6 Minute Spaghetti Squash - Instant Pot Recipe - Low Carb Pasta Alternative

Spaghetti Squash:  One of my all time favorite low carb pasta alternatives.  But, the problem: it usually takes 45+ minutes to bake so I rarely buy it.  I'm a busy mama, and most nights I don't have 45min between the kids' homework, bath time, and bedtime routine.  I'm all about the QUICK meals!

So, you can imagine my excitement when I came across this youtube video that explained how to make spaghetti squash in 6 minutes in an Instant Pot - you got that right...SIX minutes!  I honestly didn't believe it was even possible, so I had to buy spaghetti squash THAT night experiment for myself! ;)

First, I cut the spaghetti squash in half (short-ways), scooped out the seeds, and fit it into my Instant Pot with 1 cup of water.  I closed the lid, clicked manual, and clicked the down arrow to 6 minutes.

While the Instant Pot heated up, I sauteed some onions, garlic, and shrimp...and some cherry tomatoes, garlic, and feta.  Once heated to high pressure, the timer went off in 6 minutes, and the spaghetti squash was perfectly steamed and tender, and dinner was ready!

The entire meal took less than 20min which made this mama super happy!

PS- for those of you who are not sure WHAT an Instant Pot is...it's a multi-cooker that not only cooks spaghetti squash and meats (even frozen) super quickly, but it also has so many other uses (makes yogurt, boiled eggs, etc etc etc) - Check out this link to read the features for yourself - it's pretty incredible! 

 

  

xo - Lindsey

Top 13 Books that Have Changed my Life - Personal Development

I used to think personal development books were only for people who NEEDED "self help".  { Kind of ignorant, huh? }  I didn't understand how growth provoking and life changing they could be for ME.  

I've never been the type of person to sit down and READ a book.  I'm a busy person.  My mind is always racing, and I can't sit still and focus for long periods of time!  

As a Beachbody Coach, part of my job is reading / listening to personal development.  When I first started coaching, I didn't take that part of my job seriously.  I didn't think I "needed" to read "self help" books.  About 7 months into coaching, I hit a rough spot in my business.  Anyone who is an entrepreneur knows it's not always smooth sailing.  Owning a business comes with it's fair share of ups and downs, and it's important to fill yourself with positive thoughts, strengthen your mindset, and become resilient so you can handle the ups and downs!

One of my coaching friends introduced me to a free trial of an audiobook website called Audible that I could listen to right on my phone.  I found it easier to listen to personal development as I took my morning walks, when I took a shower, when I drove long distances in the car, and while I cooked!  

After I listened to my first audiobook, I was HOOKED.  Why wasn't I doing this sooner??

It's been 4 years since I listened to that first book, and now my audiobook AND book collections have grown significantly, and as a result...so have I.  Not only am I a better business person, but I'm also a better wife, mom, leader, and better overall person.

I have fellow entrepreneurs, momtrepreneurs, friends, and family who ask me daily which books are my favorites and which books have helped me the most in business and in life.

Here is a list of my Top 13 most Life Changing Books.

1.  MIRACLE MORNING
I used to be a stressed out, scattered mama - juggling way too many hats and having a hard time managing it all!  I still have my days (don't we all?), but this book has helped tremendously!  Miracle Morning taught me how to set a morning routine that encouraged productivity, gratitude, more happiness in my life, and less stress. 

{Miracle Morning book / audiobook}

“How you wake up each day and your morning routine (or lack thereof) dramatically affects your levels of success in every single area of your life. Focused, productive, successful mornings generate focused, productive, successful days—which inevitably create a successful life—in the same way that unfocused, unproductive, and mediocre mornings generate unfocused, unproductive, and mediocre days, and ultimately a mediocre quality of life. By simply changing the way you wake up in the morning, you can transform any area of your life, faster than you ever thought possible.” 

2.  THE COMPOUND EFFECT
The Compound Effect was on of my first personal development books.  I struggle with an "ALL or NOTHING" personality.  This book completely opened my eyes to how the simplest behaviors over time = results.  I actually read this about once per year as a reminder to break my "ALL or NOTHING" habits.

“Small, Smart Choices + Consistency + Time = RADICAL DIFFERENCE” 

{The Compound Effect book / audiobook}

3.  5 LOVE LANGUAGES
This is one of my ALL TIME fav books!  I downloaded it on Audible one day, and listened to the entire thing and cleaned the whole house!  I believe EVERY couple should read this book, and I think it's a perfect add-on gift to give at a wedding.  Nick and I had a strong relationship before I listened to this book, but he and I have different "love languages", and it helped me understand how HE feels the most loved and appreciated so I can be a better wife to him.  This is another book I will read/listen to yearly.  There is also a book called, "5 Love Languages for Children" that has a similar concept, but it's all about better understanding your children.  That one is on my list.

