Invest In Your Health

This is an amazing video that explains the importance of investing in your health. Preventative health cost ends up being much cheaper than not taking care of your health! Let me know how I can help you; that's what I'm here for!

WIN IT WEDNESDAY! Case of P90X Peak Performance Bars! YUM :)

Congratulations to Marie Parker for winning last Wednesday's "WIN IT WEDNESDAY!" She is getting a 4-Pack of Shakeology and a shaker cup too. Way to go Marie!

This week's giveaway is for a case of P90X Peak Performance Bars. As an extra surprise, the winner will get to choose their flavor:

• Wildberry Yogurt
• Peanut Butter
• Chocolate Fudge
• Cafe Mocha
• or Variety Pack of all flavors

Here is some info about these amazing, yummy bars!

High-energy protein bars with zero trans fat! These delicious, protein-packed bars will give your body all the nutrients it needs to maximize your overall performance. Enjoy them as a healthy snack, a midday pick-me-up, a pre-workout energy boost, or an occasional meal substitute when there's no time to cook. Our new formula features more natural ingredients and no trans fat, in what we feel are the best-tasting bars on the market! No matter what challenging fitness program you take on, these bars will support your weight loss goals while delivering healthy fuel to tone muscle. Packed with 20 grams of protein each, these new, delicious bars are your best alternative to snacks and fast food! We're so sure you'll love them, you have our 30-day money-back guarantee. Click HERE for nutrition facts Now, here is how to be eligible for this weeks giveaway: Go to Team Beachbody and register for FREE Become a follower of this blog Comment telling me what your favorite healthy treat is That's it for this week's giveaway! Feel free to pass the word along to others as well, especially anyone you know that is interested in getting and staying healthy and fit! You have until next Tuesday, April 27th at 10:00 PM to enter. If you are already signed up to have me as your Beachbody coach, you have already completed that step. And if you are a follower of the blog, you've completed that one too. So all that's left is share your favorite healthy treat!!! I sure look forward to hearing what you all have to share! Be sure to let me know if you have any questions!! Good luck and stay tuned for next weeks prize!

Great interview with Mr. P90X, Tony Horton

Tony Horton is no young pup, as he mentions in this interview. But, he hasn't always been in this great of shape either. He used to be one of those scrawny, skinny kids that lived on junk food, but one day woke up and realized there had to be a better way. He started training towards a healthier, fitter body while he was pursuing an acting career, but soon his results got noticed and then began training others to get the same type of results. It was after he began training a variety of celebrities that he was noticed by Beachbody CEO Carl Daikeler, and the rest, they say, is history.....

For more information on P90X, Beachbody coaching opportunity or the amazing nutrition products, go to www.ExtremeHealth4Life.com or comment me below.

MEATLESS MONDAY- Grilled Avocado Sandwich

I don't know about you, but to me, there is just something so yummy about avocados. Of course here in Iowa, we can get them, but since they have a California or warmer kinda climate sort of appeal and I'm a real warm weather kinda gal (yes, I've often wondered what the heck I'm doing in Iowa from time to time), that might be another reason why I love them so much. And, I remember my mom eating half an avocado with a big dollop of Miracle Whip in the middle and that would be a special treat/meal for her (but wrong on SO many levels.... but that is another story....)

Avocado's are really one of the super foods out there. If you aren't including avocado in your diet, you really are missing out! Try out this yummy recipe and let me know what you think!

Grilled Avocado Sandwich

Ingredients:

~1 large, ripe avocado, preferably Hass or another "fatty" one

~4 slices of sandwich bread (whatever kind you like)

~vegan "buttery" spread

~optional:whole grain mustard, vegan mayo

Directions:

Cut avocado in half and remove pit. Slice into thin wedges. Set aside. Spread the buttery spread on one side of all the bread slices. Place one slice, buttery side down, in a preheated frying pan over medium-low heat. If you want to add vegan mayo, mustard, or other "dressings" now is the time! Otherwise, lay the avocado slices from one half of the avocado on the bread, covering well. Place another slice of bread, buttered side up, on top. Let cook 3-5 minutes, or until the bottom is golden to your liking. Carefully flip the sandwich over and grill the other side 3-5 minutes. Repeat the above to make the second sandwich.

This is best when you have a really fatty, good avocado (like Hass). If you use a Florida or other "low fat" or "wet" avocado the flavor is still there but it isn't as good in my opinion. This goes well with soup.

