a new journey {whole 30}

this week i started the #whole30 challenge because i knew that i was way past due to take control of the way that i have been eating and the way that i think about food.

i need to set an example for micah and have a healthy relationship with food. i need to change the way that i view food. i want to be able to view food as fuel and nourishment and not as a comfort or a way to deal with stress. one of my friends was about to start the challenge and asked if i wanted to join her so that we would both have support and encouragement over the next 30 days. i am so glad she asked because it was the motivation i needed to start this new journey to a healthier me.

i am so ready to have more energy and not feel so tired and sluggish. when i was pregnant fell into the 'baby gets what baby wants' and it led to some very unhealthy choices. now over a year later and i am still stuck in those unhealthy habits. i have so badly wanted to stop but found it far to overwhelming and hard to do on my own. i am not a 'dieter' but i needed a plan to stick to so that i could kick the cravings for sugar, carbs and bad fats i have been having. 

having a meal plan has saved me from caving many times this week. i am pretty flexible and if i'm not hungry for what i have on the menu that day i make something up or pick a different meal from the week. below are a few meals that i whipped up this week. if try and post my meals on instagram @cleaneats_amber if you want to follow along. if you want to know more about the whole 30 progam you can read about it here.

 so far day 4 and 5 have been the hardest for cravings but i can see changes in myself already and can notice how my thinking about food is changing. when i go to grab an afternoon snack i ask myself if i'm really hungry or if i'm just eating bust boredom? or do i need fuel for the rest of the afternoon?

my eyes have also been opened to the amount of additives in food and the insane amount of sugar added into so many food, not just sweet treats. i have always been aware of it just never really paid to much attention to the details of it. 

i am excited for the next 25 days but i know that it will not always be the easiest (hello easter next weekend) but i do know that it will be worth it in the end.

shop my pantry :: week 2

well week one went differently than expected. 

we ended up not being home most nights and eating at families places. 

this weeks menu

sunday: farmer sausage burgers with grilled asparagus 

monday: pan fried fish, rice & green beans

tuesday: one pot spaghetti with italian sausage

wednesday: stir fry

thursday: visiting family

friday: rice noodle bowls

we shall see how it goes! our pantry and freezers are looking a bit more cleaned out and we have been saving money but not getting groceries every week. i may have to fire up the oven to make some bread this week and i might make some cookies or muffins while i'm at it too.

what are some of your favorite meals?

shop my pantry :: week 1

please tell me i'm not the only one that stocks up on groceries when there is a good sale?

this little habit along with very giving grandparents has resulted in very full freezers and pantry

so i am challenging myself to shop my pantry and freezer for the next two weeks and 

maybe even stretch it to three weeks?!

the rules!

- in the next two week only milk / almond milk can be bought

- cook as clean as possible with the ingredients we have on hand

- use veggies that are growing in the garden

- be creative & go with the flow

- no eating out if i don't feel like cooking

 

i have found a few new recipes on pinterest that i hope to make.

so here is this weeks menu

monday - at my moms for canada day celebrations!

tuesday - bbq chicken quinoa salad

wednesday - create your own rice bowl :: a few different chicken rice bowl ideas here, here and here

thursday - tex mex mac and cheese :: using frozen chili and mixing it with homemade mac and cheese

friday - friends wedding!

saturday - crock pot chicken

so there are two cheat days but that's ok!

our lunches will be left overs from the day before.

recipe: cashew chicken

ingredients
6 chicken breast - chopped

1/2 tsp black pepper
1 Tbsp canola oil
1/4 cup soy sauce
2 Tbsp rice wine vinegar
2 Tbsp ketchup
1 Tbsp brown sugar
1 garlic clove, minced
1/2 tsp grated fresh ginger
1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
1/2 cup cashews - See more at: http://www.sixsistersstuff.com/2011/10/slow-cooker-cashew-chicken.html#sthash.02dWrwj1.dpuf

1 tbsp olive oil
1/4 cup soya sauce
1/4 cup red wine vinegar
1/4 cup fish sauce
2 tbsp ketchup
2-3 cloves crushed garlic
1 tsp fresh ginger
2 cups water
red pepper flakes - as desired, they do add heat
cashews
4 cups cooked rice

directions
place first ten ingredients in slow cooker
turn on low to cook for 3-4 hours
if you want it a bit more saucy add:
 1/8 cup more soya sauce, 1/8 cup more red vinegar, 1/8 cup more fish sauce, 1 cup more water
serve on top of rice and top with cashews

steamed veggies (broccoli is my fav) on the side is really good with this.

