Paleo Pesto Sauce

Do you LOVE pesto? But also HATE the way you feel after eating dairy like me (lactose intolerant over here)?


I've got an awesome recipe for you to try today!

Paleo Pesto Sauce
Servings depend on how generously you spoon your pesto onto everything. ;-)

Ingredients:

1 cup raw walnuts, shelled (not roasted)
3 cups fresh basil leaves
2 cups baby spinach
4 cloves garlic
Zest and juice from 1 large lemon
2/3 cup olive oil (feel free to swap out for walnut or macadamia oil)
3/4 tsp. sea salt
2 Tbsp. nutritional yeast


Directions:

1. Place all ingredients in a food processor or high-speed blender and blend until well-combined.

2. Store in an airtight glass jar in the fridge.


Now I'd love to hear from YOU!!! What do you enjoy about my blogs? What would you like to see more of? I sit down to post blog posts with the goal to provide help, resources, and inspiration. How am I doing?


If you can leave a comment and let me know how I can be of greater service to you, I'd really appreciate it! In fact, I'll do one pushup for every response that I get between here AND my newsletter responses. :-)


In good health,
Tara

P.S. Would you like more delicious, healthy, plant-based + gluten-free recipes? How about a whole 3-day meal plan worth? Grab it as an instant download now!

You are creating a new habit NOW....and now....and again now!

You're either creating new habits or reinforcing old ones every single day!

NOT working out is actually a habit. Yelling at your kids… a habit. Snacking at night, avoiding new situations like the plague, complaining to anyone who will listen, stopping at the drive-thru, your 3 PM coffee….all habits.


I'm not one to judge what your habits are. No way! I'm busy working on optimizing mine - and teaching you what I learned from years of coaching myself and others.


Here's what you need to know if you are actively pursuing something greater for yourself...


Your brain does not know the difference between a "bad" habit and a "good" one. It just likes to create systems (a.k.a. habits) for efficiency out of anything you do - or DON'T do - often.


The first time you walked, you had to try hard. Same thing went for brushing your teeth, tying your shoes, and your first commute to work.


The best part is that our brains can be 'rewired' at any time! You get to upgrade your habits whenever the heck you want to.


Here's how:


1) Keep doing the thing you want to become a habit. Understand that it will feel hard for a while, but eventually it WILL become second nature. You are in control here. Stick with it.


2) Celebrate every baby step towards your progress. Yes, it'll make you smile in the moment. But here's what's even better than that - your brain will start to associate your new habit with the feel-good hormones you get from the feeling of pride and hope. This is the best way to fast-track your way towards turning that action into a habit because our brain is always seeking out the things that leave us feeling good.

What’s one habit you’re currently working on?! I’d love to hear about it!

If you’d like to join my newsletter list, where I share healthified recipes, more video trainings on wellness and weight loss, and other tips and resources for you on your health journey, come on over! You’ll get an instant download of my favorite 3-day plant-based meal plan for losing body fat. It’s a great way to kick off some results or just get to experimenting with new recipes in the kitchen. Enjoy!

In good health,

Tara

Homemade coffee creamer and tea creamer (dairy free, gluten free, refined sugar free)

If you've ever been so inclined as to make your own coffee or tea creamer, then have I got a treat for you! :-) This recipe will let you have your coffee and your creamer too...AND feel even better about it! It’s a game-changer. And, you'll probably save a little money too.

Healthy Homemade Tea & Coffee Creamer

Ingredients:


2 cups non-dairy milk (coconut, hemp, pea, almond, cashew – your choice!)
2 pitted dates
Splash of pure vanilla
½ tsp cinnamon
(to make a mocha creamer, add 1-2 tbsp of raw cacao powder)


Directions:


1. Combine all the ingredients in a blender or food processor until well combined and smooth.

2. Taste and adjust flavorings.

3. Store in an airtight jar in the refrigerator for 2 weeks. Be sure to mix it well before each use!



In good health,
Tara

30-second change to supercharge weight loss and health

Do you have a minute to dedicate to your goals?


How about half a minute?

