Healthier Chocolate Chip Cookies

One of my alllll time favorite treats is Chocolate Chip Cookies and when I found this recipe I did a happy dance!!  Check out this healthier version of chocolate chip cookies that is KID & HUSBAND approved!! 

Healthier Chocolate Chip Cookies

Prep time: 10 minutes  Cook time: 14 minutes 

Ingredients: 

3 cups almond flour - I recommend Trader Joe's Brand for cost savings 

1 tsp baking soda 

1/4 tsp sea salt 

1/4 cup coconut oil, organic 

1/4 cup pure maple syrup or honey 

1 large egg

2 large egg whites (1/4 cup) 

1tsp pure vanilla extract 

1/2 cup semi - sweet or dark chocolate chips 

Directions: 

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

2. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.

3. Combine almond flour, baking soda and salt.  Mix and set aside.

4. Beat oil and syrup or honey in a large mixer bowl and blend for 4-5 mins.  Add egg, egg whites and vanilla, beat for 2 minutes.

5. Add almond flour mixture to egg mixture and mix until blended.  Fold in chocolate chips 

6. Use cookie scooper and drop rounded tbsp sized balls of dough onto the baking sheet.  Flatten cookies with fingers to give flatter cookie appearance as these cookies will not flatten.  

7. Bake for 12-14 minutes or until golden brown.  Enjoy!! 

This recipe is super easy, yummy and I promise you won't be disappointed.  I found it in the Fixate cookbook.  To get your copy click here. 

CLICK HERE

Steak Fajitas

I love Mexican food and anything that is a crowd pleaser.  Sometimes it's hard when you are feeding a crowd or a family to find items that will work for everyone.  This dish is one that you can serve to even non clean eaters and they can add toppings they want to meet their needs.  

Steak Fajitas 

Serves: 4 (2 fajitas each) 

Ingredients: 

1 1/2 tsp olive oil 

2 medium peppers (green, yellow or red) cut into strips 

1 medium onion sliced 

2 cloves garlic chopped 

1 lb raw extra lean beef sirloin cut into 2-inch strips 

1 tsp ground chili powder 

1 tsp ground cumin 

1 tsp crushed red pepper flakes 

1/2 tsp sea salt 

1/2 cup salsa 

8 6-inch corn tortillas 

4 Tbsp plain greek yogurt 

optional: 

1/4 cup fresh cilantro 

lime wedges 

Directions: 

1. Heat oil in large non stick skillet over medium high heat 

2. Add bell peppers, onion and cook for 5 - 6 minutes or until tender

3. Add garlic, cook for 1 minute

4. Add beef, chili powder, cumin, pepper flakes, salt and cook for 7-8 minutes or until meat is no longer pink 

5. Evenly top each tortilla with beef mixture, add salsa, yogurt, cilantro and serve with a lime wedge

Recipe adapted from Fixate cookbook.  If following the 21 day fix 2 fajitas counts as 1 green, 1 yellow, 1 red and 1 tsp. 

Raspberry Vinaigrette

I'm a huge believer in salads and I'm always looking for yummy salad dressings to try.  Most days I just use a good quality extra virgin olive oil and fun vinegar but other times when I'm having a get together or luncheon I want something fancier.  That's where this yummy Raspberry Vinaigrette comes in from the Fixate Cookbook! 

Raspberry Vinaigrette 

serves: 11 approx 2 TBSP each 

Ingredients: 

1/2 cup fresh raspberries 

2 Tbsp honey 

1 Tbsp plain greek yogurt 

3 Tbsp fresh lemon juice 

1 1/2 tsp finely grated lemon peel 

1 Tbsp chopped fresh or 1 tsp dried tarragon 

1/2 tsp pepper 

salt to taste 

1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil (recommended good quality) 

Directions: 

1. Rinse berries.  Place raspberries, honey, yogurt, lemon juice, lemon peel, tarragon, pepper, and salt in blender, cover and blend until smooth. 

