Sunday Nights

Sunday night sweats. ✅
Workout clothes ready for mañana. ✅
New headband finished. ✅✅

I LOVE Sunday evenings!! It means a NEW week is coming...a NEW beginning...a NEW chance to do a little better than last week.
--
One way I stay on track to workout so early in the AM is to be PREPARED. No one wants to wake up groggy eyed and tired, just to have to go searching for her workout capris and sports bra. So having those things set out, makes ALL the difference. ‪#‎beprepared‬

Where the Magic Happens

Just finished presenting a call to my peers about getting New Coaches on our Tribe started right!

When you step out of your comfort zone, that's where the magic happens! You'd think I'd be comfortable sharing via video conference after being a classroom teacher...but I still get nervous. 😝

I love all the learning and leadership opportunities afforded through coaching...always learning...always growing.

 ☺❤

Simple Dinner

Sausage, opinions and peppers. Simple and super yummy with the grease from the sausage.

☺#‎greaseyikes‬

I put it over whole wheat noodles and homemade spaghetti sauce.

Can it get any easier than this?! I don't think so!

Sore Today- Strong Tomorrow

21 Day Fix Extreme: Lower Fix ‪#‎legday‬

Exercising isn't easy.

There are some days it would be easier not to workout...and some workouts in my program that are harder than others--that I could simply skip--BUT that's the thing about this lifestyle...it's not EASY, but it's WORTH it. 

---

One thing about coaching that is HARD for me, is to see others GIVE UP and not COMPLETE a program...or, they don't PLAN their meals and give up on healthy eating...

And all of this results in GOALS not being met, blaming the program and saying it doesn't work...

😁

Healthy eating and consistent exercise isn't an overnight fix--it takes TIME and CONSISTENCY and it takes WORK!! No one can do it for you.‪#‎toughlove‬

---

I can't make someone LOSE WEIGHT or get in shape. I can't meal plan FOR them...all I can do is be there to provide resources and support to answer questions and MOTIVATION. 

It comes down to how bad you want to lose that weight or get in shape. It's all up to YOU!! 

Sacrafice

SACRIFICE sometimes has a negative connotation. 😞
When sacrifice is not attached to a purpose, it's negative.

But when you are giving up something GOOD for something BETTER, then you have PURPOSE!!
.
I get up early, go to bed late, watch less TV, make time for team calls, and sleep faster in an effort for something BETTER! ‪#‎Arnoldsaystosleepfaster‬ 😝

Coaching takes TIME and the sacrifices I make now are just moving me toward something BETTER. ☺❤

What sacrifices are you making to move you toward your goals?

Don't always think of a sacrifice as negative. What GOOD things can you give up (or move around) so you can have something BETTER?

21 Day Fix Dirty 30

21 Day Fix Dirty 30!!

Thumbs up to a sweaty workout. 

Love the endorphins flowing and shot of dopamine I get each morning after I exercise. 

😊😊

 ‪#‎happypill‬ ‪#‎healthydrug‬

I'm not exercising to lose weight. (I actually haven't lost weight in months) I'm addicted to how GOOD I feel after I get my sweat on.

There are more benefits to exercise than weight loss (that's what good nutrition is for).

Chalene Johnson once said, "I workout everyday because I don't want to go to jail." 

😆😆

Seriously tho! 

When I don't workout, I'm not as kind, patient, or happy.

Exercise allows me to feel mo FOCUSED, ENERGETIC, and CONFIDENT!

Embrace the Journey

Workout done!! Hammer & Chisel ISO Speed Hammer. I swear headbands give me super powers.✨‪#‎nevermissamondayworkout‬

---
Been up since 5am

(This is how I roll if I wanna get things done before the LITTLES wake up) 

Now I'm at the computer with other

rockstar coaches

working our businesses. I Love the community I'm apart of with this Tribe. We are all here on a mission to HELP others and spread the gift of health and fitness that can bless others' lives. Feeling super accomplished on this

COLD Monday! 

 😝

Stay At Home Mom

I'm a stay at home mom.
Needless to say, I don't get out much. 😝

You know how you sometimes crave those adult conversations you don't get with kids under 5??

