As the first non-holiday day of 2015, many people are contemplating the New Year’s Resolutions they made yesterday. Most resolutions have to do with some sort of self-improvement. That’s an admirable goal and not very easy to do. It takes a lot of will power and determination to change habits, especially “bad” ones. The website USA.gov claims that 40 to 45 percent of Americans make a New Year’s resolution, and those who do are 10 times more likely to meet their goal. But Americans tend to make the same resolutions year after year because they have a hard time sticking to them.

Managing stress & debt better are common goals along with saving money. Quitting smoking is a biggie and when successful, makes a huge improvement in many aspects of a person’s health and finances. Drinking less (or not at all) is just as hard as quitting smoking, with many health and relationship benefits. Goals for furthering education and helping others have far reaching effects in the wider community. If your goal is to be healthier through diet changes and/or exercise, it is worth the effort. I don’t have any sure fire tricks to pass along, just a healthy, great tasting recipe!

Black Beans & Brown Rice Recipe  (adapted from tasteofhome.com)

Prep time: 15 minutes   Cook time: 20 minutes   Makes: 5 servings

Ingredients:

• 1 jalapeno or cherry bomb pepper, seeded & chopped
• 1/4 cup chopped green or red bell pepper
• 1/4 cup chopped yellow bell pepper
• 1/2 cup chopped red onion
• 2 tablespoons olive or canola oil
• 1 15-ounce can black beans, rinsed and drained
• 1/2 14.5-ounce can diced tomatoes, undrained
• 1 tablespoon cider vinegar
• 1 clove garlic, crushed
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• pinch of pepper
• 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper or chipotle chili powder
• 2 cups instant brown rice
• 1 3/4 cups vegetable broth
• 2 teaspoons lime juice
• zest of 1 lime
• 2 tablespoon cilantro, chopped

Directions:

Prepare the brown rice according to the package instructions using the vegetable broth for the water. Add the lime zest, lime juice & cilantro to the pot during the absorption period.

Vegetable broth, lime juice & zest & cilantro make the rice more flavorful.

While the rice cooks, in a large saucepan, sauté the peppers, onion & garlic in oil until they are tender.

Saute the peppers, onion & garlic.

Stir in the beans, tomatoes, vinegar, salt, pepper and cayenne or chipotle pepper. Bring the mixture to a boil.

Add in the beans,  tomatoes & seasonings.

Reduce the heat and simmer, uncovered, for 12-15 minutes or until the desired consistency is reached, stirring occasionally. Serve the beans & peppers over the rice.

A touch of heat, lots of flavor, & healthy!

Have a healthy & happy 2015!  ~Linda

Black Beans & Brown Rice Recipe  (adapted from tasteofhome.com)

Prep time: 15 minutes   Cook time: 20 minutes   Makes: 5 servings

Ingredients:

• 1 jalapeno or cherry bomb pepper, seeded & chopped
• 1/4 cup chopped green or red bell pepper
• 1/4 cup chopped yellow bell pepper
• 1/2 cup chopped red onion
• 2 tablespoons olive or canola oil
• 1 15-ounce can black beans, rinsed and drained
• 1/2 14.5-ounce can diced tomatoes, undrained
• 1 tablespoon cider vinegar
• 1 clove garlic, crushed
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• pinch of pepper
• 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper or chipotle chili powder
• 2 cups instant brown rice
• 1 3/4 cups vegetable broth
• 2 teaspoons lime juice
• zest of 1 lime
• 2 tablespoon cilantro, chopped

Directions:

Prepare the brown rice according to the package instructions using the vegetable broth for the water. Add the lime zest, lime juice & cilantro to the pot during the absorption period.

While the rice cooks, in a large saucepan, sauté the peppers, onion & garlic in oil until they are tender. Stir in the beans, tomatoes, vinegar, salt, pepper and cayenne or chipotle pepper. Bring the mixture to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer, uncovered, for 12-15 minutes or until the desired consistency is reached, stirring occasionally. Serve the beans & peppers over the rice.