Mac N Cheese Gone Wild

Hey guys,

Did you know it can do that? Me neither, but I thought it was fun to imagine those little dry noodles throwing a funky party inside their box when no one was looking. I hope the 'cheese' packet doesn't feel left out….I digress!

Alrighty, so I'm a realist. And, I'm a busy mama. Between the two, I realize that not everyone is making their own mac n cheese from scratch every time.

You have vowed to eat NO MORE bites of your kids' mac n cheese a million times. You are determined to introduce healthier foods to the family. You're also HUMAN and have a headache just thinking about banning their favorite boxed, yellow-orange pasta product from the house.

No worries! I've got ya covered today. Oh, and if you’re a DIY-homesteading-superwoman (my hat is OFF to you!), make sure you are signed up for my newsletter to get a constant flow of new, tasty, healthy recipes!

Ok, back to the boxed kind…baby steps! There’s no use having an extra reason for your kids to rebel or throw a tantrum. Let’s talk about some smaller steps to consider in order to first healthify your family’s favorite comfort food…

1) Dare I say it? Swap the box! Before you try to make mac n cheese from scratch, you might get more buy-in from the stakeholders (little humans in your house) if you start by choosing a different boxed variety. Rather than Kraft - which has lots of inflammatory ingredients - try Amy’s organic. They also have a gluten-free and dairy-free option if that fits your family’s needs.

2) Add veggies. This one works best when you do it gradually. You can start by adding some frozen butternut squash cubes into the boiling water with the pasta. The taste is sweet and it will break apart and enhance the color of the cheese sauce. Another great option is peas. These are small and you can start with just a few mixed in to get everyone use to the idea that green things can be expected in their food from now on. ;-)

3) Nutritional yeast. This can be found in most grocery stores or online and adds a cheesy taste to food - perfect for mixing into macaroni and cheese! Not only that, it also adds some protein and vitamin B12.

4) Sliced cherry or grape tomatoes can bolster the nutrition while giving your mac n cheese a “grilled cheese with tomato” feel.

5) Add mashed avocado into the sauce. Heck, use it in place of some of the sauce. More real food = a win! The avocado will add more healthy fats, creaminess, and …a fun color!

With these tips, you can steal a bite of your kiddo’s mac n cheese with a decent chance that you’ll actually have some real food in there!

*Warning: Results may vary. I make no promises that your particular child(ren) will be ok with any or all of these suggestions…but it’s worth a try! Try these steps one at a time for greatest chance of child consumption.

Which one do you think you’ll start with?

In good health,

Tara

Another booty exercise from the couch...with guitars and nesting blocks?

"More booty exercises, more booty exercises…!!"

Alrighty, I heard your replies and I raise you…another home exercise you can add to the mix to target those glutes.  (Also, why does auto-correct want to change 'glutes' to 'flutes' every time??  I've never played the flute…or talked about playing the flute in my life). 


Watch this super-quick video of me doing this move using my couch.  If that's not a win-win, I don't know what is.  I also may bring a guitar and some nesting blocks into the mix.  You'll see.


Oh, and squeeze your butt cheeks together at the top. Happy booty-building!

In good health,

Tara

Microwaveable Paleo / Keto Bread Recipe and Demo

You can make bread - from scratch - in 3 minutes using your microwave.

It almost seems impossible, doesn't it? Now, I know what you may be thinking.  "Tara, isn't the microwave unhealthy?" Yes, sort of.  Studies have shown that some nutrients are depleted when using the microwave to heat up or cook food.  So, as an everyday thing, I wouldn't suggest this cooking method. Here's where the 'sort of' comes into play.  If you make this bread instead of heading out to pick up your Wonderbread (or other bread that lives in the middle aisles of the grocery store), then this is definitely the healthier option!! 


