Mexi Maui: the recipe!

If you love ethnic food and avocados as much as I do, I guarantee you will LOVE this recipe. This is a delicious, "fresh" tasting meal, I love it best in the summer months. I meant snap a shot of the meal last night, but forgot as I was too hungry {and excited} to think of much else other than eating dinner. Sorry for those cooks who need a picture!

One summer during college, I lived with one of my best friends Tarrah at her parent's house in Northern VA. We spent the lazy days of that summer at the lakehouse and enjoyed Mama B's cooking!

T and I enjoying the lake

the beautiful Lake Land'Or

Tarrah, her sister's and I at the beach that summer -2007-

 

 

 

 

This is one of the recipes Mama B sent me back to college with. It's a great "clean eating" recipe that is both filling and nutritious! Keeps in the fridge for 3-4 days, making it perfect for leftovers throughout the week! 

Mexi Maui

1 16 oz can Black Beans
1/2 c. salsa {for "clean eating," choose a salsa that doesn't have added sugar; I used fresh pico de gallo found at my grocer's deli}
2 tbs minced onion
1 clove pressed garlic
2 tbs chopped fresh cilantro
1/4 c. extra virgin olive oil
1/4 c. red wine vinegar
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp cumin
1/4 tsp paprika
1/4 tsp oregano
2 c. cubed avocados

I gently toss everything except the avocados in a bowl together. After thoroughly mixed, I toss in the avocados. Last night, I also diced an extra tomato that was about to go bad and tossed that in, too. Chill for 1+ hour before serving {although not necessary}. Serve next to/over steaming hot jasmine rice- or for a healthy alternative to the jasmine rice- brown rice or cooked quinoa. 

*Note- I don't measure spices... normally just throw in what I think is best. Adjust seasonings to taste, keeping in mind that the flavors will all become more "bold" after sitting together for 1+ hour in the fridge. 

As always, comment or email me if you try this recipe!

Green Smoothies

The number of emails that I have been getting asking about what I have been eating for the last month has been crazy and so exciting! I love talking about the changes that I have made... it helps me stay on track. 

If you would like a break down of what I have been eating... please don't hesitate to shoot an email my way emaleigh85{at}gmail{dot}com. I'd be more than happy to suggest healthy alternatives to the junk that we put into our bodies most of which we aren't even aware of. 

My current diet consists strictly of whole, nutritious foods- fruits, veggies, lean proteins, nuts and almond milk. Lots and lots of almond milk because I am an addict to this stuff. No sugar, no white flour and no fried foods.

About 90% of the time, I eat dinner by myself... which means I get to be as fancy or simple as I want with this meal! Tonight's dinner was one of my favorites... a green smoothie! Perfectly filling and a fantastic post-workout meal. I have been working every weekend to improve these smoothies to develop a recipe that I like. The possibilities and options to alter this recipe are endless. 

I can't take credit for this recipe... but tonight I will share with you my version that was SO DELICIOUS and my favorite combination thus far... 

* Starts with frozen berries... about a cup. You can also use fresh berries, but I like my smoothie SUPER cold... so I always use frozen. Also doesn't go bad as quickly as fresh berries do.

* 1 small can of manderin oranges. Rinse rinse rinse all the extra sugar off and try to buy the kind that aren't in syrup

* 1- 1 1/2 cups frozen spinach (or fresh... but frozen doesn't go bad as quickly and also keeps the smoothie COLD!)

* 1 frozen banana... whenever I see my bananas starting to get just a little too ripe... I toss them in the freezer to keep for these smoothies!

* 3/4 c frozen corn

* 1/2 diced up mango (I used fresh)

* 1/4 c Trop 50 orange juice

* 1/4 - 1/2 c almond milk

* 1 tablespoon of peanut/almond butter

* a few sprigs of fresh mint. Add this... it WILL change your life

I add all ingredients into the blender and blend blend blend. And then blend some more. And then when I think I have finally blended until I could not possibly blend anymore... I blend it a little more.

