Here's a Breakfast Recipe You're Sure to Love! Protein Pancakes!!! Yummmmmm

I'm a gal who LOVES breakfast and PANCAKES!!! To keep up with my healthy meal plan, I was eating eggs nearly every morning. I was starting to get tired of just eggs so I decided to try and create a healthy protein pancake. I did a little research and found a banana and egg version and tried it. They just were not that great to me and needed more flavor so I decided I'd try some other ingredients to spice things up a bit. After a few tries and different ideas, I came up with what I believe to be the perfect healthy pancake alternative! These are definitely a staple in my house! 

So, here ya go! Enjoy these! I know I do!

To make things super easy, I add all ingredients into my Magic Bullet and blend together before cooking.

Ingredients:

4 eggs (or 2 eggs and 3 egg whites)

1 whole Banana (I freeze my banana's once ripe and store in freezer bags...I like to use a frozen banana because it gives a thicker consistency)

1/2 cup oats

1 tbs no sugar added applesauce (watch for artificial sweeteners)

1 tsp vanilla

Option: top with cinnamon once on your plate. Sometimes, I add fresh blueberries or strawberries on top or in with the mix. 

I usually double the recipe if cooking for more than myself so that I have left overs for the next day. Just store in a ziplock bag once cooled and place in fridge. Heat in microwave the next day and they taste as good as they are fresh off the stove top! ;-)

MERRY CHRISTMAS YA'LL!!! <3

Holiday Tips to Enjoy Christmas More from Your Coach!

OH MY GOODNESS!!! My ENTIRE living room and dining room is stacked with Christmas decorations and containers! My Christmas tree is not up yet and I have presents buy and wrap, pictures to get taken, gifts to send, places to be and work here at home to be done! I'm pretending all will be ok and that I'll get to all of it by tomorrow but that's just not reality! Does anyone else feel overwhelmed with Holidays here and Christmas approaching so quickly?!

Wouldn't the real Christmas miracle be if we slowed down long enough to remember the reason for the season, so that our holiday celebrations became authentic and meaningful?

So, what I will do is BE OF GOOD CHEER! :-) I will not be frazzled or frustrated. I will do Christmas my way- whatever that may be. I can consciously decide to be happy, loving, fulfilled, generous, spiritual, calm and emotionally connected to the important people in your life for the holidays this year.

Or I can unconsciously choose to be a wreck.

Today- realize that you can't do everything and recognize that one of the reasons Christmas pasts didn't live up to your expectations is because you've tried to do too much, too perfectly! I am guilty of this!

Look at your list. Choose to let ONLY what you love about the holidays remain. Cross out 2 more "musts". Now there's time for you to do all those fun little things with your loved ones that you love and what makes this season so special to each of you! <3 

I'll be using this time to see my family more as well as my closest friends, to run around with my niece and nephew and to take them to see pretty Christmas lights, to watch Christmas movies with my hubby, sip hot coco by the fire and bake yummy/healthier cookies for those who make my life easier throughout the year. I'd also love to help feed the homeless and pay it forward by doing some small random acts of kindness for others every day. <3

I believe that the secret to living is giving. Ultimately what you get will never make you happy long term but what you become and what you contribute will. Let's all find a way to appreciate more and expect less. 

MERRY CHRISTMAS YA'LL and GOD BLESS! <3

My favorite way to countdown to Christmas! Your kids will love it!!!

Since this month i've been focusing on random acts of kindness and helping others, I found this awesome calendar for you to use with your children this month. I know it's a little late but you can still partake and discover the joy it brings you and your family. <3 I can only imagine the impact it will have.

Connecting as a family each day over the holidays is what makes Christmas so FUN and memorable! It will also help change your children's perspective on things and teach them more about giving and what it means to give! <3 Enjoy and Merry Christmas friends!

 Spread the love my friends not only this month but all year round. <3 

Much love,

Stacy

How Not To Gain Weight This Holiday Season and Some Recipe Ideas!

Thanksgiving can be an extra stressful time for all of us as we try to stay on track with our nutrition and get to everyone's homes if your like me and hopping from house to house to see your whole family which in turn means several meals. That’s why I created this helpful post to help get you through the Holiday without feeling miserable and too overly stuffed. I like to feel good knowing I made good choices and limited my portion sizes.

