Thursday, July 30, 2009

Good Eats

I had SUCH a superb day yesterday, and I’m chalking it all up to the morning workout. I got my body movin’, my blood pumpin’, my mood jumpin’ — perfect way to begin the day. I felt so great yesterday that I got up this morning for another jog-o-la! I decided to begin at Week 3 of the C25K program. I’ll be cruising through my 5K in no time! Running an entire 5K right now, however, notsomuch.

Before I start talking about my recent tasty eats, I need to clue you in to Jen’s fab contest on priorfatgirl.com. She’s giving away an EatingWell Diet cookbook and the cutest apron EVER.

Check it out and enter if you haven’t already. Then, be the lucky winner, try out the recipes, and share the food you make with me ;)


Onto the easy peasy food I’ve made lately. Last night I was planning to make one of my yummy veggie sandwiches that I mentioned a couple of weeks ago. But, since I jogged in the morning AND went for a walk with Elizabeth after work, I wanted a little more oomph.
I opted to throw on a MorningStar Farms garden veggie burger onto my already-amazing veggie sandwich, and it totally hit the spot. I never thought about eating veggie burgers before I became a vegetarian, but I’m so glad I found them. Yum yum yum! On the side of my burger/sandwich I had green bean fries.

Haha! OK OK they’re just green beans. Long and skinny like french fries, but crunchy and a little sweet like something I would much rather eat on an already-healthy day. I blanched the beans Tuesday morning so that I could have a go-to snack. If you don’t know what blanching is, people do it to vegetables to keep them crisp and tender while locking in flavor and color. Check out how green those beans are! To blanch my beans, I tossed them in boiling water for a little more than two minutes and then quickly plunged them into an ice water bath. Simple simple simple and they taste soooo good. I really enjoy my blanched green beans with tzatziki dip or Sabra roasted garlic hummus.

And now for a super simple black bean chili recipe! I really don’t cook meals. I’m a big fan of microwavable foods, sandwiches and peanut butter toast — none of which require slaving over a stove. Well, this recipe requires a stove but absolutely no slaving. Prep time WITH cooking time is only 30 minutes.

Ingredients:

  • 1 small/medium onion, chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced or pressed
  • 1 15-oz can of black beans, preferably organic
  • 1 15-oz can of diced tomatoes
  • 2 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 Tbsp chili powder
  • 1/2 cup cilantro

Directions:

  1. Chop onions and mince or press garlic. Let sit for at least 5 minutes to enhance their health-promoting properties.
  2. Place all ingredients in a pot, cover, and let simmer for about 20 minutes.
  3. Top with cilantro and serve.

Nutrition: 365 calories, 13.63 g fiber, 18.32 g protein, 77.5% daily value of vitamin A, 65.4% daily value of vitamin C, 39.5% daily value of iron, 29.5% daily value of phosphorus

The nutritional info is using this recipe as 2 servings, but I’d say it makes more like 3 or 4 servings, especially if you eat anything else with it. The beans make it SUPER filling. I’ve added a can of corn before, and I might try adding a diced green pepper next time — both of which would alter the nutrition facts. Easy, though, right??

Do you have any simple and tasty recipes in your repertoire? I’m always open to new foods, so please pass them along if you’ve got ’em. Or, after you win the cookbook from Jen’s contest, you can share some recipes from there!

Peace :)


12 comments:

  1. YUM! That black bean chili looks amazing! I just posted on my favorite fast and easy recipe... it's a little too easy to be called a recipe :)

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  2. I can't wait to try the chili! I think I have everything I need already in my pantry! Thanks!

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  3. Hmmm, I've never had a veggie burger. Maybe I'll try it!

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  4. I just started the C25K last night...am going to go back and ready about how you began running. Keep up the great work-you look fabulous!

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  5. I love black beans and often make spanish style black beans and rice. The I use the leftovers to make wraps and tacos. Why have I never thought of making black bean chili? It is now on my list of things to make!

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  6. I got started running with C25K. It's a great podcast. Another one you might give a try is Podrunner Intervals. There is a C25K and a Gateway to 8K and even just some music that has various timed intervals. There's no talking on them just chimes when to change your pace. I've used them. Just wanted to mention them.
    Keep up the good work and thanks for the motivation!

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  7. That chili looks so good!

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  8. I am definitly going to try that recipe....Congrats on your weight loss! You are an inspiration! You have helped inspire me to start my own blog about my weight loss journey thats just begginning...Check it out:-) Thanks!!!

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  9. That black bean chili looks really good. It's a recipe I'm going to have to try.

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  10. I LOVE black bean chili. I always make my own too. :) Canned chili's just too blech. But I love making my own. But I always start from dried beans so it takes FOREVER!! I should start buying canned. :) hehehe!!
    Great job on the running and traning for the 5K. I was hoping when Az hit below 100 temperatures to start training just to run, but I'm preggers now, so i'll have to wait. I can't wait to hear about it though. makes me jealous and so happy to see others running :)

    What's my easy recipe. hhhmmmm.... My cooking always consists of the stove AND the microwave mixed, but my new favorite recipe is in the oven with chicken; I'd share it... But let me play with it and see how it'd be vegetarian. i know it'd be just as good... but there'd be changes. :):):):) Obviously I'm not vegetarian, but i do eat a lot of meatless meals when the hubster isn't around. But usally it's just something I made up while looking in the fridge. i'll have to think about it and maybe write some of those "made it up as I went" recipes down :-)

    Great job ont he weightloss and I'm so glad you started this blog. i've become an avid reader :):):)

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  11. Somehow I didn't know you had a blog of your own. Glad I know now!

    I agree with the other comments, the chili looks awesome.

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  12. I love, love, love the Morning Star burgers. Soooo good and a great source of protein! A huge bang for your calorie buck!

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