On my Facebook page, Debbie Cook asked me which is more important: what you eat or portion control. I know we've had some fun answering which is our biggest struggle, but in reality, they are both important and I think they each impact the other.
I hear people say that you can eat anything you want as long as you eat a small enough amount. Those people have obviously never taken their life in their hands by risking being between me and a great tub of ice cream. What I start, I will finish. There are starving children in the world, (I can hear my mother saying), and wasting food bothers me. Wasting food I really love? Impossible.
So my theory is that portion control is important, but the healthier your diet, the more food you can eat. So I try to find good foods that I love, so I can enjoy enough of them to feel satisfied. I realize there are a million different definitions of the perfect diet, so let me summarize that I try to go with high protein, moderate fat, low carb, no sugar. Throughout this past year I have tried a lot of different recipes and posted them. I wanted to have all of these recipes posted in one place so they're now on my recipe page on QVC.com. Here's just one that you'll find there. :)
Lentil and Chicken Stew
Makes 16 servings
Ingredients:
2 tsp olive oil
2 (6-oz) boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cubed
Pinch each sea salt and fresh ground black pepper
2 tsp curry powder
2 cloves garlic, minced
1–1/2 cups dry green lentils, rinsed
1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
3 cups cold water
Optional Toppings:
Greek yogurt
Cilantro, chopped
Directions:
Heat the olive oil in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Season the chicken with salt and pepper, and then cook in the pot for 3–4 minutes, turning occasionally, until lightly browned. Add the curry powder and garlic and cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 1 minute.
Add the lentils to the pot and stir to coat. Stir in the chicken broth and water and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium and cook, stirring occasionally, until the lentils are tender and most of the liquid is absorbed, about 30 minutes. Season to taste with salt and pepper, add your preferred toppings, and serve in soup bowls.
It's always nice to have something new to try! And if you're snowed in, this could be the perfect time to try one. :) Here's to food that tastes good and doesn't leave you feeling icky or guilty!
See you soon!
—Lisa