Workout and a Smoothie

So I have a great post in the making about goal setting.  But instead of staying up late tonight to finish it I am going to wait until Mondy to post it and go to bed. It has been a long day and I think I picked up the stomach bug my kids just got over. Lucky me!:)  Or maybe I am just sleep deprived from naughty children who don't like to sleep. Whatever the reason I am admitting defeat and going to bed.

So to hold you over I have a great Cardio Ab YouTube video you can do this weekend and a yummy smoothie recipe for you to try.  I made it just the other day and it was delicious.

Gold Smoothie

(about 300 calories)

1/2-1 cup carrots (microwave just enough to soften them)

1 clementine orange (the little cutie kind is what I used)

1/2 cup canned pineapple (It is yummy if you freeze it before hand but you don't have to)

1/2 almond milk

1/2 cup water

2 scoops protein powder(the kind I use has 90 calories in 2 scoops)*

1 tsp honey

Throw it all in the blender and enjoy!

*If you don't have protein powder you could throw in some greek yogurt or cottage cheese or a banana.  You may need some extra honey if you use the greek yogurt or cottage cheese. Or you could sweeten with Stevia. 

Or turn this into a green smoothie by throwing in a handful of spinach.

Hope you have a happy and healthy weekend!...It's my birthday so I just may have a little dessert to celebrate:)



Today I am going to direct you to an awesome blog for a workout idea that you can do at home or the gym.  I like it because it is so versatile and can be adapted to your needs and the equipment that is available to you.  Not to mention that it will kick your butt:) 

Hope you enjoy!

http://www.pojofitness.com/2013/02/pojos-30-25-20-workout.html

Make sure to check out all the great info, workouts and nutrition tips on her blog.

Check back tomorrow for a post on goal setting.  It is not too late to make some great goals for 2013:)!

Now go check out Pojo Fitness and get yourself a great workout in for the day.

Paleo Brownie Bites..

I had a friend request some Paleo recipes.  I will admit that I have not tried the Paleo diet so I had to google search some ideas:)  I may one day give Paleo a try but for now I am still pretty addicted to my dairy foods. 

I decided to give this recipe a try last night before going to bed.  I will say these Paleo Brownie Bites turned out pretty yummy.  I didn't have time to figure out the calorie count yet but I will.  If you are a fan of rich dark chocolate you will really enjoy these babies.

Paleo Brownie Bites

I found this recipe here

1-1/3 cup pitted dates
1 tsp vanilla
4 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
1 cup raw pecans
Unsweetened shredded coconut, for topping
Flaked sea salt, for topping

Instructions:In the bowl of a food processor,combine dates, vanilla and cocoa powder. Process until the mixture forms a paste. Add the pecans and process until they are finely chopped and fully incorporated (but don't let them turn into dust). Form the "dough" into bite-sized balls and place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Roll half the balls in coconut, if desired, and top the other half with the sea salt. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour.

Notes:

I didn't have pecans on hand so I used a mix of almonds and walnuts.  These may be healthy but they are not low calorie.  I made 26 small brownie bites with this recipe.

Killer Workout...

It won't take long to finish the workout but you will definitely get worked:)

You will need dumbbells for a few of the videos.  Some of the moves are done on a step as well.  Just find something that will elevate you a little if you don't have a workout bench. 

Each video is about 3-4 minutes.  Except for the burpee one...it might take longer:)  Just do the workout in the order I have posted the videos.  Keep the time inbetween each video short.  Pretty much just enough time to click on the next video. 

Gotta love a killer workout:)!

Ninja Baby!!!!

Today I was spoiled with an early birthday present from some of my training clients.  I can't even tell you how excited I am to try this baby out.  I have been wanting one for sooooooooooo long!!!!

Happy Birthday to me!!!:)

In celebration of my new toy I thought I would share some new smoothie recipes with you.  The calorie count is determined off of the protein powder I use which has 90 calories per serving.

Strawberry Cheesecake

(Just under 200 calories)

Pic via thebetterbaker blog

• 1 1/4 cups frozen strawberries
• 1 cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk (40 calories per cup)
• 1 tbsp sugar free fat free instant cheesecake pudding mix
• 2 scoops protein powder
• Ice

Throw in blender (or fancy Ninja:) and enjoy!

And here is one that doesn't have protein powder in it...

