The Day After Apple Pie Shakeology

The day after Thanksgiving, at my house, is a day filled with left overs.  Pies, pies and more pies.  For someone who is trying to eat healthy this can be a big temptation.

Normally, I am a chocolate or cafe latte drinker.  But I will make an exception for this one. Unsweetened applesauce and cinnamon make this Shakeology smoothie taste like apple pie filling with whipped cream.  It’s even better with home made applesauce which is super easy to make and well worth it. To make this shake even more delicious,add a dash of ground ginger and ½ tsp. of pure caramel extract. 

I say skip the apple pie and drink this instead.

Apple Pie Shakeology

Applesauce and cinnamon make this Shakeology shake taste like apple pie!

Author: Beachbody

Recipe type: Shakeology

Serves: 1 smoothie

Ingredients

• 1 cup water
• 1 scoop Vanilla Shakeology
• ½ cup unsweetened applesauce
• ½ tsp. ground cinnamon
• 1 cup ice

Instructions

1. Place water, Shakeology, applesauce, cinnamon, and ice in blender; cover. Blend until smooth

Nutritional Information (per serving):

Calories: 184

Total Fat: 2 g

Saturated Fat: 0 g

Cholesterol: 5 mg

Sodium: 215 mg

Carbohydrates: 29 g

Fiber: 5 g

Sugar: 18 g

Protein: 16 g

P90X/P90X2 Portions

1 Double Serving Snack

P90X3 Portions

1 Protein

1 Carb

Body Beast Portions

1 Fruit

1 Protein Liquid

Containers

1 Red

1 Purple

Sending strength, hope and love!

Darlene

Gluten Free Chili Spiced Pulled Pork Burrito Bowl

I have had a crock pot in my pantry since I moved into my home in 1997.  It's there but rarely used.  Don't ask me why.  You would think that being as busy as I am that I would welcome any help that I could get each day.

I think the reason for rarely using what could truly  become my best friend is because that would mean that I would have to plan in advance.  In all honesty, I never planned anything in advance unless it was my kid's sports schedules.  

I am finding that now because I am planning a week of meals in advance that the crock pot is an amazing tool.  I know what is being cooked every day in that week.  So I can just throw it in the crock pot, go to work and when I get home that evening, I have a delicious, healthy meal to feed my family, and me of course. :)

On Sunday I made Gluten Free Chili Spiced Pulled Pork Burrito Bowl in my crock pot.  This recipe was so easy to do, it really didn't cost a lot and it tastes delicious!  Normally when I make Pulled Pork it is drowning in barbecue sauce.  This was a delicious alternative and healthy! Oh and to make this recipe even easier, I used another friend of mine in the kitchen...my rice cooker!  

Instead of standing over a stove, wishing I could hurry up so I could go spend time with my family, I spent a total of 15 minutes or so throwing the ingredients the crock pot and then the rice and water in the rice cooker.  It is a WIN WIN!

GLUTEN FREE CHILI SPICED PULLED PORK BURRITO BOWLS

* 4 lb pork loin

* 6 Garlic Cloves, chopped

* 1 T. Chili Powder

* 2 tsp Cumin

* 2 tsp Paprika

* 1 T Course Sea Salt

* 1 C Fresh or Canned Salsa

* 1/4 C Honey

* 3 C Beans of Your Choice (Canned or Dried that have been cooked)

* 2 tsp Garlic Minced

* Sea Salt to taste

* 6 C white rice for gluten free, brown rice or quinoa for clean eating

* 3 Avocados sliced, (I didn't use avocados with this recipe because my son doesn't like them)

* Shredded cheese to top, if desired ( Omit for dairy free)

* Sour cream to top, if desired ( Omit for dairy free.  For clean eating, make sure to get a clean brand, such as Daisy or an organic variety.)

* Salsa to top, if desired.

INSTRUCTIONS:

1.  Place the pork loin in the crock pot. Cover the loin with the 6 cloves of chopped garlic, chili powder, cumin, paprika and salt.  Pour the salsa and honey over the pork.  Turn the crock pot on high and cover.  Cook for 4 hours on high or for 8 hours on low.

2.  At the end of 4 hours, shred the pork with a fork, tossing in the juices until they are all soaked up into the meat.  Keep warm.

3.  Place the beans in a sauce pan.  Add the garlic and bring to a simmer.  Season to taste with salt and remove from heat once cooked through.

TO ASSEMBLE BOWLS:

Place a serving of rice in a bowl and top with about 1/4 C Beans. Top with a generous portion of shredded pork.  Add desired toppings such as sour cream, salsa, avocado, cilantro and cheese.

