Breaking Out of the Recipe Rut: New Orleans Red Beans

As promised I am trying at least one new recipe a month this year. Some of them will be practical and some will be elaborate. Today's recipe is practical and easy on the budget and diet plan. 

Hey, I'm an unpublished writer with a College Kid and I'm on a diet. This recipe is from the Fix It and Forget It Lightly slow cooker cookbook and was originally submitted by Cheri Janzen in Houston,TX.

2 cups dried red kidney beans
5 cups water
1/4 pound lean hot sausage cut into small pieces (couldn't find this so used turkey smoked sausage and added a dash of cayenne to the mix
2 onions chopped (I used Vidalia)
2 cloves garlic minced (I used 3 and wish I used 4 cause I love garlic)
1 tsp. salt (I omitted it)

1. Wash beans. Remove any stones or floaters. In saucepan, combine beans and water. Boil 2 minutes. Remove from heat. Soak 1 hour. 

2. Brown sausage slowly in nonstick skillet (I added a bit of olive oil). Add onions, garlic, and salt (but I omitted) and sauté until tender.

3. Combine all ingredients, including the bean water, in slow cooker. 

4. Cover. Cook on low 8-10 hours. During last twenty minutes stir frequently and mash with a spoon (didn't do this). 

5. Serve over hot cooked white rice. (I used brown). 

Yields 6 cups. 1 cup per serving. Serve with 1/2 cup rice. 200 cal per serving. 3 weight watcher points for bean dish. 3 points for brown rice. 

Verdict? Yummy! Filling! And do again. 

Great recipe. I will make it again and tweak the heat with a bit more garlic and spice/cayenne. 

Exercise Etiquette

I have debated about posting this, but what the heck? I'm on a roll. Any rate, as many of you know, I work out at my local gym in two different workout classes: Zumba and Pilates. I love both the classes and the instructors are fantastic. I love most of the people. And the front desk people are fabulous. I love my gym and the social outlet the brief getaway gives me while I'm getting healthy at the same time. It is a win-win situation.

That being said, there are a few basic things that have been driving me crazy because someone is not behaving nicely in the playground. And that just annoys me. So rather than point out that person's behavior, I thought I'd share some of my basic observations and people can draw their own conclusions. No harm. No foul. And no apologies.

Rules for Exercise Etiquette in Group Classes

1. If you are going to leave half way through the class, be gone for ten or so minutes, then return again to workout, please remain at the back of the room so the other class members don't lose their focus.

2. The cell phone is a tool, not a third hand. Please don't look at it and check for messages while you are doing the downward facing dog during Pilates. Really. It's not a pretty view.

3. If you take a number for the very busy spin class to reserve a spot, plan on remaining in that classroom the ENTIRE time. Someone else could have used that time for the full duration of the class.

4. If you arrive late for a class, please enter quietly and go discretely to the back of the class to find your spot.

5. If you are taking a class prior to another class that you want to participate in this is not a license to squat a spot with your water bottle and house keys.

6. If you are taking a class in another classroom AFTER a class, this is not a license to squat a spot with your workout mat an hour before that class starts. Really. This is unfair to those of us who come on time to find a decent spot only to have the front row already marked by an empty mat.

7. If you are in a fast paced dance class like Zumba and you aren't able to count to 8 or keep the rhythm, then please please please go to the back of the class.

8. Personal space and body awareness is key in a fast workout class. Please adjust your position accordingly when the room is filled to over capacity. The mirror is a guide, not a must have. And move your feet. No one wants to break an ankle because they ran into you.

9. Having fancy dance shoes doesn't mean you can dance. Or count.

10. Please don't stare endlessly at other people when you are working out. It's creepy. Really creepy. Especially during Pilates class. Then we know you are watching us.

I would say more but then you might be reading this and if you see yourself in any or all of these suggestions for exercise etiquette, I'll deny it was you I was talking about LOL.

What can I say? I am over it. If I were the ONLY one who had these feelings, I'd park them. But I've discovered that I'm part of an army of fed up women, and a few good men, who are tired of dealing with these particular antics.

You got any exercise etiquette issues you'd like to share with me?

