Hello Bootcampers, Meltdowners, MeltAwayers, and NGPT Vets alike! Welcome to the very first "Friendly Feasting" with Coach Lauren post! I will be blogging a recipe here every week, so be sure to check it out. During bootcamps, my recipes will be appropriate for that level's nutrition plan. Between bootcamps, I'll mix it up, but will indicate when each recipe can be eaten.

Starting the bootcamp is TOUGH! When I first joined, I felt my cooking was stifled because I was so limited on ingredients. Thankfully the ever-growing approved foods list has been developed! Over time, I found recipes that fit the plan or had learned enough about the nutrition plan that I can find recipes then tweak them to fit our needs. Let's start it off with a bang and one of my favorite recipes - I LOVE Mexican food!

Foil-Pack Chicken Fajita Dinner

Level notes: This recipe must be eaten at a carb meal due to brown rice. For Level 1, you can add 1/2 an avocado per serving and eat this as your "meal 1" listing that includes protein, carb, and fat OR omit the avocado and have it at the protein/carb only meal on Day 2's plan!

Ingredients (4 servings):

• 1 cup instant brown rice
• 1 cup water or a low-sodium chicken/veg broth would work too
• 1-2 T low-sodium taco seasoning (or mix your own blend based on the package without salt!)
• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (3-8 oz/ea)
• 1-2 bell peppers of choice, cut into strips
• 1 medium onion, cut into strips
• 1/2-1 cup salsa (organic or homemade, watch sodium, NO sugar)
• Green chilis and/or sliced jalapeno to your liking
• 1/2 avocado per serving, if having a fat

Preparation:

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
2. Fold up sides of each of four large sheets of heavy-duty foil to form 1-inch rim, spray with Pam.
3. Combine rice, water, and taco seasoning; spoon equal amounts onto each foil. Top with remaining ingredients.
4. Bring up foil sides; fold to make four well-sealed packets.
5. Place in a large pan or on a cookie sheet. Bake 30-35 minutes until chicken is done. Cool 5 minutes. Cut slits in foil to release steam before opening packets - HOT!
6. Top each serving with 1/2 an avocado, sliced or diced, if adding a fat to this meal.

Enjoy NGPTers! Be excellent, be MEXcellent, and FEAST ON!

~Coach Lauren

PS Thanks and credit to Chi-Chis who I think first coined "Mexcellent" - don't want to get us into some weird copyright issues!