The Perfect Dinner!

Turkey Pesto Meatballs w/Homemade Marinara and Grilled Yellow Squash (&& Whole Grain Pasta for the Boys)

I have been following this fun website called weelicious since I was pregnant with Kaylee. She has some really delicious recipes, super fun ideas for kiddos, and everything is pretty darn healthy or easy to sub for healthy stuff.

I will post each recipe separately!

Turkey Pesto Meatballs
1 1/4 Lb. Ground Lean Turkey
1/4 Cup Pesto (I used pre-made stuff but next batch plan to make pesto from scratch)
1/4 Cup Breadcrumbs
1/4 Cup Parmesan Cheese
1 Tsp Salt
2 Cups Marinara Sauce

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Place all the ingredients (except for the marinara sauce) in a bowl and using your hands, combine until everything is incorporated.
3. Using about 1 tablespoon of the mixture per meatball, roll into balls and place on a plate.
4. Pour the marinara sauce into a 9 x 9 inch baking pan and top with the meatballs.
5. Cover the baking pan with foil and bake for 20-25 minutes.
6. Serve.

*Roll into balls and place on a cookie sheet and freeze. After 30 minutes place the par-frozen balls in a ziploc bag, label and freeze. When ready, defrost in fridge for 24 hours or put them straight in the oven with sauce increasing cooking time by 5 minutes.

I only had an 8x8 pan so I made 25 (5x5) meatballs and used about 1 3/4th a cup sauce instead of 2.
I had extras and made about 15-20 meatballs that I froze.

Marinara
2 cups canned crush tomatoes
4 leaves of Basil, chopped
4 cloves garlic, peeled and chooped
1/4 c olives chopped

Mixed them all together and placed in the bottom of the baking dish for meatballs but you could also just put in a pan and boil for a bit.

Grilled Yellow Squash
(This is one of my fav things ever and it's also totally delicious with zucchini!!)

I use my george foreman grill but it's even better on a real grill!! Anyways slice up the squash or zucchini (or both!) at whatever thickness you prefer (I do a little of everything but prefer the slices a little on the thick side) and spray both sides with the olive oil cooking spray. Sprinkle both sides with a little garlic salt and throw on the grill for a few minutes (cooking time will vary for how thick your cut them). About half way through flip over and cook a few more minutes. When they are done pull them off (I usually junk hunk them all together) spray with a little spray butter, sprinkle with a LITTLE parm cheese (it's delicious but not the healthiest haha!) and a tad more garlic salt... and then... ENJOY!

For the boys I cooked some whole wheat pasta up and then put the yellow squash on top of the pasta and the meatballs and a tad bit of sauce on top.

Then for myself, because I am trying to cut back my grains, I just poured on the squash and then the meatballs and like a tablespoon of sauce on top! It was sooo good and I love the squash soo much I didn't even miss the grains (or the bloated overly full feeling I usually get after!)

Enjoy! I know we did!

Milky Way Shakeology!

Milky Way Shakeology --
3/4th a scoop of Chocolate Shakeology
One Carmel Creme Jello Pudding Temptations (there are sugar free/fat free and only 60 cals)
7-8 ice cubes
1 cup light soy milk

1/2 cup water
blend and enjoy!

This is just the way that I like my chocolate shakeology even without the puddings so use this recipe or make it your own way!

This was seriously delicious though and tasty just like a milky way shake! Yum!!

A Dinner and a Dessert!

Buffalo Chicken and Blue Cheese Wraps

So I found this recipe in a Woman's Day Magazine and I got really excited because it was only 286 Cals for the whole thing! I actually made it for even less than that because I look out the ketchup the recipe called for and used reduced fat blue cheese instead of reg. I didn't LOVE this recipe which surprised me but I think it was that today I just was not feeling the blue cheese today. My husband isn't big on spicy food so it was okay to him but my brother in law thought it was really good aside from the celery which he said isn't his fav! I still wanted to post it because I think other people might like it and I wanted to show you that I try all kinds of recipes to find my favs!


I am going to give you the recipe as the magazine calls for it and you can change it up as you please. The biggest change I made was I doubled the celery and I didn't use any ketchup. I also used 4.5 Tbsp of buffalo wing sauce instead.


Salt &Pepper
2 6oz boneless skinless chicken breasts
2 tbsp lowfat Greek or plain yogurt (I used fat free greek)
1 tbsp white wine vinegar
3 stalks celery, thinly sliced
2 scallions, thinly sliced

2 oz blue cheese
1/4 c ketchup
3 tbsp buffalo sauce
4 medium tortillas or wraps (I actually used whole grain wraps so that makes it even healthier)


1. Fill a medium sauce pan half way with water; bring to a boil and add 1 tsp salt. Add the chicken, reduce heat and gently simmer until cooked through, 10 - 12 minutes. (I actually just threw my chicken on the george foreman grill for a bit and let them cook up that way. I personally love that little grill use it for soo much stuff!) After it's all done cooking transfer it to a plate, and when cool enough to handle, shred into pieces.


