Tuesday, December 9, 2008

Cooking My Way to Being Skinny

So, I went on this cruise and before I left I was 180 pounds. Now that I'm back, I weighed myself this past Sunday...I'm 342 pounds. I may not be the greatest in math, but that's a whole lotta weight I've put on in just a week. So, we've gotta do some work to get back to 180 pounds. 

Besides, folks have been asking for healthy recipes and such - well, here's one. It's so easy - there's not really a recipe. 

What is it?
 
Well, it's a quick salad made from brussel sprouts (my favorite veggie), match stick carrots, and orzo all tossed in a lemon vinaigrette. I also pan seared a bit of tilapia and seasoned it with lemon zest, salt, and pepper! Great meal - and I'm sure it's gotta be super low in calories and stuff, right?

Here's the only recipe you'll need - the lemon vinaigrette.

1/4 cup fresh squeezed lemon juice
1 tablespoon of dijon mustard
1 teaspoon of salt
1 teaspoon of pepper
1/2 cup of really good olive oil
2 garlic cloves, minced

Just combine all the ingredients...and voila - vinaigrette's done. How simple was that?

Enjoy the pics!
-DTW
This is how it started. Look at how gigantic those lemons are!




















What's one of the first things we learn about blanching veggies and cooking pasta? SHOCKINGLY salty water does the trick!



















The tilapia is just hanging out getting seasoned!



















Have I ever told you how big these lemons are?




















I squeezed one lemon and got all this juice!




















Mincing garlic for the vinagrette!




















The tablespoon of dijon is soooo necessary.




















Don't forget to add salt and pepper.




















The finished product...looks good, right?



















I just tossed in the vinagrette with orzo, shredded carrots, and blanched brussel sprouts.










50 comments:

Lori said...

Oh, that key lime pie and those midnight buffets are dangerous!

Those brussel sprouts look great! Honestly, I still have never had them, but they always look great.

I know the 'get back to healthy eating after travel' feeling all to well. The only bad part is lately my life has been full of travel so it is a bit of a struggle. Ha, ha!

glamah16 said...

Wonder who told you that catchy title. Are you sure your scale is right. Thats a lot of gain for 2 weeks.I thought you were joking before on Twitter. Maybe its fluid. But you have the right approach.

Thistlemoon said...

I don't think that is possible in two weeks, but even so it is always a good idea after vacation to have some lighter meals!

Romance said...

I love your recipes, but as a gal who recently dropped 70 pounds - they look to tempting for me to make and not eat the ENTIRE recipe. So I have just had to admire them and dream of cooking them one day.... This I am making without fear - well, that and your balsamic chicken....

Rosa's Yummy Yums said...

Well, thats's a good decision, although I can't believe you gained that much in just a week. A wonderful dish! Tasty and healthy...

Cheers,

Rosa

Anonymous said...

Looks like good times. I need to get my ass on a plane somewhere.

Sandie said...

Love Brussel sprouts, and your lemon vinaigrette recipes sounds delish and easy. Definitely whipping this up sometime!

Maria Verivaki said...

you doubled your weight? god almighty!

Unknown said...

definitely a smart, healthy, and delicious meal before all the coming holiday parties to attend to... btw, what a great trip!!! welcome back... :)

Finla said...

You must be kidding. I am sure your weighing scale is busted :-)
Still it is good that you are trying to loose what ever you gained.

Katherine Roberts Aucoin said...

I love brussell sprouts too. Then to top it off with a lemon vinargrette. this salad looks like the ticket!

Christo Gonzales said...

did you eat an entire buffet table? this looks healthy and delicious but it would be hard not to eat seconds and thirds.....

tavolini said...

Wow--this looks fantastic!!

Brussels sprouts are my favorite veg, too. I used to gross out my roommate by eating a big huge bowl of them, with nothing but butter and salt.

I think your recipe sounds like a winner :)

The Short (dis)Order Cook said...

that's a lot of weight to gain in two weeks. I agree with the others who say your scale is busted.

Cooking your way thin is no myth. I always say that greatest weight loss tool at our disposal is our kitchen. Just about anything you cook at home will have less fat and salt and fewer calories than what you buy pre made.

Dave Van Buren said...

i can't do brussel sprouts but the vinagarette looks good. Your reminding me I need to cook my talipia.. lol

Marjie said...

Dude, how can you diet the week before Christmas? Although a doubling of weight in a week is some mighty impressive work ;)

I'd just have steamed these veggies and tossed with the lemon juice. I love a tender crisp steamed veggie with some nicely seasoned fish. Rice makes such a meal perfect!

Great vacation pics, too! Welcome home!

Anonymous said...

With a weight gain like that I'm thinking it will take you probably
2-3 days to drop it all? ;)

Merry Christmas from
maryann@smartass.com

haha! Nice fish dish! Come join the family feast!?

Jazzy said...

well this looks easy enough!

i dunno who you trying to fool, but there is no way you gained that much weight in two weeks!!

Colleen said...

This looks so light and refreshing! And I know what you mean about the food on cruises!

