Basil Quinoa Cakes

Someone posted this receipe the other day as I was browsing through facebook. I looked at it and knew I needed to add it to my meal plan. I haven't yet tried it, but who doesn't like something new?

Ingredients:
-2 1/2 cups Quinoa
-4 eggs, beaten
-1/2 teaspoon seasalt
-1/4 cup fresh chopped basil
-1 small yellow or white onion, finely chopped
-1/3 cup parmesan cheese, grated
-3 cloves garlic, finely chopped
-1 cup bread crumbs
-1-3 tablespoons olive oil

Directions:
1. Combine cooked quinoa, beaten eggs, and salt together in a medium bowl. Add basil, cheese, garlic, and onion, and stir until evenly mixed.

2. Add bread crumbs and let stand so crumbs absorb some moisture. The mixture should be easily formed into balls without falling apart. If needed, add a couple tablespoons of breadcrumbs and let stand a few minutes more. (Note: For the gluten-free diners out there, try using 2 slices gluten-free bread toasted and crushed plus 2-3 tablespoons of any savory gluten-free flour)

3. Heat the olive oil (enough to coat the bottom of the pan — the exact amount will depend on the size of the pan you use, but 2 tablespoons should be enough) in a frying pan over medium heat. Pat the mixture into patties (1/4 cup servings work well) and cook in batches, about 10 minutes per side or until browned and crispy. Flatten each patty as the first side cooks until each is about 1/2 inch thick. Flip carefully!

4. Repeat with remaining mixture! Allow the excess oil to drain from the patties on a thin layer of paper towel, and serve alongside a salad, in a pita-pocket sandwich, or just about any other way imaginable.

Why not try it out and see how it tastes? It almost looks like a mini patty and you can choose to eat it for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Something different. Something new. Do you like to try new things first or do you like to hear what others think before you try something? I hope you enjoy, because I know I can't wait to make these!

What can Beachbody Coaching do for you?

What is this coaching opportunity you speak of? Let me ask you...are you a person who is driven by goals? Do you like to help people out? Allow them to see their true potential? This may be something for you. Coaching can be anything you make of it. This is your business, so you choose to work it how you'd like. You work as little or as much as you want. You choose your hours. You choose if you would like to make this a full time job or just something on the side. It all boils down to you and your dreams/goals.

I wanted to make this post for everyone to see how it has helped not only myself but other coaches. It is nice to hear different views of things from other people. Not everyone has the same reason why for their reasoning of joining, but I can tell you we all agree that this has changed our lives for the better. So let's check out what some of the coaches had to say!!

Kim: Being a team member on a beachbody team has greatly helped my success in my fitness goals. However, being a coach has pushed me beyond those goals. Rather, being a coach has made my goals even bigger. I have heard countless times- “if your dreams don’t scare you, they’re not big enough”. Prior to becoming a coach- my fitness goals had become achievable. Even the “this couldn’t possibly happen” goals. When I became a coach I not only was going to continue to be held accountable for my own fitness, but now I had people looking up to me! It helped me create even bigger goals that are/will be/continue to be a stretch to reach. I want that. I want to be striving to be a better me every day. I don’t want to get to a point and think… “Ah… now I’ve done it!” and then just fall off track. Beachbody coaching has also helped me connect with ladies from years back, that I haven’t talked to in ages. We have developed real relationships with each other- caring, considerate, motivational, empowering each other. They have jumped on board and created goals for themselves that we are pursuing as a team. So, really, Beachbody coaching has done a world of good for me, and the above is just barely scratching the surface!

