Eat.

Menu Plan- Saturday, January 14th to Sunday, January 29th

Yes, I missed last week so this menu is slightly retroactive.  It just has some of my favorite food in it.  Many of the recipes are not Whole 30 so I had to make some tweaks here and there but its still good.  There is also a lot more food on this list than we will eat.  I foresee some leftover days in front of us.

Saturday: Spicy Turkey Meatloaf with Roasted Butternut Squash  (delicious for breakfast this morning)
Sunday:  Beef and Guinness Stew
Monday: Roasted Chicken in the Slow Cooker  with baked sweet potatoes and roasted broccoli
Tuesday: Chicken Tacos with cauliflower rice (unsure of a recipe but it will be using leftover chicken)
Wednesday:  Leftovers
Thursday:  Grilled Pork Chops with sweet potato fries
Friday: Leftovers
Saturday:  Chili in the slow cooker (Against All Grain recipe)
Sunday:  Baby Shower

Menu- January 2nd- January 8th


This is my menu plan for the first week of the Whole 30.  I have a calendar for the whole month ready to go but I figured I would give it to you a little at a time.  I followed some basic guidelines when making the menu plan so it would be really easy.  One meal a week is pasta (the family loves it, they don't feel like they are missing out while I'm doing Whole 30 and it is great for the boys lunches).  One meal will be tacos.  Because tacos.  One meal will be soup because its January and I love soup and I especially love leftovers.  At least one meal will be leftovers.  Thursday night I have set aside for fish and baked potatoes.  This is a place holder for more leftovers but if there aren't enough I have fish in my freezer and potatoes in the cabinet.  At least one meal per week will be made in the crock pot.

For non dinner meals I eat a lot of leftovers, nuts, fruit, sliced turkey wrapped around guacomole with a sliced apple (for example), sweet potato hash, and of course lots of soup.

Without further ado, this weeks menu:

Monday: Roasted Butternut Squash Soup with Sausage (from Against All Grain)
Tuesday:  Beef Tacos (Inspired by these but without the corn.  I do allow for some legumes.  I will make three meals of the beef and freeze two of them.  I will also shred and add carrots to the meat.)
Wednesday:  Spaghetti and Meatballs (Family will have pasta and I will have spaghetti squash.  The sauce and meatballs are homemade.)
Thursday:  Roasted Salmon with Baked Potatoes and Broccoli (if necessary)
Friday: Leftovers
Saturday:  Roasted Turkey with green beans and mashed sweet potatoes (Ukrainian Christmas)
Sunday:  Mexican Turkey Soup (Adapted from Against All Grain)

Black Bean and Corn Salad with Lime Juice




I have a few goals with food these days.  I want it to be healthy.  I want it to taste good.  I want it to be easy.  Last but definitely not least, I want my kids to eat it.  With the holiday weekend coming up I wanted an easy side salad that could see us through the weekend that maybe my kids would like, or at least they would like parts of it.  I landed on a black bean and corn salad.  After spending about 3 seconds on Pinterest I realized there are more than enough recipes.  Of course some called for a cup and half of beans or corn (seriously, who has a cup and a half of corn lying around).  I didn't want a bag of frozen corn in my freezer forever.  I tried to use everything up.  I also forgot a few ingredients that some recipes suggested so I'll make note of that.  In the end the salad was healthy, tasty, super easy and kid approved!

Ingredients

  • One bag frozen roasted corn from Trader Joe's cooked(Could substitute any corn)
  • 2 15 oz cans of black beans (rinsed)
  • 1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved
  • About 1/4 cup of cilantro, chopped
  • 1 small red onion, diced
  • Juice of 2 limes
  • About 1/2 cup olive oil (I forgot this and its totally fine)
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Avocado (optional)

Instructions

  1. Combine all ingredients above.
  2. Chill for about 2 hours (until chilled)
  3. If you will be eating right away chop avocado and add.
  4. Place in large bowl if you will be using as a salad.
  5. Place in small bowl surrounded by chips if you will be using as a salsa.
See, wasn't that easy?!  Happy summer!!


