homemade oatmeal cream pies + pre-workout snacks

  this recipe has been on my IG  forever and it's time for it to hit the fit recipes section too here on tha blog. so here ya go:

homemade oatmeal cream pies

the stuff:

cookies:

1 1/4 cup rolled oats 3/4 cup Bob's Red Mill Whole Wheat Pastry Flour 1 tsp cinnamon 1 tsp vanilla 1/8 tsp salt 1/2 cup unsweetened apple sauce 2 tbsp coconut oil 1/2 cup coconut crystals 1/4 cup Stevia for Baking (NOT the packets!) 1/2 tsp baking soda

filling: 4 tbsp light cream cheese (room temperature) 4 tbsp sugar-free cool whip (optional) 2 heaping tbsp greek yogurt 1 tsp vanilla 1/2 tsp cinnamon 1 packet stevia

do this:

combine wet with wet and dry with dry; mix well. in a large mixing bowl, combine the two mixtures until incorporated. for filling- whip everything together until smooth and chill in a large mixing bowl.  make sure the cookies have cooled completely before you make the sammiches!  bake 16 cookies for 10-12 min on 350 deg.

thank you guys for the IG love concerning these pies!!! @mrs_meka_l tagged me just last night after she whipped up a batch, yum. thanks hun! love the comparison pic ;)

nutritional stats per cookie sammich: 184 calores, 6 g fat, 27 g carbs, 147mg sd, 3g fiber, 8g sugar, 4g protein!

makes 8 (one top cookie, one bottom + 2 heaping tbsp of filling)

super boring lunch today, but this is why i love having prepped food ready to go.  convenience!  i threw this all in my tupperware and hit the streets for a few hours running errands.

 the tilapia was sautéed in about 2 tbsp of Bragg Liquid Aminos + about 1/4 - 1/2 cup of water, and sprinkled with Sicilian Mc Cormick Perfect Pinch seasoning on top.    you can use low sodium chicken broth too if ya got it.  i paired it with cilantro-lime brown rice, some avocado and a couple of almonds for good fat.

this is one of my absolute fave pre and/or post workout snacks right here..

it's all over my IG feed, i know.  toasted 100% whole grain whole wheat bread slathered with honey roasted peanut butter and fruit (usually strawberries or bananas).

my goodness that looks so dreamy, right!?!?!?! gaaaaaah.   why do i consume this before (and sometimes after) a workout?

this snack is a winner because it gives a healthy balance of protein (from the peanut butter) and carbs (from the fruit and bread).  this combo ensures your energy levels stay high throughout your workout.  for post-workout, similar deal.  the protein and carbs in this snack helps to replenish and repair glycogen levels after breaking down your muscles from your hardcore workout.  other pre-workout suggestions:

• pear and pistachios
• coffee (especially for my early risers)
• low-fat chocolate milk
• apple, hardboiled egg, string cheese
• raw coconut water
• low-fat cheese on toast
• protein shake with banana

********

Sonny and i did a fitness photo shoot last week for Next Generation Athletics and we scored some of their awesome fitness gear in return!  what a perk i appreciate sincerely.  i wore some of the clothes to class this morning and got great feedback from my members on it.  kudos to NXG for the their amazingly comfortable and stylish fitness apparel.

Q: what is your favorite pre/post workout snack or meal?  share away so we can all try some of them!

le

 

made with LOVE

i had a cooking date with my sister-friend, Ogechi recently.

she's heeeeeere!  i snapped this right after she rang the doorbell-  i was so excited to spend some girl time together hanging out, cooking, and EATING.

Ogechi brought me some of this insanely good sweet potato black bean soup while i was in the hospital having Chiso, and again once we got home and adjusted to being a 3 member family.  so this recipe is AAAALLLL her! she gets 100% credit and nothing but 100% gratitude from me.

 it was a no-brainer as to what we'd be making for our cooking date.

'just be natural, Ogechi!' lol.

Sonny better be glad he wasn't home cause he knows he woulda been our photographer for the evening.

 she brought the bulk of the ingredients with her and even some gifts for me:

SEASONINGS!!!!!!! :shock:  smoky chipotle...it smelled magical.

and some sweet smoked paprika.  will that not be BOMBTASTIC on some  fresh salmon!?

this girl loooooooooves the spice aisle @ Marshalls and hooked me up big time.  she also brought me some hickory smoked salt.  i have been convinced to go look around for more spice aisle goodies at Marshalls / Home Goods / T. J. Maxx for sure.

we broke out all the ingredients on the island, and yaaaaay, she brought the Bragg's liquid aminos!!! then, Ogechi whipped out her kitchen knife.

yes, she brought her own knife!  i completely understand... i'm the same way with my own kitchen utensils and pots and pans.  she was slicing and dicing away on the onions, garlic and sweet potatoes with her impressive knife skills, my goodness.  i was in awe cause ummmm....   i put the rough in rough chop :lol:

'i just love the sound of sizzling vegetables.'

me too Ogechi, me too.

medjool dates- sweet and chewy.  Ogechi brought these with her, but i had some fake medjools (they were cheaper *shrugs*) i bought in bulk from HEB last week. they have been sitting on my counter staring at me since then.  i've seen them used in pie crusts for vegan recipes and i plan on making some key lime pie soon, just in time for turkey day next month!

my kitchen

smelled

AMAZING.

p.s. remove the bay leaves after the soup is done; they get bitter if  left in too long.

time to taste!  a few pinches of salt and some fresh cilantro made it perfect.

