Chicken Monday is more than just a day to have chicken. It’s a day to get back on track. It calms down a weekend splurge. It centers me. No matter how I have eaten over the weekend, Chicken Monday means that everything is still okay. That weight loss is still possible. Chicken Monday is a reflex. I don’t feel tempted to overdo, over-eat, or over analyze what I’ve done during the past weekend. We weigh in on Monday morning. Monday is the best day to weigh in because it keeps you more honest over the weekend. When I was working for Weight Watchers, I knew that the Friday weigh-in people probably were never going to get to their goals. They felt they had more wiggle room on Friday evening, Saturday and Sunday. The Monday weigh-in people had a much better chance.

So this Chicken Monday was pretty routine, sear the chicken in a pan and finish it in the oven. Brown some mushrooms, make a packet of chicken gravy and add the mushrooms. Pressure cook the rutabagas and mash them with a little faux butter. Steam the green beans after frenching the larger ones.

It’s always a relief to know that Chicken Monday is waiting for me after the weekend.

Chicken Monday - Chicken with chicken-mushroom gravy, rutabagas and green beans