Thanksgiving Traveling Tips

Thanksgiving is one of the heaviest travel times for Americans.  This year over 43 million are expected to be on the road or in the air traveling for Thanksgiving.  Are you one of those 43 million?  Well, if you are, then you'd better be prepared and armed with all the healthy foods and snack for the trip!

I know it's really hard to stay on track at Thanksgiving, let alone, when you are traveling…but here are some tips that can really help you focus on your success.

Pack Your Snacks.
This shouldn't be any surprise to you if you have been following the clean eating rules (see #7).

In order for you to succeed, then you need to be armed with plenty of healthy snacks.  Things that are easy to travel with.  Here are some examples of healthy snacks combining a complex carb with a protein.  You've got to be prepared because you never know what bump in the road you'll come across.

• Apple and 14 almonds
• Shakeology 
• String cheese and 20 grapes
• Veggies and hummus
• Veggies and string cheese
• Banana and 14 almonds
• Quest Bar
• Lara Bar

Drink Your Water!

I know sometimes it's hard to get your water down even on a good day.  However, it's especially important to drink water when you're traveling.  Helps you not to swell (especially when you're flying) and helps you not get so tight as your are sitting in the car on a road trip.  Now, here's a little tip so you won't have to stop for a restroom break every 30 minutes… If you are in the car then plan your "guzzling" times for about 30 minutes before you know you are going to be stopping for gas, lunch or a pit stop.  That way you won't be making everyone stop because you are slowly sipping on water the whole time!

Choose wisely when eating out.

You've got many choices when you're eating out.  A salad and protein is always a good option as long its not loaded with tons of extra "goodies" on the salad (cheese, bacon, olives, eggs, dressing, etc).  When you get a salad, get one with some grilled chicken, hold the dressing (opt for oil and vinegar on the side), and one that has lots of VEGGIES.  

If you prefer more of a "meal", choose a lean protein that is grilled or broiled chicken, lean pork, grilled fish.  Avoid foods with sauce or anything creamy.  Always ask for veggies steamed!!!

Get Moving!

Just because you're on vacation doesn't mean you can't workout!  Go out for a walk or jog…find someplace to hike.  If you're at a hotel the go to the gym they have available for guests.  Or, bring your Beachbody DVDs with you to workout in your room!!  Get active and don't make an excuse because you're "on vacation".  

Enjoy your Thanksgiving break with friends and family!  Take these tips to heart and you'll find you feel so much better after you implement some or all of these!

If you're looking for an opportunity to get back on track with health and fitness, starting December 2nd receive support and accountability in a private group setting.  Reach the goals you DESERVE for yourself.  Don't wait until the New Year!  

Tips to Save your Waistline this Thanksgiving

We are a few days out from Thanksgiving and I want to continue to give you some alternate recipes swaps for your Thanksgiving meal, yet still enjoy the smells and memories of the years past!

Do you remember your Thanksgiving last year?  How did you feel when the meal was over?  I know I wasn't following any "clean eating rules" last Thanksgiving and I was stuffed like a turkey!  I felt yucky, sluggish, and wished I had more control.  Then of course the next day I just felt disgusting and bloated and puffy…Well…This year, I am committing to NOT have those same feelings.  I'm still going to enjoy my Thanksgiving, but I'm making some changes along the way for success.  These new changes will still bring all the same "memories" of Thanksgiving that I love, just without the expanding waistline!

This week is our Holiday Survival Guide…and we're going for more recipes today!!  How can you change and tweak the foods you love at Thanksgiving to bring you success and protect your waistline?

I've already shared a couple Thanksgiving recipes HERE!  And this has always been my absolute FAVORITE Thanksgiving recipe, Sweet Potato Casserole!!


First thing…the Turkey!  Now, let's face it…who's favorite part of Thanksgiving is the turkey?  Especially when you have to carve it and get all the meat off.  Fortunately, I don't have to make the turkey this year, but, I am definitely going to save this recipe to make at another time.  We're talking about a turkey breast and not the whole bird!

Clean Eating Roasted Turkey Breast

recipe from: Whole Foods New Body

Ingredients: 

• 5-6 lb. turkey breast (thawed in the refrigerator for 24-48 hours)
• 1 1/2 tbsp. garlic (chopped)
• 2 tbsp. Herbs de Provence
• 2 tbsp. olive oil
• 2 tsp. sea salt
• 1 tsp. black pepper
• 2 tbsp. lemon juice ( fresh squeezed or organic)
• 14.5 oz. chicken broth (organic or msg free/low sodium)

Pre-heat oven to 325 degrees.

