Fix Friendly: Easy "Ranch" Turkey Burgers

Long ago I stumbled on a super yummy Ranch Turkey Burger Recipe over at LaaLoosh. This past week I was craving one, but the above recipe is quite salty, so I decided to give it a 21 Day Fix Overhaul.

Fix Friendly: Easy "Ranch" Turkey Burgers

1 Patty is 1 Red

Ingredients:

1lb Ground Turkey

1 Tbsp chopped cilantro

1/2 Tbsp Dried Dill

1/2 Tbsp Garlic Powder

1/2 Tbsp Onion Powder

 

Combine the 5 ingredients and split meat into 4 equal parts.

Cook your 4 patties in a greased pan (I used coconut oil).

 

They don't take very long to fry up, so its a nice easy and quick dinner!


Since I was craving some Japanese Sweet Potato I decided again a bun or other toppings (I had already used my cheese for the day on my Ham & Mozzarella flatbread at lunch). During dinner I decided to use my spinach as the "bun", cutmy burger into fourths and enjoy my "sliders"

 

 

 

What are some of your favorite dinners at the moment? Anything anyone would like to throw at me to try and make it more Fix Friendly?!

 

Until Next Time

XOXO Jenn

Fix Friendly: Stuffed Cabbage Casserole

Fix Friendly: Stuffed Cabbage Casserole

 

This recipe makes enough for 4 Fix servings

Each serving is 1 red, 1 green, half a yellow and one blue.

 

 

 

 

Ingredients:

1 lb ground turkey

small handful diced onion

2 cups chopped cabbage

1 cup cooked brown rice

1 cup diced tomatoes

1 cup no salt added tomato sauce

1/4 tsp thyme

1/4 tsp Mrs. Dash Italian

1/2 tsp paprika

1/2 tsp garlic powder

1 cup Mozzarella Cheese

Coconut Oil

 

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350*. Oil an 8x8 pan and set aside.

2. Brown turkey and onion.

3. Once meat is cooked add the spices, tomatoes, and sauce. Simmer 5-10 min until it thickens a little.

4. In a separate pan, sauté cabbage with 1 tsp coconut oil, cook for a few min until half wilted. Set aside. 

5. Add the brown rice to the meat mixture and stir well.

6. In your greased pan layer half the cabbage, then half the meat, and repeat.

7. Cover with foil and bake for 25 min.

8. After the 25 min is up, uncover your casserole and top with cheese. Put the casserole back in the oven until the cheese is melted (about 5 more min)

9. Cut your casserole into 4 equal parts and serve!

 

 

This was a major hit, both kids devoured it and I felt like I was eating something I wasn't supposed to be! The only thing I might do next time is add another cup of cabbage, if you want ALOT of cabbage add more, just adjust your containers appropriately, (adding another cup to the recipe would make each serving have 1.25 greens)

 

 

Round 1 Fix Results!

Back at the end of March I started my first round of 21 Day Fix! I tracked my journey on my Facebook, but neglected to blog about it. Now that I want to start sharing some Fix recipes on here I figured I better show and tell why I LOVE the 21 Day Fix!!!

I was able to go a full 21 Days with NO cheats! And I lost 6.2 pounds and 12.5 inches! I was shocked! Not once did I feel like I was starving myself and at times thought that the workouts weren't doing much.
I signed up to be a Beachbody coach because I totally feel in love with myself again (and the coach discount is pretty nice too!) If you are ready to make a change join me: http://bit.ly/FreeSignUpJSmith032310



So what I have I been doing since my first round of 21 Day Fix?
Well took advantage of Beachbody's April sale and bought T25. And just this last week finished that 10 week program:

You really can do anything you put your mind too!
I am  here to help anyone who would like it and I look forward to being able to share my favorite Shakeology recipes and Fix Recipes!

Jumping on the Craze....

Well I did something I don't normally do...
I bought into the latest craze, 21 Day Fix! Bristol is turning 9 months old in just 2 days and 7  months ago I set off on a journey to lose 30lbs. Well I weighed myself yesterday at 157 lbs. I have lost 16lbs so far and still have 14 to shed. Lets hope that 21 Day Fix can kick me into gear and help get me healthier and make me fall in love with my body!

These pictures light a fire, because I am not happy with all the flab...

Here are my before Pictures and measurements:

 

 

 

Chest: 36 inches

Waist: 33 inches

Hips: 38.5 inches

Arms: 12.5 inches (both)

Legs: 24 inches (both)

 

 

Here are comparisons from 6 weeks post-partum to now... when I don't think I have gone anywhere I should look at these! **16pounds lost**

 

 

 

 



 

New Door Décor: Valentine's Style {with Tutorial}

I survived the trip to the US with the kids! So before I dive into a 3 part post of our US Travels, I decided my boring door needed something and I was feeling crafty!!! I wanted to do a Valentines theme and only wanted to use stuff I had on hand. I remembered about a pin I had seen last year for a Coffee Filter Wreath and got an idea to make a Coffee Filter Heart Wreath, I tried to do the coloring ombre as well! My finished product
 

  

Ombre(ish) Heart Wreath

Adapted from Faith.Home. Love. Monogram Coffee Filter Wreath Tutorial 

What You Will Need:
Coffee Filters
Red Food Coloring
Cardboard
Scissors
Paint
Hot Glue Gun
Ribbon or String for hanging
Gloves (optional)

Step 1:
Dye the filters. I used a bowl and added a few drops of food coloring mixed with various amounts of water depending on how pink/red I wanted the filters. Less water with more drops of food coloring will make the filters more red, or if you want pink do more water and less food coloring drops.
**If you don't want your hands stained red I suggest wearing gloves!**

Step 2:
Dry the filters, I stuck them out on my patio and let them dry for many hours.
*I didn't put any wax paper down and probably should have since the wet filters got some red dye on the cement*

Step 3:
Draw a heart (or whatever shape you'd like) onto cardboard and cut it out.

