Spaghetti Squash - your new friend!

What a BUSY weekend! Wow! I completely gapped on Friday and forgot to post a healthy recipe.. I apologize.. but I'll make it up to you. I'm going to share with you my new favourite vegetable, a magic vegetable if you will... the Spaghetti Squash.

Many dieters tend to shun pasta for it's high calorie content, which is a shame because whole wheat pasta has lots of fibre and keeps you full for a long long time.. but even I tend to cook pasta rarely and usually when all is said and done it's topping the calorie count at around 500 calories... which for a dinner for us is a little high, we like to stay under 400. 

Enter the spaghetti squash. The magic 'pasta'! It contains, Omega 3 & 6 fatty acids which aid in preventing heart disease, cancer and inflamation as well as brain function AND it has SO many vitamins and minerals (very high in vitamin A, B, C), lots of folate, potassium & beta carotene which is just awesome! And the best part of all, one cup of this magic 'pasta' is only 42 calories VS roughly 220 for real pasta.

Sounds awesome doesn't it! It really is, and to top it off it's SUPER easy to make! There are a few methods of cooking it, you can go online and there's tons of tutorials and recipes but I'll share mine with you here. It makes a quick, easy and incredibly healthy dinner for you and your family. If you need to save time, bake the squash the night or day before and reheat it when you're making dinner. AND if you want to go even MORE healthy and save on preservatives - make your own spaghetti sauce and meatballs and you're eating super clean :)

Spaghetti Squash with Meatballs

1 spaghetti squash

2 cups of your favourite pasta sauce (I really like blue menu mushroom + garlic or homemade sauce)

If you're using bottled sauce, add in 1/2 a diced red onion, 1 diced bell pepper and a handful of mushrooms for added texture and vitamins.

16 extra lean turkey meatballs (again.. I love blue menu or homemade)

• To cook the spaghetti squash: 

   Pre-heat the oven to 375F. 

   Pierce all over with a skewer (like you would a baked potato) to allow steam to escape while baking.

   Place on a baking sheet and bake for atleast and hour for crunchier 'pasta' and over an hour for softer.

   Remove from the oven and let it cool so you can handle it. 

   Once cool place on a cutting board and cut in half lengthwise.

   Use a spoon to scoop out the seeds and stringy bits, discard.

   Use a fork to string the squash into spaghetti like strands and place in a serving bowl.

   DONE! You have squash pasta!

• While baking the squash heat your pasta sauce and meatballs. Once your squash is shredded and placed into a serving bowl, top with your sauce and meatballs and serve. Dinner's ready!

• Sprinkle with light parmesan cheese or reggiano for added yumminess.

This recipe serves 4.

1 serving is 286 calories

(which includes 2tbsp of parmesan, 4 meatballs and 1/2 cup of sauce & 1 1/2 cups of squash)

That's just ONE recipe to enjoy with spaghetti squash. Treat it like you would any other type of pasta and experiment with flavours that you enjoy! Just remember to keep it light and clean, no carbonara sauces people.. ha ha!

CN Tower Climb

Classified as one of the seven wonders of the world and the tallest tower, the CN Tower is a BEAST! It towers over Toronto and I think people like me take it for granted since I've lived in the GTA for most of my life. I've visited it as a child and an adult, I've seen it from the highway, I've seen it on the horizon (it's really cool on a nice, clear day how far away you can be from Toronto and still see the tower) and I've walked by it while downtown a million times. This is a marvel that people come from all over the world just to see how amazing it is and recently I finally understand how truly amazing it really is myself.

On Saturday April 16th WWF hosted its annual climb where almost 5000 people lined up to climb the CN Tower's stairwell - Pat and I were 2 of those people. When I was overweight the thought of any type of stairs was a nightmare for me. Even bringing the laundry up our stairs to our bedroom would leave me winded. Fast forward 9 months and I'm in line to climb the worlds tallest tower.... 1776 steps and about 144 storeys.  

We unfortunately didn't plan that weekend very well and were in Niagara Falls for a hockey tournament for Pat. We had to be up at 4am to make it to Toronto before 6am to beat the crowds. I could have killed the people on Pat's team as they decided that Friday night was party night and that knocking on our door was a novel idea all night - I probably got an hour of sleep so I was rather grouchy when our wake-up call came in at 4am. My nerves were so shot from the lack of sleep and general nervousness about the climb that I was a wreck all morning, I felt sick and I'm pretty sure Pat was ready to climb by himself with all my complaining that morning... but he's just too amazing, he stuck with me and kept trying to make me smile through all my complaints. The lineups were pretty long even at 6am but in comparison to later in the day I'm sure we made it through in rocket time. We finally got to the tower where you're greeted with some pretty crazy security and some more lineups.

