Solving the School Snack Situation

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Do you ever struggle to come up with healthy items to pack in your kids’ snacks and lunches that they’ll actually eat? I try my best to keep my kids away from processed foods and excess sugar, but when they’re seeing it in all the other kids’ lunch boxes, it can be tough!  My kids are pretty healthy, and understand the importance of choosing quality foods to fuel them through the day, but they also like to have things in their lunch boxes that seem like a treat.  So, my job becomes finding them something high in protein, low in sugar, and ALSO yummy (I know…does that even exist??) to pack for their morning recess snack.

My solution?

No Bake Protein Energy Bites!

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This recipe is so simple to make, and creates a bite sized “treat” that is perfect to pack for school, offer as an after school snack, or even as an after dinner treat!  My kids love taking them to school for their morning recess snack time, and I love knowing that their snack is filled with protein and other healthy ingredients, will give them lasting energy without a blood sugar crash in the middle of class!

Ingredients:*
– 2 scoops chocolate protein powder (I used Shakeology for the added healthy ingredients, but any good quality protein powder would work!)
– 1/3c organic peanut butter
– 1/4c raw organic honey
– 2 Tbsp. PB2 or other powdered peanut butter (optional)
– 1/2c quick cooking oats (I used rolled oats and put them in my magic bullet to make them a little more fine)
– 1/2c applesauce
Optional ingredients for rolling:
– Chopped nuts (walnuts, almonds…whatever you have on hand!)
– Hemp seeds
– Puffed rice cereal

The Method:
1. Thoroughly mix all ingredients together in a mixing bowl.  The mixture should be VERY thick and sticky.  It needs to hold together completely, and should not stick to the sides of the bowl.
2. Once it is completely combined, and you’ve reached the desired consistency, roll into one inch balls and place on a tray or baking sheet.
3. At this point, I prefer to roll them in something to coat the outside of the ball, but this step is optional.  I find that coating the outside helps keep them a little less sticky by the time the kids eat them for snack.  For my most recent batch, I rolled 1/2 in puffed rice cereal and the other 1/2 in a combination of chopped walnuts and hemp seeds (for extra protein!)
4. Place tray in the freezer for 1 hour to allow them to harden separately.
5. Place frozen protein balls in a ziplock bag and store in the freezer until ready to pack or eat.  They should be frozen when you pack them in order to prevent them from getting too sticky.  They are also delicious eaten right from the freezer!

*I’m not big on measuring, so all measurements are approximate. For this recipe in particular, you really need to adjust as you go to ensure the right consistency, so feel free to play around with it. I’ve adapted this recipe from several similar recipes I’ve tried, and make it slightly different every time!

Waterproof, Sweatproof, Humidityproof, Hot Flashproof MakeUp Must-haves!

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By Guest Blogger Tiffany Lee Bymaster, aka Coach Glitter

Chalene-World-Record

My long time (nearly 10 years now) amazing client, Chalene Johnson is the Guinness World Record holder for appearing in the most fitness videos! Hmm…that could very well make me a front runner for the makeup artist who has worked on the most fitness videos! I know a thing or two when it comes to long wearing, waterproof, sweatproof makeup! I really have no idea how many i’ve actually worked on but i’ve worked on the shoots for ChaLean Extreme, Turbo Fire (that was the sweatiest one of the bunch), Insanity instructor DVD’s (that was crazy sweaty too), PiYo (there’s literally a workout called “Drenched”), Turbo Kick, Hustle and i’m sure others that i’m forgetting. I’ve also worked in the editorial and TV world and have worked on shoots where we literally drenched the models with buckets of water/glycerine mixes, Pam cooking spray (for the glossy effect) and in a pool underwater for America’s Next Top Model. So yeah, I’ve had to become an expert at finding the right beauty products that will not make my life on set a nightmare. Plus I’m a bit of a workout freak myself and have done some crazy sweaty workouts as well.

waterproof-makeup-blog

I have a ton of different products but these are my “tried, tested and true” faithful few that have permanent residence in my pro kit plus one brand new addition (as of February 21, 2015) that has impressed the heck out of me and the best in it’s category.

