How I meal prepped in the amount of time it took to boil water

I hear so many times from people about how time consuming meal prepping and planning is. And yah, it can be. Absolutely. But when you have a crazy week and no time, it is possible to do it in less time than it takes water to boil. Seriously. I did it today!

Step 1- toss chicken, garlic and chili powder in the crockpot. Cook on low 6-8 hours.

Step 2- heat Uncle Ben's rice. Not my preferred kind but only thing local grocery store had. 

Step 3- divide bag of rice into 4 containers. Add frozen veggies (a one pound bag is perfect for 4 servings). Top with a red of chicken. 

Step 4- wash two containers of grape tomatoes (afternoon snack) and grapes and use a purpleOr green container to divide into 4 servings. Apples for my other fruit of the week and 100 cal bags of almonds to add to tomatoes for afternoon snack. No prep needed.

Step 4- overnight oats. 

My other breakfast will be Shakeology of course.

Done. Water boiled and I tossed in noodles for our spaghetti tonight.

No. More. Excuses. 

How I Meal Plan

I have been getting a LOT of questions about meal planning and people interested in it, but they seem so overwhelmed by it.  I used to spend a LOT of time meal planning, but since I’ve started following the 21 Day Fix guidelines, I find it much easier.

I fall in Plan A for the 21 Day Fix which means I get the following:

3 Green (Vegetables)
2 Purple (Fruits)
4 Red (Proteins/Carb heavy vegetables)
2 Yellow
1 Blue
1 Orange
2 teaspoons

I also add an extra yellow because I have personally found I need the extra carb when running to prevent myself from getting hangry.

Most of the people I coach fall in to Plan B of the 21 Day Fix which means they get the following:

4 Green (Vegetables)
3 Purple (Fruits)
4 Red (Proteins/Carb heavy vegetables)
3 Yellow
1 Blue
1 Orange
4 teaspoons

So this is how I map out my meals:

1.             I eat 3 meals, a morning snack, and an afternoon snack
2.             I want a yellow, red and either a green or purple at each meal
3.              I fill in my snacks with what is left

90% of the time this is how my meal plan A looks

Breakfast: Red, yellow, purple
Morning snack: Red
Lunch: Red, yellow, green, orange
Afternoon snack: Green, Blue, Purple (sometimes I have this purple in the morning)
Supper: Red, yellow, green, 2 teaspoons

Pre-Workout: Energize from Beachbody Performance Line
Post-Workout: Recover from Beachbody Performance Line

If I were to do a meal plan B, this is how it would look:

Breakfast: Red, yellow, purple
Morning snack: Red, purple
Lunch: Red, yellow, green, green, orange
Afternoon snack: Blue, Purple, 2 teaspoons
Supper: Red, yellow, green, green, 2 teaspoons

Pre-Workout: Energize from Beachbody Performance Line
Post-Workout: Recover from Beachbody Performance Line

And then I fill in each area with what I want.  I tend to do the same breakfast, lunch and snack for the week or pick two things and alternate them if I want some variety and then I make a list of suppers what I want to have for the week.

I use my Fixate cookbook a lot because it tells me exactly what each recipe is by containers- foolproof. You can buy yours here:

Fixate Cookbook

http://www.teambeachbody.com/shop/-/shopping/FixateCookbook?referringRepId=917703

Do NOT overcomplicate the process and let it feel overwhelming.  Meal planning is one of the number one keys to your success! 

Birthday weekend celebration and my new favorite lunch!

I know some of you couldn't believe how I spent my ACTUAL birthday but I knew I had a good weekend planned so it was okay.

We left for the Cities as soon as I got off work on Friday. It had been a long day so I was more than ready to go. 

We stopped at my in laws for supper and got to our hotel right around Lucas' bedtime. He was a great traveler and went to bed easily after he watched all the planes land. Thank God!

I didn't want to, but I needed to get a few

miles in.  Happy Flex Friday! 

Saturday we (aka Lucas) got up bright and early. We had breakfast at the hotel. The Mall didn't open until 10 so we decided to hit a local park. Lucas had an amazing time and got a couple bruises from playing too hard.

We also hit Trader Joe's on the way back but sadly everything I wanted was fresh and I knew it wouldn't make the trip home.

Then it was time to hit the mall. 

I went to Disney with Lucas and then it was time for Daddy to take Lucas and Mommy to hit the mall.

I bought one pair of dress pants and everything else was running gear. I have a problem.

I also got lost on my way back to the hotel so I stopped for coffee.

Lucas took an awesome nap and then we went to Sea Life.

Lucas was too busy watching fish to take a photo with me. A little more shopping that night and bed.

