Advocare 24 Day Challenge - Day 10 is DONE

So day 10 and the cleanse are now complete!!!! It really wasn't hard, though I will say ... I'm not sure how "cleansed" I feel.  I feel good and all, but I don't know that I got the full effect. The whole thing made me wonder if I was doing it all wrong or something. I lost a total of ONE. FREAKING. POUND. So let's just say that his "max phase" better bring on the fat loss, or I am going to be one bitter beaver. Like postal rampage bitter.

The best thing about this cleanse being over is that I am letting myself have a glass of wine tonight (ok 2 glasses ... don't judge). I could not be more excited. I have missed wine soooo much. I still plan to stick to the challenge, but this will be part of my 10% that I can be "off." I mean, I haven't gone 11 days without having some form of alcohol since I was 23, so ummm... where's my parade? Fanfare? Something? Does that make me sound like an alky? Or just someone who works in the real world and needs a glass of wine and socialization to make it through life? I'll choose the latter and I'll you to stop judging me now. Thanks.

So anyway, I got a new little nifty gadget yesterday. That's what I've resorted to. Gadgets to keep this food thing interesting. Behold, the spiralizer. Zucchini never had so much fun.

I mean, if I'm going to have extra money that I'm not spending on booze, then I might as well buy SOMETHING. In all seriousness though, the zucchini noodles are super yummy with some pasta sauce. I think this thing is supposed to be REALLY easy to work, and I have a friend that swears by this EXACT one. However, I was only able to make noodles out of one side of it (there are 2 sizes). Of course I really wanted the smaller noodles (grass is always greener syndrome) that didn't work right. I'll be mentioning this to distributor. I shall report back.

Here's mah noodles ...

So pretty.

And here's mah final "pasta" dish (with the turkey meatballs & Rao's sauce we have had like 20 times ... that recipe really did make like 100 meatballs or something).

It was good and filling. Oh, and to cook the zucchini noodles I just sauteed them in a little olive oil (doesn't require much) until tender. Added a little salt and they're done!

Spinach & Goat Cheese Pasta

In case you haven't noticed, I LOVE goat cheese. I could eat it on just about anything. I love finding and creating new recipes to incorporate it! So, here's my latest creation and it is super easy and deeeeeeelish.

 

Serves 4

Ingredients:

1 bag fresh baby spinach

1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil

2 cloves garlic, from press or finely minced

4 ounces goat cheese

8 ounces fettuccine noodles (I used Fiber Gourmet www.fibergourmet.com)

Fresh black pepper

Kosher salt

Boil noodles according to package directions, with kosher salt in water, and drain. Meanwhile, heat olive oil and garlic in large pan. Once garlic is softer, add spinach. Cover with lid and then stir after 1 minute. Replace lid and cook for 2 more minutes. 

Once spinach is cooked add noodles and goat cheese. Will be easier to incorporate goat cheese if added in chunks or crumbles. Add pepper. Toss all together and enjoy! 

**I often make this same recipe with wheat noodles and/or with broccoli. It's delicious that way too!

Chicken & Spinach Pasta Bake 

(my lightened up version from www.savingmoneyli...) 

Serves 8 (generous portions)
326 Calories per serving

8 oz uncooked Ronzoni wheat penne
3/4 T olive oil
1 c chopped onion
1 (10 oz) pack frozen spinach, thawed
3 c cubed, cooked chicken breasts
1 (14 oz) can Italian-style diced tomatoes, drained
1 (8 oz) container 1/3 less fat Philadelphia chive & onion cream cheese
1 t salt, ½ t pepper
1½ c reduced fat shredded mozzarella cheese

Prepare pasta according to pkg directions. Spray cooking spray and then spread oil on bottom of 9x13 in baking dish; add onion in a single layer. Bake at 375 for 15 minutes or just until tender. Transfer onion to large bowl, set aside.
Drain chopped spinach well. Stir in pasta, spinach, chicken, & next 4 ingredients into onion in bowl. Spoon mixture into dish & sprinkle evenly with shredded mozzarella cheese. Bake covered at 375 for 30 minutes; uncover & bake 15 more minutes or until bubbly.