I'm Pretty Fit! & Garbanzo Bean/Chickpea Blondies Recipe!

This month I got the chance to try the Resolution Box from Im Pretty Fit!

What it basically is is a monthly fitness box subscription where each month there's a different themed pack for your fitness lifestyle! Whether it be a Resolution pack for getting back on track, or a Spring Protein packs, Fall themed packs, and more! You can buy 1 pack OR buy a subscription to get a box monthly.

This is my first ever subscription box type of package, and what I loved about it was that you can get to try a little bit of EVERYTHING. Instead of going out there and buying a huge box of supplements or snacks, and ending up not liking them and then wasting your money. With this, you get to sample everything, before you go out and buy them!

My favorites from this Resolution Box so far are the Egg White Chips and the ProCakes Protein Pancake Mix! YUHMMMM. Still have yet to try the About time protein samples, but I had them a few years ago and I remember them being super natural and tasty :)

Also, I received a tub of their PrettyFit Greens, which is like a tub of wonderful superfood GOODNESS. I threw in a scoop into my protein smoothie to get all the benefits:

• Increases Energy
• Supports Healthy Digestion 
• Helps Optimize Overall Health
• Contains Powerful Antioxidants 
• Vegan Friendly, Non-GMO Formula 
• No Artificial Flavors, Colors, Sweeteners, or Preservatives

See me making the pancakes and shake here on youtube!

Overall, I think subscription boxes are so cool! I know they have so many out there, not just for fitness either! They have beauty boxes, pet boxes for your dogs or cats, nature boxes, etc etc! I love that you can get a sampling of everything, and the price isn't too shabby either ;) If you do decide to purchase a subscription, or just a box to try it out one time, use the discounts below to save some money!

Check out PrettyFit boxes here!
Resolution Pack: https://www.imprettyfit.com/box/resol...

For the PrettyFit packs:
Coupon code VMF10 for $10 off any of the packs https://www.imprettyfit.com

For the PrettyFit greens:
Coupon code MYGREENS for 50% off their first bottle https://www.imprettyfit.com/greens

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Ingredients:
 •15.00 oz Chickpeas
 •1/2 cup warmed nut butter (I used Nuts N More http://www.nuts-n-more.com/)
 •1/4 cup liquid egg whites
 •1/4 cup Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips (Amount up to you!)
 •1 scoop whey protein Vanilla (I used MGN Whey)
 •1/2 cup Apple Sauce Unsweetened
 •1/4 cup Calorie Free Pancake Syrup (I used Walden Farms Pancake Syrup from http://www.iherb.com/ - Amount up to you!)
 •1/4 tsp baking powder

Blend all the wet ingredients and chickpeas together VERY well. I suggest a food processor! Then mix in the dry ingredients last. Pour onto parchment paper in a baking pan and bake at 350 F for 28-30 Minutes! VOILA! Let cool before cutting!

Iherb.com discount: "VEP693" for a discount and free shipping! I get all my specialty health foods and baking ingredients from here!

Tips for Staying Healthy On Vacation & While Dining Out!

Why do vacations and trips always scare us to death when we think about staying on track for our lifestyle? Because it's a completely different atmosphere! You're on a different schedule, different foods are around you, and not to mention you're off your gym plan too!

But don't worry, follow these tips and the vacation will do as little damage to your progress as possible :) If you want to view my YouTube video on some tips, click here!

1. Portion sizes: You know I'm all about moderation not deprivation, but make sure it's MODERATION. You don't need the whole pizza, but maybe a slice or two are fine! Don't feel like you HAVE to finish your plate when you go out to eat at restaurants. Doggy bags are you friends and leftovers are sooooo tasty the next day. Ways you can watch your portion sizes are
1. Share your plate with a friend
2. Ask the waiter to split your dish in half! Serve you one half now, and save half in a to go box!
3. Don't order with your eyes! Sometimes our eyes are bigger than our stomachs, so try and order a smaller dish. If afterwards, you're still hungry, then you can always order another side.
2. Save on the calories: there are soooo many sneaky calories in dishes when you eat out! Try and lessen the calorie overload by:

1. Getting sauces on the side
2. Get grilled, baked, steamed dishes instead of fried, buttered, or creamy
3. Don't fill up on the table munchies (biscuits, breads, nuts, etc)
3. Allocate!  I'm always allocating my proteins, fats, and carbs!
1. Have open faced sandwiches or burgers! You don't need both buns for the taste! So just take one out and eat it open style!
2. If you're having a carby meal at night, lessen the carbs throughout the day! If you're having a fatty meal later, lessen the fats throughout the day
4. "I regret wasting calories on things that didn't taste as good as I hoped"

