Tastes-Like-Creamed-Corn Squash!

You may know that I am constantly on the hunt for ways to get my future husband to eat vegetables. It's not always easy, and I often hide them is spaghetti sauce, soups and mashed potatoes. He is slowly conceding due to the fact he knows the nutrition is good for him and his waist line.. This recipe didn't get any "that's yuck stuff" comments out of him, and I quite enjoyed it! Super simple, and (if I do say so myself) super tasty!

This recipe was for two people:

3 medium yellow squash
3 Tablespoons butter
salt and pepper to taste

Prepare the squash by cutting off the ends, slicing into approx 2 inch pieces and removing any large seeds. Place squash pieces on a plate, sprinkle with water and microwave until soft (Approximately 7 minutes.) In a food processor blend all ingredients till smooth. Enjoy!

It reminded me exactly of creamed corn but this actually has nutritional value! I am always reviewing others recipes, so I would love you to do the same for mine ;)

 

Chocolate Muffin Recipe Review

One word: YUM!!!!
Absolutely delicious!!

Gluten free chocolate muffins (almost as sweet as cupcakes) and they don't weigh you down! Check it out here: http://healthyisalwaysbetter.tumblr.com/post/6583755120/lessthan300kcal-triple-chocolate-chunk-muffin

My tips:

1. Use quick oats they will grind nicely! (the recipe doesn't specify and I only have steel cut oats on hand)
2. I ground the oats and then added them to the rest of the ingredients in the mixer (my food processor only hold 2 or 3 cups..)
3. I use sugar in the raw. I do not like the taste of Stevia and I know the guy I am trying to please with these wouldn't either ;)
4. For something super special, make them in a heart shape with this simple trick: http://pinterest.com/pin/190840102931247397/

As you can see, mine did not puff up. They also took twice as long to bake, (I contribute this to not having the oats ground perfectly) but they were still delicious and I will just have to try it again ;)

Enjoy!!

11/10/12 Update- I used only 3/4 cup of sugar and they were still super delish! Going to try only a half cup on my next batch.. Baking time still took twice as long, so I would reccomend baking for atleast 20 minutes if not longer!

What's the Secret??

"What's your secret?" "What have you been doing?"
I hear this all the time and I am not sorry to say there is NO secret.
No magic pill. No quick fix. No secret.

However- you CAN do it! You CAN make the change! The first thing you have to remember is that this is a lifestyle change! You are working towards a happier, healthier and yes, skinnier you!

This probably should have been my very first post, but that is lesson two- don't let you past determine your future. Every day is a new start and a new chance to be good to your body!

Here are the lessons I have learned to live by:

1. Drink Water- your body is roughly 75% water, it helps maintain healthy organ function and has 0 calories!

2. Eat Real Food- health food and healthy food are not synonymous. In our calorie counting craze we forget that 100 calories of veggies is not going to feed our bodies the same as 100 calories of popcorn. Choose nutrient dense foods and stay away from anything pre-packaged.

3. Be Active- Our bodies were designed to move. Sedentary lifestyles lead not only to added pounds, but to bad joints and all sorts of internal turmoil. Whether you like to walk, run. life weights or do push ups- do something. And even if you can't do a lot, that's okay- as long as you are taking two more steps than the day before you are making progress!

4. Stay Positive, Stay Focused- I see too many people being hard on themselves, and too many people being too lenient. Albeit the hardest step- it may just be the most important. I have allowed myself too many excuses in the past, so I have not made the progress I had hoped to achieve. Finding someone to travel this journey with can make the balance easier to find- a partner can share your woes and remind you to stay on track.

5. This is a Lifestyle Change- You are not dieting, or working our for 90 days. You are embarking on a whole new life! Changes will not happen overnight, but small, calculated changes to your habits will make a huge difference as long as you stick with them!

Where to start really depends on each person. Consult your physician, do your research and find what works for you! If you want to lob any questions my way, or hear what worked for me, I am always available for a chat :)

XOXO- Nicole

Garlic and Spinach Eggs

Okay, I really don't have to tell you how to cook eggs, please don't read this hoping for some huge revelation of a french cooking technique or how to cook without making dishes.. (I wish) If you do find yourself needing help making scrambled eggs I would be happy to give you some tips!
However these eggs are my go-to recipe when I need a quick healthy snack, particularly post-workout.

