I met a man this week that was just diagnosed with diabetes. A 10-minute doctor visit last week changed his whole life.
Before the visit he knew that his weight was getting out of control and that he really should do something about it, but now he is facing the hard reality of how dangerous his current state of health is. He’s scared. He’s motivated. He’s overwhelmed with the slew of changes that must be made in order to regain the health that he has lost.
The doctor gave him a goal weight to reach. If he can successfully lose 50 pounds, then his prognosis will be much more hopeful, and his life will likely be extended. At 55 years old, and with kids and grandkids, living longer is very important to him.
He now has a mountain that he needs to climb: losing 50 pounds. The peak of the mountain is him 50 pounds lighter and in much better health. He has a clear picture of the result of climbing this mountain and getting to that summit.
Maybe you have a clear picture of your own mountain summit: a goal that you want accomplished in your life. It could be you at a lighter weight, or in better health, or finishing that book that you started writing. You know the result that you want, and you fall in love with the image of yourself on the top of the mountain.
This is a dangerous trap.
What stands between you and the summit are days and days of consistent climbing. It is the process of gaining elevation that you must fall in love with. Day after day, doing the actions and instilling the habits that get you another inch closer to the summit. This is the only way to attain the summit.
So if you want to lose weight and you know that a better diet and more exercise would accomplish this then rather than focus on how much less you want to weigh, focus on finding pleasure in the process of daily healthy eating and daily exercise.
The summit arrives once we stop obsessing over it and simply focus on putting one foot in front of the other, day after day.
Consistently enjoying dinners like this Chicken Chorizo Veggie Rice Pot is key to attaining your weight loss and health goals. You’ll find lots to love about the flavors and comfort of this dish. Traditional rice pot meals are served with hearty, calorie-dense rice that leave you feeling heavy and over-fed but with this lightened version you get to enjoy “rice” made from shredded veggies and packed with fiber so that you feel light and energetic.
One foot in front of the other, my friend!
1 tablespoon coconut oil
1 chicken, jointed into 8 pieces, skin removed
1 large yellow onion, chopped
1 Red Pepper, deseeded and chopped into large pieces
1 clove Garlic, minced
12 ounces chorizo
1 tablespoon tomato paste
1 fresh thyme leaf, chopped
½ cup white wine
1 cup chicken broth
1 head cauliflower
2 stalks celery
1 large carrot
1 Green Zucchini
¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped
Place the coconut oil in a Dutch oven (with tight fitting lid) over medium high heat. Brown the chicken pieces on all sides, working in batches if need be. Remove the chicken from the pot and set aside.
Reduce the heat to medium low and add the onion and red bell pepper. Cook until softened, about 8 minutes. Add the garlic and chorizo and cook, stirring often, for 2 minutes. Add the tomato paste and cook for another minute.
Add the chicken pieces back to the pot along with the thyme, wine and chicken broth. Bring the liquid to a boil, cover the pot and lower the heat. Cook for 30 minutes covered
Meanwhile, run the cauliflower, celery, carrot and zucchini through a food processor with the grating attachment to create veggie rice. Stir the veggie rice into the pot and cook for 15 minutes, uncovered, or until most of the liquid has evaporated and the veggie rice is tender.
Season to taste with salt and pepper and garnish with fresh chopped parsley. Enjoy!
Calories: 572
Fat: 29g
Carbohydrates: 11g
Sodium: 959mg
Fiber: 3g
Protein: 61g
Sugar: 5g