Wednesday breakfast

We’re supposed to have snow here today, and what better on a cold winter morning than a nice hot bowl of steel-cut oats?  Add some fruit and a scoop of protein powder for a tasty, filling breakfast.

Thursday breakfast

This morning, we’re going to have steel-cut oats with one scoop of protein powder and a fruit of your choice.  Mix the fruit in or eat it separately!

Creole Flounder and Lemon Couscous

Creole Flounder

• 2 lbs flounder fillets
• 1 large tomato, seeded and chopped
• 1 green pepper, chopped
• 1 Tbsp basil
• 1 tsp Creole/Cajun seasoning
• 1/3 cup lemon juice
• 1 Tbsp olive oil
• 1/4 tsp hot sauce

Cut fish into six pieces. Place in a lightly greased 13×9 pan. Stir the rest of the ingredients together and spoon over fish. Bake at 500 for 7-10 minutes.

Lemon Couscous

• 10 oz. couscous, prepared according to package directions
• 2 Tbsp lemon juice

Stir to combine.

Thursday breakfast and snacks

For breakfast, we’re going to have steel-cut oats.  Boil them for 6-8 minutes, then add a scoop of protein powder.  For extra yum, cut up some fruit and mix it in!

Snacks are a sugar-free yogurt, and a protein bar.

Orange-Cranberry Quinoa

The first time I bought quinoa, my husband asked why we were shopping in the “weird” area of the grocery store.  It’s true, we had to search quite a bit before we found it, but it was well worth it.  I hope you think so, too!

Orange-Cranberry Quinoa

•  1 Tbsp olive oil
• 1/2 cup sliced green onions
• 1 tsp curry powder
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 1 cup quinoa
• 2 cups shredded carrots (about 3 medium)
• 1/2 cup dried cranberries
• 1 medium orange, peeled and cut into 1/2 inch pieces
• 1 tsp grated orange peel

Heat oil over medium heat until hot.  Cook onions until wilted but not browned.  Add curry powder, stir 30 seconds, being careful not to burn.  Add broth and quinoa; bring to a boil.  Reduce heat to low, cover and simmer 15 minutes or until water is absorbed.  Meanwhile, combine carrots, cranberries, orange and orange peel.  Carefully stir mixture into quinoa when it’s done simmering.  Cover and let stand 3 minutes.  Makes 6 1-cup servings.

You have a couple of options with this meal: you can add cooked chicken (or canned chicken) to the dish itself, or you can serve it with your choice of steamed veggies.