A Project on the Horizon

This month has been such a great month!  I was looking forward to it for quite some time! My mid month birthday was sandwiched between a trip to Jamaica with some of our closest friends and a trip to Florida with the kiddos!  The month was so fun, unfortunately flew by and now I'm having a little bit of a reality check.  Time to get back into the swing of things, into the groove, get the house in order and get our suitcases officially unpacked!  To add to that...not only have I not worked out a lot this past month after working out almost every day for the 7 weeks leading up to Jamaica, but I also definitely did my fair share of eating and drinking lots of deliciousness - so it's back on track with goal setting, healthy eating and workin' it out (this will start right after Halloween on Saturday)! ;)

Thankfully, this back on track thing is happening in the Fall, which is my favorite time of the year for cooking.  I feel I can be a little more creative when I'm cooking indoors.  Summer tends to be 99% grill cooking which by now at the end of the season, grilling has become a little boring to me.  If you haven't followed by blog before, some of my favorite recipes I have shared I have created on a whim with food I have in the house and the meals always (ok, usually) come out great. That being said, I LOVE crock pot cooking and creating healthy recipes.  Even baking but modifying the goodies to be healthy but still delish. 

So...that brings me to my next project!  Last night I was browsing Pinterest for some freezer meal ideas and decided that I'm going to create my own crockpot freezer meals menu/tutorial/shopping list etc.  I've had a hard time finding menu's online for bulk freezer meals that I actually like and/or are healthy/made with fresh foods so I figured I'll do it myself.  There is nothing like pulling a meal out of the freezer at night to thaw, throwing it in the crockpot in the morning and doing nothing else but serving it 8 hours later and having it be healthy.  Preparing in bulk not only saves time but can also save money and I love saving both!   Heck, maybe I'll even create this all into an e-book!  I can always use a good Fall/Winter project so why not?! Stay tuned for the shopping list and recipes and savings!  I'll keep your family fed this winter (with your money, not mine) and give you more time with your family and less time preparing! Win win!

In the meantime, if you are looking for some tasty fall recipes, here are a few of my favorites!  Quick and Flavorful Pork Roast , my go to Santa Fe Chicken , and last but not least, one of my first creations that I shared Hearty Turkey Veggie Soup!

Ok, so now you will be fed healthy food...who wants to battle the holiday bulge with me?? (Starting Nov 1 of course - after Halloween).  All this requires is a fitness goal, a plan, motivation and action steps! Let's do it! Eat simply and healthy and have a fitness plan to battle the holiday bulge! Maybe I'm the only one who gets excited about these things, but if you are interested in following along let me know and we will do it together! :)

Stay tuned for some meals soon!  Now, I'm going to go enjoy a peanut butter cup as a mid afternoon snack since I won't be doing that effective a few days from now. ;)

~Erin Leigh

Make sure to follow Fit Fun Lifestyle on Facebook !

The Next Step

So, if you didn't already know how I got this blog started, I will fill you in. ;)  I started this blog because I wanted to motivate other Moms to live a healthy balanced lifestyle through fitness and nutrition after my journey from pregnancy to getting fit.  It was no easy task but I was very determined to do it for myself and when I really started feeling great, I wanted to help others Moms to feel the same way.  After all, carrying a baby for 10 months is no easy task and takes a serious toll on our bodies!  It then moved towards motivating others in general as I received lots of feedback from people that were not Moms trying to lose the baby weight, but those who were just looking to be healthier, more fit or shed some pounds. I now, most recently signed up to be a Beachbody coach, which a few people have been curious about my reasons so why not explain... ;)   

It seemed like signing up to be a Beachbody coach fit me on many levels.  Quite honestly, I have thought about it for years and am surprised that I hadn't signed up already.  First things first, I love their products and have been using them for years - I have done Insanity, Brazil Butt Lift, T25 and now 21 Day Fix. I did Brazil Butt Lift right after both pregnancies which worked out great.  Next, I wanted to start drinking Shakeology which goes hand in hand with their workouts and proven to give better results and you get a discount as a coach. Bonus! Put those two together plus my desire to help motivate others and it seemed like a no brainer.  In addition, as a coach there are tools that help you learn and a network of awesome people that all have the same goal - to be better every day and help others!  Signing up was very self-motivating as well. You should "be a product of the product."  In other words, you can't motivate others if you are not motivating yourself.  It's helping me stay on track for sure! There are free accountability groups that are great to be a part of and there are Coach's groups to teach the ins and outs of the programs and business.  I am definitely still learning but I feel like this is a great step of self motivation minimally, and I hope to help others in the process.

