Gingerbread Balls

It is the holiday season and cookies, cakes, fudge, ice cream, and more keep entering my house. Then there are the holiday parties where there is food galore...and not always healthy food. Ahh temptations!! 

It Happens!! 

But what if you could arm yourself with something that tastes like one of these decadent "treats" yet won't throw all your hard work out the window?

Well look no more...here is a tasty new snack that I am using as my alternative to all the Christmas goodies that keep getting put in front of my face. Plus no baking required!!

Gingerbread Balls

Ingredients...
1/4 cup almond flour
3/4 cup dry old-fashioned rolled oats, gluten-free
1 scoop Vanilla Shakeology
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
1 1/24 cups pitted dates, packed

Directions...
1. Place almond flour, oats, Shakeology, cinnamon, ginger, and cloves in a food processor. Puls until mixture is the consistency of flour.
2. Add half the dates, pulse until well blended.
3. Add remaining dates, pulse until mixture forms a uniform dough.
4. Shape dough into small balls and place in container.
5. Put lid on container and store in refrigerator for at least 1 hour before serving. 

Easy to make and tastes awesome!!

Oh and it is healthy....

Yields about 18 balls.
Serving size is 1 ball and this is equivalent to 1 yellow container when following the 21 day fix nutrition plan. 

Give it a try and see what you think!! 

If you are interested in more healthy recipes or maybe even learning how to eat healthy CONTACT ME and I can help you get started. I know for me the biggest part of learning how to eat healthy was to have support to help me have the strength to say NO MORE to the bad junk food that use to fill my house!! After that it was all about learning how to change some of my eating habits and from their healthy habits were formed.

Click here to get more information about 

my next group!!

YES I'M INTERESTED!!

Have a fabulous week!!

My passion and my goal is to help others to learn 
how to live a 

FIT, HAPPY, and HEALTHY Life 

and we will do it 

TOGETHER!!!!

alysonhorcher@gmail.com

teambeachbody.com/alysonhorcher2

myshakeology.com/alysonhorcher2

facebook.com/alyson.horcher

recipe from the Beachbody Blog

Stuffed Peppers

Another Tasty Recipe coming your way this week. 
This recipe is from a dear friend of mine. We had it one evening a while ago when we went to visit them at their house. I have been wanting to give the recipe a try myself as I tried a few other stuff pepper recipes but this one was my favorite.  I did alter the recipe a bit but the flavor is still the same and it is oh so delicious! Best of all it is all good for your ingredients too so it can be put in my healthy recipe box!! 

Ingredients...
4 large bell peppers
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 small yellow onion, chopped finely
1 small zucchini, chopped finely
1 garlic clove, minced
Sea Salt
ground black pepper
1 pound ground turkey
1 tablespoon fresh parsley leaves, chopped finely
1 teaspoon fresh basil leaves, chopped finely
1 1/2 cups tomato sauce
1/4 cup bread crumbs
1/2 cup grated Parmesan Cheese

Directions...
1. Cut the bell peppers lengthwise in half and remove the seeds and membranes. Place the peppers in a pot of boiling water, reduce heat to medium and simmer ~ 3 to 4 minutes. Drain and set aside. 
2. Preheat oven to 375 degrees
3. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Brown ground Turkey until cooked through.  Remove turkey from skillet and set aside.
4. To the same skillet, add the onion and cook until softened, ~ 5 minutes. Add zucchini, garlic, and salt and pepper to taste and cook until veggies are tender, ~5 minutes.   Stir in 1/2 cup tomato sauce, cover and simmer for 10 minutes
5. Remove mixture from heat and add cooked ground turkey, parsley, and basil - mix well.
6. Stuff each pepper half with mixture and place in shallow baking dish. Sprinkle with bread crumbs and Parmesan Cheese
7. Bake for approximately 30 minutes until cheese is melted and tops are slightly browned. While baking, heat the remaining tomato sauce in a small saucepan.
8. Serve peppers with a tablespoon of sauce on top.

Enjoy!!

As you know I am all about eating healthy and living a healthy lifestyle.  The food we eat is so very important to how our bodies function.  I don't know about you but I want my body in tip top shape so I can enjoy as much of life as I can.  There was a time in my life when healthy wasn't a priority of mine, I thought it was but I wasn't doing anything to achieve it. I am thankful I had a friend who was supportive and knowledgeable and helped me learn how best to fuel my body and she got me on the path of HEALTHY! Now it is just something I do and now I also love helping others find their way to a healthy lifestyle as well.  If you are one of those people who wants to live a healthier lifestyle then please lets talk.  Like I said I was once there too and know it can be hard, that first step always is but let me take some of the burden off of your shoulders.    

