RECIPES ...

Here are a couple of my favorite snack recipes...

 

Applesauce Oatmeal Muffins

1 cup old fashioned rolled oats (not instant)
1 cup nonfat milk
1 cup whole wheat flour
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
2 egg whites (I’ve used EggBeaters)
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp sugar
raisins or nuts (optional but I haven’t used either yet)
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Soak the oats in milk for an hour. Spray muffin pan with cooking spray. Combine the oat mixture with the applesauce and egg whites, and mix until combined. In a separate bowl, whisk dry ingredients (except the cinnamon and sugar) together. Add wet ingredients to dry and mix until just combined. Add nuts or raisins if desired. Do not over mix the batter or the muffins will be tough. Spoon muffin mixture into muffin pan. Combine the cinnamon and sugar and top each muffin with some of the mixture. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until done. These can also be frozen and reheated in the microwave for a quick breakfast.
Number of Servings: 12
Calories: 92
Fat: .5
Protein: 2.9 g
WW Points: 1

 

Quinoa Pancakes

Ingredients

1 cup cooked quinoa
3/4 cup all purpose flour --- I use whole wheat flour!
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon course salt
1 large egg, plus 1 large egg white
1 tablespoon unsalted butter, melted, plus more for skillet
1/4 cup lowfat milk
2 tablespoons pure maple syrup, plus more for serving
fresh fruit or fruit preserves (optional) for serving

Directions

1. In a medium bowl, whisk together quinoa, flour, baking powder, and salt. In another medium bowl, whisk together egg, egg white, butter, milk, and syrup until smooth. Add egg mixture to flour mixture and whisk to combine.
2. Lightly coat a large nonstick skillet or griddle with butter and heat over medium-high. Drop batter by heaping tablespoonfuls into skillet. Cook until bubbles appear on top, 2 minutes. Flip cakes and cook until golden brown on underside, 2 minutes. Wipe skillet clean and repeat with more melted butter and remaining batter (reduce heat to medium if overbrowning). Serve with maple syrup and fresh fruit or preserves if desired. 

 

 

What You’ll Need:

1/2 cup raw quinoa
1 cup + 1/4 cup almond milk
1/2 cup water
Dash of sea salt
1 banana, 1/2 mashed, 1/2 cut into slices
2 teaspoons honey
2 teaspoons cocoa powder
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Fresh mint for garnish

What To Do:

1. Bring 1/2 cup of quinoa, 1/2 cup water, 1 cup almond milk, and dash of sea salt to a boil in a small pot.
2. Once boiling, reduce the heat to a simmer and cook stirring occasionally until all the liquid has been absorbed (about 10 minutes).
3. Remove quinoa from stove and transfer to a bowl.
4. Mix in the mashed banana, cocoa powder, vanilla, and honey. Stir until evenly combined.
5. Pour the remaining 1/4 cup of almond milk over quinoa, garnish with banana slices and mint (if desired), and enjoy!

Three Hundred and Sixty-Five Days ...

.... A lot can happen in a year's time! I mean, A LOT!!!

   Where do I even start? First, I guess I found myself. My true passions in life. Being a mom and helping others. The woman I am today and the woman I was just one short year ago are two different people. I am so happy, positive and living the life I want to live on my own terms. What more could I want right now?

February, 2012 ....

This is where I started!! A complete lifestyle was such a huge step for me! Eating habits, exercise habits, day to day activity habits and just an overall view on life change!

Some of the things that I accomplished this past year ... I ran two 5Ks, one 10K AND my very first half marathon! I couldn't be more excited about that! I joined a gym and am CONSISTENT about going. I've seen my body completely change, right in front of my very own eyes. It's completely amazing what can come of hard work and eating correctly -- for the most part!

We took our very first trip together! It was about darn time! After 10 years, I think we deserved it! Although, Vegas wasn't my favorite place we still got to spend quality time - just us! Next time, family trip! Hopefully to a warm place with a beach!

I've made some amazing friends over the past year, rekindled friendships and grown even closer to some of my existing friends. Friends and family are so very important! Without their support and encouraging words, you have nothing.

I have a completely different outlook on my life. Much more positive about how things are going. I wake up every day, ready to tackle new obstacles. Attack life. I hope to pass this on to my children, husband, friends and family. It makes things sooo much easier when you have a good attitude about life!

For the first time in a LONG time, I was able to spend the entire holiday season with my children and family. I didn't have to worry about a 'schedule'. Such a blessing! That meant more to me than anything! Time with them when they are little is so very precious and I wouldn't trade that time with them for anything! Your children are only little once and it passes by sooo quickly. I mean, my goodness Maddox is almost SEVEN! Where on earth has that time gone?

I've also decided to become a personal trainer as well as a spin/cycle instructor! I really, really want to help people achieve their fitness goals. Other mommies, women and men! If I can pass on some of my knowledge and help them achieve their goals, I would consider that a huge victory! Pay it forward ...

A HUGE accomplishment for last year .... I LOST 50 pounds!! Holy moly! It was hard work but I did it!

February, 2013

 

 

 

Now this year, I have a whole other set of goals! Best the very best 'me' I can be! Help others, inspire others, whatever I can do to pay it forward! I hope through my blog, Facebook, whatever I can reach out to someone and help them get going on their goals!

 

What inspires you? What pushes you?

 

Here's to a FABULOUS year!!

 

 

-Ashlee



 

Word jumble .....

... I've had a little bit of  'writer's block'.... I kept going to write something and nothing would come out. So, I thought if I just start type surely something would come of it.

Several people have asked me if I'm still blogging and writing. I am, just took a little break!

Recently, I've had so much on my mind and I've been keeping studying for my personal training! It sure is a lot of reading!

I've been thinking a lot about support, friends, people in our lives. What makes a 'true' friend and someone who truly supports you versus someone who just kinda half asses it? This seems to just be an issue lately. People seeming interested and on board with your path when really they are just being nosey. It really is about the quality of your friends and not the quantity. The older I get the more and more I realize this.

This entry isn't so much about fitness as it's more about life, I suppose. I am at a time in my life where my 'quality' of friends is so very important! Bottom line with this, I am here to be the very best friend/supporter and I'm hoping I get the same in return.

So, what can I do to continue help support people and my friends? Blog? Post on Facebook? I have a dear friend who I find so inspiring and that's what pushes me. What can I do to help push and motivate others? For now, I am going to continue to share my story, my ideas, my struggles.

I am kicking my fitness and diet into high gear! Not that I wasn't working my butt off before but now I have a whole new set of goals. And a big thanks to my friend, Courtney for the inspiration!

This entry was a little bit all over the place! Oh well ... my blog, right? Ha! Now that I got some of the jumble off my brain I can get back to regular posts!

-Ashlee