Simply Living a Fit Life

Once in awhile right in the middle of ordinary life, love gives us a Fairy Tale.

Tonight's dinner...PIZZA!!  I'm almost positive you couldn't have guessed...lol!!  Anyways, I noticed a head of cauliflower in my fridge tonight and since I really hate wasting produce, I did what any frugal female would do...I got cooking in the kitchen!!   This recipe comes together pretty quick and it’s really simple. Ingredients: 1 head of grated cauliflower ½ tsp garlic powder ½ tsp oregano ½ tsp basil 1/3 c freshly grated Parmesan cheese ¼ c mozzarella cheese 1 egg, slightly beaten Directions: ·         Place grated cauliflower in lint free tea cloth and squeeze to drain liquid.  Place grated cauliflower in a heat-safe bowl and microwave for 3-4 minutes.  ·         Place cauliflower in a bowl and fluff with fork.  Add the basil, oregano, garlic, Parmesan, mozzarella and egg stirring to blend. ·      ...

Couldn’t think of a better side dish to go with a nice medium rare steak and it's from fixate.    Zucchini Bake 1/2 c   grated Parmesan cheese 2 TBSP  freshly grated lemon peel 1/2 tsp dried thyme leaves 1/2 tsp dried oregano leaves 1/2 tsp Himalayan salt 1/2 tsp ground black pepper 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped 4 large zucchini, quartered lengthwise 1 TBSP  olive oil    Preheat oven to 350   Combine cheese, lemon peel, thyme, oregano, salt, pepper, and garlic in a small bowl; mix well.  Set aside. Place zucchini skin side down in large baking dish.  Brush with oil, covering all of zucchini.  Sprinkle evenly with cheese mixture. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes, or until tender. Serve with lemon wedges. Enjoy!!

Every where I go lately I see farmers markets and produce stands, so I decided to combine my love for fajitas with my love of stuffed peppers. Talk about a delicious weeknight dinner that can be pulled off after the office!!!  Say what????   You heard me right...with a little prep you can pop them into the oven and dinner will be ready in 30 min or le ss.  Chicken Fajita Peppers Ingredients: 1 boil in bag brown rice; cooked 5 peppers 1 onion, chopped 3 cloves garlic, minced 2 Tbsp coconut oil, divided 1 1/2 lb chicken; cooked and diced 1 tsp chili powder 1 tsp cumin 1/4 tsp paprika 1/4 tsp Himalayan salt 1/4 tsp black pepper 1 can tomatoes (no salt added) 1 cup black beans (drained if using canned) 1 cup frozen corn 2 tbsp Thai chili sauce 3 tbsp fresh cilantro, chopped 1 Tbsp fresh lime juice 4 oz shredded Monterey jack cheese Directions: Preheat oven to 375 Prepare the rice according to package and set aside.   Cut peppers in...

There is nothing my fiance loves more than grilling...well except for me of course!! lol.  My first attempt at chipotle kabobs and I must say they turned out amazing ! I mean easy to throw together and clean up was a cinch, which makes it the perfect weeknight dinner!   *I recommend using metal skewers. Clean Chipotle Chicken Kabobs Ingredients: 2/3 c rice vinegar 1/2 c olive oil 6 cloves of garlic, minced 3 Tbsp Chipotle Pepper juice of 2 limes 4 chicken breasts 2 small zucchini's cut in 1 inch pieces 1 package of cherry or grape tomatoes 1 onion cut in wedges 2 peppers (red & green) cut in chunks Directions: Mix the first 5 ingredients together  Divide in 2 portions-1 to marinade and the other for basting while cooking Marinate chicken for 1-3 hours or overnight.   Remove chicken from marinade, discard the left over marinade and cut chicken into bite sized pieces Alternate the chicken and vegetables on skewers Lightly oil gri...

