Category: Overcoming Obstacles

April 7, 2016April 6, 2016Marisa Donnelly

You Can Give Up, Or You Can Give Your All Like This Runner Did

January 27, 2016January 27, 2016Marisa Donnelly

The No Excuses Lifestyle

January 21, 2016January 18, 2016Marisa Donnelly

Climbing Cowles (Or Any Mountain, Really)

August 28, 2015August 28, 2015Marisa Donnelly

The Lesson I Learned From the Hole in My Sock

July 19, 2015April 11, 2016Marisa Donnelly

Half the Battle is Fear

July 19, 2015April 11, 2016Marisa Donnelly

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Veggie Power Punch Salad: lettuce, kale, spinach, cucumber slices, 1 cooked chicken breast (I love to cook mine in lemon pepper seasoning for a great taste!), 1/2 red pepper pieces, 1/2 yellow pepper pieces, 1/2 cup sliced strawberries, 1/4 cup wontons, 1 tsp. red pepper, 2 tbs. garden vegetable Feta cheese, 3 tbs. balsamic or Italian vinaigrette.

Presto Pesto Pizza: 1 whole grain pizza crust, 3 tbs pesto sauce, 1-2 cooked chicken breasts (thinly sliced), 1 tomato (sliced/chopped thin), 1 cup sliced green peppers, 3 tbs garden vegetable Feta cheese, 1 cup mozzarella cheese, 1/4 cup chopped onion, 2 tbs pesto sauce to cover. Cook on 350 for 10-15 minutes (check often!)

Honey Sriracha Chicken: 1 chicken breast, 4 cloves garlic, 2 green onions, 1/3 cup honey, 2 tbs soy sauce, 1 tbs sriracha, 1 tbs cornstarch, 1 tsp salt and pepper, 2 tsp sesame seeds, 1 cup panko bread crumbs. Serve with a side of whole grain rice and veggies! (I like broccoli!)

Panera Copy-Cat Broccoli Cheddar Soup: 1 big stalk of broccoli (I opted for fresh over frozen which added more crisp–yum!) 1 onion (chopped small) 3 cups water 3 tbsp beef bullion 5 tbsp butter (1 tbsp for initial cooking, the rest for later) 1/4 cup flour 1 1/2 fat free half & half (use fat free to make this a little healthier!) 2 cups cheddar cheese salt & pepper to taste 1 large skillet, 1 small pan, 1 small pot

Caprese Salad: 1-2 tomatoes (sliced thin), 1 cup basil leaves, 1/2 block Mozzarella cheese (sliced thin). Assemble and pour balsamic vinaigrette on top!

Crockpot Sausage and Peppers: Ingredients:1 package Italian Sausage [4-5 links. You can get Mild, Four-Cheese, or Spicy: your choice!]1 each: red, orange, yellow, and green peppers sliced thin1-2 big yellow onions, chopped1 large can diced/crushed tomatoes [and juice!]1 small can diced or crushed tomatoes with juice [eliminate this if you have overripe tomatoes – chop and use those!]4-5 tbsp minced garlic1 tbsp. Italian seasoning1 pinch crushed red pepper flakes

Delicious Sweet Potato Hash

Easy-Peezy Fruit Pizza: low-fat sugar cookie or oatmeal cookie mix, 2 1/2 cups vanilla Greek yogurt, fruit of your choice!

Asian Crunch Salad: Ingredients: 2-3 cups lettuce/spinach/greens, 1/4 chopped cucumber, 1-2 shredded carrots, 1/4 cup dry and crushed Ramen noodles, 2-3 tbsp Sesame Ginger salad dressing, chopped green peppers and sesame seeds for taste.

Walnut Chicken Salad: spinach, kale, 1 cooked chicken breast, 1 tsp. pepper, 1/4 cup walnuts, 1/2 cup mandarin oranges, 1/2 cup sliced grapes, 1 hard boiled egg (sliced), and vinaigrette of your choice (I like raspberry on this one! Or poppyseed!) **You can also add slices of cheese and crackers for a nice taste mix.

