In honor of October being Dwarfism Awareness Month, BellaVita World is excited to feature our Jillian, a proud achondroplastic dwarf and a lifetime member of Little People of America. Little People of America (LPA) is a nonprofit organization that provides support and information to people of short stature and their families. BellaVita is hosting a Zumba class at the upcoming District 2 fall regional. Read below to learn more about what being a little person means to Jillian and why she wanted to introduce LPA to BellaVita. Tell me about yourself and your background? My name is Jillian Curwin. I was born and raised in South Jersey and a senior at Rutgers University, majoring in sport management. I’m a dwarf meaning, in simple terms, I have shorter arms and legs supporting an average-sized body. Growing up, I was always reminded of the importance of living a healthy lifestyle, especially for someone my size. I strive to live by my life motto, “Height is just a number, not a limit” every single day, pushing myself to take chances and try new things. The gym has become my adult playground and I love trying new workouts and exercises, proving to others and, most importantly myself, what a dwarf can do. What got you into Zumba and how long you have been doing it? I’ve been taking Zumba classes since I was 16, so for seven years. Prior to that I was a dancer from age 3 to 14. Being a dwarf, I always had to stand in the front of the class if I wanted to see the instructor and over time I fell in love with it and, in 2014, decided to become a certified Zumba instructor. Since becoming certified I have taught at Tulane, Rowan, and Rutgers University as well as at special events for LPA and BellaVita. What is Little People of America for you? Little People of America (LPA) has been a part of my life since I was five weeks old, when I was diagnosed which achondroplasia, one of the 300 known types of dwarfism (and the most common). For my parents, LPA was their ultimate resource- answering any and all questions regarding medicine, driving, etc. For me, it was, and always is, a place to feel normal. LPA has allowed me to travel across the country, make lifelong friends, and taught me how to be a little person living in an average-sized world. How long have you been involved with Little People of America and why is it important to you? To be honest, I cannot imagine my life without LPA, I’ve been a part of it my whole life. When I was younger, no matter what I was going through, there was always someone in LPA to turn to. Now that I’m older, LPA has given me a platform to advocate for dwarfism awareness. With the support of LPA behind me I have worked as a student trainer for a Division I football team (including a bowl game), walk in a body-confidence fashion show, and apply for numerous jobs including my position at BellaVita. What is the idea behind bringing Little People of America to BellaVita? To introduce BellaVita’s network to the dwarf community in the New York area. The idea is to show that height is just a number, not a limitation. People with dwarfism can do anything an average-sized person can do, just a little (pun slightly intended) differently. Knowing BellaVita’s policy of embracing one’s differences, refusing to accept “one size fits all”, I thought LPA and BellaVita would be the perfect fit. What inspires you to help out? For me, the question is not what, but who inspires me. I’m inspired by the minds I get to change and the lives I impact. What would you like people to get out of the Little People of America event? That, to restate my life motto, “height is just a number, not a limit”. I want those with dwarfism to feel that they can try that fun, new, exciting workout class. Zumba embraces individuality, it does not discriminate against height or ability. What makes BellaVita special? BellaVita gives me the opportunity to organize an event like this and bring fitness, one of my passions, to LPA, my community. My voice is heard and I’m given a platform to be creative, push boundaries, and, perhaps most importantly, to try. While working at BellaVita I’ve learned so much about myself and the person I want to be. What does BellaVita mean to you and how do we inspire you? BellaVita means trust, passion and family. Since day one, Bella and Carla have made me feel like a valued member of the BellaVita family, trusting me to spread our message, and sharing my passion for health and wellness.
By Jillian Curwin
Edited by Priya Philip
Every two years the entire world gathers around the television to watch in awe as Olympic athletes make history. While we marvel at their continuous feats of athleticism, we can't help but wonder how the human body is able to achieve so much. Personally, I watch while wondering about their journey to Olympic glory. I assumed that Olympians follow a training regimen that is impossible for us mere mortals to comprehend. That their workouts consisted of exercises I could barely pronounce let alone perform. And then I stumbled upon an article posted on health and fitness blog Jen Reviews.
Nick Catlin, a two-time British Olympian and member of the editorial team for Jen Reviews, shows us mortals that we can train like Olympians. He offers video demonstrations and clear descriptions in his most recent article titled “30 Best Ab Workouts, According to a Two-Time Olympian.” Guys, check him out! After reading his article, I now have 30 new exercises to add to my workouts! You’re probably wondering who inspires me. So, below are just a few of my favorite athletes and influencers who inspire me on a daily to reach my Olympic potential.
