Recipe: Healthy Shredded Chicken Burrito Bowl

Hi there!

I've talked before how I'm following the 21 Day Fix meal plan and exercises as part of my journey to live a healthy life. In addition, I love to cook and have adapted many recipes from Pinterest to keep my work lunches interesting while following the meal plan. 

I don't know about your work situation, but I am so lucky to work in an incredible environment with many tasty options around me. However, the struggle is real and the temptations happen often! If I don't keep my lunches interesting, I'm much more likely to eat unhealthy food!

So today I'm sharing a recipe that I adapted from FOUR recipes that I love!

Spaghetti Squash Cooking Directions | Shredding Chicken Directions | Spaghetti Squash Burrito Bowls | Turkey Lettuce Wraps

This recipe is easy and full of flavor. It makes a lot of food, too. Yay for leftovers!

I brought this for my work lunch yesterday (and today!). It's basically chicken and veggies with some spices. It was SO filling and made my co-workers jealous!

Prep time: ~ 20 minutes

Cook time: ~ 60 minutes 

Total time: ~ 80 minutes (I'm a slow cook, so this may be different for you!)

21 Day Fix containers per serving (approximate): 1.5 green, 1 red, 1 yellow, 1 blue (and I cheated slightly and added 1 orange of low-fat shredded cheese!)

Ingredients:

• 1 lb. chicken breast
• 1 medium or large spaghetti squash
• 1 tbsp. olive oil
• 1/2 yellow onion, however you like to cut it
• 1 tbsp. minced garlic
• 1 green pepper, however you like to cut it
• 1 red or yellow pepper, however you like to cut it
• 2 cups corn kernels
• 1 can (14.5 ounces) black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 tsp. garlic powder
• 1 tsp. ground cumin
• 1/2 tsp. sea salt
• 1/2 tsp. dried oregano
• 1 tsp. chili powder
• 1 tsp. paprika
• Pinch of ground black pepper
• 1 jar (16 ounces) salsa (use your preferred level of spiciness, but make sure it's low in sugar!!!)

Toppings:

• Cilantro
• Green onions
• Tomatoes
• Avocado (1/4 per serving)*
• Low-fat shredded cheese (I use 1 orange container per serving...about a tablespoon I think?)*
• *If you're strict, you should probably choose avocado OR cheese and not add both. Buuuut a little bit of cheese just sounded too good to me. I include it on mine :)

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 400 
2. Shred chicken 
1. Place 2 quarts of water over medium heat
2. Once the water is warm, add the chicken and simmer for 10-15 minutes (don't boil!)
3. Let cool then shred
4. Set aside
3. Prep and bake spaghetti squash
1. Cut in half (the hardest part!)
2. Remove seeds and strings
3. Lightly mist with olive oil and place face down on baking sheet
4. Bake 40 minutes
5. Let cool a few minutes, then use a fork to remove "noodles"
6. Set aside
4. While that's all cooking, get to chopping those veggies!
5. Add olive oil to big skillet, throw in all chopped veggies and spices and cook to desired tenderness (for me, I start with the onions and garlic, get those nice and tender and then add peppers and corn. Then I toss in the spices, beans and salsa.)
6. Add shredded chicken and spaghetti squash "noodles" to the skillet and mix up!
7. Serve on plate and add toppings.
8. Enjoy!

Let me know if you try this, what you think and how you adapted it for yourself!
Have a good one!

Wedding Wednesday: Unearthed Photos and Videos!

Hi everyone! 

I'm joining Macy & Meg's Wedding Wednesday linkup again!

I have a good reason to join today, I promise.

Yes, I'm an old married lady at this point, but I just have to share.

My friend, Daniela, and I were chatting the other day and she said she had a lot of photos and videos to show me from my wedding.

Say whaaaat?

I really thought that I had seen everything from our day but I am SO happy she shared! 

Here are a few from her phone! 

My bridesmaids helping me with the family veil.

I am so in love with this photo!

 

This cracks me up! My Mom is so awesome:

 

A video of the veil process:

Finally, a video of our glow stick pedicab sendoff!

It was so fun to take this stroll down memory lane. It makes me want to go through all of my photos from weddings I've attended and send them to the couples!

Thanks for reading!

Have a good one!

 

Work it Out Wednesday: Week 29

Hi gang!

It's been quite a while since I've posted a wellness post.

Why, you ask?

Well, I have been busy but mainly I have been unmotivated to post.

You see, I keep working out 5-7 times a week for at least 30 minutes a workout, but my snacking and drinking and (lack of) portion control have kept me from being happy with my body.

Why would I bore you with posts about that on a weekly basis?

I'd rather not post.
Which is what I've done.
But now I'm back to tell you why and hopefully by writing it out I will actually push through.

Honestly, I disgust myself.
Yeah that's a little dramatic but it's true. I look gross. I feel gross...and I'm frustrated that even though I workout and eat well (most of the time) I look and feel gross (all of the time). It's just not fair. Why do some people eat equal or more bad stuff than I do, workout less than I do and stay thin? 
I.DON'T.GET.IT.
OK fine. It's because of science and metabolisms and stuff.
Still sucks.
And the more I get mad and sad at myself, the more I want to eat and drink. It's not a good cycle.

To help combat my recent feeding frenzy I restarted Beachbody's 21 Day Fix. I've been doing well, even though I have already derailed a bit (chocolate happens when cramps happen. TMI? Whatever, #realtalk). However, aside from my chocolate attack I already feel better by overall eating less junk and shrinking my portions, so that's good at least. Hopefully I will see some results because I struggle to look in mirrors, get dressed and take photos.

It's pretty sad that my main goal is to be OK with the possibility of taking photos in social situations. I have canceled or thought of canceling plans with friends because I don't want to be in the photos that could potentially take place.
I hope that this ridiculous anxiety goes away soon. It's not fun and is completely selfish.

Enough of all of that, I am now going to be my peppy self for the rest of this post!
Exclamation time!!!

I have a few 21 Day Fix Pinterest workouts and recipes to share today, in case you're curious what I'm up to!

Weekly disclaimer:
Remember what I said about my lack of qualifications? Please keep in mind that I am aware that I am chubby and have no fitness/nutrition authority. I'm just trying to spread some wellness love as I fight the battle to live well myself.

Weekly Workout:
  

 

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How I made it harder: Nada.
Overall impression: The first one is pretty short and is just a taste of the Upper Body workout, but the triceps one is super tough. I love it!
Sweat factor (on a scale of 1-10, where 10 is when I look like I just got out of the shower): About a 6.
How I felt when it was over: Pretty good!
Would I do it again? Obviously! Better question: will YOU do it? Please tell me if you do and what you think!

Weekly Recipe:

I made this a while ago and it's SO good that I'm making it again! My lunches will be so delightful!

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I'm also giving an Indian recipe a try tonight. It's 21 Day Fix-approved and was really hard to find but I'm making it!I will post pictures and the recipe if it's tasty! :)

Weekly Motivation:

I really need to remember this.

 

{via}

Weekly Workout Sass:
My little adaptation of this quote:

Have a good one!