Cassey Ho's Blog, page 106

10 Quick & Healthy Snacks that are 28 Day Reset Approved!

 

Thanks to LÄRABAR for partnering with me on this post!

Hey guys!

So I’ve been reading your comments and messages regarding the 28 Day Reset Challenge and I am BLOWN AWAY by your results so far…and we’re not even done yet! I could not be happier!! You are beginning to understand how to be in full control of your health!

Last year around this time is when I first released PIIT28 1.0 and The 28 Day Reset. I finally was able to create a program that truly worked for me – an exercise routine that didn’t ask me to be in the gym for hours at a time and a way of eating that didn’t make me feel like I was in a food jail.

It’s really amazing to find balance – especially with food because I feel sooooo at peace and in control! The 28 Day Reset asks you to free yourself from dairy, gluten, alcohol, processed foods, and added sugar for 28 days to pinpoint your food intolerances. At first it was hard, but after I was done, I wanted to go truly stick to my new eating habits. I didn’t even crave YOLO meals. Right now, I feel so clean, so energetic, my skin is better, and I don’t get bloated. AND, I don’t feel deprived, ever.

To help you understand…I want to make the distinction between deprived with a lean body and nourished with a strong body:

 

I’ve gained some healthy weight since my bikini comp in 2012, but more importantly, I’ve gained back my life. I don’t count calories and I’m not stuck in the gym all day! I’m happy. I’m balanced. I can honestly say that I really love the way I look now because it matches with the way I feel! This is a big deal for me. It took me years, but I now truly understand that being thin does not equal happiness. Having strength, being in balance, and feeling at peace is true happiness.

For those of you going through the Reset right now, I’m super proud of you! Keep going!! And for those of you who were on the fence about trying it, commit yourself to it. The Reset is only 28 days and it will seriously change your life!

Today I am going to share with you 10 of my favorite 28 Day Reset approved snack ideas:

#1. LÄRABAR Bars

For those of you who are super busy and want to just pick up and snack and go, this is it. LÄRABAR bars are 28 Day Reset approved. They are made from a few whole and simple ingredients. Just fruits, nuts, and spices.

They’re gluten free, dairy free, vegan, and made from REAL FOOD. They don’t taste fake or chemical. They are real. Stick to the ones without chocolate chips though.

My fave is Peanut Butter Cookie. It’s made from dates, peanuts, and sea salt. That is literally it!

And right now LÄRABAR bars are 25% off on Amazon through February 14 – so I suggest you go get yourself some right now. The Amazon store has so many yummy varieties to choose from! Click here to see em all!

The discount applies to the lowest priced item so grab a caddy!

#2. FREEZE DRIED FRUIT

I looooove eating astronaut strawberries when I feel like I need a good crunch. They are literally dehydrated strawberries, so it’s only 1 ingredient, and they taste like tangy chips! A whole bag is under 140 calories! Just make sure you have water around because they are really dry and will make your teeth kind of red! If you don’t like strawberries try astronaut bananas or astronaut apples!

#3. APPLES & PEANUT BUTTER

This one is classic. You can have 1-2 tablespoons of peanut butter with your apple. You could also try almond, cashew, peanut or sunflower butter if you’re feeling like you want to try something new! You can pre-portion your nut butter for the whole week into mini plastic condiment cups, slice up your apples and slip them into Ziplock baggies. Make sure to squeeze lemon on your apples to keep them from browning. It’ll take you less than five minutes to make this snack for the whole week! Another bonus is that raw fruit take a long time to eat, so by the time you’re finished, your body will signal it’s satisfied.

#4. BABY CARROTS & HUMMUS

Another classic. But choose your hummus wisely. Make sure you don’t have any weird ingredients in there. Again, everything must be whole. This Eggplant Hummus I found at the grocery store was so flavorful and totally Reset approved! You get your fiber, carbs, protein and fat all in one snack. You can also pre-portion this one just like you did for the apples and PB for quick grab and go snack.

#5. EDAMAME

Edamame is a ready-to-go snack. It’s a complete protein, and also contains some healthy fat and carbs. I don’t recommend lots of soy, but a little organic edamame from time to time can really make your life easier! Sprinkle a little salt on top and it’s perfect!

#6. CREAMY GREEN SHAKE

Shakes are the best post-workout snack because the nutrients get into your system quickly, helping with muscle repair. You can add protein powder or not, it’s really up to you. Just make sure it’s NON DAIRY. So now whey, no casein. If you’ve worked out, you really do need to get in some protein and carbs within the magic window (within about 30-45 minutes of your workout). Try 1 cup unsweetened almond milk, 1 TBS of nut butter, 1 bananas, a handful of spinach and 1 tbsp chia seeds. Blend it up with ice and you’ve got a portable, drinkable meal that’s balanced and filled with antioxidants.

#7. FRUIT SALAD

Fruit is LIFE! You can easily make a fruit salad that’ll last all week. Throw in your fave berries, grapes, kiwis, mangoes – literally any fresh fruit you like and pack it in some Tupperware. Fruit will help with your sweet cravings.

#8. OATMEAL

Super filling and delish. Try 1/3 cup plain oatmeal, 1 tsp chia seeds, 2 TBS chopped walnuts, and 2-3 chopped dates. Top with cinnamon and this is literally perfection.

#9. HOMEMADE TRAIL MIX

This is an excellent combo. Almonds, cashews, freeze dried strawberries and coconut chips (no added sugar). Don’t buy the trail mix at the store because they can be filled with sugar and weird preservatives that you don’t even know about. Dried cranberries may seem compliant but many are filled with added sugar! A serving is about a generously small handful!

#10. POWER POPCORN

Power popcorn is my fave. All you have to do is pop some unbuttered popcorn, spray with coconut oil, mix in a blend of stevia and cinnamon so that the popcorn gets coated, and then throw in some astronaut bananas for fun! SO GOOD, filling, and light!

As you can see, the options for eating 28 Day Reset are ENDLESS! Plus they get you to start thinking and eating really creatively! You will not go hungry and you will not feel deprived if you’re fueling yourself with health fats, carbs, and protein. You really don’t even need to be counting calories because you won’t be filling yourself up with empty calories. Everything you’re eating will be nutritiously dense so you’ll get full and you’ll stay full.

I want to give a very special shoutout to LÄRABAR for making Reset approved bars! That is something I definitely cannot say about most bars on the market.

So thank you LÄRABAR for supporting the 28 Day Reset and for partnering with me to help our POPsters stay healthy and on track!

Comment below and let me know how you’re doing on the Reset! Don’t forget to post your before and after pic and use the hashtag #28dayreset! I want to see your progress! I’m so proud of you guys!!!

February 2017 Workout Calendar

Hey guys!

