What the heck is a Challenge Group?!

I often forget that when I ask someone if they have considered joining a challenge group, they have no idea what I am even talking about.  So I have decided to dedicate a blog post to telling you just that.. What is this thing you call a Challenge group?

The actual challenge group is a private group on Facebook set up with other challengers like yourself that are ready to tackle those goals they have set.  Setting action plans to secure the success! 

Its not a challenge against others but the challenge within yourself.  Honoring the fact that you do need accountability to get to our goals.  Don't we all?  It gets too easy to just give up when we feel like we have no one to report to.  In our group (its voluntary but highly recommended) you can post your food log for the day.  What you ate, how much water you drank, and what exercise you did.  What does this do?  It gives you accountability.  As your coach Im looking for that post.  Im looking to see how you did that day and if I see a trend in a bad habit - give you pointers to help you get back on track and to reaching those goals.  

I want to know your goals.  I want to know your struggles.  I want to know as much about you as I can so I can ensure Im giving you the best advice that fits you.  I absolutely love my challengers and most have become great friends.  Your success means so much to me.  So as your coach and within the challenge group you are surrounded by supportive and only uplifting people.  Yes, we voice our struggles, but then there are people to chime in and pick you back up.. any time of the day - you have a support system.  

Most might over look the "Challenge group" and opt to just do the fitness and nutrition on their own.  Some will succeed, but most won't.  Whats missing?  Support, motivation, and accountability.  Its hard to sustain those components when you're on your own.  This is where my team and I come in.  We offer an amazing setting that combines all 3 of those factors and nail it! 

These are some before and afters of my challengers and fellow team members.  I asked them what was different this time compared to other attempts of living a healthy lifestyle.  All of them answered "challenge group".  Surrounding themselves with a positive environment.  Knowing they were accountable to someone besides themselves, and having a place to come when they felt like giving up.  This atmosphere comes free with a challenge pack.  With that, you have the whole package.  Nutrition, workouts, accountability, support, motivation, and accountability.  

I am there holding your hand the whole way!  

If this is something that you're looking for and feel like is missing in your current routine, I would love to work with you.   Sign up today and lets get you started on reaching those goals!  You are worth it! 

Sign up here: http://goo.gl/forms/LvoGUUXYiE

Never Say Never!

BUT I WANT MY BODY BACK NOW!

In all seriousness, this is how I felt after I had my son.. "Why is it taking so long??"
Can you relate?

I wanted to write a post on advice I would give to postpartum women on their journey to getting their body back....

First things first..

 GIVE YOURSELF A PAT ON THE BACK!

You created a miracle!  A baby grew in your womb for 9 months.  For 9 months your body was stretching and growing to accommodate this miracle.. embrace this!  Enjoy your little bundle and don't even think about what you look like in the mirror.. you're a mom.. one of the greatest titles there is! :)

The views in the world today have you thinking you need to be in a size 2 within 2 months of birth.  Umm... NO!  Your body is still adapting to changes even after you have the baby.  Take it slow!  Start out with nutrition, eating right.. and enjoy your bundle of joy!  There does not need to be the stress of fitting into your pre pregnancy jeans 2 months after birth.

I myself took about a whole year to truly get back to my pre pregnancy size.  It was not an over night process and it took hard work, but gradually over time, and while working out at home and during nap time.... I got it done!

You don't need fancy equipment and you don't need hours in the gym.  A good 30 minute workout and a support group cheering you on will get the job done!   I am proof!  I feel the difference from my 1st child to my 2nd is that I have learned that the body takes time to mold back.. but don't give up on it.  If you're willing to put in the work, put yourself in a positive environment, and celebrate the small successes.. the small successes add up to the BIG ONE!  You can get that pre pregnancy body back!  You will get it back!! One day at a time!

My Journey in a nutshell.
39 weeks preggo, Day I had my son vs 8 days pp, 3.5 months pp, 8 months pp

14 months Postpartum with second child

Chimichurri Mashed Plantains

I like to try new foods and plantains are one of those that I'm always trying to find new ways to use.  Do you like plantains?  They seem so universal and diverse depending on if you make them when ripe or unripe.  

I saw this recipe in a cookbook called Primal Cravings, and it seemed too easy not to try!  The end result.. it was a hit and especially with my 1 year old son!  Hubby ate it for days too!  I paired it with a cuban pork roast and steamed green beans! 

