Brussels Sprouts with Apples and Shallots

I have to admit that it’s only in the last week that I actually came to like Brussels sprouts! So, to be honest, I’ve yet to try this recipe. However, it’s at the top of my list – it sounds delicious!

Brussels Sprouts with Apples and Shallots

“The Brussels sprouts' natural nuttiness and mild cabbage flavor balances with tart, softened apples and shallots in this stovetop preparation. Choose firm, crisp apples that will maintain their shape and a bit of crunch when cooked.”

1 lb Brussels sprouts
2 large shallots, sliced into 1/4-inch-thick rings
2 medium crisp, firm apples (such as Gala, Honeycrisp or Braeburn), cored and cut into 1/2-inch chunks
1/2 C water, divided
1/4 C cider vinegar, divided
1/4 t sea salt
1/2 t freshly ground black pepper
4 sprigs fresh thyme

Rinse Brussels sprouts well and pull off any loose or yellowing leaves. Trim the stem ends and then quarter each sprout. Set aside.

Heat a large high-sided sauté pan over high heat. Add shallots to the very hot pan and cook, stirring constantly for 2 minutes. Add apples and 1/4 cup water, scraping any brown bits from the bottom as the water sizzles. Cook until the liquid reduces by half, about 2 minutes. Add Brussels sprouts, remaining 1/4 cup water, 2 tablespoons vinegar, salt and pepper. Reduce heat to medium, cover and simmer until the sprouts and apples are tender enough to be pierced all the way through with a fork, stirring occasionally, about 15 minutes.

Uncover, stir in remaining 2 tablespoons vinegar and the leaves pulled from sprigs of thyme. Scrape any bits from the bottom of the pan as liquid sizzles and reduces until nearly gone. Transfer to a serving bowl with any of the remaining liquid and serve immediately.

Nutrition
Per serving (about 7oz/201g-wt.): 80 calories (5 from fat), 0g total fat, 0g saturated fat, 0mg cholesterol, 140mg sodium, 19g total carbohydrate (4g dietary fiber, 8g sugar), 4g protein

From WholeFoods.com

A Commitment to Yourself

Committing to this cleanse will mean facing some challenges in everyday life. Like time crunches – often our nutrition suffers at the hands of scheduling pileups, but this time you’re going to have to drive past McDonald’s or walk past the vending machine. What will you do instead?

And there will be social challenges – explaining your new eating habits to friends or family members who don’t get it, and navigating through tricky menus are the two biggies that come to mind. Will you crumble or stand your ground?

On top of it all, you’ll face some personal challenges – you can be fairly certain that there will be times when you’d kill for a cup of coffee, a chocolate bar, or a double cheeseburger. How will you work through that?

I'll post tips to help you deal with all sorts of issues that might arise and you can vent your frustrations right here, where people who are going through the same thing can offer an empathetic ear and share ideas about how to get through whatever it is you’re facing.

But all the support in the world won’t help unless you’re willing to commit to yourself with the understanding that it will be difficult at times, but that the rewards will make it worthwhile. Here’s a commitment statement to help you gear up for the adventure…

I commit to putting myself first for 21 days. I can devote 5% of the year to me. I spend the other 95% worrying about someone or something else, skipping workouts to work late or drive the kids to soccer practice or music lessons, eating poorly when I’m crunched for time, and sacrificing my time for family or work time. But for the next 21 days I’m going to prove to myself that it doesn’t always have to be that way. For 21 days I’m not going to be pulled by my life – I’m going to set its course. And during that time I will allow myself to believe I deserve to come first, that I deserve to be healthy, that I deserve to feel great, that I deserve to look good, that I deserve the time it takes to care for me.

We're shifting our perspective – on food, and on ourselves - so it's a good time to look at self care differently. It’s not selfish to take care of ourselves; to the contrary, when we take care of ourselves, we’re better able to take care of the people and issues that need our attention. So for just 21 days, give yourself permission to see yourself differently – as the top priority in your life. You really do deserve it!

The Myth of Whole Paycheck

This is in no way an advertisement for Whole Foods Market; you can purchase your cleansing supplies wherever you wish. But I’ve noticed in previous cleanses that people have shied away from Whole Foods, primarily because they’ve heard it referred to as “Whole Paycheck.”

Like most people these days, I watch my budget quite closely. So I've done comparisons between Whole Foods and other grocery stores in my area. And I was really surprised and pleased to learn that "Whole Paycheck" is simply a misnomer.

For basic stock-up stuff, Whole Foods' 365-brand products are really competitive and are often organic when others aren't. So I get my tofu, soy milk, beans (canned and dried), quinoa, brown rice, and rice crackers there all the time. Even my favorite cleanse splurge, Amy's Rice Crust Spinach Pizza, costs a few dollars less than anywhere else.

And don't assume that the produce at Whole Foods is more expensive than at other stores. It's a fact that other grocers jack up their prices on organic produce - way above those of Whole Foods.

So don't shun Whole Foods just because of a perceived truth - when you look at it a little more closely, the real story is quite different!

Be Heard! Post Your Thoughts on SkinnyPlus

We're all in this together, gang! And we've got cleansers in Arizona, Colorado, Illinois, Minnesota, New York, Texas, Washington and Wisconsin that I'm aware of - there might be others we haven't heard from yet. But we want to hear from everyone!

So ask questions, share your thoughts, vent your frustrations, tell us about your experience! The best way to start a new program is with a buddy - you've got buddies you haven't even met yet and they're all right here!

To post your comments:
1.) Set up a Google account (Click the "sign in" link on the upper righthand corner of this page and it will prompt you from there. Basically it asks you to create a user name and password. As I recall, it takes about 60 seconds.)

2.) After you've created your account you can sign in as soon as you get to the site. Then when you post a comment the drop-down menu will show your user name next to the word "Google". Just click on that and it should work.

3.) If you visit the site without signing in, you can post a comment and then click on "Google" in the drop-down menu. From there it will prompt you to sign in and then you should be able to post.

The whole purpose of this blog is create a forum for discussion and support as we go through this process. And the best way to tap into our cross-country camaraderie is by posting our thoughts right here. I hope we hear from you soon!