I think I am finally getting better at this ‘maintaining a healthy lifestyle’ thing. I no longer drive past Sonic drooling over coconut cream pie slushes, I no longer crave the double decker taco at Taco Bell, and I can finally have chocolate chips in the pantry without eating them all in one sitting (no really, a whole bag, it’s happened). If you are new to my blog you may be wondering what I am talking about. Thus far this year I have lost a little over 60 pounds and my goal is to lose another 20 before the year is up.
I have always struggled with my weight, since before I can remember (and this 80 pounds I am trying to lose I already lost once in 2005 and gained it back over the past few years.) I think there are two kinds of people. The people who can eat their food and walk away when full and the people who find comfort in food and eat mindlessly (like me).
But I’m learning. I’m learning that when I am sad a run around the lake with my dog makes me much happier than a king size candy bar. I am learning that eating a healthy vegetarian dinner makes me feel better than eating Taco Bell for dinner (can you tell that’s my weakness?) and a few years ago I learned that getting revenge on those that made fun of you in high school for being fat, is the best thing EVER.
So in High School there was this boy who made fun of me every which way he could. I hated him and I hated high school too. I didn’t go to prom, homecoming, football games, shoot I even ate lunch in a classroom with my two best friends rather than the cafeteria.
This boy joined the military after high school and the next year (when I had lost the 80 pounds the first time) we ran into each other and he asked me on a date. I still hated him and the fact that he asked me on a date just a year after being so cruel made me hate him more. But I said yes.
Since he was home only for a week he didn’t have his car, so I drove. I picked him up and we went to dinner (yes, I ordered the most expensive thing and hardly touched it) and later on we went to someones apartment for a party. As the night continued, he got in an argument with someone and was kicked out of the apartment. I was going to leave with him as I didn’t know anyone there, but the girl who’s apartment it was said to me ‘You can stay if you want’ and though I had nothing planned yet, it was the perfect opportunity to get my revenge.
I walked outside with him and before getting into the car, I called him every name in the book, told him to get his own ride home, and I went back inside! The girl ended up becoming my friend for years and the best part was watching him outside calling people over and over, looking stressed and eventually getting a cab home.
So how does this story relate to the caramelized onion and corn quinoa? It doesn’t. But they both put a big smile on my face.
This is a very simple vegetarian dinner, especially if you keep cooked quinoa on hand like I do. This could also be served as a side dish. The caramelized onions are sweet while the corn is nice and crunchy, which goes perfectly on the nutty quinoa. This was the original meal but it needed something else, I added the light sour cream and red pepper flakes and it was perfect.
Caramelized Onion and Corn Quinoa
Cooked Quinoa
Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Onion, cut in strips
Corn, frozen or fresh
Green Onions, chopped
Salt, Pepper, Cumin
Light Sour Cream
Red Pepper Flakes
1. Add oil to a pan and turn on medium heat. Add the onions and saute at least 15 minutes, until aromatic and caramelized. Add the corn and continue to cook another 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
2. Warm up your cooked quinoa and stir with salt, pepper and cumin. Place in a bowl and top with the onions, corn and green onions.
3. Garnish with light sour cream and red pepper flakes. Enjoy!
