parents — Blog — Fit Foodie Le

FITzee Foods isn't just a product; it's a complete lifestyle.

5 cents of each purchased FITzee Foods meal goes to their Healthy Child Movement. this program helps to ensure that Monarch (a public K-12 school dedicated to helping San Diego's homeless and at-risk children break the cycle of poverty through education) kids receive the nutritious and well-balanced meals that will help them succeed academically. i think that is pretty darn amazing and admirable, and something i would love to do with Fit Foodie Le,LLC in the near future. i'm a firm believer in starting healthy habits early and leading by example at home.

I was invited by my sorority sister, Santrice (l), to speak to the parents of the students attending Fonwood Early Childhood Center this morning on nutrition!

such a gratifying feeling. once it was over of course. LOL. public speaking is just like exercise...the more you do it the better and stronger you get. it was a fun experience and i got to share it with another Soror of mine, Crystal Hadnott (r), a certified nutritionist, personal trainer, pilates reformer Instructor, spin instructor, and piloxing instructor. yeah she does it ALL!

we even had a translator which was a first for me. Crystal spoke about eating healthy on a budget, and my task was to elaborate on healthy snack ideas the parents could make for their kiddos.

this was near and dear to my heart since i battle feeding my picky little one every single day! i discussed two options that have worked for me:

1st, homemade, healthy, oven baked, whole wheat pita pizza. i've learned that less is more with kids. too much going on (toppings) and they are less likely to eat whatever it is their staring or picking at. i went with the two standard ingredients: all natural pizza sauce and cheese.

pre-heat oven to 400 degrees
cut the pita in half and place them inside-up on a large baking pan
sprinkle on any herbs or seasonings onto the top of the pita (basil, oregano, italian seasoning)
place into oven for 4-5 minutes until slightly crisp
remove from oven and spread pizza sauce all around crust evenly
sprinkle with grated or chopped cheese of your choice
if you'd like to add any other ingredients you know your little one will eat (chicken, turkey, beef, etc) do so now!
put back into oven and let bake just until the cheese starts to brown and melt.
cut, let cool slightly, eat up.

2nd, homemade trail mix. you can do both of these together and make it a family thing. involve your kiddos. they don't always have to watch you do something for them! let them be apart of the process, and they are more likely to eat what the produce. i hit up the bulk aisle of one of my favorite stores and got scoop happy. this is a practical and cost-effective snack, and the great thing is that you can mix and match anything YOU guys want.

i got a few scoops of the following: dried mango, dried blueberries, stuffed peanut butter pretzels, unsalted roasted pistachios, almonds, and cashews, dark chocolate covered raisins, yogurt pretzels, sour and regular sugar-free gummy bears, cheddar popcorn, dried apricot, roasted edamame, dried pineapple, sesame sticks, and added a few of every pile to an individual sandwich baggy. they were passed out to the parents during my presentation! if you're speaking about food, you've GOT to have samples ;)

a copy of Fit Foodie Lean was raffled off to one lucky parent, and i was so grateful to be able to share my passion for healthy cooking and eating with them. giving back to the community is a social responsibility we should partake in as often as possible. thank you for continuing to lead by such an outstanding example, FITzee Foods!

it's my Friday to teach at the gym tomorrow so i am hitting the sack! nite

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!