Monday, January 25, 2016

Caribbean Chicken Tacos


 
These Caribbean Chicken Tacos were so delicious! All the different elements made each bite so amazing!! This might not be the best family-friendly meal, since the meat was a little spicy and the salsa had raw onions in it. So I just made cheese quesadillas for the kiddos, and the hubby and I LOVED these!! I have never made a homemade salsa with mango, pineapple, and other yummy stuff...but it was delightful!! You have to make these!!



Caribbean Chicken Tacos
lecredmedalacrumb.com

3-4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 1/2 tablespoons Caribbean seasoning (store-bought OR see below for the homemade recipe)
8 taco-sized soft flour tortillas
2 cups coleslaw (without dressing) (you could also just chop up some cabbage)



Caribbean Salsa

1/2 red bell pepper, diced
1/2 red onion, diced
1 mango, diced
1 cup pineapple, diced
1/4 cup cilantro, roughly chopped
1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

Instructions

1. Prepare the salsa by combining all ingredients in a bowl and stirring well. Cover and chill until ready to use.
2. Slice chicken breasts into strips (I like to buy chicken tenderloins, they are smaller pieces and seem easier to cut!) and place in a bowl. Sprinkle chicken with half of the Caribbean seasoning, stir, then sprinkle with the remaining seasoning and toss to coat.
3. Cook chicken in a large greased pan or skillet over medium heat for 5-8 minutes until cooked through.
4. To serve, fill each tortilla with cooked chicken, then top with coleslaw (or cabbage) and Caribbean salsa. Serve immediately with fresh limes for drizzling if desired.

Homemade Caribbean seasoning
2 teaspoons paprika
2 teaspoons cayenne pepper
2 teaspoons salt
2 teaspoons black pepper
2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
1 teaspoon brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes

Stir together all seasoning ingredients in a small bowl.




Monday, January 18, 2016

Egg Muffins




I am getting so excited about meal prep!! I truly think that that is one HUGE key to doing well in your nutrition! If you learn the discipline of regularly doing a healthy grocery shop, planning out your meals/snacks, and then doing meal prep each weekend, you are PLANNING for success!! If we don't plan for success, and just hope that success will just come, we are fooling ourselves!! Healthy food is not going to just hop into our mouths!!! We have to plan for it!!

Here is one of the recipes I made this past weekend to prepare for a healthy week! Healthy, on-the-go breakfasts are the best!! No prep, pull them out of the fridge, and heat up!! I have posted this recipe on my other blog, but I tweaked it this time, and they are delicious!!

Enjoy!!



Egg Muffins
Makes approximately 18 muffins
Serving Size: 2 muffins
21 Day Fix servings: 1 1/2 red, 1/2 green, 1/2 blue

18 eggs, whisked, with 6 yolks removed
veggies of your choice, about 1 1/2 cups (I used onions, sweet peppers, and broccoli!)
1/2 one string of turkey kielbasa
6 slices of Turkey Bacon (I used regular bacon, because that's what I had on hand, but ideally, use turkey bacon!!)
Sharp Cheddar Cheese, about 3/4 cup
Salt, pepper, garlic powder

1. Fry up the bacon. Towards the end of that, add in the chopped turkey kielbasa. I diced mine pretty small!!
2. Sautee the veggies in the same pan. It will give them the flavor from the meat!! Season the veggies with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and/or any other spices you love! Add the meat back in and stir together.
3. Spray a muffin tin with cooking spray. Spoon about a Tablespoon of the veggie/meat mixture into the bottom of each muffin tin.
4. Pour the eggs into each muffin tin, filling each until about 3/4 full.
5. Top with a pinch of sharp cheddar cheese!
6. Bake at 350 degrees for 15-17 minutes!



At this point, you can pop them into the fridge for an easy breakfast, or pop them into the freezer for later! I did half and half, so I could enjoy them this week, and have more for later!! These are so easy to make, and will save you so much time during the week! Eggs are an excellent source of protein, and a great way to start your day!!

I hope you enjoy them!

Creamy Chicken Salad


You guys, seriously!!

This is one of my favorite healthy lunches!! I am a HUGE fan of chicken salad, and I love that I can make this ahead of time and have it for the week!! So, I wanted to share this recipe with you!! I'm so nice like that!!

