I’m DOWN 18 POUNDS!

 

I wanted to share some HAPPY NEWS with everyone, from last year January 31, 2012 to TODAY January 31, 2013 I’m DOWN 18 POUNDS! How I know this, well I’ve been tracking my weight and meals on and off on the LIVESTRONG website for a few years now. Therefore, I was able to back track to my highest weight to date being last year today.

I had a rough start with fluctuating weight all last year, and constant hunger during the week to over eating and drinking on the weekends. But in October I finally started my proper clean eating, exercise, alcohol limitation, etc… that I’ve managed to keep the weight from creeping back, and I’ve managed to stay full and healthy by preparing all of my own healthy meals.

Coming from a person who used to always eat Lean Cuisines Monday – Friday during the work week, nothing compares to actually preparing your own healthy food. Those Lean Cuisines were never satisfying; I was still hungry after eating my meal. But now it all makes sense, those meals aren’t full of fiber, protein, calcium, vitamins, antioxidants, what they are full of is empty calories nothing but sodium so of course you’re going to still be hungry after eating.

On that note, there’s always a beginning to every story, today’s the day to start a NEW BEGINNING make it a good one!

-Estefany

 xoxo

 

RECIPE: Healthy Vanilla Protein Pumpkin Banana Muffins

RECIPE: Healthy Vanilla Protein Pumpkin Banana Muffins

 

Here’s the recipe for my Healthy Vanilla Protein Pumpkin Banana Muffins! This has to be my top favorite recipe; the muffins come out so moist and soft, perfect for breakfast, snack, dessert, etc…

INGREDIENTS:

· 2 Scoops of protein powder (I used Whey Vanilla Protein)

 

· 2 eggs

· ¼ cup of whole wheat flour 

· 1 table spoon of chia seeds

· 2 teaspoons of vanilla                                                  

· ½ teaspoon of baking powder

· 1 teaspoon of baking soda

· ½ cup of organic pumpkin puree (I got mine from Traders Joe’s) 

· 3 bananas

DIRECTIONS:

1.       Preheat oven to 325 degrees

2.       Mix all the above listed ingredients into a bowl and use hand mixer to mix

3.       Grease a loaf pan, or just use cupcake sleeves

4.       Pour all ingredients into cupcake sleeves or into pans

5.       Sprinkle Walnuts or Almonds (This is optional)

6.       Sprinkle Cinnamon (This is optional)

7.       Bake until a wooden pick inserted in center of the bread comes out clean.

** NOTE: Servings made about 10 muffins. **

 

 

RECIPE: Healthy Lemon-herb Baked Rainbow Trout

 

Below is my adjusted version of the amazing recipe that I found online, on how to bake lemon-herb rainbow trout. I loved the recipe and thought I’d share it with everyone, ENJOY! J

Ingredients:

v  1 Rainbow Trout fillets

v  1 lemon (sliced)

v  1 tsp Marjoram

v  Lemon pepper seasoning blend taste

Directions:

Preheat oven to 400 degrees with the rack in the center of the oven. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil and spray briefly with nonstick spray.

Sprinkle fish with lemon pepper seasoning to taste. Arrange lemon slices on top of fish fillet. Sprinkle Marjoram on top of fish fillet and lemon slices.

Place in oven and bake for 14 minutes or until ready.

** NOTE: Here is the original recipe that I found online for those who wish to check it out directly. **

http://recipes.sparkpeople.com/recipe-detail.asp?recipe=541089

 

 

RECIPE: Healthy Vanilla Protein Pomegranate Pancakes

 

RECIPE: Healthy Vanilla Protein Pomegranate Pancakes

In a bowl mix all listed ingredients then cook (this makes about 3 medium size pancakes):

·         1 table spoon of chia seeds

·         1 egg

·         1 scoop of vanilla protein (I used Whey protein on my photo)

·         ¼ cup of almond milk

·         ¼ cup of whole wheat flour

·         1 teaspoon of baking powder

·         ½ teaspoon of baking soda

·         1 table spoon of pomegranate seeds

Toppings on my pancake photo include: 1 table spoon of almonds, light syrup, and a little chocolate sprinkles!  :-)

RECIPE: Healthy Chocolate Protein Date Muffins!

