Recipe: Healthy Shredded Chicken Burrito Bowl

Hi there!

I've talked before how I'm following the 21 Day Fix meal plan and exercises as part of my journey to live a healthy life. In addition, I love to cook and have adapted many recipes from Pinterest to keep my work lunches interesting while following the meal plan. 

I don't know about your work situation, but I am so lucky to work in an incredible environment with many tasty options around me. However, the struggle is real and the temptations happen often! If I don't keep my lunches interesting, I'm much more likely to eat unhealthy food!

So today I'm sharing a recipe that I adapted from FOUR recipes that I love!

Spaghetti Squash Cooking Directions | Shredding Chicken Directions | Spaghetti Squash Burrito Bowls | Turkey Lettuce Wraps

This recipe is easy and full of flavor. It makes a lot of food, too. Yay for leftovers!

I brought this for my work lunch yesterday (and today!). It's basically chicken and veggies with some spices. It was SO filling and made my co-workers jealous!

Prep time: ~ 20 minutes

Cook time: ~ 60 minutes 

Total time: ~ 80 minutes (I'm a slow cook, so this may be different for you!)

21 Day Fix containers per serving (approximate): 1.5 green, 1 red, 1 yellow, 1 blue (and I cheated slightly and added 1 orange of low-fat shredded cheese!)

Ingredients:

• 1 lb. chicken breast
• 1 medium or large spaghetti squash
• 1 tbsp. olive oil
• 1/2 yellow onion, however you like to cut it
• 1 tbsp. minced garlic
• 1 green pepper, however you like to cut it
• 1 red or yellow pepper, however you like to cut it
• 2 cups corn kernels
• 1 can (14.5 ounces) black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 tsp. garlic powder
• 1 tsp. ground cumin
• 1/2 tsp. sea salt
• 1/2 tsp. dried oregano
• 1 tsp. chili powder
• 1 tsp. paprika
• Pinch of ground black pepper
• 1 jar (16 ounces) salsa (use your preferred level of spiciness, but make sure it's low in sugar!!!)

Toppings:

• Cilantro
• Green onions
• Tomatoes
• Avocado (1/4 per serving)*
• Low-fat shredded cheese (I use 1 orange container per serving...about a tablespoon I think?)*
• *If you're strict, you should probably choose avocado OR cheese and not add both. Buuuut a little bit of cheese just sounded too good to me. I include it on mine :)

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 400 
2. Shred chicken 
1. Place 2 quarts of water over medium heat
2. Once the water is warm, add the chicken and simmer for 10-15 minutes (don't boil!)
3. Let cool then shred
4. Set aside
3. Prep and bake spaghetti squash
1. Cut in half (the hardest part!)
2. Remove seeds and strings
3. Lightly mist with olive oil and place face down on baking sheet
4. Bake 40 minutes
5. Let cool a few minutes, then use a fork to remove "noodles"
6. Set aside
4. While that's all cooking, get to chopping those veggies!
5. Add olive oil to big skillet, throw in all chopped veggies and spices and cook to desired tenderness (for me, I start with the onions and garlic, get those nice and tender and then add peppers and corn. Then I toss in the spices, beans and salsa.)
6. Add shredded chicken and spaghetti squash "noodles" to the skillet and mix up!
7. Serve on plate and add toppings.
8. Enjoy!

Let me know if you try this, what you think and how you adapted it for yourself!
Have a good one!

Work it Out Wednesday: Week 29

Hi gang!

It's been quite a while since I've posted a wellness post.

Why, you ask?

Well, I have been busy but mainly I have been unmotivated to post.

You see, I keep working out 5-7 times a week for at least 30 minutes a workout, but my snacking and drinking and (lack of) portion control have kept me from being happy with my body.

Why would I bore you with posts about that on a weekly basis?

I'd rather not post.
Which is what I've done.
But now I'm back to tell you why and hopefully by writing it out I will actually push through.

Honestly, I disgust myself.
Yeah that's a little dramatic but it's true. I look gross. I feel gross...and I'm frustrated that even though I workout and eat well (most of the time) I look and feel gross (all of the time). It's just not fair. Why do some people eat equal or more bad stuff than I do, workout less than I do and stay thin? 
I.DON'T.GET.IT.
OK fine. It's because of science and metabolisms and stuff.
Still sucks.
And the more I get mad and sad at myself, the more I want to eat and drink. It's not a good cycle.

