My conversation with God this morning

My conversation with God this morning:  You see, I thought my business and life should go one way. Then God said... nope, that is not what I have planned for you!  Not the safe path.  Remember the one I told you to take long ago?  Yes, that one!  The one with bumps along the road and big, scary audacious goals!  Yes, that one!  The one that you fear, because you think it is impossible to accomplish.  Yes, that one!   

Did you forget I am a God of the impossible?  Did you forget I have made a way in the wilderness?  Did you forget that I can move mountains?  Nothing is impossible for me!  Release it all to me.  I will open doors man cannot open.  I will provide resources in a way that seems impossible to others. I will take what you see as broken and turn it into something beautiful.  I will shatter all the insecurities and fears the world has burdened your heart with, in its place I will fill you with my peace, love, and confidence.  

Oh my sweet princess, let me remind you who you are in Christ.  You are royalty.  You are a daughter of the most high.  You are forgiven.  You are loved.  You are beautiful.  You are strong.  You are confident.  You are loved.  You are mine.  And I will withhold nothing good from those who are mine... The enemy cannot lay a hand on you or harm you for you have been bought with a price, with the precious blood of my son Jesus.  

♥ Oh to be loved by God.  There is nothing like it... Best conversation we've had in a long time and one I desperately needed.  

♥ Marisa Isabel 

Clean Eating Crockpot Stew

Okay, so I'll be honest I'm a chicken and turkey kind of person. However, I realize the rest of the world is not and my family certainly isn't.

Growing up my Mom often made beef stew.  In my situation, I would substitute with chicken, chicken broth, and white wine.

CLEAN EATING CROCKPOT STEW

Ingredients:

1 lb. round steak - cubed
2 tbsp. olive oil
1 chopped white onion
4 tsp. chopped garlic
2 cups potatoes - cubed
4 celery sticks
2 chopped carrots
1 1/2 tsp. dried thyme
2 cups low sodium beef broth
1 cup red wine
1 - 14 oz. can diced tomatoes

Directions:

Season the meat with oil, salt and pepper. Let it sit at room temperature while chopping the vegetables.  Once chopped, add vegetables into the slow cooker. Place cubed steak on top of veggies. Add the broth, wine, tomatoes, and thyme. Cook on low 8 hours, or until the meat is tender. Enjoy!

Clean Eating Crockpot Chili

Clean Eating Crockpot Chili 

Ingredients

1 lb. lean ground turkey or beef
1 chopped white onion
1 chopped red pepper 
1 chopped yellow pepper 
1 chopped green pepper 
2 cloves chopped garlic
1 can canned diced tomatoes (15 oz.)
1 can black beans (15 oz.)
1 can kidney beans (15 oz.)
1 can tomato sauce (15 oz.)
1/2 c. low sodium, organic chicken broth
1 tsp. olive oil
2 tsp. chili powder
2 tsp. ground cumin

Directions

1.  Turn the crockpot on so it begins to heat.
2.  Place turkey or beef in the crockpot with olive oil.
3.  Add onion, peppers, and garlic.
4.  Drain the beans and add to the mixture.
5.  Add the diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, chicken broth, chili powder, and cumin.
6.  Cook on low for 4-6 hours.


Optional toppings include:  A dollop of plain Greek Yogurt, 1 tbsp. of mixed mexican or cheddar shredded cheese, chives, or 2 sliced of avocado.

Clean Eating Crockpot Chicken Cacciatore

Clean Eating Crockpot Chicken Cacciatore

1 package of boneless/skinless chicken
2 - 16 oz. or 28 oz. can of organic crushed or diced tomatoes 
1 sliced red bell pepper
1 sliced green bell pepper
1 sliced large onion, sliced

1 package of mushrooms (sliced)3 bulbs of chopped or minced garlic (add more if necessary) 

1 tbsp. of Italian seasoning (add more if necessary)

1).  Put chicken in the slow cooker with a 2-3 tbsp. of oilve oil.  I put in 6 decent size pieces of chicken and cut them in half.

2).  Slice all vegetables - peppers, onions, and mushrooms. 

Tip:  I freeze my onions, so my eyes do not tear.  

3).  Pour tomatoes over the chicken, top with onions and peppers, add Italian seasoning, give it a quick stir and cover. I did not add salt because organic tomato cans already have flavor, along with veggies/seasoning.

3).  Set crock pot to LOW 8 hours or HIGH 4 hours. I like to let the chicken soften, so it becomes a bit shredded.

Serve with noodles or pasta. I prefer whole wheat or gluten-free pasta.  If you are feeling creative, serve with zoodles (zucchini noodles) or spaghetti squash.

It served 6 and we had some leftovers. Let the Cacciatore cool in the crockpot before storing in a container... It is delicious! Enjoy!

Everyone loved it!

Chicken and Greens Salad

Have you ever tried kale with lemon?  Yum!! I am not sure why I have not discovered how delicious it was a long time ago!  

This recipe was inspired by a salad I picked-up for a quick lunch while I was working. Typically caesar dressings include mayo and anchovies/anchovy paste, I am not a fan of either.  I omitted the 2 and used substitutes.

**PLATING:  If you are FOLLOWING the 21-DAY FIX plan, be sure to ADHERE to your PORTION guide according to YOUR CALORIC INTAKE.

Chicken - RED Container

Homemade Caesar dressing, Seeds/Nuts - ORANGE Container

Kale, Peppers, Tomatoes - GREEN Container

Parmigiano- Reggiano Cheese - BLUE Container

Whole Wheat Croutons - YELLOW Container (OPTIONAL)

Lemon  + FREE add on

***NOTE:  As you add more dressing and toppings outside of your caloric intake, it begins to defeat the purpose of it being a "healthier" option to BBQ.  For OPTIMAL results STAY within YOUR CALORIC INTAKE and FOLLOW your meal guide.

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My Fit Journey

MY FITNESS JOURNEY

So bear with me these photos are a bit old (2003-2006)... 

THE BEGINNING ➡️ In college, I played a few different roles.  I was a student, a friend, a prayer/bible study leader in my dorm, a resident activities director, youth group leader, youth chorale leader, a student, and on the intramural sports/student activities staff. I met many different people from all different walks of life, from all over the country, and all over the world.  More specifically women of all ages who struggled with self-esteem issues, weight gain, eating disorders, finding balancing in their lifestyles, issues with friends/family, etc... God began to work on my heart and I began to empathize with these women.  

As my passion grew to help others I desired to find a way to help them, not only feel better physically but emotionally as well.  Volunteering with teenagers and working with intramural sports I found that women were not the ones who struggled with these issues. Though my passion was still to help teens and my peers, I began seeking out ways to learn more about fitness and nutrition inside and outside the classroom. Many of the people in this photo were influential or a part of my growth for many years!  There are also quite a few friends I couldn't fit in this tiny Instagram collage, hehe.  

Stay tuned for part 2!  Coming soon...