Weekly Meal Plan: June 29 - July 5th AND Tips to Keep YOUR Family on Track This Week!

Tips to keep YOUR family on track this week:

• Do your best to plan out your meals for the week and prepare as much as possible, so you can whip up a healthy family sized meal in the time it would take to go out and get some fast food. It might sound like a daunting task, but spending 15 minutes on weekends creating a meal plan is the best thing you can do. It will eventually become part of your routine.
• Replace instead of restrict.  Keep a large supply of healthy fruits. Be sure that your healthy options are visible. You’re much more likely to grab a snack that’s already out rather than go to the cupboard and grab something.  Find fruits and vegetables with strong flavor.
• Proper portioning. Food portions in United States are much larger than they need to be. By slowly working your way back to an appropriate size — think only one piece of chicken and a helping of steamed vegetables instead of two or three — your body can adjust gradually to the newer and healthier eating patterns.
• Support.  It’s best when a family unit eats healthy together, but that can sometimes be impractical. If not everyone can partake, it’s important that they are still supportive. Engage the whole family when making your weekly grocery and meal list so that everyone has a say in what they’re eating. Having everyone making decisions will vary the meals you’re having, reducing boredom and repetition.

21 Day Fix Beef Burritos

Weekly Meal Plan:  June 29 - July 5th:

Monday:  Fend-For-Yourself

Tuesday:  21 Day Fix Meatball Subs

Wednesday:  Skinnytaste's Chili Shrimp & AsparagusStir-Fry

Thursday:  Beef Burritos

Friday:  Chicken, Pineapple & Red Pepper Kabobs

Saturday:  Happy Fourth of July!

Sunday:  Slow-Cooked Creamy Mexican Chicken

ALL of these dinners are 21-Day Fix compliant.  The rest of my meals are composed of:

• Shakeology
• Eggs and vegetables
• Fruits and vegetables
• Almonds and cashews
• Greek yogurt
• And, leftovers!

If you would like to participate in one of my upcoming monthly online accountability groups (21 Day Fix), please get in touch with me here.  I would love for you to join me.

Also .... please let me know if you try any of the above recipes, or ANY of the recipes on my blog!  Drop me an email or leave a comment below.  Your feedback means the world!
XO.
ALL THE BEST,

Grilled marinated chicken, pineapple chunks, red pepper…what’s not to love?

Kabobs just scream summer to me. They are something my family loves in the summertime. We thread on a variety of veggies, sometimes potatoes, and a meat of some sort.

Grilled marinated chicken, pineapple chunks, red pepper…what’s not to love?  For full flavor, marinate the chicken for at least 30 minutes before threading it on skewers with pineapple chunks and red peppers.

Chicken, Pineapple, and Red Pepper Kabobs

Ingredients

• 8 bamboo skewers
• 1 lb. boneless skinless chicken breast tenders (not breaded)
• 1/2 cup Coconut Aminos (soy sauce substitute)
• 8 tsp. local natural honey
• 2 cloves minced garlic
• 4 purple containers of fresh pineapple chunks
• 4 red bell peppers, cut into 1" chunks             

Soak bamboo skewers in water to cover for 30 minutes. Meanwhile, cut chicken into 1-inch pieces; place in resealable food-storage plastic bag or container. Add next three ingredients; seal bag and shake gently to mix.

Refrigerate at least 30 minutes to marinate.                     

 

Heat gas or charcoal grill.

 

Drain chicken, discarding marinade. Thread chicken, pineapple chunks and red pepper pieces onto bamboo skewers in whatever order you wish, dividing evenly among skewers.

 

Place kabobs on grill over medium heat. Cover grill; cook 4 to 5 minutes on each side or until chicken is no longer pink in center. Serve immediately.

(21 Day Fixers:  2 kabobs count as -- 1 red, 1 purple, 1 green, and 2 tsp.)

If you would like to participate in one of my monthly 21 Day Fix or 21 Day Fix Extreme online accountability groups, get in touch with me here.

If you give this recipe a try (or any of my other 21 Day Fix approved recipes), please let me know.  I would love to hear how it went!

Drop a comment below ..... or contact me here! 

XO.
ALL THE BEST,

Weekly Meal Plan! 6/22/15 - 6/28/15 AND My Progress Update!

My Own Progress Update . . . .

So, I thought it might be helpful to share my own progress update?  The two photos above?  They were taken less than a year apart.

