Balsamic Chicken

Ingredients
- 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 1/2 tsp sea salt
- 1/2 tsp pepper
- 3 tsp, minced bottled garlic
- 1/4 cup balsamic vinager
- 3/4 cup low sodium chicken broth 

- 1 bay leaf
- 1/4 tsp dried thyme
- cooking spray 

Instructions
1) Season chicken with salt and pepper. 

2) Spray non stick skillet with cooking spray and heat to medium high. 

3) Add the chicken and cook until brown on one side. Add garlic and flip chicken. 

4) Cook for about 3 minutes then add vinegar, broth, bay leaf, and thyme.
5) Cover and simmer over medium low heat for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove chicken, set aside and keep warm. Continue simmering sauce, uncovered for about 7 minutes. 

6) Discard bay leaf and pour mixture over chicken and serve.
7) Make extra and use for your salad or lunch the next day, tastes yummy after it has been sitting in that juice all night

Turkey Meatloaf Muffins

This is one of my fave meal prep recipes!  I got it from Jamie Eason - yum! 

Ingredients
- 2 lbs ground turkey
- 3 egg whites
- 1 cup quick cooking oats
- ½ tsp ground cumin
- ½ tsp dried thyme
- 2 tsp dry yellow mustard
- 1 tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp chipotle pepper spice
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 – 2 tbsp garlic powder (or to taste)
- 2 tbsp ground coriander (optional)
- 1 tbsp McCormick Rotisserie Chicken spice (optional)
- 1tsp Herbes De Provence spice (optional)
- 1 small onion (finely chopped)
- 2 celery stalks (finely chopped)

Directions
1) Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
2) Spray muffin pan with olive oil.
3) Mix all the ingredients together in a large bowl.
4) Roll the mixture into 12 even sized balls and place in muffin pan.
5) Bake 40 minutes or till done.
6) Serve warm or freeze in a Ziploc freezer bag.

Chicken Salad Wraps

(Makes 4 servings)

Ingredients
4 cans of Kirkland chicken breast or 1/2 a rotisserie chicken pulled a part (you can sub in canned tuna or salmon as well if you prefer)
4 chopped hard boiled egg whites (minus the yolk)
1/2 cup of non-fat plain Greek yogurt
1/2 chopped onion
2 chopped tomatoes

Instructions
1) Add the chicken to a bowl. Mash it up to get rid of the chunks and make it as pulled apart as possible so it resembles the consistency of canned tuna.
2) Add the remainder of the ingredients to a bowl, mix well and divide into 4 servings.
3) Place it inside a romaine lettuce leaf and enjoy like a taco!

Weekly Meal Prep - Chicken Burrito Bowls

Here's another simple, yet delicious idea that you could meal prep for lunches!

I got this idea from buzzfeed.com and modified it slightly - it's so simple though it is one of those recipes you read once and then just make off the top of your head!!

INGREDIENTS

3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
3 bell peppers, sliced
1 medium red onion, sliced
1 tbsp olive oil
1 tbsp taco seasoning
Salt and Pepper, to taste.
1 16-ounce jar medium chunky salsa
2 cups cooked brown rice
1 15-ounce can black beans, drained and rinsed
1 15-ounce can corn, drained
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees farenheit
2. Spray a baking sheet with non-stick spray (I also use tinfoil to make cleanup easier!)
3. Place the chicken breasts in the middle of the tray, the sliced peppers on one side and the red onion slices on the other.
4. Drizzle with olive oil
5. Season the chicken breasts with taco seasoning on both sides
6. Season the peppers, onions and chicken with salt and pepper, to taste. Mixed up the peppers and onions a bit to ensure they are coated evenly.
7. Spread the salsa evenly on top of the 3 chicken breasts.
8. Bake for 25 mins in your preheated oven (or until chicken is fully cooked)
9. Cut chicken into slices or chunks.

TO ASSEMBLE THE BOWLS
1. Place 1/2 cup brown rice in 4 bowls
2. Top each with 1/4 cup black beans, 1/4 cup corn and 1/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese
3. Add the cooked peppers, onions and chicken (split evenly among 4 bowls)
4. Top with a bit more salsa, cilantro and a slice of lime if desired.


Enjoy!

Weekly Meal Prep - Greek Chicken Bowls

One thing that I've learned along the way in this journey is the importance of planning.  We've all heard the saying "Fail to plan, plan to fail" and I find this to be so true - especially when it comes to not only planning but actually preparing my lunches in advance.  Since I work from home I don't need to actually pack my lunches, but just having everything ready to grab, put together and eat makes a huge difference in my success each week!!  

This was an idea I originally got from eazypeazymealz.com and I just made a few slight adjustments for my own preferences here!! 

