Skinny Snacks // Protein Chocolate Chip Cookies

Confession... I. Love. Cookies! But obviously eating cookies all the time won't allow me to be in shape. Why can't we have the best of both worlds? A yummy, chocolatey snack after lunch to satisfy your sweet tooth without completely ruining your healthy eating habits. DONE!

Feel free to substitute your favorites in this recipe, just make sure your batter in no more than 1/8 protein powder or they will have a weird rubbery, bread-like texture.

Ingredients:

§  1 large egg

§  1/2 cup of chocolate protein powder

§  1/4 cup of oat flour (I make my oat flour at home by putting old-fashioned oats in the blender)

§  1/2 tsp of baking soda

§  1/4 cup of flaked coconut

§  1/4 cup of almond milk

§  10 ground almonds

§  1/8 cup sugar-free dark chocolate chips

Directions:

1.      Preheat oven to 340 F

2.      Mix together egg, protein powder, oat flour, baking soda, coconut,almond milk, and ground almonds.

3.      Once dough is formed, stir in chocolate chips.

4.      Using a spoon, divide mixture into 12 cookies and place on a sprayed cookie sheet.

5.      Put in oven for 15-20 minutes.

6.      Remove them from the oven as soon as they cook through. It's good if they're a bit soft in the center. Make sure you don't overcook them because they'll dry up and lose their charm if you do.

***To make lower-calorie and lower-fat cookies: use oats instead of flaked coconut and cocoa powder instead of chocolate chips.

Nutrition Facts - Per cookie

Calories 75.5

Total Fat 4.8g

Total Carbs 3.2g

Protein 3.8g

ENJOY!

5 At-Home Post Pregnancy Workouts

Believe me, I know working out is one of the last things you want to do when you’re feeling completely exhausted and running on only a few hours of sleep. Studies have shown, however, that exercise can help you maintain energy throughout the day, relieve stress, improve your baby blues mood and aid in restoring your tummy’s muscle tone. The following circuit routines can be done in 15 minutes! You can do it!

Each of these exercises can be tailored to fit your goals. If you are new to working out, try using lighter weight. If you are used to being active, use heavier weight or increase the intensity of the repetitions or sets.

It’s important to have the OK from your doctor before starting any physical activity. I know once I got the okay, I thought I’d be able to pick back up at the gym where I left off….I was way wrong! Our bodies go through so many changes during pregnancy and delivery, and it just takes time to get all your strength back. It’s important to take it easy and not push your body too hard. To start, workout every other day and when you feel ready, bump it up to once a day.

To complete the workout, do all the moves back to back with 10 seconds of rest between. Repeat the circuit 3 times.

Day 1

Squat jumps: 10 reps

 Lunges: 10 reps, each side

 Dumbbell shoulder press: 10 reps

 Triceps dips: 10 reps

 Dumbbell biceps curls: 10 reps

 Woodchopper: 10 reps each side

Day 2

Forward and back leg swings: 10 reps each side

 Dumbbell straight-leg deadlift to row: 15 reps

 Turkish get-up with dumbbell: 10 reps

 Push-ups: 10 reps

 Stability ball back extension: 10-15 reps

 Split jump: 10 reps

 Reverse crunch: 10 reps

 Tuck crunch: 10-20 reps

Day 3 

Around the world lunges: 2 min

 Reverse flyes: 10 reps each arm

 Dumbbell triceps extension: 10 reps

 Hammer curl: 10 reps

 Stability ball crunch: 15 reps

 Side jackknife: 15 reps each side

 Plank: 1 min

 Toe touchers: 10 reps

Day 4

Dumbbell squats: 15 reps

 Standing Calf raises: 10 reps

 Dumbbell pull-overs on a bench: 10 reps

 Triceps Dumbbell kickbacks: 10 reps

 Dumbbell woodchops: 10 reps each side

 Crunches: 15 reps

 Back extension: 8 to 10 reps

Day 5

Simulated jump rope: 60 seconds

 Dumbbell deadlifts: 10 reps

 Dumbbell shoulder presses: 10 reps

 Dumbbell biceps curls: 10 reps

 Bench dips: 10 reps

 Dumbbell flyes on stability ball: 10 reps

 Oblique crunches: 10-15 reps, each side

 Plank: 60 seconds

Eat Clean // Meal Plan

The key to weight loss success is establishing a healthy lifestyle. I don't believe in fad diets - sure they work temporarily but diets aren't realistic, long term solutions. Your body has specific needs, especially when you're working out. 

