Connect the Dots Ginger

Tuesday, November 7, 2017

Easy, No Bake Protein Energy Ball Bites

Need a quick and easy protein snack? Check out my favorite No Bake, Easy Protein Energy Ball Bites

Energy Bites

Ingredients:

1 cup (dry) oatmeal - old-fashioned Gluten Free oats

2/3 cup toasted coconut flakes
1/2 cup organic peanut butter

1/2 cup ground flaxseed or wheat germ

1/2 cup dark chocolate chips
1/3 cup honey
1 Tbsp. chia seeds
1 tsp. vanilla extract -pure vanilla, not imitation

Directions:

Mix all the ingredients together in a bowl until it looks like a evenly distributed uniformed dough. Roll the dough into 1 1/2 inch balls. Cool in the fridge to harden and store in a air tight container in the fridge. 1-2 balls make the best for a quick snack.

Want more daily motivation and inspiration? Click here get free daily advice, support, motivation, encouragement + a free copy of my Clean Eating guide to help you get started on your health and fitness journey! Are you following my INSTAGRAM yet? Check out my stories and feed to see how I fit a healthy lifestyle into my busy mom life!

Monday, November 6, 2017

Choose To Lead A Healthy, Strong, Fit Life

Last week I learned a lot about myself. I no longer feel like I have to FORCE myself to exercise, I choose to exercise! I was sick with a head cold last week for 2 days. I dragged myself out of bed on day 1 and did my stretching and mobility workout. Day 2, I rested all day. By the 3rd day I felt better and was back at my normal routine but had to stop before it was over with to rest. I listened to my body and did what I could. By day 4 I CRUSHED my workout! The other morning I saw a post from Autumn Calabrese (the lady who does the 21 day fix workouts) and said:

"If you want to be a healthy, strong & fit then you have to CHOOSE to lead a healthy, strong, fit life. Develop the habits of a healthy, fit person"

"Other Habits of a Healthy, Fit Person:
-eat real, Whole Foods
-cut out processed sugars
-keep alcohol to a minimum
-exercise at least 5 days a week
-stretch
-get at least 8 hours of sleep
-eat according to your goals
-laugh
-love
-keep a positive mindset"

Yep. That's me! All because I am excited to reach my goals and I am choosing to make these changes in my life. Your goals are important. Your goals mean something. You can work for them, challenge yourself and change your old habits. Push yourself. Work for it and earn that chance to say, "I FREAKING DID IT!" Because you are worth it to live the life you want to live!

Sunday, November 5, 2017

National Love Your Red Hair Day

Today is National #LoveYourRedHairDay, or I like to think of it as National Redheads Day! Yep! Us gingers get a whole day to celebrate our fiery locks, freckled bods and hot tempers! Yep, we are pretty awesome, full of spice and everything nice! And since I am a gorgeous GINGER, I wanted to share more about my story and some struggles I have dealt with until I finally embraced my natural beauty!

In all seriousness, I used to not really like my hair color growing up. I wanted to be blond, because red just wasn't as popular. And the freckles, I would get made fun of because they are EVERYWHERE, especially since I still have a no freckle zone speedo outline on my back from the days I "tried" to get a tan laying out in my backyard only to increase my freckle line and get FRIED by the Arizona sun. But like Batman, I turned what I used to dislike into my alter-ego and now I couldn't imagine being anyone other than who I am right now, redder hair, darker freckles, white white skin and all! Because I AM the fit plus size ginger helping others CHANGE THEIR LIVES! I love who I am what I do to help motivate and coach others and finally how I look and am thankful that I finally realized how beautiful I really and truly am inside and out!

Here's a shout out to all my red heads out there. Some days, you will look in the mirror and wish for something different but, you are truly unique and beautiful and don't every let anyone and especially yourself tell you otherwise!

Friday, November 3, 2017

Plus Size Fitness Basics

Society tells us that only skinny people are fit and healthy. But that's not true. You can be fit at any size. Fit means: "in good health, especially because of regular physical exercise."

Workout daily (aim for 4 days a week for at least 30 minutes of moderate to intense exercise)

Drink at least 100 ounces of water or more

Get 7+ hours of sleep a night

Eat right, with veggies filling half your plate

Those are the keys to being fit. The more consistent you are with it and the harder you work for it the results will come!

Curious about what I'm doing? I specifically created to not only get me through the new year and NOT gain weight, but to also build my base fitness level to be ready to take on the next newest workout program to be released by Beachbody, 80 Day Obsession. Check out my LEARN TO BE OBSESSED CHALLENGE HERE

Want more daily motivation and inspiration? Click here get free daily advice, support, motivation, encouragement + a free copy of my Clean Eating guide to help you get started on your health and fitness journey! Are you following my INSTAGRAM yet? Check out my stories and feed to see how I fit a healthy lifestyle into my busy mom life! 

Thursday, November 2, 2017

Healthy Herb Crusted Chicken Nuggets For Kids

Time to trick my kids! They are asking for McD almost every day and it's time to stop! Here is a BETTER and MUCH healthier alternative to those nuggets and they are a LOT tastier, too.

Healthy Herbed Crusted Chicken Nuggets For Kids

Ingredients:

4 skinless, boneless chicken breasts
2 eggs, beaten
1 tablespoon water
1 teaspoon chopped fresh parsley
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
1/2 cup dried bread crumbs, seasoned
1/2 cup flax seed
1 teaspoon dried basil
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 tablespoon olive oil

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C). Spray a baking sheet with non-stick cooking spray.
2. Cut chicken and 1-inch cubes.
3. In a bowl, beat the eggs with the water and add the chicken.
4. Combine the parsley, thyme, bread crumbs, flax seed, basil and pepper. Stir in the oil with a fork and mix well to distribute evenly.
5. Pour seasoning mixture into a resealable plastic bag and toss the chicken pieces to coat.
6. Place coated chicken pieces on the prepared baking sheet and bake at 425 degrees F (220 degrees C) for 10 minutes, turn the pieces, and bake for an additional 5 minutes.

Want more daily motivation and inspiration? Click here get free daily advice, support, motivand encouragement + a free copy of my Clean Eating guide to help you get started on your health and fitness journey! Are you following my INSTAGRAM yet? Check out my stories and feed to see how I fit a healthy lifestyle into my busy mom life!