Crock Pot Spaghetti Squash & Meatballs

I found this recipe at iwashyoudry.com and LOVE the idea of dumping everything in the crock pot in the morning and flipping it on! I am going to use frozen turkey meatballs to clean up the recipe a bit, but this is going to make dinner so EASY!

Crock Pot Spaghetti Squash & Meatballs
1 Medium or Large Spaghetti Squash
1 Jar of Spaghetti Squash
3 cups frozen turkey meatballs
Spray the crockpot with cooking spray or line with a crockpot liner.  Cut the squash in half and remove the seeds.  Place squash open side down in the crock.  Pour sauce around the squash and arrange the meatballs in the sauce.  Cook low for 5-6 hours or high for 3-4 hours. Test for doneness - if you can pierce the squash with a fork, it is ready!
Pull the squash out with tongs and shread the meat and serve with sauce and meatballs.

P90X3 Block Two (Weeks 5-7) Recap

I am a little late getting this post up but better late than never, right?  I just finished the "meat" of Block 2 of P90X3.......and I LOVED it!  This block incorporated some weights....there was a leg day and an upper body day - along with all of the cardio.  I feel like I got so much stronger in this block!  I can do PUSH UPS!!!!!!  I noticed that I was not modifying as much as I was in Block 1 and I really enjoyed the workouts that repeated this month.  I noticed that it really helped when I would drink E&E before my workouts - it really gave me the boost that I needed to get through some of the harder cardio workouts.
Here's a breakdown of what I did

 

TrioMetrics

Old- School plyometrics is jump training. Welcome to Triometrics, X3′s state-of-the-art take on a plyo workout that goes far beyod simple jump training. “Plyometrix” here means explosive. It’s a highly effective means of training muscular efficiency or power. Triometrics’ incorporates three different levels for every exercise, each targeting a different physiological response while minimizing the downtime needed between movements. The result is a workout that increases speed and power in a fraction on the time you’re used to training.....Your booty feels it by the end!!!!!

The Warrior
This military workout repeats for this round.......I really struggled the first Block on this workout - but this month was another story!  I can FEEL myself getting stronger every week and could keep up the entire 30 minutes this month!  Woo hoo!

X3 Yoga
This repeats this month as well and is the active recovery your body needs after the beginning workouts of the week.  Flexibility is improving but still working on the crow!

MMX

This is a Mixed Martial Arts routine where submission is not an option. Combining karate, kenpo, jiu-jitsu, judo, and tae kwon do, this martial arts-based cardio workout does a lot more than increase your heart rate. In MMX you’ll burn fat by taxing your upper-body strength, core power, leg endurance, and flexibility. Plus, you’ll learn a new way to let your aggression out!  The beginning of this routine really tricks you.....you think it will be an easy workout...>WRONG!  This routine is no joke, but FUN!!!!
Incinerator
This is one routine designed to burn you out. Exercise is one of the few times in life where failure is a goal. With Incinerator, it’s your ticket to results, as you’re forced to bring it until there’s nothing left to bring. In exercise terms, failure is important in defining your limits. If you never fail, you simply cannot achieve your potential. This push-and-pull-focused workout uses back to back movements engaging the same primary muscle groups. The first movement targets hypertrophy (muscle growth) and the last movement pushes you just past your limit. With Incinerator, failure is your only option.

CVX

This is another repeat from Block 1 - cardio with weights.  Phew!!!!!!  .

TurboFire Chili

I LOVE my crockpot......I would use it everyday if I could (I am working on it....lol).  I have had so many other coaches tell me how amazing this recipe is and I am giving it a try tomorrow (it will be put together tonight before I go to bed, so all I have to do in the morning is turn my crockpot on!

TurboFire Chili

Ingredients
1 lb. lean ground turkey
½ cup diced tomatoes

8 oz. whole kernel corn, canned
½ onion, diced
2 cloves garlic
8 oz. black beans, canned
8 oz. pinto, chili, or kidney beans canned
1 tbsp tomato paste
1 package Lawry’s chili seasoning
4 oz. low-fat shredded cheddar cheese (optional)

Directions. Brown turkey. Drain and discard any fat. Place all ingredients except cheese into a slow cooker. Cook for 4 hours on low or 2 hours on high. Top with 1 oz cheese if desired.

Mexican Quinoa Salad

Do you ever just have a craving for something and you can't seem to shake it?????  That has been me and Mexican food for the last month!  It is all I want!!!!  And I had some quinoa in the fridge that I really needed to do something with................................ta da!!!!!!!  Mexican quinoa salad!!!!!  I added fresh avocado to each serving along with chicken.  You could also have it on a bed of lettuce or shredded cabbage (for crunch).  This was soooo good!!!!

Mexican Quinoa Salad

3 cups cooked quinoa
1 cup diced tomato
1 cup chopped red pepper
1/4 cup red onion
2 scallions chopped
1 cup corn (I thawed frozen)

1/2 jalapeno diced (be sure to remove the seeds and the white part)
1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
1/4 cup olive oil
1/4 cup fresh lime or lemon juice
1 teaspoon salt (depending on taste)
1 teaspoon cumin

1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped

Just dump and mix!  I let it sit in the fridge for about an hour and it was even better the next day.

Crock Pot Pesto Ranch Chicken

My house smelled AMAZING all day while this was cooking!  I have never found a crock pot chicken recipe that I loved.  It always seemed mushy and dry.  Well this changed that perception for sure!  I saw this recipe all over pinterest and make a few tweaks......it was a winner!  I served it with Mediterranean couscous.  Clean plates by all!!!!!  Woo hoo!!!!!!

Crock Pot Pesto Ranch Chicken

8 boneless, skinless chicken thighs
1 jar pre-made pesto sauces
1/2 packet ranch dressing mix
1/4 cup broth (chicken or veggie)
1/4 white wine

Put the chicken at the bottom of the crockpot....spread the pesto over the chicken and sprinkle the top with the ranch.  Pour in the liquid and cook on high for 3-4 hours or low for 6-8.