Victory Casserole

on February 2, 2012
in All Posts

Organization for the win!

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Lately, I’ve been really great about prepping healthy lunch – boiling eggs for a salad the night before, slicing veggies when I get home from the grocery store.  But dinner – oh, dinner.  Dinner is another story.  One night this week, I had ice cream and French fries for dinner (it was awesome and fast but that’s about it).  So I felt mighty proud of myself for preparing this casserole in advance.

 

We closed the clinic at nearly 8 PM, and it was wonderful to come home to a meal that was delicious, filling, and… you know… not comprised primarily of sugar.

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Casseroles lovers everywhere, rejoice!  It was tasty enough that I went back for seconds.

 

Cheesy Casserole (based on my Santa Fe Casserole, which is also a winner)

 

Ingredients:

  • 1 can white kidney beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1/2 cup canned sweet corn, drained and rinsed
  • 1/2 cup frozen peas
  • 3/4 cup milk
  • 1 and 1/2 cup brown rice, cooked
  • 2 eggs, beaten
  • 1 and 1/2 cup cheese, shredded (I used a Mexican blend because that’s all I had, however, I think this would actually taste even better with a Italian blend of white cheeses)
  • 1/4 tablespoon salt
  • 1/2 tablespoon pepper

 

Preparation:

  • Heat oven to 350 degrees and spray a casserole dish with non-stick spray.
  • In a large mixing bowl, mix together all the ingredients.  Pour mixture into casserole dish.
  • Bake casserole for 25 minutes or until center is firm.
  • Let cool 5 minutes and serve.
  • Enjoy!

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I snuck a quick pool session into my day, too.  I have to say that the Gympact iPhone app has been WONDERFUL in motivating me to go to the gym.  I wanted to blow off my swim, but the knowledge that I had $5 at stake made me go (here’s how Gympact works).  I was in and out of the aquatic center in 35 minutes (I swam 1,000 yards).

 

Side note:  I am really sore after last night’s prenatal yoga (pregnancy misconception #234 – prenatal yoga is ‘easy’).  The back and front of my legs were burning this morning.  Am I the only one who ends up stretching herself out after yoga class?  Am I doing something wrong? (This used to happen to me back in the pre-baby days, too.)  Am I just trying too hard?  I’m naturally flexible and sometimes end up pushing myself farther than I should go, given the fact that I rarely practice.  Yogis, please show me the light.

 

My grand plans for tonight include watching Grey’s Anatomy and eating popcorn. In a horizontal position, of course.

{ 39 comments }

 

  • Angela @ Happy Fit Mama February 2, 2012, 9:00 pm

    I love quick casseroles that can be made ahead and ready for dinner on those hectic nights.

    I experienced soreness during prenatal yoga, too. We stayed in Garland Pose forever! Also, for some reason during pregnancy, Warrior II would kill my arms and shoulders. I can hold it for days when I’m not pregnant!

  • Michelle February 2, 2012, 9:07 pm

    WOOT WOOT on the meal prep! Pat yourself on the back, and go relax and watch Greys. 🙂

  • Kath February 2, 2012, 9:08 pm

    Now that I have leftover rice, I will have to try one of your casseroles!

  • Sarena (The Non Dairy Queen) February 2, 2012, 9:11 pm

    Good job on the dinner and prepping for lunches! I used to not care for casseroles much, but now I swear they are little gifts sent down from heaven and the angels of saving time! Enjoy your popcorn and tv!

  • Kristen@Change of Pace February 2, 2012, 9:15 pm

    Get used to the prepping girl! It will be for the rest of your life. Prepping your meals, your husbands, your kids, snacks, sippy cups ect… This looks delicious!

  • Greg February 2, 2012, 9:16 pm

    It’s funny that the thought of losing $5 is enough of a motivator for you. My sister-in-law is a highly paid department chair at one of the top 3 hospitals in the US, so you know she makes mega-bucks. The hospital incentive program for healthy living is $100 annually if the employee completes 10 workouts per month. It’s amazing that the $100 figure is enough for her to keep up her workouts when basically that’s chump change for her.

