Lean Body Challenge!

Today was the first day of the Lean Body Challenge I am participating in and I am wiped -- I'm thinking it is because I have no carbs in my system. My trainer, who I have been working with since before my wedding, created a 28 Day diet plan. It's pretty tough. No dairy, no gluten...nothing fun, haha kidding (not really). I am excited about the next 28 days because I thought it would be great way to kick off the New Year and shed those pesky 8 pounds that somehow have creeped on since the wedding. I am looking forward to seeing my results!

Here is what I can't have during the next 28 days:

And some things I CAN have...

Dinner last night:

Quinoa Stuffed Peppers
1 cup Traditional Quinoa
2 cups water
4 large Green Peppers
1 medium onion diced
½ lb. fresh mushroom diced
1 – 28 oz can tomatoes, coarsely diced
2 garlic cloves, crushed
1 – 12 oz jar of salsa
*We also added turkey sausage, and other seasonings for taste.

Pre-heat oven to 325. Cook quinoa following directions on package. Steam the peppers until soft not limp. In a large skillet, sauté the onion and mushrooms. Add the diced tomatoes. Add crushed garlic and salsa and sausage. Cook over medium heat. Fold in quinoa. Place peppers in baking dish and fill with quinoa mixture. Bake at 325 for 30-35 mins.

Breakfast this morning!

Ingredients for Power Quinoa Breakfast Bowl

Servings 2-3

(strive to use all organic ingredients)

• 1/2 Cup Organic quinoa (the white kind, there is also a red kind, which I’m sure will taste good too, but I have not actually experimented with it.)
• 1 can coconut milk
• 1 tbs. coconut oil
• 2-3 tbs. crushed raw walnuts
• 1-2 tbs. dried cranberries (omit for Phase 1, OK to use for Phase 2)
• 1/2 tsp. pure organic vanilla extract
• Pinch of sea salt

Directions

1. Cook the quinoa in the coconut milk, coconut oil, and sea salt in a medium saucepan on low for about 25-30 minutes until it is fluffy. Cooking tip: You can keep the lid partially on. Just be careful because the coconut milk can get really hot and overflow if you don’t give it some air.
2. Add the vanilla extract towards the end of cooking.
3. Serve with crushed walnuts, cranberries (in Phase 2 only) and a drizzle of coconut oil on top.

*recipe by Sirena my trainer!