Dirty Rice {A Recipe}

Hey there, all you cool cats and kittens!

Sorry, I literally could not help myself.

Life in quarantine has me (or Andy) cooking a whole lot more than usual. Kind of? I guess we normally eat out 1-2x per week. We just aren't really leaving the house so it seems like we're cooking a lot more than usual. Probably more during school/cheer/tumbling season. I'd imagine you're all in the same boat, since everything is closed down to curbside pickup/to go only.

When we do get take out, we make sure we're frequenting locally owned businesses only. Mostly, the Dairy Dip. Our very close family friends own it and it is our go-to for dinner even when we aren't in quarantine!

Today I'm sharing a recipe for dirty rice. Which, my sister calls company rice, and maybe my mom does, too... but I think they're the same thing. It had been years since I had even thought of this dish until about two months ago. And I know my mom made it but I don't think she put peppers in it... because my mom doesn't do vegetables. Like, at all.

Anyway, this rice is delicious and dirty rice might or might not be the same as company rice. For all intents and purposes, I'm calling it dirty rice for this blog post!

Ingredients:
1 red bell pepper
1 green bell pepper
1 white onion
1 tube breakfast sausage (I use the spicy one)
2 cups dry jasmine rice
Tony Chachere's creole seasoning

Start your jasmine rice according to package directions.
De-seed and dice both bell peppers, and onion. Begin cooking the breakfast sausage, I make sure to use my spatula and chop the sausage up into tiny crumbles. This is personal preference, I don't really love the texture of any kind of meat unless it is chopped fine/thin/very well done. Add peppers and onions to sausage, sautéing them in the sausage grease. When sausage has browned, add creole seasoning (to taste-- we like spicy foods so I am generous with the sprinkling). Once the sausage and peppers have simmered with the seasoning for a few minutes, drain the grease off them. I put them in a small strainer and also use a paper towel or two to soak up any remaining grease. Add sausage and veggie mix to rice and stir well. Easy Peasy dinner is done!

Kale & Quinoa

It's no secret that I love junk food. It also isn't a secret that I love a good salad! After all the Halloween candy last night, munching on this delicious kale and quinoa salad was a great refresh-reset type of meal! Accompanied by Buddha's Brew kombucha (pineapple greens, my fave), this lunch was the perfect pick-me-up after a major sugar crash.

This salad has:

puple kale

leafy greens

blueberries

red + brown quinoa

raspberries

raw almonds 

1 tbsp feta cheese

drizzle balsamic vinegar

I have so many other things to update, but this week I have MIDTERMS so.. time to get back to studying. womp womp

Verde Chicken & Rice (Crockpot Recipe)

I don't know about y'all, but my resolutions for 2016 are probably a little bit different than mine for last year. And the year before, and the year before. I have a couple of family resolutions and they include "eat more vegetables," "get Sophia to eat anything besides pretzels," and "try more new things," -- all as a family.

Last night I knew I would make chicken (We have FORTY pounds of boneless, skinless chicken breasts in our freezer, thanks to ZAYCON!), but I'm definitely bored with the usual baked chicken, side of veggies, sometimes rice or quinoa or couscous. I know my husband is too, and my kids hate everything I just mentioned. At least in that combo.

We had just visited my grandparents and of course that meant the best ever homemade tequitos, tacos, salsa, beans. OMG SO GOOD. I'm always in the mood for mexican food anyway.. its literally my favorite food genre EVER. Mondays are also our late night for the week because of ballet, so I knew I'd want something super easy (sometimes we get Eureka pizza.... $4.88 for a large one topping, can't beat it!). Crockpot to the rescue!! One bowl meals are the best.

This is not the most attractive looking meal, which is why there's not a picture... but... its delishhhhuuuusssssss. Delicious! :)

You will need:
crockpot
electricity
2 large boneless skinless chicken breasts (get a zaycon account here)
2 cans of green enchilada sauce
1 can red kidney beans
1 can sweet corn
1 1/2 cups brown rice (uncooked)
1 cup water
1 orange bell pepper
1 tsp red pepper flakes
1/2 tsp garlic powder
black pepper to taste

Chop the bell pepper into small bites. Add one can enchilada sauce to crock pot, lay chicken on top. Add the other can of enchilada sauce, the can of beans, the bell pepper, and spices. Cook on low 3-5 hours or until chicken falls apart easily when you touch it with a fork. One hour before you're ready to eat, add the rice and water. Just before serving, stir in the can of corn (drained).

This was an easy meal to make and my whole family enjoyed it.... even if Sophia whined the entire time, she ate it!

** Zaycon did not sponsor this post in any way shape or form. I just LOVE this company and the wonderful customer service I've experienced with them! As a business owner, I realize the importance of customer satisfaction and word of mouth. If you're local to me (Fort Smith), I really can't say enough about the great experience I've had at our drop off (CTK school).

Taco Salad {the family table}

Or non table, in our case. Yeah... we have to buy one for our new house! :)

Here's my most recent taco salad recipe. I'm always making new things in to tacos and taco salad... I can't help it, tacos are my fave food EVAH!

