Pumpkin Muffins with Maple Cream Cheese- FIXATE Recipe- GF

This recipe had me at "Pumpkin Muffins with Maple Cream Cheese."  I mean, seriously, how could this not be good? The fact that it's a 21 Day Fix approved recipe from the Fixate cookbook, was simply an added bonus.  I made this recipe and realized after it was already in the oven, there seemed to be some missing spices to make this feel like those delicious pumpkin treats we all look so forward to each fall.  Nonetheless, the recipe still turned out delicious and had more of an earthy flavor, not spicy.
I an somewhat confused as to how the container counts were determined for this recipe.  The book says that it makes 9 servings, which was true, but that each serving equals 1 purple and 1 orange.  I get the orange count, but because there is only 1 cup of pumpkin in the entire recipe, I'm not sure how each serving can count as 1 purple.  I did check the updates on the cookbook and there were no edits to this recipe.  If anyone understands how this equals 1 purple, please share in the comments.  I personally feel like this should count as 1 yellow since the ingredients are very similar to the treat recipes in the original 21 Day Fix guide.

Pumpkin Muffins with Maple Cream Cheese
Serves 9 (1 Muffin each)  Container Equivalents per serving: 1 purple, 1 orange

Pumpkin Muffins with Maple Cream Cheese
(minus 1 that I ate before I took a picture)

2 oz. cream cheese
1 Tbsp. pure maple syrup
1 large egg, lightly beaten
1 cup canned pumpkin puree
1 1/2 cups almond flour (see tip below to make your own)
3/4 tsp baking soda
1 dash sea salt
2 Tbsp. raw pumpkin seeds. (I felt like this was a typo and they actually meant 2 tsp. based on how mine looked versus the picture in the cookbook.)

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees
2. Prepare 9 muffin cups by lining with muffin tin liners or coating with spray.  Set aside
3. Combine cream cheese and maple syrup in a small bowl; mix well.  Set aside.
4. Combine egg and pumpkin in a medium bowl; mix well. Set aside.
5. Combine almond flour, baking soda, and salt in a medium bowl: mix well.
6. Add almond meal mixture to egg mixture; mix until just blended.
7. Spoon batter into each prepared muffin cup, filing a little less than 1/2 full.
8. Spoon about 1 heaping teaspoon cream cheese mixture into the center of each muffin.  Evenly fill muffin cups 3/4 full with remaining batter.
9. Sprinkle muffins evenly with pumpkin seeds.
10. Bake 16 to 18 minutes, or until golden brown and toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
11. Transfer muffins to rack; cool.

Tip:  1 cup of slivered almonds ground in a high speed blender or a food processor will yield approximately 1 cup of almond flour. Pulse in 20 second intervals to avoid turning it into almond butter.

I plan to make these again sometime this week and will be adding at least 1 tsp of good vanilla extract and some pumpkin pie spices.

Has anyone else tried these?  Did you add any spices or flavoring?  Share below!

Grilled Steak and Portobello Mushroom with Tomato Vinaigrette and Steamed Asparagus- 21 Day Fix Approved

Grilled Steak and Portobello Mushroom with Tomato Vinaigrette and Steamed Asparagus

One of the best purchases we have made this season is our grill.  Chad keeps creating these delicious, healthy dishes for us.  To be perfectly honest, he is a MUCH better cook and recipe creator than I am. This dish takes a bit of planning and prep.  It's perfect for a leisurely weekend with friends.  

21 Day Fix container counts: 1 Red, 2 Green, 1/3 Blue, 1.5 tsp

Items needed: 

• Flank Steak (approximately 2-3 lbs)
• Portobello Mushrooms
• Fresh Asparagus
• Grape Tomatoes
• Fresh Garlic
• Green Onion
• Extra-Virgin Olive Oil
• Red Wine Vinegar
• Balsamic Vinegar 
• Oregano
• Feta Cheese (optional)
• Salt and Pepper
• Smokin' Coals Original Dry Rub

For the steak: 

This is a flank steak or sometimes labeled as London broil. Chad likes to do a dry rub with Smokin' Coals Original Dry Rub, a local South Carolina product that has a delicious sweet heat flavor.  He applies the dry rub to the steak and then allows the meat to come up to room temperature before grilling to medium. Allow steak to rest, while steaming the asparagus, before slicing.  

For the tomato vinaigrette:

2 Servings

• Approximately 10 grape tomatoes, quartered
• 2 cloves of fresh garlic, minced
• 1 green onion, finely diced
• 1 Tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
• 3-4 Tbsp of red wine vinegar
• 1 Tbsp dried oregano
• salt and pepper to taste

Mix all ingredients together in a bowl and lightly press the tomatoes to release their juices without breaking.  Cover and allow to marinate for at least an hour before serving.

