Asian Cashew Chicken Salad

Usually the words fast food and healthy don't go together. What if I told you that there was a way you could get both? I've always been a huge fan of Wendy's and when they introduced their core salads I knew I had to try them. What is important to me is feeling good about what I am eating and making sure that I give myself time to work out every week. Constantly being on the go makes it very difficult sometimes to find healthy menu items if you decide to eat out.        

This is the Asian Cashew Chicken Salad from Wendy's.  It's a twist on your typical Asian salad with yummy edamame, red peppers, roasted cashews and grilled chicken breast with a light spicy vinaigrette. The chicken was so tender and flavorful, I couldn't believe it was a simple to-go salad. It really tasted like I was eating out somewhere fancy. The cool thing about Wendy's is that they have fresh salads, not "premade" sit in the freezer salads. The lettuce isn't frozen and chopped up, it's cut daily with fresh vegetables in that restaurant. If you want to see the full process watch their "Romaine Lettuce Journey" video here.

I know how important good food is when you're trying to maintain a healthy diet, and I always make sure I have a list of a few places in my mind to go when I want something healthy after my workout. I am so excited to be able to add Wendy's to this list and try a few of their other salads next. My diet is high in protein and fats, but also low in carbs and this salad is perfect for that. The chicken and cashews provide the perfect amount of protein and healthy fat while the rest of the salad is low in carbohydrates.

I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own. Thank you for supporting companies that support Little Tree!

               

Little Tree's Favorite Healthy Snacks

I usually get a lot of questions on what my favorite snacks are, so I figured I would do a little round up on the blog to share with you guys. I kinda fell off the wagon with posting healthy recipes (been so busy!) but I plan on starting to share more recipes starting next week, so stay tuned for that! When sticking to a healthy snack I try to choose something that is healthy, but also satisfies a craving. Before starting my working regiment I used to be crazy about carbs. I still do love carbs, but now I moderate carbs into my diet as opposed to overloading on them. Hope this gives you guys a little more info on my daily eating habits, what are some healthy things you guys like to snack on?

Quest Protein Chips & Quest Bars- As you guys know I have always loved Quest bars, and just recently tried their protein chips. Being an avid chip lover I am excited to have a healthier chip option, and happy that they have so many flavors to choose from. The chips have 21g of protein in each bag with only 5g of carbs which is awesome. My favorite bags are sea salt, sour cream and onion and of course salt and vinegar. The only downside to these chips is that they leave your mouth a little dry- but just make sure you keep water on hand and you'll be good to go. As far as the quest bars go, you guys can read my previous post about my favorites. I've tried almost every flavor they have and I love them for an on-the-go snack or quick meal.

Bare Chips- {Apple & Coconut}- These yummy chips are a new find for me and I am hooked! They come in all different flavors but my favorites are their apple and coconut chips. They're baked, gluten free and 100% natural. They're a really good source of fiber too, which makes them even better for a healthier diet. These come in handy for me when I am having a specific chocolate craving. I love the chocolate bliss chips and even tried adding some of the chips to my yogurt and fruit parfaits. I really love anything that promotes a healthy lifestyle while still maintaining flavor, and these chips do just that. They're good for you, and taste delicious too!

Cucumber & Goat Cheese Crumbles- This combo is perfect for those days when all I want to do is snack! My mom started cutting up whole cucumbers for Ryan and I to snack on and we just got hooked. We drizzle a little bit of olive oil on top and crumble feta and it's the perfect healthy combo that keeps our hungry tummies at bay while we wait to eat our main meal. We also use this as our version of a salad since we're both not crazy about tomatoes. Two of a kind, right? ;)

Pasta Chips- I've talked about pasta chips in the past, and they are still one of my favorite go-to snacks. I made a spinach and cilantro dip that paired perfectly with them last year. (read that here) These are delicious chips that are made with italian herbs and are inspired by italian dishes. They have everything from alfredo to garlic olive oil, and my personal favorite sea salt. It really tastes like you're eating a delicious plate of pasta with homemade sauce! They have 60% less fat than regular chips and are really good to add to a cheese platter or to any homemade dip.

