Doin' Some Cookin'... Southwestern Superfood Salad

I'm back on my Whole30 kick and have a pretty sweet reward in mind for completion. Day one of Whole30 was a much needed body reset because I woke up bloated from a day of poor eating yesterday.

This salad is packed with peaches and avocado on a bed of arugula with a zesty smoked almond cilantro pesto dressing. This is a flavor kick in the mouth. If I wasn't on Whole30 I would have added grilled corn, quinoa, and black beans. I forgot to add my grape tomatoes too. An afterthought was that if I wasn't also trying to keep this meatless a citrus grilled chicken breast would have been a nice addition as well.

The pesto recipe is going to be saved for the next seafood night.

The salad is light and refreshing and provides the perfect fuel for a good workout. Today I focused on working out triceps, shoulders, and hips. It's been over a month and a half since I've been able to workout due to bronchitis and strep at the same time. Definitely fatigued my muscles and it felt so good to earn that afternoon nap.

Now that I'm back in the fitness game I need to find a sturdy one piece swimsuit for the gym (in a smaller size than my suit from last summer, yay!!) so I can get in that lap pool.

Make this meatless salad for a meal that will come together in less than 20 minutes.

Southwestern Superfood Salad

Adapted From: Camille Styles

Makes 1 Serving

Stars of the Show for the Salad:

• 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
• 2 cups arugula
• 1 peach, sliced
• 1/2 avocado, cubed
• 1/4 cup smoked almonds

Stars of the Show for the Pesto:

• 1 cup fresh cilantro
• 1/2 cup fresh parsley
• 1 garlic clove
• 1/4 cup smoked almonds
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 1/2 avocado
• 1 tbsp lime juice
• pinch of red chili flakes
• 1/4 tsp sea salt

And Action:

 

Add all ingredients for the pesto in a blender and pulse until smooth.

In a large bowl, combine the salad ingredients. Toss with the desired amount of pesto. Enjoy!

Doin' Some Cookin'... Banana Almond Overnight Oats

Overnight oats are the perfect on the go breakfast option because there is no cooking involved and you make it ahead of time. Easy peasy.

Perfect for after a morning workout and keeps you full until lunchtime. I was not able to eat the entire portion and ended up finishing it up as part of my lunch.

Banana Almond Overnight Oats

Adapted From: Siggi's Dairy

Makes 1 Serving

Stars of the Show:

• 1 banana, sliced
• 1 packet cinnamon spice oatmeal
• 1/3 cup lowfat milk
• 1 (6 oz) container 2% peach Greek yogurt
• 1 tsp chia seeds
• 2 tbsp almonds

And Action:

In a glass jar, combine all ingredients and mix well. Let sit overnight in the fridge. Enjoy the next morning!

Doin' Some Cookin'... Almond Joy Shakeology

Since joining my first challenge group back in August after being introduced to Beachbody's 21 Day Fix my favorite way to have the chocolate Shakeology was to blend it with a tablespoon of peanut butter and a banana. As of today there is a new favorite... Almond Joy.

Oh em gee!!

One of my favorite candies in a diet friendly shake that I can have any time of day. I'm a sucker for all things coconut and almonds are my favorite nut. This is so incredibly satisfying and crave worthy!

I look forward to having this again and again... better order a couple extra blender jars.

Almond Joy Shakeology

Makes 1 Serving

Stars of the Show:

• 1 1/2 cups lowfat milk (use almond milk if you have it)
• 1 scoop chocolate Shakeology
• 2 tbsp almond butter 
• 1 tbsp unsweetened shredded coconut flakes
• ice, to taste

And Action:


Combine all ingredients in a blender and pulse until smooth. Enjoy!

Doin' Some Cookin'... Blueberry Almond Oatmeal Parfait

My stomach was growling and I needed an afternoon pick me up to get me through my hair appointment and shopping for items to put together a Texas themed gift basket for one of my best friend's arrival into Houston tomorrow.

This oatmeal parfait is layered with vanilla honey yogurt and almond butter on top a bed of cinnamon steel cut oats and couldn't be easier to put together. This recipe is so versatile as you can swap out any nut (or nut butter) and switching up the fruit. I'm partial to almonds though and think any fruit and almonds were made for each other.

Say goodbye to boring oatmeal and hello tummy stuffed full of goodness. I could not finish a full serving size and saved the rest of breakfast the next day, yes, it's fantastic chilled too.

Blueberry Almond Oatmeal Parfait

Adapted From: Hello Healthy from MyFitnessPal

Makes 2 Servings

Stars of the Show:

• 3/4 cup steel cut oats
• 1 1/2 cup water
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• 3/4 cup vanilla yogurt
• 1 tbsp honey
• 1/2 cup blueberries
• 4 tbsp almond butter

And Action:

In a small saucepan combine the oats, water, vanilla, and cinnamon. Simmer on medium-low heat for 7-8 minutes. Let the oatmeal cool for a few minutes before layering into the parfait.

Mix the yogurt and honey together. 

To build the parfaits, spoon the oatmeal in the bottom of each glass, then layer on a spoonful of yogurt, then blueberries, then almond butter. Repeat the layers until you have used up all of the ingredients between the two glasses. Enjoy!

Doin' Some Cookin'... Triple Berry Oatmeal Smoothie Bowl with Almonds and Chia Seeds

I think I may have found my new favorite way to eat oatmeal. Maybe it has something to do with the raspberries (my favorite fruit at the moment) and almonds I toasted myself (crave worthy!!!). With the weather as cold as it's been a hot breakfast is just what I needed.

This oatmeal will keep you full until well after lunchtime and is the perfect way to start your day with protein, fiber, and antioxidants. An oatmeal smoothie bowl is the love child of two breakfast classics.

You can adapt this recipe to suit your tastes switching it up with different fruit, nuts, and yogurt flavors.

Triple Berry Oatmeal Smoothie Bowl with Almonds and Chia Seeds

Adapted From: Jeanette's Healthy Living

Makes 1 Serving

Stars of the Show:

• 1/4 cup uncooked regular oats
• 1/4 cup blueberries
• 1/4 cup raspberries
• 1/4 cup blackberries
• 1 tbsp toasted slivered almonds
• 1 tsp chia seeds
• 1 container nonfat vanilla yogurt

And Action:

Combine the oats, almonds, and chia seeds in a bowl adding 1/2 cup of water. Microwave for 1 1/2 minutes. Top with the berries and a couple dollops of yogurt, stirring to combine. Enjoy!