Italian Shrimp

about 40 large shrimp (raw or cooked, your preference)
2 tablespoons tomato paste
2 tablespoons water
1 teaspoon oregano
1 teaspoon basil
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon sea or himalayan salt

Directions:  Warm or cook shrimp over medium-high heat in a skillet, add all ingredients to cooked shrimp and mix.  Enjoy!!!

Yield: about 2 servings
**This recipe is clean eating and 21 Day Fix approved.**
21 Day Fix:  1 red

Sausage and Kale Soup

I'm not gonna lie....when I was putting this soup together, I was like....ugh.....this dinner is gonna suck. Then I took my first bite, and holy moley.....this stuff was good!  It tasted like those 15 bean soup packs you do in the crockpot with the ham hock.  So, if ever you were to NOT judge a book by it's cover...this would be it.  Give this a try, and I promise you will not be sorry.

1-14 ounce package smoked turkey sausage, cubed (4 reds)
1 leek(whites and light green parts only), chopped and washed (3 greens)
3 cups washed and chopped kale (3 greens)
1-32 ounce container of unsalted chicken broth
1-14.5 ounce can no salt added petite diced tomatoes (2 purple or 2 green)
1-15 ounce can great white northern beans, drained and rinsed (3 yellows)
1 teaspoon EVOO (extra virgin olive oil)
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1 cup shredded cheese (4 blues)

Directions:  In a large pot, over medium-high heat, cook EVOO and sausage until heated.  Stir this constantly, because with the low fat content, it will burn and stick quickly.  So keep it moving.  Add leeks, kale, broth, tomatoes, salt and pepper.  Heat to a boil, then cover and simmer on low.  Meanwhile, take the rinsed beans and puree them in a blender/processor....OR mash with a potato masher.  Add pureed beans to the soup.  Continue to simmer for 30 minutes.  Before serving, add cheese and stir until mixed.  Enjoy!!!

Yield:  4 VERY LARGE servings
**This recipe is clean eating and 21 Day Fix approved.**
21 Day Fix: 2 greens (or 1.5 green and .5 purple), 1 red, 1 blue

Shakeology Recipes

Baked Spaghetti Squash

Do you love pasta, but hate the idea of all those carbs?  What if I told you, you could enjoy pasta, but without eating any pasta?  Crazy, right.....but possible!  Let me introduce you to my little friend, spaghetti squash.  Obviously given its name because after you cook it and use a fork to shred it, it falls apart into spaghetti strands.  This dish packs all the flavor of baked spaghetti, but without all the added carbs and guilt.  And if you have never tried spaghetti squash before....oh man, are you and your tastebuds missing out.

1 spaghetti squash
1 pound lean ground meat
1/2 can of Cento San Marzano peeled tomatoes pureed OR 1-15 ounce can no salt added tomato sauce
1/2 teaspoon minced garlic
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon oregano
1/2 teaspoon basil
1/2 teaspoon Sea or Himalayan Salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon parsley
3/4 cup park skim Ricotta cheese
3/4 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1/4 cup parmesan cheese

Directions:  Preheat oven to 375.  Poke several holes in the spaghetti squash.  Place on foil in the oven and bake for one hour.  Let it set and cool for 15 minutes.  Cut open long ways, and remove seeds.  Remove all spaghetti squash strands with a fork and set aside for when you need it. **This can be done in advance.  I like to do this at the beginning of the week, and pull it out of the fridge when I am ready to use it.**  In a large pot, brown meat over high heat until fully cooked.  Add pureed tomatoes or tomato sauce, garlic, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, basil salt and pepper, and parsley.  Remove from heat.  Stir in ricotta.  Stir in spaghetti squash.  Preheat oven to 375.  Lightly spray an 8x8 baking dish.  Pour spaghetti mixture into the pan.  Top with mozzarella cheese, then parmesan cheese.  Bake for 20 minutes, or until cheese is lightly golden and sides are bubbling.  Let it set and cool for at least 10 minutes.  Enjoy!!!

Yield:  4 servings
**This recipe is clean eating and 21 Day Fix approved.**
21 Day Fix:  1.5 green OR 1 green, 1/2 purple; 1 red; 1 blue

Chicken and Veggie Quesadillas

You seriously would not even guess that you are eating healthy with these.  Try them and then you will believe me.  But I think the picture is a pretty good indicator of ALL the flavor packed into these.  Now, I found these a little more time consuming than my normal recipes, so here is my recommendation.  Either use chicken breasts that you have cooked earlier in the week.  Or, make all the filling beforehand when you do your prep at the beginning of the week, then all you have to do is fill and bake.  Can you say delicioso!!!!

**Note** For those doing 21 Day Fix....I have found there to be some confusion as to whether diced tomatoes (and other tomato products) would be purple or green.  Because in the food guide, it lists fresh tomatoes as a green, but tomato sauce and salsa to be a purple.  Then I have also seen recipes posted by 21 Day Fix, where they count them as purples or greens.  So I choose to count it as whatever I am needing to fit my dietary needs for that meal.  I leave it up to you.

