At a certain point in your VLCD regime, you might get bored with the same ole meals for dinner. Here are a few recipes to kick up the flavor leaving both your stomach and taste buds satisfied.

Tantalize your palate with Chili Lime Shrimp and Asparagus Salad

Ingredients:

- lb. shrimp

- 6 asparagus spears

- 2 tbsp. lemon juice

- A pinch of lemon zest

- l clove garlic, minced

- tsp. chili powder

- 1 tbsp. onion

- Stevia to taste

- Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

Steam the shrimp and asparagus, and then slice the asparagus spears into 1 in. pieces. Let both the shrimp and asparagus cool down.

Combine the lemon juice, lemon zest, garlic, and chili powder in a bowl. Mix in the shrimp and asparagus. Place in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes, allowing everything to marinate. Season with stevia and salt and pepper.

Yields 1 serving of allotted veggies and one serving of protein.

Go Cajun on your HCG Diet with some Chicken Gumbo . . .

Ingredients:

- 4 3.5 oz. boneless, skinless chicken breasts

- 3 cups reduced sodium and fat chicken broth, divided into c. measurements

- 3 cups water

- tsp Cajun seasoning

- tsp cayenne pepper

- 1 c chopped onion

- 1 clove minced garlic

- 1 tsp sea salt

- tsp pepper

- 1 bay leaf

- 1/8 tsp sage

- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes

- 1/4 tsp thyme

- 1 cup chopped fresh tomatoes

- 1 bell pepper

- Xanath gum

- 2 cups cooked cauliflower rice

Directions:

On medium high heat, cook the chicken in c broth with Cajun seasoning until the broth boils out. Let the chicken brown, then flip over and repeat on other side with another c of broth. In a medium pot, combine broth, water, onion, garlic, sea salt, pepper, bay leaf, sage, red pepper flakes, and thyme. Simmer for 20 minutes.

Add the tomatoes and bell pepper then simmer for another 15 minutes.

Using a sifter, slowly add 1 tsp Xanath gum to c of broth. Add this mixture to the soup, stirring until well blended. Simmer 30 minutes. Stir in the cauliflower rice the last minute of cooking.

Yields 4 servings.