Whit's Favorite Banana Bread

Growing up I was very lucky to have a professional chef as a mom. She catered amazing weddings and is still cooking for lots of people on a daily basis, (including me). One of my favorite things growing up was coming home from school to a house that just smelt divine from the banana bread in the oven. So as i grew up and moved out of the house, I wanted to make my own house smell that good. There is just something about a warm cozy house that smells delicious like something baking in the oven. So, I decided to share with you all my favorite banana bread recipe.
Follow the steps closely, and soon, your own house will be smelling yummy and you will be able to enjoy some delicious banana bread yourself. :)

{Whit's Banana Bread}

PREPARE:
Preheat Oven to 325 degrees
2- Loaf Pans w/ No-Stick Baking Spray

INGREDIENTS:

1 C Brown Sugar
1 Stick of Butter Softened
2 Eggs
1/4 C Light Sour Cream
1 Tsp Vanilla
4 Very Ripe Bananas
2 C Flour
1 Tsp Baking Soda
1/2 Tsp Cinnamon
1/2 Tsp Nutmeg 
1/2 Tsp Cloves
1/4 Tsp Salt

INSTRUCTIONS:

-Cream together Butter and Sugar.

-Add in Sour Cream, Mix.

-Add in both Eggs, Mix.

-Add in the 4 bananas, Mix well.

-Add the Flour and all the dry ingredients, Mix until combined. 

-Divide the batter between the 2 prepared loaf pans.

-I like to sprinkle cinnamon, Oats, and Turbinado sugar on top of the batter in the loaf pans to give it a sweet crunchy layer.

-Place in oven, cook for about an hour. 

-Let it cool, and then cut a slice or two and enjoy!!!

ENJOY!!! Let me know how you like it!

-Whit

Whit's secret Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies

I absolutely LOVE fall time... The leaves, the weather, the holidays, birthdays, food, smells and of course.. PUMPKIN! I love pumpkin pie, pumpkin french macaroons, pumpkin bread, pumpkin steamers and pumpkin cookies. Because I closed my store front, I decided to share some of my recipes so all of you guys can enjoy the yummy-ness. :)

{Whit's PUMPKIN CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES}

1 c brown sugar
1/2 c white sugar
1 stick softened butter
2 large eggs
1 15 oz can pumpkin

2 c flour
1 tbsp baking powder
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1/2 tsp cloves
1/4 tsp ginger
1/2 tsp salt

1.5 c your favorite chocolate chips

{INSTRUCTIONS}

Preheat Oven to 400 degrees F
Prepare Cookie sheets with Parchment Paper, set aside.

-In a mixer bowl combine: Sugars and Butter. Cream together.

-Add in Eggs and Pumpkin. Mix together for about 2 minutes.
-Scrape bowl. Mix for about 30 sec more.
-Add in spices, baking powder, and flour. Mix together well.

-Add Chocolate Chips. Mix.
-Scrape Bowl. Mix one more time for about 30 sec.

-With an ice cream scoop, scoop out cookie batter onto cookie sheet about 1.5 inches apart.

-Place cookies in the oven.
-Bake for about 12-15 minutes. (I found 14 minutes was PERFECT!)
-Clean up the kitchen area and all of your cooking utensils.
-Enjoy the delicious smell throughout your house.
-Wait patiently for the timer to go off.
-Take out of over when time is up, let sit for 2 minutes on cooling rack.

-ENJOY!

-Store in a air tight container or ziplock baggie.
(I really like my pumpkin cookies cold. Don't get me wrong, with this recipe the cookies are good either way, fresh out of the over of colder, but I put mine in the fridge for a bit and then eat them.)

Hope you guys enjoy my recipe. I am a really picky cookie person, and this recipe is my absolute favorite everything. Taste, color, and consistency. So yummy! Let me know how you like them!

xoxo

-whit

HOLIDAY FOODS THAT ACTUALLY BURN CALORIES!

With the holidays approaching, I thought I would lighten up all your moods even more by letting you know of some of the healthy benefits of some of our favorite holiday foods and treats!!! Don't you LOVE that good news?!

