Salad Recipe, Essential Fitness

This amazing super salad is easy to make, is Gluten-Free, Paleo, and Vegetarian approved, and is a great addition to any meal. Use your own salad dressing and enjoy!

Ingredients:
4 cups baby kale
2 cups sprouts
2 cups butter leaf lettuce
2 cups spinach
2 cups sliced strawberries
2 cups chopped cucumbers
2 cups shredded raw cheese
1 cup chopped red onion
1 cup chia seeds

Carrot cake energy bites

These energy bites are perfect for snacking or when you need a pick me up during the afternoon slump. Pop one in after a workout and have a steady flow of energy until dinner.

Ingredients:

1 1/4 c. old-fashion rolled oats
1/3 c. pecans, finely chopped
2 TBSP ground flaxseed
3/4 c. nut butter (almond or peanut work well)
1/4 c. pure maple syrup
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp. ground nutmeg
1/8 tsp. ground cloves
3/4 c. shredded carrots
1/4 c. unsweetened shredded coconut
1/2 c. raisins OR dried cranberries

Directions:

1. In large bowl, mix together the oats, pecans, and flax seeds. Stir in the nut butter, maple syrup, vanilla extract and spices. Mix until well-combined.
2. Stir in the grates carrots, coconut and raisins.
3. Form the mixture into individual balls.
4. Place on baking sheet and refrigerate for at least 1 hour. Serve chilled or at room temperature.
5. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

Makes 20 servings

Pineapple Mango smoothie

This smoothie is packed with mango, pineapple, and banana with coconut milk for an extra creamy finish. Enjoy!

Ingredients:

1 c. frozen mango
1 c. frozen pineapple
1 large frozen banana
1/2 c. coconut milk (or milk of choice)
1 scoop Slim & Sassy Orange Cream TrimShake

Directions:

1. Combine all ingredients in blender and puree until smooth.
2. Serve immediately .

Serves 2—3

Tip: Garnish with fresh fruit, granola or seeds.

Raspberry Smoothie

This smoothie bowl is packed with yummy raspberries & bananas and protien packed chia seeds. Enjoy!

Ingredients:

2 c. frozen raspberries
2 large frozen bananas
2/3 c. coconut milk
1 TBSP chia seeds
1 scoop Slim & Sassy Vanilla TrimShake

Directions:

1. Combine all ingredients in blender and puree until smooth.
2. Serve immediately.

Serves 2—3

Tip: Garnish with fresh fruit, granola or seeds.

Pancake Leftovers, Essential Fitness Blog

Busy moms- it’s hard to find the time to cook sometimes! Between work, kids, practices, school, etc, cooking a nice meal is sometimes impossible during the week. But when you DO get the chance to make something, make A LOT OF IT!

Leftovers can be your best friend. For example, next time you make pancakes, don’t make what your family will eat in one day. Make the whole box! Pancakes keep really well, and they are really easy to store and heat up.

Also, add some protein powder to your pancakes. We tried Kodiak cakes “Power Cakes” this weekend and loved them! I added about 4 scoops of vanilla protein powder to the box of batter, which took the protein content up from 14 grams to about 20 per serving.Score!

Plus, pancakes are super portable and versatile:

  • Roll them up and eat them in carpool
  • Add some bananas for boosted energy and vitamins
  • Make a “pb and j” with almond butter and strawberries for a midday snack

So, next time you cook, look for opportunities to make that meal work for you for the days ahead = more time for you, less time in the kitchen cooking and cleaning up!

strawberry smoothie, Essential Fitness

This yummy fruit smoothie uses coconut milk (rich in fiber and vitamins C, E, and B6) in place of milk/yogurt and freshly squeezed lemon juice for a bright citrus zing.

Ingredients:
1 cup slightly thawed frozen strawberries
2 tablespoons light coconut milk
3/4 cup water
1 banana
1 teaspoon lemon juice

Enjoy!

Recipe adapted from marthastewart.com