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!

Livin' It Up... About This Gemini

I'm not that into zodiac signs, unless we're talking about Geminis. We are the best! Only half joking. I'm sure you've heard about the stereotypical two-faced people that we are but let me tell you, there is a lot to love and appreciate about a Gemini, especially me.

I think I am a hell of a good time. I'm talkative, incredibly social, highly flirtatious, opinionated, inquisitive, often take a "to each their own" approach when debates arise, smart, enthusiastic about life, witty, laugh louder than everyone else in the room, adaptable, easy going, I can admit when I'm wrong and will do what is needed to make it better, and I have multiple interests.

Once I find a subject I am interested in I will pursue it to the point of excellence.

"Crash and burn" is not something this Gemini experiences often. While I don't mind taking the lead and setting the pace nothing is more frustrating than seeing others standing back watching me do all the work. I'm inclined to overwork my mind and body and am prone to mental exhaustion. I try to get sleep but more times than not I just can't. Restless. I stay up late and rise early (that's without an alarm too). My thinking is that I don't have many days in this lifetime and I want to make the most of them. I have 48 hours worth of stuff to do in 24 hours.

Head-strong about loved ones and things I am passionate about and ready to put up a hard fight if the topic is poked at. I have little control over my mouth when upset and can't let it go until I'm ready to shut up about it.

Speaking of loved ones, I am overly generous often offering up my items or services if I see someone in need.

I am loyal as hell. I love with all I have and give myself fully to that person. No matter what I have going on in my life I can put it aside and be there when needed. When I tell you I love you I mean it.

Don't have any room for drama in my life unless it's on the network Bravo or TLC. Love trashy reality TV.

I can also tell you some of the negatives with me being a Gemini. 

I'm indecisive and get overwhelmed when there are too many options, have moments of laziness and untidiness, don't enjoy being confined, get bored with repetition (but need some normalcy and routine), when in a foul mood I become cold to those around me, need clear communication in a relationship and get irritated without it, I can detach emotionally from someone at the flip of a switch, when I'm hurting I put on a fake smile which means I bottle up my emotions until I explode, and my sarcasm gets taken wrong a lot. Because of the dual personality I'm constantly going back and forth with my thoughts and actions. 

But I can't end it on a negative... so I'll leave you with this...

Doin' Some Cookin'... Chicken Cacciatore

It was a Monday. It's a classic comfort food kind of a day so a skillet of Chicken Cacciatore it is.

Chicken Cacciatore means "Hunter-Style Chicken" in Italian.

This is a simple but complex balance of flavors. I can't say no to a recipe with capers in it or tender, succulent chicken. The chicken is braised in a tomato-based sauce with mushrooms and red bell peppers.

Instead of serving this over pasta noodles I sauteed some zucchini noodles and made sure to spoon a generous amount of the sauce over them. So damn good!

Mangia! Buon Appetito!

Chicken Cacciatore

Adapted From: Whole30

Makes 2 Servings

Stars of the Show:

• 4 tbsp olive oil
• 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken thighs
• sea salt, to taste
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1 tbsp onion powder
• 1/2 red bell pepper, diced
• 1 cup mushrooms, diced
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tbsp capers, drained
• 1 (14.5 oz) can fire roasted diced tomatoes
• 1 cup chicken broth or water
• dried basil, to taste

And Action:

In large skillet with high edges heat 2 tbsp olive oil over medium high heat. Season chicken with salt and pepper and place in the pan. Sear until golden brown, about 3 minutes each side. Remove chicken from the pan and set aside.

In same pan add remaining 2 tbsp olive oil and add red bell peppers, sprinkle with onion powder and saute 2-3 minutes. Add mushrooms and continue to cook stirring for 2 minutes. Add the garlic and stir, 1 minute. Add the capers and diced tomatoes.

Return the chicken to the pan and cover everything with chicken broth. Reduce heat to medium and simmer about 30 minutes.

Garnish with basil and serve over sauteed zucchini noodles. Enjoy!