Scallops, Bread and weight loss resolutions

It is New Years once again and this year I will join the many thousands who vow to lose weight.  Although I have dieted many times in my life before, this time the doctor has ordered it with the hopes that it will lower my cholesterol without having to increase my dosage of medication.  Instead of waiting for the ball to drop in order to start, I am starting now.  Armed with a new journal where I will keep track of what I eat, I am prepared to start the Weight Watchers online and I am investigating websites with good recipes. I do not want this diet to control my life or make me think of food all the time so I am going to make a weekly menu, hope to buy only those ingredients and stay away from the store in between to control my impulse purchases.

Last night I made Pan Seared Scallops with Baby Greens and Citrus Mojo Vinaigrette   This is a great recipe that does not taste at all diet, but is a 4 point weight watcher recipe.  The dressing is tangy and citrus laden and is a keeper.  The scallops were fresh diver scallops given as a gift from my son.  I also sliced two small potatoes and sprayed them with cooking spray and cooked in the oven at 400 degrees until brown resulting in unfried potato chips. 

A cookbook that contains many excellent low calorie recipes that I have used since the early 90's is Vegetarian Spa Cuisine from Rancho La Puerta and Deborah Szekely.  The cover states that it contains "live younger/longer recipes."  I can't vouch for that, but the Tecante Ranch Whole Wheat Bread recipe is a definite winner.  


The ingredients are:
3 cups of warm water
1/4 cup wild sage honey
1 packet active dry yeast
1/2 cup cold pressed safflower or sunflower oil
8 1/2 - 9 1/2 stone ground whole wheat flour
1 cup Miller's wheat bran flakes
1 tbsp. poppy or sesame seeds
1 1/2 tsp salt
1 egg white beaten (for glaze)

I used rapid rise yeast, so I put all ingredients (approx 8 cups of flour) but the egg white in the stand kitchen mixer and when incorporated and not too sticky anymore (if the dough is sticky add flour in 1/4 cup amounts until it isn't sticky) I use the dough hook and let the machine knead the bread for 4 - 5 minutes.  When risen I divide the dough and put it into a bread pan that has been sprayed, cover with a towel until risen again and cook for 35 to 40 minutes in a 350 degree oven.  The result is a wonderful fiber filled bread that will freeze for up to 2 months. If you cut each loaf into 25 slices, or a total of 50 slices, each slice is 107 calories, 2.4 protein grams, 17.9 carbs, 2.6 fat, 0 cholesterol and 60 mg. sodium.

Happy New Year to all of you and I hope that whatever resolutions you make will work out for you.  I wish me lots of luck on my resolution and hope that it lasts until the goal is achieved.