Be A Healthy Writer in 2012

I've been working really hard to lose weight I'd gained as a result of a Thyroid malfunction. It hasn't been easy and many of my readers have watched me slowly lose the weight over the course of 6 months. In addition to losing 19 pounds with 11 pounds to shed, I've also increased my fitness levels. I have worked out hard and the results are showing in a firmer and more toned body.

As a writer I am very sedentary because it requires sitting in front of a computer screen, whimpering on occasion, and writing in a fixed position. Sometimes I don't want to leave my fictional world to go to the gym because I'm so involved in the story I'm crafting. Sometimes I am unable to leave my writing to take a full hour or more to workout because I have a deadline to meet. Sometimes I don't want to workout just because I'm feeling lazy. But I do. The greatest challenge for me is when I have a deadline.

No. I am not published yet, but I have deadlines. I enter contests to put myself into that position. I hold myself accountable and treat myself as a published writer because once I am published I will have to meet deadlines all the time. There is no time like the present to hone the skill of meeting a professional deadline.

But I must take care of myself. Here are my strategies for protecting myself from a widening derriere and writer's bloat in 2012 particularly when I am in deadline mode.

*Go to the gym and vary my workouts. I attend Zumba and Pilates classes as well as use the weight machines.
*When in Deadline Mode, force myself to get up every hour and move for 15 minutes. This can be stretching, dancing in front of the TV to a music channel, or doing Max Capacity. You can access Max Capacity here.
*Walk. I've discussed this with a writing buddy. We plan on alternating houses every week and writing together. We'll set the timer for 60 minutes, then when it beeps we will walk for fifteen. We'll talk while we walk.
*Get the Fitbit. You can learn more about the Fitbit here. I plan to walk 10,000 steps a day. This will hold me accountable to remaining fit and strong.
*Pay myself a quarter for every workout. A healthy writer is a strong writer. This all contributes to my writing fund which pays for writing activities.
*Look for unique ways to ramp up my fitness levels by doing Wii Dance Programs and attending different classes which challenge my strength and flexibility.
*Feed my body healthy foods so I can increase my health and brain power.

What are your plans for staying strong and healthy in 2012? Do you have any tips for me? I'd love to learn all about it!

Guest Blogger on The Healthy Writer

I blogged about my dieting journey and how it all started this year on The Healthy Writer. Come join me and learn about how dressing for diet success helped my motivation!

4 Hour Body-Skinny for NYC Check In Time & Recipes

Well I had a fabulous Cheat Day last Saturday, but I've noticed an interesting thing: I can't eat as much of the "bad" stuff as I'd like to eat!! I think this is a neat trick. You think you're going to gorge, but it's impossible to do so when the time comes. I do graze a bit more, but I can't even stand more than a few fries now. And I wasn't able to eat more than half of the amazing Smokehouse burger from Ruby Tuesdays. But, man, it tasted super delicious!!

The hardest part about this diet is the fact that we're not allowed fruit. This makes it difficult to try some recipes that I'm itching to make. However, I'm sticking to it almost religiously till I reach my goal. Once I reach my goal, then I'm adding back a little fruit and some complex carbs. I miss couscous and wild grain rice blends. I don't need them every day, but they are a nice addition to the meal. But as long as I am striving to get skinny, there is no way I'm going to blow it!!

I'm posting some recipes and I hope to get more from you.

Moroccan Grilling Rub from The Huntsville Times Food Section

1/4 c kosher salt (I think this is too much--I'd cut by half or more the next time I make it)
1 tsp. ground pepper
2 tsp. ground ginger
2 tsp. ground coriander
1/2 tsp. all spice (I used a teaspoon because I couldn't find mace and a recipe site said to substitute nutmeg or all spice for the mace)
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. ground mace (or nutmeg or all spice if can't find it in store)
1/2 tsp. cayenne pepper
1 tsp. turmeric
1/2 tsp. ground cardamon

Blend well, store in air tight container. Makes half a cup.

I rubbed this all over two pork tenderloins and had plenty leftover for another meal. We grilled the pork and it was delicious!! I served the pork with the turkish spiced meatballs and roasted cauliflower.

Roasted Cauliflower

1 bag frozen cauliflower, thawed and drained
non-stick spray oil
garlic powder
salt to taste
pepper to taste

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Spray pan with oil. Toss the cauliflower with the spices, place in pan. Roast till slightly browned, turn as necessary.