That being said, if you have any questions about signing up with a free membership or as a Beachbody Coach I have learned a few things that may help your decision making. 

1. Some people sign up to be a coach just for the discount - If you like Shakeology, you receive a 25% discount off of the products. So, you can sign up as a coach just to save money on your monthly Shakeology purchases and any program purchases as well.  Many people choose this route because of the savings and they love the Shakeology (it really is amazing).

2. Other's do it to motivate - If you like the products and want to motivate others as well, you can sign up the same way, receive the discounts and have people sign up to have you as a coach. That is when it becomes self-motivating (at least for me).  You can guide people to the right programs for them and help encourage them to stay on track, get them into free accountability groups etc. You don't have to be a fitness pro.to be a coach. You just need to have the desire to help others and want to improve yourself more and more each day.

3.  Some do it as a career - Coaches make a commission off of purchases and as coaches sign up to your team, it becomes a tiered business.

4. If you aren't looking to motivate others, a cost savings or additional income, but are just looking for some direction and guidance towards finding a workout that is a fit for you can sign up with a coach for free (like me ;) ) to help motivate you and keep you on track. 

I am excited about this journey and would love others to join me. That's the point! To help each other live a healthier lifestyle.  If interested or have questions let me know. :)

 

~Erin Leigh

 

My Team Beachbody Page - where you can explore the options of a free membership or sign up as a coach.

 

My Beachbody Coach Page - where you can explore the different products including Shakeology.

 

FitFunLifestyle on Facebook :)

Results

The results are in!  We officially finished 21 Day Fix on Monday night.  Here are some facts about our 21 Day Fix journey.

1.  We stuck to the portions about 85% of the time.  It did not help that my birthday was the day prior to finishing and that we celebrated on Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday.

2.  We finished the workouts in 23 days rather than 21 - two days we had to skip because of toddlers being up sick at night and us not being able to peel ourselves out of bed at 5 am those two mornings.

3.  We did double up on some videos during the last week including the 10 minute ab workout (which I actually happen to LOVE)!

4.  We are hooked on Shakeology and are continuing to drink it.  We both feel so great!  Placing another order today!

My results are that I lost 4 lbs and 3.5 inches. My clothes fit better, I feel healthier and I feel like it completely reset my food intake patterns.

Starting T25 next week.

For anyone that is looking for a jump start whether it's your eating or workout routine, I would be happy to help you find a program that is a fit for your lifestyle.  I can also have you join an accountability group that I am a part of which helps to keep one another motivated and help persevere through the different Beachbody workout series.  I find that it is so important for me to spend some time focusing on "me" so that I can be a better "me" for my family.  Take that next step for yourself!  Let me know how I can help.  :)

~Erin Leigh 

 

Check out the Beachbody videos and Shakeology flavors here.

Progress

I (we) are still plugging along on the 21 Day Fix journey! We are over 2/3 of the way there! I feel like it has really reset my eating and workout routine.  You can catch up on my pre 21 Day Fix summer routine here.  In the first week, I lost the 5 pounds I had gained over the last year and fit into my smallest pants comfortably.  I have to say, that felt like quite an accomplishment after just 7 days! :) 

I blogged the last time about my plan to do another round of the 21 Day Fix but plans and timing have changed.  I really want to do and complete T25 before my Aruba vacation in January - and I can't fit them both in prior to our departure so I am going to continue 21 DF workouts for an additional week and then start T25 the week of October 19!  I am excited to do T25 because I have had the program since last Christmas and have not done the whole program through from beginning to end.  And, we (my hubby and I) will complete the program right before our next tropical vacation!!  Sounds like perfect timing to me!!

