*Skinny Brownies*

I love love love turning not so healthy recipes into healthier versions to share with my family & friends!!! Now they on the other hand....not so much hahahahaha! But they come around once they taste that the healthier version is actually not much different than what they are used to......SHOCKING huh?! 

That brings me to.....BROWNIES!!! Ohhhhh how we ALL love brownies........(I mean if you don't, I think there is something missing in your life!) I love brownies a little too much sometimes and tend to overindulge when they are around me, so I found a way to make 2 of my favorite things collide {Shakeology + Brownies = MAGIC}!! This recipe for Shakeology Brownie bites is yummy and you get the brownie taste without all the calories/added sugars!! 

 What you will need: 
-2 packets or 2 scoops of Vegan Chocolate Shakeology 
-2/3 cups of PB2 Peanut Butter Powder
-2 Tblsp of Honey
-2 Organic Eggs
-Few pinches of Cinnamon
-Baking pan or bread pan

What you'll do: 
Preaheat your oven to 350*, spray your baking pan with EVOO cooking spray, mix all the ingredients together in a bowl, pour into your pan and cook for 8-12 minutes or until cooked through (I had to add a few more minutes to mine), once they are done cut up into small bite size pieces and devour reasonably!!! 

These were a BIG hit with the hubby & our 3 yr old niece and of course ME!! Hope your family enjoys them as much as mine did!! 



-xoxoxoxo
Jenn 

KID Approved Mini Pizzas

Ok so sometimes on Friday nights or on the weekends the hubby and I are craving pizza and we don't want to eat the bad stuff or just don't feel like ordering out, so I make these and it totally satisfies that pizza craving!!

These little pizzas are the BEST & easiest thing to make AND for the mommas out there,  they can be super fun for the kids to help out with, without making a HUGE mess for you to clean up!!! 


*Mini Pizzas*
What you will need:
-Sandwich Thins ( I usually make about 6-8)
-Organic Pizza Sauce (they have a good one a Giant Eagle, just can't remember the brand)
-Turkey Pepporoni
-Fat Free Kraft Shredded Mozzarella Cheese
-And whatever other healthy toppings you'd like
(We are picky so pepporoni is all we like)

What to do:
-Seperate your sandwich thins and lay them all out on a baking sheet
-Spread a Tblsp of sauce onto each sandwich thin
-Add 3 pieces of your turkey pepperoni onto each sandwich thin
-Sprinkle a little less than a handful of your cheese onto each sandwich thin
-Pop in the oven on 350° for about 8-10 minutes and you have Mini Pizzas ENJOY!!

Skinny Hibachi.....SAYYYYY WHAT????

Sooooooo last weekend my hubby and I were out grocery shopping and we had eaten a late lunch. We kind of figured we would be hungry later on that night so I just said 'I'll pick something up while we shop'. Well the hubby of course was like 'babes I'm craving Yokoso!' (a hibachi restaurant where we live). So of course once he said that I soooooo wanted some too, but it was too late at that point because we were out shopping and still had to get home and put the groceries away. I decided to pick up a few things at the store that I knew I needed to make my *SKINNY* version of hibachi!!! 

I couldn't let this AMAZING recipe go by without sharing it with you!!! So here is my healthy little cheat meal for ya! 

*Skinny Hibachi*
What you'll need: 
-1 6 oz. bag of John Soules Beef Steak Strips
-1 6 oz. bag of Tyson Grilled and Ready Chicken Strips 
-1 12 oz. bag of fully cooked, tail off shrimp (I found a bag at Walmart) 
-3 bags of Uncle Ben's Whole Grain Boil in Bag rice
-2 Tblsp of Coconut Oil or EVOO for sautéing 
-La Choy Lite Soy Sauce
-2 Large Egglands Best Organic Eggs/Or you can use egg whites
-Garlic Powder, Pepper, Sea Salt, Minced Onion for taste

What you'll do: 
-Place your 2 tablespoons of coconut oil or EVOO into your skillet to heat up, place the steak/chicken and shrimp in pan and sauté for about 20 mins. add your seasonings. 
-While your meats are sautéing, boil your rice (as per instructions on box), once it is fully cooked, add it into another skillet (or you can do the same as your meats) and add your 2 eggs (this will make your fried rice), cook this up until eggs are fully cooked. 
-Once you have done both of these steps and everything is all cooked mix all of the cooked ingredients together in a BIG bowl and serve!! 
ENJOY!! 
And just like that you have a healthier version of hibachi at home!!!! At a much lower cost too I might add!!! 


I would not say and am not claiming that this recipe is 100% clean BUT it is something that I like to make every once in awhile for a yummy/healthy weekend cheat! My husband & I LOVE this recipe and I hope your family enjoys it just as much!!! I'd love to hear your feedback and how you put your own twist on this recipe, let me know your thoughts in the comments below and feel free to share with your family & friends! 



