What I have been eating!

Just wanted to give you an update of some of the YUMMY things I have been eating/making! 

Cheesy Stuffed Peppers

These were a great quick and easy snack, appetizer or side!

Stuff mini peppers with string cheese, broil for 10 minutes!

100% Whole Wheat Crust Pizza

I am super happy that this turned out! Get the recipe for the crust here!

I topped the pizza with Enricho's All Natural Pizza Sauce, chicken, peppers, onions, mushrooms and mozzarella cheese! It was delicious!

Avocado, Cucumber, and Tomato Open-faced Sandwich

This has been my quick and easy go-to lunch! 

100% whole wheat bread, topped with 1/4 mashed avocado, 2 slices tomato, and 2 slices cucumber!

THANKS FOR READING!!

UPDATE on my journey to a better me!

So it has been a little over one month since I started the 24 day challenge. Although I am not still doing the challenge, I did continue to take some Advocare products. Just because I fell in love with them! I am still taking:

-Spark (mental focus drink)
-Meal Replacement Shake
-MNS 3 (I did one more round of the max phase)
-Catalyst

I lost an ADDITIONAL 1% body fat and and 1 point BMI!!

That is a total of 4% body fat lost and BMI went from 26.3 to 23.9... IN ONE MONTH!!!!

And then as of this morning, I have lost a total of 10 pounds!

I feel great!

Here are some pictures for you :)

Easy one man pizza!

Here is a simple and yummy recipe to satisfy that pizza craving when you are, well- just one!

Whatever you want to put on it Pizza :)

Ingredients (that I used):
-1 c cherry tomatoes
-1/2 c chopped onions
-1/2 c chopped peppers
-1 diced cooked chicken breast or rotisserie chicken
-1 whole wheat tortilla or flat bread
- olive oil
- oregano/whatever spices you want to use
- 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350
2. Toss tomatoes and veggies in olive oil and spices
3. Roast veggies on baking sheet until blistered and golden (15-20min)
4. Remove from oven
5. Adjust oven to broil, and put rack about 4 inches about heat
6. Place tortilla on a baking sheet
7. Layer cheese, chicken, and veggies on top of tortilla
8. Broil until cheese is melted and edges are golden (2-3 min)

enjoy!!!

New King Ranch Casserole Recipe!

A few nights ago I made a recipe- it was very yummy! So yummy even Luke liked it! Then its really good :)

New King Ranch Casserole
taken from Whole Foods Market website

Ingredients:
2 Bell Peppers
1 bunch swiss chard (I did not have this so I used spinach)
1 Yellow onion
1 Can of cream of chicken soup
12 Corn tortillas (I used whole wheat tortillas) split in half
1 can tomatoes with green chilies
2.5 cups shredded cheese
2 lb frozen chicken breast

Preheat oven to 350F. Put chicken into large pot, cover with water and bring to boil. Skim off and discard any foam, reduce heat and simmer until cooked through about 10 minutes. Drain and set chicken aside to cool, and then chop roughly.

Meanwhile, in a large bowl, combine peppers, onions, soup and tomatoes.

Layer one-third of tortillas in bottom of oiled 9x13 dish.
Top with one-third of chard, one-third of chicken, one-third of veggie mix, then one-third cheese.

Repeat process two or more times.

Bake uncovered until bubbly and golden brown, 50-60 minutes

Nutrition Info: per serving (8 total)
320 cal/ 7g fat/ 2.5g sat fat/ 85mg chol/ 890mg sodium/ 27g carb/ 38g protein

New Recipe! Island Soyaki Chicken and Rice!

I finally got a chance to get around to trying Trader Joe's Island Soyaki marinade! It is a blend of soy sauce, teriyaki, and other things :) It was a great way to satisfy my chinese food craving! Here is what I made:

Island Soyaki Chicken and Rice

Ingredients:
-Trader Joe's Island Soyaki marinade
-6 chicken breasts
-1 cup brown rice (prepared as package instructs)
-1/2 cup diced peppers (any color)
-1/2 cup diced onion
-1/4 cup diced mushrooms
-1 scrambled egg
- 1 cup of a frozen veggie blend (carrots, peas, corn, etc) Cook according to package instructions

-Marinade defrosted chicken in Island Soyaki for atleast 30 minutes. Dice and cook in pan.
-Sauté  onions, mushrooms, and peppers. Add to already cooked brown rice. Add egg and veggie blend. Add a little bit of marinade to taste.

Serve chicken over rice and enjoy!

Being prepared: Snacks on hand

NUTS. Nuts are my go to.

When I am craving a snickers bar. When I am at a baby shower with ridiculous looking desserts. When I am on the go and so hungry I want to pull into Mc Donalds... nuts is what saves me. If I have them on hand when those moments arise- it is the best life saver!

So as I am preparing to go back to work and back into reality- I am trying to prepare myself and set myself up for success!

So I am making these "go to" bags of nuts for when I am going nuts and need something to munch on!
I stook some in my purse and diaper bag so they are ready when I am desperate :)