Super Bowl Recipes - Buffalo Balls

I LOVE Buffalo wings......but my hips do not!  But I seriously crave buffalo sauce.  I found a bunch of recipes on Pinterest for Buffalo chicken meatballs and I made a few adaptations.  I totally don't have time to make the meatballs ahead of time in the oven and THEN put them in the crock pot.  This seemed MUCH easier to me.  ;)

Buffalo Balls
40 Turkey Meatballs (I like Casa di Bertacchi)
1 bottle Buffalo Sauce

Spray the slow cooker with non-stick spray.  Add the meatballs and cover with buffalo sauce.  Cook on low for 4-6 hours or high for 2-3 hours until the meatballs are heated through.

Healthy Super Bowl Recipes - Layered Hummus Dip

I am trying to find healthier alternatives to the typical buffalo wings and taco dip that arrive at EVERY Super Bowl party I have ever attended.  And no doubt they will be there this year.....but I am trying to find some things that I can add to the spread that won't erase all of the hard work I have been putting in.  I have found some winners and I am going to be posting them this week.

Layered Hummus Dip
1 5oz box of tabbouleh (far east brand)
2 tbsp olive oil
1 cup diced cucumber
1 cup diced and seeded tomato
1/2 cup diced red peppers
1/4 cup diced greek banana peppers (optional)
1/4 cup diced scallions
2 tbsp lemon juice
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 c fresh parsley chopped
2 10oz containers of hummus ( I like the Sabra Brand)
8 oz crumbled feta cheese
Food should taste good tortilla chips

Make Tabbouleh according to the package directions.
Add olive oil, cucumber, tomato, peppers, scallions, lemon juice, salt and parsley and fluff with a fork.
Spread hummus into the bottom of a 9x13 dish, scatter half of the feta cheese on top.
Layer on Tabbouleh mixture and sprinkle remaining feta cheese on top and refrigerate.

P90X3 - Week 4 - Transition

This was my transition week between Blocks one and two of P90X3.  It was definitely a week for my body to recover and my muscles to stretch but I still worked and I would not call this a "rest" week.  My abs and back really felt it this week.  There was also the introduction of a new workout....pilates - which let me tell you, was a KILLER ab workout.  

Day 1- Isometrix- Strengthen your overall body.....just think holding a yoga pose for 45 seconds.

Day 2 - Dynamix- Improve your range of motion & stability to get the most out of every workout.

Day 3 - Accelerator - Fat-burning regime that increases your muscular efficiency & your cardiovascular health.
Day 4 - Pilates X- Bring power to your core & promote elasticity of your muscles.
Day 5 - Agility X - Aerobic & anaerobic techniques to help improve balance, flexibility, and strength.
Day 6 -X3 Yoga- Improve your overall stamina & balance.
Day 7 - Rest

I braved taking my progress photos and weighed in and I am seeing results.  I know I need to really dial in my nutrition for the next block....that was absolutely my downfall this block.  Down 4 pounds from day one and my clothes are fitting so much better!  Let me tell you, you can get a LOT accomplished in 30 minutes!  Block 2 here I come!!!!

Cauliflower Pizza Crust

Have you ever pinned a recipe and gone back to make it, only to find it was a HUGE FAIL??????  It happens to me quite regularly.......and this recipe in particular got me good.  Cauliflower pizza crust.  The first time I made it, the last thing it resembled was a pizza.......this thing was more like a quiche.  And I did NOT receive rave reviews from my family.  All I heard was a lot of YUCK!  And I didn't entirely disagree! 

And then I stumbled across this one from Tasty Kitchen and I found what I have been longing for!  It makes a DOUGH that you roll out!  A firm, gluten-free pizza dough!!!  That you can pick up and hold like a piece of pizza!!!!! Eureka!

Cauliflower Pizza Crust
Ingredients

• 1 head (Small Head) Cauliflower
• ¼ cups Parmesan Cheese
• ¼ cups Mozzarella Cheese
• ¼ teaspoons Kosher Salt
• ½ teaspoons Dried Basil
• ½ teaspoons Dried Oregano
• ½ teaspoons Garlic Powder
• Red Pepper Flakes (optional)
• 1 Tablespoon Almond Meal (optional)
• 1 whole Egg

Directions

Place a pizza stone in the oven, or baking sheet if you don’t have a pizza stone. Preheat oven to 450ºF. On a cutting board, place a large piece of parchment paper and spray it with nonstick cooking oil.

Wash and throughly dry a small head of cauliflower. Don’t get one the size of your head unless you are planning on making 2 pizzas. Cut off the florets—you don’t need much stem, just stick with the florets. Pulse in your food processor for about 30 seconds, until you get powdery snow like cauliflower. You should end up with 2 to 3 cups cauliflower “snow”. Place the cauliflower in a microwave safe bowl and cover. Cook for 4 minutes. Dump cooked cauliflower onto a clean tea towel and allow to cool for a bit before attempting the next step.

Once cauliflower is cool enough to handle, wrap it up in the dish towel and wring the heck out of it. You want to squeeze out as much water as possible. This will ensure you get a chewy pizza like crust instead of a crumbly mess.