Maple Pecan Trail Mix


Maple Pecan Trail Mix (Paleo friendly)


This is my favorite basic trail mix recipe.  It makes a ton of trail mix and I freeze most of it and then put some of it in a ball jar to grab as needed.  I've experimented with the dried fruit and nuts.  You can really do whatever it is that you want.  The coconut oil and maple syrup are the real keys.  
Ingredients
  • 4 cups of halved pecans
  • 2 cups of raw almonds
  • 1 cup organic raisins
  • 1 cup golden rains
  • 1 cup dreid cranberries
  • 1 cup organic sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds  (I did a combo of the two)
  • 1/2 cup organic coconut, shredded, unsweetened
  • 1/4 cup of organic coconut oil
  • 1/3 cup organic maple syrup
  • 1 tsp organic vanilla extract
  • 1-2 tsp cinnamon
Instructions
  1. Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees.
  2. Mix all ingredients in a large bowl. Mix well to coat maple syrup on dry ingredients.
  3. Line a large baking pan with parchment paper. Parchment paper is a must!
  4. Spread out mixture on parchment paper. Heat in oven for 15-20 min.
  5. Let cool and then store in a dry, airtight container.  (Or freeze for it to last longer.)

(adapted from www.dontmesswithmama.com)

Super Bowl Favorites!

In case you haven't made the trip to the grocery store to stock up on Super Bowl supplies, here are a few recipe favorites and ones that I will be using tomorrow or have used in the past.  Try them out and let me know what you think.  

Do you have a favorite Super Bowl recipe? 


Sweet potato nachos loaded with taco meat, veggies and cheese. The perfect healthy weekend treat! | slimsanity.com
Photo courtesy of www.slimsanity.com

Low Carb Nachos made with mini peppers. A healthy take on a family favorite!
Photo courtesy of www.alldayidreamaboutfood.com

Guacamole
Photo courtesy of the www.foodnetwork.com

This crockpot Turkey Chili is so thick and hearty and bursting with flavor.  Perfect for cuddling up with on a chilly day.
Photo courtesy of www.houseofyumm.com

Artichoke dip and cheese crisps:
Photo courtesy of www.joyfulabode.com

Photo courtesy of www.tastykitchen.com

White Bean Garlic Dip - Smooth, creamy, healthy, and scrumptious! Guilt-free appetizer/snack for any party. Great as a sandwich spread, too. #healthy #recipe #appetizer:
Photo courtesy of www.chewoutloud.com

Buffalo Chicken Dip:
Photo courtesy of www.rachaelraymag.com

Loaded Apple Nachos ~vegan, gluten free~  An after-school-snack the whole family will enjoy!
Photo courtesy of www.beginwithnutrition.com

Meal Plan: January 25- January 31st

Spicy Turkey Meat Loaf with Ketchup | CookingLight.com:
Courtesy of Cooking Light


I have been remiss.  Way remiss.  While my family still makes it a habit to menu plan (and by my family, I mean me), I haven't made a point to post about it.  Back to the good old days where I shared my favorite recipes and plans for your viewing pleasure.

Monday:  Spicy Turkey Meatloaf and Crockpot Au Gratin Potatoes
Tuesday:  Grilled Cheese with knock off Panera Bread Tomato Soup
Wednesday:   Chicken Corn Noodle Soup  (I made this soup yesterday and while this isn't the exact recipe I followed its closer and I"ll update the blog with that.)
Thursday:  Leftovers...if we're desperate "pigs in mud."  (mini hot dogs in baked beans)
Friday:  Make your own pizza night!  (this is new for us...details later)
Saturday:  Night out on the town!
Sunday:  French Onion Soup, Pulled Pork sandwiches and mashed sweet potatoes  (Recipes to come!)

Menu Plan: Sept 20- Sept 26

Sunday: Leftovers
Monday: Spaghetti with Whole 30 approved meat sauce and sauteed egg plant
Tuesday: Turkey Spinach Slow Cooker Enchiladas
Wednesday: Leftovers
Thursday: Grandma Visiting
Friday: Take out!
Saturday: At Friends for a Party

Sunday: Stretching
Monday: Chalene Extreme and Run
Tuesday: P90X3- CVX
Wednesday: Chalene Extreme
Thursday: T25 at the hotel
Friday: Run
Saturday: Dirty 30

Last Weeks Recap
Sunday: Sausage Kale Squash Soup- Delicious as alwasy
Monday: Tex Mex Beef Tacos- Easy and delicious
Tuesday: Pumpkin Macaroni and Cheese
Wednesday: Leftovers
Thursday: Leftovers
Friday: Homemade Pizza or Leftovers- Plenty of Leftovers! 
Saturday: Slow Cooker Pulled Pork with Paleo bbq sauce, with some cucumber tomato salad, easy peasy


