Happy Monday Friends!

 It was actually a really fun game until the very end when Kansas started to run away with it for a bit. We even made it there before tip off this time so we got to see all of the pre-game festivities which included strobe lights, fireworks, and thousands of balloons. Belle was VERY impressed!


Last week, we talked a little bit about meal planning, and how I do a modified food prep for the week. I definitely believe in having a plan, but I don't always cook all of my meals on Sunday. However, this week, thanks to my wonderful hubby, I got pretty close.

After Belle was born, E started grilling a ton of meat on Sunday night, so at least the protein part of our meals were done for the week. All I had to do was throw together a side dish and salad, and presto, dinner was done.

Since Belle is older now, and I have more time to cook, we don't do this every week, but it's a great way to meal prep when you know you are going to have a busy week! Last night, E got his grill master on for sure! He cooked two gigantic pork chops, 4 chicken breasts (2 with fajita seasoning and 2 with BBQ seasoning), pork sausage for him, and turkey sausage for me.



Are you drooling yet? All of this will go into our dinners this week which lay out as follows:

Sunday: Grilled pork chops with a regular potato for E and a sweet potato for me

Monday: BBQ chicken with roasted carrots (I will make those Monday evening)

Tuesday: Fajitas with black beans (I like to use romaine lettuce for my tortilla)

Wednesday: Sausage wraps and baked beans for E and plain turkey sausage with a sweet potato for me (I will use the leftover turkey sausage in breakfast scrambles throughout the week).

Thursday: Balsamic chicken (not grilled) with green beans - We tried this recipe out a few weeks ago and it was melt in your mouth good!

Friday & Saturday - Out to eat (aka pick up dinner so we can eat while Belle plays with her toys)

I also planning on making some of these delicious chia power balls for snacks! I tried a new chocolate recipe out last week that did not go so well, so back to the original it is.



And that's what our dinners look like for the week! It's so nice to know that 90% of the work is already done. The grill is our secret weapon against take-out during the week.

Alrighty, it's time for Belle and I to get ready to head to the studio. I think she's about ready to teach class by herself. What do you think?


I made this collage over the weekend and realized two things..... 1) She is getting so big and 2) I may be a little obsessed with pink! I'll try to dress her in another color today.....maybe. Linking up with Katie on another Marvelous Monday!



What is you trick to avoid take-out during the week?

How was your weekend?

In health,

share this on »

4 Comments »

Happy Thursday,

At the end of last year, I felt like E and I were in a dinner rut big time. There were about 10 dishes that were healthy and we both really liked. Since we try to eat at home 5 nights a week, those 10 dishes were getting old pretty fast. I decided that I would really dedicate a little time each week to rounding up some new recipes for us to try. Even if it's just one a week, that is one more recipe we can add into the rotation. This week, I went a little crazy and found 3 new recipes. I know, I'm loosing it right? Hahaha! On Monday night, we tried out a gluten free and paleo friendly Almond Crusted Chicken Tender recipe that we both loved. When something is healthy and E approved, you know it's a winner.

Hoping to keep the good cooking streak rolling, I decided to try my hand at gluten free meatballs. I searched through a couple of different recipes and then ended up coming up with my own version. Somehow, I have never ever made meatballs before so I was a little bit nervous about how they would turn out. I'm not sure why I thought they were so hard to make. These were a piece of cake and soooooo good! E quickly gave his stamp of approval after the first bite. Score 1 for Lauren!

I'm glad they were delicious, since I went a little crazy on the recipe and made way too much for just the two of us. I'm not sure what I was thinking, but this recipe definitely makes enough for 4-5 people. Guess what is on the menu for my lunch today..... yep, meatballs! :)


I whipped up some pasta for E and served my meatballs along side some homemade zuchinni noodles. I got a spiralizer for Christmas from my wonderful sister, Emily, and was excited to give it a try. It was a breeze to use and the noodles turned out perfectly. Turned out all of my worrying was for nothing (as usual E would say). The meatballs and noodles turned out better than expected, and I have yummy leftovers to enjoy for lunch!





I'm off to teach a Pilates mat class at the studio. I hope you all have a wonderful rest of your day. Let me know if you give the recipe a try!


Have you ever made homemade meatballs? Any favorite recipes to share?

In health,

share this on »

6 Comments »

Happy Friday!

Brrrr it's cold outside! It has officially dropped below 50 degrees here in Austin, so that means it's chili time. This recipe is easy, gluten free, hearty, and healthy all wrapped up in one super delicious bowl!

share this on »

1 Comment »