I also mentioned the last time that I couldn't really say much about Shakeology yet because I had just started drinking it, but I can report a little bit more now.  Both my hubby and I talked since then about it and agreed that we both love it! We both feel so much better drinking it, have more energy, it's filling and healthy and giving us a lot more nutrients than we get just eating our regular meals.  We actually placed another order and it came right when we finished the previous pack!  More perfect timing! :)  Many people seem to be scared away by the investment, but if you put $4 a day away for a month, then you can pay for it.  I can honestly say our food budget has not changed because it is a meal replacement.  I am very happy with our decision to try it out!

So, we are finishing up the program this weekend. I cannot wait to take our measurements.  I feel better and healthier though which is what matters the most!

Let me know if you are interested in joining me in T25! It is a great program - I have done the workouts and the intensity level is reasonable and also offers modified moves available for beginners.  The workouts are only 25 minutes per day, 5 days a week.  If you are looking to get back into a workout routine, this is the perfect way without overcommitting yourself! 25 minutes per day - at home - no excuses! You will thank me later! ;) I plan to start an accountability group for anyone that wants to join me so let me know if you are interested!

Happy Tuesday!

~Erin Leigh

21 Day Fit Review

 

 

So far, so good! I have completed 5 days of the 21 Day Fix, which is a 21 day workout/portion control challenge.  What's great is that I am already seeing a difference in my body in just these first 5 days.  I am loving this workout series!

Here are some of reasons why:

 

1.  I love that the workouts are 30 minutes - perfect for those with busy schedules!  Some of the videos are specific to different muscle groups which I also like such as Upper Fix, Lower Fix and Pilates (which targets core).  The other two I have done so far are Total Body Cardio Fix and Cardio Fix.  It is a great series of workouts and I feel like they are great for toning (which is my focus).  There are less jumping and explosive moves like in Insanity (which is great too, just different).

2. I love the portion control part of it.  Yes, it is somewhat difficult (and my poor husband feels like he is always starving), but I think it is great for discipline, focusing on HOW MUCH we are eating, and focus (a little more than usual) on WHAT is going into our bodies. It is especially great after my summer of eating/drinking too many calories and wanting to reset myself. 

3.  We have actually saved money this week on food (who doesn't love saving a little money??), even including our Shakeology investment.  I think this is because I planned ahead for our meals and bought specific foods at the grocery store, we are eating less portions so there are more leftovers and we didn't go out to eat at all (which is a weekly occurance for us) for fear of losing control! Haha

The other part of the series is drinking Shakeology which is highly recommended for maximum results.  So far I am liking it.  We got the chocolate, vanilla and strawberry combo pack so we could try out a few different kinds.  My favorite so far was Wednesday - 8 oz of black coffee and the chocolate Shakeology - my hubby made it on my way out the door for work and it was delish! (He is the best). :)   I cannot give much feedback on the Shakeology in general since I have only been drinking it for 5 days but I can say that it tastes good, it is filling and I do feel like I have more energy which is a plus!

Goals on fridge + Shakeology = Following the plan to a T :)

I also am happy to be getting up at 5 am again and starting my day earlier. I know that may sound crazy but there is something so satisfying about working out, showering and having some time alone before the day begins! :)  Starts the day off right!

So there you have it. My summary of the beginning of the 21 Day Fix. Oh, I also love that I am almost 1/3 of the way through it!  I have this thing with working towards a goal that makes me feel like a better person in the process. :)

My Plans:

I am planning on doing another round of 21 Day Fix starting on Sunday October 19 and then move onto T25! Who's with me?? I would love a few people (or many people) to join me in one or both challenges! Let's motivate each other and help hold each other accountable! :)  What I love about these programs is that they are great for busy people (like me) because the time commitment isn't long each day.  Whether you are looking to lose weight, tone up, become more disciplined or just get into a workout routine, these workouts are a great answer.  Here are links to videos of both workouts and Shakeology with a little summary if you are interested in more details. :)

21 Day Fix - 30 minute videos daily for 21 days paired with portion control. 

T25 - 25 minute videos - a 60 day program.

