Clean Eating Recipe- Chipolte Quinoa Salad

Lately, I have been loving salads for lunch. I'm talking massive bowl salads with lots of veggies. But I'm in a rut... same salad week after week has been wanting something new. So when in doubt... MEXICAN. Who doesn't love Mexican?! :) This flavorful, spicy rendition of a salad will sure to keep your taste buds happy and tummy full. Make the quinoa and dressing ahead to save time.

Chipolte Quinoa Salad

1 cup of lettuce/spinach (1 green)
1/2 cup of tomatoes (1/2 green)
1/2 cup of cucumbers (1/2 green)
handful of green onions (optional)
1/3 cup of black beans (1/2 red)
1/3 cup of quinoa (1 yellow)
1/4 cup of Southwest Dressing (1/2 yellow)
Meal= (2 green, 1/2 red, 1.5 yellow)

Substitution Options: Not a fan of black beans? Substitute for another source of clean protein: lean chicken, chickpeas, seared tofu, shrimp, etc.

Quinoa

• 3/4 cup red or yellow quinoa
• 1.5 cup low sodium vegetable broth
• 1tsp cumin
• 1 tsp chili powder
• 1 tsp cayenne for spicy (1/2 tsp for mild)
• 3 cloves garlic
• 1 onion chopped

1. Place chopped onion and garlic in pot with a splash of vegetable broth. Cook until onions are transparent and garlic is fragrant (between 5-10 mins). If onions start to stick, add small amount of veggie broth.
2. Place remaining ingredients into pot (spices, quinoa, vegetable broth)
3. Simmer for 20 mins. 

Southwest Dressing

• 2 cups organic, unsweetened soy milk
• 3 tbsp chia seeds
• 3 tbsp of your favorite spicy chipolte salsa
• 2 tsp dried onion
• 1/2 bunch of cilantro

1. Place all ingredients but cilantro into blender and let sit for 5 mins. The Chia seeds will start to thicken. 
2. After 5 mins, throw in that cilantro and BLEND baby. 
3. Pour into container and serve.
   
   Enjoy! 

Finding Your WHY

In my many, many attempts to stay healthy and fit, I have found that there is one thing that is the most important tool that I feel is necessary order to lose weight and stay healthy and fit. It actually has nothing to do with exercise, eating clean or removing any vices. What it is?

It's finding your WHY.

Well what's your WHY...and why is it so important? Good question.

Your WHY is simple, but so vital to your success. It's WHY your are on this journey. WHY you want to get healthier and it is what will keep you going when the going gets tough. If you don't have your why, then you are setting yourself up for failure.

Failure, that's harsh...but it's true. Your WHY will get you through those moments where you want to quit, throw in the towel and give up. Your WHY gives your journey to a healthier life MEANING and DRIVE that will see you to the end. It will also help you STAY on this path. Once you reach your goal your WHY will still be there to keep you on track.

So, how do I find my WHY?

Your WHY will likely come straight to you. It's the first thing on the top of your head as to why you want to live a healthier life. Ready. Set. Pause. Inhale. Exhale. Ask yourself "why am I starting this journey to a healthier life". Be honest.

Your WHY should make you cry, be something that drives your life, and is SUPER CRAZY important to you. It can change as time passes.

Do you have it? It's okay if it's not right there. If that's the case...ask yourself these questions:

• Why did you start? How does this affect the future you?

• How is it that you want to measure your life?

• What is it that matters deeply to you?

• What inspires you to come alive?

• What will inspire you keep going when you just want to stop? 

My long term WHYs and a "Hi" from Breaker

I'm going to relate this to healthy living which could go into weight loss or could simply go into treating your body well. Stop and think, when I have a weak moment (which will happen) what will I focus on to get me through that moment. It could be that summer vacation to the beach or fitting into those skinny jeans in the back of your closet. It could be that you want to be able to climb a flight of stairs without losing your breath or reversing your diabetes diagnosis.

Find that why and write it down. Place it somewhere prominent and large.

