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Skinny Peppermint Mocha

By | Eat | No Comments

skinny peppermint mocha

Even though the holiday’s are over, we’re not ready to let go of our peppermint filled drinks or dreams. While our peppermint dreams are full, are bank accounts are still feeling the empty from all that spreading of holiday cheer. Which is why this Starbucks inspired skinny, peppermint mocha will be forever keeping our winter hands warm and since we consider you a best friend we’re passing on this recipe.

Mocha Mix:

  • ⅔ cup fat-free milk
  • ⅔ cup strong brewed coffee or decaf
  • 1 tablespoon plus 2 teaspoons unsweetened cocoa
  • 2 packages Splenda, Equal, Truvia (Stevia) or your favorite sugar substitute
  • ⅛ teaspoon peppermint extract

Optional Topping Ingredients:

  • 2 tablespoons light whipped cream
  • Dash of cocoa or crushed candy cane


 pieces

Instructions

1. Brew coffee stronger than usual. In a small pot, add milk, cocoa, Splenda and peppermint extract. Over medium high heat, mix until cocoa is dissolved and mixture is hot.

2. Transfer to a blender and process for about 15 seconds until foamy. If you don’t have a blender, don’t worry. Just whisk the mixture in the pot continuously with a wire whisk until foamy.  Pour brewed coffee into a large cup and pour hot milk mixture over coffee. Stir to blend.

3. Top with whipped cream, if desired.

No Bake, Sugar Free Chocolate Treat

By | Eat | 2 Comments

sugarfree-chocolate-dessert

There’s a reason it’s called “the most wonderful time of year” and not “the month you worry about your health”, every delicious holiday thing has so much sugar in it! We tried finding some none sugar free options, and they were way too much work  (we’re BUSY!). Then we stumbled on these no bake balls, and time stood still.  They’re easy to make and even easier to eat. And you don’t need to waste any extra time feeling guilty for a second serving.

Ingredients

  • 1¼cup coconut flakes, shredded, unsweetened
  • 4 tablespoons cocoa powder, unsweetened
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • ½ cup chocolate chips*
  • 1 banana, mashed
  • ½ teaspoon chocolate liquid stevia
  • 9 dates, pitted, chopped

Instructions

  1. Blend one cup of the coconut flakes with the banana and cocoa in a food processor
  2. A small amount at a time add the chopped dates to the food processor
  3. Once thoroughly combined until smooth mix in the stevia, vanilla extract and salt
  4. Place mixture into a bowl and stir in the chocolate chips
  5. Place the ¼ cup of coconut flakes onto a plate
  6. Make 14 small chocolate balls from the mixture then roll them into the coconut flakes. Refrigeration is not necessary, but if you are not eating them right away I would keep them in the fridge to stay firm until you are ready to eat.
*You can find sugar free chocolate chips,  Hershey’s sells some here.

Holiday Plank Challenge

By | Train | 5 Comments

We get it, it’s the holidays; it’s hard to leave the house when there’s a fire roaring, treats on the counter, and family/friends gathered close. But be warned, the holidays are a month long! That’s 4 weeks for your body to go from taut to not. With our month plank challenge you can stay one step ahead of those New Year’s resolution makers.  It’s hard to believe the power of the plank until you try it. You’ll build a strong core with this deceptively simple exercise.

Here’s some tips from our RAD trainer Tess, to plank your way to perfection!
-Place your forearms on the ground and line up your elbows directly underneath your shoulders.
-Curl your toes under and lift your body off the ground.
-Squeeze your glutes and tighten your abdominals. Do not let your hips sag!
-Maintain a neutral neck and straight line from your head to your toe.

plankchallenge

Second Helping Sweet Potatoes

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Healthy sweet potatoes

Healthy sweet potatoes

This light and fluffy sweet potato recipe will be the perfect side dish without adding inches to your backside!

INGREDIENTS

5 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1-inch chunks
1/3 cup honey
1 large egg
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/8 teaspoon ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon Kosher salt
1 tablespoon packed dark brown sugar
1/3 cup finely chopped pecans
Cooking spray

DIRECTIONS

  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Mist an 8-inch square baking dish with cooking spray.
  2. Bring a few inches of water to a boil in a pot with a large steamer basket in place. Put the sweet potatoes in the basket, cover, and steam until tender, 20 to 25 minutes.
  3. Transfer the potatoes to a bowl, and let cool slightly. Add the honey, egg, 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, the nutmeg, ginger and 1/2 teaspoon salt; whip with an electric mixer until smooth. Spread the sweet potato mixture in the prepared baking dish.
  4. Mix the brown sugar, pecans, and the remaining 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon in a bowl; sprinkle over the potatoes. Bake until hot and beginning to brown around the edges, 40 to 45 minutes.

