Stuffed Chicken Sausage Lasagna OR Shells

I am a creature of habit; it makes my life easier! I can eat the same thing nearly ever day, and I am not bothered by it. My treat meal once a week spices it up a bit! :) My husband on the other hand won't really touch a leftover and gets bored very easily, so every once in a while I try a new recipe. 

I was looking to make stuffed shells;however, couldn't find any whole wheat jumbo pasta shells. Anyone know where I can get some?! I was simply ( I like simple, remember?!) going to mix the sausage mixture with the whole wheat noodles we always have; but, I noticed I still had some whole wheat lasagna noodles, so I gave that a shot. Try it with pasta, lasagna noodles, or stuffed shells, whatever works for you!!

INGREDIENTS:

*Pasta product-probably about 16 jumbo shells, 9 lasagna noodles

*1 lb. of chicken sausage-so yummy!

*1 Tbsp. of of minced garlic

*14 oz. can of diced tomatoes

*1 cup of frozen spinach-thawed and drained- or fresh

*1 cup of cheese( I used shredded cheeses because I dislike ricotta).

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

2.  Cook shells or lasagna noodles as instructed. Place shells in a bowl of ice cold water to prevent sticking. If using lasagna noodles, place them on a piece of tinfoil.  This is so they don't stick together as well as is a good surface to spoon sausage mixture into them without a mess on your countertop. If cooking just regular rotini noodles, I would wait to cook these until later in the process so they are still warm when serving. 

3. Remove sausage from casing and place in a large skillet. Cook at medium temperature until browned. 

4.  Thaw spinach in microwave if necessary and squeeze ALL the water out.

5. Add the garlic, mixing it for a brief time-1 minute or so-don't allow it to brown

6. Add the diced tomatoes (juice and all) & spinach, mixing it for a few minutes. 

7. Turn off stove top and add the cheese. Mix until completely melted. 

8. Scoop sausage mixture into shells or lasagna noodles. If eating with regular rotini noodles, put noodles in bowl, add mixture, and enjoy!

9. SHELLS & LASAGNA- place in oven safe dish and heat for 25 minutes. 

This goes REALLY nicely with a salad. I was only able to enjoy ONE. I eat my veggies first to fill me up. :)

My fellow FIXERS:  I would count 2 of these lasagna rolls as 2 yellow containers, 1-2 reds (depends on how stuffed your lasagna rolls are :), and a blue. Mine were fully loaded, so it was likely 1 container for my 1 roll. 

Happy Eating!

XoXo

Turkey Day Tips & Tricks

It's easy to say, "Oh, it's just one day!" I used to do that for sure. Well then that turned into a weekend, a week, and then a month of unhealthy eating and poor choices. I am ALL about enjoying great food with my family, BUT I still want to feel good at the end of the day. I want to enjoy the variety of delicious food that is offered without needing my maternity pants to accommodate my bloated belly! :) I will be enjoying food I don't typically eat such as my mom's famous stuffing! My husband just loves this stuff and so does his family who we host at our house.

Check out these tips for turkey day that allow you to EAT all day but leave you satisfied instead of SORRY!

1. Workout

I will be getting up around 5:30 so I can get our bird ready and put in the oven for our 1 P.M. meal time with my husband's family. I will prep the turkey and then head right down to the basement for an amazing workout! I already planned out which one-T25 Speed 2.0! I will be done in 25 minutes and then I can go about getting ready for the day. This 25 minutes I take in the morning will give me extra energy to host 16 people at our house and then head to my parents' for more celebrating. It will also be a reminder to me about my goals. I purposely work out in the morning so I don't have the excuse of being tired at the end of a busy day, AND it keeps me accountable to my goals. I don't want to blow all that effort I put forth by making terrible food choices throughout the day.

