Doin' Some Cookin'... Power Bowls for Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

2017 kicked off with the realization that I only had 6 months left for me being in my 20's. Holy shit. I'm going to be 30 years old this year.

Only two years of this last decade were what I consider to be "healthy" ones and that was the year after I gave birth to Little Man and this last year after being invited on a girls' trip to Mexico and knowing I'd be sporting swimwear. I had gained 50 pounds during my pregnancy and after being cleared to workout again I worked my ass off to lose 45 pounds of the weight I packed on. It took me a year to do it.

Fast forward five years and I've packed 40 pounds back on. Ugh! I watched my weight slowly creep up year over year at my desk job. I made excuses, lots of them and I continued to do so until the start of 2016 when my company announced a Biggest Loser competition and a coworker introducing me to Whole30. I dropped almost 20 lbs in one month. I did not win the competition and watched the extremes some of my coworkers were putting themselves through. One ate nothing but veggies and bone broth for the three months and another went as far as getting liposuction. I was all about the slow and steady. As much as I like instant gratification as much as the next person I'm realistic about my body and my goals.

So, I continued getting in workouts when I could and followed Whole30 loosely. I'd get on the bandwagon for a couple of weeks and then dive head first into a tub of ranch and chicken wings with fries and then I'd get back on track again.

The yo-yo'ing that I put my body through is not healthy so I'm making it a point to get laser focused and prioritize my health again.

Now it's time to buckle down and fuel my body for the workouts that I will be getting and to be able to power through my day.

I'm looking forward to improved health, better sleep, and some pounds and inches lost.

Here are three power bowls that are perfect for the person always on the go and needing to maximize time outside of the kitchen so you can workout and meal prep like me.

Don't get discouraged. Love yourself, no matter what.

Acai Breakfast Power Bowl

  Full of fruit and antioxidants but not too sweet. Perfect option before a workout due to the fast-acting carbs. 

From: Camille Styles

Makes 1 Serving

Stars of the Show:

• Acai powder
• frozen banana
• unsweetened almond milk
• protein powder
• coconut flakes
• hemp seeds
• cacao nibs
• granola
• fresh berries
• almond butter, optional

And Action:

Combine acai powder, banana, almond milk, and protein powder in the blender. 

Swirl in almond butter, if desired. 

Top with coconut flakes, hemp seeds, cacao nibs, granola, and fresh berries. Enjoy!

Quinoa Power Bowl

Light but filling lunch bowl.

Adapted From: Camille Styles

Makes 1 Servings

Stars of the Show:

• 1/2 cup quinoa or any other whole grain - I used a Seven Grain mix. 
• 1 fried egg
• 1/2 cup roasted veggies - any combo you like (I used Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, butternut squash, and asparagus.)
• Sauteed kale with garlic
• 1/2 avocado, sliced
• 1 chicken patty, cubed

And Action:

Layer all ingredients in a bowl. Enjoy!

(Leftovers without the egg and avocado)

Green & Protein Power Bowl
Adapted From: Camille Styles
Makes 1 Serving

Stars of the Show:

• 1 cup raw kale, massaged
• 1/2 cup shredded chicken or protein of choice
• 1/2 cup sweet potato, cubed and roasted
• 1/2 lemon, wedged 

And Action:

Layer kale, chicken, and sweet potato in a bowl. 

Squeeze lemon over the top. Enjoy!

Try this bowl too:

Garlicky Steak and Veggie Bowls

   

Doin' Some Cookin'... Sweet Citrus Avocado Green Smoothie

I'm kinda in a detox mode right now after hitting a four week plateau. Self-inflicted since I let working out and healthy eating go by the wayside. It's time for me to trade in dairy, soy, legumes, carbs, sugar, and alcohol for whole foods. So I decided to start my second round of Whole30 yesterday and it feels good to be back in the swing of things.

It's time focus on healthy habits and green smoothies make it effortless to do so.

This smoothie packs some of my favorite items from the produce section, especially avocado. Avocado makes this smoothie creamy while the clementines give it a bright citrusy flavor.

Sweet Citrus Avocado Green Smoothie

Adapted From: HealthyHealthyLife.com

Makes 1 Serving

Stars of the Show:

• 2 clementines, peeled and segmented
• 1 cup baby kale
• pinch of fresh parsley
• 1/2 of an avocado
• 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
• 1 cup coconut water, chilled
• ice, to taste
• 1/2 lime, juiced
• dash of cayenne

And Action:

Pulse all ingredients in a blender until smooth. Enjoy!

Doin' Some Cookin'... Superfood Salmon Salad

While reading one of my favorite blogs last weekend, Camille Styles, a recipe for a salmon salad was posted and I knew I just had to make it so I added all of the necessary ingredients to my grocery list and picked everything up during my weekly Whole Foods trip.

This salad is packed full of superfoods: avocado, salmon, garlic, kale, lemon, olive oil, blueberries, sunflower sprouts, and walnuts.

These are ingredients I would have never thought to put together and there's something about it that just works. To me, it's like a basket from Chopped. I would have been dumbfounded. The real star of this dish is the vinaigrette, it's sweet, spicy and addictive. While slicing the avocado I would take a piece and dip it in the vinaigrette. So damn good.

Ultra-healthy, flavorful, and filling... make this now. 9 superfoods. 9 superfoods!!