When we FINALLY made it to the opening of the stairwell and we got our time cards stamped we were ready to sprint the first 30 floors... but wouldn't you know it, a handicapped group had gotten in before us and were using both sides of the railings to climb. I thought it was SO amazing that they were making the climb with their disabilities but I was a little irritated as we waited, and waited and waited and the clock was ticking, there wasn't much of an opportunity to pass. At that point we had added at least 3-4 mins to our time but I was so amazed with their determination that I tried not to let the time loss get me down. Then we sprinted, and got up past floor 30 and then the leg burn started, 10 more flights and the lung fire started and I have to say, you can practice on a stairclimber all you want, NOTHING prepares you for the challenge. It's so much harder when it's a real stairwell but the benefit of it being such a public event there are people resting on landings who cheer you on and you cheer them on, paramedics to remind you to take it easy and little posters on each story painted by kids of tigers, polar bears and little inspirational slogans like "just take one more step".

If it wasn't for Pat I might have given up several times, the nausea set in around floor 100 and with the leg burn and the lung fire I was ready to just sit and give up but he stayed behind me - literally had to push me a few times and he sacrificed his own personal goal just to finish with me. Once I saw floor 140 I was so excited and at floor 142 the stairwell changes and you climb in fresher air as the stairwell opens up. There are people there to stamp your time card and WOO HOO, you've climbed the CN Tower.. but oh, by the way, before you can take the elevator down you have to climb an additional 10 storeys... CRAP! I was wearing my Biggest Loser shirt that my best friend had given me that has a Jillian quote saying "Unless you faint, puke or die KEEP WALKING" and as I sulked looking at the next flight of stairs the paramedic read my shirt and cheered me on to listen to my shirt and suck it up and just finish the climb. She was really funny.

My personal goal was a hopeful 25 minutes but I felt that anything under 30 minutes would be an acceptable time, Pat's goal was under 20 minutes, hopefully 17 minutes. We finished in 28:30 which is definitely under the 30-40 minute average climbers time but Pat really sacrificed his time for me (he really is amazing, I guess that's why I'm marrying him.. haha), I managed to reach one of my goals so I'm pretty happy and who knows how long we were delayed at the beginning, we might have cleared the 25 minutes... we won't know until next time!

Going back down to the ground in a see through elevator might be some peoples idea of amazing but with my severe nausea I nearly puked and had to turn around... I think I freaked a lady out who looked a little shocked haha I didn't puke on her though, no worries! You exit the elevator and there's volunteers and people cheering, it's pretty cool, you really feel like you've accomplished something pretty great. Once we got back down to the ground and started walking back to the atrium I took a look up and this is what I saw...

We just climbed that. Yep. All the way to the top. I nearly cried when the sheer amazement of our accomplishment set in. Who freaking CARES how long it took, we climbed that when 9 months ago I barely could get up our stairs at our house! Wow. 

I have a huge problem with setting big goals or challenges for myself (as you can see with my very flexible climbing goal time) and you might too but all I can say is jump in with both feet and you might surprise yourself. Join a 5K, join in the next CN Tower climb, try a mini-triathalon - Try SOMETHING. Whatever your time, you will have a sense of accomplishment that will leave you glowing.

I'm totally in for the next climb, I think it's in November, but I think this time if Pat wants to try to reach his goal I'll be okay by myself. As much as I loved crossing the finish line with him at my side I know inside he wishes he could have got a better time so next time, I'll encourage him to achieve it! I don't want to be the reason that he has to move slower.. but..  NEXT time, I'll be under 25 minutes :) Will I see you there?

Healthy Recipe Friday!

Stocking your spice rack. It's essential to home cooking and the more spices you have at your disposal the more dishes you can create without creating a HUGE shopping list.

I've always loved to cook, and I've amassed a huge spice collection as a side effect of this love of cooking.  But not everyone knows what spices to buy and when you're looking at $2-$5 per jar at the grocery store it can seem really expensive!  Just head to Bulk Barn and buy your spices there and pick up spice shakers from the dollar store. That way you've saved some $$ but you still can create awesome dishes! Or you can start by purchasing the spice from the grocery store but instead of re-buying it when you run out, just fill it with spices from the Bulk Barn, whatever helps you save the most money! You can even get creative and print cute labels from your home printer (that's the graphic designer coming out.. I did that with mine haha). Here's a list of essentials, call it your "must haves". It's not ALL the spices in the world, but it's the ones I've come across most often and certainly what I'd consider to be a well stocked spice rack.