Jaclyn: What has being a Beachbody coach done for me? Well, for one, it's given me back the confidence I once had in myself, my fitness abilities and my knowledge. I have always been a fitness junkie, spending hours a day in the gym since 10th grade. I obtained my personal trainer certification in early 2000, and I began helping others reach their goals. But then weight crept on and I no longer looked fit. I was still working my butt off in the gym, but for some reason I couldn't stop gaining weight - fat weight. I learned that I had health problems and I quit personal training because my feeling was who would want to take fitness advice from someone who looked like they had no clue how to take care of themselves. I finally got the weight off, only to put it back on when I was diagnosed with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).
  In September 2012, I stopped listening to the doctors and took my health into my own hands. Their advice of "take your medicine and you'll be fine" wasn't working. I was at my heaviest. My legs hurt. It hurt to walk. I noticed veins popping out of my legs. I was SICK to my stomach! After doing a lot of research, I learned that a gluten-free lifestyle may benefit my conditions. It did. Shortly after going gluten-free, my leg pain went away. I was able to comfortably walk again, and even run! I lost 12 pounds. I felt good, but I needed to do more.
  That's where Beachbody came in. I spent a few weeks talking to another coach about the opportunity. She put me in a challenge group, which I did P90X. I started drinking Shakeology daily. I lost another 8 pounds! I went from a size 14 to a comfortable, even big, size 10. Beachbody helped me to get to a point where I could look in the mirror and like what I see again. It helped me regain the strength to do the things I love again. I am road racing and beating my previous PR's from four years ago. I ran my first half marathon, comfortably. I know fitness, and being a Beachbody coach has given me the opportunity to get back out there and help people again. It's my passion. It's what I love.

 Amy: What has becoming a Beachbody Coach done for me? Gosh---there’s no easy answer for that one. It’s done many things for me. Being a Coach has strengthened my confidence, provided me with an outlet for skills that I had been underutilizing for far too long and introduced me to some fantastic people. I’ve deepened my own resolve simply by being in the company of so many dedicated, disciplined and motivated individuals. I’ve also been able to redefine my limits---what once seemed impossible has become an accomplishment. From the workouts themselves to the weight loss to the ability to grow a team of my own, becoming a Beachbody Coach has allowed me to see and embrace new capabilities.

Jackie Zags: Read her story for yourself!!!



What coaching has done for me!


 Now, that you have read what some of the coaches' have said, what you do you think? We are not all the same person. We are our own person, we all have different goals and dreams. We are wives, mothers, daughters, sisters, business women, stay at home moms, dreamers, believers, and so much more. Coaching gives you the ability to work for yourself. To make you feel great, receive that sense of accomplishment. You get to help others and allow them to feel great about themselves. It gives you freedom and so much more.

What can coaching do for you?! Do you have that standard 9-5 desk job that you just aren't happy with. Do you know that you are destined to do something more. Maybe you want to go after a passion of yours. Want to be a stay at home mom. Earn some extra cash on the side. Or even just choose to do it as a discount. Why not give it a shot? It doesn't hurt to ask, and it does not hurt to see if this is right for you! If you have the ability to dream big, you have the ability to do anything you put your mind too!

I coach because of my challengers-they push me to be a better person. I coach because it is what I love to do. I love to help people. I love to dream big. I know I was destined to do something bigger with my life. I am chasing after my dreams and passions. 

If you would like to know more or join my team please contact me at alyssayourish@gmail.com or send me a facebook message. I would love nothing more than to explain to you what I love doing.

I look forward to hearing from you! And hope you were inspired today!

Week 3 Update: Brazil Butt Lift

So it is time for the weekly update! I am about to finish Week 3 and I am so glad that I am actually following the schedule workout guide unlike last time. I truly have a whole new thought progess on this program. It is actually difficult. Well not so much difficult, but it sure does push you to your limits. 

Here is what my week 3 schedule looks like:

Monday- Sculpt

Tuesday- Bum Bum & Tummy Tuck

Wednesday- Sculpt

Thursday- High & Tight

Friday- Sculpt

Saturday- Bum Bum & Tummy Tuck

Sunday- Rest

Also, on Saturday is Cardio Axe, but I have tried this one to many times and I am just not coordinated for it. I try and try again and I just keep tripping over my feet. So I usually switch that out for a quick Turbofire workout. That is the ONLY modification I make to the schedule.

I have to be honest when I first started BBL I was like approx. 50 minutes for Sculpt. That would mean I have to adjust my getting up time just so I can have time to do that workout and get ready for work. And how much lifting could you do with a butt workout? Let me tell you....sculpt is probably my FAV workout here with this program. And NO it is not just a butt workout. This is with weights and it is for your whole body. Bicep curls, rows, pushups, triceps extensions, squat raises, overhead press, and the list goes on. This is a whole body workout and so worth it all.

