Broiled Lemon Parmesan Chicken with Ricotta & Honey Roasted Beets

Happy Hump Day lovelies!!!
I mentioned before that I have been testing out some new recipes now that I am getting my little booty back in gear health & fitness wise. It was probably within this last year I started experimenting with eating beets. LOL Yeah, I know that's a WEIRD statement, but I was never really drawn to them. Then I matured and well there you have it!!! 😊 Here are some AWESOME benefits to eating these guys:

• Detoxifies
• Improved blood pressure (Sign me up....if you know me, you know this is my struggle)
• Rich in anti-oxidants
• Anti-inflammatory
• Anti-aging (Hell YEAH to that!)
• Helps fight constipation
• Boost sex drive (💋...you're welcome, LOL)
• Improved brain functions

Last night I made a pretty BOMB meal if I must say so myself! It's super simple and EVERYONE gave it rave reviews. (everyone being the 2 guys who share the house with me....hello quarantine time, no extra peeps over here) I'll start with the chicken and end with the 'how to' on the beets.

CHICKEN

Ingredients:

1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
3 Tbsp - plain greek yogurt
2 Tbsp - fresh lemon juice (about 1 lemon)
1/4 tsp dried basil
1/8 tsp black pepper
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp garlic powder
1 pound of boneless, skinless chicken breasts (I always use the thin ones)

Directions:

1. Preheat your oven's broiler. Line a baking sheet with foil and lightly spray with cooking spray.

2. In a bowl, mix together the cheese, greek yogurt, lemon juice & spices. Mix well and set aside. (feel free to double the recipe, I tend to do that because I LOVE the topping)

3. Arrange the chicken breasts in a single layer on baking pan. Lightly season each side of chicken with a dash of salt and pepper. Broil a few inches from the broiler for 4 -5  minutes. Flip the chicken over and broil for about 4 minutes more (these times will vary depending on thickness of your chicken).

4. Remove baking sheet from the oven and spread the parmesan mixture evenly on each breast. Broil for another 2 - 3 minutes until the topping is bubbly and golden brown (the bubblier and browner, the better) and chicken is completely cooked through.
(Last night's could have been BROWNER and BUBBLIER, but there is always next time and it was still super good!)

RICOTTA & HONEY BEETS

Ingredients:

1 lb beets (peeled and cut into cubes)
3 Tbsp olive oil
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 cup ricotta cheese (I try to buy a good brand to really have it be creamy, no generic here like I typically would buy)
1 Tbsp honey
1 tsp chopped rosemary (you can use fresh or dry, I only had dry on hand and it worked perfectly)

BEET HACK - found this on pinterest and it was a HUGE help.

~ Preheat oven to 400 degrees
~ Slice the beet stems and greens off
~ Peel the beets with a vegetable peeler
~ Brush with olive oil and a little bit of sea salt, wrap each one individually in aluminum foil
~ Roast for 45- 60 minutes

While Beets are roasting prepare the Ricotta Mixture:
1. In a medium bowl combine the ricotta, the salt, honey, and the rosemary.
2. Whisk all together until combined well.
3. Refrigerate until ready to use
(Next time I would double the ricotta topping....it was THAT good!)


Back to our previously scheduled directions (after you finish with the above beet hack):

1. After the beets are finished roasting, take them out and cut into cubes

2. Plate them up and top with spoonfuls of the ricotta mix and a sprinkle more of the chopped rosemary.

Here is a pic of how it turned out:
(I also threw together Lemon Butter rice so that's what the other item is on the plate, just in case you are wondering. LOL)

Sooo YUMMY! Give it a try and let me know how you like it. I'll be trying out some more new recipes and sharing them with you soon! Stay healthy my lovelies.

Find What Works For You!

So first off, thank you for welcoming me back with open arms!!! 

I missed everyone so much! As I said in my previous post my fitness/health/well being definitely went to the back burner for a bit so I'm really focused on getting back on track. Especially

during this time of unknowns and uncertainty with the current COVID-19 situation.

It's easy to use this time of anxiety and stress to 

sit on our phones, computers, and other technology and just snack away on things
that are probably not the best, but ya know....quarantine life!!! ;)

I have always been fortunate to be naturally thin, but

I will say, the older that I am getting my body is definitely changing. 

NOOOOOO I am not FAT 

(so before the eye rolls start, STOP! LOL)
However, I have ALWAYS said that everyone's situation is relative to THEM. My clothes tell me
all I ever need to know so I have never owned a scale. I try not to judge
anyone on ANYTHING (especially after the last 2 years...more to come on that in a later post) but
especially NOT on weight. Everyone is different. That is the bottom line.

