Clean Hot Chocolate and Guilt Free Fudge!

Stay trim this Festive Season!

It's started!!  There's gorgeous, delicious food and dreamy, creamy drinks everywhere!  You can smell them in the air.  Ooh they smell so good but are laden with about a trillion calories and we don't want to ruin all the hard work we've put in all year in just a few weeks, right?!

So I searched for a hot chocolate recipe that was clean but also tasted delicious, I never want to skimp on flavour, who does?!  

It's so quick and easy, you can make it in less than 5 mins then curl up on the sofa and enjoy!

Clean Hot Chocolate

1 cup unsweetened almond milk

1 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder

1 tbsp stevia or honey

Cinnamon stick

Warm up almond milk and cinnamon stick in a saucepan, bring to a gentle simmer.  Add the cocoa powder slowly stirring until completely dissolved.

Pour into a mug, (optional) sprinkle a little cocoa and cinnamon and garnish with the cinnamon stick!

Clean Hot Chocolate!

And of course you need a little sweet treat to go with your hot chocolate!  How about some slow cooker/crock pot chocolate fudge (guilt free!)

I was so excited when I discovered this recipe because, 1.  I loooovvvveee fudge and 2. I'm all about the slow cooker/crock pot.  It's one of the best things ever!  Throw everything in and just leave it to cook, I'm sold!!

Here it is......

Guilt Free Slow Cooker Chocolate Fudge

440 grams or 2 1/2 cups of good quality dark choc drops

125 ml or 1/2 cup canned coconut milk

4 tbsp or 1/4 cup honey

Pinch of sea salt

2 tbsp coconut oil

1 tsp pure vanilla extract

Add chocolate chips, coconut milk, honey, salt and coconut oil to the slow cooker.  Stir until the ingredients are combined.

Cover and cook on low for 2 hours WITHOUT stirring.

After 2 hours, allow to cool to room temp. then stir vigorously for 5 mins until the mixture loses some of it's shine.   (You can use an electric beater)

Lightly oil an 8" x 8" square pan and pour the mixture in.  Cover and refrigerate for around 4 hours. Cut into bite size pieces.  Keep the fudge stored in the fridge until you want to eat. (If you can make it last!)

Even though the fudge is clean, doesn't mean you would want to eat a lot in one go, it is very rich!!

Guilt Free Chocolate Fudge!

Get in the Christmas spirit, put on some Festive tunes, enjoy a hot chocolate and a little fudge without feeling guilty, I know I definitely am!!  

Have an amazing week!  Caroline xoxo

I'm always over on Fit For Life where I post daily, if you can't wait till next week!!

3 Day Detox Cleanse Meal Plan!

3 days to flush out the Nastys and lose a few unwanted lbs!!

UPON WAKING - LEMON AND GINGER WATER

Large mug of warm water.  Squeeze half a lemon and a pop a small piece of ginger into your mug.  Top with boiled water and add a little cold water to get a warm temp.  Feel free to have more than one mug.

BREAKFAST - FRESH JUICE

2 celery stalks

Half a cucumber

2 large kale leaves or a handful of spinach

Handful of fresh parsley

1/2 lemon (remove peel)

1 apple

1 raw beetroot (optional)

Juice all ingredients together.  If you don't have a juicer, you could use a blender and add a little water.  (with blending the consistency will be thicker)

MID MORNING SNACK - VEG STICKS

Makes enough for 3 days. Store in  tupperware.

3 cucumbers

3 celery stalks

3 carrots

Wash and cut into sticks, keep refrigerated until needed.

Veg sticks prepared and stored.

LUNCH - RESTORING BALANCE SOUP

Makes enough for 3 days.

1 1/2 litres of water

3 courgettes

3 celery stalks

1 large bunch green beans

1 large bunch fresh parsley

3 tomatoes

3 garlic cloves, crushed

2 tsp sea or rock salt

2 tsp dried herbs

Chop all the veg and put all ingredients into a large pot.  Bring to the boil, then reduce to a simmer for 30 mins.  You can leave the soup chunky or blend if you prefer a smoother soup.

Divide into 3 portions and store in an airtight container in the fridge.

AFTERNOON SNACK - ALMONDS

Handful of almonds. Around 12 - 15.

