Chicken Mac & Cheese

Who doesn't love Mac & Cheese?! Who wouldn't rather enjoy this delicious comfort food without added butter, cream, or salt?!

This recipe has the added benefit of spinach and whole wheat pasta shells.
You will not only love this recipe, but it's healthy too!!

This recipe is also perfect for meal prep, I baked the chicken and cooked the pasta ahead of time, then the night we had this for dinner, I put all the ingredients in a large pot with about 1/2 cup of water to wilt the spinach, melt the cheese, and heat everything through!

• 1 lb whole wheat pasta shells
• 4 cups spinach
• 4 chicken breasts, chopped or shredded
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp paprika
• Black pepper
• 1 cup shredded cheese (I used Gruyere)

Bring a large pot of water to a boil and follow pasta package instructions. Drain and add the pasta back to the pot.

Bake or boil the chicken and then chop or shred. Add to the pasta pot.

Add the spices and spinach to the hot pot and about 1/2 cup of water (add a little at a time so not to add too much liquid) and heat of medium heat until spinach is wilted.

Add the cheese and continue to cook until melted.

**21 Day Fix: (1.5 cups)  1 Red, 1 Green, 1 Yellow, 1 Blue

Honey Mustard Salmon

Ugh. I had a few days of mess-ups with my 21 Day Fix program...I'm still trying to get my depression and anxiety under control and my daughter turning 1 brought up so much anxiety and emotions for me this past weekend. What a wonderful milestone to celebrate, but it also made me miss my Dad more than usual.

I had a complete meltdown yesterday and I had to come up with a new plan and pull myself together.
I got half of my meal prep done and finished the rest today!

Now, today, I got my butt up at 4:30am and got my workout done, showered, and had some quiet time before my kids got up. I felt wonderful. Getting most things done before noon is such a great feeling. I was able to sit and do ABCMOUSE.COM with my son and after lunch we all went to the park. It was my daughter's first time on the swings and she loved it!!

Alright...so on to the recipe.

Honey Mustard Salmon. I'm pairing my salmon with some green beans.

This recipe is so easy and fast. It's 21 Day Fix approved!!

• 1 lb salmon
• 3-4 garlic cloves, grated
• 2-3 Tbs parsley, finely chopped
• 3 Tbs honey mustard (I make it myself, 2 Tbs mustard, 1 Tbs honey)
• Juice of 1/2 lemon
• Pinch of salt
• EVOO

Preheat oven to 425° 

Line a baking sheet with foil.

In a bowl, whisk together garlic, parsley, honey mustard, lemon juice, salt, and EVOO.

Place the salmon on the baking sheet and top with the mixture.

Bake for 12-15 minutes.

You will smell when the salmon is done, be sure not to overcook it!

Day 12: Whole Chicken, Potatoes & Salad

Considering the night/early morning we had at my house, I'm surprised and thankful to have made it through the day.

My poor little Bella still isn't feeling well and had just about the most horrible night of her life so far. She was crying and screaming until about midnight. Nothing wrong. Just overtired and not feeling well.
When she finally passed out, thanks to help from my husband, we all slept like rocks until I heard my daughter at 7!!

I still hate getting up at the same time as my kids, I just feel so rushed and out of sorts...but I definitely needed the extra sleep today!

Breakfast was fantastic: Spinach, 2 fried eggs, sweet potato hash, and blueberries.

My son went to play at Toddler Time with my Mother-in-Law and then had lunch with her, my mom, and my other MIL!

Lucky for me, Bella slept almost the entire time Duncan was gone and I was able to Cize, shower, finish and fold laundry, prep for dinner, plan next week's menu/shopping list, and catch up on some shows, and have lunch!

Lunch was the amazing leftovers of our Chicken and Broccoli with Rice (Even better the next day!)

When Bella finally got up, I made my Shakeology with peanut butter, 1/2 banana, leftover coffee, water, and ice!!

