Swiss Chard w/Fava Beans

Just because I haven't posted in a while doesn't mean the recipes need to stop coming, eh? I'll catch up with the posts later, but in the meantime, enjoy!

1/2 lb fava beans, shelled*
1 leek, chopped
2-3 cloves garlic, chopped
1/2 tsp fresh rosemary, chopped
1 bunch Swiss chard, chopped
1/2 cup NSA chicken broth
Juice of one lemon
ground black pepper to taste

In a non-stick pan, sauté the fava beans, leek, garlic & rosemary in a splash of NSA chicken broth over medium heat. Cook until leek is soft and translucent (about 5 minutes), then add the Swiss chard along with the remaining broth. Saute until Swiss chard is done and most of the broth has evaporated (another 5-8 minutes). Toss with the juice of one lemon and top with freshly ground pepper.

*Fava beans can be substituted out for veggies such as broccoli rabe or kale, and those leftovers work well in the gourmet veggie omelette.

Drunken Chicken (hic)

This is a favorite recipe handed down from generation to generation. I've modified it only slightly by using skinless chicken breasts and skipping the salt. That's it, and as I'm sure you'll find, the flavors permeate the chicken--you'll never miss the salt. The measurements are loose on this so you can scale the recipe to what you need (isn't this how all Italians do? ;)


Drunken Chicken

Boneless, skinless chicken breasts
Garlic powder (NOT garlic salt)
Italian seasoning (the variety with no salt)
Black pepper & crushed red pepper to taste
White wine*

Preheat oven to 350F. Arrange chicken breasts in a roasting pan (I usually do around 3-4 lbs at a time, so I have enough to last a few days). Sprinkle both sides with a GENEROUS amount (and when I say generous, I mean generous) of garlic powder and Italian seasoning. Pour white wine into the pan so that it's about 1/2 inch deep. Add black and crushed red pepper to your liking. Roast in the oven for 30 minutes, then turn and roast for another 30 minutes or until done.

*I prefer to use Chablis wine (you know, in the jugs) for cooking as it's mild and won't overpower the dish.

17 Pounds Down, A Gazillion to Go

True to my usual form, I start a blog project, then leave it for dead. I could easily launch my very own blog graveyard; however, I suspect it too would suffer a similar fate. But, I digress...

Now nearly two months since my initial post, I am happy to report that Morgan and I survived the first six weeks of the plan. While we didn't remain perfectly on plan, we were pretty close. In a way, it's almost better, because we're incorporating healthy habits into our lifestyle, yet we're still seeing results. So far Morgan is down 18 pounds, and I'm down 17. One of the big changes has been eliminating salt from the diet. When you cut the salt, a lot of stuff goes along with it. Just within the first few days I noticed an immediate change in how I felt--my energy level had a noticeable boost. In the process, we've learned to cook great tasting foods without fat and without salt. Who knew?

In the meantime, I still have quite a ways to go, so I'll continue to post my progress along with some great tasting recipes that are low (or non) fat and have no salt added.

Diet is just DIE with a T on the End

Someone once said the road to Hell is paved with good intentions. Not true. Mine was paved with pasta and brie, and the flagmen were passing out cupcakes along the way...I kid you not! And so begins yet another journey down the weight loss trail, but things are different this time, mostly because we're calling it a "lifestyle change." No more yo-yos. We'll see.

The plan: The Six Week Body Makeover.

The goal: to be healthy (having a goal weight seems so dated ;)

I know "Six Week Body Makeover" sounds gimmicky (and the promos are in fact cheesy), but it truly seems to be a decent short-term plan packaged with a long term maintenance plan... a moderate exercise regime is tucked in for good measure. Most diets focus on short-term results, but this one provides guidance for healthy living beyond the initial plan. Living Lean, they call it. Now, I'm not here to promote this product or even to review it...just putting it out there. Sorta like this blog. I'm only a few days in at this point anyway, and mostly because I need the structure.

Clearly I've reached that point where enough is enough. I'm completely out of shape. Nothing fits, and I've gone up at least four sizes in the last five years. Oh, and let's just say, at size 12, I wasn't exactly skinny to start (though I was in pretty good shape physically).

Then a new beau enters the picture, physical activities grind to a screeching halt, and nesting begins. You know the drill. I love to cook, he loves to eat...a match made in heaven! Morgan and I met on a ski trip. Of course, now, neither of us fit in our ski clothes, let alone ski. Fortunately (or unfortunately as the case may be) he's on the diet too. So, here we are. For better or for worse, through highs, lows, and cookie-deprivation mood swings... change begins NOW.