Month: October 2025

Fit Recipes!

Easy And Beginner Friendly Pumpkin Chili Recipe

melaniewalessustainableliving

Just in time for Halloween!  Warm up with this chili after the trick or treating.  It will also help you feel more satiated from the high volume and high protein content…so maybe you won’t overdo it on candy…🤞🏻🙌

For this recipe if you can open a can and chop an onion you can make this.  If there was ever a recipe to get you started on your meal prep lifestyle this is it.  It is delicious, high volume, high protein and full of flavor!  The pumpkin blends in seamlessly while adding a sense of sweetness and richness to the chili while  keeping the calories low.  Pumpkin is so versatile!  If you like my recipes and fitness tips remember to share!  We can all reach our fitness goals and enjoy the process too!❤️ 

Serves 8

For 1 serving (443g)

280 calories 

24g protein 

36g carbohydrate

7g fat

Ingredient’s you’ll need:

  • 1 can pumpkin (425g)
  • 1 can black beans (425g)
  • 1 can tomato paste (170g)
  • 1 large can diced tomatoes with chilis (794g)
  • 1 can beef broth (425ml)
  • Some jarred or canned salsa (300g) 
  • 2 tbsp chili powder (30g)
  • 760g ground lean turkey (93% lean)
  • 1 large onion chopped (400-500g)
  • 1/2- 1 tsp ground pink Himalayan salt

Directions:

Add everything to a slow cooker and cook on high for 5-8 hours.  Stir occasionally and chop the ground turkey up as it cooks so it can blend with the chili.  Allow to cool a bit before storing.  When reheating add some water to make it more high volume of you need.  Or top with cheese, sour cream, etc.. and enjoy with cornbread/corn chips if you need more calories and less volume.  Enjoy within 5-6 days of preparing or store portions in the freezer for future meals. 

Need some more fun and delicious recipes to help you reach your goals? My e- cookbooks are available! Click below for details. 

https://melaniewales-sustainableliving.com/shop-cookbook/

This Super Easy Slow Cooker Pumpkin Chili bulk prep recipe is in Volume 1 as well as many more yummy and versatile quick prep, bulk prep, and sweets and snacks prep recipes.

Find me on Instagram for more recipes, fitness tips, and meal ideas.

www.instagram.com/melaniewales.sustainableliving

Fitness Tips

How To Lose Fat And Build A Lean Physique

melaniewalessustainableliving

My transformation from 2017-2025. In the photo on the left I had already lost 40 lbs.

Over the course of losing and keeping off over 145 lbs since 2016 I have learned quite a bit about what it takes to make fat loss not only possible, but also sustainable.  Next are the five things you need to do to lose fat and build a lean physique.

  1. Don’t rush.  Slow and steady consistent effort with your nutrition and regular activity wins every time.  
  2. Create a small to moderate calorie deficit.  Don’t slash your food intake to lose crazy amounts of weight fast.  Aim for about 1/2-1 pound of fat loss a week.
  3. Prioritize protein in every meal.  25-30g per meal with a total daily goal of 1g per lb of ideal bodyweight. 
  4. Move more often in your daily life.  Create a step goal of 8-10k steps and start hitting this target everyday. 
  5. Resistance Train.  Follow a high quality and progressive resistance training program so you can build lean muscle along the way.  

6. BELIEVE your efforts are worth it!  Keep going!

Sound basic and foundational? You bet it is. This is what actually works. No gimmicks, fads, or quick tricks. Put the basics on repeat. Let’s see what happens.


Remember that the process is slow. Very Slow.  Some weeks we can feel like no progress is happening at all. Start again fresh every day. It’s amazing how all the small things we do each day add up with time and consistency.  Keep Going!  

If you have thought about having me as your coach to support you along your own fitness journey using sustainable and realistic strategies check out the Online Fitness Coaching page on my website. With my 1 on 1 online fitness coaching service I take out the guess work and create customized activity and nutrition plans for your unique needs and goals while providing support, accountability and education for ongoing success. That way you can start taking action to get the epic and long lasting benefits of a sustainable fitness lifestyle.

See my client testimonials.

www.melaniewales-sustainableliving.com

Follow me on Instagram for more tips, free recipes, and full days of eating.

www.instagram.com/melaniewales.sustainableliving

Did you know I wrote 2 E Cookbooks? Find loads of easy and healthy recipes in my E Cookbooks perfect for meal prep and beyond.  Knowing how to prepare healthy meals at home is a game changer for your long term health and wellness. Plus save money by skipping expensive carry out or delivery one delicious bite at a time.

