UFG Not-So-Devilish Eggs

Friday!!!!!
Happy Friday friends! Lots to update you on - sorry I've been so quiet!  I'm 25lbs down so far and am really seeing a difference from the UFG Bridal Boot Camp.  My arms are getting toned and I'm definitely losing inches! All good things.
I got myself a part time jobby at a gym! I haven't had time to work out there yet, since the Mailman and I have been nonstop.

Side note:  I feel like I say that all the time.  In fact - I just got the following text from the Mailman: "I'm a different kind of exhausted today.  Like, I need a week off from any activity exhausted."  I believe we've over-extended ourselves.  I could barely get out of bed this morning.  The worst part?  There's no signs of things slowing down until the end of June! Fingers crossed for a more relaxing July! 

Back to the part time job.  It's at Plexus Fitness in Wilmington.  The staff and the members could not be more awesome and I'm pumped about it.  I don't even see the money from it - it goes right into the wedding account! Easy job to help pay for the wedding, and an easy job to keep afterwards to have fun money! Snaps all around.

In other news: I'm on the hunt for a non-dairy, sugar free all natural protein! Is Pea Protein the answer to my prayers?  Any UFG'ers out there who have tried it?  Give me your thoughts in the comments!

We had a great Mother's Day this past weekend.  I made these Not So Devilish Eggs and they were a hit!  Of course there's a secret ingredient and OF COURSE it's cauliflower! I love pureeing cauliflower into things almost as much as I love Chia seeds.   You're friends will never know these deviled eggs are actually angelic!   This makes a big batch - 18 whole eggs, so you'll be ready to feed a crowd! Recipe after the jump!

Coconut Chicken with Mango Chutney

Happy Wednesday, UFG'ers! The week is half way done and it's the first day of May!  That means Monday starts a new month of UFG Bridal Boot Camp.
This month's boot camp features weights and an exercise ball. Double the core workout! You're going to do 5 reps of the following: 15 chest presses, 10 skull crushers, 15 hip raises and 10 leg raises.  All on the exercise ball, twice a day. Here's the download (with pictures!)

On to today's recipe.  This was enthusiastically Mailman approved.  It. Was. Amazing.  I searched high and low for unsweetened coconut that wasn't crazy expensive (I'm lookin' at you, rip off natural food stores...).  FINALLY I found it at Giant! This stuff is dehydrated shredded coconut - and because it's dehydrated (meaning all the coconut milk is sucked out) it's 40% less fat on top of being unsweetened!  It's a UFG win!

The second trick is using pumpkin pie spice in the chutney.  It's all the spices you need - so no need to spend the money and buy them all separately!
Next up for me is definitely coconut shrimp - so stay tuned!  Recipe after the jump....

Tennis, Anyone?

Happy almost Friday, UFG'ers!   It blows my mind that it's the end of April! Anyone else?

Quick little update for you:  As of my last doctor's appointment, I had lost 2 inches off my waist and hips in 2 months! Very happy with my progress thus far.  I'm starting to build muscle and tone up as a result of the Bridal Boot-Camp and my doctor can see the difference - as can The Mailman.  All good things!

In an effort to add cardio to my workouts, The Mailman and I have started "playing tennis."  Please know, I use the term playing tennis generously.  We. Are. Horrible.   I mean, I can only imagine what it must look like to the occasional passer-by.  Hilarious, I'm sure.  We are completely out of breath after an hour!
The important thing?  We have fun! We've found something that we can do together, get our heart rates up, and laugh while we're doing it.  We may piss off everyone else on the tennis courts, but they aren't having NEARLY as much fun as we are!  (....and might I bring up, my doubles partner Annia and I were undefeated in 8th grade! We were kind of a big deal...and probably cheated....)

So that's that.  A new exercise  inches lost - aaaaaand an amazing coconut chicken and mango chutney recipe coming this weekend!  You guys are going to flip for this one. It's amaaaaaaze.

I want to hear from you, UFG'ers! What are you doing to get some fun cardio time in?

Chia Seed Strawberry Jam & Bridal Boot - Camp Week 1

 Happy Tuesday, UFG'ers!  Sunday was the end of UFG Bridal Boot-Camp Week 1, and it went pretty well!  Let's check out my progress:

Alllllllright.  So I only did one workout on Wednesday and didn't get to it on Sunday (it was a rough day...), BUT I did spend 2 hours at the gym on Thursday, so I feel pretty good about it!
Boot-Camp along with me, won't you?  Download the tracker here.

On to today's recipe!  My love of Chia Seeds is well documented.  This jam is great.  Don't expect store-bought taste, because you won't get it.  This is raw! (stay tuned for version 2, where I cook the strawberries first.)   Now, I ground up the chia seeds because The Mailman doesn't like the texture of them - but let me know if you try it with whole ones!  This jam would be great with peanut butter, on top of banana slices, or on a light dessert!
Recipe after the jump!

UFG's Bridal Boot-Camp Begins

Happy Friday UFG'ers!  The weekend is here and I couldn't be more excited.  The Mailman and I are going to Brooklyn to visit some of my favorite people in the world in my favorite city in the world for my birthday celebration!
So far, 30 is lookin' good!
You may remember - The Mailman and I got engaged 2 weeks ago!  Well - Bridal Boot-Camp time is here.  Although I've come a long way with my weight loss, it's time to kick it into high gear and get wedding dress ready!
Since we're on a very tight budget and cutting back on spending, a trainer or gym membership isn't in the cards - so here's my plan for a bridal boot-camp at home!

"Potato" Pierogies

Happy Hump Day, UFG'ers! Today's recipe certainly isn't authentic, but it is deeelish.  The Mailman and I love pierogies and we often buy Mrs. T's because she makes a whole grain version that is lower in calories than other brands.  It's a pretty fantastic treat.

Side story:  When I lived in Los Angeles, my friend Danielle gave me one of my favorite housewarming presents that I still use 7 years later.  I loooove my immersion blender and urge you to buy one if you don't have one - they are super handy.

Back to pierogi:
For my version, I use wonton wrappers (not in the least authentic, haha) and cauliflower to replace the potato.  By mixing the cauliflower with one small potato - you still get the texture and some potato flavor - The Mailman didn't even notice it wasn't potato until I told him!
A lot of the recipes I looked at said to boil the pierogi before browning them in the skillet.  Doing this yielded disastrous results for me - so mine went right into the skillet and were just fine - but boil away if it works for you!
Recipe after the jump!

I'm Engaged! (and German Cabbage Rolls)

Hi UFG'ers!
Big News! The Mailman put a ring on it! This week's awesomeness includes being 20 lbs down AND a ridiculously gorgeous engagement ring! I'm beyond thrilled.  I guess now it's time for UFG Bridal Bootcamp!

I spent some time in Germany in high school and ate. a. lot. ha! I think I gained about 15 pounds that summer! Fresh bologna, fresh rye bread and fresh butter - nothing's better! 

My time in Germany is the inspiration for today's recipe.  I recently found out that The Mailman likes cabbage! I thought he hated it - and I love it - so I never made it.  Well, my friends - game. changer.  

I love this recipe.  It uses a bit of beer (it is German, after all!), so make sure you use a good one.  No Miller or Bud Light here, ok?  I used one of my favorite Witbiers, and I suggest you do the same.

In Germany, these would usually use beef or pork, but I ground my own chicken and put in some mushrooms to keep the moisture in.  

Recipe after the jump!