First, I love you. Thank you for your kind responses to yesterday’s crisis of parenting confidence. I read each and every comment yesterday and felt so understood and comforted. Also, Carla’s teacher noted today that a LOT of kids are off lately. Some combination of recovering from all the illness going around and facing yet another dreary February day. That helped, too. Today has not started out much better, but I didn’t cry, so we’ll call that progress.
Anyway. *Brisk clap.* No matter what emotional turmoil we’re facing, we still have to eat. So let’s plan some meals, shall we?
Tomorrow is my last day of this infernal challenge. It has been fun, if “fun” is a word you can appropriately apply to persistent headaches and an overwhelming longing for Diet Coke. And I am pretty sure if I tough it out for a week or so more, I’d be able to keep up with it. But I like carbs and I don’t want to cut them out entirely, nor do I want to live a wine-free life at this stage of my development, so I think I am going to stick to good ol’ calorie counting from here on out. But for tomorrow, I am going to make this FINAL sugar free option for dinner:
- Garlic Butter Shrimp with Zucchini Noodles: https://damndelicious.net/2019/02/04/garlic-butter-shrimp-scampi/
Note: Is this a complete meal? Shrimp and zucchini? Will my husband feel like there isn’t enough substance? I guess we’ll find out.
Follow Up: I made this version instead: https://damndelicious.net/2015/01/24/zucchini-shrimp-scampi/ It was DELICIOUS. Definitely filling, definitely enough for my husband and me. I will definitely make this again.
Then on Thursday, I am making Spaghetti with Meat Sauce (my own semi-homemade recipe, which is delicious) and we will get cake from our local bakery. Also, wine. And garlic bread.
For the remainder of the week (leaving a night for leftovers or going out):
- Thai Red Chicken Curry: https://www.jocooks.com/recipes/thai-red-chicken-curry
Note: This is a tried-and-true FAVORITE in our house. I am going to see if this gets me back on the chicken train. (Ugh. The term “chicken train” is enough to make me leave the station again.) If not, I pack it with enough veggies that there’s no need real need for meat.
- Baked Salmon with Parmesan Herb Crust and Green Beans: https://addapinch.com/baked-salmon-with-parmesan-herb-crust-recipe/and https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ina-garten/string-beans-with-shallots-recipe-1943028
Note: This is another favorite. I use thyme or dill for the “herb” part of the herb crust. For some reason, Ina’s green beans and shallot dish is almost always the side I pair it with. It’s GOOD. And easy – especially because I don’t blanch the beans first. I just throw ‘em in with the sweaty shallots.
- Honey Mustard Pork Chops w Zucchini: https://www.jocooks.com/recipes/honey-mustard-glazed-chicken/
Note: Easy, delicious, healthy.
- Black Bean Burritos
Note: I have missed eating legumes during this 10 day challenge. And cheese. Burritos are the perfect antidote.
I may also make a big pot of this for lunches next week:
- Lemony Lentil Soup: https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/1567674/middle-eastern-lentil-soup-
What are you eating to combat the February Drears? Are you doing anything fun for Valentine’s Day dinner?
Mike and I are going to be driving out to Cape Cod for a weekend away on Valentines, so our dinner will probably end up being Panera. BUT! On Friday we’re going out to a fancy pants farm-to-table restaurant and on Saturday we’re going to my favorite (um..also the only one I’ve even been to) Brazilian churrascaria . Meat on swords!
I’m glad we were able to offer you some reassurance…not to sound like an old lady, but we didn’t have the internet to help us over some humps. Just move forward with love and good intentions and you’ll be doing it right.
That salmon sounds AMAZING! We probably won’t do much of anything for Valentine’s; maybe exchange some cards. We just had our anniversary, which came along right after Christmas. Not too mention that we both have some kind of crud.
Not doing anything for Valentine’s Day. It’s not something either of us enjoy.
You have a good sense of humour about your month-long challenge!
In July I went low carb and high fat and have lost just over 30 pounds, my blood pressure has gone way down & I”m off all the meds; my insulin levels are down; triglycerides way down. All in all I feel so much better and it hasn’t been difficult. The only exception I make is when we go to someone’s home for dinner — I eat whatever they serve and say nothing. The next day I simply go back to eating this way. And wine is the same. Since we entertain quite a bit I serve whatever the heck I want plus have a glass or two of wine and simply go back to normal the next day. Everyone has noticed a big difference in how I look and how much more confident I am too. It’s been good.
Bravo to you on your one-month challenge.
I do not have a solid plan for meals in part because I have only made it to the grocery store for a few things here and there for the last 10 days. Tonight I made the balsamic vinegar pork crock pot recipe that I got from you a few weeks back. 2nd time I made it and it is a huge hit. Yum!