Tuesday, July 29, 2008

Long Term Planning

As the new school year approaches and summer begins to wind down, I am finding my schedule filling up fast with odds and ends like well-child check ups, haircuts, remodeling projects, orthodontist appts., tree removal and yard clean-up, and the final family get together's. I have been bummed all summer, so far, that I have not been able to nail down a routine. There has been so much going on that has "kept" me from doing anything on a regular basis. As a result, I am feeling a sense of defeat when it comes to acheiving some of my personal goals. So much so, it has made me angry enough to do something about it!

Last night, I sat down at 11:30pm and planned out the menu for the rest of the week and made a grocery list. Today I went to the grocery store (without kids...hooray!!) and purchased everything I needed to execute on that meal plan. Tonight for dinner I made Super Stuffed Tortillas (recipe below). When planning this meal last night, it didn't particuarly sound like it would knock my socks off. But, I had all the veggies it called for begging to be used up in my fridge, so I put it on the menu. It was SO good! Who would've thought!?! While preparing it I was reminded of how much I love to cook. And while eating it, I was reminded of how satisfying eating healthy really can be. I am feeling incredibly full and content right now....with no desire for that regular ice cream sundae I have gotten into the habit of eating this summer a few times a week....gasp!

It amazes me how following through on something as simple as feeding myself a nourishing meal can actually motivate me to do something else that has a positive benefit somewhere else in my life. My next project that I have decided to tackle this evening is to put together an exercise schedule for the rest of the summer. That way, I will have no more excuses that I ran out of time or that my day was "just too busy". And on the flip side...if it's scheduled on paper...then I can't put anything else in it's place! I am actually looking forward to this project. I think at the same time I will plan a few work days in there to prep for going back full force in the fall. Now if only I can figure out a way to stay on top of laundry...it is just SO boring...and there is always SO much!

Try the recipe below, it really was very good. Stay tuned to see how my long term scheduling works out!

Super Stuffed Tortillas

1-2 cloves of garlic (minced)
1 large onion
1 green pepper
Saute garlic in 2 teaspoons oil for 1 minute. Add onion and pepper and saute until crisp-tender.

2 cups corn
1 small-medium zucchini (sliced)
1 1/2 tablespoons ground cumin
Add and continue to saute until all vegetables are tender but not browned.

2 cups cooked black beans (I used canned)
1 cup chicken or vegetable broth
6 tablespoons salsa
Add and cook until there is no excess moisture. Remove from heat and add salt, pepper, green onions or chives, and fresh cilantro to taste.

corn or flour tortillas
cheddar cheese, feta, or queso blanco (shredded or crumbled)
Preheat a frypan with a bit of oil and place a tortilla in pan. Add cheese in center of tortilla and add 1/4 - 1/2 cup vegetable filling. When the tortilla is crispy, remove, and fold in half. Or place a second tortilla on top, flip, and fry crisp.

Enjoy!!