WOW! All I have to say is WOW, this recipe was so simple to make and it was delicious! I love when meals come together like this effortlessly because I already had all of the ingredients.
With a new year comes new resolutions for many people. Most want to make a conscience effort to eat better and become healthier. I just heard the other day, most resolutions if started on January 1st trickle and die out by January 12! Many people are only able to keep up with their resolutions for 12 days? Why do you think that is? Well, for one, resolutions may be to over ambitious and unattainable to ever reach.
For example: if someone says, ‘My New Year’s Resolution is to work out every day of the week.’ It’s more likely than not, that this person will give up and revert to their old habits. Why? Goals or resolutions must be realistic and achievable to attain. So instead of stating the example from above; a more realistic goal would be to say ‘I want to lose x number of pounds and will exercise for at least 30 minutes 3 x a week recording my progress. By the end of the first 3 months, I want to have reached my goal of losing x amount of weight.’ Not only is this goal considered to be a SMART goal (SMART = Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, Time-oriented) but it allows for new habits to change into long-term lifestyle changes.
Realistic goals allows a bit of a bumper so to speak, to just be human. Let’s face it, life happens and you can get derailed from your goal. By allowing a little bit of “wiggle room” and approaching a goal with some room for adjustments, will only encourage you to pick yourself back up and get on track versus the all or nothing approach. Breaking up goals into segments, in this case, every 3 months of monitoring your progress, you are more likely to stick with your lifestyle change for life. As opposed to reaching your goal in an unrealistic time-frame with crazy expectations only puts added stress on yourself.
**Remember, it’s a behavior change. Change the behavior and reap the results. Keep in mind it took you a long time to form these “bad” habits it will take some time to reverse these habits too.
Now, I realize this blog isn’t about behavior modification, but it does tie in to achieving and maintaining a healthier lifestyle through small realistic changes. Many people need a spring board as to where to begin and everyone must start somewhere.
Perhaps, your goal for 2019 is eliminating more fat from your diet? Or maybe it is to eat healthier? Whatever it may be, you still must eat to survive and thrive. So this no fuss recipe is not only hearty but full of flavor!! This recipe definitely has a Mediterranean flare to it with the freshly chopped parsley and lemon zest added at the end.
I know you all will love this recipe as much as I do! Plus, for my cheese loving friends you can add any hard cheese at the end for the topping, giving it a salty bite which is sure to please even the pickiest of eaters! I did not add any cheese due to my food intolerance, AND if you are looking for a vegan option to this recipe then omit the cheese…and guess what it’s now vegan!
Remember you got this! =)
XOXO,
Megan
Ingredients:
- 1-2 Cans of Chickpeas (Rinsed)
- 1 Large Bag of Spinach (pre-cooked and finely chopped) or Fresh Spinach chopped
- 1 12oz Can Chopped or Diced Tomatoes
- 1/2 to 1 Tsp Red Pepper Flakes
- 1 Tsp Salt
- 1 Tsp Ground Black Pepper
- 1/2- 1 Tsp Ground Cumin
- 1 Medium Onion (Finely Chopped)
- 2 Cloves Garlic (Minced)
- 1 Bunch parsley (Finely Chopped)
- 3 Oz of Any Hard cheese grated
- ¼ Cup Olive Oil
- ¼ Cup Dry Sherry (Optional) or 1/4 of Vegetable Broth
- 1 Lemon (zest and juice)
Directions:
- Add the olive oil to a warm pan along with the chopped onion and cook until translucent.
- Add the Garlic and cook for a few minutes while stirring.
- Add the red pepper flakes and cumin
- Add the chickpeas to the mixture and stir.
- Add the tomatoes with the juice and stir.
- Add the chopped frozen spinach or your chopped spinach and mix allowing the flavors and ingredients to combine for about a minute.
- Add the Sherry, in my case I had vegetable broth and mixed everything together combining all of the flavors.
- Add the salt and pepper to taste. Although, I usually add these as I am mixing the above ingredients.
- Finally, sprinkle fresh chopped parsley over the mixture as well as freshly zested lemon and the lemon juice for a nice pop of flavor. Here is where you can add your hard cheese if wanted.
- Serve.
**Recipe is courtesy of author and host Simon Majumdar
LEMONBERRY & FIG 