Sunday morning it was zoo time! 

I haven't been to the Minnesota Zoo in years and it was so much fun!

I asked Mike to take a picture of Lucas petting all the baby goats. This is what I got...

Today was back to reality aka work.  At least I had an amazing supper.

http://www.thestayathomechef.com/2015/04/easy-slow-cooker-chili-lime-mexican.html?m=1

I used chicken instead of roast. Served over Uncle Ben's jasmine rice- amazing! Going to add some stir fry veggies next time.

Not that my actual lunch wasn't good too....

Oh, and my iced coffee....

Good things happening today. 

This was the icing on the cake.... Love my ladies! 

WIAW- 30th birthday edition!

There is a reason I started 21 Day Fix a year ago after my 29th birthday. I hit my birthdays hard and this year for Dirty 30 was no exception.

I started Sunday with family lunch at Red Lobster. Split the Ultimate Feast with my mom (those biscuits!!) and split these two desserts 4 ways.

Today started with my Shakeo and a Caseys donut instead of half a bagel like I normally do.

So delicious. I had an apple mid morning and then my usual lunch.

I had tomatoes and almonds for my afternoon snack and then one of my amazing co-workers showed up with some cupcakes for my birthday. 

I ate one at work and Lucas and I shared one when we got home.

Supper was a hamburger, cheese balls and a chocolate shake. Lucas literally spent 10 minutes pretending to lick this ice cream cone while we waited- definitely my child!

My husband bought a small 4 pack of cheesecake and at first I just tried a small piece of each. But two of the pieces were to die for so I ate them.... Oops.

But ya know....

I think I'm doing a-ok! Today was a wonderful reminder of the love and support I have in my family.

Now to go to the Mall of America this weekend-- first time shopping since we became debt free. Pray for me ;) 

Summer Strong Challenge Day 1

13 other amazing ladies and I are starting on a 10 week long adventure until the first day of summer. We've got goals from maintain to lose 20 pounds and I am leading the charge. I'm a little nervous but I love to do this and help others so I'm optimistic we are going to kick some bootie. 

Here is a recap of my day 1:

Half a bagel, half a banana and a Cafe Latte Shakeology with half almond milk and half water.

Around 10 I had an apple and yogurt. Normally I would do plain Greek yogurt when I am eating clean but I had these leftover from last week and I'm cheap.

Lunch was salad with an orange of dressing and a red of pork over a sweet potato while I tried to figure out my workout plan- which I did!

Mondays- leg workout

Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday- run

Friday- Pilates

Saturday- long run with yoga

Sunday- arm workout 

I hit a wall so I did an energize around 1- addicted!! Don't be jealous that my performance line is covered in stickers.

Afternoon snack was almonds and carrots.

Supper was roast, tomatoes (should be in a a green container but same size) and half a sweet potato- I love them in case you can't tell. 

I spices Mike's up with some

mashed potatoes, corn and gravy.

And Lucas got some fruit.

I used Beachbody on Demand to do Lower Eccentric from P90X 3.

Remembering why I get up early to work out or work out late at night.... Sigh. 

And that was my day- with a ton of water on the side :) 

Birthday Week Meal Plan

Is there anything harder than planning a healthy meal plan for your 30th birthday week?  Ugh, writing that out loud makes me want to VOMIT.  Please let me be 29 forever?

You all know that I tend to keep everything but supper the same.
Breakfast:  Shakeology blended with fruit or Cafe Latte Shake with 1/2 banana or an apple and half a whole wheat bagel

Snack:  Greek yogurt with fruit or one of these bad boys...

Lunch:  half a sweet potato topped with a red container of BBQ pork (pork loin + BBQ sauce + 6-8 hours on low in crockpot) and a green of chopped salad with an orange of Bolthouse dressing (haven't decided on flavor yet)
Snack:  a blue of almonds, a green of carrots, and 2 teaspoons peanut butter unless I am using a teaspoon at supper

Supper (you are going to see a lot of repeats from last week because I didn't get them made):
Saturday- Beef roast with veggies in crockpot
Sunday- Chili Lime Chicken with Rice and Veggies
http://www.thestayathomechef.com/2015/04/easy-slow-cooker-chili-lime-mexican.html
Monday- Taco Stack
http://mommysavers.com/clean-eating-recipes-family-friendly-taco-stack-freezer-meal/
Tuesday- Meatloaf with Veggies (1 pound hamburger, 1 egg, 1 cup of water, 1 box of Stove Top mixed together, put into a meat loaf pan, 1 hour on 350 degrees... I have 2 pieces and count them as my red and yellow for the evening)
Wednesday-My Birthday.  I am going to JJs and having a burger, cheeseballs, and chocolate shake.  Yup.  I am.  Happy 30th.
Thursday- Sliders with Veggie (one pound of hamburger smashed down into a square pan, bake 20 minutes at 400 degrees and then top with cheese and cook for another 5 minutes- I don't put cheese on my slice, cut up into fourths and serve)
Friday- something on the road on the way to the Cities for my birthday weekend with my family of 3

