Friday, April 25, 2014

Squash and Kale Flatbread

I love pizza and other flatbreads.  There are so many things you can do to make them different so they don't get boring.  You can also add different ingredients to make them healthier! 



This recipe is based on the recipe I received from Hello Fresh.  It is yummy and healthy and is perfect for Meatless Mondays and vegetarians but meat eaters will love it too!

Ingredients

1 ball pizza dough, preferably whole wheat (homemade or store bought)
8 oz butternut squash, seeded, peeled and diced
2 cloves garlic
4 oz Kale
1 red onion
1 spring thyme
1 C mozzarella cheese
1 T balsamic vinegar
3 T olive oil

Let the dough come to room temperature.  I usually spread a thin coating of olive oil in a large bowl and put the dough in the bowl.  I let it sit out on my counter and cover it with a towel.

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.

Prep the veggies by mincing the garlic, chopping the kale, slicing the onion thinly and strip the leaves from the thyme.

When the dough is room temperature, divide into 4 smaller balls and stretch into 4 ovals.  The dough should be thin but don't stretch to the point there are holes. Bake the dough for about 15 minutes.

In the mean time, heat a little of the olive oil in a pan and add the kale.  Sauté until slightly soft, about 5 minutes.  Add the garlic and cook for about 1 minute.  Season with salt and pepper.  Set kale aside in a dish.  Add a tiny bit more oil and heat the onions.  Cook for about 5 minutes until they start to get some color.  Add the squash and thyme and cook for about 10 minutes more in the covered pan.  Once the squash is soft, add the kale and balsamic vinegar.  Toss.

Take the dough out of the oven and spread the kale and squash mixture over the dough.  Sprinkle the  cheese over the squash mixture.  Bake for another 5 minutes or until cheese is melted. 

I added some sliced almonds on top for a little extra crunch.  This was so good.

If you make extra squash and kale you can serve it over rice or quinoa.  For lunch today I had a base of field greens and I added 1/3 cup of quinoa and 1/2 cup of the kale squash mixture (both warm).  I drizzled a little creamy dressing on top.

These not only make a very satisfying and yummy lunch, it is proper fuel for my workouts like P90X3! Bring it!







Thursday, April 17, 2014

Flourless Chocolate Black Bean Cupcakes!


I love chocolate.  I love to have a little something sweet after dinner.  This afternoon I came across a recipe on https://www.teambeachbody.com for flourless chocolate cupcakes using chickpeas!  I was so excited to try them and decided I’d make them for dessert tonight.  However, when I got home I realized I didn’t have a can of chickpeas or any cooked chickpeas in the freezer.  I did have black beans though and thought it would work just as well.

 
Let me tell you, it did!  These were a little fudgy but also light and airy.  If you didn’t know they had black beans in them, you would never figure it out.  I estimate that each cup cake (without frosting or whip cream) has about 140 calories.  Not bad.  I really can’t believe they do not have any flour in them either. 



These are great since they are super simple to make and they satisfy a sweet tooth.  These are perfect since they’ll satisfy adults and kids alike!

 

Ingredients

1 (15 oz) can of black beans

3 large eggs

½ cup pure maple syrup

1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

1 tsp baking soda

3 Tbs coconut oil, melted

1 tsp pure vanilla

1/3 cup dark chocolate chips

I changed up the recipe and directions slightly from the one on teambeachbody.  I made it easier.  If you want to use chickpeas instead, just replace the black beans. 


 
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.  Grease 12 cup muffin tin (I used coconut oil) or line with paper muffin cups.  Place the drained and rinsed black beans and rest of ingredients into a food processor and blend until smooth.  Really, I was being lazy and I even through the chocolate chips in but you can fold them in later if you would rather them stay whole. 

Pour the batter into the 12 muffin cups and cook for 15 to 30 minutes.  I know, that is a wide range.  If you are using a muffin tin, it will be closer to 15 minutes but I use a muffin stone so it takes longer and took about 30 minutes before a tooth pick came out clean. 

Both of my boys loved these.  I served them with a little whip cream and one son put a little bit of chocolate sprinkles it.  I actually told my older son about the secret ingredient being black beans.  He said he could taste it (I believe him since he has quite the palate) but that it didn’t matter that they were great.
 

That makes a mom happy.  They are delicious and healthy!

Wednesday, April 16, 2014

21 Day Fix Challenge Group Starts in May!

Are you ready lose the fat and not count calories or points?  Then the 21 Day Fix is for you!!! Lose 10 lbs or more in 3 weeks. Put together by a professional fitness competitor, this system has some amazing 30 min workouts to do right at home and a complete meal prep plan with containers. AND you can still have desserts and wine! That is a big one for me!  I love my wine on the weekends!

As long as it fits in the allotted container, you can have it!

Finally a way you can lose weight, eat real food, not be deprived of anything, and something you can do right in the comfort of your own home!

Ready to join me?   I'll be doing it with you and I'll keep you motivate in my on line accountability group!  I provide free coaching and help answer any questions you have about the program. 

I love to cook so I'll be sharing lots of delicious recipes that are 21 Day Fix approved.  Do you like to cook?  Share your recipes with the group as well.  

Check out some of these before and after pictures!  Create your own before and after pictures!

This program is so popular that it is on back order.  If you want to join my group in May, you'll need to order soon! 

 


You can also order the 21 day fix base package.  Leave a comment and I will send you that link.

Saturday, April 5, 2014

Peanut Butter Banana Chocolate Bites

These are a runner's dream snack.  Chocolate, peanut butter and banana!  Yummy and healthy.  They will give you a little boost in energy and they have protein and healthy fat.  What is not to like??  And really, you don't have to be a runner to enjoy these.



1. Slice 2 bananas.
2. Spread 1/2 tsp peanut butter on banana and too with another slice.
3. Pop in the freezer while you get the chocolate ready.

4. Melt dark chocolate (or milk chocolate) chips in a double boiler.
5. Top each banana bite with chocolate.

The chocolate will harden quickly. Enjoy immediately or store in freezer/ refrigerator.


I made these with my kids and they lasted a few days.  I had to hide them in the freezer so they'd last longer! 

Friday, April 4, 2014

March's Running Challenge


During the month of March I participated in the Spartan 30 Challenge - to run or walk at least 1 mile a day for 30 days.  I didn’t get a run in every day.  I walked 2 days and missed 9 days for various reasons including illness.  Not bad. 


My running was in addition to my P90X3 workouts.  Some days I used them as a warm up and some days I ran after my workout.  I mostly ran after P90X3 when I was concerned with form.  I work out at 5 am and sometimes I’m still half asleep so running after wasn’t a bad idea since it gave me time to wake up.  On one of my last runs I accidentally knocked the emergency stop off and nearly went flying off the treadmill!  I don’t think I was awake yet.

Although many of my runs were about one mile, some were a little over 4 miles when it was “warm” enough to run outside.  This winter was bitter cold.  I don’t mind running in cold weather.  Actually I like running when it is cold.  But negative temps and single digit temps are ridiculous.  One day in January I ran when it was 2 degrees and we all had frost on our face. Despite the cold I managed to get two long runs in – 7 and 8 miles. 

My total mileage was 49.4 miles.  Ugh!  I wish I would have looked at my totals before my last run in March.  I would have gone a little further to hit 50 miles!!  My average pace was 9.25 .  I’m good with that for now.  My P90X3 workouts are certainly making me a stronger runner.  I don’t feel winded and my legs feel strong.  I know I can push more next month.  So let’s see what April brings besides showers.