Workout Plans:
Sunday: Stretching/Walking
Monday: Chalene Extreme
Tuesday: T25
Wednesday: Chalene Extreme
Thursday: Run- No run, too hot.  Instead I did PiYo.
Friday: Chalene Extreme- Prenatal Yoga
Saturday:Dirty 30- Late night CVX



Menu Plan: Sept 13- Sept 20

Courtesy of www.naturalnoshing.wordpress.com

Sunday: Sausage Kale Squash Soup
Monday: Tex Mex Beef Tacos
Tuesday: Pumpkin Macaroni and Cheese
Wednesday: Leftovers
Thursday: Leftovers
Friday: Homemade Pizza or Leftovers
Saturday: Slow Cooker Pulled Pork with Paleo bbq sauce

Workout Plans:
Sunday: Stretching/Walking
Monday: Chalene Extreme
Tuesday: T25
Wednesday: Chalene Extreme
Thursday: Run
Friday: Chalene Extreme
Saturday:Dirty 30

Last Weeks Recap
Sunday: Picnic
Monday: Burgers with sauteed onions and mushrooms, cucumber and tomato salad  (my son LOVED this)
TuesdayTuna Noodle Casserole
Wednesday: Leftovers 
ThursdaySloppy Joes with Sweet potato tots
Friday: Pizza Night (or leftovers) (It was leftovers)
SaturdayCrockpot Chicken thighs with broccoli and rice

Workout Plans: (One mile walking/running every day)
Sunday: Stretching
Monday: Chalene Extreme
Tuesday: Cize
Wednesday: Chalene Extreme
Thursday: P90X3- CVX
Friday: RUN!!!
Saturday: Dirty 30



Weekly Meal Plan: September 6th - September 13th

Courtesy of Skinnytaste.com

Sunday: Picnic
Monday: Burgers with sauteed onions and mushrooms, cucumber and tomato salad 
Tuesday: Tuna Noodle Casserole
Wednesday: Leftovers 
ThursdaySloppy Joes with Sweet potato tots
Friday: Pizza Night (or leftovers)
SaturdayCrockpot Chicken thighs with broccoli and rice

Workout Plans: (One mile walking/running every day)
Sunday: Stretching
Monday: Chalene Extreme
Tuesday: Cize
Wednesday: Chalene Extreme
Thursday: Cize
Friday: Chalene Extreme
Saturday: Dirty 30

Last Weeks Recap
Tuesday: Leftovers
Wednesday: Chicken Tenders and Sweet Potato tots
Thursday:  Hamburgers and tomato cucumber salad
Friday: Stale Bread Soup (Turned out to be split pea soup since we ran out of stale bread and I had a ham bone in the freezer)
Saturday: Crockpot Black Bean Salsa Chicken

Workout Plans:  (I always shoot for 10,000 steps.)
Tuesday: P90X3 CVX
Wednesday: Chalene Extreme Burn 2
Thursday: Cize
Friday: Chalene Extreme Burn 3
Saturday: Dirty 30 or PiYo (Dirty 30 it was!)

Still falling short on steps but I'm getting there.

Weekly Plan- September 1st- September 5th


Each week I'll share what we're going to eat, the recipes and then what we actually eat.  I'll also share what I plan do to for exercise and what I actually do for exercise.  Believe me rarely will my plan and what I do actually be the same thing.

Tuesday: Leftovers
Wednesday: Chicken Tenders and Sweet Potato tots
Thursday:  Hamburgers and tomato cucumber salad
Friday: Stale Bread Soup
Saturday: Crockpot Black Bean Salsa Chicken

Workout Plans:  (I always shoot for 10,000 steps.)
Tuesday: P90X3 CVX
Wednesday: Chalene Extreme Burn 2
Thursday: Cize
Friday: Chalene Extreme Burn 3
Saturday: Dirty 30 or PiYo

(I'll inspirational quotes...mainly to remind me not bake cupcakes and freeze them so I can eat them whenever I want.  Oops! Too late!)

Menu Plan for September!



