Monday, June 11, 2012

Healthy Choices

Seven years ago, I changed my eating habits, started exercising with friends and lost about 25 lbs.  For the most part, I've kept the weight off by making healthier food choices.
I make homemade soups year round, even when its 115 degrees outside.  Corn chowder, Italian vegetable or tomato soup can be ready in about 10-15 minutes.  I don't buy commercial salad dressings.  A drizzle of olive oil and balsamic vinegar or lemon juice is used for salads.  And since I don't eat meat, my protein comes from peas, beans and nuts.  Chickpeas in salads.  Blackeyed peas with brown rice.  Black beans are an all-time favorite.
I came across this recipe for black bean & mango salsa cups on a (new to me) blog called gimme some oven.  A very easy recipe.  The wonton cups go soggy if the salsa sits in them too long, so you have to eat them right away.  I found that Tostitos Scoops worked well.  And even though it's called black bean and mango salsa, it's great as a side salad, too.

Wishing you a healthy, happy day! 

21 comments:

Annaboo's House said...

Oooo those photos look so yummy.
I too love beans and pulses- black beans are a new favourite of mine, so I'm off to check out the link...
Thanks for some inspiration!
Xx

val said...

what terrific photos....I still eat meat but not much. One day, I'll probably give it up for good and when I do, I'll come begging for recipes!

nanny said...

The mangoes are so good right now. I have a big one waiting on me to slice it now. Salsa sounds delish!
I wish my husband like soup. I could eat it year round too! Sometimes I just make it anyway (and fix him something else)

Peli said...

a very wise choice!!!!i try to eat as healthy as i can but im not a person that can stick to a programm for long so i always end up eating all the wrong things again...salads are a great summer dish as long as you can keep away from bread (i cant)
may i ask you to share an exotic salad recipe with us???it would be lovely!!!!

my4lilgirls said...

Fantastic, its so good eating healthier foods, specially home made, I'm a real stickler for it.
Could do with more exercise though, always feel so much better when I do.
Great post Tammy
Lol Karen x

Emilie's daughter said...

Thanks for your comment on my post about Michael Pollan. You are absolutely right - we should definitely think more about what we eat. I am like you I always buy fresh food and prepare and process it myself. I bake the bread myself and go to the market twice a week. I do not want the industry to cook for my family and me - on top of it it definitely tastes so much better! Go on doing it - I think you are not only doing yourself a favour but also your children. Christa

Happy@Home said...

That's an impressive weight loss, Tammy. Good for you. It seems like I'm always trying to lose about 5 stubborn lbs. I think my pants would fit better if I did ;).
I'm not a big meat eater, mainly just a bit of poultry and fish. This recipe looks really good to me. I'll have to check out the link.
Do you keep up with your exercise when the temps are in the 100s? I could use a little motivation in that area. I think I use the heat as an excuse to be lazy :(.
Great post!

Susan said...

Good for you keeping off the weight, Tammy. I know your salads, etc. always look yummy. Susan

A Whole Lotta Magic said...

Tammy, these look so good. I`ve stopped eating red meat, but can`t imagine not eating salmon or chicken. How did you do it?

I`ll have to try is recipe out!

S
xo

Tanna said...

Every bite of food you prepare always looks so delicious, Tammy. Kudos to you for making the decision to eat so healthy and for being disciplined enough to apply it to your life!! bravo! blessings ~ tanna

Mereknits said...

Great job keeping the weight off and in turn creating such a healthy lifestyle. Everything looks very yummy!
Hugs,
Meredith

Mariette VandenMunckhof-Vedder said...

Dearest Tammy,

We're both on the same healthy food choice track as you are on. Just got back from Florida, we drove all the way to Miami for visiting dear friends there. We stayed at a Hyatt Place in Orlando on the way over and at Hyatt Home in Miami. That is great as you do have a complete apartment with full kitchen. A stop at Costco gets you going. We also stop and eat at Whole Foods on the way over. They have great choices for healthy meals on the road. Mostly vegetarian we take, with some fish once in a while. It makes you feel fit and healthy.
Love to you,
Mariette

Astri said...

So inspiring Tammy. Hey I found the New Zealand honey. It's very good. But I must use very little at a time as it was very expensive here. haha oh well somethings are worth it!

Mrs. Micawber said...

I gave up on bottled salad dressing years ago. The ingredient lists are too scary! I usually just drizzle some olive oil and add a bit of salt and pepper. Rice vinegar also makes a nice bright vinaigrette.

Your food always looks great. :)

vintage grey said...

Love these yummy black bean cups. I do the same for my dressing as well, and I cut out white sugar, and substitute maple syrup and maple sugar in my baked goods. Thanks for sharing. Happy new week to you! xo Heather

Barbina said...

Hello Tammy! Please come and visit my blog, I have nominated you for the Sunshine Award!
I´m sending you lots of love! Barbina

Kit said...

OMG!! Those mango cups looks so good. You are the best cook! Kit

Wildflowerhouse said...

You sound a lot like me. I am finding beef makes me tired. I am eating mostly veggies and fruit. I am and probably will always be a seafood lover. I love black beans. You really can do so much with those little gems.
I wish I could send you some of our rain to keep your dust down. Today was just misty. I call it soft rain and I love walking in it. So refreshing. Try to stay cool. Thanks for visiting me. I look forward to your comments. Sharon

Melanie said...

I am very much into healthy, "clean" eating. I love making homemade soups and eating them, but only in the cold weather. I just can't eat hot foods, especially soup when it's hot outside. Like you, I don't buy commercial salad dressing either - I make my own with EVOO & vinegar, of which I have lots of different kinds. Sometimes I add a little mustard and/or pure maple syrup and fresh herbs. I'm a flexitarian - I'll eat a little bit of meat (some chicken or pork; rarely beef) but I mostly eat vegetarian.

Sam I Am...... said...

I try to eat healthy but I still eat meat but mostly chicken and I love vegetables so that's not a problem for me. I have recipe for a black bean salad that you just reminded me of.
Good for you! I could stand to lose 25 pounds! I was never overweight until menopause and then they messed with my thyroid and I can't seem to get rid of it no matter what I do. I also used to be a high energy person and now I'm a slug. I never thought I would ever see the day when I would be overweight but here I am....fat and sassy!

SusanLotus said...

Awwww! Looks so yummy!
I wish you a Happy vacation!

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