After years (literally, 3.5 years) of counting Weight Watchers Points®, this past week, I decided I’d had it. I spent one last week counting to the best of my ability while I researched other possible eating plans. While I know that I *should* attempt the whole intuitive eating thing, my intuition would lead me to chicken fingers, burgers, and french fries at this point.
After asking some advice from trusted sources, I picked up One Week in the Zone by Dr. Barry Sears since it seemed like a logical and non-counting-based eating plan. The thing in reading a good portion of the book that really stuck with me was that simple carbs were to be used like a condiment; “just a sprinkling” on each meal. My simple carb consumption had gotten out of control, and I KNOW that’s not good for me. So today, my brunch salad had a few croutons and I avoided the sugary dressing and bread. Late lunch was literally a salad on high-fiber bread with some turkey, and then dinner is something I’m quite proud of!
Rather than having a bowl full of gnocchi (which is what I wanted) with a bit of veggies, I made a bowl of veggies with a few gnocchi and some shrimp… oh, and Chavrie goat cheese, which I’ll get to in a minute.
Creamy Shrimp and Vegetables with Gnocchi
serves 6

Ingredients
1/2 lb. frozen shrimp, thawed
1 lb broccoli, cut into florets
2 red peppers, diced
1 pint grape tomatoes
1/2 tsp. dried basil
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 Tbsp. olive oil
1 pkg. gnocchi
Directions
Heat oil and garlic in a large pan. Add red peppers, broccoli, and basil and stir to combine. Cook until broccoli is done and peppers are soft, about 10 minutes. Transfer to large bowl. Add pint of tomatoes and stir well. In the same frying pan, add the shrimp and cook until thawed. Add to the bowl. Cook the gnocchi according to package directions, drain, and add to bowl. Then, add the Chavrie and stir until it’s melted and all ingredients are lightly coated. Enjoy!
I had literally, 6 gnocchi in my first serving. It didn’t even matter because the rest of it was so good, and the goat cheese added a little bit of a “gourmet” taste to something truly simple.
I’ve been a fan of goat cheese ever since I was 18 and went to Spain. They have a dish there, a hot tapas dish actually, called “queso de cabra al horno” which is baked goat cheese in tomato sauce served with chewy Spanish bread. I fell in love with it then, and eat it whenever we go out for tapas. I got adventurous with goat cheese since I started blogging, and enjoyed it here in my basil-chavrie stuffed burgers and here in my gnocchi with pesto chavrie. After these recipes, the lovely people at Chavrie contacted me and sent me coupons for FREE CHAVRIE (hey that rhymes!) There were two sets of coupons: one for me to use and try the product (which I love) and one for me to give away to ONE LUCKY READER!!
There’s not one coupon, but TWO! One is for a FREE Chavrie goat cheese product (up to $5), and a FREE baby brie wedge (up to $8, I think). But wait! This gets better! Since I’ll be sending the coupons myself, the winner will also get their choice of a foodie charm! You have three chances to enter:
- Leave a comment on this post
- Link back to this post on your blog OR if you don’t have a blog, email me at mara@imadedinner.net for your second entry.
- Tweet this on twitter: I want to win @chavrie from @imadedinner!
You can do all of the above, or any combination of the above to win! Winners will be chosen at random using random.org on Thursday’s dinner post.
Good luck!
I’m off to enjoy this no-sugar-added lovely root beer float that Adam just presented to me!
Have a great Tuesday all!


Tagged as:
giveaway,
pasta,
seafood,
twitter,
weight loss
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I would LOVE to win that cheese!!! (er, well the coupons at least!) Oh, and the root beer float look delicious!!!
Ooh I love this goat cheese! I love to dip Mary’s Gone crackers in it:-D
.-= Paige (running around normal)´s last blog ..Training for 10k’s =-.
I just tweetes about it to
.-= Paige (running around normal)´s last blog ..Training for 10k’s =-.
Oooh! I want to win – I’d love to win the coupons!
.-= Jess´s last blog ..Satisfying Afternoon Snack =-.
I also tweeted about the contest here: http://twitter.com/jharbweave/statuses/3284871188
.-= Jess´s last blog ..Satisfying Afternoon Snack =-.
