21 Day Fix Sweet Potato & Buffalo Chicken Casserole

I tried this one out earlier this week and it was delicious!  And, it fits perfectly with the 21 Day Fix -- win, win!

It is a great casserole recipe, that is healthy and not filled with store-bought cream soups.  It is, however, just as convenient.  Cut up your vegetables and chicken the night before and then just pop this into the oven when you get home in the evening!

21 Day Fix Sweet Potato & Buffalo Chicken Casserole

Potato & Buffalo Chicken Casserole
(modified from PaleoLeap.com)

Serves: 4

• 2 lb. boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into cubes
• 4 small sweet potatoes, cut into 1/2" cubes
• 1 tbsp. paprika
• 2 tbsp. garlic powder
• 6 tbsp. clean hot sauce
• 1/4 cup olive or melted coconut oil
• 6 slices bacon, cooked and cut into pieces
• 1 cup green onions, sliced
• Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.  In large bowl, combine the oil, paprika, garlic powder, hot sauce, and season with salt and pepper to taste. 

Add the sweet potatoes and chicken, and stir to coat.  Empty the bowl into a casserole dish.

Bake in the oven for 40-45 minutes, stirring every 10-15 minutes.

Add the green onions and bacon to the dish, and place back in the oven for another 5 minutes to let the flavors combine.

(For extra vegetables, feel free to add cut onions and bell peppers to the dish!)

(21 Day Fixers:  This recipe makes 4 servings.  Each serving = 1.5 reds, 1.5 yellows, 2 tsp., and you can count a green if you add the extra veggies!)

 

If you would like to participate in one of my monthly 21 Day Fix or 21 Day Fix Extreme online accountability groups, get in touch with me here.

If you give this recipe a try (or any of my other 21 Day Fix approved recipes), please let me know.  I would love to hear how it went!

Drop a comment below ..... or contact me here! 

XO
ALL THE BEST,

One More Week! Meal Planning: June 1 - June 7, 2015

One More Week!  Meal Planning: June 1 - June 7, 2015

One more week until things calm down a bit here in our house. 

Do you have a daughter who dances?  Well, then you know what I'm talking about!  Tutus, bobby pins, hair nets, feathers, tights, and make-up everywhere!

Dance recitals are fun and exciting events for both the excited performers who are eager to show off what they have learned from a year of lessons and practicing, and also for the proud parents and grandparents who are just as eager to see how their favorite dancer has progressed and grown in her art.

Although dance recitals are fun, they are often hectic and can be stressful for everyone involved, especially for younger dancers and dance parents.

If you are a "dance mom", you can relate, I'm sure!

PLANNING IS KEY.

I'll say it again.  Planning is key to staying on track with your health and fitness goals.  Otherwise, during a week such as the one I have coming up -- I know with 100% certainty -- that I will be tempted to grab something quick to eat, order in, or just stray WAY to far from my eating goals. 

One of the most effective strategies for losing weight and sticking to your diet is to plan ahead.  While it may seem difficult at first to be prepared, the results will astound you.  I promise you!

So here is OUR plan for the week ahead.  I can't promise perfection, but I know that when I go in with a PLAN, I am so much more likely to be successful!

Monday:  Grilled Al Fresco Chicken Sausage & Vegetables
Tuesday:  Leftovers -- Dance Recital Dress Rehearsal(!)
Wednesday:  Slow-Cooker Honey-Mustard Chicken Sandwiches
Thursday:  Burrito Bowls with Quinoa
Friday:  Dinner Out/Cookout
Saturday:  The Big Day!  Dance Recital
Sunday:  Spicy Turkey Taco Burgers & Homemade Sweet Potato Fries

ALL of these dinners are 21-Day Fix compliant.  The rest of my meals are composed of:

• Shakeology
• Eggs and vegetables
• Fruits and vegetables
• Almonds and cashews
• Greek yogurt
• And, leftovers!

If you would like to participate in one of my upcoming monthly online accountability groups (21 Day Fix), please get in touch with me here.  I would love for you to join me.

Also .... please let me know if you try any of the above recipes!  Drop me an email or a comment on my blog.

XO
ALL THE BEST,


P.S.  Don't forget!  I am currently creating a FREE three-part tutorial, that will provide you with step-by-step instructions (including file downloads) outlining exactly how I create our weekly meal plans.  This process now takes me only about 10-15 minutes each week!  What a time-saver.

Sign up HERE to receive the free tutorial when it is finalized.  Or leave your email address in the comments below.

Fresh Berries with Coconut Cream - 21 Day Fix Approved!

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



21 Day Fix Dessert

Fresh Berries with Coconut Cream

Ingredients:

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

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

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

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

If you would like to participate in one of my monthly 21 Day Fix or 21 Day Fix Extreme online accountability groups, get in touch with me here.

If you give this recipe a try (or any of my other 21 Day Fix approved recipes), please let me know.  I would love to hear how it went!

Drop a comment below ..... or contact me here! 

