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    Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Mini Muffins

    I can’t get enough “holiday smell” in my house.  It’s an addiction.  I put away my pumpkin spice candle yesterday and busted out holiday spice and that cinnamon smell took over my house last night. It was heavenly.  We decorated the tree.  We hung our stockings.  We listened to Christmas music and all was complete.  Until I woke up this morning and missed that pumpkin smell.  So I fixed it.  Well, I fixed muffins.  And waffles.  With pumpkin and spices and warmth and honey and deliciousness. And they tasted amazing and are guilt free too! Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins: Ingredients:  1 1/3 c brown rice flour 1/2 cup quick cook…

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    Apple Walnut Salad with Honey Balsamic Vinaigrette

    I love a savory and sweet salad.  Especially when it’s a perfect complement to a big dinner.  This is my Thanksgiving dinner salad this year.  The crispness and crunch of the fresh-off-the-tree apples and the toasted walnuts make an excellent addition to this salad and it will pair nicely with roasted turkey breast, fresh bread, and white wine! For The Salad: 6 c mixed field greens  2 medium golden delicious apples, thinly sliced  1/3 cup toasted walnuts (toast in skillet for 2-3 minutes on low/medium heat) 1/2 c shredded Parmesan cheese  For The Dressing:  1/2 c extra virgin olive oil 1/4 c balsamic vinegar  1/2 tsp sea salt  2 tbsp…

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    Letter To My 22 Year Old Self

    I found a photo album the other day that was littered with pictures of my early twenties.  I had to sit for a while and really look through it.  Of course, I thumbed through slowly, laughed at a few things, remembered a few others, and reflected on some days where worries seemed few and late nights seemed many.  A lot, I mean A LOT has changed in 10 years.  I didn’t know the amazing man I would call my husband.  I thought having kids was not for me- ever.  I thought a good workout was a pub crawl on a Sunday afternoon, and the word responsible wasn’t something I would…

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    Deer Season Chili

    We live about 2 hours from my in-laws.  When the weather gets cold we can count on heading that way at least one weekend each month.  Hunting season starts.   The men trudge out at 4:30 am and we sleep snugly under fuzzy blankets until the sun comes peeking in the windows.  We emerge in slippers to a pot of coffee and a batch of pancakes off the griddle and spend the day doing crafts, playing with Playdough, and preparing a yummy dinner for when they return.   One of my favorites is my mother-in-laws chili.  There’s something about a big pot of chili on a Sunday afternoon to fill up…

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    Gluten Free Chicken Noodle Soup

    When I was little, my mom made this homemade chicken noodle soup that was to die for.  Every time I was sick.  I could count on this yummy, creamy, delicious soup.  I couldn’t even tell you what she put in it (maybe I should ask her for the recipe) but it was delicious.  So with some change-in-the-season coughs coming around, a runny nosed toddler, a croupy three year old, and a feverish 6 year old, it was time for some crockpot chicken noodle soup today.   Every child needs that one soup memory.  That warm your soul, heal me when I’m sick, best mommy remedy.  This is that soup.  …

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    Meal Prep Madness

    We are the epitome of busy.  We have three girls ages 8, 5, and 3.  My husband travels some for work.  I am a nurse (not currently practicing).  I run a business from my home helping people meet their fitness and nutritional goals.  We workout daily.  I grocery shop.  I run monthly accountability groups for my clients.  We prepare our meals fresh.  We have even been known to do fitness competitions. My life is a constant whirlwind.  I need a cleaning service. And a laundry service.  Most days I don’t have time to prepare for what is thrown at me.  But I’ve come to learn how important it is to…

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    Superfood Maple Pumpkin Pancakes

    We love pancakes almost as much as we love dressing up for Halloween!  With three hungry girls (two of whom were wearing tutus) with a ton of energy starting bright and early at 0630 today, and an anticipated long night of trick or treating, we need a healthy superfoods breakfast to fuel our day!   Anyone else have kids that get pancake syrup all over the kitchen?  I’ve learned to bake it into the pancakes!  Less mess, more flavor!  I hope you enjoy these as much as we do!  And a Happy  Halloween to you and yours!  Ingredients:  1.5 c brown rice flour 1/4 c flaxseed meal 1 scoop vanilla…

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    Mummy Pizzas

    Does anyone else love coming up with festive recipes for each holiday?  Or trying things out from Pinterest?  We went for it tonight!  And they turned out great! My kiddos love English muffin and sandwich thin mini pizzas and we just had to make them into mummies for Halloween!   Ingredients: Whole grain English Muffins or Sandwich Thins Organic tomato/basil pasta sauce or marinara sauce  Sliced mozzarella cheese Sliced black olives Directions: Place thins on parchment paper lined sheet or foil (spray with cooking spray).   Top with sauce and place cheese slices across.  Top with black olive eyes.  Bake at 400* for 10-13 minutes until cheese bubbles.  Enjoy!  …

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    Black Bean Lentil Stew

    On Sunday’s we crockpot.  Football, crisp autumn air, crunching in the leaves, wearing scarves, eating soups and stews out of cold weather bowls and getting that warm, fuzzy feeling.   This meal was created by total happenstance.  I wanted a crockpot dinner but didn’t have a plan so I worked with what I had.  And it worked.  My husbands words:  “Oh this is good. It’s not to tomatoey. I like it.” He’s weird about tomatoes.   So it passed the test and now have another crockpot recipe to add to my collection.  This made for a yummy one dish meal and I topped mine with a dollop of low fat…

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    Macho Nachos!!!

    Taco Tuesday alert!   Ok.  So it’s not exactly tacos.  More like deconstructed tacos.  Ok.  Nachos. Nacho Tuesday!  That’s a thing, you know.  Well, after tonight’s dinner, it’s definitely going to be a thing in our house!  Our 6 year old raves about the macho nachos she has at school.  Chips, taco meat, and covered in cheese- that kind from the can.  Yeah, I’m drooling.  But being the Fit Mommy that I am, I wanted to create a healthier version that we can all enjoy, without the guilt!  Ingredients:   1 lb lean ground turkey 1/2 cup fresh salsa 1/4 c chopped onion 1 tsp chili powder 1 tsp cumin…