Superfood Salmon Salad

Adapted From: Camille Styles

Makes 2 Servings

Stars of the Show for the Salad:

• 4 cups baby kale
• 1 avocado, sliced
• 1 1/2 cups sunflower sprouts
• 1/2 cup toasted walnut halves
• 1 cup blueberries
• 1 anjou pear, cubed
• (2) 4 oz smoked salmon
• sea salt and pepper, to taste

Stars of the Show for the Vinaigrette:

• pinch of basil
• 2 lemons, juiced
• 2 tbsp rice wine vinegar
• 2 tsp Sriracha
• ground ginger, to taste
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• sea salt and pepper, to taste

And Action:

Combine all of the ingredients for the vinaigrette in a small bowl and whisk together. 

Add kale to a bowl and drizzle half of the vinaigrette over the leaves. Massage the kale with your hands until the kale starts to soften.

Add the rest of the salad ingredients and toss to combine. Drizzle with the rest of the vinaigrette. Enjoy!

Doin' Some Cookin'... Kale Guacamole

Little Man loves avocados and really enjoys them in guacamole. I'm all for sneaking veggies into his diet as much as I can and by sneak I mean I'll tell him what's in the food he's eating once he states he likes it. If he turns his nose up to it, I won't tell him what he just ate.

This is the first time I've ever heard about mixing kale into guacamole. I wasn't sure what to expect but chopping the kale finely is the key so it blends well with the avocado. I prefer my guacamole chunky so I smashed it with a spoon rather than running it through the food processor.

We both agreed that this is our new go to recipe. You won't even notice the kale, Little Man didn't, and I was able to sneak a superfood into his diet along with the superfood powers of avocados.

Probably should rename this recipe GuaKALEmole.

Kale Guacamole

Adapted From: Jeanette's Healthy Living

Makes 4 Servings

Stars of the Show:

• 2 avocados
• juice of 1 lime
• 1/4 tsp sea salt or to taste
• 1 tsp minced garlic
• 2 tbsp red onion, chopped
• 1 cup kale, finely chopped or pulsed in the food processor
• 1 jalapeno pepper, seeds removed, minced
• 1 tbsp cilantro, chopped

And Action:

Smash avocado and mix in the remaining ingredients until well combined. Enjoy!

Doin' Some Cookin'... Sesame Ginger Kale, Quinoa and Blueberry Superfood Salad

This is a recipe that reminds me how un-inventive I am in the kitchen. I would have never thought to mix together carrots, blueberries, seaweed and put that together with kale and quinoa. Thank you to the genius minds who create recipes for those like me who can't figure out how to top a salad with something other than cucumbers and tomatoes.

Kale and quinoa team up to make a powerhouse duo packed with nutrients like vitamins A, C and K, healthy fats, protein and fiber making this a healthy and filling lunch option. Kale is a superfood known for lowering your cholesterol and detoxifying your system.

No need to worry about making a big batch of this because the kale is so thick and hearty that it doesn't wilt during the week making it the perfect take to work lunch.

Or, if you live in the San Francisco, California area you can head over to Urban Picnic Eatery and pick up their version of this salad which this recipe was inspired from.

This recipe is also "flat belly challenge" approved, that is how I was introduced to this one.

Flat Belly Challenge Day 3:

My workout today consists of an abdominal circuit and an hour of walking.

Sesame Ginger Kale, Quinoa and Blueberry Superfood Salad

Adapted From: Popsugar Fitness

Makes 3 Servings and 10 Tbsp Dressing

Stars of the Show for the Salad:

• 1 cup cooked red quinoa
• 1 container baby kale
• 1 bag shredded carrots
• 1/2 cup toasted slivered almonds
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, cut in half
• 1 cup blueberries
• 5 sheets toasted sesame seaweed (such as Annie Chun's)

Stars of the Show for the Dressing:

• 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
• 1/8 cup balsamic vinegar
• 1 tbsp low sodium soy sauce
• 1 glove minced garlic
• 1 tbsp honey
• 1/2 tsp sesame oil
• 1 tbsp water

And Action:

Whisk all dressing ingredients together and put into a small jar with lid, set aside.

Combine all of the salad ingredients, lightly tossing to combine well. 

When ready to serve drizzle individual portions with dressing. Enjoy!

Doin' Some Cookin'... Kale Salad with Feta, Garlic Panko Breadcrumbs, and Fried Egg

This is one of the best kale salads I've ever had and this time it was picked up at a Starbucks.

The salad is mixed with Mediterranean inspired ingredients on a bed of sauteed kale, topped with a fried egg, and then sprinkled with garlic panko breadcrumbs and feta cheese making this the perfect meatless meal option.

The runny yolk acts as a dressing after you cut into the egg. If you're really hungry you may want to double your portion. It's that good!

Kale Salad with Feta, Garlic Panko Crumbs, and Fried Egg

Adapted From: Jeanette's Healthy Living

Makes 4 Servings

Stars of the Show:

• 8 cups kale, stems removed and cut into bite size pieces
• splash of rice vinegar
• 4 tbsp olive oil
• garlic powder, to taste
• sea salt and black pepper, to taste
• 1 tomato, cut into bite size pieces
• 1/2 red onion, thinly sliced
• 4 oz black pepper feta cheese
• 16 kalamata olives
• 4 fried eggs, for topping

And Action:

Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the kale and saute until wilted, then add a splash of rice vinegar. 

To make the garlic panko breadcrumbs: heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a small skillet over medium heat. Add garlic powder and panic breadcrumbs. Sauce until lightly browned. Season with salt and pepper. Set aside. 

While you fry the eggs begin assembling the salad. Top kale with with the tomatoes, onions, feta cheese, and olives. Top with the fried egg on each portion and then sprinkle with the garlic panic breadcrumbs. Enjoy!