I am totally excited!  One of my big goals for the rest of the year is monthly meal plans.  It helps me save money, not let food last in my freezer and pantry too long and ideally makes my life easier.  The hardest thing to figure out is how many leftovers I will have and right now what to do without an oven.  You will that I've left out a lot of side dishes.  Those will be other decided one week or two weeks in advance.  I'm sort of hoping we get our oven up and running so I can have a few more options.  I'll also be including hyper links to recipes each week and lastly I'll include a report of what we actually eat along with my planned workouts and what I actually do. Not everything is 21 Day Fix approved and frankly I probably won't be eating everything here.  This is what my family will be eating and sometimes I'll just be eating a salad or more leftovers.  I always like to factor in something that's easy for the boys to take to school or leftovers which is why you'll see pasta at least once a week.  


So here goes nothing!  


Week 1: September 1 - 5


Tuesday: Leftovers
Wednesday: Football Food!  Chicken Tenders (from Trader Joe's) and Sweet potato fries (kid friendly for a fast bedtime and easy to eat while drafting
Thursday: Hamburgers, corn and tomato cucumber salad
Friday: Stale Bread Soup
Saturday: Crockpot Salsa Chicken

Week 2: September 6 - 12


Sunday: Leftovers
Monday: Ribs with corn and sweet potato hash
Tuesday: Tuna Noodle Casseroles
Wednesday: Leftovers 
Thursday: Sloppy Joes with Sweet potato tots
Friday: Pizza Night (or leftovers)
Saturday: Crockpot Chicken with broccoli and rice

Week 3: September 13 - 19


Sunday: Butternut Squash, Kale, and Sausage Soup
Monday: Leftovers
Tuesday: Beef Tacos
Wednesday: Pumpkin Mac and Cheese
Thursday: Leftovers
Friday: Pizza night
Saturday: Pulled Pork 

Week 4: September 20 - 26


Sunday: Leftovers (Chi Omega Tea)
Monday: Turkey Spinach Enchiladas
Tuesday: Chicken Ravioli
Wednesday: Leftovers
Thursday: Leftovers
Friday: Pizza night
Saturday: Dinner at Friend's get together

Week 5: September 27 - 30


Sunday: Dinner at Birthday Party
Monday: Chicken Parmesan with pasta and broccoli 
Tuesday: Seafood buffet and ice cream sundaes!
Wednesday: Leftovers

Enter the slow cooker

Our oven doesn't work.  We haven't actually attempted to fix it so for all I know something really little is broken and its no big deal.  Until we take the time to figure it out we are relying heavily on the slow cooker to fill in.  This means that we have gotten very creative and as always Pinterest to the rescue.  Below are three crock pot meals that we have had in the last few days that we would normally be in our oven.  These aren't technically reviews of the recipes because I didn't actually follow the recipes exactly but certainly can give some tips.

First up, I made Crock Pot Breakfast Casserole.  This one I'm not so sure how I feel about.  On first take I didn't love it.  However my husband really likes it and he rarely likes my breakfast casseroles.  My boys liked it too.  The only variation I made to it was that I added mushrooms and included chicken sausage instead of pork sausage.  I'm not sure I would always include the hashbrowns as I felt like they caused it to be fairly liquid but that being said maybe I could cook it longer.  Lastly, the eggs were more like scrambled eggs than a casserole.  Those were my complaints but in a pinch I think it would be great AND obviously the family loved it.

Crock Pot Breakfast Scramble
Photo Courtesy of www.damandalynn.wordpress.com


Next up, Shepherd's Pie.  Once again I strayed from the recipe.  I didn't have Worcester sauce so I used a little steak sauce instead.  I didn't have wine so I used some whisky.  I also doubled the recipe because i love leftovers.  This was fantastic!  Just like traditional shepherd's pie it need to cool before eating but this was a big hit the first day and even better for leftovers.

Slow-Cooked Shepherd's Pie Recipe
Photo courtesy of www.tasteofhome.com
The last recipe was definitely the biggest stretch.  I wanted to make Crockpot Cake.  Yes, that's right I had cake mix from before the oven broke and it was just staring at me from the pantry.  All. The. Time.  As was the icing.  Following recipes I found on Pinterest I took the confetti cake mix and started it cooking in the slow cooker.  I wasn't sure exactly how to get it out of the slow cooker so I used an ice cream scoop and made cake balls.  They went into the freezer to get nice and easy to cover with icing.  I melted the store bought icing for about 30 seconds in the microwave and I dipped the balls in the icing.  Back in the freezer to get everything ready to go to.  I took a few out for after dinner and can I just say they were delicious!  Now at any time I want I can grab a little cake for a little treat and the best part is that when I do want a little treat I can grab just one cake ball and its actually an appropriate serving size.  Speaking of which, photos will come when I take some out of the freezer.  I totally forgot yesterday to take pictures.  