Shakeology - A 1 day meal replacement shake, is $4 per day and helps to: lose weight, reduce cravings, feel energized, improve digestion and regularity. 


~Erin Leigh

 

 

 

A New Adventure

I'm baacckkk! ;) New season, new adventures right??   In my house, we are always talking about adventures.  We take adventures down the street to check out new construction, adventures down to the basement to explore, traveling adventures and seeing new places. You name it, it's an adventure!  Well, this fall I am off on my new adventure. 

As anyone who has followed my blog knows, I began it to document my post pregnancy steps to a better and healthier and more fit me.  I like to create healthy recipes for my family and share them, try new fitness adventures and help motivate others to do the same, and document some of my favorite family memories (and some over the top parenting moments).  Last winter I stopped blogging and I have learned over the past nine months that motivating others is self motivating for me.  It helps keep me in check and helps me work extra hard on being the best I can, in many areas.  I mean, you can't try to motivate and encourage others to do something you aren't doing right?!  I have not had as much self discipline these past 9 months and I can directly link it to the timing of holidays/trip to Mexico/taking a break from blogging. 

So, here I am...nine months later ending a summer that definitely consisted of a few too many ice cream cones, s'mores and cheese burgers, more drink calories than I can count and putting workouts on the back burner and instead choosing beach trips, park trips, zoo trips, play dates, froyo dates for dinner and all the other fun things that happen with toddlers in the summer.  (I will say, it was a VERY enjoyable summer if you can't tell)! ;) Yes, I ran a few times per week, but just to maintain my fitness level and not to push myself further. But, now I am ready to push ahead.  And what better time than now, with a trip to Aruba in less than 4 months to get ready for!

So, what is my new adventure you might ask?  I am starting with the 21 Day Fix which is a workout by Beachbody and ordered Shakeology for the first time to go along with it!  It just came yesterday so the plan is to start Sunday (I like starting things at the beginning of the week). I am getting my hubby on board too! :) The 21 Day Fix is 30 minute videos once per day paired with portion control to lose weight/reset/tone up.  Shakeology is a meal replacement shake you drink once per day that is supposed to curb cravings, increase energy levels and has several other health benefits! I am excited to see if it increases our energy level because we are always exhausted! I am looking at this as an end of summer jump start for myself! :) I plan to follow it up with another workout once I complete it.

Now is the time for me to get back on track! Is anyone else feeling the same way?  That being said, I would LOVE a few people to join me in doing it to be in a little group and keep each other accountable!  If you are interested in checking it out first you can check out the 21 Day Fix .  It is highly encouraged to purchase Shakeology with it. There are thousands of success stories with this one shake a day meal replacement, but I can't say from experience because I haven't tried it yet. I will let you know after my 30 days of it, but they do recommend better results pairing the workout with the shakes!

So there you have it! I am back! :)

~Erin Leigh

Last Minute Meal

Last night I was looking for a quick and easy dinner to throw together (are your surprised??)...I had pork to make so I decided on using my Tasty Tomato seasonings to season my pork and home made sweet potato fries!  So quick and simple and delish!

 

Pork Chops:

3 Pork Chops

Sprinkle with Adobo, garlic powder and Sassy Onion from The Tasty Tomato

I cooked it in a large pan on the stove with a little coconut oil - approx. 10 minutes per side

 

Sweet potato fries:

Preheat oven to 425

Slice two sweet potatoes into thin small pieces (you can also cube them)

Sprinkle with Adobo, garlic powder, sea salt and Sassy Onion seasoning

Bake for about 45 minutes - flipping fries a few times

 

Talk about quick and easy!  I loved the flavor using the Sassy Onion seasoning packet! I also used it in my beef stew the beginning of the week in place of a Onion Soup packet - it was a huge success!  I like that there are no additives in it like packets you buy at the grocery store!  If you want more information you can check out their Facebook page.  Hope you like! :)



 

 

~Erin Leigh

Quick and Flavorful Pork Roast

Mondays are always a tough day for dinner because both my husband and I get home between 5:30-6 so many times it is my day for a crock pot meal!  I threw this Pork Roast together quickly in the morning before rushing out the door - a great weeknight go-to meal for the working family (or any family for that matter ;) )!

