Healthy Eating!

On this tab I will be adding some great resources for healthy eating. Learning how to saute veggies and eat things without preservatives are some of the things that have been so key to success in my journey! We no longer use butter in our vegetable preparation, we only use olive oil (sparingly). Sea salt is your friend, you can use less of it to get a punch of salty flavor.

Justin and I are big fans of the eating style we learned while on the Daniel Fast. It is a partial fast based on the book of Daniel in the Old Testament of the Bible. We are Christians and did the fast to discipline ourselves and get focused in on all of our goals for 2012.  Since completing the fast we have decided to keep a totally plant based diet! It is hard, but it is worth it!

For a ton of preservative free recipes check out... http://daniel-fast.com/recipes.html. Another great site with tons of tasty recipes: http://www.caringcarrot.com/

At this point we are not eating any processed foods, sugar, dairy, or meat. We are focusing our diets on vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and beans. This has been a great cleanse for our systems and we plan to continue this style of eating to keep our bodies running the best way possible.

For extra protein I do have a protein shake in the morning...this is the only thing that I consume that is not natural (at this time). This is something I have done since 2006 after my Gastric Bypass. My body loves its' protein shakes! To get the great tasting shake that I have each day you can go to: http://www.gnc.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2929310&cp=3593187.2108294

I am not a chef, a dietitian, nutritionist, or doctor. If you have any dietary issues that prevent you from eating these things, then please do not eat them.

• My Favorite Lunchtime Stirfry!

In a small skillet add 1 tablespoon olive oil, a large handful of spinach leaves, broccoli, celery, potatoes, pea pods, and whatever other fresh veggie you enjoy. Saute veggies covered until cooked. I like to add about 2 tablespoons of soy sauce (reduced sodium) while it is cooking for flavor.

This is my favorite thing to fix for lunch after the gym. While it is low in protein it is yummy, and you get a ton of good stuff from the veggies.

• Ryan's Beans and Rice Crockpot!

1 Red Bell Pepper
1 Green Bell Pepper
1 Small Onion
Fresh Mushrooms
1 Can Tomato puree
1 Whole Tomato Chopped
1 box Vegetable stock
1 lb Pinto Beans
1/2 lb Black Beans
4 Cups Whole Grain Brown Rice
A couple jalapeno peppers (however many you want for how hot you want it)

In CrockPot Combine minced bell peppers, minced onion, mushrooms, tomato, vegetable stock, and tomato puree. Cook on Low for 2 hours.
Prepare beans as directed on package (soak and then add it to the crock pot after they have been soaked) Add to crockpot and cook on high for 3.5-4 hours.
Prepare rice as directed.

Serve crockpot 'soup' over rice, garnish with crushed red pepper for some more heat.

I made this Tuesday night and Bethany loved it! Not often do I find something prepared in the crock pot that she will eat up, and I just threw it together!