>>>  That's me. 
Except I get to have those conversations ALL the time now. And I don't have to leave the house!
Mind you...I won't pass up a Girls' Night Out for dinner or ice cream! 😜

Coaching offers an opportunity to CONNECT with other women on a journey to bettering their lives...physically, emotionally, and financially...sharing best practices and motivation. It's all about building relationships in this business.

I wasn't always the person to start convos and reach out to people. Every now and again I get in my own way and don't. BUT it's like strengthening a muscle...the more you do it, the better you get.

Coaching starts with conversations. Anyone can coach! Even YOU! 😉

Fit is Not a Destination

Transformations don't happen over night. ‪#‎truth‬

They happen one workout...one meal...at a time.

I struggled with the yo-yo body BEFORE having children and in between each one....and not having a solid nutrition plan wasn't helping either.

After baby #4 I knew I wanted to try something different....something that would last. I was following a friend who kept posting about her workouts and I finally messaged her to see what she was doing.

That's when I found Team Beachbody. I had done P90X before, but didn't know that there were other programs available. I also knew I wanted something I could do at home.

She introduced me to PiYo and Shakeology and a meal plan that I could follow. I had everything I needed to succeed...now it was up to me to do the WORK!

After 60 days of PiYo, I lost 22 pounds...and felt the best I had in a long time. I was nursing the whole time and still was able to lose the weight and continue nursing little man with no affect on my supply. I continued with 21 Day Fix Extreme, Insanity and P90X3....and kept going...

Why Stop???

Fit is not a destination...it's a journey and my journey continues...so I can feel good (health-wise) and feel good about myself! ‪#‎beachbodyforlife‬‪#‎shakeology365er‬

Post Workout Snack

This was me yesterday morning. 😂
I forgot I had this in my photo stream.
.
I'm one of those moms who sneaks into the kitchen at 6 am to grab a post workout snack...tip toeing so I don't wake anyone up. 😆

Lately, it's been a banana and some almond butter after my workouts. I think they pair nicely. ‪#‎minorcravings‬

Almond Crusted Chicken Fingers

**Almond Crusted Chicken Fingers with Honey Mustard Dipping Sauce**

You have to try out this healthy alternative to chicken fingers. They will be great to make for the Superbowl coming up! Adults and kids will love them!

The best part, THEY ARE HEALTHY! smile emoticon

Total Time: 35 min.
Prep Time: 15 min.
Cooking Time: 20 min.
Yield: 4 servings

Ingredients:
2 Tbsp. raw honey
2 Tbsp. Dijon mustard
2 tsp. rice wine vinegar
Nonstick cooking spray (or olive oil cooking spray)
2 large eggs
2 Tbsp. water
1 lb. raw chicken breast tenders, skinless
1 cup whole wheat Panko bread crumbs (Japanese-style bread crumbs)
½ cup finely chopped sliced almonds
1 dash tsp. sea salt
1 dash tsp. ground black pepper

Preparation:
1. Combine honey, mustard, and vinegar in a small bowl; mix well. Chill.
2. Preheat oven to 425° F.
3. Line baking sheet with foil; lightly coat with spray.
4. Combine eggs and water in a medium shallow bowl; whisk to blend.
5. Soak chicken in egg mixture for 30 minutes, turning once; set aside.
6. Combine bread crumbs, almonds, salt, and pepper in a large resealable plastic bag; shake to combine.
7. Working with a few pieces at a time, lift chicken from egg mixture, letting excess drip back into bowl, and drop into bag containing bread crumb mixture. Seal bag and shake to coat; repeat with remaining chicken.
8.Place chicken on prepared baking sheet. Bake for 18 to 20 minutes, turning after 10 minutes, until no longer pink in the middle and golden brown.
9. Serve with honey mustard dipping sauce.

Cucumber Avocado Roll-ups

**Cucumber Avocado Roll-ups**



These are super easy to make and are ONLY 35 calories per roll.

Perfect for appetizer before dinner, without filling you up! 

