My take on: Easy "Fried" Brown Rice

Take Out anyone?!?

Fried rice, yum. Like always I'm trying to improvise techniques and come up
 with easy takes on my favorite (take-out or fast food meals).

RECIPE:
1 Chicken Breast filets
1 cup cooked brown rice
1/2 cup frozen peas and carrot mix
1/2 diced red bell pepper
1/4 onion chopped
2-3 Tbsp low sodium soy sauce
2 Tbsp Stir-fry sauce (your choice)
2 eggs *optional

Let's get started with this healthier not so fried "fried brown rice".
Split each chicken breast into 2, season both sides with salt and pepper.
Sear each side fore about 5 minutes until golden. Take out and allow to rest for 10 minutes.
 Then cube the breast and set aside.
 

Cook brown rice accordingly and set aside.

 

Meanwhile dice the onion and bell peppers. In a large skillet, heat up some oil, add onion and
cook until translucent. Add red bell pepper, cooking about 2 minutes and finally add the
 peas and carrots mix. Cover and steam for about 3 mins. When rice is ready add to the
veggies mix, followed by the diced chicken, lastly add some low sodium soy sauce and mixing to combine. At this point you can crack 2 beaten eggs and stir into the rice. That's pretty much it!
 Congrats you've just made easy brown "fried" rice.

 

Enjoy!! xoxo

 

My favorite Smootie

 

Here's my go-to smoothie when I haven't eaten or don't feel like cooking.

The ratios are 1 cup green veggies (kale or spinach), 1 cup frozen fruit (your choice)

Liquids: 1/2 cup almond milk, 1/2 cup water (add more if needed)

Grains: 1 Tb Chia seeds, 1 Tb flax seed, 2 Tb Raw Oatmeal or 6-8 raw almonds

Blend until smooth!!

 

A little insight:

I hope to continue this lifestyle forever, especially for my kids & the example I'm setting. 

My workouts are constantly
changing because I learn something new everyday. Baby steps will one day make
 a huge difference, so far these changes are definitely working for me. Let me clarify that I still
enjoy all the foods I love, except of course not everyday. However, if I'm
 having a heavier dinner, I'll maybe skip the weights and do extra cardio. Balance is key.

 

My weekly workout looks something like this:

Monday: 40 mins Legs & butt / 25mins Cardio

Tuesday: Arms, Boxing & Cardio (1hr total)

Wednesday: Pure cardio (treadmill, elliptical, jump rope or a variation of all 3) 45mins

Thursday: Repeat monday

Friday: Repeat tuesday

Saturday or Sunday: Cardio

I totally fell off schedule during the holidays and I'm slowing picking it back up :)
Shit happens, but don't give up!!

 

Valentine's Weekend Dinner

I'm a sucker for all things cute and romantic... well someone in this household needs to be!

Last year I created a romantic heart inspired menu. I began with my favorite kabobs. Shrimp!! I really have a deep affection for these things, I"ll eat shrimp all day/ everyday, don't judge me.

  I love things simple sometimes....

 

Shrimp Skewers:

 

1 lb medium deveined shrimp

1 small green, red, yellow bell peppers

1 small red onion

about 10 button mushrooms

1 lemon

1 garlic clove (minced)

wooden skewers

 

Begin by soaking the wooden skewers for 30 mins. Meanwhile marinate the shrimp in a ziplock bag by adding minced garlic, the juice of half a lemon, some olive oil (2 Tb), and salt/pepper. Pop these in the refrigerator to marinate. Cut your veggies into nice squares. After half an hour, you can begin to assemble these yummy skewers. The next step is a personal preference, you can either use an indoor grill or outdoor. Pretty much grill until the shrimp are pink & the veggies have some chard on them.

 

The second item to this romantic dinner is "Heart-Shaped" Steak Empanadas.. I'm providing the link to this amazing recipe below. Use a heart cookie cutter for the masa. Enjoy & have fun.. the first 5 hearts weren't perfect, but you'll get there I promise.

 

Empanada Recipe!

 

Happy Valentine's Day ... Weekend!! 

 



 

 

Roasted chicken & Potatoes (1 pot meal)

Seriously who doesn't enjoy a oven roasted meal? Not even a question right!

This might be one of my easiest ways to roasted chicken.

