Quinoa Salad

Quinoa Salad

This is such a great salad to make ahead and have on hand for a snack, lunch or dinner. It is light, a complete protein and a good dose of fiber and makes it easy to get in your fresh veggies during the day. Serve chilled.

1 cup quinoa, uncooked (FS)

1 zuchini, sliced and quartered

1 sweet yellow bell pepper

1 large ripe tomato

1 can black beans, drained and rinsed (FS)

1 Tbsp. low sodium soy sauce (FS)

Sea salt and pepper, to taste

1/4 cup parmesan cheese (FS)

Green tabasco (opt.)



Bring 2 cups of water to a boil. Add quinoa, cover and cook for 15-18 minutes over low heat. Let cool while chopping veggies.

Put all ingredients in a bowl. Season with parmesan cheese, sea salt and pepper to taste. Add tabasco to individual servings if desired.

Taco Night w/ Homemade Tortillas

I did the P90X Plyometrics workout this morning for the first time! It was intense. I really enjoyed it. It feels so good to really sweat and breath hard every now and then. You really can feel your muscles changing and burning calories. This workout will make you do just that!

Last night I made tacos, something we have very often around here! We love these especially with our homemade whole wheat flour tortillas. About once a week me and the hubby make tortillas and use them for tacos or burritos. It is fun to do and they taste so yummy and fresh!

Tacos

1 lb. ground meat (I like grass fed beef)
1-3 Tbsp. taco seasoning mix
Shredded lettuce
Chopped tomatoes
Chopped red onion
Shredded Cheese
Sour Cream (Check those ingredients! Should only be cream and cultures. Even some organic brands will add unnecessary fillers!)
Smashed Avocado with splash of lime juice
Salsa
Whole Wheat Tortillas (recipe below)

On the side we had cooked brown rice with pinto beans, and a little more cheese. So simple but so much flavor and very satisfying.

Whole Wheat Tortillas

2 cups whole wheat flour (grind your own!  Its cheaper and healthier)
1/8 tsp. baking powder (Look for Non-GMO and aluminum free.  Or make your own!)
1/2 tsp. real salt
Sift together. Then add:

1/2 cup plus 2 Tbsp. warm water
1/8 cup oil (I like coconut or olive oil)

Stir until well blended. Let rest for 5 minutes. Roll out into a log and cut into 8 pieces. Roll out flat (no additional flour is required) and place on HOT griddle for about 30 seconds on each side. Store in refrigerator up to one week or freeze!

No preservatives, no hydrogenated oil!!

Texas Caviar

I love this dip! This is a big hit as an appetizer at gatherings or simply wrap some up with a little shredded cheese in a whole wheat tortilla and it's dinner!

Texas Caviar

1 package Good Seasons Dry Italian salad dressing mixed with ¼-½ cup olive oil
and ¼-½ cup apple cider vinegar (FS)
1 can black eyed peas (15 oz.) (FS)
1 can black beans (15 oz.) (FS)
1 can corn (15.25 oz.)(FS)
4 roma tomatoes, chopped**
1 can diced green chilies (4 oz.)(FS)
½ cup diced black olives (FS)
1 small bunch cilantro, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 small red onion, diced

Add all ingredients in a bowl. Mix salad dressing, olive oil and vinegar. Pour over bean mixture. Serve chilled.

**You can substitute 1 15oz. can of diced tomatoes (FS) for the fresh.

Ezekiel Flour

Ezekiel Flour

2 ½ cups wheat berries
1 cup spelt berries
½ cup barley
½ cup millet
1/4 cup dry green lentils
2 tablespoons dry great Northern beans
2 tablespoons dry kidney beans
2 tablespoons dried pinto beans


Mix together and grind in mill. Add more or less as desired.

Use as a replacement for wheat flour in pancakes, muffins, tortillas, breads, etc.

Crepes and Walking

Crepes

1/3 cup dry oats (FS)
1 scoop vanilla protein powder (FS)
4 egg whites
½ ripe banana
¼-½ cup milk
Splash vanilla


Blend first four ingredients in a blender until well mixed. Add milk until a runny consistency is formed. Blend to fluff a little. Pour small amount onto a greased skillet and swirl to thin. Cook on medium heat until firm. Remove. Makes about 4 8-inch crepes.

Smooth on ½ Tbsp. natural peanut butter and a couple semi-sweet chocolate chips, fruit spread or anything else. Roll up and enjoy.

I walked to the school this afternoon to pick up my son. It is about a 1.5 mile trek up hill. It felt so good after summer break! I love to go walking. I know a lot of runners and I know running is great, but power walking is just as great. It forces you to use different muscles and still burns a lot of calories. Almost anyone can stand to walk a couple of miles. I challenge you to walk, outdoors with a buddy. If you can't go outdoors, a treadmill is fine. But walk uphill and at a fast pace. You should sweat!

*FS-Item found in my food storage supply.

Oatmeal as Dessert?? Yes!

Today I made a bowl of oatmeal(water and rolled oats, cooked) and topped it with maybe 12 chocolate chips, a few white chips(find the kind made without hydrogenated oil, like Ghirardelli), 1 TBSP. natural peanut butter and a splash of whipped cream...the real stuff not cool whip. It was delish. After I took the picture I mixed it all together. Very satisfying.
I really do eat a lot more than just oats. It is just such a healthy grain with a million ways to eat them so I thought I would share. More to come!