Dumped squeezed cauliflower into a bowl. Now add Parmesan cheese, mozzarella cheese, kosher salt, dried basil (crush up the leaves even more between your fingers before adding), dried oregano (crush up the leaves even more between your fingers before adding), garlic powder (not garlic salt), and a dash of red pepper if you want. I also added 1 tablespoon almond meal because my cauliflower yielded closer to 2 cups of cauli snow; this is optional and I would not add the almond meal if you have closer to 3 cups of cauli snow. Now add the egg and mix away. Hands tend to work best.

Once mixed together, use your hands to form the dough into a crust on your oiled parchment paper. Pat it down throughly, you want it nice and tightly formed together. Don’t make it too thick or thin either.

Using a cutting board, slide the parchment paper onto your hot pizza stone or baking sheet in the oven. Bake for 8-11 minutes, until it starts to turn golden brown. Remove from oven.

Add however much sauce, cheese, and toppings you want. I’m not gonna give you measurements for this. You know how you like your pizza—so go for it! Slide parchment with topped pizza back in the hot oven and cook for another 5 to 7 minutes until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and slightly golden.

Test your patience and allow it to cool for a minute or two. Probably closer to two. Then using a pizza cutter and a spatula, serve up your delicious grain-free cauliflower crust pizza!

P90X3 Week Three Check-In

With the kids quietly playing (fingers crossed they are not making too much of a mess......doubtful......I hear a lot of giggling and running back and forth from the bathroom......hmmmmmmmm).  Anyways, I wanted to check in and let you know about my progress with P90X3.  I am doing the lean schedule and over the last three weeks have really grown to love it.  I will switch it up next week for the transition and then will have a new schedule for Block Two.  I can't believe I have already finished the meat of Block One!!!  Woo Hoo!!!

I realized I that I haven't really explained what the schedule is like and what the workouts are, so I will do that now.  The schedule runs six days per week with the optional seventh (I did all seven days in week one but have only done six days in weeks two and three).

Here is the schedule at a glance...all three blocks.  It really isn't that intimidating when you look at it like this, right?  Easy peasy!

So what are these workouts anyways?  OK, here it is in a nutshell:

• Accelerator:  By engaging both the aerobic pathways, Accelerator increases cardiovascular and muscular efficiency, resulting in more bang for your fat-burning buck. HUH???  Basically, you exercise at two different speeds, each targeting specific energy systems. This unique combination eliminates downtime associated with power-based workouts, while maximizing the consistency of traditional workouts.
• The Warrior:  The Warrior is a total-body workout, free of equipment, based on Tony’s 10+ years of working with the U.S. Armed Forces. You’ll circuit upper-and lower body resistance with core and cardio work, essentially touching on every area of fitness in one workout-and it’s all been honed into an uber-intense 30 minute blast. When you need a one size-fits all workout that can be done anytime, anywhere, this is the one.
• X3 Yoga:  X3 Yoga compresses thousands of years of teaching into 30 intense minutes, improving your musculoskeletal flexibility, balance, stamina, body awareness, and core strength. This flow-style practice, taking elements from Ashtanga, Hatha, and others, is perfect for filing the gaps in your fitness that other workouts cannot address.  This workout feels amazing in the middle of the week after the first two days of intensity.
• CVX: Not your mothers cardio workout, CVX combines resistance with intervals in order to increase the impact across every energy system. You’ll stress everything from power and anerobic endurance to aerobic endurance. You’ll also strengthen your core. CVX provides a full-body burn.
• Isometrix:  A strong foundation is essential for overall fitness, so Isometrix combines isometric contraction with instability to make your core rock solid. Isometric contractions occur when the muscle neither shortens nor lengthens and the joint angle does not change, building the static strength. Adding instability to the mix requires your body to fire its stabilizing muscles. When training these two simultaneously, you create an unshakable platform to work off, heightening the affects of movement training that you’ll target in other workouts.
• Agility X: A full body workout that uses floor targets (tape marks) to dictate movements, Agility X uses both aerobic and anaerobic energy, focusing on precision, power, flexibility, balance, and strength. As opposed to traditional cardio workouts, these targeted movements force explosion, deceleration, and proprioceptive adaptations, the sum result being an increased ability to move effortlessly for extended periods of time. 
• Dynamix:  Dynamix focuses on using your muscles, connective tissue, and joint function in symbolic actions to actively increase range of motion, flexibility, and stabilization. When worked in harmony, these systems are your keys to free and easy movement. And it feels sooooooo good.

Here is a little sneak peek of P90X3.  It is amazing how much you can get into a thirty minute workout!  Want to give it a try?  Message me for details.

P90X3 Week Two Update

I am a little late posting about the second week of my P90X3 journey.  I have to say, I am so glad I have stuck with it!  I am feeling WAYYYYYY stronger than I was in week one.  No doubt I am getting my sweat-on with every workout but I feel so much better when I do them......not like I am going to completely die half-way through.  LOL!  Don't get me wrong, I still modify a lot of moves and I still get a GREAT workout in.  There is no shame in following the modifier!

