BEST QUICK N’ EASY BREAKFAST & SNACK RECIPES!

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Okay get excited because fitness and health related posts will be coming your way weekly! I’m obsessed! And I say: there is ALWAYS time for snacks … and dessert! Everything in moderation is the only rule I live by and it totally helps that the recipes featured today are nutrient packed, quick n’ easy to make, and best of all they’re SO DELICIOUS! Each of these taste like a dessert and are totally going to fuel your workouts and help you to recover from all those burpees and tuck jumps!

Most of these are breakfast recipes that I can’t live without that also double as a snack-time ‘grab and go’ when I’m in a pinch! If I have at least an hour before my workout I’ll reach for the heartier meals, but if I don’t have at least that; like I woke up late *raises hand- me today* then I’ll grab a piece of fruit or make a protein shake and run out the door. I try to always consume a protein and a carb before AND after a workout. I’m trying to build a booty over here whilst staying lean … is that a thing?! More on this later!

EVERY MORNING: Your metabolism BOOSTER shot! 

Rev up that metabolism baby! I personally like to have my shot of ‘hulk power’ after a workout. I send this concoction right into my system for that warmth (ahem thank you cayenne pepper) and glow I feel all day! It’s one tablespoon apple cider vinegar, one tablespoon l carnitine, a dash (or two) of cayenne pepper, and a splash of pineapple juice! This helps with the taste trust me! I put it all into a shot glass because who doesn’t wanna feel like a total bad ass in the morning and I make these in bulk so that they’re ready for me to drink each day throughout the week. Just triple the recipe and secure tightly into a mason jar. I have this keep for about 3 days in the fridge before making a fresh batch!

BREAKFAST RECIPES (AND MY PRE-WORKOUT FUEL)

RASPBERRY CHERRY CRUMBLE: 


I have a rectangle of this in the morning, remember I try to have my carbs before and after a workout when my body is either burning it off or fueling my muscles afterwards. For this you’ll evenly spread about a cup of fruit (I love frozen raspberries, cherries, blueberries, and strawberries) at the bottom of a glass dish, sprinkle over top a scoop of protein powder (see the very bottom of this post for some protein powder options you’ll love). Then sprinkle 1/3 cup oats, sliced almonds, a tablespoon of chia seeds, and some unsweetened coconut flakes over top that. Then squeeze the juice of half a lemon (or a whole one if you like the tang!), and sprinkle on some cinnamon. Slowly pour coconut milk (or your choice of milk) over top the layers and gently use your fingers to press the milk into them so that they’re all saturated (but not swimming in fluid). I used about 3/4 cup or so. Bake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes or until the liquid is fully absorbed and enjoy! THIS TASTES LIKE PIE! It’s insanely good I can’t even.

OVERNIGHT PROTEIN OATS … with a secret ingredient: 


I make this at night so that it’s a grab and go for me in the morning! In a mason jar add 1/3 cup oats, a scoop of protein powder, 2 teaspoons cinnamon, a tablespoon chia seeds, unsweetened coconut flakes, and that secret ingredient I was talking about … pumpkin spiced granola (recipe coming soon), but just a teeny bit of it for flavor and use can use any granola you love. If you’re going to consume this in the morning or after about 4 hours, than pour your favorite milk (mine is unsweetened coconut milk) over top to saturate the mixture and shake well. Pop that into the fridge and give it another good shake after about 30 minutes or so. I LOVE this for breakfast or even after a workout if I don’t have time to prep a full meal before I start my work day. If you’d like to prep this for the week simply separate this recipe into different jars and you’ll have days worth of yumminess ready to enjoy!

PEANUT BUTTER PROTEIN WAFFLES: 

Oh YES! One of my favorites, this tastes NOTHING like those boring, weirdly textured, cardboard tasting protein waffles you’ve seen before. This is a total treat and completely good for you! In a blender or ninja add together one scoop of protein powder, 1 egg, 1 teaspoon baking powder, 1 tablespoon PB2, 3 teaspoons coconut flour, and about 8 teaspoons of water. Blend until you get that perfect waffle mix consistency and then make that to your desired golden-ness! This serves one. I top this with a nice dollop of vanilla coconut yogurt (dairy free from Trader Joe’s), some cinnamon, and a pinch of unsweetened coconut flakes! No butters or syrups are necessary for this one TRUST ME! You will want to kiss me on the mouth for this one, but please refrain- I’m engaged 😀

CASEIN COOKIE DOUGH!

Oh em gee I saved the best for last!!! I like to have this as my final snackie of the day OR as a snack because, cookie dough! Casein is a slower burning protein which feeds your muscles while you sleep, do it! For this magical mixture I mix one scoop of casein powder with 1 tablespoon PB2, and then I add as much water as I need (add about 1/4 cup of water at first and then slowly by the tablespoon) until I’ve reached my desired consistency. Then I drop in some cacao nibs or dark chocolate bits and DEVOUR NO REGRETS! This is my favorite way to enjoy a night-time treat that is completely reminiscent of my favorite cheat-treat!!!

