Teriyaki Stir-Fry Veggies Over Quinoa {quick & easy!}

A few weeks ago I posted a cell phone picture of my veggie stir fry on my facebook page.

I got a few requests for the recipe.

Ask, and you shall receive. You're welcome.

{even though it's ridiculously easy}

Let's start with the quinoa.

I buy this gigantic bag from Costco...

And ALWAYS cook it in a rice cooker.

SO easy, you don't have to think about it and it turns out perfect every time.

While the quinoa is cooking away - it takes about 20 minutes - chop up the veggies.

For this stir fry I used purple cabbage, zucchini, broccoli, snow peas, carrots, onions and bean sprouts.

I normally throw in mushrooms, but forgot to pick some up at the store.

You can totally customize this part and add {or leave out} whichever veggies you like!

Once they're all chopped, you're ready to fry!

I always used a wok, but discovered I really like this deep pan instead.

Either way, put in a small amount of olive oil {maybe a tablespoon or less}

and then crank up the heat.

I had mine right at 8, so medium high.

Add in the veggies, starting with the crunchiest first.

I always start with the onions, as they take the longest.

I cook them for a few seconds and then add in the carrots, broccoli, and so on until the softest veggie is in.

Once they've all had a chance to cook together for just a second,

{remember, this is a quick stir fry...the veggies should still have some bite to them and not be mush}

you're ready for the teriyaki.

This is quite possibly the most important part.

We use a locally made teriyaki that is absolutely delish.

{random tidbit - the makers of this sauce own a Japanese restaurant that hubby and I both use to work at...it's where we met...aaaaawe :)}

Anyway, any teriyaki will do, so just find one that you like!

Pour a few tablespoons of sauce over the veggies and let them cook together for just another minute,

and then turn off the heat!

Mushy stir fry is never a good thing, so try not to overcook.

By this time the quinoa should be done!

{wasn't that easy?!}

Put a heap of veggies on a bed of quinoa and BINGO!

You've got dinner.

Quick.Easy.Fresh.Deslish.

Enjoy!

Over the past week...

Yes, MIA...AGAIN. Apparently it's pretty easy to disappear.
So, here's what's been going on this past week or so...
Some beautiful sunshine-y weather and lots of walks and trips to the park.

Lazy Lenny naps...

Double rainbows. {ok, make that one double rainbow...but still}

My first trip to a bar in our town. Yes, I ordered water. I know, I'm a wild one.

Isaiah learned how to draw spiders...super proud mommy moment :)

Playing with the coolest magnetic blocks. Every child needs these. Seriously.

It snowed. Which was random, but exciting.

I made Isaiah a dinosaur hoodie. It's cute, and it was fun to make!

We went to swim class...

And Lenny got shaved. Thankfully, dog hair grows back. Or so I'm told.

I've been taking a super B complex and would swear by it. SO.MUCH.MORE.ENERGY.

There was a beautiful sunset...

And I made rollo stuffed chocolate chip cookies. Whoa man, these babies are good.

I want this breakfast sandwich, and basically everything in this picnic brunch. Like, stat.

Yep, it's been a pretty good week.

You can look for some new recipes and a giveaway in the upcoming week! Yay!

For The Health Of It {photo food log day 5}

Well, apparently the weekends are not my strong suit as far as healthy eating goes.

I'll just start by saying that.

Started out with my morning chai.

We made Valentine's for Isaiah's friends,

So you know I had a caramel kiss, or two.

We planned to walk to our local coffee shop for breakfast, but it was 20 degrees this morning - I'm definitely not that hard core - so we drove instead.

I had a toasted everything bagel with cream cheese, and it was delish.

You can also bet that I had a few bites of Isaiah's giant snickerdoodle cookie.

Later in the afternoon I had a small-ish bowl of cereal

{which is probably what a real serving size looks like}

And a rice cake with peanut butter and jelly.

I know.

Apparently, having a bagel for breakfast makes me want more carbs because I HAD to have them today.

We had our usual Sunday night dinner with my parents, which always means lots of food and eating more than I need.

I had roasted veggies, mashed potatoes, a slice of bread and some salad.

