Recipe: Roasted veggies with couscous

OK, this is really only very loosely a recipe, but it's what I'm having for lunch today and it's really good. I had the brainstorm when I made this earlier this week to cut up extra veggies and make extra couscous. I put them in the fridge for a day when I didn't feel like prepping things and wanted a healthy meal.

Roasted veggies:
You could use anything cut into similar-sized pieces. My mix today is onions, asparagus, red bell peppers, broccoli, and sweet potato. Mine are cut into about 2" chunks. Toss with a drizzle of olive oil and balsamic vinegar, salt and pepper. I also put in garlic powder sometimes. Put on a baking pan fitted with a rack (this means you don't have to stop and stir the veggies) and roast in a 400 degree oven for 30-45 minutes, until they're dark around the edges and soft.

Couscous:
Prepare according to package directions. I am having Bob's Red Mill whole-wheat couscous with flax, which has a nice nutty flavor. I added a little salt and olive oil to it when it was cooking but you can skip it if you want.

That's really about it. Top the couscous with a generous portion of the veggies and a sprinkle of Romano cheese (if you want) and even some toasted pine nuts (really a good addition) and eat.

I wanted to have a healthy lunch because I gave in to the urge to get a post-swim bagel this morning. I had a light breakfast before my swim and I was really hungry. I think it will all balance out. I swam a mile and added in some extra kickboard sets.

I am starting to see some changes in my body (I have lost only 2 pounds, which is not enough for significant change, so I'm not sure how much of this is real). My collarbones seem sharper. My neck looks a little thinner. My waist seems a little trimmer. The last place I lose weight is my thighs, but even they feel just a little smaller to me.

Since my lament about aging, I've been more conscious of keeping my skin moisturized and making sure to drink plenty of water. I do see some lines developing, but this does help. Winter is really hard on my skin, and when I'm dehydrated I think it is more noticeable.