2. Slowly add oil, blending constantly until well mixed 

Tip: Store leftover dressing in a covered container in the refrigerator.  If dressing thickens when cold, hold at room temperature for 30 mins before serving. 

This recipe is from the Fixate Cookbook.  If you are following the 21 day fix meal plan it counts as 1 orange container.  

Mexican Chicken Tortilla Soup

Soups are a great plan and prep meal.  They are easily made ahead and seem to get better as they sit and soak as the week goes on.  I have a few friends who LOVE chicken tortilla soup but when we started the 21 day fix they had to stop eating it and missed it!  I was delighted to see a copy of a healthier version in the new Fixate Cookbook!

Mexican Chicken Tortilla Soup
Serves: 4 (1.5 cup servings)

Ingredients:
8 - 6-inch corn tortillas
2 tsp olive oil
1/2 cup chopped yellow onion
2 cups slices celery (about 4 stalks)
2 cloves garlic, chopped
4 medium tomatoes, chopped
6 cups low-sodium organic chicken broth
3 cups chopped cooked chicken breasts
1 1/2 cups sliced carrots (about 3)
1 tsp oregano
1 tsp chili powder
1/2 tsp himalayan salt
1/2 tsp pepper
1/2 avocado sliced
1/4 cup cilantro
4 tsp shredded cheese of choice ,if desired

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees
2. Line baking sheet with parchment paper and place tortillas on baking sheet.  Bake for 8-10 mins until toasted and crispy.  Remove from oven and break into pieces and set aside.
3. Heat oil in large saucepan over medium heat.  Add onion and celery, cook for 5 mins stirring frequently.  Add garlic, cook for 1 min.
4. Add tomatoes and cook for an additional 5 mins, set aside
5. Take onion mixture and add 2 cups broth and half of the corn tortilla pieces to blender and blend until smooth.
6. Add blended mixture back to large saucepan.  Add 4 cups chicken broth, chicken, carrots, oregano, chili powder, salt and pepper.  Bring to a boil over medium heat and reduce to low, cook an stir occasionally for 10 mins, or until carrots are tender.
7. Divide into bowls and serve evenly with avocado, cilantro and remaining tortilla pieces.

This recipe is from the cookbook, Fixate which you can order here.

If you are following the 21 day fix meal plan you would could 1 serving as 3 greens, 1 yellow, 1 red and 1 blue.

FIXATE!! How to win a copy!!

One of THE hardest things about starting any new program is learning how to cook and make your own food.  I absolutely LOVE and believe in the 21 day fix but the containers can be challenging to some.

SOOOOO, get your pots, pans, and kitchen essentials ready, because Autumn Calabrese's 21 Day Fix-based cookbook, FIXATE, is here! 21 Day Fix® creator Autumn Calabrese takes her simple color-coded container system for measuring perfect portions and applies it to 101 of her favorite family recipes to bring us FIXATE, a delicious approach to healthy weight loss. Each Fixate recipe lists color-coded container equivalents and nutrition facts, so you can use Autumn's system for measuring portions and make sure your nutrition is on track when you begin the 21 day fix, 21 day fix Extreme OR any other fitness program.

This book will have everything to help you get started in the kitchen, so you can finish strong during your workout. Better yet, FIXATE includes Paleo, gluten-free, vegan, and vegetarian recipes along with Autumn's personal tips for preparing meals quickly, and stocking your kitchen with absolute must-haves.  

I just ordered my copy and I'm super excited to announce my very first GIVEAWAY!!  If you would like to enter to win a copy of FIXATE comment below with your email!!  The giveaway will end Wednesday, July 15th at 2pm!! 

**If you don't want to wait you can order it here: 

www.teambeachbody.com/shop/-/shopping/FixateCookbook?referringRepId=507706

HAPPY COOKING & FIXING FRIENDS!!