Seems like every weekend is a party that revolves around FOOD!!  So what is one to do when you are trying to get healthy and everyone else wants to PARTAY?? Through the years I have learned that with a little planning you can join in on the fun without stretching your waistline. Here are 3 tips to help you in reach your goals and join in on the fun!! 1.  Eat a small healthy snack before you go so your not as tempted to overeat. 2   Take a healthy lightened up dish. 3.   Eat off of a plate, don't graze at the table. Check out a few of my favorite healthy dishes to make and take to your next cookout. Spicy Sweet Slaw -- from the Health site. Loved this dish.  I always liked cole slaw but not the fat laden mayo that it generally contains. The recipe contains heart healthy apple cider vinegar and honey and antioxident rich red peppers.  Did you know that red peppers contain more than 200 percent of your daily vitamin C intake? Really what...

Chicken Fajitas When the sun is shining and it is in the 70's,  I feel the need to dine outdoors!!  Now the question...what to make??  Something quick obviously...So what ?!?!?   Fajitas and margaritas immediately came to mind yesterday!!  Love me some Mexican!!! Hard to believe I didn't have my camera in hand, but I didn't!!!!  So for now you will have to look at today's left over pic from my lunch!  You can't get a more unprocessed meal than fajitas!!  I don't use those seasoning packets loaded with crap, I only use real spice.  Check out my recipe below!! Ingredients: 2 tsp coconut oil 3 medium peppers, sliced 1 jalapeno pepper, sliced 1 large onion 2 cloves garlic 1 1/2 lbs chicken breast, cut in strips Seasoning mix: 1 tsp Mexican chili powder 1 tsp cumin 1 tsp crushed red pepper flakes 1/4 tsp Himalayan salt tortillas, warmed Toppings: Greek yogurt salsa Cheddar Cheese chopped fres...

Grilled Pepper Jack Chicken Isn't everything better with cheese?!?!?  Well everyone at this house thinks that it is!!  The one thing that I learned over the years is that when you place restrictions and focus on what you CAN'T have... you will always feel like you are depriving yourself and setting yourself up for challenges.  You need to focus on Moderation!!!  By following an 80/20 rule of thumb, you will feel satisfied and find it easier to stop the yo yo effect.  Chicken doesn't have to be boring! Ingredients: 4 boneless chicken breasts 2 sweet peppers, chopped 8 pieces of Colby 5 alarm cheese Mrs Dash Extra Spicy Seasoning Blend 1 tsp Himalayan salt 1 tsp black pepper Directions: Preheat grill Combine seasonings  Butterfly Chicken Breasts Season chicken, both sides Place the cut peppers in foil on the grill  Place chicken on grill and cook for about 6-7 minutes, flip and cook for an additional 5 minutes Top the chicken wit...

Skinny Peanut Butter Banana Bliss      Can I just say...everything is better with Peanut Butter!!  I am a chocoholic but sometimes I wanna change things up.  I had some vanilla shakeo, PB2 and bananas on hand and after working on my flower beds, I needed some fuel.    Let me know what you think!!   Ingredients: 4 oz almond milk 4 oz water 2 tbsp PB2 8 Oz ice 1/2  banana   Mix in blender until smooth top with chocolate sprinkles. enjoy!!   

Weekends and pancakes are a must in our house!!  Since we had company and it was a gorgeous spring morning I decided to try a light refreshing mix of lemon and blackberries!!  Sprinkled with a light dusting of powdered sugar...talk about delectable!! Ingredients:  1/2 cup oatmeal 1/4 cup low fat cottage cheese 1 teaspoon lemon extract 1 teaspoon of butter extract 4 egg whites 1/4 cup blackberries Directions: Blend all ingredients in blender until smooth then lightly mix in your blackberries. Spray a medium size skillet with cooking spray and heat to medium. Add pancake batter to prepared skillet and cover, cook until top is slightly set and carefully flip and cook till bottom is lightly browned. Top with pure maple syrup, Light Agave Nectar, honey and additional blackberries!

