I don't know what has gotten into me lately but I've been a cooking fool. In the last few weeks I've made homemade Mediterranean pizza, cereal bars, protein muffins, rice krispie treats and dinner just about every week night. I've been a meal planning fool and really trying to stick with it so my family can eat healthy every night and have some yummy snacks. I admit there have been a few "bombs" that did not receive approval from the family but I've mostly had positive reviews so I can't complain. I decided to post my recipe for "Family Friendly" cereal bars. This is not the original recipe as I didn't think my kids would "dig" that version. I changed a few things around and the kids love them! I have to admit they can be a little crumbly (since they're Gluten Free) so I keep them cut-up in the freezer so they stay together. Today, I actually crumbled one up and put it on top of my yogurt and it was so yummy! The kids have been asking for the bars in their lunches so I guess I'll be making them again. Enjoy and let me know what you think!
Lean Cereal Bars
Makes 8 servings
2 C. puffed wheat (I substituted Rice Krispies)
1/3 C. Ground almonds or walnuts
2 Tbsp. ground flaxseed
1 C. vanilla whey protein powder
1/3 C. dried Fruit (cranberries, blueberries or raisins) I used mini chocolate chips too!!
1/3 C. pure maple syrup
1 Tbsp. coconut oil
1 tsp. vanilla extract
2 Tbsp. natural peanut butter (I would use a little more to make it stick together better)
In a bowl, combine dry ingredients. Set aside.
In a pot, combine syrup and coconut oil. Heat to a simmer. Add vanilla extract and peanut butter and remove from heat. Stir with a fork to blend ingredients.
Add liquid mixture to cereal mixture and mix with a spoon.
Press evenly into an oiled 8x8" pan. Let cool in the refrigerator until solid. Cut into 8 squares.
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
36!! and another year wiser???
Yes, I'm 36! Another year wiser...not so sure about that one. I had a fabulous birthday weekend. It started with a wonderful surprise party thrown by my amazing husband where I was surrounded with my family, friends, and clients. What more can a girl ask for?? I woke up on Saturday to breakfast in bed with my kiddos, presents and then off to the A&M vs. SFA game...not such a good ending for SFA but we had a great time!
On Sunday, I decided to work off some of the b-day goodies with a five mile run and it was rough! It got me to thinking about the last year. When I turned 35, things started changing for me physically. I have so many more aches and pains then I've ever had. It seems I get a new pulled muscle, backache, cramp, neck tension, etc. every week...getting old sucks! It makes me a little apprehensive for the future.
On Sunday, I decided to work off some of the b-day goodies with a five mile run and it was rough! It got me to thinking about the last year. When I turned 35, things started changing for me physically. I have so many more aches and pains then I've ever had. It seems I get a new pulled muscle, backache, cramp, neck tension, etc. every week...getting old sucks! It makes me a little apprehensive for the future.
Am I going to be able to continue teaching classes, training clients, running, biking, doing triathlons, etc. for many years to come? Will my body keep up? Will my knees hold up? Who knows???
All I can do is have faith, take care of my body, eat healthy, and enjoy the blessings and talents I've been given. I'm telling myself age is only a number (can I count that high?) and there are people in their 80's running marathons! If they can do it, so can I right?
I know, I know, I'm only in my 30's so what am I complaining about? I'm not saying I'm ancient, just feeling a little more ragged than I did 10 years ago. Exercising is a little tougher, I'm sore more often, and I feel pain more frequently. I guess I have an excuse to get more massages now!
I am definitely thankful for my amazing husband, loving kids, supportive family, many friends, my awesome clients and good health!
Here's to 36! I'm Alive and Well!
All I can do is have faith, take care of my body, eat healthy, and enjoy the blessings and talents I've been given. I'm telling myself age is only a number (can I count that high?) and there are people in their 80's running marathons! If they can do it, so can I right?
I know, I know, I'm only in my 30's so what am I complaining about? I'm not saying I'm ancient, just feeling a little more ragged than I did 10 years ago. Exercising is a little tougher, I'm sore more often, and I feel pain more frequently. I guess I have an excuse to get more massages now!
I am definitely thankful for my amazing husband, loving kids, supportive family, many friends, my awesome clients and good health!
Here's to 36! I'm Alive and Well!
Thursday, August 26, 2010
Chicken Picatta
I made this one the other night and got a big thumbs up from the family so I thought I'd share...
Chicken Picatta with Chickpea Puree
Serves 4
Chickpea Puree1 tbsp. olive oil
1 small onion, diced
4 cloves garlic, smashed
1 15-oz. can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
1/3 C. low-sodium chicken stock
Sea salt and fresh ground black pepper to taste
Chicken Picatta
1/4 C. whole-wheat flour, divided (I used a gluten-free flour mix)
Sea salt and fresh ground black pepper to taste
4 4-oz. skinless, boneless chicken breasts, pounded to 1/4" thick
3 tsp. olive oil, divided
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 C. lo2-sodium chicken stock
1 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice
2 Tbsp. capers or olives, rinsed and coarsely chopped
1 Tbsp. flat-leaf parsley, chopped
Prepare chickpea puree: Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion, garlic, and chickpeas and cook, stirring frequently, for 6-8 minutes, or until onions are light-golden brown and tender. Remove from heat and pour into a food processor. Add stock and puree until smooth, adding a bit of water or additional stock if needed. Season with salt and pepper. Cover, set aside and keep warm until ready to serve.
