Ginger Chicken Stirfry

Tonight I pushed it hard with my cardio. I did an hour of boxing followed by an hour on the computrainer, which is this wonderful machine that you can hook your bike up to. Then it simulates a TON of different works and tracks your progress. It is great for these nasty, snowy, cold, icy months of winter when you can't be riding outside. At of local bike shops have them to use and even some of the smaller gyms are starting to get them! If you are into cycling I suggest looking into training on one of these!

Following my workouts I was STARVING and running short on time.....I wanted to get in bed and blog! :) So I made a quick and easy stir fry. I like to keep some frozen chopped onions in the freezer to have on hand as well as I buy already minced garlic....so this meal took very little prep time! 

*****Also I makes two servings one for dinner the other for lunch tomorrow!!!!

Ingredients:

2 sliced chicken breasts

1/2 chopped onions

2 tbs minced garlic

2 tbs coconut oil

1 tbs fresh grated ginger

3 tbs fish sauce

3 tbs coconut aminos

6 baby corns

2 handfuls spinach

2 handfuls kale

1 sliced zucchini

ground black pepper and crushed red pepper to your liking!

1. Melt coconut oil in pan

2. Sautee onions, garlic, and ginger

3. Add chicken, sauces, and peppers. Cook almost all the way.

4. Add veggies and cook with a top on until veggies are to your liking!!!

Always......live free and be strong no matter what the day brings you! Remember your body is way strong then your mind! Push through those nasty thoughts and you'll be amazed at what you can accomplish!

Enjoy!! :) 

Saturday Morning Baking

Good Morning!!!!!!

It is sunny and freezing here!! I woke up early this Saturday and decided to spend it in the kitchen baking!!! I love baking and finding ways and recipes that will satisfy my cravings while still following my clean eating paleoish lifestyle. This morning lived up to all my wildest dreams and more!

I was inspired by two fellow foodies paleOMG and Fierce Forward for Life with two recipes that had my mouth watering from their pictures!!! I hope my pictures are as tempting as theirs and bring you to their pages to try out these recipes.

First up was Banana Nut Chocolate Chip Muffins by paleOMG 

(slightly modified to what I had in the kitchen)

Before they went in the oven I added a few raw sliced almonds to the top. 

(Press them down a little so they bake into the muffin and don't fall off.)

Here is the link to the recipe I used.

http://paleomg.com/banana-nut-chocolate-chip-muffins/

***I used only egg whites and didn't have walnuts so I used sliced raw almonds instead. I also left out the salt.

***Next batch I make I am adding vanilla protein powder!!!!

Not only are they BEAUTIFUL but they were simple to make and beyond delicious!!!

Thanks paleOMG! :) 

Next up was a recipe that I have literally been dreaming about all week from Fierce Forward for Life.

Almond Joys are my FAVORITE candy, ever since I was little. On Halloween I always traded my brother and sister for them, they gladly gave them up for all my Snickers bars. When I saw a clean version that I could eat without straying away from my healthy lifestyle I was in HEAVEN!! I am for sure going to be hoarding all of these, no trading happening here!!!

Here are my sweet little bites of joy just waiting to be rolled in cocoa powder and then devoured!!! 

Find the recipe here....http://www.fierceforwardforlife.com/2014/01/homemade-almond-joy/

Thank you Ashley for this great recipe!!!

Well I am off to enjoy the rest of my Saturday snowboarding in these frigid temperatures, but we got some snow so I have to get out there!!! 

Enjoy your Saturday!!!

Live free and be strong, as always!

****What's the weather like by you?

****What healthy candy recipe would you dream about?

I Love Getting Packages!!! (Even more when they are sent from my aunt!)

Well today was a great day! I got my spiral vegetable slicer today from my aunt. The things that health nuts get excited about! Ha ha. 

I am excited about using this to make lots of yummy veggies and finally trying the zucchini noodles pasta dishes that I have been pinning for about a month now! 

Here are two recipes that I am looking forward to the most.....

http://lasvegasphotographercindylarkin.blogspot.com/2013/10/spinach-zucchini-ravioli.html

http://realfoodfreaks.com/recipe/zuchini-noodles/

Well off to boxing and tri club with zucchini noodles on my mind.....yummy!!!!

You got to be strong to live free!!!

***What are your favorite ways to use your spiral slicer??

Stir Fry and Yoga

Today, I went to a long needed yoga class. I used to be a regular at the local yoga studio, but it kind of got pushed to the side as I began training for races and boxing. However, today I was reunited and it felt so good!!! Not only was it an excellent stretch for my muscles but I forget how detoxifying hot yoga is. I left class and my face wasn't only sweaty but it was glowing. My pores and body felt so refreshed. I might have to add a day of hot yoga back into my weekly routine. 

Lean Beef Sirloin Stir Fry

Tonight for dinner (refueling time) I made a yummy lean beef stir fry with tofu noodles. It completely hit the spot and I am super full. It is a good full though, knowing that what I ate was full of nutrients, protein, and flavor!!!! I must be on an Asian kick, because I have be eating a lot of stir-fry and lettuce wraps the past two weeks. 

