Rainy Days are No Excuse to Cheat!

I am one of those people who just does not like rainy days.  I know we need rain, but I just wish it would rain from midnight until six am and then the sun would coming bursting forth and the birds would sing.  Oh well, it's a rainy day in Georgia today and looks like we may have quite a few of those in the upcoming week.

When I am feeling a little low, I want to find comfort food.  But, I have learned to be very careful in what I cook so that I am not tempted to lose ground in my weight loss success.

Today's lunch will include grilled chicken breasts, roasted cauliflower and this lovely and delicious salad in the picture.  When you want to change things up and have something healthy, low calorie and delicious reach for the fresh veggies!

Here is the recipe for a really feel good salad/side.

Beans, Beans and More Beans!

1 can chickpeas, rinsed
1 can red kidney beans, rinsed
1/2 pound fresh, steamed haricot vert - very skinny green beans ! LOL (I steam mine in the pressure   cooker - takes 3 minutes!)
     NOTE:  If you think you don't like pressure cookers, let me tell you that the new electric ones
                  are fabulous and easy to use!
1 medium sweet onion, sliced very thinly
12 marinated mushrooms, diced  ( actually buy mine at SAM's but you can find them in the
     pickled vegetable aisle)
2 Tablespoons of cider vinegar
1/4 cup of the marinade from the mushrooms (could use any marinated veggie if you don't like
      mushrooms.
2 cups yellow or red grape tomatoes, sliced in half
1 teaspoon Salt (or to taste depending on how salty your marinated veggie juice is)
1 TBSP Creole seasoning

Combine all ingredients in a large bowl and mix thoroughly.  Put in refrigerator and stir several times before serving.  Yummy!  Keeps well in the fridge and is great either alone or as a delicious side dish.


GOD BLESS  and Healthy Eating,  Peace, Love and Joy

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!!!