MC Depression Buster

It has been over a week since my last post, things have been crazy around here. My nephew came in from Denver, I have been working a lot of hours between my two jobs and my apartment still isn't clean...

One topic that I recently learned about was the link between iron deficiency and depression. Women are more likely than men to develop this condition because women experience blood loss during menstruation (yet another reason I believe Mother Nature is a man).

Tonight i made a large bowl of iron rich foods for dinner. Serve this with a nice leafy green salad.
MC Depression Buster Soup
serves 1-2 people, recipe can be doubled

1 and 1/4 c Trader Joe's Low Sodium Tomato Soup
1 c broccoli (frozen is okay)
1 clove of garlic, very finely chopped
2 tsp olive oil.
3-5 oz of steak, any lean cut
1/2 cup of corn kernels
a dash of hot sauce
salt and pepper

Marinate the steak for 30 min in 1/4 c of Tomato Soup and some salt and pepper. Grill the steak until it is almost fully cooked. When the steak is done cut into small chunks.

While the steak is grilling pour the olive oil into a pan over a medium high heat. Add the garlic and cook for about 5 minutes. Add the broccoli and cook for another 3-5 minutes.

Pour the soup into a pot and place on the stove at a medium high heat. Add the hot sauce, and some salt and pepper to taste. Next add the corn, broccoli, and meat, stir occasionally.

When the corn is hot the soup is ready.


For even more iron, serve with both a salad and a baked potato with skin.

Stress

I woke up angry today. I am not sure why. I woke up so irritable that I want a do-over. I am stressed about money and the direction of my career. I am stressed about love and my future. I want all of my problems to be solved NOW!!!!! I know that this is a process. It will take time. I made a healthy quiche today and it made me feel a little better.

Here is the recipe for today:

Broccoli and Artichoke Quiche with Sun Dried Tomatoes
Serves 4-6

1 cup broccoli (fresh or frozen)
1 cup artichoke hearts (I used the frozen ones from Trader Joe's)
2 sun dried tomatoes (very finely diced)
4 eggs
1 whole wheat pie crust
1 cup soy milk
1 clove garlic (finely chopped)

If using frozen vegetables defrost them. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees. Then mix the eggs, soy milk, broccoli, artichoke hearts, garlic and tomatoes in a large bowl. Pour the mixture into the pie crust and bake for 30 minutes.

It is a very simple and yummy recipe that made me happy on a cruddy day.

First post

I like food. I like good food. I am not going to lose weight using diet bars and fat-free taste-free calorie-free food. I want to eat real food.

My diet plan includes limiting the calories while eating good, real food and exercising. Simple.


A friend recommended that I have some "instant" foods for days when I really want the instant food of fast food. I agree with him, sort of. If I can prepare and portion out yummy food that I can freeze and heat up in a couple of minutes it will save me calories, money and taste.

I came up with the following yummy healthy turkey chili recipe that freezes very well:

• 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 medium onion diced
  
• 3 fresh jalapeño peppers, chopped
• 1lb 93/7 ground turkey
  
• 2 tablespoons chili powder
• 2 tablespoons ground cumin
• 2 teaspoons habanero pepper sauce (or a milder sauce if desired)
• salt
• 2 cups frozen corn kernels
• 2- 14 oz cans of diced tomatoes
  
• 2 cups chicken broth
  
• 1 can black beans
• 1 can red kidney beans
• 2 cups tomato sauce
• 1 clove garlic, chopped finely
  

Heat the oil in the chili pot at a medium-high heat. Put the turkey, garlic, onions and peppers in the pot and cook for about 7 minutes until the turkey is almost cooked, mixing frequently. Add the sauce and broth, stir. Next add the tomatoes, corn, cumin, chili powder, pepper sauce. Cook for 4 more minutes, stirring occasionally. Finally add the beans. Let cook for 4 more minutes and serve.