zucchini pizza cruise ships + single leg deadlifts

May 21, 2013 by fitfoodiele

that caption is PERFECT!!! i freakin’ love this picture.

i don’t know about you, but i need my daily dose of endorphins! i got some this morning in the form of Total Conditioning. can you tell by those sweat stains? afterwards, i took a moment to focus on my exercise pick of the week: single leg deadlifts.

1. start in a standing position; knees soft, back flat, feet shoulder width apart, weights in front of your thighs, shoulders down and relaxed. lift right leg slightly so foot is off the floor.

2. lower your torso forward/downward. at the same time, raise your lifted leg, keeping it straight.

3. once stretch is felt mainly in your hamstrings and lower glutes, return to original position by raising torso and lowering the lifted leg.

4. straighten the knee of the supporting leg as torso becomes upright. try it again on the opposite leg! 4 sets of 12 on each leg with heavy bells.

IMPORTANT TIPS:

the heavier the weight, the more challenging the exercise
keep your back flat all the way down and all the way up
hips remain square; try not to tilt or twist them. torso should face the front at all times.
go as far down as YOU feel comfy, not as far as your neighbor is going!
you can modify this exercise and keep your back toe on the ground for balance
keep your dumbbells super close to your body all the way down and all the way up.
which ever leg you are standing on should keep a soft knee ensure the weight is in your heel and not your toes

what they work: those glutes, hamstrings, lower back, core, trunk.

awesome. on to tha fooooooood!

Zucchini Pizza Cruise Ships

the stuff:

2 raw zucchini
1 cup extra lean ground turkey
1/4 cup shredded mozzarella almond cheese
1/4 cup low sodium pizza sauce
1/4 tsp black pepper
1 tsp Mrs. Dash tomato basil no salt seasoning
1/4 cup yellow onion, chopped
2 garlic cloves, chopped
4 cherry tomatoes, sliced
1 tbsp fresh basil, chopped
1/2 tsp dried basil

do this:

preheat your oven to 350 degrees.

halve raw zucchini (long ways) and scoop out the seeds and insides. they should look like empty canoes once done. (don’t discard the insides! you can actually cook them back in with the meat if you’d like or eat them separately at a later date. either way, don’t waste!)

in a large skillet, set your burner to medium-high heat. add chopped garlic and onions and sauté until translucent, about 2-3 minutes. add in your extra lean turkey meat, liquid aminos, pepper, dried basil, and Mrs. Dash seasoning. stir/saute until cooked through completely and there is no more pink.

in a separate bowl, combine the pizza sauce and turkey meat crumbles. then, divide and spoon this mixture evenly amongst your zucchini shells.

top the ships with your sliced tomato, shredded almond cheese, and finally, the chopped basil.

bake in the oven for 30 minutes or until your desired zucchini consistency.

serving size: 4 ships

approximate stats for the entire recipe! (*remember, ingredients vary by the brands you use*)

Q: how much does ‘heavy’ weigh?

A: i am so sure i have answered this before, but here it is again! you gotta implement a little trial and error. i usually do 12-15 reps per set. so, heavy for me equals pretty much struggling to finish on rep 8-10. it varies per exercise though! there is no set number across the board so to speak… you must see for yourself. write your beginning numbers down to track your progress, and add weight gradually over time to get better , bigger, and stronger. you’ll start seeing muscles you didn’t even know you had, watch!

weight lifting has transformed not only my body, but my mind. confidence booster? heck yeah! i no longer dread the dressing room mirror and i find myself trying on items i would normally shy away from. better fitting clothes is definitely an advantage worth working for! i get emails here and there concerning that darn scale and how insecure it makes people feel. you are worth so much more than a silly NUMBER. i don’t watch my weight anymore; i watch my body!

Esprit De She 5k + glute bridges

May 1, 2013 by fitfoodiele

breakfaaaast this morning! just an egg white omelette chock-full of kale, roma tomatoes, baby bella mushrooms, mrs. Dash onion & herb seasoning. cheddar almond cheese, sriracha and avo on top. super filling!

let’s get physical.

basic glute bridge: with your head on the floor and heels on the bench or floor, raise your hips off the ground while squeezing your glutes and pressing your heels into the step or floor. when your glutes are level with your hips, stop. lower and repeat. mix it up with different counts- singles and pulses set those buns on FIRE

leg variations:

left foot on your right knee (pictured) 12 x 2
right foot on your left knee (pictured) 12 x 2
right leg extended at hip level (pictured) 12 x 2
right leg straight up in the air 12 x 2
left leg extended at hip level 12 x 2
left leg extended up in the air 12 x 2
heels down, toes up 12 x 2

tips:

this can be done on the floor without the bench; alway make sure your surface is stable. an elevated surface provides a wider range of motion to perform the exercise.
keep a neutral chin; slighty tucked in towards your chest
avoid pushing your hips too high as this can hyperextend your back
you should feel this primarily in your glutes. if you feel lower back discomfort, try doing them without elevation.

have fun!

i added a new recipe to the ebook today- roasted, curried cauli (as in cauliflower) mash. i used to eat broccoli and cheese like nobody’s business but neither one of them are kind to my tummy. soooo, this was a great, flavorful replacement. i also had some roasted butternut squash sprinkled with cinnamon, and pan seared lemon pepper tilapia.

are you on IG? of course you are. i’m doing @fitnessfoodandstyle’s May Photo A Day challenge this month cause i love me some Dani and it looks fun! you should join me.

