Some products I love, Meals we eat, and more...

Hello again my fitness minded friends!

How is everyone out there today? I hope you are all doing well, and feeling great!

First off, I wanted to share a couple of products that we use a lot in our house. They are perfect for meal prep, and taste great.

We use a lot of Mrs. Dash. I know there are come spice companies a lot of fitness peeps use, that I see a lot of on instagram, but Mrs. Dash seasonings are very easy for anyone to find and buy. I don't think there is one grocery store out there that doesn't carry them!

OMG...I LOVE ZEVIA!!! If you know anything at all about me, you would know that I don't drink anything carbonated usually (except for a beer now and then!) But ever since I saw this in the grocery store where I shop, and my son asked if we could have some, I am loving it!! These two and the Black cherry are my favorite so far. Anyone else out there like these?? I still don't drink these everyday, but every week I will have 2. They are so yummy. ZERO CALORIES, AND NO ARTIFICIAL CRAP.

My son's favorite

We like to use our air popper to make popcorn, and these are perfect after a quick spritz of some butter spray. We also use them on baked potatoes, and anything else it would work on!

These breakfast sausages are yummy! and just check out the macros. Not bad as far as breakfast meats are concerned....

I usually only have one link...but today I put three in this....

My yummy veggie sausage eggs with just a touch of gouda. My son split this pan with me.  I ate it with some sourdough toast topped with almond butter, some tea with skim milk, and the whole breakfast came out at 420 calories. Not bad! (I eat a lot of calories everyday. You have to put something in, to get something out! You have to eat in order to build muscle!)

In addition to veggie scrambles, here are two breakfasts I love to make on a regular basis for my family...

Oven broiled protein french toast made with artisan sourdough....or....

Ezekiel bread...both are equally delicious. Those are the two breads I usually have on hand.

And there there are the protein waffles. You can use any flavor of protein powder you like in them. You can get super creative!

I just can't stomach eating nothing but boring oatmeal all the time, and I adore breakfast food! Protein waffles hit the spot!!

Some lunches and dinners we might have usually would be....

Oven broiled salmon with brown rice and broccoli. I love to drizzle mine with sriracha!!

I love making my own homemade chicken nuggets and patties...we love to mix it up between chicken and tuna, but you can use what ever meat you like. I will be posting up the recipe for all the things you see here in future posts, but if you are in a hurry to make anything you see here, just leave me a comment, and I will send you the recipe.

Tuna patties cooked under the broiler! Nice and crisp and so packed with protein 

These are oven chicken pizzas using naan bread. REALLY GOOD.

This is a chicken quesadilla. It is made with chicken, fat free and low fat cheese and chicken. These low carb tortillas pack a TON of fiber, so look out if your body is not used to that yet. instead just use one tortilla.

Again...these are just a preview of some of the sorts of recipes I will be posting up. If you have any suggestions or comments, please post them below.

I will leave you with this fun meme a friend of mine posted up....I just love it! Thanks Linda for sharing this...I am still cracking up over it...

Indeed!!!

Have a beautiful day everyone! Keep smiling and stay happy and healthy!!

Super Fast Yummy Chicken Pumpkin Chili

SO GOOD! and SO EASY!!

Hello everyone!

For our first recipe post, I wanted to share something that everyone would enjoy, and make quite easily no matter how busy or full their day is. There are no funky hard to find ingredients here, and anyone can adapt this recipe (just swap out chicken for your meat or meatless product of choice! adjust macros accordingly)

My family LOVES this recipe, and we make it often, as it is so simple and fast to put together. Who doesn't have nights when they are really tired, and just don't feel like making a huge mess in the kitchen? WAIT! Before you dial up some crappy take-out food place to have junk delivered to your door, make this instead!! We always have everything in this recipe on hand in our pantry. When I go to the grocery store, I always pick up the ingredients, because I just know, that some night, I am going to be burnt out!...yummy pumpkin chili to the rescue!!

For people who are thinking, "Pumpkin??" I have to say, YOU WILL NOT TASTE IT AT ALL. It blends right in to the base, and it makes for some very satisfying delicious chili. There are a ton of vitamins and fiber in pumpkin, and it's a really easy way to add yet another veggie into your meals.

So what is in my "magical chili"??? 

First up, as you can see, everything is conveniently packaged for you, so its always there waiting for you to whip up a batch...As for the chili seasoning, this is what I had on hand. ***NOTE- I ordered myself a box of Mrs. Dash Chili seasoning mix. This is the lowest sodium chili mix out there. I don't like to load my food full of salt, as it causes bad bloating. Who wants to look like they are carrying an extra 10 pounds around on their gut?? Am I right?

OOPS! I forgot to add this into the picture! But yes...you add this whole can.

This is what I will be using from now on...

YAY NO SODIUM!!!

When I serve up the chili, I like to add some accouterment. Into the bowl I first add some....

Chopped Romaine lettuce. You want romaine as it adds crunch! 

Then I add my chili on top of the romaine...

Hot chili anyone??

On top of the chili I add some low fat Mexican cheese blend (usually a half serving), and then...

