I have been back to running this week and training for the Boston Marathon. Can you believe that it is less than two months away?!!!! I have my first 16 mile run this weekend. 
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Ok, I owe you all some really yummy recipes….
While visiting my friend Ronni in WA, she made me her Crock Pot Beer Chicken and it was one of the juiciest chicken crock pot recipes I have ever had. The best part is that I already had everything on hand. She also made mashed potatoes. Of course, when I made it at home, I made healthy version by using cauliflower instead of potatoes.
CROCK POT BEER CHICKEN
Ingredients
2lbs skinless, boneless chicken breasts
1 bottle of can of your favorite beer (I used Fat Tire)
1 tsp salt
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tbsp dried oregano
1/2 tsp black pepper
Directions
Place all ingredients in the crock pot and cook on high for 4-5 hrs (or low for 6-8 hrs).
Feel free to change out the spices and herbs to be able to use your favorites.
Cauliflower Mash
Ingredients
1 large head cauliflower steam bag
1 tbsp minced garlic
olive oil
1 tbsp greek yogurt or cream cheese
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper
Directions
Blend all ingredients in a food processor and pulse to your desired consistency.
I just love me some Cooking Light recipes!!!! I always have great luck with the dish actually tasting super flavorful and looking like what I was going for. These Salmon Fillets were just cooked in some EVOO with a sprinkle of salt and pepper and flipped over after 3 minutes. I couldnâ€
t stop raving about the orzo. There was so much flavor packed in and it was so simple to make.
Orzo Pilaf
Ingredients
5 teaspoons olive oil, divided
3/4 cup uncooked orzo
1 1/2 cups unsalted chicken stock
1/2 teaspoon salt, divided
1/4 cup bottled roasted red bell peppers, thinly sliced
2 tablespoons chopped fresh dill
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1 ounce chopped pitted kalamata olives( I didnâ€t have any)
Directions
Heat a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Add 2 teaspoons oil, then swirl. Add orzo. Sauté the orzo in the oil for 2 minutes or until toasted. Add stock and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Bring to a boil. Cover, reduce heat, and simmer 15 minutes. Stir in bell peppers, dill, juice, and olives. Keep warm until serving.
Lastly, I have been enjoying Green Monsters once again and I think RJ is ready for her own. (I’ll have a full post on making RJâ€s food coming soon.) This combination may be the best I have ever made by far! I love the addition of mango. It really made the smoothie PERFECT!
Green Monster Super Food Smoothie
Ingredients
1 cup coconut water
1 banana
1/2 cup frozen mango
2 tbsp Hemp Protein
1 tbsp flax seed
Directions
Put all ingredients in the blender and enjoy!
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I leave you with a collage of cuteness.Â
Question: Are you planner or do you live spontaneously?
P.S. Only three more days to sign up for the Mama Shred!
]]>My loving husband, Bosco, the fact that I never have to think about where my next meal will come from, having an awesome Job that I get to see lives changed daily, friends that know me better then I know myself, and all of you awesome readers that encourage me in more ways then ever!
This Thanksgiving we are having TWO dinners with our family. Thanks to Pinterest I have found some AWESOME recipes and can not wait to get my hands dirty!
The first dinner will be on Thanksgiving day with my Dad and I will be making…
2. Butternut Squash Apple Cranberry Bake
My Dad and Step Mom will be making the Ham and Turkey and other wonderful goodies!
For the second Thanksgiving on Friday I am making everything myself (with Hubbyâ€s help of course!). My Mom is bringing dessert 
3. Turkey
4. Rolls
5. Brussels Sprouts, Bacon, and Apple dish
6. Fresh Cranberry Sauce
7. Yams
8. Skinny Green Bean Casserole
I am way more of a sides kind of a girl! I get most excited about Yams and Cranberry Sauce!
Question: What are your favorite sides at Thanksgiving?
]]>This week I have been getting back to clean eats and sweating it out like crazy! I have 6 days till we leave to Maui and I want to feel good while lying on the beach 
My back is ALL BETTER, so glad I took a week of to recover and I am actually more motivated then ever!
I am TRYING to get back to my early morning routines (5am runs) and with the time change, I think that might be possible!!!
Ok Ok…time for an amazing recipe! When I spotted this African Bean & Sweet Potato Soup Recipe on Pinterest, I just knew I had to recreate it and make it my own! I have a ton of produce in my fridge from a local CSA that I had to use up before it all went bad.
This is probably the best crock pot soup I have ever made, hands down!
African Bean and Sweet Potato Soup
Ingredients:
2 teaspoons olive oil
1 1/2 cups chopped onion
1 garlic clove, minced
4 cups (1/2-inch) cubed peeled sweet potato (about 1 1/2 pounds)
1 1/2 cups can small red beans (I just used a can of mixed beans I had on hand)
1 1/2 cups vegetable broth
1 cup chopped red bell pepper
2 cups of fresh broccoli
1/2 cup water
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1 (14.5-ounce) can diced tomatoes, drained (or 3 fresh diced tomatoes)
1 (4.5-ounce) can chopped green chiles, drained
Directions:
Heat oil in a nonstick skillet over medium heat.
