Zucchini Stuffed Quinoa Boats
Summer is here and if you have planted a vegetable garden you may be harvesting the first crop of zucchini, peppers and tomatoes. 
Here is a delicious way to serve zucchini. These stuffed zucchini quinoa boats can be your side dish with turkey burgers or chicken on the grill or you can eat them as your main dish because they are packed with protein and veggies.
Ingredients
6 medium zucchini (3 large zucchini forgotten in the garden for a few days)
2 Tablespoons olive oil
2-3 cloves garlic smashed
1 onion finely diced
1 yellow or orange bell pepper finely diced
2 roma tomatoes or 1 large tomato chopped
1 ½ teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon pepper
2 sprigs of fresh thyme chopped fine (2 teaspoons dried thyme)
2 cups chopped fresh spinach
4 basil leaves chopped
3 cups cooked quinoa (I used red quinoa)
½ cup grated parmesan
½ cup grated mozzarella
¼ cup pine nuts
Wash and cut the zucchini in half lengthwise. Scoop out the center portion of each half zucchini and dice up what you have scooped out.
Saute garlic and onions in olive oil. Add peppers, tomatoes and chopped zucchini and stir until all vegetables are soft. Add thyme, salt, pepper, chopped spinach and basil and cook for 2-3 minutes. Remove from heat and add cooked quinoa and parmesan cheese and stir until blended.
Fill zucchini boats full of the quinoa mixture and sprinkle pine nuts on top. 
Bake in 375 degree oven for 30-45 minutes depending on the size of your zucchini. Sprinkle grated or sliced mozzarella cheese on top and bake for 5 minutes more until cheese is melted. Serve and enjoy!!!
Water Challenge
How do you like to drink your water?
This week in our Summer Sizzle group we challenged everyone to share their favorite ways to get their daily water intake in.
Every since I was pregnant I’ve loved to drink my water with added electrolytes for flavor and extra hydration. I also needed the extra hydration while breastfeeding. I was ALWAYS drinking water. Although I’m no longer pregnant or breastfeeding I still make sure to drink lots of water because proper hydration is key for good health!
How much water should you drink?
Although there is no “one-size fits all” approach to how much water you should drink, a general rule of thumb is half your body weight in ounces. So if you weigh 100 pounds, you should drink 50 ounces of water per day. Of course this will vary based on your activity level, the temperature, and if you are a pregnant or breastfeeding mama.
What are the benefits of drinking adequate amounts of water?
Water definitely plays an important role in health. I know personally I am easily prone to headaches when I get dehydrated. Drinking water can help prevent and counteract overeating. Sometimes what we mistake for hunger cues are actually thirst cues. So if it isn’t time for a meal, or you aren’t sure if you are hungry, it is best to drink a nice big glass of water and see how that makes you feel first!
A properly hydrated body also burns more calories than a dehydrated body. So embrace the cup and get your water on for optimal calorie burn!!
And don’t forget the importance of eating your water! Water-dense fruits and vegetables such as cucumbers, bell peppers, and watermelon can also contribute to optimal hydration.
If you have a favorite way to drink your …
Read MoreJoy, Contentment, Happiness-a Mindset Change
Joy, contentment and happiness are three words that get all mixed up in our culture today. In a book I am reading, written by Shelia Wray Gregoire she defines the three words…… “Joy is an emotion that looks upward, contentment is an emotion that looks inward and happiness is an emotion that looks outward. Joy says, ‘How great is our God!’ Contentment says, ‘It is well with my soul.’ And happiness says ‘What a wonderful _______________I have!’ (You fill in the blank…….life, job, husband, wife, friend-something tangible and outside of oneself.) C.S. Lewis writes “Joy is like experiencing a flash of heaven, almost a ‘stab’ where the clouds are rolled back for a split second and your heart expands and you feel God. It’s momentous, and it’s big. Happiness, on the other hand, is small and rooted in circumstances here on earth.” The apostle Paul writes about contentment in the book of Philippians, “I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through Him who gives me strength.” Phil. 4:11-13
Joy and contentment are my goals in my life and in my relationships with others. Happiness is dependent on my outward circumstances and is influenced by how I react or respond to the ever changing situations or people around me. If I focus on my happiness and if my purpose is to ensure that my emotional well being is paramount, I will stay true to my feelings but I won’t be true …
Read MoreTHERE IS NO TRY
This week we launched into our 60 day summer sizzle challenge with almost 80 participants!! 80 people ready and willing to make positive changes in their life. We know we have a big job to do, so we started with the most important thing to make lasting changes – MINDSET.
Mindset is so important for success in anything. You can’t just TRY to do something. The harder you try to do something the less likely you are going to create something new. You’ll just stay where you are.
A wise Jedi named Yoda once said, “Do or do not. There is no try.”
