Broccoli cheddar soup (21 day fix approved!)

It's been a super long week! It's been freezing and I've been sick .  Comfort foods were definitely in order! Sticking to my 21 day fix diet I came up with this gem! Broccoli cheddar soup! No cream of anything or milk etc just veggies and broth!  I dare you to try this !! 

  Broccoli Cheddar Soup

• 2 tsp butter 
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 1 cup chopped carrots (about 2 medium)
• 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth (1  box)
• 4 cups broccoli, roughly chopped
• 2 cups cauliflower, roughly chopped
• 1/2 tsp salt & pepper, to taste
• 2 cups broccoli, chopped into small pieces(if you want chunks of broccoli)
• 1 1/3 cups shredded sharp or extra sharp cheddar cheese

Instructions

1. In a large pot, melt the butter over medium heat, then add the onions and carrots. Cook, stirring occasionally until they start to soften  
2. Next, add the roughly chopped broccoli (DO NOT add the broccoli that you chopped into small pieces yet!), the cauliflower, 1/2 tsp salt and the broth. Cover and simmer until veggies are all VERY soft. You should be able to mash them against the side of the pot with the back of a spoon.
3. Once veggies from the pot  are soft, puree the mixture in the blender(I have a ninja and it works awesome!!) in batches until all of the contents of the pot are liquid. Return to pot.  

     4. Heat pot on low heat... Meanwhile soften the extra broccoli( I did it in the microwave)  and then add to pot Stir in the shredded cheddar cheese and the cooked finely chopped broccoli until all of the cheese is melted. 

Fixers: 

Container Equivalents: 1 1/2 GREEN, 1 BLUE, 1/4 RED, 1/2 TSP

Let me know what you think!! 

22 min hard corps enrollment!

 PAY ATTENTION!!!

 I have a huge  announcement!!!
I am so excited to say that beachbody is releasing yet another HUGE program to help you get the maximum results you want!!!!

Legendary trainer Tony Horton(creator of the P90x series) has done it again ! He has  has created another challenging but simple-to-follow workout program inspired by training techniques used by the military. Each workout is just 22 minutes long!  Its quick—its intense—its calorie-blasting drill designed to get you " boot camp fit " in just 8 weeks. (We all know swimsuit weather is about 2 months away right?!) All you need to do is hit play! (Btw I previewed this and it didn't kill me:) ) 

What is 22 Minute Hard Corps?

•  A challenging, military-inspired workout program designed to burn fat, build lean muscle,  and get you “Boot Camp Fit” in 22 minutes a day. 
• The latest fitness breakthrough from P90X® creator Tony Horton, inspired by his time spent at  U.S. military bases around the world, helping troops train to their maximum fitness potential.
• A series of 8 superefficient routines designed to maximize strength gains and fat loss within  the 22-minute workout window.

Who is it for?     

• Former members of the military, who want to get back to the fitness level they had when they  were in the service. 
• Anyone looking for a “no-frills” workout that gets results without requiring them to learn a lot of complex moves.
• YOU! 

Why is 22 Minute Hard Corps different?

• Superefficient, 22-minute workouts that condition your whole body with moves tough enough  to challenge you, but straightforward enough for you to do on Day One. (
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• The easy-to-follow workouts designed to deliver dramatic, visible results.
• Anyone at any age or fitness level can do it! 
• It helps you lose weight, increase energy, and feel better in almost everything you do

       Is this really like the military? 

• The 22 MINUTE HARD CORPS workouts were inspired by Tony’s time spent training U.S. servicemen and women to their maximum fitness potential. They combine the no-nonsense simplicity of military PT (Physical Training), with Tony’s personal expertise in functional fitness and creating quick workouts that deliver great results in a short amount of time. 

What will I be getting in the Base Kit?

• 8 challenging workouts on 2 DVDs 
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• 1:1 support 

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My update results with 21 fix

It's been awhile since I've posted an actual 21 day fix update on here ! If you've been following me , I know you've seen some of the recipes ive been eating (as you can see I am never deprived!) lol  but am I really loosing weight? 

The answer is YES ! I completed about 2.5 rounds of the 21 day fix and I have lost a total of 23 pounds and 19 inches ! 

I can also spill the beans , and say that I did fall off the wagon for awhile . I'm not happy to say it but life hit me and I just lost it .  It cost me about 2 weeks and I gained 3 pounds back . Not awful but I know I'd be so much further ahead . 

My overall strength and endurance has sky rocketed though and I actually can do more then 1 push ! (Ok so it's only 5 but I'll take it!!)  and let's just say the word burpee don't make me swear at the computer screen anymore 😉

Here is my progress pics so you can  actually see my progress  

Are you ready to start crushing some goals with me ?  I am currently accepting applications for my next group !  Fill out the form below so you can get started!  