2. Eat More Than ONE Meal

Many people have the misconception, especially on days like Thanksgiving and Christmas, that you want to bank all of your food for that ONE family meal! NOPE! That actually will halt you metabolism and work against you. I will be enjoying my Shakeology post work out and about 3 hours after that, I will have my typical snack of apples and PB! I will eat lunch with my husband's side of the family and then will later have dinner at my parents' house. I will eat my typical 5-6 times a day! This will surely keep me from overindulging on stuffing and mashed potatoes. :) 

3. Hydrate

My daily goal is to drink 100 oz of water. There are so many benefits of drinking it. One being that it keeps me full between my meals. I know that if it hasn't been 2.5/3 hours, my head is messing with me, and I just need to take a huge gulp of the good stuff! Our families don't really drink, so there typically isn't alcohol at our holiday meals. If there was,  I would likely enjoy a small glass of white wine; however, I will be chugging water all day! This is what I drink EVERY DAY! I don't want to waste calories on beverages. I'd rather have the stuffing! Can you tell I am excited about the stuffing?! LOL

4. Portions

I seriously had to rewash our dinner plates because they have been collecting dust since last Thanksgiving. We use salad plates at our house. Those are the perfect size to keep portions in check. Just because you have the HUGE plate in front of you doesn't mean you have to fill it up! Make your plate colorful with your proteins, veggies, fruits, and carbs. 

Check out this video for proper portion sizes. 

5.  Ditch the Dessert

I can hear all the gasps as you read this!! I am skipping the traditional desserts-pumpkin pie, apple pie, etc. I will be enjoying yogurt, honey, cinnamon, and PB though!! If you are going to indulge in a dessert, and you SHOULD from time to time, remember point #4 ;). I am not about completely restricting oneself from particular foods. It isn't practical!! That isn't life, BUT I am about making healthy choices at least 80% of the time, so if you enjoy some on Thanksgiving, I challenge you to skip the leftover desserts. The same goes for Christmas Eve, Christmas, and New Years. You don't have to have dessert during each of those meals. Enjoy it from time to time in moderation. :) Consider bringing another healthier options like these YUMMY chocolate chip cookies!!

6. Family

Enjoy the company of your family. Thanksgiving is about be grateful for our blessings. Our families are certainly amongst our greatest blessings, so take the time to be present in their company. Don't make FOOD the center of your day;rather, focus on all the great people you have in your life!!

Keep your day as you typically would, focusing on the fact that THANKSGIVING is a MEAL, not a marathon of food. You can achieve your goals even during the craziest of months. 

Jump on in my next accountability group, which will focus on your portion sizes while getting an effective 30 minute workout in each day. It will take you through Christmas and New Years, so that your goals can start NOW not in 2015!! 

Space is limited!! :)

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SALE- Black Friday Blowout- TOMORROW

SALE! I am pretty sure this was the first word my mom attempted to teach us all! I've grown up being taught the value of a dollar, and that items, especially clothing, can be purchased at discounted rates with coupons and searching through clearance racks. I've also learned that there are items that are so WORTH every last dollar!! :)

Beachbody didn't want you to have to deal with the stresses and struggles of BLACK THURSDAY or FRIDAY shopping, so they are going LIVE TOMORROW, November 25!!!

I want you stay connected with all this great information, so make sure to create a FREE account on my TeamBeachbody site!
https://www.teambeachbody.com/signup/-/signup/free?referringRepId=309493

Check out these deals!!

I have been rocking it out with TurboFire since I have been cleared to do some exercise post wrist surgery and prior to my next procedure Dec. 5! Those HIIT workouts are amazing, fun, and SHORT!!

What great stocking stuffers or amazing gifts to unwrap from under the tree. These items will go FAST, so head to my website www.beachbodycoach.com/kpearrell to check people off of your list and give them THE GIVE OF HEALH!! 

Start NOW by joining my 7 Day Shake Off group starting December 1!  $35 + $5 for shipping if necessary. You get 7 Shakeology packets, an example meal plan, recipe calendars, and a great Shakeology grocery shopping bag! 

Here's to the HEALTHIEST of holidays for you and your family!

XoXo

Kynslee

I Get Knocked Down, but I'll Get Up Again

Surgery #2 this year

Here I am preparing for another surgery. It certainly has been ONE thing after ANOTHER this year. Since February, I have been at some doctor’s appointment weekly. That has sadly been a great deal of my “me” time this year.  Am I angry? NOPE… Am I stronger? YEP!

