Crock Pot Ziti

We love pasta at our house :) My husband is part Italian, so he says it's in his blood! So, I found this clean eating ziti dish and had to try it...

SO GOOD!!

DISCLAIMER: When you are trying to lose weight I would not eat pasta or dairy meals like this more than once a week!  Yes it is on the healthier side but it still packs quite a few calories and carbs with the cheese, cottage cheese and pasta!  

Always remember portion sizes and fill up on salad with just a little bit of pasta :) 

Crockpot Ziti bake

Ingredients •1 (1 lb. 7.8 oz.) jar marinara (no sugar added) look for sauce with the fewest ingredients.
•3 cups penne shells (whole grain, dry)
•2 cups fat free cottage cheese
•2 cups skim mozzarella cheese, shredded
•1 large zucchini (1/4” slices)
•1 tablespoon fresh oregano (finely chopped)
•1 tablespoon fresh basil (finely chopped)
•1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Directions
1.In a large mixing bowl combine cottage cheese, mozzarella, oregano, basil and black pepper. In the Crock Pot, spoon 1/4 of marinara onto the bottom, add 1 cup penne shells, 1/3 of zucchini slices and top with 1 cup cheese mixture. Repeat until you have 3 layers. Top off with the remaining marinara and lastly, cheese.
2.Note: Keep penne shells and cheese away from the edges by about 1”. Pasta tends to get hard and cheese burns if allowed to touch the sides while cooking.
3.Cover and cook on low for approximately 2 hours or until penne noodles are Al Dente (firm but not hard). Not all crock pots cook the same so be sure that the penne is done before serving. The cook time is recommended based on the crock pot used when preparing this recipe. Allow to cool for 15 minutes before serving.
4.Tip: If you prefer your ziti a little more on the thick side, allow to cook an additional 30 minutes to 1 hour.

5.  I added chicken to this meal by boiling 4 chicken breasts until just cooked and then cutting up into chunks and layering with the pasta.  That way I got my serving of protein.

Nutritional Content: (Makes 13 servings)

Serving Size: 3/4 cup Calories: 168 Total Fat: 8 g Saturated Fat: 4 g Trans Fat: 0 Cholesterol: 21 mg Sodium: 476 mg Carbohydrates: 25 g Sugars: 4 g Dietary Fiber: 2 g Protein: 15 g

Super Simple Chicken and Spinach Crockpot Dinner

So I found this recipe on the gracious pantry website.  I was looking for crock pot recipes to make and I thought this one sounded simple!  Oh wait, it is more than simple!  I know many of you need quick and easy meals to get you going! This is right up your alley!

Ingredients:

• 4 large chicken breasts
• 1 lb. frozen spinach
• 1 (28 oz) can diced tomatoes
• 1 (18oz) jar clean marinara

Directions:

• Place all ingredients in a 5 quart crock pot and cook on low for 6-8 hours.  It's done when the chicken easily falls apart.
• Eat and enjoy!

Life cannot get any simpler than that!  Oh wait, and it's clean and healthy!!  I am going to serve with a side of veggies tonight!

http://www.thegraciouspantry.com/

She also has many more crockpot recipes at http://www.skinnycrockpot.com/

Are You Living Your Life With Purpose?

Are you ready to live your life with value and purpose?

I want you to close your eyes and imagine this:

You call the shots in all areas of your life. 

You are the one to take your kids to school everyday. 

You are the one who is watching your baby take her first steps-- not someone else. 

You are not stressed about the bills each month. 

You  buy that extra watermelon that your kids love so much because you don't have to be on such a tight budget all the time. 

You are taking a couple of family vacations each year and making time to go on a few weekend getaways with just you and your spouse.

You get to sleep in if you like. 

When you are sick- you don't have to stress about someone else covering your work load. 

When you just want to take an unexpected day off- you do -- and you don't worry about it. 

You are living debt free.

You are helping change people's lives and saving some along the way. 

