Confessions of a snacker + get those abs tight!

Forgive me readers for I have sinned. Last night I ate rougly 30 pieces of mike n ike and 20 sour patch kids. (These are rough estimates from the eye balling I remember).  My sweet tooth got the best of me after dinner. The mike n ike I've been eating over the past 4 days. Sigh. I need to do better especially since I'm going to have one huge cupcake on Thursday! I have been justifying my candy eating with - "It's my birthday week. It's okay."

Quick & Easy Stir Fry!

Thursday was a pretty good day.  Worked out in the morning doing Insanity that I was suppose to do Wednesday but didn't. Kind of like two workouts because it was pure cardio and then cardio abs. After the workouts I had me a nice green smoothie. Then later that day I learned I need to start using more variety in my smoothies. Switching up by using different greens and even different fruits. If you are a green smoothie drinker, read more here!

I've started adding applesauce to my smoothies. Just something to share.

Later that evening I was suppose to do Thursday's Insanity workout but decided against it. I did go out for a walk with my running group. I decided to walk instead of run because I didn't want to irritate my knee. It ended up being a nice 2 mile walk!

On my way home, stopped by Publix to get some zucchini's for dinner and ended up getting broccoli (normally $2.50 & on sale for $1 - STEAL!) and just my luck they were giving out sushi samples (yummy!) andddd I brought me a powerball ticket and also got a fantasy five ticket for the free! Someone left their ticket. Finders Keepers! I haven't checked but I could be a typing millionaire right now!

I had decided before I left for my walk that I wanted to try making zucchini noodles with my new mandolin slicer and then adding it into a chicken and veggie stir fry. I already had chicken (made about 5 chicken breast the other day to use the rest of this week) so I took out my lovely wok and went to work. Nevertheless it was yummy. Here is the recipe for those who care!

Quick & Easy Stir Fry 

Ingredients

8 oz of grilled chicken breast or tenderloins
1 large zucchini
2-4 cups of broccoli
1-2 cups of frozen mixed vegetables
1 - 2 tbsp of barbecue sauce
1 - 2 tbsp of soy sauce
Chinese stir fry seasoning or seasoned the way you want :)
Coconut oil (or oil of choice - spray works fine as well)


Directions

First grill the chicken breast, cut into small pieces, and set aside.

Using a mandolin or julienne slicer, slice the zucchini into thin noodle like slices.

Likely grease your Wok (other pans such as a frying pan would work as well) with the oil and heat up on stove top on medium to high heat. Add in zucchini, broccoli, and mixed vegetables. Feel free to add in other vegetables but these are what I had on hand! Season vegetables with seasoning as well as add in half of barbecue sauce and half soy sauce. Stir.

Let vegetables cook stirring occasionally.

After vegetables start to soften a bit add in the chicken, the rest of the soy sauce and barbecue sauce. Let cook until vegetables are as tender as you like them to be. Enjoy!

Servings: 2!
Calories: Varies about 200 - 300 a serving!

What is a healthy dish that is quick an easy for you to make? Care to share the recipe!

What's on your agenda for this weekend?

xoxo, the coily bombshell

Lasagna SANS Pasta!!!

I now have a friend who is finger tip less thanks to this lovely recipe. Please use caution and follow all directions when using a mandolin. We had to learn that the hard way when my friend sliced off a small piece of her pinky fingertip skin. It's okay to laugh. She lived and we still ate well.

This was my first VERY first time making Lasagna and I decided to make it sans pasta. Instead of pasta, Zucchini was used. Making it less in carbs and giving you more vegetables yet tasting just as amazing! I promise you won't even realize there aren't any noodles!

Zucchini Lasagna

Things needed:

9 x 13 casserole baking dish

Mandolin slicer to slice the zucchini 

Ingredients:

1 lb 93% lean beef or extra lean ground turkey (I used ground turkey!)

3 cloves garlic diced

1/2 onion diced (used a sweet/yellow onion)

1 tsp olive oil

salt and pepper (I also added in red pepper flakes for a little spiciness!)

28 oz can crushed tomatoes

2 tbsp chopped fresh basil

3 medium zucchini, sliced 1/8" thick

15 oz part-skim ricotta

16 oz part-skin mozzarella cheese, shredded 

1/4 cup Parmigiano Reggiano (I found this at Wholefoods but could be other places. Basically parmasan cheese!)

1 large egg

Directions:

Using a mandolin slice up the zucchini into thin slices. If you're anything like me and this is your first time using a mandolin they may not all come out looking amazing but don't worry they don't have to be perfect! Once done, sprinkle with salt and set aside. The salt will cause a lot of the moisture inside of the zucchini to come out.

Next, season the meat with salt and pepper and then brown/cook the meat. When cooked drain in a colander to remove any excess fat. Add olive oil to the pan and saute garlic and onions about 2 minutes. Return the meat to the pan, add canned tomatoes, basil, salt and pepper. Simmer on low for at least 30-40minutes, covered. Do not add extra water, the sauce should be thick.

While that is simmering, blot of the excess water that has appeared on the zucchini and then grill them. 1 to 2 mins per side. I used my George Forman grill but you can probably use a pan or an actual grill if you have one. 

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees

In a medium bowl mix ricotta cheese, parmesan cheese and egg. Stir well. 

In a 9x13 casserole spread some sauce on the bottom and layer the zucchini to cover. Then place some of the ricotta cheese mixture, then top with the mozzarella cheese and repeat the process until all your ingredients are used up. Top with sauce and mozzarella and cover with foil. I had about 3 rows of sauce, 2 rows of zucchini, 2 rows of ricotta, and 3 rows of mozzarella. 

Bake 45 minutes covered at 375°, then uncovered 15 minutes. Let stand about 5 - 10 minutes before serving. Then enjoy!!!

Servings: 8 yummy ones!

Calories: 345 calories per serving according to Skinny Taste! 

This recipe is compliments of Skinny Taste

What is your favorite Italian Dish?

Have you ever tried making a "healthier" lasagna?

xoxo, the coily bombshell