I’m a little person (literally), meaning I have shorter arms and legs supporting an average-sized body. Growing up, my doctors informed my parents that I would not have a flat stomach. After all, my organs must fit somewhere. This information has done little to deter me. My motto in life is “height is just a number, not a limit.” It means if I want to work for that six pack, I can, and I will! So, how do I motivate myself to do what most doctors would say is impossible? I follow these three simple steps. 3 Steps to Get Motivated
Although I may never be an Olympian like Mr. Catlin, that doesn’t hold me back from training like one. So, with September around the corner, I am challenging myself to complete Nick Catlin’s 30 best ab workouts. 30 days and 30 exercises. I say, bring it on! Who's with me?
https://www.jenreviews.com/best-ab-workouts/
3 Ways To Love Yourself By: Arbia Reyes, Tatiana Grigoryan, and Jillian Curwin Why is it so tough for us to love ourselves? In today’s generation, with everyone constantly posting on Instagram and Facebook, it is common that young adults suffer from trying to impress everyone else with how they look. The constant pressure of living up to people’s expectations, getting as many likes and comments as possible, leads individuals to change who they truly are inside and out. This desire to change can lead to anxiety, depression, and eating disorders. People believe that not eating and over exercising just to be skinny can make themselves happy. However, self-love is the secret to success, satisfaction, and bliss. Celebrities, just like you and me, also struggle with body confidence. Alexis Ren and Chrissy Teigen are two among many who are open with their battles. Alexis Ren, a 21-year-old Instagram model who earns a living showing off her body, shared that she felt like she was living in a “toxic state of mind.” She was constantly suffering from food guilt and would over exercise as punishment. Over time she realized she needed professional help, and started living her life with a positive outlook and healthy a mind-set. Chrissy Teigen, wife of John Legend, opened up about her body image insecurities and struggle with postpartum depression. She said, “I’ve definitely been really upset with… You know, everyone has a butt now, everyone has curves, and a little waist, and that’s not me.” Nowadays, she is embracing a positive attitude and combating the moments of insecurity with self-love and confidence. It’s easy to believe that celebrities live the perfect life, but a majority struggle with body image and trying to make their real bodies look like how they do through an Instagram filter. Who to Follow: Alexis Ren and Chrissy Teigen are two of thousands body-positive influencers on social media. Here are more accounts to follow!
The fashion industry, in regards to the ideal body, is changing. It is a result of the non-stop work of body positive influencers, including Alexis Ren and Chrissy Teigen, and their followers. Nowadays, it seems that you can’t walk down the streets of New York without seeing a body positive campaign. People are now being encouraged to love themselves the way they are. Brands such as Michael Kors, Nike, Forever 21 and Missguided (just to name a few) are beginning to include a variety of sizes, expanding their collections to include plus sizes. Body positive campaigns such as “The Dove Campaign for Real Beauty,” “Any BODY” movement by Sport Illustrated model Georgia Gibbs and “A Body For Any Body” by Victoria’s Secret are appearing in the magazines, on TV, and social media on a seemingly endless stream. The body positive movement is a very strong force that is shaping people’s perception about what is beautiful, and it can’t be stopped. At BellaVita, our mission is to encourage a healthy lifestyle by providing all the tools necessary for complete wellness from the inside, out. Whether you are size 0 or a size 16, when it comes to self-love, there is no “one size fits all.” We embrace self-love because it involves how much a person values and appreciates themselves for who they are. At BellaVita, we focus on working out and looking great from both the inside and out. Together, we strive to show others that beauty chooses no size and shape, all while having a positive mind for a positive life. Self-perception works hand in hand with self-love because it’s how you think about yourself. You need to realize that you are weakened by negative self-perception and self-esteem. In reality, perfection does not exist. The key is to love yourself and transform those “flaws” into strengths. Appreciate every achievement of yours, whether big or small. Celebrate them and invite others to join you. You do you, love yourself, and everything else will fall into place. And 3 Ways To Love Yourself