Here's a good meal plan to get you started on a healthy path. Incorporate other healthy snacks and meals throughout the week and you won't just feel better, you'll look better too! 

For a more in depth breakdown of what proteins, carbs and fats to eat and when, check out my Clean Eating: Healthy Lifestyle Guide to Becoming Fit! 

Breakfast

1/2 cup of oatmeal with cinnamon 

4 egg whites

1 whole egg

3/4 cup of berries

Post Workout

1 Serving of Whey Isolate Protein 

5 oz. grilled chicken

4 oz. sweet potato

1 cup of vegetables 

Lunch

5 oz. grilled chicken

1 oz. almonds

1 cup of vegetables

Snack

1 cup of Fage 0% Greek Yogurt

3/4 cup of berries

Dinner

6 oz. grilled chicken 

2/3 cup of quinoa

1 cup of vegetables

Skinny Drinks // Hazelnut Macchiato

I'm cookoo for macchiato!! But a daily trip to Starbucks can get spendy. Make it at home for half the calories and a fraction of the cost. (Can you tell that I'm in sales?) =] 

Starbuck's drink contains espresso, freshly steamed milk with vanilla syrup and finished with hazelnut drizzle. This skinny version uses hazelnut coffee, sugar free vanilla syrup, fat-free steamed milk. I skipped the whip cream and chocolate syrup to spare some calories. Who wants to drink all their calories?! Each skinny drink has 55 calories and 1 gram of fat. Don't worry, you won't need any spiffy equipment to make this tasty drink.  All you need is a blender or a whisk.

Ingredients for Coffee:



1 cup (8 oz) hazelnut coffee or decaf, You can use a K-cup or brew your favorite hazelnut coffee

½ cup fat-free milk

1 tablespoon Torani Sugar Free Vanilla Syrup or Starbucks Sugar Free Syrup

Instructions

1. Brew coffee. 

2. In a saucepan, whisk together milk and vanilla syrup over medium heat, stirring until steaming. Remove from heat. Transfer to a blender and process for 15 seconds until foamy. If you don’t have a blender just whisk the mixture continuously with a wire whisk until foamy.

3. Pour into a large mug. Add the hot coffee on top. 

4. Drink immediately. Enjoy!

It's delicious hot but if you're anything like me, you'll love it cold better! Throw (not literally =]) some ice cubes on top of your mixture and enjoy your cool refreshing beverage. =]

Have you tried Starbuck's Hazelnut Macchiato? 

Fat-Burning Workout // HIIT

High Intensity Interval Training is great for breaking a plateau. They're also great if you're bored with the same old routine workouts. Throw in a HIIT workout every 2 weeks to boost your metabolism and break your routine! 

Stair stepper - 10 minutes

Jump rope - 100 reps

Self Squats - 30 reps

Jump rope - 100 reps

Self squats - 40 reps

Jump rope - 100 reps

Self squats - 50 reps

Jump rope - 100 reps

Self Squats - 60 reps

Washboard Abs Workout

You got it! Another core work out! Abs repair quickly but they also retain muscle memory almost as fast so it's key to change up your ab work outs regularly to avoid hitting a plateau.

Barbell Twists – 30 seconds

15 seconds of rest

Bicycle Crunches – 30 seconds

15 seconds of rest

Crunches – 30 seconds

15 seconds of rest

Leg Raises, Laying Down – 30 seconds

6 rounds

Your core is compiled of 4 different parts; Rectus Abdominus, Oblique, Intercostals, and Serratus. It’s imperative to work each of these muscles in order to achieve a solid core. The following exercises will target each of these areas so you can start seeing some washboard abs!

Rectus Abdominus: 

§  Location: Covers the area from sternum all the way down to the pelvis bone.

§  Exercises: Crunch or Sit Up

Oblique:

§  Location: Side of the waist.

§  Exercises: Side Bends and Decline Oblique Crunches

Intercostals:

§  Location: Between the side of the rib cage. It comes into play when you flex the torso and twist from side to side.

§  Exercise: Air Bike

Serratus:

§  Location: Between front abs and lats.

§  Exercises: Barbell Pullovers and Cable Crunches

*Keep in mind that your diet and cardio will need to be in check in order for you to see abs.

Your core muscles repair quicker that the rest of your muscles allowing you to work them daily without muscle deterioration.

Beginner HIIT // 20 Minute Cardio

High Intensity interval Training

I've talked about this before and shared a few HIIT workouts. I love HIIT more than an awesome CrossFit workout! Great for getting you through a plateau and great for your motivation because - This. Will. Yield. Results. But It will kick your butt first. =]

HIIT can be done with more than just cardio, it applies to lifting as well. Check out my HIIT 100 workouts! 

