Palate-pleasing pork chops

One thing I rarely make is pork chops. I'm not sure why that is. I just always seem to go the fish or chicken route. Last night I decided I needed to add some spice to my life. I've been tired of the same ole same ole lately. So... I decided to make this ridiculously scrumptious (but healthy! Yes, it's possible) meal consisting of diced pork chops, sweet potatoes and Brussels sprouts atop tricolor quinoa. It turned out amazing and it gave me that "edge" I've been needing. I know what you're thinking and yes, these days something as simple as making pork chops I see as being edgy. What can I say? :) My bf assisted me in creating this meal as he is the "meat master" between the two of us. Always more fun to have someone help ya in the kitchen!

Ingredients

2 boneless pork chops

1 medium sized sweet potato

2 cups of Brussels sprouts

1 cup of tricolor quinoa 

2 tbsps Balsamic vinegar 

1 tbsp of coconut oil (in liquid form)

1 tbsp of olive oil

Teriyaki sauce

Szechuan spicy stir fry sauce 

garlic salt

red pepper flakes

turmeric

salt and pepper

1) First thing you need to do is preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Then use a vegetable peeler to remove the skin from the sweet potato. Dice it up into little cubes.

2) Rinse the Brussels sprouts and cut the ends off of each of them. Then cut them all in half to make them smaller. 

3) Put the sweet potatoes and Brussels sprouts in a bowl and add the balsamic vinegar, coconut oil, salt, pepper and mix together really well. 

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4) Add the sweet potatoes and Brussels sprouts to a cookie sheet and put in the oven for 25-30 minutes. 

5) Next you need to get the quinoa cooking. Just follow the instructions on the bag/box etc but most quinoa follows the 1 cup of quinoa to 2 cups of water rule and takes about 15 minutes. I ALWAYS use chicken or vegetable broth in place of the water and found it spruces up the flavor quite a bit. 

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6) Now that you have the veggies and the quinoa cooking you can start on the pork chops. Grab a medium size pan, add 1 tbsp of olive oil and turn to medium/high heat.

7) Cut off any excess fat (the white stuff) from the pork chops and then cut into little cubes. 

8) Add the pork chops to the pan 

9) Next add in the garlic salt, red pepper flakes and turmeric. I didn't put exact amounts on this because I always wing it depending upon my mood: ie if I want something really spicy, etc. So just add each of these spices to your liking. 

10) Next add in some teriyaki sauce and the Szechuan sauce. Again, adding as much of each as you want. The Szechuan sauce can be found at most grocery stores. It has amazing flavor and spice. However, you can definitely make this without it. 

11) The pork chops should take about 10-12 minutes max. Once they are done remove from heat. 

12) Once the veggies are done take them out and add them to the pan with the pork chops.

13) For plating, add a generous scoop of quinoa to the plate followed by the pork chops/veggie mixture which you will put on top of the quinoa. It looks real fancy and professional. 

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Turn on the Frank Sinatra Pandora station, light some candles and enjoy some lemon water in a wine glass, because why not?

Enjoy this guilt-free, protein and flavor-packed meal!

A few of my favorite things

*Cheese, bread, fruit and meat feast*

*The freshest ahi on the planet*

 *Vanilla lattes made with love*

*Voluspa candles*

*Tiffany blue nail polish*

*Red wine nights at wine bars*

*Leg warmers with heels*

*Quinoa chips and plain hummus*

*Veggies straight from the garden*

*Watching sunsets from my balcony*

*A few things I can't live without*

*White dresses*

*Alba products, all I use :) *

*Mac fluidline eyeliner*

*Stacked & endless bracelets*

*Braids*

*Bling bling sandals*

*Sushi no-rice protein rolls*

*Best lip gloss ever-$6 at Sephora*

*#1 mascara in my book*

*Aviators* 

*My New Balance heart rate monitor*

*Hot, sweaty yoga*

What are some of your favorite things? :)

Instagram @fitnfreekate

*Turkey burger with mushrooms, garlic, onions sauteed in coconut oil. Spinach salad with red bell peppers, pink lady apples, cucumbers, carrots, sunflower seeds and some light balsamic dressing*

Healthy low-carb dinner :) 

Instagram @fitnfreekate

*Breakfast of Champions: 2 hard boiled eggs, 2 spelt cakes with peanut butter, raw honey & cinnamon with some fresh blueberries*

Monday Pic of the Day

*The true meaning of friendship*

Happy Monday!

Summer is here!

Buenos Noches! 

It is now officially summer so there are no excuses for not getting your butt in gear! We are all busy and at times it's hard to find time to get a workout in. If you can schedule working out like a meal, shower or even brushing your teeth, it will be easier to follow through. You would never skip a shower, meal or cleaning your grill would ya? I don't think so and if you would, we need to chat. Treat working out the same way. It's just as important and is the key to your current and future health, well-being and obtaining the fit body you deserve. Make time for it.

I am a very visual person and pics always help give me that extra little boost to get out of bed, stop daydreaming about where I want to eat brunch, put on my running shoes and get it done. You can do this!

