Swiss Chard with Garlic, Red Pepper, and Walnuts served over Pasta

One of the goals of my upcoming book Eating Your Way to Healthy Living: If I Can Do It So Can You is to change the way people think about food. Start to see food as a pleasure that nourishes instead of the enemy that makes you fat. Break out of your rut and try foods you haven't eaten before.
Excuses, Excuses.....Are you saying to yourself that you couldn't possibly follow this eating plan because you have no willpower? Maybe you're telling yourself this plan isn't for you since your kids and spouse love mashed potatoes and candy and they would revolt if you didn't supply them with these foods. These are excuses, and you're filling your head with reasons you can't change your eating habits not because you can't do it but because you don't want to. You can do anything that you want to do with enough determination and hard work. Everything we do involves some sort of price in terms of time and effort.
First let's talk about willpower. Quit worrying if you have it or not; just concentrate on the job at hand. Tell everyone you know about your new way of eating. When you tell people you're going to do something it strengthens your resolve. Remind yourself you're on a new adventure towards a better life. Take it one day at a time. You can do anything for one day. Pre-planning is important for success on this eating plan. You need to think ahead to what you'll be eating in the next couple of days so you will have the foods you need on hand.
Are you using your family as an excuse for not jumping on this bandwagon? Children love to help in the kitchen; it makes them feel important. Slowly but surely start making changes in the foods your family eats. It's your job as a parent to teach your children good eating habits and add exercise in family activities. Do you think you're doing your kids a favor by giving them highly processed foods heavy in salt, refined sugar and fat? My children used to complain when they were small and I wouldn't let them have a lot of junk food. Now that they are adults they have thanked me for teaching them how to eat. One way to get the kids excited about eating vegetables is to have a vegetable garden in the summer. It doesn't have to be a big garden at all. The point is to let the kids help you in the garden, and they will enjoy eating the food they grew themselves.
The following recipe is from my upcoming book Eating Your Way to Healthy Living.

Swiss chard with Garlic, Red Pepper, and Walnuts over Pasta

Get the freshest chard you can find for this delectable dish, or better yet grow your own. Greens are extremely nutritious, and I love finding new ways to make them. Lemon rind, garlic, red pepper and walnuts liven up this brilliant green entree. This is a perfect supper for two served over whole wheat pasta.

• 1 large bunch Swiss chard, washed and chopped with stems removed
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 5 cloves garlic, crushed in a garlic press
• 1 bunch scallions, chopped using mostly the white part
• Grated lemon rind from 1 large lemon
• 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
• 1/4 cup walnuts, chopped
• 1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary
• 1/2 cup low sodium chicken broth
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Parmesan cheese, freshly grated
• Whole wheat pasta

Follow these directions.

1. Wash the chard well and pull the tough stalks off. Chop the chard into large pieces.
   
2. In a large skillet heat the olive oil and cook the scallions and garlic in the oil over medium heat until the garlic has started to brown.
   
3. Add the chard to the skillet and stir well.
   
4. Add the grated lemon rind, red pepper flakes, walnuts, rosemary, chichen broth, salt and pepper to taste.
5. Cook uncovered over medium heat for 5 minutes. The chard cooks fast and turns a brilliant green.
6. Cook whole wheat pasta until it is still slightly chewy when you bite into it. This is called al dente. Drain the pasta in a colander and put the cooked pasta on a plate. Spoon the chard over the pasta and sprinkle freshly grated Parmesan cheese over the chard.

Serves 2.