The Fit Skool | by Kelly

October 23, 2015
by Kelly @ The Fit Skool
2 Comments

Things I’m loving this week!

I had all intentions to post yesterday, I even had a post written with a new workout to share but I completely forgot!! I’ve been trying to live more in the moment and yesterday the day got away from me. I promise I will share the workout next week

I have a few things I wanted to share with you from this week. Maybe I use the term LOVE a little loosely with these posts but I get excited for all new things to share with you that I think its close to love.

Things I’m loving this week!

My dad supports my healthy lifestyle and he’s even cleaned up his diet a lot. (I won’t give myself any credit there) he did it on his own. Anyways, he loves Costco and he LOVES buying Ava and myself healthy snacks from there. His choices always surprise me and when he brought over these Figgy pops Energy Bites I couldn’t help but get a little excited to try them. They were definitely amazing and I approved of all the ingredients. Thanks Dad!

Costco has some great prepared salad mixes. This one from Taylor farms is delicious. They are so easy to prepare for a quick, simple and healthy dinner. I’ve eaten them twice this week with some chicken on top. The one pictured below has kale, broccoli, brussel sprouts, pumpkin seeds, cranberries, and a poppy seed dressing!

Fall Produce has been my favorite way to enjoy veggies this week. I simply roast them in the oven with olive oil and salt & pepper. Pictured below are a spaghetti squash, a carnival squash and a delicata squash!

Crockpot dinners were my thing this week. If I said I didn’t love the crockpot I would be lying, it just seems so easy that I felt like I was cheating this week. I really enjoyed having lots of leftovers, in fact we had so much food in the fridge I panicked a bit… I didn’t want to waste a single thing!! We made a big Turkey/beef chili and Chicken Cacciatore!

Ava had a playdate at my mom’s office while I worked Wednesday morning. She had fun running around and making a mess with rubber bands and paper. In the afternoon we all made a trip to St. Augustine’s Farm to buy a pumpkin and explore the market. It was fun.

It was a great week and I’m looking forward to our weekend trip to Rhode Island to visit Marc’s family!!

What’s something you are loving this week?

Any fun weekend plans?

October 21, 2015
by Kelly @ The Fit Skool
4 Comments

WIAW: Foods for energy

Happy Hump Day!

I debated which day this week to share my food journal from, but Monday my food was not picture worthy. SO I went with Tuesday and kept my fingers crossed I could plate something pretty for you.

I’m linking up with the WIAW crew to share my eats from yesterday!

I woke up at my usual 6am time and my coffee was all ready to go downstairs. I made Pumpkin Spice Coffee the night before, it’s such a treat. I also had 2 glasses of water to get myself hydrated.

On Sunday I had baked up some potatoes to use with lunches and breakfast so I was happy to have some potatoes with my 2 eggs & broccoli.

Around 10:15am, I was ready for a post workout snack. I went with a Chocolate Shakeology, a banana, and a serving of Sunflower seeds. I say a serving because I literally could have sat there and ate the entire bag but I made sure to seal it back up quickly. I love sunflower seeds. anyone else?

Marc and I had planned for larger dinners this week so we could use the leftovers as lunches the next day. One of our leftover meals was chicken cacciatore that I made in the crockpot. I actually think it was better the next day. I had my Chicken Cacciatore over zoodles with a sprinkle of olive oil and parmesan cheese on top. It was so healthy and delicious.

My lunch held me over for a while. In the afternoon I went over my parents to drop Ava off so that I could go train one of my in home clients. I ate an apple and a few of these energy bites in the car. Thank goodness for healthy portable snacks! My dad found this healthy snack at Costco and I’m obsessed. Of course I could make them myself, but its fun buying new products… it gives me ideas for future recipes

Dinner was a crockpot beef & turkey chili with veggies. I’m really digging the crockpot these days, can’t you tell? There’s something so amazing about coming home and having dinner already made!! I feel like I’m cheating. I also had corn tortilla chips (not pictured!)

