Healthy Eating!

Happy Hump Day!!!!!

Today's blog post is all about food! If you follow me on Instagram (iamadhari) you can clearly see I love to post pictures of what I am eating/cooking etc. For about 1 month now i've been eating healthier than I ever have in my entire life. I'm not considering this to be a diet but a lifestyle change. I don't deprive myself when i'm feeling my inner fat girl come out who wants a slice of pizza and a beer. However I definitely make up for it the next day by doubling my water intake and sticking to my plan.

So last week I had this craving for some Cuban Black Beans. I'm not Cuban, i'm not even hispanic but this chick KILLED IT with those beans. I completely forgot my husband HATES beans and I ended up soaking the entire package which if you've ever made beans you know that equals about 6-7 servings.

Day #1 of eating my beans I had this 

Pork Chop marinated in Goya MOJO

Steamed Broccoli with Olivio

Sauteed zucchini squash with onions in Olivio

Quinoa made with chicken broth and alas my black beans on top

Here is the recipe:

Cuban Black Beans 

1 package of dried black beans

1 Spanish Onion (chopped)

1 Green Bell Pepper (chopped)

3-5 Cloves of Garlic (sorry guys i love this stuff)

Salt, Pepper, Adobo (to taste)

6 cups of water 

Step 1: Soak your beans overnight with about 1-2 inches of water sitting at the top

- Beans need to be cleaned and this helps to soften them up some 

- before you cook your beans the next day drain them and rinse

Step 2: In a 5.5-7oz quart dutch oven (or a large pot if you don't have one) sprinkle about 1.5tbsp of EVOO (extra virgin olive oil) in the pot on Medium heat and let it get HOT!!!!

Step 3: Add your chopped onions and bell peppers until they become translucent (6-8min)

Step 4: Add your minced garlic and keep an eye on it while stirring b/c garlic burns and you don't want burnt garlicy beans (BLEH)

Step 5: Add your beans and your 6c of water and turn on LOW (low and slow is always the way to go when cooking beans it makes them so much more creamy) 

Step 6: Stir every 30min to make sure the beans are not sticking to the bottom if you think you need more water GO FOR IT it's not going to kill the beans lol 

Step 7: Cook them for 1.5-2hrs. TASTE THEM if they're firm they need to cook longer but the consistency should be dense and creamy in texture 

Step 8. ENJOY them alone or over quinoa or white rice or in a burrito. There are so many ways to enjoy beans (mmmm even in an omelette with provolone and basil)

Tip: Since I made so much and I am the sole bean eater in my house I froze what I knew I wouldn't eat within a few days time. Take them out, let them thaw and enjoy all over again (with intensified flavor b/c they've been frozen in their own season)

The next day it was chilly and I wanted black bean soup. All I did was put some beans that were already made into a pot let them heat up and them used my Cuisinart Smart Stick blender which looks exactly like THIS (Actually this is the one I have). If you don't have one of these BUY ONE, but if that's not in the financial plan right now blend the soup until you see the consistency you like. I personally like my soup thick and creamy. This item is a GREAT investment if you enjoy soup, or even if you puree baby food it's perfect. I'm so glad I registered for one.

I used it until I had the desired consistency of a thick creamy soup, added some spinach and about 1/2c more of water and I came out with this! 

Sorry about the "residue" on the inner bowl, this is what happens when you walk from the kitchen to the living room to enjoy it. It might not look perfect nor garnished but it was super duper yummy! 

You can serve this with chopped avocado & crema (or sour cream) and broken tortilla chips but since I was opting for the healthier version I had it plain and it was still yummy! 

Thanks for reading. Try the recipe and leave your comments below on what you think about it

Getting Healthy & Twerking It Out

My last post had something to do with conception. If you're unfamiliar with that term it means "TTC" or trying to conceive.

Anyway....that train has long drifted away from me. And surprisingly I am not mad about it. I decided not to be so consumed with it anymore. I'm only going get ONE life and I want to live it to my fullest potential. Aside from my husband and my potential child(ten) Adhari has to learn how to focus on Adhari. With that said, I started a fitness journey a few weeks ago and thus far i've lost 9.3lbs.

I'm super proud of myself but this part of my post is quite boring (are you snoozing yet b/c I am)

My girlfriend emailed me about something called the VIXEN WORKOUT and at first I thought it was a pole dancing workout. NOPE. I don't think you could do these moves on a pole.

(My girl who lured me into the vixenarmy at our 1st class)

I've become so completely obsessed with it , I love the way I feel after the workout, I love the energy from the instructors and i'm meeting/coming in contact with some cool people as well.

