Your Turn...

I need your help... I've been hitting a brick wall when it comes to food. I'm a creature of habit and I tend to eat the same thing every day. My morning starts with one of two options. Either a fried egg w/ cheese (preferably reduced fat) on an Arnold whole wheat sandwich thin OR yummy oatmeal. My lunch consists of a boca burger w/ cheese (preferably reduced fat) on an Arnold whole wheat (or multi-grain) sandwich thin, with a table spoon on ketchup and a pickle. Dinner on the other hand has a little variety but it typically consists of a grilled lean protein (chicken, pork chop, shrimp, lean steak, etc.), a grilled veggie and a steamed veggie. Not very adventurous.

I'm getting to the point where I just don't feel like eating anymore. I'm certainly not meeting my necessary calories only hitting about 1100-1200/ day, when I should be close to 1600-1800 (depending on how much I push it at bootcamp). Added to the lack on interest in food is the heat. We have had 10 straight days of 90+ degree days and there is no end in sight, which makes me even less inclined to turn on the stove or oven and get creative in the kitchen. I've found a couple of fun sites with some neat recipes including www.skinnytaste.com which is really fun to go through. The great thing with this counting calorie thing is that the website/app I use www.myfitnesspal.com has a recipe builder, where you add the ingredients, determine how many servings the recipe makes and it calculates the nutritional info... calories, fats, carbs, proteins, sodium, etc. I've begun taking recipes that are my standby and adding them to myfitnesspal.com to determine how many calories it is.

This is where you all come into play. In the comment section (and I've changed the function so EVERYONE can post a comment not just subscribers) I'm asking ALL OF YOU to add your favorite, healthy recipe. It can be very simple such as a salad or sandwich, or it can be detailed. BUT... I need some inspiration.

Here, I'll start! This is a Mushroom Quinoa Soup that I found from one of my favorite food blog sites (although Kelly is not always cooking healthy, her ideas are fabulous). Here is the link to the blog, http://thecornerkitchen.blogspot.com/ (Kelly, don't kill me for copy-write infringement) but here it is:

Mushroom Quinoa Soup

(Adapted form Williams-Sonoma Food made Fast: Soup)

2 tablespoons unsalted butter

2 tablespoons flour

Salt & fresh ground pepper

2 leek (white part only), halved and thinly sliced

1 carrot, peeled, halved and thinly sliced

1 celery stalk, finely chopped

1 cup dry red wine

4 cups vegetable stock (beef or chicken stock also work well)

1/2 pound cremini mushrooms, stems removed and caps quartered

1/2 pound white button mushrooms, stems removed and caps quartered

1/3 cup quinoa

In a large saucepan over medium heat melt the butter.  Remove from the heat and slowly added the flour, whisking out any lumps.  Add about 1/2 teaspoon of salt & 1/2 teaspoon of pepper.  Return the pan to medium heat, stirring the roux constantly, until it begins to brown, about 3-5 minutes.  Stir in the leeks, carrots and celery.  Slowly add the wine, while whisking constantly.  Reduce the heat to low and let simmer, stirring occasionally, until the flavors have blended and the roux has thickened, about 20 minutes.

Meanwhile, in a medium saucepan, bring the vegetable broth to a simmer.  Add the mushrooms and cook, uncovered, for 10 minutes.  When the roux mixture is ready, add the broth and mushrooms, and stir well.  Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to medium low.  Add the quinoa and simmer, uncovered, for about 20 minutes.  Season with salt & pepper to taste.

Nutritional info per serving: Calories - 200, Carbs - 27g, Fat - 6g, Protein - 12g, Sodium - 1537mg, Sugar - 3g, Fiber - 5g

Enjoy everyone! And I want to see what you all have to offer!!! If I like the recipe, I'll add it to my recipe builder and let you all know the nutritional info, if you're interested.