HOT CHOCOLATE- Cocoa is packed full of antioxidants which reduce your levels of cortisol. Cortisol is a stress hormone that causes your body to hang on to belly fat. The combo of carbs and protein in the milk can also help your muscles recover faster from a tough workout.
I love plain milk hot chocolate but I also love lots of fun varieties. Here are some yummy HOT CHOCOLATE recipes...

CHICKEN NOODLE SOUP- People who eat broth or a veggie soup consume fewer calories over all. The water in the soup helps fill you up and boosts satiety And just the act of eating a warm soup helps slow your eating down so your body can notice feelings of fullness. Plus, who doesn't like chicken noodle soup. It can be made so many different ways.. Light or hearty.
Here are a couple of yummy recipes for Chicken Noodle Soup

POT ROAST- The moment protein passes your lips, it starts fighting fat. Your body has to work harder to break down protein and uses it for energy which means you burn more when you are digesting it. It also takes more time to leave your stomach, therefore keeping you fuller for longer.
Here is one of my favorite POT ROAST recipes.

OATMEAL- One cup of warm oatmeal contains 4 grams of fiber and 6 grams of protein. The combo of the two helps slow the digestion of carbs, reduces your insulin response and keeps you fuller for longer. I absolutely love how easy and yummy oatmeal is for breakfast, and as a secret I sometimes will sneak some oatmeal in as dinner. It is so easy to make, and you can do so many things with it for different flavors. Here is a link to some delicious OATMEAL recipes

ROASTED CARROTS-  Either as a side or mixed into a meal, the high water and fiber content of carrots fills you up fast. You can also roast them for an even better calorie burn. Carrots roasted at  104 degrees contain 3X as many antioxidants as raw carrots.
Here is a link to some yummy ROASTED CARROTS

CHILI- The combination of fiber from the tomatoes and the protein from the beans and beef prevents over eating. Plus, Capsaicin, the compound that gives cayenne, chili peppers and jalapenos their heat, also torch fat.
As an added bonus, if you are not a big beef eater, you can substitute ground turkey for the beef. Here is a link to a delicious TURKEY CHILI recipe

SWEET POTATOES- Eating these can prevent sugar from getting stored around your waistline as fat. They are rich in carotenoids. Also, sweet potatoes are full of fiber, which slows digestion, prevents your blood sugar from plummeting and hunger form spiking.

PUMPKIN- One cup of pumpkin contains 46 calories and 3 grams of fiber. Plus, pumpkin is an excellent source of beta carotene which fights stress and inflammation in the body that's linked to increase fat storage. (SEE! Pumpkin pie isn't so bad after all!!! Thank heavens)
Here is a link to some of my favorite PUMPKIN PIE recipes

With the holidays so close, don't think you have to miss out on all of your favorite foods and treats. To keep up on your weight loss goals. Just remember to keep up your exercise, whether you join a gym and go at least 2-3 times a week, have some equipment at your house, or just go on a walk outside a couple days a week. Everything counts. I can honestly say you will NEVER regret a workout. You will only regret it if you don't go. As a new mom, and me going back to work I know for a fact how hard it is to get out of the house and go to the gym... Before I got pregnant, I started doing some of the Body Rock TV workouts on line... And man oh man... Just a short 30-60 minute workout got me sweating. I will post a link so you can try them too. LINK: BodyRockTV  
I seriously enjoy the workouts and how you really can use things around your house to get an awesome workout. A word of advise from Whitney would be: Put in the effort and you will get the results you work for. Just remember self discipline and variety when it comes to foods and treats.



Enjoy!!!

-whit

-delicious, healthy snacks-

For all of you who are either on the go, or a mom you know what it is like to not have a ton of time to eat.. with me being a working mom, a brand new mom to be exact, I am having a hard time finding a time to sit down and eat something. I know I am not the only one who has this problem, so I thought I would post some of my favorite little on the go snacks, drinks and tips. 

My first yummy snack is: Special K Vanilla Almond cereal with Silk Almond Milk. Just pour some cereal in a small bowl, top with the almond milk, and you've got yourself a delicious and nutrition little breakfast, lunch or snack. And an added bonus, is there is only 170 calories in a bowl. (milk included!!)

