Savory Stuffed Sweet Potatoes with White Beans and Kale

Simple Dinner Recipe:

Savory Stuffed Sweet Potatoes with White Beans and Kale

I love simple dinner recipes. I prepare my meals ahead of time (for the most part) and I really love the easy to put together ones with lots of nutrients. 

Not only are these great dinner ideas but think about all the parties you go to, or that you have and energy runs low and the list of to-do's get longer!

Time, energy and nourishing meals can be a challenge.

I will not take the credit for this recipe. Actually I was at Insanity class with a few friends and afterwards I had a message from my sister-in-law telling me I had to try this recipe and had the link below her message. Now I absolutely LOVE my family. We are all active, and eat healthy (for the most part-except my dad and sister who couldn't go a day with a several cookies-not that they look like they eat them!) But this is one thing we bond over! Recipes, exercise and health!

So my sister-in-law introduced me to this recipe!

It depends on your schedule, but you can cook this all at once, or make some of it beforehand, or make the entire thing beforehand and warm it up before.

It makes a satisfying meal full of colors and textures with warm. The warm flavors of rosemary, garlic, and red pepper and significantly more nutrient than many grab-n-go meals.

The sweet potatoes take about an hour to bake, but they're hands-off, so you can use this as down time to get things done! If you like, bake the sweet potatoes ahead, store them in the refrigerator and then reheat.

You can cook the beans from scratch-simmer them with a bay leaf, a sprig of rosemary and a sprig of sage. Or you can use canned beans, which are much quicker and easier.

Serving is 4

Ingredients:

-4 Sweet Potatoes

-2 Tablespoons Olive Oil

-1 Shallot, diced

-1 Garlic Clove, minced

-1 (4-inch) Sprig Fresh Rosemary

-1/4 Teaspoon Red Pepper Flakes

-1 1/2 Cups (or 1 can) cooked and drained white beans

-6 Cups of Kale, trimmed and sliced into ribbons

-1/4 of a Lemon-juiced (or orange juice works as well as my sister-in-law discovered!)

-Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Directions:

-Preheat the oven to 400 degrees 

-Scrub the sweet potatoes and prick them in a few places with a fork. Place them on a baking sheet and bake them until soft all the way through, about 45 minutes to 60 minutes

-Start the beans and greens about 15-20 minutes before the sweet potatoes are done

-In a wide/deep saucepan with a cover, heat the olive oil over low-medium heat.

-Add the shallots and cook until softened-about 5 minutes

-Add the garlic, rosemary sprig, and red pepper flakes: cook, stirring, for about a minute

-Add the beans and cook for 5 minutes or stir occasionally 

-Add the kale, cover the pan and cook, stirring occasionally for about 5 minutes or until kale is soft

-Remove the rosemary sprig, stir in lemon juice (or orange juice) 

-Season with salt and pepper

Serving:

Slice each sweet potato lengthwise and push the ends to open up the middle

Spoon the beans and greens into the center

Please share with me your thoughts on this recipe! I would love to hear what you think and if you make it, take a picture and upload it to Instagram and hashtag #stuffedsweetpotatoes

Make food fun!!

Find me on Instagram while you are at it! @beplummer

These look so delicious! I am so thankful my sister-in-law shared these with me :)

Mexican Chicken in the Crockpot

I absolutely love to he's my crockpot! Dinner made easy. There is no way I would pass up putting all my ingredients into one pot, turning it on and coming back hours later to a delicious meal!

I hardly eat red meat-ever! That was a choice I made when I decided to eat clean. So when my friend Nicole posted chicken tacos I was intrigued!!!

I have to say mine ended up Mexican Chicken not tacos haha but it is AMAZING!

The Ingredients;

- 1 pound of chicken

- 1 16 oz can of Black Beans

- 1 16 oz salsa 

- 1 package of taco seasoning 

I mixed it all together and "threw" it in the crockpot!

I let it cook for 5 hours (on high) and 8 hours if you use low.

I added a bit of shredded cheese on top and made mine like a salad. I even added a teaspoon of Plain Greek Yogurt

It was literally amazing!

Clean Eating at Sam's Club

 

One of the most exciting parts of my job is to teach people how to eat clean and healthy, all while keeping it yummy and fun! This is my FAVORITE aspect because I used to be a culprit of eating "bad" and believing that because I workout, I could eat whatever I wanted to eat. Honestly that has a smidget of truth behind it...but truthfully I was "skinny fat" and I was NO WHERE NEAR HEALTHY because my body was not being given the proper nutrition! 

