Monday, February 23, 2015

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)





Friday, February 20, 2015

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.

Thursday, February 19, 2015

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.



Saturday, February 14, 2015

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


Friday, February 13, 2015

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


Sunday, February 8, 2015

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.

Saturday, February 7, 2015

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