This section is still under construction as I sort out my recipes between this blog and my fitness blog. Right now I am 4 weeks out from my first figure show, so I am in on season and my diet is extremely limited. With that said, I am mostly cooking 2 different meals for my family and myself everyday. I DO NOT mind whatsoever because I love to cook and it's been extremely therapeutic during my training. I will keep all the recipes I use for my family over here, and then my on/off season recipes over at my fitness blog that you can find HERE.
**Bento Box Lunch Ideas
-Chicken/Steak Fajitas and Sweet Mashed Potatoes
George, like any guy who lifts, is looking to put on some size. So during this super strict diet of mine, I've taken it upon myself to release stress by cooking him clean, healthy lunches everyday. He is a sucker for homemade food. Some of these I'll include recipes, some I won't because I may have just thrown it together, either way, it gives you some ideas for some healthy lunches to take on the go!
I absolutely LOVE making lasagna rollups. To me they are easier to make than lasagna, and it's nice to have them already portioned. This is a recipe I will most definitely enjoy when I am off season. I cook the noodles. And then in a mixing bowl I mix a container of low fat ricotta, 2 egg whites, about half a cup of mozzarella and half a cup of parmesan cheese. I also add about a cup or 2 of baby spinach, depending on if you like or love spinach. We love it so I put alot. I mix that all together. Spray a baking dish with pam and then one by one roll the noodles with the mixture in the middle. Once I have all the rolls in the dish I spread spaghetti sauce on top and sprinkle some more mozzarella and parmesan. Bake till cheese on top is melted, and voila! Here is George's lunch of lasagna roll ups and then some hummus and pita to snack on. I probably should have made the hummus homemade, but I picked it up from Publix instead. One step at a time, people, one step at a time.
-Turkey Chili and Corn Bread
Here is another bento lunch idea. I made a big batch of my ground turkey chili that I use to love when I wasn't prepping for a competition. It is low calorie and high in protein. I got the recipe out of a fitness magazine a long time ago, and since revised it a tad and pretty much make it by memory. I cook ground turkey in some olive oil and then transfer to a pot. In the pot i add 2 cans of black beans, 1 can of diced tomatoes, and 1 can of rotel. I add some minced garlic, paprika, chili powder, black pepper, and salt to taste. I then bring it to a boil and simmer for 30 min. If you like it more juicy you can add some v8 juice, water, or chicken broth. I typically make a batch of corn bread to go with it because George and the kids eat that stuff up. Here is George's turkey chili bento lunch. Even with a side a of sour cream and cheese to add to the chili.
-Easy Chicken Salad
George and I both dont like chicken salad with a bunch of crazy stuff in it. I've seen chicken salad with cranberries in it, nuts, apples, you name it. Ours is extremely simple, high in protein and low in cals! All I do is dice up the chicken in small pieces and cook on the stove. You can cook it in a little olive oil if you like. I season it with black pepper. Once it's done I put the chicken in a big bowl and add 1/2 cup of fat free mayo, some oregano, salt, and paprika.
I chop it all up with a fork and knife. If you like yours a differnet consistency, you can add or not put as much mayo. We like to toast our bread, add a little mustard, a slice of cheese and boom, you got yourself a nummy chicken sandwich!
-Summer Pasta Salad
This recipe is SO simple and easy and it's one my mom taught me a long time ago. It's perfect to throw together for a BBQ or get together. I decided to do a big batch of it for George and the kids to eat as a side with either sandwiches for lunch, or meat for dinner. Cook pasta accordingly, I like the multicolored pasta because it makes the salad look fun and fresh. Once it's done, put it in a big bowl with sliced tomatoes, zucchini, bell pepper, and olives or yellow squash if you like. Toss with some italian dressing and DO NOT FORGET the salad supreme. Which is a seasoning you can find on the spice aisle of any store. This is what makes the salad so delish! Refrigerate and then serve when ready!
Here is a picture of it all done. I was making George a chicken salad sandwich for work with some pasta salad as I was snacking on some kale chips fresh out of the oven ;)
-Rachel Ray's Tx Mex Mac N Cheese
I have an old Rachel Ray cook book that I didn't use quite enough when we first got married. But there was one recipe in there that I did try, and George and I fell in love with! It's a homemade mac n cheese recipe, so naturally it is SO good. Over the years I have made it so much that I've left some things out and kind of made it into my own. You want to start off by cooking the noodles (1lb of macaroni) and setting them aside. In a pan I heat a little olive oil and start to saute some ground turkey. As that is cooking I grab a big pot to start on the cheese. You want to chop up a small onion (about 1/2 cup) and sauté it in the pan with 1 tablespoon of olive oil, and 2 tablespoons of butter.
Once the turkey starts getting brown I go ahead and throw in some diced bell pepper. I use a whole bell pepper. Back to the cheese, you want to add 3 tablespoons of flour, some paprika and cayenne. Now it says to let it roux and bubble up, but mine is just always super dry so I continue to the next step of putting in the milk and chicken stock. The recipe calls for 3 cups of milk, I put 2, and 1 cup of chicken stock. Then turn it up and bring it to a boil.
Once the meat is done I set is aside, as I finish the cheese. Once the milk and stock starts to boil, I lower the heat and add 3 cups of sharp cheddar cheese. I stir it up as it thickens. It might be watery at first, but as it cools off it gets very thick. I then pour in the pasta, stir it up, and then pour in the meat/pepper mixture and stir it up. And there you have it! Husbands love it, kids love it, and everyone is happy! Except me who can't eat it haha.
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