recipe thursday: peach protein smoothie

It all started when I saw this box of beautiful, succulent, juicy Ontario peaches at Costco.  Now, I'm an Ontario girl and I get excited when I see the produce come into the stores.  It throws me back to when I used to visit my grandparents' farm and go blueberry picking in the summer and then spend the afternoon making pies and tarts!  Memories...

It was so hot and humid in our tiny apartment in September, and these peaches were just crying out to be used for something delicious and healthy.  So...peach protein smoothie!  So creamy and smooth with just the right amount of sweetness from the peaches and protein powder.
 

Here's what you'll need:

1 large peach
1/2 cup unsweetened almond milk
1/4 cup cottage cheese
1 scoop vanilla protein powder
1/4 tsp vanilla extract
2-4 cups of ice (I used 2)

Here's how you'll make it:

1. Place all ingredients in high powered blender and blend!
2. Pour into 2 cups and enjoy!

My hubby and I enjoyed this several times over because it was a big box of peaches and a very hot and sticky September.  Now, I know that peaches are out of season, but this is just so good that I had to share...it would also probably work with frozen mango or peaches!

Blessings and Kisses!

recipe thursday: protein pumpkin cheesecake

This is seriously delicious and seriously high in protein!  I adapted this from a recipe for protein pumpkin bread.  I took out the sweetener because I didn't want any sugar in there and I had some super yummy calorie free pancake syrup in the fridge from Walden Farms, so I reasoned that if it turned out awful, I could just cover it in syrup!  

Well, after putting this in the fridge overnight, the texture and taste was just like pumpkin cheesecake - minus the graham cracker crust!

I will be making this recipe again and again! (In fact, I think I'm making it today!)

What you'll need:

1 can pure pumpkin (3.5 cups)
2 cups unsweetened vanilla almond milk
4 eggs
3/4 cup egg whites
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp ground ginger
8 tbsp or 4 scoops protein powder (I used vanilla)



What you'll do:

1. Whisk all ingredients together until thoroughly incorporated.
2. Pour into greased pie pans or loaf pans.  I used 1 loaf pan and 2 pie pans.  You want the liquid to be about 1.5 inches deep in the pan.
3. Bake in oven at 350 degrees C for 50 min or until a toothpick poked in the centre comes out clean.
4. Let cool on counter and pop in fridge to chill if you want the cheesecake effect or you can eat warm too.
5. Serve with syrup, whipped cream, berries, yogurt...let your cravings guide you!

As I finish writing this, I am already fed my breakfast of pumpkin pie oatmeal (see previous post), sipping on my black coffee, in my workout clothes, and so pumped about the day ahead!  Adam and Boone are sleeping soundly but soon they will be up and then we'll head out to meet the No Excuse Moms of Halifax for a morning workout - then suit shopping for Adam!  He's going to look so handsome for his med school interview!  When you look good, you just feel good, so we want him looking great and feeling oh so confident on the big day!

Blessings and Kisses!

recipe monday: pumpkin pie oatmeal

Full disclosure:  I totally took this recipe from the Instagram account of fit2fat2fitwife.  She is always coming up with tasty and healthy recipes so shout out to her! 

I've been kind of obsessed with healthy and protein-packed pumpkin recipes because it's October and all.  I had my first Pumpkin Spice Latte from Starbuck's and while it was good, I don't think it was worth the price tag.  Most times when I go out these day, I end up thinking to myself, "I could make better at home and save the difference!"  Soooooo, I have purchased many a can of pure pumpkin and gone to town experimenting with yummy recipes.  

I love this oatmeal!  It delicious, healthy, and so versatile as you can put in endless add-ins depending on your mood or goals (my fav is a scoop of vanilla protein powder).

 Here's what you'll need:

2 cups oatmeal (steel cut or old fashioned)
3 cups unsweetened almond milk (other milk works too)
1 1/2 cup water
2 tsp vanilla extract
1 small (15 oz. can) pumpkin puree
1 tbsp chia seeds
1 1/2 tbsp pumpkin pie spice

Optional add-ins:
sweetener (1 cup Truvia, Stevia, etc.)
nuts
apples
protein powder (my fav)
butter
brown sugar
 

 Here's how to make it:

1. Place all ingredients into crockpot and whisk until mixed.
2. Cook on low for 3-6 hours, depending on your desired consistency of oatmeal. (I did my last batch for only 3 hours and it turned out just perfect for me!)
3. Let cool and enjoy!
4. Place left-overs in fridge and you'll have enough for breakfasts for a week!

Since I try to get a serving of protein into every one of my 5 meals of the day, I put a scoop of protein powder on top of my oatmeal, a little water, and mix - then heat in microwave and top with a few berries!

Hope you enjoy!  What are some of your favourite fall recipes?!

Goal pants

shirt Old Navy/ necklace Forever 21/ watch Guess/ pants Club Monaco/ shoes Target

 

 

 

 

 

 

Victory!  I am into my goal pants.  I have had these beautiful Club Monaco stretchy, skinny black pants hanging in my closet and waiting for my body to get svelte again for almost 2 years!

I originally purchased these pants about 2 summers ago while I was completing my Basic Officer's training in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu.  Montreal is close by, so I shopped until I dropped!  Because the pace and intensity of basic training is so, well intense, I was tiny!  When I tried on these pants for the first time in the store, I felt like a hybrid supermodel/rockstar (basic training is also good for confidence).  They have these sweet zippers on the front lined in leather and make my legs look long and lean.  Naturally, I bought them.

