Happy Friday! This week seems to have flown by. We are so excited because tonight we are going on a carriage ride to see all of the Christmas lights with both of our boyfriends. We have heard it is amazing, and we are sure we will be sharing a ton of snapchats and instal-stories! Since Chanukkah started this week, and we made some healthier cookies, and got a lot of questions about it, we wanted to share some healthier holiday cookie recipes for y’all! We will be sharing all of those at the end of this blog post, so don’t forget to check them out! Before we share those, we want to share this easy holiday look! These studded heels are an AMAZING dupe and can be worn with so many holiday outfits! The shoes also come in nude, which we have, too! You can even wear them with sheer or patterned tights with an LBD! These run TTS (we are wearing size 6.5).This tweed bag is another great buy for the holidays! You can actually fit a good amount of stuff in there, and it has some really fun accents of green and gold in it. You can wear it as a clutch, or it has a gold chain strap. We paired the shoes with a black pair of jeans and a black cardigan. Underneath, we paired it with a white lace cami. Our favorite part of this outfit is the cozy cashmere scarf, which unfortunately sold out already! You can shop some similar scarfs here. These great accessories are from Sole Society. They have so many great pieces from boots to bags to cozy scarfs! They are a great price point AND their quality is amazing. We have so many pieces from them that we wear on the daily!
Happy Friday, babes! In case you missed the last Friday Favorites post, you can check it out here. We wanted to share some fun pieces that are on sale, or affordable if you’re looking to treat yourself to some fun stuff this weekend!
ALSO! Here are some great sales taking place this weekend:
Happy Wednesday, y’all! This week seems to be flying by, and we can’t believe it is October. Today, we will be sharing another downloadable workout, and some of our go-to recipes a lot of you all ask about on our snapchat and instagram stories. If you all are looking for more fitness-related content, you can find a ton of workouts under the main page under the big drop down at the top right-hand side that says FITNESS POSTS, or you can just search ‘fitness’ on our blog!
In case you missed they last one, you can check it out in this post. Each day (workout) is split into a muscle group with rep amounts, set amounts, and weight amounts. We also are giving a few tips as well. This workout schedule is available for download for $10. It is exactly what we will be doing this week, and you could always re-use this plan for other weeks, and mix and match them. To download the workout schedule, click below:
Note: you will be taken to PayPal to pay, and then should receive a link to the download shortly after that in your inbox. If you do not receive it, please email us!:)
We wanted to share some of our go-to recipes + some that our mom made last week that y’all were asking about!
ASPARAGUS, ZUCCHINI, AND CHICKEN SKILLET
INGREDIENTS:
1 lb. boneless chicken breasts
1 tbsp olive oil
salt and pepper to taste
2-3 zucchinis, chopped and sliced
½ cup chicken broth or water
½ lb (225 g) fresh asparagus (the spears should be cut at a diagonal in 1 and 2 inch pieces)
½ teaspoon crushed red pepper
INSTRUCTIONS:
Cut the chicken into small pieces and season with salt and pepper.
In a skillet over medium heat, add olive oil and chicken.
Sauté the chicken for about 7-10 minutes or until it is cooked though. Set chicken aside.
In the same skillet, add chicken broth, zucchini, and asparagus.
Cook for 4-5 min.
Season with salt, pepper and crushed red pepper.
OVEN-ROASTED CHICKEN THIGHS:INGREDIENTS:
8 skinless/boneless chicken thighs
salt and pepper to taste
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp paprika
liquid aminos spray
INSTRUCTIONS:
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (175 degrees C). Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil and spray with cooking spray.
Arrange chicken thighs on prepared baking sheet.
Top chicken with spices and liquid aminos.
Bake chicken in the preheated oven until skin is crispy, thighs are no longer pink at the bone, and the juices run clear, about 40-45 min.
SAUTEED VEGGIES:For dinner, if we are eating at home, we literally eat this every night, and never get tired of it. We eat these sautéed veggies with some sort of lean protein like chicken, steak, fish, etc.
INGREDIENTS:
eggplant
zucchini
mushrooms
carrots
cauliflower
red onion
1 tbsp olive or avocado oil
salt and pepper to taste
1 tsp garlic powder
INSTRUCTIONS:
Chop veggies and saute over medium high heat until vegetables are softened.
Add in seasonings.
Done! Super easy!
LOADED VEGGIE SALAD:
We usually make a big salad for lunch every day. We usually buy the big heads of romaine lettuce and chop those up for the lettuce. We eat it with some sort of protein like eggs, chicken, salmon, or tuna. For dressing, we use salsa, balsamic vinegar and olive oil, mustard, or lemon juice!
INGREDIENTS:
1-2 heads of romaine lettuce
cherry tomatoes
red onion
cucumber
bell pepper
hearts of palm or any other vegetable you like!
