The Uninvited Brussels Sprouts

I made roasted brussels sprouts for the first time last night, and after cleaning them, they didn’t amount to very much:

That was a pint of them, halved, tossed in 1 TBSP EVOO (120 cal) and sprinkled with black pepper and a little garlic salt. I roasted them on 425F for about 30 minutes, but I think they were a little overcooked…

Well, even so, they were DELICIOUS, so I ended up eating half of them before they got to the table while I was impatiently waiting for the acorn squash to get done. So, I had to go to “greens” plans B and steamed a bag of frozen string beans in the microwave while the rest of dinner finished cooking.

I sliced 2 big acorn squashes in half; seeded them, cut them in quarters and rubbed about 1 TBSP EVOO all over them, mostly the skin. Then I drizzled 1/4 cup sugar free Fifty50 fructose maple syrup (70 cal) and roasted them on 425F for about 1 hour and 15 minutes — long time, huh?! The brussels sprouts had NO chance lying there looking all yummy. haha

Note: 100% pure maple syrup is the BEST, but there are some products like Fifty50 that I really enjoy for half of the calories. You can find it in most grocery stores where they have “diabetic products,” like Glucerna and such. I’ve found that a little goes a long way, so when I use it, it’s usually just a TBSP at a time, which totally rocks my socks for just 20 calories or so.

When the squash was almost done, I put 4 Trident Alaskan salmon burgers in on another baking sheet. And finally, it was time to eat!

TBSP of Cedar’s hummus on my string beans. It was awesome!

Totally worth the time it took…

• 1 Trident Alaskan salmon burger (130 cal)
• On a stale Trader Joe’s ciabatta roll (115 cal)
• With 2 slices tomato, 2 slices red onion (25 cal)
• …and 1 TBSP Hellmann’s olive oil mayo (50 cal) + no salt added mustard (5 cal)
• 1 quarter acorn squash rubbed with EVOO + Fifty50 syrup (~100 cal)
• ~1 cup of string beans (30 cal) with 1 TBSP Cedar’s original hummus (30 cal)

Calories: ~485 (plus the brussels sprouts appetizer lol!)

Earlier in the day, I had a beautiful pear, walnut, and blue cheese salad with a Quorn sandwich.

Pear, walnut, blue cheese salad

• ~2 cups mixed leafy greens (15 cal)
• Tossed in 1 teaspoon EVOO (40 cal) and red wine vinegar (5 cal)
• 3/4 of a very ripe Barlett pear (~80 cal)
• 1/2 oz walnuts (90 cal)
• 14g Organic Valley blue cheese crumbles (50 cal)
• 1 TBSP Bolthouse Farms blue cheese dressing (35 cal)

Calories: 315

Quorn sandwich

• 1 stale Trader Joe’s ciabatta roll (115 cal)
• 40g Quorn chik’n tenders (40 cal)
• 1 TBSP Cedar’s original hummus (30 cal)
• Romaine lettuce leaves (3 cal)

Calories: 188

The salad was fantastic! Pear, walnuts, and blue or gorgonzola is one of my all time favorite salad combos. YUM!

Let’s Talk Turkey Tofurky!

I never had any of the “meatless” products on the market until a few years ago. I immediately fell in love with Boca and Morningstar burgers and chik’n, but I recently found out that soy protein isolates are carcinogens and they’re commonly found in Boca burgers, soy protein powders, and other highly processed foods. So, that eliminates a LOT of the meatless products that I used to buy. In the past year or so I’ve cut down dramatically on my meat intake due to moral reasons and not especially liking the taste and texture of certain meats, like chicken breast. I think I ate so much of it in the past, that I just got sick of it. Plus, ever since I can remember I’ve had a great distaste for veins and other GROSS things that are found in meat. So those are my personal reasons, but don’t get me wrong, I’m not a vegetarian, although I definitely could be if I really wanted to make that commitment, but I don’t at this time. I do love the taste of meat, but not enough to keep it as my main source of nourishment. I’ve just chosen to cut down on my consumption and eat more eggs, dairy, legumes (beans, lentils), fish, grains, and soy and meatless products in moderation for protein. Meat has pretty much moved to the top of my food chain, Mediterranean-style. I’m sure there are times where I go on a meat-eating bender, but whatever. As always, it’s all about the balance.

Right now there are a lot of meatless meat products on the market, but like everything, you have to read the labels. Unfortunately, I realized that Yves and Lightlife contain soy protein isolates, so I won’t buy them anymore. However, Quorn products are NOT made with any soy whatsoever and Tofurky products aren’t made with soy protein isolates, they’re basically tofu with extra flavorings. I dig them! Quorn tastes and feels just like chicken, I love it, but it’s high in sodium, so they’re a “one serving per day” sort of thing. Hickory smoked Tofurky is the only Tofurky product I have tried so far, and I really like it.

Another meatless meat product I enjoy is It’s All Good gardein. They’re chik’n is delicious and the ingredients list claims “soy protein” and not soy protein isolates, so I’m going to trust that they didn’t omit the “isolates” part, however, before I purchase it again, I’m going to contact them to inquire about it to be sure.

Meatless meat product pros:

• Tasty
• Some come very close to the real deal
• Most are low in calories
• Good source of protein (minus soy protein isolates!)
• Reduces meat consumption
• Humane
• A little goes a long way
• Tastes great on sandwiches, burritos, burrito-less burritos, nachos, salads, in sauce, stir-fries, etc.

Meatless meat product cons:

• Most are high in sodium
• They don’t taste or look exactly like real meat
• Some have weird flavorings
• Expensive
• Questionable ingredients — be sure to scan the ingredients lists and look for ones that don’t contain soy protein isolates, artificial colors and other funky stuff
• Highly processed — if you are a “clean eating purist,” these probably aren’t for you. But if you’re like me and allow for a little of almost everything in moderation, then these can be part of a healthful, balanced diet

By the way, none of these companies paid me to plug these products. These are all things that I have bought and eaten on my own accord, so this is my personal opinion that hasn’t been influenced by corporate marketing.

I have to take a shower now. Dustin and I are going to look at bedroom furniture and a little grocery shopping today. I’m thinking about selling our current bedroom set, not sure yet. But I need to buy some fresh produce, my lettuce stash is looking pitiful! lol

Be back later!

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