I am currently running my “Fab 5 Challenge” in which everyone is either doing P90X or Insanity and replacing one meal per day with Shakeology. We are 30 days into the challenge and I wanted to celebrate with a clean eating party. The holidays are fast approaching. We all struggle with our diet and exercise during this time. I really wanted to give people some easy tips to stay focused on their goals. Never let a meal ruin all the hard work that you have done, it’s not worth it! Month 1 of my challenge focused on really establishing a good workout routine and now month 2 is going to focus on really changes our diet to maximize our results. Diet is 80% of your weight loss so this is a component we cannot ignore! Every one of my 5 participants are so active in the group and are really pushing themselves to get the maximum results they can. I just wanted everyone to meet face to face so they could actually share their experiences and struggles! Luckily, everyone is local and we have this option.
Friday night I invited the whole crew over for appetizers and clean drinks. It was a great turn out. I made TurboFire Chili, Guacamole, and applesauce oatmeal muffins. Lori brought a veggie tray and skinny hummus and Kristin brought a bowel of fruit. I printed up the recipes that I made so that everyone had a copy to take home with them. (Recipes below)
We shared our successes and our struggles. We talked about everything from what kind of oatmeal to buy and what type of shoes to wear while exercising. It was nice that the signficant others were present because they were all so supportive! It is very hard to stick to a fitness program when your family doesn’t support what you are doing.
Lori is finishing up the 3 day cleanse and we were all supporting her and encouraging her to push harder. Sara has lost 25 pounds so far and is really motivated to keep going. We all discussed what workout program we are going to do after this.
The biggest take a way from this get together is that I really see people making lifestyle changes. I don’t see people doing this as a fad diet. Everyone is changing their eating habits and forming a solid exercise routine. The best part is that everyone is so EXCITED about it! The energy in the room was amazing! I just love that I can help to be a part of something so wonderful. I really feel like I am doing my part to help end the trend of obesity!
We also discussed staying healthy for the holidays. A big topic was what to make and how to keep certain things traditional. Here were my tips and those from the group:
1. Use stock when basting your turkey instead of butter.
2. Make baked sweet potatoes, and have a potatoe bar. Set out walnuts and raisins for the clean eaters and cinnamon, sugar and butter for those who opt out.
3. We discussed green beans almondine with no butter.
4. Clean eating dessert recipes instead of indulging in pumkin pie.
5. You should enjoy your Thanksgiving but you don’t need to over indulge. Decide what is the food you JUST CAN’T live without and then have a SMALL portion of it! For me that will be stuffing, but I am going to research a clean stuffing recipe and give it a whirl.
6. Cookies, I am a cookie baker at the holidays. This year there will be no cookie baking in my house. That is my weakness and I won’t succumb to it.
7. Halloween candy, I am handing out pretzels and whatever candy we get goes into a bin and Landon only gets a piece for a special treat. After 1 week we are putting it outside for the candy fairy to take and give to kids who didn’t get to go trick or treating this year!
8. Watch your portion sizes, remember that a serving of protein is the size of your palm. A serving of starchy carbs is the size of a cupped hand and a serving of complex carbs is the size of two cupped hands. Then, stop at that! Remember to eat your 6 small meals and do not graze during the day, especially on all the dips and chips that are at those get togethers. You wouldn’t believe how many extra calories you can take in when you just have a scoop here and there.
The recipes from tonight’s menu are as follows! I love the TurboFire chili and I actually found it in the TurboFire recipe book I got with my exercise program! I could eat it everyday!
TurboFire Chili
Ingredients
1 lb. lean ground turkey
½ cup diced tomatoes
8 oz. whole kernel corn, canned
½ onion, diced
2 cloves garlic
8 oz. black beans, canned
8 oz. pinto, chili, or kidney beans canned
1 tbsp tomato paste
1 package Lawry’s chili seasoning
4 oz. low-fat shredded cheddar cheese (optional)
Directions. Brown turkey. Drain and discard any fat. Place all ingredients except cheese into a slow cooker. Cook for 4 hours on low or 2 hours on high. Top with 1 oz cheese if desired.
Applesauce Oatmeal Muffins
Ingredients:
1 cup dry old fashioned oatmeal flakes
1 cup unsweetened applesauce
½ cup skim milk, soy, rice or almond milk
2 egg whites, beaten
2 tbsp ground flaxseed
2 tbsp + 1 tsp canola oil
1 tbsp baking powder
½ tsp baking soda
1 tsp cinnamon
½ tsp ground nutmeg
¾ cup whole wheat flour
¼ cup dried cranberries
¼ cup dried cherries
¼ cup raisins
Preparation: Preheat oven to 375. Prepare muffin tin by lining with paper or silicon liners, or cooking spray.
Combine oatmeal, applesauce, milk, eggs, flax and oil in a medium bowl. In another bowl, combine dry ingredients, including dried fruit. Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients and pour wet ingredients into it. Stir until all ingredients are just combined. Using a small ladle, fill muffin cups 2/3 full. Bake 15 to 20 minutes. Cool on wire rack. Serve with piping hot coffee and grab your Sunday paper!
Guacamole
Ingredients: 3 ripe avocados Juice of ½ fresh lime 1 tbsp chopped cilantro ½ red or purple onion, minced well 1 clove garlic passed through a garlic press Sea salt and fresh ground black pepper to taste. Preparation: Cut avocado in half. Discard pit and scoop flesh into bowl. Place all ingredients in medium bowl and mix until just combined. Don’t overmix.
I am starting my next challenge on 11-11-11 if you want in on the private support, motivation and accountability please message me for the details!
Ingredients