Add onion and garlic; cover and cook 5 minutes or until tender.
Place onion mixture in a 5-quart electric slow cooker. Add sweet potato and next 10 ingredients (through chiles). Cover and cook on low 8 hours or until vegetables are tender.
I added a dollop of plain Chobani Yogurt and avocado and it was perfect!
I have been doing a few other Pinterest fun around the house.
Painting everything with chalkboard paint…
Grey and Mustard.
Brown with Black.
LAYERS!
Question: What crock pot soup have you been enjoying this fall??
]]>Who’s ready for Friday?!! I am!
You all know that I love me some Brussels sprouts!! I have been experimenting in the kitchen and have perfected them even more!
Ingredients:
1 pound Brussels sprouts
2 tbsp EVOO
1/4 cup fresh Parmesan cheese
1 small diced onion
2 minced garlic cloves
1 avocado
a dash of sea salt and ground pepper
optional: chopped grilled chicken to throw in at the end
Directions:
First chop the Brussels sprouts ends off and discard. Then chop up the Brussels sprouts like you would chop up a head of cabbage, nice and shredded. Put EVOO in a frying pan and add in garlic and onion. Let cook on low for about 2-3 minutes or until browned a bit and then add in Brussels sprouts. Cook sprouts until tender and then add in grilled chicken. Add in avocado, salt and pepper. Cook for another 2-3 minutes and then serve. Top with graded fresh parm.
Your mouth watering yet?
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Last night I recreated the most amazing clean Chicken Enchiladas. They are packed with protein and veggies!!
Clean Chicken Enchiladas
-adapted from Cooking Light
Ingredients:
2 chicken breasts shredded (I cooked them in the crockpot the day before)
5 garlic cloves minced
1 celery stalk, coarsely chopped
1 large carrot, coarsely chopped
1/2 medium onion chopped (sautéed)
1 can of diced tomatoes (blended)
1/4 cup heavy whipping cream
1/4 cup fresh cilantro
1/2 teaspoon cumin
1/2 teaspoon red pepper
4 oz of plain 0 % Greek yogurt
12 (6inch) La Tortilla Factory corn tortillas
1 oz sharp cheddar cheese shredded (1/4 cup)
Directions:
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Mix the blended can of tomatoes and heavy whipping cream over the stove in a small sauce pan. Then mix the shredded chicken and all of the other ingredients (minus the cheese and tomato mix) together. Then place each tortilla into the tomato sauce for 10 seconds an fill with 1/3 cup of the chicken mixture; roll up. Arrange filled tortillas seam side down in 11 x 7 pan coated with cooking spray (I lined my pan with foil to save on clean up). Spoon the rest of the tomato sauce over all of the tortillas. Top evenly with cheese (or like me top only Hubby’s half with cheese). Bake at 400 degrees for 20 minutes or until slightly brown.
I enjoyed mine with a little avocado and some greek yogurt.
Such an amazing dinner!
]]>Last night I made the most delish dinner, roasted tomato tilapia!!
Ingredients:
Cherry tomatoes
6-8 oz tilapia
Sea salt
Pepper
Garlic Powder
Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Directions:
Slice the tomatoes in half and put in a small bowl. Drizzle tomatoes with a little EVOO and garlic powder. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Place tilapia in a non stick oven pan and sprinkle with a little sea salt and pepper. Then top tilapia with tomato mixture. Bake for 15-20 minutes and enjoy!
I enjoyed it with some root vegetables and a little avocado. This clean eating challenge is going sooooo good!! I have gotten so many veggies and protein in this past week and I already am feeling my pants a little looser in a good way!!!
I am on day 10 of the live fit challenge and I am still missing cardio like crazy, but I know it’s coming soon!!!
I’ll have a full two week recap up tomorrow! Off to enjoy a cheat meal with the Hubby 
Remember to smile today!!!
I honestly think curry is my favorite spice to cook with. When I saw a recipe online for a dish filled with curry and apples I knew I just had to try it. Thank goodness I did
[print_this]
Crock Pot Chicken and Apple Curry
Ingredients
- In a small skillet, sauté the sliced onion in the olive oil on medium heat, about 7 minutes. Season with 1 teaspoon of the curry powder.
- Season the chicken with the remaining curry powder, salt, and pepper.
- Place the potatoes, apple and raisings in the Crock-Pot slow cooker, and add the seasoned chicken and onions.
- Cover; cook on Low for 6 to 8 hours (or on High 3 to 4 hours).
- Prior to serving, remove the chicken and potatoes and set aside, covering to keep warm.
