Mind Over Munch - Fall Seasonal Recipes eBook Review

Mind Over Munch - Fall Seasonal Recipes eBook Review!

Hi #fitfam! It has been quite a while since I have last posted on my blog.  I have been swamped with preparing for my 4^th NPC show, going to school, and starting a new job!  But now that I’m fairly settled, I think it’s about time I start sharing again!  This time around, in addition to posting my healthy recipes, I will be trying other people’s recipes, reviewing eBooks, and even rating restaurants!

So, since it is October 1^st and we are officially in the beautiful Autumn season, I’d like to start off by writing my review on my friend and fellow fittie, Alyssia Sheikh’s very first eBook entitled Fall Seasonal Recipes!  Alyssia is the creator of Mind Over Munch, which began as her personal challenge to eat clean for 100 days on Instagram and has quickly grown into a journey of sharing recipes, fitness tips and general advice for living a healthy lifestyle.  Mind Over Munch can be found online through all social media outlets and I have included links to each one at the bottom of the page so you can check them out when you’re finished reading my review of her new eBook!

For starters, I LOVE FALL and everything that comes with the season.  I also love that this eBook includes an easy to read list of in season produce.  These are the fruits and vegetables you will want to purchase due to the fact that they are at their peak of freshness during the fall.  She also gives you a guide on what foods you should consider buying organic due to pesticide usage.  I was glad to know that two of my favorite foods; avocados and sweet potatoes, are part of the “Clean Fifteen”, which will certainly save me some money the next time I go to the grocery store!

Speaking of going to the grocery store… I am going to need to stock up after seeing all the delicious looking dishes included in the Fall Seasonal Recipes eBook!  Alyssia hasn't left a thing out when sharing these recipes.  Not only does she include the ingredients (in cups AND in grams), the instructions, and the serving size, but she also puts the estimated time it takes to prepare and cook the dish and the level of difficulty.  Not to mention, every single recipe has the nutritional content given so if you follow a specific macronutrient, or if you are vegan or gluten free, you know exactly which recipe will work for you and your diet!

As a bonus, the Fall Seasonal Recipes eBook includes numerous nutritional and fitness tips!  From 5 Easy Ways to Cook Squash, to Homemade Pumpkin Puree, you are sure to have a fit and fantastic fall when you read this eBook.

With 25 recipes in total which includes 5 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 5 dinners, 5 snacks, and 5 desserts, you have a variety of fall recipes that will soon become your favorites.  My mouth is watering just looking at them all!  I cannot wait to try the Sweet Potato Waffle and the Pumpkin Pull-Apart Bread!  I will probably make both this weekend, and when I do, I’ll be sure to post! ;)

If you’d like to purchase the Mind Over Munch - Fall Seasonal Recipes eBook you can do so at the link below:

http://mindovermunch.com/ebooks/

Use the coupon code– "candyscleancooking" – and you will receive $1 off of the $5.99 original price!  This code will be active now through the end of 2014.

Mind Over Munch:

Website - www.mindovermunch.com

YouTube - www.youtube.com/user/mindovermunch

Twitter - www.twitter.com/mindovermunch

Facebook - www.facebook.com/mindovermunch

Instagram - www.instagram.com/mindovermunch

Please Note: I was not paid to endorse this eBook nor do I receive any of the monies generate from it's sales.  My friend has graciously given the eBook to me so I may try the recipes and asked me if I would write my personal and honest opinion, which, I obviously think it is wonderful!

Grocery List

"Let's start of the new year right with a grocery list full of delicious and nutritious health foods so you can start cooking and eating clean!"

The other day, my friend Stephanie asked me what my grocery list looks like when I go shopping, so I figured I would post an outline of the things I normally purchase when I'm stocking up my fridge and pantry.

I'm sure you've heard it time and time again... "Abs are made in the kitchen!" But, that's because it is SO TRUE!  You can do a million and one sit ups but unless you lower your body fat percentage through clean cooking and eating you will not be able to see the results of all your hard work in the gym!  Plus, when you clean up your diet, not only will you start to SEE changes in your body, you will FEEL it as well.  You'll enhance your brain function, you'll have increased energy, and I guarantee you will be performing your daily activities and tasks much better.  Now what's not to love about that?!  All things positive come from clean eating :)

I tend to buy what is in season because that's usually what's the freshest and cheapest.  Also, I try to use coupons to cut costs and look for anything that is on sale of course!

Candy's Clean Cooking - Grocery List


Macronutrients are the structural and energy-giving caloric components of our foods that most of us are familiar with.  These are proteins, carbohydrates, and fats.

Micronutrients are the vitamins, minerals, trace elements, phytochemicals, and antioxidants that are essential for good health!