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*This one KILLS. Do it*

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*Love Love Bob Harper from The Biggest Loser*

*Hallelujah to the last line*

*Feeling blue? Go sweat. Exercise works wonders*

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*Love this*

I hope everyone has an amazing weekend! Remember, you don't need to deprive yourselves of everything just don't overindulge, stay away from processed foods as much as possible, exercise and pound water :)

Instagram @fitnfreekate

*Smoothie with vanilla protein powder, almond milk, cinnamon, raw honey and blueberries. To die for*

Happy Friday!!

Instagram @fitnfreekate

*Bfast today: 2 fried eggs with sauteed onions, garlic, mushrooms, kale and the first of my daily three cups of green tea*

It's almost the weekend! Stay healthy and active! Happy Thursday!!

Mixed Veggie Quinoa Salad

Quinoa is one of my absolute favorite things to eat. It's loaded with protein and is a great substitute for rice. So for all the carb lovers out there, get your quinoa on! It's a great way to sort of scratch that itch and get your fix without resorting to yucky empty carbs. 

I'm also a huge meat lover but I think it's really important to go without a few nights a week and give your body a break. So the other night I made this amazing veggie quinoa salad. It's super easy, filling and healthy!! 

Ingredients:

 1/2 cup of red bell peppers

1/2 cup of cucumbers

1/2 cup of mushrooms

1/4 cup of red cabbage

1 tbsp of Balsamic vinegar

1 tbsp of olive oil

pepper 

1) Chop up all of the veggies

2) Cook the quinoa ( I always use chicken or vegetable broth instead of water for more flavor)

3) As soon as the quinoa is done, add the veggies, pepper and balsamic/olive oil and toss

It's as simple as that :)

*Meatless dinner for one!*

Instagram @fitnfreekate

*Lunch today: Brown rice cakes with avocado, hummus and salsa. 

Paired with an amazing juice from Beaming*

Organic Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple Cider Vinegar is God's gift to creation. There is no other way to describe it. Not only are there so many health benefits, but it couldn't be any more natural. It's made from apples for God's sake. It amazes me how something that contains basically two ingredients; apples and purified water ( which is needed to dilute a bit as the acidity is very high) can have so many benefits for your health. The apples are fermented to hard apple cider and then fermented again to apple cider vinegar. It contains what they call the "mother" of vinegar which are strand-like protein enzymes. You want the 'mother' in your lives, trust me.

I have pushed apple cider vinegar on many people and I'll admit it. I've done it at work with co-workers, friends and even people I had just met. That's how much I believe in this stuff. The two reactions I get the most from people are 1) It tastes like crap and is hard to drink 2) It makes their stomachs upset.

I too felt the same way about this stuff in the beginning. However, I have a solution to both. I personally like to mix it with warm water and honey. I don't make a huge cup of it but I definitely have to take a few gulps till it's gone. The reason I do it that way is the honey/warm water combo is soothing and takes the acidity of the apple cider vinegar down a few notches. It also masks the taste a bunch. I think it's easier on your stomach as well to do it this way as opposed to just taking a shot of it. 

I also recommend eating something immediately after you drink it. You can drink it at any time of the day but I always drink it right before a meal and I never have issues with an upset stomach. 

Apple Cider Vinegar Benefits: 

 Aids in weight loss (should I stop here?)
Rich in natural enzymes and potassium
Helps with digestion and pH Balance
Detoxifies and supports immune system
Great for your skin, face, hair and muscles

A few little tricks of mine

* I like to use it after I shampoo my hair. It will leave your hair healthy and shiny. I would do this about three times a week. Just add about 1/2 tbs of apple cider vinegar and a cup of water to a bottle of some sort and put it on after you shampoo your hair, then rinse. You will see results!

* I put about 2 cups into my bath water a few times a week. It's great for your skin and if you are working out regularly, which I know you all are (or better be!) it's very soothing to your muscles. 

* I always keep a bottle in my bathroom cabinet and one in the kitchen for easy access. A bit obsessive? Not at all. 

* If you have a sore throat, skip the Halls drops and drink warm water with honey, cinnamon and apple cider vinegar. It works so well I'm baffled every time. You do have to be consistent with it until it heals but as long as you don't have full on strep throat, it works like a charm! 

*One last tip, always make sure you buy the right kind. Make sure it's organic, unfiltered, unheated and unpasteurized. I always go with Bragg's! 

*This is a 32 ounce bottle almost gone after a week. Didn't stand a chance the second it hit my shopping cart. Goodness goes fast in our house :)

Kick start your week by introducing your body to Bragg's if you haven't already.

I can ensure you, once introduced, it will be a lifelong relationship. 

Click here for the Bragg's site

Cheers to love!

I will be MIA this week as my baby sister is marrying the love of her life!

In lieu of this week, cheers to good ole fashioned love :)

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“You don't love someone because they're perfect, you love them in spite of the fact that they're not.” ― Jodi Picoult