Dinner was one of my favorites. I started making this recipe a couple years ago when my husband and I decided to go Paleo. The whole chicken recipe is from Practical Paleo and it sure it easy and delicious!
I love being able to use the leftover meat for different recipes all week and then making the bones into stock.

• Whole Chicken (my bird was 5 lbs)
• Coconut oil
• Parsley
• Sage
• Rosemary
• Thyme
• Salt
• Pepper
• 2-3 carrots or 5-6 baby carrots, chopped
• 1 orange, lemon, or 2 clementines, peeled and segmented
• 1 onion, chopped
• 4 garlic cloves, smashed
• 4-5 potatoes, chopped

Preheat oven to 375°

Grease a baking dish with coconut oil or butter if you prefer.

Chop the vegetables and place on the bottom of the baking dish, along with the citrus of your choice.

Add the chopped potatoes to the dish.

Cut the chicken down the breast bone, to butterfly it, and place on top of the vegetables in the dish.

Season generously with the spice on all sides.

Bake for 20 minutes per pound, or until chicken is cooked all the way through and skin is crispy.

(My 5 lb chicken cooked for 1 hour and 40 minutes).

**21 Day Fix: 1 Red, 1 Yellow

I got in 11 cups for water today!

Day 11: Chicken & Broccoli

What a weird day...

My daughter was crying/whining in her crib for a few hours on and off in the wee hours of the morning. When she finally went to sleep and I passed out again, the next thing I knew my 3 year old was waking me up at 7:15!!!! I haven't slept that late in awhile.

Then, of course, I was all scatter-brained and in a fog because I was so behind. I had a massage appointment to get to and then a pedicure! I had a nice day of pampering, until I got home and all hell was breaking loose. Life.

I had a bigger breakfast because I knew I wouldn't be home until lunchtime.
Scrambled eggs, spinach, 1/2 whole wheat toast with wholly guacamole, and blueberries.

When I finally got home I was starving. Lunch was amazing!

Chicken, salad, and quinoa.

For a snack I made an AMAZING Shakeology.

Café Latte Shakeo, peanut butter, milk, and 1/2 banana. YUM!!

I put my daughter down for a nap around 3pm....it is now 8pm (while I'm typing) and she has not woken up. I've heard her a few times and she's moved around a lot, but I guess she's not feeling well and really needed the rest!

While Bella napped, Duncan and I had some one-on-one time. He helped me again with dinner. Anyone that knows me knows that I LOVE Chinese food more than anything. If I could eat Chinese food for every meal, every day (and afford it) and it be healthy...I would be in heaven!!

So...when I can make my own Chinese and love it enough to say, "Hmmm...this is better than takeout!" then it's definitely a keeper!

The recipe is super easy. I changed it a bit from the original, but for the better.

• 1.5 lbs chicken, small cubes
• 1/4 cup flour
• 2 Tbs EVOO
• 2 broccoli heads, chopped
• 8oz mushrooms, chopped small
• 1 cup water
• 1/4 cup honey
• 1/4 cup soy sauce
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp ginger powder

In a large skillet, heat oil over medium heat.

Coat the chicken in the flour and add to the skillet.

Cook until chicken is no longer pink.

While the chicken is cooking, mix the water, honey, soy sauce, garlic powder, and ginger powder in a small bowl.

Once the chicken is cooked through, add the wet ingredients.

Add the broccoli and mushrooms and cook until vegetables are tender, about 5 minutes.

At this time, I added my already cooked rice to the same skillet to help absorb the liquid.

**21 Day Fix: A serving is 1.5 cups.

1 Green, 1 Red, 1 tsp, 1 yellow

I slacked on water today since I was on the go, but I ended up with 9 cups.

Day 10: Taco Salad with Black Beans

Day 10!

Today was a weird day. I was able to wake up before my kids and enjoy some quiet time. My son slept until after 7 (he's usually up around 6:30)!

Breakfast: Sweet potato hash over spinach with fried eggs and blueberries.
I was able to eat my whole plate without anyone stealing food!