enjoy

Recipe: Chicken Fajitas & Mexi Rice

i have said it before but quick, easy,  healthy meals are the best. 

here is a recipe that both clint and i really enjoyed. 

chicken fajitas & mexi rice

ingredients:

fajita filling  

1 tbsp olive oil 

1/2 onion - chopped

2 chicken breast - sliced

1 tbsp chili powder

1 tbsp cilantro

2 bell peppers - sliced

1 tbsp lime juice

1/2 can black beans

tortilla wraps

salsa

sour cream

mexi rice

2 cups cooked rice (i use leftover rice)

1 tbsp olive oil

2 cups corn

1/2 can black beans

1 pint grandma's homemade salsa (or whatever you prefer because you probably don't have my grandmas homemade salsa)

2 tbsp cilantro

1 tbsp chili powder

what to do {fajita filling}

pour olive oil in frying pan on med high heat

add onion and cut up chicken once pan is hot. 

add in chili powder and cilantro.

stir it up and add a bit of water (1/4 cup) and put the lid on - i like doing this so the chicken stays moist but it's optional.

once chicken is almost done add in peppers and beans - we like our peppers a bit on the crunchy side so i put them in only for 1-2 mins but if you like to have yours softer cook them until they are the desired tenderness. squeeze lime over top before filling your tortilla wrap.

fill tortilla wrap and top with salsa and sour cream - if you wish.

what to do {mexi rice}

pour olive oil into frying pan on med heat 

add rice (if it's left over rice break it up a bit so it gets heat and flavor evenly distributed)

add salsa, cilantro and chili powder

add 1/4 off water and stir so that all the rice is covered with the juices.

add in corn and black beans

stir it all together and wait til corn and beans are hot (3-4 min)

serve on the side with fajitas or put it inside of your fajita 

enjoy! 

all things pumpkin

as the cool breeze blows in my window and i hear the geese flying south i am reminded that fall is upon us, and i couldn't be more excited!

i love the changing season and this season means pumpkins!

i am in love with all things pumpkin! 

clint keeps coming home and our pumpkin display has grown.

i just can't get enough.

are you ready for an all things pumpkin post??

well here it is!

 pumpkin cookies with caramel frosting. get in my belly!

 pumpkin spice pancakes! oh yummm-o!

 instead of carving pumpkins you can use cloves or metal brads to decorate your pumpkin.

 maple and pumpkin married together in tart form. pure bliss!

how about you treat yourself to some pumpkin spice sugar scrub?

 serve this yummy pumpkin soup in a pumpkin or squash bowl

 sweet little pumpkin candles would be perfect to decorate your table for a gather

pumpkin spice latte - vegan and non vegan recipe.

 

savory pumpkin feta muffins. let me just wipe the drool of my computer now.

 

 here are three great recipes to spice up those pumpkin seeds that would others wise get thrown out!

  

and to end it off with something super sweet.

pumpkin torte.

 

fall finds

 as i was browsing the web this week i came across some great fall finds.

 this adorable paper pumpkin would be fun to make

 print these fall pretties for your home

 pumpkin pie oatmeal. enough said.

 

 i'll be sewing more now that the temps are dropping so this pin cousin would be a welcome addition.

 

 it's never to early to start thinking about wrapping paper

 french onion soup. i die.

 

someone is getting the brianna under the tree this year.

go check out the great fall line from threads

i wouldn't mind finding this or this or this or this under my tree.

i'm making a birthday dessert next week and i think this apple pecan dump cake looks perfect.

happy weekend friends!

kitchen wish list

i made a fun little kitchen collection on etsy. 

an etsy wedding registry if you will

it's all blues and yellows and springy 

i love it!

tea towel 

the kitchen is always the most lived in room

so why not have it filled with lovely things?!

 

 so if any of you are feeling so inclined to buy me a wedding gift

just take a peek here!

{just click on the picture to go to the source}

happy shopping!