We did it! Shane and I were successful in getting the tree completely decorated!
Unfortunately, our Bears weren’t so successful is beating the Raiders, but the game provided good tree decorating entertainment just the same.
Decorating the tree has to be one of my favorite Christmas activities. I love unwrapping the napkins – it’s like unwrapping a memory 
Shane and I have a tradition of getting each other a new ornament for the tree each year. We’ve been doing it since 2006.
Shane takes this as free range to pick out the ugliest owl or tree animal ornament possible. Here’s some from years’ past:
LOL! I don’t know where he finds them!
Dinner
After decorating, I got started on dinner. Growing up (and even now) fettuccine alfredo is one of those quintessential “bad foods.” Some of the bad buzz words include: calorie-laden, cream-based, bad fats, and so on.
Regardless, it’s one of Shane’s favorite foods, but I’ve never even thought to make it before. But really, fettuccine alfredo doesn’t have to be unhealthy!
I picked up a jar of this sauce:
It’s not “light” by any means, but when you have sauce this thick and creamy, you don’t really have to use a lot. I don’t even think I put a whole serving size (1/4 c. ) on each of our plates – and it was more than enough!
I also used brown rice noodles:
For Shane’s portion I used organic chicken, and for mine I added this tofu I’d cooked on the Forman grill earlier yesterday:
Healthy changes or not, this dinner tasted fabulous! On my plate I had the noodles, mostly tofu, sauce, and some parm sprinkled on top.
With a side salad of romaine + olive oil and lemon juice:
*****
Today’s a busy one. I’ve already trained a client, and now I’m off to the gym – still can’t decide if I want to spin or do some HIIT on the treadmill, though. Then it’s to the office! I’ve been having absolutely crazy dreams lately, so this will all be done on minimal sleep. I’m not sure what’s with me, but my dreams have been WAY vivid for about a week now…
Anyway, have a great day, loves <3!
What quintessential “unhealthy food” do you enjoy from time to time?
Do you ever try to “healthify” unhealthy dishes?
Mac n Cheese is probably the “bad” food we eat often. But, I add steamed or roasted veg to half the plate and usually try to saute some tomatoes with the mac n cheese to keep it healthy. If I’m making it from scratch instead of using Annie’s, I’ll use whole wheat pasta too. I think that’s a bit healthier than the Kraft stuff
Tree is lookin good! I can’t wait to get ours. I put up a few Christmas decorations this AM. I feel successful already. Sounds like you have had a great morning. I ran a bit and taught pump and have been catching up on blogs/work emails. I like healthier mac and cheese made with squash
Alfredo was one of my favorite things to order at a restaurant when I was in highschool/college. Don’t really think I knew the nutritional values until much later (funny yet not really a good thing). I still enjoy it every once in a while, but have warmed up to the healthier option of standard marinara/tomato sauce for the majority of the times I fix pasta…
Kraft dinner! I still love it
But add tuna, and lots of veggies to it to add some nutrition to it. They also have KD made with vegetable pasta now so I buy that, thinking it must be better than the white pasta.
I love to healthify any dish! It is like a challenge to me.
What a beautiful tree!!
My favorite unhealthy food is macaroni and cheese. But I add Greek yogurt instead of butter to up the protein and it makes it creamy.
I also like to healthify grilled cheese sandwiches: whole wheat bread with real cheese, not the Kraft singles.
That’s a great idea! I haven’t made mac and cheese in a while, but next time I do I may use this trick
real cheese is the way to go! Makes a huge difference! Dipped in about 1/3c of Roasted Red Pepper and Tomato soup = dream come true!
oh! and also mac n cheese with a can of tuna and a can of Rotel spicy mix is also super yummy and semi healthy
awe, your tree is so pretty! I can’t wait to get ours tomorrow and decorate the inside of our house. <3
The Newman's Own fettuccine is the best! Freaking. YUM!
Where did you get those noodles? I cannot find them anywhere!
P.S. I miss you, call me soon. Looks like you had a great holiday which makes me happy
I can’t wait to see it!! (and your house, period!
Your Christmas tree and decor from your previous post look so cute! I love getting in the festive holiday spirit. You should download Michael Buble’s Christmas album..I haven’t stopped playing it since our little tree went up yesterday
Aw, thanks Kristin! I go all out for Christmas decorations
I totally agree about jarred alfredo sauce not being soooo bad. The whole thing is, you eat it at home, on a reasonable amount of pasta, vs. giant portion at restaurant, so it’s a good treat!
I love health-ifying traditionally unhealthy dishes. It’s easy to over do it!
Alfredo sauce used to make a regular appearance in my diet… I would order it all of the time when I went out to eat! It’s good to know it can be a bit healthier, I haven’t had it in years
and your Christmas tree is so so gorgeous!
Your tree looks great!! I haven’t had Alfredo in so long. Sounds so good!
Very energetic article, I liked that bit.
Will there be a part 2?
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