I'm not going to tell you to give up soda or do lunges in your living room for 30-seconds - not today, anyway. ;-) Today, I want you to take a quick inventory of your self-talk. More specifically, I want you to hone in on negative self-talk.

So many times every single day I hear the following from women:

"I am lazy."
"I am out of shape."
"I can't…"
"It's too hard."
"I've never been able to…."

This negative self-talk does 2 things:

1) It makes your brain UNHAPPY, sending it on the hunt to find comfort as soon as possible. For most people I know, food and/or alcohol are quick fixes here. Comfort is a negative sum game. Meaning, your brain WILL get the comfort from somewhere if you've put yourself under attack.

2) It forces you to identify as the person you are feeling like you are. If you think it's too hard, it WILL feel too hard. If you think you're out of shape, you will collect plenty of evidence to prove you are "out of shape". From this place, are you making decisions and taking actions that will propel you forward towards your goals?

Nope.

Here's the 30-second trick…every time you catch yourself thinking or saying out loud something negative about you, your body, or your health, I want you to pause and replace that thought with something that's positive (or at least neutral).

This is what that looks like:

"Tara, you're so lazy! You've been sitting on the couch after work every single night this week."

Pause. Take a breath. Then say, "It's ok that you've sat on the couch because maybe you needed the rest. Now you can get up and go for the walk." (neutral)

OR...

"You're not lazy! Remember that time when you worked full-time and went to school full-time when 9 months pregnant?!" (positive)


It will feel really awkward at first. Then you might start to feel like you want to beat yourself up for the negative self-talk in the first place, but don't! Simply replacing the old thought by telling yourself the new thought right after will start to help you think differently.


When you think differently, you won't be self-sabotaging as often (hello full-pint ice cream Netflix nights!) and you'll be in a better state to gain momentum.


Change your brain, change your life! So, whaddya say?! Are you in?

Choco-PB Yogurt

Hey there,

So….I know you have a sweet tooth! I do, too. ;-)

Here's my latest low-glycemic / low-carb CONCOCTION - basically just a recipe without any measurements. I'm calling this one:

Choco-PB yogurt

Ingredients:

Unsweetened coconut yogurt (I used So Delicious brand)
Powdered peanut butter (use any protein powder you like)
Peanut butter (or any nut / seed butter)
Raw cacao powder

Toppings pictured: frozen blueberries and hemp seeds


Directions:

1) Mix all ingredients together in a bowl and add toppings as desired. 

2) Enjoy it as a healthy snack, side dish, or delicious dessert!



In good health,
Tara



P.S. If you are ready to make your health a priority once and for all and would like a coach to take you through your transformation, you're welcome to sign up for a (free) 15-min. call so we can chat about your goals and whether or not we're the right fit to work together. 

KETO benefits...without being in ketosis?

Have you heard of the keto diet?

The keto diet…or ketosis….or the ketogenic diet - they all refer to putting your body into a state of nutritional ketosis through consuming close to no carbohydrates (usually under about 20g or 30g per day).

It's very hot and trendy right now, but it's not a new concept. This type of eating has been around for a long time and used as treatments for things like epilepsy, other brain diseases, and some doctors even prescribe it for certain cancers.

But the main reason it's gained popularity recently is for it's potential to help people with weight loss. You may have even heard from a friend or family member that they "went keto" and lost a bunch of weight.

While I am not against the ketogenic diet for some people, some of the time, I am not a fan of it for most people, most of the time.

Watch (or listen to) my latest Workshop Wednesday video in which I dive into this topic. I was able to reverse my PCOS and insulin resistance holistically, but without going on a "keto" diet. In this video I share 4 ways I've been able to do this and how you can start to get many of the same health-promoting and weight loss benefits of the ketogenic diet without actually being in ketosis as well.

In good health,

Tara

P.S. If you’re ready to make your health a priority once and for all and would like to see if we’re a good fit to work together 1-on-1, feel free to sign up for a (free) 15-min. call during which we’ll chat about your goals. :-)

Warm Apple Salad

Ready for a new side dish?

