Week 4 Calendar Tasks

I realized last night that we're almost done! We're down to the last week - wow, this month has really flown by. To simplify things, we're going to roll next Wednesday & Thursday into this week, so add 2 additional days to your tracking sheets. Weigh in on Friday morning {November 2nd}, then text or email me your points for 9 days + the total number of lbs you lost over the entire 30 days.

Just a reminder that Healthy Holidays Round 2 will begin on Wednesday November 7th. Let me know ASAP if you'd like to sign up for the next round. I'm not anticipating any changes - I'm loving how this round has been structured! If you do have a suggestion, please let m know.

There will be 9 calendar tasks listed to get us through the end of the competition. Let's all finish strong!

* Email or text me 5 ideas for Calendar tasks {to be used in the next 2 rounds}
* Enjoy a Holiday Treat {Pumpkin Chocolate Chip bread, Egg Nog, Caramel Apple, etc.}
* Give 5 compliments to non-family members
* Have some "girl time" - hang out with girlfriends, sisters, your daughter, mom, etc.
* Do a random act of service for a stranger
* Play a game {card, board, xbox, wii, etc.}
* Decorate or carve a pumpkin
* Try a recipe or fitness tip one of us has shared, that you haven't tried already.
* Do something fun to celebrate Halloween & document it {picture, video, etc.}

Erin's Recipe - Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal

here is a recent favorite recipe for me that would be perfect for those cold, holiday mornings went you want something special but are too lazy to get up early to make it :) it's fromourbestbites.com (a website you should seriously check out if you haven't already--i make a ton of recipes from their site)----and to make it healthier, i used 1% milk, and you could use less butter too

Overnight Apple-Cinnamon OatmealRecipe very lightly adapted by Our Best Bites from The Yummy Life

Ingredients:

2 baking apples like Fuji (sweet) or Granny Smith (tart)
1 1/2 cups milk (I used whole)
1 1/2 cups water
1 cup steel cut oats
2 tablespoons brown sugar
2 tablespoons butter
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

 (Erica again. I made this too, and it was yummy. Be sure to keep an eye on it though, because mine was done in less than 7 hours, and if I'd been sleeping {I made it during the day}, it might have burned)

Leslie's Recipe - Veggie Dip

Yummy veggie dip

Put low-fat cottage cheese in a blender. Blend until smooth. Then mix in a packet of Ranch Seasoning. Viola! A delish, protein packed veggie dip. 

Denise's Recipe - Quinoa Salad

I make a variation of this salad, but don't use a recipe, so I'm sending this because it is close to what I do.

 

Click here: Mediterranean Quinoa Salad Recipe - Allrecipes.com

 

I don't love using a ton of ingredients, so mine is really quite simple. I cook the quinoa like rice, just using water (bullion would give it more flavor though), let it cool, add simple balsamic vinaigrette dressing (I submitted recipe to Erica a few rounds ago, so it's on the blog), fresh lemon juice, salt, pepper and whatever other ingredients I have, but I always include chopped tomatoes and a leafy green (baby kale, kale, spinach, etc) julienne sliced. The red and green together are quite festive. I have had it with pieces of bacon too, which is yum of course. Also delish with artichoke hearts. Hope you enjoy!

Erica's Recipe - Pumpkin Smoothie

Here's my recipe, from one of my fav food blogs, Budget Bytes. Enjoy!

Pumpkin Smoothie 

INGREDIENTS		COST
1/3 cup	pumpkin puree	$0.42
1 medium	banana (frozen)	$0.22
1 Tbsp	ground flaxseed	$0.03
1 Tbsp	honey	$0.12
1/4 tsp	pumpkin pie spice	$0.05
1/4 tsp	cinnamon	$0.02
1 cup	vanilla soy milk	$0.41
TOTAL		$1.27

STEP 1: Add everything to a blender.

STEP 2: Blend until smooth. You may need to stop to stir once or twice. If the smoothie is too thick, add a touch more soy milk or even a little water.

Anne's Recipe - Skinny Chicken

Hmm, for a healthy holiday recipe I am not so sure, maybe you guys can help me out in that area, but I am dieing to share this recipe I recently found because it is healthy and soo delicious! How did I not know you can substitute greek yogurt for Mayo! 

SKinnny Greek Yogurt Chicken

Ingredients:4 boneless/skinless chicken breasts
1 cup plain greek yogurt (I used Oikos)
1/2 cup parmesan cheese - grated
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 1/2 teaspoon seasoned salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper

Directions:


1) Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

2) Combine greek yogurt, parmesan cheese, garlic powder, seasoned salt, and pepper in a bowl.

3) Line baking sheet with foil and spray lightly with cooking spray.

4) Coat each chicken breast in greek yogurt mixture and place on foiled baking sheet.

{p.s. Erica here. I totally tried this the other week and LOVED it. So simple and delish!}

Anne's Fitness Tip

I love the skinny rules by Bob Harper on biggest loser.  He has a book about them if you are interested.  Alot of them are commonsense and you all may have read them already, but great reminders. Good Luck everyone!