Stuff.  Stuffed.  Stuffing.

As a general rule, I like anything stuffed.  Chicken, turkey birds, fish, shrimp, my face.  Anything.

 I especially love stuffing squash!  It's a beautiful presentation, and so satisfying.  The squash almost has the consistency of mashed potatoes and who doesn't like that? Just weirdos, that's who.

I tried a recipe a while ago with turkey sausage and kale,and it was amazing.  Tonight I was using up what I had in my house and this was the result!  This recipe also includes farro, it's not an ingredient that's very commonly used but you must try it!  If you see it at the grocery store, grab some and start Googling ways to prepare it.  It's almost like barley but with a slightly chewy bite to it.


Stuffed Acorn Squash

1 med-large acorn squash
Coconut oil or olive oil cooking spray

2 tsp olive oil
1/2 lb ground turkey
2 cloves garlic, chopped
1 med onion, halved and sliced thin
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp onion powder
1/2 tsp paprika
1/4 tsp cumin
5 cups baby spinach
1 plum tomato, seeds removed, chopped
1 cup cooked farro or quinoa
1/4 cup no sodium chicken broth
1 tablespoon whole wheat bread crumbs
1 tablespoon pecans
1/8 cup or 1 oz goat cheese

Preheat oven to 400.  Slice acorn squash in half and remove seeds.  Cut a small slice out of the bottom so it will lay flat on the pan.  Place both sides on a baking sheet and spray with cooking spray. Bake for 45 mins to an hour or until tender.

In a large saucepan, heat 2 tsp of olive oil.  Add onion and garlic until softened.  Add the ground turkey and break up with your spatula, once the turkey is cooked through add the garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, cumin, spinach, tomato and chicken broth.  Cover pan for 3 minutes.  Remove cover and stir until combined.  Let reduce down in the pan for about 5 minutes on low-medium heat.  Once the liquid has evaporated a little add the farro and stir.

Remove the squash from the oven and fill with turkey mixture.  Pack down so you can fit a lot in there.  Sprinkle bread crumb/pecan mixture over the top then add the goat cheese.  Spray with cooking spray and place under the broiler in your oven for 2-3 minutes or until browned.

Enjoy!

Tip: Make this with southwestern seasoning, and black beans and use shredded cheddar instead of goat cheese.  Taco Squash!

(21 Day Fixers- 1 half acorn squash filled is-2 green, 1 yellow, 1 blue, 1 tsp)

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Dying for Chinese Food...

This recipe was born from my desire for Chinese food one night.  I just wanted a big bowl of greasy chicken and broccoli and fried rice and a crunchy egg roll!  I couldn't do that obviously, and I had two pieces of fish so I sort of threw this together on the fly. That happens pretty often that when you just throw things together they become the best meals you've ever had.  This was one of those times!

Enjoy! 

Orange Garlic Glazed Fish 

Ingredients:

Two 6 oz pieces of mahi mahi 
Juice of half an orange 
2 tbsp low sodium soy
2 tbsp water
2 tsp hot sauce
2 tsp honey
2 tsp fresh garlic
2 tsp olive oil 

Marinate the fish for an hour (I made it up as I went along so I marinated it for 5 minutes, it was still excellent) 
Heat a nonstick skillet to med-high heat with two teaspoons olive oil
Place the fish in the pan and let brown for a few minutes Flip the fish in the pan and add the marinade. Lower the heat and let it bubble and reduce down for 5 minutes while cooking the fish, spooning the glaze over the fish from time to time. 

I served this over quinoa with a side of broccoli sauteed with garlic!  It was SO good and really satisfied my craving.  

Tip: This would also work for chicken, cut into cubes and cook the same way- Orange Chicken! 

(21 Day Fixers- The dish in total was 1.5 red, 2 yellow, 1 green, 2 teaspoons) 

Breakfast Frittata

This is one of my favorites!  Some Sundays my husband and I just like to have a nice brunch, something healthy but nice and satisfying.  

I love to make these frittatas, or "crustless quiche" and the great thing about them is that you can add pretty much anything you have in the fridge! Get creative! 

Breakfast Frittata:

Two cups onions, halved and sliced 
Four cups spinach loosely packed
1 cup sliced mushrooms
3 tsp olive oil
6 eggs
1 cup cheddar cheese

Caramelize the onions in 2 tsps of olive oil on med low heat (Low and slow til they're nice and brown and creamy. I like some thyme in there too)
While they're going, saute mushrooms and add to a baking dish (6X6). Add sauteed spinach on top of the mushrooms, then the onions. Then add the cheese. Whisk the eggs last and pour over veggies. DO NOT STIR. Move the pan around and tap to make sure the eggs distribute.

Bake at 375 for 15 minutes- serves 4

21 Day Fixers- 1 serving would be 1 red, 2 green, 1 blue, 1 tsp 

Tip: Layer the bottom of the pan with thinly sliced potatoes.  They get crispy and are great with the eggs.  (21 Day Fixers- add a yellow) 

Adventures in Shakeology 

I've always had the same Shakeology...chocolate.  And I always put the same ingredients in it.  Frozen banana, peanut butter, spinach and almond milk.  I received a bag of strawberry from a friend and got to try it, I actually really enjoyed it.  I'm looking forward to trying vanilla next! 

If you don't know what Shakeology is, ask me about it!  It's dense superfood in a delicious shake, with all natural ingredients.  Curbs cravings, boosts energy, etc.  And as someone with MS I can tell you between my new lifestyle changes, and the exercise with the Shakeology I can really see a difference in the way I feel.  Amazing! 

Strawberry Marzipan Shakeology 

1 scoop Strawberry Shakeology 

1/2 frozen banana 

2 tsps almond butter

1 cup (1 green container) spinach  

4 oz almond milk

4 oz water

1 cup of ice. 

Add all ingredients to a blender and blend until creamy!  Enjoy!

 

My first blog.  How exciting!

I'm no one special, my story is pretty similar to most people.  I've struggled with my weight most of my life.  After I had my son, I ballooned to a weight that I was uncomfortable with. (Physically and emotionally).  Once I began losing that weight, I had a new lease on life.  I felt better about myself, better about my life, and my family.  I was a better person and a better mother.  I became a BeachBody Coach and began helping other people feel better about themselves.  I don't even care if they never buy anything from me, if I've made a difference in their lives that's what really matters to me.  And that's not just the Skinny Vine Chardonnay talking!

My journey began with the 21 Day Fix.  It gave me the strength to lose weight and eat differently, and the strength to try other, more challenging workouts.  The courage to go out of my comfort zone and join a public class with women with actual metabolisms and let them see me sweat.  Since I love food, and I love to cook I've found a way to make the nutrition fun, exciting and delicious.

I hope you enjoy tagging along on the rest of my journey.  I still have about 65 lbs to go, and I'm going to get it done Stuffing Myself Skinny!!!