Tuesday, February 11, 2014

Strawberry Banana Protein Smoothie

After discovering how amazing the Nutri Bullet is, I have been on a smoothie craze lately.  Today I'm going to share my delicious recipe for a strawberry banana protein smoothie.


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Here's what you'll need:
1 1/3 cups strawberries, frozen
1 medium banana, sliced
1 cup orange juice (you can use 1/2 cup orange juice, 1/2 cup water if you want fewer calories)
2 scoops vanilla protein (I use & sell AdvoCare's Muscle Gain, because it tastes amazing)
2 Tbsp ground flaxseed

Get your blender out. Nutri Bullets are fantastic for make smoothies like this & for cleaning up quickly.  Add strawberries, bananas, orange juice, protein, flaxseed, and spinach.  Blend & drink up! You can play around with the ingredients, but these are my favorite.  It's a perfect recovery drink after you've been working out or a meal replacement! Protein-packed and full of fruit!

Monday, January 27, 2014

Motivation Monday

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It's almost February! How are you doing with your nutrition and fitness goals?  Let's not just make wishes... Let's set goals.  Make February a great month!  Don't forget to head over to the Giveaways and check out what freebies are available.  I know you'll like what you see!

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Friday, January 24, 2014

Veggie Stuffed Bell Peppers--Dinner for Two!

Are you stuck in a vegetarian rut? Are you looking for a meatless Monday recipe? Well, I just tried out the BEST EVER recipe for you.  If you're cooking for one or two, this is a great recipe too!!  If you have more people, then just adjust the recipe.  I almost doubled the recipe in these pictures. Easy!  Hope you love it as much as I do!! Post any questions you have about the recipe in the comments below.

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Here's what you'll need:
1 cup cooked quinoa (that's 1/2 cup dry)
1/2 tsp onion powder (or to taste)
1/2 tsp garlic powder (or to taste)
1 Tbsp olive oil
1/2 lb meatless crumbles (or ground turkey if you like meat!)
1 cup black beans, rinsed & drained
1 cup frozen corn
1/2 tsp Season All salt, low sodium (to taste)
2 large red peppers, halved & seeds removed (you can also use green or yellow!)
1 cup shredded cheese (your choice-- I love the fiesta blend!)
1/3 bunch cilantro, chopped

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.  Begin by cooking quinoa as directed on package.  This can be cooking while you work on the rest of the recipe.  Then, place pepper halves on a large baking sheet & drizzle with olive oil. Bake at 375 degrees F for about 20 minutes or until the pepper's skin bubbles.  Set aside in a small casserole dish.  When peppers are cooking, start warming your onion powder and garlic powder in 1 Tbsp olive oil in a medium skillet.  Add in meatless crumbles, black beans, and corn.  Mix until warm-- about 5 minutes.  Add cooked quinoa and Season All salt, to taste.  Spoon into the pepper halves inside the casserole dish.  Top with cheese and cilantro.  Place under broiler for approximately 5 minutes until cheese is browning and bubbly.

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Wednesday, January 22, 2014

My January Workout Playlist

Have you checked out the Giveaways lately? There's something new just for you!!

Anyway, I don't know about you guys, but I always need good music to get pumped for my workout.  Here are the songs on my January playlist:

What's on your workout playlist?

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Monday, January 20, 2014

Motivation Monday


It's Motivation Monday again!! The quote today is-- Stop comparing yourself to others & start competing with yourself.

We need to change our mindsets! Today, I challenge you to compete only with yourself.  6 months ago when I started working out, I'll be honest... It was hard to run 1/4 mile. I was very, very out of shape. A week ago, for the first time in so long, I took the plunge and started jogging on the treadmill.  I don't care what anyone is doing around me. I am proud of myself for jogging! Someday, I would love to run 5Ks.  I'm making that public, because I think it's necessary to see that we're all in separate places with our health struggles.  

Everyone measures their success differently... It's a success to walk into a gym, to finish a fitness class, to get on the treadmill, to go for a swim, to complete that 5K or half marathon, to take a walk to the grocery store, to lose one pound or gain one.  Again, I challenge you to compete only with yourself.

BUT REMEMBER.... YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL TO ME!

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Xoxo,
Kristin

{P.S. Don't forget to check out the Giveaway section of the blog! There's a new post!}

Sunday, January 19, 2014

Creamy Guacamole

If you love avocados or guacamole, (or you just need something to wow your friends at the next get together) this is the recipe for you. This amount is just perfect for about 3 people! It's so creamy and delicious that I could've eaten the whole batch myself.  

While I wouldn't recommend eating the whole batch, this recipe is addicting & packed with nutrients.  You might already know that avocados a great source of heart-healthy fat {unsaturated fat}.  They are also packed full of potassium, fiber, and vitamins, like C, K, and B6.  No guilt here!

By the way, don't forget to head over to the Giveaways & check out my Sweetheart Steal for Valentine's Day.  There might just be something you're interested in.  Okay, back to the recipe...

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Here's what you'll need:
3 ripe avocados
1 tsp salt
1 tsp lime juice
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 frozen cubes cilantro {or a few Tbsp}

First make sure your avocados are ripe. If they are still a little hard, place them in a brown paper bag with an apple for a day or two. They will ripen more quickly! Cut the avocado in half, remove the seed in the middle, and peel. Add the avocados to a large bowl and mash with a fork until it's at your desired consistency.  {Some people love creamy guacamole, some love it a little chunky. I made mine more creamy.}

Next, add salt, lime juice, minced garlic, and cilantro. {If you're using the frozen cilantro cubes, just break them up with your fingers before you add them in.} Mix & enjoy! Store in an airtight container.