To help combat my recent feeding frenzy I restarted Beachbody's 21 Day Fix. I've been doing well, even though I have already derailed a bit (chocolate happens when cramps happen. TMI? Whatever, #realtalk). However, aside from my chocolate attack I already feel better by overall eating less junk and shrinking my portions, so that's good at least. Hopefully I will see some results because I struggle to look in mirrors, get dressed and take photos.

It's pretty sad that my main goal is to be OK with the possibility of taking photos in social situations. I have canceled or thought of canceling plans with friends because I don't want to be in the photos that could potentially take place.
I hope that this ridiculous anxiety goes away soon. It's not fun and is completely selfish.

Enough of all of that, I am now going to be my peppy self for the rest of this post!
Exclamation time!!!

I have a few 21 Day Fix Pinterest workouts and recipes to share today, in case you're curious what I'm up to!

Weekly disclaimer:
Remember what I said about my lack of qualifications? Please keep in mind that I am aware that I am chubby and have no fitness/nutrition authority. I'm just trying to spread some wellness love as I fight the battle to live well myself.

Weekly Workout:
  

 

{via}

 

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How I made it harder: Nada.
Overall impression: The first one is pretty short and is just a taste of the Upper Body workout, but the triceps one is super tough. I love it!
Sweat factor (on a scale of 1-10, where 10 is when I look like I just got out of the shower): About a 6.
How I felt when it was over: Pretty good!
Would I do it again? Obviously! Better question: will YOU do it? Please tell me if you do and what you think!

Weekly Recipe:

I made this a while ago and it's SO good that I'm making it again! My lunches will be so delightful!

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I'm also giving an Indian recipe a try tonight. It's 21 Day Fix-approved and was really hard to find but I'm making it!I will post pictures and the recipe if it's tasty! :)

Weekly Motivation:

I really need to remember this.

 

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Weekly Workout Sass:
My little adaptation of this quote:

Have a good one!

Work it Out Wednesday On a Thursday: Week 27

Hi gang!

How's everyone doing this week?

I love 21 Day Fix. So, so, so much. After the first 21 days I lost 6 pounds and 7.5 inches, two of which were around my waist. Then I took a few days off of the eating plan (and probably gained it back if I'm being honest lol) and I'm doing the whole shebang again. I guess most people do multiple rounds of the 21 Day Fix until they hit their goal weight. It's tough for me to stick with the meal plan 100% of the time but the workouts are great and fast so I've been doing them religiously.

I realize that not all of you have access to the workouts and meal plan, so I found some great videos by the same trainer, Autumn Calabrese, on her YouTube channel. This way we can all feel the burn together!

Weekly disclaimer:
Remember what I said about my lack of qualifications? Please keep in mind that I am aware that I am chubby and have no fitness/nutrition authority. I'm just trying to spread some wellness love as I fight the battle to live well myself.

Weekly Workout:

How I made it harder: Considering I already did my official workout of the day in the morning, I was surprised at myself for doing each of these workouts three times as suggested after work. That was hard enough for me!
Overall impression: The leg video made me sad since she was on a beach haha but overall I liked both. In fact, I LOVED the triceps video!!
Sweat factor (on a scale of 1-10, where 10 is when I look like I just got out of the shower): Definitely a 10. It was also warm in my apartment.
How I felt when it was over: Fantastic!
Would I do it again? I'm honestly thinking the triceps video will be a weekly workout addition for me. I really loved it!

Weekly recipe:

{via}

I want to try these for my lunches next week, but I will add the cheese each time instead of when I originally bake them to make them seem fresh. I'll also add some green onions and tomatoes on top!

Weekly Motivation: 

{via}

This is so true! Balance is key...which stinks since I'm such a klutz. ;)

Weekly workout sass:

I adapted a quote I saw on Pinterest :)

Have a good one!

Work it Out Wednesday: Week 26

Hi gang!

How's everyone doing this week?

I started the 21 Day Fix two weeks ago and while I'm not very good at following it religiously, I am seeing a lot of benefits from it. I'll do a recap if you're interested!

Even though I snacked a little and ate a sandwich last week, I have steered clear from alcohol, pop and desserts for more than two weeks. Also, and this is a big one, I did not participate in the endless free beer and pizza on Friday with my co-workers. It was such a beautiful day and we ate on the patio of a fun restaurant, but I had salad and soda water. That's it. I am still patting myself on the back for that one.

This morning on 21 Day Fix was leg day. I love leg day. Then I remembered that I didn't do a workout for the blog this week so I found some arm exercises. Check this out, gang! It's a doozy!

Weekly disclaimer:
Remember what I said about my lack of qualifications? Please keep in mind that I am aware that I am chubby and have no fitness/nutrition authority. I'm just trying to spread some wellness love as I fight the battle to live well myself.

