Good Eats!!

I've been lying to you all.  I've been saying I'm getting my life/diet together but I was not!  In the past 2 weeks I've had both the Cool Ranch and regular taco bell Doritos locos taco. Peanut butter chocolate chip bars, and muffins from the cafeteria at work, Chocolate chip and sugar cookies, Pizza, Ham, Mac and Cheese, french fries, ice cream sandwiches, and lots of alcohol.  Its been bad, and it took a friend asking why I hadn't been posting recently to really make me take a look at what I was doing and correct my behavior.

Thankfully that conversation led to me officially getting firmly back on the wagon! I know, I know, I've said it before, but this time I'm really here, up front and holding the reigns, and I have PROOF!!!  I've been continuing my workouts and FINALLY actually eating healthier.  I've been utilizing a blog my sister in law recommended to me.

So far I've tried about 3 of her recipes and 2 of the 3 were total wins!  The first recipe was the Cajun Chicken recipe I mentioned here.  Then I ate like crap for the next week, but started fresh this past Sunday, when I made this.

She calls it Chicken Rollatini with Spinach alla Parmigiana, but for me, in my house we call it "The Chicken Spinach Thingee".   I chose this recipe because it reminds me of the veggie lasagna RR's mom makes that is THE BOMB!! Thankfully this recipe was a win. While I'd definitely add a little more spice to the spinach filling next go round, these were a big hit and earned me a high five from RR.  Unfortunately, the only pictures I took are very un-glamourous shots of the piece I brought in for lunch, after I microwaved it a juuuuust a little to long.

 I made more of the Cajun chicken pasta, Thursday night, which is still a personal favorite of mine!!  Last night I was having a cookie craving and decided to give these healthy 3 ingredient cookies a whirl and was underwhelmed. In fairness, I omitted the walnuts and subbed in peanut butter because, peanut butter and banana is NEVER wrong! 

Except when it is, as it was here. :(

healthy cookies.. no such thing

The flavors didn't blend well.  All i tasted was warm banana, and hints of burnt oatmeal and a top note of peanutbutter.  I tried ot salvage one by adding a few semi sweet chocolate chips in it while it was still warm.. it was better but the flavors still didn't blend.  These are officially a no-go for me!

On the upside, I had another crazy idea that I don't know the source of.  I thought I got the idea from skinny taste but it turns out I did not, so I'm starting to wonder if I dreamed it up.  Overnight oats (no i'm not taking credit for overnight oats), I'm taking credit thinking to add half a bottle of Bolthouse Vanilla Chai tea, (and Chia seeds) to my oats.  I love the Bolthouse Chai tea, but I do not love oatmeal.  The texture is such a turn off to me.  The combo is good enough that it allows me to overlook the texture... mostly.  I am wondering if it might work with Cream of Wheat.  I'll be getting back to you on that one.

chai tea overnight oats

Chicken Rollatini with Spinach alla Parmigiana (BKA Chicken Spinach thingees)

http://www.skinnytaste.com/2011/04/chicken-rollatini-with-spinach-alla.html

Gina's Weight Watcher Recipes 
Servings: 8 • Serving Size: 1 stuffed breast • Old Points: 4 pts • Points+: 5 pts
Calories: 194.7 • Fat: 7 g • Protein: 24.2 g • Carb: 7.2 g • Fiber: 1.5 g

• 8 thin chicken cutlets, 3 oz each
• 1/2 cup whole wheat Italian seasoned breadcrumbs
• 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese, divided
• 6 tablespoons egg whites or egg beaters
• 5 oz frozen spinach, squeezed dry of any liquid
• 6 tbsp part skim ricotta cheese
• 6 oz part skim mozzarella (I used Polly-O)
• olive oil non-stick spray (I use my Misto)
• 1 cup pomodoro sauce or your favorite marinara sauce
• salt and pepper to taste

Wash and dry cutlets, season with salt and pepper.  Preheat oven to 450°. Lightlyspray a baking dish with non-stick spray.

Combine breadcrumbs and 2 tbsp grated cheese in one bowl and 1/4 cup egg beaters or egg whites in another.

Shred or finely chop 1.5 oz of mozzarella cheese and combine with remaining grated cheese, spinach (make sure you squeeze it dry), 2 tbsp egg beaters, and ricotta cheese.

Lay chicken cutlets down on a working surface and spread 2 tbsp of spinach-cheese mixture on each cutlet. Loosely roll each one and keep seam side down.

Dip chicken in egg mixture, then in breadcrumbs and place seam side down in a baking dish (no toothpicks needed). Repeat with the remaining chicken. When finished, lightly spray with olive oil.

Bake 25 minutes. Remove from oven, top with sauce then cheese.Bake until cheese is melted and bubbling, about 3 more minutes. Serve with additional sauce on the side and grated cheese.

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Healthy cooking ideas

So what you may or may not know about me is that I love to cook, but typcially I like recipes with lots of fat, butter, sugar, etc.  Recently, I've come to terms with my new healthy lifestyle and the fact that I need to start finding healthier ways to cook my favorite foods.


On Thursday RR had a bunch of teeth pulled which means he's due for a long few days of apple sauce, jello, and soup.  So on wednesday night I decide to make him a last meal that's a little more memorable than our standard baked chicken and broccoli.   So I perused a website my Sister in law recommended and decided the Cajun Chicken recipe would be an appropriately yummy "last meal".  I gotta say I didn't love all the chopping, but would DEFINITELY make this again.