  1. It Cosmetics, Celebration Foundation – Full coverage powder foundation that is very long lasting. I love that it’s super fast and easy to apply and you can build the coverage from medium to full depending on how much you want or need.
  2. It Cosmetics, Bye Bye Eye Under Eye – Technically this is a cream concealer that is completely waterproof, full coverage but can be sheered out if you like. I also use this a lot as foundation on extra sweaty shoots or even to contour and highlight with! It’s quite the multi-tasking product!
  3. It Cosmetics, Live, Love, Laugh Vitality Face Disc – Wow, that’s quite a mouthful but this is the product that i’ve been using the longest in my kit as far as waterproof products go. It’s still my very fav and nothing else compares to it! This ginormous sized disc has a beautiful matte bronzer, shimmery highlighter and slightly glowy natural blush color in the most flattering pinky-peach shade that is flattering on nearly every skin tone. Plus like every product from It Cosmetics, it’s designed to be flattering on every age unlike many other brands that only work if you’re under 22! The ingredients include anti-aging ingredients including hydrolyzed collage peptides, Vitamins A, C, E, Grape Seed, Green Tea and Aloe. Although this is a pressed powder it doesn’t make the skin look drier or older like other powders can because it doesn’t contain moisture sucking talc like all the products in their line.
  4. It Cosmetics, Build A Brow – So this is my newest waterproof fav find! It’s a gel/pomade hybrid waterproof stain for your brows. Don’t be scared by the stain part because it cleanses off and just helps with the longevity of the product through sweat and heat. What I love is that this product is very easy to use. You just sketch it on with an angled brow brush in one step and you get a beautifully groomed and shaped brow. I love the Universal Taupe shade which works for nearly all hair colors and for darker color hair you simply apply the products in a few layers!
  5. Urban Decay, 24/7 Eye Liner – This is a super silky, creamy eye liner that doesn’t tug or pull on your delicate skin around the eyes. While it’s supposed to be waterproof, I don’t find it to be 100% waterproof unless you use a waterproof primer underneath. That’s where the next product comes in!
  6. Mally Beauty, Evercolor Shadow Stick – This cream shadow in a stick is the holy grail of industrial strength waterproof eye products. Although it can be used alone as a simple swipe of gorgeous color for your eye lid or even a wider liner to create an easy smokey eye, I almost always use it as a primer with powder eye shadow on top. Mixing & trying to blend more than one cream texture eye shadow in general is a recipe for a muddy mess in your eyes so I recommend using it as a primer and then using as many powder shadows that your heart desires. This primer is like super glue for all your eye products from your shadows to your liner. It’s amazing even for the most oiliest eye lids. If this product doesn’t work, I honestly don’t know what will! There’s over 25 colors to choose from but my two favs are Saddle Shimmer which is a bronzey gold and Dusk which is the most beautiful plummy deep taupe but regardless of what shade you use, you really can use any color powder shadow on top.
  7. Dior, DiorShow BlackOut Waterproof Mascara – The lineup of DiorShow mascaras have been amongst my favs for over 15 years and the original DiorShow Waterproof has been my Holy Grail of mascaras that volumizes like no other product and makes the most out of all 9 of my sad, puny, stick straight lashes. If you are not a fan of waterproof formulas because you’ve found they make your lashes dry and you get flaking under your eyes, this one is the best of the best! Plus the tube doesn’t dry out fast like other waterproof mascaras. It not only helps to keep the curl in hard to hold straight lashes with it’s waterproof formula but it has never bothered my eyes or any of my clients and comes off with a waterproof makeup remover (I use Neutrogena wipes in the blue packaging and labeled for use with waterproof products).

**My biggest tip for keeping even your waterproof, sweatproof makeup products in place is to get into the habit of blotting off your sweat with a towel vs. wiping which will take your makeup off along with your sweat. Waterproof means that it has been tested to show that water will bead off the skin without taking the makeup off with it but nothing is wipe off proof! I mean, even waterproof has to come off somehow too, right? So blot, blot, blot, no wiping!

If you found this blog helpful you should check out my full length, step-by-step makeup tutorial videos where I walk you through many  of my most requested makeup techniques! They are totally free but available exclusively to my VIP’s. If you’d like to sign up it’s super simple. All you have to do is go to CoachGlitter.com and enter your first name and email that you actually use and check. I will send you my series of makeup videos along with all the new ones that I continue to create. I promise never to flood your InBox and I only send out the occasional email if it’s something really cool that I want to share with you!

