Thai Basil Beef

Oh my gosh...YUM!! This dinner was so extremely delicious, easy, and quick to make! My 3 favorite things about a dinner! We eat a lot of chicken, so I feel like it's a treat when I make something other than chicken! This dinner calls for 12 oz. of beef, and I used the sliced beef for Carne Asada, which I found at Aldi's!! This makes it even easier, because the beef is already sliced! Just one less step in the dinner process! My 4 year old was raving about this meal!

So, if you need something different, tasty, healthy, and homemade, then skip the takeout and make this!!

Thai Basil Beef (Pad Gra Prow)
The Woks of Life

2 Tablespoons oil
12 oz. beef, sliced thinly against the grain and mixed with 1 teaspoon oil and 2 teaspoons cornstarch
5 cloves garlic, chopped (I used the already chopped kind, in a jar, just another step to make things simpler!!
1/2 red bell pepper, sliced thinly (I used more, since I really like pepper!)
1 small onion, thinly sliced
2 teaspoons soy sauce
1 teaspoon dark soy sauce (I just used all regular soy sauce, low sodium)
1 teaspoon oyster sauce
1 tablespoon fish sauce (I didn't have this on hand, so I just added some more soy sauce)
1/2 teaspoon sugar
1 cup Thai basil leaves, packed (I didn't use quite this much, I also just used regular basil)
Cilantro, to garnish

1. Heat your wok or skillet over high heat, and add the oil. Sear the beef until just browned. Remove from the pan and set aside.
2. Add the garlic and red pepper to the pan and stir-fry for about 20 seconds. Add the onions and stir-fry until browned and slightly caramelized.
3. Put the beef back in, with the soy sauces, oyster sauce, fish sauce, and sugar (I actually mixed these together first before I added them to the skillet.)
4. Stir-fry for another few seconds, and then fold in the basil until it's just wilted.
5. Serve with rice (regular or Jasmine) and garnish with cilantro!!

If you've tried this recipe, I would love to hear a review below!!

Enjoy!

Healthy Banana Bread Chocolate Chip Bars

You guys!! These were so good and such a special treat for me and my kids one morning!! I have been having fun finding new recipes that are healthy and tasty! I used to bake all the time, but since my daughter started having to eat gluten free, I really don't bake much anymore. I know I could! But I try to eat healthy, and I usually don't feel like making 2 batches of something, one regular and one gluten free, and plus, not all gluten free baked goods taste the best!!

But, I am finding that a lot of recipes that don't have gluten in them are really tasty!! For awhile, I would look for "gluten free" recipes, and I would find lots of complicated, expensive recipes that didn't always taste good or "normal".

But you guys, there are so many recipes out there that are much healthier than the regular baking recipes, without all the added white flour, white sugar, butter, and oil, and they taste amazing!! I wish we could make even more of these kind of snacks and breakfasts, so that my kids had less processed junk for snacks!! Make sure you give these a try, they are seriously delicious and my kids and I LOVED them!!

Healthy Banana Bread Chocolate Chip Bars
From AmbitiousKitchen.com

2 1/4 cups gluten free oats (or regular oats)
1/2 teaspoon baking powder (aluminum free)
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon cinnamon
3 medium ripe bananas
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce (I didn't have this on hand, so I used coconut oil)
1/4 cup honey (agave nectar if vegan)
1/3 cup chocolate chips (vegan, if desired)
For Chocolate Drizzle:
2 tablespoons chocolate chips (vegan, if desired)
1/2 teaspoon coconut oil

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Spray 9 x 9 inch baking pan with nonstick cooking spray.
2. To make oat flour: Place oats in a blender or food processor and blend for 1-2 minutes until oatmeal resembles flour. You may need to stop blender and stir oats a couple of times to ensure that all oats have been blended. Pour the oat flour into a medium bowl; whisk in baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon; set aside.
3. Place bananas, vanilla, applesauce (or oil), and honey into blender; blend 1-2 minutes or until smooth and creamy. Add to oat flour mixture and mix until just combined.
4. Gently fold in 1/3 cup of chocolate chips. Pour batter into prepared pan, spreading evenly with rubber spatula. Bake for 15 minutes or until knife inserted into center comes out clean or with just a few crumbs attached. Cool 10-15 minutes on wire rack.
5. Prepare drizzle by adding 2 Tablespoons of chocolate chips and coconut oil in microwave safe bowl. Microwave on high 30 seconds; stir well to combine, then drizzle over the top of bars. Cut bars into 16 squares and enjoy!!

Vanilla Raspberry Overnight Oats

You guys. I rave about overnight oats all the time. I even use a hashtag for it!! I LOVE overnight oats!! I love that I wake up and it's already made. I love that it's healthy. I love that it fits into the 21 Day Fix meal plan. And I LOVE raspberries...so I have completely fallen in love with this recipe!!

If you haven't tried overnight oats, it is oatmeal that soaks in some sort of liquid overnight, in this case, almond milk. It sits with the other flavors as well, and in the morning you have a glorious concoction of yumminess that is ready to eat or grab to go where you're going!! It works great in a mason jar!!

Vanilla Raspberry Overnight Oats
Adapted from Get Healthy

1/2 cup rolled oats
3/4 cup vanilla almond milk
1 Tbsp. ground flax seed
1 Tsp. Honey
1/8 tsp. vanilla bean paste (I just use vanilla extract)
Pinch of salt
1/2 cup mashed raspberries (I just lightly thaw some frozen raspberries, and stir them in!)

1. In a mason jar, add rolled oats and vanilla almond milk.
2. Add flax seed, honey, vanilla, and pinch of salt.
3. Stir all ingredients thoroughly together with a fork.
4. In a separate bowl, mash 4-6 ripe raspberries.
5. Add raspberries to oatmeal and stir it all together.
6. Leave mason jar in the fridge overnight!!

Enjoy!!

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.

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!!

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!!