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 - 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,

Fresh Berries with Coconut Cream - 21 Day Fix Approved!

I love that I’ve found several delicious recipes to satisfy my sweet tooth while I’m eating healthier.  This kind of dessert makes it easy to stay on track and stick to my goals!  Give it a try!



21 Day Fix Dessert

Fresh Berries with Coconut Cream

Ingredients:

• One can of full-fat coconut milk
• Blueberries, strawberries and/or raspberries

Place the can upside down in the fridge, unopened for 1-2 days. Turn the can over and open, scoop out all of the “hard cream” and place in a chilled bowl. Blend on high until a “whipped cream” texture forms. You can add some organic vanilla extract -- or experiment with other extract flavors -- for taste!

Once blended, just put on top of your favorite fruits.

21 Day Fixers:  Measure out your fruit and count that as 1 "purple".  Measure out your coconut cream and count that as a BLUE.

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,

Get Your Kids Involved! Weekly Meal Plan: 5/11/15 - 5/17/15

Get Your Kids Involved!

Do you struggle with picky eaters? 

We are NOT perfect in this household, either.  But, I work towards progress, not perfection -- in all areas of our health.



My cuties.  :-)

I AM happy to say that my kids will eat chicken, fish, beef, and shrimp.  They eat quite a few vegetables.  They have started to try more spicy foods (especially my son).  They LOVE couscous.  We are still working on quinoa.  LOL.  BUT, I must say that when my children are involved in the planning process, they are more likely to eat what is prepared.

Try asking your children what foods they would like to eat during the week. Get them involved in the planning process.  We all know that when we have more control over our choices, things tend to go a little easier.

Now, I’m not suggesting you give your kids executive control over grocery shopping habits and meal planning.  But it is kind of like you’re teaching them how to ride a bike without training wheels:

Practice.  Exposure.  Repeat.

And, maybe -- just maybe --  they'll slowly start letting go of the iron grip on the back of the seat.

21 Day Fix Meal Plan

So, here is our plan for the week ahead!

Weekly Meal Plan: 5/11/15 - 5/17/15

Monday:  Turkey Taco Quinoa Bake
Tuesday:  Slow-Cooker Honey-Mustard Chicken Sandwiches with Veggies (new recipe coming!)
Wednesday:  Grilled Chicken on a Mixed Green Salad (Flavor God Seasoning)
Thursday:  Spicy Mexican Shrimp with Jasmine Rice
Friday:  Homemade Pizza Night
Saturday:  Dinner Out
Sunday:  Turkey Taco Burgers & Sweet Potato 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!  Drop me an email or a comment on my blog.

XO
ALL THE BEST,

Healthy Beef Burrito Recipe

Yes.  I know.  Another Mexican-style recipe.  What the family wants?  The family gets.  As long as I can make it healthier!

And, it is Cinco de Mayo, anyway!

These beef  burritos are so easy to make, and they are delicious. Double the recipe and freeze extras.  I will definitely be doing that the next time with this family-friendly Mexican recipe!

Healthy (21 Day Fix Approved) Beef Burrito Recipe

21 Day Fix - Beef Burritos

Ingredients

• 2 pounds lean ground beef (can use lean ground turkey, too)                            
• 1/4 cup finely chopped onion
• 1 cup salsa
• 2 tablespoons homemade taco seasoning (1 Tbsp. chili powder, 1/4 tsp. garlic powder, 1/4 tsp. onion powder, 1/4 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes, 1/4 tsp. dried oregano, 1/2 tsp. paprika, 1 1/2 tsp. ground cumin, 1 tsp. sea salt, 1 tsp. black pepper [optional])                                          
• 1/2 cup water (as needed) 
• 2 cups (8 ounces) shredded reduced-fat cheddar cheese
• 8 low-carb tortillas, warmed

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

In a large skillet, cook beef and onion over medium heat until meat is no longer pink; drain. Stir in salsa and homemade taco seasoning. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 2-3 minutes. Add water, as needed.  Transfer to a large bowl; set aside.

Warm tortillas.  Spray baking dish with cooking spray.

Spoon one-eighth of beef mixture down the center of each tortilla. Fold ends and sides over filling; roll up.  Continue with remaining tortillas and filling until you have filled all 8 tortillas and have snuggled them alongside of one another in the pan.

Sprinkle the shredded cheese on top of the rolled-up tortillas.  (I added a bit of fire-roasted tomatoes over the top, too.)  Cover with greased foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 5 to 10 minutes, until the cheese is hot and bubbly. 

That’s it.  It’s a super easy dinner recipe to make.  Let your family members choose what they want on top… salsa, Greek yogurt (instead of sour cream) and avocado were our choices.  A little chopped tomato would be good, too.  I think your family will love it and ask for it again (at least mine has). 

Enjoy!

(21 Day Fixers:  One burrito counts as 1 yellow, 1 red, 1 blue, and 1 purple for the salsa.)

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!

XO
ALL THE BEST,

Weekly Meal Plan: 5/4/15 - 5/10/15

Making little changes can make a big difference!

Losing weight and reaching your fitness goal is all about making small changes that you can live with forever. As you incorporate these minor adjustments into your lifestyle, you'll begin to see how they can add up to big calorie savings and weight loss

If you fail to plan, plan to fail.

First, you need a strategy for your meals and snacks. PLANNING your meals will help you tremendously to stay on track.

Keep in mind that the first time that you sit down to plan a week's worth of meals and create a healthy schedule, the process will take a little while longer.  Be patient!

Once you have a system in place, you'll breeze through the ritual and you might even like it!  Getting organized feels good and reaching your weight loss goals feels even better. 

21 Day Fix Meal Plan

Weekly Meal Plan: 5/4/15 - 5/10/15

Monday:  Shrimp & Vegetable Quinoa Bowls
Tuesday:  Leftovers
Wednesday:  Crockpot Bolognese with "Zoodles"
Thursday:  Clean-Eats Crockpot "Fried Rice"
Friday:  Skinny Beef Enchiladas (*new recipe to come soon!*)
Saturday:  Fend-For Yourself/Leftovers
Sunday:  Mother's Day!

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
• My favorite breakfasts:  Egg & Vegetable Casserole and Breakfast Sausage Taquitos.
• 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,