Wednesday, March 23, 2011

Good Eats!

Fact:  I love to cook.   Fact:  I am on Weight Watchers.  These two facts together, make me a little bit sad.  I did Weight Watchers 5 years ago.  I lost a lot of weight.  I probably lost too much weight.  I maintained it for a year or so, but slowly, as I returned to cooking the old way, and then ultimately stopped my morning jog in the park, the weight, although not all of it, found it's way back to me.  I knew I had to go back to get it off.   The last time I did this.  I challenged myself to make cooking as fun as it always was for me, by finding creative ways to introduce better food, and fresher ingredients into my/our diet.  I actually found that I still enjoyed cooking very much.  Even though it was different.  And once again I am finding myself in the kitchen  with a whole new set of ideas and menus.   So if you are new to my blog, you might think that this is primarily a food blog.  It isn't.  You will find me posting a lot of food here, because I am a foodie!  And cooking is a big interest of mine.  But I blog about all of the things I love to do, and of course the people in my life that are dear to me.  So bear with me as I shed my winter coat, and soon I will be posting about a lot of other things too.
This was our dinner tonight.  I had some ripe avocados.  We had gotten some lump crab meat at fresh & easy the other day.  So naturally, crab stuffed avocados had to be on the menu this week.
Missing from this photo is a red onion.  I only cut off a smidge, and finely minced about 2 T of it to top the avocados with.  Below was Mr. G's plate.  He got two avocados.  And two pieces of parmesan toast.
If you are counting points, this was high.  On the new points plus system,  avocados are 3 pts for 1/4 avocado!!  That is criminal!!!  We have avocado trees.  And lots and lots of wonderful avocados, all year long!  And it is a good fat.  So, I threw caution to the wind, and had myself a WHOLE avocado.  I used a lo fat/calorie mayo, and steamed the asparagus in water, no butter added.  The sourdough was lightly buttered and topped with shredded parmesan, then grilled.  It was high in points.  But so worth it.  And sometimes, you just have to do it.  My plate was much more dainty than Greg's.
If you make these, using three avocados, and an almost full jar of lump crab meat ( it would seem one hungry son opened it up to have a taste )  Add to this, approx. 2 T of mayo.  I used lo fat, but you can use the full version.  I used the zest of one fresh lime, and also the juice of about 1 1/2 fresh limes.  A handful of fresh cilantro, sea salt, cracked pepper, two ribs of celery, thinly minced.  And a bit of either fresh garlic, or minced in a jar works fine too.  Mix and scoop into avocado boat.  I topped each one with a tiny bit of very finely minced red onion, and sprinkled a bit of smoked paprika (LOVE this stuff) on top.  Served them on a bed of butter bib lettuce.  With fresh steamed asparagus and parmesan toast.  It was heavenly!!!
How do you like my circa 1978 Tupperware?  I still use the same stuff I had when I got married!  I could use a few new pieces, that is for sure.
For lunch today, I had albacore tuna salad in 1/2 a whole wheat pita, topped with micro greens.  A few pretzels on the side.  Made with same lo cal mayo.  I don't seem to mind it at all.  I know some do.  But it works for me.
It too was delicious!
One of my favorite snacks is a piece of lo fat bread, with a thin spread of almond butter (love this stuff!), and a thin spread of Nutella.  I had Nutella for the first time when my Mom and I were in Italy a few years ago.  They have it on everything over there.  It is very yummy.  And sometimes I slice half a banana on top.  This is almost desert-like delicious!
I am certainly not going hungry!  I am losing, although slowly.  When I was exercising, I lost the weight quite a lot faster.  With a bum knee, I am not doing much lately.  Not even racing Noah, as he loves to do around here.  But I am down 8 pounds.  Clothes are feeling better on me, and I feel a BUNCH better just by changing what I am eating.  And another thing that has made this kind of fun for me, is that both of my daughters are on this same health food thing that I have been on. We have really shared a whole lot of ideas and products with one another, and it has made it fun to share this with them.  We go to Farmer's Market together, talk about new finds, and I know they are really cheering me on in my quest to shed my winter coat.
And maybe every once in a while, I will throw in an old school kind of Kris menu too!!  You've gotta live!!!
Over and out, on this wet, rainy, and cold Wednesday night.
PS Mama, thank  you for teaching me to love good food.    You are the best cook I know. I got my love of cooking from  you. And my girls got their love of cooking from me. 

