Back to School, Back to You!

The past couple of weeks I have been getting a lot of questions from other moms, and other women in general, about what I eat and my workouts.

It is HARD to find time to focus on you. We have jobs, families, activities, committees. There is a lot.

I remember feeling like there was no possible way I could squeeze in a shower let alone a workout and meal prep?? WHAT?!!?

What I do know now is that it IS possible.

Starting next week I will be working with several women; all age ranges, all fitness levels, all at different starting points, just wanting to get healthier. To feel their best and carve out a little time each day to focus on themselves.

With school starting back up and routines happening again at home as we bust out our mega-calendars and color-coded systems, why not pick a color for you?? Choose to put yourself on the calendar!

If you are interested in joining my exclusive accountability group on Facebook, comment below with your email or shoot me an email and I will be happy to chat with you more!

My Healthy Plan: Week 2

Happy Monday, friends!

This weekend absolutely flew by! It was a busy one for our family so I was especially tired when the alarm sounded at 5 am but day 1 of week 2 was completed and a great way to get myself energized!

I've been open on here that I have some big goals with my program and what I want to achieve. So for the purpose of full disclosure, I thought I would tell you how my weekend nutrition went. (Weekends are typically my downfall)

Saturday morning I had an early morning meeting. I got a few things done around the house, made my boys cinnamon rolls and then headed out the door arming myself with my chocolate Shakeology. I was pretty proud of that.

I had a baby shower early afternoon and then our family had a wedding reception open house that evening before meeting my in-laws for dinner. I squeezed in some laundry and my workout before getting out the door!

Warrior workout! So tough but finished!

I grabbed a larabar (cashew cookie--only two ingredients). At the baby shower I had some water and fruit. And at the reception I had some veggies and nuts. I was pretty hungry by the time we got to my in-laws.  They ordered from a local spaghetti house which is AMAZING but I had a chef salad and only a small slice of the garlic bread because, balance. My father in law also made homemade ice cream and I had a small scoop of that. It wasn't a perfect day but it wasn't a bad day either!

Anyone else love getting dolled up??

Sunday our family did late church because we were going to friends' to swim. I knew I wanted to stay on track so packed the makings of a vegetable tray and some fresh salsa and gluten free chips. Since we did late church I made omelets and Ezekial English muffins (only halves) for breakfast. Those English muffins are thee best in my opinion! So good!

Our friends grilled some awesome hamburgers and hot dogs. So for lunch I had a hamburger (no bun), lots of veggies with greek yogurt cucumber dill dip, fresh fruit and some chips and salsa. Still full from dinner my husband and I had our shakeology for dinner.

It wasn't a perfect weekend but it was far more on track than many this summer have been!

Today it was back to to the plan and pushing even more water since the weekend I lagged a little with all the busyness.

It is definitely not about being perfect. It is about balance, making the best choices you can and always pushing ahead.

How to Meal Plan As a Busy Mom

Failure to plan is planning to fail right?? 

Nutrition is always the tougher component when it comes to a healthy lifestyle.  In the last three years I have learned a lot about what to eat, when to eat, how to eat, how MUCH to eat. My issue has always been in the follow through. Allowing one too many treats, or deciding that what I planned for diner really isn't sounding good so just going with Plan B. 

Not anymore! My mindset is different. I want to succeed like never before. I know my body deserves more. I know I am made for more than just mindless eating. I've read Lysa Terkeurst's Made to Crave and know how deeply God doesn't want me to succumb to food cravings. 

Since I said I was going to be using this blog as a way to stay accountable, I figured why not share what I'm eating. Maybe nutrition is a struggle for you too! Maybe you don't know where to start or how to plan. Maybe you need some accountability. Whatever the case, here is the menu plan I am following this week. 

A few notes:

- The menu is color coded because I am using the 21 Day Fix portion control containers to help me stay within my portion parameters. I don't want to overeat; which, can still happen even if the food is healthy! 

-Shakeology: It counts as a serving of protein but know I mix in some other ingredients to increase the calorie count. Depending on the day, if I need more greens or purples, I add in spinach or 1/2 a banana. I always add in all natural peanut butter, ice, and water. YUM!!

-It's simple! I don't h ave time for a fussy menu plan. I won't stick with it if it isn't yummy, takes too much time, or leaves me feeling dissatisfied.  This menu combats all those feelings! 

If you are interested in more specific details of the recipes used in the menu, head on over to my Pinterest page and hit follow or shoot me an e-mail! I'd love to connect! 

