250/250 Challenge ~ Quality Over Quantity

 Hello Daughters of Grace

Earlier this week Sonia share her 250/250 challenge.  Burn 250 calories in exercise and eat 250 less in calories.  I’m so excited about the challenge that I am joining you all in it!!  I’ll be posting updates and pictures or my progress.  Please post yours using the hashtag #250challenge on our facebook page.  

Not your friend

As I progress with this challenge I want you encourage you to focus on quality over quantity.  To keep it simple for you: On average one four ounce fried chicken breast is 300 calories.  For 320 calories you can have a four ounce (skinless) baked chicken breast, half a cup of brown rice and two cups of broccoli!!!  That feels sooo much better than just a piece of fried chicken and you’ll be much fuller!!!  Think quality of your food and what you are choosing over just the calories.  Take in more vegetables, fruit, lean proteins and whole grains and lessen those fattier processed foods that we don’t need.

With all that said I want to encourage you to jump into your kitchen!!  Dust off those pots and pans and get to cooking.  It does not have to be difficult, just delicious and healthy.  Last night I made a steak and shrimp stir fry with lean steak, shrimp, onions, pepper, broccoli and brown rice.  The whole meal took about 20 minutes to prepare and clocked in around 350 calories!  Eat your heart out Rachel Ray!  LOL!  I’d like to give you a few meal ideas that will help you cut out those 250 calories each day.  I’ll even let you keep the pasta! God bless you and enjoy!!   

Amazingly Light Fettuccine Alfredo

I added shrimp and spinach to mine

Servings: 4                                                                                              

Serving Size: 1 cup

Ingredients

1 tablespoon butter

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 tablespoon all-purpose flour

1 1/3 cups skim milk or fat free half and half

2 tablespoons light cream cheese

1 1/4 cups freshly grated Parmesan cheese, divided

4 cups hot cooked fettuccine (cooked without salt or fat)

2 teaspoons chopped fresh parsley

Freshly ground pepper

Preparation

Melt margarine in a saucepan over medium heat. Add minced garlic, and saut 1 minute. Stir in flour. Gradually add skim milk, stirring with a wire whisk until mixture is blended. Cook, stirring constantly, 8 minutes or until mixture is thickened and bubbly.

Stir in cream cheese; cook 2 minutes. Add 1 cup Parmesan cheese, stirring constantly until Parmesan cheese melts.

Pour sauce over hot cooked fettuccine, and toss well to coat. Top fettuccine with remaining 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, chopped parsley, and pepper.  Add 3 ounces of shrimp per serving for only 90 more calories!

Nutritional Information: Calories: 345, Calories from fat: 25%, Fat: 9.7g, Saturated fat: 4.4g, Protein: 16.8g, Carbohydrate: 46.7g, Fiber: 2.3g

Cholesterol: 18mg, Iron: 2.3mg, Sodium: 401mg, Calcium: 333mg.

Winter Chopped Salad

Serves 4:

6 cups chopped romaine lettuce

4 cups sliced red cabbage

1 large Apple, halved, cored, diced

1 Pear, halved, cored, diced

¾ cup mandarin oranges

Optional - 1/2 cup pomegranate seeds

Optional – toasted nuts, coarsely chopped

Dressing

1/4 cup red wine vinegar

1/2 tablespoon honey

1/4 cup olive

Directions

• In a large bowl, combine romaine, red cabbage, apple, pear, oranges and pomegranate seeds; toss to mix.
• In a small bowl, whisk together vinegar and honey. Gradually whisk in oil. Season with salt and pepper.
• Add dressing to the salad mixture and toss to coat.
• Divide salad among plates. Sprinkle with toasted hazelnuts, if desired, and serve.
• Enjoy! 
• Add in a grilled 4 ounce chicken breast for only about 142 extra calories! It's worth it!

167 calories, 5.7 grams of fat, 152 mg sodium, 29 carbs, 6.1 grams of fiber, 3.4 grams of protein.