Chunky Monkey Shake

My two favorite foods are chocolate and peanut butter.  The sweet and salty combination is the ultimate in comfort foods.  Spring is made even better by the chocolate peanut butter eggs that come out around Easter.  I don't let myself buy those though, because I could tear through an entire package in an afternoon and not even realize it.  Instead, I make my favorite shake- the Chunky Monkey.

It's just sweet enough that it satisfies a dessert craving, but it's healthy enough for a snack or post workout recovery drink.  Am I the only one who works out just for the recovery shakes?  It is super easy to make.  I keep frozen bananas in the freezer, and I make sure to always have an endless supply of peanut butter.  I also have my Shakeology on Home Direct, so it shows up every month like clock work.  

Ingredients:

1 scoop chocolate Shakeology

1 tbsp peanut nutter

1 banana, frozen

1 cup water

Directions:

Add the water, Shakeology, peanut butter and banana to a blender.  Blend until smooth.  Enjoy!

Sometimes, if I am extra organized, I will remember to make a cup of coffee the night before. Then I swap the water for the cold coffee.  It tastes just like a frappuccino, and it makes mornings a little more tolerable.  

21 Day Fix Conversion: 1 red, 1 purple (depending on the size of your banana), 4 tsp.

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Food Prep- Smoothies

If you follow this blog at all, you know I am obsessed with smoothies.  I have one almost every day.  I am terrible about snacking on raw fruits and veggies, so this is how I make sure I get them in. I have a few standby's that I prefer, but I am always looking for new combinations.  My most used fruit in my smoothies are bananas, mostly because of their long shelf life, but also because they add a nice touch of sweetness to any combination.  Any time I use a green or other vegetable, I always add at least half a banana.  Sometime's I'll use a whole banana (especially if it involved peanut butter and chocolate), but it usually depends on what other fruit I have in the house.

This past week, as I was getting ready to go out of town, I made a bunch of smoothie packs to throw in the freezer.  I prefer frozen fruit in my smoothies because it gives them a creamy texture without having to use milk or yogurt.  I'm not anti milk, I just don't tolerate it well, so I prefer to use water in my smoothies.

For this batch of smoothie packs I used 1 purple 21 Day Fix container per bag.  This worked out to roughly 1/2  banana and 3-4 strawberries.  I put each serving in a ziplock bag, and then store the bags in the freezer until I want to make a smoothie.  When I am ready to make a smoothie, I add 1 cup water, 1 packet of Shakeology and 1 smoothie pack to a blender and blend away! The strawberry banana combination is great in any of the Shakeology Flavors, although Vanilla Shakeology and Coconut Water is my favorite.

Some other smoothie packs I like include:
1 green container of carrots & spinach + 1 purple of strawberries, apple & banana
1 green of diced beets + 1 purple of strawberries & banana
1 green of spinach + 1 purple of banana
1 purple of cherries, berries & banana

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The green and purple containers I refer to above come from the 21 Day Fix.  They are color coded portion control containers.  Depending on your weight and activity levels you get a certain number of each container per day.  I love this program, so I frequently use the containers as measurements in my recipes.  If you'd like more information, click here.

Berry Beet Banana Smoothie

I have not been eating as well as I should be lately.  We've been stuck in the house for over a week from a big ice storm and below freezing temps.  Healthy food is the last thing I want when I am cold and bored.  This morning I woke up and decided it was time to get back on track.  My favorite way to clean up my diet is with a smoothie. I love this gorgeous pink smoothie as a mid morning snack! It's also a great way to sneak some veggies in a picky eater. 

Ingredients:
1 scoop Vanilla Shakeology *
1 diced beet, peeled and frozen,
3-4 frozen strawberries (or 1/2 purple mixed berries)
1/2 banana, frozen
1 cup water

Blend the ingredients until smooth. For a thinner texture, add more water.

*substitute unsweetened greek yogurt and a tsp of vanilla extract if you don't have any Shakeology.

21 Day Fix Conversion: 1 red, 1 green, 1-2 purples (depending on how much fruit you use)

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Chile Garlic Shrimp with Zucchini Noodles

Pasta is one of the number one requests in our house lately.  I love pasta, but I don't love the way it makes me feel (or the way it makes my pants fit).  Zucchini noodles are a great way to make a dish that usually uses pasta, without the carb guilt.  This is such an easy recipe, but it tastes like it took hours! It's also 21 Day Fix approved. 

Ingredients:

8 oz shrimp
2 zucchini
Sliced lemon1 garlic glove, minced 1 TBSP olive oil1 TBSP butterRed pepper flakesParmesan Cheese

Directions:

Toss the shrimp with the butter, olive oil, lemon, garlic, and red pepper flakes. Roast in a 400 degree oven until the shrimp is pink (about 10 minutes). Meanwhile, shred the zucchini uses a vegetable peeler to make "noodles". Steam until tender and toss with salt and pepper. Top with the shrimp, drizzle with remaining oil and garnish with Parmesan Cheese. Serves 2.

