Category: Gluten Free meal ideas

Maegan Blinka, Megan Blinka, Chickpea brownies, gluten free brownies, dairy free brownies, paleo brownies that are actually good, clean eating brownies, cleaned up sweet treats, refeed day, 80 day obsession, what is refeed day, what is the purpose of refeed day, how to restore glycogen,

Double chocolate brownies

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So what do you do when your new nutrition plan calls for a carb load day right in the middle of the week?

Bake some brownies of course! Maegan Blinka, Megan Blinka, Chickpea brownies, gluten free brownies, dairy free brownies, paleo brownies that are actually good, clean eating brownies, cleaned up sweet treats, refeed day, 80 day obsession, what is refeed day, what is the purpose of refeed day, how to restore glycogen,

I tossed around some ideas of what we would enjoy on what we call, REFEED day, but decided I’d stick to my clean, gluten free choices, because well…this mama doesn’t need a belly ache going in to tomorrow’s leg day!

I have found other recipes that used chickpeas in desserts and quite frankly just assumed they would be AWFUL but I kind of have this thing about cleaning up my sweet treats and this was the perfect opportunity!

And when both kiddos devoured them after school, I know I picked right!!!

WHAT YOU NEED:

  • 1 (15-oz.) can of chickpeas (garbanzo beans) or cannelli beans drained and rinsed
  • 1/4 cup butter, melted (or extra-virgin organic coconut oil)
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1/2 cup pure maple syrup (or raw honey)
  • 2 tsp. pure vanilla extract
  • 1/3 cup organic unsweetened cocao powder (I used dark cocoa powder)
  • 1/2 tsp. baking powder
  • 1 pinch sea salt
  • 1/4 cup semi sweet (or dark) chocolate chips

Chickpea brownies ingredients

WHAT YOU NEED TO DO:

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees
  2. Line the bottom of a 9×9 baking dish with parchment paper.
  3. Lightly coat the baking dish with cooking spray.
  4. Place cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt in a blender or food processor.
  5. Next add beans, eggs, maple syrup, melted butter, and vanilla extract.
  6. Blend on low then increase speed, blending until smooth.  Chickpea brownies blended
  7. Stir chocolate chips into the batter by hand.
  8. Pour the batter into the baking dish.  It will be thick.  Spread it out evenly.
  9. Bake for 25. Use the toothpick test to determine if they are done. If you insert a toothpick and it comes out clean they are done!
  10. Cool and cut into 16 squares.

Maegan Blinka, Megan Blinka, Chickpea brownies, gluten free brownies, dairy free brownies, paleo brownies that are actually good, clean eating brownies, cleaned up sweet treats, refeed day, 80 day obsession, what is refeed day, what is the purpose of refeed day, how to restore glycogen,

Servings: 16 and ONE YELLOW to my fellow portion fixers!

WHAT IS REFEED DAY?
After 6 weeks of working out super hard, eating super clean & depleting our glycogen stores it’s time to give them a little replenishing.

This is not to be confused with a cheat day. Our macros were still balanced at each of our timed nutrition meals, we’re maintaining proper portions, we’re still eating every 2-3 hours and we’re keeping our other foods lean & healthy. But we’re also enjoying some not-so-typical meals!

If you’d like to learn more about the abs, arms, booty program the hubs and I have been following these last 6 weeks along with an amazing group of women I’m leading in my health and wellness accountability group, fill out the form below! I’d love to chat more with you about your goals!

Maegan Blinka, Megan Blinka, Paleo friendly soup, Paleo friendly dinner idea, grain free soup, grain free meal, gluten free and dairy free dinner ideas, spicy dinner idea, 80 Day obsession meal plan, easy weeknight dinners, instapot recipe, cauliflower rice recipe,

SPICY JAMBALAYA

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One of my challengers shared this recipe for Slow Cooker Jambalaya and immediately thought to myself I HAVE TO MAKE THIS.

