Leftover Turkey Tostadas

Recipe time! So after Thanksgiving we all tend to have LEFTOVERS! Here is an awesome recipe for your Turkey Leftovers! (Matt is super excited for this one!) 

Leftover Turkey Tostadas

INGREDIENTS:
1 14-ounce can petite diced tomatoes, preferably with jalapeños
1 medium onion, thinly sliced
3 cups shredded cooked turkey, or chicken (12 ounces; see Tip)
8 corn tortillas
Canola or olive oil cooking spray
1 avocado, pitted
1/4 cup prepared salsa
2 tablespoons Fage greek yogurt
2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
1 cup shredded romaine lettuce
1/2 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese or pepper jack

PREPARATION:

Position racks in the upper and lower thirds of the oven; preheat to 375°F.
Bring tomatoes and their juice to a boil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until the onion is soft and most of the liquid has evaporated, 15 to 20 minutes. Add turkey (or chicken) and cook until heated through, 1 to 2 minutes.

Meanwhile, coat tortillas on both sides with cooking spray. Divide the tortillas between 2 large baking sheets. Bake, turning once, until crisped and lightly brown, about 10 minutes.

Mash avocado in a bowl. Stir in salsa, sour cream and cilantro until combined.

To assemble tostadas, spread each crisped tortilla with some of the avocado mixture. Top with the turkey (or chicken) mixture, lettuce and cheese.

Who wants to give this one a try?

modified from eatingwell.com

Staying On Track For Thanksgiving

Check out my tips for staying on track this Thanksgiving. Many of us will be having a buffet style dinner. Here are my tips to keep Thanksgiving healthy but still enjoying many of the foods you want to eat for Thanksgiving!

Tips to Conquer The Buffet

Scope It out
Before taking your plate through the buffet line, check out the options and pick what you like. Having a plan will keep you from going overboard.

Top it with Turkey
Grab a plate of salad, (or bringer own) and top it with some turkey. When your plate is full of delicious veggies you won’t have room to over-do it with the other sides.

Be Mindful About Added Butter, Salt and Sugar
yes those dishes may taste incredible, but most Thanksgiving sides are packed with those things that aren’t the best for you. Try getting smaller portions or avoiding some of the choices.

Choose Water
There are probably lots of options filled with sugar. Stick with WATER! You will be well hydrated and feel great after!

Stick To One Trip
As tempting as all that food just laying around is, try to get everything you’d like in your first trip. et smaller portions of sides so you can have a variety.

Greens Over Yellows
Get more veggies than carbs. Obviously we love those potatoes, but we don’t need a plate full!

Bring Food to Share
Bring your own healthier options to share! Then you know exactly what went into it!

Be Selective About Desserts
there are often tons of desserts. Remember your goals and only get one small choice (or none if you’re feeling extremely controlled!) 

And, of course, be sure to like our FACEBOOK page and follow us on PINTEREST for motivation, clean eating tips, and healthy lifestyle resources.

Perfect Holiday Spinach Salad

It's RECIPE time. And this one is coming straight from the Allen home to you! This is my mom's AMAZING Spinach Salad with homemade poppyseed dressing. To me, it is not a holiday without this salad. 

Spinach Leaf Salad with Homemade Poppy Seed Dressing

Salad:
~2 bunches fresh spinach leaves, stemmed and washed (pat dry with paper towels.) OR 2 bags of baby spinach leaves
~1/4 lb fresh mushrooms, sliced
~1/2 lb bacon (8 slices), cooked and crumbled (optional)
~1/4 lb swiss cheese, grated
~1/4 red onion, thin half moons
~6 boiled eggs, sliced
~croutons (optional)

Dressing: Combine in a Blender
~1 cup salad oil
~1/3 cup cider vinegar
~3/4 cup brown sugar
~1 tablespoon dry mustard
~1/2 teaspoon salt
~1 tablespoon red onion (from the salad)
~1 tablespoon poppy seeds

Assemble salad in a large bowel. Combine dressing ingredients in the blender and blend together. (If you pre make the dressing store it in the fridge and blend it together just before serving because the oil will separate.) Just before serving, pour dressing over salad and stir well. Top with croutons.

I personally do not use the croutons or the bacon. Neither like me much so I just leave them out!

One trick I do, I don't douce the salad in the dressing unless I am serving it to a HUGE crowd. I put the dressing in a mason jar and just drizzle a little on. And whatever leftover salad there is I still have dressing left! Enjoy!

What do you think of this salad. You all know I do not like salads but I do love this one!

Tracking Your Journey

One thing that's so important to remember as we're on this journey is that this is in fact A JOURNEY. It's ongoing, and we need to be making lifestyle changes in order to have a lasting effect on our health. There are no more diets in our world - just clean, whole, healthy foods, portion control and exercise to go with it.