AHHHH! How is Jan basically over? I don’t know. I really don’t.

But I am TRULY so proud of everyone who experienced and CONQUERED the #28DayReset Challenge! Be sure to share your before and afters – whether it’s a face skin transformation or a full body shot transformation…I want to hear your story! I will be collecting inspirational stories and posting them on the blog later this week!

Oh and I am doing a 2nd round of the Reset for myself in Feb beginning Feb 1, so if you wanna join, please do! I’ll be posting some Reset recipes on the blog from time time but if you want the entire cookbook with over 150 recipes and a meal plan, then head over to 28dayreset.com. There’s an omnivore version and a vegan version!

And now…for your February Blogilates Workout Calendar! All linked up and ready to go!

Download Linkable PDF | Download hi-res JPEG

Have fun and GO HARD! As usual though, right?!

Life After the Reset

Hey Guys!

For those of you who started the 28 Day Reset with me on Jan 2nd, CONGRATS! We made it! I know it wasn’t easy. There were days when we all had temptations…but then…we got over the hump and well, look at us now.

28 days without gluten, dairy, alcohol, processed food, and added sugar. To be honest, I feel so good I kinda don’t want it to end. (Don’t you secretly feel this way too?)

I have NO ACNE right now and I feel sooooo confident with my skin that I don’t wear any concealer or foundation most days! I feel so much leaner all around, especially in my belly area. PLUS I have tons of energy. I love this feeling!

But…what now?

Today I’m gonna talk about how to transition back into “life after Reset” and how not to lose all of the hard work you just did!

I believe it’s a balance between what you want most, and what you want right now. If you can learn the difference between those two, set some boundaries for yourself, and remember all you learned about food, omissions, bloat, energy, sleep and fat loss, you’ll be able to keep your eyes on the prize, and not the fries.

TIPS FOR LIFE…AFTER THE RESET!

TIP #1: Decide which foods, if any, you want to slowly incorporate back into your life.

If you’re dying without Greek yogurt, nothing says you can’t add it back in (provided you’re not affected by dairy), and still be eating clean. No, you won’t technically be on the Reset anymore, but you don’t have to comply 100% to remain a fat-burning machine!

Follow the reset guidelines to food re-entry. Start with one food item and chart how you feel after adding it back in for one meal, then two meals, then throughout a day. Take a few days to do this before adding in another food item. This helps you discover any sensitivities.

If you’re in the clear, but you still want to stay, “mostly Reset,” decide which food(s) you’ll allow back in so that you’re specific. If you say: Greek yogurt and string cheese are the two dairy items I’ll add back in, and Ezekiel bread is a gluten I’ll allow, and chocolate rice cakes are a food with some sugar I’ll add in, you can live day-to-day within your own set guidelines.

You can eventually add more to your list, and even add in a few “occasional” foods like dark chocolate. But if you aren’t specific, life will seem like a Willy Wonka-house just waiting to be eaten.

TIP #2: Decide which percentage of your day, or week, you want to keep Reset.

If you want to stay 90% on plan, you’ll have to figure out which food item you’ll add back in, and how often. If you want to be closer to 50% – decide what that looks like for you.

Many people find they are just fine without dairy, for example, but can’t live without a little pasta from time to time. If gluten isn’t an issue for you, you can still build in a healthy pasta dish once per week, especially if having that meal keeps you from devouring a loaf of bread every Friday night.

50% for others of you might mean a few smaller indulgences, like 1/2 an ounce of dark chocolate every night and a low-carb tortilla at lunch so that you can have wraps instead of salads. If the rest of your day is Reset-friendly, there’s nothing wrong with creating a percentage and sticking to that goal from here on out.

The good news is, if you find yourself gaining weight, or feeling a little bloated, you can update, or improve, that percentage to give you the sweet spot, which is: clean eating + a bit of indulgence = the life you want. Remember how great you looked and felt while on the Reset! Less bloating, feeling lighter, clearer skin, flatter tummy, no stomach distress….those results happened in just 28 days! So ask yourself, is it worth it to go back to how you were? Or can you find a happy medium?

TIP #3: Ponder the question: “what do I want most?” and act accordingly.

Occasionally, what we want now is a bucket of French fries. But the majority of the time, what we want most is a happy, healthy body.

We battle with, “what we want now,” because it conflicts with what we want most. Our choices don’t always honor what we supremely want. Allow yourself a few, “right now,” decisions if in that moment it’s worth it, and truly what you want; agree to let the other wants go. So, if you’re out to dinner and everyone is raving about the gelato, and you really want to take part, do it. But if you’re at home wondering if you should eat peanut butter out of the jar for dinner, or make scrambled eggs with spinach, choose the latter, because chances are, you’re just hungry. And if you can hold out for 5 minutes and get something in your stomach, the 400+ calories-worth of peanut butter won’t seem worth it.

TIP #4: Learn how to order at restaurants.

Most places nowadays accommodate just about everything. If your firm desire is to eat out healthfully, then pick a place with a relatively clean menu, or with options!

You can always get a piece of protein grilled or sauteéd. Even fast-food restaurants offer grilled chicken salads or wraps. If you’re at a nice restaurant, ask for a grilled piece of fish or chicken with vegetables or a salad. Flavor things with mustard, salsa, hot sauce or vinegar. Pass on the bread and chips. They are empty calories.

Have tunnel vision for the healthy meal you wish to eat. Don’t cave in when you walk in and see nachos. Know that the healthy food you’re ordering will be special and different because you’re not cooking it for a change!

TIP #5: Decide if it’s a YOLO meal, and do it all the way without regret!

Sometimes, you’ll go to a restaurant or event where you just plain don’t want to eat clean, and that’s okay too! YOLO meals are part of life. They bring joy, celebration and experience to your life. But nothing sucks the joy out of a good YOLO meal like…regret.

One “bad” meal won’t make you fat, just like one healthy meal won’t make you skinny.

Life is about balance. If you’re doing better on most days than not, chances are, you’ll be just fine.  We only run into trouble when we bargain away our goals and turn one YOLO meal into 12, while allowing sneaky treats in throughout the day. Constantly check your percentage goals to keep you on track.

TIP #6: Log it!

If you need accountability, log your meals and all foods consumed into an app, or the Blogilates Meal Prep Planner. Just get it down where you can SEE it every day. Ink doesn’t lie, so if you need a “check yo-self before you wreck yo-self” moment, write down every bite you eat for one week and find where you need or want to fine-tune.

TIP #7: Stay away from the bad-stuff though, ok?

There are some foods that just aren’t good for you, and even though I believe in moderation, I think some foods are better off just left alone because they either set up a domino effect of poor choices, or, they really are just BAD.