Since May 15th, I am down FIFTEEN POUNDS.  For me, that is huge!  HUGE.  I really see it in the slimming down of my face!

Do you want to know how I've done it?  By following a 21 Day Fix-style eating plan.  I wasn't even able to do any workouts at first.  (Due to an injury.)  I am back to working out some, but not 100% consistently. 

It goes to show you that food | nutrition | diet are SO key.  SO KEY!

With the help of weekly meal planning, and my monthly online accountability groups, I've been able to make some MAJOR progress. 

I would love to help YOU make similar progress!  You may ALWAYS reach out to me here, for help.

21 Day Fix Meal Plan

Weekly Meal Plan!  6/22/15 - 6/28/15

Monday:  Fend-For-Yourself
Tuesday:  Slow-Cooked Honey-Mustard Chicken Sandwiches
Wednesday:  Grilled Greek Chicken Salad
Thursday:  Spaghetti Squash Sausage Lasagna Boats
Friday:  Leftovers
Saturday:  Oven-Roasted Shrimp & Broccoli
Sunday:  Spicy Turkey Taco Burgers and Butternut Squash Fries

ALL of these dinners are 21-Day Fix compliant.  The rest of my meals are composed of:

• Shakeology
• Eggs and vegetables
• Fruits and vegetables
• Almonds and cashews
• Greek yogurt
• And, leftovers!

If you would like to participate in one of my upcoming monthly online accountability groups (21 Day Fix), please get in touch with me here.  I would love for you to join me.

Also .... please let me know if you try any of the above recipes, or ANY of the recipes on my blog!  Drop me an email or leave a comment below.  Your feedback means the world!

XO
ALL THE BEST,

Weekly Meal Plan: June 15-June 21st AND Goals!

Let's talk about goal-setting!

Before I get to this week's meal plan, let's talk just a little bit about goal-setting. 

It's hard to get any perspective on losing weight if you aren't setting… More attainable goals for yourself.  Write them down!

Goals are powerful, concrete things that keep you on track – whether it's creating a food plan or walking 3 times a week with a friend, these small things provide you with tangible steps that lead to your healthy weight.

And ALWAYS take the time to write those goals down. It makes them real and keeps them in the forefront of your mind, making them much easier to reach

That being said, writing down our weekly meals is a big part of my health and fitness goals each week.  So, here is this week's plan!

Weekly Meal Plan: June 15-June 21st

Monday:  Spinach and Feta Stuffed Chicken Breasts
Tuesday:  Turkey Taco Quinoa Bake
Wednesday:  Fend-For-Yourself
Thursday:  Slow-Cooker Meatloaf & Mashed Cauliflower
Friday:  Leftovers
Saturday:  Skinnytaste's Shrimp Scampi Noodles
Sunday:  Chicken Stir-Fry with Chinese Brocooli

ALL of the above dinners are 21-Day Fix compliant.  The rest of my meals are composed of:

• Shakeology
• Eggs and vegetables
• Fruits and vegetables
• Almonds and cashews
• Greek yogurt
• And, leftovers!

If you would like to participate in one of my upcoming monthly online accountability groups (21 Day Fix), please get in touch with me here.  I would love for you to join me.

Also .... please let me know if you try any of the above recipes!  Drop me an email or a comment on my blog.

XO
ALL THE BEST,


P.S.  Don't forget!  I am currently creating a FREE three-part tutorial, that will provide you with step-by-step instructions (including file downloads) outlining exactly how I create our weekly meal plans.  The tutorial is NEARLY COMPLETE.  I plan to have it out this week!

This process now takes me only about 10-15 minutes each week!  What a time-saver.

Sign up HERE to receive the free tutorial when it is finalized.  Or leave your email address in the comments below.

Weekly Meal Plan - 6/8/15-6/14/15 AND my Meal-Planning Tutorial is ALMOST READY!

Weekly Meal Plan - 6/8/15-6/14/15 AND my Meal-Planning Tutorial is ALMOST READY!

Ok, so first things first ----> my FREE Meal-Planning Tutorial is ALMOST complete.  Scroll to the bottom of this blog post to sign up with your email address so that you can be the first to receive it when it is finished.  You may also email me here to receive it. 

So, back to my own meal plan.  Things calm down a bit for us this week - hooray!  Hopefully that means a bit less eating out and a LOT more grilling ...... since it feels like Summer out. 

