Recreating Our Favorites...part 1

Life has been busy! My brother, sister -in-law and sweet niece came in for a visit.  While they were home we celebrated two very special little girls birthdays.  (My niece, Mads, and sweet A!) I can't believe Mads is 4 and A is 1! They don't kid when they say they grow up quickly! It was so great being able to celebrate the girls together!  It was a really special week.

Since they have left, Mr. J and I have been working so hard to "get healthy".  With my love of cooking I am trying to re-create some of our favorite foods into a "healthier" version.  Tonight...Burgers.

Mr. J and I like our food spicy (and so does sweet a!).  These burgers had just the right amount of spice and a whole lot of flavor.  We hope you enjoy them as much as we did.

Jalapeno, Black Bean and Turkey Burgers

Ingredients:

• 1 lb ground turkey meat
• 1 can Black Beans, drained and rinsed 
• 1/4 cup bread crumbs
• 1 egg white
• 1 jalapeno, seeded and diced
• 1/4 cup Monterey jack cheese, shredded
• 1 teaspoon minced garlic
• 1 teaspoon taco or southwestern seasoning (or both) 
• Salt and Pepper, to taste 

Drain black beans and rinse.  Seed and dice jalapeno.  Place all ingredients in a bowl and mix well.  Pat out into 6 patties.  Grill around 5 minutes on each side.  Enjoy!

I did place a little bit of guacamole on top of mine and it was fabulous! Mr. J turns green at the thought of guacamole so he passed but still loved the burgers just as much as I did.  We ate them on 80 calorie buns and paired with some broccoli . It was a great meal and we are looking forward to left over tomorrow night! 

I hope you have a fantastic weekend! 

Motivation

I believe that anything you want to do is 1% physical ability and 99% mental.  Before Mr. J and I were married, we were both active people.  Mr. J constantly worked out and I ran and would go to the gym.  After we first got married, we still tried to remain active.  When he was deployed for almost 9 months we both put a large amount of energy and time into working out and staying fit.  Then he came home.  We both had jobs and were working crazy hours.  I LOVE to cook and LOVE to cook for Mr. J.  Things other than the gym and our bodies became priorities.  I hate to even admit this to myself, let alone the whole world...but over the course of the last 5 years I have managed to put on about 20 lbs. I am now in a mental state where I am ready to get this off! I not only want to lose weight to look better, but to feel better and be healthy for sweet A.  I want to set an example of what it means to live a healthy lifestyle but not stress over your body and being skinny.  With so much negative media about how women are suppose to look, I want to make sure and be the example for A that we should not worry about our size, but our health and wellness.  My running shoes are still in my closet and I am waiting for a break in the heat to really start running again, but have made huge changes to our diet and exercise is now a daily activity.

Now...why has it taken me 5 years?  I have no clue?  Life?  Lack of motivation?  Lack of time?  Lack of motivation? Convenience? Lack of motivation?  I believe it is all of these things, but really my lack of motivation!

So...what motivated me?  It is a funny story really...and maybe too much information.  Last week I was at my parents' house after a day out on the lake.  My parents have this HUGE shower (I call it a party shower, because I really think you could fit about 15 people in it).  I have been DYING to take a shower it in because of the wonderful rainfall shower head.  Well, not only does this shower have glass doors, but also a HUGE mirror across from it.  I literally screamed when I saw the lady in the mirror...not even recognizing myself. True motivation hit right then.

What motivates you to live a healthy lifestyle?  Not currently living it?  Join along with me!

Running and Fish

Well y'all, I have made a decision.  I am getting back into running.  No questions.  I started running a couple of years ago and got really sick before my first half and got so bummed that I just kind of gave up.  I picked it back up in the fall and then found out I was pregnant so I hung up my shoes once again.  After sweet a made her appearance, I tied up my laces and headed out again.  Winter came, days shortened, Mr J worked longer, and once again... I think you get the picture.  I have used many excuses, but this time,  I am for real.  My goal is to run the Nashville Half in April.  That should give me plenty of time to train.

Also, I have made the decision that starting next week, our household will start eating fish.  I hate fish, but am determined to make it work!  Wish me luck!

Any tips for running? Any tips for killer shin splints?  Any great fish recipes for non fish lovers?  Hook me up!

Have a great Thursday!