New Years Drinks: Pomegranate and Prosecco Spritzer

Pomegranate and Prosecco Spritzer

Prep time: 10 mins
Total time: 10 mins

Author: Beachbody
Serves: 1 serving

Ingredients:
1½ fl. oz. unsweetened pomegranate (or cranberry) juice, chilled
4 fl. oz. prosecco, chilled
Fresh pomegranate seeds (arils) (for garnish; optional)

Instructions:
Place pomegranate juice and prosecco in a champagne flute; mix gently to blend.
Garnish drink with pomegranate seeds if desired.

Nutritional Information (per serving):
Calories: 95
Total Fat: 0 g
Saturated Fat: 0 g
Cholesterol: 0 mg
Sodium: 9 mg
Carbohydrates: 6 g
Fiber: o g
Sugars: 5 g
Protein: 0 g

Containers: 1 Yellow

New Years Recipes: Lime Ginger Fizz

Lime Ginger Fizz

Prep time: 10 mins
Total time: 10 mins

Author: Beachbody
Serves: 1 serving

Ingredients:
2 fl. oz. fresh lime juice, chilled
1 fl. oz. Honey Ginger Simple Syrup, chilled
4 fl. oz. prosecco, chilled
1 thin slice lime (for garnish; optional)

Instructions:
Place lime juice, simple syrup, and prosecco in a champagne flute; mix gently to blend.
Garnish drink with lime slice, if desired.

Nutritional Information (per serving):
Calories: 126
Total Fat: 0 g
Saturated Fat: 0 g
Cholesterol: 0 mg
Sodium: 8 mg
Carbohydrates: 17 g
Fiber: 0 g
Sugars: 10 g
Protein: 0 g

New Years Drink Recipes: Fruity Champagne Punch

Fruity Champagne Punch

Prep time: 10 mins
Total time: 10 mins

Author: Beachbody
Serves: 10 servings, approx. 6 fl. oz. each

Ingredients:
Ice
1 (750 ml) bottle brut champagne, chilled
1½ fl. oz. brandy
1½ fl. oz. Cointreau
1 (1 liter) bottle soda water
¼ medium pineapple, skin and core removed, cut into slices
1 medium orange, cut in half, cut into thin slices
¼ cup fresh mint leaves (for garnish)

Instructions:
Place ice in a large punch bowl.
Add champagne, brandy, Cointreau, and soda water; mix well.
Add pineapple and orange; mix gently to blend.
Serve punch in champagne flutes (or punch glasses); garnish with mint leaves.

Nutritional Information (per serving):
Calories: 91
Total Fat: 0 g
Saturated Fat: 0 g
Cholesterol: 0 mg
Sodium: 22 mg
Carbohydrates: 6 g
Fiber: 1 g
Sugars: 9 g
Protein: 0 g

Containers: 1 Yellow

21 Day Fix Approved New Years Drinks - Savory Michelada

Wit new years coming up, I will be posting some awesome 21 day fix approved drinks.  Here is he first:  Savory Michelada:

Savory Michelada Cocktail

 

Prep time

4 hours 10 mins

Total time

4 hours 10 mins

 

Author: Beachbody

Serves: 8 servings, approx. 8 fl. oz. each

Ingredients

• 1 medium red bell pepper, cut into thin slices (reserve 4 slices for garnish)
• 1 medium yellow bell pepper, cut into thin slices (reserve 4 slices for garnish)
• 12 fl. oz. fresh lime juice
• ¼ cup all-natural steak sauce
• ½ tsp. ground black pepper
• Sea salt (or Himalayan salt) (to taste; optional)
• 40 fl. oz. lager beer (like Pacifico)
• 1 lime, thinly sliced

Instructions

1. Place bell peppers and lime juice in a large pitcher; muddle until well mixed.
2. Add steak sauce, pepper, and salt (if desired); mix well. Refrigerate, covered, for 4 hours, or overnight.
3. Add lime juice mixture evenly to each of eight highball glasses; top slowly and evenly beer; mix gently to blend.
4. Garnish each drink with half slice each of red and yellow bell peppers and a lime slice.

Nutritional Information (per serving):
Calories: 98
Total Fat: 0 g
Saturated Fat: 0 g
Cholesterol: 0 mg
Sodium: 154 mg
Carbohydrates: 14 g
Fiber: 1 g
Sugars: 3 g
Protein: 1 g

New Years Recipes: Red Wine Ginger & Berry Cocktail

New Year's Recipe #3:

Red Wine, Ginger, and Berry Cocktail

Prep time: 3 hours 10 mins
Total time: 3 hours 10 mins

Author: Beachbody
Serves: 12 servings, approx. 6 fl. oz. each

Ingredients:
1 (750 ml bottle) fruity red wine
4 fl. oz. citrus flavored vodka
6 fl. oz. unsweetened pomegranate juice
2 fl. oz. blackberry liqueur
1 cup Honey Ginger Simple Syrup
Sliced Strawberries (for garnish; optional)
Blackberries (for garnish; optional)
Raspberries (for garnish; optional)
28 fl. oz. soda water
24 Mixed Berry Ice Cubes

