Challenge 1, Days 5 & 6: Healthy AND Simple Recipes

With all my talk (or in this case - writing) about working out, I've neglected to talk about the nutrition side of things. I'll have more posts on healthy eating in the future, but I'll start with some recipes that I've enjoyed on this challenge.

Before I dive in to the recipes, allow me a little disclaimer on healthy eating. Eating healthy does NOT mean sacrificing taste. It poses the challenge to be more creative with how you prepare food, but there are definitely tons of ways to enjoy your favorite dishes as you will see below. For someone who really likes to cook, that is great! For someone like me, who for the most part avoids the kitchen, it really is a challenge. And that is why the recipes below are really easy to make!

#1: Cookies. That's right - I just put down COOKIES! On a blog about health & nutrition. Thank you, Crossfit Rebellion!

Cookie monster would approve.

Ingredients

• 1-1/4 cups blanched almond flour (make it with a Vitamix and it'll save a whole lot of money! After you plop a few hundred dollars, of course)
• 1/4 tsp baking soda
• 1/4 tsp celtic sea salt
• 2 TBSP coconut oil
• 2 TBSP honey
• 1 tsp pure vanilla extract

Directions
Mix flour, baking soda, and salt in a small bowl. In a separate bowl, mix coconut oil, honey, and vanilla. Incorporate dry ingredients into wet ingredients and mix well. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and spoon small balls of the mixture onto it and flatten with your hand or a fork.

Bake at 325 degrees for 6-8 minutes or until slightly golden brown. Try not to eat the whole batch in one sitting. I dare you!


#2: Berry Green Smoothie

Nom.

Ingredients

• 2-3 cups spinach
• 1 cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk
• 3 cups frozen berries
• 1 banana
• 2 TBSP flaxseeds
• Honey to taste

Directions

Blend. Enjoy. Your digestive system will thank you in a few hours.

#3: Spaghetti Squash - Any way you want it, that's the way you eat it!

Delicioso!

Ingredients

• Spaghetti squash
• Any flavor, marinara sauce, herbs, meats, etc. you like

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly grease a baking sheet. Cut spaghetti squash (this is the most difficult part of this recipe) and bake 30-45 minutes in the oven, or until a sharp knife can be inserted with only a little resistance. Set aside to cool. Use a large spoon to scoop the stringy pulp from the squash and place in a large bowl. Toss with your meat, herbs, spices, cheese, etc. Enjoy!