Mexican Chicken Tortilla Soup

Clean, Yummy and Gluten Free Soup 

I wish it were not still SO cold here but it is. It's the end of May and I am still wearing my winter clothes and making soup. This past weekend we were rained in our house so we resorted to a warm pot of soup Sunday afternoon. I was nervous that it might be too spicy for my little guy but he gave it two thumbs up and loved it. This recipe is from the fixate cookbook. It's healthy, yummy and gluten free!!! Let me know if you try it! You can also purchase the fixate cookbook by clicking here. 

Ingredients 

• 2 teaspoons olive oil

• 8 (6") tortillas, divided use

• 1/2 cup onion, chopped

• 2 cups celery, sliced (about 4 medium stalks)

• 2 garlic cloves, minced

• 4 medium tomatoes, chopped

• 6 cups low-sodium organic chicken broth

• 3 cups chopped and/or shredded rotisserie chicken, boneless/skinless

• 1 1/2 cups sliced carrots (about 3 medium)
• I cup of sweet corn

• 1 teaspoon dried oregano leaves

• 1 teaspoon chili powder

• ½ teaspoon sea salt + more to taste

• ½ teaspoon pepper + more to taste

• optional garnish: chopped avocado, chopped fresh cilantro, crumbled Cotija (or Feta) cheese

Instructions:
1) Preheat oven to 350 F.
 
2) Line large baking sheet with parchment paper.
3) Place tortillas on baking sheet.  Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until toasted and crispy.  Remove from oven.  When cool, break into pieces.  Set aside. 
4) Heat oil in large saucepan over medium heat. Add chopped onion and celery; cook, stirring frequently, for about 5 minutes and until veggies are soft. Add garlic; cook, stirring frequently, for about 1 minute. Add in the sweet corn and tomatoes; cook, stirring frequently, for about 5 minutes and until tomatoes are soft. Set aside.
5) Add onion mixture, 2 cups broth and half of the toasted tortilla pieces to high-speed blender or food processor and blend until smooth.
6) Transfer blended mixture back to saucepan and add remaining 4 cups broth, chicken, carrots and seasonings. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce heat to medium-low; cook, stirring occasionally, for about 10 minutes, or until carrots are tender.
7) Top each serving with preferred toppings such as avocado, cilantro, feta, and remaining tortilla chips.

Gluten Free Chocolate Chip Cookies

Since going gluten free, we have been on a quest to find new things that we love and taste great. We had our first attempt at chocolate chip cookies recently and LOVED THEM! The almond flour gives it a delicious buttery taste unlike regular chocolate chip cookies. I actually got this recipe from the fixate cookbook and wanted to share it with all of you. The fixate cookbook has been my saving grace while I transitioned to gluten free because many of the recipes are already adapted to be gluten free. You can click here to check it out on my website. 

Ingredients 

3 cups almond flour

1 tsp. baking soda, gluten free

1/4 tsp. sea salt or Himalayan Salt

1/4 cup extra-virgin organic coconut oil, melted

1/4 cup pure maple syrup or raw honey

1 large egg

2 large egg whites (1/4 cup)

1 tsp pure vanilla extract

1/2 cup semi-sweet or dark chocolate chips

Directions Preheat oven to 375Line two baking sheets with parchment paperCombine almond flour, baking soda, and salt in medium bowl; set asideBeat oil and maple syrup in a large mixer bowl until creamy, approximately 4-5 minutesAdd egg, egg whites, and extract; beat additional 2 minutesAdd almond flour mixture and mix until blendedDrop rounded TBSP not prepared baking sheet. Flatten cookies with a spatula if desired. Bake approximately 14 minutes or until golden brown.Store in airtight container

Peanut Butter Bars - Fixate Cookbook Style

This is healthy? Seriously? Stop.... 

Everything you need to whip up a pretty darn good dessert! 

