Tuesday, February 10, 2015

Chicken Fingers and Fries


This meal is great because it feels like a cheat but it's not. The kids love it and it is a healthier version of the  process chicken nuggets and french fries kids usually want. Let me know what you think! Enjoy!!


Ingredients
  • Ezekiel Bread
  • ¼ cup parmesan cheese
  • Garlic Powder
  • Onion Powder
  • Italian Seasoning
  • Egg Whites
  • Sweet potatoes
  • Extra Virgin Olive Oil
  • Low Sodium season salt



Directions
Toast Ezekiel Bread, break up into pieces and put in the food processor. Add ¼ cup Parmesan Cheese, garlic powder, onion powder and any other spices that you like.
Cut up chicken breast into strips. Beat 4 egg whites, dip chicken in egg and then bread mixture. Bake on 350 degrees for about 30 minutes or until cooked through.

For the fries, I cut up sweet potatoes length wise into steak fry strips. Then, put in a large ziplok bag. Add extra virgin olive oil and season salt. Shake with bag closed then lay on baking sheet and cook until crispy for 25 minutes.  

Monday, February 9, 2015

Steel Cut Oats


If you are looking for something sweet for breakfast, this will do the trick. I always prep my steel cut oats on the weekend so I have them ready to go during the week. If you haven’t already, please read my Plan and Prep Post. Give this a try and let me know what you think!


Ingredients
  • Cooked Steel Cut Oats
  • Pumpkin Spice
  • A dash of Raw Honey
  • 1 tsp of natural peanut butter
  • Strawberries


Stir it all together and there you go! A simple and delicious breakfast in less than 2 minutes (if you pre-prep you oats).  I usually pair this with my eggs for breakfast. The best part of this recipe is that it is 21 Day Fixed Approved. 1 yellow, ½ a purple and 1tsp. 

Sunday, February 8, 2015

Meal Plan and Prep


Do you struggle with your nutrition? Do you know that 80% of your results come from your nutrition? I can’t stress enough how important it is to learn how to plan and prep your meals for the week. Learning this has helped me be successful not only in losing my pregnancy weight but keeping it off. Sure there are many diets out there that work and get the weight off, but if you don’t make it a lifestyle change then the weight will come back. It’s about enjoying your favorites here and there but ultimately living a healthy life that you can easily maintain. I always say being prepared isn’t half the battle it is the entire battle!

I normally reserve late Saturday night or early Sunday morning for my meal planning. It usually takes me less than 20 minutes to meal plan, prepare my grocery list and devise my plan for the week. I am a creature of habit and I love my eggs for breakfast. I tend to eat the same breakfast everyday. For my morning snack I tend to always have an apple with 8 walnuts. The apple is a complex carb and the walnuts are a source of healthy fat.  Lunch varies for me. I usually eat left over’s from the night before or I make a salad with grilled chicken. My afternoon snack is almost always Shakeology. I tend to hit a dip in my energy level around 3pm. Shakeology has really helped me get through this time of day. It’s easy, tastes good and is equivalent to 6 salads in one meal. Dinner is usually an easy clean recipe. The key for dinners is to do the meal plan and prep on Sundays. That way when you get home and trying to decide what to eat it is a no brainer! You have the meal plan on the side of the fridge, you read it and prepare! This takes the guesswork out and the ability to throw your hands up and eat something that isn’t so healthy. 

Once I get back from the grocery store, I set aside the food I want to prep for the week. I usually prep my food during my kids nap and while my husband is watching football. This week my husband and kids helped me prep. The kids love to cook and my husband encourages it as he is guaranteed a home cooked meal every evening.


First thing I do is preheat the oven. Then I start my carbs, since they tend to take the longest to cook. I place steel cut oatmeal on the stove and brown rice in the steamer.  Once the oven is ready, I put a few chicken breast and 1-2 sweet potatoes in. Then, I start browning my ground turkey for the week. You can season it with a clean taco seasoning or any low sodium seasoning like Mrs. Dash. This week I will be using the ground turkey for a dinner recipe so I will not season it. Once I have the turkey cooking, then I start cleaning and chopping a few of my vegetables. This varies from week to week, but I always chop my onions so they are ready to go for any of my dinner recipes. Once everything is done cooking, I let it all cool. 
Then I use my 21-day fix portion size containers to portion out all my food into snack bags. Having my food portioned out in baggies has really helped me stay on track during those jammed pack weeks. I just grab and go!