Quesadillas:
2 large boneless skinless chicken breasts (4 red)
1 cup diced onion (1 green)
1 cup diced green bell pepper (1 green)
1 cup frozen corn (2 yellows)
2/3 can (or 1 cup) of black beans, rinsed (2 yellows)
1 can no salt added diced tomatoes, mostly drained (2 purples or 2 greens)
3 teaspoons cumin
1 teaspoon sea or himalayan salt
1 cup shredded cheese (4 blues)
8 corn tortillas or 4 whole wheat tortillas (If using wheat, you will cut these in half, and two halves will be one serving) (4 yellows)

Cilantro-Lime Yogurt Sauce:
1 individual cup plain greek yogurt (I enjoy Chobani)
a large handful of cilantro (chopped if mixing by hand)
juice of 1 lime or 2 tablespoons
1 teaspoon minced garlic
dash of sea or himalayan salt
1 teaspoon raw honey
1 teaspoon white vinegar (optional)

Directions:  Preheat oven to 350.  Lightly spray baking sheet and bake chicken breasts (I like to lightly season mine with sea salt, black pepper, and garlic powder.) for 45 minutes or until fully cooked.  (This can be done before hand, too.)  In a LARGE skillet, lightly sprayed, over medium-high heat, sautee onions and peppers.  After five minutes, turn the heat to low and add the corn.  After a few minutes, add the tomatoes and beans.  Add chicken, cumin and salt.  If there is still juice, cook a little longer till there is no more liquid in the pan.  Remove from heat.  Place 4 corn or 4 wheat-halves on a cooking sheet.  Use half the cheese the sprinkle on the 4 bottom tortillas.  Place 1/4 of the mixture on each tortilla.  (This is ALOT of filling, I had to work to get it to fit!!)  Top each mixture with the remaining cheese.  Top with a tortilla.  So you should have 4 servings, with each having a bottom tortilla, cheese, filling, cheese, top tortilla.  Bake in 350 oven for 10 minutes or until crispy.  For the sauce:  if mixing by hand, just chop up the cilantro and mix all ingredients together.  Or you can throw it all into a blender/processor and puree.

Yield:  4 servings
**This recipe is clean eating and 21 Day Fix approved.**
21 Day Fix:  1 red, 1 green, 2 yellows, 1 blue (You can make this 1 yellow instead of two, by doing it open faced on a tortilla with no top, or decreasing/eliminating the corn and blackbeans.  (Vegetarians...don't forget your blackbeans count as meat, so up your blackbean quantities to 4 reds.)

Chicken and Asian Slaw

You just get tired of the same old salads for lunch, you know?  This is a great, new twist on an oldie but goody.  Simple chicken breast dressed up with a crunchy broccoli and cucumber slaw.  And who doesn't love a delicious asian dressing to go with it.....

Salad:
3/4 cup cooked boneless, skinless chicken breast (baked or pan sauteed) (1 red)
1 cup bagged broccoli slaw (julienned broccoli, carrots, and cabbage) (1 green)
1 cup julienne (thinly sliced) cucumber (1 green)

Dressing:
1 teaspoon light soy sauce (or coconut aminos)
1 teaspoon lime juice
1 teaspoon honey
1 teaspoon vinegar (really, any kind will do)
1 teaspoon minced ginger
a splash of sesame oil (just a dash)
small handful of chopped fresh cilantro

Directions:  Mix all the dressing ingredients together.  Toss with the sliced vegetables until they are evenly coated.  Add chicken....and eat.  How simple is that?

Yield: 1 serving

**The recipe is clean and 21 Day Fix approved**
21 Day Fix: 1 red, 2 greens, 1 tsp honey

Creamy Tomato and Basil Soup

I know what you are saying....another soup recipe??  Have I mentioned how much I LOVE SOUP!!!  Plus, this week has been a week of illness for me and my two babies.  So soup is a comfort for me when I am sick.  And Tomato and Basil Soup is one of my all time favorites.  So why not experiment with making it clean!  Again....I use my old trick of pureed cauliflower to add creaminess instead of milk or cream.  But no one will be the wiser!

28 ounce of can of Cento San Marzano Whole Tomatoes (3 purples)
1 head of cauliflower chopped (4 greens)
1 1/2 cups no salt added chicken broth
1/2 onion chopped
1 1/2 teaspoons minced garlic
1 teaspoon EVOO
1 teaspoon Himalayan or Sea Salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
6 fresh basil leaves chopped
1 teaspoon dried basil
1/4 cup parmesan cheese (1 blue)
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon onion powder

Directions:  Heat oil, garlic, and onion on medium-high in a large pot for 5 minutes.  Add chopped cauliflower and chicken broth.  Bring to a boil, cover, and simmer on low for 30 minutes.  Remove cauliflower and put into a blender/processor until pureed smooth.  Add back to the pot.  Pour can of tomatoes into blender/processor until pureed to desired consistency.  Add to the pot.  Add salt, pepper, basil, powders, and cheese.  Mix well, cover, and simmer for 30 minutes.  Serve garnished with shredded cheese or turkey bacon if desired.

Yield:  4 servings
**This recipe is clean eating and 21 Day Fix approved.**
21 Day Fix:  1 serving is 1 purple, 1 green

Creamy Chicken and Vegetable Soup

Who doesn't love soup?  I certainly do.  Any time of year.  Nothing warms my stomach and heart more than SOUP!!!  Now, this soup isn't creamy in the traditional sense, because I have eliminated the milks and heavy creams.  I have made a healthy version of "creamy" by using pureed cooked cauliflower.  Cooking cauliflower and pureeing it is such a easy and healthy way to make a dish thick and creamy...but without the added fats.  This way you are getting another nutritious and delicious vegetable into your meal....most of the time without anyone even knowing it!  Note...if you use blender for the cauliflower, it will be more puree-like and thick.  If you use a masher, it will be slightly chunkier, and have a rice like consistency.  Either is fabulous and tasty!

