Southwestern Quinoa

So this is the next recipe I'll be making. I've made a similar recipe before and that was is very tasty but this one has more goodies so I'm hoping it's just as good if not better. Also here in Texas we have a store called HEB. At HEB they have just implemented a "bulk food" section. I know Safeway in Washington use to have a bulk food section but I'm not sure if they still do, anyways I have found that it is cheaper for me to buy my Quinoa in this bulk section rather than on the shelf in the
prepackages.

Southwestern Quinoa

Ingredients:

• 1 cup quinoa
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 1/2 cup diced green bell pepper
• 1/2 cup diced red onion
• 1 cup corn
• 1 (15 ounce) can black beans, drained
• 1/4 cup chopped cilantro
• 1 large tomato, diced
• 1/2 cup fresh lime juice, or to taste
• 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 tablespoon adobo seasoning
• 1/2 cup feta cheese
• salt and black pepper to taste

Directions:

1. Rinse the quinoa thoroughly under cold water, and drain. Melt butter in a large saucepan over medium heat, and cook and stir the quinoa until the water has evaporated and the quinoa is lightly toasted, about 3 minutes. Pour in the chicken broth, bring to a boil, reduce heat to low, and simmer until the quinoa has absorbed all the broth, about 10 minutes. Cool quinoa in refrigerator at least 10 minutes.
2. Mix together green pepper, red onion, corn, black beans, cilantro, tomato, lime juice, red wine vinegar, olive oil, adobo seasoning, and feta cheese in a large salad bowl. Lightly stir in the quinoa, and season with salt, pepper, and additional lime juice to taste, if desired. Chill the salad at least 30 minutes before serving; serve cold.

"Stuffed" Peppers.......My Way =)

   These are stuffed peppers, my way.....cause quite frankly I think stuffing pepper is a pain in the butt and then once they are done I have no idea how to eat them. Do you eat the stuff out the middle first? Do you try and cut up the pepper and eat it with the stuffing? I don't know, so I took all the guess work out of it =)

Stuffed Peppers...My Way

Ingredients:

1 cup water

1/2 cup uncooked Arborio rice (I used left over rice, I think long grain basanti)

2 green bell peppers, halved and seeded (Red peppers where on sale, I used those instead)

1.5-2lbs Ground Turkey

2 green onions, thinly sliced (I used a sweet onion)

1 teaspoon dried basil

1 teaspoon Italian seasoning

1 teaspoon salt

1 pinch ground black pepper

1 tomato, diced (I used two Roma)

1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese (I left the cheese out cause I didn't have any)

 

Preparation:

 Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Lightly grease a baking sheet.

1. In a medium saucepan, bring water to a boil. Stir in the rice. Reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 20 minutes. Remove from heat, and set aside. Or however you prepare your rice, I have a rice cooker.
2. Place the peppers cut-side down on the prepared baking sheet. Roast 25 to 30 minutes in the preheated oven, or until tender and skin starts to brown. Once done place in freezer for 20-30 mins to cool. Once cool peel the skin off and cut into strips 1/2in X 1in.
3. While the peppers are cooling, brown the turkey meat over medium-high heat with the onion. Add basil, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper continue cooking for 2 to 3 minutes. Stir in the tomato, and cook for 5 minutes. Spoon in the cooked rice, and stir until heated through. Remove from heat, mix in the feta cheese. Add in the pepper strips.
4. Continue cooking for 5 minutes or until heated thoroughly. Serve immediately. 

Unstuffed Cabbage Soup

   I made this for dinner on Friday and it was delicious. My mother wasn't a fan at first, saying that it was to spicy but after the first couple of bites she really enjoyed it.

Unstuffed Cabbage Soup

Ingredients:
1 1/2 to 2 pounds lean ground beef or turkey
1 tablespoon oil
1 large onion, chopped
1 clove garlic, minced
1 small cabbage, chopped
2 cans (14.5 ounces each) diced tomatoes
1 can (8 ounces) tomato sauce
1/2 cup water
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 teaspoon sea salt

Preparation:
1. In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the ground beef and onion and cook, stirring, until ground beef is no longer pink and onion is tender.
Add the garlic and continue cooking for 1 minute.

 2. Add the chopped cabbage, tomatoes, tomato sauce, pepper, and salt. Bring to a boil. Cover and simmer for 20 to 30 minutes, or until cabbage is tender.
Yield: Serves 6 to 8

My Why...

   On Thursday I told the 20 people on my like page (https://www.facebook.com/beginning2anend) that I would have updates for them on Friday. Apparently life happened to me again and I spaced, probably because I was spring cleaning my house in the middle of summer and trying to kill myself by inhaling all those fumes from cleaning the bathroom (fyi cleaning a tub with those sliding shower doors should really be done with one of those construction mask). So to all my Facebook followers, if you are reading this I'm sorry. I know I did not meet my timeline, not by a long shot cause it's now 1:04 am Sunday morning. But it's here! Tah Dah! I've got the updates and I thought we'd start off with My Why. I came up with this idea/title to this post because well, quite frankly, it was assigned to me through my Beachbody training I've been going through.
   So there it is. The secret is out. I'm a Beachbody Coach. You're probably thinking "*Gasp* she's tricked us all! She just wants us to buy her products." Negative. That could not be farther from the truth. If you have a great workout regiment that is working for you, GREAT! I want you to keep doing it and if you want to, share it (yes, even on my Facebook page).
   Another reason I haven't updated the page yet is because I've been giving My Why some considerable thought. It's all really boiled down to a couple of reasons. For lack of imagination, it is 1am after all, we'll call them #1 My Reason to Get Fit and #2 My Reasons to Become a Beachbody Coach.

#1 My Reason to Get Fit

   My reason to get fit is because, well, I'm unhappy with the way I look and feel about myself. Plus I am currently at a crossroads in my career path. I decided recently that I could continue down this path of self hatred and weight gain if I wanted too continue in my mediocre life doing meaningless jobs being just content cause this path is easy. OR I could take the road less traveled and switch it all up and do something meaningful and exciting! With that being said I know that this road is gonna be hard and I've already had some set backs but I'm gonna just keep trucking along cause I can't stop. I can't go back to the way I was. Now you're probably thinking "well what is this road less traveled for you Kayla?" I'm gonna tell ya...I want to be a firefighter/paramedic! Why? Because my entire life I have had these wonderful childhood memories of my Uncle Tom taking myself and all my cousins down to the fire station and let us play on the fire trucks and set off all the sirens. At that young age, in my eyes, my Uncle Tom was my hero. I looked up to him and I wanted to be just like him. Plus it probably didn't hurt that I did a little bit of firefighting while I was in the Navy and I really enjoyed it. But don't think I'm about to stop at firefighter people! Oh no, I do have my eyes set on a college degree. While being a firefighter I want to go back to school and get my bachelors in Forensic Science Chemistry! Or (I'm not sure what I'd degree I'd have to get for this) get the degree that allows you to be the fire investigator. You know the people that go in after the fire and figure out how the fire started. I think those would be some pretty cool jobs.

#2 My Reasons to Become a Beachbody Coach
   One of the reasons is that I've gone through the Beachbody process before. When I was joining the Navy I completed the P90X program and had some amazing results. While I was going through the process I kept having people ask me "what are you doing? How can I get those results?" and I kept finding myself raving about P90X anyways. So this time while I'm going through it I figured heck if I'm gonna get asked about it anyways and I'm gonna rave about it anyways, AGAIN! I might as well get paid for it.....and if I'm not getting paid for all this "hard" work that I am doing then someone else IS. How unfair does that seem?
   Another reason and more of the main reason behind why I am a coach is that I truly believe in the Beachbody products, what they stand for and their mission. These people really do want to, as Mr. Carl Daikeler always says, end the trend of obesity and their mission is to help people achieve their goals and enjoy a healthy fulfilling life. And the more I heard and read about the company the more I realized that their goals and missions align with what I want to do and what I believe I can help my fellow man do. For me coaching isn't about selling you these amazing products. It is about helping people save their lives, take back their lives and live it to the fullest day by day with the people that they love. Like I said before, the products are amazing, but they are just tools and I realize that some of us can't afford these tools just yet. I hope one day that you can cause they will change your life but because you can't afford the Beachbody tool doesn't mean I can't help you live a more fulfilling life and change your lifestyle to a healthy one.

   If you have questions or would just like to offer feedback please comment below or contact me. And remember....

"Without risk there is no chance for success." ~Dani Johnson

How Bad Do You Want It???