 It was about 8 months ago that I full adopted a clean eating lifestyle and I have not looked back.

This is the biggest question I get, "how can you afford to eat healthy?" And here is my question to those who choose not to eat healthy..."how can you afford NOT TO eat healthy?" It is not a puzzle! Yes, whole foods can be more expensive than boxed foods. Obviously, because for an unknown reason processed foods are much cheaper than whole foods, real foods! But we can discuss that later! I do not buy tons of pantry fillers, my grocery bills are never astronomical. They are relatively the same from before I switched to a clean eating lifestyle! It is all in what you buy and now much you buy of it! That is one of the keys to "budget friendly" healthy foods! So here is what my grocery cart generally looks like:

Before I head into the store I not only have my list and STICK TO IT, but I also have my meals planned. My meals are usually planed for 2 weeks ahead, I like to go grocery shopping just about once a month. This is what my meal plan typically looks like.

I do most of my shopping at Sam's Club because I tend to eat most of the SAMs foods each week. It is so much better to buy in bulk! It is cheaper and saves time.

1. Oatmeal

So here is the deal, people either a. Don't like oatmeal or b. only eat it for breakfast. When I started to eat clean I HATED oatmeal! But, the more I ate it and the more I experimented with it, I began to like it! Eggs and oatmeal are my staple breakfast meals! But I also eat it for any meal.

2. Chicken thighs

This is $1.48 a pound and sliced thin, perfect for me! They cook fast and they have lots of flavor and I eat this almost everyday. I usually make it on Sundays and keep it in containers. This way I have them for salads, wraps on tortillas or I just eat it with a side of fruit. Quick and easy!

3. Eggs

I eat eggs all the time. Literally I eat eggs everyday. I will eat them in any form. The best price is at Sams!

3. Quinoa

This is THE CHEAPEST place to buy this big bag! I use it for several meals. It is so good for you and it tastes amazing! It can be made in many different ways and used in several different recipes. I LOVE IT!

4. Greek yogurt 

This is a must! I use it as a snack with fresh fruit and honey, I use it in place of sour cream. I honestly struggled with adding this into my daily meals, but now I cannot go without it!

5. Egg whites

I eat a ton of eggs. Eg whites are a part of the equation! I don't always eat the yolks for cholesterol sake and eggs have a ton of calories! So I often scramble egg whites with veggies or use 1 egg and the rest egg whites.

6. Fresh fruit 

 I love fresh fruit and it is the best place to buy fruit except the local farmers marker! I stock up on all kinds of fruit here especially during the winter! I get berries of all kinds, bananas, grapefruit, kiwi and more!

7. Veggies 

I love my veggies, same as the fruit- I do the same with veggies. I stock up on celery, tomatoes, peppers, avocados, onions, asparagus and broccoli- even spinach for my salads and wraps!

8. Whole wheat tortillas

I love making wraps with anything! I love fajitas and breakfast wraps. Very yummy! And easy on-the-go!

9. Almond Milk

I go through milk so fast! I was buying several at one time. But here I get 3 in 1 and it is the best price! I use it in most things plus my Shakeology and coffee!

10. Extra Virgin Olive Oil

I cook with this all the time! It is a healthy fat that is a must in our diets!

11. Turkey Burgers

I love food off the grill! This is a much healthier version of our red meat burgers :)

12. Sweet Potatoes

I make these as snacks and side dishes for dinner. I love them and they come in a large bag!

13. A few of my on-the-go snacks (but I limit them to a large extent)

 

I do keep healthier options for quick on the go snacks. I am completely real and I will never fake eating perfect or never indulging in a snack- so here are my go to!

14. Almonds, dried fruit and 60% cocoa chocolate chips

I love making my own mixture of trail mix and these are what I choose to use! 

A little handful goes a long way! 

15. Sparkling spring water

I love soda, I used to be completely addicted but I have made a conscious effort to eliminate that from my diet, so here is my go to for the carbonation I crave!

16. Ground Turkey

I choose to not eat beef anymore or if I do it is VERY limited! I use this for meatballs, tacos, chili and even burgers! I really do not miss beef at all! It is cheap at Sams.

17. Almond butter and peanut butter

I am addicted to both! It is a huge container and I go through them fast! This keeps it tolerable!! 

18. Chicken Broth

I make my own soups and I love using chicken broth as a staple in my meals! It is a must have around and this supply is the best!

