I've been reading this great book about goal setting and creating positive habits in your life. I've been working hard to find a way to balance the two extremes that I see weekly when I work with my clients. Women come in wanting weight loss, to feel great and to look good. They want some sort of plan, calorie range or workout guide to stick to. My goal is to get women to find a lifestyle they can follow forever. To get that rush of excitement without having to go on a eating plan or exercise regimen. To feel absolutely amazing about themselves; not just because of the way they look but because of the way they feel. I want women to start looking on the inside. Start taking care of themselves internally. I want us to get in-tune with what our bodies need and begin to nourish the heck out of them.

Now, don't get me wrong. Being at a healthy weight is important. Being active is important, eating healthy foods is so important. But, is reaching your goal weight of 130 lbs going to fix everything? No. Especially when you have to starve yourself to get there. What happens when you've followed your meal plan to a T for 30 days? Do you ban sweets forever? Do you bring a food scale with you everywhere you go for the rest of your life? Do you avoid all restaurants because it's not part of your plan? I sure hope not.

This cake is Chocolate heaven!
Although this isn't my healthiest recipe, it is a healthier version and a great treat for a special occasion. I made this for Valentines day and it was definitely a win!

Cake Ingredients:

• 2 cups whole wheat flour
• 1.5 cups coconut sugar
• 1/2 cup unsweetened apple sauce
• 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 1.5 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp sea salt
• 1 cup almond milk
• 2 eggs (or flax eggs)
• 1/2 cup coconut oil
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 cup boiling water​

I love lasagna. It's a meal we make that will last us a week. Although this is not plant based, we added in tons of colorful veggies and chose grass fed , local meat. So yummy, comforting and filling.

Ingredients:

• 1 package rice lasagna noodles
• 1 package grass fed beef
• 2 cups chopped veggies (onion, bell pepper, cabbage, tomato, spinach, cilantro)
• 1 container organic ricotta cheese
• 1 cup organic mozzarella cheese
• 1 can tomato sauce
• Spices of choice

It has been years since I have had a 7 layer dip. The Healthy Grocery Girl posted an amazing recipe yesterday and I have been craving it since. Easy, healthy and quick. I'm all for it.

I am a huge fan of chocolate. The other night I was in a pinch and didn't have any in the house, so I used a few simple ingredients and wallah! Chocolate. Heaven.
These will most definitely be on my go to list from now on. As always, these are quick, simple and nutritious.

Chewy, Sweet, Chocolaty, goodness.
These homemade granola bars are a simple, quick, nutritious recipe that will be great for the whole family. 

Ingredients:
1 cup pitted dates.
1/4 cup honey or pure maple syrup.
1/4 natural peanut butter.
1 cup mixed nuts (diced) I used pecans, sunflower seeds and cashews.
1 1/2 cups quick oats.
1 handful dark chocolate chips or chopped chocolate bark.
1 tsp cinnamon. 

Overnight Oats are my go to when I know I have a jam packed week and I need something quick in the morning. The great thing about these is that you can make enough on a Sunday night and they will stay good all week long. There a ton of recipes and combinations out there but I like to keep it simple with some healthy staples. Most weeks I make a batch of five and they keep me going every morning on my way to work.


Ingredients (Serves 1):

• 1/2 cup oats
• 1/2 cup of almond milk
• 1 tsp of cinnamon
• 1 sprinkle sea salt
• 1/2 banana
• 1-2 tbs natural peanut butter