chocolate, chips, and crackers, oh my

this morning i got the chance to walk it OUT again at the gym! you've seen the quote 'you're one workout away from a good mood,' but baybaaaay, i was already in one and the early workout made my day that much better.

i did about an hours worth of treadmill incline intervals.  i switched back and forth between these two settings:

4 mph @ incline level 4

2.5 mph @ incline level 15

sweaty, saturday FUN.

back at home, i had a gangload of zucchini (about 6 medium) i needed to spiralize so that's exactly what i did before they went bad.  i sauteed the zoodles in a large wok for about 5 minutes in 1 tbsp of olive oil over medium-high heat, then added them to a large bowl with about 3 large spoons of homemade guacamole from yesterday.  i didn't really have a sauce prepared and was being lazy. it worked though!  i paired them with tilapia and a few fresh tomatoes for lunch.  Sonny really enjoyed this! seriously.  these postpartum cravings...  i try to fight them as best i can and it is pure torture some days. i am a bottomless pit and i'm not even working out like i used to yet, jeez.  i either want chocolate, salty, crunchy chips, or crackers, so I turned to my old friend, popcorn.

3 cups of air popped popcorn is only 25 cals, 1g of fat, 22g carbs, 6g fiber, and 3g protein. soooo I made a big vat of homemade Salted Dark Chocolate Popcorn! I melted 2 tbsp of dark chocolate and drizzled it over the popcorn (that I cook on the stovetop with a lil coconut oil) and added a pinch of sea salt and a few mini chocolate chips. i suggest putting the entire bowl into the fridge so the drizzle can harden first, but i didn't wanna wait nor did i mind the mess.

 so, friday night ended differently that i expected! hubs came home and suggested sushi and i did not dispute him.  i order the same thing at our fave spot every time with the following adjustments:

• salmon teriyaki bento box with the teriyaki sauce on the side
• steamed veggies instead of vegetable tempura
• 2 salads instead of the soup & salad my meals comes with as the sodium from the miso soup bloats me
• i customized my roll and asked for brown rice with fresh shrimp and avocado.

according to Sonny my roll always tastes too healthy.  whatevs.

dinner... and a show.

 Q: what special healthier requests do you make when ordering food at a restaurant?

le

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

 

sunday dinner

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!!!!!

le

HEB meal deals + banana french toast

it's cooooooold.  Houston finally got with it and the temps have dropped.  enjoy it while it lasts.  this morning though... i did NOT wanna get up.  you hear me?   4:15am came way too quick and my bed was way too comfy.  i admire my members for just showing up to class like they always do.  THAT is true commitment and dedication if i ever saw it. cause ummmm, if i didn't have to be there today.... yeah :shock:  watching them file into the studio one by one, collect their equipment, and wait in anticipation as the clock winded down to begin class gave me the energy and inspiration i needed to give them nothing short of my absolute best!!  and that cup of coffee /green tea combo didn't hurt either.   let nothing stop you from remaining consistent and making progress. nothing. especially something as petty as the weather!

after class i did some upper body (shoulders + chest),

took a pic of my polar HR monitor :lol:

zipped up my Lululemon, 

and headed home to take more pics and make breakfast!  saturday i saw all this french toast on IG and it inspired me to make some of my own.  i had some again this morning with my egg white omelette and they hit the spot.  carbolicious.

i used sesame ezekiel sprouted grain bread and made a sliced banana sandwich first,

then, i dipped the entire thing in a mixture of:

stuffed banana french toast

the stuff:

• 1 cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk
• 1 tsp pure vanilla
• 3-5 drops of vanilla creme stevia
• 1 tbsp coconut crystals
• 2 tsp cinnamon
• 2 egg whites

do this:

1. combine all ingredients into a bowl big enough for your sandwich to fit in.
2. mix them well, then dip your sandwich in on one side for 2 seconds, then flip it to the other side for 2 seconds.
3. immediately transfer it to a medium heated no stick pan and 'fry' it until brown on one side.
4. flip it and brown the other side!  plate it up however you'd like and top it with more cinnamon, walden farms pancake syrup, and fresh banana slices.  i even shot it with some 'i can't believe it's not butter' spray a few times.
5. NOM.

i like mine crispy!

@  HEB this past weekend, i took advantage of one of their popular meal deal specials.  i got the two-step gumbo and the BBQ shrimp mix for free.  yep, i had some help.

 it's not considered clean, but it's all natural, decent nutritional stats, and quite good!

stats (per 1/2 cup): 60 cals, 1.5g fat, 470 mg sodium, 9g carbs, 2g fiber, 3g sugar, 2g protein

to the gumbo mix, i added 1 cup of water, another cup of low sodium chicken broth, a bag of frozen okra, cut up two roma tomatoes, some fresh cilantro,

and even though it didn't really need it, extra seasonings!  just a few dashes of my sweet smokey chipotle paprika, black pepper, sriracha, and 2 squirts of liquid aminos.  it all came to a rolling boil, then i let it simmer for about 20 min on low so it could thicken up.

i THOUGHT i had some shrimp leftover from last week's kale tacos, but nope...all gone.   wish i had realized that before i went to the store!!  i ended up using some of the bbq tilapia that you're gonna read about in a sec.   so if you have some, you can totally add shellfish, crab, sausage, etc. because gumbo just ain't gumbo without it ;)

i added a scoop of brown rice on top and Sonny mixed it all together before he gobbled it up.

when you buy the gumbo mix, you get this free.  i got to sample this stuff on some steel head trout while in the store which is what sold me on it!  i believe the cooking demo lady used olive oil to thin it out though:(  but it was soooo good. when i got home, i took 2 tablespoons of the shrimp mix and added 1 cup of unsweetened vanilla almond milk to make a creamy marinade for my tilapia.

stats: (per tbsp) 25 cals, 1g fat, 1g sat fat, 340 mg sodium, 3 carbs, 2 sugars

loved it!!! yes, almond milk!!

oh yeah, while i was @ the store, i came across these guys.  can you read that sign?  it says purple sweet potatoes are higher in nutritional value than the traditional sweet potato.  who knew? i didn't.  a friend of mine advised that i check out an Asian market  for these babies though cause that 2.98 a lb is a little too steep for me.  can't wait to try them!

now for my last unexpected purchase!  i've been drinking almond milk for like the past 3 years now and i have no plans to go back to dairy milk anytime soon, or ever.  but when i tell you i almost slurped down this whole box, you better believe it.

it was worth the gas and bloating :lol:

 Chiso hasn't been a fan of drinking milk solo, so i've just been using it to make his oatmeal instead of water so he can still get his vitamin D and calcium.  after i let him sample a little of this Horizon Organic Vanilla milk @ the store, to my surprise, he asked for more immediately!  actually i'm not surprised cause it's a little high in sugar (22g) and it's vanilla flavored. lol.  however, it's all natural, and still loaded with nutrients, so it went in the basket.

he tried to tear that box open after it was empty.  score!  if only he loved his veggies the same way...

le