Merry Christmas!

Signing off till the New Year!  Hope everyone has a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!  I'll be back in full force after the holiday madness!!  

Hearty Beef Stew

I know!  I know!  It's has been forever since my last post.  I can blame it on work & being busy, which is true..  But I have to admit I have also been lazy & the last new recipe I made wasn't that great..  But!!  I am trying to work on balance with work, social life & fitness.. so hopefully, I can get out of this funk and start doing what I enjoy again!!  This is such a great recipe for a cold night and is packed with healthy items!!!

What you need:

1/2 lb lean sirloin, cut into 1 inch cubes

1 tbsp all- purpose flour (I used almond flour)

1 14.5 oz reduced sodium beef broth

4 small red potatoes, quartered

12 baby carrots

10 cremini or button mushrooms, stems removed, caps sliced

1 cup green beans, ends trimmed

1 tsp dried thyme

1/2 tsp salt

1/4 tsp ground black pepper

Serve with a whole grain roll or wedge of whole wheat bread

How to cook it:

1. Combine the beef and flour in a large saucepan & stir, coating the beef with the flour (this helps create a thick, savory gravy)
2. Add the remaining ingredients & set the pan over high heat
3. Bring the mixture to a boil, reduce the heat to medium & simmer for 10 min.
4. Stir frequently until the beef is cooked through and the potatoes are for tender.

Makes 2 servings. Per serving: 477 cal, 66g carbs, 38g protein, 7g fat, 9g fiber

CrockPot Style (This is how I cooked this evening)

1. Pour the almond flour on the steak and throw in crock pot
2. Pour in the broth
3. Add the veggies, little bit of salt, black pepper
4. I also added, red pepper, minced garlic, garlic powder, minced onion, onion powder and a herb and garlic concoction I got at the market
5. Cook on low if you will be gone all day or on high for 3 hours..

Enjoy!!

The healthy benefits of this meal:

• Steak:  delivers a big protein punch & is a rich source of iron
• Carrots:  Loaded with the antioxidant beta-carotene
• Green Beans: a good source of folate
• Mushrooms:  rich in lentinan, a molecule that fires up your immune system