19. Lipton Cold or Hot Brew Tea

I make sun tea in the summer for a nice refreshing change! I am completely stocked for the summer with one box! Just add a bit of lemon and there is nothing so refreshing!

20. Coconut oil

I cook with this and use it for lotion and hair as well! For all the uses this is the best buy! It can be so expensive and I can't go without it so here this has saved me!! Haha!

These are just a few things that I get almost every month at Sam's Club. But you must know that by having a plan and only buying what you need is cost effective! It is so much better to buy/eat healthy food than to put junk in your body all the time! I make it a point to feed myself healthy foods. Take the guess work out of meals. Have a plan! You can do this!!! Trust me, if I can do this...SO CAN YOU!!! :)

I also freeze things! I make things ahead or buy in bulk and save it in my freezer! No excuses! Change your eating..you will feel like a whole new person! 

GOOD LUCK!!!

✨✨live around my area?? I will help one-on-one clean eating grocery shopping, meal planning, meal prepping and eating! I would love to do this for you! Contact me for details!!✨✨

Clean Banana Bread

Clean Banana Bread **

Seriously LOVE this recipe!! Thanks to my upline coach, who is a phenomenal cook always coming up with the best recipes! 
I love all kinds of bread, banana, zucchini, pumpkin and any other kinds that possibly could be included. When I saw this recipe from my upline I knew I had to try it! (plus she is a wonderful cook, so it had to be great...right!?!?)

Also-it is such an EASY recipe!!!

Ingredients:
~2 cups whole wheat flour
~1 cup organic coconut sugar
~3 bananas (but 2 is fine, I had extra and wanted more banana flavor)
~2 eggs
~1 stick of butter
~2 TBS of Greek yogurt
~1 lemon grated or 1 tsp of lemon juice
~1 tsp baking soda

For a sweeter taste add a TBS of honey or agave-I added the agave

Directions:
1. Mix the butter and sugar together until smooth
2. Add the rest of the ingredients in and blend until well mixed

3. Bake for about an hour at 350 degrees on the middle rack

Treat yourself!! YUM

Clean Chicken Fajitas: Healthy Dinner Recipe

Clean Chicken Fajitas: For a healthy dinner

Do you absolutely love full hearty dinners? The ones that bring the whole family around the table with lots of chatter and laughter? Well here is a perfect one that all family members will love!! **YES even the ones that do not like spicy foods!

I am not very good with spices! Although my boyfriend loves everything that is at the hottest degree! So I have found happy mediums when cooking meals for the two of us! This one is a winner!!

It is a fun and easy recipe as well. Let me tell you, I had an incredibly crazy morning and I STILL got this meal cooked! I think it took me 30 minutes, maybe less!! WOW

The Ingredients:

**Red bell peppers-you can use multi colored (yellow, red, green) but I had red so that is what I used!
**Onion-1 full 
**Chicken-I used about 2 pounds
**Chili powder
**Paprika 
**Garlic-I used powder because I was pressed for time, but you can use fresh pressed
**Splash of lemon juice

I slice the peppers and the onion and place it in a pan to start browning the chicken, peppers and onions. 

Once the chicken is browned and the onions are translucent, the spices are added along with the lemon juice.

I mix is all together over the stove.

I really like the splash of lemon juice because it definitely makes the fajita have a zest flavor. When I order a fajita from a restaurant that it was I expect, zest and spice. Well there it was just created in 30 minutes in my kitchen and for several dollars cheaper!

Who said eating clean had to be expensive?? NOT this girl!!  :)

Treat your taste buds and your body tonight!

Side Dish for Dinner

Asparagus; Delicious, Clean, Filling

Are you in charge of dinner every night, and running out of ideas?

Were you asked to bring a dish to your family's Christmas dinner?

Here is a delicious side dish that definitely will send everyone's taste buds soaring!!

Ingredients: 

Asparagus

Vinaigrette of red wine vinegar

Extra-virgin olive oil

Shallots-chopped

Fresh flat-leaf parsley-chopped

Kosher salt

Freshly ground black pepper

**Steam asparagus on the stove

Preparation:

Drizzle steamed asparagus with vinaigrette of red wine vinegar, extra-virgin olive oil

Finely chopped shallots

Chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley

Season all with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

Bring a dish that your friends and family will

LOVE!! <3

Clean Chocolate Chip Cookies

Clean Chocolate Chip Cookies

This is the time of year where cookies are a MUST!

So many people have cookie exchange parties and they are always the go to dessert, during the holidays!