Step 4:
I painted the heart red so if my filters didn't cover completely it wasn't brown showing through.

Step 5:
Make sure your glue gun is plugged in and you have all your filters (that need to be 100% dry!), scissors and cardboard and start assembling!

 

Fold the coffee filters in half, then in half again and once more in half. You will have a triangular piece in which you cut the point off before gluing to the cardboard.

 

 Start by going around the edges then work your way to the middle.  

Once you have filled the cardboard and you are satisfied with your final product, add some ribbon to the back to hang it on your door.


Now hang/display where ever you like!

My ombre isn't prefect but I love the color variation. This was a fun, fairly quick and simple project. Plus it adds a little color to the plain and boring tower hallway!

Until Next Time,
Jenn
XOXOXO

When Being Vauge is as Detailed as You Can Get!

I am Sam.
Sam I am.
Do you like OPSEC and ham?
I do not get it, Sam I am.
I do not get OPSEC and ham.
We must use it here and there.
We must use it everywhere.
You CAN share it in a car.
But you CANNOT in a bar.
You CANNOT share it in a text.
You CANNOT share it at the NEX.
You CAN say it in your house.
But should NOT tell a random spouse.
You CAN say it in the shower.
But do NOT go sharing at happy hour.
DON’T make the Ombudsman sweat.
DON’T post it on the internet.
You CANNOT share it in a tweet.
That would not be very sweet.
Beware of Facebook and Myspace and Tumblr too.
It’s tempting to let your feelings through.
You Cannot tell it to a friend.
NOT even at the very end.
It is a privilege to know a date.
DON’T tell ANYONE or they may be late!
Oh, I get it, Sam I am.
Now I get OPSEC and ham!
I will not tell anyone. I will keep hushed until they’re done!
I will not tell him or her. I will not tell my dog with fur.
I will not tell my child’s teacher. I will not tell any creature.
Thank you, THANK YOU, Sam I am.
Thank you for clearing up OPSEC and Ham!!

-Author Unknown

 

I would venture to say that most people know someone who has/is/will deploy. It can be a tough and emotional  time for all of those involved but it is also important to keep the service members safety in mind! I think all spouses/family/friends are guilty of breaking OPSEC in one way or another so the above poem is always a good reminder! OPSEC is short for Operations Security is a way of protecting information that can be used against us, (names, dates, numbers, locations). Think like a bad guy, if you were to read or hear what you post or say could it be used against you and your family?  Here are a few questions that can't be addressed publicly that I hear ALL too much:

 

- Where is he/she going? 

- When does he/she leave?

- When does he/she come home?

- Is he/she going alone?

 

SpouseBuzz by Military.com has an article on 6 Surprise OPSEC Dont's its worth a read and may help some understand why questions go unanswered or the answer is vague!

 

 

Now it is time to start getting ready for our trip! America get ready the kids and I are coming!!! I still think I am completely nuts for flying alone with 2 children under 3, I'm sure there will be funny/horrible experiences to blog about upon our return!

 

Until Next Time,

XOXO

Jenn

 

 

Nope, No Resolution For Me.

I haven't been on here much. Lots of family time and keeping busy with the kids. The end of the year ALWAYS seems to fly by. I swear it was just Halloween and now I sit here writing January 1, 2014! As with the last 3 years, Zack and I didn't spend New Year Eve together due to him being on a night shift. But last night I was able to hang out with a few of my friends to ring in the New Year! When you are thousands of miles from "home" its nice to have a few quality friends who you can share holidays with.
When Zack got home this morning he said "Ok, what's your resolution?" I responded with "I don't make those." And he was slightly shocked but here is why I am not a Resolution setter:

First off I'd rather not feel like a failure. I've done it before - set a goal that I failed to reach. Really it doesn't make you want to try harder it makes you feel like your terrible for not being able to reach it. All these "I'm getting to the gym EVERYDAY" resolutions, let's be honest half of those people wont do it, maybe for January but not for 12 whole months.

Second, People aim TOO high. I'm not saying that everyone who makes New Years Resolutions make unrealistic goals but a lot of people fall into the trend of making big generic goals that aren't personal enough to cater to themselves.

Third, This ties into my first two reason: I don't feel like there should be a "holiday" in which we set goals. I am a fan of setting smaller goals throughout the year. For myself its easier to take a look at what has happened the prior month and make a smaller goal to help make adjustments. Setting a goal that is too high makes it easier to fail. A huge generic goal for me does little good because I need it to feel personal to work on accomplishing it.

Zack had told me he will make me stick to mine and I said No. But with that I haven't thought of what my next smaller goals are yet. Right now the only thing on my mind is making it through our States Trip. As I will be flying internationally with both kids BY MYSELF! Once that stress and fun is over then I will buckle down a little more on goals. I do need to get better about setting and accomplishing goals.

For ALL of you who do make New Years Resolutions, I wish you the best! Just because I don't set them doesn't mean I don't support those who do.

2014 will be more than interesting for our family. We have an international trip coming up, we will be without The Man of the house for a bit, and we are coming up on our halfway mark here in Japan! I know the year will be full of stressful times and happy times but plan to make the best of it. And I hope you will do the same.

Here is our 2013 in Review:

 

Until Next Time
XOXOXO