Caramel Apple Pie Smoothie

Apple Pie for breakfast?!? Yes please!! 😊 This one has quickly become a fall/winter favorite. 

🍎 Caramel Apple Pie 🍎

- 1/2 apple

- 1/2 tsp caramel extract

- 1 tsp cinnamon

- 1 scoop vanilla Shakeology

- 1 scoop Focused Energy (I use this when I need a boost to get me going!)

- 1 cup almond milk

- 1/2 cup ice water

- 3 ice cubes

Blend & enjoy! 

Healthy Thanksgiving Tips

I've said it before and I'll say it again...this is a LIFESTYLE not a diet. Thanksgiving and Christmas will be no different. I'll be making choices...choices about whether to have pie or that homemade roll, to workout in the morning or after all the festivities, to have a glass of wine or some hot tea. 

I'm going to make sure I have the healthiest Thanksgiving I can but that doesn't mean deprivation and missing out on my favorite foods. I can enjoy the company of my family, talk, laugh, play games or watch a movie instead of stuffing my face with seconds or third helpings at the food table. 

Here's a few of my tips going into the big day to have a healthy balance this Thanksgiving!

- Don't skip your workout the day before or after Thanksgiving

- Pick your favorites and skip the other food you don't love as much

- Keep your portion sizes in check

- Skip the appetizers or just have a couple of your favorites, these are loaded with extra calories (the veggie tray is a healthy option!)

- Drink lots of water, it keeps you full and helps you digest your meals better

- Go for a walk after your meal instead of taking a nap

- Help wash dishes & clean up the kitchen, it burns calories!

My final tip...

Enjoy your family time, be thankful for your blessings & good health and know you have the ability to wake up tomorrow and get right back on track!!!

Healthy Chocolate Brownies

Should "healthy" even be in the same sentence as chocolate and brownies?!? It should be if you're craving something sweet but don't want to ruin your "diet" like me! I've worked hard to create a healthy balanced lifestyle and so I love finding ways to have my cake and eat it too! ;) I love this recipe for brownies made with black beans, no flour and no sugar! This definitely fits into my clean eating plan! I get to have a treat that won't ruin all of my hard work!

Healthy Chocolate Black Bean Brownies
(this is my edited recipe - original recipe from the Fixate cookbook)

1 can salt free black beans (drained & rinsed)
1/2 cup honey or maple syrup
1/4 cup melted butter (or coconut oil)
2 tsp vanilla
1/3 cup cocoa powder
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 cup dark or semi-sweet chocolate chips or cocoa nibs

I put my black beans, butter, eggs, honey, cocoa powder, vanilla & baking powder in my food processor and blended until smooth. You could try using a blender too if you have a good one.
Mix in the chocolate chips by hand.

Line a 8x8 baking pan with parchment paper and spray with non-stick spray (I use a coconut oil one). Spread the batter into the pan. Bkae at 350 for about 25 minutes or until a toothpick poked in the center comes out clean. Let cool & enjoy!