Vegan Banana and Peanut Butter Cookie Bites

I was scrambling around my kitchen this afternoon trying to figure out what I could make using my overly ripened bananas.  I didn't want to make anything too complicated since I absolutely fail at baking anything! This was the point when I remembered that my fav fitness blogger, Cassey Ho, had a super simple recipe for cookies-just bananas and oats! Well, I definitely had those two ingredients in my kitchen, so I decided to give it a try.  I jazzed it up though with some peanut butter and chocolate chips-yum! These cookies are completely vegan, for those of you who are vegan, and they have no flour, butter, oil, added sugar, eggs, milk...
....and yes, they were absolutely delicious!

 

Banana & PB Cookie Bites

Ingredients!

• 2 ripe bananas
• 1 cup of quick or old fashioned oats
• 1/2 cup or less of chocolate chips
• 1 heaping spoonful of natural peanut butter (my fav is "better n peanut butter" from  trader joes)

1. Mix all ingredients together until combined. I used a hand mixer, but feel free to use your (clean) hands!  Though this was my first time making them, consistency of batter may vary depending on how much peanut butter is used and how much its mixed.
2. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
3. Place on baking sheet and bake for 15 minutes.

Finished Product!

Enjoy this super simple recipe and stay happy and healthy!

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Flat Belly Foods- Avocado Salad

After the snow that fell yesterday, I was really missing summer. I was craving a summertime salad and I was craving avocados, so I made an avocado salad! It put me right in the mood for summer, even though I'm sitting here in yoga pants, a sweater, and a fluffy scarf. This salad was amazing and super simple. Avocados and tomatoes (which are also in it) are great you and your body. These two foods are termed flat belly foods which you can read about in my blog post on flat belly foods. This salad is also great because you can do a lot with it. You can choose what herbs and spices you want it in it or other foods-its really up to you! So here is the super simple recipe that will remind of summer:

Avocado, Tomato, and Mozzarella Salad

• 2 ripe avocados (pitted, and cubed)
• 2-3 tomatoes, cubed (I used roma because they're my fav!)
• Could also use cherry or grape tomatoes and cute them in half.
• Fresh mozzarella, cubed
• use as much as you want :)
• 2 tbsp. of extra virgin olive oil (also a flat belly food!)
• 2 tsp of basil (I used dry, but feel free to use fresh)
• salt and pepper to taste!

1. Cube up your avocado, tomato, and mozzarella and put in a bowl.
2. Drizzle your EVOO, basil, and salt and pepper to taste. Toss to combine.
3. Enjoy!

Best to eat right away and at room temperature.

 

YUM!

I hope you enjoy this simple, delicious, and healthy recipe. It's great as a side dish or on its own. I ate the whole thing-it was that satisfying!

 

This is probably one of my favorite things to have the avocado salad with-a fried egg and quinoa! I like to keep the egg runny because when you cut it open, its creates a kind of sauce for the quinoa, which is delicious. This meal is great post-workout because it has an adequate amount of protein, carbs, and fat. 

Stay happy and healthy :)

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Truffle Shuffle

Hi Everyone!

I realize it has been a very long time since I last wrote a blog post, but life has gotten in the way of things. School, work, my sister's wedding.. just to name a few. I thought I would quickly write (since I have to get back to homework ugh!) and give you all a new treadmill workout in honor of Halloween and one of my favorite movies, The Goonies.

Truffle Shuffle!!

This movie is too funny! I love it.  Ok so the workout in honor of this movie...

 

 

 

 

You can find this workout here. Click to enlarge and print it off. This is actually really fun :) 

 

 

I hope everyone has been staying happy and healthy..it can be hard sometimes! Trust me, I know too. 

 

Have a happy Halloween everyone :)

 

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Quick & Simple: Breakfast & Exercise

Happy Sunday and first day of fall, everyone!!

I have come across an amazing recipe for breakfast-overnight oats! I had heard of them before, but I never tried them, until this past week. Oh. My. Gosh. It was so good.  I was surprised at how filling and delicious it was-I was a bit skeptical about it at first. No joke, this kept me full for hours-as in like 7 hours! But maybe that's just me? Well, this is super easy to make the night before you head off to bed and easy to grab-&-go the next day. I highly recommend giving this a try:



This was my very first attempt!!

Overnight Oats

• 1/3 cup dry, rolled oats
• 1/3 cup nonfat plain Greek yogurt
• 1/3  cup nonfat milk
• 1-2 tsp. chia seeds (optional)
• cinnamon and honey to taste

1. In a container (with a lid) layer the oats, yogurt, milk, and chia seeds(if using) and stir together until well combined.
2. Mix in the cinnamon and honey.
3. Refrigerate overnight for at least 8 hours.
4. Enjoy the next morning! Feel free to add in whatever toppings you like-granola, nuts, fruit, etc.

This is a really basic recipe, so here are two links for different kinds and flavors of overnight oats.
http://www.theyummylife.com/Refrigerator_Oatmeal
http://www.katheats.com/favorite-foods/overnightoats


Now onto the exercise portion of this post!

Sometimes I'm just crunched for time when it comes to working out. With school and work, I find it hard to fit in time for it, so I created a quick 15 minute treadmill workout that I do on days when I have very little time (aka my 13 hour days!) This will blast fat and burn lots of calories in a short amount of time-give it a try!

15 Minute Cardio Blast

Time (mins)                                     Speed (with incline: 2-4)  
0-1                                                     3 mph (warm up)
1-3                                                     4 mph
3-5                                                     5 mph
5-7                                                     7 mph
7-8                                                     3 mph (recovery)
8-10                                                   4 mph
10-12                                                 5 mph
12-14                                                 7 mph
14-15                                                 3 mph (cool down)

This doesn't involve a ton of running because I can't run for long periods of time. I got nasty shin splints about 4 years ago during track that still bother me when I run for too long or too fast. But this is perfect for me because of the intervals, so hopefully this won't be too bad for any of you!

Oh and P.S...
In March of 2014, I am getting the opportunity to travel to Istanbul, Turkey for a week! I am going with just my boyfriend for our spring break. Its going to be a quick trip, but an amazing one at best! I'm so excited-I've never been overseas! And for those you who are thinking "its not safe!", we have done our research and are aware of what is going on over there. So no negative comments, I don't appreciate it.

I hope everyone has a fantastic week ahead of them and gives both the overnight oats and the treadmill workout a try this week!  Stay happy and healthy :)

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