Learning To Love You: July 2014

You would think sitting in front of a computer all day would mean I had time to write a blog post! Summer has been crazy. I hope everyone is getting out to enjoy the sun, beach, lake, vacations, or whatever else you may be doing. You deserve it :) I'll share my Summer adventures a little later!

It's been too long since I last posted. I've had a few topics I wanted to cover, but I'll split them up since they're pretty different and I'll bring a guest interview on by the end of the week too! It'll be a great, exciting week!!

Summer is my favorite season because I am obsessed with the beach and pool. It can be a little intimidating to put on a little bathing suit when you see so many beautiful around you. Guess what? You're beautiful too!! It would be so boring if everyone looked the same, and just because some people are born with fast metabolisms, doesn't mean yours can't be too!

Now, I must start with a disclaimer. Your metabolism isn't really to blame if you have a little extra weight. It usually always comes down to diet exercise, but your metabolism plays a big role in your energy level. If you're eating unhealthy foods, youre lowering your energy level and probably are not getting a very good exercise in because of it, right? I can tell you this weekend at the beach, I stopped and got a cheese danish on the way (I have really bad cravings.. It's a problem haha). All I wanted to do is sit and do nothing all day, when our original plan was to go for a run on the sand, play in the water, and be pretty active!

What you put in your mouth could really determine how the rest of your day goes. So, here are some foods to add to your diet to give you the energy you need to be/stay active! (Brought to you by my sweet husband)

Fruit/ Vegetables Healthy Fats Protein Spices

Blueberries Coconut Oil Almonds/tree nuts Garlic

Strawberries Flax Seeds Salmon/healthy fish Ginger

Raspberries Chia Seeds Whey Protein Cinnamon

Avocado Hemp Seeds Eggs/egg whites Hot Peppers

Spinach Olive Oil Chicken breast

Broccoli Almonds Turkey

Lean Beef

Cottage Cheese

Other Grains

water Whole Grains

yogurt Psudograins: quinoa, buckwheat

Brown Rice

Red beans/ black beans/ edamame/ legumes

Psyllium husk (fiber, in metamucil)

I've been taking a Tabata class at work, and it's been unbelievably awesome. Here are a few Tabata work outs that will let you Kick Your Own Butt

What kind of day would it be if you didn't have a delicious, healthy treat to go along during your healthy day?

Stuffed Peppers

Ingredients

3.75 oz 93% fat free lean ground beef, cooked (3/4 Lean)

1 oz 2% reduced fat Mexican Cheese (1/4 Lean)

1/2 cup or 90 grams cooked from frozen cauliflower, grated (1 or 2 peppers to cook the meat in) (1 Green)

1/2 cup Rotel diced tomatoes with green chilies (1 Green)

1/2 cup or 68 grams green pepper, cooked (1 Green)

2 tsp low sodium taco seasoning mix (3 Condiments)

Skinny No-bake Cookies

Ingredients

1/2 cup creamy peanut butter (or crunchy; if using natural style peanut butter make sure it is not oily)
1 small very ripe banana, mashed (about 1/3 cup) (we used 1/3 cup unsweetened applesauce because our bananas we're ripe)
1/3 cup honey (or maple syrup or agave)
1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1/4 cup milk (coy, almond, soy)
3 cups quick-cooking oats*
1/8 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/3 cup mini chocolate chips, optional

Coconut Bread

Ingredients:
2 large eggs
1 1/4 cups milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract (we used 1/2 teaspoon coconut extract, 1/2 teaspoon vanilla)
2 1/2 cups flour (we used whole wheat flour)
2 teaspoons baking powder
2 teaspoons cinnamon or 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon oil
1 cup superfine sugar (we used 1/2 cup applesauce, 1/2 cup sugar)
5 ounces flaked coconut (about 1 1/2 cups)
6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted (we used coconut oil)

Thanks for visiting :). Don't forget to find happiness in all that you do. If you need some help, here are a few pictures to give you ideas.