Just Organic Juice Giveaway!

Happy TUESDAY! I have a delicious recipe I am cooking up right now to share tonight, but I wanted to quickly share some good news! I have been so lucky to have these @justorganicjuice delivered to my doorstep this month, they are delicious raw, cold-pressed organic juice and they are some of my favorite grab n go foods. I have more energy and feel amazing. They offer a huge variety of healthy pure juices and their cinnamon almond milk is basically a dessert- anyways they are SO nice and are giving away their 3 day juice cleanse, which gives you all the juice you need for a full 3 day cleanse to reset your system. 

All you need to do to enter is make sure you follow @justorganicjuice and @amazon_ashley and tag 3 friends HERE you think would love some juice as well! Giveaway ends tomorrow night, and I will post the winner right away! Good luck friends! Xoxo

Free Meal Menu Template

I use this simple template to meal plan for the week, along with a grocery list seperated by sections of the grocery store. Feel free to click and download for your own use! Not for resale. 

Amazon Ashley Meal Menu

Whole 30 Recipe // Sparkling Peach Lemonade

Blend 2 handfuls ice, 2 whole peaches, the juice of 2 lemons and about 1/3 c S. Pellegrino for this refreshing beverage!

Whole 30 Recipe // Breakfast Burrito

Breakfast burrito with eggs, steak, pico (cherry tomato cilantro lime juice salt) & avocado wrapped in a Paleo Wrap (sold at @realfoodsmarket ) - FYI these wraps are made of compliant ingredients coconut & water but they are considered #swypo- so it's up to you if you'd want to use them. I personally love them.

Whole 30 Recipe // Repost of Ranch Dressing!

 

I'm reposting one of my most popular recipes, Whole 30 ranch dressing! 

 Start with the base of clean mayo- Clean Mayo Ingredients: 1 room temp egg, 1/2 fresh lemon juice 1/2 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp dry mustard, 1 cup avocado oil.
 Directions: Break egg first, add lemon juice, salt & mustard directly on top of the egg and use an immersion blender to mix it up. Slowly add the avocado oil, slow is key! The slower, the frothier. Take about 2 minutes to get it to the desired consistency. 

 Now add the following ingredients for the ranch! 1 cup Clean Mayo (recipe above) 1/2 cup canned coconut milk, 1/2 tsp onion powder, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp fresh dill, 1/2 tsp sea salt.
 Directions: Mix all ingredients into the Clean Mayo, enjoy!

Whole 30 Tip // Frozen Grapes

Take a couple handfuls of grapes, squeeze fresh lime juice on top & sprinkle a little sea salt and toss around in a ziplock then freeze for a couple hours- a cool refreshing Whole 30 treat!

Whole 30 Recipe // Carne Asada Fries

Carne asada, sweet potato fries with fresh pico & guacamole

Whole 30 // Food Truck Delight

If you're local (Utah) - good news! I just got this message from the @specialcourses #foodtruck that they added my crazy order to the menu! That's my picture too, so basically if I accomplish nothing else in life, I can say I added a really killer foodtruck burger to the world 🙌

Whole 30 Recipe // Summer Salad with Mango

 Easy, breezy, beautiful, summer salad: spring mix, strawberries & mango with crushed almonds - for a dressing I love mixing coconut cream with fresh lime.

Whole 30 Tip // Pitting Cherries

Just use a straw! Mind blown!

Whole 30 Recipe // Tuna Boat

Tuna & pico (cherry tomato, onion & cilantro mixed with fresh lime juice) in a yellow pepper boat. Yum!

Whole 30 Recipe // Amazon Antipasto Cups

I came up with these Amazon Antipasto cups a few months ago and I make them ALL the time- they are easy, fresh and delicious! Buy sugar free salami (trader joes has them and I get mine at Maceys too). I buy the large size and press each piece into the form of a cupcake pan- bake just the salami for 10 min at 400°- while it's baking chop up cherry tomatoes, artichoke hearts, black olives & fresh basil- mix together and scoop into baked salami. Enjoy!

Whole 30 Recipe // Strawberry Cucumber Salad

Strawberries, cucumbers, and a little lemon rind, tossed in lemon juice, mixed with fresh basil leaves. Delish!

Whole 30 Tip // Carrot Chips

Carrot chips & guac! I buy these precut like this- easy! But seriously, these chips! Salsa, paleo ranch, etc! So many yummy dipping opportunities Whole 30. For my guacamole, I mashed up 2 avocados 1 lime & about 1tsp salt. Simple and delicious!

Whole 30 Recipe // Steak and Eggs

Channeling my inner Ron Swanson and eating some steak & eggs, but I don't think he would have gone for the pico.

Whole 30 Tip // Compliant Soda

I gave this Whole 30 compliant soda a try- #lacroix is naturally flavored sparking water. It's no Diet Coke, and it's going to take some getting used to- but I think we are gonna be friends.

