Chocolate Peanut Butter Fudge Recipe

The holidays are among us and the parties and food are starting to sneak up on us. I don't know about you but FUDGE is a favorite of mine this time of year! I love it!! So I am going to share with you a recipe I use to make healthy guilt free Fudge.

 

Chocolate Peanut Butter "Superfood" Fudge Recipe:

• 3/4 cup organic canned coconut milk (use the real full-fat version)
• 1 bar (3-5 oz. bar works well) of bakers unsweetened chocolate - 100% cacao content (if you can't find 100% cacao bakers chocolate, look for at least 70-80% cocoa content on the label of any dark chocolate bar - to minimize sugar content)
• 4-5 tablespoons of organic peanut butter or your favorite nut butter (almond butter, cashew butter, pecan butter, and/or macadamia butter, etc)
• 3/4 cup raisins or dried cranberries (optional, but if you're trying to go low-carb, keep these out)
• 1/2 cup whole raw almonds or other nuts (optional)
• 1/3 cup raw chopped pecans (optional)
• 1 scoop, about 25 gms of your favorite protein powder (I do chocolate vegan)
• 3 Tbsp chia seeds, hemp seeds, and/or flax seeds  (optional, but adds crazy amounts of vitamins, minerals, fiber, and antioxidants...plus a nutty taste)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• add a small touch of real maple syrup if you want a more "blended" sweetness flavor (keep the amount small to keep sugar content low, such as 1-2 Tbsp max)

Start by adding the coconut milk and vanilla extract to a small saucepan on VERY low heat -- the lowest heat setting. Break up the extra dark chocolate bar into chunks and add into pot. Add the nut butters, and continuously stir until it all melts together into a smooth mixture.

Then add the raisins or cranberries, nuts, seeds, protein powder, etc and stir until fully blended.  If the mixture becomes too thick or dry consistency, just add a small amount more coconut milk.  If the mixtures seems too wet, keep in mind that it will solidify a good bit once it goes in the fridge.

Spoon/pour the fudge mixture onto some waxed paper in a dish and place in the fridge until it cools and solidifies together (3-4 hours). Cut into squares once firm and place in a closed container or cover with foil in fridge to prevent it from drying out.

Enjoy small squares of this delicious healthy "super-food" fudge for dessert and for small snacks throughout the day. This is about as good as it gets for a healthy yet delicious treat! 

Even though this is a healthier dessert idea that's lower in sugar and higher in nutrition than most sweet treats, keep in mind that it is still calorie dense, so keep your portions reasonable.  Give this recipe a try and I guarantee that you'll LOVE it.

 

Note on coconut milk: don't be afraid of the fats in this... coconut fat is mostly medium chain triglycerides (MCTs) that are more readily used for energy and also contain a special fat called Lauric Acid, which is extremely healthy and supports the immune system.

Health and Fitness Tip Friday

Curb your sweet tooth

Got a late-night sugar craving that just won't quit? To satisfy

 your sweet tooth without

pushing yourself over the calorie edge, even in the late night

hours, think 'fruit first. I will

have a 1/2 cup of grapes if I can't cut my cravings or a

chocolate shakeology shake.

Whatever you do, resist that chocolate cake, ice cream, or

candy and instead enjoy a half

cup of grapes, strawberries or a sliced apple with a

tablespoon of nut butter (like peanut or

almond). Then sleep sweet, knowing you're still on the right, healthy track.

Foods that help with your metabolism and give you energy

2 MORE foods that set your Metabolism on Fire and Boost your Energy All Day!

1.    Water: A recent study showed that drinking COLD water frequently throughout your day (at least 6 – 8 glasses) actually increases your average metabolic rate by nearly 25%.  Another study also showed that dehydration leads to over-eating, because thirst is often misinterpreted as hunger cravings. Hungry when you shouldn’t be? Try drinking a glass of water!  Chances are that you were actually thirsty, not hungry. Staying hydrated also increases your body’s ability to move nutrients around faster, eliminate toxins, and also prevents fatigue and bloating by flushing excess water from your system.

