Quinoa Chicken Parmesan

I am always on the hunt for new recipes. I ran across one that seemed very simple and that I already had all of the ingredients for, Quinoa Chicken Parmesan, so we tried it a couple of nights ago. It may sound a little strange, but the recipe is so easy and this dinner was really good! I found the recipe here.

Quinoa Chicken Parmesan
Ingredients:
- 1 cup dry quinoa
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 large eggs, beaten
- 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 shredded Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup marinara sauce (I used Prego)

Preparation:
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
- Lightly spray a baking sheet with cooking spray.
- Cook quinoa according to package, and then stir in Italian seasoning.
- Take each chicken breast and cover completely with flour, dip into the eggs, then cover completely with quinoa, making sure the entire chicken breast is coated.
- Repeat with each chicken breast and place each onto the baking sheet.
- Place in the oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until golden brown.
- Remove chicken and top with cheeses and marinara.
- Then bake for another few minutes until cheese has melted.

Let me know if you get a chance to try it! I'd love to know how you liked it!

For the past couple of months, I have been working through a combination of BeachBody programs, P90X and 21-Day Fix. I am on Day 15 of 21-Day Fix, and I still think it is awesome! I am a big proponent of planning out your meals and staying away from last minute (usually unhealthy) decisions about what to eat. I have also loved having the little containers to help me with portions. But most of all, I have LOVED the workouts. Even Matt has gotten into them, and always says, "Okay, so which one are we doing today?" Yes, WE! It is fun being able to work out at home, but it makes it even more fun that he wants to do it with me!

Here we are sweating it out during Pilates Fix (which he found out is not just "light stretching"). 

Here is what I did the last two weeks:

Day 38: Upper Fix

Day 39: Lower Fix

Day 40: Pilates Fix

Day 41: Cardio Fix

Day 42: Dirty 30

Day 43: Yoga Fix

Day 44: Total Body Cardio Fix & Pilates Fix

Day 45: Upper Fix & Cardio Fix

Day 46: Lower Fix & 10 Min Abs

Day 47: Pilates Fix & Total Body Cardio Fix

Day 48: Rest

Day 49: Dirty 30

Day 50: Yoga Fix

Day 51: Total Body Cardio Fix

Friday was not intended to be a rest day, but we were both exhausted. I had been doing double day workouts for a few days, so my body just needed to rest. So, we propped up our feet and relaxed for the night... all three of us :)

Hope you have a happy Monday and a great rest of the week!

Strawberry and Blueberry Trifle

Have you started planning your holiday menu? More importantly, are you trying to plan your holiday menu while also trying to "watch what you eat" at the same time? Hey, it happens. I have you covered for dessert. 

For the Fourth of July last year, we made this festive, light, but oh so delicious dessert. Best part was how easy it was! The hardest part (which was really just time-consuming, not difficult) was slicing the strawberries the way I wanted them to look. But really, I was just being a diva...nothing new. With ingredients so pretty, you can't mess it up! You also don't have to feel too guilty about indulging in a small somewhat oversized bowl of this yummy goodness. I found the recipe here.

Strawberry and Blueberry [God Bless the USA] Trifle

Ingredients:

- Angel food cake, cut into 1 inch cubes

- 2 pints strawberries, sliced to your liking :)

- 2 pints blueberries

- 6 tablespoons fat-free sweetened condensed milk

- 1 1/2 cups cold water

- 1 package sugar-free white chocolate instant pudding mix

- 12 ounces fat-free frozen whipped topping, thawed

Preparation:

- Bake angel food cake according to instructions, and set aside to cool, then cut into 1-inch cubes
Note: I did not use any of the "crust" of the cake, only the insides. And, if the cubes are more like crumbles, perfect :)
-Wash your fruit and slice your strawberries.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the condensed milk and cold water.
- A little at a time, whisk in the pudding mix (until mixed well), and let sit for about 2 minutes, or until soft-set.
- Fold in the thawed whipped topping.
- Arrange half of your cake at the bottom of a 14-cup trifle dish.
- Sprinkle the cake layer evenly with a layer of blueberries.*
- Spread half of the cream mixture over the blueberries. *
- Top the cream with a layer of strawberries*
- Then repeat with layers of the remaining cake, then the blueberries, and the cream.*
- To finish off the top, arrange your strawberries and blueberries in a pattern (or not) :)
- Cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate.**

* When spreading each layer, be mindful as to how your cake looks on the edges. It's the most important part, aside from the top :)
**Refrigerate at least one hour before serving.

