Thin Mint Shakeology

Yes, I have Girl Scout cookies in my house!  I am human.  I was a Brownie back in the day & was the top cookie-seller in my troop!  *Gasp!* So these tasty morsels are an indulgence that I allow into the house, but they go straight to the big freezer in the garage.  Out of sight, out of mind & helping to prevent anyone from scarfing down a box in 2.2 seconds.  And I personally save them as a treat with my cheat meal.

Last night these little beauties were calling my name from the freezer...I went in, grabbed them, & then thought about it.  I know that I would not be able to stop at just one & it was NOT my scheduled cheat meal.  This indulgence would not help me reach my health & fitness goals.  So I put down the Thin Mints & walked slowly back into the kitchen.  I opened the pantry & got out my Shakeology & started concocting recipe.  Here is the cravings-buster I came up with!

Thin Mint Shakeology
Ice
8 oz unsweetened coconut milk
4 oz water
1 scoop chocolate Shakeology
1/4-1/2 tsp mint extract (start with less & add more to fit your taste)
1 Tbls. Unsweetened dark chocolate cocoa powder

Blend & bust those cravings!!

Check out more Shakeology recipes here!

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Whole Wheat Flaxseed Bread

My kids LOVE sandwiches, toast, or just a piece of bread...yes, the baby would sometimes just eat bread all day if I allowed him.  So I have been giving a few bread recipes a whirl in the good old bread machine & this one turned out quite yummy.

Be sure to refer to the instructions for your bread machine.  Some say to put in liquids first (like mine), others recommend putting dry ingredients in first.  I put the ingredients below into the bread machine & selected a medium loaf / whole wheat setting.

1 3/4 cups warm water
2 Tbls. extra virgin olive oil
2 Tbls. Blackstrap molasses
1 tsp. sea salt
2 Tbls. ground flaxseed
3 cups whole wheat flour
1 Tbls. active yeast

This bread has a dense, chewy texture.  Hunter really enjoyed it with some all-natural peanut butter.

Click here to check out more family-friendly clean eating recipes.

Mini Meatloaf

I was seriously craving some homemade comfort food last night after I got sucked into a country-style cooking show on the Food Network.  The chef made her mom's meatloaf recipe & that's when the hankering hit me...meatloaf!  But I wanted something that would not take an hour to bake & that had a healthier ingredient list than the saltine crackers, mustard, & ketchup that the lady on tv had used.  Then I remembered a turkey "muffin" recipe I had seen floating around the internet & whipped up my own version.  These mini meatloaves were a hit with the kids & will be even better for lunch left-overs today!

Mini Meatloaf
1 1/2 lbs. lean ground turkey
1/4 cup ground flaxseed
1/4 cup wheat germ
1 large carrot, grated
1 medium onion, grated
1 medium bell pepper (I used red for color)
1 egg
1 Tbls. garlic powder (or one small clove fresh garlic, pressed)
sea salt & pepper to taste

*Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees.  Spray a muffin tin with olive oil cooking spray.  Combine all ingredients in a large bowl. Spoon an equal amount of the meat mixture into each muffin tin.  Bake for 15-20 minutes.  Pull muffin tin out of the oven & top each meatloaf with one tablespoon homemade "bbq" sauce (below).

Homemade "BBQ"
1/2 cup tomato sauce (you could also use tomato paste for a thicker sauce / richer tomato flavor)
2 Tbls. blackstrap molassas
2 tsp. garlic powder
sea salt & black pepper to taste

*After topping the mini meatloaves with the "bbq," place them back in the oven for 15-20 minutes.

These little beauties make a great dinner & awesome left-overs.  They are compact & easily popped into a tupperware container to pack in the kids' lunches!

Click here to find more kid-approved clean eating recipes here!

Tips for a HEALTHY weekend!

Here are my pre-planning tips to get you through the weekend Fit Momma of Four style!

* If you are going out to a restaurant check out the menu ahead of time. Decide on what you are going eat before you even get there.  That way when you sit down at the restaurant you won't have to fight against temptation and you won't even have to open the menu!  Skip the bread, it has no nutritional value!

When I make my weekly meal plan I consider my schedule for the week - including weekend outings or parties.  If I know that healthy choices may be hard to find, I plan my cheat meal for that outing.  But remember - it is a cheat MEAL, not a cheat day or cheat weekend!  Don't ruin all the hard work you have put in all week by going bonkers all weekend.  

*For parties, pre-eat!  So have a Shakeology on your way to the party.  Offer to bring a clean appetizer or snack.  Then make every social gathering about socializing with others and not about the food.  Stay away from the food table.  I help set up, get the kids food, and then help clean up so I am never forced to have to just sit and stare at everyone else shoving food down their throats. 

Do not hang out by the food table or in the kitchen.  You are more apt to mindlessly graze if the food is within arms reach.  Fix your plate with your healthy apps that you brought along, grab some water, & WALK AWAY from the food!

*Drink lots of water!!!  Just remember that you are not depriving yourself of life, you are giving yourself life!  When everyone is feeling full, sluggish and miserable you are going to be looking fabulous, feeling confident and have more energy!! 

If you choose to indulge in an adult beverage be sure to off-set it with a nice big glass of water.  Want to make your water more special?  Try some plain seltzer with a slice of lemon or lime.  Try to choose lower calorie beverages - try some seltzer water & vodka with a lime.