DINNER - LARGE GREEN SALAD

Serves 1

1 ripe avocado, chopped

1/2 cucumber, chopped

1 carrot, grated

Large handful fresh watercress

Handful fresh coriander, chopped

2 tomatoes, chopped

1 tbsp sesame seeds

Few florets of raw broccoli (optional)

Salad Dressing: Mix 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil with 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar. (optional - add chilli flakes to add extra favour)

DESSERT - CHIA SEED PUDDING

Makes 3 servings

300ml unsweetened almond milk

1 tbsp honey

4 tbsp chia seeds

1 tsp cinnamon

Combine all ingredients in a large jar a shake until combined.  Pour into 3 small bowls or glasses and refrigerate.  After around 30 mins, the mixture will have thickened to a pudding consistency.  Keep covered in the fridge until needed.

Alternatively, you can freeze until needed, then add a little more almond milk and blend for a frozen dessert.

3 chia seed puddings.

* REMEMBER TO DRINK PLENTY WATER. AIM FOR 2 LITRES PER DAY*

* NO COFFEE, BUT YOU CAN HAVE HERBAL TEAS e.g. CHAMOMILE, PEPPERMINT 

TEA
NO STRENUOUS EXERCISE IS RECOMMENDED DURING THE CLEANSE *

Prepare the soup and dessert ahead of time, divide up your snacks and you're good to go!

3 Day Detox Cleanse Results!

Crazy results in just 3 days!!

So last weekend was Halloween, and the chocolate got to me!  Usually I'm sooo good and can resist or only have 1 piece, well not last weekend, the sugar monster came out to play!!

Chocolate is my BIG weakness, once it takes hold, I'm gone.  It's like crack cocaine to me, seriously.  I say this as a joke, but sugar is highly addictive, it's a drug and most people ARE addicted!

See my before picture, this is the morning after my chocolate binge.  Look how bloated and puffy my stomach is, my face slightly too.  Sugar is the devil!!

So I just wanted a quick, healthy way to cleanse my body of all the crap I'd put into it over the weekend,  I did the 3 day cleanse detox.

Making lunch for the next 3 days.

Soup on the cleanse, tasted really nice!

I didn't want to do a juice fast or just a liquid cleanse as I like to eat, and I would find it hard to stick to, if I couldn't actually chew anything.  So I did my research and found a 3 day cleanse that included juices, soup, salad, snacks and dessert (yes dessert!)  I tweaked it a little to suit me, without changing it up too much.

The result was a 3 day detox cleanse that felt doable.  It's all natural with lots of veg, lots of water and I never felt hungry.  I did have a slight headache one evening and felt tired earlier in the nighttime, but that was expected. It's a cleanse and that was my body's natural response while flushing out all the nasty toxins and restoring balance.

3 day detox cleanse

I was really happy with my end results.  As you can see from the after photo, all the bloat has gone.  I feel lighter and leaner and an added bonus I lost 3 lbs! 

Down 3lbs in 3 days, not from starving or doing a liquid fast, but by restoring my body with whole natural healthy food!

I've opened up a private group on Facebook for anyone who would like to do this cleanse next week.  It starts Tuesday through Thursday,  I provide a shopping list and a meal guide and you'll get lots of support from others doing the cleanse with you.

If you or anyone you know would like to join in comment below or send me a message through my Facebook page Fit For Life.  I'd love to have you join our group!

The more the merrier, spreading the healthy love!!

Have an awesome week, stay happy, stay grateful!

Caroline xoxo

Leftover Halloween Pumpkin? Slow Cooker Lentil and Vegetable Soup.

Halloween wine and goodies!

Did you have a Happy Halloween?  I love this time of year, it's the run up to Christmas, my all time favourite holiday!!  I'm getting in the festive spirit already, yes I've been playing Christmas songs at home and in my car!!

But with that comes all the goodies, oh and I love them all!  Mince pies and mulled wine, yes please!  I will be enjoying some treats but I will not be stuffing my face, I WILL have self control!!!

After 12 hours... delicious!!

Divided into individual portions.

My slow cooker/crockpot lentil and vegetable soup is going to keep you on track.  I make this and divide it up into individual portions and refrigerate or freeze until I need them.

INGREDIENTS

2 cups dried red lentils

1 litre vegetable stock

1/2 pumpkin or butternut squash, chopped

3 carrots, chopped

3 potatoes, chopped

1 onion, diced

3 garlic cloves, crushed

1 tsp dried herbs

1/2 tsp cumin

1 tsp salt

1/2 tsp black pepper

METHOD

Throw everything into the slow cooker/crockpot and cook on low for 10 hours or on high for 5 hours.

After cooking I blended half the mixture to make it thicker but still leaving some chunky veg!

This soup is going to be a staple throughout the winter months in our house.  What could be easier than putting all the ingredients into one pot and turning it on?  I love it, foolproof!  Enjoy.

