Friday, October 30, 2015

Cauliflower "Fried Rice"

I'm a self admitted carb lover and rice is one of my faves.....along with quinoa, couscous and anything with a similar texture. When I discovered cauliflower rice, I was in heaven.... then realizing I can make cauliflower "fried rice" was the icing on the cake! So, here's my recipe that was tweaked by combining a few of the ones I found thanks to the wonderful world of the web! Enjoy! 

Ingredients
  • 1 large cauliflower head
  • 4 eggs
  • 1 to 2 cups chopped veggies of choice (peas, corn, carrots & any others you'd like to add)
  • 1 clove minced garlic
  • 1 tsp oil (olive, sesame or coconut is what I prefer)
  • 1 chicken breast 
  • soy sauce
  • favorite general seasoning (my fave is Kirkland Organic No Salt Seasoning)



Preparation
  1. Cut the leaves and core off the cauliflower. Break the cauliflower up into small florets. If you are using a food processor, you can keep the stems on if they're soft. If you're using a good blender (Blendtec or Vitamix), cut the stems off and cut the florets into small pieces. You can also use a hand grater but that's the last resort......it takes forever!            
  2. Add the florets to the food processor or blender. Process or blend until evenly chopped to a consistency similar to rice but not pulverized. If you're using a blender vs a food processor, add the cauliflower in a few pieces at a time since it tends to get stuck.                                                                                                      
  3. Once all of the cauliflower is pulverized, set aside.
  4. Add a small amount of oil (olive, coconut or sesame) to a skillet or wok then add 1 TBSP of minced garlic & brown lightly.  
  5. I had some rotisserie chicken left over so I chopped some of that up and added that as well. It adds protein and turns a side dish into a meal. You can also add some raw chicken breast and cook it thoroughly during this step if you'd like.  
  6. Then you can add any blend of veggies you like. All I had in the fridge were some steamed Normandy Blend veggies & Costco's organic veggie blend so I chopped up the two and added them!  Most recipes call just for peas, corn & chopped steamed carrots but I love veggies so I added what I had. It included broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, peas, corn & edamame!
  7. After adding the veggies, chicken (if you'd like) & garlic, add the cauliflower.  Mix it up & cook it for a 5 to 10 minutes. 
  8. Then spread it aside and add 3 to 4 eggs in the center.Cook the egg thoroughly and once it's cooked, blend together with the "rice", veggie & chicken blend.
                           
  9. Add some soy sauce (taste it as you add it to make it to your liking) and cook a few minutes longer. 
  10. Toss around regularly while cooking it to cook it evenly and thoroughly.
  11. Serve and enjoy!!!

Tuesday, October 20, 2015

13 Super Cute and Healthy Halloween Snacks!

Candy corn, chocolate bars, caramel apples and so many other sugary treats are front-and-center at Halloween, even before the trick-or-treating begins! If you want to get into the holiday spirit in a healthier way, here are some easy-to-make Halloween snacks we found that kids (and grown-up kids) will love.
What are your favorite healthy Halloween snacks?

Jack-o’-Lantern Fruit Cups
Add color and fun to your Halloween with these smiling jack-o’-lantern faces carved into navel oranges. Slice off the tops of the oranges, scoop out the pulp, use a paring knife to cut out jack-o’-lantern faces, and fill with grapes and/or mixed berries.Jack O' Lantern Fruit Cups Halloween Snack
 
Orange You Lovin’ Fall Fruit Salad
Save the pulp from your jack-o’-lantern fruit cups to make this fruit salad. Fill small mason jars with pineapple slices, orange wedges, and top with Greek yogurt.
Fruit salad candy corn Halloween Snack

Slithering Snake Dip
Eek! What is lurking in your hummus? A slithering snake made from black olives! Cute Food for Kids carved beady eyes from string cheese and added a carrot tongue. Even those who hate serpents will love this little guy.
Snake in Hummus Halloween Snack
 
Candy Corn Popsicles
Here’s a healthier spin on candy corn! These colorful homemade popsicles are made from pineapple juice, orange juice, and yogurt. We want the popsicles! Click here to get the recipe.
Candy Corn Popsicles Halloween Snack
Mummified Apples
Googly eyes and gauze tape turn green apples into mummies that are almost too cute to bite into.
Mummy Apples Halloween Snack
 
Monster Pie
Kids will love this Monsters, Inc. tart because it’s so darn cute, and well, because it’s dessert! Visit Creative and Healthy Fun Food to get this recipe that’s got a filling made from avocado, banana, and almond milk!
Monster Pie Halloween Snack
 
Spooky Spider Eggs
Deviled eggs get extra creepy-crawly when they’re topped with spiders. To make eight scary spider eggs, cut 12 black olives in half vertically. Place one half in the center of each egg to form the body, then slice each remaining olive half into four sections to create legs. Shiver.

