This is great with steamed swiss chard and warmed whole wheat tortillas. It’s very easy to make, and perfect for winter. Bonus – the bold flavors are “man-friendly.”

Brazilian Black Bean Stew
from VeganKyra at www.Marilu.com
Blue ~ 6 servings

1 Tablespoon vegetable oil
1 large onion, chopped
2 medium cloves garlic, minced
2 medium sweet potatoes (about 1 pound), peeled and diced
1 large red bell pepper, diced
1 (14.5-oz.) can diced tomatoes
1 small hot green chili pepper, or more to taste, minced
2 (15-oz.) cans black beans, drained and rinsed*
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro (optional)
1/4 tsp. salt

In large pot, heat oil over medium heat. Add onion and cook, stirring often, until softened, about 5 minutes. Stir in garlic and cook, stirring, until onion is golden, about 3 minutes.

Stir in sweet potatoes, bell pepper, tomatoes (with liquid), chili pepper and 1-1/2 cups water. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low, cover and simmer until potatoes are tender but still firm, 10 to 15 minutes.

Stir in beans and simmer gently, uncovered, until heated through, about 5 minutes. Stir in cilantro (optional) and salt. Serve hot.

*Budget tip – Rinse 2 cups of dried black beans in a colander. Add to 4 cups of hot water, and soak overnight. Drain and rinse, then put the beans in 7 cups of fresh water and bring to a boil. Boil for 10 minutes, then reduce heat to an active simmer and partially cover (tip the lid a little). Boil for 2 hours, or until the beans are soft. Can be prepared in advance.

• Weight control – move it and lose it, baby
• Muscle tone – for a hard body, or at least firm body
• Feeling great afterward – increased endorphins
• Increased energy – as in feeling like you can do more today
• Improved cardiovascular health – no more huffing and puffing to get up the stairs
• Improved self-esteem – you CAN do it!
• Reduced stress – endorphins sort out what’s really worth the worry
• Building strength – to carry the groceries, the baby, the laptop
• Improved/maintained flexibility – bending doesn’t lead to throwing your back out
• Enjoyment – it’s fun!

Oh come on. You didn’t think I’d pass up the opportunity to play this, did you?

Members, get to the Super Bowl class now (just log in, and pop over to the message boards).

If you’re not a member, join the fun.

And don’t just sit there – use this time for some good conditioning! It’s time for Super Bonus Super Bowl!

Don’t miss it!

• Daily emails
• Recipes for healthy AND delicious party food that will please a roomful of men
• Personal coaching (need help making your favorite dip into a healthy, yet still tasty, version?)
• Ideas for entertaining a mob, or people of all ages, or people who don’t care about football but are at your house
• How to be the perfect guest and have a good time at someone else’s not-so-healthy party

Classes at Marilu.com are free to all members. Not a member? Join today! Only $9.95 a month – for recipes, tips, and personal coaching to help you meet your goals.

Get ready to jump! Or hop! Or shake it! But don’t just sit and watch, mkay?

Eventually, you just might!

Monday, January 26
1 PM Eastern/10 AM Pacific Time

Chats with Marilu are available to members only. Join now – chat on Monday, and take the Super Bowl class that starts Tuesday! PLUS – our February class (healthy living on a budget!) is just around the corner.

The water cost associated with the livestock industry is staggering.

According to a 2002 study by David and Marcia Pimentel of Cornell University, Western agricultural irrigation accounts for 85 percent of the fresh water we consume (the other 15 percent is for drinking, washing, food prep, etc). They also found that it takes 100 times more water to produce an ounce of animal protein than it takes to produce an ounce of plant protein.

Did you know that 64 percent of the world’s population is expected to live in a water-stressed environment by 2025? That’s 5 billion people who won’t have enough water if we don’t manage our resources better. (source: United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organization report, “Livestock’s Long Shadow,” 2006) Eating more plant protein makes more fresh water available for drinking.

Eat plants! Go plant protein!

***ALL NEW!***
It’s our very first Super Bowl class – five days to get ready for the party you’re throwing or attending on Sunday.

What? You’re not doing the party thing for the Super Bowl? No problem – this class is full of ideas for delicious and healthy snacks and meals (including food that will satisfy a “manly” appetite), as well as tips for getting ready for any party.

Whether you love football and are gearing up for Sunday’s game, or just want to learn more about transitioning from the Standard American Diet (SAD) junk foods to really good and good-for-you foods – this is the class for you.

Classes at Marilu.com are free to all members. Not a member? Join today! Only $9.95 a month – for recipes, tips, and personal coaching to help you meet your goals.

Photo by Fabio Arangio

When I open my eyes and look at the wide world, I become great; when I close my eyes and look within, I become greater still. 

~ Hazrat Inayat Khan