Kale and Brussels Sprouts Salad

I love the fix! It has given us such an edge on our health. Empowered us to make good decisions and has nicely shown us where our issue where. It's not that we ate very unhealthy at all, but you can certainly over eat on healthy foods. You just don't realize it because they are "good for you foods". This is tricky business! Lol

I love all the fresh produce that is coming into our house and is being consumed daily. I am pushing myself to think outside the box of my normally very boring selection of meals and really get creative. This often means just making things simple again. It's just so funny how that goes.

Here is a goodie for you to try! Suggested from none other, then Autumn herself!

Here is Autumn’s raw kale and brussels sprouts salad recipe. The 21 Day Fix container equivalents are: 3 Green, ½ Orange, 2 tsp.

Total Time: 15 min.
Prep Time: 15 min.
Cooking Time: None
Yield: 4 servings, about 3 cups each

Ingredients:

1 large bunch kale, washed, thoroughly dried, stems removed, finely chopped
(6 to 8 cups chopped)
8 brussels sprouts, finely shredded
1½ medium cucumbers, thinly sliced
1 medium red bell pepper, thinly sliced
½ tsp. Himalayan salt
3 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
¼ cup fresh lemon juice
2 Tbsp. raw cider vinegar
24 whole almonds, chopped

Preparation:

1. Combine kale, brussels sprouts, cucumbers, and bell pepper in a large serving bowl.
2. Season with salt.
3. Drizzle with oil, lemon juice, and vinegar; toss gently to blend.
4. Refrigerate, covered, for 15 minutes.
5. Sprinkle with almonds and enjoy!

The Final Day! 21 Day Fix - Day 21

First things first. Today is day 21. Wow did that ever go by fast!!! Jeff and I both decided in an instant that we are starting all over again tomorrow!! We feel way too good and have made way to much progress to stop now!

I will post before and after photos and measurements for you in a day or two once I have a chance to get that all documented. For now I will say that Jeff has lost 13 pounds. I have lost 8. I am wearing my old pants. By old I mean, the pants that I wore BEFORE I got pregnant!! Oh yes, that feels good.

For those of you that are wondering what the colours mean. Here is an example.

Tonight's dinner for me was 1 red, 1 yellow, 1 green and 1 blue.

Here are the containers.

I created a pork tenderloin dish tonight. It was pretty good.

Here is what it looks like after it has been measured out using the containers.

Steamed broccoli with melted cheddar cheese. Pork tenderloin sautéed in garlic and onion with homemade chicken broth and tomatoes over brown rice.

The workouts are so good!!! Tonight after the kids went to bed I dragged myself downstairs and pushed play. It's only 30 minutes and it was yoga fix. Feels so good after a long week to get in a good stretch!!

21 Day Fix - Day 14

Hook, line and sinker. I am a fan.

The changes that I am experiencing are amazing. I feel so good! This program allows you to still enjoy life and friends without completely derailing yourself. 

When I met the trainer and creactor of the 21 day fix, Autumn Calabrase, this summer and listened to how she came up with this program it just made sense. You can over eat with healthy food too. Ididn't  actually think that we fit into that mold but we sure did. It's surprising. It's mindless things that you eat and don't even think about that get you. You eat them because you can, it's a healthy choice. So we don't pay attention. But, it adds up!! This woman sure knows what she is talking about and has developed an amazing system that can truly help anyone if they are willing to apply them self.

                      (Autumn and I, August 2014)

Tonight we got home late and I hadn't planned dinner in advance. This is the perfect storm for me. This is when I go for convenience and make BAD choices. I was so proud of myself tonight. I went out on a limb and threw some things together. It was an absolute success!!!! 21 day fix friendly and delicious!!!!

Here is my take on a healthy quiche. 

Ingredients:

1 Tbl of extra virgin olive oil

1/2 large onion, diced

3 cups cauliflower florets, cut into 1-inch pieces

5 large eggs

1 1/4 cup Almond Milk

1/3 cup freshly grated Pecorino Romano cheese (can substitute any grated cheese).

1/2 tsp sea salt

1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper

1/4 cup of brown rice flour, or whole wheat flour (I actually used oat bran tonight and it was amazing!)

Optional: Paprika to taste

Directions:

Step 1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 9-inch square baking dish with nonstick olive oil cooking spray. Set pan aside.

Step 2. In a large skillet, heat oil over medium heat. Add onion and cook, stirring frequently, until softened (about 3 minutes). 

Step 3. Add broccoli and cook about 5 min. or until just tender. Transfer vegetables to prepared 9" square pan.

Step 4. In a large bowl beat together eggs, milk, cheese, salt and pepper.

Step 5. Whisk flour/oat bran into mixture and then evenly pour over prepared vegetables.

Step 6. Place baking dish in the oven and bake for about 45 min, or until top turns golden brown and egg solidifies (my pan was actually an 8" square so I ended up baking it for 50 minutes.) 

Step 7. Cool quiche for 10 minutes. Then serve!

21 Day Fix - Day 13

I had big plans for today, but both of my littles are not feeling well. So we are laying low and resting. I managed to get a few things done around the house in between all the cuddles.

It's safe to say that I probably won't be able to share our dinner pictures with you later.

Instead I will just share some excitement!

I am now down 8 pounds.

Jeff is now down 12 pounds.

My challengers are on day 6. I have heard from one lady that she is down 5 pounds and is feeling amazing!!

I am pumped. There are so many positve changes happening. The best thing is that all of these Mama's are feeling good about themselves. What could possibly be better then that!!

