It is time to get hot for the holidays!

Yep that is me! 

21 days apart no less. Because I have a system and it truly works!

It's that whole food, move your body fad. 

For the past 3 years I have been running a group in November and December to help people slim down for the holidays,while taking a couple days off to enjoy the holiday and then get right back at it again. The average person gains TEN POUNDS during November and December. I am here to help you beat those odds. 

Time to pick out a cute Thanksgiving and Christmas dress and start working toward looking hot for the holidays! 

It will take 30 minutes of your time each day.

You can stream your workouts to any device.

I help you with your meals... you can still eat what you like but let me help you tweak the ingredients so it is helping not harming. 

You will meet a lot of cool friends that are all working toward a common goal. 

There will be fun prizes and games along the way. 

SO ... what are you waiting for? I am here to help you. I am going to be doing it all with you, because I would never ask a client to do something I am not doing myself. 

Hit me up! We start Monday!

momwhatsfordinner@yahoo.com

Warning: May cause weightloss, happiness, and confidence.

Halloween Fruit Cups

Halloween does not need to be filled of all things candy. We all know the kids will be throwing themselves onto all the candy that is handed out. So I like to make healthier options at home. Using Oranges and carving out a Jack-O-Lantern, makes this a playful after school snack. 

Halloween Fruit Cups

What you will need:

A pairing knife

Oranges

Items you want to fill the oranges with: apples, strawberries, grapes, pineapple, orange slices, blueberries, Candy, nuts...the possibilities are endless. 

Start off by cutting off the top of your orange.

Next you are going to use your knife to cut out the fruit. 

Then using your fingers, gently pull out the fruit.

Slice up the fruit you would like to put inside. 

Add your fruit to the "pumpkin orange". The citrus keeps the fruit from browning.

I cut the rind off of one of the apples and pushed it through the top of the orange to make a stem. 

You can keep them in the fridge up to 24 hours before you serve them. 

See how cute they are! 

Healthy Easter Recipe Round-up

Our company did a great job rounding up some of the healthiest FUN easter recipes. Just click the link and it will take you to the recipe! 

Easter Yogurt Bark
Pomegranate seeds and blueberries give this beautiful holiday bark pops of Easter egg-like color and lots of antioxidants. Since it’s made with Greek yogurt (instead of sugar-laced white chocolate), it’s a great way to sneak some protein into a sweet treat. Get the recipe from Mrs. Happy Homemaker.

Photo by Mrs. Happy Homemaker.

Yogurt-Dipped Strawberry Carrots
Even if your kids don’t love to munch on carrots, they’re sure to love these fruit faux “carrots” that are perfect for the season. Get the recipe from A Whisk and Two Wands.

Photo by A Whisk and Two Wands.

Minions Easter Eggs
Take your egg-decorating game to the next level with these adorably devious minions from @hannah_rex. They’re simpler to make than they look – all you need are blue and yellow dye, a sharpie, and a steady hand. Dunk the whole egg in yellow dye until it’s completely colored, let it dry, and then hold the bottom half of the egg in blue dye for one to two minutes. Googly eyes available at your local craft store make these cheerful characters come to life, but they can also be drawn on. For those who prefer something a bit more conniving, a purple minion will get kids giggling.

Photo by Hannah Rex.

Easter Egg Lunch Box
This idea from A Kailo Chic Life makes lunchtime fun with veggies, crackers, fruit, and bite-sized sandwiches packed in colorful plastic eggs served in an egg carton. They’re like a fun version of Portion Fix containers, but for kids!

Photo by A Kailo Chic Life.

Cheese and Crackers Chicks
Bring a little springtime spirit to snack time with this super simple take on cheese and crackers. All you need to make these chicks are round whole-wheat crackers, cheese, baby carrots, and a handful of spinach leaves. Find out how to make them here.

Photo by Canadian Family.

Carrot Patches
Taste and Tell turned the simple snack of carrots and hummus into an Easter party centerpiece. She made individual carrot servings by dipping carrots topped with parsley leaves into tiny flowerpots filled with hummus.

Photo by Taste and Tell.

Yogurt Easter Egg Popsicles
If your part of the country is hit with a springtime heatwave, you’ll need something refreshing to feed your kids when they finish running around outside searching for hidden Easter eggs. These popsicles from Eats Amazing are a healthy, frozen treat made with yogurt, sweet berries, and crunchy granola mixed together and frozen in egg-shaped molds.

Photo by Eats Amazing.

