Easy Dinner and Random Shots

You may have noticed that blogging has taken a little bit of a backseat for me lately.  It’s been a crazy couple of week.  As you all know, I have a new job.  I’m still adjusting to that, and we have had close family members in the hospital, which has also been stressful.  I am happy to say that things seem to be looking up as far as medical concerns go.  I think I am going to try and keep blogging 2-3 days a week.  That’s about the average of what I had been doing prior to July.  If you’re a longtime reader, thank you for being patient! 

I have also noticed some new “likes” on my Facebook page and some new commenters on the blog!  Welcome to my new readers!

I thought I would start by sharing an easy dinner from this weekend.  I am ashamed to say that this is probably the first dinner I have cooked in 2-3 weeks.  We’ve done a lot of take-out and/or restaurant nights lately.  However, this week, we went to the grocery store and actually PLANNED out our meals again and I cooked!

Pork Tenderloin is always a go-to meal for us.  I like to watch for when they go on sale (B1G1) at Harris Teeter.  The other great thing about pork tenderloin is that there are 2 in a package.  So if we cook both, we usually have enough for two meals. 

I decided to grill it this time.  We preheated the grill and turned it to low.  I seasoned the pork with Emeril’s Original Essence and Lime Pepper (dried).  Then I cooked it on the grill, turning it approximately every 8 minutes to cook all sides evenly, until it reached 160 degrees.

We paired the pork with my new favorite summer veggie: roasted okra.

 

So simple.  Toss in EVOO, add salt, pepper, and Garlic Powder and roast for 15-20 minutes.  Delicious!

Dinner was done in under 40 minutes and was delicious!

I was just going through my memory card and I thought I would include a few random shots of what has been happening lately.  Hope you enjoy!

Movie date to see “Brave”

 

 

Baseball Date

 

Fun Zumba Times

Zumba Convention- Full Recap!

Whoop whoop!  I am back from the Zumba Convention 2012!  It was such a great trip, and I cannot wait to tell you all about it!  Early last Thursday morning, a group of Instructor friends and I met at the airport and headed down to Orlando, Florida for four days of dancing, walking, laughter, and learning.

I have been wanting to go to the Zumba Convention for a couple years, so it was a very exciting trip!  For those who are thinking about going next year, hopefully this post will be helpful for you as you make your plans.  The convention is held at 2 hotels and at the Orlando Convention Center.  The main hotel is the Peabody, but our group opted to stay at the Hilton. Luckily, the three locations are conn ected by a long walkway, which one of our instructors dubbed “The White Mile.”  (It actually IS a full mile.)

This meant that we walked somewhere around 4-6 miles per day, which sounds like a lot, but it wasn’t as bad as you might think.  It was all in the shade and some of it was indoors.  :)

I was able to participate in lots of Master classes and workshops, such as Flamenco, African, Caribbean, Hip Hop, Latin Pop, and even a workshop on warm-ups and cool-downs. 

My two favorite classes were Hip Hop, taught by these two AMAZING instructors…

… and Caribbean!  I got so many ideas for new choreography. 

I can’t wait to have some time to work on some new songs.

My last class of the weekend was Warm-Ups and Cool-Downs.  I originally signed up for this workshop because it was being taught by a mega-famous instructor, Tanya Beardsley.  However, she was not able to be at Convention.  I wasn’t really looking forward to the session, but we got a nice surprise!

Beto Perez, the creator of Zumba stopped by our session and helped lead it.  It was exciting to have a session led by Beto.  He did a warm up to one of my favorite songs of all time, “All Night Long,” by Lionel Ritchie.  Beto’s enthusiasm really is inspiring. 

The Zumba Convention also included some fun nightlife as well.  One night we were able to attend a Fitness Concert.  (This is really the biggest Zumba class ever. 

Can you believe we had a surprise visit from Vanilla Ice?  Yes, he came out and we were able to dance to “Ice Ice Baby” as he performed it LIVE!

There was also a “Dancing Through the Decades” theme party one night and a concert by Daddy Yankee! 

All in all, it was an amazing (albeit tiring) weekend.  Zumba really does know how to put on a great weekend for Instructors.  I am so glad I had the opportunity to go this year.  Now I can’t wait to go again next year!

Zumba Convention 2012

Hello from Orlando! I am so excited to be here in Florida for a very special event... The Zumba Instructor Convention! I have been looking forward to this trip since Winter and finally it is here!

Over the next few days, I will be Tweeting details and also adding pics and updates on my Facebook page. (See the links on the right side of the page to follow me and keep up with the journey!)

Here are a few quick pictures to give you a sneak peek. I will definitely be blogging about the experience but for now, here is a quick look!

Outgrow Yourself.

