Light Bourbon Chicken & Brown Fried Rice

I've been on this "clean eating " binge and today I woke up feeling kind of BLAH ! First thing I thought " I need a meal " . Hit up Pinterest, and Viola I found this recipe for Bourbon Chicken and brown fried rice .

 I really tried hard not to go for seconds , I mean I could have totally went for thirds. A good Successful cheat meal for all you dieters out there. 

You'll notice I use Coconut Oil . Just substitute it with Olive oil or whatever you have on hand. But if you're into eating cleaner and healthier,  I totally recommend picking up a jar. Google it, read all the benefits. You'll be surprised 

:)

Bourbon Chicken 

2 lbs boneless chicken breasts cut into bite-size pieces

2 tablespoon cornstarch

1 teaspoon Coconut oil or Olive oil 

1 garlic clove crushed

1/4 teaspoon fresh ginger

3/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional) 

1/4 cup light apple juice

1/3 cup light brown sugar

2 tablespoons Ketchup  

1 tablespoon white vinegar or Cidar vinegar

1/2 cup water

1/3 cup reduced sodium soy sauce 

-Whisk all ingredients into crockpot and add chicken. Cook on low for 8 hours or high for 4.

-Whenever I cook meat in a crock pot , I like to brown my chicken on the stove first . Brown all sides of the chicken, but don't cook through.  This also is optional .

Brown Fried Rice 

I have to warn you I forgot to measure while making this . So I'm going to estimate here.

1 10oz bag frozen Brown Rice

2 egg whites 

1/2 cup frozen Edamame 

1 cup Frozen Mixed veggies or frozen peas & carrots 

1 teaspoon coconut oil or Olive Oil 

1 tablespoon soy sauce

salt and pepper to taste

* add whatever you enjoy in your fried rice 

Directions:

- sauté frozen veggies and edamame in 1 tbs  oil, and salt and pepper until soft

- meanwhile, cook frozen rice in microwave (or however you will be preparing rice)

- add whisked eggs to edamame,and veggies .

- after eggs begin to brown, add rice and stir in 1 tbs of soy sauce

- mix well, and enjoy! 

Life style change...

I don't know if anyone has noticed I haven't really posted a new recipe in a while. I'm totally into working out and eating like a crazy health freak. I never thought I would become this . So I figure I will just blog about it to maybe help others or just keep a journal of my progress. I don't have the ability to go to a gym , nor do I want to spend all that money on protein powder . So I'm working out at home and eating all the right foods. I've read and started following other blogs to get some ideas .... so I think I might be able to accomplish my goal! My daughter is almost a year now and I'm the skinniest I've ever been . So I think I must be doing something right :)  Here is MY plan.....



-Download the app " Nike Training Club"

I've done the gym thing, the classes ,weights , blah blah blah...  NIKE TRAINING CLUB  APP IS INCREDIBLE !!
I cannot believe how much I actually enjoying doing these 45 min work outs. You will be dripping in sweat and fall to the floor when you are done! I literally just lay on the floor for at least 5 mins after I've completed my work out.  If you really really really want to get into shape but can't make it to the gym or simply don't like the gym .... Just try this app.

- Drink only WATER ! Just do it !

- Only shop the perimeter of you Grocery store.

That means... Produce, Meat, Seafood , Dairy! The only time you should go down an aisle in a grocery store is to get water, Beans, and Oats. Get in the aisle and get out ! I always shop at Costco ...

 Here is a list of some food  I bought just to give you an idea...

-Chicken Breast
-Avocados
-Organic mixed greens
-Broccoli
-Asparagus
-Cherry Tomatos
-Lemons
-Carrots
-Onions
-Cucumbers
- Plain Greek Yogurt
-Feta Cheese

-I hardly use Oil ..and If I use salt its just a tiny pinch .
-I use lemon on everything . Steamed Broccoli , Chicken marinade, & Salads

Snack- Carrot sticks with Hummus 

Grilled Lemon Chicken NO OIL! Follow my Recipe on my Blog just don't add the oil.

Plain Cucumbers , Tomatoes , Half an Avocado , Feta Cheese, Black Pepper. 

