SPOOKY HALLOWEEN WORKOUTS

How many of you like to workout to some themed or fun, holiday workout?  If you are like me, then you like to switch it up and do FUN,  SILLY workout challenges.  For this Halloween, I have listed some cardio and strength training themed challenges.  

Feel free to have a little fun!! I know I will and of course burn those CALORIES off too! 

QUICK GO-TO HEALTHY SNACKS

Have you ever just wanted to grab a snack from the vendor machine just because it looked delicious even if it wasn't a healthy choice?  I know I used to think that.  Yum, I want that, but maybe I shouldn't because it is not a healthy choice.  

I have some healthy choice, quick to go snacks that are around 100 calories for you.  Check out the list below for a yummy treat! 

2/3 oz dark chocolate
2 cups (chopped) red peppers
1/2 cup edamame
2 Tbsp hummus with about 11 baby carrots
1 slice turkey breast with 1 slice Swiss cheese
15 red raspberries
2 Tbsp guacamole with 5 chips
1 medium (sliced) apple
2 1/2 cups watermelon
1 Tbsp peanut butter with 1 medium celery stick
1 1/2 oz part skim mozzarella & tomato slice
14 whole almonds
3 cups (popped) popcorn 
3 clementine oranges
1 cup (chopped) mango

 

PORTION SIZES

Remember when you eat your meals, it is ALWAYS about portion sizes and eating in moderation.  A helpful tip is to eat like 5-6 small meals each day instead of 3 big meals.  This diagram is a great help to assist you on portion sizes.  It is ALWAYS about eat your veggies, because they are good for you! So this saying is correct because MOST of your plate should be veggies.........

1/2 veggies, 1/4 protein, & 1/4 starch

 

CROCK POT TURKEY CHILI

Ingredients: 
2 medium onions, chopped
4 cloves garlic, minced
2 green bell peppers, chopped 
2 pounds lean ground turkey
2 (14 oz) cans pinto beans, drained (or cayenne beans)
1 (14 oz) can diced tomatoes, drained 
1 Tbsp dried oregano 
2 tsp cayenne pepper
1 tsp ground black pepper
2 tsp cumin
1 tsp salt
1 cup fat free, low sodium chicken broth
Optional toppings: 1 cup fat free sour cream or Greek yogurt, 1 cup non-fat cheddar cheese, grated, 2 Tbsp green onions, thinly sliced, or avocados, sliced or chunk.

Directions:
1) In large skillet, saute onions, garlic and bell peppers until soft.  
2) Brown the ground turkey and drain.
3) Transfer meat, cooked veggies, and canned veggies to the slow cooker crock pot.
4) Add oregano, cumin, cayenne pepper, black pepper, salt, and broth.  
5) Stir thoroughly.
6) Cover and cook on LOW for 7 hours or HIGH for 4 hours.  
7) Serve with a garnish of sour cream, cheddar cheese, and green onions. 
8) ENJOY! 

This recipe is really good chili too! My family loves it with crackers too!

SESAME CHICKEN WITH BROCCOLI AND BROWN RICE

Here is a delicious healthy, clean recipe that my family just loves to cook and eat!  It is a crock pot recipe too!  If you love Chinese take out then this is for you.  In my opinion, it is MUCH better than real Chinese take out.

Prep time: 10 minutes / Cook time: 4 or more hours

Ingredients: 
6 chicken breasts or tenderloins
1/2 onion, finely chopped
2 cloves of garlic, minced
1/2 cup honey
1/2 cup low sodium soy sauce
4 Tbsp tomato puree or paste
2 tsp sesame oil
3 tsp cornstarch
1/4 cup water
2 cups broccoli florets (chopped into bite-sized pieces)
Brown rice/quinoa
Optional: Toasted sesame seeds to sprinkle on top (we used sunflower seeds and still delicious)

Steps:
1) Place chicken breasts in the crock pot / slow cooker.
2) Combine onion, garlic, honey, soy sauce, tomato paste, and oil in a bowl, and pour over the chicken.
3) Cook on LOW for at least 4 hours (or 6 hours), turning occasionally to ensure breasts cook evenly.
4) 20 minutes before you want to serve, prepare rice/quinoa and remove the chicken from crock pot.
5) Combine cornstarch and water in a cup or small bowl, and add it to the remaining sauce in crock pot, turning the temperature to HIGH to allow sauce to thicken.  While it thickens up, shred the chicken with a fork in a separate bowl.
6) Add the shredded chicken back to the thickening sauce, turning the mixture occasionally.
7) In a skillet or frying pan, heat 1 tsp. sesame oil over medium high heat.  Stir fry the broccoli pieces until they turn a fresh rich green color.

Lay the broccoli over the rice/quinoa, and top with the chicken mixture.  Sprinkle with the sesame seeds.

Enjoy your meal!! 

 

FUN, QUICK WORKOUT

I have a fun, quick workout for anyone that doesn't have a lot of time due to busy schedules, like work, kids, etc.  It takes like 15 minutes and really works all parts of your body and muscles.  

It is a countdown of exercises from 100 count down to zero (all counting backwards by tens).  When I have a busy schedule this is my go to workout, along with either a walk or bike ride with my kids. 

 

REMEMBER NO MATTER WHAT KEEP PUSHING YOURSELF, DON'T QUIT!! YOU CAN DO IT!! 

HEALTHY EATING PROPORTIONS

When you want to start eating healthier, it is the best feeling and you feel great all over about what you put into your body! This is a diagram about portion sizes and it is a great guideline to follow.  Remember healthy eating is all about eating in moderation!  So why don't you join me and start the healthy eating path.  Come on and let's go......

"Chomp" into Healthy Eating!! I wanted to create this healthy eating blog to share with others about healthy eating, some healthy tips on diet and exercise, and eating clean.  I will be sharing some favorite recipes & pictures too.  My family and I (me, my husband and two sons) have been eating healthy and clean since fall 2013 and we feel great.  We started off slowly and each time we kept adding new things to our meals and fitness program to have a wider range of items we like to eat and staying fit.  The first thing is never consider yourself a failure.  Always think positive "you can do it!" and you will be successful. 

Healthy Eating Is Delicious & Fun!!!