‘don’t copy, compete with or compare yourself to others. their path is not your path, nor should it be. everyone has a unique gift to offer. what is yours?’

-mary frances winters

with that said, this next event is for my fit ladies only. let’s finish this race and compete together as a team. the Athleta Esprit de She Houston 5k/10k will be making its debut on May 9th, 2013! yes, 8 days away!

let’s make their very first year one to remember. if you would like to run with the Fit Foodie Finishers, send me an email (le@fitfoodiele.com) so i can send you the link to sign up! we will be running the 5k, so whether you’re a veteran or first timer, come oooooon.

Popcorn Indiana giveaway + clean, shrimp fried brown rice

April 23, 2013 by fitfoodiele

back to back giveaways?! WHY NOT!

if you’re following me on Instagram, then you already know by now what was in that big box.

oooh just one of my fave snacks ever- POPCORN!!!! THANK YOU TONS, Popcorn Indiana!

they sent me two phenomenal flavors of their new Fit Popcorn:

i have my eyes straight PEELED for the onion & dijon flavor for sure. so far my Sprouts Farmer’s Market hasn’t carried it. anyway, on to the contest rules!

Instagram: share the Popcorn Indiana giveaway pic on your own IG page! remember to tag #popig and @fitfoodiele in the comments so i don’t miss your vote.

for multiple entries, you can:

Facebook fan page: ‘Like’ it!
Follow: http://www.fitfoodiele.com via email (top right corner of this page;))
Comment: on THIS post telling me your absolute, hands down, favorite Popcorn Indiana flavor. mine is dark fudge chocolate chip kettle corn….

Fit Popcorn stats: ★approx. 40 cals per cup★ all natural, gluten-free ★whole grain ★zero trans fat ★and non-GMO.

I just want to make somebody else’s tummy and face SMILE!!!!!!!!!!! please share!

this fine tuesday morning started out with a crazy Total Body Conditioning workout as it usually does.

then breakfast. just an egg white omelette topped with alfalfa sprouts, low carb ketchup, greek yogurt, and dijon mustard. pancakes were super ugly and did NOT make the cut. heck that omelette barely did.

oh and i wanted to post my baby bella almond cheddar grilled cheese sammich from yesterday’s lunch as i received quite a few inquiries on what the heck almond cheese is and where can you get some! it’s a dairy-free cheese substitute that shreds and tastes darn close to dairy cheese IMO. it will melt, just takes a little longer to do so. i learned about the Lisanatti brand via Instagram, and i have always stuck with it. i’ll have to do a product review on some of those other brands at a later date! you can find Lisanatti almond cheese in the cheddar, jalapeno jack, and mozzarella varieties at Sprout’s Farmers Market, Whole Foods, Central Market, and most other speciality food stores. i just read on their site that they no longer ship orders out though

so my first chicken fried rice recipe is super old…. a revamped was needed. so here it is!

i used shrimp this time though as you can see

clean, shrimp fried brown rice

the stuff:

2 cups brown rice, cooked
5 whole baby bella mushrooms, sliced
2 tbsp red bell pepper, diced
handful of sprouts (bean, alfalfa, your choice)
2 tbsp Bragg liquid aminos
1/2 tsp black pepper
3 egg whites
2 green onion stalks, chopped
1 medium shallot or 2 cloves of garlic, chopped
1/2 – 1 lb shrimp, marinated
2 carrots, chopped thinly or shaved
1/4 cup yellow onion, chopped
1/4 cup green peas (optional)
1 tsp red pepper flakes

shrimp marinade

2 tbsp Mrs. Dash fiesta lime seasoning
2 tbsp Bragg liquid aminos
2 tbsp cilantro, chopped

do this:

1.marinate your shrimp for at least 30 minutes.

2.then, add them to a medium to high heated wok or skillet sprayed with no-stick cooking spray.

3.they cook quickly, so about 3-4 minutes max will do. remove them from the pan and set them aside for now.

4.add all onions (1 green onion stalk though) and garlic or shallots, carrots, mushrooms red bell pepper and aminos into the medium heated pan and cook covered until the onions are translucent, about 3-4 minutes.

5.make a well in the middle of your wok and pour the egg whites into it. let them cook and scramble as you continuously stir until they are done.

6.add the cooked rice, shrimp, pepper, red pepper flakes and green peas into the wok.