1-2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
1 tbsp olive oil
salt and pepper to taste
INSTRUCTIONS:
Chop all veggies up and combine with lettuce, seasoning, and dressing. Super duper easy!
GRILLED EGGPLANT WITH TOMATOES, ONIONS, AND PINE NUTS:INGREDIENTS:
2 large eggplants
1 pint grape tomatoes
1 red onion
About ⅓ cup extra virgin olive oil for coating vegetables
salt to taste
2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
¼ cup balsamic vinegar
¼ tsp kosher salt
Freshly ground pepper to taste
INSTRUCTIONS:
Preheat the grill on high.
Make the dressing by mixing 2 tbps oil, ¼ cup balsamic ¼ tsp salt and pepper.
Cut ends off eggplant and cut ½ inch slices lengthwise.
Reduce grill to medium high.
Brush top side of eggplant slices with olive oil and place oiled-side down on grill.
Brush oil on other sides of eggplant slices.
Grill the eggplant for about 10 min total turning halfway through with the grill cover closed.
Chop onions and tomatoes and toss with dressing.
In a large bowl gently toss eggplant slices with 2 Tblsp of the dressing.
It is Wednesday, so you know that means it is a workout post today! Since we shared our daily eats plan in last week’s post, we are going to be sharing another downloadable workout for y’all! In case you missed they first one, you can check it out in this post. Each day (workout) is split into a muscle group with rep amounts, set amounts, and weight amounts. We also are giving a few tips as well. This workout schedule is available for download for $10. It is exactly what we will be doing this week, and you could always re-use this plan for other weeks, and mix and match them. To download the workout schedule, click below:
Note: you will be taken to PayPal to pay, and then should receive a link to the download shortly after that in your inbox. If you do not receive it, please email us!:)
In case you are new to our blog, or have missed some of our previous posts, we shared our tips for lifting weights for beginners. We love weight training, and are not meatheads at all, haha. Weight training is so important if you’re trying to get more toned and fit. Cardio, alone, will not give you those results. Also, weight training will strengthen your back and core, and prevent injuries. Check out this post for all of the details on that! We also shared a post on our favorite fast food hacks and tips for choosing healthier options in yesterday’s post.
Here are our favorite workout pieces we are LOVING this week {click and scroll through to shop}
This week, instead of sharing one recipe with you all, we thought we would share a bunch of recipes we found that you can make in your crockpot or slow-cooker. We love using the slow-cooker for easy, quick meals. We use this slow-cooker and LOVE it. You can make so many things in it like soups, meats, side dishes, or even breakfasts for the week. Great for busy schedules, which we are all guilty of!Check out the recipes here!
Can’t believe that this our 8th fitness post of this year. We feel like it gets so receptive each week, but a lot of you all say you love these, so we promise to keep them coming! In case you missed some of the previous posts, you can check out some of them here and here! Below, you will find videos, several of our workouts from the week, as well as a breakfast, lunch, and dinner recipe that we have tried or are planning on making soon!
As far as cardio goes,we will do anywhere from 30-45 minutes of cardio, usually on the stair master, followed by weight training (each muscle group a different day). Every body is different, and you definitely don’t need to do that much cardio each day, just whatever you feel up to, or feel like you can handle at this time! We used to do ZERO, so just find what works best for you!
This week, we are sharing a leg workout and an elliptical workout!
This is the leg workout one of us did this past weekend:
Here is the elliptical workout!
Below are some workout pieces we are loving this week [click each item to shop it directly!]:
See videos for each exercise listed above further down in the post!
For LEGS:
Single Leg Deadlift:
Jump Squats:
Weighted Donkey Kicks:
Bulgarian Split Squat:
Single Leg Glute Bridge:
In case you all did miss it in this post, we have did a post on what we eat in a day here! We do eat mostly paleo due to our hypothyroidism condition. In case you missed it, we shared why we avoid certain foods.
As far as cooking and meal prepping, we like to have some kind of protein prepped for the week, like grilled chicken or salmon baked in the oven. That way, we can just add it to salads or veggies for lunch or dinner in 5 minutes! Nobody wants to have to come home and make a full meal, right?
As far as meals go, we have gotten a few requests for some paleo meal ideas. We actually created a new Paleo Meal Ideas board on pinterest, in case you want more ideas!
These banana chocolate-chip muffin are perfect for you sweets lovers, like us;) And, who doesn’t love banana and chocolate chips?!
Skinny Banana Chocolate-Chip Muffins
Serves: 12 servings
INGREDIENTS
1 and 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
1 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
1 ½ cups mashed bananas (3 medium bananas)
4 tbsp honey
1 tbsp vanilla
1 tsp cinnamon-optional
1 tbsp olive oil
1 large egg
1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt (nonfat)
1 tbsp almond milk
1/2 cup mini chocolate chips (you can substitute with chopped nuts)
INSTRUCTIONS
Preheat oven to 350 F and spray 12 cup standard muffin tin or 24 cup mini muffin tin with nonstick cooking spray. I used mini muffin tin.
