Recipe: Sweet Potato Chili - Instant Pot Edition

You might not know this, but I LOVE Fall. 

Not just Pumpkin Spiced Lattes... I love the season Fall. The crisp air, the leaves changing, leggings, warm boots, hot cups of coffees and hot delicious comfort foods in the evening. 

This recipe is making me really excited about the season changing. I made this recipe this week and my family loved it. When I first told them I was making sweet potato chili they turned their nose up at it. Then when it was time to eat, they were pleasantly surprised! 

I can't tell you how happy that made me! 

This new recipe will be a staple in my house from here on out. The best part is how EASY it was to prepare/cook! I hope you enjoy this recipe.

(This recipe is Dairy and Grain Free)

Ingredients:

2 lb organic ground beef

1 tsp extra virgin olive oil

2 garlic gloves, pressed

1 small red onion, chopped

30 oz organic tomato sauce

2 cups organic beef stock

2 carrots, chopped

3 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed

2 tbsp cup chili powder (or less if you desire *wink*)

1 tsp oregano

1/2 tsp thyme

2 tsp sea salt

 1 1/2 tsp black pepper

Directions:

Set instant pot to saute and wait tell it says "hot". Add  1 tsp of evoo then ground beef and brown. Once beef has browned add onion, garlic and let simmer for a few minutes. Add the rest of the ingredients in. Stir well. Seal the lid and set the mode to "meat/stew" and it will automatically set for 35 minutes. Make sure the valve is set to sealed. Once done let it "natural release" in warm mode for 10 minutes. Stir well and serve.

Makes 8-9 servings

*Note if you aren't eating this "dairy free" you can add some shredded cheddar to the top. My kids love this!

*Note again: If you want more of a "kick" to your chili, you can add red pepper flakes to taste. 

Ahhh Fall, my happy place :) 

21 Day Fix/Country Heat/Portion Fix Container Equivalent:

1 Red 1 Yellow  1 Green 1 Purple

*Note I measured out my serving with 1 cup

This Instant Pot recipe was easy, a huge time saver and DELICIOUS! Stay tuned for more healthy comfort food recipes coming soon.

 In the mean time...

Want more recipes like this? Or even, meal prep tips and/or to get started with a fitness routine? I would LOVE to be your coach! You can reach out to me by going to my Facebook page by clicking the picture below....

If 80% of your results are based on what you consume, then let's get in the kitchen! Learn how to meal prep with us!

Want to learn new recipes, tips, tricks and life hacks to not only make meal prep doable each week but simple?

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Have a blessed day!

3T's - Troth, Turkey and Transformation - 6 Day Challenge starting 11/16

6 Day Shakeology Sampler Challenge

I've got 3 T's for you - Trot, Turkey and Transformation! 

We are adding an extra boost to our monthly Shakeology Sample Pack Challenge... A virtual race! Join us as we fuel our self daily with the healthiest meal of the day and run/walk a virtual 5k! Winner who has the most miles/steps accomplished by the end of the 6 days will win a free copy of the new cookbook Fixate!

This is a great low cost ($29.95) way to try out all the Shakeology flavors to see which one you like best, and boost your weight loss before the Holidays.

Daily accountability posts, inspiration, recipes, prizes and more!

Ready to join us? Fill out this quick application and I'll get you set up and ready to go! 

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Alright, let's do this!

Crockpot Greek Lemon Chicken Soup Recipe - Perfect for Fall!

When I think of Fall, I think of cozy sweaters, leggings, boots, hot cups of coffee, family time around the fire and crockpots filled with delicious soups! (Ahh...My happy place)

Do I have a delicious recipe for you today! This was so quick, easy to do and the house smelled amazing! I took a few recipes for Greek Lemon Chicken Soup I've found and modified it a little to our liking.

Here you go!

Serves 5-6

Ingredients:

2 boneless skinless chicken breasts (frozen)

10 cups organic low sodium chicken broth

1/2 sweet onion (diced)

6 garlic gloves minced 

1/3 cup diced chives

zest of 1 large lemon

1/2 tsp chili powder

1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil 

1 cup brown rice

2 oz crumbled feta (optional)

salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

Add everything into the crockpot except the brown rice and feta. Cook on low in your slow cooker for 6-7 hours. Then take a spatula and shred the chicken gently in the pot. 30 Minutes before it's time to serve add the cup of brown rice, stir and let it do it cook.

