Cranberry Sauce

While it may not be thanksgiving time this recipe is delicious!  Especially for my family when we have a thanksgiving type meal for Easter.   A healthy and freaking delicious cranberry sauce that blows the canned stuff away.  This recipe comes from the Beachbody website.

Ingredients

• ½ cup 100% orange juice
• ½ cup unsweetened apple juice
• 1 tsp. finely chopped orange peel
• ½ tsp. ground cinnamon
• ¼ tsp. ground nutmeg
• ¼ tsp. ground ginger
• 1 (12 oz) bag fresh cranberries, rinsed
• 1 cup chopped raw pecans
• ½ cup raisins
• ⅔ cup canned crushed pineapples, packed in juice
• 2 Tbsp. pure maple syrup

Instructions

1. Bring orange juice, apple juice, orange peel, cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger to a boil in medium saucepan over medium-high heat.
2. Add cranberries. Reduce heat to medium-low; cook, uncovered, for about 10 to 12 minutes.
3. Add pecans, raisins, and pineapple; cook for 2 minutes, or until heated through. Remove from heat.
4. Add maple syrup; mix well.
5. Cool before serving.

Quinoa Stuffing

This stuffing is not just for the holidays but is delicious for anytime of the year.  Simple and easy to make theres no excuse not to try it!  This recipe comes from Autumn & Bobby Calabrese off the beachbody website.  You can find it here:  https://www.beachbody.com/beachbodyblog/recipes/quinoa-stuffing

Ingredients

• 2 Tbsp. olive oil
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
• 8 medium celery stalks, chopped (about 4 cups)
• 2 medium green apples, with peel (about 2 cups)
• 4 cups low-sodium organic vegetable broth
• 2 cups dry quinoa, rinsed
• 1 tsp. sea salt
• 1 tsp. ground cumin
• ½ tsp. ground black pepper
• ½ cup dried cranberries
• ½ cup chopped fresh cilantro
• ½ cup pine nuts

Instructions

1. Heat oil in medium saucepan over medium-high heat.
2. Add onion and garlic; cook, stirring occasionally, for 2 minutes, or until fragrant.
3. Add celery and apple; cook, stirring frequently, for 8 to 10 minutes, or until tender.
4. Add broth, quinoa, salt, cumin, and pepper. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low; cook, covered, for 15 minutes, or until most of liquid is absorbed. Remove from heat.
5. Add cranberries. Cover and let stand for 5 minutes.
6. Add cilantro and pine nuts; fluff with fork and serve.

Healthy Pecan Pie

This is one of my favorite desserts.  But with the the amount of sugar and calories in a normal pecan pie, I sadly pass on it.  Well, NO MORE!  Time to enjoy this heavenly dessert!

I did not create the recipe but found it on Jamie Callahan website http://www.adventuresofashrinkingprincess.com/recipes/21-day-fix-pecan-pie/

Recipe makes one 9" pecan pie.

For the Crust:

1 1/2 cups whole wheat pastry flour (optional, white whole wheat flour)

1/2 cup oat flour

1 TBSP coconut sugar

1/2 tsp salt

2/3 cup Cold Coconut oil (optional, organic pure unsalted butter)

Ice cold Water

Crust directions:

Make the crust by combining the wheat flour with the oat flour, sugar, and salt in a large bowl.  Add the coconut oil or butter and work it through the flour mixture with your hands until it's crumbly.

Slowly add ice water, about 2 TBSP at a time, until you have a stiff dough.  Form the dough into a ball, wrap in plastic, and refrigerate until firm, about a half hour.

Roll the pie crust out, lightly flouring the dough and work surface. Carefully lay the dough in your pie pan.

Pie Filling:

1/2 Cup Honey for a less sweet pie OR

2/4 Cup Honey for a medium sweet pie OR

1 cup honey for a SUPER sweet pie

3 egg whites, whipped with a fork

2 TBSP safflower or other light flavored oil

1 cup raw pecan pieces

4 tsp vanilla extract

1 tsp cinnamon

3 TBSP whole wheat pastry flou

Directions:

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.

