Beef and Bean Chili

 

Soup season is here!  Is anyone else as excited as I am?  Thought so... that's why I decided to share this one with you.  Chili is one of my favorites!! REASON: I love BEANS!!  This Brazilian born girl can't live without her beans...

 

Will you need:

Olive Oil

Onions (white or red and as much or as little as you like)

Garlic (2 cloves, minced)

Chili Powder

Ground Cumin

1 lb Ground Beef

15 oz Can Tomato Sauce (diced)

1 Cup Water

1 Cup Kidney Beans (cooked)
1 Cup Black Beans (cooked)

Sea Salt

Cilantro

 

 

 

 

what's next...

 

In a large soup pot heat oil over medium heat. Add onions and garlic, and cook 5 minutes, stirring frequently until onions are translucent.

Stir in chili powder and cumin and cook 1 minute, stirring constantly. Add ground beef and stir to brown the meat, 3 to 5 minutes.

 

 

 

This is how it looks...

 

 

Add tomato sauce, water and beans. Season with salt to taste, then bring to a boil. Reduce to a simmer, cover and cook for 30 minutes, stirring often, until sauce is thickened and bubbly. Stir in cilantro and hot pepper sauce, if desired.

  

 

 

This is a very tasty flavorful and filling dish great for the cold weather.

I avoided the spices to make it kid friendly but I think the spices make chili extra special and warm.

 

Did I say why I love beans so much? Right...growing up in Brazil beans is a part of everyday life.  Brazil and India grows more beans than any country in the world.  Recent research linking bean intake to lower risk of type 2 diabetes, many types of cardiovascular disease and several types of cancer was one of the key factors used by the Brazilian government to establish their bean intake recommendations. 

 

For all the reasons stated above I say: LETS CHILL WITH SOME CHILI ~ be warm, full and healthy!!

 

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~ Ribas with Love

 

 

 

Eating Healthy Meals on the GO

 

 

Heading to work without your meals to go?

 

>>> BIG MISTAKE <<<

 

I never leave my house without my bag. What is in it? well, that's the fun part. Each day I bring a variety of foods that were home prepared. Also including fruits, nuts and healthy snacks. I tend to buy the seasonal fruits and veggies a lot which gives me an opportunity to eat a huge variety throughout the year!

 

The benefits hmm... where do I start?...

 1. The health benefits: No food that you buy out there is better than your home made meals, keeping in mind a light colorful rich diet of organic foods. Most places you buy food from will add a lot of unnecessary and unhealthy items to your foods, like lots of salt, sugar and preservatives 
 

 2. The financial benefits: It's cheaper... that simple!! Buy what's in season. Freeze berries if you hit a big sale (for smoothies, etc...) Fruits and vegetables are generally inexpensive. So buy lots of those.
 

 3. The "staying out of temptation" benefit: Yes that's right... It is soooo much easier to stay healthy and fit if you don't get out there with a hungry tummy (in another words vulnerable), your tendency at that point will be to grab the first easy quick choice >> FAST FOOD :( just stay in your cocoon with your healthy choice!
 

 4. Not to mention the X-tra benefits of: saving on gas and time!!

 

 well, I could go on and on and on.... but lets stop here.

What to do?

Make extra dinner every night so you can take the left over to work. Pack yourself a nice bag containing your meal, a salad or soup, fruits and snacks. Nuts make a great snack!

Was it very easy in the beginning? NOOOOOO!!!
But just like everything else you adapt to this new reality or shall I say CHOICE of being a BETTER and HEALTHIER YOU!

For more ideas on MEALS TO GO Visit:
www.ribaswithlove.blogspot.com

XOXO,
Ribas with Love

www.facebook.com/RibaswithLove
 

Mission Clean up

Target: Refrigerator

 

 

It's one of those things, you use it so much you forget it needs to be cleaned!  Sounds familiar? 

That's right... I am talking about THE REFRIGERATOR

Well girlfriend, pull your sleeves up and get your gloves on we are going to clean this thing.

 

 

MISSION CLEAN UP: STEP 1

 

I am going to say this laud and clear ~ EMPTY IT ALL OUT!!  yes your heard me THE WHOLE THING.  You will be surprise what you find back there and all the expired food "aaawwgh"

This is a good opportunity for you to CHANGE some of your eating habits, get rid of some junk food and replace it with good healthy foods.

 

 

 

 

Mission Clean Up: Step 2

 

 

Wipe clean all the shaves and walls.  Use soapy water instead of toxic sprays. 

 

 

 

 

Mission Clean Up: Step 3

 

 

Wash your fruits and veggies. I have a special homemade recipe I use you can find it on my blog www.ribaswithlove.blogspot.com To make like easier, cut your veggies, slice them the way you like to cook so that when you are busy during the week they are all washed and cut already! 

 

 

 

 

Mission Clean Up: Step 4

 

 

Organization is the key to an easier life! that goes for everything folks, your fridge.. no different!  re-use the containers you get from restaurants, label them. Ziplock bags works too!  You will be amazed how much you can fit when you use these organizational skills and the best part is YOU CAN SEE AND EASILY GRAB EVERYTHING!!

 

Now that my refrigerator is clean, and I hope yours is too :) let's give ourselves a well deserved rest or a treat!

 

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I would love to hear from you, so please leave your comments below!

 

xoxo,

 

~ Ribas with Love

 

 

 

 

 



Lemon Butter Shrimp

 

   

 

 

This is a delicious dish and super easy to make.  It is the perfect weekend dish.  Great paired with white wine.  The next time you have company don’t think twice, make LEMON BUTTER SHRIMP and your guests will be delighted!