You'll need:
1 lb ground turkey
1/4c chopped fresh cilantro
1 c prepared brown rice
1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
chili powder
cayenne pepper

Brown meat with cilantro, set aside. Add rice, beans, and spices. You may want to add 1/4c water and let everything simmer for a bit.

Put the mixture on top of a few chips, top with lettuce, tomatoes, all the toppings you desire!

I made some guacamole to go on the side, too.
1 avocado
juice from 1/2 lime
fresh cilantro to taste
sea salt
black pepper
cayenne pepper
tomatoes

smush everything, add tomatoes, enjoy!

Summer Salad

Summer is my FAVORITE season. True story. I love the hot weather, the humidity, the can't breathe sultry air hitting you as soon as you walk out of your nice, air conditioned house! Summer in the South is amazing. I don't think you can beat the patriotic themed bbq's, the family gatherings, crazy days at the lake, fireworks displays... the mosquitoes! haha!

Tonight my grandparents grilled out, and I made a nice chickpea salad! It was inspired by a pin from OH SHE GLOWS on pinterest. My grandma didn't have all the ingredients for the salad I was drooling over, so we just threw together what we had and it ended up being AMAZING.

You need:
1 can chickpeas, drained & rinsed
1 cucumber, peeled & diced
1/2 bell pepper (any color, we had a yellow/green one), diced
1 tomato, diced
fresh cilantro (we like a lot)
sea salt (to taste)
pepper (to taste)
2-3 tbsp olive oil
3 tbsp white vinegar

optional: diced jalepeno

Just mix, chill, enjoy! It paired great with grilled corn on the cob!

Meet Amy!

starting weight: 163.6

We Aren't Scared Of Sugar: Tell us your favorite motivational quote.

Amy:  "There is no passion to be found in settling for a life that is less than the one you are capable of living." -Nelson Mandela

WASOS: What is your favorite healthy recipe?

Amy: I don’t really have any healthy recipes (just really started cooking not that long ago…everything I “cooked” would come from a box) 

Here is a recipe I found from Pillsbury and have adjusted some things in it. Pillsbury Grands Easy Taco Melts: 

Ingredients:

1lb. ground turkey, cooked and drained1

 ½ cups picante sauce (the recipe calls for chunky salsa but I don’t like the chunky stuff)

1 can (16.3 oz) Pillsbury Grands refrigerated biscuits (they have a low fat one)

½ cup Monterey Jack or Mexican blend cheese, shredded

Directions:In 10-inch skillet mix cooked beef and ½ cup of the salsa (I just a whole cup). Cook over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally until hot. Press each biscuit into a 6-inch round. Spoon 1/3 cup meat mixture and 1 tbsp. cheese into the center of each round. Fold dough in half over filling; press edges to seal.Place on greased cookie sheet and bake at 375 degrees for 9-14 minutes or until golden brown. Serve with remaining salsa. 

WASOS: What is your ultimate fitness goal?

Amy: To be healthy and happy for myself and no one else. Once I do that then it will trickle down to my boys and husband, but I’ve realized that if I’m not happy with myself then I can’t be the best mom and wife I know I can be!

You can follow Amy on twitter by clicking HERE.

And if you haven't already, you should go like the We Aren't Scared of Sugar facebook page by clicking HERE. 

Finding my "umph"

Gahhhhh This has been the longest week ever. But not even the week- I started feeling sick LAST week. I took 2 days off. I went back to the gym, back to running. Felt worse, took a few more days off. Taking time off to be sick means... cheese. Yeah. Everyone has their own comfort food, right? Well, in my family... we put cheese on EVERYTHING growing up. So, cheese and crackers (always reminds me of my late great grandma Poole) is my number one comfort food, especially if I'm sick. So, I didn't eat my weight in cheese or anything, but, I definitely ate more than I normally would.

I got back in the gym today and it felt great. My throat is still scratchy and raw, and I'm still coughing a little... I couldn't wait any longer. You know.. in the movie Tommy Boy where Richard tells Tommy "I can hear you getting fatter!" .. That is how I have felt with every passing day that I didn't get in the gym. I ran a 2 mile HIIT (treadmill, not elliptical! Ouch to my shins, but what a feeling of accomplishment!), and did arms/shoulders/chest.

Then I came home, and conducted girl scouts. After my scouts left, I prepared Olivia's & my favorite dinner! Chicken stir-fry over quinoa. Its so easy and fast, and by far one of the heartiest dinners (to me).

Easy peasy lemon squeezy..

• sautee organic boneless skinless chicken in some pam and a dash of olive oil until they're white on each side. Remove from pan, dice (you can probably chop them up completely raw but.. I'll gag. So I have to cook them a little first!) Put back in pan.
• add a dash of low sodium soy sauce. cook until chicken is almost finished.
• add in 1/2 bag of frozen stir fry veggies (plain, no sauces/butter added! I use great value brand since its cheap, simple, and walmart is the local grocery store). 
• add another dash of low sodium soy sauce, 1/8c water, bring to boil. Cover, reduce to simmer.
• Meanwhile, you should have had your quinoa cooking. haha.
• Scoop finished quinoa onto your plate (measure your serving, of course! PORTION control!), top with stir-fry goodness, & sprinkle with sesame seeds.

enjoy! 

