Black Bean Chili & Tacos… Sorta Kinda :)

Hola!

Mexican Food was on my mind this week….Clean Eating Mexican Food!

“Quick & Easy” is my motto most weeknights.  After working all day and squeezing in a workout, dinner has to be whipped up in a jiffy – it’s a must!  

 On a recent grocery shopping trip, I discovered “Food for Life - Ezekiel Brand” tortillas…They are delicious in my humble opinion but if you are comparing them to the traditional soft, white flour tortillas, you may have to adjust a bit….I promise it won’t take long.  The ingredients in these speak for themselves!   Healthy and well worth it!

Black Bean Chili Burritos – Vegetarian

1 Tablespoon Canola Oil or Olive Oil

1 Small Onion – diced

2 Cloves of Garlic – diced

2 Cans of Black Beans –  drain & rinse (Buy organic if possible)

½ squeezed lemon or lime

1 tub fresh prepared salsa from grocery store (I like the roasted salsa) FRESH – NOT THE JAR STUFF!

1 bunch of cilantro – wash and finely chopped

Food for Life Ezekiel Sprouted Tortillas – I buy them at Trader Joes!

Avocado

2% Greek Yogurt (sour cream substitute)

I will add red bell pepper sometimes too…not a must though!

Spices:  A pinch of each!

Salt & Pepper

Cayenne if you like a bit of spice

Cumin

Smoked Paprika

Garlic Powder

Brown the onion & garlic with oil.  Add beans, lemon or lime juice, fresh salsa, spices and warm through.  Heat tortilla in a pan and roll into burritos.  I have been using Greek yogurt in place of sour cream and I absolutely love it.  To be honest, I am not a fan of the fat free version, I prefer the Fage Greek yogurt 2%.  

Tacos…Sorta Kinda!

1 Tablespoon Olive Oil

1lb Ground Beef  - Lean (You can also use ground turkey or chicken)

1 diced onion

3 cloves garlic

1 small can black olives - drained

Taco Season – I used store bought for convenience  ( I added smoked paprika for additional kicking up)

1 small can green chili’s

Fresh cilantro - finely chopped

2 cups cooked whole wheat couscous or quinoa

Toppings:

Fresh tomato - diced

Avocado - diced

Diced Green Onions

Greek Yogurt

First brown & season your taco meat mixture – onions, garlic, green chili's and seasoning. Next add black olives and finely chopped cilantro when meat is cooked.  Cook whole wheat couscous or you can use quinoa separately.  When done assemble.  Couscous or quinoa, add meat and top with fresh diced tomato, avocado, green onions and Greek yogurt.  For an added kick, drizzle with sriracha!  Again….quick and easy!  

Enjoy! 

Random Thoughts for the weekend….Enjoy!

Valuable Life Lessons From My Perspective 

Love Who You ARE.  There is no one else quite like you…you are a unique individual with lots to offer this world.   I have learned that self- love is the first step in growing and living the life you dream.

Be Persistent. Don’t wait for things to happen, make them happen!  Set your sights on something, get out there and do it wholeheartedly with passion!   

Be Confident.  Confidence is the most beautiful trait a person can possess.

Be A Good Friend. Be the friend you would like to have and cherish that relationship!!! 

Be Interested.

Like what you Like. Own it!  If you like something or have any opinion about something, don’t be shy…just because someone does not agree…that does not make them right and you wrong!  

Try New Things – Be Open. this is new territory for me… stretching the ol’ comfort zones and stepping out is not always a “bad” thing… it’s how I have learned to grow and open my mind to countless possibilities.  

Embrace Enthusiasm & Have Clear Goals.  I signed up for my first ½ marathon in October this year.  To say I am embracing enthusiasm is an understatement.  I am fully embracing the idea of running 13.1 miles and giving it my all! Who knows what lies ahead….maybe 26.2!

Inspire and Be Inspired.

Be Yourself. Above all, be true to yourself.  Work hard and surround yourself with people who bring out the best in you and want nothing more than to see you grow!  As quirky as that may sound, it truly works!

Keep being Awesome and have a great weekend!  

