Oatmeal Pizza

 

Oatmeal is a breakfast staple in our house.  It is quick, easy, & versatile.  Oatmeal is heart-healthy & a good source of soluble fiber.  Oatmeal is also low on the glycemic index, which means it will not spike your blood sugar. 

The key is to stay away from those packets of flavored oatmeal that contain added sugar & other additives that you don't need or want in your healthy diet.

 

This oatmeal pizza recipe was a great way to switch up the breakfast routine but still get the awesome benefits of oatmeal.

 

 

Ingredients:

-1 ripe banana

-1 cup unsweetened almond milk (or coconut milk, almond coconut milk, cashew milk)

-1 large egg

-1 cup old fashioned oats

-1 Tbls. baking powder

-1 Tbls. ground flaxseed

-1 tsp. ground cinnamon

-1 cup berries (today we used sliced strawberries & blueberries)

 

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.

 

2. Spread 1 Tbls. coconut oil on the bottom of a large round cake pan

 

3. Mash banana with a fork in mixing bowl.

 

4. Add egg & almond milk to mashed banana.  Combine.

 

5. Add in dry ingredients & mix until well combined.

 

6. Pour mixture into greased cake pan & spread evenly. 

 

7. Sprinkle berries on top.

 

8. Bake at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 20 minutes.

 

*9. While the oatmeal pizza is baking you can mix up a protein rich dipping sauce with 3 simple ingredients.  See the directions below!*

 

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Greek Yogurt Dipping Sauce

a. Place 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt in a small bowl.

 

b. Add 1 tsp. raw honey (use local honey if you can find it in your area) & a sprinkle of ground cinnamon.

 

c. Mix well.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

 

10. Remove oatmeal pizza from the oven & allow to cool in the pan on a wire rack for approximately 10 minutes.

 

11. Use an offset spatula to loosen the edges of the oatmeal pizza from the sides of the pan.  Cut gently & remove a wedge.  Serve with Greek yogurt dipping sauce (optional).

 

 

Click here for more delicious, healthy, family-friendly recipes.

 

 

 

 

Venison Meatloaf

 

 

I grew up with a father & grandfather who hunted.  Their aim was not to collect trophies, but to help provide meat for our family.  Venison was frequently the only meat we had in the house.  My mom & grandma were always coming up with new ways to prepare this lean, slightly gamey, red meat. 

My brother is a hunter now as well & was kind enough to share some of the meat with me.

Tonight I used some to make this juicy, delicious meatloaf.  It was so tasty that my whole family went back for more!

 

Ingredients:

1 lb. ground venison

1/2 yellow onion, finely chopped

1 stalk of celery, finely chopped

1 egg

1 Tbls. Panko bread crumbs

1 tsp. dried basil

1 tsp. dried oregano

1 tsp. garlic powder

1/2 tsp. celery seed powder

1/2 tsp. sea salt

1 tsp. black pepper

a pinch of red pepper flakes

 

*Combine all ingredients in a large bowl & gently fold until well combined.

*Spray a loaf pan with nonstick cooking spray.

*Place the meat mixture into the loaf pan & press down gently to even out.

***

 

Topping ingredients:

1/4 cup blackstrap molasses

1 Tbls. tomato paste

1 tsp. apple cider vinegar

a pinch of black pepper

 

*Whisk ingredients together & pour on top of the meat in the loaf pan.  Spread evenly across the top of the meat.

***

 

*Bake meatloaf, uncovered, in a 350 degree oven for approximately 45 minutes.

 

**Meatloaf will shrink slightly due to the lean nature of venison.

 

Click here for the oven roasted broccoli recipe seen with this meatloaf.

 

Home

 



Avocado Egg Salad

 

This creamy, dreamy egg salad recipe will make you never want to put mayo in your egg salad again!

 

Avocados are a healthy alternative to mayonnaise. 

They are full of heart-healthy monounsaturated fatty acids, contain more potassium than a banana, high in fiber, & can even help lower your cholesterol.

