Cauliflower Popcorn!

So easy, yummy, and guilt free!!

3 Easy Steps!

1. Cut cauliflower into small pieces.

2. Lay cauliflower on lined baking sheet.  Spray with olive oil and sprinkle with salt, pepper, and turmeric.

3. Bake @ 425 degrees for 20-25 min. or until browning!

Enjoy!

100 Reasons to workout today

Sooooo, I'm a trainer. (thanks Captain Obvious)  One of the most common phrases I hear is "Oh man, it is so awesome you get paid to workout!" I do love my job, and I sooooo agree with that statement.  However, I am human, and some days are harder than others.  Sometimes, I just wanna plop on the couch with a tub of ice cream and call it a day.  If you can relate with me on this, here are just a few, well if 100 is a few, reasons to get our butts up!!!   Maybe you might even consider making a list of your own....

1. Because it makes you feel confident
2. Because it helps you get stronger
3. Because exercise helps combat depression
4. Because you'll feel proud of yourself
5. Because you have goals you want to reach
6. Because you'll feel bad if you don't
7. Because you want to move forward, not backward
8. Because it burns more calories than not working out
9. Because it improves your heart health
10. Because you want a great butt
11. Because it prevents diabetes
12. Because you want to be a good example to your kids
13. Because you want to feel good in your clothes
14. Because it reduces your risk of cancer
15. Because your body was made to move
16. Because you want to be an athlete
17. Because you want to look better
18. Because it lifts your mood
19. Because you want to stand taller
20. Because it reduces back pain
21. Because it feels good
22. Because it makes you feel accomplished
23. Because you spend most of your day on your butt
24. Because swimsuit season is always coming
25. Because strong is the new skinny
26. Because dieting only works so much
27. Because it strengthens your bones, too
28. Because it helps you lose weight
29. Because it allows you to eat more food
30. Because it's the best way to spend "me" time
31. Because it helps you de-stress
32. Because it's cheaper than therapy
33. Because you want a strong core
34. Because you want to take care for yourself
35. Because you take pride in your body
36. Because it strengthens your legs
37. Because it helps your clothes fit better
38. Because you want to push yourself
39. Because you are capable of more than you ever imagined
40. Because moving your body feels good
41. Because it keeps your mind sharp
42. Because it helps you beat belly bloat
43. Because it helps you sleep better at night
44. Because it gives you energy
45. Because you want to stay healthy as you age
46. Because you want to look younger
47. Because you want toned arms
48. Because it improves your balance
49. Because it burns off last night's dessert
50. Because it boosts your immune system
51. Because sweat is sexy
52. Because you want to live longer
53. Because you want to get better at your game
54. Because you want to catch someone's eye
55. Because exercisers earn more money
56. Because you're more likely to eat better when you exercise
57. Because you want to shave time off your running pace
58. Because you want to breathe easier
59. Because you want to see the scale drop
60. Because exercise improves your sex life
61. Because you are worth it
62. Because being fit makes everything in life better
63. Because you promised yourself that you would
64. Because you deserve a better life
65. Because it'll help you drink more water
66. Because you want to do real push-ups
67. Because it reduces your health care costs
68. Because you'll miss fewer days of work
69. Because you want to create a new future for yourself
70. Because it'll help you like what you see in the mirror
71. Because it makes clothing shopping more fun
72. Because you want to look and feel incredible
73. Because exercising can be fun
74. Because it'll give your skin a glow
75. Because it's a good way to spend time with your friends
76. Because it'll help you prevent the middle-age spread
77. Because it reduces your blood pressure
78. Because you don't want to let yourself go
79. Because you don't want to squeeze into an airplane or rollercoaster seat
80. Because it strengthens your spirit
81. Because it's a cheap way to entertain yourself
82. Because you'll be able to reward yourself
83. Because you need a reason to wear those new workout clothes
84. Because you're tired of being tired
85. Because not working out is not going to get you very far
86. Because it's a great way to spend time outside
87. Because you made a commitment to yourself
88. Because you're tired of starting over
89. Because there will always be another wedding, vacation or reunion
90. Because you're not a quitter
91. Because it improves your cholesterol
92. Because it boosts your metabolism
93. Because it prevents age-related muscle loss
94. Because if you can do this, you can do anything
95. Because a fit body is a healthy body
96. Because it beats sitting on the couch
97. Because  everyone has at least 10 minutes to spare
98. Because you want to be stronger than your excuses
99. Because not working out isn't working out for you
100. Because the only workout you ever regret is the one you skip

List provided by: dailyspark.com

Now let's get crackin!! :)

My New Favorite Snack!!!