Makes: 2 servings, Preparation time: 10 minutes, Cooking time: 10 minutes

I added some banana peppers (LOVE those on sandwiches; give it a try and let me know what you think!) and a slice of tomato. This would be great with some yummy tomato soup or a nice fresh green salad. Stay away from the junkie chips and stuff though!

Let me know how you like it and anything you do to make it your own! Enjoy! :)

SHAKEOLOGY RECIPE OF THE WEEK: Chocolate Bananas Foster

Chocolate Bananas Foster
1 Serving Chocolate Shakeology
1 Banana
¾ Cup nonfat milk, water, soy, rice or almond milk
½ tsp. cinnamon
½ tsp. rum extract
Ice to taste

Blend well and enjoy!

---

Are you curious about tasting Shakeology and hesitate to order because you don't know if you will like it or not?

For the first 20 people who comment- I will send a sample of either the Chocolate or Greenberry Flavor in an individual serving package.

Just let me know you want a sample and I will contact you for your mailing address.

Sheryl Crow does P90X!

Most of us know who Sheryl Crow is, either from her wonderful music (All I wanna do is have some fun.... oops, now that will be stuck in my head the rest of the day!) or her relationship with Lance Armstrong or most recently her guest appearances on "Cougar Town" (LOVE that show!). What I bet a lot of you DIDN'T know about her is she is a P90Xer. Just a little more proof about just how amazing Tony Horton and this workout is and that it crosses all boundaries as far as who it appeals to (and I don't know about you girls out there, but I sure wouldn't mind looking a little more like Sheryl Crow!).

For more information about P90X, go to www.ExtremeHealth4Life.com or comment below with any questions or comments.

FUN FACT FRIDAY: Using insects as a source of nutrition

In many parts of the world today, insects are a part of people's diets. Why? (Possible reasons might include: they are a good source of protein, easy to find, take up less space than cows, etc.) Their nutritional value is equal to if not better than our traditional meat choices. Which insect is the most nutritious? Which would be the easiest to rear? Try rearing mealworms, to use in bug recipes later.

Here is a recipe you might be brave enough to try (I however, am not).

Mealworm Chocolate Chip Cookies

• 1/2 cup butter
  1/2 cup brown sugar
  1/2 cup white sugar
  1 egg
  1/2 teaspoon vanilla
  1 cup all purpose flour
  1/2 teaspoon salt
  1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  1/2 cup oats
  1/2 cup chocolate chips
  1/4 cup mealworm flour
  

Cream butter well, then mix in sugar, egg, vanilla flour, salt, baking soda, chocolate chips, oats, and mealworm flour. Drop batter by the teaspoonful on a greased cookie sheet. Bake for 10 minutes at 375 degrees farenheit. This recipe doesn't have much in the way of palpable insect content, but is an excellent way to introduce others (or yourself!) to entomophagy. Even many rather squeamish people will try mealworm cookies, since the cookie format doesn't look "gross" to most people, and since it is rather difficult to actually taste the mealworms, though they enrich the cookie with a somewhat nutty flavor and extra protein.

To make insect flour:
Spread your cleaned insects out on a lightly greased cookie sheet. Set your oven 200 degrees and dry insects for approximately 1-3 hours. When the insects are done, they should be fairly brittle and crush easily. Take your dried insects and put them into a blender or coffee grinder, and grind them till they are about consistency of wheat germ. Use in practically any recipe!

INSANITY Behind the Scenes

Are you looking for a killer workout? Then you definitely need to check out INSANITY! And, if you are in the Des Moines area, look for INSANITY In The Park, coming soon! www.ExtremeHealth4Life.com for info or comment below.

Boot Camp Workout- April 15, 2010

Think just because it's Tax Day and everyone might be a bit stressed that I will take it easy on the boot campers? Not on your life!!!! Here is what is in store for them today (but don't tell them.... I want it to be a surprise!).

I got a new pocket video camera, so hopefully I can sneak some video of this workout to post here later..... But won't do too much because I intend to do most if not all of this workout with them!

Boot camp 4/15/10

Warm up:

Stairs

Go up and down stairs 10X; (up & down=1X)

do 20 Jumping Jacks at both top and bottom of stairs.

Set the GymBoss Timer to see how fast you complete the 10 rounds. Record your time.

30/15: 10 rounds:

30 pushups

15 in & out squats

Set the GymBoss Timer to see how fast you complete the 10 rounds. Record your time.