The last step... and most importantly, ENJOY!

Enjoy the dessert and enjoy your holiday!

Land of the Free, Home of the Brave

The 4th of July is one of my very favorite holidays. Beach, fireworks, family,  and celebrating this great country the Lord blessed us with. Are you ready for the fourth? 

Land of the Free, Home of the Brave by hnbormann

RED SINGLET | RED STRAPPY SINGLET | H&M CHIFFON TOP | THIN STRIPE SHORTS | THICK STRIPE SHORTS | FLAG SHORTS | VALEXTRA BLUE BRACELET | KENDRA SCOTT-RED | KENDRA SCOTT-BLUE | C WONDER RED BRACELET | MARC BY MARC JACOBS STUDS | KATE SPADE BLUE STUDS | BLUE AVIATORS | FEDORA WITH BLUE | WHITE & BLUE SUNGLASSES | FEDORA WITH BLACK

Do you have any fun plans for the fourth?

21-Day Fix | P90X Days 27-37

I have found quite a bit of inspiration from this quote. Making a change requires a change. As you may know, I have been working through P90X for a little over a month now. When I first started, I used it as an excuse to eat what I wanted, or what was easy. Silly me. What I realized was that in order to see change, I need to make a change. 

I had been waiting for 21-Day Fix to come in the mail, and when it finally did, I could not wait to start! I am still going to continue working through P90X, but throwing some other workouts in the mix or even doubling up on some days. If you have a full-time job outside of your house, you may think I'm crazy to say that. But, I'm a teacher with summers [mostly] off. Do you remember your summers as a kid? How many times did you say "I'm bored" in the summertime. I don't want to be bored. Instead, I want to create and fuel good habits. Enter 21-Day Fix. No counting, no guessing, just an easy-to-follow portion control (with fun color-coded containers) and one [30 minute] work out a day. 

Look at my yummy breakfast and lunch and convince me that your mouth isn't watering...

Portion-ing

Breakfast is served!

Portion-ing

Lunch is served!

P90X Update

Here is what I did on Days 27-37:

Day 27: Kenpo X

Day 28: Ab Ripper X

Day 29: Core Synergistics

Day 30: Stretch X

Day 31: Chest, Shoulders, and Triceps

Day 32: Run 2 miles outside

Day 33: Rest

Day 34: Ab Ripper X

Day 35: Back and Biceps, Run 3 miles outside

Day 36: Chest and Back, Ab Ripper X

Day 37: Total Body Cardio Fix (21-Day Fix Work Out)

I have found that there are a few keys to making new habits. The first one is MAKE GOALS-big and small, short term and long term, daily and weekly. If you don't make goals, how do you define success? The second one is PLANNING. Plan your day, plan your meals, plan your workouts, plan your to-do lists. Make a plan. The third one is MOTIVATION. What is it that motivates you? This may be a person, this may be a thing, this may be a job, this may be a vacation, and this might be something very personal, but whatever it is, find it, and use it to your advantage.

What habits are you making?

Edamame Quinoa Salad

Before we get to the recipe...

This past weekend was the first weekend of summer, and I got some much needed R&R. Matt was traveling through South America for work, so Avery and I had a date on Friday with the vet. We had been wanting to get her microchipped, even though she is an inside dog. But, inside dogs get out, too-- you really never know what could happen. And as you can probably tell from reading any one of my posts, Avery is a very important part of our little family of three. Anyway, since it was time for another round of shots/check-up for her, I added 'getting microchipped' to the list of things that we wanted to have done at that appointment. We have been to the vet's office a lot--I mean, as much as any other two and half year-old dog needs to have been to the vet, and every time, she has loved it! Except for this time. For some reason, she hated it! At one point, she literally jumped on my chair and tried to hide behind me. Poor thing!

         

         

Finally, though, she was microchipped. Officially! Now, if anything were to ever happen to her and she is lost/found by someone else, any vet's office or shelter will be able to contact us. Money VERY well spent if you ask me! She was still pretty apprehensive about the whole scenario, however. She hid and barked the whole time until we were out the door. 