I strongly believe that this is the first step to a healthier you. It's internal and takes some work but this is what will push you to success. Use this when moments get tough, temptations arise and remember why you started, why you continue.

I have found myself, about to eat those bag of chips (my weakness) or down that drink (yummy jack and diets). Stopped. Took a breath and remembered why I started this process and why if I indulged in this moment it would stop me from becoming that better self.

This is a tool, just as important as any other.

Find your WHY and go after it! 

Right now, my WHY, what is driving me, is that I want to feel confident in a bikini this summer. It's a short term goal that puts the pressure on me to be good, to not cheat 'this one time'. Its stopping me in indulging in foods that aren't good for me and is helping me stay consistent with my fitness. My long term why is to be healthy for my family and future kids. I hope to set an example for others to follow and inspire people to become healthier. It takes work, but it really is work that is SO well worth.

So, what is your WHY?

Learning Portion Control with 21 Day Fix

Last year around this time, I decided that I needed a bit of an overhaul. I was eating healthy, drinking my water, downing my shakes but found myself at this plateau and wanted to tone up. I mean seriously, I was eating all these real, whole foods, no dairy, no fatty meats, lots of yummy green veggies, and fruit galore. Why wasn't the weight just FALLING OFF. <Insert whining "why me?"> Lucky for me, this new program through Beachbody was releasing and I thankfully got on board. Apparently even too much of a good thing was not a good thing. <Bummer roosky>

What was the program? Well, it was 21 Day Fix. SCORE! Finally, I began to learn portion control via these colored containers. Say what? Portion control via colored containers...sounds confusing.

Let me show you!

Starting with the ever so simple (stupid simple) containers. This will be your foundation. Each color coordinates with a food group. Let's review:

• Green = Veggies (pretty intuitive)
• Purple = Fruits (think grapes)
• Red = Protein (Think POWER. Red Power. ROAR)
• Yellow = Carbs (Think rice, pasta)
• Blue = Healthy Fats (Left over color. HA.)
• Orange = Nuts/Oil

So, from here you will calculate how many calories you will need in a day to #1 Fuel your body for success and #2 lose weight. The number of calories we calculate will then give us the number of containers we get to build meals from. I need 1,400 calories so I get 4 greens, 2 purples, 4 reds, 3 yellows, 1 blue and 1 yellow.

Fridge accountability: Daily white board tracker; Meal plan for the week.

CAUTIONARY LOOKOUT: People, we are NOT DEPRIVING OURSELVES. Say no to deprivation. We are fueling our body for maximum success, output and energy. Believe me, these containers look small...but oh no...there is SO MUCH FOOD. Trick here...we are eating whole foods. Nutrient DENSE foods. REAL FOOD. No processed food here, no empty calories. Our calories will be put to use to make our bodies run clean.

Containers in Action! Don't let that bowl fool you...its HUGE!

Last, but certainly NOT least is daily Shakeology. This has been my game changer. It has curbed my cravings, keeps me regular (did I really say that?), gives me those micro-nutrients my body needs and a healthy dose of protein in one chocolaty punch. I attribute my halt to my yo-yo 15 pounds to Shakeology. I drink it EVERYDAY, even on vacations! 16 months consistent weight loss. Sounds corny...but it is seriously, my daily dose of dense nutrition that I start my day with to stay on track consistently week over week.

Bottoms Up! Cheers.

What were my results? Well, I went from a very tight 12 to a comfortable 10 in 21 days and KEPT IT ALL OFF now 6 months later. I use this everyday (with cheat meals) and have found my FORMULA to keep the weight off, but most importantly to be healthy. I can feel it now when I eat too much, even of the good foods.

What did I learn? Easy:

1. I actually don't eat enough greens (SHOCKING for this wannabe vegan)
2. I cheat more than I let myself believe (let's be real)
3. I am FULL, now that's a fun feeling.
4. It really ISN'T THAT HARD. --> This program makes it easy.

So, what do you think? Seems simple right. Anything that fits in the container and is REAL food goes!

If you're interested in learning more email me at jennifergunnell@gmail.com and I'll be SO glad to help you on your healthy living journey.

Fill out my online form.