 

Ingredients:

1 whole chicken (cut into pieces)

3 red potatoes (quartered)

3 gold potatoes (quartered)

1 large zucchini (cut into large chunks)

1 red onion (big chunks)

1 garlic minced

1 lemon (quartered)

Mixed herbs: Thyme, Parsley & Marjoram

Salt and Pepper (1Tbsp)

Pre heat oven at 375.

Wash your whole chicken, cut into pieces (breast, legs, thighs etc) or purchase a pre-cut chicken.

I began by throwing all the ingredients into a baking dish, seasoned with salt, pepper, fresh herbs of my choice, a quartered lemon, and some olive oil. Cover all ingredients & roast for 45 mins.

 Lastly uncover & brown the chicken pieces for another 15 minutes. Timing might vary depending on your oven.

 Serve yourself some wine or whatever you prefer and relax! Yum!

 

Enjoy!! xoxo

 



Cauliflower Ceviche

First time I tried this was at my cousins party couple years ago, boy was I hooked. Totally thought it was the real deal. Who knew cauliflower was so versatile, especially nowadays people keep reinventing fresh new ways of using this mighty veggie. If you've never tired fish ceviche, you may never want to after this. OK I lied, I love fish ceviche.. but this is definitely up there!!

 By the way my daughters loooove this. It's full of lemony goodness, what's not to love. 

Ingredients:

1 head of cauliflower 

1 large tomato (diced)

1/4 onion (diced)

1 minced garlic clove

1/2 bunch cilantro (chopped)

Juice of 2 limes

Salt & peeper to taste

Let's get started by boiling water in a large pot, meanwhile cut the florets off the cauliflower, & wash. Planch for 5-6 mins and shock in icy water to stop the cooking process.

Chop the remaining veggies...

After cauliflower is cool, chopped into tiny pieces, the smaller the better.

Combine all ingredients in a large pretty bowl, add lime juice and season accordingly..

Mix to combine.

 

Lastly cover with plastic wrap & allow the flavors to distribute throughout for about 30-1hr.

The longer the better.

 

Finally serve.... (optional: add diced avocado on top)

Enjoy!!! xoxo

Turkey and Quinoa Meatballs

 

Ingredients:

1 lb Ground turkey

1 cup cooked Quinoa

1 Celery stem (diced)

 Some chopped onion

2 garlic cloves (minced)

1 large egg

1 Tbsp of flour

1 Tbsp Italian seasoning

Preheat oven at 375.

In a small skillet add a bit of olive oil and heat up. Add garlic, stir for 15 seconds, literally! Add onions & celery and cook until onion is translucent (season with some salt & pepper). Take this mixture out into a bowl and allow to cool.

Next in a large bowl, add ground turkey, cooked quinoa (cook 1/2 cup accordingly and cool), 1 egg, 1 tbsp. of flour, 1 tbsp Italian seasoning and lastly the cooled onion mixture.

Now for the fun part, with the most useful tools in the kitchen aka your hands, incorporate all ingredients together.

 



 

Once meat mixture is ready, grab a large ice cream scoop or use your hands once again to form uniform balls. Place one ball into a greased (sprayed with pam) cupcake pan. Bake for 15-20 minutes or until slightly golden on top. For the kids I used a dash of ketchup on top of each ball. Gave it more of a meatloaf flavor which my girls enjoyed.

 



This recipe makes about 11-12 balls or mini loafs.

 

Enjoy!!! xoxo

 



Cold Orzo Salad

This quick pasta is a great side or delicious on it's own!

1 box cooked orzo (cooled)

Couple bunched of raw kale (chopped)

1 large tomato (seeded & chopped)

3 Persian cucumbers (chopped)

1/4 red onion (finely chopped)

Red Wine Vinaigrette:

1/2 cup olive oil

1/4 cup red wine vinegar

Pinch of oregano 

Salt & pepper to taste 

Mix veggies with the orzo & slowly incorporate Vinaigrette. Mix & taste, adjust seasonings if needed. Sprinkle feta cheese crumbs on top, add more to your liking. 

Refrigerate for about 20 mins, allowing flavors to incorporate. 

Enjoy!

