Banana Oatmeal Yogurt Smoothie. T Swift.

I'm such a girl.  Taylor Swifts,  'Love Story' has 610 plays in my iTunes. Too much of a good thing? Not quite yet. I don't mind putting things on repeat... hence, this Banana Yogurt Smoothie.  I don't know what it is but it tells me to workout... it tells me to have a productive day... repeatedly. Oh, this smoothie is GOOD. Nom nom nom. Breakfast.

To start, cook 1/4 cup oatmeal and 1/2 cup of water in a bowl and microwave. If you don't cook the oatmeal the smoothie will have a dusty feeling (yuck). 

Place all the ingredients in a blender

 Blend!!

 Pour into a glass

 Enjoy! Nom nom nom!

BananaOatmealSmoothie

1/4 cup cooked oatmeal
1/3 cup greek yogurt
1 banana
5 ice cubes
8 almonds

Microwave the oatmeal with 1/2 cup of water for 1.5 minutes. Place all ingredients in a blender and process till smooth. For an antioxidant boost sprinkle with cinnamon. 

now go work out!

Fat Burning. Quinoa Crunch.

When i entered the bizarre world of modeling 4 years ago I had no idea what I was doing. Who really does? For me, It was all about 'pretending' you knew, doing whatever you did that originally got you there, and listening to everything you'd heard on ANTM (so so realiable). Eventually I figured out that this wasn't the best way to go about a 'career' and that my 'older' model counterparts probably knew a thing or two more about this life than television. Sometimes you've just got to ask for help. So, help me Jillian. 

(shot from my first modeling job. ever. Pregnancy Catalog, complete with a fake belly and push up bra) Thanks Paolo @elitemiami)

This is a recipe from Jillian Michaels Fat Burning Cookbook (oh fat burning, she really thought that name through). It's a protein packed take on a parfait which is delicious but sometimes loaded with sugar. This one uses raw quinoa and flax seeds and is ready in as long as it takes for you to pour your cereal. 


Start by rinsing the quinoa in a mesh strainer and rinse under cold water till it runs clear. Then in a bowl combine quinoa, flax, olive oil, and honey (or maple syrup).
Spread the quinoa mixture over a baking sheet and bake in the oven for 10-15 minutes or until golden brown. Spread the mixture as thin as you can get it to really get a crunch and to speed up cooking time.

When the mixture cools break into little bits and place in a container for future use. Add two TBSP over 1/2 cup of nonfat plain Greek yogurt and top off with 1/2 cup of your favorite berries (i used frozen and let them thaw) finish with 1/2 tsp of honey.

Greek Yogurt Cup with Quinoa Crunch and Berries

For the Quinoa Crunch

1 cup quinoa

1/4 c flaxseed

1 tbsp honey

1 tbsp olive oil

For the Greek Yogurt Cup

(1 Serving)
1/2 cup nonfat plain Greek Yogurt
(optional, pinch of cinnamon)
2 Tbsp Quinoa Crunch
1/2 cup fresh blueberries, raspberries, blackberries (or mix)
1/2 tsp honey


Preheat oven to 300'.

Place the quinoa in a mesh strainer and rinse under cold water until the water runs clear; easier if you place a bowl underneath. Drain well.

Transfer the quinor to a medium mixing bowl. Add the flaxseed, honey, and olive oil. Use a spoon to mix until well combined. Spread the mixture in a thin layer on a rimmed baking sheet. Bake until lightly browned, 10-15 min, stirring once. Transfer the crunch to a large plate to cool and store in a container for up to a week.

Place the yogurt in a small serving bowl. Top with the Quinoa Crunch and berries. Drizzle honey and serve.
Calories: 216.9 Protein: 11.8 g Carbs 33.1 g 

Greek Yogurt Snack Pack

In every one of my travels i try to order something 'so Greece', 'so Turkey', 'so Paris', you get the idea... but occasionally i discover something thats great for traveling... Story time. When my family took a vacation to Europe in 2006 we went to this little, hole in the wall, Greek Restaurant. This restaurant was no joke, it was to the T - Greek. None of this 'Americanized Greek' ish that we seem to get locally. They had folk dancers, wine in wooden flasks, baked brie with fresh raspberries and yogurt with sliced apples, almonds, grapes, and a drizzle of honey. That. was. dessert. Healthy? Yes, and oh so satisfying.



Alas, my new favorite 'on the go' snack/treat was established and i take this stuff everywhere. Do you realize it has protein, 'staying power' aka almonds, fiber, and all natural sweetness? This goes everywhere.

Greek Yogurt Snack

1/2 cup Greek Yogurt (i use Fage 0% or 2%)

1/2 apple (chopped)

5 almonds (chopped)

6 grapes (halved)

1 teaspoon Honey

Place Greek Yogurt on the bottom and top with remaining ingredients. Don't stir until you're ready to eat or everything will be soggy and missing that delicious crunch!

CALORIES: 179 PROTEIN: 10.9 GRAMS FIBER: 3 GRAMS

nom nom nom...

Greek Yogurt. Whole Wheat. Pancakes.

'Do you still want a cupcake shop?' was the question. 'No', was the answer. Sadly, i have concluded that I'm not entirely comfortable with making unhealthy-though extremely satisfying- baked goods or meals on a daily basis. Further, does a 'healthy cupcake' really taste just as good as an 'unhealthy' one? Hmm I'm not sure, but it just isn't as fun.

What i do know is that when it comes to pancakes, these tiny edible pillows taste perfectly wonderful regardless of how 'wholesome' they are. It's a beautiful thing. So beautiful that if we don't tell the white flour lovers, men, and junk food eaters in our life that these pillows of heaven are actually 'healthy', there's no way they will notice. They will gush and lick their plates. I myself waited anxiously for my fathers 'gushing' remarks after he glanced at me prepping ingredients and uttered 'Carbs Lara?'.
He doesn't understand slow burning carbs, fiber, protein, or 38 calories a pop.

p.s. makes 12 Lil babies.

Greek Yogurt. Blueberries. WW Pancakes.

<1/2 Cup whole wheat flour

1 Tablespoon date sugar (or white sugar/honey if you don't have it)

1 Teaspoon baking soda

1/2 Teaspoon salt

1 Cup Low Fat Greek Yogurt

2 Large eggs

1/2 Teaspoon vanilla extract

3 Tablespoons milk (I use almond milk... add more if needed)

Butter for cooking

Blueberries

Maple syrup for munching

Whisk to combine dry ingredients in a large bowl and add the Greek yogurt until just combined. Follow with the rest of wet ingredients. Batter will be runny. Use an ice cream scoop and spoon onto a buttered 300 degree griddle or pan over medium heat. When you see bubbles popping the pancakes are ready to flip, add blueberries now if you wish. Flip and cook another 1-2 minutes until golden. 

Serve with warm maple syrup and enjoy.