Banana Oatmeal Smoothie

(365 calories)

1 Banana

1 cup Almond Milk (You can use skim milk but it will change the calorie count)

1/3 cup plain yogurt (You could use Greek yogurt but you may need a sweetner to ofset the tanginess)

1/2 cup cooked oatmeal

1 TBSP Peanut Butter (or any nut butter)

Once again pull out the fancy Ninja:) and enjoy!

Asian Slaw with Ginger Peanut Dressing

I came across this recipe for Asian Slaw with Ginger Peanut Dressing on Pinterest the other day and knew I had to try it.

 Image via SeriousEats

I changed a few things to cut back on calories but I promise I didn't cut back on taste.

I promise this recipe wont disappoint.

Asian Slaw with YUMMY Ginger Peanut Dressing

For the dressing mix-

(makes 1/2 cup)

1/4 cup honey

1 TBSP oil 

1/4 cup rice vinegar

1 TBSP Sesame Oil

1 TBSP Peanut Butter

1 tsp salt

1 TBSP fresh ginger

1 large garlic clove

1/2 tsp Srirachi Sauce (optional...I opted not)

For the Slaw mix-

(makes about 7 1/2 cups)

Cut up one small head of cabbage (1 quart)

2 large carrots chopped

1 red bell pepper (I used green cause that is what I had on hand)

1 cup edamame (See note below)

1/2 cup cilantro

1 cup peanuts chopped

Notes-

I did not have edamame because I could not for the life of me find it at the grocery store the last time I was there.  Instead I baked some chicken and served it over the slaw.  The calorie count of the slaw is without the edamame or the chicken.  If you want to lower the calories of the slaw mix you could easily cut back the amount of peanuts you put in it. 

Calories-

1 TBSP of dressing 79 calories

1 Cup of Slaw 122 calories

My kids don't really like salad so I just served them the chicken with some carrot sticks.  This way I could make the recipe work for the whole family. 

Fresh Start Monday...

Is this applicable to any of you?

Mondays are often used as a time to kick start a healthy week.  Today can be a fresh start.  Don't put it off any longer!!!

Happy Monday!

I posted some recipes and a workout over the weekend so if you are needing some ideas to get you going this week be sure to check them out. 



Black Bean Soup

I made this recipe the other day when I was home with sick kids.  I was kind of going stir crazy from being stuck at home for three days straight so I unwound by trying a bunch of new recipes.  My picky hubby loved them all...I consider it safe to share a recipe if he approves of it:).

Black Bean Soup

Makes 6-1 cup servings

155 calories per cup 

 

Image from Bonappetit

3 cups black beans

 (I used dry ones that I had made earlier and had stored in the freezer. 

I am sure canned would work just fine.)

1 TBSP Olive Oil

1 Med Onion chopped

1 Bell Pepper, chopped

 (any color, I used green)

2 stalks celery, chopped

Saute the onion, pepper and celery in a large pot until soft and onion starts to brown.

Add the following and simmer on low for 1-1.5 hours-

1 Jalapeno Pepper

(I removed all the seeds and rims and it wasn't spicy at all)

3 cloves garlic, minced

1 TBSP cumin

8 cups water

2 Boullion Cubes 

 (Veggie or Chicken.  If you opt to use stock, reduce the amount of water you use)

1 Bay Leaf

Salt to taste

Puree half the soup in a blender once it is done simmering and add back to the rest of the soup.  Serve with a little avocado or Greek yogurt. Or throw a few tablespoons of salsa in there to spice it up...yum!

Notes-

I didn't have any bay leaves so I left them out. I did add some cinnamon and nutmeg to make the soup a little more interesting. I was pleased with the result but I don't know how much I ended up using...sorry.

I will be sharing the other recipes soon!

At-Home Interval Workout

This is a great workout for when you are short on time but still want to work hard.  It is just under 23 minutes including the warm-up and cool-down.  If you have more time this would be a good finish to a cardio session.  

 

Let me know how it goes:)!

 

Happy Workout!

Skinny Tips...

So I came across this video while checking out YouTube for workout ideas.  There are some good ideas to help you either eat less or reduce your food cravings. 

I thought this might be a good thing for us to have on our minds as we head into the weekend. 

It is actually kind of entertaining to watch but if you don't have time I will do a quick rundown for you...

P.S. I promise not everything I will post will have to do with Jillian Michaels.

Skinny Tips-

1. Eat 5 walnuts or 8 almonds before a big meal (lunch or dinner).  They release a hormone that delays gastric emptying which should help you to feel fuller longer.

2.  Brush your teeth often throughout the day.  Foods like pizza and pasta may not sound as good if you have the taste of toothpaste in your mouth. 

