Avocado and Strawberry Quesadilla

Avocado and Strawberry Quesadilla

1 large wheat tortilla 

2 ounces Monterey Jack cheese

4 strawberries

1/2 avocado

1 tablespoon black beans

Sprinkle of Cilantro

Thinly slice the avocado and strawberries. Layer the cheese, avocado slices, strawberry slices, black beans and then top with cilantro. 

Warm a teaspoon of coconut oil in a skillet and warm the quesadilla until golden brown on each side. Cut in half and serve! 

You're welcome, it's yum! 

Avocado and Shrimp salad

This is the greatest thing in the world! 

1 lime

1/4 onion

1/4 tomato

1 tbsp cilantro

1/2 zucchini

1/2 red pepper

1 pound shrimp

1/2 tsp Cayenne pepper

1/2 tsp garlic powder

Cracked pepper to taste

1/2 tsp paprika

1/2 tsp oregano

Olive oil

First, juice the lime in a small bowl and mix with chopped onion, tomato, 1 tsp olive oil, and cilantro. Set aside. 

Next, clean and devein shrimp. Coat with olive oil and add all seasoning. Chop the red pepper and zucchini and add it to the mix. Sauté the shrimp mixture for a few minutes until the shrimp are cooked. 

Toss shrimp mixture in lime mixture and serve atop a fresh, ripe avocado. 

Enjoy! 

Mushroom and Chicken Pizza

What you'll need:
Whole Wheat Pizza Dough
1 Chicken Breast, grilled and sliced
2 tablespoons clean marinara sauce
1 cup spinach leaves
1/2 cup sliced mushrooms
1/4 cup mozarrella cheese
2 tablespoons ricotta cheese

I love a great whole wheat pizza dough with this pizza! First, spread out the dough and preheat oven according to directions on the dough package. Add a small amount of clean red sauce to the dough, then add spinach to cover the entire pizza, leaving the crust of course. Next, add 1/4 cup of mozarella cheese and a few dollops of ricotta cheese. On top, sprinkle grilled chicken slices and sliced mushrooms. Cook according to instructions on package and add Cauliflower Breadsticks on the side!

Cauliflower Breadsticks

Recipe adapted from Autumn Calabrese

WHAT YOU NEED:
1/2 of a small head of cauliflower
1 egg
2 cloves minced garlic
1 tablespoon olive oil (plus more to saute your garlic)
1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
Dash of sea salt and pepper to taste
2 tsp oregano
1/4 cup parmesan cheese


Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

On the stovetop, sauté olive oil and garlic for 1-2 minutes until fragrant. Set to the side.

In a food processor chop DRY cauliflower until it looks like rice. You'll have to scrape down the sides a few times. You do not want your cauliflower to look like baby food, you want rice!

Place the cauliflower rice in a cheesecloth and wring out all excess moisture.

Transfer to a large mixing bowl where you will mix in the egg, olive oil, garlic, mozarella cheese, and seasonings.

Line a bread loaf pan with parchment paper (leaving extra parchment paper so that you can lift the loaf out of the pan) and spray with olive oil.



Dump cauliflower mixture into the bread pan and press down evenly. Bake for 25-30.

While you are waiting ever so impatiently, line a baking sheet with parchment paper and lightly spray with olive oil. When the timer beeps, remove from oven and carefully flip the loaf onto the baking sheet so it is upside down. You can lift it out of the bread pan by the parchment paper if necessary.

Bake for 10 more minutes until loaf is golden brown.

Remove loaf from oven, sprinkle with a little more mozzarella cheese and the parmesan cheese, and a little more of the seasonings (salt, pepper, and oregano). Broil for 1-2 min until cheese melts. Slice into sticks and serve with a side of marinara sauce.



21 day fix: 1 green, 1 blue and 1 tsp ( 3 cauliflower sticks )

Healthy Strawberry Popsicles

Make some Popsicles that your kids will love!

1/4 cup plain Greek yogurt
1/4 cup Apple juice
2-3 tablespoons of honey
8 strawberries, quartered

Blend until smooth and then freeze in an ice pop mold for several hours until frozen.

Quinoa Bowl

One of my favorite lunch ideas is to use leftovers from days before!

