Fit Friday

Here is a great no-equipment needed workout!  Love those---no excuses not to get a workout in!

Topic Thursday

 

Wellness Wednesday

Here is a solid tip that not only helps others feel great about themselves but will also make you feel so much better about yourself!  See how many compliments you can give in 1 day and if it improves your mood...I'm willing to bet that it will!

Tasty Tuesday

Make your own Betty Crocker brownie mix! This mix don't have the impartially hydrogenated oils and high fructose corn syrup that are found in the pre-boxed mixes !!
Source:  Fake-it Frugal

 Brownie Mix:



Ingredients:* 1 Cup Sugar
1/2 Cup Flour
1/3 Cup Cocoa
1/4 teaspoon Salt
1/4 teaspoon Baking Powder
Mix all these ingredients together with a whisk and dump them into a zipper bag.  On the bag, add the following instructions:

Add:  2 Eggs, 1/2 Cup Vegetable Oil, 1 teaspoon Vanilla.  Bake @ 350 degrees for 20-25 minutes in a 9 x 9 pan.  
OR you could combine the mix with one 15 oz can of pumpkin puree!  That saves you on the oil as well!!
That's it!  Super easy, right? These should stay fresh in your pantry for at least 6 months.  To extend the freshness, store in your freezer for up to a year.

*To customize your mixes, add milk or dark chocolate chips, butterscotch chips, walnuts, or what ever kinds of add-ins you like in your brownies!

Motivation Monday

I wanted to share this quote as it's one of my favorites and applies to every aspect in your life. 

Friday Funny

Here's a great 20 minute work-out!  :-)  A little humor to end your week!

Topic Thursday

Here's a great guide to let you know the exercise equivalents for your drinks! 

Wellness Wednesday

Here are some poses you can incorporate in to your day to help relieve stress!  Try them out!

Tasty Tuesday

Homemade Lara Bars
Source:  Click Here
Here are a TON of recipes to make your own Lara bars at home!  Simple, easy ingredients that make a healthy snack/treat!  Definitely try these out!!  And kids love them too (mine do!!)



Key Lime Pie

• 1/2 cup raw cashews
• 1/2 cup Seedless/Pitted whole Dates
• dash of sea salt (optional)
• Zest of 1 lime
• 1/2 tbsp lime juice
• 1/3 cup shredded coconut

Almond Cookie

• 1/3 cup Seedless/Pitted whole Dates
• 1/2 cup raw almonds
• dash of sea salt (optional)
• 1/4 tsp vanilla

Place the dates and fruit (depending on flavor) in a food processor. Blend until it becomes like a paste. Transfer blended dates and fruit (if using) to a bowl.
Add the nuts to the processor and pulse until chopped fairly small (but not too much, not nut flour. You want texture). Add the nuts, along with the sea salt, to the bowl with the fruit/date paste. Use your fingers to knead the nuts into the paste.
Next you can spread the mixture out onto a plate covered in cling wrap. Using your hands mold the mixture into individual bars. Wrap each separately in plastic wrap or in small ziplocks. It is a good idea to refrigerate the bars after making to maintain freshness and let the form set (try to let them set in the fridge for 20 minutes before you eat one).
* I also like to just roll these into ball shapes and use them as “power balls” for on the go, perfect for my kiddos! You can also use a cookie cutter to make them into cute shapes. I cut them into little squares too.
*If you find your Larabars are a bit crumby add a couple tbsp of warm water and process again.

Peanut Butter and Jam

• 1/4 cup cherries
• 1/4 cup Seedless/Pitted whole Dates
• 1/2 cup raw peanuts
• 1 tbsp creamy natural peanut butter
• Pinch of sea salt

Cashew Cookie

• 3/4 cup Seedless/Pitted whole Dates
• 1/2 cup whole raw unsalted cashews
• a dash of sea salt

Blueberry Muffin

• 1/4 cup dried blueberries
• 1/4 cup Seedless/Pitted whole Dates
• ½ cup cashews
• 1/2 tsp finely grated lemon zest
• 1/4 tsp cinnamon
• dash of ground ginger (optional but good)

