Meal Prepping these ham, spinach and cheese egg cups is the easiest way to a convenient, low-carbohydrate and protein packed week of breakfast for you and your family!  Most ham and cheese cup recipes call for deli ham, but I find the ham (unless carved thick) is too thin and not meaty enough for me. I love using the Costco Master Carve Ham with no glaze in this recipe.  It is a whole boneless ham that has been cut in half making it smaller to handle yet large enough to feed a family a few times.  The UGA Consumer Economics graduate in me loves this part of my purchase:  It cost $3.99 per pound and I paid $11.67 at the Costco in Cumming, Georgia. I can feed my family of four about 16 meals off this one ham. So that comes out to about $0.73 per meal.  So much #winning.

The best part about this ham is I get to carve it myself!  This can also be considered the fun-dangerous-and exciting part!  I break out my slicer and carve to desired thickness.  I can also set a larger piece aside for a Sunday dinner if I choose. We typically carve the entire ham and use it for sandwiches or a small snack on the go.  

​For meal prepping you can also freeze these breakfast cups in Food Saver sealed freezer bags too! !  You can always place them in small zip lock sandwich bags and keep refrigerated if I you will be eating them for the next week. This is a very convenient option for my husband to grab one and pop it in the microwave and go. 

Ingredients:
12 eggs (Organic Eggs - Costco)
12 slices (Master Carve Ham - Costco that I slice this myself with my slicer)
1 cup sharp cheddar cheese
2 cups steamed spinach leaves (optional)

Instructions:
1. Preheat your oven to 350 and get out your non stick twelve cup muffin.  Use cooking spray if it is not non stick. 
2.  Place a piece of carved ham in each cup. 
3.  Sprinkle sharp cheddar cheese on top of ham. [Optional:  Place steamed spinach on top of cheese]
4. Crack an egg over the top of each. 
5.  Use salt and pepper to taste. 
6. Bake uncovered for 25-30 minutes, or until desired "egg firmness". I like mine runny...husband likes them dry. 
7. Serve and enjoy!

If you find that your eggs may be a little too large and are taking longer to cook...just cover with aluminum foil and so you don't burn your ham. Make sure when you do cover them do not let the foil touch the cups because sometimes it can stick to the tops of the eggs. Set it for another 5 minutes and check periodically  until desired firmness.

​From frozen:  If you would rather not use the microwave to thaw them, you can always wrap them in tinfoil and either place in the refrigerator overnight or in the oven at 350°F for about 15 minutes.   ​

If you find that your eggs may be a little too large and are taking longer to cook...just cover with aluminum foil and so you don't burn your ham. Make sure when you do cover them do not let the foil touch the cups because sometimes it can stick to the tops of the eggs. Set it for another 5 minutes and check periodically  until desired firmness.

​From frozen:  If you would rather not use the microwave to thaw them, you can always wrap them in tinfoil and either place in the refrigerator overnight or in the oven at 350°F for about 15 minutes.   ​

​Has your New Year's Resolution of "getting fit" left you sore and in pain? Why not try a workout that can be fun, provides less stress on your muscles and doesn't leave you in pain? ​Listen I know it's hard to get back in shape, and after all those wonderful meals we all ate during the holidays I'm sure you, like me, have packed on a little more weight than anticipated! All the more reason to sign up for an aquaBelly class. Now more than ever it is important to stay healthy and strong. News reports state that the flue epidemic is more fierce this year and heavily widespread here in Georgia. Exercising during these chilly winter months is extremely beneficial to our bodies. Not only does it help us keep a healthy weight and stay in shape, but it can also help with our immune system! So, if exercise helps us improve our immune system in this flu infested season where no public place is really "flu-free", why would you not want to improve your physical health and begin a safe and fun weekly exercise routine?

​Is your New Year's Resolution of "better diet and effective exercise routine" not giving you the results you want yet? I know it is human nature to buy into a quick fix only because you desire rapid results. When we start making changes to our exercise routine and what we are eating we want to be rewarded with visible change...immediately! At some point, common sense is going to kick in here people, you will see that transforming your body and routine isn’t an over night process. It will take patience, hard work, dedication, and the ultimate key: consistency!
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You have probably tried weight loss plans, weird diet fads, questionable "supplements", the list goes on. These are simply a quick fix and will never lead to long-lasting weight loss, unless you change your diet and start exercising. So, NO, there is not a quick fix. If there were, we'd all be doing it! In the mean time, I'm going to continue my journey of eating a clean diet and enjoying my aquaBelly workout routines, why not join me? Ladies, if you want to feel good, refreshed and get elegant toned muscle...join me in the pool! What is stopping you?

This yummy crockpot chicken tortilla soup recipe was first written on other blog (link below) and that is where you can find the full recipe.  I noticed for the past couple of months (prior to our family trip to Disney World where I am quite sure is where my diet got a little off track) I was taking in too many calories and not enough protein and the weight just was not coming off.  I will be honest though, the Christmas season just wrapped up and with entertaining, huge dinners, little desserts and cookies everywhere, I just could not resist all that sweet yummy goodness!  

Soups are a perfect addition to eating healthy during your pregnancy and postnatal journey.  I love to cook and so much so that when I do cook I cook BIG (I should buy stock in Costco)! This recipe is easy to make and is so delicious, not to mention all the awesome leftovers!  Packed with nutrients and vitamins, if you are suffering from pregnancy constipation the fiber and folate of black beans in this recipe (1 cup = 29 grams of fiber) not only fills you up but it is good for your colon and digestion too!  Click the link below that will take you my boutique blog detailing this amazing recipe and directions.  The video below also shows what it will look like before you put the lid on the crockpot...set it and forget it!