Pesto, Egg & Cheese Bagel: Ingredients: 2 eggs, 1 everything bagel, 3 tbsp pesto sauce, 1/4 cheese. Optional: 1/4 cup chopped onions, green peppers, 1 cup spinach.

Freakin’ Awesome Pasta Al Forno: 2-3 chicken breasts, 1 bag frozen peas, 1 8oz container of mushrooms, 1/2 cup heavy cream/skim milk, 1 onion, 3 tbsp minced garlic, 1/2 cup Parmesan, 3 cups mozzarella, 1/2 cup white cooking wine, 1/2 cup chicken stock, 1 box noodles, 2 tbsp butter, Italian seasoning and pepper to taste.

Poppyseed Chicken Salad: lettuce, spinach, 1 cooked & shredded chicken breast (you can cook however you prefer! I like to cook in the skillet with spices and slice), 1/2 orange pepper pieces, 1/2 red pepper pieces, 1 cup sliced strawberries, 1/4 cup walnuts or almond pieces, 3 tbs. poppyseed dressing!

Ahi Tuna Salad: lettuce, spinach, seared tuna (you can substitute seared salmon as well!), 1 hard boiled egg, pineapple slices, mango slices, dressing of your choice!

The Best Stir-Fry: 2 tbsp olive oil, 1/2 cup orange ginger stir-fry sauce, 1/4 cup mix of soy/teriaki, 4 tbsp Hoisin sauce, veggies of choice, 3 lb. chicken, 2 cups rice, sesame seeds/dry noodles for garnish.

Chicken Veggie Soup: 1-2 cans/bags of frozen corn 2 raw potatoes, chopped into small chunks 1 can red kidney beans 2 cups chicken broth 3 tbsp. beef bullion 1 bag frozen peas 1/2 bag frozen green beans 1-2 (depends on how many you’re feeding) frozen chicken breasts 1/2 can tomato sauce with tomato chunks To taste: garlic salt, Italian seasoning, Montreal Steak Spicy Seasoning

Summer Sweet Fruit Salad: 2-3 cups greens (lettuce, spinach, cabbage, etc.), 1 cup chopped fruit (ex: mandarin oranges, blueberries, strawberries), 1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese, 2-3 tbs. poppyseed dressing.

Your Own Subway Tuna Sandwich: 1-2 cans of tuna (in water! that’s the best kind!) tortillas or buns (I opted for buns this time because they were on sale, but a low-carb option is tortillas or even lettuce for a lettuce wrap!) 3 tbsp. avocado cilantro yogurt dressing lettuce tomato slices cucumber slices 2 tbsp balsamic vinaigrette

Panko Baked Honey BBQ Chicken: 3 chicken breasts, pounded and chopped 1/2 cup flour 2 eggs 3 cups Panko bread crumbs 2 cups BBQ sauce 4 tbsp honey 3 tbsp lime juice 2 tbsp minced garlic 1/4 cup brown sugar salt and pepper to taste Optional: yogurt ranch dressing for sauce!

Bacon & Egg Spinach Salad: spinach, lettuce, 1-2 hard boiled eggs (sliced with salt & pepper for flavor), 2 slices bacon (cooked & crispy! or bacon bits if you prefer those and want less work), 1/2 cup apple slices/chunks, 1/4 cup wontons, 1/4 cup sliced green pepper, 1 tsp pepper for taste, 3 tbs Spinach Salad Dressing (Marzetti is a great brand!)

Shrimp Salad: lettuce, 1 cup coleslaw mix, 1 cup cooked shrimp (I like to season the shrimp with garlic, honey, cayenne pepper, and ground cumin), 1/2 cup green apple slices/chunks, 3 tbs low-fat plain Greek yogurt mixed with 1/4 cup chopped cilantro, 1 tbs honey sprinkled on top!

