Tag Archives: healthy

COLD BROWN RICE SALAD

I believe we are all on a journey, for me it has been a phenomenal ride and I am loving every minute of it. Life is a journey and I love life. I believe if life hands us lemons, we can make lemon cookies and share with those around us. Love, life, and food should be shared. We are on this journey together.

JOURNEY

People often talk to me about their weight problems, and I always explain it is just weight. Weight is not permanent, as soon as we gain it we can lose it. We just have to put the effort in and be consistent in our weight loss efforts. A week of strict dieting all week and eating everything in sight come Saturday would have never worked for me. For me it is slow and steady, after all I have all the time in the world. Three, six, nine months will pass. I would rather go about my goals the healthy way than look for a get skinny quick scheme.  Exercise, including my yoga and running paired with a healthy diet wins the race in the long run. Fifty pounds down, and now ready to tackle my plateau with the next phase of my journey. With that comes with some new experimentation in the kitchen. I tend to skip meals, and that just slows your weight loss efforts.

Here is my Cold Brown Rice Salad. It is perfect for any occasion. You can pack it and take it on a summer picnic. Your vegan friends can eat it. It is gluten free and oh so delicious. I paired it with baked chicken over spinach and field greens. I have learned food is not the enemy. Food nourishes our body and soul, and gives us the fuel to do the things we love to do. Here is my recipe which I derived from a dish my roommate Rachel made for me back in Cleveland, Ohio. It was just as delicious as it was then, especially since it was made just for me from a beloved friend. So now I share it with you, food was meant to be shared with love. I made this in bulk so we could have some for days, and of course I offered some to my lovely neighbor. Continuing the tradition that food must be shared.

Namaste’

Rose

 

COLD BROWN RICE SALAD

2 PACKETS SAFEWAY BROWN RICE/WILD RICE WITH QUINOA

1 CAN LOW SODIUM BLACK BEANS

1 CAN NO SALT CORN

2 ROMA TOMATOES CHOPPED FINE

1 RED ONION CHOPPED FINE

1 CUP GREEN BEANS (STEAMED AND FLASHED IN COLD WATER)

BALSAMIC DRESSING (RECIPE TO FOLLOW)

I used microwave rice, it is pure and has only three ingredients. Brown, wild rice with Quinoa. I am all about convenience but you could use 4 cups of a mixture of brown/wild rice and quinoa.

1. Follow instructions and microwave one packet at a time.

2. Add rice mixtures to a large bowl. 

3. Add chopped raw onion, chopped tomatoes, 1 can corn, 1 can black beans, 1 cup green beans and mix.

4. Add half cup of balsamic dressing and chill salad. You could eat this warm or cold but I prefer cold. Over mixed greens with baked chicken was delicious and so healthy.

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HOMEMADE BALSAMIC VINAIGRETTE

1 1/2 Balsamic vinegar

1 cup olive oil

2 Tablespoons chopped garlic

1 teaspoon dried oregano

1 teaspoon dried parsley

1 teaspoon ground black pepper

1 teaspoon dijon mustard

Combine and blend and you have a perfect dressing, no sodium and not processed. 

 

 

 

 

BLUEBERRIES AND KALE, OH MY.

I started weight watchers again, online. It will help me keep on track and lose my next 40 lbs. I sometimes do not eat enough and this should help me to eat more consistently and break my huge plateau. Losing fifty pounds was easy, now it is time to take this to another level. With my online ww tracking, my running, and my Melissa Bender Fitness workouts this should be what I need to move the scale. I will be talking about my charities and fitness bucket list once I feel back on track, I gained a few pounds on my weekend in Monterey and my plan is to lose that and start there.  Moving to the San Francisco area and my transition has not made my goals as easy as they were in Los Angeles, but I am ready to change that starting today. My first poetry book will be out in a few months and as I awaken with the sun I am reminded that life is beautiful, and I am always ready and willing to evolve and become a better version of myself.  Listening to Sirius XM Metropolitan Opera I am inspired for what is to come. It ain’t over till the former fat lady sings. 

“Recreate your life, always, always.
Remove the stones, plant rose bushes and make sweets.”
Begin again.”
Cora Coralina

KALE AND BLUEBERRIES, OH MY

The two foods I love to put on everything are Kale and Blueberries and they have zero points on weight watchers.

I eat Kale and Blueberries, a lot. I ask for them in my smoothies, and top all of my salads and sandwiches with them, This is why:

1. They are just tasty and delicious. The combo of bitter crunchy greens with sweet succulent blueberries adds a an interesting mix to my sandwiches, salads and smoothies.

2. They are quick and easy. I am all about how fast I can eat something healthy, because I am on the run and live for convenience. Kale can be found pre-washed and bagged and blueberries are easy, no pealing of a messy fruit.
3. I get instant all natural fiber.One cup of Kale has 1.3 grams of fiber and blueberries have 2.4  grams of fiber. Bam, I am getting my fiber in without trying. Making a sandwich with Ezekiel Sprouted Bread just ups the fiber content. Add a little protein and you have a clean eating, nutritious quick meal. I am all about convenience and food on the go. So I can go; go work out, go running.
4. Superfoods are super. Blueberries are little blue anti-aging wonders, loaded with antioxidants, and they reduce inflammation. They are delicious too. Kale is loaded with potassium, B6, Vitamin C. I love the crunch it adds to an unlikely combo of kale and peanut butter on Sprouted Ezekiel Bread. A wonder sandwich without the wonder bread. Wonderful!!
5. They keep me looking young, well that is my story and I am sticking with it. No, really, Kale is loaded with iron which helps with hair loss, and Vitamin C helps with building collagen for skin and hair. Blueberries are an anti inflammatory food, and we all know by now inflammation is not our friend.
This is not a scientific study of course, just my personal observation about two of my favorite foods. I find when you are losing weight, it makes sense to find what you like and stock your fridge with it so you are prepared to move forward in your weight loss endeavors with success. What are your favorite foods? Just go for it, and keep being wonderful.
Love and Light
Rose