Here's the deal I HATE TO BAKE. Like hate it. I can cook you anything but if you put me in charge of desserts you would have been better to send me to the grocery store. Ask my husband if you don't believe me. That's why when I got the fixate cookbook, I pretty much just skipped right over the dessert section. Well this past week I was craving some sweets but didn't want to ruin all the hard work I had been putting in with T25. (That's the program I am currently working out with. 3 weeks in, no stopping me now.) I pulled out the cookbook and decided to see if I had anything on hand that I could somehow turn into a treat. The peanut butter bars looked easy and appealing so I went for it. What a win! I loved it and what I loved even more was that it really wasn't all that unhealthy. They were very moist and had a nice after taste. I will absolutely be making these again. Check out the recipe below to see how I made them.

Ingredients 
2 eggs
Pure vanilla extract - 2 tsp.
Maple syrup - 1/2 cup
Baking soda - 1/2 tsp.
All natural creamy peanut butter - 1 1/2 cups

Directions 
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees
Spray a glass 8x8 pan - I used coconut oil
Combine all ingredients using a mixer
Layer into the pan using a spatula
Cook for 20 - 25 minutes
Allow to cool before cutting into squares
ENJOY!!!

Want to learn more about what the fixate cookbook is? Check out my video below! 

Click here to get your hands on a copy of the cookbook! 

The final product. Not too fancy looking but sure tastes great! 

Apple Banana Gluten Free Muffins

Back To School Breakfast Idea

As I gear up for the school year I am getting back into the habit of packing lunches again. I not only have to pack lunches for my son and I but also breakfast since we are running out the door so quickly in the mornings. He eats his packed breakfast at school and I drink a Shakeology on the way. A few hours later I usually have my "breakfast" for the day. This week we are going to be enjoying these apple banana muffins. They were too healthy and yummy not to share! This recipe is actually out of the Fixate Cookbook! There are lots of other great recipes in there to check out! This cookbook is totally worth getting! Check out my site to get your own copy of this!

Ingredients
2 large organic brown eggs
2 ripe bananas mashed
1 tablespoon of organic butter
1 dash of pink Himalayan sea salt
1 tsp of vanilla
1 tsp of cinnamon
1 1/2 cups of almond flour
1 medium organic apple chopped into small bites
3/4 tsp of baking soda

Directions 
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees
Line muffin tins - Mine made 10 muffins
Combine eggs, banana, vanilla and butter in a bowl and set aside
Comine almond flour, salt, cinnamon and baking soda in another bowl - set aside
Begin to combine the two mixtures together
Once combined add in apple pieces
I used a cookie scoop to portion the mixture out.
Cook for 18 minutes. Allow muffins to cook before enjoying

Chicken Noodle Soup - The Best I Ever Made

Fixate Cookbook - A Girls Best Friend

This past week I got to finally try some new recipes from the much anticipated fixate cookbook. All the ones that we tried last week were amazing but my favorite was the chicken noodle soup recipe. In fact, this is the best chicken noodle soup I have EVER had. My little one was actually the one who picked it from the cookbook to try. He's a die hard soup fan so I was not surprised he picked this one! 

Here are the ingredients you are going to need:

Ingredients 

2 tsp - olive oil 

1/2 cup chopped onion

2 cups chopped celery

5 cups of organic chicken broth

2 cups of organic vegetable broth 

2 boneless skinless chicken breasts 

1 1/2 cups sliced organic carrots 

1 tsp dried oregano 

1/2 tsp of pink himalayan sea salt 

1 tsp black pepper

1 1/4 cups of dry whole wheat pasta 

2 chicken bullion cubes 

Directions 

In a stock pot place chicken breasts and broth as well as olive oil - bring to a rolling boil 

Add remaining ingredients and cook until vegetables are tender 

Add pasta, reduce to a lower heat and gently boil for 10 minutes. 

Remove from heat and enjoy! 

He was over the moon excited about his yummy soup!