2. Meanwhile in a bowl, whisk together yogurt and vinegar and 1/4th a teaspoon each salt and pepper. Add the celery and scallions and toss to coat; fold in with blue cheese.


3. In a second bowl whisk together the ketchup and wing sauce. Add the shredded chicken and toss to coat.( I actually just put the chicken in a bowl and poured the 4.5 tbsp of wing sauce over the top and mixed it up since I didn't use ketchup!)


4. Lastly, take your wraps put the chicken and then celery mixture wrap it up and enjoy. I also added a little extra sauce to mine. I bet it would also be good with lettuce but we were out. We ate them with cherries on the side and it was a perfect balance to the spicy!

Also Wanted to post a recipe about a yummy simple (healthy alternative) dessert recipe!

Chocolate Peanut Butter Protein No Bake Balls

Let me just tell you.. these babies are delicious.. they are super rich so it only takes a few to feel satisfied. I made a full batch and then keep them in the freezer and just pull out a few yummy sweet treats whenever I want them!

INGREDIENTS:
8 Tablespoons PB2 (powdered peanut butter with 85% less fat than normal PB there is a link below)
3 Tablespoons Natural Peanut butter (I used Better'n Peanut Butter)
½ Cup Shakeology Chocolate Powder
3 Tablespoons Raw Honey or Agave
½ Cup Quick Oats


DIRECTIONS:
First, mix PB2 with water until it’s a paste like consistency. Then mix in the all natural PB and honey or agave (I used honey) in with the PB2 mixture. Next mix in the shakeology and then the quick oats. It's a little tough to mix towards the end but make sure it's well mixed and then roll the mixture into small individual ball. I didn't place them on wax paper and just put them right on a plate, but I think it would be smarter to use wax paper to help them not stick. Put in freezer until firm. (Or keep them in freezer like I do!)
Makes about 12 balls.

Nutritional Info: (1 serving = 1 ball)
Cals: 80
Carbs: 10g
Fat: 2g
Protein: 7g

It's Miltary Spouse Weekly Round-up

So happy to be getting back into the swing of life here in our new home! So to celebrate the start of my regular blogging and stuff again I decided to participate in the MilSpouse Weekly round up! You want to know more head over to Mrs.RollerCoaster's Blog and check it out!!

Also, For any new followers I might have... you can read our story HERE but don't worry I will be doing an updated post soo very soon!!

until then,

Make today count!

WHOA!

As I am sitting here with my princess watching her morning cartoons and cuddling I can't help but reflect on the past year and how amazing it has been.. when I look down at her right now.. I have a 22 pound 2"4' [prob more now] tall girl in my arms... WHEN THE HECK DID THIS HAPPEN?! haha.. I love every second that I get to spend with Kaylee because it's always something new and exciting!

Just a year ago today I was looking at this little cutie..

and now I have this big beauty... full of personality and life and love...

I am so thankful for the amazing gift that Kaylee has been to my life. She brings something new and exciting every single day.. she talks and moves and laughs the sweetest laugh, she is discovering something new every single day! This morning she figured out how to put her finger up my nose! And when I would pull her away she would CRACK UP like full blown belly laugh..

I am SO thankful that I have been blessed with the opportunity to stay home with my big girl the last year to spend time with her and watch her grow... but now... I am so thankful that beachbody has given me the opportunity to continue to stay home with her and still bring something to the table to help pay the bills and build a savings for our future! If you want to know how you can do it to.. please... shoot me an email navy_wife9360 [at] yahoo [dot] com and I will let you know or visit http://beachbodycoach.com/ajallen3

My life has been incredibly blessed and I am so excited to share my blessings with others!

There is no someday... there is only TODAY

I posted this for all the summer slimdown challenge participants yesterday..

"Hey Summer Slimmers! I know we are at a point where things can sometimes be kind of challenging so I had some quotes of wisdom from a podcast I listened to today..

"Get in the game now, there is no understanding life there is just LIVING life. Stop saying someday and start NOW.. Someday doesn’t exist… Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday… these are the days of the week… there is no 8th day!! SOMEDAY IS TODAY! Life is about what you are doing today, the past is gone you can’t go back and you can’t change it. What you can do is wake up in the morning full of passion and excited about your lives, put your feet on the ground be alert to life and say “what am I going to do today” Draw a line between yesterday and today... and start TODAY making decisions that help you build your dream!"