Ab circuit:

Basic ab crunch: 20 reps

Left side oblique crunch: 20 reps

Right side oblique crunch: 20 reps

Elbows to knees (legs up in air): 20 reps

Toe touch (legs up in air): 20 reps

Leg lifts: 20 reps

In & Outs: 20 reps

Wide leg lift (legs in diamond, lift knees towards chest): 20 reps

Bicycle: 20 reps (2 sides=1 rep)

Full Body Crunch: 20 reps

Set the GymBoss Timer to see how fast you can complete the 200 reps. Record your time.

Cool Down

Cat Cow stretch

Sumo Squat stretch

Wide Legged Forward Fold

Shoulder stretch

Tricep stretch

Good job!!!! Write down your time, post it to www.ExtremeHealth4Life.blogspot.com and repeat workout at a later date and try to beat your time!

Workout Muse- You Gotta Try It!

I recently discovered this handy dandy set up called Workout Muse. It's something that anyone who is a personal trainer, boot camp instructor or other type of instructor ABSOLUTELY MUST HAVE! No more watching the clock, instead of your clients, where you eyes really should be. And if you aren't an instructor of any kind but do workout and want something to kick it up a notch, then there is something here for you too.

Just for today, April 15th, 2010, they are offering a special Tax Day Giveaway where you can get 35% off ANYTHING in the Workout Muse store. UNHEARD OF!!!! You absolutely MUST CHECK THIS OUT! All you have to do is go HERE, shop til your hearts content, then when checking out, use coupon code wmtaxday.

This coupon code is only good for today, April 15th,

but there are always great deals to be had at Workout Muse (just not quite as good as this one, so don't miss out!).

There is also lots of free stuff on the website, Workout Muse downloads, workout videos and more. Check out this video to learn more about Workout Muse and what all they have to offer. I'm telling you, this will change how you workout!

You too can have Tony Horton for your personal trainer!

Tony Horton's One on One series is AMAZING! Better yet, not only can you get a new workout each month, but you can also buy the DVD's you missed from previous months. And as always, Club members get to knock off 10% off retail and Coaches get 25% off retail! Email me at InghamConsulting@gmail.com or go to www.ExtremeHealth4Life.com for info.

WIN IT WEDNESDAY! Shakeology 4 Pack

First off, I want to congratulate the winner of the Tony Horton One on One "100/30/20" DVD: Carol Harlow!!!!

I want to thank those that entered and wish I had others to give away. The response wasn't quite as good as I would have expected; after all, doesn't everyone like the chance to win something? I'm betting most people do. So this week, I'm giving away one of the hottest, most popular nutritional shakes known to man: SHAKEOLOGY!!!! That's right, a 4 Pack of Shakeology ($20 value), 2 Chocolate and 2 Greenberry (but, if you are the winner and ask REALLY, REALLY nice, I might be persuaded to give 4 of one or the other). You also will get your very own Shakeology shaker cup, so you can take it on the go! I expect a HUGE response, so don't let me down my friends!

Same rules apply as the last giveaway, but here is a reminder:

To qualify to win, I have just a few quick and simple things to do.

1. Be a follower of this blog (if you aren't already, just click the box to the left).
2. Subscribe to my newsletter (the box over to the right).
3. Leave a comment about what your favorite healthy treat or meal is.

Now, if you are already a follower and already subscribed, then all you have to do is #3, leave a comment! Easy peasy! If you have any questions about the rules, please send me a quick email (InghamConsulting@gmail.com).

You have from right now until Tuesday, April 20th, at 10:00PM CDT. So be sure to not let this one get by you, because people LOVE Shakeology and are getting UNBELIEVABLE results with it.

To learn more about Shakeology, click HERE.

To learn more about Beachbody products, click HERE.

To have me as your very own Beachbody coach, click HERE.

To learn more about the Beachbody club, where you get 10% off ALL Beachbody products, click HERE.

To learn how to become a Beachbody coach, helping others live a healthy lifestyle, and get 25% off ALL Beachbody products, click HERE.

Talk to you soon everyone!!!

Rebecca

MEATLESS MONDAY'S- Tabouli

This is actually one of my favorite summertime salads. I can definitely have it for a light dinner or as a side dish with a veggie burger or a Smart Dog. But it does just fine on it's own too. If you want to experiment, I've seen it made with quinoa instead of the bulgar. I haven't yet tried it that way but do intend to one of these days really soon. Quinoa is a whole protein and a great way to get more protein into your diet!

Try it out and let me know what you think. Share any adjustments or modifications you might use too, so the rest of us can try different ways.

Recipe: Tabouli
Tabouli, sometimes spelled tabbouleh or tabouleh, is a cold Lebanese salad made with bulgar wheat, lemon, garlic, tomatoes, mint, and parsley.