Mix garlic, herbs, oil, salt, pepper and lemon juice in small bowl.  Place turkey on a roasting pan skin side up. Make a pocket underneath the skin and rub half of the herb mixture under the skin of the turkey. Use the other half of the mixture to rub all over the top of the skin.  Pour chicken broth in the bottom of the roasting pan.

Bake for 1 3/4 to 2 hours or until thermometer inserted in the thickest part of the breast reaches 165 degrees. Cover with aluminum foil for 15-20 minutes. Slice and serve with the pan juices. 

Now, for the sides…everyone loves their mashed potatoes at Thanksgiving…but, do we really need the extra starches??  Not really.  One way to switch this out is to make mashed cauliflower, no, it's not mashed potatoes, but it is really good and has a similar taste to it!  Try it out!

Clean Eating Mashed "Potatoes" (cauliflower) 

Mashed Cauliflower

Ingredients:

• 1 head of cauliflower, trimmed and cut into small florets (about 6 to 7 cups)
• 1 TBSP extra virgin olive oil
• Sea salt and ground pepper, to taste

Directions:

Steam cauliflower until very tender.  Reserve 1/4 cup of the cooking liquid then place cauliflower into a food processor or blender (or you can mash by hand with a potato masher).  Add oil and reserved water, 1 tablespoon at a time and puree until smooth.  Season with salt and pepper and serve.  

Optional Add Ins:  Garlic, chives, rosemary, parmesan cheese.

Roasted Acorn Squash with Maple Glaze

Roasted Acorn Squash with Maple Glaze

Serves 4 to 6

Ingredients:

• 1 acorn squash, seeded and sliced
• 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• ¼ cup (or less) maple syrup, warmed
• salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 375°F.
2. Place squash sliced onto a baking sheet and drizzle with oil. Season with salt and pepper and gently toss together.
3. Roast squash for 35 to 40 minutes occasionally tossing around, gently, to avoid sticking.
4. 7 to 10 minutes before roasting is completely, brush a small amount of maple syrup over each piece of squash and finish roasting.

ENJOY!!

And…last but not least…Pumpkin Pie.  Here's your clean eating version thanks to The Gracious Pantry!  Now, this is a clean eating recipe…but, don't go and gorge yourself on this because eating it's not a "diet" pie…you still have to have it in moderation and proper "cheat" portions sizes. 

Clean Eating Pumpkin Pie

Clean Eating Pumpkin Pie

(Makes 2 traditional sized pies)

Ingredients:

• 2 cups prepared pumpkin
• 1/2 cup honey
• 4 egg whites
• 1 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1 1/2 cups fat-free milk (you can also substitute unsweetened soy, almond or rice milk)

Directions:

1. Combine all ingredients in a large mixing bowl, and mix thoroughly.
2. Pour mixture into pie crusts (check out this recipe)
3. Bake at 425 degrees F. for 15 minutes.
4. Reduce oven temperature to 350 degrees F. and bake for 45 additional minutes.

Note:  This pie is not very sweet.  If you prefer a sweeter pie, add an additional 1/4 cup of honey.

So there you have it…you are now armed with some great clean eating recipes to go into your Thanksgiving dinner!  If you are going somewhere, then offer to bring one of these for dinner!  It's up to you to clean up your Thanksgiving!  

Don't forget…if you need some extra help after Thanksgiving to get back on track,  join my 30-Day Clean Eating and Shakeology Challenge!  Get your body back in time for that  New Years little black dress!  Fill out the application below!

Holiday Support System

Thanksgiving Sweet Potato Casserole

Ever since I was a little girl, I have always LOVED sweet potatoes and for as long as I can remember, my mom always made the most delicious Sweet Potato Casserole for Thanksgiving dinner.  Now that I have changed how I eat, I am also converting over some of my favorite recipes, or finding new recipes that can take the place of my old "dirty" recipes.  So I have been on the hunt for a great Sweet Potato Casserole recipe.  One of my favorite resources for clean eating recipes is "The Gracious Pantry" and that is where I found this recipe that I'm going to be replacing my "dirty" casserole to the new and improved "clean" casserole!  Let's face it, my old recipe was just a dessert disguised as a side dish!  It needed a little TLC makeover!

