Collard Green Enchiladas

Yes, you read the title correctly.  If you were born in the southern part of the country or grew up on collard greens, you probably are shaking your head and saying, "WTH". This recipe combines a staple of the southern US and the cuisine of Mexico.  

I got this recipe from The Vintage Mom but I made some changes to make it a little healthier. To see the full recipe, please visit this page.  There are only three changes I made to lower the fat and calorie content. You need to substitute the sour cream and shredded cheddar cheese by buying the lower fat version of these two ingredients. To lower the calories even more, decrease the amount of cheese as a topping or skip step 8 altogether.

This recipe goes great with the Meatless Monday challenge or anyone who is a vegetarian. I can't wait to try it but I have wait until the end of June. This is when the collards in my garden are large enough to eat.  Who else would like to try collard green enchiladas?

The Meatless Challenge

I started planting my garden this past Thursday, but I still have a couple of vegetable plants that haven't gone in the ground.  I'm growing kale, Swiss chard, tomatoes, green and orange bell peppers, collards and broccoli, and this is just my garden.  My parents have a larger growing area and I'm planting, tomatoes, kale, Swiss chard, tomatoes, bell peppers, mustard greens, and Brussels sprouts.

Nothing tastes better than veggies grown in your own garden and they are frugal too.  If you have a small space in your backyard and you get at least 6 hours of sunlight, try your hand at growing some veggies.  Kale, collards and Swiss chard are easy to grow and they usually do well in hot and cool weather.

Monday is the first day of the meatless challenge and it is only for one week.  You cannot have any meat, even fish, on Monday, Wednesday and Friday.  Here are the names of the following participants and if you want to join, send me an email at Sheilafit10@gamil.com


Sheila J

Debra S

Alysia S

Tiffany B

Mary E-C

Pamela H

Sharon S

Bobbie T

Sondra S
Linda M
Jackie E
Marquita G-J
Helen J
Tonya N
Cherie M
Paula
Nicky J

I found this recipe after downloading a Birds Eye coupon and I will be making this on Monday.

Maple, Cranberry & Almond Rice Medley

Find the recipe here: Birds Eye

Get Ready For The Dress

A workout for procrastinators

This is a workout for all you ladies who are getting married in 6 to 8 weeks.  You said,"Yes to the Dress" but you don't look that great in the dress.  Right now, you are in panic mode because you only have a little time left until the wedding.  Fear not, this workout is for you.  You have to do this program 3 days a week, and in-between those days, you are going to have to walk at a brisk pace or run for 45 minutes.  Total workout days: 6

Because there is only a little time left to the wedding, you are going on a very strict diet. Check out these two diet regimes and figure out which one is best for you:

A Simple Diet

The Smoothie Jump Start Diet

Reverse Crunch

Lunge Row

Plank

Plank for beginners

Bicep Curls

Dips

Squat Jumps or Squat to the toes

Meatless Monday, Wednesday And Friday Challenge

This week I'm going meatless the easy way.  I stopped at Meijer and picked up some frozen vegetables from Green Giant.  My favorite is the garden vegetable medley and the teriyaki vegetables, and I could eat those two everyday.  My afternoon snack is fruit and for breakfast, it will be peanut butter sandwiches. I need to consume some protein and fat, while I'm on this challenge.

I found another quick microwave dinner called Amy's.  It's a vegetarian line of frozen meals, pizza, soups and beans.  They have a variety meals that are good choice but if your are following a healthy lifestyle, use the key chart on their site. The symbols give you information on each product.

   

The only problem I have with Amy's foods, it's not cheap so next time I will look for sales. Today, I only bought one item. Has anyone eaten any meals from this brand and how does it compare to Lean Cuisine, Weight Watchers or Healthy Choice?

Participants for next week's challenge:

Sheila J

Debra S

Alysia S

Tiffany B

Mary E-C

Pamela H

Sharon S
Sondra S

Would You Hire A Fat Personal Trainer?

Yesterday I was at a seminar where I met 2 personal trainers; both were overweight.  They weren't obese but could lose 25 to 30 pounds.  When I first met them, my first thought was:  "You guys are in the fitness field?"  However, after talking with them, I realized they were very nice and knowledgeable. This led me to wonder whether I would hire them to train me.  I started thinking wide and fast!  


I have gone to a beautician whose hair wasn't perfectly done.  I rationalized and figured that maybe she just didn't have time to fix her hair that day.  Had her hair been neglected, bristle, and falling out, I would have certainly traced a beeline through the first exit door.  It goes the same with financial advisers.  Who would want to take advice from someone whose debt level is through the roof and whose phone number is on speed-dial in collection agencies?

When I got my Master degree in Exercise Physiology, teaching aerobics was one of my side jobs.  At one of our health clubs, there was an overweight aerobics instructor whose name I will not share here.  Her classes were always full.  Try as I might, I could not fill the room the way she did.  The truth is not only was she in excellent shape, she also had the innate ability to teach a good class while entertaining her audience.  Other members claimed that her physical appearance did nothing to inspire them and stayed away.

We are such complex creatures capable of incredible feats but yet, we can get so elemental on the most basic concepts.  See, I am torn at the idea that I would resist taking a fitness class from an obese instructor.  Makes me wonder:  Is perception so powerful that it trumps reality?  In this case, should my decision to get in better shape be based on the instructor or should it focus on the actual instruction?  Hum…  I am so confused!  What do you think?

Check out another great post
Hiring a personal trainer when on a budget

Mother's Day Fitness Gifts

My Picks

Mother's day is upon us and I kind of waited too late to write this article.  I have a list of fitness gear you can buy for mothers of all ages.

New Mom

Graco FastAction Fold Jogger Click Connect Stroller



The Fit Mom

Minday Mylrea Gliding Discs Extreme DVD

For all Moms

A SpaFinder Gift Certificate

Promotion code: MOMBOGO.  Get up to 20.00% off.  (minimum purchase of$200.00)



An Unfit Mom

A FitBit Activity Tracker
www.fitbit.com/‎



A Hot Mama

BlueFish Sport Activewear



An Older Unfit Mom

Leslie Sansone's Senior Walk DVD


An Older Fit Mom

L.L. Bean Women's Runaround Cruiser Bike

Will Be A Very Happy Mom

EFX® 5.21 Elliptical Fitness Crosstrainer™

Win 6 boxes Of Quaker Oats Breakfast Cookies

This little cookie is my breakfast in the mornings, along with a piece of fruit.  I rarely have time to enjoy a leisurely breakfast because of my in home personal training business.  My day usually starts at 5am, that is when I see my first client.  Breakfast most of time is in the car as I make my way to my next appointment.  So as you can see, no cereal, oatmeal, grits, or eggs for me.  It's either a breakfast cookie or a Fiber One bar.

I love this little cookie from the Quaker Oat's people.  It's a healthful decadent treat in the morning.  If you love oatmeal or chocolate chip cookies, then this is for you.  It's made with whole grain oats and chocolate chips and this cookie is an excellent source of fiber(5g), iron and calcium.  There is 180 calories and 6 grams of fat in one cookie.

If you want something sweet, this makes a nice afternoon snack or a small dessert after dinner.  Does the Quaker Oats cookie make the best breakfast in the morning? Of course not, but its better to eat this than having nothing or a donut.

I decided to share my breakfast with you, so I'm giving away 6 boxes of the Quaker Oats breakfast cookie. Enter, who knows you might win this for you and your family.  I'm sure they will enjoy it.


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