Super Bowl Appetizers Revamped!!

According to USA Today, the Super Bowl is "only second behind Thanksgiving for the average amount of calories consumed in a day." Is it bad that that statistic didn't surprise me??? It's no wonder when there are so many appetizers, pizzas and beers flowing that in the matter of a couple hours some SERIOUS caloric damage can be done!!

But don't worry!! I have put together some great tips to help keep you in the "healthy lifestyle game" and not sitting on the bench with guilt and stomach cramps all night!! I've also compiled some of my favorite healthy Super Bowl party foods so you can celebrate without the super-high calories, fat, and sodium. Don't forget to get up at halftime and dance to the music or get outside to throw the ball with your friends, neighbors, and loved ones. That way you can enjoy some great food and keep moving too.

The key to any appetizer is to go in moderation.  It is not a meal and it is not a free pass to indulge because it is clean or healthy.  There is such a thing as too much of a good thing!!!  So while hummus and guacamole are good fats they can also be bad if you fill half your plate with them!

If you are attending a football party where you have no control over the menu here are a few suggestions:

1.  Pre-Eat:  Yup! Eat BEFORE you even leave your house! Don't rely on what is being provided and HOPE that it is clean!  Most likely it won't be.  Most parties wont even have a veggie tray or green salad to choose from!  I always have either a shake or a light but filling meal before I go.  Then, spend my time socializing and hanging out with people instead of mingling at the food buffet. I strategically place myself far from the buffet actually, because its SO easy to just be chatting and keep reaching down for anther chicken wing, egg roll or stuffed mushroom!

2.  Choose small plates:  Grab an appetizer plate and load up on veggies and fruit.  Stay away from creamy dips and fried foods.  The small plates will remind you to stay within your portion sizes.  When you have bigger plates you tend to feel the need to fill it up! Also eat slowly from this small plate. Just because its less food than you would put on a bigger plate doesn't mean that its your opportunity to scarf it down and go back for seconds or thirds!

3.  If there is something that you want to splurge on, evaluate the situation.  Is this what you want to splurge on? What else will you forgo instead?  Will you stay away from all other chips and cookies so you can have cake?  Will you stay away from Alcohol for chips?  Your choice, but you can't have a bangin body and eat your cake too!  The power is in your hands, how bad do you want it?

4.  Drink lots of water:  If you decide to have a few drinks, stay hydrated!  Go with your low calorie options like vodka and soda water with a splash of lemon or lime. And for every alcoholic beverage you should drink a large 12 oz glass of water.

5.  Stay away from certain ingredients:  Stay away from anything that is made with mayonnaise, cream cheese, sour cream or heavy cream and milk.  Lots of unwanted calories and fat hidden in there! It doesn't make a difference if it's low fat cream cheese, light sour cream or mayo it's still not a good option.  To clean up a recipe with those ingredients try Greek yogurt!  Most people can't tell the difference between sour cream and Greek Yogurt!!  

6. Get up and get moving!!: Durning the game it's pretty common to only get off your keyster to get more food or use the restroom. So take advantage of the break at Half-Time to get out and throw your own ball around the yard with the neighbors, take the kids to the local park or if you just absolutely CAN'T miss the coveted Half-Time show round up your guests and do this workout throughout the game and see who can stick it out till the end!

So, now that you are armed with some tips here are the recipes to go with it!

One of my favorite party appetizers are the Turkey, Pepper, Avocado Rolls

Turkey, Pepper & Avocado Rolls

3 slices of low sodium, nitrate free turkey breast

1/8 medium avocado sliced

1/2 medium bell pepper sliced into 6 pieces

Top each slice of turkey with bell peppers and avocado, roll and enjoy!!

Sweet and Sour Meatballs

• 1 lb. lean ground turkey
• 1 cup cooked brown rice
• 1 8oz can crushed pineapple in juice, drained
• 1/2 cup green onions
• 1 tbsp. light soy sauce
• 1 tsp. ginger
  Sauce:
• 3/4 cup reduced-sodium, low fat chicken broth
• 1/3 cup chili sauce
• 3 tbsp. rice vinegar
• 2 tbsp. brown sugar
• 2 tsp. cornstarch
• 1/2 tsp ground ginger

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Combine meatball ingredients in medium bowl and mix thoroughly.  Line a baking sheet with foil.  Place cooking racks in foil lined baking sheet.  Shape meatballs and place on the racks.  Bake for about 25 minutes or until thoroughly cooked.  Transfer the meatballs to a serving dish and cover to keep warm.

Combine the sauce ingredients in a small saucepan and stir until cornstarch is dissolved.  Place sauce over medium heat and stir intermittently until mixture comes to a boil.  Reduce heat to low, and stir for another minute or until mixture thickens slightly.  Pour sauce over meatballs, and gently toss to coat meatballs and serve warm with toothpicks.

Clean Eating Tex-Mex Dip  I am such a sucker for Mexican Food and this one sounds completely divine.  I honestly am going to have to portion out the 1/4 cup serving otherwise I would eat it all at one sitting.