Ingredients are simple:
2 or 3 eggs (I use farm fresh if not organic)
1 to 2 cups of fresh spinach (hand shredded)
2 teaspoons Wildtree Garlic Galore Seasoning
2 to 3 tablespoons grapeseed oil

Heat the oil in your pan over medium heat and then add the seasoning and spinach. (setting 5 out of 10 for my stove. haha.) This allows the spinach to cook down without over cooking the eggs, and gives time for the garlic in the seasoning to re-constitute.



Once you spinach is cooked through (it will be a darker green and will have shrunk in volume) - add your eggs and cook to your favorite consistency! I topped mine with about an ounce of my favorite cheese!

Not exactly the most mind blowing of recipes, but I'd like to think you'll try it- they really are delish!

The Wildtree seasoning does make a difference, by the way. The ingredients are very simple, and you probably could repeat it with the addition of some lemon juice, but their spice blends are good for you and reasonably priced!

Mine take me less than 5 minutes and if you are keeping score the dishes count should be one each: small bowl, frying pan, wooden spatula, plate and then two forks (one to scramble the eggs and one to eat them with.) ;)

Enjoy! -Nicole


Recipe Review: Mudslide Fudge Cookie

We all have them, those recipes we see and plan on trying, but never quite get around to.. My new mission is to actually make these items and share them with you!

For my first trick, I have chosen this Grain-free Mudslide Fudge Cookie: http://www.foodrenegade.com/grainfree-mudslide-fudge-cookies/

There were only a few ingredients necessary, and only one bowl! (I despise dishes, and do not have a dishwasher.)

The recipe as give makes 12 cookies, but I went a little overboard and I only got 6 ;) Which might be why mine didn't flatten out as expected. I Have the most inefficient oven and After 9 minutes my cookies were done. Definitely be careful if you make smaller ones so they are not over baked.

Now for the good part: They were DELICIOUS!  Light and airy, but definitely rich! Do not make more than one batch unless you have several people to share them with, or are going to freeze them.

So, in conclusion- This recipe was definitely easy and delicious! Definitely high in sugar, but there is no grain or dairy to slow you down. A little on the expensive side since it doesn't make many cookies, but I would recommend them for a small treat! There is a birthday party coming up soon that I will be serving them at!

Enjoy- Nicole

P.S. Have a recipe you would like me to try out? Email it to me at FitItUp@live.com

I'm Here To Fit You Up!

Health and fintess. Not fun right? That's what I used to think.. Then I found out I was sooooo totally wrong!

While I don't intened to get as ripped as (or be as fake) as my friends Hans and Franz, they were probably the earliest exposure (that I can remember) to fitness. Plus, they make me laugh :)

Growing up, I was not an athletic child. In grade school I had such painful growth spurts that I had a permanent Doctors note stating if I didn't want to participate in gym class, I didn't have to. Awesome, right!? Not so much. Having the mentality that I couldn't be athletic stuck with me. I was not an active child, teen or adult.

Getting my first job when I was 15 helped, however. I had a very physical job and continued to for several years. Then I got smart and realized I didn't have to beat myself up everyday just to earn a living. I kept the pounds at bay, but over time my cholesterol shot up and I began having increasingly intense digestive pain. The doctor put me on two medications and told me there was nothing life threatening. Well, the thought of spending the rest of my life like this brought me to tears on more than one occasion, and in one year the stress and depression added 30 pounds.

Enter Beachbody, Shakeology, P90X and last but not least- an entire community of smart, successful and committed people just like me! They were changing their lives one step at a time and helping eachother along the way! I honestly don't know where I would be now without them right now, and shudder to think of it.. I may only be down about 30lbs right now, but those two dress sizes took a million pounds of unhealthy weight off my mind! Breaking barriers is hard work but oh so fulfilling!

This isn't jsut some 30, 60 or 90 day program- this is my LIFE! I finally have it back under control, and I am working everyday to make myself stroger and fitter!

That's my story. What's yours? And can I help you?

XO- Nicole