2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (4 red)
1 cup chopped carrots (1 green)
1/2 cup chopped celery (1/2 green)
1/2 cup chopped onion (1/2 green)
2 cups large chunks cauliflower (2 green) (leaving it in large chunks makes it easier to remove later)
3 cups no salt added chicken broth
1 tablespoon minced garlic
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon himalayan or sea salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 cup of cheese (2 blue)

Directions:  Put EVERYTHING in a pot (EXCEPT THE CHEESE), bring to a boil.  Cover with a lid and simmer for 30 minutes.  Turn off stove.  Remove cauliflower and puree or mash.  Remove chicken and shred.  Return cauliflower and chicken to the pot and mix everything together.  Add cheese and stir until completely integrated.  Enjoy!!!

Yield:  4 servings

**This recipe is clean eating and 21 Day Fix approved.**
21 Day Fix:  1 serving is 1 red, 1 green, 1/2 blue

5 Day FREE Clean Eating Challenge

Maybe you are looking for a new way to get healthy?  Maybe you are looking for a new way to lose weight?  Maybe you have heard of clean eating and just want to learn more about it?

If any of these apply to you, why not join my completely FREE 5 day Clean Eating Challenge group.  I run a group of challengers who are wanting to try clean eating and want support, direction, and motivation.  I give you menu options, a grocery list, an introduction to what clean eating is and why it is important, and support throughout your challenge.  This is a challenge, and I expect you to commit to the full 5 days to give it an honest effort.

Are you willing to commit just 5 days of EATING GOOD FOOD to see if it makes a difference in your health?  Contact me on this site for more information.  I run these groups EVERY MONTH, so there is no such thing as being late to the party!

Chicken Fajitas

This is one of my favorite clean recipes because it is so quick and easy, but because you don't realize you are eating clean.  I enjoy these with my salsa recipe (see blog), and a cilantro lime greek yogurt, which I will list here as well.  Clean Chicken Fajitas = delicious.  Enough said.

Fajitas:
Corn Tortillas
2 Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts
1 Green Bell Pepper
1 Onion
1 lime
1/2 cup chopped cilantro
2 teaspoons cumin
1/2 teaspoon Himalayan or Sea Salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1 tsp minced garlic
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

Cilantro Lime Yogurt: (mix all together)
1 individual serving cup plain greek yogurt
1 teaspoon lime juice
1/8 cup chopped cilantro
dash of Himalayan or Sea Salt

Cut into strips the chicken, pepper, and onion.  Spray a non-stick skillet with olive oil spray.  Cook chicken on high until done, about 5-7 minutes, then remove chicken.  Put peppers and onions in the skillet and cook about 7-8 minutes until softened, add chicken back in.  Add juice from the lime, cilantro, and garlic.  Mix cumin, salt, pepper, and garlic powder in a small bowl; add to fajita mixture.  Cook one more minute until all flavors are combined.  Serve on corn tortillas with salsa and yogurt, if desired.

Yield:  4 servings

**This recipe is clean eating and 21 Day Fix approved.**
21 Day Fix: 2 fajitas is 1 red, 1 green, 1 yellow.  Salsa counts as purple.  Yogurt counts as red.  If you are only using condiment sizes, they will be too small to count.

Spinach Chips

What is better than eating potato chips?  Eating chips and knowing that they are GOOD for you!!!!  I have heard of and tried Kale Chips, but I was new to Spinach Chips.  And I love them!  It is the same thing as Kale Chips, just with a different green.  And I found Spinach Chips to be better because I ALWAYS have spinach in my fridge and it has a more mild, sweet flavor than Kale.  So, if you are looking for a quick and easy, AND HEALTHY snack, give this one a try!

Spinach leaves
EVOO or olive oil spray
Pink Himalayan or Sea Salt
oregano or other seasonings (optional)

Directions:  Preheat oven to 350.  Cover baking sheet with foil.  Spray or wipe with olive oil.  If using EVOO, toss spinach leaves in 1 teaspoon EVOO.  If using spray, place leaves flat on tray and spread out so they aren't touching, and spray lightly with olive oil spray.  Lightly sprinkle leaves with salt and any other seasonings you prefer.  Bake for 10 minutes or until they are crispy.  Enjoy!!!

**This recipe is clean eating and 21 Day Fix approved.**
21 Day:  approx. 1 cup = 1 green, 1 teaspoon

Almond Crusted Fish Sticks

Fish Sticks?  I pretty much grew up on them.  I'm sure you did too.  So with children of my own, I am constantly looking for foods that are child-friendly, quick, and delicious.  This recipe is just as easy as removing the store bought kind from the freezer and baking.  And quite delicious, if I do say so myself.

