Because Pizza!

Sometimes a girl just needs a pizza!

I've been loving the Daiya Pizza's for the last month. I've tried two, Margherita and Fire Roasted Vegetable. Both were surprisingly very good! So, I was very upset when I found out my grocery store has stopped carrying them! I even stopped a clerk to ask, because they were no where to be found!

Normally, I would just shrug it off, and find something else to take home, but today was not one of those days. I wanted, no no, needed pizza! Looks like I would be making my own.

The "I Need Pizza" Recipe:
Mama Mary's Gluten Free Pizza Crust
Daiya Mozzarella Cheese
DelGrosso Pizza Sause - I love this sause because there is no added sugar or salt
*Onion, Green Pepper, Red Pepper - I bought a blend of these already chopped
Kalmata Olives
Olive Oil
Oregano
Basil
Salt
Pepper

This is super easy because the crust is already cooked and not frozen. Preheat the oven to 425, place crust on cookie sheet or pizza stone. Lightly coat with olive oil then pizza sauce. While the oven is preheating, sauté onion/pepper mixture and olives in a little olive oil. After a couple minutes, onions will start to become translucent, add your seasonings to taste. Once onion mixture is sautéed to your liking, put on crust. Add cheese, sprinkle with a little more basil, salt, and pepper. Cook for about 10 minutes, cheese will sort of melt, as you can see in picture. ENJOY!


P.S. It's amazing...

Meatless March Cont... And Myths I Used To Believe

I have officially been off meat for three weeks! Those weeks have really opened my eyes to some bad habits I had picked up. I have been preaching the importance of food as medicine for a long time. Now I am realizing that not only did I not really understand what that meant, but I was not even close to following it.

Having been in the "Fitness Industry" for over 10 years, there's been so many stereotypes and myths that have been pounded into my brain for so long, it's taking me a while to break out of these habits. I really stepped out of my comfort zone with certain foods that I had been denying myself for a long time. All I ever focused on was protein. The biggest takeaway from eating a plant based diet.... I was not eating enough vegetables, not even close!

Myth #1- All carbohydrates are bad for you.

I have been terrified of carbohydrates for years! Too focused on protein, protein, protein. Feeling full meant a heavy stomach and slightly bloated. I always thought carbs would make me fat and puffy. And they ALL turn to sugar!!!! Well, let me tell you, with the right carbs, your body will be thanking you for eating them. Giving you more energy throughout the day, while watching the scale go down, if that's your goal. I also eat more then I used to, because when you eat a plant based diet, you get to eat more!

If you have ever followed any sort of diet plan, vegetables are usually a free food. But I don't I ever emphasized how important they really are. These should be the staple of your meals! They are packed with vitamins, minerals, and nutrients. Vegetables also have carbs in them, but your body will soak up all that carby goodness to provide nourishment to your skin, bones, organs, heart, and so on.

I do not use carbs in all my meals, but I eat them at least twice a day now, with no fear, only love and enjoyment. The only reason why I am telling you serving size is so you can get an idea of what I'm eating. I am not counting any calories or carbohydrates.

My carbs consist of:

Every vegetable I can get my hands on- I eat these ALL day long, including breakfast!

Fruit- about one to two servings a day

Quinoa, Brown Rice, Forbidden Rice- approx. one serving (1/2 c cooked) a day

Brown Rice Wraps- one every day

Lentils- two to four times a week

Gluten Free Bread- maybe once a week, this I limit because of the eggs in it

Myth #2- When it comes to protein, more is better. 

There is so much controversy over protein. Especially the type of protein we are consuming. I decided to do this meatless march because of all the research saying we are eating too much of it, especially from animals. Research is now finding that protein may spike your insulin levels just like white bread... scary!! Also, a high protein diet is really hard on your kidneys. I really don't want to get into this subject too much right now, because it could take up the whole blog!!

If you are interested in doing your own research, I highly suggest watching Cowspiracy.

There is tons of protein in plants, here are just a few examples!

Quinoa - 8 g per cup

Black Beans -15 g per cup

Hemp Seeds -11 g per 3 TBS

Almonds - 6 g per ounce

Broccoli -11 g per head

Peas -11 g per cup

Myth #3- Eat every 3 hours no matter what. 

