Today I am linking up with the What I Ate Wednesday Crew to share my eats from yesterday!

My morning started off with a glass of water and a 1/2 cup of French Vanilla Coffee with a splash of milk. I woke up hungry so you can bet I immediately started preparing breakfast.

Resorting to my easy go-to breakfast, I made 2 eggs, sautéed spinach in olive oil, a piece of bacon and a slice of whole grain toast. This meal never disappoints.

Yesterday I had an amazing opportunity to spend the ENTIRE Tuesday morning with Ava, without any clients or classes!! Woohoo. WE dropped Cooper off at the dog groomer at 830am and then ran a bunch of errands.

We ended up shopping in Target for a full hour. I love that store but I want to buy everything. I swear we went for diapers, toilet paper, and eggs and somehow I left with a new shirt, halloween decorations, candles, food, a new toy for Ava. It was worth it though, Ava loves shopping and I love seeing her happy!!

On the way home I was starving, I had brought a banana with me so I snacked on that and a PRO BAR. This was an impulse purchase at Target and I am SO happy I bought them. They were healthy, sweet and filling.

We dropped off all our bags, played outside for a bit and then had to pick Cooper up from his groomer.

Doesn’t he look handsome?

And also 3 years younger?

I’m glad we had limited food choices in the fridge because I was hungry for lunch but had no clue what I wanted. There were 2 options, Kale Salad with pumpkin seeds & Turkey Meatloaf and of course I finished both.

I also snacked on some of this large Red Delicious Apple and I may have dunked some slices into a jar of peanut butter!!! 

Ava napped after lunch and I spent time doing my coaching computer work. Once she woke up I made a quick Chocolate Shakeology with PB2 and ran out again to do some more errands.

Ava seemed a little off to me when she woke up from her nap. Around 4pm she threw up out of no where, and this girl literally ejected everything in her system. I stayed calm even though it was disgusting and the smell alone could’ve made me sick to my stomach. I cleaned up the mess, changed her, & gave her a bath. She seemed to be doing a little better after, so maybe it was for the better.

When I looked at the clock and realized it was dinner time I starting panicking that I didn’t have enough time to get food in my system before Boot Camp.

I snacked on some baby carrots while I started to make dinner.

Luckily I had one of my go to easy dinner meals in the fridge!  Al Fresco Chicken Sausages are amazing and they whip up in a jiffy. I haven’t had one flavor that I didn’t like! I served the sausage with peppers and baked potatoes.

After teaching my Boot Camp class I came home and snacked on a Quest bar & some roasted plantains (not pictured sorry I was hungry!!)

With no food plans in mind yesterday, I was able to make some healthy choices and satisfy my taste buds without having to think too much!

What is something yummy you ate this week?

What’s your go to simple dinner meal?

One of my clients had asked me which “Protein Bars” were healthy. While there are some out there that I do love, for example: Quest Bars, I do prefer to make my own because most protein bars have other unwanted ingredients. Some of those ingredients I don’t know much about so I try not to buy them.

I told her I was going to get in the kitchen and create my own Protein Bar Recipe and I did.

This recipe only took me 5 MINUTES TO MAKE! It’s probably the easiest thing to make.

With only 5 ingredients and no added sugar, this protein bar is Chocolatey, Satisfying & Filling!!

INGREDIENTS:

1/4 Cup Peanut Butter

1/2 Cup Coconut Milk (**see note below**)

1 1/2 cups Quick Oats

1/2 tsp Cocoa Powder

2 Scoops Chocolate Shakeology

DIRECTIONS:

In a medium bowl combine all the dry ingredients and mix well. Add in the milk and peanut butter, and mix until dough like. I used my hands and it gets messy but it mixes better! In an 8X8 pan place wax paper on the inside and let it hang off the sides.

Spray with cooking spray and add protein mix. Spread the dough evenly and pop in the freezer for an hour. Cut into 12 bars.

**Please note the “Coconut milk Beverage” that was used in this recipe is So Delicious Coconut Milk I love this beverage.**

It is light, delicious, dairy free, gluten free, contains vitamins & healthy fats. 

I have already made a couple batches of these bars and I love keeping them on hand for post workout snacks or even mid day when I am craving something chocolatey!

What is your favorite brand of protein bars? 

Have you ever tried making your own? 

The combination of flavors is like a PB & Jelly sandwich but in a smoothie. This has been my favorite way to enjoy the vanilla shakeology! I am sure you could use whatever protein powder you have on hand too.

PB & Jelly Protein Shake

Ingredients:

1 Scoop of Vanilla Shakeology

1 cup Almond milk

1 cup Ice

1 tbsp peanut butter

1 tbsp PB2 Powder

3/4 cup Strawberries (you can use frozen too!)

Directions:

Blend & Enjoy

What has been your go to smoothie recipe lately?

Do you like the combination of Peanut Butter & Berries?

I felt like I was biting into a piece of fudge that was soft, chewy, and peanut buttery. Yes I made up my own word there but that’s how it tasted.

I adapted the recipe from Chalene Johnson’s and changed it up a little bit. I made 1/2 batch which is the recipe I am sharing today. The reason I made half was because I didn’t want to waste ingredients if they came out terrible

SO feel free to double the recipe because these won’t last long in your fridge.

NO BAKE SHAKEOLOGY FUDGY PROTEIN BITES

INGREDIENTS:

1/4 cup Shakeology

1/4 cup oats

1 tbsp honey

3 tbsp water

1 1/2 tbsp peanut butter

3 tbsp PB2 powder

I made these veggies frittata squares on Sunday and I am so happy I did.