So, here it is…I can't wait to make it in a few days!!  I will be doubling the recipe.

"Clean" Thanksgiving Sweet Potato Casserole

(Makes 8 small servings)

Topping Ingredients:

1 cup pecan pieces
1/4 cup raw honey
1/4 cup whole wheat pastry flour
1 tablespoon safflower oil
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon (or more!)

Filling Ingredients

3 pounds sweet potatoes
1/2 cup clean orange juice
1-1/2 teaspoons cinnamon
3/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 tablespoon honey

Topping Directions:

1. In a large mixing bowl, combine all topping ingredients together.  It will be clumpy and sticky.
2. Spread out mixture the best you can on a parchment lined cookie sheet.
3. Bake at 350 degrees F. for approximately 10-15 minutes.  The mixture should have a nice golden color to it.
4. Remove from oven and allow to cool.
5. Transfer small portions to a large cutting board and chop roughly.  Set aside.

Casserole Directions:

1. Wash the sweet potatoes and rub with oil.  Place on a parchment lined cookie sheet and bake until easily pierced with a fork (about 30-40 minutes).
2. Remove from oven and allow to cool until you can handle them without burning yourself.
3. Peel the potatoes and place the inside in a large mixing bowl.
4. Add all other filling ingredients and mash with a potato masher or blend with a hand blender.
5. Transfer the potato mixture to a serving bowl.  Sprinkle the pecan topping evenly over the potatoes and serve.

Note:  You'll probably have leftover topping depending on size of dish…the leftovers are great for topping oatmeal or mixing in with yogurt.

Confetti Quinoa Salad

I had this delicious quinoa salad about a month ago and haven't stopped thinking about it! Thanks Melanie Mitro for such a great recipe!!  I know this will be a go-to dish for many things.  I am planning on making this to bring as a side for Thanksgiving this year with my in-laws.  We usually get together the day after and have a bunch of different types of salad!  This will be a perfect addition to the menu!

Confetti Quinoa Salad

Serves: 8
Makes: 8 cups

INGREDIENTS:

• 1/3 cup fresh lemon juice
• 1/3 cup olive oil
• 3 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro
• Sea salt and fresh ground black pepper, to taste
• 1 cup quinoa, rinsed and drained
• 1 tsp cumin seeds, toasted, or 1 tsp ground cumin
• High-heat cooking oil (such as sunflower, safflower, peanut or grape seed oil), as needed to lightly coat grill grate
• 2 cobs fresh corn, husks and silk removed (or 1 1/4 cups frozen corn, thawed)
• 1 cup cooked black beans, drained
• 1 plum tomato, diced
• 1 zucchini or yellow zucchini squash, diced
• 1/4 cup finely chopped red onion

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. In a small bowl, whisk lemon juice, olive oil, cilantro, salt and pepper; set aside.
2. In a saucepan, bring 2 cups water to a boil; add quinoa and cumin. Cover, reduce heat to medium-low and simmer until liquid is absorbed, about 12 minutes. Remove pan from heat and let stand for 5 minutes. Uncover, fluff with a fork and let cool for at least 10 minutes.
3. Meanwhile, heat an outdoor grill to medium-high and lightly oil grate with cooking oil. Add corn, close lid and grill, turning once, until tender and lightly charred, 10 to 15 minutes. (Alternatively, boil cobs in a large pot of simmering water. Cover and cook until tender, 6 to 10 minutes.) Let corn cool, then cut kernels from cob.
4. In a large bowl, combine quinoa, corn kernels, beans, tomato, zucchini and onion. Pour lemon-cilantro dressing over top and toss to combine. Cover and refrigerate salad for at least 1 hour to allow flavors to meld, or up to 2 days.

Pumpkin Oatmeal Casserole

I love this time of year, the smells of the season, pumpkin and cinnamon are two of my favorites that remind me it is time for the holidays!  I was searching for some clean eating holiday recipes, as I am wanting to change over my "dirty" recipes for Thanksgiving and Christmas to be "clean"!  I came across this recipe and it looks AMAZING!  How can you go wrong…OATMEAL and PUMPKIN!!  I literally could eat oatmeal for every meal of the day, especially steel cut oats!!!

Here it is…I found this recipe from The Gracious Pantry blog and can't wait to make it very soon!!

