Keep Going

It's almost halfway through the month of February and Valentine's Day is right around the corner.  We've all seen it before, starting in January the gyms are packed and people flock to them with promises of a fresh start, better health, and that bikini body for the summer.  But usually by March, the gyms die down, you hit the snooze button a few too many times instead of lacing up those tennis shoes. So what can you do to stay focused and stick with it this year?  There is no magic answer to this....You just really have to decide if being healthy is your top priority, make that time to get in your work outs, and stick to it. Some advice I can give to you is, get your butt out of bed and get your workout done in the morning.  If you workout in the morning it is done for the day and it will definitely get your day started off right.  It will give you lots of energy for the entire day and set your mood for the day.  Also, don't think that going to the gym is your only option for exercise, be creative and go outside.  Visit a park or go on a hike through some trails. Set short term goals and be realistic.  Build on your strengths and keep going with the successful momentum you are achieving.  If you feel like you may be slipping outside of your goals, find someone to lean on.  Reach out to a friend or find a work out buddy.  If you are eating healthier/cleaner I can tell you that you MUST give yourself a cheat meal once a week.  Cheat meals helps to avoid overeating in testy situations or from having major binges. Let yourself have whatever you want one day a week. You will thank me later! ;-)
I've got to share this amazzzzzing recipe I tried out a few weeks ago that I found in my Clean Eating Magazine.  It was absolutely delicious, filling, and there were enough to have left overs for two days at work.

Clean Buffalo Chicken Bites

Preheat oven to 425 and coat pan lightly with canola oil/coconut oil.

-3 chicken breasts ( trim off fat and cube into bite size pieces)

-3/4 cup of low-fat buttermilk

-2 TBSP of lemon juice

-3 TBSP of siraccha sauce (or hot sauce of your choice)

Mix ingredients and combine with chicken in a ziplock bag. Refrigerate for 2-3 hours.

-2 TBSP of whole wheat flour

-2 1/2 cups of whole grain corn flakes ( I used Kashi 7 Whole Grain Flakes)

-1 tsp of garlic powder

-1 tsp of chilli powder

Combine in a food processor or simply throw these ingredients in a ziplock bag and crunch it all up!

After this mixture is nice and crunched up begin throwing chicken pieces into the mixture.  I did two-three pieces at a time and after they were well coated just throw them on your coated cooking sheet.  Bake for about 15-22 minutes depending on your oven.

Looking for something to pair with them?? Well, in case you didn't know I am a sweet potato FREAK!! Cut up two sweet potatoes toss in coconut oil (or olive oil) and 2 TBSP's of brown sugar and bake at 425 for about 30 minutes or until crispy. 

The sauce that is paired with the chicken is something I completely made up.  It's nonfat plain greek yogurt mixed with siraccha sauce. YUM! But if that's not your thing, my fiance said they were great with BBQ!

Enjoy!