For this quinoa bowl, I used leftover Black Bean & Corn Salsa (recipe here) and leftover Cilantro Lime Quinoa (recipe here).

Then I added a few multigrain and blue tortilla chips to the side and a dollop or two of plain greek yogurt and in a snap, lunch is served!

Peanut Butter Cookie Overnight Oats

1 cup rolled oats
1 cup unsweetened almond milk
1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt
1/4 cup peanut butter flour (aka PB2)
1/4 cup of coconut sugar
1/4 tsp of sea salt (just a sprinkle)
1/2 ripe banana, mashed
1 scoop chocolate or vanilla Shakeology (I used chocolate)

*in place of protein powder, you can use additional oats

Mix all ingredients in a bowl with a lid or mason jar, cover, store overnight and enjoy in the morning! Eat cold or warm for 30-45 seconds in the microwave.

Serves 2-3.

21 day fix: Serve in a purple container. 1 serving is 1 yellow, 1 red, 1 tsp, 1/2 purple

God's plan was not the same as mine, it was better

That other life of mine seems like such a distant memory now. But I still remember how I felt when I got out of a bad relationship. Like it was my fault, like I was the failure, like I had displeased God, like everyone was watching me, judging me, I shrunk down into an abyss. There are three people in my life who completely saved me and pulled me back out... First My dad, then my mom, and finally my now husband. 

During that time of trial in my life, it seemed like such a monumentous battle. Why did this happen to me? Why did I allow myself to make such a massive mistake? But only now, looking at the size of the blessing that was on its way, can I fully understand why that battle was necessary. God had to make life pretty disastrous to get me to change my situation. He did that so that He could give me all I ever wanted. So that He could give me HIS plan for my life, instead of my plan... That I ever so royally screwed up. He took my mistake, and turned it into a teaching moment, then gave me my heart's desire. 

Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

Romans 8:28  And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

Girl Boss

Sheryl Sandberg, Facebook COO, made this amazing observation about children/adults in America. Do you ever hear anyone say a boy is “Bossy?” Nope. That’s a term we save for out little girls. And it’s derogatory. We want women to feel empowered, so why do we tear down our little girls? With the ‪#‎girlboss‬ movement for women in America, we’ve seen a huge influx in powerful women… I wonder why we don’t focus our energy to the younger generation. I really challenge you to NOT call your daughter “bossy.” I’ve done it, I’m never doing it again! Let’s encourage this assertiveness in our little girls! I want my daughter to feel second to no one. She can be or do whatever her little heart desires. Embrace those "leadership skills!"

Peanut butter cookie overnight oatmeal

1 cup rolled oats

1 cup unsweetened almond milk

1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt

1/4 cup peanut butter flour (aka PB2)

1/4 cup of coconut sugar

1/4 tsp of sea salt (just a sprinkle) 

1/2 ripe banana, mashed 

1 scoop chocolate or vanilla Shakeology (I used chocolate) 

*in place of protein powder, you can use additional oats

Mix all ingredients in a bowl with a lid or mason jar, cover, store overnight and enjoy in the morning! Eat cold or warm for 30-45 seconds in the microwave. 

Serves 2-3. 

21 day fix: 1 serving is 1 yellow, 1 red, 1 tsp, 1/2 purple 

This for That!

Do you ever wonder why in the heck you've hit a standstill with weight loss or getting fit? It could really be a matter of simple food choices. A lean body needs lean foods, and making small changes can add up to big differences.

I've seen many nutrition faux pas, something that you THINK is healthy may actually be hindering your progress. I've narrowed down a list to the foods I see most often. Try some of these simple substitutions to really dial in your nutrition plan!

Use Plain Greek yogurt instead of flavored.

Use Plain Greek yogurt in place of sour cream and mayo.

Use coconut sugar in place of brown sugar.

Use unsweetened almond milk in place of regular milk.

Use dark chocolate instead of milk or semisweet.

Use unsweetened Apple sauce instead of sugar when baking.

Use liquid aminos instead of soy sauce.

Use avocado in your smoothie instead of banana.

Use unsweetened peanut butter instead of sweetened.

Use honey or maple syrup for sugar.

Use Silk almond milk creamer instead of coffee mate.

Use coconut oil instead of vegetable or canola oil.

