Monday Night Dinner: Butternut Squash and Black Bean Tacos with Goat Cheese

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Tacos are a favorite meal at our house.  You don't have to do much to end up with a delicious taco.  Here's a tasty vegetarian option even my meat-lovin' man will eat without complaint.

Ingredients

• 2 1/2 cups butternut squash
• 1 tbsp vegetable oil
• 1/2 tsp kosher salt
• 1/4 tsp ground cumin
• 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
• 1/4 tsp ground black pepper
• 1 garlic clove
• 1/2 cup black beans
• 12 white corn tortillas
• 6 oz Soft Goat Cheese

Directions

Mince garlic, cut squash into 1/2-inch cubes, and toss together in oil and spices.
Preheat pan on med-high heat on your stove-top.
When your pan is hot, add squash to the pan and cook, stirring occasionally until slightly browned and pieces are cooked through.
Add the black beans to the pan and stir together until warm.

While the filling is cooking, warm your tortillas on a dry griddle on med-high heat so they are ready to go.  If you're too tired, just throw them on a plate and put them in the microwave for a minute or so.

Serves 4

Spoon about 1/4 cup taco filling into each of three tortillas and top with about a half ounce of goat cheese each.

Just look at all that fiber you're getting!  It really is a delicious meal that can be whipped up in a matter of minutes.

Currently On My Workout Mix

Making It Happen

I accomplished six miles on the treadmill yesterday followed by an intense strength circuit training session.  Today I clocked another five miles on the pavement and rounded it out with a Jillian Michaels six-pack workout.  I still have some work to do to make the scale go down, but I'm willing to invest the sweat equity in myself to make it happen.

"You Decide."

Yesterday I got a card in the mail from my dad encouraging me to keep up the good work.  Tucked inside was the best refrigerator magnet of all time.  Does it get any better than Jesus shaming you into laying off the snacks?

I also got another five miles in yesterday at lunch.  Today is six, so wish me luck!

Update:  I was at my parents' for dinner the next day and my dad showed me the package this magnet came from.  It's one of four, and the package says on the front: "Dieting with Jesus - because that ass needs a miracle."  Beautiful.

Running with Trainer Wade

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Since I'd done seven miles on the treadmill on Tuesday, I wanted to get two things out of my next workout: pavement time, and less mileage so as not to overdo it on my body.  Yesterday was a glorious day in Seattle, so Trainer Wade and I took the opportunity during the lunch hour to run our four-mile loop.  It was perfect conditions: crisp sunny weather, open trail, and good company.  I like running with Wade (even though he takes pride in being a pain in my ass as often as possible) because he's always up to push a little harder or go a little further, and I need that in my life these days.

Pushing the Limits

Last night I hit the gym for my scheduled 6-mile run.  At about 5.5 miles, I was thinking about yesterday's post and how I talked about pushing my limits, so I decided to practice what I preach and change my goal on the treadmill to 7 miles.  It was hard.  I haven't run more than 6.5 in a long time, and while a half mile doesn't seem like much, I still had to push myself for that much longer.  I had my ipod cranked up while I told myself, "I can do this.  I can do this."  And I did.  I felt triumphant when I completed that seventh mile, drenched in sweat, and I found myself wishing there was someone there at the gym I could high-five.  No one there knew I had just brought myself to a new level.  But I did, and I guess that's what matters.

Progress Update

When I started this journey thirteen months ago, I thought I'd have accomplished my goal and moved on by now, but it has proven to be a longer process than I originally expected.  I went on vacations, I enjoyed the holidays, and even took a couple wine tasting classes.  My weight went up and down and I barely blinked.  In all honesty, fitness slipped from being my primary focus.

As I mentioned before, Hawaii was my turning point.  As I began on my new journey during that vacation, I had a conversation that really helped me solidify my renewed effort to work out and be healthier.  Andrew and I were lazing around in our room in the condo talking about work and life goals, and I asked him, "do you think I could lose thirty pounds?"  Without hesitating, he said, "yes."  It felt good to have someone support me immediately.  He didn't bring up obstacles or question whether or not my number was realistic, he just told me I could do it.  Other successful people whom I admire have referenced the constant support of a partner or spouse when they decided to take on new things throughout the course of their careers, and I feel lucky that I have that support in my own life. 

Even if I'm over-reaching, having a cheerleader who believes I can do it is a huge motivating factor.  I realized I don't need to set "safe" goals that I know I can accomplish.  Why not try for something I've never done before?  I decided to set loftier goals for myself, and make it a priority.  I can run more miles, I can set a lower goal weight, and I can have a six-pack.  I can do it.

Right now I'm the lowest weight I've been in a couple years and I'm determined to continue tipping that scale and increase my strength.  I can and I will.