Eat, Drink and Be Aware: Black Bean Salsa Salad + The Earth ...

Good Morning and TGIF!

I am thoroughly enjoying The Lean by Kathy Freston and have even decided to follow her 30 Day Plan for Healthy Weight Loss. ?Actually, I am just wanting to eat a more plant-based diet and if I lose a lb or too in the process then even more power to me! ?I am going to broach the subject of veganism by saying that I personally would like to eat a more plant-based diet because of the health benefits and the effect it has on the earth. ?My goal is to have a more Earth Friendly Diet and am not planning on becoming strictly vegan or for that matter strictly anything. ?At the Institute for Integrative Nutrition we study over 100 different dietary theories and are taught to be open-minded. ?I firmly believe in bio-individuality which means:

?There?s no one-size-fits-all diet ? each person is a unique individual with highly individualized nutritional requirements.?Personal differences in anatomy, metabolism, body composition and cell structure all influence your overall health and the foods that make you feel your best. That?s why no single way of eating works for everyone. The food that is perfect for your unique body, age, and lifestyle may make another person gain weight and feel lethargic.

Men eat differently than women, children eat differently than adults, and we all have very different preferences. Our personal tastes and inclinations, natural shapes and sizes, blood types, metabolic rates and genetic backgrounds influence what foods will and won't nourish us.

That being said, I have noticed that I feel better on a ?high fiber, ?mostly plant-based diet. ?One of my clients is on the Paleo Diet, and has lost weight and feels great as well. ?We are both figuring out what works best for us. ?

So far I am Day 4 of the 30 Day Plan. ?I absolutely love the baby step approach because this is how I work with clients.

The first 3 days were a breeze but Day 4 is a bit more tricky because of my "little" sweet tooth problem but I am up for the challenge and am going to say good bye to my tempting treats!!

The Lean includes 45 recipes and they all look amazing. ?I made the absolute best Black Bean Salad last night and can't wait to eat it again today. ?This recipe is the perfect summer food and my whole family liked it. ?This recipe is loaded with beans and veggies and can be served as a salad or a dip.

?Black Bean Salsa Salad

recipe adapted from The Lean by Kathy Freston

Serve 6

Ingredients:

• 2- ?16 oz cans??black beans??rinsed and drained
• 1- 14 oz can ?fire-roasted diced tomatoes with chilies, drained but not rinsed
• 1 cup fresh or frozen corn, thawed
• 1/2 cup broccoli florets, chopped into small florets
• 1/2 English Cucumber, seeded and diced
• 2 stalks celery, chopped into thin slices
• 1 red bell pepper, diced small
• 1 yellow bell pepper, diced small
• 1 green bell pepper, diced small
• 3 green onions white & green parts, sliced thin
• 1 jalape?o pepper, seeded and minced (optional)
• 1 bunch fresh cilantro leaves, chopped
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1/4 cup red wine vinegar
• 1/4 tsp fresh ground black pepper
• 1/2 tsp sea salt
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• Juice of 1 fresh lime juice
• 1 large avocado, diced

Salad Greens

Multigrain Tortilla Chips

Directions:

1. Combine all ingredients in a large bowl except the avocado, mix together.
2. Cover and chill for at least an hour or overnight to allow the flavors to develop.?
3. Before serving, add diced avocado and serve on top of salad greens or as a dip with tortilla chips.

Enjoy!

Oh my goodness, this dish is fantastic! ?It is cool and crunchy and super filling.

Do not be scared away by the lengthy ingredient list. ?It involves chopping but is otherwise super easy to put together. ?I find chopping relaxing and sort of zen-like, maybe you do too:)?

So I was in the mood for a little munchy action and served mine with a few tortilla chips.

I particularly like the Late July Organic Multigrain Chips.

That is my 2 cents for the day. ?I hope you have a great afternoon and TGIF!!

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