Man Cake with Apples Recipe

Friends of mine had been raving about "Deidra's Man Cakes" all weekend while we were away on "business". So I did my research and finally found the recipe and let me just tell you, I am so thankful that I had today off and slept in and had the opportunity to make this delicious breakfast! 

Mix ingredients & put in pan to cook

Ingredients:

• 1 Green Apple diced
• 1/2 cup oatmeal
• 6 egg whites, 1 yolk 
• 1/2 tso Vanilla extract
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• EVOO

Directions:

1. Put stove on medium and coat bottom of pan on stove with EVOO. (I used a paper towel to lightly coat the bottom of pan
2. Mix first 5 ingredients in a bowl and add it to pan on stove
3. Cook on each side for approximately 4 minutes or until it is done to your liking
4. Let cool and enjoy

Literally like these so much, tomorrow I am planning to use fresh cut up strawberries instead of the apples! Its so simple and so easy to make and whats great is it is absolutely delicious and healthy! It even follows the 21 day fix meal plan! 1 Red (protein): eggs, 1 Yellow (carb): oatmeal, 1 Purple (fruit): apple!

I cannot wait to play around with this and make some other amazing recipes! Share with others if this is something you think you would like!

Have a Happy & Healthy Day!

Nicole <3

Week 4: Insanity Max 30 Progress Update

um...where did the time go? seriously I cannot believe that I am starting month 2 of insanity max 30! This week was not my best week nutrition wise! I seriously struggled with traveling and with getting ready for my weekend away! 

Just a Few of my Favorite People

This weekend, I traveled to Pittsburgh to spend the weekend at a training that was beyond amazing! I saw some of my closest friends, learned from the top coaches, and really just had an all around amazing weekend! 

Danielle & I before Saturday Nights Celebration in Pitt

Well enough of that and back to insanity! so one positive thing was that this week, my max out times got better! I challenged myself and I ended up far exceeding my expectations! ESPECIALLY on Wednesday! Sweat intervals workout was something that i struggled with in the past, I wasnt doing much better but each week, it was getting a little better. well wednesday morning comes around and I am running on 5 hours of sleep (maybe) and the alarm goes off and I have a million and one things to do. well I chug my c4 and I push play. my goal was to do my best and max out at 14 minutes. I wanted to double my time from the first week! well to my surprise, I wanted to max out in the warm up..true story! But I didn't I really focused on just making it one minute at a time and you know what when I focused on the move and just doing my best and forgetting the rest, I ended up maxing out at 19:30! I was so proud of myself because I didn't let my negativity and my doubt creep in. I pushed on and gave it my all and let me tell you, there was nothing left in the tank! 

Take a look at my crazy pictures and awesome times! I really turned it up a notch this week and I am so proud of all that I accomplished!

                                                       

 

Sometimes life can throw you curve balls and you might not have time and you might not be able to do something but if you let those excuses creep in, you wont achieve anything! But challenge yourself to be something greater and do something greater. It might not be easy but it sure is worth it! 

My Biggest take away from this week is that you are strong than your excuses and your stronger than you think! So going into this next week, week 5 of insanity max 30, I know its going to be a battle! I know I am going to struggle and I am ready to be better than myself! 

My Goal this week as I start month 2 of Max 30...I want to really follow my meal plan! I want to drink a gallon of water a day and I want to do daily positive affirmations!

Hope You All Have a Happy & Healthy Day,

Nicole

Week 3: Insanity Max 30 Progress Update

Well hello there, I am a day late on getting this to my blog! This weekend was kinda crazy and this just was not top of my list of things to do! You know what...sometimes that happens! I had an extremely busy yet relaxing weekend. I worked hard in my business to help others and creating a new free five day fit group all about New Year New You Lifestyle Change. 

Before I get into the nitty gritty of how week 3 went, I wanted to wish you all a happy and healthy New Year! wow 2015! cant believe it! this year I am dreaming big and I am  going to make big changes! 

I am not going to lie it was so nice to have off from work for most of the Christmas/New Years Break, but I have to say that my nutrition was not all there. I splurged a little, got out of my normal routine and i truly had all intentions of staying on track but sometimes life gets in the way! 

Week 3, even thou my nutrition was not the best....but my workouts this week were amazing! I pushed myself so hard and had some amazing max out times! I even had to take Saturday and Sunday off because my body needed the rest! Those rest days were earned! 

