Doin' Some Cookin'... Coconut Mango Smoothie with Banana and Lime

I know, I know... "don't drink your calories."

But... this smoothie is a meal. I forced myself to suck it all down and went hours before I was hungry again. I made my smoothie for breakfast but you can enjoy this anytime of the day.

This is one of my favorite smoothies I have made to date. Tropical flavors excite me!

Coconut Mango Smoothie with Banana and Lime

Adapted From: Kitchen Meets Girl

Makes 1 Smoothie

Stars of the Show:

• 1 cup mango, chopped
• 1 frozen banana
• 1/2 cup light coconut milk
• 1/4 cup water
• ice cubes, to your liking
• 1/2 lime, juiced
• 1/4 tsp unsweetened coconut flakes

And Action:

Combine all ingredients in the blender and pulse until smooth. Enjoy!

Doin' Some Cookin'... Jalapeno Chicken Burgers

Whole30 and Super Bowl Sunday just don't mix. Or so I thought.

Wanting to make Game Day special for Little Man I let him pick his menu. His necessities were a double cheeseburger with guacamole, Nacho Cheese Doritos, french fries, ice cream, and hot chocolate.

I wanted a burger too so I researched Whole30 approved recipes and found this recipe for Jalapeño Chicken Burgers.

These are the most flavorful chicken burgers I have ever made spiced from jalapeños, red onions, and spices. I even ground my own chicken. Oh em gee! No joke, the best chicken burgers ever!!! These burgers are not dry at all and I prefer chicken to turkey but turkey could be substituted if you prefer.

Served a grilled patty with a side of guacamole and mango salsa. I can't get over how delicious this meal was. You too will forget about the bread. Trust me.

Don't feel like I missed out on anything and can't wait to enjoy the leftovers for lunch and dinner tomorrow.

I will need to remember this recipe for a Summer get together. I know these would impress.

Jalapeno Chicken Burgers

Adapted From: Once A Month Meals

Makes 4 Servings

Stars of the Show:

• 1 1/2 lbs chicken breast, boneless, skinless
• 2/3 cup red onion, diced
• 1/4 cup cilantro, chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 jalapeno, seeded and diced
• 1 tsp cumin
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 1 tsp red pepper flakes

And Action:

Ground chicken in a food processor and pulse until desired consistency. I prefer mine smooth. Add remaining ingredients and pulse until well combined. 

Form the chicken mixture into 4 equal patties. 

Grill over medium-high heat flipping when the bottom of burger no longer sticks to grate. Continue cooking until cooked through. Enjoy!

Doin' Some Cookin'... Strawberry, Apple, and Banana Smoothie

I have big plans to make my way through a list of almost 100 smoothies. Just because I effin' love smoothies that much and not to mention they can be a fairly healthy option for any meal of the day.

Because the weather in Texas has been known to jump from winter to spring in February I'm so not ready for t-shirts and shorts. That is why I am so dedicated to my weight loss this time around. I get it, my track record hasn't been the best but for the last month I've got it together losing an average of 2.5 lbs a week!! Down 9.5 lbs so far. Yay!

Whipping up a smoothie only takes about 5 minutes making breakfast a breeze for a quick-on-the-go option as in on-the-go to work. Boo! (Not really. I love my job!) Adding bananas to my smoothies is one of my favorite additives for natural sweetness and to help thicken it up. Blend it, pour it, drink it, and breakfast is done, easy peasy!

Strawberry, Apple, and Banana Smoothie

Adapted From: Katie's Cucina

Makes 1 Serving

Stars of the Show:

• 1 cup frozen strawberries
• 1 fuji apple, cut into bite size chunks
• 1/2 frozen banana
• 1/2 cup unsweetened almond milk

And Action:

Pulse all ingredients in a blender until smooth. Enjoy!

Doin' Some Cookin'... Raspberry Mango Smoothie

Look at the color of this smoothie!! It makes me so damn happy. 

This Raspberry Mango Smoothie was the perfect breakfast treat, Whole30 compliant, and outrageously delicious. Yes!!

If smoothies for breakfast aren't your thing then enjoy this for a post-workout drink or midnight snack (just kidding... kinda).

2016 is the first year I did not make a single resolution but if I did I would get to tell you about my health and fitness being on point for all of this year. Oops! Told you anyway. It's only February but I'm still going strong. I'm eating healthier thanks to Whole30 and working out more. Maybe the key was to not make a resolution.

What's worked best for me is committing one hundred percent. It's been a struggle pushing through workouts when I'm exhausted and turning down some of my favorite yummies.

The one thing I keep getting cravings for is something cold whether it be ice cream or iced coffee. So this smoothie was just what I needed to satisfy that craving and get my sugar fix.

Raspberries are fiber rich with a subtle tart flavor that pairs perfectly with the sweetness of mango. Delish!

Raspberry Mango Smoothie

Adapted From: Wine & Glue

Makes 1 Giant Smoothie

Stars of the Show:

• 1 cup frozen mango chunks
• 1 cup frozen raspberries
• 1 banana
• 1 1/4 cup unsweetened almond milk

And Action:

Pulse all ingredients in a blender until smooth. Enjoy!

Doin' Some Cookin'... Beef Enchilada Bake

I love casseroles because you get your meat and veggies in one flavorful bite.

While making this I only dirtied two dishes, I am so down with meals that don't leave me in the kitchen standing at the sink for hours cleaning up.

With following the Whole30 program for the last 15 days I've had a few food cravings I've had to fight. When invited to a Mexican restaurant I watched the table stuff their faces with chips and salsa and then their entrees had beans and rice and dishes served with tortillas. Gah!

When meal planning I came across this recipe for a Beef Enchilada Bake and saw that it was diet compliant I knew I had to make it.

A couple of things about this recipe that I would change next time... use half the amount of cauliflower unless you really freakin' love it (it's the flavor profile that stood out the most) and go heavy handed on the spices. I didn't quite taste the "enchilada" but it still made for a satisfying lunch with plenty of leftovers and no guilt.

Because of the easy clean up I get to lounge around on the couch watching TV and just relax before the busy workweek begins.

Beef Enchilada Bake

Adapted From: Just Jessie B

Makes 4 Servings

Stars of the Show:

• 1 head of cauliflower, shredded
• 1 lb lean ground beef
• 1 tbsp onion powder
• 1/2 green bell pepper, diced
• 1 jalapeno, seeds removed and minced
• 3 eggs
• 1 cup tomato sauce
• 1 tbsp chili powder
• 1/4 tsp cumin
• 1/4 tsp garlic
• 1/4 tsp oregano
• salt and pepper, to taste

And Action:

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

Saute ground beef and onion powder in a large pan until meat is no longer pink. Drain the fat.

Stir in the bell pepper, jalapeno, and tomato sauce and all seasonings into the meat, combine well. Add the cauliflower into the pan and crack the eggs into the pan as well, stir gently to coat and break up the eggs until they are no longer visible. 

Coat a 9"x13" baking dish with nonstick spray. 

Dump the mixture into the baking dish and bake for 45 minutes to 1 hour or until browned around the edges. 

Let it cool for a few minutes before slicing and serving. Enjoy!