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'... Lemony Toasted Quinoa and Cabbage Salad

A work day in the life looks something like this lately:

5:00 am - wake up, make coffee, and head to the bathroom to do hair and makeup
6:45 am - pack lunches
7:00 am - drop Little Man off at school and then I head to work
5:45 pm - pick Little Man off from after school care
6:00 pm - cook dinner
6:30 pm - eat
7:00 pm - dishes and then go through Little Man's homework
7:30 pm - help Little Man shower
8:00 pm - lay Little Man down for bed, throw in a load of laundry if needed, workout
9:00 pm - shower
9:30 pm - cozy clothes and settle into my spot on the couch to study for my CLFP exam
12:00 pm - bed

My body is screaming at me today for rest. It doesn't help that I'm so go-go-go and that it's "that time of the month". Exhausted!!! But... being me... I don't listen to my body especially when I have a goal in mind. My priorities outside of Little Man (my numero uno!!) are working towards my weight loss goal and being a certified leasing professional which has a deadline.

Pulling those hours means I have to do my best to eat as clean as possible so that way I give my body proper nutrition and brain fuel.

(The photo does not do this justice.)

I made this lemony toasted quinoa and cabbage salad. The flavors meld so well together. I couldn't stop sneaking bites throughout the prep. This recipe is great for clean eating because each ingredient aids in digestion and detoxifying properties. Quinoa is a fantastic protein source and cabbage is high in Vitamin C, fiber, aids in inflammation and helps prevent cancer.

This recipe makes plenty which is perfect for taking leftovers to work for an easy light lunch and can even be enjoyed cold and is 21 Day Flat Belly Challenge approved.

P.S. - I'm still trying to complete Day 2's workout and still can't seem to hold a plank for more than a minute at a time. This shit is tough but I've been doing great with staying within my daily calorie goal.

Lemony Toasted Quinoa and Cabbage Salad

Adapted From: PopSugar Fitness

Makes 4 Servings

Stars of the Show:

• 1 1/2 cups water
• 1/2 cup red quinoa, rinsed well
• 4 tbsp olive oil, divided
• 1/2 head green cabbage, cored and sliced thinly
• 3 oz pitted green olives, halved
• 2 tsp lemon juice
• salt and pepper, to taste
• nonfat Greek yogurt for serving, optional

And Action:

Bring water to a boil in a medium pot. Stir in quinoa and salt. Return to a boil. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes. Drain quinoa.

Heat 3 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium high heat. Add cabbage and season with salt. Stir occasionally until tender and browned, about 8 minutes. 

Add 1 tbsp olive oil to cabbage. Add quinoa, olives, and lemon, toss to combine. Season with salt and pepper. Serve with a dollop of yogurt, if desired. 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!