1 cup of raw almonds
4 filets of fish (I used Tilapia, you can use whatever fish you like....Salmon would be great!)
Himalayan or Sea Salt
Black Pepper
Garlic Powder

Preheat the oven to 350.  Lightly spray baking sheet with olive oil spray.  Cut the fish filets into chunks or strips.  Place almonds in a food processor and blend about 1 minute, or coarse crumbs.  Place almond  crumbs in a shallow dish or bowl.  Coat each piece of fish with the almonds and place on baking sheet. Sprinkle fish lightly with salt, pepper, and garlic powder.  Bake for 10 minutes, flip fish, bake for another 5 minutes, or until fish is done.  Enjoy!!!!

Yield:  4 servings (4 reds and 4 blues)

**This recipe is clean eating and 21 Day Fix approved.**
21 Day Fix:  each filet is 1 red and 1 blue

Caramel Sauce

So, prepared to have your minds blown.  Are you ready?  Here is the recipe for an EASY, clean, and 21 Day Fix approved caramel sauce.....Boom!  I find myself thinking of all the great recipes that I start making when Fall rolls around.  But, now that I am eating clean, my first reaction is that I can't have that.  Wait a minute....why not?  So I am rummaging through some Fall staples, and making them clean and healthy.  This is so easy and delicious, you may need to make a double batch!

1 cup almond milk (or canned coconut milk)
3 tablespoons pure maple syrup (no...not pancake syrup)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
pinch of sea salt (just a little pinch, it will become stronger as it thickens)

Put all ingredients in a non-stick pot.  Bring to a boil on medium-high heat.  Stir occasionally.  It takes about 6 minutes for it to boil.  Now this is where you have to have a little bit of faith and patience.  Just let it continue to boil and thicken.  I will admit, I was a doubting Thomas as I would check on it, but trust me....it will cook down into a DELICIOUS caramel sauce.  I even washed bottles while it did its thing.  So stir occasionally, but you don't need to watch it like a hawk.  You are looking for it to boil down from a light brown milky substance, to a nice, rich and thick caramel.  This will take about 14 minutes after it starts to boil....roughly 20 minutes total cooking time.  Pull it off the heat to cool.  Place in a container and it can be eaten immediately or stored in the fridge for about a week.  It will thicken in the fridge, so you can just warm it in the microwave.  And enjoy!!!!!

Yield:  about 9 teaspoons

**This recipe is clean eating and 21 Day Fix approved.**
21 Day Fix:  1 teaspoon counts as 1 of your honey/maple syrup for the day!  You get 1 to 2!!!!

What is Shakeology?

What is Shakeology?
Shakeology is the most delicious, nutrient-dense, superfood-packed protein shake on the planet.  It's made with the healthy stuff you should be eating every day, but typically don't.  Shakeology's the perfect combination of proteins, phytonutrients, antioxidants, enzymes, prebiotics, and probiotics.  Plus, it also contains many rare ingredients, including adaptogens, camu-camu, and maca root -- things we can't get from an ordinary diet.  So, whether you use Shakeology for weight loss, or drink it to optimize your health, this powerful and delicious shake is Your Daily Dose of Dense Nutrition.

Why we need Shakeology?
Let's face it, the American diet is terrible.  Rarely do any of us eat enough fresh fruits and vegetables; instead, we reach for what's quick and easy -- packaged food and fast food -- which have been so overprocessed that their nutrients have long been destroyed.

The reality is, we're running our bodies on empty.  And like a car, we need fuel to go.  Good fuel.  Not empty-calorie junk.  When you start thinking of food as fuel, you immediately realize how important Shakeology is in your daily diet.  Because Shakeology is packed with the world's most potent, nutritious, and delicious ingredients, it's the quickest and easiest way to eat healthy, stay satisfied, and live a healthy life.

What do I love about Shakeology?
     * It gives me energy....I have replaced my second cup of coffee a day with my Shakeology.
     * It replaced my vitamins.....saving me $10 a month
     * It helped reduce my cravings....the great chocolatey flavor helped eliminate my sugar cravings.
     * It tastes great!  I feel like I'm drinking a fancy, expensive, calorie-loaded shake!
     * I'm saving money.  Because I replace my lunch with a Shakeology shake, it actually cuts my lunch cost from $8.00 per day to around $4.00 per day.  And no matter how much I pay for my lunch, I will not be able to get this kind of nutrition in a $4.00 lunch ANYWHERE.

How can you get started?
You can reach me through this site OR you can go to my website www.beachbodycoach.com/burbankmomma where you can purchase Shakeology or see all Beachbody products.  I would love to answer any and all questions you have about Shakeology!

What is Clean Eating?

Is it where you wash your food before you eat it.....

I can not even tell you how many times I get that one.  Ha!  When you are done reading this, you will hopefully have a good idea of what clean eating is, and an idea of what it will mean for YOU.