Left over Lemon Chicken, Steamed broccoli, Half baked potato ,Greek Yogurt

All topped with Lemon juice and black pepper.

I love it when I complete the work out !

It will talk you through the whole work out , Just like having a trainer!!

Nike Training Club ..go download it now!

March 1,2013 

I'm really not one to show off my body but I really want to see the progress in 6 months.

Something that helps me A LOT is to post these pictures all over .

To remind myself and give me that extra push.

I follow all fitness links on Facebook, Twitter , and  Instagram so its always in my face.

My news feed on facebook and instagram are  flooded with these types of Pictures!

Put them on your fridge too! Make a poster board of it !

Love this one , ha ha !

I think I can do this .. and so can you !! 

See you in 6 months!! 

Chicken Cordon Bleu

Easy to make Chicken Cordon bleu roll-ups have layers of gooey Swiss cheese and salty ham inside them with a crispy outer breadcrumb coating. It's just Yummy. Not on my diet menu but I'm so sick of cooking the same thing over and over again. Of course I had to go all out and over do it with a Parmesan sauce over the top,YUM !!  

Anyways, I found a very good recipe for the breading and the Parmesan sauce so I'll post the links to give credit where credit is due :) 

2 Chicken Breast 

Butterflied and Pounded thin.

4 Slices Ham 

4 Slices Swiss Cheese 

1 Egg 

 Flour

Panko Bread Crumbs or make your own 

http://www.thekitchenwhisperer.net/2012/02/06/panko-the-latest-rage/

If you need to learn how to butterfly a chicken breast here is a link.

It will make more sense cause I'll probably just confuse you.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/10/04/how-to-butterfly-chicken-breasts_n_995016.html

Lay 2 slices of  ham and 2 slices of  Cheese and roll up tight !

Too easy, I swear!

Here is the Panko breading link 

http://www.thekitchenwhisperer.net/2012/02/06/panko-the-latest-rage/

Add a tbsp of melted butter to your panko Bread crumbs .

It will get nice and Crispy and Golden Brown when you bake it  :)

Dredge your chicken in Flour, Egg, and Bread Crumbs

Drizzle oil on the bottom of your oven pan 

Bake at 400 degrees until chicken is done.

My chicken breast were HUGE it took almost hour to cook 

Your chicken will cook depending on the size of each breast.

If you want to add that Yummy Parmesan Sauce which I highly recommend here is the link...

http://www.reference.com/motif/food_and_drinks/chicken-cordon-bleu-sauce

Black Bean Burger

I made these for lunch today , and I must say I really enjoyed them. They are tasty and healthy too!!

I always buy Boca or Morningstar veggie burgers but not anymore! 

They also freeze really well and are great for a quick Lunch.

You can add any veggies or spices you like .

I used whatever I had on hand and it worked.

1 Can Black Beans 

1 Egg 

1/2 Packet Lipton french onion soup mix 

Salt and pepper to taste 

1 Tsp Cumin

Pinch of Red pepper flakes

1/2 Tsp Garlic Powder 

1/4 Cup Frozen Corn 

1/4 Cup Italian bread Crumbs

Rinse & drain beans. 

Using a fork, mash beans until smooth yet a  little chunky.

Stir in all remaining ingredients and combine well.

Form burgers into 4 patties.

Heat a non-stick frying pan over medium- high heat 

Drizzled with a little Olive or Canola Oil.

Add burgers and cook for 3-4 minutes on each side until crispy & warmed through.

Note- You can add regular diced Onion instead of the onion soup mix. I just happen to be out of Onions that day, haha 

I topped mine with a dollop of plain greek yogurt mixed with Franks red hot sauce and a Jalapeno.

Cheese, Salsa, Avocado , Tomato , and  Red Onion on a bun  would be great too, YUM! 

Enjoy!! 

Sweet & Salty Roasted Chick Peas

SNACK TIME!

I love to just pick all day but with me trying to get my family to eat a little cleaner/healthier I never buy anything to pick on .Now this isn't popcorn or chips but it does the job. In fact I'm eating them as I write this. By the time I'm finish writing this blog they will be all gone. 

Sweet and salty is my thing!!! My favorite thing actually. 

