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4-COURSE VALENTINE’S MEAL FOR 2: ASIAN STICKY CHICKEN WITH PINEAPPLE “FRIED RICE”
Feeling joy in what you eat is an important part of having a positive relationship with your food, as is enjoying a holiday meal or a date night that feels decadent. So, we created this delicious four-course meal in honor of Valentine’s Day so that you can enjoy a big meal in a way that aligns with your goals and helps you recognize that no food is good or bad.
8 MUST-HAVE TRADER JOE’S MACRO-FRIENDLY ITEMS FOR FLAVORFUL, HEALTHY MEALS
Focusing on making healthful nutrition changes does not have to equal making food taste boring: let’s put the idea of needing to eat boiled chicken breast and mushy vegetables in order to successfully pursue health goals to bed once and for all! On the contrary, by ensuring that we’re actually enjoying the health-promoting foods that we’re aiming to make staples in our diets, we’re far more likely to make change sustainable and, in turn, results retainable. Whether you’re looking to liven up your protein prep, make veggies more attractive to reach for or play around with new flavor profiles, here is a list of some of our favorite ways to insert flavor from Trader Joe’s.
EASY SNACK RECIPE: HIGH PROTEIN PIZZA MUFFINS (GLUTEN FREE!)
This high-protein snack is something we always have baked and ready to eat at our house. My toddler loves it and I add one or two of these pizza muffins to my meal prep as a snack daily. The absolute best part: all this recipe requires is throwing all ingredients in a blender and then a muffin tin. Minimal dishes, some easy protein, and a snack that feels far more indulgent than it is!
REVERSE DIETING: MYTHS, FACTS, AND WHAT REALLY WORKS
Reverse dieting is the practice of increasing a person’s total daily caloric intake after a period of prolonged caloric restriction (aka a diet). Reverse dieting is all the rage on the internet, with social media promoting specific “Reverse Diet Coaches” and overly complicated reverse diet protocols to follow after time in a calorie deficit.
HIGH FIBER MEAL PREP RECIPE: HONEY MUSTARD DENSE BEAN SALAD (WITH MACROS!)
If you’ve been on the internet recently you may have seen the popular trend of “dense bean salads.” In an online space where there are lots of questionable trends circulating, this is one that I can wholeheartedly get behind! The idea behind a “dense bean salad” is that it’s a recipe packed with ingredients that get better day by day as the ingredients marinate longer. This dense bean salad I’m sharing today is no exception. It’s flavorful, high in protein (with plant-based options available to boost protein without animal products!), high in fiber, and incredibly customizable.
DETOXING 101: WHAT YOUR BODY ACTUALLY NEEDS TO STAY HEALTHY
If you've spent any time in the wellness space, you've probably seen many bold claims about detoxes - from juice cleanses to special supplements, influencers and "detox specialists" promise that these methods will help flush toxins, boost metabolism, and even cure diseases. But do they actually work?
MACRO FRIENDLY DESSERT: SALTED CARAMEL APPLE YOGURT BARK
Tracking your macros doesn’t have to be restrictive and in fact, we pride ourselves on coaching our clients on ways to be more flexible with their food choices. We feel it’s important to include foods that you love and that means dessert and sweet treats! This peanut butter salted caramel apple yogurt bark is the perfect sweet treat for this season (or any season, really!) It’s super easy to make and for 22g of protein per serving, it can actually play a role in helping you nail your protein goals!
MANAGING APPETITE WHILE BREASTFEEDING: HOW TO NAVIGATE THE NEVER-ENDING HUNGER WHEN NURSING OR PUMPING
Breastfeeding is one of the most energy-demanding stages of life, let alone motherhood! If you've found yourself constantly hungry while nursing your little one, you're not alone – this increased appetite is both normal and necessary. Let's explore how to satisfy those intense hunger cues while ensuring you're getting the nutrients both you and your baby need.
MACRO-FRIENDLY BURGER AND SWEET POTATO FRIES WITH COOKING TIPS
Fulfilling a craving for a burger and fries while staying goal-aligned on any old day can be a tall order, and while we fully believe in the occasional untracked meal out, why not have the best of both worlds at home? Our tips to make your lean beef burgers juicy and sweet potato fries crispy are sure to impress you and your family!
OUR NEW FAVORITE OBSESSION: NINJA CREAMI PROTEIN ICE CREAM
Ice cream is a top three favorite dessert for me and sometimes, a small serving or just a few bites isn’t very satisfying. It can feel disappointing when you want to work towards your aesthetic goals but also want to enjoy your food. Enter: the magic that is created using the Ninja Creami. This week’s post shares two very simple recipes (plus flavor ideas!) for making low-calorie, high-protein ice cream that won’t break your macros, even if you decide to eat the whole pint.