Yield
-6-8 servings

Time
-1½ hours

Tools
-medium bowl
-wooden spoon
-plastic wrap

Ingredients
-1 c bulgar wheat, dry
-1½ c boiling water
-¼ c lemon juice
-¼ c olive oil
-2 cloves garlic, minced
-1-1½ t salt
-black pepper
-4 scallions, minced
-1 packed c parsley, minced
-10-15 mint leaves OR 1-2 T dried mint, chopped
-2 medium tomatoes, diced

Directions
-Put the bulgar in the bowl, cover with water, and let stand until tender, at least 20 minutes.
-Add lemon juice, oil, garlic, salt, and pepper and mix well. Cover and refrigerate for at least an hour.
-30 minutes before serving, mix in remaining ingredients. Serve cold.

Boot Camp Workout- April 12, 2010

Boot camp 4/12/10

This is the workout I have planned for my boot camp class at noon. Here's hoping it kicks their booties!!! Try it out for yourself and let me know what you think :)

Be sure to use your GymBoss timer for the different parts.

Part 1
Set GymBoss timer as a timer. Record your time.

Snowboarder 10 reps
Backward lunge Left Leg 10 reps
Backward lunge Right Leg 10 reps
Complete 10 rounds of this sequence as fast as you can.

(Approximately 16-20 Mins.)

Part 2
Set your GymBoss timer for 4 minutes. Record number of reps.

Set your timer for 4 minutes. Complete maximum reps of:
Get Ups

(4 minutes)

Part 3
Set your GymBoss timer for 30/10 intervals, 12 rounds.

8 minutes of interval training.
Set your timer for 12 rounds and two different intervals. The first interval is 10 seconds and the second interval is 30 seconds.
You will be doing Sliding Dead Lifts on each leg followed by High Knees with Jump Rope.

Round 1
10 seconds of rest
30 seconds of One Leg Sliding Dead Lift Left leg

Round 2
10 seconds of rest
30 seconds of One Leg Sliding Dead Lift Right leg

Round 3
10 seconds of rest
30 seconds of Hight Knees with Jump Rope

There are 12 rounds total so you will repeat this sequence 4 times. 4 x 3 rounds = 12 rounds :) Just to make sure that everyone will understand.

(8 minutes)

Part 4
Set your GymBoss timer to 20/10 intervals, 16 rounds (do 4 of each round before moving on to the next).

Tabatas 20/10
4 rounds each

Round 1
Pushups/Plank

Round 2
Burpees/Squats

Round 3
One Legged Bridge Lift (Left Leg)/Hold Bridge
One Legged Bridge Lift (Right Leg)/ Hold Bridge

Round 4
Side Plank (Left)/Rest
Side Plank (Right)/ Rest

(5 minutes)


Part 5
Set your GymBoss timer as a timer and record your time.

3 rounds of the following exercises

1. Burpees with push ups – 20 reps
2. Side Jump Lunges – 50 reps
3. Jump Rope Jacks – 50 reps
4. Tricep Dip w/ Leg Raise – 5 reps each leg
5. Wall Squat w/ Leg Raise – 5 reps each leg
6. Squat Jump Tucks – 10 reps

(20-30 Minutes)

This workout, if completed in whole with minimal breaks, will take between 55-70 Minutes, not including a warm up and cool down.

Let me know what your time was and any comments or suggestions you have. If it's too easy or too hard or just right! :) My goal is to get you to burn as many calories as humanly possible to get ready for the shorts and swim suits that are knocking on our doors!

If time is a factor, do only 2 or 3 of the rounds, then do the other rounds later in the day. Best results are doing the whole workouts, but breaking it up is definitely an option as well!

Interview with Rebecca and Daniel from "The Biggest Loser"

Hey there, Biggest Loser fans! Did you know that Rebecca and Daniel are still madly in love with each other? They are, and Daniel moved here to Des Moines a few months ago to be near his love. Here is an interview with the two of them, finding out what they are up to now, what they are doing to keep the weight off, what they learned on the ranch and how they are helping people in Des Moines. It's a great interview; check it out and let me know your thoughts! I think I can speak for plenty of Des Moines residents, that we are still extremely proud of them!

FUN FACT FRIDAY: The Twinkie turns 80!!!!

This does not mean you can go out and celebrate by eating a bunch of Twinkies! Thought it would be fun to pass along this little tidbit of how an unhealthy, empty calorie, no nutrition treat can become an American icon.... Perhaps this was the start of the junk food road????