So, the other day, my client's 2 year old little boy very sweetly gave me some of his snack.  How could a girl resist such a generous little man?! So, I tried it and loooooved it.  Come to find out, it's dried apples from Costco annnnnd, no additives at all! Just plain baked and dried apples.  I'm addicted.  They are so great for the snacker in you!  You can even dip them in peanut butter to get your pairing of protein! You gotta try 'em!

Check it out!..

 Now, if my enthusiasm didn't sway you, check out some benefits from eating apples...

http://www.healthdiaries.com/eatthis/10-health-benefits-of-apples.html


As someone once said "An apple a day keeps the doctor away!"

Skillet Burritos!!!

Yum yum yummy!!!

   Feeling like Mexican food tonight? Here is a quick, low- calorie way to have a crazy good burrito at home!!  Watching the carbs? Try the salad version!

Ingredients

Sauce:
1 cup reduced-fat sour cream
1/4 cup chopped cilantro
1 jalapeno finely diced (adjust according to preference of heat)
1/2 diced yellow onion
2 tsp. dijon mustard
1 tsp. grated lime peel

Burrito:
1 lb. lean taco seasoned ground turkey ( you can find it right next to the plain ground turkey), cooked
1 can black beans, rinsed and drained
1 can mexicorn, drained
1 cup shredded mexican-blend cheese
shredded lettuce (only if making salads)
8 whole wheat tortillas
cooking spray ( I used my olive oil sprayer)
salsa if desired
avocado if desired


1. In a small bowl combine all of the sauce ingredients.  In a separate bowl, combine the turkey, beans corn, and 1/2 of the sauce mixture. Spoon 1/2 cup turkey mixture onto the tortillas and sprinkle with cheese.  Fold sides in, and roll up.
2. Spray large skillet with cooking spray. Press burrito down a bit to flatten, and cook over medium heat on both sides just until they turn that yummy brown.  Serve the remaining cream mixture and salsa on the side.

If making salads instead, layer all ingredients over shredded lettuce and enjoy!

Thai Turkey Lettuce Wraps

Talk about a guilt-free, fantastic meal! I couldn't believe how good this was! Packed with protein and light on the carbs!  Try it out!



Thai Turkey Lettuce Cups
1/3 cup fresh lime juice (from about 5 limes)-- (more like 2 limes)
3 Tbsp fresh lemon juice (from about 1 large lemon)
2 Tbsp Thai fish sauce
2 Tbsp honey
3 Tbsp canola oil ( i used olive oil)
1/2 red onion, diced
3 small shallots, thinly sliced
1 piece lemongrass (4 inches long), minced (about 1/4 cup) ( I couldnt find this so I just added a little more lemon juice)
1 Thai or Serrano chili, stemmed and thinly sliced
1 lb 99% fat-free ground turkey
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
1/2 cup chopped fresh mint leaves
1 head butter lettuce, leaves separated (i used iceberg)

1. In a bowl, whisk lime juice, lemon juice, fish sauce, and honey.

2. In a large skillet, heat oil over medium heat. Add onion, shallots, lemongrass, and chili. Cook until vegetables begin to soften, about 5 minutes.

3. Add turkey. Season with salt. Cook, stirring frequently, until meat and vegetables are cooked through, about 5 minutes.