I can't just sit around drink wine all day, eat a bunch of garbage and expect to be a string bean.

(wouldn't that just be glorious if I could) ;)

I also am a FIRM believer that working out and taking care of yourself

not only helps physically, but helps your mental well being as well.

I know for me it is definitely needed to help me stay mentally balanced.
I tend to be pretty positive but we ALL have our days or a period of time when the
whole universe is against us (or at least that's how we perceive it).

It's just a good stress reliever/therapy for me. I didn't ever really stop working out at all, but
my consistency wasn't there. It would be sporadic and my heart wasn't in it.
I knew I needed to get back on track to better myself INSIDE and OUT.
I also knew I was ready for a change. I have been a die hard Beach Body fan for the last
5 years and I still am a believer in all of those programs but I was still looking for more.
(This story is going somewhere, so stick with me!)

I think with social media today it's sooooo EASY to play the comparison game.
You know how it goes.
You start following someone.
They look AMAZING,
they are so INSPIRING
and that workout they are doing is working for them!
Your mind game goes like this:
"I don't look like that."
"That workout didn't do that for me."
Guess what!?
You may have some years on them.
They may be getting some extra cardio in chasing a toddler or two around.
(We all know that in itself is a workout!! Been there, done that! LOL)
Moral of the story:
So where they are in their life and what they are doing is relative to THEM not you.
We need to start embracing who WE are and what WE have, but we are ALL guilty, whether we admit it or not, of the COMPARISON GAME.

And yep, I was guilty too! So enter Brooke Burke. I kept seeing her fitness workouts advertised.
I started reading up on her and I really felt connected to what she was doing.
I tried a couple of her quick workouts that were on YouTube and the next day
I was in some PAIN!
Good Pain. I needed that in a seriously bad way. It kicked my butt into gear.
I started her fitness program yesterday and I am in LOVE.
She is so easy to follow. She motivates me.
 I am moving this body in ways it has never been moved before but I am loving it. I don't
even bother comparing myself to that beauty, but can she be any more GORGEOUS!!??

I will keep you posted on how I like it as it progresses. I purchased her trial app, but come on now..... I'm not going to cancel! No quitter over here! The app is so user friendly and
you have access to all of her workouts anytime, anywhere.
Of course like anything, her workouts won't be for someone who maybe likes crossfit, or heavy lifting, but
that's what it's about, finding what works for YOU. If you want to check her out,
go to brookeburke.com and browse around.

Ummmm this was way longer than I anticipated it to be. Sorry loves! I was super excited to
tell you all about it.
And now because I NEVER deprive myself of things I love,
It's THIRSTY THURSDAY!
There is a glass of wine with my name on it. Stay home and stay safe!

A New Phase of Life

Hello loves! As you can see from the title of the post and from the name change of the blog, I have had some life changes. I took a HUGE hiatus from this little outlet of my world, along with coaching, photography and array of other areas due to my personal life.  In my time away, I had a lot of time to really soul search and reflect on myself and areas that I can improve on etc. One thing I realized is how much I missed being present on my blog and getting to share life lessons, fitness ideas, recipes, photography and more with all of YOU. So this is me making my GRAND reappearance and hoping you will come along with me for my new journey. I have so much to update you on and so much that I think will help others who may be feeling and/or experiencing some of the same things I was. One of my biggest lessons in my time away is "it's never too late and you are never too old" to be happy. I'm living proof of that. (more to come on that tea) 😉

(these peeps complete me)

My First Try at Eggplant Parmesan!!

Hello lovelies! Sooooo I am trying really hard to continuously add new recipes to our weekly meal rotation. I'm not ALWAYS successful because honestly I can get super LAZY especially now with the whole working full time gig. I haven't worked full time in oh I don't even KNOW how many years, but it's seriously NO JOKE! I'm trying to wrap my brain around how I did over 40 hours a week with 2 little ones AND traveled with my job....with NO FAMILY or help around! What the??!!! I guess back in the day I was super hero status! ;)

Anywhoooooo, back to the meal at hand! We had quite a few months of just not eating so "good". Ok, let's be honest, we ate like complete shit because we were in the middle of moving, then we moved, then we were getting acclimated, then the day to day life happened, well this list could go ON & ON. Needless to say, lots of bad choices, tighter pants and a pool and hot tub on the horizon have kicked our booties into HIGH gear! I am totally getting back on track and I already feel soooooo much BETTER not only physically, but mentally.

