h2o

do you know how important water intake is? it is not only a vital piece to weight loss, but provides so many positive effects on our body even if we're not trying to shed some pounds. you should aim to drink half of your weight in ounces each day. so if you weight 100 lbs, you should drink 50oz. one of the things that i do every morning when i get up is fill a gallon jug with water. it sits right by me at my desk, so throughout the day there is a visual reminder and easy access for me to drink my water.

some other tips that might help up increase your water intake are to:
- start by slowly increasing your intake by 8oz every day. yes, you'll go to the bathroom more often at first, but your body will begin to CRAVE water and it will level out.
- find a water bottle that you can refill and put rubber bands around it, then every time you empty your bottle, remove a band.
- find a buddy at work and keep each other accountable. make your trips to the water cooler together.
- journal your intake.
- add some fresh lemon or lime slices.
- drink it slowly.

in the case of h2o, more is better in my book :)

barbacoa

my husband made barbacoa this week and it was sooooo yummy!  we've had it as leftovers for a few meals...it's got a bit of a kick to it and reminds me of those little resturants that you find in mexico :)  your taste buds will have you wishing you were on vacation. ahh, sandy beaches and sunny skies!!!

barbacoa:
1/3 c apple cider vinegar
4 tsp minced garlic
4 tsp cumin
2 tsp oregano
1 tsp black pepper
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp ground cloves
2 TBSP olive oil
3/4 c chicken broth
3 bay leaves
3 TBSP lemon/lime juice
3-4 chipotle chiles in adobe
4-5# roast

to make the sauce, combine: vinegar, lemon/lime juice, chipotles, garlic, cumin, oregano, pepper, salt and cloves in a blender on high until smooth.

pour oil into frying pan and sear all sides of roast until browned.

place meat into crockpot and pour adoboe sauce over meat. add chicken broth and bay leaves.  cook on high heat for 6 hours or on low all day. once cooked, shred the meat with 2 forks.


dressing:
1/3 c olive oil
1/4 c lemon juice
3/4 c cilantro
1 cucumber (cubed)
2 avacados (cubed)
hot sauce -- add to your heat's desire!

place all ingredients into a blender until liquid. store in container in fridge for up to a week.  is great on salads or to dip your veggies in :)


salad:
spinach
chopped onion
chopped peppers (red, yellow, orange or green)
chopped cucumber
barbacoa (recipe above)
dressing (revipe above)

place spinach into bowl, layer in veggies and top with meat & dressing.

buffalo chicken pizza

i LOVE trying new recipes! we recently ate out at buffalo wild wings and i ordered a flatbread pizza off the menu.  (yes, i know what you're thinking. and yes, i do treat myself to meals out with a semi-occasional "cheat". i'm human...and pizza is a weakness!) it was sooooo yummy!  but the whole time i was eating it, i was already thinking how i could recreate the same thing at home -- except probably a whole lot healthier!!!

give this one a try - you won't be dissappointed!

buffalo chicken pizza

for the crust:
2 TBSP almond flour
1/4 C egg whites
1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
1/4 tsp onion powder
1/4 tsp garlic powder
1/4 tsp italian seasoning

whisk all of the above ingredients in a bowl with a fork.  cook like a pancake (i lightly spray the pan with a little olive oil).  after crust is cooked, transfer to cookie sheet.

for the pizza toppings:
4 TBSP 0% greek yougurt
2 TBSP buffalo sauce (i used frank's)
2 TBSP blue cheese (feta will work, too)
2 TBSP mozzarella cheese
chicken breast, cooked and cubed (could use rotisserie chicken as well)
1 stalk celery, chopped
2 TBSP yellow onion (could use red, too)

combine yogurt with 1 TBSP buffalo sauce and blue cheese. in another bowl, add remaning 1 TBSP buffalo sauce to chicken -- stir to coat.

spread yougurt mixture over crust (already on cookie sheet). add chicken, celery & onion.  top with mozzarella cheese.

bake at 350 for 8-10 minutes, until cheese is melted. eat this without a smile on your face becuase it is so incredibly delicious -- i dare you ;)

 

welcome!!!

welcome! thanks for stopping by :) i've created this blog to share ideas, workouts, tips, recipes, motivation, encouragement & support.

let me know what you'd like to see!

best, abby