Being Healthy

I'm sure like many of you, over the holidays I kind of over did it in the food department: candy, snacks, junk food, booze, second helpings, third helpings, late night helpings, you get the idea. To compound the fact that I was eating like Nadia Suleman pregnant with 8 children, I had been avoiding working out as well.

But with the new year came the new resolution to get my life back on track. I wouldn't call it a resolution so much as a redirection, or a re-acquaintance with my old life. Starting over the last few weeks I've made an effort to exercise at least 3 times a week, shooting for 4, and filling my diet with healthier, more nutritious foods. I've printed out a calendar and hung it on my fridge along with the class workout schedule for all the 24 hour fitness gyms in a few mile radius. I fill in each day what I've accomplished, or what I hope to accomplish that day. If I do nothing that day, I fill it in with a big fat "0". I don't like "0"s.

When it comes to eating healthier it is much easier when you can control what you are consuming, so for me that meant a lot more eating at home. Being in a new relationship, we tend to eat out a lot, drink a lot of wine, and do a lot of snuggling on the couch; not very conducive to a healthy lifestyle, so to be fully on board I had to get Craig on board as well. Lucky for me, he was all for it.

The last few weeks we've been cooking a lot together and have been really satisfied with some of our creations. Here are some of my favorites that I hope you guys will try as well.

• Salmon with Orange, Hoisin, and Vegetables

This recipe is really easy, has no oil or extra fat besides what is in the fish, and is the easiest cleanup ever! The recipe I used calls for bok choy which I love, but you can easily substitute any other vegetables like spinach, bell peppers, or asparagus. Here is the link to the recipe:

http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Salmon-with-Hoisin-Orange-and-Bok-Choy-356309

• Pork-chops stuffed with goat cheese, sundried tomatoes and spinach

I got this recipe from Giada and I totally questioned the healthiness of this dish, but the cheese is pretty minimal in the stuffing, and we can't totally deny ourselves when being healthy. It's about being balanced.

The pan sauce for these is really delicious too and super easy to make. Once you learn how to do this you can make this sauce with anything you cook in a pan, chicken, fish, pork, even vegetables. Here is the link for this recipe:

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/giada-de-laurentiis/pork-chops-stuffed-with-sun-dried-tomatoes-and-spinach-recipe/index.html

• Beef Braised in Red Wine and Veggies

Ok, so this one is not super healthy either but when you think about how much food you are making and there is only 2 tbsp of olive oil in it, it really isn't that bad. And believe me, this is delicious!

For this recipe I used a bag of baby carrots which I put in towards the end. It makes the dish more nutritious and serves as a great side dish. You don't have to use the polenta as a side, but wow is it amazing together. Here is the link for this recipe:

http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Beef-Braised-in-Red-Wine-236986

• Kerry's 3 Bean Turkey Chili

This is my own recipe for chili that I make ALL THE TIME! I love it. With the lean protein from the turkey, the fiber from the beans, vitamin C in the bell peppers, lycopene from the tomatoes, its just delicious and nutritious.

• 1 package lean ground turkey
• 1 large red bell pepper chopped
• 2 cloves garlic chopped
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 jalapeno, chopped (seeds and veins removed if you don't like it too spicy)
• chili powder (1-2 tbsp depending on spice)
• 1 tbsp cumin
• red pepper flakes
• 1 tbsp taco or fajita seasoning
• 1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 can pinto beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 large can diced tomatoes (with green chilies if you can find it, or add small can of diced green chilies)
• About 2-3 cups liquid, enough to cover the chili (I use chicken stock, beef stock, beer, water, etc... whatever you got on hand is fine)
• salt and pepper to taste

Directions: In a large cast iron pot, brown turkey in 1tbsp olive oil. Add onions, garlic, peppers, and jalapeno. Saute until tender. Add seasonings, cook for one or two minutes. Add can of tomatoes and stir. Add liquid to pot and stir all together. Cook covered for one hour on med-low heat. Cook uncovered for 1 hour, stirring occasionally, make sure it doesn't burn. Serve with shredded cheese on top. ENJOY!

• Other Healthy ideas:
• Grilled teriyaki chicken with shish-kebab veggie skewers: bell peppers, onions, mushrooms, and pineapple
• Roasted salmon with asparagus and caper lemon sauce: layer asparagus on roasting pan with olive oil, salt, pepper. lay salmon on top with same seasoning. make sauce with lemon, caper, shallots, olive oil. Top salmon with sauce and serve
• Chicken or shrimp stir-fry with asian vegetables, serve over brown rice. Sauce: soy, siracha, grated ginger, garlic, sesame oil, honey.

So here is to a healthy new year with a lot more exercising and a lot more eating at home. I love using the epicurious.com website as well as foodnetwork.com. I just type in the ingredients I have or what I am in the mood for and the sites will deliver a bunch of great, healthy ideas. Cook on my friends, cook on!