Healthy Eating: Shredded Buffalo Chicken

Measuring body fat is a nice dose of reality. Mostly it just sucks, because I'm a lot further off track than I anticipated, but it's not worth getting bent out of shape about it. I'm working on creating healthy recipes to eat throughout this journey so I don't feel like I'm missing out on yummy food.

I've had a serious addiction to all things buffalo flavored recently. Which is weird, because typically I hate anything spicy. This recipe is loaded with protein, low in fat and carbs, and is pretty tasty. This recipe is pretty high in sodium. Next time I will be an organic buffalo sauce that I found at Good Earth that has very little sodium, but it still very flavorful. 

I use organic chicken broth because I like the way it tastes, and it has significantly lower sodium than other varieties. I usually just buy whatever organic chicken broth is cheapest, but I find that my chicken is always much tastier when I use a broth to let it cook in. 

ENJOY!!

SASSY SHUEY SHREDDED BUFFALO CHICKEN

2 LBS chicken (or 4 breasts)

3 large organic carrots (They don't have to be organic. I just prefer the taste.)

2 large spears of organic celery (See above)

2 C organic chicken broth

1 C buffalo sauce (I used Frank's RedHot buffalo)

Put the chicken in the crockpot and cover with the cut up vegetables (i cut them into thirds)

Pour 2 cups of chicken broth over the top of the chicken and vegetables. Make sure the veggies and chicken are mostly submerged.

Cover and cook on high for 3 hours (Or low for 6-7)

Shred chicken

Add 1 C buffalo sauce, and mix until well combined

Enjoy! You just made the easiest buffalo chicken ever!!

Healthy Eating: Breakfast Smoothie 3.0

So, if you haven't figured it out already, I basically use the same base for all of my smoothies. Banana+greens+Yogurt and protein + whatever fruit I want/have in my freezer. This was a freezer concept. I had strawberries from last week, and some frozen peaches from a holiday sangria that Dave and I made. Peaches are fantastic! They are lower sugar (compared to other fruits) and peaches can help lower LDL (bad cholesterol). 

I was bummed out. I purchased 2 packages of lettuce, only to have one of them be spoiled. I was so freaking annoyed! So that's why there's only 1 cup of powergreens in this smoothie blend.

Strawberries, Nanas, Peaches, Greens

Bagged up!

SASSY SHUEY STRAWBERRY PEACH PROTEIN SMOOTHIE

SINGLE SERVE

1/2 cup frozen peach slices

1/3 banana

5 strawberries

1 packed cup Earthbound Farms powergreens

1 scoop whey vanilla protein powder

1 Dannon light n' fit greek strawberry yogurt

Throw in blender and blend until smooth.

PREP (6 servings)

3 cups frozen peach slices

2 banans

1 LB strawberries

1 package Earthbound Farms Powergreens

6 scoops whey vanilla protein powder

6 Dannon light n' fit greek strawberry yogurt

Separate ingredients in 6 single serves and place into baggies to freeze.

Healthy Eating: Breakfast Smoothie 2.0

Still on my smoothie kick! It's been really refreshing every morning at work to have something nutritious and tasty to start my day. (And I'm still getting in my protein shake, so huzzah) Here is my latest creation. It's so freaking delicious. It keeps me full for hours, which is especially nice when I have a busy day. In the future I think I will hesitate to use mangoes. They are crazy high carb/high sugar. Not that carbs are bad, but I don't want to skyrocket my blood sugar that much first thing in the morning.

I prep my smoothies into kits that I can freeze. That way in the morning all I have to do is grab and go! I documented my full kit prep, if you're just looking for the recipe feel free to skip ahead.


Mangoes were a yummy addition, but they are A LOT of work to get the fruit from. My friend Sariah taught me how to properly cut a mango a few years ago. Cut along each side of the pit, and score the fruit to get it out of the skins. (Mangoes are also PACKED with sugar, so it adds all of the carbs)

So I actually purchased 2 pounds of fresh strawberries because they were on sale. Sometimes frozen strawberries are really bitter, so I was happy to have some nice ripe strawberries to add to my smoothie.

I froze half of them via my lovely food saver. Probably one of the smartest purchases of my adult life.

I don't have much of an opinion when it comes to the organic vs. nonorganic options at the grocery store with the exception of lettuce. I have been purchasing the Earthbound Farms organic powergreens. (Which consist of chard, kale, and spinach). When you manipulate the lettuce that much, it releases all the nutrients that are packed into the plant. That being said, it can also release any toxins it may be holding. I don't want to hurt my gut with pesticides, so I usually get organic greens.

Finished product. I pack these little suckers into the freezer, and my morning is so much SMOOTHer. Haha!

I ultimately put the protein baggies in with the smoothie baggies. It just makes the grab and go a little more brainless. Haha.

SASSY SHUEY STRAWBERRY MANGO PROTEIN SMOOTHIE

SINGLE SERVE:
1/2 mango
5 strawberries
1/3 banana
2 cups power greens
1 container Dannon Fit n' Light Greek Strawberry
1 scoop whey vanilla protein powder

Throw all the ingredients into a blender and blend until smooth. Enjoy!

