Grilled Sesame Asparagus

SESAME ASPARAGUS

May 20, 2015

Did you know asparagus is actually a weed? If you let it go too long, you’ll have little asparagus trees.I like using asparagus to replace french fries with meals like hamburgers or barbecue chicken. If you have a grill, then it is especially good. If you have a charcoal grill, then it’s even better!

Sesame Asparagus

Asparagus
Sesame Oil
Sesame Seeds
Garlic Powder
Salt & Pepper

Prepare:

Wash asparagus and snap the ends off. You can cut the ends off, but I prefer finding the point where the asparagus naturally breaks. If you’ve just picked asparagus then you can skip this step.

If sauteing on the stove:

In a large saute pan, big enough so the asparagus isn’t too crowded, drizzle about a tablespoon of sesame oil over the asparagus. Then sprinkle with garlic powder, sesame seeds, salt, and pepper. Using tongs, turn the asparagus until covered. Saute on medium high heat until the asparagus is tender but still snaps when you bite it.

If grilling:

Combine asparagus, sesame oil, garlic powder, sesame seeds, salt, and pepper in a zip lock bag. Squish it around until the asparagus is covered then transfer to a grill. Grill until asparagus is tender but still snaps when you bite it.

GRILLED PORTABELLA MUSHROOMS

June 3, 2015

Did you know that if you grill portabella mushrooms then they taste like steak? Yes, it’s true! Here is my favorite recipe.

Grilled Portabella Mushrooms

4 large portabella mushrooms
1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
2 tbsp olive oil
Fresh basil and oregano finely chopped
Garlic, minced
Pecans, chopped
Sliced Cheese, any kind

1. Combine all spices in balsamic vinegar. Set marinade in the fridge for about a half hour.
2. Brush mushrooms with marinade, top with pecans, and one slice of cheese.
3. Grill until mushrooms are tender and cheese is melted.

Countdown to Shaun T Week

Countdown to Shaun T Week

June 6th, 2017 by Cameo

Guys, I seriously cannot wait for Shaun Week to launch on Beachbody on Demand!! I am literally counting down the days to June 12th!

If you haven’t heard of Shaun Week yet, it’s 7 days of workouts that will be posted to Beachbody on Demand one day at a time (so there’s no peeking ahead!). The timing is PERFECT because the workouts start right when I get back from my Elite 10 trip to Italy, which means I’ll be ready to crush the week with you!

I’ll be running an exclusive support & accountability group to help you get through the week! Starting on Saturday June 10th we will prep with a meal plan, set our intentions for the week and get ready to crush our first workout on Monday June 12th. For an entire week we will work with Shaun T through Beachbody On Demand, crush our nutrition, support each other and grow in mindset, strength and stamina! Are you ready to bring it??!

Here are the workouts for the week to get you pumped up:

Insane Basics:  Go Slow, form over speed, work through it.

Pure Cardio Part 2:  It is going to be amazing!  You don’t go to the floor at all.

Insane Weights:  This workout is hitting the weights in an Insanity format.

25 Abs:  25 minutes of abs that is so ridiculously amazing that you will need to pray before do it! LOL

BrickSanity:  Asylum strength and T25 mixture and a lot of insane craziness!

Speed 4.0:  Speed workout similar to what you did in T25 Speed 1.0 and 2.0

Dig Deep: End the week with a BANG! This is BANANA’s YO!!!!  This sounds like Friday Fight From Max 30.

Ready to join me??

Click here to view the Facebook event and click here to join the official Facebook group.

***To join, I (Melanie Mitro) MUST be your assigned coach and you must either have Beachbody On Demand or sign up for the free 14 day trial here: http://bchbody.life/2rtu0d4.

This free trial account gets you through Shaun Week PLUS it gives you another week to fall in love with BOD!!

Insanity Max 30 Progress

 Home About Me Eat Clean Recipes Meal Plan Shakeology Shop Customer Testimonials Get Support Insanity Max 30 Meal Plan and Prep

Max 30 Meal Plan and Nutrition Guid

I am very excited to officially be able to share my meal plan with you all!  That has been the hardest part of this program because I am always posting pictures of my food and teaching you how and what I eat each week!  

So whats my favorite part about the Max 30 nutrition guide?  

