Day 2: Paleo Princess – Apple Chicken Salad

December 3, 2013Leave a comment

Hello Beauties and welcome to day 2 of the challenge. How are you feeling? It is normal to feel hungry – but just think about how great your body is going to feel after this cleanse process!? YES. ABSOLUTELY GREAT.

Any way – follow this little eating plan today. This morning was tight on time for me, so I grabbed a Lara Bar. Love these because they are gluten free and are packed with protein. Yum. They will keep you full for a long while. No hungry tummies at work.

I will be snacking on grapefruit and nuts today. It is unbelievable how much these treats fill you up. Love the sweetness of the grapefruit and the crunch of the nuts {cashews are my favorite}.

Today – I made an Apple Chicken Salad {paleo} for lunch with homemade ranch dressing. It is so simple to make and so natural. I actually feel like I am filling up my body with goodness with every bite.

You will need: 2 small apples, 1 large chicken breast {you can use canned chicken too}, 2 tbsp. low fat mayo, romaine lettuce and salt and pepper to taste.

Fab Apple Chicken Lunch!

For the ranch, you will need: ½ cup cashews, 1 cup coconut milk {or skim – have not eliminated all dairy yet}, 1 tbsp. of chives, ½ tsp of garlic powder, ½ tsp of dill.

The salad is simple. Chop up the apples and the chicken in little chunks. Add mayo and fold this in with a large fork or mixing spoon. Sprinkle in salt and pepper {maybe a hint of garlic powder} and put on a bed of lettuce. You are done – and this is your yummy lunch.

For the dressing – you will need a food processor. Dump in the cashews – and pulse until it is a paste. Add in the milk and herbs and pulse again. Yay – your ranch is complete and it’s pretty darn good too.

Tonight, after your salad with veggies and grilled chicken, let’s focus on our legs and caboose.

Here is a good workout that will leave you sore – but the good kind of sore. Enjoy – and remember to drink your water. This is very important.

Day 1: Paleo Princess – Avocado Egg Salad Wraps

December 2, 2013Leave a comment

Good Morning – and welcome to the first day of the PALEO CHALLENGE.

I am stoked; I really hope you are too. I have posted a meal plan for today and will teach you a new recipe each day. Fun! For breakfast, you can find the recipe to the health smoothie, here.

This is really simple to make in the morning. Just throw all these ingredients in the blender and you are done. Plain and simple.

While you are making this, dance to a upbeat song in the kitchen. Get your heart pumping.I love to dance to this song – for the girls out there!

Also, do not cheat on the water. Did you know that your body is made up of 60% water? Feed your body with H20. You will shed weight gulping this life nectar.

This is your yummy lunch!!!

For the Avocado Egg Salad Wrap, you will need: 3 cage-free hard boiled eggs, 2 tbsp. Dijon mustard, 1 ripe avocado, garlic powder and 3 large romaine lettuce leaves. {salt and pepper to taste}.

In a small mixing bowl, add in the sliced up eggs, mustard, avocado and garlic – mash this up with a large fork. Then spread this filling on the lettuce leaves. It’s that easy. Natural and gluten free – a paleo lunch.

I put this in a little container to take to work! Snacks consist of – nuts and fruit. You can do both. For today, I’ve chosen an apple and cashews.

If you need to eat more because you are starved {this will probably happen early on}, just munch on veggies – these are really guilt free. Chew on cucumbers, celery, grape tomatoes. Yum – so good for you!

Also, here (below) is a workout for you to do today. Please do it. It will take all of 35 minutes. And drink plenty of water when you are done.

20 Day Paleo Challenge

December 1, 2013December 1, 20134 Comments

Dallas, enjoying the Christmas cheer.

Happy December 1^st! It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas. Last night, I decorated my apartment with Christmas cheer.

I bought a live tree from a small business {yesterday was small business Saturday, after all.}

There is something just magical about having a real pine tree in your home. The scents of the season are absolutely heavenly.

You really can’t frown when you have a 7 foot tree sparkling white bright lights and pine scented candles glowing in the window.

Anyway, onto my real post for the day…The 20 Day Paleo Challenge!

I have wanted to try this for a while – so this month {before Christmas}, I am getting on the bandwagon. Maybe not the cross fit bandwagon; but, the Paleo and YouTube workout one.

