Road trip Granola Recipes

I recently checked out The Eat-Clean Diet Vegetarian Cookbook from our local libraryand that is where I stumbled across the recipes for what I like to now call Road Trip Granola. Below are the recipes for the bars and the loose granola! Enjoy!!

Maple Pecan Granola with Raisins

Wet Ingredients
2 egg whites
1/3 cup pure maple syrup
1 tbsp sucanat or other unrefined sugar
1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract
Pinch of sea salt

Dry Ingredients
2 cups oats (I used Bob's Red Mill Gluten Free Oats)
1/4 cup pecan pieces
1/4 cup sliced raw almonds
1/4 cup raw unsalted sunflower seed kernels
1 tbsp flaxsee
1 tbsp sesame seeds
2 tbsp raw unsweetened coconut flakes
1/2 cup raisins

Preheat oven to 275.

In a large bowl, whisk together wet ingredients until thoroughly combined. Stir in dry ingredients until mixed well.

Spread mixture on a baking sheet in a single layer and bake until dry and golden brown, about 60-70 minutes, stirring once.

Remove from oven and stir in coconut flakes and raisins. Set aside to cool completely. Store in an airtight container for up to two weeks!

Honey Nut Granola Bars

Wet Ingredients
1/4 Cup Honey
1/4 Cup Sucanat or other unrefined sugar
2 tbsp natural peanut butter
2 egg whites
1/2 tsp pure vanilla
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp sea salt

Dry Ingredients
2 1/2 Cups oats
1/2 cup raw almonds, coarsely chopped
1/4 cup shelled hemp seeds (so yummy!)

Preheat oven to 275. Line a 9x9 inch baking pan with parchment paper allowing a little extra to hang out two of the sides. This will make it easier to lift the bars out of the ban.

In a large bowl, whisk together wet ingredients until combined. Stir in dry ingredients until mixed well. Scrape mixture into prepared baking pan and spread it out to the edges, pressing down firmly to compact the mixture. Bake on middle oven rack for about 1 hour, then remove. Holding onto the parchment paper, carefully lift partially cooked oat mixture out of a pan and place it on a cutting board. Using a large knife, cut oat mixture into 12 bars. Mixture should be firm enough to hold shop, but soft enough to cut.

Holding onto edges of parchment, transfer bars to a cookie sheet. Separate bars so heat can get in between each one, and place them back in oven to bake for another 30-45 minutes, until golden brown and firm. The bars will continue to harden and get crunchier as they cool! Store in air tight container once cooled!

These take awhile to bake but are well worth the wait! I just mixed mine up and then got to packing. In no time I was done packing and my granola was cooling and ready to eat!! Enjoy!

Staying Fit on the Road....Part 1 (Food Edition)

Before heading out to Colorado for 8 days, I made sure to plan out my workouts, healthy snacks, and even some meals. Since we booked a cabin that had a full kitchen this was pretty easy to do. I am not a big fan of eating out, especially for every meal on a long vacation. Having the option to cook for ourselves was just an added bonus to our little cabin in the mountains.

Here are some healthy snack ideas for your next road trip:
**nuts
**homemade granola bars
**quest bars
**stove popped popcorn (nothing beats stoved popped popcorn...although Angie's Popcorn comes pretty close)
**homemade salsa and chips
**hummus
**pre cut up veggies
**rice cakes and individual Justin's Peanut Butter packets

This granola was a lifesaver! We used the loose granola for cereal and took the granola bars with us on our hikes! I will post the recipes later this week. I will definitely be making more soon.

Our hiking essentials along with plenty of water!

Couldn't leave home without my Shakeology! I packed a tub full of kitchen essentials which included my Ninja blender, my French Press, and my electric Tea Kettle!

The few times we did eat out I made sure to choose wisely! Big organic salads, fresh fruit, or gluten free pizza with local organic ingredients:

Most nights we just grilled out back at the cabin! By planning ahead and picking healthy choices while eating out, I didn't feel bad about cutting loose and enjoying myself ... (here's the proof)

:
This little place in Glenwood Springs had wine, truffles, and ice cream! I was in heaven!

With just little planning and determination you don't have to completely wreck your diet/healthy lifestyle because you are on vacation. It isn't an excuse, it is a choice! I came back from vacation feeling great and missing our daily hikes.