Cajun Chicken

http://www.skinnytaste.com/2012/02/cajun-chicken-pasta-on-lighter-side.html

Cajun Chicken Pasta on the Lighter Side
Skinnytaste.com
Servings: 5 • Serving Size: 1 1/2 cups • Old Points: 6 pts • Points+: 8 pts
Calories: 323.8 • Fat: 6.2 g • Protein: 25.9 g • Carb: 44.1 g • Fiber: 6.3 g • Sugar:3.2 g
Sodium: 126.5 mg (without salt)  


Ingredients:

• 8 ounces uncooked linguine (I used Barilla Whole Wheat Penne)
• 1 pound chicken breast strips
• 1-2 tsp Cajun seasoning (or to taste) (I used creole seasoning, and added some crushed red pepper, perhaps a bit too much because it is SPICY!!)
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 medium red bell pepper, thinly sliced
• 1 medium yellow bell pepper, thinly sliced
• 8 oz fresh mushrooms, sliced
• 1/2 red onion, sliced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 medium tomatoes, diced
• 1 cup fat free low sodium chicken broth
• 1/3 cup skim milk
• 1 tbsp flour
• 3 tbsp light cream cheese
• fresh cracked pepper
• 2 scallions, chopped
• salt to taste
• Smart Balance cooking spray 

Directions:

• Prep all your vegetables. In a small blender make a slurry by combining milk, flour and cream cheese. Set aside. 
• Season chicken generously with Cajun seasoning, garlic powder and salt.
• Prepare pasta in salted water according to package directions.
• Heat a large heavy nonstick skillet over medium-high heat; spray with cooking spray and add half of the chicken. Sauté 5 to 6 minutes or until done, set aside on a plate and repeat with the remaining chicken. Set aside.  
• Add olive oil to the skillet and reduce to medium; add bell peppers, onions, and garlic to skillet, sauté 3-4 minutes.
• Add mushrooms and tomatoes and sauté 3-4 more minutes or until vegetables are tender. Season with 1/4 tsp salt, garlic powder and fresh cracked pepper to taste.
• Reduce heat to medium-low; add chicken broth and pour in slurry stirring about 2 minutes.
• Return chicken to skillet; adjust salt and Cajun seasoning to taste, cook another minute or two until hot, then add linguine; toss well to coat. Top with chopped scallions and enjoy!

Makes 7 1/2 cups.

I'm also currently toying with an idea for a healthier eggs benedict after seeing a (full fat) Martha Stewart Recipe for  Steamed artichokes and smoked salmon.  I mean how pretty is that?!?!  I'm not big on smoked salmon, but I bet it'd be equally yummy with some lean ham and a lighter hollandaise sauce.  But I'll have to wait until RR can eat solid foods again. :-/

Happy Friday,

Candydiva04

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What I'm eating...

RR is one of those people who can eat the same thing day in and day out, I am not.  So last Sunday in a fit of "rebellion", I cooked.

I broke out the Crockpot and tried out this Cuban Braised Beef & Peppers  recipe from yumsugar.com

SLOW COOKER CUBAN BRAISED BEEF AND PEPPERS

Ingredients

1 28-ounce can diced tomatoes, drained
2 red bell peppers, sliced 1/2 inch thick
1 onion, cut into 8 wedges
2 teaspoons dried oregano
1 teaspoon ground cumin
Kosher salt and black pepper
1 1/2 pounds flank steak, cut crosswise into thirds
1 cup long-grain white rice
1 avocado, sliced
1/4 cup fresh cilantro leaves

Directions

1. In a 5- to 6-quart slow cooker, combine the tomatoes, bell peppers, onion, oregano, cumin, 1½ teaspoons salt, and ¼ teaspoon pepper. Nestle the steak among the vegetables. Cook, covered, until the meat is tender and pulls apart easily, on high for 4 to 5 hours or on low for 7 to 8 hours.
2. Twenty-five minutes before serving, cook the rice according to the package directions.
3. Using two forks, shred the beef and mix it into the cooking liquid. Serve with the rice and top with the avocado and cilantro.

Serves 4.

Being a Crock Pot recipe, its was VERY easy to make, but hard to resist once it started cooking, and the aroma filled my house!  8 hours later I had a delicious plate of this! You'll notice that I used brown rice instead of the long grain white rice, the recipe called for.

It made a lot for 2 people, later in the week, we re-purposed it with 100% whole wheat flour tortillas into tacos, fajitas and burritos.  It was delicious, the RR has taken to calling it "Chipotle" Which is a HIGH compliment.

I also plan to mix up my lunch later this week with this

5-Minute Turkey, Avocado, and Hummus Wrap

Ingredients

1 whole wheat tortilla
2-3 tablespoons red pepper hummus
3 slices low-sodium deli turkey
1/4 avocado, sliced
Pickle slices

Directions

Spread tortilla with hummus, then layer on turkey, avocado, and pickle slices. Roll, then slice. Makes 1 wrap.

I'll probably use the Primo Taglio Oven Roasted Chicken from our local deli, in lieu of the turkey, purely out of taste preference, but this seems like a awesome alternative to my standard boring sandwich.

Until next time,

Candydiva04

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