After boot camp I was pretty hungry for some reason. I had a Chocolate Quest Protein bar

watermelon and a handful of cheerios I mean 2. YUM!!

It was a great day of food for me!

What was something yummy you ate this week?

Are you a fan of the crockpot?

October 19, 2015
by Kelly @ The Fit Skool
0 comments

A fast busy weekend

How is it Monday already??

As usual the weekend flew by. I felt like I never sat down until Sunday afternoon when I started to do computer work.

Friday we went to Stamford Nature Center with some friends to visit the farm with our kids. It was fun to see how excited Ava was when she saw all the animals she reads about in her books.

She loved the cows/ox

Horses

Pigs

It was fun and even better to have a playdate outside during the fall.

Saturday morning we got up early, took Cooper for a long walk, headed to the YMCA for Ava’s soccer kick & play class and then I trained one of my clients at their house.

Marc unfortunately had to work on Saturday afternoon, so I hung out with Ava during the day. I did my 21 day fix Dirty 30 workout while she napped, she ended up waking up half way through my workout so I had to improvise and break up my workout but I did it!

We also did a little shopping and before I knew it, it was time to head to one of my friends 30th birthday parties.

It was a fun night and a late one!

Lets just say I didn’t want to move when Ava woke up at 545am I made her get back in bed with me because I needed more sleep. I’m thankful she let me sleep another 45 minutes!

Sunday was my day of relaxation. After a long busy week I felt like I finally got the chance to kick my feet up and do nothing. Sometimes thats amazing right?

I caught up on laundry, cleaning, computer work, and lounged on the couch watching TV. I rarely sit around and watch TV so that was nice!

We had Sunday dinner with my family and relaxed all night.

How was your weekend?

Did you do anything fun?

October 15, 2015
by Kelly @ The Fit Skool
0 comments

Flourless Peanut Butter Pumpkin Muffins

My Pumpkin cravings have officially taken over… I think that once fall started I was overly excited about pumpkin but my body wasn’t fully into it. Now I’m in full swing and craving all things pumpkin!!

Yesterday I made a trip to Trader Joe’s with little miss Ava. I don’t know which one of us loves that store more. She has a blast pushing her little grocery cart around the store and I enjoy looking at all the new products that they keep stocking their shelves with.

After stumbling across Trader Joe’s pumpkin display of all things pumpkin my brain started thinking of all the things I need to start baking. I looked at the boxes of pumpkin pancake mix, waffle mix, pumpkin bread, pumpkin bars, pumpkin everything and as I looked at the ingredients I got frustrated when I saw the word SUGAR as either the first, second or third ingredient. I get it… baked goods should have some sort of sweetness, but sugar shouldn’t be the first ingredient right?

Okay, so I got home from the store and immediately started looking up recipes and I really couldn’t find one that I wanted to make, they were all packed with white flour and sugar. I didn’t have flour, I didn’t have vanilla extract, my ingredients needed to be simple and clean.

As I was making these muffins, I’m pretty sure Marc started questioning how they would turn out. I debated whether or not to use almond butter, but I went with my belly I mean gut and chose peanut butter. I tossed up the idea of maple syrup but Marc chose honey, and I used oat flour because Kelly’s kitchen was out of every other type of flour.

So I whipped up a FLOURLESS PEANUT BUTTER PUMPKIN MUFFIN. It has the spice of pumpkin, it’s moist, there’s a hint of peanut butter and a delicious touch of pumpkin and just like that I’m hooked on my creation. (I think Marc is too!!)

His response to his first bite of muffin was, “I think I could eat all of these!”

(WIN!)

Now for the recipe:

FLOURLESS PEANUT BUTTER PUMPKIN MUFFIN

Ingredients:

1/2 cup oat flour
3/4 cup pumpkin puree
1/4 cup peanut butter
5 tsp honey
1 egg
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp pumpkin pie spice
1/2 tsp baking soda

Optional: add 1/4 cup of mini chocolate chips (which I am definitely trying next time!)