What do you do to assure you don't get off track while on vacation?
XOXO
Amber

Clean Vanilla Iced Latte Recipe

For years I was a Starbuck fanatic! Then I did some research into the ingredients they use and have cut way back. I still will get an occasional iced green tea (sugar free of course!), but no more frapp's or latte's for this girl. I love my morning coffee! I don't go a day without it, so I decided to try my hand at a clean version of Starbucks Vanilla Iced Latte.

Clean Vanilla Iced Latte Recipe


**I really didn't measure anything out, but have a venti sized travel cup from Starbucks so this is made according to that size of cup!**

Freshly Brewed Coffee
Ice
1/2 Cup Sugar Free Vanilla Almond Milk
Vanilla Steevia Drops

1. Pour vanilla almond milk into venti size mug.
2. Pour enough coffee in, still allowing room for ice.
3. 4-5 drops of vanilla steevia.
4. Add ice
5. Shake it like a polaroid picture!
6. Sit back and enjoy with out all the harsh chemicals and additives!

Next time I am going to freeze some leftover coffee in ice trays. That will keep the drink from getting watered down!

Enjoy!
XOXO
Amber

Cauliflower Pizza Crust Recipe

I love pizza... A LOT!!! And when I first started eating gluten free I was determined to find that perfect crust. While this is my favorite gluten free pizza crust mix:

I heard a lot about cauliflower crust pizza's and wanted to give it a try! Now, I guess I should be fair here and say that when "I" wanted to try it, that meant that Scott would be the one actually making it. Have I mentioned lately how lucky I am to have a husband that loves to cook and cook healthy eats at that?? So blessed!!

I searched several different recipes and they all seemed to be pretty similar in their ingredients. We finally decided to settle on Recipe Girls recipe.


Cauliflower Pizza Crust

1/2 large head of Cauliflower (equals 2 plus cups of shredded cauliflower)
1 large egg
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1 tsp dried oregano
1/2 tsp dried or fresh minced garlic
1/2 tsp onion salt

1. Shred the cauliflower into small crumbles. You can use a food processor, or do like poot did and use a cheese grater to "rice" the cauliflower. You will want around 2 cups of riced cauliflower.

2. Place the riced cauliflower in a large bowl and microwave them dry (no need for water) for 8 minutes.

3. Allow the cauliflower to cool some.

4. Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Spray cookie sheet or pizza pan with non-stick spray. (We prefer Spectrum's Coconut Oil spray.)

5. In a medium bowl, mix the riced cauliflower in with the remaining ingredients.

6. Place mixture on the cookie sheet and pat the crust into a 9-12 inch round or square. Spray the crust with a little non stick spray (again why we like the Spectrum Coconut Oil spray because it is clean).

7. Bake for 15 minutes or until golden brown. **you want to make sure the crust is done in the middle other wise you will have a very flimsy piece of pizza**

8. Remove pizza from oven and turn the oven to broil setting.

9. Top with whatever your heart desires.

10. Broil pizza 3-4 minutes until the toppings are hot and cheese is bubbly.

We made two pizza's since we like different toppings and I didn't want much cheese. I topped mine with pizza sauce, local sausage from Local Pig, mushrooms, red onions, banana peppers, and fat free feta cheese. It was so good. I even heated the leftovers up the next day and the crust was still tasty.



The crust was Poot approved! Seriously... I was a little skeptical but it was tasty and we have made it several times since!

Happy Eats!

**If you try this recipe I would love to know how you liked it!**
XOXO
Amber

Chia Seeds= Heaven

Why have I just started hearing about these magical little Chia Seeds? These little bad boys pack a powerful punch and are tasty to boot! It is a win-win situation folks!



Here are some pretty amazing facts about Chia Seeds...

**They have more omega-3 than salmon!
**They have more antioxidants than blueberries!
**They have more fiber than flax seed!
**They have more calcium than milk!
**They have more magnesium then broccoli!
**They have more iron than spinach!

If that isn't enough to convince you to try them, then here are a few more...

**Aids in weight loss by suppressing food cravings and keeping you feeling full!
**Reduces glucose levels!
**They are gluten free!
**Will have you feeling more energized!


I love to add a tablespoon to my morning smoothie, mix it in with my overnight oats, use it for a topping on my greek yogurt, and to make Chia Seed Pudding! The seeds, when wet, form a thick, smooth texture that allows for 25% reduction of sodium and/or sugar. If you like boba tea, boba tapioca pearls like the ones they usually have at frozen yogurt bars, or tapioca pudding you will love the texture of these seeds. Plus they have no taste, allowing them to take on the flavor of whatever you are adding them into! I really can't go a day with out these powerful little guys.

