Healthy and on budget

My Body By Vi diet allows me to lesson my grocery bill while eating healthier than I was but I also like to cook and still eat dinner since I actually replace my breakfast with a shake and a snack since I drink one after my workout. I still eat lunch and dinner. Since my goal is more than 30 lbs the total I spend per day a month is about eight dollars. Not bad for two those two meals plus my omega's and my metabolic booster.

Since I am new to eating healthy and hate spending a ton of money I thought I would share a few recipes that I have found. I love pasta so the first one I am sharing with you Chicken Piccata with Pasta and Mushrooms.  This recipe you can swap the chicken for a mild fish like Talipa or Shrimp. 

 

INGREDIENTS

• 6 ounces whole-wheat angel hair pasta
• 1/3 cup all-purpose flour, divided
• 2 cups reduced-sodium chicken broth
• 1/2 teaspoon salt, divided
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
• 4 chicken cutlets, (3/4-1 pound total), trimmed
• 3 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided
• 1 10-ounce package mushrooms, sliced
• 3 large cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 cup white wine
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
• 2 tablespoons capers, rinsed
• 2 teaspoons butter

• PREPARATION

  1. Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add pasta and cook until just tender, 4 to 6 minutes or according to package directions. Drain and rinse.
  2. Meanwhile, whisk 5 teaspoons flour and broth in a small bowl until smooth. Place the remaining flour in a shallow dish. Season chicken with 1/4 teaspoon salt and pepper and dredge both sides in the flour. Heat 2 teaspoons oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add the chicken and cook until browned and no longer pink in the middle, 2 to 3 minutes per side. Transfer to a plate; cover and keep warm.
  3. Heat the remaining 1 teaspoon oil in the pan over medium-high heat. Add mushrooms and cook, stirring, until they release their juices and begin to brown, about 5 minutes. Transfer to a plate. Add garlic and wine to the pan and cook until reduced by half, 1 to 2 minutes. Stir in the reserved broth-flour mixture, lemon juice and the remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt. Bring to a simmer and cook, stirring, until the sauce is thickened, about 5 minutes.
  4. Stir in parsley, capers, butter and the reserved mushrooms. Measure out 1/2 cup of the mushroom sauce. Toss the pasta in the pan with the remaining sauce. Serve the pasta topped with the chicken and the reserved sauce.

  NUTRITION

  Per serving: 397 calories; 9 g fat ( 3 g sat , 3 g mono ); 54 mg cholesterol; 45 g carbohydrates; 0 g added sugars; 28 g protein; 5 g fiber; 544 mg sodium; 609 mg potassium
  I made this a few weeks ago and it came out great. The kids and husband love it. My husband loves steak so I haven't tried this second one yet but think when he comes home we are going to try it. 
  

  INGREDIENTS

  • 8 ounces 1/2-inch-thick steaks, such as rib-eye, trimmed of fat and cut into 2 portions
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, divided
  • 1 teaspoon extra-virgin olive oil
  • 2 plum tomatoes, diced
  • 2 teaspoons lime juice
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh cilantro

  • PREPARATION

    1. Sprinkle both sides of steak with chili powder and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Heat oil in a medium skillet over medium-high heat. Add the steaks and cook, turning once, 1 to 2 minutes per side for medium-rare. Transfer the steaks to a plate, cover with foil and let rest while you make the salsa.
    2. Add tomatoes, lime juice and the remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt to the pan and cook, stirring often, until the tomatoes soften, about 3 minutes. Remove from heat, stir in cilantro and any accumulated juices from the steaks. Serve the steaks topped with the salsa.

    NUTRITION

    Per serving: 192 calories; 8 g fat ( 2 g sat , 4 g mono ); 81 mg cholesterol; 4 g carbohydrates; 0 g added sugars; 26 g protein; 1 g fiber; 359 mg sodium; 515 mg potassium.
    
    
    I hope you guys like these recipes. There are many more to be found on web if you just look. Although I am meeting most my needs with my shakes I still love good food.
    Are you ready to start your 90 Day Challenge? What can you accomplish in 90 Days?
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