it's not a resolution...it's a resolve

Fact: Pre-wedding, Dan and I were on this "low-carb, modified South Beach"-type diet.
Fact: It worked. Between wedding stress and healthier choices, my wedding day found both of us at a lower, healthier weight. The proof is in the pudding (or lack thereof) (ie: comments and pictures).
Fact: The wedding came at a horrible intersection of season and celebration to continue such a routine. It's ludacris to think about carbs when you're getting married (or at your rehearsal dinner) (or a shower) (or bachelor/ette party) (or when you're family is in town). And after the wedding comes the honeymoon. And a week later, the reception in KS. And a month later, Thanksgiving. And after that there's more parties and Christmas, and New Year's and... see?
Fact: The diet went out the window somewhere around the first week of October. Approximately.

And, it's not that we've since gorged ourselves in butter and lard (who am I, Paula Deen?). But I notice a difference in how I feel, how I sleep, how things get processed through (Scrubs season 6: it all comes down to poo).

So, Dan and I have resolved (see, not a resolution) that we're getting back to healthier eating. Less carbs, more water, more green things on our plates, up the protein, less stress (me) and more sleep, etc. That, combined with a resolve to save some money (less debt, new computers, a house, a new kitten, fun trips and vacations, all being things that we'd like to see in the months and years to come) means that we're eating in more. And cooking for ourselves more. And being more creative.

Lately the idea of having a theology of eating, of the food that we consume keeps coming back to me. I'll share more of that as it comes to fruition, I'm not sure how it will play out or what that will mean for us. But, in the meantime, I'll share what we made for dinner tonight.

Thanks to Real Simple for the recipe: Bean and Sausage Stew
Heat 1 Tb of olive oil in a Dutch oven over medium heat. Add 1 13 oz. pkg. chicken sausage links, sliced 1/4 inch thick (we used sausage from our friendly neighborhood Target. Archer Farms has a tasty chicken Italian sausage that worked just great with this) and cook, without stirring, until browned (3 minutes or so). Turn, add 2 cloves of garlic (thinly sliced) and cook for 2 minutes more. Add beans (1 19 oz. can white beans, drained), broth (14oz of chicken broth), and tomatoes (14.5 oz can diced tomatoes, undrained). Increase heat to medium high and bring to simmer.

This is where we veered off from the intended recipe. RS originally called to use kale, which there wasn't any of at Target that day. So, we used spinach. Any dark, green vegetable would probably do. Whatever you use, tear it into large pieces, removing any stems that wouldn't cook down. Add it to the pan and cook (still stirring as needed) until it wilts. Remove from heat. Season with salt and pepper.

We think this would be equally tasty with onions in the mix as well. Quite delicious and Dan claims, it looks better than the picture in the magazine. High praise indeed. :)