Sitting back and reflecting on it, I wouldn’t be where I am today if it wasn’t for the amazing support of my husband, family, & friends. They are certainly a constant in my life; however, what I really find interesting is that the issues that needed to be taken care of this year would have been DRASTICALLY postponed if I was following the traditional career path that I was a couple years ago. I often think God waited until now to plop this stuff on me because He knows I am stronger than ever mentally.

I have been at the mercy of the doctor’s schedules all year, and without the flexibility of my schedule, I KNOW that I would have had to deal with the continuous pain until Thanksgiving, Christmas, or even summer break!

Beachbody has kept me grounded and focused this year. I am POSITIVE that if it wasn’t for my involvement with this company and the amazing people who are a part of it, I would have let my goals go. I would have waved the white flag MONTHS ago.  If I gave up on myself, I certainly would have forgotten about others’ goals and aspirations.

So I don’t work a 9-5 job! I don’t check in with a boss to tell me what I should or shouldn’t be doing. I do however work when it best suits me, typically in the morning for a bit after my workout and some time while the kids nap. I do have virtual meetings with others in the Beachbody organization so that we can motivate one another and give tips and strategies to help grow our businesses.

I didn’t go to college for business, but I was raised to help people and to encourage other peoples’ dreams!! I am used to following a traditional plan, staying inside of the box, and following someone else’s rules. It’s hard for me to do nontraditional things, but at the same time, I felt restricted when I was.

So in a weird way, I am grateful for all of this craziness that has happened to me this year because God has certainly surrounded me with some kick butt people, many of which I have never met, but support me wholeheartedly.

Don’t knock it until you try it. ;)

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Shakeology: I'm Worth Dollars a Day

When my coach and now good friend, Kirsten Nuss approached me about adding Shakeology into my daily nutrition, I immediately asked, "How much?!" When she told me the monthly cost, I kindly declined because I felt selfish for spending money on myself monthly, especially since I had recently left my full time teaching position to stay home with our two girls.

I am glad she continued to follow up with me because what I was doing myself wasn't fully effective. I continued to be extremely tired, requiring a daily nap with the kids, and wasn't eating enough or getting various food groups when I was eating. I was on the calorie counting plan.

I signed up as a coach a little over a year ago, and I have been enjoying Shakeology each day since I started my challenge group the week of Thanksgiving 2013. The benefits of the 70 super foods is remarkable. My personal benefits include increased energy, major reduction of cravings from my almost daily sweets, better digestion (gross, right?!) especially after my gallbladder had been removed in 2012, convenience, and the ability to get various vitamins I otherwise wouldn't fuel my body with as I should.

Convenience is a huge factor for me. After getting 3 toddlers situated after lunch, the last thing I want to do is prepare myself something that takes half of nap time to cook and clean up. I have it on the road OFTEN!

On the road to Kynsten's swimming lessons

Convenience is a major reason I continue to have it; however, the dense nutrition is what makes me continue to enjoy it daily. I really restricted myself in the past. I ate very limited foods, with meals spread apart typically 4-5 hours, if not more. I would feel jittery because of this,  and then find myself binging on foods that had no nutritional value and honestly just kept me eating more and more of it.

Because of these amazing natural ingredients in Shakeology, I find it difficult to recall when I have been sick last. I used to be halted, at least 2-3 times a year, with HORRIFIC sinus infections. This is due to some nasty polyps that I need to remove, according to doctors, when I was 15. I haven't had ONE sinus infection since introducing Shakeology into my life a year ago. 

Check out this video that gives you a visual of the MANY Shakeology Benefits!

I have a MUCH easier time saying NO to these treats-well 80% of the time! We all need a treat here and there!

Now, although I have been freed from colds, sinus infections, and those nasty viruses that go around, especially with small kids, I have had a year full of doctor's appointments. I have a degenerative wrist condition, which caused me to have surgery at the end of September as well as trips to a neurologist for neuropathy issues. I am finding myself on the surgery table again December 5 for a hernia repair. It's been a year to say the least, but my health/fitness routine has kept me focused on my blessings. With all of these visits, tests, and surgeries, comes copays and bills. I sadly have my insurance phone number and group ID memorized because of weekly conversations with them. Dozens and Dozens of EOB's have lead to thousands of dollars in medical bills. 