Do you really believe that they have a shelf life? Or is this Hostess' way of trying to convince us that it isn't really all that bad for us?

Happy 80th birthday to the Twinkie

By Landon Hall

The Orange County Register

Published: Thursday, April 8, 2010 12:21 p.m. MDT

Twinkies do, in fact, have a shelf life — 25 days, to be precise, according to Hostess Foods. It only seems like the yellow sponge cake injected with vanilla cream filling lasts forever. Maybe because it's been around as long as anyone can remember.

The snack was invented on April 6, 1930, by a bakery manager named James Dewar in Schiller Park, Ill., just outside Chicago. His employer, the Continental Baking Co., was looking for a cheap snack to serve to Depression-hit consumers, and Dewar noticed that stacks of shortcake pans never got used outside the six-week summer strawberry season. So he experimented, and came up with a uniquely American creation. They were sold two for a nickel.

About 500 million Twinkies are now sold each year, and they're as beloved by children and snackaholics as they are loathed by nutritionists. A package of them was placed in the Millennium Time Capsule by President Clinton in 1999 (well, of course he would), and they've been (erroneously) blamed for causing murderous tendencies, thanks to the "Twinkie" criminal defense.

Are they good for you? Well, they're not terrible: One single cake has about 150 calories, 4.5 grams of fat and 19 grams of sugar. You could do worse.

But Hostess lays on the "it's not that bad for you" frosting a little thick. The company quotes "Mr. Twinkie" himself, Dewar, who purportedly ate three Twinkies a day for 50 years until his death in 1985 at age 88. "I fed them to my four kids and they feed them to my four grandchildren. Twinkies never hurt them."

Must have been fun growing up Dewar. "Apple? Whatya want one of those for? Twinkies built this house, and by God you're eating them."

Here are a few more tidbits about Twinkies:

— Dewar named the snack after a billboard he saw advertising Twinkle Toe Shoes, but never got paid royalties for his creation.

— The Twinkie originally had banana filling, but bananas were rationed during WWII, so vanilla was substituted. Customers liked it so much it stayed in there.

— The deep-fried Twinkie was invented at the Texas State Fair. Here's a recipe.

— In a nod to the supposed indestructibility of the snacks, the T.W.I.N.K.I.E. Project lists several silly experiments that can be performed on them, such as the "gravitational response test" (i.e. dropping one from a 6th-floor window).

More about the "Twinkie defense." It was coined by a journalist during the trial of Dan White, who shot and killed San Francisco Mayor George Moscone and Supervisor Harvey Milk in 1978. A psychiatrist for the defense testified that White's sudden all-junk-food diet was symptomatic of the depression that led him to snap and kill the men, not a cause of it. The word "Twinkie" was never actually used in court.

In other words, eating a Twinkie alone won't make you want to kill. So it's safe to have one, now and then.

WIN IT WEDNESDAY! Tony Horton's One on One "100/30/20"

New addition to the Extreme Health 4 Life blog: WIN IT WEDNESDAY! Each Wednesday, I will list something that you are eligible to win, from Wednesday to the following Tuesday. Here is this weeks prize: Tony Horton's One on One "100/30/20" DVD for the month of April. To make this even better, the winner (and anyone that purchases the DVD too) will get a FREE sample of Chocolate Shakeology as well as recipes and more!

Mine is on it's way, so I can't say first hand how awesome it is, but, knowing Tony and his work, pretty confident it will be as amazing as everything else he does! Check out the video and you can also go to Tony Horton's One on One to check out more information about it.

The One on One series is a monthly DVD that you can subscribe to and get a new workout each month. After just a few months, you will have a great library of workouts, and each one is completely different from the last! You will never get bored with Mr. Horton around, that I know for sure!

To qualify to win, I have just a few quick and simple things to do.

1. Be a follower of this blog (if you aren't already, just click the box to the left).
2. Subscribe to my newsletter (the box over to the right).
3. Leave a comment about what your motivation is or would be to be more fit and healthy than you are at this moment. (Comments are moderated, so they won't show up right away. As long as they show being submitted by 10:00PM, it's all good!)

That's it! Pretty darn simple, and you have until 10PM Tuesday, April 13th. Winner will be chosen and posted on Wednesday, April 14th, and there will be a brand new WIN IT WEDNESDAY next week. And just think, next time you will only need to do the comment if you have already done #1 and #2!

To learn more about Beachbody products, click HERE.

To have me as your very own Beachbody coach, click HERE.

