Paleo Beef and Broccoli Stir Fry

Hadn't had broccoli in a while. So good!

 It has been a while since I have written a post, and even longer since I have posted a recipe. The dreaded FLU of 2013 caught up with me in January and seemed to derail me in every which way! Additionally, traveling for business and still trying to spend time with my kids has put my blog on the back burner. Many of you who follow me on Instagram know that not only have I have surely been eating, but I'm still cooking. I do not live by strict rules when it comes to eating but I try to stay somewhat healthy so when I want to eat a fabulous dessert, great cheese or something greasy from time to time I don't have to beat myself up over it. Lately I have been educating myself on the Paleo Diet, and am intrigued by the results some friends have had eating in this "caveman" fashion. I decided to dabble in some recipes to see if this lifestyle is something I would adopt, and at the very least, to explore something new.

Me, caveman. Eat meat.

 This recipe was adapted from The Food Lover's Kitchen recipe for Beef and Broccoli. My husband and I thoroughly enjoyed it and will definitely make it again! I had never used any soy sauce substitutes before and was excited to find coconut aminos at my regular grocery store. Even better, when I compared the sodium content, the coconut aminos had 113 mg/serving vs. nearly 600 mg/serving of my LOW SODIUM soy sauce! I am of Filipino descent and my entire life I have used soy sauce in recipes and on my rice. I never thought I could or would give it up. But honestly, after seeing the low sodium content of the coconut aminos, I don't think I could go back to soy sauce even if I didn't stick to a Paleo lifestyle.

This is a GAME CHANGER for me

 I am a huge fan of recipes with minimal ingredients and simple processes. This was an ideal recipe for me!

1 tsp Black Pepper
1 tsp salt
1 tsp Red Pepper Flakes
1/4 cup raw coconut aminos
1/4 c green onion thinly sliced
2 tbsp ginger root, minced
2 tbsp sesame oil - adds a great flavor!
4 c broccoli florets
5 cloves garlic minced
1 lb beef chuck shoulder roast cubed (I used chuck steak, because the roasts were only sold in 2 lbs or higher weights)

Optional: 1 c shredded carrot, small can of sliced water chestnuts, 1/2 c coarsely chopped onion, sesame seeds for garnish

Heat sesame oil on high - it gets hot really fast and will smoke if its burning. Add garlic and ginger (and onion if you're using), and saute for 3 min or until onion starts to soften.

Add steak and stir frequently and brown on all sides.

Add broccoli and continue sautee on high, then water chestnuts if you're using, then green onion. Add another tbsp of oil if necessary, which it will be if you include the optional ingredients.

Pour in amino, season with salt, pepper and red pepper flakes.
Saute another 2-3 minutes to combine the flavors.

Garnish with sesame seeds (optional) and serve over cauliflower rice or spaghetti squash, to stay within Paleo guidelines.  This recipe serves 2 generously without a side dish. 

Happy Healthy Eating, Friends!

The Opposite of a New Year's Resolution

I was poised to start 2013 off right. I really had all the best intentions. I worked from home the week between Christmas and New Year's Eve, and worked out diligently. I even ran on Christmas morning! Then, life got in the way. And I can now only look back on how well I did during the month of December, minus all the eating of course, because I haven't done much since! An exhausting week-long business trip to CES in Las Vegas, which included late eating and excessive drinking did not leave much room for fitness. No one forced me to drink cocktails and eat fabulous meals, but I have to admit I enjoy that part! Unfortunately, it was those late nights and several cocktails that interfered with my ability to go to bed early or wake up early to fit in a work out. As they say, "Shit happens."

Cocktails at Fleur

 I tried to get some relaxation time at the cleverly-named spa, TheBathhouse,  at my hotel, cleverly called "TheHotel."  The massage was lovely! But 50 minutes was not enough to recuperate from my week in Las Vegas. Spending time relaxing by the hot pool area and in the steam room did help sooth my throat and voice, until I went into the casino again 2 hours later! Bah!

Nothing more relaxing than the sound of water

Since I've returned from Sin City, where smokey air got the best of me and took away my voice - which I really use every chance I get - I've been saddled with work, laundry, getting back into the groove with the kids, and the excuses continue. Further, we are experiencing record low temps in CA (boo hoo for us, I know) and my early morning runs have not been happening! Girlfriend does not do below 30*. And just a few weeks ago I was striving for bad-ass status. Not now. Brrr. I have been eating well since I've been back - all 2 days so far. But its something!

Ahi Tuna Steak at Mesa Grill

I cannot dwell on what could have been, I can only look forward. Today, I am planning to do yoga in the morning to ease back into it. Thursday morning, I plan to brave the chill and meet up with Scrappy Mama to run at 5:30 a.m. Friday I will run on the dreadmill before work. Saturday bootcamp and Sunday, Dailey Method. These are my best intentions. If one or more of these do not happen I will not beat myself up. Life is meant to be lived and enjoyed, afterall.

Hail Mary (Bloody Mary) at Sporting House

 Fit and Fabulous with the Best Inentions in 2013!

Looking AND Feeling Like My Badass Self

For the last several months, I have mainly been running. I fell out of my groove with doing cross training and strength work on the days I wasn't running. As a matter of fact, with summer being so busy with fun things, my running even took a small hit. All those margaritas and wine by the pool were finally starting to show.

