Swimming Against The Current

The holidays not only brought cheer this year, they also brought a few extra pounds. After a couple of weeks stuffing myself into my pants and struggling to get the zipper all the way up, I finally decided to get my diet back on track and shed the extra blubber. I've mentioned before that I have always had a battle with my weight and since the late 90s have been able to keep it under control with exercise and my own version of the South Beach Diet.

Even though I've deleted sugar, bread, potatoes, pasta, alcohol and other high value carbohydrates from my diet until I cast off my winter surplus, I still have a quick and easy menu on hand to meet my diet needs and entertain dinner guests at home. A quick salad of mixed field greens, halved grape tomatoes, blue cheese crumbles, toasted walnut pieces and a homemade balsamic vinaigrette start off the evening.

For the main course, broiled salmon, simply rubbed with olive oil, lemon juice and freshly cracked black pepper provides a delicious protein-packed entree. Pair the fish with some steamed, fresh green beans and mashed cauliflower. To prepare cauliflower mash, cut up a head of cauliflower and roast on a pan in the oven or steam in the microwave until tender. Place in a large bowl with a 1/2 cup of low carb mayo substitute, 2 tablespoons of dijon mustard and salt and pepper to taste. Mash florettes with a potato masher or whip with a stand or hand mixer until creamy. If the mash is too dry, add a little fat-free chicken broth. Pass on the dessert course and you have a great dinner that entertains and want ruin your diet.