In order to change your mindset you have to ask yourself:
“What’s the image I carry in my mind? How do I see myself?”
If you see yourself as anything less than the beautiful and perfect creation of God, you won’t succeed. You have to KNOW and tell yourself constantly that you are His. That HE made you. That you are enough.
“What you focus on you find.
What you focus on grows.
What you focus on seems real.
What you focus on you become.” -Rod Hairston
What do you focus on? What thoughts do you allow into your mind?
You ARE what you say you ARE. You need to speak LIFE into your LIFE.
Here’s my challenge: Pick one negative thing you are telling yourself or one thing you are convinced you can’t do. Now ERASE that one thing from your thoughts. It is gone forever and never allowed back. Replace that space with an affirmation that reminds you YOU ARE FEARFULLY AND WONDERFULLY MADE, that you are worth it, you are enough, you CAN.
If you want to join us in the mindset shift, take a picture of yourself holding your affirmation and post it …
Read MorePure Joy!
Picture from http://img.lum.dolimg.com/v1/images/au_rich_bio_insideout_joy_457a1147.jpeg?region=0,0,1536,720&width=1200
Joy. What does that mean to you? Is your first thought happiness? Or does it go beyond that to you? Is it based on circumstance, or is it a deep rooted foundation? Is it a feeling, or is it a state of being? Is it something you think about often, or is it a fleeting consideration?
I think the topic of joy is a wonderful, but sometimes overwhelming topic of discussion. To me, joy is so beyond just a situation or a feeling. It is a deep rooted place where you have an understanding of your purpose and pursuit in your life. It isn’t always evident on your face or in your actions, but it exudes in a peace of knowing that everything is going to be okay. And even if it doesn’t seem or look okay for a little bit, for me, I know there is a reason for everything. Whether that is to challenge me, grow me in a certain area, test my faith, or fill me up, I have a certainty in something bigger than just my happiness. Being happy is great, but that won’t last. Happiness is an emotion. It is a great one. But it’s hard to feel happy when you feel like your world is crashing down. But you can be filled with joy, even in times of sorrow or despair. Joy is a belief in restoration, in other people, in yourself.
Where does your joy come from? What fills you up? What gives you energy and leaves you feeling on top of the world?
At the root of it, my joy is from the Lord. But joy can be spurred on by other people, by encouraging words, by generosity, by love. But it isn’t only receiving in which I feel …
Read MoreZoodles and Roasted Veggies
I have such a wonderful support system for healthy eating and you will be learning all about some fun ways to find creative and healthy meals to try in the next few weeks. I love staying in touch with friends who like to cook and are willing to try creative vegetarian meals. Suzanne is one of those girls that is always looking for new ways to creative delicious and nutritious meals. She is on our team for the Summer Sizzle 60 day challenge and she shared this recipe with me. I am adding my own flair and a few more vegetables but the basic recipe was shared with me by Suzanne.
Ingredients
5 Roma tomatoes
1 large head cauliflower
1 bunch zucchini
2-3 cloves garlic smashed
3-4 large zucchini
2 Tablespoons pine nuts
1 tablespoon olive oil
1-2 teaspoons liquid aminos (about 8-10 sprays)
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon garlic salt
1-2 teaspoon seasoned pepper
1-2 teaspoon thyme
1-2 teaspoon rosemary
1-2 teaspoon basil
1-2 cups cooked quinoa
Preheat oven to 400. Slice tomatoes ¼ inch thick and spread slices on a large baking sheet covered with foil. season with salt, pepper, thyme, basil and rosemary. Cut cauliflower into small pieces, wash and spread in a single layer on a separate cookie sheet covered with foil. Spray with liquid amines and season with garlic salt, seasoned pepper and some thyme, basil and rosemary. Roast the tomatoes for 25 minutes until starting to look dry. Roast the cauliflower for 30 minutes until a bit brown and fork tender. 
Wash and cut asparagus into bite sized pieces and set aside. Spiralize the zucchini into noodles using a special peeler or spiralizer. Heat olive oil in a pan and add garlic. Add asparagus and sauté until just barely tender. Remove from pan and …
Getting our Kitchen Ready for the Summer Sizzle-Creative Casserole Idea
Our Summer Sizzle 60 day challenge begins today. I decided to get my kitchen ready to support our family goals and the first step was to take inventory of what I have in my refrigerator…
1) Toss out all expired sauces, dressings, condiments, yogurts etc.
2) Give away or put into the freezer any foods that do not support your fitness and health goals.
3) Make a list of all the foods you need/want in your refrigerator and pantry and head out to your favorite store (Trader Joe’s for me) to stock your shelves.
4) Wash and cut up vegetables for quick snacks.
5) Wash, cut up and roast any vegetables you will be using in recipes for the week-so much easier to do ahead of time for quicker meal prep in the evenings.
