Berry Maple Cinnamon Flax Oatmeal

Berry Maple Cinnamon Flax Oatmeal

1tbsp flax seeds
1 1/2 cups water
1/4 cup steel cut oats
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1 packet stevia
1 tsp. pure maple syrup
dash of sea salt
1/4 cup blueberries and raspberries (fresh or frozen)

Bring water and salt to a boil. Add in oats, flax seeds, cinnamon and stevia. Cook for 25 mins. Put oatmeal in bowl and top with maple syrup and berries! Enjoy!

Healthier Baked Spaghetti

Healthier Baked Spaghetti
1 lb. Ground deer (turkey or lean grass fed beef)
1 jar organic marinara sauce
1 8 once can organic tomato sauce
3 cloves garlic diced
1 small onion diced
1 tsp. each sweet leaf basil and oregano
Parsley flakes
Sea salt and fresh ground black pepper
1 cup part skim mozzarella
1/4 cup grated parmesean
1/2 pkg whole wheat spaghetti noodles
2 tbsp olive oil
1 pkt stevia

Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in pan. Add garlic and onion and saute about 2 mins. Add in meat and cook through. Drain fast and add back to pan. Season with salt and pepper, add sauces, basil and oregano. Sprinkle one packet of stevia to cut bitterness of tomato sauce. Simmer 20 mins for flavors to blend. Cook noodles in salted water with 1 tbsp olive oil per package directions. Drain noodles and mix with meat sauce. Place in 9x13 glass baking dish and spread evenly. Top with parmesan and mozzarella cheeses. Sprinkle parsley flakes on top and bake at 350 degrees for about 20 mins.

Banana Almond Flax Oatmeal

I made this yummy oatmeal for breakfast this morning. It was nice on a cool morning and very filling. You could make this with any fruit and even add some cinnamon and maple syrup.

Banana Almond Flax Oatmeal

• 1 1/2 cup water

• 1/4 cup steel cut oats

• 1 tbsp. flax seeds

• 1 tsp. pure vanilla extract

• pinch of sea salt

• 1 tbsp. natural almond butter

• 1/2 banana sliced

• 1 packet stevia

Bring  the water and sea salt to a boil. Add in oats, stevia, vanilla extract and flax seeds. Reduce heat simmer about 25 mins. When done, place in a bowl, add in the almond butter and stir. Slice half a banana on top and enjoy!

Mexican Quinoa Patties

I wanted to use my bean salad and quinoa that I had in the fridge, but I wanted to make it a little different. I remember looking for quinoa recipes and coming across different quinoa patty recipes and just used the same base to hold these together. All you really need to do to create that "glue" to hold any quinoa patty together is egg, whole wheat bread crumbs, and some type of low fat cheese. These turned out really good! I think these would be extremely good with some guacamole on the side!

Mexican Quinoa Patties

• 3/4 cup cooked and cooled quinoa

• 1 cup  Clean Redneck Caviar slightly mashed with potato masher

• 1 egg beaten

• 1/4 to 1/2 cup whole wheat breadcrumbs

• 1/4 tsp cumin

• 1/4 cup part skim mozzarella

• 1-2 tbsp. olive oil

 Mix all ingredients in a bowl. Place a golf ball size portion and shape into a ball and flatten into patties. This should make about 4 patties. Heat olive oil in nonstick skillet on medium heat. Place patties in pan an brown on both sides! Serve immediately!

Clean Redneck Caviar (Bean Salad)

I love  traditional Texas Caviar, but don't like the artificial dressings and added sugar it calls for, so I came up with a clean version! You can have this for lunch by itself, serve over quinoa with some honey lemon vinaigrette, make it into Mexican quinoa patties or serve it with some organic blue corn chips at a party. I like to make a big bowl of it and put it in the fridge to eat on during the week. Its healthy, easy on the wallet, quick and very filling! You can tweak this recipe to your likings with different types of beans, tomatoes and dressing! Here is the recipe and hope you enjoy!

 

Clean Redneck Caviar (Bean Salad)

• 3-4 cans organic beans rinsed (black, great northern, garbanzo, kidney, etc)

• 2 roma tomatoes

• 1/2 container golden cherry tomatoes

• 1 pkg. sweet frozen corn (I use the steam bags and let cool)

• 1 small red onion chopped

• color bell peppers chopped (optional)

• cilantro (to taste)

• sea salt & fresh cracked black pepper

• olive oil and vinegar to taste (red wine or balsamic work well)

• stevia (if you want it a little sweeter)

Mix all ingredients in a bowl and store in an airtight container in your refrigerator for the week!

                                         Clean Redneck Caviar served with quinoa & honey
                                                                 lemon vinaigrette.

 

 

 

Exercise and Eating Healthy to Reduce Stress

I will never forget what Elle Woods said in the movie Legally Blonde about "Exercise gives you endorphins, endorphins make you happy...happy people don't shoot their husbands! They just don't!" This is all so true. Do you really feel like killing someone after a good workout? I know I don't! I feel like a million bucks and that no one can touch how glorious I feel! Staying active and following a healthy diet can really help with stress in your life. I have experienced this first hand over the last several weeks. I have had some pretty stressful situations in my life here lately and when I have went for a run, walk or worked out to my Focus T25 program it really helped relieve the tension in my body. Another reason you want to exercise and eat healthy is because if you do get really stressed and your body's immune system is weakened by an unhealthy lifestyle, you could get really sick.

 Don't make excuses to not exercise or eat healthy. There are so many ways to fit it into your busy lifestyle. If you don't have an hour to devote to the gym or you hate the atmosphere of the gym, then go for a walk, run or invest in some at home workout videos. I love my Beachbody workouts. They are a life saver if it is raining out and most of the programs have shorter workouts in case you don't have much time that particular day. My T25 workout is 25 minutes and I am done! I feel like a million bucks when I'm done and relieved stress from my day! Also, if you think you can't prepare a healthy meal at home in a flash, well think again! There are many options. You could get a bag of already washed salad greens, throw some meat on a grill or in your oven and cook up some couscous to go with it...20 min dinner, tops!!!! And with Fall here, what else is better than some homemade turkey chili in the crock pot while you are away all day! It's healthy comfort food and it's done when you get home! If you are out on the go and need to eat out, plenty of restaurants and fast food chains have healthier selections...don't give in to the fatty foods!

So, when you think about all the stresses in your life and think "Ugh, I just want to hit someone!", go get your workout on and clean up your diet...it will all pay off when you are not sitting in a doctors office!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Coemj2qdWMw

True happiness

Staying motivated, dedicated and encouraged have been my keys for success! There is no secret to living a healthy and fulfilling life. You have to put in the hard work, sweat and sometimes tears! I want to inspire people to experience what I am experiencing in my life. I am the happiest and healthiest I have ever been and I want to carry people along on this journey with me so they can experience what I am experiencing....true happiness with myself, my family and my friends! If you would like to come on board and be a part of this journey with me then I would LOVE to have you! Are you wanting to start your own health and fitness journey? Do you already have a passion for health and fitness and want to start helping others? If you say yes to either of these questions then you might just want to jump on board with me! Comment below or message me and we can talk about what your goals are and get you on the path to a happier and healthier you! You can find out what kind of programs I use and also about the Beachbody Coach opportunity over at www.MistiFreibergFitness.com.

Chia Seed Benefits

http://healthyeating.sfgate.com/top-10-health-benefits-chia-seeds-6962.html

Why should I drink Shakeology every day? #AugustSurge

Banana Pudding Shakeology

I have created a NEW Shakeology Recipe...Banana Pudding!!! It was oh so delicious, too! I gulped it down so fast and was so disappointed when it was all gone! If you love bananas like I do you will love this recipe! Here ya go:

Banana Pudding Shakeology

1 cup unsweetened almond milk
1/2 cup water
1/2 frozen banana
1/2 graham cracker
1 scoop Vanilla Shakeology

Combine all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth and creamy....enjoy!

Oven Fried Flounder

This is a great alternative to eating traditional fried fish. My kids loved it and my 6 year old daughter wanted more! It is an easy week night recipe that doesn't take long and you won't feel guilty about eating it either. This recipe comes out extremely crunchy and full of flavor. Squeeze a little lemon juice on it and you are good to go. Here is the recipe:

 

Oven Fried Flounder

 

4-6 flounder filets washed and patted dry

1 cup crushed corn flakes

1/2 cup wheat flour seasoned to taste with old bay and a little sea salt

1 egg

1/8 cup fat free milk

olive oil cooking spray

 

Get two plates and one bowl. On one plate put the crushed corn flakes and the seasoned wheat flour on the other. In the bowl beat the egg and milk together. Take one flounder filet and dredge it in the flour shaking off excess. Next, dredge in egg/milk mixture and immediately roll in corn flakes. Spray top and bottom of fish and place on tin foil lined pan. Repeat with remaining filets. Cook on 450 for 12-15 minutes or until fish is done and desired crispness! Enjoy!

Chicken in Foil

With school starting back up and the kids getting involved with extracurricular activities, making dinner needs to be quick, right? You want it fast but still healthy. Here is a recipe I took from my Focus T25 nutrition book. Its' called Chicken in Foil. It is so simple to put together and it's literally the ENTIRE dinner in one tin foil packet. You can get other things done while this is cooking!!! Who doesn't love that! Here is the recipe:

 

Chicken in Foil

 

4 Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast

8 medium Red Potatoes

1 medium sliced sweet onion

Galic powder

Sea Salt

Freshly ground black pepper

Fresh chopped parsley

 

Tear you 4 sheets of tin foil. Place your chopped potatoes on there and sliced onions on top of there. Put your chicken breast on top of the veggies (you can add additional veggies if you like) and season to taste with sea salt, garlic powder, fresh ground pepper and parsley. Bake at 375-400 for 45-50 mins!!!

Goal Accomplished

So, running a 5K without having to walk any of it has been one of my goals since I started my health and fitness journey a year and a half ago. Well, I kicked this goal in the face on July 20, 2013!!! My husband and I ran the Moonlight Miles 5K here in our town and both did a great job! Not only did I accomplish my goal, but I had a 9 min/mile...I have never ran under a 10 min/mile! Determination and inspiring others is what drives me to continue to be better!!!

Why I Became Beachbody Coach

 

They say a picture says a thousand words! Well, I totally agree. Anyone that looks at this before and after picture of me should see at least one reason why I am so passionate about being a Beachbody Coach. I want to HELP people! This has become my passion and what I believe to be my calling in life.

 

Although, I did not intially start my health and fitness journey with Beachbody, I have seen the biggest difference in my body since starting using their products. I use all of the products in the after picture on a daily basis. All of the pictures in this after picture were taken today. I started out with Shakeology and Turbo Fire in January. I am now doing the 8 week Foucus T25 Challenge (can't wait to post my before and after photos when I am done with the program)!!! I drank my Shakeology this morning, ate a clean dinner (tracking all my daily caloric intake in myfitnesspal), drank my E&E Preworkout Formula, did my Focus T25 workout and went for a little one mile run after and used my Polar Heart Rate Monitor to track my calorie burn and heart rate! This is how I keep myself on track!

 

I CAN HELP YOU with your goals, too! You can find me on Facebook, send me a private message and we can chat about what your goals are. I have tons of options to fit everyone's lifestyle! No more excuses...the time to change is now and I want to coach you from start to finish!

 

 

 

 

Grilled Bananas with Honey and Cinnamon

My kids are always wanting dessert after dinner. I have been looking into healthy dessert recipes to make since we have really changed how we eat in our house. Usually I would just give them a piece of candy, cake or some other non healthy food.

So, as we were finishing up at the dinner table, I pulled out my phone and pulled up Pinterest. I searched for a grilled bananas with honey recipe and came across this one. It was super fast and easy to put together and was a HIT with the kids! Yay, we have a keeper for future desserts!!! Here is how to prepare this dessert:

Grilled Bananas with Honey and Cinnamon

Bananas (we each had half of a banana)
Honey
Cinnamon

Preheat a grill (indoor or outdoor). While grill is heating start preparing your bananas by peeling, cutting them in half and then cut the halves lengthwise. Place all the halved bananas on a plate and lightly dust them with the cinnamon and drizzle about a half tbsp of honey (per two halves) on the inside (seeded side) of the bananas. Place them on the grill for about 3 mins per side (or until softened). Enjoy!!!



 

 

 

Tomato Basil Turkey Cutlets

So, my family loves to eat turkey cutlets. If you are wondering what they are comparable to, I would say like thinner slices of chicken breast. They cook up really well and are a good alternative to eating chicken all the time. My husband first bought them to cook at the fire station while at work and I was like "Hey, I have been wanting to try those. Let me know how they are". So, ever since then we cook them often. I was looking around for another way to cook them and came across this recipe on another coach's blog.