This has truly become one of my favorite recipes.  I can't wait to make this again.  Enjoy! :)

Thank you so much for the support and your interest in this blog!  If you haven't already, please make sure to follow me on Face Book at Darlene Caron Nutrition and Fitness where you can find more recipes, fitness tips, motivation and information on upcoming Health and Wellness Accoutnability/Challenge Groups that I offer.

Talk to you soon! <3

**21 Day Fix Approved** Chia Pudding Parfait

Last night I decided to finally take the chia seeds out of the cupboard and try a recipe that I had found on the team beachbody website.  Chia Pudding Parfait.  I wasn't sure if I was going to like this one.  But I figured if I didn't I would chalk it up as a lesson learned and never buy chia seeds again. Every time I think of chia seeds, I remember the Ch ch ch chia commercial.  lol

Let me know what you think of it and if you have any other chia recipes.  I would definitely like to try some more. :)

This recipe was easy to make and very yummy!

Chia Pudding Parfait
The recipe calls for either Kumquats or oranges but I decided to use mango instead. :)

Yield: 4 servings, ½ cup each

Ingredients:
2 cups unsweetened almond milk
2 tsp. raw honey
½ cup chia seeds
½ cup low-fat granola
20 kumquats, thinly sliced (or orange sections) (reserve some for garnish) ( I used Mango instead. )  Or you could use any kind of fruit that you wanted to use.  My niece thought it would taste good with sliced bananas.)

Preparation:
1. Combine almond milk, honey, and chia seeds in a medium bowl; mix well.

2. Cover bowl; refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight, mixing after 2 hours.
3. Before serving, layer chia seed mixture with granola and kumquats in parfait glasses.

If you are following the 21 Day Fix containers it is:
1 1/2 yellow 1/2 orange 1/2 purple

CRUSTLESS PUMPKIN PIE....21 DAY FIX APPROVED

After making custard, pumpkin and apple pie for my family for Christmas, it was certainly nice to have one that was a healthy choice for me as well.  I can't tell you how delicious this pie is.  I am so thankful that my friend Amee at inspiredhousewife.com decided to share this recipe.

Besides, let's face it, everything tastes better when it is pumpkin :)

Crustless Pumpkin Pie

3 large eggs
2 cups pumpkin
½ cup honey
1 cup almond milk
1 TBSP vanilla extract
1 tsp cinnamon
½ tsp ground ginger
½ tsp ground cloves

Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees Grease pie plate with coconut oil.
In a large mixing bowl,add in three eggs, pumpkin, honey, milk, vanilla extract, cinnamon, ground ginger and cloves and whisk until mixed well together.

Add pie filling to the pie plate. Bake until the center is set and inserting a toothpick comes out clean.

21 Day Fix 1 slice of pumpkin pie = 1 purple container

This recipe is gluten free and refined sugar free.

Baked Banana Almond Oatmeal **21 Day Fix Approved**

Cook Time:30 Min Total Time:30 Min
Ingredients
· YELLOW - Steel Cut Oats
· PURPLE - Banana
· BLUE - Almond Slices
· FREEBIE - Cinnamon
· Optional: Drizzle Maple Syrup or Honey on top

Instructions
Cook steel cut oats per directions. I typically make a large batch on the weekends and cook for about 20-25 minutes on the stovetop.  Refrigerate portions as needed.

If you are eating it immediately, you can top it with banana slices, almond slices, a sprinkle of cinnamon (to your liking) and a little drizzle of natural sweetener (maple syrup or honey is best).

Bake in your oven at 425 for 5 minutes or until caramelized and slightly crisp.

* If refrigerated bake at 425 for 10 minutes.
Notes
21 Day Fix Optional: You can use 1 tsp of honey as a natural sweetener when on the 21 Day Fix. Honey is NOT allowed on the 21 Day Fix Extreme.

Enjoy!

Make the rest of your life the best of your life! <3

Get Autumn Calabrese's FIXATE cookbook FREE!

Did you know that September is Autumn Calabrese's birthday? Woohoo!

Maybe you don't know who she is...well, back in June of 2014, when I was at my absolute lowest, I decided to take a chance and try the 21 Day Fix. It was a last ditch effort to get healthy and lose weight! Not only did I lose weight, but I also learned how to control my portions! The 21 Day Fix was created by none other than, you guessed it....AUTUMN CALABRESE!

So, I decided to honor one of my favorite trainers and to help celebrate her birthday month.....

Drum roll please.....

Anyone who purchases a challenge pack or signs to be a coach (with me) gets a FREE Fixate cookbook! Want more information....comment below or send me a message!

