Lifestyle with Melendy

a mom sharing her Recipes, Inspiration & Life

food

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Meal prep for my mind

Meal Prep used to be two words I didn’t like…

But lately life got messy. I am back in school full time, still teaching, and my husband’s work travel increased a lot.
I found myself eating fast food in the car between teaching and classes, and feeling sick all the time.

the food of my past…

Something needed to change.

I did something I am really proud of – I didn’t judge myself for the choices I made – I just decided I needed to make new choices.

I reached out to one of my fellow Coaches, and I said – I need your help. She put the work in my hands, and the ownership of the plan in my hands – but she guided me into it with love, and a gentle non-judgmental spirit.

I am not in this to be a supermodel. All I want is a healthier body that I can depend on. I am a vocal singing major in college, and I am on my feet 12 hours a day singing, play an instrument, learning, walking to and from classes – I needed to fuel my body better.

When you don’t worry about anyone- and find you – you have joy!

I now prep all food on Saturday – Three hours, me with my headphones, some new Netflix show, and the entire kitchen and tons of containers. I follow the guidelines for carb/protein/fat/fruits/vegetables she gave me, and I create food I want to eat.

I don’t crave the junk food – and meal prep means that I even go out with friends and can find something that I want that fits in my new eating habits.

meal prep success

Time

Planning

Meal Prep

Self realization

I am not my body – but I need my body to work, and It wasn’t working the way I was treating it. It was time to change – and the change was good…so far.

more princess to come
I have a month to be ready…

Now – Now to get back on the road and running.

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Snacks for Track – what we pack and why…

When we have a track meet – we always are careful to pack healthy, nutritious, and filling snacks. It took us a few years of trial and error to find the perfect balance. I thought I would share our list with you. Feel free to tweek it for your families needs, and share your list! I get the joy of being a mom and a coach . On the days before a big race – my mom hat makes sure that we are prepared – because my coach brain often forgets to eat!

1 – Hard boiled eggs. These are a quick punch of filling protein, easy to cook the day before. We started peeling them, and bagging them as two packs to allow each athlete to grab and go.

eggs for protein

2 – Cooked pasta. This is a quick carb grab. We find the athletes grab them around linch – or at the end of a long day. I pre-portion into quarter cups of cooked pasta. this keeps the amount they eat smaller – and allows us to know how much they ate.

3 – Cheese/Pepperoni/Cracker. Much like eggs and pasta – this is a quick hit of protein and carbs, and it allows an athlete (or a coach) to assemble a few – and walk away. I spend a little more and get the pre-sliced cheese just to make preparation a little smoother.

4 – Fruit and Veggies. I usually let the boys decide which they want. we try to have Apples, bananas, oranges, strawberries, and then cucumbers, celery and carrots. These are great for fiber to keep them full- sugar for some natural energy – and the bananas add potassium for cramping.

veggies and fruit

5- Nuts/nut butter. another quick hit of protein to help give energy and maintain fullness. We are cautious to be aware of our athletes allergies – but – our athletes are aware that we have nuts in our bag – and also – that our bag is a community bag – so – we often leave with no food left!

Grab the Printable shopping list!

6 – Water. We all have reusable water bottles – but on a track meet daywear do bring a case of water bottles. We bring them home to recycle – but there is not always a place to refill water bottles. Also, many track meets underprepared their concession stands.

7 – Cookies. I know, I know…cookies are to healthy. HOWEVER – as a coach I really enjoy when at the end of a long day my athletes grab a cookie and smile. Whether they won, lost, had a personal best, or tripped – they worked hard. I believe that a little something sweet and the smile it brings is worth it! also – see – stopping the guilt.

cookies for fun

These are the snacks for track meets – specifically on long days/weekends. We pack all of this up into a few coolers, and grab bags of ice to keep it all cool. I bring a sharpie for labeling water bottles, a roll of paper towels, and a trash bag or two. This way when we leave – everything has a home.

What are your absolute favorites for sporting events that last all day?

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Stuffed Chicken – Pinterest day 3!

Stuffed Chicken for the win!

Well, we are well on our way to culinary genius here – Or maybe I am just swimming in yummy Pinterest inspired foods!
Recipe one and two were amazing, and I decided to go for recipe three!!

On the plate today was a Stuffed Chicken breast.
The prep time for this meal was really short.

I started with a pan, and the olive oil.


I added the crushed Garlic, and heated for about a minute.


then I tossed in the Spinach and heated through until the spinach was wilted.

I removed that from the heat, set the oven to 425F

black and white becasue who wants to see raw chicken naked?