I'm still stuffed.

Waaaaaay too much food today.

And tomorrow I jump back on the bandwagon!

For The Health Of It {photo food log day 4}

Today was lots of fun...I love the weekends.

I didn't do pilates, and I didn't have breakfast,

but I did start the day with a warm cup of chai :)

Isaiah's friend had a birthday party today {so fun!} and I had a slice of cheese pizza and some peanut butter filled pretzels - right up my alley - for lunch.

I'm sure I had at least double that amount of pretzels...they're soooo good!

I also finished off Isaiah's chocolate pudding and had a few gummy worms too :)

We came home and let Isaiah take his nap.

Hubby and I did some organizing and when Isaiah woke up we headed out for a walk!

We all took an apple on the way out the door.

We walked a little over 3 1/2 miles and stopped at an elementary school so Isaiah could play.

I whipped up a gigantic salad with a black bean burger on top and it totally hit the spot!

Hubby and I are about to curl up and watch a movie.

A lovely Saturday indeed.

For The Health Of It {photo food log day 3}

Yesterday was kinda funky.

I had to do fasting blood work, so breakfast kinda went by the wayside.

I did start out the day with my 20 minute pilates video though.

After getting my blood drawn and running errands,

I came home and was basically starving.

I came home and had a spoonful of chunky peanut butter

And a few pistachios while I was making Isaiah's lunch.

Wasn't quite disciplined enough to take a picture before hand, but after isn't too bad, right?

Fruit salad for lunch: pineapple, green grapes, strawberries, blueberries and 1/2 a banana.

followed by a rolo and caramel kiss - which is essentially a rolo, but whatever.

For dinner I had two slices of vegetarian pizza with a side salad.

Confession: I did have a small handful of chocolate covered acai berries at my work staff meeting, and no, I did not take a picture. Whoops.

Not too bad, but lots of snacking.

Currently sipping on my morning cup of chai, and it is delish.

For The Health Of It {photo food log day 2}

Alright, day 2 of my photo-food-journal-ing efforts.

Despite feeling like I ate pretty well yesterday, I actually gained 1/2 a pound. Annoying.

I'm gonna go ahead and chalk it up to the fact that I'm retaining water, or something like that.

Here's what I ate today:

I started out the day with a 20 minute pilates video and chai tea.

{good earth vanilla chai, two packets of truvia and a splash of 1% milk}

After showering and getting ready for the day I ate two pieces of Dave's Killer Bread...my absolute favorite!

Around 11 or so I snacked on a handful of candy conversation hearts. This is the first time I've had them all season. Clearly, I'm a fan of the yellow and orange.

While I was making my lunch I snacked on 1/4 cup of pistachios.

For lunch I had a fruit salad made up of pineapple, strawberries, grapes and 1/2 a banana.

After Isaiah's nap we went on a 3 mile walk {and stopped to play at a park}

I came home and had the other 1/2 of my spaghetti squash with a little olive oil, salt & pepper and some grated parmesan cheese, served along with a salad and some left over asparagus.

And for good measure, I polished off the rest of Isaiah's snack cup.

I actually didn't eat the pretzels, but I did eat the raisins, peanuts and bunnies.

On to tomorrow.

If the scale goes up again I'm gonna be pissed.

Just sayin'

Should've Been...

Today, I should have been 16 weeks pregnant.

I really try hard not to say should, because I do have full confidence that everything has happened perfectly, and for a reason. But that doesn't necessarily make me forget about it.

I've actually been doing really well with everything, but today has been a little hard for some reason.

Maybe because 4 months is somewhat of a milestone. Maybe because this is when I really started to show with Isaiah. Maybe because I was soooo looking forward to feeling my little one inside of my belly. Maybe because this is the time I would have been able to find out the gender.

Whatever the reason, today has been just a little bit harder.

Source: sherbetblossom.com via Alex on Pinterest

Source: flickr.com via Alex on Pinterest

On a more positive note, I really do feel like this is going to be an amazing year. There are lots of new and exciting things to look forward to, and I can't wait to experience it all with my little family.

I've appreciated your kind words, prayers and continued support.

Tomorrow is a new day :)