Happy birthday to the amazing Autumn Calabrese! I can not wait for the sneak peek of your new program Hammer and Chisel to be on Beachbody on Demand starting in October!

If you would like to know more about the 21 Day Fix, Fixate, when my next group starts or how you can become a coach on my team, please comment below or find me at:  DarLean Fitness

1. Make the REST of your life, the BEST of your life! <3

Creamy Chicken Salad - Fixate Style

Are you looking for a fantastic supper idea that is quick, super easy and doesn't require much cooking on this hot summer day?

Check this out.  I had this today for my lunch and it was so good I just may have it for supper too!

This is from Autumn Calabrese's Fixate Cookbook.

Creamy Chicken Salad Wrap
1 1/2 Green, 1 1/2 yellow, 1/2 purple, 1 red, 1/2 blue and 1/2 orange

Ingredients:
3 cups chopped rotisserie chicken breast (boneless / skinless)
1/2 cup chopped green apple
1/2 cup seedless red grapes, cut in half
1/2 cup raw almonds
2 green onions, sliced
2 Tbsp chopped fresh tarragon
1/4 cup Honey Mustard Dressing (see below)
8 cups shredded romaine lettuce
 I used mine to make a wrap by using
1 8 inch sprouted whole grain tortilla and not serving it on a bed of lettuce. :)

Directions:
Combine chicken, apple, grapes, almonds, green onions, tarragon, and Honey Mustard Salad Dressing in a large bowl.  Mix well and then refrigerate (covered) for 2 hours.
Fold 1 1/4 cup Creamy Chicken Salad in the sides of the tortilla and roll the wrap burrito-style.

Honey Mustard Dressing:
** Serves 8 with 2 Tbsp per serving
** 1 Orange Container
1/2 cup reduced fat plain Greek yogurt
3 Tbsp Dijon mustard, gluten-free
3 Tbsp raw honey
3 Tbsp rice vinegar
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
Sea Salt to taste (optional)

Directions: Combine yogurt, mustard, honey, and vinegar in a medium bowl and mix well. Slowly add the oil, whisking constantly until well blended.

Delicious! :)

If you would like to find out more about the delicious recipes in Fixate, join a fitness or clean eating challenge group or even would like to know what being a beachbody coach is all about you can either leave a comment below, send me a message or find me at :  DarLean Fitness

Make the REST of your life the BEST of your life!

Oatmeal Tropical - My Favorite Ultimate Reset Breakfast Recipe

The first questions I asked myself when I considered starting the Ultimate Reset is....What the heck will I eat?  Am I going to be hungry?  Am I going to have to eat nasty food?  Some people will tell you that you have to eat seaweed and other stuff like that.  You don't have to, there are substitutions.

I have found some really great recipes during the first week of UR and they will be staying on my menu long after I am done.

This is my favorite breakfast recipe...Oatmeal Tropical.  

It makes 1 serving.

1 cup water

1 pinch Himalyan Salt

1/2 cup old fashioned rolled oats

1/2 medium mango, diced

1/4 medium papaya, unripe, diced

2 tsp unsweetened shredded coconut

1 Tbsp chopped raw walnuts

Bring the water and salt to a boil in a medium saucepan over medium heat.  Add the oats, cook, make sure to stir frequently, for 4 to 5 minutes.  Remove from heat.  Place oatmeal in a small bowl and top with mango, papaya, shredded coconut and walnuts.

Tada!  A fast, delicious and nutritious breakfast to start out your morning. No one said it had to be hard right?

Enjoy! :)

                                                                     ~Darlene <3

21 Day Fix Baked Banana Almond Oatmeal

Baked Banana Almond Oatmeal

Cook Time:30 Min Total Time:30 Min

Ingredients

·         YELLOW - Steel Cut Oats

·         PURPLE - Banana

·         BLUE - Almond Slices

·         FREEBIE - Cinnamon

·         Optional: Drizzle Maple Syrup or Honey on top

Instructions

Cook steel cut oats per directions. I typically make a large batch on the weekends and cook for about 20-25 minutes on the stovetop. 

Refrigerate portions as needed.

 If you are eating it immediately, you can top it with banana slices, almond slices, a sprinkle of cinnamon (to your liking) and a little drizzle of natural sweetener (maple syrup or honey is best). 

Bake in your oven at 425 for 5 minutes or until caramelized and slightly crisp.

* If refrigerated bake at 425 for 10 minutes.

Notes

·         21 Day Fix Optional: You can use 1 tsp of honey as a natural sweetener when on the 21 Day Fix. Honey is NOT allowed on the 21 Day Fix Extreme.