RealHustla said...

There's no way you could gain that much weight in a week. The scale had to be malfunctioning. If not, rush yourself to the doctor right now, cause the weight gain is not the worst coming. I'm serious. Weigh yourself again today, and then make a Drs. appt if necessary.

Christine said...

Seriously, dude, it's borderline impossible to gain that much weight in a week! I partly wonder if that was a random, joke number?

Anyway, the salad sounds incredible, and mixed with orzo it must have been super good.

Debbie said...

You had me laughing....anyhow, I think you should cook what you enjoy and just eat in moderation if you want to lose weight. All your recipes are great and they always look so tasty.....

12kyle said...

lmao @ 180 before the trip!!!

i'm not a fan of brussel sprouts...but i may try this

N'Drea ~ the Storyteller said...

I think your scale lied.

Love the salad. Need to try making one like that myself.

What did you think of my country's food? Did you have ackee n saltfish?

Jersey Girl Cooks said...

I am not a huge brussel sprout fan but after looking at the pictures, you make me want to eat brussel sprouts. Nice dinner.

NKP said...

Ha! You are probably having twins.
Just kidding. I am thinking you haven't been 180 for a while - just a distant memory.... You are a tall guy, you would be very skinny at 180. You look good in your photos though, I wouldn't worry too much.
The salad looks great - I love tilapia.
And I am not telling you how much I weigh.. although my avatar, Bella the pug, only weighs 20lbs. ;)

Unknown said...

those lemons are huge! and dijon is definately necessary :) this looks fantastic!

Leon1234 said...

That looks so good...

Anonymous said...

Ok, I've come to the conclusion that visiting your blog is NOT wise for me to do when I'm hungry.

That looks really good. I still haven't tried any of your recipe's, but this one may be a good start since I need to lose some weight also. I think I gain just checking out your blog. Lol

Anonymous said...

Tilapia is one of my favorite fish. They are really tasty. I use to fry them but when i saw your recipe, why not giving it a try?

Thanks for your wonderful recipe!

Allie said...

I'm pretty sure you couldn't possibly have gained that much weight in such a short span of time.

However, the brussels sprouts look delicious!

Mrs Count said...

All right Darius. If that was your before and after weight then the last time you weighed yourself was a year before your trip, lol.

Anonymous said...

Man I wish I had the patience. I am eating lamb tacos. I need to jump on the diet plan. I need you to make a 10 mean lazy man lose weight plan for me. I'll send you 10 bucks for it but make it plain mayne!

test it comm said...

Simple, tasty and healthy. Nice way to enjoy some brussels sprouts.

The F_Uitlist said...

I think I might give this one a try! Not a fan of the sprouts though!
yummy tilapia, I have that in my freezer now.

Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti said...

Glad you had fun on the cruise Darius! I do know how they put on weight --all that food 24 hours!!

You are the first person I've ever known who said brussel sprouts is their favorite veggie :-)

I love tilipia -- nice diet dish!

Snooty Primadona said...

I always love me some Tilapia, even though I have friends that argue it is a bottom feeder. Is that why it takes so great? Hmmm...

This is why I am scared to death of taking a cruise! All that great food... 24 hours a day. Geeze! If you'd like, email me at SilverKarma07@aol.com and I have a great 3 day diet that my daughter uses all the time. It works on the theory that certain foods have a better chemical breakdown when eaten together, than other foods do. However, for a long term fix, I reccommend the healthy eating diet. But, it's good for a quick 10-15 pounds.

Deeba PAB said...

I'm with you here Darius...LOVE the the lemon vinaigrette!!

Anonymous said...

Looks great, and brussels sprouts are the best!

Anonymous said...

Are you sure about that scale?:-)

Suite B said...

WTF - did you eat the damn ship...LOL

I hate people that can cook because you all make it look so easy.

*storming out of this blog to go work on my plan to kidnap Mr. Williams so he can cook for me everyday and let me pass it off to my husband like it's my own.*

Laquita said...

I also love Tilapia - this recipe looks really good - may be a way to get my step daughter and niece to eat brussel sprouts :o)

Cynthia said...

I am not math genius either but I refuse to believe that you put on 162 pounds in 1 week!

Jeanne said...

162 pounds in a week? Maybe your scale has a problem - that seems extreme... Love the idea of blanched sprouts in a salad.

Nazarina A said...

Heh Dude,
You are shockingly good at measuring calories ha ! ha! ha!I say who needs a darn calorie counter with this winner? Just don't let the couch become part of your b...., behind!

i shall be landing in Ft lauderdale very soooon! Merry Christmas and a rockin new year to ya!

Lori Lynn said...

Now that sounds like a tasty meal. Great vinaigrette! Good luck again with your program. Sounds like you have lots of cheerleaders to help you succeed. Go for it!

Alicia Foodycat said...

That vinaigrette would be so perfect with so many things! I never would have thought to put the orzo and sprouts in a salad.

The CDM said...

You lost me at "no cheese".

Product Junkie Diva said...

This looks so delicious.
thanks for sharing.
PJD

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