...Southwest Stuffed Avocados

Man, has it been a while since I posted on here. I guess wedding planning, a bachelorette party, and another dress fitting take up more time than I thought!

On the beach at my Bachelorette party!

Throughout this year I have made it my goal be proud of the way I look on my wedding day, but I never wanted to do it by depriving myself of delicious food and wine, or by feeling guilty about indulging during the celebrations! After all, this is the only time in life that I plan on being a fiance, and I want to enjoy it! 

During my last dress fitting, 2 very interesting things happened:
1) I weighed 2 pounds more than my previous fitting, but the seamstress told me I went down an inch in my waist. This was a great reminder that the scale isn't always an accurate reflection of your progress!
2) My dress fit perfectly! Which was great- and so exciting! I can't wait to wear it on the greatest day of my life. That's also horrifying, since they told me not to gain or lose any more weight or inches, or my dress wouldn't look as perfect as possible. While some people might be thrilled at the idea of not having to lose any more weight- it actually terrified me.  For me, losing weight hasn't been the hardest part- it's been maintaining it.

Picking up my dress!

So recently I have focused on eating well, toning up with barre and weights, and, of course, enjoying the last few weeks of being a fiance with much deserved glasses of wine.

Tonight's meal was no exception. In fact I think we have a new staple in the McCarpenter (soon to be McCormack) household. It's simple, filling, and delicious. This dish features one of my top three favorite foods: AVOCADOS. Avocados sometimes get a bad rap, because they are high in fat. But people don't realize that they are high in the GOOD fat, mono-saturated fat to be specific- which can help lower cholesterol. Avocados are also packed with almost 20 vitamins and minerals, including potassium (keeps blood pressure low), vitamin B (helps fight disease and infection, and lutein (good for your eye health.) They are also low in sugar and high in fiber, so keep you fuller longer! 

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Ingredients:

• 2 small avocados
• 5.5 oz of chicken, cooked and shredded
• 1/4 cup of your favorite pico or salsa
• 1/4 cup diced green pepper
• Sriracha
• 1/2 cup shredded cheese, your choice!
• salt,  to taste
• pepper,  to taste

Preheat your oven to 350*. Halve both avocados and remove the pits.

Using a big spoon, carefully remove the avocado meat, leaving the skin in tact in the shape of small bowls.

Mash the avocados, then mix in the sriracha, and pico. 

Once the mix is complete, it will look a lot like delicious guacamole. TRY NOT TO EAT IT!

Add the shredded chicken and green peppers to the avocado mixture. Salt and pepper to taste.

Fill each of the "shells" with the delicious avocado mixture. You may have extra- we did and filled a small ramekin. Can't let it go to waste!

Top each of the avocados with shredded cheese, and pop in the oven. Use whatever cheese you have around the house- we used smokey gouda and it was VERY good-a (I had to). Next time, I was thinking pepper jack.

These will need about 15 minutes to cook. You will know they are ready when the cheese is all melty and bubbly!

Serve on their own, or top with a dollop of sour cream or Greek yogurt, if you'd like. Let me know how you like them!

Nutritional Information:

(does not include sour cream)

Serving: 1 avocado half

Yields: 4

Calories: 203

Fat: 14.8g

Carbs: 7.7g

Sugar: <1 g

Protein: 14.6g

Stay happy & healthy,

Molly

I went to Pure Barre for 30 days and this is what happened...

As I mentioned in my first post this year, I wanted to mix up my fitness plan. I'm the kind of person who gets bored if I do the same work out every day, which is why I already did a mix of weights, indoor cardio machines, HIIT workouts, and "fun" stuff like running with my dog. 

I've always wanted to try out Pure Barre, but in the past I have made lots of excuses like "it's too expensive," "I'm doing fine without it," or "it probably doesn't even work." However, we are in crunch time! Come the middle of January, I was only 4 months away from my wedding, and more urgently, 5 weeks away from my first dress fitting. After talking to a few co-workers (and convincing them to sign up with me), I enrolled in a 30 day trial period at Pure Barre. 