Since school has been in session at the end of August, my running buddy and I have been back at it pretty consistently but even though we tried different things like adding sprints to our runs and improving our pace, I just didn't see the changes in my body I wanted to see. I have to accept the fact I'm getting older and my metabolism is slowing, and I won't give up my love of food. But still, I get up at 5 a.m. to run and while that in itself makes me feel kind of badass, I want to actually look badass too.

So even though over the last couple years I have consistently lamented my lack of time, and the challenges I face having two small children and a husband who's not home most nights, I stopped the whining. I am now making use of the YMCA membership that I previously used only sparingly, mainly to take advantage of discounts on my son's activities. I am adding one more day a week of strength or cross training depending on what my running buddy and I feel we are lacking at the end of the week. Sometimes we do a boot camp class, other times it's yoga. I love both. I wish I could work out seven days a week. But for now, it's 4-5. I think I am okay with that for right now. Boot camp is surely more strength-training oriented, since there are some weights involved, and I also like how running/sprinting is incorporated into it too. Yoga can be very helpful to me for stretching, strengthening and toning but I find it is awesome for clearing my mind as well.

I have also tried something that is really hard, but I really enjoy it. Have you heard of The Dailey Method? There is no cardio, it is a barre/pilates/core class and I love it. I leave sore, and spent, and see results in areas that I want to see results. My arms are toned, my abs are showing more definition and I feel as though my muscles are getting stronger and lengthened.  There are several targeted, intense movements that are so small that it's insane that you feel it the way you do. I previously was only able to manage one class a week but they have just added more classes so I think I'll be able to fit in one more! I will keep you posted on further results! It's only been a few weeks so far.

So, the holidays are coming, but I'm armed and dangerous.

--Stay fit and fabulous, my friends!

Super Easy Sweet Potato Casserole

Photo from About.com

Have you been invited to someone's home for Thanksgiving this year and you don't know what to bring? Are you looking for something to jazz up your own Thanksgiving dinner? I made this very simple dish based on this sweet potato casserole recipe  in under an hour and was pleased with the results.

It is very tasty, if you love sweet potatoes. Even if you like pecans, especially candied pecans. This casserole is pretty sweet, and can honestly pass as a dessert. I have included a less-sweet variation below. Secondly, it's pretty easy to make and difficult to screw up. I put this together for a luncheon at work, baking the potatoes the night before.

Before you start, preheat your oven to 400. Poke holes in your potatoes and wrap them in foil. When the oven is heated, bake the potatoes for an hour or until tender. In a pinch, you can boil or microwave them, but the baking really brings out the flavor of the sweet potatoes.

For the filling, you will need:

Those pecans totally photobombed. They are for the topping.

3 cups mashed sweet potatoes. I used one large yam and one large sweet potato.
1 cup brown sugar
2 eggs lightly beaten
1 tsp. vanilla
1/2 cup melted butter (1 stick)
1/2 cup milk

For the topping, you will need:
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/3 cup flour - I used whole wheat
1/3 cup butter (yes, more butter)
1 cup chopped pecans

Lower your oven to 325*.
Combine the ingredients for the filling together. I had to get over the amount of butter, and pretend I didn't see it. Put contents of the filling in a buttered 2 qt. casserole dish. I used Smart Balance applied lightly with a paper towel to a dark glass dish and it worked out well - no sticking.

Combine the ingredients for the topping, and sprinkle evenly over the top so that all the sweet potatoes are covered. Bake for 30-40 minutes, until heated through and the pecans are browned.

Healthier variation:
I remade this the next day, with a couple minor tweaks.
Instead of using a whole stick of regular butter in the filling, I instead used a 1/2 cup melted Smart Balance. For a casserole that is less sweet, you can easily get away with using a lot less brown sugar. I cut it down to a half cup and I still found it to be delicious, since you could really taste the sweet potatoes more. I'm sure you could substitute and reduce the butter in the topping as well. That will be something I will try next time! I will definitely make this again!

~Happy Holiday Eating, Friends!~

Amy's Awareness Run - #runnersafety

On October 26, my virtual running buddy Sandra and her good friend Amy Wayne went on their usual 4 mile morning run before sunrise. Both women were equipped with lights and were obeying all traffic/pedestrian laws. Suddenly, Amy, who was running a short distance behind Sandra, was struck by a car and killed nearly on impact.

My running mom friends and I are putting together a virtual run in honor of Amy, and also to raise awareness of runner safety. Until this accident happened, I ran early in the morning on a regular basis without a light or reflective gear. This was truly a wake up call for me. Not only is it important to be more aware as runners, but as drivers, at any and all times of the day.

Please help us support Amy's family, her husband Travis and toddler daughter Adalee. It's easy to enter - Here are some details:

• The run will need to be ran between November 26th - December 2, 2012.
• You have the choice of running/walking 1 miles, 4 miles, or 5+ miles and the fees (donations) are different for each option.
• If you don't want to run, you have an option of making a donation.
• Memorial race bibs will be provided to all participants.

Click here to sign up: Amy's Awareness Run, put in your info, and choose your distance. Then go to Paypal and complete your donation by sending it to amysawarenessrun@gmail.com

If you have any questions, please comment below or contact me at hungrigyrl@yahoo.com

Please share this run with everyone you know and let's show Travis and Adalee that runners take care of their own!