How to Join the (Seahawks Big Game!) Party and Still Eat Healthy {After Baby Un-Diet}

I really don’t think I need to even go into how freaking excited I am this week. And how I intentionally did not bring up the NFC Championship or our Super Bowl bound Seahawks last week so I could get my heart to stop beating so erratically and focus on my responsibilities for a few days before complete and utter distraction and infatuation over the possibility of the RE-PETE sets in. Clearly, that’s the space I am living in now.

And wouldn’t you know, this fits perfectly into the un-diet! It’s actually the most important part of it. I’ve declared my loath and complete rejection of strict diets, and the biggest reason is that I hate the idea of being a “cheater”. I don’t cheat on tests. I don’t cheat on my Rancher. I don’t even cheat on crossword puzzles. And my last name isn’t Belichick or Brady. Why on Earth would I willingly undertake an effort that when I eat food at a (Super Bowl!) party, there is anything negative, cheat-y or fail-y about it! Mindset people, mindset. If our Hawks aren’t the living, breathing, winning case for a healthy mindset, I don’t know what is.

So, here are the five easy things I will realistically get done this week as I obsess over Sunday:

+ I’m going to watch Chef Kirsten’s response to my video diary a few more times. This gal has maintained her over 100 lb. weight loss without skipping out on tailgate parties, celebrations, and Super Bowl Sunday feasts! She’s been making pre-game and family meals for Seahawks stars all season long. She’s on to something. Something awesome. Something healthy. And not to mention tasty.

+ Prep the Steak Baked Beans to take to our friends’ Super Bowl Party. Why? Because they are healthy and delicious, and I am a wee-bit superstitious. It’s what I made every weekend of the playoffs. It’s where we watched the Super Bowl last year. And seriously, if there was ever a time to add STEAK and homemade care to a classic party dish, I’m pretty sure a RE-PETE Super Bowl party is the time.

+ Giveaway the last Hawk Crock of the season to one lucky 12! To Enter: Tell me in the post comments what (beefy delicious) Seahawks Super Bowl Sunday-worthy dish would you slow cook to perfection in the Hawk Crock if you win it? Earn a bonus entry by signing up to follow the blog via email. Complete entry EXTENDED to Midnight Thursday (1/29/15) to be eligible. If you don’t win the Hawk Crock, you are still automatically entered to win a one-year subscription to Chef Kirsten Helle’s Menus by Mesa de Vida healthy meal planning service.

+ Decide where to temp-tattoo Ranch Baby II (RBII) this week. Because superstition. So what should it be? Back to a butt cheek? Her baby bald spot of glory? Or chubby face cheek it?

Left: Resulted in Panthers beat down, Right: Last week’s combined worst-and-best-game all-in-one heart attack OT victory over GB

+ Post Chef Kirsten’s Steak Baked Beans recipe so you can make it too! Plus here are a few my friend Jackie shared on Q13 Fox Blue Friday before the NFC Championship if you need more ideas!

Healthy Homemade Steak Baked Beans by Chef Kirsten Helle

2 tsp healthy oil/fat of your choice
1 lb flank or sirloin steak, cut into ½” dice
2 slices bacon, chopped
1 onion, diced
1 bell pepper, seeded and diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
Salt and pepper to taste
1 Tb onion powder
1 Tb paprika
3 Tb maple syrup
2 Tb whole grain mustard
4 oz tomato sauce
1 can black beans, rinsed and drained
1 can kidney beans, rinsed and drained
½ cup broth

Preheat a large soup pot or deep skillet over medium high heat, when hot add oil, swirl to coat. Add the beef in one layer (do 2 batches if necessary) and brown on all sides. Remove to a plate and keep warm. Add the bacon to the pan and cook until crisp. Add the onion, bell pepper, garlic, salt and pepper, onion powder and paprika. Saute, stirring often, until the onion is translucent, about 8-10 minutes. Add the maple syrup, mustard, tomato sauce, beans, broth and beef back to the pan. Stir and bring to a simmer. Cook on low until the beef is cooked to your liking and tender. Serve on it’s own or scooped up with some tortilla chips and enjoy!

The After Baby Un-Diet is a 6 week series focusing on health and deliciousness! It is a collaboration with Chef Kirsten Helle and Washington State Beef Commission. Information is not intended to diagnose any medical condition or to replace a medical professional’s orders. Information is for entertainment and informational purposes and Chef Kirsten Helle/Mesa de Vida/Washington State Beef Commission/Ranch Wife Life accept no responsibility for how you use it. Videos and recipes are copyright protected. Raw footage edited and produced by Frazer Loveman, 1Love Media.