For a lot of people, Super Bowl Sunday equals a hefty Super Bowl snack time. Savory items like chips, dips, wings, and pizza are standard, but it's not a bad idea to also offer up healthy, lighter fare for yourself and guests.
There are some easy swaps you can make for your favorite Super Bowl snacks that make them a little bit better for you and for your guests' waistlines. And the best part? These Super Bowl snacks are so tasty that no one will probably miss the fatty and greasy fare!
Hold the delivery this year and get creative in the kitchen. I've made it easy for you.
These easy Super Bowl recipes are definite winners. No matter who you are rooting for!
Also, as a "dipper", have you tried THESE yet? They are "tortilla chips", but made with black beans. They taste super-yummy and satisfy my tortilla chip-craving. I think there are only 3-4 ingredients in them!
If you try any of these recipes for YOUR gathering, please leave me a note in the comments - would love to hear from you! XO
I am DONE with the 21 Day Sugar Detox (as of tomorrow), but will be retaining most of the eating habits that I grew to love during these past 21 days. Just adding a few things back in -- like honey!
I'll be writing up my final review of the Sugar Detox early this week, so stay tuned for that.
One of my favorite things about planning meals is that it lets us enjoy variety. Instead of eating the same dish five times a week, you can plan your menu so you are always enjoying something new.
Perhaps you can cook fish on Monday, beef on Tuesday, lamb on Wednesday, a vegetarian dish on Thursday and chicken for Friday. This is particularly helpful if you have children who are picky about their food. You can also ask for their preferences when planning meals so you can be sure they will like to dishes you serve them - I ALWAYS ask for their input! It has really helped us to move past some of their "pickiness".
In the meantime, here is our plan for the week ahead!
Looking for an easy and delicious -- yet healthy -- Super Bowl party meal? This tasty Crockpot Buffalo Chicken is a simple set-it-and-forget-about-it meal that’ll have your crowd cheering for more! And, you won't feel guilty about eating it, either!
Serve with fresh Kaiser rolls, or in a large lettuce leaf. It would be great over brown rice, too!
Clean-Eating Crockpot Buffalo Chicken
Ingredients: 2-3 lb. chicken (we used boneless, skinless thighs - it was what was in the freezer) 8-10 oz. of "clean" hot sauce (no high-fructose corn syrup/added sugar - I used Frank's) 1/2 cup organic low-salt chicken broth Dry ranch seasoning mix (see recipe below) 2 tbsp. organic grass-fed butter
Place semi-frozen chicken into the slow-cooker. Pour sauce and broth over the chicken. Mix together your dry ranch seasoning mix, and sprinkle the mixture over top of the chicken/sauce. Add butter to crockpot.
Cover and cook on low for about 5 hours.
Remove chicken from the slow-cooker and shred (I use our stand mixer to shred easily). Do not discard the sauce. The chicken should just fall apart. Place shredded chicken back into the sauce in the crockpot. Stir to coat chicken with sauce.
Continue to cook on low for another hour, so that the chicken can soak up the sauce.
Dry Ranch Seasoning Mix:
1 tsp. garlic powder
1 tbsp. dried parsley flakes
1 tsp. minced onion flakes
1 tsp. onion powder
1 tbsp. dill leaves (the next time I will make this 1/2 tbsp.)
I've been getting a LOT of questions lately about my career as a Team Beachbody Coach. What exactly do I do? Can it be done part-time? What if I have another job? How do you make money? Can I REALLY do it too?
I debated sharing the video below publicly (I made it for a private group).
Not because I am embarrassed. But, because I really go into depth about what being a Team Beachbody Coach has done for me and for my family. It is big stuff. It is personal. And, I get a little choked up in the video too. And well ...... it never fails -- YouTube always gives me the craziest looking "thumbnail". What is up with that? Ha ha!
Anyway. Being a Team Beachbody Coach has done SO much to enrich my life. It has been an immense blessing for us in an infinite number of ways. Why WOULDN'T I share that with YOU?
When you find an amazing restaurant, with delicious food, excellent service, and a fabulous menu - do you recommend it to your friends? No doubt, right? No hesitation.
And this -- being a Team Beachbody Coach is SO MUCH more than that. A blessing. No 9-5 for this gal! A life-changer. Take a look:
Oh, and by the way, in case you're already thinking this way (like I did, initially) -- you don't need to be a fitness instructor, personal trainer, or even at your goal weight to be a Coach! You just need to be on your own fitness journey (or starting it), and be willing to bring a few others along the journey with you.
In fact -------> Your struggles are your STRENGTH and your STORY.
Truth: I am NOT at my goal weight. I've been struggling with this for the past 2 years.
Truth: I have been dealing with disordered eating since I was about 10 years old.
Truth: I am NOT perfect, nor will I ever be.
I just want to be the best version of me, possible. Hopefully, a few folks can relate and I am able to help them -- as we walk this journey, together.
And the "TOGETHER" is what makes a difference! I am surrounded by positive, uplifting, motivating people. It is truly an amazing gift. I am so happy that we have chosen this path in life.
My goal is to help others, like you, experience similar success. Your story isn't mine. And maybe you haven't seen results yet using the Beachbody products. NO MATTER. That's okay.
After you watch the video above, I want you to know: I am looking to mentor 10 new people over the next 2 months. Here’s the type of person I am looking for:
Those that love to help other people.
Anyone with a natural ability or desire to teach others. I teach you. You teach others. It's that simple.
Individuals that want to be a positive change in someone else's world.
Folks looking to get in the best shape of their life in 2015.
Friends who like to surround themselves daily with uplifting, positive, wonderful teammates who push you to success.
An understanding that you were born for greatness -- but no clue how to make it happen.
