My Juicing Obsession Continues

Wednesday, November 30, 2011

I LOVE juicing! like I think Im a little obsessed with it. Who would have thought veggies could be fun and delicious???
So on the menu today....
Carrots
Red Pepper
Apple
Lemon
Celery

Yummmyyyy in my tummyyyyy

Chocolate Covered Katie- Cookie Dough Dip Recipe

Tuesday, November 29, 2011

Woahhh this is def a winner!! HAD to share!! Enjoy....

Want to eat a BIG bowl of cookie dough?

Of course you all said yes.
Right? Right?

Good, because the following recipe is so delicious you’ll want to do just that.





It’s like a gooey, unbaked form of those Chocolate-Chip Blondies.

I don’t know about you, but when I make the genius blondies, quite a bit of the raw dough gets consumed in the process! So I figured, why bother baking them at all? Especially with the summer weather approaching, this is a great way to get your blondie fix without turning on the oven.

But will “normal” people like it?

Often, I’m unsure if a recipe with which I am in love will be a hit with the general population of people who aren’t used to healthy food. Yes, I have my wonderful taste-testing friends… but by now, they pretty much know that anything I’m asking them to taste will be healthy. Therefore, I worry their judgment might be biased (i.e. they might think, “Well, this is good… for a healthy dessert.) But I don’t want my desserts to be good for a healthy dessert. I want them to be good, period.

The following is directly from my About Me page:

I refuse to believe one must give up delicious food in order to be healthy… Healthy food can taste incredible when it’s prepared the right way.





Time to get sneaky!

I brought this dip to a party. But I didn’t tell anyone it was healthy, and I didn’t tell anyone it was mine. I simply set the dip down on the table amidst the other snacks.

Something amazing happened

People tried the dip. They went back for seconds. Then thirds. Everyone kept asking, “Who brought the cookie dough dip? I need this recipe!” And I can’t tell you how many girls said, “Ugh I gotta stop eating this stuff” or “Where are my fat pants?”

When I finally admitted the dip was healthy (and that it contained chickpeas!), no one would believe me. Therefore, this recipe is a winner .



This dip is high in protein, gluten-free, and it can even be sugar-free!

Cookie Dough Dip

Inspired by this awesome recipe.
1 1/2 cups chickpeas (1 can, drained) (250g)
1/8 tsp plus 1/16 tsp salt
tiny bit over 1/8 tsp baking soda
2 tsp pure vanilla extract
1/4 cup nut butter (You can get away with using only 3 T. If you use peanut butter, it’ll have a very-slight “pb cookie dough” taste, so if you don’t want this, you can sub oil.)
up to 1/4 cup nondairy milk (Start with 1 T, and add more as needed)
Sweetener (see note below, for amount)
1/3 cup chocolate chips
2 to 3 T oats (or flaxmeal) (You can omit, but also omit the milk if you do)

Add all ingredients (except for chocolate chips) to a blender or food processor, and blend until very smooth. Then mix in the chocolate chips.

See the following link for a Sugar-Free Version.

Sweetener Notes: I used 2/3 cup brown sugar when I first made this for the party. Liquid sweeteners (agave, maple, etc.) are fine as well. You can easily get away with less sugar– some people will be perfectly fine with just 3 T for the whole recipe! And if you don’t want any sugar, be sure to check out the “no-sugar” version linked above. (You can also use stevia, if you like the taste of stevia-sweetened desserts. Try 2-3 packets of NuNaturals stevia, and add more sweetener if needed. I wouldn’t recommend serving an all-stevia version to party guests, though.)



Let’s talk dippage!

You can, of course, just eat this stuff by the spoonful. (I am a piggy, and this is therefore my preferred method of eating the dip.) For the party, I served it with graham crackers. But fresh fruit might also be nice. Or, you could get totally naughty and…



Dip in some chocolate-chip Guilt-Free Cookies.

Yikes, this is a wordy post! I normally try to keep my posts concise, so as not to talk your ears off. Therefore, I don’t know if you can tell, from reading my blog: In real life, I am a chatterbox!

I’ll end this post now, but I have a ton of fun recipes to post soon, including Snickerdoodle Dip and Funfetti Blondies!