Use wheat or coconut flour instead of white.

Use Ezekiel bread instead of other breads.

Use rice pasta instead of other pastas.

Use air popped popcorn instead of microwaveable.

Use whey or plant based protein instead of soy.

Use Whey Isolate instead of Whey Concentrate proteins.

Use sweet potatoes instead of russet.

Use natural foods instead of artificial.

Use turkey or chicken instead of full fat red meat.

Drink water instead of energy drinks


If you've hit a rut or plateau, your nutrition plan needs to be tweaked. It may include some of these foods and you may be snacking way more than you realize. Try this 3 day food log to keep track of what you are consuming. What will you learn about your diet? If you like, email me a copy of the completed version if you need tips on where you can clean up your diet.

Put On Blinders!

You've seen her, I've seen her, she's the pinterest mom. The mom who makes all other moms pale in comparison. 

Being a mom is one of my passions. I try my hardest to let my little know that I love her fiercely. I would do anything for her and I thank God for letting me borrow His perfect child while she's on Earth. At the end of the day, a 4 year old's foot in my face while she's sleeping in my bed is just Heaven. Never thought I would think that. 

But during the day. During the awake hours, half the time I want to pull my hair out. I wonder who got me into this disaster! Hubby, that's who! The days are long, each hour slowly passes, but at the end of the day, I realize how truly short it was. My days with her are numbered. She'll be on her own sooner than I like. All too often she likes to remind me that she's getting bigger and older. And I love her, fiercely and wish I could pause the time. Even though she's a royal pain in the neck at times. 

Then there's the pinterest mom. Just when I start to think I'm doing a great job, pinterest mom blends up some non toxic peanut butter playdoh (sans sugar of course) and shoves it in my face. Is it wrong that I really just want to eat it? Pinterest mom gets her workout in and looks like a bombshell doing it, is she even panting? Pinterest mom does not have a foot in her face when she's sleeping. Pinterest mom, is she real? I kinda don't think she is. I think we put our best foot forward when we are on Pinterest or any other social media. I mean, we all have rockstar moments, if we only showcased those special moments, we could all be pinterest-mom, AmIright?! 

Don't let Satan steal your joy and your triumphs at being a mom! You are no less of a mother than any other mother. John 10:10 "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly." Focus on your family and God, put blinders on to everything else. Galatians 6:4 “Let everyone be sure to do his very best, for then he will have the personal satisfaction of work done well and won’t need to compare himself with someone else”

So my advice to myself, and you if you want it, is to put on blinders! Stop caring about what the other mommies on the block are doing, and just do your thing. Love your little in the best way you know how, with a passion that only you can deliver, and you know what, she doesn't know anything different, so she thinks you are the BEST, whether your play dough is bought from the store or made from peanut butter. 

My goal is to stop comparing my life to someone else. I'm me, I'm special, God gave me strengths and weaknesses and He gave her to me because He knew that we are made for each other, because He designed it that way. So let's make a vow to stop and smell the flowers, take a pause and worry about only yourself and your adventure with your little one today, even if that adventure is being cooped up in the house watching Alvin and the Chipmunks for the umpteenth time... and stop comparing your mommy life to someone else's, pact? 

Laugh at Obstacles

If you want to live a life you've never had, you have to do things you've never done. Obstacles come in all shapes and sizes, for all the facets of your life. Take heart in knowing the the King has already won the battle. 

When you try something new, there's going to be obstacles. That just means your challenging yourself. Do not let these obstacles deter you, just move past them with your head held high! Laugh it off, this too shall pass.

Cilantro Lime Quinoa

Prepare 1 cup of quinoa with 2 cups of water. Add the juice of 1/2 a lime and one teaspoon of garlic powder to the water.

Saute 1/4 of a white onion in a tiny amount of olive oil until translucent.

Once cooked and right before serving, add onions, 1/2 cup chopped cilantro, and the juice of one lime. Mix well and enjoy!

21 Day Fix:
1 Yellow

Black Bean and Corn Salsa

This is a cold salsa/salad. Pair it with Cilantro Lime Shrimp and Cilantro Lime Quinoa, dinner = Done!

