Thursday, February 4, 2010

Rice & Beans, Goals & Superbowl

Thursday- at last! Few things I want to post about today: 1. New Goals, 2. Quick and Easy Rice and Beans recipe (with added veggies), 3. Weekly workouts, 4. Super Bowl Menu:

Now that its February, some of the goals you set for the New Year may be slipping out of your mind. I think today is a great day to revisit your goals and either celebrate yourself (if you’re achieving them or working towards achieving them), adjust them (if you’ve found them to be unattainable) or reset yourself (if you’ve let them slip away). One of my main nutrition goals is to focus back in on protein. Since becoming a vegetarian, I’ve let my counts get a little slow. I am now setting a goal of 75 grams per day. I am going to achieve this by incorporating some form of protein into all of my meals and leaning back on my Jay Robb Egg White protein a bit. I will be holding myself accountable by posting my daily protein intake here at the end of each week. What are your goals? Are you meeting them or working towards meeting them?

Second up, I made up an easy recipe of beans & rice with vegetables to eat as part of my dinner later tonight

Ingredients
  • 2 cups cooked brown rice (you could also use quinoa, barley, etc)
  • 1 cup drained beans (or you could use a combination of a few different kinds of beans)
  • Olive Oil (~1 tablespoon)
  • 1/3 cup Chopped onion (or more if desired)
  • 1 clove garlic, chopped
  • Other veggies (frozen corn, frozen peas, bell pepper, Brussels, whatever you have on hand)
  • ½ cup salsa (or tomato sauce or marinara)
  • ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • ½ teaspoon cumin


Directions

Heat olive oil in large skillet over medium heat. Add onion and garlic and cook 4-5 minutes. Add beans, fresh vegetables (if using), tomato sauce and spices. Heat through or until vegetables are at desired tenderness level. In last few minutes of cooking, add frozen peas/corn (if using). Stir in rice, serve.


Not a difficult recipe, but totally delicious. Can't wait to eat it all up later!

Third, how are your workouts coming this week? My classes are going well! I have a heavy teaching schedule this week, as I’m subbing for a few instructors.


  • Monday: Taught Body Pump, ran to warm up
  • Tuesday: Taught Body Attack
  • Wednesday: Off
  • Thursday: Teach 45 minute Body Step, 45 minute Body Pump
  • Friday: Teach Body Pump, quick run to warm up
  • Saturday: Teach Body Step
  • Sunday: Teach Body Pump


Lastly, thank you all for sharing your super bowl plans! We’re having a few friends over our house. My plan is serve turkey chili, Rhodey Girl’s Zaatar Bread, Vegetables and Spicy Hummus, Chips & salsa, Fruit and Cool whip (or TruWhip) dip (combine one container of cool/truwhip and 1 fruit yogurt) and a few desserts (black bean brownies and oatmeal chocolate chip cookies).

What are you up to this weekend??

53 comments:

Sarah @ The Foodie Diaries said...

black bean brownies??? i want to be at your superbowl fiesta!

Sarah said...

Good for you, that's an ambitious but wonderful goal. I don't know how many grams of protein I consume in a day, but it's super smart to have a number goal.

We're headed to the house of Ray's friend Dan and his wife Linda; they have started a traditional Super Bowl to-do at their house. It's about a 80 minute drive :-( and I need to bring one or two food contributions, they'll need to be car-ready. I think I'm going to try the black bean brownies for one!

Mom on the Run said...

You are too cute teaching that class. I would totally take a class if you were teaching it!

Nice rice and bean recipe. I LOVE anything with beans. I still have not thought about Super Bowl Recipes. I need to get started.

Pining for Pinterest said...

It looks like you have a full class! Have a great Super Bowl!

vanillasugarblog said...

hey girl! my workouts were amiss duing the move, but I'm slowly back on track and feeling better. amazing what working out does for the mood. so glad I was only away from working out for 5 days.
that egg white protein was so sweet for me. I don't do a lot of sugar and it also tasted so chemically-like. I wanted to like it. I have to stick with the garden of life or eden something, they are spot on.
how's the frankster?

homecookedem said...

Your Super Bowl menu sounds great!! I'm still trying to decide on what dessert to bring to our party... there will be picky, picky eaters there - a nut allergy, and of course has to be GF. So it's not an easy decision, haha! ;)

Jessica @ How Sweet said...

You have the nicest legs EVER girl!!! Sexy! :)

Michelle @ Find Your Balance said...

Beans and rice, can't go wrong there! You sure do have a full week of teaching. Need protein to keep up with all that exercise!

Lauren said...

I was just thinking how I need to incorporate more protein into my diet too. I have been seriously lacking but this seems to be one nutrient my body is in desperate need of at the moment.

