21 DAY FIX SWEET POTATO AND BLACK BEAN CHILI

OH CHILI! What can I even say? My family loves ♡ this healthy, slightly spicy, extremely basic and wonderful turkey chili loaded with everything sweet potato and yummy. It's fall, it's cold outside and this chili always hits just the right spot! 

Ingredients

• 4 tsp olive oil
• 1 ½ pounds of ground turkey
• 1 small or ½ large onion, diced
• 3 cloves of garlic, minced
• 1 can of black beans
• 1 can of fire roasted tomatoes
• 2 cups of kale, chopped into small pieces
• 2 med/large sweet potatoes, diced (measure about 4 cups)
• 2+ cups of chicken stock
• 3 T salt free taco seasoning
• up to 1 T chili powder
• 1/4 tsp cayenne (optional)
• salt and pepper
• optional - maple syrup
• toppings:
• cheddar cheese
• cilantro
• chives
• avocado

Instructions

1. In a large pot or dutch oven, heat 2 tsp of olive oil over medium heat. Add turkey to pan, along with 1 ½ tablespoons of the Salt Free Taco Seasoning and cook through; then add onions and kale and cook until soft. Season turkey and veggies with salt and pepper, then remove from pot.
2. Add the remaining 2 tsp of olive oil to pan and saute sweet potatoes just until they start to brown. Add the garlic, 1 ½ tablespoons of the Salt Free Taco Seasoning, a sprinkle of salt, a can of fire roasted tomatoes, and 2 cups of chicken stock to the pot. Bring to a low boil and simmer for 10 minutes or so, until the sweet potatoes are very soft.
3. You can leave the potatoes as is, but I **highly recommend** the following step to get an amazing texture to your chili. This is also the way to go if you have picky eaters in your house who “don’t like sweet potatoes” **Using an immersion blender, puree the mixture until it reaches your desired consistency (you can also transfer to a regular blender and puree that way, which is what I did! I just pulsed a few times).
4. Add turkey mixture back to pot and stir in black beans. Add additional stock to reach desired thickness, as the chili will continue to thicken up as it cooks. Season with chili powder to taste, starting 1 teaspoon at a time so you don’t overdo it. And, if you want to bring out the flavor of the sweet potato a little more, you can add a spoon of maple syrup. If you want a little more spice, add the cayenne! Simmer for a few more minutes before devouring!
5. Top with fresh chives, cilantro, shredded cheddar and avocado. YUM!

21 Day Fix Container Count:

Makes six (1 ¼ cup) servings: 21 Day Fix 1 R, 1 G, 1 Y, ½ B (Blue - toppings)

Cucumber Avocado Roll-Ups

Turn an average gathering into a culinary extravaganza with these Cucumber Avocado Roll-ups. These vegan-friendly appetizers are filled with a blend of avocado, fresh basil, and tangy lime, and they’re deceptively simple to put together. A sprinkling of smoked paprika adds color and a gentle spiciness. Each roll has less than 35 calories, so you can enjoy a few without filling yourself up for the main course.

Tip: This recipe suggests making the avocado mixture in a blender, but if you’re whipping up a batch of these for yourself, a good mashing with a fork will do the job.

Total Time: 15 min.
Prep Time: 15 min.
Cooking Time: None
Yield: 4 servings, 3 roll-ups each

Ingredients:
1 medium avocado, cut into chunks
¼ cup fresh basil leaves
1 clove garlic, coarsely chopped
2 tsp. fresh lime juice
Sea salt (or Himalayan salt) and ground black pepper (to taste; optional)
2 large cucumbers
Toothpicks
Ground paprika (for garnish; optional)

Preparation:
1. Place avocado, basil, garlic, and lime juice in a food processor (or blender). Season with salt and pepper if desired; pulse until smooth and creamy. Set aside.
2. Use a vegetable peeler to peel off long, thin slices of cucumbers.
3. Spread avocado mixture evenly on each cucumber slice.
4. Pick up one end of the cucumber slice and roll cucumber loosely around the filling. End with the seam on bottom and secure with a toothpick.
5. Garnish with paprika if desired.