Ghoulish Hard-Boiled Eggs
Let your kids in on the decorating fun! Use black foodsafe ink pens to draw ghostly faces on white hard-boiled eggs. This example from Wit & Whistle shows how simple – and cute! – each drawing can be.
Ghoulish Hard Boiled Eggs Halloween Snack
Frankenstein’s Monster
Is this a trick or a treat? This veggie tray made to look like Frankenstein’s monster is a little bit of both. Let your kids play with their food to help create this healthy platter and they might just be tricked into eating their veggies.
Frankenstein Veggies Halloween Snack
 
Eyeball Pasta
Start off a night of trick-or-treating with this clever eyeball pasta! Visit Spend with Pennies to see how she used string cheese, black olives, and a straw to create eyeballs of different sizes that stare out of ghoulishly green spinach pasta.
Eyeball Pasta Halloween Snack
 
Jack-o-’Lantern Clementines
Pick up a foodsafe pen and the whole family can have fun decorating the skin of clementines, tangerines, or oranges with spooky or smiling faces. Pop these into lunch boxes the week leading up to Halloween.
Jack O' Lanterns drawn on clementines Halloween Snack
 
Pumpkin Veggie Tray
This veggie platter is a Halloween party essential! Mom Endeavors shares some tips for constructing this spooky pumpkin from baby carrots and black olives. The stem can be made from broccoli, the end of cucumber, or a celery stick. Serve with Slithering Snake Dip!
Carrot Jack O' Lantern Veggie Tray Halloween Snack
Banana Ghosts and Orange Pumpkins
Boo! Turn bananas into spooky ghosts with chocolate chip eyes and mouths made from chocolate covered raisins. Make a pumpkin patch out of peeled clementines or tangerines. Just use a sprig of celery in the center for the stem!
Banana ghosts and clementine pumpkins Halloween Snack

Via the Team Beachbody blog with photos by Mom Endeavors, Princess and the Frog Blog, Spend with Pennies, Blue Skies Ahead, Wit & Whistle, Creative and Healthy Fun Food, Marci Combs, Chew Chew Mama, Cute Food for Kids, Frugal Coupon Living and Amanda Meixner!

Monday, October 12, 2015

How to Avoid Getting Sick & Helping Get Rid of It If You Do!

person with flu
You’ve been taking your vitamins, avoiding your sniffly friends, and washing your hands. But despite your best efforts, you can tell you’re coming down with a cold. Luckily, you can take a few simple steps to nip it in the bud — or at least speed up your recovery so it doesn’t ruin your whole week and you can do it all without taking prescription medication.

I'm big on going the holistic route before I try any medications and I'm the same way with my kids. 90% of the time, we avoid getting sick all together (thanks to Shakeology!!) and to be honest, none of us got sick this last year at all.  Bit, if you do end up catching the big, here’s how to get rid of it— according to someone in the know: Dr. Scott Helmers, an urgent care physician for the Mayo Clinic Health System.

1. Hydrate.
Your mom was right: You need your fluids. Hydration helps your body fire on all cylinders, but it’s especially important when you’re battling a cold. A cup of warm water or hot tea can soothe a scratchy throat, and the fluids will thin out your mucus, so you won’t feel as stuffy. Water, juice, or broth will do the trick, and you don’t need to overthink the number of ounces. “It’s really just a matter of satisfying your thirst — maybe have an extra glass of fluid every couple of hours,” says Dr. Helmers.


2. Eat for wellness.
Vitamins and minerals are beneficial to your overall health, but it’s debatable whether any particular one will ward off a cold or reduce its duration. Your best bet is to focus on eating healthy foods and eliminating anything that might make you feel even more sluggish, like alcohol or greasy foods. “It’s not that those would impair your ability to fight it off; it would just be compounding the symptoms,” Dr. Helmers says. In other words, if your head’s already pounding from sinus pressure, a night of Fireball shots probably won’t improve things.

