Chicken Stir Fry!

So I was VERY hungry when I made this.  So hungry that I forgot to take a picture of the finished product, and I didn't even realize until I was a good half way through it, and who want's to see half eaten food right??   So you get the pan pic....but not to bad huh? :)

I've been craving stir fry for the longest time, and I don't tolerate sodium very well so I figured I was just SOL.  I saw something on FB today and it was a delicious looking stir fry.  My mouth legitimately starting watering, and to the kitchen I went.  I was rummaging through the fridge desperately wishing I had everything I needed to make it and luckily enough I did! So then I got creating....here's what I used

***INGREDIENTS***

4 chicken breasts 

2 tbsp olive oil

baby corn*

2 cups brocoli

1/4 cup sliced onion

6 mini sweet peppers

1/3 cup Bragg's liquid aminos

2 tbsp agave 

3 tbsp water

1/2 tsp ginger (ground)

1 tbsp garlic

1 tbsp white distilled vinegar

*To taste*

salt and pepper

cayenne pepper

onion powder

garlic powder

*I used Pampa can baby corn (actually in a glass jar).  Make sure you rinse the corn before cooking.

***HOW TO***

Slice the chicken breast and season with garlic powder, onion powder, salt and pepper.  There really is no measurements with this, I just sprinkle to give the chicken some flavor. Cook until done and set to the side.  Prep all your veggies.  Heat up 1 tbsp of olive oil in a wok or large pan.  Add in the baby corn, brocoli, onions and peppers.  Cook on a medium high heat for 3-5 minutes or until broccoli is soft. In a seperate bowl mix up 1/3 cup liquid aminos, 2 tbsp agave, 3tbsp water, 1/2 tsp ginger and 1 tbsp garlic.  I added in some cayenne and black pepper for spice.  If you don't like spicy, omit it.  If you do, go easy.  I didn't measure this but cayenne can be hot! :)  Mix this until it's well blended.  

Go grab that chicken.  I cubed mine, but if you want to leave it in slices that's fine too.  Add this to the veggies once it is done cooking.  Then add your stir fry sauce.  Let this cook on a high heat until the liquid has evaporated.  You don't want it to turn to mush so keep an eye on it.  If the liquid isn't going anywhere crank the heat up.  This is a stir fry so it needs to be at medium high heat or above the entire time cooking.  I served with brown rice....and ohmygee, this is good stuff.  This makes 4 servings too! :)

I completely forgot to add in the macro's on my previous posts, and I'm going to try and do it from now on.  

***MACROS***

 Calories..........312g

Total Fat...........15.6g

Carbohydrates.......20g

Fiber..................3.2g

Sugar................8g

Protein...............24

Based on one serving, the entire recipe being 4.  

I hope you enjoy it as much as I did! Until next time....

<3 xoxo <3

-Mo

Spicy Chicken Salad!

Tuna salad, chicken salad, macaroni salad, potato salad.  Give me any of those and I'm in heaven.  There's just something about them....probably the mayonnaise base because anyone that really understands me, knows I have a deep and passionate love for my mayo.  What I do not love about it is the fact that it is SO HEAVY.  It's nothing but fat, literally.  It has the little wobble to it like jello does, and no matter how much I tell myself it's bad, it's my one thing that I have NEVER completely given up.  So I went searching and I found the perfect substitute.  I had to play around with this in order to get it right.  The first run was so unbelievably dry.  But after a few add ons I perfected it :)

***INGREDIENTS***

1 boneless skinless chicken breast*

1 tsp garlic

1 tsp onion powder

1 tbsp non fat greek yogurt

1 oz goat cheese

black pepper

1/4 tsp cayenne pepper

red onion

paprika

Mrs. Dash southwest chipotle seasoning

Splash of coconut milk

*The chicken breast should be that of a true chicken, not those gigantic oversized ones you get from your average grocery store.  If you use a big one, cut it down to size or up your portions on the other ingredients.

***HOW TO***

Ok so you get out your food processor and blend up your cooked chicken.  I wouldn't do more than a pulse, you want it shredded and blended, not turned into pesto.  Add the garlic and onion powder.  In a separate mixing bowl add the chicken, yogurt, cheese, black pepper, cayenne and red onion. Once you have everything blended add in a splash of coconut milk for moisture.  Season with Mrs. Dash and paprika.  

For the bread I used Arnold's 12 grain sandwich thins with flax and fiber added in.  :)

If you are a relish person you can definitely add it in, but your macros are going to change.  I made a batch with the relish added in and it was delicious, BUT the sodium went through the roof.  I hope you enjoy this as much as we did! :)

Until next time...

<3 xoxo <3 

-Mo 

Progress....