Monday:  Chicken Stir-Fry with Chinese Broccoli
Tuesday:  Turkey Taco Quinoa Bake
Wednesday:  Daughter's 12th Birthday!
Thursday:  Lemon-Pepper Salmon & Grilled Vegetables (Flavor God seasonings)
Friday:  Slow-Cooker Mexican Chicken
Saturday:  Leftovers
Sunday:  Grilled Al Fresco Chicken Sausage Kabobs

ALL of these dinners are 21-Day Fix compliant.  The rest of my meals are composed of:

• Shakeology
• Eggs and vegetables
• Fruits and vegetables
• Almonds and cashews
• Greek yogurt
• And, leftovers!

If you would like to participate in one of my upcoming monthly online accountability groups (21 Day Fix), please get in touch with me here.  I would love for you to join me.

Also .... please let me know if you try any of the above recipes!  Drop me an email or a comment on my blog.

XO
ALL THE BEST,


P.S.  Don't forget!  I am currently creating a FREE three-part tutorial, that will provide you with step-by-step instructions (including file downloads) outlining exactly how I create our weekly meal plans.  This process now takes me only about 10-15 minutes each week!  What a time-saver.

Sign up HERE to receive the free tutorial when it is finalized.  Or leave your email address in the comments below.

Chicken Stir-Fry with Chinese Broccoli

Get all your foods groups in one delicious, tangy bowl full of flavor! 

This is a dinner that is quick and easy to prepare on any given weeknight.

A high-heat method of searing meats and vegetables, stir-frying is usually associated with Asian cooking, but you can use plenty of other flavors in a stir-fry as well. Stir-fries are fast, use little oil and are loaded of vegetables—three excellent reasons to master this method and make a stir-fry part of your weekly repertoire.

And, since I've discovered Flavor God seasonings, it takes the guesswork out of using many different spices.  I love that they are all-natural, low-sodium, and contain no MSG.

*Because stir-frying is fast, it's best to have the ingredients prepped prior to cooking.

21 Day Fix - Chicken Stir-Fry with Chinese Broccoli

(This recipe works well with chicken, beef and pork.)

Chicken Stir-Fry with Chinese Broccoli

Ingredients

• 4 small skinless, boneless chicken breasts, sliced into 1-inch cubes
• 1 bunch, Chinese Broccoli, cleaned, hard stems removed, leaves torn (I used 4 green containers worth)
• 1 Tbsp. fresh garlic, minced
• 1 Tbsp. fresh ginger, minced
• 1 Tbsp. fresh scallions, sliced into thin rounds
• Sea salt, to taste
• 2  Tbsp. coconut aminos, or soy sauce
• 1.5 Tbsp. coconut oil
• Flavor God "Everything" seasoning, as needed
• Flavor God "Garlic" seasoning, as needed
• Brown basmati rice

Cook rice as desired.

In the last 10 minutes before the rice is done, heat a wok or sauté pan on high heat for 1 minute.  Add half of your coconut oil, and melt it over bottom of pan.

Add Chinese Broccoli leaves. Stir-fry for 3 minutes.  Add coconut aminos and 1/4 tsp. Flavor God garlic seasoning. Stir-fry for 1 minute and reserve in a bowl.

Clean pan and return it to high heat for 1 minute.

Season chicken by sprinkling lightly with sea salt, Flavor God Garlic and Everything Seasoning.

Melt remaining coconut oil in the pan and let pan get hot.  Add chicken to pan and stir-fry for 1 minute. Add minced garlic, ginger, and scallions to the pan and stir-fry for 4-5 minutes or until chicken is browned and internal temperature is 165 degrees.
I also added some red pepper flakes for heat.  And, I threw in some mushrooms, as we had them here.  You could use just about any vegetable here.

Enjoy!

21 Day Fixers:  There are FOUR servings in this recipe.  Each serving counts as 1 red, 1 green, and 1 tsp.  Measure out your basmati rice (or other grain) and count that as 1 yellow.

If you would like to participate in one of my monthly 21 Day Fix or 21 Day Fix Extreme online accountability groups, get in touch with me here.

If you give this recipe a try (or any of my other 21 Day Fix approved recipes), please let me know.  I would love to hear how it went!

Drop a comment below ..... or contact me here! 

XO
ALL THE BEST,