Sweet Potato Tacos

Yummmm. These were delish. If you're looking for a meat substitute dinner, this is the meal for you!

3-4 sweet potatoes, peeled, cubed
little bit of chili powder
little bit of cumin
lime
cilantro
avocado
black beans
mexican rice (I just buy ricos from the store, or you can make your own)
salsa (opt)
corn tortillas

Peel, cube, and toss the sweet potatoes in olive oil. Place on cookie sheet, add some salt and pepper, cook at 350 for about 40 min. Mix it up a little bit at 20 min. so they get cooked evenly.

After (or even before doesn't matter) you've cooked the potatoes, sprinkle some chili powder and cumin in with the potatoes if you want (kids can be picky with spices..). Ta da, you're almost there..

Place the potatoes on some nicely warmed corn tortillas, then squeeze some fresh lime juice on the potatoes, along with all the other ingredients you want.

This may also be used as an enchilada recipe by substituting corn for flour tortillas and covering in salsa verde or green enchilada sauce and then cooking in the oven for about 20 min at 350.

Really Good Avocado Wrap

Florida Avocado Summer Wrap

2 extra large wraps (any variety)

1/2 Florida Avocado, peeled and sliced into thick strips
1 medium yellow tomato, sliced thick (red works too)
1 small sweet onion, sliced (I used a slice of red onion)
4 Tbsp lime juice (or lemon)
1 Tbsp apple cider vinegar (or more lime juice)
2 tsp maple syrup
6 Tbsp spicy bean or nut spread (Hummus)
1 cup shredded carrots
fresh ground black pepper

Directions:

1. Slice your avocado in half. Rub the extra half with lime juice, cover and stick in the fridge for later use. Or make 4 wraps and use the whole thing. Remove the pit and slice into long thick strips. Set aside in a bowl and coat in lime juice and a pinch of salt and pepper.

2. Slice your onion and tomato. Place in separate bowl and toss with the EVOO, maple syrup, splash of lime juice and apple cider vinegar (or more lime juice). Note, you can also use lemon juice if you'd prefer.

3. Grab your bean/nut spicy spread. See above recipe for options. I used a chipotle hummus dip mixed with a splash of lime juice to thin it out a bit. 

4. Warm your tortillas in the oven until they are soft and pliable.

5. Spread a nice amount of your spread onto the wrap.

6. Add about 4 long slices of avocado, a few slices of tomato, onion, shredded carrots and a pinch of pepper. You can add an extra splash of the veggie marinade juices (maple/EVOO/lime) if you'd like. I actually whipped the extra marinade with a Tbsp of Vegenaise to make a wrap sauce on the side. Yum.

This sounds like not the best combo but seriously it was amazingly good!

Okay. I dropped the BALL!

I blame it on the pregnancy. I am still trying to eat healthier and workout but the temptations seem to be harder to fight when I am pregnant. So annoying. Anyways....I have a recipe for sesame chicken that I found on pinterest that is baked and not fried. It's much more healthy. It only makes 2 servings so you'll have to compensate for your family size.

Ingredients: 
10 oz. raw boneless skinless lean chicken breast, chopped into bite-sized pieces 
1/8 tsp. salt 
1/8 tsp. black pepper 
1/4 cup fat-free liquid egg substitute (like Egg Beaters Original) 
1/4 cup whole-wheat flour, divided 
1/4 cup fat-free chicken broth 
1 tbsp. cornstarch 
2 tbsp. sugar-free pancake syrup 
2 tbsp. seasoned rice vinegar 
1 tbsp. ketchup 
1/2 tbsp. lite/low-sodium soy sauce 
1/2 tsp. sesame oil 
1/2 tsp. crushed garlic 
1 tsp. sesame seeds 
2 tbsp. thinly sliced scallions 
Optional: crushed red pepper  

Directions: 
Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Spray a baking sheet with nonstick spray and set aside.

Place chicken in a bowl, season with salt and pepper, and cover with egg substitute. Toss to coat and set aside.

Place 2 tbsp. flour in another bowl. Use a fork to transfer half of the chicken to the flour bowl, allowing excess egg substitute to drain back into the egg bowl. Thoroughly coat chicken with flour, and then transfer to the baking sheet. Wipe the bowl clean, and then repeat with remaining flour and chicken.

Bake chicken in the oven until fully cooked, about 10 minutes.

Meanwhile, to make the sauce, combine broth with cornstarch in a small nonstick pot and stir to dissolve. Add syrup, vinegar, ketchup, soy sauce, sesame oil, and garlic. Mix well and bring to medium heat on the stove. Stirring often, cook until thick enough to coat a spoon, 2 - 3 minutes. Set aside.

Place cooked chicken in a bowl, top with sauce, and toss to coat. Sprinkle with sesame seeds and scallions. If you like, add a sprinkle of red pepper flakes. Eat up!

MAKES 2 SERVINGS

Holidays are coming....duh...duh..duhhhn

I heard on the radio the other day that the average person gains 10lbs during the holiday months!

10 POUNDS!

And that is the average. That means people possibly gain even more than that. Don't let this happen to you! I know that I struggle getting my butt up in these cold weather months. In fact, last winter I didn't work out for a couple of months and when I started up again it was super hard to get my endurance back. I resolve not to let this winter pass me by as another excuse not to do my best at being healthy. I can't just say I'll start again after the new year. I must do it now! Who's with me?

Long distance runner wins!

Take it from the diet guru. If you start out changing one thing at a time over time; you are more likely to keep the changes in place. Sometimes, just taking the best ideas for good health and creating your own plan works the best. Don't kick yourself for falling off .... just, work on it the next day. Try to not make it all about the food. But, make it all about enjoying life while you are working on your health. It is easier when you take a small bite at a time... and make that your plan.

Mom

13 Ways to Burn Fast Faster

Saw a good slide show on livestrong as I was counting my calories for the day. Thought you might be interested.

http://www.livestrong.com/slideshow/545203-13-ways-to-burn-fat-faster/#slide-1

Kelli's Goal for this week

Follow a good nutrition plan full of fruits and veggies, some proteins and carbs, water!

Day 1: Did it!
Day 2: Did it!
Day 3: DId it!

Let's hope I'm no where near this at the end of the week! :)






He's awesome!