Peyton Kathleen

Meal prep week two: I was so encouraged after a successful week of meal planning and preparing, I knew I couldn't go back to not doing it! Only a slight variation in the meals I made this week.. What I brought to work: Lunch: Grilled lemon pepper chicken Turkey meatball wrapped in bacon Mashed sweet potato Sauteed yellow squash ribbons Broccoli Asparagus Snack:  Cherry Tomatoes and Avocado with Balsamic  I also brought almonds for my 10:30 snack, I am constantly eating throughout the day! #hungrygirl

Meal Prep: School is back in full swing and I couldn't be happier! Teaching is one of the great loves of my life and I am so fortunate everyday to pursue my passion. However, there have been some long twelve hour work days the past few weeks, which I am sure any working woman can relate too. Coming home drained of all my energy, the last thing I want to do is cook dinner and prepare my lunch for the following day. This Sunday I decided to cook and prepare EVERY meal from breakfast to lunch to dinner for Monday through Friday. Two hours later, my task was complete. I only took pictures of the lunches and snacks I prepared because the breakfasts and dinners where all different and not packaged up.   What I brought to work: Oven baked chicken Ground turkey wrapped in bacon Sauteed zucchini and squash Steamed broccoli Mashed sweet potatoes Hard boiled egg 20 almonds No salt or butter was added to anything, just enjoying the flavors of nature! After postin...

Ingredients : 1/2 cup mashed sweet potato 3 eggs 1 tbsp almond flour 1 tsp cinnamon 1/4 tsp baking soda 1/4 tsp vanilla cinnamon to sprinkle on top Directions: 1. Whisk 1/2 cup mashed sweet potatoes and eggs together in a large bowl. I started out with two eggs, but the mixture was too thick so I whisked in a third.  2. Mix in almond flour, cinnamon, baking soda and vanilla. 3. Over medium heat, pour about 1/4 cup of batter into frying pan. 4. Flip, and continue cooking the rest of the batter. Should yield 7-8 pancakes. I had a few for breakfast with a tablespoon of almond butter on top. So amazing.

When it comes to exercise I have done everything from Bikram yoga, to boxing, to Crossfit. In my experience, most studios or gyms have a free trial period for people who are interested. I always take advantage of these trial periods because it is a great indicator of wether or not I am interested. Usually, I am hooked after a few sessions! Right when I moved to Houston I knew I wanted to join a crossfit style gym. Two of my friends recommended that I join them at Prestige Fitness. Prestige had a free week trial, so I was open to going! Meeting up with my friends made me feel so comfortable, plus the owners of the gym were incredibly welcoming. After my first week I realized this was much more than just a crossfit style workout. The owners have a true desire to see full body wellness, they care about form, technique, and flexibility. I immediately joined and have loved being a part of Prestige Fitness! Click the link below for more information: http://pres...

Three weeks before my beach vacation, I began the 21 day sugar detox. I first heard about this detox from my boyfriend who follows a fitness expert, Cory Gregory, on twitter. We read up on the detox, did some research of our own, and began. We are normally very active and healthy people, and to be totally transparent, this detox was a major challenge for the both of us! I am not a nutritionist and I would recommend knowing your body and talking to a professional before embarking on anything like this. The only bits of advice I can give are from my own experiences on this journey. July 4th vs August 4th In 21 days I lost exactly 4.8 pounds. That may not sound ground breaking, but I have noticed a huge change in my face, arms, and abs. I have a very positive body image, I love every curve and muscle, but before this detox I was not feeling like the best or healthiest version of myself. Preparation and planning are the keys to success on this diet! I would grocery shop e...

Ingredients : 1/4 cup raspberries 1/4 cup strawberries 1 cup unsweetened coconut milk Handful of spinach Scoop of chocolate protein powder 1/2 cup crushed ice It has been so hot outside all I crave are ice cold lunches and dinners! No more hot ovens and stoves in this house for awhile.  While some people are completely fruit free on their 21 day sugar detox, I have decided to eliminate all fruits except berries. Berries are included in the paleo diet and have incredible amounts of fiber, vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and phytonutrients (which prevent disease). Berries fit perfectly into my healthy lifestyle.   Directions: 1. Put all ingredients into blender, press liquify/ice crush/blend until smooth. About as easy as it comes! Calories: 250  Protein: 26 grams Sugars: 9 grams Women have to be careful on a high-protein low-carb diet, an adult woman should only eat 46 grams of protein a day. Moderation in all things, including pr...

