Black Bean Salad

I LOVE this stuff!!!!! It is so good, and if you can get your hands on fresh corn, it is even better!
Here's the recipe:

1 can black beans, drained and rinsed (very important to rinse!)
1/2 can sweet corn, drained, or roughly 3 fresh ears, cut from cob
1/2 red bell pepper, seeded and diced
1/2 onion (red or vidalia) chopped
1 BIG handful of cilantro, chopped
1 lemon or lime

Simply toss all of the beans and veggies together in a bowl, then squeeze the citrus juice over the whole thing and toss again. If you don't have citrus, you can use about a tablespoon of white vinegar instead. I usually dive right in with a spoon, but it just gets better in the fridge as the flavors "marry."

Serving suggestions: as is (great side to a protein like chicken!), in a whole wheat tortilla with some avocado, or over brown rice (or saffron rice)

End of Days are Near?

Is it just me, or did 12 weeks just whir by rather quickly????

That's right, the end of days is near...Challenge Days that is! Okay, so there are 4 days left in the Challenge until picture day, so yes, it does feel like I am heading for apocalypse_now. The giant meteor bearing down on earth = the camera chasing me for that final picture. I don't even know what to wear. I know that I promised a 2-piece picture, but this chick reserves the right to be slightly self-conscious still! Okay, extremely self-conscious.

Have I lost weight? Yes. Have I lost inches? Yes. Am I in a different size? Yes. Do I see a thin person in the mirror? No-No-No. Logically, I should be proud, and on some level, I am proud. My body has radically changed in (almost) 12 weeks. Just ask my husband, he's seen me naked. ;-)

But I am a nervous wreck about posting this final picture. I have no clue how many people are actually checking this blog by now, but I sense that there are quite a few eyes waiting to judge that final big reveal.

I have not chickened out YET. So I guess you will just have to see what pops up on the blog by Monday, July 4th.

And just maybe, I will go another 12 weeks to see how much more this Mom can Get Fit.

What's for lunch?

I love warm protein on salads, ie. grilled chicken breasts. This was a great alternative! I have always been a fan of salmon patties, or croquettes, or whatever you call them. Today, I had an abundance of canned tuna in the pantry, so I decided to see if the same goodness could be achieved with a different fish. Here's my recipe:

2  (5 oz) cans of tuna packed in water, drained

1 slice of whole wheat bread, toasted and crumbled (I used the processor)

1 egg, beaten

Olive oil

Add bread crumbs and beaten egg to drained tuna. Mix well. Heat a few tablespoons of olive oil in a pan over medium heat. Form 3 patties/croquettes/whatever, slightly squeezing any excess water out. Place tuna into pan and fry on each side 3 to 5 minutes, until golden brown and cooked through. Drain on paper towels. 

I put my tuna onto salad greens and added a few tablespoons of balsamic vinaigrette. Protein + veggies= Healthy & Yummy. Bon Appétit!

:)