If I'm being real with you - and I always am - I do use my microwave sometimes. This bread recipe would come out great in the oven too!  I just haven't nailed down the temperature and timing of it yet. If you end up trying it and want to save me some recipe-testing time, I'd love you to reply and let me know what worked for you.  ;-)


For now, I knew this one was too good not to share.  I've already had a few messages from people who saw the recipe when I first posted it on social media last week.  They're loving how easy and versatile it is!  Not only is it versatile in use (sandwiches, toasted with butter or coconut oil, cut into squares and served as a dinner side dish…) but it also happens to be paleo, keto, and vegetarian-friendly.  With just a few net carbs per serving, it's a great choice for someone that needs low-glycemic.

IF videos that make you sea sick...filled with cute toddlers, runny noses, and a lot of whining is your thing, you're definitely going to wanna check out this video demo that I did LIVE with my son, Jagger, when he was home sick from school.


If you're like, "Tara, just give me the freakin' recipe please.", then check out this pretty PDF that you can print.  It contains the nutrition facts as well!


'Til next time...


In good health,
Tara


P.S. If you are enjoying these recipes, make sure you join my private Facebook group, Lean In with Tara Allen Health, where there is a very large - and growing! - database of healthified recipes.  :-)

The 4 most popular diets...and what they have in common.

Hey all,

So, one of my favorite ways to share wellness tips and strategies is through my weekly, live Workshop Wednesday videos.  My most recent one was about the 4 most popular "lifestyle" diets at this time and what they all have in common.  


Yup, that's right!  There are 3 things you can do right now that will help you get the same health-promoting and weight loss results that people following these top 4 diets are raving about…without a million rules or a list of "good" and "bad" foods! Check out the video right here and start to tackle these today!

In good health,

Tara

At-Home Booty Exercises

Ready to work your backside?

Well gee…that was really personal!  Sorry about that.  But not really ;-) because I hear from so many women about how they'd love to sneak in workouts at home and focus on toning up their boot-y!

So, I figured I'd share a few of my favorite moves in a super-duper-fast video demo (do you have 36 seconds?!).

Try these 2 exercises for your glutes.  Scale the reps and sets up or down depending on your current fitness level.  Add in a march-in-place warm-up and weave in a few sets of jumping jacks or stairs to turn up the heat.

In good health,

Tara

What's everyone getting worked up about Keto for? BravoTV feature

Hey all,

Unless you’ve been avoiding all TV, internet, and media of all kind, you’ve probably heard about the very popular “keto” diet (a.k.a. ketosis, ketogenic diet, high fat low carb, HFLC…) What you might’ve noticed, too, is how many people seem to take this diet choice so personally - regardless of which camp they fall into. Check out my latest article feature for BravoTV to read up about what the diet is, what it claims, and why I believe people have such strong feelings about it!

I’d love to hear from you…do you know anyone trying this diet?

In good health,

Tara

Coconut Cherry Chia Overnight Pudding

We’ve been speaking a lot about healthy habits lately here at Tara Allen Health - what with the New Year and all. I can't think of anything more helpful than setting yourself up for success the night before.  For me, this looks like making the kids' school lunch and snacks, setting out my workout clothes (I either train clients or myself very early every morning), and taking a look at my schedule for the next day so there are no surprises.


Another helpful trick - especially if your mornings are typically frantic - is to pre-make breakfast for whoever you're responsible for feeding in the AM.  Some of my favorites that can be made ahead are overnight oats, veggie-egg cups, and this Coconut Cherry Chia Overnight Pudding recipe...

Coconut Cherry Chia Overnight Pudding
(Serves 2)

Ingredients:

• 3 T Chia seeds

• 1 cup coconut milk (or another non-dairy milk of choice)

• 1 cup chopped cherries (frozen or fresh - your choice!)

• 1 T raw honey

• Dash of pure vanilla extract

• 1/2 tsp. cinnamon

Directions:

1. Place all ingredients in a glass container and stir well.

2. Cover the container and place it in the refrigerator overnight.

3. When it's time to eat, place a serving in a bowl and garnish with an optional teaspoon of almond slivers, or another kind of nuts / seeds.


If you try this recipe (or any of my other recipes) and decide to post to social media, please tag me so I can see it!  


Facebook: Tara Allen Health
Instagram: @tara_allen_health


In good health,
Tara

Your goals are set. Now what?!?