OR, great idea for SUPER BOWL Sunday!! 🙌🏼
---
Total Time: 15 min.
Prep Time: 15 min.
Cooking Time: None
Yield: 4 servings, 3 roll-ups each

Ingredients:
1 medium avocado, cut into chunks
¼ cup fresh basil leaves
1 clove garlic, coarsely chopped
2 tsp. fresh lime juice
Sea salt (or Himalayan salt) and ground black pepper (to taste; optional)
2 large cucumbers
Toothpicks
Ground paprika (for garnish; optional)

Preparation:
1. Place avocado, basil, garlic, and lime juice in a food processor (or blender). Season with salt and pepper if desired; pulse until smooth and creamy. Set aside.
2. Use a vegetable peeler to peel off long, thin slices of cucumbers.
3. Spread avocado mixture evenly on each cucumber slice.
4. Pick up one end of the cucumber slice and roll cucumber loosely around the filling. End with the seam on bottom and secure with a toothpick.
5. Garnish with paprika if desired.

Pumpkin Protein Pancakes

**Pumpkin Protein Pancakes**



This is a great option to make for breakfast for your loved one on Valentines Day coming up. It's delicious and a healthy option!

Total Time: 25 min.
Prep Time: 15 min.
Cooking Time: 10 min.
Yield: 2 servings, 3 small pancakes each
Ingredients:
1 cup pumpkin puree
¼ cup unsweetened almond milk
3 large egg whites (⅓ cup)
1 tsp. pure vanilla extract
1 cup quick cooking oats
1 scoop whey protein powder, vanilla flavor
½ tsp. ground cinnamon
½ tsp. ground nutmeg
1 tsp. baking powder
Nonstick cooking spray
2 Tbsp. reduced fat (2%) plain Greek yogurt
Preparation:
1. Combine pumpkin, almond milk, egg whites, and extract a medium bowl; whisk to blend. Set aside.
2. Combine oats, protein powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, and baking powder in a medium bowl; mix well.
3. Add oat mixture to pumpkin mixture; mix until just blended.
4. Heat large nonstick skillet lightly coated with spray over medium heat. Ladle about ¼ cup batter for each pancake; cook for 2 to 3 minutes, or until bubbles form on top. Flip. Cook for 90 seconds, or until golden brown and cooked through.
5. Divide pancakes between two serving plates; top evenly with yogurt.
Tip: Leftover pancakes can be reheated in the toaster.

Ginger Soy Flank Steak

**Ginger Soy Flank Steak**

Here is another recipe that you should try for a romantic and fancy Valentines Day dinner!
Steak always feels like a special occasion, even when you use a simple recipe like this one.
You will impress any loved ones, but still feel great about eating it!

Total Time: 1 hr. 21 min.
Prep Time: 5 min.
Cooking Time: 16 min.
Yield: 6 servings
Ingredients:
2-inch slice fresh ginger, peeled, finely chopped
3 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1 Tbsp. crushed red pepper
2 Tbsp. fresh lime juice
1 Tbsp. raw honey
¼ cup reduced-sodium soy sauce
1 tsp. sesame seed oil
1½ lbs. flank steak (or tenderized round steak)
Preparation:
1. Combine ginger, garlic, red pepper, lime juice, honey, soy sauce, and oil in a small bowl; whisk to blend.
2. Place steak in a shallow dish. Pour ginger mixture over steak; marinate, covered, turning once, for 1 hour in the refrigerator.
3. Preheat grill or broiler on high.
4. Grill or broil steak for 5 to 8 minutes on each side, or until the internal temperature reaches desired temperature on your meat thermometer (rare is 120° F., medium rare is 125° F., medium is 130° F.). Remove from heat; let steak rest, covered with aluminum foil, for 5 to 10 minutes before slicing.
5. Slice steak thinly against the grain.

Roasted Chicken Quarters

**Roasted Chicken Quarters with Potatoes and Tomatoes**



You don't have to sacrifice FLAVOR in order to be HEALTHY.
This dish lets you enjoy what your eating and feel great about it afterwards too! 

