Food Friday

Welcome to Food Friday!

OK...we are nearing the end of the week and looking forward to the weekend. I am a huge meal planner Sunday through Thursday and then usually things get a little wonky.  I am starting Food Friday's to get a good recipe base going for my followers plus keep me on track from the weekend and week. 

Planning is key so keeping things healthy into the weekend will set you up for success for the week ahead.  

This is a favorite recipe and a great staple in our family. I am able to get in extra veggies and even throw in some Mila (Chia Seeds) to the recipe for an extra boost.  

Zucchini Lasagna with Pine Nut Ricotta

2-3 medium zucchinis

Ricotta: 

1 cup pine nuts, soaked for 4-6 hours

1 cup blanched almond flour

2-3 tablespoons fresh squeezed lemon juice

1-2 tablespoons water

1/2 teaspoon sea salt

Other: 

3-4 cups pasta sauce

sauteed sliced mushrooms (I use balsamic, salt and pepper) 

fresh spinach or other super greens

fresh basil

Mila chia seed

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly oil a 9x13 inch pan

Make zucchini noodles by cutting long, thin, flat strips about 1/8 to 1/4 inch

(I love my mandolin as it does all the work for me)

To make ricotta, drain the pine nuts and add them to a food processor fitted with the "s" blade along with the remaining ingredients. process until it is pasty

To assemble the lasagna, first pour about one cup pasta sauce on bottom of pan and spread. Place a layer of zucchini "noodles" over the sauce. Take half o the ricotta and spread it over the noodles. Add the other ingredients plus any other you want to add. I love adding the mushrooms, super greens and fresh basil.  Add another cup of pasta sauce and repeat the layering process.  Then add the rest of the sauce and final layers of zucchini noodles. Drizzle with olive oil over the noodles and then sprinkle with any fresh herbs and a few tablespoons of blanched almond flour. 

Bake 40-45 minutes. Let it rest 10 and enjoy.  

I love serving this with fresh arugula, sea salt, light drizzle of olive oil and fresh parm. 

ENJOY!!!

Mila Chia Seeds vs. store bought chia seed

Why Mila vs Store bought Chia seeds ?

This is a question I get asked all the time.  I wanted to provide an overview of why I choose to use Mila Chia seeds vs. store brought brands.  

Not only are the strains (the known source) and cleaning process of highest standards, but Mila uses a proprietary cold fracturing system to open the seeds, making them easier to digest and much more bio-available - meaning the nutrients absorb easily and are utilized by our body to continuously heal and bring balance on a cellular level. Oftentimes, whole seeds do not break down easily and therefore they move through our system without being absorbed and utilized for their powerful nutritional qualities. Seeds that are ground in large quantities (such as ground chia sold in stores) can heat up during the grinding process, destroying enzymes (life force), causing oxidation and tremendous loss of nutrients.

I bake and cook a ton with Mila and I am comforted in the fact that the nutrient of this super food is not broken down by the cooking and heating process.  

I am getting everything I need daily as you can see below:

 

Happy Chia seed eating but most importantly, get out and move:) 

Get Fit. Live Fit. Be Fit!

Stylish workouts!

Looking good both pre and post workouts!

By all means, I am not one to "dress up" for my workouts. I love rolling out of bed, brushing my teeth and getting dressed in my favorite workout clothes, "chicken hair" and all.  In between classes I always find myself running errands or meeting a friend for coffee or taking on a business appointment. These are the times I want to add a little style and fashion to polish up my workout threads.  I have posted below some of my favorite likes this month.  The Stella and Dot bag is not out yet but you better believe when it comes out I will be one of the first to own it. 

 The lululemon threads are two of my favorite go-to's. You can't go wrong with the Wonder-Under Pant and Free to be Bra

The Stella and Dot Secret Garden Cuff and On the Mark necklace are two pieces I can't live without. Dress up, play or work, they fit any occasion. The Bryant Park Scarf is the icing on the cake. Keeps you warm and looking good.  For any of these pieces you can contact me:)

The bkr bottle is just a given. I have to have my water and what cuter way to carry your water than in a silicone covered glass bottle in fun colors. You can see my last post about these fabulous bottles. 

Have fun browsing my favorite pieces. Let me know what you think!!

 

You can view all the fun details and page on my Polyvore page below:

http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/set?id=75673061

Mila (Chia Seed) on Good Morning America

 Meet Mila

The one food I can't live without!

So I am a big advocate of Chia Seed, in particular, Mila Chia Seed. I have found these to be the most quality, nutrient dense food. They are not the whole seed in fact they are an exclusive proprietary blend of the most potent strains of chia. They are cleaned and sliced to ensure your body is getting the most bang for the buck. Yes, I may sound like an advertisement but I tell you, when you work hard to eat as well as we all want to, work out hard to stay fit and healthy, why wouldn't you want the best food entering your body.

This food gives you:
Antioxidants (more than blueberries)
Protein (plant based protein)
Fiber (double the amount compared to other Chia seeds)
Phytonutrients (helps reduce inflammation)
Omegas 3's (Cognitive function, an necessity for the body and mind)

Mila was recently seen on Good Morning America and has made its way into a new book by Dr. Bob Arnot, titled The Aztec Diet. It is pretty interesting food for thought and a super easy read for anyone looking for ways to incorporate Chia into their daily routine.  Quite honestly all you need is Mila, do away with all your pills and eat your nutrition. I promise, you will feel 110% better for making the change. 

Check out the video clip on GMA:
Mila on Good Morning America

I can honestly say I am fueled by Mila. If it is a bad day of eating (yes we all have them) at least I know I am getting what my body needs.   

Springing into March better prepared

Start your March off right...as we get ready to spring forward, add some spring into your step!

As you all have heard over and over it helps to write these down.  Make it a point (and a habit) to start your Sunday with a plan. List out 2-3 goals for the week and how you plan to achieve them.

My goals for this week:
Drink 8 (16oz) glasses of water a day.
Get up from my desk and walk around the block or do 50 squats as fast as I can
Eat more veggies with my meals.

1.The drinking water should be a no brainer...we are comprised of 70% water so do your body a favor and give back.  Find a water container you love. I am a big fan of the bkr bottles right now. They are big enough to hold 16 oz of water, it doesn't weigh your bag down and the greatest feature to me is I can drink it in the car or while walking and it doesn't spill on me as the mouth is just the right size. It has a great silicone sleeve. The bottle is BPA-free and of course come ins super fun colors.

 

2.Staying active throughout the day. Yes you may have worked out and had the best workout ever that morning but how many of you return to your desk or car and remain sedentary the rest of the day. Why not give your body a little calorie boost and get up and walk around the block. Not only will it clear your mind and give you some fresh air but hopefully it will keep your body burning all those calories we want to burn. Easier said than done I know, but make a goal to at least do it 1-2x this week and you will see just how easy it can be.  Track your trek around the block and see how many miles you can get in, in a month. You can track them easy with a an app like this one

3. Eat more veggies...yes, we all know we need them and we all say we will but do you really make it happen.  If you start your day with a few extra greens each morning you are well ahead of the game.
Fresh spinach in your smoothie, sauteed spinach in your eggs, a tomato with your bagel or even some fresh juiced carrots. Again make it a goal to at least try to get in a little extra 1-2 times a week. Make it a challenge, make it a goal and make it happen.

If you take on my three challenges or three of your own be proud as you week will be off to a fantastic start. Feel good for making these changes and stay healthy. 

Live your life this week...after all it was what we were born to do!