Day 1...Again

After an awesome week in Nashville for our annual conference, way too much yummy indulgences, I started over on a brand new program.

Again.

The program isn't exactly brand new. It is just the next one I'm doing since finishing 22 Minute Hard Corps.

When I was thinking of what I wanted, how I wanted pushed, what I wanted my body to get out of a workout...I knew! I just KNEW what workout I was going to be doing!

P90x3!!!

I've loved this program from the very first workout I did almost three years ago. There is so much variety. The workouts are all only 30 minutes. I love how quickly I see results. And obviously-- Tony!

Here's the deal. If I am being honest, I can workout with the best of them. Like, get my sweat on and not miss a workout. But this summer, the multiple indulgences have added up and detracted from my hard work. That really SUCKS!!

So I'm saying no more! I've done it before! While pregnant!!! I can totally do it again

See?? Proof! 

So day 1 is in the books. My nutrition and water were great. AND, my husband is committing to doing this with me. Talk about awesome accountability!

So stay tuned! I'll be sharing what I'm eating, progress and in 90 days--some awesome results! 

Top 5 Snacks for Picky Eaters

Mamas, tell me, do you struggle with picky eaters too??

I don't know what it is by my boys have each had a phase where they were the pickiest eater EVER!!

Hudson is really great about trying new things and even eating things he doesn't love (like brussel sprouts or broccoli) at dinner. But my little two- YIKES!!

Beau is all about eating with his eyes. If he doesn't like how something looks, odds are he isn't going to try it. He says before the plate hits the table, "What is that???" Bless.

Gabe used to be a great eater; probably our best. Now, he is very finnicky. He doesn't eat a lot of meat or veggies. Give the kid fruit, carbs, greek yogurt and cottage cheese and he'll give you his heart!

I can typically win at meal times and keep those pretty balanced but snacks are where it gets tricky. Kids (and adults) need snacks. We need calories throughout the day, these "small meals" to keep our metabolism going and so we don't experience a crash that makes us want to eat the entire pantry! #youfeelme 

The struggle is not letting those snacks be the packaged, sugar filled, processed kind that give us, and our kiddos, no nutritional  and leave their tummies feeling empty just minutes later, prompting another snack request. #thestruggle 

Today, I want to share my tried and true top favorite snack ideas that your kiddos, even the picky ones, will love AND that will be healthy for them!

{O N E} Ants On a Log

image via

This throwback has been around forever. BUT--you can totally switch it up so it feels new and fun every time! 

As fillers you can use peanut butter (because sometimes why mess with a good thing), other nut butters, cookie butter, cream cheese, hummus, guacamole, or refried beans. 

Toppings can be fresh or dried fruit, crackers, tortilla strips, bacon bits. It can be swapped out and reinvented lots of times over! 

{T W O}Pirate Ship Sails

image via

My boys love to play with their food. I hate it but at snack time, why not let their imaginations go a bit?? Especially if they are chowing down on some healthy choices! These little sails are simply thinly sliced cheese wrapped around deli turkey with a pretzel stick acting as the toothpick to hold it all together. This is another great little snack that you can try different cheeses and meats to keep the kids interested. And, because it's so simple to make, you can give your kids the ingredients and let them make their own! 

{T H R E E} Apple Nachos

image via

This looks indulgent (and totally is) but fruit, protein and little sweet make it a perfectly healthy snack. This is one I use as a treat or when friends are over because it's a definite crowd pleaser. It looks pretty plated and is quick to throw together. Use organic dark chocolate chips and you add antioxidant power! 

{F O U R} Energy Bites

image via

This snack takes a little more prep, only if you count measuring, pouring and mixing as a snack. What is nice is the batch makes quite a few so one little chore can be snacked on for days. Or maybe just day if you pop them as easily as we like to around here! ;)

What you're getting is a a sweet treat full of protein, healthy grains and healthy fats.

Recipe:
chocolate chips
toasted coconut
vanilla extract
peanut butter
old fashioned oats
honey (or agave nectar)
freshly ground flax seed
chia seeds (optional)

Stir all ingredients together in a medium bowl until thoroughly mixed. Cover and let chill in the refrigerator for half an hour.
Once chilled, roll into balls of whatever size you would like. Store in an airtight container and keep refrigerated for up to 1 week.

Makes about 20-25 balls.

{F I V E} "Reese's" Peanut Butter Shake
Shakeology has been a favorite in our house for the last three years. My kids actually call it a milkshake. It is one of my favorite snacks to give before a soccer game or after a late practice on the way home. It is high in protein and offers super food nutrition. It can also be a great way to sneak in a serving of veggies with some raw spinach thrown in.