Take a peak at all my times for each day! I have to say my best improvement happened in two days! tabata strength was a new workout that is increased in week 3.  from Tuesday to Thursday I increased from 11:42 and improved it to 19:13! Everyday I set out and try to challenge myself!

 

 

 This was my projected meal plan that did not go as planned but you know what week 4 is a new week, a new beginning, a new chance to get it right, and a fresh start!

hope you all have an amazing week! heres to a happy and healthy new year filled with much love and joy! Dream Big, Never Give Up! HAPPY 2015

Have a Happy and Healthy Day,

Nicole

Copycat Panera Bread Broccoli Cheddar Soup

I absolutely love soup and it is perfect for cold winter nights! I found this great recipe and it is absolutely delicious! I love Panera's Broccoli Cheddar Soup and this version is a copycat and clean version of it! 

Ingredients:

• 1 tbsp melted butter
• 1/2 medium chopped onion
• 1/4 cup meleted butter
• 1/4 cup white whole wheat flour
• 1 cup half and half cream
• 1 cup whole or 2% milk
• 2 cups chicken stock
• 1/2 lb fresh broccoli (2 heads of broc crowns)
• 1 cup of carrots, shredded
• 1/4 tsp nutmeg
• 8 oz freshly grated sharp cheddar cheese
• salt and pepper to taste

Directions: 

1. In a large pot whisk together the melted butter and flour over medium heat for about 3-4 minutes
2. Slowly whisk in the half and half and chicken stock. let it simmer for about 20 minutes.
3. Meanwhile suate the onion in 1 tbsp melted butter and set aside. 
4. Add the broccoli, carrots, and sauted onions. Let them simmer on low for about 25 minutes or until the broccoli and carrots are tender.
5. Add nutmeg, salt and pepper and the freshly grated cheddar cheese. Let the cheese melt and then serve.

**if you want a smoother or creamier soup, puree it in a blender

Have a Happy and Healthy Day

Nicole

Week 2: Insanity Max 30 Progress Update

Wow, I cannot believe that week 2 of Insanity Max 30 is over! This week, I can definitely say that I have not felt this strong in a long time...both mentally and physically. Some max out times were better than others and some times were better than my times last week but one thing that I know for sure is that this week I pushed myself more, my strength is getting better, and I sweat more than ever. Insanity Max 30 might be one of my favorite programs so far. It changes things up and your just trying to beat yourself and be better than you were the previous workout. Every day is a new day and every day is like a fit test. Your testing your limits, pushing on and your getting better every day.

Check out my max out time for each day! Stronger and Stronger Every Single Day!

                                 

This week was most definitely hard with following my nutrition. and I have to say that I did cheat a little. But its the holidays and I am okay with that. I bust my butt all the time that it is nice to splurge a little. I may have had way too many Christmas cookies! Even thou I might have cheated on my nutrition, everything was in moderation! I worked out everyday with no exception. I am not going to lie, I wanted to skip my Christmas morning workout but I did not. I live a life filled with moderation, check out my meal plan to see how I ate this week. I am not going to lie, this week towards the end of the week, I went off a little with spending time with some friends and being away for the weekend. But I stuck to what foods I was supposed to have.

Going into week 3, I am 100% going to get back on track. My nutrition will be on point. I will be focused and I will be back to some form of a routine. With New Years this week, I know I am going to be splurging a little with going out but I am focused on getting my workouts in! but remember Moderation is key! 

Goals:
1. drink 1 gallon or more a day of water
2. follow meal plan
3. morning workouts
4. enjoy New Years Eve
5. Set 2015 goals

What are your goals for 2015? 

Hope you all have a safe, happy, and healthy New Years Eve & New Years. 

~Nicole <3

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Week 1: Insanity Max 30 Progress Update

I can not believe that week 1 of Insanity Max 30 is officially over. This program seriously came at the right time in my life. I hit this plateau and really was just out of the game. I was eating healthy but enjoying a little bit too much ice cream, chips and more. I knew what I needed to do and you know what starting this week off with a clean slate, positive mind, and an accountability group that was holding me to my goals.