One 15 ounce can of black beans, drained and rinsed
1 and 1/2 pieces of corn on the cob, with the kernels cut off
1 small or 1/2 large red bell pepper
1/4 white or red onion
1/2 avocado
1 lime, juiced
1/2 lemon, juiced
1/4- 1/2 cup cilantro, coarsely chopped (to taste)
1/2 teaspoon of pink Himalayan salt
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 Jalapeno, diced. You can add more if you like your salsa very spicy.






Mix all ingredients except avocado in a medium bowl. Cover and store in the refrigerator until ready to use. It is ready in as little as ten minutes, or meal prep and let it soak overnight. Add the avocado upon serving.

Serve with chips as salsa or by itself as a side salad.

21 Day Fix:
Serve in a green container
Count 1 green, 1 yellow and 1 blue

Spicy Cilantro Lime Shrimp

1 Pound of Shrimp
1 Lime Juiced, plus zest
1/2 Jalapeno, chopped
1/2 cup Cilantro, coarsely chopped
1 garlic clove, minced
1 tablespoon olive oil

Remove tails and clean and de-vein shrimp. Marinate in all of the above for at least 30 minutes.

After marinated, skewer the shrimp and cook on a grill or grill pan for 3 minutes on each side or until shrimp are thoroughly pink.


21 Day Fix:
1 Red
1 tsp



As a dinner, this dish pairs well with Cilantro Lime Quinoa and Black Bean and Corn Salsa.

My Body is a Temple

I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God – this is your spiritual act of worship. Romans 12:1 (NIV)

Pastor Rick Warren digs into 1 Corinthians 6:12-20 here. He says, "keeping your body in shape is a spiritual discipline. It’s not just about losing a few pounds, wanting to live longer, or trying to look nicer. God created your body, Jesus died for it, the Holy Spirit lives in it, your body is connected to Christ, and it’s going to be resurrected one day. When it is, God’s going to hold you accountable for how you managed what he gave you."

Your body is a temple, God lives inside you, you want to keep this temple beautiful, sacred, know your worth it! God created you in His image as a BEAUTIFUL woman, take care of the body He gave you, we only get one!

Today's workout:

50 Jumping Jacks
35 Squats
30 Second Wall Sit
10 Push Ups
20 Lunges on each leg
30 Second Plank
25 Bicycle Crunches

Why? Because your body is a temple! Jesus died for it, take care of God's beautiful work of art that is YOU!

The MOM Shake

No, this is not a booty shake move workout or a special prance to make the hubby laugh, this is a Get out of Jail free card! A secret weapon. A game changer! 

The Mom Shake is my GET THROUGH THE DAY pick me up!

1 Scoop Chocolate Shakeology
4 ounces of cooled coffee (I never have time to let it cool, so I cool it by brewing in a large cup and then adding the milk right to the cup)
6 ounces unsweetened vanilla almond milk
1/4 cup of rolled oats
1 cup power greens

1/2 banana

1 tbsp PB Fit or PB2
1 packet of stevia
1 cup ice

Blend well for 2 minutes on high speed

This shake packs a punch!

Energy--- Shakeology, greens, oats, coffee
Endurance--- Shakeology, oats, banana 
Flavor--- Everything!

How does a regular person like you get a discount on Shakeology?

If you’re looking for how to “buy Shakeology cheap” then there’s a very good chance that you have heard all about it and want to know how to get the best possible deal. If you haven't had a chance to look into Shakeology, here ya go! Follow this link and then come back!

People ask me all the time how they can buy Shakeology at a great price and save the most money. There are several ways to save money on Shakeology, but to save the MOST money, you'll want to get yourself a coach membership! Don't hang up yet! Read on, it's not AT ALL what you think. I promise!

When I first started drinking Shakeology, I really needed to make it the most cost effective for me and my family. We had one income, 3 kids, and a SoCal mortgage! Not a good combo. But I really felt like I needed something like Shakeology. I had ZERO energy, zero focus, I needed to fuel my workouts and overall I had heard SO MANY amazing things about Shakeology, I was just curious. So when I heard that I could try it at a discount, I nearly JUMPED at the chance. So I joined as a coach.

Now, my story may not be yours. When I got my little discount, I started sharing all about my new found secret weapon and the workouts I was doing, I started helping people to change their life like I had. I couldn't help myself! I'm a natural HELPER, it's in my bones. You do NOT have to do this! You can totally be a closet Shakeology drinker!