Don't wait for motivation to 'strike'!

Have you ever entered a new year (like right now) with tons of great intention, motivation, and a list of things you want to magically change about yourself or your routines?  And then something derails your progress a day, a week, or a month in?  Or you're making so many changes at once it becomes impossible to get them all straight?

I've been there!  In fact, I'm the queen of lists and dreaming big and taking on wayyy more than I can manage (sanely, anyway).

My latest Workshop Wednesday video was all about how choose where to focus and how to not rely on feeling motivated to do so. The truth is, successful people are no more motivated than you or I.  Successful people just implement a plan that involves taking action regardless of motivation being present or not.  The specific tactic I get into in the video is called The Domino Effect. If you have been nerding out on goals and creating new habits lately, you're going to want to check out this video!

Happy New Year!

In good health and holiday cheer,

Tara

I have a surprise for you! (Sugar cravings? Health goals? Read this!)

Psst…

Yeah, you!  The one that knows she's destined to make some amazing progress in her health this year. The same one that's also dealing with the post-holiday sugar cravings and telling herself she'll "start" when those go away...

I get you. I do. The holiday cookies, pies, bread, pizza, chocolate, and wine are SO DELICIOUS, but come with tons of baggage like your favorite toddler when you try to leave the house for 30 minutes.  

It can be tricky to gain any traction with your goals when you're still battling those cravings for sugar and carbs.  So, as a thank you for allowing me to hang out with you every week in your inbox, I have a surprise for you!

Coming January 14th to an inbox near you: Crush the Cravings, a 5-day (FREE) Challenge.  No need to do anything if you’re already signed up for my newsletters.  Well, you could tell a friend (or 5) if you want to help me help others!  ;-)

If you’re not yet on my newsletter list, it’s not too late to join! Sign up at TaraAllenHealth.com - right on the home page, and get ready to open a new email everyday next week with a new tip or habit to practice that will have you well on your way to eliminating those cravings by week's end.

Sound good? Great! I'm excited to hear how awesome you feel at the end. Use #crushthecravings and tag me in your posts as you track your progress!

"See" you soon,

Tara

THRIVING this Holiday Season: Part 2, FITNESS

Ready to THRIVE?

What are you waiting for?!  


If you celebrate Christmas, then today is a very special day for you. Merry Christmas! If you are reading this in real time as it showed up on my site, right now I am probably taking too many blurry pictures of my children as I choke back tears as I remember "how little" they were last year at this time. I'm emotional. I cry over everything.  :-)  


But, chances are you are reading this at another time.  Maybe it's Tuesday night now or Wednesday morning. Regardless of whether or not you celebrate Christmas, you might be thinking ahead to more parties this week as New Years approaches quickly. If you thought that I was going to tell you right now to avoid alllll cocktails, cookies, and pie…you thought wrong.  I want you to enjoy yourself…with intention!  And, I want you to feel as though you're not "off the wagon".


One way to allow all of the merriment to happen and also not feel like you've tossed away all hope at any of your health goals is to keep (or re-establish) an exercise routine right now. Before I lose you here, I'm not talking about going from nothing to 60-minute workouts!  How about 5 minutes today?  How about 10 tomorrow?  What can you do?  Let's start there.


In my latest Workshop Wednesday video, I shared a little bit about how to set goals in a completely new way (hint: behavioral over outcome), and also get into 7 ways to get your fitness in during the holiday season…and Winter in general.  There are unique hurdles that present themselves this time of year, but there are also unique opportunities!  


Here's a summary:


Tip 1: Commercial breaks.  During your favorite holiday movie, Netflix, or DVRed show, march in place or do dips on a chair.


Tip 2: Be creative.  Ten squats every time you go to the bathroom (yes, even at work) is that much more than you're already doing.


Tip 3: Festive decorations.  Bundle up for a walk or run as a different way to experience the beautiful lights this time of year.


Tip 4: Holiday fun run.  There is still time to sign up for a New Year's run or walk.  Be social and active at the same time.


