Red light...Green light! #PUSH

So I'm reading Chalene Johnson's book Push (as I'm sure you're more than well aware) and on Day 17, our homework is to create a tiered system for our food. The idea is that of our usual foods, what we eat can be put in three buckets: red, yellow, and green. It's as simple as it sounds - green is "enjoy! this is good for you!", yellow is "good but be careful not to over do it" and red is "stop and think before you eat this".

As I was writing this all down, I realized what a great thought-provoking exercise it is so I thought I'd share it with you. Consider doing this yourself and take an honest look at your eating habits...and while you're at it, be sure to check out Chalene's book at www.pushjumpstart.com

Remember - these are items I eat / am tempted to eat regularly and I've put them in buckets based on my needs. This list is going to be "live"...I'll keep making changes to it as I think of things and add different foods to my eating routine. Your lists might be different...you may need or want to move things around. But thinking about what you eat will change HOW you eat and that is KEY to living a healthy lifestyle!

Red:
cupcakes / cakes / cookies
ice cream
whipped cream
Hungarian sausage / salami
chips / carb snack foods
candy
garlic bread
soda (this is one that needs work for me!)
breakfast sausage
bacon
full / non-low-fat dairy

Yellow:
low fat dairy (unless separately listed)
peanut butter
canned veggies
canned fruit
cheese
crackers
whole wheat bread
dark chocolate
alcohol / beer / wine
butter
potatoes
jam / jelly
juice
whole wheat pancakes / waffles
rice
steak
sweet potatoes

Green:
fresh veggies
cashews
almonds
dried plums
tea
greek yogurt
low fat cottage cheese
eggs
fresh fruit
black coffee
fish - especially canned tuna
oatmeal
fresh herbs
salt free seasonings
lean meat (chicken, tukey, and beef mainly)
PB2
Shakeology

Recipe Thursday: Chocolate PB2 Mousse

In honor of Peanut Butter Lover's Month....let's make dessert! 

Chocolate PB2 Mousse

Nutrition Info

• Calories: 147.5
• Fat: 1.5g
• Carbohydrates: 15.0g
• Protein: 21.0g

Ingredients

Oikos Organic Greek Yogurt, Plain, 6 oz
Bell Plantation’s PB2 (Powdered Peanut Butter) with Chocolate, 3 tbsp

Directions

Mix ingredients together until well blended.

Serving Size: Makes 1 serving

Number of Servings: 1

Recipe Thursday: PB2 Pudding Pie

Another yummy PB2 recipe!! with chocolate...yes please!!

PB2 Pudding Pie


Nutrition Info

Calories: 115.4
Fat: 2.4g
Carbohydrates: 18.7g
Protein: 5.8g

Ingredients
1/2 cup PB2
1 4-serving package Kraft Jello-o Brand Fat Free Sugar Free Pudding, Vanilla or White Chocolate

1 4-serving package Kraft Jello-o Brand Fat Free Sugar Free Pudding, Chocolate

3 cups nonfat milk, divided

5 sheets cinnamon or regular graham crackers

Directions
Lay graham crackers flat in bottom of 8 x 8 or 9 x 9 square pan. Mix PB2, vanilla or white chocolate pudding mix, and 1 1/2 cups nonfat milk well. Immediately pour mixture over graham crackers. Mix chocolate pudding mix with remaining 1 1/2 cups nonfat milk. Pour carefully over peanut butter mixture. Refrigerate for at least three hours before serving.




Makes 9 Servings

Recipe Thursday: Soft-serve banana ice cream

I never imagined this would be so good but it is, I promise. The recipe info only includes the nutritional info for the bananas BUT feel free to use no calorie toppings or mix ins like cinnamon (awesome choice!). Make sure if you include anything else, you count the calories.

This might also be a great way to sneak some fruit into your children's day.... where are my sneaky moms out there?! Enjoy!