Here are some helpful tips and some AMAZING recipe options that will keep your waistline from bulging. Keep in mind portion sizes and be sure to never arrive hungry, drink plenty of water throughout the day and hold out for the good stuff! Example: pick your favorite dessert and ditch everything else or create a small sample plate of 3 that you'd like to try! Also, if joining someone else for the big day, bring your own favorite healthy dish along to be sure you have something you are comforatble eating that you know is healthy. 

One FUN thing I love to do at the dinner table is for each person to say what they are thankful for this year. It brings back memories and fun times as you recap everyone's favorite moments! :-) As for the little ones, have them join you or set them at a kids table and provide them with paper and crayons and tell them to draw what they are thankful for and they can share it with everyone too! :-) 

Check out these delicious recipes below and feel free to share your favorite Thanksgiving recipe below too! Cheers!

Click here to see what i'll be making-----> awesome BREAKFAST option that I love that would be GREAT to serve your family on Thanksgiving morning!!! You can add what you love and make several different ones for your loved ones based upon the foods they like as well! ;-) You can make the night before and re-heat or cook in the morning. This way, you can eat well without a huge amount of kitchen work! 

Here are two other yummy breakfast options: 

TEXAS STYLE CRUSTLESS QUICHE

Ingredients:

6 slices of turkey bacon, 1 medium sweet onion, diced, 1 medium red bell pepper, diced, 10 oz. fresh baby spinach, 8 oz of grated cheddar cheese, 5 eggs, 1/2 Cup reduced fat milk, ground chipotle pepper to taste and fat of choice (I prefer coconut oil)

Directions:
1. In a cast iron skillet, grill bacon over medium heat until cooked. Remove bacon from skillet and add onions & red bell peppers. Cook until onion becomes translucent. Add spinach and stir until wilted. Remove pan from heat, stir bacon back into mix.

2. In the meantime, mix cheese, eggs, milk, and chipotle pepper in a medium mixing bowl. Add vegetable and bacon mix and stir until blended.

3. Grease a 9-in pie shell with your fat of choice. (I use coconut oil.) Pour quiche mixture into pie shell. Bake at 375F for 40-45minutes or until filling is set. Let rest for 10 minutes before serving. ENJOY ya'll!

GRAIN-FREE APPLE PANCAKE RINGS

Ingredients:
2 medium apples, sliced thin and cored
3 eggs from pastured hens
3 Tbs. coconut oil or melted butter plus extra for cooking the pancake
3 Tbs milk or coconut milk
1 tsp. raw honey
1/2 tsp. sea salt
1 tsp. cinnamon
3 Tbs. coconut flour

Directions:

In a mixing bowl, whisk together eggs, coconut oil, milk, honey, cinnamon, and salt. Once evenly mixed, whisk in coconut flour. Stir until evenly mixed, then let sit for 5 minutes.

Heat a griddle or cast iron skillet to medium heat. Melt a dab of coconut oil on your cooking surface. While that’s heating and your batter is resting (an essential step when working with coconut flour), this is a good time to peel, slice, and core your apples if you haven’t already.

Before coating your apples, double check that the batter is at pancake consistency. Coconut flour is VERY absorbent, so it’s possible that if it sits too long it will get too thick to easily coat the apples. If your batter is a bit thicker than normal pancake batter, just add more liquid (water, milk, coconut milk, or even eggs) until it is the right consistency.

Using a toothpick, pick up an apple ring and dunk it in the pancake batter. Then, put it on the griddle. Repeat for as many apple pancake rings as you’ve got room to cook. Once the batter has cooked firm around the edges and turned golden brown, flip once to cook the other side to golden brown.
When finished, serve apple pancake rings warm. We love serving it up with slices of cheese or with pure maple syrup.





Here are some healthy sides I will be making on Thanksgiving...