Healthy Pizza: Ingredients:- 1 pizza crust [My favorite brand is Mama Mary’s, Thin & Crispy]- 4 tbsp pesto sauce- 1 ½ cups mozzarella cheese- ½ cup chopped green pepper- ¼ cup chopped onion- 1 tbsp minced garlic- ¼ cup chopped tomato- 1 boneless, skinless chicken breast – 2 tbsp olive oilFor the chicken:- 2 tbsp olive oil – ¼ cup flour – 3 tbsp lemon pepper seasoning

Meal on a Stick: 1 8oz steak or 1 chicken breast, 1 cup zucchini, 1tomato, 1/2 cup onion (all seasoned with Teriyaki sauce and grilled for best results!) Add a side of whole grain rice to go with!

The Chicken Caesar Wrap: Ingredients: 1 tortilla (regular, sun-dried tomato basil, spinach herb), 1 cup breaded chicken, pre-cooked. (You can substitute this with lunch meat, leftovers, or really any type of meat!), 1 cup spinach/lettuce/cabbage, 1/2 cucumber sliced thin, 2-3 tbs. Caesar salad dressing, 2 tbs. Parmesan cheese.

Scrambled Egg Mix: 1-2 eggs (scrambled), 1/2 cup Mexican cheese or 1 slice provolone cheese, 1/2 cup spinach, 1/4 cup chopped onion, 2 tbs pesto sauce. Eat hot!

6 Ingredient Crockpot Tortellini Soup: 1 bag tortellini, 1 can diced tomatoes, 1 bag spinach, 2 cans chicken broth, 1 lb. meat of choice, 1 8oz container of cream cheese!

Sweet Summer Popsicles: 2 bananas (I love to use frozen ones for an even colder, fresher taste!), 1 cup milk (I like skim the best!), 1 cup vanilla yogurt (you can use Greek yogurt if you’d like), 1 tbs. honey, 1/4 cup pineapple chunks (frozen, if you’d like), 1/4 cup orange juice. Blend together then pour into plastic popsicle containers! Freeze and enjoy whenever!

The Quickest, Yummiest, Garlicy-est Dinner You’ll Ever Make: Ingredients:6 tbsp olive oil1-2 chicken breasts cut into small pieces1 tbsp butter2 tbsp minced garlic¼ onion, chopped (if you love onions like I do, do ½ the onion chopped)1 yellow zucchini, chopped1 small can diced tomatoes (or 2 medium-sized tomatoes, chopped)1 tsp oregano/Italian seasoning3 tbsp parmesan cheese (optional)

Tomato Garlic Pasta w/ Italian Sausage: 2 cups whole grain pasta, 1 cup tomato garlic pasta sauce (with tomato chunks is best!), 2 tsb garlic, 2 tbs olive oil (to cook the sausage), 2 Italian sausage links (I love the Three Cheese or Hot flavored ones! Sautee these first in oil while you make the pasta, then blend together!), 1 cup zucchini (sliced and sautéed). Add 2 tbs parmesan cheese for flavor!

Traditional, But Yummy Chicken Dish: 1 chicken breast (sautéed in 1 tbs vegetable oil and seasoned with lemon pepper), 1 cup risotto rice, 2 cups asparagus (sautéed in 1 tbs vegetable oil and seasoned with garlic salt). Add 1/2 cup sautéed mushrooms for flavor!

Big Bagel Sammich: 1 everything bagel (toasted), meat of your choice (I like peppered turkey, garlic herb chicken, or ham best!), lettuce, tomato (sliced), 1 slice provolone cheese, dressing/sauce of your choice! (Some of my favorite sauces to add are pesto, Dijon mustard, or a balsamic spread!)

Pepperoni Pizza Biscuits! Ingredients: 1 pkg crescent rolls, 4 tbsp marinara sauce, 1/4 cup chopped onions and green peppers, 20 slices pepperoni, 2 tbsp melted butter and 1/2 tbsp Italian seasoning and garlic salt for the top.