Now, there are a lot of articles and books (and people) that will try to tell you clean eating is black and white.  That there is only one way to do it, otherwise you are not clean eating.  I disagree.  I think clean eating can be different for everyone.  It is how you choose to apply these rules to your eating lifestyle.  But the basic concept is the same for ALL clean eaters.  You are wanting to eat healthier.  And eating clean is just trying to eat foods that are as close to their natural state as possible.  You are ultimately trying to eliminate processed foods and artificial ingredients.  The more natural a food is, the more vital nutrients you are getting AND the less harmful ingredients you are consuming.  You are eating fresh fruits and vegetables, lean meats, whole grains, and healthy dairy and fats.  Here are some rules to help you (Again...these are just guidelines to help.  Use these to create what clean eating is for you.):

1.  Eat foods that travel the least amount of distance from farm to fork.
     * Grow your own garden
     * Shop local Farmer's Markets
     * Get your meats from your local butcher or meat market
     * Shop the outer perimeter of your grocery store (fresh fruits, fresh veggies, meats, dairy, bakery)

2.  Read labels
     *  Some people say there should be less than 5 ingredients listed.  Others say if you can't pronounce an ingredient on the label, don't eat it.  I follow this rule:  look at the ingredients, ask yourself if it is an ingredient you would buy at the grocery store or have in your house, if no then don't buy it.  For example, in a can of tomatoes, I would buy tomatoes and sea salt, but I would not buy calcium chloride.  So I would not buy that can of tomatoes.

3.  Avoid refined sugars and salts
     * Use Pink Himalayan salt or Sea Salt sparingly.  They are not processed, and contain vital nutrients.
     * Use Raw Honey or Pure Maple Syrup sparingly.  These are natural, unprocessed sweeteners that are GOOD for you.

4.  Avoid these ingredients:
     * Partially hydrogenated oil
     *Artificial food colorings
     * Nitrates and Nitrites (cured meats, lunch meats, hot dogs, bacon)
     *Chemical Preservatives
     * White flour, white rice, white pasta
     * Reduced-fat or Fat-free items or Sugar Free (most of these replace fats and sugars with artificial, unhealthy sources)

5.  Use the 80/20 rule
     *You should be eating clean, healthy foods 80% of your diet, and indulge 20% of your diet.

What is PiYo?

What is PiYo?
PiYo is a low-impact, high-intensity body-transformation program.  It uses the most effective Pilates- and yoga-inspired moves set at a fast pace to help you burn fat while you sculpt long, lean muscles.

You'll carve every inch of your body without jumps, without weight, and without straining your joints. And rest assured, there's no complex choreography to learn.  Chalene Johnson takes you step-by step through the moves where you'll use your body weight to lose weight and get intensely defined!  You get your strength, your cardio, and your flexibility training all in one program.

Why is PiYo effective?
PiYo delivers the muscle-sculpting, core-focused benefits of Pilates along with the flexibility and power of yoga.  PiYo's low-impact compound exercises engage multiple muscle groups at the same time -- while keeping your body in constant motion.  As you progress from one fluid movement to the next without rest, you'll maintain an optimal heart rate to incinerate calories throughout the whole workout!

The result?  You get a low-impact, high-intensity, total-body workout, giving you a physique that's long, lean, and powerfully defined.

Why do I enjoy PiYo?
I have exercise-induced asthma, which basically means anything strenuous makes it difficult for my lungs to operate at their peak.  So I have always avoided anything that involves a lot of jumping and fast movements.  PiYo is great because it is all about bending and stretching your muscles without making it difficult to breathe.  It is also great for someone like me who is still relatively new to the whole fitness world.  This program is getting my muscles and body stronger and ready for the next level.

How do I get started?
If you are looking to lose weight and define your body, you can either contact me on this site....or you can visit my website at: www.beachbodycoach.com/burbankmomma

21 Day Fix

What is 21 Day Fix?
21 Day Fix is a nutrition and fitness program that makes losing weight so simple...anyone can do it.  Easy-to-follow portion control and 30 minute workouts take the guesswork out of losing weight to help you see results fast--up to 15 pounds in just 21 days!

Whether you want to lose a few pounds before your next vacation or jump-start a bigger weight-loss goal, 21 Day Fix is the program for you.  It's simple, it's fast, and it works.  If you're ready to get serious, 21 Day Fix can help you lose weight.

Why is 21 Day Fix effective?
Because it's so simple!  You don't have to count calories, points, or log your food into diet software.  With 21 Day Fix, everything is laid out for you.  All you have to do is use the specially designed portion-controlled containers and do one 30 minute workout per day.  Commit to it for 21 days, and you're going to love your results.

What makes 21 Day Fix unique?
It's the only fitness and nutrition program that combines portion-control containers and world-class workouts.  By placing equal emphasis on fitness and healthy portion control, 21 Day Fix can help anyone lose weight -- and keep it off -- in a way that's simple and sustainable.  Whether you want to lose 10 pounds or 100 pounds, you can do it with this program.

Why do I love 21 Day Fix?
When I started, I hadn't worked out in a long time.  I had just spend the last two years being pregnant, so needless to say, I was not in the best shape of my life.  And it didn't matter!  For each workout, there are modifiers, or ways to make the exercise customizable to your fitness level...whether beginner or master.  And there are 7 different workouts!  So I didn't find myself getting bored with them.  I also enjoy the fact that I eat!  I am not starving myself, in fact, I haven't been hungry ONCE since I started.  It encourages you to eat....just the right kinds of foods.  Now, I could never have done this on my own. There are a lot of people who can, but I'm not one of them.  I needed help with motivation and accountability and support.  With this program, I was given a free coach to help me with that.  She was constantly checking in with me, and I was a part of a small group that she led where we could share our struggles and successes with each other, as well as get advice.  Now I am a coach, and would love to do that for YOU!!!