Soda, in my opinion, is just straight up baaddd! Even diet soda guys – sorry! The chemicals and fake sugars they use serve no purpose, other than to make you crave more. I feel the same way about all sugary drinks, high-fructose corn syrup and GMO snack foods.

Do your best to draw the line somewhere. For you, it might mean all whole foods and everything organic. Others of you might allow in some non-organic produce but will say no to refined sugar. Some of you will struggle to give up your daily diet soda. But the key here is to find the line you will not cross, maybe take a few steps past it towards the cleaner side, and stick to it.

TIP #8: Know that food is life, but it doesn’t have to control your life!

Yes, we need it to survive. But we do not need to let it control every choice we make. If you’re constantly declining invitations to go out with friends based on food, you really need to ask yourself if it’s an issue keeping you from leading your best life, and if you’re unhappy as a result.

If you feel good about staying home Friday nights to cook healthy because you want to be up bright an early for your POP Pilates class, then stay home in your fuzzy slippers and OWN that decision. The trouble lies in how we feel about what we are doing.

If it feels good, and you’re making the choices you sincerely want to make. It’s very different than feeling trapped, scared, isolated or controlled.

If fear of making food choices, ordering, social engagements and eating in general, cause you to suffer emotionally, or physically, you may need to talk about your feelings with someone to ensure you have a healthy relationship with food. It’s very easy to allow guilt to creep in after triumphantly finishing a program such as the Reset. But we were not made to live in guilt, so identify your feelings and how they dictate your behavior, for better or for worse.

TIP #9: Eat before you go.

I know this sounds cliché, but sometimes you just have to go places with a satisfied tummy, especially if your friends pick a restaurant where everything is fried or covered in cheese. If you truly don’t want to eat what’s on the menu, eat before you go so that you don’t make a bad choice out of necessity.

Failing to plan is planning to fail. The kicker here is: don’t decline the invitation just because you don’t eat chicken wings. You can still go and have a great time! Maybe there’s a hummus appetizer you can try. Or maybe, you’ll just have fun with meaningful conversations. Regardless, don’t make the night about the food, make it about the company!

TIP #10: Stay active in the POPster community!

When you started the Reset, you joined one of the best communities on the planet. POPsters are here for the long haul! Continue trading your questions, best recipes, successes and failures with a group that lifts you up. Share your Reset-friendly finds with other POPsters, talk about your favorite lunches that fuel you until dinner, discuss meal prep and hold each other accountable. You have all the tools, PDFs, emails and grocery lists, so save them onto your computer, or print them out and put them in a folder to refer to any time you need a pick-me-up.

I am so proud of you all! I have no doubt you can, and will, continue on the Reset-friendly journey of your choosing if you believe it is possible!

Let me know how you guys did! Be sure to upload your before and after from the #28dayreset so I can see! Just tweet me or post on IG!

PS: Anyone who is reading this who hasn’t tried the 28 Day Reset Challenge – download my free PDF here.

 

I took off everything…

When I posted the video above on IG earlier today, I did not expect you guys to come back at me with your own bare face videos! OMG. I am sooooo moved by you!!!

Social media is now a world FULL of fakeness. I mean, what’s real and what’s not? It is so ridiculous how good people are getting at plastic surgery and photoshop that I can’t even tell!! But you guys dared to show me just how STUNNING you all are, naturally.

Ugh I love it.

Don’t get me wrong. I don’t have a problem with makeup. I wear it all the time and I love how it can make me look. But I never want it to have power over me – making me feel ugly without it. Because…makeup can only do so much.

REAL beauty comes from your confidence. I am SOOOOO SERIOUS ABOUT THIS!!! There is nothing sexier than a smart woman (or man) who knows what she (or he) wants and will stop at nothing to get it. There is a glow that comes with that drive that cannot be achieved with makeup. THAT’S what I want you guys to get after. BUILD YOUR CONFIDENCE and you will BUILD YOUR SEXY.

Thank you to the POPsters who started the #BlogilatesBareMovement hashtag. You guys are soooooo inspiring. And you really surprised me :)

If you guys dare to bare…show the community your pretty face and you will be SHOWERED with love.

Thanks guys. I love you so much. Seriously. I have the most beautiful friends.

Ultimate Guide to 28 Day Reset on a BUDGET!

Hey Guys!

As you know, I am all for saving time and saving money – so I wanted to write the ULTIMATE GUIDE for doing the 28 Day Reset on a budget. (Or for eating healthy in general!)

Healthy food has a reputation of being more expensive. If any of you have watched a food documentary like, “Super Size Me” or “Fed Up,” you know that fast-food and sugary foods are cheap. But! If you know how to effectively grocery shop and cook at home – not only will you save even more money, you’ll be saving your health too. Here are my tips and fave foods for staying healthy on a budget!

TIP #1: LEARN HOW TO MEAL PREP

Get accustomed to meal prepping! It is the answer to eating healthy on a budget. Buy in bulk, cook in bulk, and you’ll bring back SO MUCH MORE TIME into your life! So the Blogifam spent the last few months designing a pad to help you organize your groceries and your meals for the week. Feast your eyes on the first ever… Blogilates Meal Prep Pad!

Plan out your meals for the week on the left and then write down what you need to buy on the right! The best part? The grocery list is already perforated so that you can tear it off and take it with you to the store! Also – try to buy IN SEASON fruits and veggies. You’ll save a lot of $ that way as they will be ON SALE!

I like using my meal prep pad as a mouse pad too! Oh and do you notice the cool design in the background? It’s fruits and veggies! I love the color so much! So if you’re on the 28 Day Reset Challenge, I HIGHLY recommend that you get this Meal Prep Pad. It will help you a lot and it’ll last a whole year!

TIP #2: COOK WITH QUINOA

$4-$5 per bag/box

Star Qualities:

Healthy, gluten-free carb that contains fiber and is slow-burning to keep you fuller longer. It also contains a little protein!

How to Use It:

As an alternative to rice, to bulk up salads and even as a breakfast porridge. Or, make it the star of your meal by adding a rich vinegar dressing, grilled veggies, dried fruit and nuts.

Servings:

There are 5 servings per 8-oz bag, making it about $1 per serving. If you toss with some greens, veggies and a little salad dressing, you could have a super filling meal for less than $4.00!

TIP #3: ADD BEANS!

$1.50-$1.95 per can

Star Qualities:

Whether you choose black, pinto, re-fried, garbanzo or kidney beans, all contain slow burning carbs with a healthy dose of fiber for satiety. There are only about 12 net carbs (6 grams of fiber) and 6 grams of protein in 1/2 cup of pinto beans, making these great for vegans as a source of protein.

How to Use It:

Toss into salads, make soup, or even get on the black-bean brownie train and use them in desserts like blondies, cookies and brownies.

