Eating out

Last night was the third time I have been out to eat since I started the Ideal Protein plan. Basically because whenever I go out someone at the table says, "Oh just go ahead and cheat, it's just once. Then you can get back on your diet tomorrow." And for a split second Bad Andra thinks about having a glass of wine or ordering my meal with garlic mashed potatoes instead of the veggies. But, then Good Andra comes to the rescue and my willpower kicks in. If I want to reach my goal, it's something that I have to get used to. Because let's face it, I can't stay in the house and be a complete recluse. And last night I was feeling fine until the basket of warm, buttery garlic rolls arrived. Everyone looked at me before they grabbed theirs and my dad even asked if it was okay if he ate one! I held my own though and didn't fall into Red Lobster's trap!    

I find myself playing the role of Sally in When Harry Met Sally and I always get a good chuckle out of it. Here is how my order went last night: "Yes, I'll have the rainbow trout grilled with steamed broccoli and no rice. I'll have a salad without croutons and oil and vinegar on the side." Oh well, there's nothing wrong with knowing what you want and how you want it, right? Especially, when I'm feeling ten times better and fitting into jeans that had been gathering dust in the back of my closet for two years.  

On to my latest recipe. One of my favorite magazines is Clean Eating. I happened to come across a copy in one of our local grocery stores about a year ago. Of course, it was tucked way in the back behind Southern Living and Taste of Home. After being in Wyoming for over twenty years, I've come to realize that not many seem too worried about eating organic and "clean". Two nights ago I adapted the cover recipe of March's issue - Beef and Broccoli Orange Stir-Fry - to work along with my diet. I did have to eliminate the soba noodles, honey and constarch and make a few substitutions. Since I love the spicy flavor of ginger, I decided to add that as well.

Beef and Brocolli Sitr-Fry (Ideal Protein Friendly)

3 teaspoons olive oil
1 lb lean round steak, pounded to 1/4 inch thickness and sliced into strips
1/2 cup green onions, chopped
2 cups fresh broccoli florets
1/2 red bell pepper, julienne cut
3 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
Juice and zest of 1 lime
2 cloves of garlic, minced
1/2 teaspoon fresh ginger, grated
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)

Heat a large non-stick skillet over medium heat with half of the olive oil. Cook the steak for about 5-7 minutes until cooked through. Remove the steak and set aside. Go ahead and leave the juices from the meat in the pan.

Add the remaining olive oil. Add the green onions, red pepper and broccoli and saute over medium-high heat for about 10 minutes.

While the veggies are cooking, whisk together the soy sauce, garlic, ginger, red pepper flakes, lime juice and zest in a medium bowl.

When the veggies are tender, add the steak back to the pan and pour in the soy sauce mixture. Heat everything together until warmed through.