Tip 5: Track your steps.  Use an app or wearable device to try to improve the number of steps you take.  Using those gifts cards or making returns at the mall?  Perfect!  Do a few extra laps.


Tip 6: Shoveling. You have to wait for Mother Nature to cooperate for this one, but take advantage when the white stuff gets here.


Tip 7: Winter FUN. Snow tubing, ice skating, sleigh-riding, skiing, snowboarding...


Which one of these is your favorite?  I'd love it if you hit "reply" to this email and let me know.  


In good health and holiday cheer,
Tara


P.S. If you want to catch the video, here it is!

Thriving this Holiday Season: Part 1, The Food

The holidays are upon us! If your life is anything like ours, you will have parties and gatherings and events everyday for the next week and a half. :-) It’s fun! And also, it can be tricky to manage any type of health goal with all the food, cookies, alcohol, and hot cocoa.

Check out my recent Workshop Wednesday video in which I shared my top tips for not just surviving, but actually THRIVING, during this festive time.

In good health and holiday cheer,

Tara

P.S. Stay tuned until next week when I share Thriving this Holiday Season, Part 2: Fitness.

Eliminate these 2 things to see near-immediate results!

You just want someone to tell you what to do sometimes...

I get it! I do.  If you've been reading my blogs for a while now, then you know that I believe in the, "If you bring a woman a fish, she'll eat for a day.  If you teach a woman to fish, she'll eat for a lifetime" approach. (That was paraphrased with a creative twist).  ;-)

However, I do really know what it's like to sometimes just want someone tell you what to do. When it's a week before a big holiday and 2 weeks before another big holiday and there's so much to do and what seems like an unlimited amount of parties with food and alcohol...

It can be hard to stay focused. It can be tricky to remember how to fish for yourself.

Today I'm sharing with you 2 things to eliminate (or greatly reduce) from your plate that will bring you near-immediate progress.  These tips are NOT easy - especially this time of year.  So, you get to choose when to use them.  Save these tools in your tool belt for the day after a particularly fun party.  :-)  Or, start immediately so you can get a bit of traction and energy before all of these events.  It's up to you!

The video is below. If you don't have time to watch or listen to the video for all of the details, here's the cliff notes:

1. Refined sugar
2. Refined flour

They are not doing you any favors for your health.  If they are soul food for you - as in, your soul is happy when you eat them - then by all means, keep some of it in!  But, choose intentionally. Be picky.  Save it for special foods and special occasions.  Watch how much better you feel when you do that!


In good health and holiday cheer,
Tara


P.S. 2019 is coming!  It's our year and we're coming for it.  One of the things that I do to give me a leg-up is keep my healthy habits in place.  If working out consistently or eating properly for my body type and goals weren't a habit, I wouldn't be able to accomplish a whole lot, to be honest. This took some time for me to establish.  And then, I had to figure it all out again post-babies. Things change.  But, the fact that I need my health, energy, and confidence in order to go after my dreams has never changed.  If you are looking to improve your health, energy, and/or confidence in the New Year so you can crush your goals…and your life, then I think you should! That's where the magic is.


I coach women through this transformation through nutrition, fitness, and lifestyle changes that bring great health, energy, confidence…and JOY!  Let me know (email me at Tara@TaraAllenHealth.com) if you are interested in chatting (free of charge) to discuss what some of your goals are.*

*Limited offer: This offer is available to the first 5 people that email me.

Coconut Macaroons

It’s the week before Christmas and the New Years celebrations are kicking off in 2 weeks. Some of us are all cookie-baked out. Is this you?! Do you need something different? This macaroon recipe has just 4 ingredients! You must try. :-)

Coconut Macaroons

Ingredients:

·      2 large egg whites

·      ¼ cup honey

·      ¼ teaspoon sea salt

·      2½ cups unsweetened coconut flakes

Directions:

1. Whisk egg whites to stiff peaks with a hand blender.

2. Gently whisk in honey and salt.  Fold in coconut flakes.

3. Place bowl in fridge to chill for 30 minutes.

4. When ready to bake, Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

5. Fill a melon baller with batter (firmly packed)

6. Release batter onto a parchment paper lined baking sheet, and bake for 10-12 minutes, or until macaroons are golden brown.