The workout was originated in Miami, FL by Janet Jones who is a former Miami Heat Dancer. Like many women the daily grind of work and home life wasn't enough and she was missing her passion which was dancing. The Vixen Workout started with a few of her closest friends and has completely taken over the workout world in Florida and is now in NEW YORK CITY! (Thank You Jesus for that)

If you'd like to learn more about how she got started, what it's comprised of and how you can R.S.V.P. go to  www.vixenworkout.com

It's pretty much Zumba on STEROIDS to the 10th power. I've never sweat so much in my life!!!! What I love and adore about this class are the instructors and the ladies who attend are so carefree. We dance in front of mirrors and I don't know about them but I only pay attention to 4 people, the instructors and myself to make sure i'm moving my body properly to burn the maximum amount of calories and I look sexy doing it. (The instructors take being sexy to a NEW level)

I've lost about 3 inches total since taking the class on 7/25. It's amazing how I don't feel like i'm working out but I sweat like I'm addicted to the burn! When a class is SOLD OUT (which is often) it's like a sad kitten with no milk. I purrrrrrrrrrr in sadness!


Here are a few pics from my journey into the #vixenarmy

 Sweating & Loving it 

 Ran into 2 of my sorors there =)

 Instructor Josie and I after a crazy workout

 13yrs later met up with my old floormate from college

 I'm sweaty and I KNOW it 

Val & Maria came through too (we used to step in the same competitions representing our sororities as competitors now we're on the same team #vixenarmy)

So if you're reading this visit the site and go R.S.V.P. you will not regret it ladies!!!!!

Ciao

Where have I been?

Yup! I am a blogger loser. I started this blog, got all excited about it, then ____________ left it alone and never looked back. I became so consumed with my life, that I didn't want to share anything. I started doubting God, losing my faith, being unhappy with certain situations in life (non-marriage related before you even go there) and just gave up.

But...here I am ..... vulnerable and hoping that 1 person will read this.

I'm sorry to those who actually liked reading my posts. I am not guaranteeing how many times I want to post, but I can try to try to make a better effort.

#that'sall

2 months 8 days...it truly is a shame!

I am sorry. So sorry. I know I might not have a ton of followers but the ones that do read, I have neglected this blog. I've been so caught up in my life that I haven't taken time to sit down and just write. I have been reading blogs and envious that some of you have the dedication and time to sit and write on a daily basis. I need a large cup of your potion!

I also haven't been cooking very much lately. Sadly this was pointed out to me by my darling husband who I continued to ignore and acted like there was something wrong with his brain. {Ok i've cooked like 2 meals in the past 2 months....this is a problem for me}. Thank God I have a husband who can turn plan A into plan B and order takeout for 2 months.

I've also avoided the supermarket. WHAT IS WRONG WITH ME? I know and I don't know but it's not something I want to get into right now. The point is that cooking brings me joy and happiness and i've avoided it.

Well i'm back bitches!!!!!!! {no pun intended}

Last night I asked my husband the questions most wives ask "what do you want for dinner" his answer was "STEAK & ONIONS" so off to the store I went.
It was pretty simple. I marinated the steak in a store bought marinade {cannot remember the name I know it was McCormick}, sweated the onions just the way he likes them, and made my sides. Which included 
Crash Hot Potatoes & are so incredibly yumsters!




 Do yourselves a large favor and make those potatoes. They are seriously some of the best potatoes i've ever had in my life. During dinner my husband snaps his finger to get my attention {which i was clearly ignoring his macho-ness} until i looked at him and he had a mouth full of food, he pointed to his plate, smiled and then gave me the thumbs up, ate then fell asleep. If that's not a home run mean I don't know what is.

Anyways, thanks for being patient and waiting to hear something from me. I will not make a promise to blog daily, that's just unrealistic for my lifestyle but I do promise to blog at least 1-2 times per week. THAT is something I can commit to. Until next time.

Get your house in order

Ugh, I am bored!!!

I am holding myself back from the cliff on a daily basis of breaking down and just screaming "GIVE ME MORE". But do I really deserve more? The more I think about it, I do and I don't.

I grew up in a household devout to the word of God. Yes, we are a Christian based household. But not overly Christian and definitely not void of faith, religion, love and the word of God. So I have been taught on how to pray, why we go to church, why we serve Jesus Christ. These are things that have been instilled inside of me.