You can serve it over 2 cups of lettuce, roll it up in a wrap, or serve it up on some bread!! I will also include the recipe for the amazing homemade honey mustard dressing that goes into this!

This is also a good recipe to travel well! Pack it for lunch on-the-go, and know that you will have a yummy, healthy lunch already prepared!!

Creamy Chicken Salad
Fixate Cookbook
Autumn Calabrese
Serves: 4 (But I just make it for myself and eat it all week :))
21 Day Fix: 1 Green, 1/2 purple, 1 red, 1/2 blue, 1/2 orange

3 cups chopped rotisserie chicken breast, boneless, skinless
1/2 cup chopped green apple
1/2 cup seedless red grapes, cut in half
1/3 cup sliced raw almonds
2 green onions, sliced
2 Tbsp. chopped fresh tarragon
1/4 cup Honey Mustard Salad Dressing
8 cups shredded romaine lettuce (if you are serving this as a meal all at one time)

1. Combine chicken, apple, grapes, almonds, green onions, tarragon, and Honey Mustard Salad Dressing in a large bowl; mix well. Refrigerate, covered, for 2 hours.
2. Serve 1 1/4 cups Creamy Chicken Salad over 2 cups romaine lettuce for each serving.

Honey Mustard Salad Dressing
Fixate Cookbook
Autumn Calabrese

1/2 cup reduced fat (2%) plain Greek yogurt
3 Tbsp. Dijon mustard, gluten-free
3 Tbsp. raw honey
3 Tbsp. rice vinegar
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
Sea Salt (to taste; optional)

1. Combine yogurt, mustard, honey, and vinegar in a medium bowl; mix well.
2. Slowly add oil, whisking constantly until well blended; season with salt if desired.

Seriously, you are going to love this!! I know it's one of my favorites!!

Saturday, January 2, 2016

My Fight for 2016


Here is a post I recently posted on Facebook:

Fight. This is my word for 2016. I have to fight against my depression/anxiety. I need to fight for my health and against overeating. I have to fight my negative, degrading thoughts about myself. I need to fight for my business, because success is possible. I need to fight against laziness, and pursue God even when I don't "feel" like it. And if I want a clean house, I may just have to fight for that, too. Even if I'm fighting my kids smile emoticon So, 2016...get ready for a fight!!

So, let me expand a little!

Lately, I have been feeling extremely defeated. I can't put my finger on exactly what is wrong. I don't know if I have a chemical imbalance, aren't getting enough sleep, am depressed because of my weight, or feel overwhelmed with all my responsibilities/duties. It's probably a combination of all those things. Mixed with things from the past that have deeply hurt me. But whatever it is, I don't want to just give into all those things. I easily feel horrible, and let the negative spiral of thoughts and emotions take over me. But I know I was made for more. Created for more. And I want to use what God has allowed in my life to encourage and inspire others.

That's one reason why being a Beachbody Coach is so meaningful to me. It's not just my "job." Yes, it is a job that I work that brings in an income. But it is so much more than that. To help others reach their goals, encourage others on their journey to get healthy and fit, to be a part of something bigger than me...that is rewarding, folks!

So in 2016, how can I be an encouragement to you? What goals do you have that seem impossible? Which goals are you scared to write down, because they seem like they could never happen?

I'm not saying I'm a miracle worker or anything. But maybe we could help inspire and encourage each other. This Beachbody Coaching thing has become far greater and inspiring than I could have ever imagined. I started out just thinking that I didn't have enough time to invest in one more thing. Now, I find myself wishing I had more time to invest in it, because it's my passion, my love, and my creative outlet!

Soooo, I'm looking for 3-5 women who are looking for...

1. Something new to inspire and encourage them
2. Something to help inspire and encourage others
3. Are or want to be on a health/fitness journey
4. Could use some extra income
5. Want to be a part of something bigger!!

If any of these things sound like they ring a bell, then let's chat!! Being a part of my Team, Fit Fuel, might just be the place for you! We are doing amazing things in 2016...and you might just be our missing link!!

Comment below with interest, and I'll set up a time to chat!!