Servings:

There are 3.5 servings per 15-oz can, so that’s less than .60 cents per serving!

TIP #4: FILL UP WITH OATS

$3.00-$4.00

Star Qualities:

Oats are a comfort food for a lot of people, which is a good thing, because they’re a healthy carb that keeps blood sugar stable. They contain fiber, folate, iron and magnesium and less than a gram of sugar per 1/2 cup. They also contain 7 grams of protein per serving!

How to Use It:

Use as a binder in meatloaf, for overnight oats, warmed like porridge, in smoothies, as a base for homemade protein bars and granola. Grind them in a blender to make homemade oat flour.

Servings:

Around 18 per 32 oz bag, making this superstar food only about .22 cents per serving!

TIP #5: WANT PROTEIN PROTEIN? EAT LENTILS!

$4.00 per bag

Star Qualities:

These are another vegan favorite, but they should be an everybody favorite! Lentils are virtually hands-off to cook (simply boil in water or broth), and have a variety of uses. They’re hearty and full of fiber and protein. 1/4 cup contains 11 grams of protein and only 20 net carbs with 7 grams of fiber.  These are a great non-meat source of protein that keeps blood sugar stable while providing many vitamins such as: iron, folate, magnesium and manganese.

How to Use It:

Most people enjoy boiling with veggies for a hearty soup, but you can add to salads, purée with tomatoes for a healthy dip, or make veggie patties.

TIP #6: MUNCH AND MUNCH AND MUNCH ON POPCORN!

$3.00 per bag

Star Qualities:

If you find one of the healthy varieties with non-GMO ingredients like just corn, oil and salt, you’re in good shape to tame your salty/crunchy cravings without added junk or preservatives. Popcorn allows you to eat slowly and enjoy almost four cups as one serving! Most snack foods are gone in two bites! So, for under 50 calories, you can munch and munch without guilt. Popcorn contains about 12 net carbs and 3 grams of fiber per serving.

How to Use It:

As a snack food any time you’re thinking of grabbing a bag of chips or a candy bar.

Servings:

3 3/4 cups per 4.4 oz bag, making this snack right around $1.00 per serving.

TIP #7: GET YOUR CRUNCH FROM RICE CAKES

$2.00 per bag

Star Qualities:

These are a fine alternative to bread for those following gluten-free diets. They’re also a great stand in for other high-calorie crunchy snacks like crackers and chips. Most contain between 40-60 calories per cake, which is about half the calories of a slice of bread. There’s not a lot of fiber in these, and you want to find brands that are made just from brown rice and maybe a touch of salt. Make sure there’s no sneaky ingredients in there like sugar if you’re on the Reset! You’ll get about 8 carbs per rice cake, so stick to only 1-2.

How to Use It:

Slather with almond butter and a touch of sugar-free jam for a sweet treat, or spread with mustard and turkey for a crunchy sandwich!

Servings:

There are about 14 cakes per sleeve, making these about .15 cents per rice cake.

TIP #8: NO TIME TO COOK? FILL UP ON A PROTEIN SHAKE.

Around $32.00 per jug

Star Qualities:

Before you say this seems expensive, check the serving size. Protein powders often step in as an entire meal, depending on the brand you buy. They contain all the protein of a chicken breast, meaning you’ll get all the essential amino acids you need to refuel, rebuild and recover after your workouts. Many brands also contain probiotics, enzymes, concentrated greens, some fiber and are easy for people to digest. Garden of Life Raw Organic Protein Powder has dozens of vitamins, 22 grams of protein, 2 net carbs, 3 grams of fiber, plus antioxidants and probiotics. Check around for the kind that works best for your body.  Is it egg white, vegan, bone broth or whey? The price will vary with the type you select, and with the quality of ingredients.

How to Use It:

Blended up in shakes! Take a scoop of powder and blend with ice and liquid with 1/2 a banana, a few almonds and spinach and you have a powerhouse meal for under $3.00! You can also bake with most powders, making yummy treats like mug cakes.

Servings:

Most powders contain 20-22 servings per jug. You can find many brands between $20.00- $40.00, so just the powder alone is between $1.00-$2.00 per serving.

TIP #9: MEAL PREP WITH CHICKEN BREAST

$2.00-$5.00 per pound

Star Qualities:

There aren’t a lot of leaner ways to get muscle-building protein into your body than simple chicken breasts. You can do it with fish, but fish often costs more. Chicken is super versatile and can be prepped in bulk, so it’s a time saver too!

How to Use It:

Grilled and chopped up into salads, tossed into quinoa bowls, added to healthy burritos, in stir fry’s, baked with a simple sauce or tossed into a crock pot and shredded.

Servings:

This will depend on how you buy it, but you can get frozen chicken breasts in bulk from Costco, or smaller amounts of fresh chicken from the supermarket. You’ll pay anywhere from $1-3 per breast, depending on the size. Some breasts are 2-3 servings, and most of us only need 3-4 ounces, or the size of a deck of cards. Make sure you check the size/weight before cooking to ensure proper servings sizes.

TIP #10: MISS PASTA? HAVE BLACK BEAN PASTA!

$4.00 per box

Star Qualities:

You’ll never be able to tell that you’re not eating conventional pasta that’s loaded with carbs and gluten other than by the color of these uber nutritious noodles. They are perfect for gluten-free and vegan lifestyles because the only ingredient is…. black beans! It’s magical how they turn a bean into a delicious noodle with a whopping 25 grams of protein per 2-oz serving! They also contain 11g of fiber, which makes these really filling and great for those following a lower carb regimen. These contain about 30 grams fewer carbs than regular pasta per serving! You cannot find them in all stores, but they’re widely available online.

How to Use It:

Just as you’d use pasta! Add a red sauce for a meal that costs less than $2! Or, make a Thai peanut sauce and add broccoli and green onions. You can also chill them and add to salads or stir fry’s.

Servings: 4 per box, so about .86 cents per serving.

TIP #11: STAY SATISFIED WITH PEANUT BUTTER

$4.95 per jar

Star Qualities:

Not many things satisfy as well as a spoonful of nut butter. Other varieties, such as almond or cashew butter are slightly more expensive, but also make the list because of their amazing benefits. Nuts and nut butters contain healthy fats that help keep you full.  Low in carbs with moderate protein, nut butters spread onto almost anything, making whatever it is infinitely better. Nut butters do contain fat, which is why it’s important to stick to serving sizes by measuring by the tablespoon. One serving (two tablespoons) of nut butters clock in around 190 calories or so, which is why it’s great to pair it with low calorie things like celery, apples and rice cakes. If you like to use for toast or as a drizzle for oats, be mindful of how much you use.