While chickpea mixture is cooking in skillet, prepare chicken: Reserve 1 Tbsp. flour for later use. In a shallow dish or plate, combine remaining flour with salt and pepper. Dredge chicken in flour mixture to coat completely and shake off excess.
Heat 1 tsp. oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken to pan and cook for 2-3 minutes per side, or until golden brown. Remove chicken from pan and transfer to plate.
Using the same pan over medium-high heat (do not wash; the brown bits will add flavor), add remaining 2 tsp. oil, garlic and reserved 1 Tbsp. flour. Heat mixture, stirring constantly for about 1 minute, scraping up any brown bits from pan. Add stock, lemon juice and capers. Bring to a boil over high heat, reduce heat to medium-high and simmer for about 3 minutes, until sauce thickens.
Add chicken back to pan and continue to simmer for an additional 2 minutes. Remove from heat, stir parsley into sauce and season with salt and pepper.
To serve, scoop 1/4 of chickpea puree into center of plate, top with 1 chicken picatta and spoon 2-3 tbsp. sauce over top.
Enjoy and have a fabulous weekend!
Chicken Picatta with Chickpea Puree
Serves 4
Chickpea Puree1 tbsp. olive oil
1 small onion, diced
4 cloves garlic, smashed
1 15-oz. can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
1/3 C. low-sodium chicken stock
Sea salt and fresh ground black pepper to taste
Chicken Picatta
1/4 C. whole-wheat flour, divided (I used a gluten-free flour mix)
Sea salt and fresh ground black pepper to taste
4 4-oz. skinless, boneless chicken breasts, pounded to 1/4" thick
3 tsp. olive oil, divided
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 C. lo2-sodium chicken stock
1 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice
2 Tbsp. capers or olives, rinsed and coarsely chopped
1 Tbsp. flat-leaf parsley, chopped
Prepare chickpea puree: Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion, garlic, and chickpeas and cook, stirring frequently, for 6-8 minutes, or until onions are light-golden brown and tender. Remove from heat and pour into a food processor. Add stock and puree until smooth, adding a bit of water or additional stock if needed. Season with salt and pepper. Cover, set aside and keep warm until ready to serve.
While chickpea mixture is cooking in skillet, prepare chicken: Reserve 1 Tbsp. flour for later use. In a shallow dish or plate, combine remaining flour with salt and pepper. Dredge chicken in flour mixture to coat completely and shake off excess.
Heat 1 tsp. oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken to pan and cook for 2-3 minutes per side, or until golden brown. Remove chicken from pan and transfer to plate.
Using the same pan over medium-high heat (do not wash; the brown bits will add flavor), add remaining 2 tsp. oil, garlic and reserved 1 Tbsp. flour. Heat mixture, stirring constantly for about 1 minute, scraping up any brown bits from pan. Add stock, lemon juice and capers. Bring to a boil over high heat, reduce heat to medium-high and simmer for about 3 minutes, until sauce thickens.
Add chicken back to pan and continue to simmer for an additional 2 minutes. Remove from heat, stir parsley into sauce and season with salt and pepper.
To serve, scoop 1/4 of chickpea puree into center of plate, top with 1 chicken picatta and spoon 2-3 tbsp. sauce over top.
Enjoy and have a fabulous weekend!
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Where Does The Time Go?
Wow, it's been awhile since I've blogged and so much has happened. My kids started school last week so the entire family has been in crazy mode. Braeden is in 3rd grade and Brylee, my sweet baby, is starting Kindergarten...yes, the first day was a tearjerker for Mommy! Braeden has also started football and Brylee is cheering for the first time ever and loves her coach...Mommy! Yes, I volunteered to coach yet another sport and this one I know nothing about! I have to say I'm enjoying myself and the time with Brylee and the other girls. They are precious (and they actually think I know what I'm doing)! I was scared to death to take on this task but I love a challenge and I decided I would do it for my girl! How can I expect my kids to take chances in life if I'm not willing to do the same?
Cale and I also competed in yet another triathlon a few weeks ago. I was so excited because I bought a new road bike and couldn't wait to try it out...surely I was going to be my fastest ever!?! My body had other ideas. About 8 miles into the 15 mile bike ride my legs completely locked up with cramps. I've never had pain like that on a bike and it was excrutiating! The problem...Dehydration....plain and simple. That's what I get for not drinking enough water going into the race weekend. It's so hot here and I know better. I'm always telling clients and my kids to drink water all the time...Maybe I should listen! Anyways, not such a good race for me but another lesson learned.
