New Recipe!

Tonight I braved a new recipe from EatingWell.com

"Maple-Chili Glazed Pork Medallions" it was SUPER easy and very yummy!

Ingredients:

1 tsp chili powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/8 tsp ground chipotle pepper
1lb pork tenderloin, trimmed and cut crosswise into 1 inch thick medallions
2tsp canola oil (I used Olive Oil)
1/4 c apple cider
1 Tbsp maple syrup
1 tsp cider vinegar

1. Mix chili powder, salt and chipotle in a small bowl; then sprinkle over both sides of pork.

2. Heat oil in large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the pork and cook until golden brown on both sides (1-2 minutes)

3. Add cider, syrup and vinegar and bring to a boil; scrape up any brown bits.

4. Reduce to medium heat and cook, turning the pork occassionally to coat, until the sauceis reduced to a thick glaze (3-5 minutes).

5. Serve the pork drizzled with the glaze.

Jasmine Rice or Brown rice with Steamed broccoli is a great side dish!

Per serving:
180 calories
6g fat
6g carbohydrates (does not include any rice or broccoli)
24g protein

makes 4 servings.

Pancake Make-Over

Everyone knows I love my oatmeal pancakes (Thanks, Blythe for getting me hooked on them!) but I've been needing to change things up a bit. I've done some variations that I absolutely LOVE! Here are some suggestions:

1. add fresh blueberries to the batter after pouring on the griddle
2. add a whole banana, 1 tsp vanilla and cinnamon to taste to batter in blender
3. make your own healthy fruit spread and top pancakes with spread and natural peanut butter
4. add a flavored protein powder (cookies and cream, vanilla, chocolate... YUM)
5. add any natural fruit puree; I like pumpkin and unsweetened applesauce. Add it to the batter in the blender.

Adding to the batter will obviously get you more pancakes or make your pancakes bigger, be sure to change your nutritional information to reflect the additions if you're tracking your calories and macronutrients. Fitday.com is where I track and its fairly simple to create your own foods and make modifications.

Welcome 2011!

I think every new year we all make grand plans to slim down and tone-up. I know my previous post was about surviving the holidays, and overall I did pretty well, but let's face the fact that we all probably indulged a little more than necessary. My weakness is fresh baked cookies and who could resist Christmas cookies?!?!?!

I put on a total of 10lbs since competition day (not bad!) but I definitely feel like I've lost some definition and I'm putting on a little bit more than I would prefer around my mid-section.

One of my New Year's resolutions is to be more adventurous in cooking; I'm looking for clean eating recipes that my family will love and that add a lot more flavor to our diet. Tosca Reno has amazing books, but I get intimidated trying new stuff sometimes, mostly out of fear that my hubby and kids will turn their noses up.

Another resolution is to blog more. I've had readers tell me that I need to keep things moving and that they miss reading (this one is for you Aubrey. LOL!) I'll share some recipes I find, blog more about my workouts and do my best to stay up to date with pictures.

***Please note that I do look mighty top heavy in this post's pic, its the jacket, I promise!***

Another resolution that is revelant to this blog, is that I want to get my children more involved in daily exercise. They are already active, but I want to make sure that we spend quality time as a family being active and healthy. The kids start swimming again next week and my daughter is back to lacrosse in the spring. I think we easily forget about keeping children healthy and active, especially if they are small/thin and we put the focus on our aging and ever-widening selves. Even small people need to exercise to built healthy habits and gain strength and endurance; a fit family is a happy family!

So, here's to 2011! May you be blessed with good health; you deserve to be the best YOU!

Surviving the holidays

Its that time of year! Next week begins the festivities of the season and with that comes, potatoes, stuffing, gravy, pies, cookies, breads...AHHHHH! Sweet symphonies of delicious comfort food! But wait! What does that mean for the waistline?

Over the past year, I've learned to regulate myself and watch my portions and also watch what I eat and when. Even with clean eating, we allow ourselves one cheat a week and I'll be sure and savour that Thanksgiving meal, and not feel like I'm punishing myself at all the other holiday functions and parties. The important thing is that I put myself back in check and not allow those occasional meals to reset the pattern. I'll need to make sure that the following days, my carbs are lower and that I don't allow myself to store the extra sugar and fats.

Things I remind myself of to help me get through the season are:

1. Exercise! Don't let it slip!
2. Watch portions.
3. If you crave it, eat it. Just don't binge. I take "nibbles" to satisfy the craving and then remind myself that its not worth it...
4. Reset by having two days of low carbs following a large cheat meal.
5. I am not resisting food to punish myself. I resist it because I choose to be healthy and strong. I deserve to be fit and healthy. Its the BEST thing I can do for myself.

Celebrate the season, but don't finish off the year wishing for a new body...start the new year fit and healthy with the best gift you can give yourself!

Tinola!

I think that this is my favorite healthy fall dish! Its so easy to make and it is absolutely guilt free!

Ingredients:

1 Tbsp. coconut oil
1 onion diced
garlic clove diced
2 Tbsp ginger sliced
pepper (whatever your prefer)
3 chicken breasts cut into 1 in. pieces
2 Chayote squash peeled and sliced
1 C. water
2 C. fresh baby spinach


In a wok, saute onion, garlic and ginger with coconut oil. Add chicken and brown. Add chayote and water and simmer until squash is tender. Add spinach until wilted. Serve over rice.

I an generous with the garlic and ginger and pepper. I like a lot of flavor! Sometimes, I'll add a little soy sauce with the rice. You can also substitute the chicken with mussels. My kids love this and I feel really great about serving it!

Setting a goal!

We leave for Los Cabos, Mexico in three weeks! I'm getting back to pre-competition diet for the next three weeks to make sure I'm lean and mean for our trip! Bikini Body...here I come!

Keep it up!

Photos from a girls' night were posted yesterday on Facebook and my immediate thought, was "Wow! I really need to make sure I keep working out!" This photo was taken about a week before my competition and it made me remember that I can do this! I can keep it up! The hard core working out and the meal planning is a small price to pay!

For the first time in my life, I feel good in my skin, I feel confident and I feel secure. That's a lot to be said for a mom of two! I'm so thankful for my health and the ability to take care of my body. We only have ONE body, so we need to treat it right!

Thanks, girls for the fabulous evening out and thank you for posting the pictures to remind me to keep myself healthy and strong and looking my best!