Finally! Here's my video.
Thursday, September 8, 2011
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
Apricot Chicken
Well - it tasted good and looked good on the plate but didn't look at all like the picture from the food network. This was not really a make over meal though I did switch out regular apricot preserves for sugar free. Once completed, I poured it over white rice and added a side of peas - wish it were sugar snap peas but I didn't have any...
So the picture showed the chicken pretty well coated, almost like a glaze, mine was very soupy so I may have done something not quite right.
I think I'd try this again - I think apples would go great with apple jelly and some nutmeg.
Enjoy - Be well!
So the picture showed the chicken pretty well coated, almost like a glaze, mine was very soupy so I may have done something not quite right.
I think I'd try this again - I think apples would go great with apple jelly and some nutmeg.
Enjoy - Be well!
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
Hash brown quiche
One of the easiest meals I have ever made - hands down. The recipe calls for using butter, I used margarine - not much difference, 3 eggs, I used egg substitute to equal three eggs, 1 cup of 1/2 & 1/2, I used fat free, 1 cup of cheddar - I don't substitute my cheese but I think less would be fine, 3/4 cup of diced ham - ick but I added it anyway and 1/2 cup of chopped green onions all in a shell made of 3 cups of shredded hash browns (get the frozen ones set aside 3 cups to defrost, press between paper towels to absorb as much moister as possible) mixed with 1/2 stick of melted margarine (butter) which I pressed into a 9" pie plate, making sure to get the sides. The crust/shell was baked for 20-25 minutes in a 450 degree oven. While the crust was baking, I mixed the other ingredients in a bowl then poured into the crust, lowered the oven temperature to 350 degrees.
I garnished the individual slices with additional green onions and a dollop of sour cream - you could add more onions or sour cream to taste.
As I was making this dish, I realized it could be used for additional flavors, if you will. I could make zucchini strata with it - make the crust, add sliced zucchini then the egg and 1/2 & 1/2 mixture top with feta and croutons then bake for 30 minutes. From there, you could really add what other veggies or meats of your choice. The key to making this lighter is using the egg substitute, fat free 1/2 & 1/2 and veggies. A little potato is ok along with a little fat - the butter or margarine.
So having said all the above...both the hubs and L had second helpings. I, on the other hand, am not a fan of ham in my eggs. I would make this again for a pot luck or something of that nature but if I were to eat this again, I'd make it with out the ham but add some additional veggies.
Enjoy and be well!
I garnished the individual slices with additional green onions and a dollop of sour cream - you could add more onions or sour cream to taste.
As I was making this dish, I realized it could be used for additional flavors, if you will. I could make zucchini strata with it - make the crust, add sliced zucchini then the egg and 1/2 & 1/2 mixture top with feta and croutons then bake for 30 minutes. From there, you could really add what other veggies or meats of your choice. The key to making this lighter is using the egg substitute, fat free 1/2 & 1/2 and veggies. A little potato is ok along with a little fat - the butter or margarine.
So having said all the above...both the hubs and L had second helpings. I, on the other hand, am not a fan of ham in my eggs. I would make this again for a pot luck or something of that nature but if I were to eat this again, I'd make it with out the ham but add some additional veggies.
Monday, September 5, 2011
Strawberry nachos = SUCCESS!
YES - The nachos are awesome! The original recipe calls for deep frying tortillas to make chips then topping them with sliced strawberries and a drizzle of sweet cream.
Well, I didn't follow this recipe at all! I started with 4 organic, vegan 10" tortillas (organic/vegan by chance) which I cut into pieces, sprayed with cooking spray and covered in a mix of Truvia and cinamon on both sides and baked in a 375 degree oven - maybe 10-15 minutes. Meanwhile, I hulled and sliced a quart of strawberries and shaved chocolate to sprinkle on top. Once the chips were cool, I put them neatly on a plate, covered with strawberries, added a small amount of whipped cream (Redi-Whip) and sprinkled the whole dish with the chocolate.
The chocolate shavings are made with 60% dark chocolate that you can get as a bar in the baking isle. Three squares of this chocolate equal 16 grams of sugar which equals 5.1 grams per square, the squares approximately 1" x 1". I used three squares for the whole dish.
You could really make this with any type of fruit you prefer though I think some would work better than others. Plus, if you don't have to watch your sugars, you can use real whip cream and milk chocolate. Ice cream would be nice with this as well. You could put some vanilla ice cream (Eddy's no sugar added vanilla would be great) in a bowl, top with the strawberries and chocolate then add a couple of chips for garnish.
