Monday, May 16, 2011

Winding Down from the Weekend

Hellllllllllllo world! Happy Monday :) Monday is never an easy day for me, getting up out of bed is always the hardest on a Monday. I find that a sweaty workout really helps me get through a slow case of the Mondays :D
I hope you had a great weekend! Mine was jam-packed and busy like it normally is. I helped out in a benefit with proceeds going to a good friend on mine on Saturday. It was a great success, lots of people showed up the only bummer was the weather - cold and rainy - so no outdoor activities were able to be done. There was a large bounce house for children but since it was cold and rainy not many kids were participating. I was excited about the bounce house, but I wasn't going in there in the rain in my 4 inch wedges. I have some pictures that I will be able to post later on from the event. Other than that this is what I brought - and there is one tray leftover! (I am eating lots of raw veggies this week).... better to have too much than not enough! :)
I also brought 2 dishes of a Ranch Pasta Salad that were not pictured.

Working on eating those veggies up before they go bad (with hummus of course).
On Sunday I threw together a simple recipe using ingredients I had on hand and that I needed to use up. This dish is very similar to Averie's Cheesy Taco Casserole. With a few of my own adaptions.


Spicy Taco Bake

2 Cups Cooked Rice (I used a box of Spanish Style Rice)
1 Jar HOT Salsa
1 small can of green Chiles
2 cans of beans (I used black and pinto beans)
1 C Vegan Sour Cream
3T of Taco Seasoning (I made my own using a mix of garlic powder, chili powder, cayenne pepper, cumin & salt)
Veggies of your choice: I used about 2 peppers (combo of green, red and yellow)
1 onion
Carrots (approx. 2-3)

While the rice was cooking, I combined all the other ingredients in a bowl and mixed it together with a large spoon. I enjoyed eating a couple spoonfuls... I can stomach raw onion though.

Once rice is done cooking (per directions) combine with the rest of the ingredients.

I placed into a large 9x13 baking pan and let cook at 400 degrees for about 40 minutes.

I enjoyed this by itself and it was spicy enough no hot sauce was needed! You might like it in a burrito/taco shell or wrap. It is delcious either way and totally vegan!!!!

Hope you enjoy it! I really did. Especially the leftovers.. yummmmm

I can't wait to update you on my garden seedlings - more have sprouted and they are looking lovely. So exciting. Looking forward to How Does Your Garden Grow Tuesdays the lovely Cara at Chic Meets Healthy came up with!

"No matter the weather - always bring your own sunshine"


xo HUGS xo

Nichole

2 comments:

  1. you look gorgeous and whoa that is a lot of raw veggies! I love anything Mexican/Taco flavored so I will have to try out this recipe!!

    xoxo!

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  2. Whoa! You have a crazy amount of veggies going on there! You could totally roast some of those and make an awesome salad!

    Love the pic of you :)

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