Spicy shrimp and asparagus with roasted baby bok choy...

We still had a whole pizza left over from last night's dinner...don't worry - I wasn't even tempted. Those tomato bites totally took care of that craving. So today when we got home from church, the kids pulled the pizza out of the fridge and got right to warming it up for themselves.

I thought about just nibbling on some salad or eat a boiled egg or two, but I knew that those would not satisfy. That's when I remembered that I had transferred some frozen shrimp to the fridge to thaw. Bingo!

I cut and washed the baby bok choy thoroughly. If you don't wash it well, you may end up biting into some gritty sand. Yuck. I coated it with coconut oil, crushed garlic and red pepper flakes. Then I put it in a glass pan and put it under the broiler to roast.

While I had that going, I rinsed the shrimp and also added pepper flakes, black pepper and garlic. I let that sit while I cut up some asparagus and began to sautee them in some olive oil. At this point I checked on the bok choy and popped a lid on the asparagus to speed up the cooking a bit. When the asparagus were starting to get tender, I added the shrimp and gave it a stir. I put the lid back on and let them all finish cooking for about 5 minutes.

Marco really enjoyed it and I did too. It was filling and I know that it's good for me. Victory again! One day at a time. =)

Tomato Bites...

On Tuesday, it will be 5 weeks since I got back to eating a paleo or primal type diet. Of course, I should technically put an asterisk there by those words because I am still enjoying some dairy products like cheese and I do indulge in sugar-free flavored creamer in my coffee in the morning... Anyway, I'm not doing that bad. I feel energetic and strong. I haven't really had any moments where I thought I'd have a "breakdown" and I've lost about 16 lbs. so far.

Fast forward to this afternoon when I got to talking with a friend about how I'm getting a pizza craving. Then my kids start saying that they would really like it if dad would pick up some Little Caesar's for them. Oh, no...I'm getting weak. Even $5 pizza sounds good. I start getting panicky.

I had to think quick. I called my oldest over and asked if she felt like throwing something together for me. She's more than happy to oblige (I just love her!).

In just a few minutes she presented me with these beauties. They were sooo good. Not the same as pizza, but I got the taste that I was looking for and I ate enough of them to feel full. They are now going to be a regular staple!! Try it out for yourself.

Here's what she used:

Amorosa tomatoes on the vine from Trader Joe's (little larger than cherry tomatoes)

Oven roasted turkey breast from TJ's

Shredded monterey jack and cheddar cheese

Mrs. Dash seasoning

Tapatio hot sauce.

Just slice the tomatoes, put a bit of turkey on top, cheese, and seasoning. Put it under the broiler for about 5 minutes - more if you want to cook down the tomato - just watch that the cheese doesn't burn up too bad. Add hot sauce if you want. ENJOY!! So satisfying. =) Another day, another victory.

From my kitchen...

Simple Paleo fare... Sauteed shrimp

World's easiest sausage stuffed mushrooms...

Asparagus wrapped in bacon...

Chicken and asparagus salad...

Simple, yet tasty low-carb eats. Keep it fresh and colorful and everyone's sure to like it!

One Little Word|Captured|Week 10

A big part of this JOURNEY is being honest and realistic about this object. I can not be afraid of it. It is just a tool - a guide - but it does not own me. Lately, it has been showing me good news...haha...and that always makes the JOURNEY sweeter.

You can join Jill and many others in sharing your one little word captured at her site by clicking on the button.

Bento Love

So, of course, a big part of eating right and staying on track is planning! Last night when I made dinner, I went ahead and put just a bit aside for my lunch today. I love bento boxes and I have a small collection that I love. Most of them are gifts that people brought/sent me from Japan. =)

On one tier I have my grilled mushroom chicken and asparagus and on the second tier I have a wonderful salad.

Can't forget the salad dressing!!

Here it is ready to go in the bag and off to work I go! This bento was sent to me from my friend Sanae. Thank you Sanae!!

Reverb10|Day 28|Achieve

December 28 – Achieve
What’s the thing you most want to achieve next year? How do you imagine you’ll feel when you get it? Free? Happy? Complete? Blissful? Write that feeling down. Then, brainstorm 10 things you can do, or 10 new thoughts you can think, in order to experience that feeling today.
(Author: Tara Sophia Mohr)
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Ugh. I hate to even read this prompt because the first thing that comes to my mind is Weight Loss. I hate to say it though, because I really can't stand to hear people talk about how they NEED to lose weight or do this or do that...but never REALLY try to do it. I know. I'm not very sympathetic, but I can't help it. I am just as hard on myself as I am on others. BUT I also know that I will feel more accountable knowing that I've told my friends and family...that I'm saying it out loud!
So, the thing I want to achieve most next year is to really lose weight and keep it off. I would like to realistically lose about 80 lbs. I don't expect to lose all of that next year, but my goal would be to lose at least half of that. I am very muscular and pretty solid, so I don't even know if pounds are the thing to focus on. Maybe a size in clothing or test of endurance and strength...whatever it is - it's got to happen in 2011. I need to get this health thing under control.
If I can lose the weight, I know that I will feel happier with myself. I will be more confident about myself. I would enjoy shopping for a change. I would probably sleep better and physically feel better. I might not mind having my picture taken. ha.
10 things or thoughts that will help me achieve this:
1. I have to think about the fact that it won't happen over-night.
2. I have to realize that if I fail once, it does not mean that I get to quit.
3. I have to think about what is really important to me, and not think of instant gratification.
4. I will have to plan ahead to make sure that I have healthy foods, snacks and beverages on hand.
5. I will have to add daily exercise to my schedule.
6. I will have to practice portion control and make wise food choices.
7. I will think about how much better I will feel for my children, my husband and myself.
8. I will keep a food journal about how I feel - as best as I can - for as long as I can.
9. I will choose to be more active with my kids and be a better role model for them in the area of diet and nutrition.
10. I will remember that my body is the temple of the Holy Spirit and that I am to be a good steward of this body that I have while I'm here on this earth. I will pray and ask God to help me with self-control. My friend Lea suggested this and I never wanted to give in to it, because I know that I would not want to get God involved and then fail Him. haha. But He's so forgiving and patient, that I've realised that He will be the perfect coach and motivator.
Zechariah 4:6c~"...Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts."