Healthy Girl pt2 (Healthy Eats)

(Have you read Healthy girl pt1? If not click here!)

If you follow this blog or have read at least one other post, you can probably tell two things about me right away. I am a list maker and I love to share things I love.

To keep this post from falling short, I present you with a list of healthy foods I love!  

1. Dasani Sparkling Apple water. Yes Yes YES!!!! I absolutely LOVE this water. With Zero carbs and a ton of flavor this is, with no doubt, my go to drink. 

2. Tumaros- Low in Carb Multigrain Wraps. I love pairing these wraps up with my meat of choice, a ton of veggies and some kind of dressing to make a restaurant worthy wrap. Coming in at 4 carbs per wrap, these are a must have in my pantry!

3. Cheese. On the packages of most cheeses we buy the carb count reads, 1<. 

A good source of calcium and protein makes cheese the perfect snack with a bit of fruit. 

4. Veggies (Leafy greens). You can't go wrong with the leafy greens. Salad, cabbage, greens and even brussel sprouts will keep you on the low side of carbs.

Sorry vegetarians, #5 goes to MEAT!!! It's important that I get in plenty of protein. Grill it, bake it, Crock Pot it, whatever. Just make sure you bring the meat!!!

6. Peanuts. Not the lowest in carbs, but it's a good source of protein and fiber. 

7. Quest Bars. High in protein, low in carbs, easy to take on the go, plus ...they're yummy!

Chocolate Chunk Cookie Dough

Cinnamon Roll

White Chocolate Raspberry

...just to name a few   

There are many more flavors at GNC, if you're interested.

8. Gold Standard Whey Protein. I drink these only after running or lifting weights. There are many debates on the pros and cons of drinking protein shakes.
I say, If it's not for you, don't drink them, but if you're like me and the pros outweigh the cons I suggest finding flavors you like. This brand has Chocolate, Strawberry and my favorite Cookies and Cream. 

9. Skim Milk. Milk is another one of those things that are debated, upon in the fitness world. I only use skim milk to mix my protein shakes because I don't want my body to absorb the fat from 2% or whole milk during my post workout routine. (I'll explain all of that in a future post.)

10. Fiber. Not my favorite to eat because of flavor but to keep my body in check. With all the protein I take in, things begin to slow down. 

It's not only uncomfortable but unhealthy too. 

Unflavored fiber is definitely the way to go. 

...and saving the best for last #11 Twizzlers. Fat free candy is my "BFF" when it comes to candy, for my post workout. I need that sugar to spike my insulin right before I drink my protein shake. Talk about a "sweet" treat at the end of a workout!!!

Don't like Twizzlers? Try

Gummy Bears

Gummy Works 

or even

Jelly beans!

Do you have a go to food or drink that makes your fit journey a little more bearable? Do tell!!! I would love to try it!

~Note, I am not a nutritionist or personal trainer nor was I paid to endorse any of the products I just mentioned in this post. I am simply a mommy on a personal journey to become a "Healthy Girl". 

Healthy Girl pt1

Just like almost everybody in America, I made a New Year's resolution to eat "right" and get "bikini ready".

Just like almost everybody in America, I quickly lost my motivation.

Lucky for me, I have a husband who is super supportive of my crazy antics and wild ideas. So when I come up with something that isn't so far fetched, such as getting fit and healthy, he's even more in my corner. 

(It's not that I need to shed a lot of pounds nor does my husband want to see me bench press 6x my weight, we are just about living a healthier lifestyle.) 

To start things off we decided to change our diet and to exercise regularly.

• Cutting out the fast food was one of the first things we did. "Ok, this isn't so bad. I kinda like homemade cheeseburgers better anyway!"

• Next was ditching the sodas. "WHOA NELLY!!!!!! I did NOT sign up for this!!!!!" At the time, giving up my sodas felt harder for me, than signing the dotted lines to join the Army. 

• About the same time as I gave up my bubbly beverages, we began taking morning walks everyday. 1 mile then 2. (As of now we are striding at about 3 miles an hour!)

Once April came around our diet plan got even harder. 

• Low carbs and high protein. Nope no Olive Garden for this girl. (sad face) 

• No sugar, yup you read that right NO SUGAR!!!!! **I was not a happy girl on my birthday when I wasn't able to eat my beloved cupcakes.

• LOTS OF WATER!!!!!  ...and I mean LOTS OF WATER!!!!! I keep a water bottle next to me all day long, no matter were I go. Although my hubby has to remind me to drink, I still have easy access to it.

(Keep an eye out for "Healthy Girl pt2" for my "Low Carb Favs" list where I will feature some of my favorite recipes, water, and foods.)

• Mo veggies Mo veggies Mo veggies!! Fruit, not so much, they are higher in carbs than I would of ever thought. 

Now that our diet is (for the most part) in order, we have added weight lifting to our routine. Despite sore muscles this has to be my favorite part of being a fit and healthy girl!

Throughout the last two months I have craved food, soda and candy, lost motivation at times and have almost given up. 

ALMOST! 

On the other hand, I have been less tired, I have more time to talk to my husband during our walks (kinda like a mini date!), seen numbers go down on the scale (muscle weighs more than fat so those numbers might climb again) and more important than the numbers, I've seen changes in my body! 

I am excited about my "Healthy Girl" journey and I hope you will join and follow along every step of the way!

Best of Luck to you on your journey!

What are you doing to be more healthy? Please feel free to share, I can't wait to hear from you!!!

Turkey Pot Pie Crepes

My husband and I came up with this recipe when we lived in Texas. It has traveled to Korea with us (as a perfect low carb meal) and is still going strong here in Kansas.

When I have a good thing, I just can't keep it to myself. With that being said, here is my Turkey Pot Pie Crepe recipe.

I hope your family loves it just as much as mine. 

Crepes:
3 eggs 
2/3 cup milk 
2 tablespoons unsalted butter or 2 tablespoons margarine, melted 
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/3 cup whole wheat flour

*I used skim milk, 2 Tbsp of salted butter and no salt*

Directions:
Note: If you want to make regular crepes, not using whole wheat flour, use 3/4 cup milk, 2 tbs cold water, and substitute 3/4 cup white flour.

In a small bowl, beat the eggs, milk, melted butter, and salt until well combined-about 20 seconds.

Sift the flour into a medium size bowl or a 2 quart measuring cup, then add the liquid mixture, beating until well combined-about 1 minute.

Or blend the eggs, milk, butter, and salt in an electric blender or food processor for 15 seconds; sprinkle in the flour and blend until smooth-about 30 second

Brush butter on the bottom of a crepe pan or heavy 7-inch skillet.

Set over moderate heat for about 30 seconds or until a drop of batter sizzles.

Stir the batter well, pour 2 tablespoons into the skillet, and quickly tip it back and forth so that the batter evenly coats the bottom.
*I used a 1/3 cup*

Cook until the crepe edges are golden brown-about 1 minute.
Slide a spatula under the crepe, flip it over, and cook for about 30 seconds.

Transfer to a warm plate.

Repeat with the remaining batter, rebuttering the skillet when necessary.

~At this point the crepes can be cooled to room temperature, separated by sheets of wax paper, and stored.

Refrigerate, wrapped tightly with plastic wrap, for up to 24 hours.

Turkey Pot Pie filling:
1/2 cup carrots
1/2 cup celery
1/2 cup frozen corn
1/2 cup frozen green beans
1/2 cup frozen lima beans or green soy beans
1/2 cup frozen peas
1/2 cup diced onions
6oz diced chicken or turkey (We use Turkey Spam)
3 cups chicken broth
1 cup water w/ 1/2 all purpose flour (dissolved)
1 tsp ground thyme
3 Tbsp butter

Directions:
Use butter to sauté onions, carrots and celery until the onions are clear.

Add broth, thyme, and the remaining vegetables and turkey, bring to boil, reduce to simmer until vegetables are tender.

Add water/flour mixture, stir until thickened.

Turn off heat and set aside.

Filling the crepes:
Use a 1/2 cup of pot pie mixture to fill your crepe. 

Roll crepe around mixture and a extra pot pie on top. 

Bon Appetite!!!

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