The boys' favorite recipe makes it is:

1 scoop chocolate or vegan chocolate shakeology
2 tsp peanut butter
1/2 banana
1 cup almond milk
1 cup ice.
Blend together and serve. 

You know it's good when you get a thumbs up! :)

Do you have any tried and true healthy snacks your picky eaters love?? I'd love to hear about them! If you want even more ideas, check out my Pinterest page. 

PiYo Update

I will keep this post short and sweet.

I wrapped month one of PiYo last weekend and began the second month. I feel REALLY good. It has been a long time since I saw a program through beginning to end. I think the last time I went the full round of a program was back when I did Insanity Max:30.

One area I am really focusing on during this second month is nutrition. Here is the thing about Beachbody's programs: they WORK! They work really well. They are simple to follow. One of the reasons I was drawn to Beachbody was because it had everything; great workouts, nutritional support through Shakeology and nutrition guides to follow for the specific program, plus accountability from your coach.

When I did my first program, I was religious about it. I followed the program. All of it! Nutrition included. I ate what I was supposed to and did the workouts on the right days and never skipped or, if I did, I made it up with a double or on my rest day.

I was DEDICATED. I didn't want to have wasted my money or my time and it not work out because I wasn't giving it my all.

Month one went well. I never missed a workout. Some days I had a double workout if I was teaching Cize Live. And my nutrition was pretty good but I allowed some cheats, more than I should have and many that weren't necessary.

When I took my 30 day measurements and photos, I was pleased, but I wasn't thrilled. I saw changes. I am down inches. I am tightening up in my legs. And my arms look toned and strong. But that darn midsection, it shows every cheat. It is my trouble area that is stubborn and is only changed when I really become dedicated. Although I am down inches, the visible change is what I desire and I know that I have to become dedicated again to make that happen.

So, month two will be a NO CHEAT month. That means: no Halloween candy, cake at a friend's wedding, pumpkin treats, caramel apples, or any other fall goodie that sneaks up on me. I CAN choose to say no. I can choose to be dedicated to myself and my goals.

Anyone else have a struggle they find hard to overcome? How do you combat it?

What I learned in 3 days

When I posted my Max:30 results, I mentioned that I tagged on the 3-Day Refresh to the final days of the program. 

What is the refresh? 
It is a program designed to give you a break from poor eating habits while kick starting some healthy ones.  With Shakeology, two high protein refresh shakes, a fiber sweep, snacks and delicious vegetable dinner options, your body and mind have a chance to clear themselves from some vices. 

I chose to do this for a couple of reason.  One, I knew that doing this could help me shed a few pounds.  But more than that, I was not seeing the same results month 2 of Max:30 as I did month 1 and I KNEW the culprit--my nutrition.  We had my son's birthday, a weekend out of town, my son's party/mom's birthday and Valentine's Day all in month 2.  I ate great during the week, but those weekends were definitely more off track than I wanted.  And when you really think about it, weekends are a large chunk of a month. It accounts for almost 30% of February! So if you give yourself "a break" on weekends to eat whatever, you really aren't going to progress forward.  And I sure gave myself one to many breaks during some of those events. 

What I didn't realize before the refresh, were some ugly, bad habits creeping back into my lifestyle. 

On the refresh, there is no eating except what is outlined.  There is also no dairy, meat or starches. (Of course, the allowed fruit and vegetables on the program are carbs and the high protein shakes help satiate hunger).

Because of that, I caught myself--quite often, actually--in the midst of popping something into my mouth.  You know what I am talking about moms: a nibble of your kids snack as you prepare it, or their lunch.  Or maybe you finish off their lunch as you are scrambling to clean the mess up and get them ready for naps.  A snack out of boredom, or a sip of this or that.  

That mindless eating was catching up to me.  It was stalling my results just as much as an occasional treat would if not MORE! 

I had also really, REALLY become a slave to sugar again. You saw the list above.  Those are some sweet confection opportunities all bundled up together.  Because of that, I was craving sugar--ALL the time! And caving.

Doing the refresh, I had to have discipline.  I said I was going to follow the program.  That meant when I was making my kids mini pizzas one day for lunch, I couldn't just pop a pepperoni.  It meant not nibbling an M&M from the treat container.  It meant not snacking when watching HTGAWM (sidenote: PLEASE tell me you are obsessed with this show too??) 