For the last couple days I have had things come up to where I couldn't workout.....I know lame excuse, but it was one of those if I don't do this now I'm not gonna get that job I really want.....So I skipped two days of working on me....it's only the first week but the first week is not the time to give up (no time ever is the time to give up actually). I only get one rest day in a week and I have a plan for that day to be on sundays. I had already used up the rest day, on Thursday cause of a back twinge, there were no other days to miss......except for my minor heart attack happened on Friday when the background check people told me I dated something wrong at the last minute (that was the last day I could post the background). So I spent all day Friday redoing the background check and getting it scanned in and submitted. Let's hope that like it! On Thursday I rearranged my office to be a functional space and I most say I LOVE IT! It's my favorite spot in the house!





So we finally get to Saturday. I know what I have to do, but I really don't want to do it. I get my sweats on and begin to put my head band on when all of a sudden there is a grumble in my belly and a pain in my stomach. Saved by the gurgle! I'm starving! And what's another hour gonna kill? So I go and make my Shakeo (just ice and orange juice today). Sit at my new favorite place, drink my shakeo and begin pinning some motivation on pinterest! Next thing I knew an hour and a half had flown by. There was no use in denying the inevitable any longer. I leave my favorite room in the house to enter my second favorite all while thinking "body you're gonna hate me for this, but eventually you will thank me!"


 While pinning on my computer I figured there is only one way for me to keep on track with the first week (my workout week begins on Mondays, usually with Sundays being the rest day) of my training.......Do TWO workouts today......The next thought that crossed my mind was "you MUST be crazy!" The answer to that is most definitely a yes! I walked in there not super excited to do this but I popped in the first DVD, P90X's Shoulders and Arms. I pushed through it and I was feeling pretty good about completing it. I didn't bother with the cool down cause as soon as the power hour was over I popped in my very next exercise, P90X's Yoga. It began, I started to panic. I can't do this! I'm gonna crash! there's no way I'm gonna make it all the way through this!





 But then I remembered this picture right here! I also remembered that I did this to myself. "If you don't want to do this ever again don't skip any days! But if you do miss a day this is TOTALLY the way to do it. Do a muscle builder than yoga." And the sun salutations began and Tony said just forget all the garbage and get out of your head. As soon as those magical words where said I did and next thing I knew we were on our last vinyasa! AMAZING! I was doing it and we were over halfway through! I finished the workout with no hiccups and totally in the zone!


When finished with my workout I got all excited for my shower because I had totally earned it today! Then Mom came out and asked if I could move my car so she could leave. Sure, why not! I've waited this long for my shower and quiet frankly I didn't mind masking in my sweat and stink for a little longer since I proudly earned it today! As I grabbed my keys and headed towards the door I passed by a mirror. What I saw there was quiet amusing, I really should have taken a picture! But I didn't care what I looked like cause I had worked hard at looking the way I did (totally was rocking a bun on top of the head with a purple headband and completely covered in downright sweat). I even got some very quizzical looks from my neighbors. I'm pretty sure they think I'm crazy around here cause of how I walk outside some times and for dancing in the backyard, well dancing period (when I mow the lawn, when I'm raking, when I'm bbqing, etc.). Later on today I found this picture. It so fits today's workout and every days workout really.
  

 So after I took my shower I was for sure I was gonna crash, but I didn't have the time to be crashing. So instead I went in search of fuel. I ended up eating some soup cause my house had like no food in it. Once I had finished my soup I walked into my favorite room again and began looking at recipes and making a grocery list. I gathered my wallet, list and phone and headed out to the store. I only spent $68 and got a ton of food! Came home put everything away and thought about taking a nap but began working on my computer again instead. 1930 rolled around and I hadn't had dinner yet, so I decided I should probably make some dinner and do some laundry for working out and work tomorrow. And look at is now it's 00:25 and I'm still going, not necessarily strong but at least I'm functioning. This just proves that with the right fuel and the right will power you can do anything and keep going! Have a wonderful night guys and never forget that you are stronger than anybody knows, including yourself!

Salmon and Romano Pea Quinoa

So made this yummy deliciousness for dinner tonight......Bon Appetite!