On my first day I wasn't sure what to expect. I arrived at the studio early with some cool new sticky socks I had ordered on Amazon. I was greeted by my friends and realized I quickly missed the memo that Lulu Lemon was required to take Barre class. I met Risa who would be my instructor, and she explained to me that I would have no idea what was going on, but to do my best to stick with it. (Side note: to this day Risa remains one of my favorite teachers. Her combination of a killer workout and amazing tunes cannot be beat.)  A little arrogantly, I must admit, I thought, "How bad can this be? I mean...I work out 6 times a week.." Little did I know that Risa was about to kick my ass...

55 minutes of lifting, tucking, toning, and burning later I was HOOKED. I had no idea that such small movements could make such an impact. If you were a bystander watching a barre class, 90% of the time you would think we are doing nothing.  This is because the majority movements are so small, they are barely noticeable.  An outsider wouldn't realize each of these moves are isometrically focused on one area- your arms, abs, thighs or butt.  Each squeeze and contraction is designed to work the focus-area in a way no other exercise can, and by repeating it dozens of times over, you are getting one hell of a workout. The only equipment used is a rubber ball, tube, small weights, and of course, your body weight.

I decided that I would incorporate Barre into my weekly routine, going 5x a week. Typically, I went Tuesday night, Thursday and Friday before work, and Saturday and Sunday mornings. On other mornings, I continued to run with Kronk (our dog), and other nights, I did weights/cardio at the gym with Alan.

I committed myself to 30 days of barre, hoping to see some results.  While I only lost a nominal amount of weight, the change in my body composition was incredible. (I am at a point where the pounds aren't as impacting as muscle building and body shaping). 

I was hesitant to share photos at first, because I am pretty self-conscious, and I realize how annoying it is when people do this. But I want everyone to know how amazing Pure Barre is! I thought I would sign up for the 30 day trial leading up to my dress fitting and then another month preceding my wedding. Instead, I ended up signing up for the "bride to be" package, which is giving me 3 more months of unlimited classes.  Coincidentally, this takes me right up to my wedding! It has become such an integral part of my workouts and week, that I find myself actively looking forward to class- even the 5:30am ones. I am so excited to see what happens in the next two and a half months - I feel myself getting stronger at every class. And that's really what any workout is about, right?  Getting stronger, healthier, and just doing something great for your body!

A big shout-out and thank you to the Pure Barre team at River Oaks- every teacher I have had is amazing. I have never felt self-conscious or out of place, and only encouraged to work harder. If you're in the Houston area, I strongly recommend visiting my friends at this location.  Every instructor is great- but Risa and Tyann will really kick your butt. If you're not in Texas, click here, and find the studio closest to you! All you've got to lose is inches, right?

Stay happy & healthy,

Molly

...Baked Coconut Shrimp

Happy February! 

I am sure everyone has big plans to watch the Super Bowl Beyonce concert tonight! 

And what is the Super Bowl without some delicious food! According to a Mashable article, Americans will consume 1.23 BILLION chicken wings, 325.5 millon gallons of beer,  and 14,500 tons of chips, and (my personal favorite) 120 million pounds of avocados (holy guacamole!) on Super Bowl Sunday. I've just been told I am rooting for the Carolina Panthers*- so go team, keep pounding, and stuff. 

*I am ok with this because I was also just told that Michael Oher (who's story was featured in The Blind Side) plays for the Panthers. And I love that movie and Sandra's sass. Also, let's be honest, I am here for two reasons- to cry at the Budweiser draft horse commercial, and watch Beyonce slay. 

