Breakfast

Guest Blogger: Lauryn {The Skinny Confidential}

Today I am so so so excited to introduce you to my final guest blogger: Lauryn Evarts from The Skinny Confidential! She’s a super gorg San Diego girl, model, Proformer Pilates instructor, and future nutritionist with a passion for healthy eats.  Her blog: The Skinny Confidential is all about fitness, diet modifications/substitutions, fashion, creating, photography, blogging, beauty, & clean living. She’s always trying to help others make healthy decisions when it comes to food & exercise, what’s not to love?

RFFMBT Guest Blogger The Skinny ConfidentialHi guys! I’m Lauryn from The Skinny Confidential : ).
Today I’m talking BREAKY!Start Your Day Off Healthy: Coconut Blueberry Oatmeal

Get rid of the “I’m running late excuses” and make time for your health, diet, and figure. Fueling your bod with oatmeal in the AM allows you to feel full for hours. Instead of opting for boring, predictable oats, add a few blueberries, banana slices, almond milk, some unsweetened coconut shavings, a dash of cinnamon, and a sprinkle of nutmeg. My favie oatmeal benefits? It’s low on the cals, rids cravings, and contains tons of protein, antioxidants, & fiber.

Be careful when selecting a oatmeal brand at the market. Don’t let the low-sugar kind fool you: it’s filled with Aspartame and crap. Look for words like “steel cut” and/or “whole grain.” As far as milk goes, I prefer almond, flaxseed, or rice milk. Besides being easier on the stomach than typical hormone-filled milk, they’re all dairy-free!

And plus, who doesn’t anything with coconut?!

Recipe: Coconut Blueberry Oatmeal 
 ** Serves two
2 cups of Quaker oatmeal
1 handful of blueberries
1 sliced banana
1 cup almond milk
2 sprinkles of unsweetened coconut shavings
1 dash cinnamon
1 dash nutmeg

Slice banana & clean blueberries. Cook oats on the stove for about five minutes. Drain oats and add blueberries and bananas. Sprinkle coconut shavings, cinnamon and nutmeg over fruit. I like to let it sit for 2 minutes so fruit dissolves into the oats. Add 1/2 cup of dairy-free milk. Enjoy with fresh orange juice!

The Skinny Confidential's Blueberry Coconut Oatmeal 1
The Skinny Confidential's Blueberry Coconut Oatmeal 2
The Skinny Confidential's Blueberry Coconut Oatmeal 3
The Skinny Confidential's Blueberry Coconut Oatmeal 4
The Skinny Confidential's Blueberry Coconut Oatmeal 5Follow Lauryn on:

Guest Blogger: Kelly {Running Blonde}

Today’s recipe comes from guest blogger Kelly of Running Blonde! She’s created a protein packed granola filled with chia seeds, pecans, almonds, coconut, and dried fruit! She even broke down her recipe with the Rabbit Food Pyramid for you guys! I cannot wait to give this recipe a try! xo

Running Blonde

Hi! I’m Kelly. I’m a physician, athlete and blogger living in San Francisco, CA. On my blog I share recipes, DIY’s and travel stories. To learn more about me and what my life is like when I’m not wearing my white coat, check out Running Blonde.

chia pecan shredded coconut granola

Today I want to share a recipe for homemade granola with you. You’ve probably heard that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. It’s true! An important part of your important breakfast is getting healthy protein so your body has energy to do everything you demand of it. Thanks to the pecans and almonds, this granola is protein packed. Plus, it features one of my favorite superfoods – chia seeds. These little wonders are rich in omega-3’s and fiber. This means they will help your heart and keep you feeling full all morning long.

Every time I share a granola recipe on Running Blonde, I give a little homemade granola spiel. It goes something like this – granola is one of the most flexible and most forgiving recipes ever. It’s easy to make substitutions based on your dietary needs and what you have around the home. If you are gluten intolerant, make sure you buy gluten free oats. If you are vegan, use maple syrup instead of honey. You can use any type of nut from pepitas to walnuts and any type of dried fruit. There are a few secrets to perfectly toasted granola – make sure you spread the granola out on your baking sheet evenly and not too thick. To get clusters of granola, after removing it from the oven when it is still warm, use your hands to press it gently into clumps.

chia pecan shredded coconut granola
chia pecan shredded coconut granola

Protein Packed Chia Granola
Makes about 6 cups

3 cups old fashioned oats
1 cup chopped pecans
1 cup chopped almonds
3 Tbsp chia seeds
1 Tbsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp nutmeg
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup dried fruit (I used cranberries)
1/4 cup honey
3 Tbsp melted coconut oil
3/4 tsp vanilla
1 cup shredded coconut