Ingredients : 4 chicken breasts (cut into cubes) 1 red bell pepper 1 orange bell pepper 1 red onion Marinade: 2 tbsp olive oil 1 tbsp lime juice 1 tsp chili powder 1 tsp cumin 1/2 tsp garlic powder 1/2 tsp dried oregano  1/4 tsp pepper 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes Directions: 1. Mix chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, dried oregano, pepper, and red pepper fakes into a small bowl. Set aside. 2. Cut chicken breast into large cubed pieces. Place in a large bowl, pour in 1 tbsp olive oil, 1 tbsp fresh lime juice, followed by 1/2 of the spices mixed in Step 1. Hand toss until all chicken is throughly coated. Cover bowl with plastic wrap and place in fridge. 3. Cut bell peppers and red onion into large cubed pieces. Place in a large bowl, pour in 1 tbsp olive oil, fresh lime juice, and the remaining spice mix. Hand toss until vegetables are throughly coated. Cover with plastic wrap and place in fridge. 4. Allow chicken and veggies to marinade for 4 ho...

Summer Veggie Salad   Ingredients: 1 can of corn 2 roma tomatoes, diced 1 cucumber, diced 1 avocado, diced 1/4 red onion, diced 2 tbsp cilantro 1/3 cup feta cheese 3 tbsp apple cider vinegar 1 tsp garlic powder Salt and pepper Directions 1. Drain can of corn and place in a medium sized bowl. Dice roma tomatoes, cucumber, avocado, red onion, and cilantro. Add into medium bowl. 2. Crumble feta cheese on top, add garlic powder, apple cider vinegar, salt and pepper. 3. Mix together and refrigerate. Perfect side next to tilapia and quinoa!

Ingredients : 1 lb lean ground turkey 1 cup frozen spinach, thawed and drained 1/2 tsp minced garlic 1 egg 1/3 cup breadcrumbs 1 tsp dried oregano 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes 1/2 tsp dried parsley salt and pepper Directions: 1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Add all ingredients into a large bowl. 2. Using your hands, combine all ingredients. 3. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or nonstick foil. Form ingredients into golfball sized meatballs- should yield about 12 meatballs. Bake at 400 degrees for 35 minutes. 4. Allow time to cool. These go great on a kale salad or spaghetti squash, such an easy take-to-school lunch option! Ready to go! I feel like I blinked and February is almost over. Between snowstorm warnings and 70+ degree days, it has been a crazy month! Some fun February highlights were getting my first ever Valentines Day delivery. My students got to see me blush, which I'm sure they loved! Too sweet. Selfie with ...

Berry & Goat Cheese Salad Ingredients: Spinach Blackberries Strawberries Crumbled goat cheese 1/4 Avocado diced 1 tbsp Poppy Seed dressing Lately I have had the biggest craving for summertime- coconut oil and beach towels...gimme. Last year when I was teaching summer school I discovered this fresh salad and made it for lunch almost everyday! I packed it for myself this morning and it was just as delicious as I remembered. Directions: 1. Wash a handful of spinach, spin and dry. Add poppy seed dressing and toss. 2. Slice strawberries, dice avocado, and throw in a few black berries.  3. Sprinkle crumbled goat cheese on top. Love this dressing. Only 45 cals for 2 tbsp? Yes.

Tilapia Cakes Ingredients: 2 tilapia fillets 1 celery rib, chopped 1/4 red onion, chopped 1 tbsp Paleo Mayo 1 tbsp gluten free mustard 1 egg, whisked 1 tbsp olive oil Salt and pepper This is one of my new favorites! I always buy big bags of frozen tilapia fillets and have eaten them exactly the same for years. I saw some tilapia cake recipes on Pinterest, most of them including crackers, so I modified my recipe to exclude that ingredient.  Directions: 1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. 2. In a skillet on medium-high heat, cook tilapia fillets. This will take about 3 minutes per side, I usually just check to see if the fish is nice and flaky with a fork. 3. Shred fish and place into a medium size bowl. 4. In olive oil over medium heat, sauté celery and red onion until they are soft (about 6-8 minutes) then add to the bowl. 5. Add mustard, mayo, salt and pepper. Mix thoroughly. 6. With a spoon, scoop mixture into 1/4 cup and place evenly spaced ...

Ingredients: 1 spaghetti squash 1 tbs olive oil 1/2 red onion, chopped 2 garlic cloves, minced 1 red bell pepper, chopped 1/2 Tablespoon ground cumin 1/2 Tablespoon oregano 1/2 Tablespoon chili powder Salt and black pepper 1 can of corn, drained and rinsed 1 can black beans, drained and rinsed 1/2 cup cilantro Juice of 1 lime 1 cup grated cheddar cheese I used a soy brand of "cheese" called Go Veggie Directions: 1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees, cut squash in half, clean out seeds and extra threads. Lightly spray squash with cooking oil and sprinkle with garlic salt. Cook for 35-40 minutes. 2. In a large pan on medium-high heat, add olive oil, garlic, bell pepper, and onion. Saute for 3-4 minutes. 3. Stir in cumin, oregano, and chili powder. 4. Add corn, black beans, cilantro, and lime juice. 5. With a fork, shred the spaghetti squash into the mixture. Stir until ingredients are mixed evenly throughout.  6. ...