Follow me at : DarLean Fitness

Beacause I'm Worth It! <3

Clean Eating Pumpkin Chili Review

I know that I have been adding a lot of clean eating recipes lately on Face Book.  My family asked me if I was just posting them or if I was actually trying them.  So I decided to share with everyone else my experience making a Clean Eating Pumpkin Chili.

I made a few changes to my chili vs the chili recipe below.  First, we used deer meat instead of the grass fed beef.  I also did not put any pumpkin beer in it (at the request of my husband).

This part ^^^^ looks disgusting and I was starting to get worried.  This is right after I added the pumpkin puree to the deer meat.

Now, it is starting to look like a chili :)

Final product:  pumpkin chili with a dollop of sour cream.  It was really delicious.  Adding the sour cream was definitely a must.   It wasn't spicy or hot, tasted  a little sweet.  My husband said that he thought it had a good consistency and he liked that it wasn't greasy or anything.

So, will I be making this again?  Yes, my hubby gave it a thumbs up so I will definitely be making it again! 

Pumpkin Chili

Yield: Serves 8

Ingredients

2 lbs grass fed beef

coconut or grape seed oil

1 red onion, diced

2 green peppers, diced

4 garlic cloves, minced

2 tbsp cumin

1 tbsp chili powder

1 tbsp oregano

3 cups pumpkin puree

3 cups kidney beans, cooked and rinsed

6oz tomato paste

2 (28oz) containers crushed tomatoes

1 pumpkin beer

1 cup beef broth

2 habanero peppers, diced (remove seeds and ribs for less spicy chili)

salt, to taste

black pepper, to taste

Sour cream, for topping

Instructions

Heat the oil in a large stockpot over medium heat. Add the onion and peppers and saute until translucent. Remove from the pan.

Add the ground beef. Cook the beef until browned. Add the garlic and sautee for 1-2 minutes until fragrant. Add back the sauteed onions and green peppers.

Add the spices. Cook for 2 minutes while stirring, until spices become fragrant.

Stir in the pumpkin puree, kidney beans, tomato paste, crushed tomatoes, habanero peppers, and pumpkin beer.

Bring to a simmer. Reduce heat and simmer for 2-3 hours.

Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Serve with a dab of sour cream.

Follow me at: DarLean Fitness

Enjoy! 

Because I am WORTH IT! <3

FREE 5 Day Clean Eating Challenge Group

Hey everyone. I remember the day that I went to the doctors office and stepped on that hateful scale. Definitely not bestie material.

Anyhow, I asked the nurse what I weighed and she said 240...I just looked at her in stunned disbelief. I did not step on the scale for a long time after that.

I started exercising and eating Lean Cuisines, it had I had gained again!

the name Lean in it so I thought it was healthy. Or Healthy Choice even. When I went back I still had not lost any weight, in fact

My doctor told me that I had to lose weight, and to change up what I was eating.

CHANGE UP WHAT I AM EATING? HOW? If I knew what to eat, don't you think I would do that?

I knew what to do to work out. Or at the time I thought I did. I got on my stationary bike and started bike 5 miles a day, then 10, then 15 and then 20. But, I still wasn't sure what to eat.

One web site said carbs was good one said they were bad. I needed more protein or was I eating not enough. And somebody please tell me what the heck a macro nutrient is!

One month after joining my first challenge group, I started a clean eating group. At first, I was very skeptical, I didn't want to change everything all at once...I knew it was just setting me up for failure. So, I changed a little here and a little there.

Guess what? Clean eating really does work!

I would like to invite you to join me for a 5 day clean eating group starting on April 6. In this group I will share what clean eating is, share some recipes, grocery lists, meal plans and motivation.

Please don't wait until the last minute to sign up. I would recommend signing up now, so I can share a shopping list with you. That way you will be prepared on April 6.

I can't wait to see your smiling face in this group! Please like and share.

If I told you that I could help you pick foods that were healthy and actually made you feel good after eating them would you be interested?

Comment below or message me for an invite.

I believed I could so I did <3

Want to know more?  Follow me at: DarLean Fitness

21 Day Fix Pumpkin Pizza

Today I decided I was going to start trying some different healthy recipes.  The first of many that I will review is Pumpkin Pizza. ( I got this recipe from the recipe section on teambeachbody.com.)

21 Day Fix -  2 Green 1 Yellow per slice

To make the Pizza Dough"

1/4 oz active yeast

1 cup warm water

2 tsp sugar

3 - 3 1/4 cups whole wheat flour

1/2 tsp sea salt

2 tsp olive oil

nonstick cooking spray

1. Put yeast, water and sugar in a medium bowl.  Let it stand for 10 minutes or until it becomes foamy.

2. Combine 3 cups of flour and salt in a bowl.  Add flour mixture to yeast mixture. Mix by hand until mixture doesn't stick to your hands.   Add more flour as needed.  Roll dough into a ball and brush with 1/2 tsp oil.  Place in a bowl and cover with a towel.  Let it rise for 2 hours.