What happened mentally was amazing.  I was breaking through some habits and barriers that I know can have a pretty strong grip on me.  My body started craving GOOD things.  I was texting my accountability partner through the refresh about eggs.  I wanted chicken and eggs.  She wanted a Greek yogurt.  Talk about a difference, right?? 

Did I get results? For sure, an inch of my waist and 4 pounds gone!!! But more than that, I gained control over my eating again.  I saw the roadblocks I had allowed to creep back into my life and consciously overcame them and now am so much more aware of them.  I reset my system, ridding it of the need for sugar.  IN JUST 3 DAYS!! How huge is that! 

This program is amazing and I am so grateful for what it taught me! 

Aha moments and results

This  may turn into a long post so consider yourself warned.  

On December 29th, I began Shaun T.'s new program, Insanity Max:30.  If you know me at all, I am not a fan of an all cardio workout.  This program was that exactly but to the umpteenth degree.  

I enlisted the support of some fellow coaches on my team and we began the program together.  I knew I needed accountability.  I was not planning on doing this program {probably ever} but I had gotten really complacent.  I wasn't following a program consistently, I was allowing to many cheats, and the holidays did not help my trim my post pregnancy body. 

In truth, I needed a swift, firm kick in the butt!

The premise of the program is to push yourself and max out every workout.  And each workout thereafter, to push yourself a little farther, increase that max out time. I was really amazed at how quickly my body began responding to the workouts.  My max time was steadily increasing. I could feel my body getting stronger.  I was finding a rhythm again.  

This program taught me so much. Before every workout, during the opening credits, Shaun T. gives a little pep talk.  During those minutes before I began, I had to really get my mind right.  The first month I was juggling my three kiddos, a nursing newborn, and a traveling husband.  To say there were days I didn't want to do it, days I didn't want to push to my max out- would be an understatement. 

Our mental statement is such an indicator of our success.  Not only in fitness but in EVERYTHING.  Negative self talk is destructive.  If I told myself, I could take a break.  If I told myself I could eat this cheat. If I told  myself that my actions weren't paying off; if I focused on the parts of my body I {thought} weren't changing, I would have given up.  If I didn't have the SUPPORT from my fellow coaches, I would have given up. 

Here is what this program helped me accomplish in just 30 days. 

That lesson of mental strength was an important one.  The program is 60 days. (56 to be exact, less than that if you opt out of the optional Saturday workout.) The second month, all workouts are taken up a notch (or two). I had to have the mental strength to push myself.  

Month two had a whole new set of obstacles.  Two birthdays, my son's birthday party, Valentine's Day. I didn't miss a workout but my nutrition began to slip. I wanted the best results possible and I also wanted to break some habits I started to see creeping up.

To end Max:30 I paired it with the 3-Day Refresh.  Tomorrow I will share those results as well as what I learned during those three days.  

I definitely achieved progress with Max:30.  I saw results.  I pushed myself harder than I ever have in a workout.  I saw myself gain strength and muscle.  I increased endurance and stamina.  My legs and arms have tone like they maybe never have.  All without a weight.  

Here are my results from Day 1---> Day 30 ---> Day 60

This program changed my mindset.  It changed my body. It changed my view of myself and what I was capable of.  I know that anyone can find success with this program.  It isn't easy.  But it is MORE THAN worth it!

Grain Free Recipe Reviews

Hey all!

Is it just me or is everyone going a million miles a minute? I love this time of year and we are doing so many fun things but it never seems to slow down!

My family is continuing on in our gluten free journey.  However, it appears that we are going more grain free than gluten free.  And after a friend shared some articles, I feel even more confident in this decision for our family.  {If you are interested in reading the articles, I posted the link to my Facebook page so you can check them out there}

Many dinners I make are already grain free.  And honestly, eating a grain free meal can be as simple as we want.  But I also know my family, and myself, like some variety, so I have been trying out some great recipes! In the midst of the busyness, I haven't been able to photograph them all but let's be honest, I don't take the best foodie pics anyway.  Instead, I am sharing with the link the original recipe and my family and I's opinions of the meal and if we changed the recipe at all!

Bacon-Wrapped Chicken Strips

I served this main dish with broccoli sprinkled with parmesan.  It was a busy Friday night.  My husband has been working out of town a lot and was getting in. I wanted to make a meal that he would love but to get dinner done with my three littles is not always easy.  This meal was SO SIMPLE to make! It took no time to prep and was on the table in about 35 minutes.  

