Mama Balance's Top 8 Free Recipes

The absolute best cookie you will ever eat!

2012-05-03T20:35:00.000-07:00

This cookie is perfect. This is the kinda cookie that you don't want to make many of because you will gain 10 pounds in a few days. So the recipe makes a smaller amount of large and delicious cookies :) It's sweet and almost a tiny bit salty and just blissful! This recipe made 12 large and fluffy chocolate chip cookies!

Ingredients:

1/4 cup and a teaspoon of coconut oil

1/4 cup and a teaspoon brown sugar

2 Tbl white granulated sugar

2 Tbl applesauce (I highly recommend the cinnamon kind!!)

A splash of Vanilla

1/2 cup and a Tbl of flour

1/4 tsp baking soda

1/4 tsp baking powder

1/4 tsp salt

1/4 bag of chocolate chips (use enjoy life if you are MSPI)

1. Heat the oven to 375
2. Cream together the two sugars and coconut oil
3. Add in applesauce and Vanilla
4. Mix together dry ingredients in a separate bowl
5. Combine wet and dry ingredients and mix well
6. Add in chocolate chips (it will possibly be a little different looking than normal choc chip cookies. If too dry add in a tiny bit more oil and if too liquidy add in a tsp or so of flour)

Roll into ping pong ball sized cookies and cook for 10-12 min or until done. Then allow to cool and taste a little bit of heaven! BTW, these are totally those cookies. You know, the ones that are even better the next day. So make sure you save some for later....if you can :)

2012-04-25T15:02:00.002-07:00

Creamy Avocado Pasta and Spicy Blackened Chicken with cool and creamy Avocado Sauce

This is such a yummy and surprising dish!! I didn't even like Avocados before making this switch to being Top 8 and corn free. But this, I love!

For the pasta you will need:
3-4 servings of pasta (I'm gluten-free so I did rice spaghetti. You could use any kind of pasta really!)
1 avocado
1/2 lemon (juiced and zest)
1 Tbl minced garlic (we just buy the huge already minced containers at Walmart)
Salt and Pepper to taste

Boil and strain pasta according to box directions. While the pasta is cooking let's make the sauce!! Place avocado, lemon juice, garlic, and salt and pepper into a blender/food processor/bowl and mix until delicious and oh-so creamy! Put the sauce and cooked pasta into a large bowl and mix well. Top with lemon zest and eat immediately :)

For the chicken and you will need:
2-4 thawed chicken breasts
1 tsp of paprika
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
1/2 tsp onion powder or onion salt
1/2 tsp ground cumin
2 tsp olive oil

Add the olive oil to a pan and heat on medium for a min or so while you are spicing the chicken.

Combine all dry seasonings in a bowl and mix well. I used a larger flat-bottomed bowl. Dip and cover both sides of the chicken breasts in the seasoning mix. Then place in the oiled and heated pan. Cook until tender and blackened on both sides. Once it is finished, place on plates ready to serve and allow it to cool while you make up the sauce.

For the sauce you will need:
1 tsp Lime juice (totally just used the kind in the little green lime bottle :) )
2 Tbl Mayo (we use the yellow top canola oil mayo, but check your ingredients!!)
1/2 an Avocado

Blend together above ingredients. You can use a food processor or a hand mixer or just a fork. I just used a fork until it was kinda creamy kinda chunky. Spread cool sauce on top of the spicy chicken and eat your heart out!

2012-04-25T14:41:00.000-07:00

Turkey Kielbasa and mixed veggies, Brussels sprouts, and quinoa.

Ok. Here goes! My first attempt at somewhat of a food blog. I'm off the top 8 and obvious corn (but not all hidden). I'm having THE toughest time finding good things to put inside my body. Things that taste good and will fill me up. Things that will nourish me as I'm running and training and nursing and chasing a 2 year old! So....you will find good healthy recipes made from real food and free of the top 8 here!