Processed foods tend to have more macronutrients than natural foods at the expense of micronutrients.  This is because processing food strips the foods of many of the vitamins, and minerals to give the food a longer shelf life.  So much of fast foods and other processed foods give you tons of calories without much micronutrient content – which is why we have so many health problems in America today.  I personally recommend eating a balanced diet composed of high-quality natural foods from the earth.  Skip the stuff that comes in packages that can sit in your pantry for months and not spoil!  Eat lots of fresh vegetables, fruits, nuts, seeds and lean meats. 

 

Macronutrients are the structural and energy-giving caloric components of our foods that most of us are familiar with.  They include carbohydrates, fats and proteins.
Micronutrients are the vitamins, minerals, trace elements, phytochemicals, and antioxidants that are essential for good health.
- See more at: http://bonfirehealth.com/micronutrients-macronutrients-food-breakdown/#sthash.dJOQttYj.dpuf

Macronutrients are the structural and energy-giving caloric components of our foods that most of us are familiar with.  They include carbohydrates, fats and proteins.
Micronutrients are the vitamins, minerals, trace elements, phytochemicals, and antioxidants that are essential for good health.
- See more at: http://bonfirehealth.com/micronutrients-macronutrients-food-breakdown/#sthash.dJOQttYj.dpuf

Vegetables
- Asparagus
- Arugala
- Broccoli
- Brussel sprouts
- Carrots
- Celery
- Cucumber
- Garlic
- Green beans
- Kale 
- Mushrooms
- Onions
- Peppers
- Salad 
- Spinach
- Squash
- Tomato
- Zucchini

Fruits
- Apples
- Avocado
- Bananas
- Berries
- Pineapple
- Pomegranate 

Meats
- Bison
- Chicken breast
- Lean ground turkey
- Mahi Mahi
- Salmon
- Steak
- Tuna

Dairy
- Cottage cheese 
- Eggs
- Egg Whites
- Greek yogurt (plain)

Dairy Substitutes
- Almond cheese
- Unsweetened almond milk

Nuts/Seeds/Oils
(all natural, unsalted)
- Almonds
- Balsamic Vinegar
- Cashews
- Chia
- Coconut oil
- EVO
- Flax
- Nut butters
- Safflower oil
- Sunflower seeds
- Walnuts

Complex Carbohydrates
- Brown rice
- Gluten Free Oats
- Quinoa 
- Sweet Potato
- Whole Wheat bread/wraps

Canned Goods
- Beans
- Lentils
- Low-Sodium Tuna

Other
- Green Tea
- Honey
- Lemon/Lime juice
- Mrs. Dash seasonings
- Spices


Note:
Since I shop at Costco and buy in bulk most of these items last me for quite some time so I do not have to buy them every single time I go grocery shopping.
Remember: Buy what suits you and your lifestyle; choose clean products that fit your dietary needs and tastes!  I'm always learning about new health foods so many of my shopping trips include me trying out something new!  This list is just a helpful outline from me to you :)


*Tips* 

• Don't go to the grocery store when you're hungry!  Make sure you consume a good clean meal before stepping foot into the store, this way, you'll be less inclined to buy junk food or purchase products you really don't need.
• Shop the perimeter of the store.  If you haven't noticed, this is the area where the majority of healthy products are placed; fruits, veggies, meats, dairy, etc.
• Plan your meals ahead of time, make a grocery list beforehand, and STICK TO IT.
• READ LABELS!  The first 5 ingredients are the main ingredients.  If you can't pronounce the ingredients then you probably shouldn't be eating it.  Also, make sure you're aware of the PORTION SIZE.

"The Tech of Sports" Interview

On Wednesday, November 7, 2012 I was fortunate enough to be interviewed on "The Tech of Sports" show on Netcast Studio by Rick C. Limpert!  Rick is an Atlanta-based freelance writer and columnist.  His works have been featured on Yahoo Sports, Yahoo News, Examiner.com, and in Sports Illustrated.  We discussed several topics including health & fitness, my modeling, and my clean cooking blog!

Feel free to watch and listen to the show above or by clicking the link below!

Fitness Enthusiast And Model Candy Brenn: TOS #33

Welcome

BE BEAUTIFUL, BE YOU

Hello and welcome to my brand new blog!  My name is Candy Brenn, I'm 23 years old, and I'm a born and raised south Florida girl.  I'm a health and fitness fanatic and enjoy living an active and healthy lifestyle.  I work full time at a law firm and model part time.  I am proud to say I am a spokesmodel for the number one sports nutrition and supplement company, VPX Sports/Redline Energy.  Also, I am an NPC bikini competitor.  But enough about me, I made this blog for YOU!  I want to share easy and healthy recipes that you can incorporate into your daily schedule.  I hope you try them, like them, and enjoy them! :)

Thanks for stopping by!
#BeBeautifulBeYou
<3 Candy Brenn