 

2.    Whey Protein: Whey protein (comes from cows) is a complete, high-quality protein. It is also one of the best fuels for your metabolism.  Not only does whey protein boost your metabolism into high gear, but it also helps your body feel fuller longer.  Mix half a scoop into your oatmeal in the morning for the ultimate fat-burning breakfast.

Transfomation Tuesday!! What body / weight do you choose?

Transformation Tuesday!!!

All of us rely on the scale way too much!!! We rely on it to go down and tell us that we have lost weight and look good. Yes, I am serious, we rely on the scale to tell us how we should feel about ourselves. Its crazy and scary and ridiculous all at the same time!! However, that is NOT the case and I am here to prove it to you!! Body weight has nothing to do with how we look and feel! The scale is the DEVIL!!! Remember that!

We need to rely more on how we feel and look in our clothes and attitude then what the scale is saying and telling use to feel and look!

The above pictures if of me 3 different times of the year and all around the same weight! However, I look completely different in each one! 

Picture A is me at 117.4 after doing the 3 day refresh over Halloween this year.

Picture B is me at 117.5 stressed, traveling, planning for a wedding, before I cracked down and did the 3 day refresh pre wedding.

Picture C is me at 120 - after insanity where I GAINED 6 pounds. I felt great, my clothes still fit me, and I looked better than ever!!!

I am a coach and I am not going to lie to you. I am a scale watcher too!!! I hate it, I hate how I rely o n the scale to tell me how I should feel each day. It sucks!! And when I did insanity it really sucked because the scale continued to grow. But that is why I took before pictures. I kept comparing my pictures to my body I was forming. I had curves I didn't have before, my body looked more athletic, and I looked sexy in my insanity body then I did in the before insanity body!!!

Yes most people loose weight on a workout program, but I was different. I didn't have the weight to loose but I had the muscle to gain and that is how I gained 6 pounds.

Now go back and look at those pictures. Which one would you rather be the lightest weight or the heaviest weight? Would you rather be A, B, or C?

I  know when I look at those I choose C. That body is way better looking than A or B.

So what is your choice?

Foods that will set your Metabolism on Fire and Boost your Energy All Day

3 foods that set your Metabolism on Fire and Boost your Energy All Day

 

 

1.    Steak/ Lean red meat: Recent studies show that you should eat lean red meat ONCE per week.(not everyday) Red meat contains creatine monohydrate, a common ingredient in body-building supplements. This nutrient helps your body use ATP to aid in the muscle-building and toning process, which in turn leads to a higher metabolism!

 

2.    Turkey: Turkey is a diet necessity. It is a great source of lean complete protein which helps you stay focused, and helps build muscle and helps increase your metabolism. There is a growing body of evidence indicating that the amino acid tryptophan (found in turkey) plays an important role in immune function, and in cancer prevention. As an added bonus, eating turkey also releases “happy hormones” such as serotonin into your blood stream, which actually has been shown to improve your mood.

3.    Vegetables: Vegetables are NECESSARY for maintaining a high metabolism, and contain high-quality fiber, vitamins, and minerals that you won’t be able to find in any pill or health supplement out there. Veggies are also extremely low in calories, so feel free to sneak extra veggies into your diet whenever you can!!

 

 

 

Transformation Tuesday!

I was asked last week to see a picture of when I first started to where I am at now. So here it is! I started last year in the middle of July with T25. Honestly, I didn't know about Beachbody, I had only heard about Insanity and I HATED workout videos. I wanted to be outside running or doing something other than staring at the TV.

However, I when I saw that T25 was ONLY 25 minutes long, I thought to myself, Oh I can do that. Its only 25 minutes! At that time I was lifting every morning and doing a 30-60 minute lifting program. I wanted to incorporate cardio but I HATED going to the gym and doing the cardio equipment, so I thought 25 minutes I can do that after school and know that I could still have time to get work done and cook dinner. Well, T25 was nothing that I thought it would be! It was SOOO much more. Within 4 weeks of doing the program, I was seeing results, my stomach was shrinking, my abs were popping out, and I loved the fact it was only 25 minutes long! It was hard to wrap my head around doing anything longer. With T25, I was drinking shakeology and eating clean but not portioning out my food. By the end of the 10 weeks I lost 14 pounds and several inches off my body. I felt amazing and had the confidence that I was lacking! Also after doing T25 for a week, I decided to become a Beachbody coach. Why? Because T25 was amazing and I wanted everyone out there to know how amazing and life changing it was.