21 Day Fix - Day 12

LIf you had told me 2 weeks ago that I would be drinking my coffee black in the morning I would have burst out loud laughing. I LOVE my morning coffee. I have just one a day and I LOVE it with hazelnut creamer!

Now, I committed to stepping it up this month. I needed to feel good again and get back in shape. I need the energy and confidence that comes with it. So I am following the plan and using the containers. I have given up my chemically charged, much loved coffee creamer. Coffee black, with honey. Guess what? It actually tastes good! I am on day 12! 12 days of black coffee! It bothers me more mentally, then the taste, to drink it black. Isn't that saying something?!?!

While I have given up my creamer I am still allowed wine. Yep, that's a compromise that works for me! Lol here we are, it's Friday again. One of my dearest friends is coming for the weekend and I am looking forward to some girl chats and wine!!!

Friday night for us is almost always family date night. We usually have pizza. Tonight we opted for soft tacos. Super easy, delicious and 21 day fix friendly!!! We made our own from here using our containers!

1 yellow, 1 red, 1 green!

21 Day Fix - Day 11

Eleven days done and 7 pounds lost. I am waiting until day 21 to take my measurements, but clothes that haven't fit since before my pregnancy are now in my sight!!

My muscles are SORE! Hahaha, good sore, but sore. Mostly my legs. When I go upstairs at home they scream at me a little. I consider it a victory. It means change is happening. It means I am making time for me. It means I can be a Mom, and still make time for me.

My challenge group has the most amazing ladies in it. They inspire me daily! So focused, so driven, so committed. We are supporting each other and doing this. I am just bursting with pride!

Dinner tonight was Balsamic Pork Tenderloin in the slow cooker. Easy and delicious and yet again, kid approved!! 

Ingredients:

• 1 tsp dried thyme
• 1 tsp pepper
• 2 tsp dried basil
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1/2 cup balsamic vinegar, divided
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• small onion, chopped
• 2 pounds pork tenderloin

Directions:

1. Mix the first 3 ingredients together in a bowl.  Rub pork tenderloin in dry seasoning mixture.
2. In a large saute pan, heat oil, garlic and 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar until hot.
3. Add pork and sear, browning meat on all sides.
4. Transfer the pork to the crock pot.
5. Pour remaining 1/4 cup of balsamic vinegar into saute pan and stir a few min to de-glaze the pan.
6. Pour juices over top of tenderloin in crock pot.  Cook on high for 3 hours.
7. Remove and let sit for 5 minutes and then slice.

21 Day Fix - Day 10

Hold the phone!! My mom belly is starting to retract! The end of my maternity Jean wearing days may soon be in site!!!! Woot woot!!

Needless to say, I'm feeling good. The desire to snack out of boredom is starting to disappear.

I have sore muscles from the workouts. Good sore, not bad sore. It's good to feel the strength building. I am ok with the moves that I need to modify. I know it's a matter of time before I don't need too anymore, but for now, I'm at least working on it!

Dinner tonight was so good. Sautéed steak, onions, garlic, ginger, green beans and carrots on a bed of quinoa.

One red, two greens, one yellow!

21 Day Fix - Day 9

I am happy to happy to say that I am finding my groove. It's getting almost easy to look at food and quickly see how to put the colours together. There are some amazing ideas coming from my challengers too. I have so many different meals to try now. It's awesome!!!

Here is an added bonus that I never in a million years expected. I suffer from adult acne. I have tried just about everything to clear it up and short of being pregnant, nothing works! Imagine my shock, that here I am on day nine and my skin is clearing up!!!!! AMAZE BALLS, I AM NOT KIDDING!!!!! I was already enjoying the results of this and I am amazed that my mom belly is quickly disappearing, but this.....this is remarkable.

Remember how I made three lunches last night? Well, I spent today at school with my five year old in her kindergarten class. I had my perfectly planned snacks and lunch. It was fabulous and so fun to eat with the kids. I even got to join in for gym class. Loved running around with them.

Tonight we had baked chicken (1 red for me, 2 reds for Jeff), steamed cauliflower topped with shredded cheddar cheese (1 green, 1 blue). Jeff had another green left so her also got a full green of grilled zucchini, I just had a little to top up my green.

His:

Hers: 

Lunch prep tonight was also so much easier. It's starting to feel like a normal event. I am excited about that! This is the salad that I made for Jeff's lunch tomorrow.

One red, three greens, one orange.

After the Holidays = Reality Time

I love the holidays. I love being together with family and friends. Visiting, late nights, great food and of course some wine....but now that January has arrived so has the honest assessment.

Let me be clear about something. Leading into the holidays I was no where near being in great shape. I was working on it BUT I had a 4 month old baby and was recovering from my second csection. I still had a long way to go. I was ok with that. I still am. What I didn't expect was how far back the holidays would set me. I expected no progress but I literally went backwards.

While I have moments of being disappointed, I am also oddly ok with it. I had a fantastic time. It was one of my most memorable Christmases. We got to share and experience so much with our girls.

Now I have a plan:

I have a 21 day fix group starting next week that I am pumped about.

There are some amazing ladies in this group that will be joining me in hitting our exercise and clean eating goals. I am looking forward, with excitement to supporting each other through the next 21 days. 

I plan to share my journey with you. The good, the bad and the ugly. I know I will have some bad days but I am so ready to get things back on track and start to really feel good. I love the increased energy that comes from exercising. I can't wait to share that extra energy with my family.

Bring on the New Year and this new challenge. For me, I know this will lead to more enjoyment in my life.

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Starts: October 6th!

Location: Your own home

Details: Take my 30-day Shakeology challenge starting on October 6th.

Lose weight, feel more energized, and improve your digestion. And that’s just the

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