Okay, its mid week and perhaps you are running low on energy. You are feeling a little stressed thinking about the demands at work and wondering if you have the stamina to follow through on the responsibilities waiting for you at home. The idea of slaving in front of a hot stove tonight doesn’t seem appealing. A quick stop to the fast food restaurant “drive-thru” seems so much easier. And since you are feeling stressed, you are more likely to opt for a cheese burger with a side of fries. Certainly, one stop to the drive thru won’t completely derail your weight loss efforts, but that choice repeated several times a week will add inches to your waist line.
Tonight, I drove by the the drive thru and I came home and made Zucchni Noodles. Zucchni noodles are a great option if you are cutting back on carbs. All you need is a spiralizer or a julienne peeler. Here is a quick and simple recipe that I cooked up tonight. Prep and cook time took all of fifteen minutes.
Ingredients:
- 2-3 medium zucchni
- 1-2 cups of spinach
- 2 cloves of garlic minced
- 1 teaspoon thyme (fresh or dried)
- 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 1-2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1-2 teaspoons parmesan cheese
Directions:
- Sauté garlic and spinach.
- Add zucchini noodles. Sauté noodles to desired texture. Like pasta, I prefer my zucchini noodles al dente. I find 3-5 minutes works best for me.
- Add thyme, salt and pepper.
- Remove noodles from pan and sprinkle with parmesan cheese.
- Pair zucchni noodles with your choice of protein. Tonight, I enjoyed my zucchini noodles with left over seasoned lamb from the night before.
Note: Feel free to alter the recipe to your liking and taste. Substitute thyme with your favorite spices. I added spinach for added fiber, but any vegetable will do. You may opt for more colorful vegetables such as red and yellow pepper.
Tips to avoid the fast food restaurant drive-thru:
- Keep your meals simple. Search for recipes that won’t take you hours to prepare or cook.
- Healthy doesn’t mean bland. Search for recipes that pack a lot of flavor.
- Fresh herbs are great, but not always practical. Avoid making a pit stop to the grocery store by keeping your spice rack full with dried spices.
- Cook enough food that will last for two to three days.
- Plan and prep your meals on the weekend.
Bon Appétit