Chia Berry Lemonade

Happy Earth Day! Summer is just around the corner and I have been getting into the summer spirit with the most refreshing drink, a chia berry lemonade! It is so easy to make and is great anytime of the day.

To make the Lemonade you will need the following:

• 2 Lemons
• 1/2 Cup of Berries, I used raspberries and strawberries
• 1 Cup of Coconut Water
• 2 Teaspoons of Chia Seeds
• 1 Teaspoon of honey

Mix all of the ingredients into a cup, chill in the refrigerator for at least one hour, then enjoy!

This drink is even better because, chia seeds will expand when they are added to a liquid, so you feel fuller longer. Chia has been linked to help you fight belly fat! Not only are they gluten/grain free naturally, but one tablespoon of Chia Seeds has more calcium than a glass of milk, more Omega-3s than Salmon, and more antioxidants than blueberries.

Do you have a favorite summer drink?
Do you use chia seeds? If so, what do you add them too?

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A Perfect Quinoa Salad

One of the things I wanted to do in 2014 was actually use my Pinterest. I have been on Pinterest for a long time now and have a ton of things pins. But I have never really tried to duplicate what I have pinned on Pinterest. I finally did it!! I made an amazing quinoa salad that I found on Pinterest. The original pin can be found on my food board. This salad was really easy to make and is a healthy meal. The portions made enough for me to eat it for a few days.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup Quinoa
• 1 Cucumber 
• 1 Bell Pepper
• 1/2 Shallot 
• Cilantro
• 3 Limes 
• 1 Avocado
• Garlic
• 1 Jalapeño  
• Salt

Directions:

1. Bring water to a boil and fully cook 1 cup of quinoa. I cooked the quinoa according to the package. 
2. In a small bowl mix a garlic paste ( I watched this YouTube Video to learn how to make garlic paste), diced jalapeño, and diced shallot, and lime juice into a bowl. This mixture will be your dressing. 
   
3. While quinoa is cooking start to cut the cucumber, bell pepper, and cilantro. 
4. Once the quinoa is fully cooked place it on a cookie sheet to cool.
   
5.  Once the quinoa is cooled mix the quinoa with the cut cucumber, bell pepper, and cilantro. Add 1/2 of your dressing. Make sure everything is mixed well. Add salt to taste. 
   
6. When you are ready to serve the salad, add slices of avocado to it wand top it off with some of the dressing. 

This recipe was the perfect first attempt for me. It was so easy to make and had everything in it that I really enjoy. I have already made this a few times and I can't wait to try some more of the recipes that I have pinned.

Have you ever made anything from your Pinterest?

Follow me on Pinterest and I'll be sure to follow you back! 

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Chocolate Covered Strawberries and a Dinner

Joe and I invited Mal and DLW over for Valentine's Day and my birthday! Between DLW's allergies to everything and Joe's pickiness, I decided that we would do a "Make Your Own Pizza Night"! This way, I wouldn't have to cook and it would be really easy to prepare (Like always, I waited really late to invite them over).  I must admit, I was a horrible blogger and didn't take very many pictures. 

The Drinks

Due to Mallory's very exciting news, I felt as though Shirley Temples where in order! They are a perfect go to non-alicohlic drink. 

What you need:

• Sprite
• Grenadine 
• Cherries
• Cute paper straws (not needed, but much more fun! 

The Pizza

DLW and Joe just watched as Mal and I tried our best to make the pizzas! It was a lot of fun and really easy to make. 

Ingredients: 

• Pizza Dough - I bought mine from Safeway for only $1.50, it was in the cooler area. I know Pubix also sells the homemade dough. Mal also suggested the whole wheat Pillsbury Doughboy dough. 
• Pizza Sauce - I bought a few small jars that I found near the spaghetti sauce.
• Mozzarella Cheese
• Toppings - I did pepperoni, bell pepper, and onion. 

Once the pizza has been put together we put them in the oven on 425 degrees for 15 minutes. 

Only photo that Joe took of us making pizza. 

The Dessert 

Mal brought some amazing mini cakes and I made some chocolate covered strawberries! I actually took a ton of photos of making the strawberries, because this was done before Mal and Dan came over. :)

Chocolate Covered Strawberries:

• Strawberries 
• Semi-Sweet Chocolate - I used Ghirardelli Chocolate
• Small Pot
• Microwave safe bowl 

I never realized how easy it was to make chocolate covered strawberries and I will be making some again in the future. 

1. Wash Strawberries

2. Bring water to a boil in a small pot

3. Place a microwaveable bowl on top of the small pot and add chocolate

4. Once the chocolate is melted dip the strawberries into the chocolate 

5. Place the chocolate covered strawberries on to parchment paper 

6. Let sit in the refrigerator for 30 minutes or until hard

It's always nice to have friends over and really nice when you don't have to prepare to much!

What is your go-to meal when inviting people over?

How was your Valentine's Day?

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Easy Pulled Pork Sandwiches

I will be the first to admit that I am not much of a cook. So, I take pride when I can actually make something good. I am going to share with you a super easy, crock pot, pulled pork recipe.

• 3-5 lbs of pork shoulder 
• 1 large yellow onion
• 1/2 head of garlic 
• 1 cup of chicken stock
• 1/4 teaspoon of cinnamon 
• 1/2 teaspoon of cumin
• 1 tablespoon of brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon of chili powder
• 1 tablespoon of salt
• Barbecue sauce

Instructions 

1. In a small bowl mix all spices (cinnamon, cumin, brown sugar, chili powder, and salt) together. 

2. Slice the onions and garlic into thin slices and add to the bottom of the crock pot. Pour the chicken stock over the onions and garlic. 