Romano Pea Quinoa

• 1Tbl Butter
• 1 cup Quinoa (rinsed)
• 2 cups Chicken Broth
• 1/4 cup Onion (chopped)
• 1 clove of Garlic
• 1 Tea Thyme (ground if using dried)
• 1/2 tea Black Pepper
• 1 cup Peas
• 1/2 cup Romano Cheese
• 2 Tbl Parsley (I only had dried)

1. Melt butter over medium heat. Toast Quinoa with the garlic and onions for 2 minutes.

2. Add chicken broth, thyme, black pepper. Cover and bring to a boil.

3. Reduce heat and continue to simmer for 10 minutes (you can add peas here, but I hate mushy peas, if you add peas here you simmer 15-20 minutes)

4. Add peas, continue to simmer for another 5-10 minutes. The chicken broth should be absorbed and the quinoa tender.

5. Stir in cheese and parsley. Garnish with cheese and parsley sprig if so desired.


Lemon Garlic Dill Salmon

• Wild caught Alaskan Salmon
• Extra Virgin Olive Oil
• 1 small Lemon (quartered)
• Dill Weed
• 1/4 tea Garlic
• 1/8 cup Onion

I only made one piece (mine are frozen single serving packages, I can totally taste the difference between fresh and frozen and definitely between west and east coast salmon).

1. Rub EVOO over the salmon (you don't need a lot). Squeeze half the lemon over the salmon. Sprinkle with dill weed and garlic. Place the onions on top and next to the salmon. And finally top with the other two slices of lemon.

2. Bake at 350*F for (if frozen) about 30-40 minutes (I know huge amount of time, I honestly don't remember how long it took. I just kept checking.) Your salmon is done when it reaches 145*F or you stick a fork in it and twist a little and it flakes.

I also had a side of rice with all this yumminess!

Never Quit

   So for the past week I haven't worked out, not once (besides all the walking I do at work, but that's so not enough)....I know what's wrong with me?!?!?
   I guess I just lost my motivation. It all started when my Shakeology (aka shakeo) stopped arriving. It was a total bummer. I have no idea what in my mind triggered some sort of switch that said "you can't work out! you have no shakes for afterwards!" But it did! Alright lets be honest, that first month was tough! For me at least. I'm doing the P90X Lean program (cause I think it's the easiest of the three) and I thought oh this will be easy. WRONG! I had injured my back and took a month to rest it and when I finally started working out it was slow going. I'd find myself skipping days or feeling like my back still needing to recover from the last workout. I use to go back and try and complete those but it just felt like I wasn't making any progress! So I started just started skipping them. If I missed them I missed them! I wasn't going backwards anymore. I had a workout planned for that day and that's what I was gonna do! And at the end of the workout series I'll go back and hit all the days I missed.
   Alright so that's been the plan so far.....well I missed the entire last week of the first phase (the recovery week) and I'm really struggling with do I just keep pressing on since technically it is month two or do I just start with that week. I think I'm going to just press on after all that is what I have been doing anyways! And boy does my body need it! I can always tell when I've stopped working out and it by far time to jump back on the ban wagon.
   So the motivational picture of the day is.....

And this one is for the people, like me, waiting for something that says workout!

Lemon Garlic Chicken Salad

*Lemon Garlic Chicken Salad

• 3 handfuls of lettuce (I used iceburg and romaine, you can use however much you want)
• 1 Carrot, chopped/shredded
• 1/2 Green Bell Pepper, sliced
• Left over Garlic Chicken breast (from the other night), sliced
• 2-3 Tbls Italian Dressing

You can add more goodies in there if you want. That's all the I did and it was awesome!

1. Throw all veggies and chicken in together, stir in the salad dressing (I always shake it in actually!)

Helpful hint if taking for lunch (just incase you haven't figured this one out already ;) ). If you don't want to eat a wilted salad invest in itty bitty containers to carry your salad dressing in! It will change your life.......ok maybe that's an exaggeration!

Shamrock Shake

I am so gonna try this when I finally get my Shakeology! It looks delicious!


*Shamrock Shake

 

• 1 cup Rice, Skim, Soy, or Almond milk
• 1/2 cup of ice
• a splash of peppermint extract
• 1 tsp peanut butter
• 2 Tbsp sugar free vanilla Jello
• 1 packet or scoop of greenberry Shakeology
• Blend and enjoy!