If all of this that has gone on has taught me one lesson, it certainly has reminded me that I MUST make my health a priority and a necessity, regardless of time and financial restraints. I get it! There is ALWAYS something that seems to suck our money right from us, BUT I REFUSE to sacrifice Shakeology, which is providing my body with vitamins and nutrients it needs to continue to heal. I am WORTH $4 a day! 

Not only am I worth it, but my family certainly is. My kids HATE veggies. I, myself, really only get my veggie portions from my daily dinner salad. Mmm!! When my daughter asked me one day, months ago, to have some of my shake, I said, "Sure!" I didn't tell her it was vegetable and nutrients masked in chocolatey deliciousness. 

She is nearing 4, so naps are few and far between  (*sigh), so as soon as she hears that blender going, she RUNS down the stairs asking for some. She often helps me make it. 

So, I get it! It's the holidays, money is tight- I honestly understand it all, BUT I refuse to understand why you won't do something for yourself and for your family!! So have you considered enjoying Shakeology?! What's stopping you? 

Try a 7 day sampler (includes some chocolate, vanilla, & strawberry packets) while receiving some group support! $35 + shipping (if necessary). 

Ready to get your health and fitness rolling before all those New Year's Resolution?! You can get a MONTH supply of Shakeology with your Challenge Pack-Tools for Success (Exercise program, meal plan, one month of Shakeology, & support from ME, your coach, in a safe & friendly online setting!) There is a MONEY back guarantee. You can HAVE the ENTIRE bag and send it back. What do you have to lose?!  Pounds? Inches? Negative Self-Image? Because that is all you will lose, BUT you will GAIN so much.  Fill out the application below or reach out to me via  Facebook

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Happy 1 Year Anniversary to Me!

'Twas the month of Thanksgiving and all through the house you heard the stomping of tennis shoes in the basement & the snoring of my spouse. For it was the 6th month of Insanity and me pushing play, but I didn't like that my goals were on a delay. So out of the blue, Kirsten Nuss reached out and said, "Hey! I see you love Insanity, how crazy, me too!" She offered her support & our first conversation was quite short; however we stayed in touch and talked about Shakeology & its benefits but I replied, "That cost too much." For I left my teaching job to stay home with our girls, I felt selfish but decided to give it a whirl! On a cold November night, I sat in the living room with only the glare of computer light.  I listened to a call and began to scrawl some notes about this company. So I bought my Focus T25 challenge pack and prayed my husband wouldn't give me any flack. I announced the next day on Facebook my decision to share what I know about self-care ( fitness/nutrition). It's been an exciting ride thus far seeing people raise the bar with their health. So as I grow my business from year to year, I want it to be clear, that I am here to change lives & lift you up & give high five's!!

So what are you waiting for?! An opportunity is knocking at your door to be the best version of yourself, & add some awesome workouts to your shelf. Would you like to lose weight & enjoy what you ate?  Don't worry it's not too late! There is a program out there that will bring you change, and allow you to exchange your old ways for a LIFESTYLE that stays!!

I must thank all the amazing coaches on my team who really know how to dream!! Thanks for all your advice & always being nice. I have grown SO much throughout this year and that kind of makes me want to shed a tear!!

So join me on this quest to make you FEEL your best!! With a few dollars a day, you get to push play ( DVDs) & eat what will surely taste like a treat (Shakeology). Don't forget I will be here for your daily education & affirmation!!

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Rotisserie Chicken: A Go-To Meal

Everyone is busy! I thought when I left teaching to stay home with the girls, that I would have free time to get a ton of things done during the day. Haha! No, I don't sit around all day eating bonbons or drinking my Shakeology! :) One of those tasks my husband was certainly looking forward to was me cooking a meal each day. I will be the first to admit that cooking isn't my favorite activity. There's a ton of tasks I'd rather complete, BUT I do understand that me prepping meals for my family ensures the ingredients are good and actually saves us some CASH!