You are working from home- in your yoga pants-- coffee in hand while Frozen is on and your little girls are singing along. 

You are happy- everyday. 

You are fit and healthy- because you know it is a treat for your body and because you are getting paid to live the lifestyle. 

YOU. ARE. FREE.

Okay- open your eyes. Now- you are back to reality. 

Overcome the fear and you will go far!

What does your life look like right now? Does the above that I just talked about you seem impossible? Are you totally stressed about finances? Are you rolling your eyes thinking "HAPPY? YEAH RIGHT! We are meant to be miserable in this life?"

NO! WE ARE MEANT TO LIVE OUR OWN LIVES! Ones that we create! Ones that we can ENJOY and LOVE!

It's time that you see that big picture and it's time for you to get started. 

Living my life by design.

Now- DON'T PANIC! This really is a transition that is so WORTH the efforts. I can promise you that. From a girl who went from almost filing bankruptcy last year to someone who is about to submit a payment to pay off the VERY LAST credit card I have-- I will have a total debt payoff of $14,000.00 since mid February. From someone who was completely depressed and miserable a year and a half ago-- to a woman who THRIVES on LIFE! Who finds the good in everything and who lives passionately about almost EVERYTHING! Not a bad gig. 

Want to know how I've done it? And how I promise you-- you can too?-- If you really want it? 

When you commit to making success your only option it becomes the only thing that is in the forefront of your mind. Am I right?

It really makes no difference what kind of journey you are on! If you are starting out in your health and fitness journey or if you are about to sign up as a brand new coach- you have this FIRE that is inside you! You can feel the passion! You are already visualizing your success! You see the big picture and you can't wait to get there!! You are motivated. Ignited. SET IN FLAMES! Your dreams are big and your goals are SCARY! And you now that you will 100% make it. There is no other option.

And the day comes- you are ready! It's here! You open that package of your challenge pack or you log in to your back office as a brand new coach and --- SCAARRREEEETTTTCHHHHHH. HALT. OH EM GEEEE! 

I can't do this. 

FEAR creeps in. The reality that you live creeps in. The NEGATIVE voices creep in. And YOU start to believe them. 

WHY?!!!!

What in the gosh darn world are you afraid of? 

FAILING??? I fail EVERY. SINGLE. DAY. I just fail forward. I make sure that I am learning from my big fat failures and I move on!

Are these thought running through your mind--

UGH! I talked to one person about this fitness and nutrition thing and they rolled their eyes. 

I asked someone to join the accountability group with me and she said no. 

I am so darn shy, there is no way I can 'be like you.'

I have no time. 

My kids have soccer practice 4 days a week, my husband works late, I don't have a babysitter, my dog got loose, I HAVE EXCUSES...

I don't know everything about fitness and nutrition.

I don't know how to do meal plans. 

I don't know very many people. 

So and so would never want to hear about what I am doing as a challenger or as a coach.

I can't work a computer very good. 

I am not like you???

I don't have very many Facebook friends. 

Social Media is scary.

I'm broke. 

I am so afraid of what other people will think or say about me.

And my all time fave--- I DON'T WANT TO SELL PEOPLE STUFF.

Trust me- the list could continue, but I will stop there. 

Listen guys- I am NOT PERFECT IN ANY WAY, SHAPE OR FORM. But I have LEARNED a lot over the years. I used to live my life solely on what others thought of me. I used to care so much that I would make myself sick over what they 'might be thinking' about me. I would cry over 'spilt milk' as they say and never understood why it would affect me so much.

Now- after learning so much about myself- I believe it was always because I have a genuine heart and I seriously just want everyone to KNOW ME and my INTENTIONS. And that they are true to my core. So, I have realized something pretty life changing-- NOT EVERYONE WILL LIKE ME. And that is OKAY! Not everyone clicks. It's not something to be ashamed of or feel bad about! It's life! I know that my life is lived for me and to better myself and my family. Along the way I intend to HELP as many people who want it and as many people who will work for it. Period! No excuses. No pity parties. No whining about things out of our control! And I want to help you realize this about yourself too :) We are all people, capable of making decisions that will better us as a person!! So, why not start now? Why NOT you?!!