So I took some progress pictures back in November and I'm really going to try and take the pictures around the same time every month so I can really see where and how my body is changing.  Most people take pictures of themselves so they can look at their weak spots, and find out what they need to work/ work less or something along those lines.  I chose not to upload anything to any other site but up here because let's face it, who want's to see pictures where there isn't much difference?!

After I took this picture I decided my lower back needed to be worked.  I was so scared of doing any exercises for it because of how injured it is.  But I braved my fear, and started doing the exercises.  No pain's so far, so hopefully next picture session I will see some progress!

Before anyone jumps to conclusions let me just clarify that I am not trying to get smaller and leaner.  I am trying to bulk up as much muscle as I can before I start cutting in February...Or January. I haven't quite decided yet :)  I've been concentrating a lot on my chest and arms, because those were the areas that I was really weak in and lacked muscle.  Now that I feel like my upper body has caught up with the lower part, I'm working everything equally.  

And last but not least, the obliques.  Oh you pesky obliques.  I always have trouble getting these to pop through so you can imagine how geeked I was when I started to see them.  I am still working abs while bulking to help keep my core strong.  That's the only reason you can see any definition in my stomach!  3200 calories a day (clean) and still somewhat of a decent stomach.  I'll take it.  It's making me eager to see what I can trim down to!  Alright enough about me, I'll try to post another recipe soon! Until next time...

<3 xoxo <3

-Mo

CHOCOLATE Protein Pancakes :)

Who loves pancakes?? This girl.  I also love waffles.  Give me any carb packed breakfast item and it's on my fav's list.  So when I heard of these I thought I was in heaven!  I originally made a different recipe the first time I tried these, but I thought it was too grainy for my taste.  (I'll post the recipe for that one next).  These were VERY simple and so easy.  I'm going to be exploring with some yeast or baking powder next to see if I can give them the fluff that regular pancakes have.  Don't let the lack of fluffy fool you though, though dense they may be, they are delish!  So good in fact I had my PICKY two year old eating them.  He even asked for more when he was done! :)

***INGREDIENTS***

1 scoop of chocolate protein powder

1/2 cup egg whites

Almond milk

*For the sauce: 1/2 cup raspberries

1/4 cup orange juicd

**HOW TO**

Combine the protein and eggs together.  You'll find that it has a thick consistency.  What I did was just add enough of the almond milk to give it the pancake like texture (runny-ish).  It was literally just a splash.  

For the sauce I took the raspberries and orange juice and blended it together.  You could even top with some berries and pour the sauce on top.  Get creative with it.  That's how all the greatest cooks came up with their recipes!  Short sweet and to the point, just like the pancakes.  Until next time....

<3 xoxo <3

-Mo

You bout that supp life??

Every one ALWAYS asks me "What do you take?"  They assume because I work in a supplement store that I automatically supplement with alot of stuff.  Well to all the assumers, you are right! :)  I do take a very large selection of supplements and before people get too judgemental, yes I do know what I'm doing.  I've done alot of research on the things I take before I take them and I know what they do in conjuction with everything else.  My variety of supplements isn't for everyone and I wouldn't recommend anyone mimicking what I do just because.  Be informed and do your research before you dive head first into something that may or may not be harmful to YOU.  Remember, everyones chemical make up is different.  So here's to the list and the why behind it....

-Multivitamins.  With all the GMO and lack of nutrient foods that we eat, almost everyone is deficient in vitamins and minerals.  It's not only good for your energy levels, but it plays a big part in your metabolism!
-Fish Oil- Omega 3's to be exact.  I have alot of back issues that stem from inflammation.  Fish oil supports your body's anti inflammatory responses.  This is something I take a mega dose of.  I prefer GNC's brand over others.  My fish oil has 1240mg of actual fish oil with 1000mg of omega 3's including your EPA and DHA.  I usually take anywhere from 4-6 of them a day, depending on how stiff my back is when I wake up in the morning.
-Calcium- Any time you take in a protein supplement or any form of caffeine it literally leeches the calcium out of your bones.  I intake ALOT of protein daily so this is a staple.
-Milk Thistle- Helps your liver function.  Liver is what filters and rids your body of toxins.  All these supplements I take are hard on my liver, so I try to help it out best I can.  (I also do a complete body cleanse every three months to help recharge and rejuvenate the body.  It's your temple right??)
-Collagen- Simply because it's good for the hair skin and nails :)
-Resveratrol- Heart health.  Isn't that enough?
-Aschwaganda- Anxiety.  Yes I have it, and I try my best to manage it.

