McKinley Grapevine

Good Morning Everyone!

Check this out – 30 crockpot meals in 3 hours…REALLY!?!  Yes, really and Kelly from NewLeafWellness breaks it down into simple steps.  If you’re looking to save time, money (she bought everything from Costco!) and eat healthy…this is something you’re going to want to try!

Here are the recipes:

(she made 3 of every recipe)

·         Crockpot Red Pepper Chicken

·         Crockpot Honey Sesame Chicken (adapted from Damn Delicious)

·         Crockpot Black Bean Chili

·         Crockpot Meatball Vegetable Soup

·         Crockpot Meatballs in Sauce

·         Crockpot Sweet and Sour Meatballs (inspired by another Costco crockpot freezer meal prep session that I did last year)

·         Crockpot Italian Chicken

·         Crockpot Hamburger Veggie Soup

·         Crockpot Taco Chicken Soup from my Crock’d Slow Cooker Freezer Meals eCookbook and shared for free below

·         Korean Pot stickers Stir Fry (Crockpot or Skillet)

Want to give it a try?  Click the link below:

Healthy Crockpot Freezer Meals from Costco – 30 Meals in 3 Hours

9. Learn something new every day:

Learning something new each day is easy. Some people are avid readers and are a beacon of knowledge. Others tune in to their favorite information channel on television, listen to the radio, converse with their neighbor, or go to work to learn. However you find it, knowledge is all around you every day. Learning is refreshing and keeps our curious minds hungry for more information and maybe one day you’ll find that one thing that makes your heart sing. While it is important to exercise daily, it is just as important to exercise your mind.

Ten reasons why you should learn something new every day:

·         Something to talk about

·         Exposes you to new things

·         It’s refreshing

·         Combats boredom

·         You might find a new passion

·         Gives you something to look forward to

·         You affect the lives of others

·         Knowledge is power

·         You’ll be intellectually stimulated

·         Your quality of life will be enhanced

8. Eat More Veggies:

Shoot for 5+ servings of veggies each day. Diets high in vegetables are associated with reduced risk of developing numerous types of cancer. Vegetables are an important part of healthy eating and provide a source of many nutrients, including potassium, fiber, folate (folic acid) and vitamins A, E and C. Don’t be shy when trying new vegetables (the boldest colors are often the healthiest).

And who knows, maybe finding a veggie that you really love will inspire you to start a garden, which is directly correlated to a healthier lifestyle, as it provides fresh produce, creates a new hobby, etc.

Health benefits of eating veggies:

·      The nutrients in vegetables are vital for health and maintenance of your body

·      Eating a diet rich in vegetables may reduce risk for stroke, cancer, heart diseases and type-2 diabetes

·      One to four cups of vegetables are recommended each day, depending on how many calories you need

7. Celebrate small wins:

It’s easy to get discouraged when it seems like your goal is so far off. Set intermediate goals on the journey to your long term goal, and be sure to reward yourself after you accomplish each. Of all the things that can boost emotions, motivation, and perceptions during a workday, the single most important is making progress in meaningful work. And the more frequently people experience that sense of progress, the more likely they are to be creatively productive in the long run. Don’t give up on your dream because of the time it takes to accomplish it, because the time will pass anyway.

Our Challenge to you.  If you don’t already have an accoutability partner or someone you have shared your goal with, call or email that person today and confide in them.  When you have an accountability partner, they can celebrate those small wins with you and encourage you to keep going when it gets tough.  But remember, this is your goal and you chose it for a reason…don’t ever forget what that reason is.