Healthy Shrimp Tacos with Jicama Taco Shells

We love eating tacos. What we don't love is that heavy feeling you get after eating corn and flour tortillas.

Now we eat tacos with Jicama Taco wraps. The best part is, you can now buy them at your local Whole Foods, Trader Joe's, or specialty grocery store. They are much sturdier than lettuce. They actually hold the taco fillings without breaking and falling apart. 

We love grilling up some shrimp seasoned with taco seasoning. Make up a slaw of cabbage or broccoli and top the tacos with some pickled jalapenos and Chohula sauce.

So easy. So tasty. And so much better for you. 

Shrimp Tacos

Give it a try and let me know what you think!

#TacoTuesday

 

Getting Back in Shape

TRX at In-Shape Health Clubs

If I could give just one piece of advice to people in their 30's and 40's it would be to stay active, work out weekly and keep building muscle. Because as you get older it's really important to have muscle mass and getting back in shape is really hard. It hurts. A lot. My muscles hurt for days sometimes because the muscles are nonexistent. Had I been working out all this time this wouldn't be happening. But I didn't. So here I am.

I have also learned that all that hiking and walking I was doing is great. But it did nothing to build my core strength and upper body. It would have been much easier to have been doing some sort of strength training all along.

The good news is it's not too late to start. You can get back in shape at any age and it doesn't take that long with a little bit of focus.

Here are the things I'm doing to get back in shape.

Working out at the gym/club
Lucky for me I work for a chain of health clubs called In-Shape Health Clubs. I love the club because I like having a variety of things to do (strength, cardio, pool, tennis) and I like working out with people. I now work out in the club 2-3 times a week doing different things.

Working out with friends (aka, find your people)
I definitely prefer working out with friends. Because let's face it. Working out is hard. I need my friends to keep me from quitting. Because I really do want to quit. No one wants to do another round of planks. When you're with your friends you realize you can do it. Plus all the laughing adds another element of workout for your core.

Trying new things

I have found that I love strength training classes. I was always a cardio/dance kind of workout person. Now I really love a class called Les Mills BODYPUMP. And I love working out on TRX. This is what I'm doing in the picture below.

I know if my friends read this they will say "You don't love TRX, you hate TRX." because I'm always complaining. TRX is hard. It hurts. But it works. And I need results so I love it.

I am here (in the pink shirt) with Sara on the TRX.

Tobias (blue shirt) showing us the exercise.

Working out with a trainer once a week
A trainer will help you reach your goals and will show you how to use all the equipment in the gym. We have an amazing trainer at our Antioch club named Tobias Young. He works us hard. Puts up with all our chatter. And has the patience of a saint. Plus, he's the real deal. You can check out his website here. I may have to do a whole separate blog just about Tobias. He's kind of amazing.

You can work out with a trainer one-on-one or as a group. Our marketing team works with Tobias every Thursday as a group. We are all levels of fitness. Me being the oldest and weakest and most annoying because I complain all the time. The rest of the team is quite a bit younger and in much better shape. The great thing is we can all work out together because everyone uses different weights based on their strength. So we all get a great workout.

Set goals 
My goal over the next 6 months is to build more muscle and lose 10 pounds.

So there you have it. I would love to know what you're doing to stay in shape. Leave a comment below telling me your favorite exercise or tip to stay motivated!

Salmon with Honey Mustard Pan Sauce

Here's an easy dinner that you can make anytime. All you need to pick up is some fresh salmon. Or try the frozen salmon from Trader Joe's. The rest of the ingredients are pantry staples you should have on hand.

This recipe is easy, yummy and foolproof. You have to try it. And if you shop at Trader Joe's you're in luck. Because the recipe is right on the wrapper. And the best part? It's quick. Dinner in less than 30 minutes.

Don first discovered the recipe. And he usually makes it - which is so nice. I made it the other day and I'm happy to report it tasted just like when Don makes it. You know that's a good recipe when two people make the same recipe and it tastes the same. 

Now I'm not sure if kids will like it - or young kids anyway. Elli eats it. But she's a little more adventurous than the average nine year old. You know your kids. You'll have to be the judge.

I wanted to jazz up some brown rice so I made up a recipe (below.) It would have looked a little more colorful if I added in the parsley that I chopped. But I forgot. I steamed some broccoli to add some life to the plate - and to add a veggie. And dinner is served!

Salmon and Whole Grain Dijon Mustard from Trader Joe's.

De-glaze the pan with water and reduce.

This is the secret ingredient to make yummy, flavorful rice.

Steam some broccoli for 3 minutes.

Dinner is served!

Salmon with Honey Mustard Pan Sauce*
 

2 T olive oil
2 T unsalted butter
2 T Whole Grain Dijon Mustard
a few grinds of black pepper
1 lb salmon filets
1 T honey
1/2 c. water

1. Add olive oil and butter to non-stick skillet and cook over medium heat to melt the butter. Add mustard, stir to combine and cook for 1-2 minutes to toast the mustard seeds.
2. Add fish to pan, sprinkle with pepper and saute until lightly browned, about 3 minutes per side.
3. Turn fish, drizzle with honey and cover with a lid to complete the cooking. Fish should be opaque but do not overcook.
4. Remove fish, add water to deglaze the pan and heat over high heat. Reduce the sauce by about half.
5. Pour over fish and serve.
* recipe from Trader Joe's


Festive Brown Rice
 

1/2 onion diced very fine
1 garlic clove chopped very fine
drizzle of oil oil
1 T fresh parsley chopped (optional)
fresh jalapeno diced very fine (optional, to taste)
1 T Better Than Bouillon chicken base
2 cups water
1 cup brown rice (or white rice)
salt and pepper to taste


1. Heat olive oil in a medium saucepan. Saute onion on medium high until soft.
2. Add garlic and saute one more minute.
3. Add the rice and cook stirring one minute.
4. Stir in the water and chopped jalapeno (optional). Bring to a boil.
5. Immediately turn to the lowest setting. Simmer according to package instructions on rice. (25 - 40 minutes) Brown rice takes much longer than white.
6. Once cooked add the parsley, salt and pepper to taste and stir and let sit in pan another minute. Fluff rice before serving. 


I'm always on the hunt for easy weeknight meals. What's your favorite go-to meal?