Enchiladas - A New Staple

Let's agree on something - enchiladas are the bomb. The filling is usually quick to make (not to mention you can make it whatever you want!), it gets rolled up in tortilla yuminess and then smothered in a red sauce that can be as spicy as your taste buds can handle. YUM-O.

Sweet potato & black bean enchiladas were a part of our vegan freezer exchange this past month, and both the hubby & I enjoyed them. After those were gone I wanted to make some of my own and was inspired by this recipe. Bonus that it uses a butternut squash (I totally had one sitting on my counter top!)

I think the recipe is a little complicated if you read it all at once. I also didn't make the enchilada sauce (used a can - eek! I know...) or cashew cream sauce (next time!). But if you roast the butternut squash ahead of time, this really comes together pretty quick.

Souce: Edible Perspective (see recipe link)

Ta-da!

So my challenge to you this week is to experiment in the kitchen a little - come up with a filling that you think would ROCK. Try out the cashew cream sauce (I guarantee you will be hooked). Take some time out this weekend and make a nice, hearty meal for your family!

I hope you all are staying warm. The snow here has had me in hibernation mode lately! I promise to try to be better about posting :)

♥ L

February Food Challenge!

Confession - I have been stuck on the scale and it is frustrating! I don't think I have lost any weight since before Christmas. I guess on the flipside, I haven't gained any either, but I still think its time to switch some things up!

I was really inspired by my online fitfam taking on all sorts of challenges in February. They are committed to keeping the momentum going from their fresh starts in January! Some are doing a 'clean-eating' month, others are taking weeks off of sugar, and there is a whole #hastag movement for #yogaeverydamnday!

So my commitment to myself (and to you!) is to take charge/responsibility for what I am eating. I know the little snacks here and there are adding up in calories, and I especially struggle at work with mindless snacking! As the old saying goes, if you bite it, write it! I don't do well with food journals, so I'm going to go with if you eat it, tweet it! Or something like that...basically, I'm going to commit to a photo log of what I eat every day. I hope it keeps me accountable. Maybe it will inspire someone to try a new dish. And along the way, I'll be sharing my recipes! Yay!

Here is Day 1, which happens to be February 5th, so I may carry this challenge into March :)

Pre-Workout Snack: 1/2 banana & 1 tbsp Almond Butter
Breakfast: Cheerios, the other 1/2 banana, & almond milk
Morning Snack: Chai Tea & a Spiced Pumpkin Pie Cliff Bar
Lunch: Stir-fry Veggies, 1/2c black beans, 1/4c brown rice
Afternoon Snack: Carrots & homemade Hummus, Clementine (I didn't realize how orange this meal was until I took the photo ha!)
Dinner: Butternut Squash Enchiladas (they had kidney beans in them, and I added some Daiya to one!)
Late Night Snack (I promise this won't be a regular thing): Itsy Bitsy Soy Mocha from Biggby. I have a sweet tooth, I admit it. I'm trying to break that habit!

So, tell me, how are YOU going to CHALLENGE yourself this month?

♥L

Recovery Smoothie

The potassium from the banana and all the antioxidant goodness from the blueberries make this an excellent post-workout smoothie. Simple to make, I usually drink this after my long runs!

Just 5 ingredients!

Here is what you will need:

- a good blender (of course!)
- 1 scoop Vanilla protein powder of your choice (I use Vega Sport)
- 1 c Non-dairy milk (I use Almond Breeze Unsweetened)
- 1 banana
- 1 c blueberries
- 1 container non-dairy Greek style yogurt

The yogurt may be the toughest thing to find. If you are not vegan, plain greek yogurt will work just as well!

Blend all ingredients together, adding ice if you want the smoothie thicker or more milk if you want it thinner. This will make 2 servings. You can freeze the additional serving for later, setting out the frozen smoothie to thaw ~a half hour before you want it!

♥ L