Every day, I will post a meal plan and workout. You can join me if you like – on this challenge leading up to Christmas. I made it 20 days, because who wants to deny themselves holiday treats around Christmas, don’t do this to yourself. But hopefully, you will be feeling leaner by December 21st – so you can really enjoy the holiday season and Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

Just to be clear – we are doing this December 2^nd – December 21^st. I will post my meal plan early tomorrow morning with a workout video. Who’s with me?

Read about the Paleo Diet, here.

BONUS: Also – this is a bonus to the post. It’s the beginning of the month of Jesus’ birth – advent season. This is the true meaning of the season. Here is a link to scripture reading for every Sunday.

Tuna Patties {Paleo, Gluten Free}

December 1, 2013June 4, 2014Leave a comment

Bottom Left to Right: Tuna in the mixing bowl & patties formed to go on the skillet.

So you overate on Thanksgiving – and now you are trying to do a little cleanse until Christmas holiday season. What a good idea!

I ran across this awesome 30 Day Paleo Challenge – it includes workouts for every day! How great. I am going to take the plunge {for 20 days}, will you join me?

This tuna patty recipe is wonderful for that work lunch or a nutritious dinner. It is filling and absolutely delicious – a staple on this challenge.

Not to mention, it contains no bread at all! Hallelujah, let the heavens open! Eating clean food {like this challenge offers} is going to make your body feel lighter and leaner.

You will need: 3 cans of light tuna {in water}, 2 organic cage free eggs, 1 heaping tbsp. of dried dill, 1 tsp. coconut oil, salt and pepper to taste.

Open the cans of tuna – and drain the water. Empty the meat into a mixing bowl.

Crack in two cage free eggs. Then add in the dill and salt and pepper. Simple, right?

Mix all these ingredients together. Then you need to form them into little patties. My patties are pictured in this post. On the oven, heat up a frying pan – drop the coconut oil into the pan and let it warm up a decent amount.

Once the pan is really hot, place one patty in at a time. Now, the trick for them to stick together {since bread is absent from this mixture} is to cook them a little longer than expected.

Press the patty down into the frying pan with a spatula – making sure all the water is cooking out. Flip like a burger and repeat with the rest.

You are done – I added a little avocado side salad to my tuna patty meal. Enjoy!

Creamy Turkey Kale Potato Soup

November 29, 2013November 27, 2013Leave a comment

Hello leftovers. You’ve basically stuffed yourself with turkey this week – but there is somehow magically still turkey hanging out in the fridge.

Thanksgiving is the holiday of endless food and leftovers.

What to do with all the food hogging up that fridge space? Why – you can make Creamy Turkey Kale Potato Soup! What an excellent idea.

This little delightful soup was created with those Thanksgiving leftovers in mind (esp – the turkey!). No one wants to really just eat slices of turkey every day for a week. That’s boring. The season is changing and it’s getting chilly outside – soups are perfect for this type of weather.

So let’s make soup from turkey leftovers!

You will need: 1 quart gluten free chicken broth, 2 cups water, 1 tsp. crushed red pepper, ½ onion, 3 cloves garlic, 8 red potatoes (sliced), salt, pepper, sliced turkey (you choose the amount), 1 handful of kale, 1 cup half and half creamer, olive oil and 2 tbsp. light butter.

First, pour the chicken broth into a big pot on the stove. Let this mixture heat up. Cut the red potatoes in slices and drop in the broth. Add in 2 cups of water, sprinkle in the red pepper and drizzle in the butter.

In a pan on the oven – sauté the onion and garlic cloves in olive oil (of course after you chop them in a food processor or finely by hand). After they are slightly browned – add in to soup mixture.

Taste – and add salt and pepper to your liking. Next, dump in the Thanksgiving turkey leftover pieces. Lastly add in the creamer and kale leaves. Stir – and let the flavors marinate.

Make sure the potatoes are soft – if they pass your test, you are done. And you have a creamy, delicious leftover soup that everyone will love! Wonderfully gluten free too.

Happy Thanksgiving – Verses of Praise!

November 28, 2013November 28, 2013Leave a comment

“O come, let us sing unto the LORD: let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation. Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms. For the LORD is a great God, and a great King above all gods. In his hand are the deep places of the earth: the strength of the hills is his also. The sea is his, and he made it: and his hands formed the dry land. O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the LORD our maker.” – Psalm 95:1-6

“Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands. Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing. Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name. For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.” – Psalm 100

4 Ingredient Gluten Free Cheese Biscuits

November 27, 2013Leave a comment

Move aside boxed gluten free bread mixes. Now, you can make your own from scratch. I mean, literally from scratch. These moist, delicious gluten free biscuits will melt in your mouth.

