Saturday, September 30, 2017

Egg Cups


Egg Cups

This was so easy and I can not believe I have never made them before!  The recipe came from a video that I had seen on Facebook (Here).  I did not have any bacon so I opted to trade it for a finely diced red peppers.  They puffed up when they were cooking and they were beautiful when they were cooking!!!!

So, here are the pictures from today's prep work.

12 eggs with 1/3 cup of milk.  Whipped together.
Salt and Pepper to taste


I stirred in 1/2 cup of shredded sharp cheddar cheese with about 1/4-1/3 cup of red bell peppers

Poured into the Brownie Pan and baked for 20 minutes on 375 degrees!

They LOOK AWESOME!!!!!!  Breakfast for the week is done!!!!!

Friday, September 15, 2017

Slow Cooker Refried Beans

Total Time: 8 hrs. 15 min.
Prep Time: 15 min.
Cooking Time: 8 hrs.
Yield: 12 servings, about ½ cup each
Ingredients:
1 lb. dry pinto beans (about 5 cups), rinsed, sorted
1 medium onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1 tsp. sea salt (or Himalayan salt), divided use
1 tsp. ground black pepper
1 sprig fresh espazote (or fresh oregano)
¼ tsp. crushed red pepper (optional)
6 cups hot water, divided use
1 tsp. olive oil
Preparation:
1. Place beans, onion, garlic, ¾ tsp. salt, pepper, espazote, red pepper, and 4 cups water in a 3-quart slow cooker; cover. Cook on high for 6 to 8 hours, or until beans are soft. Add additional water, if necessary, so that beans do not become dry.
2. Remove and discard espazote sprig. Strain beans, reserving liquid.
3. Heat oil in large, heavy skillet over medium-high heat.
4. Add strained beans and ¼ cup of reserved liquid; cook, mashing with a potato masher, for 5 to 8 minutes, or until they form a rough purée. Add more water if necessary to keep the fried beans from getting too dried out.
5. Season with remaining ¼ tsp. salt; mix well.
Want more recipes?  Go Here 

Friday, September 8, 2017

Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese


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.
Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese
Want more recipes?  Go Here 

Saturday, September 2, 2017

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!!!!!!!


Friday, September 1, 2017

Sleep!!!!

SLEEP!!!!!!!😴😴😴😴😴
We must learn to sleep 😴 and sleep 😴 well!
A couple of years ago, I ended up in a neurologist office with the fear that I could possibly have MS!
After some conversations about my history of migraines-she discovered that I was not sleeping. I mean REAL SLEEP!  Ever since having Kaleb- I wake up if he rolls over in the bed, the hubby moves, the dog shakes-I'm awake.
Well- no sleep in combination with the wonky weather/barometric pressure shifts-I was having migraines!!!!  I had no clue!!!!
So, Melatonin 3mg taken at 7pm-PERFECT!!!!  I have never felt better!!!!!  Amazing!!!!  Now I'm not recommending Melatonin for everyone!  I am saying-GET SOME SLEEP!!!!  It's so important!!!!
Get in a routine- this is IMPORTANT!!!!!!
How much sleep do you get??
Here are some ideas to help!!!!!!


Saturday, August 26, 2017

Why.....



Why are you smiling all the time?
This was the message that I received in my Facebook Messenger the other day.  It really caught me off guard at first and then I thought about it.  I went back and looked at my post on Facebook and Instagram and I realized that in probably 99% of my "Selfie" pictures, there was a smile on my face.  Well, she had a legitimate question!  I had never realized it or thought about it.  She was right.  So I had to think and ask myself, "Why are you smiling all the time?"
This was my response......
It's a choice!!!  I choose everyday whether I am going to get up and get my workout done and there are times when there is not a smile on my face when I start my workout.  At the end, there is a smile because whatever had me down and out before hand was now dealt with and was gone.  Most of the time it was because I was not awake yet and I had not had a cup of coffee yet!  Snapping that smiling selfie every single day is a choice.  I see and hear and talk to people all the time about life circumstances and it makes me realize that I have so much to be thankful for and I have a real reason to smile.

Let's take a look at some reasons WHY you can smile...... I am not taking any of this lightly because these are real thoughts and circumstances in some lives of the people that we know and love!

I could say that I don't have anything to wear when I have an entire closet of clothes.

I could say that I don't have anything to eat when I have an entire pantry of food.

I think about the sore muscles that I have and make up the excuses not to workout and remember there are those who would give anything to get up and go for a walk.

I think about the complaining that I do because I had rather stay at home today and not go to work but I think of those that are loosing everything because they have lost their job.

I could complain about my friends and family but I remember that there are people that have lost their families/friends and they are alone.

So when I think about this and put things into perspective and I can choose to smile in the midst of circumstances because there are others that would love to have my "problems".


So, YES, I am smiling in 99% of my pictures because I have made the choice!!!!  You have a choice just like I do.  What will your choice be the next time that you want to complain?  It's all about perspective!!!

Tuesday, August 22, 2017

Transformation Tuesday

Transformation Tuesday----Transformation Continues
First- I have not made my goal yet but I am on my way!
Second- I am a work in progress!
Third- I am super excited (and a little nervous) to share my pictures

This was a 3 week program.  It was a total ramp up style work out with a new Super Trainer named Chris Downing!  It started out with 25 minute workouts.  Second week was 35 minute workout and then the last week was a 45 minute workout.  It was cardio and weights and pushed me so much further!  I knew I could sweat/glisson but Oh My Word......Every workout was more and more of a sweat-fest!!! The nutrition plan was incredible.  If you have the crazy idea that if you are doing a program, that you can't eat and you will starve......You are Sadly Mistaken!!!!  There were days when I didn't think I could eat all the food that I was suppose to!  Not to mention, there was an approved cookbook with recipes for each week.  I'm telling you, this was an incredible 3 weeks!!!!!

The pictures below- My January kick off and then the current changes.  I'm super excited to keep this going and see what happens by the end of the year!!!!  Have you started and then stopped?  I have......but NOT any more!!!!  I'm in it for the long haul!!!!