Clean Eating French Onion Soup - 21 Day Fix Approved

On Monday, I started 22 Minute Hard Corps from Tony Horton.  To say I love this program is an understatement.  I can do all the exercises, but it challenges me so much!  I can barely get through the entire workout.  It is so much fun and as an added bonus, my kiddo is participating.  I love being able to workout with my kiddo!

I have had several requests for a 21 Day Fix French Onion Soup.  I have been thinking about it for a while deciding the best way to go about it.  Our family has always loved Kelsey Nixon's French Onion soup, but it was not Fix approved.  I have been working on tweaking her recipe and I think I have come up with full flavored, fix approved soup.

Start by cutting up 4 large sweet onions into thin slivers.  Using a large dutch oven, heat the olive oil over medium heat.  Once oil is hot, turn down heat to low and add onions, thyme, and pepper.  Over low heat, cook onion mixture for 30-50 minutes, stirring frequently.  Keep an eye on the onions, they will burn if not stirred.  Onions will become a golden brown and very soft.

Add flour and cook for 1-2 minutes.  Add wine and scrape up anything caught to the bottom of the pan.  Increase heat to a boil and boil for 2-3 minutes.  Add beef and chicken stock.  Bring back to boil.  Reduce heat and simmer for 30 minutes.  Season with pepper.

During the last five minutes, prepare your bread.  Turn oven to broil.  Use whole wheat or oatmeal bread.  Use 1/2 slice bread for each serving.  Cut bread into small pieces.  Arrange bread on baking sheet and toast until crispy, 3-5 minutes.

Remove thyme from dutch oven.  Pour soup into 6 oven-safe crocks.  (For 21 Day Fix, 1 1/2 green containers.)  Top with 1/2 slice of bread and 1 tbsp mozzarella cheese.

Place crocks under broiler for 3-5 minutes or cheese is melted and begins to brown.  Be careful removing the crocks from the oven.  They will be super hot.  Enjoy!

Clean Eating French Onion Soup

Servings: 6 servings

Time: Prep: 10 minutes

          Cook: 1 hour 10 minutes

Containers: 1 Green, 1/2 Red, 1/4 Yellow, 1/2 Blue

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup Olive Oil
• 4 Large Sweet Onions
• 8 Sprigs of Thyme
• 1 tsp Pepper
• 1 tbs Sorghum Flour 
• 1 cup Dry White Wine
• 6 cups Low Sodium Beef Broth
• 2 cups Low Sodium Chicken Broth
• 3 slices of Whole Wheat or Oatmeal Bread
• 6 tbsp Mozzarella Cheese

Directions:

• Slice onions in thin slivers.
• Heat Olive Oil in a dutch oven over medium heat.  When oil is hot, reduce heat to low.  Add onions, thyme, and pepper.  Cook over low for 30-50 minutes, stirring frequently.  Onions will be golden brown and very soft.
• Add flour and cook for 1-2 minutes.  Add wine and scrape bottom of pan.  Increase heat to high and bring to a boil.  Boil for 2-3 minutes.  Add beef and chicken broth.  Bring back to boil.  Reduce heat to simmer and simmer for 30 minutes.
• Preheat oven to broil.  Cut bread into small pieces.  Arrange bread on baking sheet and broil for 3-5 minutes or crispy.
• Remove thyme.  Pour soup into 6 oven-safe crocks.  Top with bread and cheese.  Place crocks under broiler for 3-5 minutes or cheese is melted and begins to brown.
• Enjoy!

Blackberry Cheesecake Shakeology

Lately, I have been obsessed with blackberries.  Not sure why.  But they have been cheap at Sam's and are very sweet.  At the same time, I am not a fan of cheesecake.  Not sure why.  I love cake and I love cream cheese.  But together, not so much.

However, when I saw sugar free cheesecake pudding at the store, I wanted to try it in Shakeology.  I had seen a couple recipes with sugar-free Jello and wanted to try it out for myself.

