Yummy Apple Chips

A healthy alternative to chips? Look no further!

These are super easy to make and really addictive!
Recipe:
3 sweet apples- like honeycrsip, gala, fuji, or even granny smith
cinnamon

1. Slice apples very thinly and remove seeds.
2. I like to spread foil on my cookie sheet then I spread the apples on it.
3. Sprinkle with cinnamon
4. Bake for about one hour at 300 degrees. Keep and eye on them and adjust the heat if you need to.
5. Remove when they are crispy- if they are still soft bake for longer at 250.
6. BOOM! thats it- enjoy :)

Creamy Garlic Salad Dressing

My all time favorite healthy salad dressing! I love this on some mixed baby greens, with some jicama, tomato, carrot, avocado, onion and bell pepper!


Recipe:
1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
3 cloves garlic
3Tbsp fresh lemon juice
2 Tbsp fresh parsley
1 tsp himalayan salt
1/2 tsp dijon mustard
1 Tbsp raw honey

Combine all ingredients in a blender or food processor and blend until smooth. Refrigerate dressing. If it solidifies just hold at room temperature for about 30 minutes before using. Shake before serving.

Quinoa Lentil Salad

This is another recipe that I learned from the Ultimate Reset. I pretty much love it, and had it for lunch when I just couldn't take another salad- haha!

Recipe:

makes one serving

1 1/2 tsp. extra virgin olive oil

1/2 medium carrot, diced

1/4 medium onion, diced

1/4 medium bell pepper, diced

1/4 tsp ground smoked paprika

1 dash groun cumin

1/4 tsp ground turmeric

3/4 cup cooked quinoa

1/4 cup cooked lentils

1 1/2 tsp grated lemon peel

1 1/2 tsp fresh lemon juice

2 Tbsp fresh chopped parsley

1. Heat oil in medium saucepan over medium-high heat

2. Add carrot, onion, bell pepper, parka, cumin, turmeric and cook- stirring frequently for 5 minutes.

3. Add quinoa, lentils, lemon peel, lemon juice, and parsley to the pan and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes. 

4. Fluff with a fork and serve. 

Shakeology

I know how nerve racking it can be to commit to something that you haven't tried. I know how crazy it sounds that you can only get it online. I thought the same thing. Pretty much the only reason I did is because my friend Kati said it was good- and encouraged me to do my own research. She flat out told me to google it and make the right choice for me. Well, I am SO glad I did.

I took the plunge and ordered it on Home Direct. Am I the only one who REALLY doesn't want things on Autoship (uhhh hello scam!)? Once I had pro-active on autoship and it took MONTHS to cancel it. It was awful. Well- Beachbody has a great customer service staff and it is SO easy to cancel  autoship- I myself have done it by just calling in or shooting them an email!

My bought an individual serving packet form my coach to make sure that it wouldn't give me migraines (MSG gives me migraines and most protein powders actually have an open glutamate protein which does the same thing as MSG). The first time I had it- I didn't love it- but Kati assured me that I could play around with it until I found the way that I liked it best. And you know what?!

She was right! I prefer the vegan chocolate mixed with a frozen banana and coconut milk, the vegan  tropical strawberry with water and frozen tropical fruit, and the vanilla with ice, OJ and half of a frozen banana. I am SO BEYOND HAPPY that I actually gave it a chance. I go through my phases where the chocolate one will gross me out, and I only want the strawberry and vice versa- but no matter what- I can always find a recipe that I am in the mood for.

I can honestly tell the difference on days that I don't  have my Shakeo. It makes my feel energized and just right- kinda hard to explain haha. I travel with it, I bring it to my friends house, I make Mike drink it- I'm pretty much obsessed. haha. 

If you would like to buy any individual packets, or take the plunge and get a whole 30 days worth- email or message me!

Lemon Water

Lemons are packed  with nutrients, including vitamin C, B-6, calcium, iron, magnesium, potassium, and fiber.  Because of how hard lemon juice can be on the enamel of your teeth, it’s important to dilute it with water of any temperature (I like it in my ice water throughout the day and in warm water at night!). To get the most benefits out of your lemon water- drink it Ultimate Reset Style- first thing in the morning then wait 15 to 30 minutes to have breakfast.


Benefits:-Boosts Immune system-Aids digestion-Cleanses system- by helping eliminate toxins-Help to clear your skin-Aids in weightless by fighting hunger cravings-Helps fight viral infections-Gives you a natural energy boost

Black Bean Corn Relish

This recipe is one of my FAVORITES! you can play with your ratios based on what you like. It is also fun to use infused olive oil here! Shallots or green onion can be substituted for the onion. This is truly an EASY recipe that can easily be tweaked to your tastes, or doubled for more people. A little warning though, I like mine with a little KICK! If you don't, I would add the cayenne pepper to taste!

·      1 can black beans, rinsed and drained

·      2 ears fresh corn – cooked, cooled and kernels cut off the cob (frozen is not an okay substitute here, you need the crunch from fresh corn!)

·      1 red bell peppers, diced

·      1 clove minced garlic

·      1/4 cup onion, diced (I prefer red)

·      1/4 cup chopped cilantro

·      1 teaspoon salt

·      1 teaspoon cayenne pepper

·      3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

·      3 tablespoons fresh lime juice  (juice of about 1 1/2 limes)

·      2 teaspoons lime zest (zest a lime before juicing it)

·      1 avocado, diced

Combine black beans, corn, bell peppers, garlic, onion and cilantro in a large bowl.  In a small bowl whisk together salt, cayenne pepper, olive oil, lime juice, lime zest. Pour dressing over black bean mixture and stir to combine.  Cover and chill for  at least 2 hours (or overnight) before serving. Sometimes I double this recipe, and bring to a pot luck!

Right before serving, add diced avocados and mix gently, being careful not to mash avocados.  Serve at room temperature.

Vegetarian Chili

Well, it has been pretty cold this week ahem in the negatives and I needed something hearty to warm me up. You all know how I am trying to live healthier- so I made this vegetarian chili!

Vegetarian Chili

Ingredients:
2 tsp olive oil
3 onions- chopped
2 cloves garlic-minced
1 green bell pepper- chopped
1/2 of a red bell pepper-chopped
1 spicier pepper ( of your choosing- I used some serrano- but only because I love spicy and I had some in the freezer! I have also used anaheim peppers for mild chili. )
2 (14.5 oz.) cans of diced tomatoes- make sure you get the kind with no salt added!
1 qt. vegetable broth (I like pacific foods)
1/2 cup bulgar
1 can kidney beans
1 can great northern beans
2 cups frozen corn
1 Tbsp chili powder
2 tsp cayenne pepper
1/4 tsp salt
avocados to put on top.

Directions:
1. Warm olive oil in large stock pot on medium high
2. Add onions and garlic and cook for about 5 minutes until softened.
3. Add tomatoes, vegetable broth, chili powder, cayenne pepper and bulgar. Bring to a boil.
4. Reduce heat, and cook for about 10 minutes or until bulgar is soft. You will need to stir this so the bulgar doesn't burn to the bottom!
5. Add the bell peppers, spicy pepper, beans, frozen corn  and salt. Continue to cook for about 10 minutes.
6. BOOM. Thats it. This makes eight servings. I like to serve mine with avocado and hot sauce.