Opulent Cottage: Week Two of A Healthier Diet

Our second week of our new diet included some more good eating, for sure. We certainly aren't feeling deprived! Just well fed, and maybe a little less snug in our clothes. With super chilly temps all week, this was the perfect time to try out some of my favorite soup and stew recipes.

All recipe links will be bold and italicized.

We started off a healthy-eating weekend last Friday with Baked Salmon, served on a bed of arugula, with baked spaghetti squash and lemon-parmesan green beans.

My yummy Mushroom Soup, served with a grilled steak using Jaden's recipe, was our fare for Saturday night. Seriously, try her steak recipe and you'll never think you need to eat out to get a good steak again.

OK, this is not on the diet. But it was cold, and a snow day, so on Sunday we made Crawfish Etouffee. Recipe and photo here. I did almost double the quantity of vegetables, and went easy on the half-n-half, and we enjoyed it every bit as much. In the future I'll have brown rice on hand to use rather than white.

After the cream-fest Sunday night, I was craving something a little lighter. Egg Drop Soup from the Atkins site was warming and filling. I had not had egg drop soup in a long time, and really enjoyed this simple version. I would have made a salad to go with it, but it was just too cold to wash lettuce!

Next, on Tuesday, a delicious Sausage, Bean and Tomatillo Stew. This stew is comforting and flavorful with the lemony tomatillos and great Mexican-influenced spices. We used Italian-flavored chicken sausage, and I loved how the flavors paired with the other spices in the stew.

Wednesday's continued chilly temps called for a steaming pot of chili. Made with local grassfed beef and the fantastically delicious Homemade Ranch-Style Beans from Homesick Texan. And more cole slaw, as we're stil trying to use the approximately 18-pound head of cabbage that Maurie picked up at the store last week. Apparently we had not had the conversation about how the store will cut it in half for you, if you prefer.

Some of us got to eat our chili with dogs and tots. Not me! But working with this diet to accomodate our teen is going to be part of the success of us sticking with it. I don't want to give up because of a family mutiny! They are all-natural chicken dogs, at least.

Back to the beans: you'll never regret it if you make some of these. I actually make a double batch and freeze them in 1-1/2 cup quantities, about the size of a can of beans. The recipe calls for using dried chiles rather than powder, and the difference in taste is remarkable. It makes chili-making so easy: saute together 1 lb. lean ground beef, lots of chopped onion and garlic. Add 2 - 15 oz. cans tomato sauce, 1/2 can water, the beans, season with 1 T ground cumin, 1 T chili powder, salt and pepper to taste. Simmer one hour, adding water as necessary. That's it! No packets to buy, and everything can come out of the freezer and pantry. I like to add lots of sliced jalapenos to spice it up even more.

Funny thing about it is, I didn't feel deprived at all, not having the hot dog bun, or any other extra baked goods, or desserts this week! The fiber-filled vegetables and beans we had were so satisfying, and yummy, that we really don't even feel like we're on a diet. I feel a sense of contentment about feeding my family such much more nutritious foods, also. I hope you'll give some of these a try, and let me know if you like them, too!

Joining Foodie Friday at Designs By Gollum.

Comments

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That sounds good and I'm going over to see that steak recipe. It's hard for my man to cut back because he wants only meat and potatoes.

Posted by: Donnie | January 13, 2011 at 07:34 PM

Yummy! I'm happy to read about your healthy meals. You have eaten well all week. I'll bet you feel great and filled with energy. I adore salmon as well. Mmmmm...

Warmly, ~Melissa :)

Posted by: Melissa's Heart and Home | January 13, 2011 at 10:25 PM