Wellness Wednesday

The Hydration Challenge has come and gone...but are you sticking with it?  Here is your refresher!

Tasty Tuesday

Here is a super yummy way to enjoy the flavors of pizza but with a healthier spin.  Spaghetti squash is one of my favorite veggies and it's an awesome pasta substitution.  This spaghetti pie tastes just like pizza and you won't miss the cheese--promise!  It's one of our favorites!!!
Even if you don't follow a Paleo diet, check out the blog Paleomg for this and other awesome recipes!

ALMOST 5 INGREDIENT PIZZA SPAGHETTI PIE

Ingredients

• 1 large spaghetti squash (about 600 grams)
• 1 pound italian sausage
• ½ yellow onion, diced
• 1 cup pizza sauce 
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• salt and pepper, to taste
• 3 eggs, whisked
• (optional: add anything you like with pizza: veggies, basil, even cheese if you do primal)

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
2. Cut spaghetti squash in half lengthwise. Place spaghetti squash cut side down on a baking sheet and bake for 20-25 minutes or until the skin of the squash gives when you press on it. Then reduce oven heat to 350 degrees.
3. Once squash is done cooking, remove threads and place in an 8x8 greased baking dish.
4. Place a large pan over medium heat. Add italian sausage and onion. Cook until pink no longer remains in the sausage and it is broken up into pieces.
5. Add pizza sauce, dried basil and salt and pepper to the pan and mix well.
6. Add sausage mixture to the 8x8 dish and mix well with spaghetti squash threads.
7. Lastly, add whisked eggs to the baking dish and mix everything together until you can no longer see the eggs.
8. Place in oven and bake for 1 hour or until the top of the mixture forms a slight crust that doesn't give when you press on it in the middle of the dish.
9. Let rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Motivation Monday

How disciplined are you?  This can refer to any area of your life...exercise, eating healthy, finishing that big work project or simply 'adulting'...we may not always want to, but we must!

Fit Friday

Do you have a special show that you watch every week? Get up and do this short little workout during your show, before you go to bed, when you wake up in the morning, or whenever you can sneak it in!

Topic Thursday

Time is so important… Next time you say, “I don’t have time” or “I am so busy” ask yourself what you are spending the most time on. Are you busy or productive? Are your priorities in the right place? I have a hard time asking for help on certain things because I want them to be done a certain way; letting go of control is something I continually have to work on! Try to become more conscientious of how you spend your time.

Wacky Wednesday

I will keep this in the back of my mind next time I am eating a waffle. ;)

Tasty Tuesday

This Cowboy Caviar recipe is going to make your taste buds SO happy!

http://www.culinaryhill.com/cowboy-caviar-recipe/#comment-31351

Ingredients:

•1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil

•1/3 cup sugar (I used organic coconut sugar)

•1/3 cup white wine vinegar

•1 teaspoon chili powder

•1 teaspoon salt

•1 pound Roma tomatoes, seeded and diced

•1 (15 ounce) can black-eyed peas, rinsed and drained

•1 (15 ounce) can black beans, rinsed and drained

•1 (11 ounce) can super sweet corn, drained

•1 red onion, diced

•1/2 cup diced green bell pepper

•1/2 cup diced red bell pepper

• 1 cup chopped cilantro (1 bunch)

Directions:

1. In a large bowl, whisk together the olive oil, sugar, white wine vinegar, chili powder, and salt. Add tomatoes, black-eyed peas, beans, corn, red onion, and bell peppers. Stir to combine.

2. Stir in cilantro. Cover and chill at least 1 hour or overnight to blend flavors. Serve chilled or at room temperature.

*You can get creative with this recipe and add whatever produce you would prefer! 

Motivation Monday

What is your definition of “healthy”? For me, being healthy is having a good balance with all dimensions of wellness! 

Fit Friday

This is a great lower body workout!  If you need to, start with half the reps and work your way up over time.  It's a killer!

Topic Thursday

Wacky Wednesday

Here I was browsing through Pinterest and I see this...This can't be real...but oh, yes--IT IS!  Ha ha ha!  I.can't.even!!!
Where to start...first, you can't lose weight in only one place on your body.  No such thing as spot reduction and second, these exercises are hilarious.  I guess these are exercises you can do at your desk at least!
Enjoy!

Tasty Tuesday

Here is a great way to use up some of that summer zucchini!  A great sweet treat!

Zucchini Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins

INGREDIENTS

• 1 1/2 cups whole wheat  flour
• 1 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 2 small to medium ripe bananas, mashed
• 1 teaspoon melted coconut oil
• 1/4 cup honey
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 2 egg whites
• 1 cup shredded zucchini (about 1 medium zucchini)
• 2 tablespoons unsweetened applesauce
• 1/3 cup nonfat plain greek yogurt (I used Fage)
• 1/2 cup mini or regular chocolate chips (I like mini Enjoy Life brand)

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Line 12-cup muffin tin with cupcake liners and generously spray inside of liners with nonstick cooking spray.
2. Squeeze shredded zucchini of excess water with a paper towel! This is an important step.
3. In medium bowl combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, and cinnamon; set aside.
4. In bowl of an electric mixer, add mashed banana, oil, honey, vanilla and eggs; mix until smooth. Add in zucchini, applesauce, and yogurt and beat again until well combined. Slowly mix in dry ingredients until just combined. Remember not to over mix the batter -- we want moist muffins! Gently fold in 1/2 cup of chocolate chips.
5. Evenly divide batter into muffin cups. The batter will probably reach the top of each muffin liner, but that's okay -- we're making big muffins! Alternatively you can reduce the size and bake 15 muffins. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until toothpick inserted into the middle comes out clean. Enjoy!-

Motivation Monday

Fit Funny Friday!

Topic Thursday

Have you tried any of these natural sweeteners?! 

Wellness Wednesday

Don’t become too fixated on the scale! 

Tasty Tuesday

This recipe is SO yummy! Easy, low cost option for dinner and maybe even provide some leftovers. If you and/or your family are not big fans of ground beef, you could substitute ground turkey or even cut up chicken breast.

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 35 minutes

Ingredients

2 medium zucchini, sliced and quartered

1 1/2 pounds ground beef

2 garlic cloves, minced

1 (10 oz can) tomatoes & green chilis (or salsa, or diced tomatoes)

1 tablespoon chili powder

1 teaspoon ground cumin

1 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon black pepper

1/2 teaspoon onion powder

1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes

Instructions

1. Brown ground beef with minced garlic, salt, and pepper.
2. Cook over medium heat until meat is browned.
3. Add tomatoes and remaining spices. Cover and simmer on low heat for another 10 minutes.
4. Add the zucchini. Cover and cook for about 10 more minutes until zucchini is cooked, but still firm.

0.1

http://lowcarbyum.com/mexican-zucchini-and-beef/

Motivation Monday

Have a fabulous week, everyone! Try to focus on your blessings this week! 

Fit Friday

Here is a great workout sure to get that heart rate up!

Topic Thursday

Food for thought...

Wellness Wednesday

Here is a great breakdown of nutrition labeling...do you look at the labels before you buy?

Tasty Tuesday

Here are some great recipes for making your own delicious hummus at home!  Try one (or more) soon!

Motivation Monday

This is so true...