Simple Spaghetti & Meatballs

Ingredients:

(For the meatballs)

1 1/2 lean ground beef

1 egg

1/2 shredded small zucchini 

1/2 cup Parmesan cheese

Some bread crumbs

1 tsp Italian seasoning

1Tb salt & freshly ground pepper 

Mix all ingredients in a large mixing bowl, with a small ice cream scoop

form the balls. Heat up a large skillet, add olive oil, brown the meatballs

 in two batches. Take out meatballs onto a plate lined with a paper towel

 to drain excess oil.

Sauce:

Favorite store bought marinara

1 garlic clove

1/4 diced red onion

1 bay leaf

Some dried oregano 

You will then add the diced onion & garlic to the skillet you cooked your

meatballs. Sauté for 3-4 mins, add marinara sauce, bay leaf, oregano &

simmer for 10mins. Add meatballs into the sauce & simmer another 10mins.

1 1lb spaghetti to pasta

Meanwhile cook the pasta accordingly. To serve place pasta on a plate & spoon

 over generous amounts of sauce & meatballs. Finish with Parmesan cheese &

 possibly some fresh basil. Enjoy!!

Fiesta lettuce cups

 

Ingredients:

1 iceburg lettuce 

1lb ground beef

2-3 tb of Homemade taco seasoning

1 tomato (chopped)

3 green onions (chopped)

1/2 shredded cheddar cheese

I've said it many times but here it goes again, I always crave Taco Bell (no I don't always give into my cravings). Instead I look for ways of using the same flavors in healthier alternatives. This journey begins with my simple refried beans, which aren't really "fried". I cook the beans, mash with a bit of grape seed oil, some sautéed green onions & season towards the end if necessary. I then brown a pound of ground beef, add my homemade seasonings (which you can find the recipe on my blog). Simmer for 5 minutes & all done. For the toppings I chop tomato, green onions, shredded cheese & possibly some jalapenos if you like the heat. Lastly, wash some iceberg lettuce, tear into palm size pieces and begin by laying mashed beans, ground beef & the toppings of your choice.
Enjoy!! Oh, don't forget the salsa!!

Baby Spinach Salad

Ingredients:

Organic Baby Spinach

Chopped red onion

Halved Cherry tomatoes

Garbanzo beans

Crumbled Feta cheese

Optional Sides: 

Whole wheat pasta

Hard boiled Eggs

Use Dressing of your choice! Enjoy!

Salad Bar Friday

This is by far my daughters favorite dinner!! Weird right!! But they love salads & serving themselves! This post is pretty self explanatory, I wanted to share my take on an "At home salad bar". Hope this inspires you to recreate your own version, Enjoy!!!

Detox water

There are times when you feel blah, bloated, and just plain gross.. maybe you had an over the top weekend!? By over the top I'm referring to your crazy binge eating, which I'm far more guilty of than I'd like to admit. Opps! Anyhow, I jumped on the detox water drink last year and to my surprise, it worked.... for me. I lost 3-4 lbs in a week, the bloat was gone and my water intake was higher. AMAZING! The best part is all ingredients are natural and accessible.

Try it, you just might be pleasantly surprised.

 

Yes I did the research for you.... you're welcome!

 

Mint:   Mint leaves help you lose weight and stimulate the digestion of fat while eliminating toxins.

Lemon: Vitamin C and the juice is a digestive aid and liver cleanser.

Cucumber: 95 % water, yet more nutrious than plain water. So it keeps you hydrated.

Ginger: anti-inflammatory, eliminates intestinal gas, etc. It's has crazy good benefits!

 

Ingredients:

 

1 Cucumber

1 tbsp. Fresh Ginger (peels)

1 Lemon

Lots of fresh mint

2 Qt of Water

 

In a pretty jug, fill with water, slice the veggies & add to the water.

Allow mixture to sit over night, enjoy the following day.

 

Power Salad

Serves about 4

This salad is great, it's different yet contains many ingredients we all know and love. 

My daughters loved it. 

1/2 head of broccoli 

1/4 cauliflower 

1 cucumber (quartered)

1 tomato sliced

1 cup cooked quinoa

Chopped parsley 

Vinaigrette: 1/4 cup olive oil, 1/4 red wine, 1 tsp sugar, 1 tsp salt,

 pepper & a about 3 chopped kalamata olives. 

Let's get started...

Cook quinoa accordingly, set aside & allow to cool completely.