 

21 day fix baked ziti

The number 1 thing I hear from people I talk to about weight loss is I LOVE my carbs!!  Guess what?! Me to! 

I have great news (I know this changed the game for me) with the 21 day fix you CAN have your carbs!  In fact you can have your carbs , choclate , wine and so much more ! 

Ok now I'm getting ahead of myself so with further delay here's the recipe (o and if you don't know about the 21 day fix, you need to! Inquire below! ) 

Ingredients: 

• 1/2 box Whole Wheat Pasta 
• 1 red of Part-Skim Ricotta Cheese
• 1 jar natural/clean Tomato Sauce(or home made 
• 1/2 lb Lean Ground Turkey
• 1/2 c Italian Cheese, shredded
• 1 tsp Balsamic Vinegar
• 1 tsp Honey
• 1 tbsp each: Garlic Powder, Onion Powder, Italian Seasoning, Oregano, Basil, Parsley, and Black Pepper

** I chose to dice up onion mushroom and zucchini and throw it in there also . It was amazing! 

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Cook the noodles until al-dente. While pasta is cooking, brown the ground turkey. In a large bowl, combine the ricotta, pasta sauce, honey, seasonings, cooked ground turkey, and the cooked and drained noodles. Stir until well combined.

Pour mixture into a pan. Sprinkle Italian cheese  on top.

Bake at 350 for 20 minutes 

Broil for 5 mins if desired 

Portion size - 1 cup 

Fixer count : 1 Yellow, 1 Red, 1 Green, 1 Blue

Plexus (the pink drink) vs Shakeology

If you've looked into any weight loss products recently I'm sure you've seen all the hype about Plexus (the pink drink) . I've had a lot of people come and ask me the difference between that and shakeology . Honestly until a few days ago I really had no idea!! So I set out on a mission to find out information on this pink drink .... Here is what I found:

Plexus advertises itself as a non meal replacement drink to be drank a 1/2 hour before a meal .  It is said to help keep blood sugar , cholesterol and lipids at a healthy level. They also say to speed up the process you should take their accelerator pills . 

The prices come in at 84.95 for a 30 day supply (not including any of the extra pills) 

Here's the ingredients for the drink 

Here is the accelerator pills : 

In my opinion and experience any kind of diet pill is not good ! But again that is my opinion so I continued my research .  I found a few very BIG red flags ...

 

The high levels of chromium..  

Chromium is a mineral the body uses to digest food. Those most at risk for a chromium deficiency are those who are diabetic and the elderly . Chromium also helps to move blood sugar (glucose) from the bloodstream into the cells to be used as energy and to turn fats, carbohydrates, and proteins into energy. 

The chromium found in foods will not hurt you. But taking excessive chromium supplements can lead to stomach problems and low blood sugar (hypoglycemia). Too much chromium from supplements can also damage the liver, kidneys, and nerves, and it may cause irregular heart rhythm. ( straight from WebMD) 

That's some pretty serious risks and they are giving you 167% of the daily value in both the drink and accelerator pills . 

Now the second red flag... 

Plexus accelerator  was banned in Canada and Australia! 

https://www.tga.gov.au/alert/plexus-slim-accelerator-capsules-and-plexus-slim-accelerator-3-day-trial-pack

You can read the who article but my main takeaway was this : 

• They contain the undeclared banned chemical 1,3-dimethylamylamine (DMAA)
• Consumers are advised that DMAAis listed in Appendix C of the Standard for the Uniform Scheduling of Medicines and Poisons (SUSMP). Substances within Appendix C are of such danger to health as to warrant prohibition of sale, supply and use. 
• Risks associated with its use include high blood pressure, psychiatric disorders, bleeding in the brain and stroke.

Aside from all the ingredients the plexus system itself is setup for failure.  Even if it does all that it claimes it is not teaching any healthy habits . What do you think will happen as soon as you stop taking it? You still have the same diet , same cravings and you go back right to where you started ! 

Ok are you all still with me?! Now let's take a quick peak at shakeology. 

• ProprietaryProteinBlend: Proteins are important for mental clarity, lean muscle building, improving skin and hair, and reducing cravings. The proprietary superfoods in this blend include: Whey, Sacha Inchi, Chia, Flax, Quinoa, Amaranth, Brown Rice, Pea.

• Proprietary Super-Fruit/Antioxidant Blend: promotes antioxidant support for a healthy immune system, heart, and optimal blood pressure. The proprietary superfoods in this blend include: Camu-Camu, Acai, Acerola Cherry, Bilberry, Goji Berry, Grape Seed, Green Tea, Lun Hao Guo, Pomegranate, Rose Hips.