Second: I am not a coffee drinker, and so when I found this product I fell in love!!! It is called "Crio Bru" It is ground up Cocoa Beans and it brews just like coffee. It has so many benefits like: 

Crio Brü is made from 100%, perfectly roasted cocoa beans. Nothing more, nothing less. No sugar, no chemicals, no gluten, no dairy. Although the cocoa beans are roasted to make Crio Brü, many of the health benefits found in the raw cocoa beans are preserved, giving you a superior product with sky-high antioxidants, abundant minerals and healthy energy.

Crio Brü contains a natural stimulant called theobromine which is gentle, long-lasting and non-addictive. Theobromine makes you feel focused, energized and on top of the world.

Crio Bru is so delicious and easy to make. I just bought myself a coffee maker and some filters and followed the directions on the back. I brew it, and then you have the choice to have it hot or cold. I prefer mine "on the rocks". (meaning over ice) What I do is, prepare a tall glass full of ice, pour in a little vanilla sweetener or cream (like 1 tsp) then once the Crio has set in the fridge for about 45 minutes I pour that into the cup, stir and enjoy. It is delicious, no caffeine, and has so many health benefits. You can find Crio Bru in stores or you can visit their website and buy online. I linked the site to this post.

Next: Pistachios!!! 

Pistachios contain fewer calories and more potassium and vitamin K per serving than other nuts. A 1-ounce serving of dry-roasted pistachios contains 160 calories, 6 grams of protein, 3 grams of fiber and 15 grams of fat, including only 2 grams of saturated fat. It also provides you with 25 percent of the daily value for vitamin B-6, 15 percent of the daily value for thiamine and phosphorus and 10 percent of the daily value for magnesium. Pistachios also have been shown to help decrease "LDL" Cholesterol, (the bad cholesterol). Snacking on these or any other kind of nut have been shown to help manage body weight and fat.  And another added bonus is, they are DELICIOUS!

Next: Rickland Orchards Granola Bars

These granola bars are delicious, healthy and low-calories. Perfect for on the go. They come in so many different flavors, but these two, the Orchard Peach and then the Cranberry Almond are my favorites... Well they are for the moment, I haven't tried all of the flavors yet. But these granola bars are perfect for anyone. They are a good source of Protein and Fiber. You can find the bars in any grocery store with a health food isle, in the power bar section. 

My last item for this post is my absolute favorite bread... 

Dave's Killer Bread

21 Whole Grains Bread is my absolute favorite.. I had to include this because I am a LOVER of carbs... I know, I know, I'm horrible, but it' the truth. Life would be so boring without carbs. This bread is so tasty.. It really does have 21 whole grains, no preservatives and it is all organic. It is very yummy s toast with a light coat of butter, with a sandwich, or even plain. The bread is grainy, and has a yummy coat of grains on the crust. The bread is 110 calories per slice, (the slices are huge!) and each serving has 6 grams of protein. This really is "Killer" bread.

If you have any favorite healthy, on the go snacks please share!!! I am always up to try new things and would love to know what you guys like. Also, I just set up our Instagram account... Follow us for awesome tips, pics, and more! @sweetandfitlife & @whitberge

Enjoy!!!

-whit

{Xtend your Reach}

The hottest fitness trend right now with women is Barre Classes... And I am lucky enough to know a studio owner. So this first fitness post is going to be all about Xtend Barre, and the Barre workouts.

Before the pregnancy I got way into Barre classes, and I told Nicole, the studio owner, that I would be back as soon as baby was here and I got the ok from my doctor.  So this past week at my 2 month appointment I finally got cleared. And so of course, the first thing I do is go to a crazy intense Barre class. :)  And man, it felt good to get back into it!!! My body definitely missed it. I know I will be hurting tomorrow, but it was totally worth it.

The Xtend Barre Workout is not for the lighthearted. In the first 5 minutes of the WARMUP you are burning, and your heart is pounding. You will burn, stretch and work every single muscle in your body until the end. But isn't that why we love it?

Barre classes include components of Pilates, Ballet and Yoga. But don't let that fool you, the classes are high intensity so you are constantly burning and getting your cardio in. The Barre workout is also "weight-bearing". That means we use our own body weight to achieve the long, lean, sexy, sculpted figure we all want. With all of the cardio and different moves, we use a large range of motion to target all the different muscle fibers to help keep you healthy and strong.