We all ate this dinner up! It was delicious.  The flavor of the chicken was amazing.  Really juicy; had the yummy taste of bacon and the honey sauce brushed on was the perfect addition of sweetness.  I used {what little} leftover strips in a salad the next day for lunch and they reheated and were awesome on my salad.  

My husband said he could eat them every week. And that is coming from a man who likes variety! 

Italian Sausage and Potato Quick Skillet

This dinner! Just make it! Tonight!

Like I said above, my husband has been traveling.  Which means it is me solo against the world...or my three boys, whichever.  On Mondays, my oldest has soccer at five.  It's just a half-hour intro to soccer because, I mean, he's three.  But by the time it is over and we have bundled up and driven back across town, we are nearing six.  For us, that is past the dinner hour and Tuesdays are preschool days.  I have learned that dinner needs to be simple and quick.  

On this night, I did all the prep work before soccer.  It took me about 10 minutes or so to chop everything up.  When we got home from soccer, my mom {bless her} gave the little two a bath while Hudson got a quick shower.  I had time to dump it all in the skillet per the directions and had it done in about 15 minutes.  This meal was full of flavor and texture.  It was hearty and filling.  

It calls for 1/4 tsp of red pepper flakes.  I like spicy and so do my boys.  This meal was pretty spicy however.  If you are not a fan of spice, I would leave the red pepper flakes out or use less.  

Other nights we had really simple meals. I made chilli with 50/50 venison and ground beef.  We always have leftovers when I make chilli.  Another night was a simple meat/starch/veggie combo.  Sweet potatoes are generally are go to starch and are really versatile.  

Point is, if you have any issues associated with grains or gluten, or maybe you want to live a clean and healthy lifestyle, look into if grain free is a good choice for your family.  

Good-bye November

Hello friends! I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday with your family and friends! This time of year is my all time favorite and we certainly filled our long weekend with lots of family time and traditions to kick off the season!

This past month has been a crazy one for my family.  We moved out of our home Halloween weekend and into our new home in our new (technically old since we moved back to our hometown) town that Monday.  I left that Thursday (three days later) for a leadership training event in Dallas (you can read about that here) until Sunday night.  Then it was painting, a funeral, a birthday party for our middle guy, more painting and well--Thanksgiving hit!

To say November was a whirlwind would be an understatement.  All of that led to a pretty poor workout routine for this mama.  My workouts were spotty.  And if my workouts were on--my nutrition was OFF!

You see we all have triggers.  My husband is currently commuting as we transition so has been spending large parts of the week away.  I found myself with a lot of responsibility in addition to my usual routines and I can be a stress eater plus I hate to be alone.  Can we say triggers? But enough is enough.  I used to be blind to the fact that I was sabotaging myself or that I was getting bigger but I am so aware of how junky I feel when I don't have my clean eating and workout routine in order.

Tomorrow--new month, new Monday, new me!! I am getting back on track (along with some other ladies!)  I am really excited about it. I will be following the 21 Day Fix nutrition plan (ASK ME about that if you don't know because it is awesome) and starting T25.  I know I can easily fit in 25 minutes sometime in my day and the HIIT training is exactly what my post-partum body needs!

Check out my meal plan for this week! Talk about yummy!

You may notice everything on this menu is gluten free.  This is another added "new" in my journey.  Last week I began to transition  my family into a gluten free lifestyle.  There have been indicators for me that I may have an intolerance and there are some indicators we are seeing in our oldest based upon the research I have done, what I have read, and after talking with some other people who have transitioned to gluten free.  It is scary because I know I have lots to learn but also exciting because I think it can mean some great things for our family, especially our oldest.  I will be sharing recipes I find that our family loves with you all too! So I am looking forward to that! And I am definitely open to hearing some recipes you love! 

This time of year can be tough as we strive to maintain a healthy lifestyle.  But I am committing to it.  I know I need to for myself and my family.  Anyone else wanting to commit? 

Did someone say FREE??

Happy Monday, everyone! It is absolutely beautiful weather around here! We were outside lots this weekend in between packing which was wonderful.  I know the cold months are coming so I relish these lovely, fall days!

I am going into my final week with my challenge group.  At last Friday's weigh-in I was down to 148.  I total of 5 pounds gone! Hopefully never to return. 

{Sidenote: I need a pedi.}

 I am so thrilled with my group and how dedicated they are! We have lost a combined total of 45+ pounds in three weeks and one of my members has lost 10!! It is so exciting to watch others succeed and find their way to their healthiest selves! 