3.  When you have a craving you just can't get rid off try eating three bites of it and walking away for ten minutes.  You won't feel deprived but you won't over do it either. (not sure this would work for me.  I tend to go all or nothing:)

4.  Wear tight clothing.  Even go as far as wearing spanx under your clothes.  If you feel constricted in your clothes you just may not want to eat more food making them feel tighter. (I am so doing this!)

5.  Cook your pasta to al dente.  It lowers the glycemic index of the pasta.  You should also pair your pasta with fat and protein.  This also keep the glycemic index lower.  

6.  Use a fiber supplement before a meal.  It will expand in your tummy helping you to feel more full.

7.  Ruin your food!  If you are sitting at a table and you keep picking at the food after you are done grab the salt and dump so much on it that the food no longer is a temptation.

Are you going to try any of these skinny tips? 

Roasted Chickpeas are Yummy

We were home bound today in an attempt to keep our germs quarantined.  My oldest either has the flu or some other stomach bug.  So far the rest of us have remained healthy...fingers crossed!!!

To keep me from going stir crazy I decided to try roasted chickpeas.  They were yummy.  They made the perfect little snack.  

I just made mine with random seasonings from my cupboards.  I just came across a few variations I will be trying.  

You have to give these babies a try.  I am definitely making the honey cinnamon ones tomorrow. 

recipe and pic come from HERE

Ingredients

(Each 1/4 cup of chickpeas prepared with a little olive oil spray is about 100 calories.  

Some of the seasonings will add to calorie count)

• 2 cans chickpeas (garbanzo beans) or about 4 cups cooked chickpeas from dried beans
• Olive oil spray to lightly coat the chickpeas
• seasonings of your choice (see below for suggestions)

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. 
2. Prepare the beans for roasting by draining and rinsing them, then letting them dry on a towel until most of the excess moisture is absorbed. Spread on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. Roast the chickpeas in the oven for 45-60 minutes or until the beans are crunchy throughout (just test one- if they are still mostly soft on the inside and there’s no crunch, keep baking). Be sure to shake the pan a few times while baking the beans to avoid burning them.
3. Immediately (while beans are still hot), toss with olive oil and seasonings. Serve hot or at room temperature. They are best the first day, but can be kept in an airtight container for up to 4 days.

Seasoning Suggestions (add more or less if you like, these are just guidelines)

1. Sesame Soy- 1 teaspoon sesame oil, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/2 teaspoon sea salt, 1 tablespoon sesame seeds
2. Honey Cinnamon- 1 teaspoon cinnamon, a pinch nutmeg, 1/4 teaspoon sea salt, 2 tablespoons honey (you can throw these back in the oven for 10-15 minutes to carmelize if you like)
3. Garlic Parmesan- 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese, 1 teaspoon garlic powder or 2 cloves fresh minced garlic, 1/4 teaspoon fresh cracked pepper, 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
4. Smoky Spice Blend- 1/2 teaspoon ancho chile powder, 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika, 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/2 teaspoon cumin, 1/4 teaspoon fresh cracked pepper, 1/2 teaspoon sea salt, pinch cayenne (optional)

Biggest Loser Pancakes

I have a pancake recipe that I already love but I was curious how these ones tasted so I made them for breakfast for my girls yesterday. They loved them:)...me too!  I will be making these again in the near future.  The one thing I like about recipes like this is they can be kept in the fridge for a few days so I can double the recipe and have extras on hand for healthy snacks or breakfast the next day.

Just beware that they are not going to be big and fluffy like I-HOP pancakes.  They are more the consistency of french toast.  

Oh and who knew you could do so much with cottage cheese when it is whipped in the blender or food processor?  I am loving it!

BIGGEST LOSER PANCAKES 

Yield: 9 pancakes

Serving Size: 3 pancakes

Calories per serving: 220

• 6 egg whites
• 1 cup rolled oats, dry
• 1 cup cottage cheese
• 2 tsp sugar
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1 tsp vanilla

Instructions:

1. Add all ingredients to a blender and blend until smooth.
2. Heat a large non-stick skillet and spray with non-stick cooking spray, or use a non stick pan. For each pancake pour 1/4 cup of the batter, I made 3 pancakes at a time in my large skillet. Flip when they start to bubble and cook until golden brown.
3. Repeat with remaining batter.
4. Serve with fresh berries and honey or a little peanut butter. (calorie count does not include toppings)

ENJOY!!!

