Zesty Chicken and Rice

 

Every week I troll the internet for food that's not only healthy but that I'd actually want to eat. I found one tonight and thought I'd share, one less recipe you have to hunt down when you make a healthy menu. If you like this one and want more, look here. For those who don't like spicy food, don't worry..it's not.



Ingredients
2 cups brown rice
4 cups water
4 skinless, boneless chicken breasts, cut into 1 inch strips
1 can low-sodium diced tomatoes
1 cup low-sodium chili sauce
1 -1/2 cup green pepper, chopped
1-1/2 cup celery, chopped
1/4 cup onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon fresh basil (or 1 tsp. dried)
1 tablespoon fresh parsley ( or 1 tsp. dried)
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper
3/4 teaspoon salt
3 tablespoons olive oil
Directions

Heat 2 Tbsp. of olive oil in a large pot on medium heat. Add rice and stir until it starts to crackle (about 2 minutes). Add water and 1/2 tsp. of salt. Cover pot and bring to a boil, then reduce heat and allow to cook for about 30 minutes, until rice is soft. In a deep skillet, add 1 Tbsp. of olive oil and preheat over high heat. Cook chicken in skillet until no longer pink (about 4 minutes). Reduce heat and add all other ingredients. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer and cover for 10 minutes. Serve over the cooked brown rice. Makes 4 servings.

Nutritional Information
Zesty Chicken & Brown Rice

Servings Per Recipe: 4 servings

Amount Per Serving

Calories: 310
Total Fat: 6g
Cholesterol: mg
Sodium: mg
Total Carbs: 43g
Dietary Fiber: g
Protein: 31g

If you're looking for inspiration...

Tomorrow a new show starts that just may be the inspiration you need. "Extreme Makeover Weight Loss" showcases one person per episode and shows and entire years worth of their struggle. No " thin in 30 seconds" here! You'll watch these people struggle with the same things you do, maybe more and see how they dug deep within themselves and stopped making excuses. Yes, they get a trainer and someone their to hold them accountable but that doesn't mean they have an advantage over you at all. Why? Well all that fancy stuff that they have doesn't mean anything, at the end of the day it's all about the person putting in the work! If you're looking for support and advice, you're already in the right place..that's why we're here. If our little blog doesn't do it for you, find something that does..that's the beauty of the internet. You're never alone!

Personally, I'll be watching this show and keeping it in the back of my mind as I strive for my goal. If at 500 lbs the lady on the first episode can get off her rear and into action..so can I! Remember, no matter what obstacles you think you have in your way..the only real one is YOU! (Get out of your own way already!)

Livin la vida low carb!

Okay readers, it's been a full week now off carbs..well down to one serving a day. Let me first start by re-stating how much I was so hopelessly and madly in love carbs of all kinds. I honestly didn't think I'd make it through the first night..I actually caught myself dreaming of Wheat thins! Yeah, it was that bad! Literally just about every thought I had involved a carb..that was a serious wake-up call.

So let's fast forward to today. I've been noticing that I don't get the afternoon sleepiness, I sleep better at night and my sweet tooth isn't near what it used to be. Oh, and I lost two inches all around in a week! Low carb dieting isn't the answer to everything but it's clearly made enough of a difference to warrant a lifestyle change.

A great example was my shopping trip today. I walked past isles and isles of sweets and honestly all I saw was sugar, chemicals and high processed muck in pretty package with tricky labels. My eyes saw the yummy foods but my brain realized what it really was..nasty! That 3 second rush of "yum!" is so not worth diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol (and a million other health risks) not to mention  crazy mood swings, low self-esteem and looking at cute clothes wishing they came in the size I could be if I'd just get my butt in gear! Nope. Not a sweet in the world worth all that! Don't get me wrong, I'm not swearing off chocolate (let's be serious here!) but I am going to think before I eat. (The back of the package stays a serving is one piece, not one bar..and no, you can't eat two pieces and then promise yourself you won't have any tomorrow...show some control.)

Trying Again... With Thin Within

Soooo...guess what? Yep, you guessed it... I gained my weight back....after a year of traveling and managing my father's estate. I'd rather say so here than anywhere else! Who else would understand? 