I am trying out this recipe tonight. It is in the oven as I am typing this post!!!

Ok, so the smell was amazing while it was cooking!!! The hubby liked it as well as the kids, so it will be a keeper at our house! The recipe called for canned diced tomatoes, but since it's summer and GA grown tomatoes are in season, I used one of those!  Here is the recipe:


Tomato Basil Turkey Cutlets
Ingredients:

• Dried Basil
• Garlic Powder
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• Fresh diced tomato or 1 can diced tomatoes (low sodium)
• Turkey Breast Cutlets (3)
• 1/4 cup low fat mozzarella cheese

Directions:
Place a piece of foil in the bottom of a 9x13 baking dish. Place turkey cutlets on top. Then, sprinkle with basil, garlic powder, chopped onion, diced tomatoes and then top with mozzarella cheese.

Then, cover the dish with foil and bake at 400 degrees for 45 minutes or until cooked through.
I served the Turkey with a side of brown rice and sauteed squash and onions.

Tomato Onion Omelet

Tomato & Onion Omelett

2 eggs beaten (egg white substitute if you choose)
1/4 diced fresh tomato
1/4 2% shredded sharp cheddar
1 slice Sargento Deli Thin swiss cheese (the 40 cal slices), torn

sea salt and fresh ground black pepper to taste

Heat skillet to medium heat. Spray pan with nonfat cooking spray and sautee onions and tomoatoes until onions are soft. Pour beaten egg (seasoned with sea salt and pepper) over veggies. Cook until set, flip and finish cooking until firm. Sprinkle with cheddar and torn swiss, transfer to plate, fold and enjoy!!!

I'm Back!!!

Hey ya'll!!! Well after several months of not blogging I decided I am ready to give it my all. I have had some exciting changes in my life since becoming a Beachbody Coach. I rank advanced to an Emerald Coach in my first month, my husband and I became addicted to working out , eating clean and drinking Shakeology everyday! Since doing these things we have seen a huge improvement in our bodies. We feel so much better now that we don't just count calories, but pay attention and put only pure wholesome foods in our bodies. We feel it is so important to teach these healthy habits to our children so they can live a healthy and fit life as well. I quit smoking almost two weeks ago and my husband is trying to quit as well. I plan to share with everyone how we live day to day, our food choices, workouts, food preparation, recipes and the challenges we face. So, please feel free to share with us any tips you have and I hope ours help ya'll as well! So long for now, but I will be posting like crazy from now on!!!

My newest goal

Well, I finally decided to take the advice of Krystle Bailey a.k.a Skinnny Jeans Dreams and become a Beachbody Coach!!! I am so excited about this journey I am embarking on...this is truly my calling in life! I am absolutely in love with health and fitness and I want to help motivate and inspire everyone that I come in contact with to fall in love with it as much as me!!! Cheers to a new chapter begining on my journey!

Game Day!

I debated doing my Turbo Fire workout today since my muscles were still sore from yesterday...but I got up and did it this afternoon anyway!!! Boy am I glad I did since pizza was on the Super Bowl menu at our house tonight!!! I love the feeling I get after working out (and it's even better with Chalene Johnson yelling through the tv to "push harder"!!!) & having those sore muscles afterwards! You just can't beat the enjoyment and 37 minutes to burn 497 calories!!! Got MY game on on game day!

My first post!!

Soooo, I created this blog about a month ago and never put a thing on it!!! Well I decided today is the day! I may not have it looking the way I want yet, but I have to get on with it. I have created this blog to help motivate, inspire and challenge people to get up and get moving to a healthy lifestyle! I am a Girl Raised In The South (G.R.I.T.S.) and have battled my weight for my entire 29 years on this earth. I hope to inspire everyone who wants to Get Fit with my weight loss and fitness journey over the past year. I am not where I want to be with my health and fitness goals, but I am getting closer every single day. I have went from 245 lbs. to 176 lbs. in a year. My ultimate weight loss goal is 100 lbs and to continue to eat right and get more physically fit. I want to share my journey and give my healthy eating tips and fitness tips to anyone that wants them. I am in no way a person trainer or dietician, it is just what has worked for me. Soo, with that being said I am going to post my befor and after pic as a starter!!!