Muah! xoxo! Tiffany, aka Coach Glitter

Bone Broth is the New Black

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BoneBroth

Have you tried bone broth yet? I’ve been riding this latest health food bandwagon I’m loving it!! I just finished my latest batch of this liquid gold and had to share some of the awesome health benefits with you, because when you discover something awesome, you just can’t keep it to yourself!

I know, I know…it sounds kinda gross, right?  I promise, it’s not!  Just imagine your favorite chicken soup broth, only richer, more delicious, and LOADED with healthy nutrients.  Are you intrigued yet?  Keep reading to learn what it is, why we should drink it, and how to make it!

What is bone broth? Bone Broth is basically chicken or beef stock that has been cooked VERY slowly for at least 24 hours (more for beef broth) in order to pull the beneficial minerals and nutrients out of the bones.  It is rich in nutrients, and, although bone broth has been around for centuries, has recently become mainstream in for it’s long list of health benefits.

Why should we drink it? Bone broth has a LONG list of health benefits that I’ve quickly summarized for you.
1) Minerals – Unfortunately, most of us are not getting enough minerals in our diets, and mineral supplements are never as good as those naturally derived from food sources.  Bone broth is rich in calcium, magnesium, potassium and more.  These can help with everything from quality sleep to overall mood and energy.
2) Immune boosting – The nutrients in bone broth naturally boost your immune system, and can help speed recovery when you are sick.
3) Healthy joints – Bone broth contains glucosamine & condriotin, as well as collagen and gelatin that all provide support for the bones and joints.  They can also help to reduce inflammation throughout the body.
4) Digestion – The collagen and gelatin help to soothe the digestive tract, and can even help to repair some digestive issues.
5) Bone broth makes you beautiful!  No, really, it has a long list of beauty benefits, such as shiny hair, glowing skin, improved elasticity and fewer wrinkles.  This is due to the collagen and hydrating minerals present in the broth.  I mean, people pay big bucks for collagen treatments, and bone broth does this from the inside out!

How do we make it? Although it takes a long time, making bone broth is actually very easy!  There are tons of recipes online, but I’ve outlined my basic recipe for chicken below:
1) Use two ORGANIC (preferably grass fed) chicken carcasses to two gallons of water in a stock pot. Some people like to add 2 chicken feet as well (for the extra gelatin and collagen).  I know, kind of eww, right?  I couldn’t do it at first either, but I worked my way up to it 😉
2) Add 1-2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar to the water, and let it sit for 15 minutes.
3) Roughly chop 1 onion, 2 carrots and 2 celery stalks and add to the pot.  I like to add a small amount of sea salt and cracked black pepper at this point as well, but that is optional.
4) Turn the heat on as LOW as it will go, cover your pot, and allow to simmer for at least 22-23 hours.  It should barely simmer.  You don’t want to cook it too fast!
5) After the 23 hours have passed, add in some parsley, thyme and a couple cloves of garlic.  I also like to add a bit more salt and pepper during this last hour.
6) After 24 hours, strain the liquid into mason jars and store in the fridge or freezer until you’re ready to drink it!  If you plan to freeze, only fill the jars 3/4 full, and cool completely in the fridge before freezing.

Are you ready to try this powerhouse health food?  My husband and I have both been drinking small mugs of broth each morning, and I am really loving it!  Give it a try and let me know how it goes. Cheers!

xoxo,
Malea

5 Beauty Secrets Your Hairstylist Isn’t Telling You About

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By Guest Blogger Mandi McGee

5 Beauty SecretsBeauty is in the eye of the beholder right? What is your definition of beauty? Maybe it is the uniqueness that makes all of us different. It could be that beauty is found only in our outer appearance and physical body, or it’s a state of mind, or a combination of all three.

Working as a hairstylist and make up artist for the past decade has taught me many things about the average woman’s standard of beauty and it’s this:

We want clear, unwrinkled, glowing, soft skin. Strong, shiny, un-frizzy, hydrated, perfectly voluminous, easy to maintain hair. Glossy, un-brittle, trimmed and polished toes and fingernails. We want a tight jawline and high cheek bones, along with a slender, pore-less, perfectly oval face shape. And the last but certainly not least, is an outgoing positive ,on top of the world, self-confidence that effortlessly lights up a radiant smile that’s contagious to everyone she’s around.