Yogurt & Granola- I used to hate yogurt and now it's one of my daily snacks. Although I can't really eat it plain, I love finding good granola to mix in with it. I found my favorite granola and I have been finding it in select grocery stores in my area and literally buying about 7 bags at a time!My favorite yogurt is Chobani (obviously it's greek haha) and my favorite granola is . It has dark chocolate chunks in it and cinammon with oats.

Recipes : Raspberry Stout Chocolate Chip Cookies!

Anyone who knows me knows that I love raspberry flavored everything. It's my favorite kind of cheesecake, my favorite filling in chocolate, and now it's become my favorite flavor stout! I am so excited to team up with DuClaw to share this easy & delicious recipe with you today. It's perfect for Valentine's Day, or any day really, and the cookies taste delicious! For this recipe I used their Naked Fish chocolate raspberry stout.

Directions:  
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
First mix the cake mix with the baking soda in a large bowl.
In a separate bowl whisk your eggs, oil, and vanilla extract.
Mix together in the large bowl (it's going to be super sticky-be prepared!).
Once all the dry pockets of the mixture are gone, you are ready to add your stout!
Mix in the stout with your hands, and once you are finished spoon 1 inch balls onto your pan.
(I sprayed my non-stick pan prior, just incase).
Bake for 10 minutes (they will brown faster because of the stout) and let them cool for 3 minutes.

I hope you enjoyed this easy delicious recipe, and let me know if you try it out for yourself! It's the perfect amount of sweetness, and there is a hint of raspberry that makes it even more delicious! To locate where you can purchase DuClaw Naked Fish near you, visit their site locator.

Product and compensation was provided to me by DuClaw Brewing Company, but recipe and thoughts are my own. 
Thank you for supporting companies that help keep Little Tree thriving!

Work It Out

If any of you follow me on instagram, you know that I am taking part in a workout challenge for the next two months. I worked really hard on building a healthy lifestyle, and at this point, I don't think it would ever change. This challenge is a two month workout routine that changes weekly and utilizes different exercises daily. 

So far I have seen a significant difference in my waistline, as well as my energy levels and overall mood. I have been waking up with a different attitude, and my healthy eating has been on point. What motivates me daily is the changes I am seeing, as well as the strength I am gaining. 

Nothing is better than feeling good in your own skin, and every person (male or female) deserves to feel good about themselves. The first few weeks were tough, and now as I near week 3 it's becoming more of a daily routine. I feel healthier than I have in over a year, and I am starting to see changes in my body.

I love to spice up my workout outfits, and again if you follow me on instagram, you'll see a glimpse of that here and there. My pants are usually all kinds of crazy patterns, paired with my Nike Air Max 90's (working on getting my third pair!). I have built my collection of workout clothes because I spend almost every day at the gym, so my attire is important. I want to feel motivated & confident in what I wear, and gym wear is no different.

People usually ask me where I get most of my gym clothes from, so I decided to pick some of my favorite items at the moment. My go-to brands are Lululemon & Nike, but sometimes I will find a random shirt that is low cut on the sides to fit comfortably with a sports bra. This shirt is from Buy Me Brunch, and it is one of my favorites. I love the material, and it's perfect for leg day! :)

Here are some of my favorite picks from Nike & Lululemon below!

What are your favorite brands?

Healthy Living Recipes : Mango Salsa

This post is part of a social shopper marketing insight campaign with Pollinate Media Group® and Del Monte, but all my opinions are my own. #pmedia #makemangosalsa http://my-disclosur.es/OBsstV

With Super Bowl around the corner it's important to create recipes that everyone can enjoy. My family usually throws our Super Bowl parties at home every year, and this year is no different. Although I spend my Super Bowl Sundays working, I always manage to bring snacks with me, or make snacks to add to the family fiesta that's going on at home. 

For me, time is of the essence. I like being able to have a recipe, that is quick and to the point. This recipe is the easiest salsa recipe you'll ever need. If you're like me and like to make a lot of appetizers for parties, you want to make sure that you keep some things simple. This recipe is simple, delicious and great for adults and kids alike. The best part is, it only takes two minutes to put together! 

