Chocolate Chip Protein Muffins

INGREDIENTS

1 cup plain Greek yogurt 

2 bananas

2 eggs

1 1/2 cups gluten free oats

1/4 cup chocolate protein powder

1/4 cup coconut sugar

1 1/2 tsp baking powder 

1/2 tsp baking soda

1/4 cup chocolate chips

DIRECTIONS

Preheat oven to 400 F. Place paper liners in muffin pan and spray with cooking spray. Blend yogurt bananas and eggs in a blender. Stir all of the dry ingredients (except the chocolate chips) in a bowl Add dry ingredients to the blender and blend again. Fill each muffin pan cup 3/4 full. Sprinkle chocolate chips on the top and bake for 15 to 20 minutes.

How to Microwave Sweet Potatoes

Wash sweet potatoes in warm water. Use fork to poke holes all the way around. Wrap in a damp paper towel. Microwave on high for five minutes or until easily pierced with a fork.

Chipotle Shrimp Salad

Ingredients:

Shrimp 

Butter lettuce 

Avocado 

Corn

Black beans

Tomato

Cilantro 

Chipotle dressing 

Chile powder

Simple Garden Salad

Ingredients:

Mixed greens

Avocado 

Cherry tomatoes 

Cucumber 

Hard boiled egg

Salt

Pepper

EVOO

Balsamic vinegar 

Protein Pancakes

INGREDIENTS

• 1/4 cup rolled oats
• 1/2 cup protein powder
• 1/2 cup liquid egg whites
• 1/4 cup flaked coconut
• 1/4 cup almond milk
• 1/2 tsp baking soda

DIRECTIONS

Place all of the ingredients into a blender and mix. Warm a pan on medium heat with nonstick cooking spray. Spoon the batter into the hot pan and check the bottom frequently to see when it's ready to flip. 

I actually used chocolate protein powder and added strawberries to the top. Then I drizzled a little honey on top. They tasted fabulous and my boyfriend approved. He now wants these for breakfast every morning...

Point Lobos Hike

Amazing hike with amazing friends!

Today my friends and I went hiking in Point Lobos Reserve, just south of Carmel, Ca. Even on a foggy day this place is still beautiful. There were quite a few people there today and one guy was nice enough to stop and take this picture of us:) I'm not really sure why, but I go through spells in life of wanting to be closer to nature. Maybe it's because I just started a new job and this is a way for me to clear my mind. To me, hiking is very healing. Not only do you have an abundance of endorphins running through you, but the colors, sights, and sounds remind me how small I am and how insignificant my problems are. When I was little, my Dad used to take my brother and I for hikes pretty much every other weekend. Being the 'mountain-man' that he is, we hiked for HOURS... at a young age. At the time I absolutely hated hiking! I can still hear my Dad's voice saying annoying things like, "No pain, no gain." and "No water until we get to the top." Now when I look back I realize it was more than just hiking. It was one of those inconspicuous life lessons that we take for granted. Life is like one big hike! We travel uphill and then back down again. We have lots of bumps in the road and beautiful things to look at along the way. Am I the type of person who just stares at the ground underneath my feet watching every step and anticipating the next obstacle in order to make sure that I don't make a mistake? Or am I the type of person who keeps focus on the goals ahead while taking the time to enjoy the journey I'm on and taking in the beauty all around me? I think the answer is that we are all a little bit of both. So that's my inspiration for the day. My goal is to try a little harder to see that there is always beauty and goodness in the world if we can only take the time to stop looking at our feet and enjoy this adventure we call life ♥

Hiking in Big Sur

My mom, sister, and I took my boys to Pfeiffer Falls in Big Sur, Ca yesterday. We had a blast searching for banana slugs, shimmying across logs, and standing inside a gigantic Redwood tree that my son insisted he live in! 

A New Take on Cabbage

Just found this amazing recipe from NY Times

Cabbage and Ricotta Timbale

Total time: About 1 hour 15 minutes, plus 10 minutes cooling time

2 tablespoons unsalted butter, plus additional for the baking dishes

1 medium onion, finely chopped

1 small cabbage, about 1 pound, cored and finely shredded (6 to 7 cups)

Salt to taste

2 tablespoons chopped fresh dill

2 hard-boiled eggs, chopped

Freshly ground pepper

4 eggs

3/4 cup ricotta (optional)

1. Heat the butter over medium heat in a large, heavy skillet and add onion. Cook, stirring often, until tender, about 5 minutes. Add cabbage and salt to taste and cook, stirring often, until cabbage is tender but not browned, about 15 minutes. Stir in dill, chopped hard-boiled eggs, and pepper. Taste and adjust salt. Remove from heat and allow to cool slightly.

3. Beat eggs in a large bowl and beat in ricotta. Stir in cabbage filling. Add salt to taste and freshly ground pepper. Divide evenly among the ramekins. Fill the baking dish with hot water to at least halfway up the sides of the ramekins. Bake individual ramekins for 40 to 45 minutes, a larger soufflé or gratin for 50 to 60 minutes, until set and lightly colored. Turn off the oven and prop open the door with a wooden spoon. Leave for 10 minutes, then remove from the oven. Let sit for another 10 minutes or longer. Serve from the dish, or unmold.2. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Generously butter 4 1-cup ramekins or a 1- or 1-1/2-quart soufflé dish. Place the ramekins or soufflé dish in a baking pan.

Yield: 4 generous servings

Advance preparation: The cabbage mixture can be made through Step 1 a day or two ahead.