Love the rice and beans recipe and it sounds like you have a great weekend planned. Wish I could say the same! :( This is all about "prepping" for the big day for me. (Monday is colonoscopy day!)

Have a great night hun!

Anonymous said...

I would definitely take your classes if I lived in Charleston!

I don't pay much attention to the amount of protein that I get.

Amanda (Two Boos Who Eat) said...

I wish I could come to your super bowl party. It sounds like so much fun!!

We're going to a friend's house. Should be a good time.

Averie @ Averie Cooks said...

I gave you a tiny shout at the end of my post today b/ i loved the question you asked julie re her fave housewife..loved it girl!

You're rockin' the class all looking snazzy in your teaching attire!

Great work on the beans n rice.

And I am off to check those brownies out, you're the 2nd blog in 12 hrs i have seen that link now. I need to investigate!

brandi said...

that's such a good picture of you! and it makes me miss body pump :)

no big plans here - we're supposed to have ice/snow tomorrow, so we may be stuck in here all weekend!

Abbys Vegan Eats said...

WOwW, you know, I have no clue how much protein I comsume in a day.. how did you know you were on the low side?!?!

Such a great recipe.. simple and healthy!!

Cute pic.. I wanna take a class :(

Anonymous said...

I try to make sure I get some protien at every "meal." I don't count though.

I would totally take your class, when it comes to classes the instructor makes all of the difference!!!

I JUST now realized that we have NO PLANS for SBS...first time ever!!! Maybe just some relaxing football with the hubby & little man : )

Jenna said...

Black bean brownies sound along the same lines as the chickpea blondies I just made tonight. :)

I think we are going to have some friends over to our place for the game, or, head to Mike's sisters. It is still up in the air!

Julie said...

did you say black bean brownies...

jay robb is seriously my fav protein powder! it's so smooth and delish! if only it was wallet friendly for my negative budget! love your protein counts! just keep making those black bean brownies!

can i come to your classes this week?!

Anonymous said...

ooooooo girl!! i wana come ova for super bowl!

Kristen @ Change of Pace said...

I love taking body pump... My favorite is body combat though! So neat that you are instructor :)

Anonymous said...

I love any dish that combines veggies, beans and grains. So easy and packed full of good stuff. I have not tried Jay's egg white protein yet, just the rice. I am pretty sure all his stuff rocks though. Way to get all those workouts in. I would say I am doing average on my goals, which means I need to amp it up! :)

Stephanie said...

sounds like a fun weekend planned for you girlie! we are getting yet more snow (i live in alaska, not virginia this year apparently) so more relaxin, fireside with some vino and movies on the agenda!

Anon said...

your legs look sotoned and amazingggg!!! i wish i could be at your body pump class :) black bean brownies are so delicious! just like chickpea blondies, love em.

i'm going to a superbowl party on campus that should be fun - though i'm a patriots fan so i don't really care who wins

Esi said...

I hope you have a fantastic weekend. I am trying to keep in line w/ workout goals, but definitely working out less than a month ago. Mostly because work life has gotten so hectic. Funnily enough, I am seeing more results though.

Anonymous said...

Great goals! I have cut back on meat recently and find it hard to get enough protein (my body seems to run best on way more than any calculators say). I think I will have Greek yogurt coming out my ears soon!

Your Superbowl party sounds great- black bean brownies?! Yum.

My goals are coming along, slowly but surely :)

Janetha @ meals + moves said...

you are so stinkin' cute when you teach! i can't stand it. i wish i could come to your class! i dont even like classes but i would totally come to yours :) i bet they rock. great goals! i will miss you while i am out of town~ have a great week! xoxo

tam said...

I totally need to reassess my goals, I wish my workouts were coming on well but back is still a nightmare which is poop! x x

CaSaundraLeigh said...

My goal was to actually gain weight which is the opposite of most people & it doesn't seem like too hard of a goal, but I have a nonstop metabolism so it's extremely hard to put on weight, but I am up 4 lbs since New Years!!

Sounds like your Super Bowl will be filled with gooooodies. :-) Happy Friday!

Pam said...

Boy, you look serious there girl....armed for battle and oh so cute! Dinner looks rather yummy! Jay Robb's products are great!

I'm having a giveaway on Sunday so make sure if you get a minute to register....k!

xoxo Sweetie and enjoy your day!

RhodeyGirl said...

Getting enough protein every day as a vegetarian is hard, no matter what anyone says! I eat eggs, yogurt, chicken, fish- I am by no means a vegetarian- but it is still difficult for me to reach my protein goals every day. I have to try super duper hard!!! I love this goal!!!!!!!

Anonymous said...

This weekend I'll probably be snowed in!

Krista said...

I love rice and beans!! YUM!

You sure do have a busy teaching schedule. Be sure to get some rest, too, K? ;)

This weekend is looking like 1 hockey game out of town and not much else. Amen.