Soft-Serve Banana Ice Cream


Nutrition Info
Calories: 108.6
Fat: 0.6g
Carbohydrates: 27.6g
Protein: 1.2g

Ingredients
4 frozen bananas

Directions

Place frozen bananas in the bowl of a food processor. Pulse several times to break into smaller pieces, then turn on and run for about five minutes, stopping occasionally to scrape down the sides of the bowl. The bananas will start to resemble soft serve in a few minutes. Transfer to a bowl and place in freezer for about 15 minutes, if you'd like, or serve immediately.

Another recommended topping: A tablespoon of pure maple syrup mixed with 2 t dark cocoa powder (calories not included).

Or maybe you should mix in some PB2 for an awesome PB Banana ice cream?? Please share your other ideas too!!

(Makes four 1/2 cup servings)



Number of Servings: 4

Recipe Thursday: PB2 Carrot Muffins

PB2 Carrot Muffins

We all know that I love my PB2 and I love to try new recipes with this awesome ingredient. Make that a recipe where I get to use my food processor which I hadn't used yet? We have a winner!
Nutritional Info

Fat: 5.5g
Carbohydrates: 21.0g
Calories: 143.0
Protein: 5.9g

Ingredients

1 c. whole wheat flour
1 c. PB2
2 tsp. baking powder
1 1/2 tsp. salt
2 tsp. cinnamon
0.25 c. butter
0.5 c unsweetened applesauce
3/4 c. honey
2 c. grated carrot
1/2 c. oats
1 c. crushed unsweetened pineapple, drained

Directions

Mix dry ingredients.
Add honey, butter, applesauce, and eggs.
Mix well.
Stir in remaining ingredients.
Pour in lined or lightly greased muffin cups.
Bake at 350 for 20-25 minutes

Number of Servings: 12

My results: These turned out great. Not as "bready" as regular muffins but still a great snack / breakfast addition / whatever. I made a couple modifications from the recipe posted on the PB2 website to cut out some of the butter fat as well as walnuts that were also in the recipe. I might add raisins next time for a little extra flavor but overall..not bad!

Recipe Thursday: Nutty Noodles with Chicken

I was so excited to try a recipe with PB2 (one of my favorite addictions in my well lifestyle) and I was not disappointed. I strongly encourage you to try it!

Nutty Noodles with Chicken

Nutritional Info
Fat: 4.6g
Carbohydrates: 54.8g
Calories: 363.8
Protein: 30.3g
Ingredients

Sauce:
1/2 c. low fat, low sodium chicken broth
1/3 c. PB2 powder (order here: http://tiny.cc/getPB2)
3 Tbs. teriyaki sauce
2 Tbs. brown sugar
1 Tbs. lime juice
1/8 - 1/4 tsp. red pepper

Noodles:
6 cups spaghetti noodles, cooked
3/4 c. chopped green onion
1 1/2 c. grated carrot (I just chopped mine)
1 1/2 c. broccoli flowerets, cut into thin slices
1/2 c. thinly sliced red cabbage
4 Tbs. dry roasted peanuts, chopped (optional - not included in nutrition info)
18 oz. Diced chicken breast

Shakeology Recipe of the Week

I (heart) Shakeology. It's easy to make, super healthy, and absolutely delish! Haven't tried it yet? Keep an eye out for my next Shakeology cleanse by following this blog! If you've tried it and love it, please order from http://www.shakeology.com/GabriellaH99 and I recommend the home direct program :-).

I like experimenting with my shakes so I'll post my favorite recipe of the week here each Sunday.

This week's tastes like dessert but more often than not, I have it for breakfast!

Peanut Butter Cup of Health
- 1 scoop chocolate Shakeology
- 2 tbsp PB2 or natural peanut butter (I recommend the PB2 for far fewer calories and a lot less fat!)
- 1 cup almond milk / nonfat milk / soy milk
- ice to taste

Blend well and enjoy!