Greek Lemon Chicken Soup

Craving something warm but offers a zing?  Then don't miss out on this twist on chicken soup.  I found the recipe on the beachbody website.  You can read it here. https://www.beachbody.com/beachbodyblog/recipes/greek-lemon-chicken-soup-avgolemono

Ingredients:

3/4 cup dry whole wheat penne

1lb. raw chicken breast, cut into bite size pieces

Olive Oil

Garlic Powder

3 large eggs

6 TBSP lemon Juice

4 cups low-sodium chicken broth

1 cup chopped fresh spinach

Preperation

1. Cook pasta according to package directions until al dente; drain. Cool.

2. Heat medium nonstick skillet, add a TBSP of olive oil

3. Add chicken, sprinkle with Garlic Powder to taste.  Stir frequently until cooked thoroughly.

4. Whisk together eggs and 6 TBSP lemon juice in a large bowl. Slowly add broth, wisking constantly.

5. Transfer egg mixture to mediu saucepan. Add chicken, spinach, pasta, and any remaining broth; cook over medium heat, stirring frequently until it starts to boil.

6. Turn heat off and serve. Season as desired.

Homemade Nachos

Who doesn't love Nachos?  Skip that processed crap you buy at places.  Instead make your own at home with this delicious and super simple recipe

Ingredients

• 2 - 6" tortillas
• Prepared Taco Seasoned Ground Turkey
• Black Beans
• Chopped Onions
• Chopped Peppers
• Chedder Cheese

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.  Cut the torillas into six sections.  Place on cookie sheet and cook in the oven for 10 or so minutes.  Take them out when they are crispy!  Place the tortilla chips in an oven safe bowl and top with hot Taco meat, Black Beans and Cheese (and onions and peppers if you like although I like adding them after).  Place the covered chips in the oven until cheese is melted.  Top with the rest of the ingredients and enjoy!

Chicken Pot Pie

Perfect for a cool day this recipe is packed with veggies and protein.  Don't miss out on this recipe and please share your meal with us on social media!

Ingredients

-2 1/2 cups of Chicken (or Shredded Turkey, Ground Turkey, Ground Beef, Shredded Beef)

- 1 Cup Frozen Peas

-3 Cups of Broccoli (cut into smaller pieces)

-1 Large Carrot (cut into bite size pieces)

-1 Medium Onion(chopped)

-1 Clove Garlic

-1 1/2 Cups Milk

-1 Cup Chicken Stock (If you are using beef, use beef broth)

-2 TBSP Whole Wheat Flour

-1 TBSP Coconut Oil

Directions

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.  Turn on the burner on medium high.  Add the oil.  After it melts add the Garlic, Onion, and Carrots.  When the onions turn translucent add the Milk, Broth, and Flour.  Turn the burner on high and let it boil for a bit, letting it reduce slightly.  Then add the rest of the ingredients. (Chicken, Broccoli and Peas)  Let them heat up and wait until right before the liquid turns into a thick gravy.  

Make a crust, using the recipe from the Pecan pie below.  Feel free to make one whole recipe if you want a bottom and top crust or cut the recipe in half for just a top crust. When it turns into a gravy texture pour it into the crust.  Then add the top crust.  Fold the edges in.  Place in the oven for 30 minutes or when the top starts to brown.  Let it cool for 5 minutes and enjoy!  

Broccoli Cheese Soup

Get your vegetables in without being bland.  This broccoli cheese soup is bound to pack a flavor punch.  I didn't create this recipe but found it from Stephanie on  http://thefoodieandthefix.com/21-day-fix-broccoli-cheese-soup/

Ingredients

- 2 tsp Butter

- 1 medium onion, chopped

- 1 cup chopped carrots (about 2 medium)

- 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth

- 4 cups broccoli, roughly chopped

- 2 cups cauliflower, roughly chopped

- 1/2 tsp salt & pepper, to taste

- 2 cups broccoli, chopped into small pieces

-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) Add roughly chopped broccoli (not the finally chopped broccoli), cauliflower, salt, and broth

3) Cover and let boil (stirring frequently) until all veggies are soft

3.5) As veggies are boiling, steam the finely chopped broccoli in a pan or in a microwave

4) Once veggies are soft, puree the mixture in the blender

5) Put blended mixture in pot on low heat.  Add shredded cheese and soft finally chopped broccoli.  Add pepper to taste and enjoy!

