Meal Plan Monday: March 28 - April 3

I hope you had a wonderful Easter.  The time has come.  Spring Break is ending and we are entering our Dance Competition Season!

Monday:  Hawaiian Pizza Sandwiches
Using leftover ham from Easter.  The "other" King's Hawaiian roll recipe, Funeral Sandwiches, are very popular.  We loved this pizza variation.  Really, can you go wrong with King's Hawaiian?  I want to try the cuban sliders too.
Recipe from Wonky Wonderful

Tuesday: Mexican Lasagna - 21 Day Fix Approved
New Recipe from Alicia Berger Fitness

Wednesday: Pesto Pasta
Our quick go to meal.

Thursday: Thai Basil Chicken
New Recipe from Skinnytaste

Friday: Cheeseburger Pie

Recipe from Recipe

Note: I'm using cheddar cheese instead of processed American cheese.

Saturday: Dinner Out
Competition Day 1

Sunday: Leftover Enchiladas 
Competition Day 2
Hubby made these last week and froze half the batch.

Healthified 7 Layer Dip

The only bad thing about this dip is how difficult it is to not eat the whole thing. You will definitely want to grab a plate and step away. Perfect for parties or pot lucks.

1 can Fat Free Refried Beans

Romaine Lettuce, shredded

2 Roma Tomatoes, chopped

Colby Jack or Cheddar, shredded

Plain Greek Yogurt or Sour Cream

Salsa

Guacamole

Home taco seasoning or homemade

1. Mix Greek Yogurt or Sour Cream with Taco Seasoning

2. Layer in this order:

    Beans - warm the beans so they are easier to spread

    Greek yogurt mixture

    Salsa

    Guacamole

    Cheese

    Lettuce

    Tomatoes

Serve with multigrain tortilla chips 

February Beachbody Promotions

• 21 Day Fix and Shakeology Challenge Pack: $140 USD (regularly $160)
• 21 Day Fix Kickstart and Shakeology Challenge Pack: $180 USD (regularly $205)
• 21 Day Fix Extreme and Shakeology Challenge Pack: $140 USD (regularly $160)
• 21 Day Fix Extreme Kickstart and Shakeology Challenge Pack: $180 USD (regularly $205)

• CIZE and Shakeology Challenge Pack: $140 USD (regularly $160) *launches by end of day 1/31
• CIZE Kickstart and Shakeology Challenge Pack: $180 USD (regularly $205) *launches by end of day 1/31

• 3 Day Refresh and Shakeology Challenge Pack: $140 USD (regularly $160)

In honor of National Wear Red Day and National Heart Month I will donate $5 to the American Heart Association for every Challenge Pack purchased in February.

Meal Plan: August 30th - September 5th

We had the best first week back to school and dance. This year I got super organized and printed out a morning routine and afternoon schedule for the girls. They love knowing to do and feel included in the plans. I love that everything is out of my head. I don't have the list of things to do constantly scrolling through my head. I don't feel like I am constantly barking out orders and they are less overwhelmed by me constantly listing everything out loud. Everyone is calm and happy.

                          

As always, meal planning is another thing we do to keep things simple in the house.
This is what we are having this week:


Sunday: Apricot Glazed Chicken with Wild Rice and Sautéed Zucchini & Yellow Squash
Chicken recipe from Cooking Light

Monday: Quinoa Fried Rice with Chicken and Pineapple Skewers
Fried Rice recipe from Skinnytaste
Skewers recipe from Fixate

Tuesday: Grilled Sausages and Homemade Chips

Wednesday: Baked Potato and Salad

Thursday: Veggie Noodles from Barilla and Fixate Sauce
KidFresh Mac and Cheese and Chicken Nuggets for my oldest.  She has an hour break and eats up her own dinner.  Last week she and her BFF showed up with the Mac and Cheese.  (Don't tell them there are carrots in there.)

Friday:  Left over sausages.
Going to our first High School Football game!! Go Patriots!

Saturday: Celebrating two friends wedding

21 Day Fix Challenge Group

Busy Moms! In need of more energy to juggle everything? You are going to think I am crazy; but, I am asking you to add one more thing to To Do list. 

Exercise helps you to gain energy, improve your mood, get better sleep and feel more confident. 21 Day Fix makes that all obtainable with daily 30 minute workouts. 

Change your relationship with food using the easy to follow nutrition plan and portion controlled container system.

Bring it all together by drinking Shakeology. A daily dose of simple nutrition that helps to reduce hunger and food cravings; includes antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals; helps with the effects of stress (perfect for the busy school year) and helps with healthy digestion. I love the chocolate. 

The best part is you don't have to do this on your own. I have a group starting on September 14th. The group offers support and accountability. We will be cheering each other on as we meet our goals.