                                                       

If you are interested in more healthy recipes or maybe even learning how to eat healthy CONTACT ME and I can help you get started. I know for me the biggest part of learning how to eat healthy was to have support to help me have the strength to say NO MORE to the bad junk food that use to fill my house!! After that it was all about learning how to change some of my eating habits and from their healthy habits were formed.

Click here to get more information about 

my next group!!

YES I'M INTERESTED!!

Have a fabulous week!!

My passion and my goal is to help others to learn 
how to live a 

FIT, HAPPY, and HEALTHY Life 

and we will do it 

TOGETHER!!!!

alysonhorcher@gmail.com

teambeachbody.com/alysonhorcher2

myshakeology.com/alysonhorcher2

facebook.com/alyson.horcher

Grilled Honey Lime Chicken

Have I ever told you how much I LOVE food?

Well if, then let me tell you - I LOVE FOOD!! 

I prefer it to taste good and ideally healthy too.

Also I love finding new recipes or taking old recipes and making a healthier version. I have taken mostly all of our favorite family recipes and made them healthier. I figured if they still looked the same and had the same name it would be an easier transition for my family (sometimes that worked and sometimes it didn't). Most of the healthier versions tasted soooo much better - the flavors would pop in your mouth!! Anyway, I digress -  I am here to share with you a new recipe I am adding to my recipe box.

What is so great about this recipe is it is healthy, tastes great, and MY HUSBAND COOKS IT!! 
This recipe calls for you to grill the chicken and well I have no clue how to work our grill and so it is the perfect excuse to get my hubby cooking! 

                                          Grilled Honey Lime Chicken

as you can see we had this with
green beans and a quinoa and brown rice medley

Ingredients...
6 medium boneless and skinless chicken breasts
juice from 2 limes
1/2 cup honey
2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon sea salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 teaspoon cumin

Directions...
1. Add all the ingredients except the chicken in a sealable plastic bag. Mix contents around
2. Add chicken and mix around
3. Marinate for at least an hour but for best flavor, marinate overnight.
4. When you are ready to cook, fire up the grill!! Preheat for a good 10 minutes. 
5. When grill is ready, cook chicken for 8-10 minutes per side or until cooked through. 
6. Remove from grill - serve - and enjoy!!

Interested in learning more about how Healthy eating 

can help you look and feel your best? 

Ask me about my healthy eating support and accountability groups where I teach you how to eat healthy, share more delicious recipes, meal planning tips, and best of all help you learn how to make this part of your lifestyle!! 

Click here to get more information about 

my next group!!

YES I'M INTERESTED!!

Have a fabulous week!!

My passion and my goal is to help others to learn 
how to live a 

FIT, HAPPY, and HEALTHY Life 

and we will do it 

TOGETHER!!!!

alysonhorcher@gmail.com

teambeachbody.com/alysonhorcher2

myshakeology.com/alysonhorcher2

facebook.com/alyson.horcher

Ultimate Reset Quinoa Salad

Tasty Tuesday and oh my do I have a tasty recipe to share with you today!!

If you had been following me the past few weeks you know I was doing the Ultimate Reset. This program has taught me so much and I will continue to share with you my journey (be on the lookout for Week 3 Recap later this week!). But for now…let’s talk FOOD!!

Delicious, nutritious, wholesome FOOD!!

My menu has been full of tasty recipes from the Ultimate Reset. The recipe I am sharing with you today comes from this program, the Ultimate Reset!!

NOTE: THIS RECIPE calls for COOKED QUINOA and also has a MARINATE TIME!!

Here you go…

Ultimate Reset Quinoa Salad

Ingredients….
1/2 cup COOKED quinoa
1/2 medium tomato, diced
1/2 medium cucumber, diced
2 tablespoons pitted kalamata olives, chopped (oh my these olives are so darn tasty!!)
2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh parsley
2 tablespoons finely chopped mint leaves (I leave these out - I like it better without)
1 tablespoon EVOO
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
Himalayan salt; to taste
1 teaspoon Bragg Liquid Aminos

Directions….
Combine quinoa, tomato, cucumber, and olives in medium bowl
Combine EVOO, salt, lemon juice, and Liquid Aminos
Pour EVOO mixture over quinoa mixture and toss.
Gently fold in parsley and mint
Cover and let marinate in refrigerator for 2 to 3 hours before serving. 

Last step of course it to enjoy!!
I have had this Quinoa salad for lunch, for a snack, and for dinner. I have eaten it at home or on the go (if you eat it on the go, don’t forget your FORK!)

Had this for lunch today with slices of Avocado.
Sometimes instead of avocado I'll top with hummus!!
(and why am I making a duck face - I DON'T KNOW!!)

Thanks for stopping by and checking out the latest recipe I have to share!

