SkinnyPop Does It Again

Posted on April 25, 2014 by megolina

I must say…of all of the healthy bagged popcorn options SkinnyPop is my favorite, and I have tried A LOT of them. It has flavor. It is light. It is all natural. It’s just pain delightful. Well, you can imagine my excitement when the fantastic people of SkinnyPop sent me three of their new flavors to try.  IMG_7375The new flavors are Black Pepper, Naturally Sweet, and Ultra Lite White Cheddar. All of these flavors are low in calories, and made up of all natural ingredients. IMG_7378The Black Pepper flavor has a light peppery kick to it that I loved. It gave it some flavor, and it was something different than the usual popcorn taste. I really liked it.   IMG_7382The Naturally Sweet flavor wasn’t what I expected. I thought it would be like kettle corn, but it’s not. It is very lightly sweetened with cane juice. It has just a hint of sweetness, and unlike kettle corn, it only has one gram of sugar per serving. This stuff is TO DIE FOR. I liked it a LOT. IMG_7386I usually don’t love cheddar flavored popcorn, but this flavor of SkinnyPop made me think again. It’s lightly dusted with the white cheddar flavoring, staying true to it’s “Ultra Lite” claim. It was really flavorful, and I think it is an awesome snack option that people will LOVE.

SkinnyPop, you have seriously done it again…times three. My only qualm is that I have yet to find a place where I can purchase these incredible flavors around me! If you see them, try them! It is the best healthy snack. My only warning is that you may want to eat the whole bag in one sitting… 😉

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Portobello Mushroom Pizzas

Posted on April 11, 2014 by megolina

With this newfound love I have for mushrooms, I’ve been itching to try something with portobello mushroom caps. I read up on baking them, and decided to try my hand at making some mini pizzas. The outcome was delicious, and super easy. Processed with VSCOcam with f2 presetI mad a  very simple BBQ chicken pizza and a margarita pizza. They were both were really tasty, but I think my favorite was the BBQ chicken. Processed with VSCOcam with f2 preset You really could get creative and do a lot of different flavor combos. I think pesto, and any combination of veggies would have been divine as well!

Portobello Mushroom Cap Pizzas (Serves 1, makes 2 mini pizzas)

  • INGREDIENTS: 2 Portobello mushroom caps & desired pizza toppings. I used bbq sauce, shredded chicken, tomato sauce, fresh sliced tomatoes, baby spinach, and part skim mozzarella cheese.
  • DIRECTIONS: Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Wipe portobello mushroom caps clean. Remove stems, and spores if you like. If you rinse them underwater they will soak up the water, and it will cause them to become soggy later. Place on a sprayed baking sheet (cap side down) and bake for 10 minutes. Remove them from the oven and top with whatever toppings you desire. I mixed shredded chicken with BBQ sauce for one and sprinkled part skim mozzarella over the top. For the second, I topped it with tomato sauce, baby spinach, fresh sliced tomatoes, and part skim mozzarella. Bake for an additional 10-12 minutes, or until cheese is golden brown. Remove and serve!

This recipe really is SO easy. I even had some friends try these little delights, and they thought they were delicious! This is a great alternative to pizza dough for those who aren’t eating grains, and would love to sink their teeth into a personal pan pizza.

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3 Ingredient Paleo Pancakes

Posted on March 24, 2014 by megolina

Every now and again I get a hankering for the foods I used to have every now and again. Even prior to my embracing the paleo lifestyle I ate really healthy. However, I would have some foods that included grains every now and again. Since I’ve been following the paleo way of eating, there are some things that I forget that I haven’t had in a while. Tonight, I was wanting some breakfast for dinner. I have seen this method of making paleo pancakes all over the place, but I’ve never tried it. Let’s just say I’m super glad I did!Processed with VSCOcam with t1 presetPaleo 3 Ingredient Pancakes: Serves 1

  • Ingredients: 1 small banana, 1 TBS almond butter, and 1 egg.
  • Directions: mash banana, add in almond butter and egg. Cook on medium-high heat until cooked through. This recipe makes 3 small pancakes. I added some cinnamon into mine because I love it, and what goes better with bananas? I also reserved a little portion of the banana to slice on top with some peanut butter (which i realize takes away the paleo…i just couldn’t resist) and maple syrup.