If you want to bring the Strawberry nachos for a dessert to a friend's house or a party, I would suggest assembling it once you get there. Another option would be "make your own" nachos so if someone wanted more whipped cream or chocolate, they could add as much as they want!
L told me this is a must make again dish!
Enjoy and be well!
Well, I didn't follow this recipe at all! I started with 4 organic, vegan 10" tortillas (organic/vegan by chance) which I cut into pieces, sprayed with cooking spray and covered in a mix of Truvia and cinamon on both sides and baked in a 375 degree oven - maybe 10-15 minutes. Meanwhile, I hulled and sliced a quart of strawberries and shaved chocolate to sprinkle on top. Once the chips were cool, I put them neatly on a plate, covered with strawberries, added a small amount of whipped cream (Redi-Whip) and sprinkled the whole dish with the chocolate.
The chocolate shavings are made with 60% dark chocolate that you can get as a bar in the baking isle. Three squares of this chocolate equal 16 grams of sugar which equals 5.1 grams per square, the squares approximately 1" x 1". I used three squares for the whole dish.
You could really make this with any type of fruit you prefer though I think some would work better than others. Plus, if you don't have to watch your sugars, you can use real whip cream and milk chocolate. Ice cream would be nice with this as well. You could put some vanilla ice cream (Eddy's no sugar added vanilla would be great) in a bowl, top with the strawberries and chocolate then add a couple of chips for garnish.
If you want to bring the Strawberry nachos for a dessert to a friend's house or a party, I would suggest assembling it once you get there. Another option would be "make your own" nachos so if someone wanted more whipped cream or chocolate, they could add as much as they want!
L told me this is a must make again dish!
this weeks meal menu
Today I decided to do something different to spice up our meal options. I put a letter on a card and had L pick one for each meal then we went on to FoodNetwork.com to search for meal options. This was certainly challenging for two reasons: 1 - I'm super picky!, and 2 - my diet options. So here is what we've come up with:
Monday, Italian meatballs with spaghetti (my own recipe) and strawberry shortcake nachos for dessert; Tuesday, hash brown quiche; Wednesday, Apricot chicken and white rice; Thursday, warm steak and potato salad and Friday, Grilled chicken pitas with yogurt sauce.
The key to making this work...follow through! I will try my best to make sure I actually cook each night. This won't be easy with the baby and me being tired by the end of the day but it's what needs to be done to stay healthy - and not break the bank with eating out!
I'll let you know how it goes!
OH! My make over dish...well, there will be some make over happening for most of the week but the one I have chosen is Paula Deans' Cream Cheese Tarts (she makes them with canned pie filling on top, I'll have to figure something else out!). Wish me luck! (with the dish and the laptop!!!!)
Be well!
Monday, Italian meatballs with spaghetti (my own recipe) and strawberry shortcake nachos for dessert; Tuesday, hash brown quiche; Wednesday, Apricot chicken and white rice; Thursday, warm steak and potato salad and Friday, Grilled chicken pitas with yogurt sauce.
The key to making this work...follow through! I will try my best to make sure I actually cook each night. This won't be easy with the baby and me being tired by the end of the day but it's what needs to be done to stay healthy - and not break the bank with eating out!
I'll let you know how it goes!
OH! My make over dish...well, there will be some make over happening for most of the week but the one I have chosen is Paula Deans' Cream Cheese Tarts (she makes them with canned pie filling on top, I'll have to figure something else out!). Wish me luck! (with the dish and the laptop!!!!)
Be well!
Thursday, September 1, 2011
To my family and friends
I just re-read my previous posts. Most of you did not know any of what I have posted, I kept it all between the hubs and me. I made it through all that and never plan to revisit it again! My life is wonderful, was wonderful, I just needed to break out of my "head", get over myself and do what was needed. I am grateful for all the support and understanding for why I did what I did and why I'm going to be so honest in my blog. I cannot help people without being honest and up front for where I've come from, where I'm at and where I plan on being. I love you all!
The baby is here and now what?
Just shy of 6 weeks ago I had the baby. C is a wonderful gift I never thought I would have - never! I am so very happy and, at the same time I'm having the normal adjustment challenges.