ROSEMARY & GARLIC MASHED CAULIFLOWER

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PREP TIME

20 mins

TOTAL TIME

20 mins

Author: Becky Hardin - The Cookie Rookie

Serves: 4

INGREDIENTS

• 1 large cauliflower, chopped into small florets
• 3 ounces low fat cream cheese
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1½ teaspoon minced garlic (sauteed if you aren't buying it already prepared)
• 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary, chopped into small pieces

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Bring a medium pot of water to boil. Once boiling, cook the cauliflower for 8-10 minutes or until fork tender. Remove and drain cauliflower.
2. Place cauliflower along with all other ingredients into a blender or food processor and pulse until smooth and creamy.     Compliments of thecookierookie.com

SUMMER VEGETABLE TIAN

PREP TIME

15 mins

COOK TIME

45 mins

TOTAL TIME

1 hour

Serves: 6

INGREDIENTS

• 1 Tbsp olive oil 
• 1 medium yellow onion 
• 1 tsp minced garlic 
• 1 medium zucchini 
• 1 medium yellow squash 
• 1 medium potato 
• 1 medium tomato 
• 1 tsp dried thyme to taste salt & pepper 
• 1 cup shredded Italian cheese 

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Finely dice the onion and mince the garlic. Saute both in a skillet with olive oil until softened (about five minutes).
2. While the onion and garlic are sauteing, thinly slice the rest of the vegetables.
3. Spray the inside of an 8×8 square or round baking dish with non-stick spray. Spread the softened onion and garlic in the bottom of the dish. Place the thinly sliced vegetables in the baking dish vertically, in an alternating pattern. Sprinkle generously with salt, pepper, and thyme.
4. Cover the dish with foil and bake for 30 minutes. Remove the foil, top with cheese and bake for another 15-20 minutes or until the cheese is golden brown.

Compliments of budgetbytes.com

Best Ever Green Bean Casserole

Recipe courtesy of Alton Brown

Total Time: 1 hr 10 min
Prep: 25 min
Cook: 45 min
Yield:4 to 6 servings
Level:Easy

Ingredients

For the topping:
2 medium onions, thinly sliced
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons panko bread crumbs
1 teaspoon kosher salt
Nonstick cooking spray
For beans and sauce:
2 tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon kosher salt, divided
1 pound fresh green beans, rinsed, trimmed and halved
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
12 ounces mushrooms, trimmed and cut into 1/2-inch pieces
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground nutmeg
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 cup chicken broth
1 cup half-and-half
ADD CHECKED ITEMS TO GROCERY LIST

Directions

Preheat the oven to 475 degrees F.

Combine the onions, flour, panko and salt in a large mixing bowl and toss to combine. Coat a sheet pan with nonstick cooking spray and evenly spread the onions on the pan. Place the pan on the middle rack of the oven and bake until golden brown, approximately 30 minutes. Toss the onions 2 to 3 times during cooking. Once done, remove from the oven and set aside until ready to use. Turn the oven down to 400 degrees F.

While the onions are cooking, prepare the beans. Bring a gallon of water and 2 tablespoons of salt to a boil in an 8-quart saucepan. Add the beans and blanch for 5 minutes. Drain in a colander and immediately plunge the beans into a large bowl of ice water to stop the cooking. Drain and set aside.

Melt the butter in a 12-inch cast iron skillet set over medium-high heat. Add the mushrooms, 1 teaspoon salt and pepper and cook, stirring occasionally, until the mushrooms begin to give up some of their liquid, approximately 4 to 5 minutes. Add the garlic and nutmeg and continue to cook for another 1 to 2 minutes. Sprinkle the flour over the mixture and stir to combine. Cook for 1 minute. Add the broth and simmer for 1 minute. Decrease the heat to medium-low and add the half-and-half. Cook until the mixture thickens, stirring occasionally, approximately 6 to 8 minutes.

Remove from the heat and stir in 1/4 of the onions and all of the green beans. Top with the remaining onions. Place into the oven and bake until bubbly, approximately 15 minutes. Remove and serve immediately.

Recipe courtesy of Alton Brown, 2007

Stovetop Mac and Cheese

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes


Yield 4 servings
A quick and easy, no-fuss mac and cheese made in less than 30 min. Comfort food never tasted so good!