Instructions:
Combine wine, vodka, pomegranate juice, liqueur, and simple syrup in a large pitcher; mix well. Refrigerate for 2 to 3 hours, or until chilled.
Place a slice of strawberry, a blackberry, and a raspberry on a toothpick. Repeat so that you have 12 garnished toothpicks. Set aside.
Slowly add soda water to wine mixture; mix well.
Place 2 ice cubes in a serving glass; top with cocktail and a garnished toothpick. Serve immediately.

Nutritional Information (per serving):
Calories: 156
Total Fat: 0 g
Saturated Fat: 0 g
Cholesterol: 0 mg
Sodium: 17 mg
Carbohydrates: 21 g
Fiber: 2 g
Sugars: 17 g

Containers: 1 ½ Yellow

21 Day Fix Pumpkin Cheesecake

One of my favorite things about this time of year is pumpkin cheesecake!!  I do not however love the calories and ingredients.  Here is a cleaned up, 21 day fix approved version:

21 Day Fix Pumpkin Cheesecake:

Ingredients:

2 cups cottage cheese (2%)
1/2 cup nonfat greek yogurt
1/2 cup pumpkin puree
2 eggs
3 Tbsp. almond flour
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. pumpkin pie spice
1 tsp. stevia
1 Tbsp. maple syrup
Zest of orange (or lemon)

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350. Spray 7-8" pie pan with coconut oil spray.
2. In a blender, blend cottage cheese until smooth. Once smooth add the remaining ingredients and blend all together until smooth.
3. Put ingredients in pie pan. You can make a swirl with the cinnamon in the pie if desired.
4. Bake for 30-35 minutes until the edges are pulling away from the pan.
5. Refrigerate for a couple of hours or overnight.
6. Top with your favorite toppings.

Top 7 Foods to Feed Your Children

Have you ever wondered what foods you should feed your children to promote healthy eating and weight management?

Here is a list of the top 7 healthiest foods to feed your children and why:
1. Oatmeal (old fashioned or steel cut): A fabulous breakfast food, full of B vitamins, iron, zinc and calcium. Old-fashioned oatmeal offers plenty of carbohydrates for quick energy and high fiber. Add berries, walnuts and stevia to make it a delicious perfect food for those fast-paced school day mornings!

2. Yogurt: Kick your child's dairy consumption up a notch and include yogurt on the menu. A great source of calcium, yogurt is easier to digest than regular milk, and the cultures (check the label to make sure they're in there!) are very beneficial to good colon health. Watch it on the sugar content though. A great idea is to buy plain yogurt and sweeten it yourself with fresh fruit or stevia!

3. Broccoli: it is one of the best vegetables for anyone, especially growing children. It has loads of calcium, potassium, beta-carotene and a wide variety of the B vitamins. If your child is not a fan of plain vegetables include broccoli in a casserole or put a little shredded cheese on top to add flavor.

4. Protein: One size does not fit all when it comes to protein. The fact is that growing children need protein to keep growing. How you choose to give it to them can vary widely, according to your preferences. Good choices include legumes, beans (combined with a grain to make a complete protein), soy products like tofu, eggs or lean meat, fish or poultry. Turkey is an excellent replacement for ground beef.

5. Whole Grains: The best nutrition is found in whole grains. Brown rice and whole wheat bread are a quantum leap over their white counterparts and offer necessary fiber, minerals and vitamins. Choose grain products with the words whole, unbleached, and intact or ground. Watch for added sugar in whole grains. If you can find sprouted grain that is even better.

6. Nut Butters (all natural): Peanut butter and other nut butters are great, fast and easy foods for children. Kids need fat (it's a good fat if it doesn't have hydrogenated oils mixed in it) and they need the protein. Try spreading almond or sunflower seed butter on crackers, toast or celery sticks for a quick and nutritious snack. (By all natural: no sugar added.)

7. Fresh Fruit: My personal choice would be cantaloupe in the melon department. Vitamin C, beta-carotene, bits and pieces of B vitamins and trace minerals and calcium fill every juicy bite. Any in season fresh fruit is sure to be packed with healthy goodness! Berries are also an excellent choice!

Starting your children on a healthy eating journey as early as possible is crucial to helping them learn to be healthy adults and prevent weight problems throughout their lives.

21 Day Fix Spaghetti Squash Lasagna

Love lasagna but looking for a cleaner, lighter version? This 21 day fix approved recipe is amazing!

