Southwest Turkey Quinoa Casserole

To view this recipe and blog post, please visit my new website here:  http://www.fromflabtofabfitness.com/2017/01/16/southwest-turkey-quinoa-casserole/

thank you! <3

How did I do it? My Personal Story from Flab to Fab!

So I've been getting asked a LOT what I've done exactly to get where I am now from where I was... and I'm totally 100% flattered by all the questions and comments I've received.

From THAT ^^^      
to THIS....

Looking back at my first before photos, I can't help but ask myself, 'Abby... what the heck. When did you lose self control and stop caring?" And it wasn't just for vanity reasons, but how did I let my diet get out of control?! I've always loved fitness -- but I KNEW BETTER.

The year before I started as a Beachbody Coach I literally made pancakes and brownies way too often, we're talking like at least once a month. But back then, at age 20-- I guess I thought I was invincible? It's not like I had a crazy fast metabolism all my life, quite the opposite. It felt like if I ate a few bad things, I would gain 5 lbs instantly! #instafat

*To get an idea of my very basic meal plan when I'm trying to be stricter GO HERE.

Not only that, but I LOVE a good burger -- and don't get me started on pizza. So obviously it's not that I became this super food nazi in order to lose weight and tone up. I just got realistic and focused. I still enjoy a cheat meal, and I still love brownies, burgers, pancakes and pizza-- but now I love my results more.

Once you see progress, you don't really want to turn back. Like EVER.

So from where I was then, to where I am now is a HUGE jump. Thank goodness I got my head in the game and my ass in gear or else starting now would be so much harder.

See, that's the thing.. so many people wait to start and then it's 10x harder then it would have been if you had started when you said you were. If you want results, you have to start giving it your all and stop giving up. Quitting doesn't make a winner.

So let's get onto the goods. JUST HOW did I DO it?!


Watch my video: Part 1


Part II:





Please leave feedback, love to hear from my followers! Remember, not one size fits all. This has been my PERSONAL experience... we all find our way somehow!

My Daily Meal Plan

I posted this earlier on my Facebook this week (Facebook.com/abbymaried) and wanted to share with my bloggers as well ;-)

To give a quick idea of what I eat on the daily:

16oz of water then, 
***T25 for quick morning cardio*** 

Breakfast: ((OPTIONS))

• Shakeology and oatmeal with 1tbsp of PB (tastes like a friggin PB oatmeal cookie, #nom) 
• 1-2 servings of Fruit (I follow the portion size from the 21DF), a slice of ezekiel bread toast, and 2 eggs scrambled

Snack: Two eggs, spinach, and a slice of Ezekiel toast

Lunch: 

• Chicken, veggies, brown rice, avocado
• Healthy tuna avocado sandwich or salad (on a bed of spinach) with fresh fruit 

Snack: Cliff bar  or Luna Bar (before a workout usually) OR greek yogurt with an apple

Workout -- usually lifting (depending on the day of the week) following most of the Body Beast schedule (hello #ladybeast)

***Post workout protein shake and amino acids***

Dinner: Fish, sweet potatoes, veggies < something of that variation

TA DA... nothing crazy or complicated, but my week usually revolves around 5-6 meals a day focusing on using the 21 Day Fix meal plan guidelines (what would I do without that?!) and I try to drink as much water as I can...

Oh and I sneak in a cucumber smoothie from Robeks once a week.#ijustcanthelpmyself

But I do try to avoid doing this UNLESS its my designated cheat meal, then pass those chips over! I'll take another side of guac too. 

* I limit fruit, but do have cantaloupe, strawberries, blueberries, apples because they are lower on the GI scale and lower in sugars! I will do fruit for breakfast if I have it and it's in season 

OH, and I do NOT have fruit at night (if I can avoid it, but if I need something sweet, Ill sprinkle it with lemon and Tajin seasoning) and if I do eat bananas (which is rare) it's usually BEFORE a workout and/or 1/2 a banana!

Protein Banana Bread (Chocolate Chips Optional)

Surprisingly I'm not a HUGE banana fan-- but that's just by themselves. I blame it on banana overdosing for about 10 years of my life. IF I have a banana its usually in Shakeology ;-)

But since I had several bananas starting to go brown, I figured now is a good time to put them to use. I'm sick of throwing food away!

So here goes nothin'

What you will Need:

• 1/2 cup of protein powder
• 1 1/2 cups of old fashioned oats
• 1tsp of baking soda
• 1tsp of baking powder
• 1/4 tsp of salt
• 1 banana
• 1/2 cup of coconut oil/butter (melted)
• 1/2 cup of egg whites
• 1/4 cup of milk
• about 12 packets or 1/4 cup of Stevia 

Directions:

1. Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees
2. Coat bread pan 
3. Combine all ingredients in a blender (except the chocolate chips if you put them on)
4. blend until smooth
5. Pour into bread pan 
6. Bake for 35-40 minutes

Bon Appetite!