Saturday, October 3, 2015

Cherry Chocolate Protein Pizza


This vegetarian dessert is full of nutrients and high in protein.  It's a crunchy, chewy, salty, sweet food party! Makes 2-3 servings.

1 Cherry Chocolate Squarebar
1/2 c brown rice flour
1-2 T water
1 T peanut butter
1/2 c nonfat Greek yogurt
1 t cocoa powder
1 t honey
1/3 c Kashi GoLean cereal
1/4 c dried cherries 


Preheat oven to 350. Mix flour and water, add water as needed. Spread into circle on pan. I coated mine with coconut oil. Bake 12-15 minutes.  Mix peanut butter, yogurt, honey and cocoa powder. Spread on cooled crust. Top with Kashi, dried cherries and Squarebar pieces.  Give it a try and let me know what you think by commenting below or tagging me on social media. @inspirelingefitness


Tuesday, September 29, 2015

Double Mocha Frozen Latte

This tasty treat was inspired by National Coffee Day! It contains over 25 grams of protein and as much caffeine as a cup of coffee.  The potassium from the banana plays an important role in balancing electrolytes and nervous system functions.  Cacao powder is high in antioxidants and can help reduce blood pressure and support heart health.

1 frozen banana (break into chunks before freezing for easier blending)
1 serving of instant coffee
3/4 cup almond milk
1 tablespoon cacao 

Blend all ingredients. The less almond milk you add, the thicker the latte will be!  Give it a try and comment below or tag me on social media! @inspirelingefitness




Saturday, September 19, 2015

Coconut Chia Seed Pudding


This is a super convenient, nutrient dense breakfast that could be enjoyed any time of the day. It requires only a few ingredients and a sealed container. 

1 1/2 cups oatmeal
1/4 cup chia seeds
1/4 cup maple syrup 
2 t cinnamon
3/4 cup coconut milk

Mix all ingredients. Refrigerate overnight.

Chia seeds are an excellent vegetarian source of protein, much higher than most plant foods.  Protein is a weightless friendly macronutrient that can reduce appetite and cravings.  Coconut oil is high in short and medium chain fatty acids, which are easily digested and sent right to the liver, providing instant energy.  What are your favorite ways to incorporate chia seeds and coconut oil into your diet? Comment below or tag me on social media! @inspirelingefitness


Tuesday, September 15, 2015

Beauty From Within: The Benefits of Collagen and Mindfulness

What makes you glow?  For some of us, it's reminiscing about our well-earned vacation over dinner and drinks with a friend.  For others, it's the completion of a 5k race or our first blog entry. "Glow getters" all have one thing in common.  They strive to achieve their goals in life while attaining a beautiful glow both inside and out.

The following tips are ways to achieve that healthy glow, starting from within. 


1. Be generous. Give without expecting anything in return. People appreciate sincerity and when you can give freely, your actions will be more meaningful to you and the recipient. 



2. Say hello. "The more strangers I talked to, the better I started to feel about myself." This quote from Walking the Camino resonated with me recently. We say hello to strangers on Facebook, on Instagram, on Twitter. Imagine if we extended those well wishes in real life. Remain present and focus on who is around you and the moments you are experiencing. 

3. Less is more. Accumulating possessions requires effort. Effort to organize, clean, upgrade!! The less you possess, the more energy you will have for the people, yourself included, and experiences in your life. 

4. Reflect. Who doesn't enjoy a little bit of R&R, or rest and reflection as I like to call it. Just because you have an opening in your schedule, that doesn't mean you need to fill it. Quite often, I feel more productive after I have spent some time doing nothing. Reflect on the day, the week, the year. Adjust your schedule and daily routine (that's where change occurs!) accordingly based on where you are going and what your goals are. It's better to spend an 8 hour workday feeling energized, working at 100% than to drag through it, operating at 5%, with a "low battery."

5. Focus on your "done" list, not your "to do" list. Has anyone ever really completed their to do list? Mine seems to grow each day, as I check things off...more things are added to it. At times, it feels like you're barely staying afloat when someone throws you a ten pound brick, right? Well, rather than feel like you are sinking with things to do, focus on what you have already accomplished. Write them down if you have to! This encourages good organizational skills, ensuring that you work efficiently and at a healthy pace. 