"So when you see someone in the smallest ways inspires you by showing you their flaws- I'm happy to be that person. I'm so fine with it." -Chrissy Teigen This month BellaVita World is excited to feature our Bella, Yogi & Liberation Prison Yoga (LPY) Ambassador Laura Toyofuku-Aki. LPY is a nonprofit organization with a mission to help prisons and jails by bringing trauma-conscious yoga programs open for everyone and those whose lives are affected by incarceration. BellaVita is partnering with Liberation Prison Yoga for our next event on June 27th. Check out the interview below to learn more about what this organization means to Laura and what her idea is behind bringing Liberation Prison Yoga to the BellaVita community. By Izabella Steele Hi Bella's & Bello's, BellaVita World was built with a mission to empower our community to live a life we love while impacting the world. Project BellaVita World features causes our members care about and just as April was the month of giving back to March of Dimes, this May we are at it again! I am thrilled to share that we are supporting an organization that is very close to my heart, TiKVA Children's home. TiKVA Children's Home On April 24th I went on a mission to Odessa, Ukraine with TiKVA Children's Home. Here's why - During the Holocaust my grandparents fled to Ukraine and that is where my parents were born and raised. Since my parents migrated to Canada they have not been back, partly because of fear, but also because there is nothing left for them except painful yet beautiful memories. Ever since I was a child it has been a dream of mine to connect with my roots and finally that dream has become a reality. Oksana blowing kisses to the BellaVita family! Tikva’s mission is to care for the homeless, abandoned and abused Jewish children of Ukraine and neighboring regions of the Former Soviet Union. TiKVA provides a warm, compassionate home, essential social services and a quality education, while revitalizing the growing Jewish community of Odessa. In addition, Tikva offers its graduates the opportunity for a brighter future through university & technical education in Odessa & immigration to Israel, where Tikva continues its support services to help them thrive. To learn more about TiKVA's lifesaving and educational work please visit: www.TikvaOdessa.org. You can also watch TiKVA's video by clicking HERE.
In order to raise awarenes for these beautiful children that I met in the Ukraine, I am proud to share that TiKVA will be hosting an event in the heart of Manhattan on May 22nd. The details are as follows in the flyer below, and you can sign up right here.
I am truly thankful for our community and am motivated to make a difference for those that are less fortunate. Follow our instagram stories & social media for updates.. -xoxo Bella By Katie Kerrigan This month, we decided to interview Carmen, the drive behind why we are supporting March of Dimes. We wanted to gain her perspective on why she loves BellaVita and what she believes we represent. We also wanted to gain her understanding as to why this organisation is so important to her so that we could share that with the BellaVita community. Having said this, we prepared the following questions for Carmen: 1. How long have you known about March of Dimes and why is it so important to you? I learned about March of Dimes through my friend and fellow Zumba instructor, Onix Banegas, who holds an annual Zumba event to raise funds for this organization. I have friends and family who have experienced premature births. Thankfully, they did not experience the complications associated with premature birth. Unfortunately, this is not the norm. Through March of Dimes we can help reduce premature birth in the United States and give every baby a fair chance for a healthy full-term birth. 2. How does March of Dimes’ mission relate to that of BellaVita? March of Dimes works to improve the health of mothers and babies. It strives to ensure that babies grow up to have healthy and productive lives. 3. What do you hope to achieve from combining March of Dimes and BellaVita for this event? I hope to bring more awareness to March of Dimes and to promote BellaVita, not only as a fitness and wellness brand, but as an organization that cares and gives back to the community. 4. What do you think the BellaVita members will get out of this event that is in partnership with March Of Dimes? Not only will they have fun and have a great workout, they’ll feel good knowing that they are contributing to a great cause. 5. What does BellaVita mean to you? What do you love the most about working with BellaVita? I love that BellaVita is a judgement-free community that embraces everyone’s individuality. 6. What makes BellaVita successful? Everyone in the BellaVita community - Bella, the team, and the members – brings their unique personalities and talents while working together to fulfill BellaVita’s mission. 7. How long have you worked for BellaVita? Do you remember your first day? I joined the BellaVita family in 2015. As a brand-new Zumba instructor, I was full of nerves teaching my first class at BellaVita. BellaVita’s supportive environment really helped me grow as an instructor. 8. What is your fondest memory of working with BellaVita? One of my fondest memories was the BellaVita Holiday Zumba Party that I taught with April and Quinn in 2016, which raised money for children affected by the ongoing water crisis in Flint, Michigan. We helped a great cause and I really enjoy when I teach alongside fellow BellaVita instructors. 9. What’s your best advice for anyone thinking about joining BellaVita? Take advantage of everything BellaVita has to offer. Whether you’re into Zumba or Yoga, be open to different formats to achieve a more well-rounded workout. Also, be open to taking different instructors. Each instructor has their own style and has something unique to offer. 