Freezer Fudge

One Word – AMAZING!

I was in charge of dessert for Easter and trying to stay true to my Clean Eating habits, I had to come up with something that would impress everyone and not be considered "too healthy!"

So… I started thumbing through my cookbooks and browsing my favorite websites for a “some-what” healthy fake out alternative.  I stumbled across this Raw Chocolate Walnut Fudge recipe and oh my goodness, it is amazing!!!  

I promise if you don’t say a word, people will gobble it up and beg for the recipe.  I am in no way saying this low in calories & it probably should be kept to a special occasions but boy oh boy is it worth it!

Ingredients:

1/2 cup virgin coconut oil

1/4 cup raw almond butter

1/2 cup cocoa powder

1/2 cup pure maple syrup

1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract

Pinch fine grain sea salt, to taste

3/4 cup raw walnuts, roughly chopped

1. With electric beaters, beat together the coconut oil and almond butter.

2. Sift in the cocoa powder and beat again until combined.

3. Pour in the maple syrup, vanilla, and salt and beat until smooth.

4. Stir in the walnuts.

5. Line a loaf pan with a piece of parchment paper. Scoop the chocolate mixture into the pan and spread out until even

6. Freeze uncovered for about 1 hour, or until solid. Slice into small squares & Enjoy

I suggest storing this in the freezer and serving straight from the freezer…I have stored in the fridge and the coconut oil will seep out a bit and it softens.  Freezer is PERFECT!

*lightly adapted from one of my favorite websites: www.ohsheglows.com

What Challenges YOU?

It was a beautiful sunny weekend last summer and I was out for a hike when I discovered this never ending set of stairs.  My eyes lit up and I immediately had this thought…how cool would it be to run up those stairs a few times per week during my lunch hour?  Monday morning I packed up my workout clothes and eagerly waited for the 1p hour…I was ready to conquer those steps (240 to be exact)!!! 

My first time out, I made it up twice and to be honest it was pure hell…I was huffing & puffing but determined to finish what I has set out to do.  I continued to do this challenge for a few weeks during lunch but eventually it faded.  All great workout plans include variety, so I reintroduced the stairs back into my regime two weeks ago and what a difference!   My body has come a long way and I am in far better shape these days!  Last night I was able to run up those stairs 6 times!  Sure I am a bit sore today and I can feel different muscles in my legs that were challenged, but more importantly it took my cardio to another level…which means quicker speed and faster running in my future.

Here’s to setting goals, crushing them and never giving up!

“I know the price of success: Dedication, Hard work, and an unremitting devotion to the things you want to see happen.” – Frank Lloyd Wright

Meet Picasso….I promise you he is more enthusiastic about our walks than this :) Don't let that face fool ya!  LOL 

AND with that quote in mind…here is my fail proof plan for the week:

Saturday:  Spinning & Run

Sunday: Run

Monday: Walking Picasso

Tuesday : Yoga

Wednesday : Morning Run  & Walking Picasso

Thursday: Spinning

Friday : Rest Day

All work and No Play?!? – Uh never…where’s the fun in that?  I leave you with this amazing Chocolate Chia Seed Pudding…I promise it is love at first bite and healthy…I call that a WIN WIN situation!

Chia Seed Pudding:

2 Tablespoons Unsweetened Cocoa Powder

2 Tablespoons of Coconut Sugar or Pure Maple Syrup

¼ Cup Chia Seeds

1 Cup of Milk (I used unsweetened Almond Milk)

Mix Cocoa powder, sugar and chia seeds together in a bowl, stir until no lumps remain.  Warm milk a bit on the stove or using a microwave and pour into mixture to incorporate.  Allow to sit for a few minutes and stir again.  Place in a covered container and refrigerate for 2 hours or overnight.  This makes two servings at appx 190 calories each.  Enjoy!

PS. I added bit of un-sweetened coconut for FUN!