Notes

 Calories may vary based on products and brands used. Other nutritional information: Total Carbs: 25.3 g Fiber: 3.2 g Sugar: 4 g Protein: 21.2 g

I found the recipe and picture HERE.

Inspiring Others...

When I was pregnant with my first baby I was teaching classes at a club in Des Moines, Iowa.  There were definitely days when I was so tired and uncomfortable that I just didn't want to teach.  After class one day a class member came up to me and expressed how much she appreciated me.  She had just lost her job and was having to make a career changge which also meant relocating across the country.  She was overwhelmed and a little depressed about her situation.  She let me know that I was her motivation to not give up.  She figured if I could teach group exercise classes being 9 months prego she could keep a smile on her face and look for the good in life.  I never would have thought I would influence anyone in this way just by teaching a step class at the gym.  

Someone looks up to you like this when they see you setting and reaching your health goals. It may be a family member or friend or a complete stranger. 

Today let us inspire those around us to be strong, to stay the course.  I promise you someone is watching and you will make a difference.  And remember progress is progress no matter how small.

I am attempting to make these tomorrow...

Quinoa Protein Bars

From SkinnyMs.

I am totally curious.

I will let you know how it goes.

In the meantime here is a little snack idea that will also satisfy your sweet tooth

1 Rice cake (40-60cals)

1 TBSP Peanut Butter ((100 cals)

Drizzle of honey (about a tsp 20 clas)

Top with  one of the following-

10 chocolate chips (27 cals), 1/2 banana sliced (50 cals), raisins,

1 TBSP crushed walnuts (50 cals)

I had some successes in the kitchen this morning so I will be sharing lots of recipes tomorrow!

  

Jillian Michaels Ab Workout...

Jillian's 6 week six pack workout is pretty good.  It focuses on abdominal exercises but has a lot of full body stuff too.  Plus it will keep your heart rate up so you burn some calories.  I would think this would be a decent dvd to have on hand.  Or just use the youtube video...

I will be using some of these moves for my training clients tomorrow.  I am going to do it for part of my workout too.  Just FYI you will be seeing a lot of ab workouts on here.  I am so ready to get some muscle tone back in my post baby belly.   

Quick At-Home Workout

I came across a few good YouTube workouts I wanted to share with you.  They are both in real time so you can do your workout right along with the video.  Both are straightforward and short...I didn't say easy:)

If you have a day this week that you can't get to the gym or do a long workout, give these a try. 

If you are one of my training clients these workouts are a sneak preview of some of the moves you will be seeing in your next workout:)

(If you can't do the crazy spiderman pushups just sub with pushups you can do)

Happy Workout!!!



Being Realistic...

Before doing too many blog posts I want to share a little bit with you about me and my life and what works for me when it comes to exercise and eating healthy. 

I am a momma of three (4,2 and 3 months), my husband is in his second year of residency (only 4 more to go...sigh), I teach group exercise classes and I work a little from home, I have church responsibilities, and try hard to keep the house clean...the list goes on.  You know how it is.  This is why the key to making it all work is to keep it simple...and real. 

As much as I wish I could get up at 5am and get my workout in before the kids wake up it is not realistic considering I am often up til 12 am finishing housework or prepping workouts for my training clients and getting up during the night to feed my 3 month old.  I also have a 2 year old who has never been a good sleeper.  I feel like a zombie and truly can't sacrafice any more sleep.

.  Night times don't work either because I am just too tired. Plus I prefer to be home with my hubby at night.

 Instead I go to the gym between 9-11am everyday.  I belong to a gym that has a fantastic childwatch and its free.  I feel comfortable leaving my kids there for an hour while I get my workout in.  This works for us and makes it easy for me to get to the gym 5-6 times a week. 

You have to figure out what works for you.  

You also must find activities that you enjoy.  Unless you are training specifically for an event I believe the best exercise is the one you will consistently do. 

 Exercise can and should be enjoyable. 

I teach group exercise 2-3 times a week.  It brings me great joy when I hear that people think my class is fun.  If people think my class is fun I know they will come back.  I recently decided I was going to train for a 1/2 marathon.  I have always felt like I should do a longer race but a full marathon is so out of the question for me.  I have absolutely no desire to ever run that far.  In an attempt to train for this 1/2 marathon I started running a couple times a week to get my body use to it.  After a couple weeks I was totally bored.  I just don't enjoy running.  Training for a 1/2 marathon soon became a drag for me. 

I have since found a new goal to work towards.  I will let you in on my plans later but for now I am super excited and totally motivated. 