Warm Apple Salad
Makes 4 servings

Ingredients:

4 to 5 cups loosely packed spinach or spring mix salad blend
1 lemon, zested and juiced (separated)
1 garlic clove, minced
3 tbsp olive oil
Sea salt to taste
¼ cup onion, chopped
4 apples, sliced
½ cup toasted pumpkin seeds

Directions:

1. Wash the greens and place in a large bowl.

2. In a small bowl, whisk the garlic into the lemon juice. Stir in the sea salt and lemon zest. Whisk in the olive oil until it’s emulsified into a vinaigrette.

3. Pour half the dressing over the spinach and toss well. 

4. In a large skillet over medium heat, heat the olive oil and add in the onion, cooking until translucent and slightly caramelized, about 8 to 10 minutes. Add in the apples, and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Toss in the pumpkin seeds to warm.

5. Add the onion-apple-pumpkin seed mixture to the spinach. Add the rest of the vinaigrette and more salt if desired. Serve and enjoy!



In good health,
Tara


P.S. I have just 1 (but I can be talked into 2) spots left for 1-on-1 coaching in June. If you are interested in learning more, you are welcome to schedule a free 15-minute call. We'll chat about your goals and what you need and find out if it's the right fit for us to work together.


P.P.S. If you prefer to check out some details - including the cost - on your own first, I totally get that! I'm the same way. ;-) Check out my 1-on-1 virtual coaching package here.

5 pillars every weight loss program needs to have (that no experts are talking about)

WHAT IF YOU ARE MOTIVATED TO MAKE A CHANGE, BUT NEED SOME GUIDANCE?!?

In another recent video, I cover the 5 pillars that need to be a part of every healthy + sustainable weight loss program. You don't ever have to pay me a dollar (and I'm gonna keep showing up for you for free anyway!) But, I do want to make sure if you're ready to finally lose the weight once and for all (or otherwise heal your body), that you're going about it with all angles covered. If not by me, then on your own or with help from someone else.

Many nutrition experts just address nutrition.
Fitness experts will tell you it's all in the workout plans.
Occasionally you'll find someone that covers both nutrition and fitness.

But if that was truly all you needed, you'd have accomplished it already, right?!

This is GOOD news! It's actually great news because it means YOU are not broken, but rather the approach you've tried in the past didn't actually get to the root cause of what is going on.

A truly effective coach or weight loss program will cover all of the following - in depth:

• Mindset (emotional eating, creating new habits, etc.)

• Mindful eating (slowing down, internal hunger cues)

• Nutrition (including portions, meal timing, actual real-life recipes)

• Fitness

• Lifestyle (sleep and stress play a huge role in healthy weight loss)

A program that thorough is hard to come by. In fairness, I don't know other professionals that are trained in all those areas. So it makes sense. Scope of practice laws are in place to protect us!



If you are interested in hearing more about the 5 pillars…or if you've ever been curious about what it looks like to work 1-on-1 virtually (completely online) with me to make a health transformation, definitely check out the video!

If you are READY to make a change and would like to find out if we are a good fit for working together, you are welcome to schedule a (free) 15-minute call so we can chat about your goals and next steps.

In good health,

Tara

Weight loss and GOOGLE! Huh?!?!

What do Google and weight loss have to do with each other?

You many be thinking, "Nothing!" But hear me out. ;-)


In a recent video workshop, I talk about exactly this - both literally and metaphorically. It's worth the watch (or listen) if you have been feeling a lack of motivation or direction lately in your healthy / weight loss journey.

Come join me inside my FREE, private facebook group for women looking to lose weight in a healthy + sustainable way for more resources, recipes, and video trainings!

In good health,

Tara

Choco-Banana Berry Smoothie Bowl

Are you ready for a new summer dessert staple?! Smoothie bowls are what my kids refer to as "ice cream"…seriously! And this one I'm sharing today happens to be a favorite around here in the Allen household.


The trick is to use plenty of frozen produce and adjust the liquid as you go to get the right consistency. Get creative with toppings! Berries, coconut flakes, dark chocolate chips, nuts and seeds all work well. 


Yes, it contains cauliflower, and yes, it’s yummy. 