Here are some tips for all of you first time "Xtender's"...

Drink Plenty of Water!!! Barre is all about the burn, burn = sweat... Sweat = water leaving your body. So drink lots before the workout, during and afterwards. So bring a bottled water to the floor with you.

Arrive 10 minutes early! The instructor will be there early prepping the studio floor but she is mainly there to help you in any way she can.. So don't hesitate to ask her questions about the workout, modifications for injuries, pregnancies and more.. This is not the only reason to show early. The studio fills fast. So get there early so claim a good spot.

Wear tight, comfortable clothing. I love wearing leggins or long tight workout pants with a formfitting tank.. I suggest the tighter clothing just because you will be able to check your posture easier and well the other reason is to of course show off what you've been working for!

No shoes allowed!!! The barre workout requires no shoes, and they actually ask for no shoes. You can do the workout bare foot or with barre socks. I always use the barre socks, reason being, they have the no slip grip on the bottom to help you out with some moves and positions. You can buy the socks at the studio, on line or at any fitness apparel store.

Get to know the equipment. The workout is weight bearing but we also have a couple of fun things to make the workout more advanced, therefore making you feel even more awesome after the class. We use 1-2 lb weights, bands, small, soft balls, and the newest addition are the sticks.

Last, but not least, have fun!!! Don't feel intimidated by all of the other girls or the moves. Go at your own pace and enjoy your "you" time. No matter what level of intensity you do, you are going to feel amazing afterwards.

Yes, that is nasty, sweaty me after this mornings workout with the beautiful Nicole. Owner of Xtend Barre Provo. 

I recommend this workout to any girl that wants to get into a more lean, sculpted, sexy shape. It is an amazing atmosphere and I will be going here for years to come. And the sense of achievement after each workout is so gratifying and awesome you come out feeling great, energized and strong. 

I am so happy I got introduced to this workout, and I hope that now I have introduced it to all of you, you go out and try a class for yourself. The first class is FREE!!! They also have a babysitter there for all you moms out there that can't find one. So I don't want to hear any excuses.. Click on the Xtend Barre website I linked for you to find schedule, prices, products, testimonials and more!

Hope you enjoyed the post, and the advise. Now go out, have fun and burn some.. But don't forget to reward yourself. Why work so hard when you don't get to enjoy the things you like? Isn't that why we do what we do?

Xtend Barre Provo

4801 N University Ave. (Shops at Riverwoods)

805-657-9529

Xtend Barre Provo Website

Instagram: @xtendbarreprovo

-whit

Best Sugar Cookie Recipe

So for those of you who know me, I have a major sweet tooth. I opened my own bakery and loved it. Now that I have evolved into a new journey I want to start sharing some of my recipes I've gathered over the years. 

It's not a big secret, but I LOVE sugar cookies... I love them soft, thick or thin... As long as it has a good sugar cookie taste I'm sold. I found a couple of yummy recipes and made some changes to make them how I like my cookies, and I want to share the recipe with you.

So here is a step by step, dummy proof recipe for some dang good sugar cookies with a soft center and a crunchy, sugary outside.

{Best dang sugar cookies}

Ingredients:

1 c butter (room temp)

1.5 c white sugar

3/4 c powdered sugar

3/4 c vegetable oil

2 eggs

Pinch of salt

Pinch of cream of tarter

Pinch of baking soda

1 tsp vanilla extract

5.5 c flour

Instructions:

|preheat oven to 350 degrees|

|prepare cookie sheets with parchment paper, set aside| |on a plate, pour some sugar, set aside|

•cream together butter and sugars

 

•add in oil, eggs and vanilla 

•mix well
 

•In a separate bowl mix together all dry ingredients.
 

•add dry ingredients to wet 

•slowly mix together

•dough should be a little crumbly, not super sticky
 

|wash your hands, it's time to have some fun|

•Roll 1" dough balls with hands place on a cookie sheet 2" apart.
 

•Get a cup, place bottom in the sugar on the plate you set aside and then smash each cookie.
 

•Place sheet in oven, put timer on for 10-12 minutes

•Once baked, place on cooling rack

•Once cooled, eat plain or top with your favorite frosting.

•Store in airtight container or ziplock baggies
 

Enjoy!!!
-whit