Once again you have to find what works for you!!! 

When it comes to nutrition make small changes. 

Don't expect to be perfect.  I know I am not. 

 I keep my meals simple.  I do protein shakes for breakfast and lunch.  My snacks often include bananas and peanut butter.  Dinner usually has something to do with a little meat and brocolli.  I am pretty boring but it works for me.  

I recently have made the goal to not eat sugar during the week.  I have a cheat day on the weekends.  I do this because I love sweets and have little to no self control once I start eating them.  Chocolate chip cookies might be my favorite thing in the world:)  It is a good goal for me and it works for me.

I guess what I am trying to say is you need to sit down and really think about what your goals are and how you can realistically obtain them.  I am not saying the path should be easy.  As I have said before if you want to see change you have to be willing to be challenged.  But keep it simple and keep it real. 

Okay enough rambling.  I won't usually be so wordy:) 

Toasted Coconut Breakfast Spread

Today I discovered something delicious...possibly my new favorite snack. 

Toasted Coconut Breakfast Spread

(you can go HERE for the original link)

This is how I made it...

(makes about 26 TBSP at just 22 calories each)

1 1/2 cups Cottage Cheese (300 cals)

2 TBSP honey (120 cals)

1/4 cup toasted coconut flakes (140 cals)

Put Cottage Cheese and honey in blender and blend til smooth and creamy.

Stir in toasted coconut.

(All of you who don't like cottage cheese because of the texture you have to give this a try. The consistency is smooth, thick and creamy...yummy)

Spread 2 TBSP on an English muffin, top with 1/2 a banana sliced into bite sized pieces and you have yourself a sweet little snack full of protein and healthy carbs and just 214 calories.  

It just hit me that this would be even better with some crushed walnuts sprinkled on top:)

Plain old cottage cheese drizzled with honey is amazing too.  Maybe you already knew these two foods paired well together but for me this was a very exciting discovery.

Crossfit Workout at Home

I prefer to workout at the gym but there are days I just can't get there.  But that doesn't mean I can't get a good workout in.  This one is short (10 min!) and sweet, yet affective at blasting some calories.  You can find the original source for this workout HERE.

WARM-UP

Do the 3 warm-up exercises 2 times through to prime your muscles for the workout

Walking Lunge

Standing with feet hip width apart, arms overhead, lunge forward with left foot. Thigh should be parallel to the floor. Back knee just above the floor.

Return to standing by bringing left foot back to the right foot. Repeat move with right leg for one rep. 

 Scorpion
Lie face down with arms extended, palms down. Legs together, toes on floor.With hands planted, rotate torso to right, reaching right foot to meet left hand (as shown) for 1 rep. Return to start; repeat on opposite side. Do 10 reps. 

Hand Walk
Stand with feet hip-width apart. Keeping legs straight, bend forward, place hands on floor and walk hands into push-up position. Inch feet toward hands (as shown) to return to standing. Do 5 reps.

Workout- 
Your goal is to do as many rounds as you can of the three exercises in 10 minutes. 

Deadlift

Stand with feet hip-width apart, a weight on floor between feet. Bend forward, knees bent, pushing hips back; pick up weight (as shown). Stand; return weight to floor for 1 rep. Do 5 reps.

Burpee

Stand with feet hip-width apart. Crouch down; place hands on floor under shoulders. With hands planted, jump feet behind you, landing with entire body on floor. (Belly down to floor) Hop feet (hands stay planted!) back to hands, then jump up, clapping hands overhead (as shown), to return to standing. Do 10 reps.

Butterfly Situp
Lie faceup with a folded towel under lower back, soles of feet together with knees open to sides and arms overhead on floor (as shown). Sit up, touching fingers to toes. Return to start. Do 15 reps.

Enjoy!

Snacking 101...

Healthy snacking is key to keeping your diet on track.  Here are a few of my go to snacks that I really enjoy....

Homemade Protein Bars/Balls

Click HERE for one recipe (this one is more of a treat)

Another variation can be found HERE

And you can check out a previous post of mine for another yummy one.

Greek yogurt with Peanut Butter
I like to make it with 1/2 cup greek yogurt (60 Calories) and 1 TBSP peanut butter (100 Calories). 
It is still kind of tangy so I add 1 packet of stevia. 
But the more I eat it the less I need the stevia.
You could also add some honey which would be delicious.

Almonds and Apple
1/4 cup of almonds (170 Calories) and a small apple (100 Calories) in my gym bag are the perfect after workout snack.

