Healthy Pumpkin Pie

Halloween is here and the shops are full of pumpkins so I couldn't resist to buy 2 small pumpkins to make this delicious pie.

My boys loved it and so did I. Such a nice try to have with a nice latte for a healthy snack.

First step is to pre-heat oven at 180 degrees Celcius.

For the base:

Is the same base I have been using for others desserts. After experimenting with so many ingredients this one is without a doubt the best one I have ever tried:

Once the base is done and pressed into a mould. Leave itin the fridge to set while you prepare the rest.

Fot the filling:

750 grams of pumping peeled and without the seeds
2 eggs
1 teaspoon of nutmeg grated
1 teaspoon of cinnamon
1 cup of almond ground
1/2 cup of honey

Boil the pumping until soft. Then place pumpkin on a sieve and mash it with a fork to remove excess water. place the pumping pure in a blender and add the rest of the ingredients blend well. Pour the pumping mixture on top of the base and bake for 25 minutes or until your pie mix is set.

Healthy Pumpkin Pie

Halloween is here and the shops are full of pumpkins so I couldn't resist to buy 2 small pumpkins to make this delicious pie.

My boys loved it and so did I. Such a nice try to have with a nice latte for a healthy snack.

First step is to pre-heat oven at 180 degrees Celcius.

For the base:

Is the same base I have been using for others desserts. After experimenting with so many ingredients this one is without a doubt the best one I have ever tried:

Once the base is done and pressed into a mould. Leave itin the fridge to set while you prepare the rest.

Fot the filling:

750 grams of pumping peeled and without the seeds
2 eggs
1 teaspoon of nutmeg grated
1 teaspoon of cinnamon
1 cup of almond ground
1/2 cup of honey

Boil the pumping until soft. Then place pumpkin on a sieve and mash it with a fork to remove excess water. place the pumping pure in a blender and add the rest of the ingredients blend well. Pour the pumping mixture on top of the base and bake for 25 minutes or until your pie mix is set.

Interview with Stephanie O'Quigley and her inspirational 5 stone weight loss story

Stephanie is a 24 year old talented lady who was born in Dublin. She has 2 brothers and even though she was born in Dublin she considers Kildare her home.

She studied Marketing and Advertising in IT Tallagh and she loved it. She currently works for the amazing brand Cocoa Brown as a marketing manager, and works alongside such a role model as Marissa Carter.  She describes it as the best job ever.

She decided to start blogging in October 2012. Her blog called Snappedup.ie has has great success over the past 3 years. And I'm pretty sure it  will get bigger and bigger, as her blog is amazing. 

Stephanie has lost a total of 5 stone over the last 3 years and she plans keeping them off! She looks amazing and her transformation is one of my favourite transformations I have seen on instagram, check it out:

The picture above is the reason is why I decided to interview her and share her journey with you all, as she is such an inspiration.  So, lets found out what she eats on a typical day and what keeps her motivated.

1. What motivated you to change your lifestyle?

​ 

I was very ill for a long time. This was a from a combination of an imbalance in my general health but fitness and food were huge elements. I didn't know what it felt like to feel 'well' until I started looking after myself properly. With the help of the right medication, to rebalance my under-active thyroid, and consistent monitoring from my doctors, I got my health back to normal. I felt better and wanted to keep it up so I started to eat better and began exercising too. It was the feeling of good health that kept me motivated. 

2. What were you eating before you lost the weight

​? 

I used to have a diet that most would consider 'normal'. Breakfast cereals, sandwiches or wraps for lunch and ​homemade traditional Irish dinners like lasagne, chicken curry or roast dinners all accompanied with a helping of either chips, bread or rice. I would eat chocolate more than once a day and fast-food was a popular choice at the weekends. Top all of this off with loaded sauces, yogurts and juices too - it was no wonder I was feeling (and looking) not so good!

3. Whats your typical daily diet for breakfast, lunch, snacks, dinner etc?

​

 

Now, I mainly eat a 'clean diet'. Anything that is natural, I'll eat it. I concentrate on a high protein diet because I train quite hard at the gym and I need this to repair my body.  A normal day would consist of 'proats' or eggs and coffee to begin with, a salad with tuna/chicken/eggs for lunch and meat and veg for dinner. The odd time I would have sweet potato, quinoa or brown bread but our bodies create carbohydrates with the sugar in fruit and veg so 'carbs' are not necessary. Most days I would have a protein shake thrown in the mix and I have nuts or peanut butter with a cup of tea as a snack after dinner - my favourite part of the day! 

