Ingredients
1 cup (dry) oatmeal
2/3 cup toasted unsweetened coconut flakes
1/2 cup almond butter
1/2 cup ground flax seeds
1 tablespoon chia seeds
1/4 cup honey
1 serving chocolate protein powder

DIRECTIONS:
Stir all ingredients together in a medium bowl until thoroughly mixed. Cover and chill in the refrigerator for at least half an hour, to make the mix easier to handle and mold.
Once chilled, roll into 1″ balls. Store in an airtight container and keep refrigerated for up to 1 week.
Makes about 20-25 balls.
*If the mix seems to dry, add in an extra tablespoon or two of honey or almond butter.  If the mix seems too wet, add extra oatmeal.

INGREDIENTS
1 cup vanilla-flavored unsweetened almond milk
1 cup plain Greek yogurt
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1/4 cup chia seeds
2 cups strawberries, hulled and chopped
1/4 cup sliced almonds or walnuts
Optional: If you want to increase the protein, add in a scoop of vanilla protein powder!

DIRECTIONS
1. In a medium bowl, gently whisk the almond milk, yogurt, and vanilla until just blended.
2. Whisk in the chia seeds; let stand 30 minutes.
3. Stir to distribute the seeds if they have settled. Cover and refrigerate overnight.
4. The next day, in a medium bowl, toss the berries and mix in the almonds.
5. Spoon the pudding into 4 bowls or glasses; mound the berry mixture on top and serve.

Serves 2

Ingredients:

1 tablespoons olive oil
1 green onions, chopped fine
½ red pepper, chopped
1 clove garlic, chopped fine
1 package frozen, chopped spinach, fully thawed and drained
½ pound ground turkey breast
½ tablespoon fresh parsley chopped
½ teaspoon fresh oregano (or 1/8 teaspoon dried)
dash of hot sauce (like Tabasco)
freshly ground pepper, to taste

Method:

1. In a nonstick pan, sauté the onion, red pepper, and garlic in olive oil over medium heat until tender (about 5 – 7 minutes). Set aside and let cool.
2. Over the sink, squeeze all of the water out of the spinach.
3. In a large bowl, combine ground turkey, spinach, and the sautéed onion mixture. Season to taste with the herbs, pepper, and hot sauce.
4. Form 2 burger patties.
5. Heat the nonstick skillet to medium high. Cook the burgers in the hot pan for 5–7 minutes per side, until cooked through.
6. Serve wrapped in lettuce leaves or on top of mixed greens with a side of sliced tomatoes.

If you’re serious about kick-starting your flat-belly plan, I have a new trick that will keep your abs in the game. Simply pick up a dumbbell that’s about 5 lbs heavier than the one you usually use in your ab routine (if you don’t use one, then start with a 5 lb weight). Then to maximize your belly fat loss, complete the five-step belly fat regimen in today’s blog – remember to do each of the moves with a weight. The real secret is to have non-stop movement. So, perform each move for one minute, and don’t rest until the end of the sequence. After you’re done with the first round, rest for one minute, and then repeat four more times.

The combination of heavier-than-normal weights with non-stop movement not only burns fat, but will help add lean muscle to your core.

People often ask me, “How long it will take to see results after following this routine?” Typically, you can start seeing changes within a month. But, if you want a true transformation, stick with it for 90 days, doing the routine three non-consecutive days a week. Let’s get started!

This comforting winter soup is filled with creamy pumpkin and savory turkey, while keeping it low-carb and high protein. Doesn’t get better than this!

If you’re making this after your big holiday meal, feel free to use shredded, roasted turkey instead of raw, ground turkey. Simply chop the shredded, roasted turkey and add in the last 10 minutes of the cooking time. Enjoy!

Servings: 12

Here’s what you need…
1 Tablespoon coconut oil
1 small yellow onion, chopped
1 fennel bulb, chopped
1 small butternut squash, peeled, seeded and chopped
2 teaspoons fresh ginger, minced
1 lb ground turkey
1 (14oz) can diced tomatoes in sauce
1 (14oz) can pumpkin
4 cups chicken broth
½ teaspoon sea salt
¼ teaspoon black pepper
½ cup parsley, chopped

Directions:
In a large soup pot, place the coconut oil over medium-high heat. Add the onion and cook for 3 minutes, until tender. Add the fennel, butternut squash and ginger. Cook for 5 minutes.
In a large skillet place the ground turkey over medium-high heat. Cook until browned, stirring often. Drain off liquid.
Add the turkey, tomatoes, pumpkin, broth, salt and pepper to the soup pot. Cover and cook over low heat for 40 minutes. Stir in the chopped parsley and cook, uncovered for another 10 minutes. Serve warm. Enjoy!
Nutritional Analysis: One serving equals: 110 calories, 4g fat, 195mg sodium, 10g carbohydrate, 2g fiber, and 9g protein.