Often times during a hair or makeup consultation, my clients never fail to point out very common issues. The dryness in their hair, it’s brittle, breaking, dull and doesn’t grow! The skin on their face and even scalp is either flaky or overly oily. Chapped lips and crusty cuticles along with never ending episodes of pimples , blackheads and uneven skin texture. For the most part , all of these common beauty downers can be alleviated in one day at the salon and spa. We can give you a deep conditioning treatment along with a coat of fresh hair color, snip off the dry ends then send you over to the nail tech to trim, hydrate and apply some nail strengthener and lastly checking in with the aesthetician to get a facial that will clean out your clogged pores, apply a hydrating mask then slap on some anti wrinkle cream, load up on your products for home and voila! You’re good to go! For 6 weeks… When my clients ask me in the salon about their dry skin or flaky scalp, the first thing I always ask is “ Are you drinking enough water?” This question always seems to turn up eyebrows and usually throws people off. Our beauty products that promise hydration and shine are only HALF of what we need to actually see the results. The other half is what we fuel our bodies with on the inside!

Here are 5 more Beauty Secrets that go far beyond the mirror:

1.) Work up a sweat– Working out does more than just getting us swim suit ready, its a powerful component to our mindset and all around beauty! Regular exercise (3-5 days a week for 30 mins) has been proven by numerous studies reduce stress, cure anxiety and depression, improve your sleep and boost self esteem. One major benefit of an intense sweat session is sweating detoxes your body and skin. Each time you workout, sweat literally pushes junk out of clogged pores, releasing toxins that cause pimples and blemishes. Always remember to wash off those toxins after your sweat session . Exercise also boosts oxygen to the cells in our skin and scalp, creating a radiant glow and healthy hair follicles.

2.) Eat the Rainbow- “ You are what you eat “ is a concept that everybody has know for decades. Consuming fresh fruits , vegetables and water is where beauty begins. Incorporating more of these foods into your diet and less of the crappy foods (you know what they are.. fast food, soda, fried foods, chips, candy, blah, blah, blah..) You will slowly start to decrease the harmful effects these foods do to your body and the healthy, nutrient rich foods with actually have a chance to take over and beautify from within, leaving you with plump, glowing, collagen rich skin and new, strong protein and mineral rich hair and nails. Look for all different colors of fruits and veggies. The different colors leave different clues as to what vitamins, nutrients and minerals they’re made up of!

3.) Meditate- The beauty benefits of meditation are astounding! As we know, stress is a burden do our body and our cells, which can either make us age faster or make us age with grace. Deep breathing allows your facial muscles to relax while at the same time increases the oxygen in your blood , allowing your beauty nutrients to flourish throughout your body. Teaching your mind to work with you and not against you is the key to self love, confidence and all around beauty! If you’re new to meditation, you can always listen to a guided meditation to walk you through the basics. 4.) SleepA third of our life is spent sleeping, and for all good reasons! When we hit the pillow our bodies turn into mini health and beauty factories. During sleep, all of our natural anti-agers kick into overdrive boosting our cell activity to promote collagen in our skin, reverse skin damage and repair our body just in time to wake up refreshed and rejuvenated! Your sleep is important to your overall health , happiness, beauty and wellbeing. You can’t cheat your way through sleep and money sure won’t buy it! Just as you set an alarm to wake up in the morning, set an alarm on your phone that tells you to go to bed at night! This will ensure you’re getting to bed early enough to get the beauty sleep you deserve!

4.) Sleep- A third of our life is spent sleeping, and for all good reasons! When we hit the pillow our bodies turn into mini health and beauty factories. During sleep, all of our natural anti-agers kick into overdrive boosting our cell activity to promote collagen in our skin, reverse skin damage and repair our body just in time to wake up refreshed and rejuvenated! Your sleep is important to your overall health, happiness, beauty and wellbeing. You can’t cheat your way through sleep and money sure won’t buy it! Just as you set an alarm to wake up in the morning, set an alarm on your phone that tells you to go to bed at night! This will ensure you’re getting to bed early enough to get the beauty sleep you deserve!