Whole 30 Recipe // Fresh Fruit Popsicle

Whole 30 day 1 over here, cooling down with these strawberry/blackberry coconut popsicles I made with the kids. Just put fresh fruit in the popsicle mold, fill with coconut water, freeze overnight!

Whole 30 Recipe // Grilled (Baked) Asparagus

Ok guys!! I'm back in the game! I have goals, I have a post schedule, and I have a killer grocery list all mapped out. I'm starting a new round of #whole30 Monday- and I want YOU to do it with me! I even have a vacation coming up and I'm sticking to whole30 through it all- I've had a verrrrrry relaxed diet the past month and I feel like garbage- so ready to do a reset- let's do this! First up: my absolute fave grilled veggie is asparagus- it's quick!! Toss in avocado oil & salt and bake at 425° for only 10 min- So easy!

Whole 30 Tip // Hard Baked Eggs

Even on weeks I prep nothing, I ALWAYS make hard baked eggs- they are so easy, and such good quick grab n' go protein. @jennaskitchen changed my boiling method last year and I haven't gone back! I place the eggs individually into a cupcake tin, no water or anything needed! Bake for 30 min at 325° and then put them immediately into a bowl of ice water afterward. They don't stink up your house like boiling, AND they peel off perfectly every time.

Whole 30 Tip // Snacks on the Go!

Sorry for the radio silence over here in the healthy eating community- but in reality I'm sure no one even noticed! Summer is CRAZY right?! I'm hardly ever cooking- always on the go! These nature box snacks are so good for a quick easy Whole 30 on the go option. These lemon pucker pistachios will make your heart sin!

Whole 30 Tip // Frozen Blueberries

Buy fresh blueberries and then freeze them yourself for a perfect easy summer treat, trust me it's SO much better than buying frozen!

Whole 30 // Keep on Keepin' On

I've had one of those frustrating mornings at the gym when you realize how much strength you've lost by getting out of the routine- 17 minute mile guys 🙈 but I'm not sleeping in, I'm here- and texting @jillkfitness begging her to come on vacation to Park City with me next week to kick my butt back into shape -- long ways to go 😩

Whole 30 Recipe // Summer Salad

Spinach, chicken, carrots, cherry tomato, and artichoke hearts with lemon juice to top it all off! Yum!

Whole 30 Recipe // Peaches and Whipped Coconut Milk (Cream)

 

Sliced peaches with a can of whipped coconut milk. Just use your hand mixer, whip up this delight and enjoy! 

Whole30 Tip // Pre Cooked Eggs

Guys, there is a time and place for everything, for me- winters are for cooking indoors, warm ovens warming up the house. Summers are for convenience and quick on the go food. This is SO quick and easy! pre-peeled even! Found at Macey's, they also have them at Trader Joe's, cracking eggs?! Ain't nobody got time for that!

Whole 30 Recipe // BLT Avocado Wraps

Lay bacon flat on tinfoil lined sheet, put in oven then turn on to 400° degrees don't preheat- bake for 15 min. Spread garlic dill sauce on romaine. Dice cherry tomato and avocado up and enjoy!

Whole30 Recipe // Roasted Artichokes with Garlic Dill Dipping Sauce

FOR THE ARTICHOKES cut off the top to expose the leaves, and cut off the stem so it can lay flat- spread the leaves and pour a little avocado oil in between the leaves and then take garlic (I used some roasted garlic paste I made last week) and spread that in as well- wrap in tin foil and bake at 400° for 1.5 hours.

 FOR THE SAUCE - Use Clean Mayo for the base Ingredients: 1 room temp egg 1/2 fresh lemon juice 1/2 tsp salt 1/2 tsp dry mustard 1 cup avocado oil Directions: Break egg first, add lemon juice, salt & mustard directly on top of the egg and use an immersion blender to mix it up. Slowly add the avocado oil, slow is key! The slower, the frothier. Take about 2 minutes to get it to the desired consistency. Add 1 tsp garlic, and 1 Tbs fresh dill- mix and enjoy!

Whole 30 Recipe // Ashley's Sweet Potato Bun Chicken Sandwich with Roasted Cauliflower

Slice your sweet potato lengthwise, use avocado oil and sea salt, cook on 375° for 30 min. When done, add your sandwich fillings (chicken, bacon, spinach, avocado), ENJOY! 

For Cauliflower toss in avocado oil sea salt, roast on 400° for 30 min. 

Whole30 Recipe // Sweet Potato Brussel Bacon Hash with Toasted Pine Nuts & Eggs

Sweet potato, brussel bacon hash with toasted pine nuts & eggs. Make sweet potato hash and include the brussels and bacon, pair with a side of eggs over hard. 

