Coconut Shrimp

Had to change my plans for a garage sale today as it was freaking cold!!  Like minus 10 or something ridiculous today.  I’m going to attempt it tomorrow, but I just realized I didn’t get any change so I hope people come with small bills and loonies.  LOL. 

This morning started with much needed coffee to take the chill off…

And a green smoothie to help detox away some of the carby cheesy goodness from last night’s dinner adventures.

Decided it was time to test out some of the Vega products those lovely people over at Sequel sent to me.  Did you know Sequel is Canadian?  I didn’t!  No wonder their stuff is so readily available around here!!

I went with my basic green smoothie, but instead of my usual Amazing Grass I used a half packet of the Whole Food Smoothie Infusion…

Into the KA with: ice, 1/4 frozen banana, flax meal, baby spinach and UVAB…

Not too shabby at all!  A little “healthy” tasting and mildly sludgey in my glass.  That was probably because I didn’t blend as long as usual for fear of waking Arron up.  :)

After the greens had time to settle I headed off to the gym.  No yoga today (couldn’t find a class to attend at a good time) so I reverted to my usual beloved strength training.

Warmed up on the elliptical cross-country style for 12 minutes, then proceeded to mix and match all three days of Intro to Iron for a full body workout.

Spent triple the time stretching out this time as all of that yoga has actually left my back and hip a bit stiff and sore.  I think I managed to work most of it out though.

When I got home I didn’t even take time to shower.  That smoothie had completely worn off and I needed lunch STAT!!

Toasted sesame bagel sammich with light herby cream cheese, kumato tomatoes, and deli turkey…

Served with leftovers from that bigass supermarket salad, with added carrots and dressed with Fig Balsamic.

That salad goes on forever!!  Still have one more serving.

Later in the day I snacked on a Blueberry Clif Zbar…

And then mulled over some recipes that would incorporate my Tropical Traditions Coconut Oil and some big shrimpies I was thawing out.

Recipe: Coconut Shrimp  (serves one)

Ingredients:

• 8 big shrimp, peeled, tails on, patted dry
• 1 egg  (I used egg white with a splash of UVAB)
• 1/2 cup flour
• 1/3 cup shredded coconut
• desired seasonings (I used paprika, cayenne & salt)
• 1 rounded tablespoon of coconut oil

Directions:

• Scramble the egg in one bowl.
• Mix the flour, coconut and seasonings in another bowl.
• Heat the coconut oil in a medium non-stick pan over medium-high heat.  (Test with drop of water…if it sizzles, you are ready!)
• Dip shrimp in egg mix, then dredge in dry mixture, then drop in pan.  Work quickly and repeat with all shrimp.
• Cook approx 2 minutes on first side, then flip and cook 1 additional minute (until brown & crisp) (you will probably be flipping the first few before you get the last few in the pan). 
• Remove to paper towel then serve.
• If you double the batch for two people, add another tablespoon of coconut oil to the pan and do a second set of shrimp.  (Don’t crowd the pan with both batches at once.)

OMG!!!  These turned out soooo fabulous. I love that this uses a flavourful healthy oil instead of butter. 

Served with steamed broccoli and a quick rice concoction I threw together.

Basmati rice to which I added chopped dried apricots and a nob of coconut oil during the last few minutes of cooking. Stirred in some cinnamon at the end, then topped with toasted almond pieces.  Easy peasy but soooo yum!

So now it’s time to prep for my garage sale!  And by that I mean lay on the couch and watch a movie.  :)