Moroccan Chicken

1-2 tbsp. moroccan rubbing spice
juice of three lemons
1-2 cloves garlic, minced
1/4-1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
6 chicken breasts halved through the middle
green onion chopped for garnish

Combine lemon juice, garlic, olive oil and Moroccan rub. Whisk till thoroughly combined. Place cut chicken pieces in large plastic ziplock bag or glass bowl. Add marinade and cover all chicken pieces. Marinate 4 hours or overnight. Heat oven to 350 degrees, remove chicken from bag/marinade and place in shallow baking pan. Roast till juices run clear. Serve with sprinkled green onion and your choice of vegetables. Delish!


One Pot Cannellini Florentine (Bush Brothers & Co. Recipe)

4 slices bacon, chopped (I used turkey bacon, already cooked and cut it up)
3 cloves garlic, minced
12 oz frozen spinach, thawed and drained (you can use canned but I chose not to)
1 15.5 oz can cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
1 15.5 oz can light red kidney beans, drained and rinsed
1 15.5 oz can dark red kidney beans, drained and rinsed
3 14.5 oz cans chicken broth
1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes, small strips
1-2 tsp. dried basil
crushed pepper flakes
shredded parmesan cheese (we omitted due to diet)
crispy onions (we used dehydrated, non fried onions that were super crunchy and delicious)
olive oil if using already cooked bacon

In large sauce pan, cook bacon over high heat OR add 1-2 tbsp. olive oil and heat. Then add bacon, onion, garlic and cook till slightly browned and tender. Mix in spinach and saute for 2 minutes. Add remaining ingredients except for crispy onions and parmesan. Simmer on low for 10-15 minutes. (This stays warm in pot for a long time). Serve with onions and cheese (if allowed on diet).

I loved this dish. It was colorful and filling. I'm keeping an eye on Bush Brothers' Bean Recipes--they know what they are doing!!

Porchetta-Style Pork Loin with White Beans from  MEN'S HEALTH Magazine

3 garlic cloves, minced
grated zest of two oranges (I figure zest is not a fruit LOL)
1 tbsp. fennel seeds
1 1/2 tbsp. chopped fresh rosemary
1 tbsp. olive oil
salt and fresh cracked pepper to taste
1 pork loin (about 2 lbs. with a a think layer of fat still attached)
2 cans cannellini beans (also called great northern or white beans), drained and rinsed
juice of one lemon

Preheat oven to 450 degrees. On cutting board, combine garlic, orange zest, and 1 tbsp of the rosemary till it forms a paste. Scoop it up into a small bowl and add olive oil. Season the pork with salt and pepper then rub paste all over the pork. You can let this sit up to four hours in the fridge. Place pork in roasting pan, insert thermometer, and bake at 450 degrees till the thermometer reads 160 degrees F. (about 30-40 minutes).

Take meat out and let it rest for ten minutes. Meanwhile, in saucepan heat the beans, lemon juice and remaining rosemary (1/2 tbsp) till warmed through. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Slice the pork and serve with the beans.

We loved this dish and plan to make it again. I also like to take herbs de provence and roll pork loin in the spices, then sear in olive oil, then bake at 400 degrees till the thermometer reaches 160 degrees F. Very fragrant and super delicious.

This week I also peeled parsnips and sliced them on the diagonal, then roasted in pan where I'd just seared the pork loin. I added the parsnips to the baking pan and roasted them with the pork loin. The parsnips got a nice caramelization which gave them a sweet taste (and on this diet any amount of sweetness that doesn't come from sugar is welcomed!). Totally yummy.

As always, I measured myself. Here are this week's stats:

Waist: down .5
Hips: same
Upper Right Thigh: same
Upper Left Thigh: same
Bicep: same

Total Inches Lost this Week: .5
Total Inches Lost to Date: 10!!

So the losses aren't as monumental, but the numbers are going down. I didn't expect to lose off my thighs or bicep. And I wasn't expecting any major losses off the hips or waist. I wasn't able to work out as intensely due to a sore shoulder, but I did walk a lot, so I feel good about the entire week.

So share your successes or frustrations with me about your weight loss/diet goals. And if you have any good recipes bring them on!!