In a bowl whisk dry ingredients: flour, baking soda, cinnamon and salt.
In a large bowl mash bananas, add honey, oil, vanilla, milk, Greek yogurt and egg. Mix until well combined and smooth. You can use electric mixer or whisk by hand.
Add dry ingredients and mix (or whisk) until combined.
Fold in chocolate chips.
Fill muffin tin with batter almost to the top. Bake until the toothpick inserted in the muffin comes out almost clean (with a few crumbs attached). It takes about 20-25 minutes for regular sized muffins or 14-16 minutes for mini muffins. Cool the muffins for 5 minutes in the pan then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Place the chicken, avocado, apple, celery, and red onion in a medium bowl.
Gently mash the avocado with a fork and stir it around so that everything gets well mixed.
Add the cilantro or parsley, lime juice or lemon juice, salt, and pepper.
Add more lime juice or salt to taste. If the mixture seems a little dry, you can stir in a teaspoon or two of olive oil.
To store, place in a bowl and cover completely with plastic wrap so that no part of the chicken salad is exposed to air. Will keep a couple of days in the fridge.
Serve on sandwich bread, toasted bread, or salad greens (I recommend arugula or watercress for extra zing).
This grilled chicken sounds like it has amazing flavor and who doesn’t love salsa?!
Grilled Cilantro-Lime Chicken with Avocado Salsa
Serves: 4 servings
INGREDIENTS
4 (6 oz) chicken boneless skinless chicken breast halves
1 Tbsp lime zest
1/3 cup fresh lime juice
1/4 cup olive oil, plus more for brushing grill
1 1/2 tsp honey
1/3 cup chopped cilantro, plus more for serving
3 cloves garlic, minced
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 1/2 medium avocados (ripe but semi-firm), diced
2 medium Roma tomatoes, chopped
1/2 cup chopped red onion, rinsed under cool water to remove harsh bite
1 clove garlic, minced
1 Tbsp fresh lime juice
INSTRUCTIONS
Place chicken on a cutting board, cover with a sheet of plastic wrap and pound thicker parts of chicken to an even thickness. Transfer chicken to a gallon size resealable plastic bag.
In a small mixing bowl whisk together lime zest, lime juice, olive oil, honey, cilantro, 3 cloves minced garlic and season with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp pepper. Pour marinade mixture over chicken in bag. Seal bag while pressing air out, then rub marinade over chicken. Allow to rest in refrigerator 2 – 4 hours (rotating bag to opposite side and moving chicken around halfway through if possible to ensure it’s evenly marinating).
Preheat a grill over medium-high heat (to about 425 – 450 degrees). Brush grill grates lightly with oil then grill chicken until center registers 160 – 165 degrees on an instant read thermometer, about 4 minutes per side. Remove and let rest 5 minutes.
Meanwhile, in a medium mixing bowl toss together avocado, tomato, onion, garlic and lime and season with salt and pepper to taste. Spoon a generous amount over chicken and sprinkle with chopped cilantro. Serve warm.
Hope y’all aren’t getting tired of these posts! A lot of y’all have said how much you look forward to these, so we will keep writing them!:)
In case you missed some of the previous posts, you can check out some of them here and here! Below, you will find videos, several of our workouts from the week, as well as a breakfast, lunch, and dinner recipe that we have tried or are planning on making this week!
As far as cardio goes,we will do anywhere from 30-45 minutes of cardio, usually on the stair master, followed by weight training (each muscle group a different day). Every body is different, and you definitely don’t need to do that much cardio each day, just whatever you feel up to, or feel like you can handle at this time! We used to do ZERO, so just find what works best for you!
Since we have gotten good response from our two previous cardio workouts, we decided to share another cardio workout for y’all!
This week, we are sharing an at-home cardio workout, along with a shoulder workout.
This is the shoulder workout we just did the past weekend!
Here is the at-home cardio workout, or anywhere cardio workout!
Below are some workout pieces we are loving this week [click each item to shop it directly!]:
See videos for each exercise listed above further down in the post!
For SHOULDERS:
Bent Over Rear Delt Flyes:
Lateral Raise:
Barbell Front Raise:
Standing Shoulder Press:
Upright Rows:
In case you all did miss it in last week’s post, we have did a post on what we eat in a day here! last week! We do eat mostly paleo due to our hypothyroidism condition. In case you missed it, we shared why we avoid certain foods.
As far as cooking and meal prepping, we like to have some kind of protein prepped for the week, like grilled chicken or salmon baked in the oven. That way, we can just add it to salads or veggies for lunch or dinner in 5 minutes! Nobody wants to have to come home and make a full meal, right?
