Cherry Tomato Sauce with Asparagus and Spaghetti Squash

I don’t watch a lot of TV but when I do I easily become obsessed with the Food Network and Cooking Channel. Shocked,I’m sure! I would previously just stare at the TV from my couch in awe and only wish I could dream up the recipes and cook as they could. It turns out I can and you can too! Be warned, there are few cooking channels that offer a continuous supply of balanced meals and healthy choices. However, Between The Pioneer Woman, Trisha Yearwood, and the Butter Queen Paula Deen we are usually left salivating on the floor, recreating their delicious recipes, and left with a belly ache. Luckily, as I mentioned, there are some new shows that support healthy lifestyles too and all of the shows above have mentioned their committment to a healthy lifestyle. Admitting they don’t eat the way they cook on television every day. Giada DeLaurentiis is famous for her Italian American flair and she usually has lighter choices and offers balanced meals. This is one of her recipes below that I removed some of the oil, wine, and carb heavy pasta from. The sauce with shrimp and asparagus is delicious enough to eat on its own anyway! For other healthy Food Network and Cooking Channel recipes and tips check out Bobby Dean “Not My Mama’s Meals”- he has the ultimate make-over challenge of Paula Deen’s famous southern dishes. Drop Five Pounds- teaches you a new recipe, excercise, and lifestyle best practice with every episode. Hungry Girl shares easy “semi homade” recipes and has a newsletter (sign up today!) www.hungry-girl.com It will share with you upcoming health food news at grocery stores and restaurants. I occasionally get to catch a show but most of the time I search their recipes and tips. So get off the couch, stop wishing and start doing! Don’t be afraid to try new things and if you’re worried about the nutritional content(as you should be!) I know a girl who is fabulous with recipe make-overs!

Cherry Tomato Sauce with Asparagus and Spaghetti Squash
serves 4. 186 calories. 4.5 grams of fat. 514 mg sodium. 15 carbs. 4 grams of fiber. 20 grams of protein. 4 WW Points Plus
1 spaghetti squash halved and seeds removed
1 tablespoons olive oil
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 pound asparagus, ends trimmed off and cut into 1-inch pieces
1 teaspoon of red pepper flakes (we add more, we like it spicy!)
2 pints cherry tomatoes halved
1/4 cup white wine
1/4 cup low-sodium chicken stock
1/2 cup of fresh chopped basil
1 pound of shrimp shelled and deveined
Directions
Preheat over to 400 degrees. Lightly spray spaghetti squash with cooking spray and bake for 1 hour. Remove and set to the side to cool before removing spaghetti strands with a fork.
In a large saute pan, heat the oil over medium-high heat. Add the garlic and cook or about 1 minute on medium heat, be careful not to burn the garlic. Add the cherry tomatoes and red pepper, salt, pepper to taste then cook for 3 minutes on a medium high heat. Pour the chicken stock and wine into the pan and bring the mixture to a simmer. Cook until the tomatoes start to burst and the liquid begins to reduce. Gently press down on tomatoes with a fork or masher. Add chopped asparagus and shrimp. Cook until asparagus is tended and shrimp is a opague pink and white color.

ENJOY!

Confessions of a Shopaholic

If you know me a on a personal level, my love for the wonderful world of fashion is no secret. One glimpse at my shoe closet and any one would diagnose me with a slight problem. I had always loved pretty dresses and shiny things but didn’t grow up with an abundant clothing allowance. When I did have money to spend on clothes it was often a depressing experience of wanting things that were not flattering on my body. My obsession with shoes and clothing began to be a real problem the first time I had reached a healthy, normal size for my height. On the outside I looked as healthy as I could be. On the inside, I was dying. I was in an abusive relationship, I had gotten thin the wrong way, and I sought value in all the wrong places. In my mind, I was never the prettiest girl in the room, or the funniest girl in the room,and I certainly wasn’t the smartest. So, I decided “at least I’ll be the best dressed.” This went on for years and I still struggle with it today.

One of the hardest lessons I have learned in life is that I determine my self-worth.

Not designer labels, the number on the scale, my job title, a mean name that someone called me, a rumor, or a mistake. We are all exactly who and where we are supposed to be at this very moment and it is all part of one beautiful, divine plan. You’re good enough with out the bells and whistles. As long as you are the BEST version of yourself. I’m still learning how to value and appreciate myself. It’s hard, especially for women! But, I never want my daughter to seek comfort in some “thing” that is a mask in disguise. I started healing when I started to focus on the inside. Not only with positive thoughts and prayer, but truly what I was putting INTO MY BODY. Confession: I still love spending hours in stores. Even grocery stores 🙂 Here are some of our families’ favorite finds that we keep our pantry armed and dangerous with at all times!

My personal favorites (as I have had a lot of requests to share things I eat on a daily basis to stay “on track”)”:
Walden Farms… anything! They have zero calorie dressings, hot fudge!, even “whipped peanut spread” although Reduced Sodium Better’n Peanut Butter and PB2 are my absolute favorites. They have half of the calories and fat of peanut butter *yes even the all natural, reduced fat, or whipped peanut butter. I am obsessed with all things “Vita” from their muffins to their newly released pizza’s you can pronounce all of their ingredients and on the side of the box they share how long you have to exercise to work off their treats! Artic Zero “ice cream” saves my life on a weekly basis. When you get the urge to eat an entire pint of ice cream get ARTIC ZERO! The entire pint is 150 calories, has ten grams of protein, and for all of my weight watchers out there, it’s only THREE POINTS! We go through almost two cartons of unsweetened vanilla almond milk in a week. An entire cup is only 30 calories and our five-year old LOVES it! It is great in cereal but especially yummy in protein shakes and coffee. I still eat cheese almost daily! Just always be sure to seek out fat-free or light options like the babybel rounds or fat free pepperjack slices. I love to have carrot sticks and cheese as a mid day snack. I eat sweet potatoes like my life depends on it and a the prewrapped microwaveable ones are great for the healthy eater that packs a lunch or battles internally with the vending machines at work. Fat free popcorn is another great power food option as an afternoon snack before you head to the gym or a late night salty snack. All snacks that we buy are preportioned or I portion them out as soon as they are unpacked. This way I am always aware of exactly how much of what is going into my body. Ignorance is bliss until your pants don’t fit or you start to lose circulation in your hands at age 24 like I did. Last but not least, one of my favorite grocery finds are La Tortilla’s Low Carb High Fiber 80 calorie tortillas. These are a family favorite for us all. We use them to make pizzas, tacos, and sandwiches. These are the goodies I can’t live without but pictured I have my husband’s favorites as well as my daughters. We also keep our fridge stocked full of fresh produce, lean protein, and fat-free dairy! I also get a lot of request for tips on healthy snacks for kids. I have included a picture of my daughters “snack basket” as well. Happy Hunting, because you’re worth it too!