IT'S SO EASY TO FOLLOW!!!  It is basic and anyone can do it!!!  Just pick from each category and use the tracking sheets to tally your food!  I still use the tracking sheets after 5 weeks bc it just keeps me focused on exactly what I'm eating!!!!

Insanity Max 30 Food Tracker Sheets

So how does the nutrition plan work?  You get to choose which plan you follow based on your weight.  Plan A or Plan B.  I am plan A because I am under 150 pounds.  So I have a select number of fruits, veggies, proteins, carbs, healthy fats, seeds & dressings and oils and butters I can have each day. The nutrition guide gives you a list of foods in each category to choose from.

As I am creating my meal plan I tally the food groups so that I know if I have stayed within my daily recommended amount.  Originally the one area that I tend to go over is my carbs and fruits!  Since doing the 21 day fix and now Insanity Max 30 I really have become aware of my portion size and also have been able to narrow down my food to the correct amount per day.  I can truly say that the nutrition portion of the workout plan is what makes you have increased performance, abs and more muscle definition plus just the energy to rock your workout!  The days I eat off the plan are the days my workout suffers!  It truly does go hand in hand!  You can't out exercise a bad diet.

I aim to eat 5-6 small meals per day.  I typically combine a protein and a fruit/veggie at each meal! I like to combine the slow and fast burning fuel bc that is what keeps me full the longest and also follows the eating clean principles that I learned when I started healthy eating.  

I still have to make a conscious effort to drink 1/2 my body weight in ounces of water each day!  But I make it happen, someway somehow bc that also improves your results!  

Here is my meal plan for week 3 of Insanity Max 30.  

Shakeology is always my breakfast because it's quick and easy and honestly I just don't have time in the morning to prepare breakfast.  Plus I like to save my carbs for later in the day so I don't eat oatmeal for breakfast.

You can see the food is basic, the recipes are easy to make and everything tastes good!  Nothing from a box, keep your sodium in check and natural sugar!!!   

It's easy to follow and both Matt and I can do it together. The best part is that we don't make separate meals for our kids. They eat what we eat as well!  Setting the example for good choices now pays off in a big way later.

What's the biggest obstacles I faced?

Camping, traveling & summer activities have been a challenge but one I have accepted. I focus on balance and having access to beachbody on-demand makes it simple to press play if I'm away! 

I always prep my food and pack food with me when I go ANYWHERE so I can stay focused! It's just the drinks and desserts that tend to trip me up!  So gotta get my game face on and get ready to rock it out!!!!

So meal plan ready- grocery list prepped and it's time to hit up the grocery store!!!!!!!

Lets rock our week!  Focus is your key to success!  

Green Clean Pancakes

So before I ate this meal, I looked at these pancakes and thought.. uhhh they are green.. They probably don’t taste good lol… I was WRONG! They are amazing!! Thanks to my best friend Deidra for introducing me to these healthy Green Clean Protein Pancakes!!!

Ingredients:
2 eggs
1 capful Carmel extract
1 yellow rolled oats
1 green spinach
1/2 banana (1 purple)

Directions:
Mix in blender and cook as pancakes

Makes 3 pancakes
Sprinkle coconut and 1/2 tsp chocolate chips on each pancake!

Don’t knock it til ya try it!!!

The Ultimate Reset

WHAT IS THE 21 DAY ULTIMATE RESET?!?

Why Try The Ultimate Reset? 

Even though the body is extremely resilient, our bodies have been pushed to the limit by pollution, pesticides, preservatives, chemicals, and toxins contained in nearly everything in out daily world. These harmful items disrupt the normal function of our organs and bodily systems, which, in turn, weakens our immunity, hinders metabolic activity, and creates imbalances that can lead to health problems.

Beachbody Ultimate Reset is a unique program that helps people of all ages find relief from digestive problems, high blood pressure, bad cholesterol levels, asthma, arthritis, depression, and inflammatory conditions. It has also helped active individuals get even more out of their workouts because it restores the body and makes it more efficient.

What Do You Receive In The Ultimate Reset?

1. 6 Supplements - These supplements detox, alkalinize, soothe, mineralize, optimize, and revitalize to restore your body to the highest level of health.

2. Support from ME! - Support and encouragement from me and other team members is available online anytime, plus our communication tools let you chat, share, and get tips.