Working out and eating better really balance me out and I totally appreciate it and acknowledge it! I'm not someone who believes you have to go out and spend freaking TONS of money on all the trendiest & "healthiest" foods out there because let's be real.....it can get EXPENSIVE and peeps have bills to pay. I truly believe you can eat good and still maintain a budget. No maybe you won't have the fanciest new item out there, but as long as you aren't eating a bunch of processed CRAP, you are going to be OK, trust me!

I have always wanted to give eggplant parmesan a try but never had the nerve and figured it would be WAYYYYY too much work. (That's the other thing about me...I love GOOD food, that's good for ME, but I want it to be QUICK and EASY to make....what...too much too ask?!) I started really searching for recipes that I thought would fit what I'm looking for and modifying what I needed to, to work for our family. Finally I found the PERFECT fit!

Now since I have never made eggplant parm before, all the research I did all SUGGESTED you salt your eggplant prior to preparing to draw out the liquid and make it less spongy. It definitely worked, you could actually see the liquid on the tops when I salted them and let them sit. (unfortunately, I sucked and did NOT get a pic of that for you to see....SORRY...I'm back to rookie status with this blog biz! LOL)

Here it is....

INGREDIENTS:

1 large eggplant sliced into about 1/2" thick rounds
2 large eggs
2/3 cup plain panko bread crumbs
2 tsp dried oregano
1 tsp dried basil
1 tsp garlic powder
salt & pepper to taste
cooking spray
Pasta sauce (whether that is homemade or one you just happen to love)
8 oz fresh mozzarella sliced thin (I used shredded because I didn't have the fresh and was wayyyyy tooo lazy to run out or let it stop me from making the dinner, but next time FRESH it is!)
fresh basil - chopped up

1. Layer 2 baking sheets with paper towels and spread the eggplant pieces on them. Sprinkle salt liberally all over....do not be stingy with the salt, you want it to draw the liquid out. Let them sit at room temp for about 45 mins to an hour.

2. Take fresh paper towels and wipe the excess liquid from the tops and press to release any more liquid. Dry both sides and transfer to a plate. Wipe the trays down and cover with aluminum foil and spray the foil with cooking spray.
.
3. Preheat oven to 450. In a bowl beat the eggs. In a shallow dish or bowl combine the bread crumbs and spices.

4. Dip the eggplant into egg coating both sides and then press ONE side into the bread crumbs. (no need to coat both sides, save yourself some calories and bread crumbs) Put the eggplant on the sheet pan bread crumb side up.

5. When all of the eggplant slices are coated with the bread crumbs spray the tops with the cooking oil spray and bake until the eggplant crust is crispy (about 15 minutes give or take). Remove pans from oven top with a heaping tablespoon of whatever type of pasta sauce you are using, followed by a slice of the mozzarella, return the oven and bake until the cheese is melted. Top with fresh basil.


***I had sauce cooking in a pan on the stove while my eggplant was in the oven and penne pasta as well. I served the eggplant over the penne. YUM!!!!

That's it! Go ahead and try it!!!

Hoping to be back with Coffee Talk this week, but no promises....XO

Kale & Gnocchi Soup!

Sooooo this recipe happened a couple nights ago and was a serious HUGE HIT!!! Score for me!!! The even better part of this beauty is that it's QUICK and SIMPLE to make so DOUBLE SCORE!!!  I am really focused on getting back to cooking healthy meals for my family that are easy (especially with working full time) so this will definitely be one of our keepers.  The other point to make is this recipe is vegan but no one knows any different, so you don't have to worry about it tasting all weird or better yet having no FLAVOR!

Ingredients:

2 T - Olive Oil
1 medium onion, diced (I used purple)
2 medium carrots (I only had the little snacking carrots so I took a bunch of those and diced them up)
1 tsp - Salt
1/2 tsp - Red Pepper Flakes
1 clove garlic minced
48 oz - Vegetable Stock
1/8 tsp - Nutmeg
2 Bay Leaves
2 cups Unsweetened Almond Milk
4 cups chopped Kale
Salt & Pepper to taste

1 - Heat oil in pan over medium high heat. Saute onion, carrots, and salt until vegetables are soft

2 - While the vegetables are cooking, bring stock to a boil in a large soup pot.

3 - Add pepper flakes and garlic to the vegetable mixture and cook for about 30 seconds.

4 - Add vegetable mixture along with bay leaves to the stock pot.  Bring to a boil and then reduce to a simmer. Let simmer for about 8 mins or so.

5 - Add the almond milk and kale and continue to simmer for 5 minutes, stirring frequently.

6 - Add in the gnocchi. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 5 minutes.

7 - Remove bay leaves and add salt & pepper to your taste.