But the great thing is that I'm still counting my blessings and I've learned to eat WAY healthier than I used to. And I'm exercising using a hula hoop..and doing yardwork. (Talk about exhausting!) And I lost four pounds already since I 'got back on track'. 

I've started losing weight again and this book, Thin Within, has been the biggest help. It's just waiting on hunger and stopping when you are full. Simple? Not really, because obedience is never easy.

The fact is that I know in my heart that overeating which the bible talks about in many places is just another sin. Not 'just'..but IS.  As the Lord has been renewing my mind with his word, I've been much more careful about what goes in my mouth.

It's a little harder this week to eat right..and temptations abound when you are eating out..cooking special meals for family...and not paying attention... but I know the Lord will get me through.

I'm starting my food journal again so I can pay better attention to WHEN I eat and WHAT I eat.

How about you? Are you guys still doing well? I know Deb is for sure. :o) She's a real inspiration.

And my dear friend Jaime of Life and Love in the Country is doing great! She posts recipes and her exercise routine regularly! If you want to get inspired..be sure to check out her weight loss journey. :o)

And so is Kylie of REAL FAT! She's so inspiring that my daughter-in-law is following her weight loss program which is similar in that it is based on devotions and scripture too.

What all are you doing to get thin..or stay thin..?  I'd love to hear what you are up to.

Blessings,
Donna @ Comin' Home

"Healthier" Dessert Recipes for the Holidays and a Substitute for Mashed Potatoes

Hi Ladies,

Long time no post! I know!  I'm afraid that since my father passed away, I've been really swamped, so I just haven't had the energy to manage more than one blog..and I have several. But I love this idea of Jaime's. With the holidays coming upon us, I know I've been more tempted than usual. I don't want to eat junk so how great it would be to bring something with me that I know I can eat!  We don't want to eat this stuff every day, but for those times when we might be tempted..it's great to have a way to plan ahead.

I've been winging it for quite some time, but was recently encouraged to try South Beach's cookbook as they have put together some great recipes that are 'OK' for me to eat. Low carb and low fat--perfect!

I went through the cookbook and these are some  recipes I plan to try this week.

First, the easiest healthy snack which can be taken to parties, is Chocolate dipped strawberries. South Beach recommends this dessert (four strawberries only--just a little chocolate).  It's a painless splurge that can get you past the unhealthy snacks. Delicious! You can see how to make these here.

Mocha Ricotta Creme

1/2 cup part-skim ricotta cheese

1/2 t. unsweetened cocoa powder

1/4 t. vanilla extract

1 package sugar substitute

Dash espresso powder

5 mini chocolate chips 

Mix together the ricotta, cocoa powder, vanilla extract, and surgar substitute in a dessert bowl. Serve chilled with a dusting of espresso powder and sprinkled with the mini chocolate chips.

261 calories, 15 g. protein, 17 g. carbs, 14 g. fat, 9 g. saturated fats

If you are going to indulge, and just can't help it...this is much better than most desserts...low carbish, low fat-ish, and enough protein to keep your blood sugar level stable.  This would be great to make on the night the rest of the family is having pie, or to take to a party (x 4 or 5)

 credit

Strawberries (or berries) with Vanilla Yogurt Parfait

4 ounces non-fat, sugar -free vanilla yogurt

1/2 cup chopped strawberries.
South beach suggests 'Uncle Sam's Cereal' as a layer too. It's just a high fiber cereal, so probably any high fiber cereal would be good. or even toasted oats. Yummy!

Spoon the yogurt into a parfait glass then add the strawberries. Serve immediately.

Grandma's Pineapple Cucumber Lime Jello Salad Recipe

Ingredients

• 1 6oz package of Jell-O Lime gelatin
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 cups hot water
• 2 cups cold water
• 1 1/2 cups peeled, diced cucumbers
• 3 Tbsp horseradish (or more if you want it spicier)
• 1/2 teaspoon grated onion
• 2 Tbsp vinegar
• 1 1/2 cup of diced or crushed drained canned pineapple (you cannot use fresh pineapple with gelatins. The bromelaine enzyme in fresh pineapple will keep the gelatin from bonding.)