    • Caitlin February 3, 2012, 3:19 pm

      I hate to waste money – even a buck!! LOL

  • Kristen February 2, 2012, 9:37 pm

    I’m still not sure if I’d be motivated by the GymPact money. Maybe I should try it one month and see…

    I wouldn’t call myself a yogi- but I’ve definitely been sore from yoga before. Usually smaller muscles that I don’t use as much when I’m doing other activities.

  • Katie @ Peace Love & Oats February 2, 2012, 9:37 pm

    Oooo that casserole looks good! And I’m sore too after going to bikram! I go to stretch out the day after a long run and then I just end up more sore! haha

  • JenRD February 2, 2012, 9:41 pm

    Yes, I was sore for a day or two after prenatal yoga! Especially in my quads, after all of the various types of squats we were doing. A good kind of sore, though! Quick side story: one class, a non-pregnant yoga newbie confused her schedule and showed up to our class by mistake. She decided to stay, thinking it would be an easy beginners class. Well, she nearly walked out halfway through it, and had to sit out half the poses! She said she didn’t know how we managed those poses, being anywhere from 4-9 months pregnant. Granted, all of that relaxin hormone made things a bit easier…

  • Amy February 2, 2012, 9:50 pm

    The funny thing about prenatal yoga is that as you build strength (particularly in your legs), it also becomes more difficult because of the extra weight you’re carrying. 🙂 I would guess that you’re sore because you haven’t been practicing regularly — it’ll get better. Keep it up! I have found yoga to be SUPER helpful to me in helping me feel good through my pregnancy — both prenatal and regular.

  • Angi February 2, 2012, 9:53 pm

    You shouldn’t be sore after prenatal yoga. The goal of prenatal yoga is to focus on relaxation and stretching so that your body can be better prepared physically and mentally for birth.

    Talk to your teacher beforehand and let them what you are experiencing. Maybe the teacher can stop by your mat and check in on you a little more to make sure you aren’t pushing it. With the hormonal changes in your body you are more flexible, but it should not hurt in a bad way.

    Enjoy growing your tiny human 🙂

    • Caitlin February 3, 2012, 3:19 pm

      Thanks so much Angi! I will def talk to my teacher.

  • Moni'sMeals February 2, 2012, 10:05 pm

    I will so be making this! Looks so good and just so simple. Have a great night!

  • Amber @ Bold, Busy, Blessed February 2, 2012, 10:31 pm

    Good job fitting in your workout!

  • Jen February 2, 2012, 10:55 pm

    I love your Sante Fe Casserole! Looks great. I’m glad to read that someone else eats dinner late as well. Most nights I don’t even start eating until 8:30 by the time I get home, showered and cook. I hate it because I read and hear so often that eating late is terrible for you, but I try not to let it bother me.

  • Samantha February 2, 2012, 10:57 pm

    That casserole looks yummy! Going to have to make it next week when it’s super crazy

  • Lu February 2, 2012, 11:01 pm

    It’s totally normal to feel that way after yoga. Even if you’ve practiced for years, each time you go you push your body a little bit further. It’s about improving you practice. Don’t do it when you’re pregnant though. You can take a pass on that for now. I really want to make this casserole. It looks amazing.

  • Anne February 2, 2012, 11:30 pm

    Hello! I hardly ever comment but I really like your blog and down to earth writing – I think it’s pretty terrific. I just read this article in the NYT and it really reminded me of your new no-make up etc endeavor: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/02/fashion/it-starts-with-lip-gloss-grade-schoolers-and-makeup.html?src=rechp

    thanks for all of the work you put into your blog, it really shows!

    • Caitlin February 3, 2012, 3:16 pm

      ugh man. i read this with interest. if there’s a demand, marketers will supply it.

