Weekly Meal Plan: 4/6/15 -- 4/12/15

Weekly Meal Plan: 4/6/15 -- 4/12/15

Happy Easter!

This past holiday weekend, I did enjoy a few PLANNED treats.  So, while I was a little off-plan, I know that this is a LIFESTYLE CHANGE, and I refuse to beat myself up about it.  A treat or two in moderation will be quickly worked off this week! 

I also enjoyed my Peanut Butter Egg Shakeology as a treat today - so that helped me to avoid overindulging too much! 

Easter Shakeology

Looking forward to these yummy recipes this week! 

Weekly Meal Plan: 4/6/15 -- 4/12/15

Monday:  Oven-Roasted Shrimp and Broccoli
Tuesday:  Quinoa Turkey Taco Bake - a favorite!
Wednesday:  Hearty Beef and Butternut Squash Stew (didn't get to this one last week)
Thursday:  Leftovers
Friday:  Spaghetti Squash Lasagna Boats
Saturday:  Fend-For-Yourself
Sunday:  Skinnytaste's Crockpot Kalua Pork

ALL of these dinners are 21-Day Fix compliant.  If you would like to participate in one of my monthly 21 Day Fix or 21 Day Fix Extreme online accountability groups, please get in touch with me here.  New group starts VERY SOON!

If you have any questions about my meal plan or about any of my recipes, feel free to drop a comment below.  I want to hear what you think, if you try any of the recipes.  I want to hear what you're eating this week, too!

XO
ALL THE BEST,

21 Day Fix Recipe: Slow-Cooker Creamy Mexican Chicken

I just made this one yesterday for our dinner, and it was DELICIOUS and 100% family-approved! 

I had found a lot of similar recipes online for a dish like this, but they all included cream cheese.  I simply added my own twist, with some extra vegetables, a homemade "taco seasoning", and a little plain Greek yogurt for creaminess. 

Give it a try!  You won't be sorry. 

Easy Slow-Cooked Creamy Mexican Chicken

Ingredients:

• 4 small boneless, skinless chicken breasts (may be frozen)
• 15 oz. can black beans, drained
• 7 oz. canned chopped green chilies
• 1 cup frozen corn
• 1 large onion, diced
• 3 bell peppers, chopped
• 15 oz. can diced tomatoes
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 2 tbsp. chili powder
• 1/2 tbsp. onion powder
• 1/2 tbsp. garlic powder
• 1 tsp. paprika
• 1 tsp. cumin
• 1 red container plain Greek yogurt
• Fresh cilantro

Add chicken breasts to slow-cooker.  Top with remaining ingredients, except for Greek yogurt and fresh cilantro.

Cook on low for 8 hours, until chicken breasts begin to fall apart easily.

Remove chicken and shred. Add back to crockpot. Add Greek yogurt, cover and continue to cook on low for 30 minutes.  Stir well, top with fresh cilantro.

Serve with tortillas, or over quinoa or rice.  Top with avocado or cheese with your blue container!

(21 Day Fixers:  This makes 6 servings, and each serving counts as 1 red, 1 green, 1/2 a purple, and 1 yellow.  Count additional "yellows" for tortillas and/or rice and quinoa.)

Thanks for reading.  I would love to hear from you in the comments below, if you do try this one! 

ALL THE BEST,

Weekly Meal Plan: 3/30/15 - 4/5/15

Well, here goes Round #2!

(For my Round #1 results -----> click HERE.  I was thrilled with my results!)

I am starting back up with the 21 Day Fix Extreme on Monday March 30th with my new group, so these meals will ALL be made to fit my program.  It will be a little challenging with the Easter holiday in there, but we will all make it work. 

Meal-planning and some preparation will be key!

Weekly Meal Plan: 3/30/15 - 4/5/15

Monday:  Turkey Quinoa Meatloaf (Recipe in the 21 Day Fix Extreme Eating Plan book.)
Tuesday:  Crockpot Mexican Chicken (Recipe in the works, check back on my blog this week!)
Wednesday:  Hearty Beef and Butternut Squash Stew (Recipe in the 21DFX Eating Plan book.)
Thursday:  Leftovers
Friday:  21 Day Fix-Approved Sloppy Joes
Saturday:  Homemade Pizzas (My mom is visiting for the holiday - this is a tradition!)
Sunday:  Easter Sunday

A few extras that I will be prepping to have on-hand this week include:

• Mashed Cauliflower
• Egg & Vegetable Casserole
• and, Chocolate-Covered Strawberries

Gotta' be prepared, in order to be successful!