For the grilled Portobello mushroom: 

Remove the stems of the mushroom and clean by wiping with a dry cloth.  Place the mushrooms in a shallow dish and marinate in equal parts extra-virgin olive oil and balsamic vinegar for 1 hour turning the mushrooms half way through.  Grill approximately 5 minutes per side or until done.  

For the Asparagus:

Steam asparagus until tender- about 7-10 minutes. 

Serve topped with about a tablespoon or 1/3 blue container full of crumbled feta cheese.  

We've made this several times and like to make extra for leftovers the next day.  It all reheats beautifully and the flavors only seem to improve!  

Who is the better cook and recipe creator in your relationship?  

Lose the Excuses-The Top 5

We've all said it- Well, I know this isn't an excuse, but here's the "reason."  An excuse by any other name is still an excuse.  I say this as a reformed excuse maker.  Here's a couple of my former excuses and a couple I've heard from others along the way.  At the end of the day, it's up to you to get out of your own way and make things happen.  Here's a couple suggestions to help motivate you along.

1.  I don't have time.  

Preach it.  There are 24 hours in a day but when you factor in things like commute time, school, work, church, extracurricular activities and everything else that makes up your day, the time seems to disappear.  The best advice I can give is that we all make time for the things that matter most to us. You may have to get up 30 minutes earlier and push all the toys out of the way, but you can push play on a workout DVD at home.   Yes, there will be the days that you are operating in survival mode and maybe you can't get in that time, but you don't give up.  I have a friend who is a mom, works 12 hour shifts and yet she still schedules in that gym time.  It's not negotiable.  She's a rock star and looks amazing because she got out of her own way and made it happen. 

2. I don't have the money. 

Times are tough.  We live on a single income and I 100% get that.  Here's the deal- if you don't invest in your health now, you will be later on in the form of doctor visits and prescription medications. Given, exercise isn't a 100% guarantee that your life will be disease and problem free, but it will reduce your chances of developing things like type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, joint problems from carrying excessive weight and lack of energy, just to name a few. 

3. I don't want to cook a separate meal for me and my family.  

Children can be the most picky, frustrating creatures on the planet when it comes to mealtimes.  What they ate last week, they will say is disgusting this week.   As a parent, it's up to you to set some healthy habits for your family now.  If you are struggling with your weight, chances are, your children are going to face that same struggle one day.  It's genetic and it's a learned behavior. Teach them healthy habits now. Set them up for a healthy, successful future. 

4. I don't want to give up (fill in the blank.)

Instead of focusing on what you are giving up, think about what you will get in return.  I never thought I could give up coffee creamer.  It was my one big indulgence each day.  When I did 21 day fix, it wasn't allowed and I planned on doing the program exactly.  I switched to unsweetened almond/coconut milk blend and I haven't looked back.  Focusing on what you're giving up leads you to feel deprived.  Focusing on what you are getting in return, such as weight loss, more energy, defined muscles and smaller clothing sizes, makes you realize that those so called "sacrifices" are mere investments into your new, healthy future. 

5. I'm just going to do this diet for a few weeks, or take these new supplements I heard about. I'm not going to name any brand names but we've all seen them.  Here's the deal, you have to be willing to make a lifestyle change. Before you start using one of these products or eating some fad diet, ask yourself a few questions- Is this setting me up for long term success?  Is this program teaching me healthy eating and fitness habits that can be sustained over a lifetime? What are the long term effects of this product on my body? The biggest problem I have with these companies is their motivation and ethics.  I do not feel that it is prudent to sell a product that is marketed at weight loss while telling people they can continue eating unhealthy foods as long as they take a certain "fat-blocking" pill. Your money can be better spent investing in healthy, clean foods and a good fitness program.  There's nothing you can take that replaces healthy, balanced eating and exercise. Nothing. You don't need it.  

There's no magic formula.  All it takes is a made up mind fueled by hardcore determination.  Cut out the processed foods, the sugar substitutes (yes, all the diet soda and diet foods included) and high fat foods and fill your diet with fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, good carbs and healthy fats.

The path of most resistance is harder, less traveled and sometimes lonely, BUT it is always worth it. YOU are worth it.  Your family is worth it. Don't be the only one standing between you and success. Get out of your own way and make it happen.

Have you gotten out of your own way and reached success?  Post your success stories in the comment section!  

Mom- It's OK to Vent Without Feeling Guilty

Sometimes parenting can be so completely frustrating. There are the endless questions, the temper tantrums, the sleepless nights and accidents that still happen despite your best baby and childproofing attempts. Some days are just hard. What can make things just a little worse in your already hard, frustratingly difficult day? Deciding to "vent" to someone who, despite good intentions I'm sure, put you on a guilt trip by saying things like, "They won't be little forever, so enjoy these days," or "These are the easy years." While I'm sure the intention is to change that moms perspective and focus on the big picture, the fact of the matter is, she simply wants someone to empathize with her and acknowledge that yes, some days are really tough. There are days you already feel like a completely and total failure and the guilt trip just sends you right on over the edge. We all know that the years pass all too quickly, but knowing that doesn't always make those LONG days any easier. To all the moms out there feeling like you are in the thick of it, here's a virtual fist bump. 👊You're going to make it!