*Plan it out!  If you are traveling, going to sporting events or just out all day pack a cooler of clean snacks.  Even throw in an extra snack so that you are not caught in a situation where you are out longer than expected and have nothing to eat.  It's easy to throw in a scoop of Shakeology, shaker cup and a bottle of water!

My favorite on-the-go snacks:

+apples & almonds

+homemade granola bars

+fresh veggies & homemade hummus

+clementines 

+string cheese

*Get your workout in and kick some butt!!!

Need some help staying on track each day or want to kick off a healthy lifestyle change?  Check out how I can help you reach your goals in a challenge group.

What is a challenge group?

As a Beachbody coach I get the questions all the time "What is a challenge group?" and "How can a challenge group help me?"

You should first know that I am the product of a challenge group!  After the birth of our fourth child I needed to reclaim my body & feel comfortable in my skin once again.  Not only did I crush my weight loss goals, I gained energy, self-confidence, and a new healthy lifestyle for my family & I.  Find out more about my transformation here.

Before joining a challenge group you & I will chat about your health & fitness goals, and discuss any physical or dietary restrictions you may have.  We will talk about your daily schedule, your level of physical fitness, and how much time you have to devote to exercise.  This will help me find a workout program that you will enjoy & that will help you reach your goals.  

As a participant in a challenge group you are added to a closed Facebook group that can only be accessed by your coach (Me!) & fellow challengers.  Everyone is there for the same purpose - to improve their health & fitness.  It is a supportive community where you can ask questions, get tips on how to lead a healthier lifestyle, celebrate successes daily, and even vent frustrations.  

As you coach & the leader of the challenge group I post daily motivation, healthy recipes, weekly meal plans, fitness tips, and lessons on clean eating.  I answer your questions, give your personal support, and keep you accountable.  

Your role in the challenge group is to check in daily to report on your daily exercise, clean eating, and Shakeology. This keeps you accountable & on-track to reach your goals.  Interaction among challengers builds a community of support & positive energy.  

Watch this to learn more about the benefits of having a Beachbody coach: 

Are you ready to take the challenge?  Complete this challenge group application to get started today: https://jhrbek.wufoo.com/forms/challenge-group-application/

I would love to be YOUR coach.  Sign up here for a FREE account: www.beachbodycoach.com/JessHrbek

When is my next challenge group starting?  I have multiple groups starting each & every month.  Email me to find out when my next challenge group begins. jessicahrbek@gmail.com

Peanut Butter Swirl Brownies

What would Valentine's Day be without a little chocolate?  In Fit Momma form I looked for a healthier alternative & remembered a Black Bean Brownie recipe we used a few months back.  I must give credit where credit is due...my number one kitchen helper, Hunter, came up with the the idea of putting peanut butter in today's brownies.  Now we have Peanut Butter Swirl Brownies!

1 can black beans (drained and rinsed well)

1/2 cup 100% cocoa

1/4 cup coconut oil

1/2 cup raw honey

1 tsp. vanilla

3 eggs

1/2 cup spelt flour (you could use almond or quinoa flour as well)

1/4 tsp. sea salt

2 Tbls. all-natural peanut butter

* Don't forget the secret ingredient! LOVE! *

Directions: 

1. Rinse the beans WELL! 

2. Put all ingredients into the blender & blend for approx. 2 mins.  

3. Pour batter into a greased 8x8 pan.

4. Divide peanut butter into several drops around the top of the batter.

5. Use a spatula or knife to swirl the peanut butter through the batter.

6. Bake at 350 for 35-40 minutes.

Check out more of our family's favorite clean eating recipes here.

Baked Tilapia Curry

I have a tendency to stick to the "old favorites" when it comes to dinner at our house.  You know, the recipes that the kids all love & hubby gobbles down.  But this week I decided to spice things up a bit & throw some new recipes into the meal plan.  I looked through my Eating Well magazines & found some tasty-sounding suppers that were quick & easy looking.

I must say that this recipe was a winner with 3 out of 4 children (#3 thought it was frog & took some coaxing to convince him it was in fact tilapia).  The hubby loved it & I will definitely be putting this on the menu again!
I switched up the Eating Well Magazine recipe a little bit, so here is the Fit Momma of Four version of Baked Tilapia Curry!

1 Tbls. extra virgin olive oil
2 bell peppers sliced - I used orange, but you could use red, orange, or yellow.
1 medium yellow onion or shallot, finely chopped
2 Tbls. curry powder
14 oz. unsweetened coconut milk
the juice of 1/2 lemon (you could also use lime juice)
1 tsp. raw honey
1 - 1 1/4 lbs. tilapia fillets
sea salt
freshly ground black pepper
1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped

1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees.  Coat a 9x13 baking dish with cooking spray.

2. Heat extra virgin olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat.  Sautee peppers & onions until soft.  Add curry powder, coconut milk, lemon juice, & honey.  Stir well & bring to a boil.  Reduce heat & simmer for 2-3 minutes.

3. Place tilapia in prepared baking dish & sprinkle with sea salt & black pepper.  Pour curry mixture over the fish.

4. Bake until the fish is opaque in the middle, about 15 minutes.  Sprinkle with cilantro.

I served the tilapia curry over brown rice & with some steamed veggies on the side.  Yum, yum, yum!

For more kid-tested, hubby-approved clean eating recipes, click here!