“No matter how hard you try to express love in English, if your spouse understands only Chinese, you will never understand how to love each other.” 

{5 Love Languages book / audiobook}

4.  #GIRLBOSS
This book was an easy, fun read for any new female entrepreneur!  This taught to OWN my role as an entrepreneur and stop worrying about everyone else's opinions.

“No matter where you are in life, you'll save a lot of time by not worrying too much about what other people think about you. The earlier in your life that you can learn that, the easier the rest of it will be.” 

{#Girlboss book / audiobook}

5.  YOU ARE A BADASS
Need confidence?  Here is another easy, fun read that motivates and empowers!

“maybe, if you put your disbelief aside, roll up your sleeves, take some risks, and totally go for it, you’ll wake up one day and realize you’re living the kind of life you used to be jealous” 

{You are a Badass book / audiobook}

6.  THE CHARGE
This book was recommended to me by a friend when I was feeling like I was in a "funk".  You know...that feeling you get when you just don't feel motivated and you feel blah?  Sometimes we lack motivation and positivity, and we can't figure out why.  This book was perfect to help me snap out of it, dig deep, and figure out what drives me and what is most important in my life so I could do MORE of those things.

“entire life is deciding to control the quality of person you will be on an everday basis. What will you stand for? What kind of positive values, standards, and beliefs will you demonstrate each day? How much honesty, integrity, fairness, and kindness will you insist upon” 

{The Charge book / audiobook}

7.  THE 10X RULE
Ever wonder why some people are successful and some are not?  Successful people outwork the competition.  They follow the 10x Rule.

“I suggest that you become obsessed about the things you want; otherwise, you are going to spend a lifetime being obsessed with making up excuses as to why you didn't get the life you wanted.” 

{The 10X Rule book / audiobook}

8.  THE ENTREPRENEUR ROLLERCOASTER
As I mentioned before, being an entrepreneur has it's share of ups and downs.  But, if you've never been an entrepreneur before, you may not know what to expect!  This book helped me realize that the ups and downs I was experiencing as an entrepreneur were completely normal and expected which helped me push through when times were tough!

“The critical ingredient is getting off your butt and doing something. It’s as simple as that. A lot of people have ideas, but there are few who decide to do something about them now. Not tomorrow. Not next week. But today. The true entrepreneur is a doer, not a dreamer.” 

{The Entrepreneur Rollercoaster book / audiobook}

9.  ENTRELEADERSHIP
Most of us weren't born knowing HOW to motivate and inspire a team of people - or even your children.  I loved this no nonsense approach to learning leadership skills.

“If you are trying to get momentum in marketing, business, marriage, your physical condition, or your parenting, take your best focused intensity over time and multiply it by God for unstoppable momentum.”

{Entreleadership book / audiobook}

10.  PEOPLE FOLLOW YOU
Another great perspective about leadership!

“Inaction breeds doubt and fear. Action breeds confidence and courage. If you want to conquer fear, do not sit home and think about it. Go out and get busy. —Dale Carnegie” 

{People Follow You book / audiobook}

11.  CONTAGIOUS
This book is PACKED with info for anyone who markets their business online.  Why do some posts get traction and some don't?  What makes certain posts go viral or certain businesses thrive?  

“Word of mouth is the primary factor behind 20 percent to 50 percent of all purchasing decisions.” 

{Contagious book / audiobook}
Another great book for the social media marketer:  
Jab Jab Jab, Right Hook

12.  IT STARTS WITH FOOD
Listening to books that teach me more about nutrition not only help me learn more to better coach my challengers, but they also keep me motivated to stay on track with my own nutrition!

“You cannot “out-exercise” poor food choices and the resulting hormonal disruption.” 

{It Starts with Food book / audiobook}

Related: Whole30 Book (starting this journey in January...stay tuned and let me know if you'd like to join me!)

13.  WHY WE GET FAT {AND WHAT TO DO ABOUT IT}
The scientific evidence contained in this book is INSANE!  If you're having a hard time losing weight even though you've been following a strict nutrition plan and working out...you need to check this book out!  

“In other words, the science itself makes clear that hormones, enzymes, and growth factors regulate our fat tissue, just as they do everything else in the human body, and that we do not get fat because we overeat; we get fat because the carbohydrates in our diet make us fat. The science tells us that obesity is ultimately the result of a hormonal imbalance, not a caloric one—specifically, the stimulation of insulin secretion caused by eating easily digestible, carbohydrate-rich foods: refined carbohydrates, including flour and cereal grains, starchy vegetables such as potatoes, and sugars, like sucrose (table sugar) and high-fructose corn syrup. These carbohydrates literally make us fat, and by driving us to accumulate fat, they make us hungrier and they make us sedentary.
This is the fundamental reality of why we fatten, and if we’re to get lean and stay lean we’ll have to understand and accept it, and, perhaps more important, our doctors are going to have to understand and acknowledge it, too.” 