4. What healthy food could you not live without?

​ 

Peanut butter! Although I love fresh, crunchy vegetables too. ​

5. Favourite cheatmeals?

​ 

Where to start! Eddie Rockets is my  absolute favourite ; cheese fries, hamburger and a malt chocolate shake!  Chocolate & cheese fries are dreamy to me....maybe even together! ​

6. What is it like to work for such an inspiring woman such as Marissa Carter?

​ 

I have to pinch myself sometimes! I am lucky to work very close to Marissa and experience her 'fire' on a daily basis. Besides inspiring and motivating me in my work, Marissa always lends advice when I need it ​too. I cannot believe I have been on the Cocoa Brown roller-coaster for over two years now...the opportunity and learning has been invaluable to me and I hope it will continue. 

7. As a blogger, what is your greatest ambition? 

If I ended up blogging full time it would be pretty crazy! However, any opportunity that SnappedUp.ie has given me is an achievement. I wouldn't have the job I'm in if it weren't for my blog! 

8. If you could eat only one thing for the rest of your life, and do only 1 exercise, what would you choose?

​ 

Granola and running. ​

9. What keeps you motivated in life to live a healthy lifestyle?

​

 I really want to put myself in a position that means I enjoy my 'work' and also have time for extra hobbies and spending time with the people I love. I feel responsible to create this ideal life for myself and I truly believe you can have whatever you want if you're brave enough to go get it. ​I'll do almost anything if it brings me closer to these goals and where I want to be. If I feel unmotivated I think of the reason why I am doing something. Focusing on the results usually gives me a boost and reason to keep pushing on. 

My healthy lifestyle is mainly motivated by the quality of life I maintain. It really is worth it and I enjoy feeling this good to give it up. My love for well-being is stronger than my love for fast-food and evenings spent on the couch. If I could bottle the feeling of good health and sell it I reckon I would make a few quid! 

10. Tell us 3 personal long term goals you want to achieve? 

• ​To maintain my current health and fitness 
• To work at a job that doesn't feel like work 
• To spend a lot of time with my loved ones 

Be sure to check her blog out she shares fashion, nutrition, and beauty tips www.snappedup.ie instagram: @stephaieoquigley

Interview with Stephanie O'Quigley and her inspirational 5 stone weight loss story

Stephanie is a 24 year old talented lady who was born in Dublin. She has 2 brothers and even though she was born in Dublin she considers Kildare her home.

She studied Marketing and Advertising in IT Tallagh and she loved it. She currently works for the amazing brand Cocoa Brown as a marketing manager, and works alongside such a role model as Marissa Carter.  She describes it as the best job ever.

She decided to start blogging in October 2012. Her blog called Snappedup.ie has has great success over the past 3 years. And I'm pretty sure it  will get bigger and bigger, as her blog is amazing. 

Stephanie has lost a total of 5 stone over the last 3 years and she plans keeping them off! She looks amazing and her transformation is one of my favourite transformations I have seen on instagram, check it out:

The picture above is the reason is why I decided to interview her and share her journey with you all, as she is such an inspiration.  So, lets found out what she eats on a typical day and what keeps her motivated.

1. What motivated you to change your lifestyle?

​ 

I was very ill for a long time. This was a from a combination of an imbalance in my general health but fitness and food were huge elements. I didn't know what it felt like to feel 'well' until I started looking after myself properly. With the help of the right medication, to rebalance my under-active thyroid, and consistent monitoring from my doctors, I got my health back to normal. I felt better and wanted to keep it up so I started to eat better and began exercising too. It was the feeling of good health that kept me motivated. 

2. What were you eating before you lost the weight

​? 

I used to have a diet that most would consider 'normal'. Breakfast cereals, sandwiches or wraps for lunch and ​homemade traditional Irish dinners like lasagne, chicken curry or roast dinners all accompanied with a helping of either chips, bread or rice. I would eat chocolate more than once a day and fast-food was a popular choice at the weekends. Top all of this off with loaded sauces, yogurts and juices too - it was no wonder I was feeling (and looking) not so good!

