Southwestern Quinoa and Black Bean Casserole

Here I go again with my love of all things Quinoaaaaa! This Mexican style dish is amazing and life changingly good! This casserole is flavor explosion of just the right amount of spice combined with crunch. It is perfect for attacking your friends and family with quinoa without them even knowing it. We all have those people in our lives who wont try the kin-o-wa since it is different and they already know they hate it {cough. Charlie Badger. cough}. The dish is loaded with Mexican flavors that make anyones mouth water just upon smelling it!
So enough with the description here is the delicious recipe...

Southwestern Quiona and Black Bean Casserole

serves: 9

Ingredients

3 large cloves garlic, minced {low-key... I bought pre-minced cloves because I can.}

1 onion minced {now I wish onions came minced because I cried for a long time doing this}

2 jalepeños, seeds and ribs removed, minced {TOTALLY OPTIONAL.. mine does not have jalepeños in it because I'm a baby when it comes to spice}

1 tablespoon oil

4 1/2 cups cooked black beans, rinsed

1 1/4 cup vegetable broth 

2 cups cooked quinoa

1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper

1 teaspoon chili powder

1 teaspoon cumin

4 bell peppers, diced {I used red and yellowwww}

1 1/4 cup shredded Mexican cheese {really however much you would like}

Directions

1. Black Beans. Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Saute the garlic and onions {possibly jalepeños} for 4 minutes. Stir occasionally. Stir in broth and black beans and bring the mixture to a boil and cook for 5 minutes. The mixture should be thick, not watery. {if there is a lot of water let the mixture cook out on low heat for another few minutes}

One of the times I made the back beans I only made half the black beans and added refried beans! It was sooo delicious :)

2. Quinoa. In a dry skillet over medium-high heat, toss and toast the cooked quinoa with the cayenne, chili powder and cumin. 1-2 minutes.

3. Peppers. In the same dry skillet over medium-high heat, place the diced peppers and do NOT stir. {not stiring allows the peppers to get a brown roasted look on the outside} Don't over cook the peppers because they will, at the end, become soggy if over cooked.

4. Assemble. Preheat the oven to 375F degrees. Spoon black bean mixture into a baking dish. Top with Quinoa, Bell Peppers and Cheese. Cover with foil and bake for 20 mins. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 mins, or until the top layer of cheese is golden and bubbly. 

5. Serve with sour cream, tortilla chips, on tacos, salad or as a side!

ENJOY

Spaghetti Squash

Im sure most of you have noticed the increasing number of recipes being added to FiveTimesFun! Cooking and baking are definitely two of my favorite activities and to make sure I don't blow up from all this cooking, I've started looking into healthy eating alternatives. One of my favorite favorite foods to eat is spaghetti. Pasta of any kind is my guilty pleasure. I LOVE PASTA! sooo as bikini season rapidly approaches it is time to avoid white breads and pastas! So sad. 

I have found a super yummy and delicious alternative to eating pasta... Spaghetti Squash!

Spaghetti Squash is a yellow fruit and it can be baked, boiled, steamed or microwaved. It contains many nutrietnts, including folic acid, potassium, Vitamin A, and beta carotene. This squash is low in calories-- about 42 calories per cup! The flesh is similar to most other squash but once cooked the flesh falls away from the fruit in ribbons similar to spaghetti.

Spaghetti Squash is super easy to cook and can be substituted in any pasta dish as the pasta! Here is our favorite spaghetti squash recipe...

Ingredients:

1 small spaghetti squash

extra-virgin olive oil

salt and peper

1 pound thin asparagus, steamed tender

2 garlic cloves, minced

2 teaspoons minced fresh rosemary

1/2 cup part-skim ricott cheese

1 tablespoon toasted pine nuts

Preparation:

Halve the squash. 

Microwave on high for 20-30 minutes {I always do 25 minutes! but microwave for as long as you want, until it is fork-tender} Discard the seeds. Scape the squash out with fork {it should come out easily and look like spaghetti ribbons}

Place the squash into a bowl. Drizzle with oil and season with salt and pepper. 
Keep It Warm!

Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a large nonstick pan over medium heat. Slice asparagus into small pieces and sauté with garlic and rosemary until tender {around 1-2 minutes} 

 

Stir ricotta into the squash. Then, sauté until hot and creamy and top with pine nuts {and maybe a little parmesan cheese if you wish!}

 

There is your delicious creamy spaghetti squash with asparagus and rosemary. I've changed this recipe up a little bit by adding tomatoes {sun dried or cherry} or by adding a rosemary chicken. All alternatives are great!

Let us know what you think :) and submit any recipes you have! We would love to feature some recipes right here on Five Times the Fun!

the thigh gap

Feet together… thighs apart. ugh. It used to be collar bones and hip bones and now... it's the thigh gap. If you haven't heard of or noticed the thigh gap before, you will now {sorry}. 