How can I get started?
You can contact me through this website.  I would be happy to answer any questions you may have, as well as get you started with this program.  You can also check out my website, where you can order the program:  www.beachbodycoach.com/burbankmomma

Edamame Hummus

Why take a delicious dip like Hummus and make it out of soybeans?  Why not!  Aside from the protein, vitamins, and minerals it contains...but have you seen it's beautiful, bright green color?  Edamame (ed-uh-mom-ay), or soybeans picked at a younger stage, provide many nutritional components including folate (for you soon-to-be mamas), as well as manganese and copper, which boosts your immune system and keeps your bones healthy and strong.

1/2 cup shelled, cooked Edamame (1 yellow)
1/4 tsp minced garlic
1/2 tsp olive oil
1/8 tsp Himalayan or Sea Salt
1/4 tsp cumin
squirt of lemon or lime juice
1/8 cup (very small bunch) of cilantro

Throw everything into a food processor or blender.  Its easier to get out of a food processor, than a blender.  Blend for 30 seconds.  Scrape down the sides with a spatula.  Repeat blending and scraping until you come up with a consistency you desire.  It will still be a little gritty...but the longer you blend, the smoother it will become.  Serve with vegetables, chips, or just on a spoon!

Yields: 1 serving
**This recipe is clean eating and 21 Day Fix approved.**
21 Day Fix:  1 yellow

Homemade Salsa

I could honestly say I was not one of those people that would sit and eat chips and salsa.  Not even free at a Mexican restaurant.  Until I started making my own.  There is something about making your own salsa and knowing what goes into it that makes it taste better.  And you really get bang for your buck.  I can make 3 times more salsa than buy with the same amount of money.  And mine....tastes a lot better, and is better for you.

1 can Cento San Marzano whole tomatoes OR 8-10 fresh Roma tomatoes with stems cut out
1 cup cilantro (I love love love cilantro and put as much as I can in this)
juice from 1 lime
1 tbs cumin
1 tsp Himalayan or Sea Salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
1 jalapeno deseeded (more or less depending on your heat tolerance)
2 tsp minced garlic
1/2 onion

Throw all of it into a food processor or blender until mixed....and enjoy!

**This recipe is clean eating and 21 Day Fix approved**
21 Day Fix:  counts as your purple, just measure it out

Cauliflower Pizza Crust

I know what you are thinking.  Pizza without the chewy, yummy crust is not pizza.  Well, I for one would rather have pizza with ANY crust, then no pizza at all.  So why not make a crust that is not only good for you, but good tasting as well?  Enter the Cauliflower.....

For one 6 inch crust:
1 cup cauliflower (1 green)
1/2 beaten egg
Himalayan or Sea Salt if desired
Your preferred pizza toppings

Preheat oven to 450.  Grate cauliflower using a hand-held grate or a food processor.  A food processor saves you like 10 minutes.  Place grated cauliflower in a bowl and microwave for 3 minutes.  Set aside and let it cool down.  When cooled, take a paper towel and press it into the cauliflower to absorb excess water.  Mix beaten egg in with the cauliflower.  When it cooks up, it will have a slightly sweet taste.  I lightly salted my cauliflower as I mixed the egg with it.  Spray or grease a flat cooking tray.  Spread cauliflower mixture on cooking tray and form into a flat, circular crust.  Bake for 20 minutes, flipping half way through.  Take out of the oven and cover with your favorite pizza toppings.  I used minced garlic, spinach, tomatoes, and mozzarella cheese.  Place back in the oven to cook for 5 more minutes, then turn on the broiler and cook for an additional 2 minutes.  Enjoy!!!

**This recipe is clean eating and 21 Day Fix approved**
21 Day Fix:  1 green, pizza toppings count toward their own containers

Fish Tacos

4 Tilapia Filets (you can use any fish of your choosing, or shrimp) (4 red)
1/4 cup Lime Juice
1/4 cup chopped Cilantro
Pink Himalayan Salt/Sea Salt
Black Pepper
1 tsp Minced Garlic
8 Corn Tortillas (6 inches) 2 per serving (4 yellow)
Bag of Coleslaw mix
Diced Tomatoes
Nonfat, Plain Greek Yogurt (optional) (red)

30 minutes before cooking, place fish in a gallon size ziplock with lime juice, cilantro, lightly salt and pepper, and garlic. Let marinate in fridge. Spray pan with olive oil cooking spray. Pour fish and all marinade into hot pan and cook for 3 minutes on each side or until thoroughly cooked.  Mix greek yogurt with a little lime juice, cilantro, and salt. I use a tsp of the yogurt on each tortilla, place 1/2 cup of coleslaw and diced tomatoes on tortilla, then fish. Enjoy!!!!

**This recipe is clean and 21 Day Fix approved**

21 Day Fix: 1 red, 1 green, 1 yellow

Pizza Burger Stuffed Peppers

Did you know green bell peppers are loaded with vitamin C??!!! 

In my family, we have this awesomely simple, but delicious recipe for something called Pizza Burgers.  I also tease that its a Great Depression recipe!  I would give you the recipe, but then it wouldn't be a family secret.  But I took these Pizza Burgers and decided to try and make Stuffed Peppers out of it.  And this is what I came up with.