3. Adjust your workout accordingly.
If you feel like you have enough energy to go for a jog or do some light lifting, go for it. Just listen to your body and don’t work out to the point of exhaustion. (And for the love of Typhoid Mary, wipe down your equipment after you use it.) “Pay attention to what your body is telling you,” Dr. Helmers says. “Moderate activity may help with muscle soreness that might accompany an upper respiratory infection. On the other hand, if you’re a runner or biker, pay attention to the ambient conditions — if it’s really cold, it may end up making you feel worse. There’s no great advantage in tiring yourself out.” And if you have a fever, discomfort in your chest, or difficulty breathing, skip it.

4. Sleep it off.
A good night of shut-eye can help shut down a cold before it really ruins your plans. “Rest according to what your body is saying it needs, and be sure to hydrate when you wake up,” Dr. Helmers says.

5. Reach for the right remedies. 
Stocking up on cold meds could leave you with a case of sticker shock to go along with your stuffy nose — and it probably won’t make you feel better any sooner. “Scientifically, we probably can’t prove that antihistamines, decongestants, and [over-the-counter] cough medicine shorten the illness,” Dr. Helmers says. Still, there are a few simple ways to soothe your symptoms (and you probably already have what you need at home!).


  • Salt water. Dissolve 1/2 tsp. of salt in a cup of warm water, then gargle and rinse to ease irritation in your throat.
  • Honey. If you can’t stop coughing, try 2 tsp. of honey. A pediatric study in 2012 found honey to be an effective cough suppressant.
  • Pain relievers. Plain old acetaminophen or ibuprofen can combat inflammation and achy muscles.

If you stay healthy, manage your symptoms, and rest when you need it, you may be able to reduce the amount of time you’re under the weather. But how do you know when it’s time to give up and go to the doctor? “Most colds run their course in 3-5 days,” Dr. Helmers says. “If it’s going much beyond that — or if you have a very high

fever, chest congestion, intensely sore throat, or facial pain — then it’s appropriate to be examined.”

Via the Team Beachbody Blog

Monday, October 5, 2015

October's 21 Day Fix Family Friendly Clean Eating Boot Camp!

Did you know that between Thanksgiving and Christmas Americans gain an average of 5-7 lbs? Overweight individuals tend to gain more than that? Why not get a hold of your bad habits BEFORE the holidays and make it a point NOT to gain weight this year!! How you ask? Well certainly not with some crazy workout and diet plan that leaves you starving. Who wants to do that around Halloween and fall when all things pumpkin are everywhere!?
It's a pretty simple plan and anyone can do it, incorporate their family & even kids, into it. One of the biggest issues most people have with weight loss is not so much the working out part but the diet. Working out is part of it but you can workout all day long, if you generally have poor eating habits, nothing is gonna budge!
So, the 21 day fix is a nutrition plan (not a diet) that helps you establish healthy habits with food, eating the right portion sizes, getting all of your nutrients in, and doing it all with regular food. Not diet food and not depriving yourself or starving. Its called the 21 Day Fix because it takes the average person 21 days to establish a habit, not because it will turn women into bikini models or men into Mr Olympia in 3 weeks. That's just not realistic and plans that promise that are too restrictive and not realistic.
After 21 days of using the portion control containers the plan comes with & the guidance & tools in the boot camp, you should be able to eyeball portions and eat well throughout the day whether you're at work, home, a party, vacation, etc. You use them sort of as measuring cups when you have snacks, make a salad, a recipe, etc and then refer to them when you're out at a restaurant or party. After using them for a few weeks, you get a really good idea about what a proper portion looks like so it makes it simple. And you get TONS of healthy food suggestions for meals, snacks, recipes, etc so you can apply it for life!
The plan comes with a LOT and I add a lot to it too in the boot camp. The boot camp is a private online support group of other women (and some husbands) learning the plan too. We share recipes, snack ideas, give each other support and keep each other accountable. A LOT of people get the program but have NO clue how to use it so it just sits there and goes untouched. I REALLY believe in it and really want to help everyone realize how much it can help not only with weight (loss, gain or maintain) but healthy eating and getting your family to eat clean too!
The plan comes with the following: --10 workouts you can do at home --7 portion control reference containers --Shakeology shaker cup --Month supply of shakeology --21 Day Fix Nutrition Guide & Recipe Book --3 Day Quick Fix plan (cleanse type of plan) --workout calendar --30 day money back guarantee where you can return any or all of it, even if it's used, if you aren't happy.

