The Master's Hammer and Chisel Review

My husband and I just completed our first round of The Master's Hammer and Chisel.

How did we like it? Well, if it's any indication, we decided to do a second round!

I'll admit, I was a little bit concerned if we would finish this program. About halfway through the program, we had to take a last minute flight back to my hometown for my grandmother's funeral. We went off course for just under a week.

That didn't stop us though. As soon as we got home, we got back on track with the program. And I'm so excited to say that we finished!

Best parts about Hammer and Chisel:

• Different workouts each day. While there are 12 total workouts, each day was different and not in the same pattern each week. This helped with muscle confusion and by not knowing what was coming each day of the week prevented boredom and/or dread.
• Two trainers. As much as I have enjoyed programs with just one trainer, I really liked having both Autumn Calabrese and Sagi Kalev. It was nice to get two perspectives and to mix it up each day. Both offer killer workouts and at this point, I'm not sure who I would choose as a favorite. 
• Simple nutrition. Hammer and Chisel uses the same portion container system as the 21 Day Fix with adjustments to portion quantities based on your goals. For example, my husband was looking to gain some muscle and he has to eat...A LOT. I want to lean out so my portion container bracket was the same as when I did the 21 Day Fix. The color coded containers make it super easy to know how much to eat and what you should be eating. 
• Strength Training focused. If I had to choose between strength training and cardio, I'd chose strength training all day, everyday. I love the idea of building muscle. I'm not scared of it! We did Focus T25 over the summer which is mainly cardio, and while it was a great workout, I did miss lifting weights.

Worst parts about Hammer and Chisel:

• Sweat. Okay, so that's probably an obvious "side effect" of working out, but man oh man, do you sweat in these programs - especially in the more cardio focused workouts. 
• Workouts longer than 30 minutes. I'll say it. Doing a couple rounds of 21 Day Fix as well as Focus T25 made me super spoiled about a quick workout. While none of the Hammer and Chisel workouts are over 45 minutes, on days when you also have to do 10 minute abs, it's just under an hour. Granted, it could be longer, but I love me a quick workout. 
• No dedicated modifier. I understand that because this is more of an advanced level workout there's no dedicated modifier. All of the workouts do have a modifier for if you don't have a bench and uses a stability ball instead. Also, some of the workouts have a modifier for some moves, but unlike other programs, most of the moves are done full out. I don't think it's a problem per se, but it would be nice to know how to do the moves if you're unable to follow the regular move. 

Overall, we really liked Hammer and Chisel. As a 60 day program, I think it's easier to get through than a 90 day program. I really like having the workout program calendar posted where it's easy to see every day to keep track of what workouts we have done and how many more to do. I love being able to write a check mark in the box to show that we have completed that day.

For the next round of Hammer and Chisel, we'll be trying out Beachbody Performance Line products - Energize and Recover. After each workout, Sagi and Autumn talk about the products and I'm totally interested to see if it makes a difference or not. I'm sure it will, but I'm always a little hesitant to try products if I don't really "need" them. On that note, I'm looking forward to trying them out. 

Strawberry and Peanut Butter Parfaits

Do you like PB and J's? One of my favorite sandwiches growing up. But if I'm being really honest, I loved PB and N...peanut butter and nutella. Here's a parfait that reminds me of a PB&J!

Strawberry and Peanut Butter Parfaits

2 cups whole milk plain Greek yogurt

1/4 cup natural no-sugar-added peanut butter

1/4 cup cream

Sweetener equivalent to 1/4 cup sugar (such as Stevia)

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

2 tablespoons ground golden flaxseeds

1 cup sliced strawberries

1/4 cup lightly salted roasted peanuts, chopped

In a medium bowl, combine the yogurt and peanut butter, mixing until blended. Stir in the cream, sweetener, vanilla, and flaxseeds and mix well. In 2 small bowls or parfait glasses, spoon one-quarter of the yogurt mixture and top with half of the strawberries. Divide remaining yogurt mixture between the 2 bowls. Top with the remaining strawberries and the peanuts.

Cheesecake for Breakfast

Looking for a clean, lower carb, wheat free, gluten free option for breakfast? Have a sweet tooth? Me too.

Cheesecake for Breakfast 

1 cup ricotta cheese, at room temperature

1/2 cup coconut flour

Sweetener equivalent to 3/4 cup sugar

4 teaspoons lemon juice

4 eggs, separated

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Preheat the oven to 375. Grease a 9x9 baking pan.

In a medium bowl, place the cheese, flour, sweetener, lemon juice, egg yolks, and vanilla.

