21 Day Fix - Day 1

So I've kinda been slacking lately...oopsie :-/ After 2 weeks at the beach and a week in Seattle, I really needed a jump start to get back in the swing of things and put some good habits back in place before school starts (on Aug 31 ohmygoooooooooooosh make it stop).

One of my BFFs did the 21 day fix and got awesome results. I did some research on it and as I was about to make the purchase - their infomercial came on tv and I was HOOKED! My dad always said I was a marketer's dream...

So when the package came in the mail I was like ummmm those containers are really small. My mom saw them and sent me a text that said "oh my those 21 day containers are so wee small." Yup. This is going to be a fun 21 days! Real talk, they may be small but you get enough of them so its good - I had unused containers today (which may be the result of me snoozing my alarm for 3.5 hours...yes...really. It's a real issue I have - any suggestions?).

Last night I decided it would be a good idea to watch the first workout...just to make sure there were no surprises (and to see how annoying her voice was - surprisingly, its not bad. I like to think of it as a soothing Miley Cyrus voice). She tells you that if you want to modify the moves, look at Kat because she does them. Um, no thanks Autumn  - these don't look that bad, I'll be just fine! 

Haaaaaaaaa...

Fast forward to this morning when I actually start the workout. I'm like, this isn't bad at all, I'm doing just fine, and then she says "okay, we're almost done with the warm up." I'm sure my jaw dropped. I do okay for a few minutes  because Autumn keeps saying I can do anything for 60 seconds and then I'm like "NO AUTUMN I CAN'T DO THAT! Let me see what my girl Kat has going on...she can show me the way." So, obviously I survive. I wasn't sure how I was going to make it up the stairs to shower, but that was a problem that could wait a few minutes (yes, I did end up showering).

And as if that wasn't bad enough, I went momentarily crazy and asked my friend if she wanted to elliptical today. So, I did that today, too! Yikesssss! But I guess that's why it's good to tell people - they hold you accountable and encourage you! So thanks to my fitness friends :)

Tomorrow's workout is upper body fix, so I better quit typing and save my strength :-/

Southwestern Pork Taco Salad

Woohooooo! It's that time of the week again...meal prep day!!! This week, I did an amazing taco salad in a jar (well, technically I don't know if its amazing because I haven't tried it yet). But, look how pretty:

Okay, so I started with cooking the pork in the oven. I rinsed them off, sprinkled cumin and onion powder, then added Wegmans Organic Barbecue Sauce. Even if you don't do the organic thing, I highly recommend their BBQ sauce. It is ahhhhmazing.

I always line the pan with foil - super easy cleanup!

While the pork was cooking, I chopped these delicious veggies:

Then all I had to do was layer everything! I used salsa and lime juice instead of dressing which I'm hoping is a great decision. 

Enjoy, friends! Have a fantastic, productive week :)

Make Ahead Lunches Volume 2

I am so excited for so many reasons this week:
1. I was stalking one of my favorite fitness instas (which happens to be run by one of my favorite people) and saw her weekly meal planner. I went straight out to the container store last night and bought one and I'm obsessed with it! Get one here...it will seriously make your life so much easier! Here's a peek at mine for this week:

This is amazing, right?!

2. I'm starting a new fitness program that involves some 2-a-days...hopefully this will be good! I'm feeling determined to become my best self, and the support that you all have given is insane! Like crazy insane! Thank YOU!

3. I am obsessed with Fitbit. I had an issue and their customer service is amazing. Something that could have been a setback just really turned around and I was so impressed with them! Yayyyyy Fitbit!

4. I discovered that Silk makes Dark Chocolate Almond Milk. Yes, it really is as good as it sounds. Go get some right now (well after you finish reading, because maybe you need some other ingredients, too. Don't be so hasty)!

5. The Bachelor is on tomorrow. Those girls...

Okay, but lets be serious. We are all here for the food. And this week does not disappoint! Look how cute it is:

Just stop!

You'll need: 2 avocados, 1 lb of pasta, 4 cans tuna in water, 1 bag of frozen green peas (thawed), celery.

I didn't end up using the tomatoes...sorry for misleading you!

Okay, prepare your pasta. I added about 1/4 cup of chopped onion when I threw my pasta in. It was a great spur of the moment decision. So, I guess add some chopped onion to the above list. I guess I could have just gone up and added it. But it's not in the picture. Whaaaaaaatever

While your pasta (and onions) are cooking, mash your avocados. After you've drained your pasta, mix in the avocado.

Then add in your tuna, chopped celery, and peas. That's it! It's ready! Soooo yummy :) Let me know if you make any changes!! Enjoy!

Ready for another week!

Want more? Check out @kathryncleansup on Instagram for more frequent updates :)

8 words that will change your life:

WEGMAN'S ORGANIC CHICKEN SAUSAGE WITH SPINACH AND GARLIC

Okay, so maybe it won't change your life, but it will certainly change your pasta. I picked this up on a whim the other day and it was ah-mazing! I was going to put it on a whole wheat pizza...I got everything - dough, cheese, sauce, toppings and I was PUMPED to make pizza. Then I got home and remembered our oven was broken...wompwomp

So I heated it up in a dry skillet the next morning and had it on a whole wheat English muffin with an egg and it was delish! I had a hankering for pasta that night (recipe below - look at me, healthy recipes to share) and decided that the leftover sausage would be great with pasta! Per usual, I was right :)

Okay, so I had no idea how to make pasta sauce. I just bought some stuff that I thought would be good in it, and did a little chopping, sauteing, heating, and simmering, and it was delish!

^These are the veggies I decided on: 1 onion, 1 organic bell pepper, 1 pound mushrooms, 10 vine-ripened tomatoes, basil (fresh from my garden, thank you very much!), 1 stem of rosemary, garlic, and parsley (which was accidentally cilantro at first because I was rushing and didn't smell it until I got home...don't worry I went back).

1. I washed all my fruits and veggies with The Honest Company's fruit & veggie spray!
2. I cored my tomatoes and chopped them into 1-inch chunks. (FULL DISCLOSURE: I attempted to peel them and then decided it was too much work and stopped after "peeling" 1/4 of my first tomato...) These went into a big pot on med-low heat to start stewing.
   
   
   
3. Chopped the onion, pepper, and 3 cloves of garlic and sauteed them in 1 tablespoon of EVOO until they were soft. Then I added my sliced mushrooms in and sauteed for another 3-5 minutes until the shrooms were softened.
   
4. I dumped that business in with the tomatoes and simmered it for about an hour and a half. Then I chopped up the basil, rosemary, and parsley and threw that in to simmer for another half hour.
   

So easy and so, so delish! I even had some leftover. I threw 2 in the freezer (don't worry, I didn't actually throw them because, duh glass) and put 1 in the fridge for later this week. YUM

I think I'll double or triple the recipe next time so that I'll have enough to get me through winter with delicious, fresh, summer tomatoes! Who knows, maybe I'll even get crazy and learn about the actual canning process!