Crockpot Sausage & Peppers

This is one of those recipes that may become a family favorite. I know it did in my household! It resembles gumbo, with a twist!

Everytime I make this recipe, I make it in BULK because it freezes SO well! I've kept in the freezer for up to 6 weeks and it thaws out just as tasty as when it's first cooked. Convenient right?!

What you will need for this recipe: Make 8-10 servings

2 lbs. chicken sausage (cooked and chopped)

1 Green Pepper (chopped)

2 Red peppers (chopped)

1 Yellow pepper (chopped)

2 onions (chopped)

1 bag of frozen okra

6 cloves garlic (minced)

1 tbs. oregano (dried)

1/2 cup basil (fresh and chopped)

2 14 oz. cans diced tomatoes 

2 tbsp. tomato paste

To Make:

1. Add sausage, peppers, onion, garlic, oregano, and basil to the crockpot.

2. Mix tomatoes and tomato paste together, then ass to the crockpot.

3. Cook on low for 6 hours.

4. 1 hour before finishing, add the frozen okra.

5. Serve over rice, quinoa, or pair with sweet potatoe bites like I did! :)

Thanks so much for stopping by!

xoxo

Brianna

Crockpot Chicken Burrito Bowl

I LOVE CROCKPOTS!!!

Seriously, you throw everything into the pot, put the lid on, and let it cook! Not to mention, allowing everything to just sit and simmer for HOURS always perfects the taste of any dish! It allows the meat to marinate, the veggies to absorb extra flavor, and needs no additional work!

This recipe is not only simple, but it's delicious, and 21 day fix approved!

What You'll Need:

• 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts about 4 large breasts
• 4 tablespoons of olive oil
• 2 tablespoons of onion powder
• 4 tsp. of garlic powder
• 2 tablespoons of chili powder
• 4 tsp. of cumin
• 2 tsp. of kosher salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
• 6 cups of low-sodium chicken broth
• 2 bell peppers, chopped 
• 12 oz. mushrooms 
• (2) 15 oz can of diced tomatoes, drained
• (1) 14 oz can of black beans, drained and rinsed
• 2 3/4 cups of instant whole grain brown rice (optional)
• 1 cup shredded colby jack OR cheddar cheese 

 
Directions:

1. Place chicken breasts in slow cooker.
2. Pour chicken broth over chicken breasts and stir in canned tomatoes, olive oil, onion powder, garlic powder, chili powder, cumin, salt and pepper.
3. Cook on low for about 4 hours.
4. Remove chicken breasts from slow cooker.
5. Turn slow cooker to high and stir in instant rice and black beans.
6. Let cook 30-45 minutes on high, or until rice is tender.
7. Add chicken back in, cook for 20 minutes on high, or until chicken is warm.
8. Serve with fresh diced tomatoes, sour cream, green onions, avocados or guacamole, top with cheese. 

Serving Size: 1 Cup
21 Day Fix: 1/2 Yellow, 1 Red, 1 Green, 1 Blue

Notes: Once finished, you can create a bowl with your choice of a complex carb (brown rice, sweet potatoes, quinoa) OR you can roll up in a burrito wrap (whole grain, spinach, kale, flax, etc.)! Prep a week of a lunches 5 different ways if you want! :)

Meal Prep - KID edition!

Meal prepping is one thing... meal prepping for kids is a completely different subject! If the meal doesn't contain cookies, french fries, pizza, or a sandwich, most kids don't want to touch it. Sound familiar???

BUT what if there's a way around it! I was DETERMINED to find healthy lunches that were kid lunchbox friendly and I think I found a few solutions... :)

These can be made at the beginning of the week and readily available to grab each morning and throw in lunch boxes. No more morning lunch packing madness!

Lunch #1: Turkey and Cheese Roll-Ups

Ready for the simplest recipe known to human kind??

What you will need:

1. deli turkey (look for one with low sodium, organic if possible, and no msg)

2. your favorite block of cheese (I kept it simple with a block of cheddar cheese)

3. Raw veggies (carriots, cherry tomatoes, cucumbers... whatever your child will eat!)

4. FRUIT. I picked grapes but anything will work :)

5. Muffin Tins

6. Skewers

To Make:

1. Soak your skewers in water for 30 minutes

2. Cut your raw veggies 

3. Fill your muffin tins with veggies and fruit

4. Take out your skewers and start building them! Roll your meat, slide on cheese, repeat.

THAT'S IT. So simple yet SO fun and of course, SO healthy!! :)

Stay tuned for lunch #2! 

XOXO,

Brianna