Veggetti!! One way to get creative with your veggies!

Every think that veggies are boring? Or struggle to eat enough veggies? Are you a pasta lover but want to lose weight? If any of these questions fit you then Veggetti is something you should try! And no I do not get any kickbacks from promoting this product I just like to share my finds that I think are great and allow us to stay on track with a healthy lifestyle! :)

I recently purchased the kitchen tool from Amazon because I noticed many friends posting about it on Facebook so I thought I would give it a try. I often like to eat pasta as one of my cheat meals but I thought if I could trick my brain into thinking I was eating pasta but it was veggies instead then it would be one more meal that is healthy.

So my first attempt at using the Veggetti was to make squash and zucchini chicken pasta with marinara sauce. The tool is really easy to use. So there are blades on each side (thin and thick). For my pasta I went with this thick side so that it was more the consistency of pasta and I wasn't sure if the thin option would allow for the "noodles" to hold up once I sautéed them. I think in the future I will use thin option to slice up cucumbers and carrots for a salad topping.

Side note: if anyone has a great marinara recipe that is healthy and easy please send me a message or comment below because I am looking to find one to try!

My First Recipe with the Veggetti:

Ingredients:
1 tsbp Olive Oil
1 tsp of garlic/pepper seasoning
1 Squash
1 Zucchini
3-4 cups Spinach
Your favorite Marinara Sauce
16oz Chicken (2-3 chicken breasts)

Instructions:
Using the Veggetti insert the squash and zucchini and twist in tool to make your noodles. In a pan add  olive oil and heat pan on high until oil starts to ripple. While the the pan is heating for the veggies bake or Grill Chicken until done. Once the pan is hot reduce heat to medium and add seasoning, squash, zucchini, and spinach. Heat until spinach has wilted and ready to serve. Once all are hot and ready combine in a serving dish and layer veggies, then your favorite sauce, and chicken! You are ready to eat!!

If serving more people you will need to increase the amount of veggies as they will decrease in size once heated.

If you have used this tool before and have a recipe you LOVE please share it with me...send me an email or post it on my Facebook wall!

Grocery Shopping Tips

Not sure where to begin with grocery shopping for clean eating? For starters when you are at the store AVOID the CENTER AISLES! 

Have you ever noticed how a grocery store is set up? The outside of the store is fresh fruits, veggies, meat, dairy, etc. and the center isles are mainly processed foods and a few items that are good.  In general the center isle are items with long expiration dates while the perimeter includes items that are have a short shelf life and are better for you. 

Try to stick to the perimeter of the store where are all the fresh fruits, veggies, and meats are located. The are a few items that are ok to use from the center isle but get in and get out and avoid eye contact with all other items that tempt us and like to knock us off track. The items I pick up in the center isles are brown rice, quinoa, oil, vinegar, spices, green tea, almonds, and coconut water. 

If you are not sure where to begin on a shopping list and avoiding items in the center isles then check out this shopping list below. It will help to guide you through better food choices at the store and keep you on a healthy eating plan. 

For more tips and motivation for healthy living follow me on Facebook :)

Meal Planning for the 21 Day Fix

SUNDAY!!! One of my favorite days. Why??? Because I get to go grocery shopping and plan my meals for the week.

Thankfully with the 21 Day Fix there are so many options for those of you that need a variety. I am pretty boring so usually each week my snacks and breakfast stay the same but I will slightly change up my lunch and dinner options.

Here is what I have planned this week:

Meal	Food	Container
Breakfast	Shakeology w/frozen fruit & coconut water   & 2 hard boiled eggs	1 red, 1 yellow, & 1 purple 1 red
Snack	Cucumbers Grapes Greek Yogurt	1 green 1 purple 1 red
Lunch	Chicken Brown rice & quinoa Veggies	1 red 1 yellow 1 green
Snack	Cucumbers Apple	1 green 1 purple
Dinner	Spinach, cucumbers/bell pepper, chicken, cheese, oil & vinegar	2 greens 1 red 1 blue 1 orange

The 21 Day Fix program comes with proportioned containers that make food prepping so much easier. There is no guessing...you just pick a food from the list within the Eating Plan that matches the color container and measure and enjoy! The cool thing is that Target sells colorful ziplock sandwich bags that you can use for packing lunches. They come in red, yellow, green, and blue. I just use the blue ones for my purple containers instead. 

If you are ready to get started with the 21 Day Fix comment below or send me an email (anh1887@yahoo.com) and I can help you get started and you can be on your way to dropping 10-15 lbs in 21 days!! Who wouldn't want to do that!! 

All you have to do is start by changing something today!! You Got This!! 

21 Day Fix - Upper Fix

Have ya’ll tried this program yet? I mean who would have thought you could get such a good workout in just 30 minutes?!?! Today I did the Upper Fix workout and was surprised! For someone who can lift 20 lbs to do chest press with this workout I broke out the 5 pounders again. All those reps and my arms and shoulders were screaming!! Such a good burn in such a short amount of time. 

Here is a short clip of the workout I did today: 21 Day Fix - Upper Fix

It may look easy but it is not! Because it is all about how much you push yourself! You can’t just going through the motions and expect to see results…you have to push hard and challenge yourself. Can I increase my weights? Can I get one more rep in? Can I use the heavier weights for one more rep before dropping to a lower weight? These are all questions you should be asking yourself to challenge yourself in order to get the results you are wanting. If you want to have something you have not had before you have to do something you have not done before! PUSH YOURSELF because You Are Worth It!! 

Want to learn more about this program? Check out the 21 Day Fix! 

Send me a message if you want to be apart of my next challenge group. Together we can achieve great results!