Productivity

Very busy and productive day. I probably wouldn't have gotten as much done if I didn't drink my Shakeology this morning.

No-Bake Creamy Chocolate Cheesecake

No-Bake Creamy Chocolate Cheesecake

Yield: Makes a 9-inch cheesecake

I use bittersweet chocolate in this recipe but semisweet could be used also. You might consider knocking the powdered sugar down just a notch if you do since semisweet chocolate is sweeter than bittersweet.

I think there's a bit too much crust/filling for a regular 9-inch pie plate unless you reserve some of each and make a couple small, individual sized cheesecakes in little bowls or ramekins. But again, I haven't tried it that way so feel free to experiment.

Ingredients

Crust:

7 ounces (about 2 cups) chocolate graham cracker crumbs

1 tablespoon granulated sugar

7 tablespoons butter, melted

Cheesecake:

3 packages (8 ounces each) cream cheese, softened to room temperature

1 1/2 cups (6 ounces) powdered sugar

1/4 cup sour cream

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 1/2 cups (9 ounces) bittersweet chocolate, melted and cooled to room temperature (see note above)

Directions

1. For the crust, combine the chocolate graham cracker crumbs, sugar and melted butter together in a small bowl until the mixture looks sandy and wet. Press the crust mixture evenly into the bottom and up the sides, about an inch, of a 9-inch springform pan or into a 9.5-inch pie plate. Refrigerate while making the filling.
2. For the filling, in a large bowl with an electric hand mixer (or in an electric stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment), mix the cream cheese until smooth and creamy, 1-2 minutes. Add the powdered sugar and beat again for a minute or so until combined. Add the sour cream and vanilla and mix.
3. Add the melted chocolate (make sure it is cool to room temperature!) and whip for 2-3 minutes, until the mixture is extremely light and fluffy (this step is key to a creamy, light cheesecake filling).
4. Spread the cheesecake filling evenly over the prepared crust. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 3-4 hours (or up to 12 hours) until chilled and set.
5. For clean slices, run a long thin knife under really hot water and wipe dry with a towel before slicing (repeat the hot water trick between each slice).

Copycat General Tso Chicken

P.F. Chang's General Tso Chicken

INGREDIENTS
Sauce

• 1/2 cup cornstarch
• 1/4 cup water
• 1 1/2 tsp minced fresh garlic
• 1 1/2 tsp minced fresh ginger
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup soy sauce
• 1/4 cup white vinegar
• 1/4 cup dry sherry or white wine (I used white wine)
• 1 can condensed chicken broth

Meat

• 3lbs boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into chunks
• 1/4 cup soy sauce
• 1 – 2 TBSP chili pepper flakes, to taste
• 1 egg, beaten
• 1 cup cornstarch
• 2 quarts vegetable oil
• 2 cups sliced scallions

INSTRUCTIONS
Sauce

• Put everything in a quart jar with a lid and shake it up, then put in the fridge. Shake it up again when you are ready to use it.

Meat

• In a large bowl, mix together the chicken, soy sauce, and chili peppers. Stir in the egg. Add the cornstarch and mix until all the chicken pieces are well coated.
• Heat the deep-frying oil to 350°F in a large pot. Cover a large platter with a few layers of paper towels.
• Deep-fry 7 or 8 chicken pieces at a time until crispy. Drain on paper towels. Repeat until all the chicken chunks are fried.
• Shake the sauce to recombine, then pour it into the wok. Cook until thick.
  • TIP:  If it gets too thick, add water until it’s the right consistency.
• Add the chicken to the sauce and cook until everything is hot and bubbly.

Peanut Butter Balls

Peanut Butter Balls

 

Ingredients

• 3/4 cup peanut butter
• 1/4 cup butter, softened
• 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 2 cups powdered sugar
• 1 cup chocolate chips
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil

Directions

In a large bowl, whisk together the peanut butter, butter & vanilla until smooth. Dump in the powdered sugar and stir until too stiff to stir with a fork... then comes the fun part.

 

Dig in with your (clean!) hands and stir & knead until a smooth stiff dough forms. Roll into small (teaspoon-full size) balls and place on a parchment-lined baking sheet.

 

Once you are done rolling all the dough, place the sheet in the fridge to chill and set for a few hours, until very firm.