The Workout:

Warmup with a 5 minute walk

30 second sprint

3 minute jog

30 second sprint

1 minute walk

REPEAT 3x

What HIIT workouts have you tried before?  

Skinny Snacks // Apple Cinnamon Protein Bars

Ingredients

4 scoops vanilla whey protein powder

1/2 cup almond meal/flour

2 tsp baking powder

1/4 tsp salt

2 tsp cinnamon

1/4 tsp nutmeg

1/4 tsp allspice

3 egg whites

1/4 cup Splenda or Stevia

1/2 cup fat-free cottage cheese

1 tsp vanilla extract

1 medium apple - grated (large holes)

Directions

Spray an 8-by-8 inch glass dish with non-stick spray. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a large bowl, combine protein powder, almond meal, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg and allspice. Whisk together and set aside.

In a smaller bowl, combine egg whites, splenda, cottage cheese and vanilla. Whisk until well incorporated and then add the wet ingredients to the dry and mix again.

Fold in grated apple and mix until combined.

Pour batter into the prepared dish and bake at 350 degrees for 25 minutes.

Makes 16 squares

No Equipment CrossFit Workout

Hi guys! If you're wondering why I've been M.I.A. for a while, I have a great reason! Baby Logan finally made her arrival and Troy and I have been catching up on some z's and busy ever since! Thanks for hangin in there with me!

I've been getting awesome feedback on the no equipment CrossFit workouts so I'm here to supply you with another! 

Enjoy! 

Jumping Jacks x250

Push-ups x50

Air Squats x75

Burpees x25

Vert Jumps x10 + 400 M Run

1/2 Mile Run + 50 Air Squats

Air Squats x100

Im already that proud mommy that wants to share photos of my little peanut! 

I can't wait so share the post pregnancy shape up plan I'm developing! Have a great weekend!! =]

Quinoa Pizza Bites

Instead of a full on cheat day how about a mini cheat day? I made these quinoa pizza bites for the first time last night, I slightly tweaked the recipe of course (shown below) )to make it slightly healthier, but overall it’s a great little snack or appetizer to satisfy your carb craving. 

Ingredients:

1 cup uncooked quinoa

2 large eggs

1/2 cup chopped onion

1/2 cup fat free shredded mozzarella

1 tsp minced garlic

1 Tbs dried basil

1 tsp dried oregano

pinch of salt

pizza sauce for dipping

Directions:

1. Cook your quinoa! Boil the quinoa and 2 cups of waterand cover. Once boiling, reduce heat to low, and let it simmer for 15-20 minutes (until water is absorbed and quinoa is tender).

2. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Combine all of your ingredients (except the pizza sauce) in a mixing bowl until it is well mixed.

3. Lightly spray the bottom of a mini-muffin tin with olive oil spray. Using a Tablespoon, scoop - 1Tbs into each muffin tin.

4. Bake them for 15-20 and let cool. 

5. Serve them warm with pizza sauce to dip in!

4-Week Shape Up Plan // Week 2

Congrats on making it to week 2! You should be proud of yourself, you've made it this far. Have you written down your goals lately!? Definitely write them down if you haven't already - make a goal board or a motivation board somewhat like this one here to keep you on track and motivated. I'm in the middle of making mine as we speak and I'll be sure to put it up as soon as I finish!

Put your motivation board in a high-traffic area so that you'll walk by it and see it numerous times throughout the day. Statistics have shown that people who write down their goals and make them visible are more likely to accomplish them. =]

Week 2

Make sure you're adequately stretching and warming up before completing your exercises - you don't want to injure yourself by working with cold muscles.

Day 1
No Equipment Arm Work Out
30 minutes of cardio - jogging, swimming, cycling - get your heart pumping!

Day 2
Butt, Legs and Thighs Work Out

Day 3
Full Body, No Equipment Workout
8 Minutes to 6-Pack Abs - this one is absolutely killer but you'll love the pay off


Day 4
No Equipment CrossFit Workout

Day 5
Intense 50

Day 6
HIIT 100 - I'm pretty sure you will hate me after this workout. It gets me every.time.


Day 7
Rest - you're going to need it after that last HIIT 100 workout


Week 1 Shape Up Plan

Intense 50 // No Equipment Full Body

Ready for another killer workout? Lucky for you this one you only complete once so give it all your effort!

