Recipe - Vegan Asian Beef and Broccoli

Thought of this one in the grocery store when the wife and I looked at each other and said "Whats for dinner?"  First we already had cauliflower in the shopping cart.  Since we both love cauliflower we opted to skip the broccoli and make Asian beef(less) and cauliflower.  Oh so good!

What we need:

1 bag Gardein Beefless tips

1 bag frozen cauliflower (or fresh)

1 package Sunbird Beef & Broccoli seasoning mix 

couple tablespoons olive oil 

1 boil in bag brown rice

1 medium onion (cut in wedges - we forgot to add this and it was delicious without it - your call!)

Prepare rice according to package directions.  Prepare Sunbird beef & broccoli seasoning according to package directions and let stand until ready.  

When rice has 5-7 minutes left to cook begin other directions below.

(You may find a better way but using two saute pans worked well)

In saute pan heat a tablespoon or so of olive oil on med hi heat and add cauliflower and onion.  In a separate saute pan cook Gardein Beefless tips according to package directions.  Stir both frequently.  When beefless tips are done add to pan with cauliflower.  (*see additional hint below) Mix beef and broccoli seasoning mix (before adding to pan - it separates while sitting) and add to the saute pan with cauliflower, onion and beefless tips.  Stir fry for a minute or two until sauce thickens.  Serve over the brown rice.

* additional hint - take a little of the beef and broccoli seasoning mix and add to the pan you cooked the beefless tips in and heat it, stirring to loosen any drippings, then add this to the cauliflower, onion, beefless tips mixture for some extra flavor! 

This was really good, better then I expected and curbed a chinese food craving I have had for a couple weeks!

Enjoy!  Thanks for visiting the blog!  Until next time,

Kel      

Weight Loss Tip of The Day - EAT!

So I have some information that may or may not be helpful to people struggling with weight.  I love talking about this subject so you may see posts from time to time that touch on similar things.  So you want to lose weight?  Who doesn't.  I would venture a guess 70-80% of the population would want to lose weight - maybe its a couple pounds, maybe its a couple hundred.

First things first, losing weight is a science.  Once you understand the science your on your way.  If you really want to lose weight take a look at what your eating everyday.  Not necessarily the quantity of food but the quality.  If your "diet" looks something like this - 

Bagel and cream cheese for breakfast, 

Something from the vending machine around 10:30 'cuz your stomach rumbled, 

Lunch with clients consisting of a pasta dish with creamy white sauce and a couple breadsticks, 

An apple at 3:30 because you want to eat healthy, 

A home cooked dinner consisting of a pork chop with mashed potatoes (just the way mom used to make!)  2 spears of asparagus (your way to full from the chop and potatoes to eat all the asparagus!) and a little nibble of ice cream around 9:00 pm just for fun 

It is totally possible to make some smart changes to achieve some goals no matter what your weight loss goals are. 

Lets examine this days caloric intake shall we? 

Breakfast - This is going to be about 500-600 calories depending on the bagel and what cream cheese you use.

Morning snack - (vending machine) probably at least 200 calories

Lunch - roughly 300 for the breadsticks, 700-800 in the pasta with creamy cheesy sauce.

Apple - 70 calories Great choice!

Dinner - pork chop - 350, mashed potato - 400, asparagus - about 30

Ice cream treat - we will say 350.

OK, the total caloric intake for the day was - 2900 to 3100, knowing that look at the food choices.  Just replacing the breakfast with a slice of whole wheat toast and 2 tablespoons peanut butter saves you 200-300 for breakfast.  Morning snack?  Have a piece of fruit.  Lunch?  Skip the breadsticks for a salad (EASY on the dressing!)

The little change above done on a daily basis saves you enough calories to lose a pound a week.  Add some exercise or more exercise and burn more!

Here is my rule of thumb.  In today's world where everyone is going 1000 miles an hour from sunrise to sunset, you have to eat to lose weight.  We all should be eating 4-6 times a day, maybe more depending on your activity level and lifestyle.  You only have to make sure you eat smart and make good choices.  Just change your choices a little bit and you will see results over time.

Losing weight is a science but it is not exact science.  Everyone is different and you have to make your own choices.  If you make smarter choices you will firm up your belly!

Thanks for visiting the blog - Im positive I will write more on this subject so come again!

Until next time,

Kel