Container Equivalents: 1 1/2 Green, 1 Blue, 1/3 Red, 1/2 Tsp

Pumpkin Custard Bars

While it may not be the holiday season but I love desserts and couldn't pass up these pumpkin custard bars.  Who says eating healthy means eating bland food.  I found this recipe from Stephanie on http://thefoodieandthefix.com/flourless-pumpkin-custard-bars/

Ingredients

    -1 1/2 cups pumkin puree (1 can)

    -3 Tbs Almond Butter

    -1 tsp vanilla

    -1 Tbs Pumpkin pie Spice

    -3 Tbs Maple Syrup

    -3/4 tsp baking soda

    -2 eggs

    -Dash of Salt

    -Optional: Pecans

Instructions

    1) Preheat Oven to 350 degrees.  Spray an 8x8 baking dish with cooking spray.

    2) Whisk all ingredients together until well combined and spread into the baking dish. Bake for about 40 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean from the center. Let cool, then cut into 9 bars.

    3) Refigerate any leftovers

Notes

Container Equivalents: 1/6th PURPLE, 1/9 RED, 1 TSP, 1 TSP Maple Syrup

Almond Energy Bars

Almonds, yes.  Energy bars, definitely.  Dessert, HECK YEAH!!!!!  This recipe comes from my coworker Sam Woods.  A delicious and perfect treat for anyone who loves to workout and stay fit. 

Recipe:

Base:

2 cups ground raw almonds

1 cup unsweetened coconut flakes

1 cup flaxseed meal

3 scoops whey protein

½ cup of almond butter

1 cup of melted coconut oil

3 tbs. of coconut sugar (the recipe calls for stevia, but I don’t like the weird aftertaste in my mouth.)

Frosting:

1 full slab of cooking chocolate, 100% cacao

½ cup of coconut oil

½ stick of butter

2 tbs. of cinnamon( more or less according to taste)

Sweeten to taste, more coconut sugar, like ¼ cup maybe…

Mix all base dry ingredients in a bowl first. Then add the melted coconut oil and almond butter. Sometimes I melt the almond butter with the coconut oil so it mixes with the dry ingredients better. Make sure the oil is mixed throughout and press into a 13x9 pan. Should be about ¾ inch thick, maybe more. Not exact science happening in a guy’s kitchen!  HA!  Refrigerate for about an hour.

While the base is cooling, put the frosting ingredients in a pan and on LOW heat slowly  melt the chocolate. Once it is melted turn off the heat and let it set until the hour is up for the base to cool. Pour the chocolate stuff over the base until all is coated and refrigerate for another hour or so. Then you can serve up and power up!!

Because of the coconut oil, these bars need constant refrigeration. If you set them out, they’ll last a little while, then they get crumbly. Still good, but messy. Let me know what you think.

Peanut Butter Chicken

I love mixing up my dinners and making some fun dishes.  THis one came from all recipes and the author is: CHANDRA6.  You can find the recipe here if you wish.  http://allrecipes.com/recipe/81310/grilled-peanut-chicken/

Special Jonesin' to get Fit Directions:

-Cube up Chicken and Dice 1-2 cloves of Garlic

-Place cubed chicken and garlic in a preheated pan with a little bit of oil

-Cut up 1 Bell Pepper, 2 cups of Broccoli, and noodle 1 Squash

-After the Chicken is 90% cooked, add teh veggies to the chicken and mix them in

-Add 2 tbsp lime juice, 3 tsp soy sauce, and 1/4 cup Peanut Butter (or other nut butter) to the pan.  Feel free to add a little more oil if you wish.

-Let it simmer until the sauce just starts turning thicker

-Serve and enjoy!

Quinoa Pizza Crust

This recipe is awesome for a delicious and very healthy pizza crust!  It does take a little bit of time to make, but well worth it!  I didn't create the recipe but found it on Amanda Finks webiste  http://www.thewholesomedish.com/quinoa-crust-pizza-cheesy-garlic-bread/

Here's what you do!

-Preheat the oven to 425 degrees

- Put 2 tsp of olive in a hot pan. Rinse off 1/2 cup quinoa and put in the oil.  Stir around for 5-6 minutes just lightly browning the outside.  Then add 1 cup water (1 part quinoa to 2 parts water)

-After Quinoa is cooked, let it cook a little more to help get all the water soaked up or evaporated.

-Cool for 10 minutes.

-As the Quinoa is cooling, mix together:

    -2 eggs

    -1 tsp garlic

    -1/2 tsp basil

    -1/2 tsp oregano

    -1/2 tsp baking powder

- Mix above mixture with cooled quinoa.  Add 1/4 cup of shredded cheese.  Mix well

-Place parchment paper on a cookie sheet or pizza pan.  Spread the mixture across the paper and even it out until it's about 1/4" thick.  

-Place in oven for 15-20 minutes (when it looks cooked)

-Take out and add favorite sauce and toppings. Pop back into the oven for 5-10 minutes until the toppings are done the way you like.

-ENJOY!

