Cinnamon Energy Bites

Anyone else having trouble breaking their post Christmas sweet tooth? Wowsers. I decided to make some energy bites as a healthier alternative than all of the candy and chocolate that my students bought me for Christmas:).

Who doesn’t love a good energy bite!?

Cinnamon Energy Bites by Megan Cahill

1 cup oats

1/2 cup nut butter

1/4 cup honey

R1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

Directions:

1. Start with the oatmeal and gradually add all of the other wet ingredients.

2.  Roll the dough into 1/2 inch balls which makes approximately 16 balls.

Enjoy!

24 Day Challenge

Tags

#weightloss #energy #health #advocare #teamwork #24daychallenge #fit

Most of the time I am posting recipes on here. Today I want to tell you about a product that truly is changing my life.

You name the diet, I have tried it,and have never succeeded to stay on it. The reason why I never could???

I was HUNGRY! 1200 calories is not enough food and I felt crabby and tired. My brother told me about advocare and how he and his wife lost weight, had more energy, and felt amazing. I was skeptical about all of it – especially since I typically do not see results quickly. My husband and I decided to do the 24 day advocare challenge and my results are great so far!

We are on day 15 of the 24 day challenge and as a couple we have lost 15 lbs so far. I have also lost 3 inches. This isn’t just about weight loss folks, this is about being healthy and feeling amazing. 

Copy the link below into your browser and try the 24 day challenge. My husband and I are apart of a team of coaches that want to help you succeed. 

https://www.advocare.com/140824593/

Please comment below with any questions!

 

Energy Bites Adapted

Tags

chocolate, energybites, flaxseed, food, healthy, honey, kids, oats, snack

Alright, so we have ALL seen these energy bites floating around pinterest for quite sometime. My only problem with these is that they go away so fast! They are a great treat after a workout. I decided to try to experiment with a few different versions so that the bites would make more for big families or those who would love to freeze these amazing treats.

Energy Bites adapted by: Megan Cahill

4 cups of oats (I used natural quick oats)

2 cups ground flaxseed

2 cups peanut butter

1 cup chocolate chips (I try to keep this low to keep it healthier – however if you are a typical chocaholic go ahead and add some more)

1 cup honey

2 TBS vanilla

Directions:

1. I used a kitchenaid mixer since this create a vary large batch. I recommend adding oats, flaxseed first and mixing well. Then add the peanut butter and vanilla.

2. After you have added those ingredients gradually add in the honey. This is when it can become a little messy. Make sure this mixes well so you do not have uneveness in sweetness in each energy bite.

3. Gradually add chocolate chips. This part is best done the old fashioned way just fold in the chocolate chips.

This makes approximately 6 dozen large energy bites (I used a cookie dough scooper) or 12 dozen small bites.

 

To freeze: I am including some pictures of the best way to freeze this recipe. I used a cookie dough scooper to put all of these energy bites on to the a baking sheet covered in tinfoil. The tinfoil helped avoid the bites sticking to the baking sheet. Put the energy bites uncovered on this baking sheet into your freezer for 20 minutes or until hardened.

Now, you get to take them out and place them into freezer bags. Make sure to ALWAYS label your freezer bags. Learn from my mistakes people.. There is nothing worse than having to toss out food because it was not eaten on time.

Enjoy this healthy treat!

Strawberry Sorbet

Tags

dessert, healthy, kids, realfood, sorbet, Strawberry, summer

I scream, you scream, we all scream for ice cream. I know right!?

Well, the good news is that I will be creating some new ice cream and sorbet recipes in honor of it being National Ice Cream Month!

This is very easy to make and only requires three ingredients. Actually you could pull of using only two ingredients depending on your sweet tooth:)

Ingredients:
4 cups frozen strawberries
2 cups unsweetened almond milk
3 tbs. stevia (you could eliminate if you do not have at home.

Directions:
1. Place the frozen berries into the blender and begin to blend.
2. Gradually add the almond milk and stevia and continue to blend.
3. Place the mixture into a plastic container and close with a lid.
4. Allow your sorbet to freeze for six hours.
5. Enjoy without the guilt of regular sorbet:).

Turkey Sausage Dinner

Tags

dinner, easy, food, lowcarb, summer, turkeysausage

Turkey Sausage Dinner!!