How to Use It:

In shakes, by the spoonful to tackle cravings, as the base for a salad dressing, in overnight oats and with celery or apples with raisins for ants on a log.

Servings:

14 per 16-oz jar, making this childhood snack only .35 cents per 2 tablespoons!

TIP #12: EAT APPLES, PEARS, ORANGES & BANANAS!

Under $1

Star Qualities:

I probably don’t need to say much about fruit; it’s nature’s candy, full of vitamins, antioxidants and water. Fruit tames your sweet tooth cravings and leaves you satisfied thanks to fabulous fiber. It’s also portable! These fruits tend to cost less than fresh berries, and last much longer, so they’re budget-friendly.

How to Use It:

Straight up, in smoothies, in a fruit salad, as toppings, with nut butter.

Servings:

A huge bag of Clementines costs as little as $3.99, making these cuties around .20 cents each. Bananas can be found for as little as a quarter, and apples cost less than a dollar.

TIP #13: REPLACE REGULAR POTATOES WITH SWEET POTATOES!

$1.95 per pound

Star Qualities:

This is a carb from the earth that everyone should be eating! Sweet potatoes have beta carotene, vitamins A, C, B-2, B-6, manganese and more, as well as fiber. They’re a slow burning carb so they won’t spike your blood sugar. They also last a long time in a cool, dark place, so you can buy a big bag for pretty cheap and have it last you a couple weeks.

How to Use It:

Baked, mashed, sliced and baked as fries, spiraled as noodles, sliced and baked as chips, cubed, and tossed into salads, as a thickener in soups, in pancakes, and even in desserts!

Servings:

You can generally find a medium-sized sweet potato for about $1.

TIP #14: FIBER WITH THE FEWEST CALORIES? EAT SPINACH, KALE & LETTUCE

$2 per bunch

Star Qualities:

Packed with vitamins and antioxidants, lettuce and spinach can serve as a base for all kinds of cold salads, and spinach and kale can be sautéed into just about anything to add nutrients and fiber with few calories.

How to Use It:

Spinach and kale can be added to shakes (you won’t taste it!), sautéed, added to soups and egg dishes, and all three can be the base of cold salads.

Servings:

4-6 per bunch, making each serving about .50 cents.

TIP #15: STAY EXCITED WITH AVOCADO

$1-$2 each

Star Qualities:

This might be one of the most expensive items on the list, but this little beauty is well-worth it. Avocados contain healthy fat and even a little protein. They have more potassium than a banana, and tons of vitamins, including: C, E, K, B-6, and folate.

How to Use It:

Guacamole, smashed into tuna salad or a vegan garbanzo bean salad (in place of mayo), sliced in sandwiches, with eggs, in baking, in vegan chocolate pudding or as a simple snack with sea salt. So much versatility!

Servings:

2-4 per avocado, making this one about .50 cents per serving.

TIP #16: FAST PROTEIN? CANNED TUNA

$1.99 per 5-oz can

Star Qualities:

Tuna is a lean protein, and because it’s in a can and needs no refrigeration, it’s great for on-the-go, something you can’t say for fresh fish. It’s a meal on its own, or you can add to salads, or mix with avocado, mustard or a little mayo for a richer flavor with some healthy fat. You get about 14 grams of protein for just 2 ounces of tuna with zero carbs and 1 gram of fat. That’s super cool because it means that you can add a healthy fat of your choice, like mayo, olives or avocado!

How to Use It:

In Mediterranean salads, mashed with avocado, lemon juice and garbanzo beans, on rice cakes or for dipping cucumbers.

Servings:

2 per can, so about $1 per serving.

TIP #17: EAT YOUR EGGS!

$2.99 per dozen (more if organic)

Star Qualities:

One egg clocks in at 70 calories with 6 grams of protein (4 of which come from just the white). The yolk contains vitamins and minerals such as choline, B-12, iron and vitamin D. There are about 5 grams of fat in an egg, which helps with satiety.

How to Use It:

Poached, scrambled, sunny side up, hard-boiled, in egg salad, added to salads, in baking, in breakfast burritos.

Servings:

If you find them on sale, they can be as low as .20 cents each!

TIP #18: BULK UP YOUR MEALS WITH CHIA SEED

$6.45 per 12-oz bag

Star Qualities:

Chia seeds contain 1/3 of your daily fiber in just 2 tablespoons! Fiber aids in cholesterol reduction, and helps keep you full. A great source of vegan protein and omegas, these tiny little seeds are a nutritional powerhouse. They contain iron, which helps maintain energy and aids in red blood cell production. One ounce of chia seeds delivers 244 milligrams of phosphorus; 35% of what adults need each day to help maintain bone mass. Chia seeds also contain zinc for a healthy immune system, calcium for strong bones and niacin to help keep your skin and nerves healthy.

How to Use It:

Added to oatmeal and shakes, or made into chia pudding, added to salad dressings to thicken them, or tossed right into salads for crunch.

Servings:

28 per 12-ounce bag, or about .23 cents per tablespoon.

TIP #19: BUY FROZEN FRUITS & VEGGIES

$3-4 per 8-12-oz bag

Star Qualities:

Frozen fruits and vegetables mean that you won’t be wasting money on fresh foods you can’t finish before they spoil. They’re also locked in at peak freshness, preserving their nutrients. Simply pull what you need for a recipe and keep the rest frozen! You’ll be getting loads of fiber and antioxidants with tons of flavor and few calories.

How to Use It:

Frozen fruits can go straight into shakes, be made into jam, tossed onto oatmeal, cottage cheese or yogurt, or sautéed as dessert. Frozen veggies just need to be reheated to round out any meal. There are many varieties of mixed veggies too, like succotash, grilled vegetable medleys and a collection of stir-fry veggies.

Servings:

Anywhere from 2-6, so you might get a serving for around $1.

TIP #20: SNACK ON ALMONDS

$7.00 per 8-oz bag

Star Qualities:

Almonds contain healthy fat, a bit of protein and fiber, making them the perfect portable snack. Yes, almonds are high in fat, but it’s the good kind of monounsaturated fats your body needs. Almonds are packed with essential nutrients, including magnesium, potassium, and vitamin E, all of which attack high cholesterol and prevent heart disease. They’re also high in calcium.

How to Use It:

Make homemade almond milk, toss into salads, use as a Paleo coating for chicken, add to oats or yogurt, make homemade nut butter, or just use as snacks.

Servings: 

There are 8 or more servings per bag, so per handful, these cost about .87 cents.

TIP #21: GET FLAVOR FROM SALSA!