If you want:


You can now get Healthy Dessert Recipes by email.

Then you won’t have to remember to keep checking back .

Cyber Monday Deal!

Monday, November 28, 2011

Heeeeey-Yooooo!!! It's CYBER MONDAY!!! My 2nd favorite shopping HOLIDAY of the year! ;-) In honor of ALL the TURKEY, STUFFING & PUMPKIN PIE we all ate this past week I have decided to hook you all UP with s serious "Get BACK in-shape" kinda DEAL! I am offering a $50, yes FIFTY DOLLAR Beachbody gift certificate to anyone who orders a Beachbody CHALLENGE PACK through me NOW thru MIDNIGHT pacific time!!! Post below if you want the deets! The next BIG transformation could be YOU! (by the way, you are welcome to give the g/c as a gift to someone else OR save it for your next purchase! It does NOT expire! :)

Get a $50 Gift Card if you purchase a Challenge Pack!

What do you need to do?

Go HERE and Sign up to take the Beachbody Challenge!
Purchase a Challenge Pack of your choice!

Lower Calorie Apple Crisp Healthy Dessert Idea

Sunday, November 27, 2011

One of the things I love most about fall...APPLE CRISP! Seriously, it is like top 5 desserts evverrr! I was just perusing some of my favorite sites and came across this lower calorie version fromBusy But Healthy
If you need to feed a bigger crowd, I would double the recipe and put in a 9×13 baking dish.
Makes 6 servings
Ingredients:6 medium apples (I like using Mac apples)
7 packets of stevia (or splenda)
2 Tbsp water
Cinnamon
3 Tbsp butter (or non hydrogenated margarine)
1/3 cup spelt flour (or whole wheat flour)
1/2 cup sucanat (raw brown sugar)
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Peel apples (if you like) and slice into sprayed 8×8 cooking dish.  Sprinkle with stevia and cinnamon and water.  Combine flour, butter/margarine and sucanat with fingertips & spread mixture on top of the apples.  Bake for 30 minutes until apples have softened and top is golden brown.
Nutrition (per serving)
Cals: 216  Fat: 6.7g  Carbs: 44g  Sugars: 16g  Fibre: 5g  Protein: 1.2g

Beat the Bulge this Holiday!

Saturday, November 26, 2011

5 ways to fight fattening holiday habits

 Ah, the holidays. Or as we those of us who are too fond of cookies and traditional big meals say, AHHHHHH! The holidays!

No one decides to gain 5-15 pounds between November and January. But when family recipes, busy schedules and friendly get-togethers put fat-filled temptations in your face at every turn, who can resist?

You can! With satisfying, delicious Shakeology. It’s your super power, giving you the strength to pass up the fluffiest mashed potatoes and the richest pumpkin pie. And that’s not the only way Shakeology makes your holidays happier. Here are five ways The Healthiest Meal of the Day® helps you stay on track during the most wonderful time of the year:

1) Shakeology helps curb cravings so you won’t overeat.
Want to ease up on the eggnog and back off the brownies? Drink Shakeology before a holiday event. The whey protein isolate in each creamy glass keeps your blood sugar steady and crushes junk food cravings. That buffet table can’t hurt you now—go ahead and stroll past it. You’ll find that resisting temptation will be easier and feels way more awesome than any candied yam tastes.

2) Shakeology boosts your energy just when you need it.
There are never enough hours in the day, but somehow time seems even scarcer in November and December. If you’re like me, you’ve got to run around from sunup to bedtime to get everything done. Thankfully, the vitamins, minerals and protein in Shakeology give you the stamina to keep going. Digestive enzymes in every serving speed up the body’s absorption of nutrients, too, so you can feel the benefits faster. And use any extra energy to prepare a healthy meal instead of grabbing the nearest Holiday Cheese Tray.

3) Guard against illness.
There’s something magical in the air—something viral, too: cold and flu germs making the rounds in the shopping malls and holiday parties. Happily, Shakeology provides a powerful cocktail of natural ingredients to help support immune system function: super-greens, super-fruits, adaptagen herbs, pre- and probiotics and digestive enzymes. I’m not saying Shakeology will make you completely impervious to the flu bug, but it could support your immune system when you  share hugs with sniffly loved ones. Come to think of it, maybe THEY could use some Shakeology.