Obviously, I love the Chebe brand of gluten free foods {blogged about it here}; however, why use a box when you can make it yourself!?

Ladies and gents, just in time for Thanksgiving – this little biscuit will be perfect for your gluten free guests. So that basket of bread being passed around at the table won’t be so tempting and depressing. Believe me, I know this feeling.

These little morsels will take no time at all to bake. If you are going over to someone’s house for Turkey dinner – bring your own special rolls {no one will care}. No shame.

You will need: 1 cup all-purpose gluten free flour, ½ cup low-fat butter, ½ cup skim Greek yogurt, 1 handful shredded cheddar cheese and garlic powder to taste. {I think this adds a little flavor!}

First, pour your gluten free flour into a mixing bowl. Then add butter {I melted mine in the microwave for 30 seconds before adding it in}. Top off this mixture with the Greek yogurt and mix it up.

Next add in the shredded cheese and sprinkle in some garlic powder. Preheat the oven to 400, while you put the biscuit mix into muffin tins, which are coated in cooking spray.

Put the biscuits into the oven for about 10-15 minutes or until golden brown. Serve with some butter on the side. Yum – perfect little cheddar dinner roll.

Eat in moderation. Remember, just because its gluten free does not mean its low-fat. So have a couple – but these are not negative calories.

The Sunshine Award & Some Remarkable Blogging Mavens

November 27, 2013Leave a comment

I’m so honored to have been awarded the Sunshine Blogger Award by the beautiful CHOWIDO! Thank you, I am quite flattered. This is a new post style for me; but, I think it’s important to reach out to other amazing bloggers. Y’all are such a great community of healthy, inspiring people! We should do this more often.

The rules for Sunshine Award are:

1 Visit and thank the blogger who nominated you.
2 Acknowledge that blogger on your blog and link back.
3 Answer the same 10 questions given.
4 Nominate up to 10 blogs for the award, a link to their blogs in your post, and notify them on their blogs.
5 Copy and paste the award on your blog somewhere.

Sunshine Q&A:

1. Where would you most like to travel to?

This is simple. Israel. To see the beautiful hills and trails where my Lord traveled and taught would be not only awesome – it would be awe-inspiring. I have always wanted to touch the empty tomb, place my feet on the Mount of Olives and walk through the city streets. What a blessing to be given a chance to visit the Holy Land – hopefully, I will go one day.

2. Do you have a sweet tooth?

I actually do not have a sweet tooth. I know that seems unusual to a lot of people out there; but salty foods take the cake for me. Potato chips are my vice. I absolutely love them and use being gluten free as an excuse to eat them – whoops. Not a good idea. Every now and then I have a piece of dark chocolate – but those darn salty snacks! That is where my problem lies.

3. What motivates you to keep blogging?

I love blessing others’ lives with healthy recipes, calming words or creative advice. It is so true that you never know whose life you are impacting. I want to be a conduit of God’s grace and joy – and this my method. The one who blesses others is abundantly blessed; those who help others are helped. {Psalm 11:25}

4. Who is your favorite comedian?

Ha. Well, I am not really into comedians. I would have to say Bill Cosby. First of all, loved ‘The Cosby Show.’ Secondly, Bill is clean and recently schooled Jon Stewart on using clean language on stage. What’s not to like about that?

5. What is your favorite outdoor activity?

I have tried to get into running; but – slowly, it’s becoming just not for me. I am still trying though {do not quit easily}. I like power walking outside – taking in the scenery and city streets. I also like playing tennis when it is warmer outside. That is a good workout – gets that heart rate up and it’s competitive.

6. Who was your favorite teacher and why?

This is tough because I have had so many wonderful teachers over the years. I can’t list them all? Dr. Stan Brooke would have to be my favorite, if listing one. He was my High School Speech and Bible teacher {private school}. He taught me the beauty of the spoken and written word. He was an inspiration to be around. His talent for language challenged me to be better and never give up on my dreams of success.

7. Do you own any pets?

Any excuse to throw up a picture of my sweet puppy! Here he is – Mr. Dallas.

Yes – his name is Dallas. He is my 3 year old Cocker Spaniel. A rescue dog from Lucky Dog Animal Adoption, this little happy, smiley face canine brightens my day and is a snuggle monster at night. He is precious.

