Meal Planning for a successful Week!!

BLAH - that is what life has been like lately or should I say a BLUR!!

So much has been going on and most days I feel like I am barely staying afloat!!

You know what I mean?

If there were only more hours in the day or at least one more of me!
Between working my 9-5 job, beachbody coaching, mom of 2 very involved kids, housework, volunteering, head chef at the Horcher house (only chef really!) and I am sure I could add a few more jobs onto the list but I think you get my point. I know I am not alone with the overcrowded schedule as this is how most of us live our lives anymore.



The good news is that there are a few tips and tricks I have learned and many I plan on continuing to learn that help me get it all done and well through it all....

First that has been my saving grace for quite some time - MEAL PLANNING and PREPPING for the week ahead. Let's face it - we all need to eat and drink to survive yet I know so many that forego eating because they are too busy. I also know many that REALLY want to eat healthier but say they don't have time to cook healthy meals. Meal planning and prepping helps me take care of both of these excuses!! YEEESSSSSSS - at first it takes time to find and get into your groove but once you do MY GOODNESS you are golden.

When you have a plan in place and the food prepped and ready to go it makes running out the door on time (or GAH - EARLIER!) easier. It also makes running home and warm up and eat a healthy dinner possible!!

lunch today at work

This is how it worked in my house yesterday...
Let me back up when we arrived home late Saturday evening after being gone for a week..
Sunday came and piles of laundry had to be done, our fridge was empty, we were all tired, luggage and more was scattered all over our downstairs. I knew what I had to get done though and so I got started -
Step 1: The meal Plan
Step 2: Grocery shopping
Step 3: Cook food
Step 4: Portion Food
 and in between did my other daily duties as well but guess what I got it done.

meal plan for the week!!

Having a plan in place and food ready to go, meant putting our lunches together this morning was a breeze.
Coming home from work and then picking up kids I was able to quickly throw dinner on the stove to heat it up.

some of our dinners prepped for the week

While dinner is heating I helped my kids with their homework. If I hadn't prepped our dinner I have no idea what we would have ate and I probably would not have had the time to help with homework.

Meal planning and prepping totally make my life easier and these days I will take whatever easy I can get!!

So if you too would like to make life easier and healthier then we should totally talk!! I can help you get started but you gotta want to do it as I won't do it for you.

Cheers to a new week

Now is the time to learn how to live a 

FIT, HAPPY, and HEALTHY Life 

and we will do it 

TOGETHER!!!!

alysonhorcher@gmail.com

facebook.com/alyson.horcher

Raspberry-Peach- Mango Smoothie Jar

I am all about snacks and meals that I can fit into a mason jar!! 
When I saw this recipe I am sharing with you today in the Eating Well magazine I knew I could make it into a mason jar recipe!! It was kind of a tight fit but I did it and now I get to share this awesome healthy tasty recipe with YOU!!

Raspberry-Peach- Mango Smoothie Jar

Ingredients...

1 cup frozen mango chunks

2/3 cup plain Greek Yogurt

1/4 cup reduced fat milk (I used water in place of the milk)

1 teaspoon vanilla extra

1 teaspoon chia seeds 

1/4 ripe peach, sliced

1/3 cup raspberries

1 tablespoon unsweetened coconut flakes

Directions...

1. In a food processor or blender combine mango, yogurt, milk/water, and vanilla. Blend until smooth

2. Transfer this mixture to a mason jar.

3. Add in chia seeds first and then top with peach, raspberries, and coconut flakes

4. Screw that lid on and save for later or Enjoy right now!! 

This makes 1 serving. 

If you are following the color coded containers used in many of the Beachbody nutrition plans this would equal

2 purple

1 red

1 orange

If you are interested in more healthy recipes or maybe even learning how to eat healthy, CONTACT ME and I can help you get started. I know for me the biggest part of learning how to eat healthy was to have support to help me have the strength to say NO MORE to the bad junk food that use to fill my house!! After that it was all about learning how to change some of my eating habits and from their healthy habits were formed.

Click here to get more information about 

my next group!!

YES I'M INTERESTED!!