Stay tuned.  I'll be continuing the slow cooker adventures until we finally fix the oven.



What container should goldfish go in?

 vs. 


Yes, that was my though today.  "What container should goldfish go in?"

Actually my thoughts were "I want goldfish.  What container could I fit that into?  Am I hungry?  No.  Am I thirsty?  Maybe a little.  Am I bored?  Pretty much, yes.  I'm bored."  Okay so no goldfish for me.  One of the problems of having toddlers around is that in all likelihood there are in fact goldfish available.  You can't just eat one, so I don't eat any.  When I'm doing my normal My Fitness Pal tracking I slip a lot of goldfish into my diet.  I exercise a lot so I always have a few calories to spare so I can always fill in the blanks with goldfish.  (Perhaps why straight tracking doesn't always work for me.)  With 21 Day Fix I don't have the luxury.  It either fits into a container or it does not.  In this case there was no place for goldfish and thus no goldfish for me.

Day 2 down and feeling great!  I could barely figure out how to eat all that food (but don't worry I did).

On to the next day!

21 Day Fix- Here I come!


I am so excited to start the 21 Day Fix tomorrow.  Okay, that's sort of a lie.  I'm nervous, a little dreading it and pretty excited.   The workouts I love.  The workouts I can totally handle.  On my off days the modifiers are great and one I'm feeling ready to roll I can really get a phenomenal workout.  The problem is of course the eating.  Its not that I don't like to eat healthy or that I can't follow the plan.  I do like to eat healthy and in fact I do eat healthy all the time.  Its just I like to be creative in the kitchen and somehow I feel stunted by the 21 Day Fix.  I miss baking and creating and fun things to do in the kitchen.  Mind you, on a regular basis about 85% of what I do  is eat following the 21 Day Fix.  I like fresh fruit and vegetables and healthy lean meats.  I don't eat a lot of carbs or dairy and a reasonable amount of nuts.  I can hang with the 21 Day Fix for 3 weeks but when its over I take the suggestions and then I go back to my regularly scheduled program.  Starting tomorrow and for the next 21 Days I have 2 things going for me.  First, its summer so what I love to eat is just super plain and super fresh food.  Second, I'm going to work harder to 21 Day Fix-ize my regular recipes.  Maybe its just a mind set but either way I want to turn my meals into 21 Day Fix friendly portion controlled meals so I can still create and still do well.  The great 21 Day Fix app should help me as should the new FIXATE cookbook.

And yes, a little of this might be happening.



But time to get serious!  Time to trust my process and trust the journey.


Okay, so happy to get that off my chest.  Time to get this show on the road.  Wish me luck!

Oh and in case you're interested.  Here is my menu plan for the week:

Monday: Flank Steak with sauteed zucchini
Tuesday: Salmon with roasted broccoli
Wednesday: Pecan Crusted Chicken Tenders with a micro-green salad
Thursday: Honey Baked Cod with riced cauliflower and broccoli
Friday:  Anything that is leftover
Saturday: Roasted chicken
Sunday: Roasted chicken salad (recipe to come)

Eating Healthy On A Budget – Yes, It is Possible!

This article is going to kick off one of many in a serious of posts about meal planning and feeding a family on a budget.

One of the most popular parts of our clean eating challenges are discussing meal planning.  I'm planning to spend some time over the next few weeks really digging into how I meal plan so I can share it. So many reasons to meal plan, one being that it can SAVE you money!

Do you meal plan?

Eating healthy on a budget
 may often feel like an impossible challenge when you start walking through the grocery store. You look at the cost of healthy food, and start to wonder whether or not it’s really worth it. It is worth it, and YOU can eat healthy on a budget. You can fill your shopping cart with food that will fuel your mind and body without breaking the bank. The trick is to know how to do it.

Eating Healthy On A Budget – Yes, It is Possible!