Allspice (ground)
Basil
Bay Leaves
Cayenne Pepper
Crushed Red Pepper Flakes
Chili Powder
Cinnamon
Corriander (seeds & powder)
Cumin
Curry
Dill
Fennel Seed
Garlic Powder
Herbs De Province
Dried Mustard
Nutmeg
Oregano
Paprika
Rosemary
Sage
Savory
Tarragon
Thyme
Tumeric (be careful, it stains! but it's essential)

With those spices you're well on your way to creating any dish from anywhere in the world! You'll be fully stocked and ready to take on any recipe! Plus you get the added bonus of making your own seasoning blends instead of buying the pre-made, salt filled, store bought variety :)

Here's another awesome recipe for you to try this weekend. It's so yummy and so worth eating vs store bought pizza - it's not greasy and no guilt PLUS it's super filling! Serve with a light salad on the side and you've got yourself a super easy meal!

Pie Caramba (from Eat, Shrink & Be Merry)
Mexican pizza

8oz extra-lean ground beef (I've used extra-lean turkey and it tastes just as good)
1/3 cup minced onions
1 tsp minced garlic (something else you should keep on hand all the time)
1/2 cup diced grape tomatoes
1/4 cup grated carrot
1/4 cup diced bell pepper (choose any colour)
1/4 cup frozen corn
1/4 cup canned black beans rinsed and drained (measure out 1/4 cup portions and freeze for future use so you don't have to waste the whole can)
1 tbsp minced fresh cilantro (I've never put this in, I'm not a cilantro fan, but add it in if you like it)
1 tsp chili powder
1/2 tsp ground cumin
1/4 tsp each salt and fresh ground pepper
1/2 pizza sauce (buy a low cal variety like Blue Menu)
1 12" pre-baked thin crust pizza shell (they have awesome ones in the bakery section at Loblaws)
1 cup packed shredded light old cheddar cheese
2 tbsp minced green onion
            Light sour cream, salsa & guacamole (optional and not included in calorie count)


• Preheat oven to 425F

• Spray a large, non stick skillet with cooking spray. Add beef, onion and garlic. Cook and stir over medium-high heat until beef is no longer pink. Add tomatoes, carrots, bell pepper, corn and beans. Cook and stir for 2 more minutes. Add cilantro, chili powder, cumin, salt & pepper. Cook 1 more minute and remove from heat.

• Spread pizza sauce evenly over crust. Top with half the cheese. Spoon beef mixture evenly over pizza. Top with remaining cheese followed by the green onion.

• Place pizza directly on middle oven rack and bake for 10 to 12 minutes until cheese is completely melted and crust is lightly browned.

Makes 1 pizza, 8 slices
186 calories/slice (without any of the dipping sauces)

The Secret To Weight Loss

Okay.. I lied... There IS NO SECRET to weight loss. Sorry to burst your bubble! There is no magic pill, there is no fad diet, there is no 2 minute exercise plan to make you magically turn into a super-model with ripped abs with size 2 jeans.

We all have to check in with reality for a second, and I really mean it. When I see commercials on TV for a new pill that will "zap the fat right off your body", or ads on the internet for "a new exercise designed so you can get ripped abs while sitting watching TV" or expensive meal plans that teach you nothing about how to fend for yourself I get SO angry! There is no magic wand that can be waved to fix being overweight or obese. It's just not that easy! If it were there would BE no overweight people.

The REAL secret that isn't so secret to weight loss is a simple two step system. Ready?
1. Eat healthy
2. Exercise regularly.
Isn't that what doctors have been saying for years? Turns out they're right!

Next time you see another ad for a product that sounds too good to be true, let me save you time, money and disappointment - IT IS TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE. All those products, fads and programs are designed to help you drop weight quickly, you might even lose a substantial amount of weight to start but you will lose too much too quickly and you aren't given the skills to help keep it off in the long run so it will likely come back plus more.

Weight loss is only a place to start, but it doesn't stop there. You don't just drop to your desired weight and stop - you'll just end up having to do it all again PLUS more as you settle back into your unhealthy habits. Weight loss is the start of living a healthy, active lifestyle that you continue for the rest of your life. As you go along your weight loss journey you should be learning about how to shop for food, how to cook for yourself and your family, how to make positive choices when out for meals, how to workout hard but also how to just be active - basically accumulating the tools you'll need to maintain a healthy lifestyle - not just popping pills or eating pre-packaged diet food provided on a 6 week 'plan'.

