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Stir-Fried Asparagus with Almonds

Happy Eat. Live. Be. day! You know, we are hitting the point where many people abandon their resolutions or yearly goals and fall back into old habits. That’s why it’s so perfect that this week’s topic is Rut Rescue. Don’t we all fall into ruts sometime?

Stir-Fried Asparagus with Almonds

In fact, I think last week I was talking about a rut — the small weight loss I had for the month, and how the numbers weren’t reflecting what I was seeing. It brought me down a lot to not have the number match the visual, even though I know I shouldn’t rely on what the scale says. And the response I received from my post was amazing. Thank you! I was totally and utterly blown away by your comments and support. Thank you! And, since I prematurely declared my January numbers, here’s a mini-update (look! My weight loss is MUCH better!):

January Loss: 3.4 lbs
TOTAL ELB Loss: 3.4 lbs

Feeling much better about things now.

Regarding ruts … It’s all too easy to fall into them. There’s the nothing’s happening rut, where you convince yourself that what you are doing isn’t actually working. And then you stop (which defeats the whole purpose of doing things). There’s the snowball effect rut, where you take a mini break from, say, exercise for a day and next thing you know, it’s been a week. And then there is the I-don’t-have-time-energy-attention-etc-for-this rut. And that’s the worst one. Believe me, I’ve been there.

But I think the most effective method for dragging yourself out of a rut is to remember why you are doing what you are doing, and then just do it. Even if you don’t feel like that walk on the treadmill or if you are tired of watching every morsel you eat. You just do it … because you are worth the effort.

I speak from experience. Heck, I speak from experience this week. Despite your encouragement, I fell into a mini rut where I just didn’t exercise for a few days. And writing this reminds me that it’s time to get up and just do something. Brooding on it won’t pull me out of my mini rut … but doing something will.

Now, for a recipe. I feel like I have been short on the recipes lately. This fabulous, delicious side dish is good enough to eat for a meal (hello, lunch!). With hints of sesame, ginger and garlic, the asparagus is cooked until crisp-tender and then served with a toss of soy and a sprinkle of sliced almonds. It’s heaven on a plate.

How do you pull yourself out of a rut?

Be sure to visit all the ELB bloggers for more great perspectives.

Stir-Fried Asparagus with Almonds

Stir-Fried Asparagus with Almonds

Yield: 4 servings s a side dish

Ingredients

  • 1 tsp extra virgin olive oil
  • 1/2 tsp sesame oil
  • 2 cloves garlic, , minced
  • 1/2 tsp ground ginger
  • 1 lb asparagus, , rinsed and each spear cut into three pieces
  • 1 tbsp soy sauce

Instructions

  1. In a large skillet, heat the olive oil and sesame oil over medium-high heat.
  2. Stir in the garlic and ginger powder. Cook for 1 minute, then stir in the asparagus. Cook for 5-6 minutes, until crisp-tender.
  3. Remove the skillet from the heat and drizzle with soy sauce. Toss to coat.
  4. Sprinkle with almonds and serve.

Jen

Wednesday 9th of February 2011

LOVE asparagus. Looks delicious!

Casey

Tuesday 8th of February 2011

I could eat asparagus at every meal, I think. Looks delish!

Joanne

Tuesday 8th of February 2011

Congrats on the weight loss! I'm glad you're feeling better about it....I always know I shouldn't let the scale control my emotions but sometimes it's SO hard.

Visualization and trying to remember why I'm doing what I'm doing is definitely good for rut breaking! It's so easy to stay off track once you get there...these days though once I think of all my fellow ELB-ers, I convince myself to get back on track!

Claudia

Tuesday 8th of February 2011

I do string beans like this and they are so wonderful - I am imagining when they are just picked. (It's coming and we will all be so much healthier and fit.)

Kate

Monday 7th of February 2011

This is such a good week for rut work. I decided to take the week off from running and all these posts are making me second guess that plan.

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