3. Whats your typical daily diet for breakfast, lunch, snacks, dinner etc?

​

 

Now, I mainly eat a 'clean diet'. Anything that is natural, I'll eat it. I concentrate on a high protein diet because I train quite hard at the gym and I need this to repair my body.  A normal day would consist of 'proats' or eggs and coffee to begin with, a salad with tuna/chicken/eggs for lunch and meat and veg for dinner. The odd time I would have sweet potato, quinoa or brown bread but our bodies create carbohydrates with the sugar in fruit and veg so 'carbs' are not necessary. Most days I would have a protein shake thrown in the mix and I have nuts or peanut butter with a cup of tea as a snack after dinner - my favourite part of the day! 

4. What healthy food could you not live without?

​ 

Peanut butter! Although I love fresh, crunchy vegetables too. ​

5. Favourite cheatmeals?

​ 

Where to start! Eddie Rockets is my  absolute favourite ; cheese fries, hamburger and a malt chocolate shake!  Chocolate & cheese fries are dreamy to me....maybe even together! ​

6. What is it like to work for such an inspiring woman such as Marissa Carter?

​ 

I have to pinch myself sometimes! I am lucky to work very close to Marissa and experience her 'fire' on a daily basis. Besides inspiring and motivating me in my work, Marissa always lends advice when I need it ​too. I cannot believe I have been on the Cocoa Brown roller-coaster for over two years now...the opportunity and learning has been invaluable to me and I hope it will continue. 

7. As a blogger, what is your greatest ambition? 

If I ended up blogging full time it would be pretty crazy! However, any opportunity that SnappedUp.ie has given me is an achievement. I wouldn't have the job I'm in if it weren't for my blog! 

8. If you could eat only one thing for the rest of your life, and do only 1 exercise, what would you choose?

​ 

Granola and running. ​

9. What keeps you motivated in life to live a healthy lifestyle?

​

 I really want to put myself in a position that means I enjoy my 'work' and also have time for extra hobbies and spending time with the people I love. I feel responsible to create this ideal life for myself and I truly believe you can have whatever you want if you're brave enough to go get it. ​I'll do almost anything if it brings me closer to these goals and where I want to be. If I feel unmotivated I think of the reason why I am doing something. Focusing on the results usually gives me a boost and reason to keep pushing on. 

My healthy lifestyle is mainly motivated by the quality of life I maintain. It really is worth it and I enjoy feeling this good to give it up. My love for well-being is stronger than my love for fast-food and evenings spent on the couch. If I could bottle the feeling of good health and sell it I reckon I would make a few quid! 

10. Tell us 3 personal long term goals you want to achieve? 

• ​To maintain my current health and fitness 
• To work at a job that doesn't feel like work 
• To spend a lot of time with my loved ones 

Be sure to check her blog out she shares fashion, nutrition, and beauty tips www.snappedup.ie instagram: @stephaieoquigley

Healthy Banana Choco Muffins

Made this banana muffins for my boys this morning. You can't go wrong with this muffins. It is like eating an unhealthy muffin the only difference is that this ones are full of nutritional value and flavour.

Ingredients: (makes 10)

2 eggs
10 tablespoons os coconut oil
6 tablespoons of any milk you like (skimmed, almond, coconut etc)
1/2 cup of honey
2 cups of oats flour (porridge oats blended)
1 teaspoon of baking powder
150 grams of dark chocolate chips
2 bananas

• Pre-heat the oven at 150 degrees Celsius and line up a muffin tray with some muffin cases. 

1. Mix the eggs, milk, oil and honey in a mixer (you can do it by hand with a whisk).

2. In a bowl combine the oats flour with the baking powder. Mix in the dark chocolate chips.

3. In a separate bowl mash the 2 bananas with a fork.

4. Mix the wet ingredients together (no whisk) just mix them in with a spatula

5. Fold into the mixture the mashed bananas

6. Spoon mix into the muffin tray

7. Bake in the oven for 20 minutes or until golden at the top.

I hope you enjoy this recipe and don't forget to follow me on all my social media: 

Facebook: Mom Fitness Diary

Instagram: @momfitnessdiary

Snapchat: Momfitnessdiary

Twitter: @momfitnessdiary

Healthy Banana Choco Muffins

Made this banana muffins for my boys this morning. You can't go wrong with this muffins. It is like eating an unhealthy muffin the only difference is that this ones are full of nutritional value and flavour.