1. Don't waste your calories! If you don't like the food, don't eat it!
2. If you're at a buffet, look at everything before piling it all on your plate! Pick out the things you know you'll like instead of just filling yourself up with food you'll just regret later
5. Be annoying to the waiter! Ask how dishes are prepared, ask for no seasoning, ask for additional lemon, for steamed instead of fried, sauce on the side, etc etc. This is your life, who cares if one person gets annoyed!
6. KEEP ACTIVE 
1. Have a buffer for those additional calories! Add in activities like swimming, walking everywhere, going to amusement parks, etc. Keep active so that you don't have the DOUBLE negative of eating too much AND not working out! Add in some exercise/be active to help lessen the impact the additional food will have
7. Alcohol: Always aim for the less calorically dense choices. Don't go with the mixes with soda or juice because that's a lot of unnecessary sugars! Try vodka and water, vodka diet sodas, vodka sugar free redbull, or lightened up versions of your favorite drinks! Ask for mojitos with less sugar!

AND IT'S VACATION! Don't forget to enjoy yourself. Don't revolve your days around food or stressing about it all. If you're having a great time, food shouldn't be the center of attention! Spending time with your friends, family, loved ones SHOULD be! So have fun, relax, make smart choices, and you'll do great!

High Protein Cheesecake!

This has to be one of my FAVORITE recipes. High protein, pretty low calorie compared to Cheesecake Factory Cheesecakes, and SO easy to make!
Macros: makes 8 HUGE square servings (or you could do slices!)
1 out of 8: 198 calories, 9.7 g fat, 11.2 g carbs, 15.8 g protein!

{Gluten Free} Red Velvet Beet Cupcakes! + Erin Condren Fun in the Sun Bundle!

MMMM Made these healthified Red Velvet Cupcakes for Valentines Day! They turned out DELICIOUS! Who knew vegetables would be amazing in desserts?! :D

Also, Check out these ADORABLE personalized sandals from Erin Condren! <3 in LOVE. And I can't wait to rock them out on the beach next week for my Spring Break in PANAMA CITY, FLORIDA! <3 

 

I love that the bundle came with a tote too! It's SO durable, almost like potato sack material, so I can stuff a bunch of things in there like makeup, sunscreen, towels, etc! Can't wait to use this on my vacay! If you want to get your OWN fun summer/spring break bundle, head to THIS link and you'll get $10 off your first order! WHATTTT! I know I know, you're welcome :P

https://www.erincondren.com/referral/invite/josiemai0120

And now, TO THE CUPCAKES! :D

Ingredients:

• 2 small to medium beets (chopped into small pieces) 
• 2 eggs 
• 3 Tbs coconut oil 
• 1/4 cup agave 
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon 
• Pinch of sea salt 
• 150 g almond flour 
• ¼ cup cocoa powder 
• ½ tsp baking powder 

️Frosting:

• Whipped cream cheese frosting from Walmart + sprinkles! 

Method:

• chop beets into small pieces
• blend beets with eggs
• mix rest of wet ingredients together
• mix dry ingredients together in a separate bowl
• then mix wet and dry together
• bake in cupcake tins at 350 F for 30 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean 

SOO SOOO Easy and DELICIOUS!
If you happen to make ANY of my recipes, be sure to tag me on Instagram or Twitter @vmfitness and hashtag #vmfitness so I can see the yumminess! 

High Protein Gluten Free Donuts!

HIGH PROTEIN DONUTS, for ONE! Whole batch for under 400 calories :)

I think I've decided now to split up my social media in the following, just so you know what's up in my life :D
Instagram: Daily posts - food, inspiration, motivation, workouts
YouTube: Recipe videos, motivation, tips, workouts, vlogs, Full Day of Flexible Intuitive Eating
Twitter: Random tweeeets
Blogspot: Recipes

:D Make sure you're following it all!

 

Donuts:

1/4 cup Quest Nutrition Vanilla Protein Powder
2 Tbs coconut flour
2 Tbs canned pumpkin
2 Tbs almond milk
1 Tbs egg
1 Tbs nutbutter
1/2 tsp baking powder


Frosting:
1/3 scoop Quest Nutrition Chocolate Protein Powder
1 TBS greek yogurt
1/8 cup water

Macros for the whole batch WITH frosting:
381 Calories | 15 g fat | 23 g carbs | 46 g protein

Tips to Stay Fit Through the Holidays

Long time no talk Blogger World!
The Holidays are here, are YOU ready to tackle them on?!