4 Bell Peppers (any color)
1 pound lean ground meat (4 red)
15 oz can no salt added tomato sauce (2 purple)
6 oz can tomato paste (1 purple)
3 Tbs oregano
1 tsp minced garlic
1 tsp raw honey
1 tsp onion powder
2 cups cooked brown rice (4 yellow)
Pink Himalayan or sea salt
Black pepper
EVOO
1 cup mozzarella cheese (optional) (4 blue)

Cook brown rice and set aside. Brown ground meat in a pan, drain if necessary. In a bowl, mix tomato sauce and paste, garlic, honey, onion powder, salt to your preference. This is clean ketchup. Mix meat, rice, and a little more than half the ketchup, oregano, and half the cheese. Cut tops off peppers, clean out seeds. Set upright in deep baking dish. Lightly olive oil, salt and pepper the insides of the peppers. Stuff each pepper. Put top of pepper back on and bake at 375 for 45 minutes. Top with remaining cheese and bake 5 more minutes till melted.

**This recipe is clean and 21 Day Fix approved**

21 Day Fix:  1 green, 1 purple, 1 red, 1 yellow, 1 blue (if cheese was used)

Flourless Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Muffins

Yes....you can have your cake and eat it too!  This recipe is amazing!  Not only because of its nutrition, how easy it is to make, but the fact that it is gluten-free!  

2/3 cup almond butter

1/3 cup pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie filling)

2 eggs

3 tbs honey

1 tbs pumpkin pie spice

1 tsp vanilla

1/2 tsp baking soda

a pinch of Himalayan or sea salt

In a blender/food processor put EVERYTHING.  Blend. Mix in by hand 1/3 cup mini chocolate chips. Fill 18 mini muffin liners...or spray mini muffin pan first. Fill 3/4 full. Bake at 375 about 8 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean.

**Clean eating and 21 Day Fix Approved**

21 Day Fix:  1 mini muffin is 1 teaspoon and 1 teaspoon of your day's allotment of honey

Blackbean Chili with Kale

Would you believe there are 4 different types of veggies...including Kale and Cauliflower??!!!

*note* I add more or less depending on how many servings I am making. This is for four.

1 cup bell pepper (1 green)
1 cup onion (1 green)
1 cup kale (1 green)
1 cup cauliflower (1 green)
1 can black beans drained (3 yellow)
1 pound lean ground meat (4 red)
1 tsp minced garlic
1 can no salt added diced tomatoes (2 purple)
1 can no salt added tomato sauce (2 purple)
1 tbs cumin
1 tbs chili powder
Himalayan or sea salt as needed
Shredded cheese (optional)

Sautée in EVOO the onions, green peppers and garlic for 3-4 minutes till softened. Add lean ground meat and cook until meat is full cooked. Add tomatoes, tomato sauce, and half the can of black beans. Chop or cut with scissors the kale and add to chili. Add cumin and chili powder and simmer. Meanwhile, steam cauliflower till soft. Mash with potato masher or blend in blender/food processor with remaining black beans. Add mashed cauliflower and beans to chili. Lightly salt the chili as desired. Top with cheese.

*This recipe is clean eating and 21 Day Fix approved**
21 Day Fix:  1 green, 1 red, 1 yellow, 1 purple, 1 blue if using cheese

A Tale of Two Brussels Sprouts

At 4:30 this morning, I received a text from a friend asking me if I had a good recipe for Brussels Sprouts.  And yes...it's Brussels, not Brussel.  I must admit, other than steaming them and quickly eating my way through them so I didn't have to taste them much, I did not have much use for Brussels Sprouts.  Upon research, I discovered there aren't a whole lot of recipes involving this underutilized vegetable.  Then there was the question of roasting or sauteing.  Why not try it both ways and see which I like better?  So I did.  I used the same recipe, and just split it in half and cooked it two different ways.  And if ever you were to branch out and try Brussels Sprouts....this is the recipe to do it with.  You will not regret it.  Seriously, best dish EVER!!!  Did I mention it is loaded with vitamin C and K, as well as many others.

16 ounce bag of Brussels Sprouts (bottoms cut off and quartered) (4 green)
1 tablespoon EVOO
2 tablespoons Pure Maple Syrup (not pancake syrup)
1 teaspoon Himalayan or Sea Salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
4 pieces of turkey bacon diced (1 red)

If Roasting:  Preheat oven to 400.  Mix all ingredients together in a bowl and place in a baking pan.  Bake for 30 minutes or until you can poke Brussels gently with a fork.

If Sauteing:  Mix all ingredients together in a bowl and cook in frying pan over medium-high heat.  Cook for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until Brussels Sprouts are tender and caramelized.

Now, as to which method is better.  Honestly, there is not much difference.  If you need free hand and prefer a crisper vegetable then roast them.  If you have 15 minutes to spare in the kitchen and prefer nice tender, caramelized vegetables then you will saute them.  Either way, they are divine...and good for you!!!!