Going into this week, I was scared! I cannot tell a lie! I wasn't sure what to expect from Shaun T. So Monday morning, I got up at 5am, chugged my E&E, dusted off and laced up my sneakers and pushed play. I thought I was going to die day 1. I was so out of breath, I felt so out of shape, but I pushed on.  I finished day 1 and could barely walk! I mean no joke my calves were on fire! as the day went on, it got progressively worse. As the days went on up until thursday, I was walking like a baby giraffe. someone at work asked at one point, are you okay, you are walking funny! I couldn't help but laugh and thank Shaun T for that! But by day 4, I was feeling better. My legs had come back around and I felt like I was finally feeling like myself again. Day 5's workout Friday Fight Round 1....was a mental and a physical fight! this program really knows how to push you in ways that you never thought!

CONFESSION TIME: I took my before pictures, measurements, and weight...and i have to say that I was less than satisfied with where I was. normally after week 1, I would have stepped on the scale but this time for Insanity Max 30, I am not going to get on the scale, no matter what, until day 30. The scale doesn't define me and i have to say that I get down when I don't see a change. Totally changing things up and I am totally happy about that! So many people I know are doing and one can totally get caught up in the "time" and comparing yourself to someone else. another thing that I am focusing on is I am "looking in the mirror...that's my competition." I am trying to be better everyday than the person I was the day before! so far, its working!

You might be sitting here reading this thinking, alright Nicole, what does it mean to MAX OUT? HERE IT IS...maxing out means that it is the first time in the workout that you stop or fail. I mean you push yourself for as long and as hard as you within your abilities. You try to beat your previous time! 

Its simple...get your mind and body ready to dig deep...push play on the workout dvd...challenge yourself to do the best that you can...when you feel like you cant go anymore and basically ready to die...stop and write down...take a quick breather and get right back at it!  You don't just stop once you maxed out, catch your breath and you get right back at it! the workout is 30 minutes! you can totally do this!

Everyday I got stronger, Everyday I pushed play and ate according to my meal plan was one step closer to my goals. Day by Day Snap Shots of my Max Out Times: 

Nutrition is 80% of the battle. so this week, I was focused on what I was eating. I wanted to be extremely focused and I have to say it really paid off! I woke up every morning feeling better than the day before! I woke up less bloated, more energized and ready to take on the new day. I even had a major cheat meal and when I say MAJOR I mean MAJOR! My family came to visit me and we went to an amazing restaurant. I indulged in a drink, lobster mac and cheese, I had filet mignon, and even had desert flourless chocolate espresso cake. I left the restaurant feeling completely satisfied. It was an absolutely guilt free cheat meal! because I was so focused and so on point this week, I allowed myself to splurge! Nutrition is more of a battle than the workouts! you can't out exercise a bad diet! Take a peak at my meal plan from week 1. 

My goals for week 2 (especially since its christmas and there is going to be many temptations)
1. drink 1 gallon or more of water a day
2. early morning workouts
3. follow my meal plan
4. moderation is key for christmas eve and christmas day
5. focus on morning meditation/prayer
6. daily positive affirmations

Here's to week 2 and making this week even better than last week. for those of you that celebrate...Merry Christmas! May you have a beautiful holiday with the ones that you love. Hope Santa is good to you! :) Remember: MODERATION is key!

Have a Happy & Healthy Day

~Nicole <3

P.S. Join my EXCLUSIVE Accountability Group to achieve all your health and fitness goals. Fill out the form below and lets get you in my next group! 

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Cinnamon Pecans

I love snacking on nuts but sometimes they can be bland. When I was in Canada visiting my aunt and uncle, my aunt made these and let me just say they are so delicious and so addicting! I call them crack! my family came to visit me last month, and I had them made and my mom called me the week after and goes hey Nikki, whats the recipe for crack? 

So today, I decided to make crack aka Cinnamon Pecans! They are seriously so simple and so easy! 

Ingredients:

• 1 egg white
• 1 tbsp water
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 pound pecans

Directions:

1. whip egg white and water together
2. add pecans to mixture
3. mix cinnamon, salt and sugar in separate bowl
4. add pecan mixture to sugar mixture
5. spread pecans on greased cookie sheet
6. bake at 250 degrees for approximately 1 hour (turn every 15 minutues

Hope you all enjoy this simple, easy recipe!

Have a Happy and Healthy Day!