You will need:
Assorted bell peppers (I used one red and one yellow)
1/4 of an onion
2-3 Tbl Olive oil (will depend on how many veggies you use)
Celery (or some other veggie)
Turkey Kiebasa (I used Jennie-O, but check the ingredients for yourself!!)
Salt and Pepper
Paprika

Chop all the veggies. Put olive oil in a large skillet pan and turn on high, once the oil is warmed turn down to medium/low. Once it's warmed add the veggies and sautee until they are soft and the onion is becoming more transparent. While that is cooking cut up the Kielbasa into small circles. Add that to the skillet once the veggies are soft and ready. Salt and Pepper to tase and add in a few dashes of Paprika. Mix all together and allow to cook for another 5 minutes or so. (If it's dry or sticking at all add some more olive oil). Then eat and enjoy!! We mixed ours with Quinoa. Quinoa is delicious and packed with protein! You can find it at a natural health food store or in the organic section at your local Kroger/Frys.

Brussels Sprouts -

Preheat oven to 350. Cut the bottom stemy parts off. Slice in half length-ways (some of the leafs may fall of and that's ok!). Lightly grease a small pan with olive oil. Place the Brussels Sprouts flat side down onto the greased pan. Lightly drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle fresh ground pepper and sea salt on top. Make sure there's enough olive oil to absorb in a bit and also to help the salt and pepper stick. Cook for 10 minutes and check. They should look roasted, but not brown/burnt. They will be tender and oh-so flavorful!

Weekly weigh-in

2012-03-06T09:21:00.000-08:00

I've been slacking! I thought I was only behind a week. But apparently it was worse than that!

I've still been trying to work out 5 days a week. But this week decided to change it up. I asked my sister for Ripped in 30 and am excited to shake things up a bit. I thought it would be good for toning, but wasn't really sure about the overall workout. So yesterday when I started my plan was to do day 1 of R in 30 and then go for a 3-5 mi run. Let me tell you. That did NOT happen! I finished the DVD and I was covered in sweat and panting and my legs were even a little shaky.

That thing was intense! Then I woke up this morning and I can hardly even walk! I cannot get over how sore I am. I feel bad now for thinking it wasn't going to be that great of a workout! I'm pretty excited about this. I took before pics and I'll take afters at the end of the 30 days. I'm excited to see the results! Not sure if I'll post the pics or not as I'm in a two-piece. But I'm glad to have them for me!

I'm still counting calories with MyFitnessPal and still loving it. It's so easy and convenient! I'd really love to continue dropping around 2 lbs a week until I hit goal. My goal right now is 13 lbs away. I'm not sure if I'm going to keep my goal or lower it. I guess we will see how I feel when I get there. I just want to feel happy and comfortable in my own skin. There's no magic # to reach that. So I'll just have to wait and see!

My starting weight - 161.8, Last week - 151.8, This week - 148

I'm still not losing as quickly as I'd like. But it's consistent and I haven't sacrificed my milk supply at all. So I guess I'm ok with it. This weeks weigh-in is in just 3 days and I'm hoping I'll see 146!

Weekly weigh-in 7

2012-02-17T17:29:00.000-08:00

This was a crazy week! I worked out a LOT! I counted calories and had one cheat day (parent's bday at Outback. DUH I cheated! haha). I was definitely expecting a two-pound loss. I'm not gunna lie. I've been doing better on the soda front and have been trying to make each calorie really count!

Then I weighed in on Thursday morning (sometimes I weigh in on Thurs and sometimes Fri depending on what's going on that week). And as of Thursday I'd only lost a lb! I was furious! haha. So I weighed myself again this morning hoping that it was bloat or water weight or whatever :)

Here were my results!
My starting weight - 161.8, Last week - 153, This week - 151.8!

