How to Freeze Fresh Vegetables

Pick and Cut Your Produce.
  

Freezing whole vegetables can harm their texture. This happens when ice crystals form, rupturing cell walls. The faster water freezes, the smaller the crystals it forms, so small or thin vegetables—peas, corn kernels, green beans—freeze best. Cutting larger vegetables into smaller, uniform shapes (about ½ inch or less) can speed the freezing process and minimize texture loss, as can freezing them in a single layer on a wide baking sheet or large plate.

 

Before freezing, blanch the vegetables in boiling water. This helps maintain bright color and fresh flavor by deactivating enzymes that would cause them to turn drab during thawing. Plunge vegetables into boiling salted water for a few moments.

 

Spread the blanched veggies on a rimmed baking sheet, and place in the freezer until frozen.

 

Transfer to Freezer Bags

Once frozen, transfer to zip-top freezer bags with the air pressed out before sealing. Even freezer bags allow some transfer of gases, which can lead to freezer burn, so for storage longer than two months, it's best to double-bag. Make sure to label the bags with the packing date.

 

Bonus for following all these steps: Small, blanched frozen veggies thaw in just a few moments under warm running water directly in their bags.

BEACHBODY SALE!!!

This holiday season, Team Beachbody® is offering deep discounts on a variety of select Beachbody products! The offer is valid for a LIMITED TIME ONLY starting Monday, November 23rd at 12PM PST until Tuesday, December 1st at 12PM PST. Offer quantities are limited and we’re expecting some items to sell out quickly
.
Holiday Sale Link
http://www.teambeachbody.com/Shop/holidayspecials?referringRepId499426

Quick Ways To Add Protein To Your Diet

Start The Day Right: Breakfast is vital to the success of the rest of my day. If breakfast doesn’t happen, I  feel tired and hungry within a couple hours.  By adding at least one or two servings of dairy to my breakfast, I know I’ll have protein and nutrients to get in a great workout. Try adding yogurt to your smoothies, preparing oatmeal with milk or adding cheese to your egg bakes.

Eat Yogurt at Lunch: Whenever I make a pot of soup or stew, I always freeze leftovers for a quick weekday lunch.  I will sometimes top it off with a dollop of plain yogurt to give it another boost of protein and a cool, creamy texture to balance the heat. Whether it’s Chicken Tortilla Soup or Turkey & Bean Chili, almost any soup or stew tastes better finished with a little plain yogurt. As a bonus, the extra dollop of yogurt is an easy way to squeeze in a little more protein.

Mini Carrot Cupcakes

Go ahead, indulge—these mini carrot cupcakes are just 50 calories a pop!

Ingredients:

• 3/4 cup all-purpose flour or almond flour (or gluten-free all-purpose flour)
• 1 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 4 tablespoon all-natural unsweetened applesauce
• 1/4 cup clover honey
• 2 small eggs
• 1/4 cup warm water
• 1 cup fresh, finely grated carrot

       For the frosting:

• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature
• 4 cups confectioners' sugar, sifted
• 1/4 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 6 ounces non-fat or low-fat cream cheese, room temperature

 

Directions

For the cupcakes:
1. Pre-heat your oven to 350°F and line cupcake pan with 24 mini paper baking cups.
2. Sift together all of the dry ingredients and set aside.
3. Mix together the applesauce and honey using a stand mixer on medium speed. Beat eggs, and add them to mixer on low speed.
4. Add half of the dry ingredients followed by half of the water to stand mixer on low speed. Add remaining dry ingredients and water and mix slowly. Add in grated carrots.
5. Scoop all of the batter into each baking cup so that each baking cup is equally full.
6. Bake at 350°F for 20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the cupcakes comes out clean.
For the frosting:
1. Place all of the frosting ingredients in the bowl of a stand mixer, and mix together for 3-5 minutes, until frosting is light and airy.
2. Using a small spatula, frost each cupcake with a thin layer of frosting or using a piping bag, frost each cupcake with a small ‘signature swirl’ of frosting. Serve and enjoy

Thanksgiving is next Thursday.
I love Turkey Day and all that delicious foods. But on Friday morning I feel like I have a brick in my stomach and I am looking for my sweat pants to wear all day.
But on Monday I will start a 3 day cleanse. It is a PLANT BASED cleanse. The last time I did it I lost 4 lbs.
I promise you there is no crazy pills, no crazy juices that you drink, and yes there will be food involved.
...