PROTEIN BARS UNWRAPPED: WHAT TO LOOK FOR (AND WHAT TO AVOID) IN A MACRO-FRIENDLY PROTEIN BAR
Choosing the right “macro-friendly” protein bar can feel like spotting a snowflake in a blizzard—especially when marketing doesn't make it clear whether the product is actually a protein bar or more of a glorified candy bar. Protein bars can absolutely have a place in your daily intake, but it’s important to know what you’re really buying.
MACRO-FRIENDLY CHICKEN MEAL PREP: CUBAN BOWL + JERK CHICKEN THIGHS
Let’s be honest, when it comes to meal prep, a bowl-style meal is my go-to. It’s super easy for throwing together a meal that’s packed with protein, loads of veggies and it really lends itself to adjusting the amount of carbs and fats you need to stay aligned with your macro targets. I love it because it’s packed full of flavor and an easy recipe to prep ahead for the whole week, whether you’re cooking for yourself or your whole family. This healthful Cuban-inspired meal has flavorful jerk chicken thighs over nutritious veggies and wholesome beans making this balanced meal perfect for tracking your macros and working towards your weight loss and fitness goals.
CREATING A DOPAMINE MENU: AN EASY TOOL FOR WHEN MOTIVATION IS LOW
One part of our nutrition goals we often overlook is the inevitable fact that, at some point, our motivation will tank. When that happens, we often believe we have to rely on only willpower or wait until motivation comes back to feel “on track,” but the reality is that motivation will wane at times and, rather than waiting for it to reappear, this is a time when we can benefit from taking simple actions that help us rebuild momentum.
MACRO-FRIENDLY BOWL RECIPE: PLANT-BASED GOLDEN TAHINI PROTEIN POWER BOWL
This power bowl is loaded with protein, high-fiber vegetables, and a nutritious golden tahini sauce. Whether you're vegan, vegetarian, or plant-based (or even if you’re not!) this simple meal is great for tracking your macros (or not!) and can help support any body composition, fitness, or overall nutrition.
EASY CHICKEN KORMA: A FLAVORFUL, MACRO-FRIENDLY WINTER CURRY RECIPE
This is the creamy and cozy Indian favorite that you dream about with a few little tweaks to optimize the nutrient profile and make it both filling and delicious. It’s relatively quick and easy (just requires some time marinating, but that can be done overnight!) and leaves you with a delicious meal that is comforting, high in protein, and guaranteed to keep you full.
6 COMMON MACRO TRACKING MISTAKES YOU MIGHT BE MAKING: TIPS FROM A NUTRITION COACH
Tracking your macros is a fantastic tool for understanding your food intake and making intentional choices that align with your goals. But let’s be honest—it’s not always straightforward. In time, you will be able to track macros like a pro. But mistakes happen, and that’s ok. We need to acknowledge they will be part of this experience. The goal is to learn from them and make small, sustainable improvements over time.
HIGH PROTEIN WINTER SOUP RECIPE: AVGOLEMONO (CREAMY GREEK CHICKEN & LEMON SOUP)
Indulge in warmth and wellness with our High-Protein Winter Soup Recipe: Avgolemono. It’s a healthy, macro-friendly recipe with easy ingredients and instructions. Experience the comforting blend of creamy Greek chicken and lemon flavors. Discover a delicious and nutritious way to stay cozy this season. Try our easy homemade soup today!
HIGH PROTEIN COMFORT FOOD RECIPE: CHICKEN NOODLE SOUP
‘Tis the season for feeling both under the weather after a month or so of extra socializing and yearning for comforting foods, yet likely feeling a push from the temporal landmark that is the New Year as well. But who says comforting foods can’t also be goal-aligned? This chicken noodle soup recipe checks all the boxes when it comes to flavor, warmth, and nourishment and is sure to become a winter go-to to help boost your protein intake!
HOLIDAY COCKTAILS: MACRO-FRIENDLY DRINKS AND HOW TO TRACK ALCOHOL
When you think of holiday treats, a cocktail may not be the first thing that comes to mind. But between more dinners with family or friends and other holiday celebrations, chances are you’ll run into a cocktail or two. Whether you’re hosting Christmas brunch or having a cozy snow day at home, here are some of our favorite winter cocktails.
3 UNDERRATED TIPS FOR A FAT LOSS PHASE: IMPROVING ADHERENCE IN YOUR CALORIE DEFICIT EASIER
When it comes to pursuing a fat loss goal, we know there are two main necessities to successful fat loss: First, consistency in a calorie deficit. Second, adequate protein intake. These two necessities are our top priority, but they don’t encompass all of the strategies that help us make these actions possible. Today, I want to talk through three of the most underrated strategies that help us achieve that consistency and feel good during a calorie deficit so that our fat loss goals don’t come at the expense of our energy, workouts, recovery, or relationship with food.