$3.25 for a 16-oz jar

Star Qualities:

Packed with flavor—and heat, if you like spice—salsa and hot sauce add tons of flavor for little cost. Just a splash gives you the essence of tomatillos, cayenne, garlic, peppers, tomatoes and more! It’s also healthy, packing in antioxidants and vitamins, and it’s super versatile. It’s also very low calorie, so feel free to dump it on!

How to Use It:

Add to omelets, chicken, guacamole, as a dip for veggies, as a salad dressing and as a base for ground turkey dishes.

Servings:

About 15 (2 tablespoons per serving), or .23 cents per serving.

TIP #22: EAT HUMMUS WHEN YOU WANT TO GET SAVORY WITH YOUR SNACKS

$3.25 per 12-oz container

Star Qualities:

Who doesn’t love the creamy, bean-y flavor of hummus?! It’s the perfect dip for veggies, containing plant-based protein, healthy carbs and a touch of fat. It contains all the macro-nutrients in one bite, making it a great snack food. It’s easy to want to eat the entire tub, so stick to 1-2 servings! There are many different flavors on the market now, from jalapeno, to beet to Thai coconut, so explore all the fun flavor profiles out there, because you’ll never get bored.

How to Use It:

With raw veggies or on rice cakes, as a base for salad dressing, smeared on chicken, then baked, or in Mediterranean bowls with quinoa and cucumbers.

Servings:

About 11 (2 tablespoons per serving), making this punch of flavor only .30 cents or so.

TIP #23: DRINK ALMOND MILK!

$3.00 per carton

Star Qualities:

Whether you choose coconut, cashew or almond milk, it’s a good idea to ditch cow’s milk. Most people cannot tolerate dairy without experiencing stomach cramps, bloating and gas, as they lack the enzyme required to break down lactose. Substituting with a nut milk provides nearly double the calcium of cow’s milk, with fewer calories and no stomach distress. Nut milks allow your smoothies to remain thick and creamy, for as little as 25 calories per cup! While there’s little to no protein, you’ll get little fat, no sugar and zero net carbs. And guess what?!  Making any of these milks yourself is SO easy! Coconut milk couldn’t be faster or easier! Blend up 4 cups of warm water with 2 cups of shredded unsweetened coconut with 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract. Strain through a nut bag. Store in a glass Mason jar for up to 3 days. That’s it!

How to Use It:

In smoothies, baking, soups, with granola or straight from a glass.

Servings:

8 cups (or 64-oz), making it .38 cents per serving

Note: Prices sourced through Amazon Fresh. But like I said above, take advantage of in-season produce sales and you will save A LOT.

20 Things I learned in my 20s

Hey guys!

I’ve officially been 30 for 3 days! How does it feel?

EXACTLY THE SAME.

In fact, I feel as energetic and as youthful inside as I did in college…except, in my personal opinion, I think I look better! And I am a lot wiser. Well, as wise as a 30 year old can be!

When I was a kid, I used to think I’d fall in love at 16, be married by 25 and have kids at 30. Thanks Disney movies.

Yes I am in love, but I am not married, and my kids are my businesses – so that’s a lot right now!

Today’s post will be a reflective one. I am thankful for every day that I get to live to see the next day, while being able to make cool things happen. Here are 20 things I learned in my 20s – in no particular order.

Love is not finding someone you can live with. It’s finding someone you can’t live without.
Follow your passion no matter what anyone says.
Do more of what makes you happy and less of what doesn’t.
Your friends are a reflection of who you are.
There is no such thing as the perfect diet.
There is no such thing as a perfect body.
It’s ok to fail. 
You can’t trust everyone.
If it feels wrong, it probably is.
Confidence is more beautiful than external beauty.
Never stop learning.
Having too much ego will be your downfall.
Every person has a back story. Try to understand them before you judge.
Everything is possible, and you must never give up.
Time is priceless. Don’t waste it.
Give, give, give without expectation. And you shall receive.
Being nice gets you way farther than being mean.
Business isn’t about money. It’s about relationships.
Your parents are people too and they are not perfect. 
Don’t be afraid to quit your job.

I think I could probably type up 100 more, but I’ll save that for another time.

I’m such a different person today than who I was when I was graduating college. It’s so interesting, because at every stage in my life (except at my 1st corporate job) I always felt super confident. My peers called me arrogant, but I think that’s what you get for being a “girl boss”. If a guy is “arrogant” he’s just being confident.

ANYWAY!

Confidence is what got me to where I am today. If I didn’t believe in myself, who would? You gotta believe in who you are, what you’re meant to do, and you just have to go for it. Don’t be afraid to fail. If you do, all you have to do is get up and try again. The thing is, if you don’t take any risk in life, your reward will not be grand. You’ve got to be bold!!! Don’t be scared!

With that said, I want to share with you pics from my bday party this weekend! My sis flew down and helped us prep the house for a party! I’ve been SLOWLY interior decorating over the past 3.5 years since I moved down to LA and I’ve never had a proper house warming. So when we decided to have the party at home, I went into a frenzy and bought furniture, decor, and curtains like a madwoman.

The whole weekend was “prom committee” central. Sam and I were building furniture, nailing and screwing things to the wall, while my sister was making crazy balloon arch creations from Pinterest. She even stopped by the LA Flower Market at 6AM to get fresh flowers (and baby pineapples) for the party. IT WAS SERIOUS.

Here’s how it all turned out!

Low temperature hot glue gun is what’s holding the balloons together.

I have a pen. I have an apple. Oooh! AH! Pineapple pen!

Bought outdoor furniture and a fire pit. I am so adult.

Night time vibes. Waiting for guests to arrive.

So we’ll take pics while we wait.

People started arriving and we made them wear hats. It’s Phil and Jason! We’re unicorns obviously.

Rosanna and Lilly! Missing Justine and Lindsey to round out the #RoyalSquad :P

TRAIN IS COMING!!!

Sam and Kurt playing mega Connect 4. Kurt wanted to play “blindfolded.” No, really.

Sam concentrating hard at big Jenga.

Can you believe my sister made this Matcha Green Tea Mille Cake? It was 40 layers thick!! AHHH I LOVE MATCHA!

One of the most tedious cakes EVER. But so so YUMMY!!! If you want to make a healthy (and delish) version of this cake, check out my CHEAP CLEAN EATS Matcha Crepe Cake recipe here.

I am so grateful that my friends were able to make it out on a Sunday night and celebrate with me. I feel so lucky to have all of them in my life. Each one, so kind, talented and inspiring.

And thank you to YOU for reading this blog post and being with me on this journey into the land of 30. I wonder what things I’ll learn over the next 10 years…

Love you so much!

28 Day Reset Rainbowl!

Hey Guys!

First of all, thank you for all of the bday wishes! I was reading all of them all day yesterday! I felt so much love!