{Why We Get Fat and What to do About it book / audiobook}


What are some of your favorite, most life changing, eye-opening personal development books?  Share your favs below so I can add them to my upcoming reading list!!

xo- Lindsey

CORE DE FORCE - Meal Plan and Grocery List - Week 1

New workout program and nutrition plan = FRESH START!  I plan to stick to this baby 100% so I can see some quick results and EARN my Thanksgiving feast!! ;)

This Week's Meal Plan - we will be trying out many of the yummy CORE DE FORCE recipes!:

Here is this week's coordinating Grocery List:

This Week's Recipes:
NOTE:  Many of the Lunches are Dinner Leftovers...so make sure you double the recipes if you see the same thing for lunch the next day!

Easy Prep Chicken for Salads
Skinny Pancakes
Tomato Basil Omelet (within your CORE DE FORCE Eating Plan)
CORE DE FORCE Jalapeno Cheese Burgers (within your CORE DE FORCE Eating Plan)
Healthy Chicken and Veggie Quesadillas
Baked Salmon
CORE DE FORCE Spaghetti Squash with Turkey Meat Sauce (within your CORE DE FORCE Eating Plan)
Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken on Salad
Chicken Marsala

Post below and let me know what you all think of this week's menu!  Feel free to modify as needed if you have food allergies or if you don't like one of the recipes.  

xo - Lindsey

Italian Meatball Recipe - FIXATE Cookbook - 21 Day Fix Approved - Clean Eating

ITALIAN MEATBALLS

INGREDIENTS:

1/3 cup whole wheat bread crumbs*
1/4 cup 2% milk or almond milk
2 tsp. olive oil
1 medium onion finely chopped
3 cloves garlic finely chopped
2 lbs raw ground 93% lean ground turkey breast
2 large eggs
1/4 cup finely chopped fresh parsley
2 Tbsp. grated Parmesan cheese
1 tsp. dried oregano leaves
1/2 tsp. sea salt/Himalayan salt
1/2 tsp ground black peppers

DIRECTIONS:

Preheat oven to 425 degrees F
Line large baking sheet with parchment paper, lightly coated with spray
Place bread crumbs and milk in a small bowl, set aside, soak for 10 minutes
Heat oil in medium skillet over medium-low heat
Add onion; cook, stirring frequently for 5 to 6 minutes, or until onion is translucent
Add garlic; cook, stirring frequently for 1 minute
Combine onion mixture, turkey, eggs, parsley, cheese, oregano, salt, pepper, and bread crumb mixture in a large bowl; mix well with clean hands or wooden spoon. Refrigerate covered for 1 hour
With clean hands form turkey mixture into approximately 42 1″-inch meatballs; arrange onto prepared baking sheet.
Bake 13-18 minutes or until browned and cooked through.

Serves: 10 – Prep time: 30 minutes – Cook time 15 minutes

Serve on top of whole wheat pasta, on zucchini "noodles", or in Italian Wedding Soup.

Italian Wedding Soup

Italian Wedding Soup Recipe - 21 Day Fix Approved - Clean Eating

Italian Wedding Soup

NUTRITIONAL INFORMATION (per serving) 

Calories: 215 Total Fat: 11 g Saturated Fat: 3 g Cholesterol: 134 mg Sodium: 493 mg Carbohydrates: 9 g Fiber: 2 g Sugars: 2 g Protein: 22 g

SERVES: 6 (2 cups each) Prep Time 15 Min. Cooking Time: 20 min.

CONTAINER EQUIVALENTS (per serving)  2 GREEN 1 RED

INGREDIENTS:

1 tsp. Olive Oil

1 medium onion, finely chopped

2 cloves garlic, finely chopped

6 cups low-sodium organic chicken broth

1 bunch greens (like escarole, spinach, or Swiss chard), trimmed, torn into bite-sized pieces (about 6 lightly packed cups)

20 Italian Meatballs (CLICK HERE for RECIPE)

2 large eggs

2 Tbsp. grated Parmesan cheese

1/2 tsp. sea salt (or Himalayan pink salt)

1/2 tsp. ground black pepper

1 fresh lemon, cut into wedges

DIRECTIONS:

Heat oil in large saucepan over medium heat.
Add onion; cook, stirring frequently, for 4 to 6 minutes, or until onion is translucent.
Add garlic; cook, stirring frequently, for 1 minute.
Add broth. Bring to a boil.
Add greens. Reduce heat to low; gently boil, covered, for 10 minutes.
Add meatballs; cook, stirring occasionally, for 5 minutes.
Combine eggs, and cheese in a small bowl; mix with a fork to blend.
Slowly pour egg mixture into the hot soup, stirring constantly. Gently boil, covered, until egg bits are just set, about 30 seconds.
Season with salt and pepper; serve immediately with lemon wedges.

