Spring, Exercise, Recipes, and More

Well, I think spring has sprung. The sun was beautiful yesterday and it definitely brightened my mood.  I was even more excited when I saw these daffodil bulbs sprouting. 

Tomorrow Ryan and I are going to the Shrine Circus in Indianapolis.  The entire fourth grade in our county go on this field trip every year and I'm sure it will be a fun day with George.  We're going to take George (Ryan) and some of his friends bowling after the circus so he can celebrate with them.  I don't know how the boy did it, but he's had 3 birthday parties this year.  It must be nice to turn 10!

As part of Fit Friday, I have a recipe to share, a supplement to tell you about, and exciting news (well, for me it is).

 I want to share this recipe with you - it was on 30 Minute Meals with Rachel Ray and it looks so delicious!  It's called Charred Chili Relleno with Green Rice.  The picture doesn't look as appetizing as it did on the show, so please don't let that distract you from making this dish.

Charred Chili Relleno with Green Rice


Ingredients
4 cups chicken or vegetable stock, divided
1 bay leaf
2 cups white rice
4 large poblano peppers
6 ears corn on the cob or 3 cups frozen corn kernels
3 tablespoons corn, peanut or vegetable oil, divided
1 red onion, chopped
1 jalapeno, seeded and chopped
4 cloves garlic, chopped
1 (15-ounce) can fire roasted diced tomatoes, drained well
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin, 1/2 palm full
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano, eyeball it in your palm
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
1/2 cup fresh cilantro leaves
1/2 pound spinach leaves, deveined and coarsely chopped
4 scallions, coarsely chopped
2 limes, zested, juiced
1 cup shredded Chihuahua cheese, Asadero or Monterey Jack

Directions
Preheat broiler or grill pan to high.
Heat about 3 1/2 cups stock in a sauce pot with a bay leaf to boiling. Add rice, cover pot reduce heat to low and simmer 18 minutes until tender.

Place poblanos under broiler or on hot grill and char evenly all over, 15 minutes.
While peppers and rice are working, scrape the corn off the cobs or defrost frozen corn and dry by spreading out on clean kitchen towel. Heat 2 tablespoons light oil in a skillet over high heat. When the oil smokes or ripples add corn, onion, jalapenos and toss until the vegetables char at edges and onions are tender, 4 to 5 minutes. Reduce heat to medium-high and add in garlic, fire roasted tomatoes and season with cumin, oregano, salt and pepper. Cook another minute or 2 then turn pan off.

Place the cilantro, spinach, scallions, lime zest, half a cup of stock and a tablespoon of oil in food processor and process into coarse green paste. Stir into your rice pot in the last 3 to 4 minutes of its cooking time.

Sprinkle the lime juice over the corn mixture.

Split the charred peppers open but not in half with small sharp knife then scoop out the seeds with a small spoon. Place peppers in a shallow baking dish and stuff each split pepper with lots of the corn mix, top each pepper with 1/4 cup cheese and place back under broiler to melt and char the cheese.

Serve peppers on beds of green rice. Yum-o!

Please take a moment to check out Colleen's blog and see what everyone has shared on her Weekly Recipe Swap.  I always find a good recipe or two to try when I visit.

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The next thing I would like to share is a supplement that I purchased at GNC called Tonalin CLA.  I was told that this supplement would help reduce belly fat.  Supposedly it is a fatty acid known for promoting good health. After looking at decades of research scientists have found that CLA may help the body to deposit less fat, build more muscle and may even help prevent fat cells from refilling.  If you would like to read more about CLA or Tonalin CLA, please click here and here and here.  Now I know that there is no "magic pill", but a little extra help can't hurt.  I'm going to track my progress and promise to report back weekly.

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For my last bit of news to share - on Monday, I tried out for a part in a play at the theater (The Vanity Theater) in town.  It's called "The Women" and I am going to be the exercise instructress.  It's a small part which is good - I've never been in a play before and don't have a huge amount of time to devote, but I do want to do something other than "work".  To see a review of the 2008 movie, click here, or to see a review of the 1939 movie, click here.  I think this will be a good thing and maybe my boys will eventually want to try out for some plays.

Have a wonderful, sunny, warm weekend everyone! Spring is on it's way!!