Baked Oatmeal...Amazing!

 

I've had a version of this before from a catering company and I've got to say...

They don't have anything on this recipe!

This recipe is such a healthy breakfast on the run,

You have no excuses to eat unhealthy anymore because you are in a hurry!!!

Gluten-Free Baked Oatmeal
Total Time: 50 minutes
Serves: 6

Ingredients
2 cups gluten-free rolled oats
1/3 cup brown sugar
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup walnut pieces(I used pecans)
1 cup raspberries {any berries work}
1/2 cup milk chocolate chips(I used dark chocolate)
2 cups milk
1 large egg
3 tablespoons butter, melted
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1 ripe banana, peeled, 1/2-inch slices

 

Preheat oven to 375°F and generously spray the inside of a 8x8 inch baking dish with cooking spray.

In a large bowl, mix together the oats, sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, salt, half the walnuts, half the berries and half the chocolate.

(Save the other half of strawberries, walnuts and chocolate for the top of the oatmeal).
In another large bowl, whisk together the milk, egg, butter and vanilla extract.

 

*Feel free to leave out the chocolate for less calories, I just wanted to try it exactly how the recipe called,switching up a few things(pecans and dark chocolate).

Next time I will try it without chocolate.

ENJOY my friends!

XO,

Cari @ Keeping Fitness Social

 

 

 

Cheeseburger Pizza...Yes, it's healthy!

Cheeseburger Pizza

Recipe courtesy Paula DeenTotal Time: 40 min

Prep: 15 min

Cook: 25 min

Yield: 4 to 6 servings

Level: Easy

 

 

Ingredients

• One 16-ounce package refrigerated pizza crust dough
• 1 green bell pepper, cut into rings
• 1 red bell pepper, cut into rings
• 1/2 onion, thinly sliced
• 1 pound extra-lean ground beef
• 2 tablespoons spicy brown mustard
• 8 slices provolone
• 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella
• 1 teaspoon Montreal steak seasoning

Directions

Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F. Let the pizza dough rest according to package directions.

Press the dough into a 16-inch pizza pan or a rimmed baking sheet. Bake for 5 minutes.

In a large skillet, combine the bell peppers and onions. Cook over medium heat until the vegetables are tender, about 8 minutes. Remove from the heat. Next, add the ground beef and cook until crumbly and brown. Remove from the heat and drain well.

Spread the mustard over the pizza crust. Top with the provolone, beef mixture and mozzarella. Sprinkle with the Montreal steak seasoning. Bake until the crust is browned and the cheese melts, about 10 minutes. Cut into wedges to serve.


***Above is how I found it from Paula Deen's website, but I am going to add more vegetables to make it a healthier version as well as choose whole wheat pizza dough. Vegetables I am adding are: Cooked Zucchini and Squash, Cooked Mushrooms and subtract the provolone cheese. Choose a low fat mozzarella cheese instead! Making smart choices you can still enjoy this awesome recipe!

Sesame Shrimp and Asparagus Stir Fry

Sesame Shrimp and Asparagus Stir Fry

Courtesy of Melissa d'Arabian

 

 

 

 

Ingredients:

1 cup rice or quinoa

2 tablespoons reduced sodium soy sauce

1 tablespoon seasoned rice vinegar

1 tablespoon peeled and grated fresh ginger

1 tablespoon sesame seeds

2 tablespoons vegetable oil

1 pound asparagus, trimmed and cut diagonally into 2 inch pieces

1 pint cherry tomatoes cut in half

1 pound large shrimp, cleaned and cooked (I bought frozen)

1 teaspoon Asian(toasted) sesame oil

 

Preparation:

In a skillet over medium heat, toast the sesame seeds until golden, about 4 minutes.

Transfer to a small bowl.

 

Meanwhile, in a small bowl, stir together the soy sauce, rice vinegar and ginger. Set aside.

 

In the same skillet, heat the vegetable oil over medium-high heat until hot.

 Add the asparagus and cook until tender-crisp, about 5 minutes.

Add the tomatoes and cook 2 minutes.

Stir the soy sauce mixture and shrimp into the asparagus mixture.

Cook to heat through. Remove the skillet from the heat, and stir in sesame oil.

 

To serve, spoon the rice or quinoa onto dinner plates, top with the shrimp mixture

and sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds.

 

Serving size: Makes 4 servings

 

*If you think this looks too hard or too many ingredients you are mistaking! It was so super easy and ingredients were easy to find! This was a huge hit in my house!
ENJOY

 

XO,
Cari @ Keeping Fitness Social

It's what's for LUNCH!

....Cottage Cheese and Grapefruit!

Don't be afraid of it, try it and you will be surprised!

 

 

The other day I was watching an interview (The Jeff Probst Show) with a certain Personal Trainer of the stars Jackie Warner and she listed some must haves for your kitchen.

Eggs,Oatmeal with frozen fruit,AND Grapefruit and Cottage Cheese!