We aren't at the stage in our lives that our girls are running from one activity to the next, but we are starting to get involved in more as Kynsten did T-Ball this past summer and is now taking swimming lessons. On the days she has lessons, we need something fast, simple, BUT healthy and delicious. The girls & I were running some errands Monday since we weren't watching Ry, and I decided to pick up a rotisserie chicken. Those things are the best, right?! I mean my chicken never tastes that good. :) So when we got home, the girls enjoyed chicken, apples, and well a little carrots (those darn kids and their veggie!!-Good thing K enjoys some Shakeology with me!) I paired my chicken with a salad so I was sure to get my 3 servings of veggies in for the day.

I not only like the convenience of a rotisserie chicken, but the fact that I typically get TWO meals out of it. The girls & I were the only ones around Monday to enjoy it, so we definitely had leftovers! There are so many options of things you can do with chicken. You can pair it with some noodles & pasta or alfredo sauce. You can make enchiladas, tacos, the list goes on and on really. I decided for another quick meal using ingredients I had- Chicken Quesadillas

Ingredients:

*chicken

*whole wheat tortilla

*shredded cheese

*any additional toppings- I used onion & spinach as well in mine

Instructions: SO SIMPLE

1. Heat the pan & and add some cooking spray

2. Add tortilla & other ingredients.

3. Fold & flip until heated through

It went nicely with my dinner salad & salsa was a nice dipping option!

Eating healthy doesn't have to be time consuming, nor do you have to eat food that you are completely unfamiliar with; although, you should go a little out of your comfort zone from time to time. You may not know what you are missing. Take recipes you are familiar with & "clean" them up with better ingredients.

What meals have you made with your rotisserie chicken?! 

XoXo

Happy Eating!!

Living the Lifestyle Throughout the Holidays and Beyond

Gobble! Gobble!! It is hard to believe that it is November, & we will be celebrating our blessings at the end of the month.  I am hosting it again for my husband's side of the family and look forward to turkey, stuffing, and mashed potatoes!!

I started my first accountability group the week of Thanksgiving! I know people thought I was crazy. It lasted through New Years. Even though I was at various parties with treats, sweets, and lots of good eats, I achieved my goals!!

15 lbs. and 14.75 inches off my body FOREVER!

These are my 60 day results utilizing Focus T25, clean eating, and Shakeology! The support from my accountability group also went toward my success. It truly was vital to it!

The thing is, I NEVER felt like I was missing out on anything!! I ate turkey, stuffing, and mashed potatoes. I drank beer on New Years and munched on some pizza! How in the world did I get results then? I followed the 80/20 rule: eat clean, whole and healthy foods, 80% of the time & treats 20% of the time. It came down to planning really.  I kept my Thanksgiving, Christmas, & New Years schedules the same as all the other days except the ONE meal I would be eating for the holiday celebration.  I didn't feel guilty when I treated either because I firmly believe that it is a part of the success! We all need treats. :)

New Years- Enjoying Drinks & Food with Friends

I've continued to have success because it is a lifestyle to me. I don't choose days that I am going to eat healthy whole foods and exercise; rather, it is a routine that I maintain because I see and FEEL the benefits of it.

You truly have so many options of great foods & with portion control servings, you WILL get results!

It really only took me about 3 weeks or so to get into the habit of changing my food choices. Exercise  has always been the easy for me. It's typically the easy part for everyone. It's the kitchen that tends to trip people up, BUT it doesn't have to be that way. With a flexible, easy to follow guide, and a group to offer support and suggestions for foods and recipes, eating healthy is a really rewarding and enjoyable thing.

Because this is a lifestyle, it becomes a part of your daily routine. You continue to have lunches with friends, attend and host birthday parties, and have weekends away with the girls or your family! Do I eat cupcakes? YEP! I just don't eat them at every party I go to. Do I eat pizza? Oh yeah, about once a month!! Yep, I eat what people call "normal" foods! My "normal" is the good stuff that doesn't contain all the garbage additives & preservatives!( @ least 80% of the time ;) 

Girls' Weekend- PIB, May 2014- I packed foods that I was used to- whole wheat pasta, natural PB, yogurt, Ezekiel bread, & eggs, BUT indulged in some drinks and some treats. :)

                           

                                      Bristyn had 2 first birthday parties! I chose to have a cupcake @ only one of the parties!