I hope that you get a chance to give this recipe a try this week. Remember that I’m only a call or email away to assist you in all things fitness. And if you are not yet one of my prized clients then call or email me now to set up your first workout – I’d love to help you achieve your best body ever!

Relax and indulge in this recipe from the Cal-A-Vie Living Gourmet Spa Cuisine. It tastes every bit as divine as it looks, and with the added protein from the tofu and yogurt, it won’t spike your blood sugar like other desserts!

Mocha Mousse

Ingredients:
2 Tbsp. Kahlua
1 Tbsp. Instant coffee granules (optional)
2 (12-oz.) packages of light extra-firm silken tofu
1/2 C. baking cocoa
1/2 C. pure maple syrup
1 Tbsp. vanilla extract
1 tsp. ground cinnamon

Directions:

1. Heat the Kahlua in a small saucepan. Add the coffee granules and stir to dissolve completely. Combine the tofu with the baking cocoa, maple syrup, vanilla and cinnamon in a food processor fitted wit ha metal blade.
2. Add the coffee fixture and process for 7-10 minutes or until thickened and smooth. Spoon into a bowl and chill for 20 minutes or longer. Garnish with raspberries and fresh mint.
3. For a nice presentation, alternate layers of the mousse with Siggi’s fat-free greek vanilla yogurt.

Yields 6 servings.

Ingredients:
8 oz hot water
1″ ginger root, chopped
Juice from 1 lime or lemon
1 drop Oregano oil
1/4 tsp Cayenne Pepper

Directions:
Peel the ginger, then chop the into small chunks. Put in the bottom of a mug along with the oregano oil. Pour in the hot water. Squeeze the juice from the link into your mug, and sprinkle with cayenne pepper.

1 – Extra virgin olive oil – Yummy in salads and marinades, and drizzled on top of anything from salmon to chicken
2 – Flavored Vinegar – Use with olive oil as a dressing on your salad! Plus, vinegar helps open up blood vessels to improve blood flow.
3 – Course sea salt – Yes, the CDC recommends limiting your salt intake. But be careful, because regular salt is often prepared and processed.
4 – Beef or chicken broth – Simmer it to sip on throughout the day, or to sauté vegetables, and create a base for sauces
5 – Garlic cloves – Mince some up and use to add flavor to salads, soups or stir fry without adding any unhealthy fats or processed ingredients.
6 – Fresh lemons – Squeeze in your morning ginger tea, or over seafood or chicken for a refreshing flavor.
7 – Frozen kale – They stay crisp even after thawing, and they’re a quick add-in to scrambled eggs, smoothies or stir fry.
8 – Frozen berries – Full of antioxidants and a sweet addition to any protein shake or oatmeal.
9 – Canned tomatoes – Make a simple sauce by crushing them and adding in fresh herbs and simmer until warm!
10 – Sriracha – Adds spice to rice, stir fry, or in a salad dressing

11 – Dijon Mustard – A low-calorie way to add flavor to sauces and dips

12 –  Plain Almond Butter – Almonds have less saturated fat than peanuts!
13 – Ground chicken and turkey – These sources of lean protein help you reduce your saturated fat intake, compared to ground beef.
14 – Shrimp – Four large shrimp are only 30 calories, and they are virtually fat-free. Include a few in tacos, salads or bake them.
15 –  Plain Greek Yogurt – Creamy, low-cal, and packed with 18 grams of protein in a 6-oz serving
16 – Eggs – Six grams of protein for only 70 calories! Whip up a few with your favorite veggies for a morning frittata.
17 – Canned Olives – Perfect when you’re craving something salty! Ten olives have only 50 calories.
18 – Beans – An inexpensive source of both protein and fiber.
19 – Fresh Herbs – Hello, antioxidants! Having a fresh supply of cilantro, basil, and rosemary gives life to your dishes!
20 – Dark Chocolate – Keep a square on hand for cravings, because dark chocolate has disease-fighting polyphenols.