Quinoa Pancake

This week I decided to play around in the kitchen and make something for breakfast with quinoa. Quinoa has such an interesting texture to me and I thought something warm and creamy, almost like oatmeal would be delicious.
Here is how I made cinnamon/maple quinoa:

1. Put 1 cup of quinoa in a medium sized pot
2. Add 2 cups water
3. 3 tsp cinnamon
4. 1/3 cup sugar free syrup
5. Cook covered on stove until quinoa is fully cooked
6. Add 1 cup unsweetened almond milk and 2 packets stevia
7. Let simmer for 5 min

When you put the quinoa in a storage container it may absorb any leftover liquid so before reheating add desired amount of water or almond milk and heat in the microwave. Makes for a great switch up with oat meal!

This morning I decided after my run that a protein pancake would make for a great breakfast and I decided to incorporate the cinnamon/maple quinoa. Here is what I did:

1. Put 1/4 cup cin/maple quinoa into a bowl
2. Add 3 egg whites 
3. Mix together until the quinoa is thoroughly covered
4. Spray a large pan with cooking spray
5. Pour the mixture into the pan and cook on medium heat
6. Cook until you are able to flip the pancake

I topped mine with some all natural peanut butter and sprinkled some cinnamon on top. This was a really good and filling breakfast!

I hope you are all enjoying your weekend!

XOXO,

E

Weekend Round-up

As many of you may have seen on my Facebook, I started my weekend off by getting up early Saturday to attend my friend, James, celebration of life ceremony. James passed away on July 11th from a drug overdose. James was only 22 years-old. He was kind, loving and had the warmest heart. We are all faced with challenges. Some greater than others. James wasn't able to escape his challenge and is now looking down on all of us. His death really made me think about how blessed I am. Life is too precious. Sometimes I get too caught up in material things and take what I do have for granted. I am really going to try to stop doing that and be happy with what blessings I have. I am also going to take every challenge I am faced with head on because I know it will get better.

James' family is asking for donations to the organization, Teen Challenge of Arizona. This organization helps people struggling with addiction. I would really appreciate it if all you wonderful people could help out with a donation. Click here and then click on the upper right hand link that says "Donate". From there you can select one time donation. There are several selections for what you want to donate for. Select general and where it says other please type James Allen.

After we got done with the ceremony we went to the Ranch Market located right up the street from the church. Lately, we have been on a really tight budget so we have had to get creative with shopping and what we make for dinners. I remembered the market from when my mom used to take me there so I suggested we stop by to check out the prices. Man, was I pleased! We got a great haul of produce: 2 bunches of asparagus, 2 cucumbers, romaine lettuce, 6 bell peppers, 4 zuchinnis, sweet potatoes etc. and only spent $11! I was so happy! I love getting great deals on healthy food because I often times find myself frustrated with how much we spend on groceries. I encourage you all to search for local Ranch Markets or Farmers Markets in you area. Not only is is usually locally grown, which helps the community but the prices are great compared to grocery stores.

$11 whoo-hoo!

After we got done shopping we headed home and I made the most delicious dip. I am calling it "Not-So Clean Pumpkin Dip". It is not a clean recipe but it is delicious and a "healthier" sweet option. We used cinnamon sugar pita chips to dip but you can also use apples or low-fat graham crackers.

Here in Arizona, it is the start of Monsoon season. It will be 110 all day but then it will suddenly get dark, rainy and we will have crazy dust storms.  These dust storms are so crazy they even have a special name, Haboob. Yes, Haboob! Am I the only one who finds this funny...? Well, Robbie and I got stuck in the middle of a dust storm on our way home from our run. I almost blew away! I also eat plenty of dirt...yuck!

After eating some dirt, Robbie made us this fabulous salad for dinner! YUM!

On the weekend, especially Sundays, I like to make yummy breakfasts (breakfast is my favorite meal of the day) that are still relatively healthy. So today I made french toast with Ezekial bread topped with strawberries and of course the amazing pumpkin dip! Mmmm it was so good! I felt like we went out for a fancy breakfast it was so good. So of course, that started my day of just right!

What did you guys do this weekend? Did you make any healthier sweet treats? What were your work-outs like? Would you be interested in knowing the killer circuit work-out I did at the park before I got blown away? haha. I'd love to know!


XOXO,
E

PS are you following me on twitter or instagram? @determined2bfit : )

Japanese Chicken Soup

You may have noticed a lot of soup/chili options on my blog. I often get creative in the kitchen in this area because it is fairly cheap to make a soup and when you are on a budget like Robbie and I are, we can eat it all week. Last week I made one of our favorite soups: my mom's Japanese chicken soup recipe. I revamped it a bit replacing the white rice with brown and more veggies. It is really easy to make and although it is not really soup weather it works.

Ingredients:

• 8 cups water in a large pot
• 8 low sodium chicken bullioun cubes
• 2 cans of lower sodium creamed corn (you don't have to add this but I love the corn)
• 8 eggs whipped
• 2 bags of frozen asian stir-fry veggies
• 4 boiled and shredded chicken breasts
• 2 tsp pepper
• 1-2 cups brown rice (I like to make it on the side so I can add it to my lunches but I am still able to have the soup for dinner without the rice)

Directions:

• Put the water into the pot and put the burner on high
• Add the bullioun and pepper and allow the water to boil
• turn the burner down to a medium heat
• add the 2 cans of corn and the veggies to the water
• pour in the whipped eggs and as you do so stir the soup quickly with a fork so you don't get an omellete on the top layer!
• add the chicken to the soup
• Let simmer for 15-30min
• serve with rice or without and you can always add a little low sodium soy sauce : )

Protein Pancakes

Mmmm who doesn't love pancakes?! I am always begging Robbie for "brinner", you know breakfast for dinner. Seriously, I think about what I will have for breakfast right after dinner because it is my favorite meal of the day. So when I discovered protein pancakes I was in breakfast heaven! The best part is you can make them so many different ways. I am going to give you the "basic" protein pancake recipe. I feel that the proportions end up being different everytime I make them depending on how many I wish to make, how thick the batter turns out, ect. You really have to just play around with it until you get the right thickness.

