Spinach-Lentil Pottage ~ 5 Points Plus
Ingredients
3 small onions sliced
1 teaspoon minced garlic
3 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1 pound lentils, rinsed and sorted
8 cups of water
1 teaspoon of sea salt
2 (10 oz) packages of frozen chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed of excess liquid
4 teaspoons of lemon juice
Directions
Heat olive oil in a large soup pot on med-low heat. Add onions to the pot and saute until soft and just golden. Add garlic to the onions, stirring gently until fragrant. Next add the lentils, water and salt to the pot, then bring the ingredients to a boil. When the pottage comes to a boil, lower the heat and cover, simmering until lentils are tender (approximately 45 minutes). Add the spinach and lemon juice to the pottage, cooking until spinach is heated and tender (approximately ten minutes more). Makes 10 one cup servings.
Carbs 32 grams, Fiber 14 grams = Net Carbs 18 grams
Thursday, December 26, 2013
Cherry-Almond Smoothie
I love smoothies for breakfast. I find them very filling. Smoothies are also a delicious way to start off with fruit, vegetable and "milk" to check off your "Healthy Checks". I've discovered that by making a smoothie with fat and protein in it, I am not hungry until lunch time. I am sure most people trying to lose weight would not want to use so many points for breakfast, but for me having too few points at breakfast time means being too hungry at or before lunch. Next thing I know, I am overeating the remainder of the day.
Cherry-Almond Smoothie ~ 8 PointsPlus
Ingredients
1 1/2 cups Original Almond Milk
1 cup of frozen dark sweet cherries
1/2 cup of baby spinach torn into smaller pieces
2 tablespoons of Hemp Powder
1/8 teaspoon of almond extract
Directions
Blend ingredients in a blender. Pour into a large glass and enjoy.
Note: I find making smoothies in a more powerful blender makes life easier. You do not need to break the bank to obtain a decent blender.
Carbs 57 grams, Fiber 19 grams = Net Carbs 38 grams
Cherry-Almond Smoothie ~ 8 PointsPlus
Ingredients
1 1/2 cups Original Almond Milk
1 cup of frozen dark sweet cherries
1/2 cup of baby spinach torn into smaller pieces
2 tablespoons of Hemp Powder
1/8 teaspoon of almond extract
Directions
Blend ingredients in a blender. Pour into a large glass and enjoy.
Note: I find making smoothies in a more powerful blender makes life easier. You do not need to break the bank to obtain a decent blender.
Carbs 57 grams, Fiber 19 grams = Net Carbs 38 grams
Starting Over. Again.
How many times have I tried to lose weight?
How many different types of diets have I tackled?
I have lost track over the years...
Why do I keep trying? Because I feel unhealthy. I am unhealthy. I am at the age when doctors want to shove pills at you for this and that. My blood pressure is fine, but creeps up during stress. I have not developed Type II diabetes, but genetics tell me it's most likely down the road. My cholesterol numbers are a bit high and at my last doctor visit meds were suggested. I said I'd like to improve my diet first. My weight keeps inching up slowly, as does my clothing size.
I no longer care about being skinny or wearing a certain size. But I do care about being healthy and strong. I feel better when I eat primarily vegan. Meat and dairy take too long for my body to digest, leaving me feeling blah for days. On the other hand, I believe we should eat food as God created it, with little to no processing. Many vegan alternatives are not natural foods if you read the ingredient list.
So what are my diet goals? How to I intend to get healthier? I want to use the Weight Watchers program because unlike other diets it does not demand I avoid certain foods. It is adaptive. Because I can add the WW app to my phone and take it wherever I go. Because it will allow me to eat primarily vegan or pescatarian without being inflexible.
My goal is to eat primarily vegan with pescatarian dishes added throughout the week. If you are looking for a diet fanatic, you won't find her here. If I develop a craving for a juicy hamburger every few months, I will indulge. But beef, pork and chicken will be the rare occasion, most certainly not part of my daily choices. I will serve fish and other seafood several times a week because my family loves them and I'm not into cooking separate meals for myself.
Last year up took up running and I loved it. Between the weather, a broken toe and other issues I quit running. Our family joined a gym to help my children get P.E. credits for homeschool. I should be going too, but "haven't had the time". It's time to start going at least three times a week. And once my toe quits hurting, I'd like to take up running again.
This blog is a record of my journey. It is my public accountability. It is a handy reference for me to store recipes and points. You are welcome to follow along or join me.
How many different types of diets have I tackled?
I have lost track over the years...
Why do I keep trying? Because I feel unhealthy. I am unhealthy. I am at the age when doctors want to shove pills at you for this and that. My blood pressure is fine, but creeps up during stress. I have not developed Type II diabetes, but genetics tell me it's most likely down the road. My cholesterol numbers are a bit high and at my last doctor visit meds were suggested. I said I'd like to improve my diet first. My weight keeps inching up slowly, as does my clothing size.
I no longer care about being skinny or wearing a certain size. But I do care about being healthy and strong. I feel better when I eat primarily vegan. Meat and dairy take too long for my body to digest, leaving me feeling blah for days. On the other hand, I believe we should eat food as God created it, with little to no processing. Many vegan alternatives are not natural foods if you read the ingredient list.
So what are my diet goals? How to I intend to get healthier? I want to use the Weight Watchers program because unlike other diets it does not demand I avoid certain foods. It is adaptive. Because I can add the WW app to my phone and take it wherever I go. Because it will allow me to eat primarily vegan or pescatarian without being inflexible.
My goal is to eat primarily vegan with pescatarian dishes added throughout the week. If you are looking for a diet fanatic, you won't find her here. If I develop a craving for a juicy hamburger every few months, I will indulge. But beef, pork and chicken will be the rare occasion, most certainly not part of my daily choices. I will serve fish and other seafood several times a week because my family loves them and I'm not into cooking separate meals for myself.
Last year up took up running and I loved it. Between the weather, a broken toe and other issues I quit running. Our family joined a gym to help my children get P.E. credits for homeschool. I should be going too, but "haven't had the time". It's time to start going at least three times a week. And once my toe quits hurting, I'd like to take up running again.
This blog is a record of my journey. It is my public accountability. It is a handy reference for me to store recipes and points. You are welcome to follow along or join me.
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