#Vmfityear2014 Fit for the Holidays 6 Week Program & Gluten Free Protein Cheesecake!

I can not believe it is already coming to the end of 2014! This year has definitely gone by so fast!And with that, I present to you the LAST of the #vmfityear2014 workout programs!

Fit for the Holidays

This is a 6 week program that officially starts on November 23rd, but you can really start whenever your heart desires!
The 3 winners will be chosen the first week of January 2015!

In this plan you get:

• full calendar of at home/gym workouts 
• fit life tips
• progress pages
• food log pages
• grocery guide
• Chances to win:
• 2 Boxes of Quest Nutrition Quest Bars + Quest Apparel Shirt
• Food Product from P28!
• You Fresh Naturals coco nutbutter!

All for $8!

There are going to be a mi of FAT BLASTING high intensity workouts as well as STRENGTH and lean muscle building! I know the holidays are full of temptations, goodies, FOOD galore, and happiness and joy :P BUT if you stick with these intense workouts, all the progress you've made this year shouldn't be too badly affected! Keep active, keep consistent, and you'll get to your goals! I always let myself enjoy the food I love, as long as I still KILL it in the gym!

So what are you waiting for?! Commit to a FIT holiday season! Be a beast in the gym, or at home, and get ready to blast fat, build muscle, work up a sweat, and be FIT FOR THE HOLIDAYS!

 

Protein Cheesecake - 2 Versions!

Version 1 Ingredients:

• 2 eggs
• 1/2 cup nonfat Greek yogurt 
• 3/4 cup 2% cottage cheese 
• 1 scoop @questnutrition vanilla protein powder 
• 1/4 tsp baking soda, 1/4 tsp baking powder 
• optional: berries to mix in, sweetener if your protein powder isn't very sweet!

Method: Blend the cottage cheese, eggs, Greek yogurt together very well. Mix in the protein well. Stir any additional add-ins like berries last. Pour into a sprayed baking dish (the smaller diameter, the taller the cake!! 

Bake for 30 mins at 350 F or until knife comes clean. Let cool in room temperature for an hour or so, then let chill in the fridge for a few hours before eating.

Macros

1 slice of 8: 87 cals, 2 fat, 10.8 carbs, 7.6 protein 

WHOLE CAKE : 696 cals, 6.2 fat, 86.3 carbs, 61.2 protein 

 

Version 2 Ingredients: 

• 2 eggs
• 1/2 c pumpkin canned 
• 1 cup 2% fat cottage cheese 
• 2 cup nonfat greek yogurt 
• 4 TBS pb2 powder
• 2/3 cup whey protein
• optional additional sweetener if your protein isn't as sweet and delicious as @musclegauge 

Method: blend all liquid ingredients together, then mix well with dry. Pour into a deep circle baking dish (smaller than an 8-9 inch baking dish, there WILL be batter leftover! You can make individual cheesecake muffins out of the leftover batter!) Bake at 350 for 50-60 mins, until it doesn't jiggle when you shake it. Let it cool in room temperature for a bit. Then let cool in fridge for at least 3 hours. Top with whatevaaa you want! The deeper your baking dish and smaller diameter, the taller and thick your slice will be

Macros:

WHOLE cheesecake without crust: 1083 cals | F: 16.9 g | C: 50.2 g | P: 178 g. 

1 slice out of 8: 135 cals | F: 2.1 g | C: 6.3 g | P: 22.3 g. 

Easy Microwave Protein Peanut Butter Cookies!

Hello everyone! Long time no post :P Sorry! Been swamped with the end of Senior Fall Semester, keeping up with the YouTube, posting on Instagram, and allllll that fancy jazz!
Wanted to share with you all a FAST, quick, easy, and delicious recipe that I actually posted on my YouTube HERE the other day, if you want to see the step by step!

Enjoy the recipe below!

Gluten Free Pumpkin Brownies!

PUMPKIN BROWNIES

TIS the season for everythangggg pumpkin! Seriously. You can use it to make anything! Pancakes, Donuts, Cakes, Smoothies, WHATEVER you want! So versatile and delicious!

#Vmfityear14 October Month Workout Plan: HALLOWEEN SLIMDOWN!

