Black Bean Veggie Burgers

Here is a great recipe that's perfect for making in advance and then keeping in the freezer for a quick lunch or dinner that you just have to pop in the microwave. These black bean burgers are delicious, vegetarian, and can very easily be made vegan. Try them out and let me know if you do!!

Ingredients:
3 1/2 tablespoons neutral cooking oil
1 cup finely diced onion
4 teaspoons minced garlic
2 cups finally diced peeled yams
1/2 cup finely diced peeled carrots
1/2 cup finely diced celery
2 1/2 teaspoons fine sea salt
2 teaspoons finely diced jalapeño chile
2 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 teaspoon paprika
1/2 cup frozen corn kernels (thawed out)
1/2 cup finely diced red bell pepper
1/2 cup corn flour
4 cups cooked short grain brown rice
2 cups rinsed and drained black beans
1/4 cup minced fresh parsley
1 egg (or 4 tablespoons of powdered egg substitute if you want this recipe to be vegan!)

Cooking Instructions:
-Make the brown rice before hand!
-in a pan, heat 1 1/2 tablespoons of oil and add the onions, let them simmer for about 5 minutes until translucent
-add the garlic and continue letting the onions and garlic cook together for about 30 seconds
-add the diced yams, carrots, and celery to the pan
-add salt and let all of the veggies cook together until tender (about 10 minutes)
-add the diced jalapeño chile, a little more salt, cumin, black pepper, and paprika and let that all cook together for 1 minute
-add the corn and and bell pepper and let that sauté for about 2 more minutes
-THEN transfer the cooked veggie/spice mixture into a big bowl and add the corn flour, brown rice, black beans, parsley, and 1 egg -stir using your hands!..but wash them first....
-place half of the mixture in a food processor and pulse until it's finely shopped and kind of mushy, then put that back into the bowl with the "un-mushy" half of the burger mixture
-with your hands, form burger patties that are about 3 1/2 inches wide and about 1/2 inches thick (there should be about 12 in total)
-place the patties on a baking sheet and let them chill in the refrigerator for a few hours or over night - if you are short on time though (like we were), you can always pop them into the freezer for about an hour and that will be fine
-when you're ready to, cook the patties on a hot pan or griddle with oil until they are evenly cooked and brown on both sides
-enjoy right after cooking or pop them back in the freezer and keep them stored and ready to go for a long while!

 

As Honey Boo Boo's mama says "You're hands are your best utensil"! 

Enjoy the recipe! And let me know if you try it!

Trip Updates!

I love to travel. There's nothing better than getting to experience a new place for the first time-exploring the city, seeing the sites, and trying the food...doing all of the touristy things, of course! This past week I was lucky enough to get to do all of that in two different cities- San Francisco and Las Vegas! I have never been to either of these two cities, so I was thrilled to go, and didn't even mind the long plane rides (5 and a half hours!). 

In San Francisco, I was visiting one of my very best friends from school, Lara. She was the best host and showed me all of the amazingly cool things that SanFran has to offer. From Alcatraz Prison, to a forest full of giant redwood trees, to the San Francisco Symphony and Ballet Company, and so much more, I certainly didn't miss out on anything. 

As far as food goes, we had a great vegetarian Chinese dinner the first night from a local place down the street from Lara's house. The second night we had sushi (my favorite!). And the third night, Lara's dad made us a great pasta dish and soup to go along with it! Not to mention the great cafés that we stopped in for mini sandwiches and chai tea lattés...I was a happy and full girl every day that I was there. 

Here's a look at some pictures from the SanFran half of my trip! 

That is an alligator made out of bread...enough said...

Muir Woods!

Tea tasting at the Japanese Tea Garden in Golden Gate Park

Jasmine tea and cookies..mmm

Goat cheese and tomato mini sandwich and a chai tea latté

Alcatraz

San Francisco symphony performing!

Then it was time to leave the California coast and head to meet my dad in Las Vegas! 

To say that the food there was great would be a massive understatement. It was incredible  I didn't take any pictures because we were at these nice places where it may have been odd to get out your camera, but believe me when I say that everything my dad and I had was wonderful. 