Weekly Workout:

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How I made it harder: Considering I already did my official workout of the day, I didn't add anything to this. My neck and shoulders started to really hurt during this so I only did one round (I have neck/shoulder issues, so it's just me. It's an awesome workout).
Overall impression: Difficult after another workout. Arm day was yesterday, too, so I was a little sore.
Sweat factor (on a scale of 1-10, where 10 is when I look like I just got out of the shower): Only about a 3, which isn't saying much considering I did a leg workout before this.
How I felt when it was over: So exhausted!
Would I do it again? Absolutely! I will definitely plan better next time, though.

Weekly recipes:
I have three for you this week! All tried and true!

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This Mustard Herb Crusted Chicken was delicious!

 {via}

These are pretty good! I wish I had a food processor, though. The blender and immersion blender couldn't quite cut the dates and nuts. Oh well. Worth a shot!

This is THE BEST, no guilt smoothie of all time!

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Is your mouth watering yet??

Weekly Motivation: 

I personally need to remember this, so I made a cute image:

Even though I don't eat perfectly healthy 100% of the time, and even though I'm not melting away the pounds like many people with more discipline can, I am making progress. I'd say I've made great strides toward a healthier lifestyle so far in 2015, so I need to consistently remind myself that I am not a fat failure!

Weekly workout sass:

{via}

Have a good one!

Work it Out Wednesday: Week 25

Hi gang!

How's everyone doing this week?

I started the 21 Day Fix last Monday and so far it's going really well! Honestly it's been tough to say "no" to the free delicious food at my office as well as the treats I encountered at a shower on Saturday, but I'm happy to say I did it! Small victories, right?

(I say that as I caved and ate some pretzels during writing this Monday night. Ugh. I'm weak!)

I did a quick little workout in addition to my 21 Day Fix workouts for you Monday night (pre-pretzels). I strangely had extra energy after work on Monday (miracles DO happen, folks!) so I did the 10-minute ab 21 Day Fix workout followed by a HIIT workout...in addition to the workout I did in the morning. Whew!

Weekly disclaimer:
Remember what I said about my lack of qualifications? Please keep in mind that I am aware that I am chubby and have no fitness/nutrition authority. I'm just trying to spread some wellness love as I fight the battle to live well myself.

Weekly Workout:

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How I made it harder: Considering I already did my official workout of the day, I didn't add anything to this.
Overall impression: It was over before I knew it, which is always a plus. However, those mountain climbers were brutal...but when aren't they??
Sweat factor (on a scale of 1-10, where 10 is when I look like I just got out of the shower): Only about a 3, which isn't saying much considering I did an ab workout before this.
How I felt when it was over: Proud I did this in addition to my daily workout.
Would I do it again? Absolutely! It's perfect for traveling or for a quick pick-me-up!

Weekly recipe:

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Super excited to make this General Tso's Chicken recipe from the beachbody site. Hard to believe this is healthy, isn't it?

Weekly Motivation: 
Please watch!!

  

I relate to this new Better For It campaign so much! I love it!

Also, here's one from my page from my Motivational Monday post:

Weekly workout sass (the newest in my collection of Teddy adaptations):

Have a good one!

Work it Out Wednesday: Week 24

Hi gang!

How's everyone doing this week?

I started the 21 Day Fix on Monday and so far, so good! I'm hoping to lose some inches and pounds because I'm working hard and want to see the results. If I don't see any I'll be so mad lol

Even though this program includes daily exercises, I still promise to do a little workout every week to share with you! This week's was great!

Weekly disclaimer:
Remember what I said about my lack of qualifications? Please keep in mind that I am aware that I am chubby and have no fitness/nutrition authority. I'm just trying to spread some wellness love as I fight the battle to live well myself.


Weekly Workout:

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How I made it harder: No knees on the push-ups!
Overall impression: This was super quick and made me feel great when I was finished. I was happy there were only 5 Burpees, too! hehe
Sweat factor (on a scale of 1-10, where 10 is when I look like I just got out of the shower): I didn't start to sweat until after the push-ups. Those always get me! I'd say about a 5 by the end. Not bad for 15 minutes!
How I felt when it was over: I wish I would have had time for more, but it was a great way to start the day.
Would I do it again? Absolutely!

Weekly recipe:

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I'm so excited this recipe has all of the color-coded portion containers listed to make it easier. I'm definitely going to make this for myself! Yum!

Weekly motivation
 I love this image so much:

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Weekly workout sass (sort of...it's the latest in my attempt to learn Photoshop):

Being sore after a workout is the best!! :)

Have a good one!