Cottage Cheese and Fruit
1/2 cup cottage cheese (110 calories cause I like the 4% milkfat walmart brad) topped with pineapple or peaches (60-80 Calories)...one of my favs:)

Scrambled Egg whites and English Muffin with Salsa
4 egg whites on a whole wheat English muffin with 2 TBSP of salsa comes in just under 200 calories. Had this one today:)

Whole Grain Waffles
These are a favorite at our house. My girls request them almost daily for breakfast. I like to have them for a snack with a little peanut butter and banana slices. I usually double the recipe because they keep well in the fridge or freezer.

1 Cup Whole Wheat Flour
1 Cup Old-Fashioned Oats
1 Egg
2 Cups Buttermilk
(I used 2% milk and added lemon juice since I never have buttermilk on hand)
1 TBSP Molasses
2 TBSP unsweetened Apple Sauce
1/2 tsp Salt
1 tsp Baking Soda
1 tsp Baking Powder

Pretty much just mix everything together and cook in a waffle iron.  If you use 1/4 cup of batter per waffle the recipe will make 15 waffles at 67 calories each.

Edamame
Another family favorite.  But they are known as slippery beans at our house:).  A 1/2 cup of shelled edamame has aound 115 calories, 10 grams of protein and about 4 grams of fiber. 

 

My Favorite Protein Shake Recipes

For the last few months I have been using The Body By Vi meal replacement shakes.  I use them for breakfast and lunch and I love them.  They give me energy, fill me up and satisfy my crazy sweet tooth.  As an added bonus they have helped me get back to my prepregnancy weight at just 3 months post partum.  Thank you VI SHAKES:)!

If you are wanting to give protein shakes an try here are some yummy ideas...

40 smoothie recipes from Whole Living

These are my go to favs...

Pumpkin Cheesecake Smoothie

1/4 cup pumpkin puree

2 tsp sugar-free cheesecake flavored pudding mix

1 banana

2 scoops protein powder

1 cup Almond Milk

5-6 ice cubes

cinnamon to taste

Fruity Deliciousness

(297 Calories)

1/2 banana

1 cup frozen fruit mix (I used Aldi's brand that had strawberries, mangoes, pineapple and peaches)

1/4 cup canned pineapple chunks

1 cup Trop 50 OJ

2 scoops protein powder (I use Body By Vi protein poweder)

5-6 ice cubes

Chocolate-y PeanutButter Bliss

 (370 Calories)

1 TBSP Peanut Butter (or any nut butter)

1 Banana

1-2 TBSP cocoa powder (I like mine extra chocolate-y:))

2 scoops protein powder

1 cup Almond Milk

5-6 Ice cubes

For added nutrition you can try adding spinach, kale, or milled flaxseed to all these recipes. 
You won't be able to taste them but the spinach and kale will turn your chocolate shake into a nasty color...fyi:)

Quinoa Stuffed Green Peppers

For some reason stuffed peppers always sounded gross to me.  Lucky for me I was brave enough to try them one day because I discovered that they are quite the opposite of gross.  It is possible I have found one of my new favorite comfort foods.  Even better my kids gobbled them up and asked for more. 

I made the recipe tonight with quinoa and ground beef.  It was yummy but next time I will substitute the beef for black beans to cut back the calories.  I ended up using such a small amount of beef this time I don't think it will be missed.  Once I make that recipe and get the calorie count for it I will update you all. 

As is, the recipe makes 5 stuffed peppers each at 281 calories...not too shabby right?

I did fancy it up with a little parmesan cheese so I guess the total for each pepper was actually 306.

Stuffed Green Peppers
Yeild: 5

5 green peppers
1/2 lb ground beef
1tbsp olive oil
1 onion, chopped to desired size
2-3 garlic cloves, minced
1 pkg Near East Rosemary blend quinoa 
(You can use whatever quinoa you want. This is just what I used and calories were calculated using this kind) 
 1-28oz can Diced Tomatoes
1-12 oz jar salsa (Just use your favorite kind)

Directions 
1-Parboil your peppers for about 7 minutes

 2- brown the ground beef, drain and rinse

3-Saute the onion and garlic in olive oil, then add the beef back in the pan.

4-Cook Quinoa according to package 

5- Add tomatoes, salsa and beef mix to quinoa.

6- Stuff peppers with mixture.

7- Bake covered in 350 degree oven for 30-35 minutes or til warmed thru.  

ENJOY!!!