Directions:

Preheat oven to 375 degrees and line muffin tin with 8 liners.
Put 2 cups of oats in a food processor. Mix until oats become flour. Pour flour in a container.
Combine all ingredients in food processor and blend until mixture is smooth.
Pour mixture in each muffin tray until filled 3/4 of the way to the top.
Place in oven and cook for 12-14 minutes or until cooked through (I use a toothpick to test)

ENJOY!

(yields 8 small muffins!)

I can’t wait to eat one of these for a morning snack! They might not make it to the weekend!

What’s your favorite healthy pumpkin recipe?

Do you prefer pumpkin spice baked goods or apple baked goods?

October 14, 2015
by Kelly @ The Fit Skool
4 Comments

WIAW: Balanced meals

I am linking up today with the WIAW Crew to share my food journal from Monday.

Monday was a somewhat busy day for me but I managed to throw together balanced meals!

Here goes:

I woke up around 6am, chugged some water and drank a 1/2 cup of coffee to get going. Monday was the first day of our new Group Power workout!! I couldn’t wait to teach the new workout and man am I sore!!

Anyways for breakfast, I whipped up a couple over easy eggs, plus sauteed power greens (kale, spinach, swiss chard) and easy potato hash browns. Delicious, simple & filling… win!

Post Group Power I refueled with a Vanilla Protein Shake, a banana, and an Oatmega Bar!! I’m loving these bars lately. They are filled with Grass fed whey protein, omegas and oats! I love it.

I taught my Fit For Life class at 1030am , picked Ava up at my parents house and then devoured some leftovers. I had a leftover Quinoa salad with veggies, grilled chicken & avocado. It was yummy and I wish their were more.

I also had an apple with lunch

After lunch Ava napped and I did some coaching work on the computer. That’s usually my routine and I like being able to get that work done in the afternoon. Once Ava woke up from her nap I made myself a Chocolate Shakeology with PB2 powder, & almond milk… sooo good. I ate some strawberries too (not pictured)

Dinner was steak, roasted brussel sprouts with olive oil and roasted potato wedges with rosemary! I loved this meal.

For a little night time treat I had a Chobani Flip (Peach yogurt, pistachios & chocolate shavings) it was a great flavor combo!

What was something yummy you ate yesterday?

Have you tried Oatmega bars?

October 12, 2015
by Kelly @ The Fit Skool
0 comments

Wedding Weekend Recap

This weekend was a fun one, but man am I tired!!

I figured I would do a quick photo recap of my Best friend Lauren’s Wedding weekend:

Thursday night we had a beautiful rehearsal dinner at Knapp’s Landing Restaurant in Stratford, CT.

It was a pretty night to be outside on the water!

Friday morning my friends and I were up early and out on the road to head up to the hair salon to get wedding ready.

I loved how my hair came out!

The day ran smoothly and before we knew it we were getting dressed.

The limo picked us up around 4pm and we headed to the ceremony at Anthony’s Ocean View in New Haven, CT.

The ceremony was beautiful and I couldn’t hold back my happy tears as Lauren and her soon to be husband Sebastian read their vows to each other.

It was an amazing ceremony!

and I’m so glad we got to enjoy the view outside on the water!

We had fun in the bridal suite!

The rest of the evening was spent dancing, eating, laughing, and taking lots of fun pictures with my friends and family.

My mom and I striking a pose on the dance floor!

Thank goodness for selfies because Marc and I snapped a million

This was a group shot of my best friends and their parents!

I couldn’t be happier for Lauren and Sebastian, it was a wedding I will never forget!

(I took so many pictures so I’m sure I will post some more throughout the week!)

October 9, 2015
by Kelly @ The Fit Skool
0 comments

My Best Friend’s Wedding!

Where do I begin when I write this post??????