Ingredients

1 1/2 pounds top sirloin cut into thin strips

3 chopped garlic cloves

2 chopped green onions

1 sliced zucchini

2 cups mixed greens (spinach, kale, Swiss chard)

4 baby corns (I can't have stir fry without them)

1 package tofu shirataki noodles (omit for paleo)

1 tbs coconut oil

1 tbs crushed red peppers (optional)

**any additional veggies you want to add**

Sauce

3 tbs coconut aminos

1 tbs Premier Japan Hoisin Sauce

3 tbs low sodium beef stock

1 teaspoon arrowroot flour (to thicken)

Directions:

1. Heat oil in frying pan

2. Add garlic, lightly brown

3. Add steak and sauce. Cook until meat is 1/2 way done

3. Add onions, corn, zucchini, mixed greens, crushed red peppers and noodles

4. Cook until the steak is done and the veggies are to your likings

5. Enjoy 

***add or omit any veggies you might like***

***prepare tofu noodles as directed on package***

Enjoy and live free and be strong! All day everyday!

*What is your take on hot yoga and stir fry??

Water Challenge!!!

So, I was turned on to this gallon challenge (drinking a gallon of water a day) by another blogger. As a teacher I always struggle taking time to stop and take a drink of water. However, add a little challenge to it and I have been chugging gallons like its my job. A gallon a day at least!!!! I have broken down my day into 4-32 oz bottles (1 before lunch at school 1 after lunch at school, 1 during my workout, and 1 after I get home). This has really helped me keep track of how much water I am actually consuming.

Now why do this craziness of drinking water all day long???? Well, there are some many great health benefits to drinking water......

My Top 5 health benefits to drinking water:

1. Water helps energize muscles by maintaining the balance of fluids and electrolytes in your muscles......be strong drink water!!

2. Water helps to keep your skin looking fresh and clean. Our skin contains water and when our body is dehydrated our skin may begin to look dry and even more wrinkly! (No one wants that!!!)

3. Water helps to maintain body fluids. Our body is made of 60% water and staying hydrated aides in digestions, circulation, body temperature, and processing nutrients.

4. Water quenches your thirst without added calories, which can help with weight loss.

5. Water helps keep things moving through your body. Yes, drinking a gallon of water might have you running to the bathroom more frequently but water plays a big role in flushing our bodies of waste and keeps things flowing.

So, what do you think??? Want to join in with me and the many others doing the gallon challenge???

There's nothing to lose.

Drink water live free be strong!!!

***comment below if you are up for the challenge!!!!***

Wednesday's Workout!!!

Let me begin by telling you about my newest workout obsession!!

photo credit to shred415.com

Shred 415 is an hour long high intensity interval class that combines cardio work on treadmills and weight training. With these short intervals you're pushed to your max and burn calories like crazy. Oh, and you sweat like heck!!! I have yet to leave a shred class feeling like I didn't just get the best workout of my life. Even better, the routines are NEVER the same!!! So I am always excited about each class, not knowing what to expect. You will most likely see a trend of Shred 415 posts in the future!!

photo credit to myvega.com

I followed up my workout with a little protein shake to refuel my body. I was short on time so I went with a Vega Protein Smoothie! Not only are these quick and convenient but they have 15 grams of protein, 2 full servings of veggies, 90 calories, and 100% plant-based!!! And they taste great!!! I add this pack to my shaker with a little bit of water and I am set to go. Can't beat that.

Always trying to live free and be strong, even when short on time!!!! 

****Yes, it can be done!!***

  

Chicken Lettuce Wraps!

Man it was tough getting up and going this morning given that it was a nice -10 degrees outside. BRRRRRRR. However, I braved the cold and made it to a killer boxing class. Man was a good one. 

Boxing is one of my all time favorite ways to workout. There is nothing else like punching and sweating out all your stresses. Plus, the cardio, speed, and coordination the sport requires helps to keep your mind sharp. 

Tonight for dinner I decided to finally make chicken lettuce wraps that I have been craving for about a week now. These are so simple and quick to make to change up the regular dinner routine!!! So delish!!

Look at all that goodness sizzling away!!!!

Here's the recipe so you can enjoy as well!!!

1 diced chicken breast or you can use ground chicken meat

2 minced garlic cloves

3 sliced green onions

1 container water chestnuts

2 tbs. coconut aminos

2 tbs. Premier Japan® Sauces Hoisin Sauce (or other gluten free hoisin)

1 container water chestnuts

coconut oil spray

bib lettuce

1. Coat frying pan with coconut oil spray.

2. Heat pan and add garlic, onions

3. Once garlic/onions have browned add chicken, red peppers, and sauces.

4. Once chicken is cooked add water chestnuts.

5. Cook for 1-2 minutes, until water chestnuts are warmed

6. Clean bib lettuce leaves and pat them dry

7. Serve chicken inside each piece of lettuce

Enjoy!!! Live free and be strong! (even in the cold) :) 

Welcome!!!

Welcome to my new blog!!!
I know I am one of many out there sharing what I am doing to live a healthy and fit lifestyle. However, I have a strong passion to try new workouts, recipes, fitness gear and I am ready to share all that with others. It is my hope to help others find inspiration, motivation, and maybe even a new favorite meal or workout. Enjoy what you read and remember it is what works best for you!
Strive to live free and be strong!!!!!!