Maria said...

I need to get more protein too! I really lack in that area. I know my muscles need it-esp. on Pump days!

Thanks for the b-day wishes! It should be a fun weekend!

K from ksgoodeats said...

Zaatar bread, hummus, and black bean brownies?! I'll be another blogger at your party ;)

I really need to focus on upping my protein and fats but I always 'forget.' As in, after a meal I'll think, "Oops!!"

Wouldy ou believe I fell asleep halfway through Housewives last night?! I need to catch up!! On our season, there won't be NEARLY as much fighting ;)

Happy Friday!!

Holly said...

I tried Body Pump and Attack this week - loved them! I am actually thinking about joining this gym (in addition to my current one) so I can take the classes. NOW I know what you mean!

This weekend I'm just helping my mom get ready for a Super Bowl party - they invited 50+ people!

Tiffany said...

wow, thanks for the easy rice+bean recipe! sounds so good and delish! and i looove body pump! that, and body combat are my favorite les mills classes. too bad you're not my teacher, you're adorable. i hope you and your friends have a wonderful superbowl party! i'm jealous of the food you're serving them :P

lauren said...

I would love to take your class. Seeing that makes me want to get to a body pump class...immediately!

Naomi(Onefitfoodie) said...

love that pic of you in action!!!! you look so profresh and intense! GAH I wish I could take your class so bad!!

i just got sent a HUGE load of jay robb samples. lots of eggwhite ones toO! how did you like it?? I havent tried it yet only the brown rice protein that tasted very similar to sun warrior which are both awesome! Jay robb def knows what he is doing!!

I didnt really set any goals, other than to be HAPPY and positive all of the time (or MOST all of teh time!) I try to smile and just be upbeat beacuse well happiness is infectious :)

LOVE that rice recipe. Carbs, protein=perfection!!

My Sensei said...

Wowy, that beans and rice dish looks super yummy!

teresa said...

i've been meaning to tell you for a while now, i FINALLY made it back to pump on wednesday! it was so hard, and i'm so sore, but i loved it! thanks for the inspiration.

the rice looks wonderful, great goal! have a wonderful weekend erica!

I'm On My Way said...

Love the action shot! Do you use any other type of protein powder? Jay Robb gets pricey for me!

Kaneil

Christina said...

peas, beans, corn, and rice in a bowl -- my favorite things!! mmm.

Nicole @ Geek Turned Athlete said...

I know how the subbing is! That seriously is going to be me next week! I really need to start looking at my protein intake as well. Although I'm still eating meat, my diet is slowly switching to vegetarian, and I'm worried that I may not be getting enough protein. For me, I'm stuck in bed all weekend due to illness. Sucks, but at least I'll be ahead in school!

That recipe looks great!

Anonymous said...

I'm big on protein - I feel like it is the key to keeping me full. And I love Jay Robb :)

Your SuperBowl party food looks great! I'm pretty excited about ours.

P.S. Cute picture :)

Anonymous said...

I am working on running more since the past wks I barely got to with the rain and snow we have gotten here. I am doing a 5K in March and really need to get in gear since it will be my first one.

I had a question for you--is there a site or directory that you can see Body Pump classes or sites near you? I am in Charlotte so I would figure they would offer it somewhere here but can't find anything!

~M~ said...

Oh my! That rice recipe looks so good! Thanks for sharing the recipe :)

Nicci said...

Looks like a great bean and rice mixture. Love the pic of you teaching Body Pump! Work it Girl

Katie said...

Have fun today! Wish I was going to be at your party :-)

Diana said...

Can I come over for your party?! lol...jk Sounds like you guys will have a great spread!

I had oatmeal with Kath and some other friends and danced with the Charlotte Bobcats and 200 zumba friends on the court at halftime last night! SO FUN!

Superbowl party with friends today. It's been a great weekend!

:) Diana

bhealthier said...

hot hot hot! love the beans and rice and veg- i love that meal for myself too- so easy- jeff introduced me to the wonders of rice and beans . grr. we have exchanged emails- no talking for a few weeks now.

My real boyfriend, Jay Robb, is totally cheating on me too apparently! haha, love him and the protein.

have a super fantastic super-bowl! Your menu sounds FAB!

Anna said...

Yay for still considering/working toward your goals!! That's so awesome. I've been doing my best at keeping up with my goals, some of them have been put on the back burner, but some of them I keep applying to my day to day life.

Kerstin said...

Sounds like such a great SuperBowl spread - wish I could come over :)

I'm training for my very first 5K so I've been writing down my miles every week and it definitely helps!

Molly said...

Mmm, beans+rice+vegetables is one of my favorites! Easy, filling, and balanced!
Your superbowl party sounds like a lot of fun! Drooling over that spicy hummus!

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