When I walk into the kitchen I feel a sense of dread. Please tell me I am not the only one? I believe there is some sort of biological piece of me missing that is supposed to love putting together entire dinners and 4 course meals of my family but... it is just not there. 

I do love baking delicious desserts - hello: the reason I am here now! HA!

However, I am lucky enough to have a husband that does 80% of the cooking and he is damn good at it. Unfortunately the other 20% of the time I have yet to reach the status in life that would warrant me cavorting around with a personal chef so I must fend for myself.

• In and out. 
• 10 ingredients or less
• Prep time of 30 minutes - nothing more!
• Can I pronounce everything in the recipe? No - you are out!

These are the rules I follow when I am looking for something new to cook. Sometimes though, I will just go rogue and open up the fridge and to see what my options are. Enter in: 3 Ingredient Gluten Free Stir Fry. 

Now, liberties are taken on this.. but the ease portion totally wins!

Ingredients:

Bag of Gluten Free Meatballs (or you can make your own - you badass you)
Bag of Steamable Vegetables (no shame in your game)
Shredded Mozzarella Cheese (because, obviously!)

Mix them all together and sprinkle with salt and pepper to taste.

Yum! So simple and ready to eat in under 5 minutes. Enjoy :) 

Monday Musings

What's that? Possibly a weekly theme?

Who knows... we will see if it sticks or not. 

Truthfully, I used to keep a family blog to share with close friends and family that are out of town. I love being able to look back at Wyatt (my four year old's) first year and see all of his little moments that are easily forgotten. I am thinking this is a great spot to reflect at the past week and remember the good, the bad and the "oh snap - geriatric Amy may forget but that shit was funny!" moments in life. 

Let there be Light! 

After a crazy two-week bender out of town for a work conference I came home ready to get my family time on! Luckily, the kids did not forget who I was and McKinley was on board with letting me hold her for a long time - aka, would start screaming if I tried to put her down - for the first hour back. 

Family Fun Day consisted of: a trip to the farmers market, marathon expo, our first trip to the beach, playing at the park and a picnic dinner. So yes, perfect on all accounts. Sure - there were tears and grumpy toddler moments, and we were in sweatshirts instead of flip-flops but days like that are just what I needed to recharge!

That "oh snap" - Know Who You Are - Moment..

As you all know, I am full on -girl crush mode - in love with the 21 Day Fix. I have completed almost 5 rounds of the workouts now and STILL am not bored. Autumn is my girl and I have not found another workout that gets the total body moving, losing weight and toning up so fast! However - with Beachbody On Demand - I have the option to try out a TON of different programs as part of my package. I never turn down "free" y'all.

Sooo... I have NO rhythm. At all. Try as I might... I am going through Brazilian Butt Lift, Turbofire and more and man - is it fun! I think it is even more fun for my husband and the kids to watch me attempt to these moves. As a woman who cannot even clap and sing at the same time... #partyfail I will not give up though!! 

Let There Be...Food Prep

Two weeks of eating out every.single.meal means that the minute I got home I was anxious for a home cooked meal! Jimmy did not disappoint. The man can cook and I was welcomed home with steaks, marinated chicken, roasted veggies, and more! Even more - food was prepped! I packed my 21 Day Fix containers as soon as I walked in the door and nom.nom.nom my stomach was full! 

Be still my heart, this man knows me so well :) 

Clean Eating Crock Pot Chili - 21 Day Fix Style

I enter into every workweek like it is a war. Who is going to survive. Me? Or the clock ticking to get to Friday? 

Having an easy meal prepped and ready to go is crucial to survival in this family. A recent favorite is Crock Pot Chili and it easily adapts to fit our new healthy eating style. 

Enjoy the recipe! 

Clean Eating Crock Pot Chili - 21 Day Fix Style

2lbs ground beef
1 onion - chopped 
2 red peppers, chopped
2 cups carrots, chopped 
1.5 cups celery, chopped
15 oz can diced tomatoes 
15 can tomato sauce (get one with no extra junk added!)
1 extra can of water
2 15 oz cans black beans

Seasonings to taste:
salt & pepper
chili powder
cumin
basil (I had basil powder on hand and it was *fine* but fresh is better!!)
onion powder

Toppings
All natural turkey bacon cooked SUPER crispy - (Applegate makes a great gluten free one... although "great & gluten free-turkey bacon never really go hand-in-hand) 
Avocado, pitted and insides all chopped up to top with

How I did it: 
Step 1. Cook the onions and the beef together in a saucepan.

Step 2. Feel slightly annoyed that you have to cook something that is labeled a "crockpot meal" - its okay. I did too, you will get over it after you taste the deliciousness. 

Step 3. Drain ground meat juice. Marvel in your healthy natural for not eating gross oils. You are awesome!

Step 4.Chop the veggies. Allow your toddler to play with second pepper because you do what you have to do to get meals cooked (this is a safe place!). 

Step 5. Throw all that stuff in the crock pot. Mix in the veggies and sauces on top. Stir. Mix. Stir it up again. Relish in the fact you are getting an arm work out right now. Wow, you are killing it on this healthy lifestyle thing! 

Step 6. Set crock pot on low for 7 hours. 

Step 7. Come back. Swirl again - your arm may be tired.

Spoon it all out into individual bowls and top with crumbled bacon/avocado. Gobble up, relish in the fact that even a one year old will eat it and love life!

21 Day Fix Math: 2 Cups Equals

1. 1 Red = Beef
2. 1 Green = Sauce, Peppers, and Onion
3. 1 Yellow = Beans

**adapted from paleonewbie.com & fitsimple.com

My 21 Day Fix Results

I did it. 21 days and boom - the Fix is done. I am going to be honest - this program FLEW by for me.

It is SO different from what I have done in the past (PiYo and T25). This is my first program that has weights incorporate in just about every workout and I LOVED it. It is almost like I could feel my body working even while I slept (probably because I was so tired - lol)!

I started this program unsure of how things were going to go since it is so different than anything else I have tried. 

Things that I loved: 
- 30 minute workouts - including the cool down!
- Different workouts for each day - I never got bored
- The portion controlled containers (this is something I thought I would hate, but caught on to it super fast)
- The weights... it made me feel like a bad ass :) 

Things I didn't love:
- Autumn says "booty" and "yah" a lot. No explanation needed
.....yup, that about does it! 

My Results: 
Weight Loss: 5lbs down and 5.75 inches overall.. I see a lot more definition and can feel a ton more strength after the three weeks. 

The key for me was figuring out the right weight to lift, I actually ended up using one set of weights for the entire program (instead of alternating heavy and light) and just modifying the moves. It worked great! 

So, how did I do it?

Well - I followed the program (almost) to the T. 

21 days of working out - check! 
21 days of drinking Shakeology - check!
21 days of working with my challenge group, checking and supporting each other for accountability - check! 
21 days of following the portion control nutrition plan - check-ish :) I had a cheat meal in there, lol! 

Interested in finding out more about how the 21 Day Fix  can change your life or  how to join my next challenge group and get started? We have fun and get results! 

Fill out the form below and I will message you back - I love this program and the results my challengers get ALWAYS shock me. On average 7-12lbs lost in 3 weeks. LOVE IT! 

***Comments regarding *hot mess morning Amy* are not necessary, trust me - I know :)

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