It turned out very yummy.  Even kiddo wanted more.

Blackberry Cheesecake Shakeology

Time: 3 Minutes

Serving Size: 1

Ingredients:

1 scoop Vanilla Shakeology

2 tbsp Sugar Free Cheesecake Jello (just the powder)

6oz Unsweetened Almond Milk

6oz Water

1 cup Fresh or Frozen Blackberries

Directions:

Add all ingredients to blend.  Blend until smooth.

Blackberry Vanilla Shakeology

Yesterday, I had a long run scheduled.  It was supposed to be 11 miles, but my crazy brain said to keep going so I made it 13.1.  It felt nice to knock that out.  Now I know I will be able to complete my half in May.  It is a nice feeling.

After my run, I was so craving something sweet and fruity, so I came up with this simple Shakeology recipe.

Blackberry Vanilla Shakeology

Serving Size: 1 serving

Time:

Prep: 3-5 minutes

Ingredients:

1 Cup Fresh or Frozen Blackberries

1 Scoop Vanilla Shakeology

6oz Unsweetened Almond Milk

10oz Water

1 tsp Honey

Directions:

Put all ingredients in a blender.  Blend until smooth.

21 Day Fix Approved Chipotle Ranch Dressing

I love chipotle ranch.  It is my favorite salad dressing and dip.  Last weekend, I saw it used on a hamburger.  It sounded so good, but not at all 21 Day Fix approved.  So I set out to make my own.

I like my food on the spicy side, so I added a little more chipolte.  You can add as little or as much as you would like to get your level of spicy.

21 Day Fix Approved Chipotle Ranch Dressing

Serving Size: 1/2 Red Container
Servings: 2-3 depending on how you fill your Red Container

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Idle Time: 2 hours to refrigerate if used as a dip

Ingredients:
1/2 Cup 1% Cottage Cheese
2 Tbsp low fat plain Greek yogurt
Juice from 1/2 lemon
1 Tbsp 1% milk or unsweetened almond milk
1/2 Tsp Onion Powder
1/2 Tsp Garlic Powder
1/2 Tsp dried Dill
1 Tbsp diced Green Onion
1 Tbsp parsley
1/2 can Chipotles in Adobe Sauce

Directions:
Add all ingredients to blended.  Blend until smooth.  (Dressing will be thin.)
If using as a dip, refrigerate for 2 hours.
Portion into one red container for a serving.

21 Day Fix Apple, Cranberry, and Pecan Slaw

This has been quite the week!

I spent most of last week with the flu and bronchitis.  I think I am one of the few people who might enjoy being sick.  Don't get me wrong, personally I can't stand being sick.  It is such a waste of time.  However, as kiddo gets older and starts spending less time with me, I find I relish the rare opportunities we are sick together.

So I spent most of last week, cuddling and watching TV with kiddo.  I also learned a lot about Skylanders and that whole world!

However, enough is enough!  So today was cleaning and putting the house back together after my husband was in charge of everything last week.  God love him!  He tries so hard, but we are different types of cleaners.

So while we shampooed carpets, did about a million loads of laundry, and general cleaning.  We smoked a chicken and made some yummy sides.

I will share the chicken recipe later in the week, but HAD to share this awesome recipe for Apple, Cranberry, and Pecan Slaw.

The basis for this recipe is an apple slaw we had for dinner when we went out last night.   That slaw was so yummy, but hardly healthy.  So I set out this afternoon to make a 21 Day Fix approved apple slaw.

I was so thrilled when this came together.  I missed the 21 Day Fix food plan last week.  I am so happy to be back on it and eating healthy.

Let me know what you think!