3. Pat pork shoulder dry with a paper towel, place on top of onions and garlic,  and add the spices to the  pork. I treated it like a rub. 

4. Cook the pork on high for 6-8 hours. I checked mine at 7 hours and it was perfect! 

5. Remove the pork shoulder from the crock pot and on to a cutting board and strain the remaining onion mixture and keep the juice and throw out the onions (you can keep the onions if you would like). Shred the pork with 2 forks and add the shredded pork back to the crock pot. Add the stained juice and barbecue sauce to the crock pot at cook for another hour on low. 

6. Once the pork is done add it to buns with more barbecue sauce to taste and enjoy! 

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My Quest for Eating Clean

Every since my fall on Thursday, I have really been looking at fitness and clean eating differently. I woke up Friday morning knowing that I need to make some changes in both my diet and my fitness. I didn't want to just try some crash diet, I wanted to make a lifestyle change. I guess I should tell you that I have always had a pretty healthy lifestyle. I have gotten off track a few times and recently I have been way off track.  I have gained about 5 lbs since I moved to Colorado and EVERYONE at my new job is all about getting food (usually some form of fast food from the airport), add stress to that equation and I was not feeding my body the food that I needed to keep up with my runs, let alone my day.

After a few hours of looking online I found a 30 day clean eating challenge. I decided this is exactly what I need to get back on track and hopefully see some positive changes in my body and energy level. I am not big on cooking and I don't really have the time. But the past 3 days I have made it a point to find time and to keep up with this challenge.

Here is what I have been doing:

• Breakfast is a must! I was always guilty of skipping breakfast, I just don't really care for it. But then I find myself starving by lunch and over eating through out the day. I have been starting my day off with 2 eggs, 2 pieces of bacon, and 1/2 an avocado. This has been really yummy and keeping me full until well past lunch time.  I am getting my protein and fats in mg body in the morning which is allowing my body the entire day to use them. 
  
  
  
• Lunch and Dinner = Protein and Veggies. I have been making sure that the majority of my meals have been a small portion of chicken or fish (salmon) and a huge helping of veggies. I have been baking my veggies. I have completely cut out grains, artifical sugars, pasta, dairy, and everything that comes in a package. 
  
  
  
  
  
  
• It's ok to snack! If I get hungry in between my meals I have a few go to snacks. I will package baby carrots, apple slices, almonds, or berries. It's important to package theses into a small container so that you don't over eat. 
• Prepare, prepare, prepare! Every morning when I make my breakfast I also cook my lunch and dinner. Then I'm only cooking for 30 minutes. Since I am alone, I made enough for 2 days! On my days off I will try to cook my food through out the day, but since I have been working the past few days its been nice to have meals ready to go. 

I have successfully finished 3 days of clean eating and working out. I feel better and I am already starting to see changes in my body. I will be posting weekly updates of how my journey has been going to keep you all informed and I would love it if you would like to join me! 

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#NOtivation - Some of My Favorite Snacks!

Eating is a very important part of living a healthy lifestyle. It is often the part that I struggle with most. I am a true foodie and heart and really love dessert. As I am quickly approaching my 1/2 Marathon, I would like to continue to eat very clean. Below are a lists of my favorite healthy snacks! Most of these snacks only take a few minutes to put together and have little to no calories. I hope you enjoy!

• I really love to have hummus with veggies. My favorite would be carrots, bell peppers, and cucumbers. I just buy my hummus to save time, but I also love to make it!
• Sliced cucumbers with lemon and a little bit of pepper.

• Cubed Pineapple with mint leaves, put into a container and marinate over night in the fridge. 

• Homemade Popsicle; green tea with sliced berries (Strawberries, blue berries, black berries, and raspberries)   

• Quick store bought snacks- Apple Sauce (watch the sugar) and Low Fat String Cheese

Today, I am curing  #NOtivation and linking up with Mal from Mal Smiles and Hallie from LIfe: Oceanside!

What are your go to healthy snacks?

What's tougher, eating healthy or working out regularly?

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Green Drinks Galore!

One of my favorite go-to healthy drinks are green drinks! I love that you can really make them whatever you want and, as an extra bonus, I always just put in the fruit and veggies that are about to go bad, so they really have been saving me money! This week I  went to my local farmers market and bought a ton of organic produce and organic kale was on sale!! Only $.99 a bunch! I know that they don't look the best, but they taste really good! There are many ways you can make them, but I just use a BlendTec Blender. 

Benefits of a Green Drink:

• High in Fiber
• Low in calories
• Rich in vitamins 
• A quick on the go meal
• Good way to get all of your veggies in
• Good meal anytime of the day ( I like to drink mine for breakfast or lunch)
• Great use all of your left over veggies and fruits

My Favorite Green Drink:

• 1 pear 
• 1 banana 
• 1 cup of spinach 
• 1 cup of kale 
• splash of orange juice 
• dash of chia seeds 
• dash of flaxseed

Mix in a blender and enjoy!

Dr. Oz Green Drink

Makes 3-4 servings (about 28-30 oz)

• 2 cups spinach
• 1/2 cucumber
• 1/4 head of celery
• 1/2 bunch parsley
• 1 bunch mint
• 3 carrots
• 2 apples
• 1/4 orange
• 1/4 lime
• 1/4 lemon
• 1/4 pineapple

Combine all ingredients in a blender. Serve and enjoy!

Don't forget the seeds! Always add Flaxseed and Chia Seeds to my drinks. If I had to choose only one I would pick Chia Seeds. They add fiber, omega 3s and protein. 

Do you make Green Drinks?

What is your go-to Green Drink?

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