DIY Chipotle: 1 tbsp vegetable oil, 1-2 cups rice, 3 tbsp lime juice, 1 can corn, 1 can black beans, 2 cups lettuce, 2 tbsp minced garlic, 1/2 onion, 1 can red & green chiles, 1 cup shredded cheese, 1-2 chicken breasts, 2 tbsp taco seasoning, 2 tbsp sour cream, chopped parsley/cilantro, 1 pinch of red pepper flakes, 1 pinch onion powder.

Fruity Life: 2 1/2 cups cinnamon Life cereal, 1-2 cups skim/1% milk, 1 cup blueberries or fruit of your choice.

Morning Protein Parfait: 1-2 cups vanilla Greek yogurt, 1-2 cups fruit of your choice, 1/4 cup Protein granola

Good Ole Stir-Fry: Ingredients: 2 cups chopped green beans, 1/4 chopped onion, 3 tbsp teriyaki sauce (I use the thicker La Choy brand marinade/sauce), 2 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp olive oil, 1 lb. chicken breast, 1/4 cup chopped broccoli, 1 tbsp sesame seeds, 1 tbsp minced garlic, 2 cups rice

Easiest, Garlicy-est Pasta Ever: 6 tbsp olive oil1-2 chicken breasts cut into small pieces1 tbsp butter2 tbsp minced garlic¼ onion, chopped (if you love onions like I do, do ½ the onion chopped)1 yellow zucchini, chopped1 small can diced tomatoes (or 2 medium-sized tomatoes, chopped)1 tsp oregano/Italian seasoning3 tbsp parmesan cheese (optional)

Protein-Packed Salad: – 3 cups lettuce/spinach (any greens) – 1/4 cup shaved carrots – 2 hard boiled eggs, peeled and sliced thin – 1 chicken breast, cooked (mine was marinated in soy and oil! yum!) – 1/4 cucumber, sliced thin – salt and pepper to taste – 2 tbsp. ginger dressing

No-Fail Chicken Stew Soup: Ingredients: 1 pound chicken breasts1-2 potatoes, chopped thin (I left the skin on for texture!)1/2 onion, chopped thin6 cups chicken broth4 tbs. minced garlic)3 large carrots chopped (or in my case, an entire bag of baby carrots, chopped!)1-2 cups broccoli florets chopped (or little pieces are ok, too!)1 cup frozen peas (I love my veggies!)1 15 oz. can sweet corn, drained (you can also use frozen corn, too!)1/4 -1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes 1 teaspoon salt1/2 teaspoon pepper (this really does spice it up, so be careful! I added a about 1 tsp. and it had a good kick!)1 packet Hidden Valley Ranch dressing/seasoning mix1 cup flour4 oz. cream cheese, softened2 cups milk or half and half (I use skim!)1-2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, grated (I liked sprinkling this on top)

Stuffed Peppers: 1 lb meat of choice, 4 peppers, 1 bag frozen corn, 1/2 chopped onion, 1 can diced tomatoes, 3 tbsp minced garlic, assorted spices: oregano, Italian seasoning, onion powder, salt and pepper; 1 can beans, 2 cups brown rice, 1 1/2 cans of tomato sauce, 2 cups mozzarella.

Black Bean Burger Salad: 1-2 veggie burgers chopped, 2-3 cups spinach/lettuce/cabbage, 2 tbsp dressing of choice, any veggie toppings of choice. Tip: Use Cilantro Avocado Ranch yogurt dressing!

The 4-Ingredient Smoothie: 1/2 cup milk, 1 cup vanilla yogurt, 3 bananas (frozen), & 2 tsb. honey.

Tomato Tortellini: 2 cups tortellini, 1 cup mini tomatoes (chopped), 1/4 cup garlic and herb Feta cheese, 1/2 cup tomato garlic pesto sauce.

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