Total Time: 1 hr. 15 min.
Prep Time: 20 min.
Cooking Time: 55 min.
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients:
Nonstick cooking spray
4 (6-oz.) raw chicken leg quarters
¼ tsp. sea salt
½ tsp. ground black pepper
2 Tbsp. fresh lime juice
¼ cup low-sodium organic chicken broth
1 medium lime, sliced
6 fresh rosemary sprigs, leaves removed and chopped, stems discarded (reserve 2 whole sprigs)
4 medium Yukon gold potatoes, cut in half lengthwise
15 cherry tomatoes, cut in half
5 kumquats, cut in half (or 1 lemon, sliced)
6 fresh parsley sprigs, chopped
Preparation:
1. Preheat oven to 450° F.
2. Place chicken in large oven-proof roasting pan lightly coated with spray.
3. Season with salt and pepper.
4. Drizzle with lime juice and broth; top with lime slices and chopped rosemary.
5. Bake for 15 minutes.
6. Add potatoes, tomatoes, kumquats (or lemons), parsley, and rosemary sprigs; bake for 30 to 40 minutes, or until chicken is no longer pink in the thickest part, juices run clear, and vegetables are tender.
7. Remove skin before serving.

Blueberry Buckle Granola

**Blueberry Buckle Granola**



Here’s a delicious dessert recipe! It has healthy oats, delicious blueberries, and crunchy almonds.. making a perfect combination!

Try it out for dessert, or maybe even try it for a special breakfast!


Total Time: 25 min.
Prep Time: 5 min.
Cooking Time: 20 min.
Yield: 2 servings, about ½ cup each
Ingredients:
¾ cup steel-cut oats
1/3 cup fresh blueberries
2 Tbsp. slivered raw almonds
½ tsp. ground cinnamon
1 Tbsp. water
2 tsp. pure maple syrup
1 tsp. coconut oil, melted
1 tsp. vanilla extract
Preparation:
1. Preheat oven to 350° F.
2. Combine all ingredients in a glass baking dish.
3. Bake for 20 minutes, stirring twice during baking.

Spinach and Cheese Stuffed Mushrooms

**Spinach and Cheese Stuffed Mushrooms**



These may not look like it, but they are 100 percent good for you!

Try these flavorful stuffed mushrooms for a dinner one night, or even as an appetizer...

Because they are ONLY 25 calories each!

Total Time: 47 min.
Prep Time: 15 min.
Cooking Time: 32 min.
Yield: 12 servings, 2 mushrooms each
Ingredients:
2 tsp. olive oil
24 large mushrooms, cleaned, stems removed and finely chopped
½ medium onion, finely chopped
3 cups raw baby spinach
4 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1 dash crushed red pepper
½ tsp. finely chopped fresh rosemary
Sea salt (or Himalayan salt) and ground black pepper (to taste; optional)
½ cup part-skim ricotta cheese
½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
Preparation:
1. Preheat oven to 350° F.
2. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
3. Add mushroom stems, onion, and spinach; cook, stirring frequently, for 5 to 6 minutes until tender.
4. Add garlic, red pepper, and rosemary. Season with salt and pepper (if desired); cook, stirring frequently, for 1 minute.
5. Add ricotta cheese; mix well.
6. Evenly fill mushrooms with spinach mixture.
7. Place mushrooms on a large baking sheet. Evenly top with mozzarella cheese. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until bubbly.

Raspberry Banana Ice Cream

**Raspberry Banana Ice Cream**



Vibrant, fruity ice cream – This super-simple recipe has only 3 ingredients and takes less than 10 minutes to make.

Cashews are the secret to making it so creamy and delicious. 

Such a fun way to brighten up these winter days!

Total Time: 5 hrs. 10 min.
Prep Time: 10 min.
Cooking Time: None
Yield: 2 servings
Ingredients:
2 medium bananas, cut into chunks
½ cup whole raw cashews
1 cup hot water
3 cups fresh (or unsweetened frozen) raspberries
Water (optional)
Preparation:
1. Place banana in plastic bag; freeze for 4 hours, or until completely frozen.
2. Place cashews in a medium bowl. Cover with water. Let stand for 30 minutes; drain.
3. Place drained cashews, frozen banana, and raspberries in blender; cover. Blend until smooth. Add water, 2 Tbsp. at a time, if needed for consistency.
4. Pour into a freezer-safe container; freeze until set.

Chicken and Black Bean Burrito Bowl

**Chicken and Black Bean Burrito Bowl**



Make your own Mexican-inspired chicken burrito bowl for dinner tonight!

With fresh salsa, a squeeze of lime, and creamy Greek yogurt on top of crisp romaine lettuce, no other dressing is needed. 

