Dinner Troubles? My new hero…

Last day of school, crazy week professionally and personally, gorgeous weather demanding time outside, oh, and everyone expects dinner on the table at 6. Eeek! What to do?

Meet my new hero – filling and delicious, fortified with fiber and superfoods, dinner is saved…
Spinach Enchilada Vegetarian Bake

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You’ll need:

Large container of baby spinach
2 cans garbanzo beans
1 can black beans
1 can pinto beans
2 cups cooked brown rice (instant is fine)
1 corn tortilla (there’s one in the bottom of your fridge somewhere)
3/4 of a large can of mild enchilada sauce
1 small bag of shredded organic Mexican blend cheese

First, tear tortilla into one inch pieces and spread over bottom of glass pan.

Next, layer rice over tortilla pieces.

Then, use your food processor to chop all of the spinach in batches (or chop by hand if you have the time.) Layer that.

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Rinse and drain all beans. Layer pinto…

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Then garbanzo…

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Then black beans…

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Then second can of garbanzo…

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Then enchilada sauce…

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Then cheese…

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Cover and microwave for four minutes….

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Enjoy with homemade guacamole (mashed avocado, garlic, cliantro) and a few chips!

Whew. That was easy!

Misunderstanding

Michelle and Patrick Silly at Wedding

Conversation between my husband and me:

Michelle: “I don’t really like it when people assume I only eat low fat foods.”

Patrick: “Well, it’s kind of a compliment. They’re indirectly assuming that you practice what you preach.’”

Michelle: “It’s not the misconception about me that’s upsetting, it’s the misconception about how to live healthfully.”

The path to consistent exercise and healthy living are (at times) misunderstood. Infomercials, elevator talk, misinformed friends or family, and poor reporting have left some of us mistaken about the effective and accurate guidelines for healthy living. Like the new kid in class, I hope you make the time to get to know the truth about effective ways to live healthfully. Below are the top three wellness misconceptions repeatedly crossing my desk:

Misconception #1: Healthy eating for weight loss is primarily about fat and calories.
Food is more to our bodies than weight management. Nutrients are an important part of the equation. Focusing solely on fat grams and calorie intake will leave you unsuccessful (and very unsatisfied.)

Misconception #2: Lifting weights will make me big and bulky.
I have met VERY few women in my line of work that are genetically predisposed to “bulk up.” Lifting weights has tremendous benefits for your health, longevity, injury prevention and weight loss. As long as you are with a skilled trainer, there is nothing to fear.

Misconception #3: Faster, harder or more intense is better.
Unless you are a serious athlete or training for a VERY specific event, faster, harder and more intense is NOT necessarily better. Moderate exercises performed on a regular basis is generally an excellent exercise prescription for individuals wanting to lose weight and improve their wellness and health.

Connect today to start your change: 773-680-6824
train@blaketlyfit.com

Strength Training Exclusively for Women, Chicago, IL

90 second taco seasoning

IMG_5687Ditch the prepackaged taco seasoning. Here a fresh, fast solution already sitting in your cabinet:

Brown ground round in large skillet.

Drain fat. (photo below)

Return meat to pan and add (per pound of meat):

2 tablespoons dried minced onion
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon cayenne
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon cumin
1/2 teaspoon oregano
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1/2 cup water
(omit red pepper and some cayenne for less kick)

Stir, simmer and serve.

Here’s how I drain the fat…

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Then, return to pan and add water…

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All You Need Is Love…

LOVE SOUP that is!

Love soup in jar

Sometimes a delicious, healthy, home cooked meal makes all the difference. Love Soup is high in fiber, inexpensive and something you could make a month in advance or even give as a gift. How many recipes can tout that? Enjoy!

Jar ingredients: bottom up layers in a quart sized jar (pasta sauce jars work well)

  • 10 beef bullion cubes (or 10 vegetarian soup base cubes for vegetarians)
  • 1/4 cup dried minced onion
  • 1/2 cup dried split peas (green or yellow or combo)
  • 1/2 cup Creamettes
  • 1/4 cup barley
  • 1/2 cup dry lentils
  • 1/3 cup long grain white rice
  • 1 cup uncooked tricolor rotini or spiral pasta to fill jar

Love soup in bowl

Soup cooking instructions to include with jar:

LOVE SOUP

In a large kettle, brown 1 or 2 lbs of lean ground beef or meat alternative. Remove tricolor pasta from top of jar and reserve. Add the rest of the jar contents to the kettle with 12 cups of water. Bring to a boil. Then, simmer 45 minutes. Add tricolor pasta and simmer 15 minutes more. Serve with your favorite bread and salad. Serves six to eight.  Enjoy!

Note: You may also use Italian sausage, meat substitute or stew meat, instead of ground round.  Feel free to add any leftover cooked vegetables or chopped tomatoes (add any raw vegetables at beginning.)

If too thick, add a can of broth or water.

Child Making Love Soup Blakely Fit

I had my daughter help with her teachers’ gifts last year. She loved it! Make a funnel out of foil or parchment paper to help with their aim. We tied ribbons on the jars and included a little card with instructions (email if you would like a copy.)

Love soup in bag

To help with future dinners, I actually make several at a time in resealable bags. Then, when it’s time to cook, I just brown some ground round, add water, bag ingredients and simmer. Everything cooks in one pot. Dinner is ready in an hour with little actual work in the kitchen.