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 any of these recipes a try, please let me know!  I would love to hear how it went!

ALL THE BEST,

Spaghetti Squash Burrito Bowls

I was inspired by a previous spaghetti squash recipe to create one with a Mexican flair. These Spaghetti Squash Burrito Bowls did the trick!  Make it with or without the beans -- depending on whether or not you want the added carbs.

Spaghetti Squash Burrito Bowls



21 Day Fix - Spaghetti Squash Burrito Bowls

Ingredients:

2 medium spaghetti squash

1 lb. lean ground beef or ground turkey

1 small onion, finely chopped

2 sweet bell peppers, finely chopped 

4 garlic cloves, crushed

14 oz. red kidney or black bean beans, drained & rinsed (optional)

1/2 tsp. chili powder

2 tbsp. diced canned chilies or jalapeños (or to taste)

1 cup tomato sauce

1/2 cup cilantro, finely chopped + more for garnish

4 blue containers Colby jack or Mexican cheese, shredded & divided

1/4 tsp. salt

1/2 tsp. freshly ground black pepper

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
2. Cut squash in half and scoop out the seeds with a spoon. Lay skin side down on a rimmed baking sheet, lined with parchment paper, and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Bake for 45 minutes, or until cooked to a touch with a fork.
3. In the meanwhile, preheat medium skillet on medium heat and spray with cooking spray. Add onion, garlic, bell pepper and sauté for 4 - 5 minutes or until golden brown, stirring occasionally. Add beans, chili powder, chilies/jalapeños, tomato sauce, cilantro and stir.
4. Remove vegetable mixture to a bowl.  Keep warm.  Cook ground beef or turkey until thoroughly cooked through.  Combine with vegetable mixture.
5. Remove from heat and add 1/2 of cheese. Stir again.
6. Remove baked spaghetti squash from the oven and let cool a few minutes.
7. Carefully remove spaghetti squash strands from the shell, trying to keep the shell intact.
8. Combine spaghetti squash strands with meat and vegetable mixture.
9. Fill each "boat" with 1/4 of the vegetable and meat mixture. 
10. Divide remaining cheese among the 4 "boats", and sprinkle each evenly with cheese.
11. Bake for additional 10 minutes or until cheese is melted. Serve hot, garnished with extra cilantro.

(21 Day Fixers: 1 serving [one "boat"] counts as 2 green, 1 red, and 1 blue. Count 1 yellow if you make these with beans.)

Enjoy!  Would love your feedback, too.

ALL THE BEST,

Shakeology Sorbet

I've been asked for this recipe a few times, after sharing the photo in one of my 21 Day Fix Extreme videos!  So, here you go.

Need a quick and easy dessert while on the 21 Day Fix?  Or, really any time you want to enjoy a dessert without the guilt?  Give this a try! 

Shakeology Sorbet

• 1 scoop Strawberry (or Greenberry or Vegan Strawberry Shakeology)
• 2/3 cup frozen mixed berries 
• 1/4 cup unsweetened almond milk.

Place berries, Shakeology, and almond milk in blender or food processor; cover.

Blend until smooth. Place in bowl; cover.

Freeze for 2 hours, mixing with fork every 30 minutes to break ice crystals. Scoop evenly into two bowls and serve immediately.

(21 Day Fixers:  This makes one serving and is 1 red, and 1 purple.  I wouldn't even count the almond milk, since it is such a small amount.)

Let me know if you give this one a try!  Would love to hear about any variations that you come up with!

ALL THE BEST,

21 Day Fix Extreme FINAL RESULTS - and Review

I am a 21 Day Fix Extreme GRADUATE!

No longer a member of the "quitters club".  And, I have to say:  It feels GREAT!  I am thrilled and proud that I stuck with this program for the full 21 days.

First of all -- a HUGE thank-you to everyone for the support!  My followers, my fitness friends, my accountability group members, and my Coach friends.  Couldn't have done without you ALL.  I am truly grateful and blessed by your friendship. 

