Cafe Rio Recipes

Just putting these here so I don't lose them:

BLACK BEANS

2 Tbsp. olive oil
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tsp. ground cumin
1 can black beans, rinsed and drained
1 1/3 c. tomato juice
1 1/2 tsp. salt
2 Tbsp. fresh chopped cilantro

In a nonstick skillet, cook garlic and cumin in olive oil over medium heat until you can smell it. Add beans, tomato juice, and salt. Continually stir until heated through. Just before serving stir in the cilantro. (**NOTE** we added a can of corn, drained, to the beans with a dash of cumin and chili powder, it was AWESOME! We recommend doing this even though it's not "traditional Cafe Rio")

Cilantro Lime Vinaigrette

2 tamatillos
1/2 bunch cilantro
2 cloves garlic
1 Tbsp. diced jalepeno (canned) --you can use less if you don't like it spicy at all. I like a little kick.
Juice of 2 limes
1 Tbsp. sugar
1 c. balsamic vinaigrette (not vinegar... we used Kraft)

In a food processor or blender, combine tamatillos, cilantro, garlic, jalapeno, lime juice, and sugar. After it is all blended up well combine with balsamic vinaigrette in an airtight container and refrigerate for at least 2 hours (overnight is best).

Cafe Rio Pork

1 pork roast (butt or shoulder)
1 can Coke (don't use diet)
1 jar salsa (fresh is best!)
3/4 c brown sugar
1 T cumin
garlic salt to taste

Cover roast half way with water in slow cooker and cook on high for 3-4hr. Mix remaining ingredients in bowl. Drain water, cut in quarters and pour Coke mixture over top. Cook another 3-4hr. Shred and serve.

Cafe Rio Chicken

5 lbs chicken
1 small bottle of Zesty Italian dressing
1 T chili powder
1 T cumin
3 cloves minced garlic

Mix all ingredients in slow cooker and cook on high 5-7 hr. Drain some of the liquid and shred chicken.

Lime Rice

2-3 T oil
1/4 c chopped cilantro
4 cloves garlic, minced
2 c rice
1/2 c lime juice
4 c chicken broth
Heat oil in pan. Saute garlic, cilantro, and rice over medium heat about 5 min. Add liquid and bring to boil. Turn heat to low, cover with lid, and cook 25-30 min.

Cafe Rio Tomatillo Dressing

1/2 bunch cilantro, chopped
4-6 T olive oil
1 bunch green onions, diced
1 c ranch dressing
4 oz salsa verde
1 c plain yogurt, mayo, or buttermilk
Juice of 1 lime
Garlic salt to taste
Place cilantro, green onions, and olive oil in blender or food processor and process until pesto consistency. Add ranch dressing, yogurt, salsa verde, lime juice, and garlic salt.
Refrigerate until ready to serve. Taste better if made few hours ahead. Will last 2-3 weeks in fridge.

With your eyes closed

So my boy is in kindergarten and has started working on homework assignments this week.
There is a calendar with 30 different assignments on it that he must complete before the end of the month. He can choose any one he wants to do and he just colors in that day when he is done.
Last night he randomly picked one and it was practice writing your first name five times.
And then this happened:
Hubby: OOoh...you picked practice writing your first name five times
Monkeyface: Awww....I don't like that one.
Hubby: Come on...you can do that one with your eyes closed.
Monkeyface grabs a piece of paper & a crayon, sits down at his table & proceeds to close his eyes. He then writes his first name five times with his eyes closed.
HA!

Week 1 (August 15-21)-movement

Source: Questtobeauty

Back to the drawing board:
I'm going back to Week 1 on this. I need a fresh start.

August 15: 60 minutes yoga
August 16: Cards with the girls
August 17: 45 minutes elliptical, 15 minutes circuit training
August 18: 30 minutes elliptical
August 19: rest
August 20: 60 minutes elliptical
August 21: walk in neighborhood

I gained 6 lbs

I hate having to say that I gained 6 pounds. I was on vacation last week and it wasn't even from the vacation. I had gained 1 lb when I had returned...1. Then the weekend and the rest of the week got the best of me and I was filling my body with junk. Chicken wings because I hadn't had them in months. Burgers b/c my body was screaming for 1 (so I had 1 and then another 1 later in the week). Taco Bell for no other reason than it was easy and I have not felt like planning my meals.
I've had a hard go of it for the month of July. Totally uninspired and withdrawn. I haven't planned my meals or my exercise. I had my IUD replaced which has sent my body surging with hormones and searching for comfort. I lost a friend of mine that I kept meaning to visit and reconnect with but I never did. I'm going through a few things in my life, that while I am totally supported and loved, still leave me wanting more (vague I know).
I think I need to hop back on the elliptical and think for a bit. I did go to the gym Tuesday as I normally do but my heart just wasn't in it. I went through the motions and I worked out for an hour but it just felt tedious.
I know what I need to do and I have no excuse other than I've kinda lost my fire lately. Home life has been great. Seriously great. I don't think I've ever been more in love with my husband. We have been cracking each other up and just loving each other's company. It's been comfortable being with him. It's been harder to want to leave home. It's been hard to be selfish.

Ok-back to making lists and crossing them off.

July 11-17 movement

July 4-10
July 4) I did a lot of cleaning this day. I mean a lot
July 5) 60 minutes elliptical, 15 minutes bike
July 6) gardening (did 20 gardening, 10 walking)
July 7) 30 cybex, 30 circuit
July 8) rest
July 9) 60 elliptical-family fun day! Hubby actually has the day off
July 10) outdoor walk

I have been stuffing my face and not felt like exercising this week. I had my IUD replaced on Monday and I hate all the hormones surging through my body. I cannot eat enough, I'm overly sensitive, and I'm exhausted. Back to work on me starting tomorrow.

July 11-17
July 11) yoga 60 minutes
July 12) rest
July 13) 30 minutes cybex, 30 circuit
July 14) 45 minutes elliptical
July 15) try to fit in a work out??
July 16) 60 minutes elliptical
July 17) 15 minute walk around neighborhood

July 4-10 movement

June 27-July 3
June 27) 60 minutes yoga
June 28) 60 minutes elliptical, 20 minutes bike
June 29) 30 minutes circuit training-cards with the ladies
June 30) 30 minutes cybex, 20 minutes bike(actually did 50 elliptical, 20 bike, 20 treadmill
July 01) rest
July 02) 90 minute-whatever I feel like doing (45 minute elliptical, 5 bike, 30 circuit training)
July 03) some sort of outdoor activity with Monkeyface (did yard work and cleaned off my horrible back deck)


I totally forgot to update what was going on this week. The holiday threw me for a loop. I could not get my kid out of the house this weekend. He said he was tired and wanted to be lazy...so I let him. I don't think he wore pants for 2 days. I didn't leave the house Sunday or Monday and that is entirely rare for me. I love to be out and about but I needed the rest as well.
July 4-10
July 4) I did a lot of cleaning this day. I mean a lot
July 5) 60 minutes elliptical, 15 minutes bike
July 6) gardening (did 20 gardening, 10 walking)
July 7) 30 cybex, 30 circuit
July 8) rest
July 9) 60 elliptical-family fun day! Hubby actually has the day off
July 10) outdoor walk

July goals

picture credit: believe-toachieve

1) Exercise 21 times for 30 minutes or more
2) Take one easy hike with the little one
3) Walk 2 miles on the beach
4) Lose 10 lbs
5) Rack up 75 miles
6) Drop a pants size
7) Get a massage
8) Over 1,000 minutes of fitness tracked
9) Take myself to the movies by myself

picture credit: believe-toachieve