Taco Salad Remix with Homemade Ranch

I love salads. I'm always experimenting with different combinations to add some flare to what otherwise could be a boring bowl of lettuce.

After a trip to Chipotle, I was inspired to create my own version of a taco salad. Now, this is definitely a remix -- it doesn't have any of the traditional ingredients like tortilla shell/chips or meat. It consists of brown rice, black beans and other toppings sitting on a huge bed of lettuce -- and it's delicious. What's really great about this salad is that it has no meat and is packed with 19.5g of protein.

It's topped with a creamy and light ranch dressing. I love ranch. But because it can be heavy and store bought dressings are full of preservatives, I've created my own. It is lighter than most store bought brands and it's free of artificial ingredients making it a better option to fix that ranch tooth.

Once you have all the ingredients, the salad is easy to put together. The recipe below is for one large serving. It's a meal -- you won't be hungry for hours. Check it out.

Ingredients:
5-6 cups romaine lettuce (or lettuce of your choosing)
1/4 cup black beans drained and rinsed
1/4 cup cooked brown rice
1 small tomato, diced
1-2 tablespoons green onion, chopped
1 oz shredded monterey jack cheese
chili powder
cilantro (optional)

Directions: Place lettuce in large bowl. Spread brown rice over lettuce. In a smaller bowl, place the drained and rinsed black beans and mix with a few shakes of chili powder, then add to larger bowl with the lettuce and rice. Top with cheese, green onions, tomatoes and cilantro.

Ranch Dressing:

Yields: 3/4 cup
Ingredients:
1/4 cup reduced fat buttermilk
1/4 cup sour cream
1/4 cup mayonnaise
1/2 tablespoon rice vinegar
3 tablespoons green onions (white parts only)
1 teaspoon minced garlic
1 teaspoon dried dill
1 tablespoon fresh parsley
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper

Place all ingredients, except dill, in a blender or food processor. Blend until smooth. Add dill and pulse for a few seconds -- just long enough to blend. Too much blending with the dill added will make it turn a light green color.

NUTRITION DATA:

Salad: 299 calories, 9.25g fat, 44g carbs, 19.5g protein, 8.5g fiber

Ranch: 1 tablespoon
42.5 calories, 3g fat, 0.2g carbs, 0.2g protein, 0.3g sugar

How to Cut Pineapple

Until about a year ago, I used to avoid buying whole pineapples because I didn't know how to cut them. I know for a lot of people, cutting a pineapple is the easiest things to do -- but that wasn't the case for me.

Anytime I wanted to have some pineapple, I would just buy the packages that were already cut. Then one day, I was out grocery shopping with a friend and she picked up a whole pineapple, like it was no big deal.

It got me thinking, "Hey, wait a minute. I need to figure this out." So, I bought my first whole pineapple. My friend told me how she picks them and cuts it. I got home and did a little research of my own, via YouTube (gotta love the internet) and found all kinds of pineapple demos.

So, if you're like I was and avoid pineapples because the thought of cutting them up is a little intimidating, this video is for you! Check it out.

Preparation tip: after slicing, cut into cubes or keep as slices. Be aware of the core -- you might want to remove that or cut around it. You could eat it, but it's hard and bitter.

Find the Root of Your Motivation and Stick It

Photo by AnyaLogic on Flickr

Figure out the root of your motivation to be fit. Write it down. And stick it by posting it somewhere that you will see it often -- like on the fridge.

Getting to the root of what motivates you to be fit is key. Many people aren't real with themselves as to the reason why they want to get in shape. I often hear people say, "I want to be healthier" or "I want to fit back into my clothes." These are great reasons, but why? Why? Why? Why?

Why do you want to be healthier? Why do you want to fit back into your clothes?

Once you get to the bottom of these questions, you'll find your true motivation. This can be difficult because oftentimes, the root may be a little vain or selfish -- and that's perfectly OK.

For instance, maybe your real reason to fit back into your clothes is because you'll look hotter. But nobody ever says, "I want to workout because I want to be hot." Instead, what is more likely to be said is "I want to fit back into my clothes because I can't afford to go out and buy all new stuff."

Maybe you're working out to be healthier. But why? What does that mean, "to be healthier?" Well, if that's the reason, you probably want to reduce your cholesterol and you want to reduce your risk for heart attack or stroke. That's great. But why?

Well, you'll live longer for one. And you'll also end up losing weight, looking better and be able to play better with your kids or grandchildren, or the kids you may have someday. These reasons can kind of feel a little selfish at the root, right? This is why most people who say they "want to be healthier," stop right there and don't assess the real reason why they want to be healthier because they might feel a little selfish.

Be selfish. Be vain. There's nothing wrong with whatever your motives are to become fit.

When we take time for ourselves, to make ourselves happy -- we feel more confident and it impacts our interactions with those around us for the better. Everyone benefits.

Take time to recognize what is really driving you to be fit -- dig deep, get to the root. Once you figure it out, own it. Play it in your head over and over. Write it down and stick it somewhere you can remind yourself of this often.

When you find yourself debating whether or not to have that ice cream you know you shouldn't have, refer back to your true driving force to be fit and let it guide you to stay on track.