Knock Off Meals

Over the years I have learned to create my own knock off meals at home.  Many restaurants have full descriptions of their entrees on their menus and websites.  If you have a favorite meal, why not try your hand at a knock off version at home?  You're able to control the portion sizes, sodium, fat and added sugar content when you're the chef.  

I also recommend skimming website menus online when you're at a loss on what to prepare for dinner. Avoid the deep fried, cheese covered, heavily sauced options.  Someone has already done all of the work and figured out the pairings of proteins, veggies and carbs.  All you have to do is figure out how to emulate it in a healthy way.

Today I decided to knock off my favorite salad from Bahama Breeze. This salad is all types of delicious:  Fresh pineapple, almonds, goat cheese, strawberries, mandarin and red grapes.  

Grilled Chicken or Shrimp and Tropical Fruit on Mixed Greens


Tossed with vinaigrette dressing, fresh pineapple, red grapes, strawberries and mandarin oranges with goat cheese crumbles and candied almonds. 

The menu basically outlined all the ingredients I needed. Grocery shopping was a no brainer.  The website also graciously shared the recipe for the Island vinaigrette.

 ISLAND VINAIGRETTE

 The only real preparation was the 'grilling' of the chicken breast, (which I did on my George Foreman).  Check out the Emeril's Creole Seasoning recipe on my recipe page.  This stuff is about to be my 'house' seasoning for my meats.

DRUMROLL PLEASE!!!!

I was very pleased with the outcome of this salad.  If I had to give it a score from the range of 1-10 I would give it an 8.5 or 9.  I've said it quite a few times on my blog already, don't eat what you don't like!  A little effort and variety can make your healthy lifestyle change second nature. 

Why did I resist so long?

Why did I resist eating healthier so long?  I've been really consistent with working out for the last two years.  But, for some silly reason.  I was determined not to give in to healthful eating.  Yes, I changed my eating habits for the better over time.  But for the life of me, I didn't really want focus on the quality of my food.  I know my way around the kitchen exceptionally well, but preferred packaged/processed foods.  I guess I didn't want to cross over into a tree hugging health nut.  Maybe I still wanted that feeling of inclusion.  Most of my family and friends could give a rat's arse about how much artificial 'anything' is found in there daily diets.  Well except you Karen.  LOL, but you're the definition of weird anyway, so you don't count!  <hug>

After enjoying my oatmeal for breakfast I am so pissed at myself for taking so long to try something new.

My clean oatmeal was made from:

Old fashioned oats, blueberries, banana, toasted slivered almonds, cinnamon and drizzled with maple syrup.

I highly recommend it!