10. What made you want to become a Zumba instructor? Tell me about yourself and your background? Ever since my youth, dance and fitness has been a big part of my life. Growing up, I practiced Filipino folk dancing, martial arts, and competitive swimming. Later, I became passionate about ballroom dance, hip-hop, and choreography. When I took my first Zumba class in 2008, I discovered that Zumba represents my own personal philosophy of dance and fitness. As far as workouts go, Zumba had what I was looking for - a fun, energetic atmosphere and an awesome community of individuals who love to dance. We hope that through this blog, you have learned more about BellaVita and what drives us to be the amazing ever-growing community that we are today! With this in mind, we want to use this in the most positive way to make an impact on the world by supporting organizations that are close to our hearts and the hearts of our community. We hope you enjoyed! Xoxo By Katie Kerrigan "We believe that every baby deserves the best possible start. Unfortunately, not all babies get one. We are changing that." March of Dimes It's April! And, as always, we are busy preparing for our monthly event. This month we have chosen to work on a cause that one of our Bella's Zumba instructor Carmen is passionate about, March of Dimes! As some of you may be aware, March of Dimes is an organization that leads the fight for the health of all mothers and premature babies. About half a million babies are born premature or with birth defects in the U.S. alone each year. On April 25th we are going to have our AMAZING instructors Carmen and Quinn who will bring you through an irresistible Zumba workout. We will have our special guest Onix Banegas, who is a dedicated advocate for March of Dimes. Having helped her sister Jacqueline through the birth of her twins Addyson and Adryana, Onix knows first hand the complications and struggles that come with premature birth. Addyson and Adryana were born 12 weeks early, at a combined weight of 4 lbs. The doctors told her that the first 24 hours were critical, and to prepare herself for the worst. We can only imagine how distressing this must have been for a mother and we want to help with the mission to ensure that all babies receive the best possible start in life. We have included a link to a video that was created by Jacqueline, demonstrating the importance of this organization. This year, Onix and Jacqueline have set the goal of raising $10,000 for March of Dimes. We would love to see you there for this event to show support for such an amazing cause. We will be welcoming any contributions no matter how big or small! There are going to be some incredible sponsors at this event, namely Just Salad, eBoost, and Rhythm Superfoods as well as Jumpgal Fitness and Mama Luisa Catering. Be sure to RSVP to info@bellavitaworld.com as soon as possible to avoid disappointment. You don't want to miss out! By Katie Kerrigan Last Wednesday we closed out the month of February with our Kama Yoga Event. Kama is a Sanskrit word meaning wish, longing or desire and we felt it fit perfectly into the title for our Valentine’s themed event! The event kicked off with an introduction from Izabella and Carla, the brilliant duo that made BellaVita what it is today. The tone was set using red lights around the perimeter of the room, as well as aroma essential oil diffusers that were provided by one of our awesome sponsors, Bare Oils. We then proceeded with a partner yoga class, initiated by our incredible instructor Sabrih. We love the passion and the energy that Sabrih brings to every class, and we could tell you guys did too! This was then followed by an individual based yoga routine and we finished up with refreshments and snacks provided by our super sponsors Recoup and Just Salad. Of course a splash of rosé and some Hershey kisses were provided to keep in mind with our work life balance motto. We would like to thank everyone who came to the event; we couldn’t have made it such a success without all of you and the positive energy that you bring every time. For those of you who couldn’t make it, be sure to keep an eye on our social pages for more info on our March and April events, we hope to see you all there! The fabulous Arbia who is part of our Marketing and Operations team, took the lead in organising this event, and gave it one hundred and ten percent. I’m sure everyone who got to see the finished product of the event will agree with me in saying that she is an absolute credit to the BellaVita team! A special mention also to our Marketing Assistant Mike for the awesome photography! Check out the official event photographs. "The moment we realize that we write our own story is the moment we realize that we have control to do a rewrite. And unlike most movies, with you, the sequel is likely to be even better than the first." - Light is the New BlackOn January 30th, 2018 at 101 West 15th Street, Bella Vita hosted the first event of the year, UNLEASH Zumba + Yoga mashup! To stick within the theme of the New Year, we featured black light, glow sticks, and candles to make it a fun & exciting experience for everyone.