In a separate medium bowl, with an electric mixer on high speed, beat the egg whites until stiff peaks form. Using the same beaters, beat the cheese mixture until smooth. With a spoon, gently fold the egg whites into he cheese mixture until thoroughly combined. 

Pour into the baking pan. Bake for 20 minutes, or until the edges begin to brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool slightly before serving. 

Mini Baked Egg Casseroles

Easy breakfast idea - mini baked egg casseroles. It's a great low carb and wheat free recipe option.

Mini Baked Egg Casseroles

8 slices Canadian bacon

1/2 cup shredded Cheddar cheese

8 eggs

2 tablespoons finely chopped chives or scallions

Preheat over to 350. Lightly coat 8 muffin cups with cooking spray or oil.

Line each muffin cup with 1 slide of Canadian bacon. Place 1 tablespoon of the cheese in the bottom of each. Carefully break 1 egg into each muffin cup.

Bake for 15 minute, or until just set and the whites are cooked but the yolks are still soft. Sprinkle with the chives or scallion tops. Let stand for 5 minutes before removing from the cups and serving. 

Seasoning Mix Recipes

Taco Seasoning Mix

3 tablespoons chili powder

1 1/2 tablespoons onion powder

2 teaspoons paprika

2 teaspoons garlic powder

1 1/2 teaspoons ground red pepper

1 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin

1 teaspoon dried oregano

Combine all ingredients in a small bowl and store in an airtight container. 

Italian Seasoning Mix

2 tablespoons dried basil

2 tablespoons dried oregano

2 tablespoons dried rosemary, crushed

1 tablespoon dried marjoram

1 tablespoon garlic powder

1 tablespoon onion powder

1 teaspoon ground black pepper

Combine all ingredients in a small bowl and store in an airtight container. 

Cajun Seasoning Mix

2 tablespoons paprika

1 tablespoon garlic powder

1 tablespoon onion powder

2 teaspoons ground black pepper

1 1/2 teaspoons ground red pepper

1 teaspoon dried oregano

1 teaspoon dried thyme

1/2 teaspoon sea salt

Combine all ingredients in a small bowl and store in an airtight container. 

Guacamole and Hummus Recipe

I love guacamole! I'm pretty sure I could just eat it on it's own. Guacamole basically makes everything better.

Guacamole recipe:

3 ripe avocados, halved, pitted, and peeled
1 onion, coarsely chopped
1 serrano chile pepper, coarsely chopped
2 cloves garlive, coarsely chopped
1/3 cup fresh cilantro, finely chopped
Juice of 1 lime
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
1 tomato, coarsely chopped

In a food processor or chopper, combine the avocados, onion, pepper, garlic, cilantro, lime juice, and salt. Plus until slightly chunky and combined. Add the tomato and pulse until desired consistency.

Hummus recipe:

1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
1 can (15.5 ounces) chickpeas, rinsed and drained
3-4 cloves garlic, minced
3 tablespoons lemon juice
2 tablespoons tahini
1/2 teaspoon ground red pepper
1/2 teaspoon paprika
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
1 tablespoon grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
1 tablespoon pine nuts (optional)
1 tablespoon chopped chives (optional)

In a food processor, pulse the olive oil, chickpeas, and garlic. Add the lemon juice, tahini, red pepper, paprika, and salt, and process until thoroughly mixed and smooth. Sprinkle with cheese, pine nuts, or chives if desired. Store in airtight container in the fridge.

Wheat Free Recipe: All-Purpose Baking Mix

All-Purpose Baking Mix

Makes 5 cups

4 cups almond meal/flour

1 cup group golden flaxseeds

1/4 cup coconut flour

2 teaspoons baking soda

Whisk together all ingredients in a large bowl. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator. 

Sandwich Bread

3 cups All-Purpose Baking Mix

1 teaspoon aluminum-free baking powder

1/2 teaspoon sea salt

5 eggs, separate

1/4 cup butter or coconut oil, melted

1 tablespoon buttermilk or coconut milk

Preheat oven to 350. Grease 8.5 x 4.5 loaf pan.

In a food processor, combine dry ingredients until well blended. Add the egg yolks, butter/coconut oil, and buttermilk/coconut milk. Pulse until blended.

In a large bowl, beat the egg whites with an electric mixer on high speed until soft peaks form. Pour into the flour mixture and pulse until the egg whites are evenly distributed, but to not run the machine at a constant speed. Spread into the pan and back for 40 minutes or until a fork comes out clean.