I know this week will be a challenge as our entire kitchen is packed up.  I have planned out how to eat as healthy as possible even without cooking.  We have about a billion little details to wrap up on top of work and our three boys so my workouts are going to be something I have to be diligent about as well. One reason I know I will get my workouts in is because of the accountability of my group. I struggled when it is just me to be accountable to.  My excuses seem to take over.  But when I am part of a group, I have that team mentality that says don't let them down.  Show up and give it your best.  That is really helpful for me.

I'd like to extend that opportunity to you. And it's FREE!!! My team is hosting a 30 day challenge.  We will provide daily workouts, menu ideas, and motivation for 30 days! All we ask in return is that you participate and be engaged! It doesn't matter where you live! The group is done entirely on Facebook.  We already have some people committed and we'd love this group to be huge! 

I'm blessed every day to be surrounded by support on my journey.  I'd love to share that with others! If you are interested at all, or have any questions, please send me an email or a message on Facebook! 

Progress

I loved waking up to it being Wednesday.  I love that the week is already half over and we are nearing the weekend.  I mean, not mathematically, no.  We need to get through Wednesday but whatever.  

Heather/Ash/Erin

Today was day 10 of the 21 Day Fix.  I love this program.  LOVE IT! I do my weigh-ins on Friday with my online fitness group {who are rocking it by the way}.  Today was Lower Fix; thirty minutes of concentrated leg work.  Talk about working up a sweat! This workout challenges me.  Last week, I had to pause the workout to calm my newborn back into his slumber. {We were having all kinds of nap issues that we seem to have surpassed. PTL!} This week, I not only didn't pause it, I used heavier weights for many of the exercises! #nonscalevictory

I have really been working on sticking to the nutrition guide.  It is honestly a guide I should follow all the time.  It is so simple and easy and advocates for clean eating.  As a nursing mom I did worry that my milk supply might be compromised but it honestly hasn't.  I am eating enough and drinking lots of water and still getting enough milk for my 7 week old.  I love that! 

Last week I lost three pounds.  My husband, who is working out on his own but using the Fix nutrition, lost almost 4 pounds last week.  

I am hoping to have another good loss this Friday.  More than that I want to loss inches.  I feel like my body is back to normal {well, close to it} except for the dreaded mom pooch area and thighs.  I know the pooch is just a result of my third cesarean and that area takes time.  But I'd really like to see some inches leave those areas ASAP! 

How is your week going? 

Getting my body back!

No--I haven't had baby yet but I am fully aware that I won't be slipping back into my size twos after baby unless I work for it! 

My thoughts exactly!

Fortunately, I have been staying on track {for the most part} during this pregnancy and am hoping that hard work helps my efforts.  But it is going to take more than that.  And since working out is out of the question for a few weeks at least {silly c-section} I know nutrition is going to be my biggest ally!

So I am hitting it hard with the easiest nutrition plan there is to follow.  This program has given countless clients amazing results in such a short amount of time.  There is no measuring, guess work, counting calories.  I have tons of clean food choices that I can prep beforehand or grab easily when juggling the responsibilities of a newborn.  

What little gem am I referring to? The 21 Day Fix of course! I will be utilizing my Shakeology and the nutrition guide to get myself back on track while not working out.  I know that I will still be eating for two (since I am breast-feeding) and want to make sure I am properly nourishing my body and my baby's by eating the best way I can: fresh, clean foods in the right portions! 

I would love to have some support and accountability! If you are interested in joining me, comment with your email below or find me on Facebook!! You can choose any program that is right for you! I am really excited to host my first post-pregnancy group and kick butt with you all! 

Let's get healthy{er} together!! :) 

What's for Dinner: Slow Cooker Jambalya

How is August almost half over?? These weeks just fly by don't they??

 This week we will be featuring the slow cooker once again for a meal my whole family ate up! 

Here's what you will need:

12 oz turkey sausage, sliced
1 (28 oz) can diced tomatoes with juice
1 onion, chopped
1 green bell pepper, chopped
2 stalks celery, chopped
1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
2 tsp dried oregano
2 tsp dried parsley
2 tsp Cajun seasoning
1 tsp cayenne pepper**
1/2 tsp dried thyme
1 cup dry brown rice

The original recipe also called for chicken but I didn't want a "meaty" dish so we used just the turkey sausage.  I am sure you could use other sausage if you like.  Or you could use shrimp or just chicken.  It really is your preference. 

Directions:
Place all the ingredients in your slow cooker except your rice. {You don't need that yet.} Give it a good stir and cook on high for 3-4 hours or on low 7-10.  