Instructions

1. Combine the oats, pecans, chia seeds, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt in a large mixing bowl.

2. Stir in the dried fruit

3. Stir in the honey, coconut oil and vanilla

4. Spread evenly on a baking sheet lined with foil or parchment paper and bake at 300F for 30 minutes, stirring halfway. Toss, sprinkle with the shredded coconut and bake another 5 minutes.

chia pecan shredded coconut granola

The Rabbit Food Pyramid Breakdown
Produce: dried fruit
Whole Grain: oatmeal
Protein: pecans, almonds, chia seeds
Plant Based Fat: coconut oil, chia seeds

Note from Catherine: Although I would usually put nuts and seeds in the “plant based fat” category, they are an excellent combined source of plant protein in this recipe!

Follow Kelly on:
Twitter: @RunBlonde
Pinterest: pinterest.com/runblonde/

RFFMBT Goes to Holland!

Hi bunnies!
I have two little announcements:

1. Today is my birthday! YAYYY!

2. Sooooo, some of you may have noticed that my RFFMBT store is completely empty. Welllll that’s because I’m in Holland visiting one of my best friends, Tammy! I had been planning a surprise trip (with the help of her fiancé Luc) for months and couldn’t say anything on my blog in fear of her finding out! Since I will be here until the 27th, I decided it would be best to put my store on hold until I’m home. I would feel terrible if anyone placed an order and I couldn’t ship it for weeks. The shop will resume when I return to the US around August 27th!

I also wanted to say thank you to everyone who purchased RFFMBT shirts! I shipped out hundreds of shirts to bunnies all over the world. I was so excited to see shirts going to Australia, UK, France, Germany, Turkey, Portugal, Canada, and all over the states! You guys are amazing! Huge thank you to my mom and Brett for helping me pack and ship everything!

Screen Shot 2013-08-15 at 2.17.52 PMFirst day of orders!

Screen Shot 2013-08-15 at 2.18.02 PMDay two of orders!

I had to completely refrain from Instagramming photos during my travel day, so I would’t give the surprise away to Tammy! Here is a photo update on my birthday and trip to Holland!

photo 1After I landed, Luc picked me up at the airport and we took the train home to surprise Tammy. I wish we filmed her reaction, it was priceless and something I will never forget! I walked into her house and she was photographing her sugar flowers and started SCREAMING! It was sooooo cute. I totally bawled my eyes out since I hadn’t seen her for an entire year!Reunited and it feels so goooood!

Screen Shot 2013-08-15 at 2.18.16 PMI woke up in Holland to flowers and a gift from Tammy!

photo 5About 5 lbs of Haribo gummies from The Netherlands! The flavors are sooo much better than the American Haribo bears! Trust me, I’m a gummy expert haha.

photo 2This morning, Tammy and I walked to breakfast in Breda, Holland.

photo 4
Birthday massage from a Dutch stranger! There was a group of students from a Physical Therapy school who were offering shoulder massages for practice hours. I suggest they do this everyday!

photo 3
photo 3 copyI thought this was hilarious! Luckily Tammy can translate menus for me!

photo 4 copyBirthday matcha green tea latte with soy milk!

photo 5 copyBirthday bagel: Sun dried tomato bagel with pesto and sun dried tomato cream cheese. omg. I. love. tomatoes. Favorite fruitveggie! I have to learn how to make this spread!

photo copyOn our way home from breakfast, Tammy and I stopped by the grocery store and guess what? I found Dutch almond milk! SCORE!

photo 2 copyTammy is the owner of Sugarlips Cakes, so she is busy building cakes and custom sugar flowers for a wedding this weekend! I’m the taste tester. Such a bummer. ha!

More updates to come from my trip! I’m so excited I could finally update you guys on what I’m doing!

Since I wasn’t able to say anything until now, I wanted to let you guys know that I will be taking a few guest blog submissions during my vacation.
If you are interested, please contact me using the “advertise” tab at the top of my blog!

For guest post submissions please include:
1. Your name
2. Blog URL
3. A little bit about yourself & your blog
4. Post subject/idea
5. How long you have been blogging

Avo Egg English Muffin

Congratulations to the winner of my DOLE Taste of Spain Salad Party Giveaway: Amber C!
Don’t forget to check your email! I can’t wait for you to have your salad party!

