Yesterday's Meals

Good morning everyone!  I forgot to post this last night as I'm trying to take pictures of each meal to post them here.  Even though I plan a weekly food menu, sometimes life gets in the away and I have to change things up.  Here is what I had yesterday.

Breakfast - Eggs with cheese and two slices of multi grain bread with 1/2 avocado smashed like spread.  I did a little salt and pepper to the avocado to add some flavor.

Snack - Chobani vanilla yogurt (made with Stevia) and two no-bake raspberry chocolate balls

Lunch - Leftover baked Parmesan-Crusted Tilapia with lemon and roasted eggplant and cauliflower

Snack - Apple

Dinner - Eggplant Bolognese with spaghetti squash

Snack - 1 no-bake raspberry chocolate protein ball

Last nights dinner was good, the eggplant Bolognese was good I wouldn't say it was great as I felt it needed some more spices for me.  The girls were not a fan at all for it, so I made them Annie's mac and cheese instead.  I ended up dividing the rest of the sauce in four portions, froze three of them and going to use the other for today's lunch.  I would rate this recipe 3 our 5.

Family's First Live Play - Disney Beauty and the Beast

A friend of ours reached out to us late last week to let us know that our local High School was putting on a live performance for the Disney Beauty and the Beast and thought it might be something our girls would love to see, so I went online and looked up tickets and seats.  The show was selling out fast which told me it was worth going to see.  I purchased our 4 tickets and we were so excited to take the girls.  Since my little one was home when I purchased them, I told her what we were going to see and she started to jump up and down and said "yay we are going to Disneyland", I busted out laughing and said "oh no honey, we are just going to a play at a school not Disneyland".  She just looked at me and then said "okay, mommy".  I'm glad I dodged that bullet...hahaha. 

I was a little worried about our seats at first but once we arrived and settled in they were pretty good, next time I would book ahead to get a little closer.  The play was like a normal show as they had an intermission half way through.  The first half was a good one and half hours and the second half was just about an hour, total time there was just over 3 hours.  The girls absolutely loved it.  They knew all the songs and the story line so to see it in person was a special treat.  I have to say I was very impressed on how these students played the roles, they were amazing.  I really thought I was at a live Broadway Show.  They all sang beautifully and played the roles like they had been doing it for years.  I couldn't believe it was actual High School students, they were all so nice and professional.  After the play was done, we got the girls backstage passes to go and meet some of the cast and we congratulated them for a job well done. 

Overall it was a wonderful experience and something we would definitely do again as a family.  It's things like these that give us so much joy to show our girls how to support others without even knowing them.  To be able to support our local High School students and their passions, is what life is all about.  Remember to always....LIVE, LAUGH and LOVE!

Parmesan-Crusted Tilapia with Roasted Vegetables for Dinner

I was suppose to make this recipe earlier this week but with schedule changes and life getting in the way I ended up making it tonight.  I made Parmesan-Crusted Tilapia, it was a little messy putting it all together as it required three different dishes just to prep, one for the flour mixture, one for the eggs and one for the panko, cheese and herbs.  I actually used two large paper plates for the flour and panko mix and then a 8x8 pan for the eggs as it's nice and flat and easy to use for the fish fillets.  Once it's all put together it just goes in the over so that's the easy part.  Then I cut up the cauliflower put in on a tray with foil and added olive oil, salt, pepper and paprika, for the eggplant I just cut that up in cubes and placed it on a different tray with foil and mixed it with olive oil, salt and pepper.  Baked the vegetables at 425 for about 20 to 25 mins. 

The fish was good, it tasted a little bland to me even with the coating so I took some lemon wedges and added lemon juice over the top of the fish and it gave it great flavor.  The roasted vegetables came out amazing, nice and tender with great flavor.  I love using my leftover veggies by cutting them up and just roasting them in the over that way you don't waste food.  Now I have an awesome lunch for tomorrow.  Enjoy!  Happy and Healthy Cooking!!!

Recipe link for the fish:
http://womanista.com/wellness/2016/03/02/recipe-parmesan-crusted-baked-cod/

Weekly Food Menu - 1.30.17 to 2.5.17

Since I'm still trying to figure out how to attach a google doc to my blog I decided to change it up this week by typing it out and posting it just like this.  I have also included the links for the recipes I will be using in case anyone is interested in trying them out as well.