There is NO better time then the present.. stop making excuses.. stop HOPING and wishing for things to happen.. and start making them happen.. NO BODY can do it for you.. you have to do it for yourself... and the beauty of it all.. is that your coaches are here for you 1000%! They became coaches because they wanted to make a difference in peoples lives... so don't be afraid to talk to them.. about ANYTHING we aren't just fitness coaches... we are your friends and your #1 fans.. so you have a heads up from a lot of people.. when you start making goals and dreams and trying to achieve them you already have at least one person waiting for you at the finish line cheering you on!! And not only that... you have the WHOLE Team Bombshell Dynasty behind you!

So make today count... dig deeper... and bring it!"

Today I started reading it and it really made me think about things.. so often I think that people dream big, but then let fear get in their way. They make a slip up and then feel like they aren't good enough or can never make it happen. Or people get into the habit of saying they will get to it when things aren't as busy, when life calms down, or when they have more time. I know I do that! I am always saying that I will do this or that when things a calm down or when I finished it or do that... here's the time... just like there is NO someday... there is ONLY today... well... life doesn't calm down, life doesn't slow down and we don't ever stop living. TODAY is all we have... life will always be busy, life will always be full, and we will never have enough time in the day... so stop putting things off for something that doesn't exist and start making things happen now! If you are unhappy with something.. start taking the steps to change it.. don't just sit around wishing and hoping for things to happen.. start making them happen!!

"You've got brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose. You're on your own and you know what you know. You are the guy who'll decide where to go" -Dr. Suess

Don't wait for someday... start today steering yourself in the direction you want to go. If I can help you in any way at all.. Please contact me.. I know that I have people in my life who are helping me reach my goals and stay accountable to those things and I would love to do the same  for you.

Recipe of the Day x2 -- Healthy Chicken Parm and Milky Way Shakeology

So I missed yesterday's recipe of the day because blogger was down for a while. So to make up for it today I have a delicious shakeology recipe and another healthy meal recipe!

Milky Way Shakeology --
3/4th a scoop of Chocolate Shakeology
One Carmel Creme Jello Pudding Temptations (there are sugar free/fat free and only 60 cals)
7-8 ice cubes
1 cup light soy milk

1/2 cup water
blend and enjoy!
This is just the way that I like my chocolate shakeology even without the puddings so use this recipe and make it your own!

This was seriously delicious though and tasty just like a milky way shake! Yum!!

Baked Chicken Parm
This recipe is from the ever so lovely Kati's blog

Servings: 8 • Serving Size: 1 piece •
Calories:224.5 •Fat: 8.6 g •Protein: 25.1 g • Carb: 14.2 g • Fiber: 1.3 g

4 (8 oz) chicken breast halves, sliced in half
3/4 cup seasoned breadcrumbs
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 tbsp butter, melted
3/4 cup reduced fat mozzarella cheese (I used Sargento)
1 cup marinara or Filetto di Pomodoro
cooking spray

Preheat oven to 450°. Spray a large baking sheet lightly with spray.

Combine breadcrumbs and parmesan cheese in a bowl. Melt the butter in another bowl. Lightly brush the butter onto the chicken, then dip into breadcrumb mixture. Place on baking sheet and repeat with the remaining chicken.

Lightly spray a little more cooking oil on top and bake in the oven for 20 minutes. Turn chicken over, bake another 5 minutes. Remove from oven, spoon sauce over chicken and top with shredded cheese. Bake 5 more minutes or until cheese is melted.

I made this tonight with whole grain pasta to celebrate my babygirl's first birthday, but I think for a great summer dish it would be DELICIOUS with grilled or sauteed zucchini and yellow squash

Post coming tomorrow about my girl's special day!! <3

Recipe of the Day -- Easy Chili

Ok so I didn't get any pics but yesterday I made a homemade chili that was pretty stinking delicious!! It had kidney beans, black beans, pinto beans, and pinto beans in chili sauce all of which were organic. It also had half a can of rotel tomatoes and green peppers, the left over ground sirloin (97% lean) from our fridge that was ground with garlic and onion, and half a cup roughly of crushed tomatoes which if you read about my pizza down there you know it's really just healthy tomato sauce, salt, pepper, and some garlic powder. Now you could totally kick this up a notch with some fresh onions, jalapenos, and even green and red bell pepper but I just used what I had on hand. it would also be delish with ground turkey which is what I plan to use next time. Anyways super simple I dumped the kidney, black, and pinto beans in a strainer and rinsed them off and dumped them in the crock pot, then I added the whole can liquid and all of pinto beans in chili sauce, half the can of rotel, all the left over hamburger we had, about a half a cup of crushed tomatoes, 2.5 teaspoons of garlic powder and a few sprinkles of salt and pepper. Put it on low and let is set all day stirring when I would think about it. This made a 2 quart crock pot so just play with what will be best for you and your family obviously. I served it over brown rice and sprinkled a TINY bit of reduced fat cheese because it's my fav with chili!!

