Healthy Chocolate Pudding

OMG, this is so yummy!  I've been doing the 21 Day Fix Extreme workouts and trying to follow the meal plan.  There are no cheats on this plan...no wine (though I don't drink), no chocolate.  And of course, when you're not allowed to eat something, that is the EXACT something that you want to eat.  Well, looking through the meal plan, I came across the chocolate pudding recipe.   It's soo good, and I don't feel any guilt eating it at all.  It's a 1/2 red, 1/2 yellow, and 1/2 blue container.  Yummy goodness.

Makes 4 servings, approximately 1/2 cup each

1.5 scoops         Chocolate Shakeology
1                        Ripe Medium avocado
1                        medium banana, cut into chunks
1 C                    unsweetened almond milk

1. Place Shakeology, avocado, banana, and almond milk in blender.  Blend until smooth (If too thick, add additional almond milk).

2. Pour into 4 dessert cups; refrigerate for at least 1 hour, or until set.

Healthier General Cho's Chicken

Since doing 21 Day Fix Extreme, I need to find alternative foods to stay within the meal plan.  The thing about the meal plan is actually planning.  So I've been spending a day during the weekend looking up different recipes to try.  I came across a recipe of General Cho's Chicken.  Go visit a Chinese Restaurant and you will likely see a version that's deep fried.  Who doesn't like deep fried food?  I do, but we know that that type of food isn't healthy.  Try this instead.

Ingredients:
1 lb. raw chicken breast, boneless, skinless, cut into 2-inch pieces
2 Tbsp. + 1 tsp. cornstarch, divided use
¼ tsp. sea salt
1 tsp. sesame oil
2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1 thin slice fresh ginger, peeled, finely chopped
2 Tbsp. reduced-sodium soy sauce
½ cup low sodium chicken broth
1 Tbsp. rice wine vinegar
2 Tbsp. tomato paste, no added sugar
2 tsp. hoisin sauce
1 tsp. pure maple syrup (or raw honey)
2 Tbsp. cold water
2 green onions, sliced
1 Tbsp. toasted sesame seeds
1 Tbsp. dried Thai chilies (optional) 

Preparation:
1. Preheat oven to 375° F.
2. Line baking sheet with parchment paper; set aside.
3. Place chicken, 2 Tbsp. cornstarch, and salt in a medium bowl; toss until well coated.
4. Place chicken in a single layer on prepared baking sheet; bake for 12 to 15 minutes, or until cooked through.
5. While chicken is baking, heat oil, garlic, and ginger in large skillet over medium heat; cook for 1 to 2 minutes.
6. Add soy sauce, broth, vinegar, tomato paste, hoisin sauce, and maple syrup. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low; cook for 4 to 5 minutes.
7. Dissolve remaining 1 tsp. cornstarch in cold water; add to soy sauce mixture. Gently boil, stirring frequently, for another 3 to 4 minutes, or until sauce begins to thicken.
8. Add cooked chicken to sauce, coating thoroughly.
9. Serve chicken sprinkled with sesame seeds, green onions, and chilies (if desired).

Enjoy!  Children approved also. 

Yummy Turkey Meatloaf

Since I'm doing 21 Day Fix Extreme currently, I'm doing my best to try to follow the nutrition program too. Here is a recipe that was super easy to make. I made it ahead of time for us to have for dinner later in the week. Super yummy. The picture does not do it justice. Just make sure the salsa you use does not have a lot of salt. If it does, bypass the added salt.  This was a mistake that I made, but it was still yummy.  Enjoy! 

2 lbs raw (93%) lean ground turkey
1 Cup all-natural mild salsa (I used medium and it added a nice kick.  It was also all I had at the time)
1 Cup cooked quinoa, cooled
2 Large eggs, lightly beaten
3 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1 tsp sea salt
Ground pepper to taste (optional)
Fresh chopped parsley (for garnish, optional)

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
2. Combine turkey, salsa, quinoa, eggs, garlic, salt, and pepper in a large bowl; mix well by hand or with a rubber spatula
3. Shape mixture into shape of a loaf and place on ungreased 13x9 inch baking pan.
4. Bake for 60-70 minutes, or until center is no longer pink and meat is cooked through.
5. Let stand 10 minutes before serving.
6. Serve garnished w/parsley.

You can also cut the cooked meatloaf into single servings and freeze for future meals. Delicious!