Are You a Breakfast Skipper?

Are you a breakfast skipper?!? You know, the person that skips breakfast everyday, most days, or some days? I have heard people tell me that they skip breakfast either because they are too busy, they aren't hungry, or they are looking to lose weight.

I want to share with you all the importance of breakfast and why you shouldn't be a breakfast skipper.

Skipping meals, especially breakfast can lead to weight gain. People who skip breakfast tend to eat more during the day. Eating breakfast in the morning breaks...the fast from sleeping the night prior. Also, it is like giving your car fuel before you start to drive away. Your body is fueled by food, so not fueling it properly makes your ability to functioning properly difficult.

Skipping breakfast will lead to hunger... hunger can mean mood swings, lack of focus, jitters, etc. No one likes a grumpy face at the office, right?!? I say you choose to eat breakfast in the morning and then offer a smile on your way to the office! :)

You should view breakfast as an energy source and a way to kick start your metabolism each day. No, the donuts or bagels in the break room at the office don't count. Choose healthy, well balanced breakfast options when you are getting ready to start your day.

How about this...
3-4 scrambled egg white, 1 cup strawberries, 1/4 cup of oats
or
a few chopped up pieces of steak from last night's dinner, 3 egg whites, and chopped bell peppers to make a fiesta morning omelet?

Skip the donuts, bagels, and cereals!! Search for protein as one of the components of your meal. Protein isn't just for bodybuilders or athletes! Eggs, chicken, lean steak...getting enough protein is essential to reserve lean muscle mass and it keeps you feeling full while encouraging fat loss! Grabbing a banana or a bowl of oats is not sufficient and leaves your body wanting more.

In all of your meals, look to balance them with a lean protein source, a healthy fat (unsalted nuts, coconut oil, avocado), and a complex carbohydrate. Nourish your body with more than a bowl of fruit by itself or the granola bar shoved in your "food drawer" at work!

What are your favorite go-to meals in the morning?!

Do you have a particular meal that takes you 7 minutes or less to prepare in the morning?

If so, please share!!!

Fresh Out of the Oven

I could not wait to get back home from my last competition so I could get in to the kitchen and start on some healthy recipes for you all!! Well... Actually... for my fiance, but I was excited to share them!
Last night's dinner was a healthy take on one of my favorite meals and one of my favorite indulgences...
Meatloaf Cupcakes with Cauliflower Mashed-'tatoes Frosting!!

Cute, right?!
The recipe for both came from Danielle Walker's newest cookbook, Against All Grain!!! Completely grain free, dairy-free, and gluten free. I made my own ketchup (meatloaf topping) and almond milk (in my cauliflower mash)!!! Recipes are also in the cookbook!

The recipe made 12 meatloaf cupcakes and plenty of Cauliflower Mashed-'tatoes which left me with a few leftovers to send to work with Nick today for lunch!

If you haven't tried Cauliflower Mashed-'tatoes, I suggest you try it out!! They are the perfect substitution for starchy mashed potatoes! You will be surprised how a few simple ingredients can make such a tasty dish. I added rosemary infused olive oil instead of standard extra virgin olive oil. I find the best selection of infused olive oils and balsamic vinegars at the local Farmer's Market. I had to change a couple things from the recipe in the book because I forgot a whole garlic at the grocery store! Recipe for Cauliflower Frosting is below!! Let me know what you think and pick up Danielle's book Against All Grain for other AMAZING recipes!

 

I find my asparagus is best steamed using a steamer rack in a pan of boiling water. I put the asparagus on the steamer rack, put the lid on the pot, and let the water at the bottom of the pain boil creating enough steam to steam my veggies. I steam my asparagus for about 10-15 minutes. Just enough for them to cook slightly, leaving them with a little crunch. I don't like mushy asparagus!!

 

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Mashed Cauliflower (Cauliflower Frosting)

Adapted from Danielle Walker's Recipe in Against All Grain Cookbook

2 Crushed Garlic Cloves

1 Tablespoon Rosemary Infused Extra Virgin Olive Oil

1 Head of Cauliflower, trimmed in to florets

1/4 cup almond milk, warmed (I made my own from the recipe in Against All Grain)

3 Tablespoons Soy-Free, Dairy-Free Butter Alternative (Found at Sprouts Farmer's Market)

1/2 teaspoon sea salt (Recipe in book calls for 1 1/2 teaspoon)

Dash of Cracked Black Pepper (I added more than a dash!)

 

-Put cauliflower in a sauce pan with 1/2 inch of water. Cover and steam about 10 minutes.

-Drain water and put cauliflower in food processor

-mix in olive oil, crushed fresh garlic, almond milk, butter alternative, salt, and pepper. Process until smooth and fluffy.

 

I let the cauliflower frosting cool about 10-15 minutes, put in a quart size Ziploc, and snipped a small hole in the corner. I topped the Meatloaf Cupcakes as if I were frosting a cupcake with a pastry bag. Simple, easy, and my fiance LOVED it!

 

Thank you Danielle for such an amazing book!!

 



Stay Tuned

Just days away from WBFF LA Fitness and Fashion Weekend and I cannot wait to step on stage. My physique is coming in better than I expected and I am so excited to join the rest of the ladies on stage to celebrate our hard work over these past few months. It takes much dedication and sacrifice to get on stage and I cannot wait to celebrate all of the work that has been put in.

My goals for the day of competition is to enjoy every moment of it! I am really focused on have great stage presence so I can walk away with beautiful stage shots that will document yet another great moment in my fitness career. I look forward to sharing lots of pictures on social media, so don't forget to head over and like my Facebook Page and Instagram, @anna_lavonne.

I have been working on my post show goals so I have a plan stepping off stage. The day of competition is such a remarkable feeling and feeling of accomplishment. When I step off from stage I want to be able to use the momentum from competing to make significant progress in my career. I sat down and set goals for myself so I already have a plan when the lights go down on the WBFF stage.

I plan to expand my blogs in to a website and offer my followers more healthy recipes, information
on living a healthy lifestyle, and new tips and tools to help everyone accomplish their goals. I will be working on new, flavor filled recipes that are not only healthy, but nourish the body. I also plan to research more natural healing and natural food options. If you know of any helpful resources, I would love to hear from you.

in addition, I plan to research better options for purchasing whole and natural foods. I have found a couple local Farmer's Markets and I cannot wait to really dive in and see what they have to offers.

I am currently training locally at Xclusive's Fitness and I look forward to creating new workouts and routines for clients. I love giving back, sharing knowledge, and watching people change their lives. I look forward to working on the craft of fitness and lifestyle training.

Define Fitness

My physical goals are to gain more muscle and continue to build the body of my dreams. I plan on staying approximately 2 weeks out from being able to shoot in front of the camera. One of my goals this year is to become published. I feel like if I stay within 2 weeks out from out from being able to stand in front of camera, I will be reminding myself daily of my goal for publishing. Not to mention, I love setting the example and showing that a healthy, fit body is attainable while still enjoying treats and yummy food.

Health and wellness is my passion and I love to share that with everyone. My goal from here on out is to constantly learn and better my skills. I love sharing what I learn, my experiences, and helping people accomplish their health and wellness goals. I plan on putting in the work in the gym, the kitchen, and in my spiritual life so I can motivate others to become their best.

On several occasions I have asked if any one has any topics or questions they would like me to answer in blog posts or social. Please feel free to reach out to me, I love hearing from you all!

Wish me luck!!