XO
ALL THE BEST,

Weekly Meal Plan: 5/18/15 - 5/24/15 (And, FREE Tutorial - Coming Soon!)

Did you know that a little organization in the form of a weekly meal plan goes a long way in keeping your family on track for eating healthier? It’s true!

By learning HOW to easily create a weekly meal plan, you’ll not only ensure that your family eats healthier and saves money, but this process will also save YOU time and stress each week as well.

I am currently creating a FREE three-part tutorial, that will provide you with step-by-step instructions (including file downloads) outlining exactly how I create our weekly meal plans.

This process now takes me only about 10-15 minutes each week!  What a time-saver.

Sign up HERE to receive the free tutorial when it is finalized.

But for now - here is this week's healthy meal plan!

Weekly Meal Plan: 5/18/15 - 5/24/15

• Monday:  Beef Burritos
• Tuesday:  Leftovers
• Wednesday:  Lemon & Garlic Chicken with Jasmine Rice (Flavor God Seasoning)
• Thursday:  Grilled Turkey Sausage with Grilled Vegetables
• Friday:  Slow-Cooker Honey-Mustard Chicken Sandwiches
• Saturday:  Fend-For-Yourself
• Sunday:  Spiralized Shanghai Beef & Broccoli (Skinnytaste)      

ALL of these dinners are 21-Day Fix compliant.  The rest of my meals are composed of:

• Shakeology
• Eggs and vegetables
• Fruits and vegetables
• Almonds and cashews
• Greek yogurt
• And, leftovers!

If you would like to participate in one of my upcoming monthly online accountability groups (21 Day Fix), please get in touch with me here.  I would love for you to join me.

21 Day Fix Meal Planning

Also .... please let me know if you try any of the above recipes, or ANY of the recipes on my blog!  Drop me an email or leave a comment below.  Your feedback means the world!

XO
ALL THE BEST,

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

Get Your Kids Involved!

Do you struggle with picky eaters? 

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



My cuties.  :-)

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

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

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

Practice.  Exposure.  Repeat.

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

21 Day Fix Meal Plan

So, here is our plan for the week ahead!

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

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

ALL of these dinners are 21-Day Fix compliant.  The rest of my meals are composed of:

• Shakeology
• Eggs and vegetables
• Fruits and vegetables
• Almonds and cashews
• Greek yogurt
• And, leftovers!

If you would like to participate in one of my upcoming monthly online accountability groups (21 Day Fix), please get in touch with me here.  I would love for you to join me.

Also .... please let me know if you try any of the above recipes!  Drop me an email or a comment on my blog.

XO
ALL THE BEST,

Healthy Beef Burrito Recipe

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

And, it is Cinco de Mayo, anyway!

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

Healthy (21 Day Fix Approved) Beef Burrito Recipe

21 Day Fix - Beef Burritos

Ingredients

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

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

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

Warm tortillas.  Spray baking dish with cooking spray.

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

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

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

Enjoy!

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

If you would like to participate in one of my monthly 21 Day Fix or 21 Day Fix Extreme online accountability groups, get in touch with me here.

If you give this recipe a try (or any of my other 21 Day Fix approved recipes), please let me know.  I would love to hear how it went!

XO
ALL THE BEST,

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

Making little changes can make a big difference!

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

If you fail to plan, plan to fail.

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

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

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

21 Day Fix Meal Plan

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

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

ALL of these dinners are 21-Day Fix compliant.  The rest of my meals are composed of:

• Shakeology
• Eggs and vegetables
• Fruits and vegetables
• Almonds and cashews
• Greek yogurt
• My favorite breakfasts:  Egg & Vegetable Casserole and Breakfast Sausage Taquitos.
• And, leftovers!

If you would like to participate in one of my upcoming monthly online accountability groups (21 Day Fix), please get in touch with me here.  I would love for you to join me.

Also .... please let me know if you try any of the above recipes!  Drop me an email or a comment on my blog.

XO
ALL THE BEST,

Weekly Meal Plan: 4/27/15 - 5/3/15

"Meal times felt overwhelming!"

 

Do you ever feel this way?  With deciding what to make, figuring out ingredients and I won't even get started on how challenging grocery shopping can be

 

Having a MEAL PLAN is the answer.  I have been doing this for years, and it has helped me tremendously.  Not only to lose weight and live a healthier life, but to eliminate meal-time STRESS. 

You'll end up with more time to savor meals with less time wasted in the kitchen.  And, you'll save money on your grocery bill by not wasting food that goes bad in the back of your fridge (or is spent on last-minute take-out)!



21 Day Fix Meal Plan

21 Day Fix Weekly Meal Plan: 4/27/15 - 5/3/15

Monday:  Seasoned Shrimp Soft Tacos
Tuesday:  Leftovers
Wednesday:  WW Pasta with Turkey Sausage, Marinara & Ricotta Cheese (thrown together)
Thursday:  Spicy Turkey Taco Burgers
Friday:  Slow-Cooker Meatloaf with Mashed Cauliflower
Saturday:  Fend-For-Yourself
Sunday:  Simply Grilled Chicken on a Salad with Strawberries & Almonds

ALL of these dinners are 21-Day Fix compliant.  The rest of my meals are composed of:

• Shakeology
• Eggs and vegetables
• Fruits and vegetables
• Almonds and cashews
• Greek yogurt
• And, leftovers!

