Black Bean Burgers!

I don't eat red beef very often due to adopting a healthy lifestyle. I have read some crazy things about how a majority of the meat in the markets today has been altered in many dangerous ways. This article explains enough for me! So, just the other day my boyfriend was wanting to buy some frozen-packaged 85% lean burgers from Costco. As we were checking the labels we saw that the supposedly lean burgers  contained 23 grams of fat per serving (and they were more than $1 each)!!! Maybe to a HUGE store like Costco that is considered lean... But not to me! I set out to find a healthy, easy, and affordable alterantive. I found this recipe online and I tried it with minced jalapenos and preservative-free crisp summer corn kernels. BTW! The picture below is not the burger in the recipe. It is just a picture I found from an internet search. 

Black Bean Burgers

Ingredients:
* 16oz black beans
* 1/2 green bell pepper
* 1/2 yellow onion
* 3 garlic cloves
* 1 large egg
* 1 tbs chili powder
* 1 tbs cumin
* 1 tsp thai chili sauce or hot sauce
* 1 cup whole wheat bread crumbs

Utensils:
* aluminum foil
* cooking spray
* measuring spoons
* measuring cups
* food processor
* medium bowl (black beans)
* small bowl (egg/spices)

Directions:
1. If grilling, preheat an outdoor grill for high heat, and lightly oil a sheet of aluminum foil. If baking, preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C), and lightly oil a baking sheet.
2. Rinse & dry black beans. In a medium bowl, mash black beans with a fork until thick and pasty.
3. In a small bowl, stir together egg, chili powder, cumin, and chili sauce.
4. Roughly chop veggies. In a food processor, finely chop bell pepper, onion, and garlic. Strain the mixture. Then stir into mashed beans.
5. In a small bowl, stir together egg, chili powder, cumin, and chili sauce.
6. Stir the egg mixture into the mashed beans. Mix in bread crumbs until the mixture is sticky and holds together. Divide mixture into four (4oz) patties.
7. If grilling, place patties on foil, and grill about 8 minutes on each side. If baking, place patties on baking sheet, and bake about 10 minutes on each side. (For best results freeze and grill frozen- great for a quick snack too!)

Let me know what you think!

Chicken Noodle Soup!

I cannot bring myself to buy canned soup. I have heard that it is cooked three times before being canned! Which means zero nutrients and of course extra sodium and preservatives. No thanks! Instead, I opted for a healthy homemade recipe with plenty of fat burning and wholesome ingredients! I found this recipe online and it's awesome and super easy to make! Try it out! (Great as a leftover, quick meal too).

Chicken Noodle Soup

Ingredients:
* 4 1/2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
* 1 cup onion, chopped
* 1 cup carrot, chopped
* 1 cup celery,chopped
* 1 tsp dried basil
* 1 tsp dried oregano
* 1/4 tsp black pepper
* 1 bay leaf
* 1 1/2 cups dried whole wheat egg noodles
* 2 cups cooked chicken, chopped

Utensils:
* 1 large pot
* 1 cutting knife
* cutting board
* foof processor
* 1 large spoon
* measuring cups
* measuring spoons

Directions:
1. Combine 4-1/2 cups low-sodium chicken broth, 1 cup each chopped onion, carrot and celery, 1 tsp each dried basil and oregano, 1/4 tsp black pepper and 1 bay leaf; bring to boil.
2. Cover and simmer 5 minutes.
3. Add 1-1/2 cups dried egg noodles. Cover and simmer 8 minutes; discard bay leaf.
4. Add 2 cups chopped cooked chicken breast.
5. Enjoy!

Tell me what you think!

Chinese Chicken Salad!

A good friend of mine introduced me to this salad from La Bou Bakery & Cafe. It is super healthy and super yummy! The only downside to the salad was the price. Spending $5.00 on a tiny salad everytime I want it just seems like a waste of money to me. So, I went on a mission to find out their secret dressing recipe. I found one online that tasted exactly the same! I would love for you to try this delightfully, nutritious recipe!
For my salad I measure 4-5oz chicken, and I use 1 carrot, 1 celery stalk, about 1 cup shredded cabbage, 1 cup of torn lettuce leaves.

Chinese Chicken Salad

Ingredients: (salad)
* green cabbage
* butter lettuce or green leaf lettuce
* thinly sliced carrots
* sliced celery
* boiled/shredded chicken breast
* roasted, unsalted peanuts (optional)

Ingredients: (dressing)
* 1 cup grapeseed oil
* 1/4 cup sesame oil
* 1/3 cup rice vinegar
* 1/4 cup organic sugar or (I use Xyla)
* 4 tbs low sodium soy sauce
* 2 tsp dry mustard

Utensils:
* sharp knife
* cutting board
* medium sized pot
* mason jar (for dressing)
* 2 forks (to shred chicken)
* liquid measuring cup
* measuring spoons

Directions: (salad)
1. Place chicken breast in pot of water on burner at medium high or level 7.
2. Leave alone for approximately 20 minutes. (or until cooked thoroughly).
3. Cut cabbage (thinly), cut lettuce. (I rinse and spin it in a salad spinner).
4. Rinse then slice celery and carrots at an angle.
5. Combine all veggies into a big bowl. (Or you can make a personal salad bowl)
6. Shred chicken breast (I use to forks in opposite directions to pull it apart).
7. Place shredded chicken in fridge to cool for a few minutes before topping the salad.
    (I use 1/2 a chicken breast worth for my salad).
8. Sprinkle roasted, unsalted peanuts on top (if desired).
9. Enjoy!