Avocados are EVERYWHERE right now and I have been buying them like a crazy person! I love me some avo, even for breakfast! I enjoyed this petite breakfast sandwich with a side of fresh grapefruit and red grapes that my friend brought me from her house! Of course you could use one cup of any fruit you would like. Now, get ready for some serious yolk porn…

Avo Egg English Muffin
_MG_6894This is the juiciest grapefruit I’ve ever had!
Avo Egg English Muffin
Avo Egg English Muffin

Avo Egg English Muffin
Avo Egg English Muffin
Serves 1

1 Egg
1/4 medium avocado
1/2 whole grain english muffin

On the side
1/2 cup grapefruit
1/2 cup red grapes

Split the English muffin in half and toast one side. Mash and spread 1/4 of an avocado onto the toasted English muffin. Generously spray a skillet with nonstick or olive oil cooking spray over medium heat. After skillet has heated, crack one egg and drop it into the pan. Cook egg until whites because solid. Remove egg from pan and transfer to the avocado coated English muffin. Enjoy with 1 cup of fresh fruit of your choice!

The Rabbit Food Pyramid Breakdown
Produce: grapefruit and grapes
Whole Grain: 1/2 English muffin
Protein: egg
Plant Based Fat: avocado

ViSalus Protein Pudding

Congratulations to my DOLE Bananas Peel The Love giveaway winner, Tammy!
Make sure to check your email!

Motivation Monday: “Be strong, you never know who you are inspiring!”

As you guys know, I’ve been traveling a ton lately. Along with traveling comes little time to cook my own meals and unhealthy airport options, so I was excited when ViSalus contacted me and asked if I would like to try their Vi-Shape Nutritional Shake Mix. I’m always searching for the perfect, quick, no hassle  protein shake that actually fills me up for days where I’m short on time. I’m not a huge fan of protein shakes because they never fill me up and I end up snacking times 100 about a half an hour later, but ViSalus actually kept me full until my next meal!

Since I’ve been on the go a lot recently, I’ve been replacing my usual breakfast (or sometimes lunch) with one Vi-shape shake. I throw it in my blender bottle with one cup of almond milk and hop in my car to go to my meetings. I was really surprised by the flavor. While most protein shakes taste chalky, ViSalus‘ Sweet Cream flavor tasted like cake batter! Very pleasantly surprised!

When I took a road trip a few weeks ago to Chicago with my friend (she got a new job and needed a driving buddy!) I took my ViSalus Vi-Shape Mix and a blender bottle. It was easy for me to get some fresh nonfat milk and shake it up each morning! I NEVER skip breakfast, so the Vi-Shape shakes have really helped me when I have little time in the morning. I even created a recipe for Protein Pudding that I can make overnight and have in the fridge to snack on when I get a sweet tooth!

About ViSalus Vi-Shape Mix:

  • Only 90 calories per serving
  • 20g protein per serving
  • 25 Vitamins & Minerals
  • Lactose free
  • Gluten free
  • Certified kosher
  • Non GMO soy
  • Proprietary Tri-SorbTM protein blend helps build lean muscle to help your body burn fat
  • Full serving of fiber (5g)
  • Low fat (1g)
  • Low sodium (75mg)
  • Low sugar (less than 1g)
  • Low carb (7g)
  • Heart-healthy
  • Includes calcium for bone health
  • Good for those watching their sugar intake

ViSalus Protein Pudding
ViSalus Protein PuddingViSalus shake and chia seeds before refrigerating for 3 hours.

ViSalus Protein Pudding
ViSalus Protein PuddingChia seeds in the ViSalus shake after refrigerating for 3 hours.

ViSalus Protein Pudding
ViSalus Protein Pudding
ViSalus Protein Pudding
Serves 2

2 scoops ViSalus Vi-Shape Nutritional Mix
1 cup unsweetened almond milk
4 Tbsp chia seeds

Combine ViSalus mix and almond milk and blend until smooth. Transfer to a jar and stir in chia seeds. Refrigerate for 3 hours or overnight for best results.

The final tally per serving:
Calories: 180
Fat: 10g
Carbohydrate: 14.5
Fiber: 13g
Sugar: <1g
Protein: 12.5g

*nutritional information based on Bob’s Red Mill Chia Seeds, and Unsweetened Original Blue Diamond Almond Breeze.

For awesome inspiration, motivation, and jaw dropping transformation photos, checkout the ViSlus Facebook page, website, and blog!
Website: http://www.ViSalus.com
Facebook: ViSalus
Blog: http://www.ViSalusBlog.com
ABout Vi-Shape Shakes: Vi-Shape Shake Mix

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