Time is ticking!!

The challenge is almost over!!! The race for the winner's seat is hot! Many of you are neck and neck (based on blog activity, workouts logged and mini challenges completed)... I'll be asking for your finishing stats on Monday (weight & measurements).

First, here's another mini challenge for you...

Pick your favorite exercise from the video workouts and do 100 of that ;-) then comment with what your fav is!!

Cauliflower "fried" Rice

Veggies are a big trend in food right now... using low calorie vegetables to replace noodles, rice, bread, crust, etc. is not only popular but super smart and tasty!

Here's a delicious recipe for cauliflower "fried" rice...

What you need:
1/2 head cauliflower (make into rice by grating it or use food processor until it resembles rice)
1/2TBSP coconut oil
1/2C peas
1 egg
1TBSP soy sauce
Optional: spicy chili sauce

How to:
Heat oil in pan. Add egg and cook through. Add "rice" and all other ingredients. Cook 5-7 minutes. I topped mine with chicken stir-fry. You can make the rice a meal all on it's own... add another egg to boost the protein!

What's your favorite veggie replacement meal?

Bonus Workout

Is 15 minutes just too much time some days? I hear ya! BUT... that's still no excuse to skip your workout... Here's a 7 minute killer. Now, come on... who doesn't have 7 minutes???

50 jumping jacks
10-20 wide leg squats
25 jumping jacks
10-20 push-ups (on knees or regular)
50 jumping jacks
25 crunches
25 jumping jacks
15-20 lunges on each leg

Ready, set, go! Post below when you're done!

BONUS FOOD PLAN

We all like to mix it up, right? So, I've decided to give you all a mini bonus plan! Here are some more meal options to incorporate into your current plan! Remember to also check the recipe page for more!!!

BREAKFAST

Farmer’s Egg Burrito

1 whole egg, 2 egg whites

1 slice cheese 

1 low-carb/high fiber tortilla

(Saute eggs w/ spinach, tomato, mushrooms, salsa. Top w/ cheese and wrap in tortilla)

Cereal & Milk

3/4C Uncle Sam Original or other high-fiber/low sugar cereal

1C milk choice

1/2C berries

 Berry French Toast

2 slices Ezekiel bread

1 beaten egg

1C berries

Cinnamon & vanilla to taste

(Dip bread in egg mixture. Cook in skillet on medium. Top w/ berries, cinnamon and/or ‘Greek Yogurt Pudding’: 3TBSP Greek yogurt mixed with 1TBSP sugar-free pudding mix and Stevia)

SNACK

 Cinnamon Apple “Pie”

1 apple

1TBSP crushed nuts

(Slice apple, microwave 1-2 minutes, top w/ nuts and cinnamon)

Optional: top with 1/2C Greek yogurt

Fiber Fill-Up

1 Trader Joe’s Fiber Muffin or high fiber granola bar (Fiber 1)

1 TBSP peanut butter or small handful of almonds

*Tip: Fiber promotes healthy digestion, keeps you fuller longer and has many other great health benefits

Banana Split 

1 small banana

1/2C Greek yogurt (optional: add Stevia, cinnamon and/or sugar-free pudding mix)

1TBSP crushed nuts

(Slice banana. Top with yogurt & nuts)

LUNCH

Chicken Salad Sandwich

1/2 grilled chicken breast

2TBSP Greek yogurt

1 lime wedge

1/4C diced celery

1tsp balsamic vinegar

Salt & pepper to taste

Optional: 1TBSP diced strawberries

2 slices sprouted or whole-grain brea

(Shred chicken & mix all ingredients in bowl. Spoon chicken salad onto toasted   bread)

Roma Mozzarella Salad

1 sliced string cheese

Veggies: sliced tomato, cucumber, romaine, peppers

1TBSP olive oil, 2TBSP balsamic vinegar

Optional: Add sliced chicken breast

Buffalo Chicken Wrap

1 sliced grilled chicken breast 

1 low-carb/high fiber tortilla

Veggies: romaine, tomato, cucumber, peppers

Top w/ 2TBSP light Ranch (or Greek yogurt) and hot sauce

Tip: Cooked chicken is good up to four days if properly refrigerated

Tuna Lettuce Wraps

1 can solid white albacore (drained)

1/2C cooked brown rice

2TBSP Greek yogurt

Veggies: celery, pickle, cucumber

Salt and pepper to taste

2TBSP balsamic vinegar

Whole romaine leaves

DINNER

Chicken Garden Fajita Salad

1 sliced chicken breast

Veggies: peppers, asparagus, mushrooms, tomato

1/2C black beans

Mixed spinach and/or romaine lettuce, salsa as dressing

(Saute chicken with veggies. Add black beans. Combine with greens and salsa.)

