Chocolate Coconut Almond Granola

Well, I started out with ingredients for a Chocolate Peanut granola...another standby, but was missing one crucial ingredient. So I created this recipe instead, using the ingredients I did have on hand. I have to say, it turned out wonderfully & the smell of it baking was amazing & comforting! I hope you enjoy it!

3 cups of rolled oats (I used Rogers Porridge Oats)
1/2 cup raw almonds, chopped
1/2 cup unsweetened coconut (I used large chipped)
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
1/4 cup cocoa powder
1/4 cup coconut sugar (aka:palm)
1/4 cup sesame seeds
1/4 cup wheat germ
1/4 cup flax meal

Mix above together in large bowl. 

Stir together in large bowl and add to dry ingredients:
1/2 cup honey
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 Tablespoons of coconut oil, melted

Add wet ingredients to dry then mix well until coated. Using your hands makes it go much easier! Spread on parchment lined cookie sheet and bake at 325 for about 25 - 30 min. You do NOT want to over bake! 

Cool and store in freezer or airtight container. I like to eat ALL my granola right from the freezer.

Chipotle Lime Fish Tacos

I came up with this recipe after seeing 2 recipes for fish tacos. I decided I would just create my own recipe based on the ingredients I had on hand! 

Recipe makes 2 tacos (1 serving). Yeah...I ate them both. :-)

Ingredients:
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
1 Basa Fillet (or any white mild fish), seasoned with Orange Wasabi Spice mix. (A purchased mix, but you can use any Asian or Thai spices).

Bake at 400 for 20 minutes. Cut into chunks. Set aside.

Salsa
Cabbage, thinly sliced
2 Corn Tortillas (I used Bodywise here because I was out of corn)

Chipotle Lime Sauce:
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
2 Tablespoons 0% Greek yogurt
1 teaspoon chopped cilantro
1 teaspoon olive oil
sprinkle of sea salt
sprinkle of fresh cracked pepper
1/2 clove chopped garlic
sprinkle of ground chipotle pepper
2 teaspoons fresh squeezed lime juice
1/2 teaspoon lime zest


Mix above ingredients together. Set aside.

Heat frying pan. Lay each tortilla in pan and heat each side till lightly toasted. Remove from pan, top with: Chunks of Basa, sliced cabbage, a drizzle of Chipotle Lime Sauce & salsa.

Dig IN!!!

You can easily multiply this recipe for a family. I made this one night when it was just myself I was cooking for!

Mexican Quinoa Salad

This recipe is the perfect summer salad either warm OR cold and is even better the next day.  This is a favorite in my house. ENJOY!!

Mexican Quinoa Salad

2 cups cooked quinoa 
4 cups veggie broth or water
1 red pepper & 1 orange pepper, chopped
1 can black beans, rinsed
3 cups corn 
1/4 cup chopped cilantro
1 jalapeno pepper, seeded & chopped
2 Tablespoons olive oil
Juice of 1 Lime
1 tbsp cumin
Pinch of Red Pepper Flakes
Salt/Pepper

Directions:

1. Cook quinoa in 4 cups of boiling water (or broth), covered, for about 20 minutes. Let cool.
2. Chop pepper, cilantro, jalapeno and add to corn and beans.
3. Whisk olive oil, lime juice, salt/pepper, cumin and red pepper flakes.
4. Add quinoa to bean and veggie mixture and top with dressing and salt/pepper. Serve at room temperature or cold.

MORE Appreciation

We are hardest on ourselves and the first to criticize what we "think" is a flaw in our bodies. I have done it, and probably will continue to do it, even though I am getting MUCH better.

Let me lay this out...I am NOT tall..I am a shorty, and I am built with a "sturdy" body & have always been this way...I fondly refer to my legs as tree trunks. And I didn't like them for a long time. Because I had cellulite, because they were huge, because they were dimply...you get me. 

But my thoughts have changed over the last few years when I realized that while I was criticizing my body, others were looking at me with admiration because of something else I wasn't paying attention to..like my arm or my eyes. Just like in return, I was looking back at them for their butts (yes, I notice butts first!!) and abs. Or their hair, that was always salon worthy. I momentaily forget that I have some pretty incredible strengths that shine through. In light of everything that I thought was a weakness, I just blanked out all that was a strength. Why the heck DO we do this anyway? I know I am not alone, because I speak with women every single day who are doing the EXACT. SAME. THING! 

I am working on changing that and it paying it forward to other ladies by showing them all that is beautiful and strong about them. I don't think it will magically disappear overnight, but I have grown a TON in the last year, especially. 

The thing I do know is comparions is the thief of JOY. 

Like I said, I am changing that thought process into one that is grateful and totally appreciative of everything I have been blessed with physically, mentally, and and spiritually. 

This is what I do know:

I have STRONG legs that carry me through each day and take me to the top of mountains, running down country roads and deadlifting a PR of 215 pounds last week.

I have a pretty wicked sense of humor and I can make my kids crack up at the drop of a hat.

I am creative, and a gypsy of sorts. It is what has made me resilient through some of the toughest times in my life. 

