IN THE MOOD FOR TACOS

Oh my gosh - I've been craving tacos so I did some research and these are totally going on our meal plan next week. What do you think? Don't they look awesome! They are called Mexi Cal Tacos!

MEXI CAL TACOS

Ingredients:
2 Tbsp. nonfat plain yogurt
3 Tbsp. fresh lime juice, divided use
2 Tbsp. finely chopped cilantro, divided use
1 medium tomato, chopped
1 medium onion, chopped, divided use
1 medium jalapeño, seeds removed, chopped (optional)
2 Tbsp. olive oil
1 cup assorted vegetables (like sliced mushrooms, spinach, or marinated cactus)
1 (14-oz.) package firm tofu, crumbled
3 cloves garlic, crushed
1 tsp. chili powder (or chipotle seasoning, habañero seasoning, or cumin)
4 (6-inch) whole wheat tortillas, warm
1 cup shredded romaine lettuce
Fresh cilantro leaves (for garnish; optional)
4 lime wedges (for garnish; optional)

Preparation:
1. Combine yogurt, 2 Tbsp. lime juice, and 1 Tbsp. cilantro in a small bowl; mix well. Set aside.
2. Combine tomato, ¼ onion, jalapeño (if desired), and remaining 1 Tbsp. cilantro in a small bowl; mix well. Set aside.
3. Heat oil in large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat.
4. Add remaining ¾ onion; cook, stirring frequently, for 3 to 4 minutes, or until translucent.
5. Add vegetables; cook, stirring frequently, for 4 to 5 minutes or until crisp.
6. Add tofu, garlic, and chili powder; cook, stirring frequently, for 3 to 4 minutes, or until tofu is lightly browned and vegetables are tender-crisp.
7. Add remaining 1 Tbsp. lime juice; reduce heat to medium-low and bring to a gentle boil. Remove from heat.
8. Top tortillas evenly with lettuce and tofu mixture.
9. Drizzle with yogurt sauce; garnish with cilantro leaves and lime wedge. Serve with tomato salsa.

This recipe was from the Team Beachbody Website and I am a Team Beachbody Independent Coach! Join me in my next fitness challenge!

Following the 21 Day Fix meal plan? This recipe is 1 Green, 1 Yellow, 1/2 red, 1/2 blue/orange

Slow Cooker Chicken and Quinoa with Spring Vegetables

Total Time: 3 hrs. 56 min.
Prep Time: 20 min.
Cooking Time: 3 hrs. 36 min.
Yield: 8 servings, about 1 cup each

Ingredients:
1½ cups dry quinoa
1 lb. raw chicken breast, boneless, skinless, cut into 1-inch cubes
7 cups low-sodium organic chicken broth, divided use
4 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1 tsp. dried basil (or chives or parsley)
Sea salt (or Himalayan salt) and ground black pepper (to taste; optional)
6 tsp. prepared pesto sauce
3 cups fresh or frozen peas
1 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice
2 tsp. olive oil
2 cups shredded (or grated) carrots
1 bunch asparagus, cut into bite-sized pieces (about 2 cups)
½ cup grated Parmesan cheese

Preparation:
1. Place quinoa, chicken, 4 cups broth, garlic, and basil in a 3-quart slow cooker. Season with salt and pepper if desired. Mix well and cover; cook on low for 3 to 3½ hours, or until chicken is not pink and quinoa is tender. The mixture will be very thick and sticky.
2. Remove lid. Add remaining 3 cups broth, 1 cup at a time, until mixture resembles the consistency of risotto. You may not need to add all of the broth.
3. Add pesto sauce, peas, and lemon juice; mix well and cover. Set aside.
4. Heat oil in medium nonstick skillet over medium-high heat.
5. Add carrots; cook, stirring frequently, for 2 to 3 minutes, or until carrots are tender-crisp.
6. Add asparagus; cook, stirring frequently, for 2 to 3 minutes, or until asparagus is tender-crisp.
7. Fold carrot mixture into quinoa mixture; mix well.
8. Top each serving with 1 Tbsp. cheese.

21 Day Fix Portions = 1/2 green, 1/2 red, 2 yellows, 1 tsp

Fellow Coach Tim Lost 58 Pounds And Gained $500

Tim Smoot lost 58.3 lbs. in five months with 21 Day Fix. He entered his results into the Beachbody Challenge, and won the $500 Daily Prize for April 23rd!

Tell us about your life before you started the program. How did you feel about yourself and your body?
Prior to this program, I felt okay. I didn’t really pay any attention to my body or conditioning. I ate what I wanted and how much I wanted, paying no attention to caloric intake or quality of food.

