Sesame Chicken and Vegetable Pasta for #SundaySupper and #ChooseDreams

This week the #SundaySupper family is talking all about healthy and fit lifestyles. I couldn’t be happier to be a part of this event with American Family Insurance because I’ve recently made a change in my own life to become more fit and healthy. This wonderful event is being hosted by Denise over at Run DMT. Thanks Denise for all of your hard work to make this event happen!

I love AmFam and their #Choosedreams campaign. Supporting this campaign is special to me in its own way. I love how they support the #SundaySupper family and strive to always have fresh and healthy themes for us. I was so lucky to be a part of it in May. I made a Farmers Market Pasta and Herbed Chicken Kabobs. The thought of going out there and conquering my dreams is inspiring! Just in the past few months my life has changed in so many great ways. I accepted a part time job allowing me to work from home, I joined a challenge group that has me working out 5-6 mornings a week and I continue to search high and low for clean and healthy recipes for my family.  I have young children and I want them to see how important it is to stay fit and to watch what we are putting in to our bodies. My daughter is now aware of my routine so if she wakes up before I’m done my workout she says very proudly afterwards “Mommy I waited for you to be done your workout before I got up!” How sweet is that? It’s only been 6 weeks but I plan on making this a way of life for myself and for my family.  Knowing my almost four year old is actually seeing this lifestyle change melts my heart! What are some ways that you keep your family healthy and fit? Here are some ways that may be worth thinking about.

• We walk- My one year old loves his carriage, when he’s fussy…… we walk!
• We use all sports and seasonal activities– Swimming, biking, jumping in a bouncy house, sledding, soccer, swinging etc etc.
• Make outside time fun– There are many things to do outside summer or winter. Get out there and create games and fun activities! If you have kids try my Learning Numbers with Chalk game. It had me huffing and puffing with all the jumping!
• Park far away-No matter where we go I try and park far away, every step counts.
• Food Prep- Prepping your foods ahead of time can help you stay on track and it helps you serve those delicious healthy meals even when your super busy!
• Smaller Portions-This one has always been tough for me, being a foodie, I like to eat. So I cut portions down by only plating what we should be eating. If you fill your plate too much, you tend to eat too much. I also serve Chicken cutlets a lot because it’s the perfect portion size!
• Make Food Fun– Cut your fruits, veggies, sandwiches and any other foods you can into fun shapes. I have fruit cutters shaped in cute flowers, I use cookie cutters to cut through sandwiches to make them seasonal, kids are more opt to eat or try something if it looks fun!!

I made a new recipe that follows any guidelines of the new healthy and fit lifestyle. I marinated my own chicken and made up a side dish was full of vegetables and flavor!

Sesame Chicken:

1 lb of thinly sliced chicken cutlets
1/4 cup of water
3 tsp of hot sauce (more or less depending on what you like)
1/4 cup of balsamic vinegar
1/4 cup of low sodium soy sauce
2 tsp of honey
3 garlic cloves, minced
2 tsp of fresh gingerroot, minced
Sesame seeds

Vegetable Pasta:

1 bag of broccoli slaw
1 large tomato
Olive oil
Dash of Salt & Pepper
Dash of Garlic powder
Dash of Red Pepper
Grated parmesan cheese for topping

What to do:

Add the ingredients for the sesame chicken into a small sauce pan and heat on medium/high until it comes to a low boil. Continue to stir, turn to low and let the marinade reduce. About 10 min. Pour into a jar and let cool completely.

Place chicken cutlets in a large zip lock bag and pour marinade over chicken making sure it’s completely covered. Place in the fridge and allow to marinate for at least 2 hours (better if over night)

Pour slaw into a skillet and pour a few tbsp of olive oil over it mixing the slaw as you pour. Heat on medium for about 15 min stirring a few times. While that’s cooking chop the tomato and process through a food processor. Add salt, pepper and garlic powder and pulse one more time to combine. Pour the sauce over the slaw and stir to combine. Sprinkle with red pepper (as much as you prefer) cover and cook for another 5-8 min. This step depends on how crunchy you want it. I can see how some people may not be able to see past the softness of a slaw, but I liked it softer so it felt like I was eating pasta. Don’t worry there will always be a crunch! Pour into a serving dish and sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.

While the slaw is cooking, light the grill and place on medium heat. (bake or cook on stove top if you want!) Add the chicken and allow to cook for 5 min on one side. Flip and sprinkle with sesame seeds allowing the other side to grill for 5-7 more minutes. Place chicken on a serving dish and sprinkle the other side of the chicken with sesame seeds.

I also served this dinner with cut up zucchini chunks that was tossed with olive oil and dill. I loved eating this dish because I knew I was eating chicken and a WHOLE bunch of veggies!!!

Follow the Family Healthy Fit Lifestyle #ChooseDreams Pinterest board for some great meal inspiration! Or connect with American Family Insurance here:

Linkedin / Youtube / Google+ / Twitter / Facebook / Pinterest

Now let’s check out the rest of the Family Healthy Fit Recipes!!

Get Up and Go Power Breakfasts

• Get Up and Go Mocha Breakfast Smoothie by The Foodie Army Wife
• Avocado Tomato and Feta Toast with Poached Eggs by The Girl In The Little Red Kitchen
• Peanut Butter Banana Oat Smoothie by The Messy Baker

Salads and Healthy Snacks

• Cherry Kale Panzanella by Jelly Toast
• Watermelon Salad with Blueberry Balsamic Dressing by Runner’s Tales
• Southwestern Chicken Salad by That Skinny Chick Can Bake
• Pantry Greek Yogurt Ranch Dip by Cupcakes & Kale Chips
• Peanut Butter Oatmeal Energy Bars by Magnolia Days

Healthy Fit Lifestyle Dinners

• Grilled Fish Tacos with Summer Salsa by Foxes Love Lemons
• Blueberry Pork Chops by MealDiva
• Individual Grilled Veggie Pizzas by Curious Cuisiniere
• Almond Cashew Chicken by The Not So Cheesy Kitchen
• Quinoa Bowls with Grilled Vegetables and Corn Salsa by Ruffles & Truffles
• Chicken and Mushroom Stuffed Peppers by Cindy’s Recipes and Writings
• Sesame Chicken and Vegetable Pasta by Momma’s Meals
• Spiced Yogurt Chicken Kabobs by Bobbi’s Kozy Kitchen
• Chicken Spinach Quinoa and Brown Rice by Family Foodie

Healthy Desserts

• Healthy Coconut Banana Cookies by Alida’s Kitchen
• Strawberry Banana Smoothie Popsicles by Peanut Butter and Peppers
• Blueberry Quinoa Cobbler by Run DMT

This post is sponsored by American Family Insurance. All opinions are my own.

Join the #SundaySupper conversation on twitter on Sunday! We tweet throughout the day and share recipes from all over the world. Our weekly chat starts at 7:00 pm ET. Follow the#SundaySupper hashtag and remember to include it in your tweets to join in the chat. To get more great Sunday Supper Recipes, visit our website or check out our Pinterest board.

Would you like to join the Sunday Supper Movement? It’s easy. You can sign up by clicking here: Sunday Supper Movement.