4) Take the stress out of the season.
Let’s face it: the most wonderful time of the year comes with expectations that can cause anxiety. Shakeology’s got your antidote, with protein and amino acids to promote alertness and adaptogen herbs that can reduce feelings of stress and fatigue. So relax with a glass of Shakeology. It’s a healthier way to handle stress than over-indulging in holiday spirits and/or pecan pie.

5) Replace a fattening holiday tradition with a healthy one.  
Instead of piling on the calories with Christmas pudding, try Chocolate  Shakelogy Pudding:

1 scoop Chocolate Shakeology
1 ripe avocado
1 large banana
1 cup almond milk
1tsp lemon

Preparation:
Mix all ingredients in blender until smooth. Pour into 4 small individual dishes. Refrigerate for an hour. If the pudding ends up too thick, simply add a bit more almond milk. (Serves 1.) Optional: Garnish with some chopped pecans, chia seeds or walnuts.

Treat yourself right with this lean alternative to traditional eggnog, Berry Yule Log:

1⁄2 tsp. cinnamon
1⁄2 tsp. almond extract
1⁄2 cup pitted black cherries
1 cup vanilla almond milk
1 scoop Greenberry Shakeology

Preparation:
Mix together in blender until smooth, serve chilled.


RECIPES + CONTESTS
  • For a whole month of delicious Shakeology Holiday-themed recipes, go to HERE
  • Starting November 29th, you can win FREE Shakeology and fitness programs in the Shakeology Holiday Dessert Recipe Contest. Visit the Shakeology Facebook Page to enter! 

Exclusive Black Friday Deals

Friday, November 25, 2011

Thanksgiving is sadly over and our waistline is no doubt a little tighter but that doesn't mean that you can throw all your hard work out the door and go back to your old ways.  Maybe you haven't even begun your exercise program but you desperately need some help and motivation.  Look no further...


Here are 2 Exclusive Black Friday deals to jump start your weight loss and get you ready for all of those Holiday parties you will be attending!  Jump on this because I only have a limited number of Shakeology Cleanses and Challenge Packs available and once they are gone....they are gone!

The 3 Day Shakeology Cleanse is a great deal!  You not only get the 9 Shakeology packets in either Chocolate,  a free shaker cup, cleanse kit with green tea and you save $5 off the original price!  The best part is, you will be doing something amazing for your body that you will feel immediately!  You will have more energy, decreased cravings, improved regularity and the best part is weight loss! 
For more information on the Shakeology Cleanse, click here.
Message me now to order!

The Shakeology Challenge is an excellent way for those of you that would like to try Shakeology but aren't sure that it will work for you!  Try it for 30 days! I will personally assist you in getting the best experience possible- if you decide it's not for you...there is a money back guarantee! =) 

Sign up for Shakeology on Home Direct when starting the Shakeology challenge you will get a month's supply of Shakeology in either greenberry, chocolate or combination of both, a calendar of 30 different recipes, a free shaker cup, free shipping and a jar of PB2 as a thank you for trusting me that Shakeology will change your life!  PB2 is a powdered peanut butter that has 85% less fat than regular peanut butter and tastes amazing in Shakeology.  It is a must in my pantry! 

This deal is only available today! First come first serve!

Thanksgiving Leftover Recipe! Pumpkin Turkey Chili!