I read the ingredients, put in a grocery order, and then at 4:00 the next day sat down to make it.
One problem: I missed the fact that it was a “slow cooker” recipe AND I had about 2 hours before it was dinner time.
I allowed that recipe to inspire me and I made a few twists and alterations.

At the end I realized that this would have been a great way to test out my new InstaPot but I guess we’ll save that for round 2.
Maegan Blinka, Megan Blinka, Paleo friendly soup, Paleo friendly dinner idea, grain free soup, grain free meal, gluten free and dairy free dinner ideas, spicy dinner idea, 80 Day obsession meal plan, easy weeknight dinners, instapot recipe, cauliflower rice recipe,

WHAT YOU NEED:

    • 1 package andouille sausage
    • 1 pound uncooked shrimp (peeled and de-veined)
    • 1 cup shredded chicken (or large boneless skinless chicken breasts, pounded)
    • 3 red peppers diced
    • 1 white diced
    • 2-3 jalapeños (see note), seeds and stems removed (I used can and they worked great!)
    • 3 cups riced cauliflower (frozen works fine!)
    • 1 cup low sodium chicken broth
    • 1 30-ounce can crushed tomatoes
    • 3 gloves minced garlic
    • 3 tablespoons store-bought or homemade cajun seasoning
    • ½ teaspoon each salt and pepper, or to taste
    • cilantro or parsley, for topping (optional)
 NOTE: If you want to use brown rice instead of the riced cauliflower add one more cup of chicken broth and follow the recipe at Creme de la Crumb. 

WHAT YOU NEED TO DO? 

  1. Slice sausage into sections (about ¼ inch thick slices). Remove tails from shrimp if they are still on. Shred and/or Chop chicken into 1-inch pieces.
  2. Add sausage, chicken, bell peppers, jalapeños, chicken broth, tomatoes, minced garlic, cajun seasoning, and salt and pepper to a pot. Bring to a boil, cover and simmer for 20-30 minutes. Stir in riced cauliflower and cook another 10/15 minutes.
  3. Stir in shrimp, re-cover and cook for another 15-20 minutes.
  4. Sprinkle with chopped cilantro or parsley if desired, and serve hot.

Enjoy!

And if you give a try drop me a comment and let me know what you think!

Maegan Blinka, Megan Blinka, Cauliflower Fried Rice, 21 day fix approved side dish, Whole 30 Side dish, Clean Eating, Family favorite recipes, Kid approved side dish

Fast and Simple Cauliflower Rice

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Need a simple side dish but trying to avoid going carb crazy?!

cauliflower-fried-rice

We are LOVING cauliflower fried rice but I do believe there are good approaches to this simple little dish and not so good!

My best tip: KEEP IT SIMPLE!

Here’s what we found to rock our world:

WHAT YOU NEED:

  • 3 cups riced cauliflower
  • 1 TBS coconut oil
  • 2 TBS slivered almonds
  • 2 TBS fresh parsley

WHAT YOU NEED TO DO:

  1. Heat coconut oil over medium high heat
  2. When hot, add riced cauliflower and sauté for 5-7 minutes or until it reaches your desired tenderness (note the color of the cauliflower will change slightly as it cooks…I used that as a guide!)
  3. Top with the almonds and parsley and SERVE & ENJOY!

cauliflower-fried-rice-with-meatloaf

Note: We paired this with meatloaf for a classic, home cooked combo that warmed the tummy but didn’t grow the waistline!!!

Whether you’re new to clean eating or a seasoned pro – if you’re interested in more information fill out the form below to join one of my upcoming health and fitness accountability and support groups! Together we can end the trend of obesity!

Unstuffed Pepper Soup – Crockpot Style

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2016-10-05 17.50.26.jpgWe were faced with 2 pounds of beef, some peppers, onions and no time to prep & bake stuffed peppers…so we went the unconventional route – and UNstuffed them!