Cred: Beachbody

Spring into Fitness - March Meltdown 5 Day Clean Eating Challenge

Spring into Fitness -March Meltdown 

5 Day Clean Eating Challenge

Hey friends! It's almost that time again... Spring Break!! YAY!! Warm, sun, beaches, fun!!! Can you believe it? Are you Spring Break ready???  And with Spring fast approaching it is time to melt off some of those extra winter lbs we all tend to collect in the long cold winter months I know I need to buckle down on my nutrition to feel good in my cute summer clothes.... How about you? 

Are you ready to rock some cute summer clothes?? SoooOo to jump start my Beach Ready Bod I am running another clean eating group for extra accountibility and support and I am extending an invitation to you all to join me! It is a FREE 5 Day Clean Eating Challenge and get ready for Spring Break!  These groups are so much fun and great for anyone who loves clean eating, is new to clean eating, wants to jump start their health and nutrition goals, is looking for a life style change is maybe just was some extra support/ motivation/accountability!

I will provide you with a FREE:
Grocery List
Daily Menus
Support
Accountability
Coaching
and MORE!!

To join----> Just click this link: https://www.facebook.com/events/848788525229684/ or reach out below :) 

I'd love for you to join my next 5 day group so we can work together to reach our goals! 

Power Protein Egg Cups

Mornings can be tough. Especially as a busy family, There are a hundred things to do to before rushing out the door, and often my breakfast is an afterthought. It’s tempting to reach for a breakfast bar, grab a “healthy” muffin at the coffee counter (it has blueberries in it, so it counts, right?), or worse, skip breakfast altogether.

That’s where these protein-packed egg cups come in. The simple recipes for these grab-and-go mini-omelets make enough for a week’s worth of breakfasts. Trust me they are super easy and delish! Perfect for us busy momma who are wanting a healthy breakfast while on the go! Got extra? Store them in the fridge and reheat them in the microwave.

Power Protein Egg Cups
Start your morning off strong with this low-fat, high-protein egg cup recipe with turkey bacon, shredded chicken, and sweet onions and peppers.

Total Time: 35 min.
Prep Time: 15 min.
Cooking Time: 20 min.
Yield: Makes 6 servings, 2 egg cups each

Ingredients:
Nonstick cooking spray
½ cup unsweetened almond milk
16 large egg whites (2 cups)
Sea salt (or Himalayan salt) and ground black pepper (to taste; optional)
2 slices cooked turkey bacon, chopped
3 oz. cooked shredded chicken breast
2 cups chopped red bell peppers
1 cup chopped onion

Preparation:
1. Preheat oven to 350° F.
2. Prepare twelve muffin cups by coating with spray. Set aside.
3. Combine almond milk and egg whites in a medium bowl. Season with salt and pepper, if desired; whisk to blend. Set aside.
4. Evenly divide turkey bacon, chicken, bell peppers, and onion between prepared muffin cups.
5. Evenly pour egg white mixture over turkey bacon mixture.
6. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of egg cups comes out clean, and eggs are set.

For My Fixers this recipe is 1 Red and 1 Green Container

Recipe Courtesy of beachbody.com

21 Day Fix Turkey Chili

My family LOVES Chili...pretty much all types of the hearty stuff! Something about it warms you from the inside out. It is comfort food and it taste great!  I could even eat it in the summer months when it's not so cool outside!  So when Autumn Calabrese released her brand new Fixate cookbook and I saw that there was a chili recipe in it we had to try it out! I love the chance to try out any new chili recipe and this one was no different! AND... it is a GREAT one and plus it's 21 Day Fix Approved!!!  SooOo It is Even better! 

My family loved this so much that we had NO leftovers...I was kinda thinking I would have some for lunch the next day but well my family scarfed it all up and cleaned out the pot! Lesson learned, Next time I'll be making a double batch!! 

