WHY Beachbody

So I am currently in a group of Beachbody coaching pushing to become better and get outside of our own comfort zones. This is only my 3rd day, but I am already learning so much about myself and why it is so important not to stay stuck in one place for too long.

Before Beachbody, personal development was nonexistent in my world. Now, it is part of my daily routine. I read for at least 10 minutes and/or listen to an inspiring audio book. Do you drive to and from work every day? Perfect opportunity to make your car your personal development hub. You would be amazed how much you can learn and how good you'll feel just incorporating this small amount of personal development into your days.

I fell in love with the Beachbody product, but so much more than that, now I have fallen in love with the people and with helping people develop and become better, stronger versions of themselves. It has been so rewarding. In true fashion of stepping outside of my comfort zone, this is my first ever youtube video. Check it out :)

I have a lot to learn about YouTube and making videos, but for now I will have fun with it and go out to INSPIRE others!

Peanut Butter Banana Oatmeal Bars

These oatmeal bars are so good and great for the weekend or to make ahead for weekday breakfast. Also yummy for an afternoon snack. I use coconut sugar in these which has much lower glycemic index than refined sugar and is natural.

Ingredients:

• 2 and 1/2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
• 1/4 cup coconut sugar
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 cup almond milk- I like Silk brand because it is non-GMO
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 large egg
• 2 large very ripe bananas, mashed
• 1/3 cup creamy peanut butter
• 1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips- I like Sunspire or Enjoy Life brand

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350F degrees. Grease 8x8 square (or 9x9 inch) baking pan with coconut oil or line with parchment paper. Set aside.
Mix together oats, brown sugar, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon. Add in the milk, vanilla, and egg. Mix together until evenly combined. Add mashed bananas, peanut butter, and chocolate chips. Stir well.
Pour the mixture into the pan and bake for 20 minutes. Allow to cool and cut into bars.

I think these would be just as delicious without the chocolate chips. Try it if you want less sugar.

Egg muffins

I know most of us are in a hurry in the morning and for a lot of people that means skipping breakfast, which really is the most important meal of the day to give you energy and get your metabolism going. That's why these egg muffins are perfect! You can really throw any ingredients in the mix that you want. Then you're set for the week! Just grab one or two out the fridge, heat them up and head out the door!

This is not a super specific recipe because there can be so much variation with ingredients and measurements based on your taste.

Ingredients:
-12 eggs
-Chopped red pepper
-Chopped onion
-Salt
-Pepper
-Italian seasoning

Alternatives: chopped tomatoes, minced garlic, cheese, organic turkey sausage. The possibilities are endless!

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 12 cup muffin tin with coconut oil or place muffin liners. Mix all ingredients together until eggs are well beaten. Spread evenly into 12 muffin cups. Bake for 15 minutes. Enjoy!

Vanilla Energy Balls

Everybody knows how much I love my shakeology! What's better than drinking it as a shake? Eating it in a delicious cookie! These energy balls are delicious and have no added sweetener!

Ingredients:
-1 1/2 scoops Vanilla Shakeology
-1/2 cup almond flour
-1/2 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
-1/4 cup all-natural almond butter
-1/3 cup unsweetened almond milk
-1/4 cup sliced raw almonds

Instructions:
Combine Shakeology, almond four, and oats in a medium bowl; mix well. Add almond butter and almond milk; mix well with a spoon or clean hands until it forms a thick batter. Roll into balls and roll in almonds. I did not roll in almonds this time because I was limited on time. They're good either way! :)

Clean Taco Seasoning

Have you ever looked at what is in those little packets of taco seasoning you are buying? If you do look, it is quite alarming- lots of ingredients you probably cannot even pronounce!  Here is your solution. It is so easy just to throw these spices together to have an amazing tasting seasoning for your taco meat, even better than from the packet.

Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon chili powder
• ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
• ¼ teaspoon onion powder
• ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
• ¼ teaspoon dried oregano
• ½ teaspoon paprika
• 1½ teaspoons ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon sea salt
• 1 teaspoon black pepper

Directions:
Mix all ingredients together in a bowl. Add about 2 tbsp of seasoning to 1 lb of taco meat, depending on how much flavor you like.

I usually make much more than the recipe calls for so I can have extra for next time. I store it in a mason jar.

Recipe from theysmell.com

Grain Free Baked Chicken Tenders

Ever crave FRIED food? Every now and then it will creep up on me too! I tried this recipe for the first time tonight and it was a hit! Definitely gives you the fried comfort food satisfaction without the guilt or the disgusting feeling after. Benton even gobbled them up!

1.5 pounds chicken tenderloins (the original recipe called for 2 lbs but that was too much for my        "breading" recipe)
1 cup blanched almond flour
1 tablespoon flax meal
1 teaspoon paprika
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
1/2 teaspoon dried parsley
1/4 teaspoon poultry seasoning
ground black pepper to taste
2 eggs
olive oil, in a sprayer

1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees (F) and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. In a pie plate or another shallow wide bowl, mix together the almond flour, flax meal, paprika, garlic powder, sea salt, parsley, poultry seasoning, and ground black pepper.
3. In another small mixing bowl, lightly beat the eggs.
4. Blot the excess moisture off from the chicken tenders with paper towels and then dip them in the egg. Make sure the tenderloins are thoroughly coated in the egg mixture and then dredge them in the almond flour breading, pressing to adhere.
5. Place the breaded chicken tenders onthe baking sheets and lightly spray with olive oil. Place in the oven and bake for 8-9 minutes. Flip the tenders over, lightly spray again with olive oil and bake for another 8-9 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 180 degrees (F).
6. Transfer the chicken tenders to a platter and serve immediately, or at room temperature.

Recipe adapted from Allergy Free Alaska.

I was going to make homemade ketchup to enjoy with them but was missing distilled white vinegar so I'll be testing out an easy recipe for that soon and will update you!

Roasted Brussels Sprouts

I had never even tried Brussels sprouts before this year! These are DELICIOUS and easy!

Ingredients:
1 bag of Brussels sprouts
1 tsp olive oil
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
1/4 tsp garlic powder

Directions:
Set oven to 425 degrees.
Wash, cut ends off and cut Brussels sprouts in half.
Toss in olive oil, salt, pepper and garlic powder.
Spread on baking sheet.
Bake for about 15 minutes until outsides are crispy.

They may look a little overdone but they will be crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. Theses are my favorite seasonings but any that you like will be yummy! So good!