This week my meal planning revolved around produce that needed used up and cuts of meat from the freezer.  I typically meal prep on Sunday but this past weekend was so gorgeous I wanted to spend every last minute outside getting my flower beds in order.  So tonight with some careful planning I was able to make a scrumptious dinner of tuna steaks, parmesan roasted cauliflower and strawberry salsa and prepare tomorrow's lunch and dinner at the same time!   I even managed to get out and get the grass cut, something I have been trying to do for almost a week!  So I would definitely consider tonight a complete success!!  You have to try this delicious recipe for strawberry salsa!! Ingredients: 2 cups Strawberries, chopped 1 small jalapeño, chopped Good squeeze of a lemon Cut ingredients and mix well.  serve over fish or as a side dish with chips!  would love your feedback... let me know how you liked!!

I spend a little time on Sunday's to plan for my upcoming week, however I totally forgot about my Monday hair appointment!!  Chicken Marsala doesn't quite come together in 10 minutes, but after the salon I was thinking we may be eating dinner by 9pm.  Totally surprised to come home to dinner on the table!  You hold the power to create the relationship you want!!!  Sometimes we don't want to get up to say good bye at the door in the morning....but do it!!! It's the little things that mean the most!! We had parsley rice in place of the carrots, no complaining here!!  So happy to find a guy that digs in and helps where ever he can. Recipe is from the the Eat-Clean Diet book from Tosca Reno and it was YUMMY..hope you enjoy as much as we did!!!! Ingredients: 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts 2 tsp ground fennel seeds 1 tsp sea salt 1/2 tsp ground black pepper 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes 16 small carrots, peeled 3...

Beef Stew with Sweet Potatoes Ingredients: 1 tsp.           Olive oil 1 lb. 10 oz   Raw lean beef stew meat 1                  Medium onion, chopped  1                  Medium carrot, sliced 2                  Medium celery stalks, chopped 4 cloves       Garlic, finely chopped 8 cups          Low sodium organic beef broth, divided use 1/2 cup        Red wine 1/4 tsp         Himalayan salt (or sea salt) 1 tsp            ground black pepper 1 tsp            ground smoked paprika 3                  bay leaves 2                  medium tomatoes, chopped 2   ...

Roasted Red Pepper Dressing Love this dressing from the Rations for Results Nutrition guide.  Served it over this awesome salad which happens to be meat free.  Ingredients: 8 oz                Roasted red bell peppers, packed in water, drained 2 cloves         Garlic, finely chopped 3 Tbsp           Red wine vinegar 1 Tbsp           Dijon Mustard 1/2 tsp           Himalayan Salt (or sea salt) 5 Tbsp           Extra Virgin olive oil Directions: Place bell peppers, garlic, vinegar, mustard and salt in blender; cover. Blend until smooth. Slowly add oil; blending until smooth. Store in the refrigerator, tightly covered, until ready to use. Fix counts; 1 orange (makes 8 servings, about 2 Tbsp each)

Saturday mornings are always a favorite time for me!  I enjoy lounging in bed a little longer and having something a little extra special for breakfast.  This morning I decided to whip up a delectable healthy chocolate muffin...can I just say I LOVE baking!!! I don't love all the calories and sugar in baked goods so I work to find healthy substitutes to the ingredients without altering taste.   These muffins were made without flour and white sugar!! Healthy Double Chocolate Muffins Ingredients: 1-3/4 c Old fashioned oatmeal 3/4 c egg beaters 1/2 c unsweetened applesauce 1/2 c greek yogurt 1/2 cup maple syrup 2 tsp white vinegar 1 cup hot water  1 tsp pure vanilla ext 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa 1-1/2 tsp baking powder 1-1/2 tsp baking soda 1/4 tsp salt Mix-ins: 1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips Directions: Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Spray 12 cup muffin tins with non stick spray and set aside. I used my ...