For this 2 minute salsa recipe you'll need Del Monte diced mangos in light syrup and the Walmart brand (Great Value) chunky black bean & corn salsa. My secret ingredients are cilantro, lime juice, and extra black beans! It's super easy if you just chop everything up and mix together. Having the chunky salsa pre-made is a huge game changer when you're trying to make a quick recipe. I squeeze the juice of a whole lime into my mix, and I am ready to entertain!

Want to try the Del Monte Diced Mangos? Select Walmart locations are having samplings 1/22-1/25

With three young nephews it's hard to enjoy the football game without making sure the kids are spoken for as well. We have a playroom for them that's perfect for them to have their own little "Super Bowl" party. They've been dying to see the Book Of Life and since the DVD comes out the weekend before Super Bowl (1/27 at Walmart), I promised them they could watch it, while we all watch the game. The main character's name is Maria and everyone keeps telling me she looks like me too, which I think is pretty funny.

What will you be cooking this Super Bowl? Do you have little ones at home? If so, how do you plan on keeping them busy during the big day?

The Perfect Tuna Salad with Bumble Bee Tuna!

When the New Year started I promised myself that I would get back to my healthy routine of clean eating, and cut out everything bad in my diet. New year means new recipes. I am so excited to share this awesome, healthy tuna recipe with you guys. I know when most people think of tuna salad, they think of the traditional mayonnaise based tuna mixture with celery. 

I love healthier meals, and Bumble Bee Tuna  is one of my favorite things to add to a salad. When I first started experimenting in salad making I tried a lot of different things. I finally stumbled upon the perfect salad recipe while messing around in the kitchen. When I realized how rich in flavor, and how healthy this salad was, I knew it was too good to keep to myself. This salad is great for a post workout, but it's also great for energy, and gives you a huge amount of protein in every bite. If you're a huge tuna lover like me, you'll love this salad. If you chop up everything before hand, it's really easy to put this all together. I love Bumble Bee's tuna pouches because they're easy to travel with and perfect for that high protein snack!

I listed what you'll need above, and usually what I do is cut up all of these items before hand, so that way if I am eating this salad on the go, I have everything at my fingertips. With their premium albacore pouch it's super easy to bring this salad as a post gym meal, or for lunch at work. Since the New Year is a great motivation to get back into shape, I am focusing on a higher protein, lower carbohydrate diet. I love that Bumble Bee helps me meet my fitness and macro goals, and it still tastes amazing!

Mix everything together, toss and enjoy! It's simple and easy to stay healthy, especially when Bumble Bee Tuna is involved!

I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls  and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.

Update To My Workout Story & My Fitness Fanatic Gift Guide

This post is part gift guide part update on my workout story. I started fully working out 4-5 days a week approximately a year and a half ago. In my progress I lost 13 pounds, as well as gained a great deal of muscle in various parts of my body. Besides the obvious body changes, I feel so different. Mentally I am more at ease when I know I can make it to the gym. Physically I feel stronger and more motivated. As a whole I have found myself being extremely motivated to become stronger and work harder towards my goals.

Although I have had great progress so far, I have had my highs and lows. Some weeks I have no energy, and on the busier weeks sometimes I don't get into the gym as often as I would like. Throw in the holidays and I find myself smuggling cookies and sweets here and there. I am not sharing these stories for pity, but more to show that sometimes life happens. Sometimes you eat cheat meals more than twice a week, sometimes you want to eat a french fry, or a whole plate of them. And sometimes, your body needs a break. I gave myself a week break because I could tell my body needed it. I was feeling weak, and tired, and close to exhaustion. I was forcing myself to go, and then I realized maybe my body was trying to tell me something. The break I took, was exactly what I needed. I came back stronger and more motivated than before, and I am so happy I did. We all fall off kilter sometimes, but the important thing is to motivate yourself even when things seem hard or you're having a hard day.

Shop the perfect workout outfit!