Do you struggle to stay on track?! Do you feel like you have ONE bad day and call it quits? Join my next accountability group! 21 days, 30 minute workouts, portion control eating, Shakeology, & daily support and motivation!!Fill out the application to reserve your spot for the November 17 group!

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Halloween: 5 Tricks to not Overindulge on those Treats

'Tis the season for overeating and overindulging! It's hard to believe that Halloween is here, and kids from all over will be knocking on your door for some treats! We all know that it really is the beginning of the holiday season. The early signs of Christmas have already been trickling into the stores and commercials! Is this going to be the year that you find a healthy balance or will you continue to make it a season of indulgence?

Let this be the year that you change your mindset! Take it from me, a recovering candy addict who used to have to replenish the Halloween stock before the trick-or-treaters came, that it is possible to treat yourself without tricking your brain to overindulge. It's a mental game really, so I wanted to share some tips to help you from feeling that morning after candy hangover and allowing you to continue to reach your health goals!

1. Leave the Candy at the Store: I first spotted candy in the stores in July. I am a planner by nature who enjoys checking tasks off the list, so I used to buy our Halloween stash weeks before the big night. You want to know what happened?! I had to go back to the store and buy more for the trick-or-treaters because my husband and I put a good dent in it. One way to ensure you won't overindulge is if you leave the candy at the store! Your kiddos or co-workers will surely have some candy to share, so no need to keep it in your house. Instead of passing out candy at your place, think of alternatives. My mom always would pass out pencils, pens, stickers, and Play Doh. We may not have always been the popular stop on the trick-or-treat route, but it kept us all in check.

2. Take your Trick-or-Treating on the Road: Take your kiddos to a friend or family's neighborhood and enjoy their company and friendship. This way, you have NO reason to take that candy off the store shelves! This will be the second year that my kiddos will be trick-or-treating with their cousins, so I didn't even pick up at Halloween candy!

3. Set Your Limit & Make it Known: I plan on eating candy on Halloween! Yep, I have goals I want to achieve AND I am still going to eat candy! It's a balancing act, People! I am surely going to eat some candy BUT because I have myself in an accountability group, I am making it known to them & now YOU that I intend to eat 2 pieces of candy on Halloween: One chocolate & one fruity- guessing it will be a Reese Peanut Butter Cup & some Skittles! :) Allowing others to know your goals and intentions will help keep you accountable.

4. Eat Before You Treat: It is always so important to have a plan. I make a weekly meal plan so that I buy the food that is necessary for me to eat in order to achieve my goals. I schedule in ONE meal ONCE a week as a TREAT meal. I strategically planned my treat meal for Halloween. We will be enjoying some pizza and SALAD before we set out on our 2 hour (most likely wet and soggy) adventure! I am going to load up on the veggies and have a side of pizza to make sure I am full when I hit the road with the kids. Take some water with you as well to keep you hydrated and full. You better believe that my day will be full of my usual foods: eggs with fruit, apple & PB, & Shakeology
( PB cup recipe will hit the spot). It's one meal, BUT I am setting myself up for success by having a plan.

5. Dole it Out & Donate: Our oldest daughter would probably live on candy for all of her meals if we would let her, so we will certainly be the keeper of the treat bag. My grade school and the place I taught for 7 years, has a yearly candy drive so kids who don't have the opportunity to enjoy Halloween can have some treats. I plan to give much of the candy the girls collect to this candy drive, BUT will save some to dole out here and there.


This really is my favorite time of year! I love all the gatherings with my friends & family. Truthfully, these gatherings tend to revolve around food, BUT I have my tricks, tools, and accountability group members to help me stay on track. It's not about perfection! It is about progress and small daily steps to bring me to my larger goals.

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Healthy Chicken Noodle Soup

 Healthy Chicken Noodle Soup

It's been chilly here recently, although it will be in the 70's the next two days (good old Cleveland!), and I have been in the mood for some soup! There is something about soup that just makes me feel better.  Maybe it is because I always recall eating it while I wasn't feeling good as a kid or while I was pregnant with the girls! :) Well I tackled tomato soup last week, (see recipe in past post), so I thought I would give chicken noodle a try. I have to thank my husband for the inspiration.  I forgot about his night out with the guys Saturday and had chicken and salad on the menu.  I made a switch when I realized my error, and made this yesterday with that chicken.