Do you just want to lose 10lbs now for beach season and then lose that same 10lbs again before Christmas and then the same 10lbs + the 15lbs from the Christmas season for your New Years Resolution? This cycle is not good for us mentally or physically but it sure is great for the weight loss industry! Now I in no way want to put down the weight loss industry, thank goodness there are the products and services available to us - I just think it goes a little far sometimes with the whole "magical" thinking. Aim for a loss 1-2lbs per week, exercise as many days as you possibly can (atleast 3-4 days but aim for more) for at least an hour and already you've begun your magic formula! Effort = weight loss :) Simple!

So now that I'm done with my rant let me share with you one of my "magic" tools that has helped me with my weight loss. A food/exercise diary. Any dietician or nutritionist and some personal trainers will request that you keep one for atleast 2 weeks so they can see your eating patterns and diagnose where you're going wrong and applaud you for doing things right - but for those 2 weeks I bet you would eat SOOO much better than if you weren't keeping a diary. It's the aspect of being accountable for what you're eating and it's VERY effective!

You can buy a nice journal and enter everything by hand - I used this method in college and would go so far as to give myself a sticker or something on each page that I stayed under calories or entered good exercise. Make sure to record your calories for each meal AND snack AND anything else you consume as well as your calories burned through exercise. You can figure out your calories burned through exercise through sites like http://www.healthstatus.com/calculate/cbc Then do all your math and figure out your over/unders for the day. This may be a little involved for some people and a little time consuming but it does work!

The formula for your calorie allowance is take your weight x 12 is the amount you should eat per day to maintain your weight. For a loss of 1lb a week subtract 500 calories and for 2lbs subtract 1000 calories. This is a rough formula, if you are very active during the day and are into very strenuous exercise you may need to adjust and add a few more calories. Also remember to never let your calories drop under 1000, you should never consume less than that. So if you weigh 170lbs your calorie allowance to maintain your weight is 2040, to lose 1lb a week it's 1540 and for 2lbs it's 1040. This can all be adjusted to your lifestyle, just remember it's a base starting point.

You can get tech savvy and use one of the online programs like Spark People, Fat Secret or Loseit. - I use loseit right now and I love it. With these online programs you have access to huge food libraries and rarely have to enter anything custom (but when you do it's super easy) and it calculates your food/exercise deficits as well as gives you an accurate calorie budget for the day. It allows you to connect with friends, create motivators and rewards you with badges for doing a good job. I'm very computer oriented and terrible at math so this is a lot simpler for me than doing it all by hand.

Be accountable for what you're putting into your body. We are all guilty of snacking throughout the day and not counting those calories towards your budget - but if you nit picked at a piece of cheese, a handful of nuts, 2 crackers and some of your kids snack you could have added 300-400 calories in mindless snacking to your day for no reason! Bummer!

Start keeping track of your food, even before you change anything -you'll be surprised how quickly you can change your eating habits when you see it on paper/screen. I would much rather see banana 100cals under snack rather than chips 100cals wouldn't you?

There's no reason not to.....

... exercise... and I'm not kidding. I think the NUMBER ONE thing we all lack is the motivation to change our lives. The number two would be the lack of knowledge on how to continue to succeed.

Let's start with the number one reason - the motivation to change. I'm sure at some point or another we have all been at our healthy peak. For me it was my first year of college, I would work out everyday, eat really well and I felt and looked great! For some reason after that year I just stopped. I didn't work out, I didn't eat well and I just assumed I was just as fit and healthy as I was that year in college. But I wasn't.. and it just got worse as the years went on. I would see myself in photos and just shrug it off as a 'bad angle' or a 'bad photo' but it wasn't the photo, it was my heavier body! I had this vision of myself in my head from years and years ago but that's just not what it looked like anymore. I had no reason to want to change as I thought nothing was that wrong. I mean, I've always been overweight as I've mentioned before, so I just always assumed that's the way it was always going to be.

So because I never thought I was someone who was that "far gone" I never thought I needed a diet or exercise plan, or professional help either with a diet program or joining a gym. I would try to workout here and there, mostly when I was feeling self-conscious.. but that would last a week or two and I thought that would be good enough. This touches on reason number two, lacking the knowledge on how to continue. I never thought that the first few weeks were just the starting point, not the ending point. I didn't know I had to eat better and keep consistent to see real results, I just always assumed I was doomed to be the 'fat girl'. I didn't realize that sitting on the couch for the whole evening was a negative choice. I didn't know that it was actually a LOT easier than I thought to really get the weight off forever and extend my lifespan!