7.  Cool for at least an hour.  Serve and enjoy!

In good health and holiday cheer,

Tara

Body positivity + 5 affirmations

Hey guys,

Real change starts with acceptance.


While that may seem like an oxymoron, it's the absolute truth! Here's the gist...when we come from a place of acceptance, we have more positive emotions.  Positive emotions lead to positive action which leads to positive results.  


The opposite is also true.


You have probably heard me speak to this in the past, as it's so crucial for anything and everything you are looking to accomplish, or change, or just feel more positive about.  I'll sum it up right here for you.


The S.T.E.A.R. Cycle:


Situation --> Thought --> Emotion --> Action (or inaction) --> Result


Wherever your body is at right now, is the situation. It's neutral. When we have a thought (judgment) about the situation, we end up putting a negative or positive spin on it.


Let's just say you aren't feeling so confident about your body these days. You're negatively judging your body and what it means ("I shouldn't weigh ____.", "I hate the way my legs look.")  From these negative thoughts come a negative emotion (example: shame).  Feeling shameful about your body will NOT allow you to take positive actions leading to a positive result.  It just won't. 


Here's the great news.  WE have the power to change our thought patterns over time and with practice.  


Last week, I talked about this in my LIVE, online, weekly workshop.  Not only did I discuss the S.T.E.A.R. Cycle, but I shared 5 affirmations that you can start to use TODAY to ensure that you're feeling (even just a little bit) better about your body by the time January 1st rolls around.


And why is that important?


Because you're beautiful and you deserve to feel that way. :-)


But also, if you will be working towards any kind of health goals in 2019, it's super-duper important that you do so when you're feeling more positive about your body.  


Remember...positive emotions lead to positive actions which lead to positive results - the exact thing you're looking to accomplish.

Check out the video below!

In good health,

Tara

P.S. Since there are now FOUR weeks left of 2018 and not 5, I want you to double up on affirmations #1 and #2. Say both of those each day for a week. Next week, move onto affirmation #3 and you’ll be all caught up and get all the same awesomeness as everyone else who saw this video last week. ;-)

P.P.S. If you want to make sure you see my videos LIVE (or at least pretty soon after), you are invited to join me inside my private Facebook group, Lean In with Tara Allen Health. “See” you over there!

Cut back your workout time!

Hey guys,

If we are friends on facebook, then you may already know that I do a weekly, live show on my business page on Wednesday mornings. In this “show”, I talk about something related to overall wellness, nutrition, and/or fitness…often talking about many somethings each week because sometimes I can’t shut up. It’s both a skill AND a flaw. ;-)

Anyway, in my latest live video, I talked about how you can cut your workout time by 2/3 and still get BETTER results. We get into time management and common excuses. We talk about fear how to gain momentum, and how to start working out at all if you haven’t started yet. I shared a rather, um, disturbing thing someone said to me that day in the gym locker room.

So, if you are either not working out at all (and want to be) OR feeling as though you have trouble fitting in your workouts or spinning your wheels in the gym, this video was made for you. :-)

Please tell a friend that may have told you recently that she wants to exercise, but can’t seem to find the time. You could be helping her in more ways than you might know.

In good health,

Tara

Martha Stewart Weddings

Hey guys,

While I’m not so sure that the majority of you readers are getting married anytime soon (maybe?), the tips that were inside of my latest article feature in Martha Stewart Weddings is all about hydration and can definitely apply to you - even if you’re at a different stage in life. ;-)

HERE IS THE ARTICLE

Tell me, what are your favorite ways to stay hydrated?

In good health,

Tara

Blueberry Muffins - Nut free & Healthified

Hey guys,

It’s no secret that I care - a lot - about my family eating healthfully. It’s also no secret that when they’re in school, there’s a certain amount of control we give up. There are birthday parties and holiday parties and beginning of the year parties and middle of the year parties….