Choco-Banana Berry Smoothie Bowl 

Makes 2 servings 

Ingredients: 


1 frozen banana, sliced 
1 cup frozen cauliflower 
1 cup frozen berries of your choice 
⅓ cup canned coconut milk (shake it up first!) 
⅓ cup coconut water as needed (or regular water) 
¼ cup raw cacao powder 
1 tbsp nut butter of your choice 
Pinch of Himalayan sea salt (optional) 


Directions: 


1. Pour a little bit of the water in the bottom of your high-speed blender, then add banana, cauliflower, berries, coconut milk, cacao powder, nut butter, and salt in the blender. Add the rest of the water. 

2. Blend until smooth, scraping the sides as needed. This will be thick. Add more water if necessary. 

3. Place in two bowls and eat immediately with a big smile on your face. 


Talk soon,
Tara

P.S. Are you on instagram? Me too! I'm @tara_allen_health over there. I'd love to hang out with you in between our weekly emails. 

3 steps to crush sugar cravings and lose excess body fat

Imagine a life with no cravings!

No, wait…imagine what would happen to your body and your health if the sugar cravings could finally go away!

While there are no magic pills to make such a thing happen, there are definite steps you can take. In my latest Workshop Wednesday video, I shared 3 steps that will get to the root cause of your cravings and help you lose excess body fat. Consider this your road map to start taking action and seeing results!

If you're finding these videos helpful, hop onto my email list to ensure that you don’t miss them! I share healthified + delicious recipes (is there any other way though?!?), workouts, wellness and weight loss video trainings, and new opportunities over there - weekly! And P.S. you’ll receive a super-awesome welcome gift right away when you join. ;-)

CHECK OUT THE (10-min.) VIDEO RIGHT HERE:

Talk soon,

Tara

Spinach and White Bean Soup

How about a new recipe?


This recipe takes just 20 minutes from start to finish but tastes like it’s been simmering all day. You can sub kale, escarole or your favorite “green” for the spinach in this tasty soup! It works well in the warmer weather, too.

Spinach and White Bean Soup 

(Serves 6) 

Ingredients:
 
2 tbsp avocado or olive oil 
1 small onion, chopped 
2 garlic cloves, chopped 
1 pound spinach, washed and chopped 
4 cups low-salt veggie broth 
1 (15 oz.) can white beans, drained & rinsed Sea salt 
Black pepper 


Directions: 


1. In a large pot over medium heat, heat 2 tbsp of the oil. Add the onion and saute until translucent, about 5 minutes. 


2. Add garlic and saute for about 15-30 seconds before stirring in the chopped spinach. Saute until wilted, about 2 minutes. Add the broth and beans and cover to simmer about 5 minutes, until the beans are heated. 


3. Ladle into soup bowls and enjoy! 



In good health,
Tara

P.S. If healthified, always-gluten-and-dairy-free recipes are your jam, you’re gonna love my (free) 3-Day Meal Plan. It’s designed for women looking to lose excess body fat, but if you just wanna download it for all the new, tasty recipes, I won’t tell anyone. ;-)

You don't need more willpower!

Have you been blaming WILL?

Good ol' Will…as in, WILLPOWER…tends to get a bad rap.



Everyone's looking for it. No one has enough. Everyone wants to 'find' more or create more. People are throwing their goals and dreams to the wayside all the while blaming their lack of willpower.



If you've ever found yourself saying, "If I only had more willpower…", then I'm glad this email found you today!



Willpower is actually a limited resource. Meaning, we run out of it fairly quickly due to all of the decisions we go through in a typical day. Those that are killin' it with their goals, getting healthy, fit, and strong all around you - they DO NOT have any more willpower than you do.



Let me say that again…successful people do not have more willpower than you.



So what's the secret? It's actually all about neural pathways. In the non-nerd world, it's also known as HABITS.



Check out my latest Workshop Wednesday video in which I tell you exactly how to make progress towards your goals without needing any willpower. Oh, and have you noticed what's different about my videos these days? They're shorter!! Hallelujah! I've been condensing my videos by shutting up sooner so it's more feasible for you to watch / listen on a weekly basis. ;-)



If you're liking the new, shorter videos, would you do me a favor and hit "reply" to this email and let me know? Of course if you'd rather I babble on forever about your favorite topics, let me know that too. I'm always looking for your feedback so I can best support you in your health & weight loss journey.