Now…let’s talk about how this Rainbowl is LIFE! YOU KNOW I love everything in rainbow order!

I came up with this because I know typical green salads can get a little boring on the 28 Day Reset, so I had to breathe new life back into salad-making for you. I wanted to create something you could get excited about eating, not only because it tastes AH-MAZING, but because it’s gorgeous, filling, and the nutrients are through the roof!

I think we limit ourselves sometimes to green salads with a few carrots and cucumbers, and we forget about nature’s diversity. My huge tip to make yourself start craving salads is to cook or roast several components of the salad. Raw green salads often feel like diet food, and I’ve heard some of you say they just don’t fill you up. That’s not the case when you toss in roasted sweet potatoes, butternut squash, cauliflower, broccoli and sauteed onions. It feels more like a hearty stew than a salad! I do recommend throwing in colorful raw crunchy vegetables too. Veggies in their natural, uncooked state, are SO good for you!

I know you also appreciate quick recipes, so I am hear to tell you, you can bulk-prep this meal and enjoy it all week, and the hands-on time is under 25 minutes (less if you buy pre-chopped veggies!). I’m even going to give you one of my favorite homemade dressing recipes that I whip up all the time. Store-bought dressings often contain corn syrup, sugar, vegetable oils and ingredients you can’t even pronounce. Mine has only a handful of ingredients and tastes rich, slightly sweet and has a little kick of heat. You can make this salad vegan by omitting the egg. If you do have the egg, consider throwing in an egg white too for some extra protein. You could do hard-boiled eggs, or a sunny-side up egg like I did. Use any colorful veggies you like!

Rainbowls

Prep Time: 25 min

Ingredients:

ROASTING VEGETABLES (400 degrees F.)

Butternut squash, cubed (18 min)
Purple sweet potato, peeled and sliced (18 min)
Green Cauliflower, broken into florets (15 min)
Broccolini (12 min)

Method :

Coat several nonstick baking sheets with coconut oil cooking spray. Sprinkle all veggies with sea salt and pepper, and a pinch of garlic powder. Coat the tops of the veggies with cooking spray. Roast for times listed above, or until slightly tender and beginning to brown.

Ingredients:

SAUTEED VEGETABLES

Sweet potato, peeled and spiraled (8 min)
Red onion, sliced thin or spiraled (6 min)
Eggplant, cubed (6 min)

Method :

Coat a nonstick pan with cooking spray and add the sweet potato with some salt, pepper and garlic powder. Stir often as the sweet potato begins to brown and shrink in size.
Coat another nonstick pan with cooking spray and add the onion. Stir as it caramelizes.
Coat a nonstick pan with cooking spray and add the eggplant with 1 teaspoon of olive oil, and salt and pepper. Stir until slightly tender.

Ingredients:

RAW VEGETABLES

Shredded purple cabbage
Red bell peppers, sliced
Yellow bell peppers, sliced
Large beet, spiraled
Radishes, sliced
Pea shoots (or microgreens)

Method :

Add these raw crunchy veggies for color and crunch!

 

Thai Peanut Dressing

Yield: 4-6 servings

Serving size: 2-3 tablespoons

Prep Time: 3 min

Ingredients:

1/4 cup orange juice (I squeezed 4 Clementines)
1/4 cup natural peanut butter
2 tablespoons coconut aminos (or gluten-free soy sauce alternative)
1-2 tablespoons rice vinegar (or apple cider vinegar if your rice vinegar has sugar)
Pinch of garlic powder
Sea salt and pepper to taste
Pinch cayenne pepper (optional)
Coconut milk or water to thin, as needed

Method :

Whisk together the orange juice, peanut butter, aminos, vinegar, garlic, salt and pepper. Serve now, or place in a mason jar to use all week long.
Add coconut milk or water to thin to desired consistency, if desired. It should be a thick dressing, but as it sits, it gets thicker, so for future meals, thin as needed.

I love you so much and I am SO proud of all of you for kicking the Reset’s butt! If you want to join, it’s free, and you can find all the info here. Leaving you with this today:

Train Your Mind Like You Train Your Body

Hey guys!

I want to talk about something very important that’s part of a healthy lifestyle. It’s not your diet, and it’s not your workout routine. It’s another piece of the puzzle that sets you up for success to reach your health and fitness goals. But first, I want you to take a look at these facts:

33% of the population is now obese or overweight (and that’s likely to increase).

More than 60% of people with a gym membership have difficultly sticking to their plan.

92% of people fail to maintain their fitness resolutions by the end of the year.

How are these statistics true if we have so many workout programs to choose from? And so many different diets and meal plans to follow? Why are people still obese? Why can’t they lose weight? WHY aren’t these workout programs and diet plans working?

I’ll let you in on the secret … many of these workout programs and diet plans ARE effective. They do work and you can see results – but only certain people succeed. These are the people that are able to learn how to change their behavior. The people who create positive intentions and don’t let small setbacks stop them from reaching their goals.

Wait what? It has nothing to do with the workout or meal plan? It’s all in your behavior? In your mind? YUP. That’s true and you may be surprised. Let me explain …

Whether you recognize it or not, your success is based on your ability to change your mind and your behavior. Most people start a workout program and only last a short period of time before quitting because their mind plays tricks on them that set them up for failure, while people who succeed are better at making long-term behavioral changes. You may look at someone who is successful in their diet and workout plans and just think they have the “willpower” to do it, but it’s actually not that simple.

When we think willpower, we think about that power to resist the temptation of junk food. We think about being able to get up at 5am to go to the gym when you really want to sleep instead. But in all truthfulness willpower isn’t ALWAYS there for us, and not something to constantly rely on. We actually have less control over our willpower than we would like. This is because the daily hassles of life, stress and emotions get in our way and make it difficult to stay on track. BUT some people are still able to overcome these hurdles.

How do they do it? They set themselves up for success. These people recognize that their willpower will be tested, so they control aspects of their life to help them through the temptations. For example, if you know that you can’t make it to the gym regularly, then sign up for fitness classes each week that you CAN make it to and commit to those. If you know that you won’t be able to resist the ice cream in your freezer, then don’t buy it. The key is to build systems and strategies, so when your willpower gives up, you wont have the option to fail – instead you’ll have a backup plan. People who do that – succeed.

Help your willpower (and your brain) out by making small adjustments and changes at a time. Here are some specific tips to help you change behavior and reach your goals:

#1. Stay Positive

It sounds simple, but sometimes it takes a lot of work to stay positive. Of course we all want to believe that we can reach our goals, and that’s why you need to set attainable, REALISTIC goals. If you set them too high, you’ll feel defeated as soon as you make one slip. And then give up. So, stay confident by setting positive intentions. Understand that some changes will be difficult and some might be easier. Either way you are still on a journey to success. Stay positive and you WILL reach your goals.