Chimichurri Mashed Plantains

For plantains: 

3 unripe plantains (peeled and chopped) 

1 cup chicken stock
3 cloves garlic 

Boil the plantains and garlic cloves for 10 minutes. Drain and then add in 1 cup stock. Smash with potato masher or use an immersion blender and get it as smooth as you want

For Chimichurri: 

A handful of cilantro
1 TB or lime juice
1 TB olive oil
1 Green onion
1 TB honey

Place everything in a food processor and blend. Swirl into plantains

For the pork, I just put a pork roast, 3 TB McCormicks Cuban Seasoning, salt, and about 1/2 c. of chicken stock in a crockpot and cooked on low for 8 hrs!

Sweet Potato Tot Taco Bake

Ever go to make dinner and you have no clue what to make?

Yes, this is me often.  Mainly happens when I fail to menu plan, but good thing is I stumble onto recipes like this!  I Pinterest "sweet potato tater tot casserole" and came upon a yummy recipe from Pint Sized Treasures.  Tater Tot Nachos!  What?!  So I took this recipe and improvised with what I had on hand.  This is now a family favorite clean meal!  Yup, still keeping it clean although it feels like I'm indulging in serious comfort food! 

Ingredients: 

1lb. ground turkey
3 TB of Fiesta Lime Mrs. Dash Seasoning
1 TB Garlic powder
1/2 bag of frozen peppers and onions
1/2 c. tomato sauce
1 Bag Sweet Potato Tator Tots 
2 thin slices of cheddar cheese (or sprinkle shredded cheese)
Salt to taste

Directions: 

Preheat oven according to the directions on the bag of tator tots.  Cook the tots! 

While the tots are cooking;
Place ground turkey in skillet and brown.  Add the seasonings in and mix together.  Add the frozen peppers and tomato sauce and cook till the peppers are heated through.  Salt to taste.

Put the turkey mixture in a baking pan and place cooked tots on top.  Break up slices of cheese on top and place back in oven until the cheese is melted.  

TaDa!  Dinner is done! 

Let me know what you think! 

MMMmmm.. Bacon!

I LOVE BACON!

Ok.. I will calm down now :)

I only buy nitrate free bacon, which is hard to come by here unless I travel 40 minutes to an hour to the nearest Target or Whole Foods.  So, between the travel time and it being pretty costly,  its kind of a luxury around here.

We went to Whole Foods the week prior and I picked up a pack.  It sat in my fridge all week staring at me... just waiting for me to do something delicious.  So, for my bible study group, I figured I would make a yummy appetizer.  Ever go on pinterest and put "Bacon Appetizer" in the search engine???? Yeah, don't do that unless you want to be starving on the spot... for bacon!! lol

After tons of searching nothing was really reaching out to me besides some Bacon covered sweet potatoes.  That and a desire to have some blue cheese made me think of my newest appetizer.

Bacon Covered Chipotle Sweet Potatoes with Blue Cheese Sauce.

OHHH It was good, and pretty easy to make too!

Oh, and my potatoes are white because I used Japanese Sweet Potatoes 

Bacon Covered Chipotle Sweet Potatoes with Blue Cheese Sauce

For Potatoes:

2 Medium Sweet potatoes

1 Lb of Bacon 

2 TB Butter

1/2 TSP chipotle Chili Powder 

2 TSP Salt 

For Blue Cheese Sauce: 

1/2 c. Coconut milk (not canned)

1 TB Butter

1 TB White Wheat Flour 

2 Oz. Blue Cheese 

Dash of salt

Optional:  Honey

Directions: 

- Preheat oven at 350

-  Cut potatoes into bite size chucks. I quarter my potatoes into quarters length wise and then those quarters into fourths.  

-  Cut each strip of bacon into fourths. 

-  Melt butter in a sauce pan and stir in the chipotle powder and salt.

-  Toss potatoes in the butter mixture and then wrap bacon around potato, laying on the cookie sheet seam side down.  

-  Place in oven for 20 minutes

- Take out and flip over also placing a tooth pick through each of them to secure bacon from coming off (Sweet potato is too dense to stick the tooth pick in before you put them in the oven). 