If you want a shakeology discount, the VERY SAME DISCOUNT that I get as a coach, you can join in as a coach and get my price! Think of it like a membership, because you DO NOT have to coach. You do not have to do anything but sit back and enjoy that discount on your fancy chocolate shake. I have a ton of “coaches” on my team that are simply Shakeology fans and want to take advantage of the 25% discount.

For me this was no brainer, I am super frugal, very thrifty with money. If I can craft it myself, I will. I'm that Pinterest junkie. So if I can get a discount without doing a thing, yes, sign me up. I joined as a coach and got a discount on Shakeology.

So how do you get the discount and how much is it?

The discount for coaches is 25% off any Beachbody product, Shakeology, workouts, vitamins, supplements, workout gear, shaker cups, etc. The membership commitment is $15.95 monthly, starting your second month (there are no fees for active duty military or their spouse). You save about $32 a month, so your net savings after paying your membership fee is about $16... $16 off your shakeology every single month! You're drinking it anyways, GET THE DISCOUNT! That's ALMOST $200 A YEAR in savings, just for doing nothing!

How do you become a coach?

You can signup for FREE with the purchase of a challenge pack (shakeology plus a workout of your choice at a discounted price). If you've ever bought a challenge pack in the past, sign up and then you can request to have the sign up cost refunded. Or you can pay the $39.95 sign up fee, that's a one time fee, it's not annual or anything, just one time.

GET YOUR ACCOUNT HERE AND START SAVING!

CLICK HERE and follow the quick and easy steps! Be sure to message me when you do!
Im so EXCITED to help you find your soulmate shakeology recipe! And share mine with you!

-Think it will be impossible to cancel? IT’S NOT! You can cancel anytime! No questions asked! No binding contracts or weird tricks!

So today, I dare you! I double dog dare you to try this and save money on your Shakeology.

I promise you won’t be disappointed!

But you CAN get a killer discount!

Mind Over Matter

5 Steps to Develop Willpower to CONQUER your goal!

1. Set a CLEAR goal.
Set your goal, make it reasonable but challenging, and write it down! Make it known that this is your goal. If your goal involved weight loss, for example, be clear and concise: “My goal is to lose 10 pounds by July 30th.” Boom, clear, concise, time sensitive. I won’t take credit for this, I heard it somewhere else but it stuck with me: Your goals should be SMART… specific, measurable, attainable, realistic and timely (S.M.A.R.T.)

2. PLAN ahead.
Once you have your goal, you really need to devise a plan of attack. How do you plan to reach this goal? Which tools will you use, which benchmarks for success will you set for yourself, how are you going to get there?

3. Be CONSISTENT
You need to be prepared for set backs. It’s going to happen. So plan for consistency, not perfection. Goal reaching is consistency over time. You need to be consistent, for a long period of time, to reach a big goal.

4. Go ALL IN.
This goal you set needs to be forefront in your life. It’s not on the backburner. It’s there, every day, consistently, and you are totally devoted to it. Yes, you’ll have set backs, but winners don’t quit. Be all in.

5. Have a support system.
Not only for support but for accountability. These people may not be people you even know. Reach out to others who have the same goals as you. If it's fitness, surround yourself with fit friends, people who are striving for the same thing. If it's business, surround yourself with people who empower you. Your support system is going to be the secret sauce!

Live your Life

I have to share a little secret to happiness with you... you ready for it? Not THE secret, but one piece of puzzle to give you a peace inside your soul. Not everyone is going to LIKE YOU. Yes, I said it. There will be those people who just don't "get" you, people who won't understand you, or want to be your friend, or even want to get to know you. And you know what, that's okay.

This is really difficult for me personally. As much as I hate to admit it, it really hurts my feelings when people don't like me. So much so that I actually hide my true thoughts often. Not to those who truly know me, get me uncensored (sorry guys). But I censor everyone else. I tend to worry about being too forthright with my beliefs and opinions. I sugar coat. I don't like to offend people, because truthfully, I used to be the person who offended everyone, and I'm still paying for it! Granted, this was ten plus years ago, but yes, I'm still paying for it.