Ingredients 

1 can Chick Peas -Garbanzo Beans

2 1/2 Tsp Olive Oil 

1 Tsp Cinnamon

1 1/2 Tsp Brown Sugar

Pinch of Salt 

Preheat oven to 400 Degrees.

Drain & rinse your Beans.

Place on a baking sheet and back for 30 mins .

(Yes, don't add anything bake naked) Not you the beans,haha

Tossing them around once or twice while cooking .

Meanwhile, Mix Olive Oil,Sugar, Cinnamon,salt .

It will be thick.

Added Roasted Chick Peas and  Mix thoroughly!!  

Enjoy HOT!! 

- You can also do this with Italian spices and add them to your salad!! 

Turkey Spinach Meatballs

Something Light and easy to make.

 I took it easy on the spices because my daughter is starting to eat table food. 

I would have usually added a little red pepper flakes to this recipe.

I just served them plain, But added with sauce or soup would be great too. Turn these into Burgers too!!! 

Here are the ingredients 

1 Pound Ground Turkey or Chicken

1/2 cup Bread Crumbs

1 Cup frozen Spinach, You can add more!

1 Egg

3 Cloves Garlic, Minced

1 Tsp Oregano

1/2 Kosher Salt 

1/2 Black pepper 

1/2 Cup Chopped Yellow Onion 

Preheat Oven 375 Degrees F .

In a large mixing bowl, Mix all the ingredients until well blended .

Lightly Grease your baking sheet.

Form in 1 -2 inch Balls. ( Make them as small or as big as you like )
Bake meatballs for about 25-30 minutes , Turning them a couple times while baking to brown all sides.

Turkey Meatballs! 

Chicken Milanese & Roasted Carrots

I took a Barefoot Contessa recipe,

 a Hungry Girl recipe

and Created a Delicious Meal!

Ina Garten is #1 on my top 3 favorite chefs . Everything she makes is over the top perfect and she always uses fresh and simple ingredients.

Hungry girl- Lisa Lillen well she's just smart! I've been making her recipes for a couple years now!

I'm going to post links to show you the recipes that inspired me to create this.

I didn't use exactly what they used, but I took small parts of each and put them together.

Here is a list of Ingredients for your Chicken

2 Boneless skinless Chicken breast , Sliced thin 

I sliced mine so thin it made 9 cutlets. 

1 Cup Fiber One Cereal

1 Tsp Kosher Salt 

1/2 Tsp Fresh Ground Pepper

1 Tsp Garlic Powder

1/2 Tsp Dried Parsley

2 Eggs 

Cooking Spray 

Fresh Greens & Cherry Tomatos

http://www.hungry-girl.com/newsletters/raw/725

Using a food processor grind fiber one cereal to a breadcrumb like consistancy.

add Salt,Pepper,Garlic Powder, and Dried Parsley to Crumb.

Preheat oven to 400 degrees

Spray a large cookie sheet with cooking spray.

Coat your chicken cutlets in egg wash and then the crumb mixture.

Place on cookie sheet and spray the top of each chicken cutlet with cooking spray.

Bake at 400 degrees until golden brown and crispy. 

Lemon Dijon Vinaigrette 

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ina-garten/parmesan-chicken-recipe/index.html

1 Lemon, Juiced

1/2 Cup Olive Oil

1/2 Tsp Kosher Salt 

1/4 Tsp Fresh Ground Pepper

1 Clove Garlic, Minced

1 Tbsp Dijon Mustard

Add all ingredients to a small bowl, whisk to combine. 

  Place fresh greens and cherry tomato's on top of your hot chicken. Place a tablespoon of your vinaigrette over the top of greens .So Yummy!!

Roasted Carrots 

1 16 oz bag of Baby Carrots

1/2 Tsp Cinnamon

1/2 Tsp Kosher Salt

1/2 Tsp Paprika 

1/2 Tsp Garlic Powder

Pinch of Red Pepper (optional)

Olive oil 

Preheat oven to 400 Degrees .

Slice carrots in half, Diagonally

Drizzle olive oil over carrots just enough to lightly coat.

mix salt, garlic powder, paprika, cinnamon, & red pepper flakes over carrots .

Place on a roasting pan at 400 degrees for about 20 mins, flipping once with spatula.

Dinner is ready!!