Ingredients: (makes 10)

2 eggs
10 tablespoons os coconut oil
6 tablespoons of any milk you like (skimmed, almond, coconut etc)
1/2 cup of honey
2 cups of oats flour (porridge oats blended)
1 teaspoon of baking powder
150 grams of dark chocolate chips
2 bananas

• Pre-heat the oven at 150 degrees Celsius and line up a muffin tray with some muffin cases. 

1. Mix the eggs, milk, oil and honey in a mixer (you can do it by hand with a whisk).

2. In a bowl combine the oats flour with the baking powder. Mix in the dark chocolate chips.

3. In a separate bowl mash the 2 bananas with a fork.

4. Mix the wet ingredients together (no whisk) just mix them in with a spatula

5. Fold into the mixture the mashed bananas

6. Spoon mix into the muffin tray

7. Bake in the oven for 20 minutes or until golden at the top.

I hope you enjoy this recipe and don't forget to follow me on all my social media: 

Facebook: Mom Fitness Diary

Instagram: @momfitnessdiary

Snapchat: Momfitnessdiary

Twitter: @momfitnessdiary

Cauliflower Rice

This dish is a great alternative for a low carb meal. It is delicious and just as filling as any other grainy carbohydrate. You would never think is not rice or as husband thought it was couscous.

I served it with some chilli prawns which I made myself by mixing 1 tablespoon of chilli flakes, 2 garlic cloves chopped and 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Then just heat that little sauce up on a frying pan, add the prawns one cook for a few minutes.

Here is recipe for the cauliflower rice: (serves 4)

Ingredients:
1 head of cauliflower
1 leek
1/2 red onion
10 mushrooms
1/2 cup of sweet corn
1/2 cup of garden peas
1/2 pint of vegetable or chicken stock

First cut the leaves of the cauliflower off and also hard heart in it. Chop the little florets off and blend them on the blender or food processor until they become rice like:

Now chop the leek, mushrooms and onion and sauté them on a frying pan with a bit of olive or coconut oil.

Add cauliflower rice to the frying pan and sauté for a few minutes. Add the 1/2 pint of stock and bring heat to a low setting.

Add sweet corn and peas and once the water from the stock has evaporated your rice is ready. Season to taste with some sea salt and pepper.

Decorate with some fresh parsley and enjoy!

Cauliflower Rice

This dish is a great alternative for a low carb meal. It is delicious and just as filling as any other grainy carbohydrate. You would never think is not rice or as husband thought it was couscous.

I served it with some chilli prawns which I made myself by mixing 1 tablespoon of chilli flakes, 2 garlic cloves chopped and 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Then just heat that little sauce up on a frying pan, add the prawns one cook for a few minutes.

Here is recipe for the cauliflower rice: (serves 4)

Ingredients:
1 head of cauliflower
1 leek
1/2 red onion
10 mushrooms
1/2 cup of sweet corn
1/2 cup of garden peas
1/2 pint of vegetable or chicken stock

First cut the leaves of the cauliflower off and also hard heart in it. Chop the little florets off and blend them on the blender or food processor until they become rice like:

Now chop the leek, mushrooms and onion and sauté them on a frying pan with a bit of olive or coconut oil.

Add cauliflower rice to the frying pan and sauté for a few minutes. Add the 1/2 pint of stock and bring heat to a low setting.

Add sweet corn and peas and once the water from the stock has evaporated your rice is ready. Season to taste with some sea salt and pepper.

Decorate with some fresh parsley and enjoy!

Homemade Granola In 10 Steps

I have this recipe for a while now, and I have been meant to try it for ages but finally I have made it today and OMG! I can confidently say is better than any cereal or granola I have tried before.

Is properly crunchy and crispy. Is like one of those sugar loaded cereals (that taste so good) except that this one is actually very healthy! The right amount to serve once is cooked is: if you are losing 1/2 or 3/4 cup or 1 cup if you are maintaining.