Have you struggled in the past with dieting and having it quickly come back once you resumed your normal habits? What is your story about why you got here and why you realized you needed to change your habits, and not just do another fad diet out there?  I have. But it wasn't until I finally realized that I eat the things I like in moderation that this lifestyle change really clicked for me! 

I think it is so important to keep returning to our journey and see where we have come from and how far we have changed. Answer these questions: Where did you start at the beginning of your journey? What have you learned from your journey thus far? And where do you so yourself at the end of your journey? 

And, of course, be sure to like our FACEBOOK page and follow us on PINTEREST for motivation, clean eating tips, and healthy lifestyle resources.

Be Fearless

How many of you feel like exercise and clean eating have become a normal and regular part of your life now? Yes, I have times where I just want a milkshake and goodies, but it is just times now. Not ALL THE TIME like it used to be. I love that I have a healthy relationship with food now. This is the first time ever! You do not have to sacrifice to be healthy you just have to realize that there are better things out there for you.

In high school I ate so little because I thought I was fat. Always skipping breakfast and I would eat Jr. Mints for lunch and that was it and barely ateany dinner too. I used to think, "to lose weight I have to cut food, or a food group." I lost 20 pounds in high school because I didn't eat. I used an excuse as a reason to why I didn't want to eat. I felt that I had to stop eating and exercise to be happy. And I still thought I was fat even when I was too thin for my body type. Most people thought I looked great. I was miserable. I was hungry. I was depressed. And I was hurting myself. 

Even as a young adult I was hard on myself. Thinking that if I ever reach a certain weight that I would just stop eating again. And I thought I was HUGE! 

Now, I finally get to eat, and it always fills me up and still lose weight. I am eating the right types of carbs. I am eating healthy fats. I am LOVING veggies and fruits. And I am getting the protein in my body that it needs to function correctly! And the food I make is pretty great! Oh and I still get goodies, sometimes. I live my life by the 80/20 rule where I eat clean most of the time but still get a good treat. 

We are all in here for our own reason but we are fighting for what we want. We are fighting to be healthy and sometimes the battle is REAL! Be fearless in what you are pursuing. Because in the end, you matter. Your healthy life matters! You are worth it and never forget that!

If you are done letting food rule your life and want to start eating clean and healthy. Fill out this GOOGLE DOC and I will get back with you within 48 hours.  I can't wait to talk to you! 

Thanksgiving Appetizer: Pumpkin Hummus

Here is a great appetizer to try out before you dive into your feast! Let me know what you think! 

Pumpkin Hummus:

Pumpkin is a great Thanksgiving tradition. This recipe taste good with chips, and baked pita chips.

Ingredients:

2 tbsp tahini
2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
1 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp pumpkin oil
3/4 tsp sea salt
1/8 tsp ground pepper
15oz pumpkin (plain) baked or canned
4 cloves garlic, passed through a garlic press
2 tbsp cilantro

Preparation:

Place all ingredients in a food processor. Process until smooth.
Spoon into a decorative stoneware serving bowl and serve chilled.

[Image source: cooktj.com]

Keeping The Holidays Healthy

Here they are! The Holidays are HERE!

Every December I have been resigned with the fact that I was just going to enjoy my holiday and deal with the aftermath in January. But this year is going to be so different. This is the first year that I am going into the holidays losing weight and actually knowing what I should and shouldn't eat. And trying to follow that. I am taking the time for me, my health and my body! No more just allowing the holidays to run my life for me.

Why wait for New Years to make the changes your body is wanting?

For December I am running a group to help keep your holidays healthy. A holiday survival group just for women who are ready to make themselves a priority this year.

My 30 day exclusive private group will include:

-A fitness program that fits your lifestyle and needs
-30 day supply of dense nutrition
-Meal plans, recipes and grocery lists
-Meal planning help and support
-Accountability and one on one coaching
-Daily motivation to help you stick with your goals
-Clean eating and holiday survival guide ebooks
-A group of supportive women who can relate to YOU

I am ready to make this December the most healthy and best one I have ever had with ME as a priority. Are you ready?

Want more daily motivation and inspiration? Click here get free advice, support and encouragement + a free copy of my Clean Eating guide to help you get started on your health and fitness journey! Don't forget to follow me on INSTAGRAM and FACEBOOK!

Stretches for Tight Hips

Oh my legs and hips are super sore and tired from my workouts I have been doing this week. Tonight I am taking the time to stretch them out and help them out a little! Thankfully I have Pilates on the schedule for tomorrows workout and not strength training but I still need to stretch them tonight. I'm following this exercise routine to help me out! 

