Category Archives: The Unplanned Kitchen

Instant Pot Pot Roast in 35 Minutes

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quick and easy instant pot pot roast recipe

I’m a big fan of the instant pot. When 4:30pm would roll around… or 5pm (which is more likely the case) and dinner was ready, I used to get into a big panic.

“What can we make for dinner? Do we have any meat that’s thawed out? Oh shoot… it takes SOOO long to make the brown rice!”

Questions like that were constantly hitting me in the early evening. That is… until I got my Instant Pot pressure cooker!

I think I’m in LOVE! Can you actually be in love with a device? Because if I could… this one would rival my iPhone in a second! Continue reading →

Quick & Easy Pecan Pie Espresso Shakeology Balls

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Shakeology Energy BitesWho doesn’t like a quick and easy snack? I will warn you though. While this snack is easy to make and is considered “clean,” it is NOT something that’s low calorie that you just want to sit back and eat a ton of if you’re trying to lose weight. Those calories do tend to add up!

Another thing…
I do quick and easy, so that’s what I’m going to share here. I just dump stuff into my food processor and wait until the texture is just right. So I’ll give you a ’round about’ idea of measurement, but… if you’re as busy as I am with my million kiddos in toe and sports coming out my ears… then not having to mess up those measuring cups will just save you that extra cleaning step. Right? And who likes to wash all those dishes anyway??? Continue reading →

Quick & Easy Kid-Friendly GLUTEN-FREE Granola Recipe

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granolarecipeOkay, gotta admit. I LOVE to serve anything that’s quick and easy, including cereal. But to be honest, the GOOD stuff, especially the gluten-free good stuff, is almost always expensive, even at the grocery outlet that I frequent, and it just doesn’t fit into my big family budget.

I’ve had this mental block for the longest time when it comes to making granola… I thought… it’s SO HARD!!! I really didn’t feel like taking extra time to make a complicated recipe. It didn’t seem quick and it sure as heck didn’t seem easy.

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Quick & Easy Recipe: Almond Butter & Banana Sandwich

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peanutbananaI’m ALL about Quick and Easy when it comes to meals. So when I don’t have my Shakeology handy to grab for a quick lunch, I’m looking for something I can literally throw together in minutes or seconds :)

I started making these back when I first began my journey with Insanity (follow the link for more of my story!) over two years ago, and I have to admit that they’re an awesome go-to! I’ve been eating these for years, and find them not only to be a great snack or lunch, but an awesome treat!

INGREDIENTS
-> Ezekiel Bread
-> Almond butter (2T)
-> Banana

21 DAY FIXERS!!! This will most likely be a SNACK, not a lunch if you’re a decent eater like me. LOL  Here are your containers!

YELLOW CONTAINER:  1 slice Ezekiel Bread
Tsp: Almond Butter
PURPLE CONTAINER: 1/2 Banana

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HOW-TO VIDEO – 21 Day Fix Easy Egg & Veggie Breakfast

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21 Day Fix Easy BreakfastWith a crazy schedule with 5 (almost 6) kids, home, work, TONS of soccer, and my overall struggle with completely organizing my days, I just don’t have or want to take the time on a regular basis to make a nice breakfast. Since I usually have my Shakeology for lunch, I stick with some form of eggs for breakfast. They can be easily dressed up or kept plain with the spinach, eggs and no extras.

Either way, I have a great healthy breakfast in minutes, and I didn’t really have to think about it, which for this busy mama is a HUGE plus! Continue reading →

Clean Eating & Low-Cal Hot Chocolate

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cocorecipeIt’s SOOO COOOOLD outside! What better way to snuggle in from the freezing weather then to have a nice GUILT-FREE cup of hot cocoa!

Recently, I discovered a new kind of dairy-free milk in my local grocery store and decided to give it a whirl. Have you ever heard of Cashew Milk? I was hesitant at first, but considering the fact that I LOVE cashews, looking back, I’m surprised I didn’t just dive right in the first time I saw it.

With a thicker consistency than almond milk and a richer flavor, I find cashew milk a much better direct swap for good ole regular milk.

So… snuggle in, and enjoy this decadent low-cal goodness! Continue reading →

Chelle’s 21 Day Fix GUILT-FREE Southwestern Salad

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Guilt-free-southwestern-saladI think the BEST creative genius often is a result of desperate need… today being case in point. I was STARVING and REALLY wanted some comfort food. And what’s more satisfying than a super yummy taco salad?

To be honest… I go through phases of loving balsamic dressing and then… not so much.  Today was one of those days, and knowing I couldn’t pile on the sour cream, I was a bit on the cranky side, since that was what I was “a hankerin'” for.

Creative genius did NOT abandon me… thank GOODNESS… and the crazy scientist came out in me and I created this fantastically southwestern salad dressing recipe. Continue reading →

Quick and Easy PRE-PACKAGED Healthy Snacks

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prepackagedsnacks(UPDATE!!! The mozzarella cheese sticks belong with the BLUE container, not the red. Thank you Lindsey for pointing that out!)

We’re in an era where we’re constantly on-the-go.  We’re continually running from one thing to the next or working crazy long hours at our job.  It’s TOUGH to stay on top of eating clean and consuming healthy snacks throughout the day, because we just don’t want to, or simply can’t take the extra time to, plan and prepare ahead.

In honor of ALL the crazy busies out there, I’ve put together a list of grab and go items that come in single servings that you can grab from your local grocery store, Trader Joes, or a wholesale store like Costco.

PS.  If you’re a fan of the 21 Day Fix, in order to simplify it for you, I’m also including the container color to head each category.
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Quick & Easy Breakfast: Egg Veggie Scramble

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photoOkay… so something I have to admit… and I actually HATE to admit is that I REALLY don’t prefer to cook.

That is… unless I have some good music playing… a glass of wine in my hand… and everything laid out before me just waiting to be chopped, sizzled and snitched. (And yes… I did just say snitched!)

Because I REALLY don’t like making lunch, I usually enjoy my Shakeology during lunch time, which means I needed to find a quick and easy breakfast food… because I don’t really care to make that either!  (Ahhh!!! is this confession time or WHAT???)

So… while following the 21 Day Fix program, I discovered that a PERFECT breakfast for me is 2 eggs, a handful of spinach and some good ole coconut oil… which is SOOOOO good!  And guess what?  It’s also SOOOOO easy to make!!!

So… without any further adieu, I give you…

Egg Veggie Scramble Reipe

  • Put a frying pan on the stovetop and turn it on medium heat.
  • Add about 1tsp coconut oil.
  • Let it get hot, then add:
    2 eggs
    1 handful of raw spinach
    Salt & Pepper – to taste
  • Use your spatula to push it around the pan until it’s cooked!

VOILA!  There you have it!  Easy peasy breakfast :)

You can also add in some freshly diced tomatoes or any other veggies to add more flavor.  I just keep it simple because it’s EASIER and FASTER! LOL

Enjoy!

Have something you like to add to this type of recipe?  Please share with everyone in the comments!