FOOD and Updates!!!

It's been awhile since my last post, so I'm reconnecting with a fun blog post. I couldn't think of anything more fun than FOOD. I have been eating healthy for over a year now and I would like to share a few of my favorite recipes with you. 

First, a repeat from one of my first blog posts: 
Cauliflower Fried Rice

Cauliflower Fried Rice Recipe

1. Rice one head of cauliflower in a food processor
2. Cook for 5 minutes in the microwave (add nothing)
3. Drain the water that cooks out
4. Pre-cook and shred 3 chicken breasts 
5. Pre-cook mixed veggies, any variety you like
6. Mix all ingredients in a Wok
7. When mix is half-way cooked, add two eggs: 
       Make an opening in the middle of the pan, pushing the ingredients to the side. 
       Add the eggs in the middle. Let the eggs set-up a little bit, then mix all together. 
       When the egg consistency is how you like them and mixed in, you are done! 
8. Add Braggs liquid aminos (soy sauce replacement) while cooking to taste  



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Second for the sweet tooth:
Homemade Chocolate
This recipe is so easy and it can be customized with many different variations. I've added things to it like dried fruit, cacao nibs or nuts to mix it up - all delicious! The recipe can also be doubled or tripled for sharing.

- 1/2 cup coconut oil
- 1/4 cup cocoa powder
- 2 tbsp honey (more or less, best quality you can find, can also use stevia or any other sweetener you want)

1. Melt oil

2. Combine all ingredients and mix until blended well

3. Chill in rfridgerator or freezer until solid

4. Enjoy! (Not all at once)

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Another of my favorites is a side/meal: 
Brussel sprouts with apples, bacon and walnuts
This recipe can be modified, take out whatever you want. 

1 package of fresh brussel sprouts, washed and chopped (buy pre-chopped, no need to over-complicate)
1 green apple cored and cut in to small bite size pieces. 

2 Tbs olive oil
3 slices bacon, cut into 1/2-inch pieces precooked 
1 cup of raw walnuts 

Combine all ingredients in a stove top pan and cook until brussel sprouts are tender and start to brown. (About 10 minutes on medium high heat.)


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Updates:

In May, I finally graduated college after going for 5 years!

Left: Kazia's graduation (May 2011); Right: My graduation (May 2014)
What a transformation!

So far this season, I have run two 5k races with more on the schedule for later this summer!

Wolf Run 5k
Trail run in Eagan, MN

Electric Run 5k
Evening fun run at the MN State Fairgrounds, St. Paul, MN

The journey continues - I am holding now at around 130 pounds down, but I feel stronger than I did in the last post. I have tweaked my back a couple of times so I have held back on the amount of weight I'm lifting, but not the intensity! I have been using the Moves app on my phone to track how many miles a day I walk and it's great. I love to beat my previous step counts per day. I also like to use the Map My Run app for when doing training runs and 5k's. I've been trying to get at least one 5k in around town per week to prepare for the next 5k race I have coming up in July. Before, I had to take breaks from jogging to walk and now I do not! I would like to get under a 30 minute 5k and my goal is to do it by the end of summer. 

Sorry for the long break between posts - it has been crazy busy! Please keep on following and sending me questions; they are great! I love to help anyone on there journey too!