Ingredients:
1 (12 ounce) jar of your favorite salsa, no sugar added
1 (15 ounce) can black olives, chopped
1 (15 ounce) can non-fat, re-fried beans, no sugar added
3 avocados
Juice of 1 lime
2 large Roma tomatoes, chopped
2 tsp. garlic powder
2 tsp. onion powder
1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro, loosely packed

Directions:

Combine the beans and the salsa in a pot and warm while stirring constantly. Once they are warm and well combined, remove from heat and pour the beans into your serving dish.

Next, make your guacamole using the avocados, lime juice, garlic powder and onion powder. Add salt to taste. Layer the guacamole over the beans.

Top with olives and tomatoes next and finish with the fresh cilantro.

Serve with your favorite, clean corn chips or whole grain crackers.

Bruchetta

makes about 8-10 servings

Gently blend together in a medium mixing bowl:

6 good sized Roma tomatoes, diced

3/4 cup of sun dried tomatoes (packed in oil-preferably olive oil) finely chopped

2 T. extra virgin olive oil

4 t. minced garlic

1/2 cup of finely chopped fresh basil

2 T. balsamic vinegar

1/4 t. ground pepper

1/2 cup of grated Parmesan cheese

Preheat your oven to 400* and spread the mixture in an 8" x 8" baking dish and bake for about 10-15 minutes.  Once the edges are bubbling and it smells amazing. 

I like to serve my Bruschetta with a whole grain baguette that I slice down brush with Extra Virgin Olive Oil and bake until lightly browned.  You can make your own chips that are healthier than the store bought version.

TurboFire Crackpot Chili

1 pound lean ground turkey
1/2 cup diced tomatoes (I used stewed tomatoes and added 2 cans)
8oz whole kernel corn, canned
1/2 onion diced
2 garlic cloves (I used minced)
8oz can of Black Beans
8oz  can of Kidney Beans
1 Tbsp Tomato Paste
1 packet Lawry's Chili Seasoning (I used low sodium)
4 oz low fat shredded cheddar cheese (optional)

Brown the turkey and drain any fat. Place all ingredients except the cheese into the crock pot. Cook on low for 4 hours or high for 2 hours. Top with 1 oz cheese per serving if desired.

Enjoy your parties this weekend and please share your favorite recipes too!!  I always love hearing your clean appetizers.  It's the one area we all struggle with!

 

T25 Week 2 Review - Couples Edition

We just officially finished week 2 of T25 and are LOVING the results! We are down a combined 14 pounds since day 1! We have gotten in a good groove with our routine and our eating habits and are kicking some serious booty in the results department!! This go around we have both committed to an early morning workout. They are quick, focused and to the point. We give 110% effort and have been continuously gaining greater calorie burn and improvements in stamina.

We were out of town on Monday and I brought the wrong disk but we didn't let that stop us! We popped in the one I had (Speed 1.0) and crushed it. I absolutely love these quick 25 minute workouts because we can literally be house guests somewhere and get in our full workout in so fast before anyone else is even up, including our son!!

This week we both concentrated on form and pushing past our stats. So we buckled down and pushed past our daily calorie burn each day and we had some non-scales to be pretty proud of!! Ruben has not missed a workout the entire two weeks and I was able to keep up with Scott in the Cardio video on the Alt High Speed Knee workout. If you're not familiar with that move its high knees, FAST for almost a minute. Doesn't sound so hard until you're into the meat of it and you can't breathe!! But hey, I survived and my abs were feeling it for a couple days!! Win-win!! To catch more of our workouts this week check out my YouTube Channel and subscribe to get the latest progress updates from our journey!!

If you've been following me you know for the most part I stick to routine in my meal plan. I know what works, I know what will get me results and I am a creature of habit. So here goes...

I will say that I did stray a few times from the meal plan to try a couple new recipes which I'll share here and it was DEFINITELY worth it!! These clean eating recipes were such a hit and definitely family friendly!! They'll be added in on future plans for sure!

Thursday night I had my weekly Beachbody Cup Team call and I had literally 30 minutes to scarf down dinner before I logged on. Let me tell you, I didnt even need that much time!! This Margarita Spaghetti Squash was to-die-for!! It was the perfect texture, perfect flavor and it was a hit all around!! My son loved his "teddy squash" too!! Click the picture for the recipe :)

Another hit this week was the Chocolate Protein Mug Cake! I've seen this around now for a while and always something I wanted to do so I whipped this up and had it for breakfast one morning! You can read all about my experience by clicking the picture where you'll also find the recipe!!

So now it is on to Week 3 of T25 Couples Edition! Stay tuned for more of our journey and my top tips!!!
If you are looking for support in your own personal journey and don't currently have a Beachbody Coach, then contact me to get into a support group for continued support, accountability, meal planning and motivation!!!

Chocolate Protein Mug Cake

So I've been stalking these little gems for quite some time, drooling all over my Instagram and Facebook apps as I go!! And this morning I finally bit the bullet and made my very own Chocolate Protein Mug Cake!!

