Bonus Memorial Day Challenge!



Each man is a hero and an oracle to somebody.
- Ralph Waldo Emerson

Happy Memorial Day weekend!  I hope it's lovely for everyone.  I think it's an occasion that warrants a bonus monthly challenge!  And it's non-physical, which might please some of you; might disappoint others.

Memorial Day is a special time to remember those that have passed on, but the Bonus Challenge is about recognizing loved ones still with us that might need a little "remembering."

Challenge:  Send a card or email to someone who might need a special hello or words of encouragement at the moment.

Point Value:  2 points for every card/note mailed (snail mail), 1 point for every email sent.  (Keep track and report to me - preferably via your surveymonkey emails.  That way I only have to look one place to keep track of points!).

Deadline:  May 31.  See how many you can send out in 1 week!

I think this definitely qualifies as an exercise in emotional strengthening which can benefit both the giver and receiver!  It's a great way to overcome Lazy... How many times have you thought:  "I should send them a note...." and then put it off?

Well, DO IT this week!

Bean And Veggie Enchilada Lasagna

Last week I tried a new recipe I found on www.sixsistersstuff.com.  It was AMAZING!!!  It is full of veggies and flavor!!  Also it is vegetarian.

Dave said he is always a little skeptical of new healthy recipes, but he loved it and told me to add it to our meal rotation.  Madison even liked it!  This recipe is definitely a keeper!  I was so thrilled!  Here is the recipe for those who want to try it:


Ingredients:
2 Red Bell Pepper cut into small pieces
1 small sweet potato, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch cubes (about 1 1/2 cups)
1 medium onion, halved and slivered
1 cup corn kernels, fresh or frozen
2 T of Extra Virgin olive Oil
1 1/2 tsp ground cumin
2 garlic cloves, minced
salt and black pepper
1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro
1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
2 cups homemade or store bought salsa/pico de gallo
2 ounces baby spinach leaves (about 2 big handfuls)
9-10 corn tortillas, halved (I used wheat tortillas)
2 cups shredded cheese (I used a cheddar-Monterey Jack blend)


Directions:
Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Lightly oil a large shallow roasting pan or rimmed cookie sheet.
Place red bell peppers, sweet potato, onion, and corn kernels onto cookie sheet. Drizzle olive oil and sprinkle the cumin and minced garlic over top. Add a generous pinch or two of salt and black pepper, then mix everything together. After everything is coated well, spread the vegetables evenly in the pan. Roast for 30-40 minutes until vegetables are tender and begin to brown in spots. Stir or shake the pan every 10 minutes for even roasting. Remove pan from oven and reduce oven temperature to 350 degrees F.
Prepare an 8x8x2 or 9x9x2-inch square baking pan (I had to use a bigger pan) with nonstick spray. In a small bowl, stir the cilantro and the beans into the salsa. Spread 1/4 cup of salsa into the bottom of the baking pan. Add a layer of tortilla pieces, to completely cover the salsa. Top with 1/3 of the vegetables, a handful of spinach, and 1/3 of the cheese. Make a second layer of tortilla, salsa, vegetables, spinach, and cheese. Top with with a layer of tortillas, salsa, vegetables, and cheese. Cover with aluminum foil.
Bake for 20 minutes. Remove the foil and bake another 10 minutes, until cheese is melted and everything is heated through.
Let it sit for 5 minutes and cut into squares. Serve with sour cream and a sprinkle of sliced scallions.
Serves 4-5

Fit Stanley

Fit Stanley is alive and well here with us the "Utah Co. Taylor Clan". We planned an evening at the pool to teach him some of Alison's waterpolo moves, but the pool heater broke so it was closed. We quickly changed plans and he helped us plant some trees, plant the vegatable garden, and we even had a minuet to play basketball at the end. The pictures will be posted soon. We had so much fun that Ashlee, Erin, and Dave decided they needed to do something special with him. So we will watch for their adventure too. Marie

A Few Things To Report

A few of you have reported earning points this last week:  Mom, Marie, Jenny, Keith, me!  Keep earning more, and the rest of you, get going!  You can still earn many points by the end of the month.

Mom has been able to bike several times and she says that this Golden Sneaker Challenge is a major motivator to her because it holds her more accountable.  So, let's all encourage each other!  Let's make encouraging posts, let's call, email and text each other, make facebook posts... and I love it when you take a minute or two to fill out your survey monkeys!

Marie says she is working at making better food choices.  I bet she appreciates Erin's latest posts on her healthier recipes.  I know I do.  Can't wait for the next one, Erin, and keep exercising! The Haight household has some activity buzzing around it, with David doing some lap swimming in their pool and Jenny getting in some early morning workouts.  Keith keeps biking like crazy, both on and off road and we both have been enjoying our latest fitness toy:  the heavy exercise rope!  Wow, it is a lot of fun and gives us a killer workout.  Keith was very skeptical at first but he's been won over.  If you have a spare minute and 46 seconds, you can view the rope in action in a video on my latest blog post.  www.lazytrainer.blogspot.com.

And I can't wait to see what Fit Stanley has been up to.  He's supposed to be circulating amongst the Jeff Taylor family and I hope to post pictures of some of his activities soon!

Get a morning exercise burst in tomorrow!!!

May's Challenge

This is a great challenge that everyone can and should do. It was inspired by my MIL who told me she was already doing it herself and I thought it would be great for everyone to enjoy the benefits. I myself do something like this regularly and notice that on the days that I do, it really helps perk me up and starts my day off right.... and it often results in ensuring that the entire rest of the day is more active overall.

May Challenge: Morning Activity Burst

Point Value: 1 point for every day it is performed.

Description: In the morning soon after you get up (right after relieving yourself, while waiting for the shower to warm up, while waiting for the microwave to ding while cooking your healthy breakfast oatmeal, etc., etc.) do some squat stretches. Lower yourself into a manageable yet slightly challenging squat, then stand up straight and stretch arms straight up to the ceiling. Hold for a brief moment and repeat as many times as it takes to get your heart slightly pumping.

This is a great, easy way to really rack up some points. It's early in the month, so see how many days you can do this. You may just find yourself adding to it, as I have done: sometimes I add a few more exercise/stretches to it and repeat the circuit until I've done a mini-workout. It's awesome and I feel amazing!

Please keep track of your point totals and you can report them weekly(ish) when I send you the Weekly Progress Report survey. Thanks!

Healthier Recipes

So one of my goals this year is to try to make one healthy new meal each month.  I have done pretty good with this goal so far.  One way I have really made an effort in making the healthier choices is to use ingredients with less sodium.  Last month I made Red Beans and Rice with cornbread.  Dave and I love Red Beans and Rice from the box, but this recipe was great and had way less sodium!  If anyone would like this great southern recipe here it is:

Red Beans and Rice

1 1-lb. pkg dried red beans
1 large onion, peeled and chopped
1 tsp. garlic powder
1 lg. jalapeno pepper
1/4 c. celery, chopped
1/4 c bell pepper, chopped
2 Tbls. dried parsley flakes
1 tsp. Old Bay Seasoning (often found with in Seafood department)
1 lb. Conecuh, kielbasa, or smoked sausage
2 tsp seasoned salt

Wash Beans.  Combine all ingredients in large pot with plenty of water.  Cook until beans are tender (about 1 1/2 to 2 hours).  Serve on rice (I use brown rice to make it healthier).

I hope all is going well for everyone else!  Dave and I are looking forward to getting Fit Stanley next.