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 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 | 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!