6) Wash and dry all greens and store in an airtight container for easy add-ins for shakes or for salads.
7) You can also make Green Cubes if you have trouble keeping your greens from wilting and spoiling.
Stock up on frozen fruits and fresh fruits for snacks and smoothies.
8) Plan some healthy main dishes that can be made ahead in case you have a busy day full of summer fun.
9) The last thing I did was try to make sure I was not wasting any of the left-overs I had from the weekend so I got creative and put together a healthy Mexican casserole that can feed us for a few meals this week.
Here is what I had on hand that need to be used up: LOTS of homemade salsa, BBQ corn, browned and seasoned ground turkey, shredded chicken, fajita vegetables, tortillas and grated cheese. So instead of serving up a make your own burrito bar as I had done 2 nights …
Read MoreCountdown to Summer Sizzle
Growing Weisser is committed to adding value to your life by sharing wisdom we have learned/are learning. One of those areas of wisdom that has always been important to us is HEALTH. We are always looking for ways to stay healthy and get healthy and one of our favorites is to get healthy with FRIENDS!
Our 60 day Summer Sizzle Challenge starts Monday, June 6th, so NOW is the time to jump in. We have been building up excitement among our friends and families and we cannot wait to make this our healthiest summer ever.
We have amazing nutrition, a plan for EVERY BODY (that’s right! Pregnant, nursing, weight loss, weight gain, athletes, exercisers and non exercisers…YOU!), weekly challenges and prizes, workouts, apps to help you keep track of your food intake and help you plan clean healthy meals, AND THE BEST PART – a community and environment to support you!
We always think of Summer as being laid back and care free, but the reality is we can get off our regular schedule and life (especially our health) can feel chaotic. We want to challenge you to take charge of your health this summer so you can ENJOY the crazy, have fun, and sizzle with confidence.
The time is right NOW and we want YOU to join us!
…
Read MoreGrocery Shopping Tips
Have you ever tried to figure out how to save more money grocery shopping, how to shop smarter, and how to be more efficient?? Enjoy this list and see how you can incorporate my tips into your own life!
- Buy Bulk Buy Bulk when you can. If you find something you use regularly on sale, buy it and store it. It will come in handy later. Canned goods, ingredients, certain foods cost much less when you buy larger quantities.
- Plan meals before you go, make a list Have a plan!
- Grow your own garden There are certain things that you can grow in your own backyard and it makes it totally worth it. Things such as tomatoes!
- Think of ways to revamp leftovers Be creative and try to use the food you have.
- Shop sale, Know what day your grocery ads come out
- Shop multiple stores (Make a route that makes sense with the time you have)
- Meal plan what is in season
- Look at the price per ounce or per unit
- Look at expiration dates
- Buy store brand
- Track your expenses
- Use the freezer
- Pack lunch
- Don’t shop hungry or rushed
- When running low write it down, Have a place where you always track groceries
Grocery Apps to Use
- Favado
Picture from bargainblessings.com 
picture from frugalforless.com
Favado is an app for your phone where you can look up your favorite items and find out where they are on sale. You can add the stores you shop at and even have the app notify you when certain things go on sale. It is the best price comparison app out there. Find the absolute best deals.
- Checkout51
Picture from bargainmoose.ca
Checkout 51 is a mobile app that offers cash back for certain items purchased. Check out the weeks items, go to …
Read MoreCowboy Caviar with a Twist
Memorial Day BBQ’s are the BEST when everyone brings one of their favorite dishes to share. Yesterday my mom brought some Cowboy Caviar and it was SCRUMPTIOUS. She added a special ingredient that made it better than ever! Set a bowl of this fun appetizer out and it will be gobbled up.
Ingredients
2 tomatoes seeded and chopped
1 small bunch of green onions chopped
⅔ cups cilantro chopped
1 can corn drained and rinsed (2-3 ears of bbq corn cut off cob)
1 can black beans drained and rinsed
1 can garbanzo beans drained and rinsed (most recipes call for pinto beans but we like the garbanzo beans for a new twist)
2 avocados chopped
Dressing
¼ cup olive oil
¼ cup red wine vinegar
2 cloves garlic smashed
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon cumin
¼ teaspoon pepper
⅛ teaspoon sugar
Mix all dressing ingredients and let dressing sit until all vegetables and beans are chopped and mixed together. Toss dressing over bowl of vegetables and salad. Place in a serving dish and serve with tortilla chips. This can also be a wonderful side dish for a mexican dinner-enchilladas, burritos, fajitas. You can use leftovers the next day rolled in a tortilla that has been warmed with a bit of cheese sprinkled on top. Enjoy!
- 2 tomatoes seeded and chopped
- 1 small bunch of green onions chopped
- ⅔ cups cilantro chopped
- 1 can corn drained and rinsed (2-3 ears of bbq corn cut