50 air squats

50 burpees

50 reverse lunges

50 russian twists

50 butterfly situps

50 stairs

50 tuck jumps

50 lunges

You're up! What is your number 1 "problem area" that you can't seem to tame?

Skinny Snacks // Strawberry Banana Oatmeal Protein Bake

Ingredients 

Old Fashioned Rolled Oats 2 cups

Vanilla Protein Powder 4 scoops

Ground Flaxseed (Optional) 2 tbsp

Baking Powder 1 tsp

Salt 1/4 tsp

Cinnamon 1 tbsp

Stevia in the Raw 1/2 cup

Egg Whites 4

Unsweetened Almond Milk 1 1/2 cups

Plain Greek Yogurt 1/4 cup

Unsweetened Applesauce 4oz

Bananas 2

Strawberries 4 large

Directions

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.

In a medium bowl mix together dry ingredients.

In another medium bowl mix together wet ingredients except fruit.

Spray an 8" or 8.5" round or square baking pan with non-stick spray.

Line the bottom of the round baking pan with one of the thinly-sliced bananas.

Mix dry ingredients into wet ingredients - make sure it is distributed evenly.

Pour mixture on top the layer of sliced bananas.

Cover with remaining sliced banana and sliced strawberries.

Bake for 40-45 minutes until top is golden brown, or inserted knife comes out clean.

No Equipment Arm Work Out //

Budgets are tight for many people these days and gym memberships are one of the first things to go when money is tight. I personally love no equipment workouts once in a while because frankly, sometimes, I. Don't. Want. To. Be. At. The. Gym. =] hahah especially when it's crowded. Are you ready to give this arm workout a whirl? =]

25 chair squats

25 pushups

15 tricep dips with leg extension

25 burpees

3 rounds

You're up! What are your favorite at-home workouts to do?

Sore To The Core // Intense Abdominal Workout

Abs! Abs! Abs! It takes dedication to have a great set of abs! Keep up the hard work and don't let your muscles get comfy with the same ol' workout. 

Frog Sit Ups – 30 seconds

15 seconds of rest

Toe-Touch Sit Ups – 30 Seconds

15 seconds of rest

Side Crunches – 30 seconds each side

15 seconds of rest

Reverse Crunch – 3 sets of 15 reps

Your core is compiled of 4 different parts; Rectus Abdominus, Oblique, Intercostals, and Serratus. It’s imperative to work each of these muscles in order to achieve a solid core. The following exercises will target each of these areas so you can start seeing some washboard abs!

Rectus Abdominus: 

§  Location: Covers the area from sternum all the way down to the pelvis bone.

§  Exercises: Crunch or Sit Up

Oblique:

§  Location: Side of the waist.

§  Exercises: Side Bends and Decline Oblique Crunches

Intercostals:

§  Location: Between the side of the rib cage. It comes into play when you flex the torso and twist from side to side.

§  Exercise: Air Bike

Serratus:

§  Location: Between front abs and lats.

§  Exercises: Barbell Pullovers and Cable Crunches

*Keep in mind that your diet and cardio will need to be in check in order for you to see abs.

Your core muscles repair quicker that the rest of your muscles allowing you to work them daily without muscle deterioration.

Hard Core Workout // No Pun Intended

I know we're headed into fall and winter - however that's no reason to start slacking on the washboard abs. Just because you won't be religiously spending your weekends at the pool or on the lake anymore doesn't mean that you get to start ignoring these muscles! Get busy!

Cable Crunch – 30 seconds

15 seconds of rest

Side Bends – 30 seconds

15 seconds of rest

Crunches – 3 sets of 15

Reverse Crunch Curl – 3 sets of 15

3 rounds

Your core is compiled of 4 different parts; Rectus Abdominus, Oblique, Intercostals, and Serratus. It’s imperative to work each of these muscles in order to achieve a solid core. The following exercises will target each of these areas so you can start seeing some washboard abs!

Rectus Abdominus: 

§  Location: Covers the area from sternum all the way down to the pelvis bone.

§  Exercises: Crunch or Sit Up

Oblique:

§  Location: Side of the waist.

§  Exercises: Side Bends and Decline Oblique Crunches

Intercostals:

§  Location: Between the side of the rib cage. It comes into play when you flex the torso and twist from side to side.

§  Exercise: Air Bike

Serratus:

§  Location: Between front abs and lats.

§  Exercises: Barbell Pullovers and Cable Crunches

*Keep in mind that your diet and cardio will need to be in check in order for you to see abs.

Your core muscles repair quicker that the rest of your muscles allowing you to work them daily without muscle deterioration.