Mom’s famous “Energy Balls”

My mom is hands down one of the best cooks on god’s green earth (besides my dad of course), so I know everything she makes will not only be healthy, but delicious. She’s not as tech savvy as she’d like to be (if that was the case, maybe she wouldn’t make the same vegetable muffins every single week) however, she does her best. BUT, once she finds a recipe she likes…. good lord, there is no stopping her.

It’s like having a new favorite song, and playing it 1k times until you’re sick of it…. just me? ok – moving on…..

She makes these “Peanut-butter-chocolate-chip-energy-bites” that are literally to die for. SO, I’m sure you’re all itching to be dying for them too… so here’s her famous recipe:

INGREDIENTS

• 1/2 cup natural peanut butter or almond butter
• 1/4 cup honey
• 1/3 cup flaxseed meal
• 1/2 cup rolled oats
• 2 tablespoons mini chocolate chips (my mom recently just used our chocolate easter bunny.. so anything goes for this…)
• 1 tablespoon chia seeds

INSTRUCTIONS

1. In a large bowl, mix together peanut butter and honey until combined. Add in flaxseed meal, oats, chocolate chips and chia seeds. Mix, mix, mix, mix. After all of that mixing, you should be able to form balls. (If they’re not perfectly sticking together, add more peanut butter)
2. Form little gum-ball size balls, put in the freezer to harden & ENJOY.

Whether you’re hungry for a little snack (or not hungry at all) these will satisfy your snack-craving in a healthy way.Hopefully this can be your new favorite recipe, just like my momma. THX TRISH, YOU ROCK MY WORLD.

Be fun, be hopeful, be determined (to eat healthy snacks) be snacky & full of health, but most importantly; beYOU

an AVOCADO, thanks

I’m not the cooking type, and anything that I can make without physically baking or cooking is golden (for sole fact that I’m terrified of undercooking meat and getting salmonella… drastic.. but something I would do…)

AVOCADOS. What? They’re Gods gift to this green earth. I never thought of doing anything besides making guac with avocados up until a year ago maybe when I started spreading it on toasts, and throwing it into salads. It’s a little (pretty) ball of perfection.

Which leads me to my favorite thing to snack on for lunch!

Avocado toast with grape tomatoes & feta. Sounds simple, and by the picture I’m almost positive you all need 0 directions. But, this snack is healthy, hearty & wholesome.

• Healthy 
  • Avocados have the healthy fat — “Monounsaturated fats can help lower cholesterol and improve heart health. Avocados also have a higher percentage of protein — about 4 grams — than other fruits.”
  • Eat your vitamins, kids — “Avocados contain many essential vitamins and minerals. Flores said that they are a good source of pantothenic acid (vitamin B5), vitamin K and fiber, which aids digestion and helps maintain regularity.”
    • HEY THANKS FOR THE FACTS —>(http://www.livescience.com/45209-avocado-nutrition-facts.html)
• Hearty 
  • No facts about this one, just pure experience. Two pieces of toast, and I’m satisfied. Not overly full, not starving. Satisfied. Pre workout, Post workout. Any time of the day. Avocados are the answer.
• Wholesome 
  • This small little snack contains enough nutrients and vitamins to probably last you the whole day (DISCLAIMER)(JUST KIDDING)
  • But really, you just feel healthy & energized eating this beautiful creation.

Stop what you’re doing, head to your nearest food store, BUY AVOCADOS, and have fun with them. They’re a blessing in disguise.

 

Be fun, be hopeful, be determined (to use Avocados everyday!) be thankful (like the kid in the video) & wholesome, but most importantly; beYOU

Thirsty Thursday

You probably thought this was about drinking alcohol didn’t you….

Oh we’re drinking… but its TEA. This post is a direct reflection of my new favorite tea, and my first TeaTox — SkinnyMint! Its April already, and with school ending in a month (& my trip planned to Punta Cana being 40 days away) I need to be in the best beach bod possible. My friend Carly and I decided we were going to take a stand against our winter bloat and try this TeaTox. (AKA WE DID THE BESTIES PACK FOR $90)

This TeaTox is EASY, its only 1 tea in the morning and 1 tea every other night.

No dieting is involved (!!!) Yes gals, this means you can basically eat how you normally do (which is already healthy duh)

& Lastly, its packed with natural ingredients which are good for you and your skin.

So far I’m 2 weeks into the TeaTox, and I’ve been eating pretty crappy lately but as someone who has to have 2+ cups of coffee every morning right after waking up — this completely kicked my coffee habit. I feel energized and refreshed every single morning without the sugar and sweetness in the coffee.