When this past Sunday rolled around and I was sitting & prepping for the week to come up. I really had to make myself understand I needed to crack down. I was leaving for Vegas on a girls trip in one week. That meant getting in every workout, pushing myself harder, eating clean, and upping my weights. I had no choice, nor was I giving myself a choice. It was time..I know I coul do it, I just didn't know how heavy I could go. Most workouts I can use the tens. That may not seem like a lot, but you are not doing a certain amount of reps. If it was between 10-12 or anything lower than that my weights would be higher, but with sculpt it goes above that, so you want something that you are going to be able to push past 10.

I was so proud of myself for being able to do that. That is a major victory for me. Sometimes I would stick to the same weights just because I did not want to fail. I did not want to only be able to make it to 4 reps, but this week as I was working out I realized something and this is why I choose this quote on my picture. Be yourself, who cares what anyone else is doing and if they have something perfected & you don't. Or when it comes to working out, if you weights are too light up them. If you can only do some many reps before it is time to stop, so what. You are making progress and you are doing what YOU can. This is all that matters. Challenge yourself and go for it all. Because when you do, you will start to see the change.

BBL has been challenging, but it also has been fun. I feel stronger. I feel like I can accomplish anything. I want to push myself harder and to be the best that I know I can be. It is a different program than I am use to but Leonardo makes it exciting to get up and move @ 4:30am. You are never watching the clock. And when it is over you just can't believe it.

Why not try something different, hey you may even like it.

Do you have one of these? Are you looking at this picture and saying to yourself, "OMG." If you are lets talk. Lets see if this program is right for you. Or how you can get your booty makeover. I'd love to help you. You can send me a facebook message or send me an email alyssayourish@gmail.com

Your Daily Intake of Water

 

 

Do you drink enough water each day? We are taught to drink or aim to drink 8 big glasses of water/day, but actually that is incorrect.  I always have challengers in my group, say they are stuggling, they feel sluggish, tired, exhausted. And my first question to them is how much water are you actually drinking? Usually, it is not nearly enough. It varies for each person individually. So what should you aim for?? Take your body weight and divide that in half. That number equals the number of ounces you should be drinking each day.

 

Doesn't that amount seem Large. How in the world will you ever finish that much water in one single day. How will you keep track? This is where people really do start to see that they just are not drinking enough water eachday. We get so busy in our day to day lives, that we don't stop to take that sip of water, which causes us to get dehydrated, and feel slugglish. So how can you keep track to make sure you are getting your right amount? Look for a fun creative that tracks your total. I am a total pen & paper kind of girl so everytime I finish a glass of water I just write a tally mark. (I know, really super boring. But hey, it works and if it works why change the system). Find a good size cup, water bottle, jug of water- whatever works for you. Right times on them to show when you need to be at that line by. Or add hair ties to your cup and take one off as you finish. Like for me, I have a 16oz cup at work & my daily intake is around 63 ounces, so I would round up and add six hair ties. When I finish a cup of water I take one off, and so on. So through out the day you can see how far along you are, if you are on track or if you need to not wait as long to take a drink. It doesn't matter how you track your water, but make it fun, make it exciting. It won't seem as boring. And, if you aren't a water drinker like I was add some flavor. Add lemon/lime slices, add fruit you choose..you are drinking it!

 

 

So how will you stay on track, can you even imagine drinking that much water throughout the day? Doesn't it seem like ALOT?! Here are some best times to drink water, which should help you.

 

1. When you first wake up- this will wake your body up & turn it on.

2. Drink before every meal-this will make you feel fuller & cause you not to eat as much.

3.Drink with a snack-this will help you determine if you are dehydrated or you really are hungry.

4.Drink before your workout-this prevents you from dehydration.

5. Drink after your workout-replace the fluids you lost during sweating.But don't drink it too fast, you don't want stomach cramps.

6. Drink with medication(if allowed)-it helps dissolve & spread through your digestive organs for rapid absorption.

 

 

What can drinking water do for your body? It not only keeps you hydrated, but check out this picture and how it affects your whole body.



 

So how are you going to keep yourself on track? Think you need help keeping yourself on track? Send me a message at alyssayourish@gmail.com or Facebook Message me. Find out more information & support from me as your Coach.