So, about the 21 Day Fix Extreme.  I saw this on a photo recently, and it totally hit home with me: 

"Systems vs. Goals:  Losing 10 pounds is a goal. Learning to eat right is a system -- and systems ALWAYS trump goals."

This is so true!  This program is so very well-designed.  If you follow the exercise schedule and follow the nutrition program to a "T" - you WILL see results.  No question about it.  Programs like this are written and designed the way that they are by professionals.  A total solution.  It is a no-brainer. 

My fabulous online accountability group members are absolute proof of that.  Here is what they had to say this morning!

• "Down 3.4 pounds and 2 inches."
• "Down 7.6 pounds, 6 inches gone, pics to come. Not finished, but a heck of a lot closer than I was 3 weeks ago!"
•  "I am down 5.5 lbs and um- 14 inches....yeah um my middle area was a bit out of shape!"
• "Down 8.7# and 2.5."

So, here are my results.  I lost:  6 pounds and 4.5 inches!  In just 21 days.  For me, this is fabulous progress ..... for a few reasons:

• I lose weight S L O W L Y - I have thyroid issues. I am SO over-the-top happy with my progress!
• I didn't re-start.  I used my final Insanity Max: 30 stats as my "befores".  There was no big pig-out before starting the program.
• I wasn't able to complete the last 4 workouts due to a pulled muscle in my upper back, but stuck with my nutrition.
• I am a former "21 Day Fix failure". I've NEVER been able to stick with the full 21 days before (and I tried 3 times)! I am now a member of the reformed quitters' club.
• I did NOT deprive myself.  I was generally very full on this nutrition plan.
• I feel totally fabulous!
• I am stronger and more lean.

And, here are the photos for comparison (The sun was a little blinding outside this morning.)!

And, here is my progress since January 2015 (January 1, 2015 - March 23, 2015).  Hello, "booty lift"!

Progress, friends.  PROGRESS.

What's next for me?  Here is what I have planned:  one week of continued recovery of my upper back, with light workouts and continuing to follow the 21 Day Fix eating plan.  This is a LIFESTYLE, not a detox or deprivation diet. 

I will officially begin the 21 Day Fix Extreme plan again, starting on Monday March 30th, with another fabulous group of amazing friends!  JOIN US! 

The results from these short groups have been nothing short of AMAZING!  Pounds lost, inches lost, bodies transformed!  The NEXT GROUP begins on MARCH 30TH! 

In order to learn more, please email me here.  I will be in touch within 24 hours. Thank you!

ALL THE BEST,

Weekly Meal Plan: 3/23/15 - 3/29/15

Well, I'm wrapping up my FINAL week of the 21 Day Fix Extreme!

STAY TUNED TO MY BLOG TOMORROW FOR MY FINAL RESULTS!

While I faced some challenges with a pulled muscle in my upper back, and missed the last 4 workouts because of it ..... I'm proud to say that I finished out the 21 days of the nutrition plan STRONG.  I honestly can't wait to do another round of this program -- in one week! 

So, this week's meal plan will still follow a 21 Day Fix-style of eating -- as I truly feel that I can eat this way forever --with a few small, planned treats.  Check out my dinners for the coming week below.  All are workable with the Fix eating plan!

Set your intentions for the week ahead.  People who plan -- Achieve.

Weekly Meal Plan: 3/23/15 - 3/29/15

Monday:  Spicy Turkey Taco Burgers
Tuesday:  Leftovers
Wednesday:  Skinnytaste's Pasta Fagioli
Thursday:  Grilled Mediterranean Chicken Salad (seasoning mix from 21 Day Fix guide)
Friday:  Slow-Cooker Pork Carnitas
Saturday:  Fend-For-Yourself
Sunday:  Broiled Fish (what is on sale), Sweet Potatoes, and Roasted Vegetables

On that note -- once per month, I offer 21 Day Fix online accountability groups. These challenges take place in a secure, 100% private Facebook group.

The results from these short groups have been nothing short of AMAZING!  Pounds lost, inches lost, bodies transformed!

In order to learn more about my next online group or how I can help you to reach your fitness goals, please email me here.  I will be in touch within 24 hours. Thank you!

I would love to hear from you! 

ALL THE BEST,