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Friday, January 17, 2014

Ricotta & Spinach Stuffed Jumbo Shells with Meatless Sauce

This is one of my very favorite vegetarian dinners that you didn't even notice was vegetarian. If you've got people in your family that really need to eat meat to feel like they've had a meal, this is the dinner for them! I add meatless crumbles for some vegetarian protein & no one notices. Yes, I'm sneaky like that. Enjoy!! 

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Here's what you'll need:
1 pkg of jumbo shells
1 Tbsp olive oil
1 medium sized onion, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 lb bag of meatless crumbles (I love the Morning Star brand)
32 oz can of diced tomatoes
2 frozen cubes of basil (equal to 2 tsp-- check out the pic below!)
2 frozen cubes of cilantro (also 2 tsp)
15 oz. part skim ricotta cheese
8 oz. reduced fat mozzarella cheese, shredded
1 egg
16 oz pkg frozen spinach, thawed, dried (all the water should be squeezed out)
1/4 cup Parmesan, shredded

First, cook pasta shells as directed on the package.  This should take about 15 minutes.  While they're cooking you can start on the other steps. {Tip: After the pasta is finished cooking, drain it and run cold water over it to stop the pasta from cooking.  You can also rinse it in some oil to keep the shells from sticking together.}

Meanwhile, heat olive oil in a large saucepan.  Add onion & garlic, cooking for about 5 minutes.  Then add meatless crumbles & cook for 5-10 more minutes.  Add diced tomatoes, basil, cilantro and cook on low for approximately 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.

While waiting, preheat oven to 375 degrees F.  Also, mix ricotta, mozzarella, egg, spinach, and Parmesan together in a bowl.  Spread part of the meatless sauce in the 13" x 9" pan-- enough to cover the bottom of the pan.  Next fill the shells with cheese/spinach mix.  Top with remaining meatless sauce.

Cover the pan with foil and cook for about 45 minutes at 375 F.  Cook uncovered for 5 more minutes.

 

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How cool are these? They were $2 at Walmart for 20 servings.  Just keep your basil and other herbs in the freezer and pop one frozen cube out when you need it.  One cube equals one teaspoon.  These are so great for me, because I often cook for one & I don't want my herbs to spoil. Thank you to whoever invented these!

Wednesday, January 15, 2014

Motivation Monday

I know I'm a little late with Motivation Monday this week, but it's still here!  I hope yall are sticking strong with your new year's resolutions even when they challenge you.  Here's some inspiration with a picture and quote from Fitsugar.  {P.S. They also have great workouts and fitness tips, too!}

Remember: "If it doesn't challenge you, it doesn't change you." I challenge you to finish out your week strong!

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Friday, January 10, 2014

Follow Me!

Do you love getting healthy new recipes and motivation delivered straight to you?  Are you in need of some new workouts and fitness tips?  Sign up to follow my blog by entering your email address on the right hand side of the blog! {Underneath the fitness instructor ad!} You can also follow me on Instagram for more motivation.


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Xoxo,
Kristin
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Thursday, January 9, 2014

Tired of Protein Bars and Shakes?

Start cooking with your protein powder!! Here are 5 ways to add your protein in to some of your favorite foods:


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  1. Oatmeal! Add 1 scoop to your morning oats, along with a banana and some peanut butter.
  2. Pancakes: Add a scoop of protein to your pancake mix.
  3. Muffins: Yep, this is one of my favorites. I've made pumpkin muffins, banana nut muffins and many others packed full of protein just by adding a scoop of protein. I'll add my favorite recipe soon!
  4. Condiments: Mix in your protein powder with peanut butter, dressing or your other favorite condiments.  Unflavored protein works best for this!
  5. {Oatmeal Peanut Butter Protein Balls}  
     
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Tuesday, January 7, 2014

Garlic & Onion Seasoned Lentils!

So, my new obsession is.... LENTILS!  They are so great for you too-- full of fiber!  My good friend Laura shared her favorite version of lentil-making with me & I am so in love. You will be too.

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Here's what you'll need:

1 cup dry lentils
1 carrot, chopped
1/2 onion, chopped
1 bouillon cube {Chicken flavor!}
1 tsp salt
1 tsp cumin
2 cloves garlic
1 tsp garlic powder
Cilantro {to taste}

Ready? First, wash the lentils in a strainer.  Put them in a small container with 2 cups water {or until all lentils are under the water}.  Let them soak overnight.

Next day: Put the lentils in a small pot on the stove with a chopped carrot, chopped onion, bouillon cube, salt, cumin, garlic, and garlic powder.  Cook for 20 minutes on medium heat.  Once the lentils are soft, they're done! Make sure there's enough water for them to cook in at all times.  Top with cilantro, cook up some brown rice, and enjoy!

For an alternative, you can also cook the lentils in a crockpot on high for about 3 hours.  After that, turn the crockpot to low.  Check to make sure the lentils have enough water.  When they're soft, once again... they're done! Enjoy!

Monday, January 6, 2014

Motivation Monday- You Are Beautiful!

For all my ladies and gentleman who are feeling less than fabulous about themselves right now... You are beautiful to me!

 
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