Total Time: 20 min.
Prep Time: 20 min.
Cooking Time: None
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients:
2 cups cooked brown rice, warm
1 Tbsp. fresh lime juice
2 Tbsp. finely chopped fresh cilantro
3 cups chopped romaine lettuce
1 cup cooked black beans, warm
1½ cups shredded cooked chicken breast, warm
½ cup shredded Monterey jack cheese
1 cup fresh tomato salsa
½ medium avocado, sliced
4 Tbsp. low-fat plain yogurt
Preparation:
1. Combine rice, lime juice, and cilantro in a medium bowl; mix well.
2. Evenly divide lettuce between 4 serving bowls.
3. Top evenly with rice mixture, beans, chicken, cheese, salsa, and avocado.
4. Top each bowl with 1 Tbsp. of yogurt; serve immediately.

Mint and Avocado Green Smoothie

**Mint and Avocado Green Smoothie**



It’s thick, rich, and is sure to fill you up in the morning or get you through an afternoon energy lull. A scoop of creamy Vanilla Shakeology! and a handful of green spinach make it a super healthy snack you’ll want to add to your routine.

Total Time: 10 min.
Prep Time: 10 min.
Cooking Time: None
Yield: 1 serving
Ingredients:
1 cup almond milk
1 scoop Vanilla Shakeology
½ cup raw spinach
¼ medium ripe avocado
2 Tbsp. fresh mint leaves
1 cup ice
Preparation:
1. Place almond milk, Shakeology, spinach, avocado, mint, and ice in blender; cover. Blend until smooth.

Mediterranean Turkey Burgers

**Mediterranean Turkey Burgers**



Topped with crunchy veggies and a yogurt sauce, these high-protein turkey burger patties will FILL YOU UP on good stuff without weighing you down!

Total Time: 30 min.
Prep Time: 20 min.
Cooking Time: 10 min.
Yield: 6 servings
Ingredients:
¾ cup reduced-fat (2%) Greek yogurt
2 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice
2 cloves garlic, finely chopped, divided use
¼ tsp. dried dill weed
1½ lbs. 93% lean ground turkey
1 medium red onion, thinly slice half, finely chop half, divided use
¼ cup finely chopped sun-dried tomatoes
2 oz. frozen spinach, thawed, squeeze out liquid using a kitchen towel, chopped
6 Tbsp. crumbled feta cheese
1 tsp. dried oregano
½ cup whole grain bread crumbs
1 large egg
Sea salt and ground black pepper (to taste; optional)
1 cooked medium beet, sliced thin
¼ medium cucumber, sliced thin
Preparation:
1. To make yogurt sauce, combine yogurt, lemon juice, 1 clove garlic, and dill in a small bowl; mix well. Refrigerate, covered, until needed.
2. Preheat grill or broiler to high.
3. Combine turkey, chopped onion, sun-dried tomatoes, spinach, cheese, remaining 1 clove garlic, oregano, bread crumbs, and egg in a medium bowl. Season with salt and pepper if desired; mix well with clean hands. Form turkey mixture evenly into six patties.
4. Grill or broil patties for about 5 minutes on each side, or until no longer pink in the middle.
5. Serve patties topped evenly with yogurt sauce, onion slices, beet, and cucumber.

Slow Cooked Steel-Cut Oats with Apples and Cinnamon

**Slow Cooked Steel-Cut Oats with Apples and Cinnamon**


For this breakfast oatmeal, add the ingredients to a slow cooker before you go to sleep and it’ll be ready to enjoy when you wake up. And the best part is it only costs about 45¢ per serving! 

Prep Time: 10 min.
Cooking Time: 7 hrs.
Yield: 10 servings, about 1 cup each
Ingredients:
Nonstick cooking spray
1½ cups water
1½ cups unsweetened almond milk
3 cups steel-cut oats
2 medium apples, chopped
¼ tsp. sea salt (or Himalayan salt)
1 tsp. ground cinnamon
2 Tbsp. pure maple syrup
2 Tbsp. ground flax seed
Preparation:
1. Lightly coat inside of slow cooker with spray.
2. Add water, almond milk, oats, apples, salt, cinnamon, maple syrup, and flax seed; mix well. Cook for 5 to 7 hours on low (or 2 to 3 hours on high), or until edges are brown but not burned.
Tips: Times can vary. In order to make sure oatmeal doesn’t burn, test it out the first time during the day to see how long it takes the oatmeal to cook in your slow cooker. Leftover oatmeal can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 4 days, or frozen in individual portions.