If you are curious about trying these, they can typically be found in your local grocery store in the Health Food Section. There are so many recipes out there that I can't wait to try. I will leave you today with one of my recent favorites:


Chai Seed Pudding

Serves 2
2 Cups of Sugar Free Vanilla Almond Milk
1 tsp of vanilla extract
1/8 cup of maple syrup
3/8 cup of Chia Seed (use 1/4 cup once full and then fill half full to get 3/8 a cup)
Cinnamon for garnish

Mix the almond milk, vanilla, and maple syrup together until well blended. Carefully fold in the chia seeds. Cover and allow to sit in the fridge over night for best results. **I will probably add a little more chia seeds on my next batch to make it a little thicker consistency.
Enjoy!

Have you tried Chia Seeds before? If so what are some of your favorite recipes?

XOXO
Amber

Morning Rituals... Warm Lemon Water with Cayenne

Want to start you day out healthy? Need it to be quick and easy? Try adding warm lemon water with cayenne first thing when you wake up. Trust me if I can work it into my morning routine, anyone can! (Some say that I am NOT a morning person.. pshhh)

Now I am sure you are asking why?? Well check out some of these benefits:

**Aids in kickstarting the digestive system for the day
**Lemon juice helps flush toxins and unwanted materials out of your system (bye bye greasy cheeseburger!)
**Stimulates the liver
**Boost to your immune system thanks to the high levels of vitamin C found in Lemons!
**Balances PH levels inside our bodies which will reduce inflammation and pain
**Clears up skin thanks to the Vitamin C
**Provides energy and enhances your mood (which I need in the morning!)
**Aids in weight loss due to the high pectin fiber in lemons. This helps fight cravings!
**By adding Cayenne Pepper with the lemon it helps aid in digestion and raises your body temperature resulting in speeding up your metabolism. (if you don't think you can handle the cayenne pepper just omit it)

Here are some helpful tips when making your Lemon Water:

**The water needs to be warm. I usually set out a glass of water the night before next to my tea kettle. When I get up, I fill my regular sized mason jar half full with the glass of water from the previous night. Then while I brush my teeth and wash my face I turn my tea kettle on.

**Once my water has boiled from the kettle, I fill the remainder of the mason jar with my hot water. This makes the water luke warm, making it the perfect temperature.

**Use half of a fresh lemon (never lemon juice) and juice it into your warm water.

**Sprinkle with some cayenne pepper. Just a small amount is good, but I like mine a little spicy.

**Drink through a straw to keep the acid from the lemons away from your teeth.

**Drink this on an empty stomach and wait at least 10 minutes after consuming before you eat anything.

Enjoy knowing that you have just started the day out on the right foot. I find that by starting out with my lemon water, I tend to make healthier choices throughout my day!

XOXO
Amber

Clean Eating Basics

When I decided to take that leap towards getting healthy, Clean Eating seemed to be the most logical "diet" to incorporate into my daily life. I had been reading several articles in regards to added preservatives in food and their effects on our bodies and watched Food, Inc. These really started to put a bug in my ear when I would do my grocery shopping. I immediately decided to stop drinking soda. I was not a heavy soda drinker, but I would have at least one Dr. Pepper a day, and then of course, get a very oversized fountain drink on the weekends!! I thought that giving it up would be hard, but that was almost two years ago and I do NOT miss it all. In fact the thought of drinking it at all makes me ill! This was my first step to Clean Eating, but it took up until a few months ago to be fully on board.

So what is Clean Eating???

It is actually pretty straight forward. Avoid processed food, preservatives, additives (Ie: boxed food),artificial flavors, colors, and added sugars, and focus on eating unprocessed whole foods (Ie: lean meats, whole grains, fruits, and veggies).

I also try to limit my intake of dairy by only eating non-fat greek yogurt, almond milk, and small amounts of cheese (mainly goat and feta).

Once you stop eating these convenient foods that grocery stores and commercials are constantly shoving in our face you really don't miss them. Eating clean really is easy and doesn't have to be hard on the wallet. Here are some helpful tips to make Clean Eating less of a burden on your wallet:

**Shop your local Farmers Market. This is a great way to find the freshest and most local produce and meat!
**When grocery shopping, shop the perimeters of the store. I rarely venture into the middle of the store anymore, which makes my shopping trips much quicker.
**Shop weekly ads. I always try and plan my meals around what meat, veggies, and fruit are on sale that week.
**Buy fruits and vegetables that are in season.
**Plan ahead and prep for the week so that you aren't tempted to just grab something on the go** I can't stress this enough, and you will hear me talk about it again and again! You have been forewarned!