So- I've learned to rethink my life. I've learned to say-- what is the worst someone can do?? Tell me NO? What happens if I fail? Well-- i'm failing forward! I will always be reading personal development to better myself, my business, my finances, my family, my life! I am living my life by my own design. Who else can say that at 30 years old? YOU CAN-- but will you?

So- answer these questions and really dig deep. WHY IN THE HECK WILL YOU LET FEAR FUEL YOU?!! Don't do that! LIVE YOUR LIFE!! Will you really allow fear to steal your success? Because yes- I can tell you-- if you surrender and make changes-- you will succeed all while constantly FAILING!! Because failing is not bad! Failing is good as long as you are learning and moving forward! Make sense?!

I take pride in the fact that I have a totally unconventional job. It just makes sense for me. It can make sense for you too- if you are striving to help people change their lives and ultimately-- help SAVE lives. You learn to be a great leader and grow into a person you may have always wanted to be-- but just didn't know how. I love that I have found my passion. I love that God called me to do this! He has qualified me to do my job and do it as best as I can and for that.. I am just so grateful. 

This is my job description:

Wake up- workout- post on Facebook- check in with my challenge groups and coaches- write a blog post- read some of my book- play with my kids- go to the pool- take a nap if I choose- talk on the phone or video chat with some of my best friends who are fellow coaches- be at home with my family- eat dinner together- put my babes to bed- check in on FB and hang out with my hubby. -- Rough life- I KNOW! 

You too can: BE YOUR OWN BOSS, make your own schedule, set your own hours, build an amazing business brick by brick all while being mentored on 'how' to do it... pretty cool deal! Don't you think?

Now- this is not meant for everyone! Far from it! You have to be passionate about it. You have to want it. You have to take the time to build. And let me tell you! IT IS SO WORTH IT ALL-- but only if you are willing to work for it!

So- do you want to know what this whole "coaching thing" is all about? 

I am going to be offering a FREE 5 DAY WHAT IS COACHING group starting on July 21st. It will be available through a closed Facebook group. If you would like to check it out then all that you will have to do is go to my website to sign up for your free account to ensure that I am your coach, then you can click on this link to request to join! Simple! You will get all of the info you need in order to decide if you are going to 'do this!' with me !!!

I do want to ask you something to ask yourself--- what do you have to lose? What in the world would hold you back from joining my team and having access to all of my training guides, my apprenticeship programs, my system, my mentorship and our team support? Why wouldn't you take a leap of faith and just go for it? There is no obligation and yes, you can cancel at any time! BUT again--- why not just go for it?!

I will tell you that I lead with passion, momentum and drive. I eat, drink and breathe my team and my challengers. I LOVE what I do and I want to infect everyone with this amazing perseverance! Not a day goes by where I am not present, answering your questions, leading you and showing you the way. Will you join me? 

If you want to INSPIRE, motivate, guide, help and be the best accountability anyone could ask for-- this is for you. If you are ready and willing to get over your fears and dive right in. This is for you. After my Free 5 day coaching group we will be kicking off a BRAND NEW Coach Apprenticeship Group for BRAND NEW COACHES!!

Are you ready to change? 

Apply below and let's see what you're made of!

There are tons of Wufoo features to help make your forms awesome.

Stuffed Peppers

I haven't made this recipe in awhile, so I plan on adding it to the meal list for next week. I have kids who 'don't like peppers'-- but after they come out of the oven and they see them and SMELL them, then they are all for them! They really love this meal and I am excited to make it again! Try it and let me know what you think!