 

I hope you found this helpful!!!

 

Sizzling for Summer

 

With the birds chirping, longer daylight hours, and the warmer weather here..It is offically summertime! It is time to undercover the pool, get the grills out, get ready for parties, the fans blowing & windows open at night, time to start wearing shorts, flip flops, and a bathing suit. BATHING SUIT!!!! Oh no, you mean I have to put one of those on? Is this what you are asking yourself. Do you feel like you just aren't happy with the thought have having to slip on a suit and head out to the pool. Don't worry you still have time.

 

How am I ever going to be bathing suit ready, when summer is offically a few weeks away? It is possible so do not get discouraged.  You have to commit and be ready to change your life! So over the next 60 days, you get a private online support group, a weekly meal plan for the next 60 days, and a free coach who is here to help you reach that goal of yours. Like the sound of that?..Lets get you started!

 

I am inviting you to my next 60 day challenge. This is open to anyone who wants to get fit and get that better body by August 3rd. For the next 60 days I will be giving you my full attention and support through this group. You will have everything you need to succeed. Every week you will get a new meal plan from me to help you. You can choose to use it or just get an idea from it. We will figure your calorie intake right from the beginning. This is going to be a new lifestyle change, not a diet. Your meals do not have to be boring and they will not be. I can promise you that.

 

 

How do you know what workout to choose? Well, that is exactly why I am here. With me as your coach you will tell me what type of workouts you like to do, what fitness level you are, etc. And we will find you that perfect workout based on your needs. I truly believe everyone has to love their workouts or they just get bored and do not continue with them. You don't need to spend hours working out- an hour MAX. And some of them aren't even that long.  Do you want to feel like warrior? A fighter? Throw thousand of punches to sculpt those shoulders, kickboxing to shape your legs? Something so intense you are sweating from the time you start? Learn 6 different martial arts? I would check this 60 day program out! I lost 19 inches while doing combat, my body toned up. I had shoulder muscle I never had before and my abs were starting to peep through.

 

 

Join my 60 Day sizzling for summer group. Get all the receipes you want, meal plans, support, motivation, tips, and inspiration to get you to succeed and get that summer body you want. No more wish you had that body this summer, you ARE going to get it.  And we are going to get you there together! Ready to start?  Okay, here is what you need to do...click the link below. Once you do so send me an email at alyssayourish@gmail.com because our next step is to figure out a workout program for you. Then if you are ready to purchase I will send you the direct link and make sure you get the very best discount ever - which includes FREE shipping.

 

 

 

By clicking the button above means you are reserving your spot. Open enrollment has started and the spots are filling up. Make sure you don't wait til the last minute and miss out! June 3rd starts it all! Will you join us??

 



Brazil Butt Lift...Attempt #2- Week 2 Update


Happy Wednesday! Yes you read the title right. I've already attempted BBL, but why attempt #2? Because I didn't finish it, I pick and choose which workouts I wanted to do, never followed the schedule, and truthfully it was too slow for me. I am a fast paced, heavy lifting weights kinda girl.
 
So when I was deciding on my next program, I just had no idea what I wanted to do. But at the end of the month I knew I was leaving for a little girls trip to VEGAS and didn't want to just stop right in the middle of a 90 day program and pick back up when I came back. So, I decided to pick BBL. A 30 day program that I already attempted once, why not go for it again and FINISH IT!! 
 
There was no doubt in my mind I was finishing this program. I wasn't going to quit again. I would do whatever it took. No hitting the snooze, writing myself notes when my alarm would go off to yell at me to go get, setting out my workout clothes the night before, having the workout that was on schedule in the DVD player already to go. HEY- a girls gotta do what a girls gotta do. If you are always looking for excuses, you are never going to see the results.

And let me just tell you, on day 1 of starting my butt was on FIRE!! This may be a "slower" type of workout than you are use to, but it is NO JOKE, it WORKS! Here is what my 2 weeks looked like:

Week 1:
Monday- Booty Basics & Bum Bum
Tuesday- High & Tight
Wednesday- Rest Day
Thursday- Bum Bum
Friday- High & Tight & Tummy Tuck
Saturday- Bum Bum
Sunday- Rest day

I usually don't follow when the exact rest days should be. I like to have mine on Sunday, so I try to work around it and make Sundays my rest days. But, I believe Thursday or Friday my alarm went off to get up  and workout, I just couldn't my body was shutting down. So, instead of pushing myself harder I just had to listen to my body and take a rest.