7. incorporate and mix well, then let it sit covered for 2-3 more minutes over low heat. chop the remaining green onion stalk and top your dish with it.

8. devourrrrrrrr!

learn to look for the good in EVERY situation; i promise you it’s there. think positive, be positive, and positive things WILL happen.

La Tortilla Factory Giveaway!!!

April 13, 2013 by fitfoodiele

did she say giveaway? YES SHE DID. i am straight blown away, still!

you know those tortillas i am always raving about and using in my recipes like the ones up there^ (quesadillas, wraps, homemade chips, burritos, tacos, etc) well, ahem, because i’ve been showing La Tortilla Factory so much love, they decided to show me some right on back! talk about ‘give it to get it‘, hello!! they go like hot cakes at my Sprouts Farmer’s Market and i have not been able to snag a pack since the grand opening last month. however… they handled up on that and helped a Fit Foodie out, BIG TIME! they sent me a variety pack that included their Smart & Delicious Light flour tortillas,

and some Fiber & Flax White and Yellow corn tortillas.

also, because of them……. i am honored to be hosting my first edible giveaway for all of YOU! not with the ones they sent me though, those are mine. La Tortilla Factory would like to shower one of you lucky ducks with 1,2,3,4 *FIVE* packages of Smart & Delicious light flour tortillas for YO-SELF!!!!! sweet deal, right?

so how the heck do you enter? remember what i said about the jumping through multiple hoops thing… yeah that’s annoying and not gonna happen here. i appreciate simplicity. comment on this post and just tell me why you want the wraps and what you plan to make with them! i wanna know!

now, to INCREASE your chances of winning lol, you can certainly either Like the Fit Foodie Le fan page if you haven’t already,

or, just follow my blog by clicking that follow button up at the top right corner of this page.

be creative with your comments and ideas like i know you can!

rest assured there is a wrap to fit your nutritional needs, whatever they may be. they are tasty AND healthy, and there are plenty to choose from! definitely FFL approved

this was my meal 5 from last night- i perfected the whipped sweet potato recipe for the e-book and enjoyed some with a pan seared tilapia fillet cooked in Bragg liquid aminos and Mrs. Dash onion & herb seasoning! that was all over some fresh, steamed asparagus.

i had some grilled pineapple left over, so i made a super quick ‘salsa’ to go on top of the fish.

grilled pineapple salsa

the stuff:

1 cup grilled pineapple, chopped
2 tbsp red bell pepper, diced
1 tbsp fresh cilantro, chopped
1 tbsp fresh lime juice

do this:

chop it all up and mix it together! super quick and easy topping for any protein.

last night we attended a home going celebration for a close family member.

if you’re Nigerian, then you can name every single thing on my plate, especially those wonderful, delicious PLANTAINS!!!! my favorite. if you’re not lol, it’s jollof rice, stewed stock fish and vegetables, spinach, plantains, and there is some super tender goat meat in there somewhere. i’ll be adding more Nigerian dishes to my repertoire, don’t worry.

this boy was so serious with that chicken wing and those greasy lips!!! this was too funny not to post.

you still with me? today, we met up with a former 6 Pack USA client and Instagram #fitfam member @waltlewjr and chowed down on some Ruggles Green eats! good times, good food & good peeps! I had a mixed greens salad topped with jicama, dried blueberries, and tomatoes and tore up that roasted chicken pizza with Chiso. Sonny had the kobe beef burger with sweet potato fries. no fish tacos, this time. s/n: why couldn’t Chiso have smiled like that for our family pictures

the last time i ate RG’s roasted chicken pizza was in 2010 when i was preggo and i ate the entire thing, solo!!! i mean, we.

La Tortilla Factory is also hosting another fun contest on their Facebook Fan Page page for the upcoming Cinco De Mayo holiday! another one of you guys could win more free tortillas, a margarita making machine and fun party decorations just by entering their “Cinco de Mustache” photo contest. the deets are on their FB page- check’em out!

THANK YOU again, La Tortilla Factory!

this contest will run for 1 full week, fyi. so on saturday, April 20th, it’s a wrap.

p. s. we are officially TWO weeks out from the Green 6.2 10k!!! have you registered yet? are you running with Team Fit Foodies?! we’d love to have you! email me if you’re interested: le@fitfoodiele.com.

night!!

homemade, creamy vanilla-strawberry-banana popsicles + kopy kat kale salad revamped!

