Gluten Free... I forgot on Friday, so here it is SUNDAY!

So here’s my Friday. Actually, here is my everyday.

Wake up; want something sweet & delicious to eat…. so I have a shake, or maybe egg whites.

Lunchtime; want something sweet & delicious to eat….so I have a salad.

Snacktime: want something sweet & delicious to eat…. so I have some almonds.

Dinnertime: want something meaty & delicious to eat.... so I have some turkey/chicken, sweet potatoes and veggies.

Random points throughout the day: want something sweet & delicious to eat…. so I BAKE!

To quote my friend Erin;

“Alli, you spend more time in the Kitchen than anyone I know. You have literally baked everyday this week.”

….. and today is no different!.

Here are my gluten-free brownies.

Be aware that they still contain brown sugar. They fit into a gluten-free lifestyle, but not necessarily all healthy living lifestyles. They are still a TREAT!

Ingredients

1 bar 60-70% cocoa dark chocolate

1/2 cup organic coconut oil

1/2 cup brown sugar

3/4 cup quinoa flour

1/4 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 tsp salt

2 eggs

1 tbsp vanilla

1 serving of applesauce

Optional:
1 cup mixed nuts (walnuts, pecans etc.)
Handful dark chocolate chips


Full serving of veggies in the brand!

To make:

Preheat oven to 350.

Melt chocolate and coconut oil in a saucepan. Gently stir.

Whisk together brown sugar, quinoa flour, salt and baking soda. Add in mixture of beaten eggs, vanilla and melted chocolate/coconut oil. Whisk or beat until smooth and creamy.

Add in nuts, and spread in a nonstick pan.

Add some dark chocolate chips on top.

Bake for ~30minutes.



Inspiration: http://glutenfreegoddess.blogspot.com/2006/01/dark-chocolate-brownies.html#ixzz26gDarAfe

Thirsty Thursday: Banana Bread Protein Shake

Banana bread might be my favourite cheat food. So, today I am taking this:



Putting it in the blender, adding some protein and creating this!



Banana Bread Shake

2 Scoops Vanilla Creme Protein Powder
1 1/4 cup Vanilla unsweetened Almond Milk
1/4 cup Raw Oats*
1/2 frozen banana
1 tbsp walnuts
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp nutmeg


Be sure to use a high quality blender when mixing. Steel cut oats, or large flake oats won't blend as well. You could try to precook the oats, and then add to shake as well.

Enjoy!

What is your WHY?

Come back to this WHY from time to time. It's easy to get into a routine (which is amazing!) but to narrow your focus, and hone in on your goal it is important to have a clear cut reason for why you do what you do.

For me, it started as an extracurricular activity - school sports. It then became a routine... I would rather be active than not. Now, I know the feeling I get when I push my body, when I reach a goal or when I challenge myself to step out of my comfort zone. It's worth the sacrifice. My why is striving for excellence physically, which I believe then transfers over to ALL aspects of my life.

High Protein Healthy Apple Bites

Happy Monday!

It's not really a treat to battle the morning Monday traffic, so maybe I can 'sweeten' up your day with this High Protein Healthy Apple Bites recipe I came up with yesterday while enjoying a relaxing, football & baking filled Sunday.


Ingredients:

2 Granny Smith Apples, chopped
1/2 cup Natural Peanut Butter
3/4 cup yogurt
2 Egg Whites
1/3 cup Splenda
2 scoops Vi-Shape Protein Powder
1/3 cup Walnuts/Mixed Nuts




1. Mix together yogurt, PB, splenda, and egg whites. Beat until smooth
2. Add in chopped apples
3. Add in protein owder and mixed nuts
4. Roll into balls and place in muffin tray
5. Bake at 350 for ~10minutes

Gluten Free Friday TIFF edition (say cheese!)

Paparazzi is out in full force snapping photos of TIFF celebs, so it's only appropriate that this gluten-free friday gets to say CHEESE as well! I think I would rather hang out with cheese than celebrities.

This naturally gluten-free appetizer is a taste-bud pleasing dish that is easy to make, but can be passed off as a hot ticket item on the appy table!

What you need:



3 Granny Smith Apples
1 Wheel of Brie Cheese
1/2 cup mixed nuts - your choice! Pecans, almonds, raisins etc.
3 tbsp Sugar-free Apricot compote
1/8 tsp cinnamon

Prep:
Heat oven to 375
Mix Nuts, compote and cinnamon together
Slice apples



Place brie into over for 10-15 minutes, until oozing.

Remove, and scoop nut mixture on top of cheese.
Place apple slices around cheese, and sprinkle with cinnamon.



Had to get the wheel of cheese from another angle as well, just to appreciate the true beauty of the cheese!



I used a wedge instead of a wheel (student budget baby) So, the entire time I was making this dish, I could not get this line from my fave movie out of my head.



...and there you have it! Full flavour, gluten-free appetizer for your weekend events!
Enjoy and be sure to share with friends :)

Thirsty Thursday and Upcoming Sunday Funday Boot Camps!

If your Saturday Night looks something like this...





You need to get up Sunday and drink lots of this.....




and then come sweat it out at 11:15am with a little of this...




and finish off with this yummy Oreo Cheesecake Protein Shake!




Sunday Funday Drop in Boot Camp
Sunday, Sept 9th at 11:15am
UTC in the Magna Centre in Newmarket.
RSVP or Just drop in!
acain@allicain.com

September Fitness Goals

Setting 4 fitness and personal goals for September. Announcing them to the blogworld to hold myself accountable!

1. Experiment with pumpkin spice for shakes and gluten-free fridays!



I enjoyed my first pumpkin spice tea this morning. Nice and relaxing amongst the craziness that is the morning rush hour commute.

2. Expand my palate with new foods like this one:


Click to learn more.

Looks pretty interesting as a "rice substitute" and as something to eat to keep cals low when I am hungry (late night snack attack). Soy-free, gluten-free and calorie free and boasting numerous health benefits, this is something I want to test out and research to see if it will be making regular appearances in my diet.

3. Try a new recreational activity - rock climbing? Paddle boarding? Boxing?





5. Take Sunday afternoons off to watch Football.



I have mentioned before how tough I find it to just sit and do nothing. I feel so unproductive! I always want to be making progress on something.. However, the NFL, and specifically the Baltimore Ravens deserve 4-5hours of my time on Sundays, and I intend to give it to them. Don't call, don't text... but feel free to come over and watch the game with me! :)

What goals have you set for September? How are you holding yourself accountable?