Turkey Sloppy Joe's Recipe - 21 Day Fix Approved - Clean Eating - Comfort Food - Kid Friendly

Healthy Sloppy Joe's?  Yes please!  If you follow my other blog posts, you probably already know my love for comfort food so I'm always trying to find healthy recipes that satisfy my comfort food cravings, and this is one of them!  

To make this recipe kid friendly and hubby approved, I chop the red bell peppers and onions super small and saute them until they are very soft.  The kids and hubby won't eat any "crunchy veggies" in their foods. lol

TURKEY SLOPPY JOES

Serves 4 (approx. 1 1/4 cups each)

Container Equivalents (per serving): 3 1/2 green, 1 red, 1 tsp (1 Yellow if bread or pasta is added)

INGREDIENTS:

1 tsp olive oil

1 medium onion, chopped

1 medium red bell pepper, chopped

2 cloves garlic, chopped

1 lb raw ground 93% lean turkey breast

1/4 tsp sea salt (or Himalayan salt)

1/4 tsp ground black pepper

1 1/2 cups tomato sauce

1 tsp Worcestershire sauce

3 tbsp all natural tomato paste

1 tbsp pure maple syrup (or raw honey)

Finely chopped fresh parsley

DIRECTIONS:

1. Heat oil in large skillet over medium heat.

2. Add onion and bell pepper; cook, stirring frequently, for 4 to 5 minutes, or until onion is translucent.

3. Add garlic; cook, stirring frequently, for 1 minute. Transfer onion mixture to a medium bowl. Set aside.

4. Add turkey to the same skillet; cook, over medium heat, stirring frequently to break up the turkey, for 8 to 10 minutes, or until the turkey is no longer pink.

5. Season with salt and pepper.

6. Add onion mixture, tomato sauce, Worcestershire sauce, tomato paste, and maple syrup. Mix well. Reduce heat to medium low; gently boil, stirring occasionally, for 15 to 20 minutes, or until sauce has thickened.

7. Sprinkle each serving with parsley before serving. 

Serve Turkey Sloppy Joes open faced on one slice of whole wheat bread or whole wheat thin round bun, 1 cup zucchini noodles, 1 cup cooked whole wheat pasta or quinoa, or in 2 large romaine lettuce leaves.

Skinny Pancakes Recipe - Gluten Free - Vegetarian - Kid Friendly - 21 Day Fix Approved

Who loves COMFORT FOOD!?  This girl!!! ;)  I love it even more when I know it's healthy AND fits within my weight loss plan.  

This week, I'm testing out the recipes on my upcoming ROCK YOUR SKINNY JEANS Challenge meal plan that I created for my challengers who are ready to shed some lbs and fit into their goal jeans so they can feel great for the holidays.  This recipe is definitely a keeper <3

I may play around with this recipe and make a pumpkin version because - who isn't obsessed with pumpkin during this time of year? :)

Here is my Gluten Free - Vegetarian - Skinny Pancakes Recipe: (Serves 4.  2 Pancakes per Serving.  1 Yellow and 1 1/2 Purples on the 21 Day Fix portion control plan)

INGREDIENTS:

1 cup unsweetened almond milk
2 eggs
1 ripe banana
2 tsp vanilla extract
1 tsp baking powder (gluten free)
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1 dash himalayan salt
2 cups old fashioned rolled oats, gluten free
Coconut oil spray
3 cups mixed berries

DIRECTIONS:

Place almond milk, eggs, banana, vanilla extract, baking powder, cinnamon, salt, and oats in blender (I used my nutribullet).  Blend until smooth.

Heat pan on medium-high heat.  Spray with coconut oil. 

Pour 1/4 cup of batter per pancake.  

When edges start to brown a bit, raise, and firm, slide the pancake a bit to make sure it's firm and not sticking to the pan.  It should look like this:

Flip pancakes, and cook until slightly brown on each side.

Serve topped with berries.

STORING AND REHEATING:

Place the pancakes in a plastic bowl.  Separate each with wax paper.  Leftover pancakes can be easily re-heated in the toaster for kid friendly breakfasts or healthy on the go breakfasts.

Comment below and let me know what you guys think!! <3 xo - Lindsey