So not quite two pounds, but close! Some things that changed this week: I'm able to wear one pair of non-fat pre-pregnancy jeans! woot woot! My rings are loser, my love handles feel smaller, and I feel that baby pooch shrinking away. See ya baby weight! I'm 4 lbs from my pre-pregnancy weight, 16 lbs from my goal weight, and have lost 32 lbs since having Delaney! (yes, if you did the math I gained 36 lbs! YUCK!). I feel like I'm starting to feel pretty again and that is a huge accomplishment in and of itself!

Some tips and goals:
Having an accountability partner (or even many) is key! Melissa has been my rock and my motivation these last few weeks and it's working! Working out (even if you only burn 150 calories) makes a huge difference in the way you feel on the inside and the way you LOOK on the outside. Even though that scale says I lost not even 2 whole pounds, my body and the way my clothes fit say that I'm WAY more in shape and less fat than I was a few weeks ago!

My goals for this week are to continue my 4-5 day a week workouts. To do a good job again limiting soda and making my calories count. To do some more strength training every day on my arms, thighs, and abs. And to lose another two lbs. Bring on those 14s baby!!!

Weekly weigh-in 6

2012-02-09T16:13:00.000-08:00

Good week! I changed some things up this week and it really helped!I stopped WW as I just wasn't seeing very drastic results. My awesome friend Melissa told me about this app called Myfitnesspal and it rocks my socks off! It's calorie counting at its finest. It has thousands of foods stored by brand and serving size and it makes inputting my food a breeze. It is also really easy to add in my exercise and the fact that I'm breastfeeding.

I had a good feeling about this week. I was feeling thinner and better in my clothes again and my post-baby pooch seems to be shrinking. So I was excited to jump on the scale this morning. In fact, it took all I had not to cheat and jump on it on Wednesday and just take a peek :) I also reached my goal of working out 5 times this week. In fact, I exceeded it. I worked out 6 days this week and a few days did 60 min rather than my 30 minute goal! I'm really happy about how this week went. Although, I've been SO tired! I'm guessing all this extra exertion is getting to me.

So! To the fun part :)

My starting weight - 161.8, Last week - 155.2, This week - 153!

Yay for two pounds! Shout out to Melissa for keeping me accountable and motivated!!

Weekly weigh-in 5

2012-02-03T15:37:00.000-08:00

What a strange week! I didn't cheat (but was drinking soda and counting it into my points). I started feeling thinner, looking better in my clothes, and just all around seeming a bit skinnier. I was excited! I'm making progress! But...not so much.

I started 161.8. Last week - 155.2. This week - 155.2 BOO

I didn't do great at working out. I only got in three days of real cardio. I really think I am just one of those people that does not lose well unless they are working out! : /

A fun tip and something I enjoyed this week was....Every time I had a few spare minutes (which you know, with a toddler and a newborn happens all the time ;) ) instead of getting on facebook for a minute or cleaning up I dropped to the floor and would do sit-ups or push-ups or planks or triceps dips. Obviously this isn't going to help me lose weight. But a big part of my weight loss is needing to tone up! So I'm hoping this will help and wondering if this is why I was feeling a bit better in my clothes??

Goals for next week - give up soda, cardio 5 days, as much strength training as I can fit in, lose 2 lbs. I have to get out of this 155 rut. I sat at this weight for a few years and I don't like it! Next week, we are moving on :)

Weekly weigh-in 4

2012-01-26T16:06:00.000-08:00

This was another tough week!! The elliptical is still down and it rained a few days so no walks with the kiddos : / But I did pretty good on my points! I never use my weeklies up so that when I screw up or want to go out to sushi dinner with the hubs and eat whatever I want (I've had good sushi twice that we could come up with since I got pregnant with L!) I can and don't have to fret.

Soooo needless to say, I was worried..again. I just don't seem to lose well when I'm not working out. At LEAST walking a few miles with the kids. But I hopped on that scale this morning and was pleasantly surprised!

