Clean Eating and Recipes!

Whew! I am back to following a much healthier eating lifestyle and it feels great. Even when there were celebrations and things going on this weekend, I stood my ground and only indulged in something called a trail mix cookie. Which, was actually semi healthy considering it was fruit and oats. (Ok, I'll stop making excuses..) Anyways, just by eating "cleaner" these past two weeks I have lost 3 pounds and that is always an encouragement, although not my sole focus.

I have moved into my new house and love it! Cooking and meal prepping is going much smoother now that I have more of a permanent place. I want to keep this post short and sweet, and give y'all some examples of the things I have cooked lately! I found the recipes on Pinterest, (of course) and will be posting the recipes beneath them. Cooking and eating healthy has become an enjoyment again, which I am thankful for. I am thankful for the insight I received by not following this lifestyle. However, I am more than happy to be back on track.

One thing to take away from this post: In fitness, exercise, clean eating, and living healthy you have to find something that brings out passion in you. Whether that be the people you workout with, or the recipes you create, or the goals you achieve. In my opinion, passion is vital to success and success only brings about more passion. Hope everyone has a wonderful week!

Ingredients

Cooking spray 

2 medium zucchini 

1 tablespoon olive oil

1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan (3/4-ounce)

1/4 cup plain panko bread crumbs

Salt to taste

Pepper to taste 

Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F. Coat a baking sheet with cooking spray.

Slice the zucchini into 1/4-inch thick rounds. In a medium bowl, toss the zucchini with the oil. In a small bowl, combine the Parmesan, bread crumbs, salt, and whatever other seasoning you'd like. Dip each round into the Parmesan mixture, coating it evenly on both sides, pressing the coating on to stick, and place in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet.

Bake the zucchini rounds until browned and crisp, 25 to 30 minutes. 

Ingredients

1 medium size head of cauliflower 

Salt, pepper, butter, cheese, and  bacon to your own liking

Greek yogurt for sour cream 

Tear cauliflower into florets and cut off the stems

I steamed mine in the ziplock steamer bag for five minutes

Add half of bag to blender with a splash of milk

Blend until smooth and add other half

Add all the ingredients you would to mashed potatoes, or go with a healthier option 

Ingredients:1 package chicken breasts whole or already cut into strips (I used the strips) 
1/4 tsp. sea salt
1/8 tsp. ground pepper
1/8 tsp. garlic powder
1 packages regular cut bacon 
 1/3 cup raw honey 
 1/2 cup ground mustard
 3 Tbsp. apple cider vinegar

Dash cayenne (optional)

1. Preheat oven to 400F, making sure the oven rack is about 1/3 away from the oven top. 
2. Line a baking pan with a baking sheet or foil (to collect dripping)s.Slice chicken strips (if not already sliced)  to about 1 1/2 inches thick and wrap in a slice of bacon. Place each on a wire rack set over the baking pan.
3. Mix the raw honey, mustard, vinegar and cayenne (optional) in a small mixing bowl until combined.
4. Baste the top of the bacon wrapped chicken strips with the honey mustard mixture and place in the oven for about 12-15 minutes or until lightly browned on top. Remove the pan from the oven and flip over the chicken strips with a pair of kitchen tongs. Baste the other side of the strips with the mixture and return to the oven for another 12-15 minutes or until bacon is crispy. 
5. Remove from oven and serve.

Dinner is served! The green beans I just cook in a skillet with olive oil, salt, and pepper. There isn't really a recipe for them. I had such a blast cooking this meal, and it tasted amazing! Stay tuned for my next post about food and fitness.