19 comments:

Sunny Simple Life said...

This looks delish! I will have to try it.

Lauri said...

I'm not a big seafood fan but these recipes look delicious. Keep up the good work on the weight loss

Anonymous said...

Looks yummy. I will have to try the avocado recipe but I will probably sub tuna for the crab :)

Tammy said...

You post the most amazing recipes!

Genn said...

Mom this post made me all kinds of happy. I'm happy for you to be losing weight and feeling so great. I am happy to read any post that you do about cooking because I know that cooking is what you do. You are the best cook I know (besides Grandma), and I only hope that I can one day walk in your shoes. It also makes me happy that me and you and Erika are on this kick at the same time and sharing ideas with each other makes it fun and helpful.
I love you.
Your crab stuffed avos look SO good. I think I will make those this week!
Thanks for sharing.
xoxoxo

Holly said...

I love this post. You inspire me to eat healthier, not to mention that I will be seeing you in a few months and I am going to be so angry if I'm still a fat girl and you are all cute and skinny. Oh, and keep it up with the mention of free avocados and you're in big trouble. I'm paying $1.50 each for small ones.

Heather - The Good Life said...

Your dinner sounds really good. I might try that in a tomato. Congratulations on your weight loss. Have a great day! :-)

Katie said...

First of all, I wouldn't say you have a "Winter Coat", you look great! But good for you on loosing 8 lbs!
I'm salivating a bit over here with the picture of Greg's dinner plate, looks delicious!!
We are indeed a family that loves Food aren't we! ;)

Anonymous said...

Yep yep I concur to it all Mamacita! You're doing so great I'm soooo happy for you & I can even see a difference. I think when we eat cleaner you even sleep better. Everything is just better inside & out :) I hope your knee gets better but still you need to take it EASY. You have a fun filled summer on the horizon.
XO
P.s. Ur lunch yesterday & dinner looks yet again, ah-mazing :)

Debbie said...

First of all congrats on the 8 pounds! I know how hard that is when it comes off slowly, but those ones STAY off much easier too. I can't tell you how good this dinner looks!! I love both crab meat and avos!! love them...I would put them on everything if I could. I wish I loved to cook like this...I am only occasionally in the mood. Now if my desire to eat GOOD food was just as occasional, maybe I wouldn't be in the fix I am, haha. Have a wonderful day Kris, and keep up the good work!

Cozart Family said...

Hi Kris,
I love reading your food blogs. They make me so hungry. I love trying new things. I am on the 17 day diet they have the book at costco now for $13.00, I have lost 22.5 lbs in 47 days without any real exercise. It has really changed the food I eat and it has some yummy recipes in it too. I have followed it to a "T" and my hubby has lost 30 lbs in the same amount of time. Just a thought with your bum knee, you could try something new and exciting. =)
Have a great day and hope your knee is better soon.
Traci

Victor said...

Looks healthy and delicious!

glor said...

I hear you, I do enjoy cooking and as you know also on Weight Watchers. 8 lbs. is fantastic! The presention of your creations is fabulous. Certainly wouldn't feel deprived here ... some nights have to throw caution to the wind and there are those 49 additional points for the week so go for it! Have a great evening!

Cindy said...

I think I am drooling a little looking at those crab stuffed avocados. Great post!!

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Kerri said...

I've never heard of avacado boats...but they look amazing!! How lucky you are to have an avacado tree in your yard! I just started WW almost 3 weeks ago...I wish the weight would come off quicker! I'll keep at it I guess!

Karen said...

Looks amazing! And on program to boot.
Kris, May I ask if your going to meetings or using the on line site? I need to do something.
How wonderful your passing down the cooking gene.
Have a great weekend.

Shorty said...

My mouth is watering just looking at this post! The crab salad + avacado looks simply devine!
So glad to hear you're finding success once again with Weight Watchers. I need to get back on the wagon STAT.
Looking forward to seeing you at Noah's bday party! :)

DaCraftyLady said...

looking yummy is that Nutella really good? I have heard a lot about it but have nevr tried it??? Debb