All of you doing the squat challenge. Takes some time during the week to stretch out your legs and hips! 

20 Pounds...GONE! My 5 Tips To Help You Lose 20 Pounds

I finally did it! I am at my 20 pounds lost mark! It feels like it has taken forever but looking back it really hasn't been that long. Since May. Since I came back and decided that I was worth it, that I was tired of being tired. Now I am going into the holidays losing weight, being healthy for me and my family and KICKING BUTT! (while making it smaller too!)

So what are my tips? 

1. WORKOUT! You have to workout and exercise that beautiful body God blessed you with. We sit too much, I still sit too much, but I try to get at least 30 minutes of active exercise in. Not meaning I walk around my house or up and down the stairs but 30 minutes of an actual workout routine or walk outside, at a good pace. No more lazy strolling. Find a program that is easy to follow. Find a routine that you can do. And don't push yourself too hard in the beginning or else you are going to get too sore and give up too quickly! Don't know what program is best for you and your lifestyle? Send me a message and we can chat about that! I know there is one out there that will work best for you! 

2. EAT CLEAN! Ok so working out is only about 20% of the equation to actually losing weight. It is so good for our bodies and mind but eating is the other 80% that you really have to do to actually lose weight. You can exercise your butt off, 2 hours a day, and still only have minimal weight loss (trust me, I have been there) But once you clean up your eating and doing exercise, your weight will just literally FALL OFF OF YOU! So check your cupboards right now. See anything in there that you know isn't the best for you? Pitch it and get rid of it. Start filling your cupboards with healthy foods. Cut the snacks. And snack on fruits and veggies! Trust me! You will feel more satisfied with good whole foods than you do with any of the pre-packaged, processed snacks!

3. WATER! Water is so important to flush out all the toxins from your system. Drink half your body weight in ounces. AT LEAST! Just drink water. Take a measuring glass to your favorite cup and measure how much water it holds that way you will know, When I drink out of my favorite ASU cup I am getting 32 ounces of water! Really is that easy!

4. BE HAPPY! If you are happy and enjoying life you are going to want to exercise, eat good and people will notice. You are an amazing person. You are special and unique. You don't have to do anything special to feel happy and be positive you just have to be happy and positive! Say a positive phrase in the morning every day for 1 week and see how you feel at the end of the week.

5. BE YOU! You are amazing and wonderful. Just be you. Don't compare yourself to other people. Don't compare your success to other people too. It just isn't worth the time and effort. You are perfect and enjoy who you are now, but be open to making changes to enhance yourself! That's it!

Want more daily motivation and inspiration? Click here to join my private online community where you get info, tips, support and encouragement + a free gift with tips to help you get started with the right mindset for healthier nutrition choices TODAY!

Thanksgiving Side Option: Creamy Butternut Sage Linguini

This might not be exactly for Thanksgiving dinner but it could be a different kind of side to use.

Creamy Butternut Sage Linguine

Dairy and gluten free creamy butternut sage linguine.

Ingredients:

2 Tbsp. organic grapeseed oil
¼ cup finely chopped fresh sage
2 pound butternut squash; peeled, seeded, and cut into small ½-inch pieces (about 3 cups)
1 medium yellow onion; chopped
3 garlic cloves; pressed and minced
¼ tsp. red pepper flakes (optional)
2 cups low sodium vegetable broth
1 package gluten free linguine
½ cup raw cashews
2 cups water
1 tablespoon lemon juice
2 tsp. pink Himalayan salt + additional to taste
Freshly ground black pepper

Instructions:

Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Once the oil is hot, add the sage and stir to coat. Let the sage lightly sauté for about a minute or so before transferring it to a small dish. Set the sage aside.

Add cubed squash, onion, garlic and red pepper flakes to the skillet. Season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until onion is translucent, or about 10 minutes.

Add in your low-sodium vegetable broth. Bring the mixture to a boil, then cover and reduce heat, simmering until squash is soft and broth is reduced by half. This should take about 20 minutes.

In the meantime, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta according to package directions, stirring occasionally, until al dente.

In a blender, combine cashews, water, lemon juice, and salt. Process on high until very smooth, or about 2 minutes. Pour into a separate dish and set aside.

Once the squash mixture is done cooking, remove it from heat and let it cool slightly. 

Transfer the contents of the pan to a blender, and purée the mixture until smooth.

When finished, return squash purée to the skillet and whisk in your cashew cream sauce. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Combine pasta and squash purée until sauce coats pasta, seasoning with additional salt and pepper if necessary.

Serve pasta topped with fried sage and additional red pepper flakes if desired.

Found at: The Lean Clean Eating Machine