Directions: (dressing)
1. Combine all ingredients except grapeseed oil into a large bowl, whisk in oil slowly, store in a mason jar and shake before using! (Can be refrigerated for a long time).

So there you have it! Very simple, delicious, and of course, HEALTHY

Soy Sesame Vinaigrette Nutrition Facts per 1 tablespoon
Calories: 64, Fat: 1.97g, Saturated Fat: 0.25g, Monounsaturated Fat: 0.6g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.9g,
Sodium: 57.5mg (using low sodium soy sauce, Trader Joe's), Carbohydrates: 2g, Fiber: 0.02g, Sugar: 0.1g, Protein: 0.25g

Ashley Horner Online!

I don't even really know where or how to begin this blog. I guess I will just repeat the title and go with what first pops into my head! Ashley Horner Online! This girl in one word: BADASS! This girl literally blows my mind away!

I discovered her after my fitness blog-friend Lindsay Cappotelli posted a link on Facebook with her youtube video. I watched the video right upon waking up and it made my day! Actually, to be more precise, it (she) changed my life!!!

I have never seen someone, especially a girl her age (27, I believe) with so much discipline, drive, passion, fearlessness, and love for fitness. She is making a difference in so many lives of those around her! She has truly inspired so many people! From those who are struggling with thier health to those who are competing in the fitness industry today! Just visiting her Facebook page is proof! I have never seen so many long, emotionally touching thank you's on any other page! I added one to the list of course!!!

FYI! She has two boys under the ages of six, I believe. She also has a husband in the navy who is away in the desert. Somehow she finds the strength to get it all done! She started her journey about 5 years ago after having her first son. She has worked so hard and built up her body & mind and is creating a name for herself. A name that I know will never be forgotten!

She speaks from her heart and her words are even more powerful than her body! Don't get me wrong, this girl is strong! I don't have to tell you that either! You will see it yourself, after watching her youtube channel. But, what I'm saying is that her words of wisdom will long endure after her body! (Just as she wants them to)!

I watched video, after video! With each video I watched I grew more inspired and more fearless of my dream than ever before! I gained more confidence in all aspects of my life, not just fitness related! She makes me want to be an even better person than I currently am! She see's the good in everyone, and makes the best of every situation! I think we should all do this! The world would be a much happier place!

I could go on and on about this girl but seriously... My words won't do her justice. You have to see for yourself! If you want to be healthier, happier, inspired, pushed or whatever it may be... I can promise you that NOT getting to know Ashley Horner will be the biggest mistake you ever did make!

Get to know Ashley Horner!

One of many powerful & inspiring quotes of hers! This is on my phone, printed on my workout binder, and in my head forever!

"When you want something so bad you think about it every second of the day... You dream about it at night. You research, study & you mold your entire life around it. You feel like you were made to do be or become this one person to accomplish this one goal & no matter the sacrifice or the risk and no matter how many times you get turned away, you smile b/c you know...soon you will live in that dream."

Fueling My Body!

January 12, 2012

Meal 1 (1230pm) *the usual*
1/3cup oats with 1/2cup blueberries & 1tbsp coarsely ground flaxseed & 2 fried eggs with 1tsp organic ketchup & 1 cup coffee

Meal 2 (4pm) *protein shake & fruit*
8oz 2% milk (normally I use unsweetened vanilla almond milk), 1scoop vanilla whey protein powder & 1 pear

Meal 3 (7pm) *protein pancakes*
3 small protein pancakes made with: egg whites, f.f. c.c., oat flour, cinnamon, vanilla extract, real p.b., vanilla whey, flaxseed (these upset my tummy, never has happened before).

Meal 4 (10pm) *spaghetti w/ meat sauce*
4 oz brown rice spaghetti noodles (gluten-free & easily digested) w/ lean ground beef, tomato paste, sliced jalapeno & 1/2 cup trader joe's spaghetti sauce (1/2cup = 4.5g fat, 8g carb, 5g sugar, 3g protein, 2g fiber) & sprinkle of grated parmesean cheese.

Snack (12pm) *ice cream cookie*
1 ice cream cookie (ashley horner recipe) It's 1 grahm cracker, split in half with a dollop of cool whip smashed between the crackers. Freeze for 15. Enjoy!

And lots of water.... of course! to help hydrate my body/muscles & rid it of any toxins.

What I observed... I think I ate too little and will pass on the p.b. in the protein pancakes next time because that was a first and I didn't feel to good after. So much that I passed on the gym (even with how bad I wanted to go)! I was so sad too :( Energy levels were super low and I had to listen to my body.