Who is the Woman behind “BellaMeals”

Hello

Ladies and Gents, Woah I don’t even know where to begin . Well let me start off by saying thank you for the awesome support..

I’ve been dreading to tell my story.. Why you say ?!? Well I like to keep some things to myself at times , but if I want my viewers/followers to know who I am and why I do what I do well I have to share a part of me with you right ?

Well for starters I’m a mother of two beautiful children and a wife to the worlds most awesome husband . Some say that I am a women with many talents I say I’m just driven . From making jewelry , dabbling in make up & creating recipes . I’m a women that is driven . Trying out new things is so exciting to me . May I mention I get bored easily. Something must always stimulate my mind at all times .

Growing up I was the trouble maker out of all my siblings there is actually 7 of us (believe it or not lol) from detentions , suspensions to write ups yup I was one of those disrespectful , talking back students . I mean I wasn’t so terrible right ?!?? Till this day I cant seem to figure out why was I so stubborn . I guess you can call it (teenage syndrome) since society has a label for everything , as I grew older I became wiser and my attitude changed. But I still had a little sass in me .. “Rolls eyes” & “shakes head” but I wasn’t the same . At the age of 15 I was baptized . At the time I wasn’t ready but I’m glad that I am baptized . I believe at that time I did it for my mother since that’s all she spoked about , but I still new I wanted to be baptized. Something in me told me I wasn’t doing it for the right reasons . But I believe that Christ sees my heart and know that I accept him as lord and savior. I am a believer . Christ has changed my life tremendously . Life has a new meaning since I accepted Christ .

At a young age (20) I married my wonderful husband. We will soon celebrate our fourth year of marriage this year. Honestly marriage was the last thing on mind at that age (or was it even on my mind) well to say the lease I was giving my husband well fiancé at the time a very hard time . I really didn’t think this guy could be this serious , at the time my husband was 28 years old and I always thought what did he want with little ol me . What can I offer you ? Well he was Interested in the women I am . He knew I was going to be his wife but I was being so in denial with that being said we married August 14 of 2011 one of the best day of my life . As a couple we prepared ourselves for marriage , like saving and getting counseled etc and praying together . We vowed to God to stay pure before marriage and with God grace and help we did lol ….y’all know how hot and intense these emotions can get right. Can I keep it real ? 🙂 well to continue we had no clue how marriage can be this much work . Well our mother and Pastors told us but I mean we didn’t know it can be that hard (right?) Our first year of marriage was so hard. We honestly felt like giving up . After seeking counseling and much prayer our marriage started to get better and thing started to get smoother. I can honestly say that God is the reason , remembering our vow to God kept us going. Now marriage is a breeze I am not saying its easy , but I am saying that we understand each other and communicate better now .

This year so far has been great for me .. I am learning about my new talents when it comes to food and creating new recipes. My mother always kept me in the kitchen (I use to hate it) she would wake me up at 5 in the morning to get sunday dinner ready … so I despised cooking when I was younger. But I always cooked and always try to do my best . 2012 I had my frist child and after giving birth I was huge I mean I blew up from a size 155 to 235 yes I know HUGE . I began eating healthy and started working out and went down to 183 almost down to pre baby weight but not quit there yet. My daughter was still one when I became pregnant again (just a few months away from being 2). I didn’t gain as much weight with son this time. After having my son I was determined to get back into shape like never before and actually look better than before. So I began creating healthy recipes. Cooking was a hobby to now being a passion. Healthy meals has helped me loose a total of 20 pounds in 2 1/2 months .The passion for cooking has encouraged me to help others eat healthier and inspire them to cook more often and to also show you that eating healthy does not have to be hard . And also encourage you to create delicious recipes that’s not boring and tasteless.

So thank you for following my journey and taking the time to read about the women behind the meals . I am here to encourage you to take care of your body and health . Lets not feed it with junk and give our bodies the nutrition that it actually needs.

