Amazingly Yummy & Healthy Gnocchi Recipe

I am regularly emailed recipes, and this one seemed worth trying. It was really simple and took a very small amount of time to cook. All I can say is it's AMAZING!

Skillet Gnocchi with Chard & White Beans
1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon extra-virgin olive oil, divided
1 16-ounce package shelf-stable gnocchi
1 medium yellow onion, thinly sliced
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup water
6 cups chopped chard leaves, (about 1 small bunch)
2 Cups cherry tomatoes cut in half
1/3 C. of your favorite meatless tomato pasta sauce
1 15-ounce can white beans, rinsed
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
1/2 cup shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese
1/4 cup finely shredded Parmesan cheese

Preparation
1.Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add gnocchi and cook, stirring often, until plumped and starting to brown, 5 to 7 minutes. Transfer to a bowl.

2.Add the remaining 1 teaspoon oil and onion to the pan and cook, stirring, over medium heat, for 2 minutes. Stir in garlic and 1/2 cup of water. Cover and cook until the onion is soft, 4 to 6 minutes. Add chard and cook, stirring, until starting to wilt, 1 to 2 minutes. Stir in tomatoes, 1/2 cup of water, 1/3 cup of tomato sauce, beans and pepper and bring to a simmer. Stir in the gnocchi and sprinkle with mozzarella and Parmesan. Cover and cook until the cheese is melted and the sauce is bubbling, about 3 minutes.(If you add additional cheese for extra flavor, make sure to add the calories, fats, etc. to your nutrition count.)

Tips & Notes
Tip: Look for shelf-stable gnocchi near other pasta in the Italian section of most supermarkets.

Nutrition
Per serving: 325 calories; 7 g fat (2 g sat, 3 g mono); 8 mg cholesterol; 55 g carbohydrates; 14 g protein; 6 g fiber; 616 mg sodium; 360 mg potassium.

Nutrition Bonus: Vitamin A (50% daily value), Vitamin C (40% dv), Calcium & Iron (19% dv).

3 Carbohydrate Serving

Exchanges: 3 starch, 1 vegetable, 1 lean meat, 1 fat

Mixin' It Up - Again

Well, I've decided to scrap the no wheat thing. Actually, I decided to scrap it about a week ago. What I found is I craved it more than anything and I'd eat around the craving, which only led me to consume more calories in my quest to releave the craving. To ensure I'm still eating healthy though, I'm not eating white flower or rice, and any pasta, bread, etc. I eat is whole grain. Just in the past week I find my massive cravings I was getting are basically gone. I am also fuller longer when I consume additional "healthy" carbs and don't feel I need to eat quite so often.

I have also introduced a superfood supplement into my diet. Every morning I take a scoop of Green Vibrance and mix it with 8oz. of juice. Green Vibrance is a supplement that is green food and includes probiotics. It tastes absolutely horrible, but I'm getting additional nutrietents I was missing out on before. After drinking it, I get a great little burst of energy. It's a perfect way to start the morning. For anyone that decides to try it, you can find it at Super Supplements. Just like any good supplement, it's a little pricey, but I think it's worth it. Another little note though - don't mix it with water and think you're going to easily get through it; it's awful tasting without the juice.

The last thing I've changed up a bit in my diet: I've again increased the amount of protein I'm eating. At this point, my diet is about 35-40% protein, 40% healthy carbs (a lot are found in fruits & vegges) and 20-25% fat (healthy fats found in nuts, avacados, etc.). I'm still tracking everything I eat and staying between 1400-1600 calories, but since my diet isn't quite so restricted, I feel like I have more wiggle room and I'm not on a major "diet." So far, I'm down another pound. :)

The Great Supplement Debate

As I get closer and closer to that final goal, and I find myself hitting a MAJOR plateau, I am seriously considering the use of supplements. For a long time I've told myself that other than protein powder, I would not use any "products" to help my weight loss. I'm starting to think I may try it just to see what happens.

So far I've had Solo Slim and Max Muscle's De-Lite recommended. After researching both, I still don't know which to chose. I'm also a bit leery that once I start, I'll have to continue taking them in order to not gain back anything I may lose. I'd love to have some feedback from anyone who has used supplements, or has tried any other brands.

Thoughts, ideas, opinions...?

Back Slide...

Well, it's been a while since my last post. Between work, a major hockey tournament, and getting super sick, my weight loss stopped. In fact, I gained back two pounds. I knew it would happen, but it's a big reminder that even if I slack for just two weeks, old habits come back immediately. All I wanted was my comfort-junk food, and I gave myself every excuse for why it was okay to not hit the gym.

Well, yesterday was the day that enough was enough. I'm finally past the really sick point, and I'm hitting the gym hard again. I'm also logging EVERYTHING I eat, and not letting a few little things slide. It's so easy to make excuses about not having the time, but I need to remember, I need to take care of myself before I can really take care of anything else.

Even after the second night of hitting the gym hard again, I already feel better, and less stressed. I just need to keep reminding myself NO EXCUSES!!! These last 10 pounds are going to be the hardest, and just because I don't see the scale moving down as quickly as I want it to anymore, I don't get to slack. No wussin' out!!