If you would like to participate in one of my upcoming monthly online accountability groups (21 Day Fix), please get in touch with me here.  I would love for you to join me.

Also .... please let me know if you try any of the above recipes!  Drop me an email or a comment on my blog.

xo
ALL THE BEST,

Seasoned Shrimp Tacos: 21 Day Fix Approved!

Dinners that have a Mexican flair are my family's favorite.  I swear, they could eat food like this every single night! 

This recipe is quick, easy, and tastes delicious. It is perfect and healthy for the whole family. 

21 Day Fix - Seasoned Shrimp Tacos

Seasoned Shrimp Soft Tacos

• Spicy Mexican Shrimp
• Fix-approved tortillas
• Shredded lettuce
• Diced tomatoes
• Avocado, mixed with a little lemon juice, salt, pepper, and cayenne pepper

Prepare shrimp according to Spicy Mexican Shrimp recipe. 

Dice ripened avocado, and season to your taste with fresh lemon juice, salt, ground black pepper, and red cayenne pepper. 

Shred lettuce, dice tomatoes, and warm tortillas.

Assemble tacos by placing the shredded lettuce on the tortillas, followed by the diced tomatoes, and shrimp.  Top with avocado/guacamole.  

21 Day Fixers:  Shrimp (measured out) counts as 1 red and 1 tsp.  Measure out your greens (lettuce and tomatoes), blue (avocado), and count tortillas appropriately.

Enjoy!

If you would like to participate in one of my monthly 21 Day Fix or 21 Day Fix Extreme online accountability groups, get in touch with me here.

If you give this recipe a try (or any of my other 21 Day Fix approved recipes), please let me know.  I would love to hear how it went!

ALL THE BEST,

Weekly Meal Plan: 4/20/15 - 4/26/15

Happy Sunday, all!

I don't know about YOU, but for our family, April through June are VERY busy months.  We have: birthdays, end-of-school activities, dance recitals, drama products, and Spring hockey.  These few months are always very hectic for us.

So for ME (and for us, as a family), planning is so very KEY.  If I don't have a meal plan in place, I will be tempted more than ever to just grab something quick on the run, eat out, and eat in an unhealthy manner. 

If I am not taking care of myself, that trickles right down to my family.  Then they are eating poorly too. 

Plan, plan, plan!

21 Day Fix Weekly Meal Plan

Weekly Meal Plan: 4/20/15 - 4/26/15

Monday:  Turkey Taco Quinoa Bake
Tuesday:  Leftovers
Wednesday:  Skinnytaste's Crockpot Bolognese Sauce
Thursday:  Spinach & Feta Stuffed Chicken Breasts
Friday:  Grilled Flank Steak with Mashed Cauliflower
Saturday:  Fend-For-Yourself
Sunday:  Slow-Cooker Pork Carnitas

ALL of these dinners are 21-Day Fix compliant.  The rest of my meals are composed of:

• Shakeology
• Eggs and vegetables
• Fruits and vegetables
• Almonds and cashews
• Greek yogurt
• And, leftovers!

Next up for ME, is Body Beast!  I will be running an online accountability group for that AND for the 21 Day Fix.  Even though I will be doing a different fitness program that is focused primarily on building lean muscle, I will still be following the 21 Day Fix way of portion-controlled eating. If you would like to participate in one of my upcoming monthly online accountability groups, please get in touch with me here.  I would love for you to join me in doing Body Beast (we have a great group of primarily females doing it together!) or the 21 Day Fix.

Body Beast Female Online Help!

I would love to hear from you as well, if you try any of the above recipes!  Please drop me an email or a comment on my blog.

XO
ALL THE BEST,

Baked Parmesan Zucchini Chips

Need an extra vegetable?  Give these a try!

Baked Parmesan Zucchini Chips

21 Day Fix - Baked Parmesan Zucchini "Chips"

1-2 medium organic zucchini

Salt

Pepper

Paprika

Parmesan cheese

Cooking spray

Preheat oven to 230 degrees F.

 

Wash, dry and thinly slice zucchini with a mandoline slicer or knife ⅛ inch thick.  Spread zucchini slices out onto a parchment paper-lined baking sheet.  Spray quickly with cooking spray, and sprinkle desired seasonings on top (be careful not to use too much as stated above in the "tips").

 

Bake for about 1 and ½ hours, making sure to check on them every 10 minutes after about an hour.

Eat immediately after removing from oven for maximum crunchiness, they tend to get softer as they cool (can reheat).

If you would like to participate in one of my monthly 21 Day Fix or 21 Day Fix Extreme online accountability groups, get in touch with me here.

If you give this recipe a try, please let me know.  I would love to hear how it went!

ALL THE BEST,

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,

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,