New Favorite Dessert/Snack

A few days ago, my husband left a recipe up on the computer (no doubt for me to find). I'm not sure if he wanted me to see it so that I would make the recipe (he is actually a very accomplished cook/baker himself...), or if he just thought I would like to see it. Either way, when I did find it, I had to try it.

I found my new favorite grab and go energy food, my favorite dessert, and my favorite all around sweet snack all in one in these delicious no bake energy bites! My favorite thing about them is the lack of guilt I feel when I pop two in my mouth for a snack, or for dessert. My next favorite thing is that they are all natural, and I don't feel guilty letting my toddler eat them, either.

This recipe was not my own, and I must give credit where credit is due. This is from a blog called Gimme Some Oven. It is a group of four women that run the blog, and they do a terrific job, so head on over there and check out some of the other recipes they have posted!

Here is the link to the recipe for No-Bake Energy Bites. Enjoy!

On Getting Active

I hope you are all enjoying your Spring, even though today it felt like winter again!

I have been getting tired of the same ol' same ol' in my workout routine (if I can even call it a routine...), which left me bored, which found me skipping the whole workout thing. So I decided to spice things up - here are some ideas to spice up your workouts as well!

1) Try something new -- I asked my husband to teach me how to play soccer. The benefits? A good cardio workout and quality time with my husband doing something he loves to do! I also found out that I am really enjoying soccer more than I ever thought I could. Lots of bonuses!

2) Enroll in an aerobics class -- Or something active. Working out with others will introduce you to new friends/accountability partners. Doing it together motivates you to not give up on yourself as easily. I am in a kickboxing class right now, and am absolutely loving it, even though it is hard work.

Ready..... GO! Go get active :)

New Smoothie Recipe

The sunny weather inspired me to try a new smoothie concoction, and once again, it is approved by not only myself, but also my two year old. Enjoy!

Green Fruit Smoothie

2 cups greens (I used collard greens, but spinach would work too)
1 med. banana, frozen
a few ice cubes
1 tsp flax seed meal
mixed berries, about 1/2c - 3/4c
pineapple juice to desired consistency
**for those of you who like it a little sweeter, you can add 1-2 tsp sugar**

Place all items in blender. Blend until smooth. Enjoy!

Honesty and Accountability

The truth is, I really like food. A lot. Not only do I like food, but I like to eat the stuff that isn't necessarily the healthiest for me. Sometimes, while I wish I could just eat whatever I wanted and not have it affect me, that isn't reality. So, I have to find some motivation to keep me making the right choices. This week, I found one of those motivators.

My daughter, who is two, had an appointment on Monday -- a routine check up for a two year old. This was also the appointment when they compare her height and weight to 'the chart', to see if her growth is right on track with all the other toddlers her age. According to 'the chart', she falls into the 12th percentile for her height and the 52nd percentile for her weight. The 50th percentile is average, which means our little cutie is probably always going to be little (and cute, but we don't need a chart to tell us that ;p)

While we knew that she was probably going to be on the shorter side when she was all grown up, this news hit me in a way that I wasn't expecting. The choices I make for her right now are going to become what she knows when its time for her to make the right choices. Which means if she eats unhealthily now, then she will have a harder time learning to eat healthy when she has to make the choices on her own. This is something that I have always struggled with, and it is not the thing that I want to pass on to my child. This is motivation to make the right choices not only for my health and well-being, but also for hers.

So, what is your biggest motivator to make the right choices? Think about it every time you want to binge on junk food because you are stressed, or when you aren't feeling like doing that workout.

My motivation. What's yours?

Courage and Green Smoothies

As some of you know, my husband and I were in Florida a couple weeks ago with a group of 120 teens for the annual Youth For Christ Florida Breakaway trip. It was an awesome time, and we really enjoyed the sunshine and warmth. Unfortunately, going on vacation did not motivate me to eat healthy and run every day. Between the fast food on the ride down, the camp food while we were there, and the countless snacks that YFC provided, I completely lost track of what I was putting into my body.

So, after some hesitation, I decided to bite the bullet and try something new to help my cleanse and get a fresh start... green smoothies! Now, I've never actually had the guts to put something as... weird... as spinach in my smoothie right along with my berries and bananas. But with the help of my husband and the bass player in our band, we took the step together. What I found was surprising!

We tried a smoothie with kale first, and while it wasn't too bad, I didn't like the way that the kale didn't really blend too well. It's texture causes it to stay in little tiny pieces. But I didn't give up. Next, I tried one with spinach, and I really enjoyed it (plus, I was getting all that green goodness and I couldn't even taste it!)

So my challenge to you today is this: try something new! Just because it sounds 'healthy', doesn't mean that it tastes like cardboard, or worse. The best part about this is that my toddler absolutely loves smoothies, and now she is getting her veggies every day!!

Here is an idea on how to make a delicious green smoothie. Remember, the possibilities are endless. Don't be afraid to be creative and try new combinations!

2 Cups of a green: kale, spinach, collards... you choose!
1 Cup ice (optional)
1 Banana (I always use a banana in mine, but you dont have to)
1 Cup Fruit (or to taste): orange and pineapple for a tropical taste, or mixed berries... experiment!
1 Cup Juice: Apple juice, orange juice, pineapple juice... your choice, just try for 100% juice... for the whole health part ;)
1-2 tsp sugar: If you like it a little sweeter, go ahead and add the sugar...

Blend on, my friends!!
(And let me know how they turn out!)

Spring into Smoothies!

While the rain continues to come down in droves and the temperature still feels like winter, I am determined to have a positive attitude. The rain and cold have stopped me from running outside since I've been home from the Sunshine State, but I can still try to make healthy choices! Here is a delicious smoothie recipe that even my 2 year old enjoys. It is perfect for a spring/summer morning, and its super easy to make!

Berry Smoothie

15g oatmeal (56.25cal)
1.5 c mixed berries (90cal)
1c skim milk (90cal)
.25 c strawberry Dannon light & fit yogurt (28cal)
2 teaspoon granulated sugar (32cal)
2 ice cubes (optional)


Place all ingredients into blender. Blend until smooth.

Total calories: 296.25 ( 148.13/ serving)
Servings: 2 (8oz each)

At less than 150 calories per serving, how can you resist?!?! Also, try adding a tablespoon of peanut butter to your smoothie for added protein and to keep you full longer.

What are some delicious smoothie concoctions you have created? 

Family Dinner Idea

I know that it can be hard to eat healthy, let alone make healthy meals that your family will enjoy. With this meal that I found at Skinnytaste, you can make a meal that isn't only delicious and healthy, but its also super simple.

Click on the photo for the recipe!

All you do is throw everything in a crockpot, and cook the rice. My two year old couldn't get enough of this! You can eat this dish as chili, over rice, over tortilla chips, or in a tortilla. 

This gets my vote for a great family dinner idea :)