When you are almost ready to serve, cook up some brown rice according to the package directions. Spoon the jambalaya over the rice and serve it up hot! {For my boys, (3 and 1.5) I served their rice on the side.  I knew they probably wouldn't eat the tomatoes but everything else, seriously, GOBBLED UP!}

**I only used 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper since our whole family was eating this and I didn't want it to be too spicy for the littles. Well, my husband thought it was spicy {I did not}.  So you may want to tone down that measurement even more if you don't like a lot of heat. :) 

Original recipe here

Feed Your Soul

So terribly sorry that I have been absent but July has just been crazy!

BUT--I wanted to post this quickly to give anyone a chance to join in if they are interested!

Starting Monday, I am hosting a FREE accountability group for clean eating! But there is a twist!! 

I am really excited to not only share some healthy clean eating and nutrition ideas but to delve into some encouragement for the spirit as well! 

It is 100% free (except the cost of groceries), is done via Facebook so no need to be local and starts Monday! Email me if you are interested! I would love to have you! 

What's for Dinner: Week

Happy Thursday! Are you ready to see what's cooking in the kitchen this week?

We have been a grilling family this week! I love the grill! Especially when the weather gets really hot! I just don't want to get my kitchen and house all warm because I am running the oven or stove whipping something up! No thanks; not so fun! So we take a lot of our meals outside.  Another bonus--less kitchen clean up!!!! Can I get an amen??

Today's featured meal is supper simple.  It is actually something I was introduced to in high school.  A group of friends and I made these together one night. It is a really great way to use up veggies, to create a different meal for everyone {without ACTUALLY creating a different meal} and it is really healthy.

Let me introduce you to...

Hobo Dinners {please take no offense to the name, that is what they were introduced to me as. And  no, I don't know why. That is just what my friends called them.}

What is a hobo dinner? It is a hodge podge of deliciousness that is all put together in a foil packet to be grilled.  Are you questioning me? Don't! Just don't.  It is delicious. 

Ingredients:

~1 pound of ground turkey

~1 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce

~1 tsp garlic powder

~2-3 red potatoes, diced into small chunks

~2-3 carrots, shredded

~1 onion, chopped

~2 cups of corn {I use frozen and just make sure it is thawed}

~Salt and pepper

~Heat your grill to about 375. 

~Mix the first three ingredients together.  Then form them into 4-5 small patties. Place those patties onto large separate sheets of foil that have been sprayed with non-stick spray or have a bit of EVOO on them.  {these sheets will be your grill pouches}

~Next take your potatoes and veggies. Distribute them evenly among each pouch.  

~Sprinkle with salt and pepper. 

~Fold your pouch but not so tight that the heat can't circulate in there.  More like a tent.

Grill for 30-40 minutes.

SO SIMPLE right??!? I love this meal.  It has everything I need to call it a meal but if you want, serve a side salad with it to up your veggies.  You can absolutely change it up and add other ingredients.  Think summer squash, bell peppers, mushrooms--- whatever you'd like.  Or if you have a picky eater, you can omit an ingredient from their pouch.  

Go ahead and give it a try! You are going to love it! 

What's for Dinner? Week 3

Happy Thursday everyone!!

Since I missed last week, I thought I'd share a couple of recipes with you guys! 

Side note: I had a healthy meal planned out and made..just in the midst of packing and heading home, it was not a night where taking photos of each step seemed practical. It'll be featured later though, I promise, because it was tasty! :) 

This week's menu at the Bruce household was full of really simple meals.  But simple doesn't mean bland and it certainly doesn't mean difficult. 

My first recipe for you is SUPER simple.  We eat a lot of grilled chicken in our house.  I love to find new ways to season or marinade our chicken without adding a lot of ingredients, heavy dressings, or salt.  So when I found this recipe Pinterest I knew I could figure out something similar.  This one didn't have exact measurements so I conjured up my own.

Zesty Chicken Marinade
~3-4 chicken breasts
~1.5 cups apple cider vinegar (I love Bragg's brand)
~2 tablespoons of Mrs. Dash Garlic and Herb seasoning blend
**I love Mrs. Dash seasonings because they are really yummy, have no MSG and can be used in lots of recipes. 

I let my chicken marinade in this mix for about 6-8 hours.  Then either bake or grill.  We baked ours since my hubby worked late.  Our house smelled amazing.  AND my whole family chowed! Like even my boys, who have been a bit picky lately, inhaled their servings.  I served ours with fresh green beans.  A super simple, healthy, and delicious meal. 

