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Sunday Fun Day

My son helping



Oatmeal Berry Muffins

Power Protein Bars

Sunday's in our home is the planning and preparing day for the weeks upcoming meals. This Sunday was especially busy in our home as my son and I made;

·   Peanut Butter Bombs

·   Oatmeal Berry Muffins

·   Power Protein Bars

·   Buckwheat- Blueberry & Pomegranate pancakes

My daughter loves pancakes and what a better way to save money than purchasing healthy pancake mix.  Buckwheat pancakes are delicious healthy pancake choice and instead of plan pancakes we added; cinnamon and blueberries.  My son and I made the entire bag of pancakes, placed three in Ziploc bags, and stored them in a large freezer bag then froze them.  My nine year old daughter takes the individual bags out each morning and microwaves the pancakes on one minute and fifteen seconds.  Now she has instant pancakes.  Another breakfast favorite is muffins.  Instead of buying boxed muffins which again can cost so much for so little we make our own muffins.  Fortunately for us I keep all of my issues of Oxygen magazine and Muscle Fitness & hers magazines.  With these magazines I’m able to find “clean” healthy snacks, breakfasts, side dishes, and dinners for our entire family.  Cooking can be simple and nutritious without hours of slaving in the kitchen.  Let your kids select meals from the magazines that they would like to try this way they feel included in meal time.

Being a full time student, mother and weight loss coach I have to prepare myself for a busy day.  I don’t know what my schedule will be like and I have to prepare for possible appointments or schedule changes.  I pack a cooler with breakfast, snacks and lunch and I’m prepared with a gallon jug of water and my Spark energy drink.   https://www.advocare.com/11118654/Store/ItemDetail.aspx?itemCode=A2096&id=E&flavor=L&size=C

To prepare for dinners during the week and avoid added stress it’s important for us to pick a day to organize and cook.  This week our snacks for my children and me included power bars and peanut butter bombs.  My husband is a big fan of the Cliff bars and today he tried the Power Protein bar and really liked it.  Each bar is full of natural nut butters and protein.  Both of these can also be used for post workout snacks; just pack them in your gym bag and go. 

Sunday can be a fun day for the kids.  Get organized, prepare your grocery list, shop and prep for the week.  Save valuable time during the week by pre cutting all of your vegetables, fruits, and meats.  Have your meals planned based on your calendar.  If you know there is an evening you don’t have time to cook plan a crock-pot meal and while you’re away your dinner will be cooking for you.  Make a pan of vegetable lasagna and freeze it. Make double batches of soups and chili recipes and freeze them for another week.  Boil eggs for quick and easy snacks or a fast breakfast.  Don’t forget if you need supplement with a meal replacement shake like AdvoCare Meal Replacemenet shake. https://www.advocare.com/11118654/Store/ItemDetail.aspx?itemCode=T1211&id=A&flavor=A&size=

Let the family join in and your children will enjoy the time they get to spend preparing meals and learning how to measure and cook.  These are also lasting memories they will cherish when the get older.  

Enjoy the two recipes from Oxygen Quick & Easy Summer Meals

Oatmeal Berry Muffin

Serves 12 muffins

Prep time 15 minutes

Cooking time 20 minutes

1 Cup Old-fashioned Oats

1 cup unsweetened applesauce

½ cup nonfat milk

1 egg

2 Tbsp. Vegetable Oil

¾ cup whole wheat flour

1 Tbsp. baking powder

1 tsp. baking soda

¼ cup unrefined sugar

1 tsp. Cinnamon

½ cup mixed berries (blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries) 

1.       Preheat oven to 375 dg.

2.       Fill muffin pan with liners or spray with oil or cooking spray

3.       Mix together oats, applesauce, milk, egg and oil in a medium bowl

4.       In a large bowl mix flour, baking powder, baking soda, sugar and cinnamon.  Make a well in the center and add oat mixture. Combine well but do not over mix.

5.       Add berries and gold gently

6.       Fill muffin cups two-thirds full. Bake for 15-20 minutes

Nutrients per serving: (1 Muffin):

Calories: 114, Total fats: 4 g., Saturated fat: 0.5 g, Trans fat:0g, Cholesterol: 18 mg., Sodium: 189 mg., Total Carbohydrates: 20 g. Dietary Fiber: 2 g., Sugars 7g. Protein: 3g, Iron 1 mg.

Power Protein Bars

Serving 28 pieces (4x1 inch) Prep time 30 minutes, Cooking time 8-10 minutes Chill time overnight

1 cup old fashioned oats

1/3 cup sesame seeds

2 cups puffed brown rice cereal

1 cup natural almond butter

1 Tbsp. cinnamon

1 Tbsp vanilla extract

½ cup maple syrup

¼ cup ground flaxseed

¾ cup slivered almonds

½ cup wheat germ

¼ cup wheat bran

½ cup dried cranberries

½ cup dried blueberries

1.       Preheat oven to 300 dg.

2.       Spread oats, sesame seeds and puffed brown rice on a baking sheet and toast in oven for 8 to 10 minutes

3.       In a medium sized bowl combine almond butter, cinnamon, vanilla extract, and maple syrup and stir until smooth and well combined

4.       In a large bowl mix toasted ingredients with flaxseed, slivered almonds, wheat germ, wheat bran and dried fruit.  Stir in almond butter mixture.

