Yoga for Life

Yoga has changed everything! Honestly I can't say much more. Yoga has changed me physically, mentally, and emotionally. I incorporate yoga into every workout routine that I do!! Just try it, what do you have to lose? #yoga#justdoit#trysomethingnew#challengeyourself 

Energy Bites....my life saver!!

Hey everyone!! I make these amazing energy bites about two times a month. I always post pictures on Facebook and Instagram, so I thought I would share the recipe! I make some modifications on mine based on what I have on hand to make them with. I don't like fresh coconut, so I never add that to mine.  Sometimes I add Vanilla Shakeology for added nutrients, but be careful adding powder because they can turn out dry! If you do add powder add a little extra honey to the mix! You can also freeze them too and just pull them out as needed ;)

No Bake Energy Bites

These delicious little no bake energy bites are the perfect healthy snack!

Prep: 10 mins Total: 10 mins

Ingredients:

• 1 cup (dry) oatmeal (I used old-fashioned oats)
• 2/3 cup toasted coconut flakes (optional)
• 1/2 cup peanut butter (I use almond butter)
• 1/2 cup ground flax seed
• 1/2 cup chocolate chips or cacao nibs 
• 1/3 cup honey or agave nectar (I use natural honey)
• 1 tablespoon chia seeds (optional)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions:

1. Stir all ingredients together in a medium bowl until thoroughly mixed. Cover and let chill in the refrigerator for half an hour.
2. Once chilled, roll into balls of whatever size you would like. (Mine were about 1" in diameter.) Store in an airtight container and keep refrigerated for up to 1 week.
3. Makes about 20-25 balls.

For additional tips please visit http://www.gimmesomeoven.com/no-bake-energy-bites/

New town, New home, New perspective

I have struggled the past few weeks after our recent move. My husband left for a five week schooling program and I moved our family into a brand new home while he was gone. My 16 month son has been going through a lot of transitions and trying to settle in has taken up most of my time. I can finally say that I am feeling more at home. I have met a wonderful group of moms who do activities every week for my son and I to attend. I also have my home office and gym set up so I can work from home and get back on track with my workouts. I am excited to start a new life with my family here (even though we moved back to our home town). We have family and support for a few years and we get to experience our hometown in a while new way now that we have a family. I am preparing for the new year by setting myself up for success. I am starting my P90x3 program early, drinking my Shakeology, and following a healthy nutrition meal plan (which will NOT be followed on Christmas lol). I am ready to jump back int he game and ready to start posting again. Cheers to a new town, new home, and new perspective!

Chocolate Zucchini Bread

Found this great recipe for chocolate zucchini bread (Paleo, gluten-free, and grain-free). I made this in about 10 minutes (plus 25 minute baking time). It was very easy and my house smells amazing! I loved the touch of chocolate chips on top because sometimes I just want a little treat. Perfect way to spend my Sunday morning and I don't feel guilty eating it! To check out the recipe link click here: Chocolate Zucchini Bread

Ingredients 

• 1 cup Justin's chocolate hazelnut butter blend or if Paleo, use almond butter sweetened with 1 tbsp of maple syrup and 1-2 tbsp of cocoa powder 

• 1 cup shredded zucchini (squeeze excess water out of the shredded zucchini)

• 2 large eggs

• 2 tbsp grade b maple syrup

• 1 tbsp pure vanilla

• 1 tsp apple cider vinegar

• 1/2 tsp baking soda

• 1/8 tsp sea salt 
• 1-2 tbsp mini chocolate chips (enjoy life)

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 400 F.2
2. In a medium bowl combine the chocolate hazelnut butter, eggs, maple syrup, vanilla and sea salt and blend with a hand held mixer for 2 minutes on medium speed.3
3. Add baking soda and vinegar (will fizz up) and blend for 30 more seconds.
4. Stir in shredded zucchini. If really watery, squeeze out excess water.
5. Place in a lined or greased loaf pan. You can use one 5x9" pan or 2 mini loaf pans.
6. Top with 1-2 tbsp of mini chocolate chips.
7. Bake for 23-28 minutes if you have mini loaf pans and 35-50 minutes for large loaf pan. Start testing with a toothpick at 35 minutes and when it comes out clean when inserted in the center, it is done.
8. Allow to cool on a cooling rack and serve. You can also serve warm too.

3-Day Refresh Cleanse

Toady is the first day of my cleanse and I am feeling great!! I am going to post an overall review of this cleanse once I am done, but since this is my second time doing it I figured I would rave about it now! This is my favorite cleanse because I can actually eat real food during my detox! In addition, I feel like I have energy and I'm not terribly hungry! I am eating or drinking something every hour (and water in between), so I don't feel like I even have time to snack. Here was today's lunch: Vanilla Refresh shake (I add vanilla extract for flavor), carrots, pears, and almond butter. YUM!

Playground Workout

Who says you little one is the only one who can play at the park? Sometimes I don't have time to do a full workout in the morning, so when I take my son to the park I try to take full advantage! I always try to get in at least 2 miles of walking, whether it is to the park and home or just walking around the park  (my son just loves to run).

A few great workout moves you can do at the park include:
1) Lunges
2) Squats
3) Triceps dips
4) Dead lifts
5) Push ups
6) Leg raises (use a bench)

Sometimes I even put him on my shoulders to do some of these moves too! A little extra weight can't hurt ; )

What are your tricks for fitting in a workout with an active toddler?

It's a Baking Kind of Day

I bought a can of organic pumpkin mix a couple weeks ago and decided today was the perfect day to wipe something up!! I love when I get in the mood to bake because it serves as a huge stress reliever! Baby is napping, Mumford & Sons is playing, and mommy is baking!! This is a great recipe that I found for Chai pumpkin bread. I was so excited to make this because I have never used tea in bread. All I can say is that it smells amazing! I had to make a few adjustments based on what I had available at home (too lazy to go to the store today). I am reposting the recipe here as well as providing the link for you!

Click here for link: Chai Pumpkin Bread 

Ingredients

• 1 cup almond butter (or other nut butter or seed butter)
• ½ cup pumpkin puree
• 1 banana, mashed (I used applesauce)
• ¼ cup honey (optional- I like it sweeter, I also added 1/4 cup of Coconut Sugar).
• 2 eggs, whisked
• 2 chai tea packets (tea spices removed from packets) ( I used black tea with orange & spices).
• 3 tablespoons coconut flour
• ½ tablespoon cinnamon
• ½ teaspoon nutmeg
• ⅛ teaspoon ground cloves
• ⅛ teaspoon ground ginger
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon baking powder
• pinch of salt
  

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Mix together almond butter, pumpkin, banana, and eggs.
3. Cut open the two tea bags and remove all the tea spices from the tea bags and add to almond butter mixture.
4. Add the rest of the ingredients and mix until well combined.
5. Grease a bread pan and then line it with parchment paper.
6. Pour batter in pan and place in oven. Bake for 45 minutes. Let rest before slicing.