How To Cut Creamer and Sugar In Your Coffee

My favorite part of my day is having my morning cup of coffee!  I truly used to be addicted to coffee creamer.  Coffee wasn't good unless it had about 1/3 creamer!  The minute I dropped the creamer from my morning coffee I swear I lost 5 lbs! But it was hard. Going from my creamy rich, sweet coffee to black coffee was an adjustment.  Removing creamer from my coffee was something I resisted for a long time.  I mean I cut everything out of my diet except that when I was transitioning to clean eating.  But as I got closer and closer to my goal I was stuck and yes it was these little things that were adding up!  
I was a Starbucks Latte addict too!  At least a few times a week it was a caramel latte or pumpkin spice latte!  But once I researched what was really in those drinks it was enough for me to cut it too.  

I saw this recipe on my coaches website and gave it a go! It's amazing!  It tastes great, its rich and creamy and it has none of the crap that any store bought creamer has!

 

 

Take 1 cup coffee, 1 tsp of coconut oil, 1 tsp of vanilla extract, cinnamon or pumpkin pie spice. Then put it in the blender and blend it all up! It becomes frothy and creamy.  Enjoy!

Turkey Meatloaf

This is another simple and yummy meatloaf recipe. Tip: Since it makes a lot you can cut cooked meatloaf into single servings and freeze in single resealable plastic bags for future meals.

Also this meal is 100% fixed approved. Each serving (1/8 meatloaf) is 1 red, ½ yellow and ½ purple. Enjoy!

  

Ingredients:

2lbs raw 93% lean ground turkey

1 cup all-natural mild salsa

1cup cooked quinoa, cooled

2 large eggs, lightly beaten

3 cloves garlic, finely chopped

1tsp sea salt or Himalayan salt, ground pepper to taste

Fresh chopped parsley for garnish

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees
2. Combine turkey, salsa, quinoa, eggs, garlic, salt, and pepper in a large bowl; mix well by hand or with a rubber spatula.
3. Shape mixture into shape of a loaf and place on ungreased 13x9-inch baking pan.
4. Bake for 60 to 70 minutes, or until center is no longer pink and meat is cooked through.
5. Let stand 10 minutes before serving.
6. Serve garnished with parsley

Spring into Fitness Challenge Group

We have sprung forward and warmer weather is on its way! If you were like me a few years ago, you are hiding underneath those bulky sweaters and stretchy pants. But don’t let that fool you! When the weather warms up you are going to want to put on the shorts and tank tops and what you have been hiding under is revealed. I can remember how I felt when I started trying on those summer clothes and I felt so BLAH!

I vowed to never feel like that again. I got involved in a challenge group with my coach, learned how to eat clean, started to change my habits, and exercise regularly. I have never felt so good in my life! I have more confidence, energy and a healthier family!

So I’m calling all MOMMIES!! If you are struggling to find your inner motivation to get started this winter. If you are struggling to wake up when the alarm goes off, or peel yourself away from the million items on your to do list to give yourself a few minutes to yourself each day then this is for you!

30 minutes a day, 21 days, recipes, tips, meal plans, family friendly, motivation plus accountability to help you start and finish a program to help you get the results that you want! And the best part is that I am a mom too! I’ve been through this and I want to help you!

If you interested hit me up for my March 16^th challenge group!

Complete this application for more information:

https://adriennelayo.wufoo.com/forms/zuup4en0vamczd/

I have limited spots available to allow me to provided 1:1 assistance! Ask me how!

Chicken Fajitas

I made this yummy recipe last night and it was a hit! I used the leftovers today over my salad and it was delicious. I didn’t even have to add salad dressing because the chicken tasted so good like a taco salad. The best part about this recipe is that it is fixed approved. So if you are in one of my fix challenge groups, you would count 2 servings as 2 greens, ½ purple, 1 red and ½ blue. If you added brown rice, you would count that as 1 yellow. Eating healthy doesn’t have to be boring! Enjoy!