I stepped on the scale and I am making progress!!!!!!  And the most important part......my pants are fitting better!!!!!  Yay Tony........yay me!!!!!!  One move that I am DETERMINED to master by the end of this program is the "CROW" pose in X3 Yoga.  I don't know how many of you have ever tried crow, but it is a hand stand where you balance your knees on your elbows.  I have never been someone to do a hand stand, so this intrigues me.  I am getting closer....although I have almost fallen on my face every time I try it.  I will master this move by the end of the 90 days!

The lean schedule is really cardio intense but I am liking the workouts.  And it wouldn't be a P90X workout without push ups......and I am getting better at them!  I love that each workout is 30 minutes and the time FLIES by!  I get a killer workout and don't have to spend my whole day workout out.....or have to leave my house to do it.  Love, LOve, LOVE!!!!

If you are curious about P90X3 and want more info, send me a message.  I would LOVE to talk!

Amazing Chicken Marinade

I am always looking for a new way to make chicken.....let's face it, chicken can get boring........but every once in a while, you find a chicken recipe that blows you away......well THIS is my FAVORITE chicken recipe and it never fails!  I get asked for the recipe every time I make it.  SOOOO good and so EASY!!!!

Amazing Chicken Marinade
 6-8 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

Marinade:
1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
1/4 cup fresh-squeezed lemon juice
1/4 cup white wine
4 cloves of garlic - rough chop
2 tbsp hot sauce (like Franks or Texas Pete)
2 tbsp maple syrup or honey
2 tbsp grill seasoning
10 basil leaves, torn

Trim all visible fat and membranes from chicken breasts, I like to make small crosswise slits about 1/2 inch apart down the length of each chicken breast to help the marinade penetrate the meat. Put chicken in single layer in Ziploc bag.

Combine marinade ingredients and pour over chicken. Marinate in refrigerator at least 30 minutes or all day if desired.

Preheat grill to medium-hot and grill chicken 20-25 minutes, or until well browned and firm but not hard to the touch. (I've been cooking this slightly less than 20 minutes the last few times I've made it. Actual cooking time will depend on the heat of your grill and the temperature outside, so don't overcook.)

Transformation Tuesday

I am beyond proud to share these photos. My dear friend Natalie has been working out with me in my challenge groups for about a year. She has been such an amazing motivator and cheerleader not only for me, but for the other women in the group. Strong and determined doesn't even begin to describe her. Natalie is a wife, mother and business owner.....and six years ago she started a non-profit to help victims of domestic violence. This woman really IS the total package.
Natalie has lost 25 pounds working out at home and checking in with our private Facebook groups and has had a complete TRANSFORMATION. She has worked out with the 21 Day Fix and Brazil Butt Lift and has been eating clean.  Not only does she look AMAZING, but her confidence is through the roof! She is now training for a fitness competition!!!!!  Congratulations Natalie ---- all of your hard work and dedication has PAID OFF.....and thank you for paying it forward!!!!!  You inspire so many!!!!

Make 2015 Your Year to Shine

We are gearing up for an amazing start to 2015......saying goodbye to what held us back last year and staring this year off right.  Are you looking to make a change in your life?  Are you lacking motivation and have a hard time sticking with it?  My private Facebook groups have everything you need to reach your goals --- workout programs, meal plans, support and motivation.  Message me for info.  You CAN make a change.

P90X3 - Week One Recap

Something has been holding me back from doing this program.  I think I was intimidated by the whole P90X stereotypes.....it is a BIG program (and provide people amazing results).  But I am not an athletic person.  But I have gotten fitter over the last year and a half.  And I decided 2015 is MY year to shine.

P90X3 has four different schedules to choose from:  classic, lean, bulk and doubles.   No matter which format you choose, you do three blocks that are four weeks each (you follow the regular schedule for three weeks and then week four is a transition week).  I find that I can get mental blocks when it comes to workout programs.  There are workouts that I like and ones that I don't...and I try to avoid doing them.  But I KNOW that doesn't help me!  So I am approaching the program like this.......I only have to do each workout THREE times.  That's it.  Three.  I can TOTALLY do each workout three times!  Why is it only three?  Because each of the three blocks last for three weeks with a transition week between. 

I kicked off the program (I am doing the LEAN version) a few days before the new year ---- mainly because I have been sick and tired of over indulging from the holiday and really needing to get back to business BEFORE the new year.   I don't think I realized that the lean version would be a LOT of cardio.....I am not a big fan of cardio.....give me weights any day of the week, but I would rather not do cardio.  This may be why I have not been as lean as I was last spring....which is why I decided to go with the Lean schedule.

So one week down, two to go in block one.  How am a I feeling?  Feeling great!  I CAN do the cardio and I am stronger than I thought I was!  I do like that there are two yoga days (one is a classic yoga program and the other is a day of isometric yoga holds....really hard but I love a workout in bare feet!).  And for the carido, the 30 minutes FLIES by.  Tony mixes up the moves so much it goes really fast......in and out.

I have some major work to do (those before photos are NOT pretty.....neither is the number on the scale).  I will post progress photos at the end of each block.  Not only will I be working out but I will be eating clean......keep a lookout for recipes each week!