In the boot camp, I provide: --weekly meal plans --recipes for the meal plans --tons of extra recipes --recipe samples from the 21 Day Fix Fixate cook book --Snack lists with over 100 snack ideas --daily feedback on your nutrition, workout & water intake --daily nutrition tips & fitness advice --available 24/7 for questions via phone or FB message
And the boot camp isn't just one month. When you have the 21 Day Fix challenge pack, you're welcome to continue every day month free just for support or to keep reaching your goals. Some keep coming back just because they feel like it's a group of virtual friends we've made onlibe that support each other through the struggle of food, temptations and cravings. Basically life LOL!

The Shakeology, if you aren't familiar with is a nutritional shake that has over 70 fruits & veggies in it plus protein and 23 vitamins and minerals. They regularly update the recipe too so they keep up with research and make changes accordingly. It helps curbs cravings for sweets BIG time, gives you energy (has natural caffeine from food such as gree tea), gives you a quick, easy, yummy way to get a breakfast or a morning snack in and a lot of people have seen benefits with thyroid disease, cholesterol, auto immune disorders, heart disease & other ailments with it. I was hesitant to try it for a LONG time. Just didn't buy into it and thought it was just all overrated hype.

When I tried it though I loved it and it was the only shake I actually liked the taste of, didn't taste like chemicals and I was ok giving to my kids. And the fact that they give you 30 days to return it made my cheap self on a budget feel good buying it LOL. If I hated it or the 21 day fix, I could send 'em back and lose nothing. I always wanted to make my passion for fitness and nutrition into a career and when I tried this program, I thought it was genius!! Such an easy way to learn how to eat right AND eat what I like, not what a meal plan tells me Inhage to eat. I can follow it on weekdays & weekends without a problem or having to skip out on dinners with friends because I'm "on a diet"!
And even kids can use it to learn how to eat right. Shae (my 6 yr old) tells me, "Mom I had a red, green, blue and yellow! 4 colors!" Because I tell her she needs at least 4 colors in each meal! So, that's it! Let me know what you think and if you want to start with us in October!! Shoot me an email at info@fitluentialmom.com or find me on Facebook and add me ===>>> FACEBOOK then send me a message saying you're IN!!!



Sunday, October 4, 2015

Sweet, Salty or Spicy Pumpkin Fries!

Oh how yummy!! I love sweet potato fries but these are even better! 
Pumpkin Fries!

Have you tried these babies?!?
They just might surprise you! 
●SALTY PUMPKIN FRIES:
‣ Place your cut pumpkin and olive oil in a mixing bowl.
‣ Toss by hand until the pumpkin is well coated in all the oil and spices. 

●SWEET PUMPKIN FRIES:
‣ Place your cut pumpkin into a mixing bowl.
‣ Add maple syrup and toss by hand until your pumpkin is well coated. 

●SPICY PUMPKIN FRIES:
‣ Toss pumpkin fries, maple syrup and Sriracha in a large bowl. ‣ These are SPICY!!! {Arrange fries in single layer on baking sheet, roast at 400 f for 35 mninutes, flipping fries halfway through.}
●PUMPKIN FACT!
Ever heard of bananas being touted as nature's energy bar? Turns out, a cup of cooked pumpkin has more of the refueling nutrient potassium, with 564 milligrams to a banana's 422. So enjoy! Via Clean Food Crush Rachel! 

Tortilla Egg Cups

Egg baked in a Tortilla with bell peppers (or any veggies you prefer)! 

To make, press tortillas in a muffin cup. 

Fill with whisked eggs and peppers. 

Bake at 350 until eggs are cooked through. 


 

For the adults or the older kiddos, you can top with a little bit of pico or fresh salsa!! 

21 Day Fix Exchange:  1 yellow, 1/2 red (1 egg or 4 egg whites per cup)

Strawberry Shakeology Pops

Super Duper Easy Strawberry pops 

➕Strawberry Shakeology 

➕strawberries 

➕ spinach (yes spinach...they can't even taste it!) 

➕dolop if Greek yogurt

➕Splash vanilla extract 

▶Throw it in a blender (I love my Blendtec)

▶Pour into molds

▶Freeze then dip in chocolate and coconut!  Such a great snack for the littles and the grown ups too!