My next recipe for y'all screams summer.  It is super easy.  A friend on Facebook posted about meal prep and had this dish and I just knew I wanted to try it.  I tweaked it a little because I like a little extra flavor but I am sure she made an awesome dish! Thanks Haley for the inspiration!

Summer Veggie Chicken Salad
~3 chicken breasts, cooked and diced
~1 summer squash, diced
~1 zucchini, diced
~1/2 container of cherry tomatoes, halved
~1 tablespoon EVOO
~1.5 tablespoons of Newman's Lite Italian Dressing
~1-2 teaspoons of Mrs. Dash Extra Spicy seasoning (I used a pinch more than 1 teaspoon)

While your chicken cooks, dice up those colorful veggies.

Seriously..YUM!

Once your chicken is cooked, dice it up and add it to your veggies.  Then add your oil, dressing and seasoning.  Stir it up and serve! Seriously. That is it.  So stinking simple and yet SO DELICIOUS! I sprinkled a few pinches of Parmesan cheese on mine before eating and it was divine.

You could serve it with something or on it's own.  I toasted some sesame Ezekiel bread, topped it with a little butter.  Perfect, light summer meal. 

I hope you enjoy these dishes as much as my family did! 

What's For Dinner? : Week 2

Thursday is already here in this short work week! I have been looking forward to sharing this recipe with y'all since I made it.  So let's get right to it!

Cauliflower Pizza
Our family adores pizza and we have tried tons,several, HUNDREDS  quite a few cauliflower crust recipes.  They come out way to mushy, soupy, or more like a casserole than a crust.  The taste is the there but what is missing is the feeling of eating a piece of pizza.  Something I can hold in my hand or cut through with our slicer and here that crisp crunch of the crust. You feel me, pizza lovers??

So I found a recipe I hadn't tried here at Lucky Penny and decided to give it a go. 

Here is what you'll need:
~1 medium head of cauliflower
~1/4 tsp Kosher salt
~1/2 tsp dried basil
~1/2 tsp dried oregano
~1/2 tsp garlic powder
~1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes (I like spice, you could cut this out or use less)
~1/4 cup parmesan cheese
~1/4 cup mozzarella cheese
~1 egg
~your choice of sauce and toppings

***Here is how this recipe was different.  It had me heat my pizza stone before putting the crust on it.  It had me cook the crust on oiled parchment paper on the stone.*** 

First you need to cut your cauliflower into florets and then get them nice and tiny in a food processor.  Or blender.  Whatever you have handy so you don't have to chop it all finely by hand. {Oh yeah, you should be preheating that oven at temp of 450. And don't forget to pop that empty pizza stone (or cookie sheet) in there too!}

You microwave that beautiful mess for 4 minutes. Then let it cool!! Don't rush a good thing people. You will also burn your pretty little paws on the next step if you do rush it!

When your heap of cauliflower is cool, dump it onto a tea towel or thin dish towel.  Then wring out all the excess water.  Cauliflower is one of the veggies that holds a lot of moisture naturally and you well, you just steamed it.  This step has always played a big roll in my pizza crust success. I squeezed and squeezed and got quite a lot of water out. 

Then dump your crust back into a bowl, and add all the ingredients listed above (except the sauce and toppings!)  Mix well with yo' hands!

Then form your crust on that oil piece of parchment I mentioned earlier.  You are going to place that crust on your hot stone.  Cook for 8-11 minutes then remove from the oven for your next step. 

Before cooking

After. Do y'all see how nice that is cooking up? This mama was feeling pretty hopeful about this crust!

Next add your toppings.  For sauce, if you are keeping it clean, mix no sugar/no salt added tomato sauce with some oregano, basil, and smidge of garlic salt to create your own clean sauce.  Spread that on.  Then add whatever you like.  My boys requested "peppy-oni" pizza so I used some turkey pepperoni.  Eh, not the cleanest but, it's better than frozen or delivery. *ahem*

Then pop your pizza back into the oven for an additional 5-7 minutes until the cheese is nice and melty.  

Y'all, I took it out and looked at those crispy edges and was just delighted.  I couldn't wait.  But let me honest, mmmmk.  It wasn't as firm as I'd have liked it to be.  And it stuck to the parchment.  So here is my little tip.  If you have a pizza stone, lightly grease it, and cook it straight on the stone.  I think that would have made all the difference.  The flavor of this pizza was phenomenal it was definitely sturdier than other recipes I've tried, but still could use improvement.  

So get to adding this to your list of must-tries and let me know how it turns out! :)