Nutritional information per serving: 82 calories; 4 grams fat; 1 gram saturated fat; 1 gram polyunsaturated fat; 2 grams monounsaturated fat; 34 milligrams cholesterol; 9 grams carbohydrates; 1 gram dietary fiber; 89 milligrams sodium (does not include salt to taste); 3 grams protein

Bacon Balsamic Brussels Sprouts

Bacon Balsamic Brussels Sprouts

If you think you HATE brussels sprouts (like I did), you must try preparing them this way!

Ingredients:

EVOO

Bacon

Onion

Brussels sprouts

1 cup balsamic vinegar

Salt & pepper

Directions:

Cook bacon lightly in a pan and lay flat on paper towel

Heat EVOO in pot on medium heat

Rinse the sprouts and drain in collander

Cut sprouts into halves

Add chopped/sliced onion (if desired)

Add brussels sprouts and cook until leaves start to brown 

Add basalmic vinegar

Cover pot with lid and reduce heat to low

Simmer until tender

chop bacon into pieces and add to pot

Salt and pepper to taste

Enjoy!  

The Best Healthy Cookies You've Ever Had!

Oatmeal Banana Chocolate Chip Cookies

Ingredients:

2 bananas

1 cup quick oats

Semi-sweet chocolate chips

Directions:

Blend the bananas in a blender, using a tablespoon of water as needed

Mix with oats and chocolate chips in a mixing bowl

Bake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes

Gluten Free Mom :: Zucchini Linguine

Gluten Free Mom :: Zucchini Linguine

Meal Planning

The most important thing to remember when trying to stick to a healthy diet is meal planning! I have found that when I eat the wrong foods, its usually because I was hungry and just reached for the food that takes the least amount of time and effort to prepare... Usually carbs! I have a serious weakness for cereal, bread, oatmeal, fig newtons, granols bars, etc. Here are some make-ahead foods that will satisfy you hunger throughout the day and not leave you feeling guilty!

Vegetable soup

Quinoa

Hard-boiled eggs

Sweet potatoes

asparagus

Grilled chicken breasts

Brown rice

Sliced carrots & celery

Homemade frozen yogurt

Click HERE for an awesome list of savory make ahead snacks under 200 calories!

Beet Salad Recipe

Roasted beets

Feta cheese

Toasted walnuts

Oregano

Balsamic vinegar 

♥Gandhi

Boete - The Best Wine in California

Boete is my absolute favorite wine! Estate grown in Carmel Valley, Ca

Garland Park Carmel Valley, Ca

 

One of my favorite places to hike is the beautiful Garland Park in Carmel Valley, Ca.

This is an amazing place to run, hike, bike, ride horses, walk the dog, take photos, ect.

I actually took this picture with my iPhone 5 while hiking with my Noni. If you are visiting from out of town and just want to see some really gorgeous countryside, you are sure to find it here.

Warm Quinoa Arugula Salad

I came up with this salad as an alternative to a salad I got at LALA Grill here in beautiful Monterey, Ca 

Arugula 

Cucumber

Apples

Dried cherries 

Grilled onions

Cilantro

Red quinoa 

Vinaigrette (apple cider/balsamic/cherry vinegar or a combo of all 3 are good mixed with a little EVOO and a dash of salt and pepper)   

Dump the warm quinoa on last and then top with the dressing 

***Use organic produce please! I know it costs more, but we have to support the movement!!! 

The original salad has bacon, grilled chicken breast, and feta cheese, but I'm leaning toward no meat or dairy lately so I left those things out.

ENJOY!!!

 

Vega One Review

This is my FAVORITE shake.. And 

I've tried nearly all of them. What I like about Vega One is that not only are you getting protein - you're getting probiotics, omega-3, fiber, greens, antioxidants, and vitamins/minerals! - Did I mention its VEGAN AND GLUTEN FREE?!

This is not ideal for bodybuilders trying to use shakes to gain muscle mass. In that case they need a shake with approximately 40g of protein so I would suggest mixing a scoop of this with something else such as Isopure if you're trying to gain mass. 

Each scoop has less than 200 calories so its a perfect in-between-meal snack or you could drink it as a meal replacement. If you want to lose weight fast I would suggest drinking this for dinner at about 6pm and having nothing else for the rest of the night except tea or water. 

Sometimes when people start taking this they will feel a little "off" as in some bowel upset, but that's just your body detoxing the crap you've been eating. If you get an upset tummy don't worry it will only last a few days!

Flavors:

Chocolate (my fav)

Berry

Vanilla Chai 

Natural
You can mix the powder with water, but I like coconut milk and almond milk because to me it tastes better.
 www.myvega.com

Not all smoothies are created equal

There is a big fad now in the health world with smoothies. Everyday I see people posting their not-so-healthy fruit smoothies on Pinterest and Instagram and I have decided to post about how you can actually LOSE weight drinking them.

First of all... Don't ever use sugary fruit juice!!! It's best to use water as the liquid or all natural juice like Simply Orange or POM juice. Just don't go crazy with the juice because it does add a lot of calories and sugar. 

I personally like to use organic produce and the biggest thing that people don't realize is that 80% of the blender should be greens/veggies and the other 20% is fruit. Honestly, you only need a small amount of fruit to make it sweet and cover up the greens. 

If you keep those things in mind when making healthy smoothies, you will be much better off

Ps. NEVER use arugula in a smoothie unless you don't mind a peppery taste. I love it for salads but not for my smoothies!!!