My body carried 2 incredible children and at 47 years old, I feel pretty damn good about how strong and fit I am.

I am a great mom, grandma and wife. Life is about SO much more than how you look in the mirror and it sure took me a long time to figure that out, but I am getting there. 

I will no doubt still need to work on this because it doesn't change overnight. Maybe it comes with age...I am not sure. But as I head towards 50 (GASP...did I JUST say that)...I know the things that were pertinent in my life at 27 or 37 years old is NOT what rules my life now. 

THAT is one thing I am grateful for most of all!

So here is to imperfectly wonderful bodies, with strong-ass tree trunks legs, with cellulite, with stretch marks, with sweaty hair, with a gypsy heart and with the ability to compare less and appreciate MORE!

FEARLESS & FABULOUS

I was inspired to host July's fitness challenge with the theme FEARLESS & FABULOUS.  Why? So many of us need to be surrounded by others who lift us up, give us the courage to do things we never imagined we could do and to be cheerleaders for each other.  We also need to be having a WHOLE LOTTA FUN!  This group idea was conjured up after me reading, for the second time, FEARLESS & FABULOUS by Cara Alwill Lebya.  BONUS:  You will be reading this along with us!

REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN!!

*US & Canada only

Here is how is works:  

1.  Pick a program from the ones listed below.

2.  Fill out our RSVP form with your info and your program pick.

3.  Register with the registration link you receive back via email.

4.  Pick up your copy of FEARLESS & FABULOUS at your local bookstore, on Amazon.com, Amazon.ca or from your library.  (This is your responsibility)

We start July 4th!

PICK YOUR PROGRAM:

This group is 100% free to participate in and is hosted by myself and the wonderful coaches on my team.  All that is required is that you commit 100% to one of our recommended programs that we offer.  These are listed below.  These programs are world renowned, tried and tested (YES, by US & hundreds of thousands of others) and they are guaranteed to get you results if you stick to it (Or you can totally get your money back).  These program were created by an entire team of celebrity trainers & nutritionists to give you the BEST resources possible!  Since working with these programs, I have lost over 30 pounds and I would LOVE to recommend ones I have done myself.  I will be your coach and guide and teach you everything that I went through during these programs.

PROGRAMS AVAILABLE FOR JULY: 

The 21 Day Fix (A Perfect Blend of Strength & Cardio)**

The 21 Day Fix Extreme (A More Intense Version of 21DF)*

22 Minute Hard Corps (Military Bootcamp Style Workouts)*

PiYo (Inspired by Pilates & Yoga)*

CIZE (Dance that ANYONE can do)**

Streaming Workout Mixer (No DVDs.  Streaming workouts just like Netflix)**

Insanity Max:30 (Shaun T body weight cardio)*

* = my personal recommendation 

* = programs that come with the Portion Fix Nutrition Plan

WHAT YOU GET IN YOUR PROGRAM PACKAGE

A full workout porgram hard copy on dvd

A calendar to tell you which workout to do daily

A nutrition guide to follow

(Some programs come with the Portion Fix: coloured containers to teach you portion control)

Recipes ideas to get you started

A month's supply of Shakeology (a $130 USD value)

One month's access to Beachbody On Demand (just like Netflix!!)

Registration into our EXCLUSIVE & PRIVATE FEARLESS & FABULOUS group on Facebook.

Packages start as low as $140 USD

WHAT WE DO IN OUR EXCLUSIVE CHALLENGE GROUPS:

We dedicate one FULL week to prepping you for success.

100% PRIVATE group.

Daily check ins to keep you on track.

24/7 Support & Accountability

TONS of resources & tips.

PRIZES!!

A new community Of Friends.

RSVP NOW!!

Prep weeks starts July 4th and workouts begin on July 11th!

To claim your spot you must order your package via the registration link I will email you.

If you want this, ACT NOW because this is going to be our most popular group of the year!

While you are waiting for your registration link, as a thank you for stopping by, I would love give you a copy of my recipe book, Just Feed Me, that guaranteed, will

have you trying new things and excited about your food prep!!

GET IT HERE:  Wendy's JUST FEED ME Recipe Book

Asian Cucumber Salad

So I was challenged to try some things, AGAIN, that I just don't like, foodwise.  I give you the CUCUMBER.  I detest them.  Or at least did.  

The texture, the taste...ALL of it...truly vehement!! 

Funny thing is I ate pickles for as long as I remember but raw cucumbers..no bueno!!  So I got creative in my kitchen and this is what I came up with:

Asian Cucumber Salad.  It is DEElish!!!

Here is the recipe:

4 cups thinly sliced cucumbers (I used baby cukes)

1/3 cup thinly sliced onion

1/4 cup rice wine vinegar

1/2 tsp toasted sesame seed oil

dash red pepper flakes

fresh grind of pepper and salt

2 green onions, chopped

1 teaspoon honey

Add onions & cukes to bowl.  Stir together remaining ingredients and pour over veggies.  Eat right away or let marinate overnight. Seriously ADDICTIVE!!

Let me know if you give this quick recipe a try and how you like it.  I see lots and lots of bowls of this being made this summer!