 

In a small, deep bowl... microwave the chocolate chips and oil together in 30 second intervals - stirring well between each time - until smooth.

 

Using a fork, dip each ball into the chocolate, tap off the excess and set it back on the parchment; repeat. Again, once the pan is finished, place it back in the fridge to set completely for a few hours!

If you have excess chocolate, reheat it in the microwave for a few seconds and then scrape it into a ziploc bag. Cut off a tiny bit of the corner of the bag and drizzle the chocolate over the partially cooled chocolate balls.

 

*Alternately - and much more time-efficiently, especially great if you have littles running around! :

Instead of dipping the balls, place all of the melted chocolate in a ziploc bag and drizzle generously over the peanut butter balls. A little less chocolate to peanut butter ratio, but still great and much quicker & cleaner... and in my opinion cuter!!

Banana Bread

Super Moist Banana Bread

3 medium Bananas
3/4 cup Sugar
1/4 cup Oil
1 Egg
1 1/2 cups All Purpose Flour
1 1/2 teaspoons Baking Powder
1/4 teaspoon Baking Soda
1 tablespoon Cinnamon (less if you’re not a fan of cinnamon)

• Preheat your oven to 350.
• Mash your bananas. (I generally use bananas that are almost brown so they are nice and soft. I place them in the mixer and they mash while I’m getting the rest of the ingredients together.)
• Add the egg, sugar and cooking oil to your bananas.
• Add the dry ingredients to your banana mixture and stir just until moistened.
• Spray the bottom and sides of a bread pan with cooking spray. Cook for 50-55 minutes, or until a cake tester (or toothpick) inserted in middle comes out clean.
• Allow pan to cool for 10 minutes on a cooling rack.
• To remove the bread from the pan, first run a butter knife around the edges of the bread (this will ensure that the bread isn’t stuck to the pan.) Turn the pan over onto your wire rack and your beautiful loaf of bread should come out clean as a whistle.
• Allow your bread to fully cool on your wire rack.

Fish Chowder

Hearty Halibut Chowder

• Prep
  35 m
• Cook
  40 m
• Ready In
  1 h 15 m            

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
• 1 large onion, finely diced
• 2 large potatoes, peeled and cubed
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 6 cups chicken stock
• 1 (8 ounce) can stewed tomatoes, diced
• 2 large carrots, shredded

• 1 1/2 cups milk
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• salt and pepper to taste
• 2 pounds halibut, cut into 1-inch cubes (I used Pollock) 
• 1/2 cup shredded Cheddar cheese
• 1 pinch red pepper flakes, or to taste

Directions

1. Melt the butter in a large pot over medium heat. Add the onion, and cook until the onion has softened and turned translucent, about 5 minutes. Add the potatoes and garlic, and continue cooking until the potatoes have softened slightly, about 10 minutes.
2. Pour in the chicken stock, tomatoes, and carrots. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer for 10 minutes. Add the milk and cream, season to taste with salt and pepper, then stir in the halibut. Continue simmering uncovered until the halibut is flaky and no longer translucent in the center, about 10 minutes. Gently stir in the Cheddar cheese and red pepper flakes until the cheese has melted. Serve immediately.

Chicken Parmesan

Authentic Chicken Parmesan

                                                                                                  

• Prep Time: 10 mins
• Total Time: 1 hr 10 mins
• Servings: 3-4

Ingredients

• 1 lb chicken breast ( 3-4 breasts)

Breading

• 1 cup Italian seasoned breadcrumbs
• 1 cup parmesan cheese
• 2 tablespoons minced garlic
• 1 tablespoon thyme
• 1 tablespoon oregano
• 1 tablespoon basil
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Dip mixture

• 3 eggs
• 1/4 cup milk

Additional Ingredients

• 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
• 1 (16 ounce) jars spaghetti sauce ( more if needed, refer below)
• 2 tablespoons minced garlic
• 16 ounces mozzarella cheese
• parsley ( for garnishment)
• 1 lb cooked pasta ( i.e. spaghetti)

Directions

1. Wash and pat-dry each chicken breasts.
2. Cut any visible fat from each chicken breast.
3. Pour olive oil (1/2 cup) into frying pan, and turn the heat up to medium-high.
4. Mix all of the following ingredients in a medium-large mixing bowl: Parmesan cheese, bread crumbs, basil, salt, black pepper, oregano, thyme.
5. In another mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs and milk until it is slightly foamy. More milk, approximately 1/4 cup, can be added to make the milk-egg mixture less thick.
6. Dip a chicken breast into the milk-egg mixture. Remove the chicken breast once it is well coated and allow the excess to drip off into the bowl for a second or two. Place the chicken breast into the breading mixture. Roll chicken around to thoroughly coat all sides of chicken.

