Thai Shrimp Noodle Bowl

You’ll want to print out this Thai Shrimp Noodle Bowl because it will become a staple!

It was supposed to be a work day yesterday, so I staggered my breakfast/lunch/dinner like I do when I work 3:30 – 10:30.  I ate breakfast around 10:30, thinking I’d have lunch in the car around 3:00, and then I planned on having soup when I got home from work.

Next time you go to the store, check out bottom round steaks.  My store routinely sells them for $3.79 a pound, so these two thin steaks cost only $2.20.  Jacob was working later in the day so it was just he and I for breakfast, and when I mentioned having something with beef for breakfast, let’s just say he didn’t have any complaints about that!

Because of the type of cut this beef is and because of how thin it was, it literally only cooked 45 seconds a side, and I set it aside to rest while I scrambled some egg/egg whites/spinach/cheese.  I placed the scrambled egg over the cooked steak, topped it with some salsa and breakfast was served.  4 points for the 4 ounces of steak, 3 points for the egg/egg white scramble and 2 points for 1/2 ounce of cheese.

Since I didn’t have to leave the house until 2:00 (yes, I like to leave way early because I don’t like being late) I had plenty of time to get outside and get some exercise in.  I am not sure Chicago is aware that the calendar page has turned to September, because it was nearly 88 degrees when I went on my walk at 11:15 a.m.  I live in a hilly neighborhood and I decided to do some hill work.  I walked the 1/2 mile to the steepest hill, then walked down the hill and then ran (well, jogged really!) up the hill and did 10 sets of that.  I was a sweaty mess by the time I got home!

While half way through my workout, I got a call from work, telling me that I was cut for the day because there was a lack of interest in last nights class.  They said it’s not unusual to not be busy after a holiday.  So all of a sudden I had the whole day in front of me!

I did some stuff around the house, paid September bills, and then decided that I wanted to go to the gym and swim.  When I got there I looked at my fitbit, and decided to walk until I hit 10,000 steps, and then hit the pool.  I also did 20 minutes of upper body strength – I’ve definitely gotten stronger this summer.  I was able to use 10 pound dumbbells!

It had been so long since I actually packed my gym bag for the pool that I forgot flip flops and goggles.  I had a split second thought of “oh well, guess I am not swimming today” but then went to the front desk and asked if they sold swim goggles.  My fancy old gym did, but this is the YMCA.  She sadly said no, and then I asked if she could check lost and found and I could “borrow” a pair of goggles.  Score!

In total, it was an hour workout at the gym and it felt great.  I am kicking myself for not being more motivated this summer, but that was in the past, and I am letting it go. 

I was really thirsty after my workout.  I think I’ve mentioned this before, but if you go to Thornton’s (or maybe any gas station?) and show them you filled up your cup with just water – 9/10 they will give it to you free – which I got yesterday.  And Thorton’s has this pellet ice that I love.  Beats paying $1.99 for a 24 ounce plastic bottle.  And yes, that snowman stays out year round.

I needed just a couple things to make the stuff for my giveaway on Monday.  Have you left a comment for a chance to win 12 sixteen ounce jars of salsa/lasagna soup and pasta sauce?!  By now it was close to 5:00 and I hadn’t had lunch.  As I was waiting in the checkout line, I could feel my blood sugar start to drop.  And while I was standing next to the candy aisle, I picked up one chicken finger to eat in the car ride home.  I am guessing it was 7 points.  And no picture, but I think you all know what a chicken finger looks like!

Since I wasn’t prepared to be home for dinner last night, I had to figure out what to make.  I knew Hannah and Jacob wouldn’t like what I was making, so I didn’t worry about their dinner.  There was plenty of food in the fridge for them to make their own dinner.

I knew I had frozen shrimp in the freezer, and when I went to Pinterest and put in the ingredients I had, Jessica’s Thai Coconut Curry Shrimp Noodle Bowl popped up.  I know my friends D&D are thinking “how would you have Thai red curry paste in your house to even make this dish?!”  Well, as a food blogger, I am the condiment queen and I have pretty much any condiment necessary for any type of cuisine.

After reading Jessica’s recipe, she used both full fat and light coconut milk.  Um, not sure if you guys know this but a cup of full fat coconut milk has 552 calories and 57 grams of fat.  I am sure it’s delicious, but I had to make this recipe a bit more Weight Watcher friendly.  This recipe is for one serving, FYI.

I use Better Than Bouillon for my chicken broth.  It tastes amazing, and while it’s pricey at $4.99 a container, it’s enough broth for 38 cups of broth.

This was delish!  The broth was the perfect balance of flavorful spicy without being knock your socks off spicy.  The veggies were still slightly crunchy, which I love and the shrimp from The Fresh Market tasted like little pieces of lobster they were so meaty. 

I love how that picture turned out.  You guys need to know that I normally take about 30-40 shots of each dish when I have the time.  Want to see how the first four pictures I took turned out?

It just shows that it doesn’t matter if you have a DSLR, you have to continue to work at it.

I know for sure I am working tonight because it’s a private party.  I get to put the appetizers together though – a white bean and rosemary bruschetta and bacon wrapped dates with balsamic glaze.  Yum!

It looks like the rain stopped for now, so I better head out to get my steps in.  Make it a great day!