The event started off with inspirational speeches from both Bella and Carla, followed by an electrifying Zumba session with our stellar coach Meg. After this, Laura took the floor to stretch it out with some yoga! It was the best way to kick off the year by revising our resolutions through fitness! Everyone came together to create a great sense of community which brought out the positive energy and unity. We have no doubt that 2018 is going to be a great year for our BellaVita family! By Sara Stevens Fall is here and we start going into hibernation mode by starting to grab for heavier food that makes us feel warm and happy but can often times lead to our clothes fitting a little more snug. Now instead of turning all grizzly, we can still eat the comfort foods of fall that we are used to, but the healthier versions of them that won't make our waistlines expand as much. There are so many diets out there that it is hard to figure out and determine which one you want to move forward with to maintain a healthy lifestyle that is best for you. What we are going to focus on is going to be the vegan diet. Veganism is often misunderstood as too expensive or too much work and that there is no way that it can be maintainable or enjoyable, because it is so limiting. But... that is not true, because with any diet and lifestyle, you just have to know how to shop smart and do your research on what you can and can't have and then just be prepared ahead of time. In this blog, there will be a few tips and tricks to be a money savvy vegan and a few recipes that can get you through the fall season so you don't feel like you are missing out! Why Vegan?? There are many reasons that people decide to go vegan. One of the main reasons that people usually say right off the bat is "for the animals." A lot of people feel much better knowing that they are not contributing to animal cruelty. The more widespread answer though is that people decide to go vegan for their health. With a vegan diet, when it is done healthily, your energy levels increase (who doesn't want that), your skin clears up because you are no longer eating or drinking dairy, which causes inflammation often showing up as acne, and often you lose weight on a vegan diet. Also, future you will be very happy because Vegans have a less likely chance of developing heart disease, cancer, diabetes, and high blood pressure so not only are you saving the animals, you are saving yourself! If you are not already leading a vegan lifestyle, maybe give it a go for a month and see what differences it makes in your life. Saving Money on a Vegan Diet Fancy Packaging - I don't know about you, but when it comes to pretty packaging, I am a complete sucker. There is nothing wrong with choosing a more fancy packaged product that is pretty much exactly the same as the plain one on the shelf right next to it, but if you want to save a few dollars then I advise you put the pretty package down and go for the one right next to. There is no other reason than you will pay extra money for packaging that you are just going to end up throwing away anyway, you aren't necessarily getting a better product. Organic Produce - It can be quite expensive to shop organic, but it doesn't have to be. There are a few ways that you can get your organic goods without spending too much money, the trick is where to go. You may not know this, but you could try places like Target, Walmart, and Costco to get a good deal. They are known for their low prices and a lot of people don't think to look there, but "warehouse" type of stores are a hidden gem. Obviously you need to make sure that quality is good, but you will more than likely get a great deal in these stores. Costco is awesome because you can also buy in bulk, which in the long run will save you more money! You can also check out Trader Joe's, they have an amazing selection of organic products at a smaller cost. One of the best options though is to go to your local farmer's market and make a day of it! Farmer's markets are a ton of fun, with so many different things to see and try and it is also great because you are helping support local farmers and going local is one of the best options when you are buying fruits and vegetables. Bulking up - One of the best tips for saving some money is to buy in bulk. This is going to save you so much more in the long run, and you also won't have to go shopping for some key pantry items as often. Now, not all goods can be bought in bulk but there are a lot that can be. You can get nuts and seeds in the bulk Isle, they take forever to go bad and also they are very good on the go snacks. (A DIY tip: if yo ego pumpkin picking, take the pumpkin seeds and roast them yourself... can't get more savvy than that!). Also, spices are a great thing topic up in bulk as well as herbs if you don't grow your own. Different kinds of flours are great to stock up on and also grains such as rice, oatmeal, and barley as these will probably be a staple in your diet. Also, buy dried fruit in bulk, it won't go bad for a long time and it is also a good on the go kind of snack. You could make your own dried fruit, but often times it is just easier to buy it since it can be a long process. A Couple of Tips When you decide to go vegan, it isn't going to be an overnight success story, you are more than likely going to hit a few bumps along the way which is normal when trying anything