Chocolate Maple Cheesecake Shakeology

Snack time! I'm sticking with the fall theme today & went with maple this time!
Chocolate Maple Cheesecake Shakeology
Ice
8 oz water
4 oz unsweetened vanilla almond milk
2 Tbls. plain Greek yogurt
2 tsps. pure maple syrup
1 scoop chocolate #Shakeology
Blend & enjoy the flavors of fall!

Click here for more delicious Shakeology recipes!

Pumpkin Pecan Oatmeal

I am all about the pumpkin & fall flavors at this time of year.  This is quick, easy, & makes you feel like you are eating pumpkin pie for breakfast, but with out all the guilt!

Mix 1/2 cup old-fashioned oats & 1/2 cup water. 

Microwave for 1 minute.

Mix in 1 Tbls. ground flax seed, 1 Tbls. wheat germ, 1/2 scoop Vanilla Shakeology (or whey protein powder), 1/2 cup vanilla coconut milk or unsweetened vanilla almond milk, 2 Tbls. canned pure pumpkin (NOT pumpkin pie filling), 8 pecans (chopped), & a sprinkle of ground cinnamon.

For more clean eating recipes click here!

Pumpkin Applesauce Muffins

These muffins make a great grab & go clean-eating breakfast.  Pair with a hard boiled egg & some fresh fruit for a complete breakfast!  My kids all LOVED these!

1. Preheat oven to 375 & line muffing pan with liners or spray with cooking spray.
2. Combine 1 cup oatmeal, 1/2 cup pumpkin, 1/2 cup applesauce, 1/2 cup almond milk (or milk or juice), 1 whole egg + 1 large egg white (lightly beaten), & 2 Tbls. + 1 tsp. canola oil.
3. In a separate bowl combine 1 Tbls. baking powder, 1/2 tsp. baking soda, 1 tsp. cinnamon, 1/4 tsp. ground nutmeg, 1 tsp. ground ginger (or pumpkin pie spice), 1/2 cup spelt flour (or quinoa flour), 1/4 cup whole wheat flour, 1/4 cup Stevia (or maple sugar flakes), 1/2 cup raisins or dried cranberries.
4. Make a well in the middle of the dry ingredients & pour in wet.  Mix just until combined.  Fill muffin tins 2/3 full.  Bake 15-20 mins or until lightly browned on top.

Looking for other clean eating breakfast options?  Click here!

Spaghetti Squash with Turkey & Tomato Sauce

I made a double batch of this the other night for dinner & it was a hit! So good that the kids CHEERED for the leftovers.

To cook the spaghetti squash preheat the oven to 375.  Pierce the skin  of the spaghetti squash with a sharp knife & microwave for 5-6 minutes & then let stand in the microwave for 5 minutes.  Cut the squash in half, lengthwise & scoop out the seeds.  Place squash on a cookie sheet, skin side down.  Drizzle with extra virgin olive oil, sea salt, fresh ground black pepper, & garlic powder.  Cook approximately 30-40 minutes, until squash is tender.  Remove from oven & shred the flesh with a fork.

To make the sauce, season the ground turkey with sea salt & pepper, then brown the meat.  Add 1 cup cherry tomatoes, quartered, 6 oz. tomato paste, 12 oz. water, fresh basil, 1 Tablespoon dried oregano, 2 teaspoons garlic powder, sea salt, & fresh ground black pepper. Stir well & simmer on low heat until the sauce has reached desired consistency.

Click here to check out other clean eating recipes!

Beachbody Transformed My Life!

     Just a little over a year ago I began my health & fitness journey, looking to just fit into some non-maternity clothes to go back to my job as a teacher after the birth of our fourth child.
     Over the past year I have completed three 90-day challenge groups, three workout programs (ChaLean Extreme, Turbo Fire, & Brazil Butt Lift), plus a hybrid schedule of my favorites!  I'm currently half way through Focus T25.  Today I am 40 lbs. lighter, 20 inches smaller, and much more energetic - I can truly say that Beachbody has transformed my life!
     After my third challenge group my coach approached me about becoming a Beachbody coach myself.  She had mentioned coaching to me before, but I was hesitant.  How could I coach others when I was still a work in progress?  I'm not a trainer or nutrition expert....but all I am good at motivating people and teaching people the skills & tips that I have learned about clean eating & fitness.  After speaking more with my coach I decided to give coaching a try.  That's when EVERYONE started asking me how I did it...how did I lose all my baby weight after having FOUR kids?  How did I plan healthy meals that my family would enjoy?  How can they get fit & have the same energy that I have gained?  That's when I knew that I had made the right choice...I could HELP OTHERS feel as awesome as I was feeling.  You've gotta love that!
     Around this same time we decided it would be best for our family for me to stay home from my teaching job.  Being a Beachbody coach gives me the opportunity to work from home, help others, & still contribute financially to the household.  Win, win, win!
     Does this lifestyle sound good to you?  I am starting new challenge group to help people reach their health & fitness goals each month.  Email me for more details.
     Interested in learning more about the Beachbody Coaching opportunity?  Listen in on a business opportunity call on Tues., Aug. 27 at 8:30pm/EST.  Email me for the link to this call!

Banana & Peanut Butter Swirl "Ice Cream"

Banana & PB swirl "ice cream"

Slice 4 bananas into rounds & place on a cookie sheet. 

Place in freezer for 2-3 hours. 

Place frozen banana slices in the food processor & pulse til it looks like pebbles. 

Wait a minute & pulse again until smooth. 

Stir in 1-2 Tbls. All-natural peanut butter.

Other Clean Eating Desserts

Cajun-Seasoned Tilapia & Black Beans with Brown Rice

Cajun-season Tilapia & Black Beans with Brown Rice

This dinner was a HUGE HIT with everyone in the family. It was simple, tasty, & even included dessert!
Cajun-Seasoned Tilapia
Drizzle tilapia filets with EVOO, sprinkle with Cajun seasoning & a squeeze of fresh lemon juice
Broil (550 degrees) for 5-7 mins, until fish is flakey

Black beans with brown rice
Combine 2 cups water, 1 cup brown rice, 1 tsp. EVOO, & 2 Tbls. Cajun seasoning in a sauce pan, bring to a boil, lower to a simmer & cover. Cook approx 20 mins., until liquid is almost completely absorbed. Add 1 can of black beans, rinsed & drained. Stir well. Cook an addition 5 mins or until liquid is absorbed & rice is tender. 

Click here for the Banana & PB Swirl "Ice cream" recipe.