Pumpkin Protein Oatmeal

Tuesday, October 23, 2012

A good friend of mine asked for a yummy pumpkin breakfast recipe...what evokes the feeling of fall more than a warm bowl of oatmeal that reminds you of PUMPKIN PIE?!
Think of this as your healthy pie that packs a nutritional punch! Boooyahhhh!

What you need:
1/4 c. almond, skim or rice milk
1/2 c. old-fashioned oats
Pinch cinnamon
Pinch nutmeg or pumpkin spice
1/8 c. canned organic pumpkin
1/4 c. water
1 scoop vanilla protein powder
1/8 c. sliced almonds or walnuts (optional!)

How to make it:

Bring your milk and water to a boil over medium heat. Stir in your oatmeal and spices. Reduce heat and mix all together until the liquid is absorbed. Then Stir in pumpkin.

Combine 1/4 c water and your  protein powder in a bowl. Mix with a fork until protein powder is absorbed. Pour protein mixture over oatmeal and stir to combine. 

Mmmm!!

You can play around with the amounts! This is just what I used but feel free to play around with the recipe!
Some recommendations to add:

  • flax meal
  • cloves
  • almond extract
  • peanut butter
  • almond butter
  • banana
  • pecans
  • maple syrup
  • pureed apples or chopped apples
  • cacao 

How to Organize your Kitchen & Pantry


Kitchen Makeover

Tips to help you reorganize your kitchen, pantry, and fridge so that success is not just simple and convenient but visually enticing.
Your kitchen makeover starts with making it convenient and easy to eat healthfully.  Creating a healthy kitchen boils down to the following:
  1. Gathering the proper tools and ensuring easy access to them.
  2. Repacking bulk items into single servings.
  3. Placing fruits, vegetables, and healthful foods and snacks at eye level.
Right Tools in the Right Places
Each tool that you use on a daily and perhaps even mealtime basis should be kept close to the area where you prep your food.  I suggest having the following all in one drawer, plastic container, or cupboard for quick easy access:
  1. Paring knife
  2. Vegetable peeler
  3. Measuring cup
  4. Food scale
  5. Snack size plastic bags
  6. Plastic 1 cup size reusable containers
  7. Cutting board
  8. Chopper
Repackage Your Food
Warning:  open bags can lead to saddlebags.  You and I both know we are going to keep reaching into that bag of snacks or treats and eat well beyond an individual portion.  Here's a tip:  Repackage bulk snacks, say raw almonds- into an appropriate portion size (14 almonds).  When you come home from food shopping take the time to divvy up food by serving size.  If you have small children in your home, this is awonderful way for them to earn their keep and help mom!!! 
Use small plastic bags or reusable plastic storage containers to organize your food into the right portions.  For example, my kids love whole wheat pretzels.  A portion size is 10 sticks.  So I fill up little bags and throw them in the pantry at eye level, and make it simple for grab and go snacking.
I also, will spend time on Sunday's baking chicken, cutting up veggies and fruit and putting them in tupper wares for the entire week.  Then, each day I open up the fridge, grab what I want to eat, throw it in my cooler and go!

How to Eat Healthy and Clean out your Fridge

Monday, October 15, 2012

When I started P90X I was SOOOO lost! I had no clue what to eat! Hopefully you are following the meal plan I sent out, making better choices and FEELING better!

My friends put together an AMAING video that will help you get started on this journey! It's about 45 min long so feel free to pause, take notes, come back and watch again. This is a GREAT resource and these ladies have some AWESOME tips especially if you have kids/family =)

Tropical Shakeology Recipes

Many people digest plant proteins better than animal proteins without even knowing it. I had no clue until I switched.
It's a good idea to give your system a break and replace one meal a day with either Chocolate Vegan or Tropical Strawberry Shakeology. And if you're lactose intolerant, this is the perfect shake for you.

Tropical Breeze
1 cup coconut milk 
1/2 cup sliced strawberries 
1 small orange, peeled, chopped
1/2 medium banana
Handful of Ice

Blend and enjoy!

Shakeology Pumpkin Pie Recipe

Tuesday, October 9, 2012


Even though it's 72 here...it just FEELS like FALL is in the air! Candles always give me that warm COZY feeling & pumpkin is a MUST!
Today's Shakeology Special- Pumpkin Pie!

1 scoop Chocolate Shakeology (I like Vegan!)
1 cup rice, almond, or low-fat milk (plain or vanilla)

1/2 cup canned pumpkin, unsweetened
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. nutmeg
Handful of Ice

Eating Clean - How to Avoid Temptation

Monday, October 1, 2012

One of the BEST ways to avoid temptation is to remove yourself from your trigger foods and not keep them around. I have enough will power to avoid things in the store...but if they come home....so help me! They are getting DEVOURED! Even though I KNOW what I'm doing and that I'll regret it...I can't stop! 

With that being said...I run a TIGHT ship around here whenever possible. Doesn't it feel like it's ALWAYS someone's birthday or shower or something that involves derailing me from my goals. So I control what I can and make sure those goodies never make it past the front door. 

Now, I'm not going to lie...there have been times when I make the trip to the fridge...open it...find nothing sweet...close it...go sit down...get back up...open fridge...repeat 
BUT it IS a lot easier to reach for the good stuff when there is nothing bad to grab. The secret to success is simple...PLAN & PREPARE. 

It's MUCH easier to heat & eat! and this will keep you from going through the drive thru in a crunch. 

I used to work this insane job with the craziest hours...and I HATED being stuck at work and hungry. Because the fear loomed over me...I used to stuff my face to the point that I was bursting just to POSSIBLY avoid being hungry later. 
Apparently, I'm a complete blonde and it never occurred to me to plan...prepare and pack snacks (healthy ones!) ahead of time. Once I started bringing my lunch and snacks...voila! I started seeing SERIOUS results!

Now, I'm not perfect. We still have a cheat meal on date night. But between planning my meals, not keeping junk in the house and PLANNING my cheat...it keeps me sane, happy and still fitting in my skinny jeans =) 

So what is in my fridge right now?

Well here is the meal plan

Meal 1- 6 Egg Whites, 1 Cup Veggies
Meal 2- Protein Shake
Meal 3- 6 oz chicken, 1/2 C Brown Rice
Meal 4- Shakeology
Meal 5- 6 oz Chicken, 1 Cup Green Beans
Meal 6- Casein Shake

That's about 1600 calories =) Annnd you actually feel satisfied! Yayyy!




- THEME BY ECLAIR DESIGNS -