My husband's family is the same way in the most beautiful way possible. One of the things I loved most about him was that he came from a family of women and men who definitely knew what it was to love, serve and honor the Lord. That comforted me in knowing that his family has such morals, values and knew God. It made my husband a better "prospect" when I was thinking "can i marry this man"

But I am human, I am not perfect although some may think that I THINK i am perfect. For 2 years I went to church every Sunday, prayed faithfully, served God in a way I never served him before. This was when I was laid off from my previous job and was so confused as to WHY this was happening, and I needed direction from God. I went to church so much I got my 2 good friends involved so much to join the church as well.

I've fallen off. I haven't "given up" on God but I definitely haven't been giving him my all. Showing up for him not just on Sundays but everyday. I am so sad about this aspect in my life. When things seem to go wrong, I pray. But why am I not praying when everything is going right? Just saying "Praise the Lord" and "Thank you Jesus" is not enough. {for me anyways} There has to be more!!!

So do I deserve more when I am not giving more to Christ??? I have no idea only God can answer that question. I miss him in my life, I miss the feeling I receive when I leave church and have just been blessed by our Bishop in the word of God. I miss learning more about him and letting him invade my life in totality.

I have to change this and I have to do it NOW. We aren't living in the beginning we're definitely towards the end and as my mother's Reverend says every Sunday morning "get your house in order, because he's coming real soon"

Has anyone else lost their way?

March Birchbox!!!

Hey Gorgeous!!! {Yes I am talking to YOU}

I'm a product junkie! I blame it on my years of working at Bath & Body Works. Every fragrance, every candle, every sugar scrub face cream nail polish you name it ADHARI HAD IT.

I had so much that I would have "inventory" clear out sessions in my room. I'd invite my friends over and pretty much tell them to have at it with all of my beauty products I no longer wanted.

Birchbox definitely fuels this inner junkie symptom I have.



For $10 a month you get a box sent to you with 4-6 sample sized products. This week I received my box for March and wanted to share what was inside with you all.

Annick Goutal - perfume sample

Color Club - nail laquer in Age of Aquarius

Jouer - Luminizing moisture tint

One Love Organics - Skin Savior Waterless Beauty Balm

Orofluido - Beauty Elixir {hair treatment scented of vanilla and almonds}

Tea forte - antioxidant amplifier teas
Cucumber Mint
Cherry Marzipan
Honey Yuzu



I just received an email that my April box is already on it's way!!!! So excited to see what's inside that one!

Another foodie post

2 weeks ago I posted that I would be submitting the recipe for this Sunday dinner I prepared....and needless to say. I never did!

Back in Feb 12 Food Network Magazine released the chocolate issue. You guessed it, filled to the brim with recipes with chocolate/cocoa.

I was really intrigued by this one recipe of COCOA-RUBBED STEAK WITH BACON WHISKEY GRAVY. Sounds really intense but it was actually quite delicious.



for the steak

Ingredients
For the steak:

1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder
2 teaspoons sweet paprika
1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
1 teaspoon packed light brown sugar
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
Kosher salt
3 1-pound New York strip steaks (about 1 1/2 inches thick)
1 tablespoon unsalted butter

For the gravy:

4 strips bacon, diced
1 leek (white and light green parts only), finely chopped
1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
1/2 cup whiskey
3 cups low-sodium chicken broth
2 bay leaves
1/2 cup heavy cream
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
Directions

Make the steak: Mix the cocoa powder, both paprikas, brown sugar, cayenne and 2 teaspoons salt; rub on the steak and bring to room temperature, 30 minutes.

Make the gravy: Cook the bacon in a large skillet over medium heat, stirring, until crisp, about 5 minutes. Remove to paper towels with a slotted spoon; set aside. Add the leek to the drippings and cook until soft, about 3 minutes. Add the flour and cook, stirring, 1 minute.

Remove the skillet from the heat. Add the whiskey, then return to medium heat; if the alcohol ignites, let the flames die out. Bring to a simmer and cook, stirring occasionally, until slightly thickened, about 2 minutes. Add the chicken broth and bay leaves. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat and cook until the mixture is reduced by one-quarter, about 8 minutes. Whisk in the heavy cream and simmer, stirring occasionally, until the gravy coats a spoon, about 7 minutes. Stir in the butter, reserved bacon and parsley; season with salt and pepper. Keep warm.

Heat a large cast-iron skillet over high heat, about 3 minutes. Add 1 tablespoon butter; when it melts, add the steak and sear until a dark crust forms, about 8 minutes per side. Transfer to a cutting board and let rest 5 minutes. Season with salt. Slice and serve with the gravy.

Of course I couldn't make this meal without a dessert so I took a stab at a Flourless Chocolate Cake



The cake was so incredibly moist and dense {does that even make sense?} but you needed a whole 2 glasses of milk to wash it down. It was WAY too chocolatey for our tastes buds.