April 10, 2013 by fitfoodiele

so he loved the homemade popsicles!!! i did too.

made with all natural ingredients!

creamy vanilla-strawberry-banana popsicles

the stuff:

1 cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk
*2 packets granulated stevia OR 5-7 drops of liquid vanilla creme stevia
5 strawberries
1 banana
1 tsp vanilla
1 heaping tbsp of plain greek yogurt (optional)

do this:

*you can use 1/4 cup of your fave sweetener (honey, agave nectar, etc.) but i used stevia simply because i must monitor and regulate Chiso’s sugar intake as he asks for fruit all day long. never veggies so i wanted the sugar to come from the fruit only. this also keeps the nutritional stats of the pops low as well. use what you and your family like best though!* throw everything into your blender and pulse it to your desired consistency.

i left my ‘batter’ chunky cause i liked the bits of real fruit that appear as you eat the pop. but you can liquify it completely – it’s always your call! the greek yogurt gives it more creaminess and a shot of protein of course. however, they won’t be considered dairy-free anymore if ya add it, fyi!

for 1 pop:

my recipe made 4. you can also try freezing them in ice-cube trays if you don’t have the popsicle mold. no biggie.

frozen, guilt-free treat!

the flavor combos that can be made with these things are endless. so expect more where that came from!

Chiso enjoyed half a stack of spanana pancakes this morning,

and he finished off the other half for lunch.

i’ve been able to add a few more recipes to the ebook as of late and i’m happy with its progress! thank you guys for being so patient. i stopped by Sprouts today to get some red potatoes for a new recipe i’m creating, but i forgot that their sale goes from Wednesday to Wednesday and, well, ….

let me explain!!!! i have never, ever, in my life seen fresh asparagus for under 1 buck per lb, ANYWHERE. i didn’t think it was possible. so i got a few bunches. i had to. Chiso loves the cuties, i ran outta alfalfa sprouts for my sammiches, Indiana Popcorn is just too hard to resist (it was on sale 2 for 5) and i grabbed THE last package of La Tortilla Factory 80 calorie light flour tortillas!!!!!! i mean it was literally perfect timing! they have been sold the heck out since my Sprouts opened, so i didn’t expect any there. can i get a WHOOP, WHOOP. oh i really did get the potatoes too.

now, here’s our post-workout dinner tonight! pan seared onion & herb tilapia, the other half of my roasted acorn squash from last night topped with cinnamon this time, and a cleaner, better, revamped version of my copy cat Central Market kale salad!

FFL’s Kopy Kat Kale Salad

1/4 cup fresh squeezed orange juice
2 tbsp Bragg Liquid Aminos
1/4 cup Bragg Apple Cider Vinegar
1 packet granulated stevia
2 tbsp crystallized ginger, chopped
1/4 cup dried cranberries
1/4 cup roasted, unsalted pepitas
2 tbsp sliced almonds
1 big fresh bunch of raw kale
1 tsp sesame oil (optional)

do this: wash, dry, and chop kale into bite sized pieces. add all liquids to your mixing bowl as well as the stevia; stir until dissolved. toss steamed kale into your bowl and incorporate. add the chopped ginger, almonds, pepitas, and cranberries and toss/mix well once more. eat those greens UP! they will taste even better tomorrow after the flavors do their thing in the fridge.

the big difference? steaming the kale in my wok for about 2-3 minutes first made a significant one. it gives the salad so much more flavor vs raw kale.

hope you had a fab hump day. enjoy those recipes!

family + fitness + food = birthday trifection

April 8, 2013 by fitfoodiele

what a difference a year makes. i feel like i have finally LIVED these past 12 months and it only took me 30 years! i have been spending more time focusing on my passion (fitness, creating and cooking healthier recipes, blogging, etc.) and it has opened up so many doors and avenues beyond my small, limited imagination. i’ve crossed a few things off my bucket list and i have so many more to tackle. however like all things in life, i’m simply striving for progress, not perfection. i am content, appreciative, and so hopeful for what the future holds! i thank God for another year that wasn’t promised, and i’ll walk right behind Him into 31 and all it has to offer! Sonny put a little something together for lil ol’ me for my bday this year and it was … everything. what was it? those 3 simple f’s up there.

*****

i started my saturday morning off how i normally do-

with a GREAT early morning workout! i had way too many cartons of 98 cent strawberries (from HEB) on my island and i planned on incorporating them into our breakfast somehow.

so i diiiiiid. strawberry shortcakes came to mind! i don’t normally eat whipped cream for breakfast lol but hey, the occasion called for it. recipe is coming right up- had to do a little tweaking first. i was given specific instructions to be ready to go by 5pm later that day and to ‘do something with myself’.

i did my best to make my bun as neat as possible. so i’ve said in the past i don’t like shopping for clothes… i should clarify that i don’t like shopping ALL DAY LONG for clothes. i love Urban Outfitters cause 9 times outta 10 i find the cutest thing on the sale rack within minutes. UO keeps my shopping bug alive and kicking cause i almost stepped on it and killed it. it’s become my go to store for a quick, cute outfit or top! i found this black lacy number for 10 whole dollars. what? i thought it was clearly a mistake. i was too through after that awesome find! i even did my nails for the first time in a really, really long time. aaaaand i went to get some eyelash extensions done!!! watch out nah! it was fun to get a little glam.

back pose!

we dropped off our Stank Tank with our ‘rents and headed to a private dinner at Tango & Malbec South American Cuisine.