Message me if you like to join me and receive one of these for FREE 21 Day Fix, 21 Day Fix Extreme, CiZe, or Body Beast.
I promise you will lose up to 6lbs in these 3 days.

permanent lifestyle change—not a “crash diet”

Try to approach this as a permanent lifestyle change—not a “crash diet” with a particular target date or special event in mind. Being active by walking six miles a day and eating sensibly is not a “crash diet”—it’s a conscious choice to lead a healthy lifestyle. And it doesn’t mean giving up all of your favorite foods. You can have your cake and eat it too!

Having a buddy who can be your support system through this journey makes a huge difference. When people who can be unhealthy influences surround you, it can make sticking to your routine so much more difficult. When you surround yourself with people who are in it with you, you can support and encourage each other and keep each other accountable. Try to find a friend or family member and do it together. Not only will you lose weight, but you’ll also score major health perks!

She helps you eat better
She makes working out more fun
She helps you through the work day
She helps you live longer
She changes how you experience stress
She protects you from depression
She lower you blood pressure
She confirms who YOU ARE

Gluten And Dairy Free Pizza

• 1 Tablespoon raw honey
• 1 packet (2 tsp) active dry yeast
• ¼ cup warm, filtered water
• ¾ cup blanched almond flour
• 3 Tablespoons coconut flour
• ½ cup arrowroot starch
• ¼ teaspoon sea salt
• 1 omega-3 egg
• 1 Tablespoon olive oil
• 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
• ½ cup organic pizza sauce (no sugar added)
• ½ cup ground sausage
• ½ cup green bell pepper, thinly sliced
• ¼ cup red onion, thinly sliced
• 3 Tablespoons sliced black olives

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees F. Lightly grease a baking sheet with olive oil.
2. In a small bowl combine the honey, yeast and warm water. Mix carefully with a fork. Set aside for 5 minutes, until foamy.
3. In a medium bowl combine the almond flour, coconut flour, arrowroot starch and salt. Work out the lumps with a fork. Add the egg, olive oil and vinegar to the yeast mixture and mix to combine.
4. Add the wet ingredients to the dry ones. Mix well and form a ball of dough. Work the dough for about 30 seconds with your hands, smoothing out any lumps.
5. Place the dough ball in the middle of your prepared pan. Dip your fingers in olive oil, then use them to flatten the dough into your preferred pizza shape (hearts are fun!). Place the dough in preheated oven for 5-7 minutes.
6. In a small skillet saute the bell pepper and red onion with a drizzle of olive oil for 5 minutes or until tender. Remove from skillet. Add the ground sausage to the skillet and cook until browned, about 5 minutes.
7. Top the crust with sauce, sausage, bell pepper, onion and sliced olives. Bake for another 5-7 minutes.
8. Slice and enjoy immediately.

8 Things Positive People Do Differently

 If you build some of these traits into your daily life, things will become brighter day by day. And it's not because things are any better -- it's because your perspective will be.

1) Find something every day to look forward to. Whether it's catching up on a favorite TV show, trying out a new dessert recipe, or having a phone conversation with a friend in another town, these things don't have to be big. Having concrete activities to look forward to will make your days unique, distinct, and hopefully give each one a sheen of happiness.

2) Celebrate the small stuff. Don't prolong happiness. Find joy in even the tiniest things -- your favorite song coming up on shuffle, a funny text from a friend, a beautiful sunny day -- because it adds up. Soon, you won't have to stop and smell the roses because you'll be smelling them all the time.

3) Be kind. When in doubt, choose kindness. Positive people look on the bright side, sure, but they also tend to pay it forward by passing on their positive energy to others. Giving is generous, but it also makes the giver feel even better. Now that's a win-win.

4) Stay busy. "Busy" isn't code for "stressed out of your mind." Instead, being busy means filling your life with fulfilling activities. It relates back to having something every day to look forward to. Start a hobby. Structure your weekends with fun things to look forward to. Most of all, be proactive about keeping busy, because living your life to the fullest is up to you.

5) Accept responsibility for their actions. Being positive doesn't mean being delusional. By owning up to where you trip up or make mistakes, you're being honest with yourself. So, since you're not hiding from yourself, you can then...

