Twice the Potato Wedges

I love french fries, jo jo potatoes, potato wedges, however you want to cook them. With my IBS I can’t have anything fried and I’ve gone on the search for many other ways to prepare potatoes to make them more like french fries. I’m an absolute sucker for these potatoes. I don’t have to make a choice of which potato I want. lol  Sadly, I am also lactose intolerant (severely), so I leave the cheese off of my portion.  But the family loves the Parmesan added.

photo credit: su-lin

Ingredients:

Molasses Caraway Bread

I love bread. It’s my weakness. So I love when I can find a way to indulge a little and still keep it a little healthy.

Ingredients:

4 (1/4 oz.) packages active dry yeast
4 cups 110 degree warm water
1 cup 110 degree warm milk
6 Tbsp brown sugar substitute
1/8 cup sugar substitute
1/4 cup shortening
1/4 cup molasses
2 cups rye flour
10 cups all purpose flour
1/4 cup caraway seeds

Directions:

Beet and Feta Salad

Ingredients:

2 (5 ounce) packages mixed greens
2 cups fresh nectarines, sliced
1 (13 1/4 ounce) can beets, drained and sliced
1/2 cup feta cheese (or crumbled goat cheese if you can only find feta that is from cow’s)
1/2 cup balsamic vinaigrette

Directions:

1. Place the greens into a large salad bowl.

2. Add the nectarines and beets and toss to fluff.

3. Sprinkle the salad with the feta cheese to cover the entire salad.

4. Drizzle the vinaigrette over the entire salad.

Nutritional Information: (Approximate Value per 1 cup serving)

3 Mental Benefits of Weight Training

I touched on the top 3 reasons I promote weight training to women. I wrote that article about the health benefits specifically. But weight training can benefit you so much mentally.

photo credit: greg westfall.

1. Confidence. How you think of yourself is a huge key in how others will think of you. When you weight train your posture improves as you strengthen your muscles. You’ll hold yourself up taller and this brings the perception that you are more confident…even if you aren’t yet. Stand tall and be proud of your accomplishments with your workouts.

Honey Mustard Dill Carrots

Ingredients:

1 (16 ounce) package baby carrots
2 Tbsp honey mustard (not the dressing, but the actual mustard)
1 Tbsp. fresh dill, snipped
2 tsp. unsalted butter

Directions:

1. Cover the bottom of a saucepan with a thin layer of water.

2. Place the carrots into the saucepan with the water and set over medium high heat. Bring to a steady boil.

3. Reduce the heat to low and cover the saucepan. Continue cooking on low 17 minutes or until the carrots are tender.

3 Reasons Weight Training is Important

I tour many of our new gym members to show them how to use our equipment correctly and give them tips.  One thing I hear a lot from women is they don’t want to bulk up so they don’t really want to do weights.  or I can tell that they aren’t really ever going to do a weight workout that will actually push them.

There are many reasons why weight training is important, but I’m going to hit three of the top.  Remember that in order to bulk up like a body builder you would have to spend hours a day and have a major plan in place.  Body builders do not get that way by working out for 20 minutes 3 days a week. lol

Marinated Beef Open Faced Pitas

I have to say that pitas are my families new addiction. So finding this recipe that we could create a meal out of was awesome.

Ingredients:

1/2 cup reduced sodium beef broth
2 Tbsp. olive oil
1 clove of garlic, minced
1/2 tsp. oregano
1/8 tsp. pepper
1 pound beef sirloin, cut into thin strips
2/3 cup reduced fat cucumber ranch dressing
5 (6 inch) pita bread
2 cups lettuce, chopped
1 tomato, chopped
1 red onion, sliced thin

Directions:

1. Place the beef broth in a large sealable plastic bag. Add the olive oil and garlic. Seal and shake lightly to combine.

Quick Tip for New Mom’s Workout

As a new mom, you probably recoil at the idea of trying to get back into a workout routine. After all, you’re just getting used to the lack of routine that a new baby brings and those first couple of months home with your new baby can be rough on any new mom. Workouts don’t have to be overwhelming though; a quick tip for a new mom’s workout can take the stress off of you and bring you back to pre-baby shape faster.

Hearty Beef Vegetable Soup

I love the different taste and texture the cabbage adds to this recipe. This soup is one that we love have extra for lunches during the week. Easy too reheat and for hubby to take to work with him so I don’t have to worry about what they are cooking at the station. lol

Ingredients:

2 Tbsp olive oil
4 pounds beef top sirloin steak, cut into 1/2 inch cubes
4 cups onion, chopped
4 quarts hot water
4 cups carrots, chunked
4 cups potatoes, chunked
4 cups cabbage, chopped
1 green pepper, chopped
8 tsp. low sodium beef bouillon
1 tsp. pepper
4 bay leaves
6 cups low sodium tomato juice