new. With that being said, here are a couple of tips to help you keep going: Stay Positive - If you are feeling like you are about to give up, just refocus and remember why you started your journey in the first place, something as simple as that can keep you going and re-motivate you. Also, don't think of it as all of the foods that you are missing out on but all of the new foods that you get to try... and remember there are sooooo many plant-based versions of the non-vegan dishes that you love. You really aren't missing out! Meal Planning - It is not always possible to be able to cook all of your meals at home, but the more you plan them out and cook at home, the less you have to worry. When going out to eat, unless at a vegan restaurant, there can be some things that you order that have sneaky animal products in them but if you cook and prep at home, you have control and know exactly what is going into your food. There is nothing wrong with going out to eat, other than it can get expensive if you do it everyday but f it something that you often do, you can still plan! An easy way is to look at the menu before hand and know what is there that you can order that is healthy and vegan, when going out it is easy to be swayed by the more indulgent choices, but try and save those for special occasions... remember just because it is vegan doesn't always mean that it is healthy! Another option that is a little more pricey but super convenient is using a meal delivery service, there are plenty that are out there that will portion your foods and make sure you are getting what you need and they will cater to your plant-based diet. Never fear, there are options!! Don't get Discouraged - You are more than likely going to mess up in the beginning and throughout your vegan lifetime, but there is absolutely nothing wrong with that. Everyone has to start somewhere and learn along the way. If you eat something that had butter in it, it won't be the end of the world. The best thing to do is just accept it and move on and maybe ask the next time someone has made something or is going to make something if there is anything in it that is not vegan friendly. You don't want to miss out on anything but still want to remain as close to your diet as possible. Fun Fall Recipes Pumpkin Spice Latte What you'll need: 2 tbs Pumpkin Purée 1/2 tsp pumpkin pie spice 2 cups of non-dairy milk (almond, soy or coconut) 1 tbsp maple syrup 1 tbsp vanilla extract Directions: - Combine all ingredients in a small sauce pan over medium heat and whisk until it starts to steam. -When steaming, slowly transfer the ingredients into a blender and blend for about 20 seconds. - When finished, pour a half cup of coffee of your choice and then pour the pumpkin mixture on top of it. - Enjoy every basic fall moment of your PSL!! Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal What you'll need: 1 cup oats 1/2 cup Ground Buckwheat 2 cups apple juice 2 cups water 1/2 apple diced Ground cinnamon to taste Directions: -Put dry oats and Buckwheat in medium pot over medium heat for about 6 minutes, you want them toasted. -Meanwhile, combine liquids and cinnamon in a separate sauce pan and heat until hot. -When hot, pour mixture into pot with the oats and bring to a boil. reduce to a simmer and stir occasionally. -Wait until liquid is absorbed and then serve. -Feel free to add the diced apple on top and more cinnamon! Fall Couscous Salad What you'll need: 1 1/2 couscous 1 tablespoon Olive Oil 1 diced shallot 1 fennel bulb, diced 2 1/2 cups butternut squash (peeled, seeded and diced) 3/4 cup cried cranberries 1 1/2 cups apple juice, reserve 1/4 cup of cooked juice 1/4 cups canola oil 3 tablespoons red wine vingegar salt and pepper Directions: -In a medium pan, bring water to a boil and add couscous. Bring back to a boil and then lower heat to medium, cook for around 8 minutes or until tender. -Drain in colander, set aside to cool in a mixing bowl. -In a large sauté pan, set to medium heat and add the shallot for 1 minute. -Add diced fennel and cook until soft. -Add butternut squash, cranberries and apple juice and cook for 15 minutes or until butternut squash is soft and the most of the apple juice has cooked down. -Season with salt and pepper, transfer mixture to bowl with couscous, and reserve the rest of the apple juice for the vinaigrette. -In small bowl, mix apple juice, canola oil, red wine vinegar and salt and pepper to tast. Add to the couscous and add parsley. -Let couscous sit for about 30 minutes at room temperature before serving. This allows the flavors to combine. Stuffed Bell Peppers What you'll need: 1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil 1 small diced onion 2 cloves minced garlic 2 tablespoons chili powder 2 tablespoons cumin 2 teaspoons paprika Salt to taste Pepper 1 15oz can back beans, rinsed and drained 3 cups chopped spinach 3 cups quinoa 1 15oz can diced tomatoes 4 bell peppers, cut in half down the center. Directions: -Preheat oven to 375 -Add oil to large sauté pan, add onions and cook until soft over medium heat -Add garlic, chili powder, cumin, paprika and add salt and pepper. Cook for 2 minutes. -Add black beans, spinach, quinoa, and tomatoes and mix together. Cook until heated through. -FIll peppers with the stuffing. Put in baking dish and cover with tinfoil. -Bake for 25 minutes. -ENJOY!! |
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