For dinner both nights I had a fish. The first night was grilled sea bass with a lobster risotto and a shared side of brussel sprouts with my dad. The second night I had branzino with grilled vegetables and a pea purée as well as a shared beet salad and shrimp cocktail with the faja. 

For breakfast we stopped at this little café and I got a bowl of muesli, a bran muffin, and a cup of green tea. Perfect! 

Picture time: 

View from our hotel room! 

Chocolate fountain mmmm

Cirque du Soleil show!

So that's the wrap up of my trip to the other side of the country. Workouts were nothing new that you haven't heard a hundred and one times before so I will spare you. I will be back in a couple days with a great recipe and also some new workout updates! 

Enjoy your Thursday/weekend! 

Farro and Roasted Butternut Squash Recipe + Updates!

This Christmas my mom decided to experiment and make a different side dish for our family christmas dinner. It turned out to be a huge hit with the whole family, and basically my entire meal. It's a wonderful vegetarian dish that is hearty and delicious with tons of flavor. Since Christmas she has made it again, in bulk, and we continue to heat it up and eat it for lunch or dinner several times a week...and it only gets better with time because the flavors really come together! So without further ado, here is the recipe for your enjoyment!

Farro and Roasted Butternut Squash Recipe:
(PS-this was adapted from the recipe on the back of our bag of farro)

Ingredients: 
2 cups pearled farro, rinsed and drained
2 tsp sea salt
5 cups water (or vegetable stock)
3 cups butternut squash, cut into 1/2'' cubes
1 bag of frozen cranberries
1 large red onion, cut into 1/8ths
1 tablespoon fresh minced thyme (or italian seasoning)
3 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
1 cup walnuts, toasted
3 tbsp toasted walnut oil (or just use more olive oil)
1/4 cup goat cheese crumbles
1 bag of spinach chopped

Directions: 
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Combine the farro, salt and water into a large saucepan over medium heat. Cover and let simmer (while stirring occasionally), for about 15 minutes- or until the farro is tender. When it is done cooking, remove it from the heat and drain the excess water.

While the farro is cooking, toss the squash, onion, frozen cranberries, and thyme with the olive oil, balsamic vinegar, and a few pinches of salt all on a rimmed baking sheet. Spread out the mixed ingredients evenly on the sheet and place them in the oven for 20 minutes. Turn the squash, onions, and cranberries every 5 or so minutes so that they are evenly browned on both sides. Remove from the oven after they are finished roasting, let them cool a bit.

In a large bowl, toss together the cooked farro, roasted ingredients, and the walnuts, spinach, goat cheese, and extra walnut oil if needed. Season with a pinch or two of salt to taste.

Let cool and eat warm or throw it in the fridge for a cold snack later (that's my favorite way to enjoy it).

This is a great dish for any college student as well because you can make it in large quantities one afternoon and throw it in the fridge to heat up in the microwave for quick meals all week long!

Hope you guys try it out!!

Now onto a few pictures from this past week...spoiler alert...Joey came to visit me in Charlotte!

Da Food: 

Can't get enough of hot green tea during the cold winter months

Sorry this is a terrible quality photo. My parents and I tried this great mexican restaurant in uptown Charlotte called Vida Cantina. I enjoyed a good amount of chips and guacamole as well as this colorful salad with ahi tuna! 

My go to late night snack...cut up apple with Barney almond butter 

My mom's delicious morning berry smoothie plus scrambled egg whites for an extra protein punch

Another breakfast pic. oatmeal with almond milk, chia seeds, and of course lots of berries on top 

Dinner at a local wine bar! Arugula salad with beets and goat cheese. My dad and I share a love for brussel sprouts so we shared a side of them that were made with onions, apples, and parmesan on top! Couldn't get better.

Out to dinner while Joey was here! This is a great salad with arugula, tomatoes, and lots of crab from one of my favorite restaurant in Charlotte- BrickTops. 