I thought these were delicious! The flavor was kind of banana bread-esque, which I was happy about. The consistency was light and fluffy. I consider these to be more of a “treat” meal because the banana boosts the sugar content, but they were really good!

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Quinoa Avocado Tomato Cucumber Salad

Posted on March 21, 2014 by megolina

I know, the name of the recipe sounds like a mouthful. However, it is extremely simple. AND…it’s so good you will want more than just a mouthful. I promise.Processed with VSCOcam with t1 presetQuinoa Avocado Tomato Cucumber Salad

Serves 4

  • Ingredients for base of salad: 1/2 cup uncooked quinoa, 1 small avocado, 1-2 chopped tomatoes, 1/2 chopped cucumber, 1 cup water, 1/2 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp garlic powder. (salt and pepper to taste)
  • Ingredients for dijon vinaigrette: 1/2 cup olive oil, 1/4 cup red wine vinegar, 1 tbsp dijon mustard, 1/2 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp cumin, 1/2 tsp onion powder, and 1 clove of minced garlic.
  • Directions: Combine quinoa, water, 1/2 tsp of salt, and 1/2 tsp of garlic powder in a small sauce pan. Bring to a boil, cover, and then let simmer covered for 20 minutes, or until quinoa fluffs nicely with a fork. While quinoa is cooking, chop avocado, tomatoes, and cucumber into 1/4-1/2 inch pieces. Prepare dressing separately, wishing together all ingredients listed for vinaigrette. You will not need all of the dressing that this makes, so you can store the rest for later use. Combine cooked quinoa, avocados, cucumbers, and tomatoes in a bowl. Cover with dressing, probably 1/4-1/3 of a cup of the mixture, until salad is properly coated. Add salt and pepper to taste.

This salad is delicious served warm right after it is prepared, or served chilled out of the fridge, making it a fantastic meal to make and eat throughout the week. It would be delicious with diced chicken, and for those who like feta (I’m not one of those) I’m sure that would be tasty too! This dish is SO flavorful, but still light and healthy. I will certainly be making this again soon!

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Taco Chicken & Cilantro Lime Cauliflower Rice

Posted on March 18, 2014 by megolina

I posted a picture of my delicious dinner on instagram yesterday, and several people asked for the recipes. So…here you have it. Processed with VSCOcam with t1 preset

This is a SUPER simple meal that you can adjust to fit all taste buds. Make the chicken into quesadillas or tacos…add cheese or rice…whatever you need to do to keep the whole crowd happy!

Crock Pot Taco Chicken:

  • Ingredients: 4-6 boneless skinless chicken breasts, 1 16 oz jar of salsa, 1 packet of taco seasoning.
  • Directions: This recipe couldn’t be any easier. Put 4-6 chicken breasts in the crock pot. Clean off all of the fat and such first. Cover chicken with the jar of salsa and packet of taco seasoning. Cook on high for 3-4 hours, or until the chicken falls apart. Shred and serve!

INSTANT POT UPDATE: This recipe can also be made even quicker in your Instant Pot! Place the chicken, salsa, & seasonings in your instant pot, & cook on high pressure for 18 mins. The chicken should fall apart once it’s done cooking, making it easy for you to shred & serve.

Cilantro Lime Cauliflower Rice:

  • Ingredients: 1 medium head of cauliflower, 2 TBS coconut oil, 2 cloves of garlic, 1/2 cup diced onion, 1/2 cup diced fresh cilantro, 1 small lime, and salt and pepper to taste.
  • Directions: Wash and dry cauliflower. Cut into small pieces and put into food processor to chop in small pieces. You can also grate the cauliflower by hand if you don’t have a food processor. Be careful not to over process. You want small rice-like pieces, not mush. Over medium-high heat, melt your coconut oil. Add garlic and onion and sauté for about five minutes, until onions are tender. Add diced cauliflower to skillet. Cook through for about five-ten minutes. Once cooked season with salt and pepper, squeeze the juice of 1/2 the lime over the rice and add in the chopped cilantro. You can add the zest of the lime as well to boost the lime flavor. Serve!
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Muncher Cruncher Legs and Core WOD