-xoxoxoxo
Jenn

P90 Results are IN & The the Start of My Insanity Max 30 Journey Begins!!!

Sooooo OK OK OK!! I admitted I was a slacker with my weekly update posts with P90 and I SOOOO apologize for that!! BUT the results are in and I am going to be 100% honest with you on this one!!! 

P90 was a GREAT program, I actually love changing it up and this was a nice switch up for sure! BUT 90 days is ROUGH and it's alot, let's be honest!! It got a little repetitive and I feel like some days I was just going through the motions. In my opinion, this program is definitely GREAT for someone who is just starting on their journey or getting back into working out, I wouldn't recommend for someone who has done harder/more intense programs such as FocusT25 or the 21 Day Fix. With that being said, my results are in and I did exactly what I wanted to do, toned up and maintained my weight!!! 

My measurements:

Before:                    After: 

Arm: 9.5                    Arm 9.5 

Bust: 28.5                   Bust 28.5

Waist: 25                    Waist: 25

Hips: 33                     Hips: 33

Thighs: 18                    Thighs: 18

Weight: 111.8                    Weight: 111.0

Mission Accomplished!

I can say that I am happy with my results from P90, losing more weight was not something that I wanted so this worked out perfectly for me!! I can definitely see more toning & shaping of that boooootttyyyy {which by the way was NON EXISTENT before Beachbody! ;)} and that's what I wanted!! 

Today I started my Insanity Max 30 journey and I couldn't be more excited but I must say I am gonna miss my weights/sculpting exercises from P90!!

Insanity Max 30 is NO JOKE!!! Let me just tell you that!!! Cardio, cardio and MORE cardio!! But I loved every minute of it!! Having ShaunT yelling and pushing me through when I am sooooo ready to give up is just what I needed after P90! (Tony Horton is much more laid back!) I cannot wait to see what the next 60 days brings, I know this workout program is going to push me harder than I have ever been pushed and I am excited for that and to grow through this program! 

I maxed out @ 16:52 very PROUD moment!!! 

NOW onto everyone's favorite part......the FOOD!!!! Insanity Max 30 follows the 21 Day Fix meal plan with the containers which is soooooo COOL!!! I have been following a pretty good plan of my own but wanted to step it up a notch with Insanity Max 30 to maximize my results so I sat down with the book, planned out my meals and voila! Meal plan=DoNeZo!! 

Ssssshhhh....Meal Planning in Progress!!!

It's nothing too crazy and I am totally used to eating the same thing daily because that is what works for me (everyone is different!), whatever works for you stick to it! I am not saying this meal plan is right or wrong I just know that it has worked for me! With that being said I plan to stick to this 100% throughout the week and give myself some 'cheats' in moderation on the weekends!  I will most definitely be having my 'comfort food' and healthiest meal of the day of Shakeology everyday for sure!!! Shakeology does a body good! Here is what I have come up with for my 1st week meal plan and I was shocked, I was actually FULL today and wasn't hungry or 'hangry' (angry/hungry LOL!)!!

I am so excited to go on this journey and cannot wait to share it with you!! I plan to share weekly updates (if my life isn't CRAZY!!) with you so you can go on this journey with me!! 

If you have EVER wondered what all this crazy Beachbody/Shakeology is all about, let's chat and see if one of these AMAZING programs would be a good fit for you!!!

-xoxoxoxoxo

Jenn 

My Super Bowl Favorite Snack Recipes!

Ok so smack me upside the head NOW....I seriously had NO CLUE the #SuperBowl was this weekend until I was looking for recipes for the blog and all these 'what are your favorite snacks for Superbowl Sunday?' recipes popped up in my google search!!! SEE what happens when my Steelers aren't in it, I don't pay any attention! Either way I am ALWAYS a TRUE #SteelerGirl!! 

Sooooo in the spirit of Super Bowl Sunday only being days away {even though my boys aren't in it!} I wanted to share my  3 favorite snacks/appetizers with you! 

First up is.....my *Skinny Buffalo Chicken Dip*

-2 cans of 95% Fat Free Canned Chicken (shredded)
-8 oz. of Greek Cream cheese
-1/2 cup of Frank's Red Hot
-1 TBLSP for WildTree's Blazin' Buffalo Seasoning
-1 cup Fat Free Ranch Dressing
- 1 1/2 cups of Fat Free Shredded Cheddar Cheese
*Mix all ingredients (only 1/2 of the cheese) in a sauce pan, bring to a boil, once finished garnish with the remaining cheese and serve with yummy BLUE Tortilla Chips!*

2nd in my top 3 is.....*Mini Tacos*

-Won ton wrappers in muffin tins filled with taco seasoned turkey meat, fat free cheddar cheese & bake for 8 minutes at 350. Top with favorite taco toppings! ..yum!