When I first started with coaching, I was pretty fearful about what people would think if I was to get involved with an unconventional business model, like coaching, especially because I hadn't previously been into fitness. Would people judge me? Think coaching was a scam? Think I was a fraud? Wonder if I was just trying to sell them something? Question my authenticity? Question my passion for helping people?


But one day --- I realized, I'm done trying to please people who aren't really friends. We need to focus less on those who are getting out of our car, they weren't going the same place as you anyways! And focus more on those who are still in your car. Focus more on yourself and on those people in your life who inspire you, who build you up, who want you to succeed, who empower you, who seek you out to get to know you and what you have to offer as a friend. If you have to worry what someone will think, they aren't really "in your car" anyways. You aren't travelling to the same place! So it's okay if they get out.

Flip your switch! Start caring about finding peace within yourself. Feeling comfortable in your own skin. Finding a home inside you. Instead of thinking about who might judge, hate on, or dislike you... think about who might be INSPIRED by you. If you never share your passions, you can never influence someone else to make positive changes in their lives! And that's really what being a human is all about. Caring enough about people to inspire the greatness that is inside them! To unlock some other person's greatness, to inspire someone else to be comfortable in their own skin.

You have the opportunity to use your life... your BELIEFS, your TRIALS, your God given talents, and your heart to help INSPIRE others to live their best life.

Do not ever dull your SPARKLE so that others feel more comfortable! RADIATE your truth unapologetically, be yourself, be a shining, glittery, ball of sparkle! When you live your life and be yourself, God smiles. He created you, He loves every single facet of your multifaceted personality. He created those talents that you are HIDING by trying to please the world. Be-You-Tiful. Find that peace inside yourself so that you know that even though not everyone on God's green earth "likes" you, but that it's okay for people to not understand you, because you are practically perfect in every way to God and you have to come to a point where you are at peace with who you are as a person.

Is coaching for you?

I had always dreamt that as a mother, I would be able to be just like my own, at home and raising my kids. My daughter came before I was ready! Surprise mommy, I’m here! When I was pregnant, I knew my stay at home mom dream probably wouldn’t happen. My husband and I live in Southern California. Everything you’ve heard about SoCal is true, it ROCKS, but it’s EXPENSIVE! A one income family is hard to come by. But, one glance at that beautiful face on the day of her birth and I knew it, I would never leave her to go to some job. My job was staring me back in the face. But how I Earth was I to do this stay at home mom thing and pay some bills? You know, cause we needed a roof over our heads! Minor detail.

I always had a passion for helping people. My degree is in Child Development and Psychology. I wanted to help people, period. I tried a few things to make this goal of being a stay at home mom happen for myself. Each was special in their own right, but when it came down to it, it wasn’t enough and I wasn’t fulfilled either, I wasn’t helping anyone, and that is my passion. I was depressed. And overweight. Enter my friend and coach! She showed me 21 Day Fix. I had a vacation coming up, I tried it. Which was so unlike me. But I took a chance! It changed my fitness and my world! I became a coach and didn’t even expect what happened next! I LOVE coaching. I LOVE myself as a coach. Seriously, this career will change your life in more ways than one. You are not only helping others with their health, which is probably one of the most rewarding things I’ve ever been privileged to do, but you are focusing on yourself, your own health, your own personal development.

Now, I've been able to remain at home with my daughter, and I have a career that is rewarding, and I get to help my husband with bills to-boot. All while getting to be a MOM first, and helping others along the way. Do you ever feel like you were made for so much more? To inspire and serve others? Maybe to serve your children by having the blessing to be home with them?!

If you:
•Want to live a healthy lifestyle, get fit and in shape, eat better!
•Love helping and encouraging others
•Want to live life by your design and NOT in a corporate grind or under someone's terms only to be building their dream and not your own

then coaching could be just the thing for you. And you can potentially join for free to try it out and see how you like it! My Sizzling Summer Wellness Group starts June 21 and it's for you.

You do not have to be a fitness professional, or look like a fitness model! You DO need to have a heart for helping others and a desire to live a healthy and happy life!

Bruschetta Pesto Chicken Sandwich

A Red Robin copycat, clean eating style!