Remember that our diet is 80% of our results so we want to fuel our bodies all day with good food, REAL food, and nutrient dense meals. If you missed my meal prepping lunch and dinner ideas, click HERE 😀 Sharing my day with you, I eat 5-6 times a day, that’s 3 meals + 2-3 snacks. My meals always feature a lean protein, a healthy fat, and a complex carb/fiber of some sort. My snacks are just to keep my metabolism moving- so less than 200 calories, and I eat every 2 1/2- 3 hours.

Keep your body burning all day so that it doesn’t store your food and go into survival mode. Oh oh, and I ALWAYS have a protein shake within 30 minutes of my workout if I’m not able to get a real meal in me, but that is only to hold me over until I’m able to eat real food once I’m home. You want to feed your muscles right away, a lean protein and a complex carb is what I reach for since my body will use it to repair and rebuild. Eat eat eat! <333

Lastly, if I can give you one piece of advice it is to not beat yourself up over food. Take each day to make good food choices, I always tell myself, “it’s meal by meal Jess, meal by meal”. That turns into day by day, and then BAM it’s been a month and you’ve naturally developed good habits on your own! This is a lifestyle so lets not put an expiration date on these habits, take these 30 days to ramp you up for the next 30 days and then the next! … oh and food can be FUN!

MY GO-TO PROTEIN POWDERS, HEALTHY FATS, AND SPICES! 

Ok, about those protein powders! I’ve tried ’em all and to me it really does make a difference when you’re using a protein powder in recipes or drinking it with nothing but water in your tumbler. My personal favorites are THIS ONE by Bio Chem from Whole Foods, it’s an organic whey protein and I love the vanilla flavored one. It tastes like nothing to me honestly (that matters when I down it with nothing but H2O) and doesn’t make me gassy, haha TMI but hey, truth! And Vega One protein! However, this is an acquired taste, the flavor isn’t like a milk shake y’all- but with some frozen nanas, berries, coconut milk, and chia seeds it’s incredibly yummy! I wouldn’t drink this by itself but that’s just my preference.

To name a few, I love chia seeds, PB2, almond butter, avocado, and coconut oils for my healthy fats. For my carbs I opt for fruits, veggies, and whole wheat breads or ezekiel breads and tortillas. The milks I list in my recipes are always unsweetened coconut or almond milk, and cinnamon + unsweetened coconut flakes are my go-to to make ANY recipe more bearable ha! Everything in moderation for me!

So what’s your favorite protein powder? Do you have a favorite brekky or snack recipe to share?

Let me know so I can try them all out and stay tuned for our meal plan modified! Kick butt this week and I’ll see you soon with another article!

 

PREP LIKE A PRO – A BUSY MOM’S GUIDE TO STAYING ON TRACK!

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If you’ve been following me for a while than you know that my days are full of mom duties, and my nights with all the entrepreneur duties! So making time for myself yet alone a workout or a sit-down meal has been impossible lately. Our recent travels have thrown our ‘gung-ho-work-out-eat-right’ mentality right on out the window along with time to make logical food choices. But you know what they say … “we make time for the things that we want to make time for“. Ughhh who started that anyway … it’s a crazy, logical, guilt ridden statement.

BUT, I made time yayyy! *Please do this with me so we can all whine through it together!* Let me start by saying that ever since I took my first class at Fuel Rx in April, I’ve been slightly a lot addicted to seeing the changes in my body and energy levels. I’ve grown to LOVE working out in a class environment. It’s really motivating not to have to do it all alone! But I also REALLY LOVE food. Wanna hear the kicker?! Our results, our energy, and maintaining our kick ass bodies after all that hard work is 80% dependent upon what we eat. Let me let that settle … 80% is meals, ahhhh!!!!!

So I really wanted to share with you what I did this week to prep! I only had an hour and a half today to prep for lunch and dinner for the next few days. Tomorrow I will prep breakfasts and snacks. Hey, do what you have time for and what you have time for is enough! Some days you’ll cook 3 meals and 3 snacks for the week in advance, and some days you’ll only have time to prep for the next day. But do it and you’ll find that it takes less time than we think!

Side note- my daughter is a gluten-free vegetarian so the chicken protein is for me, and her meals will be substituted with shrimp and tofu. My fiancé eats everything so I will be doubling everything.

CAULIFLOWER FRIED RICE


I love a good fried rice recipe! Today I opted for a bag of cauliflower rice instead and tossed it around in 2 tablespoons coconut oil, crushed garlic, Flavor God’s garlic everything powder, green onion, and cilantro. I cooked it all over medium heat until it reached my desired crispness and then devoured.

CINNAMON SWEET POTATOES


Tastes like the holidays minus the family drama and being isolated to the kiddy table.