Sweet Potato Bunnies
All you need to make this Easter-inspired snack from With Style and Grace are sweet potatoes and a bunny-shaped cookie cutter. If you don’t have a cookie cutter, try your hand at shaping slices of sweet potato with a sharp paring knife. Spray them with nonstick cooking spray and bake them until soft for a healthy and adorable Easter side dish.

Photo by With Style and Grace.

Tomato Tulips
We know that April showers bring May flowers, but when Easter falls in March, Mother Nature might need help in the floral department. Brighten up any spread with these tulips made from cherry tomatoes, chives, and cheese. Use Neufchatel or ricotta cheese to keep this treat both healthy and beautiful. Get the recipe from Surviving a Teacher’s Salary.

Photo by Surviving a Teacher’s Salary.

Bunny Pancakes
Kick off Easter morning with with a darling bunny pancake breakfast like this one from Nico and Lala. Whip up a batch of Multi-Grain Banana Pancakes in sizes to make the bunny body, head, ears and feet. Decorate the paws with banana slices and mini chocolate chips, and fashion a fluffy tail from shredded coconut.

Photo by Nico and Lala.

Veggie Flowers and Egg Birds
This snack idea from Artsy Craftsy Mom presents a cheerful Spring scene. Dress up peeled, hard-boiled eggs as chickens using carrot slices for feathers and beaks, and sesame seeds for eyes. Place them on a bed of lettuce in a garden of flowers made from decorative cucumber and carrot flowers.

Photo by Artsy Craftsy Mom

Easter Bunny Eggs
These Easter bunny eggs from My Fudo will hop off their centerpiece and into the mouths of happy kids. Use radishes for the ears, celery for the whiskers, and sliced black olives for the eyes. Set the bunnies on a bed of tuna, place it all on a plate of lettuce, and serve! Get full instructions here.

Photo by My Fudo.

New year programs that don't break the bank

 

Today I have an amazing statistic to share with you!

According to Gym Statistics "45 million Americans will turn to a gym membership at the new year and 85% of them will ONLY GO 6  times and then quit. " Not only that, they will continue to pay all year for the membership due to contracts and cancellation fees. Stop the madness!

I would love to work with you. My programs have an 82% success rate. Why? Daily motivation, daily support, nutrition plans, recipes, shopping lists, friends, accountabilty and PRIZES. It is like going to a gym with 20 of your best friends, but the gym is the comfort of your home. Want to stop? There are no ongoing fees. It is simple. You get an online personal trainer/yoga teacher (me) that checks in with you, and a ton of new friends from our online group. (These people have become like family to me). 

I have numerous programs, for every training style. We have cross training, Lifting, cardio, dance, nutrition, yoga, boot camp and even gentle detox programs that require NO EXERCISE. 

If you want what you have always got, then by all means keep doing what you are doing. If you are ready to make a change at the new year, then hit me up. I am excited to work and train hard right along side you. Let's make 2016 your best year ever! 

I hope to help you reach your goals in the upcoming year! Look forward to hearing from you! ‪

momwhatsfordinner@yahoo.com 

New Year is upon us

Any one else feeling like this?! 

I know i sure do! I have been off clean eating for. A few weeks getting ready for my New Year detox No one wants to think about health and fitness right now. I get it but I know as soon as Jan 1 hits it’s going to be GAME ON for myself and A LOT of people.

I have A LOT going on in January and am inviting anyone who wants help to join me. Whether you want to detox from all the sugar over the holidays or if you want to lose some weight, gain some weight, gain flexibility or strength. I am here to help.

My online groups are fun, motivating, unintimidating, supportive environments. It’s a community, all working to better their health; whatever that looks like to them. Its inspiring to see these amazing people kick sugar and junk food cravings, fit into clothes they haven’t fit into in years, be able to have the energy to take on a new hobby or keep up with their kids, sleep better, have better moods and overall better confidence. Health is SO much more than a number on a scale and we don’t focus on that. We focus on overall whole body wellness!

Would love to help you out too. If you are interested in joining comment below or shoot me an email momwhatsfordinner@yahoo.com

You still have time to misbehave but let's prepare you for the new year now!

