Brussel Sprouts w/Pancetta and Pomegranate

Brussel Sprouts w/Pancetta and Pomegranate

Here's another great one I found in a magazine although I subbed POM for the Cranberries, not nearly as high in protein, but I am going to try another lower calorie sub for the pancetta next time maybe a turkey bacon.


4 oz pancetta, chopped
2 tbsp. Chopped Garlic
Salt and pepper
2 bags frozen Brussels sprouts, cook prior to adding
1/4 cup chicken stock
3 tbsp. aged balsamic vinegar (eyeball it)
(I used Pomegranate Balsamic from http://www.theoliveoilplace.com/)
Seeds from half of a Pomegranate


Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat with 2 turns of the pan of EVOO, about 2 tablespoons. Add pancetta and cook until crisp, about 4 minutes. Pat grease off of Pancetta with papertowel on a plate. (I wiped some of the grease out of the pan too)
Add the garlic, and season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 2-3 minutes.

Add the sprouts along with the chicken stock and the balsamic vinegar.
Stir to combine and continue to cook for 5-6 minutes
Add Pomegranates

Calories 264 Fat 10.7 Protein 8.2

Serves 6

Bison Meatball Recipe

I have been cooking a lot more with this journey and wanted to share a couple of things I have been making...

Bison Meatballs
Serves 6 (4 meatball per serving)
16 oz Ground Bison
1/2 c. Seasoned Breadcrumbs
3 tbsp. Spicy Mustard
3 tbsp. Tabasco A1
1 tbsp. Red Pepper Flakes
1/4 c. Shredded Asiago Cheese
1/2 c. Egg Beaters
2 tbsp. Mrs Dash Tomato Basil Seasoning
Sea Salt and Pepper as desired

Combine all in the bowl and form into medium to large meatballs

Place cooling rack inside jellyroll pan or cookie sheet to allow drippings during cooking. I line the pan with foil for easy cleanup too.

Line meatballs on cooling rack, top each meatball with Spicy A1 for flavor before cooking
Bake 350 for 30 minutes

Matt and I ate these as a meal with a veggie side

Per Serving (4 Meatballs) 218 Calories, 3.5 Fat, 26.9 Protein

Checking In

It's been a while since I have posted still suck around the 40 lbs lost mark, but hey that's 40 lbs I had not lost before this so I will take it. The residency in Chicago for my doctorate program was much more than I expected. I was not expecting to enjoy it and the people there nearly as much as I did. I came home from that experience recharged for heading back to work. Matt and I celebrated our 3rd anniversary with a matinee movie and lunch at a Japanese Steakhouse - we were going for cheap this year! Japanese Steakhouse worked really well with what I can eat protein wise and I had enough from the lunch for dinner too. I headed back to work and still tire easily but that will come back as soon as I am in the groove again. So much going on, but I like being back too. Last weekend, Mom gave us a scare with a weird stomach pain. It turns out it was her Gall Bladder and they were able to take that out so she is feeling much better and recovering from her own abdomen incisions now too. I have an infection in one of my incision sites that is being treated with antibiotics and looking much better now. Too bad it was a free Rx and I couldn't use my Giant Eagle Rx Coupon for free fuel! My first fill is scheduled for Friday and I hope to get some restriction with that fill and be able to use the tool of the band more and move off of this plateau.