Weekly Food Menu - Week of Jan 30th, 2017

Monday 1/30/17
Breakfast - Maple PPBB Overnight Oats - http://www.radiantrachels.com/my-favourite-overnight-oats/
AM Snack - No Bake Raspberry Chocolate Protein Balls - https://cleanfoodcrush.com/raspberry-chocolate-balls/
Lunch - Weekend leftovers or a big salad with lots of veggies
PM Snack - Chocolate Banana Protein Shake/Smoothie
Dinner - Eggplant Bolognese with zoodles - http://greatist.com/eat/recipes/eggplant-bolognese

Tuesday 1/31/17
Breakfast - Eggs scrambled with peppers, onions and mushrooms topped with 1/4 avocado
AM Snack - No Bake Raspberry Chocolate Protein Balls - https://cleanfoodcrush.com/raspberry-chocolate-balls/
Lunch - Leftover dinner Eggplant Bolognese
PM Snack - Chocolate Banana Protein Shake/Smoothie
Dinner - One-Post Mexican Beans and Quinoa - https://cleanfoodcrush.com/one-pot-clean-eating-mexican-recipe/#more-'

Wednesday2/1/17
Breakfast - Coconut Cream Pie Overnight Oats - http://www.bewholebeyou.com/2017/01/22/coconut-cream-pie-overnight-oats/
AM Snack - No Bake Raspberry Chocolate Protein Balls - https://cleanfoodcrush.com/raspberry-chocolate-balls/
Lunch - Leftover dinner One-Pot Mexican Bean and Quinoa
PM Snack - Power Protein Shake
Dinner - Super Quick and Healthy Shrimp with Apple Salsa on Crisp Lettuce Wraps - https://cleanfoodcrush.com/super-healthy-shrimp-lettuce-wraps/#more-'

Thursday 2/2/17
Breakfast - Taking the birthday girl out for a special breakfast of her choice
AM Snack - No Bake Raspberry Chocolate Protein Balls - https://cleanfoodcrush.com/raspberry-chocolate-balls/
Lunch - Leftovers from the week
PM Snack -  Power Protein Shake
Dinner - KAITLYN'S BIRTHDAY - Going out for dinner to celebrate!

Friday 2/3/17
Breakfast - Banana Nut Bread Overnight Oats - https://cleanfoodcrush.com/banana-bread-oats/
AM Snack - No Bake Raspberry Chocolate Protein Balls - https://cleanfoodcrush.com/raspberry-chocolate-balls/
Lunch - Leftovers from the week
PM Snack - Chocolate Banana Protein Shake/Smoothie
Dinner - Baked Eggplant Penne Pasta - http://diethood.com/baked-eggplant-penne-pasta/

Saturday 2/4/17
Breakfast - Light and Fluffy Banana Protein Pancakes - http://www.thecreativebite.stfi.re/light-fluffy-banana-protein-pancakes/?sf=beynyor#aa
AM Snack - No Bake Raspberry Chocolate Protein Balls - https://cleanfoodcrush.com/raspberry-chocolate-balls/
Lunch - Leftovers or a Salad with lots of veggies and homemade vinaigrette dressing
PM Snack - Strawberry Banana Protein Shake/Smoothie
Dinner - Leftovers from the week or a big salad with lots of veggies

SUPERBOWL SUNDAY - Snacks, Food, Drinks and having fun with friends and family!

Sunday is a free day to use any leftovers or to celebrate due to special family gatherings or any fun occasion.  Have a HAPPY and HEALTHY week. 

DIY Guest Bathroom Baskets

While on my shopping adventure today, I came across two small baskets one was solid white and the other was brown with a cream liner in it.  Since they were also 50% off, I decided to pick them up and use them for our guest bathrooms.  I don't know about any of you but when we travel or my husband travels we always take home the travel size shampoo, conditioners, lotions, soaps and shower caps, these are great to keep for when we have guests at our house.  I have them all stored away under a sink and would love to have them out on display for our guests to access in case they forgot anything or run out.  I decided to create my own guest bathroom baskets, here is what I came up with.

