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 :) 

Easy Healthy BBQ Appetizer - Cilantro Salsa

Ever have a hard time going to parties and events? I know that choosing to eat healthy when it seems like everyone around you is eating whatever they want is tough... and part of life when you make the commitment to put your own health first.

Bringing an appetizer that you can enjoy and is delicious is an easy way to knock out those feelings and be a great guest. We like this salsa for summer BBQ's and usually make a double batch! It is perfect to top on chicken, fish tacos and SO much more for the rest of your week. Remember - I am all about making meal prep as easy as possible: 

Easy Cilantro Salsa! (adapted from allrecpes.com)

1 can yellow corn, drained

1 can sweet corn, drained 

2 cans black beans, rinsed and drained

1 bunch chopped cilantro (to taste  - I love it, throw a ton in!!)

5 green onions, chopped

1 medium white onion

2 red peppers, chopped

2 tablespoons minced garlic

1/4 cup lime juice

(optional) - 1 chopped avocado - do not add this if you plan on using any for leftovers

Stir everything together and serve with corn tortillas or sliced raw veggies :) 

Easy One Dish Family Dinner - Fish & Veggies

Every week we roll into the evenings with the best intentions - THIS is going to be the week of zero slip ups, hitting every work out and eating off our nutrition plan without a hiccup. 

I can count the amount of weeks that my husband and I have been able to do that on one hand. Couple reasons for this: 

1.  Jimmy loves pizza. He must eat it every week or he will spontaneously combust (and he is very good at convincing me to eat it with him) Enter - the reason I perfected a cauliflower pizza crust that we love!

2. We are freakin' busy y'all! Just like each of you, the day just sneaks up on me and by 6pm I am tapped out. Work, kids, commute... it all adds up and if there is ever a time that I will go off track it is dinner. 

All I need is an evening with an unprepared-not prepped meal plan and the sky is the limit. Order Chinese food? Sure, general Tso's... get in mah belly! Want Italian? What is... I'll take a ginormous Stromboli to split, Alex? 

Even worse - this is when I go rogue and eat the foods that attach my body (gluten, soy, heavy amounts of dairy). It hurts and I pay for it but exhaustion and hunger can lead you to stupid and silly decisions. A missing thyroid is no joke people... granted, I joke about it regularly :) 

A couple weeks ago I came across a recipe that I knew I could make work for my husband and picky toddlers, and our busy schedule. I got rave reviews from the clan. This means Jim loved it, Wyatt ate it after a 30 minute argument, and McKinley shoved it in her mouth as fast as she could. 

Allow me to share:


One Dish Fish and Veggies: 

• Fish Fillets (I used tilapia because my son loves them)
• Asparagus or a green veggie of your choice 
• Olive oil
• dash of butter
• Pampered chef lemon seasoning (or whatever tickles your fancy) 
• Salt & pepper
• Lemon – sliced

The Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees
• Place tin foil in pan and spray it down. 
• Fill half pan with asparagus and cover with olive oil 
• Place fillets on other half of dish and put a small dollop of butter on each. 
• Sprinkle Pampered Chef or your choice of seasoning over fish. Season asparagus with salt & pepper to taste. 
• Slice lemon and place on top of each fillet 
• Cook for 30 mins or until fish is 145 degrees and veggies are tender. Be sure to check so your fish does not overcook :) 

Enjoy and relax...Prep time is 5 minutes top! 

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

Superbowl Sunday Treat - Gluten Free Cauliflower Pizza

Not sure what you can bring to the big game tonight? Not to worry - I have a family favorite that we make time and time again. It is a crowd pleaser and you won't have to wait for Pizza Hut to get there with the delivery!

Plus - my family is going to nosh on some extra veggies and be none the wiser. #momvictory

Easy Cauliflower Pizza

4 cups raw, grated (or chopped in food processor) cauliflower - SEE TIPS! 
2 eggs
1 cup mozzarella cheese
1 tsp oregano
2 tsp parsley
Italian spice blend to taste

Pizza sauce

Toppings as desired (pepperoni, peppers, cheese, spinach, pineapple, mushrooms, etc) 

Preheat oven to 450 degrees.

Spray a cookie sheet with non-stick spray or use parchment paper. 

In a medium bowl, combine cauliflower, egg, mozzarella and all desired spices - make sure you get ALL the excess water out of cauliflower!! Press evenly. 

Bake at 450 degrees for 15-20 minutes. You may turn over once if desired. Check this regularly - every over and different and cauliflower does not cook the same as regular dough!

Remove the pan from the oven. To the crust, add sauce, then toppings and cheese. I am a veggie fan - husband is a meat lover!

Place under broiler, on high heat, until cheese is melted.

TIPS: 

Using parchment paper so the pizza does not stick. Get the excess water out as much as possible after grating the cauliflower :)
 - Do this by taking the ground up cauliflower and putting it in a thin dishtowel. Wring it TIGHT as you can and you will see tons of water drip out (it's sorta gross!). I employ the muscles of Mr. Lockrin Fitness for this OR if he isn't home - smash it against the kitchen sink to get better grip!

Don't spread this too thin or it will fall apart - you will end up with a pizza soup: spoon needed! It is still delicious, just might not be your style :) 

**recipe adapted from sparkpeople.com