Mushroom Omelet

This morning I made myself a mushroom omelet because unfortunately there was some sort of mix up with the post office and I have not received a Shakeology all month. They should be sending me another bag soon though. I'm renaming it to the mushroom fold because apparently my omelet skills are lacking! Might be the fact that this is my first successful attempt of creating any sort of omelet.. Usually it turns into some sort of scramble. Please don't make fun of my end picture (I know it's pitiful), but it tasted great!

*Mushroom Fold

• 6 egg whites (I just used 3 eggs cause I can't waste the yolks)
• salt and pepper to taste
• 3/4 cups mushrooms, sliced
• 2 Tbls green onion, chopped
• 1/2 roma tomato, chopped
• 11/2 ounces low fat cheddar cheese, shredded

1. In a small bowl, lightly beat the eggs with a fork and season with salt and pepper.

2. Coat a small nonstick sauté pan with cooking spray and place over medium heat. Add veggies and cook till nice and tender.

3. Add the eggs and cook till set on the bottom. Sprinkle cheese on one half and fold like an omelet (unless it doesn't fold all the way then just fold it in so it's covered all the way). Cook a bit longer until cheese is melted and the eggs are set.

Look my mushroom even knows it's HEALTHY! It's in the shape of a heart!

It was delicious and I was full before I even finshed it. There's a yummy breakfast option for ya!

Lemon Garlic Chicken

This recipe is from the P90X Nutrition Guide.

*Lemon Garlic Chicken

• 1/4 cup Lemon Juice
• 2 Tbls Molasses (I used brown sugar instead cause I'm out of molasses)
• 2 tea Worcestershire Sauce
• 4 Garlic Cloves, minced
• 3-4 Lean Chicken Breast
• 1/4 tea salt
• 1/4 tea black pepper
• Lemon Wedges
• Parsley sprigs

1. Combine the first four ingredients in a nonreactive dish and add the chicken. Cover and marinate in refrigerator for one hour, turning occasionally.
2. Preheat oven to 425*F (this was to hot for oven for the allotted time to cook).
3. Arrange chicken in a shallow roasting pan (9X13) coated with cooking spray. Pour the reserved marinade over chicken; Sprinkle with salt and pepper (I just ground some on top, didn't measure it out).
4. Bake at 425*F for 20 minutes basting occasionally with the marinade (I did every ten minutes). Bake with out basting for another 20 minutes or until chicken is done (I went another ten minutes and it was way beyond 160*).
5. Serve with lemon wedges and garnish with parsley if so desired.

   We had brown basmati rice and asparagus to go with our chicken. Mom liked this chicken. It was definitely a hit and will be made again. It danced along the lines of tangy sweet, sooooo delicious!

Hope you enjoy your cooking as much as I do! =) Lots of yummy things out there!

Last nights dinner

   So this recipe comes from my P90X nutrition plan book.

*Red Pepper Soup

• 2 cups White Wine
• 1 Onion, finely chopped
• 5 Roasted Red Peppers (I did 4 Red and 1 Green)
• 2 cups Celery, chopped (I didn't have celery, so I threw in peas)
• 1 Tbls Garlic, minced
• 2 Plum Tomatoes, chopped (I used two roma)
• 1/4 cup Tomato Paste
• 2 cups Fat-free Chicken broth, low sodium
• 2 Tbls dried Thyme, make sure you crush it....I didn't, bad mistake
• 1/4 tea ground white pepper
• 1/4 ground cumin
• dash salt

1. Make sure your peppers are roasted. You can do it yourself. Turn your broiler on high or 500* F and make sure your oven rack is in the highest position. Cut the peppers in half and de-seed them (however you usually dress them up). Place on a cookie sheets so the outside/skin is facing the broiler. DO NOT WALK AWAY! Your oven will start to smoke (just a little, it's not gonna fill your house with smoke) but don't take them out till they are completely black on top. Once they are done remove from the stove place in a bowl, cover with plastic wrap or tin foil and place them in the freezer for 30 mins. Once your timer goes off, pulled the blackened skin off of them (it peels nicely when they are black, other wise the skin won't come off). I then cut them into strips.
2. Heat wine in a large, heavy soup pot over medium heat. Add onion, red peppers, and celery (did not add the pees here). Cook and stir for 3 mins. Stir in garlic. Cook for another 2 mins. Add more wine if necessary
3.Add tomatoes, tomato paste, broth and peas; cover and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 25 mins.
4. Puree soup in a food processor or blender. Return to pan, add seasonings and heat through.