In good health,

Tara

P.S. If you need a weekly dose of weight loss and wellness tips, tools, and resources in your life, let’s do it! Join my email list and let me treat you like the VIP you are!

Easy Apple Dippers

Hey guys,

Ready for a fun & tasty new snack or dessert idea?

These are great for parties and perfect if you need something that doubles as an activity AND food source for your kiddos. :-)

Easy Apple Dippers

(serves 2) 

Ingredients: 


💚1 apple 

💚Dips (such as peanut butter, almond butter, melted dark chocolate, coconut yogurt, mejool date "caramel" 

💚Toppings (such as crushed nuts, seeds, dark chocolate chips, coconut) 


Directions: 

1. Using a melon baller, scoop out "balls" of the apple until you reach the core. 

2. Pierce each apple "ball" with a popsicle stick. 

3. Coat each apple ball with dip of choice and then into topping(s) of choice and place on wax paper. 

4. Place in freezer for at least 30 minutes. 

5. Enjoy!! 



In good health,
Tara

P.S. If you are always looking for new and fun (+ healthy) recipes for yourself and your family, grab my FREE 3-Day Meal Plan for Losing Body Fat. This thing is not only an awesome tool to spark momentum and results, but its’s chock full of delicious new meals and snacks to try! Grab your copy right here, right now. Hope you enjoy!

The scale is making you GAIN weight!

Is the scale making you GAIN weight and excess body fat?


You might be surprised to find out that this is, in fact, what's happening for many people - certainly most of the women I work with and speak to.


Check out my latest Workshop Wednesday video to learn how and why and what you can do instead.


And then, get rid of that dang scale if it is affecting you in this way too!

In good health,

Tara

P.S. If you are on a weight loss / fat loss / wellness journey, we should hang out more! Did you know that I share online workshops, recipes, and more tips to help you transform your body + life FOR FREE? Every week?! Join my email list to get in on this and receive a welcome gift immediately! ;-)

Cardio vs. Resistance Training? Who wins?

Walks or squats?
The answer might surprise you.

If you are looking to get into a new workout routine - or any workout routine - you might be like so many other women that are unsure about where to start.


Walking is good, right?
Weight-lifting is en vogue these days.
What about the HIIT stuff I'm hearing so much about?
Just TELL me what to do, Tara! ;-)


Ok I gotcha.


Check out my latest Workshop Wednesday video - one of my shorter ones clocking in at 9 minutes - where I break it all down for you. My answer might surprise you.


The biggest takeaway here is that establishing a habit of exercising is THE most important first step. So choose something you can actually find enjoyment in and do that everyday for 5 minutes (or even 1 minute!) until it feels like it's part of your routine - the same way brushing your teeth twice a day stays in your schedule no matter how busy you are.

In good health,

Tara

P.S. If you’re on a health / fat loss journey, you may be interested in getting a weekly dose of health-inspired videos, tips, recipes, and hand-holding. And, you may love getting all of this delivered straight to your inbox…for FREE? I mean, right?!? ;-) If you’re ready for your own transformation and would like me to help you every step of the way, hop on over to my email list so I know where to send you my best resources. When you sign up right here, you’ll also get my FREE 3-Day Meal Plan for Losing Body Fat RIGHT AWAY. Let’s do this!

Greek-Inspired Veggie Balls with Avocado Tzatziki Sauce

Hey guys,

If you are anything like me, having a recipe that doubles-triples-quadruples as a variety of food types (snack, main dish, side dish, appetizer…) feels like a best-kept secret. This recipe has the potential to be that for you, too. Try it out and let me know what you think!

This recipe is plant-based / vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free, no added sugar, egg-free, soy-free…but NOT free of flavor! ;-)

Oh, and the tzatziki sauce is really versatile as well.