In a pot of boiling water, throw in broccoli & cauliflower & cook for 2 minutes. Take out & blanch in icy water ( this retains their color & stops the cooking). Meanwhile chop all the remaining veggies. Place everything in a large mixing bowl, add cooked quinoa, soup on desired amount of vinaigrette. Combine all ingredients & Enjoy!!! 

Black bean & Zucchini Quesadilla

INGREDIENTS:

1 can organic black beans (rinsed)

1 zucchini (diced)

1 garlic (minced)

Pinch of cumin

Part skim mozzarella cheese (shredded)

This mixture should give you about 5 whole quesadillas.

I love topping these with some fresh pico de gallo.

Let's get started...

Heat up a large skillet, add a tb of olive oil, sauté minced garlic (1min). Add diced zucchini (3min), incorporate black beans & season with cumin. When beans are heated through, turn heat off. 

Heat up tortillas, place some cheese as a base & spoon on a hefty portion of the bean mixture, cover with a second tortilla & melt cheese.

Cut into quarters & enjoy!

Broiled Fish Tacos with Chipotle mayo

Who doesn't like fish tacos???

This is a great alternative to fried fish tacos.

Preheat oven at 400.

Season fish of your choice with, salt, pepper, paprika & pinch of cumin. Cut your fish into strips. I recommend using tilapia, cod, or halibut. About 2 lbs should feed 4 people.

Broil for 12 minutes, turning once.

Meanwhile slice 1/4 red cabbage & 1/4 green cabbage. Set aside.
Pickle some sliced red onions in lemon juice & a bit of salt.

Chipotle Mayo:

1/4 cup Light Mayo 

4 chipotle chiles

Blend until smooth & season if needed. 

This stuff is the bomb!

Warm up tortillas, assemble 2 slices of fish in the center of the tortilla,
cabbage, drizzle chipotle mayo & garnish with pickled onions. 

ENJOY!!

Healthy Wrap

RECIPE

Looking for a healthy lunch or dinner idea???

 Try this easy wrap. I purchase these tortillas from Trader Joe's and the canned salmon in from Costco. Try this with canned tuna or shredded chicken.  

RECIPE:

1 Organic sprouted grain tortilla

Spinach leaves (washed) 

Canned Salmon, drained

1/2 cucumber (chopped)

1/2 Tomato (chopped)

1 Green Onion (chopped)

a bit of Parsley (chopped)

some edamame

Olive oil & some lemon juice

In a bowl mix canned salmon, cucumber, tomato, green onion, parsley, edamame  

& drizzle olive oil & lemon juice. Heat up sprouted tortilla, lay lettuce leaves on top and spoon on salmon mixture, roll & slice in half.

ENJOY!!

Chile glazed Salmon

Roasted Salmon with Rosemary & Garlic

Preheat oven at 400.

Season salmon with salt & pepper, set aside.
In a small bowl place chopped  fresh rosemary (about 2 Tb) & 2 minced garlic cloves.
Add 2 Tb of olive oil & mix. Spoon mixture onto each salmon steak. 

Roast for about 10 minutes uncovered.

ENJOY!!

Mixed Greens topped w/ Quinoa & Ground Turkey

The best thing about salads is making them your own, so be creative & remember you're the boss!!

Prep a mixed green salad with all your favorite veggies,
brown ground turkey using my (taco seasoning),

http://shesohungry.blogspot.com/2013/05/homemade-taco-bell-seasoning.html

& lastly cook quinoa accordingly.

Plate the salad, add 1/2 to 1 cooked quinoa, & top with ground turkey.

Drizzle My Habanero Lime Vinaigrette!!

http://shesohungry.blogspot.com/2013/08/habanero-lime-vinaigrette.html

ENJOY!!

Habanero Lime Vinaigrette

This concoction came to life because I wanted a dressing for my salad & of course a spicy salsa.

So I thought why not combine the 2 ideas & boy was it a hit with my husband!

Can't wait to make this again!

 

RECIPE:

1 chopped habanero

1/2 tsp of cumin

1 lime (juiced)

Few stems of chopped cilantro

1/4 cup of olive oil

Salt & Pepper

In a small bowl add the lime juice, chopped habanero, cumin, cilantro, salt/ pepper & slowly whisk in the olive oil.

Warning- the longer the vinaigrette sits, the spicier it becomes!!