8. Most embarrassing moment in your life?

Falling in a huge mud puddle on the High School track! I was in 6^th grade {not a good year} and was running some warm up laps before softball practice. It had rained the night before – so the track was muddy. Yep, and I slipped and fell. I was covered in mud and had to change into sweat pants and shirt – it was 100 degrees out that day. Lovely.

9. Where are you from?

Hence the 100 degree weather above – I am from the great state of Texas! But, now live in the Washington, DC area. So, I am a Lone Star State transfer. You probably notice this from some of the hot, peppery spices I like to use in my recipes.

10. How much wood would a woodchuck chuck if a woodchuck could chuck wood?

A woodchuck would chuck ALL the wood, if a woodchuck could chuck wood.

Nominations

Here are my nominations below. I love each and every one of these beautiful blogs!

A Hungry Girl’s Guide To Gluten Free

Check out these awesome blogs when you get the chance. You will gain inspiration, learn cool recipes and really be uplifted for the day. Will post soon, later on today with a great Creamy Turkey soup recipe {for those Thanksgiving leftovers} and later my own 4 ingredient gluten free cheese biscuits!

DIY: Make Your Own Bath Salts

November 26, 2013Leave a comment

These are ready for gift-giving!

One of my favorite things to do after a long cold day is to soak in a hot bath. Preferably with scented bath salts! Bath and Body Works has some of the best salts that I have ever tried. The eucalyptus scent is my favorite.

The ingredients in the salts are really great for your body. Epsom salt, one of the main parts in this recipe, has countless health benefits!

It relaxes the nervous system, cures skin problems, soothes back pain and aching limbs, eases muscle strain, heals cuts, treats cold and congestion, and draws out toxins from the body.

{No wonder soaking in that tub feels great!}

One major setback is the price of those salts –yikes. They can really break your bank. But, thankfully, now – you can make your own bath salts. It will slice the price in half.

This little bath salt mix is a great gift for yourself and others. Hello – Christmas presents!

You will need (this is for one mix, roughly one mason jar): 2 cups Epsom salt, ½ cup sea salt, 2 tbsp. baking soda, food coloring and your choice of essential oils (peppermint, orange, cinnamon…etc.)

First, pour the 2 cups of Epsom salt into a bowl (this is like $3.09 at the store – for a whole bag!). Add in the ½ cup of sea salt (you can use the pink Himalayan salt – for the sake of gaining the pink color, if you use this – don’t use the food coloring.) Drop in the 2 tbsp. of baking soda. Then mix this up together.

I stirred it together with a huge fork. You just want to make sure all the clumps are out and all the ingredients are mixed together. Now for the food coloring – squeeze out 3 drops with the color of your preference. Lastly, drip about 4-5 drops of your essential oil. Mix this in together thoroughly.

Now, all you have to do is pack this mixture into the mason jars. For gifts, tie a little twine bow around the Mason jar, and add a little gift tag. Beautiful! Moms, grandmothers, sisters and aunts will love this!

Vitamin Packed Sweet Green Shake

November 25, 20131 Comment

What it looks like before you blend!

Have a craving for a milkshake or smoothie? This morning vitamin packed green shake should hit the spot. You can have this for breakfast or a little midnight snack {I usually fix this as a morning shake}.

The healthy ingredients are sure to keep you satisfied for hours and give your skin that healthy glow. Who knew you could pack out your blender with some great stuff – and reap the rewards?

You’ll crave this breakfast in the morning when you wake up. I feel like my kitchen is a Jamba Juice factory – this shake is seriously that good!

You will need: 2 tbsp. Greek yogurt, ½ cup water, 2 tsp. chia seeds, 1 tsp. flax seed, 1 scoop gluten free whey protein powder, 1 handful spinach and 1 generous handful of frozen fruit.

Finished product in a mason jar with straw!

First, I generally place the yogurt in the blender – then add in the frozen fruit. Here is where you can get creative the sky’s the limit. You can put frozen blueberries in the shake – strawberries, pineapples, peaches {whatever really}. I typically buy this value pack of assorted mixed fruit at Costco – more bang for your buck.

Next add in the chia seeds, flax and 1 scoop of why protein powder. I get the vanilla flavored kind – this really adds a milkshake taste to the shake. Shove in a heaping handful of spinach and pour the water on top.

Blend your little green mixture together using the ‘milkshake’ setting on your blender. You may need to add in a little more water depending on the thickness and consistency you want for your shake.

There you go – a morning sweet green shake – packed with vitamins and will give you energy to go about your busy work day. Hooray for beautiful greens and naturally sweetened fruit!