-  Cook for another 20 minutes or until bacon is crispy and potatoes are tender.  

- While potatoes are cooking make blue cheese sauce.  Melt butter in a sauce man and whisk in flour. 

-  Cook the flour for 1-2 minutes stirring constantly.  Whisk in coconut milk until it is blended through. 

-  Simmer the mixture until it is thickened.  Take off heat and whisk in blue cheese until it has melted into the mixture.  Serve along side the potatoes.  

Optional:  Drizzle honey over the bacon wrapped sweet potatoes when serving 

Let me know if you make it!! :)  

Don't forget to check me out on Facebook for more recipes, motivation, and clean eating tips!! 

www.facebook.com/acleanappeite 

Potsticker Meatballs Please!

I have probably the best hubby out there.. 

I was in NO MOOD to cook.. but was having a hankering for asian food and I found a pin on pinterest for some potsticker meatballs and I was sold!  So, I batted some puppy dog eyes at the hubby and asked him if he would make them for me.  :)  He did, with no whining.. he's awesome! 

These suckers are AWESOME and were so great for my 10 month old which right now only has 2 bottom teeth.  I just pinched off little pieces and he gobbled them up, along with the baked sweet potato.  My 4 year old daughter also found them yummy! 

I adapted my recipe from  Saving Dinner since I didnt have everything for it.  

This is my version :)  

Potsticker Meatballs 

1 pound ground turkey
2 small carrots, grated
2 tablespoons Mrs. Dash Onion and Herb Seasoning 
2 cloves garlic, minced
3 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons Gluten Free Soy Sauce
1 teaspoon fresh grated ginger root
Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
Pinch red pepper flakes
1/4 cup almond flour
1 egg, beaten
3 tablespoons coconut oil

The original recipe calls for cilantro, and I was sad we didnt have that, cause it would have made a great addition! 

Instructions:
Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

In a medium bowl, mix together all the ingredients except for the coconut oil. Scoop out a little of the mixture at a time to roll into medium sized meat balls. Lay the meat balls out on a clean sheet pan.

In a large skillet, heat the coconut oil over medium-high heat. Brown the meat balls in batches on all sides. Remove the browned meatballs with a slotted spoon and place back on the sheet pan.

Once all the meatballs have been browned place the sheet pan in the oven and bake for 10-15 minutes, or until the meatballs are cooked through. Remove from the oven and serve.

I served ours with baked Japanese sweet potatoes and steamed snap peas!

ENJOY!  

Wine and Cheese Please!

I have recently started a bible study group at my house.  Its a great "mommy's night out".  The hubbies take the kids and we get to chat, relax, unwind, and get a little closer to God.  I love my Friday nights!  The first time we met we did a Dessert and Wine theme and this time we did Cheese and Wine theme..  See a trend here?  ;)  I really think I could do a cheese theme every time!  I LOVE CHEESE!! Yes, its not paleo, but its ok to indulge now and again.. even if its going to bloat me to where I feel like I look like Im 5 months pregnant! lol  Its worth that yummy goodness!

We all picked a cheese and I went with goat cheese!  After searching pinterest awhile, I came across several recipes that looked great and easy (Simple is the name of the game with 2 kids) so I combined the different ingredients I liked out of them and made my own!

I introduce to you, Baked Goat Cheese with Toasted Walnuts, Honey, and Thyme! 

Absolutely delicious and there was NONE left by the time we ended!  

5 oz of Goat Cheese 

(I got the spreadable kind but thats not necessary) 

Walnuts

Honey

Fresh Thyme 

Preheat oven to 400

• Chop the walnuts until they are in smaller pieces.  Place them in a frying pan over medium heat stirring frequently until the walnuts are toasted.  Usually when you begin to smell them.
• Place the goat cheese in an oven safe dish.  Place the dish in the preheated oven.  Take out when the cheese is warmed through.  I had it in for about 15-20 min.  (times vary) 
• Take the cheese out and sprinkle with the fresh thyme leaves, toasted walnuts, and drizzle honey.  YOU'RE DONE! 

I served with toasted baguette slices.  Just slice, bread drizzle with EVOO, and rub each slice with a garlic clove that has been cut in half.  Place on baking sheet and broil till edges are lightly brown. 

Let me know what you think!