Before taking Joey to the airport on his last day in Charlotte, we went out to breakfast at this great local diner here that offers a humongous menu filled with everything from pancakes to spaghetti and all of it is served all day long. I went with a great veggie egg white omelet with spinach, mushrooms, and swiss. Wheat toast and fruit on the side! I will definitely be headed back to this place soon- Midnight Diner!

Da Workouts: 

As you can see, my workouts for the past couple of weeks have been a rotation between hot yoga classes at my two favorite Charlotte studios (Y2 and Laughing Buddha), running outside in the gorgeous southern weather with my german shepherd Leah, and running on the treadmill and strength training at the gym!

Joey's visit was a ton of fun! I didn't get to take too many photos to document it, but here is one from the Bobcats game! GO CATS!!!!

The Art of Reading While Running

One of my favorite things to do is read. It have always loved it and hope that I always will. I love the feeling of becoming completely immersed in a story that you just can't put down. Because of the craziness that goes on during the school year, I have always found it hard to keep up with reading except during breaks or summer vacation. Last year, however, I found a way to continue to read during the year by incorporating it into my workout! It started when I began to read while on the stationary bike, then the elliptical, and eventually I trained my eyes to be able to read from my kindle while running on the treadmill! Pretty soon I couldn't wait to get to the gym because it meant I could take a break from studying and just read for fun. It sounds like it may be hard to do, but I promise your eyes get used to it very fast. It's especially easy if you have a Kindle because it balances on the little ledge that the treadmill has to set ipods and what not. 

Since I started doing this, I have found that I get so distracted by my book, that I forget that I'm even that tired and my mileage started increasing day by day. During the half marathon back in October, I even bought the audio reading of the Davinci Code so I could listen to it on my ipod while running! I can't even describe how glad I was to have such a nice distraction while my legs were dying during those long 13 miles. 

Here is a list of the books I have read during 2012! Take a look and give reading while running (or while on any cardio machine for that matter) a try! 

1. Room- A Novel by Emma Donaghue -

The Room is about a young woman who is abducted at a young age by a man who forces her to live in a one room shed in his backyard with no hope of ever leaving. He rapes her continuously and eventually the woman becomes pregnant with a boy who then grows up to spend his first years of life in this one room shed. He has no idea that there is any world outside of the room. Overall the book is very good, but sad. You may have trouble getting used to the writing at first because the book is written from the viewpoint of the little boy so the language took some getting used to. Definitely worth trying! 

2. Into the Darkest Corner by Elizabeth Haynes 

For anyone who likes gripping thrilling novels. This is a great read. It centers around one character- Catherine-who begins a relationship with a seemingly perfect catch-Lee. Things quickly spiral downward as Lee begins to show an  increasingly violent and abusive side and Catherine plans an escape from the dangerous relationship. You'll see what happens if you read it, but I promise I could not put it down!

3. Gone Girl: A Novel by Gilian Flynn

This is an absolute must read. It was really popular this past summer so I decided to give it a try. I never regretted it for a second. Like the last book, it too is a gripping and fast paced novel. It centers around a man named Flynn whose wife goes missing on their anniversary. As the investigation into her disappearance ensues, all signs point to Flynn as the murderer of his own wife, but there are certainly some surprises and plot twists in store so don't think you have figured out the mystery right away! 

*I also just read that they are making a movie of this book and that Reese Witherspoon is expected to play the lead female character (aka-the wife that goes missing). Interesting...

4. The Sixth Man by David Baldacci

This novel was different than the last couple that I read. It was a thriller/action novel for sure, with plenty of intense moments and murders along the way, but it certainly wasn't my absolute favorite book of the year. If you like David Baldacci, then you will of course like this novel which I am told is similar to his others. It was my first time reading one of his books so it just wasn't really my taste I suppose. If you do read it, you can expect to be engulfed in a world of high tech government security programs, FBI, CIA, guns, chasing, and killing (of course). 

5. Death Comes to Pemberley by P.D. James 

This is a nice change of pace. If you liked Pride and Prejudice (one of my favorite books of all time), then you will love this book. It's set a few years after Elizabeth and Darcey are married and they are now living in their grand estate-Pemberley. A murder occurs in the woods near their property and the mystery unravels from there! I highly recommend this book for anyone who likes Jane Austin or any style of writing similar to hers! 