21 Day Fix Apple, Cranberry, and Pecan Slaw

Time:
Prep: 10 minutes

Serves: 8-10, depending on use of containers
Serving Size: 1 Green Container

Containers:
1/2  Green, 1/2  Purple, 1/4  Orange, 1/4  Red

Ingredients:
1 Cup Plain Greek Yogurt
1/4 Cup Honey
2 Tbsp Apple Cider Vinegar

1 Bag of Shredded Cabbage and Carrots
2 Granny Smith Apples (Cut into thin straws)
1/2 Cup Pecan Bits
1/2 Cup Dried Cranberries
2 Tbsp Green Onion

Directions:
In a medium mixing bowl, combine yogurt, honey, and apple cider vinegar.  Whisk until combined, set aside.

In a large bowl, combine cabbage/carrots, apples, pecans, cranberries, and onion.  Right before serving, toss with yogurt mixture.  Serve immediately.

Doc McStuffin is Adopting!!

Today is ADOPTION DAY!  Six years ago today, kiddo officially and legally joined our family.  Not that he didn't have everyone wrapped around his finger already.  But is it nice to have all those legal issues done.

However, adoption can be a tricky subject to explain to kids.  Our five year old still does not fully "get" the difference between his birth story and that of his cousins.  Truth be told, he just doesn't care.  Sure he likes celebrating gotcha day and adoption day.  He loves the extra attention and presents.  But that is the extent of it.  Someday he might show more interest.  Until then, we try to talk about it as he is interested before Star Wars or dinosaurs catch his attention and he is off again.

I was so pleased when this week we saw Doc McStuffin's family was adopting a baby.  I was also so excited with kiddo turned to me and said, "that is just like me."  We are anxiously counting down the days until March 4 when the first of four episodes will air.

Doc McStuffins always has dealt with issues kiddo is going through with such compassion and understanding that I have great hopes for this series.  (The episode on losing teeth was so helpful right before kiddo lost his first tooth.)

Per Disney's Press Release, here is an episode guide.

FRIDAY, MARCH 4
“Baby McStuffins” – Mom and Dad announce that they are adopting a baby and give Doc a new baby doll to practice her babysitting skills.

FRIDAY, MARCH 11
“Runaway Love” – Doc’s little brother Donny worries that the arrival of the new baby will take attention away from him so he hatches a plan to run away. Meanwhile, Doc is so busy helping her parents prepare for the new baby that Lambie also starts to feel left out.

FRIDAY, MARCH 18
“Hooty’s Duty” – When Doc realizes that the arrival of a new baby means a new group of baby toys will also be coming home, she seeks to put one of her own toys in charge of them, and Professor Hootsburgh proudly volunteers for the job.

FRIDAY, MARCH 25
“Bringing Home Baby” – The baby’s gender will be revealed during this special 22-minute episode. Mom and Dad get the call that the new baby is on the way, so Grandma McStuffins arrives to take care of Doc and Donny. Grammy Award-winning singer and actress Dawnn Lewis (“A Different World”) guest stars in the new recurring role of Grandma McStuffins.

FRIDAY, APRIL 1
“Baby Names/Night Night, Lala” – The McStuffins family comes up with the name for the baby and baby’s new toy, Lala, has a hard time adjusting to her new environment.

Are your kiddos excited about the new Doc McStuffins story line?  

Cinnamon Coffee Chocolate Shakeology

I ran past a Krispy Kreme this afternoon.  It smelled so good!  However, I am half way through my 4th Round of 21 Day Fix and I was not about to cheat with donuts, no matter how good they smelled.

So 4 miles done today.  They were slow, hilly, and windy!  I am so glad it is over!

Unfortunately, I have been craving coffee since then.  It did not help either that CNN published a article on how much sugar is in Starbucks.  Checkout this craziness.

This is from CNN.  For info on Starbucks and sugar, check out this article.
http://money.cnn.com/2016/02/17/news/companies/sugar-coffee-drinks/index.html

But craving don't just vanish, so I came home after picking kiddo up from school and put this together.  I thought it would be yummy, but this was awesome!!!

Let me know what you think!

