CRANBERRY PEAR SALAD

I think it is time for another eating clean delicious recipe for lunch or dinner time.  Cranberry Pear Salad is another one of my favorite salads.  So I am going to share the recipe with you.

Dressing:

(You can make your own or just use a favorite of yours.)
1/3 cup orange juice or apricot nectar
1/3 cup canola oil
2 tsp Dijon mustard
1/4 tsp salt
1/8 tsp pepper

Candied nuts:
2 Tbsp sugar
1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans

Salad: 
2 cups cubed cooked chicken (I use grilled chicken)
8 cups torn mixed salad grains
3 medium pears, chopped
1/2 cup dried cranberries 
3/4 cup crumbled blue cheese or feta cheese

For dressing, in a bowl, whisk together the first six ingredients; set aside.

For candied nuts, in a heavy skillet, melt sugar over medium heat, stirring constantly.  Add walnuts; stir to coat.  Remove from heat.

In a large salad bowl, combine greens, pears, and cranberries.  Drizzle with dressing. Add nuts and blue cheese; toss. 

Enjoy a yummy salad! 

EATING CLEAN

I just read a nice article about a young girl who was eating cleaning and it almost killed her.  I just want to put this straight. I eat clean but I don't obsessed over it.  My goal is to eat clean 80 / 20 of the time.  If you keep that in mind when you vacation or just at home then you should be alright.  That is the main goal as well as a start: 80% of the time eat clean.  If you have to go to the extreme of something it is really not worth it to jeopardize you own health.  

I like to eat clean 80 / 20 of the time, but I will eat clean more than 80% at times too.  But there are splurges I like to eat and I won't give up some of them.  I just exercise a little more when I indulge in these "sweets" and "goodies".  Also, I continue to raise an active, healthy family but don't want them to obsess over things too and go overboard.  

Here is the link to the article I read (and listened too):  

http://www.today.com/health/breaking-vegan-author-jordan-younger-confesses-dirty-secrets-clean-eating-t55086

A WORKOUT WITH A MIXTURE OF CARDIO, CORE, & STRENGTH

I just read a great article about wanting a trimmer waist.  You mainly have to do a combo of high intensity cardio, core, and strength exercises.  Here is the link to the article: 

https://blog.myfitnesspal.com/5-moves-for-a-trimmer-waist-without-a-single-sit-up/?user_id=58709581262397&alt_source=mfp&alt_medium=email&alt_campaign=workouts20151102&utm_source=mfp&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=workouts20151102&mkt_tok=3RkMMJWWfF9wsRolu63BZKXonjHpfsX67ukkUKS%2BlMI%2F0ER3fOvrPUfGjI4CTMZlI%2BSLDwEYGJlv6SgFSrTFMblm0LgLXhM%3D

Just recently I had got off track of my morning workout routine and decided to do them in the evening.  Boy was a WRONG! I just became more exhausted and could barely get them in or skipped all together.  Just last week I decided to make a CHANGE and get more on my morning routine because not only I get it over for the day, but it makes me feels so much better and ready for the day (especially taking care of two preschoolers).  Morning workout routine is also an time for me to unwind and relax before I start my day.  Of course it is ME time too for that half hour.  That's the BEST time and what I love to do as well.  

So everyone decide on a time to do your workout routine, rather morning, afternoon, or evening, and it will DEFINITELY make you feel good the rest of the day or evening.  

HAPPY WORKOUT!!! 

PINEAPPLE CHICKEN SALAD WRAPS

I have a very healthy, clean eating, and delicious lunch recipe for you.  It is one of my favorites! 

INGREDIENTS:

2 1/2 cups cooked chicken breast, chopped
8 oz can Dole Crushed Pineapple in 100% juice, drained
1/4 cup roasted, slivered almonds
1/2 cup carrots, shredded
1/4 cup green onions, finely chopped
1/4 cup light mayonnaise
1/4 cup plain fat free Greek yogurt (I used the vanilla kind though)
1 Tbsp lite soy sauce
1/2 tsp garlic powder 
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
4 whole wheat wraps or tortillas (or you can use pita bread or lettuce too)

DIRECTIONS:

1) In a medium sized bowl, combine chopped chicken, pineapple, almonds, carrots, and green onions.  Toss to continue.
2) In a separate bowl, combine light mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, soy sauce, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper.  Whisk ingredients together.
3) Transfer mayo mixture to chicken mixture and stir well to combine all ingredients  
4) Add equal parts of chicken salad, about 1/3 cup, to the center of each flatbread.  Using clean hands, roll and fold each wrap tightly.  Serve immediately or refrigerate.

If you are not a pineapple lover, you can also use apples and grapes in this recipe.

ENJOY!!

NOVEMBER HEALTHY WORKOUT CHALLENGE

For those of us that ate some of our children's Halloween goodies or just candy in general.  I admit it I did and now I will work in November to make those candy calories vanish.  Here are some fit and trim November workout challenge that I will be doing.  Enjoy and happy exercising!!