Stuffed Peppers

I'll be honest.  I hated stuffed peppers growing up.  However since I started working out and focusing on eating healthier I wanted to give them another shot.  And boy and I happy I did.  This recipe is the bomb!  I didn't create it myself but instead I found it on Valorie Woeste's website https://healthylifewithvaleriewoeste.com/2014/05/22/stuffed-peppers-21-day-fix-approved/

 21 Day Fix Recipe Stuffed Peppers

What you'll need:

4 Sweet Bell Peppers

1 Yellow container of cooked quinua

1/2 Yellow container of black beans, (canned) rinsed and drained

1/2 Yellow container of frozen corn

2 Red containers of browned low fat ground turkey with taco seasoning

1 Green container of diced tomatoes 

1 Green container of tomato sauce

1 Blue container of your favorite cheese

What You'll Do:

1. Cook quinoa according to directions in your eating plan.

2. While quinoa is simmering, brown ground meet with taco seasoning.

3. Drain and Rinse black beans

4. Portion out diced tomatoes, corn, and tomato sauce, and cheese.

5.Combine meat, tomatoes, corn, quinoa, beans, and sauce in a large bowl.

6. Cut caps off of peppers and pull out ribs and core. Rinse excess seeds out.

7. Stuff peppers with filling

8. Sprinkle with cheese

9. Bake at 375 Fahrenheit for 40-45 minutes, depending on the strength of your oven. Cheese should be melted and filling should be heated all the way through.

DIVE In! This recipe serves 4 with the following counts per stuffed pepper: 1 Red, 1/2 Yellow, 1 Green, 1/4 Blue.

Protein Crepes

This has become my go-to breakfast.  Simple, easy, and delicious!  

Author: Autumn Calabrese (Fixate cookbook)

To make this delicious recipe you'll only need a couple ingredients.  You will need:

1 cup of eggs (egg white or an entire egg)

1/8 cup of Greek Yogurt

1 scoop of protein powder

1/2 tsp of vanilla extract

Sprinkles of Cinnamon

Whisk the ingredients together.  Pour into a hot pan creating a rough 3-4 inch circle.  Then lift up the pan and tilt around spreading the batter around.  When the edges brown, flip over. When that side browns, set it on the plate.  

Add desired filling and topping and enjoy!

Healthy Pecan Pie

This is one of my favorite desserts.  But with the the amount of sugar and calories in a normal pecan pie, I sadly pass on it.  Well, NO MORE!  Time to enjoy this heavenly dessert!

I did not create the recipe but found it on Jamie Callahan website http://www.adventuresofashrinkingprincess.com/recipes/21-day-fix-pecan-pie/

Recipe makes one 9" pecan pie.

For the Crust:

1 1/2 cups whole wheat pastry flour (optional, white whole wheat flour)

1/2 cup oat flour

1 TBSP coconut sugar

1/2 tsp salt

2/3 cup Cold Coconut oil (optional, organic pure unsalted butter)

Ice cold Water

Crust directions:

Make the crust by combining the wheat flour with the oat flour, sugar, and salt in a large bowl.  Add the coconut oil or butter and work it through the flour mixture with your hands until it's crumbly.

Slowly add ice water, about 2 TBSP at a time, until you have a stiff dough.  Form the dough into a ball, wrap in plastic, and refrigerate until firm, about a half hour.

Roll the pie crust out, lightly flouring the dough and work surface. Carefully lay the dough in your pie pan.

Pie Filling:

1/2 Cup Honey for a less sweet pie OR

2/4 Cup Honey for a medium sweet pie OR

1 cup honey for a SUPER sweet pie

3 egg whites, whipped with a fork

2 TBSP safflower or other light flavored oil

1 cup raw pecan pieces

4 tsp vanilla extract

1 tsp cinnamon

3 TBSP whole wheat pastry flou

Directions:

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.

Mix all ingredients together in a large mixing bowl.

Pour batter into raw pie crust and bake for 10 minutes.  Reduce heat to 350 degrees F, and continue to bake for 20-25 minutes. The pie shoudl raise in the oven and have small cracks in the top when it's done.

Remove from oven and allow to cool overnight

21 Day Fix Containers: 1 Yellow, 1 tsp, and 1/2 blue per slice

French Toast Bake

Christmas Special -French Toast Bake

This super simple breakfast is perfect for Christmas morning after everyone opens their presents or really anytime when family is over. Prep it the night before and then pop it in the oven in the morning enjoy some coffee and then dig in!

Here's what you need:

For 4 larger servings

8-9 slices of Whole Wheat Bread (or your favorite healthy bread)

5 eggs

1 cup milk (dairy, almond, coconut, whatever!)

Cinnamon

Nutmeg

Almond Extact

Apples

Honey

Here's how you make the magic happen!

Grilled Steak Kabobs

This is the perfect recipe for any party or family get together (especially in summer).   Give this simple and delicious recipe a try!  Don't forget to take a picture of your meal and share it with me on social media!

