Fine's Vegan Chili

Since we have many more days of winter ahead, I want to post this delicious vegan chili! Chili was always a favorite of our family because you can stick it in the crockpot and feast all day! When we started eating clean and cut out meat, I thought we would never make it again. Then I stumbled upon this recipe! This recipe came from Rachael Ray's website. Get your crockpot ready!!!

INGREDIENTS

2 tbsp olive oil (optional- I don't use it because I'm cooking in crock pot)

1 medium yellow onion, chopped

1 large green pepper, seeded and chopped

1 jalapeño pepper, seeded and chopped

4 cloves garlic, crushed and chopped

1 cup vegetable broth (I use Pacific Organic Low Sodium Vegetable Broth)

1 can (28 oz) crushed tomatoes (I use Muir Glen organic fire roasted-super YUM!)

1 can (14 oz) black beans, rinsed

1can (14 oz) dark red kidney beans (I use the triple bean can from Kroger), rinsed

1 tbsp ground cumin

2 tbsp chili powder 

1 tsp sea salt

1 cup vegetarian refried beans (important to get "vegetarian" ones because they are just beans & water)- optional, to thicken

DIRECTIONS

I start chopping and prepping my ingredients, adding them to my crockpot as I go except for the refried beans. I save my spices for last. Once all spices are added, I use a wooden spoon to stir thoroughly. After everything is mixed well, I add in my refried beans and stir again. They will appear to be "choppy" in the mix but they will help thicken the chili and smooth out as it gets hotter. 

I set my crockpot on high (or 4 hr setting) and let it cook! Serve with your choice of toppings depending on dietary considerations. We serve ours over baked potatoes to make a hearty meal. ENJOY!

Yummy Mexican 4 Layer Dip

It's the time of year for parties! Halloween, Thanksgiving, work parties, Christmas, New Years, and hopefully some friends birthdays will be thrown in as well!!!

This dip is very easy to make and is always a hit at the party. You can make this healthier buy not using store-bought items and making the ingredients yourself. I am going to put the store-bought ingredients up here and then add alternatives.

Make this for your next party and enjoy!

INGREDIENTS
2 cans vegetarian refried beans
1 package taco seasoning (as spicy as you like it!)
1 8 oz cream cheese
1 16 oz sour cream
1 16 oz salsa of choice
2 cups (or one larger pack) of shredded cheese (pepperjack is extra yummy!)

1-2 bags scoops chips for dipping

PREPARE

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees
2. Mix the refried beans and taco seasoning together and spread in the bottom of an 8 x 8 glass dish.
3. Mix the cream cheese and the sour cream together and spread over the refried bean mixture.
4. Spread the salsa over the other 2 layers.
5. Sprinkle your shredded cheese over the whole dish.
6. Place in oven for approximately 12-15 minutes or until cheese is melted. Serve warm with scoops!

HEALTHY ALTERNATIVES
Homemade Refried Beans
INGREDIENTS:
1-2 cans of pinto or black beans (drained and rinsed well - or make beans from raw, saving the juice they cook in)
2/3 cup vegetable broth (or juice beans are cooked in)
1/4 onion minced
1/2 jalapeno minced or 1/2 tsp chili powder
1 tbsp. olive oil
PREPARE:
Add olive oil to pan and heat. Add minced onion and minced jalapeno (or chili powder). Saute until soft, careful not to burn. Add in your beans and bring to a boil and vegetable broth and bring to a boil. Remove from heat. Mash beans with wooden spoon or potato masher making them as course as you like. As they cool, they will thicken up naturally.

Homemade Salsa
INGREDIENTS:
8 Roma tomatoes (adjust quantity if you use a different type)
Cilantro (about 10-15 sprigs)
3 garlic cloves
2 jalapenos
1/2 large onion
1/2 cup olive oil
2 limes (for juice)
sea salt (to taste)
PREPARE:
Course chop tomatoes and place in a bowl. Chop up cilantro, garlic, jalapenos, and onion. Add all to bowl. Add in 1/2 cup olive oil and juice from 2 limes. Add salt taste. Mix well. Refrigerate until ready to use/eat.

Post First Half Marathon & Training Plan Info

Well, it's finally over....I completed my first half marathon this past Saturday, 9/27. In the week leading up to it, I was considering dropping down to the 5k because I didn't feel prepared. I followed the Women's Half training plan but after my husbands race in VA Beach, I didn't train the remainder of September. Just very few days running and no more than 5-6 miles. I doubted my ability to finish the race in the course time and didn't want to disappoint myself or my friends/family. One reason for the lack of training was the fact that I lost my job the day we got back from our VA Beach trip. This was devastating to me! Our company laid off people and I was one selected. I have never NOT had a job since I was 14 years old! So, needless to say, I have been battling a little depression and self doubt since the beginning of September.

Fast forward to 9/26, Friday, at the Expo, I spoke to the representatives and they said I could decide on race day which race I wanted to do. That allowed me to relax a bit....until I figured out I only had 1 mile to decide because the course would split at the one mile marker!