Mix all ingredients together in a large mixing bowl.

Pour batter into raw pie crust and bake for 10 minutes.  Reduce heat to 350 degrees F, and continue to bake for 20-25 minutes. The pie shoudl raise in the oven and have small cracks in the top when it's done.

Remove from oven and allow to cool overnight

21 Day Fix Containers: 1 Yellow, 1 tsp, and 1/2 blue per slice

Simple & Delicious Cheesecake

This is one of my favorite desserts in the holidays. However, it can derail you from your diet. But no more! This recipe is healthy, freaking delicious, and super easy. Make it this Thanksgiving and let your families be the judge on how wonderful it is.

PS-this recipe isn’t mine.  I found it here: https://www.theworktop.com/breakfast-brunch-recipes/healthy-cheesecake-with-cottage-cheese/

Here's what you need:

Crust
2 cups crushed graham crackers
1/4 cup sugar
6 TBSP melted butter
1 tsp cinnamon

Filling
2 1/3 cup Cottage Cheese
1 cup Greek Yogurt
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 tsp flour (or 1/2 scoop of protein powder)
2 eggs

For directions, watch the live cooking show here:

Easy and Healthy Pie Crust

I love pies.  The ones with butter crusts taste amazing but are a huge sidetrack to my diet.  Well it's not a concern anymore!  Here is a healthy and easy crust recipe I use for any dessert and pot pies!

Crust:

1 1/2 cups whole wheat pastry flour (optional, white whole wheat flour)

1/2 cup oat flour

1 TBSP coconut sugar

1/2 tsp salt

2/3 cup Cold Coconut oil (optional, organic pure unsalted butter)

Ice cold Water

Crust directions:

Make the crust by combining the wheat flour with the oat flour, sugar, and salt in a large bowl.  Add the coconut oil or butter and work it through the flour mixture with your hands until it's crumbly.

Slowly add ice water, about 2 TBSP at a time, until you have a stiff dough.  Form the dough into a ball, wrap in plastic, and refrigerate until firm, about a half hour.

Roll the pie crust out, lightly flouring the dough and work surface. Carefully lay the dough in your pie pan.

4 Ingredient Pumpkin Pie

It's that time of year... pumpkin time that is!  Stay on track with your diet but enjoy a phenomenal pumpkin pie.  Plus it only has 150 calories!!!!  I think that's reason to have two servings if you as me!

This recipe makes 2 pies.  Here are the ingredients you need:
Whole Wheat Crust (find the recipe here. https://www.sites.google.com/site/jonesintogetfit/recipes-more - You'll need to scroll down a little bit)
2 cans of Pure Pumpkin Puree
1 can of Sweetened Condense Milk
Pumpkin Pie Spice
4 Eggs

For directions on making this amazing dessert watch the video below!

Gratefulness and Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

I truly hope that you are taking today to be thankful for everything that you have.  Whether it’s your health, family, friends, freedom, and/or many other things, be thankful.  We are incredibly lucky and blessed to have the opportunities we do.  Yes, they come from working hard, staying focused, and being prepared to take on challenges, so we can enjoy the opportunities when they arise.  There’s no doubt that if you want something, you will have to go get it and work for it.  But be thankful that you are able to go for it, be thankful for the opportunities that come your way.

For me, I am extremely grateful for all of you.  My readers, my friends.  Without you and your support I wouldn’t be where I am today.  Thank you for everything.  I am extremely blessed by having an amazing wife.  Her and her family have encouraged me and supported me when going after my dreams.  I would like to thank my co-workers, students, and families who make so much of my day amazing and fun.  

I would also like to thank Beachbody and everyone involved for helping me become the best person I am today.  Not only physically but mentally.  The organization has truly changed the way I think and act on a daily basis and my life has changed for the better.

Lastly, but most definitely not least, I want to thank God.  He has blessed me with the amazing people and opportunities in my life so I can go after my goals and dreams.  And I can only hope that I can help other people go after their dreams.

So today, of all days, be thankful.  Find not just one, not even two, but multiple things to be grateful for.