Tuesday, November 23, 2010

Weight Challenge, New Quinoa Recipe, 3 Miles, Reuben & Remy = Little Tigers

Thanks you guys! The pitzas really were fantastic - i'm a HUGE fan! :) Before recapping yesterday and sharing a new recipe, I have to share a picture of Reuben & Remy in their Auburn gear. They're SO ready for Iron Bowl Friday - woo!






hehe I love taking pics of those pups! So yesterday was an okay day. Why not good? Well, I started working at a new office. It's exciting - great location, covered parking, 10th floor with view (i'm in a cube of course but against a window - NICE and private), etc. The gym isn't ready yet but I still have access to gyms in 3 other buildings so no complaints here. However, I had to unpack. Blah. And I had connectivity issues so no email. Sigh. Needless to say it was frustrating to not be able to do work but have work to do, especially since I had an offsite meeting from 2:30 - 4:30. Grrrr. Regardless, I did join a challenge at my parent company's gym (they have a great facility - I'm talking 4-person staff, daily classes, etc.). The challenge: Maintain Don't Gain. They weighed me in today on those 'scary doctor scales' and they'll weigh me again on January 4. Prizes will be given to those who maintain or lose weight, and all who maintain or lose are also entered into a raffle for an HRM.

So what did I weigh? 123. Meh. I've been between 120 - 122 the last few weeks (first thing in the a.m.; no clothes). Today I weighed at 12:30 after breakfast and lunch, and had on my workout clothes + shoes. Whatevs - like I told Melissa (who weighed me) it doesn't matter because i'll be wearing the same thing next time! So i'll be able to tell if I maintain, gain or lose! Wish me luck. :)

Other than that - I just worked, walked 3 miles during lunch, worked more and then headed home to work more on my recipe project. I also have a new recipe to share:

Greek Style Shrimp with Christmas Quinoa
Inspired by an April 2010 Fitness Magazine recipe
Makes 4 Servings

1 pound shrimp, raw and defrosted
2 tbsp olive oil
Juice of one lemon
1 ½ tsp minced garlic
½ tsp salt
½ tsp pepper
1 cup grape tomatoes, halved
1 cup parsley, coarsely chopped
3 oz. fat-free feta
4 servings quinoa, cooked per package instructions with chicken broth
2 cups chicken broth (for quinoa)

Place shrimp, 1 tablespoon of oil, half of lemon juice, 1 tsp garlic, ¼ tsp salt and ¼ tsp pepper in a large ziplock bag. Let it sit. In a large bowl, combine tomatoes, parsley, feta and remaining olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, salt and pepper. Add cooked quinoa and mix well. Heat a pan over medium-high heat. Place shrimp in pan in a single layer and cook for 2 minutes. Flip and cook for 2 more minutes. Serve with quinoa.

Nutritional Information: 392 calories, 36 carbs, 12 fat grams and 34 protein grams.

Review: Awesome! I really liked the flavors and it blended well (and quickly). I liked how the warm quinoa softened the tomatoes and parsley and almost melted the feta. I'm not sure how well this would reheat (i'm not a huge fan of reheating shrimp), but I think you could easily cook the shrimp for 2 and then reheat the quinoa the next day and cook shrimp for 2 again. It's just heating it up since the shrimp are already cooked. Just a thought - it's a great one though!

Q: Have you ever joined any kind of weight loss challenge? This is my first one - I like the idea of it being over the holidays and (hopefully!) keeping me in check!

Q: Do you like quinoa? I REALLY like it - every recipe that uses it makes me happy. I've never made it with water but LOVE it with chicken stock.

16 comments:

CeCe said...

I never have done a weight loss challenge. Sounds pretty cool. I like the idea of maintain no gain especially over the holidays!! Which are right upon us. Sounds like you have an awesome set up in your new office!

Josie @Skinny Way Of Life said...

I've never joined a weight loss challenge, I would love to find one and have the motivation from other people though! Oh and I LOVE quinoa, I've made it before with shrimp and basil. My favorite way is to prepare it is like a rice and beans. I prepare the quinoa and add a jar of *hot* salsa and red kidney beans, simmer on the stove to let the flavors combine. soooo good!

Jess@atasteofconfidence said...

I was weighed at the doctors office yesterday, and I had to remind myself I already ate breakfast and lunch- and I had sweats and sneakers on!

Tyler said...

Cute puppies! I've never joined a weight loss challenge. It sounds fun though! I love quinoa! It's so tasty! I love making random concoctions with it.

lee said...

I had quinoa tonight and it was really good. I always like quinoa. Yum.

A no-gain challenge over the holidays is a good idea.

Lisa @ I'm an Okie said...

Ah! Maintaining! NEver heard of a maitaining challenge, but I like it!

Christina said...

love quinoa! don't you worry about that 1 pound. shoes + clothes definitely weigh at least that! your recipe looks yummmyyyyy

Samma said...

I need to do a weight loss challenge! Maybe I will see if my mama wants to participate with me! I love Remy's cheerleader outfit! I wish they made cute outfits for 80 lb golden retrievers. . . I can just imagine Hub's UT-grad-face if he came home to Buddy in a Georgia football uniform!

Erica said...

Oh my gosh- how adorable do the pups look? Love it. Good luck with the challenge- I'm sure you'll do great. You are at such a great, healthy weight- maintaining it is a fabulous goal. The group fitness instructors at my old gym did something like this a couple years ago.

Anonymous said...

I've never done an organized Weight Loss Challenge -- but I'd love to! And Quinoa -- adore it! I'm actually making your slow cooker bacon ranch chicken tonight for my parents. Instead of having it over pasta we're gonna have it over quinoa. Love, love, love.

Looking forward to watching the Iron Bowl Friday! Loved the pictures of your little critters in their outfits!

Sunny said...

i did a weight loss challenge once and won!! money!! :)
love the quinoa recipe, i'm making quinoa tonight w/ chicken and veggies.

Tami@NutmegNotebook said...

Thanks for that recipe is looks delicious!

I have not joined a weight loss challenge but I did join the Hot 100 challenge where you choose at least 3 goals to work on for the last 100 days of the year! It has motivated me to make some needed changes.

I want to tell you that I am grateful to have found your blog. I know it takes a lot of time to post recipes, book reviews, photos and I appreciate your work!

Wishing you a wonderful holiday season!

Quinoa Diet said...

Thanks for this fabulous quinoa recipe. I only tried the quinoa diet but I wouldn't call this a weight loss challenge.
I adore quinoa, it's so versatile and healthy. You can make anything and everything from quinoa.
I'll definitely will try your recipe.

Naomi

Jenn@slim-shoppin said...

Hi! love the pics of your dog, so cute!!

I'm sure you will do awesome at maintaining over the holidays. You are so lucky to have access to a gym at work, I would love that.

Have you tried quinoa for breakfast? I'll have a cup of cooked quinoa, diced green onion, chopped up scrambled egg, a little cheese and a slice of crispy turkey bacon for a kind of breakfast stir fry. It's so deluxe and it will keep you full all morning.

Have an awesome Thanksgiving!

Biz said...

You'll do great - you are one of the only people I know that maintains your weight so well!

Love quinoa! I haven't had it since I've been having gluten issues - not even sure there is gluten in there!

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving Kelly!

Lea @ Healthy Coconut said...

I love quinoa...but I have not made it with any saucy dish like you made. Looks good and I like sauteed shrimp too, so easy to make on weeknights.