30 minute workouts. Easy to follow Meal Plan. Accountability. Support.

Send a me a message with the Subject: I am ready! I will contact you with on how to get started. Take care of you! No one else can.

MexiKale Salad

Inspired by Wegmans

I loved this salad idea from Wegmans but I wanted to use some ingredients that I knew my family would enjoy.  This salad makes a ton making it great for a cookout or potluck.  The salad dressing is light and refreshing.  Great for hot summer days.  

You could also add chicken for a full meal.

Ingredients

Dressing:

1/4 cup lime juice

1/2 cup EVOO

1/4 cup honey

1 green onion, sliced

salt

Salad:

1 - 16oz bag of Kale

1.5 cup frozen corn, thawed

1 can of black beans, drained

1 red pepper, chopped

1/2 cup red onion, chopped

4oz Monterey Jack Cheese, cut into small cubes

Instructions:

1. Puree lime juice, olive oil, honey, and onion in blender. Season with salt.
2. Toss kale, corn, black beans, red pepper, red onion, half the cheese, and dressing in large bowl. Garnish with remaining cheese.

If you are making ahead, do not add any cheese until you are ready to serve.  Make sure to toss the salad before serving as the dressing will settle to the bottom.  

Servings: Between 12 -24

Meal Plan: August 16th - August 22nd

One more week until school starts!  Are you ready or sad to see Summer come to an end?  Maybe a little of both?  I'm ready for a stead routine.  Every week this summer we were having to figure out a different schedule.  This week my youngest has dance camp in the afternoons so dinners are being planned around that.

Here is what we are having for dinner this week:

Sunday: Macaroni and Cheese with Broccoli and Chicken
We were supposed to have this last week but found ourselves with one kid at dance and another at a play date. Not sure what magical world we entered that evening. The recipe reminds me of the Chicken, Broccoli and Cheddar Hot Pocket but way better, of course. My youngest even ate her chicken without complaint.Recipe from Fixate
.5 red, .5 green, .5 yellow, 1 blue, .5 tsp

Monday: Turkey Meatballs with Zoodles
This will be the girls first time trying zoodles. I'm interested in seeing what they thing. They like zucchini but I'm not sure if they will buy it as a noodle.
Recipe from Fixate
2.5 green, 1 red, 1 blue

Tuesday: Taco Tuesday!
Made with soft corn tortillas baked in the oven to crisp up.
Taco Meat Recipe from Fixate
1 green, 1 red, 1 blue, 2 yellow

Wednesday: Chicken and Rice Casserole

This recipe includes, chicken, rice, zucchini and yellow squash

Recipe from Cooking Light
1 green, 1 red, 1 yellow

Thursday: Pesto Grilled Cheese Panini w/ Tomato Basil Soup

Sandwich Recipe is here

Soup Recipe is from Fixate

Friday: Chinese Take Out Made at Home: Chicken and Broccoli

Recipe inspired by Skinnytaste's Beef and Broccoli

Saturday: MexiKale Salad

We are attending a church picnic.  This salad makes a ton so it is perfect.  

Recipe will be on the blog soon.

Meal Plan: August 9th - August 16th

Well we are heading back into the crazy dance schedule season.  The next two weeks each daughter has company camp with long rehearsal nights.  Time to get my mad organizational skills out for my workout and dinner times.

This is what we are having for dinner this week:

Sunday:  Turkey Tenderloin, Corn on the Cob and Grilled Zucchini and Squash 

1 red, 1 green, 1 yellow

Monday:  Chicken Parm with Broccoli 
Recipe from Fixate
I made extra chicken when we had the Chicken and Waffles for dinner.
1 red, 2 green, 1 yellow, 1/2 orange, 3.5 tsp

Tuesday: Cheeseburgers with Salad

1 red, 1.5 green, 1 blue (with bun 2 yellow)

Wednesday: Macaroni and Cheese with Broccoli and Chicken
Recipe from Fixate
.5 red, .5 green, .5 yellow, 1 blue, .5 tsp

Thursday: Egg Roll in a Bowl
Recipe here

1 red, 1 green, 1 yellow, 1 tsp

Friday: Spaghetti with Chicken and Pesto and Cauliflower
Hubs will be doing a 32 mile bike ride for the Boys and Girls Club on Saturday so we are going to carb him up.

1 red, 1 green, 2 yellow, 1 blue

Saturday: Dinner Out
Race Day and Back to School shopping Day.  I think dinner out will be best.