Pop over to Fit For Life where I post everyday.

Have a happy, healthy week.  Stay grateful.

Caroline xoxo

Staying Healthy in The Highlands!

Meeting a few Highland cows!

This week I drove up north to spend a few nights in The Highlands.  I love it up there, really getting away from it all and just relaxing.  I really should go more often, it only took me  1 1/2 hours drive! Why when it's literally on our doorstep don't we go more?  This is probably the first time I've visited in nearly 15 years!

Traditional log fireplace,

We stayed in a traditional little Scottish hotel that had 3 roaring fireplaces.  You can't beat sitting in front of the fire after a long walk in the countryside.  I immersed myself totally and enjoyed every second of it.

A small dry sherry by the fire.

So, did I stay healthy for those few days?  Well, kinda...

I took a lemon with me as I need my warm water and lemon first thing in the morning, that's a given. I also took some unsalted nuts, raisins and apples, just so I had some healthy snack options ready to hand.

For the 2 nights I was there I chose whatever I wanted to eat at dinner and I had a few glasses of wine too. ( I was on a little break after all!)

I also bought some homemade macaroon, I used to love this as a child, it tasted sooo good and brought back some memories...

Mmmm homemade macaroon!

So today I'm back on it, back to my clean eating until next Saturday ( my treat meal night) and my workouts. ( No workouts on my 2 nights away)

Because I eat clean and workout consistently I don't worry about those few days away, I just jump straight back in.  I would never allow myself to fall back into my old ways, that's never going to happen!

So I just finished Piyo drench, now I'm going old school and pushing play on some P90X legs and back. Ooh may have trouble with the stairs tomorrow!!

Consistency Is Key

Have a great week, stay healthy, stay happy and pop over to my Facebook Page Fit For Life where I post everyday.

Caroline xoxo

Update on Beachbodys Piyo workout with added slides!

Homemade slides on my feet!!

Yes I'm still doing the Piyo workout everyday (well 6 out of 7 days!)  I'm still totally in love with this workout which is a blend of Piyo and Pilates at a pace which flows.  

I bought the extended version which includes the use of slides.  I made my own version, just disposable plastic plates and boy do they make a difference!

These slides MAKE you use correct form, and that makes the workout more challenging which is a fantastic bonus in my opinion!

Look at that stomach!!

I'm into my 3rd month doing Piyo and I really have noticed a difference everywhere!  I'm noticing more muscle definition, I'm feeling stronger and much more flexible ( I could barely touch my toes before starting Piyo)  

Whatever workout I choose to do next I'll definitely incorporate Piyo, as I want to stay flexible, those hamstrings need to stay subtle!

Day 1:  My heels are quite high, super tight hamstrings.
Day 64:  Heels on the floor, so much more flexible, Thank You Piyo!!

I still have nearly 3 weeks to go until I finish month 3 and I'm super excited to see my results when I'm done. 

Although I love working out, it is a huge part of who I am, also remember it's ALL about the nutrition, they both go hand in hand.  If you're not eating right you're not going to get the results you want.  So get your workouts in and eat right, you're going to look amazing AND feel amazing, promise!

Working out in my PJ bottoms (loving it!)

Have an awesome week, keep smiling, stay grateful and pop over to my Facebook page Fit For Life where I post daily.

Caroline xoxo

Live Your Life Unapologetically!

Just be you, everyone else is already taken!

Do you sometimes change who you are to fit in, or maybe wonder what other people will think of you?  Today I was thinking about just that.  

I have my health and fitness page Fit For Life where I post everyday, sometimes video clips of me exercising, new healthy recipes or motivational quotes but on my own personal Facebook page Caroline Glen I don't often post much about it.  Why? 

Well today I was really thinking about it and to be totally honest it's because I was a little worried about what people would think.  On my fitness page you expect the posts and photos of working out or my latest juice recipe but on my personal page I didn't want people thinking "Oh there she goes again  Miss Health & Fitness"

Always Be Yourself!

So today I'm turning a corner, being healthy and working out is such a huge part of who I am, I shouldn't worry about what people will think or say.  So I'm not going to shy away and put everything on my fitness page. I'm going to embrace who I am, sweaty workout pics and all, along with all the photos and posts of myself and my son. 

 

Post workout fresh beet juice!

I hope maybe this helps someone else who struggles with what other people think, remember this:

You may be the ripest juiciest peach, but there's always going to be someone who doesn't like peaches.

JUST BE YOU and LIVE YOUR LIFE UNAPOLOGETICALLY!!

Have an awesome week and stay healthy.

Caroline xoxo