Ingredients:

1 tsp. chili powder

½ tsp. sea salt or Himalayan salt

½ tsp. ground cumin

½ tsp garlic powder

2 tsp. olive oil, divided use

4 (5-6 oz) raw chicken breast, boneless, skinless, cut into ½-inch strips

1 Medium red (or green) bell pepper

1 medium onion, thinly sliced

1 Tbsp. fresh limejuice

8 large romaine (or butter) lettuce leaves

½ medium avocado, thinly sliced

1 cup fresh salsa

Directions:

• Combine chili powder, salt, cumin, garlic powder, and 1 tsp. oil in large resalable plastic bag.
• Add chicken, bell pepper, and onion; mix gently to coat. Refrigerate for 15     minutes
• Heat remaining 1 tsp. oil in large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat.
• Empty contents of bag into skillet; cook, stirring frequently
• Remove from heat. Add lime
• Evenly top lettuce leaves with chicken mixture, avocado and salsa

#EVERYSWEATMATTERS

16 months ago when I set out to lose my pregnancy weight, I had no idea this journey would take me to where I am today. My coach, Melanie, and her team have inspired me beyond weight loss and I am forever grateful I took the opportunity to be part of Melanie’s challenge groups. Melanie and Beachbody have inspired me to grow in all areas of my life and to work towards the best version of myself!

As you all know, I wake up every single day, put on my workout clothes, head to my spare room, I put in a DVD and I workout. I sweat every day. I take my selfie everyday! Regardless of how ridiculous I look in those pictures I always share them because I know that to 1 person I matter! I know that to 1 person I am providing them with inspiration to get out of bed and sweat along side of me! What started out as my own personal motivation and accountability to achieve my fitness goals has turned into a way to inspire others to do the same!

Last year one of the coaches on Melanie’s team was diagnosed with stage 4 Hodgkin’s lymphoma.  When I saw Melanie post on social media about Katy, my heart immediately broke for her. She is a mom of 2 small children and only 31 at the time. I started following Katy’s journey on facebook and through her mess she made a beautiful message. Her strength, character, leadership and courage has been absolutely life changing for everyone she has come in contact with! She is now in remission and has been nominated for the Pittsburgh Woman of the YEAR. As a team we are committed to helping campaign with her to raise funds for the LLS!

So I personally pledge that every challenge pack someone purchases from me or Shakeology HD purchase from me in March will go towards the LLS in Katy’s name.

We truly believe that #everysweatmatters and that we have a bigger purpose in life!  If you would like to help in any way please contact me via email at aplayo@gmail.com or facebook message me. Please watch Katy's story below. 

                                  Tell friends who would like to donate

                                    http://www.mwoy.org/pages/wpa/pgh15/kursta

Katy's Journey with Cancer

Turkey Meatballs

I found this new recipe and had to try it out this week. Talk about mouth watering!!  I paired them with some fresh green beans and brown rice for a complete meal. The best part is they are totally fixed approved. For my challengers following the fix, 5 of these equals 1 red and ½ yellow! Enjoy!!

Ingredients:

1 ½ lbs. Raw 93% lean ground turkey breast

1 tsp. Sea salt or Himalayan salt (mineralize)

1 tsp. Dry mustard

1tsp. Smoked paprika

1 Large egg, lightly beaten

¾ cup Quick-cooking rolled oats

2 cloves garlic, finely chopped

12 fresh parsley springs, finely chopped

2 Tbsp. Tomato Sauce, no sugar added

Directions: 

• Preheat oven 400 degrees
• Lightly coat large baking sheet with nonstick spray (I use the nonstick Reynolds wrap and line the baking sheet)
• Combine turkey, salt, mustard, paprika, egg, oats, garlic, parsley, and tomato saucer in a large bowl; mix well by hand
• Roll mixture into 30 1-inch meatballs. Place on prepared baking sheet.
• Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until no longer pink in the middle.

Tip: Meatballs freeze very well. Place 5 cooked meatballs in a resealable bag and freeze for future meals. You can defrost them in the refrigerator and heat them in the toaster oven. 

Homemade Quinoa Protein bars

These are fantastic!! Early on in my journey, I would make these at least once a week to satisfy my sweet tooth.  Also, my kids love them. They call them cookies. I prefer them to eat this instead of processed cookies and junk food. You must give them a try!! Enjoy!

Ingredients:

2 cups cooked quinoa (I prefer the red quinoa as it has a little nutty texture)

½ cup natural peanut butter

3 Tablespoons Honey

¼ teaspoon sea salt

¾ cup gluten-free rolled oats

1 banana mashed

1 egg

½ cup unsweetened, shredded conconut

½ cup chocolate chunks (I actually use mini chocolate chips)

Directions:

Mix first 4 ingredients well. Add next 5 ingredients, spread out on parchment paper lined pan. Bake at 350 for 20 minutes. Once they are cooled, I use a pizza cutter to cut them into little bars.