Ingredients:

olive oil cooking spray [I use my EVOO]
1 lb of spicy Italian turkey sausage, casings removed
1/4 onion, diced
2 cloves of garlic, minced
1 1/4 cup of ricotta cheese
1 egg
1 1/2 cups of homemade tomato sauce
1 cooked spaghetti squash (about 4 cups of squash)
2/3 cup of mozzarella cheese
1 T parmesan cheese
fresh basil
salt and pepper

Instructions:

1. Spray a pan with olive oil cooking spray, saute onion until soft. Add turkey sausage and brown until cooked through. Add garlic and cook for an additional minute. Remove from heat.
2. Discard seeds from the squash and use a fork to remove your "spaghetti." To remove excess moisture from the squash, place it in a clean kitchen towel and give it a squeeze. Then season the squash with a little salt and pepper.
3. Stir an egg, parmesan cheese, and a sprinkle of pepper into the ricotta.
4. Preheat your oven to 375. Spray a casserole dish with a olive oil cooking spray and begin the layering process.
5. First, spoon about half of your sauce on the bottom of the casserole dish.
6. Next, add the cooked sausage. Layer spaghetti squash over the sausage then add the rest of the sauce and some fresh chopped basil.
7. Finally, top sauce with the ricotta cheese mixture and then add the shredded mozzarella.
8. Bake until cheese is melty and bubbly - about 15-20 mins. To brown the cheese, broil on low for 5-10 minutes at the end, but watch carefully. It sneaks up on you!
9. Remove from oven and let sit for a few minutes. If there is excess water at the bottom of your pan, you can carefully try to drain it out from the corner of the pan or serve with a slotted spoon.
10. Garnish with fresh basil before serving!

21 Day Fix Container Count: 1-1/2 RED, 1/2 BLUE, 1-1/4 GREEN

Love Snickerdoodles??? This is for You!

Who else LOVES snickerdoodles?? Here is an awesome recipe:

This Snickerdoodle Shakeology recipe turns everything we love about these treats into a healthy smoothie that we can drink throughout the holiday season.

Author: Beachbody

Serves: 1 smoothie

Ingredients:

1 cup unsweetened almond milk

1 cup ice

1 scoop Vanilla Shakeology

1 tsp. ground cinnamon

1 tsp. pure maple syrup

1 tsp. pure vanilla extract

Instructions:

Place almond milk, ice, Shakeology, cinnamon, maple syrup, and extract in blender; cover. Blend until smooth. Enjoy!

Hazelnut Coffee Cookies

Ingredients:

1 cup all-natural hazelnut butter
1 tsp. pure coffee extract
1 cup quick-cooking rolled oats
½ cup raw honey
1 cup Café Latte Shakeology

Note: If you can’t find hazelnut butter, you can make your own at home. If you can find hazelnuts with the skins removed, that will save you a step. We love this recipe from the Minimalist Baker; you can leave out the cinnamon in her recipe if it’s not your speed.

Instructions:
Combine all ingredients in a medium bowl; mix well with a spatula or clean hands.
Roll mixture into twenty four balls, each about 1-inch in size.
Flatten each slightly so that it is shaped like a traditional cookie.
Refrigerate for at least one hour before serving.

Nutritional Information (per serving):

Calories: 110
Total Fat: 6 g
Saturated Fat: 0 g
Cholesterol: 1 mg
Sodium: 21 mg
Carbohydrates: 12 g
Fiber: 2 g
Sugars: 6 g
Protein: 4 g

Containers: 1 Yellow; 1 tsp.

Chocolate Peppermint Cookies

Ingredients:

1 cup all-natural cashew (or almond) butter
1 tsp. pure peppermint extract
1 cup quick-cooking rolled oats
½ cup raw honey
1 cup Chocolate Shakeology

Instructions:
Combine all ingredients in a medium bowl; mix well with a spatula or clean hands.
Roll mixture into twenty four balls, each about 1-inch in size.
Flatten each slightly so that it is shaped like a traditional cookie.
Refrigerate for at least one hour before serving.
Nutritional Information (per serving):

Calories: 81
Total Fat: 3 g
Saturated Fat: 1 g
Cholesterol: 0 mg
Sodium: 37 mg
Carbohydrates: 11 g
Fiber: 1 g
Sugars: 6 g
Protein: 3 g

Containers: 1 Yellow

Chocolate, Almond & Oatmeal Cookies

Ingredients:

1 cup all-natural almond butter
1 tsp. pure almond extract
1 cup quick-cooking rolled oats
½ cup raw honey
1 cup Chocolate Shakeology
2 Tbsp. unsweetened shredded coconut

Instructions:
Combine all ingredients in a medium bowl; mix well with a spatula or clean hands.
Roll mixture into twenty four balls, each about 1-inch in size.
Flatten each slightly so that it is shaped like a traditional cookie.
Refrigerate for at least one hour before serving.
Nutritional Information (per serving):

Calories: 118
Total Fat: 7 g
Saturated Fat: 1 g
Cholesterol: 0 mg
Sodium: 41 mg
Carbohydrates: 12 g
Fiber: 2 g
Sugars: 7 g
Protein: 5 g

Containers:1 Yellow; 1 tsp.

