Finding a Balance with Healthy Eating

Hello Everyone!

My name is Alex and I blog over at Alex Runs For Food

 

I met Amanda through blogging. (<–from Amanda: I think that’s how I meet all of my friends…) We met in person when she and Lee hosted a Bootcamp and Brunch. I’m so excited to be guest posting for Amanda while she is studying for her upcoming NASM personal training certificate. Good Luck!!

Finding a Balance with Healthy Eating

I am a wife, student, nurse, fitness enthusiast, personal chef for my husband J and blogger. I live a busy life and finding a balance can sometimes be tricky. I am currently working on finding a balance with my eating habits. I recently did a challenge where I ate clean for 24 days. I’m not going to lie, it was extremely tricky but I felt amazing! Since that challenge I have decided to try to eat healthy clean foods 90% of the time and eat “unhealthy” food 10% of the time. For me that 10% will be filled with dessert.

This girl LOVES chocolate!! (<–from Amanda: I am with you there!!)

So today I have two of my favorite and most loved recipes to share. One is healthy and the other is for splurging. I will warn you both recipes are addicting.

My first recipe to share is my

Monster Cookies.

All of my family and friends rant and rave over these cookies. They are gooey chocolaty deliciousness.

Ingredients:

         3 eggs

         1 1/2 cups packed brown sugar

         1 cup white sugar

         1 teaspoon vanilla extract

         1 teaspoon corn syrup

         2 teaspoons baking soda

         1/2 cup butter

         1 1/2 cups peanut butter

         3 1/2 cups rolled oats (you can use quick oats)

       1 cup flour

         1 bag milk chocolate chips

         1 bag M&Ms

 

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a very large bowl, beat the eggs. I use my KitchenAid mixer. Add the remaining ingredients in order, mixing well. Use an ice cream scoop (I use a pretty big scoop, they are monster cookies after all) or spoon to put on ungreased cookie sheet (I do spray my pans with pam). Bake for 9 to 12 minutes. Bake until edges of cookies are lightly browned. Be careful not to over cook!!!

Makes 35-40 cookies, depending on size.

You guys have been warned, once you make these you will be addicted and anyone who tries them will want you to make them again.

 

My second recipe is part of my 90% clean and healthy eating. But don’t let the words clean and healthy fool you, this pasta salad is AH-MAZING!

It is my

Greek Pasta Salad.

Ingredients

1 package (1lb) Orzo Pasta or to make it clean whole wheat pasta or couscous

1 lemon

1 tbsp. olive oil

3 tbsp. basil pesto (fresh made or store bought)

¼ cup red onion, chopped small

½ cup Kalamata black olives, chopped

½ cup red pepper, chopped

½ cup banana peppers, chopped

¼ cup pickled jalapeños or 1 fresh

¼ cup Sun dried tomatoes

½ cup feta cheese

1 tsp Red Pepper Flakes (optional)

Dressing

Balsamic Glaze (I found mine at target near the Balsamic Vinegar)

OR

Homemade Dressing: ½ cup Balsamic vinegar, ¼ cup olive oil, 1 tbsp mustard, 1 tbsp honey or agave nectar, pinch of salt, pinch of pepper and 1 tbsp. herbs de Provence blended together. This dressing is simple and amazing. I could eat it everyday on salad.

Directions:

Cook the pasta as directed on the package. While the pasta is cooking chop all other ingredients and place in large bowl. Add the cooked pasta. Then add the olive oil, pesto and juice of 1 lemon. Mix everything together. I like to keep my balsamic glaze or dressing on the side and let people drizzle it over their own pasta salad. This recipe is very versatile so if you want to add more of a certain thing go for it. Or you can add something else to the pasta salad. Sometimes I add chopped marinated artichokes.

I hope you guys enjoy both of these recipes!

 

How do you keep a balance in your busy lives?

What’s your favorite thing to eat when you’re splurging?

I LOVE making new friends so please feel free to connect with me via Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. And feel free to visit me over at Alex Runs For Food! 

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I keep a balance by realizing I have been eating too much sugar or sitting on the couch too much so it’s time to reboot! And my favorite indulgence is cookies!! I can’t wait for Alex to make me my very own batch when I pass the NASM exam!! 😉 (which is only a few days away..eek!)

 

 

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