Monday, March 23, 2009

Diet Challenge Monday

Watching the scale move is akin to watching a pot of water boil. Neither budges under a watchful eye. As you have probably guessed, there were no pounds shed this week. On the bright side, I am thankful that there hasn't been any weight gained either.

Here is a recipe that I found on Allrecipes.com for Penne with Chicken and Asparagus. Allrecipes is my favorite go-to site when I am in need of cooking inspiration. The reviews and ratings looked promising for this recipe so I gave it a go. Delicious and light and so easy to prepare.

1 (16 ounce) package dried penne pasta
5 tablespoons olive oil, divided
2 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves - cut into cubes
salt and pepper to taste
garlic powder to taste
1/2 cup low-sodium chicken broth
1 bunch slender asparagus spears, trimmed, cut on diagonal into 1-inch pieces
1 clove garlic, thinly sliced
1/4 cup Parmesan cheese

Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to boil. Add pasta, and cook until al dente, about 8 to 10 minutes. Drain, and set aside.
Warm 3 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Stir in chicken, and season with salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Cook until chicken is cooked through and browned, about 5 minutes. Remove chicken to paper towels.
Pour chicken broth into the skillet. Then stir in asparagus, garlic, and a pinch more garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Cover, and steam until the asparagus is just tender, about 5 to 10 minutes. Return chicken to the skillet, and warm through.
Stir chicken mixture into pasta, and mix well. Let sit about 5 minutes. Drizzle with 2 tablespoons olive oil, stir again, then sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.


My big plans to sew over the weekend never quite materialized. This is all that I managed to accomplish before deciding to call it quits.

I have been in a major funk since returning home from vacation and am finding it difficult to get back into the swing of things. Sewing just doesn't seem to be at the top of my list at the moment. Actually, nothing really is. All I want to do is to sit in front of the t.v. and eat bonbons, err, uhm, I mean, raw celery and carrots and do absolutely nothing all day.

Have a nice day!

Aloha!

12 comments:

Unknown said...

I would say you had a good week, no gain! I hear you about the mojo. Don't worry you will get it back. I tend to get that way sometimes. You just need to sit back now and let it take its course. Your creative genius will be back before you know it, especially if you are eating all those carrots and celery.... LOL!!

Red Geranium Cottage said...

There will be no bon bon eating missy. Jackie is right a week with no gain is a good week.

lifewithquads said...

The recipe looks really good. I'll certainly be giving that one a try. And, as luck would have it I just bought some asparagus yesterday. :0)

Craftpassion said...

I am in the same shoe as you, trying to shed off what I have gained from my previous pregnancy. Still have 3 kgs to go!!!!
Yeah, be thankful for not gaining any weight instead of loosing it. I found that my weight record is funny, the scale seems to have about the same reading everyday for 3 weeks or so then suddenly it will dive down for 1 day and stay the same for another 3 weeks
Keep it up!!!

Stephanie D said...

If only getting it off were as simple as putting it on. Good for you for keeping at it!

The thing about funks--usually stuff is just simmering and will come to a rolling boil soon.

Cathi said...

Sometimes we just need to sit back and let hte inspiration come to us instead of looking for it. You have such great ideas I'm sure you'll have more coming to you in no time.
That recipe sounds fantastic!

Carrie @ Cottage Cozy said...

You are still doing good, because no weight gain is an accomplishment too. If you stay on the right path you will see the scale begin to go down. Have you added exercise to your regime?

Your recipe sounds DE-licious. I am going to give it a try!

Stay Cozy and Positive,
Carrie

Mary @ Neat and Tidy said...

I say sometimes you have to give in to a guilty pleasure. Enjoy the bonbons (in moderation).

Carrie P. said...

I am going to have to try that recipe. We have been eating a lot of asparagus lately. I told my husband it is the new broccoli. LOL

Netter said...

Oh man....diets....I need to work on that too. Grrr, grumble, growl...but I don't wanna! I like the watching TV and eating bon-bons idea. Actually, I might sub the Popovers I made the other day...recipe on my site...but that wouldn't be good because I would have to buy new summer clothes or go naked. Uh yeah, I'm not going naked, so I better behave because I refuse to buy new shorts.

I'm going to try your recipe out...I need a change and I just happen to have all the ingredients in the house. That never happens!

sweetiepie said...

Lettie, congrats on your non-gain. Don't get discouraged if you don't lose every week. It happens.

Yum, I love anything with asparagus. I have a patch that will be starting to produce in about another month or so.

Take care.

Lorraine said...

That sounds like a good recipe. I know what you mean about being in a funk. Since I went back to work after my surgery I haven't had the energy for a lot of things. I'm hoping the nicer weather here will change that. Keep your head up and keep that stash of carrots at the ready!