You can totally do this! Your life will be changed and you will feel amazing when you feed your body proper nutrition. Make that small investment into your health every week and over time you will see big positive changes in your health. Just like if you were to deposit a penny into your bank account everyday. Today it may not seem like it is making a difference but overtime if you stay consistent it could compound into a million dollars. It’s those easy simple things that are easy to do but easy not to do that sets successful people apart and makes the greatest impact in their lives.


Do you want more help in planning out your meals and finding the right balance for you? If so, please contact me about my next challenge/accountability group and I will be glad to give you information as to whether or not it would be a good fit for you! 

Snickerdoodle Shakeology



  • 1 scoop Vanilla Shakeology
  • 1 Cup Almond Milk
  • 2 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1 tsp peanut butter
  • 1tsp pure vanilla extract
  • 1 tsp honey
  • 8-10 ice cubes


Blend Well and Enjoy!

Have An Oatmeal Cookie


Who wouldn't want to eat cookies for breakfast or for their afternoon snack?!?! I have by far the BIGGEST sweet tooth ever! I could eat cookies, cakes and candy at any time of the day!  

But the new me, is full of energy because I feed my body foods that are packed with all the good stuff my body needs to stay hydrated, healthy and nutritious.  

I of course have that sweet food tendency so when I saw this recipe I couldn't pass it up!  You have to try it.



•               1 Scoop of Chocolate Shakeology
•               1/4 c of rolled oats uncooked
•               1 tsp of vanilla
•               1/4 tsp of cinnamon
•               1/2 cup of almond milk
•               1 cup of water
•               A few pieces of ice
•               Blend and enjoy!!!

I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!  To Try Shakeology make sure to contact me at aplayo@gmail.com

Saturday, February 7, 2015

Clean Eating Cookie Dough Yogurt


It's after dinner and you are craving something sweet. Can you relate? Anything with yogurt, peanut butter and chocolate I am game! It is called clean eating cookie dough yogurt!!!  AMAZING!!! Now I would't put this on the menu for every night as a snack but this is a perfect treat to replace your bowl of ice cream.  Let me know what you think!!



Ingredients

  • 3/4 cup plain Greek yogurt (I use Fage 0%)
  • 1 tbsp nut butter
  • 1 tbsp honey (try local honey to help with allergies)
  • 1/4 tsp vanilla
  • pinch of sea salt
  • 1 tbsp mini chocolate chips
Directions:
Combine Greek yogurt with the nut butter, honey, vanilla and sea salt. Mix until smooth. Top with mini choc chips and enjoy!!!
Share this recipe with someone who might enjoy it!!!

Post in the comments if you tried it and what you think!!

Thursday, February 5, 2015

BEAST Meatloaf Recipe

This meatloaf recipe is a family favorite. There is nothing like comfort food on a cold winter day!  This great recipe is from the Body Beast workout program!



Ingredients:


  • 2 lbs of lean ground turkey
  • 1 cup all natural mild salsa
  • 1 cup whole wheat bread crumbs (Ezekiel bread)
  • 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
  • 3 cloves garlic, finely chopped
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • Ground black pepper (to taste)
  • Fresh chopped parsley 

Directions:

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.  Combine turkey, salsa, bread crumbs, egg, garlic, salt, and pepper in large bowl.  Press mixture into 9x15 inche loaf pan, or form into shape of a loaf and place on ungreased 13x9x2 inch baking pan.  Bake for 60 to 70 minutes or until center is no longer pink and meat is cooked through.  Let stand 10 minutes before serving.  Cut into 8 slices and serve garnished with parsley.

Pair with sweet potato and steamed green beans for a complete meal.