Better late than never...I finally got a photo of Bella in her 1st Valentine's Day dress and both my kids cooperated and did a Valentine's craft that I've been wanting to do!

Bella decided to take a morning nap (she's been boycotting morning naps for the past 3 days)...so I was able to Cize it up earlier than usual.

She slept for 2 1/2 hours. I was able to workout, shower, and do 45 minutes of ABC Mouse with Duncan on the computer!

I had my Shakeology once she woke up.

Lunch: Chicken, quinoa, and a salad.

The afternoon wasn't as pleasant. Since she napped this morning, she didn't want an afternoon nap. She was miserable. She finally (after hours of trying) fell asleep around 4 and I had to wake her up an hour later so she would still go to sleep at night.

Dinner: Taco Salad with black beans

I cooked the ground beef with garlic powder, onion powder, chili powder, salt, pepper, a paprika until not longer pink. I added a splash of marinara, too.

**21 Day Fix: 1 Red, 1 Blue, 1 Green, 1 Yellow

A side note: I don't know about you, but I have nothing but respect for single parents. My husband works nights and putting 2 kids to bed alone is torture. Bath, cuddles, stories, songs, it's exhausting. So, single parents...my hat is off to you!!

I got in my 13 cups of water today :)

Day 9: Chicken Parmesan with Zoodles

I'm almost caught up!!

Breakfast: Sweet potato hash over spinach with 2 eggs and 2 clementines....this was a winner!!

Shakeology after Cize

Lunch: Chicken, wild rice, and salad

Snack: Banana with peanut butter

Dinner: Chicken Parmesan with zoodles (A BIG hit for my family!)

Duncan helped with dinner again tonight. He helped make the zoodles and loved it.

Then, when he tried them at dinner, he thought they were gross haha. What are you gonna do?! Kids!

• 1 lb chicken breast, thin
• 2 eggs, beaten
• 1/4 cup whole wheat breadcrumbs
• 10 Tbs Parmesan cheese, shredded
• 1/4 tsp garlic powder
• 1/8 tsp black pepper
• 8 Tbs marinara

Preheat oven to 450°

Beat the eggs in a shallow bowl.

Mix the breadcrumbs, 8 Tbs Parmesan, garlic powder, and black pepper in another shallow bowl.

Dredge the chicken into the egg and then coat in the breadcrumb mixture.

Place in a baking dish or foil-lined baking sheet.

Bake for 20 minutes.

Remove from the oven and top with the marinara and remaining 2 Tbs Parmesan.

Bake for another 3 minutes, until cheese is bubbly.

For the zoodles, I added a tsp of EVOO in a skillet and sautéed until tender.

**21 Day Fix: 1 Red, 1/2 Blue, 1/4 Yellow, 1 Green

11 cups water!

Day 8: Chicken, Broccoli & Sweet Potatoes

Day 8!! I made it through a week!!

I weighed myself and lost 7 lbs my first week!! My clothes are starting to loosen a little and I'm feeling a little better about myself. My energy levels are still so low, but I'm pushing through!

Breakfast: Spinach and cheese omelet with blueberries over more spinach with 2 slices of turkey bacon.

I left my plate on the table and when I came back from the bathroom my 3 year old had eaten all of my blueberries and turkey bacon haha. I shared 1/4 of my omelet with my daughter...so that amazing breakfast was gone in the blink of an eye.

Shakeology after Cize. I felt so off exercising today. I really had to push through and I hit it hard!!

Lunch: Leftover sloppy joes on a whole wheat sandwich thin...I didn't get to the salad because I wasn't feeling well. I ended up throwing up and having to lay down for a bit.

Dinner: Chicken with broccoli and a sweet potato.

My son started showing an interest in helping me cook, so I won't be prepping as much dinner as I did last week. I LOVE cooking and I definitely want to encourage him to help and love it too!

**21 Day Fix: 1 Green, 1 Yellow, 1 Red

11 cups water!