5.) Think on the bright side- Having a positive mindset give you the ability to control all the thousands thoughts that pass through in minds in a day. Life is spontaneous, filled with unexpected situations and we all have the choice to react two different ways. We can either let a problem dig at us all day, or we can choose to brush it off our shoulders and move on. How does this have to do with beauty again? When we plant positive thoughts into our minds, they reap incredible powers that portray in our appearance. A smile is the most beautiful thing on anybody, and you can be assured that there is always a positive thought behind that grin. Being able to see the bright side of any situation will leave you happy and confident. And confidence is what makes everyone look beautiful!

So the next time you visit your beauty professional, let he or she know just how much you appreciate that they are there to take care of the other HALF of your beauty. Your Hairstylist, Aesthetician, and Nail Tech are all there to provide you with all of the knowledge, skills and expertise to supply you with everything you need to improve your outer beauty, so they will be thrilled to know you’re taking the effort to meet them half way when you take action to beautify from within!

Mandi McGee
Beauty Life Expert, Hairstylist and Health Coach.

If you would like to learn more about how to look, live and feel beautiful inside and out, visit mandimcgee.com and sign up for email updates!

The Wonders of Apple Cider Vinegar

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By Guest Blogger Heidi Wickstrom

I never thought I would say this but I’m addicted to Apple Cider Vinegar. Yes, you heard me right. After a discussion I had with my personal trainer about drinking ACV daily for several reasons, I decided to do some research myself. It’s beneficial for pretty much anything—your skin, your hair, and your house can benefit from its qualities. Raw, organic, unfiltered and unpasteurized, apple cider vinegar is so much more than a salad dressing!

Top 10 Reasons to use ACV:

1. ACV can aid in weight lossDesign
Many people claim the Apple Cider Vinegar promotes weight loss by speeding up the metabolism. Just mix 2 teaspoons with 16 oz of water, sip it throughout the day for daily weight management. (Warning, it’s a bit bitter, but you can always add honey or stevia)
2. Gives hair body and shine
Make your own healthy after-shampoo hair rinse by mixing 1/3 of a cup (75 ml) of ACV into a quart (1 liter) of water. You can then store this mixture in a plastic bottle and keep it in the shower for ready use. Apply the vinegar rinse after shampooing and then rinse it all out, or for extra conditioning, you can leave the rinse on your hair. This natural hair care product can be used once or twice a week or more often as needed.
3.You can use it as a toner
Psoriasis sufferers praise apple cider vinegar for reducing inflammation. Apply a few drops to a cotton ball and rub on your T-zone or other dry spots to prevent breakouts and minimize blemishes. I also like to add a drop of lavender essential oil. Therapeutic-grade lavender is highly regarded for skin and beauty.
4.Teeth Whitener
Gargle with ACV in the morning. The vinegar helps remove stains, whiten teeth, and kill bacteria in your mouth and gums. Brush as usual after you gargle.
5. It’s a Tummy Tamer
It acts as an effective agent against the viruses that cause stomach flu. It is also a rich source of pectin, which helps soothe an irritated stomach. Moreover, it helps treat stomach ache, nausea, vomiting and gas.
6. Leg cramps and Restless Leg Syndrome
Sipping on an apple cider vinegar drink can increase low potassium levels in your body, a suspect in nighttime leg cramps and restless leg syndrome.
7. Reduce swelling
Rubbing ACV onto swollen hands or feet reduces swelling. A wonderful thing during pregnancy!
8. Soothing bath soak
The next time you get ready for a nice warm bath, add one to two capfuls of ACV. It draws toxins out of the body, leaving behind toned and moisturized skin. Again, I love to add a drop of Lavender essential oil.
9. Sunburn remedy
You can relieve the pain of a sunburn and minimize peeling by applying a wash cloth soaked in ACV to the area. Don’t worry about the smell it dissipates quickly.
10.Natural deodorant
Lots of people don’t like to use an antiperspirant, so ACV is a great option. ACV absorbs and neutralizes odors. Simply rub a bit in your underarms. The smell will disappear once it dries.

