Thankful for my exercise bra.

I'm usually a private person but this is a post that has been on my mind. I say if you can't stop thinking about something then go for it. 

In my posts you may have read comments about me having to take a break from exercise for a few months this year. I’ve never shared why that was. About 7 months ago I was changing after working out and my thumb brushed over a lump. The kind of lump that you couldn’t just brush off as it is probably nothing. An appointment with my primary care doctor left with me getting a mammogram done six years before the recommend age. My doctor thought that it was probably a cyst but because of the size we agreed it needed to be looked into further. The mammogram turned into another mammogram which turned into a sonogram which lead me to a nurse’s office. At each step my husband and I knew that something wasn’t right. The good news was that my doctor was right. The lump I had found was just a cyst. What wasn’t okay was the tiny group of cells clustered together. The results of the biopsy that followed gave me the diagnosis of atypical cells. It was not cancer but it was not “nothing”. Come January, and numerous tests, doctor appointments visits and hours of just wanting an answer, I was having surgery to remove the atypical cells. I’ll never forget the moment when the doctor was explaining the procedure when it donned on me that I was not going to be able to continue the 21 Day Fix program during recovery. It donned on my husband at the same time and it was he that asked the question,” What about working out?” I loved him for that. I knew the answer before asking but I appreciated that he took the time to ask. But you can’t do a chest press after having your boob operated on. So why am I bringing this up now? Yesterday, I had my six month MRI follow up. Afterwards the technician told me to sit tight for twenty to thirty minutes because sometimes the doctor wants a follow up sonogram. Words I had heard before. I will admit my first thought was not positive. I immediately thought, “Oh no, this is how it started last time.” What was probably only five to ten minutes later, the technician was back to say I was free to go and that my results will be mailed. I’m taking no news as good news. And for that I am thankful. I am thankful that in October I decided to start a workout program (again). I’m thankful that I fell in love with the 21 Day Fix program and continued to exercise. I’m thankful for the exercise bra that I was wearing that caused me to feel the lump. Had I not I still would not have had a mammogram even today. The atypical cells would still be there and may not have been found for five more years (I’ve since had a birthday).

Meal Plan: July 26th - August 1st

The kids are still with their grandparents this week.  Hubs and I were surprised at how busy we still were last week.  It was a different busy still not as laid back as we thought.  We hope to work on that this week.  We definitely had a lazy Sunday so I would say we are doing pretty good.  I think my favorite part about it just being us is the amount of teamwork we have when it comes to preparing dinner.  Since we aren't having to tag team with the kids we spending more time together in the kitchen.  Isn't that the best room in a house?

Here is what we are having this week:

Sunday: Veggie Nachos
Recipe from Cooking Light Magazine
1 green, 2 yellow, 1 blue

Monday: Meatless Monday - Lemon Ricotta Parmesan Pasta with Spinach
Recipe Inspired by Cooking Classy
1/2 green, 1 red, 2 yellow

Tuesday: Chicken Stuffed Bell Peppers 

Recipe from the Fixate cookbook

1 green, 1 yellow, 1 red, 1/2 purple

Wednesday: BBQ chicken with Corn on the Cob and Salad

1 green, 1 red, 1 yellow, 1 orange

Thursday: Philly Cheesesteak Burgers with Sweet Potato chips

Fit Foodie Life recipe

Chips recipe from Fixate cookbook

1 green, 1 red, 1 blue

Friday: Eating on the road.  Going to pick up our girls!

The colors on the menu plan represent the portion containers included with the 21 Day Fix, 21 Day Fix Extreme, Insanity Max 30, Cize and Portion Fix programs.  As a Beachbody Coach, I have included the container colors to support those currently using these popular programs.  Message me for more details.

White Pizza on Pita

Inspired by Cooking Light

I love arugula.  I could eat an entire bag.  I don't know what it is but it just makes me happy.  This pizza was stupid good, shut the front door good.  It came together very quickly which was just what we needed since hubs and I went to the grocery store together after work and were very hungry.  

Grocery store tip:  Meal planning and planning your grocery list really helps with cutting down costs. 

Ingredients 
4 whole grain pitas
2 tsp EVOO
3-6 cloves of garlic depending on your love of garlic
2/3 cup light ricotta cheese
2 teaspoons dried oregano
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/3 cup Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, finely shredded
12 very thinly slices ounces of fresh mozzarella cheese
1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar
1 1/2 cups baby arugula

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 400°.
2.  Heat a small skillet over medium heat. Add oil to pan; swirl to coat. Add garlic; cook 2 minutes or until garlic is lightly browned. Remove garlic with a slotted spoon. Finely chop garlic. Reserve oil.
3. Place chopped garlic, ricotta, oregano, pepper, and Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese in a medium bowl. Beat with a mixer at medium-high speed until almost smooth (about 2 minutes).
4. While mixing the the ricotta, toast the pitas by placing them directly on the oven racks.  Remove after two minutes and place them on baking sheets.
5. Spread ricotta mixture on the pita, leaving a 1/2-inch border. Arrange mozzarella over ricotta mixture. (3 slices per pita) 
6. Bake at 400° for 10 minutes or cheese begins to bubble.
7. Combine reserved oil, lemon juice, and vinegar in a medium bowl. Add arugula; toss to coat. Top pizza with arugula mixture.

1/2 green, 1 yellow, 1 blue

Meal Plan: July 19th - July 25th

This weekend my husband and I dropped our girls off to visit with their grandparents for 2 WEEKS!  What part about being kid free are we most excited about?  Eating foods that the kids would hate.  Are we foodies or what?  Besides an empty house, I also came home to the Fixate cookbook!!  I read it cover to cover.  I'm so excited to try so many of the recipes.

Sunday: Wegmans Prepared Foods Meals

Monday: White Pizzas on Pita
Recipe inspired by Cooking Light
1 green, 1/4 red, 1 yellow, 1 blue, 1 orange, VG

Tuesday: Zoodles and Italian Meatballs
Recipe from Fixate Cookbook
2.5 green, 1 red, 1 blue

Wednesday: Left overs
MNO church group for me!

Thursday: Grilled Steak, Zucchini and Squash, Fixate Caesar Salad
1 green, 1 red, 1 yellow, 1 orange, GF

Friday: Scallops with Risotto
Recipe from Skinnytaste.com
1 red, 1 yellow

Saturday: Date Night!

Meal Plan: July 12th - July 18th

Wow! Is it already Tuesday?!  We have been having some major fun family time over the last couple days.  We had a pool day when my youngest is finally starting to conquer her fears of putting her face in the water.  Hubs introduced the girls to the first 3 Star Wars movies or the last three depending on how you look at it.  We went to the Nationals vs Orioles game at Camden Yards. And we went to the Taylor Swift concert!!  It has been a lot of fun.

Sunday: Dinner at the ballpark

Monday: Dinner at the concert

It was nice to see that both parks offered gluten free and vegetarian options.  I had a turkey burger one day and went for the single burger at Shake Shack.

Tuesday: Sweet Potato Buffalo Chicken Casserole
I added the hot sauce after cooking so it was not too spicy for the kids.  I would suggest cooking this in two dishes because the potatoes did not cook enough.  It makes a ton so it will be great for lunches.
Recipe from Paleo Leap

Wednesday: Pita Pizzas

Thursday:  Greek Chicken Kabobs w/ Tzatziki
Recipe from Cooking Classy

Friday: Dinner in the car - Taking the girls to stay with their grandparents
I figure that eating on the road happens frequently during the summer.  Here is a list of the Top 10 Healthiest Fast Food restaurant according to Health.com

Fixate

I am obsessed with recipes. I get tons of emails a day with recipes, I have pinned thousands of recipes on Pinterest, I read magazines and I LOVE cookbooks. So you can imagine how excited I was when I learned that Autumn was coming out with a cookbook to support the 21 Day Fix workout programs. Like, I'm probably going to treat this like Black Friday excited!

The cook book is going to include Paleo, gluten-free, vegan, and vegetarian recipes.  Recipes for Shakeology and COCKTAILS!  Perhaps I should not be that excited about the cocktails.  I tested the Sangria recipe and it was delicious.

If you are not doing the fix program, no problem.  Anyone can benefit from these recipes.  If you want to make sure you are getting the right portions you can purchase Portion Fix to go with it or even better a 21 Day Fix Challenge Pack.

I am anxiously counting down with every Beachbody Facebook post.  To order the cookbook when it releases you have to be a Team Beachbody member.  Make sure you register if you haven't already ready.  

I can not wait to Meal Plan!!!

Meal Plan: July 5th - July 11th

This is a quick post.  We got home from being out of town today and hit the ground running to get things done before heading to the dance studio.  More dinners at the dance studio this week.  And here I was ready to relax this summer.

Sunday: Dinner Out

Monday: Wegman's $6 Meals

Tuesday: Taco Tuesday 
Using homemade seasoning and oven baked crispy shells.

Wednesday: Black Bean Quesadillas
Recipe from Cooking Light

Thursday: Sausage Cauliflower Spaghetti 
Recipe from Food Network

Friday: Chicken and Broccoli
Recipe inspired by Skinnytaste's Beef and Broccoli

Saturday: Dinner Out

Bonus: Pizza Quinoa Bites 
My plan is for my oldest tiny dancer to eat these during her dance break.  She then told me she didn't like quinoa today.  I'm still going to make them and not tell her.  We'll see how that goes over.
http://autumncalabrese.com/blogs/quinoa-pizza-bites

Food Inspired: Tomato Pesto Grilled Cheese Panini

Inspired by Cooking Light: Fresh Food Fast Cookbook

I made these sandwiches and then headed to dance with my youngest daughter.  An hour later I received a text message from Hubs that simply said, "Dude, that sandwich."  Followed by an explanation that it was DA BOMB.  And he didn't even have the tomato on it.  We are big pesto fans in this family.  It was a nice change from a regular grilled cheese.  It reminded me of a pizza your find at a gourmet pizza restaurant.  Because I used a remade pesto this came together very quickly.  I had four sandwiches made in 15 minutes.  

Serving Size: 1 Panini

Ingredients:

2 slices whole grain sandwich bread
1 slice beefsteak tomato
1 thin slice provolone
1 Tbsp shredded mozzarella
1 Tbsp pesto
Spray Coconut Oil

Directions:

1. Top slice of sandwich bread with provolone cheese, pesto, tomato, mozzarella.  Top with other slice of bread.
2. Heat a grill pan on medium pan.
3. Spray grill pan with coconut oil.
4. Place sandwich on grill. Press down on the sandwich.  Spray the top of the sandwich with coconut oil.
5. Flip when the bread is browned (about 1.5 min.) and cook on the other side.
6. Remove sandwich from grill when second side is browned (another 1.5 min.) and cheese is melted.
7. Let the sandwich cool a bit before cutting so cheese does not ooze out.  

I packed two of the sandwiches and some prepped cucumbers for my daughter and I to eat during her break at dance.  It was still da bomb.  Make you dance good.  I can't wait to have one straight from the grill. 

Dance Mom dinner

Be Inspired!

With Love, 

Alli