I started 161.8. Last week - 156.2. This week - 155.2

So that's still 1 lb gone. Even without working out. Whew! I'm already trying to get back to my 5 days a week goal. I think I just lose a lot better if I'm walking. Plus I feel more sane when I get out and get some sun every day! :)

I've got almost exactly 20 more lbs till I hit my goal weight. So this week to help me get there I'm going to work out those 5 days and when I go to Phx this weekend I'm not going to blow a trillion points eating out with everyone!! ALSO - I'm officially off dairy again for D. So hopefully that will help me not eat out anyway since dairy is in everything : )

Weekly weigh-in 3

2012-01-19T10:57:00.001-08:00

This week was hard!! The hubs was gone for 4 days and I was kind of having a pity party for myself b/c I was home with the toddler and reflux baby. I ate kinda poorly (I never use my extra weeklies!!) and didn't have the time or energy to work out much. That single mom stuff is not for me apparently! :) So, needless to say, I've been dreading weigh-in this week!!

The most helpful thing for me this week was watching The Biggest Loser! It always makes me wanna go work out!! Also, the sugar free Jello pudding cups are only 1 point and really help curb my chocolate needs!! :) What were your tips/tricks this week??

Now for weigh-in time! I started 161.8. Last week - 158.2. This week - 156.2! I couldn't believe it! 2 lbs!! I'm pretty stoked!! Just 21 more to goal. Which is a lot...but I feel like it's starting to go more quickly :)

Weekly weigh-in

2012-01-12T12:33:00.000-08:00

This week has gone well! I reached my goal of working out 5 times this week! :) Getting the double stroller put together has really helped that a lot.

I've done better finding things to eat and good,filling things at that! Skinnytaste.com is wonderful and teaching me so many awesome things about eating healthy. I still don't love the low/no fat mentality of WW. I'd rather spend my points and get some healthy fat. But her recipes are amazing and healthy and clean!! I'm super impressed and thankful for her website!!

So now to the weigh-in. I started 161.8. Last week - 159.8. And this week - 158.2! We are making progress. I felt disappointed after last week. But now I'm totally feeling encouraged!!

How's your weight-loss going?? Any great tips to share?

Being a great mama

2012-01-09T10:51:00.000-08:00

There's nothing I've had to work at finding balance in more than trying to be a good mom.

It's tough! There's the fight between wanting to tend to your child's every need and really needing to pee or take a shower or work out or eat. You know that if you don't take care of yourself you will lose it. But there are all those people and "studies" that say if you let your baby cry at all they will lose brain cells and be stupid. And how on earth could I ever live with myself if I made my baby stupid?!

*Side note - that one study they did that one time with no listed number of babies and no listed amount of real hard data with no doctors names attached to it. Ya, that one floating around facebook and every natural birthing blog that I love. I think it's bogus. Just throwing that out there*

Then I look at my mom friends that have children that cried it out when they were X amount of months or years old that have great, well-adjusted children. I look at my friends that have colicky babies or had colic themselves when they were little. They all cried a lot and they aren't stupid. Huh.

There's that ever-fun debate about vaccinations. Do you want to make your child autistic or put them at risk of having a horrible disease that could possibly kill them? Do you want to fill your child's body with all sorts of preservatives and crap or leave them unprotected?

This is fun stuff folks. This is the stuff being a mom is made of. Especially a first-time mom. And you know that the greatest part is? No matter what you decide, people will argue with you and tell you why you are making horrible decisions as the parent of your child! You would think as a bunch of mamas that have all been sleep-deprived and trying to figure this thing out would be more supportive of one another and our decisions for our families - no matter how different. But unfortunately it's just not true! I've been praised and degraded for the decisions I've made for my children and for our family. By other Christian women and mamas and by the online crazies too!