6. Then Came You by Jennifer Weiner

My reading preference definitely took a turn with the next two books by acclaimed "chick novel" writer-Jennifer Weiner (she also wrote In Her Shoes). This book follows four very different women who we get to know and love for very different reasons. They eventually are all brought together for the sake of modern motherhood. This novel brings a good story and great humor to the table. It's an easy and pretty fast read so if you're looking for something on the light and girly side, give this one a try!

7. Little Earthquakes by Jennifer Weiner 

It may seem that I like to read intense murder/abusive mysteries or girly books about babies and moms...that may be a little bit true. Little Earthquakes again follows four different women who bond and share advice and stories about their pregnancies and first year as a mom. It's pretty funny what these women go through so I promise you will be laughing and loving the characters through every page turn. Again, it's an easy and quick read. Nothing too heavy!

8. The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown

Need I even explain what this book is about? I'm pretty sure everyone and their mother knows the plot line since this novel was so popular and was quickly made into a movie starring the ever impressive Tom Hanks. I decided to read this book because after my two girly reads, I was ready to kick things back up and go for something a little more intense. It's shocking, I know, but I had never read The DaVinci Code or even seen the movie so I decided to finally jump on the band wagon and try it. Now I see what all of the hype was about. I loved all of the art history that was incorporated into the story...it added so much. Also the story wasn't predictable to me, I was constantly on the edge wondering where Robert Langdon (main character) would take me next and who would be revealed as the murderer in the end. If you have not read this...do so right now. Please. 

*Side note- I listened to this book on my ipod during the half marathon back in October!

9. Angels and Demons by Dan Brown

Since I loved The DaVinci Code so much, I decided to give another one of Dan Brown's books a try and reconnect with my favorite Harvard symbologist Robert Langdon. Angels and Demons follows Robert Langdon through the streets of Vatican City trying to save the city from an exploding canister of stolen antimatter while also trying to save the four cardinals who are being brutally murdered every hour. This novel is actually the predecessor of the DaVinci Code so although I read them out of order and had no problem, you may want to read this one first. 

10. The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

This is an amazing book. My mom recommended it to me and although I was apprehensive at first because I had just finished two great books, I was not disappointed in the least. The book is narrated by Death which I realize sounds strange and slightly morbid, but it actually is really interesting considering the book takes place in the heart of Nazi Germany. Young Liesel Meminger is living with her foster parents Hans and Rosa because her mother must give her up to save her from what we can assume is the concentration camps. Liesel grows to love her foster parents, especially her Papa Hans who teaches her to read every night. I don't want to go too into the story because I would hate to give anything away, but I promise you will not regret reading this touching novel. 

11. The Bloodletter's Daughter by Linda Lafferty 

Coming off of The Book Thief, I wanted to read another novel set in the past so I chose Bloodletter's Daughter. The story is set in 17th century Europe where the Emperor has a son, Don Julius, who is plagued with "a dark mind" that causes him to be violent, gluttonous, and cruel. The Emperor isolates Don Julius to an old castle in a small town in Bohemia where he is treated by a doctor and preist form court. In those days, bloodletting (draining the blood of "bad humors") was the treatment for most illnesses-including those of the mind. In the small town lives a young bath maid whose father is the town bloodletter and they are both invited to aid in the treatment of the mad prince. Don Julius quickly becomes entranced and obsessed with the bath maid, but no one knows why. I won't go any further into the story, but it's definitely another great story. I was barely able to put it down. 

12. Girls in White Dresses by Jennifer Close

Back to another girly read. I just finished this last week and really liked it. It was easy to read and kept me laughing the whole way through. The story follows a group of best friends from college who are now out in the real world trying to get their lives together while also finding love with some great guys...and some not so great. The chapters rotate in view points between the different girls recounting stories of their lives in the big city of New York as all of their friends around them seem to be getting married every weekend. This is definitely a great beach read for any young girl. 

