"What's that smell?"
That’s often a phrase that I hear at work.
Now when you’re around kids all day and you hear it, that could often mean one of two things...
But in this case we were in the teacher’s lounge, so usually the smells are safe. 🤣
In this case the person was talking about my Roasted Salsa Verde Soup that I was eating for lunch (pictured above. Since it's one of my favorites, I made it for my photo shoot back in the summer).
In this case the person was talking about my Roasted Salsa Verde Soup that I was eating for lunch.
Then my coworker followed up with a
“OMG, that smells SO good!”
So I decided to bring her some for lunch the next day. Then she proceeded to tell me how good it was. Words she used were fresh and filling. 
My coworkers make the perfect taste testers!
Anyway, I realized that I should probably not be stingy and share with everybody, so here’s a link to a video I did making the soup along with the recipe, so you can eat good too.

And no it's not a bunch of steps. 
And yes you can make it into a freezer meal. (I show you how in the video.)
And yes, healthy and tasty at the same time (so you can save those calories for sweet potato pie instead). 
If that's not enough of a reason to check it out, here's a few more. 

​Here’s a few more reasons why you should check it out:

• You’re probably hungry right now anyway.
• You can make some for now and then some to freeze for later (Don’t worry, I show you how.)
• The ingredients can easily be found at any major grocery store
• It’s $2 a serving. (The last time you spend $2 on lunch, you were probably in elementary school.)

Check out the video above and the recipe below.
Stay warm out there y’all!

Office potlucks are the never-ending classic that make for a great way to test out recipes on a large group of people. In my case, my office is a school which means there's always something to celebrate.

• Babies
• Weddings
• Birthdays 

In this case, the last option was what led me to choosing this recipe from PlainChicken.com to adapt for my school peeps. I like to keep options on my Breakfast?  More Like Brunch Pinterest Board for situations like this. 

I needed something quick and tasty and this proved to be a great option after a few changes from the original. 

First, the recipe suggested to let the mixture soak for an hour or overnight in the fridge, but since that it was already 9pm, that was not going to happen. I let it soak for about 15 minutes and everything was good to go. 

Second, I added cinnamon to give it a bit of a change in flavor. (And cuz I love cinnamon. Almost as much as peanut butter.) If you want it to be even more like french toast, add vanilla extract as well (see below).

Third, since I made this the night before, I made sure to not cook it all the way so I could reheat it the next night (directions below). 
​

1.  Cook sausage according to package directions. 
2. Using a large knife or scissors, chop waffles into smaller pieces (about the size of a quarter/coin). 
3. Combine eggs, milk, cinnamon, maple syrup, and vanilla extract (optional) together in a bowl and whisk well. 
4. Layer half of the waffles, cheese, and sausage and repeat until all ingredients have been used. 
5. Pour egg mixture on top.
6. (optional) Let soak 1 hour up to overnight. 
7. Cook at 325 degrees for 30 minutes (If you're making this ahead of time, be sure not to overcook since you'll reheat it later to eat.)

Tips:

• If you're going to soak it for an hour or overnight, don't mix the ingredients in a glass dish. Glass can shatter when shifting from cold to hot or hot to cold too quickly. Use a metal pan instead. 
• Only have sausage patties? No problem! Cook them 4 minutes on one side and then break them up with a spatula once they're flipped. 
• Reheating: Reheat uncovered on low for 250 degrees for 20 minutes. 
  • Glass Dish: Let dish sit on the counter for about 10 minutes to give the glass some time to get to room temperature. (250 degrees isn't that hot, so the glass was fine. after sitting out for 10 minutes). 

Know What In The World You’re Eating
 Though I love a night of fine dining, I eat knowing good and well that I am throwing caution to the wind in terms of calories and having any clue as to what food additives I’m consuming. Now I know that that sounds super dramatic, but it’s true since many restaurants don’t release their full ingredients list. Many fast food establishments, and even full service restaurants, use countless chemicals and preservatives in our food. Additionally, food allergies are a common problem for many. Alleviate the concerns of cross contamination and unknown food additives by preparing your own meals in the comfort of your home. Since eliminating all eating out isn’t an option for most (I mean, I just love waffle fries you know?) prepping a few meals helps. Meal prep can work to eliminate the amount of preservatives and unknown chemicals that you are consuming.

Be As “Healthyish” As You Want To Be
The great thing about meal prepping is that there are no rules about what you prep! Though meal prepping is frequently used by those who count calories or macros, it also provides the freedom for those who just want to eat just a little healthier by decreasing our intake of processed and fried foods. Often meal prepping is touted for those who are only focused on achieving fitness gains or those who are following a strict diet. Meal planning works wonders for those folks, but let me inform you that meal prep is for everyone. You get the freedom to decide how much salt, added sugar, or other ingredients go into your food. You have the flexibility to choose and reach whatever dietary goals you desire.Want to go vegan? Go for it! Have food allergies? Eliminate those allergens in your food. Focusing on protein? Beef (or Plant) it Up! Whatever your preferences are, gain the control over what you are or aren’t eating. Like Captain Planet used to say, “The Power is Yours”.

Save That Moola 
How much do you generally spend on a night out for dinner for a party of 2? It could be upwards of $50-$70 if you add in drinks, appetizers, and dessert. Depending upon your city and the type of restaurant, this figure could even double. Next, consider how much you spend at the grocery store for a week’s worth of groceries. Now, imagine decreasing that amount by $20, $30 or even $50 through effective use of meal prep. Remember, “you're able to substitute a far less expensive homemade meal for a much more expensive meal from a restaurant or even for a prepackaged meal you bought at the store” (Hamm, 2016).

“In the United States, an estimated 31 percent of the food available for consumption at the retail and consumer levels went uneaten” according to the USDA Economic Research Service (Buzby & Aulakh, 2014). We have all been guilty of throwing away expired or unwanted food at some point in our lives. Effective meal prep can decrease food waste tremendously. Since you are planning your meals around your schedule, you’ll be better able to determine how much food is needed for you and your family. As well, you’ll be able to use common ingredients for recipes which helps to ensure that less ingredients are lost in the back of your fridge or pantry. However, one thing to remember is: you have to actually eat the prepared meals in order for this to hold true. When time is invested in creating and cooking meals, you’re more likely to want to enjoy them later on. Stop throwing away money and start meal prepping today!

This blog post also appears on OrgANNicWellness.com.