It's hard to find balance. Balance in the advice of your friends and your family and the crazies. I'm learning this time around as a second-time mom that balance is key. I HAVE to let Laney fuss in her swing or her crib every now and then or I'll never get to read my bible. I have to read and inform myself as much as I possibly can and then prayerfully make the best decision for our family. I have to understand that other mama's choices may not be mine, but that's because their family and their children are different! And that's ok!! As long as all our children are loved and cared for, why do we care so much about the specific choices others are making?

Weight loss plan and weekly weigh-in

2012-01-07T21:43:00.000-08:00

Well, I'm no longer off dairy! Hooray! I could not be more excited. It makes normal Weight Watchers feel like a piece of cake. And I feel much more in control and healthy because I'm not calcium deprived.

So we are back to the original plan. Counting points and trying to work out 5 days a week. The workout thing didn't really happen for me this week. Our little girl has still been sick and we were getting very little sleep and there wasn't much "me" time to just get to do my activity of choice.

But no excuses this week! 5 times a week is my goal and I need to reach it :)

So my weigh in for this week. I started at 161.8 and ended at 159.4. It feel like not a whole lot for how much work WWs is..but it is progress. :)

This is good motivation

Weight loss - no longer so balanced?

2011-12-29T10:18:00.000-08:00

Well, my balanced weight loss plan has all but gone out the window! We found out yesterday that our 5 week old likely have Cow's Milk Protein Intolerance. Basically that means that her little belly doesn't break down the proteins like it should. So this mama is already officially dairy free. Annnd it's already harder than I thought. I never thought about how much dairy I consume on a regular basis and never knew of some of the random things that have traces of dairy in them - like lunch meat? What on earth?

So my plan for having balance is kinda thrown off. But my plan is to still do weight watchers, but just dairy free. My only fear is truly getting in enough nutritious points to keep my milk up. I am already starving and consuming huge amounts of food to make up for the lack of carbs, sugar, and dairy.

Anyone have awesome recipes to share?

The balance in weight loss

2011-12-28T13:17:00.000-08:00

I just had a baby 5 weeks ago. 6 weeks is the "safe mark" to begin workouts and to begin a modified diet.

SO, on the 1st we will be at about 6 weeks and begin both. This is going to be a loonnng journey. I'm exclusively breastfeeding our little one and so I have to lose slowly in order to not compromise my milk. So this will be a weight loss journey full of balance.

My balanced plan is this -

To lose 31 lbs by the official first day of summer

Workout at least 5 days a week *walking or on the eliptical*

Watch the biggest loser and look at pictures for motivation :)

Follow the old weight watchers plan with my extra points for breastfeeding

This plan equals out to be 31 lbs in 30 weeks. My biggest struggles will likely be giving up soda and eating so much salad! Here's to hoping I'm successful! I'll do a weekly weigh-in and update on Wednesdays. Please join me in your own balanced weight loss journey and weigh-in with me!

Finding Balance

2011-12-28T12:52:00.000-08:00

As a mom, I'm finding one common theme among my momma groups - the need for balance. We are all so quick to identify ourselves with a group or a type of parent that we throw balance out the window. We figure that it's worked for others in that group so it must work for us. But there are some things we need to consider!

* All babies and children and mothers are different! No one method or style of parenting is going to work all the time, with everyone in the family.

* Just because we identify with certain characteristics of a certain type of parenting group does not mean they are our identity. I've known moms labeled at "attachment parents" that ended up sleep training a particularly difficult child. I've know moms labeled as a "hippy" that didn't enjoy cloth diapering. But these moms felt they needed to hide their decisions and their choices from the others in their label group so as not to be judged.

* The moms in the "other" parenting groups are NOT the enemy! We are in this together. We need the support of one another. Just because one moms choices are not the same as my own does NOT mean we cannot be friends. We are different, yes. Maybe our children are vastly different also. But we are not bad because our choices differ. We are just....different.

This blog will be dedicated to finding the balance in life. The balance as a parent, as a financial planner, as a wife, as a lover of Jesus Christ, and many other things.