Anyway, if you're looking for a tasty, easy, and healthy protein for tonight (or any night), then look no further! I whipped this up the other night when I was craving anything BUT chicken. It was so good, I made another batch to take to work the next day! So, why shrimp? Well, they are a great source of protein- 3oz. has 20g! They are also low in calorie (84 cals in 3oz), but high in vitamins and minerals such as B12, phosphorus, and selenium. Selenium is an antioxidant that helps fight off damaging particles, as well as assists in thyroid function. Alright, enough science, let's hit the kitchen!

Ingredients:

• 3oz small shrimp (get them detailed and deveined and save yourself the headache)
• 1.5 tbsp shredded unsweetened coconut
• 1.5 tbsp whole wheat panko crumbs (pro tip: if you don't have any, crush up a few whole wheat crackers)
• 3 tbsp whole wheat flour (you won't use all of this)
• 1/4 cup egg whites

For the sauce:

• 1 tbsp pepper jelly (I used my aunt's homemade that she gave to me for Christmas (my favorite!!), but they have it at any grocery store in the jelly section. Tabasco Brand is pretty decent.)
• 1 tsp white wine vinegar
• 1 tsp Balsalmic vinegar
• Garlic Powder
• Salt

Preheat your oven to 375*. If your shrimp are frozen, defrost them by placing them in a bowl of hot water. 

Get your "breading assembly line" ready by lining up three small bowls- one contains the egg whites, one with the flour, and one with the coconut and crumbs mixed together. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil, and thinly coat with cooking spray.

Once your shrimp are ready, coat them in the breading as follows: 

1. Cover in flour, and shake off the excess.

2. Submerge in egg whites.

3. Coat in coconut/crumb mix.

4. Transfer to baking sheet.

Repeat these steps until all the shrimp are breaded. Toss out any remaining egg whites and flour, but sprinkle remaining coconut mixture atop the shrimp.

Place in oven for 9-10 minutes. Remove, and flip. Return to oven for an additional 7-8 minutes. 

While the shrimp are in the oven, prepare your sweet and spicy dipping sauce. Simply combine jelly and vinegars, with a dash of salt and garlic pepper to taste. 

Check your shrimp- when the breading is browned, you will know they are ready!

Pair your shrimp and sauce with your favorite vegetable or salad and enjoy!

Paired here with an arugula salad.

Nutritional Information:

Yields: 1 serving

Shrimp:

Calories: 184 calories

Total Fat: 6.8g

Total Carbs: 11.2g

Sugar: 1.5g

Fiber: 2g

Protein: 21.3g

Sweet & Spicy Pepper Sauce:

Calories: 47 calories

Total Fat: 0g

Sugar: 11.7g

Stay happy & healthy,

Molly

...Crustless Mini Quiches

Happy 2016!

Can you believe it's already January?! I am VERY excited for what this year has to bring-- Clemson is playing in the National Championship tomorrow night, for one. And, oh yeah, I get MARRIED this year!! That is the most exciting (and terrifying) thing ever! Just to be clear- terrifying because I have my dress fitting in 7 weeks, not because of Alan. :) And because it's a new year, and I have some very important milestones ahead of me, it's time to get back on track!

If you're like me, you seriously enjoyed the month of December. For me, the month included my birthday, my company holiday party, and a week in Iowa with my family for Christmas. And while all of these events were a darn good time, they came paired with lots of wine, cookies, and holiday feasts. Now, I always say if you're going to indulge- make sure it's really worth it and it's real food. I would much rather "cheat" on a hunk of my Grandpa's prime rib, with a side of my Grandma's potato casserole, and my Aunt's from-scratch rolls, followed by a few homemade cookies, than I would on fast food or processed junk. (Spoiler alert: that was (part of) my Christmas meal.) Granted, I didn't lose any weight over the holidays (is that even possible?!), but I cherished every bite of my Christmas and birthday meals (and to be fair, I literally ate a salad for my birthday dinner.) But now it's a new year, and I've got new goals to achieve! Below are a few of the ways I am getting back on track for the new year, and more importantly- the wedding dress!