6) Forgive themselves. As much as you want to treat others with kindness, you deserve the same treatment. Okay, so we all make mistakes, and we all have regrets. Learn from them. Forgiving yourself will make it infinitely easier to...

7) Know when to move on, and not dwell on defeat. You gotta pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and valiantly forge ahead. A positive person knows that a defeat isn't the end of the journey, but part of the journey.

8) Resist comparisons. Being positive is far simpler when you do not set yourself against others, as we all have separate strengths and struggles. Instead, work on achieving your own fulfillment, which you can only find by searching inwards -- and, of course, by staying positive.

Chicken and Broccoli Stir-Fry

 

Ingredients

• 1 pound cubed boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 1 teaspoon salt - divided
• ½ teaspoon pepper
• 4 cups broccoli florets
• ½ cup chicken broth
• 2 tablespoons minced ginger
• 2 garlic cloves - grated
• 2 tablespoons corn starch
• 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
• 2 tablespoons low sodium soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon hoisin
• 2 teaspoons toasted sesame oil

Instructions

1. Preheat a large wok or deep pan over medium high heat and spray with cooking spray.
2. Sprinkle chicken cubes with half of the salt (1/2 teaspoon) and pepper and sauté in hot pan until golden brown, 5-6 minutes. Remove chicken from pan and set aside.
3. Add broccoli to the hot pan along with remaining ½ teaspoon salt and sauté for 2-3 minutes.
4. In a small bowl, whisk together next 8 ingredients (chicken broth through sesame oil) and pour mixture into pan over the chicken and broccoli.
5. Saute chicken and broccoli until broccoli is bright green and tender and chicken is cooked through.
6. Serve over brown rice.

Who hates planning their meals for the week? I DO !!
I am working on a 7 day easy meal plan. I will be working all today on getting this ready to start on Monday.
If you would like to join me, message me and I will add you.
This is guarantee to help you lose weight and get you back on track.

Chewing Gum

 I love chewing gum.  I actually chew gum while making dinner so I don't snack on foods that I shouldn't be eating.

Yes, chewing gum can help you lose weight. Chewing gum may reduce one’s cravings for sweets and for snacks. This makes you feel like you are eating and a guilt free way to keep your jaw busy. If you reach for a stick of gum, be sure it’s sugarless, with zero or only a few calories. For variety, have an assortment of flavors you like available.

Have you ever been curious about these products that Beachbody coaches are always raving about?
Are you looking for a program or a solution to beating the Fall blues? (PSLs anyone???)
Want to learn more about stuff that seems overwhelming to research on your own.... Shakeology, the new performance line (supplements), and Shakeology boosts?
Are you curious what a "challenge group" is and what exactly it would require you to do?
...

All of these questions and a lot more will be answered starting on November 5th and ending the 6th!
We'll be running an OPEN HOUSE, where you can log into our Facebook group, and browse information about products, supplements, Shakeology, what is clean eating, and much more at your convenience.
The group will be LIVE for 24 hours. And random prizes will be given, so be sure to check in often!!
Want to check it out? Click below to join this event and I will get you into this SECRET group on Thursday. You do not have to jump on a call or be present at the time it launches, We will be loading in great info for 24 hours, so you can check in when you have a few extra minutes to explore!
Invite your friends! And engage in the conversation! You never know when those prizes will pop up!!
Hope to "see" you there!!
https://www.facebook.com/events/1124971724198821/

Crocked Pot Chicken (can be used for many recipes)

2 16oz cans of Hunts (no salt added) crushed tomato or 1 can crushed tomato and 1 can of diced.
2 cups of fat free/low sodium chicken broth
2 crushed garlic cloves
1 tsp Himalayan salt
1 tsp ground pepper
1 onion sliced (optional)
4 chicken breasts (they can be frozen)

Add all the ingredients in the crockpot (make sure the chicken is covered in the sauce) and cook for about 5-6 hours.

Starting a 3 day cleanse today. I lost 5 pounds the last time I did it.
AND yes you get to EAT FOOD! I am not a "Just Liquid Diet Person." I don't believe in that kind of healthy eating.
If you like to join me and my girls to get ready to eat healthy and lose some weight before the BIG TURKEY DINNER.

Message me for more information and the great deal I am offering right now for November.

 

**Contact me for more information: getfitandhealthy21@yahoo.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jill.bruschihunter

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