Bruschetta:

1/3 cup chopped white or yellow onion
2/3 cup chopped tomatoes
Chopped basil to taste, about 2 tablespoons
Balsamic vinegar
1 tsp olive oil
Chop all vegetables and combine in a small bowl. Cover the vegetables with balsamic vinegar and add 1 tsp of olive oil. Mix well.
Chill for at least and hour or overnight.

Slice thin and marinate two chicken breasts in 1 tsp olive oil and thyme for 30 minutes. Cook the chicken on an open grill pan or george foreman grill. During the last 5 minutes, top with slices of mozzarella cheese until the cheese melts.

Spread a clean pesto sauce on a whole wheat bread loaf or bun, top with chicken, cheese and bruschetta to taste.

Enjoy!

Southern Slow- Cooked Chicken

A N'Awlins classic! And yes, you have to say it like that.

4 chicken breast
1 - 15 oz can of black beans
1 cup of clean salsa of choice
1 cup low sodium chicken broth
1/2 cup tomato sauce, unsalted

Add all ingredients to a slow cooker and cook on high for 4 hours or on low for 6 hours.

Once finished, shred the chicken and add 1/2 cup of chopped cilantro.

Serve with clean eating cornbread, polenta, tortillas, or quinoa, your choice!

Skillet Steak & Potatoes with blue cheese butter

This twist on steak and potatoes is delish!

1 ounce of blue cheese, crumbled
2 tbsp unsalted butter
1 tbsp chopped parsley
2 tbsp olive oil
2 tbsp shallot, minced
2 potatoes with yellow, fleshy insides (I use Yukon Gold), thinly sliced
4 - 4 oz beef tenderloin steaks, medallions if possible
Sea salt and pepper to taste
1-2 cups of tri-color carrots
1 cup sliced mushroom
1/2 small, sweet onion, sliced

In a small bowl, combine blue cheese, butter, parsley and shallot. Set aside.

In a large skillet, heat 1 tbsp olive oil. Cook the onions until translucent then push aside. Season steaks with salt and pepper and add to the skillet. Turn only once and cook until medium, or desired temperature. For medium, you'll want about 5 minutes per side.

Meanwhile, in another skillet, add 1 tbsp of olive oil and spread potatoes in an even layer. Cook for 2 minutes until tender. Add 1/4 cup of water and cook carrots and mushrooms for 2 minutes. Combine the onions into the skillet and mix well. Next, add the steaks on top of vegetables and top with blue cheese butter. Split into 4 portions and serve while warm.

Cuban "Red" Beans and Rice

My husband loves Red Beans and Rice! Have you ever tried it? If so, you would probably wonder how in the world I managed to modify it to a clean eating recipe! Well, look no further! If you want a Cuban style dinner or side dish, here you are!

1 Tbsp olive oil
1 small yellow onion, diced
3 cloves of garlic, minced
1 tsp cumin
1 tsp oregano
Dash of sea salt and pepper
1 red bell pepper, seeded and chopped
2 tbsp unsalted tomato paste
1 tbsp red wine vinegar
1 15 oz can of black beans, drained, no salt added
1 and 1/2 cups of low sodium chicken broth
1- 1 & 1/2 cups of cooked brown rice
1 lime, juiced

* Optional ground turkey or lean ground beef to make this into an entree

Heat olive oil on medium. Once hot, add the onion and cook for about 4-5 minutes. Add garlic and stir constantly for one minute. Next, add the spices (and meat if you are adding meat). Stir frequently and cook for about 5 minutes, or until the meat is browned. Add the bell pepper and cook for a couple minutes, until it is softened. Next, add the tomato paste, vinegar, beans, broth, rice, lime juice and a 1/2 cup of water. Stir together to combine and reduce heat to a simmer. Cover and simmer for 20-25 minutes.

Triple Chocolate Protein Muffins

Triple Chocolate Protein Muffins--- dessert or breakfast! 

1 ripe banana, mashed

2 eggs

1 tsp vanilla extract

2 tbsp plain Greek yogurt

3 tbsp peanut butter 

Mix all ingredients. Then add: 

1 tbsp cocoa powder

1 scoop chocolate Shakeology

1 tsp baking powder

1/4 cup dark chocolate chips

Mix well! Fill baking cups about 3/4 of the way. Sprinkle some chocolate chips on top. Bake at 350 for 12-15 minutes. 