Well, hello there.  Did you think I had quit blogging?  This may be the longest blogging break I have ever taken.  I just needed to take a little time off.  These past two weeks have been very eventful for me, to say the least.  But I am ready to fill all of you in now and try to remember how to blog get back to my blogging ways!

Two weeks ago today, I had a little meeting.

Actually, it wasn’t just a meeting.  It was a job interview.  And that changed everything.

Now, I’m gonna get a little deep on you, so if deep isn’t your thing, you can tune out now and I won’t be offended.  And you can check back soon for the usual lighthearted posts.

I’ve been very happy in my job.  In fact, I am blessed to have the job I have always wanted.  About 8 years ago, I realized that I loved working with teachers and that my dream job was to be a Literacy Coach.  It took a couple of years for the right opportunity to come my way, but I became a Literacy Coach and loved it.  Working with teachers and students is truly rewarding.  I wasn’t looking for a new job.

But an opportunity found me. 

I’m a big believer that everything happens for a reason.  And so when a new position unexpectedly opened up in a neighboring school district, I decided to go for it.  I thought, “If this is meant to be, I’ll know.  If it’s meant to be, it will happen.”  And it did. 

My favorite quote has always been “Risk everything.  Outgrow yourself.”  I like to think that I live by this, but true big risks don’t come my way very often.  In fact, this is one of the first times I was truly tested.  This was one of those times that I could truly “outgrow myself.”  You just can’t pass up those opportunities.  I’m still going to be working with students and teachers, but on a bigger scale.  Instead of working with one school, I will be working with several schools now.  I just keep thinking to myself, “Imagine the possibilities.”

I’m still a little amazed at the changes that have happened over the past two weeks.  I packed up my classroom, said goodbye to teachers  and administrators who have touched my heart and my life in wonderful ways.  These are the people who helped me to be who I am today.  And I moved into an office in a new school district, where I have already met countless wonderful people, who I know I will love working with.

So, that’s where I’ve been.  I’ve been packing, moving, crying, laughing, planning, thinking, praying, questioning, and learning.  I’m so excited to begin this new journey. 

Thanks for listening.  :)

Maybe I’ll cook something to celebrate. 

What I Ate Wednesday!

It’s Wednesday… time to join in with the What I Ate Wednesday Party over at Peas and Crayons!  I actually missed the party last week when I was at the beach… oops!  This month, the focus is on food, fun, and fitness! 

 

Here’s a quick peek at what I have been eating… and doing… and I even have 2 quick and easy recipes for you! Let’s get this party started!

First of all, this week I had fun getting back to swimming.  I actually wanted to go today, but I didn’t make it home in time before the swim teams took over the cold pool. 

 

Sad face.  But I plan to go tomorrow, as long as it isn’t storming!

This has been a week of great eats, including baked tomatoes (a Pinterest find)

 

and Sausage-Stuffed Peppers (click for recipe)!

 

I also made a light and tasty salad that my sister Adrienne invented.

 

Doesn’t that look great?

It’s very easy to make.

Adrienne’s Lemon-Herb Summer Salad

Ingredients:

• butter lettuce (3 cups or more)
• mint leaves (about a handful)
• basil leaves, chopped roughly (about a handful)
• 1/3 red onion, sliced or chopped thinly
• Juice from 2 lemons
• EVOO (about 2 Tbsp)
• salt and pepper

Prep:

Mix the lettuce, mint, basil, and onion in a bowl.  Mix lemon juice, EVOO, salt, and pepper in a separate (small) bowl.  Pour the lemon-Oil dressing over the salad and serve immediately.

This salad is delicious on a hot day—very refreshing!

And now, I’d like to show you a simple dinner that I created this week using just a few ingredients—but it was a hit!

 

Easy Beef and Broccoli Stir-Fry

 

 

This dish was created because I had ground beef in the fridge that had to be used quickly and I was tired of the usual chili, meatballs, and hamburger patties.  I started searching around for beef-and-broccoli recipes, which usually use thin strips of steak, but of course I didn’t have that.  So this easy version was born!

Ingredients:

• 1 lb. lean ground beef
• 2-3 cups of broccoli florets (I used frozen that I thawed in the microwave)
• 1 cup diced onion
• 1 cup diced bell pepper (any color—but I used red and green)
• 3 Tbsp. Low-Sodium Gluten-Free Soy Sauce OR Coconut Aminos
• splash of Fish Sauce (I used HT Traders)
• Sesame Seeds

Preparation:

In a large skillet, brown the ground beef with the onions and peppers.  Drain most of the fat when beef is cooked through.  Add broccoli to the skillet.  Add the fish sauce and soy sauce, and stir fry, heating the broccoli.  I like the broccoli to be crisp-tender, which only takes a few minutes.  When everything is cooked, add sesame seeds by sprinkling over the top.  No specific amount here—just however much you like.