It can all get a bit out of hand. If you are a mama / parent / caregiver of young children like I am, then you might find yourself in a similar debacle from time to time. Not only that, but so much of my homemade treats include alternative flours like almond flour - which is an obvious no-no in our nut-free schools.

Where there’s a will, there’s a way. Here is a blueberry muffin recipe that I made recently during a particularly party-heavy time at school. My kids got to enjoy a treat that I felt good about and we were very cautious about other kiddos’ allergies. :-)

Blueberry Muffins

(Makes 10 muffins)

Ingredients:

• 2/3 cup coconut flour

• 5 eggs

• 1/2 cup non-dairy milk (make sure not to use nut milk if strictly nut-free)

• 1/3 cup coconut oil, melted

• 2/3 cup blueberries

• 1/4 cup honey

• 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract

• 1/4 tsp. baking soda

• 1/4 tsp. ginger

• pinch sea salt

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.

2. Mix all ingredients in a food processor or high-speed blender, except blueberries.

3. Fold in blueberries.

4. Line a muffins tray with liners.

5. Fill each muffin cup until 2/3 full.

6. Bake for 22-25 minutes. You’ll know they are done when the tops are golden and a toothpick comes out clean when inserted in the center of the muffin.

7. Enjoy!

In good health,

Tara

Safer Make-up

Save the date! 

This beautiful lady below, Kathryn Lattimer, will be sharing her background story and some important wisdom about safer cosmetics with us!  Not only that, but for those of us (ahem...me!) that are make-up challenged, she will be wrapping up our conversation by doing a make-up tutorial for everyone!

WHEN: Saturday, November 10th at 12:30 PM, Eastern

WHERE: Wherever the heck you have cell service!!  Just be inside my private Facebook group, Lean In with Tara Allen Health.

WHAT IF I'M BUSY?  No worries!  The replay will be made available for you to watch when you have the time.  ;-)


"See you" inside the group!


In good health,
Tara

Oatmeal Raisin Cookies

Welcome to November…and the onslaught of decadent holiday recipes coming your way!

Last week was Halloween and the way we circumvent tons of junky junk is by substituting it with healthy junk. ;-) These Oatmeal Raisin Cookies got sent in with my kiddos to school when they had their parties so that they would have a healthier alternative that would still taste great and feel like a special treat for them.

Mission accomplished.

I needed it to be gluten free, dairy free, nut free (school rules), and no refined sugar.

Here’s what we came up with…

Oatmeal Raisin Cookies

(Makes 24 cookies)

Ingredients:

• 2 cups rolled oats

• 2/3 cup ground flaxseeds

• 1/2 cup raisins

• 1/2 cup coconut oil, melted

• 1/3 cup maple syrup

• 1 egg

• 2 T water

• 1 tsp. baking powder (aluminum-free)

• 1 tsp. cinnamon

• 1 tsp. vanilla extract

• 1/2 tsp. sea salt

• Optional: add 1/4 cup chocolate chips. walnuts, or dried cranberries

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

2. Place the raisins in a bowl and add water until covered. Allow to soak for 15 minutes.(You can skip this step, but your raisins will be dry in the cookies).

3. In a large bowl, stir together the dry ingredients: oats, flaxseed, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, and sea salt.

4. In a small bowl, whisk together the wet ingredients: egg, maple syrup, vanilla, coconut oil, and water.

5. Mix your wet ingredients into your dry ingredients.

6. Fold in raisins and any additional mix-ins, if desired.

7. Scoop tablespoon-sized balls onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Flatten slightly with back of spoon.

8. Bake for 16-18 minutes.

9. Enjoy!

WIll you be trying these? Let us know!

In good health,

Tara

Healthy Halloween - here's what we did

Hey guys,

I shot a quick video a few days ago to share what my family was doing to have ALL THE FUN on Halloween and none of the garbage!

• Do we give out candy?

• What about the school parties?

• How do we deal with the trick or treating results?

I get into it all in this video.

Please note: This is what we choose to do as a family. This is by no means a judgment on your choices. ;-)

In good health,

Tara