#2. Think small … but DREAM BIG!

How do you achieve your goals? By doing many little tasks to get you there. They may not seem like much, but if you focus on the small steps that it takes to get you to where you want to be, then you’ll find success.

Here’s another way to look at it:

1. Set a big goal

2. Set up the plan (the small steps)

3. Create milestones and celebrate your successes along the way, but still remember that there will always be small setbacks (just don’t let them stop you)

4. Reach your goal!

#3. Find someone to keep you accountable!

Whether it’s family, friends, trainers, or workout partners – having positive feedback makes a HUGE difference. Don’t let yourself think that you need to go at this alone. Surround yourself with support. That’s why the Blogilates community is so special – because we have this group of people who radiate positivity to one another. Even though it’s online, doesn’t take away from the encouragement we send each other!

NOW DO IT!

It’s up to YOU to build yourself up for success. The workout programs and healthy recipes will always be there, but it’s up to YOU to make the positive changes in your behavior to stay on track and SUCCEED! Don’t blame the workout guides and meal plans for being “ineffective”, when you know you could be making a better effort! Train your mind like you would train your body.

28 Day Reset Super Hash Browns

Can you believe that the creation above is 28 Day Reset friendly?

Umm guys.

Amazingness coming right up…RIGHT NOW!

If you feel like your tastebuds are getting bored on the 28 day Reset, I’ve got something that will excite them again! Today I was experimenting in the kitchen and I created hash browns from cauliflower and eggs! And it tasted EPIC. So I need you to go either buy yourself a bag of cauliflower rice right now or buy a head of cauli and food process it up into mini bits (aka cauli rice).

Here’s the recipe for my

28 DAY RESET SUPER HASH BROWNS!

Makes 5 servings

Ingredients:

1 bag Trader Joe’s Riced Cauliflower
3 eggs for hash brown batter + 5 eggs for the 5 servings. 8 eggs total.
2 ripe avocados
1/2 lemon
1 TBSP of freshly diced tomatoes (optional)
Chili flakes (optional)
Salt & Pepper to taste
Olive Oil or Coconut Oil

Directions:

#1. First heat up your pan or wok and put about 1 tsp of olive oil in the pan as it heats up on high. Then pour in the riced cauli and stir around for a few minutes until slightly golden. You don’t want to do this for too long because the cauli will eventually go back on the pan again and have another chance to cook through.

#2. Then crack 3 whole eggs in a big bowl. Pour the sauteed cauli in the bowl and mix thoroughly. Add in about 1/2 tsp of salt and 1/2 tsp of pepper. You can adjust accordingly. Your hash brown batter will end up looking like this:

#3. In a medium heat pan, add some oil and let heat. Then take about 3 heaping TBSP of the hash brown batter and spread in an even circle on the pan. Let the bottom of the hash brown solidify before flipping. This should take a few minutes. Once you flip, it will look like a hashbrown (or a latke)! Like this:

#4. Now make your Avocado Mash. It’s basically 2 avocados, mashed with a fork with 1/2 a lemon and some salt and pepper to taste.

#5. Now it’s layering time! Put the Avo mash on the hash brown, cook an egg sunny side up and top with some chili flakes and tomatoes if you desire!

MMMMMMmmmmMMMMMmmMMMm! Doesn’t that look so good!???

Yeah. Had to GIF it. Because I want to relive this moment forever.

How are you guys doing on the 28 Day Reset Challenge? Have you seen changes yet? I’ve talked to some POPsters and so far I’ve heard that the first thing everyone notices is better skin! I also saw that someone already went down 6 lbs in the first week! That is all awesome! And if in case you have not seen or felt changes yet, keep going. It takes time. It’s not easy but it will serve you so well in the long run to know your body’s food intolerances and sensitivities.

If you want to join on the 28 Day Reset Challenge, download the FREE PDF here. And if you want the entire meal plan and recipe cookbook of Reset-friendly meals, you can check out my official ebook here.

Let me know below in the comments how you’re doing. Be honest! Even if you’ve fallen off, it’s ok! Just get back on the wagon!!

 

 

28 Day Reset Fried Rice!

Yay! It is the second day of the #28DayReset Challenge and I am feeling so good! Started my day with a workout at 7:15am and then made some fried rice for breakfast!

Wait, fried rice?

Yes, my parents used to make me and my sis fried rice for breakfast, so this is a normal thing :)

It was so delish and so fast to make! And get this…the rice wasn’t even traditional rice at all…it was cauliflower “rice”! Bet you couldn’t even tell from the picture huh? Many of you guys were asking for guidance on what to cook while on your #28DayReset Challenge, so I thought I’d show you what I was having.

Remember, while on the Reset, you will be eliminating the following from your diet for 28 days only:

No dairy
No gluten
No added sugars
No processed foods
No alcohol

This will allow you to clean out your body. Then after the 28 days, you will slowly introduce one thing back in at a time to see what food sensitivities you may have. It is such a valuable thing to know your body, so I suggest you take the time to experiment and figure out your intolerances for yourself. If you want to download the free PDF guidelines, click here.

So if you’re not sure what creative things you can cook, here’s a lil inspiration!

28 DAY RESET FRIED RICE

Makes ~ 6-7 portions

Ingredients:

1 bag of Trader Joe’s Riced Cauliflower
2 chicken breasts
4 eggs
1 cup shelled edamame
1 cup boiled carrots, chopped
1 onion, chopped
1 tsp of olive oil or sesame oil
pepper to taste
soy sauce or coconut aminos to taste

This is what the riced cauliflower looks like. Thank you Trader Joes! SUCH A TIME SAVER!!!!

Directions:

Peel carrots, then boil carrots until soft. If you don’t want to peel them then buy baby carrots! After cooked, chop in small cubes.
Also boil the chicken breast until cooked. Chop in small pieces.
In a wok or big pan, set heat on high, and add the oil. Throw the chopped onion in.
In another smaller pan, scramble your eggs.
Once onions are slightly golden, add the cauli rice into the wok and sautee.
Then add in the carrots, chicken, edmamame (ok if frozen at this point), and eggs.
Sautee around and add in soy sauce and pepper to taste.

Then…you get this beauty!

Totally ate it with some habanero sauce and nearly burned my tongue off this morning. Hahaha. I like kick. A lot of kick. It was good. Oh yah, and if you have green onions lying around, definitely top your fried rice with this. I didn’t have any on hand, but it’s something I usually always add!

Hope this helps with your #28DayReset Challenge! If you want more recipes, check out the official 28 Day Reset meal plan with over 150+ recipes! There’s also a very good plant based vegan version too.

How are you doing on the Reset so far?