Day 2: Accountability Challenge

Day 2: 8-2

Breakfast: Banana Caramel Shake with coconut water
Lunch: zucchini/avacado mac and cheese
Dinner: 2 hard boiled egg whites, zucchini and a tomato
Snacks: slice of zucchini bread
Water Intake: 85oz (8 with beauty booster)
Exercise/Workout: hour of yoga mixed with abs and bonus workout below + sum
Steps (if you have a Fitbit or tracker): 6600
Today I succeeded in: Organizing my work life after missing Monday and getting a workout in
I could have done better in: taking my 10 minute breaks to go for walks instead of working through them and maybe not eating the zucchini bread

Bonus workout: DONE
20 squats x 3
30 second plank x 2
45 second skaters (or curtsy squats) x 2

Here in New England, Zucchini and all types of summer squashes are in season.  I pick a few a week from my own garden and the farm stands are fully stocked with them as well. I honestly feel like I eat it every night and I am pretty sure it is because I do.  Here is one of the ways I like to cook it:

2 Zucchini

1 heaping tablespoon Coconut Oil

Season Salt to taste

Black pepper and Sea Salt to taste

I simply heat the oil in a saute pan until hot.  I add the sliced zucchini rounds to the pan and sprinkle with season salt. I stir occasionally until lightly browned and serve with salt and pepper to taste. Quick, simple and easy!

Enjoy!

Day 1: Accountability Challenge

We all know I love a good challenge and I am already 3 weeks in to an online accountability challenge to help drop a couple lbs and glad to say in 3 weeks I am down 5.9lbs.   I'm not going to lie, its around this time I start to slack and get off track so what better time then to join ANOTHER 30 day accountability challenge that is done through a private facebook group. This challenge will challenge me to stay on track with meals, water intake, workouts and thinking of both the positive and not so positive, need to work on, aspects of my day, everyday, for the next 30 days. I decided along the way I will keep track of it all here and try to share a recipe a day to go along with the challenge.

Day 1: 8/1/16

Breakfast: Banana Caramel Herbalife Shake with coconut water
Lunch: Grilled zucchini
Dinner: Chicken with zucchini/avocado mac and cheese
Snacks: Cup of mixed berries (straw, rasp and blue)
Water Intake: 101oz (doesn't include shake or coffee)
Exercise/Workout: Sick day so no workout
Steps :5500 (felt better and took the dog for a walk)
Today I succeeded in: Drinking a lot of water
I could have done better in: Steps and exercise

Recipe of the Day:

This isn't an everyday meal but is a healthier version for when I need my mac and cheese fix. 

Half box tri-color pasta with half box protein pasta, cooked to liking 1 zucchini, diced and boiled until soft1 avocado 1/2 onion, diced1 tablespoon minced garlic3 tablespoons flour2 cups shredded cheese of choice (I use mozzarella and colby jack)1-3/4 cup of skim milk1/4 stick unsalted butterSalt and pepper to taste 
First cook the onion and garlic in the butter until the onion is soft and mixture is fragrant. 
Combine zucchini and avocado in food processor and add to the sauce

Next, add the flour, stirring until dissolved. 

Add the milk and stir to make sure nothing sticks, stir occasionally until thickened. 

Add the cheese, salt and pepper. 

Finally, stir in pasta

Most importantly, ENJOY (in moderation) 

Zucchini Boat Enchiladas

I was getting tired of the same old meals and looking for healthy alternatives to some not so healthy ideas. I of course turned to Pinterest and found a couple options for enchiladas. I have never made nor ate enchiladas before and figured I would give it a shot by taking aspects from a couple different posts I found and read. Below I posted links to the few I flipped through in case you want to make any alterations but here is what I decided on.

