Green Smoothie Challenge

Happy April! But seriously, how is it April already?!

I was looking at my Facebook "memories" and just a year ago I started to share my health & fitness journey with a transformation comparison from five years prior. 

Anyway, I'll be the first to admit that making a change is not easy. It takes making a decision that you'll change, committing to that decision, and taking steps daily to move in that direction.

For me, the hardest part in all of this is always nutrition. I have a sweet tooth. I have a salty tooth. I love me some Chick-Fil-A and In-N-Out Burger. I wish that French Fries counted as vegetables (amiright?!) and lately, I've been on a course of less than good nutritional choices...and as much as I'd like to believe it, you can't out work your crummy food decisions.

I've found that it's easier to add something than to try and remove things cold turkey - especially in relation to your nutrition. A couples years ago, in an effort to do something better, I found a green smoothie challenge online. It was 30 days of green smoothies - that's it - you didn't have to cut everything else - add a million workouts or run 50 miles a week. Instead, add something good back into your life.

Today, I'm starting the same challenge. A green smoothie a day! Because let's face it, I can totally use more greens in my life (and have been SUCH A SLACKER about it). And because it's more fun (and accountable) to do with others, you're invited! It's free! It'll run through the month of April. I'll be sharing recipes that I love and a shopping list, and through a handy Facebook group, we can cheer this month of green! smile emoticon

You in? Get in on the challenge here -->http://eepurl.com/bWl9Iv

Kid Friendly Beef Stroganoff

Who else loves beef stroganoff? One of my favorite college memories was making and eating Hamburger Helper. It was my early introduction to "cooking", even if it just meant following directions on a box to mix a few pre-made ingredients together.

However, Hamburger Helper isn't the best for you. It's cheap and sure there's protein, but it's also usually cooked with pasta and who knows what kind of preservatives.

Here's a clean beef stroganoff recipe that the whole family will love.

Kid Friendly Beef Stroganoff 

3 tablespoons butter, divided
1 pound sirloin or beef tenderloin, thinly sliced into 1/2" strips
12 ounces sliced mushrooms (button, cremini, or portobello)
3 shallots or 1 large yellow onion, sliced
2 cloves garlic
1/2 cup beef broth
1/4 teaspoon sea salt
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 cup sour cream
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard

In a large skillet, melt 1 tablespoon of butter over medium-high heat. Sear the beef for two minutes, turning once, or until browned on both sides and just barely cooked through. (Work in batches, if necessary.) Remove beef to a plate and set aside. Return the skillet to medium heat.

Add the remaining 2 tablespoons butter, the mushrooms, shallots or onion, and garlic. Cook for 5 minutes, or until the shallots or onion is softened and the mushrooms release their juices. Stir in the reserved beef, the broth, salt, and pepper. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to medium-low, cover and simmer for 10 minutes.

Stir in the sour cream and mustard. Cook for 1 minute, or until heated through.

Pork Fried "Rice" aka Cauliflower "Rice"

Who else is a fan of Fried Rice? But who else is dealing with PCOS or needs a lower carb option? Me! Maybe you too? While I don't think that cauliflower rice will ever TRULY replace white or brown rice for me, it's a good alternative when the craving strikes.

Pork Fried "Rice

1 head cauliflower, broken into large pieces
2 tablespoons coconut oil divided
4 scallions, sliced
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 eggs, whisked
1/2 pound pork tenderloin, cut into 1/2 inch cubes
1/4 cup tamari or gluten-free soy sauce

Using a food processor with a shredding disk attachment, shred the cauliflower. Place in a microwaveable bowl. Cover and microwave on high for 4 minutes, stirring once, or until desired doneness.

Meanwhile, in a large skillet or wok over medium-heat, heat 1 tablespoon of the oil until hot. Cook the scallions and garlic for 2 minutes. Add the eggs and store continuously until cooked through and lightly browned. Remove the egg mixture to a bowl and set aside.

Reduce the heat to medium. Add the remaining 1 tablespoon oil to the wok or skillet. Cook the pork, stirring frequently, for 5 minutes, or until no longer pink. Stir in the tamari or soy sauce, steamed cauliflower, and the reserved egg mixture. Cook, stirring, for 2 minutes or until heated through.

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.