I came across this recipe a few years ago and never looked back. I found it on a Paleo website. I don't know much about the Paleo diet but all I know is that I saw all of the healthy and pure ingredients in this recipe, took a taste test and was sold! Almost nobody buys 100% Hellman's mayonnaise any more. When you go to the store to purchase mayonnaise, most people nowadays look for the "healthy" version. Ones that will say "Light" or "low-fat" or even different kinds of oils to make it appear healthier. If you have ever looked at these nutrition labels, you would see that buying the full fat mayo is probably your best option. Like other foods, it's okay in moderation, but in just 1 tbsp, it contains about 90 calories and is mostly fat which is why most people opt to "hold the mayo" at restaurants. Yes it is full of fat and crap BUT it is less likely to have the extra sugar substitutes and artificial ingredients that could be halting your weight loss or even worse, making you sick. Commercial mayonnaise is filled with acid and preservatives. The eggs used in preparing the mayo is pasteurized as well. 

This recipe is full of natural every day ingredients that you probably already have in your kitchen cabinet so no excuses! You can use it for whatever you use regular mayo for; on sandwiches, wraps, in recipes etc. I kept the recipe simple but you can add any spices to this to satisfy your taste buds. My favorite is adding some cayenne pepper to give it a little kick. I've even tried with garlic and it was so tasty! Give this a try and tell me what you think! Will you ever go back to regular mayo? I know I won't!

Since it is now going on 6 months of me living in this wonderful country (sarcasm), I decided to write about all of the wonderful foods that I miss because they are not available here in the kingdom. I also recently took a trip to France and Switzerland and was in a total culture shock. When the time came to visit these lovely places, I thought at least I will be back in a similar element with all the foods I love. WRONG! I thought these foods were just unavailable here in KSA but was shocked to find that it's not just the Middle East. Most people take for granted what's readily and always available for consumers in the US. These are items that are either non-existent here or takes days of going to several different grocery stores to track them down. 

The first and most important kitchen essential I am missing is my slow cooker. Since arriving here we have been searching every electronic and kitchen store and have yet to find one. As you can can see from my recipes I looove using my slow cooker for healthy meals. It is so convenient and everything comes out so savory. Luckily we have kind friends here who have one and will let us borrow theirs from time to time. ;)

Spinach is an extremely important food in my healthy lifestyle. I use it for my smoothies, salads, and toss it into many recipes for an added vegetable when needed. The thing is, they have spinach available at the supermarket that I have tried to purchase and it is just awful. It is very dirty and this dirt does not come off when washed. This may sound like I am being picky, but I just could not eat it. They do sell packaged spinach but very sporadically. I know what you're thinking, substitute with Kale. Also something I have yet to find. 

One of my favorite healthy snacks back in the US was cottage cheese and wheat thins. These are two items I have not discovered in the supermarkets here. They have every other kind of cheese except this. They even have huge cheese counters, but no cottage cheese. I have found Chobani Greek Yogurt once or twice but that's it. 

As you probably know, pork and alcohol are the two most forbidden items here. They do sell turkey bacon, but again I have to go searching a few stores for it, which I am okay with since I prefer it over regular bacon. Alcohol, I actually do not miss. This last trip was just a reminder that I hate being hung over and it's just not worth it. What I do miss is a nice cold glass of red sangria. mmmm 

Another total shock for me was the lack of turkey. As you can see from many of my recipes, I use a lot of turkey. I prefer it 100x over chicken just because I think it tastes so much better and can be more versatile, especially ground turkey. I also tend to think it's more moist and healthy, not sure if it actually is or not. Most of the recipes I have come up with since being here I likely would have made from turkey if I had it.

One really important item to a healthy lifestyle is bread! The kind of bread you eat is so important when you want to incorporate healthy grains. At first I was eating "wheat" or what they call "brown" bread. Then I tried a multigrain. One day I decided to look at the ingredients, which I have started to do more and more, and I couldn't believe all of the crap that was in it. I found frozen spelt bread with very few ingredients and all natural. I tried this for a few weeks but it lacked flavor. One Saturday I actually went to multiple stores because I read online that a certain supermarket chain sold ezekiel bread. Do you think I found it? Nope. As of two week ago I finally decided to do the most healthy option and bake my own whole wheat bread. I have started to experiment with it and so far so yummy!

