Connect the Dots Ginger | Becky Allen

Saturday, November 21, 2015

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]

Thursday, November 19, 2015

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!

Wednesday, November 18, 2015

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! 

Tuesday, November 17, 2015

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!

Saturday, November 14, 2015

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.

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