It’s another new year which means new beginnings and new years resolutions. I have two that might seem a bit weird but here’s my problem….I can’t do the usual “work out more” or “loose weight” as that is always what I’m trying to do. In fact, I had re-joined weight watchers before the holidays to prevent that holiday weight gain and to guard against my nemisis; what I call, the “slow creep”.
The slow creep is that one or two pounds a year that adds up over the years. It’s very sneaky weight since it’s not sudden. Next thing you know you look at a photo from a few years back and realize you are ten pounds heavier. I was very proud that, even though I enjoyed all the holiday foods, I planned the other meals accordingly and as a result I actually lost weight over the holidays!
So what are my actual new years resolutions?
1) Be true to myself and do not agree to any engagements that involve heavy drinking until 2AM or later. (Or would that be technically earlier?) I think I’ve reached the point in my life where I don’t care to get completely wasted and spend the entire next day nauseous and exhausted. I get two days off a week and it is particularly sucky to waste one of those. I’ve been there and done that and now I have a two year old I would like to spend the day with. On top of that it isn’t fun trying to force myself to stay awake and act chipper when all I want to do is sleep. So here’s my request…. if you want to go out dancing I’ll be more than happy to join if you can find a place that is hoppin at 9PM so I can be outta there at midnight and all snuggly in bed.
2) Get in my healthy oils. Weight watchers likes us to get 2 teaspoons of healthy oils in per day such as extra virgin olive oil. There are definitely days that I don’t eat much fat at all which isn’t very good for brain function and Lord knows I killed enough brain cells in college so I need to take care of the ones I have left.
Do you have any resolutions? If so what are yours?
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If yours is to eat healthy food but not feed deprived then I can help you with that!
Try this wonderfully filling but light jambalaya. I gave it an Italian twist by using some Italian seasonings and the AlFreso Italian chicken sausage. To tell you the truth it’s so filling we got even more than 6 servings out of it. The flavors blended together beautifully; tangy tomato, soft rice, briny shrimp and aromatic herbs are such a wonderful dinner option for a cold night.
Jambalaya, Italian Style
**9 WW Pts Plus
Serves 6
Ingredients
• 1 Tbsp regular butter
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 1 cubanelle or other mild green pepper, seeded and chopped
• 1 red bell pepper, seeded and chopped
• 2 celery stalks, chopped
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 6 oz Italian chicken sausage, such as AlFresco, halved lengthwise and cut into 1⁄4-inch slices
• 1 1/2 cups uncooked brown rice, long-grain
• 28 oz Peeled Whole Tomatoes, broken up
• 14 1/2 oz fat-free chicken broth, and reduced-sodium
• 1 tsp Italian Seasoning
• Sea salt, fresh ground pepper and garlic powder, to taste
• 1 pound shrimp, medium, peeled and deveined
Directions
1. Melt butter in a Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the onion, bell pepper, celery, and garlic. Cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, 7–8 minutes. Add the chicken sausage and cook, stirring, 3 minutes longer.
2. Add the rice and cook, stirring frequently, until lightly toasted, about 2 minutes. Add the tomatoes and their liquid, the broth, Italian seasoning; bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer, covered, until the rice is tender, about 30 minutes.
3. Add the shrimp to the mixture and cook until just opaque in the center and all the liquid has been absorbed, 5–7 minutes longer. Yields 1 1/3 cups per serving.
Sounds like some awesome resolutions! And your jambalaya looks fabulous!
I am going to simply try to live a fuller richer life this year. I think that will cover all the smaller goals as well. I am so with you on not staying out all night like a college kid. 10 pm is my pumpkin time (earlier if I'm honest).
I love the Italian twist you've put on this jambalaya. I just happen to already have everything needed to make this too, oddly enough.
That is awesome that you managed to not just mantain but loose weight over the holidays! There's no doubt I gained some, but at least I have a free pass for it this year
Got to agree with you on resolution #1! I'm really ready to put the late nights behind me in 2011
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Now this is a dish I've been wanting to make. This one looks healthy too. I love it!
What a spectacular idea. No resolutions for me, that way I don't feel bad when I don't stick to them!
I'm also trying to eat more healthy fats. I think that too often we forget how important those good fats are in our daily diets. They do so much good for our bodies. So bring on the nuts! I love jambalaya and this version looks especially tempting. I love the chicken sausage. Thank you for sharing with me. I hope you have a happy Tuesday!
Love this post! I am totally tired of heavy drinking as well and definitely need to work on my healthy fat intake! This jambalaya sounds delicious. Definitely a nutritious, filling recipe!
Thanks girl! I'm so tired of the same old thing. I figure if I'm having a good time then that is fine but lately it just seems like work to go out late and party at the same old places so late that get so packed. I sort of feel sad too cause I LOVE dancing it's just that I can't drink as much or stay up as late any more. I guess that's why I love St. Augustine. The bands start at 9 and finish up fairly early.
And Tasha, yes! You get a free pass this year!
Please please eat your fats! Your brain needs it, your digestive system needs it, your endocrine system needs it! Coconut oil is fantastic and so is good ol' organic butter.
Great resolutions and great recipe!
I am new to your blog and absolutely loving it! Just joined Weight Watchers yesterday. I enjoy your recipes. I also like the many whole foods you use in your recipes. I love clean eating (something I picked up last year) and I'm looking forward to combining it with WW and shedding the pounds. Thanks for such a lovely blog!
~Kandi
I definitely am a huge fan of giving up the booze and the late nights. Every once in a while (just when I forget how bad it feels) I'll have a few too many. Oh man! The thing is, now I feel worse about what I am doing to my body than the hangover itself! LOL
this recipe sounds so yummy! thank you for sharing this and have a great day:)