Week 2:
Monday- Sculpt
Tuesday- High & Tight
Wednesday- Sculpt
Thursday- Bum Bum
Friday- Sculpt
Saturday- High & Tight
Sunday- Rest Day








I get up every morning BEFORE work. Yes, sometimes it is a struggle. Yes, there are times where I do not want to get up, but I would rather get up before than do it once I get home. I have found it is easier to make excuses when I get home. Think about it....you sit in traffic to work, you work for 8 hours, sit in rush hour traffic home, come home and have to make dinner, pack your lunch, and for me by the time I get home and do all this, it is 7:30ish and I still have to have some Mommy-Dexter time. I am now in a routine to wake up early a get moving. Sometimes I need my handy side kick E&E. One scoop of this baby and I feel as good as new!

 

I am determined.

 I am committed.

I am strong.

 I am powerful.

 

I can't believe I ever gave up on this program. It may be slow, but it works every single part of your body. Your legs, thighs, arms, stomach, and even that butt! How do I know? I have been taking week by week accountability pictures. Why? Why is there a need for these. Because if you are like me after a week you probably will think you can't see a change, there is no way. And pictures can help you see, that even after a week of working out, clean eating, and replacing one meal with Shakeology you are making progress. Because when you go try on those clothes they will fit differently, or be too big. Take it from me. I went shopping today and I am now fitting into a XS and a size 2 shorts-never did I think I would see those sizes again!

 

 Keep checking back with me for my weekly progress.

 

If you are interested in learning more about Brazil Butt Lift or are ready to start your health and fitness journey send me a message and we will chat!

That's a WRAP...it's a family affair.

My sister & I at my graduation (2006)

Who would have thought 7 years ago, when I graduated from good old DL High School, that 7 more years would pass for my little sister to graduate from highschool and then just recently college all in a blink of an eye. It is crazy to me because I can honestly remember the day I graduated. We took this picture the day of graduation in the highschool cafeteria. We look so young & little back then.


Three years have passed. Three years already!! Can you believe we are at my baby sisters' highschool gradution, because I sure can't. The year 2009, I was a Junior at the University of Pittsburgh @ Johnstown. She was planning on attending Penn State Behrend. So, yes our house is divided and it always will be divided. Pitt vs. PSU both colleges in opposite directions, miles apart. It was okay when one of us was away because the other one was usually home, but this time we would both be gone, both at college, both on different break schedules, etc. We weren't going to be away forever....
 
And little do we know 4 more years have passed by and we are at this point today. I have been out of school for 2.5 years, living at home to save money, working full time at my first big kid job we like to say with UPMC. I have been with UPMC's Research and Institutional Billing Department for 2 years. And Since I started working my sister transferred to PSU Main Campus and was busy working to graduate, having her fun, partying, and working for Macy's as her internship. She was even lucky enough to be one of those many few to have a job right out of college. She will be heading back for Macy's for a management program and then she will eventually have the chance to work her way up into what she wants to do!

 A family day up at PSU taking graduation pictures...You better believe I wore my Pitt shirt.

 Jenna's Family Graduation Dinner at Lucianio's. (yes, i am finally taller than her). This is a big accomplishment for me, even if it's only by an inch.(Of course I have heels on)

The whole entire family showed up (well mostly everyone, who could be there). We had a dinner for mine and it was nice to get together again and celebrate such an accomplishment. It was nice to see everyone again, because you think as family you should see eachother all the time, esp. if you all live within a 5 mile radius of everyone. But, sadly it is not the case, we all have our lives, jobs, obligations, etc. it is always hard for us to all get together. But this was a perfect occasion to have all us come together and catch up.

Cheers to the ones who couldn't be here or are not longer with us! We miss you!

