This year Oxygen Magazine asked me to put together their annual Build a Better Body nutrition and meal plan series that included recipes. I was beyond excited for the opportunity to do so. Writing for Oxygen has been a goal of mine since I started reading through the mag 10 years ago! Oxygen has provided the meal plan (including grocery lists) and a handful of the recipes on their website as a PDF download for you for FREE! Yes!

Month 1: Fat Loss Phase. This month you'll focus on dropping fat and discovering new muscles you didn't know you had. The meal plan is based around a high protein, moderate fat and moderate carbohydrate approach that will boost your metabolism and fuel your workouts. Food highlights for Month 1 is Quinoa. This psuedo-grain is a super-seed that's gluten-free and packs a high-protein punch!

Month 2: Muscle Building Phase. This month you'll focus on building lean muscles to create feminine curves that represent strength and confidence. The meal plan is based around a high protein diet required for building muscle - with an average of 150 grams of protein per day. The food highlight for Month 2 is Eggs. You'll love the Cranberry Breakfast Mug recipe - guaranteed!

Month 3: Meal Timing Phase. This month is about timing your meals around your schedule and your workouts. Fueling your body before and after a workout is important for optimal fitness. By this time you're a fitness fanatic and your workouts are as intense as ever. This meal plan is based on a moderate protein, moderate carb and lower fat approach. The recipes in this meal plan are great choices for pre- or post-workout. Try the Avocado Hummus with homemade Pita Chips - it's amazing!

Recipes that I developed for these meal plans are found at Oxygenmag.com. The following are the recipes for Month 1:

One Pot Chicken and Spinach