Tuesday, May 24, 2011

Running with Angels 5k

We did it!
Krystal and I survived our first (of many, right K-dawg?) 5k!
We were just under a ten minute mile, which I think is pretty fantastic.

We even had matching shoes. Not planned, but definitely good luck.
After the race.
Unfortunately I have consumed two cookies each day since. This is really bad. I need to get back on track! I am depressed because I can't control myself. I hate that feeling. I just need to say no to crap like that!

Thursday, May 12, 2011

Arm Poses aka the "ya, keep dreamin' poses"

I love yoga. I do, I truly love yoga. I have been practicing for 5 years now (wow!) and I am no expert. I am confident in my ability to go through a practice without being lost or having much of a challenge.
I also love my yoga instructor. She is the bomb. She loves to challenge us, which makes me hate her for the one minute, until I realize that my body can actually do the pose and then I love her again.
During practice today she had us do a few arm balance poses.

Crow Pose

I love this picture, but to be honest his form isn't the best. Anyway, I love this pose. I am good at this pose. I own this pose. Mainly because this is about the only arm balance pose I can do.

yogajournal.com

One side crane pose.

Before today I hated this pose. I found myself laughing when she asked us to do it. I just couldn't. Well today something happened. Something in my body just clicked and I did it! For the first time ever my back foot came off the ground and stayed in the air! Mybalance was right on and I did both sides successfully for about 5 breaths. I ROCKED IT!


I doubt I will ever be good enough to do the following poses, but one can dream can't she?


yogajournal.com








Wednesday, May 4, 2011

Tinga

Tinga

Definition: Tasty, thats all you need to know.


Greg was introduced to this meal while serving his mission in Chi-Town. Didn't know a healthy meal could come out of Chicago? Me either. That town is full of deep dish pizza and hotdogs. Anyway, he served among the hispanic population and came back with plenty of tasty unhealthy recipes, and one or two healthy ones.


Actually, this recipe is originally not very healthy, but with one simple substitute you can make it a low calorie, low carb dinner.




What you will need:

2 chicken breast, boiled and shredded

1 small can of chipotle peppers in adobo sauce

1 28 oz can of diced tomatoes, unsalted (the picture above has a small can, but it isn't enough)

1/2 medium white onion, sliced

1 tbs olive oil

about 1 cup of light sour cream

1 package of queso fresco (mexican cheese)

Romaine lettuce leaves (if you are feelin' foxy there have a brand for you!)

1 package of tostadas (if you choose)


Part 1: The Sauce

This sauce is super simple, and the recipe is really up to you. It all depends on how spicy you like your food. I like mine with just a little kick. You will combine the diced tomatos and one (or two, or three) chipotle peppers and 2 tbs of adobo sauce together. If you have a stick blender, this is the best way to puree (sp?) them all. If not, you could use a food processor or even just a regular blender. Just make sure to clean it out VERY well afterward, you don't want your next smoothie to taste like this. Trust me.


Once the diced tomatoes and peppers are completely liquified you are done. Easy as that.


Part 2: The Chicken

Heat a large pan or pot over medium heat. add the olive oil and onions. Cook the onions until they are soft. Add the sauce and shredded chicken. Bring to a simmer. Heat for 10 or 15 minutes. Just long enough to heat the chicken through and let the sauce thicken a little.


Part 3: Lettuce, and other ingredients

While the chicken is simmering you will want to prepare the lettuce. Make sure you are using romaine lettuce (the long, skinny leaves) or else the meal will be incredibly messy. Fill your sink up about half way with ice cold water and just about a dash or two of vinegar. Take the romaine leaves you want to use and let them soak in the sink for about 5 minutes. This will not only clean your leaves, but make them crisp. Once I am ready to put them out I just shake them over the sink to get the excess water off.


Other ingredients: Place the sour cream, cheese, and tostadas on the table, ready for assembly.


Part 4: Putting it all together.

Once the chicken is ready it is time to assemble! Take your lettuce leaves (or tostadas if you want the carbs and messiness they bring) and put a small layer of sour cream over top. Then add the chicken and top it off with crumbles of queso fresco! The sour cream and cheese really help cool your mouth if your sauce is too hot.


Part 5: Enjoy!!


Calories: It all depends on the sour cream and cheese you use, but it is right around 100 calories per lettuce leaf!



This is a picture of the chicken cooking, sorry it is a little out of order!