Simple Breakfast; Eggs with Avocados and Broccoli

Most people say that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Here is a recipe that takes less than 30 minutes to cook/prepare and taste amazing!

Ingredients:
2 eggs
Cooking spray
1/2 small avocado
1 cup broccoli

Directions:
1. Cut and wash broccoli and place into a steamer. Once the water boils, cook for 5-6 minutes.
2. Spray the skillet with cooking spray. Make sure your skillet has a lid.
3. Place two eggs into the skillet with heat on low. Cover and cook until there is a thin white layer over the egg yolks.
4. Serve with avocados or desired toppings.

Turkey Meatballs - New Year's Eve Dinner

Happy New Year's Everyone! 

As always, I'm a little late. A little late is better than never though they say. I feel that every year is the same. Everyone starts by writing a list of resolutions.. I guess deciding what they want to accomplish by the end of the next year. This year I didn't think about it much I guess because every year I have the same goals. I feel that New Year's isn't the only time to make a new goal but you can do that any time throughout the year. Every day is another day to better your life, your health and of course helping those around you better themselves as well. I understand that a new year signifies a new start and I agree that some people may need that. I remember two years ago, I didn't know who I was at all. I felt lost and negative. All I did before the year 2012 was go clubbing then sleep. I would also go to work of course. I had a job at school but sometimes I could barely even make it to work with my heavy drinking. I would say that my biggest influence would be my boyfriend though. Since I meant him, I feel that all I want to do is become a better me. I never met anyone who would go to the gym everyday except my mom. I guess seeing it from someone else made a difference especially if it was someone I could possibly be with almost every waking moment. I have to admit that I am still not working out as much as I want to or eating as healthy as I want but I am better than I was two years ago before I meant him. I am more positive, more healthy, more happy with life. Most importantly, I am trying to improve myself even though I was better than two years ago when I was depressed, drinking and partying all the time. This year I didn't get to celebrate New Year's Eve with my boyfriend who I felt has made me a better person. I didn't go to any huge parties or count down with people dancing around me but yet I still felt happy. I was with one of my lovely sisters and my adoring nephew but yet it was so exciting. I spent my night tickling my nephew until he laughed like there was no tomorrow. I listened to my little sister yell and scream with exciting/anger as she was playing Settlers of Catan online but I still felt so content. I also of course cooked us New Year's Eve dinner. I could never leave the food out! I wanted to try something new from the usual food I cook. New Year, new recipe right?! Hahaha. I decided to make turkey meatballs so I went on a hunt once again for another recipe! :)

I would have to say that my turkey meat balls were pretty successful. I was a little worried that the meatballs weren't cooked fully so I put them in the oven for another 5 minutes. I would say that was a bad idea on my part. The turkey meatball turned out to be a bit dry. Luckily, I had some left over marinara in the fridge so I put some on my meatballs for a moist taste! Perfect idea and delicious!

Recipe adapted by Shannons's Knits .
Yields: 12 meatballs

Ingredients:
1 lb ground turkey breast
3/4 cup chopped cilantro
3-4 cloves of garlic - minced
1/2 small yellow onion - diced
2 eggs
2 tbsp cumin
1 tbsp chili powder
1 tsp oregano
1 cup instant oatmeal

 Directions:
1. Preheat oven at 450 degrees F.
2. While waiting for the oven to preheat, chop cilantro. Mince garlic, and dice the onions.
3. Place all ingredients into a large mixing bowl and mix using your hands. Add egg whites if the ingredients do not bind together (I used a little over 1 lb of turkey so I added a little egg whites so all my ingredients would stick together).
4. Shape the ingredients into 12 balls and place into the baking dish evenly.

5. Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil to keep meat moist while cooking.

6. Place the baking dish in the oven and cook for 30 minutes or until meat is fully cooked.
7. Serve meatballs with marinara sauce or salsa and enjoy.

I ate my meatballs with marinara and a side of brown rice and asparagus.

Baked Chicken with Sweet Potatoes and Asparagus

I haven't posted in a while but I finally have time again. Finals are finally over!! I will have more time to exercise and blog now! No excuses. For those who actually look at my blog, sorry for being MIA. I will try to post more yummy food recipes! :)

For today's meal, I made something really simple. You will probably think it's unbelievable! Hahaha! Everything will be made in the oven.

(Pictured above is chicken seasoned with Mrs. Dash - Extra Spicy)

Recipe for sweet potatoes adapted from Creative Cain Cabin.

Yields: ~5 servings

Preheat the oven at 350 degrees F.

Use two different baking trays.

Baked Chicken & Sweet Potatoes
~5-6 thin sliced boneless chicken breast (If you don't have thin sliced chicken breast, you can just cut the chicken breast)
Olive Oil
Mrs. Dash seasoning (I used Original Blend and Extra Spicy for another meal)

-Place the thin sliced chicken breast onto the baking sheet. You can line the baking sheet with aluminum foil or parchment paper. Drizzle the chicken with olive oil and lightly season. Cover the tray with aluminum foil and poke holes so that the chicken breast can roast.

1/2 bag of cut sweet potatoes from Trader Joe's or ~2 sweet potatoes
Olive Oil
Paprika seasoning (you can use other seasonings as well)

-Cut the sweet potatoes into cubes - try your best to cut them into evenly sliced pieces. Place the sweet potatoes onto the baking tray (lined with parchment paper/aluminum foil). Drizzle with olive oil then mix around to ensure the oil is all over the potatoes. Season with desired seasoning.

Place the tray of sweet potatoes and chicken into the oven for 35 minutes @ 350 degrees F.