Pumpkin Oatmeal Casserole

(Makes approximately 12 servings)

Ingredients:

• 4 cups unsweetened vanilla almond milk
• 1 cup canned pumpkin
• 1/2 cup pecan pieces
• 1 cup fresh cranberries
• 2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice, no sugar added
• 1/4 cup raw honey
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 2 cups steel cut oats
• 1/2 cup golden raisins

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
2. In a casserole dish (9×13), blend together the almond milk, pumpkin, pumpkin spice, honey and vanilla. Stir gently until completely combined.
3. Add the oats, pecans, cranberries and raisins. Stir briefly to combine.
4. Bake for 45 minutes or until the casserole is soft and cooked through.

* Recipe from The Gracious Pantry

Holiday Survival Guide

Lose Weight During the Holidays

The holidays are quickly approaching!!  Can you believe it?  I sure can't.  The holidays are a time for gathering together and being with fiends and family…AND…a time we typically gather together centered around FOOD!  

Give the scale a break this holiday!

I know the past years every time we have gone to Thanksgiving or a holiday party I've had one of 2 thoughts go through my head depending on how I felt about myself or my body at that time.  Thought #1 (if I was feeling particularly good about where I was with weight), "ohhh what kind of good junk (stuff we normally don't get every day) is around" or thought #2 (if I was feeling not-so-good in my clothes), "what am I going to eat, I already feel so yucky in my clothes and skin right now".  

This is the year it will be different for me!  I'm NOT going to give into the temptations of the holiday season and parities.  I will enjoy my parties, yet choose healthy options that will give me the greatest results and not overindulge in all the fattening and calorie dense foods.  This holiday I commit to taking care of my body!!

This is the time of year we need the MOST accountability EVER! There are SO many temptations, parties, events and gatherings. There are TONS of little ways that you can stay on track but still feel like you have that balance in life. 

Have you been there?  Dreading the holiday parties because you are scared to see how many pounds your lack of control has put on by the end of the year?  I know I've been there…all to wake up on January 1st kicking myself and wishing I would have done better throughout the holiday food fest!

Well…GOOD NEWS!!  This year you don't have to go through those thoughts!!  How would you like to feel EMPOWERED to get through all the holiday parities and LOSE weight?  Feel amazing at the parties and look amazing in the new dress you bought special for the holidays!

ACCOUNTABILITY

What has changed my life over the past 80 days is accountability through a challenge/accountability group.  As a mom of 3, I'm busy and it's so easy to grab junk throughout the day.  By having an accountability group I can check in with, it has helped keep me on track to reach my potential for health and fitness.  I'm still on a journey and striving each day to stay committed.  I screw up sometimes and overeat or fall into the trap of hormonal and emotional eating.  But through this group I have learned how to be able to get back on track and started back on the right path.  

That's why this holiday is so crucial for ME too!  I have  not been throughout a holiday yet with my new commitment to better health and fitness.  I am moving in the direction I want to because I know that with clean eating, drinking my Shakeology, and my T25 workouts, it will push me through to the best outcome of the holiday season and I know I will have success throughout!

I want to help teach you how to enjoy the holidays with your friends and family and not feel deprived, yet learn the skills that will catapult you through the holiday season into the new year and have you be less weight than you were at the beginning of November!  How does that sound??

Don't be another Holiday Weight Gain Statistic 

Starting November 18th, join me for our Holiday Survival Guide Accountability Group.  We will check in daily with each other, have daily accountability, motivation, and tips to help get you through the holidays successfully!

The Formula:  Fitness + Nutrition + Support = SUCCESS!

Give yourself the gift of accountability this season and NO muffin top to ring in the New Year! 

Stay Healthy During the Holidays

What is the NEXT Step?

First, I must be your official Beachbody Coach.  This means you will go to my site and create a free account so that I am your mentor.  Then, you will need to fill out the Challenge Group Application below and be sure you are detailed in your information.  Tell me about your current struggles with nutrition and exercise.