 A small space between your thighs is apparently the next best thing to clear skin, shiny hair, and a small waist. I think the thigh gap has become such a craze since leggings have become pants. 

Now that some spring break diets have started {for some smart crazies}, how can we get that gap?!

{Id be cool with her abs, too}

Robyn Lawley is an Australian model {who is stunnnnning} but is on the opposite end of this spectrum. Her thighs "kiss" and she is proud of it. This curvy voluptuous model has an important message that everyone {thigh gap or not} should listen to. She said, "I want my thighs to be bigger and stronger. I want to run faster and swim longer. I suppose we all just want different things, but women have enough pressure as it is without the added burden of achieving a “thigh gap.” ... We have the power to change perceptions about body image—and we have the power to stop harmful trends like the “thigh gap."

1. Kim Kardashian

2. Beyonce

3. Hillary Duff

4. Jennifer Lopez

5. Jennifer Lawrence

6. Tyra Banks

7. Kate Winslet

8. Hayden Panettiere

What do these eight beautiful & in shape women have in common.. NO THIGH GAP! Not to beat a dead horse… but… you can be beautiful without the gap.

There are a few ways to help you achieve this highly coveted space between your legs but a lot of it {unfortunately} is left to genetics. Most often, you can't have a great a$$ and a thigh gap... it's only fair girls, you really shouldn't be able to have it all. 

Iffffff, you still want to give the thigh gap a shot… here are some exercises we have collaborated that can help you achieve this look. 

If you are giving the thigh gap a shot: good luck & may the odds be ever in your favor

If you are thinking "hell to the no!": MORE POWER TO YOU.

xo

Skin care routine

In a recent post about random products that are good for your skin I listed a few things that are probably around your house that you can easily implement into your skin care routine! After trying a few different combinations of these products I have found the perfect combination of products that I really love. Keep reading if you are interested in seeing how I combined the previously mentioned products!

As previously mentioned using these products can leave your skin red or irritated for an hour or so after using them so I recommend doing these things at night when your skin will have time to recover before applying makeup. 

MY ROUTINE:

Remove make up with an olay face wipe {4-in-1 daily face cloth} before using any of these products. Removing makeup from the skin is like starting with a clean slate and will allow the products to actually clean your skin and get into your pores instead of simply removing the makeup. Once my skin is free of most of my makeup I cleanse my skin with my cleanser recipe.

My cleanser "recipe": Combine a quarter size amount of Cetaphil cleanser with two drops of lemon juice and gently apply to skin in circular motions. Rinse off with luke warm water.

Now that my makeup is definitely all gone, the next step is to exfoliate. Your skin type and sensitivity will determine how often your skin should be exfoliated. Some people can exfoliate daily without any irritation and some can only exfoliate once a week. With my skin so dry at the moment I have been exfoliating every other day.

My exfoliator "recipe": Combine 1TBSP of baking soda with a few drops of warm water and a drop of Vitamin E oil. Rub this combination all over your damp skin {avoiding your eye area} in circular motions for as long as you feel necessary {don't exceed 5 minutes}. Once you are done exfoliating rinse your skin with luke warm water and make sure none of the baking soda granules are still on your skin. 

Now that your pores are open and clean, use some kind of toner to do a last cleaning and close the pores to avoid dust or dirt getting back into your pores. My favorite toner at the moment is by simple and it is a "soothing facial toner" that is 100% alcohol free.

I apply this with small gauze pads as they are not as absorbent as cotton balls. I was noticing a while back that a majority of my toner was being absorbed by the cotton ball and wasting the product before I could even apply it to my skin. 

Once I have toned my skin I like to apply a moisturizer Vitamin E combination to help moisturize my skin and reduce acne scarring. The moisturizer I am IN LOVE WITH right now is the Clinique "moisture surge extended thirst relief" it is quite pricey but it is so thick and it absorbs straight into my skin which I love. If you go to any Clinique counter they will give you a sample to try before committing to the product. I use about a dime sized amount of moisturizer and a TEENY TINY drop of vitamin E oil. The oil is incredibly thick and sticky so you really only need a small drop. Before applying the combination to my face I rub the moisturizer and oil together in my fingers and then apply all over my face.

After applying the moisturizer {and letting it soak in!} I apply a combination of baking soda and lemon juice to any pimples or problem areas on my face. Depending on how many blemishes you have on your skin will determine the amount of "zit zapper" that you need but make sure the consistency is thick and pastey. I leave this on my skin all night to help reduce inflammation and clear out my infected pores.

When I wake up in the morning I use my cleanser recipe to remove the "zit zapper" and any dust, dirt, or bacteria my skin has accumulated throughout the night!