PREP PACKETS (6 servings)
3 mangoes
1 LB strawberries
2 bananas
2 containers of Earthbound Farms power greens
6 containers of Dannon Fit n' Light Greek Strawberry
6 scoops why vanilla protein powder

Same instructions as above. Separate into baggies and freeze. (Keep yogurt in fridge until intended use)

Healthy Eating: Breakfast Smoothie 1.0

Happy New Year everyone! There's something so free and refreshing about starting the new year. I fell off the health bandwagon pretty hardcore over the holidays and literally gained 10 freaking pounds. WHAT! So a new year is bringing a new round of motivation to eat and feel healthy so I'm all in! I'll be using my blog as a place to stay motivated and accountable. If you have any suggestions or questions, please let me know!

My friend Chase got me totally addicted to Tropical Smoothie Cafe. They have lots of power green smoothies there but they run just over $5 a pop! Ouch! I am really enjoying the flavor and texture of smoothies, so I figured I would try to recreate my favorite smoothie from there- The Avocalada. And while my recipe isn't quite as creamy (they use a half a freakin' avocado!!) but it has way more protein (because you need that to start your morning.)

I intend on creating more smoothie recipes as I go along. This one works well for me right now. It has 2 servings of fruit, 2 servings of vegetables, 23 grams of protein, and a serving of healthy fats. I prep this a week at a time, it saves me so much time in the morning to just grab a baggie with my smoothie supplies right in it! I store mine in the freezer, which I would suggest, because it prevents you from needing ice.


SASSY SHUEY HEALTHY-COLADA

1 Cup (packed) - power greens (mix of spinach, kale, and chard)
1/2 medium banana
1/2 C pinapple chunks (I got a bag of frozen pineapple)
1/8 Avocado
1 scoop Vanilla Whey Protein

Optional:
Splash of coconut milk (will change calorie info)

Put all ingredients in blender with 1 cup water and 1 cup ice (add more if you like it runny like I do) and blend until smooth. Enjoy!

Healthy Eating: Green Juice

I used to think juicing was the lamest thing ever...until I tried it. The first time I tried green juice (that I made myself) was all thanks to a pinterest recipe for detox popsicles. I tried the juice going into the pops, and I was HOOKED! So much, that I kindly asked (made) Handsome buy me a juicer.

I've had several people ask for my green juice recipe after I posted a picture of it last night on insta. I feel so flattered, as I am a amateur juicer myself. This is the third time I've made the recipe, and this round was by far the best juice I've ever had. I'm so excited to share this with you all. Hope you drink all the green juice! I know I will.


SASSY SHUEY GREEN JUICE POTION:

1-2.5 bag of spinach
1 whole pineapple
4 green apples
1.5 lbs green grapes
8 celery stalks
2 cucumbers

Juice all the things. Makes roughly 2 quarts. Store in sealed mason jars for maximum freshness. Consume within 3-4 days.

Tips and Tricks:
-I found that as soon as the spinach makes it's way through the juicer, the sooner you turn off the machine, the less frothy it gets.
-Same for the pineapple^
- Switch between juicing the spinach, and the fruit/watery vegetables.
-You will use the entire bag of spinach. It takes a long time, but it's worth it.
-I keep my juice in glass quart mason jars, even while I am juicing. It makes it super easy to see the froth
-Scrape the froth off the top, and put into a separate quart jars
-Pour the juice into a separate vessel, such as a pitcher.
-As the bubbles dissapate from the froth, juice will make it's way through. Carefully pour that into your juice.

THIS IS IMPORTANT:
-Pour the juice to the top of the quart mason jars, and SCRAPE ALL THE BUBBLES. Do this until just juice overflows the jar slightly. Seal with lid.
-Any bubbles in the juice will make the nutrients oxidize, which defeats the purpose and nutritional integrity of the juice.

Happy Juicing!

Healthy Eating: Grocery List

As some of you may know, Dave and I embarked on a health journey this year. We both wanted to lose weight, look better, and feel better. It took about 6 months. Dave lost 70 pounds, and I lost 30 pounds. I also lost 2 full pant sizes. (I don't even know how many pant sizes Dave lost.)

Flash forward to after my surgery. I didn't feel good, and carbs are so delicious. I didn't want to eat a hearty salad. I wanted pasta, ice cream, and wings! We enjoyed all of these sinfully yummy foods through my recovery. Now we're back on the same diet we were before, and our tummies are thanking us!

I went major grocery shopping Sunday night, and I am including my grocery list. I've had several people ask me what I eat, and this is it. I've organized it by the store that I purchased it at. Hope you enjoy!

Smith's
-4 green apples
-1 bunch celery
-1 avacado
-2 gala apples
-2 large carrots
-2 sweet potatoes
-2 cucumbers
-1 shallot
-4 bananas
-2 peaches
-1 bunch radishes
-1 bunch green beans
-1 package deli sliced medium Tillamook cheddar cheese
-1 container low fat cottage cheese
-5 80 calorie low fat greek yogurt (Dannon)
-5 chicken breasts
-1 lb 91% lean beef

Good Earth
-1 package muesli
-4 cups curry lentil soup mix
-5 cups quinoa

Macey's
-1 can tomato soup
-1 package onion soup mix
-2 lbs green grapes

Costco
-2.5 lbs bag spinach
-2 gallons 1% milk
-1 pineapple


Hope this is helpful! Have a great day.