Here are a couple tips to get you headed in the right direction.
  1. Have vegetarian days. Reduce the amount of meat you’re eating. When you reduce your meat consumption, you also reduce the amount of money that you’re spending, which in turn frees up funds in your budget for other healthy choices.
  1. Don’t buy pre-packaged food if you can avoid it. The healthiest nutrition is one that consists of natural, whole foods that have been acquired in their original state. That “fat free” or “low fat” packaged foods might be tempting, but they are packed full of artificial colors and flavors, not to mention being high in sodium and high in chemical compositions that you cannot even pronounce. You will be surprised by the budget difference when you pick up the individual ingredients for your favorite healthy treats instead of buying them ready-made for you. A good example is a container of hummus that costs around $4 can be made from a can of low-sodium beans ($1) and a handful of other ingredients that you may already have sitting around your home. Ready-to-serve oatmeal packets cost twice as much per serving than if you buy a big canister of oatmeal and sweeten it with honey. Plus it is just flat out healthier for you.
  1. Eat more fruits and vegetables. The high fiber content of most fruits and vegetables will actually help you feel full longer, which means that you’ll be less likely to come back and snack later. By adding fruits and vegetables to your nutrition, you not only decrease the amount that you’re eating, you also substantially increase your consumption of healthy nutrients that your body needs to function at its optimal level.
  1. Explore alternative sources of protein. Try out nut butters, beans, and Tempeh for healthier alternatives to eating large amounts of meat. Beans and Tempeh, in particular, are much less expensive but still have great nutritional benefits.
There are plenty of ways to stay within your budge and eat healthy. These are just a few strategies you can use to reduce your total at the grocery store.

The End to the Ultimate Reset and the Beginning of Everything Else!


Today I am one week past my end of the Ultimate Reset.


What is the Ultimate Reset:  

To me it was truly a complete nutritional and mental way to change the way I eat.  It was also just a nice break from having to think about how I eat.  The Ultimate tells you how to do everything, down to what to eat and when.

 Why would you do the Ultimate Reset:

I did the Ultimate Reset for a few reasons.  One simple one was simply the challenge of doing it...however the real reason I did it was because I hit a plateau...I lie.  I hit a straight up increase in weight.  Every day I weighed more than the day before.  I needed a jump start.  I had been paleo and even though I was eating healthy I wasn't eating enough.  I was nursing and frankly my body was out of whack.  I planned to stop the nursing and thought what a great way to reset.
Look at what I got to eat for breakfast!

And so, what happened?

Well, I know what everyone wants to know.  Did I lose weight?  Yes!  Did I lose as much as I wanted to?  No.  Did I start losing and keep losing?  Yes!  But that doesn't really answer the full question.  I felt energized and exhausted and really like I was giving my body a jump start.  I took the extra time I had from not exrecising and spent more time with my kiddos in the morning.  I also did a LOT of food prep.

  

What did I learn during the Ultimate Reset?


The most delicious salad!
1.  I attach food to events.  Its Cinco de Mayo.  Must make Mexican Food.  Its the Kentucky derby?  Must have good appetizers.  The list goes on and on.

2.  I love coffee.  I drink coffee when I'm sad.  When I'm happy.  When I'm hungry.  When I just ate.  When I'm tired.  When I'm excited.  I always want coffee.  I don't even drink caffeinated coffee.  I just want it!

3.  Making a beautiful fantastic salad does not take that much time and can be delicious.

4.  I require a lot less food than I thought to be able to function.

5.  There are a lot more ways to make my favorite vegetables than I thought.  I need to add more vegetables to my life and to every, single meal and snack that I eat.  Also, making a beautiful salad like the one above is not hard to do.

6.  I missed being hungry.  I just was not hungry enough before the Ultimate Reset.  I wasn't eating enough and I was exercising too much.  My body was so out of whack.

What did I learn now that I'm a week out from the Ultimate Reset?  

1.  I don't crave food like I thought I would and the food I was sure I would miss I don't really want much.  My husband sat down with some ice cream tonight.   I LOVE ice cream but its not a special occasion.  I had a spoonful, was more than satisfied and moved on.

2.  The Ultimate Reset provide fantastic recipes and for 5 days after the reset I stuck mostly to those recipes.

3.  I like eating cleaning.  I like eating lots of vegetables in big bowls without tons of processed food and so does my body.  My body runs better that way and I am going to continue to eat that way.

My food to go.
4.  I can eat healthy anywhere and with any distraction.  During this 3 week period I traveled and visited family that I normally look forward to partly because of the phenomenal food.  I just packed my food and ate what I needed.

5.  I still need to drink more water!  I thought I drank enough until I was drinking a gallon a day and felt great!  Time to start tracking my water and eat a lot more of it.


