Afraid of Brussels Sprouts?

Afraid of Brussels Sprouts?

DONT BE!

I know we all have this deep connotation that Brussel Sprouts are bitter, stinky and gross. Something we all have had in the back of our minds since childhood. But that just isn't the case! When cooked right, they are wonderful! They are also LOADED with vitamin A, folacin, potassium, calcium. They have 3-5 grams of fiber per cup, and at 25 calories per 1/2 cup cooked, they give us a reason to eat them more often. Brussels sprouts are one of those foods that will fill you up, without filling you out. 

They are fabulous!

Brussels sprouts are also seriously rich in vitamin C, another anti-cancer agent. One thing is certain: You will be getting a good-for-the-body food that is high in protein and low in fat and calories. With that, I will leave you with the amazingly simple delicious recipe for:

-Sautéed Ribbony Brussel Sprouts-

Ingredients:

• 2 oz Pancetta (optional)
• 3 tbs Ghee
• 1/2 + cup sliced red onion
• 1 Tbs fresh Thyme, If you use dry use tsp
• 1 Tbs chopped garlic
• 2 lb. Brussels Sprouts
• 2 tbs water
• 1 tbs + red wine vinegar

Directions:

• In a large pan, cook Pancetta over medium until they become clear. About 2 minutes.
• Melt ghee and add onion and thyme; cook until translucent, 3-5 mins. 
• Add garlic and cook until fragrant about 30 seconds. 
• Add Brussels sprouts and season with Pink Himalayan salt and pepper to taste. 
• Add water, cover and cook sprouts until tender about 5 minutes. 
• Stir in vinegar and serve warm.

You wont be disappointed. 

WALLA!

*Don't miss a recipe or post! Make sure you are on my email list. ADD EMAIL

GIANT Honey Oatmeal Cookies

OH MY! 

There is nothing like a fabulous Oatmeal cookie! Honestly I could eat them for breakfast I love them so much. I am VERY picky with my oatmeal cookies. I do not like cinnamon, nutmeg, raisin or extra stuff in my cookie. I like a wonderful moist, soft, sweet oat cookie! And this is just that! It's SOOO GOOD! This version has half the sugar. Replacing sugar with local honey makes the cookie Softer than usual. The honey acts like a sponge and absorbs moisture from the air which makes this cookie ridiculous!!

This recipe is sweet, buttery, soft and the best in my opinion. Well, it gives my friends infamous Chocolate Chip Oatmeal cookies that I am in love with a run for their money! She still wont give me the recipe even though I had to have them at my wedding!! (YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE! Your name begins with an A and ends with UDRE!!!) ONE DAY!!!

Sorry, I digress...... Beside those ^^ cookies, these are the best oatmeal cookies. With a slightly healthier recipe replacing sugar with honey, they really ARE THE BEST. 

Everyone will love these. I promise.

Recipe:
Yields 1 1/2 Dozen Cookies

Ingredients: Always use organic when possible

• 1 1/2 cups of sugar
• 3/4 cup unsalted grass-fed butter-Softened. (Kerrygold is my favorite)
• 2/3 cup organic local honey
• 3 egg whites
• 4 cups of old fashion oats
• 2 cups of flour
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp salt

Directions:

 Heat over to 350 degrees. Grease cookie sheet with Ghee or Grass-fed butter. In a large bowl, beat sugar, butter, honey and egg whites with an electric mixer on medium.

Then stir in remaining ingredients.

Make each cookie about 4 tsp large. Space about 3 inches apart on cookie sheet. 

Bake for 13-14 minutes. When edges are light brown, the inside will be nice and soft.

Cool 5 minutes and place on wire rack.

*1 cookie is about 250 calories.

*Don't miss a recipe or post! Make sure you are on my email list. ADD EMAIL

Amazing Garlic Hummus

Honestly, why would you buy this when making it yourself takes about 5 minutes and tastes 100% better than ANY store bought brand? Really! 

Like I always say.... Make YOUR OWN!

Use this recipe as a guide and add or omit to YOUR taste. I LOVE THIS basic recipe! My 5 yr old LOVES this! YOU WILL LOVE THIS!

Ingredients:

• 1-15 oz can organic Garbanzo beans
• 1 clove of garlic
• 1/4 tsp Pink Himalayan salt 
• Dash of paprika
• 2 tbs or more lemon juice
• 1/4 cup tahini
• 1 1/2 tbs olive oil 
• 1/2 tsp sesame oil

Directions:

Place all ingredients into your food processor and blend until you have the consistency you desire. I like it around 4-5 minutes.

You can make this extra creamy by adding a tiny more tahini, lemon and or oil. I make it less garlicky by omitting garlic all together or using half the amount I gave in recipe above. It's ALL up to you! Roast a red bell pepper, add it! Roast the garlic instead of raw garlic! OMG SO GOOD roasted!! Add different spices like lemon pepper and some fresh chunky Feta Cheese with sun dried tomatoes on top. I'll have to post that recipe next! It's whatever you like. This is the simplest recipe. This is the base. Try this first then make it your own! 

Fresh is best! 

Once you have made the batch AND had your fresh share, place 2 TBS in individual containers and place in the fridge as servings to go! You are ready to go for snacks the entire week! All in 5 minutes!