Ingredients:

1 tsp olive oil

1 1/2 lbs ground turkey

1 medium onion

1 medium green bell pepper, chopped

3 cloves garlic, finely chopped

1 1/2 tsp ground cumin

1 Tbsp chili powder

1/2 tsp sea salt

1/4 tsp cayenne pepper (to taste; optional)

2 (15 oz) cans black beans (or pinto beans) drained, rinsed

1 (15 oz) can all-natural diced tomatoes, no sugar added

12 fresh cilantro sprigs, finely chopped (for garnish; optional)

Directions:

1. Heat oil in large sauce pan over medium-high heat
2. Add turkey, onion, bell pepper, and garlic; cook, stirring occasionally, for 5 to 8 minutes or until turkey is no longer pink
3. Add cumin, chili powder, salt, and cayenne pepper; cook, stirring constantly, for 1 minute
4. Add beans and tomatoes (with liquid). Bring to a boil and reduce heat to low; gently bio, stirring occasionally, for 15 to 20 minutes, or until thickened.
5. Serve warm, sprinkle with cilantro.

Container Equivalents:

1 Green

1 Red

1 Yellow

This recipe is perfect to use in CROCKPOTS...or you can make ahead of time and place in a freezer ziplock bag (gallon size after it's cooled) and freeze for later...great for meal prep!!

(recipe from the 21 Day Fix Extreme Nutrition Guide)

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Vanilla Yogurt Bowl

This is no ordinary bowl of yogurt! We amped up the nutrition with a scoop of Vanilla Shakeology and topped it with fresh strawberries, bananas, and sliced almonds. It’s a great way to fuel your morning workout, or as a satisfying snack anytime.

Total Time: 10 min.
Prep Time: 10 min.
Cooking Time: None
Yield: 2 servings

Ingredients:
1 cup nonfat plain yogurt
1 scoop Vanilla Shakeology
4 medium strawberries, chopped
½ medium banana, chopped
1 tsp. sliced raw almonds

Preparation:
1. Combine yogurt and Shakeology in a small bowl; mix well.
2. Divide yogurt mixture evenly into two medium serving bowls.
3. Top each bowl evenly with strawberries, banana, and almonds.

***HEALTHY CINNAMON ROLL OATMEAL***

***HEALTHY CINNAMON ROLL OATMEAL***

For the OATMEAL:

1. In a saucepan or microwave safe bowl, combine rolled oats, sea salt, cinnamon, sweetener, and 'milk' (I prefer almond milk myself) and simmer on medium until most liquid is absorbed. Once thick, add large egg white and mix well until fully mixed in. Add coconut flour and continue stirring until a very thick batter is formed. Add extra 'milk' to desired consistency.
2. Remove from heat and pour into a bowl. Top will cinnamon roll glaze! 

For the GLAZE:
1. Mix all ingredients in a small bowl and slowly add 'milk' until desired consistency is reached.
ENJOY! 

For the Oatmeal

1. 1/2 cup gluten free rolled oats
2. Pinch sea salt
3. 2 T granulated sweetener of choice (I used both coconut palm sugar and a stevia blend)
4. Cinnamon
5. 1 cup dairy free milk of choice
6. 1 large egg white (use 1 flax egg if vegan)
7. 1 T coconut flour
8. Extra cinnamon, for dusting

For the Cinnamon Roll Glaze

1. 1 T coconut butter, melted
2. 1 T vanilla protein powder
3. Milk to thin out
4. cinnamon for dusting

For the protein packed Cinnamon Roll Glaze

1. 3 T vanilla protein powder
2. Milk to thin out
3. Cinnamon for dusting

For the oatmeal

1. In a saucepan or microwave safe bowl, combine the rolled oats, sea salt, cinnamon, sweetener of choice and milk of choice and simmer on medium until most of the liquid is absorbed. Once thick, add the large egg white (or flax egg) and mix very well until fully mixed in. Add the coconut flour and continue stirring until a very thick batter is formed. Add extra dairy free milk to desired consistency.
2. Remove from heat and pour into a bowl. Top with cinnamon roll glaze.