Turkey Chili

**Turkey Chili**




At only $3 a serving… It’s is a great meal to make ahead and freeze for a quick, high-protein lunch or dinner when you’re too busy to cook. 

Total Time: 35 min.
Prep Time: 10 min.
Cooking Time: 25 min.
Yield: 6 servings, about 1½ cups each
Ingredients:
1 tsp. olive oil
1 large onion, chopped
1 medium red bell pepper, chopped
1 medium yellow (or orange) bell pepper, chopped
1 lb. raw 93% lean ground turkey
1 (28-oz.) can chopped tomatoes
2 cans (15-oz. each) kidney beans, rinsed, drained
1 tsp. chili powder
½ tsp. sea salt
Crushed red peppers (to taste; optional)
12 Italian parsley sprigs, chopped
Preparation:
1. Heat oil in a large saucepan over medium-high heat.
2. Add onion and bell peppers; cook, stirring frequently, for 4 to 5 minutes, or until onion is soft.
3. Add turkey; cook for 4 to 5 minutes, or until turkey is browned
4. Add tomatoes, beans, chili powder, salt, and red peppers; cook, stirring frequently, for 10 to 15 minutes.
5. Divide chili into 6 serving bowls and garnish with parsley if desired.

Chocolate Almond Spice Shakeology

**Chocolate Almond Spice Shakeology**




Make this Shake for breakfast, a snack, or even dessert! Its a great way to drink your Shakeology but to change it up! 

Total Time: 10 min.
Prep Time: 10 min.
Cooking Time: None
Yield: 1 serving

Ingredients:
1 cup water
1 scoop Chocolate Vegan Shakeology
1 tsp. all-natural almond butter
1 tsp. pure maple syrup
½ tsp. ground cinnamon
1 cup ice

Preparation:
1. Place water, Shakeology, almond butter, maple syrup, cinnamon, and ice in blender; cover. Blend until smooth.

Vegetarian Pizza Salad

**Vegetarian Pizza Salad**

This is a fun dinner that you can make for yourself while the kids eat pizza, that won't leave you feeling left out!

Total Time: 15 min.
Prep Time: 15 min.
Cooking Time: None
Yield: 1 serving

Ingredients:
1 tsp. olive oil
1 Tbsp. red wine vinegar
1 Tbsp. tomato sauce, no sugar added
½ tsp. dried oregano
Sea salt (or Himalayan salt) and ground black pepper (to taste; optional)
1 cup fresh arugula
1 cup romaine lettuce
10 fresh basil leaves, torn into pieces
½ cup halved cherry tomatoes
¼ medium green bell pepper, sliced
¼ medium onion, sliced
¼ cup sliced mushrooms
5 black olives, sliced
2 bocconcini (small mozzarella balls) (about 1 oz.)
1 pinch crushed red pepper (optional)

Preparation:
1. To make dressing, combine oil, vinegar, tomato sauce, and oregano in a small bowl; whisk to blend. Season with salt and pepper if desired. Set aside.
2. Combine arugula, romaine, basil, tomatoes, bell pepper, onion, mushrooms, and dressing in a large serving bowl; toss gently to blend.
3. Top with bocconcini and crushed red pepper (if desired); serve immediately.
 

Spinach Muffins

**Spinach Muffins**




Make these GREEN muffins for St. Patricks Day!!
The kids will love them, and maybe won't even know they are made from spinach!! wink emoticon

Total Time: 40 min.
Prep Time: 15 min.
Cooking Time: 25 min.
Yield: 12 servings, 1 muffin each

Ingredients:
Nonstick cooking spray (optional)
2 cups whole wheat flour
2 tsp. baking powder
½ tsp. baking soda
½ tsp. fine sea salt (or Himalayan salt)
1 large egg
¾ cup pure maple syrup
¾ cup unsweetened almond milk
¼ cup extra-virgin organic coconut oil, melted
2 tsp. vanilla extract
1 (6-oz.) bag fresh spinach
½ cup unsweetened applesauce (or 2 medium ripe bananas, mashed)

Preparation:
1. Preheat oven to 350° F.
2. Prepare 12 muffin cups by lining with muffin papers or lightly coating with spray.
3. Combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a large bowl; mix well. Set aside.
4. Place egg, maple syrup, almond milk, oil, extract, and spinach in blender (or food processor); cover. Blend until smooth. Add to flour mixture; mix until just blended.
5. Gently fold in applesauce.
6. Evenly divide batter among prepared muffin cups.
7. Bake 20 to 25 minutes, or until tester inserted into the center comes out clean.
8. Transfer muffins to rack; cool.

