Working Smarter, Not Harder – Two Easy Weeknight Meals

If you follow me on social media HERE, HERE or HERE, you have seen me post about these two easy meals many times. I FINALLY developed the recipes! 

Here is my thought… Why not make the foundation for two weeknight meals at one time? Who needs to save time? ME!!! Yep, over here – more time please! I am pretty sure we can all relate to that.

I have a couple of no fail, go-to recipes that are perfect and can be turned into two healthful, quick, weeknight meals that your family and kiddos will LOVE! 

For my clients that are currently on The 21-Day Sugar Detox, these can be made #21DSD compliant as well!
I am always searching for ways to include more vegetables into my family’s diet. 

Who’s with me? 

With two boys under the age of 6, it can sometimes be a challenge. Lately, my boys have really surprised me. They have been eating more and more vegetables – WINNING! Their favorites are carrots and tomatoes. On the starchier vegetable side of things, they will eat sweet potatoes, sweet baby peas and butternut squash (sometimes, especially if they are baked like a french fry).

There was a time when I thought my oldest would never like vegetables. My oldest was so good when he was little and then hit the PICKIEST. STAGE. EVER. The ‘I will only eat mac and cheese or chicken nuggets phase’ – UGH. 

My youngest has always been pretty good… so far…

DON’T GIVE UP! Every night, my kids have to take what we call a “No, thank you” bite of everything. I put what we have prepared on their plate, vegetables and all – even the ones they hate. They take a bite of everything on their plate, and after that they may say “No, thank you”. 

Persistence pays off! I think a few things are at play here, but admittedly I am no expert. I believe the continual exposure helps. I also think they see us eating healthfully, which doesn’t hurt. Again, don’t give up!

Okay, back to the recipes….

To include more veggies, I add zucchini to this grass-fed beef base. The zucchini cooks down nicely and is basically flavorless, absorbing all the great layers of flavor that are added. This accomplishes getting more veggies in – so check that off your list! 

You could easily add other vegetables in here, small diced carrots or even earthy mushrooms. Experiment!
If you are going to cook 1 pound of beef, why not two?? Same prep, same skillet, a tiny bit more effort BUT only clean one time. Sign me up! There is a little bit of that time back. We are going to use 2 pounds of ground beef. I used grass-fed beef – you can read more about why here.

PREP:

• Dice half of a large onion (yellow or white) – about 1 cup
• Dice 1 medium zucchini – about 1 cup
• Mince 3 large cloves of garlic

COOK:

• Heat a skillet over med/high heat. Add your fat or oil of choice.
• Add the onions and zucchini to the pan, cooking on med-high until the onions are translucent and the zucchini is slightly browned (about 5 – 6 minutes).
• Add the garlic, saute for 3 more minutes.
• Set the vegetable mixture aside in a bowl.
• Add the 2 lbs grass-fed ground beef to the pan and brown.
• Season with only salt and pepper to taste. Season to your liking here.
• Add the vegetable mixture back in and combine well.
• Next, split this meat mixture in half, setting one half to the side in a container, preferably glass, to cool before storing in the fridge.
• Then, we will season the remaining mixture for TACOS tonight! Is it Tuesday? Oh well. I never seem to get that right. Every night is a good night for tacos!
• Add ½-1 teaspoon of Cumin, ½ teaspoon of Chili Powder.
• For a little kick you can add a dash of Cayenne – but if you or your family cannot tolerate heat, leave that out.
• Stir this well and turn to low while you prep your shells and toppings.

THE TWO MEALS:

Meal 1:
Tacos! Any shells go here! (For the 21DSD use lettuce). Soft flour, hard corn shells – you name it! You can easily serve this with some sliced avocado, cilantro, salsa and cheese (21DSD Levels 1 & 2) – and an easy weeknight dinner is served! Add in this guacamole recipe and BOOM!

Meal 2:
On night number 2, pull out the meat mixture you stored in the fridge. Put it in a skillet to warm it through. While it is heating up add a jar of good quality pasta sauce. 

I use a jar sauce that we enjoy with quality ingredients called Monte Bene. (For my 21-Day Sugar Detoxers – use Monte Bene as it is sugar free and ah-mazing! It can be found locally in Colorado at King Soopers or online). 

I serve mine over a bed of organic baby spinach, and I absolutely LOVE this! I crave it. If you have more time, you could make some zoodles as well OR put it over spaghetti squash! All of these options are compliant on The 21-Day Sugar Detox.
For other family, boil some water for your noodle of choice. I cook my boys Gluten Free Tinkyada Noodles. 

Let me know what you think!!! 
I hope these ideas for a couple of easy weeknight meals give you more time back in your day!

Enjoy!
Sarah

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