For the Glaze

1. Mix all ingredients in a small bowl and slowly add the dairy free milk until desired consistency is reached.

Notes

1. If batter is too thick, add extra dairy free milk to desired consistency. I like it to be really batter like so tend to add around an extra 1/4 cup.
2. This can be batch made the night before and eaten hot/cold.
3. This can also be frozen- Simply thaw out and and reheat.
4. For even more protein, add an extra scoop of protein powder but add extra dairy free milk to compensate.

Recipe from thebigmansworld.com Enjoy!

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Share this blog post and recipes with a friend who you think would enjoy it! Also if you make this recipe and post a pic on Instagram @jennamerson, Facebook or Twitter… tag me in it and use #jennamerson!

The 21 Day Fix, 3 Day Quick Fix

The 21 Day Fix has proven to be a downright amazing program with nothing short of incredible results.  I have personally completed the program a few times and just can not get enough of it or it's amazing results! Never before have I ever felt better and that even includes the almost 2 years that I have been transforming my health and my body.  Yes, I was exercising and eating clean but I was missing an important piece along the way! Once I introduced the fix into my life it was magical.  No more bloating, so much more energy, simple portion control and effective exercise in just 30 minutes!  You can call me one happy momma! 

So the last week of the program is all about pushing you a little more to get the best results possible and offers what I like to call a secret weapon, the last 3 days there is the option to do this 3 day quick fix!  It is basically a little extra oomph to end the fix. 

You can also do this 3 day plan anytime if you wanted to drop an extra couple of pounds before an upcoming wedding, event or vacation.  If you feel like you just need a reboot after a few bad nutritional habits this would work too! 

This is a plan that Autumn Calabrese (creator of the 21 day fix) uses to prep for her bikini competitions and her photo shoots.  It's not something you want to do for any longer than 3 days, but if done occasionally, its a great way to lose a little weight, fast.

It is truthfully a little challenging, so be ready for it!  I can say that I am a carb girl and only having carbs first thing in the morning is hard for me!  Also, I miss my fruit and I felt a little dizzy at night. But water intake is key plus making sure you do indeed get your meals in thru out the day.

Here are the details:

To do this cleanse you will need the 21 Day Fix Portion Control Containers. I recommend buying the entire program. The workouts are 30 minutes or less, and are good ones! 

Space your meals approximately two hours apart.  Set a time on your phone to remind you to eat if you have to.

• Steamed veggie options recommended are broccoli, asparagus, green beans, zucchini, cucumbers or bell peppers.
• Seasonings allowed are lemon and lime juice, vinegars, and spices.  No SALT
• Oatmeal can be flavored with cinnamon, nutmeg, or one packet (1/2 teaspoon) of stevia.
• Drink at least one gallon of water a day. Spread it out as much as possible starting with a glass when you first wake up.  It will help you feel full while it flushes toxins from your system.  
• Drink the extra virgin coconut oil with meals.  To prepare it, place the desired amount in a microwave safe bowl and zap for 10 to 15 seconds.
• Coffee or tea is fine to drink, but avoid creamers and sweeteners except stevia.  
• No need to alter your workouts, the 3 day quick fix can be used anytime! It is also recommended during the last 3 days and only 3 days of the program for maximum results.

The PLAN:

Meal 1:  (YELLOW) Steel cut oatmeal (cooked) (RED) Egg whites and 1 spoon of E.V. coconut oil.

Meal 2:  1 (RED) grilled chicken and 1 (YELLOW) steamed yams

Meal 3:  1 (RED) steamed fish and 1(GREEN) steamed veggies

Meal 4:  1 (RED) grilled chicken and 1 (GREEN) steamed veggies and 1 spoon of E.V. coconut oil.

Meal 5:  1 (RED) Steamed fish and 1 (GREEN) steamed veggies and 1 spoon of E.V. coconut oil.

Meal 6:  1 (RED) ground extra lean turkey 1 (GREEN) steamed veggies and 1 spoon of E.V. Coconut oil.