I’ve never jumped on the bandwagon for these types of things, but so far I’m loving how I feel. Do i feel less bloated? Not (yet) necessarily. Do I still crave a venti-vanilla-iced-coffee-with-cream from starbucks? Yes.

BUT, I’ve proven to myself that I do not need coffee to survive in this world — & whats so wrong with trying new things & enjoying the process along the way?

Be fun, be hopeful, be determined (to try a TeaTox!) be skinny & minty, but most importantly; beYOU

Overnight Oats

Do you find yourself rushing out the door in the morning? Not having enough time to make a healthy breakfast so you just grab a pack of portraits? {Same}

The wide-world of grab&go breakfast has been forever changed! OVERNIGHT OATS! Yes! Sure, you’ve heard of this fad sweeping the health-nut nation. But, have you ever tried making them? Odds are you haven’t, and odds are you should.

Step 1: Grab a container

• Mason jar, tupperware — whatever, however but make sure it’s able to seal tightly.

Step 2: Create a base & add to jar

• This is where the {oats} come in! The most crucial part! Old-fashion oats tend to work best (1/3 cup or 1/2 cup)

Step 3: Liquid & add to jar

• Dairy/Non-dairy, whatever you want. I tend to use almond milk because it makes me feel like I’m being healthy… (1/3 cup or 1/2 cup)

Step 4: Refrigerate!

• Add your cute lil mason jar to the fridge so the oats & liquid can combine. Don’t be afraid to add some cinnamon, brown sugar or chia seeds. Let this sealed container sit overnight {hence the name duh}

Step 5: TOP IT

• Here comes the real fun, you get to top this creation with anything your heart desires. Sure, Pinterest has those decadent flavor options {chai tea/nutella} however you have free range to add whatever you’d like. Blueberries, pecans & honey is a personal favorite. You could add apples & cinnamon, peanut butter & bananas.. really whatever sets your soul on fire.

Step 6: Enjoyyyyyyyy!

Be fun, be hopeful, be determined (to make cute things in mason jars) be simplistic & satisfied, but most importantly; beYOU

Fri-yay Fitness

April is right around the corner, and we all know what that means….. (April showers bring May flowers !!!!! and…) it’s almost bikini season. I’m sure I’m not the only one who describes myself as ‘pudgy’ (emphasis on my growing double chin, hollaaaaaa) in the months of November (thank YOU, thanksgiving) – March. The reality is, abs are made in the kitchen. You can do all the crunches & planks your heart desires, but the results will start showing when you start fueling your body with the right combination of foods.

Sure, eating healthy sounds easy enough .. but what happens when you’re a terrible cook? Or always on the go? Thats when we tend to reach for the rice-krispie treats, or get those iced coffee’s from Dunkin to hold us over. OR, we fail to eat balanced meals throughout the day.

Here are a few tips & tricks to help curb your appetite, and get you on your way to that bikini-bod:

1. WATER – Just water. Ditch those sugar filled soda
   • {The average American consumes an extra 245 calories a day from soft drinks. That’s nearly 90,000 calories a year—or 25 pounds! And research shows that despite the calories, sugary drinks don’t trigger a sense of fullness the way that food does.}
2. MEAL PREP
   • {Prepping meals leaves the thinking out of the equation. If you sit down on a Sunday night, plan your meals for the week and begin to cook & tupperware — it will lead to less decisions, and unhealthy choices during the week.}
3. GET OUTSIDE
   • {Duke University study found that while 30 minutes of daily walking is enough to prevent weight gain in most relatively sedentary people, exercise beyond 30 minutes results in weight and fat loss. Burning an additional 300 calories a day with three miles of brisk walking (45 minutes should do it) could help you lose 30 pounds in a year without even changing how much you’re eating.}
4. MAKE A MANTRA
   • {One thing I just learned, focus expands. If you focus on the things you can’t do, chances are you won’t do them. Instead, be encouraging and positive to yourself. Sounds stupid I know but simply telling yourself “I’m not hungry” or “I’m going to walk for 45 minutes today”}
5. lastly, CHALLENGE YOURSELF
   • {Set goals, measure your success, and have fun! Changing your eating choices shouldn’t be a miserable task. Look for fun Pinterest recipes and get inspired by cute bathing suits. Reward yourself, and treat yourself. Challenge yourself to stick to healthy eating for 5 days a week, the smallest changes will make the biggest difference.}

With a little faith, and lots of motivation — that bikini will look better than ever. Weight loss is a long process, but instead of focusing strictly on losing-weight, try first to lead a healthy lifestyle. You’ll feel healthier & happier.

Be fun, be hopeful, be determined (to look hot in your new bikini) be challenged & motivated, but most importantly; beYOU