Cinnamon Coffee Chocolate Shakeology

• 1 cup unsweetened, vanilla Almond Milk
• 1 cup French Roast Decaf
• 1 scoop Chocolate Shakeology
• 1 tsp cinnamon

• Blend.  Add ice if you want it colder.

Valentine's Day Snacks (21 Day Fix Approved)

This year kiddo's school asked me to make fruit kabobs of some sort for his Valentine's Day party.  Knowing I had to live up to the cookies I brought to the Christmas party, I started to sweat a little.  After a little research and a quick trip to Sam's these are the treats kiddo is taking tomorrow.

These little treats are so easy and healthy.  Best of all, kiddo thought they were so cool.  All you need are clementine oranges, grapes, strawberries, and wooden skewers.

Wash all your fruit.  Then I peeled the oranges.  Next I cut notches out of the tops of the strawberries.

After that, I set up a little assembly line to make everything go faster.

For these, I used two orange sections, seven total grapes, and one strawberry.  Start with an orange section, then add a grape and another orange section.  Then add six grapes, try to choose grapes that are rougly the same size.  Since these were going to a preschool classroom, I cut the pointed end of the skewer.  I did this for two reasons.  First, I know the skewers will be used as light sabers and wanted to avoid a sharp point.  Second, with all the other party goodies, I did not want to make them too big or the skewers too long.  Then add a strawberry.

It took me a little less than two hours to make 48 of them.  Kiddo was so excited about taking them to school, he couldn't wait.  So he got an extra one a day early.  What a sneaky way to get a few more fruits in!

If you are on the 21 Day Fix, 2 skewers equal 1 purple.

I hope you enjoy these yummy treats!   Have a very happy Valentine's Day!

Your Why

There are so many wonderful thoughts going through my mind as I write this first post.

First, I have a blog.  That is just crazy to me.  I am not a writer.  I can talk for hours, but writing (typing) after my stroke can be challenging at times.

Second, It is crazy where life has taken me.  I never thought this is where I would be in my life.  It never occured to me that someday "I" would be a health and fitness coach.  Which got me thinking about "whys".  Why do I do this?  Why am I here typing this?

Simply put, I was overweight.  Two miscarriages, a diagnosis of PCOS, and various other hormone issues cause my weight to skyrocket and I wasn't interested in putting the work in to lose the weight. My husband and family loved me, I was no super model.  I didn't care.

Then this amazing creature walked into my life.  Everything changed in an instant.  I wanted to become the best mom in the world to my son.  I would do anything it took to accomplish this.

In 2012, two weeks before his second birthday, I knew I needed to make changes to keep up with him.  I started walking, then running.  Hoping this would take the weight off.  Very slowly, it started to.  Then the world changed for me.  In March 2013, I suffered a bi-lateral verterbral arterial dissection and stroke.  I was told I would never walk much less run.  Now, no one tells me what I can and can't do, especially a neurosurgeon who doesn't have my best interest at heart.

Eight months after my stroke, I started running.  Eighteen months after my stroke, I ran my first half marathon.

Running helps keep several of my stroke symptoms at bay, especially post stroke anxiety.  However, it didn't help with weight loss.

Recently, I was introduced to Team Beachbody and the 21 Day Day Fix.  This program has worked miracles.  I have lost weight and kept it off.

So what does this have to do with "why?"  I believe we can only succeed if we truly understand what motivates up.  Getting healthy, running, losing weight seem like the easy why.  But they are not.  We need to get to the root of why we do what we do.

For me it is simple.  Everything I do is for my son.  I want to be there for him.  I want him to remember running with me, learning healthy eating habits.  Being there for his graduation and wedding.  (Nothing is worse than being told I might not make it the next 24 hours knowing my baby was at home waiting for me.)

I challenge each of you.  Really think about why you are making a decision to get healthy.  Once you figure out what truly motivates you, you will be unstoppable.  There will not be a challenge you cannot meet head on and overcome.

Need help getting healthy?  Let me know I will be happy to help you on your journey.