Without Reservations - Mu Shu Grill

Despite being within walking distance of my house, I just recently visited Mu Shu Grill for the first time. Passing the central Phoenix location during evening dog walks, we always swore that we would get there, but just never made it a priority. But after my partner went to lunch there - and couldn't stop talking about it - we decided to check it out for dinner.

Whenever you go, this is a pretty typical Asian lunch experience where speedy service is the main dish.

Check out more here....http://www.echomag.com/previews/reservations.php

Variation On A Theme

I love Sunday brunch!
Originally uploaded by HollyGolightly_74

Update to the last blog post. I used individual ramekins and it made cleanup a snap! This time I also used the confection setting on my oven (at 375 degrees) and they cooked much faster.

Check out step-by-step photos in my photo stream!

Bon appétit!
ff

Healthy Egg-white Frittatas

Healthy Egg-white Frittatas
Originally uploaded by HollyGolightly_74

Here's a quick and fun way to make a mini-frittata and still keep it healthy!

Start with a muffin pan and crush up one plain melba toasts per muffin cup. Then mix 100% Liquid Egg-Whites (2.5 oz per cup) with your preferred spices (I like basil, onion powder, garlic powder, black pepper and crushed rock salt). Next toss in 1.5 oz of chopped tomatoes and a sprinkling of Hatch, New Mexico green chili or anything else you want to add some heat.

Now here's where it gets a bit risky for anyone trying to follow a protocol that does not allow for proteins to be mixed in the same meal. We took 2 strips of extra-lean Jenny-o Turkey Bacon and microwaved them for 1 minute at a time (a total of 3 minutes). Surprisingly they come out crunchy after you pat them off and let them sit a bit. Crunch those up into bacon bits and add them into the mixture. I found that one strip is enough for two muffin cups so I saved the second strip to enjoy on the side.

Bake at 350 degrees for 20-25 minutes and each muffin frittata comes out crispy and tasting seriously sinful. I added some Macayo sauce because I love to kick up the spice an extra notch but that is entirely optional. Pair it with some Little Cutie oranges and you've got yourself a delicious breakfast, brunch or meal anytime!

Bon appétit!

ff

Here are the nutritional stats:

Proof I Eat At Home

Spinach and Goat Cheese Omelet
Originally uploaded by HollyGolightly_74

Phase IV (maintenance) | Weight Loss to date: 70.2 lbs since Jan. 17th

Social networks are typically my outlet for all of the eating out we do (after all that's what us Foodies do, right?). In fact, many of them encourage eating out - Foursquare, Foodspotting, etc. So during P3 and P4 my Mayorships at most of our usual haunts are pretty secure since we don't eat at home as much as we do in P2.

Yesterday we decided to brunch at home so I whipped up a delish spinach and goat cheese omelet (two full eggs and 1 oz of egg whites to cut down on fat and cholesterol) and paired it with a mixed greens salad with dried cherries, sliced almonds and more goat cheese. Drizzled with some balsamic vinegar and it rivals even our favorite foodie spots.

Bon appétit!
ff

Here are the stats:

Spinach & Goat Cheese Chicken

Spinach & Goat Cheese Chicken
Originally uploaded by HollyGolightly_74

Phase III (round three) | Weight Loss to date: 71.4 lbs since Jan. 17th (I'm still stabilizing)

Tonight we thought we'd revisit an old favorite. I took chicken escalopes (found at Fresh and Easy) and pounded them down just a bit more even though they are already pretty thin.

Then I steamed 1.5 oz of spinach, separated it into four sections and placed it evenly on each one. I measured out 1oz of goat cheese for each escalope, seasoning it with garlic powder, onion powder, ground pepper and parsley.

After rolling them and tucking them together with toothpicks I placed them in the oven at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.

YUM.... perfect for P3!

Bon appétit!
ff

Yogurt Sundae

Yogurt Sundae
Originally uploaded by HollyGolightly_74

Phase III (round three) | Weight Loss to date: 73.2 lbs since Jan. 17th

This is a delicious treat that is very healthy because it has lots of great protein and is low in fat and sodium.  We use the Fagé Greek yogurt that is 0% fat.  I layered the yogurt with raspberries, blueberries, strawberries and blackberries.  Then I chop up some nuts and then drizzle a little bit of honey on top.

So delish!


Here's the recipe breakdown and nutritional facts:

Bon appétit!
ff

Bacon-Wrapped Dates

Bacon-Wrapped Dates
Originally uploaded by HollyGolightly_74

Phase III (third round) | Weight Loss:  74.8 lbs total lost since Jan. 17th

There's not much that needs to be said about this foodie item. Bacon...good.
Dates...good.
Bleu Cheese....good.

This lick-the-plate-it's-so-good appetizer was enjoyed at Founding Farmers in Washington, D.C. when I should have been maintaining but instead I was indulging. ☺

Trust me it was totally worth it.

Bon appétit!
ff