Whole30 Recipe // Lemon Garlic Chicken Skewers & Cilantro Mayo With Cucumber Pico Salad

Chicken: marinated overnight in lemon juice and minced garlic.

Cilantro Mayo: 1 egg and 1 lemon in a food processor slowly 

                                add 1 c avocado oil until it's the                                     

                                consistency you want, then add a handful on cilantro --pulse with seasalt.

Cucumber salad: chopped cucumbers, onion, cherry tomato, cilantro, lime juice, minced garlic                                      and salt.

Whole30 Recipe // Strawberries with Whipped Coconut Cream and Dried Coconut on Top

Cream: one can of coconut milk and whip with a hand mixer until it's the consistency you desire.

Add strawberries and dried coconut. 

Whole30 Recipe // Sweet Peppers and Salsa

Chop peppers to bit size pieces, dip in Whole30 approved salsa, perfect!

Whole30 Recipe // Pesto Avocado Burgers with Ashley's Sweet Potato Bun

Ashley's Sweet Potato Bun: slice a large sweet potato into thick slices and spread some coconut oil on top with some salt & pepper and bake at 400 degrees for 25 min! This bun honestly holds up so well!

Pesto: Use a food processor to blend up a handful of spinach, a handful of fresh basil, and a handful of pine nuts then add 1tsp crushed garlic, with 1/3 c lemon infused olive oil  (I got mine at Real Foods Market, you could use regular too and add your own lemon juice) 

Garlic Burger: 

Whole30 Tip // Avocado Oil

Avocado oil has an exceptionally high smoke point. Cooking with oils at temperatures above their set smoke point can create trans fats – a leading contributor to heart disease, cancer and other chronic health conditions. Using a cooking oil with a high smoke point prevents toxins, radicals and decomposed materials from ending up in your food. When oil is heated past its smoke point it begins to break down creating those unhealthy characteristics. Avocado oil has a smoke point of 500 degrees, making it safe to cook with at very high temperatures. Info from chosenfoods.com

Whole30 Recipe // Strawberry Mint Coconut Water

Ice, mint leaves, strawberries and coconut water. Refreshing! 

Whole30 Recipe // Spinach and Chicken Apple Sausage Omelet

Prepare omelet add spinach & chicken apple sausage (Aidell's from Costco) with avocado and cherry tomato on top. 

Whole30 Recipe // Lemon Pesto Tilapia

Bake tilapia in lemon juice and sea salt for 30 min at 400• 

Pesto: Use a food processor to blend up a handful of spinach, a handful of fresh basil, and a handful of pine nuts then add 1tsp crushed garlic, with 1/3 c lemon infused olive oil  (I got mine at Real Foods Market, you could use regular too and add your own lemon juice) -mix and top the tilapia with pesto, cherry tomato and sea salt.

Whole30 Recipe // Spinach and Chicken Apple Sausage Omelet

Breakfast with baby!  Spinach & chicken apple sausage (Aidells á la Costco) with avocado and cherry tomato on top.

Whole30 Tip // Aidell's Chicken Apple Sausage from Costco

This compliant food can be found at Costco and makes my morning meal fantastic! 

Clean Eating Recipe // Chicken Sausage Breakfast Burrito

 Aidells chicken apple sausage, cherry tomato, scrambled eggs, guacamole and spinach all rolled up in a paleo wrap. 

Whole30 Recipe // Carrot Fries

Slice carrots and cover with coconut oil, salt & pepper. Roast at 400° for 20 min, delicious! 

Ashley's sweet potato bun recipe here. 

Whole30 Recipe // Egg Muffin on Ashley's Sweet Potato Bun

Ashley's Sweet Potato Bun - slice a large sweet potato into thick slices and spread some coconut oil on top with some salt & pepper and bake at 400° degrees for 25 min! This bun honestly holds up so well! I use them on burgers too.

Circle Shaped Egg-just crack an egg in a small bowl (I use IKEA kid's bowls) and microwave for 45 sec. 

Add ham, spinach and egg. Enjoy!

Whole30 Recipe // Spinach Salad with Mango Salsa

Spinach salad with shredded chicken, radishes, cucumbers, avocado and the best part-- mango salsa! 

Mango Salsa: 1c cherry tomatoes chopped in half, with fresh cilantro- about a handful chopped up,

 2 Tbs lemon infused olive oil (this is the miracle worker!) 1 clove garlic diced, and 2 mangoes diced, a little tiny sea salt to taste.

Whole30 Recipe // Baked Egg, Bacon, and Veggie Sweet Potato Boats

Poke a few holes in a sweet potato and microwave it for 3 min, then bake it for 15 more min in the oven at 425°. After it's baked and soft- cut open and break one egg into the center of the sweet potato, bake again at 425° for 15 min- while egg is baking sautée bacon, peppers, and spinach in a little avocado oil and garlic- once egg is baked in the sweet potato- top with the sautéed veggies and enjoy! 