Mexi Quinoa Bowl

1/2LB cooked lean ground beef or lean ground turkey

3/4C cooked quinoa

1 can green chillies

1 TBSP avocado

Squeeze of lemon

(Mix cooked meat, cooked quinoa & chillies together in skillet. Top with avocado & squeeze of lemon.)

*Time Saver: Makes 2 servings, save leftovers for another meal

Stuffed Peppers

1LB ground beef or buffalo

4 bell peppers

1 stalk celery

1/4C chopped onion

1 egg

1/2C tomato marinara sauce

1/2C mozzarella cheese

1TBSP olive oil

Salt, pepper & oregano to taste

(Preheat oven to 350. Cut golf ball size hole around pepper stems. Pull out stems, seeds & membranes. Rinse peppers, inside and out. Brush pepper skin w/ oil & set aside. Mix beef, egg, celery, onion, marinara and spices. Evenly stuff peppers. Pour water into cooking pan - just enough to cover bottom. Arrange peppers in pan & bake 30-45 minutes until meat is brown throughout. Remove peppers and sprinkle w/ cheese. Makes 4 servings)

Sweet & Sour Beef & Broccoli

4oz sliced steak (suggest: sirloin)

1C fresh broccoli

1/2TBSP olive oil

1/2TBSP pickled ginger

1/2TBSP soy sauce

1/2C pineapple

Optional: mix in 1/2C pre-cooked Oat Groats

(Spray skillet, add thinly sliced steak strips and allow to brown. In small bowl, combine oil, ginger & soy sauce and whisk. Add broccoli and sauce to skillet along w/ 1TBSP of water. Reduce heat, cover & simmer until broccoli is tender)

MINI CHALLENGE

PLANK!!!! AS SOON AS YOU READ THIS, I CHALLENGE YOU TO PLANK FOR AS LONG AS YOU CAN!! YOU'LL START TO SHAKE, WOBBLE AND MAYBE CRY HAHA... BUT KEEP GOING UNTIL YOU LITERALLY COLLAPSE, THEN LET US ALL KNOW HOW LONG YOU LASTED BY COMMENTING BELOW.

Cheat Meal Clean Up

Yum, check out Kristie's cleaned-up version of the typical burger! She used ground turkey instead and added veggies to the actual patty... Use large Romaine leaves as a bun, add tomatoes & pickles ... and wow, you've got a delicious and nutritious dinner!!! Thanks for sharing, Kristie!!

Yummy "Comfort Food" Dinner

This is one of my favorite meals and the whole family loves it, too!! Chicken Meatloaf Muffins with Cauliflower Mash! It's a cleaned up version of the typical meatloaf and potatoes. We had this last night and I'm sad to say that we didn't have leftovers...cause I want it AGAIN! My hubby took what we did have left for lunch today. Note to self... make a double batch next time! I recommend you do that too!! Here's the recipe

CHICKEN MEATLOAF MUFFINS

1 LB ground chicken (can use turkey or lean ground beef, instead!)

1 bell pepper (any color), diced - I used several mini bell peppers of different colors

1/4C diced cherry tomatoes

1 egg

2tsp dried oregano

sea salt & pepper to taste

Preheat oven to 350. Combine all ingredients and mix well (I use my hands). Spray a muffin tin with Pam. Evenly fill each muffin cup - fills 10. Bake 20 minutes. You can top with a little low-sugar marinara, if you want. Three muffins are a serving. These are also great snacks for on the go - snack portion is 2.

CAULIFLOWER MASH

1 head of cauliflower, cut into florets

Steam cauliflower for 15-20 minutes. Let cool & blend. Before serving sprinkle on some pepper and sea salt. You can add a little coconut oil.