* Recipe found in the Fixate cookbook and modified slightly* 

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Strawberry Banana Ice Cream - Fixate Style

I won't lie, I am dying for the launch of the new 21 day fix cookbook! I cannot wait to see what all will be included. BUT in the meantime we were given a sneak peak of a few recipes from the cookbook. I decided to give this "ice cream" recipe a try.

My son and I had a blast making it together - it was super easy and very healthy for him. The best part was he totally thought it was ice cream. Happy kiddo = happy mommy! You have to try this one with your family or for yourself!

Being silly and super excited about his ice cream!

Ingredients
2 cups of frozen bananas
1 cup frozen strawberries
2 tablespoons of almond milk - I used coconut almond milk for a slightly tropical taste
* I also used a tablespoon of natural peanut butter for a fun little add in!


Directions 
Place ingredients into the food processor
Turn on and mix until creamy - you may need to stir it a few times then blend again to get everything chopped up

Enjoy! Totally tastes like ice cream!!! Interested in learning more about what the fixate cook book is? Click here! 

YUMMY!

21 Day Fix & 21 Day Fix Extreme Cookbook Coming Soon

Introducing Fixate - The Newest Addition To The Beachbody Family 

Genius is the only thing I can say when I think about the new cook book fixate that will be launching on July 14th! I am over the top excited because this is something that some of my challengers needed desperately! I have seen so many of my clients get success with programs like the 21 day fix and the 21 day fix extreme but what seems to hang them up the most is the meal planning and deciding how to "count the containers" for recipes. I always try my best to help them but sometimes it is more of a guessing game. 

Now cue this new cookbook - Autumn took the guess work out of it! She has included 101 of her favorite clean healthy recipes and does the break down for you. She has plenty of options for those who are paleo, gluten free, vegan and vegetarian. There is something for everyone for all kinds of meals each day - breakfast, lunch,  dinner, shakeology and even cocktails!

I can see this being a lifesaver for many of my challengers who struggle with the meal planning part! 

Personally I absolutely love to cook so this is going to be right up my alley! Typically I am a Pinterest girl when it comes to finding recipes while doing the fix but I have a feeling the Griffith house is going to be enjoying lots of fun 21 day fix approved dinners shortly after this launches!!

For my July challenge group that I am hosting I am planning to focus on the family not just moms! I decided I will give away copy of the cookbook to one lucky person who purchases the 21 day fix or 21 day fix extreme challenge pack from me. I will do the drawling to see who the winner is right before the group starts! 

If you think you might be interested in my next challenge group and the opportunity to learn more about the fixate cookbook please fill out the application below. I will be in touch shortly. Click here to sign up to have me as your coach!

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Focus on Family Fitness Challenge

July

The Month To Make Some Healthy Changes Once And For All

My focus for July is not just on women and helping them to feel better - July is going to be a family affair. On Monday July 20th I will kick off a challenge group that will be focusing on getting everyone healthy. It will be a group effort!  Maybe you have a spouse that wants to drop some weight and you have thought about doing it together or maybe your kiddos are living off of mac and cheese and as much as you hate to admit it - maybe it is time for a change. Not just for you but for everyone!

My little one - eats what we eat every single night - no making special meals for this toddler!

This is your chance. Now is  the time to say okay, what do I have to lose? I want in - Watch my video listed below to see if this might be for you! 

The group will run for 28 days. Taking you right up until the upcoming school year. This is your last chance to get back on track before the chaos of a new school year begins again. 

As I mentioned I will be giving away the newly released fixate cookbook created by Autumn Calabrese the creator of the 21 day fix and 21 day fix extreme to one lucky winner who purchases before July 10th. Fingers crossed that you win! 

So here's to your clean slate in July and starting fresh! I  am excited to help you get started and on track. Please fill out the application below if you would like to be considered! Only taking 10 this month! I will be in touch within 24 hours. 

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