Denise's Simple Balsamic Vinaigrette

Simple Balsamic Vinaigrette

INGREDIENTS

1/4	cup balsamic vinegar
2	teaspoons dark brown sugar, optional*
1	tablespoon chopped garlic
1/2	teaspoon salt
1/2	teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
3/4	cup olive oil

INSTRUCTIONS

1.	Beat the vinegar in a bowl with the optional sugar, garlic, salt and pepper until sugar and salt dissolves. Then beat in the oil by droplets, whisking constantly. (Or place all the ingredients in a screw-top jar and shake to combine.) Taste and adjust the seasonings.
2.	If not using dressing right away, cover and refrigerate, whisking or shaking again before use.
3.	*If using a good quality balsamic vinegar you should not need the sugar, but if using a lesser quality you might want the sugar to round out the dressing.

Krista's Quinoa & Black Beans

Quinoa and Black Beans

Ingredients

• 1 teaspoon olive oil
• 1 onion, chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, peeled and chopped
• 3/4 cup uncooked quinoa
• 1 1/2 cups vegetable broth
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• salt and pepper to taste
• 1 cup frozen corn kernels-(opt)
• 1 (15 ounce) cans black beans, rinsed and drained
• 1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro
• Cut up tomato cubes
• Avocado 

Directions

1. Heat the oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Stir in the onion and garlic, and saute until lightly browned.
2. Mix quinoa into the saucepan and cover with vegetable broth. Season with cumin, cayenne pepper, salt, and pepper. Bring the mixture to a boil. Cover, reduce heat, and simmer 20 minutes,
3. Stir frozen corn into the saucepan, and continue to simmer about 5 minutes until heated through. Mix in the black beans and cilantro.
4. Add cut of pieces of avocado and tomato to quinoa.

Niki's Picnic Salad

Picnic Salad

2 whole wheat pita breads

1 small cucumber

12 small tomatoes (quartered)

1/2 red onion (thinly sliced)

1 cup feta cheese (cut into chunks)

Dressing

3 tbsp olive oil

1 tbsp lemon juice or white vinegar

1/2 tsp Dijon mustard

 

cut along one side of each peta bread. Toast on grill until both sides are golden and crisp. Slice cucumber in half lengthwise and scoop out seeds. chop cucumber into bite-size pieces. Put cucumber, tomato, and onion into a salad bowl. cut cooled pita into small pieces and add to bowl. Put olive oil, lemon juice, and mustard into a clean jar. Put lid on and shake until mixed well. Pour over salad and mix until coated. scatter with the feta cheese and serve. Serves 4.

Amy's Pea & Barley Salad

2c water

1c barley

21/2 c. fresh or frozen shelled peas

1/2c fresh parsley

1/4c diced red onion

2Tbs olive oil

2Tbs lemon juice

3/4tsp salt

1/4tsp pepper

Mint to taste (optional)

 

Bring water to a boil in a medium sauce pan.  Add barley and cover.  If using quick-cooking barley, cook 10-15 minutes, if using pearled barley cook 40-50 minutes.  Remove from heat and let stand, covered for 5 minutes.  If using frozen peas, place in strainer and rise under warm water.  Rinse barley under cool water and put in large bowl.  Add peas, parley, onion, oil, lemon juice, salt and pepper.  Toss to combine.  Serves 6

Bri's Favorite Breakfast Burrito

You cook 3 egg whites, then add 1/4 a cup of black beans to the skillet, then cut up one 1oz piece of ham, and add in 1 serving of cooked brocoli. cook it all together then put it on a whole wheat tortilla and serve with salsa. Its very fast and yummy and only about 200 calories. One of my personal faves!

Teams!

I coerced my friend to join us. So there are officially 22 of us getting fit & having fun for the next 5 weeks! Which makes 11 teams. And here they are, in no particular order . . .

Team 1: Niccole & Bri
Team 2: Emily & Diane
Team 3: Courtney & Jane
Team 4: Jan & Judy
Team 5: Kristie & Amelia
Team 6: Leslie & Andrea
Team 7: Amy & Cassie
Team 8: Erin & Krista
Team 9: Melinda & Morgan
Team 10: Jana & Erica
Team 11: Niki & Denise

Be sure to pick a team name & let me know what it is before Tuesday!

Erin's Yummy Green Smothie

Erin enjoys this green smoothie most mornings for breakfast.


First, in your blender, combine 1 cup cold water, a handful or two of spinach, a squeeze of fresh lemon juice, and a spoonful of 100% frozen orange juice concentrate. then, add 1-2 cups frozen fruit (i buy the large bags of frozen fruit at sam's club (it's the mango, strawberry, peach and pinapple mix). i also add a tablespoon of flax oil (i buy a large bottle from dave's nutrition in the refrigerated section but you can also get it at sunflower market) but this is optional. pour it all into a large glass, add a straw and enjoy!