Click below for details. 

https://melaniewales-sustainableliving.com/shop-cookbook/

Fitness Tips

Focus On This To Succeed In An Epic Fitness Transformation

melaniewalessustainableliving

My transformation through the years. 2016-2025.

Over the course of losing and keeping off over 145 lbs since 2016 I have learned quite a bit about what it takes to make fat loss not only possible, but also sustainable.  Next are the things you need to stay focused on. Day in and day out… for years.

  1. Meet a daily step goal to ensure regular activity.
  2. Resistance train with a focus on progressive overload to build muscle and strength.
  3. Keep track of your total calories and prioritize protein and fruits or veggies with each meal to align your nutrition with your goals.
  4. Include some fun foods in moderation. 
  5. Do the above consistently. 
  6. Believe it is possible.
  7. Believe your efforts were worth it! 

Sound basic and foundational? You bet it is. This is what actually works. No gimmicks, fads, or quick tricks. Put the basics on repeat. Let’s see what happens.


Remember that the process is slow. Very Slow.  Some weeks we can feel like no progress is happening at all. Start again fresh every day. It’s amazing how all the small things we do each day add up with time and consistency.  Keep Going!  

If you have thought about having me as your coach to support you along your own fitness journey using sustainable and realistic strategies check out the Online Fitness Coaching page on my website. With my 1 on 1 online fitness coaching service I take out the guess work and create customized activity and nutrition plans for your unique needs and goals while providing support, accountability and education for ongoing success. That way you can start taking action to get the epic and long lasting benefits of a sustainable fitness lifestyle.

See my client testimonials.

www.melaniewales-sustainableliving.com

Follow me on Instagram for more tips, free recipes, and full days of eating.

www.instagram.com/melaniewales.sustainableliving

Did you know I wrote 2 E Cookbooks? Find loads of easy and healthy recipes in my E Cookbooks perfect for meal prep and beyond.  Knowing how to prepare healthy meals at home is a game changer for your long term health and wellness. Plus save money by skipping expensive carry out or delivery one delicious bite at a time.

Click below for details. 

https://melaniewales-sustainableliving.com/shop-cookbook/

Fit Recipes!

Free Recipe: Dark Chocolate Walnut Protein Oatmeal Brownie Bowl 

melaniewalessustainableliving

For me, chocolate is a need not a want… And I have fit goals.   How do I combine my desires with my goals?  Well, this delicious take on protein oats is one solution.  

Rich in deep dark chocolate flavor, while still remaining sweet, my brownie bowl does not taste like you are eating it for your fitness goals.  Boasting 40g of protein and balanced macros to promote satiety, unlike a regular brownie, you will actually be aiding your progress!  

Let’s get and stay lean and jacked together AND eat chocolate too.  

Makes 1 Serving

  • 584 Calories 
  • 40g Protein
  • 62g Carbohydrate
  • 20g Fat

Ingredients you’ll need:

For the Bowl:

  • 250ml 1% Milk
  • 40g Old Fashioned Rolled Oats
  • 30g Chocolate Whey Protein Powder Of Choice
  • 10g Chocolate Sugar Free Instant Pudding Mix
  • 10g Cocoa Powder
  • 15g Monk Fruit Zero Calorie Granulated Sweetener
  • Pinch Of Pink Himalayan Granulated Salt

Toppings:

  • 10g walnuts
  • 10g dark chocolate of choice 

Directions:

On the stove top or microwave, cook the oats in the milk until softened.

In a mixing bowl measure out your protein powder, pudding mix, zero calorie sweetener, a pinch of salt.

Add your cooked oats in milk to the bowl with your measured dry ingredients and whisk together for 1 minute. this will help it to thicken.

Top with the walnuts and chocolate.  Enjoy right away, at room temperature, or pop it into the fridge to cool.  

Pro Tip-Can also be made the evening before as an amazing overnight oat breakfast.  Brownie bowl for breakfast?  Yes, please!!!

Want to try one of my favorite protein powders to make this recipe? Check out Outwork Nutrition.

Find loads of high protein recipes and so much more in my E Cookbooks dedicated to macro friendly recipes perfect for meal prep and beyond.  Reach your fitness goals with my easy and delicious recipes!  Only $20 each to grab your own downloadable copy. This is an amazing price for so many amazing tips, meal ideas, and recipes that took me years to create!

Click below for details.

E Cookbooks

Find me on Instagram for more recipes, fitness tips, and meal ideas.

www.instagram.com/melaniewales.sustainableliving