Have a fabulous week!!

My passion and my goal is to help others to learn 
how to live a 

FIT, HAPPY, and HEALTHY Life 

and we will do it 

TOGETHER!!!!

alysonhorcher@gmail.com

teambeachbody.com/alysonhorcher2

myshakeology.com/alysonhorcher2

facebook.com/alyson.horcher

Stuffed Peppers

Another Tasty Recipe coming your way this week. 
This recipe is from a dear friend of mine. We had it one evening a while ago when we went to visit them at their house. I have been wanting to give the recipe a try myself as I tried a few other stuff pepper recipes but this one was my favorite.  I did alter the recipe a bit but the flavor is still the same and it is oh so delicious! Best of all it is all good for your ingredients too so it can be put in my healthy recipe box!! 

Ingredients...
4 large bell peppers
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 small yellow onion, chopped finely
1 small zucchini, chopped finely
1 garlic clove, minced
Sea Salt
ground black pepper
1 pound ground turkey
1 tablespoon fresh parsley leaves, chopped finely
1 teaspoon fresh basil leaves, chopped finely
1 1/2 cups tomato sauce
1/4 cup bread crumbs
1/2 cup grated Parmesan Cheese

Directions...
1. Cut the bell peppers lengthwise in half and remove the seeds and membranes. Place the peppers in a pot of boiling water, reduce heat to medium and simmer ~ 3 to 4 minutes. Drain and set aside. 
2. Preheat oven to 375 degrees
3. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Brown ground Turkey until cooked through.  Remove turkey from skillet and set aside.
4. To the same skillet, add the onion and cook until softened, ~ 5 minutes. Add zucchini, garlic, and salt and pepper to taste and cook until veggies are tender, ~5 minutes.   Stir in 1/2 cup tomato sauce, cover and simmer for 10 minutes
5. Remove mixture from heat and add cooked ground turkey, parsley, and basil - mix well.
6. Stuff each pepper half with mixture and place in shallow baking dish. Sprinkle with bread crumbs and Parmesan Cheese
7. Bake for approximately 30 minutes until cheese is melted and tops are slightly browned. While baking, heat the remaining tomato sauce in a small saucepan.
8. Serve peppers with a tablespoon of sauce on top.

Enjoy!!

As you know I am all about eating healthy and living a healthy lifestyle.  The food we eat is so very important to how our bodies function.  I don't know about you but I want my body in tip top shape so I can enjoy as much of life as I can.  There was a time in my life when healthy wasn't a priority of mine, I thought it was but I wasn't doing anything to achieve it. I am thankful I had a friend who was supportive and knowledgeable and helped me learn how best to fuel my body and she got me on the path of HEALTHY! Now it is just something I do and now I also love helping others find their way to a healthy lifestyle as well.  If you are one of those people who wants to live a healthier lifestyle then please lets talk.  Like I said I was once there too and know it can be hard, that first step always is but let me take some of the burden off of your shoulders.    

                                                       

If you are interested in more healthy recipes or maybe even learning how to eat healthy CONTACT ME and I can help you get started. I know for me the biggest part of learning how to eat healthy was to have support to help me have the strength to say NO MORE to the bad junk food that use to fill my house!! After that it was all about learning how to change some of my eating habits and from their healthy habits were formed.

Click here to get more information about 

my next group!!

YES I'M INTERESTED!!

Have a fabulous week!!

My passion and my goal is to help others to learn 
how to live a 

FIT, HAPPY, and HEALTHY Life 

and we will do it 

TOGETHER!!!!

alysonhorcher@gmail.com

teambeachbody.com/alysonhorcher2

myshakeology.com/alysonhorcher2

facebook.com/alyson.horcher

Zucchini Tots

It's Tasty Tuesday and oh my yum is this one a keeper!! 

but first the background on how I came up on the recipe...

This summer we had a ton of zucchini growing in our garden and wow were they huge!! I could only make so many loaves of zucchini bread before I needed something new to make. 

Zucchini fresh from our Garden!!

