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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One Workout, 2 Recipes

Despite having sore shoulders, delts and lats yesterday, I went to the new gym, pushed through the pain and banged out my biceps and back exercises. Which looked like this..

Exercise                                                     weight             Sets                  Reps                               

Lat Pulldowns                                             45lbs               4                            15
                                                                   65lbs               2                            15
Seated rows                                                75lbs               3                            15

Single Arm DB rows                                   15lbs                3                            15
Iso-Lateral chest/back machines                  10lbs              1                           15   

                                                                   15lbs               1                            15  

                                                                   17lbs               1                            13
Seated Row Machine                                   30lbs              1                             2

I tried to do the 2nd set of Rows but my delts were NOT about it.  lol  So i did about 10 min of cardio before leaving for Ballet class!!

After class I realized we ran out of bread, so I thought, I should just make some!! The plan last night after thoroughly kicking my own butt in the gym and then running back to the old gym for Ballet class, was to come home and make this but if I made ithis bread recipe I would have been up until 1am. (No way Jose!!!)  So I bought some bread and went to sleep, this is however on my agenda for later this week. I had hoped to do it tonight but I started to come down with something this morning and making bread is the last thing on my mind today,  :( 

Honey Whole-Wheat Sandwich Bread (for bread machine)

SERVES: MAKES 1 LOAF

INGREDIENTS

• 4 ¼ cups whole-wheat flour
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 ½ cups warm water (not too hot or it will kill the yeast)
• ¼ cup honey
• 2 tablespoons olive oil (or melted butter)
• 1 packet or 2 ¼ teaspoons yeast

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Follow your bread machine’s directions for making a whole-wheat sandwich loaf. For me that means putting in the dry ingredients first with the wet ingredients on top. I have the Panasonic SD-YD250 Automatic Bread Maker and it takes the machine five hours to make this loaf.

I'll let you know how my bread turns out,when I  make it! Then while playing around on the internet last night I ran across this recipe which MUST.BE.TRIED!!! ASAP!!!

Healthy Vegan Nutella

That's right, healthy nutella!! Who knew such awesomeness was even possible in a healthy version!! I obviously intend to give this a whirl, I'm contemplating making some Nutella covered strawberries, not sure if that'll work the same as regular chocolate covered strawberries, but we'll see.

Healthyvegan Nutella

You will need:
Two cups of raw hazelnuts
1/4 cup of dark unsweetened cocoa
4 tablespoons agave nectar
3 packets of stevia 
1/4 cup of almond milk 
2 tsp vanilla extract

To prepare:
Toast hazelnuts in 350 degree oven for 15 minutes (or less for a less strong hazelnut flavor). Wait for them to cool and then remove skin by rubbing nut between hands or a paper towel. Put in a food processor and blend until it looks like peanut butter. This may take awhile because the nuts have to begin to release oils. Once it reaches this consistency, add all other ingredients and blend until smooth.

Spread over bread or eat by the spoonful!

Sick, sore and pouting,

Candydiva04

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How to "Go Green"

My BFF, Tiff, and I have been swapping recipes and cooking tips, really, I'm just stealing her recipes, but it sounds much nicer when I say we're swapping, so I'm going to run with that.

Anyway, last time we talked about our diets and meal plans for the week, I mentioned that because RR has better eating habits than I do, I've been letting him rule the kitchen.  Otherwise we'd be eating junk, or junk disguised as healthy food.  So while I love having a man who cooks, (remind me to post his Ground turkey buffalo meatball recipe later, YUM!) it occasionally has its downsides.

The downside to him cooking is that more often than not, we aren't eating balanced meals.  Typically, its all protein, and little or no veggies.  In response, Tiff tells me to stop being lazy and cook more.  (Thanks Tiff!)  She was at least kind enough to follow that up, with this article on how to get more greens in your diet. The article suggests...

1. Stirring them into soup. I  don't eat much soup and when I do, its not homemade. So this won't work for me.

2. Slip greens into your chicken breast.  This one I LOVE since RR is VERY partial to chicken, this might be a great way to mix things up.

3. Blend leaves into your smoothie.  I was doing this for a while, and it was great, not really sure why I stopped.  CO at Fitness, Fashion Frank, posted this great smoothie recipe that her nephew brought home from school.  If its kid friendly, I'm sure adults will love it too!!  Its on my "To try" list.

4. Beat them into eggs.  Another great and practical idea.

5. Wrap your burger or sandwich with lettuce.  I think this one is slightly impractical for my lifestyle at the moment.  If I take a lettuce rapped sandwich to work, it'll be all soggy and gross by lunchtime. Since I generally buy bagged salads, this would require buying whole lettuce, strictly for weekend sandwiches.. not worth it. To me, but if it works for you, I'm all for it. 

Let me know if you're doing one or trying of these suggestions (especially the ones, I might have ruled out), I'm open to being persuaded! ;)

Hoping to "Go Green" soon, 

Candydiva04

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