Do your research. It's time to take control of your health! There are tons of articles out there on Clean Eating and some very informative documentaries (most can be seen on Netflix...Yay!). Some of my favorite documentaries are:
**Food, Inc
**Forks over Knives
**Hungry for Change
**Fat, Sick, and Nearly Dead

Also, one of my favorite blogs is Food Babe. This girl really does her research and is such an inspiration.

I can honestly say that since adhering to Clean Eating I feel amazing! I plan on posting some yummy recipes in the weeks to come. Recipes that are on heavy rotation here at Poot Manor and that are Two Poot approved! Ha!

Just remember:

To keep the body in good health is a duty... otherwise we shall not be able to keep our mind strong and clear. ~Buddha


Take care of your body. It's the only place you have to live. ~Jim Rohn


If the body be feeble, the mind will not be strong. ~Thomas Jefferson

XOXO,
Amber

Road to getting FIT!!

Like many people on a "diet" things go really well for a couple of weeks and then slowly fizzle off. I am the queen of excuses. You name it, I have probably used it. "Oh I forgot my socks, I can't go to the gym." or "I am so tired" or "I just don't have enough time" or "My hair doesn't look good today". Seriously you name it, I have used it.

Every time I would try to jump back on the wagon I just couldn't seem to make it stick. So why now? What has made it stick this time? Well, where do I begin? I am 5'2".So although my number on the scale might not seem that bad, factor in my shortness and it is another story. Growing up weight was never an issue. Of course I was very active in High School with cheerleading and tennis. But I would seriously eat a pop tart for breakfast, a Mountain Dew and Funyuns for lunch, swing through McDonalds drive through after school for the two cheeseburger combo meal, and then would eat what ever dinner my mom would make me. How did this never seem to effect me? In all honesty it was. I never really thought about what I was putting into my body and how it made me feel. I might not of been gaining weight but I was gaining a poor eating habit.

In college I was pretty much the same way, however, by my senior year I was trying to incorporate some form of exercise into my week. Not a lot by any means, but I do remember doing some Abs of Steel videos with my roommates or going to the campus gym where we would end up talking more than "working out". I had started noticing that when I would eat certain foods, I wouldn't feel so hot. I was feeling more run down and my stomach was giving my fits all the time.

Fast forward 5 years, and I am visiting with my allergist. He kept insisting that I do a food panel to see if there were any foods that I might be allergic to. I was afraid, because honestly, I knew the truth. I knew that whatever it was that I was putting in my body had left me bloated 24/7 for the past year. I finally reached my breaking point and decided to do the food panel. As I suspected the panel came back and I was severely allergic to gluten. After getting over the fact that I would no longer be consuming Long John Silvers or beer, I wiped my tears, and decided to make a lifestyle change.

It has now been 7 years of living gluten free and I would never go back. Of course that road was very bumpy at times and I would fall off, but quickly realize that the big bowl of spaghetti just wasn't worth it. Now a lot of people think that by living a gluten free lifestyle that you are "so healthy" and "eat all the right things". I am here to tell you that is wrong. In fact eating gluten free left me at my heaviest weight and very unfit. Sure, I felt better because I wasn't eating pop tarts, donuts, and pizza, but I was still consuming the wrong types of food and was NOT active at all.

Two months ago I woke up and was just tired of beating myself up over feeling so run down, overweight, and frankly not believing in myself. I was never able to say anything nice about myself because all I saw was an overweight person staring back at me. After seeing several of my instagram friends joining Weight Watchers, I became curious. I was ready for a change and this program seemed to be just what I needed. I had also been doing a lot of research on Clean Eating, and had been slowly cleaning out our cupboards. This way of life just seems to make sense. I started to believe in myself and that I could do this. Going to the gym is now something I look forward to. I actually miss it on the days I am not there. After two months of being on Weight Watchers, eating clean, and working out I have lost 8 lbs. I have a long journey ahead of me but I wake up every morning excited to work towards this goal. And that goal now is to just be as healthy as I can be!

I know that most people have that "aha" moment when something happens to them to make them realize they are ready for a change. I am not sure I actually had one particular moment, but rather several of them that just started to pile up and finally came knocking on my door!

**I will be posting later this week with my thoughts on Weight Watchers and Clean Eating!! So stay tuned!**

Also I would love to here about your road to getting FIT! What works for you? What doesn't??

XOXO
Amber