"ToL" Original Recipe: Taco Rice

Highlights of Today’s Post

• Does routine=stability?

• A moment of reflection.

• “ToL” Original Recipe: Taco Rice.

Restless in Routine

They say routine builds stability — that it reduces anxiety and provides control and management during stressful times. And maybe that’s true… for some.

But for me, routine can feel like a slow fade. The same steps, the same meals, the same rhythm — until life starts to feel flat, like I’m just going through the motions. It’s safe, yes. But safe doesn’t always mean fulfilling. After a while, I feel restless, a little trapped, and honestly… a bit sad.

I don’t always like change. It scares me — the unknown, the uncertainty, the risk of messing things up. And yet, I know I need it. Trying new things and adding little pieces to my life’s journey keeps me growing, curious, and alive. It reminds me that even when life feels routine, there’s still room for discovery, adventure, and small sparks of joy.

That’s why my “Taste of Life” blog keeps evolving, too. Because life isn’t meant to stay still, and neither are we.Even routine benefits from a little spice — a reminder that growth, curiosity, and joy are always possible.

A Taste to Ponder

When was the last time you let something new into your life?

Taco Rice Recipe

Yields: 2 servings

Ingredients

• 2 cups cooked organic brown rice

• 1 cup organic arugula

• ½ pound organic ground beef

• ½ cup organic dairy-free cheese

• ½ cup organic salsa

• ½ small organic onion, peeled, medium diced

• 1 tablespoon organic olive oil

• Garlic powder, to taste

• Garlic herb seasoning, to taste

• Black pepper, to taste
  

Kitchen Equipment

• Mixing bowls/cups/spoons for mise en place (“everything in its place”) ingredients

• Measuring bowls/cups/spoons

• Cutting board

• Chef knife

• Medium skillet

• Wooden spoon or spatula

• Rice cooker

• Rice paddle

• Serving bowls
  

Cooking Instructions

1. Sanitize the kitchen (sink, faucets, countertops, stovetop, cupboard handles, smart devices, computer, etc.).

2. Peel and chop onions.

3. Mise en place ingredients.

4. Wash and cook brown rice in a rice cooker.

5. Heat olive oil in a medium skillet over medium heat.

6. Add chopped onion and sauté until translucent, about 3–4 minutes.

7. Add ground beef to the skillet and cook until browned, breaking it apart with a spoon.

8. Add seasonings to taste.

9. Once cooked, remove from heat and set aside.

10. In serving bowls, layer the base with warm brown rice.

11. Top with arugula, ground beef mixture, and dairy-free cheese.

12. Spoon salsa over the top.

13. Serve immediately.

Cheers!

Gini x

28 December 2025