I came across a recipe the other night for Applesauce Chia Muffins and thought perfect!!  I knew I had some applesauce in the fridge that I needed to use up and I hate wasting food, so it was the perfect option for Sunday breakfast!!  The muffins were very tasty and can be made quickly.  I loved that it called for maple syrup instead of white sugar but I usually use applesauce in place of oil.  So I will be trying to clean up this one a little more by finding a replacement for the oil without losing the texture and taste.   Baking Tip:  I baked only 20 minutes and they were very moist.  Make sure when testing them the toothpick comes out crumby not wet and they will be super moist.   Get complete directions here!

I had a dream 10 years ago of becoming a personal trainer.  I absolutely fell in love with health and fitness would read everything I could get my hands on and I wanted to share it with everyone I talked to.  I would have loved to start my own business but no idea how to make it work, lived in the country, no cash for a start up and honestly fitness wasn't so big back then.  I decided there was no way my dream could ever come to be and I already had an 8-5 job which I fully enjoyed...so I pushed my dream off.  Two years ago my fiancé was forced into a career change.   He had a normal four day work week which he absolutely loved and then it all changed! Imagine having finally found your sole mate and now learning that you would have to live separate lives for weeks at a time due to his career which now involves traveling.  Our life as we knew it was completely turned upside down!!  Fortunately, an opportunity was presented to me to become a...

So as a beachbody coach one of the things I absolutely love is the fact that I get to try such a variety of workouts!!!  Sometimes I like to get in and get done...face it we are all busy!!!  Right now I need to make the most of my time!!  I WANT RESULTS and I don't have hours to work at it!!  You don't need tons of equipment for this one or a lot of extra space so it will work for anyone!  The great thing about this program is that is was created by Tony Horton and his no non sense approach to fitness.  This program will get you results in only 22 minutes per day, 6 days a week!!  Seriously who can't find 22 minutes?? Tony said The men and women of the United States military inspired him to create his latest masterpiece.  During the last 15 years, Horton has toured dozens of bases all over the world, helping troops in every branch of the armed forces maximize their physical potential. “I have tremendous respect for our troops,” says...

I feel weekend mornings should always be a little extra special.  So this morning called for some turtle pancakes!!  I totally felt like I was indulging in a decadent dessert! Give it a try and let me know what you think!! Turtle Pancakes Prep time 5 mins Cook time 15 mins Total time 20 mins Serves:  4 Ingredients 2 cups Bob's Red Mill Organic High Fiber Pancake & Waffle Whole Grain Mix 2 Tbsp unsweetened applesauce 2 eggs 1½ unsweetened almond milk 2 tsp caramel ext 1/2 tsp almond ext For toppings/mix-ins: ½ cup pecans ½ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips Instructions Heat a non-stick pan over medium heat while you make the batter. whisk together ingredients just until combined and add the topping mix-ins. Using a ladle, spoon batter into the pan, making any size pancakes you like cook for 2-4 minutes or until bubbles appear in the center, then flip and continue to cook for 2 minutes. Serve with...

“To be beautiful means to be yourself. You don’t need to be accepted by others. You need to accept yourself.” ~Thich Nhat Hanh Loving ourselves isn’t a one time event. It’s an endless, ongoing process. It begins with you, enfolding yourself in your own affection and appreciation~ 1. Begin your day with love...not technology Before your even get out of bed each morning breathe love! Remind yourself you are worthy. 2. Take time to meditate Take 10-15 minutes each day use meditation to reduce stress, calm your nervous system, lower blood pressure and boost your immune system. 3. Talk yourself happy Use affirmations and train your mind to become more positive. 4. Get emotionally honest Deal with your feelings. Stop avoiding pain, sadness and discomfort by shopping, eating and drinking. Mindfully breathe your way through feelings and emotions. 5. Expand your interests Get out of that comfort zone and try something new. Go somewhere you've never been....