13. The Time In Between by Maria Duenas (currently in the middle of this one) 

I'm only a few chapters into this one so far, but I'm liking it! It takes place in Spain during the Spanish Revolution and follows a 20 year old girl who breaks off her engagement with a respectable man to run away with a salesman whom she has fallen in love with. Her decision, my mom tells me, changes her life forever. My mom also says that through reading the book, she learned a lot about the Spanish Revolution and all that was going on during that point in history. Sounds like I will like it! 

Okay my fingers hurt from typing up all of these summaries, but I hope that you enjoyed them and that if you were looking for a good book to read on or off the treadmill, that you found one here! 

Talk to you all soon! 

XOXO

Fitness in Philly

I just got back from a trip to visit Joey at his home in the suburbs outside of Philadelphia. It was a fun week filled with a lot of relaxing, but we also made a successful effort to get to the gym every day. It's been a solid two weeks of eating for me which is a totally normal and okay thing to do (in some moderation) over the holidays, but it definitely felt great to get to the gym once a day and work off all of the sugar cookies and birthday cake I've been happily consuming lately :) .

So here is a look at this past week's workouts:

12/26- day off...traveling and christmas with Joey's family prevented time for the gym but a day off was good for me and my body!

12/27- 4.6 mile run + 7 minute uphill speed walk, 5 minute abs + planks (1 minute in a regular plank position, 1 minute right side plank, 1 minute left side plank), stretching = 60 minutes total

12/28- 4 mile run, 7 minute uphill speed walk, 8 minute stationary bike, 5 minute abs + planks (same as day before), 55 girl push-ups, 8 minute cool down on the stair master, stretching = 68 minutes total

12/29-4.5 mile run, 5 minute uphill speed walk, 10 minute stationary bike, 5 minute abs = 60 minutes total

12/30- 35 minute run with sprint intervals every five minutes, 3 minute cool down, 7 minute stationary bike, 5 sets of 10 upper body lifts on the incline bench (great lower ab workout!...i was very sore the next day) = 50 minutes total

12/31- 4 mile run, 10 minute stationary bike, 75 girl push-ups, 1 minute alternating leg lifts (side and back...great butt work!), dumbbell bicep curls (alternating 20 on each arm x 2), stretching = 60 minutes total

1/1- 40 minute sprint interval run (sprinting every 2 minutes), quick 5 minute arm work with resistance bands, stretching =50 minutes total

1/2- Day Off!

All of the above workouts were designed to burn at least 500 calories (according to my height and weight). Definitely give them a try and let me know if you do!

Pictures from my trip were pretty scarce. I hardly took any pictures of food because I didn't have my camera or phone with me much while eating. Every morning for breakfast I made myself I big bowl of hot oatmeal sweetened with almond milk, agave, and blueberries on top! Lunches varied greatly from homemade spinach and goat cheese pizza to a salad and fruit cup at Bryn and Dane's-Healthy Fast Food. Likewise, dinners were pretty much all over the place. I had a few delicious homemade meals that Joey's mom was nice enough to make. She knows that I like to eat healthy so she always makes sure I'm taken care of come meal time. A few highlight dinners from the trip were a big elaborate sushi dinner, baked salmon with spinach and whole wheat angel hair pasta, and grilled shrimp with veggies and hummus!

Also one more quick but important note. I found a way to be healthy at Chipotle. My friends love this place because we have one right on our campus and it's super easy and fast, but I've always been a bit opposed because it's hard to find things for me to eat there. But I braved the Chipotle menu on New Years Eve night and got a veggie salad (not in a taco bowl) with black beans (fiber and protein!), lots of veggies, and little cheese, salsa, and guac! It was a really good and hearty salad so I think the Chipotle at Hopkins will be seeing a lot more of me next semester.

That's all I got for tonight! Again, sorry for the lack of pictures. I'll be back more this week with posts featuring new recipes perfect for any college student, and also some great books to read next time you're running on the treadmill or on the elliptical (I promise it can be done!). So look forward to those coming soon!

XOXO