HELLO OCTOBER! Oh my goodness the months are flying by! How are YOU doing so far this year? Getting to your goals? Working hard? Or maybe not so hard? Well it's time to CHANGE that. Change for YOU. Do you have a goal that you envision yourself in? Why not put in the work to GET there! You have all the tools you need to get to where you want to be, you just need some self motivation to push yourself to get there. Remember, you only get the results from the work you put INTO yourself.
So why not start NOW. Get ready for this month's new plan,

HALLOWEEN SLIMDOWN

[Random note: Hope you all are subscribed to my new YouTube Channel, where I'll be posting a bunch of videos of workouts in the gym, at home workouts where I workout WITH you, baking and cooking in the kitchen, as well as random vlogs and lifestyle tips!]

In this plan like in all the others you get:

• full calendar of at home/gym workouts
• progress pages
• food log pages
• grocery guide
• chances to win:
• 2 Boxes of Quest Nutrition Quest Bars + Quest Apparel Shirt
• Food Product from P28!

All for $6.50!

Get ready for some HIGH INTENSITY workouts right here, full of jumping actions mixed with some light weights, to get that heart rate going and that fat BLASTING.
If you cannot perform some moves, like a burpee or mountain climbers, I have added a slight modification in there, but if you cannot do them AT ALL due to physical limitations, then this might not be the plan for you! But you can always try any of the other #Vmfityear14 Month Workouts to focus on building strength in the gym to jump start your journey!

So what are you waiting for?! You've got 1 month til the big Spooky Holiday, so grab your program, some light weights, and get to work! You'll be addicted to the sweat and the change you'll see.

First YOUTUBE Video, Funfetti Mugcake, and a Tiramisu Recipe!

Hey everyone!

GUESS WHAT?! I just uploaded my first YouTube Video! It's my Intro to my Channel as well as a DELICIOUS and EASY Funfetti Mugcake Recipe! So please check out the video, like, and Subscribe to my channel! I'm aiming to put out like 2-3 videos a week of different things like:

• Lifestyle Tips
• Fitness Tips
• Workouts in the Gym and at Home
• Food/Baking/Cooking
• Vlogs
• ETC!

And I'm super super excited to get this journey going. I actually could not sleep last night because I was so happy hahah! :P I know I know, silly Josie. Anyways, keep reading below for the TIRAMISU recipe!

Chickpea Protein Bites: Gluten Free, Flour Free

Hey blog world! Sorry for the lack of posts and updates! If you want more daily motivation, inspiration, recipes, etc, follow me on Instagram or on Twitter for more frequent updates!

Here's a new recipe for ya healthy sweets lovers:

Quest Bar Peanut Butter Brownie Cups

PEANUT BUTTER BROWNIE CUPS!! Who doesn't love the sound of THAT?! Delicious quest bar drool worthy-ness! Hope you enjoy this totally simple creation! If you don't have these two flavors, you can always try plopping together 2 other ones! Be creative!

Gluten Free Black Bean Brownies AGAIN & Slutty Brownies with Quest Bars!

I don't even know how many different black bean brownie recipes I've made and tried, but this is by farrr my FAVORITE. It's fudgy, melt in your mouth deliciousness.

To store, keep in tupperware and fridge.

If you want to eat it, pop them in the microwave for 5-8 seconds! <3 <3

Quest Bar Pumpkin Muffin Pies & High Protein, Natural, Low Calorie Halo Top Creamery Ice Cream Review!

MMMM I love making QUEST BAR CREATIONS!
The bars are so easy and versatile, you can make them into anything! Check out my recipes that I have so far incorporating Quest bars here!
Check out my newest one, Pumpkin Pie Muffins with a Quest Bar Crunchy Crust! TO DIE FOR!!!
Click more to see the recipe, anddd for a review on the newest healthy low calorie ice cream, HALO TOP CREAMERY!

Update on My Life: No more IIFYM, Hello Intuitive Eating

I know I haven't done a "What's Happening In My Life" long wordy post in a while... so I guess I'll do one now and update you all on what I've been doing these past few months!

Quest Bar Creations! Ice Cream and Mug Cakes!

MMMM you all know my love of Quest Bars right?
And over the summer when I was a Quest Creation FIEND?!
Welp here are some more recipes for you to drool over and make yourself!

ICE CREAM and a MUGCAKE!

Lightened Up Healthy 7 Layer Dip

Have a big get together coming up but don't want to bring a bland and boring dish? Want to bring something delicious and secretly healthy?!

Try out this lightened up dip! I made it for this past Superbowl Sunday and it was a huge hit!

Gluten Free Banana Bread Muffins and Quest Bar Frosting

Want to try some delicious guiltfree banana bread muffins covered in frosting?!

Must Read Blogposts For the New Year

It's officially 2014!
Brand new spanking year.
Today is the first day of a 365 page book, make an amazing and inspiring story.