3.  Punch down the dough to remove air, knead and roll into a ball.  Brush with 1/2 tsp oil.  Place in bowl and cover with a towel.  Let it rise for 2 more hours.

4.  Preheat oven to 450.

5.  Roll dough until it isn't stretchy anymore.  Let it rest for 5 minutes. Roll out to 10-12 inches and about 1/2 inch thick.  Lightly coat the baking stone with oil and place dough onto it.

6.  Brush with remaining 1 tsp oil.

To Make the Pizza:

1 1/2 cups pumpkin puree

3/4 tsp curry powder

2 Tbsp low sodium organic vegetable or chicken broth

1 tsp olive oil

2 cups chopped kale, stems removed

1 medium red onion, chopped and caramelized

1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese

1. While pizza dough is resting, combine pumpkin, curry powder and broth in a bowl.  Set to the side.

2.  Heat oil in a medium skillet over med. high heat.

3.  Add kale, cook while stirring frequently for 3 to 4 minutes, or until the Kale softens.  Set to the side.

To Caramelize Onions:

Heat 1 tsp. olive oil in medium pan. Add the chopped onion; cook while stirring frequently, for 3 to 4 minutes. Once onions begin to brown reduce heat to low. Cook for 10 to 12 minutes, or until onions are brown.

4.  Spread the pumpkin mixture on the pizza dough within 1/2 inch from the edge.

5.  Top with kale and onion.

6.  Bake for 10-15 minutes or until the crust is golden brown.

7.  Top with feta cheese.

When I first took a bite, it was a unique flavor.  The pumpkin with curry was a lot different than anything I had tasted before.  Once I took a few bites it the flavor started to grow on me.

I actually liked this, This was a good meal to eat on a colder fall night.  

Enjoy!

- Darlene

Shakeology No Bake Cookies

As I was sitting here tonight, my son came in complaining about the healthy food in the house and how it was going to kill him.  Mind you, this is while he is eating a pizza in front of me. :)

I decided that instead of eating a piece of his pizza, now that I was craving something, anything to munch on, that I would go make something healthy for a snack.  I really wanted chocolate.

I found a chocolate no bake cookie recipe using Chocolate Shakeology.  Ok, I will try anything at least once.  I love drinking my Shakeology so now I guess I will try eating it.

This is a recipe that I got from PiYo.

No Bake Cookies
makes 24 servings

1 cup Chocolate or Vanilla Shakeology
1 cup all natural peanut butter (or almond butter)
1 cup quick cooking rolled oats
1/2 cup raw honey

Combine peanut butter, oats, honey and Shakeology in a medium bowl; mix well with a rubber spatula or by hand.  Roll mixture into twenty four balls, each about 1 inch in size.  Flatten each slightly so that it is shaped like a traditional cookie.

Chocolate Shakeology and Peanut Butter

Honey, oats, shakeology and peanut butter

I didn't flatten mine I just left them in a ball.  

I have to say these were delicious.  I can see a problem with them though.  They are so good, that I could easily over eat with them.  So I will need to use some will power.  

But oh my YUM!

21 Day Fix Sweet Potato Salad

21 Day Fix Sweet Potato Salad

I made this salad for me and my husband and was delighted with how it tasted.   My husband even enjoyed it and said I should make it again.

Ingredients:

1 Tbsp olive oil

1 1/2 tsp red wine vinegar

1 tsp lemon juice

1 /2 tsp pure maple syrup

1 dash of sea salt

1 tsp chopped fresh herbs (basil, oregano or parsley)

1 med baked sweet potato, peeled and cubes into 1/2 inch pieces

1 med green apple, chopped

1/2 med red bell pepper, chopped

1 stalk green onion, finely sliced

2 Tbsp finely chopped cilantro

4 cups fresh arugula

2 Tbsp chopped walnuts

Combine oil, vinegar, lemon juice, maple syrup, salt and herbs in a medium bowl; whisk to blend then set aside.

Combine sweet potato, apple, bell pepper, onion and cilantro in a large bowl; mix well

Drizzle dressing over sweet potato mixture, toss gently to blend.

Place even amounts of arugala on two serving plates; top each with sweet potato mixture and sprinkle with walnuts.

21 Day Fix containers used:

1 green, 1 yellow, 1 blue/orange container

Enjoy! :)