Greek Goddess Pasta

Directions:

Cook 1 lb chicken breast(that you cubed and marinated in a light Greek dressing for about 40 min) then set aside

Cook 3 c whole grain penne pasta noodles and set aside (make sure you save 1 c of the pasta water to add to your sauce)

***SAUCE***

In pan sautee' the following on med for 15 min:

Kalamata olive paste-2 tbsp (I got mine at the local Greek store)

Olive oil-2 tbsp

Garlic-1 tbsp

Red onion-chopped or sliced-1/4 c

Kalamata olives-1/2 c

Feta cheese-1/4 c

Water from pasta-1 c

*1/4 c pine nuts (optional)

*1 tbsp chopped banana peppers (optional)

Season with red pepper flakes, oregano, salt and pepper

Add the pasta and chicken to the kalamata sauce then add 2 c spinach leaves and 1/4 c feta.  Mix everything together and let them blend together for 10 min or so until the spinach is wilted down and everything is well coated in the sauce.

Enjoy!!!

xoxoxo-A

Roasted Acorn Squash w/ parsnips, plums and pinenuts

Directions:

1 acorn squash-cut in half , wrap with foil and bake at 350 for 1 hour

In skillet place 1/4 cup pine nuts, 2 peeled and  chopped parsnips and 2 med chopped plums (skin on)

Over med heat saute pine nuts, plums and parsnips in some honey, olive oil and  a tiny bit of brown sugar for about 10 to 12 min

Transfer mixture to oven to roast for an additional 10 to 12 min

When squash is done scoop out the seeds and stuff with sautéed mixture.

I drizzled some extra honey over top too!

Enjoy!

A

Wasabi, soy and lime tuna pasta salad

 





So simple to make, so good for you and so yummy!

2 cups of your choice of noodle-I used tri colored radiatore-cook , run cold water over and set aside in bowl

2 pouches Starkist white albacore tuna in water-add to cooled pasta

1 avocado-chopped-smother in lime juice after you cut it so it can keep its green color-add to dressing then pour into pasta mix

1/4 c chopped red onion-add to pasta mix

Dressing:

2 tsp honey

4 tsp olive oil

1/2 c lime juice

2 tsp hot sauce

2 tsp wasabi mustard

2 tsp soy sauce

whisk together then add chopped avocado to dressing then add to pasta mix

salt and pepper to taste

finish off with lime zest

yields about ( 4) 1 cup servings

Enjoy!

xoxoxo-A

Coconut & Dates Granola

 

COCONUT & DATES GRANOLA

Pre-heat oven to 380 degrees

mix together the following:

4 c Old Fashioned Oats

1 c raw natural silvered almonds

2 to 3 tbsp honey

1/4 c dark brown sugar

1/4 c cinnamon

Bake  on big cookie sheet, spreading as evenly as you can to ensure even toasting for 15 min

Add 1/4 flaxseed meal, 1 c shredded coconut on top and place back in oven for 10 additional min

***Let cool completely, add 1/2 chopped dates and then place in the fridge to store***

Serving suggestions: 1/4 c topping Greek yogurt, alone when you are hungry in the car or on the go or with milk.

Enjoy!

xoxoxo-A

 

 

 

Roasted apples, baby potatoes and delicata squash

 



Chop onion-I used white about 1/2 cup

Peel, seed and chop 1 delicata squash

Peel and chop one huge apple or 2 medium

Add half bag of baby potatoes-about 12 oz

Wisk together a heaping tsp of no sugar added apple or pumpkin butter with 2 tsp olive oil and 2 tsp water

Add pinch of sea salt and about 1 tsp rosemary

Give them all a good stir in the olive oil/apple butter mixture and bake at 350 for 30 minutes

I paired mine up with lean pork chops-DELICIOUS AND NUTRITIOUS!!!

ENJOY!

XOXOXO-A

@ home "craft sticks" workout!

I made these for my mother/daughter duo clients this evening! My friend saw this idea on Pinterest and passed it on to me! This was so much fun for me to get to do for them! I made them 16 different exercises and they can pick and choose how they want to tackle them. One set of colors at a time or pick 1 from each color, etc. It allows them to mix it up and not get bored. When they are "done" their stick goes into their "done" cup on display for all to see. Part of getting in shape and staying that way is feeling proud of yourself *** as you should!! I want them to be competitive with eachother-which no problem there, they always are with me-but having their own "done" cups will help at home!! These are great to do if you have little kids at home! They will like to pull the sticks for you and put them in the cup when you are done! Remember, lead by example for those kiddos are looking up to and learning from you!

It is so important to realize that changes to your body can and will occur if you make staying fit part of your lifestyle. Put your mind to it and don't stop.  You will begin to love how you feel!!! Make it FUN!

It is something that you have to keep working at daily, weekly, monthly..... yearly. It is a never-ending maintenance program that you sign yourself up for so make it fun!

I did this one with no weights or accessories, etc. needed but you can make them work for you and where you are at in your fitness journey with free weights, bands, etc.

Enjoy!!!

xoxoxo-A

Hot Sauce Smoothie!

HOT SAUCE SMOOTHIE

 

Ingredients:

3/4 c plain Greek yogurt-main protein source

1/4 c orange juice

1/2 cup chopped carrots

1 celery stick chopped

4 whole "grape" tomatoes

3 tsp oats

2 tsp flaxseeds

2 tsp chia seeds

1 tsp glutamine-to help my muscles recover

2 tsp hot sauce

season with parsley and pepper to your taste

5 ice cubes