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I've been hearing it a lot lately and I've said it, too, but... "I just don't have time to cook a healthy dinner," or... "I feel like I should cook dinner, but I just don't know what to make."
Are you thinking, "guilty?!?" It's okay, we've all been there, but I'm here to help!!! Here are my TOP 5 "go to" meals that take 30 minutes or less from start to finish!! Are you ready? Great, then read on!
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I love tradition, holidays, family gatherings and FOOD, but when I learned that I had a severe gluten intolerance almost 6 years ago, I thought everything would have to change.
What would Christmas be like without my mom's homemade gnocchi and meatballs, or Thanksgiving without stuffing, or Easter without my aunt's famous pineapple bake??? Now, I understand that holidays and family gatherings are about so much MORE than just food, but I don't know if I was thinking rationally at the time and often found myself going "back to gluten," each time feeling worse and worse.... UNTIL I realized that I could learn to adapt recipes for special occasions!! I will admit that much of gluten free baking is still trial and error (boy, have I had my share of errors), but it IS possible to make (or find) some of your old favorites to meet your new lifestyle. That being said... I try to reserve gluten free baking for special occasions, holidays, or the random snow day only, and same goes for gluten free processed cookies, doughs, etc... choosing to get the majority of my nutrition from whole foods - fruits, veggies, nut butters, oils, eggs, lean meats, eggs, brown rice, yams... you get the idea! If you're still wondering what to bring to Easter brunch or dinner tomorrow, read on for 2 recipes that can be made from start to finish with minimal ingredients. Note: I would not consider the Pineapple Bake "clean" by any means, but it is gluten free and a once-a-year-only treat! The Peanutty Butter Squares are clean, but just keep in mind portion control! ;-)  Diet pills, supplements, Weight Watchers, Jenny Craig, figure competitions, macros...
The list goes on and on of things that I had tried in the past. Things that I had tried just to see a certain number on the scale. But, what did I think would happen when I saw that number? I never felt satisfied...I just wanted to see it go lower. Have you ever felt this way???  I don't know about you, but for me spring cleaning is both welcomed and dreaded (I mean, have you ever tried cleaning with a toddler around?!?!), so last weekend, I took advantage of having my husband home and got started in my pantry!
Yes, we have snack foods for Brock and I do keep chocolate in the house for the occasional craving, but it doesn't tempt me the way it used to...thankfully!!!  There's something so bittersweet about the last day of a Lifestyle Shift Group. Obviously, when one door closes, another opens (our March Towards Your Goals group begins tomorrow!!!); however, amongst the amazing transformation photos and praise, I always inevitably hear from someone that the scale didn't move as much as they would've liked it to...
 Since beginning my 21 Day Fix journey back in 2014, this Fruity Oatmeal Bake has been a staple dish for my food prep on Sundays! With the perfect combination of sweetness and crunch, it is IRRESISTIBLE!!
 My little guy will be 2 in less than 4 months!! Where did the time go? He’s grown so independent – walking, climbing, talking, playing – ahh! Each day feels more and more exciting as he reaches new milestones and nears the two-year mark, and every milestone hits me with another reminder of what an amazing thing my body did – creating and nurturing this little life!
While walking with a friend and her adorable baby boy, we began chatting about our bodies post-baby and my transition back into health and fitness in the weeks and months to follow. As a result of our conversation, here are my Top 10 Tips for Feeling Your Best After Baby’s Arrival! When I sat down last week to put together some content for the blog, I decided to draw inspiration from past photos and videos I share on social media. A self-proclaimed perfectionist in the past, parenting has opened my mind to a whole new, more flexible way of life. If you can’t laugh, what’s the point, right? I shared this PiYo-inspired, Paper Plate Workout Video a few months ago. The old me would have ditched it and started over (about 10 more times), but the new me embraced our laughter and the fun we were having in order to show other mommies that this is real life, especially with a TODDLER! The exercises are great and extremely effective, but realize that you may have to hold a position a little longer than expected, grab an extra set of plates, or even enjoy a little extra resistance on your back, but they’re only young once! When you finish this workout, head on over to our Facebook group, Babies and Barbells for additional fitspiration and accountability!  ...without all the guilt!
Tonight’s dinner is quick, easy and one that the whole family will LOVE!!! Mexican Taco Meat (inspired by the Fixate Cookbook) Ingredients
Directions
 Would you believe how many times in one week I hear, “You’re so lucky you can wake up early to workout, it’s so easy for you!” OR “I could never get up that early, I would be tired the rest of the day!”
Confession: some mornings I jump out of bed ready to face the day and others I'm a complete zombie who needs a physical push, but one thing is for sure - I feel so much better and more productive when I wake up before the rest of the family!! This is something that I still have to work on and push myself to do, but once it becomes a part of your daily routine, you don’t want to miss it! That said, here are my TOP 5 TIPS FOR BECOMING A MORNING PERSON: *Start your night time routine 30 minutes earlier - It’s a lot easier to get out of bed first thing in the morning when you feel well-rested! *Move your alarm clock across the room (or check out the Wake N Shake Alarm Clock - in the App Store!) - if you’re like me, your phone is your alarm clock and you won’t want to put that across the room, so check out the Wake 'N’ Shake Alarm Clock from the app store! It’s one of my favorites that wakes you up with the alarm of your choice, but requires you to shake the phone to turn the alarm off!! A little physical activity to start the morning off right! *Drink a full glass of water - first thing upon waking, drink a glass of water to rehydrate your body and help you feel more awake. *Get right into your workout clothes - set your workout clothes out from the night before and get changed right away. The longer you lounge in your pjs the less likely you will feel to start your workout! If you’re just starting a new routine, or feel in a rut, try treating yourself to a few new workout outfits - a few of my favorites are from Lululemon, Gap Body, and TJ Maxx!!! *Stick to it! - They say it takes 21 days to form a habit, so pick a time that works best for you and stick to it! Find an accountability partner or group for additional motivation!! Are there any tips you would add to this list... Or any from the list that you plan to implement?? Remember, you have to MAKE the time! |
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January 2019
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