Cilantro Jalapeno Hummus...YUM!

I LOVE hummus. All different flavors. But when I found out that I could make my own hummus and use flavors that I know and love...I was sold.  And man oh man...how easy it was.

This recipe makes enough for 12 servings! So yummy! And 21 Day Fix approved.  It's a blue container for all of you that are wondering.  :) Dip your favorite veggies in there and you have a great snack.  

Ingredients:

1 (15 ounce) can garbanzo beans, drained - keep 2 tbsp. of juice to add to mixture
1 cup fresh cilantro, or to taste
1 jalapeno pepper, stemmed and diced - or to taste
2 cloves garlic, diced
1 tablespoon olive oil, or as needed
salt and ground black pepper to taste
1 pinch garlic powder, or to taste

Directions:
Blend garbanzo beans,juice from canned beans, cilantro, jalapeno pepper, garlic, olive oil, salt, black pepper, and garlic powder in a blender until smooth

Done...easy, peasy!

Final Results...21 Day Fix Extreme!

So it's Day 22!  I actually completed the 21 Day Fix Extreme from start to finish. 

While I did miss a few workouts every now and then due to teaching my own fitness classes and learning a new routine...what I didn't miss...was keeping my nutrition in check.  I followed the plan, I didn't cheat...except if you call me having a a couple TBSP of almond butter instead of TSP of almond butter a cheat.  Which technically it was a cheat...

But I didn't have one piece of candy, I didn't have one drop of alcohol, I didn't have anything that wasn't on my meal plan.  And to me...that was an accomplishment all in itself. 

I learned that I like to add weights into my workout routine...I've always been a cardio girl, and these workouts challenged me. I learned to try some new foods...and they were good.  For example, I had never had butternut squash or a poached egg before.  Now...I truly like them.  And made some butternut squash for me to snack on this week.

I feel accomplished that I stuck to it when I said I was going to.  I feel good that even though my personal life may have lead me to cheat and endulge on some things that I shouldn't have...I was able to be strong and GET. IT. DONE. 

My food prep on Sunday is something I truly enjoyed doing and will plan to continue that process. 

Today, I used my blue container to portion out my hummus.  I put my blueberries in my purple container...even though it's Day 22.  It's a habit, I liked it...and I LOVE how I feel.  My body just feels so much better.

I would be lying to you if I didn't already eat a Hershy's mini candy bar this morning.  I did...and yes...it's ok.  I feel like I deserve that piece of chocolate.  It tasted great!  But that's all I needed. On with my day! 

I will be enjoying some cocktails with my girlfriends on Friday night....I'm human.  And I enjoy doing HUMAN things.  But what I've learned from this is that everything is in moderation.  I'm going to continue with the meal planning, using the containers for portion control, recipes that I liked during the process, and continue my journey to be as healthy as I can. 

It wasn't about weight loss for me this time.  It was about staying committed.  It was about getting more toned. It was about feeling better.  AND....it worked...all of it.  4.5 lbs and 5 inches gone. 

Here are my results...I'm pretty pleased!  I accomplished something...and that's what it is all about. 


If you'd like to join in my next group and get your journey started...click here!

21 Day Fix Approved...Beef and Butternut Squash Stew

When my husband is traveling and kids are busy with late night practices...cooking dinner for just one person can be tough. So I have decided to make this full batch of stew and have it for multiple individual portions this week. Either for a snack or for dinner.  I had quite a bit of turkey last week, so I'm looking forward to the beef this week.  Again, I'm all about keeping this simple, quick, and tasting good!  That's what makes this journey easier to manage and become a lifestyle!  No quick fixes here!

I'm completely enjoying learning new things that are healthy for me to eat and ones that taste good too.

Hearty Beef and Butternut Squash Stew

Makes 6 servings, approximately 1 1/4 cups each
21 Day Fix = 1 green, 1 red, 1 spoon per serving

1 tsp. olive oil
1 1/2 lbs. raw lean beef stew meat, boneless, cut into 2 inch cubes
1 medium onion, chopped
1/2 green bell pepper, chopped
1/2 red bell pepper, chopped
4 cloves garlic, crushed
2 medium tomatoes, chopped or 1 can diced tomatoes
1 cup low-sodium organic beef broth
1 bay leaf
1 tsp. sea salt
1 tsp. ground black pepper
2 cups cubed butternut squash
1/4 cup fresh flat leaf parsley

1. Heat oil in a large saucepan over medium-high heat.
2. Add beef; cook; stirring frequently, for 4 to 5 minutes, or until beef is brown.
3 Add onion and bell peppers; cook, stirring frequently, for 4 to 5 minutes, or until onion is translucent.
4. Add garlic; cook, stirring frequently, for 1 minute
5. Add tomatoes, broth, bay leaf, salt, and pepper. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low, cook, covered, for 40 minutes.
6. Add squash; cook, stirring occasionally, for 8 to 12 minutes, or until sauce has thickened and beef is fork-tender.
7. Remove bay leaf; serve topped with parsley

OR

Put all ingredients into the crock pot EXCEPT squash - Cook on low for 6 hours.
Add squash and cook 1 additional hour.

This picture was taken BEFORE I added the squash! 

21 Day Fix Extreme Day 3 Review...NOT STARVING!

So most people think that when you eat healthy, all you get is salad.  All day...every day!

Well that is far from the truth with the 21 Day Fix Extreme.  I'm not going to lie to you and tell you that when I first opened up the package and looked at the size of the containers...I thought "what...these things are TINY".  I truly did think I would be starving!

But that is far from the truth.  I've actually had to force myself to eat everything.  And tonight...I'm STUFFED.  My dinner was so good and filling!  I've tried 2 new recipes using Ground Turkey and I will let you know...I'm a fan.  Turkey Chili and the Turkey Meatballs from the recipe guide that comes with the program will definitely be added into our dinner rotation when we aren't on the FIX.

My breakfast today: Shakeology blended with frozen fruit
Morning Snack: Carrots, Cauliflower and Hummus
Lunch: Salad with grilled chicken and mixed blueberries and raspberries.
Snack: 2 hard boiled eggs
Dinner: Turkey Meatballs, Sweet Potato, and Steamed Veggies.

Very filling and very tasty.  I can't wait to try the Lettuce Wraps and the Chicken Fajitas next week.

21 Day Fix Extreme Upper Fix Review

Wow! I've done a lot of workouts. But what do I normally choose? Cardio.  Recently I've been LOVE with PiYo. But joining this 21 day fix challenge has set me to to do some different workouts.

Tonight was Upper Fix Extreme. And although the moves are very basic and at a pace for ANYONE to do,  my arms felt like jelly when I was done. Who knew you could get such a great workout with a set of 5 and 10 lbs dumbells. :)

I'm excited to see what today's Pilates Fix Extreme is like. We use a resistance band. Stay tuned!