown rice, broccoli, apples, bananas and carrots

Meal Plan:

I usually meal plan on Sundays with the ads. I don't coupon, because most of the foods I buy don't usually have coupons! If strawberries are on sale, then they are my fruit of the week - simple as that! I will see what meats, fresh produce and paper products are on sale and generate my meal plan and shopping list from that. I cut out most processed snacks for my girls - there are a waste of money and calories... they didn't even notice and are happy to trade it for sweet fruit and yogurt!

Don't buy anything that isn't on your list:

Not much to explain here, don't do it! It is a trap... leave the kiddos at home if you can as well!

Frozen and Generic are A-Okay!

When I am planning out my meals, I start with dinner. Figure out what ingredients I need and write a list. I then use the leftover ingredients from dinner to use for snacks during the week. For example, if I have chicken tacos - I am using peppers. So I will have peppers for a snack! Also remember that frozen is OKAY! Frozen, especially in the winter months is a great alternative to fresh! These are often cheaper, and obviously have a long shelf life - so the risk of wasting food is decreased!

Figure out and experiment with what generic foods you are willing to substitute. I can buy generic bread, rice, noodles - but don't mess with my peanut butter or greek yogurt ;) I also buy what I use a lot of in bulk.... Skip the tiny containers of yogurt and buy a larger container to scoop out of, simple way to save some cash!


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Shakeology Mug Cake

Cause lets face it - sometimes you just need cake!

What you need:

• 1/4 tsp baking powder
• 1 tbsp of Stevia (optional)
• 1 scoop of Chocolate Shakeology
• Dash of salt
• 1 egg
• optional mix in: 1 tsp peanut butter or cocoa powder
• 2 or 3 tbsp vanilla unsweetened almond milk

What you need to do:

1. In a mug mix Shakeology, baking powder, salt, and sweetener.
2. Mix in an egg and 2-3 tbsp of milk
3. Mix until dry ingredients are wet
4. If you'd like to add peanut butter, put one dollop in the center and push it down a bit
5. Microwave for 90 seconds
6. When it is done the edges will pull from the sides
7. ENJOY!

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Mac 'n Cheese with Chicken and Broccoli - 21 Day Fix Style

 

Who doesn't love macaroni and cheese? I know we do! And now it is 21 Day Fix Approved! I will be making a weekly batch for lunch! Right from the Fixate Cookbook!

What you need:

I used grilled chicken in mine - I grilled it with
pepper and powdered garlic - great flavor!

• 4oz dry whole wheat macaroni
• 4 tsp organic grass-fed butter
• 2 tbsp. unbleached whole wheat flour
• 1 1/2 cups unsweetened almond milk
• 1 1/4 cups freshly grated extra-sharp cheddar cheese
• 3 cups cooked, chopped boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 4 cups chopped steamed broccoli florets
• 1 tsp sea salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper

What you need to do:

1. Cook macaroni as per box directions (unless it says use salt and oil - skip that!)
   
2. Melt butter in a large saucepan over medium heat
3. Add flour; cook, whisking constantly for 1 minute (will be brown, but do not let it burn!)
4. Slowly which in almond milk; constantly whisking for 1-2 minutes or until thickens and is lump free
5. Reduce heat to low and add cheese, whisking until melted - about 2-3 minutes
6. Add chicken, broccoli, salt and pepper - cook for about 1 minute, stirring constantly.
7. Cook until heated through.
8. Serve immediately

Gluten Free option: Use rice or quinoa pasta and gluten-free flour!

21 Day Fixers - 1/2 green, 1/2 yellow, 1/2 red, 1 blue, 1/2 tsp

Nutritional Facts:
Total Fat - 10gm
Calories - 245
Sodium - 486mg
Fiber - 2g
Sugars - 0g
Protein - 25g

Clean Peanut Butter Squares

 

I have had a major sweet tooth lately! And every now and then, you just gotta give in... But when you give in, you don't want to undo days of eating right! I've got the perfect solution! Well, actually Autumn (creator of the 21 day fix) does! Straight from the Fixate Cookbook! Oh, added bonus - gluten free!

What you need:

 

• Nonstick cooking spray
• 1.5 cups of all-natural peanut butter (smooth)
• 1/2 cup of raw honey (or pure maple syrup) - I used honey
• 2 tsp pure vanilla extract
• 2 large eggs, at room temp
• 1/2 tsp baking soda

What you need to do:

1. Preheat over to 350 degrees
2. Lightly coat 8x8 baking pan with spray
3. In a mixing bowl, combine peanut butter, honey, extract, eggs and baking soda
4. Mix well
5. Evenly spread batter into pan and smooth top with spoon
6. Bake for 20-23 minutes.
7. Cool and cut into squares!
8. Enjoy!

