Orange Cinnamon Chicken

I just discovered a new seasoning! Seasonings are really a great way to mix up your meals without overcomplicating anything:) I am all about quick meals, so playing around with seasonings is the perfect way for me to add variety, while still being efficient with my time!  So this is what I have been using to season my chicken and oatmeal for the last couple of days, and I really LOVE IT! I like cinnamon on just about anything, and have had it on chicken before, but adding the orange peel gives it something a little extra! It's delicious! I got the orange peel seasoning at Safeway, but I think it can be easily found in most local grocery stores:)

'No Bake' Oatmeal

I have been eating the same thing every morning for breakfast for about two weeks...simply because it is absolutely delicious. And super quick and easy:) It's a simple oatmeal recipe that will satisfy your sweet and chocolate cravings:) It tastes like no bake cookies!

'No Bake' Oatmeal

3/4 cup Old fashioned oatmeal
1.5 scoop ISO 100 whey chocolate protein powder
1 Tbs Chocolate PB2

Add water to the oatmeal and microwave to cook (about 90 seconds). Mix in protein powder and PB2. I like to add a little bit of unsweetened almond milk if it is too hot :) Yum Yum! Try it out!

Pumpkin Pancakes with Creamy Chocolate Spread

These make a yummy breakfast (or treat, if you have cravings like I do)! I will be sure to post a picture another time...I ate them up too quickly to snap one this morning;)

Pancakes
1/3 cup old fashioned oatmeal
1 scoop protein powder
1 large egg
1/3 cup pumpkin puree
1 tsp pumpkin pie spice
~4 tbs water to thin batter

Creamy Chocolate Spread
1/4 cup fat free cottage cheese
1 tbs raw cacao powder
1 packet stevia powder

1 Serving (full recipe/6 pancakes):
Calories: 411
Carb: 35.7 g
Protein: 45.3 g
Fat: 9.7 g

Blend pancake ingredients. Melt coconut oil on a frying pan and let the pan get hot on a medium heat setting. Pour and fry each side of your pancakes. Blend spread ingredients until smooth and top your pancakes:) Yum!!!

CABO CABO CABO: Preparing for Travel

I have not been much of a traveler in the past, but my husband's job has given us a few opportunities to visit new places:) Last year we went to Jamaica and it was fun, but the trip was A LOT more laid back than I had hoped. No workout. No diet. Pretty much the healthiest part of the trip was the sunshine...

So, this year it's going to be different. We are going to Cabo San Lucas:) I am not counting on being able to do a heavy set of squats or lying leg curls during the trip, but this time around I am going to be a little bit more careful with my diet:) I do plan on letting myself enjoy a treat or two, the trip being two days post-contest, but the whole trip should not be made up of treats.

There is no reason I should ruin what could be an amazing trip by making my belly bulge until I'm too bloated and embarrassed to appear on the beach.

I haven't planned everything yet, since I still have nearly two months before the trip...but I am thinking about it. So far, I know I am going to pack some oats and protein powder for snacks between my meals:) And, because I know what a plate should look like in a balanced diet, I plan to make sure it looks balanced when we are having exotic meals:)

Vacations are for relaxing, having fun, and feeling good. I want ALL of those. And that means keeping my belly happy:) Preparedness is key when it comes to diet.

Green Protein Shake

Protein shakes are the best...as long as your protein doesn't taste really gross (my last bag was awful). I just bought some new protein, Dymatize Elite Gourmet French Vanilla, and I am loving it. It works well in baking and doesn't leave me with protein mouth an hour after eating it.

Your body needs protein to recover from workouts. Protein will help you feel full more quickly and for longer periods of time (this is awfully helpful if you struggle with portion control). Also, protein shakes are great meal replacements (not every meal...) because they are fast and flexible...plus, they kinda taste like dessert. Yum. So, here is my staple shake, that I love...

Green Protein Shake

1 cup Unsweetened Vanilla Almond Milk

1 Scoop Protein Powder

1 Tbs Golden Flax Seed

2.5 cups Spinach

1 Tbs Peanut or Almond Butter

1/2 Medium Banana

Add to ingredients in order to blender, blend, and enjoy!  

P.S. I like to add 1/4 cup of oats with the protein powder when I have my shakes for breakfast....you will be full for hours:)

Five Minute Apple Pie Oatmeal

So this isn't much of a recipe, because it is so easy, and really one of the most basic breakfasts that is eaten by some of the healthiest people I know. It is filling, delicious, and has everything you need to start off your day:)

Apple Pie Oatmeal

1/2 cup Old Fashioned Oats

3/4 cup water

1 medium apple, sliced or cubed

1 tsp honey

2 tsp cinnamon

1 Tbsp golden flax seed

Microwave water for two minutes. Add oats, apple, honey, and cinnamon. Microwave for one minute (this will soften the apple and let some of the apple juice seep into your oatmeal). Sprinkle the flax seed over the top and enjoy!

Oh....and seeing as there isn't a major source of protein in my oatmeal, I like to pair it with a few egg whites. I had four boiled egg whites, which I had refrigerated, while I was waiting for the microwave (and while my oatmeal cooled for a minute afterward). Boiled eggs are great to prepare in bulk and save for a healthy, high-protein snack during the day!