Mr. Impeccable Taste himself;)

straight to the meal!

aaaaah, the lovely bread bowl. it was filled with real, fried potato chips, bread sticks, and sourdough bread. so hard to resist this thing at any restaurant. if it wasn’t for Sonny, i’d tell them to not even bring it to our table.

our appetizers were Lamb Lolichops and El Calamar (grilled calamari steak) and they were both and cooked and seasoned perfectly.

before we tore it up, we snapped a pic!

my lil appetizer plate. to be honest, the lamb was too rare for me..i don’t do the bloody meat thing, so i gave it to Sonny.

i decided on the Trout topped with mushrooms and carmelized onions for my entrée. i told myself no salmon and no chicken breast!!! i knew Sonny would order some type of steak so i planned to just get a piece of his.

i also had some old, faithful asparagus on the side.

there it is- Como En El’s the name! Sonny’s dish was a combo of beef tenderloin, pork ribs, lamb chops, flank steak sausage and black sausage. the ‘protein platter’!

as we dined, a couple waltzed to music – very nice touch! i enjoyed our dinner and it didn’t end there- complimentary dessert was on the way.

hey i know her! i devoured that tres leches cake and received a little something i wasn’t expecting at all…

a quality camera to take my blogging pics with! i’ve been using my cell for ALL of them as our previous Casio bit the dust a couple months ago. it was right on time.

we ended the evening with more dessert- self serve fro-yo! apparently dancing was on the agenda but after that meal our night was a WRAP.

thanks, Polar! April 7th was the big day.

first thing i did was thank God, then went to make me some birthday pancakes! chocolate peanut butter banana pancakes with chocolate sprinkles.

chocolate peanut butter banana pancakes

the stuff:

half a banana
1/2 cup rolled oats
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 tsp baking powder
1 tbsp chocolate PB2
2 tbsp unsweetened vanilla almond milk
1 packet stevia (optional)
1/2 tsp butter extract
more PB2 for topping

do this:

whip this all up in your blender or food processor, then cook them up like cakes in your skillet. 3-4 minutes on medium heat for each side. top with more PB2 and sprinkles! they are optional too:)

for the entire stack:

i topped mine with more strawberries, and it tasted like a big peanut butter and jelly sammich. omg, YUMMINESS!!!

i didn’t get a sub for my class…no need. i had some gifts to give out too- the gift of sweat.

and i did so with new workout gear, whoop, whoop! that is ALWAYS appreciated, no matter what the occasion! i’ve been #upgraded!

afterwards, we got ready to go take some professional family pictures, and eat some lunch.

lunch where? where else!?!?!? yep, RG.

the weather was perrrrrfect, so we found a great table outside. if you have a little one of age then you know an ipad or any electronic device works wonders to keep their little minds occupied until the food arrives.

we tried the hi-protein hemp empanadas for the first time and WOW. i will definitely be remaking this at home! i LOVED the sweet and savory flavor combo. seasoned ground beef, raisins, cilantro, mozzeralla and cheddar cheeses all stuffed inside a hemp and wheat flour pocket. and yeah, they are fried… you’ve been warned!

before pizza,

after pizza.

i know exactly where he gets his hunger attitude from.

this kids loves some cheese pizza, so of course we ordered him one along with…

grilled fish tacos on corn tortillas! Sonny’s was super spicy,

mine was not.

oh and i got some butternut squash too. it’s the LITTLE THINGS that made my birthday so special and memorable!

clearly the pizza had Chiso’s undivided attention until it was gone.

there was a lambo car show going on at the same time in City Centre so it was definitely alive:

from newer models,

to classics.

#justlooking

very last thing….. more, YES, more fro-yo!

from Red Mango.

and that’s a wrap! thank you so much for reading!

i’m back on track with more EXCITING product reviews, and more GIVEAWAYS!!!!

i’m THRILLED about some of the products i’ll be featuring shortly that YOU will be able to enjoy yourself as well!!! stay tuned

Sprouts Farmers Market KATY

March 30, 2013 by fitfoodiele

that is HILARIOUS cause you know it’s true!!!! however this is also how stuff gets lost. forever.

i made Chiso some lemon-blueberry french toast Thursday morning that i cannot stop thinking about! we will prolly have it for Easter breakfast tomorrow too. this recipe will certainly be in the Fit Foodie Le ebook, and the nutritional stats are bananas! see? 156 cals, 3g fat, 6g fiber, 21g carbs, and 10 grams of protein! and yep for the whole she-bang. 2 slices of bread and all the toppings.

what Easter dish will you be making?

it’s HEEEEERE!!! so i’ve been seeing the back of this building for MONTHS and had no earthy idea that it would be home to Sprouts Katy. it’s in the same lot as one of my gyms so you know what that means . i literally pulled out of the gym parking lot, turned on my gps, and she made me turn right back in. #blondemoment! anyway, the future frequent trips won’t do crazy damage cause these prices…. WOW. i was blown away.