- Add the greek yogurt to the remaining juices in the stoneware, whisking until smooth. Cook on High for 10 minutes or until warmed throughout.
- To serve, spoon the greek yogurt sauce over the chicken and potatoes.
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Another week of delicious meals!!
Just in case here is: Â week 1 and week 2
Monday
Rotini and Cheese
Tuesday
Crock Pot Apple Chicken Curry
Wednesday
Leftovers
Thursday
Friends over for a fun fall feast
Crock Pot Beef Bourguignon
Mashed Potatoes
Fall Salad (recipe to come soon)
Friday:
Date NIGHT!!!
Saturday:
Chicken Fingers
Alexis Sweet Potato Fries
Side Salad
Sunday
Leftovers
[print_this]Â Grocery List Week 3
Apple Chicken Curry
1 medium yellow onion
curry powder
4 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves
small red potatoes
1 large tart cooking apple
golden raisins
sour cream or Greek yogurt
fresh cilantro
Rotini and Cheese
2 bacon slices
1 tablespoon butter
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 cup finely chopped onion
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 1/2 teaspoons all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
1 cup 1% low-fat milk
3/4 cup (3 ounces) shredded sharp cheddar cheese
Package of rotini
3/4 cup frozen green peas
Crock Pot Beef Bourguignon
(3 lb) boneless beef top sirloin steaks, 1/2 inch thick, trimmed, cut into 1/2 inch pieces
4 slices bacon, diced
2 medium carrots, diced
8 small red potatoes, cut into quarters
8 -10 mushrooms, sliced
20 -24 white pearl onions
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 bay leaf
1 teaspoon dried marjoram, crushed
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme leaves, crushed
2 1/2 cups Burgundy wine or 2 1/2 cups beef broth
Chicken Fingers with Spicy Dipping Sauce
1/4 cup canola mayonnaise
2 teaspoons Sriracha (hot chile sauce, such as Huy Fong)
1 teaspoon fresh lime juice
1/2 teaspoon lower-sodium soy sauce
2 large eggs
3 cups whole-grain flake cereal (such as Kashi 7-Grain Flakes), finely crushed (about 2 1/2 cups)
1 pound chicken breast tenders Click to see savingsClick to see savings
1 1/2 tablespoons canola oil[/print_this]
Update on The Great Thanksgiving Challenge!Â
So far we have spent $76.71 {Spreadsheet}
Remember our goal is  $150 on groceries from Nov. 1 through Thanksgiving Day!!Â
Were getting close!!! Going to try to only spend $50 this week, but doubt that will happen!!
Those of you who joined us how are you doing??Â
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Last night Hubby and I worked on getting up my new banner for the blog. It’s been a long time coming I loved my old one, but needed a change!
The new one is so beautiful, I love the colors, the pictures and the layout. The picture on the banner makes me smile every time I see it! It was about time Hubby and Mr.Bosco get on there!! The new one also has some fun new tabs that I am still working on, home & garden, favorites, fitness, and my services. There a couple more fun things to come this week as well If you read in Google Reader click over to www.bobbimccormick to see the change!
Wish I could take credit for the design, but I have to give it up to my sweet Hubby Matt for doing such a great job! He is so talented!! The wonderful Matt McCormick spent countless hours perfecting the above banner until it was a perfect representation of my blog. I owe a huge debt of gratitude towards him for working so hard. I think I should make him cookies
If you like what you see and would like a custom banner for your blog, Modern Messengers will be more then happy to help you.
Have a beautiful Monday and stay tuned for Monday Meal Plan!!!
]]>I am back from SF and enjoying a lovely day off at home. Well not really, I am on a clear liquid diet for the next 36 hours (medical reasons) so it’s been a rough day!! I am keeping busy with lots of fun blog stuff (workout on the new layout) and have a lot of fun posts for you all this week about the Foodbuzz Fest.
Since you all loved the Monday Meal Plan post I thought I would keep at it
Did anyone try the recipes from last week?
Monday:
Black Bean and Cheese Enchiladas -{recipe}
Tuesday:
Potato Crusted Chicken Fingers {recipe}
Salad
Wednesday:
Leftovers
Thursday:
Crock Pot Chicken Tortilla Soup {recipe}
Friday:
Tex Mex Sloppy Joe’s {recipe}
Sweet Potato Fries{recipe}
Side Salad
Saturday:
Date Night
Sunday:
Chicken, Pasta and Chickpea Stew {recipe}
SHOPPING LISTÂ
 Click to Print:
THE GREAT THANKSGIVING CHALLENGE UPDATE: So far we have spent $40.45! It helped that I was away this weekend and all food was payed for. I am printing out this list and heading to the store tomorrow (after my fast). How are you all doing with the challenge???
Random Tidbits:
I did mange to log in 11 miles in last week for POTM and I have one more day of the MTC Challenge!!
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