Chopped cherry tomatoes

Diced onion

And this is how it looks when it is ready to eat...SO YUMMY!

AND FOR THE MACROS....

This is not figuring in the lettuce, tomato, onion or cheese, so you will need to add that into your macro's as well.

And the recipe....

Amy's Super Fast Yummy Chicken Pumpkin Chili

Ingredients:

2 cans of 12.5 oz Chicken (or equivalent) 

3/4 cup of canned pumpkin (pure pumpkin! Not pie mix!)

1 can of low sodium black beans (or regular if that is all you can find) rinsed

1 can of low sodium pinto beans, rinsed

1 can of diced tomatoes with green chilies (121g)

a chili seasoning packet (low sodium if you can find it!)

1 can of organic tomato sauce (15 oz)

How to make:

So EASY! Just open all cans, rinse the beans and measure out the pumpkin, and dump into a pot, and heat! THAT'S IT! So easy, and if you have little kids, this would be something easy they could "learn to cook."If your chili is a bit too thick, just add little bits of water, until it is the consistency of your liking.

You can't go wrong with this recipe. It is so great. I love the crunch of the lettuce with the warm creaminess of the chili and cheese! Then you have these little bursts of onion and tart tomato. SO AWESOME! it really hits the spot on a cold night!!

So fix yourself up a batch this evening!! If you have any questions, feel free to ask, by leaving a comment below. Let us know how you like our chili.

Have a great day today!

Stay fit, healthy and happy!

Amy, John, Ciarra and Soren

Working on our fitness, and this blog! Introductions...

Hello and Welcome to our blog!

To get this blog started, we will tell you a little bit about ourselves. The more you follow and read our blog, the more you will get to know us, so please don't be strangers! Communicate with us by leaving comments, and don't forget to follow, so you don't miss a post. Shall we start our adventure together???

AWAY WE GO!......

We are an active and fit family of four, who is constantly on the go. We love to workout, adventure to new places, cook up lots of yummy eats, (clean and healthy of course!) and most of all we enjoy having fun!  

Please allow us to introduce ourselves....

First up...

Picture my husband took of me at the beach where we grew up.

Hello! My name is Amy. I am a mom, wife (going on 20 years this summer!), and certified trainer, who also has a degree in fashion design. I absolutely adore being outdoors in nature, and every chance I get, I hike, run, or ride my bike on one of the many forest trails in the area where I live. I enjoy lifting weights, eating clean (I can't stand eating crappy food! It makes me feel so horrible!) spending time with my family, adventuring to new places, and of course designing clothes (my latest are workout clothes!) being healthy is everything to me. I want to set the best possible example for my children to follow, so that they grow to be healthy, fit, happy adults.

Amy's goal for 2015: Put on a few pounds of lean muscle mass, and have a memorable 20th wedding anniversary with my hubby!

Next up....

Ciarra after she got her hair cut

Hello! 

My name is Ciarra.

I’m 18 years old and currently in my second semester in junior college. I am an avid booklover and reader. I also love to draw—mostly drawing characters in a manga or comic style. 

For outdoor activities my favorites are bike riding and swimming. I love being outside and finding new and interesting places to explore. Living in Virginia and on the East Coast as a whole, there are many opportunities to do active things outside. I also enjoy, weightlifting, running, hiking, and just walking. 

When it comes to food I can be both adventurous and picky. I like to eat clean, and I can’t handle overly sweet or greasy foods. Sushi is by far one of my favorite treat meals!  

Ciarra's goal/wish for 2015: Do well in school (she already has a 4.0 GPA!) and to enjoy my summer break, swimming and boating with my family.

Ciarra when we were at Marathon Key

Next up....

Soren apple picking in the mountains

Hi my name is Soren!

I enjoy playing video games, eating pie (apple is my favorite!) going for hikes in the woods and mountains, as well as taking our boat out in the summer. My favorite subject in school is math. My favorite foods (besides pie) are my mom's soup, my mom's macaroni and cheese, and fried chicken! I like to eat healthy, but sometimes I like to enjoy a treat! (like the pie with the fried chicken!) I love spending time with my family and going on vacations. 

Soren's goal/wish for the coming year: I hope to get a puppy this year, and take it for lots of hikes and walks!

Soren with his beloved pie in the Florida Keys

And finally....

Hello,

My name is John, and I’m a avid fitness enthusiast, husband and father. My top interests include the "5 F's" which are Family, Fitness, Food, Fun and Foto’s (yes I know it how to really spell it! LOL) . Family is my number one priority; Fitness makes it possible to be healthy, and ensure that I have a long future with my family;  Food is fuel, and I like good tasting fuel!  Fun...well, we all like to have fun, am I right?  And then there are "Foto's (photos), I am also a photographer. Where ever I go I have some form of camera on me at all times. You never know when you will get that special "money shot."

John's goal for 2015- to gain lean muscle and drop body fat. 

John being himself

So welcome, and nice to meet all of you! 

We hope that you will join us with each and every new blog post and adventure. We have some interesting and useful posts and videos planned for the future, so make sure to check back regularly and follow this blog.

And so the adventure begins!....

Have a wonderful day today, and stay healthy, fit and strong!