 

Pork Roast

Ingredients:

1 Pork Roast (whatever cut is your preference and size to feed your family)

1 onion, sliced

1 teaspoon minced garlic

sea salt

black pepper

parsley

oregano

garlic powder

onion powder

2 Tablespoons worcestershire sauce

2 potatoes, cubed

carrots (2 handfuls of baby carrots or 3-4 chopped carrots)

 

 

Directions:

Slice onion and place in the bottom of the crock pot (I heard this helps with adding flavor).

Place roast on top and rub minced garlic onto the top of the roast (You can make a few shallow cuts in the top of the roast so the garlic gets into the roast for added flavor).

Season with the remaining seasonings to your liking (I add a few shakes of each).

Finish with the 2 Tablespoons of worcestershire sauce on top.

 

 

 

 

I then added the potatoes and carrots around the outside and seasoned those with garlic powder and Adobo (of course). 

 

 

Cook on low for 10 hours, or on high for 5.  Let sit for about 10 minutes before slicing.  The onions caramelize at the bottom and are full of flavor to use as a topping on your pork.  Mmmmm :)  Enjoy!

 

~Erin Leigh



Simple and Delish!

As I started to prepare dinner last night with the defrosted ground turkey and looking at what else I had, my thought was...what do I make with ground turkey and cauliflower? What kind of combination is that? I didn't meal plan for the night so I was seriously clueless what to make with this combo! Well, when in doubt lately, I typically make some sort of soup...and believe it or not, I actually came up with one of my favorite recipes to date! I was doubtful the whole time I was making it...but it was definitely delish!  It is a broccoli cheddar soup variation packed with protein and veggies.  It's made with ground turkey and additional vegetables, no cream and light on the cheese to make it lower in calories than the standard broccoli cheddar soup! 

Turkey Broccoli Cheddar Soup 

Ingredients:

1 package ground turkey (1.3 lbs)

1 10.5 oz package frozen broccoli 

1 cup chopped cauliflower 

1 cup chopped carrots 

1 1/2 teaspoons onion powder

1/2 teaspoon garlic powder 

1 teaspoon basil

4 cups chicken broth

1 1/2 cups milk 

5 oz grated cheddar cheese 

Directions: 

Cook ground turkey with onion powder and garlic powder.

Drain fat. 

Add chicken broth, basil and vegetables, bring to a boil for about 20 minutes until veggies are soft (by this time most of the liquid has absorbed). 

Add milk and cheese, mix together, remove pot from heat and let cheese melt, stirring a few times. 

That's it!  It was so good! Wish I made a double batch to get through the weekend! :)

 

Simple and delish...my favorite cooking combination!

~Erin Leigh

 

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Crockpot Chicken Tacos

This week I tried a variation of my Crockpot Chicken Tacos  using seasonings from a local business called The Tasty Tomato I recently heard of.  They make and sell dip mixes, seasoning packages and beer bread mixes with no added sugar or salt.  It was my first recipe trying out their seasonings and it came out great!  I have a few other kinds of seasonings that I can't wait to try out soon too! :) 

Crockpot Chicken Tacos:
Ingredients:
3 chicken breasts
1 14.5 oz can of natural diced tomatoes
1 teaspoon Simple Salsa Seasoning from The Tasty Tomato  (2 teaspoons for a spicier version)
(How simple is that?!?!)

Directions:
Throw together in crockpot. Place on high for 5 hours or low for 8. Shred chicken and mix back together.  Serve with taco shells, rice, beans, cheese, salsa, sour cream, avocado or whatever floats your boat! :)

 

 

Mmmm...so good! Can't wait for leftovers for lunch today...and I am not a leftover person! 

~Erin Leigh

Life Happens

I know first hand that when you are in a workout routine you vow you will never break it.  It feels so good to work out the same amount of days per week consistently...it is good for you both physically and mentally...but then life happens, you get sick, kids get sick, you don't sleep, things come up and before you know it you are out of the routine and you need to get back into it! That is the hardest part!  It can be a vicious cycle.  That is why January 1 my Facebook feed blows up with status updates about the amount of people at the gym.  All the New Years resolutions for all the people that "life happened to" during the year and want to get back on track! 