I popped a package of Trader Joe’s ready to eat sweet potatoes (baked and no seasonings added, hallelu for open and eat!) into a pan with a light spritz of coconut oil, some cracked black pepper, and topped them with a dash of cinnamon. So so so good!

THE WORLD’S BEST CITRUS SUMMER SALAD


I mean that with every inch of my dying love for gross BORING salads! If you like citrusy, peppery salads then this is for you! I mixed some kale with a spring mix, squeezed an entire lemon over top the leaves, drizzled on some extra virgin olive oil, and gave that a nice toss (coating them in this base will make them less dry and more appealing). Then I cracked some black pepper in there along with a turn of my Himalayan pink salt shaker, and then added in finely chopped red onion, tomatoes, parsley, and cucumber! THE BEST! So refreshing and so NOT boring!

CUMIN SPICED BRUSSEL SPROUTS AND TOASTED PINE NUTS 


Probably one of my favorite ways to prepare brussel sprouts because, that ‘feet’ smell they give off. In a pan I took Trader Joe’s ready to eat brussels (again hallelu for open and eat, again no seasonings added), tossed them in a spritz of coconut oil, added in some toasted pine nuts, cumin, and red pepper flakes! Walaaa! I love this nutty combo and the cumin and red pepper flakes give it a nice lil kick! Hiiiyahhh!

CURRIED COCONUT CHICKEN 


Ugh coconut milk dishes are LIFE! I browned some crushed garlic and yellow onion in a tablespoon of coconut oil and then added in 3 cubed chicken breasts. Then I tossed in some diced bell pepper, cracked black pepper, turmeric, and a can of coconut milk. I let that simmer up and then really TRIED to remember portion control. This can be added over a bed of brown rice (or white rice depending on your palette) or even that cauliflower fried rice we made earlier! This is equally as delicious with shrimp, tofu, or potatoes!

HOMEMADE KALE CHIPS


For this grab-and-go snack I simply stemmed a bag of kale, spread them evenly across a cookie sheet, gave them a light spray of coconut oil, and then lightly dusted them with Himalayan pink salt and cracked black pepper. I baked them at 350 degrees for about ten minutes, but you’ll want to keep checking on them to bake them for a shorter or longer period of time depending on your oven. Trust me, they get crispy quick!

Well I hope you try out these dishes and put your own spin on them! They really are easy to throw together- the most time-consuming task is chopping things up and then waiting for them to be cooked!

If you’re wincing from the amount of seasonings or coconut oil that I’m using, don’t fret, these are healthy fats, and I season in moderation. Salt is both necessary and beneficial to your results if you take into consideration timing (it’s a science I tell ya) and consumption (use a light hand). Also, each meal should consist of a healthy fat, a protein, and a complex carb (fiber), and don’t forget to EAT every 2 1/2- 3 hours! Your body will not be able to survive the workouts or push to your full potential if you aren’t fueling it properly. Eat eat eat <333

Next up this week is my meal prep for breakfast ideas and snacks! They’re kid friendly and fiancé approved! I also have a piece coming up all about what to eat BEFORE and AFTER a workout thanks to Patrick’s meal planning … and speaking of, I’ll be playing around with our custom challenge meal plan to bring you some modifications and thoughts! Stay tuned!

 

What’s your favorite or least favorite thing about meal prepping?

A DAY IN THE LIFE OF A CLEANSE!

by with No Comment fitnessfoodhealthinspirationmommy diariesrecipeswellness

After coming off of vacation the last few weeks; from Vegas to Catalina to Florida … I was in need of a good ol’ cleanse.

I’d been working out pretty hard and eating pretty clean and then BAM, vacation came around and I FULLY indulged, no regrets! But now it’s time to get back to fueling my body with the good stuffs and so I decided for the next 30 days I will drink more water, eat more frequently, and keep it clean!

Okay, when I say ‘cleanse’, I really mean reset. I don’t mean juicing everything in site and having to run to the toilet because you don’t know if you have to toot or poop (hey I’m just being real here). We’re going to be consuming whole fruits and vegetables in a shake- dessert style, and eating real food! Yes eating! Wholesome, protein packed meals and never ever forgetting the good carbs! So here’s a sample day of my reset, and this was all of yesterday’s goodness in real life!

8 a.m.- BREAKFAST SMOOTHIE: Tastes like a chai blended ice cream!


You’ll blend together half of a frozen nana, a teaspoon cinnamon, four dates, and half a cup of almond milk with ice! Yummmerssss! I also added half a scoop of vanilla protein powder, because every meal I try to always have a protein, a healthy fat, and a fiber <333 THIS Tone It Up Perfect Fit protein is my current obsession!

11 a.m. – a Minty Pineapple Protein smoothie for my morning snackie! Tastes like a tropical dessert sans the sand!

cleanse5
Blend together a hand full of spinach, some mint leaves, frozen pineapple bits, coconut milk, and a scoop of protein powder. When it’s all blended pour it into a pretty wine glass (for me this just makes it taste better!) and then top with a tablespoon of chia seeds and sip away baby!