Baked Asparagus
1/2 bag of Asparagus (or 3/4lbs)
Olive oil
Black pepper - sprinkle desired amount

-Preheat the oven at 400 degrees F.

-Trim the asparagus. Wash & dry. Place the asparagus onto a baking tray and drizzle with olive oil - mix to ensure that the olive oil is distributed evenly. Sprinkle ground black pepper onto the asparagus.

Cook the asparagus for 8 minutes. ENJOY!! :)

Grab n Go Breakfast Egg Muffins

Ever since I found this recipe, I have been dying to try it!! I made a little changes to the original recipe by adding chicken and using spinach. This is basically like an omelette but in muffin form!! I made this in the even for mornings when I don't have time to eat breakfast. I couldn't help it... I had to try the recipe right away! Feel free to add your own ingredients like I did and for other ideas visit blogilates. Her website has a ton of work out videos, recipes and even clothes!!! I am truly inspired by her :)

Below are all the ingredients I used for my egg muffins. 

Recipe adapted from blogilates.

1/2 red bell pepper

1 1/2 roma tomatoes

Handful of spinach

1/4 chicken breast, diced

3 whole eggs + 2 cups of egg whites

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. 

Dice up all the vegetables and chop up the spinach. Also dice the chicken into small pieces. Mix the egg whites and whole eggs together. 

Line muffin tin with liners and spray oil using pam or misto - be sure to put oil or the egg will stick to the liner. Place 1 tablespoon of egg mixture into the liner then add vegetables and chicken. After, add about 4 tablespoon of egg mixture into the liners; total of 5 tablespoons of egg mixture per liner. 

Bake for about 20-30 minutes. The egg muffins should be firm on top when ready.

You can take your muffin on the go or eat with sriracha, ketchup, or even salsa! I ate mine with Trader Joe's sriracha and it was AH-MAZING!!

The nutritional facts for 1 muffin is about 45 calories. 

All 12 muffins: ~512 calories. 

Source: Calorie Count

Simple & Healthy; Baked Chicken with Salad

I know, I know. You're probably thinking... "who needs to learn how to make a salad?!" I mean, a lot of times it is a lot easier to just go out and buy a salad. Since I started cooking a lot of my own food, I realized that a lot of meals are simple to make. I guess you could say that sometimes we just over think how difficult a task may be. I used to think that the salads I made were disgusting without sauce and I never knew how to portion the toppings. To be honest though, I realized all the amount of  ingredients you include in your salad or any meal in general is all based on preference. For example, my boyfriend likes his food saltier than I do. He likes to put sauce in his salads but I don't. What's the point of a salad though if you decide to put a large amount of, say ranch, on your salad? Exactly, there is no point. I mean, I would assume that people want to eat salads as a healthy meal. There is nothing healthy about ranch dressing. Another point I want to make is that there is no point in going out and paying $10-20 for a salad when you can make more than just one plate of salad with that amount of money.

Here is a simple and healthy salad. I prepared the chicken last night. This morning it took me less than 15 minutes to put my salad together and it is DELICIOUS! :)

You may choose to cook the chicken the night before or the same day you make your salad. I usually cook about 4 pieces of chicken breast so it will last me several meals.

Preheat your oven at 350 F degrees. Line a large pan with aluminium foil then place the chicken breast inside the pan. Cover the pan with aluminium foil and poke holes into it with a fork. Place the pan into the oven and bake for 45-55 minutes.

4 pieces of chicken breast (defrosted)

I cooked my chicken for another 10 minutes to ensure it was cooked thoroughly.

You can add any toppings on your salad. This combination is one of my recent favorites.

2 handfuls of spring mix, sometimes I add some romaine lettuce to the mix.
Sliced red onions (depends on how much onion you like)
3 scoops of canned corn
1/2 diced roma tomatoes

My boyfriend's parents got a big case of canned corn at Costco for about $8. I love putting corn in my salad because it makes my salads colorful and gives it that sweet flavor. You can basically add whatever you like into your salad. As long as you have cooked chicken, it will take less than 15 minutes for a delicious and healthy meal! :)

Below are other combinations of salads that have made.

Simple Caesar salad. It cost $5 at Costco but sometimes it cost more depending on the restaurant. This salad has romaine lettuce, cherry tomatoes, baked chicken breast and a little bit of Parmesan cheese. 

If you must have salad dressing, I would suggest using Trader Ming's salad dressing (you can find it at Trader Joe's).

Also, you can try using flavored olive oil. The basil flavored olive oil is amazing :) Just give the salad a quick drizzle (a little goes a long way)! You can also use balsamic vinegar with olive oil.

Quick & Healthy Banana Oatmeal

I'm always looking for an easy and healthy breakfast in the morning especially if I wake up early. My go to healthy breakfast is instant oatmeal. I saw this recipe idea on an instagram post but modified the ingredients to how I like it. 

This is a quick, tasty and healthy breakfast! Those three combinations make the perfect breakfast in my opinion. What can beat that?!

Yields: 1 serving

Mash 1/2 of a banana into a medium/large bowl. Add instant oatmeal and combined with banana. Add 1/2 cup of almond milk (more or less depending on the consistency you like).

1 medium ripe banana
1/3 cup instant oatmeal
1/2 cup unsweentened almond milk

Microwave for 1 minute 30 seconds. Slice the other half of the banana into the oatmeal. You can add other toppings that you might like as well.

1/2 tbsp peanut butter - optional

I added sliced bananas and peanut butter into my oatmeal :)

1 serving of oatmeal including banana, unsweetened almond milk, and 1 tsp peanut butter.

Source: Calorie Counter