Breather.....it seems like alot.  Well yes it is.  But I was asked to explain the why's behind it.  Hopefully I'm not boring anyone! :)

-Creatine-  Ok first things first.  I take a hydrochloride form of it.  I don't do monohydrate.  I don't like it AT ALL. It's false gains, way too much water retention and I don't have time to cycle on and off of something.  If you get creatine look into a hcl form.  The water retention is only in your muscle fibers, where your body can put it to good use.  It does help you build and get that full look in your muscles,  but it is far from false gains.  It also supports your body's ATP process and your recovery.  Second thought's yet?
-Protein- I take in as much as I can from my food sources.  My body is going to utilize that more anyway.  BUT, it's hard to eat that much chicken or turkey or any other source on top of everything else and my protein always falls short.  So I went ahead and added the powder to the diet.  I usually do anywhere from 50-60 grams post workout.  (Yes that's alot. Yes I know. Yes my body can process it)
-Glutamine- It's amazing for recovery.  I add a scoop to my protein post workout.
-Deer antler- This is pretty new to me.  I didn't want to add it, but I'm listing everything I take.  So far it seems to be working for recovery.  I'll really be able to tell when I stop taking it though.

Alright, so I listed everything I take on a daily except my pre workout.  Right now I'm using Volt by Neon.  I stack it with the NO3 from cellucor.  I also do the M STAK from animal I just take the explosive energy blend out of it.  Then intra I use cellucor's BCAA.


So that's it.  Not too bad right?? :)  I apologize if I seem defensive, but I am extremely used to the judgemental ones looking at me like I'm crazy for the amount of things that I take.  But what I do is working for me, who is one to judge? Until next time....

<3 xoxo <3
-Mo

Cashew Crusted Chicken

This was pretty good. I didn't know how to anticipate it or even picture it on my palate.  I surprised myself.  The hoison makes the chicken so tender and gives it an abundant amount of flavor.  I was skeptical about using a cashew meal, because every time I do almond I feel like everything tastes like almonds.  Maybe I just have extremely sensitive taste buds, or it could be all mental, but this didn't have the cashew flavor I had anticipated.  Plus side to it all, it's quick and easy! :)

***INGREDIENTS***

1 TSP onion powder

1/2 TSP  crushed peppercorn*

2 TSP garlic powder

1 cup cashews

1 TBSP hoison sauce*

1 lb. chicken 

*You can use regular black pepper if you want, but it may not give the same spice as the peppercorn.

*You can substitute honey mustard for hoison sauce if you don't have it or can't find any.  

***HOW TO***

Preheat your oven to 450F.  Blend the cashews, onion powder, peppercorn, and garlic powder until it is coarsely chopped.  I prefer mine to be a little finer but it's entirely up to you.  There's that texture thing again. :)  Rub the hoison all over the chicken.  Dip the chicken in cashew mix.  Place on a baking sheet (I always line them with foil for easy clean up) and bake for 10 minutes.  Transfer to the broiler and broil for 2 minutes to "brown" them.  If you are the type of person that likes to dip their chicken, I would stick with the hoison or honey mustard.  But trust me when I say, YOU DON'T NEED IT! :)

Until next time,

<3 xoxo <3

-Mo

Peanut Butter Cinnamon Raison Goodie Balls!

Got a craving for a snack but tired of the same old boring things? Healthy eating is a lifestyle.  It is not a fad or a diet or a way of losing weight fast.  Being inventive and creative can save you when it comes to eating for your body.  These are my go to item for when I want something sweet, but without all the sugar :)

The ingredients are easy, and I found everything I needed in my pantry without having to step out, because they never would have gotten made if I had to do that, let's face it, who wants to go out after they just got home from work and the gym?

****INGREDIENTS****

2 TBSP natural peanut butter*

1/2 TSP cinnamon

1/4 cup raisins

2 TBSP stevia (or any sweetner of your choice)

3/4 cup oats

1/4 cup almond meal

3 TBSP almond meal (for coating)*

Drop of vanilla essence

If you don't have natural peanut butter you can use any kind.  Just know that almost all peanut butters that aren't natural are only actually about 65% peanuts.  What else is in them I wonder?? 

If you do use a different kind of sweetener make sure that you don't have to make any adjustments for serving sizes. It can alter the way they taste.  Also knowing the difference between sweet and bitter stevia will make your life, and if you didn't like stevia before, you probably will like the sweet kind.

****HOW TO****

Combine all ingredients in a food processor, or a mini chopper (that's what I used).  

*I used more peanut butter than the recipe called for, only because I was trying to add more protein and fat into my diet.  I keep falling short with my macros, but if you want to keep it a healthy snack stick with the 2 TBSP. 

*The almond meal for coating is from the peanut butter.  The balls may be sticky, so if you just dust them with the almond meal they will be perfect!

ALSO if you want to save time and money on searching for almond meal only to find that is is VERY costly and not easy to get your hands on, here's your fix. Grab a big bag of raw almonds.  Blend them in a food processor until all almonds are chopped and they have a fine texture.  You can make it in bulk just be sure to seal it up. 

I hope you enjoy the recipe! I'll be back soon to post more meals! 

<3 xoxo <3

-Mo