I tried it and it is now a favorite of mine!

 

 

http://www.livestrong.com/article/250181-benefits-of-eating-grapefruit/

 

http://www.livestrong.com/article/467384-what-are-the-health-benefits-of-eating-cottage-cheese/

 

Don't add anything to it, try it like it is!

 I mixed the two together to get the sweet and salty taste I love!

Would love to hear feed back and whether or not you love it as much as I do :)

XO,
Cari @ Keeping Fitness Social



Tank too short, pants don't fit...Here are my favorites in workout wear!

Lululemon Athletic Clothing

 

http://shop.lululemon.com/home.jsp

 

My all time favorites are:

 

Guys!

They have loads of stuff for you too, but I can only speak for things I have personally worn so you will have to try out the goodies yourself and give me feedback!

 

Power Y Tank-

Made of moisture-wicking luon light, this fitted tank with a built-in shelf bra gives us just the right amount of support. The lightweight fabric and thin, racerback straps allow for open, unrestricted movement in the shoulders and the long length intentionally covers our asana.

 

No limits Tank-

 (This was the best tank after I had my daughter and was still self conscious about my mid section)

To create this loose-fitting, light and airy tank we used a combination of luon in the bra and Circle Mesh in the core to optimize its movement and breathability. It's the perfect match for our Vinyasa practice where we like our clothes to mimic and accentuate our flow.

 

Groove Pants-

we've increased the rise at the back of the waistband to help eliminate the dreaded whale tail

we also narrowed the knee by 1" and broadened the hem sweep (the "bell") by the same amount

the smooth, flat waistband is comfortable and won't dig in

the gusset is engineered to give your lady business freedom to be

a hidden waistband pocket for your keys and cards

four-way stretch and moisture-wicking gives you maximum comfort and breathability

flat seams limit rubbing during sweat sessions and help to keep chafe in check

Wunder Under Crop-

(I love running in these)



We created these crops to be a no-fuss tight for our yoga practice, but we just couldn't stop wearing them. The second-skin fit of the Wunder Under makes it easy to check our alignment and the calf-length leg allows us to keep cool when we sweat.

 

You may think this stuff is pricey,but you get what you pay for! I have purchased lots of inexpensive workout wear and it is all in the back of my closet because it doesn't fit right or whatever.

 Lululemon Athletic clothing fits great,lasts a long time and they guarantee their product!

 I not only wear their product to the gym, but around town as well!

 

Find a Lululemon store near you and check it out! I promise you will love what you see.

 

You can thank me later :)

Cari @ Keeping Fitness Social

 

 

SLEEP and the health benefits of getting it...and lots of it!

 

SLEEP and the health benefits of getting it...and lots of it!

 

 

There are SO many health benefits of getting some good zzzz's.

Remember these facts tonight when you start to watch that late night show!

 

1. Improve memory

2. Live longer

3. Curb inflammation

4. Spur creativity

5. Be a winner

6. Sharpen attention

7. Healthy weight

8. Lower stress

9. Avoid accidents

10. Steer clear of depression

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/02/02/sleep-health-benefits-_n_817803.html#slide=234474

http://www.webmd.com/sleep-disorders/sleep-benefits-10/default.htm

Sleep by definition:

Sleep is a naturally recurring state characterized by reduced or absent consciousness, relatively suspended sensory activity, and inactivity of nearly all voluntary muscles.^[1] It is distinguished from quiet wakefulness by a decreased ability to react to stimuli, and is more easily reversible than being in hibernation or a coma. Sleep is a heightened anabolic state, accentuating the growth and rejuvenation of the immune, nervous, skeletal and muscular systems. It is observed in all mammals, all birds, and many reptiles, amphibians, and fish.
The purposes and mechanisms of sleep are only partially clear and are the subject of substantial research.^[2] Sleep is often thought to help conserve energy,^[3][4] but decreases metabolism only about 5–10%.^[3][4] Hibernating animals need to sleep despite the hypometabolism seen in hibernation, and must return from hypothermia to euthermia in order to sleep, making sleeping "energetically expensive."^[5]

For more information and more specifics on the definition of sleep go to:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sleep

 

The challenge I have set for myself tonight is to get to bed before 10:00 p.m.

 It's going to be hard,but I am determined to feel better and I look forward to popping out of bed in the morning feeling refreshed! I challenge you to do the same and see how you feel.

I would love to hear feedback!

Sweet dreams,
Cari @ Keeping Fitness Social

BEST workout video...In my opinion!

30 Day Shred

by: Jillian Michaels

 

 

 

I enjoyed doing this workout even more than P90X!

I felt like it was a good mommy workout (you don't have to be a mommy to like this video)

and I could do it fast if I needed to!
I like how Jillian Michaels uses cardio with strength training

and the video works multiple muscle groups at one time!
This video can easily be taken to vacation or travel.

 A+ in my opinion! Check it out and I would love feedback!

Happy workout everyone!

Cari @Keeping Fitness Social