1. Said goodbye to beer: Notice I said beer, not alcohol. Alcohol has a lot of empty calories, and can lead to unhealthy eating decisions (late night Taco Bell anyone?). However, I am not foolish enough to say I won't drink until my wedding- I have to be honest with myself here! For me, I LOVE BEER. But it's full of carbs, high in calories, and I can drink quite a few without thinking. But by sticking to red wine (which actually has health benefits), or vodka (which is low in sugar and carbs), I will be able to enjoy a few well-deserved cocktails over the next few weeks, without the guilt and heavy feeling of beer.

2. Keeping up with the gym: I'll admit, for the first few days after the holidays, I was not my best in the gym. I had little motivation to go, and even though I did, I was driving the struggle bus. Then, on about my fourth workout, I crushed it. It felt so good to push myself, get a really good burn, and destroy quite a few calories. It reminded me of my passion for strength training, and how good it feels to kill it in the gym. My goal is to continue working it at the gym, running with my dog- and even trying a few new workouts, like Barre (more to come on that!) No matter how tired I am, I vow to get in some kind of exercise every day, with long workouts at least 6 days a week!

3. Prep and plan my meals: You know the old adage "failing to plan is planning to fail?" Well I certainly believe that. I am usually pretty good about bringing my food to work for breakfast/lunch/snacks, but I can always think of ways to save time and prepare in advance! The hardest meal for me to get ready for is breakfast, and I usually find myself scrambling to get something packed in the mornings. I am going to try and get myself ready on Sundays/the night before, so I am less rushed on my way out the door! And it just so happens that this new recipe is for just this purpose! Now, let's dig in.

Crustless Mini Quiches

I love eggs and bacon, but they can be time consuming to prepare in the mornings before work. So tonight, Sunday, I made a batch of crustless mini quiches to bring for the week! I am going to bring one each morning, along with a side of some berries! One great thing about these quiches, is that they are completely customizable based on your favorites. I used turkey bacon, pico, mushrooms, and spinach, but you could easily swap out the protein and veggies for what you like or have on hand. But the best thing about these, is that they are a super easy way to cram in lots of protein and veggies in your first meal of the day! 

For a while, eggs got a bad wrap because of they were said to be high in cholesterol. But more research shows, that eggs are actually a great part of a balanced diet. They are full of protein,  as well as several vitamins and minerals, such as B2, vitamin D, zinc, iron, and copper. But enough chitchat, let's get cooking!

Ingredients:

• 3 eggs
• 3 egg whites (3/4 cup liquid egg whites)
• 1/3 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
• 1/3 cup Pico de gallo
• 1/4 cup mushrooms
• 1/3 cup spinach
• 3 slices turkey bacon
• salt
• pepper
• garlic powder

The ingredients! Minus the spinach, which I decided to add after I took this photo :)

Pre-heat the oven to 350*. Grease 6 spots on a muffin tray, or fill with paper liners. Prepare the bacon per the instructions on the package (I usually go for the microwave option.)

Add the eggs and egg whites to a bowl, and whisk until blended together. Season with salt, garlic powder, and pepper. 

Chop the mushrooms, spinach, and now-cooked bacon. 

Add them to the egg mixture, along with the pico de gallo, and stir. Finally, add the shredded cheese, and mix together completely.

Using a ladle, spoon out the mixture into the pre-greased muffin tray spots. Pop the tray in the oven, and set the oven timer for 20-25 minutes. 

You will know when the quiches are done when they are solid and the tops are browned. Let them cool, then pop them out of the tray.

You can either store in the refrigerator, or if you make a bigger batch, they freeze great as well. When you are ready to enjoy, just grab one and reheat in the microwave. And just like that, you've got a quick, healthy, hearty breakfast! 

Nutritional information (per serving):

Yields: 6 servings

Calories: 91 calories

Total Fat: 5.3g

Saturated Fat: 2.1g

Total Carbs: 1.3g

Sugar: .6g

Protein: 8.7g

Stay happy & healthy,

Molly