Ingredients:

2 cups of raw porridge oats
1/2 cup sunflower seeds
2 tablespoons of sesame seeds
1/2 cup slighlty toasted hazelnuts
1/4 cup of roughly chopped almonds
1/4 cup of melted coconut oil
1/4 cup of honey
1/2 cup or raisins
1/2 cup of cranberries ( I didn't have cranberries so I used goji berries)

1. Turn on the oven at 150 degrees celcius
2. Place the hazelnuts on a tray and toast them for 5 minutes
3. In a bowl mix the oats, sesame seeds, hazelnuts and almonds
4. Heat up the coconut oil and the honey until they are both melted and combined
5. Pour rue honey mix to the oat mix
6. Mix well
7. Spread on 1 or 2 trays and toast for 50 minutes (or until crispy)
8. Move around often
9. Once they are out of the oven mix in the raisins and the cranberries
10. Keep in an air thigh container and keep in a cool place

You can serve with a bit of yogurt and fruit:

Or you can serve with almond or coconut milk just as cereal:

Hope you enjoy it! Leave me messages over on my social media: Instagram: @momfitnessdiary and Facebook: Mom Fitness Diary

Homemade Granola In 10 Steps

I have this recipe for a while now, and I have been meant to try it for ages but finally I have made it today and OMG! I can confidently say is better than any cereal or granola I have tried before.

Is properly crunchy and crispy. Is like one of those sugar loaded cereals (that taste so good) except that this one is actually very healthy! The right amount to serve once is cooked is: if you are losing 1/2 or 3/4 cup or 1 cup if you are maintaining.

Ingredients:

2 cups of raw porridge oats
1/2 cup sunflower seeds
2 tablespoons of sesame seeds
1/2 cup slighlty toasted hazelnuts
1/4 cup of roughly chopped almonds
1/4 cup of melted coconut oil
1/4 cup of honey
1/2 cup or raisins
1/2 cup of cranberries ( I didn't have cranberries so I used goji berries)

1. Turn on the oven at 150 degrees celcius
2. Place the hazelnuts on a tray and toast them for 5 minutes
3. In a bowl mix the oats, sesame seeds, hazelnuts and almonds
4. Heat up the coconut oil and the honey until they are both melted and combined
5. Pour rue honey mix to the oat mix
6. Mix well
7. Spread on 1 or 2 trays and toast for 50 minutes (or until crispy)
8. Move around often
9. Once they are out of the oven mix in the raisins and the cranberries
10. Keep in an air thigh container and keep in a cool place

You can serve with a bit of yogurt and fruit:

Or you can serve with almond or coconut milk just as cereal:

Hope you enjoy it! Leave me messages over on my social media: Instagram: @momfitnessdiary and Facebook: Mom Fitness Diary

Sweet Healthy Pizza

Sweet Healthy Fun Pizza

I made this little treat as an activity with my 2 boys. They had so much fun decorating the pizza and eating half of the fruit before the fruit actually made it on the pizza!

But is healthy, is fun and is full of goodness for the whole family.

Even if you don't have any kids you can make this for a little light and healthy dessert after lunch or dinner or something to have when you have friends over.

Ingredients for the base:

Simply blend the ingredients patiently until mix is smooth and press it down on a circular mould.

Set the base in the fridge for a few hours or in the freezer for 30 min.

For the "Sauce":

Mix 4 oz. of cream cheese and 3 0z. of greek yogurt. I used coconut greek yogurt for an extra coconut flavour. Although you can use plain greek yogurt and add a bit of coconut to the mixture.

To add a bit of sweetness I added a squeeze of sweet freedom which it can be substituted for honey.

The toppings:

Chop any fruit you have in the house. I used kiwis, strawberries, blueberries and I had banana but it didn't make it on top as kids ate it before hand! (lol)

Put it together and enjoy:

Sweet Healthy Pizza

Sweet Healthy Fun Pizza

I made this little treat as an activity with my 2 boys. They had so much fun decorating the pizza and eating half of the fruit before the fruit actually made it on the pizza!

But is healthy, is fun and is full of goodness for the whole family.

Even if you don't have any kids you can make this for a little light and healthy dessert after lunch or dinner or something to have when you have friends over.

Ingredients for the base:

Simply blend the ingredients patiently until mix is smooth and press it down on a circular mould.

Set the base in the fridge for a few hours or in the freezer for 30 min.

For the "Sauce":

Mix 4 oz. of cream cheese and 3 0z. of greek yogurt. I used coconut greek yogurt for an extra coconut flavour. Although you can use plain greek yogurt and add a bit of coconut to the mixture.