Goat cheese make the world a better place to be!!!! Love the stuff!
.-= Heather´s last blog ..Fail! =-.
I just tweeted the contest for you!
.-= Heather´s last blog ..Fail! =-.
Last one…I linked to my blog for you
http://heathersfitnessjourney.blogspot.com/2009/08/giveaway.html
.-= Heather´s last blog ..Giveaway!!!!! =-.
oooo that’s some good foam on your float there. It doesn’t quite go with cheese, but I’d happily take those coupons off your hands!
.-= Michelle´s last blog ..Where’s Daddy When You Need Him? =-.
I’ve never tried this brand of cheese before!
.-= Runeatrepeat´s last blog ..Cross Training and Pills =-.
I recently started to get annoyed by counting points as well…but I have to admit weightwatchers did teach me serious portion control (Used to have a big problem with this) I’v never read in the zone/tryed that way of eating but good luck with it!
Your day of eats sound good.
Sounds like a great giveaway as well! Your charms are cute <3
.-= Jocelyn´s last blog ..Jocelyn feelin not so fresh… =-.
I LOVE goat cheese!
.-= janis Tester´s last blog ..Fun and games with Okra =-.
Mmmm….I have not had brie in a long time (usually at a special ocassion). Yum! Thanks.
That cheese looks delicious! Fabulous blog and thank you for giving us the chance to win. I soon hope to have my own blog to link back to.
De-lurking for this because seriously, I loooooove cheese.
Goat cheese and Brie – it doesn’t get any better than that. I’m hoping to make a goat cheese souffle sometime this week. Your creamy shrimp recipe looks delicious.
.-= Cookin’ Canuck´s last blog ..Sage & Gorgonzola Gougères (Cheese Puffs) Recipe =-.
OMG I love goat cheese and would LOVE to try this kind!! I always buy the 16 oz. log from Costco (which is fab!).
Yummmm! Goat cheese is my absolute favorite and I would love to win some! I also tweeted it! If I update my blog I’ll post it too and I’ll let you know if I do!
.-= Tabby´s last blog ..Awesome Friends =-.
I forgot to tell you that my twitter is @tabbylicious that is where you will see my tweet about it!
.-= Tabby´s last blog ..Organized Mess =-.
omg this looks heavenly!!!
xoxo,
Lo
.-= lora´s last blog ..Messy Breakfast =-.
Yum! thanks for the chance to win
I loooooooooove goat cheese!! I just made a pizza with it last night. Feel free to stop by and check it out @ http://rayaruns.com
.-= Raya´s last blog ..Dejeuner =-.
Hoping to win this for my wife who has trouble digesting regular dairy but can tolerate goat cheese!
Great giveaway!
I love the cheese!! Yummy!! Great post!!
.-= Cara´s last blog ..What is your dream? =-.
I have been wanting to try goat’s milk cheese forever! But I’ve been afraid to actually buy it. =/ If I won some for free, I would be so excited!!
Ooh, I’d love some coupons. I need to try Goat cheese!!
I heart cheese! I’d love to win one of your awesome charms too. Great giveaway!
It sounds like you are making some big changes, and I hope you find great success and contentment with your new approach.
.-= Nicole (Sweetie Pie)´s last blog ..New Food Finds =-.
I would love to try the cheese. I have never had goat cheese and have been reading about it alot in blogland.
Good luck with your new eating plan:)
I just tweeted!
Good luck on the zone. I think you’ll like it…it just makes sense. So much better than Weight Watchers.
That’s a great giveaway! I’m really trying to cut out all dairy except goat cheese and I haven’t gotten around to trying chevrie yet. (fingers crossed)
I love feta cheese, so I would love to try this cheese- Thanks so much for the chance!
I’d love to win some free cheese. Love it!
I love goat cheese! What a great giveaway.
Ooooo do the coupons work in Canada?
.-= TorontoGirloutWest´s last blog ..Pimp that Blogger: Chic Runner =-.
I just posted it on my blog! http://tabbyliciousness.blogspot.com/2009/08/organized-mess.html
.-= Tabby´s last blog ..Organized Mess =-.
Wow, what a tantalizing giveaway! *fingers crossed*
.-= Kristen´s last blog ..The best fake chicken ever =-.
mmm goat cheese!
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