Reese's Peanut Butter Cup Shakeology

Are you craving candy as much as this girl?! That Halloween candy did a number on me as far as wanting more! However, Shakeology is saving me! I made this recipe this afternoon, and it totally didn't disappoint! Try.it!

INGREDIENTS: 

• 1 scoop of Vanilla Shakeology
• 1 tsp of dark chocolate cocoa
• 1 tbsp of peanut butter (or 2 tbsp of PB2)
• 1 cup of unsweetened almond milk
• 5-6 ice cubes

DIRECTIONS:

Mix in a blender and enjoy!

Black Bean Soup

Last week one of my girlfriends loaned me her American Diabetes Association Cookbook so that I could pick through it and try out some new recipes with our family. Like I said yesterday, I sat down Friday evening and flipped through it making a plan for our week.

I was totally not expecting the kids to love or even like this first meal I chose. In fact, I thought I would hear much whining and complaining, especially from Little Man who seems to be exercising his independence with food lately. However, I was wrong! The kids devoured this and even asked for seconds, and in my oldest's case, thirds! 

We'll see how things go tonight with the pumpkin pasta that is on the menu. I told My Hunter that was on the plan and he didn't seem the least bit thrilled. I have to admit, I am wondering myself how it will taste. I am not much of a pumpkin fan, unless it's in a dessert. ;)

Anyway, I wanted to share last night's recipe with all of you, and of course, I have to save it here for myself since it was such a hit with everyone here.

Makes: 10 servings

Serving Size: 1 cup

Prep Time: 15 minutes

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 tsp olive oil
• 1 lb 95% fat-free turkey kielbasa, chopped {I subbed this for venison, because it's what we have here, but I am sure the kielbasa was delicious. I will definitely be trying it in there next time.}
• 3 medium onions, coarsely chopped
• 2 medium celery stalks, diced
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 3 16-ounce cans black beans, rinsed and drained
• 4 cups water
• 1 15-ounce can no-salt-added diced tomatoes {I chopped up fresh tomatoes instead.}
• 1 4-ounce can chopped green chilies
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 2 tsp dried oregano 
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 green bell pepper, diced
• 1/2 tsp salt {optional}
• 1/4 tsp ground black pepper
• 1 Tbsp chopped fresh cilantro

DIRECTIONS:

1. Add oil to a large soup pot over high heat. Add kielbasa {or whatever lean meat you choose} and sauté for 4-5 minutes or until beginning to brown.
2. Stir in onions, celery, and garlic. Saute an additional 5 minutes or until onions turn clear.
3. Stir in remaining ingredients except cilantro and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer 15 minutes. 
4. Remove bay leaf and stir in cilantro.

Optional Additions: Serve a dollop of fat-free sour cream and a sprig of fresh cilantro on each serving of soup. Add a dinner roll or cheese muffin to make the meal even better. :-)

Enjoy! As always let me know if you give it a try!

Baked Apple Chips

I love having Laurie here! Last week when she got here, she started helping me search for recipe ideas that would work well for our Little Man's diabetes. These baked apple chips came right off the American Diabetes Association website, they were super easy {well, I am assuming... Laurie did all the work ;) }, and Bucky had some for his bedtime snack. Can't beat that!

INGREDIENTS: 

• Parchment Paper
• Honeycrisp apples
• Cinnamon

DIRECTIONS: 

1. Preheat oven to 200 degrees. 
2. Lay parchment paper on two medium baking sheets.
3. Slice apples thin to make round chips. {Discard seeds.}
4. Lay the apple slices on baking sheets without overlapping. Sprinkle cinnamon over apples.
5. Bake for 1 hour. Flip the apples. Bake for another 1-2 hours, flipping occasionally, until the apple slices are no longer moist. 
6. Cool and enjoy!

You could totally do this same recipe with pears or some other fruit. It would be fun to experiment. Let me know if you do and how they turn out.

NUTRITIONAL INFO:

{Serving Size: 1/2 an apple}

Calories - 50

Carbs - 13 g

Sugar - 9 g

Dietary Fiber - 2 g

Stuffed Bell Peppers

My MIL pretty much rocks! Last night she made supper for all of us, and it was A.MAZE.ING! All of us, including the kids gobbled it down. I wanted to share this with you, and I had to save it here for future dinners. Enjoy!!

INGREDIENTS: 

• 6 Bell Peppers
• Olive Oil 
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 2 lbs venison burger
• 2 tsp minced garlic
• 1/4 cup parsley flakes
• 3/4 tsp sea salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• sprinkle of red pepper flakes
• 1 cup brown rice or quinoa
• Mozzarella cheese
• 15 oz tomato sauce
• water

DIRECTIONS: 

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Cut off the tops of each pepper and chop up the edible parts from the tops.
3. In a large pot, heat the water and parboil the peppers for 2-3 minutes. Take out the peppers and let dry on paper towels. 
4. In a skillet, heat the olive oil. Add the onion and pepper tops and cook until tender. 
5. Add venison, parsley, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes. Cook until meat is browned through.
6. Add rice and tomato sauce, mixing well.
7. Arrange peppers in baking dish and add water until about 1/3-inch thick.
8. Stuff peppers with meat and rice mixture, filling until it is just over the top of the pepper. 
9. Bake 25 minutes or until tender.
10. Sprinkle on mozzarella cheese on the top of each pepper. Bake for 5 more minutes.
11. Remove and let sit for 10-15 minutes before serving.

