mmmm...mexican meatloaf

For my personal blogs, I would like to look a new "healthier version" recepie every week. I want to make it and try it and share my opinion on its deliciosity.

This week I made mexican meatloaf.

1/2 lb extra lean ground beef1/2 lb lean ground turkey2 large egg whites2 oz cornbread stuffing mix (about 1 cup)1 medium onion1/2 tsp chili powder1/4 tsp ground cumin4 oz can green chili peppers, diced8 oz canned enchilada sauce
Directions
Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Coat a broiler pan with cooking spray. Combine beef, turkey, egg whites, onion, suffing mix, chili powder, cumin, chilis and 1/2 enchilada sauce. Shape into a loaf on the broiler pan. Cook for 1 hour. Top with remaining enchilada sauce and cook another 5 minutes.

Nutritional Info
Servings Per Recipe: 6
Amount Per Serving
Calories: 226.8
Total Fat: 11.8 g
Cholesterol: 55.0 mg
Sodium: 317.6 mg
Total Carbs: 12.6 g
Dietary Fiber: 2.4 g
Protein: 17.6 g

I have to say for being a healthier version, this meatloaf was awesome. Its a little high in sodium, but it has good protein and fiber. the portions were huge, I could only eat half a piece. I made it with 1lb lean turkey, because I cannot afford the regular way, and it was still just as good. To make this dish only cost me 5 dollars (at walmart), not bad for a broke college student. This meatloaf also makes great leftovers. It takes a while to cook, but the wait is worth it.

Quote of the day: Never go to a doctor whose office plants have died.

third essay

For my third essay, my number one goal is to be prompt about my writing. I am making a conscious effort this time around to write my draft early, and turn in my paper early. That being said, I want to write my paper on a hot topic of our society these days. One short magic word says it all.... DRUGS. What is a drug? The united states government spends millions if not billions of dollars on this so called "war on drugs." Taxpayers money is spent every year on keeping non-violent people locked up in jails away from society because they are partaking in these drug activities. From an early age, we are taught to "say no to drugs!" does that mean that we should skip the aspirin the next time twist our ankle or have a headache? these are all questions I have had personally for quite some time and this paper is a great opportunity to investigate the situation a little more. Maybe not all drugs are as bad as we think. "drugs" is a scary word to some people making some cringe at the thought of talking about it, but I would like to go into depth a little more of what defines this fear instilling word.
hear a few drugs I would like to mention in my paper maybe:
marijuana
cocaine
caffine
alcohol
aspirin
heroin
weight loss suppliments
perscription pain killers

Just for your entertainment; a post on the onion's youtube channel I found:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jd4tugPM83c

healthier touch to awesome super bowl foods.

For my free write blog, I would like to continually look at food in a new healthier light. Every week, I will be making at home a variety of America's favorite home cooked foods, with an added healthy twist, and blogging about the end result. With Superbowl XLIV just around the corner, I thought it appropriate to take a look at a few healthfully delicious snacks thats can be enjoyed any day of the year for this weeks blog.

Two bean dip
Yield: 12 servings (serving size: about 3 tablespoons dip and 4 chips)
Ingredients
1 (16-ounce) can Great Northern beans, drained
1/2 cup chopped onion, divided
3 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 teaspoon salt, divided
1/2 teaspoon black pepper, divided
2 small garlic cloves, divided
1 (15-ounce) can black beans, drained
1 (4.5-ounce) can chopped green chiles, drained
1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 cup (2 ounces) finely shredded reduced-fat cheddar cheese
1/4 cup sliced green onion tops
Garlic Pita Chips
Preparation
Combine the Great Northern beans, 1/4 cup chopped onion, Parmesan cheese, 1/4 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon pepper, and 1 garlic clove in a food processor; process until smooth. Spoon white bean mixture into a bowl on one side; set aside.
Combine the black beans, 1/4 cup chopped onion, 1/4 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon pepper, 1 garlic clove, chiles, and cumin in a food processor; process until smooth. Spoon black bean mixture into other side of bowl containing white bean mixture.
Sprinkle cheddar cheese and green onions between 2 bean dips. Serve with Garlic Pita Chips.
Nutritional Information
Calories:
179 (13% from fat)
Fat:
2.5g (sat 1g,mono 0.3g,poly 0.4g)
Protein:
7.8g
Carbohydrate:
29.9g
Fiber:
5.4g
Cholesterol:
4mg
Iron:
2.2mg
Sodium:
272mg
Calcium:
111mg

End result

Wow! this was amazing! On a college students buget, it was affordable. All it takes is a couple of cans of beans and veggies. The presentation was lovely, and overall the dish was delicious. pita chips go great with this and are a great subsitution for greasy, fat drenched potato chips. Beans are a great source of fiber and protein. The cheese is a great touch and adds flavor and calcium. If I were going to make this again though, I might use regular, full fat cheese, because it melts better and reduces the amount of processed chemicals in the dish.

second essay power of meditation

For the second essay, I would like to take a look at two different texts. Since the essay is not due for a while, I am still in the brainstorming stage. I have two main ideas for this second short essay which is due in a couple weeks. The idea of this second essay is to compare what each message is and and how it is being conveyed.
My first brainstorming idea is to make a claim that focuses on the power of meditation.
First in my essay, I need to define exactly what meditation is. Then I would like to look at two abstract articles... A song (stimulating through sound) , and a visually stimulating article like a stained glass window, as seen in the book.
This evaluation may be a little bit of a challenge, but I think I'm up for it because I believe so strongly in the power of meditation. This is definitely thinking outside the box. I hope it works out. What do you think professor?
My back up plan is to focus still on the power of meditation, but to compare a song and an article of texts such as Meditation states and traits: EEG, ERP, and neuroimaging studieseusoulyoga.com.br [PDF]
I am looking forward to completeing this essay.