3 zucchini, cut in half and center scrapes out

*Brush with (1) tablespoon of the below EVOO and back at 375 for 15-20 minutes until softened 

6 chicken tenders, cooked and shredded

*Toss with cumin, chili powder, paprika and pepper below once shredded 

1 sweet pepper, diced
1 small sweet onion, diced
2 tablespoons crushed garlic

*Saute in a pan until pepper is softened with (2) tablespoons of below EVOO

3 tablespoons EVOO
1 teaspoon of cumin
1 teaspoon of chili powder
1 teaspoon of paprika
1 teaspoon of black pepper

Green Enchilada sauce
1 bag shredded Mexican cheese
1- 2 avocados (optional)
Diced tomatoes (optional)
Sour Cream (optional)

Combine chicken with veggie mixture

Fill boats with above mixture

Top with green enchilada sauce

Top with Mexican cheese

Bake until cheese is golden brown and serve with avocado, diced tomato and sour cream

ENJOY! 

Portuguese Fish Steamed in Tomato Sauce

A couple weeks ago we attended an event in Downtown New Bedford, Viva Portugal.  We went to a cooking demonstration and learned how to cook a Portuguese Fish dish from Maria Lawton.

We went home that day and decided to try it for ourselves.  It was amazing and so easy! Here is what you will need:

SAUCE
2 Tablespoons of Olive Oil
1 Large can of Diced Tomatoes
1 Small can of Diced Tomatoes with garlic
1 Sweet Onion, Chopped
3 Tablespoons Garlic, Minced
3 Tablespoons Hot Crushed Red Pepper

FISH
1-2 lbs Cod Fish
1 Cup Beer (I used Coors Light) (You could also use white wine or water)
Paprika
1 Bunch Parsley, Chopped

In a pan, heat the olive oil.  Add in the tomato's, chopped onion, garlic and crushed red pepper. Heat on high for about 5-10 minutes and then simmer for 30 minutes but you can let simmer longer if needed.

Now that the sauce has been prepared we can start the fish.  Add the beer to the sauce and heat covered until steaming.  Divide the fish into 4 sections and salt.  Add to the pan and sprinkle with paprika to taste.

Cover and let the fish cook for about 20 minutes or until done.  Top with the fresh parsley and serve with rice, potato or pasta.  Enjoy!

Herbalife 21 Day Shake Challenge - Day 21

Wow! Here we are at Day 21, our FINAL DAY, of the Herbalife 21 Day Shake Challenge.  Now they say it takes 21 days to form a habit and let me tell you, this is a habit I don't want to break as it is the best kind of habit you can have, a healthy lifestyle! I still have a good way to go on my journey but I have come a long way and find myself making better decisions for both my body and my mind both inside and out.

For our final day I decided to try something new and went with a Chai Shake, here's how I did it:

2 Scoops French Vanilla Formula 1
4 Tablespoons Chai Concentrate
6 Ice Cubes
8oz Milk
A Dash of Cinnamon

If you want to see change you can't just sit there and hope and wish, you need to take that first step and jump in.  I mean in the end what do you have to lose......except a few pounds and maybe some old bad habits!  If you are interested in learning more about a healthy lifestyle and Herbalife, please feel free to contact me directly. I'd love to help you start your journey that will turn into the best habit you have!

Herbalife 21 Day Shake Challenge - Day 18

Today is Day 18 of the Herbalife 21 Day Shake Challenge and we only have 3 days left! There is nothing better than walking outside in the morning and seeing the sun shining and no snow on the ground! It may still be a little cold but I'll take it.  We haven't had a terrible winter but I am definitely ready for Spring. I went with a butterscotch shake today and here is how I made it:

2 Scoops French Vanilla Formula 1
1 Tablespoon of Butterscotch Pudding
8 oz  Milk
8 Ice Cubes
A Dash of Cinnamon

I loved this shake, although it's butterscotch it has a caramel flavor to it and helps me avoid that caramel macchiato in the morning.

Herbalife 21 Day Shake Challenge - Day 17

We are now on day 17 of the Herbalife 21 Day Shake Challenge and today I went back to one of my favorite shake flavor......Orange Cream.  I made this shake back on Day 4 and once again it basically tasted like a nutritional Orange Julius but this time I added fresh banana instead of the banana pudding.  So here is how I did it:

2 Scoops Orange Cream Formula 1 

1/2 Medium Banana

6-8 Ice Cubes

8 oz Fat Free Milk

As always, it all goes into the Nutri Ninja and breakfast is served!