Healthy Recipe: Beef & Broccoli Stir Fry

    I know I say this a lot, but I am blessed in so many ways. Not only am I able to go to school for something I love, but I am also free to pursue other goals as well. Since last July, I have been studying for the Personal Trainer Exam and going to LSU instead of working. This means that Joe and I live off of his income. We try to stick to a budget and do the best to keep track of where our money goes, especially at the grocery store! So, when I hear people say that they would eat healthier foods more often, but they are just too expensive, I get pretty upset! I wish I could take them on a tour down the grocery aisles and show them how affordable a balanced diet can be! Also, in the long run, it is cheaper to spend money on healthier items now to decrease cost in life later. Did you know that being obese raises your annual healthcare cost by an average of $2,826 dollars? That is a lot of money that could be saved by living a healthy lifestyle! (Article supporting this evidence found at http://www.nber.org/papers/w16467) Some things I encourage to keep grocery bills at bay includes cutting coupons, going through store flyers for sales, and always buying fruits and vegetables that are in season. Also, anytime I purchase meat, I check for a “use or freeze by” date that is coming up soon. Many times it will be marked down in price by nearly a dollar a pound! That is how I came across purchasing this thin-cut sirloin steak, which was turned into a delicious, simple and budget-friendly meal!

1 cup Brown Rice (uncooked)

6-8 oz. thin cut steak

4 cups chopped Broccoli Florets

2 Tbsp. Rdcd Sodium Soy Sauce

2 Tbsp. Red Wine Vinegar

1 Tbsp. Peeled, Grated Ginger

1 Tbsp. Chili Paste

4-5 garlic cloves, minced

1 tsp. Corn Starch

1/4 cup Water

Pepper & Extra Soy Sauce, to taste

    Cook Rice in whatever method you choose. (A rice cooker is one of my favorite kitchen gadgets!) Allow a medium sized pot over med-high heat to warm. Chop or slice thin steak into strips about 1-1 1/2 inch long. Spray pot with nonstick cooking spray and cook steak just until juices run clear. Remove and set on plate. Mix remaining ingredients, except salt and pepper, in small mug. Put broccoli florets in pot and pour liquid mixture over the top. Stir until broccoli is coated. Cover pot and allow broccoli to steam about 5 minutes. Stir again and allow to steam for another 3 minutes. Place beef back into pot and mix with broccoli until slightly distributed and well-coated with sauce. Serve on top of ½-1 cup brown rice and top with more low-sodium soy sauce if desired. To make it extra fun, eat with chopsticks and enjoy a fortune cookie for dessert! Hope you have a very blessed Easter Sunday!