I only had a few recipes that include zucchini so I went searching for more. Some recipes we tried were fabulous, some not so fabulous. The recipe I am sharing with you tonight was FABULOUS!! We all loved it and the kids although they say they don't like zucchini ate these up and asked for more!!

It would also make a great hot appetizer at a party (who's hosting the next one?!)

Here I share with you

Zucchini Tots

Ingredients...

2 cups shredded zucchini

1/2 medium onion, diced

1/2 cup breadcrumbs

2 large eggs

4 ounces extra sharp cheddar cheese, shredded

3 tablespoons panko breadcrumbs

sea salt and black pepper to taste

Directions...

1. After you shred your zucchini, lay it out on a few layers of paper towel and lay another layer of paper towel over top and press down. This will help remove some water from the zucchini. 

2. Sprinkle sea salt over the zucchini and let sit for an additional 15 minutes. 

3. In a medium bowl, add zucchini, onions, bread crumbs, eggs, and cheese. Sprinkle salt and pepper, to taste. Mix well.

4. Spray a 24 cup mini muffin pan with cooking spray and then scoop about a tablespoon of zucchini mixture into each cup. Fill all cups and then top off each cup with some panko breadcrumbs.

5. Bake at 400 degrees for 15-20 minutes or until slightly browned on top. 

6. When tots are done use a knife around the edges to loosen the cup and then use a spoon to lift them out.

7. Last but not least - ENJOY this healthy side dish, snack, appetizer!!

So easy, so delicious, and so good for you!!

Interested in learning more about how Healthy eating can help you look and feel your best? 

Ask me about my healthy eating support and accountability groups where I teach you how to eat healthy, share more delicious recipes, meal planning tips, and best of all help you learn how to make this part of your lifestyle!! 

Click here to get more information about 

my next group!!

YES I'M INTERESTED!!

Have a fabulous week!!

My passion and my goal is to help others to learn 

how to live a 

FIT, HAPPY, and HEALTHY Life 

and we will do it 

TOGETHER!!!!

alysonhorcher@gmail.com

teambeachbody.com/alysonhorcher2

myshakeology.com/alysonhorcher2

facebook.com/alyson.horcher

Easy Chicken Noodle Soup

Well hello there!! How have you been? 
School is back in session and so I am back to my more "regular" schedule and it feels oh sooo good!! I love routine, this is where I thrive!! 

So a few weeks ago on my facebook timeline I posted a picture of a fabulous soup I made and I promised I would get the recipe out to those who wanted it. Well here it is...trust me it is well worth the wait!!

This recipe is for the Easy Chicken Noodle Soup from the FIXATE cookbook by Autumn Calabrese!!  Now most of the recipe is exactly as it states in the FIXATE cookbook but I added in a few ingredients here and there.  

Here you go...

EASY CHICKEN NOODLE SOUP

2 teaspoons EVOO
1/2 chopped onion
2 cups celery (~ 4 medium stalks)
3 garlic cloves, minced
6 cups chicken broth
4 cups chopped grilled skinless chicken breast
1 1/2 cups sliced carrots (~ 3 medium)
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1 1/4 cups dry whole wheat pasta
1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped

Directions...
1. Heat Oil in large saucepan over medium heat.
2. Add onion, garlic, and celery; cook stirring frequently for 5 minutes, or until onion is translucent (be sure not to burn the garlic). 
3. Add broth, chicken, carrots, oregano, salt, and pepper. Bring to a boil. Add pasta and heat on low for 10 minutes. 
4. Add cilantro before serving.
and of course last but not least....ENJOY!


This recipe comes from the FIXATE cookbook created by Autumn Calabrese who is also the creator of the 21 Day Fix program along with 21 Day Fix Extreme!! These programs are both incredible and have not only helped me get my nutrition on track but have helped many others do the same. In addition these programs have helped jump start many healthy lifestyles with great weight loss results!! If you are looking to drop pounds, get healthy, and fit the 21 Day Fix is a great program to start! 

Not ready to add in exercise yet? No worries!! Let's stick to healthy eating!! Ask me about my healthy eating support and accountability groups where I teach you how to eat healthy, share more delicious recipes, meal planning tips, and best of all help you learn how to make this part of your lifestyle!! 

