There are too many {wonderful} words to describe mexican quinoa: delicious. healthy. colorful. fresh. flavorful. easy.  BJ was in the mood for a healthy dinner, and mexican quinoa did not disappoint.  It’s versatile enough to be a main dish or a side dish; and whether you’re eating with family or hosting a party, mexican quinoa is sure to be a crowd-pleaser.

Ingredients
1 1/2 cups quinoa, cooked
1 can black beans
1 can corn
grape tomatoes, halved
red onion, chopped
green onion, chopped
handful of cilantro, chopped
4 tbsp balsamic vinegar
1 tbsp whole grain Dijon mustard
Salt & Pepper
toppings:
avocado, diced
1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese

Directions
Cook quinoa according to packaging.  Meanwhile, chop tomatoes, red & green onion, cilantro.  Once quinoa is cooked, add all ingredients and combine.  Top with shredded cheddar cheese and diced avocado.

enjoy!

For more recipes & margaritas, follow me:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/willrunformargaritas
Twitter: @run4margaritas
Instagram: http://web.stagram.com/n/run4margaritas
Pintrest: http://pinterest.com/run4margaritas/

There’s one thing I can’t resist buying when I’m at the Chicago Airport, and it’s Garrett’s Caramel Corn.  I love caramel corn, but there’s just something about Garrett!

Blame it on the babe, but I was craving caramel corn – and no where near Chicago.  So, I did what any pregnant woman would do and I made some.  Yes, I made caramel corn.  It’s much easier than it looks and oh, so delicious.

Ingredients
Popcorn (I use light butter)
3 tbsp. butter
1/2 cup sugar
2 tsp. water

Directions
Cook popcorn as directed, set aside.  Over medium to high heat, combine butter, sugar, and water in a small saucepan.  Bring to a boil, stirring constantly. Boil without stirring for 4-5 minutes. Mixture will change from thick & bubbly to dark brown & liquid.  Pour bag of popcorn into a large bowl, and top with a thin stream over popcorn, stirring to coat.

 Enjoy!

For more recipes and (virgin) margaritas, follow me:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/willrunformargaritas
Twitter: @run4margaritas
Instagram: http://web.stagram.com/n/run4margaritas
Pintrest: http://pinterest.com/run4margaritas/

All I want is pineapple.  I seriously can’t get enough of it.  Maybe it’s because pineapple is packed with good fiber to help digestion and vitamin C to boost the immune system – or maybe it’s because pineapple is delicious.  Either way, I’m loving pineapple.

When I visited my sister Lindsey in Panama, we could buy pineapples for $0.75 – talk about fueling a pineapple addiction!  We also experimented with a Pineapple Coconut Smoothie that will rival any $12 Pina Colada.  This smoothie is healthy, packed with nutrition, and is perfect for breakfast or dessert.

Pineapple Coconut Smoothie

Ingredients (serves 2)
2 cups Pineapple
1/2 Frozen Banana
1 cup Light Coconut Milk*
2 tbsp Shredded Coconut
1 tbsp Flax Seed (optional)
1 tbsp Chia Seed (optional)
Ice

Directions
Add ingredients to a blender, blend until smooth.  Top with shredded coconut.

Note: Light Coconut Milk can be substituted with Almond Milk, Soy Milk, Non-Fat Milk or Water.

Enjoy!

For more recipes and margaritas, follow me:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/willrunformargaritas
Twitter: @run4margaritas
Instagram: http://web.stagram.com/n/run4margaritas
Pintrest: http://pinterest.com/run4margaritas/

After a week in Dallas, all I wanted was vegetables.  Lots, and lots, of vegetables.  It’s not that I ate unhealthy, but Texas is a state that’s all about meat and BBQ.  And meat and BBQ is what I ate. When in Dallas.  That being said, I like my greens and if I don’t get greens…well, I’m not very happy.

BJ – a man all about protein – was skeptical about this all-vegetable meal but even he was pleasantly surprised with the {flavorful} outcome.  My vegetable lettuce wraps are quick, healthy, and delicious!

Ingredients
Boston Bibb Lettuce (6-8 leafs)
Cabbage (I used red & green)
Radish
Red Onion
Mung Bean Sprouts
Carrots
Avocado
Pickled Cucumbers (homemade with Red Wine Vinegar)
Basil
Cilantro
Salt & Pepper

{Semi-Homemade} Peanut Lime Sauce
1 tbsp Peanut Sauce (in the Ethnic Food section)
2 tbsp Soy Sauce
1 tbsp Red Wine Vinegar
1 tsp Honey
Juice from 1 Lime

Directions
Chop/julienne all vegetables and set aside in separate bowls.  To pickle cucumbers, cut cucumbers to desired sizes and cover with red wine vinegar and salt/pepper.  Once ready, assemble lettuce wraps; I prefer: lettuce, cabbage/carrots, radish, red onion, mung beans, avocado, basil/cilantro, and finally, peanut lime sauce.

Enjoy!