Here's what you need (feel free to customize)

For the Rice
Rice

Ginger

Curry

Paprika

Oregano

Tumeric

For the Kabobs

Sweet Potatos

Squash

Peppers

Lean Steak (I marinated the steak with some soy sauce, olive oil, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, and ginger)

For the directions, watch the video below:

Loaded Vegetable Soup

Winter is the perfect season for soup! This hearty recipe will not only satisfy your picky eaters, it will get your daily veggies in! Plus you’ll have meals for days. Oh yeah, it’s vegan and amazing!!!

PS - I did add some dill and thyme to it as it was simmering! 😁IS

Ingredients:

Soup Base

1 Onion

3 Carrots

3 Celery Stalk

1 Leek

Enough Water to cover

Soup

1 Onion

4 Garlic Cloves

Rest of the Celery Stalks (5+)

5 Carrots

1 Broccoli crown

1/2 Cauliflower

2 cups Green beans

1 Zucchini

4 cups Brussel Sprouts

2 cups chopped Parsley

A lot of chopped Kale

Here's how you make it! 

In

Breakfast Skillet

Time to mix up the meals a bit and decided to make dinner outside in the firepit!  Plus breakfast for dinner, how can you go wrong?!?  You can make this over a campfire, your grill, or on your stove!  

Here's what you need: (Remember it's totally custumizable so you can make it your very own)

Italian seasoned ground turkey

Red Potatoes

Red Pepper

Chives

Fresh Spinach

4 eggs

Ground Pepper

For directions to make this meal follow the video below: 

Cold Brew Chicken

If you know much of anything about me, you know I absolutely LOVE coffee!  So when I found the recipe for this cold brew chicken making it was a no brainer!  Now I didn't create the recipe but found it here: https://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/3-healthy-chicken-wing-recipes

It's simple but freaking delicious!  Give it a try today and let me know what you think of it.

Here's what you'll need:
2 lbs of chicken
Sea Salt
Olive Oil
Ground Cinnamon
Ground Paprika
Cayanne Pepper
1 TBSP Sugar
2 TBSP Coffee Beans

To create this tasty meal follow the directions in this video:

Easy and Healthy Pie Crust

I love pies.  The ones with butter crusts taste amazing but are a huge sidetrack to my diet.  Well it's not a concern anymore!  Here is a healthy and easy crust recipe I use for any dessert and pot pies!

Crust:

1 1/2 cups whole wheat pastry flour (optional, white whole wheat flour)

1/2 cup oat flour

1 TBSP coconut sugar

1/2 tsp salt

2/3 cup Cold Coconut oil (optional, organic pure unsalted butter)

Ice cold Water

Crust directions:

Make the crust by combining the wheat flour with the oat flour, sugar, and salt in a large bowl.  Add the coconut oil or butter and work it through the flour mixture with your hands until it's crumbly.

Slowly add ice water, about 2 TBSP at a time, until you have a stiff dough.  Form the dough into a ball, wrap in plastic, and refrigerate until firm, about a half hour.

Roll the pie crust out, lightly flouring the dough and work surface. Carefully lay the dough in your pie pan.

Shepherds Pie

This recipe is perfect for a cold night whether you use beef, chicken, turkey, or lamb!  You'll be able to stick with your diet, have veggies, protein, and enjoy this crazily delicious dinner!

Here's what you need:
Makes 4 portions
3/4 pound of meat
1/2 onion
2 carrots
2 garlic cloves
1 cup of frozen peas
3/4 cup almond milk (or 1/2 cup beef broth and 1/4 cup milk)
3 potatoes
1/2 cauliflower head cut into florets

Learn how to make this delicious and easy recipe by watching this video:

4 Ingredient Pumpkin Pie

It's that time of year... pumpkin time that is!  Stay on track with your diet but enjoy a phenomenal pumpkin pie.  Plus it only has 150 calories!!!!  I think that's reason to have two servings if you as me!

This recipe makes 2 pies.  Here are the ingredients you need:
Whole Wheat Crust (find the recipe here. https://www.sites.google.com/site/jonesintogetfit/recipes-more - You'll need to scroll down a little bit)
2 cans of Pure Pumpkin Puree
1 can of Sweetened Condense Milk
Pumpkin Pie Spice
4 Eggs

For directions on making this amazing dessert watch the video below!

Homemade Greek Yogurt

There are a few things as delicious and healthy as greek yogurt.  Plus who doesn't love making it at home.  This crazy simple recipe will have you experimenting and trying new flavor combinations your entire family will enjoy!

Here's what you need for this ridiculous simple recipe:
Milk (Whole milk is best but 2% or 1% works too)

Want to know exactly how to make it?  Watch here: