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!





                       

Skirt Refashion!

Welcome back!

I have been so busy trying to get ready for our move! Only two more weeks until we say goodbye to Rhode Island! I am trying to be more diligent in posting here. I have a few posts scheduled over the next few weeks!

This week, I want to share something fun I got to do recently. I have been following this blog for about a year now. I love seeing all the new creations each week. It has totally inspired me to want to sew more! I finally decided to take a trip to our local thrift store. I found this skirt that I instantly fell in love with. I don't know what it is about it. The bright colors. The flowers. The fact that I have been loving skirts lately...

Anyways...I was *sure* it would fit. I don't like to try things on. The number on the tag matched my usual size. Good enough. I bought it. Then I got home and tried it on. Too small. :( Just by the tiniest bit, but enough that I couldn't wear it as is. I thought about just re-donating it, but I was so excited about wearing it one day that it went into my "one day this will fit me" pile. Don't judge. I know you have one, too! :)

A few days later, I got my latest ReFashionista email and was instantly inspired to "fix" my skirt. I got to work as soon as nap time commenced!

My first step was to remove the zipper. This was the piece that caused me problems during try on. My handy seem ripper helped me out!

One that was done, I sewed a new hem at the top. I somehow have a ridiculous amount of elastic in my sewing box. I made crib sheets frequently, and I think I buy new elastic every time because I think I'm out. Today, it got used for my skirt! Once I sewed the hem, I folded it over and sewed a "pocket" for the elastic to go through. I even pinned it! (As much as I don't like to try things on, I don't like pinning things when I sew even more!!)

Got that done and moved on to the not so fun part...Pulling the elastic through the pocket. I hook my elastic onto a safety pin to make it easier to pull through. Everything was going great until I hot a seam. There was too much fabric for the safety pin to get through! Grrr. I fought it for much longer than I should have before I finally gave up.  I unstitched that little spot, pulled the elastic through, then stitched it back up.

I now have a skirt that fits! I haven't worn it yet, but when I do, I will be sure to update this post with pictures!!


I have another refashion post lined up for you soon!!

{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!