The number one item I miss here has to be Dunkin Donuts Iced Coffee!!! Yes they actually have a dunkin donuts here. I couldn't tell you how disappointed I was when I walked in and they told me they did not have iced coffee. It's +90degrees here 85% of the year here and you don't have iced coffee? There are coffee stands and Starbucks everywhere, and yes they do sell starbucks iced but it's just not the same. Those who prefer dunks know what I am talking about! 

So there it is! Call it a bitch session or whatever this is! I was convinced it was this awful place but after my recent trip to europe I realized it's not just the Middle East and how lucky I was before. I just couldn't believe that these items that were always at my finger tips are now a project to find or not available at all. The most frustrating thing has to be how inconsistent the supermarkets here are and one week they will have something and the next they won't. I have become so much more appreciative of healthy food and how lucky we are in the US. It's kind of ironic how it is the country known for it's fast food and obesity, yet one of the few with these amazing healthy options. This is something everyone should learn to appreciate and take advantage of..I hope you all will. :)

I hope everyone is enjoying their Sunday! 
 

Good morning everyone! It's Sunday, which means it's usually a nice day to relax and REST. Welp! Not for me. Here in KSA Sunday's are the start of the work week which means it's our Monday. I already got my workout in and thought I'd share this healthy meal with you while I wait for my meal prep to finish cooking in the oven ;)

This is the first time I have ever tried cooking chicken nuggets myself. Like most people, I love McDonald's and love those freezer nuggets. (especially Tyson) But have you ever looked at the label? Those are full of absolute CRAP. Yes they taste amazing and keep you wanting more but they are so terrible for you and your body. As an adult, I love chicken nuggets. But what about you mom's out there with little ones who also crave this not so healthy food? Don't you want to feed them healthy whole foods and not destroy their body with this crap? (I know a little exaggeration, but true!) I can't wait to teach my kids how to make healthy choices and show that that it is possible to enjoy the foods you love and still live healthy. 

This recipe is so easy and includes a few simple recipes. I added the organic coconut to add a little twist to the flavor so the crust wouldn't be too plain. All the other ingredients are likely every day items you keep in your cabinet or refrigerator. 

Don't these just look absolutely delicious?! For those of you with families, this is a great meal for everyone. Adults and kids can enjoy this together for dinner without ordering out or opening your freezer. Add some sweet potato fries and some veggies to complete the meal! These also make the perfect app for any get together. Pair them with some buffalo sauce dip, fat free sour cream, or whatever you desire!

Give it a try and let me know how you like it! Enjoy!

To me, there is nothing better than waking up late (er) on a Saturday morning and cooking a big breakfast for myself and my husband. Some eggs, toast, home fries, pancakes, bacon, and all the other fixings. Taking my time, prepping, cooking, enjoying. And then relaxing watching morning television and drinking coffee. To me this is the life. This is one routine that hasn't changed since moving to Saudi Arabia. The weekends here are Fridays and Saturdays. My husband has to work most Fridays and although he goes in a little later, we still don't get that relaxing quality time together. Saturday mornings are the best day for us. Some mornings he will assist but most of the time he continues snuggling with our little one until breakfast is ready. 

Over the last two weeks I discovered what people call the "sweet omelette." This is one amazing omelette and I have seen so many different variations. I made this last weekend and this weekend and Oh My Goodness, this is a keeper. You can find the first one I made under Chocolate Omelette. I don't call it a "sweet omelette" because like most people out there, I do not add the sweetener. You just don't need it. 

My first efforts came out tasting phenomenal and it was so easy. I started by whisking together three egg whites, 1/2 scoop of chocolate whey protein powder and 1 tsp cocoa powder. I poured this mixture over a small skillet and let it heat. Once it started to bubble like a regular omelette, I flipped it in half like a regular omelette. I let it sit for a minute more just be sure it was cooked. Once it was finished I sprinkled some dark chocolate chips, cinnamon, yogurt and bananas over it. I drizzled some pure maple syrup and it was devoured in less than a minute. My husband loved it and was amazed at how good the combination of foods tasted. 

My second effort was yesterday. The first time I tried to keep it simple. This time was a little different. The foundation was the same, three egg whites, protein powder and cocoa powder. Once it was heating in the skillet I added sliced bananas to the middle and drizzled some honey. When bubbling, I flipped it in half. Once it was cooked I added some dark chocolate chips, sliced bananas and drizzled some peanut butter over it. This tasted absolutely amazing! Because this one was so different, I will be posting a separate recipe under Breakfast for PB Banana Omelette. 

I do want to experiment and see what I can come up with but I have a feeling this PB Omelette may be my Go To omelette. I'm thinking sprinkled coconut, flaxseeds, chia seeds, peanut butter in the center orrrrr yogurt in the center. Maybe even some sliced apples and cinnamon??!!! Have any ideas? Let me know and I'll certainly try! 