Basic Ingredients:

• 1 cup oats
• 1/2 cup low-fat cottage cheese
• 2 egg whites
• Splash of unsweetened almond milk
• 1/2 tsp baking soda

Ingredients you can add to make them delicious:

• cinnamon to taste
• nutmeg
• pumpkin (1-2tbs)
• 1/2 banana
• protein powders (1 scoop)
• cocoa powder (1-2 tbs)
• stevia
• all natural peanut butter or almond butter
• blueberries (berries in general)
• pecans
• anything else healthy and delicious!

Toppings:

• berries/fruit (I love bananas or strawberries)
• jams
• sugar-free syrup
• nut butters

Directions for banana protein pancakes:
Combine into a food processor or blender:

• 1 cup oats
• 1/2 cup cottage cheese
• 1/2 a banana
• 2 tsp cinnamon
• unsweetened almond milk
• 1/2 tsp bakin soda

Blend until smooth. Spray a pan with cooking spray and put burner on medium heat. Pour the batter onto the pan. Wait until the pancake has bubbles all throughout before flipping. I topped mine with half a sliced banana and a little sugar free syrup.

Give Away Details

Ok Everyone it's give-away time!! Because of all your wonderful support I want to do something for you!

I constantly get asked what kind of supplements I take. I know it can get really confusing with so many brands out there. Personally, the brand I trust and love is one I have been working with for awhile, Nutrilite.

"The NUTRILITE® brand has been a global leader in nutrition for more than 75 years because all our NUTRILITE products are made from the highest quality ingredients and then subjected to painstaking research and unparalleled testing.

We use only sustainable, chemical-free farming methods on our own 6311 organic acres. We use natural, organic and highly purified vitamins and minerals to meet our exacting quality standards.

Rest assured, every ingredient used in a Nutrilite product undergoes extensive research, testing and formulating so the end result is a product guaranteed to meet the nutritional needs of people on their way to optimal health."- Nurtilite Website

Nutrilite's vitamins are 100% non-sythenic unlike many other vitamins out there. I have been using the multivitamin, vitamin C, Calcium and fish oil for about a year and have noticed a huge difference in my energy levels and just how I feel.

I don't know about you, but I think it is pretty important to trust what you are putting into your body on a daily basis.

Ok, now onto the giveaway:
I am giving away a 10-day supply of Nutritlites Double X Vitamins and a sample pack of Rhiodiola 110. Many of you may have seen Rhiodiola suggested in Muscle and Fitness HERS magazine. This stuff works and I love it! That is what I take as a pre-workout. It enhances my energy and focus without making me jittery unlike many drinks or pills out there.

Endorsed by Kurt Warner

How to enter:

It's simple. Go to my Facebook page and share it! After you have done that leave a comment on this blog post.

I will be randomly selecting a winner (or 2 winners I haven't decided yet) Monday night!

Xoxo,

E

500 "likes" and family dinner

Yay! I am so happy!
Reason #1: I am blogging. You may have seen on my facebook page that I have not been able to blog because my computer charger is broken. Although, I have not bought a new one yet (lady on a budget...ugh) I am using my inlaws laptop for a post.
Reason #2: I reached 500 "likes" on my page! I am so grateful that so many people are joining my page. I hope to help all of you with a recipe, workout tips or just daily motivation! I will be posting info about my promised give-away and how to enter this weekend.

This week has been great because I have been off from work which has helped me focus on getting into a good gym routine. I have been sore everyday and I LOVE it! Sometimes it is hard to find time to get to the gym when you have a crazy schedule, but I really feel like if you focus on getting into a routine it will begin to be apart of your everyday schedule.

Last weekend we had family dinner. When these happen you know there is going to be good great food! The menu included: pulled pork sandwhiches, 5 different types of BBQ sauce, grilled corn on the corn, cole slaw, potato salad...OK you get the idea! YUM!
I feel life is all about balance. Of course if you have a major goal coming up then yes, eat something else but if not eat some things but choose wisely!
I opted for the pulled pork but over a bed of spinach with a drizzle of BBQ sauce and some grilled corn (no butter of course). I stayed away from the buns, potato salad and the pasta salad.

Then there were these little babies for appetizers:

These strawberry cheesecakes are such a fun Summer idea! Just mix some low fat cream cheese with stevia and smoosh it all into a strawberry with the graham cracker crumbles on top. They are a low fat option but again, balance, not too many! : )

Am I the only one who LOVES weenies? haha ok, seriously! I have to stay away from them because I'll seriously put away 50 of them without even thinking about it!

Then there was dessert. I won't even bother posting a pic because I don't want you drooling on you keyboard but it was a orange creamsicle cake. Mmm talk about refreshing! I have no clue how I managed to only have 1 slice!!



I was so happy my niece Marlie and her mama were able to make it to dinner. Uncle "Wobbie" and Mar are best buds!



Oh Zipper and Zoe were feeling left out. They of course, were at family dinner too : )

Puppy Love <3



This week I have followed my clean eating plan consisting of 5-6 meals, drank my water and got my work outs in. The point is, find balance in your healthy life! Don't deprive yourself of a slice of cake or some BBQ at family dinner.

XOXO,

E

P.S. I will catch up with some recipe posts this week as well!