For more recipes and margaritas, follow me:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/willrunformargaritas
Twitter: @run4margaritas
Instagram: http://web.stagram.com/n/run4margaritas
Pintrest: http://pinterest.com/run4margaritas/

Last week it was cold and dreary, especially for March. My wishful thinking for Spring and sun and warmth clearly isn’t working, so I did what I do best when it’s cold: make (warm) soup. I’ve been on a kale-kick lately, so I knew I wanted kale in the mix. Add some potatoes and beans for protein, fiber, and substance, and I had a pretty delicious soup.

I knew BJ would like this soup, but I wasn’t expecting the (overwhelming, positive) response I received from my little sister. It was almost like my soup was the best meal she had ever eaten. (A compliment I don’t take lightly) She’s with my parents this week, and wants my mom to make it for her…again. Katie – this one’s for you! xo

Ingredients
3 medium Russet Potatoes, cut into small pieces
1 bunch of Kale, torn into bite-sized pieces
2 cans Cannellini Beans
1 Onion, diced
2 Tbsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil
6 cups Chicken Broth
1-2 cups of Water (optional)
2 cloves Garlic
1 Bay Leaf
Italian Seasoning
Red Pepper Flakes
Salt & Pepper
Optional: Gruyere Cheese for topping

Directions
Heat the olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium heat; cook and stir the onion until softened and translucent, about 5 minutes. Add garlic and sauté for 2 minutes. Pour in the chicken broth and water; stir in the potatoes, S&P, Italian Seasoning, and Bay Leaf. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer until the potatoes are tender, about 20 minutes. Add the cannellini beans, kale, and simmer, for 30 more minutes. Optional: grate Gruyere cheese and top each bowl of soup with a helping of cheese.

Enjoy!

For more margaritas & recipes, follow me:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/willrunformargaritas
Twitter: @run4margaritas
Instagram: http://web.stagram.com/n/run4margaritas
Pintrest: http://pinterest.com/run4margaritas/

At the beginning of January, I decided to {mostly} eliminate wheat from my diet (you can read about it here).  This initially posed a huge problem – I love all things wheat and salty.  Pretzels, saltine crackers, more pretzels, pizza, pasta – you name it, I love it (and want to eat it).   

So, I had to get creative with my snacks.  Blue corn chips have helped with the salty/crunchy that I crave, but I’ve been eating a lot of carrots, hummus, tatziki, {homemade} plantain chips, and these delicious little oatmeal & peanut butter balls.  I’ve been making a version of this recipe for years (peanut butter, oatmeal, and honey) but decided to add a few extras into the mix.  This recipe is so easy and quick – but the best part is that it’s healthy and satisfies all types of cravings!  

Ingredients (I tend to eyeball of my measurements, but for those that like exacts – here you go)
2 cups Old-Fashioned Rolled Oats
3/4 cup Peanut Butter (I prefer smooth)
1/4 cup Honey
1/4 cup Coconut Flakes
1/4 Flax Seed
1 Tbsp Chia Seed
1 Tsp Vanilla Extract
Optional: chocolate chips, raisins, chopped nuts

Directions
Mix all ingredients in a large bowl (you can warm up the PB in the microwave to make it easier to work with).  Mix well with a spoon, and then mix together with your hands.  Put mixture in the refrigerator for 30 minutes to slightly harden and form together.  Remove from refrigerator and use hands to create oatmeal & peanut butter balls.

Enjoy!

For more recipes & margaritas, follow here:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/willrunformargaritas
Twitter: @run4margaritas
Instagram: http://web.stagram.com/n/run4margaritas
Pintrest: http://pinterest.com/run4margaritas/

Last week I was craving Mexican, but without all of the ground beef or flank steak.  I knew I had to use some creative marketing to convince BJ to forgo the meat – I was hoping that if I said “vegetables” over and over, it might just work (the man loves veggies).  I couldn’t have picked a more delicious dish to con convince my husband to eat a vegetarian dinner; Layered Vegetable Enchiladas is the perfect weeknight dinner or dinner party pleaser.

It’s easy, and it looks beautiful (so much so that I wanted to photograph it more than I wanted to eat it).

Ingredients
1 can corn (15 oz)
1 cup green pepper, chopped
1 cup red pepper, chopped
1/2 red onion, chopped
3-4 limes
bunch of cilantro, chopped
1 can black beans (15 oz)
1 can diced tomatoes (15 oz)
chili powder
salt & pepper
8 tortillas
3/4 cup cheddar cheese

Directions
Preheat oven to 400 degrees.  In a large pot, combine corn, green/red peppers, red onion, juice from 2 limes, tomatoes, chili powder, salt & pepper, and cook until liquid is almost evaporated.  Meanwhile, in a large bowl, mash black beans with cilantro, lime juice, chili powder, and salt & pepper.   Arrange 4-6 large tortillas on a large baking sheet (spray with Olive Oil or Pam).  Spread bean mixture evenly on each tortilla.  Top each with 1/2 cup of vegetable mixture and cheese.  Layer each tortilla on top of each other; top remaining tortilla with vegetable mixture and cheese.  Bake until hot throughout, about 20 minutes.  Transfer to plate; garnish with lime wedge, fresh cilantro, and serve.

Enjoy!

For more margaritas and healthy recipes, follow here:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/willrunformargaritas
Twitter: @run4margaritas
Instagram: http://web.stagram.com/n/run4margaritas
Pintrest: http://pinterest.com/run4margaritas/