So this brings me to my point of the day: There is no reason NOT TO BE ACTIVE. And I mean it. Whether your reason to workout is you're someone who needs to lose weight, or if you're just doing it to maintain your weight OR just being active to be healthy - there is no excuse to not be active and exercise.

One thing I can say is the only factor I can think of is time - if you have lots of time to dedicate to fitness & nutrition you will probably be successful much quicker than someone who only has a little time to dedicate to it but that's really it. Speed. So if you're a mom of 2, you have a full-time job and a house to clean.. yes, your time is monopolized vs someone like me who only has myself and my fiance to look after, 2 pets and work from home. But I'm sorry, it's STILL NO EXCUSE!!! You can still find the time in the day to make yourself feel better.

It's so easy to put our own health on the back-burner and chalk it up to "no time", or "I'm too tired" but really we aren't doing ourselves any favours... so here's my advice: stop denying yourself a healthy, happy, active life. By making these excuses we are living in denial and are short changing ourselves!

It's not like you have to do anything HUGE to your daily life to make good choices that will snowball to something amazing, we've talked a little bit about nutrition and label reading but in terms of being active it's really just a few small things. Turn off the TV and computer and instead take your kids out to the park after dinner, run around with them and play and be silly! You'll burn tons of calories and have a great time bonding and playing with your kids - they'll love it too! Take the dog for a good walk, he/she will appreciate it and it'll inspire you to get outside and enjoy quality time with your spouse, or kids while you do something active together. So was that so hard? Already you've made positive choices to your day to be active and healthy. Be creative and think of ways to do things together - bike ride, rollerblade, go to the zoo for the day, garden together, go for a nature walk or hike, play an active game for Wii (or Xbox Kinect, or Playstation Move) like EA Sports Active, Wii Sports, Biggest Loser - these are all active things to do as a family that will help keep you in good health mentally and physically. And next time your cursing the 3rd vacuum of the week or picking up after your spouse and kids here's a little bonus for you: cleaning the house burns calories too!! Don't just schlep around like a zombie and clean, put on some good music (refer to my ipod playlist in a previous post) and dance and put some energy into your daily chores! You'll have more fun, feel less negative and burn calories!

To really ramp up your weight loss, build on your already healthy & active habits. Turn your walk with the dog into a jog, choose a route with more hills when you're biking etc etc. One thing I can also say is having time to just yourself isn't a bad thing. If you want to take a few days a week to go to the gym or workout on your own DON'T FEEL GUILTY!!! Get a gym membership, get a workout DVD and free weights - do what you want to do that will make you feel motivated to keep going.

You have more time than you think to start taking the steps to a healthier life, just make the effort! Like I've said each good choice snowballs into something else and sooner or later you'll be buying your skinny jeans and feel AWESOME about yourself. Next time you're flopped on the couch after a hectic day, just get up and do something for a half hour - your body is made to move, so GET MOVING!! :)

And if you need a little help with putting a quick routine together, here's a little help! No Excuses Workout

Doubts

I think we all deal with doubt at some time or another, usually in the form of doubting in yourself or your abilities... I deal with doubt almost daily. I usually wake up doubting that I'll stay under my daily calories, or doubt I'll make a good meal or doubt that I can make it through my workout or doubt that I can do the "new" thing I want to try that day. 

I'm really a negative thinker and I'm trying hard to change it. Change is a gradual thing for sure, I mean all the changes I've made in my life in the last 6 months have all been very slow and really just snowball from other positive changes or decisions that I made. The negative thinking and self confidence is definitely lagging behind all the health and body changes I've made but I'll get there.

I thought I'd post this today as I've come across some wonderful quotes that can help with this type of negative thinking! 