Thanks for reading xo

*none of the above photos are our own*

10-Minute Workout for Sculpted Arms

Having toned arms is something that every person wants! When you wave to someone, you don't want your arms waving back! So here is a way to get your dream arms in a 10 minute session.

This workout video comes from FitSugar a great website with a collection of workouts and healthy food options. So take 10 minutes to train at home, working your biceps and triceps, with celebrity trainer Andrea Orbeck. All you need is a set of 5 pound and 3 pound dumbbells.

I tried this workout at home and lets just say, its not as easy as it looks in the video! I was dying! So grab some dumbbells and get to work 

Not-So-Common Products For Your Skin

If you are anything like me, this crazy polar vortex {huh?} that has been encompassing the country has left your skin and lips very dry. I have been researching many different kinds of natural exfoliants that can help with acne as well {two birds, one stone}!

The first not-so-common products that I have discovered is baking soda it has TONS of uses beyond what you expect in the kitchen.

• Baking soda can be used as a face wash when combined with warm water, it will create a thick paste that is perfect as a gentle cleanser. 
• When rubbed into your skin in gentle circular strokes it also acts as an exfoliant. If you have dry skin at the moment this is the perfect way to help rid your skin of dead cells and dry skin. If you already have a cleanser that you love {or you need a little more strength than just water}, add a little baking soda to the cleanser before washing your face. 
• Last but not least I have found that if you leave the thick paste {of water and baking soda} on your face for 5 to 10 minutes it acts as a face mask; helping fight acne and remove black heads!

Next up, lemon juice! The acidity in lemon juice is perfect as a natural astringent to help unclog pores.

• Use lemon juice as or in your cleanser. Consuming lemon juice orally hasn't been proven to be as effective as direct application to the skin. 
• The acidity in lemon juice also acts as a natural exfoliant as it helps remove dead skin cells and unclog pores. This is the perfect exfoliant for someone whose skin is too raw to use any kind of exfoliator with texture.

My new favorite is Vitamin E. Vitamin E is a fat soluble vitamin which means it can easily cross the cell membrane and and absorb locally. I bought pure Vitamin E oil at CVS or Walgreens for less than $8.00 and it will last me FOREVER. I have been using it for about 3 months now and you can barely tell I have used any at all.

• Vitamin E {like many other vitamins} is great not only just for acne but for your body in general. Vitamin E is associated with healthy skin and reduced inflammation.
• Vitamin E has also been proven to help reduce scarring {including acne scarring}.

Using these products can leave your skin red or irritated for an hour or so after using them. I recommend doing these things at night which will allow your skin time to recover before applying makeup.

Detox... what?

After posting the picture of Jillian Michael's water detox, I decided it was a great idea to try it out!

These are the ingredients for the water detox. It was super easy and it tasted great! The lemon and cranberry juice made it super sweet. I went to Walmart and bought a 1.5L water bottle and I would fill it up with the water detox at night and drink it throughout the day. After finishing the detox I felt refreshed and rejuvenated. I lost 5 pounds but since it was water weight I quickly gained it back after I finished the detox. I would definitely recommend this detox to anyone looking to kick start a diet plan. 

Here are some helpful tips:

 

-Boil 16 ounces of water {about one full mug} and brew the tea in there. It is easier to get the 60 ounces of water when you separate it

-The dandelion root tea is difficult to find. Just use a tea that the majority of ingredients is Dandelion Root. Mine was a Dandy Liver Detox which helped support a healthy liver function.

-The tea {to me} tastes the best when it is cool, so make it the night before, let it sit overnight in the fridge and drink the next day

-Just try it! Its super easy, tastes great and is good for your body!

Losing 5lbs of bloat (in a healthy way)

Balsamic Steamed Chicken

In a previous post about Warm Quinoa Salad With Edamame & Basil I served my meal with a Balsamic Steamed Chicken. This chicken is quick and easy to make! It is a very moist chicken  with a balsamic glaze. So here is how to make your Balsamic Steamed Chicken

Ingredients

-Chicken Breast

-Balsamic Salad Dressing

-Aluminum Foil

-Circular Cake Pan

1. Take two sheets of aluminum foil and place them onto your circular cake pan. 

2. Place your chicken breast onto the middle of your circular cake pan.

3. Pour the balsamic salad dressing {1/4 cup} onto the chicken breast. You can add more dressing depending on how you want you chicken to taste.

4. Fold the aluminum foil over the chicken. Don't secure the foil tightly! Let it be loose so that the chicken can steam

5. Put the chicken in the oven for about an hour and let it cook

6. Take the chicken out and serve!

Its that easy! 