Let me know how you like it!

*Don't miss a recipe or post! Make sure you are on my email list. ADD EMAIL

Coconutty Sugar Body Scrub

Who doesn't LOVE soft skin? And if you are like me, with super sensitive skin, you can't use many over the counter products because of all the harsh chemicals. I don't know what I am allergic to, but sometimes when I try new products I wake up completely swollen. Eyes shut and all. So, I stick to what I DO know! My Derm Exclusive facial products and then my DIY products. Like this!  

This body scrub is so yummy! Not to mention EASY! I have never felt softer. It's only 2 organic ingredients. 3 if you want to make it even yummier with some essential oils. You probably have everything in your pantry already if you're like me.

No harsh chemicals, no extra cost, no calories, ALL organic! And it's truly amazing! 

You can try this with brown sugar instead of white sugar, you can add a tsp of essential oils if you like. There are many options to experiment with. I use this as body scrub in the shower, and as a hand and foot scrub at night. An anytime scrub really. You just might become addicted as well. 

Coconut oil has so many moisturizing benefits for your skin. I could write and entire post just about Coconut oil! Maybe next time. This is a course scrub and you don't want to chance clogging your pours on your face with too much oil, so only use this on your body. It's heavenly. 

• 1 Pint Jar

Ingredients:

• 1 1/3 cups Organic white sugar
• 2/3 cup Organic Virgin Coconut Oil melted

Optional:

• About 20 drops Essential Oil of choice. Vanilla, Lemon, Eucalyptus, peppermint.

If you want to make a lip scrub, add 2 tbsp of honey and use Bakers Sugar.

This also makes for a wonderful gift! Christmas is around the corner you know! Buy some pretty jars and doilies from Container Store or Cost Plus, add a creative tag and bow. And WALLA!  A very inexpensive, thoughtful gift everyone can use! Even kids in the bathtub! They can play with the texture and it wont hurt them if they accidentally get it in their mouth. It actually tastes yummy. If I didn't make my own I would LOVE a gift like this. 

Need I say more? Best scrub I've used.

*Don't miss a recipe or post! Make sure you are on my email list. ADD EMAIL

Imagine walking into that holiday party with an air of confidence you haven't shown in years!

You're feeling strong and beautiful. 

You are wearing that gorgeous outfit you have been eyeing all season, showing off your new found figure.You are surrounded in happiness because you're stepping into 2015 fitter, healthier and happier than ever. Everyone is drawn!

Don't let this be a dream. Make it so. Live it!

What do you have to do to be this person by the holiday? You need to start making some small changes immediately. 

I am gathering a group of 10 individuals who want to make this dream come forth by New Years. 

1. You need to commit to yourself!

2. You need to commit to doing a short 30 minute fitness program

3. You need to commit to drinking Shakeology each day

4. You need to commit to me and the other individuals in the group to support and motivate each other.

If this sounds like what you need, friend request me on Facebook and message me now as the group starts Monday Oct 20th. You have to lock your place in the group by Monday Oct 13th.

First they'll ask you why you are doing it.

Later, they'll ask you HOW YOU DID IT!

*Don't miss a recipe or post! Make sure you are on my email list. ADD EMAIL

Chicken Piccata

I am a mom of a Preschooler so my weeknight meals HAVE to be quick. 30 minute healthy tasty meals are my thing. This chicken dish is one of my go to dishes. For a while I was making this twice a week! Now with many more recipes under my belt, I can spread out the love much more. But this recipes stands tall still to this day. My son calls it Lemon chicken. It's DELISH! One of my absolute favorite chicken recipes. I share my chicken breast with my son, so this really serves 3 of us. 

Makes 2 servings

Ingredients;

• 2 chicken breast cutlets (pounded flat about 1/4 inch thick)
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1/2 cup flour
• Non stick spray
• 2-4 tbs Ghee
• 1/4 cup dry white wine
• 1 tsp chopped garlic
• 1/2 cup chicken broth
• 4 tbs fresh lemon juice
• 1 tbs capers
• 2 tbs grass-fed butter
• 4 thin Lemon slices

Directions;

• Pound chicken breast to 1/2 inch thick inside a plastic bag.

• Season cutlets with salt and pepper.
• Dust cutlets with flour on all sides.

• Spray sauté pan with non stick spray and add 1 tbs of ghee and melt over medium-high heat.
• Sauté cutlets 2-3 minutes on each side until golden brown.

• Remove cutlets from pan and keep warm in oven.
• Deglaze pan with wine and add minced garlic. Cook until garlic is slightly brown and liquid is almost evaporated, about 2 minutes.
• Add broth, lemon juice and capers to pan.
• Return cutlets to pan and continue to cook about 1-2 mins each side. 
• Transfer cutlets to warm plate.
• To finish the sauce, add butter and  sliced lemons to pan. Once butter melts, pour sauce over cutlets.

Serve immediately.

This is SO easy and quick. I always make extra sauce and dip each bit into extra sauce. MMMM my mouth is watering. Goes perfect with a large side of roasted or steamed broccoli.  

*Don't miss a recipe or post! Make sure you are on my email list. ADD EMAIL