Posted on March 16, 2014 by megolina

I love when my workout schedule permits my legs and core workout on Saturdays. It is my fave.
Screen Shot 2014-03-15 at 7.48.44 PMToday’s workout didn’t disappoint. I did 30 minutes on the stairs for cardio, and then I did the workout above. Here are the details of the exercises:

  • 3 sets of each (alternating through the following 3 exercises)
  • 10 Single leg dumbbell squats on the right and left leg w/25 lb dumbbell
  • 10 Single leg dumbbell dead lifts on the right and left leg w/25 lb dumbbell
  • 30 second plank hold into 40 alternating hip dips in plank 
  • 3 sets of each (alternating through the following 2 exercises)
  • 15 core windmills on the right and the left side w/20 lb dumbbell
  • 15 plank walkouts to a pushup
  • 3 sets of each (alternating through the following 2 exercises)
  • 40 physioball ab kills alternating the right and left knee into the ball.
  • 20 physioball crunches

Message me with any questions! Enjoy!

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Product Review: Brad’s Raw Chips

Posted on March 14, 2014 by megolina

One thing that I have really missed with the paleo lifestyle is the textures of grains. I know that probably sounds weird, but I love the good crunch of a cracker. Come to think of it…it’s no wonder I’ve made some great strides toward my goals with the changes I’ve made eating this way…I no longer am living off of Reduced Fat Wheat Thins. (Man those things are divine.) I was quite excited when Brad’s Raw Foods sent me some of their products to try. IMG_7102I was very excited to try the Sweet Potato Chips and the Sun Dried tomato Crackers, both of which were delicious! These are the PERFECT pair for some hummus, some fresh salsa, or even a healthy chicken or tuna salad. The nutrition facts are great: IMG_7104As are the ingredients…(The list is short…just the way I like it)IMG_7105They are organic, gluten free, kosher, non GMO, vegan, raw, and paleo friendly. All good things!! IMG_7106It is always a good sign when you can see the actual ingredients in the foods you are eating!  IMG_7109I am so glad I had a chance to try these delicious, clean, whole products from Brad’s Raw Food. Click HERE if you’d like to order some of your own!

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Plyometric Leg and Core Day

Posted on March 9, 2014 by megolina

I LOVE my Saturday workouts for a lot of reasons. I get to sleep in which means I’m working out rested. I don’t have as crazy of a schedule, so I usually get to take my time, and my workout is usually a combination of cardio, plyometrics, and core work. Today I did 30 minutes of intervals followed by this workout. I loved it! It’s almost time for swimsuits my friends. That means it’s time to make sure the legs are getting worked!  I linked the moves to video clips to help give a better understanding of what the moves are. 

Plyometric Leg/Core Workout

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Product Review: G2G Bars

Posted on March 6, 2014 by megolina

There are some products I review that I think fall into the “good” category. I genuinely think they will be a healthy and tasty option for a lot of people. However, every now and then I review a product that I think is awesome. These G2G bars definitely fall into that category. There are a lot of reasons why I feel this way, and I’ll tell you why.   IMG_7361Most importantly, they are delicious. I refuse to eat anything protein bar-esque that is gross. It just isn’t worth it. I like my food to be enjoyable! These G2G bars are SO GOOD. The almond chocolate chip and peanut butter chocolate chip flavors taste like a no-bake cookie to me, which happens to be one of my favorite treats.  IMG_7368On top of tasting delightful, these bars are completely natural. This is HUGE to me as well. I hate looking at nutrition facts, only to find that I have no idea what I’m actually eating. These bars are made up of whole ingredients like nuts, whole oats, fruit, flaxseed, vanilla, cinnamon, and coconut oil. They contained no refined sugar, and are sweetened with honey, brown rice syrup, and coconut crystals. The protein in these bars is whey protein, which is a high quality, quick-digesting protein that is very beneficial to protein synthesis in muscle repair. IMG_7370The nutrition facts are fantastic.  Because of the calorie count, I think these bars make the PERFECT on-the-go breakfast. I think it is so important to start your day with a high-protien breakfast that will get your metabolism going. IMG_7371The flavors of these G2G bars are:

  • Almond Chocolate Chip
  • Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip
  • Almond Fruit Nut
  • Peanut Fruit Nut.

