{same taste. no guilt.}
So I have to give myself a huge pat on the back.  Go me.  I did a great job eating clean and light last week.  The result: a pleasant reduction on the scale.  I hate scales and I try to avoid using it, but I was involved in a Diet Bet so it was required. The month was coming to an end and I needed to submit by final weigh in for the challenge.  I ate so well and the motivation to win the diet bet definitely worked because.. I won!  I was able to lose 4% of my weight in the month of February, resulting in being $50 richer.

I was back at Bikram three times a week & 1 day at the gym.  On top of that, I was only eating clean and organic.  It definitely paid off and I am even more motivated now.  I joined another Diet Bet and plan to lose another 4% in the month of March.  Hello more money!  Cheer me on & enjoy my healthy recipes this month!

Onto the yummy meal pictured above….

Isn’t so annoying how all bad things taste the best?  It seems the higher the calories, the better it tastes.  Not with this recipe though.  It contains the same delicious flavors, but way less calories that the original scampi.

For this recipe, I used all organic ingredients including the pasta.  The silky sauce perfectly coats the shrimp and noodles and the broccoli is an added blast of nutrients.  Compared to heavily buttered scampi sauces, this lightened up version contains no butter or wine.

I tried to avoid carbs as much as possible, but I thought a small splurge with this meal was OK.  I just worked out extra hard & ate light for my other meals.  Shrimp is one of my favorite proteins. They are very light & healthy, aiding in the production of the good LDL cholesterol.  Shrimp is a great addition to a heart healthy diet.

If you are in a rut and thinking that it is hard to eat healthy and that you have to give up all your favorites.  Pull yourself back up and tell yourself that is not true!  Any high calorie, high fat meal can be altered and still provide the same wonderful tastes.  This shrimp scampi dish is light, healthy, and incredibly tasty!

Shrimp Scampi [lightened up!]
Recipe Adapted from:  Cooking Light Magazine
Hands on Time:  20 minutes   ///   Cook Time:  20 minutes   ///   Servings: 4

Ingredients:
1 lb wild caught shrimp, peeled & deveined
1 small organic shallot, minced
8 oz organic spaghetti
2 cups organic broccoli
1 cup organic, low sodium chicken broth
8 garlic cloves, minced
2 Tbsp organic parsley, chopped
zest of juice of 1 small lemon
1 Tbsp olive oil
1 Tbsp cornstarch + 1 Tbsp H2O, mixed together into a paste
1/4 cup parmesan cheese + additional for serving
salt & pepper

Directions:
1.  In a large pot, bring water to a boil and cook spaghetti according to package instructions.
2.  About 2 minutes before the pasta is finished, add the broccoli.  Cook 2 minutes & drain.
3.  In a large skillet, heat the olive oil and add the shallot & 4 garlic cloves. Saute about 1 minute.
4.  Add the shrimp and cook on each side for about 2 minutes or until pink.  Remove and set aside.
5.  Add remaining garlic and chicken broth to the pan.  Bring to a boil.
6.  Reduce heat and add lemon and cornstarch mixture.  Whisk to incorporate.
7.  Slowly add in the parmesan and stir until melted.
8.  Add the pasta, shrimp, and broccoli and toss to coat.
9.  Stir in parsley and serving with a sprinkle more of parmesan cheese.

enjoy!