My husband is outside building a paver patio, I should make this quick so I can get out there and help him:)

Ingredients:
1 lb Turkey Sausage(I use Jennie-0)
3 red skin potatoes cubed
1/2 c green or purple onion finely chopped
Multiple colored peppers chopped
2 tbs olive oil
1 -2 tsp of the following spices: thyme, herbs de Provence, caraway seed
1 tsp freshly ground pepper and sea salt

1. Remove casings and start cooking your turkey sausage. I always use a grill pan for this.
2. In another sauté pan I start cooking my cubed potatoes in the olive oil. Omit the potatoes for a super low carb dinner. I add potatoes when we have company.
3. While the sausage and potatoes are cooking I start chopping my veggies. The more the merrier as always:).
4. Transfer the cooked sausage into the sauté pan and start adding veggies and spices. I usually have to add a little more olive oil at this stage.
5. Enjoy a scrumptious healthy meal!

Produce picks at Aldi!

Tags

Aldi, budget, food, frugal, money, produce

Allright, so I must say I was not very impressed with Aldi last year at this time. But this year I have noticed a huge increase in the quality and variety of products that are offered at Aldi. They have a lot of gluten free items and even almond butter! I do buy my meat at other stores. I am picky about meat choices and where I purchase them from. I think it is important wherever you buy produce to carefully wash your items before consumption.

For this entry I will specifically look at produce, since I am trying to up my veggie and fruit intake, which can be quite costly. Eventually I will put up weekly menus from food I buy from Aldi.

Purchased:

6 bananas 2.70

Green Onions .99

Cantaloupe 1.29

Salad bag 1.99

Frozen Green Beans x2 = 2.98

Red Grapes = 3.49 (I freeze these and eat about 1/2 cup every night as a sweet treat)

Grand total = 13.44

Most definitely cannot beat prices at Aldi. These are the produce picks for my husband and I.  I will report back next week with weekly menus. Stay tuned!

 

 

Low Carb Chocolate Chip Cookies

Tags

almondflour, chocolate, Cookies, dessert, food, lowcarb

Low Carb Chocolate Chip Cookies by Megan Cahill

Ingredients:

2 eggs beaten
3 cups almond flour
1/2 c stevia extract baking blend
1 c almonds
1 c choc chips (use cacao chips for an even healthier version)
1 tsp vanilla
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt

1. Preheat oven to 350. You will need to line your cookie sheets with parchment paper. Almond flour has a different texture than regular flour and I have found it to be very sticky.

2. Add eggs, baking soda, vanilla, and salt into your mixer (or bowl).

3. Gradually add in remaining ingredients into your mixer.

4. Drop a tbs of cookie dough onto the cookie sheets for 10-12 minutes. These cookies have a lot of flavor to them and turn out better if they are cooked a little bit longer.

Enjoy!!

 

Wendy’s Copy Cat Low Carb Smoothie

Tags

chocolate, food, Low Carb, lowcarb, smoothie, summer, wendys

I saw this recipe floating around pinterest but decided to reduce the carbs by changing a few things. This summer my husband and are reducing our carb intake and increasing our fiber, veggies, and lean meats. Sometimes we miss having ice cream or a sweet treat at night. This is one of many smoothie recipes that I will post this summer. Hopefully you enjoy it:)

Wendy’s Frosty adapted by Megan Cahill 🙂

Makes 3-4 servings

Ingredients:

1 Banana  (I cut this into pieces so it would blend better)
2.25 c of unsweetened vanilla almond milk (I am sure regular almond milk would work but this is my favorite!)
45 ice cubes (My fingers were numb after counting)
1.5 tsp vanilla extract
3 tbs unsweetened cocoa powder
3 tbs stevia (add more if you would like more sweetener)

Directions:

Add all ingredients into the blender. And before you know it you have yourself a smoothie. If it is not thick enough you could add more ice cubes.

 

 

 

Crockpot Beef Stew

Tags

beef stew, Crockpot, dinner, easy, Fall, food, veggies

Crockpot Beef Stew

Ingredients:

64 ounces tomato juice

1.5 pounds of beef stew

1 cup carrots chopped

1 cup celery chopped

4 medium size potatoes chopped

1/2 cup onion

1 tsp basil, herbs of Provence, salt, pepper, garlic powder

1/4 cup flour

Directions:

1. In a bowl mix the meat, spices, and flour together to help thicken the stew.

2. Place the juice and vegetables into the crockpot.

3.  Add the meat mixture into the crockpot.

4.  Cook on low for 8 hours. (Taste to see if there is enough spice. If there is not enough, try stirring in some more basil.

Perfect for a beautiful fall day!

Homemade Easy Mac

Tags

carbs, cheese, comfortfood, dinner, easy, food, kids, macaroni, noodles

Homemade Easy Mac

Ingredients:

1/2 cup veggie noodles (or pick your favorite)

1/2 cup milk

1/2 cup cheddar cheese or your favorite cheese blend.

pinch of white pepper

Directions:

1. Place all ingredients in a microwave safe bowl.

2.  Microwave for two minutes, then stir.

3. Microwave for another two minutes and stir.

Enjoy!!