Healthy Holiday Food: Brussels Sprouts

By | Eat | No Comments

With the holidays quickly approaching we want to make sure we can have our cake, eat it too, and not gain any waist weight. We’re implementing new healthy sides to our holiday meals, so we can have a weight stress free holiday season.  Brussels sprouts aren’t the enemy we made them out to be as children, they actually taste good! And do awesome things to keep that body looking tight and right. This recipe for balsamic glazed brussels sprouts will soon become a holiday tradition.

healthy-brussel-sprouts

Balsamic Glazed Brussels Sprouts

INGREDIENTS

2 pounds brussels sprouts, trimmed and halved
2 cups chicken broth
Salt and pepper
2 tablespoons balsamic glaze
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1/4 cup pine nuts, toasted
1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese

DIRECTIONS

  1. Combine brussels sprouts, broth, and 1/2 teaspoon salt in slow cooker. Cover and cook until brussels sprouts are tender, 2 to 3 hours on high.
  2. Drain brussels sprouts and transfer to serving dish. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Drizzle with balsamic glaze and oil, then sprinkle with pine nuts and parmesan. Serve.

Full House Workout

By | Train | No Comments

 

Remember when your mom thought you were so lazy, spending your days laughing with the Tanners? Well prove her wrong by incorporating an indoor workout to your regularly scheduled TV program. Follow the chart for an easy way to add some fitness into your day and get the body DJ Tanner dreamed about without eating only ice cubes.

full-house-workout

 

Winter Workouts from the Comfort of Your Home

By | Train | One Comment

A wise man once said “Winter is coming.” and what he followed that up with “so get ready to workout inside”. Now that Jack Frost is back in town we’re looking for ways to spice up our workout routine, and trying not to get stuck with that extra holiday weight. Winter makes us so lazy we don’t even want to leave the warmth of our own home, so we’ve turned to fitness streaming and DVD’s.  These are our favorite workout programs that you can stream or do it the old fashioned way and pull out your DVD player.

The Bar Method 

We love fulfilling our childhood ballerina dreams with this DVD. The workout is great because it helps you get into positions that target specific muscles and work your way to that perfect dancers dent.  Can be bought here.

bar-method-DVD

Hula Hoop 

The hula hoop may not come to mind when you think about working out, but it should! Nothing helps us keep our muffin top in check like a weighted hula hoop. Whether you’re a hooping pro or a novice to the hula, you can do this. Full disclosure; the weighted hula hoop can make your torso sore for a couple of days, but that will fade. Check here for a full kit!

hula-hoop-workout

Dancing With The Stars: Sizzle and Groove Latin Dance 

Doing this workout is just like watching your favorite tv show, but with more sweat. We love this version because it promises to make us “sizzle” and we need to acquire all the heat we can in those winter months. Can be purchased here.

dancing-with-the-stars-DVD

Anyway you choose to sweat through winter, you’ll be ready to run RAD. Get on the email list, and be the first to know when your city opens!

 

 

 

 

Clean Snack Attack!

By | Eat | No Comments

 

Eating snacks with the right calories and the right nutrients, will keep your body energized and help you lose weight. Protein (plus exercise) fuels the growth of lean muscle mass, boosts metabolic rate, and increases calorie burn. While there’s no food that will literally “burn fat” while you eat it, smart choices with these ingredients will help your body operate at maximum efficiency, here’s our favorite snacks to optimize healthy choices.

clean-healthy-snacks

 

Drop It Like A Squat

By | Train | 3 Comments

In the world of working out, squats are the A list celebrities (coincidentally any celebrity rocking that booty got it with squat workouts). Squats are the perfect exercise. Not only are you strengthening your quads, hamstrings, and calves, but you’re building muscle throughout your entire body. Squats are also key for injury prevention and they’ll also help you maintain mobility and balance. Our office trainer Tess gives these tips for good squat form:

– Weight on your heels

– Chest up and chin lifted, looking straight ahead

-Bend your knees so they track over your toes and don’t cave in

– Keep your Core engaged

We’re on day 20 of this squat challenge and not only are we feeling overall stronger, but we finally feel like we’re the kinda girl Sir Mix-A-Lot would be singing about.

squat-challenge

 

Oven Baked Pumpkin Fries

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pumpkin-fries

Pumpkin pies and lattes get their fair share of talk this time of year, but we think the savory side of the pumpkin should get some play too.  These fries are quick and easy and open for all kinds of spice experimentation.  Let us know your favorite way to season!

Ingredients

-1 pumpkin (about 4 cups when cut up)

-1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil

-1 teaspoons garlic powder

-1 teaspoons curry powder

-1/2 teaspoon onion powder

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350
  2. Set aside a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper
  3. Cut the pumpkin in half and remove all seeds
  4. Use a potato peeler to remove pumpkin skin
  5. Cut pumpkin pieces in 1/4 – 1/2 inch thick stripes, like regular french fries
  6. Combine the spices and olive oil and toss the fries in the mixture
  7. Arrange fries in a single layer on the cookie sheet
  8. Bake for 30 minutes