Broccoli Cheese Soup

If you thought this was a healthy version of broccoli cheese then you were mistaken!  This afternoon I looked at the fridge and found that I had no protein to cook for dinner.  The average women would say its an order a pizza kind of day, but not I.  I saw a 2lb bag of broccoli that needed to be used.  Besides this is perfect for that time of the month when your cramps are getting the best of you :)  Yeah I know tmi!  Anywho, hope you enjoy because it was super good and easy to make. 

Ingredients:

5 Tablespoons of Smart Balance Butter
2 lb bag of Broccoli (chopped)
2 C chicken stock
Season to taste with: salt, pepper, mustard powder, and onion powder
1 can Cambells Cheese soup
Milk (fill can of cheese soup)
1 can Cambells Cream of Chicken soup

Directions:

1. Melt butter in pan and sautee chopped up broccoli until softened
2. Pour chicken stock in pan and season with salt, pepper, mustard powder (1/2 tspn),  and onion powder.
3. Bring to a boil and then add both cans of soup, milk and stir well
4. Bring to a boil once more and then set heat to low and let it simmer for 20 minutes

Man tonight I wished I had a sourdough bread bowl but I had already done enough damage with the cambells soup!  Hope you guys enjoy!!

The Dreaded Before and After Pictures

Seeing the before pictures really put things into perspective for me.  Wow I really looked like that?  All pictures were taken after working out which is probably why I look super traumatized in the before pictures.  P90X was anything but easy but all great things require hard work.  This is not the end for me since I have started another round of P90X.  On this round I lost 20 pounds.  I went from 148 to 128.  I wasn't always perfect.  I hope that this next round I can really Bring It and see more results.  My new goal is not a number but to just continue on the path that I'm on.  I remember being the women in the before picture and I don't ever want to be her.  She was unhappy with herself and felt guilty about it.  I hope my pictures can inspire someone to become a better them.  My husband and I seem to have been transported to the time we first met.  I enjoyed this journey with Eric and he had some great results as well.  He lost a whopping 50 pounds.  So proud of that guy!  So go out there and do your best!

Cauliflower Pizza Crust

I had the other half of my cauliflower and wanted to do something different than just cauliflower mash ( which is pretty awesome too).  Eating bird food blog enlightened me with her great recipe for cauliflower pizza crust.  It was delicious and closer to the real things compared to the almond flour crust I usually make.  She also added that the calories for the whole thing is 400 calories. 

Ingredients:
*1/2 head cauliflower (about 2 cups riced)
*1 clove garlic, minced
*1C part-skim shredded mozzerella cheese
*1 egg, beaten
*1teaspoon basil
*1teaspoon oregano



Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
2. Prep a cookie sheet by greasing it with cooking spray or using parchment paper.
3. Remove the stems and leaves from your cauliflower and chop florets into chunks. Add to food processor or grate the cauliflower with a cheese grater.

4.  Microwave cauliflower in microwave-safe bowl for 8 minutes.
5. In a bowl, combine the cooked cauliflower with all the remaining ingredients.

6. Shape on cookie sheet.  The pizza should be 9-10 inches in diameter.
7. Bake for 20 minutes or until the crust is golden, crispy on the edges and cooked through the middle.

8.  Remove crust from oven.

9. Top with pizza sauce and toppings.  Be careful not to add too many heavy toppings as you don't want to weigh down the crust.

10.  Broil the pizza for 5 minutes, or until the toppings are hot and the cheese is melted.  Allow the pizza to cool for2-3 minutes then cut and serve immediately.



Shrimp, Broccoli, and Cauliflower Cheesy "Rice"

For the Shrimp:  I just boiled water and flavored it with ground cayanne red pepper, ground ginger, onion and garlic powder.  When the water boils drop your shrimp and wait for it to boil again to take them out.

The Cauliflower Cheesy "Rice":  For those of you that have food processors the task of ricing the cauliflower will be easier.  I don't, so I had to do it with a knife, you can also try with a cheese grater (gonna try this next time).  I used half of the cauliflower. Spray a pan with cooking spray and once its warm toss your cauliflower. I flavored mine with onion powder. Cook cauliflower for 4 minutes.  Add 2 teaspoons of fat free sour cream, a few pumps of I Can't Believe It's Not Butter Spray, and 1/4 C of mozerella.

Very tasty and fast!

May the Odds Be Ever In Your Flavor

My Sunday night consisted of Hunger Games and food prepping.  Got our fridge fully stocked of healthy food options.  When you are on-the-go, as most of us are, it is best to have everything ready.  This also cuts down on standing in front of the fridge wondering what you can eat and how much of it.  I try to break down everything into one serving so we don't have portion distortion going on.  Well here are some pictures of my Sunday night.  Always put the odds in your favor ;)

I cook chicken ahead of time so I don't end up burning myself at 7a.m when I make lunch for my love

3oz of carrots and 1 tablespoon of spicy hummus

One tablespoon of peanut butter ready and waiting for an apple :)

 

 

Make healthy choices!  I see how much children learn from watching rather than what you tell them.  You can't give your kids something you don't have.  If you want them to be healthy and fit then you have to be healthy and fit. 

 



My Old Man Made Salsa

Warning:  this salsa is super spicy and delicious!  This salsa is great on some egg whites in the morning.  A little does go a long way.  All it takes is 6 roma tomatoes, 1 jalepeno, 1 habenero chile, and the bottom of green onions.  Get some char on all that stuff and smash into salsa goodness.

Shrimp and Salsa

This has got to be the easiest and yummiest meal.   All you have to do is get some water to boil and flavor it with oregano, onion powder and garlic powder.  Once it boils drop your shrimp.  No need to add salt because those shrimpies are pretty salty all by themselves.  A serving of  shrimp was six so I boiled six for me and nine for Eric. Once the water boils again get those little guys out of the water.

For the salsa I just chopped up 2 avocados, 2 tomatoes, onion (but just a little because I dont want stinky breath), have a bushel of cilantro, valentina hot sauce, 2 limes and a little salt for taste.  Yeah all that together is money!  So yummy!
 *Adding cucumbers to this would work too if you need a little more to feel full.