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April 29th — National Shrimp Scampi Day


shrimp scampi April 29th    National Shrimp Scampi DayIt seems like everyone has their day. Had there not been one, I certainly might have been a pioneer for creating a National Shrimp Scampi Day. Of all the shrimp recipes I prepare, shrimp scampi is my favorite.

I will admit that this dish can be decadent–to a fault. However, with big flavors of garlic and butter, a little goes a long way. A reasonable portion with some whole wheat pasta for good measure, and you have a healthy meal. It’s easy preparation and perfect marriage with a big oaky chardonnay make it a simple yet elegant meal.

Of course, shrimp of itself is a good reason to indulge. Low in fat, shrimp also provides a moderate source of omega-3 fatty acids. It is a good source of calcium and phosphorus. It is also an excellent source of protein. A four ounce serving of shrimp provides 47.4% of the daily value for protein. That’s significant.

My base is a delightful recipe from Allrecipes.com. Since butter plays such a key role, my suggestion is to go with a higher quality butter like Plugra. Plugra is lower in moisture and higher in butterfat than regular grocery store butter. Its creamy texture and clean taste will showcase this recipe nicely.

For white wine, I like to substitute dry vermouth. I always keep a bottle in the fridge for recipes calling for white wine. As with the butter, a nice parmesan will really make this recipe shine. For added color and flavor, halved cherry tomatoes and fresh basil tossed with the pasta make for a delightful presentation. Enjoy!

Shrimp Scampi V from Allrecipes.com, Submitted by RNCOGGINS
INGREDIENTS
* 1 (8 ounce) package angel hair pasta
* 1/2 cup butter
* 4 cloves minced garlic
* 1 pound shrimp, peeled and deveined
* 1 cup dry white wine
* 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
* 3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
* 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley

DIRECTIONS
1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Stir in pasta and return pot to boil. Cook until al dente. Drain well.

2. Melt butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Stir in garlic and shrimp. Cook, stirring constantly, for 3 to 5 minutes.

3. Stir in wine and pepper. Bring to a boil and cook for 30 seconds while stirring constantly.

4. Mix shrimp with drained pasta in a serving bowl. Sprinkle with cheese and parsley. Serve immediately.

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Motivational Tip — Build On Your Successes


Probably the single best tip I ever read for maintaining a healthy lifestyle is to set a goal for 10,000 steps a day.

It’s a well-defined goal. You know exactly what the expectation is. It is easily measured. Get yourself a pedometer, and you’re on your way. If you want, set up a spreadsheet and track your progress.

I’ve had a good run (no pun intended) with walking this past week. Work was especially busy, keeping me running most of the day. My husband and I did some geocaching, which included of itself, over five miles of walking. 10,000 steps has been no problem.

Look at your own string of successes. You have what it takes to move forward toward your goals. Embrace your victories. Build on your successes. Your momentum will propel you forward.

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Weekly Goal — Get Outside


This past winter in Minnesota was tough. Rather than the usual two heavy late season snowstorms, we had snow all winter long. It seemed every snow was followed by sub-zero temperatures and wind. Needless to say, cardio outside took a back seat with me.

Now, those wonderful spring days are here. No excuses not to get outside and enjoy the warm weather. It’s time to enjoy watching everything green up, time to listen to the birds singing. We’ve waited too long for this.

Weekly Goal: Get outside!

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