Chocolate Coconut Macaroon

• 1/3 cup cashews
• 1/4 cup Seedless/Pitted whole Dates
• 3 tbsp dark chocolate
• 1/8 tsp salt
• 1/4 cup shredded coconut

Cherry Pie

• 1/4 cup Dried Cherries
• 1/4 cup Seedless/Pitted whole Dates
• 1/3 cup almonds (unsalted)
• 2 tsp cinnamon

Pecan Pie

• 1/2 cup Seedless/Pitted whole Dates
• 1/4 cup almonds
• 1/4 cup pecans
• 1/4 tsp vanilla

Cookie Dough

• 1/2 cup Salted Cashews
• 1/3 cup Seedless/Pitted whole Dates
• 1/2 tsp Vanilla Extract
• 1/2 tsp Sea Salt
• 1 tbsp Organic Chocolate Chips

Peanut Butter Cookie (You could do almond butter and almonds)

• 1/2 cup Seedless/Pitted whole Dates
• 1/4 cup cashews
• 1 tbsp natural peanut butter
• 1/4 tsp cinnamon
• 1/4 cup peanuts

Peanut Butter & Jam

• 1/4 cup cherries
• 1/4 cup Seedless/Pitted whole Dates
• 1/2 cup raw peanuts
• 1 tbsp creamy natural peanut butter
• Pinch of sea salt

Chocolate Larabars

• 1/2 C dates, pitted and roughly chopped
• 1/2 C walnuts, chopped
• 1 to 1 1/2 t cocoa powder (to taste - too much and the bars aren’t sweet at all)
• 1/8 t vanilla extract

Motivation Monday

Here is a great way to start your week and start your thinking!  KNOW you can do anything!

Fit Friday

This one is sure to make the feel the 'Burn'!!

Topic Thursday

Here's our topic for today:  Exercise!

Wellness Wednesday

Why is it so important to lose that unnecessary fat?  Here's a bunch of reasons!

Tasty Tuesday

Break out that crock pot!  You're in for a real treat.  This pulled pork is THE best!!  I've made it multiple times and get rave reviews every time!  It's so good that you don't need any sauces on it.  Enjoy!

Pulled Pork in a Crock Pot

Serves: 6 - 8

 

Ingredients

• 3 tablespoons paprika
• 2 tablespoons salt (if desired, you can cut back on the salt by only using 1 tablespoon)
• 2 teaspoons black pepper
• 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper (if desired, you can cut back on the pepper by only using ½ teaspoon of cayenne)
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• ½ teaspoon dried thyme
• ½ cup honey
• ¼ cup red wine vinegar
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 onion, peeled and cut in half
• 3 to 3 ½ pounds pork shoulder, cut in half

Instructions

1. In a medium size mixing bowl, mix together the first six ingredients (all of the spices) with a fork.
2. Pour in the honey, vinegar, and olive oil and stir to form a paste.
3. Place the onion in the bottom of the slow cooker. Top it with the 2 pieces of pork and then pour the honey paste over all sides of the pork pieces. It’s okay if some of it (or a lot of it) just drips down to the bottom.
4. Turn the slow cooker on to low and cook for 7 to 8 hours or until the meat is tender enough to be easily shredded with a fork.
5. Serve warm with fixings like homemade cole slaw and cornbread.  Refrigerate or freeze the leftovers.

Motivation Monday

Here's a little humor for your Monday!  Keep working hard but also we have to laugh along the way too!

Fit Friday

Here is a great lower body workout...utilize those large muscle groups so you can burn the max amount of calories all day long!

Topic Thursday

Wellness Wednesday

Tasty Tuesday

Hummus is a great condiment to use in a variety of ways!  Dip fresh veggies in it, use it in place of mayo, the possibilities are endless!  It is simple to make and there are so many varieties.  Try these out!

Motivation Monday

Are you making the right food choices?  It's not about deprivation or starvation to get healthy.  Choose whole, healthy foods and stay away from processed foods.  Try your best day in and day out and step by step you will get there!