something tells me these aren’t just grand opening prices either! you can even go to their website and print out your own coupons before hand. also, Lifetime Fitness members get 5 dollars off their total bill at this location! not sure how long that lasts, but you can login to the Lifetime website and print out that coupon yourself too.

we walked through the doors and immediately went left to the bread section. i found these new, 80 calorie light flour tortillas by La Tortilla Factory and i was not thinking straight and only got one package. they were amazing and i have so many recipes for these guys!

i didn’t take a pic of EVERYTHING this time lol, just a few landscape type shots. the store isn’t too big and i kinda like it that way. i go in HEB and get lost for hours but since everything is so close together in here, i’m in and out. i appreciate that.

sample mode ON.

just taking a peek! didn’t grab any THIS time, but i’m glad to see they have multiple Arctic Zero flavors instead of just maple vanilla. AND they have those 85 cal bars too!

we visited every single department (trust me). the produce section was nothing short of amazing cause again, those prices! best i’ve ever seen. anyway, this was our last stop before heading to check out. popcorn! i planned on getting a bag of Popcorn Indiana Kettle Corn and i was eyeing the bacon ranch flavor too until i saw these:

really now? olive oil, parmesan & garlic, and sea salt flavors. awesomeness! i’m on my second bag of parmesan garlic in 3 days. it’s good.

first Sprouts shopping trip is a wrap!

one mo landscape shot at the front registers.

one of the kindest sales associates brought Chiso a cup of gummy bears while we waited! that was extremely nice of him.

indeed!

got another free grand opening grocery bag to add to my collection. great experience, great store, and we will TOTALLY be back! a lot.

i got outta there with some good stuff- Justin’s nut butters were 79 cents instead of the usual 99, cuties were just 3 bucks for that big crate, the cherry tomatoes were a whopping ONE dollar each, strawberries and blueberries were 2 for 3, and those bags of mini peppers were 2 for 5. yessssss!

i immediately whipped out those tortillas and went to work on these grilled chicken burritos.

alfalfa sprouts, tomato, grilled chicken, and homemade guac all rolled up.

the next day, Good Friday, we did an early family gym date. we made grilled quesadillas for our post workout meal this time! Sprouts pineapples salsa and greek yogurt for dipping on the side.

and for dessert….

how did those get in there?

HAPPY EASTER, y’all!!!

basil boobie bells

March 25, 2013 by fitfoodiele

immediately after this morning’s class! a good friend of mine told me she was coming to see me and she showed up as promised i know how tough a 5:30am appointment can be to make, and i was so happy to see her again. i expressed my gratitude by kicking her butt, lol! 1 hour of total body conditioning later, we were outta there for the day.

a little later, i took Chiso to an Easter Egg Hunt that was being held at Discovery Green downtown. they always have something going on there for all ages, love it! we made it exactly 3 minutes before it started, but mommy forgot to put money in the meter so we had to speed walk all the way back to the truck. the meter maid actually met us there and had the ticket in hand and everything that fast!!!! he let me make it this time though, thank God. #whew

they let the 0 – 2 kiddos go first, so we made it back in time for Chiso to grab a few eggs. i cherish spending time with my little Stank Tank.

on to tha fooooood! i got some sliced rotisserie chicken from the HEB deli earlier this week, so i chopped it up and topped my spring mix salad with it for meal 3. it also had strawberries, carrots, avocado, tomatoes, pecans, fat-free feta, cracked black pepper, and a couple drizzles of Walden Farms raspberry vinaigrette.

so about those bell peppers! how many pics of these guys did i take? lots.

they were on sale at Kroger at the time 10 for 10 dollars, so i bought a bunch of ‘em.

then we walked to the mailbox later that evening and lookie there! perfect timing for the cover of one of my fave mags! what a coincidence. at least i think that’s what happened. i don’t remember anymore cause this post has been a draft since the end of January sounds about right though.

basil boobie bells

the stuff:

4 large bell peppers
2 large chicken breasts (or ground turkey, ground chicken)
1 cup cooked brown rice (or quinoa, or couscous)
2 garlic cloves
2 tbsp mrs. dash southwest chipotle seasoning
2 tbsp fresh parsley
2 tbsp fresh cilantro
2 tbsp fresh basil
1/2 tsp oregano
1 roma tomato, chopped
1/2 tsp pepper
1/2 cup low sodium oregano, garlic tomato sauce
1 – 2 tbsp liquid aminos
1/2 cup goat cheese (or shredded parmesan, or fat-free feta)
no stick cooking spray

do this:

1. preheat your oven to 375 degrees. cut the tops off of your peppers, remove the seeds, and if need be, cut the bottoms to ensure they sit flat in your pan.

2. spray both your baking pan and a medium heated skillet with no-stick cooking spray.

3. add the chopped garlic and onion to the hot skillet, and saute until translucent (2-3 minutes)

4. add raw, chopped chicken, liquid aminos, herbs, and spices; cook through until there is no more pink (5-7 minutes)

5. add the cooked rice, tomato sauce, chopped tomato and goat cheese, then turn off the heat and mix well.