  • Khushboo February 3, 2012, 1:01 am

    Thanks for the recipe- I love batch cooking as they make easy lunches during the week- I think I know what I will be eating a lot of next week!

  • Laura @ She Eats Well February 3, 2012, 1:26 am

    Not weird, in my opinion, at all to be sore after yoga. I totally am always sore, not just my arms, but the back of my legs the most. I think it’s from all the forward folding and also, the balancing positions on one leg. It really works the back of the legs!

  • Amy @loveAmyx February 3, 2012, 3:46 am

    Because of the hormone relaxin (think thats right) which greatly increases in pregnancy to help your muscles stretch to give baby space, you have to be really careful to not over stretch. That’s generally why people say women shouldn’t ‘stretch’ in pregnancy, not because it would harm baby but because you can hurt yourself. If you are naturally flexible you need to be even more careful so maybe in yoga don’t go quite a far into the pose as you logically think you should?

    Amy x

    • Caitlin February 3, 2012, 2:59 pm

      Oh good point.

  • Chelsea @ One Healthy Munchkin February 3, 2012, 7:21 am

    Meal planning and prepping takes work, but it’s so worth it to come home after a long day and have dinner already made! I love the look of this casserole. You can never go wrong with cheesy eggy goodness. 😀

  • Sneakers2Sandals February 3, 2012, 7:28 am

    What did you think of Grey’s? It was so weird! I don’t know how I felt. I feel like I need closure on story lines that don’t exist! Arg.

    • Haley February 3, 2012, 9:01 am

      I agree. I think the episode left me more confused than it gave me a “fun look at what could’ve been”.

      • Caitlin February 3, 2012, 2:58 pm

        Haha I was SUPER excited about the episode and like 10 minutes in, I was like, but i don’t give a crap what’s happening because none of it is real?!

  • Gabby @ Gabby's Gluten-Free February 3, 2012, 8:02 am

    Yum, that looks delicious!

    I’m also naturally very flexible but also have knee problems so when I first started doing yoga, I over-extended myself a bit and wound up super sore. Now, I focus on making micro adjustments like rotating my inner thighs or tightening my core instead of trying to be super bendy. It’s actually helped me become much stronger in my practice and has helped me rehab my knee.

  • Greta @ Staying Lost February 3, 2012, 8:52 am

    I’m always sore too. I guess I’d just be careful that you always have the proper alignment in the pose, and you’re not just relying on bendy-ness to force your body into it. Do you have a good yoga instructor who will come around and help you make adjustments?

    • Caitlin February 3, 2012, 2:58 pm

      Yeah she’s really good about adjustments. I’ll def talk to her about the soreness post-yoga though.

  • Life's a Bowl February 3, 2012, 11:10 am

    In my mind, casseroles = comfort 😀 I need to start making more myself…

  • linda February 3, 2012, 1:22 pm

    Caitlin,
    Naturally flexible people have to be careful not to push their edge too far. True flexibility comes from strength. For example, the quad is strong enough so the hamstring will safely let go. Having said that, I think it is perfectly normal to be a little sore after yoga.

  • Amber K February 3, 2012, 2:45 pm

    Yum, this looks delicious!

  • Taylor February 3, 2012, 7:53 pm

    So I guess you don’t really blog everything you eat? Or did I somehow miss the French fry and ice cream dinner? If you really had that for dinner, you should have blogged about it!

    • Caitlin February 3, 2012, 8:11 pm

      No I havent done that in months. I stopped a few months before getting pregnant.

      • Caitlin February 3, 2012, 8:13 pm

        Winter kind of sucks for evening photos because it’s hard to take nice shots when it’s so dark out 🙁 But yeah, french fries and ice cream were an awesome dinner. Everyone should do it every now and then.

        • Taylor February 3, 2012, 10:43 pm

          I agree! It makes you seem more like a real person and not someone who only eats tofu/veggies/beans/salad. 😉

          • CaitlinHTP February 3, 2012, 10:47 pm

            French fries for life!

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