2 p.m.- Lunch time: Vegetarian Sushi! Tastes just like sushi thanks to the seaweed and quinoa … my go-to rice replacement!

In a seaweed wrap line up some avocado slices, quinoa (I made mine with coconut milk, corn, and black beans!), 2 egg whites, and all the sriracha your heart can handle! Roll it up, devour it, repeat! By this time of day I’m starving and this kind of meal is hearty, filling, and super nutrient dense! Win wine … I mean win!

5 p.m.- Dinner! Pizzaaaa! Tastes … just like pizza, but guilt-free and all the flavor you’re craving!

cleanse10
On a Ezekiel sprouted whole grain tortilla spread some sugar free spaghetti or tomato sauce and top it with whatever vegetables you have! I used grape tomatoes, red onions, cilantro, spinach, olives, green peppers, mushrooms, and fat free shredded cheese! I topped it with more sriracha and even more cheese and I wasn’t even mad about it.

cleanse11
This pizza will satisfy your craving for pizza, for carbs, for whatever it is that you think you can’t have. You can!

This ‘cleanse’ for me is really just about swapping out my bad decisions for home-made better ones! The fruitier/vegetable-ier (that’s a word) options! And of course, it’s not a day to enjoy if you can’t ENJOY dessert!

8:30 p.m.- Dessert time BABY! Home-made coconut chia seed pudding with frozen raspberries and coconut flakes! Tastes like heaven, feels like you’re on a tropical island!


Thanks to my babe Miya, you can make this beautiful delectable dessert right at home, and enjoy every.bit.of.it!

In a jar or bowl mix together 1/2 cup chia seeds with 2 cans of coconut milk (I used a can of full fat coconut milk and a can of coconut creme from Trader Joe’s), and add in cinnamon, some agave or pure maple syrup, some frozen raspberries, and SHAKE!

Pop that baby into the refrigerator and shake it again after about an hour or so. In the morning when you’re ready to eat it … or after only a few hours because you’re like me and you need a dessert, spoon it into a bowl and top it with more frozen raspberries and some unsweetened coconut flakes! Friends, this is the best thing ever!!!

Yayyy we did  it!  A whole day of eating nutrient dense foods, feeling full, having a ton of energy, and just enjoying the fact that we’re making better choices for a healthier us! Good job us!  I really hope this post inspires you to try a few of these recipes, I promise you won’t be disappointed and it won’t even feel like a ‘cleanse’ at all, this is more of a reset!

Am I the only one who cringes when I hear the word diet or cleanse?! Lets just refrain from using those words here 😉

This my love, is not cringe worthy, give it a try and TAG me when you do <3

MY GYM BAG ESSENTIALS!!!

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As I currently find myself in the middle of holiday season ‘feast mode’, I also find myself in the middle of “tis the season-full blown- freak-out-mode”! Anyone else find it difficult to say no to all the holiday food and NOT partake in all the merriment? Seriously, my body doesn’t know what to do with all the extra egg nog and yule log calories that I HAVE to indulge in because, Scrooge.

During this time of year I try to balance out all the holiday feasting with extra strength training and doubling up on HIIT workouts. So here is my number one tip to maintaining your waistline this season … get up and get moving! That’s right, gym time baby! Where’s the motivation you say?!

Well just like when we were younger and the new school year would begin, you’d have a new backpack full of shiny new school supplies, welcome to the adult version of that! Meet your new backpack … Lil Ms. (or Mr.) Totebag! Being fully prepped to hit up a sweat session will have you prepped to hit up the food table for seconds! Here is what’s in my gym bag!

1. The tote – this sleek lil baby will carry your gym essentials in style! It’s the perfect size, not crazy bulky like a duffel, yet spacious enough to hold all of these items AND a change of clothes!

2. A sweatband – oh that sweet sweat, it doesn’t stand a chance with this nylon sweat band. Ladies and long haired gents, you’ll be happy to hear that this also doubles as a hair tie!

3. Headphones – not just any headphones, these are blue tooth ear buds that allow you to lunge and lift without the annoyance of cords. Don’t you just hate that!

4. The kicks – my most recent obsession, these tennis shoes! Like with hand bags, shoes also set the tempo, literally. These are comfortable and classic, and will get you excited to pump some iron!

5. Recovery – this is important if you’re ripping and tearing through your workouts, AND your muscles. These are BCAA’s- branched-chain amino acids, which help to repair and build your muscles. I like this blueberry flavor, it’s like a sports drink meets koolaid! I habitually add this to my water bottle and drink it up during my workout. I’ll also reach for some coconut water during my more intense workouts, which replenish lost electrolytes and aid in hydration.

6. Protein – this is key to building lean muscle and fueling your muscle growth. Remember to have your protein shake or protein + carbohydrate packed meal within 30 minutes after completing your workout. You want to send protein to your muscles as quickly as possible so your body doesn’t eat away at the muscle you just worked so hard for! I love this Perfect Fit Protein because it’s a plant based protein powder that is especially good to bake with, ummm can you say protein waffles every day all day?!