INGREDIENTS

Greek Chicken
4 boneless skinless chicken breasts (about 5 oz each)
1/4 cup olive oil
3 tbsp minced garlic
1/3 cup fresh lemon juice
1 tbsp red wine vinegar
1 tbsp dried oregano
1/3 cup plain Greek yogurt
sea salt and pepper to taste


Cucumber Salad
2 English cucumbers, sliced
1/3 cup lemon juice
2 tbsp olive oil
1 tbsp red wine vinegar
1 tbsp minced garlic
1/2 tsp dried oregano


Tzatziki Sauce
1 cup plain Greek yogurt
1 English cucumber, shredded
1 tbsp minced garlic
1/2 tbsp dill weed
1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
1 tsp lemon zest
Salt and pepper to taste


The Rest
3 cups cooked brown rice
2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
1/2 cup red onion slices


INSTRUCTIONS
1) In a large freezer ziplock bag, combine olive oil, garlic, lemon juice, red wine vinegar, oregano, greek yogurt and salt and pepper. Massage to mix.
2) Add chicken into the bag.
3) Massage to make sure chicken is fully covered and marinate for at least 20 minutes, up to 12 hours.
4) Drain the chicken from the marinade, discarding the marinade.
5) In a skillet, heat some olive oil over medium-high heat.
6) Add chicken when it is hot, and cook, flipping part way through. Cook approximately 3-4 minutes per side. Cooking time depends on thickness and size of the chicken. Cook until internal temp is 165 degrees.
5) Remove from pan, and let cool.
6) Once cool, cut into bite sized pieces.
7) Meanwhile, make cucumber salad by chunking the cucumbers, and tossing in a bowl with the lemon juice, olive oil, red wine vinegar, garlic, and oregano. Set aside
8) Make tzatziki sauce by combining the Greek yogurt, cucumber, garlic, dill weed, lemon juice, lemon zest in a small bowl; season with salt and pepper.
9) Refrigerate while assembling your bowls.
10) Cook brown rice according to package directions. When finished cooking, divide between meal prep containers, 1/2 cup in each container, halve cherry tomatoes, and mix with red onion slices. Divide amongst the bowls.
11) Top with chicken, cucumber salad, and some tzatziki sauce.
12) Keep for 3- 5 days in airtight container, serve cold!

Quinoa Salad

QUINOA SALAD

(Makes 6 servings, 1 cup per serving)

Another one of the favourite things to make on a Sunday and enjoy all week!

Ingredients
1 cup quinoa, uncooked 

1 medium tomato, finely chopped 

2 cucumbers, finely chopped 

1 medium red bell pepper, seeded & finely chopped 

2 tbsp red onion, finely chopped 

1/2 cup parsley or cilantro, finely chopped 

10 Kalamata olives, pitted & cut in halves 

1 lemon or lime, juice of
1 tbsp olive oil 

2 tsp cumin 

1 tsp black pepper 

1 tbsp garlic powder


Directions 

Cook quinoa al dente. Use ratio of 1 cup quinoa to 2 cups water (you can use less water for firmer quinoa if desired). 

Bring to a boil, then simmer on low for 15 minutes, or until water is absorbed 

Add all ingredients to a large salad bowl and gently mix just enough to combine. 

Optional: make dressing separately by whisking together olive oil, lemon (lime) juice, cumin, black pepper and garlic powder in a small bowl.

Serve cold.

Tuna Salad

TUNA SALAD

Prep time: 15 mins Total time: 15 mins Serves: 2 servings, 1/2 salad per serving

This 21 Day Fix approved tuna salad is quick to prepare, and makes a satisfying lunch or light supper. Pair with greens & chopped veggies, or even a sprouted grain tortilla for a perfect lunchbox meal!

Ingredients 

2 cans (5 oz each can) chunk light tuna, packed in water, drained 

1 tsp extra-virgin olive oil 

1 Tbsp dijon mustard (sugar free) 

1 medium red bell pepper, finely chopped 

2 Tbsp chopped fresh tarragon (or herb of choice)


Instructions 

Combine tuna, oil, mustard, bell pepper, and herbs in a medium bowl. 

Mix well.

Vegetable Egg Cups

VEGETABLE EGG CUPS 

(Makes 6 servings - 2 cups per serving)

I love to make these at the beginning of the week for a quick snack or breakfast on the go! They are high protein so very satisfying and a great way to sneak some veggies in!

INGREDIENTS
12 Large Eggs 

1 Cup Chopped Spinach

1 Cup Chopped Bell Peppers 

1 Cup Chopped Mushrooms 

Sea Salt and Pepper to Taste 

2 Green Onions, Thinly Sliced 

12 Tbsp. Homemade Salsa

INSTRUCTIONS 

Pre-heat the oven to 375. 