Repeat for 3 days!  Drink lots of water and NO SALT!!

If you have any questions about the 3 day fix or would like to join an upcoming challenge group please fill out the form below!

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HOW TO DRINK MORE WATER - My favorite Tips and Tricks

I know you've heard it before and I am sure that you'll hear it again and again — drinking water is good for you. And it is true! Believe me! I used to be addicted to diet soda and gave it up almost 2 years ago and I now crave water! My body needs it and so does yours, in so many ways. The list of benefits is miles long and includes improving digestion and clearing up your skin just to name a few of my favorites to get your attention.  And if you’re trying to lose weight, one of the things you should to look at closely is what you drink. Beverages often contain lots of hidden sugar and are loaded with unwanted calories but when people are trying to loose weight they tend to focus on what they’re eating rather than what they’re drinking. Which is sad because many studies show that just drinking more water helps you lose the unwanted weight because we drink a lot of our calories unknowingly.

For many people, getting enough water over the course of the day is a struggle. I’ll be the first person to admit that water can get boring after a while and I drink a lot of it daily! Yes, we need it and can’t survive without it, but it is plain and some say it has no taste. So many people tend to skip drinking the recommend amount. Which is 1/2 your body weight in ounces EVERYDAY especially if weight loss is your goal. 

So instead of skipping the water try some of my favorite tips and tricks to increase your water intake. I do all of these everyday and it has helped me so much! 

HOW TO DRINK MORE WATER- 

1. Make it a Morning Habit- The trick to this is pouring yourself a glass of water before bed and then drinking it as soon as you get up. Drinking it right away should be refreshing and will get your metabolism going. 
2. Give Yourself Reminders- There's lots of apps out there to keep track of your water intake, if you like that kind of reminder (Daily Water Free*, is my favorite). But a another option is to set an alarm on your watch, phone or calendar to remind you to take a drink every two hours or so.
3. Drink Coffee or Tea Yep, you heard me right — your favorite  morning beverage has plenty of water in it, so you can include that in your daily count. According to sites like WebMD, their diuretic effects do not take away from also hydrating you. So your morning cup of joe is good for your water intake!
4. Eat Your Water- There are lots of yummy fruits and veggies that contain water,  including cucumbers, iceberg lettuce, watermelon (obviously), strawberries, grapefruit, zucchini, radish and celery. Not to mention they have many other nutrients and you'll be getting in veggies and water at the same time! So make a yummy salad with some and you have a refreshing and hydrating lunch :)
5. Buy  Cute Water Bottle - This is not rocket science but for some reason pure superficiality that somehow still works. If you have a nicer water bottle, you are just be more inclined to use it. I love love cute bottles and take them everywhere I go. Plus it saves me money and the planet! So win-win-win-win in my book. I love The Dextox Water Bottle * by blogilates. This goes hand in hand with next tip. I use tip  #5 and # 6 together, often! 
6. Try Infusing Your Water with Fruit. - This is my favorite tip! There are so many ways to infuse your water, everything from mason jars with fruit infusing lids, to water bottles with built in infusers. And ever better is that there are so many recipes out there too. The options are endless with water fruits, veggies, and herbs you can mix and create! Plus, It has great health benefits and adds a bit of taste to your water too. So no more plain boring water excuses! See a few of my favorite combinations below :) 

*Please note, I am not affiliated or sponsored in any way by the sites/products I recommend above, They are products that I personally found, use and love . I am not being compensated in anyway for my recommendations.

If you have a favorite recipe that you love please Share it with me too! I love trying new ones!

Here are a few combinations to try: 

Lemon + Lime + Orange = Immune defense
Strawberry + Cucumber + Kiwi = Blood Sugar Support
Cucumber + Lemon + Lime= Hydration & Appetite Control
Mint + Green Tea + Lime = Fat Burning

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Share this blog post and recipes with a friend who you think would enjoy it! Also if you make this recipe and post a pic on Instagram @jennamerson, Facebook or Twitter… tag me in it and use #jennamerson!! 