Cut into 16 cubes - each one is 1 yellow and 2.5 teaspoons!

Clean French Toast

 

I must admit, breakfast is my favorite meal of the day - I could eat breakfast food all day long! I was afraid I was going to have to give up my favorite foods... NEGATIVE! Just needed to figure out how to make it healthier! My girls love this recipe! 

What you need:

• 1 egg
• 1 cup milk, or soy milk, or almond milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 6 slices clean, whole grain bread
• Cinnamon, ground

 

What you need to do:

1. Crack your egg into a large bowl.
2. Add milk and vanilla.
3. Mix well with a whisk.
4. When you dip your bread into the mix, do it quickly. Drop it in, flip it over, and take it out again immediately.You just want to coat the bread. Not soak it.
5. Using a non-stick pan and a very light coat of olive oil to cook the bread on both sides. Cook till golden brown.
6. Serve with a bit of honey or maple syrup for dipping.

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Chicken Veggie Pasta - 21 Day Fix Approved!

Hands down - my favorite summer dish! Fresh from the garden, grilled chicken, filling and simple!

What you need:

• 1 Red of leftover grilled chicken cut into strips
• 1 Yellow of whole wheat angel hair pasta
• 1 Green of veggies (I use frozen broccoli, cherry tomatoes, and mushrooms)
• 1/4 cup of fresh basil leaves, sliced
• 2 cloves of fresh garlic, minced
• 2 tsp extra virgin olive oil
• 1/2 blue of freshly grated parm cheese

What you need to do:

1. Add olive oil to a medium frying pan on medium heat.
2. Once oil is hot, add garlic and saute (enjoy the glorious smell!)
3. Add veggies and basil
4. Lastly, add chicken and pasta and fry on high heat
5. Plate, and top with parm cheese!

Enjoy - for my 21 Day Fixers this will cost you 1 red, 1 yellow, 1 green and 1/2 blue!

June Specials

The 21 Day Fix and the Fix Extreme are hands down two of favorite programs for myself and my challengers - WHY? Because you train with a purpose and eat with a plan! The first time I did the 21 Day Fix, I learned so much about portion control, clean eating, and working out! In both programs, you can't fail because everything is spelled out for you, no guessing! So I get really excited when this is on sale, or this month it is FREE with a purchase of a bag of Shakeology!

Since I spend a lot of time helping my challengers be successful, I am only accepting 10 new applicants! 21 Days to a new you - fitter, toned, and healthier for Summer!

Wondering more about the programs and which one would be a better fit for you? Click on the pics below and then lets chat!



21 Day Fix



21 Day Fix Extreme

 

Apply here to get the 21 Day Fix or Fix Extreme Free and to earn an exclusive spot in my June Challenge Group!

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Chicken Kabobs

Meal for one or meal for ten! Switch it up with different veggies and no mess! Using a salt free chicken seasoning makes it fix approved! I got the metal skewers from Target (dollar section, 3 for 1$ - winning!), and I just used mini sweet peppers and red onions - customize them with other options like zucchini, squash, mushrooms, grape tomatoes, and pineapple chunks! I load them up, sprinkle a little salt free chicken herb blend and grill them up! Enjoy!

The Skinny on - Eggs!

So when it comes time to buy eggs - do you know what you are doing, or looking for? I surely didn't! I thought oh brown eggs, more expensive must be better for you - But is it? When you are looking at an egg carton, do you even know what it all means? I didn't have a clue, well until now and I found it quite interesting, but I'm kinda a dork like that lol

Okay - ready? I was really surprised -- The difference between brown and white eggs is --> White-
feathered chickens with white ear lobes lay white eggs and red-feathered ones with red ear lobes lay brown eggs... But when you get down to the egg, nutritionally there is no difference -- it's all just in the looks. SAY WHAT!?

Now I was confused because I swear to you, I thought the brown eggs tasted better -- but I found out the flavor difference is related to age or freshness of the egg!

So once I discovered this, I also wanted to know - what does all the junk on the label mean? And again, I was really surprised!


Cage-free, free-range. Hens are uncaged and inside warehouses. They can walk around, nest, and spread their wings but generally don’t have access to the outdoors. As for free range, there are no standards for eggs. To me, this still sounds like a cage!

Grade. Department of Agriculture grading is voluntary, and companies pay for it. Grades are AA, A, and B. Grade depends on the quality of yolk and white and the shell’s condition. Within any grade, size can differ. All USDA-graded eggs must have been washed and sanitized.

Omega-3. Hens were given feed that included flax, marine algae, fish oils, and other ingredients to boost the level of ­omega-3 fatty acid in their eggs.