Pistachio Orange Cranberry Cookies:

Pistachio Orange Cranberry Cookies:

Ingredients:

• 1 cup all-natural pistachio butter
• ½ tsp. pure orange extract (or 1 Tbsp. finely grated orange peel (orange zest))
• 1 cup quick-cooking rolled oats
• ½ cup raw honey
• 1 cup Vanilla Shakeology
• 2 Tbsp. chopped unsweetened dried cranberries

Note: If you can’t find pistachio butter, you can make your own in very easily by placing one cup of shelled raw pistachios, ½ tsp. sea salt (or Himalayan salt), and 1 Tbsp. flaxseed oil in a food processor or high-speed blender. Blend until nuts are ground into butter, stopping to scrape down the sides two to three times.

Nutritional Information (per serving):

Calories: 83
Total Fat: 3 g
Saturated Fat: 0 g
Cholesterol: 1 mg
Sodium: 70 mg
Carbohydrates: 11 g
Fiber: 1 g
Sugars: 7 g
Protein: 3 g

Containers

1 Yellow

Almond & Apricot Thumbprint Cookies

Yummy, no bake recipe:

Ingredients:

• 1 cup all-natural almond butter
• 1 tsp. pure almond extract
• 1 cup quick-cooking rolled oats
• ½ cup raw honey
• 1 cup Vanilla Shakeology
• 24 dried apricot halves

Note: After you flatten the cookies on a baking sheet, made an indent in the middle of each of the cookies. Place the one dried apricot in the center of each cookie before cooling in the refrigerator.

Nutritional Information (per serving):

Calories: 120
Total Fat: 6 g
Saturated Fat: 1 g
Cholesterol: 1 mg
Sodium: 46 mg
Carbohydrates: 14 g
Fiber: 2 g
Sugars: 9 g
Protein: 5 g

Containers

1 Yellow1 tsp.

No Bake Nutty Shakeology Cookies

How to Make No-Bake Shakeology Cookies

Shakeology Nutty No-Bake Cookies

 

 

Author: Beachbody

Recipe type: Dessert

Serves: 24 servings, 1 cookie

Ingredients

• 1 cup all-natural almond butter
• 1 tsp. pure almond extract
• 1 cup quick-cooking rolled oats
• ½ cup raw honey
• 1 cup Chocolate Shakeology

Instructions

1. Combine almond butter, extract, oats, honey, and Shakeology in a medium bowl; mix well with a spatula or clean hands.
2. Roll mixture into twenty four balls, each about 1-inch in size.
3. Flatten each slightly so that it is shaped like a traditional cookie.
4. Refrigerate for at least one hour before serving.

Nutritional Information (per serving):

Calories: 116
Total Fat: 6 g
Saturated Fat: 0 g
Cholesterol: 0 mg
Sodium: 17 mg
Carbohydrates: 12 g
Fiber: 2 g
Sugars: 7 g
Protein: 5 g

Containers

½ Yellow
2 tsp.

Restaurant Panic? These Tips Will Help You Stay on Plan

Healthy Restaurant Eating

Tips:

These are the tips and tricks that have helped me along the way so that I could survive and enjoy going out to a restaurant:

1. Don’t go Starving: If it can at all be avoided, do not go when you are famished. When you are extremely hungry, your stomach is growling and you feel like you are going to get sick, all bets are off and you are going to eat whatever the heck you want and have regret about it later.

2. The Bread, Chips and Biscuits are NOT your friends: Before you eat, filling up on bread is not going to help. One breadstick at the Olive Garden is 140 calories and you never eat just one. Those biscuits at Red Lobster are 160 and tons of fat. Skip them and ask the waiter not to bring them or take them away.

3. Obey the DDP: One of the greatest things I learned from is DDP. Dip Don’t Pour. Take the tines of your fork and dip them into the dressing, then your salad. You will get just enough flavor and will use less. Typically restaurants will give you a double serving of dressing. You don’t need it. Always, always ask to have dressing on the side. Never let them put it on for you. This has done WONDERS for me.  You will be shocked at how much less dressing you use.

4. Always ask the waitress: Don’t be afraid to ask how something is prepared. If they tell you it’s tossed in oil and salted ask them to grill it and don’t put any salt on it. They will do it. If you see veggies on the menu, even if it says steamed ask if they are salted. Put all your sauces on the side. If they can’t do it, I highly suggest ordering something else. Remember too much salt makes you retain water and swell and restaurants usually COAT things in sugar.

Hope these tips make eating out a little easier for you.  Cheers!