Chocolate Shakeology Pie

Dessert anyone?
I'm a firm believer in moderation and not depriving yourself of the foods you love! The best part about this Chocolate Shakeology Pie recipe is that you get to enjoy a yummy dessert without having to feel guilty about junky ingredients. Pure and simple chocolaty goodness! 
What’s in it:

▶️1 1/2 cups reduced-fat (2%) plain thick Greek yogurt
▶️2 scoops Chocolate Shakeology
▶️1/2 cup all-natural peanut butter
▶️1/2 cup unsweetened almond milk 

▶️1 Whole Wheat Graham Pie Crust

What to do:
1. Combine yogurt, Shakeology, peanut butter, and almond milk in a large bowl; mix well.
2. Pour yogurt mixture into pie crust; refrigerate for at least 1 hour, or until firm.
3. Cut into eight servings.

Makes 8 servings 
Fix Portions: 
1/2 Yellow
1/2 Red
3 1/2 ⚪ tsp

Cauliflower Mini Biscuits

Heaven in my mouth! You must try these! 
Cauliflower Mini Biscuits 
Great healthy toddler food or food in general on the go!

Ingredients:
1 large head of cauliflower
3 cloves of garlic
2eggs
2 egg whites
1/2 cup of 2% low fat cheddar cheese
1/2 cup of #glutenfree bread crumbs
1 teaspoon of sea salt & garlic powder

Preheat oven to 375F. Spray a mini muffin tray with coconut oil spray. In a food processor, finely chop the cauliflower with the garlic. Put in a microwave for 10 seconds or in a pan with NO water for 2 minutes with a lid. In an electric mixer, whip the egg whites until firm. Add in the 2 other eggs. Add all dry ingredients, spices and cauliflower mix. Spoon into the muffin tray. Cook for 35-40 minutes. Enjoy!!! 

64.6 calories with 2.05g of fat, 8.2g of carbs, 1.43g of fiber, 1.37g of sugar & 4.15g of protein (makes 12).


Two Ingredient Banana & Chocolate Chip Cookies

Two-Ingredient Banana Chocolate Chip Ice Cream Bites


6 very ripe bananas
¾ cup mini chocolate chips, divided

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Slice the bananas into ½-inch slices and lay flat on the parchment-lined baking sheet. Cover with plastic wrap and place in the freezer for 1-1/2 hours.

Remove frozen bananas from the freezer and let set out for about 5 minutes while you set up your food processor or blender. You want the bananas to softened just a bit, but still be frozen.

Place the bananas in the food processor and pulse/blend until smooth and creamy. Stir in ½ cup mini chocolate chips.

Grease a mini muffin pan with non-stick cooking spray. Scoop the banana ice cream into each cup, filling each one almost full, then sprinkle the top of each cup with a few more mini chocolate chips. Place the muffin pan in the freezer for an hour.

Remove the pan from the freezer and pop each bite out with a knife. Stack the banana ice cream bites in a freezer safe container with a lid, placing parchment paper between each layer of bites to keep them from sticking together.

When ready to eat, remove however many bites you want from the freezer container and let set out for a few minutes before eating.

Vanilla Bean Banana Shakeology! The Perfect Afterschool Treat!

Nothing better than a vanilla bean banana after school smoothie! This one is:


1 scoop vanilla Shakeology
1 banana (frozen or fresh)
1 cup almond milk
1 cup water
Ice 
Splash of vanilla extract 
Sprinkle of cinnamon 
Absolutely the ONLY type of protein and smoothie I give my kiddos!

Pan Fried Bananas

We L.O.V.E. bananas in this house & these are delish! Breakfast, dessert or a snack! 


Healthy Cinnamon Pan “Fried” Bananas
2 ripe bananas
2 tbsp coconut sugar
1 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp nutmeg
No more than 1 tbsp coconut oil
➡Instructions
•cut bananas into slices
•in a bowl mix sugar, cinnamon and nutmeg
•use coconut oil to coat a large skillet over medium heat
•toss bananas in skillet and cook for 2-3 min
•during last minute of cooking on the first side, sprinkle 1/2 of cinnamon mixture on the banana slices
•flip the slices, sprinkle with remaining mixture and cook 2-3 more min or until bananas are soft and warm 
Then EAT!

Makes 4 servings. Each serving equals the following 21 Day Fix servings:

1 Purple 1 Gray 1 Orange