4. Add the dressing to the pan and cook for 2 minutes. Remove from heat. Add mint. Season with salt and pepper.

5. Spoon turkey mix onto lettuce leaves.

MAKES 4 SERVINGS. Per serving: 310 cal, 12 g fat (1 g sat), 26 g carbs, 800 mg sodium, 1 g fiber, 32 g protein

Recipe from: http://www.womenshealthmag.com/nutrition/giada-de-laurentiis-easy-recipes

Crockpot #1

        Soooo, as some of you know, Adam is in the fire academy for Oxnard Fire Department right now. (yay!). It is one grueling process, and the least I feel like I can do is get him a hot meal for dinner every night.  Buuuut, my schedule doesn't exactly allow me to be Susie Homemaker everyday. So, my solution is the fantastic little tool called the crockpot!  I have been making something different every night, so I thought I'd share some of these super easy recipes with you!


   I've been making 3 meals/week.  It's enough for dinner and lunch the next day  ( for both of us).  I prep everything on Sunday night and then all you have to do is throw it all together! (although some require just a tiny bit of cooking)


So here is the recipe for the meal I made last night....sooooo good!

From kaylynskitchen.com

CrockPot Recipe for Sweet and Spicy Ground Turkey and Sweet Potato Stew with Coconut Milk

Makes 4-6 servings; recipe inspired bySweet and Spicy Asian Pork Shoulderfrom Real Simple Magazine.

Ingredients:
1 - 1 1/4 lbs. ground turkey (I used extra lean)
2 tsp. + 1 tsp. olive oil (spray the pan instead!!)
1 onion, chopped in pieces about 1/2 inch
2 large sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into pieces about 1 inch
1/2 cup low-sodium soy sauce
1/2 cup chicken stock
1/3 cup sugar
2 T brown sugar 
2-3 T Chili Garlic Sauce (I used Siracha and it was perfect!)
2 tsp. minced ginger 
2 tsp. minced garlic
1 can light coconut milk
1/2 cup green onions sliced in 1 inch pieces + more thinly sliced green onion for garnish if desired
cooked white or brown rice for serving, (I made lettuce wraps with it to save on carbs!)

Instructions:

Heat 2 tsp. olive oil( spray pan!) in a heavy frying pan and brown the ground turkey, breaking it up with the turner as it cooks.  This may take 7-8 minutes but don't rush the browning step.  Put browned meat into the CrockPot.  Saute the onions until they are soft and lightly browned, about 4-5 minutes.  Add onions to the CrockPot.  Peel the sweet potatoes and cut into pieces about 1 inch square.  Add sweet potatoes to the CrockPot.

Mix together the soy sauce, chicken stock, sugar, brown sugar, Chili Garlic Sauce, minced ginger, and minced garlic and pour over ingredients in the CrockPot.  Cook on high for 2 1/2 to 3 hours, or until the sweet potatoes are done and starting to fall apart just a little.  (I stirred it a couple of times, but it's not essential.)

When the sweet potatoes are done, add the can of light coconut milk and the green onion pieces, turn heat to low, and cook 30 minutes more.  Serve hot, with brown or white rice and garnished with thinly sliced green onions (or make lettuce wraps!)

16 Detoxing Cleanse Foods

Indulge and then Cleanse!

   It's holiday season!!!......and one of the wonderful things about this time of year is all of the amazing food!! Though all of it is scrumptious and fantastic for our soul, it may not be so good for our bodies.  The last thing we want is to feel weighed down and heavy from all of our indulging.

   One way to help you stay feeling fantastic is by picking some specific foods that have properties to help "cleanse" the body.  I am not a fan or advocate of  cleanses like the cabbage soup cleanse, or the lemon and cayenne cleanse.  It is never a good idea to sacrifice your metabolism for weight loss. However, adding in some nutritious foods into your meals can have some great health benefits!

  I found a great article on Women's Health that will give you a few ideas for what to incorporate......

http://blog.womenshealthmag.com/whexperts/16-detoxing-cleanse-foods/


Here are a couple meal/snack ideas to help as well:


- chips and guacamole
- yogurt and granola
- grilled artichoke with a garlic aioli
- beet salad
- stir fry!
-potato salad with fresh dill
-veggie juice with wheatgrass, carrots, and apples




Get to cleansing! :)