Clean Eating Oatmeal Pancakes

I eat the same thing for breakfast almost every day, but sometimes I want to switch it up from my egg whites and veggies routine. And what's better than pancakes or waffles? The problem is, traditional pancakes and syrup aren't going to help me get abs. So, I found a recipe for clean pancakes that I can enjoy guilt free. 

I prefer mine with peanut butter, but you can top it with honey, agave, fresh fruit, etc. 

I hope you enjoy! Let me know what you think in the comments below. 

Meal Idea: Egg whites & Toast with Peanut Butter

People are always looking for meal ideas. I get it. I have a Pinterest FULL of meal ideas. Nevertheless, my breakfast looks the same most days. I eat eggs and veggies every morning. I change the veggies depending on season, or my mood. I also change the accompanying carb. Some days I eat my eggs with sweet potatoes (cooked a variety of ways), sometimes with quinoa, sometimes fruit and some days with toast.

Yesterday was a toast kind of day. And before you ask, this is the bread I use.

I really like a few things about this meal. The egg whites are a good source of 

protein (20g for 4 servings), I can get some veggies in first thing in the morning and it's always a low calorie meal. Plus, this meal always gives me energy, whether I eat it before or after a morning workout. 

306 total calories

Do you have a "go to" breakfast? Share in the comment section. 

If you struggle with your nutrition and you want help getting a better grasp on it, or if you want a community to share your journey with, join my clean eating group on Facebook. 

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT!

I am looking for 3-5 people that are ready to change their lives and be healthier! Does that apply to you? Email me for more information about my upcoming challenge group! 

You can also message me on Facebook

Muffin Tin/Cupcake Pan Eggs

This is my go to for breakfast, especially when I know I won't have time in the morning. It's SO easy and they reheat well.

1. Spray or coat the muffin pan. I use olive oil on a paper towel to coat it.
2. Put your veggies (and cooked meat) in the tins.
3. Fill with eggs/egg whites. I use about 1/4c egg whites in each one.
4. Bake til done.
5. Store in refrigerator.

*I make 3 days at a time. Mainly because I eat 4 each day and my pan holds 12. I don't know how they hold up beyond that.

You can eat them with fruit, sweet potatoes, toast, etc.

I lost weight... and you can too!!

Every week on social media we are all moved & inspired by #TransformationTuesday. I participate pretty regularly, and I usually get asked what I did to lose the weight. 

April 2007 - April 2014

Nobody ever wants the real answer, which is that I changed my eating habits and started exercising. I'm sorry, but it's true. People also ask how long it took. I think they hope I say something like "6 weeks" or "3 months." The truth is, it was a process. I didn't lose it all at once. I lost some, then I maintained, lost some more, gained some, lost some more, maintained, lost some more... you get the picture. Nevertheless, it's now been 9 years since I was my heaviest (I'd lost some weight before the April 2007 picture above) and I have lost 60-70lbs. 

So what's my point? You can do it to! 

There's nothing special about me that makes losing weight easy. I'm a regular person that had to overcome bad eating habits and genetics to get to this point. 

Was it easy? Nope. 

Did it all happen overnight? Nope. 

Did I ever want to quit? Occasionally.

Would I do it all again? Absolutely. 

I know it's scary at times. Changing your life, which is what you're doing, can be daunting. I'll be honest, I am not where I want to be yet. I still have fitness goals that I want to achieve and I have been slow to commit to them (been thinking about it for years). So, I get being scared to commit. And if you are making excuses about why you can't or haven't gotten started - you're probably scared of the commitment and sacrifices you'll have to make. 

It's Transformation Tuesday. Are you ready to start working on your after? Are you going to commit to your goals, no matter what? 

I am now a health & fitness coach helping other people accomplish their goals. If you would like to talk to me about how I can help you start your journey leave a comment or email me: jamar.paige@gmail.com 

Make Your Life Easier with Shredded Chicken

My boyfriend is a 6'8" professional basketball player and has amazing abs. He's that annoying person that eats crap and still has an amazing body. In the fall he told me he needed to work on his abs... he had a 6 pack, as opposed to his normal 8-10 pack. I wanted to tell him to shut up. I eat clean, I workout and I have to stand a certain way, squint and have perfect lighting to see where my abs could potential be. 

I'm sure you can imagine that cooking for the 2 of us is an adventure. I have a few tricks for making my life easier. My go to is shredded chicken. I discovered this completely by accident, but I will be making shredded chicken from here on out. 

The beauty of shredded chicken is that it is so versatile. I can create dishes that he enjoys & meals that I enjoy without doing a lot of extra cooking. 

Here's the rundown... 

I'm not posting a recipe because it's simply baked chicken breasts. I only use salt & pepper (and maybe oregano) to season it. Bake at 400 degrees until it's cooked all the way through. DON'T LET IT DRY OUT!!! Let it cool so you don't burn your hands (take my word for it). And then shred the chicken - either with your (clean) hands or with two forks. It can be stored in a container in your fridge for several days and it can also be frozen for later use. 

I seriously make shredded chicken once and use it for several meals throughout the week.  

10 Ideas for use (some are healthier than others): 

1. On top of salads

2. To make a chicken salad

3. Mix with veggies for a stir fry 

4. Make a wrap with a tortilla 

5. Make burritos or fajitas 

6. In sandwiches 

7. Eat it plain with a piece of fruit for a snack

8. Use it in frittatas or omelets 

9. Toss with BBQ sauce or make a BBQ sandwich 

10. Use in pasta dishes

Healthy Snacks

I'm running a clean eating challenge group on Facebook and people were asking about healthy snacks, so I made this list. It isn't all inclusive, but it is a good place to start. 

What are your favorite healthy snacks?