Goal: Achieved!

click the image to link up :)

{one} I set a goal for myself this week: 3 miles without stopping. Today I did 3.5... and its only MONDAYYYYY! I feel really proud!

{two} cheese overload. Yeah. I didn't do so hot at staying on track yesterday. I blame the cake I had Saturday night. I also ate 6. yes SIX oreos. Right before bed. :( No biggie, today was awesome, and I'm cool with that. :)

{three} water goal. Mine is 80oz/day. Whats yours? I'm currently 14oz away and then I'll have some hot tea before bed!

{four} Last night was spent in and out of the bathtub with on and off again tornado sirens. I really can't wait until I'm only dealing with hurricanes and not tornadoes. I've witnessed both and well... I'm less scared of hurricanes.

{five} Since we were up until 1am with stormy weather, naturally I overslept this morning. I slept right through my alarm, and the painters ringing the doorbell repeatedly. Luckily the doorbell woke Olivia up (at 0730!) and she got me up. She missed the school bus but hey, at least she wasn't late for school.

{six} I am so bored with the food I eat. So tomorrow part of my day will be spent (I should have done this yesterday) planning a menu... which also seems so boring to me. I do believe I'm in a rut.

{seven} I participated in a blog book exchange, and I am so excited about the book I gifted. Once my partner receives it (its an e-book, it shouldn't take long, haha!) I will post it. I love it, and I really think everyone should read it! :)


*** I have a request!! ***
Leave a link to your favorite recipe! Whether its on your own blog (hey, fitnessistas, I'm looking to you, here!) or on a website you love (Pinterest, maybe?), I want to see it. INSPIRE ME! Even if its not "healthy"....... maybe I can switch some things up and come up with a new healthy favorite. :) That would be, what I call.. winning. :)

xoxo
Kandice

Random Recipe Tuesday

^^ Yeah, so I don't think that will be my weekly "thing," but hey, today I feel like sharing a recipe! I suck, super duper suck at protein. I never remember to thaw anything (I took chicken out of the freezer today at like noon, hopefully by dinner its ready to cook. I refuse to thaw anything in the microwave. It feels like eating cancer... even if it isn't. Thats how I feel.) So of course today I didn't have anything for lunch meat-wise. So, I made my very favorite fast lunch ever.

I shall name it.. Spicy black bean salad. :)

You will need:

• 1/3c black beans (cooked and seasoned with crushed red pepper, garlic, cilantro, and onion)
• dark green leafy lettuce
• black olives, tomatoes, peppers, any veggies you want to toss in
• fresh salsa (recipe to follow, super easy, its my Grandma's)
• hot sauce of choice (I prefer cholula).

So pretty much, heat the beans, throw the lettuce in a bowl, top with everything, drown in hot sauce. Quick, easy, delicious, healthy. :) Easy peasy lemon squeezy.

Salsa (you can do this one of two ways: a can of diced tomatoes and green chiles (low sodium), or fresh tomatoes and green chiles, the amount of time I have usually dictates what I use). 

Throw these items into a food processor, including your tomatoes & chiles: cilantro, diced onion, 1-2 cloves garlic, fresh cilantro (freeze dried will do in a pinch), sea salt. Process. Smell. Taste. LOVE. :) 

Yay! That salsa is fantastic and so easy, and goes great with everything. 

Today is day THREE in a row for me of completely clean eating, and working out. I feel so so good. I love being back on track- I had no intentions of letting the holidays mess me up so badly. But, lesson learned, and now I am rocking it and weighing in at 125.5, which is great for me. I really don't have a goal weight, I want to build muscle and be jacked. So as I tone up, if that number rises, I'm totally 100% happy with that. 

I have done planks and squats all day. My booty already feels higher. hahaha :D I also did THIS tone it up circuit and at 530 when my babysitter gets here I'm off to the gym to run, and I am going to do the kettle bell beginner workout before bed. I have had my kettle bell for about a month now, and I haven't even watched one of the videos for it. I used to lift at the gym, but all the New Years resolution people are there 24/7 now and its so crowded. So I am just getting my run in (its so cold and wet here... still) and thats it. Thankfully I haven't had to wait on a treadmill yet, I would be so mad! 

I saw this today on a tumblr blog and I LOVE it SO much, I pinned it AND I'm sharing it here- and in my facebook fit is freedom group. :) 

I have motivation :) Do you? 

Random question: Have you ever encountered someone that was not really supportive of your decision to be healthy.. but more like, annoyed by your motivation? Just curious. Please share if you have, and why you think people feel that way. We will be discussing this in my fit group soon, and I would love to have a few examples to share with my girls! :) 

Have a lovely day!