You know what I should be doing right now, instead of writing and cooking for this blog? I should be getting a handle on our taxes, which loom over my head every year at this time. However, I felt a higher calling today than tax preparation, and that is preparing for the Annual Super Bowl Festivities:
And it really doesn’t matter a lick if you actually like the game. You see, the Super Bowl represents the first National event of the New Year, thus making it a great excuse to get together with family and/or friends. But what would that fabulous time be without good food and drink? I’m not going to talk to you about depriving yourself tomorrow. And for that matter, you shouldn’t get in the habit of depriving yourself of treats you really enjoy on any occasion. However, what you don’t want to experience, which I have in the past, is Monday Morning Melancholy, thanks to my errant weekend food/drink choices. Think of it as buyer’s remorse,
only with food.
Keep these THREE “Ps” in your thought patterns before and during the “festive” food/drink events:
I. Purposeful Plan- If you are meeting at a restaurant/bar or someone’s house to watch the game, call ahead of time and find out what type of food they have and have a “game plan” about your food choices. You can also bring something you can indulge in without guilt.
And if you are just celebrating in your own home, with no guests, maybe just you and your husband (like Randy and I), YOU can control what is served (see my ideas below for that option).
And please, DON’T ARRIVE HUNGRY! That is a setup for unplanned overindulgence! :
II. Petite Plates & Name Your Poison– First of all, pick a small cocktail plate to load up you food choices. Give yourself one small helping of calorie dense foods like chicken wings, spinach artichoke dip, sliders and sugary desserts which can represent ½ of your small plate. The other half can keep being refilled with veggies that only have a small dollop of dip/dressing.
And don’t forget to keep refilling your water glass in lieu of calorie dense alcoholic drinks to keep your hands, mouth and palate busy! My go-to is actually seltzer water with lime instead of water, therefore giving me (and I hope you) a festive boost! :
What I do is have a drink I really like, like a nice glass of wine or mixed drink, in the middle of the event, to keep me from overindulging . Because as you know, too much alcohol leads to diminished gastronomic self-control!
III. Position Perspective– When you have finished your plate of food, MOVE AWAY FROM THE SERVING AREA! Engage other people in conversation and find out what is going on in their lives. I always either learn something in those situations, help others with new ideas or have a lot of laughs, all a “win-win” in my book!
This is my Mom, sister Anne and our two good friends Bonnie & Kent Campbell at our recent MACA event at the Willows. They just met at this event, and as you can see, they enjoyed those priceless laughs!
That’s it!!!
Please have some fun on game day AND any other festive events you have plans to go to or give this year. Remember, life is too short to live in a state of guilt coupled with overindulgence. You can enjoy the events just as much with just a minutia of THREE “P” know-how!
THE SECRET TO GUILTLESS INDULGING- THREE “Ps”
I. Purposeful Plan
II. Petite Plates & Name Your Poison
III.Position Perspective
Below is the answer to the heavy, fat-laden nachos and buttery popcorn that is the routine fare at most sporting events. Please note this rendition is vegetarian but you are encouraged to add the protein of your choice. My protein of choice is smoked salmon, but you can add grilled chicken, shrimp or steak! Whatever floats your protein boat! Remember too that an extra polypeptide punch will also push your satiation buttons!
AND, if it doesn’t offend your Super Bowl idea of fun, these dishes are actually (gasp) HEALTHY (but that can be our secret)!!!
HEARTY NACHOS WITH
CHIPOTLE LIME ROASTED CAULIFLOWER POPCORN
Serves 4
Hearty Nachos:
Cheese Sauce Ingredients:
½ cup raw cashews, soaked in warm water for at least 30 minutes
1 T. tahini
1 roasted red bell pepper (seeded)
¼ cup nutritional yeast
1 T low-sodium soy sauce
Juice of 1 lime
¼ tsp. cayenne pepper
¼ cup chicken broth
Refried Bean Dip Ingredients:
1-15 oz. can of black beans, drained and rinsed
1 cup store-bought Tomato Salsa
1 1 /2 tsp. chili powder
Nachos Ingredients:
½ cup finely chopped cilantro, parsley or lettuce
1 cup Salsa Verde (store bought)
1 ½ tsp. chili powder
8 baked corn tortillas, cut into chips
Smokehouse Maple Seasoning
Olive Oil Cooking Spray
Cheese Sauce Procedure:
-In a blender, combine soaked cashews, tahini, roasted red pepper, nutritional yeast, soy sauce, lime juice, cayenne pepper and broth. Blend on high until smooth and set aside.
Refried Bean Dip Procedure:
-Add the beans, salsa and chili powder to a food processor and puree until smooth, adding water if needed to achieve a smooth consistency.
Assemble Nachos:
-Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Spray the tortillas with cooking spray and sprinkle with seasoning. Roast the tortillas in the oven until golden brown.
-Spread the bean dip evenly onto the bottom of a medium serving bowl or baking dish. Smooth the surface. Pour the “cheese” sauce on top of the bean layer. Spread the Salsa Verde on top. Garnish with tomatoes, red peppers, parsley and tomatoes. Serve with baked chips.
*Recipe adapted from Forks Over Knives
Nutrition per serving: 464 cal., 60.4 g. carbs, 14.2 g. fat, 15.3 g. protein, 885.7 mg. sodium, 16.5 g. fiber
CHIPOTLE LIME ROASTED CAULIFLOWER POPCORN
Serves 2-
Ingredients:
1 large head of cauliflower
1 T. of garlic powder
1 lime
2 tsp. smoked paprika
1 T. Avocado or Virgin Olive oil
Procedure:
-Preheat oven to 450 degrees
-Put florets, olive oil, salt, pepper, smoked paprika and garlic powder in a bowl and toss.
-Bake for 5 minutes, then shake the pan, making sure they are browning on all sides. Repeat 2 more times until brown and crispy.
-Squirt lime juice to coat on cauliflower
-Taste cauliflower and add more seasoning to your taste.
*Recipe adapted from girlandthekitchen.com
Nutrition per serving: 185 cal., 27.3 g. carbs., 7.2 g. fat, 9g protein, 129.2 mg. sodium, 10.9 g. fiber
Note-If you are counting macros instead of strictly calories, one serving of the Hearty Nachos and Chipotle Lime Roasted Cauliflower Popcorn together would be: 24 grams of protein, 88 grams of carbohydrates and 21 grams of fat