It is very difficult to stay away from fresh baked cookies for the whole season!

So how would you like to enjoy a few chocolate chip cookies during Christmas?

Thanks to The Delicious Pantry, I have found a clean version of several cookie recipes. Here is the chocolate chip one.

Ingredients: 

2/3 cups of almonds (I put this as optional, I used them in one batch but not the other.)

1/3 cup of cooked oatmeals

3 tablespoons of honey

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1/8 cup of whole wheat pastry flour

1/2 cup of grain sweetened chocolate chips

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 325

2. Mix everything EXCEPT the chocolate chips in a food processor-the consistency should be sticky/wet

3. Use your spatula to scrape the dough into your mixing bowl and mix the chocolate chips

4. Spoon onto a parchment lined cookie sheet

5. Bake for 20 minutes.

Enjoy a few chocolate chip cookies guilt free! 

Yum :)

Clean Hot Chocolate

Clean Hot Chocolate: 

Nothing better for a cold December night!

The winter months have officially arrived, it's chilly, the snow is starting to fall, wind is blowing and the fireplace is being sparked. This automatically makes me want hot chocolate. I love eating clean but how can I give up hot chocolate??

But then I found The Gracious Pantry and there was an incredible clean eating hot chocolate recipe. 

I really do believe we are meant to find pure and guilt free joy in the foods we eat. The problem is foods we have come to know as "good" food are not always good for us! This is what I have realized over the past few months, changing my lifestyle. So when I have the chance to change a recipe to one with more nutrition and less calories, I hardly can wait. 

Here is one of my new favorite once-in-awhile treats that is now healthier!

The Ingredients you will need

*4 cups unsweetened milk (I use Blue Diamond Almond Breeze)
*3/4 cup honey (Walmart organic)
*2 teaspoons cinnamon (Trader Joes')
*3 tablespoons unsweetened powdered cocoa (Hershey)

Directions:
*Combine all ingredients in a pot and warm over the medium heat
*Pour into cups and serve

Enjoy on a cold winter's night!! :)



Data for 1 cup:

Calories: 282
Total Fat: 5gm
Saturated Fats: 1gm
Trans Fats: 0gm
Cholesterol: 0gm
Sodium: 31mg
Carbohydrates: 56gm
Dietary Fiber: 6gm
Sugars: 49gm
Protein: 10gm
Estimated Glycemic Load: 32
(nutritionaldata.com)

What Are YOU Bringing to Thanksgiving Dinner?

 Are You Bringing to Thanksgiving Dinner?

Is It Clean and Healthy?

Here are a few SWEET treats that are changed to clean recipes for you and your family's enjoyment and completely GUILT FREE!!!

Clean Pumpkin Cheesecake

Ingredients you will need:

3/4 cups low fat cottage cheese

2/3 cups nonfat, plain Greek Yogurt

1 TBS white whole wheat flour

2 TBS honey

2 dates, with pits removed 

1/4 tsp salt

2 TBS lemon juice

4 egg whites

1/2 cup pumpkin puree (not pumpkin filling)

1/2 tsp pumpkin pie spice (no sugar added)

For the Crust:

1 1/2 cups Graham Cracker Crumbs (sugar free low-fat)

1/3 cups butter (unsalted)

1/3 cups organic coconut sugar

Directions:

Place everything (besides the crust ingredients) in your blender and blend until smooth.

Pour into a greased spring pan

Bake 350 degrees 25-30 minutes (look for the top to turn golden)

For the crust: mix it all and place it on the bottom of the pan

Pumpkin Fruit Dip (special thanks to Amie DeSanzo for this delicious recipe)

1 can pumpkin puree

1 cup plain nonfat Greek yogurt

1/2 cup honey

1 tsp pumpkin spice

1/2 tsp cinnamon

I blended it just because it was out, but it was actually easier to just mix the ingredients in a big bowl!

Travels easy in a mason jar and tastes delicious too!!

Enjoy your Thanksgiving dessert guilt free!!

Night Time Snacker

Night Time Snacking

I find myself dealing with food choices throughout the day very well. I have to admit that this week I made a meal plan and it is PHENOMENAL!!! It sounds silly but I look on my fridge and that is what I am eating! 

Here is an example of my meal plan for this week-all meals were prepared ahead of time

(sorry it is a little blurry-contact me and I can send it to you!)

Okay so..here is my problem-night time snacking. I always get home from work and that is when I realize I am hungry or just want to eat. 