Soon after basic training, I got back into school and gained weight and I actually split these pants in the bum!  Fortunately, I had a talented tailor repair them because I just knew that one day, I'd be back in them!

Fast forward to today, pregnancy and 3 months post partum, and the goal pants are back on!  I felt so good zipping these up that I paired them with these killer heels from Target.  I call them killer because while they look fierce, they also kill my feet.  Oh well, we were sitting a lot because we went to the Strollers and Stars show at Cineplex cinema where they welcome parents and their littles.  Adam and I love this weekly show because we love going to the movies and are so glad that we can still do this with Boone!  Notice, Boone is wearing his first pair of shoes too!!

Clearly, T25 Focus and my diet are working!  I will be posting my final results pics soon as the final two days of my 6 week challenge are here!  And I will be celebrating with an awesome reward meal...I'm thinking burger and ice cream...

What are your goal pants?  Maybe goal dress?  And how do they make you feel?

Healthy and fit on route 66

blueberries/Quest bar/whey protein powder/almonds

 Don't you just love the title of this blog post?  My hubby's idea.  He is such a weaver of words, a wordsmith if you will.  English degree going to work.

Anywho, we are about to leave for our end-of-summer vacation - a mixed bag of emotions, a little bit of sadness and a little bit of excitement.  We will be driving to New Brunswick to spend some wonderful family time with Adam's famjam and then to Prince Edward Island to enjoy a weekend at a picturesque hotel, Dalvay by the Sea.

I am trying to eat really clean because I am currently in the middle of my FOCUS T25 challenge.  I am starting to see some results and I don't want to derail my progress.  Well, if 6-pack abs start in the kitchen, then healthy snacks are a must and preparation is key!  It would be all too easy to stop at gas stations along the road and grab a yummy slurpee and a bag of chips (what cheat days are for).  

What I'm packing:

1. Whey protein powder - hubby just got me this cute shaker cup with a removable powder compartment, it's genius!  There are no blenders in our car so I can load a scoop of the powder into the bottom of this cup and wait until I'm ready to mix it with some water.  We buy whey protein isolate from Costco, by the way. 
2. Quest bars - these are sooooo yummy.  High protein, low carb, high fibre, and come in many delicious flavours!  I feel like I'm treating myself when I eat these and I constantly have one in my diaper bag for when I'm out and about and can't find a healthy snack.  The combination of protein and fibre is very filling and keeps me satisfied for a while.
3. Blueberries - delicious and nutritious, enough said.
4. Almonds - a handful of raw nuts is a wonderful source of healthy fat and fibre which satisfies my hunger pangs.  Note they are raw nuts, not roasted, not salted, not toffee covered.

   

   Quest bars (prego belly)

Of course, I'm also packing a big cup of water filled with lots of ice and lemon slices.

Now I'm set for the trip and will arrive at our destination feeling satisfied and happy that I stuck with my diet.  Good start to what will no doubt be an awesome family vacation.

What do you pack for snacks during long car rides?
 

Training plan: 2 week progress

calendar included with FOCUS T25 system

all sweaty after Lower Focus

Boone fell asleep watching me.  Notice beautiful baby folds - 100% breast milk baby!

 Looking at my stats from the first week, my weight hasn't changed at all, but my chest has shrunk and my waist has grown!  Not a flattering result.  I can only conclude that this is because I breast fed just prior to measuring and maybe I'm a little bloated from all the sodium in the turkey bacon I consumed yesterday!  (Turkey bacon makes a yummy salad topping by the way).  However, I am feeling great, my cardio endurance has improved, and I'm feeling more like my pre-pregnancy self in terms of energy and "get-up-an-go"!

This entire process also reinforces something I have known about myself for awhile, I thrive on structure and routine.  Having the visual reminder of the calendar on my fridge and checking off each workout every day motivates me.  Also, as soon as I jump out of bed in the morning, I get into my workout clothes, then I know that I have to complete my workout before I get out of the house for the day!

As far as my diet goes, I just started reading Chris Powell's Choose More, Lose More for Life.  The concept of carb-cycling is explained and I've started to dabble in it...we will see.

Training Plan: Day 4

Ab Intervals today.  My abs are so weak after Boone!  I used to pride myself on my strong core but once again, I had to modify every exercise.  But I am so proud of myself for working out 4 days in a row when my little man is only 8 weeks old (big thank you to my hubby)!  Boone watched me do the whole 25 minute DVD from his swing today - he seemed quite entertained.  And working out regularly makes mommy feel so gooood!

cover of US magazine

 I found my inspiration photo!  Jenna Dewan-Tatum in this photo taken 8 months (I think) after having her little girl.  Doesn't she look great?!  Of course, photo shop and good lighting help a lot I'm sure, but look at that definition!  At the end of this 5 week FOCUS T25 challenge, I'm going to post my before and after photo and try to recreate this look for fun.

Jenna's sample menu from US magazine

 I am actually eating very similarly to Jenna's sample diet from the mag.  However, Adam and I have decided to make Fridays our "cheat" days and so we are planning on pizza and ice cream tomorrow evening!  So excited!  Anyway, I'm feeling great and I believe that my body is changing - at least, I feel like I have more energy lately (although that could be because Boone has started sleeping through the night with just a little side-lying nursing in there)!  Good night beautiful people!