Sunday Gravy

My Mama Iuliucci's "Don't Skip a Step" Spaghetti Sauce

                                                                                                  

• Prep Time: 15 mins
• Total Time: 3 hrs 15 mins
• Yield: 1 Large pot of sauce

Ingredients

• 2 (28 ounce) cans crushed tomatoes
• 1 (28 ounce) cans tomato puree
• 1 (6 ounce) cans tomato paste
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon italian seasoning
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 tablespoon parsley
• 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese or 1/2 cup romano cheese
• 2 onions, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, chopped
• Italian sausage or home-made meatballs
• 1 -2 spareribs (optional)
• leftover cooked chicken thighs or chicken leg (optional)
• pepperoni (optional)

Directions

1. Combine tomato products in large stock pot or dutch oven.
2. Add a 28 ounce can of water and stir.
3. Bring to a boil and reduce to a simmer.
4. Sprinkle with sugar, salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, parsley and grated cheese and stir to combine.
5. In a frying pan, heat about 1/4" of vegetable oil and fry up your sausage or meatballs until cooked through.
6. Add the meat to the simmering sauce, along with any optional meats (recommended) mentioned in ingredients.
7. Now, this is an important, not to be left out, step: Add chopped onions and garlic to pan that meat was fried in.
8. Do not drain anything before adding onions and garlic-- there should be some drippings/oil left in the pan!

Meatballs

Authentic Italian Meatballs

                                                                                                 

• Prep Time: 10 mins
• Total Time: 20 mins
• Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 2 lbs ground beef
• 2 slices american bread, soaked in a
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1 cup finely chopped onion
• 3 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
• 2 eggs
• 4 tablespoons grated parmesan cheese
• 1 1/2 tablespoons chopped garlic
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 6 hamburger buns with sesame seeds
• salt and pepper
• 2 cups tomato sauce, warmed ( I use my Fresh Tomato Sauce recipe, but canned works too!)

Directions

1. In a medium bowl, mix the ground beef, bread, onions, parsley, eggs, cheese, and garlic.
2. Add salt and pepper to taste; If the mixture is dry, add ½ cup of cold water and mix well. Form into about 12 meatballs.
3. Place the meatballs in a sauté pan with the olive oil and fry over medium to high heat until brown, about 10 to 15 minutes.

Shakeology

SHAKEOLOGY

How Does Shakeology Work?


Shakeology is made up of over 70 high quality ingredients, some of these ingredients are considered “superfoods”. All of Shakeology’s ingredients are all natural, and it contains no preservatives or artificial flavors. In addition to being healthy for you, Shakeology tastes delicious. You will be shocked at how great Chocol...ate Shakeology tastes, it really does taste like a milkshake!

Shakeology “works” simply because it is extremely healthy for you. To get the same nutrients from 1 shake you would have to eat 5 full salads! Shakeology can be used as a meal replacement shake, or a midday snack. The concept behind the meal replacement strategy is very simple. If you want to lose some weight, replace one meal a day with Shakeology. Depending on what your normal diet consists of, Shakeology is most likely much better for you than what you are normally eating for breakfast or lunch.

What's in Shakeology?

Protein and Essential Amino Acids to help:

• Reduce hunger and food cravings
• Repair muscles
• Promote healthy skin, hair, and nails

Chocolate and Greenberry Shakeology include whey protein isolate, an easily absorb-able source of high-quality protein that's ideal for building and maintaining lean muscle mass. Tropical Strawberry and Vegan Chocolate include high-quality plant proteins from brown rice, pea and other sources.

Essential amino acids, found in these proteins, help the body

• Repair muscle tissue and heal wounds; and reduce hunger pangs.
• The protein in all Shakeology products provides a highly bioavailable source of essential amino acids.