Chi enjoyed his dinner and the show.

sweet potato black bean soup

the stuff:

• 2 cans black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 can red beans, drained and rinsed
• 1  large sweet potato
• 1 can diced tomatoes (may use fresh as well)
• 1 cup frozen sweet corn (may use canned)
• 1/4 cup salsa
• 1 medium onion
• 3 cloves fresh garlic
• 3 medjool dates chopped
• 1 tbsp fresh ginger, grated
• 2 tbsp smoky paprika chipotle seasoning- (can use regular paprika, no worries)
• 1 tsp cumin
• *1 tsp smokey sweet paprika.....(add this more for color but it gives a nice smokey taste too) optional!
• 1/2 cube low sodium veggie bouillon
• 1 tbsp Bragg's liquid aminos
• salt & pepper to taste (or chili powder)
• 1-2 bay leaves
• 1-2tbsp olive oil (may use vegetable oil)
• 3 cups broth or stock
• 3 cups water

do this:

1. chop the onions, garlic & cut sweet potatoes into bite sizes.
2.  heat oil in sauce pan on medium heat, add onions, garlic and sweet potatoes. saute for 3-5mins.
3.  while veggies are sautéing, rinse beans very well (this helps keep the soup color pretty & not muddy brown & washing off extra salt too).
4. after 3-5mins of sautéing, add the stock to the pot.
5. throw everything else in.....the beans, tomatoes, salsa, dates, corn, bouillon cube (melt this with a lil warm water first) ginger, all seasonings and top off with water.
6. add enough liquid to make it soup. remember, the size of the soup will reduce a bit as it simmers.
7. cover and let simmer for about 30mins.
8. taste and adjust seasoning (some salt or even an extra dash of Braggs ) as needed, then top with cilantro, cheese avocado, lime, sriracha, etc.

 Ogechi enjoyed a bowl topped with plenty of ripe, creamy avocado.

 i almost titled this post 'soup and sisters'.  sooooooo corny.

i've been eating the leftovers for the past few days and topping it with almond cheese and avocado- it just keeps getting BETTER AND BETTER!

make some for someone you love.

thank you x's infinity, Ogechi. xoxo

le

almost doesn't count

Saturday morning started with a much-needed posing session!  i met with my coach, Christine, and she took video of me this time which reeeeeeally helps me see what the judges will see.  still working.  so grateful for that and for her!

we had a sweet sunday and visited my parent's church this morning.  we did the family thang in our green :mrgreen:

after an active rest day yesterday, i had a ton of energy and was ready to kill it in the gym for leg day.  i so wanted to get up super early and go do my cardio outside before church so i could devote my gym time later to legs only, but it just didn't happen that way!  had to do both in one trip, no biggie.

heeeeeeey :P

normally i'm in the gym for 1 hour, tops.

i was on the stairmaster, pumped, and well on my way to burning 1K cals when suddenly i heard over the loud speaker:

'leah, you are needed in the child center, leah, you are needed in the child center.'

CRAP!!! i was soooooooooo close!!

i try not to always think of the worst thing possible when something like that happens, but as i scurried off of that thing and ran downstairs i prayed whatever happened was minor.  i flew open the door to the child center and was greeted by 6 employees standing around staring at me.  it was quiet as a mouse.   i looked past them and in the distance for Chiso and asked 'is everything ok??'

employee # 1 said, 'oh yeah, everything's fine.'  employee #2 turns to employee #3 and with his fists clenched and arms in the air exclaims, 'no more kids, we can go home now!!' employee #1 turns to me and calmly states, 'we closed at 4, ma'am.'

clearly it was 4:15 :oops: .  i missed the warning messages that the center was closing AND the 3 subsequent calls for me after 4pm. i told yall i was GETTIN' IT today!!!

afterwards, we hit up HEB to get some stuff for the week.  the usual- more brown rice, fresh fruit, frozen veggies, and meat.

i wandered past the bulk spice isle and i'll revisit it again soon.  i have way too many of those McCormick bottles at home to be buying any more seasoning right now!

i did pick this up though- loooove this stuff on my turnip greens instead of regular white vinegar!  Bragg's raw, unfiltered, organic apple cider vinegar, good stuff.

welp, monday is here again. already.  let's do this- full speed ahead!

le