Free 7 day clean eating crock pot group

Okay Holidays! Not this year! I'm not going to let all the deliciousness of holiday foods do me in!! I have worked hard on my fitness goals and I LOVE that I've learned how to eat clean and still ENJOY my meals--just as much as when those meals were not healthy! Quite a few of you have been asking for recipes and/or meal plans suited for the holidays and winter festivities that your family will be sure to enjoy! All while saving TIME by using my favorite kitchen appliance--MY CROCKPOT!!! So, I've decided it's time for another FREE clean eating focus group!! You IN? 
7 day this time and FREE! Can't beat that price, eh? 
My last group, people dropped anywhere from 3-8 lbs...in a week!! Not too shabby!!
I will be providing a complete "Crockpot" meal plan (easy to follow and yummy!) WITH shopping list! Everyone will be expected to do some sort of exercise but I will provide some workout plans too. {But walking your dog would count too!}
It'll also include: 
•Daily motivation/check-in 
•My tips on getting those most out of your work outs 
•Support from the group 
•My favorite healthy snacks
YES??
Let me know by sending me a Direct messaging me at momwhatsfordinner@yahoo.com so I can get you on the private secret page where we all check in. 

We will get this party started on Monday, December 14th! So, mark your calendars!
Eek, can't wait!

Clean Crock Pot 7 day free clean eating challenge

Okay guys! My group closes in 2 days. You have 2 days to think about doing a 7 day clean eating with me for FREE! Free grocery list, FREE recipes, FREE support and motivation.

Why do it? One week of putting real whole food in your body can change everything. Your mood, Your aches and pains, Your sleep habits, your outlook on life.

Why not clear out your body before Thanksgiving? I think you are all capable of eating clean for one week. I also think the way you feel at the end of the week will blow your mind.

If you are planning to change your lifestyle in 2015, this is the perfect first step. Life is all about balance. We all over do it on Thanksgiving so this is a great way to balance it out.

I have 11 awesome peeps that have committed to this. Any other takers? Simply reply with "I'm in!" and I will add you to the group!

Okay Holidays! Not this year! I'm not going to let all the deliciousness of holiday foods do me in!! I have worked hard on my fitness goals and I LOVE that I've learned how to eat clean and still ENJOY my meals--just as much as when those meals were not healthy! Quite a few of you have been asking for recipes and/or meal plans suited for the holidays and winter festivities that your family will be sure to enjoy! All while saving TIME by using my favorite kitchen appliance--MY CROCKPOT!!! So, I've decided it's time for another FREE clean eating focus group!! You IN? 

7 day this time and --totes mcgotes-- FREE! Can't beat that price, eh? 

My last group, people dropped anywhere from 3-8 lbs...in a week!! Not too shabby!!

I will be providing a complete "Crockpot" meal plan (easy to follow and yummy!) WITH shopping list! Everyone will be expected to do some sort of exercise but I will provide some workout plans too. {But walking your dog would count too!}

It'll also include: 

•Daily motivation/check-in 

•My tips on getting those most out of your work outs 

•Support from the group 

•My favorite healthy snacks

YES?? Simply comment with "IM IN!" below and I you're set! 

We will get this party started on Monday, November 17th! So, mark your calendars!

Gluten-Free Pumpkin Crepes

Because it is now October, I am going to be bringing you all things Fall and Pumpkin. Some old, some new. Enjoy this Autumn journey!

Today I am kicking it off with an oldie but goody. Pumpkin Crepes! Nothing says Autumn like waking up to a breakfast full of all things pumpkin! These are one of my daughters favorite fall treats. Enjoy!

Gluten-Free Pumpkin Crepes

adapted from Juanita's Cocina

1 cup pumpkin puree

3/4 cup better batter flour

1 cup milk

1/2 cup warm water

4 eggs

4 Tbs. unsalted butter, melted

1 tsp. vanilla

1/2 tsp. powdered ginger

1/2 tsp. ground nutmeg

1 tsp. cinnamon

1/3 cup sugar

1/4 tsp. salt

1 tsp baking powder

You can see the recipe for homemade whipped cream here.

You can see the recipe for the pumpkin cream cheese filling here. 

Add all ingredients into a mixing bowl. Mix until fully blended.

If you need to add extra milk to thin to make it spreadable in the crepe pan/skillet/griddle, do so.

Heat a nonstick crepe pan or small skillet over medium heat until completely warmed. Spray the pan with nonstick cooking spray.

Pour the batter into circles, as thin as you can go without it breaking. 

When there are bubbles all over your batter, it is time to flip it. 

When done, fill your crepe with pumpkin cream cheese filling. Top with some whipped cream sprinkled with a little cinnamon. 

Serve!

Healthy Deviled Eggs

 
Happy Monday everyone! I hope you had a fabulous relaxing weekend. We did. We had a rain storm in California. A much needed rain storm. It was nice to hibernate indoors and spend time together. It reminded me of Oregon. It was good for the 2 days it lasted and now the sun is back and the forecast is for 70 degrees. I am one happy girl. Everything is fresh and clear and I am ready to hit this week running!