INGREDIENTS:

* 2 cups of cooked, chopped chicken

* 4 cups of low sodium chicken broth

*1 cup chopped onion(used 2, yellow onions)

*1 cup chopped carrots

* 1 cup chopped celery ( used 2 stalks)

*1 tsp. of oregano

*1 tsp. of basil

*1/4 tsp. of black pepper

*1 cup  dry whole wheat orzo pasta ( I used 2- WAY too much)

*a little bit of sea salt- my broth had 140 mg of sodium- 3 times less than typical broth, and I needed a little bit more. Just a pinch to my serving was great!

INSTRUCTIONS:

1.  Chop your veggies! I used my food chopper, and it makes the process so much faster. I bought baby carrots. I was able to just throw them in without any pre chopping.

2.  Add chicken broth to the pot. Combine all the ingredients EXCEPT the CHICKEN and the ORZO. Bring to a boil.

3. Cover and simmer for 5 minutes.

4. Add the DRY orzo. Cover and simmer for 8 minutes.

5. Add the chopped chicken.

I made a couple mistakes while making this for the first time, so I want to share them with you so you can make sure you don't do the same. When I added the ingredients in step 2, I didn't turn the temp down to simmer. I forgot to do that and some of my broth evaporated. Mistake #2- I added WAY too much orzo which also sucked up some of that broth. I only had one 4 cup container of it, so when I heat up the leftovers, I will need to grab some more to add to individual servings. Regardless, it was YUMMY!! 

What's your favorite soup?!

Happy Eating!

XoXo

Outdoor Workouts: Tips to Keep You Safe

So my main mode of transportation if you will since wrist surgery on 9/26 has been WALKING.  As I have been taking my strolls in a nearby park, I have really been thinking about staying safe.  Sadly we hear on the news ALL the time about things that happen to people, especially when they are alone.

Six Safety Tips:

1.  Buddy System: Remember when you were younger and your parents or teachers told you to find a buddy? Yeah, do that!! I try to always walk with my BFF's mom who lives just a couple streets away from me.  It's always more fun to walk/run with someone anyway, right?! If something concerning were to happen, this person would be your back up. :)Now, our schedules don't always mesh well, so I make sure to utilize other safety measures. 

2.  Sunset: I do try to take the kiddos for a short walk during the day, but to really pump things up, I like to keep them at home with Daddy. 

When I walk in the evenings, which I am trying to do daily,(weather permitting-lame by the way- It never rains in my basement, LOL) I make sure I check the approximate time the sun will be setting. Even with a buddy, walking/running at night isn't the best idea because you can't be fully aware of your surroundings.  Make sure you leave at a time that allows you to return home or to your car before it gets dark. 

3.  Time: It is important to know the length of time your trail or preferred walking/running path takes you to get through. Make sure you set your timer or look at your watch or phone the first time you start.

4. Tell a Friend: Make sure you tell your spouse, significant other, or roomie(s) when you should be expected back.  See why knowing the length of your trail/path is important?! I tell my husband before I set out on my calorie burning, stress reducing walk, that if I am not home in an hour, that he should be concerned unless he hears from me otherwise. 

5.  Phone a Friend: I NEVER leave home without my phone.  Not only should you not leave home without it, BUT you need to make sure it is fully charged.  I can attest to this! My phone died( darn battery loses charge SO fast these days) while I was on the first part of my solo walk yesterday. I contemplated not doing my second lap around my trail. If something suspicious occurs while you are getting your work out on or if you or someone gets injured, the phone can certainly help get you out of a jam! You will also need your phone if you need to call that person you told about your ETA back home. 

6.  Be Aware of Your Surroundings: I am VERY familiar with where I take my walks.  I used to run the trails back in my cross country days.  It's vital to stay alert during your walk/run. Take note of cars that you see and people you encounter.  The time I tend to go typically has various groups of people: couples walking, friends walking and having conversations, people walking their dogs, and kids conditioning with their teams. It's good practice to take note of these people. 

Keep in mind these tips before you head out next time.  What safety tips do you use? I would love to hear!

Happy walking!

XoX0