Limiting Carbs

I'm going to have hand surgery soon. I have what is called trigger finger where, basically, the long finger on my left hand becomes locked in a bent position. I've been dealing with this for some time now and I often wake up with my finger locked and have to use my other hand to straighten the finger. As you might imagine, this is pretty painful. And, as time has gone on it has gotten to the point where the finger hurts all the time whether it's bent or straight. Anyway, when I went to the surgeon I admitted that my biggest concern (after wanting the pain gone) is when will I be able to lift weights again. Which led to a conversation about the weight I've lost over the past year, which in turn led to the doctor giving me a copy of her "diet for life."

The diet somewhat follows The Zone by Barry Sears. I picked up his book A Week in the Zone to learn more about it. It boils down to eating lean protein and lots of vegetables and fruits and limiting carbs - especially those refined carbs. And, it includes eating 5 times a day, at evenly spaced intervals. This "diet" is meant to help a person control peaks and dips of blood sugar levels. So, I'm on a quest to find filling low-carb vegetarian recipes.

I spent today doing the laundry and researching a variety of recipes. After all that online searching I'm going to make a recipe that I found in the March 2012 Cooking Light magazine that arrived at my house this week. I did, though, find some recipes to make in the future.

Tomorrow I'll make Vegetable "Meat" Loaf and Surprise South Beach Mashed "Potatoes". The potatoes are actually cauliflower; we've had this before and have enjoyed it. Interestingly, when I told Michael I was thinking of making roasted cauliflower he asked me to make the mashed - this from the man who at one time in his life wouldn't even consider tasting cauliflower.

So, that's what we're having for dinner this Sunday. I'll come back after to upload a picture and comment on how the dinner turned out.

In a Valentine Mood

I kind of feel like making dinner with Valentine's Day in mind, since it's Tuesday. I also have been thinking about what I already have in the house that I can make. Well, I'm going to end up going to the grocery even though it's really cold outside and I really was hoping to avoid going out. Oh well...

I've decided to make the Tofu Parmigiana that I made just about a year ago. I don't know why, but a parmigiana (or Parmesan) just seems to be a Valentine's-type recipe to me. So, we'll have the tofu, and that's what I have to go to the grocery for. I may also pick up some dried porcini mushrooms to adapt a Porcini Crusted Tofu recipe into the parmigiano. I think the mushrooms might give the dish a little more pizzazz.

Then, I think I'll also make some Mrs. T's Pierogies that I have in the freezer. I'm inspired by the Pesto Pierogies recipe, but I'm going to use a jarred pesto that I already have on hand. I'm not really sure though, again I'm thinking about it. If I don't do the pesto pierogies, I might do Pierogy Primavera. Either way I'm pretty sure we'll have pierogies too.

Hmm, such a dilemma. I guess it'll depend on what I feel like tomorrow. But, I still need to go to the grocery to pick up some tofu. I'll be sure to let you know how it all turns out.

Tex-Mex Superbowl Sunday

I planned to just snack today, until I thought about what I had picked up and what Mom and Dad might actually like. On Friday, Schnucks market had a facebook drive-time special that I picked up. Queso Dip Special, $6.50: 1 10-oz can Ro-Tel tomatoes, 1 2-lb Kraft Velveeta, 1 super Pretzel soft pretzels package, 1 13-oz Mission Tortilla chips, AND 1 Coke 2-liter product. Not exactly diet friendly, but hey it's "Superbowl Sunday"! These drive-time specials are good only on the day they are offered and only from 4:00-8:00 p.m. They have really great deals!

Anyway, in thinking about this, I thought well maybe we could have nachos. So, Michael went to the grocery for me this morning to pick up what I needed to make Shredded Tex-Mex Crock-Pot Chicken. I needed chicken, garlic, lettuce, grape tomatoes, and some condiments. This sounds absolutely yummy to me, and it's something I've not made before. I'll also open a can of black beans and have them with the nachos too. I bet, though, that it's a little shocking that I'm making chicken. Well, while that's a real departure for Sunday dinner, I think we'll all like it.

I'll let you know how it turns out. Happy Superbowl Sunday - have a good time!

So - dinner was yummy! Not very diet friendly though with all that cheese. Tasty!