Friends with a sense of humor. If we are going to work closely together, you must enjoy life and be able to laugh!
Note: This video is something I created and privately shared in a Coach Sneak Group that I ran recently. If you have any curiosity about doing what I do - click here, fill out the form, and let's start chatting (or simply email me at chrispechulis@gmail.com). No pressure. Just a talk. If it is not for you, that's okay.
But think about this ------> Is you current life situation making you happy? If in 5 years, you are the EXACT same place that you are now -- will you be satisfied?
Decide to really live your life. Dream big. Create a vision for you and your family. Then, go and live it!
So, I made it through Week #2 of the 21 Day Sugar Detox! I am in the final stretch now and in my last week! Hooray!
I have to say, that I feel GREAT -- now.
You can ready over my review of my first week here.
The beginning of Week #2 was a little tough. Days 9-10 were full of cravings -- probably the most that I have since going sugar-free. TMI here - but I was PMS-ing so I am fairly certain that this had something to do with it.
It has truly been a valuable and educational experiment, so far.
Really, my eating was pretty clean going into the 21-Day Sugar Detox. That is, aside from the holiday season and being down and out with bronchitis. So, this is how I've been feeling two weeks in, and the benefits I've noticed thus far:
I feel like I’m sleeping better and waking up feeling more rested.
I've noticed some extremely dramatic improvements in my mental clarity.
My skin is more clear and my dark under-eye circles have definitely lessened.
My sugar and processed carb cravings have nearly disappeared (aside from Days 9-10).
ALL bloat is gone!
The food is fabulous.
My energy is nearly through the roof.
I also want to VERY CLEAR. I am NOT doing that for weight-loss. That will come later on.
I am suffering from symptoms of hypothyroidism, and as I work to find a new physician, I have learned that refined grains and added sugars and sweeteners cause your entire body to slow down. One of the biggest contributors to thyroid problems is gluten. Since so many thyroid problems are either caused or exacerbated by autoimmune disease, gluten can contribute to thyroid dysregulation in general. And, SUGAR compromises immune function. That is a fact. In addition, sugar compromises the ability of our white cells to destroy toxins. This effect begins within 30 minutes of eating the stuff and lasts for five hours. My body doesn't like sugar and gluten -- in fact, it hates them. As much as I might want to eat that piece of cake. My body hates me later on. This is about HEALING for me. And, feeling GREAT! You get this one shot at life ..... who wouldn't want to go through it, feeling GREAT? Anyway, you can see my meal plan for this week right here. A few of my favorite recipes while doing this Sugar Detox have been: Homemade Tomato Bisque, Loaded Cauliflower Bake, and my ALL-TIME favorite -- Paleo Shepherd's Pie!
I am also doing Insanity Max: 30 -- 90% modified. I've really noticed that my energy and stamina have increased .... from the combination of doing the two!
If you have any questions about what I'm doing, or what I'm eating, please let me know. You can comment below, or drop me an email at chrispechulis@gmail.com. Would love to hear from you.
I will also be making a few "extras". I've found that it is best to be UBER-prepared with this, and having leftovers available for lunch every day and an occasional "not-so-sweet treat" on hand is crucial for me to stick with it. So, I'll be making Sugar Detox Truffles, too!
Additionally, I've been drinking my Shakeology daily, even though it isn't really 21 Day Sugar Detox "approved". I'm okay with that, as I receive SO many other benefits from my daily dose of dense nutrition!
AND, I also just wrapped up my second week of Insanity Max: 30 -- holy bananas! I am a little sore. But, getting a fabulous sweat on in just 30 minutes. Can't beat that.
Anyway, enjoy this week's menu plan. If you try any of the linked recipes, let me know what you think!
Yes, it is cauliflower. Again. I buy one large head of it per week ..... and then see what creative recipe I can come up with!
And, this. THIS, may very well be my new favorite. I'm not even sure you would know that this is cauliflower (you might think it was mashed potatoes -- if you didn't know)! This was so delish, I may or may not have eaten it twice today - for 2 of my meals!
This recipes DOES take a little time. So, it may not be the best weeknight meal, unless you do some of the prep work ahead of time. Just a tip.
There are lots of Paleo and Sugar Detox Shepherd's Pie recipes out there. I took a look at them, and then just used what I had in the pantry and refrigerator. I may try this with a sweet potato topping next time. Enjoy!
Paleo Shepherd's Pie
Ingredients: 1 large head of cauliflower, broken into florets 2 tbsp. organic butter 1/4 cup canned coconut milk 1 tbsp. olive oil 1 lb. lean grass-fed ground beef 1 cup carrots, chopped 1/2 cup chopped celery 1 small onion, diced 2 tbsp. tomato paste (with no added sugar) 1/2 cup organic beef or vegetable broth Salt and pepper, to taste 1 tsp. onion powder 1 tsp. garlic powder 1 tsp. dried parsley Paprika
Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
Steam cauliflower florets in microwave for about 8 minutes in the microwave, with about 1/2 a cup of water, for 8 minutes. Stir, and steam an additional 4 minutes, until thoroughly soft. Process steamed cauliflower, with butter and coconut milk until smooth. Set aside.
While cauliflower is steaming, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Sauté carrots, celery, and onion until softened -- about 8 minutes. Add ground beef and cook until browned. Add tomato paste, broth, and spices (except paprika), and simmer for 15 minutes, until flavors are well-combined.
Spray a glass pie dish with organic cooking spray. Fill pie dish halfway with meat mixture. Top with mashed cauliflower mixture. Sprinkle with paprika.
Bake for 25 minutes. Broil for 5 minutes. Remove from oven and let Shepherd's Pie stand for 10 minutes. Slice into 6 hearty pieces, and serve. Enjoy!
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