*I do recommend Bragg’s Apple Cider Vinegar, you can find it almost anywhere! It runs about $3 dollars for a 16 ounce bottle. What a bargain!!

**Huge thank you to Heidi Wickstrom for contributing this article.  Heidi is a Fit & Busy mom of 2, who loves learning & sharing healthy, holistic, tips for living a healthy lifestyle.

Succeeding in the Real World

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By Guest Blogger Erin Woodbury

It’s often easy to stick to your “diet plan” while at home or at the office. Preparation is the key to any program, which is why the structure of home-life and office-life isn’t too challenging. It’s the restaurants, birthday parties and life events that tend to make or break most nutrition plans. The first thing you need to understand is that food is GOOD. Food is used to comfort, to celebrate and should absolutely be enjoyed. That’s why you should have a “splurge meal” once per week when you reach your maintenance phase. That meal should be the best and most satisfying thing you love, because you want to feel completely satisfied after it’s over so that you’ll be able to get right back on track. When you’re not eating your splurge meal, but find yourself having to dine out, there are many tips to help you stay on track. In general, people have good intentions on the way to dining out, but completely crumble when they smell the warm breadsticks or chips inside a restaurant. They then make deals with themselves as to why cheating seems like a good idea, chalking it up to a special occasion, a well-deserved treat, or simply a moment of weakness. There are ways to stay on plan AND enjoy special occasions. Try the following strategies the next time you’re faced with the diet-dilemma of real world events that don’t jive with your nutrition goals.

  1. Study restaurant menus carefully and research options online if you know where you’re going to be eating. Select your meal before you ever leave the house, and don’t be tempted by the menu. If that’s not possible, request the nutritional menu at the restaurant and make your healthy selection based on the calories and ratios listed.
  2. If that information is unavailable, stick to what you know: vegetables cooked without oil, lean meats, with sauces and dressings on the side.
  3. Order an appetizer as a meal, and stick to items like ceviche, shrimp cocktail, or chicken satay.

Low-Sugar diets are key to keeping blood sugar low and warding off diseases. Cancers thrive in high-sugar environments. Exercise, which reduces elevated insulin levels, can, conceivably, slash your risk if done consistently, especially when it is varied and combined with a diet low in sugar.

Here’s a fun, easy and delicious brownie recipe that has no sugar:

QuestBrownie

Quick & Fudgy Eggless- Flourless Brownies
Ingredients:
3/4 cup unsweetened applesauce
1/3 cup Trader Joes Cashew Butter
1 cup Chocolate Protein Powder (I recommend Quest)
1/3 cup zero-calorie sweetener
2 TBS dark cocoa powder
2 TBS almond milk
1 tsp vanilla extract
Pinch sea salt
1 Double Chocolate Chunk Quest Bar
1 Chocolate Brownie Quest Bar
(Optional: sugar free chocolate chips)
Method:
1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
2. Stir together the applesauce and cashew butter.
3. Add in protein powder though salt and stir.
4. Crumble in the Double Chocolate Chunk Bar and stir.
5. Spread into an 8×8″ pan that’s been coated in cooking spray. Top with crumbled Brownie Bar and any sugar free chocolate you’re using.
6. Bake for 17-18 minutes or until nearly set (keep them slightly underdone in the center).
7. Cool slightly before cutting into 12 squares.
Serves 12
Calories: 100
Protein: 10g
Fat: 4g
Net carbs: 5g

**Huge thank you to Guest Blogger Erin Woodbury of Erin’s Test Kitchen and Living Lean with Erin.  for contributing this article!  She is a chef at Quest Nutrition, an elite fitness instructor, and fit & busy mom of 3.  Make sure to check her out her YouTube Channel, and find many of her delicious recipes on Instagram @livingleanwitherin.

