My Top 5 Gym Accessories

Over the past three years I've acquired a lot of gym stuff. I have a small arsenal of home gym equipment for when I just can't make it to the actual gym. Some, like my Pilate's reformer, take up a bunch of wasted space while my dip machine and dumbbells are items I use often. 
Today I'm bringing you my top 5 favorite things I take to the gym to help me get in effective workouts.

Turkey Ratatouille

This week has been insane! I am in the middle of my nine day work week stretch and trying to get it together. I have been working on my time management schedule by following tips outlined in Tell Your Time by Amy Lynn Andrews. It is going and progress is SLOW,but progress none the less. I am still tweaking my  weekly schedule which is difficult due to my  three week rotating schedule. Putting a weekly schedule to better manage my time is a goal of mine for 2013. I also have been striving to adhere to a grocery budget and coming up with some type of menu planning strategy.

I am fly by the seat of my pants gal when it comes to creating a menu for the week. This is what I came up with a chalk board with all my fresh ingredients for weekly meals.

                                     

As items get used they are crossed off or the quantity is changed. So far this has been working really well! I am planning on also doing an inventory for all my dry pantry goods too. Putting the chalk board strategy in action on Monday night I made a stir fry with the shrimp, snap peas, peppers, & onion. I used the cauliflower to make a curry cauliflower rice. I didn't snap photos of the curry cauliflower, but will be making it again in the future to share with you all.

Sweet Potato & Carrot Soup

Check out my new photo formatting doesn't it scream "Pin Me Baby!"

I created this recipe over a week ago. I really was thinking about making a lentil vegetable soup, but since adopting a Paleo Diet, legumes are not on my list of things to eat.  I was craving a warm thick comforting soup and this recipe fit the bill. 
I started reading Practical Paleo over the Christmas holiday. As a result I have ditched all grains, dairy, and legumes. It has been a revolutionary change. I have found that my appetite is changing along with my energy levels. I am eating more protein and healthy fats. I  feel more well rested and nourished.  Instead of eating quinoa, rice, and other gluten free grains I replaced these items with starchy veggies. Paleo is definitely not for the faint of heart nor is it the right nutrition plan for everyone. So far I have responded positively to this way of eating and will be continuing to learn more about the Paleo lifestyle.

Pumpkin Pancakes Part Deux (Paleo Inspired)

There have been a lot of breakfast posts lately on this blog. Rosemary & Maple Turkey Patties, Paleo Pancakes and the like. One would think that I consume breakfast for all three meals a day. I don't, but who doesn't love breakfast for dinner?! During finals week of my undergraduate years at Palm Beach Atlantic University the faculty and staff would host a "It is Midnight Somewhere Breakfast." The dinning hall would open around 9 pm to serve carb-craving, stressed out students delicious breakfast food. I remember piling my plate high with sausages, pancakes, and eggs all the while feverishly talking with my peers as to their predictions for the Microbiology final. Belly full I would then scurry back to  my dorm to study. The midnight breakfast was a chance to break from all the cramming and take comfort in my favorite breakfast foods.

This will be the second pumpkin pancake recipe on the Lean Gourmet Kitchen. I found a great deal for organic canned pumpkin on Vitacost last week and couldn't wait to cook with it.
 So eat up cause it is midnight somewhere.

Pumpkin Pancakes Part Deux (Paleo Inspired)

4 eggs beaten
1/2 cup of pureed pumpkin

5 TBS of coconut flour

1/4 cup of coconut milk

3 TBS of organic butter melted or coconut butter

2 TBS of raw honey

1 tsp of vanilla extract

1 tsp of cinnamon

1 tsp of pumpkin pie spice

1/4 tsp of baking powder

Heat griddle on medium low heat and melt 1 TBS of butter or coconut oil to coat griddle. Place eggs, pumpkin,coconut flour, milk, 2 TBS of melted butter or coconut oil, vanilla, cinnamon, pie spice, and baking powder into a blender and puree until batter is smooth. Pour batter into silver dollar sized circles and cook until the edges are set and pancake is bubbling. Flip pancakes and cook remaining side. Top with maple syrup, coconut butter, almond butter, or to your liking.

Mashed Cauliflower

I believe Dr. Oz first introduced me to mashed cauliflower. I would watch Dr. Oz everyday while on maternity leave three years ago. I've had this recipe tucked back in the corners of my mind for quit some time. The idea of faux mashed potatoes repulsed Rich so I never made them. At the farmers market this past week there was a great deal on a head of cauliflower. I made this recipe and won Rich over. He loved it and requested me to make it again in the near future. By no means am I bailing on delicious real mashed potatoes; rather I'm just changing things up a bit.

Mashed Cauliflower

1 head of cauliflower chopped into 2 inch pieces with core and stem removed
1/4 tsp of sea salt
1/8 tsp of ground black pepper
1/4 tsp of garlic powder
1/2 tsp of dried oregano

Steam cauliflower until tender and soft. Drain and place in food processor. Add remaining ingredients and puree until smooth. Serves 4-6.

Rosemary & Maple Turkey Patties

I went into this New Year with such hope, joy, and anticipation. Then my dishwasher broke on January 1,2013. The joys of home ownership just keep multiplying!

Make Mine Paleo Pancakes

I am not a registered dietitian nor am I dispensing medical advice in this post. I am merely disguising some dietary changes I am making in my own diet based on my own personal research and dietary needs. Please consult a medical professional before making any diet or medical changes of your own.

I ordered Practical Paleo from Amazon two weeks ago and have been gobbling it up. 

                                                       
          Practical Paleo: A Customized Approach to Health and a Whole-Foods Lifestyle (affiliate link)

If you have been following along my journey on this blog it is no secret that my recipes and foods I consume model the "eat clean diet" and are "whole foods" based. I really hate saying I follow any set diet or mantra when it comes to my eating; you may as well paste "groupie" on my forehead. Instead I strive to create recipes and eat foods that are minimally processed and natural.