Comparison is the Thief of Joy

Can we all take a minute out of our day to acknowledge this truth?

 I love that as a stay at home mom, social media is sometimes the one thing that keeps me connected to the outside world. I love seeing what my friends are up to....but sometimes, I will admit, I get a little jealous. There, I said it. Maybe I'm the only one...but I doubt it. It seems like some people have such perfect lives. They seemingly take vacations every week, their husbands send them flowers for no reason once a month and their children are super genius prodigies with not a speck or stain on their perfectly styled boutique outfits. Today, when scrolling through your news feed, please remember that comparison is the thief of JOY. 

That family who seems to take a trip every single week may have 2 parents working hard, long hours each day.  Those weekend getaways may be the only time they can get away from all the distractions and spend quality family time together.  Let's celebrate that regardless of the circumstances, these are families spending time together.  Families are breaking apart every day, let's celebrate that some people are not giving up and doing whatever it takes to stay together. 

The mom who gets flowers from her husband just because- who even cares what's happened on the other side of this picture.  Can we just celebrate for a moment that chivalry still exists and this husband took time to make his wife feel loved and appreciated! 

The super genius prodigy children- let's celebrate that these parents are investing in this child's future and thus grooming someone who will one day be a productive member of society.  Besides, we all know that "our" child is the smartest, most amazing, wonderful little human on the planet.  

Those perfectly styled children in their spotless outfits?  Come on, we all know it was all that mom could do to get a picture BEFORE total mayhem enviably occurred and chocolate, spaghetti sauce, or marker got all over those precious outfits she scored on Zulily or 75% off  clearance.  She just wanted to savor that brief moment in time when it "looked" like she had it all together.  

Facebook is all smoke and mirrors. We don't know what is on the other side of all those positive social media posts and pictures. Let's all find True JOY and happiness with our current season of life despite how messy, hard or chaotic it may be.

Turkey Chili- FIXATE Cookbook Recipe

If you've struggled with healthy eating or if you've hit a plateau with your current fitness routine, I highly recommend The 21 Day Fix!  This is a revolutionar, yet surprisingly simple, meal plan and fitness program.  I went into this program not knowing what to expect.  I was reaching the end of my weight loss journey and honestly didn't know what kind of results I would have.  I am so happy to say that I lost a total of 5 pounds and 5 total body inches.  The workouts are 30 minutes and each workout targets something different so you and your muscles don't get bored.
Here is a recipe from the FIXATE cookbook that I love.  I've made this turkey chili twice now and always freeze it in my Fitpacker containers so that I have an easy lunch to grab.  The recipe says it makes 8 servings, but I've only been able to get 6 servings from a batch.  The taste is a little interesting and unlike most traditional chili recipes, but it's grown on me and I really like it now!

Turkey Chili- makes 6 servings (approx. 1 1/2 cups each)
Container counts- 1/2 Green, 1 yellow, 1 red, 1/2 tsp.

2 tsp.  extra virgin coconut oil, melted
1 medium onion, chopped
1 medium green bell pepper, chopped
1 medium red bell pepper, chopped
2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1 lb. cooked 93% lean ground turkey breast (or lean grass-fed ground beef)
2 cans kidney or pinto beans, rinsed and drained (I use a can of each)
1 (15 oz) can organic, diced tomatoes, no salt added
1 cup red wine
1 Tbsp. ground chili powder
1/2 tsp sea salt
2 tsp crushed red pepper (optional)
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
6 tsp crumbed goat cheese

Directions:
1. Heat oil in large saucepan over medium-high heat.
2. Add onion and bell peppers; cook, stirring occasionally for 5-6 minutes, or until onion is translucent.
3. Add garlic; cook, stirring frequently, for 1 minute.
4. Add turkey, beans tomatoes (with liquid), wine, chili powder, salt, and red pepper.  Bring to a boil.  Reduce heat; gently boil, stirring occasionally, for 20 minutes, or until slightly thickened.
5. Serve topped with cilantro and cheese.

Want more information on the 21 Day Fix or on making me your FREE coach?  Send me an email at coachmeganputnam@gmail.com.  Lets talk about your health and fitness goals.  Twenty-one days from now, you will be glad you started today. If you are ready to get started, here's the link to order the challenge pack or the FIXATE cookbook.
 www.teambeachbody.com/shop/-/shopping/BCP21D160?referringRepID=745881