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Story by Meredith Nelson / January 20, 2017
Black Bean, Kale, and (Almond) Cheese Quesadillas
From Meredith’s kitchen
Ingredients:
1/2 cup dried black beans
taco seasoning (homemade, see *below)
Whole grain tortillas (1 per person)
2-3 handfuls of fresh kale
1/4 sliced onion
Trader Joe’s almond cheese, mozzarella style
Directions:
For beans: (or just skip this part and use canned beans – but rinse them first to get rid of any sodium)
Rinse beans, soak in 3″ water for 6 – 8 hours.
Drain beans, cover with water, bring to a boil.
Cover, reduce heat, and simmer until tender.
Saute onion, when almost done, add kale to skillet and saute until slightly wilted. Add beans and taco seasoning, mixing well. Heat about 5 minutes.
With heat on medium, spray another skillet with cooking spray or lightly coat with olive oil.
Place one tortilla in skillet, cover one 1/2 of tortilla with bean mixture. Sprinkle 1/4 cup almond cheese over bean mixture and fold other half on top.
While heating, press quesadilla flat with a spatula. Once the tortilla is browned on the bottom, flip with spatula and heat until the other side is brown.
One quesadilla serves one person.
*Taco Seasoning:
1/4 cup chili powder
1/8 cup onion powder
1/2 Tbs. paprika
1/2 Tbs. garlic powder
3 tsp. cumin
(hint: mixed with no-salt tomato sauce, this makes a great sauce for burritos, enchiladas, and nachos!)
I worked out with Meredith for years before she (sadly) moved away. She is creative, fun, and great at correcting your form. She can adapt to injuries you might have. She will incorporate things you like (yoga) and can work with all types of exercise equipment from machines to bands to TRX to free weights to your body weight. No two workouts are the same, which means you do not get bored and you want to keep coming back!
Meredith first sought to truly understand my fitness goals and then observed my current weight-training routine. She then helped me organize a workout plan that gave me better results, in the same amount of time. Now I have a more balanced routine that is producing better results, in the same amount of time, with the same amount of effort. She always had my work within my comfort level and has helped me develop a more balanced program that maximizes the results.
I found my happy place at home with Meredith and Primetime Fitness. I started virtual training with Meredith at the beginning of Covid and now virtual training is part of my weekly routine. What a joy to get a great workout and not have to leave the house! Thanks, Meredith!
I’ve been taking Meredith’s classes for a few short months and also doing some training sessions with her, and it has already made me stronger. I love that she offers lower-impact options (for this 58-year-old) and also motivates all of us during class!
I was recently diagnosed as a Type 2 Diabetic. I had worked out with Meredith once before, but at the time, I just wasn’t dedicated to a routine. As soon as I was diagnosed, I shot her a quick email, and she immediately responded. We met and discussed diet and exercise; she was a wealth of information. I started working out with her and figuring out what routine spoke best to me. She helped me set up a Peloton bike and monitored my form. Hey, if this 65-year-old woman can get in shape, anyone can. I’m 15 pounds down and on the right track. Thanks, Meredith!