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.

There are tons of Wufoo features to help make your forms awesome.

Chocolate Chia Pudding

Guilt free dessert recipe time!

 Combine the following in a mason jar or Tupperware with a tight-fitting lid:

👉 1 1/4 cups unsweetened coconut or almond milk
👉 1 Tablespoon pure maple syrup (you can add a tad more if you desire a little more sweetness)
👉 3 Tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder (I used Hershey's Special Dark)...
👉 1/4 cup chia seeds

 Stir well. Put on the lid & shake. Refrigerate at least 4 hours or overnight & enjoy with fresh berries!

Click here for more clean eating recipes. 

What an amazing ride this life thing is...

 

Being a mom to four beautiful babies, I never really expected to feel comfortable in photographs, warm weather clothing, or even my own skin again.  I thought that I was going to be wearing frumpy mom jeans & flowy tops for the rest of my days.

 

I started working out & eating clean with the simple goal of getting out of my maternity gear before heading back to my classroom.  Not only did I fit back into my "normal" clothes, but they were too big & I had to buy some new, smaller clothes.

 

What's more...I actually had the energy to keep up with my 4 active kiddos.  I could work a full day teaching elementary school & still have energy to love on my own family.

 

I had a lot of my co-workers & friends asking me "how did you do it?" & I realized that I could help others take the mystery out of what had become second nature to me...simple, daily steps to healthy living.  I could provide the support & accountability that others needed to start & stick with a healthy lifestyle.  I could do this because I had been there.  I had walked that road.  I had had those struggles.  And I had finally found success.  No magic pills, no quick fixes...just small, daily decisions & actions that helped me to successfully lose 40 lbs & 20 inches.

 

Over three years later I am still as passionate about helping others as I was when I had my first transformation story.  I want to help other moms see the value in healthy living...not just to help them rock their favorite pre-baby jeans, but to live a healthy life for the benefit of their entire family.

What started with vanity turned into passion.  What started with me barely able to do one push up has turned into me teaching weekly PiYo Live classes.  What started as a goal to help just 10 people improve their health has turned into my opportunity to be my own boss, work from home, & change the lives of HUNDREDS of folks in my online accountability groups.

 

You don't have to be great to start, but to become great you must get started. 

If you are ready to take control of your health & fitness and start living a healthier lifestyle one simple step at a time, contact me today.  I am here to help with small, daily steps to simply healthier living for you & your family.

 

Learn more about my Fituary Support Group here.

Fituary Support Group

 

It is easy to start the new year with excitement & big goals for your health & fitness. 

It is also easy to get side tracked & feel defeated.

 

Yes, even health & wellness coaches go through these struggles.

*Inconsistency

*Letting excuses creep in

*Complacency

*Winter blues

*3 feet of snow making you feel like a hibernating bear

 

I have started & re-started The Master's Hammer & Chisel twice now.  I am really enjoying the workouts.  I love the variety with workouts from two trainers & it is primarily weight training based, which is my favorite way to get my sweat on.  But in all honesty, I have fallen short in the nutrition department.  I let a lot of sweets & treats sneak in over the holiday season, thus leading to wicked sugar cravings rolling into January.  I know that minimizing those sweet treats is the key to my personal success in the past, but I have let the excuses & extra treats continue to invade my kitchen.  It's time to take back control, keep myself accountable & kick this sugar cycle, AGAIN.  I know that the majority of my results are going to come from what I eat.  It is time to hunker down & FOCUS!  After all, I have the Team Beachbody Success Club cruise coming up in March & I want to feel confident on that ship full of fellow coaches.

 

It's hard to admit when you have seen a bit of a backslide in your progress, but I know that I can overcome this hump & you can, too!

 

I am totally ready to shake this funk & I know the recipe that works, I just need a group of dedicated folks to join me on the journey.  We will keep each other accountable & motivated in a private, online support groups. 

I will provide tips to get back on track with your health & fitness (or how to get the ball rolling if this is all new to you). 

Healthy, fresh recipes that will brighten up your kitchen & energize your body to shake those winter doldrums. 

Sample meal plans, clean eating shopping lists, & advice on how to avoid temptations.

 

So if you feel like you have lost yourself in this blizzard, let's team up to uncover those healthy habits that will help us look great, feel great, & shed our "winter coats."

 

Apply today:

 

Fill out my online form.

HTML Forms powered by Wufoo.