Menu Plan Monday - March 21

Good morning! Happy Spring!
I don't believe it's actually Spring yet. I know yesterday was 'officially' the first day, but we got snow flurries. Not cool.
It's Spring Break here for the kiddos. We'll be out of town a couple days this week, so my menu is going to look a little different. I won't be listing out each day. It's also Easter this weekend! We will be home by then, and having dinner with some good friends.
So here we go...

Our dinners will include:
Breakfast - waffles or pancakes, eggs, toast
Greek Chicken Pita Pockets  (21 Day Fix recipe!)
Pizza
Easter dinner - Ham, green bean casserole, mashed potatoes, deviled eggs, and I will be making Homemade Creamed Corn It was a big hit at Thanksgiving, so I was asked to make it again! :)

We'll also be eating some fast food on the road, and something delicious at my in-law's :D

If you head over to Menu Plan Monday that I link up with, you will find full menu ideas that others have submitted!

You can also follow me on Facebook and Instagram to see what fun places we might stop at on our journey :)
I also have most of my recipes saved on Pinterest

With all the craziness that will be happening today with packing and writing a paper and finishing up another assignment, this guy will be with me all day!!

See you soon!

Quick Snacks | 21 Day Fix

If you follow me on Facebook, you know that I started doing the 21 Day Fix again. I think this is my most favorite workout routine ever. I love how simple the meal plan is, and Autumn is so motivational!

Today, I wanted to share a quick tip for prepping snacks. I know if I don't have these things readily available, I will be too lazy to take the time to prepare them when I'm hungry. That leads to reaching for already prepared, most of the time unhealthy, snacks. I always buy extra carrots and celery when I go grocery shopping. This way, I can come home and cut a bunch up and have them ready any time.

A few essential items to have:
*a good knife
*a vegetable peeler
*cutting board (you don't want to scratch up your counters!)
*food storage containers - I recommend Tupperware FridgeSmarts. I absolutely love them. I have been using them over 10 years. They are so helpful for keeping the fridge organized and extending the life of your produce!

 That's our Remy in the background! He's waiting on me to drop something! He loves his veggies, too!


I peel the carrots first and chop them up in to handy sized sticks. Then, I give the celery a quick rinse and dry and do the same. I'll be honest and say that this does NOT happen the day I come home from the grocery store! Usually I am rushing to get dinner ready or some other more important task. I just throw it all in the fridge and find some time in the next day or two to get it done. It really only takes a few minutes, and the results are so rewarding!

And, just like that, all the produce is ready for the week!

I am not a Beachbody coach, but if you would like to learn more about the 21 Day Fix, I recommend getting in touch with my friend Jennifer at Jennifer Medeiros Fit! She's is my awesome coach, and would be able to answer any questions you might have!


I will be sharing my meal plan for this week soon, along with a printable calendar for tracking meals and snacks!

21 Day Fix | 21 Days of Meals and Snack Ideas | Day 7 | Lunch | Salad

Hi again!

Today, we're having lunch! I really enjoy eating a salad. It's a great way to get in lots of veggies. Today I added some protein, and it was delicious!

Salad with Ham:
2 Green
1 Red
1 Orange

For my dressing, I used this Newman's Own Balsamic Vinaigrette. It's has all natural ingredients, and goes to profit! How can you beat that?! ( I know it's not homemade, or out of the book, but this is what I chose. My choices, my journey, right?? You can certainly use the recipe in the book instead!) :D 

My  salad consisted of romaine lettuce, red onions, tomatoes, carrots, and some deli ham that I shredded. I think this is one of my favorite ways to eat salad!

See you tomorrow with another great meal idea!! :D

21 Day Fix | 21 Days of Meals and Snack Ideas | Day 6 | Shake

I have another delicious shake recipe for you today. I stocked up on bags of different frozen fruits so I would have a nice variety for my shakes, as well as smoothies for the boys.

Today, I chose pineapple and banana with spinach and my chocolate shake mix.

1 Red
1Green
1 Purple

I think I may be drinking this combo for a few days. It is really yummy!!

How do you like your shakes??

21 Day Fix | 21 Days of Meals and Snack Ideas | Day 5 | Snack

Snack time is my weakness. I would much rather grab a bag of chips than take the time to make something. Sometimes, I am able to plan ahead. This was the case this week. I made up a batch of hard-boiled eggs to eat throughout the week.

So easy for a quick morning snack to hold me over until lunch time. And it's only 1Red!

 I don't really like eating the yolk all the time, so I usually just take one of them out.

I like to eat my hard boiled eggs with salt. Lots of it. I know this is not good. To modify, I add pepper, and just a little salt. Yum!!

This could also be added to some bacon and fruit for a delicious breakfast!