Enjoy!  One pot, done in less than 30 minutes, and very hearty!  Yum!

So there you go!  That’s my past few days in a nutshell.  What have you cooked or done this week?  Leave me a comment and tell me! (And if you are a blogger too, remember you can link up to the WIAW Party!  Just click on the button at the top of this post to find out how!

Stuffed Banana Peppers

Confession: Lately it seems like all I am doing in the kitchen is copying others.  The ideas just aren’t flowing.  I’ve adapted recipes… but haven’t been really inventing my own lately. 

But tonight, I actually made something original.

About 2 weeks ago, my father-in-law mentioned that he was growing banana peppers in his garden.  I got immediately excited, because I love all peppers, but then I thought, “What will I do with banana peppers now that I don’t eat sandwiches???”

I got this idea of baking them with meat, and then I got the idea for stuffing them with sausage… and it just sort of evolved from there.  So today I bring you Stuffed Banana Peppers! 

Sausage-Stuffed Banana Peppers

(serves 2-3 people)

Since I have gone to a more Paleo lifestyle, I have missed some of the more comforting Italian foods, like baked spaghetti and lasagna.  I think that is what inspired this meal.  This could probably be varied and turned into stuffed tomatoes, stuffed bell peppers, or stuffed zucchinis.  There are definitely other possibilities! 

Ingredients:

• 5-6 large banana peppers
• 1 lb. Italian Sausage, casings removed (I used mild but I actually think HOT would be better)
• chopped yellow onion and bell pepper (I used frozen just because I had some—but if you are using fresh I would say 3/4 of an onion chopped, and 1/2 of a pepper chopped)
• 2 cloves of garlic, finely chopped or minced
• 1 Tbsp EVOO
• 1 14.5 oz can of crushed tomatoes
• fresh or dried basil and oregano
• shredded parmesan cheese (you can omit this if you are strictly Paleo)

Preparation:

Bring 5-6 cups of salted water to boil.  While you are waiting for the water to boil, cut the tops off the banana peppers and remove the “insides” or seeds.  (I used a spoon to do this.)  When the water boils, drop the peppers in.  Cook for 5 minutes, then remove from the boiling water and set aside.

Meanwhile, in a large skillet, brown the sausage with 1/2 of the onion (1/4 is reserved for later), the chopped pepper, 1 clove of garlic, basil, and oregano. (Add whatever amounts you like of the herbs.  I start with 1-2 Tbsp chopped if it is fresh or 1/4-1/2 if it is dried.)  When the sausage is browned, and the veggies are tender, you can turn off the heat and set aside. 

Next, prepare the sauce.  In a small saucepan, heat the EVOO until hot.  Add the remaining onion, garlic clove, and herbs.  (Add as much or as little basil and oregano as you like.) Add the can of tomatoes.  Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer about 10-15 minutes. 

Assemble the dish.  Stuff the peppers with the sausage mixture*.  Be careful not to rip the peppers, but if you do, it will be ok. 

Lay stuffed peppers in a baking dish.  Once all peppers are stuffed, pour the sauce over the peppers.

Top with parmesan, and bake at 350 until hot and bubbly.

*Note: I had a little extra meat left over that I saved for another meal.  It really depends on how large the peppers are and how many you are stuffing.

This is one of the more complicated dishes I have made, in that I had to get 3 pots dirty and it took longer than 20 minutes.  But it really wasn’t that complicated.  ;)  We thought it was tasty!  If you try it out, let me know what you think!

Post-Vacation Blues and Pinteresting Finds

Yep, I have PVB.  It’s hard to come home to reality after being on vacation. 

However, I am glad to return to a normal routine and normal eating. 

Even though we do try to eat some healthy meals on vacation, there is always a considerable amount of junk.  On the way home yesterday, I was on Pinterest (a.k.a. Major Time Sucker) and these tomatoes were looking all kinds of delish.  I thought I would make them for lunch today. 

I didn’t have any fresh oregano, so I subbed fresh basil which worked great.  I cut the recipe in half since I was just making them for me. 

 

These tomatoes were delicious.  I am not sure what I was expecting, but I loved these a lot more than I thought I would.  It was like biting into a fresh and delicious Italian dish but without all the pasta.  I added some tuna salad on the side for a filling lunch.

If you’re looking for an easy and quick vegetable side dish, give these a try.  Here is the recipe.  Plus, with tomatoes being in season, it’s a very economical dish, too!

Also found on Pinterest recently:

• Fun T-Shirt cutting project (Makes a halter with a plain old T)
• A way to save fresh herbs (for later cooking)
• Key West Grilled Chicken (perfect summer meal)

Reader Question: What’s the best thing you have found on Pinterest lately?