Wednesday, May 28, 2014

THE BEST Broccoli salad that you will EVER eat! And it's clean!!!

I love love love broccoli salad and have been looking for clean eating variations that I felt would be both clean and delicious. I came across this little gem and modified it here and there to better suit me and my clean eating lifestyle.
It called for vegan mayo, which I had no intention on buying. I don't like regular mayo, why would I go and buy a vegan version, right? I subbed the vegan mayo with plain greek yogurt and was a bit apprehensive that it would taste too tart. But low and behold, it did NOT! It was absolutely amazing! My husband ate it too and agreed that it would be a great staple for a barbeque! Our 2 year old, who is a veggie fanatic, did not care for it however.
 


Here's my modified version:


Clean Eating Broccoli Salad
1 head broccoli, stems removed and florets cut into pieces
4 slices cooked turkey bacon, crumbled
1/2 cup red onion, chopped

1/2 cup cranberries
1/2 cup plain greek yogurt
2 tbsp white vinegar
1 1/2 tbsp honey
1/4 cup raw pumpkin seeds
sea salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Preparation:
In a small bowl combine yogurt, vinegar, honey, salt and pepper. Mix well and set aside.
In a large bowl combine broccoli, bacon, onion and cranberries. Gently stir in the dressing.
Sprinkle with pumpkin seeds and serve immediately.


We paired it with some roasted chicken breast.

Sunday, May 18, 2014

Meal plans and Muscles

Working out, eating right, losing weight...You've got it down to a science by now right? Truth is, we all can plateau at some point or another. The key is to switch up your workout routine about every 30 days. keep your muscles guessing as to what's coming next.

I never thought that I would ever be a fitness enthusiast! I certainly wanted to be. I wanted to be motivated and committed to living a healthier life, but always had excuses. Now, I can say, that yes, there may still be "reasons" as to why I feel as though I can't workout, but I always re-evaluate and discover that these "reasons" are definitely excuses.

Besides having the same workout routine day in and day out, what else can make us plateau?? DIET!!! Proper nutrition is key! Weight loss is 70% diet, 30% exercise. I, for years had always made a meal plan per se in aid of helping me compile a grocery list. But for the most part, I just planned the bigger meals and would basically just wing it for the rest. Now, I plan everything that I, going to eat. it helps me to cut out on excessive snacking. my plan still allows me to snack, but now I snack on the right foods instead of the 3pm chocolate bar. Here's a look at my meal plan for the coming week:




I think that I need to try and add some more protein into my meal plan. Prep day is tomorrow and I'm going to try to incorporate some extras like quinoa for the extra protein. I found a really appealing Mexican quinoa salad recipe that I could make a batch of and have for the week. Plus, an oatmeal type quinoa recipe that I'll be trying as well.
I have just over a month of P90X3 left and am feeling great, but I am already thinking about which program that I want to do next. Drum roll please.........BODY BEAST!! I really love how a body looks with muscle and I never dreamed that I could have a toned and sculpted physique. My sister actually has told me that right now I'm too muscular. But, I honestly disagree. The sky is the limit right now and I'm not planning on stopping. Stay tuned for further updates on my progress :)



 

Monday, May 12, 2014

If it doesn't challenge you, it doesn't change you!

I have never been overweight. In fact, as a teenager, I desperately tried my best to gain weight as I was so unhappy with my skinny self. Skinny doesn't always equate happier. I was unhealthy, I ate whatever I wanted and had absolutely NO energy whatsoever. To me, there was no "healthy" way to gain weight, THAT was something that I never bothered to consider.

I eventually reached a weight that I was ok with, it still wasn't where I truly felt happy, but content, I guess.

The years went by. I got married to my high school boyfriend in 2009, and in 2012, we had a beautiful baby girl.

I had only gained 25 lbs. during my whole pregnancy and felt great! Post-partum, I did have baby weight to lose that I felt uncomfortable with. I had the bulk of the weight in my mid-section and now faced the opposite of what I never thought that I would have to do: LOSE weight!


I breast fed exclusively, which helped burn lots of calories. But my diet, consisted of processed, fake, convenience foods as I was caught up in the joy and exhaustion of being a new Mommy. My own health was put on the back burner.

July of last year, my daughter had a bad ear infection. She's a momma's girl, of course (wouldn't have it any other way), and when she gets sick, she just wants to be "uppy Mommy." That's perfectly fine with me, but it took it's toll when you aren't able to cook a sensible meal and eat appropriately. I ended up with tonsillitis, something that I have NEVER had before. My husband works away for 3 week hitches at a time, and our child only seems to get sick when he's away.

To make a long story short. After feeling like I was dying a slow death, I decided that I needed to take better care of myself. I am basically a single mother for half of the year. My daughter was counting on me to be there for her. How could I take the best care of her, if I was neglecting myself? It was then that I decided that I was going to make the change.

I researched at home fitness programs online and refreshed myself on clean eating. I had to choose am at home workout program due to the fact that working full time and having a husband that was away for half of the time, that was going to be best for ME. I youtubed P90X transformations and eventually found my coach who enrolled me into her challenge group. THAT'S what I needed a challenge group!!! Something to keep me accountable! I was afraid that with an at home workout, I would easily fall off of the wagon. I was kept motivated by my coach as well as my co-challengers.

I worked out to P90X about 5 days a week and drank Shakeology EVERY day. It got me in the best shape ever! But then....

The challenge group ended. BUT, it takes 21 days to create a habit and I was HOOKED! I had to workout and eat healthfully. It was just me now, it was "how I roll!" :)

I continued my journey, I finished P90X. I finished OVER 90 days of Chalean Extreme because I loved it soo much and LOVED the results that I saw from it.

Now, I'm on my 2nd block of P90X3 and am just getting stronger! I have made a lifestyle change that I LOVE and am able to keep!

June 2, 2014 begins my next Challenge Group. If you are ready to be in the best shape of your life and be healthy and energized, apply at the link below:


 https://nbowles.wufoo.com/forms/challenge-group-application/

Saturday, May 3, 2014

Chicken and Broccoli

Chicken and Broccoli

1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast...
4 cups broccoli florets
1/2 tsp garlic powder
pinch ginger
1 tbs olive oil
1 1/2 tbsp. cornstarch
1 1/2 tbsp. reduced sodium soy sauce
1/2 cup water
1 cube organic beef bouillon

Cut chicken into thin strips and stirfry in hot olive oil in frying pan on medium-high temperature. Add garlic and ginger during cooking time. Stirfry until chicken is cooked. Mix together corn starch, soy sauce, beef bouillon, and water. Add to chicken and stirfry an additional 2-3 minutes. Add broccoli and stirfry until tender crisp.

I serve this with a side of brown rice. Enjoy!