Eat Clean Stuffed Peppers

Ingredients:
Water
Sea Salt
4 large red bell peppers (you can use any color)- make sure the peppers can sit upright nicely. remove top, ribs and seeds.
2 cups cooked brown rice 

1 tsp extra virgin olive oil
1 yellow onion, peeled and chopped
1 large carrot, peeled and grated
1 cup butternut squash, peeled and diced
3 cloves garlic, passed through a garlic press
2 cups fresh roma tomatoes, diced and set over a fine mesh sieve to drain
1 15 oz can black beans, rinsed and drained
1 cup fresh corn kernels
1/2 cup fresh chopped cilantro
juice of one fresh lime
fresh ground pepper
cooking spray

Preparation:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Place cooked brown rice in a bowl and let cool. set aside.
Make sure there is a rack in the middle of the oven. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Place the peppers in the boiling water and cook briefly. the peppers need to be just a little soft. Remove the peppers from the water an dput them on a plate line with paper towels, upside down so the water can drain out.

In a large skillet, heat olive oil and saute onion, carrot and butternut squash. Cook for 10 minutes, covered. Add garlic and cook a few minutes more. Now add tomatoes, beans and corn. Cook for 5 minutes. Remove from heat.

Add vegtable mixture to cooled, cooked brown rice. Season with cilantro, lime juice, sea salt and black pepper. Mix with clean, bare hands until all ingredients are evenly distributed. Set aside.

Prepare a small baking pan with a light coating of cooking spray. Place each of the peppers right side up in the pan. Stuff each pepper with brown rice filling. Don't pack the rice mixture too tightly. Bake for 20 minutes and serve immediately.

You can add lean ground chicken or turkey to the cooked rice mixture to make it a complete clean eating meal. Simply brown one pound of ground chicken or turkey and add to stuffing mixture and stuff as usual. 

I also added a can of tomato sauce on top to give it some extra sauce. I used an all natural organic sauce with no added sugar! Delicious!

Chicken Cheesesteak Sandwiches

These sandwiches are so yummy and totally taste like they are full of calories! In reality, this is a pretty clean dinner and I really want to encourage you to try it out!! This is 100% MAN tested and APPROVED! My hubby loves me to make these often, especially for football parties and any kind of friend's night in!

Give them a try and tell me what you think!

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 whole-grain hot dog bun
• 4 oz boneless, skinless chicken breast
• Olive oil cooking spray
• 1/2 cup white onion, cut into slivers
• 1 green peper cut into strips
• Sea salt and ground black pepper, to taste
• 1 slice reduced-fat provolone cheese (such as Sargento Reduced Fat Deli Style Sliced Provolone Cheese)
• 1 tbsp natural low-sodium ketchup
• 1 tbsp hot pepper rings or more, to taste (optional)

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Preheat oven or toaster oven to 400°F.
2. Cut piece of aluminum foil a few inches larger than bun. Wrap bun completely in foil.
3. To shave chicken, hold sharp knife at a 45-degree angle and cut slivers from breast, tearing it until shaved (it should be cut much thinner than if it was just sliced).
4. Warm bun in oven for 10 minutes.
5. Set small nonstick pan over medium-high heat. When hot, lightly mist with cooking spray and add onion. Cook about 2 to 4 minutes or until tender and starting to brown. Remove from pan and cover to keep warm. Return pan to high heat. When hot, re-mist pan with cooking spray and add chicken. Season with salt and black pepper. Use 2 wooden spoons or spatulas to pull apart chicken shavings for even browning. Cook until lightly browned and no longer pink, about 2 minutes, and remove pan from heat. Add onions back to pan and stir to combine.
6. Unwrap bun and open it, being careful not to burn yourself. Add cheese, followed by chicken and onions. Top with ketchup and hot pepper rings, if desired. Serve immediately.

Nutrients per cheese steak: Calories: 330, Total Fat: 9 g, Sat. Fat: 3 g, Carbs: 33 g, Fiber: 5 g, Sugars: 9 g, Protein: 33 g, Sodium: 650 g, Cholesterol: 75 g