Biggest Takeaways:

I have had two huge takeaways.

1.  If I heard it once I've heard a thousand times.  In order to lose weight you must eat.  You eat to lose!  Not starve to lose.  My body is happy when I nourish it with whole foods.  Even in the last week I feel light.  My weight hasn't change since the day after the reset but I feel better.  My exercises are stronger and I am stronger.

2.  I am an emotional eater.  I want to wallow and celebrate with food.  That's not foods purpose.  That is what a good book or a good workout is for.  Food is to nourish me.  End of story.

And that is the end of my Ultimate Reset story but really it is just the beginning.



A Rocking Low Fat Diet Plan for You!

Let’s face it:  diets are boring, and the phrase, Rocking Low Fat Diet Plan“, it just doesn’t sound right, does it…
It doesn’t take long before you’re missing your favorite foods, wishing that you had never started this stupid plan anyway, and wondering just how many “cheat days” are acceptable before it’s considered giving up completely.  Low fat diet plans can feel particularly difficult to live with–especially if your favorite foods are bacon, chocolate, and cake (not necessarily in that order).  Thankfully, there are plenty of ways you can put together a low fat diet plan that you can live with–and one that will work for you.
Don’t eliminate your favorite foods.  
Instead of denying yourself all of your favorite foods, which often leads you to splurge when you finally get the chance to eat whatever you want, consider looking for lower-fat alternatives.  For example, if your favorite meal is a big, greasy cheeseburger, check out a turkey burger instead.  Don’t think any junk food meal is complete without a heaping plate of fries?  Try this healthysweet potato fries recipe, and you might just discover a new favorite.  You’ll be surprised by how many healthy alternatives to your favorite treats there really are out there–and before you know it, you may even discover that you like the healthy alternatives better.  

A Rocking Low Fat Diet Plan for You!

Can’t find a healthy alternative to your favorite treat, or think that the “real” version tastes about a hundred times better?  Allow yourself to continue to enjoy it both regularly and in moderation.  A small taste of your favorite treat on a regular basis will help keep you from splurging when you finally do get your hands on it, and knowing that you have your favorite treat to look forward to will help keep the rest of your eating habits under control. 
Shake it up! 
Consider a meal replacement shake or smoothie option that will let you have a fantastic treat without piling on the calories.  Meal replacement shakes can be made to taste just as good as a milkshake.  Need a little help getting started with a recipe that you’ll love?  Check out our collection of 101 Healthy Shake Recipes, which will allow you to try out a new shake recipe every day if that’s what you want.  
Don’t forget your healthy fats.  
When you’re on a low-fat diet, you may be wary of consuming any fats at all.  There’s a difference, however, between “healthy fats” and “unhealthy fats,” and you should be careful to remember the difference in your diet.  Avocados and coconut oil are two examples of healthy fats that certainly shouldn’t disappear from your diet; just remember to use them in moderation.
Remember portion control.  
Restaurant meals have gotten steadily larger, as has the American idea of an acceptably-sized meal.  It’s no coincidence, either, that the average American waistline has increased along with portion size.  The linked article has some great tips on keeping your portion sizes reasonable and your waistline slimmer.  
Don’t forget to exercise.  
While the weight loss battle is ultimately won or lost in the kitchen, your activity level will have a great deal to do with your final results.  The Beachbody On Demand library has a fantastic selection of 150 streaming workout videos that you can choose at your discretion, working out at home or on the road when it’s convenient for you.  
No matter what your low fat diet plans, remember:  you’re beautiful!  While losing weight and getting in shape is a great goal, it’s important to remember that your body is beautiful just as it is, and that you are fantastic the way you are.  As you go down the road of your weight loss journey, there will be peaks and valleys, successes and failures–and all of them are part of what makes you who you are.

http://www.gettingfittogether.com/a-rocking-low-fat-diet-plan-for-you/#429

Turkey Burgers that rock!

Turkey Burgers That ROCK!

