What Now? What to expect after the change.

The Blog has had a make over.

The look is very different.

Why change anything?  It was fine the way that it was.  Well, the reason for the change is that I have changed.  I am not who I was when this blog started.  I am, for a lack of better terms, older and somewhat wiser.  It was time for a fresh look and colors and it was time to come to terms with the reality that I have changed.  It was time for me to stop trying to fit in a box of the typical "fun-family-faith-fitness-food".  Granted all of that is still true and still applies but let's face it.....It Is Vague!  It was time to really get into the nitty gritty of exactly what that all means. 

So what can you expect from this blog, website, place of information and site of learning and growing is what I wanted to share with you today.

First- TOTALLY ME- Guess what?  I am not PERFECT!  I will be not be PERFECT this side of glory.  My grammar is not PERFECT.  My thought process is not PERFECT.  My appearance is not PERFECT according to many people. So, if you are looking for the PERFECT blogger, you will not find her here.  

Second- Total HONESTY!  I wanted a place to share and be completely and totally HONEST.  No sugar coating. No pretending to be someone I am not. No stepping on eggshells.  Sometimes we get so wrapped up in the BEAUTIFUL highlight reel that we all see on social media and we compare ourselves to their "perfectly posed life" that we start second guessing and thinking our lives will NEVER compare to theirs.  So it may be a little RAW at times but it's HONEST.

Third and Lastly- I will share my faith.  I won't hide behind it. I won't tiptoe around it.  You don't have to agree with me and that is your choice but my FAITH is a huge part of WHO I am.  It's a huge part of our family and the activities that we participate in.  I may share stories, testimonials and scriptures.  No more hiding that part of me. 

We are all on a journey.  Whether it be a journey of health and fitness, or faith, or even discovering more about why you are here.  I'm excited to share my journey.  It may be in running, races, fitness programs, raising a PreTeen, having adult children, being a MiMi or even being the Godly Wife and Mother I pray that I am becoming.  I'm excited you are here!  I'm excited to go on this journey with you.  If you would like to be notified when there is a new post up, put your email in the box to the right.  You will be notified each time.  So excited for this new chapter.  Are you ready?

LET'S DO THIS!!!!! 

I Am Back!!! ❤️❤️

It was about time!

I had been waiting.  I had been trying to figure out so many ideas.  I had the idea that I had to stay under the umbrella that I had created when I started this blog years ago.  The infamous “Food-Fun-Fitness-Faith-Family”.  There is NOTHING wrong with those words.  Absolutely nothing!  They are just fine but they are vague.  They don’t tell you anything specific about what you will find when you visit this blog.  

Last week I was struggling because I wanted to write and to share but felt like there was not a place for me to do so.  Then I listened to a call from a business leader that I admire greatly!  Melanie Mitro was doing a call about branding.  The bottom line question for me in her call was “Who are you?”.  

It hit me like a ton of bricks.  I was looking and praying for some answers and I got them all in one day!  It was absolutely amazing!  I was just in awe!  That sparked the Blog-Overhaul that has taken place here.  I absolutely LOVE what my friend Tracey has done here!  It’s just beautiful and exactly what I was looking for!  

I am super excited about what is coming.  A lot of recipes, encouragement, videos, funny stories, and sharing life with my readers.  I am so grateful for all of you! 

PLEASE put your email in the sidebar and you will get an email every time there is a new post. I do NOT share emails with anyone!! 

Thanks again! 😘

Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese

Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese

Total Time: 1 hr. 16 min.
Prep Time: 15 min.
Cooking Time: 61 min.
Yield: 10 servings, about 1½ cups each

Ingredients:
1 lb. dry whole wheat macaroni
1 tsp. olive oil
1 medium onion, chopped
2 medium red bell peppers, chopped
3 cups cubed butternut squash
1¾ cups low-sodium organic chicken broth
1 cup low-fat (1%) milk
2 Tbsp. low-fat (1%) plain Greek yogurt
1 cup shredded Gruyere (or Swiss) cheese
1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
Sea salt and ground black pepper (to taste; optional)
Nonstick cooking spray
Finely chopped fresh parsley (for garnish; optional)

Preparation:
1. Preheat oven to 375° F.
2. Cook macaroni according to package directions. Drain and set aside.
3. Heat oil in large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat.
4. Add onion and bell peppers; cook, stirring frequently, for 4 to 6 minutes, or until onion is translucent. Set aside.
5. Combine squash, broth, and milk in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce heat to medium; gently boil for 22 to 25 minutes, or until squash is tender.
6. Place squash mixture in a blender or food processor; cover with lid and kitchen towel. Blend until smooth.
7. Combine squash mixture, macaroni, onion mixture, yogurt, and cheeses. Season with salt and pepper if desired; mix well.
8. Place macaroni mixture in a 13 x 9-inch ceramic or glass baking dish that has been coated with spray. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until sauce is bubbling.
9. Garnish with parsley if desired.

Tip: Blend small batches of hot liquids in blender or food processor since they expand during the blending process, therefore decreasing the chance of overflowing.

Want more recipes?  Go Here 

How Bad Do You Want It?