Once all of that was over, I decided to pack up with Aves and head to the bay. It was the perfect recover-from-the-last-week-of-middle-school-before-summer weekend and the perfect start to summer. Saturday night was Galveston's monthly "Art Walk," where various galleries feature artists and stay open to the public later than normal. There were a few restaurants with live entertainment and some other fun things going on. We had never been, so we decided to check out a local restaurant (called Press Box) that we had never been to and then explored the Art Walk.

On our way back to Houston, my mom and I decided we wanted to try some new recipes that we had seen in the Better Homes and Gardens magazine, one of the many read while laying on the beach. Edamame Quinoa Salad. Is your mouth watering yet? It is the perfect mixture of a light side dish, but that is filling at the same time. It also screams summer because of the lime juice. Definitely a must-try! Here is the original recipe that I altered only slightly. I actually do not like cilantro. I realized it when I was in high school and ordered the BBQ Chicken Salad from CPK, which is delicious, but had a strange after taste that I could not stand... cilantro. So, there ya have it. Therefore, I opted out when making mine...

Edamame Quinoa Salad
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup dry quinoa, rinsed
- 1 cup frozen shelled edamame, thawed
- 1 cup frozen corn, thawed
- 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/4 cup lime juice
- 2 T EVOO
- About 1/4 tsp Salt (or to taste)
- About 1/4 tsp Pepper (or to taste)
*Optional- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped

Instructions:
-Cook quinoa according to package, and set aside.
-In a large bowl, combine edamame, corn, and tomatoes.
-Add in the cooled quinoa.
- Mix in lime juice and olive oil.
-Season to taste with salt and pepper.

**The only reason we used red quinoa was because they were out of white. While maybe not quite as easy on the eyes, it still tasted delicious!

Let me know if you have a chance to try it and what you think! 

Teachers Be Like...

Woah. Is it really already over? Did anyone else feel like this today? I saw this picture last night and almost peed my pants because I thought it was so funny.

Today was the last day of school, and I truly felt like I was in a movie. My sweet kids were so antsy and anxious. They started a quiet countdown 30 seconds from the last bell. Then, they continued to get louder and louder until I had lost control. When the bell rang, paper flew into the air... okay I may be exaggerating a little bit, but I was really happy for them to be finished with finals and their 7th grade year. I know they worked hard and put so much pressure on themselves to do well, so I am proud of their efforts, no matter their grades. I have a class Instagram where I post test dates, things to study, etc. and Monday, I shared with them this eCard on the left that I thought was perfect since they have almost all either read the books, seen the movie, or both. They got a kick out of it.

This year was my first full year of teaching in middle school. For anyone who does not already know, I was hired on at my school as a science teacher mid-year last year, since I graduated in December of 2012. I was extremely lucky and blessed to have a job, especially with such odd-timing, not to mention at my dream school. When the opportunity arose, at the end of last year, for me to switch into a math class, I jumped at the chance. I now had my dream job at my dream school. Well, I just finished my first full year and wanted to share some things that I learned (in no particular order). 

Patience is a virtue. Okay, so I already knew that, but teaching middle school brings all new meaning to both having patience and what is considered virtuous. Just like when I teach my students when reading a word problem to "read, re-read, and then read again," it's like you must be "patient, more patient, and then even more patient." They are kids. Don't let 'em eat you alive. They are thirteen year olds being thirteen year olds. Now, there is obviously a place and a time. When it was not the time, I found that something as simple as "if you take up my time, I will have to take up your time..." tends to work, because they sure do covet their passing period five minutes in the hall.

Those sweet little angels can be dishonest. Does this surprise you? We were all thirteen once. There is a lot of pressure at that age. What they don't realize is that they are not very good at being dishonest. Now, I am not saying that is a bad thing. You just laugh later about some of the things that kids try to get away with. However, I realized there are ways to eliminate the pressures of being dishonest. For example, and I was actually talking to one of my students about this today. She commented on how much she liked that I had boards (cut from particle board at Home Depot) that are placed in between the desks on testing days. She said she liked it better than having folders set up or having a cover sheet. I then proceeded to explain to her the idea behind the boards and how I love that it eliminates the temptation of "wondering eyes" because they serve as personal work spaces--like cubicles.