My lifelong best friend Lauren is getting married today and I couldn’t be any happier for her! I have known Lauren longer then most people have known their best friend… our moms were pregnant at the same time so we were friends from the womb (as we like to say)!

We have been through everything in life together, running around in our diapers, to going to school together, to playing barbies, hanging out at her family’s Super Bowl parties, cheerleading, traveling across the east coast playing softball, having sleepovers on school nights, making up dance routines, getting in trouble together when we were doing things we shouldn’t have been (no details needed), playing manhunt in her neighborhood, graduating high school together, traveling to visit each other in college for our 21st birthday, having her there on my wedding day

and now I get to be there for one of the most important days of her life and witness her get married!!

Her husband to be has had my approval from DAY 1. He’s caring, he makes her laugh, he makes her smile, and most importantly he loves her for who she is and that’s all that matters to me.

Good things happen to good people, and I don’t know two people who are more well-deserving of the kind of love I’ve witnessed. My very best wishes to one of the best couples ever!

Love you Laur & happy wedding day!!!

October 8, 2015
by Kelly @ The Fit Skool
0 comments

Veggie Egg Cups

I’m constantly trying to find ways to get Ava to eat a healthy breakfast and also to eat more veggies, but lets be serious kids are kids and they will eat what they want at any given chance.

She ate them and thought they were interesting I think because of the shape! I gave her a slice of bacon and she was good to go

These veggie cups were colorful, flavorful and portable! The fact that I could throw them in the baggie and take them in the car was an added plus. I am a breakfast lover and I can literally eat eggs all day long so having some extra pre-made egg cups has been awesome.

The best part about these cups is that you can customize them to fit your taste buds and swap out the veggies for whatever you have on hand!

VEGGIE EGG CUPS

Ingredients:

6 large eggs
sea salt & fresh ground black pepper (to taste)
1 bag (10 oz) baby spinach or kale, chopped
1 medium red or yellow bell pepper, chopped (or broccoli, squash)
Nonstick cooking spray

Preparation:
1. Pre-heat oven to 350° F.
2. Mix eggs in a large bowl. Season with salt & pepper. Add spinach & to egg mixture and mix well.
3. Spray a 6 cup muffin tin with cooking spray and evenly pour egg mixture into muffin cups.
4. Bake for 15 to 18 minutes, or until fully cooked through.

OPTIONS: The veggies are totally customizable to taste and what you have on hand. You could easily add onions or switch spinach for broccoli, etc! To add a little more flavor you could sprinkle some shredded cheddar in the mix or on top!

They also store great in a tupperware container for a few days!

What are your favorite “breakfast veggies?”

Do you like egg cups?

October 7, 2015
by Kelly @ The Fit Skool
0 comments

WIAW: flavorful foods

Happy Wednesday everyone!!

This week is once again a busy one, but it’s also a short work week for Marc and I. We have my best friends wedding this weekend and I am super excited for the festivities to begin.

I know my blog posts are sporadic these past 2 weeks but hang in there with me, after this weekend I feel like my time is freeing up a bit more!! I feel like every day I have something new and exciting to share with you, its really just finding the time to sit down for 30+ minutes to write out my thoughts, my experiences and my tips with you!

I’m linking up with the WIAW crew to share my food journal with you from Monday.

I chose Monday because I was busy and on-the-go but I still made health conscious decisions.

My morning started off early in preparation for my Group Power class. Monday mornings always feel a bit tougher to get out of bed, but for some reason I woke up before my alarm that morning and I went with it. I quickly got changed made some coffee and started whipping up my breakfast.

I had 2 eggs spinach toast homemade pumpkin spice coffee! It was delicious. This morning was a bit different for me. Ava was still sleeping when I left the house at 710am and I usually get to see her before I leave for work but I didn’t!! It definitely felt weird, but I was excited to see her after my class when she was playing at daycare

After my group power workout I always refuel with a simple vanilla protein shake mixed with water.