Ingredients:
3 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
1/2 cup Panko (I like Ian's)
1/2 teaspoon thyme leaves
1 1/2 cup 2 % shredded sharp cheddar cheese (I like Sargento)
1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese (2% if you can find it)
1 tablespoon cornstarch
8 ounces fusilli pasta (or your favorite)
1 (12-ounce) can evaporated milk
1 tablespoon Emeril's Essence Creole Seasoning
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Instructions

• Melt 1 tablespoon butter in a small skillet over medium high heat. Add Panko and cook, stirring, until browned and toasted, about 3 minutes; stir in thyme and set aside.
• In a large bowl, combine cheeses and cornstarch; set aside.
• In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook pasta according to package instructions; drain well. Stir in remaining 2 tablespoons butter until well combined. Stir in cheese mixture, evaporated milk and Emeril's Essence until cheese has melted, about 2-3 minutes; season with salt and pepper, to taste.
• Serve immediately, topped with toasted Panko. - Compliments of Damn Delicious

AND OF COURSE A FAVORITE HEALTHY DESSERT OPTION compliments of Ginger Miller! ;-) So light and YUMMY!!

I hope you and your family have an amazing holiday surrounded by those you love! God bless! <3

Oh! And one more thing! My "Cash for Christmas Challenge" starts Dec.1 if you'd like to find out how to get healthy and lose some inches before Christmas AND have a chance to win a chance to win some cash for Christmas just by getting amazing results. Click HERE and I will send you some details--don't forget to type "Cash for Christmas" in the subject line of your email. <3

-Stacy

Rosemary Roasted Chicken with Sweet and Red Potatoes

Ingredients:

4 tbsp olive oil

2 tsp of himalayan sea salt

4 tsp of paprika

3 tsp of rosemary leaves

2 tsp minced garlic

1 tsp of ground black pepper

4 med-thinly sliced chicken breasts

1 1/2 pounds of sweet and small red potatoes

Directions:

Mix all spices and olive oil in large bowl. Add chicken to coat and remove then add potatoes to bowl and coat them as well with spice mixture. Arrange chicken and potatoes in a single layer on foil-lined baking pan sprayed with non-stick cooking spray.

Roast in preheated 425 degree oven for 30 minutes or until chicken is cooked through and potatoes are tender.

I served this dish with fresh green beans sauteed with a little olive oil or coconut oil and sea salt.

Enjoy! 

---->For those of you following the Fix, 1 yellow and 1 red and 1 green 

Once cooked, measure out your sweet potatoes in a yellow and pour on plate, same with chicken once sliced and your green beans. ;-) 

My transformation story today is a little different than most....

#transformationtuesday

My transformations story today is a little different than most...

This picture makes memories rise quickly for me...many good but a really bad memory sticks out when seeing my arm here...

I was traveling the auto show circuit for BMW at the time with a group of amazing men and women who are now some of my best friends. I had just broke my arm before this pic was taken in New York. I blacked out while full out sprinting! It was very scary as I wake up laying in the road of our little subdivision, no one around to help me as I yelled out for help. It took me a while to be able to stand up as I was bleeding terribly and was in shock of what had just happened. I had never broken a bone in my body until this day and was training for a half marathon. This was not how I found out I had diabetes...I already had been diagnosed.

Fast forward to today, it took a lot of nerve to start running again. I was afraid to for quite some time. Today, I run with my Dexcom CGM and feel confident that I'll be fine! I also workout daily in my home and with the help of my amazing Dexcom, I have the confidence to do so alone. What a blessing it has been in my life.

Even though I had a great transformation last year with one of my programs, I think my biggest transformation has happened in the inside! I'm healthier, happier and I take of of myself as best as I can with type 1 diabetes. Everyday is a struggle but I'm keeping my head up as I am stronger than this disease!!! You are too my friends with Diabetes! Believe in yourself!!! You've got this!!!

#t1dlookslikeme #T1DiabetesAwarenessMonth #jdrf #risingabove #iamstrong #dexcom #followmefordailymotivation

------> If you'd like to hear my story about how I found out I had Diabetes, stay tuned...I'll be posting about that soon along with some helpful tips that have worked for me!!! <3

Easiest Paleo Tortilla Soup Ever: Slow Cooker Style ya'll!