Serve and sprinkle with crumbled feta if you'd like!

YUM! So easy, healthy and delicious!

If you are tracking with 21 Day Fix Portion Control containers the serving size for 1 serving of soup would be 1 red, 1 yellow, 1 tsp. 

Enjoy :)

Don't throw out those Pumpkin Seeds after carving - Toast your own seeds :)

Each year we go to the pumpkin patch (or grocery store), get our pumpkin of choice and then we carve fun characters on them. It's possible your like me and dread the pumpkin "gutting part". I don't know what it is about the slimy gooey texture of it all but honestly, I refused to touch the pumpkin guts tell I was well into my mid 20's. (I know, I'm silly).

One of the reasons I started participating in this part of the pumpkin carving? The seeds! My Husband loves pumpkin seeds. 

So for the last 7 years it's been a tradition for me to bake the seeds from our carved pumpkins as a tasty fall family treat!

Want to know how to do this too?

It's simple!

As you are hallowing out the pumpkins put the seeds in a strainer and the rest of the goo in a separate bowl. Once you've collected all the seeds, run the strainer through the water tell you get all the pumpkin pieces out of there. 

Pat them dry and pour them into a bowl.

Preheat the oven to 300 degrees.

Add about a tbsp of extra virgin olive oil and the seasoning of your choice (I'll post what I use below).

Then take parchment paper and line your baking pan. 

Pour the seeds out tell they are a single layer.

Pop in the oven and let them bake for about 45 minutes or until lightly toasted.

Wha-la! Toasted Pumpkin Seeds

Mmm they are so good too!

The seasoning I use (this is for 3 pumpkin's worth of seeds)

1 TBSP Extra Virgin Olive Oil

1 tsp Himalayan Salt

1 tsp Cumin

Pepper to taste

YUM!

Happy Harvest Friends and have a blessed day!

New Season, New Opportunities - 5 Ways to make Fall a Fit Healthy Season

Fall is my favorite season. The air is crisp, the leaves change color, pumpkins are everywhere and it's the beginning of the Holiday season. Hot cups of coffee, big sweaters, leggings and uggs are high on the list too. 

This is a picture I took of my littles last year at our favorite pumpkin patch. It's the same pumpkin patch Caleb and I have been going to every year even before we were married. It's a tradition that I look forward too.

I woke up to this sweet boy saying "Hey Mom! Did you know the pumpkins roll on train tracks? And then the express train comes and pushes it to the station?" He'd been up since 5 am playing "pumpkin trains" in his room.

I love what fall brings!

A new season, new opportunity to create family memories of pumpkin patches, fall fun and most importantly the opportunity to appreciate and be thankful for the new mercies Jesus brings us each day.

"This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it." - Psalm 118:24

What is it that you love about Fall? 

Don't wait until the new year to start your working on your health and fitness goals!

 Here are a few things you can do this Fall season to stay on track:

1. Exercise 30 minutes a day! 30 minutes of exercise is only 2% of your day. We spend more time on social media than that! 

2. Limit treats to 1-2 a week: It's ok to enjoy a slice of pumpkin pie or even a delicious cup of pumpkin spiced coffee in moderation. Limit your self to one or two treats a week to stay on track with your goals.

3.Track what you eat: Myfitness pal App is great app to use, or if you are following the 21 Day Fix plan there is an app you can download as well :)

4. Outdoor Activities: Plan active fall fun for you and your family! Apple picking, hiking trains, running around corn mazes at the pumpkin patch. There are lots of ways to enjoy the season and burn some calories too.

5. Join a Accountability Group: Having a group of people that you check in with each day that are all working on their own health and fitness journeys is a great way to stay inspired and accountable! If you'd like to join one of our challenge groups comment below with your email address. I'd love to talk to you and help you find the group that is just right for you :)

Want more tips like this? Subscribe to this blog so you can stay up to date with my weekly posts! I would love to help encourage.

Have a blessed fall day!

Jenny