I really have to concentrate hard at this point in my day. Here are some of the ways I stay on track but get in my snacking.

**Plain Greek Yogurt 

    with either organic, 100% cocoa chocolate chips (about tablespoon)

 or with organic honey (about a tablespoon)

**Air popped popcorn

     no butter and no salt

**Hot Tea

(right now I am on an organic loose leaf spiced pumpkin kick)

what you have to be careful is sweeteners here. If you must add some (which I usually have to) add a little organic honey so you do not get any added chemicals 

**Carrots

less exciting but still filling

**Kale Chips

surprisingly pretty yummy!

I know staying on track can be hard-especially at night after a long day at work, with the kids, or personal business.

Try these tips and if you would like added support please contact me!

Vitamins and Protein in Comparison to Shakeology

GNC products are great, BUT like I used to believe, they were the products I NEEDED to have in order to be healthy and fit. The problem with this was-there was not just ONE product I needed, there were SEVERAL! 

Who wants several different products to take just to be healthy and fit? I do NOT! I know how easily I forget to take one thing let alone, 5-10-15 different items.
Here is how Shakeology  is different than not only GNC's Lean Shake, but also purely Protein shakes. 

Shakeology is Not a protein shake! 

Shakeology is: a meal replacement, a whole food vitamin supplement and a nutrient dense and all natural Super food shake. Shakeology does contain protein, but it is not solely a protein shake and it is not labeled as that. 

When looking at the ingredient list. The quality found in "other ingredient" section. If there are quality ingredients, then the price is worth it. Don't you want to know what you are actually paying for, and if it is worth it?

The first thing is protein shakes, especially Lean Shake has a load of chemicals that are no where close to being whole food and clean. 

Let's take a look at the products in the protein shake; there is carrageenan, partially hydrogenated soy bean oil, artificial flavors and splenda 

The reason why this product is so much less then Shakeology is because there is very little ingredients that is healthy. 

When you are spending money to invest in your health, you want to avoid chemicals in the products. Typically when we have cheat days or eat a certain "treat" occasionally we will intake some of these chemicals-but that is NOT on a daily account.

What about Vitamins?

Shakeology is a nutrient and vitamin dense shake. Shakeology is the equivalent of three servings of salad. This allows you to get your entire days worth of vitamins in one scoop (shake). A multi-vitamin is synthetic; which means your body is not recognizing this as real food. This causes vitamins to either go right through you-which causes you to waste your money, or they get absorbed and they accumulate in your body (which is stressful and harmful for your organs). Vitamins are better when they come from food groups. Vitamins do not provide you with a meal. Shakeology can be a meal or a snack. Vitamins are typically pretty expensive ($13/month). Which is not terrible-but again may not be actually getting used by your body!

People who sell vitamins and protein shakes are not there to promote what is best for YOU! They are there to promote what is best for them to sell. They do not care if their product creates a healthier lifestyle and weight loss in their customers-as long as they are selling their product. They are not invested in your weight loss efforts, struggle, journey or success. The salespeople are not educated in health and fitness, they are there to sell. They do not know what other products are, but they know what they have to push. Lots of the products they have contain chemicals that are not natural and can create more harm to your body. 

I am not forcing you to choose Shakeology, but I promote it because I believe in it and I have chosen to. I know what it has done for my health and fitness and I have seen how it helps my clients' health. I am an athletic trainer who deals with health, nutrition and fitness on a day-to-day routine. I have educated myself and continue to. Yes, I would love to be able to have exotic fruits and vegetables for every single meal and snack of every day-but obviously that is not possible. I am a busy, young athletic trainer and I love to be able to get healthy meals prepped for my week. So, for $4 a scoop, mixed with some extra basic ingredients-of everything I need, without spending lots of hours and money, without added carcinogens, chemicals and artificial ingredients, then SIGN ME UP!

No matter what, I will continue to enjoy Shakeology. I love what it has done for me and my health. I have been able to lead a healthier lifestyle, even with my hectic schedule. Whether or not someone else buys it or not, I will continue to drink it. 

Shakeology is a meal replacement, a whole food vitamin supplement and a nutrient dense and all natural super food shake. When this is placed into your body on a daily basis-you feel better, have more energy, recover better and have less cravings. It is nutrients made easy. "The Healthiest Meal of the Day" and it is in the convenience of a scoop from a bag.

I would love to hear your thoughts on this and continue this discussion.

Contact me at:

brittanyplummer271@gmail.com

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