Get Your Skinny On: Nov. 5th Menu

Breakfast - 8 am:

Blueberries and Coconut Cream Oatmeal

I created this recipe this morning trying to come up with something different than my other Strawberry Banana Oatmeal. I based it off of a recipe a friend of mine recited to me. I forgot what all she said was in it, so I took the initiative and made up the ingredients! Enjoy!

Ingredients:

1 cup old-fashioned oats

1 cup water

2-4 T International delight Coconut flavored coffee creamer

1 T. honey

handful of blueberries

Place the water in a small saucepan with the creamer and honey. Allow to come to a boil. Stir in oats and blueberries. Reduce heat to low and stir constantly for about 3 minutes or until oatmeal is tender and desired consistency is reached. I like my oatmeal not so sweet so the 2 T. of honey is all I need. If you like a sweeter oatmeal feel free to add a little more honey or a couple tablespoons of Xylo-sweet. Also, for variety add fresh strawberries and bananas after the oatmeal is cooked. Top with shredded coconut for even more texture! Yummy!

***Remember, sugar goes straight to the tummy!***

Use sugar sparingly. I used to be a junk food junkie and you could tell it by the gut I carried around! By cutting back dramatically, and little by little, I am now able to go low-sugar or sugar-free and not notice the difference. You can, too! This sugar intake I warn you of includes soft drinks! Yes, even diet drinks! Stay away from them! They are the devil in disguise.

Lunch - 11 am:

Seared Blackened Chicken with Cilantro, Lime and Avocado Salsa

Sweet Potato Chips w/ Honey Ginger Yogurt Dip

1 cup fresh fruit

8 oz. water

Blackened Chicken recipe
Ingredients:

1.5 tsp. blackened seasoning

4 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves

1 T. olive oil

1 diced, peeled avocado

2 T. chopped fresh cilantro

1 T. fresh lime juice

1/4 tsp. kosher salt

1 lime, cut into wedges

Sprinkle seasoning on both sides of chicken. Heat oil in a large nonstick skillet over high heat. Add chicken; cook 1 minute or until seared. Reduce heat to medium; cook 3 minutes on each side or until done. Combine avocado, cilantro and lime juice. Top chicken with avocado salsa before serving.

Serves 4.

Nutritional Facts: 283 Calories, 10g fat, 1.8g sat. fat, 99mg chl., 382mg sodium, 6g carbs, 40g protein

Sweet Potato Chips and Dip recipe:

Chips - Ingredients:

1 sweet potato, peeled or not- it's up to you

2 T. Smart balance Light Butter, melted

kosher or sea salt to taste

cracked pepper to taste

Preheat oven to 400*. Using a mandolin, cut extremely thin slices of the potato. Lay slices on a cookie sheet sprayed with cooking spray. Brush the slices with butter. Bake for 5-7 or until crispy.

Dip Ingredients:

1/2 cup plain low-fat yogurt (1% milk fat)

2 tsp. honey

1/2 tsp. freshly grated ginger root

Combine all together. Serve with chips.

This meal is soooo very satisfying! The chicken can get a bit spicy so I take a few bites of the fruit to soothe my palette after every couple bites or so. I love how the chips and dip contrast with the sweet and salty. But if you'd rather have sweet chips with sweet dip just sprinkle nutmeg and cinnamon on the chips rather than the salt and pepper.

Enjoy!

Workout:

One-Legged Squat - 10 reps

Ball Bridge - 10 reps

Lateral Lunge - 10 reps

Standing Calf Raises - 15 reps

Hanging Knee Raises - 20 reps

Repeat this set 2 more times

Afternoon Snack - 3:30 pm:

99% fat-free Blueberry muffin