Healthy Scampi

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Don’t you just love meals that are simple, clean & delicious?? This meal took no more than 20 minutes to put together, and was a super healthy crowd pleaser at the Anderson dinner table.  I don’t know about you, but dinner time can be a busy time for us, and having a stockpile of healthy, quick dinner ideas is the key to making sure we stay on track with our healthy eating.

healthy scampi

The method:
1. Spiralize 2-4 organic zucchini. I LOVE my spiralizer!  It turns pretty much any vegetable into these adorable noodles. It is a relatively inexpensive tool that I got on Amazon, and we use it ALL the time.
2. Sauté wild caught shrimp in lemon juice, coconut oil and garlic until cooked through.
3. Remove shrimp from pan and add zucchini noodles to pan with leftover sauce. Add a bit more lemon juice, coconut oil, garlic season with a bit of sea salt or pink himalayan salt and black pepper. Add red pepper flakes & grape tomatoes (optional). 3. Toss zucchini in sauce and cook until just tender.
4. Top with cooked shrimp and VOILA…dinner is served! How easy is that??

Eating clean doesn’t have to be boring or take a ton of time. Be sure to download my free Fit & Busy Guide to Eating Clean on the Go for some great ideas on how to eat clean when your always on the go…like me! Let’s be fit & busy together!

Xoxo,
Malea

Ultimate “FITMAS” Gift Guide

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‘Tis the season of giving, and what better gift to give than one that will inspire & motivate your fit family & friends on their health & fitness journey!

I love giving thoughtful gifts to show my friends and family how much I care, but gift giving can sometimes be stressful too! So, I thought I would put together an ultimate “FITMAS” Gift Guide that will hopefully give you some great gift ideas for all the fitness loving friends & family members on your holiday shopping list. With everything from apparel to shoes to workout tools & water bottles, in every price range, this list is SURE to have something perfect for anyone who loves to sweat! Plus, if you’ve been really good, you can add a few of these things to your own wish list and hope that Santa gets the memo that you’d love a Merry “FITMAS” too!

FitmasGiftGuide

YOUR SHOPPING GUIDE

1.  Sugar Skull Tank Top $25 from Moxie Fitness Apparel – This tank top is as cute as it is comfy, and is sure to bring some style and spunk to any workout.  What’s not to love about this one?  Our favorite part…we love that this sugar skull tank is stylish enough to wear both in and out of the gym!  Also available in a wide neck sweatshirt for $40

2.  Pink Bosu Balance Trainer $119 with free shipping from Dicks Sporting Goods – This BOSU ball is a must in the arsenal of any home equipment collection. Plus, it’s PINK, and it makes us happy! It’s great for cardiovascular and strength building work, and is ideal for balance and coordination. Comes with workout DVDs owner’s manual and a foot pump.

3. Gold Lips Sweatshirt $42 from Moxie Fitness Apparel – This super comfy, wide neck gold lips sweatshirt is the PERFECT thing for keeping warm AND spunky to and from the gym. Gold foil lips? WHY NOT?!?! Throw it on over some workout leggings, or even a favorite pair of jeans and you are ready to rock your day in stylish comfort. Also available in a tank top.

4. Nike Zoom Fit Agility Training Shoe $130 from Nordstrom – A sleek, lightweight training shoe designed specifically for cardio, strength and core workouts features Zoom Air technology for ultra-responsive cushioning. Adorable colors & amazing comfort.  Perfect for any gym or home workout!

5. BeYOUtiful Tank $26 from Moxie Fitness Apparel – This tank is almost too cute to sweat in! Real beauty comes from being YOU, and this tank will help bring out your very best!  The gold glitter makes this tank as cute as it is inspiring.  Comes in purple or heather grey.

6. Special Edition Urban Sanctuary Bag $138 from Lululemon – This gym bag is a bit of a splurge, but how CUTE is it?? We just couldn’t resist putting it on our wish list. Please, Santa?? We’ve been so good this year!

7. Fruit Infusing Water Bottle $15 from Moxie Fitness Apparel – Hydration has never been so motivating!  This fruit infusing water bottle makes your water as delicious as it is cute. Just add water, and something fun…strawberries, melon, cucumber, mint, lemon…be creative!  Cheers!

8. Emerge Renewed Crop $88 from Lululemon – Every fit girl needs a perfect pair of black crops, and these cute ones definitely fit the bill!  The cute mesh detail at the bottom…perfect!

9. Yogi Toes Skidless Yoga Towel Groovy Collection $49 from Amazon.com – This cute towel will keep you from slipping and sliding around your yoga mat.  Easy to wash & throw over your mat for a clean, non skid surface.  A definite must have for any yogi on your list!