Workouts:
Saturday- 5 mile Race

And that's as far as I have gotten.  I know I will be running Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday but haven't decided if I am going to do 21 Day Fix on my other days or hit 22 Minute Hard Corps... we will see how much recovery I need post-race :)

If you want a recipe for the days I gave you a naughty food, we loved the chicken tenders from last week

Meal Plan Monday

Sorry for the lateness of this post-- I like to get meal plans up by Saturday so if you are grocery shopping over the weekend you can pick up what you need, but that didn't happen this week.  SO.... here is your meal plan for next week if that's how you roll.

I had a really pretty Word document with it but it's too long to post pretty on here so here are the basics:

Breakfast:
1/2 Whole Wheat Bagel
Red 21 Day Fix Container of Greek Yogurt with Purple Container of Fruit
Chocolate Shakeology blended with Purple Container of Fruit

Lunch:
Red- Marinara Sauce with Meat
Green- Spaghetti Squash
Yellow- 1/2 Sweet Potato

Snack:
Blue- Almonds
Green- Celery with two teaspoons of Peanut Butter

I am in love with these flavored almonds!

Supper:
Monday-Subway because I am taking a Ready for Kindergarten Class for Lucas
Tuesday- Baked Chicken Tenders with Bread and Veggies

http://www.beachreadynow.com/recipes/baked-chicken-tenders/

Wednesday- Chili Lime Chicken with Rice and Veggies

http://www.thestayathomechef.com/2015/04/easy-slow-cooker-chili-lime-mexican.html

Thursday- Taco Stack

http://mommysavers.com/clean-eating-recipes-family-friendly-taco-stack-freezer-meal/

Friday- Crockpot BBQ Pork with Bun and Veggies 

My Workout Plan for the week is:

Monday- Pilates (skipped on Friday)

Tuesday- 2 miles

Wednesday- 3 miles

Thursday- 1.5 miles and Lower Fix to make up for skipping it Monday

Friday- Pilates

Saturday- 5 mile RACE + Yoga Fix

Sunday- Upper Fix 

Fail to Plan- Plan to Fail!

New Month- I.Am.Enough.

March was OUT OF CONTROL.  Seriously.

Between Lucas' birthday, Easter, and work, I felt like I could never get ahead.  I still slightly feel that way but I have several to do lists and a daily schedule that is making me feel a little bit better.

I have also been focusing on the following mantra: I AM ENOUGH.

You've probably seen some ads out there or other people posting this but I feel like I need to get it tattooed on my forehead so I see it every time I look in the mirror.  My friend Kay is constantly reminding me that I am a perfectionist and that if I don't feel like I can do something perfectly, I won't do it or I will beat myself up over it..... When you've been friends for over 10 years, she knows me well.  Because she is exactly right.

Case in point: Balancing running and strength training.  I am in week FOUR of marathon training already (4 miles this weekend....) and I have trained my weekly schedule FOUR times.  At first I was just going to run 4 days a week, do yoga, and strength train 1 day with 1 day of rest.  Then I decided to do 2 days of strength training (which didn't happen).  Then I decided I should do 21 Day Fix 7 days a week and run 4 days a week... REALLY didn't happen.  This week.... I decided to just be enough.  It is ENOUGH to run 4 days a week and do something else on the other days.  Yoga.. Strength train.. whatever.  It will be OK. 

I am a married single mother (google it...AKA my husband is gone 16 days out of the month), I have a full tie job, I am training for a marathon, and I am trying to start my own business.  WHAT THE HELL ELSE DO I EXPECT TO DO WITH MY LIFE?  I barely have time to shower each day (ok, I shower every other day and take a bath and relax in between) let alone do two freaking workouts every day.  Maybe this summer when Lucas goes to daycare a couple days a week or I can do it during his nap time but right now?  Right now he is getting 3 molars, I am averaging 5 hours of sleep a night, and my job is out of control.  Right now is not the time for perfection.  Right now is the time to SURVIVE.  and BE ENOUGH.

I really went back to this post about the book 168 Hours.  What am I going to do with my hours? What are my priorities?  I can't be a good mom to Lucas if I am running myself ragged. 

So this weekend I am focusing on slowing down, taking one minute at a time, and focusing on being enough.