The more you blend... the less spinach leaves you'll have. Now... one downer of this smoothie (if you use blackberries) are the inevitable seeds. They definitely aren't my favorite. BUT... I promise you that once you perfect your smoothie... it will be better than any store-bought smoothie you have ever had. Don't be afraid to substitute and add/subtract ingredients to your liking!

 

If you try this smoothie... I want to know! 

Happy blending!!

Breakfast: The Meal of Champions

Newest food obsession: quinoa (pronounced keen-wah). 

Quinoa is a seed that is grown in South America. It has a light, fluffy texture when cooked and a mild nutty flavor. It's packed with protein, amino acids and dietary fiber, making it a nutrient-packed alternative to brown rice or couscous. 

It's a tad pricier than rice or couscous, but considering the nutrients in this little seed and the bomb.com flavor, I'd say it's worth the few extra pennies. If you don't have a Whole Foods or Trader Joe's in your area, check for this grain in the organic section of your local grocery store (I'm not 100% sure Wal-Mart Supercenters carry it). 

I'm telling you, dear readers... I am loving this new "diet" I have been on for 3 weeks and counting. There is an alternative to everything I crave: chocolate, something sweet, carbs, Mexican food... you name it, I have a healthy alternative. 

The quinoa obsession continued this morning as I tried my hand at a new recipe- Quinoa Pancakes. Many thanks to Liz for introducing me to this delish healthy grain, which is now a staple in my pantry.

You can find the original recipe here, however, note below how I changed it to fit my needs and lower the cals even more.

Quinoa Pancakes

1 cup cooked quinoa (I fixed it the night before so less prep time in the morning)
3/4 cup wheat flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 large egg, plus 1 large egg white
1 tablespoon unsalted butter, plus more for skillet
1/4 cup unsweetened Vanilla almond milk
2 tablespoons pure maple syrup (where most of the cals come from, but considering this is a "natural sweetener," its ok... I imagine you could use agave and/or honey too)
*fresh fruit or sugar-free fruit preserves for topping

Directions

1. In a medium bowl, whisk together quinoa, flour, baking powder, and salt. In another medium bowl, whisk together egg, egg white, butter, milk, and syrup until smooth. Add egg mixture to flour mixture and whisk to combine.
2. Lightly coat a large nonstick skillet or griddle with butter and heat over medium-high. Drop batter by heaping tablespoonfuls into skillet. Cook until bubbles appear on top, 2 minutes. Flip cakes and cook until golden brown on underside, 2 minutes. Wipe skillet clean and repeat with more melted butter and remaining batter (reduce heat to medium if overbrowning). Serve with maple syrup and fresh fruit or preserves if desired.

Quinoa Pancakes = thebombshizzy

...and the March Madness continues!!

pour me a glass...

I'm going to enjoy my first glass of wine in 3 weeks tonight!!

I finished my two week detox last Monday. Red wine was the hardest for me to give up, but the last thing I ran to when I was allowed to start incorporating it into my diet again. I wanted to be able to sit down and truly enjoy it. Between gym time, meetings at night, work and homework, I haven't really had time for it this past week.

One thing is for sure, I'm definitely going to enjoy a glass tonight.

Cheers to health and fitness, readers!

Happy Weekend!

March Madness

Although I love me some college basketball and March Madness {GO HEELS!}, this March I'm planning on focusing on a different kind of March Madness.

 

Brittney has challenged us for the month of March to "get fit together" and I am certainly in! Purpose: re-prioritize our "New Years Resolutions/Goals" to soar through the month of March... together! Kind of like a "pick me up."

A few weeks ago, I blogged about some new fitness and food goals. I'm excited to meet some new friends who also have similar goals this spring... what better way to accomplish goals than doing it with someone else. 

My March Madness Fitness Goals: 

1. LOSE a DRESS SIZE! Can hardly wait to put those skinny jeans back on! 

2. Regulate my sleep schedule

3. Attend a yoga class (never been and am terrified)

4. Workout 4-6 times a week

5. Continue eating the way I have been for the last 2.5 weeks

6. Hand in my resignation letter 

I encourage you to check out Britt's challenge here. You'll find a growing number of bloggers who have set up great goals as well- such an encouragement! If you're up for the challenge, I definitely want to know!

GOOD LUCK! 

xo