Keepin' in simple - beans and franks

Some days, you just got to keep it simple. There's nothing fancy about this meal  - I just combine 1/4 to a 1/2 can of beans (depending on my level of hunger) with some Turkey Kielbasa. I love it because it's fast and simple, all you have to do is heat it up.

I guess you could make it fancy with some kale chips with some garlic sprinkled on the it. You could also make the beans delicious (and a bit bad for you) by sprinkling them with a bit of bouillon cube and olive oil. 

Simple or complex, I hope you enjoy!

Diet update

Really it's a moment to brag but I'm really happy about this! I'm a pretty fit person to start, or so I like to think so. I work out 3 to 4 days a week, I have a job that keeps me pretty active and I hike on the weekends. It has been a struggle for me to break my weight loss plateau without a "starve myself" diet plan (which, btw, I suck at because I love food).

I followed the 4 hour Body diet plan for the month of February as true as possible. I may have had a cookie here and missed a breakfast there, but I was 95% true to the plan. My husband joined me, which made cooking a heck of a lot easier and was a great support to lean on.

My results? I'm 5 lbs lighter and have lost 2 1/2 inches on my hips and 2 inches off my waist. I get consistent results (1 pound a week and about 1/2 an inch a week) without suffering. It's easy not to cheat when you know you have a whole day of cheating coming up. If I stay on track, I'll hit my "I'll never reach it" goal weight right in time to slip into a bathing suit.

It's not blockbuster results, but it's results that keep me happy, motivated and on track. I hope you're having the same!

Italian dinner remixed

After I posted that first Italian 4 hour body recipe I ended up cooking in the following week but changed things up a bit. I like this version way better!

Italian Sausage Bowl
serves 2
ingredients:
-- Turkey Sausage (or Kielbasa, which ever one is on sale that week)

-- 2 to 3 large garlic cloves
-- olive oil 
-- 1 can of diced tomatoes, preferably the italian style ones
-- 1 beef bouillon cube
-- italian seasoning (either premixed or your own combination from the pantry)
-- Cannelloni Beans

Start by preheating a large pan (or pot!) and add in oil olive (I circle the pan twice very fast with the oil).
- Add in two cloves of garlic, minced
- Give the garlic 1 minute or so to "flavor" the oil, then add in the whole can of diced tomatoes, liquid as well
- Bring the liquid up to a simmer before adding in the cube of Bouillon and your seasoning
- Let your pan continue to simmer for around 5 minutes before adding in the turkey sausage and beans. I used only 1/2 a turkey sausage, sliced very thin and half a cans of bean in this one
- The meal can sit on the stove top for up to another 30 minutes - but let it sit for at least 5 minutes. Then all that's left is to serve and enjoy!

Fiesta bowl!!

Maybe I'm just getting excited about Puppy bowl on Sunday or maybe i'm just feeling festive. Either way, got a great meal that is great to make for dinner and have the next day for lunch.

Ingredients
-ground turkey
-1 bag of frozen chopped peppers and onions
-1 can of chipotle peppers in sauce
-salsa

Seasoning
-Cayenne pepper
-paprika
-garlic
-salt and pepper
-lime juice


What to do:
- Brown the ground turkey in a pan
- At the same time, start to boil some water. When it hits a boil, drop the bag of frozen veggies
-After the meat has browned, add in your seasonings. I eyeball this part, but if that scares you or if you don't want to think, just use a packet of taco seasoning.
-Combine the veggies with the meat and throw in a can of pinto beans now too.
-Top it off with those chipotle peppers, chopped and with the sauce (I only used 1/2 a can)
-drop some salsa on top and enjoy!

Transformation!

Well what do you know? A few months after AWA and I'm not making as many bentos. I still believe the lunches I serve are pretty and delicious - they just don't have animals made of cheese anymore.

I'm not giving up though! I will continue to blog about meals I make and take the meaning of my title to mean any meal that is pretty looking, delicious tasting, and easy for making!

Recently, I started the 4 hour body diet and dragged my husband along for the ride. I have not found many recipes for this diet online, so I though I would share mine in this blog.

4 Hour Body Diet Recipes

Italian Style

ingredients:
-- Chicken
-- Cannelloni Beans - 1/2 a can
-- Artichoke hearts quarters - 1/2 a can
-- bruschetta (find a chunky version!) - no more than 1/4 cup
-- 1 garlic clove, minced or garlic powder

chopped up the chicken and mix it with everything else! Just that easy! For two people, double everything.

Turkey Wrap up

Food items: turkey wrap (leftovers), grapes, walnut, cucumber slices, ranch dressing
Tools: small cup for dressing
Time spent: 10 minutes, maybe
Notes: This looks delicious and cute and it was very tasty

Flower power!

Food items: Fried Rice (leftovers), chicken tossed in Thai seasoning, cucumber slices, ranch dressing
Tools: small cup for dressing
Time spent: 10 minutes, maybe
Notes:I didn't even mean for this to happen, but once I noticed I made a flower for the snack, I had to snap a pic. Also started a bunch more bentos this week so I'll have some blogging material!