Voila!!! That's it!!! Seriously DELISH! Give it a try on a cold winter's night and let me know how you like it!!! XO

2017...Let's Do This!

Unbelievable.....like seriously UNBELIEVABLE that another year has gone and we are welcoming a new one!!! So as you know from the last 2 years I don't do "resolutions". My personal opinion is most of the time resolutions don't last more than a few couple months weeks so I like to work on myself and do more attainable things like GOALS!!! I just took a little peek back at last years goals and I can LEGIT say I'm pretty darn PROUD of myself!!! I really did accomplish a lot of them. Insert happy dance! (See last year's goals HERE)

Sooooo 2017 here are my personal GOALS for this year:

• To continue my health & wellness journey with Beach Body. Whether I am helping a ton of people or just little old me, it doesn't matter. What matters is I am at an ALL time personal BEST in terms of feeling awesome on the inside as well as the out. There have been ups and downs on staying fully on track, but that's the beauty.....my journey, my life, my health → I get to do what's best for me!!!! Holla!! I know what I need to do to feel 100% and some days are easier than others, but either way....I GOT this!!!! 
• To continue meal planning and cooking for my family. To keep experimenting with new recipes and sharing the successes on here with all of you lovelies! 
• To pick up my big girl camera at LEAST. A. COUPLE. TIMES. A. MONTH!! Ugh. This is a carry over because capturing my own family is happening LESS and LESS. On the upside Santa brought me an ah-mazing Instax Mini camera which I am head over heels in LOVE with so that's helping capture more of the candid fun times!
• To keep reading more personal development. I TRULY love the books I have read so far and I keep adding to my bath time & morning library as often as I can. It's crazy how uplifting something as little as a good book can make you feel.  :)
• To do more weekend getaways with our family since time is TICKING away with our beloved little Hayley. Before we know it she will be gone, so I want to soak up every moment we can with her! 
• To have as much out of town company as possible.....PEEPS from the East Coast....get on a plane and come see us!!!!
• To just enjoy the here and now because it's NEVER guaranteed. 

That's basically it!!! I hope you all have a fantabulous 2017!!!! Remember if there is something you want to do....DO IT!!! Don't have the shoulda, coulda, woulda REGRETS....live, love and enjoy NOW!

XO

Coffee Talk!!

Is it FRIDAY yet??!!!! Hellooo my loves!!!

3 Random Thoughts:

1 - This week is seriously FLYING by and I am forever grateful because last weekend was a SERIOUS whirlwind! Like I needed to sleep for 48 hours straight whirlwind. I had back to back shoots, then a little birthday celebration time with one of my oldest friends, shopping, quality time with my mini and lots of stuff in between. I will say, I had some CRAZY fun shoots! (imagine a unicorn....um hellllloooo, I can't EVEN!) So now I am on the editing frenzy, but it's all good because I am FINALLY at a place where I am not stressed beyond BELIEF with life! Holla to that!

oh and because you TRULY need to see and appreciate the unicorn...here ya go. You're Welcome.

2 - I just started a new book this week and am really loving it. Super easy read, a lot of humor and a really good perspective on life. I highly recommend it if you are on the market for something new to read. Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert. I love when I start reading a book and I don't want to put it down! It's such a nice change to just be living for ME! No one else! Just ME and my little family!

3 - Speaking of living for ME!! My whole new outlook and motto for life is SIMPLIFY!!! This last week has really been a week of reflecting. Reflecting about what is TRULY important in life, what I enjoy doing, what I want to spend my time doing, who I want to spend it with etc. It is a seriously SHORT ride on this roller coaster called life. I for one do NOT want to have regrets. No regrets that I didn't spend time with my husband or kids, that I worked too much, that I didn't relax enough, that I was too busy....you get the idea. I sit and watch social media and see this one or that one doing sooo much more, living in a fabulous place, having a fancy house, keeping their shit together and then I think 'hmmm...this is just what I see on SOCIAL MEDIA....is it reality?' Hell, maybe it is, maybe life is really that perfect ALL. OF. THE. TIME.  Life is NOT perfect. No one is PERFECT. Everyone has days where they test each other's patience. No matter how much this funny farm drives me bonkers all I know is I want to know that I enjoyed EVERY moment with them, the good, the bad and the ugly. I never want to say I was toooo busy making something of myself I missed out on them. For anyone who is afraid of 40, I just have to be honest....this is my year of truth. I feel like I FINALLY know who I am. Embrace it...the best is yet to come! (please excuse the bad language....it was a HOT topic moment!!! LOL)

Have a absolutely FABULOUS weekend!! Get out and enjoy the beautiful weather!!! XO