 

Momma, Daddy, Jenna, & I

 

My #1 Supporter                                                                      My favorite littlebuddy

Cousin lovin'

 

You can see we are one extremely close family, and I guess everyone says that. But in the past couple of years we have faced some hardships that if we weren't together or close we would have never have gotten through. You need to come together in those times, support eachother, lift eachother up when one is down. And I can tell you this is the best family ever! There is a huge age gap between us cousins, but I can tell you when I was little my older cousin were always there for me, just like they are now. The bond we have together is one that is unbreakable. We will be there for eachother through think & thin.

 

I guess you really never truly understand why people always say enjoy life now, because it will be here and be gone before you know it. I can think back to when we were all little, sitting at grams, playing cards, our Christmas pjs, the funny little quotes Lizzie (Grams) use to say to us, like "keep it in your pants" and we were little! We're Italian and she spoke her mind she didn't care! And now that's a wrap. All of the first cousins are done with school, we are on to the next path of our lives or have been on that path for a while. We now get to watch and experience our second cousins grow up and go through their school days. Hoping to give them guidance, support,  have them come to us in times of need, and be there for them like we were there for eachother. We all may be on different paths, we all many want different things in life, but no matter where life takes us, no matter how many miles apart, there is one thing that we are certain of. We are family and we will ALWAYS be there for eachother. Nothing is going to change that.

 

This quote explains us 100%. We aren't perfect, nor do we want to be. We are real and honest. We tell it like it is, we harass eachother, we give eachother a hard time, we make jokes, we disagree, and sometimes fight. But at the end of the day, you know you can go a couple of days without talking, pick up the phone say "you're sorry" and you are okay, nothing ever happened. Because that is what family is. We voice our opinions because we care. We want the best for one another and that's who we are!

 

My family is my life. My whole world. I love you guys!

 

Eggplant Parmigiana

It's tradition at the Yourish household, when it is your birthday, YOU get to pick the dinner or where you want to go. So with Mom's birthday today on Mother's Day she picked this receipe. And since it is Mother's Day, I told her I would help. Let's face it...I'm not really a cooker, unless I know how to make it. And when it comes to something new I usually get nervous(I know..weirdo), but she didn't have to do much and we just finished prepping and cooking our dinner for tonight. I have to say this is a pretty easy receipe, not much prep & doesn't take too long.

Fresh cut veggies



Ingredients:
*1 spray(s) cooking spray
*1/3 cup(s) breadcrumbs, Italian-style
*1 tbsp grated parmesan cheese
*1 tsp italian seasoning
*1/4 tsp garlic powder
*1 medium uncooked eggplant
*2 large egg whites, lightly beaten
*1 1/2  canned tomato sauce
*1/2 cup(s) shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Coat a 9 x 13 baking dish with cooking spray;set aside.


2. Combine bread crumbs, Parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning and garlic powder in a medium-size bowl; set aside. Remove skin from eggplant and trim off ends; slice eggplant into 1/2-inch-thick slices.

 
3. Dip eggplant first into egg whites and then into bread crumb mixture. Bake eggplant on a nonstick cookie sheet until lightly browned, about 20 to 25 minutes, flipping once.
 
4. Place a layer of eggplant on bottom of prepared baking dish, then add 1/3 of tomato sauce and 1/3 of mozzarella cheese. Repeat with 2 more layers in same order. Bake until cheese is melted and sauce is bubbling, about 10 minutes more. Slice into 4 pieces and serve.

 

Did she pick a good dish?!

Apple Almond Squares
              Makes 12 squares
                Hand-On Time: 25 minutes
                Total Time: 45 minutes



Clean Eating Magazine

Ingredients:
*1/2 cup almond flour
*1/2 cup brown rice flour
*2 tbsp stabilized rice bran, (optional)
*2 tbsp organic evaporated cane juice
*2 tbsp ground flaxseeds
*1/2 tsp baking soda
*1/2 tsp baking powder
*1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
*1/4 tsp sea salt
*pinch ground nutmeg
*1 egg plus 1 egg white
*1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
*2 tbsp sunflower oil
*1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract
*1 McIntosh apple, peeled, cored, and chopped
*1/2 cup unsweetened raisins
*1/4 cup sliced raw unsalted almonds

