Tuesday, December 17, 2013

Hide Your Veggies!

I don't have an issue getting vegetables into my diet, but the rest of my family does. So I thought I'd try to secretly add some to a great dish....it worked! Nobody knows the difference (I never divulged), it had great flavor, and the fam gobbled it up! 



I love spaghetti and I used the rotini vegetable noodles (carrot, spinach, tomato) where one serving of noodles is a serving of of vegetables. Plus it's higher in protein than regular durum wheat noodles. These don't taste any different. 



Vegetable Rotini

Ingredients
15 oz stewed tomatoes
15 oz tomato sauce 
½ lb grass fed beef
1 tsp garlic salt
1 tbsp worchtershire sauce
½ tbsp brown sugar
1 tsp Italian seasoning
½ tsp oregano (or couple drops of oregano essential oil)
2 tbsp Parmesan cheese
¼ cup finely grated carrot
¼ cup finely chopped onion 
¼ cup finely chopped/minced spinach (optional)
Italian cheese blend or mozzarella 
Rotini noodles (vegetable)

Directions
1. Put all ingredients in medium sauce pan. 
2. Stir occasionally and simmer low for at least 30+ minutes. 
3. Boil water and cook rotini. 
4. Serve with breadsticks and salad.  


Sunday, December 8, 2013

Berry Pie


Finding a healthy dessert that satisfies can be difficult. Also, how many people are excited about a healthy looking dessert (besides me)? Well, I found a delicious and still healthy dessert worth making many times over! It's quick and easy as well....bonus! 

This pie has a simple, homemade crust, easy filling that contains several types of berries (you can use fresh or frozen), topped with a homemade whipped cream. 


Berry Pie 


Pie crust
1 ⅓ cup flour
½ cup butter
½ tsp salt 
3 tbs water
Wax paper
Rolling pin

Directions:
1. Cut butter into flour and salt (in bowl). 2. Use a fork or I like using my fingers to blend the butter. 
3. Slowly add water and mold into a ball. 
4. Put the ball in between 2 pieces of wax paper. 
5. Put a couple drops of water under the wax paper so it sticks on the counter for rolling. 
6. Roll the ball (between wax paper) to the size needed for your pie pan. Leave extra over the top for baking because it shrinks a little. 
7. Remove wax paper on the top, flip and put in pie pan. Remove other wax paper. So easy! 

Continue with the filling! 



Filling 
¾ cup sugar
¼ cup cornstarch
2 cups halved strawberries
1 ½ cups raspberries
1 cup blackberries
1 cup blueberries
1 tbsp lemon juice

Directions: 
  1.  Trim pastry to 1/2 in. beyond edge of plate; flute edges. Line unpricked pastry with a double thickness of heavy-duty foil. Bake at 450° for 8 minutes. Remove foil; bake 5-7 minutes longer or until golden brown. Cool on a wire rack.
  2. Meanwhile, in a large saucepan, combine sugar and cornstarch. Stir in berries and lemon juice. Cook, stirring occasionally, over medium heat until mixture just comes to a boil (watch closely); pour into prepared crust. Cool completely on a wire rack. 





Whipped Topping
Heavy cream
1 ½ tbsp sugar
1 tsp vanilla 

Directions: 
1. Put bowl and beaters in freezer 10-15 minutes 
2. Put heavy cream, sugar, vanilla in chilled bowl and beat high till stiff like cool whip. About 5 minutes. 
3. Top the pie. Homemade whipped cream is delicious! 




Yield: 8 servings

Seriously, enjoy this dessert. It's tasty! 


Thursday, November 21, 2013

Postpartum 13 Months


Hannah turned one last month. After her birthday she stopped breast feeding altogether. A year long journey (view Week 1 postpartum) of nursing has come to an end, and I'm ok with that. The exciting part is my hormones have been balancing out more and more since being done with nursing. It's amazing how our bodies work. To all the moms who struggle with fluctuations and mood swings....it gets BETTER. It's hard to realize that when you're in the midst of it all. You feel like you have become this new person and it won't change, but it does. Praise God! 