Crack eggs into a large mixing bowl with salt & pepper and any other salt-free seasonings you like and whisk until fully combined.

Coat the muffin tin with nonstick cooking spray.

Evenly divide the eggs between the 12 muffin cups (they will each be about half full)

Add veggies to the eggs in the muffin cups - each cup will be very full :)

Bake for 15 minutes - 20 minutes (a toothpick inserted into the muffin should come out clean) 

Top each egg cup with 1 tablespoon of Homemade Salsa

Kid-Approved Salad Even the Salad-Hater will Love!

Am I the only one who HATES salads?  I mean seriously.... Take a little bit of spring mix blob some dressing on there and eat it?  Like a rabbit?  no thank you.

Okay, so I made this concoction up a couple weeks ago and I'm telling you guys - I seriously could eat this every single day - even my 6 year old LOVED it! .... Yes, it contains spinach.  Yes she still ate every last bit.

Ingredients

- 3 cups Spinach (or any of your favourite greens - NO iceberg lettuce.. it has no nutritional value.)

- 1/2 medium pepper, diced

- 1/2 medium carrot, shredded

- 1/2 medium cucumber, diced

- 1/2 cup chopped jicima

- 1/2 medium tomato, chopped

- 2/3 cup quinoa, cooked

- 1/4 cup raw pumpkin seeds, toasted

- braggs liquid soy seasoning, to taste

Dressing (Makes 10 servings, about 2 tbsp each)

- 1/2 cup olive oil

- 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar

- 3 tbsp lemon juice

- 3 cloves garlic, crushed

- no-salt added seasoning to taste

- 1/2 tsp dijon mustard

- 1 tbsp honey

1)  Toast the raw pumpkin seeds on medium heat until they start "popping", continue to toast for 2-3 minutes stirring frequently until they are well toasted.

2)  Mix all the veggies together in a large salad bowl

3)  Add the pumpkin seeds and cooked quinoa on top of the veggies

4)  Add a bit of the liquid soy seasoning (about 2 tsp) - to taste.

5)  Mix all the of the dressing ingredients in  a container with a lid and add about 2 tbsp to the salad, cover the container and put in the fridge to use tomorrow :)

6)  Mix everything together well and ENJOY! 

Quick & Simple 10 Minute Omelet

Ever have those days where you just have no clue what to have for lunch and you have limited time to prepare anything?  Happens to me like... more often than it should :/ But sometimes, something wonderful comes out of my disorganization! :)  

Ladies and gentlemen - I introduce to you the 

QUICK & SIMPLE 10-MINUTE OMELET

Yep... 10 mins from start to finish is all you need to whip this bad boy up!! 

What you need:

• 2 eggs, scrambled
• 1 cup kale (or spinach), chopped 
• 3/4 cup red peppers, diced
• 1/4 cup diced onions
• no salt added seasoning of your choice (I love the organic no-salt seasoning from costco)
• 2 tbsp shredded light cheese

What you do:

1. Place a pan over medium high heat and spray with non-stick spray
2. add the red peppers, onions and kale (or spinach) and cook for 3-4 mins, until kale (or spinach begins to wilt)
3. remove the veggies from the pan, spray with non stick spray again and add the 2 eggs
4. season the eggs with your no salt seasoning and let cook for a couple minutes until just a bit white underneath
5. add the veggies to the eggs and let cook for 1 minute
6. add the cheese on top of the veggies and let cook until the egg is fully cooked - about 3-4 minutes
7. Serve and enjoy! 

If you are doing the 21 day fix this would count as 2 greens, 1 red and 1 blue!

If you are calorie counting it is 304 calories!

Maple Salmon

This is a super simple clean eating Salmon recipe that I just LOVE!  If you haven't been able to tell yet, I like simple and this recipe is just that!   

(Makes 4 servings)

INGREDIENTS

• 4 salmon fillets (about 4 oz each)
• 1/4 cup pure maple syrup
• 2 tbsp soy sauce (low sodium preferred) 
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• pepper
• sea salt

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F and line baking sheet with foil and spray with non-stick cooking spray
2. Arrange salmon fillets on baking sheet
3. In a small bowl, whisk together maple syrup, soy sauce, garlic, pepper and salt
4. Brush salmon fillets with mixture until evenly coated
5. Place in oven and bake uncovered for about 20 minutes or until salmon flakes easily with a fork... ENJOY! 

Lemon Chicken with Thyme

(from Eat Yourself Skinny)

This is one of my favourite go-to clean eating, simple chicken breast recipes!  It's super simple, not a lot of ingredients are needed and it's clean! 