7. Sweat be gone – I love this micro fibre towel because it’s made from a quick dry, anti-bacterial material, and has a grip covered underside. So no matter how crazy I get with my burpees and jumping lunges, this towel stays in place!

8. Hydration –  hydration, hydration, hydration!!! It’s crazy to think that we should be drinking half of our body weight in water! Sounds daunting but it can easily be done if you infuse your water with some lemon wedges or some fruit pieces. Just a trick that makes your water delicious and extra beneficial! This water bottle is especially dear to me because proceeds from each water bottle sold goes to support clean water efforts in Africa. Also, it’s BPA-free, dishwasher-safe, reusable, and recyclable! I slip this into the side of my gym tote making it easily accessible, just refilling it at the water fountain. Ahem, Los Angeles tap water is OK to drink now haha!


There you have it! The only sure way to ensure that the only thing you’re spiking this holiday season is the eggnog and not your cholesterol! Share with me your gym and fitness essentials, and I hope you enjoyed this post!

This really is the time of year to indulge in all of your favorite holiday dishes with wild abandonment! No regrets! I’ll be doing the same, so just do it, and I’ll see you later this week with some festive side dish ideas! Yum!!!

 

this Monday's meal prep MVPs

MEAL PREP MONDAYS – PAY FIT FORWARD!!!

by with No Comment charityfitnessfoodhealthwellness

Burpees. Mountain climbers. Jump Squats … forget calorie counting! How about you tell me how many repetitions of these exercies I’d have to do if I had that ice cream cone, and I’ll decide if it’s worth it or not! Ha! This is me welcoming you to #30DaysWithJess 2.0!

My Hapa sister Nikki is holding me accountable for the next 8 weeks as we embark on a fitness journey together! We’re on a full blown lifestyle plan that consists of 30 minute workouts, meal prepping, and acronyms like HIIT and LISS! So today I’m sharing with you how I’ve been staying on track by meal prepping and how my new partner My Fit Foods has made that so easy. You can join too with their #PayFitForward initiative!

this Monday's meal prep MVPs
this Monday’s meal prep MVPs

This week with Joe coming back from Maryland, my schedule taking on two new projects, and Corrine starting a drivers ed program, I was pressed for time to cook and plan! So I prepared a few lunches and dinners here at home, and then I supplemented the other meals for the week with ready-to-go meals from my local My Fit Foods store. The beauty of ready-to-go meals like this is that it takes the guess work out of it for me. I don’t have to think about ingredients, measuring, or macros. I just pack and go- 6 meals a day, that’s a lot of meals.

Think of it this way, our metabolisms are like a beautiful camp fire, and you have to keep feeding the fire with slow burning wood so that it is fueled throughout the day. This is my attempt at giving you a fitting analogy. The fire is your metabolism and the slow burning wood is good, clean, whole foods.

On the go I'm packing MFF breakfast, a smoothie, and grab-and-go snacks
On the go I’m packing a MFF breakfast, a protein smoothie, and grab-and-go snacks

So about every 2 1/2- 3 hours you should be fueling your body with a serving from each of the food groups, and contrary to the no-carb fad I’ve seen, I am a HUGE fan of carbs! It’s our energy and our brain’s fuel! As you see in this week’s preparation photo, along side our MFF meals there is quinoa, sweet potatoes, and fruit. With each of my meals I try to also include a protein, a carb, a healthy fat, and some vegetables. MFF meals already incorporate the ingredients I prepare for myself, so it’s a no brainer to conveniently add them into our plan!

Corrine and I enjoying lunch at our local MFF
Corrine and I enjoying lunch at our local MFF

Preparing meals in advance can be a bit daunting, even if you’re only cooking for 3 days at a time like I do. So it makes my life a whole lot easier that My Fit Foods prepares each of their meals with a variety of options for each, even for Corrine! As the mother of a Vegetarian child, it can be difficult to find places that accommodate her, so it’s really nice to have a selection for her to choose from also!

Since our breakfasts were prepped with snack grabs, protein smoothies, and MFF veggie omelets, Corrine and I enjoyed our lunch at our MFF store while we stocked up on meals for the rest of the week. I knew we’d be on the road for the majority of the week, so I got 3 dinners for each of us, some more GF oat bars (also available at MFF woot!) for Corrine, and some peanut butter packets.

Plated up our MFF dinner and even lit some candles!
Plated up our MFF dinner and even lit some candles!

Dinner time is my favorite time of the day because it’s the one time we’re all at home and can sit down to enjoy a meal together. I plated up our MFF dinners and even added in some baby carrots and a side salad. I had the almond crusted chicken with mashed potatoes and green beans, while Corrine and Joe savored the shrimp tacos with guacamole. To enjoy some more crunch I tossed in some additional sliced almonds, and I completely recommend you do this and add your favorite ingredients with your next meal!