What inspired you to change your life and begin your transformation journey?
In early 2015, approximately February, I went to my doctor, and had some blood work done and a routine physical. She called for the results, and we reviewed them. I had borderline high blood sugar and my blood pressure was still high, although it was managed by my physician. A few months passed, I was tying my shoes and struggling to breathe (I have sleep apnea as well); that’s when I started thinking about my health and poor food choices.

What is the greatest challenge you faced before beginning the program? How did the program and Beachbody help you overcome that challenge?
My greatest challenge was just getting going with some kind of exercise routine. I spoke to a friend of mine, and he recommended CrossFit, Tabata training. I started that around the beginning of July with some success. I lost approximately 35 pounds in a month or so. My wife had been doing 21 Day Fix while I was doing CrossFit. She said I should try it, because I wasn’t getting the results I wanted. I told her: “No, that’s a girly workout geared for women, and I am going to stick with CrossFit.” We went on a week of vacation in Maine, where we did a lot of hiking, and I was still 300 pounds. Though challenging, I did alright but could do better. So when we got home from vacation, we started doing 21 Day Fix together, and we haven’t stopped yet. 21 Day Fix has changed my life more than physically.

What in particular did you like about the program you chose?
I really like the exercise routines and the results we are achieving.

Describe the results you achieved with your Beachbody program. Which achievements are you proud of?
I have lost 58.3 pounds of weight, built a lot of muscle, and gained a lot of confidence. I am in the best shape of my life. I played Division I football, and I wasn’t in this kind of shape. I am 46 years old and am below my high school playing weight.

How has your life changed since completing your Beachbody program?
Every aspect of my life has changed so much that I couldn’t type it in a month’s time.

Fix Friendly Carrot Cake Energy Balls

Ingredients:
1½ scoops Vanilla Shakeology
½ cup old-fashioned rolled oats
⅓ cup all-natural smooth almond butter
4 Medjool dates, coarsely chopped
¼ cup raw walnut pieces
¾ cup shredded carrots
½ tsp. ground cinnamon
¼ tsp ground cloves
¼ tsp ground ginger

Preparation:
1. Combine Shakeology, oats, almond butter, and dates in food processor; pulse until dates are incorporated.
2. Add walnuts, carrots, cinnamon, cloves, and ginger; pulse until just blended.
3. Roll into fifteen balls, about 1-inch in diameter each.

Fix Friendly Conversion = 1 Yellow

*Recipe Shared From Team Beachbody

EASY - make your own HUMMUS

Making your own hummus is not only healthy, but also super easy!

Ingredients:

• 1 (16 ounce) can garbanzo beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 medium red bell pepper, cut into 1/2 inch pieces
• 1 tablespoon tahini
• 1 fresh lime, juiced

• 1 1/2 tablespoons water
  
  
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
• **Blend all in food processor until smooth.

PB Oats

This was a super filling and super satisfying breakfast!

Steel Cut Oats

Pb

Bananas

That's it!

Would you eat this?

ARE YOU PREPARED?

As I got myself ready to get to Aldi yesterday, it occurred to me that my "old" way of heading out to shop was drastically different than my "new" way. Before I would head out with a few items on my list and just grab whatever struck my fancy. I would often come home without some of the things I needed and with plenty of things I didn't need. Then I would try to make a meal plan. I would either grab a snack while I was there to munch on during my drive home (all of 10 minutes) or pick up something from the drive thru on my way home and pretend as if I just wasn't prepared when I asked my hubby what he wanted. But I knew what I was doing...

Today, as I grabbed my shake and headed for the door I felt proud of the changes I've made. I'm nowhere near perfect. Just this last week I had one day that would make any of my followers cringe in a chocolate haze. But overall, I'm doing a lot better and I need to love myself for making those changes. This time I grabbed my list as my meal plan was already planned out. I grabbed my reusable bags because I'm feeling extra prepared today.

I got to the store and stuck to my list. I even stopped at a second grocery store because the first one was lacking a few of the ingredients I needed. I arrived home and put it all away for prep the next day. 

Now the goal this week will be to stick to all the meals I have prepped. The fridge in my garage is stuffed full of Rubbermaid plastic containers with meals clearly labeled. So when I want something not on the meal plan, I plan to ask myself which I want more: immediate satisfaction or long-term satisfaction. That is my question of the week for myself.

Here's to hoping this nutrition and mindset plan push me through a week I can be proud of.