They were a great snack to have on hand mid morning after training, and Ava loved them too. It takes no skill and little time to make these.

An added bonus….Eggs are packed with protein, good fats, and vitamins!!  They are so versatile and can be eaten for breakfast, snacks, lunch or dinner!

Easy Veggie Fritatta Squares

Directions: Whisk together eggs and milk in a bowl. Spray a baking dish with olive oil spray. Add in 1/2 of egg mixture, sprinkle in the spinach and tomatoes, add remaining egg mix, and sprinkle cheese on top. Bake at 350 degrees for 16-18 minutes or until cooked through.

They are great right out of the oven, on a piece of toast, with a salad, or even served cold right out of the fridge (yes I am lazy sometimes and eat them cold!).

If you aren’t a fan of spinach or tomatoes, you could substitute broccoli, peppers, mushrooms or any veggies you like!

Speaking of recipes… last night Marc and I were trying to think of some healthy nighttime snacks to make. I usually get hungry around 830pm and I’m always looking for something tasty to eat. We tried out a Healthy Protein Apple Crisp recipe.

It was pretty good… I mean we ate the whole thing so it had to be PRETTY good, but it needs a little tweaking! Maybe more butter??

I will be sure to share it with you guys once we really approve

Do you try out your own recipes?

What is your favorite night time snack?

You may be skeptical of the green color or how it will taste with spinach, but I have a feeling you will love it just as much as I did! It is an easy way to get in your fruits & veggies and makes for a great post workout or pre workout snack!

GREEN MONSTER SMOOTHIE

1 CUP PINEAPPLE (FROZEN)

1 BANANA (FROZEN)

2 CUPS OF FRESH BABY SPINACH

1 CUP WATER (or coconut water)

optional 1 SCOOP VANILLA PROTEIN POWDER

DIRECTIONS: Place all the ingredients in a blender

 Mix on high for 2 minutes or until smooth!

Pour in your favorite cup and enjoy!

If you are using fruit that isn’t frozen I recommend adding ice! This smoothy is healthy and refreshing, I am happy to have leftovers to drink today

What is your favorite smoothie recipe?

Do you like spinach in smoothies? 

I really can’t, but I am super excited to see Ava in her Halloween Costume.

We all know the staple with Halloween is candy and more candy. Fortunately for me I’m really not a candy girl. Growing up my favorite was Reeses because as most of you know I love peanut butter. We also had M&M’s around a lot because my Mom loves them, so I guess I naturally like those too.

After a night of trick or treating, I would pretty much let my brothers and my dad eat all my halloween candy . I was never the kid that sat there and ate a million pieces, I would probably only have one or two and be over it.

Obviously you guys know I have to put a healthy twist on Halloween, it’s just what I do!!

I was looking at making some fun treats that were kid and adult friendly but also healthy. Ava doesn’t eat chocolate but she does love bananas, so I decided to make these Ghost Bananas. Aren’t they cute?? They do have chocolate chips as the eyes and mouth but I took them out when she ate her breakfast.

Clementine Pumpkins… These pumpkins look adorable and they are SO easy to make!

To make them, Peel your clementines or tangerines and place a small celery stick inside! They would be really cute to add to your halloween party!

and for all you chocolate lovers out there, last night I made these Reeses Protein bites. (These are slightly addicting so watch out!!!)

Reeses Protein Bites

Mix ingredients with a spatula. Divide into 8 balls and chill for 30 minutes or eat right away

 

What is your favorite Halloween candy?

What are you or your kids dressing up as?

Coconut Water it is low in calories, contains electrolytes like sodium, magnesium & potassium, and only has natural sugars

Bananas high in potassium

Whey Protein Shake (coffee flavor) high in fast-acting protein absorption

Apple & Peanut butter carbs, proteins, & healthy fats

Homemade Larabars healthy fats and carbs

Here are some other great options post-workout:

• fruit, yogurt & granola,
• turkey sandwich
• cheese & whole grain crackers
• protein shake with fruit and nut butter
• low-fat chocolate milk
• omelet with veggies

I have had many people tell me “your life will change when you have a baby” and over the last month I am starting to get hit with that. Being a mom is so rewarding but it is the most difficult job out there. My life revolves around little Miss Ava! When she’s sick it feels like I’m sick.. I need to reschedule my clients & find subs for classes. When Marc is running late from work I have to call up Grandma and ask her to watch Ava so I can go teach!

I really wouldn’t change anything, I just thought you wanted to know what was on my mind these past couple of weeks

On a TOTALLY different note, I tried the new Cookies N Cream Quest bar yesterday.

People have been raving about the new flavor. It was pretty good!

I know i have been talking a lot about protein lately but seriously I don’t consume whey protein ALL the time. I am just one of those people that has to try anything that has the word NEW labeled on it. I am always looking for the next BEST thing.

Quest Bars are high in protein, gluten free, & low carb.  This particular bar has 20g of protein, 7g of fat, and 170 Calories. It is a good balance for a quick post-workout snack.

I had this QUEST BAR after my Group Power workout Monday morning and it didn’t sit well with my stomach. I prefer a protein shake post-workout in the morning… it goes down easier. The bars are better for me after my evening workouts, go figure!

What is your favorite post-workout snack or drink? Have you ever made changes to your work schedule… and was it hard to adjust?