1. Tell yourself, “If I don’t try then I’ll never know. Don’t doubt yourself. You are a perfect example of talent and beauty.” ~Annie Pryatel

2. My mantra for this year: My abilities will always outweigh my doubts. The moment when I think I can’t is the moment that I can.” ~Lissa Rae

3. The moment you feel it (doubt) creeping in, it’s time to act. Get involved and let experience prove you wrong. ~Hector Peguero

4. When in doubt, zoom out. If you doubt all the time, you need to zoom out to the big picture. ~Mary Mecca

5. Ask yourself, “What will happen if I doubt this doubt?” ~Gareth Stubbs

6. What’s the worst that could happen if you do what you feel doubtful about? Is that something you can deal with? Then do it! Most of our worries are a waste of time. What will happen, will happen. ~Kate Roselund

7. Put one foot in front of the other and keep going. ~Roze Quartz

8. Realize that doubts are fear, and fear is: Forgetting Everything’s All Right. ~Sherri Levy

9. Be comfortable being uncomfortable. Doubt is only a thought and feeling, nothing to resist. ~De-stress Your Success

10. Focus on the good in your life, reflect on your past achievements, and look to your mentors and all they have achieved. ~Tiscanny Derksen

Try an exercise in positive thinking today. Do you look at yourself in the mirror when you're getting ready in the morning and think atleast 10 horrible thoughts about yourself before you go out the door? "Oh my butt looks big in these jeans. Yuck my makeup is smudged. Ugh my hair is frizzy. I'm going to bomb this job interview... etc...etc..."  Try something new - look in the mirror and say 10 positive things to yourself "Wow, I love this new eyeshadow. My shirt really accentuates my waist. I have a beautiful face. I'm totally going to rock that meeting today.. etc etc" It's AMAZING what positive thinking can do for your overall well being and I think it's something that we all need to practice. Focus on the good and the bad kinda just disappears! :)

Healthy Recipe Friday!

I have SO many favourite recipes that really make our dinner time a lot less boring than it might have become as we live the low-cal lifestyle so on the advice of Pat, I thought I would take a day a week and share one with you! Some of them I share might be super easy (like the one I'm posting here) and some are more complicated, it will depend on which book or site I got it from.

2 of my favourite cookbooks are "Now Eat This" by Rocco Dispirito and "Eat Shrink and Be Merry" by the Podleski sisters. Since Rocco is a chef, his recipes tend to be a little more involved with a few more steps and exotic ingredients wheras the Podleski sisters tend to create recipes for everyday living with everyday ingredients. I've cooked my way through many of the recipes from both books and Pat and I have come across quite a few that make regular rounds to our table!

Remember your portion sizing, each recipe will make a certain serving amount so if you're only cooking for 2 like me and Pat, remember to still divide your meal properly and refrigerate or freeze the leftovers for delicious lunches! Cooking for yourself is rewarding, healthy and economical if you do it right :)

Plan your meals for the week and shop accordingly. Try to buy ingredients that will be good for many recipes. For instance, this recipe calls for basil, so pick another meal that week to have basil in it to make sure you don't waste any! Easy peasey!

There are my tips! Let's get to the good stuff. This is a super quick and easy mid-week meal, prep time and cook time is short and so is the ingredient list so this is a recipe that it's good to keep the staple ingredients on hand for those days when you can't think of anything else to make. This one is by FAR one of my all-time favourites!

Wok This Way (from Eat Shrink and Be Merry)
Asian beef stir-fry with basil and red bell pepper

1lb sirloin steak, trimmed of fat, thinly sliced (I recommend buying a cheaper cut of meat, like the fast fry variety, the sirloin really doesn't make a difference so save yourself some money)
3 tbsp asian fish sauce
2 tbsp reduced sodium soy sauce
1 tbsp brown sugar
1 tbsp grated gingerroot (a easy tip about gingerroot, buy it once, peel it, and freeze what you don't use. It freezes well and when you need it for another recipe just take it out of the freezer and grate it)
1 tsp minced garlic
1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
1 tbsp peanut oil or canola oil
1 large bell pepper, seeded and cut into thin strips
1 medium red onion, sliced
Lots of fresh basil leaves (approx 20)

• Place steak slices in a shallow bowl. In a small bowl, whisk together fish sauce, soy sauce, brown sugar, gingerrot, garlic, and crushed red pepper flakes. Pour over steak. Marinate at room temp for about 30 minutes.
• Heat oil in a large non-stick wok over medium-high heat. Remove steak from marinade and shake off excess. Reserve marinade. Cook steak in hot oil just until cooked through, stirring constantly. Remove steak from wok and set aside. Add red pepper and onion to wok, cook and stir for about 5 mins until vegetables are tender. Return beef to wok and add basil and reserved marinade. Cook 1 minute until basil is wilted and beef is hot.

I like to serve it with 1/2 cup basmati or jasmine rice for a full meal. It's filling and delicious!

Serves 4
Calories without rice: 258/serving        Calories with rice: 368/serving