Don't be the cause of the distraction. Don't add to or fuel your students' rambunctiousness. One sure way to be the cause--hand back those tests at the beginning of class--you've lost them. There is no going back; you might as well pack it up for the day. Thankfully, I did not learn this one by making this mistake. But, it could easily be done, so it's just a warning. Even though you use this system all year, and your objectives are clearly stated on the board, numbered in order: 1) Check HW, 2) Lesson blah-blah, 3) Return Tests, they will ask if you are handing them back ASATWITD (As Soon As They Walk In The Door).

Students will be confused--try another way. You know when you are telling a story you have told one hundred times? You might talk 450 miles/hour. You might leave important pieces out. You might be speaking in a different language (hopefully not). Sometimes, especially in math, a student will not understand the way I am telling "the story." You can't get frustrated. If everyone thought the same way, we would be a bunch of robots shaking hands and getting along. That isn't how the real world works, and the classroom doesn't either. Just try another method of saying what you are trying to get across. Start over. Draw a picture. Use your
hands/movements. Try something else. Because, let's be
honest, this is a common feeling about Pre-Algebra...

This is a big one, and one that I struggle with helping my kids to do, because of the trend of today, unfortunately.

Help your students to become problem solvers. Don't solve all of their problems for them. Answer their questions with questions. (Don't you hate when people do that to you?) But it really makes you think. And isn't that what we want for our future generation? We want them to be able to think for themselves, and not be reliant on someone or anyone else. We would be doing them an injustice. This quote says it best...

"The best teachers are those who show you where to look but don't tell you what to see." -Alexandra K. Trenfor

And when all else fails, just teach like a ninja!

I am looking forward to some much-needed rest, although it is pretty fun looking back at all the memories from this year. It sure was a good one.

Happy 1st day of Summer!

P90X on SALE | Days 18-26

Holy moly--exciting news!! (No, I'm not pregnant.) If you have been reading my blog lately, you know I have been working through P90X, a fitness program that is 90 days long that you can do from home. Well....

P90X is on sale BIG right now 50% off the regular price! Want in?? 

Click here for P90X Classic 

Click here for P90X2

Click here for lots of other goodies!

If you are even slightly interested, research the program! I am on Day 26 today, and I have absolutely loved it. There is a booklet that comes with the program, and I have done my best to follow the exercise plan that is laid out there--when to do which work-out. Yesterday, I did Core Synergistics for the first time, and I had a blast! 

I don't know about you, but push-ups are not easy for me. When I first started the program on Day 1, I could hardly do push-ups from my knees. Yesterday, I was no longer on my knees and found myself being able to dip down significantly further than on Day 1 from my knees!

Another thing I enjoy is coordinating my different outfits with my tennis shoes, yoga mat, and dumb bells :) 

Here is what I did this week:

Day 18: Rest

Day 19: Shoulders and Arms

Day 20: Legs and Back

Day 21: Ab Ripper X

Day 22: Kenpo X

Day 23: Yoga X

Day 24: Ab Ripper X, Kenpo X (did this day with my 8th grade athletes.. so fun!!)

Day 25: Core Synergistics (my fave so far!)

Day 26: Rest

Summer Countdown is at ONE DAY! 

Happy Hump Day, y'all!

Summer-Lovin'

My Summer Countdown is at TWO DAYS!

These are a few of the things that remind me of summer and just plain make me smile.

I mean, look at those colors!

Summer-Lovin' by hnbormann featuring special occasion shoes

TORY BURCH-GOLD | TORY BURCH-PINK | TORY BURCH-TURQUOISE | TORY BURCH-WHITE | KENDRA SCOTT- TURQUOISE | KENDRA SCOTT-SALMON | KENDRA SCOTT-SEA FOAM | KENDRA SCOTT-PINK | RAY BAN-PINK | RAY BAN-SEA FOAM | RAN BAN-ORANGE | RAY BAN-BLUE | BEATS-BLUE | BEATS-TEAL | BEATS-PURPLE | BEATS-PINK

I hope you are as close to summer as I am!

What are some things that make you think of summer?