As far as meals go, we have gotten a few requests for some paleo meal ideas. We actually created a new Paleo Meal Ideas board on pinterest, in case you want more ideas!
This blueberry breakfast cake can be made paleo, and is loaded with protein! This is definitely on our must-make list!
Blueberry Breakfast Cake
Serves: 4 servings
INGREDIENTS
For the Gluten Free/Vegan/Flourless version:
2 cups gluten free rolled oats, ground into a flour
1/2 cup coconut palm sugar (use stevia or a sugar free baking blend to keep sugar free)
1 tbsp baking powder
pinch sea salt
1 cup dairy free milk
1 flax egg (can sub for 1 large egg if not vegan)
1 tsp vanilla extract
6 tbsp nut butter of choice, melted (I used smooth cashew butter)
1/4-1/2 cup blueberries
For the Paleo Version:
1/4-1/2 cup blueberries
4 large eggs, whisked lightly
vanilla extract
1/4 cup cashew butter (can sub for almond butter or coconut oil)
1/4 cup maple syrup (can sub for honey or agave)
1/2 tsp baking soda
1 cup unsweetened applesauce
1/2 cup coconut flour
For the protein frosting:
Dairy free milk to form batter
1-2 tbsp nut butter of choice (optional)
1-2 tsp granulated sweetener of choice (optional)
3 scoops vanilla protein powder (see recommendations above)
For the coconut butter frosting:
4-6 tsbp coconut butter, melted
2 T granulated sweetener of choice
Dairy free milk to thin out
INSTRUCTIONS
Preheat the oven to 350. Grease a loaf pan or 8 x 8 baking dish with cooking spray and set aside.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the dry ingredients and mix well.
In a small bowl, whisk the milk, vanilla extract and egg/flax egg. Pour into the dry mixture. Add the melted nut butter (and honey and applesauce for paleo option) and mix very well until a batter is formed.
Divide the batter in half. In one half, fold through the blueberries.
Pour the blueberry filled batter to evenly cover the baking tray or loaf pan. Top with the other half of the batter. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until golden brown on top and a toothpick comes on clean. Remove from oven and allow to cool completely before serving or frosting, if desired.
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Line a large sheet pan with parchment paper or foil (easy clean-up) and set aside.
Prep the veggies: *It is important to prep the veggies according to directions to ensure they all cook at the same time*
Peel and very thinly slice the carrots. Wash and (if desired peel, we love the peel on) chop the red potatoes. You want the pieces quite small here. (I halve the potatoes and then cut each half into 10-12 pieces)
Halve the zucchini and then cut *thick* coins of zucchini. Coarsely chop the broccoli. Remove the stems and seeds from the peppers and chop into medium-sized pieces. Chop the sausage into thick coins.
Pour all the veggies and sausage on the sheet pan.
In a small bowl combine all of the seasonings and salt and pepper if desired (I use about 1/8 teaspoon pepper and 1/2 teaspoon salt) with the olive oil. Stir to combine.
Pour the seasoning & oil mixture on top of the veggies and sausage and thoroughly toss to coat.
Place in the heated oven for 15 minutes. Remove and toss around the veggies + sausage and return to the oven for another 10-20 minutes or until veggies are crisp tender.
Remove and serve on top of rice or quinoa if desired. (Also great plain!)
These chicken lettuce wraps are a copycat recipe from PF Changs. If you didn’t order these wraps, you were not cool;) You could serve these with extra veggies on the side!
Chicken Lettuce Wraps
Serves: 4 servings
INGREDIENTS
1 lb ground chicken
1 tbsp peanut oil
½ onion, minced
1 cup red or green pepper, diced
1 8 oz can water chestnuts, drained and minced
Sauce:
3 tbsp soy sauce or liquid aminos
3 tbsp hoisin sauce
1 tbsp sesame oil
1 tbsp rice vinegar
1 tbsp peanut butter
1 tbsp honey
2 tsp sweet chili sauce
½ tsp garlic powder
¼ tsp powdered ginger
Topping:
¼ cup peanuts, crushed
Lettuce or your favorite Asian salad
INSTRUCTIONS
Whisk together sauce ingredients until well combined. If you use a firmer peanut butter you may need to microwave the mixture for 30-60 seconds in order to melt it and ensure everything is well-mixed.
Heat 2 tbsp peanut oil in a frying pan.
Once hot, add ground chicken.
Cook until some pieces are starting to brown. Add onion and cook for 5 minutes or until the onion is becoming translucent.
Add the peppers and water chestnuts and cook about 5 minutes or until peppers are becoming soft.
Add sauce and simmer on low heat until the chicken and veggies are evenly coated and everything is heated through.
Serve in lettuce leaves, on top of your favorite Asian salad, or over noodles or rice!