21 Day Fix | 21 Days of Meals and Snack Ideas | Day 4 | Breakfast

Today's post is all about breakfast! Do you remember when I shared about the Roasted Saigon Cinnamon I found at the grocery store?? It's back! If you haven't tried this stuff yet, you should really find it and try it already. You will not be disappointed. I promise!!

Today, I filled my red container with some plain vanilla yogurt, dumped it into a bowl, and added cinnamon. I did this all while I was waiting for my waffle to toast.

That's all! Easy peasy. No excuse breakfast.

1 Red
1 Yellow

What are you eating today??

21 Day Fix | 21 Days of Meal and Snack Ideas | Day 3 | Snack

I have another delicious snack for you today!!

Last month, I found a recipe for this honey whole wheat bread. I add flax, sunflower seeds, and oats to mine. It is SO good, y'all! I like to eat it toasted the best.

Today, I just added some of my teaspoons of peanut butter onto a toasted piece of this bread. All the grains are so filling. It definitely made a great snack!!
I used
1 Yellow
3 Teaspoons (You can definitely use more/less depending on the rest of the day's meal plan!)

I think any kind of nut butter or seed butter would be good on this bread. I may try it with sunflower butter next! :)

21 Day Fix | 21 Days of Meals and Snack Ideas | Day 2 | Shake

Shake, shake, shake....

Okay, seriously. I love having shakes. Especially chocolatey ones! It's like a daily dose of chocolate that doesn't make you feel guilty afterwards!

The shake I am sharing today is my go-to. I always know it will taste good, no matter what.  I like to use a half of a banana, some frozen strawberries (I buy fresh when they are in season!), some kind of nut butter (today I chose Almond Butter), a handful of spinach, and my shake mix. This all adds up to

1 Purple
1 Green
1 Red
3 teaspoons

Today I chose to use the GNC Total Lean Shake 25. If I am out of Shakeology, this is my substitute of choice. I love it. The taste is amazing!! (The packaging does not lie!)

I also found this little sample packet of almond butter at a local natural market down the road form our house, so I decided to give it a go, too. There were lots of different options, so I grabbed some different ones, also.

 Just throw everything in the blender, and give it a whirl! It's so good, it just might become your go-to drink, too! :)

21 Day Fix | 21 Days of Meal and Snack Ideas | Day 1 | Snack

This month I will be sharing recipes!! 21 of them to be exact!! :)

Are you doing the 21 Day Fix? I love it. I have to admit, I don't do the workouts everyday. Life just gets in the way, and  I really suck at making sure I make time for me. That hasn't stopped me from trying to stick with the meal plan, though. Because of that, I have decided to share some of my favorites with you. I will be sharing a variety of breakfasts, lunches, dinners, snacks, and shakes! I hope you enjoy!!

The first snack I want to share has become one of my favorites! It is something I have multiple times a week. It's so delicious, and if you make enough of it, it could be a small meal. It could also be added to a dinner as a side dish. I have definitely eaten it all three ways! Are you ready to know what it is???

Cucumber, Tomato, Mozzarella Salad.
This snack used:
2 Greens  (I used my purple container to hold the tomatoes, but I measured them in the green!)
1 Blue (The cheese stick fit perfectly in here once it was all cut up)
1 Orange ( You could really get away with only 1/2 orange of the dressing on this. The whole thing was a lot!!)

If you only use half of the dressing, you could also add some olives in here. I keep forgetting to buy some when I'm at the store, so I haven't tried it that way. Yet...

I get one cucumber, one or two roma tomatoes (depending on how big they are), and a Sargento cheese stick. I dice everything up, throw it in a bowl, and top it with some Balsamic Vinaigrette. YUM!!! Just like that. Super easy! Now go make your own to enjoy!! :)

21 Day Fix | Dinner | Chicken, Black beans, & Rice

            I have this recipe from a Pillsbury recipe book. You know the kind at the checkout, just begging for you to buy it...that one! I think it was the Skillet Meals version. I am all about some good chicken recipes. This one does not disappoint. Lots of flavor and super filling. Also, super easy to adapt to the 21 Day Fix meal plan!

I used one red for the chicken, one yellow for the rice and beans, and a green for the salad! I was so full by the end of this meal!

