Buggin’?

Good Evening! Hope everyone had a wonderful Thursday.

I started the day off giving the Oatmeal minus the oats another shot. The goal was to get an oatmeal consistency versus cream of wheat consistency. The verdict is……..SUCCESS! Looks pretty good, huh? That’s because it was. This time I used frozen banana that I defrosted in the microwave and added a tiny bit of brown sugar and a scoop of peanut butter. It was fantastic.

It does such a good job of holding me over until lunch because of the combination of protein and fat  from the egg, milk, flax seed, and peanut butter (I chose to exclude the walnuts again).

Fast forward to lunch time. I decided to brave the cold and go home for lunch. I wasn’t sure what I was in the mood for so I started with banana and peanut butter (second time today I know-no surprise), next moved to an apple with a laughing cow wedge, carrots, and then dipped back into the peanut butter a few more times. I am a crazy peanut butter addict.

I’m not sure if I am dehydrated, fighting some kind of bug, or what, but I am not feeling very well this afternoon/evening.  After work I headed down to the basement to get a 3 miler in on the treadmill. I pulled through it but felt completely nauseous towards the end. Dinner time rolled around and I wasn’t hungry. Wheel of fortune was over and  I was still not hungry. I’m always hungry though.

I grabbed a Powerade zero out of the fridge hoping that I was just dehydrated and it did seem to help a bit. I poured myself a small bowl of Quaker’s Life Apple Cinnamon Crunchtime and Crunchy Corn Bran with almond milk. It was just what I needed. I love it when the cereal is a little soggy, and a little crunchy. I am starting to come around now.

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I am very excited that tomorrow is Friday. I am planning on working on the blog this weekend; I feel like it needs so much work! I want to fill you in on workouts, wedding recaps, Italy, recipes, hopes, dreams, etc. and will with time! Thank you to those who are reading this blog right now and supporting me. Feel free to pass my blog on to anyone who you think might enjoy it! I will try to keep you entertained.

Have a great night! Time to hang with the men…

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Crock-pot Black Bean Mushroom Chili

Good morning!

Here is the chili recipe from last night’s dinner. With it being a whopping -11 degrees outside right now in beautiful Minnesota, this would be a perfect lunch or dinner to warm the soul.

Crock-pot Black Bean Mushroom Chili

Recipe adapted from Eatingwell.com Black Bean Mushroom Chili

INGREDIENTS

  • 1 pound dried black beans, (2 1/2 cups), rinsed
  • 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons mustard
  • 2 tablespoons chili powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon cracked black pepper
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
  • 1/8 teaspoon allspice
  • 1/8 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 2 medium onions, coarsely chopped
  • 1-8 ounce container mushrooms, sliced
  • 1- 16 ounce jar salsa verde
  • 1/4 cup water
  • 5 1/2 cups chicken broth (vegetable broth would work too)
  • 1 6-ounce can tomato paste
  • 1 1/4 cups grated Monterey Jack, or pepper Jack cheese
  • 1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro

PREPARATION

  1. Cook dried beans according to package directions.
  2. In large fry pan, combine oil, mustard, chili powder, black pepper, cumin, allspice, and cinnamon. Stir over medium heat for 30 seconds.
  3. Add onions, mushrooms, salsa verde and water. Cover and simmer, stirring occasionally, about 7 minutes.
  4. Uncover and stir until mixture begins to thicken. Add broth and tomato paste; mix.
  5. Place cooked beans and vegetable mixture into large crock-pot. Turn heat to high.
  6. Cook covered in crock-pot 5 to 8 hours.
  7. Top with fresh cilantro, cheddar cheese, or a dollop of nonfat plain greek yogurt.
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