Very Simple, Very Healthy, Very Good

To be brief my life is full. Most of the time, I would say its full in a good way, but full nonetheless it is full.  As a result, in the last few months I have not prioritized healthy eating and healthy cooking in quite the same way I would like too. For those of you who may of followed a long on my infamous 10 dollar day plan know that I took the liberty of eating taco bell more often than was probably sane.  It was "fun" while it lasted but 10 extra pounds have caught up with me.  While some of those pounds I may have considered welcome, others I would like to see discontinue their pleasant stay very shortly.  

I'm not one to go ape-shit on dieting, I love butter and cheese way too much.  Recently though, Liz is taking a one month sabbatical from fast food or should I say drive-thru food, and I thought - wow, I need to do that too.  SO I did.  I had one "cheat" which was related to a really fun but really busy day - and I refuse to feel bad about it since I've otherwise been "good".

That being said - the end result is probably more money saving that 10 dollar day ever got me, more subway (a special little caveat) and cooking simpler meals at home. Not all meals that are simple are healthy, but this one is.

This recipe has no oil, no butter, and salt... but manages to taste good... it's like a conundrum that science will never completely unfold.  

Now here comes the challenging part, you will need to dump all of the items into the same dish.  Should I repeat myself?

 Place into the oven and bake for 60 mins.  While it's baking you can check your e-mail and do your nails, but make sure you don't forget about it.

True story: because I used brown rice, mine was a little al dente or should I say "un-done-tay"  but a little more time in the oven would have fixed that.  

Ingredients:
-2 pieces of Mahi-Mahi (need only be partially thawed)
-1/2 cup rice
-1/2 cup water
-1 cup french green beans (or more)
-1/2 cup Mango Salsa (the brand I used is from Costco)
-sprinkle of seasoned pepper

Place fish in center of baking dish, then rice and vegetables around it.  Sprinkle with a dash of seasoned pepper.  Place heaps of Salsa on top of fish.  Bake for 60 mins at 350 for white rice, and 1 hr 15 mins for brown.

Enjoy!

Half-Marathon Plan

As I mentioned in my goals post, I will be running a half-marathon this year (or at least that's the goal).  I am actually pretty confident that I could probably go (as in run or walk) that far now - it just might take me all day.  So, to avoid that outcome, I thought I would follow a training plan.  It's a major step for me, that probably evokes more fear than the half-marathon itself.  Plans are frightful things.  They want you do all this stuff at specific times and places and that is never fun.  Though even still some people claim to like plans, and it appears they get stuff done.  Now, I get stuff done too... it's just never very systematic, and while I am so proud of running in the TC 10-miler - it wasn't a record time or anything.  So, reluctantly, I will make an attempt to follow this plan. Anyway, this plan seems pretty safe in the realm of plans - It's even called "Novice."

I have modified it some from it's original form.  I won't be doing a 10-K race (none to be found locally on a Sunday - and I work Saturdays).  I will be doing the 5K race, but a week earlier than suggested, and the final half marathon race is on a Saturday and not a Sunday.  These all seemed like pretty safe adjustments.  I also made a handful of other minor adjustments, so you can check out my individualized version here:


If any of you are runners and have time to look at it - I would love your feedback on what I am doing wrong - or right for that matter.

Oh, and here's what it looks like on my wall:

It's hard to see, but I've crossed off the first 4 days.  I am on Day 5 (of 83), and don't you worry I'm getting right on that "Rest" thing.

Winter Lover

During these brutal Minnesota winters, such as the one we are having now, I sometimes catch myself longing for spring.  It's easy to do. 


But honestly,

I
love
winter. 

There are sweaters, flannel and hot cocoa which are all nice of course, but maybe there is something less tangible too- the spirit of winter?

As it turns out I am not the only saint paul-ite who enjoys celebrating the elusive spirit of winter...

The winter carnival has been going on 125 years.  It's Saint Paul's way of getting people out of their houses despite negative degree weather.  Whether it be to hunt for medallions or look at ice sculptures. I tried my hand at both.    (There are countless other activities as well)  Trudging out in less than ideal conditions always makes me feel like I earned something.  I take an unusual pride in the belief that "Us Minnesotans" are tough... and not just nice. 

In time the ice will melt and winter will be a distant memory.  With that these sculptures will return to the drains and rivers.  So if you are not a natural winter lover... remember it's temporary and try to enjoy the beauty while it lasts

Oh my Meatballs

Do you ever shop at IKEA?  By now I think it's taken over enough of this country that we can safely assume most of us have had a chance navigate this maze of a furniture store (or whatever it is).  As you wander through the store, you initially feel a surge of energy - you are filled with wonder excitement.  This closet is so organized! This chair is so modern!  I never knew so many things could be made from bamboo!  I don't remember needing star shaped ice, but for only 99 cents - I certainly do.   The discoveries are endless. 

But after awhile the spark wears off... and questions arise.  Do I need more pans or more products to organize my pans? or more of both?  How many kinds of ice shapes are there?  How come IKEA offices are larger than IKEA homes?  Exhaustion and frailty begin to set in.  But IKEA answers your call...

A well crafted sign appears advertising something called swedish meatballs for only $3.99!!!     

Meat in a ball - ahhh.... is there anything more right? 

So for those of you who don't care to brave the interior of IKEA - you can try my recipe!

 
The meaty mixture
-99% lean turkey 20 oz
-1 Can chickpeas (blend in blender - I use the magic bullet)
-1 tsp cumin
-1 drizzle Worcester sauce
-other seasonings (as desired)

Just mix this all together using your hands (it's ok - you washed them right?).  Then form in to 1-1.5 inch diameter balls.   The set in the freezer for a minimum half hour (just enough to firm up).  I actually had mine in the freezer (ahem - the outside) for much longer, so that's okay too. 

Frozen Balls (o come-on I couldn't resist!)

Heat about a 1/4 to 1/2 inch of oil in the bottom of a frying pan.  And you can just plop the the frozen meatballs in directly - no need to thaw.  (They will cook all the way through because they are so small.)

Cover and cook for a while (10-15 mins). 

When they are finished they should look like this.  If you want to be sure - cut one open and make sure there is no pink. 

Meatballs wouldn't be complete without gravy.... mmm.... gravy. 

Gravy is super easy to make - I just learned so you can too.

2 tablespoons butter

1 cup vegatable broth (I used a low sodium version)

1/2 cup milk 

2 tablespoons cornstarch

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon seasoned pepper

1.  Melt butter in pan over medium heat.
2. Add milk and flour, whisking consistently for 2 minutes
3. Add broth, salt and pepper and continue to stir for 3 minutes, sauce should be getting thicker.

The visual

No no, it's not for drinking.

The final meal

Any meal that includes gravy is probably not going to be included in next month's issue of healthy living.  However, I say look there's vegetables and we used 99% lean meat so let's call this a win anyway.