Method

1 In a bowl, dissolve lime jello and salt in 2 cups of hot water (don't use boiling water, just regular hot water). Add 2 cups cold water. Chill until slightly thickened - the consistency of egg whites, about 30 minutes.
2 In a separate bowl mix cucumber, horseradish, grated onion, and vinegar. Fold pineapple and cucumber mixture into jello. Pour into a jello mold and chill for several hours (about 6) until gelatin sets.
3 To remove jello from its mold, fill up a basin half-way with hot water. Lower the jello mold into the hot water, metal side down, until the water comes up almost to the edge of the mold. Keep it there 5 seconds and remove. Place a plate on top of the jello mold and turn upside down. The jello salad should just slide out.
Serves 6-8.

Surprise South Beach Mashed "Potatoes"  
photo from Tracey's Culinary Adventures..worth a visit!

This is one recipe that my friend, Shona, uses and I have wanted to try. I really need this one in my repertoire. 

4 cups cauliflower florets

1 ounce I can't Believe it's not butter! spray

1 ounce Land O Lakes Gourmet Fat-free half & half

pinch salt

pinch freshly ground pepper

Steam or microwave the cauliflower until soft. Puree in a food processor, adding the butter spray and half-and half to taste. Season with salt and pepper.

Okay ladies..let's pay if forward!

So tomorrow is national"pay it forward day" and it got me thinking about how we could help each other. Since we've working on weight loss and dealing with the yummy holiday temptation, why not share healthy recipes!? They don't have to be holiday recipes, just something yummy that doesn't go straight to the hips.

I'll start!

Lunchbox oatmeal cookies (more like peanut butter cookies to me)
* It's a diabetic recipe so it's low sugar and only 76 calories per cookie

1/2	cup butter or margarine, softened
1/2	cup reduced-fat peanut butter
1/3	cup  granulated sugar
1/3	cuppacked brown sugar
1/2	teaspoon baking soda
2	egg whites
1/2	teaspoon vanilla
1	cup all-purpose flour
1	cup quick-cooking rolled oats

1. In a large mixing bowl beat butter and peanut butter with an electric mixer on medium to high speed about 30 seconds or until combined.

2. Add granulated sugar, brown sugar, and baking soda. Beat until combined, scraping sides of bowl occasionally. Beat in egg whites and vanilla until combined. Beat in as much flour as you can with the mixer. Stir in any remaining flour. Stir in oats.

3. Drop dough by rounded teaspoons 2 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheets. Bake in a 375 degree F oven for 7 to 8 minutes or until edges are golden. Cool on cookie sheet for 1 minute. Transfer to a wire rack and let cool. Makes about 40 cookies.

Pasted from <http://www.diabeticlivingonline.com/recipe/cookies/lunch-box-oatmeal-cookies/>

Spinach pesto, sausage  and pasta dinner

*I tweaked this from the original link ,this is my version. The original seems to make around 1 serving so adjust the amounts according to your needs. (I double the pesto ingredients in bold.)

Ingredients:

• 1 cup spinach
• 1 cup fresh basil
• 1 clove garlic
• 1/4 cup lemon juice
• 1/4 cup white cooking wine
• 1/2 cup low-sodium chicken broth
• 1/2 cup Parmesan
• 3/4 cup sliced mushrooms
• 1 cup cooked whole wheat pasta-I make enough for 4 servings.

• 4 oz. lean turkey kielbasa- I use a whole package

Heat skillet over medium heat. Slice kielbasa and add to skillet, toasting both sides of each sausage slice until browned and cook mushrooms until tender. Add spinach, basil, garlic, pine nuts, lemon juice, wine, broth, Parmesan, and salt to blender, pulsing until combined and smooth. Add pasta and 2 Tb. of pesto sauce to mushrooms and chicken, stirring until combined and heated through. Top with 1 oz. grated Parmesan. (There will be extra pesto.)*I just add all the pesto to all the pasta since I make this recipe larger and there are still plenty of leftovers for lunch

_ Just little update

It seems nobody is posting on this site anymore. Just an little update my life is so busy this time of the year. I took an promotion at work and let me tell you it seems I am running my legs off trying to get as much done as possible in my shift. Went to the doctor on Friday for just my follow up and I had to fast for my blood work. By the time I got out of there I thought I was starving trust me no coffee at 6am for me that morning. That's the first thing I went to get when I got out. I have lost "Nine" pounds since September. I seem to lose more when I am not thinking about it or trying so hard.