The Ever Elusive Abs... How do you GET Them?!

As a health and fitness coach, I've been asked this question quite a bit in the last year. Hell, I've even asked it myself. I don't profess to be an all-encompassing expert, but I HAVE done my research. And I've definitely tried (and failed) and tried again all KINDS of different "plans" and "strategies" out there. Some more effective than others.

Don't get my wrong, I'm STILL on my quest for abs. But I am making progress...

So here's what I've discovered...

1. Nutrition plays THE MOST IMPORTANT ROLE in getting (and keeping) a defined midsection. If you want abs, you HAVE to eat right. More importantly... if you eat more than you are burning in a day, you're going to store fat in the form of a layer of "fluff" hiding those abs. Why would you sabotage all that hard work if you're just going to hide it?

2. When you train, you HAVE to train at a HIGH INTENSITY to keep your metabolism raging! Not only is this way of cardio training more efficient, but you'll see mega changes in your body so much faster. Stay away from the treadmill, the elliptical, and that exercise bike! I suggest HIIT workouts like Chalene's Turbofire, Shaun T's Insanity Max, Plyometric workouts, etc. Anything that gets you gasping for breath for short bursts of time, and gives you a short period of rest before you blast into action again.

3. Planks are amazing for your core strength! Plank everywhere... practice holding it for longer each time, and practice different plank variations.

4. There is no magic pill! Believe me, I've tried to find some. They might be marketed, but they don't exist. Getting a defined midsection is all about hard work. 70-80% of it is hard work in the kitchen, and 20-30% of it is the hard work you do in your workouts. :)

Caramel Apple GRILLED CHEESE SANDWICH!!

So here's the sitch... as I was (purposefully, of course... haha) scrolling around on Instagram, I came across this little treasure, courtesy of @lilsipper.

What is this ooey gooey mess of awesomeness? A "Caramel Apple Pie Grilled Cheese Sandwich"!

Hold up. Pie? Cheese? Together? You'd think this would be disgusting. But think of it. It's PIE. And CHEESE. With a healthy twist and sooo much taste. Don't knock it til you try it!

So what do you need?

• 1/2 medium apple 
• whatever kind of break you want (I go with Ezekiel bread myself)
• 1/4 cup of dates (I prefer Medjool dates... they are like crack, haha)
• 2 slices of white cheese or cheese alternative (I like brie... or swiss)
• A bunch of cinnamon!

What do you do with this stuff?

• Slice up your apple and boil it in enough water to completely submerge the apples. 
• Soak your dates in hot water for 5-10 minutes. 
• Puree your dates (sans water) until it becomes a paste. If you need to add a little bit of the soaking water to liquify it a little more, go for it!
• Heat up your pan with some coconut oil.
• Place 1 slice of bread on pan, then layer 1 slice of cheese, apples, "caramel sauce" (date sauce), and sprinkle some cinnamon. Then top with another slice of cheese and 2nd slice of bread. 
• Grill that badboy until both sides are a nice golden brown and the cheese is sufficiently melty, gooey, and AMAZEBALLS. 
• Enjoy!! :)

Does this look like something you'd like to try? Share with a fellow cheese-lover!!

Pizzaaaa!!!

So... what do you do when you have a WICKED pizza craving, but you've already eaten your allotment of carbs for the day?

I give to you....

Eggplant Pizza!!!

This is a recipe I adapted from Julia Child, actually. So basically pizza is pretty healthy on it's own. There isn't anything magical about it... it's when you really think about the nutritional quality of the dough that you realize that you can definitely satisfy that craving in a completely healthy way a little differently. Not that there's anything wrong with eating a few slices of pizza here and there... but if you're a pizza LOVER and gotta have that fix at least once a week, here's a healthier alternative.

How you should roll:
1. Preheat your oven to 350.
2. Slice your raw eggplant 1/2 to 1 inch thick, depending on your preference.
3. Coat your eggplant slices lightly with coconut oil, then bake 15-20 minutes.
4. Take your eggplant slices out of the oven, and adorn with tomato sauce, oregano, salt and pepper, garlic, and onion powder. Then, top with cheese and any other "toppings" you'd prefer. I like diced mushroom myself. :)
5. Pop back in the oven for about 10 minutes, or until cheese is melty and bubbly.

Enjoy!!

White Chocolate Protein PBJ Cups! YUMMO

White Chocolate Protein PBJ Cups... would you try these??

***Share this recipe with a friend if these look good to you! ;) <3

How to make these delectable treats:

1. Melt 2 TBSP coconut oil.
2. Stir in 1/4 cup P28 White Chocolate Peanut Butter
3. Fill bottom of mini cupcake liner.
4. Freeze 15-20 minutes.
5. Put small spoonful of reduced sugar/natural jam of choice in the middle.
6. Cover jam/fill liner with remaining PB.
7. Freeze until solid (roughly 30 minutes to an hour).
8. ENJOY!!

The most delicious vegetables you'll ever eat!!

So... confession. I kinda hate vegetables. And by kinda, I mean I really do. You might have noticed that by now. Really, most of these blog posts actually revolve more around turning desserts (my heart and soul, haha) into healthy treats or creating healthier versions of some of my favorite comfort foods, like french fries and mac and cheese.

Well my friends, enter BAKED PARMESAN ZUCCHINI!

These badboys (along with the purchase of a Vegetti) have completely changed how I feel about vegetables on my plate. No longer are they the things I MUST eat because they are good for me, but they can, indeed, become the things I CRAVE.

So, how do you put this yummy masterpiece together? Here's what you'll need:

• 4 zucchini, quartered lengthwise
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan
• 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
• 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
• Himalayan salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• 2 tablespoons coconut oil
• 2 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley leaves

And here's what you'll do with it all:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Coat a cooling rack with nonstick spray and place on a baking sheet; set aside.
• In a small bowl, combine Parmesan, thyme, oregano, basil, garlic powder, salt and pepper, to taste.
• Place zucchini onto prepared baking sheet. Drizzle with coconut oil and sprinkle with Parmesan mixture. Place into oven and bake until tender, about 15 minutes. Then broil for 2-3 minutes, or until crisp and golden brown.
• Serve immediately, garnished with parsley, if desired.

Enjoy!! :D

Healthy Sweet Potato FRIES!!

Ok. So here's my back story. I've always been a sweet potato lover. It's been my favorite food since... well, since infancy. In fact, I loved sweet potatoes so much (and my mom continued to feed them to me since I loved them so much- thanks, Mom) that I did, in fact, turn orange. True story.

Don't get me wrong, I love a good baked sweet potato. Bake it in the over and throw some cinnamon on that shizz and you've got heaven on a plate. However, nothing... I repeat, NOTHING tastes as good as a delicious french fry. Put the two together? BAM. Instant bliss.

But you know, there's a drawback in all of that fried goodness. It's.. well... FRIED. So let's circumvent that, shall we?

Here's what you'll need:

• 2 large garnet yams or sweet potatoes, cut into wedges
• 2 tablespoons coconut oil
• 1 tablespoon chili powder
• 1 tablespoon cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne

Here's what you'll do... so easy it hurts!

1. Preheat oven to 425ºF.

2. Toss cut sweet potatoes in coconut oil and spices. Make sure every wedge is evenly coated.

3. Roast cut-side down for 30 minutes, turning once.

Enjoy!