AND 3rd on the list is......*Zucchini Pizza Boats* OHHHH YES, they are deliciously healthy! 

Hope these recipes help make your Super Bowl Sunday a little more yummy while being healthy!!! ENJOY!! 


-xoxoxoxo
Jenn 

Who doesn't LOVE Lasagna.....Especially the HEALTHY kind?

Is your mouth watering yet???

OK so I absolutely LOVE lasagna, you would think I married an Italian or something ;) hahahaha! But no seriously, if you asked me what one of my FAVORITE comfort foods is, I would undoubtedly say some form of pasta, pasta, pasta!!

I am always on the look out for a healthier version of some of my favorite foods so that I can still enjoy them without feeling all the guilt! Well.....I totally found that when I discovered *Whole Wheat Lasagna Roll-Ups* >>>>> 1 word AMAZING!! The simple roll ups help you make personal size lasagna servings. And best of all, scooping them out of the pan when serving couldn’t be easier (I always find with lasagna, that it can get a little messy...)! 

If you are looking for a yummy, quick, easy, healthy recipe these roll ups are the solution to your problem! 

So do you wanna know the recipe????? Thought so......here ya go! 

What you will need: 

• 6-8 cooked whole wheat lasagna noodles
• 1/8 cup regular almond milk
• 6 ounces plain Greek yogurt
• 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper
• 1 cup fat free shredded mozzarella cheese
• 2 1/2 – 3 cups organic tomato sauce/paste
• chopped fresh parsley for sprinkling

What you'll do: 

Preheat oven to 375° F.

In a bowl, stir together the almond milk, Greek yogurt, Parmesan, salt and pepper. Evenly spread the mixture on to each of the cooked lasagna noodles. Sprinkle each with mozzarella and carefully roll. Leave about 1/4 cup of mozzarella for sprinkling on top.

Pour half of the tomato sauce into a baking dish. Place each roll in the sauce with the seam side down. Pour the remaining tomato sauce over the rolls. Sprinkle the rest of the mozzarella over top.

Cover dish with foil and bake for 30 minutes. Remove foil and bake for another 15 minutes, until cheese is melted. Cool before serving and sprinkle with parsley. 

AND Voila ----> lasagna the healthy/easy way!  ENJOY! 

-xoxoxoxo

Jenn 

{Husband APPROVED Healthy Stuffed Pepper Soup}

I am always on the lookout for healthy versions of recipes so I am not stuck eating the same thing alllllll the time!! It’s that time of year that everyone is looking for some ‘comfort food’! It’s getting colder outside and we are wearing warmer clothes/boots….it’s just that time of year where we want something warm & comforting to eat!! So when I came across this *Healthy Version of Stuffed Pepper Soup*, I of course was craving something warm & comforting and stuffed pepper soup seemed like it would really do the job….. WELL, let’s just say, I was in ‘comfort food’ heaven!!! Hahhahahaha it’s the small things for this girl!

This recipe has been husband, parents & grandparents {APPROVED} !! So of course I must share it with you too!! Sorry there is only one picture….we were too busy enjoying the soup to take more pics ;)

*Healthy Stuffed Pepper Soup!*

What you will need:

3 cups cooked brown rice

1 lb ground turkey or chicken

1/2 cup chopped green bell pepper

1 cup diced onion

3 cloves chopped garlic

2 cans (14.5 oz each) organic petite diced tomatoes

1 3/4 cups organic tomato sauce

2 cups reduced sodium, fat-free beef broth

2 cups of water (may need to add more as necessary)

1/2 tsp chili powder

1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp pepper to taste

I tried to figure out the calorie count and I think it runs about 275 calories for a heaping bowl (about 1 1/2 cups).  Makes about 8-10 cups total. 

What you’ll do:

Cook 3 cups brown rice and set aside.

Using a large soup pot, brown the meat and drain any remaining fat.  Reduce the heat and add in the peppers, onion and garlic.  Cook until the veggies are slightly tender (about 5 minutes). 

Add in canned tomatoes, beef broth, tomato sauce, chili powder and salt and pepper. 

Cover and simmer for another 5 minutes.  Lastly, add in the cooked rice and simmer on low for 25 minutes. 

This is a FAVORITE in our house throughout the fall/winter months and you can even make a bigger batch and store some in the freezer for when you need a quick meal….just thaw, heat and eat!! Hope this recipe WINS over your family like it did mine! Share your comments or if your family enjoyed it, I’d love to hear all about it!!

{ENJOY!}

XOXOXO

-Jenn