EZ Roast Chicken

I bought an organic, free-range chicken the other day.  When I got home from the store, I rinsed it off, took the packet out of the cavity and stuffed some lemons in there.  I sprinkled it with salt and pepper.. you could add more spices though.  I put it in a bowl and left it out to dry off a little bit.  Then, I put it in the fridge for 2 days.

When I was ready to start cooking, I slid it into a glass baking dish and put it in the oven at 425 degrees.  

After an hour, I checked it and it was getting brown on the outside, but it was not fully cooked.  I turned the oven down to 400 so that it didn't get too brown on the outside.  I put it back in for about 30 more minutes and it was done!

I had my hubby cut it up and I served it with broccoli and steamed cabbage!

A Big Step

So, I recently started eating a lot cleaner.  In April, I completed the Virgin Diet and after YEARS of not being able to lose weight, I did! I went on the diet to be healthier since I had a lot of digestive issues. Basically, I cut the seven foods that are the most likely to cause food allergies or intolerances.



Well, since then, I have not been very good.  I have cheated. A. Lot. It is difficult in the summer, but I have been working out every day and I am not doing my body any good by cheating on my healthy food!  My brother picked up this book when I was with him one day and he started the "Whole30."  It is 30 days of REAL FOOD. Protein from meat, seafood, or eggs. Vegetables. Healthy Fats. Occasional fruit. That's it.

It is a 30-day reset.  SO, if I cheat. I start over at day 1. SO NO CHEATING! Who's with me?  Starting Monday, July 29th. 

ZOODLES!

My turning slicer, as discussed in the last post.

We made Zoodles (zucchini noodles!!)

We placed them in the cast iron skillet with a little bit of oil, some onions, and seasoned salt.  We fried them up to al dente texture (about 8 minutes).

Then, we at them for breakfast with bacon, eggs, and gluten-free banana pancakes!

Noodle slicer!

So I was pleasanlty surprised one day to come home to a package.  Turns out it was this little gem from my brother-- a housewarming gift!!

It's a slicer that also makes food into noodles.  He came to visit me for the week, so we tried it out and liked it.  We tried to make everything into noodles!! We had curly sweet potato fries this night.  After he sliced the sweet potatoes (it only takes about 2 sweet potatoes to feed 4 people), we placed them in a bowl and drizzled oil on top.  

We shook it up to coat the potatoes with oil and then placed them on the pan.  We tried to make sure to spread them out evenly.

We placed them in the COLD OVEN... yes, we did NOT preheat it!  Then turned the oven on to 425 degrees and baked them for about 12-15 minutes.  When you let sweet potatoes warm up slowly, the natural sugars come out so there is no need for sugar and butter!

We served them up with some grilled veggies and steak cooked on the grill.  Perfect summertime meal!

Guest Post! Frittata: Breakfast of Champions

This post is from my brother, Danny, who began his healthy journey several years ago.

Several years ago (sorry it's blurry... you get the idea!)

At his wedding

Most recently, he began following the Paleo lifestyle.  If you are insterested, you can read about it here http://thepaleodiet.com/

Danny is a great cook!  He makes most of the meals for him and his wife, so I asked him to do a guest post recipe.

SO, here goes!

I’m sure everyone’s heard that breakfast is the most important meal of the day.  Is this claim rooted in fact or is it an urban legend?  In the end, do you really care?  Most of us are hungry and need something to fuel our day and probably don’t have much time to do it.  Unfortunately, most “quick and easy” foods are loaded with sugar, carbs, and chemicals.  Wouldn’t it be great to get your protein, veggies, and healthy fats in 1 dish as part of “the most important meal of the day”?  The solution:  Frittata.  A frittata is an egg dish, sort of like an egg pie.  Frittatas are my go-to egg vehicle, especially when it can be made the night before and enjoyed for the next couple mornings.

Frittatas are awesome! Let me count the way

1. It’s easy to make.
2.   It can be made ahead of time and warmed up later (and still taste just as delicious).
3. The possibilities are infinite.  You can use your favorite proteins, veggies, and other toppings to break up the monotony.
4. It can help you clean out an overstocked fridge:  leftovers, veggies that need to be consumed, etc.  You’re only limited by your creativity (and what you have on hand).
5. It is healthy!  The eggs alone have a ton of nutrients. You can boost the vitamin and mineral content by adding colorful veggies or pack in extra protein in the form of meat.
6. It is basically an omelet but takes less finesse to make and sounds fancier.
7. Your co-workers may or may not look at you weird when you are not eating Pop-Tarts (loaded with sugar/carbs/chemicals) or oatmeal (grainsL).

Simple Frittata Ingredients:

6-8 Large Eggs

¾ cup chopped onions

¾ cup chopped green pepper

¾ cup broccoli (break into small pieces)

1 large clove or 2 small cloves garlic minced

1 T Coconut Oil or Olive Oil

Salt and Pepper to Taste

Directions:

1.       Preheat oven to 350º F.

2.       Heat coconut oil in an oven safe skillet.

3.       Add broccoli, green, pepper, and onions to hot oil.  Sauté for about 5-7 min until veggies are soft.

4.       While veggies are sautéing, crack eggs into a mixing bowl and whisk until smooth.

5.       Add garlic to skillet and sauté for 2 minutes.

6.       Pour egg mixture evenly into skillet and place in oven for 10 minutes or until eggs are firm.

7.       Top with your favorite hot sauce, if that’s your thing.

Optional Toppings:

·         Avocado or guacamole and/or salsa

·         Bacon!!!

·         Your favorite sausage

·         Cheese!  (Try Kerry Gold Dubliner, its Irish and from grass fed cows!)

So, start rocking frittatas for breakfast and the next time your co-worker makes the stereotypical “Breakfast of Champions” comment when they see you eating in the office, you can be confident they are actually right.