21 Day Fix Conversion: 1 red, 2 green, 3 tsp.

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Cauliflower Pizza Crust

If you've spent any amount of time on Pinterest, you've probably seen a recipe for Cauliflower Pizza Crust. It's always been a recipe that intrigued me, but until now I haven't really been impressed with the results. This recipe came about after many failed attempts at make a crust that didn't require a knife and fork to eat and didn't contain a pound of cheese to hold it together. This is great if you have a pizza addiction are following the 21 Day Fix like I am.  

Ingredients:
One head of cauliflower, roughly chopped
2 eggs
1/3 cup shredded Italian cheese
1/2 tsp Salt
1/2 TBSP Italian herbs (optional)

Directions:
In a food processor, chop the cauliflower until it resembles grains of rice. This step is very important and chopping by hand doesn't result in the right texture. Steam in the microwave (I used a vegetable steamer bag and cooked for 2 minutes on high) and allow to cool. Once it is cool enough to handle, wrap in a dish towel and squeeze out any water. When you think you've gotten out all the water, squeeze a few more times just to be sure. If you don't get out all the water, you won't be able to pick up the crust. Mix together the cauliflower, cheese, eggs, salt and herbs.
Line a pizza pan with parchment paper and spread the "dough" over the pan. You should have enough to fill a standard size pan. Bake in a 400 degree oven for about 20-30 minutes until firm and golden brown.
Remove the crust from the oven, and flip the crust over. Top with your favorite ingredients (I used olive oil and more cheese) and bake for an additional 10 minutes. Serves 4.

21 Day Fix Conversion (without toppings): 2 green, 1/2 red, 1/4 blue.

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Tomato Basil Soup

Creamy Tomato Basil Soup with out the cream! If you've ever had the pleasure of dipping a grilled cheese sandwich into tomato soup, this is the soup for you.  It's also so much friendlier to your waistline since I've cut most of the fat and cream! 

12 tomatoes
1 large onion
1 bulb of garlic
1/2-1 cup 2% milk
1/2 cup Parmesan Cheese
Handful of basil
Olive oil
Salt and Pepper

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Chop the onion and tomatoes and add in the garlic cloves (peeled). Toss with the olive oil, season with salt and pepper, and roast on a baking sheet for 1 hour.
Transfer to a blender and add the Parmesan cheese, basil and 1/2 cup of milk. Blend until smooth. Add additional milk of water for a thinner texture. Taste and add additional salt and pepper if desired.

21 Day Fix Conversion: 2 green, 1/2 yellow, 1/4 blue, 1 tsp

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Mini Ice Cream Pies

I've got a healthy dessert recipe for you tonight! Mini Ice Cream Pies- the best part is that it's totally clean! 

Ingredients:
2 scoops Shakeology (I made half a batch with Vanilla, and half with Chocolate)
1 package silken tofu
2 TBSP milk
1 TBSP Raw honey
1 tsp vanilla extract
Pinch of salt

1/2 cup nuts (I used Walnuts)
1/2 cup pitted dates
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
Pinch of salt

Directions:
In a food processor combine the dates, nuts, pinch of salt and 1/2 tsp vanilla until finally chopped. Press into 12 silicone muffin liners and freeze until needed. 

In a blender combine the milk, Shakeology, tofu, vanilla and salt. Blend until smooth and well incorporated. Taste and add the honey if desired (it is a dessert after all 😀). 

Divide between the 12 muffin liners and return to the freezer until ready to serve. To serve, remove the muffin liner and allow to soften for a few minutes. Serves 12. 

21 Day Fix Conversion: 2/3 orange, 1/8 blue, 1/2 red

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15 Bean Vegetable Soup

Tonight's dinner was exactly what the doctor ordered: hearty 15 bean soup with homemade gluten free corn bread muffins. It takes a while to make, but it uses mostly leftovers and pantry staples, so it's perfect for when your feeling under the weather and don't want to run to the store. It also gives you a good excuse to stay snuggled on the couch all day!

1 bag 15 bean soup beans (not the 16 bean- those contain barley which is not celiac friendly)
1 ham hock or leftover ham bone
2 large red potatoes, diced
2 cups diced carrots
1 large diced onion
2 cups diced celery
1 bell pepper, diced
2 tbsp Cajun seasoning blend
2 cloves minced garlic
Salt and pepper to taste

Rinse the dried beans and place in a large pot. Cover by 2 inches with water and bring to a boil. Turn off the heat and allow to soak for one hour.
Drain and rinse the soaked beans and return to the pot with the ham bone. Cover with water (or broth) by 2 inches. Bring to a boil and then reduce to a simmer. Simmer for 3 hours.
Remove the ham bone and pick of any remaining meat. Return the meat to the pot along with the carrots, celery, onion, bell pepper and garlic. Bring to a boil and the reduce to a simmer. Season with the Cajun seasoning and simmer for one hour.
Add the diced potatoes and simmer for 15-20 minutes until tender. Add additional salt and pepper if needed. Makes 9 servings.

Creamsicle Shake

This Creamsicle Shake was the perfect pick-me-up today. I've been battling a cold, and the creamy orangy goodness hit the spot! 

1 package vanilla Shakeology 
1 frozen clementine (peeled and sectioned)
1/2 frozen banana
1 cup water
3-4 ice cubes

Blend together until smooth and creamy.


21 Day Fix Conversion: 1 red, 1 purple

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