Snow Day!

Watching the weather headed up North, and it appears there's quite a blizzard on its way! So for all of you hunkered down in the snow this weekend, or for any and all of you feeling the winter blues wherever you are, here's a little comforting recipe I like to call Snow Day!! Because we all need a weekend when we just take it easy........



Hearty SNOW DAY Beef Stew
(courtesy of Ellie Krieger with a tweek or two from B-Fit4U)

1/4 c all-purpose flour
1/4 tsp paprika
1 lb lean stew beef (round or chuck shoulder), cut into cubes
3 Tbsp olive oil
1 med onion, chopped
1 sm rutabaga or turnip (10 oz), peeled and cubed
1 lg carrot, chopped
1 lg russet potato (12 oz), cubed
2 Tbsp tomato paste
1 c dry red wine
2 c reduced-sodium beef broth
1 pkg (10 oz) frozen green peas

1. Put flour, paprika, and 1/4 tsp each salt and pepper in large zip-top bag. Add beef and shake to coat well.
2. Heat 2 Tbsp of the oil in large (at least 6 qt) saucepan or pot over medium-high heat. Add beef and cook until browned on all sides, about 6 minutes. Transfer to plate, leaving juices in pot.
3. Add remaining 1 Tbsp oil to pot. Add onion and cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until golden but not browned, about 10 minutes. Add rutabaga, carrot, and potato and cook until vegetables soften slightly, about 10 minutes.
4. Stir in tomato paste and cook 1 minute longer. Add wine, bring to a boil, and reduce 3 minutes. Add broth and return to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low. Cover and simmer until meat is tender, about 1 hour and 20 minutes. Add peas and cook 5 minutes longer.
5. Remove from heat and let rest at least 15 minutes before serving.
Serves 4.
490 calories, 8 g fiber 3 g sat fat 340 mg sodium


DID YOU KNOW? That sleeping is just as important as exercise?? Yes! Your body needs to recharge in order to keep up with the busy life you have going, not to mention, when you are sleepy, you make bad food choices to compensate for your lack of sleep!! So take a break from your "busy" this weekend.  Heck, even take a nap after your workout. Sleep is a very important puzzle piece in your healthy lifestyle, so don't forget it :)