Click here to get more information about 

my next group!!

YES I'M INTERESTED!!

Have a fabulous week!!

My passion and my goal is to help others to learn 

how to live a 

FIT, HAPPY, and HEALTHY Life 

and we will do it 

TOGETHER!!!!

alysonhorcher@gmail.com

teambeachbody.com/alysonhorcher2

myshakeology.com/alysonhorcher2

facebook.com/alyson.horcher

Meal Planning Monday June 1-7, 2015

Is it really Monday already?
Is it really June already?
Are both my kids really finishing school this week?

Well the good news is that I LOVE Mondays!

A day to hit the restart button should you need it and another day to remember we are blessed with LIFE!!

June means Summer will officially be here and Summer is my favorite season!! 
Sun, warm weather, more time with my family, cookouts...ahh Summer is so darn wonderful!!

School is finishing for both my kids which means Addyson will have completed her first year of school (preschool but it is still time she has been in a classroom setting), Leo will be graduating Kindergarten - WHAT?!?! I remember when he was born and now he is getting ready to move onto First GRADE!! Insert tears from momma here - bittersweet tears!! I am so happy for my kids to be growing up, learning, and enjoying life but I am also sad my babies are no longer babies!! 

I can't say it will be an easy week but for sure it will be a memorable one!! 

Well whether I am crying, smiling, or exercising you know me I like to go into my week with a plan in place for my nutrition and exercise routine!! I can tell you when I don't make my plan Sunday I start off Monday grazing. It is crazy how having that piece of paper (my meal plan) in the kitchen and my office totally keeps me on track!! When I don't I either don't eat (which isn't good) or I choose not so healthy options (also not so good). 

What's a girl to do then? Well MEAL  PLAN of course!! So today that is exactly what I did!! 
Here is my plan for the week....
I finished my 8 week hybrid schedule on Sunday and I plan on repeating it starting next week. Turbofire, Chalean Extreme, and PiYo - my Chalene Johnson hybrid I should call it!! 
It totally rocked!!
This week is my Fitness Fun week so I am mixing it all up!! 
Food wise I am trying a few new recipes - 
quinoa crunch yogurt parfait, tex mex quinoa bake, and grilled honey lime chicken.
Love me some new recipes!!

So What's on your agenda this week? Did you too make a meal plan? If not, get planning now!! Better late than never!!

Have a fabulous week my friends!!

Meal Planning Mondays are Back!!

Seriously Spring I needed YOU!! I have been way off my in my routines and one of them is blogging!! It isn't because I didn't want to do it, but I didn't do it and that is the bottom line!!

I know consistency is key and I have NOT been consistent in blogging!! I am so sorry for those who have followed me in the past!! Game face is on and I have a plan to get back on track!!

Where I have been consistent though is every week without fail I

MEAL PLAN!!

and so today I bring you

This week I am going back to following the 21 day fix nutrition plan. It is simple, convenient, and well it does the job of keeping me on track with healthy eating!!  I also love the 21 day fix because I do not feel hungry which is fabulous!! I eat every 2.5-3 hours and make sure I have a protein and complex carb at each meal (general rules of clean eating).

Here is my plan for the week:

Don't you love the template I use now for my meal planning! I was fortunate enough one of my clients created this for her own personal use and shared it in one of my health and fitness groups. YAY!! Talk about making life easier!! I was all over this template!! Thank you Amy G.

I am also on week 7 of a Chalene Hybrid and I LOVE IT! I love Chalene and well her programs are outstanding for motivation and results!! Bring on another week!!

Do you have a plan in place?

Samoa Cookie Shakeology

Ahh the delciousness of caramel and coconut in ONE COOKIE!!
This must be a gift from heaven!!
In fact, it is a gift from those cute girls in green that come around once a year and sell us
Samoa Girl Scout Cookies!!

There are apparently 2 bakers that make Girl Scout Cookies and depending which baker it is dictates the name so these cookies are also sometimes called Caramel deLites - huh who knew!! All I knew is they are delicious and I can eat a whole box by myself!!