Here’s the recipe for Healthy Chocolate Protein Date Muffins , feel free to adjust as desired J

Mix all the below listed ingredients into a bowl and use hand mixer to mix!

·         2 Scoops of protein powder (My muffins are brown because I used chocolate protein powder.)

·         2 eggs

·         ½ cup of whole wheat flour

·         1 table spoon of chia seeds

·         2 teaspoons of vanilla

·         ½ teaspoon of baking powder

·         1 teaspoon of baking soda

·         ½ cup of organic pumpkin puree (This is what I used as a substitute for cooking oil; it’s a lot healthier for you. Another healthy alternative for cooking oil can be unsweetened apple sauce, works the same way and makes everything you bake soft and moist.)

·         Add fruits of choice (On my photo I used one cup of mixed blueberries, strawberries, blackberries, and pomegranate seeds.)

·         Add 3 dates after completing date instructions shown below. (I only used three dates because it was my first time baking dates, but if you really enjoy the taste of dates feel free to use more. Or if you don’t like dates at all use a substitute item of choice.)

DATE INSTRUCTIONS:

-Boil one cup of water and toss the dry dates in, let them sit inside the boiling water for a few minutes. This will then cause the dates to soften, to check if dates have fully softened press down on them with a spoon once. If they feel generally soft, go ahead and dump out water and use spoon to mash dates in cup. Once they are somewhat mashed, mix them in with the remainder of the ingredient’s for overall mixing.

BAKING INSTRUCTIONS:

1.)    Preheat oven to 325 degrees

2.)    Grease a loaf pan, or just use cupcake sleeves

3.)    Pour all ingredients into cupcake sleeves or into pans

4.)    Sprinkle Walnuts or Almonds (This of course is optional)

5.)    Bake until a wooden pick inserted in center of the bread comes out clean.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Steamed CAULIFLOWER and POMEGRANATE SEEDS

I’ve been trying to be more open in trying different fruits and vegetables, when doing my meal prep. So now I try to pick up a different fruit and a different vegetable to include in my meals for the week.

This week I picked up a batch of pomegranate seeds, and a bag full of cauliflower.  I’ve never really cooked or picked up these items before, so I wasn’t aware of any of their health benefits until I did my research today during my lunch hour, CHECK IT OUT!

The Health Benefits of Pomegranate Seeds:

·         Low in calories

·         High in fiber

·         High in vitamin C (Vitamin C aids in immune system function, wound healing, promotion of healthy gums and the manufacture of collagen and elastin. Vitamin C also enhances iron absorption.)

·         High in vitamin K (Vitamin K is important for maintaining strong, healthy bones as well as proper blood clotting.)

·         High in phytochemicals that may promote heart health and help to prevent cancer.

REFERENCE:

http://www.livestrong.com/article/292052-the-health-benefits-of-pomegranate-seeds/

 

The Health Benefits of Steamed Cauliflower:

·         Good source of fiber

·         Omega-3 fatty acids

·         Contains protein

·         Vitamin C

·         Vitamin K

·         Vitamin B6

·         Magnesium

·         Calcium

·         Potassium

 

REFERENCE:

http://www.livestrong.com/article/259412-cauliflower-vs-broccoli-nutrition/#ixzz2I1ZNcp00

 

http://www.livestrong.com/article/495685-what-are-the-benefits-of-eating-cauliflower/

 

 

 

 

 

 

The start of my own fitness and health journey blog!

I'm excited to announce that I've officially started my own fitness and health journey BLOG! I'm still pretty new at this, and will be learning how to use the Google Blogger system as I go.

I plan to post about fitness, health, life, nutrition, recipes, etc...

I thought it would be a great idea to start my own blog to help keep me on track with my journey through this weight loss and healthy life living experience. I hope to help inspire and motivate others to begin their own life journey to happiness and health as well.

 

As people grow they tend to forget or lose track of what's truly important to them, whether it's family, friends, work, health, happiness, etc... I feel that by blogging and being open to new life experiences it will help me open up a lot of inner expression and thought, especially through this journey I’ll be taking to get me back on track to a healthy weight and healthy life.

  

I invite you to join me and follow my life journey to health, fitness, nutrition, and happiness... :-)

 

-Estefany85

Follow my journey on Instagram:
http://instagram.com/estefany85