Thursday, December 4, 2014

Veggie Beef Stew

Just wanted to post a quick recipe! I love soups, partially for their flavor, and partially because they last me all week for meals. Lazy or prepared? I say both. 

This soup is loaded up with veggies, and you still get some protein from the beef. I always feel full and satisfied when I eat this. My next experiment is to try some paleo biscuits to go with it. 


Here's the recipe! 

Ingredients

1lb beef stew meat
1 cup chopped onion 
4 cups beef broth 
4 cups canned, crushed tomatoes or 3 cans sliced stewed tomatoes (I like these better) 
3 cups chopped carrots
1 cup chopped celery 
1 cup tomato sauce
1 cup shredded cabbage 
1 cup cauliflower 
1 cup zucchini 
1 cup squash 
1 1/2 teaspoons oregano
2 tablespoons of olive oil for pan 

Instructions 

Coat a large saucepan with olive oil and heat for 1 minute. Add beef and onion and cook over medium-heat, stirring occasionally, until beef is lightly browned. (About 5 minutes.) Add  meat,broth, tomatoes, carrots, celery, and tomato sauce, along with 4 cups of water to soup pot. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat, cover partially and simmer for 1 hour. Add remaining ingredients and cook until cabbage is tender, or 20-30 minutes. Ladle evenly into soup bowls. Makes 10 servings. 





Monday, December 1, 2014

Testing Limits

I'm currently sitting here, reminiscing on the Do Life Better Challenge. In some ways, it tested my limits and pushed me to try harder than I have when it came to eating habits. However, as far as the rest of my life/fitness life goes, I have not tested my limits in a LONG time. Starting Crossfit tested my limits. Now, I'm comfortable at my gym and confident in my movements and improvements. Each workout pushes me further physically, but that is because I have a box, coach, and friends who encourage me. If I'm being honest with myself, I probably would not do these workouts if it was up to  just me. I've gotten out of the habit of self-motivation. I need to reach higher, try harder, and break through some boundaries.

Where am I going with all of this you wonder? Well, I am openly stating I am going to start a new journey. This new chapter of my fitness is going to be focused on testing limits, and accomplishing feats I would have never thought possible. I still don't even know what all I will achieve, but I am going to start with a couple simple ones.

I'm bumping workouts up to 5x's a week.

I will run a half marathon in April. I am going to start training for it very soon, and run with a perseverance I have not previously had.

I'm also starting a fitness Instagram, because I know documenting this new chapter will help keep me accountable. Feel free to follow me there. I will need all of the motivation I can get.

If there is one thing I could pass on it is to strive to not lose your self-motivation. Only YOU can make yourself healthy. Only YOU can accomplish your goals, and only YOU should feel the ultimate success in knowing this is your journey, and YOU will succeed.

Fitness Instagram: love_living_healthy15