To learn more about the Beachbody club, where you get 10% off ALL Beachbody products, click HERE.

To learn how to become a Beachbody coach, helping others live a healthy lifestyle, and get 25% off ALL Beachbody products, click HERE.

Do You Want a Firm Butt & Lean Legs?

Want to know the best exercises to firm up your butt? Want the best
interval training programs to burn fat from your legs?

Good, because I've got them here for you today! All thanks to Women's
Health magazine contributor, Craig Ballantyne (he's also designed
workouts for Shape, Prevention, and Muscle n Fitness Hers).

Back in 2004 Craig created a program called "Booty for Life" for a
personal client. And while that program was awesome, he spent an
entire week last month improving the workouts AND adding a brand
new 4-week fat burning, butt-firming phase to the program...

...and he renamed it, "Booty for Wife (& all the single ladies!)".

Why did he rename and redo the program?

Well, the original name was bit of a joke, and it was a little too
close to "Body for Life", and Craig didn't want anyone (i.e. Bill
Phillips) to get upset when his Booty program got really popular. So
he made a simple little name change...now he just has to hope that
Beyonce doesn't sue him!

But seriously, and more importantly, Craig updated the original
program and added 3 new workouts & some booty-building exercises to
the plan, including:

- Lateral lunges
- 1-leg bodyweight deadlifts
- dumbbell lunges
- kettlebell swings
- dumbbell deep step-ups
- 1-leg bodyweight bench squats

Those go with all of the other booty exercises in the program,
including split squats, 1-leg hip extensions, regular step-ups, and
reverse lunges.

And Craig subbed in more bodyweight exercises so you don't need to
use dumbbells as much for the rest of the workouts. Some of the new
exercises you'll get are:

- Stability Ball Cross-Body Mountain Climber (great for abs/obliques)
- Close-Grip 3/4 Rep Pushups (awesome for sculpting your triceps)
- Stability Ball Pike (for hard-core abs)

Plus, you'll get SIX different fat burning interval training
programs, and interval training has been shown to reduce thigh fat
in research studies.

Whew. There's a lot in there for you, and to celebrate the re-release
of Booty for Wife, I've asked Craig to put together an amazing
special offer just for you.

You'll get all of these for free...

1) The TT Booty for Wife (& all the single ladies) 12-Week Program
2) The TT Female Bodysculpting 4-Week Workout
3) 30-Days in the TT Member's Website & Forum
4) The TT for Hot Chicks 4-Week Workout
5) The TT Hard-Core 4-Week Workout

...when you get your half-price copy of the Turbulence Training for
Fat Loss Program for only $19.95.

(That's $10 less than if you were to buy Booty for Wife on its own!)

So you could get Booty for Wife for $29.95 or you could get Booty
for Wife plus Turbulence Training plus all of those other bonuses
all for only $19.95.

I think that's an easy choice, don't you?

Click here to get this amazing special offer today:

BOOTY FOR WIFE

Plenty of time to sculpt that booty before you hit the beach on your
next holiday!

Meatless Monday- Black Beans and Rice

I'm starting something new, seeing it is the beginning of April and seems like a great time to add new kinds of posts to the blog. This is going to be a Meatless Monday post and I will be planning on adding a new one each Monday. Being vegetarian or vegan isn't for everyone, but having some meatless meals a week is not only doable for everyone, but it healthy and cheaper than the meals with meat. So, without further ado.....

One of my favorite meals is variations of beans and rice. Not only is it tasty and filling, but it is one of the ultimate meals for health. This is one I made yesterday for Easter, because I wanted to be sure there was something I was able to eat, besides veggie tray and salad. Have to say, I really loved it!

Black Beans and Rice

1 C Brown Rice

1 1/2 C Water

1/4 C Lime Juice

1/8 C Chopped Cilantro

2 Cans Black Beans, drained and rinsed or

3 C dry Black Beans, cooked

1 T Olive Oil

1 Green Bell Pepper, diced

1 Onion, diced

3 Garlic Cloves, minced

2 T Jalapeño Peppers, minced

1 t Oregano

2 t Cumin

3 C Vegetable Broth

Cayenne Pepper sauce (optional)

Cook the rice, adding the water, lime juice and cilantro per directions (I use my rice steamer and it takes 1 hour).

In a separate dutch oven, sauté green pepper, onion, garlic, jalapeño peppers, oregano and cumin for around 5 minutes. Then add the beans and vegetable broth and cook for 30 minutes.

Once rice is done, either mix into the bean mixture or serve the bean mixture over the rice.