I had some friends and coworkers try them out with me, and I think they agreed with me on the Almond Chocolate Chip being the favorite BUT they are ALL tasty. IMG_7372 These bars have no preservatives in them, which indicates how fresh and natural they are. Oh and a couple more awesome things…they are gluten free…AND they are manufactured in my home town. Yay for supporting local small businesses! If you want to get your hands on some of these delicious bars (and I promise you do) visit their website HERE. I have already recommended these to clients, friends, and family, and I will surely continue to do so!

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The Paleo Chapters : Where am I now?

Posted on March 6, 2014 by megolina

I have this app called “Timehop” on my phone which I find extremely entertaining. It tells me what has happened in my social media life on this exact day in the past year that have been recorded. Today this post came up from two years ago. paleoI can’t believe it has been two years since I started my journey down the Paleo road. It made me really reflect on what I have learned in the process. I decided in honor of this two year mark I would do a post on what I’ve learned, where I am currently at, and what I foresee in the future as far as my eating is concerned.

What have I learned from eating Paleo?

  • I have learned that eating cleaner is better. I was meticulously counting calories, eating foods that had more words in them that i could’t pronounce in them than ones that I could, and feeling hungry all the time. I was all about the non-fat, sugar-free way of life, and it wasn’t doing me any good. I have since changed my philosophy to a much “cleaner” way of life. I eat whole foods, healthy fats, and I focus on what I should be eating rather that what I shouldn’t.
  • I have learned to eat more intuitively. I pay more attention to my hunger cues. I eat foods that keep me full which helps me to do this.
  • I learned that I have more self-control that I knew was in me. It takes discipline to change eating patterns, and I was able to do so. In cutting out grains, I found that I cut out a lot of the “extras” that allow for excess caloric intake for a lot of people.
  • I have learned that this way of life may not work for everyone, but it has worked for me. Because I have been able to find foods that are satisfying to me, I have been able to adapt my way of eating in such a way that I hardly even have to think about it. It is just the norm for me.
  • I have also learned that I don’t have to do hours and hours of cardio to see results. I decreased my cardio a great deal, focusing more on interval training, circuits, and resistance training. I have decreased body fat, lost weight, and achieved some goals I’ve been working toward for quite some time.
  • I have also learned that I feel better when I am not eating grains. I feel more condensed, less bloated.
  • I have learned that marathon training and paleo aren’t exactly a match. I added in carbohydrates when necessary for my long runs, so I was able to have the energy I needed to run.
  • Oh, and I still miss peanut butter and jelly sandwiches on fresh Grandma Sycamore wheat bread and cereal. Both favorites. I’m normal after all. 😉

Where am I now?

  • I really have stayed very close to the paleo lifestyle for the most part these past two years. However, I would say that I am probably about 90/10, and I’m happy there.
  • I am not one who likes a ton of meat, so I have to do my own version of Paleo. I’m still grain free with the exception of popcorn. It is my absolute favorite snack, and so I have kept that one.
  • My other exceptions are an occasional Diet Dr. Pepper and frozen yogurt. These are the two things that keep me sane. I don’t eat much sugar, and a Diet Dr. Pepper every now and then helps me to kick the sweets habit. I still drink about 100 oz of water per day. You don’t have to agree with me on that one, but I’m just being honest.
  • I think I will continue to eat the way that I have been eating. Like I mentioned before, it works for me. Not everyone will feel the same way. I always tell my clients the best eating plan for them is the one that they will stick to, AND still see results. I know my limits. I know my triggers. This helps me to keep myself in check. I enjoy fruits and vegetables a LOT, and so this is possible for me. I know it may not be the answer for everyone.

Where do I foresee myself in the future?

  • From today looking forward, i will continue on the way that I have been eating. It makes me feel good. I’m sure that things may change when I am married and have a family. However, there are things that I know will stay the same. I will still be eating really healthy because it is just who I am. That won’t change. I have managed to be with friends, visit relatives, eat at others houses, and enjoy life eating the way that I am. I think that I will be able to continue to do so!
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