True story–I’m not much of a chef. That’s it, I finally said it for all of the internet to see. It’s not that I have no interest in the kitchen. The truth is that I don’t have much time so when I get in there, I want to make something quick, easy, and nutritious. Unfortunately, if you are anything like me….you really only know how to make 4 things–oatmeal, scrabbled eggs, salad, and stir-fry. Lucky for us, today’s Blog Babysitter guest, Shauna Bryant, is taking the guess work out of how to be healthy (and quick) in the kitchen…and she’s sharing a new recipe from her new cookbook, THE SLOW COOKER MOVEMENT.
Too busy for a healthy meal? My 5 tips that’ll change that fast! Plus a quick and easy recipe for you.
That first positive pregnancy test. Oh snap! Now what? This was the first time ever in my life I truly had to worry about another human being besides myself.
Fast forward eight years and three boys later, the stresses and worries of life is the one thing that has remained constant. Juggling the everyday to do, plus raising a family and working full time from home, life gets stressful.
The thought of cooking dinner can seem like the nail on a chalkboard. And takeout can start to look very appetizing. But, constantly calling on the pizza delivery isn’t always the smartest, nor the healthiest option.
So, I’ve learned some kitchen hacks over the past eight years that keep me busting out healthy dinners fast. Let’s face it, we’re all busy, but cooking doesn’t need to be a pain. [Tweet it!] It can be quick, stress-free and fun.
Try these 5 tips the next time you’re finding yourself too busy for a healthy meal.
- Shake it off – Dance, dance, dance. Go to your kitchen and dance. It sets the mood off right and makes the task of cooking seem so much less daunting. It’s perfect for when stuff hits the fan or you just need to release some negative energy. And since time is hard to come by, the kitchen can turn into a personal dance studio. No fancy gyms or outfits required.
- Clear the crap – Get rid of the junk and clutter in your kitchen that isn’t serving a purpose. Take a sweep of your pantry and fridge and get rid of the overly-processed foods and items you no longer use or need. This’ll give you a fresh start and keep things more organized so when it comes time to prep, cooking will be a breeze.
- Plan and Prep – Write down what you’ll be making a couple days a week, leaving room for a night out with your family or friends. Then, prep what you can in advance so you can always reach for the healthy stuff. (Chop up carrots, celery, bell peppers and keep them in a plastic container to grab and go and toss into your meals throughout the week). If you like things like quinoa or rice, make a double batch and keep in the fridge in small servings so you can just reheat when you’re running late.
- Invest in a good speaker – Dance parties in the kitchen rule in my house so a good wireless speaker is a must!
- Bust out the old slow cooker – The slow cooker ain’t just for your grandma anymore. It has changed my life just by the fact that I can toss stuff in, set it and forget it until dinner time. Ten minutes of prep can save an entire day of chaos and the result? A slow cooked meal that anyone would be proud to sit down to.
Here’s a little sneak peek into Shauna’s new cookbook: THE SLOW COOKER MOVEMENT
Turkey and Veggie Chili (Just 3 Steps!!)
Makes: 4 to 6 servings
Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: high heat—3 to 3½ hours
low heat—6 to 7 hours
1 to 1⅓-pound ground turkey (or ground chicken)
2 tablespoons coconut oil or evoo (extra-virgin olive oil)
1 carrot, scrubbed/peeled and chopped
1 bell pepper, seeded and chopped
1 onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1 tablespoon chili powder
2 teaspoons ground cumin
2 teaspoons ground coriander
1 teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon pepper
1 15-ounce can diced tomatoes
½ cup chicken stock or plain water
1 15-ounce drained and rinsed can kidney or white cannellini beans, optional
Optional Toppings
½ onion, chopped
1 tomato, chopped
1 lime, quartered
Hot sauce, to taste
Fresh chopped herbs like cilantro or parsley
- Place all ingredients except toppings in slow cooker, mixing up with a wooden spoon.
- Cover and cook on low heat for 6 to 7 hours, or on high for 3 to 3½ hours. When it’s done cooking, mix up with a wooden spoon and taste and add additional salt and pepper, if needed.
- Serve in big bowls and top with your favorite toppings. Enjoy!
Shauna Bryant wants to live in a world where people rock out in the kitchen while busting out amazing meals. Because life’s too short without kitchen dance parties. As a self-taught cook, she’s been featured on blogs like Simple Green Smoothies, Head Over Heels with Melanie and her community on Instagram and Facebook.
When she’s not chasing her three young boys, you can find her creating awesome recipes in the kitchen while rockin’ out to Maroon 5.
Her latest project THE SLOW COOKER MOVEMENT which debuted in December, is rallying people to cook at home and have more fun!
Check out Shauna’s site: www.rockinmomskitchen.com
Facebook: facebook.com/rockinmomskitchen
Instagram: @rockinmomskitchen
Twitter: @rocknmomskitchn
Pinterest: @rocknmomskitchn
Are you ready to figure out what’s holding you back? I would love to see how I can help. Click here to speak with my team and find out how you can make a shift in your life.