12 Mile Run Complete & Feeling Accomplished

Hello,

I woke up bright and early, got dressed, ate 1/2 cup of oatmeal with almond butter, laced up my running shoes and hit the road for my longest run ever.  Today, I set out to run 12 miles without stopping….my run started out great…I just kept telling myself "nice and easy" but under all that self talk, my goal was to complete this run in 2 hours or really close to it. :)
(Finish Time: 2 hours and 8 minutes)

I had envisioned all these "mile markers" in my mind last night ("Mile Markers" being places I would allow myself to stop and rest if necessary or start walking) I had it all mapped out and I was prepared to stop and walk if necessary at each one!  As the run progressed, the "made up mile makers" became easier and I just kept going and passing each obstacle until I arrived at the Huntington Beach Pier which is exactly 12 miles from where I started.  

I seriously can't tell you how excited I am right now.  It has been a goal of mine to run a 1/2 marathon for 10 years and to be able to get out there and run 12 has left me overwhelmed with excitement.  I feel I am truly living and being the person I had always dreamed of becoming…Sometimes it just takes an extra push or it takes someone believing in you & you believing in yourself! 

If I can get out there and do it….so can you!  Here's to being more & setting out to accomplish anything your mind dreams!  

Mile 11.5 

Finished and Proud :)

Snacks I am LOVING!

Hi :)

Let's talk about snacks and get back to "Clean Eating" for a second… It has only been a few short months since I adopted my "Clean Eating" lifestyle and while fumbling through, asking a ton of questions or simply being creative, I have come up with a list of "go-to" stuff.  Many ideas are from my awesome fit family (myfitnesspal).  I have met so many great people on this site and have learned so much from these "healthy peeps" that I will be forever grateful for their support and love!

Fruits and Vegetables…

• Apples/Banana/Carrots or Celery (good with Almond Butter)
• Frozen Grapes
• Strawberries/Blueberries/Raspberries (good with yogurt)
• Oranges
• Kiwi
• Grapefruit
• Avocado (good with soy sauce or S&P)
• Pineapple
• Melons
• Edamame (good with soy sauce)
• Mashed Sweet Potato (good with coconut butter & cinnamon & Topped with Few Walnuts)
• Cucumber Slices/Cherry Tomatoes/Raw Broccoli/Raw Bell Peppers/Raw Sugar Snap Peas (good with hummus)
• Dried Apple Rings or Dried Apple Chips
• Whole-Grain…
• Popcorn – Plain Air Popped
• Oatmeal – ½ Cup Plain
• Brown Rice Cakes w/ 1 Tablespoon Raw Almond Butter
• Whole-Wheat Pretzels – Serving 5-10 small pretzels w/ Hummus
• Nuts and Seeds…
• Peanuts - Plain
• Cashews - My Favorite :)
• Almonds
• Pecans
• Walnuts
• Pine Nuts (they are good lightly toasted)
• Pistachios
• Sesame Seeds
• Pumpkin Seeds

• Dairy…
• ½ Cottage Cheese
• Hard Boiled Eggs

  

  It Really is all about making Choices ... Good Choices :)

  
  
  
  
  
  

Biggest Run Yet!

Hello,

My body is capable of accomplishing great things….every day, I wake up and use my muscles without really giving it a second thought.  Well tomorrow I have decided to see what my body is actually capable of by putting it to the test….I will head out early in the morning and set off to complete my 12 mile run.  This will be the longest distance I have done by far ( 9 miles being my record).  On some level, I want to see how it goes before signing up for my first half marathon….I know, I know, call me a chicken or crazy, but that is how my mind processes information :).  

I have never been much of a runner until the first of this year…sure I ran a few 5k's and even a 10k but nothing serious.  Completing a 1/2 marathon has been on my bucket list for 10 years.  All 10 of those years passed and I have yet to complete this goal.  Well 2014 is it….I am putting that 13.1 sticker on my car come hell and high water!  

My thoughts are this….Don't simply be content with doing "just enough".  Don't underestimate yourself.  Your body is capable of it…you just have to identify what you want (half marathon for me), trust the process, work towards it, get support from friends & family and most importantly….believe in yourself! 

I will keep y'all posted!  Wish me Luck! 

"Fitness is not about being better than someone else…It's about being better than you used to Be!"