But there ya go.. another simple and delicious and pretty nutritious meal to add to the books.

Recipe of the Day -- Salsa Verde Chicken

Ok so we are all always looking for healthy recipes that also require little work and are still tasty! Well I have got a great and super easy recipe for you!! All you need for the base of it are a jar of salsa verde salsa, a crock pot, and some chicken breasts! I used the healthiest salsa verde I could find in the store here, but I plan on making my own with this recipe just without the sugar if I can ever find tomatillos in this city. I used 3 frozen chicken breasts because that's all that I could fit in my mini crock pot, but you can do two jars of salsa and up the number of chicken breasts. So here it is..

Super simple..
1. Take out your crockpot and put the salsa in it.
2. Submerge all of your chicken under the salsa. I usually use frozen chicken because it's easiest.
3. Put the lid on the crockpot and set on low. Cook for 10 hours if possible.
    ---- I change it up all the time! The other day I cooked on high for 3 hours and low for a while too. just make sure it's fully cooked before eating which you will know because
4. When it is ready you will know because when you mix up the crock pot of chicken and sauce it will all be loose and shredded!!

There are tons of ways you can serve it.. tacos, burritos, over rice, etc..

this night I did burritos.
-- whole grain tortillas
-- put the chicken meat
-- cover with lime YUM
-- small sprinkle of reduced fat cheese
-- organic black beans
-- chop up fresh lettuce

The other great thing about this is that the leftovers are DELICIOUS with scrambled eggs in a burritos!! Yum! Enjoy!

Who Says Eating Healthy has to be Boring???

Often times it seems that people think that eating healthy has to be boring or bland. That they will loose the flavor or have to eat boring things.. well... you're wrong!! There are sooo many GREAT and HEALTHY alternatives!! I know for me personally I always try to check the nutritional facts and comparisons.. I opt for low-fat and turkey alternatives 95% of the time just because it's what I like! Granted I know for some people that sort of transition will be hard at first, but you will get used to it... and you waist line will thank you!

I found a few recipes from the amazing Kati Heifner's blog and went ahead and kind of mixed things together and made it my own.. so here it is...

Flat bread Veggie and Turkey Pepperoni Pizza

Mine is the bottom pizza and it was roughly about 300 calories total.. filled with all the good carbs and fiber and loaded with veggies.. light on the cheese and pepperoni! My husband's is the top one which has about 3x more cheese and pepperoni, but it was still only about 400 maybe a little more calories! So here is the breakdown!

I bought Flatout Bread -Multigrain with flax which are delicious for wraps etc, but for today this is our pizza crust, crush tomatoes no salt to use for the sauce [highly recommend this over spaghetti sauce which is packed with hidden sugars and way more calories!!], fresh basil and garlic for seasoning, fresh spinach, fresh green peppers, fresh mushrooms, black olives, extra virgin olive oil, light or low fat mozzarella balls and turkey pepperoni. 

First things first, preheat your oven to 475 and heat up a tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil in a pan. Chop up 2 tablespoons of garlic and saute them in the oil. Next throw in the peppers and mushrooms this would also be a great time to add onion if you so desired and any other veggies, let that saute about 5-10 minutes until soft and then add in the spinach I used about 2 cups for the 2 pizzas. Cover your pan and let saute until your spinach wilts.

In the mean time spray a cookie sheet with cookie spray and place the number of flatbreads you want on them. Next place about 3 tablespoons of crushed tomatoes on each of your pizzas. When the veggies are done, top the crushed tomatoes with your veggie mixed. Next put on black olives, and a few cheese balls and turkey pepperoni slices (keep it light on all of these if you are watching your calories). At the end sprinkle with some fresh chopped basil (I used about a tablespoon and a half total for both) and a few sprinkles of ground black pepper. Place in the oven for about 10 minutes, but watch it and when the cheese is melted and the crust starts to brown you know its finished!!

Just a side note: I used about 6 mozz balls and 7 or 8 pepperoni slices on mine.

Also when you are done cooking, pull them out and let them cool, and then serve. Super yummy, great to fold in half like a sandwich and definitely need a fork to eat all the goodness that falls on your plate!

Enjoy!