Since this post is focusing on working out , I also wanted to incorporate a little gift guide for those who are looking for new workout clothes/accessories. Here are my PERSONAL choices. I have a full workout wardrobe since I spend a lot of time in the gym, and I picked my favorite pieces to share with you guys. I really love all of these brands & clothing options, and they make my gym experience a better one. Plus, the new year is on the way and we all need a pick me up, so what's better than working out with some new gear? The confidence and comfort will go hand in hand.

Some favorites!

Apricot & Brie Grilled Cheese

Hey guys! Happy Thursday. Today I am so excited to team up with I Can't Believe It's Not Butter!® and give you my spin on the classic grilled cheese. This sandwich and I have a longstanding history together. One of my favorite breweries in New Jersey (Triumph Brewery in Princeton) used to make this sandwich and keep it on their menu. It was slightly different than how I made it, but the main ingredients were the same. I used to visit this brewery constantly, just because of this sandwich. Unfortunately the grilled cheese was taken off the menu, so I had to figure out a way to make it myself.

Using I Can't Believe It's Not Butter!® brings a whole new flavor into this grilled cheese, and the best part is? It's good for you too! Their new recipe is offered in light, and olive oil varieties too. They use NON-GMO sourced ingredients that are all simple and plant based. If you try it out for yourself, make sure you visit their website (TheNewICB.com) and leave your own personal review. I actually really enjoy making this spin on the classic grilled cheese, and I know you will too!

Here's what you'll need: 

Apricot Spread or Preserves

Brie Cheese

Marble Rye Bread

I Can't Believe It's Not Butter!®

I was lucky enough to have access to a panini press while making this grilled cheese, but any simple stove top pan will do. 

First, you'll want to used the I Can't Believe It's Not Butter spread and butter up your bread! 

Then, spread your apricot preserves on top of the butter spread.

Next, you'll want to cut your cheese up in slices and place it all on top.

Finally, either press, or place into a pan that's coated with non stick spray. 

 Easy peasy right? 

I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.

Healthy Living Recipes: Pumpkin Deviled Eggs

Hey guys! So excited to share this cute recipe with you today. I wrote this originally for The Tend Family app, but it was too good not to share with you guys! Also, you can download that app for free by just clicking the link. They have awesome recipes and fun family crafts that you can all do together with your little ones.The crafts & recipes are endless! 

First, place your eggs in a pan and cover with cold water. Bring eggs to a boil for one minute, and then cover and set aside for an additional ten minutes. 

Pour out the hot water, and replace with cold water. Set aside for another five minutes. After five minutes you can peel the eggs and cut in half lengthwise. Do this very slowly as to not destroy the eggs and so that the egg remains even.

Carefully scoop out the yolks and place them into a bowl. Take all of your egg whites and place them in the refrigerator. Now mix your yolks, spicy mustard, light mayo and ketchup together in a bowl until the consistency is smooth.

You can either scoop the yolk back into the whites or you can use a ziplock bag to pipe it out. (To do that you'll need to pour contents into the bag and cut off the tip of one corner; this helps the mixture come out evenly and easily).

 Use a fork of toothpick to make indentations on the yolk mixture. (resembling pumpkin lines)

Cut up a small cucumber (with skin) and use those pieces for your stem.

Sprinkle paprika as desired, and enjoy!

Healthy Living Recipes : Zucchini Boats

Hey guys! If you're a big instagram foodie lover like me, I am sure you've seen some version of Zucchini boats on there. I wanted to create my own recipe, so this is what I came up with. Very filling, tasty and easy to make (just a lot of steps!)

First boil your zucchini for 6-8 minutes. Once that's done, cut off the ends, cut them in half and scoop out the inside of the zucchini.

You'll also need to boil the spinach for approximately 10 minutes prior to cooking. 

In a separate bowl, combine the turkey meat, chopped tomatoes, chopped garlic, and the inside of the zucchini. Once your spinach is cooked also add it in. You'll also want to make sure that you use coconut oil at the bottom of your pan(so it doesn't stick.)

Brown your meat for approximately 15 minutes and once it is finished put into the zucchinis and bake on 375 covered in aluminum for 30 minutes.

When they are all finished, bring them out, and top with cheese!

Enjoy!