Mom and I had grilled cheese sandwiches with it. But it'd be good with some sour dough bread or crackers as well.

Mom wasn't a huge fan, but I liked it. It taste a lot like tomato soup but not at the same time. I think I'll make it again.....when red peppers are on sale like they were yesterday. Two for a dollar!

Before your brain figures out

   Yup so this is totally what I have to do, other wise I won't do it. I actually just sleep in my sweats (they are clean I promise! I own a lot of workout clothes), roll out of bed throw on the sports bra and shoes and then I push play. I am a huge advocate for P90X. This program is amazing! I had amazing results the first time. The second time, even though I'm having to take it slow and easy because of a back injury, I'm still seeing results.
   In this first picture I weigh about 220 pounds. It was 2009 and I was trying to join the navy. Weight wise they wanted me to be at 165. Through P90X I lost 50 pounds.......

    And looked like this. I know not the best of pictures to tell the transformation but you can totally tell in my face.

I hope that with hard work, dedication and a change to the way I live my life I can make these results again cause let's face it, I'm 5 pounds away from where I started. But this time, with a change of lifestyle, I'll keep it off and it won't be allowed back in my life =)

Granola Bars

Did you know your granola bar purchased from the store probably isn't good for you? It's probably got some form of corn syrup or a preservative in it. I was talking with a lady the other day that eats nothing but organic because of all the pesticides and hormones added to our veggies now a days. It was really interesting and it got me to thinking and researching (which we'll talk about later. This post is for granola bars). As much as I would LOVE to buy organic everything. It's not practical for me at this point in my life because I just can't afford it. Hopefully next year I can grow my own veggies. Anyways we started talking about why boxed, bagged, or canned meals really aren't good for you and that's because most likely there is some sort of preservative chemical in there that your body really doesn't need. I watched a couple of clips of Dr. Oz the other day. Dr. Oz had my "favorite" person ever on, Mr. Tony Horton. Tony was talking about food and what to eat. He said eat like your great grandparents had to eat. One ingredient at a time. So now when I go to the store I look at every label. If I can't pronounce the name in the ingredients list I don't buy it. He also said follow the 90/10 rule. 90% of the food you eat should be whole and healthy. For example green peppers, avocados, whole wheat grains, free range chicken, wild caught fish, etc. The other 10% should be a reward, cause let's face it you can't make changes in one day. Our bodies have been brought up on all this bad for us stuff and now we need to wean ourselves off of it. He said you want that piece of chocolate cake? Go for it! But it can only amount to 10% of your daily calorie intake.

Okay, whoa huge tangent! Back to granola bars. There are some pretty great sites and recipes out there. I haven't tried these yet, but I bought a bucket of oats the other day and I plan on making them today. Yay for granola bars! Cause they are totally my favorite snack to grab.

*Pumpkin Spice Granola Bars

• 2 cups rolled oats
• 1 cup white wheat flour
• ½ teaspoon baking powder
• ½ cup chocolate chips
• ½ cup raisins
• ¼ cup chopped pecans
• ½ cup sucanat/brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon Pumpkin Pie Spice
• 1 tablespoon vanilla
• 1 cup canned pumpkin
• 1 egg
• ½ cup sour cream

1.Grease a 9×13 baking pan. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2.In a mixing bowl, combine oats, flour, baking powder, chocolate chips, raisins, nuts, sucanat/brown sugar, and pumpkin pie spice. Stir.
3.Add egg, sour cream, pumpkin, and vanilla. Stir until combined. It will be stiff. Pack down into pan using damp hands.
4.Bake for 15-20 minutes or until browned to your desire.

These came from http://www.stacymakescents.com/20-healthy-granola-bar-recipes

*Back to school

• 1 Cup Unsweetened Organic Coconut
• 1 Large Banana (Extra Ripe)
• 1 Cup Whole Grain Oats 
• 1 Tbsp Organic Vanilla Extract 
• 1/2 Cup Ground Flax Seed 
• 1/4 Cup Unsweetened Almond Milk
• 2 Tbsp Mini Vegan Chocolate Chips 
• 1 Packet Truvia (Your Choice Of Sweetener)

Preheat oven to 350

1.Add banana, coconut, flax seed, vanilla,  oats and Truvia to electric mixer and mix on low speed. 