I did make a few adjustments to the recipe. Here are the ingredients for the original recipe. My adjustments are listed below! :)

2 teaspoons oil
1 cup uncooked regular long-grain white rice
1 1/2 teaspoon cumin
1 teaspoon chili powder
2 cups cubed cooked chicken
2 cups frozen bell pepper/onion stir-fry, coarsely chopped
1 (15 oz) can black beans, drained
1 (14 oz) can chicken broth
2 Tablespoons water
2 oz. (1/2 cup) shredded cheddar cheese

What I did different:
* I left the chicken whole when I cooked it so that I could properly measure it.
* Brown rice instead of white
* For the chicken broth, I cooked the chicken in 1 1/2 cups of water, seasoned with salt &   pepper. I used this "broth" for the recipe, instead of the can. I added extra water to replace anything that evaporated during cooking.
* I didn't chop the pepper/onion mixture. (Maybe because I'm a little lazy, and it just seemed like something that would take extra time!)
* I did not add the cheese at the end like the recipe states. There was plenty leftover for lunch the next day, and I did decide to add cheese then. I used my blue container and sprinkled that amount onto the rice. Delicious!!

Now for the directions...

1. Heat oil in large skillet over medium-high heat until hot. Add rice, cumin and chili powder; cook and stir 1 minute.

2. Stir in all remaining ingredients except cheese. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer 15 to 18 minutes or until liquid is absorbed and rice is tender, stirring occasionally.

3. Remove skillet from heat. Uncover; fluff mixture with fork. Sprinkle with cheese. Cover; let stand 1 to 2 minutes or until cheese is melted before serving.


Here is the end result! Doesn't it look so good??

This is definitely a must try! Let me know if you do, and if you make any other changes!





                       

{Another} 21 Day Fix Breakfast

  I have never been much of a breakfast eater (when I have to make it for myself) I think I am too lazy in the mornings to decide what to eat, then take the time to make it, when coffee is faster. It's a totally different story if we happen to go out for breakfast! Then I'm all for it!

However, since starting the 21 day fix and planning my meals,  it has become so much easier to jaut get up and get it done. Last week, I shared my new favorite yogurt and berries with that awesome Saigon cinnamon recipe. Today, I had something a little more traditional.

I tried really hard to make an omelet, but I'm not that great at it. Throw in the face that we just got new cookware that I am trying to figure out, and the thought of an omelet was hopeless! So...I have for you a deconstructed omelet. They're my favorite type of omelet at home! :)

This meal used two red containers, one green container, and one blue container, and one teaspoon of extra-virgin olive oil. 

Ingredients:

Green cup- bell peppers, onions, spinach, salsa

Red cup- 2 eggs

Red cup- diced ham

Blue cup- one slice Monterey Jack cheese, torn into small pieces

I started by heating the oil in a pan. Once it was not enough, I added my peppers and onions. When they started to get soft, I added the spinach and let it wilt. Then, I added the ham and let it all cook together for a minute. I added the eggs to the pan last, and cooked them until they were no longer runny. I removed it all from the pan onto my plate and added the cheese pieces. It melted so nicely! 

I topped it all with some salsa, because I just can't eat an omelet without salsa! I also added a little pepper because I love pepper on my eggs.

It was delicious! And filling!

Give it a try!   I know you will love it!

If you make it with anything different, I would love to hear your suggestions!

To learn more about the 21 Day Fix, or to join the Beachbody team (my friend Jen is an amazing coach!), click HERE!

21 Day Fix | Beachbody

First off...Happy St. Patrick's Day! Don't forget to wear green today!!              

 I recently ordered the new 21 Day Fix challenge pack from Beachbody. The box arrived, and inside I found the DVDs for the workouts, a meal plan booklet, and 7 colored containers. I got a little nervous looking at the sizes of the containers and thinking that was all I was going to be able to eat. I calculated my daily calorie allotment, and added 500 because I am nursing. I was so surprised, though, when I actually started planning the meals, and seeing how much food it actually was! It is honestly a lot more than I am used to eating.

                   Before, I was a 'grab whatever is easy' type of eater for breakfast and lunch. This always left me grabbing junk because I didn't have a clear plan and waited until I was starving to get something to eat. I have been so happy knowing that I have healthy food in the pantry, and a plan for eating it all!

I found this Roasted Saigon Cinnamon on my last shopping trip. I had to try it and see how it was different from regular cinnamon. It is SO good! I can't even explain the flavor. It adds such a great taste to everything I have tried it on so far! I can't wait to get back to the store and get more before we move!!

Here is one of my favorite meals so far:

Strawberries and blueberries (1 Purple Cup) with
Yogurt (1 Red Cup)
Topped with Roasted Saigon Cinnamon (Free)

Before I discovered the cinnamon, I would just have the yogurt with strawberries. (don't mind the peach flavored yogurt. I somehow accidentally grabbed it by mistake!) I would also have some cereal with it. This would be a breakfast or snack, depending on how my morning was going!

I will post soon about some lunch and dinner options I have been eating!



To learn more about the 21 Day Fix, or to join the Beachbody team (my friend, Jen is an amazing coach!), click HERE!