I used to watch the clock like a hawk, awaiting my next time to eat!!! The beauty of eating a plant based diet... it is so much easier to listen to my bodies natural hunger and satiated signals. I used to try to portion out what I was eating, only feeling unsatisfied and hungry within an hour. OR I would eat too much at once, then get really heavy and bloated feeling, not wanted to eat for another 6 hours or more. Both scenarios are not good for you. Both scenarios, I was not listening to what my body needed,

When you are eating plant based, everything is good for you, and it's hard to eat too much. I am more likely to stop when I am full and satisfied. My body now starts to signal to me when it is ready to eat again. If I don't have time to sit down to a meal, I just grab a quick snack and I am back to the grind without feeling like I am starving. This is because my quick snacks are packed with vitamins and minerals!

Here are some of my snacks:

Hummus with cucumber, avocado, and/or sweet potato chips

Coconut milk yogurt with nuts and honey

Sugar Snap Peas

Apple

Veronica's Health Crunch

Shine Organics Squeeze Pouches

I have really enjoyed the last three weeks. So much that I've decided to keep going. The plant based diet feels and looks good on me! I was not trying to lose weight but I have lost 3 lbs of fluid that was sitting on my legs and stomach. I have also lost 1 inch in my waist and almost 2 inches in my hips. I am stronger, more energized, and get sore less when I work out. 

The proof is in the pudding ladies and gentlemen, and I have proved myself wrong thinking I couldn't survive not eating meat. Are you up to the challenge?

Third Lesson In Finding My Health

Lesson three in finding my way back to health:

I am such a busy body. It used to be, emphasis on used to be, very difficult for me to relax when I was home. I guess it's from all my years of going from one thing to another. Growing up I was always sprinting between softball practice, private lessons, working at least two to three jobs at a time, school, studying, exercise, and my social life. Also, I was not very good at saying no.

After we got married, I felt like I had to make sure our house was "perfect" all the time. Groceries, cooking, cleaning, laundry, paying the bills, and the list goes on. How could I relax when there was dog hair all over the floor?!

Not long ago, my mom and I were talking about me as a person, my habits, and who I am. She said when people ask how I'm doing she says, "Well I never have to worry about what a hard worker she is." That statement really hit me, it gave me a sense of pride, but not the kind of pride you feel good about when you stop and think. She meant it as a huge compliment, and she does nothing but support me. But, is that really how I want someone to describe me?

It wasn't until this past summer that I really took a step back and told myself, "It's OK Stephanie. No one is judging you. Let the laundry sit for an extra day. No one else will notice those two pieces of dog hair. The pantry has been organized three times already."

I began to give myself a little grace. Instead of coming home and immediately doing a task, I would sit down and watch a TV show, read a book, and/or just be still. I would allow myself to relax. After a couple weeks, I began to feel better. Maybe there was something to this whole relaxing thing.

Soon I was feeling lighter on my feet, less stressed, and happier. 

Why had I never done this before?!

Plus I was watching shows like Vampire Diaries and The Originals.... Indulging in the fiction fantasy which I love.. and I am suuuuccchhh a nerd;-) It makes me so happy.

This seems so simple and easy for someone to do, but it was a huge step for me stop and just be. It is so very important to find time and space for yourself. To meditate, pray, and relax. My brain was on overload before all of this, and I was actually having a hard time retaining important information. Now, I am back at my studying and learning. Enjoying all of it more and I am able to retain the information so much better.

As sleep is so essential for the healing and resetting of our bodies, so is a little me time for your brain. I highly suggests finding at least five to ten minutes in your day to just sit and be you. Whether you pray, meditate, journal, or be still.

Learning to just be still for a while is the third biggest change I made to find my health again. I am still not perfect, but I am trying, learning, and growing. I find it very important to find thankfulness for the hard lessons and this journey I have been on.

Meatless March!!

I have officially been meat free for 5 days!! I've been really surprised at how different I feel, and so quickly.

Many times, after my normal high protein, high fat, and little to no carb meals I would feel bloated and almost uncomfortably full, even though my portion sizes were normal.  I have had zero, and I mean ZERO bloating since going meatless. I am very satisfied after my meals and have been experiencing that perfect feeling of fullness.

I also used to crave something sweet after my meals, even in the mornings. Those cravings have gone down significantly. I still indulge in my dark chocolate, but instead of eating three squares, I will only have one or two. Three out of the last five days, I've been satisfied with drinking just my Bedtime Tea from Yogi Teas or making an evening elixir (recipes below). 

My skin is more radiant,  and my under eye circles and puffiness have gone down.