You can add avocados to salads, dressings, dips, or even spread some on a sandwich or wrap as a delicious, creamy condiment.

 

Ingredients:

5-6 hard boiled eggs, diced

1 small avocado, mashed

1 Tbls. brown or Dijon mustard

1 Tbls. apple cider vinegar

2-3 scallions, sliced thinly

sea salt & black pepper to taste

 

Directions:

- Whisk together mashed avocado, mustard, apple cider vinegar, sea salt, & pepper.

 

- In a large bowl, sprinkle scallions onto diced eggs.

 

-Pour avocado mixture on top of eggs & scallions.  Fold gently until well combined.

 

-Enjoy on top of a bed of greens, make a lettuce wrap on a romaine leaf, or make a classic egg salad sandwich on sprouted grain bread.

 

Click here for more clean eating recipes!

Countdown to Summer

 

Summer is just a little over two months away.  It can be hard to believe with some of the crazy weather we have had recently in my neck of the woods.  But soon we will be wearing our shorts & tank tops, sitting by the pool, & running after the kids 24/7.

 

Are you ready?

 

At the start of the summer of 2012 I certainly wasn't.

 

 

 

After having 4 babies I thought I was destined to forever wear swim suits that looked like a tent & NEVER thought I would allow someone to take a picture of me in said swimwear. I was not comfortable in my own skin, I wanted to hide behind my kids in every picture to hide my body, & I was so tired I really just wanted to fall asleep in a lounge chair rather than play with my kids.
 
Thankfully, right after that summer 2012 picture was taken I joined my first challenge group with my coach. I learned how to eat clean, meal plan, proper portion sizes, how to navigate the grocery store, & that taking 30 minutes for myself to exercise each day was not selfish...it is exactly what I needed to do to be the energetic, fun-loving mom I aspired to be.

Nearly 4 years later I am still living the lifestyle that I implemented during that first challenge group. It was not a fad or a quick fix...it is a way of living life to the fullest! I have the energy to keep up with my kids' busy schedules, I'm teaching them healthy habits, & setting an example by getting active every day.

Is it always easy? Heck no! That's why I'm so thankful that I am not in this alone. That is why I still run & participate in challenge groups each & every month....to keep myself in check & to spread the love of this lifestyle to other moms who are feeling lost in their own body.

If you look in the mirror & aren't sure you recognize the person back at you...
If you are craving to be able to run & play with your kids but just cannot seem to keep up...
If you simply want to feel your best & regain confidence....

Then join me April 25 for my Countdown to Summer accountability & fitness support group.

For the next 60 days you will get positive, uplifting support to reach your health & fitness goals in a private online community (a closed Facebook group). 

I will be your personal wellness coach through the group & beyond.  Even when the group ends you will be able to come to me with questions, concerns, or for continued support to maintain the amazing results you will achieve during our Countdown to Summer group.

I will provide you with weekly sample meal plans, tons of healthy recipes, daily tips, motivation, & troubleshooting to get over those stumbling blocks that have held you back in the past.

Most importantly, this group will provide you the accountability that you need to succeed.  Did you know that folks are 70% more likely to stick to a new workout routine if they have someone to support them & keep them accountable!  Set yourself up for success & join us today.

 

Group Requirements:

-You must commit to being an active participant in the group. 

Daily check ins are required to keep you accountable & on track to reach  your goals.

Accountable people are successful people!

 

-You must write down your goals & share them with me.

When you put your goals in writing you are more likely to stick to them.

 

-You must ask questions & reach out for help whenever you need it.

Use the resources in the group.

We fail together, we succeed together. 

I am here to help YOU!

 

-You must be doing a Beachbody home workout program of your choice.

I will help you find the workout that best meets your needs & goals.

 

-You must drink Shakeology daily for the duration of the group.

This superfood cravings buster has been an integral piece to my personal health & wellness for the past 3 1/2 years & I firmly believe in the benefits it provides.



Complete the application below & I will contact you within 24-48 hours.

Fill out my online form.

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