Another step closer

This morning I met with a new coach, her name is Dawn Alison and she is the owner of Fit Body BC. I have been following her team via Facebook for a while now and I like not only the success that I see with her clients, but the diversity in her team.

I have decided to train for the Sandra Wickham Fall Classic November 9, 2014. This is the same show I was training for in 2013 but I did not end up competing, as explained in my earlier post.

I have also decided to enter into the Figure category instead of bikini. I feel like this suits my body better, and my personality as well.

I was asked to bring a picture of the body that I have in my head, and the first person I thought of was Brooke Erickson. I follow her and love reading her posts, very inspirational and real! I also like her “off-season” just as much as her “show” body. I don’t think that anyone should be 20-30lbs difference between these two stages, and a lot of girl that I have been reading are!

Well, wish me luck 😉

Pink Shirt Day – Anti Bullying Day

Today I wear a pink sweater to show support for http://www.pinkshirtday.ca/ in BC. I didn’t consider myself “bullied” as a child but when I stop and think about it I did have a couple of instances.

In grade 6 my friends and I were playing outside at school and it had just snowed. I was sitting on a ledge with my girlfriends watching all the boys having a snowball fight. I can’t remember exactly why but one boy that I knew decided to made a snowball with a rock in the middle of it, he proceeded to throw it directly at my head, hitting me and knocking me right off that ledge. He called me names and tormented me but I always thought he had issues and it wasn’t really me personally, but maybe it was?

In high school, well as long as I can remember I struggled with my weight and body image, high school just emphasizes it! I was walking with a friend when a car if guys we knew drove by, one of which I was pretty fond of at the time, they yelled out the window “eat a salad fatty!” And laughed.

I was lucky to not have dealt with this issue much but those memories will always be there! Those guys may not have thought much about the comments then, and probably wouldn’t remember now but I do.

I guess think twice before speaking negatively about anyone. You may not think you are being a bully, but that is how it could be interpreted. And look out for others, speak up, pay it forward, just be good!

Who I follow – Recipes

These are some of my favourite sites for recipes that I follow and refer to often. Check them out!

Homepage

http://stupideasypaleo.com/

Latest Recipes

Home

http://nomnompaleo.com

http://www.proteinpow.com/

http://www.grassfedgirl.com/

http://www.fitnesstreats.com/

Savory Lotus

I will try to update as I think of them! Enjoy!

Homemade “Quest like” Bar

I did it! I ordered the magic ingredient and tried it and it worked! Not sure why I doubted it? No, it’s not as good as the original but for probably 1/4 of the price and the ability to make different flavours, I’m in!

I’ll post the recipe later 🙂

Update! The recipe I followed I found via http://www.fitnesstreats.com/2014/01/more-homemade-quest-like-protein-bars/ I followed the Chocolate Chip Cookie Quest bar and it worked out amazingly!

The first time I made only one, just to test it out…

It was good, good enough to try again. The next time I did a batch of 6 – 6 x the recipe in my stand-up mixer and then smooooshed it into a 9 x 9 silicone baking pan. I put it in the fridge for about an hour to set and I am not sure if we even waited the full hour before diving in!

The macro’s on my bars; 248 cal, 12.75 carb (net), 22 protein, 7.25 fat (chocolate chip cookie dough quest bar is 160 cal, 9 carb (net), 20 protein and 6 fat)

I used baker’s unsweetened chocolate, Mutant Vanilla Whey protein powder, English Toffee Sweet Drops and my son’s Arrowroot cookies (don’t tell him!) so that made the bars a little higher in carb and calories and also they are NOT gluten free!

Oh “beep, beep” goes my oven – do they bake the same?? (350 for 8 mins)

 

Of course they do – YUM! All in all, very successful but if I am going to continue to make them myself I will be more choosy with the ingredients.

Let me know how yours turn out!

 

Egg White Muffins

What is another word for “Muffins” when referring to a savoury dish? My Mom would like me to call them “Rounds” but I am not sure I like that?!? Ideas?

On the Jamie Eason Livefit program the evening meal is 5-6 egg whites and vegetable. So, to make life easy I put in the food processor – spinach, brussel sprouts, mushrooms and parsley.

Then I put a couple of heaping tablespoons into a greased muffin tin and added 1-1/2 Tbsp of Egg White (because that is all that fit!)

I put them in the oven for about 15 mins at 350F.

And the Egg White MUFFIN was born! They are pretty tasty, I think next time I will add onion to my mixture of vegetables to give a little bit more flavour and moisture. Enjoy!

Turkey Muffins

I made Jamie Eason’s Turkey Muffins for my program and they turned our great! A little bigger than expected considering I am supposed to have 4 of them per day! I used my same vegetable mix that I used in my Egg White Muffins

I also made a second batch to put into the freezer so that I just have to defrost and cook. We are all about easy around here!

Here is the recipe direct from Jamie Eason herself…

Monday February 10th

The only journey is the one within. Rainer Maria Rilke

Jamie Eason’s Livefit Trainer

Jamie Eason’s Livefit Trainer

I just started to follow this program. It is 12 weeks long in 3 Phases. It gives you all the workouts; strength and cardio plus the food program. I will be logging my workouts using the Bodyspace App and following the food program!

Pine Nut Quinoa Salad

A good friend of mine has so many great ideas for ways to spice up normal food, like Quinoa! I have told her she needs to start her own blog and hopefully one day she will! But until then, I will share her recipes on my blog, shhhhh don’t tell 😉

2 cups cooked Quinoa

4 tbsp chopped fresh parsley

2 tbsp nutracleanse

1/2 tsp black pepper

1/4 tsp pink sea salt

1/4 cup finely crushed pine nuts

2 tsp avocado oil

Mix all together and serve cold.

This is the Pink Sea Salt that I use…

Avocado Oil I bought from Costco…

Finished product! Yum!

Quinoa Hummus

I had some chickpeas sitting the in cupboard that I wanted to use, so I thought that I would try to make my own hummus. I have high-jacked my Mom’s food processor until I get my own. I want to try to make use of it while I have it. We are trying to eat more raw veggies and avoiding store bought dips and salad dressings, so homemade hummus was right up our alley!

1/2 cup water

1/4 cup quinoa

One 19oz can chickpeas, drained and rinsed

1/4 cup water

1/4 cup fresh lemon juice

2 Tbsp tahini

1 tsp minced fresh garlic

1/2 tsp ground cumin

1/4 tsp salt

1/4 tsp cayenne pepper (optional)

1 tsp minced fresh parsley (optional)

Bring the 1/2 cup water and quinoa to a boil in a small saucepan. Reduce to a simmer, cover and cook for 10 minutes. Turn the heat off and leave the covered saucepan on the burner for an additional 5 minutes. Remove the lid, fluff with a fork and set aside to cool.

Combine the chickpeas, 1/2 cup cooked quinoa, 1/4 cup water, lemon juice, tahini, garlic, cumin, salt and cayenne pepper (if using) in a food processor or blender.

Puree until smooth. Place in serving bowl and garnish with parsley (if using).

Serve with vegetables, crackers or pita wedges. Refrigerate leftovers for up to 2 days.