6. situate your peppers into your baking pan, and distribute the mixture evenly between all four peppers.

7. bake for 40-50 minutes or until tender.

8. top with more fresh basil, let them cool, then eat ‘em up.

per bell pepper! remember the stats change depending on your substitutions

let the bell pepper pic collage ensue:

eat arainbow!!!

also, if you haven’t seen it on Instagram yet, i’m running a contest that started yesterday (monday) and will end this FRIDAY! you MUST like the Fit Foodie Le Facebook Fan Page if you haven’t already- i will pick one lucky fan to win something seriously cool. health and fitness related of course! spread the word, please and thank you!

sunday dinner

March 13, 2013 by fitfoodiele

my ‘rents came over to love on their grand baby this past weekend! so of course i whipped up a few things.

i started with a HUUUGE salad complete with romaine mix, fat-free feta, black olives, red, yellow, and orange bell peppers, tomatoes, cucumbers, and carrots all drizzled with Braggs liquid aminos, Braggs apple cidar vinegar + a little agave nectar,

and i used up the rest of a papaya to make some papaya-lime salsa.

here’s the original recipe again, but i added strawberries and avocado this time and it was SO much creamier. i highly suggest adding them every time!

this stuff is fabulous paired with seafood! and if you make enough of it, whip out some multi-grain chips or make your own by slicing up a whole wheat tortilla and baking it in the oven until crispy.

roasted, whipped sweet potaters topped with pecans and cinnamon (recipe will be in the ebookie)

and finally, baked, garlic & herb tilapia.

family and food together makes me one happier woman! i sincerely cherish being able to cook for my parents.

then….

for dessert, cinnamon…. apple…. almond cake! the stuff on top is apple whipped cream. it’s sugar-free, fat-free cool whip, diced red delicious apple, and greek yogurt) all blended into a sweet, light, heavenly topping. oh AND, i grinded on some of Trader Joe’s cinnamon sugar

cinnamon apple almond cake

the stuff:

4 tbsp diced apple
3 tbsp whole wheat flour
1/4 tsp vanilla extract
1/4 tsp almond extract
1 tsp coconut oil
1 tbsp applesauce
1/2 tsp apple pie spice
1 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp baking powder
2 tbsp unsweetened vanilla almond milk
1 tsp coconut crystals

do this:

set 1 tbsp of the diced or sliced apples aside along with the coconut crystals, and set your oven to 325 degrees.

mix the wet with the wet and the dry with the dry, then combine. (i made two cakes using my cupcake pan.)

distribute the coconut crystals evenly in the bottom of the two empty cupcake slots, as well as 2 tbsp of the diced/sliced apples (1 tbsp in each slot).

pour the batter on top!

cook for 12-15 minutes, but watch it closely.

take the cakes out, let them cool slightly, then flip them over onto a plate, pineapple upside down cake style. yummmmmmmy!

top with the apple whip, or eat it plain.

2 ‘cup’cakes or 1 big one

**you DON’T have to use the coconut oil if you don’t want to!** i included the nutritional adjustments just in case you omit it, but it does enhance the flavor and texture of the cake a lil bit. your call.

so i was thinking… you wont know what going on over here unless i tell you, duh! i’m working on two books right now which is what’s taking so long. the first will be for our 6 Pack USA clients and is almost complete, then i can really focus on the Fit Foodie Le book! both of them will be available for purchase- you don’t have to be a 6 Pack USA client to access the book and get the recipes though. the Fit Foodie Le book will be a combo of cleaner, healthier, classics like some of the recipes i’ve already shared with you, and tons of new recipes for snacks, dips, dressings, soups, stews, pastas, aaaaagggh!!!!!

i am TOO excited about it and i hope you are too! please be patient though and keep counting down with me.

before i let you go, pleeeease go check out my feature on Fitness, Food, and Style!! i met Dani via Instagram and she is one amazing woman, my goodness. i’m over here struggling to keep my blog alive with one kiddo and she has FOUR!!! what!? she was in the IT industry for a while and became a full-time SAHM (stay at home mom) after the birth of her second child. her blog is super informative for mothers or for anyone striving to just living a healthier life overall. show her some love, please!

BUCKLE UP!!!!!

1st lululemon product review!!

