Have a Lean Green St. Patty’s Day

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You don't need the luck of the Irish to have a slimmed-down, but fun St. Patrick's Day!  Weight Watchers has uncovered some lean, green holiday favorites that will support your healthy lifestyle all year long.  Claire Monroe is in to tell us how to keep this St. Patty's Day a fairly healthy one.

Monroe says you can still enjoy your favorite Irish foods, just substitute healthy ingredients for the fatty ones.  For example Corned Beef & Cabbage with Red Potatoes can be done healthy.  Also, a great idea for sweet lovers, especially kids, is a green milkshake.  (see recipes below)

Another suggestion for this time of year is to focus on the positive and all that you’ve achieved.  Monroe suggests making your pot of gold by writing down everything you’ve accomplished this year that’s moving you closer to your health-related goals.

Corned Beef & Cabbage with Red Potatoes

Prep time:  25 min
Cook time:  55 min
Serves:  4
 
1 pound lean beef round
1/8 tsp salt, or to taste
1/8 tsp pepper, or to taste
1 Tbsp yellow mustard seed
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp ground ginger
1/2 tsp ground allspice
1/2 tsp black pepper
1/2 tsp coriander seeds
1/2 tsp ground cloves
2 bay leaves
8 small uncooked red potatoes, halved
16 baby carrots
1 medium head green cabbage, coarsely shredded
 
1.  Coat beef all over with salt and pepper and place in a large stockpot; pour enough water into pot to cover beef.  Add seasonings and bay leaves and stir to coat meat; set pot over high heat.  Bring to a boil; reduce heat to medium-low, cover and simmer 40 minutes.
 
2.  Add potatoes, carrots and cabbage and increase heat to medium-high; return to a boil.  Partially cover pot and boil until vegetables and beef are fork-tender, about 10 minutes more.  Drain water from meat and vegetables, reserving 1 cup of liquid.  Discard bay leaves.
 
3.  Thinly slice meat against the grain and serve with vegetables.  Pour some reserved cooking liquid over each serving.
 
Each serving yields about 3 ounces of meat, 1 1/2 cups of vegetables and 1/4 cup cooking liquid.

Green Milk Shake

Serving: 1
Preparation Time: 4 minutes

1/2 cup strawberries, or other soft chopped fruit
1/2 cup fat-free skim milk
2 Tbsp low-fat frozen yogurt
1 tsp wheat germ
1 piece mint leaves
Green food coloring

In a blender, puree the fruit, milk, yogurt and wheat germ until thick and creamy. Pour into a tall chilled glass and garnish with a mint leave. Serve at once.

*recipes courtesy Weight Watchers eTools
(c) 2010 Weight Watchers International, Inc.