For the first basket that is brown with the cream liner in it, I rolled a white hand towel and a white face cloth and placed them in first, then I added a shower cap, shampoo, lotion, conditioner bottles and a facial bar.  It was that easy and came out perfect for our guest bathroom.  Here is the finished product which only cost me $6.00.

Next was the solid white basket, I rolled a white hand towel and a white face cloth and placed them in the basket first, then I added shower gel, shower cap, shampoo, lotion and conditioner bottles.  It was also easy and only took a few seconds, it too came out adorable and is perfect for when guests arrive.  This basket was placed in our pool bathroom which is all white, it matched very well.  Here is the finish product which only cost me $3.50.

Love adding little touches like these to our house.  Happy Decorating!!!

Hobby Lobby Findings - 50% off Items

I'm not a huge shopper but when I get in the mood watch out.  I went to one of my favorite places Hobby Lobby, today's mission was to go and look at flowers as I'm working on making my own floral arrangements for my Kitchen table and Dining Room table.  Unfortunately for me the flowers were not on sale today, they will be 50% off on Monday which means another trip to Hobby Lobby on Monday.  I did find the baskets for the floral arrangements and they where 50% off, score for me.  I also came across a few wall hangings that were also 50% off.  The first item I found was perfect for my entry way in my house as I love swirls and it matched another piece I have. Next I found this dog sign which grabbed my attention right away as it reminded me of our Vizsla Kona who is always giving us love and I couldn't help by self so I had to have it.  The last sign will be going up in our kitchen by our table as it reminds me of my amazing family and how we always do everything together.  Even though I didn't get what I was suppose too, I managed to walk out with a few extra findings at half off.  Happy Decorating!!!

Today's Meals 1.26.17

Had a sluggish day as I didn't get much sleep last night, my little one woke up 3 times for no apparent reason.  She wasn't feeling well yesterday so I thought maybe she got up for that but she ended up being fine.  I was not able to get in my workout like I had planned due to the lack of energy I was having but I made good food choices so I didn't throw my day out the window.

Breakfast - 2 scrambled eggs with mixed peppers, mushrooms, onions topped with feta cheese and avocado

AM Snack - 1/2 frozen banana, 1/2 c frozen strawberries, 2 scoops of vanilla protein powder, 1 c. unsweetened vanilla almond milk, 1/4 c plain nonfat fage yogurt, 1 tbsp. organic chia seeds

Lunch - Leftover Quinoa Mexi-Lime Salad - http://womanista.com/wellness/2016/10/28/recipe-quinoa-mexi-lime-salad/

PM Snack - Bowl of fresh strawberries

Dinner - Lasagna Zucchini Boats - http://www.cookingclassy.com/lasagna-zucchini-boats/
Late Snack - One of two choices Upside Down Apple Pie - http://www.hungry-girl.com/recipe-makeovers/healthy-upside-down-apple-pie or Chocolate Tofu Pudding Pie - http://www.yummyhealthyeasy.com/2014/10/chocolate-tofu-pudding.html

My water intake was rather low as well but tomorrow is a new day and I'm hoping to get some sleep tonight so I can be well rested and ready. 

New Recipe - Strawberry Coconut Ice Cream/Smoothie

Ice Cream for breakfast, who wouldn't love having creamy ice cream in the morning.  My intention was to make a morning smoothie however it turned out much thicker then I thought so I put it in a bowl instead and ate it like ice cream.  It was so rich and creamy and absolutely delicious, the best part is that it's HEALTHY with no added sugar.  Yummy!

Strawberry Coconut Ice Cream/Smoothie

Serves 3 to 4

1 frozen Banana

2 cups frozen Strawberries

1/4 cup plain Fage yogurt

1 scoop of Vanilla Protein Powder

1 cup Coconut Milk or Unsweetened Vanilla AlmondMilk

Place everything in a blender or food processor and mix until well blended.  It comes out rather thick so it can be eaten like ice cream in a bowl or if left out a few extra minutes it can be placed in a cup and drank like a smoothie.  Enjoy!