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

WHAT YOU NEED:

  • 2 pounds ground beef/turkey
  • 3 peppers, chopped
  • 2 onions, chopped
  • 2 cups kale, chopped
  • 1 can diced tomatoes (drained, no sugar added)
  • 1 can tomato sauce (no sugar added!!)
  • 4-5 gloves garlic, chopped
  • 1 TBS olive oil

WHAT YOU NEED TO DO:

  1. Heat oil over medium heat in LARGE saucepan
  2. Add onions and garlic sautéing for 3-4 minutes.
  3. Add peppers and continue cooking another 3-4 minutes
  4. Move peppers and onions to the side add beef. Cook about 8 minutes or until thoroughly browned.
  5. Drain mixture and dump back into pan.
  6. Add tomatoes and sauce and cook on high about 3 minutes until boiling. Add chopped kale and wahlaaa – YOU’RE FINISHED!
  7. Now – this would be ready to eat as is – but we were on our way out for a busy afternoon…so I prepped it all and tossed it in a LINED (with a Reynolds Slow Cooker liner) and kept it on warm for 6 hours.

It was piping hot when we were ready to eat and the flavors were DIVINE!

***Portion Fix containers: 1.5 cups = 1 RED and 1 GREEN

I strategically planned this recipe such that there are 8 reds and 8 greens in the mix! I wanted stuffed peppers without any “yellows” and this did the trick! 

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If you are interested in learning more about clean eating, I run support & accountability groups so I can teach you how to eat clean, providing meal plans and recipes, and give lots of great tips and tools for you to live a healthy lifestyle so you can even pass it on to your family and friends!
This support group will give you lots of motivation and accountability for you to reach your overall health and fitness goals!
*Find me on facebook at www.facebook.com/maegan.blinka and message me for details! or simply fill out the form below!
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Turkey & Sweet Potato Hash

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Now this is a recipe that will be making its way back to the meal plan again!!!

Obtained from the Country Heat nutrition guide – this was a family hit!

Simple, clean, gluten free and full of flavor!

Maegan Blinka, Megan Blinka, Gluten Free, Turkey and Sweet Potato Hash, Gluten free fix approved recipe, Sweet Potato recipe, One pot weeknight meal idea, comfort foods, Country Heat nutrition guide, Country Heat Meal Plan

 

Container Equivalents (per serving, per Country Heat nutrition guide): ½ GREEN – 1 YELLOW –  1  RED – ½ teaspoon***

WHAT YOU NEED:*

  • 2 tsp. olive oil
  • 1 medium onion chopped
  • 1 medium green bell pepper, chopped
  • 2 medium sweet potatoes, peeled, chopped
  • 1 lb. raw ground 93% lean turkey breast
  • 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
  • 1½ tsp. finely chopped fresh thyme (or ½ tsp. dried thyme)
  • Sea salt (or Himalayan salt) and ground black pepper (to taste; optional)

WHAT YOU NEED TO DO:**

1. Heat oil in medium skillet over medium-high heat.

2. Add onion, bell pepper, and sweet potatoes; cook, stirring frequently, for 8 to 10 minutes, or until onion is translucent and sweet potato is tender-crisp.

3. Add turkey; cook, stirring frequently, for 5 to 6 minutes, or until turkey is cooked through and sweet potato is soft.

4. Add garlic and thyme. Season with salt (if desired) and pepper (if desired); cook, stirring frequently, for 1 minute.

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* I doubled this recipe. I love green peppers and onions so I added 3 of each yet instead of doubling the sweet potatoes I only did 3 of those. 

** My pan was not big enough for the double recipe so I actually cooked the veggies in one pan and the turkey in another and then combined and simmered the last few minutes. 

*** Note: The serving size provided was 3/4 cup for the containers listed above providing 4 servings – however I found my recipe when it was said and done to have nearly 1.5 cups for 4 servings yielding 1 yellow, 1 green and 1 red. Use your best judgement!

If you’re interested in learning more about Clean Eating and/or my next Country Heat online accountability group, fill out the application below for more information!!!