Wishing you a very Merry FITMAS and a happy, healthy New Year!

xoxo,
Malea

Fabulous Foods Super Fast

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greenjuice2pinkBeing busy doesn’t mean you need to sacrifice eating your greens!  Juicing is one of my FAVORITE quick ways get lots of healthy stuff into my family’s diet, even when we are short on time.  Imagine how long it would take me to convince my kids to eat a a huge pile of kale, spinach and cucumber!  It could very well take me until the end of time.  BUT, if I juice it up with some apple and lemon, voila!  They can drink it down (with NO complaining!) in a matter of a few minutes!

Juicing takes no time at all, and it literally counts as a meal in a cup.  Chase it with a little protein and healthy fat, and you have a balanced and super healthy meal in minutes.  I have an inexpensive juicer from Costco that works great, and my kids enjoy helping me choose the fruits and veggies to throw in.  We have made so many awesome combinations, but this green juice (pictured) is definitely a family favorite.

Be creative when you juice!  Choose any colorful veggies that are in season, and you really can’t go wrong.  We love making concoctions with beets, carrots, collard greens, chard, romaine, celery, etc.  When you are juicing root veggies , throw in the tops as well!  The green part of the beet or carrot is an awesome addition to the juice, and is loaded with nutrients.  The sweeter the veggies are (ie. beets and carrots) the less fruit you will need to add to sweeten it up.  When you fall in love with juicing up your greens, be sure rotate your greens from time to time, to prevent a disruption in your thyroid that can happen when you eat too many of  a certain type of green (I guess there really CAN be too much of a good thing!).  There are so many awesome greens to choose from, so play around with it.

Anderson Family Favorite Juice Recipe:
5-6 kale leaves
1/2 bunch spinach
1 cucumber
2 apples
1 lemon
2 inches ginger root
Enjoy your greens!
xoxo,
Malea

Zoodles – Fit Food Made FUN!

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photo 2Serving up healthy and delicious meals that are ALSO family favorites can be a challenge, so when I come across a “gem” of a meal that is healthy, delicious, colorful, AND a crowd pleaser, I just have to share it with my fit & busy friends!  I recently purchased a Spiralizer from Amazon and I’m OBSESSED with it.  This is an inexpensive tool that is an absolute MUST in the kitchen of the fit & busy.  You can make “noodles” with just about any veggie you can think of.  Talk about a great way to make healthy food FUN and appealing to the entire family.  This was actually one of my first spiralized creations, and it was a huge HIT!  Yep, even my kids gobbled this one up.

This Zoodle creation was so simple to make.  Follow the easy steps below, or improvise by substituting veggies you have on hand.  Keep it colorful and you really can’t go wrong.

1. Roast cherry and/or grape tomatoes in a little olive oil and salt and pepper until they start to shrivel up just a bit.

2. Cook up some chicken breasts with your favorite method (I used grilled chicken)
2. While the tomatoes are roasting and the chicken is grilling, spiralize 4-5 zucchini and set aside.
3. Prepare the garlic lemon “cream” sauce:
    -sautee 2-3 cloves of garilc in 1 tsp olive oil
    -whisk in about 1/2c chicken stock or broth
    -in a magic bullet or blender, blend together 1/4c cottage cheese and 1/4c NF Greek yogurt with the juice from 1/2 lemon.
    -whisk yogurt mixture into garlic mixture and season with salt and pepper to taste.
    -stir in some lemon zest and a splash more lemon juice for a bright, fresh flavor.
4. Throw Zoodles into a skillet over high heat, top with sauce, and toss together until zoodles are coated and just begin to cook.
5. Plate up zoodles, top with sliced grilled chicken and roasted tomatoes.
I hope you and your family enjoy this quick, fresh & healthy meal!  Make sure to comment below with your results!
 xoxo,
Malea
*One of the great things about being in the health & fitness industry is that I am surrounded by healthy & talented people who inspire me on my quest to stay fit, busy & fabulous.  My wonderful friend Erin is an amazing healthy cooking goddess, and was the inspiration for this creation.  Check her out on instagram @livingleanwitherin or at www.livingleanwitherin.com.  While you’re there, make sure to sign up for her FREE “Lose 5 in 5” meal plan.  It rocks.