Homemade Coconut Shrimp

Last night we had one of my all time favorite dinners to make! Spicy Coconut Shrimp!!! No this isn't fried shrimp, but shrimp marinated in coconut milk and spices! Here is the recipe below, adapted from this recipe from David Lieberman



* 2 fresh jalapenos, sliced
* 3 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
* 1/2 inch piece ginger, peeled and grated
* 2 tablespoons dark brown sugar
* 2 tablespoons soy sauce
* 1/2 - 3/4 lime, zested
* 1/2 cup light coconut milk
* Small handful basil leaves, torn
* 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
* salt and pepper to taste
* 1 pound peeled, deveined shrimp
* cornstarch

For the shrimp: In a mixing bowl, combine jalapenos, garlic, ginger, brown sugar, soy sauce, lime zest, coconut milk, basil, vegetable oil, salt and pepper. Add the shrimp and marinate for at least 30 minutes and up to 4 hours, refridgerated.

Heat a nonstick skillet over high heat. remove the shrimp from the marinade and place in an even layer in the pan, reserving the marinade in the bowl.

Cook the shrimp until well browned on each side, turning once, about 2 to 3 minutes total. Transfer cooked shrimp to a serving plate.

Add reserved marinade to pan, bring to a boil and cook until slightly thickened add a sprinkle of cornstarch to thicken even more, about 5 minutes. You will get a thick low-fat, low-cal sauce.

I serve mine over a 1/3 c. jasmine brown rice. Next time we make this we are thinking about adding some steam broccoli! Totally healthy and filling! The recipe makes about 4 portions and is about 4 points each + brown rice. Not too bad for a quick yummy meal!

It has been awhile...

WOW, I haven't touched this thing in months! I have to admit, I have been missing writing about what I am up to, eating, and work-outs. This week, I have decided it is time to come back. Taking pictures of my food helps keep me on track. And posting my work-outs empower me to do more. I hope I can make the time to post regularly, but 2-3 times a week is my goal.

Why have I decided to come back? Well, my birthday is right around the corner and I want to see results. See how far I have come, and where I am going. It is like a public journal, where I can share what is going on and reflect on what I need to change. I don't always write about my emotions, I feel that can be too personal, but who knows what will come out!

I have also gone back to Weight Watchers. Maybe it was the Jennifer Hudson commercials, or looking at pictures from when I stuck to the plan and make BIG changes, but I am back. And I can't tell you how much better I feel tracking and eating well! And I will post some of my new favorite recipes for you too with the points and servings! I usually make some adaptions to keep them healthy too!

So summer is here, and let's take the challenge together to get FIT! I will post goals for the week and track my progress, hopefully you tell me yours too :) I might post my latest work-out music mix for you too! They have been pretty heart pumping lately!

Veggie Over Load

I am back! I needed another break from the Internet. I have spent the past few days eating right, continuing my butt kicking work-outs and sweats, and catching up on my knitting and needle point at night. Super relaxing after super stress days at work! I am hoping this week is going to be better, and we are already off to a good start. Keeping very positive this week!

Today was a totally veggie overload day! Not that I am complaining! I know I am going to feel super energized tomorrow. I had a heart pounding and tough yoga session yesterday, so today I opted for sleep. I have the toughest time waking up on Monday's and getting to the gym. But tomorrow is Tuesday and I am super pumped for a good gym work-out and weight lifting session!

Breakfast:

A newer mix! And it is delicious! Here is what was in today's:
*1/4 c. steel cut oats
*1 c. organic almond milk
*cinnamon
*1 tbsp raisins
*1 tbsp flax seed
*1/4 c. cinnamon apples
I LOVE cinnamon apples. Super easy to make and really delicious. Cut up an apple into small chunks. Place into a heat/microwave glass bowl. Coat with cinnamon and drizzle with a little honey. Pop into the microwave for 4-5 minutes, stirring once and done!! It is a great oatmeal topping and way to get some apples into your diet!!

Lunch:
No pictures from lunch because I was in a client meeting for lunch. Don't need everyone thinking I am nuts taking pictures of my food!
We ordered in from California Pizza Kitchen! Total yum! I looked up the nutritional values of all the salads before I ordered and I netted out on the Grilled Veggie Salad with Shrimp! Holy goodness, I ate every bite of this salad. It was delicious and very nourishing. I went with the half order and had 2 slice of sour dough bread on the side (one of my biggest weaknesses). It def kept me full and tied over to dinner!

Dinner:
Tonight was a little bit of something different. Polenta Pizza! This was the first attempt at this, not as successful as I would have liked, but still delicious!

I made the polenta and filled my baking dish with it. Then I topped my pizza with 2 tbsp tomato sauce, mushrooms, yellow pepper slices, 2 slices of prosciutto, 1 1/2 c. spinach, sun-dried tomatoes, and a little feta and fontina! YUMMY. I ate my small serving and have lunch for a few days! Light and delicious.

Off to finish watching Life from last night. Simple amazing!! You have to check it out!

Happy St. Patrick's Day

No update yesterday. Work was entirely too draining and I needed a break last night. Today was a new idea! And St. Patrick's Day! One of the best holidays of the year. Sleeping till 7:40 cut out my AM work-out! Oops.

Breakfast:

Here is what was in today's mix:
*1/2 c. organic sweet potato
*1/4 c. organic oats
*1/3 c. organic greek yogurt
*1/2 scoop natural whey
*cinnamon
This was super filling and delicious. Def kept me tied over till lunch. I did snack on a tiny piece of a Dunkin Donut to snack on. I have such a soft spot for a French Cruler!!!