On Saturday morning, I drove to the race with a mindset that I would only do the 5k. I wrestled with myself over what I should do. I felt great that morning, the weather was awesome, what more could I ask for?! With one minute to the start, I turned to my husband and whispered "I'm going to do it!" He said "what?" and the gun went off! I took off! At the one mile mark, I went to the left down the Half Marathon path! I was feeling good and made it to the 3 mile mark in right under 45 minutes. There was so much support and people cheering is on! I felt great until about mile 11. My feet started burning and my hips were hurting, but I dug in and kept going! My husband and daughter helped me through miles 8-11. They broke off and went to the finish line to wait. I took off for the last 2.1 miles! AND I DID IT!!!!! My official time was 3:28:16! I can't believe it! My practice run about 6 weeks early had me at 3:58 for the 13.1, so I am still in shock over my time!

I am officially in the half club now! Can't wait to try another one! For 2015, my goals include losing 30 more pounds, doing more half marathons, and doing a sprint and Olympic triathlon! If all of those goals happen, I am planning a Half Ironman in 2016!!!!

A lot of people have asked me for my training plan. I used a modified version of the Women's Running Series training plan. I allowed approximately 12 weeks for training. If you look on the blog, the post that says "80 days" has pictures of my actual calendars.

Journey to a Half Marathon: Post #10 (57 days!!!)

I cannot believe there are only 57 days until my first half marathon!!!!! So much has happened since I last posted at the 80 days out mark. I decided to get on a formal training plan that started in July. Since I am also training for a Sprint Triathlon early 2015, I sprinkled some swim and biking in the running program. Overall, for July, I stuck with the plan. I had to move a few rest days but ended up training on the designated "rest" days so the mikes wouldn't decrease.

You Did What?

I also completed 13.04 miles on 7/26!!! My lovely husband thought it would be a good idea for me to "see what 13 miles feels like" so we set out early on a Saturday morning with no expectations other than completing the miles. I was able to get done in 3:50 which shocked me! We ran some but mainly walked fast. I did get really sick afterwards but I think it was lack of fluids and salt intake during the run/walk that did it. With Eddie having done this before and being a self-made vegan, he made me a Recovery Smoothie (recipe on blog) which helped tremendously. I feel more confident now knowing I can complete the distance. 

Some other cool things happened this month too:

1- I got my first road bike!!! She is gorgeous! I'm currently learning this new process since I have been riding a mountain bike with commuter tires for so long. 

2-I'm a finalist for Team Chocolate Milk!!! I submitted my application and made it to the next round. If I'm one of the top 8, I'll get sponsorship so I'm super excited!!!! (PS. You can vote at www.gotchocolatemilk.com). 

3- I completed a total of 104 miles in July!! Up from 66 in June. 

August has started off with a bang! Training will continue. Thanks for all the well-wishes!!!

Post Run Recovery Smoothie

After my first long run, I started having flu-like symptoms. This smoothie was made for me and within 20 mins I was feeling 100% better!

INGREDIENTS

1 cup blueberries

1 banana

1 stalk celery

1/4 cup beets (raw)

1/2 cup carrots (raw)

2 cups kale (frozen)

2 cups strawberries (frozen)

2 tbsp Rice Protein

1/4 cup peas (frozen)

1/4 oats

1 tbsp peanut butter (we use Whole Foods that we make)

2 tbsp palm sugar

1/2 cup Goji berries

1/2 tsp (splash) vanilla extract 

2 cups water

Put all ingredients into your Vitamix or blender (high powered is better for smoother drink) and mix until smooth. Place in glass and enjoy!

This makes 6 cups. There is 174 calories in 1 cup.

Eddie's Energy Balls

These are so easy to make, vegan, and full of energy! We take them on hikes and camping. 

INDREDIENTS 

1 cup dry rolled oats

1/2 cup chocolate chips or raisins

1/2 cup peanut butter (we use almond butter or 1/4 almond-1/4 PB)

1/2 flax seed

1/3 cup honey (Agave if vegan)

1 tsp vanilla

Optional: 1 tsp chia seeds

Mix all ingredients together and form balls  (golf ball sized or a little smaller). Put in freezer for about 30 min and then store in refrigerator. We put about 4 in a ziplock bag. Each ball is approximately 50 calories. 

Enjoy!

Journey to a Half Marathon: 80 Days!!!

WOW! This has been a roller coaster ride of emotions! I started out wanting to do this half. Then I said I was going to wait until next year. We'll now it's definite....I'm registered for the WRC Nashville Half on Sept 27th! It's officially 80 days from today!!!

So tonight I got serious! I do something everyday with maybe 1 day of rest each week. My passion is swimming. I also bike and have been trying to get better at running because it is definitely my weakness. I looked up a Couch to Half training plan and decided to put it on paper! It is based on 14 weeks so I modified it to fit my timeline and the fact I've already started training. Here is a link to the plan I'm going to use. I'm going to stick with this in hopes of being able to finish this half marathon! http://womensrunning.competitor.com/2013/09/training-tips/couch-to-half-marathon-training-plan_15065

Here are the pics of my calendar. I also added (blue) in some swimming and biking because I now have a goal of completing a Sprint Triathlon in April of next year (I know...I'm crazy!!!) I will try to post daily on here and start including my nutritional changes. Tonight was my last night for pizza for a while 😳 but I will survive! Especially when I cross that finish line!

Until next time!

Amy