These next two sections might be T.M.I., but it ALL matters, doesn't it? I use natural deodorant, which I have not loved, but I have been putting up with for a couple months now. I've never had a problem with sweating, but miss the fresh scent that comes from the deodorants that contain aluminum and are considered not good for you. With this natural one, I've never been, how you say... stinky. But, it just does not give you that fresh smell I'm used to. By the end of the day, I was ready to take a shower because I felt like I smelled, not a stinky smell, just a smell. I swear to you, after going meatless, my underarms have completely changed! There is almost no smell at all! Even after sweating and riding horses all day on Saturday, my underarms were almost scentless.... amazing!

I know a lot of you have read about how my bathroom experiences have been unpleasant most of my life... well, my experiences are immeasurably improving... enough said :-)

Here are a couple of the recipes I had last week. I made the Qi'a Breakfast Jar every day, adding a few things each day to find the perfect combination and the following was it. I'm going to tweek this recipes and make it on my own so I don't have to keep buying the Qi'a, it's amazing but expensive. So stay tuned for my updated version.

Check out my Instagram for more pictures of the products and recipes! I'll also be posting more to my Recipes tab later in the week. Be healthy, fit, and fabulous!

Qi'a Breakfast Jar

3 TBS Quia

1 TBS Unsweetened Shredded Coconut

1 TBS Garden Of Life Organic Plant Protein -vanilla

1 packet Sambazon Acai Supergreens (this is frozen, just run it under hot water for about 1 minute)

6 oz Hemp or Coconut milk (unsweetened)

1 Banana sliced

In a 16 oz mason jar, mix Qi'a and coconut in the evening (this allows the chia seeds to plump up and absorb some of the milk, but you can always do it in the am or mix everything all at once). In the morning, add all other ingredients, except banana, and mix well with a spoon. After well mixed, add banana slices and enjoy! *if you want this to be more filling, try adding sliced almonds or pecans.

Brown Rice Wrap

1 - 2 Enjoy Life Brown Rice Wraps (or whatever non-GMO brand you can find) 

Cucumber

Carrot

Avocado

Sprouts

Dijon Mustard

I didn't give measurements because you can play around with this recipes as much as you want! I liked a lot of bean sprouts and avocado on mine, with less carrot. You could also add zucchini, tomato, sun dried tomato, vegan pesto, Kite Hill Almond Cream Cheese, spinach, romaine, and the list goes on! Just fill that wrap up to your hears desire and devour!  

I adopted this recipe from this link: http://kimberlysnyder.com/blog/2017/02/07/gluten-free-zucchini-veggie-wrap-recipe/

Spinach, Veggie, and Red Lentil Stew

I stinking love this recipe! It's already under my Recipe tab because I have already made it before. It is very satisfying, filling, and easy to make. Enjoy!

http://kimberlysnyder.com/blog/2017/01/17/spinach-veggie-and-red-lentil-stew-recipe/

Mexican Lentil Sweet Potato

1 Sweet Potato - cooked*

1 TBS Coconut Oil

1 carrot, peeled and chopped

1/2 c chopped broccoli florets

2 TBS Red Lentils

Cumin

Paprika

Chili Powder

Onion Powder

Garlic Powder 

Pepper

Vegetable Broth

In a small pot, melt coconut oil on medium. Once melted, add carrots and broccoli. Cook until tender, about 5 minutes. Add Lentil and pour a couple dash of every spice, being sparing with the spicy ones, unless you like it spicy! Stir until spices coat all vegetables and lentils. Add enough vegetable broth to cover everything and bring to a boil. Once it is boiling, turn the oven down to a low simmer. Let simmer for about 10 minutes, until lentils are soft and most of the liquid has been soaked up. It should look more gooey then a soup. Remove from heat and let the rest of the liquid soak up. If your sweet potato needs to be heated up, now is the time. Remove skin from sweet potato, cut in half, pour vegetable and lentil mixture into center and enjoy!

*How I cook my sweet potatoes: Preheat oven to 400. First, I wash and scrub the outside with Fit Organic Vegetable and Fruit spray. Dry them off, and coat the outside with coconut oil. Place the oiled potato on a parchment paper covered cookie sheet. Place them in oven for 40 minutes to an hour, depending on how big they are. They will start to smell sweet, outsides get very brown, and usually one or two will start oozing. This is when they are done! Remove from oven and let cool before putting them in the refrigerator. I like to make at least 5 at one time, allowing me endless possibilities with them during the week! 

Turmeric Elixir aka Golden Milk

6 - 8 oz Hemp Milk

1/2 tsp Turmeric powder

Dash Nutmeg or Cinnamon or both!

1/2 tsp honey or to taste (optional)

Heat milk in a small pot on the stove, once heated, add all other ingredients and mix well. Enjoy!