Ingredients:
4 large skinless chicken breasts
4 garlic cloves
1 yellow onion
1 red bell pepper
1 poblano pepper
1 jalapeño
1 (4oz) can diced green chiles
1 (14oz) can fire roasted tomatoes
3 tbps cumin
1 tsp chili powder
2 tsp cayenne pepper
3 tsp garlic powder
salt and pepper, to taste
32 oz fluid chicken broth
2 tbps Lime Juice
Avocado to Top!

Directions:

Add broth and chicken to crockpot and turn it on. Toss in the onion and garlic into the food processor, get it pretty finley chopped. Dump into broth. Repeat with peppers smile emoticon

Top the whole thing with the seasonings and canned items, and lime juice.
Cook on high for 3-4 hours or low for longer, and ta-da! 

Stir so the chicken shreds. 

Top it with avocado and it’s perfection.

Your Coach, 

Stacy

As Your Coach, I am Here to Believe in You Until You are Strong Enough to Believe in Yourself heart emoticon

What's your favorite SLOW COOKER recipe ya'll? Share below! :-)

Yummy Breakfast Pumpkin Muffins....healthy too! :-)

These muffins are a delicious grab and go breakfast and also satisfy my craving for pumpkin dessert!
I hope you enjoy them as much as I did!

What You Need-

2 eggs
1/2 cup canned pumpkin puree
1 large banana
1/2 cup natural peanut butter
1/4 cup honey
1 scoop of Vanilla Shakeology (You can also use chocolate, I prefer vanilla)
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp pumpkin pie spice
1/4 tsp sea salt
Directions-

Preheat oven to 350 and prepare 12 muffin cups with lining muffin paper and coating with Pam or use silicone cups.

Place eggs, pumpkin, banana, peanut butter and honey in blender and blend for 30 sec.
Add Shakeology, baking powder, pumpkin pie spice, and sea salt. Blend until smooth.
Divide the batter among the 12 muffin cups

Bake 18-20 minutes, or until golden brown and tester inserted into the center comes out clean. Let cool.

If following the 21 DAY FIX :  2 MUFFINS= 1/2 Red, 1/3 Purple, 1 tsp

Country music speaks right to my heart...My Favorite 100 Country Songs of All Time.

For those of you that know me, you know that I LOVE LOVE LOVE country music- ALL OF IT!
I know all the lyrics of country songs as far back as the 40's and 50's. It speaks to my soul in every way. heart emoticon

These days, there is a different type of country on the radio. I do like it BUT miss the old sound of country! I'm thinking there should be a SEPARATION of country music...Modern Country and just plain Country!

I'm LOVING Miss Kacey Musgraves old time country sound! She's making country good again! I also enjoy Maddie and Tae and their song lyrics which provide positive, uplifting vibes- they have that new modern country sound.

My favorites growing up were Johnny Cash, Conway Twitty, Ricky Scaggs, George Strait, Dolly Parton, Randy Travis and Diamond Rio...miss that sound of country don't you?

Who's your all time favorite?

------>Here's my all time favorite country playlist<----- enjoy! ;-)