3. Guidebook with RECIPES - Explore the science behind the program, get three weeks worth of menus and recipes, and learn all of the health benefits you'll achieve from Beachbody Ultimate Reset.

4. Two DVDs - Part of getting your body back to its optimal health includes lifestyle changes you can implement with our healthy recipes, yoga instruction, and wellness techniques.

4. Ultimate Reset Bracelet & Caddy! 

But...Does It Work?

Exciting results from a recent clinical study by The Journal of Chiropractic Medicine, an independent, peer-reviewed journal, show that the Ultimate Reset program is clinically proven to help you lose weight and improve your overall health in only 21 days.

Each clinical study participant at New York Chiropractic College followed the complete Ultimate Reset program of clean, nutrient-rich foods and a plan of natural supplements.

The results were impressive. People in the study lost substantial weight on the program, leading to clinically significant improvements in their health, including an increase in testosterone for men and lowering of:

 - Body Mass Index

 - Triglycerides

- Blood pressure

- Total cholesterol

- LDL cholesterol

"Such improvements have been shown to lower the risk of metabolic syndrome and associated disease states, including cardiovascular disease, stroke, and Type II diabetes." —Dr. Michael Farzam, MD, board-certified physician.

The Ultimate Reset has helped thousands of people lose weight, improve digestion, and feel better than they have in years.

100 Clean Eating Snacks

You may have heard the term “clean eating.”  Basically it is a term used to describe eating food that is not processed.  Whole foods such as fruits, vegetables, nuts, etc have been deemed whole foods.  When you are on a budget, whole foods can seem expensive.  There are some that are less expensive than others so I wanted to put together a list of clean eating snack ideas that will help you stay on track with your health goals as well as your financial goals.

First, here are some tips to stay in budget while eating healthy:

• Plan you meals and snacks as much as possible. Planning ahead will help you stay in budget.  I know it has helped us.  This has saved me time with planning meals and we have save about $20 each week with our food budget. If the meals aren’t freezer friendly, I at least prep the meat and put it in a labeled freezer bag.

• Plan to have the same snack for a couple days in a week.  If you plan to eat celery and hummus for a snack, make sure you plan to use it all in that week.  For example, we might use it as a snack for 3 days out of a week to make sure we use it all.

• The key is to choose only 4-5 snacks per week that you and your family will use up.  We always have bananas, apples, peanut butter lying around.  Those are staples for us.  I will then mix it up with some hummus and veggies or sometimes buy pretzels with hummus.  We buy avocados every week and use them as part of a meal a lot.  Depending on the size of your family. You may need to plan for more or less. 

• Shop in season.  Take advantage of the different produce available at different times of year.  Buy what is in season and buy local.  It will help you save money.  Here are more tips on how to save on groceries.  If you are like me, taking the time to create a grocery list can seem like an arduous task.  This may help you save time creating your grocery list.

• If you are a creature of habit, stick to a few snacks you love and change it up after a while.  I eat an apple and peanut butter just about everyday.  I love them.  If I get sick of that snack, I will change it up to something different but it is ok to stick to foods that are pretty similar.  It saves time creating a grocery list that way.