(Makes 4 servings) 

INGREDIENTS

• 3 or 4 chicken breasts
• Juice of 2 lemons
• Zest of 1 lemon
• 2 cloves of garlic, minced
• 1 tbsp of fresh Thyme
• 1 tsp pepper
• 1/2 tsp of sea salt

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F
2. Whisk together lemon juice, lemon zest, garlic, thyme, salt and pepper
3. Place chicken breasts in a baking dish and pour mixture over top making sure to completely coat them
4. Bake for about 40 minutes (depending on size of chicken), until juices run clean.  Enjoy!  

Grilled Honey Cumin Chicken

Grilled Honey Cumin Chicken

Spice up your chicken with a touch of cumin.

Total Time: 25 min.
Prep Time: 5 min.
Cooking Time: 15 min.
Yield: 4 servings

Ingredients:
2 Tbsp. raw honey
2 Tbsp. 100% orange juice
4 4-oz each raw chicken breast, boneless, skiness
1 Tbsp. olive oil
1 tsp. ground cumin
Sea salt and ground black pepper (to taste; optional)

Preparation:
1. Preheat grill to medium.
2. Combine honey and orange juice in a small bowl; whisk to blend. Set aside.
3. Brush each chicken breast lightly with oil. Sprinkle both sides evenly with cumin, salt (if desired), and pepper (if desired).
4. Place chicken on grill; cook, without turning, for 5 minutes. When chicken releases easily from the grill, turn and cook for an additional 3 minutes.
5. Reduce grill heat to low. Brush chicken evenly with honey mixture. Be careful, honey will burn if exposed to flames. Grill until a meat thermometer inserted into the center of each breast reads 160° F. Remove from grill. Let chicken rest 5 minutes before serving.

Note: The FDA suggests cooking chicken to a temperature of 165° F. Chicken will continue to cook after it is removed from heat, so we recommend that it be removed from the grill at 160° F to prevent drying out.

Nutritional Information (per serving):

Calories: 184

Fat: 7 g

Saturated Fat: 1 g

Cholesterol: 67 mg

Sodium: 439 mg

Carbohydrate: 10 g

Fiber: 0 g

Sugar: 9 g

Protein: 23 g

Hearty Beef Stew

Hearty Beef Stew

For a quick, healthy meal in the middle of winter, try this hearty beef stew, or our vegan-friendly version.

Total Time: 1 hr. 15 min.
Prep Time: 15 min.
Cooking Time: 1 hr.
Yield: 6 servings

Ingredients:
1½ lb. raw lean beef stew meat, boneless
1½ medium onions, chopped
2 medium tomatoes, chopped
¼ cup reduced-sodium soy sauce
1 Tbsp. hot pepper sauce (like Tabasco)
½ to 1 cup low-sodium organic beef broth (or vegetable broth)
1 bay leaf
½ medium green bell pepper, chopped
½ medium red bell pepper, chopped
2 medium carrots, sliced
2 medium potatoes, cubed
3 cups cooked quinoa, hot

Preparation:
1. Place beef, onions, tomatoes, soy sauce, hot sauce, 1/2 cup broth, and bay leaf in large saucepot.
2. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce heat to medium-low; cook, covered, for 40 minutes, adding additional broth as needed.
3. Add bell peppers, carrots, and potatoes; cook, covered, for an additional 15 to 20 minutes or until sauce has thickened and beef is fork tender.
4. Serve with quinoa.

Vegan Variation: Substitute beef with same amount of tempeh. Use only ½ cup vegetable broth instead of beef broth. Bring to a boil and cook for 10 minutes. Add vegetables and cook for an additional 10 to 15 minutes.

Nutritional Information (per serving):

Calories: 346

Fat: 7 g

Saturated Fat: 2 g

Cholesterol: 75 mg

Sodium: 626 mg

Carbohydrate: 40 g

Fiber: 6 g

Sugar: 5 g

Protein: 33 g

Pita Pizza

Pita Pizza

Pitas make an ideal pizza crust! This is topped with basil, peppers and onion, or you can substitute your favorite vegetables.

Total Time: 18 min.
Prep Time: 10 min.
Cooking Time: 8 min.
Yield: 4 servings

Ingredients:
4 (6½-inch) whole wheat pitas
¾ cup all-natural spaghetti sauce, no salt added
2 fresh basil leaves, chopped
2 oz. shredded mozzarella cheese (½ cup)
¼ medium onion, sliced
1 medium yellow bell pepper, sliced into rings

Preparation:
1. Preheat oven to 350° F.
2. Top pitas evenly with spaghetti sauce, basil, cheese, onion, and bell pepper.
3. Place pitas on baking sheet. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, or until cheese is melted.

Nutritional Information: (per serving)

Calories: 248

Fat: 5 g

Saturated Fat: 2 g

Cholesterol: 8 mg

Sodium: 569 mg

Carbs: 43 g

Fiber: 6 g

Sugars: 2 g

Protein: 11 g