Work it Out Wednesday: Week 23

Hi gang!

How's everyone doing this week? The weather is finally starting to feel spring-like after a freezing week and weekend! Woot! I see many more outdoor runs in my future and I am EXCITED about it...which is weird, since running isn't my favorite, but the weather makes me want to!

Weekly disclaimer:
Remember what I said about my lack of qualifications? Please keep in mind that I am aware that I am chubby and have no fitness/nutrition authority. I'm just trying to spread some wellness love as I fight the battle to live well myself.


Weekly Workout:

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How I made it harder:  Nada!
Overall impression: This was fun to do to mix it up between Piyo and running. It was quick and I felt good!
Sweat factor (on a scale of 1-10, where 10 is when I look like I just got out of the shower): This wasn't a sweaty one. I think I was at a 4.
How I felt when it was over: I wish I would have had time for more, but it was a great way to start the day.
Would I do it again? Absolutely!

Weekly recipe(s):

I have two this week!

My Mother-in-Law sent me a Paleo recipe of PF Chang's lettuce wraps. I am SO excited to make them! They will make great lunches, too! Fingers crossed it's as awesome as the restaurant's!

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I'm also planning to make a healthier knock-off of Chick-fil-A tonight! Have any of you tried this recipe or one like it? Fingers crossed!

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MMMMMmmm!!!!!

Weekly motivation
 This past Sunday I ran the Shamrock Shuffle 8k. A five-mile run in about 30-degree weather with 20+ mph wind gusts wasn't exactly my idea of a good time, BUT I finished it without stopping or walking and I ended up really loving the race. There were more than 24,000 runners and the course went through the Loop. It was awesome!

Anyway, I posted the below image on my page yesterday, so apologies if you already saw it, but here is some running motivation for you this week!

Weekly workout sass

Anyone else a big sweater?? haha you're not alone! :)

Thanks again to everyone who likes my new Facebook page!

Have a good one!

Work it Out Wednesday: Sharing a Success Story!

Hi gang!

I have a treat for you today!

Colva, a friend of mine from grad school, shared her wellness story with me and I am so excited for all of you to read it! She is such an inspiration. Enjoy!

Take it away, Colva!
 .......................................................................

 

When Mary asked me to write about my health and weight-loss journey for her weekly Work it Out Wednesday post I set about asking myself what I’ve learned from this experience and what I think is important to share.

I began the adventure I’m on now in February, 2014. It started after a visit to the doctor. In the moments before I got on that digital scale, I knew I was fat, really fat. I’ve been fat my whole life, I’ve dieted off and on since my teens, and sometimes I’d lose weight and sometimes I wouldn’t (I was a bad dieter, lacking the misery to make self-punishing starvation really viable). However, I’d learned to accept my body despite its flaws, and was grateful for how good of a fat body it was (well proportioned, pretty strong, pretty for a fat girl). 

I weighed in at over 400lbs that day. 

Despite being in, what appeared to be, surprisingly good health, I went home that evening and resolved to change my life and to lose weight, permanently, safely, the right way – no starving myself, no pills, no hating myself because of my body. 403lbs, to be precise, is a lot of weight, and even though on a 6 foot frame I didn’t feel like it was dragging me down, I knew, and had always known, it could eventually be a problem. I figured at 28 it was better to do it now than later. I resolved that day that this would be a part of my own long-term, self-love journey. I’m not doing this because I hate being fat (I don’t), or because my fat is killing me (it’s not). It’s because I like challenges, I like reaching my potential, and I care about myself and my body enough to do whatever it takes to let it be the best body it can be. Far from trying to squeeze my fat body into a social norm, or desirable category, it had, and has, nothing to do what what people think, this is about what I think. 

Four days later I joined a gym. It was terrifying. I felt exposed and vulnerable – previously I didn’t wear sneakers in public and I wasn’t seen out without make-up. After a lifetime of being a funny, smart, fat girl meant I wasn’t someone who played sports or worked out; that stuff was for other people. It wasn’t for me. But I did it anyway. I started personal training. Like all of the activity I was suddenly doing, it was hard and it hurt. The first week after my first training session was an epic wake up call – I could barely walk or sit down, and I realized that 30 minutes of moving my own body around had hurt me. I resolved then and there to stick with it. I changed my diet: I started counting calories, 2,300 calories a day in the beginning, which now seems excessive. I ate vegetables and less processed food. I got a cheat day each week (I invariably used it to eat pizza). I started to work out every day, and twice on Thursdays. 8 hours a week. I started losing weight fast. I made spreadsheets and kept track of every calorie, every meal, every step, every mile, every weight I picked up, and every pound and inch I lost.