I am happy to say that I lost almost all the weight I gained from being pregnant by the time C was three/four weeks old. I also have to say that I am struggling a bit with food, I seem to be hungry all the time but I have no desire to stick with the healthier options. Don't get me wrong, I can't eat traditional "junk" but I guess an apple would be better than cheeze-its! Part of the reason, I think, that I'm making the poor choices or am always hungry is because I learned to medicate myself with food - stressed = eat, happy = eat, sad = eat, etc... I am happy/sad/stressed/frustrated and I also try to hide instead of dealing with what is troubling me. I mean hide behind my addiction...food.
Sadly, today I found out that a person who I care a lot about was diagnosed with Stage 4 Cancer. My friend's dad was also diagnosed with Stage 4 Cancer a few weeks ago. I am taking this as a message to either shit or get off the pot, as they say. So, here goes.... Time to air my laundry - I just had a baby, have very little desire to leave her - EVER - but I need to, have a wonderful husband who I don't want to let do anything with C except when it comes to the late night feedings... I don't sleep when she sleeps because I have a 10 year old and a house to run, plus, I think I'm just too ADHD to be able to rest. The hubs and L are wonderful - they take such great care of me and C.
I want for very few things at this stage of my life - happiness is on the top and well, I'm pretty close to that, health - well, we're much better in that area, family - couldn't ask for anything more, work - I have a job, I enjoy my job and am grateful I have one it's just not my dream job... I would like to have more money so I could buy a house and one day have my dream kitchen. I guess you could say that even though we are in a better financial place than we have ever been in, I really want a house and dream kitchen! The thing that I want most in my life is the financial means to be able to stay at home to raise my family. I hate that I have to leave C with anyone for her day to day needs as I go to work.
This is where I make my move to make my dreams/wants/desires happen. I will be recording myself in the kitchen making a Paula Dean dish but as a make-over dish so you can see how to prepare a delicious meal/dessert with less fat and calories. Everyone can do this but I am hoping this will be the start of something wonderful for me and my family. At the end of the day it will, at the very least, be something wonderful to eat! My next post will be September 7th (this is when L goes back to school) which I hope will be my dish video (the only challenge will be making the video on my laptop...new technology and all)
Be well!
I am happy to say that I lost almost all the weight I gained from being pregnant by the time C was three/four weeks old. I also have to say that I am struggling a bit with food, I seem to be hungry all the time but I have no desire to stick with the healthier options. Don't get me wrong, I can't eat traditional "junk" but I guess an apple would be better than cheeze-its! Part of the reason, I think, that I'm making the poor choices or am always hungry is because I learned to medicate myself with food - stressed = eat, happy = eat, sad = eat, etc... I am happy/sad/stressed/frustrated and I also try to hide instead of dealing with what is troubling me. I mean hide behind my addiction...food.
Sadly, today I found out that a person who I care a lot about was diagnosed with Stage 4 Cancer. My friend's dad was also diagnosed with Stage 4 Cancer a few weeks ago. I am taking this as a message to either shit or get off the pot, as they say. So, here goes.... Time to air my laundry - I just had a baby, have very little desire to leave her - EVER - but I need to, have a wonderful husband who I don't want to let do anything with C except when it comes to the late night feedings... I don't sleep when she sleeps because I have a 10 year old and a house to run, plus, I think I'm just too ADHD to be able to rest. The hubs and L are wonderful - they take such great care of me and C.
I want for very few things at this stage of my life - happiness is on the top and well, I'm pretty close to that, health - well, we're much better in that area, family - couldn't ask for anything more, work - I have a job, I enjoy my job and am grateful I have one it's just not my dream job... I would like to have more money so I could buy a house and one day have my dream kitchen. I guess you could say that even though we are in a better financial place than we have ever been in, I really want a house and dream kitchen! The thing that I want most in my life is the financial means to be able to stay at home to raise my family. I hate that I have to leave C with anyone for her day to day needs as I go to work.
This is where I make my move to make my dreams/wants/desires happen. I will be recording myself in the kitchen making a Paula Dean dish but as a make-over dish so you can see how to prepare a delicious meal/dessert with less fat and calories. Everyone can do this but I am hoping this will be the start of something wonderful for me and my family. At the end of the day it will, at the very least, be something wonderful to eat! My next post will be September 7th (this is when L goes back to school) which I hope will be my dish video (the only challenge will be making the video on my laptop...new technology and all)
Be well!
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