100  Cheap Clean Eating Snack Ideas:

1. Hard boiled eggs
2. Celery and hummus
3. Celery and almond butter
4. Buy Almond Butter  in individual packets if you only use a little here and there.  It will only cost $1.25 per packet instead of $10 per jar for the stuff without sugar
5. Apples
6. Bananas
7. English muffin pizza- store bought pizza sauce, very light sprinkle of cheese and veggies on top
8. Tuna with celery
9. Baby carrots and peanut butter
10. Peanut butter by the tablespoon (I cannot be the only one who does this)
11. Pineapple
12. Rice cake with peanut butter
13. Peanut butter on banana
14. Whole wheat tortilla with cream cheese spread (Laughing Cow Cheese) and sliced cucumber.  (yes I know cheese isn’t completely clean, but I do think that you can have dairy in moderation and still eat well.)
15. String cheese
16. Nitrate free lunch meat with a veggie
17. Grapes (you can freeze them and they taste like candy)
18. Leftover protein from dinner the night before
19. Homemade guacamole and cucumbers (avocados are $2.99 per bag at Marcs.  1/2 avocado is a serving)
20. Grilled veggies- I like grilled red pepper and onion
21. Roasted broccoli (you can roast it in the over the previous night and reheat at work)
22. Clementines
23. Tuna lettuce wrap
24. Kale chips– buy kale and make your own chips.  It is super easy
25. Yogurt
26. Blueberries and strawberries- when in season
27. Apple and peanut butter
28. Homemade oatmeal muffins- Berry Bakes Oatmeal Cups are my favorite by Organize Yourself Skinny.  You can find the berries at Aldi in the frozen section!
29. Homemade granola bars
30. Frozen veggies
31. Whole wheat bread and a nut butter
32. Whole wheat tortilla with peanut butter and banana
33. Rice cakes and hummus
34. Homemade granola– this stuff is amazing from Organize Yourself Skinny!
35. Banana Ice cream (frozen bananas- grind in food processor and add 1 tbsp peanut butter, blend again and serve)
36. Watermelon with fresh squeezed lime
37. Sliced tomato and feta cheese
38. Protein balls– from The Comfort of Cooking.  They are awesome!  Kids love them!
39. Popcorn
40. Cucumber and hummus
41. Homemade Popsicles – Recipe by FoodieFun
42. Applesauce
43. Tomato and cucumber salad
44. Cranberries
45. Sweet potato
46. Bell pepper with tuna
47. Bell pepper and hummus
48. Egg Muffins– recipe by Organize Yourself Skinny because I love her:)  You can substitute veggies in here also.  Use up veggies that may be getting old.
49. Avocado on toast with a little salt and pepper
50. Sunflower seeds
51. Chips and cheddar cheese- our favorite.  Whole grain chips with a sprinkle of cheddar cheese.  YUM
52. Chips and salsa
53. Almonds- you can find them at Aldi and they are not too badly priced
54. Cashews- same as the almonds.  Aldi is a bit cheaper.
55. Whole grain waffle with peanut butter and 1/2 banana
56. 1 cup almond milk
57. 1 cup of coffee
58. Lettuce wrap with salmon (any leftover from dinner?)
59. Celery and peanut butter and raisins
60. Celery and Laughing Cow cheese
61. Steamed brussel sprouts
62. Pickles with a slice of lunch meat
63. Steamed cauliflower with sprinkle of cheddar cheese
64. Rice and black beans
65. Cottage cheese
66. Roast beef on a lettuce wrap with horseradish or mustard
67. Pears- when on sale or at a Farmer’s market
68. Tomato with tuna on top
69. Roasted carrots
70. Roasted asparagus
71. Homemade black bean salsa with whole wheat tortilla chips or on a rice cake (1 serving size chips)-recipe by Sally’s Baking Addiction.
72. Turkey burger
73. Cup of green or black tea
74. Egg salad lettuce wrap
75. Cucumber and tomato with balsamic dressing in 1/2 whole wheat pita
76. Edamame
77. Sauteed spinach with garlic
78. 1/2 cup oatmeal with strawberries and nuts of your choice
79. Unsweetened raisins
80. Whole wheat toast with Laughing Cow cheese triangle and tomato on top
81. Whole wheat pretzels
82. Homemade pumpkin muffins
83. Oranges
84. Chocolate avocado mousse by Chocolate Covered Katie.  Use Almond milk or low fat milk for the recipe
85. Whole grain cereal
86. Peaches- when in season
87. Canned fruit- in 100% juice.
88. Whole wheat English muffin with nut butter
89. Tomato with sprinkle of feta or fresh mozzarella cheese and drizzle of balsamic vinegar
90. Carrots and hummus
91. Cantaloupe
92. Green smoothie– good way to use up extra greens.  Recipe by Eating Well.
93. Mango slices
94. Watermelon salsa– Recipe by Eating Well
95. Roasted cauliflower with a sprinkle of parmesan on top
96. Peppers and hummus rolled up with a slice of turkey
97. Blackberries- when in season and a handful of almonds
98. Small whole grain tortilla wrap, lunch meat, spinach and mustard
99. Homemade zucchini muffins– recipe by Gimme Some Oven ( How about gimme some more of these muffins!  YUM!)
100. Mini Mexican pizzas- small tortilla, 2 tbsp. salsa and sprinkle of cheddar cheese  Bake in oven until cheese is melted.  If you have leftover chicken or beef you can also add that on top.