Basil Pesto Quesadillas

Let's face it, meals in our house the past week have had to be simple and quick as we are figuring out this whole diabetes thing. A couple nights ago I made the kids mozzarella cheese quesadillas, and I had planned on making some avocado ones for my MIL and I. However, my avocados weren't too ripe. Plan B... I pulled out the basil pesto sauce I had in the fridge, and I have to say, I am glad the avocados weren't ripe! ;) This was pure deliciousness!

BASIL PESTO QUESADILLAS

INGREDIENTS: 

• Basil pesto sauce
• 1 small roma tomato, diced
• 1 green onion, sliced
• Salsa
• Mozzarella cheese
• Whole Wheat Tortillas
• Seasonings of choice - We used:
• Cumin
• Garlic Powder
• Paprika
• Sea Salt

DIRECTIONS:

1. With the tortilla flat, spread an even layer of basil pesto sauce over the entire area. 
2. Layer with diced tomato and green onion.
3. Sprinkle on your seasonings.
4. Put mozzarella cheese on top of all of this.
5. Fold the tortilla in half to close.
6. Spray skillet with cooking spray, and place the quesadilla in the skillet.
7. Brown on both sides.
8. Top with salsa if desired.

Yum, yum, yum! Let me know if you give it a try. :-)

Pumpkin Pie Shake

First day of October; fall is in the air. This time of year I love everything apple and pumpkin, so after trying this new recipe, I just had to share.

PUMPKIN PIE SHAKE

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 scoop Vanilla Shakeology (Could use Chocolate too!)
• 1 cup rice milk (This is what we use at home, so just use whatever milk you have.)
• 1/2 cup unsweetened can pumpkin
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
• 5 ice cubes 

DIRECTIONS: 

• Blend and enjoy!

Let me know if you try it out and what you think. :-)

Coming Soon... P90!

Beachbody just announced that they would be coming out with a NEW workout program on September 23rd... my birthday! :-) I always love when a new program is released! I have heard so much about P90X and P90X3, but honestly I have never tried any of Tony Horton's programs. I have heard that they are pretty tough, which is why I was even more excited when I discovered he created this program... a program for beginners, a program for those just getting started with their fitness journey, a program for people like you and me! P90 will be great for those that maybe have wanted to get into strength training but just haven't yet. He designed P90 for those that need a good foundation in order to advance to more extreme workouts.

Who is P90 for?

• Anyone who wants to lose weight but doesn't want a hardcore workout.
• Anyone who wants to build or tone their muscles.
• Anyone who wants to get in good shape and wants a place to start.
• Anyone who has been injured previously and wants to build their strength back.
• Anyone who wants to improve their health but avoid injury.

What is P90?

P90 is simple cardio, simple workouts for 25-45 minutes a day, for 90 days to totally transform your body and health. This program is not high-intensity and there is no pounding of your joints. P90 also has a modifier that you can follow along with. Included in this program is a simple nutrition guide that will help you determine what to eat in order to properly fuel your body and clean up your diet.

When is P90 available for purchase?

The release date is Tuesday, September 23 through a Team Beachbody Coach, which is ME!

What is the cost?

The price of the challenge pack is on SALE for $160 {regular $180}. The best part is that when you purchase the challenge pack, the program (fitness) plus the Shakeology (nutrition) come together, and you save $$$!

This includes:

* the workout DVD's

* a nutrition guide and meal plans

* 30 day supply of Shakeology

* exclusive access to the private Facebook group

* daily coaching and tips from me

* daily accountability and support of the group

* continued support from me even when the challenge is over so we can continue to work towards your goals.

How do I get it?

While I would love for you to purchase this program, I do want to make sure you don't just buy it and throw it to the side where it is going to collect dust. I want you to have a plan so that you will succeed with this! My job as your coach is to support you. I want to make sure you understand the meal plan and will help motivate you through this journey.

What is a test group?

The P90 ELITE Test Group

This group is a private, online Facebook group where only the members in the group can see what is being posted. I will help you set goals, meal plan, and get the best possible results. Each day you will log into our group for the post of the day, recipe ideas and motivation. This is YOUR time! But any fears aside and realize you CAN do this! I am here to meet you half way! 

The requirements are that you purchase the P90 Challenge Pack through me as your coach. You first need to complete an application to be considered for a spot, and then I will touch base with you giving you more details. 

There is LIMITED space, so be sure to complete THIS APPLICATION now and you can join my elite test group here -----> ELITE TEST GROUP.