Give this recipe a go. Wake up on the weekend, take your time, and enjoy with your family. Serve with some fruit, whole grain toast and even some turkey bacon for a full breakfast! Comment with any questions or just to let me know how it comes out! I know the thought of mixing any chocolate or peanut butter with eggs doesn't sound that appetizing, but give it a try. I promise, this will surprise you!

Hope everyone enjoys their weekend! 

Hi everyone and welcome to my blog! I've never blogged before so please be kind! One of my goals for 2015 was to start a blog for this website to give you all a peak at what goes on in this pretty little head of mine. Also, I wanted to provide you all with my thoughts on these recipes, what I use them for, and any other information that comes to mind when cooking. 

I thought I would start by telling you a little about myself. Some of you know me and some of you may not. I am 27 years young and am married to the most wonderful man in the world. I seriously don't know why or how he puts up with me. I really am the luckiest girl! We recently married in my favorite place in the world. Las Vegas! I just love it there. The picturesque mountain views surrounding you, the heat, and of course the casinos and the srtip. Not just the parties, but the most unique and entertaining surprises that appear randomly. In Love with it all. My wonderful husband would be the reason we now live in Saudi Arabia. While engaged, we joked about the opportunity to move to this country and how amazing it would be to experience and for our future. Three months before we got married, the opportunity presented itself again with all seriousness this time. We talked long and hard about what we wanted to do. Two months before our wedding, my fiance was living in Saudi and I was still in Massachusetts. These were the two hardest months separated. I was still working as a full time Social Worker, there was a 7 hour time difference, and we were still making final arrangements for our big day. Although they were tough, these months really tested our relationship and made us so much stronger. After we were married, the paperwork was submitted for my visa and by September, there I was packing to move to an entirely different part of the world. Two 6 hour flights later (I hate flying) there I was. We brought out beloved cockapoo with us, Agent 1. If you know me at all, you know that I absolutely adore and am obsessed with her. I couldn't imagine being here without her. 

So 4 months later, here I am. Living in Saudi Arabia. To give you a little information, we live on an American compound with fellow Americans. Women are not allowed to show their bodies here, cannot work or drive. (which I don't mind because the driving here is INSAAANE!) The compound is Westernized and I can wear what I want when I am home. Once I walk outside this compound, I must wear an abaya. When we go out, my husband and I are not allowed to hold hands, there are separate entrances for places for "singles" and for "families." There are no movie theatre's, no music allowed, no dancing, no pork (NO BACON) and NO ALCOHOL. Their "work weeks" are Sunday-Thurdsday. In Saudi Arabia, there are 5 prayer times where everything shuts down and you cannot do anything. Restaurants are the only businesses that provide service during prayer but, it's rare that you can make it into a restaurant before they close their doors. There is a prayer at sunrise, noon, one in the afternoon one around dinner time and one at sunset. These times change daily. I'm sorry if I offend you but the Saudi people are not particularly hardworking and always take the easy way. The women here are crazy rude and feel entitled. (I don't know why. They are not allowed to do much, so I guess this is all they have) This place is seriously one big party fart. 

My husband works 12 hour days 6 days a week. Sometimes 7. People ask what I do to fill my days and keep busy. Here is one! I love updating this website, researching nutrition, finding recipes, and looking for ways to adjust them to fit my liking. When I arrived in Saudi with all of this free time, I decided to pursue the two things I really love. Fitness and Nutrition. I purchased the study guides and began to study to become an ACE Certified Personal Trainer. Once I become certified, I can then pursue Nutrition. In October, I started to follow Kayla Itsines Bikini Body Training Guide. I followed her workout plan which consists of resistance workouts, LISS cardio and HIIT workouts. I didn't exactly take the HELP guide seriously until the last 6 months and had cheat meals often, so when I finished the 12 week program with some results, I decided to start over on January 4th with full intentions of following her HELP guide this time for even better results. My day is basically filled with working out, Yoga, studying, prepping meals, skyping my twin sister, playing with Agent and taking her for walks. The days go by faster than you might think.  

Welp this is me! I know it's a lot but hey! I'm a lot to handle. I hope everyone enjoys this website and will try some of these on their own. Please comment and let me know how it comes out. 

This blog will be full of things I love, cooking, fitness, nutrition and occasionally, my life here. Please comment below if there is anything you want me to blog about and I will do my best. Insha'Allah