When we went into our local My Fit Foods store on Friday we were happy to learn that the meals we purchased were a part of the #PayFitForward initiative! Get excited because you too can try our their new dishes AND give back! 

Every Friday during the month of September when you purchase a meal from your local My Fit Foods, you’ll get a FREE meal to donate to a participating food bank, or to give to a friend! We volunteer with Earth Angels who participate in Meals On Wheels so we are beyond happy to #PayFitForward each week and spread the love! It’s not only promoting health and wellness, but giving back, and community.

It really does help to involve your family with your health and fitness goals so that you can all do it together. It also really really helps when a friend holds you accountable and checks in with you each week! So grab a friend and create a buddy system! Plus, you can treat them to a healthy meal with the MFF initiative as a thank you for keeping you on track! Win, win!

I hope you join us in #30DaysWithJess 2.0, you still have 3 weeks and if you get stuck on the whole meal planning thing, head on over to your local MFF store and stock up! It’s all about getting your body moving, choosing healthier meal options, and having fun while doing it!

Have a be-you-tiful week!

 

Jess Lizama

 

 

 

 
This post is in partnership with My Fit Foods and their #PayFitForward initiative. We’re proud to share this awesome philanthropic campaign!

 

yummy casserole

BEST TUNA NOODLE CASSEROLE RECIPE

by with No Comment fitnessfoodhealth

Yup I said it! This recipe IS the best! It’s Corrine friendly (it’s gluten-free), super nutritious (that’s for you, carb conscious ones), and it’s super delicious! It has that nice crunch on the top layer, that ooey gooey comfort of the cream and cheese, a sweet lil kick from the peas, and a spicy lil kick from the peppers!

yummy casserole
I got the recipe from one of my favorite blogs, posted by fitness extraordinaire Sarah Bowmar! I tweaked the recipe just a bit to meet Corrine’s dietary restrictions and walaaaa! Here you go! The taste of home in less than 30 minutes! . . . Well minus the prep 😉
Ingredients:
6 oz pasta (I used 4 oz of quinoa elbow pasta and 2 oz of GF spaghetti noodles – for texture!)
1 1/2 tbsp grass-fed butter
1 medium onion finely chopped
3 TBSP gluten-free flour
1 1/2 cup water (or you can use broth like the original recipe calls for)
1 1/4 cup almond milk
2 cups peas
2 cans of tuna – drained
1 clove crushed garlic
shredded cheese (I used what cheese we had left of the Trader Joe’s lite 3 cheese blend)
salt, pepper, garlic powder, and red pepper flakes – to taste

Method:
Cook the noodles as directed, I used two kinds of GF pastas because I’m a texture girl and no matter what anyone says, quinoa pasta still tastes different to me. The GF spaghetti noodles (cut into pieces) added a lil normalcy to my life.

While the pasta is cooking, melt the butter and carmelize the onions and garlic in a separate pan. Then salt, pepper, garlic powder, and red-pepper flake that to taste. Wisk in the flour for a few minutes until it starts to brown (creates the thickness).  Then stir in the water (or broth) and bring that to a boil. Add in the milk and peas. Let that simmer together for a few minutes, drool over how yummy it smells, and then add in the tuna. Mix it around to break the tuna up and evenly disperse it throughout the pan and then remove it from heat.

Toss in your cheese and blend together until melted. Add in your noodles. Stir this pot of happiness until everything is nicely combined and coated.

Spritz your pan with some coconut oil spray and pour in your casserole. Bake this for 20-25 minutes (depending on how you like your crispy) at 375 degrees and NOM NOM NOM! If you love cheese like we do, sprinkle in the remaining cheese on top before baking so you get that crispy melty goodness!

I’ve linked the original recipe above so if you’d like a non gf recipe (but still really healthy one) than you can try that one out too!

Take it from someone who eats gluten and loves regular glutenous pasta – with this recipe you won’t be able to tell the difference! Even Joe was happy! We’ve been getting all beach-season ready over here so this healthy take on the traditional dish is such a comfort food! It’s been a lot of chicken and broccoli in my house. I of course, drizzled my portion with sriracha sauce and was quite sad when it was all gone.

This recipe makes a nice huge pan worth so we’ll be enjoying this tomorrow too hallelu!

TAG us on Twitter or Instagram when you make this and let me know if you alter it so I can try!

Hugs for a beautiful week!

Jess Lizama

 

Daily Vitamins

WHY DO I NEED TO TAKE A DAILY VITAMIN?

by with No Comment fitnesshealthwellness

This is a question Corrine used to ask me when she was little and it’s still a question Joe asks me when I try to hand him a palm full pills each day. Part of my daily regime is to take a daily vitamin, and about 17 other vitamins that do a few different things.