Avocado Egg Salad Toast

**Avocado Egg Salad Toast**





You know what makes a great substitution for mayo?! 
>>> Mashed avocado. 
It provides the same creamy texture, with a healthy dose of monounsaturated fat (that’s the good kind) and gives you another twist on avocado toast. 

Total Time: 10 min.
Prep Time: 10 min.
Cooking Time: None
Yield: 4 servings

Ingredients:
8 large hard-boiled eggs, coarsely chopped
1 ripe medium avocado, slightly mashed
2 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice
½ tsp. sea salt (or Himalayan salt)
4 slices low-sodium sprouted whole-grain bread, toasted
1 cup watercress

Preparation:
1. Combine eggs, avocado, lemon juice, and salt in a medium bowl; mix well.
2. Spread ¼ of egg mixture onto each slice of toast.
3. Top evenly with watercress.

Banana Mousse

**Banana Mousse**

This quick banana mousse makes a delicious dessert or snack any day! You can dress it up however you want- with mint, berries, or even a sprinkling of orange zest.

Total Time: 55 min.
Prep Time: 10 min.
Cooking Time: None
Yield: 4 servings

Ingredients:
2 Tbsp. reduced-fat (2%) milk
1 Tbsp. raw honey
1 tsp. pure vanilla extract
1¼ medium bananas, sliced, reserve 8 slices for garnish
1 cup reduced-fat (2%) plain yogurt
4 fresh mint leaves (for garnish; optional)

Preparation:
1. Place milk, honey, extract, and bananas in blender; cover. Blend until smooth.
2. Place milk mixture in a medium bowl. Fold in yogurt; mix well. Cover.
3. Chill in the refrigerator, covered, for at least 45 minutes.
4. Portion mousse into four small serving bowls. Garnish each with two banana slices and one mint leaf.

Bacon Cheesburger Meatloaf

A few years ago, I learned about this delicious dish from one Paula Deen (ya, I may or may not have spent hours watching Food Network in the past).

As I consider the recipe for dinner tonight, I have two options...

Make it as is, and just practice portion control...

Eliminate a few ingredients to avoid the excess of unhealthy calories...

And the verdict is...

Make it as is and I will put less cheese and bacon in it.
And I will practice portion control.

Okay, okay...I will TRY to practice portion control.

(Although this is the most moist meatloaf recipe I've ever come across, I do not condone eating bacon-cheeseburger-anything very often)

Happy Thursday my meatloaf-eating friends!



Ingredients:

1 pound ground chuck
10 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
1 (8-ounce) package sharp Cheddar, grated 
2 large eggs, lightly beaten
1/4 cup break crumbs, toasted
1/4 cup mayonnaise
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/3 cup ketchup
2 tablespoons prepared mustard
1 (3-ounce) can French fried onions

Directions:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

In a large bowl, combine the ground chuck and next 8 ingredients, mixing well.

• In a small bowl, combine the ketchup and mustard. Stir 1/4 cup ketchup mixture into meat mixture, reserving remaining ketchup mixture.
• Press meat mixture into a 9 by 5 by 3-inch loaf pan, or shape into a loaf and place on a rack in a broiler pan. Spread remaining ketchup mixture over loaf. Bake 40 minutes. Top with French fried onions; bake another 10 to 15 minutes, or until meat is no longer pink.

Love Yourself

It's Friday! 

❤❤

Don't forget to LOVE on yourself and take care of YOU! It's not selfish, it's SMART.

And it's necessary so you can have the strength and energy to take care of others. 

....

Busy weekend filled with boys' parties and a personal development seminar...and a hot date tonight. 

😍😍

But first, we SWEAT!!  Hammer and Chisel: ISO Speed Hammer. Middle of week 7 and lovin it! ‪#‎Friday‬ ‪#‎fitmomof4

‬