In this version, I serve it on a sandwich thin but my favorite way is to eat it as a lettuce wrap. Pile leaves of bibb or butter lettuce together to make a top and bottom “bun” and you will get additional veggies and extra crunch too!
I like to make extras and freeze the burgers after I cook them. They are easy to thaw and take for lunch or dinners in a pinch!
Turkey Burgers        (Serves 4)
  • 20oz Package lean ground turkey
  • 2 Cloves garlic – finely minced
  • ½ of a small yellow onion (finely diced)
  • 1 Tbsp balsamic vinegar
  • 1 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce
  • ½ Tbsp Sriraccha (these will not be hot)
  • ½ tsp Salt
  • ½ tsp black pepper
  • 2 egg whites
Combine all ingredients in a bowl and mix thoroughly. Take a small amount of mixture out and fry on griddle to make sure it is seasoned to your liking… taste. (I always do this before making the whole batch).
**Adjust seasoning if necessary. Divide mixture in 4 to make (4) 5oz patties. Fry on griddle until cooked through (approximately 6-7 minutes per side).
 Burger toppings:
  • 4 Oroweat Sandwich Thins (or) bibb/butter lettuce wraps
Bibb lettuce, tomato, onion slices, pickles and favorite condiments. (Be careful to limit your condiments to a few teaspoons, as they can add significant calories to your meal quickly).
http://www.gettingfittogether.com/turkey-burgers-that-rock/#comment-408

How to Eat Healthy with your Family

By Christi Ryan

How to eat healthy with your family is something that is on the top of many parents’ minds.  One of the main obstacles with healthy eating is family objections. Family members complain about having chicken and push away greens on their plates; after a while it’s tempting to give up on the idea of healthy eating.
It helps to be very “middle of the road” when turning your lifestyle around and expecting your family to join you. Don’t start having food wars with them; it’s not worth the turmoil and frustration. However there are some things you can do to make them happy while still eating healthy.

How To Eat Healthy With Your Family

*Modify your favorite recipes. For instance, use lean ground beef, drain and pat dry or rinse it.  Serve chicken breast for fajitas, use less cheese in mixed dishes, and serve raw veggies as a side dish; use your crockpot and bake or broil instead of frying.
*It doesn’t work to prepare a healthy meal for you and a separate meal for your family. You will burn out quickly doing that! Serve a balanced diet and allow each person to choose how much and what they want. For instance, if the family requests pot roast, pick a leaner cut of meat, and then fix a salad and another green veggie and serve.
Many of them may only have meat and potatoes and you may only have the meat, salad and green veggie, but you all basically eat the same meal. If they want you to make their favorite enchilada casserole smothered in cheese, modify it and then make yourself a large salad to have on the side while keeping your portion of casserole smaller.
*Sliced veggies and fruit go over better. When school activities are bombarding your schedule, it’s OK to bring home a pizza (stay away from the fatty meats or deep dish). Cut up some carrots, slice up an apple and pear or purchase a veggie tray to have along side your pizza. It will help you to keep portions controlled.
*Refuse to be a restaurant!  Serve the meal, allow kids to eat what they want and how much they want without nagging or criticizing. Your job as a parent is to serve healthy and regular meals and snacks. Their job is to choose how much and what they eat. Forcing kids to eat isn’t worth it.
*Include the family in the meal planning.  If your family has a say in meal options, they will be more cooperative. Agree to try a healthy recipe once a week.
*Plan ahead – plan the meal that’s the most difficult for YOU to control. When not with the family, make a point to choose the BEST choice.
*MODERATION! Eat smaller portions of fattier foods and larger portions of veggies and lean protein and you’ll keep your weight down and make your family happy.
Be patient. Eating healthy is a lifestyle and it takes a while for everyone to adjust. Follow a solid nutrition guide. Beachbody has amazing nutrition plans and is one that our family follows. If you follow these steps, “How To Eat Healthy With Your Family” there will never be a question again. Play it smart, include your family and you’ll get the results you want. A happy, healthy family!
http://www.gettingfittogether.com/how-to-eat-healthy-with-your-family/

St. Patrick's Day Favorites


If you know me you know I love holidays.  One of the main reasons I love holidays is because I love theme food. St. Patrick's Day is no different.  Here are a few our families favorites and essentially our meal plan for the next week.  What is your favorite St. Patrick's Day recipe?

Courtesy of www.versesfrommykitchen.com

Beef and Guinness Stew
Beef and Guinness Stew Recipe

Shephards Pie



And of course...

Kopan's Irish Cream


A few side notes.  I also LOVE Irish Soda Bread but I don't have an awesome recipe for it yet.  Also, I never use heavy cream for anything.  If it requires heavy cream I use milk.  Not as a rich but if I buy heavy cream I use half of it and the rest just sits around my refrigerator.