“Chicken Patty stuff w/Sweet Potato Mash”

Today I wanted the original sweet
Potato and chicken breast … But I wanted to cook it a little differently . And I wanted my dish to look very exciting to eat .

1 large sweet potato
1/2 tablespoon of olive oil
1 cup of wheat bread crumbs
2 eggs
2 table spoon of coconut oil
1 tablespoon of chili powder
2 tablespoon of parsley
1/2 teaspoon of black pepper
1/2 teaspoon of salt
1/2 to one 1cup of pamersan shredded cheese

Instructions:

Boil your sweet potato .
Boil your chicken breast till cooked (then shred) with fork (set aside) in a mixing bowl add cheese , bread crumbs ,1 tablespoon of parsley , chili powder , eggs . Then add your shredded chicken to that mixture mix (should be a little firm) enough to make a patty . In a hot skillet add coconut oil then add patty .. Once brown on one side flip to the other side and let it cook . By now your sweet potato should be cooked and ready to mash . Peel potato mash and add olive oil , salt , pepper , parsley , mix and add In between patty . And your all done !!!

Quick and easy recipe for family or to entertain guest ! Enjoy !!!

Subscribe to my YouTube channel for more of my simple and delicious recipes youtube.com/bellameals

Chickpea Salad

Are you out of ideas for lunch or simply to tired after a long day of work ?? Well this garbanzo bean salad is so satisfying and so easy. All you need is a boil garbanzo bean (or can) , tablespoon olive oil, black pepper , red pepper flakes , a dash of salt , chopped white or purple onions , red and greed peppers , and long leaf parsley .. Chop and add to garbanzo bean . Mix ingredients and serve. Delicious ! This bean also goes by the name “chickpea”

3 week update

Today I decided to take a 3 week update photo and I was in shock to see how much of a difference there was with my body within 3 Weeks . I really don’t like these pictures because I hate the way I look . I am thankful for these pictures even though I hate them it shows me how hard I’ve been working . If you want something really bad you have to work hard for it . Lord knows how hard I’ve been working hard in the kitchen and at my workout sessions with my trainer . There are some days where I want to just text my trainer and tell her I don’t want to workout today but I keep pushing . I remind myself of my goal and why I want to get there . After having two children I just want my body back . I will work as hard as I can to get it back . I’m thankful for my supportive husband and my trainer that pushes me . If you have a goal push through don’t give up .

My workout today

60 jumping jacks
30 mountain climbers
54 sec plank
Up and down stairs 8 x (3 flight)
Up and down stairs double steps (2x)
Jogging 1 min

Eggplant lasagna

I love pasta … But since I’ve started my journey with eating so much healthier and making healthy choices . One afternoon I had eggplant in my fridge and decided to make eggplant lasagna since I was craving lasagna. Taste so good you won’t even notice your not eating a carb filling lasagna 🙂 . Be creative and make it your own add veggies if you wish .. Onions , bell peppers etc ! Enjoy

1 teaspoon olive oil
2 eggplant
2 tablespoon of water
1 cup of Parmesan
1 cup of whole wheat bread crumbs
2 large eggs
2 tablespoon of olive oil
1 pound of ground turkey
48 ounce of tomato sauce (organic)
2 1/2 cups of shredded low fat mozzarella cheese

Direction

Preheat oven 375 degrees
1.Oil baking pan w/ 1 table spoon olive oil.
2.Whisk eggs , milk , and water.
3.Combine Parmesan cheese and bread crumbs to separate bowls.
4. Dip eggplant slices into egg mixture
5. coat eggplant with dry mixture
6. bake for 20 min or till golden brown
7. remove from oven when baked
8. Place eggplant at the bottom for dish
9.pour meat sauce over
10. Sprinkle mozzarella cheese
11. repeat twice
12. Bake uncovered till cheese is melted or for 20 min
13. Remove and let cool
14. Serve

For vegetarian don’t use meat follow steps.

For vegan remove diary and meat and substitute with soy cheese and soy milk or rice milk tofu to substitute for meat .