Greek-Inspired Veggie-Balls with Avocado Tzatziki Sauce 
Makes 6-8 servings 

For the Veggie-Balls: 

16 oz. lentils, cooked 
3/4 cup onion, finely diced (set aside a little for the sauce) 
2 cloves minced garlic 
1 tsp dried oregano 
½ tsp cumin 
1 tsp coriander 
½ tbsp lemon zest 
1 tsp sea salt 
Ground pepper, to taste 

For the Tzatziki: 

1 ripe avocado 
1 medium minced cucumber, seeds removed. 2 garlic cloves 
1-2 tbsp diced onion 
2 tbsp lemon juice 
1 tbsp fresh dill (if using dried, use ½ tbsp) Sea salt and pepper 

Directions: 

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. 

2. Mix together the veggie ball ingredients. Form into 2-inch balls, and place them on a baking pan. Bake for 25 minutes. 

3. When it’s time to serve, put all the tzatziki sauce ingredients in a high-speed blender and blend until creamy. 

4. Serve and enjoy! 



In good health,
Tara

P.S. If plant-based and gluten free meals are your thing, make sure you grab my FREE 3-day Meal Plan for Losing Body Fat. Not only will you be working on those health & body goals, but you’ll get an arsenal of new recipes to try at the same time!

Is fasting healthy?

FASTING for 12 hours…yay or nay?

Have you ever been confused by nutrition - specifically around fasting? You may hear that it's ok, even beneficial but then are doubtful after hearing from another source that breakfast is the most important meal of the day or that you need to boost your metabolism by eating as often as possible.


If you are nodding your head right now, then you're going to want to watch (or listen to) this recent live video I did on Facebook all about it.


In the video I talk about fasting, what happens inside our body during a fast, and my recommendations for most people, most of the time.


Of course you need to make sure you discuss any changes with a healthcare practitioner that you trust. I have to say that. ;-)


Please note: the 6-week group program I mentioned in the video is no longer open for registration at this time. We are currently working hard on making incredible body + mind transformations. Stay tuned for a future email (likely a few months from now) if you'd like to grab your spot in the program next time!


In good health,
Tara


P.S. While this video is only 14 minutes long, we get a little nerdy with the science. Fair warning. ;-)

FAT LOSS and Meal Timing

Fat loss - when the heck should I eat?

It's a common misconception that we need to be eating a million times a day in order to increase our metabolism and burn more fat.


First of all, let's talk about who is looking to burn more fat? If you are looking to lose weight or even just "tone up"…you're looking to decrease the excess fat you have on your body. 


Watch my latest live video (or just listen - you don't need to see my face) as I get into how to tap into your fat stores to use them up as energy. We're discussing meal timing (when and how often) and we nerd out on what insulin is and the role it plays in fat storage and fat loss. It's a pretty unknown concept to most. Definitely worth the 35 minutes if fat loss is on your agenda!


Here's a quick summary:


1) Insulin is a fat-storage hormone that helps us carry sugar into our cells to use as energy. Whatever we don't use gets stored as fat to use at a later time.


2) If insulin remains elevated, our bodies remain in fat storage mode and do not switch over to fat burning mode.


3) Lowering insulin is what allows us to switch over to fat burning mode. We can lower our insulin by focusing on nutrition upgrades and timing our meals properly (hint: eating every 2 hours will not allow your insulin levels to come down for you to enter fat-burning mode).



Watch or listen to the video for lots more details and for the 3 tips I share at the end so you can get going on your fat loss goals right away!!

In good health,

Tara

P.S. If you’d like a (FREE) 3-day meal plan designed to help you with WHAT to eat and WHEN to eat for healthy fat loss, you can grab that right here! Enjoy!

Get Motivated NOW

Get Motivated NOW

It's a top-5 question I hear, "Why can't I just get motivated to______?" (workout, meal prep, work on my emotional eating…)


Here's why…you are going about it in the wrong order! Motivation doesn't come first. Rather, motivation comes after we've:


1) Decide to change
2) Start asking better questions
3) Take small action ("5-minute action")
4) Gain momentum
5) MOTIVATION shows up!


If you'd like to learn more, watch the (20-min.) video below that I recorded live last week with more details and suggestions on how to work this process. 

In good health,

Tara