February 21, 2013 by fitfoodiele

HOT french toast for Chi this morning, oat bran banana pancakes for me! and egg whites. you know the drill.

i didn’t measure for the french toast, but i used whole wheat bread dipped in a mixture of egg whites, unsweetened vanilla almond milk, cinnamon, pure vanilla, and vanilla creme stevia. i topped it with some Walden Farms pancake syrup. Chiso is still in love with bananas and eats a whole one for breakfast every morning, so he can lick his syrupy fingers all he wants since it’s sugar-free!

for lunch, i got fancy with something i make at least 4 times a week cause it’s so QUICK. and i need quick these days.

egg whites, wild tuna, cucumbers, and tomato on some wheat toast with a dollop of guacamustard (avocado and coarse ground mustard whipped into a mousse) and sprinkled with some no-salt Mrs. Dash fiesta lime seasoning. you don’t have to make a tuna tower too, but it’s FUN! right!?

i’m no trained chef, yall! yeah right! yall better stop emailing me with those ‘i can’t do all that’ messages!!! first off, you can, and second, who said you had to!? i do this for kicks cause it makes me happy. ok and to impress Sonny. ultimately though, it also contributes to the fact that wholesome, healthy, nutritious food can taste as great as it looks. presentation is important to me, but above all else, eat what’s good for you, first.

SO, thank youuuuuu for your emails and questions!!! i will continue to do my very best to respond in a timely manner, and even answer some of them in my posts. how bout i do that right now!

Q: are you a PT (personal trainer)?

A: no, guys! i’m a group fitness instructor! a PT is something i’ve considered in the past and it’s just not for me…’officially’ anyway, lol! i am certainly not opposed to the one-on-one thing, but the energy of a riled up group of athletes, the loud music, the microphone…yeah the combo of all that is what i live for. i am in complete love with teaching classes for 24 Hour Fitness and Lifetime, however, i do have intentions of teaching local classes (bootcamp, abs, TKB), in due time.

‘WHAT DO WE WANT?! ‘

‘GAMS!!!!’

‘HOW DO WE GET’EM?!’

pop some squizats!

one of the many lower body exercises you can do for toned, strong, defined, glutes(butt), hamstrings(back of your legs), and quadriceps(front/top of your legs).

TIPS:

lift your toes in your shoes and press your heels into the floor
have an actual seat- like you’re about to sit in a chair
keep your knees behind your toes even at the lowest point of your squat
back flat, chest up, abs in, head up!
your stance determines which part of the legs you work, so switch it up often to target and work more angles (narrow stance, shoulder width stance, wide stance)
inhale down, exhale up
if your knees cave in toward each other as you squat, the weight is too heavy. proper form first. always.
you can hold heavy dumbbells down to your sides, you can sit the dumbbells on your shoulders (my personal fave), use a weighted barbell across the meaty part of your shoulders, or use no weight at all!

i am THRILLED to now be apart of lululemon’s r & d (research and development) team, whoop, whoop! i want to be apart of ALL THINGS LULU!!! no, this does not mean that i am employed by lululemon- it means that as an instructor, my feedback concerning lululemon products is valued and considered. well i have A LOT of that to spare and share

before i get to new items, i’m gonna start my first product review with some things i wear constantly as you can prolly tell via Instagram! i’m currently working on a new section on my blog that i will dedicate to *drum roll* product reviews! it’ll be composed of healthy food products i eat and use in my own recipes, as well as fitness related gear that i wear, use, and support. sooooo, here we go:

lululemon grey and black Wunder Under Pant (WU’s 2012) – 82.00$

second-skin fit – feels like next to nothing, literally!
four-way stretch
designed for yoga, gym, to-and-fro, extremely versatile
stylish!

secret waist pocket (keys, cards, small items, etc.)
wide soft waistband for comfort and eliminating muffin top

light-weight, comfy, moveable, breathable fabric no matter what type of exercise you are doing
the contours and embellishments contribute to a longer, leaner appearance <—-my FAVE!

it never fails- every time i wear them out, people really dig the back of these pants, and i did too! which is what sold me on ‘em. and can i just say i take ‘to-and-fro’ to a whole new level. gym or not, i slip them on and GO! highly recommended!

do you own a pair?

I'd rather have a life of 'oh wells' than a life of 'what ifs'. silence that voice of unbelief in your… instagram.com/p/Zqu101xuOE/ 5 hours ago
the epitome of clean eating lol. I've been eating my veggies raw these days and this is another one I… instagram.com/p/ZqfOymxuHO/ 7 hours ago
it's the final freakin count down!!!!! I revamped my sweet potato spinach lasanga again and got the… instagram.com/p/ZoAjhyRuEL/ 1 day ago
THANK YOU @Hair2ToeBeauty for making and devouring my Tropical Tilapia! this is only one of a few of… instagram.com/p/Zn6kQJRuMB/ 1 day ago
#bepositive #overcome #getbackup #goharder #dontstop instagram.com/p/Zn10aYRuF-/ 1 day ago

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fit foodie le

Tag Archives: food

zucchini pizza cruise ships + single leg deadlifts

Esprit De She 5k + glute bridges

Popcorn Indiana giveaway + clean, shrimp fried brown rice

La Tortilla Factory Giveaway!!!

homemade, creamy vanilla-strawberry-banana popsicles + kopy kat kale salad revamped!

family + fitness + food = birthday trifection

Sprouts Farmers Market KATY

basil boobie bells

sunday dinner

1st lululemon product review!!

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