Daily vitamins

Ok not 17…7, and I know what this looks like…so many vitamins! Why?! How do you do it?! What do they do?! Well I’ll tell you. So pictured above we have . . . the 2 green pills which are for my brain (more on this in a bit), the larger orange pill is fish oil, the smaller tan capsules are a multi-vitamin, the larger tan pills are  anti-oxidants, and the two white capsules are fish collagen. I know what you’re thinking…”whoa back it up….brain pills and fish collagen?!”

Let me explain what they do and it will all make more sense. The first is my daily multi-vitamin. I love this one by the Tone It Up Girls because it’s vegan and gluten free which means my Corriney can take them daily also. Not to mention that it provides 100% of most of everything you need like Vitamin C, E, B6, Folic Acid, Biotin (big one for your hair, nails, and skin), Zinc, and others! So just by taking this one vitamin a day (2 capsules per serving) you’re able to refrain from having to take 805 other pills. I choose to take the other 7 you see, but if you wanted to take only  one vitamin- THIS is it! Simple, wholesome, and almost everything you need! It is a vegan product so the fish oil and collagen I take separately.

Perfect Fit Daily Vitamin

The Super Antioxidant formula smells like fruit which makes complete sense considering it’s comprised of super potent seeds like black cumin, cranberry, pomegranate, black raspberry, grape, milk thistle, and others. Antioxidants are simply molecules that interact safely with free radicals (highly reactive atoms that can start of chain of damaging reactions) thus preventing any damage free radicals may cause. Soooo . . . I take two of these a day.

Ear Bar Organics Super Antioxidant

Fish Collagen I take as it promotes collagen support and reproduction. As we age, there is a progressive break down of collagen in our skin. A loss of firmness and elasticity, the ‘plumpness’ you have in your skin that we try to regain the older we get. So I take 2 capsules before bed! The collagen in this is the main component found in the collagen of our skin, and combined with the other ingredients, promote collagen and tissue renewal… YES YES YES!

Fish Collagen

And Brain On. Now I can see how this would sound a lil bit cooky….it all does, all these pills and vitamins and minerals, but this particular supplement is great for focus and clarity, a balanced mood and lowering stress levels. This blend is primarily composed of blue-green algae which contains active enzymes, amino acids, phytochemicals, and essential fatty acids. Hey I’ll take anything that will keep this brain of mine young and sharp . . . short of having to consume 15 cups of coffee a day…yeesh! But so far I’ve noticed sharper focus, I work with more intention, it’s only been a few months but I love that I feel more alert and ON! It’s the same effect I get with coffee except this is caffeine free.

Brain On

And there you have it! Those are the vitamins and supplements I take daily, along with a ton of water, lots of rest, and an active lifestyle – I feel like I’m on the right path towards having a healthy mind and body. We’re all going to get older, aging is a part of life. I accept that and I look forward to aging gracefully. Gracefully being the key word here. I will supply my body with what it needs to flourish but I 100% understand that at times it could make me appear a tiny bit loopy……”why yes I take brain on and fish collagen”. It’s a bit much.

Do you take a daily vitamin? Have you ever heard of some of the other supplements I’ve talked about today? Share your daily regime with me and I’ll see you later this week!

 

xoxo- Jess

Griffith Park

HIKING ADVENTURES IN L.A.

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Being a lover of the outdoors, Los Angeles is a dream come true to call home with its countless hiking trails, year round gorgeous weather, and hidden finds. I’ve lived in L.A. for 5 years now and I’ve chosen some of my favorite trails to feature in today’s adventure post!

Hiking trails in LA

My top 3 hiking trails would be Griffith Park, Runyon Canyon, and Malibu Creek State Park!

Griffith Park is the easiest trail for us to get to since traffic going there isn’t terrible, and the views are just breathtaking! All of the photos in this post were taken from different areas along the many trails that Griffith Park has.

Griffith Park Trails

This is actually the very first hike Joe ever took me on when we first started dating, and it will forever be special to me, but beyond the great memories, just look at these views! I love that you can take one trail one day and another trail the next, and you feel like you’re on a completely different side of town all together. The trails vary so much in difficulty level and view vantage points. If you’re looking for a nice long leisurely hike with mild incline changes, check out some of the trails at Griffith Park. You could hike a full trail in about 2-3 hours.

Probably the most famous hiking trail in L.A. is Runyon Canyon, with its ‘stairs to Heaven’ and long hike UP to one of it’s parking entrances. It’s also famous for spotting famous people apparently. I personally have yet to run into Angelina and Brad, as I huff and puff up the long straightaway that is the ‘incline death’ Runyon has to offer. They say that if you pay attention you’ll see some of your big screen idols present on the hike with you! What’s also present is the smell of dog poop. Yup, poops! I love my lil four legged babies, but whew can it get smelly at times! None the less, foul scent and all, Runyon Canyon offers a great glute workout, views of the city that are incomparable, and good ol’ fashioned nostalgia. You could hike all of Runyon in about an hour if you hustle it!