5.       Place mixture in a 9x13 inch baking pan. Press down firmly and evenly

6.       Refrigerate overnight

7.       When cooled, cut into bars 4x1 inch and can be frozen

Nutrients per serving: 4x1 inch

Calories: 141, Total Fats 7g. Saturated fat 0.6g, Trans Fat 0g, Cholesterol 0mg, Sodium 2mg, Total Carbohydrates 16 g. Dietary Fiber 3g, Sugars 7g, Protein 4 g., Iron 1mg.

White Bean and Chicken Soup

White Beans and Chicken Soup

Ingredients:

3 Chicken Breasts – boiled and chopped

1 Bunch of Asparagus- chopped

1 Small Bok Choy - chopped

2 Celery Stalks- chopped

1 yellow onion diced

2 cups fresh spinach

Low Sodium Chicken Broth, (2) 32 oz.

Bush’s Low Sodium Great Northern Beans, (2) 15.8 oz.  (Drained and rinsed)

2 Bay lLaves

¼ tsp. Thyme

Pepper optional

Directions:

1.       Boil chicken until done. Then chop all chicken and set aside.

2.       Add ½ cup of Chicken Broth to a soup pan; sauté bok choy, onion, celery for about 5 minutes. (medium heat)

3.       Add, chicken, beans (drained and rinsed), remainder of chicken broth, bay leaves, and thyme. Bring all ingredients to a boil and cook for 30 minutes.

4.       Reduce heat to low; add spinach and asparagus and cook for 15 minutes

Helpful tips:

I pre-chopped all vegetables on Sunday and stored in Ziploc bags this will cut down on your prep time.

Beat the New Years Resolution

Why wait for the New Year to make a change in your life?  Waiting another month is an easy way to gain another ten pounds which equals more weight you will need to lose.  Be proactive instead of procrastinating when it comes to your health.

Get a jump start on losing up to ten pounds and ten inches before January 1, 2012.*  You can lose more depending on how hard you work and follow the plan.  I’ve had proven success with my weight loss clients/friends. 

Join the 24 Day Challenge!  The first place winner will win $ 100 Cash prize and the second place winner will win $50 cash prize.  Get three or more people sign up to do the challenges with you than you will receive 30% off your challenge cost. 

Important Dates:

1.     Challenge I- December 5, 2011- 10 spots open!

2.     Challenge II December 12, 2011- 15 spots open! 

Register NOW for a chance to win the $ 100 Grand Prize or $ 50 Second Place! 

For Questions or to Register Contact:

Email: Jennifer@skinnymomchallenge.com

Phone: (317)491-2993

Fast, Fast, Ways to Make Healthy Meals

Everyone wants fast and fast food leads to a larger waistband.  Here is a link to some very quick 20 minute recipes for all of you “Rushed” moms.  Trying to plan meals around busy schedules and late hours at the office can really stress out just about anyone.  http://www.cleaneatingmag.com/Recipes/20-Minutes-or-Less.aspx

Clean Eating magazine offers a great amount of wonderful recipes from quick and easy to truly extravagant meals.  Let’s keep the extravagant for special occasions and not a Tuesday night.   Crock pot meals are another way to really cut time out of your evening preparing meals.  Instead you can do homework with the kids and all the other things on your list, but still have time to sit down and read a book to your kids before bed or maybe watch something on television.  There is a great Facebook group page called Healthy Crock Pot Meals and the recipes are also for people with gluten intolerance, diabetes, high cholesterol and much more.  Also Crock Pot Girls are on Facebook under groups not all of their recipes are good for you so please be sure to really read the ingredients before making a decision.  Also check out the Skinny Mom Challenge Group page. 

People ask me about recipes a lot.  During the week I don’t make a lot of items that take a lot of effort.  If I do make a recipe I only make something I am familiar with.  Another helpful way to cut down on time is prepare meals over the weekend like; vegetable lasagna, soups, chili and freeze them for later in the week.  Grill a large batch of chicken breasts; put half in the freezer and the other half in the fridge.  You can use the chicken for salads, soups, etc., then in the middle part of the week or the following week thaw out the remainder of cooked chicken breasts and use them.   Prepare double batches of soups, chili recipes and freeze half for another time.  I do this with sauces, chili, and soups.  You can grab a bag of your frozen meal of choice, thaw it in the refrigerator and then throw  it in a pot once you get home. 

Remember it really isn’t as hard as you think.  Sometimes we just need to hear ideas from others and if you have fast tips then pass them on to other moms.  They will really appreciate it!

Happy Thanksgiving! 

God Bless You and Your Family! 

24 Day Challenge

Challenge 1 Begins: December 5, 2011

Challenge 2 Begins: December 12, 2011

Lose 10 Pounds & 10 Inches Before January 1, 2012

Do you want to lose 10 pounds and possibly 10 inches before the New Year?

Skinny Mom’s are looking for a team of people to take the challenge to a healthier you! We are promoting a 24 Day Challenge to begin Monday, December 5th and Monday, December 12th. These products are 100% money back guaranteed to work. You will be held accountable and coached by me. The average weight loss is 10lbs and 10 inches. The first 5 people to say yes will be entered to win the $100 Grand prize; the next 5 will be entered to win have a chance for a $50 prize. Message me for further details or call 317-491-2993.