Enjoy! 

Cauliflower Quinoa Patties

Quinoa Patties
Makes 9 Patties

3 cups of cauliflower florets
1/2 cup of cooked quinoa
1 garlic clove, minced
1 egg
1 tbsp chopped parsley
1/4 cup whole wheat flour
1/4 cup of Parmesan cheese
1/4 tsp of baking powder
Dash of sea salt and pepper
Squeeze of lemon

Steam cauliflower until tender then mash with a fork. Mix together egg, spices, Parmesan cheese, parsley and flour. Then add quinoa and cauliflower. Mix well.

Take 1/4 cup of the mixture and roll into a ball, then flatten. You will get 9 patties.

Heat 1 tbsp of grape seed or coconut oil in a skillet. Add half of the patties, cook for about 4 minutes each side or until golden brown.

I serve mine over a bed of greens, sliced strawberries, avocado, feta, and vinaigrette of choice.

Quinoa Cheesey Bread

This is super yummy with some marinara dipping sauce or on the side of any pasta dish!

1 1/2 cup of cooked quinoa
2 eggs
2 tsp olive oil
1 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp baking powder
2 tsp of Italian Seasoning or dried oregano
1/2 cup of Mozzarella cheese, divided into two 1/4 cups
1/4 cup of parmesan cheese

In a mixing bowl, combine eggs, oil, and baking powder. Next, add the cooked quinoa, 1/4 cup of parmesan cheese and 1/4 cup of mozzarella cheese. Add spices and mix well. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and preheat oven to 425. Spread your mixture out about 1/2 inch thick onto the baking sheet. Bake for 15 minutes, then sprinkle the rest of the mozzarella cheese on top and bake for 5 more minutes.

21 Day Fix:
2 slices = 1 yellow, 1 blue, 1/2 tsp

Double Chocolate Brownies

2/3 cup coconut oil

1/4 cup butter

3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder 

2 tsp vanilla

3 eggs

1 cup coconut sugar

1/2 cup maple syrup (I use Grade B)

1/2 cup whole wheat 

1/2 cup coconut flour

1/2 cup chocolate chips 

Preheat oven to 350. 

Combine coconut oil, butter, and and cocoa powder in a small sauce pan. Heat on low until melted and combined. 

In a large mixing bowl, add eggs, vanilla and coconut sugar, mix well. Stir in cocoa powder mixture and maple syrup. Then gradually stir in flours. Add 1/2 cup of chocolate chips. 

Lightly grease an 8x8 baking dish with coconut oil. Spread batter evenly and cook for 30-35 minutes.

Enjoy! And don't forget to lick the plate! 

Break a Plateau, Get in Shape for Summer in 6 Days!

6 Day Shape Up For Summer Bootcamp! Starts June 15th! This group is for those who want to trim off a couple pounds and shape up to celebrate the first day of Summer, June 21!

Includes:
--6 superfood meal replacement shakes
--6 days of super slimming meal plan (You can do it!!)
--Grocery list
--Workout circuits provided- 10-15 minutes each day, from home, no equipment needed, all doable for beginners

$29.95 plus tax/shipping for your 6 shakes, the rest is on me!

*cannot be working with a different coach.

Sore to the Core

Each circuit is meant to be repeated 3 times. For example, May 4th, do 10 Crunches, 10 reverse crunches and a 20 second plank, no rest in between moves. Then rest for 20 seconds and repeat the round, then, rest for 20 seconds and repeat the round for a total of 3 rounds.

This calendar is from my May 2015 challenge, but feel free to use it for any month, just follow it like a 28 day challenge. Enjoy!

Macaroni and Cheese

Yes please! 

1 1/2 cup cooked pasta 

3/4 cup shredded cheddar and Mozarella cheese combined. 

3/4 cup plain Greek yogurt (I like Fage) 

Garlic powder, salt, pepper to taste 

2 tablespoons unsweetened almond milk

Cook pasta, drain, return to pan. Add milk and cheese, simmer until cheese melts. Then add yogurt and spices and stir until creamy. 

I garnished with blue cheese crumbles because I'm mad about blue cheese! 

21 day fix: 

Serve in a yellow

1 yellow, 1 blue, 1/2 red