After I did T25, I decided to do another round of it, with adding gamma to the end this time. That took me all the way into the New Year. After I finished T25 - Alpha, Beta, and Gamma, I decided to challenge myself with P90x3. I did the doubles of that program and lost more weight and toned my body like I never knew it could tone before.

After P90x3 I decided to do combat, however, I got extremely sick the second week into combat and ended up loosing 3 weeks from being sick and working my way back up to exercising daily! So by the time I was feeling better, it was May and I was 3 months away from my wedding. So I did a hybrid of T25 and P90x3. I loved it and that took me all the way up to my wedding. Before the wedding my husband ordered Insanity and The Asylum combo pack to get their fit tests for the football season and have something to do.  We spent a lot of money on the programs and they kept staring at me. SOOO I decided to take the plunge and step up my game to do Insanity and Asylum. I started Insanity at the end of August and just finished it 2 weeks ago. I LOVED it! I was scared to do it and I was afraid of the time length of the program, BUT I did it and I quit my job so I could be a FULL Time Online Health and Fitness Coach! So time wasn't really an issue with me, besides it being super long and not having done a workout longer than 30 minutes. However, I did it and I would do it again. Insanity was amazing!

Since I started Beachbody I have lost 20 pounds but have gained some of it back, due to muscle building. With the start of the programs I went from 130 to my lowest 110 to now being 120 and looking better than I did at 117. I have done multiple programs, drink shakeology daily, eating clean, and doing the 21 Day Fix portion control and staying motivated because of my Challenge groups and my girls and guys that push me through it! My body has changed drastically and I am happier with myself and have more confidence than I have ever had before!!

Don't get me wrong, I have fallen off the band wagon of eating healthy especially when traveling for the holidays, HOWEVER, I have the products and tools to get me back on track, and to help me loose the weight I had gained and to tone my body back up after slacking on the workouts.

But in the end I get back on track. And I owe it to Beachbody and the products that they have available to everyone to help them be the best, healthiest, person they can be!

Beachbody has seriously changed my life for the better and I couldn't be happier!!

More Foods that set your Metabolism on Fire and Boost Your Energy ALL day!

3 MORE foods that set your Metabolism on Fire and Boost your Energy All Day!

 

1.    Rolled Oats: With high quality combinations of complex carbohydrates, healthy fats, fiber, and protein, rolled oats make a pretty near PERFECT meal in the morning. Mix in some whey protein and flaxmeal, and you’ve got the best metabolism-boosting elixir around!  The morning is the optimal time to eat rolled oats because your brain and body need the carbohydrates most at this time – after you’ve been fasting for 6 hours or so.

 

2.    Salmon: Research suggests that while saturated fats (like those found in deep-fried foods) appear to promote weight gain, the healthy omega-3 fats found in cold water fish, such as salmon (and tuna), actually reduce the risk of becoming obese and improve the body’s ability to react to insulin. How can “fat” help make you slimmer? Well, the omega 3 fatty acid (EPA) found in Salmon stimulates the secretion of leptin, a hormone that regulates food intake, body weight and metabolism, and aids in the break-down of unwanted fatty tissues.  The healthy oils found in salmon have also been shown to reduce inflammation in your joints, and to improve circulation and heart health.

 

3.    Spinach: Popeye ate spinach, and so should YOU! Spinach really does make you stronger too – it is loaded with antioxidants that help repair damaged muscles. Spinach also prevents cancer-causing free radicals from damaging your body and your health. Spinach is also super high in iron (also great for women), vitamin C, potassium and magnesium.

 

 

3 Day Refresh!! Starts today!!!

 

It's BAAACCCKKK!! Yes I am doing the 3 Day Refresh again for the second time. I did it back in July and lost 7 pounds with it!!! At that time I was traveling a lot and needed to get back on the right eating plan before my wedding. My goal was to loose weight. This time around my goal is different.

