DAY 22 OF 365: GREENS, GREENS AND MORE GREENS

So it felt great today to not have to buy my lunch. Well, with the amount of food that I bought I shouldn’t have to buy lunch for a month. Ok, maybe not that long, but I have allot of food. The best part though is that it is all healthy food. Jessica would be very proud of me. Actually, I am proud of me. Not to pat myself on the back, but it is week four and I have never felt better. I have more energy, I feel more motivated, and I actually enjoy going to the gym and working out.
So last night I prepared baked chicken that I baked in Chicken Broth. I also brined the chicken for four hours in a citrus brine to make the chicken moist. So for lunch I had an arugula salad with some of the baked chicken. I also brought in the broccoli rabe with roasted red peppers and garlic. I was worried that it wouldn’t taste as fresh the next day, but it actually did. If anyone is interested, below is the recipe. Try it out and let me know what you think. I am looking forward to trying out a new way to prepare the broccoli rabe.

BROCCOLI RABE WITH ROASTED RED PEPPERS AND GARLIC

1 pound of broccoli rabe (about 6 to 7 cups chopped)

2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil

1 tablespoon of minced garlic

1 roasted red pepper diced

Water as needed

Salt to taste

Chop off about one-inch of the base of the stalks of the broccoli rabe and discard. Slice the stems into one-inch pieces and coarsely chop the leaves and florets.

Heat a skillet over medium-high heat. Add oil and swirl around to coat the pan. Add garlic and cook for 10 to 15 seconds. Watch carefully so it doesn’t burn

Add the broccoli rabe and toss to combine well with garlic and oil. Stir in the roasted red pepper.

Cook over medium-high heat, stirring constantly for 1 to 2 minutes. Add 3 tablespoons of water. Or substitute one tablespoon of water for a tablespoon of fresh lemon juice. Cover and continue to cook until the broccoli rabe is tender but still bright green, 8 to 10 minutes. Adjust the heat if you need to avoid burning.

Season to taste with salt and serve hot.

Enjoy. I know I did! 

Well, time for bed. I am sore from my work out tonight with JC. It was total body workout tonight. By the end my back and arms were sore and I was covered in sweat. Ironically as I was typing this blog, I turned on the TV and watched the new episode of 90210. Well till tomorrow. Stay Healthy!