Well it's definitely getting warmer despite all the rain we've been having.  I haven't been on here in quite some time, but am hoping you all are still checking out clean eating, exercising, and of course Zumba!!! 

I just got a few new items that I'm in love with...first, I got the latest edition of clean eating magazine.  It's packed with healthy recipes and summer foods.  And I picked up a copy of the Fuel + Fitness book.  It's available online.  A great read so far with many exercise and eating tips. 

So...does anyone have a great healthy summer recipe they are willing to share?!?!?  I love this time of year because recipes can be so simple yet so tasty with all the fresh produce available.  Last night we had lean steaks, baked potatoes, peppers, onions, asparagus...all cooked on the grill!  YUMMY!!! 

Here is a link to a bunch of sample menus from Clean Eating Magazine.  Take a look at all of them and you can pick and choose what works for you.  Remember to keep it balanced!

http://www.cleaneatingmag.com/Meal-Planning/Meal-Plans.aspx

Here is a sample of a menu that I made.  Again, I am NOT a nutritionist, this is just something I put together for myself.  You can exchange foods if you don't like something, but try to keep it clean and the from the same group.  Example...you don't like walnuts exchange them with another protein such as almonds or deli turkey.  You don't like cheese...exchange it for another low fat dairy such as skim milk.  The point of this is to eat clean and keep your body fueled thru out the day.  Drink lots of water and remember drinks count towards your overall calories, fat, sugar, carbs, etc.  So limit sodas, alcohol, sugary juices, sugary coffees, etc.

Also, make sure you are getting your workouts in.  Losing weight and getting healthy is a combinations of healthy eating and exercise.  Aim for 30 mins at least

Ingredients:
4 Chicken Breasts
24 Asparagus Stalks
1 - 1/2 cups cooked wild rice
1 Can 98% fat free Cream of Broccoli Soup
4-6 oz Monterray Jack Cheese, shredded

Directions:
1.   Preheat Oven to 350 degrees.

2.  Cook Rice according to package directions.

3.  In a 9x13 casserole dish, cover bottom with cooked rice.  Then, layer the asparagus stalks across the rice.  Place the thawed chicken breasts on top of the asparagus. 

4.  Whisk together 1 cup water and 1 can cream of broccoli soup.  Pour soup mixture over the ingredients in the cassarole dish.

5.  Sprinkle cheese on top.

6.  Cover with foil and bake for 40 mins or until chicken is cooked through. 

7.  Enjoy!!!!

Comments:

I loved this.  It was quick and easy.  I used thin sliced chicken breasts.  I also used a little more rice to cover the bottom of the dish.  I baked for about 50 mins and took the foil off for a few mins at the end to add a nice browned look to the cheese and chicken. 
Hope you like it!

Last night at class some of you caught me munching away on my "Snack #2".  I was eating an apple with almond butter.  YUM!  I also had a weekly menu sitting out and some of you were asking about it.  I thought I'd take a few minutes and explain a little bit about Clean Eating and why I try to do it. 

Clean Eating is simply eating foods at their most natural state or without a lot of ingredients added or processing done.  Examples include fresh fruit & veggies, fresh meat (pork, chicken, beef, fish, etc), complex carbs and whole grains, etc.  It eliminates extra ingredients (you know...the ones you can't pronounce!) without eliminating a lot of foods. 

It's a great way to eat healthy and feel good about your eating habits.  It's also very simple and can be easily added into your diet.  And when I say diet, I don't mean cutting a ton of calories and limiting yourself to things you hate to eat.  Clean Eating is simply a way of eating, not a diet.  It replaces some of the more processed foods, which are typically the ones packed with empty calories, sugars, sodium, etc with healthier options.  So...I still eat dessert if I want, breakfast, lunch, dinner, and 2 snacks!  Remember....food is fuel for your body, that's it!  It's like going to the gas station and filling up.  You want the most gas for your dollar.  Eating clean provides that...more foods packed with vitamins and minerals and usually less calories!

Check out a site I use often.  I also subscribe to their magazine which has a ton of great recipes and a 2 week meal planner in the back of every issue.  I used bits and pieces of the meal plannners to put together my own menu for a week.   

www.cleaneatingmag.com

I was fortunate enough to receive their cookbook as a Christmas gift from my Mom this year too!  AWESOME!

If you have questions or comments please feel free to post them!

I want to thank everyone for coming to classes this week.  And especially those of you that brought new guests.  I hope you had a great week of working out!  Have a very Happy Easter!

How's everyone doing with eating and exercising?  It's really crunch time now...with warmer weather right around the corner!  The goal is to stay fit and healthy all year round, but we all do it - come April & May we are hitting the calories with two fists trying to drop those pesky pounds we put on over the winter months. 

I know I am guilty of this as well.  I started weaving in some other workouts during the week: yoga, insanity, running.  And boy can I tell I've been slacking!  I'm so sore after running in the beautiful weather on Monday!  But it was great to get outside.

My eating has been pretty good.  Some unhealthy snacks here and there, but I've really been trying to make sure I'm eating enough calories.  I think sometimes we are so worried about eating healthy that we forget to actually track the amount of calories.  Not eating enough can also cause the body to pack on the pounds!  Keeping a food journal is a great way to monitor your eating habits...even if you only do it for a few days. 

What have you been doing to try to get ready for shorts and tank tops?  Or...have you been good over winter with no worries about the lack of layers of clothing?! 

Frozen Pudding Pies (I doubled recipe, made roughly 18 mini's)  
1 box Jello Cookies 'n Creme pudding (mix as directed- I only used half the fat free milk, to allow it to be thicker)
1/2 block cream cheese (used weight watchers cream cheese- this also allows for a thicker creamier mix)
1/2 small Cool Whip (sugar free would work)    

That is the mix i used for in the pie then I did this:  
*graham cracker pie crusts (bought individual serving pie, but a large one would work just as easily, the minis were cute though :)    ) *Sugar Free fudge along pie crust bottom and sides   Put the mix in the crust and freeze for at least 4 hours   I made up this idea in my head to make these for Nicci's birthday, and when I found the Jello mix, it had a variation of it on the side, coincidence!!! I just altered it to fit a healthier style. Also, if you have the time, you can try and make less cal. pie crusts with like reduced fat graham crackers crumbled and a low fat butter or I can't believe it's not butter stuff.

 Cheesy Turkey Macaroni Helper  
1 lb turkey
1 cup hot water
2 cups milk (we made a large batch and used only half the milk it called for, still worked out good)
1 1/2 cups elbow macaroni (we used wheat penne)
1 cup cheddar cheese (used fat free cheddar, only 45 cal. serv)    

The sauce packet:
1 tablespoon cornstarch
2 tablespoon paprika
1 teaspoon onion powder (used onion salt)
1 teaspon garlic (used garlic salt)
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon sugar (used splenda)    

We made the noodles and the meat separate so it would cook faster. Once both were done we added the burger to the noodle, added the milk and water and "sauce packet" let sit until the liquid boils (stirring). Once it boils add the cheese and stir till melted. EAT UP! (I had to add extra sauce packet but I think our portions were all jacked up from trying to enlarge the recipe so much, but still delicious- kids loved it)

From Shana & Nicci!  Thanks Ladies for sharing your recipe!