Veggin' It!

Happy New Year folks...boy, hard to believe tomorrow is the last day of 2011.  I'm working hard at getting back on track with weight loss and healthy eating for 2012.  Aren't those some great looking vegetables?  There are so many kinds of vegetables out there nowadays, and I'll bet you haven't even tried half of them yet!  So in this New Year, get adventurous and try something new.  If you have questions about how to prepare them, or a good recipe for a new one, message me!  I'll bet I can help!
I am a true veggie lover! It has been demonstrated over and over that the so-called Mediterranean Diet is the absolute best to prevent heart disease and other health problems...olive oil, fresh vegetables, fish and poultry, very little red meat..so let's all give it a try in this New Year.

If you think of lettuce when you think salad...stop!  Let me share a really good salad fit for a wholesome and filling lunch.

TUNA VEGGIE DELITE


1 Large sweet onion, sliced thinly
1 Large carrot, sliced thinly
6 Radish, sliced thinly..these are the radish you usually see, but don't be afraid to try a large, white daikon radish...it has a slightly milder flavor and great crunch!  Jicama is also a good crunchy choice.

1 Cucumber (or 1/2 of an English Cucumber) sliced thinly

1 Zucchini, sliced thinly

5-6 Campari tomatoes, cut into quarters (small, tasty, sweet on the vine tomatoes) or 1 1/2 cup halved cherry tomatoes
10 chopped green or black olives
1/3 cup of your favorite chopped nuts (optional)
1/4 cup Sesame Seeds (optional)  Could use Pine Nuts instead!
Juice of ONE lemon
2 Tablespoons Olive Oil
1 Tablespoon Tony Chachere Creole Seasoning
2 Cans Albacore Tuna, packed in water, DRAINED

Slice and combine all vegetables and lemon and oil, break up tuna and add to mixture.  Season with Tony Chachere or other creole seasoning..you may substitute salt and pepper or other seasoning if you like, but this really is snappy.  Stir all together and wait about 10 minutes before serving to allow flavors/seasonings to meld.  Yummy...low calorie....packed with tone of great nutrients and very filling!
Happy New Year and Good Eating!

Here Comes That Wagon Again!

Okay, Christmas has come and gone and so have the cookies, cakes, fudge, turkey, ham, potatoes...blah and blah and blah and....ad infinitum!  Yikes, I hope none of you fell too far off the wagon, but now it's time to get back on again!

You don't have to wait until January 1st to make your New Year's Resolution, or to get back on the wagon and back on track for weight loss or maintenance.  I got on the scales this morning, and in spite of some indulgences I haven't done much damage to my weight loss program...up a couple of pounds, but nothing a week of being back on track can't fix.

I have lost a total of 55 pounds now, and want to lose about another 15.  This is definitely an attainable goal, and I intend to get it done!  So, off to the grocery store we went this morning.  I bought lots of FAGE Greek Yogurt, asparagus, beets, broccoli, daikon radish, regular radish, cucumbers, and all kinds of other fresh and frozen veggies.  We are going to make hummus to dip those great veggies in by pureeing garbanzo beans and adding tahini, etc.  Should be yummy, and very healthy. The Greek Yogurt also makes a fine dip for fresh vegetables.

In addition to the use of lots of raw vegetables, I also make a vegetarian vegetable soup to keep on hand.  It is great in this cold weather.  In warmer weather, Gaspacho is a magnificent use for all those veggies and is a great cleansing agent for the body.

I purchased boneless, skinless chicken breasts as well as fresh tilapia for protein other than yogurt.  It will be cooked quite simply.  We are avoiding all those "white" things like rice, potatoes, grits and white breads/rolls.  We use Almond milk for cereal.  I am also going to purchase some Barley Green to help make our bodies more alkaline.  Are you aware that cancer does not grow in an alkaline environment?  An acid pH causes many of the disease problems we humans experience.  Meat and meat products tend to make our bodies more acid; vegetables more alkaline. 

So with all that in mind, here are a few simple and delicious recipes you might enjoy as the "wagon" comes back around again at your house!

RAW CORN AND BLACK BEAN SALAD

Yep, I did say RAW corn.  Raw corn is actually very delicious and sweet and makes a wonderful ingredient in this lovely salad.

1 15ounce can black beans, rinsed
1 cup fresh corn cut from the cob (if you don't like corn, you may leave this out)
2 TBSP olive oil or canola oil
1/2 teasp ground cumin
2 TBSP lime juice
1 Large tomato finely diced
1 Small sweet onion finely diced
1 TBSP honey
1 TBSP finely chopped cilantro (optional)

Combine all ingredients in medium sized bowl and toss.  Allow to rest for 10 minutes. 
Serve by itself or over torn mixed greens.


TACO SOUP

2-3 cups fat free chicken broth (I use Swanson)
1-2 pounds ground turkey or veggie "grounds"
1 large onion, chopped
1 can corn
1 can black beans
1 can kidney beans
1 can pinto beans
2 cans diced tomatoes
1 package Taco Seasoning
1 package Ranch Dressing Mix

Saute onion, ground meat and other vegetables and add broth, add both seasoning packages.  Cook 20-30 minutes on medium heat!

Super easy, super delicious.  You may add additional "heat" if you like spicy foods.
This is a low calorie, high fiber meal that is very satisfying and one your famiy will love. Happy and Healthy Eating you guys!!!