Sunday Salmon DinnerHealthy Living and Low Sodium Recipes

Last night, Matt and I had our friend Sean over for dinner before we went to a special concert called Downstairs Live. We have all been changing our lifestyles very dramatically over the last month and a half. Matt and I started going to the gym again, at least three times a week. 

We cleaned out the fridge shortly after Matt moved in, getting rid of all the unhealthy food, staying away from carbs, starches, and fillers. I even threw away my Oreos! We have focused our diet on fresh raw food, less red meat, more protein, and cutting sugars out (almost) completely. It's great going to the grocery store and almost completely avoiding the center aisles. My mother always tells me the healthiest things are on the outside edges of the store, not those center aisles full of boxed food.

Sean is "Matt's Biggest Loser". Matt is an on-air personality on Augusta's local rock station, 95 Rock, where Matt has started to motivate Sean by poking fun at him on air. If Sean doesn't have positive results, callers are allowed to call in and make fun of him. They're silly about it all. Sean has already lost 15+ pounds in the last three weeks! 

He weighs in every Thursday. Since last week only saw a negative loss of two pounds, Sean is working really hard this week, adding a decreased sodium diet and also more cardio. Even this morning, bright and early, Sean and I ran 1.5 miles, biked 5, and worked out our legs.

In the last month, I have lost about two pounds, but gained quite a bit of muscle. I'm not very focused on the number on the scale, but more with getting a toner, leaner body. Matt is doing the same. We've both seen a dramatic change in our energy, appearance, and that little layer of fat that coated our bodies from lazy winter times.

Dinner last night was a parmesan salmon filet, green beans, and salad with homemade balsamic vinaigrette dressing (with absolutely no sodium!). The salmon topping was from the back of the filet, but we modified the recipe, substituting chives with pearl onions and lemon juice with lime juice. 

Creamy Parmesan Salmon Filet

• 1 large skin-on Salmon Filet, thawed
• 1/2 cup mayonnaise
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1/4 cut grated parmesan
• 2 pearl onions, finely chopped
• 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
• 1 tsp ground pepper

In a small bowl, combine all ingredients, except the salmon of course. Spread on salmon evenly. Cook at 400 for 25-30 minutes or until fish flakes apart with a fork and top is golden brown.

Sodium free balsamic vinaigrette dressing

• 3 tsbp olive oil
• 2 tsbp balsamic vinegar
• 1 tsp oregano
• 1 tsp fresh ground black pepper

The salad was fresh greens, hard boiled egg, cucumber, cherry tomatoes, sunflower seeds, almonds, and craisins. The vinaigrette dressing really let the flavors of the salad remain, not overpowering at all. And the best part, no sodium!

More on the concert, Downstairs Live, tomorrow for my weekly music segment, Tuesday Tunes. It's a concert unlike any other I've ever attended. What a great night with good friends and my boyfriend.