New Challenge Group is starting on Monday (Sept 4th). We are super excited about doing this group and we are looking for women who are ready to answer the question-
HOW BAD DO YOU WANT IT????
How bad do you want to......
*Learn how to eat better
*Learn how to meal prep
*Learn what do you really want
*Loose 5 pounds
*Loose 10 pounds
*Be healthier
*Set the example for family and friends
Maybe you are like me and you work full time and have a child or 2 or even more in school and there is homework, dinner, taking care of the house and all of the other responsibilities and how are you suppose to get it done?
Well, we are going to show you how we do it and share some tips and tricks and ideas about how you can get it done and take care of yourself as well.
We start on Monday with the "Coach Introductions" and then we will dive in on Tuesday and get this party started!!!!  Are you ready? LET'S DO THIS!!!!!!!!!
Below is a personal invitation and you can simply click HERE to join in!!!!  Will we see you there??  I SURE HOPE SO!!!!!!!

Cranberry Crumble Bars

Cranberry Crumble Bars

Prep time: 20 mins

Cook time: 47 mins

Total time: 1 hour 7 mins

Serves: 12 servings, 1 bar each

Ingredients:

• Parchment paper
• Nonstick cooking spray

For Crust:

• 1 cup dry old fashioned oats, gluten-free
• 1 cup whole raw almonds
• ¼ tsp. sea salt (or Himalayan salt)
• 3 Tbsp. coconut sugar
• ¼ cup + 1 Tbsp. extra-virgin organic coconut oil, melted

For Filling:

• 3 cups coarsely chopped cranberries
• ¼ cup 100% orange juice
• 1 Tbsp. finely grated orange peel (orange zest)
• 2 Tbsp. coconut sugar
• 1 Tbsp. cornstarch, preferably GMO-free

For Topping:

• 3 Tbsp. coconut sugar
• 2 Tbsp. gluten-free all-purpose flour
• ¼ cup dry old fashioned oats, gluten-free
• 1 Tbsp. + 1½ tsp. extra-virgin organic coconut oil

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350° F.
2. Line an 8 x 8-inch pan with parchment paper. Lightly coat with spray. Set aside.
3. To make crust, place oats, almonds, salt, and sugar in food processor (or blender); pulse into a fine meal. Make sure no large pieces remain.
4. Add oil; pulse to mix. It should form a loose dough that sticks together when squeezed between two fingers. Add more oil if too dry.
5. Spread oat mixture into prepared pan. Press into an even layer with your fingers or a flat object (like a drinking glass).
6. Bake for 15 minutes. Increase heat to 375º F. Bake an additional 5 minutes, or until crust is fragrant and edges are slightly golden brown. Set aside.
7. Reduce oven temperature to 350º F.
8. To make filling, heat cranberries, orange juice, orange peel, sugar, and cornstarch in medium saucepan over medium heat, stirring frequently, for 5 to 7 minutes, or until bubbly. Set aside.
9. To make topping, combine sugar, flour, oats and oil in a small mixing bowl; mix with fork until mixture resembles coarse meal. Set aside.
10. Add cranberry mixture to crust; cover evenly.
11. Top with crumble topping; cover cranberries evenly.
12. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes, or until cranberry filling is warm and bubbly and topping is golden brown.
13. Cool completely for 1 to 2 hours. Lift parchment paper from pan; cut into 12 bars.

More recipes- Click Here

Bacon Cheeseburger Meatloaf

Bacon Cheeseburger Meatloaf 
Recipe type: Lunch/Dinner
Serves: 8 servings

Ingredients

• 4 slices low-sodium sprouted whole-grain bread, torn into large pieces
• ½ cup unsweetened almond milk
• 1½ lbs. raw 93% lean ground turkey
• 8 slices turkey bacon, cooked, chopped, divided use
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• ¼ cup dill pickle relish
• 1 large egg
• 1 clove garlic, finely chopped
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• ¼ cup all-natural ketchup

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350° F.
2. Place bread in food processor; pulse for 10 to 20 seconds, or until bread turns into coarse bread crumbs.
3. Combine bread and almond milk in a large bowl. Set aside for 5 minutes.
4. Add turkey, ¾ of turkey bacon, cheese, pickle relish, egg, garlic, and onion to bread mixture; mix well with clean hands (or a rubber spatula).
5. Place turkey mixture in loaf pan. Spread ketchup evenly over meatloaf. Sprinkle evenly with remaining turkey bacon.
6. Bake for 50 to 60 minutes or until internal temperature reaches 160º F, and meatloaf is cooked through.

More Recipes? Here

Chicken Marinara with Spaghetti Squash

Chicken Marinara with Spaghetti Squash

Spaghetti Squash-
Preheat oven to 400
Cut squash in half
Scoop out the seeds
Salt and Pepper to taste
Brush with olive oil and place cut side down on a non stick cookie sheet and back at 400 for approx. 45 minutes.  Set aside.

Chicken Marinara-
1 can diced tomatoes (no sugar or salt)
3 small carrots- peeled and cut into chunks
1 small onion- diced
1 can of tomato puree
1 can tomato paste
3 boneless chicken breast- diced
Add salt and pepper to taste
Add Italian Seasoning to taste
Place all ingredients in a pot and simmer on medium for approx 1 hour.

Scoop out squash with 2 forks.  Should appear like spaghetti.  Divide into 2 pasta bowls and add Chicken Marinara.

It is DIVINE!!!!!  Reheated is really good!!!!