Welcome to #FriendFriday where each week I’ll be sharing a delicious recipe from one of my Instagram friends! I find so much inspiration and friendship in the Instagram community so I’m looking forward to sharing some of that here with you. I’m excited for you to get to know some of my friends, I know you will find them as motivational as I do! Be sure to find them on Instagram so you can follow their journey and find more of their delicious meal ideas!
Today you are meeting Amanda who is an amazing cook! She shares tons of great, easy meal ideas and food prep tips! Be sure to follow her inspirational journey on Instagram at @imperfectweightloss.
Hi, Amanda, tell us about yourself!
Hey friends, happy Friday! I’m Amanda also known as @imperfectweightloss on Instagram, and I’m so excited to share one of my favorite recipes with you today. I was born and raised in Ohio, but I’ve lived all over the Midwest including a recent move to the land of beer, cheese, and Packers – Wisconsin! I love trying new things whether it’s a food I’ve never heard of or a new form of exercise (most recently, kayaking!), I’m always down for an adventure! I started following WW about two and a half years ago, and I’ve grown so much since then. Throughout my weight loss journey, I fell in love with cooking again, and I’ve discovered a passion for sharing recipes and taking pictures of my food (with some helpful tips from Rachel)!
What motivated you to change your lifestyle?
I knew for awhile I needed to make a change, but it really hit home on vacation with my family in Hilton Head a few years ago. My siblings wanted to go zip lining and something told me I better check if there was a weight limit. I looked it up and my heart sank – I weighed too much to zip line with them. I wish I could say I made a change that day, but after a few other instances of my weight holding me back, I decided I never wanted to let me weight hold me back from living my life. On Valentine’s Day in 2016, I committed to loving myself and being the healthiest, happiest version of myself no matter how long it took me to get there. I joined WW and found a program that fit my life and helped me find that balance I had been craving. I recently went to an amusement park and didn’t worry once about fitting on the rides and THAT was the freedom I had been looking for when I started. While I’m still working towards my goals, I am so much happier and healthier -mentally and physically!
What are you favorite foods to cook?
Food that’s quick and easy, but packed with flavor! Tacos are one of my favorites when it comes to quick, easy, and flavorful, plus they’re extremely versatile. I also enjoy trying new recipes. When I’m trying something new, I love finding new recipes from other parts of the world and experiencing a piece of their culture through my kitchen. Some of my favorites are stir fries, curries, and shakshuka which I’m sharing today!
What is one piece of advice you’d give someone just starting out on a health journey?
You don’t have to be perfect! I struggled being “all or nothing” and one unhealthy decision led to “I’ll start Monday” which turned into next month, my birthday, the new year, etc. Taking each choice as a fresh start is a game changer. The little changes add up, and the fact you’re working on you is what matters. Also, find things you love. Eat the foods you love whether it’s in moderation or finding a healthier recipe. Find exercise you enjoy – it’s not punishment!
Tell us about the recipe you are sharing today!
Shakshuka is one of those recipes that I stumbled on when looking for new recipes to try, and it’s quickly become a staple in our house. It’s the perfect dish for impressing guests, Saturday brunch, or a quick weeknight dinner! This recipe is the base recipe for an amazing shakshuka, but I love mixing it up. At only 1 Blue WW SmartPoint/3 Green WW SmartPoints per serving, you can top with feta, mix in some chickpeas, or add a little harissa for extra spice. I love serving mine with bread for dipping, but you can try it over rice or just eating with a spoon!
Amanda’s recipe is 1 Blue WW SmartPoint/3 Green WW SmartPoints per serving – enjoy! Keep up with her journey and find more of her delicious creations on Instagram, @imperfectweightloss.
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- ½ of an onion, sliced
- 1 red bell pepper, sliced
- 2 cloves of garlic, minced
- 1 28 oz can of crushed tomatoes
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp chili powder
- pinch of cayenne pepper (optional)
- salt and pepper, to taste
- 4 eggs
- handful of cilantro, chopped
- Preheat oven to 400F. Heat olive oil in a large, oven safe pan over medium heat.
- Add onion and bell pepper. Saute, stirring occasionally, until tender and caramelized, about 8-10 minutes. Add garlic and spices and cook for another minute.
- Mix in the tomatoes and simmer for 5 minutes until slightly thickened. Taste the mixture and adjust spices to your liking.
- Make a small indent/pocket in the mixture. Crack an egg into the pocket. Repeat for the remaining 3 eggs. Season the tops of the eggs with salt and pepper.
- Move the pan to the oven and cook until eggs are set, about 7 minutes. If you don't like runny yolks, you can cook a few minutes longer to cook through.
- Sprinkle with cilantro. Serve with bread for dipping, over rice, or eat it with a spoon!
Nutritional information is calculated with MyFitnessPal and may vary based on brands used. Smart Points information is calculated with the Weight Watchers app and may also vary based on brands used.
