Branching Out

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I find it interesting how foods become buzz foods so to speak. The one I keep seeing all over the place is brussels sprouts. And these are not your mama's brussels sprouts. These are gloriously green and crisp looking not overcooked and mushy. (sometimes hidden under artificial cheese goo) I have shunned brussels sprouts for years because I thought they were gross and mushy green balls. But seeing these recipes I've decided to branch out and try them. I'm debating which recipe to try because there are a few that look stunning. I figure if I can change my mind about asparagus (I used to think it was mushy and gross until I had it grilled) then I can change my mind about brussels sprouts.

I have three recipes I'm contemplating...

• Weight Watchers' Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Maple-Balsamic Drizzle 

• Eat, Live, Run's Brussels Sprouts with bacon, dried cherries, and Israeli Couscous

• Pioneer Woman's Brussels Sprouts with Balsamic and Cranberries

I'm leaning toward the Pioneer Woman's recipe because I've never had a recipe from her that I didn't like but the others sound heavenly too so I may have to try them all. Now I have to decide if I'll buy them already off the stalk or buy them on the stalk and cut them myself.

So what are somethings that you're trying new this year? 

Happy New Year!!

It is still hard for me to believe that it is 2012. It seems like we just started 2011. (It's also hard to believe I'll have to work a mostly full week this week.)

I'm looking forward to 2012 my hubby comes home for R&R in the fall so that is my main excitement but I have others I'm focusing on too.

I've decided that 2012 will be my year. I want to get healthy. I have too many health issues looming in my family to ignore my health so this year I'm dedicating to me. I've done a number of 5Ks but I'm working toward my first 8K in March. As I said in my Motivation post I'm looking for my motivation but I know that I need to get working on my walking and other exercise to be in shape for that walk.

Next week we start back up with First Place 4 Health so I'll have my official weigh-in next Thursday. Yippee!! Although I don't think it will be too bad because I haven't noticed my clothes getting crazy tight so I'm optimistic. We'll see.

I've also decided to work on cooking at home more. Over the holidays I got very relaxed about going out for lunch and dinner. I need to focus on meals at home and leftovers for lunches. I also want to expand my eating so I've decided to branch out and try some new foods like brussel sprouts and maybe even spaghetti squash. The other day at Uno's I had the most delicious brown rice pilaf with dried cranberries. So I'm looking for new and different recipes to bring some interest to my cooking. For brussel sprouts I found a maple glazed roasted recipe from Weight Watchers and a Balsamic glazed roasted recipe from Pioneer Woman. I'll let you know which one I decide and how they turn out.

So what are you looking forward to in 2012?

Yummy Stuff: Chobani Yogurt

Ok I realize that I'm late to the dance on this one but I didn't like Greek yogurt initially. But I decided to brave the fruit on the bottom version and I'm hooked. I love that it has more protein, is low fat, is all natural, etc. I admit I've decided it needs something crunchy so I'm going to add some granola to it in the future. But I'm in love with Greek Yogurt now. If you haven't tried it I encourage you to do so!!

Do you have any foods that when everyone else was raving about them you weren't so sure?