Have a fabulous Tuesday!!

Interested in learning more about how Healthy eating can help you look and feel your best? 

Ask me about my healthy eating support and accountability groups where I teach you how to eat healthy, share more delicious recipes, meal planning tips, and best of all help you learn how to make this part of your lifestyle!! 

Click here to get more information about 

my next group!!

YES I'M INTERESTED!!

Have a fabulous week!!

My passion and my goal is to help others to learn 
how to live a 

FIT, HAPPY, and HEALTHY Life 

and we will do it 

TOGETHER!!!!

alysonhorcher@gmail.com

teambeachbody.com/alysonhorcher2

myshakeology.com/alysonhorcher2

facebook.com/alyson.horcher

Ultimate Reset Week 2 Recap

What a week!! 
Even though I know this and I preach it this past week of the Ultimate Reset I was slapped in the face with how VERY IMPORTANT it is to PLAN and PREP meals for the week!! 

I have been meal planning for over 3 years now and this is the first week in a LONG time I did not have a written out meal plan...and it bit me in the rear!! 

See what is nice with the Ultimate Reset is the program provides you with a day by day detailed menu. Awesome right? 

Well you would think so!!  

I did think I could get by with only using the book's plan. What I realized is I really have adapted to having my full meal plan written out on paper ever so present in MY FACE!! 
Lesson Learned - the next week for sure I have a be written out meal plan!!

This would also be my suggestion for anyone who is thinking about or doing the Ultimate Reset - write it all out. Not only does it make life easier, then you don't have to carry your Ultimate Reset Program & Nutrition Guide around with you, plus makes grocery list and prepping much easier!! 

My struggle for the week was staying on track eating and taking my supplements when I was suppose to and I equate it to not having my meal plan prepared like I normally do.  

So enough of what didn't work for me this week, let's talk about what did work for me!!

First the Phase...
Phase 2 - RELEASE!!

During the release phase, you completely eliminate animal products, including dairy, eggs, and meat.  You transition to eating  more vegetables, fruits, and whole grains. 

Never in a million years did I think I would give up animal products!! BUT I DID and FEEL FANTASTIC!! 

Every breakfast during the RELEASE phase contained fresh fruit. Mine typically was something I could eat on the go - apples, grapes, oranges, and pineapple. I'd have it all sliced and diced and ready to go (makes the morning madness that much easier!!)



A note about fresh fruit which I am sure we all know but I apparently needed the refresher! When adding fruit to your diet it is bet to limit it to 3 servings a day to avoid eating too much sugar. Even though the sugar found in fruit is natural and good for you, you can still overdo it and eat too much!! PORTION CONTROL!!

As I mentioned Phase 2 you are eating a ton of fruit and veggies!! Another tip is when picking produce - fruits and veggies - pick what's fresh, organic, and in season.  This way you'll be getting the MOST NUTRIENTS with minimal toxins.  Pretty simple right?

Phase 2 - RELEASE - also introduced a new supplement!! 

DETOX

This reminded me a lot of the FIBER SWEET from the 3 DAY REFRESH. 
Easy peasy chug chug chug!!

Here is a list of the supplement schedule for the Ultimate Reset Week 2!!
Having all the supplements as part of my daily nutrition, this is where if I had a meal plan in place on paper I could have incorporated the supplement schedule so I didn't miss anything...needless to say I missed a few here and there!! Again, lesson learned. 

Here is a breakdown of what these supplements are...

you have to be careful with supplements because not all are natural. MANY contain chemicals that are doing no good for our bodies!! Thankfully with the Ultimate Reset we are not working with chemical laden supplements. 

Now my favorite part...the FOOD!! Oh my goodness I am in love with so many of these news recipes!! They taste so darn good and are pretty easy to make!! My family was a bit confused by all the veggies we were eating but by week's end it was just part of what we were eating!! 

I LOVE TO COOK - SERIOUSLY IT IS
NOW ONE OF MY FAVORITE ACTIVITIES TO DO!!

EDAMAME AND ROASTED CORN SUCCOTASH &
LEMON PEPPER KALE

Loved the Edamame dish but the Lemon pepper kale was a bit too lemony for me. My husband devoured my portion and his though.  

ZUCCHINI CASHEW SOUP,
MISO SOUP, & BAKED SWEET POTATO 

SWEET POTATO AND ROASTED RED PEPPER BISQUE
AND ROASTED ASPARAGUS
The Sweet Potato and Roasted Red Pepper Bisque was a recipe I loved before the Ultimate Reset. It for sure does not disappoint. It also happened to be around the time when the air outside was getting a bit cooler so a warm flavorful soup was PERFECT!!