End of Pregnancy....October 2012


13 Months Postpartum...November 2013


Since nursing ended, I a have dropped a couple pounds. Woot. I knew my body was holding onto weight to keep feeding my little one adequately. It's amazing how much my appetite has slowed down as well. Finally going back to some normalcy. 

*Couple weeks ago*

*Current*


My current weight is 124. It feels good to fit into jeans more comfortably. I am not done yet and am loving the changes my body is making. This is about "endurance" and not a quick fix. I continue to learn and sit in the presence of my Creator. To enjoy each spot I am in, physically and beyond. There is so much I have to learn and I am thankful that The Lord gives me time, grace, and vision. 


I am learning to teach my girls by "doing" and not just "talking." I want to show them my fit journey. That I have failings, successes, and goals. To let them know that it's about balance and that it is FUN. Abby was playing the other day and having her dolls "workout." That brings me so much joy because she sees mommy do it in a healthy way and hopefully God-honoring way. 





I am learning to live a life of sacrifice, to be the Hands and Feet of Jesus. This is all for His glory, how can I get in on it?! I believe He has given me this incredible passion for fitness and nutrition and I am trying to give my time, knowledge, failings, advice, and myself over to God so He can use it for other people. There is redemptive work to be done in all our lives. I feel like each area I surrender over, the closer I get to tasting a bit more of His goodness. 


It's NOT easy, I know. I work hard and I make it a priority. But it's worth it. It really is. It builds character, it can make you cry, it makes you feel vulnerable, it shows you how far you have to go, it gets you out of breath, and it makes you feel weak. But after every workout I feel refreshed, renewed, re-energized, ready to praise God, and I see how exercise breaks down walls that gives Him access to more of me. Why? Because all those things I listed are just opportunities for God's strength and grace to come along side and grow me. It is SPIRITUAL FORMATION.


WIll you surrender? Will you let the Creator do a work in you that you cannot do on your own? I pray for His power in your life. I am cheering you on and I know you can do it because of His help! Where are you at? How can I pray for you and cheer you on? I love hearing from you!

Monday, November 4, 2013

Taquitos

Growing up, my mom used to buy the boxes of taquitos...mmm. Well since I've done away with processed food, I obviously don't buy them. Lately I have found recipes pinned on Pinterest for taquitos. Woo! So I thought I would try it. Hello yum! These taste pretty much the same but maybe better. And they're made with all real ingredients. Yes. You can make different versions, which I will try later, but I went simple because of my hubby and what I had on hand.

FIRST make tortillas



Chicken Taquitos



Chicken Filling
1 ½ chicken breasts
chili powder
garlic salt
onion powder
pepper
cream cheese (about ¼ package or 2-3 oz)
½ block (4oz) cheddar cheese
2 tbsp salsa (I used a fresh salsa)

Directions:
1. Put raw chicken in a pan with water covering the bottom. Heat till boiling for about 5 minutes.
2. Simmer chicken in water at least 10 minutes.
3. Drain water and shred chicken with 2 forks.
4. Generously sprinkle seasonings over chicken and mix together. 
5. Shred cheese in a bowl, put in cream cheese, salsa, and warm chicken. Mix thoroughly.
6. Put on tortillas and roll-up (This is enough for 8-10 taquitos and the tortilla recipe makes 10). 
7. Spray 9x13 pan and place tortillas in it. 
8. Lightly brush olive oil on top of rolled tortillas and sprinkle garlic salt. 
9. Bake at 415 degrees about 15-20 minutes or until edges get crispy. 


You are welcome to try adding jalapeno, onions or spinach in yours. The salsa helps add a couple. These had wonderful flavor and were a big hit. I hope you enjoy them too!

Wednesday, October 16, 2013

Postpartum 1 Year

Hannah is turning one! So I need to update my progress...but first pictures of this cutie :)

Newborn


3 Months


6 Months


9 Months


One Year 



Now on to my progress of getting "down to size." I definitely am continuing to make progress. Reminding myself that this is a journey, not a destination is daily on my mind. You know what? I am ok with that...most of the time, until my pants feel too tight some days! But really, I am content with each day and know that I am giving it to God. He doesn't let me down, no matter what. 