 

I feel like that is me right now.  I am working out here and there but not as consistent for a million reasons which sound like they are just good excuses, but really are reasons.  I know that I need to make time for myself, but for me the past 6 weeks, life has happened.  I was honestly doing so good UNTIL the first of the year.  Then went on vacation, came back, kids were VERY mad at us for going on vacation and made us miserable for a (very long) few days (I just realized I still haven't documented that experience...that will be a good one),  kids then got sick and started waking up at night = no sleep, work is busy so I'm doing more work from home in my down time...you name it, it has come up over the past 6 weeks, BUT, I am now vowing to get back into it.  Thankfully it wasn't a long break, but I can feel the mental difference.  I am happier and have more patience when I am working out consistently.  Everything they say about the endorphins and how it affects you is true!

 

So, that is my confession and this is my vow to get back on track!  Putting it in writing helps me hold myself accountable!  Hold yourself accountable too! Make a goal and stick to it. Summer (THANK GOD) is right around the corner and you will be glad you got into a routine now!  And who doesn't need a little endorphin boost in the middle of February and March?? They are the longest two months of the year in my book!  So...here is to fitness commitment, accountability and sticking to it! :)

 

Has "life" happened to you this winter?  We can help hold each other accountable!

 

~Erin Leigh

 

 

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Parmesan Crusted Tilapia and Almond Baked Green Beans

Last night I made my own tilapia and almond baked green beans recipes.  Both the hubby and I thought it came out great! I actually had a second serving of fish and I usually never go back for seconds! The kids, to be honest, were on the fence.  The picky toddler stage is a tough one...what makes it harder is having more than one in that phase at the same time.  When one complains I can deal, when both complain it is so frustrating!  I now see why MY mom would be frustrated if my brothers and I complained about dinner when we were growing up.  It's funny how you see things in the way of your parents once you are a parent.  They always said I would...and of course I always said I wouldn't.  Anyways, I shouldn't take it personal or use their complaining through dinner as a negative sign of my cooking, since they complained through grilled cheese at lunch...what kid complains about grilled cheese?!

So, here it is! Two super simple recipes for you to try!

Parmesan Crusted Tilapia
Ingredients:
4 pieces Tilapia
1 egg, beaten
1/2 cup parmesan cheese
1/2 tablespoon onion powder
1/2 tablespoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (use less or eliminate if you don't like spicy flavor)

Directions:
Preheat oven to 425 and spray large baking dish with non-stick spray.
Put egg in one bowl.
In another bowl combine remaining ingredients.
Dip each piece of fish in the egg and then into the parmesan mixture and place into baking dish.
Bake for 15 -20 minutes until fish flakes with a fork.
Ta-da!

Almond Baked Green Beans
Ingredients:
Green Beans (Whatever the amount you need for your family. A few handfuls was good for my family of 2 adults and 2 picky toddlers).
Coconut oil (Or the oil that you use for cooking).
Raw almonds
Garlic powder
Sea salt

Directions:
Preheat oven to 400.
Sorry this one is a little vague but it is so easy I never measure, and you probably don't have to either. 
Place about a tablespoon of oil on baking pan and put green beans on top, mix around until green beans have a light coating.
Sprinkle garlic powder and sea salt and mix around.  This is really up to how strong you like flavor.
*My favorite part that makes the whole meal - take about 1/2-3/4 cup of raw almonds and crush (I put in a plastic bag and use the meat tenderizer to crush - doesn't have to be little fine pieces, just small chunks). 
Mix the almonds in. 
Bake for 15 minutes, flipping the green beans once during the time.

 

That is it!  It was quick and I was able to cook them simultaneously!  I have made the green beans before which have turned into one of my favorite side dishes. It compliments just about anything you make!  Looking for a quick and healthy weeknight dish? Try it out and let me know how you like it! :)

~Erin Leigh

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Spring Fever

I will say that I used to hate the winter.  I mean...downright despise winter.  I hate(d) being cold, bundling up, my feet getting wet and my parents forcing us to play outside and enjoy the cold wet stuff...but I have definitely grown to love (ok, somewhat like) it more now that I have two little ones getting to enjoy and experience the snow!  My older wants to shovel and pull his little sister around...and of course, use his lawnmower...my younger isn't quite enjoying it yet but stands there unable to move and looks pretty cute. :)

 

So, yesterday we spent a little time outside.  Here are a few photos to prove it!