Today I am bringing you an appetizer that is low in sugar, high in phosphorus, riboflavin,  selenium, and vitamin B12. So yes, these are healthy. My secret? I always use full fat Greek yogurt mixed with a little vinegar, salt, and pepper as a mayonnaise substitute. It tastes the same and is so much healthier for you. I use full fat because I believe in fat. Our bodies need fat. If you buy anything that is skim, fat free, reduced fat, it just means they have added fillers. Fillers are so unhealthy and I believe in trusting God's ingredients, before I trust man's. 

My family and I have always loved deviled eggs, but I have tried to limit making them because of the mayo content. Now they are guilt free because for two of these scrumptious deviled eggs you get a small 83 calories, which makes this a great healthy snack or appetizer. So have your eggs and eat them too! 

Healthy Deviled Eggs

recipe by: Christi Silbaugh

8 large eggs, hard boiled and peeled
1/4 cup Plain Greek yogurt
1 Tbsp vinegar
1 Tbsp mustard
1/4 tsp salt
1/8 tsp pepper
paprika for garnishing

Halve eggs lengthwise. Remove yolks and place in a small bowl.

Whisk together yolks, greek yogurt, vinegar, mustard, salt and pepper. Fill egg whites evenly with yolk mixture. Sprinkle with paprika and serve.

Sea Salt Caramel Candies

I have been reading Couture Chocolate: A Masterclass in Chocolate by William Curley.

In this wonderful book, William shares his techniques and most mouth-watering recipes, starting with the basics: tempering and making a bar of chocolate; advice on how to add exotic flavors like rosemary or raspberry; and introducing different textures. 

I spent extra time absorbing this book. Because I believe life is better with chocolate. Period. If you love chocolate, you will absolutely love this book! You can get yours here.

After I read the whole thing... twice. I dove in and decided to make a family favorite. Whenever possible, we buy sea salt caramel candies, truffles, candy bars etc... Turns out, this past year salted caramel was the most popular sweet tooth craving in the U.S. There was a recipe in the book, and it turned out divine! I did a tiny bit of changes to suite what I had in my pantry. Don't be scared! You can do it!

I used an ice cube tray from ikea. I don't have chocolate moulds. It worked perfectly. 

Sea Salt Caramel Candies

adapted from Couture Chocolate: A Masterclass in Chocolate by William Curley.

3/4 cup whipping cream

1 vanilla bean

1 2/3 cups sugar

2 ounces liquid glucose

3 sticks (10 ounces) salted butter

1lb. 2 ounces fine dark chocolate (please note that you don't use hershey's here. Use real chocolate).

Sea salt flakes

Start out by tempering your chocolate. I use the "seeded tempering" method that he explains on page 21. 

Place two-thirds of the chopped chocolate into a double broiler. Do not boil the water because it may scald the chocolate. Stir regularly until the chocolate has completely melted and reaches 113-122 degrees. 

Gradually add the remaining chocolate - this is the seed. Stir vigorously and continue to stir until all the chocolate is completely melted and the chocolate thickens to 88-90 degrees. 

Put the cream in a saucepan. Split your vanilla bean and srape the vanila bean seeds from the pod into the cream. Bring to a boil, and take off heat immediately. 

Meanwhile, heat an empty heavy-based saucepan. When it is hot, add one third of the sugar with the liquid glucose and heat slowly until it forms a light caramel and sugar crystals have dissolved. Add the remaining sugar and continue to cook until you get and amber caramel. This will take about 15 minutes, but keep watching it!

Gradually add the warm cream to the caramel. Mix well and take off the heat. 

Add the butter, cube by cube. Mix well until it has been fully incorporated and then leave to cool. 

Fill the chocolate mould with tempered chocolate. I used an ice cube tray from ikea. I don't have chocolate moulds. It worked perfectly. 

Turn the mould upside down over the chocolate pot and scrape off the chocolate. 

This gives a chocolate shell. I then put it in the freezer for 2 minutes to set. 

Spoon the cooled caramel into the moulds. You can also use a pastry bag to pipe it in, but I found a spoon worked just fine. 

Pour more tempered chocolate over the filled moulds. 

Sprinle with sea salt flakes. Just a few flakes per truffle. 

Now you can leave them out to set for 2-3 hours, or you can be impatient like me and put them in the freezer. 

Once set, twist the mould to loosen the chocolates. EAT! SHARE! ENJOY!