Turns out the process of making endless spreadsheets appealed to me. It made me feel like I could control something that was so hard for me, and had controlled my life for so long. I celebrated my little milestones, 10, 25, 50 lbs enthusiastically. Weeks turned to months, the need for spreadsheets declined, my calorie requirements plummeted (I eat 1,550 calories a day now), struggles became habits, the workouts hurt less and helped more. Working out eventually became a way to clear my head, a personal time to think about my life and my goals. I learned to love the rush of beating myself, and value the rush of endorphins to manage stress. 

I’ve been doing this for over a year, I’ve lost over 100lbs, and I am much faster, stronger, lighter, and smaller than I’ve ever been. There are still struggles and I plan my whole life around my workouts and eating. I’m sure people think this is a drag. I stopped drinking alcohol, which makes me feel a bit spare in social situations. I don’t get to sleep in on Saturdays; instead I go to a grueling boot camp class. My body does weird things, fat redistributes itself, and some weeks I don’t lose weight, some weeks are great and some bad, but I keep doing it because this is what I do now. I get angry when I’m hungry because I’m at the point where I need very precise nutrition to be able to work out as much as I do (now about 10 hours a week). It’s not all flowers and rainbows and clothes that are too big, and bones I didn’t know I had (I can’t count the times I’ve laid in bed poking my body and wondering if it was always so bumpy under the fat, a whole physical architecture I didn’t know I had.)

At the end of the day, even after losing 100lbs, I am fat. I am still 300lbs, I still wear plus size clothes. I still have miles and miles to go. I am happy about that. I’ve learned to accept this huge body and respect its abilities. I like feeling strong, and seeing even incremental demonstrations of progress; climbing stairs at work, being less stressed, more focused.

I’ve learned that a weight loss adventure is not about finishing. It’s not about being “done.” Life isn’t about being “done,” done with your workout, done with your calories for a day, done with your weight loss, it’s about process. Even a bad day is a good day when it’s part of a process. Every day is a part of a bigger picture now, and even as my body changes and is sometimes unfamiliar, and I am conscious of it in ways I’ve never been, I know my body and self better than I ever have, and have never felt more capable. 

.......................................................................

WOW, right?!?! I am so proud to know someone so strong and determined. Colva is such an inspiration and I love following along on her self-love journey. Her story is so powerful. She defines beauty, both inside and out.

Please share your support for Colva and I will pass your kind words along to her!

Have a good one!

Work It Out Wednesday: Week 21

Hi gang!

Rough week for me. I just feel tired, which doesn't make sense. It's been tough for me to wake up in the mornings, and my workouts at night have been lackluster. Help me out of this funk, friends!!

As promised, I did try a new workout this week. I've actually been doing quick 10-minute morning workouts a few times this week. It doesn't do much for me, but it's better than nothing!

Weekly Workout:

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Weekly disclaimer:
Remember what I said about my lack of qualifications? Please keep in mind that I am aware that I am chubby and have no fitness/nutrition authority. I'm just trying to spread some wellness love as I fight the battle to live well myself.

How I made it harder:  Nada. No energy to add on, I just wanted to get it done!
Overall impression: I'm happy I carved even just ten minutes to do this. My head really hurt when I woke up, but I took a day off the previous day and NEEDED to do something to not hate myself entirely! I know it's a silly issue.
Sweat factor (on a scale of 1-10, where 10 is when I look like I just got out of the shower): Meh, a 3. It was 10 minutes. haha
How I felt when it was over: I knew I could have done more if I had time. But again, it was something
Would I do it again? Absolutely! I want continue to try a bunch of 10-minute workouts for late mornings and for after work.

Weekly recipe:

I'm excited to use the slow cooker this Saturday and I found this recipe on Skinnytaste.com that looks too good to pass up!

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Weekly motivation:

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So true. I need to remember this!

And I need to love my body! Someday? Maybe?

Weekly workout sass:

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TOTALLY.

Earlier this week I went for a run and it was awful. It was my fifth run outdoors this month and my absolute worst. My goal was to run four miles, and my knees hurt and feet cramped after 1.5. I was so ashamed and walk/ran for another mile before calling it quits for the day. I was so disappointed in myself and felt like a whale...but I at least got out there.

I have to remember how I feel when I don't do anything vs. when I do something and it doesn't work out the way I was hoping it would.

Anyone else have this issue? How do you overcome it?

Have a good one!