And let me tell you I was VERY impressed!! The first attempt (forgot to take a pic) was basically a fail in the "pretty" department! I put it in the microwave for a minute and a half and it came up and over the mug. But I tried it anyways to see what this baby tasted like. It was YUMMY!! The first one was more of an angel food cake consistency, light and airy. It didn't have a strong chocolate taste but I did use Vanilla whey protein so I bet that made a difference.

But I wasn't stopping there! I was determined to get this photo of my very own PRETTY mug cake! So back I went, whipping up a new batch of "batter". Mine had the consistency of a thin, sort of runny cake batter. I put it in the microwave and stood watch this time. I did a minute and as it came to rise to the top I stopped the microwave. I ended up doing it for a total of a minute and thirty seconds again but this time after the initial minute I did it in 10 second spurts. As the cake would rise to the top I stopped it, let it go back down and did another 10 seconds. Yes it was a little tedious but it was totally worth it!!

The second cake came out more dense like an actual cake! Same issue with it not being a very strong chocolate taste but it was still delicious. I mixed up some PB2 sauce to drizzle over the top and garnished with some frozen berries!! As the warm cake melted the berries I started to think that next time I want to try to cook the berries down first and drizzle some berry sauce over the cake. That would be SO good!

So I am very impressed and will definitely be doing this again! There are so many wonderful recipes out there I can't wait to play with some new ones. But it is so great to know that I CAN have my cake and eat it too!! When others are indulging I can throw this together and not feel guilty for one second that I'm derailing my hard work!! Enjoy!
Chocolate Protein Mug Cake -2T whey protein powder -1T oat flour -1T cocoa powder -1T greek yogurt -4T egg white/beaters -1/2 tsp baking powder -Optional: vanilla extract, chocolate chips, coconut, nuts, peanut butter, anything! Directions: mix altogether. Spray mug with oil spray and place mixture in mug. Cook in microwave for about 1-1.5 minutes, until done! Either leave in mug and enjoy, or turn mug over to empty cake on plate to eat. Place any additional toppings you would like. I added berries and healthy peanut butter sauce(recipe below).
 
Healthy Peanut Butter Sauce -2T peanut flour (PB2) -2T milk -touch of sweetener if desired Directions: Combine altogether and use as topping on anything or as a dip

For more clean eating recipes, meal planning and health and fitness tips send me a friend request on Facebook, I'd love to chat!!

Margarita Spaghetti Squash

I love Spaghetti Squash, there are so many tasty dinners you can create!  Here is one that you really can't go wrong with.I also loved mixing it all up and serving it back in the squash shells! I paired this with half an artichoke, spinach salad and a large glass of lemon water.
Baked Margarita Spaghetti Squash - Not only is it healthy, but its gluten free as well!

Ingredients:
1 large spaghetti squash
2 tbsp. olive oil
1 large Roma tomato, finely chopped
2 tbsp. finely chopped fresh basil
1/4 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1 tsp. each salt & pepper
1 tsp. garlic powder

Steps:
*Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
*Using a large knife or a cleaver, slice the spaghetti squash in half lengthwise down the middle.
*Use a spoon to remove the seeds and center strings.
*Drizzle the two halves with olive oil and then sprinkle with salt, pepper and garlic powder.
*Place the squash, open side down on a cookie sheet and bake for 30 minutes.
*Remove from the oven, check to see if the squash is soft and easily comes up with a fork into a spaghetti like texture. If it’s too hard to remove, cook for another 10 minutes.
*Remove from the oven, scrape and fluff the stringy squash with a fork. Leave the squash in the skin.
*Turn the oven up to broil.
*Add the tomatoes and fresh basil into the squash, stir and top with the mozzarella cheese.
*Place in the broiler for 3-4 minutes, until the cheese is melted and slightly browned. *Allow to cool for 5 minutes before serving the squash.

What is the 21 Day Fix?

Starting February 3rd, there's a program that makes losing weight so simple and easy to follow, you'll never have to diet again! Its called the 21 Day Fix, the latest breakthrough program from Beachbody!

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 supersized 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 do
 each 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

Do you want to be a part of the test group? 

If the answer is yes then complete the application below to be considered for a spot in my group.  The group will be a small number of individuals who are ready to commit to 21 days of focus and intensity.  I will be there to walk you through the nutrition plan, to teach you how to plan it out, how to make it work for your lifestyle and to keep you accountable. We will have weekly live video chats and fun activities to keep us all engaged on our journey!

The group is done through an online closed support group. That means that no one but the members of the group can see what is being posted.  I won't let you fail!  If you invest in me, then I will invest in you!  The only cost is the cost of the challenge pack which includes everything you need to get started.  The 21 day nutrition guide, the program manual, the workouts, free shipping, discounted price and me as your coach for the accountability, support and guidance!!!  Let's make it happen!  You are going to  look amazing this spring and summer!  Why not start now!!  You will be the next TRANSFORMATION STORY!!!