Prebiotics, Probiotics and Digestive Enzymes, which aid in improving digestion, regularity, and nutrient absorption
• Aids digestion
• Support a healthy intestinal tract
• Increase absorption of nutrients
• Shakeology contains many ingredients that are beneficial to the digestive system.
• Prebiotics, natural components of certain plants, help support the "friendly" bacteria in your digestive tract.
• Probiotics are strains of live good bacteria that help with the digestive process. They assist the body in absorbing nutrients and minerals, bring an overall balance to the digestive tract, and help support the immune system.
• Digestive enzymes, from sources such as pineapples and papayas, help your body break down food into its individual components, making the nutrients easier to absorb.

Adaptogens
• Help promote a strong immune system
• Help increase energy
• Help protect the body from stress
• Help balance endocrine hormones and the immune system


Adaptogens are special herbs that grow in harsh climates and conditions, at high elevations, atop mountains where the soil is rocky and oxygen in the air is thin. Because these plants have to adapt to harsh conditions, they have highly concentrated nutrients that can help your body cope with stress, provide energy, and maintain a strong immune system.


Shakeology has a total of 9 adaptogens. Which is more than any other shake out there!

Antioxidants and phytonutrients (plant-sourced ingredients) help maintain health
• Help neutralize harmful free radicals
• Help decrease inflammation
• Help maintain the immune system
• Potentially decrease the risk of degenerative diseases


Many of Shakeology's fruit and vegetable sources have been chosen for their high concentration of healthy natural substances known as phytonutrients, including flavonoids, polyphenols, anthocyanins, and catechins. These substances have antioxidant properties, meaning they help neutralize molecules known as free radicals, which damage cells and may contribute to the aging process. In laboratory tests, phytonutrients have shown promise in helping prevent a wide variety of degenerative conditions.

23 Vitamins and Minerals your body needs to function for optimal health
• Get a wide range of essential nutrients
• Get your necessary vitamins every day
• Make up for dietary deficiencies


Most of us don't get the complete range of essential vitamins and minerals in our daily diets. Some important vitamins, such as vitamin C and the B vitamins, are water-soluble, meaning they're flushed out of your body after a short time and need to be replenished regularly. Others, like vitamin E, can be difficult to get enough of in food. Shakeology Chocolate and Greenberry provide all these nutrients in an easy-to-take form, so you never have to worry. (Tropical Strawberry and Vegan Chocolate do not have the vitamin and mineral ingredients added.)

Click the below links for the complete list of ingredients and nutritional facts for each flavor:


Chocolate: http://bit.ly/ShakeFAQInfo
Vegan Chocolate: http://bit.ly/VeganChocShakeFAQ
Vanilla: http://bit.ly/VanillaShakeFAQ
Strawberry: http://bit.ly/StrawberryShakeFAQ
Greenberry: http://bit.ly/GreenShakeFAQ


AFFORDING SHAKEOLGY

At just over $4 per serving ($3 if you sign up for a coach account) Shakeology is an incredible value.


Each serving packs up to 17g of protein per serving along with whole-food nutrition from some of the most nutrient-dense superfoods on the planet. This combination of amino acids, vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, enzymes, phytonutrients and rare adaptogens is unparalleled.


Beachbody is exceptionally proud of the benefits Shakeology delivers as customer testimonials in this group attest to. Great efforts are made to ensure the high quality and purity of it's ingredients. The value is truly impressive. It would cost over $700 to purchase all of the ingredients used in Shakeology, and if made at home yourself, you would average $40 per serving!

Visit http://www.shakeology.com/dmvezina for more information

Is it Saturday?

I'm feeling really tired today but I must carry on with my day!! Have a great day!

Work 8-2
Do P90X3 Agility X workout
Complete daily tasks
Spend at least 15 minutes on Beachbody business

Weekly tasks:
Change sheets
Purge magazines & catalogs
Wash the cat dishes
Clean mirrors, tv & laptop screens & door glass
Empty trash cans
Dust
Sweep floors
Mop kitchen & bath floors
Clean laptop hard drive
Clean out purse
Clean out fridge
Clean out car

Zone 3:
Main bathroom:
Wash rugs &  shower curtains
Straighten cabinets
Scrub tub & shower
Thoroughly clean toilet
Clean cabinet & drawers
Wash the trash can
Clear cobwebs
Wipe baseboards