OUT FOR LUNCH
VEGGIE SALAD

Going out to eat during the Ultimate Reset can be challenging. I won't lie!! Most restaurants you have no idea exactly how things are prepared. The one day my husband took our daughter and I out to lunch and I was very careful what I ordered and how I ordered it. I didn't want to screw up any of what I had accomplished and really wanted to see and feel the best benefits from the Ultimate Reset. While out to lunch I chose this veggie salad, oil and vinegar dressing, and made sure no croutons, eggs, or meat!! 

Out to lunch SUCCESS!!

HEARTY VEGETABLE MISO SOUP
sooo delicious!!

Garlic Veggies
OH MY YUM!!

Overall I am very impressed with WEEK 2 of the Ultimate Reset. 
I felt amazingly better than I did in week 2. 
I started to see pounds drop on the scale. 
The bloat was close to non-existent. 
Absolutely NO Sugar cravings. 
Better Mood.
Loved the food. 

Now it is time to step it up and enjoy my last and final week!!
Check back soon for more Ultimate Reset recaps!

Have a fabulous week!!

My passion and my goal is to help others to learn 

how to live a 

FIT, HAPPY, and HEALTHY Life 

and we will do it 

TOGETHER!!!!

alysonhorcher@gmail.com

teambeachbody.com/alysonhorcher2

myshakeology.com/alysonhorcher2

facebook.com/alyson.horcher

MICROGREEN SALAD

Tasty Tuesday here and my oh my do I have a killer salad recipe to share with you!! 
This salad totally fills me up each and every time!!  

This is by far my favorite recipe from the Ultimate Reset!! Plus it looks pretty too with all the fabulous veggie colors!!

MICROGREEN SALAD

What is also great about this recipe is you can easily prep it ahead of time which allows you to take it on the road with you, to work, vacation, wherever you need to go!! {Note: if prepping ahead of tie you may want to keep the tomato and cucumber separate from the rest of the salad until you are ready to eat it. Both of these can make the salad more "wet" than you may like}. 

Another perk of this salad...totally healthy!!

Interested in learning more about how Healthy eating can help you look and feel your best? 

Ask me about my healthy eating support and accountability groups where I teach you how to eat healthy, share more delicious recipes, meal planning tips, and best of all help you learn how to make this part of your lifestyle!! 

Click here to get more information about 

my next group!!

YES I'M INTERESTED!!

Have a fabulous week!!

My passion and my goal is to help others to learn 
how to live a 

FIT, HAPPY, and HEALTHY Life 

and we will do it 

TOGETHER!!!!

alysonhorcher@gmail.com

teambeachbody.com/alysonhorcher2

myshakeology.com/alysonhorcher2

facebook.com/alyson.horcher

Zucchini Cashew Soup

I love Zucchini and I love Cashews but together in a soup? 
Hmmm.....I wasn't so sure! I came upon this recipe from the Ultimate Reset nutrition guide. 
I figured I should at least try the recipe and worse case scenario, I don't like it. 
Well thank goodness that wasn't the case because I loved it. I loved it so much I wanted to share the recipe with you all!! I hope you enjoy as much as I did!! 

Zucchini Cashew Soup

Ingredients....
1 ounce raw cashews (17 cashews)
1 1/2 cups water, divided use
1 1/2 medium zucchinis, cut into chunks
Himalayan salt, to taste
Optional: herbal seasoning blend like fresh basil or dill

Directions...
1. Soak cashews in 1/2 cup water for 1 hour.
2. While cashews are soaking, bring 1 cup water to boil in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add zucchini and cook for 4 to 5 minutes. Drain. Set Aside. 
3. Place cashews (with water), zucchini, salt, and seasoning blend (if desired) in a blender or food processor {I used a food processor}.
4. Blend ingredients until smooth.
5. Heat soup, if desired {I did - tasted so much  more amazing when warm}. If heating use a medium saucepan over medium heat; cook, stirring frequently for 4 to 5 minutes or until hot. Do not boil. 

Perk of the Recipe:  You can prepare this recipe (a batch or two) in advance, so that when you are ready to eat, all you need to do is HEAT!

Interested in learning more about how Healthy eating can help you look and feel your best? 

Ask me about my healthy eating support and accountability groups where I teach you how to eat healthy, share more delicious recipes, meal planning tips, and best of all help you learn how to make this part of your lifestyle!! 

Click here to get more information about 

my next group!!

YES I'M INTERESTED!!

Have a fabulous week!!

My passion and my goal is to help others to learn 
how to live a 

FIT, HAPPY, and HEALTHY Life 

and we will do it 

TOGETHER!!!!

alysonhorcher@gmail.com

teambeachbody.com/alysonhorcher2

myshakeology.com/alysonhorcher2

facebook.com/alyson.horcher