The post Being Fit Is A Journey appeared first on A Mouse In My Kitchen.
]]>I think that a lot of people try to “get fit,” like it’s a specific state of being that you can reach and then just be there. Once you “get fit,” in many people’s minds, you are in shape, and no more work is needed. I have been guilty of that kind of thinking many times in my life. I have often planned a 12 week work out plan (such as the 100 mile summer) and assumed that by the time I was done, I would be “in shape.” I would be “fit.” And while it’s true that by the end of the 12 weeks, if I stick to it, I am in better shape, I have come to learn that it’s more than that. Fitness is a way of life. It’s a journey. It’s not just a goal you reach and you are done. Because the second you start thinking that way, things go down hill. I used to feel like losing weight was a full time job. I realized that it only feels that way because I had to change so many of my habits in order to lose weight. When I made lifestyle changes instead of going on quick fad diets, losing weight became a natural thing. When I focused on being healthy instead of losing weight, the weight came off. Not flying off, like I would like, but it came off slowly, and healthily.
Sorry that this post is a little ramble-y. I didn’t really have a plan when I started writing. The purpose was to motivate you. Motivate you to keep going. So what if you didn’t lose weight this week. I promise that ding dong and sixteen cookies aren’t going to make it better. Push through. Think back to how things used to be, how far you’ve come. Visualize how far you can go. Your body is amazing. It’s meant to feel amazing, to be amazing. Push yourself a little farther than you thought you could. Be a little better than you were yesterday. KEEP GOING. And remember, being fit is a journey, not a destination. It is not a place you will reach tomorrow or next week or a year from now. It is a constant, everyday decision. And just because you stray from the “fit” path once in awhile doesn’t mean you can’t hop right back on again.
Traci created this awesome printable for you to hang on your fridge or wherever you can see it often so you can remind yourself of these things.
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]]>The post It’s Hip To Be Square: Smart Balance appeared first on A Mouse In My Kitchen.
]]>Have you guys used Smart Balance before? It’s a butter-like spread that is amazing on toast and pasta and every other place you would normal use butter for. The company has recently come out with a new space saving square container that fits SO nicely in my fridge, right in the door. I would show you a picture of how nicely it fits in my fridge but… you don’t want to see that…
We used Smart Balance with our dinner last night. It went amazing on the homemade bread that was paired with roast beef, green beans, and mashed potatoes. It spread easily on the bread and melted right into the potatoes.
I received a light and a regular container of Smart Balance. I loved that I couldn’t tell a difference between the light and regular. They were both equally delicious. And they both spread REALLY well onto the bread, which wasn’t even warm. I loved that.
What’s even better than the fact that the new container saves space is that it is this container reduces greenhouse gas emissions by 18% from the other containers. That means that almost 6,500 less trees are used each year. And, these containers hold the same amount (15 oz) as the old containers. These ones are just a little cooler than the old ones, because they are square, and as you can tell by the title of this post, it’s hip to be square.
Doesn’t this picture just make your mouth water? Yum…
If you’d like to learn more about Smart Balance, check out their website. They have a ton of yummy, healthy recipes on their site, so be sure to stop by there next time you’re wondering what to cook for dinner.
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]]>The post Cold Raspberry Soup appeared first on A Mouse In My Kitchen.
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I had this soup the first time when I was like 12 at a neighbor’s house and I have seriously had dreams about it ever since. I’ve asked my mom a few times to get the recipe, but even after she did, for whatever reason, I never got around to making it. I thought it would be hard and time consuming because it’s so delicious. But, I made it tonight and guess what. Not hard. Not even a little bit.
I just have to note that this recipe says to use a cheese cloth or a wire strainer. I don’t have one. So I used my juicer. Because I’m cool like that. But honestly, even if you didn’t strain it, it would be delicious. You’d just have little pieces of raspberries in it. And who is going to complain about that, right?
This recipe really only has about 3 servings in it, so make sure you double or triple it if you’re making it for more people.
PS not only does it taste like heaven, it smells like heaven, too.
So, without further ado, here is the recipe:
- 8 oz raspberries (can be fresh or frozen)
- 1 and 1/4 cup water
- 1 cup cranraspberry juice (not concentrate)
- 3 cinnamon sticks
- 3 whole cloves
- 8 oz raspberry yogurt
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- mint leaf and raspberry for garnish
- Place raspberries, water, and cranraspberry juice in a pot and boil.