Current Weight... 126. 


Remember these pants?!!!



This is the shirt I originally couldn't button but now have plenty of room to move around in. 



So here's a snapshop of losing the baby belly. Week 1 top left, Week 4 top right, 6 months lower left, 1 Year lower right (I would have written on the pictures but the app was not allowing me to).


I just want to say that my intent on posting all of this is not to just give myself praise. I hope this inspires you to believe that things are possible...anything is possible, with God. I continue to learn from Him. Exercise and eating is a JOURNEY. Do I have it right all the time? No. Definitely not. But I am learning that His grace covers, even when it comes to fitness and nutrition. 

How is God speaking to you in these areas? What temptations do you need to give to Him? The temptation of putting food on a pedestal or the temptation of exercising too much and focusing on the nice body you might have? God wants to break in to each moment of the day. He wants to break in when you want to eat half of that pizza and wash it down with a beer, followed by icecream and cookies. He wants to break in when you are so consumed with losing weight that you press play on your DVD player for another hour of a workout video, when you need to stop. 

It starts and doesn't end with giving all these days and moments to the God of the universe. You know what? He will be the strength you need. He will remind you of who He IS and that He doesn't change. He will work in you what you can't do on your own. Will you lean into Him? He loves you and can't wait to take on your burdens! 

I'd love to hear how you're doing in your journey and I will continue updating. I still have a few pounds to lose and I am ok with that. So how are you doing? :) 

Tuesday, October 15, 2013

Ball Workout #1

Did you know that a stability ball can do more for your workouts than just sitting on it to do crunches? Well get excited and take it out of your closet because there is almost an unlimited amount of exercises you can do with it! But first I want to share just 3 benefits of using a ball instead of no equipment.

#1 A ball is unstable which is a good thing because it works your balance
#2 Since it works your balance you are actually engaging more neurons and muscle fiber which means more calaories burned
#3 Lifting, lunging and twisting with a ball causes an increased heart rate, more blood circulation, and exhausts muscles sooner...which means a harder and more effective workout!

Warm-up: Get the blood flowing for 3-5 minutes with squats, jogging in place, jumprope, briskwalking, very light weights. You can even squat with your ball if you'd like. Light stretching as well. 



Lunge with ball rotation. Keep your knee over the ankle. 10-15 each leg.


The "wheel." Bring the ball to the shoulder and lift over head to the other shoulder. Keep your tummy tucked and abs sucked in tight so you work your stomach **This is important* Do 10.



One leg balance. Have one hand out to the side for balance or put both hands on the ball to make it more difficult. Keep one leg lifted, roll ball out and bring it back in. Do 8 each leg. 


Push-ups! The farther you roll out, the more difficult. So a great way to improve your strength is starting with the ball on your stomach and rolling out closer to your feet. Do as many as possible.



Modified pike. Get in your plank position and bring the legs in to your stomach. Do 8-10.

Side crunch. Pretty self explanatory by the picture. Do 10 each side.


Taking the Side Crunch to the next level and straightening the arm as well. Do 10 each side. 


Ab Roller. Keep your body a rigid piece, roll out and back. Do 5-10. Your abs should be screaming with all this work. 

Now get up and lunge while lifting the ball overhead as you're lunging forward. Do 10 each leg. 


Then get down and crunch. 20 crunches.


Cool down and stretch. 

This is just a few things you can do. I may do another post to show some other awesome ideas. You can repeat this circuit one or two more times if you'd like. Dust that ball off and get to work! :)

Saturday, October 12, 2013

Pink and Green Smoothie

I made a delicious, just delicious smoothie that is super healthy too! Win win! Contains healthy fat, vitamins, minerals, fiber, probiotics, and is tasty. Woo hoo! Well here it is. 


Pink and Green Smoothie
1 small banana 
1 cup fresh or frozen strawberries
Handful spinach 1/3 avocado
1 tbsp fiber supplement (optional) 
Probiotic powder 1 scoop (optional
1/4 cup apple juice
1/4 cup water




The banana and avocado make this nice and creamy. Enjoy :)