21 Day Fix Approved BAKED GENERAL TSO'S CHICKEN

Did you know you can eat HEALTHY, TASTY meals on the 21 Day Fix? Check this one out!!

BAKED GENERAL TSO'S CHICKEN

Container count per serving: 1¼ red, ¼ yellow, 1 teaspoons, 1½ sweetener teaspoons (for maple syrup)

INGREDIENTS:
1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into strips
½ cup liquid egg whites
½ cup whole wheat flour
1 tsp salt
1 tbsp garlic powder
1 tbsp onion powder
1 tsp paprika
1 tsp fresh ginger, minced
¼ cup low sodium soy sauce (or Bragg’s Liquid Aminos)
¼ cup vinegar (I used apple cider vinegar)
1 tbsp sesame oil
2 tbsp chili sauce
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 tbsp 100% pure maple syrup
1 tsp cornstarch

DIRECTIONS:
Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and mist with non-fat cooking spray.
In a small bowl, mix together the flour, salt, paprika, garlic powder and onion powder.

Dip chicken strips in liquid egg substitute, shake off excess and lightly coat in flour. Place chicken strips on baking sheet and lightly mist with an olive oil mister, or more non-fat cooking spray.

Bake chicken in oven for about 30 min, turning over once at halfway through cooking time. Remove from oven and let cool for 10 minutes.
While chicken is cooking, combine soy sauce, vinegar, minced garlic, minced ginger, syrup, chili sauce and sesame oil in a small sauce pan set over medium heat. Once sauce has begun to lightly simmer, mix cornstarch and I tsp water in a small cup, and then pour into sauce. Continue to cook, stirring regularly, until sauce has thickened up a bit, about 3-5 more minutes. If sauce remains runny, add in some additional cornstarch, tsp by tsp.

Toss the cooked chicken pieces with the sauce and serve immediately.

21 Day Fix - Healthy Peach Crumble - Cobbler Dessert

Here's a yummy 21 day fix recipe I made today for a healthy peach crumble. Now that it's September and summer is almost over and fall is just around the corner I have been craving fall-like desserts like crazy, so I can't wait to try this with pumpkin, apple, and everything else fall like!

1 Fresh Peach - sliced (1 Purple)

1/4 cup Rolled Oats (not the quick cooking kind) (1/2 Yellow)
1 Cup Plain Fat Free Greek Yogurt (1 red) 

1 TBS Water

1 Packet of Stevia

Vanilla, Cinnamon, &/or a dash of Brown Sugar

Spray a pan with a small amount of cooking spray. Place sliced peaches in a pan and allow to cook for a few minutes. Add a tablespoon of water and your oats to the pan and stir frequently. With your Greek yogurt, mix packet of Stevia, a couple sprinkles of cinnamon, and a couple drops of vanilla. Place 1/2 of the Greek yogurt mixture on the bottom of the plate, then layer your "crumble" from the pan, top with the remaining mixture. Sprinkle top with a dash of brown sugar... Okay,Okay, so brown sugar may not be in the plan, but you can use cinnamon instead if you are a die-hard!
Already dreaming up some new healthy desserts I can try this fall, as well as indulging in the real deal! I will share them with you as they come to me---> And Please share your fave healthy fall treats with me too! 

Healthy Summer Challenge

Because I know that YOU ARE READY!!! I am INVITING you to join me for my next fitness and nutrition group. I am opening up my new challenge group to a few more ladies!

 This is going to be a FUN group!! We start our prep week next Monday on the 10th so this is your last chance to get everything together for our official start day! So ahead, send me a message, let's do this together :-)

You will have all the tools you will need to be successful & me as your Coach to Support, Encourage, & motivate you. I will also give you meal plans, recipes, clean eating / nutrition & exercise tips, all the details about Shakeology and a F-R-E-E Fixate cookbook as a thank you gift from me.
Fill out the form, message me with comments below for me info!
https://jennamerson.wufoo.com/forms/zupwz3o1j1z1vy/