Do something fun with your leftovers this year! I absolutely love the girls at Tone It Up!! Check out their recipe idea =)
It's Thursday night and there's a bunch of leftovers on the table. You could throw them away or you could do what you do every year, save them for the weekend to make turkey sandwiches or turkey soup.
Instead of throwing them away (did we get you...?) or saving them for the typical sandwich or soup, how about turning those leftovers into some pumpkin turkey chili? ;)
You'll be getting plenty of Vitamin A (pumpkin), protein (turkey), and antixodants (chili) from this recipe! And it will fill eight bellies.
Pumpkin Turkey Chili
Ingredients
  • 1 1/2 tbsp virgin coconut oil
  • 1 1/2 cups chopped onion
  • 3/4 chopped green bell pepper
  • 3/4 chopped yellow bell pepper
  • 1 1/2 cans, 6 oz chopped green chiles
  • 1 1/2 large minced garlic clove
  • 1 1/2 lbs leftover chopped turkey
  • 1 1/2 cans, 10-11 oz diced tomatoes
  • 1 1/2 cans, 10-11 oz red kidney beans
  • 1 1/2 cups canned pumpkin
  • 2 1/4 tbsp chili powder
  • 3/4 tbsp cumin
  • 1 tsp sea salt
  • 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
  • Couple of shakes of cayenne pepper
  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
  • 3/4 cup greek yogurt
  • 2 tsp of cinnamon
Directions
First, heat the oil in a large skillet on medium-high heat. Next, saute the onion, peppers, green chiles, and garlic until tender (roughly 10 minutes). Make room on the pan and add leftover turkey (roughly 5 minutes). Stir in tomatoes, beans, and pumpkin. Season with chili powder, cumin, sea salt, and pepper. Lastly, put on low heat and let it simmer for 20 minutes. Mix in fresh cilantro and stir in with plain greek yogurt and cinnamon to serve. Voila, you're pumpkin turkey chili is ready for eight.

Chocolate Shakeology Pie Recipe Healthy Thanksgiving Dessert

Thursday, November 24, 2011

Well, it's Thanksgiving and you know what that means- tons of food placed in front of you, most of it unhealthy and you end up feeling like crud for a week after. Let's give ourselves a few option! ...Here is an idea for you shakeology drinkers! A healthy desert to fool all your friends & family... nutrition info for 1/8th Pie : Calories: 281, Carbs: 33 g, Fat: 11 g, Protein: 11 g



How to lose stomach fat and get abs

Wednesday, November 23, 2011

42 Best Ways To Lose Stomach Fat Fast …
Best Ways to Lose Stomach Fat Fast is something we all wondered about at some point.  And if the statistics are correct, 90% of US adult population are not happy with the way their bellies look and would like to lose that stomach fat.  The good news is that it’s not as difficult to get rid of belly fat as many think, by taking some simple steps we can radically improve our body shape, health and general well being.
If you are like me, and stomach is your problem area, you must be very eager to change that!  Not only is belly fat unflattering, but it has been scientifically linked to many health problems such as bloating, heartburn, diabetes, heart disease, stroke etc. (and you thought having a muffin top was the worst part!).  But worry not, as a person who successfully lost stomach fat fast in the recent past, I’m here to give you tips that work. I promise you that if you start implementing these ways for losing stomach fat fastone by one, you’ll get the perfect stomach you always wanted before you know it!  

THE BEST WAYS TO LOOSE THAT BELLY FAT FAST:

1. BE READY

Before you do your first sit-up or dump that Cola down the drain, I have to warn you up front, it’s not going to be easy to lose your belly fat. It takes work, like anything else worth having, and you have to be realistic. You’re not going to lose all the fat around your waist in ten days, and you’re certainly not going to do it without breaking a sweat.  But it’s completely doable if you put a bit more time into it and keep implementing these best ways to lose stomach fat fast.  A little dedication will take you a long way, so just make sure you are consistent with your routines and you’ll lose that stomach fat before you know it!

2. CARRY WATER EVERYWHERE TO START LOSING STOMACH FAT


Whether you’re on a weight loss journey, you’re trying to lose belly fat, or you’re just trying to be healthier, it’s always a good idea to keep well-hydrated, and to do that, you’ll want to keep a bottle of water with you everywhere you go. Sip from it every now and then, and you’ll feel fuller, more invigorated, and you’ll also be a lot less likely to indulge in a sugar-laden soda or juice if you’re not thirsty!  This is a sure way to lose stomach fat fast, try it for a week and you’ll see what a difference it makes!

3. COLOR YOUR PLATE

Did you know that the more colorful your meal, the more healthful it’s likely to be? Think about it: carrots, peppers, spinach, tomatoes: they’re all brilliant colors, and they’re all very healthful choices! Keep your plate colorful and you’re well on your way to losing that belly fat!