Organic. Eggs with a USDA organic seal come from a facility checked by accredited certifiers and from hens raised on feed grown without synthetic pesticides, fungicides, herbicides, or fertilizers. The hens are supposed to have outdoor access, but there’s some question as to whether that claim is adequately enforced. Most organic eggs cost more than conventional ones partly because of the price of feed, smaller flock size, and certification costs.

Vegetarian. The hens have eaten all-grain feed with no animal byproducts.

Hormone-free, antibiotic-free. Empty claim!!! No hormones or antibiotics are used in producing eggs for human consumption.

Lemon Water

I love water - and every now and then it is nice to switch it up! I'm just now exploring the world of fruity water, as a girl who was never really into juice or soda I am usually happy with just plain old water! When I learned all the health benefits of lemon water it made me love it even more!

 

So what's the skinny on lemons...

I had no idea but lemons are packed with nutrients, including vitamin C, B-complex vitamins, calcium, iron, magnesium, potassium, and fiber. (Fun fact: they contain more potassium than apples or grapes!)

Immune Booster - Vitamin C is like our immune system’s jumper cables, and lemon juice is full of it. The level of vitamin C in your system is one of the first things to plummet when you’re stressed, which is why experts recommended popping extra vitamin C during especially stressful days. So feeling stressed - grab some lemon water!

Potassium - As already mentioned, lemons are high in potassium, which is good for heart health, as well as brain and nerve function.... who couldn't use some improved brain function??

Improves digestion - Lemon juice not only encourages healthy digestion by loosening toxins in your digestive tract, it helps to relieve symptoms of indigestion such as heartburn, burping, and bloating.... who couldn't benefit from losing some toxins and bloat?!

Cleanses the system - It helps flush out the toxins in your body by enhancing enzyme function, stimulating your liver.... pretty awesome!

Freshen your breath - It also helps relieve toothaches and gingivitis... Because the citric acid can erode tooth enamel, either hold off on brushing your teeth after drinking lemon water or brush your teeth before drinking it...

Decrease blemishes - The antioxidants in lemon juice help to not only decrease blemishes, but wrinkles too! (okay I just poured another glass of lemon water!) It can also be applied to scars and age spots to reduce their appearance, and because it’s detoxifying your blood, it will maintain your skin’s radiance.

Aids in weight loss - Lemons contain pectin fiber, which assists in fighting hunger cravings... winning!

Reduces inflammation - If you drink lemon water on a regular basis, it will decrease the acidity in your body, which is where disease states occur. It removes uric acid in your joints, which is one of the main causes of inflammation.

Energy boost - Lemon juice provides your body with energy when it enters your digestive tract, and it also helps reduce anxiety and depression. (Even the scent of lemons has a calming effect on your nervous system, which is why I love love love my lemon lavender candle!)

So do I have to eat like a million lemons to get these health benefits?

For those who weigh less than 150 pounds, squeeze half a lemon’s worth of juice into a glass of water. If over 150 pounds, use an entire lemon’s juice... I like more of a weak lemon flavor so I spread it out and dilute it over the course of the day...Not only are the benefits of lemon water pretty awesome, it’s one of the easiest changes you can make for your health (and fitness!)

Week 3 & Results!

All the blood, sweat and tears were all worth it! 6.4 pounds in 21 days is pretty incredible, especially for someone who has been clean eating and working out for several months! It wasn't easy, the eggs especially! But with each passing day it got easier and easier! I actually plan on carrying this meal plan into my next program! So where did I lose the inches?

• 1/4 inch off each arm
• 1 inch off my waist
• 1.5 inches off my abdomen
• 1.5 inches off my hips
• 1.2 inch off each thigh

When I look in the mirror, I see the biggest changes in my stomach and my back! I can't believe the definition I can see in my back - I love it!!! Here is a little bit of my last week of this challenge:


Kicking off week 3 - meal planning in Easter colors as Aubrey paints!

Remote is lost - thanks Kate!!! No worries,
BB ON DEMAND to the rescue!



Getting stronger everyday - pumped up those weights
this week!

Kate was sick, congested, only napping in my arms...
So Pilates did not happen, I'm pretty sure I had a pretty good
workout carrying her 20 lb body around all day!



Umm yeah - my booty is on fire for days after this!

Cardio with weights - no joke! Aubrey thinks I look
like a goof with boxers and compression socks! 

She made it through the warm up and round 1 :)



My challenge group and myself traded in our yoga day for
the bonus workout - "The Fix Extreme Challenge"
umm yeah challenge would be an understatement!

Kate begs for eggs, and I gladly give them up!



Dessert Time with the Girls!

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