Next I butterflied the chicken breast

I used Mozzarella because we love Mozzarella then placed the spinach on top.


I used olive oil on the bottom of the pan, placed the folded closed chicken breast in the casserole dish


sprinkled with Paprika


and baked for 30 minutes


we tested the temperature – who wants food poisoning? No-one!

I paired the stuffed breast with baby Arugula
We almost couldn’t eat it all! So delicious!!!

The original recipe can be found here!
And the only adjustment we made was type of cheese!
Let me know what you think If you try it!

In Conclusion

Just Pinning a recipe is fine for inspiration, but I am so glad I got inspired, ran to the store and made these delicious meals!

Let me know if you re inspired to make your own Pinterest inspired week.

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Zucchini Au Gratin!! Pinterest day 2!

My Pinterest recipe journey continues!
Day one we loved the squash and lobster dish so much, we decided to dive into the next recipe!
This recipe is a Zucchini Au Gratin – and it was super delicious.

The recipe called for 3 Zucchini, but I know my family, so we double the recipe from the start!
First I sliced the squash using my mandolin –

Then I tossed it with the salt, placed it in my colander over the sink, and waited…

While waiting I prepped the steak tips…I marinate them in a bag with Olive oil, Salt, pepper, garlic and Worcestershire sauce.That sits in the fridge for about an hour to set.

Then I prepped the cheese sauce!
I couldn’t find the pre-shredded Gruyere, so I grabbed a block of it and shredded it myself

Here is where I made an almost fatal error!
The shredded cheese was for the top of the casserole – But I melted it in by accident because I was so excited to be using such awesome cheese!

Stir stir stir!

Pepper added to the Zucchini before the pour

Pour the sauce over the whole dish.

I then added the cheese on top that wasn’t mistakenly put in the sauce!

Baked at 400 for 30 minutes, and it was AMAZINGLY DELICIOUS!!!

A few things – The original recipe claims prep time is 10 minutes – I disagree…But I did also shred my own cheese. Slicing the Zucchini alone took some time. Other than that – I loved this recipe and I will be making it again!!!
Here is the original recipe!
Let me know if you try it and what you think!!

See you tomorrow for the next recipe!!!

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Lobster & Squash for dinner!

I found this amazing Lobster and squash recipe on Pinterest, and I had to try it!
I ran off to the grocery store and grabbed the ingredients.

I knew I did not have time to cook a lobster – nor do I like to cook a lobster. I strolled up to the seafood counter and asked the gentleman if they can cook lobster for me – and they do! YES! Ingredients purchased – time to head home and cook!
Problem number one – The grocery store was out of spaghetti squash! so, I improvised and used squash noodles – zucchini, summer squash and butternut squash noodles! I baked them in the oven for just a few minutes – I wanted them to be warm when I added them to the butter!
Next I chopped the garlic, sage, and basil, and sprinkled the sea salt in. I started to melt the butter! This recipe calls for 3/4 of a cup of butter, I used that much, but, you could cut it back if butter is a problem for you.
Then I added the chopped ingredients into the butter. I let them sit on low for a few minutes.


This part was hard because it smells so good and you just want to eat – even the lobster was ready to dive in…

I put the squash in the butter and used tongs to make sure it was all coated in the herb butter. After about 2 minutes, I added the lobster, and then let it all swim around for a few minutes.

I picked out my big bowl, and portioned it in half – half for me, half for Steve, and I sat down and loved every last bite of it! I will absolutely make this again, and may find other variations to make for my non seafood eating children!

Here is the original Pin that I found –
and here is the recipe with my food adaptations – You decide which way you love it! Let me know if you try this recipe and what change about it!
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Lobster & Squash Noodle

Ingredients

  1. Squash Noodles – Zucchini, Summer, butternut
  2. 3/4 cup salted butter
  3. 2 garlic cloves, minced
  4. 2 tablespoons sage, chopped
  5. 2 tablespoons basil, chopped
  6. 2 pinches sea salt
  7. 2 cups lump lobster meat (I used one lobster)

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350F.
  2. Place squash noodles on baking pan.
  3. Place in oven and bake for aprox 15 minutes.
  4. Once the squash is done cooking, place the butter into a skillet over medium heat.
  5. Wait for it to melt then add the garlic, herbs, and sea salt.
  6. Once the butter sauce becomes fragrant add the squash noodles to the skillet.
  7. Toss to coat the squash.
  8. Finally, add lobster and toss everything to heat through, about 1 – 2 minutes.
  9. Then, remove immediately from heat so you don’t overcook the lobster.
  10. Place in the individual dishes and sprinkle with additional chopped herbs!
  11. Last but not least – DEVOUR!