 

 

Pulling his little sister around.

Teaching her to "scoop and dump" the snow

She is debating if she wants to attempt to move.

Hanging out on the pile of snow after our driveway was plowed.

 

So...other that these fun little experiences that happen every now and then...I am pretty much over winter and ready for spring!  This past Sunday, shockingly, was sunny and almost 50 degrees so I took Jaxon and we went for a run...and boy did it feel good to run again! I cannot wait to get back to running and start tackling my 2014 Goals and start the Mom's Running Group.  Yes, I like videos and all but it is much more enjoyable (and time efficient) to run outside with the kids.  I am sure all you mama's know, it is NOT always easy to find time when your kids are ALL sleeping at the same time to fit in a workout...especially if anything else around the house needs to be done, you have any work to do or you have to go somewhere after because you never know if you will have the time to shower too before they wake up!  Little things are no longer as easy with toddlers (or any age children I imagine). So...I am day dreaming about spring and summer and running and playing outside with my two little ones in sunshine...and VERY happy it is right around the corner so I can switch up these workouts too! YAY!

 

What is YOUR plan for getting fit/staying fit before summer?  Have you made and kept your 2014 fitness goals?

 

~Erin Leigh

 

 

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Sheperd's Pie with Mashed Cauliflower

So, I am in this phase where I seem to be on a "creating my own recipes" kick.  Sometimes the process of finding a recipe that I have all the ingredients for takes time and then the constant need to reference the recipe seems daunting day after day, so I have been creating recipes with ingredients in the house and so far, they have all passed the test.  My most recent was Shepherd's Pie with mashed cauliflower.  My plan initially was to make cauliflower crust pizza but then decided I wanted something leaner.  So, here it is! 

Sherpherd's Pie with Mashed Cauliflower 

Ingredients: Part 1

1-1.25 lbs lean hamburg (you can also substitute ground turkey) 

1 medium onion, chopped 

3 carrots, chopped 

1 1/2 cups of peas 

Handful of chopped mushrooms 

1 teaspoon minced garlic

1 Tablespoon Worcestershire sauce  

Adobo and garlic powder (of course...my staples)

Sea salt and pepper to taste

 

Directions:

In large skillet add the hamburg, onion, mushrooms and sprinkle with adobo and garlic powder. Cook until meat is cooked through.

Meanwhile steam carrots for 5-10 minutes until soft.

Cook peas following directions. (Mine were frozen so I boiled for 5 minutes). 

Add carrots and peas to hamburg mixture in skillet and add your Worcestershire sauce. 

Mix together and keep on low heat for 5-10 minutes. 

Add salt and pepper to taste. 

 

Ingredients: Part 2

Mashed Cauliflower: 

1 head cauliflower 

2 Tablespoons milk

1 Tablespoon butter 

1/2 Tablespoon garlic powder

1 teaspoon parsley 

Sea salt and pepper to taste 

Directions: 

Break apart cauliflower and place into boiling water.

Boil for about 5-10 minutes until tender.

Place into food processor and blend until smooth.

Add the other ingredients and blend again. 

Once you complete Part 1 and 2 - In a baking dish put hamburg mixture on the bottom and spread mashed cauliflower on top.  Bake on 350 for 25-30 minutes.  

 

*You can top with cheese or paprika if you would like. 

 

**Since there are basically no carbs in this recipe, shockingly (that was sarcasm), the kids wanted to eat again about 30 minutes later...so you may want to serve with some homemade bread on the side. ;) 

 

 

                      Steps 1 and 2 cooking

 

                 Part 1 - Completed

 

                                         Mmmmmm

 

 

 

Seems like a lot of steps but it is actually pretty quick since you prepare everything at once.  It's just kind of wordy!  Hope you enjoy!

 

~Erin Leigh

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