Macaroni & Cheese with Chicken & Broccoli

You're going to LOVE this one! A pretty AMAZING substitute for regular fatty-but-yummy mac and cheese. I got the recipe from Autumn Calabrese's Fixate but tweaked it a bit! Not gonna lie, I was pretty disappointed when we didn't have leftovers!

Ingredients

• 4 oz. dry whole wheat macaroni or pasta
• 4 tsp. extra-virgin organic coconut oil (I used that but you could also use organic grass-fed butter)
• 2 tbsp. whole wheat flour
• 11/2 cups unsweetened almond milk
• 11/2 cups grated extra-sharp cheddar cheese
• 3 cups cooked chopped chicken breast
• 4 cups steamed chopped broccoli
• 1 tsp. Himalayan salt
• 1/2 tsp. ground black pepper

Directions

1. Cook macaroni and set aside. Don't add salt to it.
2. Melt coconut oil in a large saucepan over medium heat.
3. Add flour; cook, whisking constantly, for 1 minute or until brown. Don't let it burn!
4. Sloooowly which in almond milk; cook, whisking constantly, until there are no lumps (1 to 2 minutes).
5. Reduce heat to low and add cheese. Whisk constantly for 2-3 minutes or until completely melted.
6. Add chicken, broccoli, salt, and pepper. Stir until heated through.
7. Serve! I mixed the noodles in with everything but if you want you can just top your noodles with it.

Serves: 8 (2 cups each)

Container Equivalents (per serving): 1/2 G, 1/2 Y, 1/2 R, 1 B, 1/2 tsp.

Facebook: www.facebook.com/andrearivashealthfitness

Instagram: andrea__rivas

Eating Clean While Eating Out

Heeeelllloooo <3

Did you know that eating out is about THREE times the amount of calories that you would consume making dinner at home!?

When I first started eating clean I had so much trouble whenever anyone asked me to go out for dinner or lunch. I didn't want to be rude and say no but I also didn't want to go and eat enough calories to last me my next 3 days. These following tips help me TREMENDOUSLY to stay on track and still enjoy myself :)

Tip #1: Pick the restaurant! Stay away from big chain restaurants (Chili's, Cheesecake Factory, etc.) and try a smaller place. Look up the menu in advance and see if there are any yummy foods that still keep you eating healthy.

Tip #2: NEVER leave the house starving. When that waiter walks by with that basket of bread and asks if you want a roll, it's way easier to say no if you had a little something before you leave your house. Even a full glass of water or a piece of fruit so that you're not famished!

Tip #3: Avoid foods that have the words "crispy", "buttery", "breaded", "smothered", or "covered in cream sauce." I think this tip speaks for itself ;)

Tip #4: Ask about their soups. Soups are usually filling, easy, and don't come with extra sides. Go for a broth based soup and avoid any cream soups.

Tip #5: Before your entree hits the table, decide how much of it you're going to eat. "I will be done when I eat a quarter of my entree, and all of my greens."

Tip #6: Going back to Tip #3, if you absolutely, really want to get an entree with one of those words, ask the waiter if they can hold the butter or oil. Almost everything can be modified for you. I worked in the service industry so I definitely can vouch for this one ;)

Tip #7: Eat the foods with the lowest calories on your plate first.

Tip #8: When you're done, put your napkin over your plate. This helps prevent you from picking at it and signals the waiter that you're done so he/she can take the plate. If you want to take it home, I suggest asking for a box as soon as the entree is dropped so that when you decide you're done you don't have to wait on the waiter (haha, unintentional pun).

Tip #9: Follow the three bite rule. If there's something that's completely unhealthy but you just HAVE to have it, take 3 bites. The first bite is because this is delicious and I love sweets and I'm going to eat this! The second bite is because I am ENJOYING it and I can control myself. And the third bite, is because I'm satisfied.

And last but not least...

Tip #10: Watch the cocktails!!! Each cocktail has tons of sugar and empty-calories your body doesn't need. Alcohol never leads to good decisions and you'll regret getting that big piece of chocolate cake when you wake up the next morning! :D

Hope this will help you plan your weekend festivities :)

Facebook: www.facebook.com/andrearivashealthfitness
Instagram: andrea__rivas

Crockpot Turbofire Chili

Okay this recipe takes the cake for easiness and yumminess! AND it's made in the crockpot so that's a big plus for me :) If you don't like beans you can sub them out for green peppers, mushrooms, or any other veggie you like. Just follow the correct portion sizes so you don't overindulge. It's easy to do with this one!

Crockpot Turbofire Chili

Ingredients
1 lb. lean ground turkey
1/2 cup diced tomatoes
8 oz. whole kernel corn, canned
1/2 onion, diced
2 cloves garlic
8 oz. black beans, canned
8 oz. pinto, chili, or kidney beans canned
1 tbsp tomato paste
1 package chili seasoning
4 oz. low-fat shredded cheddar cheese (optional)

Directions
Brown turkey. Drain and discard any fat. Place all ingredients except cheese into a slow cooker. Cook for 4 hours on low or 2 hours on high. Top with 1 oz. cheese if desired.

Enjoy! Recipe serves four but we always have extra so I freeze the leftovers and have a small portion for lunch on a bed of spinach :)

Xoxo,
Andrea


Facebook: www.facebook.com/andrearivashealthfitness
Instagram: andrea__rivas

Skinny Pancakes

This is a super quick and yummy breakfast recipe that I LOVE because my whole family can enjoy them! Even Cami likes them :) Bonus - there are only two ingredients. Win! It's gluten free and dairy free and there are endless options to flavor it up or leave it the same. Hope you enjoy them! <3

Skinny Pancakes

Ingredients
4 eggs
1 banana
1/4 tsp baking powder (optional)

Directions
1. Combine all ingredients in a bowl
2. Pulse in blender, with a hand mixer or even a food processor until there are no clumps
3. Heat a frying pan over medium heat, add a little EVOO or non stick cooking spray
4. Cook pancakes until they begin to bubble on one side and begin to take form. From there, flip them and cook for 30 seconds longer.
5. Serve with maple syrup if desired

OPTIONAL: If you're feeling in need of a treat toss in some chocolate chips, cinnamon, or frozen/fresh fruit :) I have a HUGE sweet tooth so this helps satisfy the craving without getting myself way off track!

Xoxo

Facebook: www.facebook.com/andrearivashealthfitness
Instagram: andrea__rivas