Add unsweetened almond milk 1 tbsp at a time slowly increasing the mixer’s speed.

2.Grease a baking sheet with olive oil cooking spray.Pour granola mixture onto baking sheet and spread out into a square shape with a spatula.Try to spread and flatten the mixture evenly as possible without puncturing the shape. 

3.Evenly distribute the mini chocolate chips on the granola and lightly press them down.

Bake 11-13 minutes or until the edges are lightly brown.

4.Before the granola starts to harden take a knife and cut the square into 8 even rectangles.

1 Bar : Calories 85, Fat : 4g, Carbs 14g, Fiber 5g, Sugar 2g, Protein 3.4g 

 

These came from http://windsorstore.tumblr.com/post/31063653252/fab-fit-friday-back-to-school-granola-bars-and-a 

 

*Healthy Banana Bread Granola Bars

 

• 1 very ripe banana, mashed
• 1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce
• 2 tbsp honey
• 1 egg white
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 3 tbsp + 1 tsp brown sugar
• 2 cups rolled oats
• 2 tbsp flax seeds
• 1 tsp chia seeds

1.Preheat oven to 350 degrees and spray an 8x8 baking dish with non-stick spray.
2.Combine the banana, applesauce, honey, egg white, cinnamon, vanilla extract, salt, and 3 tbsp brown sugar in a large bowl.
3.In a separate bowl, whisk together the rolled oats, flax seeds, and chia seeds. Add to liquid mixture and stir well to combine.
4.Press mixture into prepared baking dish and sprinkle with remaining 1 tsp of brown sugar. Bake for 30-35 minutes.
5.Once done, invert onto a cooling rack and allow the bars to cool completely before slicing.

 

These came from http://www.ericasweettooth.com/2013/01/healthy-banana-bread-granola-bars.html

 

These are three recipes I wanna try but that www.stacymakescents.com/20-healthy-granola-bar-recipes has 20 different recipes.

 

Getting to know you

   The king and I, what a great movie! And that song has so much meaning, cause come on who takes the time anymore to get to know someone......lately it seems like a lot of people just want to get to know you enough to use you.
   Before we get off on a political tangent (which is not what this blog is for, I'm gonna have to remember to keep those thoughts in check) I'd like to say WELCOME! If you're here you probably know me some how and wanted one of my really neat recipes I found or some info on healthy living, cause after all that IS what this blog is for.
   I'm like the copy, paste queen! My problem though is after I copy, paste and save I never seem to be able to find those things that seemed like such good info EVER AGAIN. So this blog is gonna serve as my organizational tool. I know, how AWESOME of me to share all this AMAZING stuff I find.
   Remember how I said tangent up top? Yeah well they are like my favorite thing ever! So let's get back to the topic of this post. I'm Kayla and I have recently turned over a new leaf and have decided to get HEALTHY. Notice how I didn't say skinny. I said healthy, cause I believe a healthy strong body is better than a skinny sickly body. I've lived in soooooo many different states it's not even funny, but I am currently located in Central Texas. I work for a hospital here as a Patient Transporter. Basically that's a fancy name for pushing people around and walking ALOT (cough, cough 14 miles). I love to hike (I think Texas should grow a mountain, they can do that right?), take photos (oooo look a cow, a flower, oooo another cow), watch movies (as long as it's not a scary movie, come on they are predictable. Oh and Netflix, best invention ever!), read my kindle (oh look a free book, let's download it. What? Where'd this book come from? Oh yeah it was free six months ago.) cook/bake (you're probably saying man Kayla this is a healthy blog how are you gonna bake. I have my ways.) and of course work out! I know, who in their right mind likes to workout? Well who ever said I was in my right mind? I am left handed after all (haha sorry for my lame attempt at humor. It's kinda just how my brain rolls ALL DAY LONG). It's gotta be fun! It can't be all serious all the time. If my workout partner/video is serious all the time then all I'm gonna do is focus on the pain and then I say those two dangerous words. I can't. SURE YOU CAN! You can do anything! You just have to be stubborn enough to do it. And eventually, if you do it enough, it get's easier.
   Well let's get started with some of this wonderful info I've been collaborating shall we, after all the only way you found this blog is probably cause you already know my crazy self.