**This recipe is clean and 21 Day Fix approved**
21 Day Fix:  1 green, 1 teaspoon of your syrup/honey allotment

Chicken Tortilla Soup

1/2 large onion diced (1 green)
1 large green bell pepper diced (1 green)
1 tsp minced garlic
3 cups organic no salt added chicken broth
3 cups water
1 celery stalk diced (1/2 green)
1 large carrot shredded (1/2 green)
2 boneless skinless chicken breasts (4 red)
1 cup cauliflower (1 green) (keep it whole if you can, easier to pull out later)
24 ounce can Marzano tomatoes pureed in the food processor (3 purple)
1 cup chopped cilantro
4 corn tortillas cut up (2 yellow)
1 tsp cumin
1 tsp chili powder
1 1/2 tsp sea salt or himalayan salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
1 cup shredded cheese (4 blue)
EVOO

In LARGE pot, heat up 1 tsp EVOO, saute onion and green pepper with the garlic for 4 minutes, until softened. Add everything else, EXCEPT THE CHEESE. Heat to a boil, then cover and reduce to a simmer for 30 minutes. Pull out cauliflower and put in the food processor until pureed. Add back to the pot. Pull out chicken and shred or dice, return it to the pot. Add cheese and mix all together. Serve garnished with cilantro or avocado or whatever you please!!!!

**The corn tortillas and cauliflower are great for thickening the soup and adding a little extra something to it. If you want the soup thicker, add less water. This made 4 HUGE servings.

**This recipe is clean and 21 Day Fix approved**
21 Day Fix:  1 green, 1 red, 1/2 yellow, 1 blue

Flourless Brownies

Did you know that chickpeas are not only an excellent source of protein and fiber, but contain over 10 vitamins and minerals??!!! Now, you may be asking yourself....why are you talking about chickpeas?  Well, thats because chickpeas are the star ingredient in these fabulously healthy brownies.  Not that you would know it by looking at them or tasting them!

15 ounce can organic chickpeas (garbanzo) drained and rinsed
3 large eggs
1/2 cup pure maple syrup or raw honey
1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 tsp pure vanilla
1 tsp baking soda
3 tbs melted coconut oil
1/3 cup dark chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350. Spray muffin pay with olive oil cooking spray. Muffin liners do NOT work well. The brownies will stick to them even if you spray them. So just go paperless! In a blender or food processor put everything except the chocolate chips. Blend until smooth, about 1 minute. Fill 12 muffin cups. Put 4-5 chocolate chips in each muffin cup and push it into the batter. Cook for 15 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean.

To learn more about chickpea nutrition, check out http://www.livestrong.com/article/371012-chick-peas-nutrition-information/#page=1

**Clean Eating and 21 Day Fix Approved**
21 Day Fix:  1 muffin is 1 teaspoon, 1 teaspoon of your honey/syrup

My beginning...

In order for you to understand why I am doing this blog, I must first go back and explain how and why this all began....

About three months after the birth of my son, I began to see drastic changes in my body.  I had just spend the last two years pregnant and giving birth to the two most beautiful creatures in the entire world, my daughter and then my son.  And although I had lost all my pregnancy weight rapidly after my son, it all began to come back and at a rapid pace.  I was unable to hide this extra weight the way I had always been able to....stuffing my stomach under the band of my pants, sucking in my stomach, wearing shirts that accentuated all the good parts while hiding the not so good parts.  So, I began to accept this.  I told myself "this was the body of a mother of two."  "This is what your body is now."  As I began to grow out of my clothes and into more loose, comfortable clothes more excuses came.  "I don't need to wear this, I'm a mother now."  The latter is what I told myself when I had to get rid of my bikinis.  And it wasn't until after I did this that I finally realized that these were all just excuses.  I mean, honestly, I could care less about wearing a bikini or not...

.but shouldn't I feel like I have the option to wear and be comfortable in whatever I want.  Shouldn't I be comfortable in my own skin?  I wanted to be comfortable.  I wanted to love myself.  I needed to be healthy.

I got turned on to a Beachbody program by a fellow sorority sister.  I had been watching her posts on Facebook for the last 2 months about how she and her husband had been getting healthy and losing weight.  What did I have to lose?  I had once been told, you can't give up on something unless you have tried everything.  This program was called 21 Day Fix.  It combines clean eating and portion control with working out for 30 minutes every day.  So I began.  At the time, I just saw myself as working a program....just looking to lose the extra weight.  But I ended up gaining so much more.   I don't want to say the program turned my life upside down, but more like it turned my life right side up.  I started eating healthy, I started exercising, and I started losing the weight.  And before I knew it, I was at 60 days successfully clean eating and exercising.  And I was excited about it.  Every person that commented on my slimmer shape I wanted to exuberantly shout about the program and how amazing it was.  Then I was approached about becoming a coach, and helping others reach their health goals by motivating and inspiring them the way my coach had.  So, why not?  I have time to give.  I have experiences to share.  I have missteps and successes that I can share with others to help them on their journey.  My weight loss program had morphed into a health journey before my eyes.

Now, 3 months later and 19 pounds healthier, I am ready to share my stories.  I am ready to share what has been a pitfall for me, and what has been successful for me.  I am ready to share these wonderful Beachbody programs and opportunities for getting healthy with others.  But my real passion, is the cooking.  I am ready to share recipes for clean eating that have been truly amazing.  You see, I am not super woman and do not have the time or drive to cook different meals for different members of my family.  I needed meals that met my needs, but also those of my two babies and my husband.  I needed to find a way to make clean eating for the every day family.  I take comfort meals and make them clean.  I find ways to use groceries found in most kitchens and typical grocery stores.  I am making clean eating approachable and appetizing.  So welcome to my blog.  Come on in, read, share, stay a while.  I hope you enjoy stumbling your way through this health journey with me.  I am not an expert in any way.  I am just a person trying to figure out the best choices for me and my family.  Every day is a new day for me to be better than I was the day before.