Ingredients:

2 lb of uncooked shrimp

½ stick of soy butter

2 lemons (1 squeezed and 1 sliced)

Garlic powder

Salt and pepper

 

Cook all ingredients in a frying pan or preferable a cast iron pan for about 25 minutes.  Serve with pasta.

 If you like this and want to see more visit my page:

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~ Ribas with Love

 

Letter to an Extraordinary Friend

 

 

 

The difference between ordinary people and extraordinary people is the word “extra.” As Anne Frank once said, “No one has ever become poor by giving.” Whenever you can, go out of your way and do something nice and unexpected for those aro...

und you, especially those who may never be able to repay you. Be the “extra” in extraordinary.

A friend forwarded an article to me, that she read and thought of me, and in that article I saw this paragraph (above) that caught my attention because although I don't see myself as an Extraordinary person I DO try to do a little extra, to give a little extra, to show a little extra and to love a little extra. For a long time I was so concerned about putting myself out there by doing all that "extra" stuff... I was hurt and by keeping it all in I felt safe. On the other hand I didn't want to give any "extras" because I expected to get it all in return and so I was always getting disappointed. The mistake of giving and expecting. I lived my life wondering if that was all life had reserved for me. I didn't live to my potential and I didn't know my potential. Most people don't live to their potential, don't know their potential and don't look into it either. I always knew life wanted more of me and although I still don't have all my answers I DO KNOW that it's not all about me. That there is a world out there of people that are connected to me, like a big family, if I help them I help myself and so that's where I am heading. The more I help others the more I realize that I have all I need to be happy within me.  My values that once was measured by my bank account and the brands of my beauty products are no longer the values that I have today. If I can take twenty minutes to hear a friend and help a friend or talk to someone about making better choices gives me such overwhelming happiness !!!  

I think that people tend to overly focus on themselves and forget to connect with their friends, family and neighbors.  We need to make ourselves part of something that makes us happy, that fulfills us.  Such as a church group, a meditational or yoga groups, classes, meeting up old friends or making new friends in some cases.  Offer help to other, no matter where we are in life we always have something to give!

 

If anything GIVE:

RESPECT

HUG

SMILE

CARISMA

LOVE

   Thank you for thinking of me as an Extraordinary person, I like to think that people like you, as we go along this path, are what make my life EXTRAORDINARY.

~ Ribas with Love

Roasted Pumpkin Seeds!

 

 

 

 

Did your family weekend adventures included carving a jack-o’-lantern? If so, then you probably have a few pumpkin seeds sitting around... (hopefully it didn't get thrown away). Instead of throwing them away, roast them for a Halloween treat that is just as healthy as it is delicious.  You can include your children in this project so they are more likely to try this delicious snack.

Pumpkins seeds are a terrific source of vitamins and minerals that your body needs. They are very high in magnesium and zinc, which will help to keep your digestion tract functioning well and improve your skin, hair and nails. Zinc is also linked to improved sleep patterns and immune system health – perfect for this time of year! 

 

The best part about this healthy snack is that even your kids will love them. It will be a treat to make them feel good for all of their hard work!

Roasted Pumpkin Seeds Ingredients

• 2 cups fresh, raw pumpkin seeds
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon coconut oil, melted

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 300 degrees
2. In a large bowl, combine all ingredients, stirring until pumpkin seeds are completely covered in spices and oil
3. Spread the seeds out on a cookie sheet, then bake for 45 minutes or until seeds are golden brown.
4. Cool before serving 

Please leave your comments and share this recipe with your family and friends,

 

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xoxo,

 

~ Ribas with Love



Make your own Almond Milk

 

Homemade Almond Milk

 

This recipe is so simple to make and it tastes even better than any almond milk you get at the store.  I decided to make my own almond milk because of all the extra stuff the stores add to it and you if you are a "love to make your own" kind of girl- you've got to try this.

 

For this recipe you will need 2 THINGS ONLY!

 

~ ALMOND AND WATER ~

 

Here is your step-by-step guide on how to make your own almond milk:

 

 

SOAK your almonds overnight.  Cover and refrigerate it until the next night. I like to let them soak in for at least 24 hours  

* 2 cups of almond

 

 

DRAIN the water and quickly rinse the almonds. After 24 hours in water the almonds will be a bit softer. 

Put the almonds in the blander and add water. I like to add twice as much water than the amount of almonds.  Since I had two cups of almond I used four cups of water.

 

 

BLEND the almonds and water mixture for about two minutes. You will get this beautiful milky mixture... hmmm, it looks so good :)

 

 

Use a cheese cloth over a strainer to separate the milk from the almond pulp.  Use a spoon to move the pulp around to accelerate the process.

 

 

 

SQUEEZE all the milk out of the cheese cloth.  You are done!

 

 

 

 



 

POUR into a mason jar, the lid jar will help preserve it fresh longer.  I like to keep it for 4-5 days.  So make sure you only make enough for a few days.  Since this is an easy recipe you can make it twice a week, it will not take up much time specially after you get the hang of doing it.

 

ALSO, I want to mention you can add flavor to it.  A spoon of vanilla extract ou 2-3 spoons of cacao powder for a rich chocolate taste. 

 

TRICK:  if you kinds don't love almond milk, use it when baking, pancakes, muffins, smoothies, etc.. they won't know the difference and it is SO much healthier. 

 

 

WHAT TO DO WITH THE ALMOND PULP LEFT OVER?

 

Everything and Anything BUT throw it away!!

Pancakes

Muffins

waffles

smoothies

rice

fish

 

You name it... just use your creativity :) and please share your recipes with me.

 

As always, I love hearing from you, so leave your comments below or visit me at:

 

www.facebook.com/RibaswithLove

 

See you soon!

xoxo,

 

~ Ribas with Love