• Proprietary Super-Green/Phytonutrient Blend: This is one of the greatest benefits in my eyes...It detoxifies! The liver, kidneys, and blood get detoxification benefits that restore health and vitality. Superfoods in this blend include: Moringa, Chlorella, Spirulina, Spinach, Barley Grass, Kamut Grass, Wheat Grass, Oat Grass.

• Proprietary Adaptogen Blend: helps protect the body from stress, supports the immune system, and balances the endocrine system. Superfoods that support this blend include: Ashwagandha, Astragalus, Cordyceps, Ginkgo, Maca, Maitake, Reishi, Schisandra, Tulsi (Holy Basil).

• Proprietary Pre- and Probiotic/Digestive Enzyme Blend: helps increase nutrition absorption, promotes regularity, and improves digestion. Superfoods in this blend include: Yacon Root, Lactobacillus Sporogenes, Amylase, Cellulase, Lactase, Lipase, Protease, Bromelain, 

 Other ingredients: 

• Natural Sweetener Blend (Non-GMO Fructose, Stevia):  unlike other “diet” shakes that use “Aspartame”, Shakeology has NO aspartame and uses Stevia. Stevia is found in sunflower family of sweetleaf and sugarleaf. The sweetness ends up being 300 times more sweet than artificial flavorings. The best part is, it controls diet by giving you less carbs and less chance of disease and study-proven cancer like Aspartame

• Natural Chocolate Flavor: this means that the flavor of chocolate is derived from a cacao plant, which produces natural cocoa.

• Xanthan Gum:  This is basically a laxitive ingredient that helps with food thickening. There are no bad studies that I have found on this ingredient, but it can contain very small doses of wheat.

• Guar Gum: according to Wikipedia, this gum can help with digestion and regularity. It has a significant amount of soluble fiber which helps promote this effort, and is used for most foods to thicken

 Trying to get all of these supplements in your daily diet would cost you a ton of money. Unless you have a money tree it's to expensive!  (around $1256.40 per month, at $41.88 per day). One serving of Shakeology is around $4.33 or $129.95 per month.

If you are like me and are serious about your health, click below to try Shakeology for yourself. All new orders are guaranteed with a 30-day money back guarantee, even if the bag is empty.  Remember to save on shipping I recommend to order the auto ship to save yourself on shipping costs, and you can cancel at any time!

21 day fix chicken Marsala

I have to say this dish was so rich and yummy that I will definitely be making it again! It's also boyfriend approved (just don't tell him it was healthy! )  I served it with asparagus:) 

     Chicken Marsala 21 day fix style

You will need : 

 

1. 1 T coconut oil
2. 8oz Baby Bella mushrooms, sliced
3. 1/4 cup onion, finely diced
4. 3 cloves garlic, minced
5. 3/4 cup Marsala Wine
6. 1 lb chicken breast, thin cut
7. 1/4 cup wheat flour (or of your choice) 
8. 1 tsp onion powder
9. 1 tsp garlic powder
10. 1 tsp oregano
11. 2 T almond milk(I actually used almond/coconut blend) 
12. 1 T coconut oil
13. 1/2 cup chicken broth (I used organic low sodium) 
14. Sea Salt and Pepper, to taste

In skillet, heat coconut oil until melted. Saute mushrooms for about 10 mins 

Add garlic, onion  & wine - let simmer gently until wine reduces (about 15 minutes), stir occasionally

While simmering, combine chicken, 1/4 cup wheat flour. onion powder, garlic powder and oregano into a bowl . Coat the chicken well, shake to remove excess.

In a separate skillet, heat 1 T coconut oil and cook chicken until browned 

When chicken is cooked ,add mushrooms and sauce, almond milk and 1/2 cup  broth and let simmer for about 10 mins  

 

If your a fixer this is 1 Red 1 Green and 1 tsp .  

I'm not going to lie I didn't count the flour since it was so little ! 

Overnight strawberry and cream oats

Ok so I have to admit , I am the worst at getting in breakfast! I'm usually in a hurry and get sick of eggs :/  I was researching options and came up with this! It is so yummy and the best part is you can use any type of fruit! 

Overnight strawberry and cream oats 

 1 blue container of  dry steel cut oats

1/4 cup almond milk
1 red container of greek yogurt 
1 purple container of  strawberries or any fruit(I used frozen) 

Mix all together in a container and store in the refrigerator overnight .  You can eat it cold or warmed up . I added a sprinkle of cinnamon on top ! 

21 day fix count - 1 purple 1 yellow 1 red