Roasted Sweet Potatoes

Grilling is one of our favorite ways to cook.  This is a super easy side dish that goes great with anything on the grill, especially BBQ!


3 sweet potatoes
1 tsp. sea salt
1 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. organic coconut sugar
1 tbsp. olive oil


Peel and wash sweet potatoes.  Cut them into cubes.  I usually cut them in half and then quarter them.  Toss them in olive oil and seasonings and bake for about 30 minutes at 350 or until tender. 

21 Day Fix Banana Oatmeal Cookies

1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
2 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp. sea salt
2 ripe medium bananas, mashed
1/4 cup golden raisins
1/4 cup chopped raw walnuts (I often replace these with dark chocolate chips per my boys request)
Nonstick cooking spray


-Preheat oven to 350
-Lightly coat baking sheet with spray
-Combine oats, cinnamon, and salt in a medium bowl, mix well
-Add bananas, raisins, walnuts or chocolate chips, and mix well
-Drop Tbsp of mixture on prepared baking sheet, and flatten cookie with spatula
-Bake for 14 to 15 minutes or until firm


Enjoy!

The SUNSHINE State, Challenges & Results!

Today is a great day, the sun is shining and the weather is finally beautiful!  I went for a morning run with Chris while Grandma Kathy and Papa Johnny watched the boys. This was a huge treat and a nice break from the treadmill! Running outside with Chris brought back so many wonderful memories of morning runs down to the beach when we lived in Florida.  We would often run before we headed off to work, and yes, before childrenJ  I am so excited to pack our bags this week and head back to this place we were blessed to call home for a few years.  We moved there shortly after we were married and before we had any children for Chris’ job.  It was a place that Chris and I shared so many firsts.  First home, first baby, first grade teacher, and many first hellos that blossomed into wonderful friendships, that I just couldn’t imagine life without.  

  

As we are getting out the summer clothes for our vacation, I have to say this is the first time I am not dreading getting into my summer wardrobe!  I have had awesome results on the 21 Day Fix and I am happy to say the girls in my current challenge are sharing the same trend! A few of the girls checked in this morning with their progress!  Wow, what awesome results in just 1 week! One of our current challengers lost 5lbs in 6 days! Amazing! I am SO happy for these girls for their hard work and dedication to getting healthy. They are getting the results we all deserve!

I will be starting another challenge on May 5^th, so if you are ready to get in the best shape of your life and feel the best you have ever felt, come on and join our challenge!  This really is a fun and effective way to getting fit and guaranteed happiness!  It is a great way to hold yourself accountable with the privacy of a closed and supportive Facebook group. Message me for details so we can get you started and I will help you every step of the wayJ

Chicken "Bobs"

Every week when we head to the grocery store my three year old Finn asks me if we can make “Chicken Bobs.”   Now that we are finally seeing sunnier days, Chicken Kabobs will definitely be a staple at the dinner table.  This recipe is for you Finny! 

 

4 boneless skinless chicken breasts cut in cubes

1 red, orange or yellow pepper

1 green pepper

2 zucchinis

1 fresh pineapple cut in cubes

1 red onion

1 pint cherry tomatoes

1 package portabella mushrooms

Sea salt and pepper to taste

Marinade chicken in fresh orange juice, balsamic vinaigrette, and a splash of low sodium soy sauce for a couple hours.  Wash and cut vegetables.  Skew chicken and vegetables, season with sea salt and pepper, and grill.  I usually serve over wild rice or brown rice.  Enjoy!  

Weeknight Family Dinner, Chicken Meatballs, Chaos, and Wine!

We like to eat dinner as a family especially on the weekends, but some weeknights I end up feeding our boys a little earlier than Chris gets home, because they act like they are starved!  Give them a healthy snack to hold them over and forget it, everything is YUCKY at dinner.  Tonight, I said family night!  Courageous, yes!  My brilliant idea quickly turned chaotic, and by the end of holding them off, I was wishing for a glass of wine!  It’s 5 o’clock somewhere, at least that’s what my husband would tell me!  Dad finally made it home, we all made it to the table and it was quite tasty so I thought I’d share J

Chicken Meatballs & Spaghetti Squash

1lb organic ground chicken

½ diced onion

1 teaspoon sea salt

½ teaspoon black pepper

½ teaspoon garlic powder

1-2tablespoons whole grain bread crumbs

1 egg (optional)

2 tablespoons freshly grated parmesan cheese

1 28 ounce can organic crushed tomatoes with basil

1 spaghetti squash

Mix chicken, onion, bread crumbs, egg, cheese and seasonings in a mixer.  Form into large meatballs.  1 lb makes approximately 8 meatballs.  Bake at 350 for 35 minutes.  Put in crockpot and  pour crushed tomatoes over meatballs.  Bake on low for 5-6 hours. 

Wash and slice spaghetti squash lengthwise.  Scoop out seeds.  Cover baking dish with shallow layer of water and place squash face down.  Bake at 350 for 35 minutes , or until you can easily pierce with a fork. 

Corn Avocado & Tomato Salad

Spring is in the air and I have to give my neighbor credit for this delicious and refreshing salad!   We have made this salad on a few occasions at our house and it is always a big hit! It is a great dish to bring to a spring/summer party or pair with anything on the grill.

2 T olive oil
2 T fresh lime juice
1/4 c fresh cilantro
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp freshly ground pepper
2 1/2 c fresh corn kernels or frozen corn
1 1/2 c diced avocado
1/2 c finely diced red onion
1 pint cherry tomatoes
1 can black beans, rinsed

In a large bowl whisk together olive oil, lime juice, cilantro, salt and pepper.  Add corn, avocado, tomatoes, onions and black beans.  Toss to mix.  Before mixing in the avocado, squeeze the juice of another lime over the avocado to keep it from turning brown.

Stuffed Flank Steak

This is a recipe I found on Pinterest from Recipe.com that quickly turned into a family favorite. We made a few substitutions from the original recipe to fit our family taste a little better. Hope you enjoy!

 

1 ½ lb-2lb flank steak

1 bag fresh spinach

1 red pepper

¼ cup goat cheese

¼ cup feta cheese

1 egg yolk

1 teaspoon garlic salt

1 teaspoon ground black pepper

1 tablespoon whole grain bread crumbs (I buy unseasoned)

Marinade (optional)

Splash of balsamic vinaigrette, fresh orange juice, reduced sodium soy sauce. 

 

Cut Flank steak in half and open up like a book.  Do not slice all the way through. You can chose to marinade it or not with our favorite family marinade.   

 

Microwave spinach for one minute in a glass bowl.  Let cool and squeeze liquid from spinach.  Mix spinach, red peppers, cheese, bread crumbs, and egg yolk in a medium bowl.

 

Season steak with ½ teaspoon garlic salt, and ½ teaspoon pepper.

Spread filling onto the steak, and carefully roll up.  Place rolled up side down in pan.  Sprinkle remaining seasoning on top of steak. 

 

Roast steak at 425 degrees for about 35 minutes, then heat under the broiler for 10 minutes to get crisp on top.  Let rest for 15 minutes, slice and serve.