3-Day Cleanse

After a food filled vacation in the keys, my mom and I decided it would be a good idea to try a cleanse. Now don't get scared off by the word "cleanse". We didn't try one of those Blue Print Juice cleanses where you only drink juices made of lemonade and cayenne pepper! Instead of a juice cleanse, we found a food cleanse online where you can still eat. This cleanse is free of caffeine, alcohol, refined carbohydrates, sugar and sugar substitutes. The food for the 3 days are super healthy but super tasty! And the food is not in small portions so you don't feel hungry all day. So for any of you post-vacationers looking for a way to get rid of the extra weight you gained, here is a 3-day cleanse I tried.

The three day menus are about 1,500 calories per day. If you need more or fewer calories, you can easily alter the portion sizes. But remember: Do Not Skip A Meal OR Snack. Eating frequently keeps your metabolism going!

A few things to remember:

• Be conscious of what you are eating! Try not to sit in front of a laptop or tv and eat your meals. If you focus on your foods while you are eating them, you will feel more full.
• Make sure you drink LOTS of water. All your liquids should be pure, no added sugars or juices. Try to drink about 64 ounces per day {thats 8, 8oz. glasses of water for the day}
• Do Not Skip A Meal or Snack!!

Day One

Breakfast: 1 cup of steel-cut oatmeal {measure after cooking}, topped with 2 tablespoons of chopped walnuts and 1 cup of fresh or frozen berries.

Mid Morning Snack: 1/2 cup of nonfat yogurt mixed with 1/2 a banana, sliced and 2 tablespoons Grape-Nuts  or other high-fiber cereal

Lunch: Washed baby spinach leaves topped with 4 ounces of chicken, 8-10 sliced red grapes, sliced red onion and 2 tablespoons of slivered almonds. Salad Dressing: fresh lemon juice and 2 tablespoons of olive pil. Serve with 1/2 of a 6 inch whole-wheat pita pocket.

  

 

Mid Day Snack: Sliced green apple with 1 ounce of cheddar cheese

Dinner: Bake a 5-ounce piece of cod or tilapia. Place fish in a baking dish, top with 2 teaspoons of olive oil, fresh lemon juice and a pink of sea salt and pepper. Bake at 375 for 10-12 minutes. Serve with 1/2 cup of brown rice and steamed broccoli.

    

Nutrition Facts

Calories: 1,489  Carbohydrates: 145 grams  Protein: 108 grams  Fat: 57 grams  Fiber: 31 grams Sugar: 41 grams  Sodium: 174 mg  Calcium: 665 mg

Day Two

Breakfast: Make 3-egg-white omelet filled with 2 tablespoons grated parmesan cheese and 1/2 cup of sliced tomatoes and onions. Serve omelet with a navel orange or half a grapefruit.

Mid Morning Snack: 1 slice of whole-grain bread topped with 1 tablespoon all-natural peanut butter or almond butter

Lunch: 5-ounce salmon fillet grilled or poached served over a bed of baby arugula and topped with 1/2 cup of chickpeas, fresh lemon juice and a teaspoon of olive oil

Mid Day Snack: 1/2 cup of cottage cheese topped with 1/2 cup of fresh or frozen berries

Dinner: Broil a lean 4-ounce lean ground turkey burger and serve it on a whole-wheat English muffin topped with sauteed mushrooms and onions. Serve the burger with large mixed greens salad with balsamic vinegar and 1 teaspoon olive oil

Nutrition Facts

Calories: 1,473  Carbohydrates: 118 grams  Protein: 122 grams  Fats: 60 grams  Fiber: 26 grams Sugar: 34 grams  Sodium: 2,100 mg  Calcium: 821 mg

Day Three

Breakfast: Combine 1 cup of plain nonfat yogurt {greek yogurt}, 2 tablespoons of flax seeds, 1 cup of fresh berries and 2 tablespoons of Grape-Nuts or other high-fiber cereal.

Mid Morning Snack: 1 hard boiled egg and a handful of baby carrots

Lunch: Top a 6-inch whole-wheat tortilla with 1/4 of a sliced avocado, 2 slices of tomato, 2 slices of part-skim mozzarella cheese, 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard and 1 romaine lettuce leaf. Wrap up and enjoy with a bag of fresh green or purple grapes {15-20}

Mid Day Snack: 1 cup of skim or soy milk and 1 ounce of raw almonds {about 20 almonds}

Dinner: Bake a 5-ounce boneless skinless chicken breast with fresh lemon juice, 2 teaspoons of olive oil and 1 tablespoon of capers or sliced green olives. Cook at 375 for about 20 minutes. Serve with corn salad- 1 cup frozen thawed corn niblets, 1 diced plum tomato, 1/4 cup of black beans, topped with a pink of sea salt and pepper

Nutrition Facts

Calories: 1,508  Carbohydrates: 152 grams  Protein: 109 grams  Fat: 61 grams  Fiber: 29 grams  Sugar: 54 grams  Sodium: 1,872 mg  Calcium: 1,183 mg