This a little more labor intensive than my usual recipes but I promise it was worth it- one of my favs!! 

Whole30 Recipe // Snack! Avocado with Sunflower Seeds

Avocado & roasted sunflower seeds with a little salt n' peppa! Power snacking!

Whole30 // Before & After Round Two (Good Morning America Segment)

Welp, just sent these whole30 before & after pics off to Good Morning America and I might have started crying. I'm nervous. I don't know why they chose to spotlight me, I am still in the middle of my weight loss journey with a ways to go. I am far from perfect. My "after" shots are probably worse than many people's "before" - I am scared when the segment airs people will react with "HER?! you wanted HER to showcase your program?" I know there are women out there with rock hard whole30 abs that might 'sell' the program better than I could. However, I do think I represent a lot of women. Women who are trying the best they can with long days and busy lives. Women who have grown babies in their bellies, who don't know if all the work in the world will ever bring back the tummies of their twenties. Women who are growing older and realizing with age comes a new form of woman. Even though I'm scared out of my mind-I am proud to help represent that woman. SO LET'S DO THIS.

Whole30 Recipe // Sweet Potato Hash with Eggs, Spinach, and Toasted Pine Nuts

Great post work out power bowl- sweet potato hash, spinach, 2 fried eggs (with ghee), toasted pine nuts & avocado. Yum!

Whole30 Tip // Healthy Fats and Oils

On Whole30 we try to use healthy fat in every meal. mostly in cooking with avocado oil, coconut oil, olive oil etc.- today I am posting part 2 of worst nutrition advice in history. The myth that you should eat a low fat-high carb diet! Do you remember back in the day of the food pyramid? The bottom and biggest portion of the base of the pyramid was gluten! Bread, pasta, carbs, carbs, carbs! Shockingly, it was the official position of the government and health organizations around the world for DECADES! As we watched the advice dished out, obesity and type 2 diabetes skyrocketed. Here are SOME of the many problems with that. carbs raise blood sugar, this keeps people with diabetes dependent on meds to lower it for them. Low fat diets are a complete disaster for people with obesity and diabetes- they raise triglycerides and can cause heart disease. However, eating healthy fats help us feel full, keep our skin soft, deliver fat-soluble vitamins, and are a great source of energizing fuel. Its frustrating that the low fat diet is still being recommended by governments and organizations world wide when we know the low-fat fad is a FAILURE! source: The Top 5 Contenders for the Worst Nutritional Advice in History by Kris Gunnars

Whole30 Recipe // Sweet Potato Hash with Eggs Over Hard

NO WORDS for how ecstatic I am to be back in my kitchen after a weekend away. Sweet potato hash with bell peppers, spinach and onion sautéed - top with 2 eggs over hard. I've had lots of people ask about over hard eggs- I prefer this to scrambled, and I still have a hard time with yolk not cooked thoroughly so I just crack the egg in the pan over a little oil, then when they start to take shape I break up the yolk a little with a fork, the flip it right over - it cooks quickly and is so good!

Whole30 Tip // Eggs & Cholesterol

I recently read an article about the worst nutritional advice in history- I wanted to share some information about the notion that egg yolks were high in cholesterol, so you should toss them and only use egg whites- THIS IS NOT NECESSARY and here is why. Eggs are among the most nutritious foods on the planet - but yes, egg yolks are high in cholesterol- and people believed eating them would raise their cholesterol. I did too! So we started throwing away the yokes- problem is this is pretty much the worst thing you can do- the yolks contain almost ALL the nutrients. Here is the science- when 70% of people eat the whole eggs, there is no effect on their cholesterol- the other 30% DO see a raise in HDL cholesterol- BUT THIS IS GOOD CHOLESTEROL! This is not harmful.Thousand of studies have been done, and there has never been a single correlation found between heart disease and egg consumption. So lets remember eggs are loaded with protein, healthy fat, vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. Eggs are one of the best weight loss foods out there. They are cheap, easy to prep and delicious! So in a eggshell (badum-ching!) eggs WON'T raise bad cholesterol or cause heart disease- they are an amazing food so don't throw away the yolk- the most nutritious part of the egg! For more info google "The Top 5 Contenders for the worst nutrition advice in history" by Kris Gunnars

Whole30 Recipe // Sweet Potato Bun with Burger & Asparagus "Fries"

If you've been following for a while you know I'll use just about anything as a vehicle to get a good burger in my mouth, I've tried lettuce, eggplant, tomato and now SWEET POTATO! I will tell you this one wins! I just sliced the thickest section of a sweet potato and lightly spread some avocado oil and pink salt on top baked at 375° for 30 min - it makes for a super easy "bun" - asparagus as "fries" and this is practically gourmet!