Another form of beauty from within can support healthy hair, skin and nails.  A few years ago, I discovered NeoCell, a collagen company that believes in, and promotes, neurocosmetics. Neurocosmetics refers to ingredients that are applied or ingested to reduce fine lines, moisturize skin and encourage strong hair and nails. The very first product I tried from NeoCell was the Super Collagen powder.  Containing 6,600mg of collagen per serving, this hydrolyzed form of collagen stimulates your body's own collagen production. The collagen fragments enter your body's collagen matrix, turning on the receptors to produce more collagen.  Without supplementation, collagen production declines about 1.5% every year after the age of 25. Collagen is the number one protein in your body and also makes up 100% of your tendons and 86% of your ligaments. Your skin? A whopping 75% of it is collagen! NeoCell collagen is available here from Vitamin Shoppe.  Shipping is free when you spend $25. 

Recently, two new products were introduced to the NeoCell family.  I have been able to experience both and have been pleased with the high quality ingredients and research that has gone into both of them.


Glow Matrix
Glow Matrix is an advanced skin hydrating formula that provides scientifically advanced ingredients to internally hydrate the skin.  This premium formulae supports the skin's lipid barrier which helps lock in moisture and smooth the skin.  Like all NeoCell products, Glow Matrix is standardized to be both bioavailable and bioactive for maximum absorption and efficacy.  Glow Matrix uses clinically proven ceramides--specific lipids naturally present in the skin, essential to the lipid barrier or moisture barrier.  The ceramides present in Glow Matrix are clinically tested to improve smoothness, moisture and elasticity in just 15 days.  This scientifically crafted blend of nutrients promote hydration in the skin while combating free radicals.

Derma Matrix
Derma Matrix is a skin strengthening formula that provides scientifically advanced ingredients designed to internally nourish skin based on NeoCell's three pillars of collagen health--strengthen, hydrate and protect.  This formula uses Advanced NeoCell Collagen, which is created through a proprietary micronization process so that it dissolves instantly. It has a neutral flavor and dissolves easily. 

Collagen is best absorbed on an empty stomach, at least thirty minutes prior to a meal. This will ensure maximum absorption. 

Thursday, August 20, 2015

Strawberry Pumpkin Protein Cake

This six-ingredient recipe requires only three steps!  Pumpkin is a great source of fiber which aids weight loss--by keeping you fuller, longer and on fewer calories.

1 15 oz can pure pumpkin
2 T coconut oil
1/3 c almond milk
1 t baking powder 
1 egg

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.  Combine all ingredients.  Bake for approximately 30 minutes.  

Tuesday, July 21, 2015

Zucchini Crust Pizza

This tasty treat is fun to make and provides a low carb source of nutrients.  One zucchini has just 25 calories and it has more potassium than a banana!  

Ingredients
1 zucchini
1 egg
1/4 cup bread crumbs
1/2 cup parmesan cheese
1 t. sea salt
1 t. cayenne pepper
3/4 c. low fat, shredded mozzarella cheese
3/4 c. sauce
Preheat oven to 450.  Line pizza pan with foil.  Shred (or use the Veggetti) zucchini.  Chop into fine pieces.  Use paper towel to absorb as much moisture as possible.  Combine zucchini in a large bowl the egg, bread crumbs, parmesan cheese, salt and cayenne pepper. Mix and then spread onto foil lined pan.  Top with sauce and cheese, along with any meats or veggies you would like to add.  Bake for approximately 15 minutes.  Allow the pizza to cool so the crust is as dense as possible.


Saturday, July 18, 2015

Clean Eating Apple Crisp

Clean Eating Apple Crisp! This took less than 5 minutes to prepare and contains more grams of protein than you can count on two hands! In a small dish, combine 1/4 c regular oatmeal, 2 t cinnamon, 1 T lemon juice and 2 t xylitol. Stir. Pour over sliced apple. Microwave 1 minute. Top with cottage cheese, cinnamon and 1 T maple syrup! Enjoy.


Monday, July 6, 2015

Protein Banana Bread

If you're anything like me, you occasionally buy more bananas than you can eat.  While typically I enjoy freezing bananas and using them to add thickness and flavor to my protein shakes, I decided to experiment with this brown-spotted bunch.  The result?  An amazingly healthy, delicious and easy to make banana bread! 
Ingredients
3 eggs
6 ripes bananas
1/2 cup applesauce
1/2 cup xylitol
2 cups whole wheat flour
2 scoops Quest Nutrition Vanilla protein (purchase here from Vitamin Shoppe and receive free shipping)
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon sea salt

Preheat oven to 325 degrees.  Combine all ingredients and pour into a baking dish (I coated mine with coconut oil).  Bake for approximately 50 minutes.  Enjoy!  Bananas are a great source of potassium which stimulates your muscles, nerves and brain cells, and can help reduce blood pressure and the risk of stroke.