4. CUT OUT FAST FOOD – IT’S AN ABSOLUTE MUST FOR HAVING A FLAT TUMMY

Fast food is the worst culprit in the battle against stomach fat. It’s convenient, sure, but it’s loaded with calories and fat, and those calories and fat head straight to our “problem areas,” our bellies and butts! Skip the fast food, or at least opt for healthier fast food options, like salads (without fried chicken or calorie-rich ranch on them) instead of fries.  But if you are really set on losing stomach fat fast, avoid the fast food altogether.

5. CUT OUT SODA

A serving of soda contains more calories than a large banana, with none of the nutritional value. many of those calories come from high fructose corn syrup, which our bodies don’t really know how to process, and which often ends up turning into belly fat. Ditch the soda and save those calories for something much better for burning belly fat!

6. DOING YOUR WEIGHT BEARING EXERCISES – ONE OF THE BEST WAYS TO LOSE STOMACH FAT FAST

If you think you’ll need to spend the rest of your life doing sit-ups and crunches only, so you can burn belly fat and keep it off, that’s not quite true. You’ll need to do all sorts of exercises, in moderation, including weight bearing exercises, like brisk walking, jogging, and the like. Remember, overall fitness and nutrition is the key for losing stomach fat, and making sure it doesn’t come back.

7. DO YOUR NON-WEIGHT BEARING EXERCISES, TOO!


In addition to the weight bearing exercises to help you burn belly fat, you’ll also need to add non-weight bearing exercises, like biking and rowing. These two (weight bearing and non-weight bearing), combined with weight training and cardio, and some yoga thrown in for good measure, will give you a lifetime of fitness and good health — and of course will melt that belly fat away for good!

8. DON’T BE COMPLACENT!

Once you’ve got the body you want (no belly fat in sight!), that doesn’t mean it’s time to rest on your laurels. Don’t stop exercising. Don’t stop eating right. Keep up with your plan, and you’ll keep your new hot body!

9. DON’T STARVE YOURSELF!  IT WON’T HELP YOU LOSE STOMACH FAT FASTER.


Starving yourself will not help you burn belly fat. Cut calories, by all means, especially the empty calories, but to be healthy, and lose belly fat, you need to eat well. Starving yourself is dangerous, terribly unhealthy, and it won’t work anyway!

10. DON’T DEPRIVE YOURSELF, EITHER!

In addition to not starving yourself, don’t feel you have to deprive yourself all the time either just because you want to lose stomach fat. Is this carte-blanche for eating an entire carton of Ben & Jerry’s? No. But you CAN have a small dish, once in a while, to keep the edge off your cravings, and to remind yourself that life is good!  Now, could there be a better way to lose stomach fat? :)

11. DON’T GIVE UP ON YOUR GOAL TO LOSE STOMACH FAT FAST

After a couple of weeks you might find that you’re not losing weight or inches anymore. What gives? Don’t give up, sweetie! That’s just a plateau, a sign your body is adjusting to all of the positive things you’re doing. Keep going! You’re getting there!  You are now much closer to losing all that stomach fat than ever!

12. DON’T TRY TO ISOLATE

It’s a scientific and biological fact: you absolutely cannot isolate one set of muscles and lose fat just in that one spot, and that includes belly fat. If there’s a product or pill that promises otherwise, it’s a scam, straight up. To lose stomach fat, you need to change your diet and exercise habits, all over. It’s that simple. Truly!

13. DRINK A GLASS OF WATER BEFORE YOU EAT

If you’re thirsty, you’re going to eat more. Isn’t that strange? But it’s true. So before you sit down to eat, drink a glass of cool water, wait a few minutes, then dish out your sensible portion and begin to eat. Much better!  You’ll be surprised at how effective this way to lose stomach fat is.  Give it a try!

14. EAT 5 SMALL MEALS A DAY TO LOSE STOMACH FAT FAST

Rather than eating three large meals every day, switch to five smaller meals: a light breakfast, a mid-morning snack, a light lunch, a mid-afternoon snack, and a balanced dinner. Smaller portions more often will keep you from feeling hungry. And by the way, when I say “snack,” of course I mean something healthful, not a Twinkie!  This way to lose stomach fat does not require a lot of sacrifice, all you need to do is figure out a schedule for your meals, and, with time you’ll be surprised at how eating 5 meals a day will become your new healthy lifestyle habit.


- THEME BY ECLAIR DESIGNS -