                          

New Breakfast Creation - Pepper and Onion Egg Scramble

This was yesterday and today's breakfast, one of my very own creations.  It was easy to throw together and perfect way to start a healthy morning.  Here is the recipe for it:

Pepper and Onion Egg Scramble

Serves 2

1-2 tbsp Olive oil or coconut oil 

1/4 white or red onion - sliced thin

2 handfuls of Trader Joe' Frozen Pepper blend

2 Eggs - beaten 

1 slice of baby Swiss cheese - broken into small pieces 

Salt and Pepper to taste

1/4 avocado - sliced 

1. Add oil to pan with sliced onions and sauté a few minutes until the onions are soft.

2. Then add frozen peppers to the pan and cook until peppers are tender and hot. 

3. Mix in eggs, stirring until fully cooked, then add Swiss cheese pieces and mix until melted.

4. Season with salt and pepper until desired liking.

5. Serve and top with 1/4 of sliced avocado

Enjoy!  Happy and Heathly Eating! 

Favorite Food Recipe Websites

I love finding new websites, I use Pinterest a lot and so with that I come across many awesome websites and blogs.  Below are all websites I use quite often.  Many are for recipes such as clean eating, family friendly, paleo, whole30 and more.  I have attached the name of the site and the link to find the site.  I also post my weekly food menu's on my blog which will have direct reference links to the meal's I will be cooking. 

Whole Kitchen Sink - https://www.wholekitchensink.com/

Paleo Gluten Free - https://paleoglutenfree.com/recipes/

Paleo Running Mamma - http://www.paleorunningmomma.com/

Real Simple Good - https://realsimplegood.com/

Paleo Grubs - https://paleogrubs.com/

Unbound Wellness - https://unboundwellness.com/

Skinny Taste - www.skinnytaste.com

Skinny Ms - www.skinnyms.com

Clean Food Crush - www.cleanfoodcrush.com

100 Days of Real Food - https://www.100daysofrealfood.com/

Hungry Girl - www.hungrygirl.com

Joyful Healthy Eats - http://www.joyfulhealthyeats.com/

Forks Over Knives - https://www.forksoverknives.com/

My First Blog....this is about me.

Hello my name is Chantelle and here is a little about me and my story.  I'm currently married to the most wonderful man in the world, we have been together for 17 years and married for over 12 years.  What a journey it has been for us, we have been through so much together.  Like many marriages there is always ups and downs but it's how you CHOOSE to move forward together and we have CHOOSEN to come out much stronger as individuals and as a couple.  He pushes me to do my best and supports me in everything I do even if I have failed, he pulls me back up and encourages me to keep going and follow my dreams.  I'm one lucky girl!

We have two beautiful daughters, a 9 year old and a 4 soon to be 5 year old.  They are truely the center of our world.  We absolutely love being parents and enjoy every moment with them, we can't get over how fast life is going and how fast our girls are growing up.  Next year both of them will be in school full time as our little one will be entering Kindergarten, that means my whole world will be changing.  We also have a dog named Kona who is also a big part of our family, he is a Vizsla and if anyone knows this kind of breed you know he is crazy most of the time.  He is either going 100 miles an hour or passed out taking a nap.  He loves to be active and keeps us on our toes all the time.

As for me I'm currently a stay-at-home mom who loves to be in charge of the household.  I'm consistent with having my family on a schedule as life is always busy.  I enjoy creating weekly food menus for myself and the family, cooking and experiment in the kitchen has become one of my new favorite hobbies.  We recently moved to a new state and city due to my husbands job for relocation, that has been a rather difficult change as we left many family members and friends behind.  I have learned and continue to learn that sometimes change is for the better, in this case it has been amazing for us.  We have really embraced our new surroundings and absolutely love were we now live.  With moving only days before school started and going though the holiday season we are finally settling in and it's starting to feel like home.  I have recently got back into running when I can fit it in.  I also enjoy competing in running races and in Triathlons, it's been a while since I have actually raced due to all the changes going on in our lives and I'm okay with that.  It's something I will get back into once life is so called "Normal" again.

I'm excited about trying something new by creating this personal blog to write and share about daily challenges and how to balance life as busy mom.  I will be posting various things from my weekly food menus, links to various websites I love to use, heath and fitness, training schedules, family stuff, motivation, goals, home projects and more.  I hope you will grow with me and my family as we embark on this journey that is worth sharing to others.  Thank you for taking the time to read this and please share any comments or thoughts on any of my future posts.