Lunch:

I made a yummy small sandwich.
*4oz white chicken breast meat
*3oz organic cibatta
*organic mixed green
On the side I had some organic kale chips (one of my new favorite snacks) and a banana! Lunch was great and delicious.

To top it off I had a mini cupcake from Dinkles! WOOHOO! Party of sugar! But soo delicious and great buttercream frosting!


When I got home today, D and I went for a lake walk because it was so beautiful outside! Then we got home and did some cooking. I snacked on some peanut butter while we cooked. Tonight's dinner was sooo great. I cooked my rice on the stove for the first time and it was a HUGE success.

I measured out a 1/2c. organic jasmine brown rice and 3/4 c. of the coconut chicken chili. This dinner was awesome and the recipe was super easy to make! I am excited for leftovers tomorrow night.

Maniac Monday

I am so glad that today is almost over. The daylights saving time has really wiped me out. They say it takes your body 3 days to adjust. I think they might be on to something. I was exhausted this morning. I can't wait to crawl into bed and catch up on some Zzzzz's.

Dinner tonight was delicious!! Roasted chicken with sauteed spinach and mashed potatoes! Yummy!!!

I measured out all my portions today so I knew exactly what went into my body!

Snack:
Since I worked a little later tonight, my snack was 6 saltines! I simply love saltines and don't think I can ever get enough of them!!!

Lunch:
Leftovers from Saturday night (totally deliciousness) and a cup of minestrone soup.


On the side I had a bag of baby carrots and apple (I didn't eat the apple as I was saving it for my 3pm snack, but that snack turned into saltines at 4pm!)


Breakfast:
I made a new combo and I will be a repeat all week.

Here is the mix:
*1/4 c. organic oats
*1/3 c. greek yogurt
*1/3 c. organic sweet potato (This was the new addition and it was sooo yum!)
*cinnamon and pumpkin pie spice
*topped with roasted apples

I made my apples in the microwave last night. I chopped two apples up, topped with cinnamon and 1 teaspoon of honey! They are one of the most favorite snacks in our house! D always hits the bowl before it goes into the fridge for the night. A great oatmeal topper!!!

Dinner Last Night:
Last night I met my mom and brothers for dinner at Pizano's with D. I LOVE pizza and haven't had it in a few weeks. I def got my fill last night. We started dinner with some Pizano's House Salad and a slice of bread with garlic and olive oil.

I had a few squares of Za for dinner. 3 slice of the Mark's Special (garlic and tomatoes!) and 2 small slices of Jack's Brickhouse (sasuage and mushrooms)

So delicious, but I don't think I need that many pieces next time.

Off to finish some work and bed!

Sunday!!

This morning I woke up super sore. But the weather is so beautiful I had to get out. More on that to come. After I started moving, I started my day with 1 c. of Barbara's Peanut Butter Puffs. This has got to be one of my most favorite cereals especially since it is gluten free and low-fat and calories.

I met a friend this morning at the Lavazza Cafe. I went a little early to meet my girlfriend so I had time to enjoy my skim latte and a some reading.

I so enjoy coffee places that make shapes in the foam of your latte. After some quality time catching up with my girlfriend, I walked down to Ulta for a little restocking action in the lotion and concealer department. I walked there and back home because it was so beautiful. I am so happy the sun is out and shining, I will take it even though it isn't super warm yet! Plus I got in 1 hour of mild cardio. I also snapped some shots of the city and the green river for St. Patty's Day!

Sooo pretty!


I was pretty hungry when I got home. I had stopped by the grocery store to pick up some things for dinner tonight and get the week started on the right foot. So I finished my tuna salad with some fresh organic greens. This was exactly what my body needed after my red meat dinner last night!



I am all done catching up! Finally. Off to enjoy the rest the day and a little yoga. Happy Sunday everyone :)

Saturday Rewind

Yesterday I started the day with sweaty ass kicking work-out! I hit the treadmill for 50 minutes on weight loss setting at 4 mph! After that I blasted through level 2 of the 30 day shred. It was brutal. (I am feeling it today for sure!) I burn over 600 calories yesterday. It was awesome and it felt great to sweat out all those toxins.

Breakfast:
I was ravenous by the time I got done working out! I made a rocking oatmeal combo! Look at how yummy this looks!

Here is what was in this mix:
*1/4 c. steel cut oats
*3/4 c. organic almond milk
*1 banana
*1/2 c. strawberries
*1 tlbsp almond butter
*1 scoop all natural whey protein
This was SUPER filling and delicious. I was thinking about adding jelly to give it a more almond butter and jelly, but the fresh strawberries were even better! This will be a repeat soon!!!

Lunch

My mom and I were out running errands and I had a little tuna nocise salad. This was amazing tuna salad in the middle. I would eat it every day if I could! On the side I had a little multi grain roll. It was delicious!!


Snacks:
At home we had a lemon cookie, 3 dates, and some mint tea. It was a great snack to tie me over to dinner.

Dinner:
We went out to dinner last night. I started with a dirty martini and 2 blue cheese olives. My favorite drink! To start we had a Cesar salad with cheese flats. Total yum. For my main meal, I had chopped sirloin with mushrooms and caramelized onions! I have been craving red meat and this was total yumness! Especially with a BIG glass of red wine! To say the least I went to bed rather early!