Meal Plan: August 2nd - August 8th

My girl's are back home!  It was nice to spend some one on one time with hubs but I love having the girls in the house.  It's so lively.  So much fun craziness and laughter.  My Fixate cookbook came after they left to visit their grandparents so I brought it with me.  My girls have been on the 21 Day Fix journey with me since day 1.  They are big Autumn Calabrese fans so I wanted to keep them on the journey with by helping me meal plan with their favorites from the book.  This cookbook is awesome!  I haven't even tried the snacks yet!!

This is what we are having for dinner this week:

Sunday:  We ordered pizza after a long drive home

Monday:  Grilled Cheese and Tomato Soup
We are going to need a quick dinner after some after work grocery shopping and other appointments.

Tuesday: Breakfast for Dinner - Chicken and Waffles
When I told Hubs that it was rumored that the new cookbook was going to have a chicken and waffles recipe he was in.  Never did I think my 9 year old would be all over it too.  She made us wait until she got back to make this recipes.
Recipe from Fixate
2 yellow, 1.5 red, 1/2 blue, 1 orange, 1 tsp

Wednesday: Turkey Sloppy Joes served over whole-grain bread
Recipe from Fixate
3.5 green, 1 red, 1 yellow, 1 tsp, GF

Thursday: Steak Fajitas
Recipe from Fixate
1 green, 1 yellow, 1 red, 1 tsp, GF
The leftovers will be perfect on a salad.

Friday: Make your own Easy Pizza
Recipe from Fixate
1/2 green, 2 yellow, 1 blue, VG

Saturday: Grilling
What is your favorite thing to grill?

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

Meal Plan: June 21st - June 27th

There are a lot of carbs in this week's menu.  I must be craving them.  This week I have add the equivalent 21 day Fix containers.  Would you like to see more of this?

This is what we are having for dinner this week.

Sunday: Father's Day Dinner 

Monday: Chicken Philly Cheesesteak
Recipe from the Skinnytaste Cookbook
I'm going to make mine open face.
1 red, 1 green, 1 blue, 1 yellow

Tuesday: Burrito Bowls aka Chipotle at home
Recipe from Damn Delicious with chicken from No. 2 Pencil.com
1 red, 1 green, 1 blue, 2 yellow

Wednesday: Tuna Melts
I'm making my tuna with avocado instead of mayo and trying an organic mayo for the family.  First time not using Duke's.  Not sure how I feel about that.
1 red, 1 green, 1 blue, 1 yellow

Thursday: Mediterranean Turkey Burger
Recipe from Cooking Light  Needed a recipe to use more of the pesto from last week.
1 red, 1 green, 1 blue, 1 yellow

Friday: Couples Wedding Shower

Saturday: Make your own pizzas

Recipe Inspired from Fits Simple

Summer Break Fitness Challenge

Need to get ready for summer vacation?

Need to take off pounds from your summer vacation?

Kids are home so your gym routine is off?

Going to a wedding?

Need motivation to keep you going?

Join my Summer Break Fitness Challenge 

Starting July 6, we will be doing exercising for 30 min a day, following a clean eating meal plan and drinking the Healthiest meal a day, Shakeology.

I started this program on a whim to shed a few pounds for a wedding I was attending.  I never expected it to be so life changing.  I have gone down a size in my clothes,  have more energy and actually look forward to working out.  Plus, I never feel like I'm dieting because my meals leave me feeling satisfied and full.

Food Inspired: Healthified Copycat Turkey Bacon Ranch Wrap

  

Inspiration: Arby's

Ingredients

4 Flatout Light Original flatbreads or favorite wrap
8 oz 98% fat free roasted turkey deli meat
8 slices precooked bacon/turkey bacon
4 slices Cheddar Cheese
1 tomato, thinly sliced
Red onion slices
1/4 cup Ranch yogurt dressing
Iceberg or Romaine lettuce

Directions

1. Spread ranch dressing all over the center of the flatbread.
2. Top with turkey, bacon, lettuce, cheese, onion, and tomatoes. Fold the sides in, and then roll up.

Meal Plan: June 7th - June 13th

My husband and I are so excited that this week is recital week.  One dress rehearsal and the recital on Friday.  That means we can do whatever we want the rest of week!  There are two very happy parents in this house.

Weekly Meal Plan:

Sunday: Pineapple Chicken Skewers with Wild Rice
Sneak Peak recipe from Autumn Calabrese's new cookbook, Fixate.

Monday: Tacos with Baked Crunch Shells
Make your own taco shells recipe from Eating Well

Tuesday: Healthified Copycat Turkey Bacon Ranch Wrap

Wednesday: Spaghetti with Sausage and Simple Tomato Sauce
Recipe from Cooking Light

Thursday: Flank steak with Asparagus and Sweet Potatoes

Friday: Pulled Pork, Mustard Potato Salad and Cole Slaw

Saturday: Dinner Out

Be Inspired!

With Love, Alli