Next, you are required to replace 1 meal a day with Shakeology for the duration of the group.  Shakeology is not a protein shake or a weight loss shake.  It is a nutrient rich meal replacement.  I require you to replace 1 meal per day with Shakeology because life is busy and it's not always easy to have all your meals be nutritionally balanced and healthy all the time.  With Shakeology, you know that you are getting the right nutrients your body needs in a balanced protein to carb ratio in order to have sufficient energy, to curb your cravings and keep you full for at least 3 hours.  We are always on-the-go and need and option for a quick and convenient meal, you can take this wherever you go!  The best part is that it's DELICIOUS!!  So, believe me when I say it is worth every penny, if you are a busy mom, you don't get all your veggies in every day, you skip meals, or you don't have time to cook.  You will not find anything else like Shakeology out there, it is worth it, I promise!  Trust me and give it 30 days and you won't be disappointed!  I had to take that first plunge in making my first Shakeology order and I'm so glad I did.  It has transformed the way I feel and helped reduce my cravings!  Commit to change today!

The next part of the challenge group is exercise.  Beachbody has a whole variety of fitness programs that fit your personal fitness level and the type of exercise you prefer.  My very favorite program is T25, especially because we are ALL so busy!  Literally, all you need is 25 minutes a day…25 MINUTES!!  NO JOKE!  It fits everyone's fitness level from beginner to advanced and did I mention it's only 25 minutes a day?  Anyone has 25 minutes to give to a workout!

Focus T25

So, that's what is required in a challenge group.  You will get my support and encouragement along the way thru a closed Facebook group.  Your commitment equals my dedication to helping you reach your health and fitness goals and YOUR very best results.  So, are you IN?

If so, please fill out the application below and I will contact you in the next 24 hours and answer any questions and help walk you through the sign up process.  The group will begin on November 18th so you'll have plenty of time to get enrolled and ready to go!

The first week we focus on preparation, meal planning and getting your mind ready!  Look fabulous and be strong during those holiday parties!

Healthy Halloween!!

SPOOKTACULAR SALE!! 1 day only!!

Choose any Beachbody challenge pack through ME and get $20 cash back!!

Challenge pack includes workout of your choice (Focust25, insanity, p90x, many more), shakeology home direct, 30 day trial to Team Beachbody Club, free shipping, and free coaching from me which includes nutrition tips, meal planning, guidance and motivation to help you complete the program.  Plus I have an accountability group starting next week that you can be a part of!

Choose Shakeology Home Direct and get $10 cash back!!

I cannot go a day without Shakeology!! It's an easy meal packed with a days worth of vitamins and nutrients my body needs which has helped me get my results faster.

Don't miss out! Let me know if you're interested!

Spooktacular Savings

To order, go to www.teambeachbody.com/JulieLittle, you first must sign up for a FREE Membership, click on "Join Team Beachbody" to get a user name and password and then click on "Beachbody Challenge"  and then "Challenge Pack".  You will then get to choose the workout you would like as well as the flavor of Shakeology.  My favorite workout right now is Focus T25 and I'm loving my Chocolate Shakeology!!

Yes, it's Halloween today...we carved our pumpkin last night and have the costumes all ready to go for tonight!  I know, it's a little late, the day before Halloween, but typically because it's always so warm here at this time of the year the pumpkins always go bad before we get to Halloween.  We cranked out 2 pumpkins and of course toasted the pumpkin seeds to go along with it!

Carved Pumpkins

Happy Halloween 

Roasted Pumpkin Seeds

So, tonight will be filled with tons of candy at everyone's disposal.  What's your game plan?  Are you going to stay strong and stay away from the candy that adds up so quickly in calories?  I love this article that breaks down the calories and fat in each of the popular candy bars...take a look at this before you leave the house.  

http://www.leanitup.com/the-great-big-list-of-halloween-candy-nutrition-calories-sat-fat-trans-fat-sugar/

For me, I'm going to make myself a "candy bar" Shakeology before I leave.  No...not one that has a candy bar in it, but one that tastes like it does!!  It will satisfy my need for something sweet yet provide me with healthy nutrients and keep me from craving all the other junk of the night!!

Butterfinger Shakeology Recipe

1 Scoop of Chocolate Shakeology

1 cup of unsweetened Almond Milk

1 1/2 TBSP of Butterscotch pudding mix

1 1/2 TBSP of PB2 (or peanut butter)

Ice and Blend to Taste

Snickers

4 oz almond milk

2T PB2 (or peanut butter, the more natural the healthier)

1T slivered almonds 

1T Sugar Free Caramel syrup

1 scoop chocolate shakeology.

Choose a healthy alternative this Halloween...don't wake up tomorrow morning wishing you hadn't eaten all that candy!!

Click here for more information on Shakeology.