For the past 2 months my life has been stressful, to say the least. First off being a newly wed and living with your parents isn't fun! Also living with your parents who eat crap and lots of gluten when you have celiac's is killer. My parents have never lived with me since I was diagnosed with Celiac's and its hard for them to comprehend it all. However, with all the cooking and baking my mom does it has really caused me to be sick and struggle. Plus its battle with her because she doesn't get it and doesn't think its that serious!! Which equals stressful!

Also over a month ago my husband fell out of a truck at work and needed to have surgery because he ruptured his quad tendon. This has put a lot of strain on our relationship with him not being able to drive, needing assistance with everything he does, and not being able to workout like he use to. I know that would drive me crazy. However, once again this too has been very stressful on the 2 of us.

As you can see there is a theme here. Its stress. So this time around I am doing the Refresh to hid my body of all the stress it has endured over the past 2 months. Also rid it of all the toxic gluten I have in haled. Also because my name is Jaissa Yahner and I am addicted to Peanut Butter, like eat it by the spoonful, add chocolate chips to it, sneak it, find every excuse to put it in a shake or on something, ADDICTED!!! So yes, I am using the refresh to wean myself off of it.

I am excited and have all the meals planed out and ready to go. This time I am going to try to drink tea on it to help keep me full.

I will post the next 4 days to keep me accountable and to let you all know how I am feeling!

Insanity is Over!!!

AHHHH I did it!! I finished the 60 day program of insanity!! I cant believe that 60 days have passed already and that I actually completed the program. It's funny because as I reflect on the past 6 months and seriously 6 months ago I laughed at people who talked about insanity. I thought they were insane for doing the program let alone LOVING it!! And here I am 6 months later, I am going to tell you I LOVED it!!! Insanity is amazing! Don't get me wrong, its tough, but the feeling of accomplishment that you get when you finish a workout is amazing. Also the confidence it built in me, is indescribable!

Insanity changed my body in so many ways! I am not of the average person, why? Because most people who do a program lose weight. NOT ME!!! WHAT?!?!? I actually gained 5 pounds!! HOW? I gained 5 pounds of muscle. I have curves and muscles that I never thought I had through out my body. Also with doing insanity, I had to eat more than I normally do. So yes, I gained 5 pounds. Does it look it? No and yes. It isn't fat so I don't look different but if you see my thighs and my arms then you can see the difference and where the muscle is new.

I would do this program again! I think it is a great winter program, especially because in the winter we like to eat more because of the cold and dearie weather. This program boosts your metabolism and keeps you warm through the winter months!

Here are my results from Day 1 to Day 60. You will see how much I improved in some areas and very little in others. The areas I improved in where my weak areas and the areas I only did a little was because I was already strong there.

My 2 biggest accomplishments were the Power Jumps and the push up jacks! They are what impressed me the most!!!

 

More foods to eat that will boost your metabolism

MORE foods that set your Metabolism on Fire and Boost your Energy All Day!

 

  1.    Green Tea: Green tea is one of the best metabolism-boosters you can drink!  In fact, green tea is one of the main ingredients in many expensive fat burning supplements on the market. Green tea also helps decrease your risk of cancer, reduces food cravings, helps maintain weight loss, and contains just enough caffeine to help get you going in the morning.

 

2.    Greek Yogurt: Greek-style natural yogurt is best; it contains much less sugar and much more protein than other varieties. But, any kind of low-fat yogurt (look for one with the lowest sugar content) also contains many pro-biotic cultures that are necessary for maintaining a healthy digestive system, and is high in protein and much-needed calcium (another great fat-burner)!

 

3.    Peanut Butter: Peanut butter is a diet secret. While it does contain a high amount of calories per spoonful (don’t eat it out of the jar), it also contains a ton of essential fatty acids, fiber, and even protein.  Try spreading it on a sliced banana, or on celery with raisins for an amazing study snack!

 

 

Halloween Candy - How do you avoid it????

 

Halloween Candy.....

How do you avoid it?!?!?

 

 

 

Halloween Candy is seriously everywhere I go!!! I swear the reese's peanut butter cups and butterfingers are calling my name!! I didn't even buy any yet and honestly, this year I have talked my mom into not giving any out! Hold up, we will still be giving stuff out but this year we will be doing Halloween pencils and Halloween figurines that I have left over from teaching. Don't get me wrong Halloween is fun and when Rich and I have kids I will let them go out and trick or treat and eat the candy, just not all of it and it wont be around in the house for more than a few days before it gets to moving on somewhere else. I will send some of it to work with Rich to give to his players but then the rest will be put in the trash.