Toppings:
*1 tbsp plus 1 tsp Sucanat
*1/4 tsp arrowroot powder

Instructions:
*Preheat oven to 350 degree. Line a 9-inch  square baking dish with parchment paper, leaving 1 to 2 inches of overhang opposite sides.
*In medium bowl, whisk flours, bran(if using), cane juice, flaxseeds, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, salt and nutmeg.
*In a large bowl, mix egg, egg white, applesauce, oil and vanllia. Add flouw mixture and stir until just combined. Fold in apple, raisin and almonds. Spread evenly in dish. Bake for 25 minutes, until a toothpick coomes out clean when inserted in center. Life edges of parchment paper to remove bars from dish. Cut into 12 squares.
*Prepare topping: In spice grinder, pulse Sucanat and arrowroot into a fine powder. Sprinkle over bars. Store in refrigerator for up to 1 week or freeze for up to 3 months.


Nutrients per Serving: (1 square)
Calories:145, Total fat:7 g, Sat. fat:1 g, Monounsaturated fat:1 g, Polyunsaturated fat:2 g, Carbs:19 g, Fiber:2 g, Sugars:6 g, Protein:3.5 g, Sodium:107 mg, Cholesterol:18 mg



 



A Day in the Life of a Penguin Hockey Fan

 

 

It's that time of year again. Honestly, the most wonderful time of the year. No, not Christmas.  I mean of course Christmas is a wonderful time of the year, but its PLAYOFF HOCKEY! A hockey game on every night, fans going crazy-excited because their team has made it, traditions & superstitions, and every game just as intense as the last. The gloves are off and it is anyone's game.

 

Let me tell you this has been a crazy season. With hockey already cut in half because of the lock out, you knew this was going to be a sport you just did not want to miss. With only 48 games in the regular season, there was no room for mess ups. Every team was fighting harder than ever to claim their spot in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. They were fighting to be the best, to fight for that top seed.

 

So who is your favorite NHL Hockey team? Mine? Of course is the Pittsburgh Penguins. How did they do this season?? Well we clinched the division and got the #1 seed for the playoffs. We had a 15 game winning streak, coming SUPER close to beating the previous winning streak. They battled adversities, had key players injuried, yet still fought hard and managed to get the winning spot. They ended the season with 72 points. (16 more points than the #2 seed). Who doesn't think we have a chance at the cup?

 

What goes through a hockey fans mind on game day... or even better Game 5 of the First Round Playoffs- when they series is tied? Let me just tell you, during the playoffs my mind is constantly on hockey. Currently right now I am flipping between WSH vs. NYR & BOS vs. TOR. Of course you have to watch all the games, playoff games are intense-they are simply the best. So I wake up for my normal day, figure out what Pens shirt I am going to wear to work (when the pens play, we can sport our pens gear), watch the news to see what they have to say about game day, and listen to the radio talk shows all dau.y.

 

But, I guess I should back up a bit. We are playing the New York Islanders the #8 seed. You think the first round would be a breeze right? Nope, the series is tied 2-2. We come back here for Game 5, then back in New York for Game 6. Will this series go til Game 7?! No one knows, it's playoff hockey anything can happen! Needless to say, you can say in my mind every single day is NERVE WRECKING. I have no doubt in my mind this team can get past the first round, but they have to start playing like they want it. And the #1 seed that they are. They are just not showing up for these games. Overturning pucks, unnecessary penalties minutes (which causes the team to rally back & score goals), and the defense. They have to show and play like they want to win and I am not quite sure what they are doing.

 

So a day in life of a hockey fan during the quest for the cup.....they are on the edge of their seat-well for me anyways. They wake up nervous/excited/happy/anxious/etc. all these feelings, can't wait til that puck drops.  They want their team to make to the next round, just so they can calm down for a bit til the next round starts. Through out the day, they really start to think how can this go tonight, who is going to play, who is going to score the first goal, who will start as goalie, what will the score be, etc. Come game time, I am super nervous. I get so antsy when that puck drops, I don't even know what to think. How can you think IT'S PLAYOFF HOCKEY!!!!!  You have all these emotions through out the day, you can't wait to watch your favorite team, your mind is racing, you want to see the intense plays, fights, and see who wins. It's not playoff hockey if you aren't on the edge of your seat the whole game!!!!

 

 

LET'S GO PENS!!!!!!!!