Fajitas and Feelings

by Becca.

I had a crappy week. It started like any other week and ended in tears. My thoughts have been racing all weekend. Am I enough? What do they think of me? Should I have said something different? Am I on the right path? How will this end? Is she on my side?

For me, thoughts like this are all consuming. I can briefly forget when I sleep, dance or get caught up in a really good Mad Men episode, but other than that my mind is racing.

My husband can see it. “You are still thinking?” he’ll say. “Haven’t you exhausted all of your thoughts?” he’ll ask helplessly. I think they call it ruminating.

When I feel like this, comfort is what I seek. I have been drinking hot tea, wearing a cozy robe and asking for copious, drawn out hugs.

I need food that will bring my spirit back, so we are making fajita salad tonight. I have been eating fajitas since I was little, and I need that right now. I want to taste the vibrancy of peppers, onions and fajita spices. I need some avocado in my life. I also want something that feels nourishing and life supporting. This recipe covers all those bases and will hopefully give my brain a brief reprieve from thinking and thinking and thinking.

If you are having a crappy day, hopefully this will make you feel better. If you are having a good day, I hope it makes you feel good about the way you are fueling your body.

Ingredients:

1 Tablespoon Olive Oil

3 Peppers, cut into strips

2 Small Onions, cut into strips

1 Bag Fresh Mixed Greens or Spinach

4oz Fajita-style Tofu OR 1 Can Refried Beans

3 Avocados

1/2 Cup Salsa

2 Tablespoons Fajita Seasoning 

Juice of 1/2 of a Lime

1/2 teaspoon Salt

1/2 teaspoon Cumin

1/2 teaspoon Cayenne Powder

1/4 Small Red Onion, diced

Instructions:

1 – Cut peppers and onions into strips.

2 – Heat 1 Tbsp olive oil over medium-high heat in a pan.

3 – Add onions, peppers and fajita seasoning. Cook, stirring occasionally until the peppers are soft and onions are starting to brown.

4 – While the peppers and onions are cooking, mix the avocados, lime juice, salt, cumin, cayenne. I use a potato masher to mix and smash  the avocado.

5 – Cut the red onion and stir it into the avocado mixture.

6 – Add diced tofu (if using) to the peppers and onions to heat it up.

7 – To serve, fill a shallow bowl or plate with greens, top with peppers and onions then top with salsa and avocado mixture. If you are using re-fried beans, add warm beans first to the bottom of the bowl, then top with the remaining ingredients.

Garnish ideas: chopped cilantro, chopped green onions, crushed tortilla chips, hot sauce (I’m obsessed with Cholula)

If you are not vegan, you can choose to top with a little cheese or sour cream, but taste it without these ingredients first. You might find you don’t miss them.

Enjoy!

Becca