That class makes my appetite come back in full force. I also had a banana and oatmeal with peanut butter.

I usually have about an hour to eat a snack and get Ava a snack and changed in between my 2 classes, but it doesn’t seem like an hour the time flies and we are back at the YMCA for my second class (Fit For Life). I really worked them hard on Monday and I could tell by the end everyone was tired but was excited for some of the new exercises we practiced. It was great.

For lunch I ate 1/2 of my leftover chicken marsala with mixed veggies & potatoes.

SOOO GOOD.

I also ate this delicious apple.

While Ava napped I did coaching & computer work. My new 21 day challenge started on Monday so I had a lot of stuff to complete and I was thankful for a long nap so I could get everything done

My afternoon snack was this yummy Vanilla Shakeology with Raspberries & more peanut butter!

It was super filling and fueled me for our 30 minute walk with Cooper. By the time I got home I started cooking dinner. Ava didn’t want to help me so she played with her toys instead.

I made another HELLO FRESH meal. It was Coriander & Cumin crusted chicken with Israeli Couscous salad, roasted zucchini, goat cheese, shallots and caramelized lemon.

My taste buds loved this dish and I’m really loving the new recipes and ingredients I’m using through this company. I’ve learned a few new tricks in the kitchen and it really excites me for some future cooking.

After dinner Cooper & Ava played in the yard while Marc did some yard work. She loved the leaves and it was nice to be outside on a crisp fall night!! Once Ava was asleep a whole lot of NOTHING and snacked on an orange & some veggie chips!

It was a great day!!

What’s something yummy you ate yesterday or this week?

Have you ever tried roasting a lemon before?

October 2, 2015
by Kelly @ The Fit Skool
0 comments

Things I’m loving lately

Happy Fridayyyy.

The rain is making me not want to leave the house today, but I’m not going to complain because we had a beautiful summer and we need a little rain right? I guess it’s supposed to rain all weekend but rainy days are usually the days that I’m most productive with at home. It’s good weather to pay bills, catch up on laundry, organization and unwanted cleaning duties. In the end I think I usually feel good about the productivity though.

I’m going to share some THINGS I’M LOVING THIS WEEK:

First up is that it’s October. There’s just something about October that I love… pumpkins, pumpkin spice, apples, more apples, leaves on the ground, pumpkin beer… oops!

This past week we sampled Hello Fresh, you can check out my post from yesterday and I can honestly say it was a great change of pace for me with food. I was looking to mix things up and I was able to learn a few new food tricks in the process. It was a great experience!

Cooking Meals with Ava. I try to cook dinner at home every week night and while some days its a challenge, other days Ava makes it easy and has some fun with me.

This week she helped me mash the butternut squash and apple puree I made as a side dish. It’s the simple things that make her smile and using a masher is quite fun I guess. I think we have a future chef on our hands. I can’t wait for her to cook me some dinner

On Wednesday night before I went to bed I said to Marc… I would love some BACON tomorrow and some pumpkin coffee. I’m so random I know, but guys I love breakfasttttttt. When I woke up and Marc was cooking bacon I knew it was going to be a good day! Especially since I didn’t have to cook. He’s the best.

On a different note from food, I’m loving the new training space at the YMCA. They added a lot of new equipment like these medicine balls and I am loving using them with my clients and using them for my workouts as well. Medicine Ball SLAMS is where its at.

My 21 day challenge group is starting Monday and I’m super thrilled with the amazing bunch of people I have participating in this group. It’s a great way to shape up but also learn a few things about health & fitness, the inspiration & motivation is an added plus. I can’t wait!!!

Last but not least I’m really LOVING Chobani Flip Yogurts. I consider them a treat because they are a little bit higher in sugar but as a dessert I think it’s healthy

My 2 favorite so far are the Pumpkin Flip & the Salted Caramel Crunch Flip. I think it’s time I create my own!!

Your turn!! What’s something you are loving this week?

Any fun weekend plans?