- Once it starts to boil, add the cinnamon sticks and cloves
- Reduce heat to a simmer and let it sit about 10 minutes
- Take off heat and allow it to cool.
- Once cool, strain it a few times through a wire strainer
- Add yogurt and lemon juice and mix.
- Refrigerate for an hour or so.
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]]>The post Best Way To Cook Green Beans appeared first on A Mouse In My Kitchen.
]]>Welcome to week 10 of the 100 mile summer! Only two weeks left after this one! Are you going to make it? 100 miles is a LONG distance! Good job if you’ve made it this far. If you’re a little behind, or starting late, keep going! You can do it!
Remember that when you talk about the 100 mile summer on social media, use the hash tag #100milesummer so we can all cheer each other along!
Each week Traci or I have been sharing weight loss tips or healthy recipes with you. I’m really excited to share this one with you today.
My husband does NOT like to eat vegetables. I have had to try lots of different things to find ways to cook them where he will actually eat them. This one was a HUGE hit. Bonus – it was really easy.
These green beans aren’t even fried in bacon grease (although my husband said he would like it better if they were…)
- Green beans
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- garlic salt
- Parmesan cheese with red peppers
- Heat your oven to 350.
- Wash your green beans and cutting off the ends.
- Lay the green beans on top of a piece of tin foil on a baking sheet.
- Spread just a little bit of olive oil over the top of the green beans
- Sprinkle the green beans with garlic salt
- Wrap the tin foil around them
- Bake for 20 minutes
- Open tin foil (it will be hot!) and sprinkle Parmesan cheese over them.
- Enjoy!
- If you just have regular Parmesan cheese, use a red pepper seasoning in addition to the cheese. If you don't have that, omit it. It still tastes good. The peppers just add a little kick.
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]]>The post Raspberry Lemon Muffins {Shh! They’re healthy!} appeared first on A Mouse In My Kitchen.
]]>In case this is your first time joining us, be sure to check out some of the other healthy posts we’ve done. My personal favorites are this one that focuses on overeating and this one that gives you tricks on how to love running, even if you hate it.
This week, Traci is sharing a little dessert recipe with you. Don’t worry, these Raspberry Lemon Muffins are about as healthy as they come!
Okay guys, honestly, when you hear “muffin recipe” are you thinking Costco Muffins? Crazy good, but they have about the same amount of calories in them as you should have daily. The serving size on those suckers are a fourth a muffin. Really, who eats a fourth of a muffin?? I however would like to share a super secret recipe with you. These muffins are good for you, and have the consistency of those super moist muffins, without all the calories and oil. They have yogurt in them, which helps them to be moist, and they don’t have a crazy amount of sugar either! My husband gets so excited when I make these, and whenever I take them places they are gone in about two seconds. I know, I really shouldn’t share this, because they rock, but I am going to, because I love you guys 
So without further ado, the magic muffin recipe.
- 1/2 Cup Yogurt {plain is what is suggested, but I have used whatever is in my fridge, too! The plain yogurt makes sure there isn't too much sugar!}
- 3 TBSP Vegetable Oil
- 1 TBSP lemon juice
- 2 Egg Whites
- 1/2 tsp lemon extract {optional}
- 1 1/2 Cups Flour
- 3/4 Cup Sugar
- 2 tsp. baking powder
- 1/4 tsp. salt
- 1 tsp. grated lemon zest
- 1 Cup frozen or fresh Raspberries
- 2 TBSP powdered or white sugar {for decoration}
- 1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Grease or Line a muffin tin.
- 2. Mix together the first five ingredients {yogurt, oil, lemon juice, egg whites, lemon extract}
- 3.In a separate bowl mix the remaining ingredients.
- 4. Combine both mixtures {but don't over mix!}
- 5. Gently fold in raspberries.
- 6. Spoon into muffin tins, and sprinkle sugar on top for decoration {this is optional}
- 7.Bake for 15-17 minutes. Until a fork or toothpick comes out clean. Let cool on rack.
- Enjoy!
- I usually do not add the lemon extract. I just don't keep it on hand. It makes it yummy but! I don't always use it. Also, if you want to make these EXTRA healthy, you can substitute applesauce for some or all of the oil. Just make sure you use 3 TBSP total {either combined, or just applesauce} This will make them a bit more dry but not much. I love using applesauce instead of oil!
- Also-This is amazing with strawberries, or blueberries, or huckleberries, too! Try it out with your favorite berry!
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