Well as you know I am on a mission to find Shakeology recipes that mimic these delicious cookies all week long!! My reason for doing this is these cookies although delicious are not a healthy snack. Let's be honest while we are at it, can you really eat the recommended serving on the box? 2 samoa cookies? 

So instead of the cookie let's try finding a Shakeology recipe that mimics the cookie!! Shakeology is made of 70+ natural ingredients which make it a superfood super dense nutrition shake!! 

If you can have the delciousness and nutrition - WHY NOT go for Shakeology instead of the cookie!!

Today it is Samoa's but later this week we will also visit Caramel deLites!! Will there be a difference in taste?? We shall see!! 

 I am also on a mission to find a way to make these recipes that will fall in line with the 21 Day Fix program's nutrition plan. A lot of these shakeology recipes I found included milk, almond milk, etc. but for those of us who know the 21 Day fix nutrition plan, you also know milk is considered a Replacement container food and quite frankly I don't want to use mine up for MILK!! Feel free to do so if you like though!!

and the moment you have been waiting for...how do you make Samoa Cookie Shakeology?

Ingredients and Directions...

*8-10 ounces water
*1 scoop Chocolate Shakeology
*1/2-1 teaspoon caramel extract
*1 teaspoon unsweetened coconut (or 1/2-1 teaspoon coconut extract)
*4-5 ice cubes
*Blend and Serve with a sprinkle of unsweetened coconut on top!
**(The coconut on top is a must!! It totally changes the flavor of the shake!!)**

When you try this I would love to hear your thoughts!!

And for those that are not ready to try Shakeology, what is holding you back? 

Want more shakeology recipes inspired by Girl Scout cookies? check back this week to see what else I am trying out!!

Now is the time to learn how to live a 

FIT, HAPPY, and HEALTHY Life 

and we will do it 

TOGETHER!!!!

alysonhorcher@gmail.com

teambeachbody.com/alysonhorcher2

myshakeology.com/alysonhorcher2

facebook.com/alyson.horcher

Veggie Stir Fry

The recipe I am sharing today is inspired by my quest to find meat free meals we as a family can eat during the Season of Lent!! 

I got the following recipe from the 3-Day Refresh program guide booklet.
and added a little bit extra seasoning!! This recipe is also my go to meal during the Refresh as well!

Fresh ingredients, herbs, and very little time to prep and cook make this a FAVORITE of mine!

Ingredients...

1/2 teaspoon EVOO

1/2 clove garlic, minced

1/2 teaspoon grated fresh ginger

1/2 cup green beans (I have also used asparagus & broccoli. Picture above has asparagus!)

1/2 cup sliced fresh carrot

1/2 cup sliced fresh red bell pepper

1/4 teaspoon sea salt

1 teaspoon 21 Day Fix All Purpose Seasoning Mix

2 tablespoons organic vegetable broth

Directions...

1. Heat oil in medium skillet over medium heat.

2. Add in garlic and ginger and stir ~1-2 minutes or until fragrant (this is one of the best smells!!)

3. Add green beans, carrots, bell pepper, salt, seasoning mix, and broth 

4. Cook for 5 to 7 minutes or until veggies are tender-crisp!!

Enjoy!! 

Now I know many people think eating healthy is super expensive, but in fact everything can be super expensive. I have found if I plan my meals ahead of time, If I make a like, If I shop around, I can save a ton of money and still eat super healthy. 

If you would like more of my money saving tips on living a healthy lifestyle or recipes please follow me on my website or via Facebook!

I also offer 30 day Clean Eating and Shakeology groups to help you get started on your own healthy lifestyle journey. Not everyone is ready to take the plunge with both exercise and nutrition so this is my way of helping lessen the load a bit and focusing on only one area!!

Now is the time to learn how to live a 

FIT, HAPPY, and HEALTHY LIfe 

and we will do it 

TOGETHER!!!!

alysonhorcher@gmail.com

teambeachbody.com/alysonhorcher2

myshakeology.com/alysonhorcher2

facebook.com/alyson.horcher