Gotta Start Somewhere

Last night was Day 1 of Couch to 5k for me. I decided it was time to get off my lazy butt and do something. A couple months ago, I started to get into shape by running. I noticed my weight go down and my muscles become more toned.

Then we moved, I lost my convenient apartment gym and I got lazy again. Not to mention having an hour commute, leaving minimal time for leisure activities.

Then I realized... those are just lame excuses.

I'm doing this.

I am blessed to not need to lose much weight, but I need to get healthy. I need to improve my mental and physical health and there's no better way than exercise. 

Last night I ran straight out my front door for 2 miles and I feel so good. Yeah, my muscles are sore but I am doing this!

Light Penne Alfredo

There isn't much that's better than Alfredo sauce and pasta.
Just ask my brother Zach, it's all he would eat for his entire childhood.
My version is a teensy bit healthier than the average Alfredo sauce you'd order at a restaurant.

INGREDIENTS:
3 tbsp butter
1 cup Half and Half (low-fat or fat free for the healthier version, or regular if you want a creamier taste)
1 tbsp parsley
1/3 cup grated parmesan cheese
1 clove garlic
Dash of pepper

1/2 box penne pasta (or whatever type of pasta you prefer)

DIRECTIONS:
Cook pasta according to directions on box. 
Meanwhile, melt butter in a medium saucepan. Add half and half, simmer about 5 minutes.
Add garlic and parmesan to pan while whisking. Fully mix. Add parsley and pepper, heat through. Simmer a couple minutes to allow sauce to slightly thicken.
Spoon over pasta, top with parsley and a little more parmesan if you prefer.

Serve with bread or a salad.
Makes about 4 servings

Obviously you can add whatever meat/protein you'd like... shrimp or chicken would be great in this recipe. Or you can load up the veggies and add whatever you want. It's versatile...and easy! Because, you know me, I'm all about the easy, convenient meals.

Enjoy!

Turkey Cheeseburger Casserole

A casserole with turkey, packed with vegetables, and topped with biscuits?

Yeah, it's is as good as it sounds. 

Chris and I came up with this while attempting to make a "sloppy joe casserole".

Whatever we ended up making was so much better.... and the Turkey Cheeseburger Casserole was born!

Ingredients:

1 lb ground turkey (or beef, whatever you prefer. You could even use "fake" meat if you're a vegetarian)

2 cups grated cheddar cheese

1 large carrot

1 celery stock

1/2 small white onion

1/2 green pepper

4 tbsp Barbecue sauce

2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce

1 tbsp brown sugar

Italian spices/any spices you prefer

1 package Pillsbury Grand Jr Biscuits

Directions:

Preheat oven to 375F.

Chop all veggies into very small pieces. Brown turkey in pan. When almost cooked, drain fat and add back into pan. Add vegetables, cook for about 5 minutes on medium heat. Add barbeque and worcestershire sauce, along with the brown sugar and spices and stir well. Simmer for a couple minutes. Transfer to greased 8x11 casserole dish. Top with cheese.

Cut each biscuit in half, place on top of the meat and cheese. Leave room because the biscuits will spread.

Bake for 20-25 minutes

Enjoy!

Loving Lately: Greek Yogurt

I have a secret love that I thought I'd finally talk about.

Greek Yogurt.

Yep.

I tried it a few years ago and yuck. It tasted so bitter and way too creamy. I don't know if there are just more varieties lately, or if my taste buds have adapted to like it, but I can hardly imagine life without it.

My most recent Greek Yogurt find was Healthy Choice's Greek Frozen Yogurt, found in the frozen food aisle. 

Also, I'm obsessed with anything blueberry, but that's for a different post.

Each cup has a little inspirational note. Cute!

Greek Yogurt is full of protein and super filling.

It can also be used in cooking as a substitute for heavy cream {well, just use the plain flavor for this. Not blueberry. Obviously.}

We also like making tzatziki {really yummy Greek cucumber yogurt dip} and eating it with pita. Yum!

Just be careful and look at the nutrition facts... some varieties aren't low-calorie. My favorite low-cal variety is Dannon Oikos, Fruit on the Bottom (Fat Free)

I'm all about eating healthy food that tastes good and is filling.

Greek yogurt is totally all of those things!

If you haven't tried it, go ahead! If you have tried it but didn't like it, try another variety. You might just like it!

Does anyone else love Greek yogurt? Hate it? Have any great recipes that use it?

So, that's what I'm loving lately :)