Will I feel guilty? Heck no!! I love to bake and will bake treats for my kids that I know are more nutritious and delicious than a Twix bar, snickers, Butterfinger, or 3 musketeer's bar.

Now ME on the other hand. When it comes to chocolate and peanut butter sitting in front of me, I struggle to walk away. It is hard for me to not just eat it. However, I feel like crap and get very tired after I eat candy or anything with lots of sugar in it now. Why? because my body is not use to a lot of sugar. Its only use to the natural sugar I get from the fruits I eat, and even those I try to eat the ones with less sugar.   

So this year, we have no kids to bring candy home from trick or treating, I have convinced my mom not to buy it, since we are living with my parents for the time being, and instead am now making the candy out of shakeology. The shakes taste just like the candy bar but are a healthier replacement and I enjoy them more and feel amazing after. Plus they cure the sweets I have been craving!  

Most of you know that Shakeology is my go to.  The simple fact that Shakeology helps to curb my cravings has been reason enough for me.  Plus the fact that it truly tastes amazing and doesn't make me feel guilty for it!  Here are a few of my favorite Halloween Shakeology Recipe.  You might think I'm crazy and that nothing could possibly taste as good as the candy bar, but try it! I promise you won't regret it!!!!

 

Butterfinger Shakeology Recipe

 

1 Scoop of Chocolate Shakeology

1 cup of unsweetened Almond Milk

1 1/2 TBSP of Butterscotch pudding mix

1 1/2 TBSP of PB2 (or peanut butter)

Ice and Blend to Taste

 

 

 

Snickers

4 oz almond milk

2T PB2 (or peanut butter, the more natural the healthier)

1T slivered almonds 

1T Sugar Free Caramel syrup

1 scoop chocolate shakeology.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

S’Mores

1 scoop Chocolate Shakeology

1 cup almond milk, coconut milk or water

Ice to taste

Topping – 2 slivers of graham cracker and 2 tbsp of Marshmallow Fluff

 

 

 

 

 

Malted Peanut Butter Cup

1 scoop Chocolate Shakeology

1 cup skim milk (or nut or soy milk)

2 tbsp PB2

2 tbsp Malt Powder

Ice to taste

 

 

 

Chocolate Cake Batter

1 scoop Chocolate Shakeology

1 cup almond milk, coconut milk or water

1/4 pkg sugar free Jello Cheesecake pudding mix

Ice to taste

 

 

 

 

Chocolate Pistachio

1 scoop Chocolate Shakeology

1 cup almond milk

1/4 pkg sugar free Jello pistachio pudding mix

Ice to taste

 

 

 

 

Nuts for Chocolate

1 scoop Chocolate Shakeology

1 cup vanilla almond milk (or water)

1/4 pkg sugar free Jello pistachio pudding mix

1 1/2 tbsp PB2

Ice to taste

 

 

 

Frozen Mocha*

1 scoop Chocolate Shakeology

1 cup almond milk

1 tbsp instant coffee

Ice to taste

 

Mexican Chocolate*

1 scoop Chocolate Shakeology

1 cup almond milk

5 big dashes cinnamon

Ice to taste

 

 

 

Love Coconut? Then this recipe is for you!

Chocolate Shakeology

1 cup of cold coffee

Coconut extract ( a tiny dash)

1/2 cup unsweetened coconut flakes

Ice and blend

It is a great replacement to the toasted coconut Starbucks Mocha Frap!!!

 

 

 

 

Reese's Peanut Butter Cups

 

1 packet or scoop of chocolate shakeology
1/3 cup water (I needed a tad bit extra)
Natural PB or almond butter
6 foil cupcake liners
Muffin Pan

Mix shakeo and water until it is consistency a little thicker than pudding
Put a small amount (prob half a Tbsp) of chocolate mixture in each liner
Then a small amount of PB (about a tsp)
Then top with rest of chocolate mixture
Put in the freezer for an hour or so to harden
ENJOY!