To add a bit of sweetness I added a squeeze of sweet freedom which it can be substituted for honey.

The toppings:

Chop any fruit you have in the house. I used kiwis, strawberries, blueberries and I had banana but it didn't make it on top as kids ate it before hand! (lol)

Put it together and enjoy:

5 Books I Recommend About Nutrition, Health & Fitness

1. Healing with Whole Foods by Paul Pitchford

If you wan to have a deep understanding of food and its relation to your body, this is the book for you.  It's full of information on how to change your food habits.

It is deep and full of information. Some parts can be heavy reading but if you are as passionate as I am about foods and its power of healing this book is definitely a must have.

2. Medicinal Herbs by Rosemary Gladstar

The layout of this book is very easy to follow, it's colourful, contains plenty of pictures and easy to read. It explains which herbs can help you to improve your health.

It couldn't be simpler than that. A very enjoyable book to have, especially in understanding the natural benefits that herbs can serve by including them into your daily diet.

3. Freedom From The Diet Trap by Jason Vale

This book cuts through all the nonsense and goes directly to the point about sugar and junk food.  It is like a wake up call to get rid of bad habits and to focus on a healthy lifestyle, rather than fad diets.

 4. The New Optimum Nutrition Bible by Patrick Holdford

This book is literally the bible of nutrition. I cannot recommend it highly enough. It is like a resume of the previous books I have already recommended. From healing, to nutrition, to everything you need to know about food. This is your number one must have.

5. The Encyclopaedia Of Modern Bodybuilding by Arnold Schwarzenegger

This book is literally an encyclopaedia on weight training. If you want to focus on certain muscle groups, and learn how to improve muscle tone and strength, this book is certainly a must have.  It is not only for guys, it is for women as well.  Arnold explains throughout the book that women can do weight-training without ever fearing that they will become as muscly as men.  It will help you understand everything about lifting.

Thanks to this book is how I got into lifting weights, and I take most of my exercises from this book.

• And finally not a reading material but a handy book to fleck through:

 Carbs and Cals

This is a very handy book to have to flick through for general understanding of calories, and to know the amount of calories of most foods. Although if you are not in Ireland or the UK, it might not be helpful, as many of the foods referenced are from Irish and UK producers, which are not available elsewhere.

5 Books I Recommend About Nutrition, Health & Fitness

1. Healing with Whole Foods by Paul Pitchford

If you wan to have a deep understanding of food and its relation to your body, this is the book for you.  It's full of information on how to change your food habits.

It is deep and full of information. Some parts can be heavy reading but if you are as passionate as I am about foods and its power of healing this book is definitely a must have.

2. Medicinal Herbs by Rosemary Gladstar

The layout of this book is very easy to follow, it's colourful, contains plenty of pictures and easy to read. It explains which herbs can help you to improve your health.

It couldn't be simpler than that. A very enjoyable book to have, especially in understanding the natural benefits that herbs can serve by including them into your daily diet.

3. Freedom From The Diet Trap by Jason Vale

This book cuts through all the nonsense and goes directly to the point about sugar and junk food.  It is like a wake up call to get rid of bad habits and to focus on a healthy lifestyle, rather than fad diets.

 4. The New Optimum Nutrition Bible by Patrick Holdford

This book is literally the bible of nutrition. I cannot recommend it highly enough. It is like a resume of the previous books I have already recommended. From healing, to nutrition, to everything you need to know about food. This is your number one must have.

5. The Encyclopaedia Of Modern Bodybuilding by Arnold Schwarzenegger

This book is literally an encyclopaedia on weight training. If you want to focus on certain muscle groups, and learn how to improve muscle tone and strength, this book is certainly a must have.  It is not only for guys, it is for women as well.  Arnold explains throughout the book that women can do weight-training without ever fearing that they will become as muscly as men.  It will help you understand everything about lifting.

Thanks to this book is how I got into lifting weights, and I take most of my exercises from this book.

• And finally not a reading material but a handy book to fleck through:

 Carbs and Cals

This is a very handy book to have to flick through for general understanding of calories, and to know the amount of calories of most foods. Although if you are not in Ireland or the UK, it might not be helpful, as many of the foods referenced are from Irish and UK producers, which are not available elsewhere.