Griffith Park views

If you dig rock climbing, waterfall scavenger hunts, and geo caching, then you’ll LOOOOVE Malibu Creek State Park. I love the far away feeling and ‘woodsy’ atmosphere that this hike offers. It’s full of fragrant trees, boulders, paths of leaves, and waterfalls! Be careful if you decide to take a leap off of one of the boulders to jump into the cool waters below, many parts of the pools of water are in fact VERY shallow. But there are pools of water to swim in, cool your feet off in, and let your puppy swim in! Malibu Creek State Park is probably one of my most favorite places to hike because it feels like you’re not in the city any more and mid-hike picnics are always a good idea! You could hike to water and back to the parking lot in about 2-3 hours.

Runyon Canyon

Ruynon views wow!

These are just to name a few trails I’ve grown fond of, there are so many other places to explore and hike:

  • San Gabriel mountains
  • Pasadena
  • Topanga State Park
  • San Vicente Mountain
  • Angeles National Forest

The list goes on and on! I love Los Angeles and I’m so happy to call it home, if you’re a local you know the feeling, and if you get a chance to visit, enjoy one of these hikes that offer up the most spectacular views of the city!

Let me know what some of your favorite trails are to play on and I hope your have the most adventurous weekend!

xoxo- Jess

Success!

What My Brand Says About Me

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As online personalities, we are often asked to define what our brands represent and to describe what we do in a singular sentence. In a singular sentence, I’m a lot of things. I’m an adrenaline junkie, a foodie, a mom, a puppy lover – a lot of things. I can best describe my brand as I describe what it is that I hope to give people in the community of ‘Team Jess’, to – Inspire. Encourage. Empower.

I find inspiration in the places I visit, encouragement in my friends, and empowerment in the stories I write. It’s really refreshing when I can go places and cover stories, when I can team up with brands, and when I can get an insider look at all the things that really interest me, to then write about and share with all of you. I’ve been sharing a lot this week on the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am event that was held last week in Pebble Beach and the Foursome who shared their Fan’s Eye View of the tournament this year.

As I introduced the Foursome to you last week, I told you how I relate to each of them; being that I’m a mother of a 17 year old, an Army brat who’s moved every 3 years, and someone who also quit corporate America to pursue the dream of being creative full time. Learning about each of their stories individually helped me understand what about golf each of them loved so much. Last week I got to chat with them and these are their responses that really stuck with me.

I asked Dan what the one thing was that he’ll take away with him from this experience. He told me that the opportunity better helped him understand where he needs to be in order to reach his goal saying, “I can see that picture and I can imagine it and then I can go home and visualize it …. I know now what I need to do and where I need to be … turn the small goals into the big goal”.  As a visualizer myself, I was silently ‘wahoo-ing’ everything he was saying while taking notes.

I’d asked Tiffany the same question and if she had any advice for someone like me, who was interested in the sport but perhaps a bit intimidated by it, and for someone wanting to give up. She said, “It’s kind of like life, every day is not a great day. It’s not. And you just move on…. like anything else it takes patience, focus, commitment, you’ll be rewarded for those 3 things”. Again I was silently standing up giving her a slow clap because it couldn’t have been said any better. Patience. Focus. Commitment. Check! Check! Check!

Katie, the youngest in the group, was so poised and well spoken that you knew by talking with her that she held her own on the golf course and in life. She was also motivated by this special fan’s eye view of the event, having answered my question about what her new goals for the year were, saying, “My goal is to become a professional … this experience has motivated me go out there, give it my best and practice, and work my hardest to get to where I need to be in the future”. She’s a smart young lady and I’m so excited to see where the next 5 years takes her.

Before I let the Foursome get back to their activities, I spoke to Tim whose story really hit home for me since my dad was in the military for 23 years and I knew exactly where he was coming from. I asked Tim what about golf made the rehabilitation process for him something to look forward to, what about it changed him. He responded, “I’m the type of guy that if I do something I’m gonna do it and I’m gonna do it all out….to prove that I’m not broken. I might be scarred … I might look different and walk different, and have to live different, but I’m still me and I’m still able to do anything I wish to”.

I didn’t know what to say after that, I was pretty speechless, there were some pretty powerful statements made from these four and I’m so glad I got a chance to chat with them and get an insider view of their insider experience.

I’m inspired by each of their incredible stories, and I find it fascinating that I can relate to each of them as their brands sound a lot like mine! They each inspire, encourage, and empower and it’s wonderful to see that in this recap video reel of their “Fan’s Eye View” campaign and their week at the event here:

You can catch up on all of their behind-the-scenes photos and videos by following them on Twitter: @blackgirlsgolf @kthorsford @timlanggolf @thedanplan. Follow along in their journeys with me!

I hope you’ve had an amazing week and I can’t wait to catch you up on what happened this week!

Hugs,

Jess

ATT_PB 30 YRS-Full Logo

This post is in partnership with AT&T, celebrating 30 years of the #ATTPROAM.