MACRO-FRIENDLY RECIPE: CHOCOLATE PEANUT BUTTER COOKIE DOUGH BITES
Sweets are a whole mood in our house and a day doesn’t go by that I don’t have something sweet somewhere in my day. When you’re tracking macros or being mindful of your caloric intake, it can sometimes feel like you have to stay away from sweets or foods that you enjoy, but we feel the opposite!
WHY MINDSET MATTERS FOR YOUR NUTRITION GOALS
The rules of energy balance may seem simple on paper (with all “name brand” diets driven by hard and fast regulations operating under the same umbrella): calories in vs. calories out. Follow the guidelines, achieve results. However, without a foundational belief that we are capable of overcoming and learning from the challenges that are bound to arise in the process and are deserving of the outcomes we seek, we are bound to struggle with any real, sustainable change. A growth mindset is the key to unlocking our potential to reach any and all of our goals.
MACRO-FRIENDLY RECIPE: SPICY MEXICAN CASSEROLE
Last week was our annual KLN Coach’s Retreat and it was amazing. We all met in Oaxaca, Mexico, (where Kate and Kenny live) and spent five days together as a team for the first time ever! This month’s recipe just had to be inspired by our recent trip and is an attempt to bring some of the flavors of Oaxaca to you in an easy to make, macro-friendly recipe that you can add to your meal prep rotation.
TRACKING IS A TEMPORARY TOOL: HOW TO TRANSITION AWAY FROM TRACKING MACROS AND TO INTENTIONAL EATING
In the world of nutrition, tracking food intake can be a popular tool for building awareness of our eating habits and helping us to reach more specific goals (eating within a deficit, reaching a certain bare minimum for fiber intake, or even fueling for specific athletic-based performance). But what happens when we reach our goals? Do we continue tracking forever? The answer is absolutely not. Our goal isn’t to obsessively monitor every bite but to use tracking as a temporary tool to cultivate a deeper understanding of our relationship with food.
SIMPLE IS SUSTAINABLE: 5 EASY MEAL PREP RECIPES USING ROTISSERIE CHICKEN
Simplicity is key to sustainability in our nutrition. Here are 5 quick, simple meals using rotisserie chicken that I’ve been loving for yum-factor, making my health easier, and speed in the kitchen. Because these recipes are so simple and customizable, the ingredients and directions are merely suggestions. Feel free to change them up as you see fit!
WHY 75 DAY HARD IS A HARD PASS FOR ME
75 Hard is a popular program that's come to the forefront the last few years promises rapid transformations, increased mental toughness, and life-changing results, but what it misses is how extreme approaches can be counterproductive to your long-term goals. The focus on rigidity, perfectionism, and punishing routines may offer short-term wins but lead to burnout, injury, or even regression. It can be counterintuitive to your overall well-being and can just be another attempted quick fix that keeps us stuck in the cycle of restriction, punishment, and believing that change comes only when we’re miserable and doing everything “perfectly.”
MACRO-FRIENDLY RECIPE: PLANT-BASED PROTEIN VEGGIE BURGERS
Gearing up for the last weekend of the summer, burgers are always on the menu but this year, we’re opting for homemade veggie burgers. This week, we’re sharing this recipe for macro-friendly veggie burgers that are packed with plant-based protein.
HOLIDAY NUTRITION MADE EASY: 3 ESSENTIAL TOOLS TO AVOID THE ‘ALL OR NOTHING’ MENTALITY
The holiday season often means packed calendars, filled with family gatherings, work parties, and festive get-togethers. Right now, we’re in the thick of it. But how do we approach these events without feeling either deprived or overly indulgent? How do we navigate our nutrition in a way that aligns with our goals instead of calling it quits and just “starting over in January?” Let’s talk about it…
MACRO-FRIENDLY RECIPE: FROZEN YOGURT SMOOTHIE POPS
Ice cream and sweet cold treats are some of my favorites when it comes to dessert, especially in the heat of the summer. When tracking your macros, it can sometimes be tough to work in a “healthy” sweet treat or dessert, which is why we created these low-calorie high protein frozen yogurt smoothie popsicles.
8 REASONS TO CHOOSE MACROSFIRST AS YOUR MACRO TRACKING APP
Choosing the right tracking app can make or break your nutrition goals, and MacrosFirst stands out for all the right reasons. Let's jump into why MacrosFirst is superior to popular options like MyFitnessPal (MFP) and Cronometer and why it best fits your tracking needs.