Labor Day

Happy Labor day!! I hope you all had a relaxing labor free day!

First off I have a confession...

I wear white after labor day..

phew.. glad I got that off my chest!

We started off the day with some egg scrambles and then it was off to the gym!

Workout

Brent and I both woke up early today to get our workouts in.
I completed a this super set workout along with a Body Combat class--which I haven't gone to in awhile.

Dinner

Last nights dinner can not go unmentioned..
I chopped up lots of veggies!

Sweet potatoes..

Zucchini...

And yellow squash...

Saute'd them in 2 tbs of olive oil. I added the sweet potatoes first and let them cook a little longer before adding the squash and zucchini.

For about 15 minutes. --Stir frequently!

I also chopped up some sweet potato fries for future meals! (one of my making healthy easy tips!)

I tossed a simple romaine lettuce salad with purple onion, cucumber and tomato drizzled with balsamic vinaigrette.

The steaming hot veggies--Done!! -- The steam kept fogging up my camera lens!

We grilled some salmon in tinfoil for 20 minutes and topped it off with some peach-kiwi salsa!! It added the perfect sweetness to the Alaskan Salmon! 

And to top of the meal with grilled corn on the cob! Can you believe this is the first cob I've had ALL summer! Yes.. I realize I have some major making up to do! It was SO good!! 

I baked the sweet potato fries and put them in a airtight container and popped it in the fridge for future meals! After I snagged one or two ;)

After a long day of running errands with the fam we are tired and I'm pretty sure its time to settle down for the night and watch some Bachelor Pad!--No worries, Brent is just as addicted to it as I am! Ha! Reality TV at its finest. 

Have a good night!

You might like:

• Ab workouts! -- no crunches!
• Breakfast tomorrow?
• Interval workouts explained

Last nights dinner is mentionable

lemon balm

Today I had a "new to me herb" that I got from a friend. (Thanks Judy!)

I had no idea what lemon balm was.. and or what to do with it! I love experimenting with new things so I of course googled "lemon balm" to find out exactly what I could do with these green leafs. 

After researching it and finding out that it is versatile and a great addition to any salad, smoothie, eggs, and fish I knew it was made for me. After brainstorming several different options I came to the conclusion that a lemon balm tuna salad would be delish!

{Lemon Balm Tuna}

• 1 can of no salt added albacore tuna

• 1 tbs grapeseed veganaise 
• 1 tbs mustard (any mustard would work)
• 1/2 lemon
• 3 leafs of lemon balm finely chopped
• 3 tbs Purple onion finely chopped
• Diced red pepper (optional)

Mix all ingredients in a bowl, squeezing desired amount of lemon juice in.

and place on top of your choice of salad greens (spinach, arugula, romaine). I used Romaine.

Super Easy, and came together in a flash. The lemon balm was a sweet, subtle addition that gave it just enough of a lemony fresh flava!!

This tuna salad was perfectly paired with some Rutabaga fries and sweet potato fries!

Rutabaga peeled and chopped

Sweet potato peeled and chopped 

I simply just cut them and spray with olive oil and sprinkled half of a simply organic ranch packet over the top and some chili powder for a little added spice! 

Baked at 350 in the oven for 20 minutes turning every 10. For crispier fries continue to bake for an additional 10 minutes till desired texture is achieved! (Note: Make extra for a quick and healthy snack!)

This was a perfect lunch after a tough workout, including a carb, protein, veggies and healthy fat makes for a great recovery meal. Makes me feel strong and healthy and FULL! 

Q. Anybody have any "new to me" spice or herb ingredient? 

Q. Anybody have any recipes for lemon balm? Link it up in the comments! 

You might be interested.

• Best way to wash your workout gear
• Envy a dancer body, but can't carry a beat? Do these workouts!
• Need a new gym bag? Here a few favorites!

How to make Sweet Potato Fries

I'm in route right now to kaui! Currently in LA! Our flight has been delayed due to a maintenance issue.. Lame. Although it does give me a minute to publish a quick post! I didn't bring my laptop so posting via iPhone this week! I have had a few request for a how to for sweet potatoe fries! Enjoy!!!

I kinda like sweet potatoes. We have them at least 4 times a week. No I'm not even exaggerating! I make them in advance, I take them on the go, I cover them in tinfoil to bake, I cover them in cinnamon, & sometimes.. I just make fries! I have had a few readers ask me how I make these sweet little gems. So I decided while I'm lounging on the beach, You can make these, like everyday. 

First, Go to your local grocery store and pick up some regular sized sweet potatoes, Don't even try to ask the grocer for a sweet potato cause he will probably point you in the direction of those yellowy looking weird potatoes and claim that these are actually YAMS. (whatever, that may be the truth,but I prefer to call my taters whatever I want. mmmmk) Glad we got that clear. 

Peel the Potatoes & preheat your oven to.. 

Normal and recommended heat: 375 degrees toss and turn fries every 15 minutes till soft. (45 minutes)

or 

Speedy Mcgee way.. 495 degrees bake for 10 minutes, toss and turn and continue baking for 5. 

See the butt.. or maybe thats the head.. IDK but cut off both ends.

Key to good sweet tater fries.. A GOOD Knife, I failed to mention the last time I made these I totally broke my knife. It was weak sauce anyway, so today I purchased this beauty! A new knife! and I smiled the whole time I was cutting them up. Who knew a knife could make this girl so happy. 

Just like Buttah! 

Slice peeled potato in half

And then those halves in half.

Must be picture presentable. ( I obviously like a little skin)

Lay them flat side down

Slice and dice into perfect little fry shapes

Oh those squishy fries from McDonalds are powerless over these babies.

Place on a cookie sheet covered in tinfoil (saves on dish washing time) 

Cover with tinfoil and sprinkle with desired seasonings.

Options?

Salt + Paprika (as shown above)

Simply organic ranch packet seasoning (my personal fave)

Cinnamon and agave- You can't resist and will eat the whole sheet. Mark my word. 

Delish! 

Go ahead and try these! I find that they match perfect with a turkey burger, BBQ, Fish and "fries". Any meal, I store any leftovers in a plastic bag and take them with me on the go! They are delish! 

Q. Yams? or Sweet Potato?

Its a "sweet" potato.  Yams sure but only on thanksgiving will I ever refer to them as such.

Q. What is a kitchen gadget you can't live without?

Mine is currently my new knive.