Now that school is under way for us, I'm going back into training mode. I'm currently taking a few new clients and have openings in some group training on Monday and Fridays if anyone is interested. I know most of us are ready to hit it hard now that the kiddos are gone so come get your burn on!
Cale and I also competed in yet another triathlon a few weeks ago. I was so excited because I bought a new road bike and couldn't wait to try it out...surely I was going to be my fastest ever!?! My body had other ideas. About 8 miles into the 15 mile bike ride my legs completely locked up with cramps. I've never had pain like that on a bike and it was excrutiating! The problem...Dehydration....plain and simple. That's what I get for not drinking enough water going into the race weekend. It's so hot here and I know better. I'm always telling clients and my kids to drink water all the time...Maybe I should listen! Anyways, not such a good race for me but another lesson learned.
Now that school is under way for us, I'm going back into training mode. I'm currently taking a few new clients and have openings in some group training on Monday and Fridays if anyone is interested. I know most of us are ready to hit it hard now that the kiddos are gone so come get your burn on!
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Race for the Cure
When I was in college, I was in a sorority (Zeta Tau Alpha). Every sorority has a philanthropy and ours was the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. Given my love for sports, I was the chairman of the ZTA Annual Run for the Cure which was our primary fundraiser for the Komen Foundation. Being the chairman of that race was one of the most rewarding experiences I've had in my life and I've continued to run in the Houston Race for the Cure every year for as long as I can remember.
This year I decided to put together a team to run/walk in the Race for the Cure on Oct. 2 of this year. The team has been formed and is open to anyone to join. The team name is Body Rock Fitness and our original fundraising goal was $500. Our team has been formed for less than a week and we are alreay at over $600! I'm so proud of our team!
It's not too late to join us for the race or support our team with a donation. No donation is too small! If you'd like to join the team and participate in the race or donate, please contact me for details. The race is a 5K (3.2 miles) and you can either run or walk. We'll have a few training runs once school starts and team shirts for race day. This is an incredible opportunity to support an incredible foundation that can affect all of us or someone we know at some point in our lives. Together, we can find a cure for breast cancer!
This year I decided to put together a team to run/walk in the Race for the Cure on Oct. 2 of this year. The team has been formed and is open to anyone to join. The team name is Body Rock Fitness and our original fundraising goal was $500. Our team has been formed for less than a week and we are alreay at over $600! I'm so proud of our team!
It's not too late to join us for the race or support our team with a donation. No donation is too small! If you'd like to join the team and participate in the race or donate, please contact me for details. The race is a 5K (3.2 miles) and you can either run or walk. We'll have a few training runs once school starts and team shirts for race day. This is an incredible opportunity to support an incredible foundation that can affect all of us or someone we know at some point in our lives. Together, we can find a cure for breast cancer!
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
What Really Matters
I'm back! My vacation was awesome! Eight wonderful days in Turks & Caicos and it was everything I'd hoped it would be. Relaxing days spent on the beach or by the pool surrounded by my wonderful family...what more could a girl ask for? For the first time, I've come back from vacation feeling rested and content. I even skipped workouts! I always go on vacation with planned workouts in mind and always find the time to sweat. This vacation was different...both my hubby and I decided to really take it easy and give our bodies a break. We did just a few light workouts on the beach and in the ocean and that was it...Boy did it feel good! We gave our bodies some much-needed downtime and have come back rejuvenated and ready to go!
I also figured out something on this trip...I needed some good, old-fashioned family time with my kids. Our lives are so crazy busy and we run from one activity to another (as so many of us do). This vacation was different. We spent the last week building sand castles, snorkling in the ocean, exploring pirate caves, working puzzles, playing monopoly, lying in hammocks, and eating ice cream on the beach at sunset. Each and every day was spent with the kids, my husband, my brother-in-law and my mom. We did a lot of relaxing, talking, laughing and sharing stories and it was awesome. What really matters the most in my life? Family and the 3 people in this picture are everything to me. This vacation reminded me to slow down and enjoy the time with my kids while they're so young. Work will wait, sports will wait, etc, etc. Family is my priority and I need to slow my life down and enjoy these special moments.
I know this will always rank as one of the best trips we've ever taken and I'll always remember it!
Thursday, June 24, 2010
Vacation time!
Yep, after noon tomorrow I'm officially on vacation! We're off to Turks & Caicos with the family and I can't wait! As always, I start to have anxiety about when I'll get to workout while on vacation. We are renting a house on the beach so I won't have access to a fitness center and that worried me at first. However, I will have access to a free, amazing beach where I can walk or run in the sand for endless miles...heaven! I'm also packing some resistance bands, gliding dics and a jump rope...we'll see if any of it gets used. I actually think my body will enjoy the time off as I plan on doing a whole lot of NOTHING! Maybe I'll read a few books, make some sand castles with the kids, snorkle, get a massage and who knows what else! My main goal of this trip is to spend some much needed time with my husband and kiddos. My mom is also going with us which I'm so excited about! Nothing but free time for the next 7 days...we'll see if I can sit still!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)