"The Dance" -Garth Brooks
"Angels Among Us" -Alabama

"When I call your name" -Vince Gill

"Forever and Ever, Amen" -Randy Travis

"Ring of Fire" -Johnny Cash

"Always on my Mind" -Willie Nelson

"Rocky Top" -Osborne Brothers

"On the Other Hand" -Randy Travis

"I Will Always Love You" -Dolly Parton

"Ocean Front Property" -George Strait

"Will the Circle Be Unbroken" -Carter Family

"Midnight in Montgomery" -Alan Jackson

"Georgia on My Mind" -Willie Nelson

"Something Sexy About the Rain" -Kenny Chesney

"Barefoot Blue Jean Night" -Jake Owen

"We Danced" -Brad Paisley

"Love a Rainy Night" -Eddie Rabbitt

"Austin" -Blake Shelton

"Cowboy Take me Away" -Dixie Chicks

"Love a Little Stronger" -Diamond Rio

"My Everything" -Keith Urban

"Fishing in the Dark" -Nitty Gritty Dirt Band

"In a Week or Two"- Diamond Rio

"Should Have Been a Cowboy" -Toby Keith

"Don't Happen Twice" -Kenny Chesney

"Whenever You Come Around" -Vince Gill

"This Kiss" -Faith Hill

"Don't Take the Girl" -Tim McGraw

"Strawberry Wine" -Deana Carter

"Some Gave All" -Billy Ray Cyrus

"Daddy's Hands" -Holly Dunn

"Live Like You Were Dying"- Tim McGraw

"Ships that Don't Come In" -Joe Diffie

"I'd Love to Lay You Down" -Conway Twitty

"Coward of the County" -Kenny Rogers

"Tennessee Flat Top Box" -Johnny Cash

"Folsom Prison"- Johnny Cash

"Pancho and Lefty" -Merle Haggard & Willie Nelson

"You Won't Ever be Lonely" - Andy Griggs

"Thank God I'm a Country Boy" -John Denver

"Fancy" -Reba

"One More Day"- Diamond Rio

"Don't Close Your Eyes" -Keith Whitley

"Neon Moon" -Brooks & Dunn

"Baby's Got Her Blue Jeans On" - Mel McDaniels

"Any Man of Mine" -Shania Twain

"How Forever Feels" -Kenny Chesney

"The Devil Went Down to Georgia" - The Charlie Daniels Band

"I Hope You Dance" -Lee Ann Womack

"The Fightin' Side of Me" -Merle Haggard

"The Chair" -George Strait

"I Was Country When Country Wasn't Cool" -Barbara Mandrell and George Jones

"Free" -Zac Brown Band

"Crazy Little Thing Called Love" -Dwight Yoakam

"Small Town USA" -Justin Moore

"Dixieland Delight" -Alabama

"Kiss an Angel Good Morning" -Charley Pride

"You Never Even Called Me by my Name" -David Allen Coe

"The Gambler" - Kenny Rogers

"Walkin' After Midnight" -Patsy Cline

"Silver Wings" -Merle Haggard

"Mamas Don't Let Your Babies Grow Up to be Cowboys" -Willie Nelson & Waylon Jennings

"Jolene" -Dolly Parton

"God Bless the USA" - Lee Greenwood

"Okie From Muskogee" -Merle Haggard

"Mama Tried" - Merle Haggard

"Country Boy Can Survive" -Hank Williams Jr.

"Jackson" -Johnny Cash & June Carter

"Shameless" -Garth Brooks

"Goodtime" -Alan Jackson

"Let Your Love Flow" -Bellamy Brothers

"Indian Outlaw" -Tim McGraw

"Here for a Good Time" -George Strait

"Wagonwheel" -Darius Rucker

"If Heaven Wasn't So Far Away" -Justin Moore

"Boats" -Kenny Chesney

"Biscuits" -Kacey Musgraves

"Chicken Fried" -Zac Brown Band

"You'll Be There" -George Strait

"She Let Herself Go" -George Strait

"Then" -Brad Paisley

"She's Everything" -Brad Paisley

"El Cerrito Place" -Kenny Chesney

"You and Tequila" - Kenny Chesney

"It's Always Somethin' " -Joe Diffy

"Tequila Sunrise" -Eagles

"Honey" -Ricky Scaggs

"High Cotton" -Alabama

"Sunday in the South" -Shenandoah

"Fighting Side of Me" -Merle Haggard

"When I get Where I'm Going" - Brad Paisley

"Come Over" -Kenny Chesney

"The Good Stuff" -Kenny Chesney

"Who You'd Be Today" -Kenny Chesney

"What I need to Do" -Kenny Chesney

"Stay" -Sugarland

"Are You With Me" -Easton Corbin

"Boondocks" -Little Big Town

"Honey I'm Home" -Shania Twain

"Every Light in the House: -Trace Adkins

"Good Hearted Woman" -Waylon Jennings & Willie Nelson

"Hello Darlin" -Conway Twitty

----> Is your favorite country song on my list? If not, post it below! 

 I know there are SO MANY songs I forgot on this list! :-)